This blog or hangout is both a continuation and archive of select features that I first originated on Facebook. Thanks for stopping by!  ...

To mark the 150th anniversary of the first Japanese sojourners to create a silk and tea enterprise, the Wakamatsu Colony (1869-71), I’ve started a new serial for the Discover Nikkei website, “Silk” The first chapter is from the POV of Jou Schnell, the wife of the colony’s founder. Enjoy!...

On one of our walks, we spotted a white gardening van that reminded me of my father’s! A nice memory....

Some of you might have learned from my last newsletter, but I have sad news to report. I had to end the development of “The Big Bachi,” the independent film adaptation of my first Mas Arai mystery. I was helping to attempt to raise funds–I had even secured a...

I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m challenging myself in writing about places where I don’t live. It’s a bit stressful because setting is so important to me, but I’ve investigated a lot of parts of Los Angeles in so many of my books, both fiction and nonfiction,...

I celebrated my 19-year wedding anniversary with my husband. Tulo came along, of course! The three of us went to San Clemente this past weekend. Here Tulo is following his namesake, Tulowitski, who recently retired from MLB. Our Tulo, on the other hand, is still going strong....

Lately I’ve had opportunities to breathe. I know that sounds odd–I mean, we all have to breathe to survive. But rather than be on a hamster wheel, which was much of my 2018, I’ve been able to take care of my physical environment, my health as well as my...

Having a long career as a writer is tough. There are technological disrupters (hello Internet and Kindle), changes in taste, and the advent of self-promotion. These days almost every book author needs some kind of social media presence. How exhausting. We are told that social media really doesn’t sell...

While hopefully continuing my new Leilani Santiago mystery series set in Kaua’i, I want to concurrently work on historical mystery standalones. Why historical fiction? Well, I have a passion for it and have worked on several history nonfiction books. And I’m getting older–which is not a liability and maybe...

WRITING WEDNESDAY: With my current work-in-progress, I’ve needed a special laser focus. I’ve spoken about going into hibernation and clearing my social calendar for a couple of weeks. But that doesn’t mean I have to go it alone. I’ve had a couple of dedicated writing sessions with other writers...