QUARTERLY UPDATE: A long time coming…
April 11, 2024Yes, I think my blog misses me. And I also miss my blog. It’s been a long time since I shared regular quarterly updates, and I was surprised when I checked to discover the last actual quarterly update was in December of 2021. Now, I’ll show myself some grace since I barely blogged in 2022 and I didn’t blog one bit in 2023. The main reason for that is because I was offered and decided to accept a job in December 2021 (there’s this little thing called…retirement), so that I went back to doing my best to work my writing…
10 projects to focus on while you wait for spring
Who is ready for spring? Let’s see a show of hands… The months of January and February in the Pacific Northwest are by far my least favorite. If these months had a color, I’d consider them to…
Beat the Chill with a New Mystery!
It’s very cold right now in the PNW and when it stays this cold for any extended time, I just want to curl up under a blanket with a book. Besides wanting to snuggle up and read,…
What I learned from a year without blogging
Are you there Blog? It’s me…P.J. For the first time, ever, I took over a year off from blogging. A little more than a year, actually. I began my blog in December 2011, when I pushed down…
Free eBook for you!
Tomorrow is 11/11 and if you aren’t aware, I have a short story titled 11:11 Anna’s Awakening. If you’ve ever seen the same number over and over, you might be interested in this short story. If you…
A ghostly treat for you!
Looking for a fun, short, spooky read? Look no further! If you enjoy ghost stories, then 1313 Psyho Path will be a ghostly treat for you. And to top it off, rather than a trick, I’m offering…
New release in a new series!
If you follow my blog, you know I’ve been quiet on this forum for more than a few months, but it doesn’t mean I’ve been slacking. 🙂 I’ve just had to prioritize my tasks due to a…
Last Quarterly Update & Year End Review
It’s hard to believe, but this will be my last post for 2021. As much as I couldn’t wait to say goodbye to 2020, I have to say I’m definitely ready to say goodbye to 2021. This…
The P.I. Post: Forgiving the Unforgiveable
Welcome to the next installment in my P.I. Post series. In these posts, which you’ll find on the blog in between the Nonfiction Nuggets series, I’ll be sharing details on P.I. topics, unique stories and interesting case…
Character Coffee Chat with Courtney Greene
Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you…
Authors with Day Jobs
Many authors have day jobs. Actually, to be more accurate, most have day jobs. There are only a small percentage of all authors in the U.S. who earn enough money from their writing to support themselves. You…
How Family Ties Strengthen a Story
Thanksgiving is this week, which brings family up front and center as we plan for the holiday and we look forward to spending time together. I thought it would be fitting to share a post reflecting how…
Nonfiction Nugget: High School Friendship Solves Kidnapping
Welcome to the next installment of my Nonfiction Nuggets series, which I share on the blog about every other month, in addition to my PI Posts, Character Coffee Chats and regular post updates. Today’s Nonfiction Nugget is…
Character Coffee Chat with Helen Matthews
Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you…
10 Reasons a Challenge Will Benefit You
It’s November and for anyone in the know, this is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). A whole month focused on writing at least 50,000 words during a challenge that’s been tackled by authors for over 20 years.…
A treat for you: 13 fun facts about Halloween
Halloween is my favorite holiday besides Christmas. It’s a holiday beyond just a day on the calendar, with many ways to celebrate it throughout the whole month of October. Spooky decorations, creative costumes, carving pumpkins after visiting…
The P.I. Post: How a murder was solved with a postage stamp
Welcome to the next installment in my P.I. Post series. In these posts, which you’ll find on the blog about every other month in between the Nonfiction Nuggets series, I’ll be sharing details on P.I. topics, unique…
Character Coffee Chat with Bailey Maxwell
Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you…
5 things I learned about forming morning habits
Are you a morning person? How good are you at forming, and keeping, habits? Of course, I’m talking about good habits. Bad habits are a completely different topic. I’m not really a morning person, so I have…
Quarterly update: The Momentum is Gaining
I’ll remember the third quarter of this year for two reasons: first, because it was the longest summer I can remember, with high temps starting early and continuing even into fall, and second, because of what I…
31 ways to improve your daily life
Fun fact: there are officially 100 more days left for the year. What will you do with the remaining days of the year so you can say you ended the year strong? I’m the type who doesn’t…
Character Coffee Chat with Chief Stan Douglas
Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you…
Nonfiction Nugget: When pets help solve crimes
Welcome to the next installment of my Nonfiction Nuggets series, which I share on the blog about every other month, in addition to my PI Posts, Character Coffee Chats and regular post updates. Today’s Nonfiction Nugget is…
35 Engaging questions to ask your partner
Last week I shared a post about my top 10 tips for a happy marriage/relationship and I thought this week I’d share a list of questions you might ask your partner to get to know them a…
My top 10 tips for a happy marriage
Another year is passing by and as I grow older, I find myself asking: Why does time have to slip through our fingers so quickly? The truth is that time passes the same now as it did before…
Character Coffee Chat with Tim Reynolds
Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you…
P.I. Post: When a missing child solves their own mystery
What if…? It’s the question many writers begin with when a story nibbles away at their thoughts. Here’s a ‘what if’ question for you…what if you discovered a profile for a missing child and the age-progressed sketch…
9 Quotes to help you Scatter Joy
A few years ago, I received a gift from a friend. I believe it was a birthday gift and she included a few items just to make me smile. One of those gifts happened to be a small box…
Nonfiction Nugget: John & Jane Doe – Finding or Identifying Missing Persons
Welcome to the next installment of my Nonfiction Nuggets series, which I share on the blog about every other month, in addition to my PI Posts, Character Coffee Chats and regular post updates. Today’s Nonfiction Nugget is…
Character Coffee Chat with Ethan Fritz
Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you…
To Prologue or Not to Prologue
The topic of prologues in novels can lead to heated discussions…well, maybe not to that extent. But the subject of prologues can produce passionate blog posts or articles based on the writer’s opinion. Do you enjoy them?…
Happy Release day! Jorja is back!
I’m thrilled to share that the next novel in the Jorja Matthews mystery series is available in both eBook and print formats! The novel is titled Web of Lies and is the sixth novel in the series…
Quarterly update & Bi-yearly check in
We’ve just about made it through the second quarter and we’ll be halfway through the year already. Can you believe it? Summer has arrived in full force here in the PNW. The forecast includes highs in the…
Why Practice Makes You Better, if not Perfect
I don’t believe “perfect” is a trait anyone can rightly claim, but practice does make us better. Case in point, for me at least, are author events. I’m not just showing up to meet readers and sign…
Character Coffee Chat with Lydia Myers
Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you…
The P.I. Post: When Curiosity Leads to Murder
Do you ever see a shoe lying on the side or in the middle of the road and wonder…how did that shoe get there? What random act could cause a person to lose just one shoe like…
The #1 thing writing has taught me
When I decided to finally relent to my passion and begin writing “for real” a number of years ago, I really didn’t know what I was getting myself in to. Sure I loved to write. Of course…
15 Ways to use Empty Notebooks
I love paper and that includes journals, notebooks, planners, scrapbook paper, stickers…you name it. I buy more notebooks than I need, and I also receive them as gifts, but I know at some point I’ll use them…
Character Coffee Chat with Kathleen “Kat” Myers
Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend special moments with and even those characters you…
Author Event & Free eBook!
Hello mystery readers and all-around book fans! I just wanted to share that I’ll be taking part in my first live event in over a year! It’s short notice so bear with me, but the event is…
Nonfiction Nugget: Creative ways DNA has been used to solve crimes
Welcome to the next installment of my Nonfiction Nuggets series, which I’ll be sharing on the blog about every other month, in addition to my PI Posts, Character Coffee Chats and regular post updates. Today’s Nonfiction Nugget…
How to Stay Positive in a Negative World
Staying positive in a negative world…How do some people do it? You know the ones…the individuals who always seem to have a smile on their face. Or the ones who have the strength to continuously fight against…
The P.I. Post: History of the P.I. & the First Female Detective
Welcome to the next installment in my P.I. Post series. In these posts, which you’ll find on the blog about every other month in between the Nonfiction Nuggets series, I’ll be sharing details on P.I. topics, unique…
Character Coffee Chat with Brad Dawson
Welcome to the next installment of the Character Coffee Chat series! Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to,…
Quarterly review & update: 2021 can be a good year
The first quarter of 2021 is over and while spring has only just begun, this week it feels like summer is just around the corner. The days fly by whether you keep busy or not. This past…
Are you productive or just busy?
We’re nearing the end of the first quarter for 2021, a good time to take stock of the progress of our goals and of our time. Whether it’s time well spent, or on the flip-side, time lost…
Nonfiction Nugget: Adoptions & DNA
Welcome to the next installment in my Nonfiction Nugget series, which I’ll continue to share on the blog about every other month, in addition to my PI Posts, Character Coffee Chats and regular post updates. Today’s Nonfiction…
Character Coffee Chat with Ryan Hanson
Welcome to the next installment of the Character Coffee Chat series! Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to,…
What I would say to my teenage-self
If you’re like me, in the 50-something age bracket, you’ll know what I mean when I say as I get older I tend to let the ages blur together so that I forget how old I am.…
30 questions to ask your aging family members today!
Coincidences are funny things. I bring that up only because the post I’m sharing today was an intended topic when I prepared my editorial calendar at the end of last year, but before I knew I’d be…
Character Coffee Chat with Taylor Bishop nka Rhoades
Welcome to the next installment of the Character Coffee Chat series! Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to,…
Valentine’s Day…What it really means to me
It’s that time of year when spouses and partners feel added pressured to find the perfect flowers, sweetest treats or wonderful gift wrapped in pretty paper or a gift bag. For that reason many wish the upcoming…
The P.I. Post: Convicts, Cards & Cold Cases
Welcome to the first post in The P.I. Post series! In these posts, which you’ll find on the blog about every other month in between the Nonfiction Nuggets series, I’ll be sharing details on P.I. topics, unique…
Nonfiction Nugget: Postpartum Psychosis
Welcome to the first post in my Nonfiction Nugget series, which I’ll be sharing on the blog about every other month, in addition to my PI Posts, Character Coffee Chats and regular post updates. Today’s Nonfiction Nugget…
44 habits & list ideas to help you reach your goals this year
This is the week when most of the resolutions made on New Year’s Eve about habits and goals get ditched. Were you aware that January 17th was officially Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day? Since there’s an official…
Character Coffee Chat with Jorja Matthews
Welcome to the first Character Coffee Chat post! Readers immerse themselves in books they enjoy, especially when they can relate to the characters as if they are real people. Friends you can turn to, family you spend…
Free eBook for a limited time!
It’s a new year and we are all inspired to reach new goals or maybe just get back on track with goals that were shoved into the shadows behind all that’s been distracting us. If you need…
My top goals for 2021 & what’s new with the blog!
Welcome to my first post of 2021, aka the New Year we all hope will be nice to us! Is it safe to assume you welcomed 2021 with open arms full of hope and enthusiasm? I realize…
Looking Back Before Moving Forward
We’re finally here…the completion of the year that must not be named! Jokes aside, I’m glad we can put this year behind us and move on to another New Year. What that New Year has in store…
My top 10 list for a December to Remember
Make it a December to remember… That’s how the saying goes, anyway. I’ll admit I’ve entered the month of December with mixed feelings. I’m happy to be at the tail end of a difficult year, I’m crossing my fingers that…
Another Free eBook for You!
This is a previously published book with a new cover, so to celebrate, the eBook will be available for FREE today (11/11) through tomorrow. You can get your copy here! Wondering what Anna’s Awakening all about? Keep…
Free eBook this weekend only!
If you haven’t already obtained a copy of my short ghost story, you can get your copy of the eBook for FREE today, October 24, through midnight tomorrow! Happy Halloween!
My trick is your treat!
Halloween is now less than two weeks away and the stores are filled with candy, costumes and all the decorations you can imagine that will turn your Home Sweet Home into a Haunted House of Horrors. Or…
Quarterly Update: Creativity takes the wheel
October is here, fall is upon us and we’re that much closer to the end of the year. Are you ready to say good riddance to 2020? Same here. But we need to suck it up and…
My New Favorite Productivity Tool
A productive writer who uses their time wisely and who creates often usually doesn’t get the job done without some help. However, it might take time before a writer figures out what tools and resources will help…
YA Novel Release Week!
I just wanted to share that my YA novel, Born or Bred, has officially left the gate and is available in eBook and paperback formats! Born or Bred has a dedicated website where I will post and…
Next Release Coming Soon!
If you’re a Jorja Matthews fan, I’m afraid to disappoint you with the fact that the next novel isn’t in the mystery series. That novel is still a WIP but it’s coming along and I hope to…
My 2020 reading habits and books list
The summer months have been warm and the days have been long, much more so since our calendars aren’t as full as they might have been pre-Covid. From a writer’s perspective, the lack of appointments outside the…
Cover Reveal! Next novel coming soon!
It’s that time again when I get to say I’m publishing another book. Yay! Even more exciting is that the book is in a completely different genre…a young adult novel. Or, maybe I should admit it’s intimidating…
Bi-Yearly Check-in: Writing vs. Journaling
The past six months will be a time in my life I doubt I’ll ever forget. I wish it was because I wrote the next great novel, or found myself buried in money from a fat book…
Podcast interview…check!
Are you curious about my background as a private investigator? About how I decided to finally write a book? How I ended up writing series? About my writing process? What I might be currently writing? I recently…
Series promotion & free eBooks!!
With so many stuck at home and many possibly looking for new mystery characters and authors to follow, I decided it was time for a whole series promotion! This upcoming promo will offer each eBook in the…
Quarterly check in…and a change in perspective
The first three months of 2020 will always remind me of a rollercoaster ride — That slow, long, click-click-click as the cars edge slowly upward to a great height, your head held back against the seat by…
My #stayhome monotony busters
These are challenging days for everyone, each of us in the same boat when it comes to worry and uncertainty, while we each deal with our own version of what it means to stay home or continue…
March author meet & greet!
EVENT UPDATE: This event has been cancelled due to current concerns by management at the facility with regard to group events. The meet & greet will be rescheduled at a later date TBA. Once a new date…
Author meet & greet
Are you local to the Olympia area with free time in the morning hours? If so, I’ll be appearing as a guest speaker next week as part of the weekly Speaker Series held at the Olympia Center…
When your get-up & get-it-done fizzles out some
We’re almost at the end of the first month of this brand new decade…how’s the year starting out for you? Are you still going strong in your attempts to make changes and reach your goals, or has…
blogging, book signing, challenges, contests, day job, dogs, holidays, My books, productivity, publishingWhat I learned from a decade review
We’re at the end of another year and about to embark on not just a new page, or a new chapter or season, but a completely new decade. Are you ready? I’m ready. At least my new…
Quarterly update & year-end review
It’s that time of year when the schedules begin to fill up with our regular priorities cushioned by seasonal events and to–do lists. This time of year, more than the rest, requires us to remember to take…
Short story about grief, relationships, secrets & lies…
Looking for a quick read? 11:11 Anna’s Awakening is a short story about grief, relationships, secrets and lies…and what happens when a character discovers the meaning behind a strange, recurring message. If this short story hasn’t crossed…
Author meet & greet this weekend!
If you are local to or nearby the Olympia area this weekend, I’ll be present for an author meet and greet and book signing on Saturday. Details are as follows: When: Saturday, November 9th Where: Ralph’s Thriftway,…
Looking for a short, scary read?
I love Halloween…and ghost stories. How about you? Halloween is right around the corner and if you do enjoy ghost stories, you might like to treat yourself to 1313 Psycho Path, a short ghost story you can…
Why mind maps are my new favorite tool
I’ll start by saying, these past few months have been busy. Actually, I no longer appreciate or like the word “busy” so I’ll say instead that the past few months have been productive. July and August found…
Grab your free eBook!
If you’re new to the Jorja Matthew mystery series, now is your chance to grab the first in the series for free! The eBook will be free the remainder of today (Sunday, 10/13) and will also be…
Jorja Matthews #7 is now available!
Jorja is back and the next release in the Jorja Matthews Mystery Series is now available! With Malicious Mischief is the 7th volume in the series and is available in both eBook and paperback formats. Curious what…
