Racism, Sexism, Ageism…Fatism?
There’s racism. Ageism. Sexism. Is there “fat-ism?” Having gone up and down the scale through five pregnancies, it’s been something not unfamiliar to me. So I ask: do we in our culture take people less seriously if they are overweight? What kind of self-esteem issues do our young people (as well as adults) have when […]

The Wayback Machine and Haunted Cell Phones
My kids have been watching hours and hours of “Rocky & Bullwinkle” this summer, and I couldn’t be prouder. By far my favorite segment is Mr. Peabody and Sherman, where the world’s smartest dog takes his affable boy Sherman on trips back through time in his WABAC Machine (Wayback) to see improbable events in history. […]
How Do I Say That? — Japanese Pronunciation Guide
I had a fabulous time at the book launch the other night at Weller Book Works in SLC. Thank you, thank you to the family and friends who came and supported me at the event. It was a fun night! Also, I must say it’s PRETTY AWESOME to hold the hardcover book in my hot […]

Interview!
On Saturday I was in Utah for family things and Jolly Fish Press’s super fun staff snagged me and brought me in to the Provo Library after hours. We did an author interview they videoed and will be putting on the book’s website. Interview! The questions were fun, like what’s sumo all about, and what’s […]

Guest Blogger–Christopher Loke, Executive Editor
Super cool guest on this blog today! Christopher Loke, Executive Editor for Jolly Fish Press is here today to tell us what it takes to make a book happen! For anyone who is in the writing process (at whatever point–from pre-writing to final edits to post-published) this is some good info. Enjoy. The Making of a […]
Retreat!
I’m so excited! This week is the annual ANWA Writers Retreat in the cool country of the mountains of Arizona. This is my fourth year attending. We’re staying at a nice cabin, about 30 of us, shutting out the world and just writing. Last year I used the 3 days away from the responsibilities of home […]

It’s harder to watch movies than read books?
This year I took a challenge issued by my friend Heather to read 50 books and watch 50 movies in this calendar year and to blog reviews of all of them. It’s been a really fun blog to read–other people’s reads are always interesting. It’s kind of like peeking into someone’s mind, or behind their […]

Likening Housework unto Editing…and the Bacon Sundae
A few months ago I had the opportunity to go help someone clean her house while she was in the hospital. It had a regular level of dirt, but it was a breeze! My sister in law was helping me, and we both commented on how easy it was to whip through someone else’s house. […]

Writing Service
So, a while back, my friend Donna Hatch wrote a great blog post about the importance of using our writing talents to serve others. There’s happiness in serving others every day. I firmly believe that. Donna suggested that we writers can use our writing skills to serve others in some small way, such as a thank […]

The Book Cover is Here for Big in Japan
Here’s the art for the jacket cover! After months of waiting and watching, it’s here! The jacket art for BIG IN JAPAN. I’m loving it. The minimalist design, the top-to-bottom, right-to-left of the kanji in the background, the silhouette of the sumo wrestler crouching, waiting to begin his fight. The red. The white. It’s so […]