7 Secrets To Writing Your First Draft

Just in time for NaNoWriMo I thought I’d do a post about how to write a first draft. Because let’s face it, first drafts are hard. It’s no secret, it’s not my favorite part of the process. I love the outlining/dreaming/planning stages, and I love the revising/shaping/polishing stages. The first draft stage? Not so much. But it’s okay. It has to get done.… Read the rest

How To Create Compelling Characters

  When you’re creating a character from scratch it’s a good idea to know her name, her hair color, and how she takes her coffee…but those elements are just the start. If you want to create truly compelling characters—the kind that leap off the page, the kind that really get into your readers’ bones—you’ll need to go beyond the superficial stuff and dig deep into your character’s internal landscape.… Read the rest

Thrillerfest 2014 Wrap-Up

The highlight of my July, hands down, was going to New York City for Thrillerfest. Before jetting off for NYC, I was pretty excited. Did it disappoint? It did not. I love New York! The conference was held at the Grand Hyatt in New York, right next to Grand Central. Although I flew in, I popped into Grand Central when I first arrived, just to stand in awe.… Read the rest

10 Fabulous Books Set In Paris

  Paris offers an incredible backdrop for all kinds of stories. Whether it’s a historical tale, a thriller, a romance…the city itself adds a wonderful element of, well, je ne sais quois. My second book is set in Paris, and it was pure pleasure to write a story set in a city I love so much. I have been lucky enough to have visited Paris several times, and I was honored to have reviewers comment that reading my book made them feel like they were right there, nibbling croissants, climbing the Eiffel Tower, exploring the misty streets of Montmartre….… Read the rest

ThrillerFest in New York!

In just a few days I’ll be heading to New York. Yes, the mothership for writers. The reason I’m going, besides the general awesomeness of NYC? I’m going to ThrillerFest! It’s an annual conference for thriller writers and readers, hosted by the International Thriller Writers. (And in this instance we’re talking about thrillers in the broadest sense–including mystery, suspense, crime, action-adventure, historical thrillers, YA thrillers…) Here are some of the big-name authors who will be attending: Lee Child, David Baldacci, Lisa Gardner, Scott Turow, Brenda Novak, Steve Berry, Ian Rankin, Anne Rice…and the list goes on!… Read the rest

Tired? 25 Ways To Fight Fatigue

It seems like everyone is tired these days. In my medical practice, it’s one of the most common complaints I hear from people. How about you? Do you feel tired a lot of the time? There can be many reasons for that fatigue. It can, of course, be due to medical issues like iron deficiency and thyroid imbalance, but the majority of fatigue is due to various factors we can’t measure: too much stress, too little exercise, poor diet, insufficient sleep… In other words, lifestyle factors.… Read the rest

Top 10 Movies Set In Paris

Is there a more picturesque setting for a movie than the city of Paris? There are so many wonderful books and films from every genre set in the City of Lights. During my Twitter book launch party for A Magnificent Crime (which is set in Paris, of course!) it was one of our most lively discussions. I promised to write a round-up post of movies set in Paris, so here it is.… Read the rest

Blog Tour

My second book is finally out! A MAGNIFICENT CRIME (Agency of Burglary & Theft #2) was released on June 6, and for the past several days I’ve been busy touring around various websites and blogs, as part of my virtual book launch. Here are links to some early reviews and my guest posts: On Strand Magazine’s Mystery Center I wrote a guest post called The Underbelly of Paris, in which I delved into the creepier side of Paris–namely, the catacombs (which are featured in a key scene in my book).… Read the rest

Book Release in 2 Days!

This time of year is incredibly exciting for me…and, I must confess, also a little nerve-wracking. My new book comes out in two days, and while I can’t wait for people to read it, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t have some butterflies. I hope y’all like it! Some early reviews on Goodreads have been incredibly positive, which is lovely.… Read the rest

10 Essential Things To Do In Paris

If you’re planning your first trip to Paris, there are a few things you must see and do. Paris is my favorite city, and I’ve been lucky enough to have visited several times. It’s also where I set my soon-to-be-released second novel, A Magnificent Crime. Planning your first trip to Paris? Here’s a list of ten things to see and do, for a classic Parisian experience: 1.… Read the rest