The Saga of my Ramshackle House
I live in a gringo-infused area of Mexico called Lake Chapala. Both beautiful and ugly, new and old, with art everywhere and cobblestone streets, Ajijic is still a real Mexican town. An added benefit–a low…
New Writer’s Block Super Fear
Listen here: Read here: Just when I was getting to the point where I thought I had it beat—I could jump in and write without a lot of delay and drama and house cleaning—I got…
Let the Rains Begin!
Thunder is rumbling, and a light, pleasant rain is falling. The rainy season has begun in Ajijic. Most residents say this is their favorite season. The preceding months are very hot, dry, and dusty. When…
How to Stop Editing a Novel—I Have No Idea
This is the last time. This is definitely it. This has to be the end. Some say when you start changing things back and forth, you’re done. I’m far beyond that. Big problem: I still…
I’m a True Crime Junkie
I’m hopelessly addicted and mostly loving it. When I should be cleaning, writing, talking with friends, paying bills, or going to sleep, I’m watching or listening. Sometimes I fall asleep; other times I freeze, eyes…
The Happiness Formula
The Mexicans who are my friends, neighbors and employees are in general a happy lot—not because they have a lot, or even enough sometimes. Perhaps their happiness is a result of their attitude and…
Why I Hate the IRS
We are in mid-December 2021. Christmas is a few days away. We just finished NaNoWriMo a couple of weeks ago. What timely topic have I chosen for this month? The IRS. We’re just over a…
The Couple at the Gordito Stand
Shall we say they’re from Sweden? Denmark? Finland! I’m reading The Witch Hunter by Max Seeck (creeeeepy—police procedural, not horror—at least not the supernatural type), which takes place in Finland, so let’s say Finland. Both…
Writing in Mexico—What’s the difference?
Living in a small town in Mexico is wonderful in many ways. More emphasis on family, kindness, helping others, taking time, for example. And it has its charms: wall murals all over the place,…
Editor’s Block? Is that a thing?
I have writer’s block, and I write anyway. However, I don’t demand a high word count or a certain number of hours. I’m convinced that if I reached for more ambitious goals, I’d do nothing….