I feel very loved: thank you for sharing your support upon the release of Humanity’s Grace. If you missed some of the excitement you can catch up by reading this (front page) article in the West Linn Tidings (West Linn author reflects on life's interconnectedness in new book), and this bit in the Astorian (In … Continue reading About that book launch…
Author: dedemontgomery
The art of naming characters
I've read how many authors feel paralyzed over the responsibility of deciding the names of their characters. That's news to me - and certainly a good lesson. Or not. Naming characters has been one of the easiest things for me during my writing journey. Hmm. Perhaps, I don't take the task seriously enough? Here's the … Continue reading The art of naming characters
From Ripples to Humanity’s Grace: what to know
Soon after finishing my 2019 novel, Beyond the Ripples, I imagined writing a sequel. I wasn't yet finished with its characters: Annie, Sarah and others. I drafted a few short half-hearted attempts along different plot lines, soon after abandoning them to instead write another blog. Finally, just before the pandemic unfolded, I asked myself the … Continue reading From Ripples to Humanity’s Grace: what to know
Dear Mom, it’s Christmas and I miss you
Dear Mom, it's Christmas and I miss you. I've missed you every day since you died; how can it have been nine months? I miss you as I visit parks, so many places you and I journeyed together - later you using sticks, walker and wheelchair. I miss you when I cook certain foods, listen … Continue reading Dear Mom, it’s Christmas and I miss you
Books, launches and variants
I know I’m not alone in feeling a bit depressed as news circulates about the newest, especially contagious, COVID-19 variant, omicron. If the whole thing weren't so darn serious one might make some science fiction inspired joke about its name. I know that the existence of variants isn't surprising to infectious disease experts who understand … Continue reading Books, launches and variants
Independence by bicycle: Now and Then
Did you ever watch the 1995 film Now and Then? A captivating movie with bold, adventurous female actors like Christina Ricci, Rosie O'Donnell, Demi Moore, and Rita Wilson. My daughters and I loved watching this flick. And although, like with most books and movies, I'm not sure how it ages to today but one scene … Continue reading Independence by bicycle: Now and Then
Is Jolabokaflod PDX on your calendar?
It’s not hard for me to get excited about live events these days. You know, the ones that aren’t on Zoom or WebEx or Teams or some other virtual platform? I know, too, that I’ll need to pace myself. A few hours of “live” is about all I can handle these days. but that doesn't … Continue reading Is Jolabokaflod PDX on your calendar?
Rambling on… ink lifespan to journal platforms
I worry little these days if I don't know the answer to questions asked of me when presenting a talk. Don't get me wrong, I try if I can, but I have no problem replying that I'll find out and get back to them. Of course, I'm also asked questions that I hadn't thought about … Continue reading Rambling on… ink lifespan to journal platforms
Sixty, American Pie and the dental drill
Today I turned sixty. Yes, sometimes my writing reads like a stream of consciousness. More recently, maybe less so. Today, I am certain, probably more so. Sixty. Sixty years ago, as Mom's nurse or doctor at Portland’s Good Samaritan Hospital told her “not yet,” she and Dad crossed Northwest 23rd Avenue to Quality Pie Shop. … Continue reading Sixty, American Pie and the dental drill
From Deep River to Westport: then, now, fact and fiction
In my earliest draft of Beyond the Ripples, I had already determined several plot points. Yes, Annie would pitch the bottle in the Willamette River upstream of Wilsonville - how about Newberg? Yes, it would tumble over the Willamette Falls. And yes, Ernest would spy it somewhere along the Columbia River. As I imagined where … Continue reading From Deep River to Westport: then, now, fact and fiction
Dede's Books and blog 