Beta readers have a tough job. The beta readers for Standing Sideways are mothers. They work full time. They cart kids to and from. Some are coaches. Some are volunteers. They have lives outside my 80,000 words I've asked them to read. Beta readers are test readers. They tell you what's working in the story before you take your baby and throw her out into the world and yell: SWIM! Of course I hope they love the book, but more importantly, I want them to tell me what's not wo

Oh my gosh, it's been since February that I've written a blog post. Life is busy. Two kids. A husband. Two cats. And a fish. Little league baseball groupie. Taxi driver. Snack lady. Lunch maker. Self-appointed dugout mom. Writer (by heart). Life is BUSY. But I still make time to write. I have to. If I don’t, I get cranky. While I finish up the first round of edits for my latest book, I’m reminded just how serious I take my writing time. I write from 5:30am-7:15am. I take it s