Short story news

Since I’ve had my baby (almost a year ago–wow), I haven’t had the time, energy, or mental focus to tackle writing a new novel. Hell, I’ve been struggling to read novels lately; I fall asleep after 5 pages. Anyway, I have been able to write some short stories. One that’s especially near and dear to — Read More

Cherry Blossoms: Reviews, blurbs, and other happenings

We are getting closer to publication day–October 30! I wanted to share some early reviews that have been rolling in, as well as blurbs from some authors many of you may know. Just in: Publishers Weekly reviewed Cherry Blossoms yesterday: “Hooper gives familiar themes of loss and redemption fresh and inviting life in her entertaining second — Read More

The joys of research: An ode to the Internet

When I started writing my first novels (back in the 20th century–ha), the Internet was in its infancy. Google was not the preferred search engine. Anyone remember AltaVista? Those were the days. Except they weren’t. Not for a writer in need of easy research. I used to go to the library to do research for — Read More

Drumroll, please. Book #2 cover is here!

I am so excited to share the cover for book #2! The release date for Cherry Blossoms is October 30. It will come out as a hardcover, paperback, and e-book on the same day so you can take your pick. Here’s the official synopsis (I consider it “official” when it’s on Amazon): From the author — Read More

When the muse drops by and you’re like, “I’m busy”

Most creative types know that a visit from the ever-elusive muse is a welcome and wonderful thing. You can’t always control when inspiration strikes. It comes and you take advantage of it because you don’t know when it will come again. Unless you’re busy. Then it might not be realistic to strike while the proverbial — Read More

Women writing men

My next novel, Cherry Blossoms, has a male narrator. I didn’t plan to write a story with a man’s voice; it just came to me that way. This story, like most of my stories, started with one line: “I have eight months to live.” And the character saying that line in my head just happened — Read More

Famous authors on why they write

Every now and then, I ask myself why I write. I mean, it’s such a strange thing–creating these all-consuming alternate realities and fretting about them for months on end. It calms me to see how other writers describe their need to write. I’ve collected some favorite quotes here: “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what — Read More

The 5 stages of grieving Donald Trump

This is a blog about fiction writing. I know. And I’m sorry if you’re here to read about fiction. For the first time since I started this blog six years ago, I feel compelled to talk about real life. I am grieving. There’s no other way to describe it. On the evening of the election, — Read More