Author, Compulsively Readable Thrillers
A couple of weeks ago I brought up the concept of karma, in relation to a colleague who helped me a lot in the early stages of my career. Now it’s come up again, this time regarding Cuba, a place close to my heart. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that the … Read more
As you will note, my most recent post was about giving away some short stories to celebrate my birthday. (It’s today, actually, and thanks to everyone who left a FB greeting – you rock!) Anyway, those of you who know me understand how much I love short stories and how helpful they are for an author’s career. … Read more
I just finished a short article by Gretchen Rubin on the PW Tip Sheet titled “How To Become A Better Reader in 10 Steps” that I can’t praise highly enough. Whether you’re a fiction reader, (and I hope you are) a non-fiction reader, a news/internet/research article junkie, I hope you find it as … Read more
Many of you have read Bird by Bird by Annie Lamott. When I started my journey of writing, hers was the first book I read. I still have to remind myself it’s okay to write shitty first drafts. And I still have to remember it doesn’t all happen at once. But her advice has weathered … Read more
Today, more than three million tourists visit Cuba every year –except for Americans, of course, although that’s bound to change. And soon. In fact, tourism is the country’s #1 source of revenue. People are drawn by Cuba’s climate, beaches, attractive prices, and remarkable history. It wasn’t always this way. Poor post-revolution relations After the revolution, … Read more
With Cuba in the news today, I’m struck by how little Americans really know about the island. Pretty much all the information over the past 60 years has been filtered through the lens of the Cuban-American exile community, who, although they’re dying out, are still bitter and don’t have a kind word to say about … Read more
If you have read Havana Lost you’ll have noticed the way I’ve woven the Santería religion through the plot. A potent mix of European Catholicism and African Voodoo, it is a constant backdrop to the Cuban psyche. My character Carla Garcia believes in it more than any of the other characters in the book, not … Read more
As Cuba is more and more in the news these days I’m struck by how little Americans really know about Cuba. So I thought I’d re-post a few of my blogs about Cuba. I’m certainly not an expert, but I have read a lot about the island’s history and culture, and I spent ten days … Read more
I was so busy talking about Bletchley Park last week that I totally forgot to post pics from London and Surrey. It’s never too late to enjoy the Holidays. Even when they’re over. I missed Carnaby Street and Hyde Park…must go back and catch them next year. And yes that’s … Read more
Tucked away behind the stairs to the former radio tower at Bletchley Park is a tiny museum with all sorts of artifacts, clothing, books, toys, and supplies that the average British family would have used or needed during the war. I thought you might like to see a small selection of what was there. In … Read more