Being part of the larger writing community is essential for writers. We support each other, we learn from each other, and we celebrate each other.

In May, I joined the Florida Writers Association (FWA). A part of their monthly newsletter, The Florida Writer, is a celebrations page showcasing new publications by members. I took the chance and submitted Molly - and surprise! Molly the Mockingbird was highlighted in the June 2025 issue (Volume 19, Number 3). The accolade definitely fluffed my feathers, making me feel proud of the work Barbara Falvey and I did to make our book come to life.

Two months later and my feathers are feeling wet and soggy - similar to Molly’s when she tried to be like the anhinga. Two of four writing contests I entered this spring sent me their rejection letters on the same day. Double whammy. Arrow to the heart.

I should not feel so dejected. I have been on the winning side of contests - several. I cannot win them all, nor would I want to. I also understand that writing is subjective; not every judge will relate to my work. And yet, every time I submit a part of myself out to the world only to have it declined, I can’t help but fall into a funk. I worked so hard! I really thought this story/poem was the one! And I waited so long to hear back from the organization…

This is where the larger writing community comes into play. It might seem like writers are in competition, but that truly is like the comparison of apples to oranges. We just are not the same. We are unique. We all deserve celebration.

To my fellow writers - I see you. I hear your words. And I applaud you for baring your soul, for pushing yourself to greatness, for running the contest or publication gauntlet and surviving the flogging. Most importantly, I thank you for sharing your stories.

It was only a matter of time before Molly made her way to the land of perfect croissants and unparalleled history. She set sail along the Seine River on a cruise that took her from Paris to Normandy and back. First stop - Paris. While she did not scale the Eiffel Tower, the immense monument took her breath away. She journeyed inside the newly renovated Notre Dame Cathedral to admire the kaleidoscope of stained glass and gleaming architectural features. And yes, of course, Molly went to the Louvre! The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and the Greek sculpture Winged Victory of Samothrace - they all captured her eye. Molly even got to pose in front of the inverted triangle.

As the days went on, Molly rode a bicycle in Giverny to Monet’s Gardens, toured a working hard cider farm in Rouen where she witnessed a border collie round up the sheep, visited a chateau in La-Roche Guyon, and sipped wine at an outdoor cafe in Les Andelys. Her visit to Normandy left her humbled and pensive. The precisely aligned white crosses in the American cemetery, the National Anthem played by church bells, a stirring rendition of taps, and footsteps on Omaha Beach - the haunting cliffs rising behind her.

Molly met a few new friends on her adventure - friends with delightful grandchildren who look forward to reading about her. She hopes they enjoy her story, revel in the watercolors, and offer her positive reviews. Merci beaucoup, mes enfants! Jusqu’a la prochaine fois!

Molly the Mockingbird has taken flight. She has been gearing up for this important day for quite some time and is, admittedly, a little nervous. She and I would love your support; you can order on Amazon or Barnes & Noble online.

I never thought I’d write a children’s book, but then I met Barbara Falvey at the 2019 Kauai Writers Conference. During our long-distance friendship, I discovered that Barbara was a talented artist, and the idea was born for her to illustrate a children’s book for me. I just needed a story. In 2023, my community writing group - The Pelican Pens - suggested the prompt “From this moment on…” It percolated in my brain for a few days and then Molly just kind of flew out. A former resident of Sanibel Island, I knew I wanted to include some of Florida’s majestic birds in Molly’s quest to discover who she is meant to be. Who is Molly? You will have to read to find out.

Please consider joining me on Saturday, March 1 at the SWFL Reading Festival. I will be selling signed copies at the Gulf Coast Writers Association (GCWA) tent between 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. This is a fabulous family event: kids’ crafts, storytellers, book signings and author presentations (this year’s festival features Jean Kwok, Lisa Genova, Kate Messner, and many more!), food trucks, and a “Name a Character” raffle. Every child and teen who attends gets a free book from the festival sponsors.

Happy Birthday, Molly! I hope all your wishes come true.

Note: Molly the Mockingbird is a print on demand book. It may take a few days before Amazon or Barnes & Noble receives the item to be shipped.

Bonjour! Have you ever felt like you were on top of the world? I have - and I was! In September 2024, I attended a writing retreat hosted by Foreword Retreats in the French Alps. For one week, I lived in a mountain chalet in Chamonix with sixteen women writers. Each day we met and workshopped with bestselling novelists, Christina Baker Kline and Paula McLain. They are generous, supportive, and talented writers - if you have not read their work, you must.

*If you ever have the privilege of going to Chamonix, head up the Aiguille du Midi. At 3,842 meters high, you will witness stunning views of the Mont Blanc massif. You might even give a warrior’s yawp. I did.