Melissa Westemeier

April 1st was my maternal grandmother's birthday, and I assure you, Gloria was not a pulling pranks type of woman. I don't have many clear memories of my grandfather, but Grandma was a thoughtful, curious, no-nonsense, exceptionally organized individual. Opinionated, well-read, and well-traveled. But NOT particularly humorous as far as I recall. It's weird because my dad and his two brothers each have a keen sense of humor. Perhaps they inherited it from their dad? These thre

(according to my friends at Merriam-Webster: distinctive feeling or quality capable of being sensed) feeling serious As a facts matter type of person, I've been rightfully accused of ignoring feelings because I value logic more than my vibes. It's a quality I deliberately tend to in my writing. I always revise for emotional value in scenes and within characters, layering in reactions and fears and preferences is vital when developing characters and plots. Vibes DO have a pur

I don't typically choose a season for setting a book, usually the setting chooses me. In ONE book, Across the River , I deliberately...

Forge has a couple of meanings. The OG definition refers to forming or shaping metal in a fire or furnace by beating and hammering it. A...