A fair photo from a couple years ago. On the right is my friend Mel. Fun story: Years ago, the first night we ever hung out (along with another friend, Maggie) we actually watched the movie State Fair. This weekend I’m heading to the Iowa State Fair with a couple friends. We go every year. Because, well, we’re from Iowa. …
A weekend verse and what’s coming up around here
A lot of people think my favorite guy in the world is Tim Tebow. They’re wrong. My favorite guy is obviously my nephew Ollie!!* And that’s who I’m hanging out with this weekend. It’s also why I don’t have a “real” blog post prepared for today. BUT I did read this sweet verse earlier this week. It’s just one of …
Welcome Mat Wednesday: Amber Stokes
There’s a book on my Kindle I can’t wait to read. In fact, it’s calling my name right now…Bleeding Heart, a new release from debut author Amber Stokes. I’ve never officially “met” Amber, but just from interacting with her online, I can tell she’s a total sweetheart, a dedicated writer and reader and…just plain cool. I mean, look at her …
Headline: Why Knox is a reporter . . . . Subhead: Melissa reminisces Top Ten-Style.
My debut novel, Made to Last, features a guy named Matthew Knox. He is kind of awesome. Oh sure, he has his flaws. After all, I am strong believer in flawed heroes…in both fiction and real life. And part of what makes Matthew Knox so cool is his awareness of his flaws and his eventual refusal to let his past …
The day everything and nothing changed.
One year ago yesterday (July 25), I received that phone call aspiring authors dream about. You know, the one you play out in your head and imagine all your responses to. And then it comes…and instead of crying or happy-dancing or screaming, you mouth the words “Holy crap” and then very calmly say, “Are you serious?” You even leave out …
Welcome Mat Wednesday: Michelle Weidenbenner
I have met some of the coolest people in my few years of being a part of My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for novelists–and Michelle Weidenbenner is one of those people! Michelle is joining the ranks of an ever-growing population of writers known as hybrid writers–people who pursue both indie and traditional publishing. So when she offered …
Uncle Jesse’s still got it.
Oh my goodness, guys, this happened last week: Yup, that’s John Stamos aka Uncle Jesse from Full House reuniting with his band on the Jimmy Fallon show. My favorite part is when they break into the Full House theme song…at which point I realized I still know ALL the lyrics.And that first song they sing transported me back to the …
Dog days of summer.
I just typed that headline above and had the sudden realization that I really have no idea what “dog days of summer” even means. If someone wants to enlighten me, the comments section awaits your wisdom.Yesterday, I posted the following photo on Facebook. It’s a photo of my sister’s dog, Rocky, in which his pose perfectly mirrored my mental energy …
Welcome Mat Wednesday: Rajdeep Paulus is back…with a giveaway!
Okay, nobody freak out but I did a video intro for the first time in two months! You know why? Because I promised today’s guest…and I always keep my promises. Even when my hair looks horrible… This is a second guest appearance for awesome author Rajdeep Paulus. She first stopped by Tag(g)lines last month when her fabulous book, Swimming Through …
How being a writer is like being a superhero
Well, since we’re talking superheroes today, of course I have to include this photo of myfavorite superhero…my nephew. I get to see Ollie in 17 days…not that I’m counting or anything. 🙂 I was never all that big into superhero movies…that is, until my sister married a guy who likes comics. And together, they double-teamed me until I gave in …