This. My sister, my niece and my great niece were among the many who marched in Austin, TX this weekend. Many other friends and family marched in DC, Boston and Denver. This is the generational affirmation that we matter, that we deserve equality and respect, that we won't go back. This matters. While I wasn't able to attend a march in person, I was so connected to what was happening via social media. I watched and listened and cried with my sisters and brothers, knowing I wasn't alone. We aren't alone. The whole world is watching and resisting the hateful rhetoric of our potus.
What makes  greatness is humanity, our connection to the world around us. Those we remember with the most reverence are those who touch our humanity. We have to resist the shelter of our own fear, the comfort of our own community and reach out to those we don't know. Build bridges, not walls, bridges of understanding. We have to be active participants in our democracy if we want it to stand, but where do we start? My plan is to stay engaged and keep myself informed. It's so easy to take bits and pieces of news without getting more than a sound bite. My pledge is to listen to NPR news everyday, and the Vox podcast The Weeds regularly, so I will understand what's happening in our government. I will call my senators and representatives daily to let them know what's important to me. I will act locally, get involved. Most importantly, I won't be quiet. It matters too much. What's your plan to resist?

It's a gloomy Saturday in Houston, foggy but warm. The kids are out and MJ and I are in the office about to spend our day writing. Days like this really set the mood for me with my writing. My crazy imagination goes off when I look outside and see the fog.
The very first time I sat down to write a book, it was a day just like this one. That book was set right here in my house and my neighborhood, so it was super fun to create a creepy story in such a familiar setting. Of course, I was new to writing, and that book is in a file somewhere, not published, but percolating.
My newest book, Buried heart has been available on my publisher's site for fourteen days and will have general release next Tuesday. It's set in another familiar place, Austin Texas.
I tend to visualize the setting of my books before I develop the characters and plot. Places resonate with me and spark my imagination. My work in progress is the first time I've strayed from the familiar, setting it in New York City. I've been there several times, but it's not a part of me like all the other settings I've chosen, so I'm nervous.
This book, Captured Soul, came to me when I was looking at some sculptures online. I was blown away by the sculptures on sculpturebykira.com. They were so alive and yet, hidden. Check out the website if you want to see my inspiration. I was tempted to contact her to use an image for my cover, but I didn't think she'd appreciate the role I'm creating for my sculptor (she's the bad guy). I won't ruin the story for
you, but I think it's going to be my creepiest yet.
The fog is calling me, and it's time to write. What calls to you? Setting? Character? Plot? Let me know.