The Ancestral Pen

  My Motivation This makes all the hard work so worth it. It was made even sweeter because my husband's 90-something-year-old aunt took the time to sit and write this to me. She loves my Woolsey Saga books, which I'm already thinking of adding another book to that set before our country celebrates its 250th anniversary next July, so stay tuned. I'm sure you can guess which era that ancestor will come from. Sadly, the day after I captured this image, our German Shorthair, Scout, snagged it off my desk, and thought it made a really good snack for him. Writers of the Future Contest I entered my first writing contest, ever. If nothing else, I'm proud that I forced myself out of my comfort zone and wrote a short story in a genre I don't write in. It was certainly a challenge, but I managed to do it. I won't be able to make it available until after the contest is concluded, but you'll be the first to know when my ghost and time travel story is released. My Next Tr...

  Dear Readers, I have some exciting updates to share with you about my writing journey! First, I want to let you know that the Woolsey Saga is now complete, particularly in regard to the father-son story of Richard and William. If you haven't grabbed your copies yet, now's the time! While the saga has room for many more stories, and perhaps someday I'll explore our Revolutionary War soldiers or other amazing Woolseys, I don't have any additional Woolsey plans on the horizon at this time. Currently, I'm stepping way out of my comfort zone. I've decided to write a book for the Writers of the Future contest, and since it requires the story to be science fiction, futuristic, or horror, I'm venturing into completely new territory for me. The Crossing Hour  is a supernatural thriller that follows Clara Whitmore, a recently divorced contractor who buys the mysterious Willowshade House in 2064. What starts as a post-divorce fresh start quickly becomes something far...

  Stuck in the Middle (With You) Writing is romantic. Editing is war. And this week, the battle's been rough. I’m deep in the editing phase of book two in the Woolsey series, and I’ll be honest, this part is my least favorite. The first draft felt like a victory—getting William’s journey from beginning to end, pulling together all the historical threads, and weaving in the real genealogy behind it. That part  felt  like a win. But now I’m knee-deep in what I call the  scene surgery stage . It’s where I go line by line, digging out all the places where I was telling instead of showing. My first drafts are heavy on chronology—what happened and when—because I want to make sure the family story is honored as accurately as possible. But in this round, I have to turn dry facts into moments that  feel  alive. That means cutting. Rewriting. Doubting myself. Putting a scene back the way it was. Then rewriting it again. It’s a spiral of second-guessing that coul...

"It started like a spark — hot, irresistible, impossible to ignore. But sparks burn out fast… and the ashes leave scars." When I wrote  His Greatest Regret , I wanted to explore what happens when grief and longing push two people together — not because they’re ready, but because they’re lonely, human, and aching to feel alive again. Richard and Charlotte’s love was never meant to last. It began as a spark: a widow and a widower, each carrying their own grief, finding an unexpected comfort in one another. What started as warmth grew into a fire that neither of them could control — and that fire left behind ashes that scarred everyone it touched. Most of all, it scarred William — the child born of that spark — who would carry the weight of Richard’s choices for the rest of his life. (William’s story comes next month — but you’ll need to catch up on what came before.) 🔥 Excerpt: Charlotte stood before the shop, her arms wrapped around an enormous flour sack that threatened to s...

  Growing, Restoring, and Writing Hello again, dear readers! It's time to step away from my writing desk and share another update with you all. Life has been busy, as always, but in the best possible way. Let me give you a peek into what’s been going on lately. The Garden’s Growing Strong The garden is coming along beautifully, and I’ve had a little help along the way. My husband helped me build the last box I needed in the greenhouse and install the greenhouse door. Now my tomato plants are safe from the deer who think they’re entitled to a bite (oh yes, those sneaky thieves!). My daughter and her friend pitched in and carried a shelf out to the greenhouse, where I’ve got flower seeds sprouting to add a pop of color to the yard this year. Every evening, after finishing up work, I head out to hand water and pull pesky weeds while listening to a good audiobook. It's my little moment of serenity in the middle of the chaos. Shop Time with My Favorite Mechanic When I’m not in the g...

Dear Readers, I'm thrilled to share some exciting news - I've finally hit the "publish" button on the digital version of "His Greatest Regret"! After months of waiting, Richard Woolsey's story is ready for you to explore. This has been a 20-year journey - countless hours of research, collaboration with my cousins, and even a DNA test to piece together Richard's fascinating life. The print version proof copy should arrive this week, and barring any issues, I'll be publishing that version too. Richard Woolsey was quite the character - a smooth-talking man whose paper trail has always fascinated me. I won't sugar coat it - he was not a good father to his youngest child, though by all accounts, he was devoted to his first six children. It's one of the mysteries I've pondered throughout this project. In "His Greatest Regret," you'll follow Richard's adventures across late 19th century America - from Indiana to Kansas...

  Dear Readers, This week, I wanted to share with you the story behind the title of my latest work, His Greatest Regret, and what it means to me on a personal level. When crafting Richard's character, I was drawn to exploring the weight of consequences that cannot be undone. Richard embodies a man haunted by his choices, a complicated soul with many flaws, much like all of us. But what separated him from many was his inability to either make amends or find peace with his mistakes. The title His Greatest Regret emerged from that central struggle. Richard carried many regrets throughout his life, but one towered above all others, a mistake that burned too many bridges and caused irreparable damage. This singular regret followed him relentlessly, becoming both his shadow and his burden until his final breath. What fascinates me about Richard's story is how sharply it contrasts with my own philosophy on life. While creating his character, I found myself reflecting on how differentl...

  Beep. Beep. Beep. No, that's not my alarm clock—I rarely need one anymore. The persistent ache in my hip or back and my insistent bladder nudge me awake as the bedroom clock glows 4:02 AM. I surrender to the inevitable, sliding my feet to the floor and stretching away the stiffness. Outside, the world remains still and dark, but inside my mind, characters and plot lines already begin to stir. The coffee maker gurgles in the kitchen as I collect dog bowls, fill them up and let the dogs in for their morning meal. Steam rises from my mug, a simple pleasure that signals the start of my sacred hours. After grabbing my protein shake, I settle into my favorite spot by the bay window, laptop warming my legs. From this perch, I watch darkness slowly retreat from Switzer Mountain. The first birds appear at the feeder—chickadees today, flitting back and forth in the growing light. Yesterday's writing session for "His Greatest Regret" ended with my protagonist facing a difficul...