Hello, Everyone!
It's been while, eh? I have been swamped hopping from one manuscript to another that I've let everything else fend for itself, including my blog and newsletter. So far, 2026 has been really good to me, and I hope it has been to you, too.
I want to put a few thoughts out there about the writing process and about the stories I write. If you have any thoughts on them, or questions, please feel free to chime in! My question to you is what's in a story? The best answer I can give is a ton of research. Yep, that's it, at least from my perspective. 
I am always researching tidbits for each of my stories because if the scene, or details in the storyline don't match the time period, then it throws the story off. Both of my crime series Penny Pearl Mysteries and The Traveling Tootsies are based in the eighties, so the music, even a specific song, must be either written before or during that time period, or I can't use it. Yep, facts, even in fiction! Does it drive you mad even though it's fiction? Me too, but that's how I write, and that's what's in a story--good research!
If you're wondering what to write, or where to start, get your storyline down, use a timeline, and the details will come to you. When they do, research the heck out of them, and you might find more that you want to include in your story while checking the facts.
The reason I chose to write about the eighties is because it takes me back to my childhood. Uh-oh, she's a Gen X and the story is about to get real! The truth is, it was a great time period and I want to share those funny and special moments with you all. I really think you're going to like it. There are a lot of things I remember from that era, a lot of great things, but if I'm going to take you back there, I have to make sure what I share is during that time period only and nothing after it. After all, some of the best sitcoms, music, and stories are from that era!   
Until Next Time!
​Pepper Anne

Happy New Year, everyone! 
I hope you all had a great one. Do you make New Year's resolutions, or do you ring in the New Year with well wishes and wait to see what the year has in store for you? For the past couple of years, I did the latter. This year, I made a few New Year's resolutions that I intend to stick to. I'm excited about them, because it's time to mix things up a lot. 
I have two books coming out this year that I'm excited to tell you more about. Penny Pearl Mysteries Mayhem in a Small Town will be the first one. Yes, I know you've all been patiently waiting for me to spin this one out into the world. It's in the final stages of getting there. The Traveling Tootsies will follow shortly after that. Each book is the first in the series with a young Penny as the crime solving sleuth in Penny Pearl Mysteries Mayhem in a Small Town and Blanche and Madge, two middle aged broads cracking the case of crimes in The Traveling Tootsies.
Blanche and Madge will make their first appearance into the world in Penny Pearl Mysteries Mayhem in a Small Town bringing laughter to the page. You will want more of these crazy gals because in Madge's own words, "Honey, I've been solving cases since Cagney and Lacey have been on the air, thank you CBS. I'm a retired middle aged broad looking to travel and solving a case or two, with my my gal pal Blanche. "  
As you all know, my first book The Notorious Texas Swindler is nonfiction and based on police records, court transcripts, interviews and more. A lot of research went into writing it. Writing fiction crime thrillers and murder mysteries is a whole other ball of wax, but there is still a lot of research involved, at least from my perspective. I've been asked 'It's fiction, so it can be written anyway and it doesn't have to make sense! Why are you constantly researching and changing it so much?" The answer to that is, I want all of my stories, fiction and nonfiction to make sense and my readers to feel a connection to one if not more of my characters. You can't do that if the scene isn't set correctly. I want you to feel like you've stepped back in time to a place that truly existed. The only thing that should be out of place are the pieces of the puzzle to a crime that we are all trying to solve.  
I'm also looking forward to attending more shows for book signings this year, so I will get to meet and speak with you all! So, make sure to check back on the website for more information about that schedule coming soon. You will actually be able to buy your own copy of Penny Pearl Mysteries Mayhem in a Small Town and The Traveling Tootsies. 
Lastly, but certainly not least, I am scheduling more interviews with my podcasts friends! They want to hear updates on what's coming out next and I'm excited to share that with them! I will list that schedule on my website for you to see, so make sure to keep an eye out for those events.
I hope you all have a great weekend and stay safe out there.
Until Next Time,
Pepper Anne