I am super-excited to announce that my novella, Catching Cats, will be available on April 23rd, 2019! 

The epidemic is spreading. The first documented case was decades ago. Then it was just a handful of sightings. Rumors. And of course the deaths. It’s common knowledge now. See a cat. Die within days. My sister doesn’t have much time. We have to act quickly. I’m just not sure what to do to help her. There is only one way she can save herself. She has to catch the cat.
Lark has watched her family succumb to the cat epidemic one by one. When she is at her most hopeless, a chance for a new and better life appears, but first she must do the impossible.
Loss, betrayal , triumph, magic, and cats abound in this engaging novella for readers of all ages.

The last four days have passed in a pleasant haze of writing. Once I got started again, I couldn't stop. I'm very lucky to have a supportive family - and that winter weather canceled most of my other responsibilities.
Yesterday morning, I finished the first draft. It's novella length, which is what I expected, and I really love the story. I can't wait to start editing.
But, I will wait for a bit. I always take a break between completing a draft and editing. I need to step away from that world for a bit before diving back in. I also have a bunch of other things going on, so a break is necessary. I'm entering the last two weeks of a show, and I have a couple audiobooks to record. 
​Always busy - good thing I love all my jobs! 

 Writing books is the easy part. Selling books is more difficult.

I'm learning a lot about marketing and selling books, but it can get really overwhelming. I need to always have a creative outlet, and lately that's been plays.

Normally, I write plays for middle school aged kids. They're fun, silly, and weird, and I really enjoy writing them. I usually write them for my students, so I have an idea of who will be playing what part* and when the performance will take place.
*Confession: I've written parts for certain students before. They can be such a great source of inspiration. 

This time, I am writing something different. A play for adults. Nothing quirky or fantastical. It's all based in reality - which is a definite departure from the norm. It's still funny, maybe a little dark (like most of my writing), and completely different from anything else I've written.

I have no plan for it. I'm not sure what will come of it (if anything), but I really like it. It's been a nice distraction from marketing headaches. I find writing plays so relaxing, and I'm looking forward to the next steps. Hopefully, I'll see it on stage some day.

I have one other project that I'm currently working on - in addition to the numerous other projects on pause right now. My daughter is always asking if she can read my books. Considering the content of my books, the answer has always been "not until you're older." 

One day I was clearing out my bookshelves, and I found an old proof copy of a YA book I wrote. It was actually the second book I ever wrote. I liked it, but I took a break from writing for a little while and kind of forgot about it. I switched publishers and didn't think about it again until my girl wanted to read my writing.

It needed some work. My writing has definitely improved in the last eight(?!) years, and I wanted to give my girl my best work. So, the project I am mostly focused on right now is to revise, re-format, and re-publish my second book. I talked to my cover guy, and he is working on a gorgeous new cover for it. Really hoping to have it ready for her birthday.