Cozy Mystery Series

When Life is Really Good, Write. When Life is Messy, Write Anyway

It’s been an eventful week. I’m trying to figure out how to move forward when it feels impossible to do so. Fortunately, I've got something that may…

Nov 13, 2024

Hooray, I've Finished the First Draft. Now It's Time for the Real Work!

Last Thursday I wrote the final scene in the first draft of the book I’m working on. Does that mean it's time to celebrate? Well, not so much.

Oct 30, 2024

My Writing Was Stalled. Here's The Brainstorm That Let Me Fix It Easily

I was making good progress on my second book, until I wasn’t. Some of it was circumstances outside my control (yes, hurricanes, I’m talking to you…

Oct 23, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

Oops! My Readers and I Disagree. . .

Sometimes you just need to sit and watch a peaceful lake for a while.

Oct 16, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

Oh, Great! Now All These Scary Hurricanes are Dictating My Writing Process

Why am I writing about hurricanes again? Because these darn storms are forcing me to rethink a piece of my writing strategy.

Oct 9, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

Helene Never Showed Up at Our House. I Can't Describe How Lucky I Feel

Despite having clearly announced she’d be arriving on our doorstep late last Thursday night, whether we wanted to see her or not, Helene detoured onto a…

Oct 2, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

Even The Best Plans Won't Work if You're Trying to Improve the Wrong Thing

Somewhere there’s a saying that goes something like, “If you want to make God laugh, make plans.”

Sep 18, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

Is Letting Characters Drive the Story Like Letting the Inmates Run the Asylum?

As a confirmed pantser, I decided to turn to a plotter for some help when I got very, very stuck in the murky, messy middle of my current…

Sep 11, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

Enjoy the Rest of the Summer. I Plan To. . .

Is there anything that says "summer" more than eating watermelon al fresco, like this little girl is doing?

Aug 21, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

August is the New September. Here's Why I Will Never Embrace it

When I was a kid in New England, school always started after Labor Day. This whole Southern thing of starting the school year in August? Ridiculous.

Aug 14, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

Surviving the Hurricane was Easy. Surviving the Lack of Internet? Not So Much. . .

Hello from Florida’s Big Bend, where we’ve just had an encounter with Hurricane Debby. We got off easy - until the sun came out. Then, surprise!

Aug 7, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

Inconceivable: Think words don't matter? Here's why you'd be wrong. . .

Words matter. I'm seeing plenty of references these days to one that makes me want to parrot Inigo Montoya's famous line from The Princess Bride and…

Jul 31, 2024 •

Susanna Sullivan Author

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