Typewriter with text One of the most common questions writers ask is this: Which is better, self publishing or traditional publishing? The truth is that there is no universal right answer. The better option depends on your personality, goals, and season of life. For me, self publishing has been the right choice. Here are the main reasons why I chose to become a self published author. 1. Complete Creative Control The biggest advantage of self publishing is full creative contro

The Claire O' Keefe Mysteries When I created the Claire O’Keefe mysteries, I wanted to write mysteries that blended adventure, community, and heart in a way readers could truly connect with. My main character, Claire O’Keefe, is a little different from many cozy mystery heroines, but that’s part of what makes her so special. As the only child of a Korean mother and an American father, she grew up in northwest Arkansas surrounded by two rich cultures that shaped who she is tod

Writing a book can feel like standing at the edge of a vast ocean, staring at endless waves of possibilities and doubts. Many writers get stuck trying to craft the perfect story, convinced that every word must be flawless before they can share it with the world. I’ve been there myself, especially after writing four books in the Claire O’Keefe mysteries. The truth I’ve learned is simple: there is no perfect book . Instead of chasing perfection, writers should focus on telling

When you think of mystery writing, romantic comedies might not be the first place you look for inspiration. Yet, stepping outside my usual genre and diving into rom coms changed how I write mysteries in surprising ways. It might sound odd, but reading romantic comedies helped me improve my writing in three key areas: dialogue, pacing, and character development. This experience showed me that exploring different genres can offer valuable writing help, even if they seem unrelat