Adventures

The definition of adventure—more or less—is a risky endeavor with an uncertain outcome.

Adventures are the things that are scary because we don't know what will happen, and exciting for exactly the same reason. They are where the greatest challenges lie, as well as the greatest triumphs. Here are some of my own adventures (and mis-adventures!) in writing, sailing, and life.
When Laziness is Something Else Entirely
When Laziness is Something Else Entirely
I realized I've historically had success in one of two ways—either someone told me what to do or I told someone else what to do. What hasn't worked as well?... Read more...
Victoria Did, Indeed, Have a Secret
Victoria Did, Indeed, Have a Secret
The Time Traveler’s Guide to 1851: Women’s Undies Edition If you swoon for a good period drama full of 19th century dresses, from Bridgerton to The Gilded Age, you may... Read more...
Sailing as a Second Language
Sailing as a Second Language
I’d learned on day one of my first class that a halyard was a line used for raising or lowering a sail, but the strange word itself went unexplained. For... Read more...
The Story that Changed My Life
The Story that Changed My Life
“I have a story you might enjoy,” my dad said to me one day.  I was around seven, and sitting on the floor—knees splayed out in ways my adult brain... Read more...
The Storm is Brewing. How Do You Prepare?
The Storm is Brewing. How Do You Prepare?
I invite you to imagine, if you wish.  You are a sailor on a clipper ship, circa 1851. Your boat is your home, but it is also the remarkably thin... Read more...
My Fuzzy Valentine
My Fuzzy Valentine
I was sure I could read four more books on historic seafaring, six on novel structure, re-outline the novel that turned into a trilogy, blast through the holidays, finish up... Read more...
And Now For Something Completely Different
And Now For Something Completely Different
How about a mini moment of escape?  I invite you to time travel with me, back to the 19th century. It was an era with plenty of problems, but for... Read more...
What Matters Most in November?
What Matters Most in November?
I wish I could share the magic antidote to the 21st century. Mostly I’ve just been trying—in this moment of relative calm before the storm—to take the opportunity to decide... Read more...
A New Chapter Begins
A New Chapter Begins
Goodbye home equity. Hello sailboat. Read more...
The Prisoner's Apprentice Wins the Indie Readers Discovery Award for Historical Fiction!
The Prisoner's Apprentice Wins the Indie Readers Discovery Award for Historical Fiction!
I'm ecstatic to share that The Prisoner's Apprentice has won the Indie Readers Discovery Award for Historical Fiction. This is an incredible honor and truth be told I'm still a bit... Read more...
Whiteout Conditions Inside the Snowglobe
Whiteout Conditions Inside the Snowglobe
Life, As it Happens When Covid brought us back to California, we were fully expecting to climb back aboard Pristine and continue the adventure. But ongoing variants made it clear it would... Read more...
With What Eyes Do We See the Soul?
With What Eyes Do We See the Soul?
Once I’d finally accepted that the only way to get Rulloff out of my head was to write a novel about him, I assumed the best way forward was the direct... Read more...