Fiction author Robin Brande talks about writing, reading, and other vital matters

Happy Almost New Year, everyone!
Employing the usual method of thrusting the stack of chocolate drawing entries in front of my husband, saying, “Choose,” and letting fate take its course, this month’s chocolate winners are:
Diane!
Regina!
Pearl!
Congratulations! Your chocolate is on the way!
Technorati Tags: Chocolate, Free Chocolate

Remember this list? I say in the spirit of personal reform, instead of making up yet another lengthy to-do list of resolutions, we make up a short, five-item list of things we promise not to do in 2007, all with an eye toward making our lives easier and simpler.
As for me, I hereby promise [...]

Okay, it’s time. I’m giving you plenty of advance notice so you can do this right, because it’s one of the most enjoyable rituals I’ve ever heard of, and I’ve been doing it for about fifteen years now, and it still makes me happy every time. I’ve already converted dozens of my family [...]

I know I can’t be alone in this. I happen to have a body-shuddering aversion to seeing Christmas decorations after Christmas.
It’s over, people. Move on.
Trees go to treecycling. Wreaths come off the door. All the mantel greenery and lawn reindeer and empty stockings–out.
My deadline happens to be today, but [...]

Have to balance out the other post by talking about this side of your Christmas presents (besides, I’m inspired by Christen’s description of the Heelys she got).
The coolest thing I got for Christmas (other than a really special surprise my husband gave me, which I can’t talk about, and no, not because it’s risque) is [...]

Patrick says: “Here’s a question – How many days must I wait before I buy all the things people failed(YES, FAILED) to get me as gifts?”
You hate to be this way, but I woke up this morning thinking the exact same thing. I love what I got for Christmas–including some nice new backpacking [...]

I had this in a long answer to BJ’s comment on the last post, but I decided it’s worth discussing separately.
I don’t know why other people blog, but my reasons are entirely selfish: I like to hear what you all think. I love to throw an idea out there and see you all [...]

I got an e-mail yesterday from my brother-in-law, telling us about the miracle of the ankle. It goes something like this: a while ago his wife slipped off an icy curb and broke her ankle. I don’t even like to think about it, so let’s move on. The doctors have been [...]

As I’ve mentioned recently, I am so inspired by Diana Peterfreund’s one-book-a-week habit, I fully intend to try it next year. Of course, this year I had that whole 50-novel challenge going, and didn’t quite make that. (Yes, Barry, I know you’re up to 61 or something because you’re on jury duty this [...]

Remember when I told you about that crack popcorn from Garrett’s? I ordered some for my friend Carolyn a few weeks ago, and couldn’t resist getting myself some, too. True to form, I found myself inhaling it within two minutes of the FedEx man dropping it off. I was having so many [...]