writing projects
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The Beginning of the End of Paranormal Penny
Five-plus years ago, I introduced a teenage girl named Penny Nicols—an ordinary girl with a very un-ordinary problem. Penny sees omens. Most of them are unsettling. Some are terrifying. And one—the raven—means murder. What began as a single story slowly became a long-running cozy paranormal mystery series, one that has followed Penny through near-misses, small-town secrets, dark discoveries, and choices that no teenager should have to make. Along the way, this series has grown right alongside me as a writer. And now… I’m finally standing at the beginning of the end. Closing the Circle on a Long Journey This year marks my intentional focus on finishing the core Paranormal Penny…
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Unraveling the Ultimate Self-Care For Mystery Writers
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Finishing Paranormal Penny: My Plans for the Year
Every January carries a little hope and a little pressure. This year, I’m choosing clarity instead of pressure. After more than five years of living with Penny Nicols and her world, I’ve made a simple, meaningful decision: This is the year I finish the Paranormal Penny Mystery series. And instead of disappearing into the writing cave, I’m inviting readers along for the journey. Why This Year Matters Paranormal Penny has been with me through seasons of growth, exhaustion, faith, doubt, and joy. She’s grown up on the page—and so have I. What started as a story idea slowly became a long-term commitment, one I’ve carried quietly for years. Finishing this…
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Unraveling the Ultimate Self-Care For Mystery Writers
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Get Ready to Sparkle and Sleuth: A Cozy Mystery Writer’s Guide to 4th of July!
As we gear up for fireworks, barbecues, and perhaps a touch of mystery this 4th of July, it’s time to sharpen our sleuthing skills and sprinkle in a little holiday spirit! Here’s your essential guide to navigating Independence Day like a cozy mystery protagonist with tips for writing a July 4th cozy mystery. 1. Find Your Inspiration: Think sparklers, backyard cookouts, and suspiciously missing potato salad. Every corner of your neighbor’s block party could be hiding a clue! 2. Master the Red, White, and Blue: Your protagonist might uncover clues hidden in patriotic decorations or overhear intriguing conversations amidst the “oohs” and “aahs” of fireworks. 3. Secret Ingredients: What’s in…
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I Don’t Think So- JB Fletcher
Jessica Fletcher calls out criminals using four simple words- I Don’t Think So. Check out how I use Murder She Wrote Episodes to get my students prepared to write their own mystery novels. First, Murder She Wrote is the iconic cozy mystery television series that rocked the eighties and nineties. If you weren’t alive to watch the episodes as they aired, odds are you caught a few reruns with your parents or grandparents. Second, Jessica Fletcher is a fun character to follow. Plus, she’s static. She doesn’t grow very much throughout the series. This means we can focus on the mystery instead of following the character arc, making the journey…
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It’s Agatha Christie Time
Funny thing about mystery writers. Their real lives are often mysteries of their own. Agatha Christie is no exception. Multiple movies have hypothesized and dramatized her missing days. There’s even a Dr. Who episode about them. It’s time to meet the grand madam of mystery, Agatha Christie, and her big-time murders in small-town settings. *** As authors come closer to the present time, their biographies may become more graphic. Please use care. Don't rely on my standards. Please- Vet the videos to fit your family's needs. *** Agatha Christie Biographies Short Ones Longer Ones Mystery of Agatha’s Missing Days Here are some theories about Agatha’s missing days. What do you…
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Meet Father Brown
Onto another master of mystery, and his iconic character, known as Father Brown. One can often find GK Chesterton gracing the book lists of Classical Education families and teachers. Even more often, someone unfamiliar with Mr. Chesterton’s essays and arguments can stumble upon his most famous fictional character. Meet GK Chesterton’s witty and wily Father Brown. Read this article about GK- https://www.chesterton.org/who-is-this-guy/ to learn more about the man. Or watch this video about his Catholic faith and ideals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id3GL9KwGcM But now let’s discuss the Priest with a Passion for crime solving- Father Brown. Father Brown mysteries combine faith and fiction, common sense and character qualities, producing another amazing sleuth. https://www.fatherbrowngame.com/about-father-brown.htm…
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Teaching My Kids Mystery Writing
What I Use to Teach Mystery Writing to my Homeschooled High School Students
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To Plan or Not to Plan: 2022
I have a confession to make. I have purchased and filled in hundreds of planners in my adult life. I’ve also paid for and attended numerous webinars, classes, and boot camps to teach me how to plan properly. And yet- somehow- I’m never able to rock my goals. So this year- I give up! Sort of! Maybe you can relate? Of course, I still have goals and dreams and hopes. And sure, I’m still going to prayerfully pursue them- I’m just ditching the color coding and 90-day charting of said goals. Here’s why: GUILT Yup! Guilt. Every missed goal- every slipped my mind deadline heaps another shovel full of stinky,…
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Nano & Homeschool: How we count it
NaNoWriMo is an inspirational motivator for writers and reluctant story creators. Teens and teachers can benefit from the experience. But adding any amount of extra words to your homeschool day can be rough. Every family will handle it differently. This is how we count it… DON’T Go OVERBOARD- Refrain from adding NaNo to your already brimming high school schedule. It won’t do you or your teen much good to ladle a hefty serving of extra words atop of all your normal work. CUT SOMETHING OUT- It won’t take much. Just a few nips and tucks to create space for writing. -What do we cut out? We cut out all other…
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What is Nanowrimo?
November is approaching. Which means writing season is just around the corner, leaving many moms and writers asking what is Nanowrimo and how can I incoroprate it into my homeschool? First things first: Nanowrimo stands for Nation Novel Writing Month During November writers of all stages and genres take on the challenge of writing 50,000 words in one month. Not an impossible feat but a daunting one. This year will be my fourth year participating in Nano and every year I’m nervous that I would “win” the challenge. THough set up for adult 18 and up, mostly to keep chat groups and teams safe, the main event can be found…
