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

I don’t know about you, but I cannot for the life of me get into Christmas this year. I haven’t hung a single decoration, put up a tree, strung a single light. And I’m not gonna. So there.
On the other hand, some strange hormonal/psychological/seasonal urge hit me today, and I decided to [...]

Last night at dinner, my husband and I were once again discussing the concept of the pie chart that is men’s and women’s brains. I saw a cartoon several years ago that depicted women’s brains as a pie chart primarily taken up by thinking about the Relationship, whereas men’s were split between thinking about [...]

Seems only fair that I share with you the disappointments of my writing career as well as the triumphs. Otherwise you’ll get the false impression that everything I touch turns to publication. As much as I love to fool people that way, I feel a responsibility to keep it real.
So first, the good [...]

There I was yesterday morning, running a little late, eating my oatmeal behind schedule, when I heard my husband calling me from the bathroom with a certain semi-urgent tone I’m not used to. I’m also not used to being summoned to the bathroom, period–usually we’re sort of every man for himself in that area.
“Can [...]

I’m on the home stretch of my novel right now, working to bring my lead guy and girl together. Their separation for most of this book has been agony, because I know they secretly love each other. So now I’m getting ready to satisfy myself–finally–by seeing them kiss. But not for another [...]

Remember when I said I’ve been working twelve to fourteen hours a day on this new novel of mine? Well, you should know what that really means. It means that I write for a few hours, get frustrated, go sit on the couch and pet the dog, come back in here and go [...]

Saw The Holiday yesterday–there could not BE more of a chick flick. But other than a few wincers, the movie provided just what I needed–totaly escapist entertainment, with Jude Law looking particularly fine (I’ve even decided to overlook his bad behavior in his personal life as a result of his performance–and I do not [...]

I keep forgetting that when I actually take the time to sit down and read some of the many magazines that accumulate around here, I tend to learn things. Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Two articles in particular that I read this week intersect very nicely, and I thought I’d save you the trouble by [...]

I try not to laugh at people who are sincerely making an effort, but since this poor man has already been outed, I don’t see the extra harm in sharing with you.
Please do yourself a favor and listen all the way to the end. It only gets much, much worse. Mercy.
And as your [...]

From the looks of yesterday’s comments, I’m not the only who’s enjoyed being on Weight Watchers during my lifetime (”enjoyed” being used in its most opposite sense).
First of all, a plug for the best Weight Watchers memoir I’ve ever read: I’m Not the New Me, by Wendy McClure. I bought it in the [...]