Welcome, fellow writers! What can you learn from me and my journey?
I haven’t forgotten how it was when I began writing my first novel. There was a big learning curve. In college, I’d written poetry and short stories, but writing a novel seemed so big, it was overwhelming.
Dusty Richards, a well-known author of westerns, challenged our group at the Ozark Creative Writers weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to write our first novel. The winner of his contest would win a full read of the winning manuscript by his editor. Back then, you needed an agent and a publisher to be published. His challenge was too good to pass up.
I took the leap, and Gone to Texas: A Desperate Journey was born. The contest was for western fiction. When I began, I thought I was writing a western. It turned out to be a western historical romance. My first advice for any writer is – be willing to take that leap. WRITE.
Write until you reach ‘The End.’
Then celebrate because this is huge. Many writers never finish. Finishing what you start is a skill that will serve you well.
The story is the most important thing in your author career.
I’ve learned a lot since my first novel launched way back in 2008/2009. I’ve taught beginning writers ever since, beginning with panels in 2009 at the Romantic Times Booklovers convention in Orlando, part of Bobbi Smith’s beginner’s writing program, and Judy McCoy’s intermediate program.
When I was invited to be on those panels, I only had one book out. I would be sitting next to established authors on the NYT lists. A mentor who had experience giving professional speeches gave me this advice… “If you can reach just one writer in the audience and share what they need to know, you will have helped one person. And that is why you are there.” I’ve never forgotten his advice.
In 2007, when I signed my first book contract, I had an agent, a small advance, and a seven-year contract with a small traditional publishing house. I’ve ridden that traditional roller coaster with highs and lows. In 2013, when I created my first indie book, to put my college poems out, I knew the level of quality I wanted my books to have if they were to compete with traditional press books. Today, my indie press, Belo Dia Publishing Inc., is where most of my books are published. Belo Dia is Portuguese for “Beautiful Day,” and “Beautiful Day” is part of who I am as a person, so it became a major part of my branding. Which leads me to a branding question.
What is branding? I believe it’s knowing who you are, acting like it, and making sure your brand reflects that. There’s a lot more to it, and I’m no branding expert, but I do know that the more you are yourself, writing in your writer’s voice, the more you will connect with readers who will follow you and your work. Even if you hire someone to help you with branding, you will need to know who you are. They need to know, to do a good job for you. In 2025, I had my website redesigned with a new logo and a new look. This rebranding fits who I am as a multi-genre, traveling author.
My training as a writer:
I attended the Antioch Writers Workshop in Yellow Springs, Ohio, for three summers. We all attended three sessions each morning in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and if we had a manuscript accepted into a learning intensive class attended those daily sessions afterward. At AWW, I learned how to critique and be critiqued professionally. I learned from and studied under…
In 2004, Katrina Kittle (fiction intensive), Mary Kay Andrews, Michael Dirda, Ann Hagedorn, Herbert Woodward Martin, John McClusky, Sharon Short, Ann Townsend, and Crystal Wilson Harris.
In 2002, Katrina Kittle (fiction intensive), Sena Jeter Naslund, Cynthia Crane, Lucrecia Guerreo, Jeff Gundy, Terry Hermsen, Robert Inman, Julia Levine (poetry manuscript evaluation), and John McClusky.
In 2001, David Lee Garrison (poetry intensive), Clint McCown (fiction manuscript evaluation), William Least Heat Moon, Jennifer Cruisie, Jeff Gundy, Jerry Holt, Julia Levine, Vicki Blum Vigil, and Tim Waggoner.
In Memphis, I was a member of two critique groups. One multi-genre group met at Robin Williams’ sister-in-law’s house. I brought poetry, short stories, and my first novel. Pat had talking parrots, and it was a lively group. I was also in a critique group of four authors who met through our local RWA group in Memphis, TN. Each of us worked on our first romance novel. I would later leave RWA, but I am thankful for what I learned in those years.
Once my book was published with a traditional publishing house, my new stories went to my editors, and I no longer went to critique groups, but instead trusted my editors.
Today, as an Indie author and publisher, I allow trusted Beta Readers to see my first or second draft before paid editing. I’ve worked with many editors over the years and learned much. It’s a joy to work with a good editor. The type of editor I hire will depend on what the story needs.
My Courses Online:
Online courses are being updated and will be posted below once they are ready.
I’ve taught Promoting Your Book on Radio, and TV Interviews: Moving From Fear to Fun with Successful Author Interviews, how I moved from fear of public speaking on radio or TV to having fun and even being an online radio show host on Blogtalk Radio. Much has changed since I hosted the radio show. I am updating the online course to reflect that.
Though Blog Talk Radio has since closed, links to my old radio shows can still be found on Apple podcasts. Here is a list of links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hLCU6wPVkRKQpBbElc2KSM7TLjxwOhzW/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117801568644320780633&rtpof=true&sd=true
Tools I Use:
Laptop: I use a MacBook Pro 13-inch silver 2015 edition. Though it’s hard to find one refurbished, you can still find this version, which is much cheaper than a new one. https://amzn.to/3XCharN
Using Word, I am on the Microsoft 365 annual plan. https://amzn.to/3zhqNSL
Computer stand: To elevate my laptop, I use an ergonomic, adjustable computer stand https://amzn.to/4cxjqVG an awesome Mother’s Day gift from my youngest son.
Keyboard: Attached to my laptop, I have this beautiful vintage-looking Quirky Writer keyboard, a wonderful Christmas gift from both my sons. https://amzn.to/4eBdehe I learned to type on a typewriter in high school and my Quirky Writer.
Here I am using it in my office (converted from my youngest son’s room) in our old house in Bartlett, TN. We lived there for twenty-three years, and quite a few of my books were written here. When we moved into the house, each son had one of the three bedrooms, and I wrote in the laundry room.
Now I write mostly in our motorhome, though I can take my laptop anywhere.
After editing, the next step is to format. I do this myself using Vellum Press to format my books. I’ve created ebooks, paperbacks, and large print hardcover editions. I love it so much that I bought the program. They have a free version you can download. https://vellum.pub/
My cover artist, who has done many of my covers: https://coverdesign.sherimcgathy.com/
My Virtual assistant helps me stay organized: https://www.melissaproofs.com/ She also proofreads some of my books.
H4Y has been my website host for years, and their customer service is excellent. I use them for my domain name registrar as well. H4Y link: https://my.h4y.us/aff.php?aff=38
Next Day Fliers is where I make trifold book lists, bookmarks, postcards, and business cards. For graphics to promote my books, I use BookBrush and Canva, or I hire my cover artist. I
I’ve purchased banners from https://www.bannersonthecheap.com/
I am a Fresh Fiction author, and they promote my books every month. Check out my contests. My monthly article “Tales From the Trailer” is on the Fresh Fiction blog. Here is my author page: https://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=51323
I am a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Click the ALLi link above to discover the benefits of being a member.
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