A Château in Provence

I wrote the book before I’d been there, which may seem a backwards way to craft a novel. But by the time the book had been outlined, characters created, fictional wines made this place had begun to feel like home. My novel isn’t about this place exactly, but it is about the feeling of this…

Wine Stories: Bernard de Nonancourt of Champagne Laurent-Perrier

Twelve years ago I wrote a fictional story about a vigneron named Emmeline, raising her daughter in wartime Provence. This character was based purely on imagination, written in my basement office during my maternity leave to care for my middle child. The story was subsequently published initiated a sense of intense need to keep going, to make the…

Vouvray during WW2: A Wine Worth Fighting For

The wines of Vouvray, in France’s Loire Valley, represent the ancient treasure that is French wine, a wine worth fighting for during WW2. Hidden Bottles, Wine Parties in Prison and a Historical Winemaker: Gaston Huet At the mention of Vouvray, I’m reminded of a gentleman that passed way about 15 years ago. That he lived into…

What I Really Think About Rosé

I should have called this, How I Really Feel About Rosé. Because it’s a feeling. I’ve loved rosé for along time, going back to when my husband and I were the only ones at a party with pink in our glass. I’m not claiming rosé, I’m just saying…she’s been my friend for a while and…

Longform Fiction Pick of the Week

The Speed of Stopping was chosen as Longform’s Fiction Pick of the Week. I wrote in my journal, after this bit of recognition: How does it feel to have readers like to read it?   It’s a feeling I think I’ll milk for awhile. (And enjoy later, over a glass of wine. I know it’s…

The Speed of Stopping {Fiction}

I wrote a story about a man, a physicist. It’s a fiction piece, and it’s been published in the April issue of Gravel Magazine.  It is free to read, and it is being shared with you. It’s not about wine, but the main character’s name is Burgundy. You know what I’m sayin’…. Read it here: The Speed…

My fiction featured on NPR {Spooky Halloween Story}

This week my short story, Missing Meredith, was featured on NPR as a part of a collection of spooky stories for Halloween. Haunting bits, read by the author, to get listeners into the spirit of scary. What fun, better than a Reese pumpkin.  I feel like I should vampire-voice my double-dare to look behind you for…

#writeyourselfalive. Deux.

#writeyourselfalive. In the swim. Day 1 (don’t worry,  won’t blog it out day-by-day)…Day 1: Typed into novel software the last 2k words from my notebooks. I’ve handwritten over 40k (many while riding a train, it’s about as romantic as can be and yes there was hot coffee and sometimes rain & yes it took years)…

Appreciating wine history turns wine drinkers to wine lovers.

One of the pleasures of French life is finding renewed enjoyment in a lovely bottle of wine. Toasting a remarkable glass of French wine with loved ones is a most desirable experience, but knowing the history of the wine elevates the moment … visit The Good Life France for the full article. I’m delighted to be…

Wordy words.

We’ve got some great new writers at elephant journal green. Can you imagine a Zero Waste Home?  Lean into Bea Johnson’s philosophy. Live in an apartment and want to compost, garden… Turn to Heather at Domaphile.  She’s living it, and sharing what she’s learned. She makes a darn cute Valentine too! Writer-friend and wow-maker, Nicole…

I know we live in a Pintrest/Facebook/I *heart* this world…we all gotta share our crushes and obsessions. I’ll try my hand.  It’s open wide and offering these exciting bits: RTÉ Player. For person with severe Irish longings it’s really something to know I can put on the kettle and catch up with the shows I’ve…

The Big “N”….Do You Have One?

Are any of you readers writers? Have you written a novel? OK, so that’s a frustrating question, I know. In the eyes of so many Americans one isn’t a “writer” until they’ve written a BOOK. (You understand this, after every cocktail party conversation you’ve had about writing). But, of course, there are so many other…

Audiobooks — Margot Miller

I’d like to recommend Margot Miller‘s work. Margot Miller served in the Peace Corps (Margie Porter, Niger 1972-74 )  and has lived in Ohio, New York, France, British Columbia, and Maryland.  She earned a Master of Arts in Counseling in 1977 and a Ph. D. in French literature in 2001. After working in several  universities…

Delmarva Review

I’ll be reading submissions for Delmarva Review during their next open period, which opens in February 2011 (how far away does THAT seem).  I’m happy to continue my relationship with the review. The new issue was recently released and you can get your copy at http://www.delmarvareview.com/.  The 2009 issue has six pieces nominated for Pushcart awards. …

Reading Fiction for Delmarva Review

I’m thrilled to join the staff as a submission reader for Delmarva Review this fall. I’m looking for your typos and thin plotlines, so watch out you end-a-sentance-with-a-prepostion types.  I’ve got my eye on you.  Submission guidelines can be found at http://www.delmarvareview.com.