Blog Posts

As I near the completion of my first romance novel, as well as any other thing I undertake in retirement, my appreciation for these two popular phrases only increases: “Live and learn” and “Never put off till tomorrow what can be accomplished today.” In my case, both snippets of wisdom should be in the same sentence and breath! In life,

Whatever major project you’re trying to accomplish in life—whether writing and publishing your first romance novel, creating and then following the best retirement plan for you and your spouse, or any project that has arrested your full attention at the moment—maintaining a genuinely serious commitment to the hard work ahead will be paramount. But be sure to count the costs

Just as in writing a novel, so it is in life. An author must identify their target audience, and so should each of us understand that the people we allow into our inner circle must love and sacrifice as we do, share similar goals and purposes, and hold common beliefs and interests. Otherwise, we set ourselves up for tension, heartache,

I previously hesitated to like, love, or comment on social media posts for the fear of being ostracized, pigeonholed, or even destroyed by people who didn’t see life through the same lens as I did. I had no desire to put my job, my relationships, or even my future dreams in jeopardy because of how I think, speak, and live.

Writing a novel can be like recovering from a destructive deep freeze. Over the next few weeks, and on into Spring, I’ll get out my handsaw, shears, and rake to clean up all that is dead and no longer adding beauty to my yard. The lifeless vegetation will then be piled at the curb and removed by the city. Similarly,

One thing about growing older, especially after entering retirement, is that it’s very easy to slip into a zone of comfort and detachment from the world around us. It’s a place where we stop pushing ourselves to be more than we are and gradually accept that the best years, experiences, and achievements are permanently behind us. Avoid that place at

Time goes by so fast, and especially so at my age! I’m 70 years old now, and I want to make every second of my remaining life meaningful and significant. That’s why I’ve decided to pursue my 55-year-old dream of becoming a published author. I don’t want my life to conclude like one of those movies where people would say,

Don’t let popular, ever-changing social norms erode your personal identity and belief system. You were born into a brief but specific and unique time period. Therefore, I encourage you to think, speak, act, and live like you’re from that time period. Don’t be afraid or pressured by what anyone says about you or your kind, lest you abandon who you

Was it just two pairs of lips coming together for a few awkward moments to signal the birth of a fragile, new relationship? Or was it two sets of luscious, burning flesh interlocking with sizzling passion, as hormones exploded, and young love blossomed like an atomic bomb? Well, it depends on one’s perspective. For instance, would the first kiss between

I’m loving the incoming feedback from my beta readers! They’ve discovered things I’ve overlooked or never would have considered. If I want to succeed, I must embrace correction so I can make the necessary changes. I’m learning it takes a community to write and publish a book—spouse, family, friends, and publishing professionals! And, as I continue along the path toward