Melissa Westemeier

It's human nature to pull in tighter when we feel fear. Instinct makes us curl in to protect ourselves from a punch, we wrap ourselves around vulnerabilities...

This pandemic has revealed a few sobering truths to me. That's bound to happen when isolated with your own thoughts, there's no distraction from reality, no ...

A few early reviews of my new book have come in and they are very flattering (special shout-out to Musings of a Bookworm!). Thank you to everyone who is taki...

It's strange to share a bed with someone while they read the book I wrote. I can't focus on my own book because my gaze keeps moving over to see what page he...

While pushing out my new book and keeping up with teaching online, I've enjoyed some pretty eclectic reading in my spare time. Most people know I read a few ...

My new book will be available April 1st! It's been printed and shipped and you can hold a copy in your hands in just a few short days! Amazing to think that ...

Today the Creative Writing Club I advise at school met. We're focusing on developing voice in our writing this year and over Christmas break I read The 7 1/2...

a Christmas escape

cover reveal for Through the Channel!

The world learned yesterday about Toni Morrison's death. Tayari Jones shared her thoughts about Toni Morrison's contributions on NPR, and one particular line...

Remember this old commercial? Years ago I had a wonderful strawberry patch in a raised bed in our front yard. The berries were dependably sweet and abundant ...

A week ago I foolishly raised my hopes that we'd get a snow day. I let the prospect of a free day sink giddily into my heart and I started making plans for a...

It's the best holiday tomorrow, a combination of eating well and counting one's blessings. I give thanks every day, God has given me a lot and the crazy part...

I hate to post this, my heart is torn. You see, we went to Belize this summer and it was marvelous. Warm, friendly people who express so much pride in their ...

I'm starting my morning writing with my middle son lying at my feet. He's sleeping everywhere these days, partly because he's given up his room in a great ac...

If you attended UntitledTown, you probably were privy to a conversation happening on the sidelines--what kind of writer are you? A "pantser" or a planner? New...

My summer pace has been delightful. I deep-cleaned all the rooms and edited 2 manuscripts for my writing partners. We knocked off appointments at the orthodo...

Incredible how one can go Mach 10 during the school year, juggling teaching, grading, planning, meal prep, loads of laundry, track and baseball schedules, vo...

At last it's in print! The sequel to Across the River. The Amazon links aren't quite ready, but I'll update information as I get it. Meanwhile, I'm happy to ...

Last Friday I trekked to UntitledTown 2018 with a posse of high school kids to hear R.L. Stine tell stories about being a rock star horror writer. Before joi...