Saddened by the news. She inspired me to write romance. I was hooked on her writing back in 2001 when Confessions of a Shopaholic came out. When I was still just dreaming of becoming a writer, I told myself I wanted to write with her kind of charm and voice. I’ll always be your reader.

Ever wondered what goes on in the mind of a narcissist? Meet Margaret Van Cleef—46, with hormones that seem to have served an eviction notice and are now making a dramatic exit. She lives in a creaky two-story house that groans in protest, with her judgmental tabby named Mandy. 👉 tr.ee/NsOi4j

Not everyone is worth responding to. Bullies reveal who they are without your help.

Alpha energy ×2 🐕🐈‍⬛🐾

In corporate speak, “Let’s take this offline” = “Please stop embarrassing yourself in front of everyone.”

Anne Rice’s #Talamasca is like Twilight × A Discovery of Witches: a mind-reader chasing an ancient, old-wives’-tale manuscript… basically Edward Cullen on the hunt for Ashmole 782. Streaming on @netflix.com

Anyone on Substack? Let’s connect and follow each other!

This is the story of Emma, who forged an online friendship with a fellow artist that brought both creativity and heartache—until he suddenly ghosted her, leaving her to face unanswered questions in the city they both call home. Continue the #shortstory in the link below.

In an era of memes and TikTok dances, writing is rebellion, and ink is the only weapon they never see coming. ✍️📚

We write so the mind can wander farther than a meme can scroll. In the age of shortcuts, reading is rebellion.

Who doesn’t love the weekend? Slow mornings, no work, no knocking-at-my-door kind of day….and enjoying some well-earned peace. ☕️

New favorite work spot: H Proper Coffee Roasters at The Podium Socials, 6th floor. Coffee ✔️ Food ✔️ Ambiance ✔️

Your energy leaks into everything. When you’re at peace, you forgive easily and spread warmth. When you’re hurting, you criticize, judge, and see darkness everywhere. You can only give what you hold inside …. love or hate.

Caught between the tug of her creative dreams and the pull of love and friendship, a determined 24-year-old copywriter discovers that in the dizzying rhythm of her quirky New York City neighborhood, life’s greatest stories often hide in the smallest, most unexpected moments. ✨📚 #serendipity

Geez! #PrinceHarry just popped up on the trailer of #WithLoveMeghan holiday special! ❤️

Spotted on IG… instant winter must-have for writers/readers. These socks are officially my writer personality. 📚

So many things to be thankful for this week: family, friends, loving husband, good food, supportive colleagues, birthdays, good health, new projects, client-turned family, and a new story to build with an incredibly talented partner. Wishing you a week as wonderful as mine has been.

Watching my two cats sleep: one is sleeping like a yoga master in deep meditation, the other is passed out like it lost a fight with gravity. Same house, wildly different life choices. 🐱😴🐱

Writers know this feeling: when a reader’s message melts your heart and reminds you why you write in the first place. I’ve been buried in my day job lately, but notes like these make me want to drop everything and dive back into my stories. 🖋️✨ . . . #writerslife✍️ #readers #iloveyousundaysunset

Jacob Elordi delivers a hauntingly touching performance as the Creature in Frankenstein, capturing the monster’s intelligence, sensitivity, and simmering rage. He brings a tragic vulnerability to the role, making it both heartbreaking and deeply unsettling. (1) #jacobelordi #Frankenstein

Saturday in the kitchen: I’m trying to make breakfast, and the cats are acting like they own the place….. which, to be fair, they do. 🐈‍⬛🐈🐾 #cats

The tragedy of a latte: you have to ruin a work of art just to enjoy it. ☕️

Wow, that was quick! Sent out queries yesterday (email + QueryTracker) and already have two full requests and one partial (first 50 pages). 🤞#amquerying #TheRunawayPrince

Biscotti con Panna ☕️ Spiced espresso with cream cheese and Tonka bean + Tiramisu 🫘 🤎

Salem’s in her element tonight. Black fur, glowing eyes, and pure #Halloween magic. 🖤🐈‍⬛✨ #catstagram #blackcat #salem

Halloween has always been my favorite….more than Christmas. I miss dressing up the kids, but now it’s all about horror flicks, and takeout in all-day pajamas with my grown-up ghouls. 🎃🖤👻

This Halloween, step inside a house that mirrors its owner's malice. What happens when your home knows your darkest sins? Unravel Margaret's terrifying story for free and discover the chilling secrets within. 👻👹🎃 Read the full #shortstory here >>> bit.ly/SS20MM #PsychoThriller #HalloweenReads

That hollow, pathetic feeling when someone achieves what you couldn’t, like writing a book, showcasing their art, starting a business, and all you can do is mock it. The insult is a cheap balm to soothe the sting of your own inadequacy. A fleeting comfort for the ache of feeling like a failure.

SECRETS. BETRAYAL. LOVE. REDEMPTION. 1/ Sara’s life flips upside down when she discovers she’s pregnant with the heir of NY’s banking empire, Heck Archibald III. But with Heck tangled in a messy divorce and another pregnancy, Sara keeps her secret.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s Nobody’s Girl is a hauntingly powerful memoir that reads like a gripping novel. Co-written with journalist Amy Wallace, it delves into her harrowing journey as a survivor of abuse and her relentless fight for justice. #bookreview #nobodysgirl #virginiagiuffre #memoir

Body, forgive me—the temptation was just too great. 😭

I’m on Chapter 5 of Virginia Giuffre #NobodysGirl, her story completely grips me. It’s meant to be a memoir, but it reads like a novel, or an entire season of Law & Order. I can’t imagine how she survived it all and still built a family so different from her childhood. Release the #EpsteinFiles

The grocery store is basically Halloween HQ right now—pumpkins staring at me, candy whispering, “Take me home.” 🎃🍬

Didn’t get much work done today. Spent my day watching #nobodywantsthis S2 on my iPad while sending query emails to agents for my new novel. That’s the Friday vibe. ☕✍️

My OOTD perfectly matches the color palette of the branding system I’m working on. 🎨🖤🤎🤍

A client asked me why I still make time to write novels despite my demanding job (branding | advertising) My answer? I need to feed my dog and cat. So, please buy my books and help me keep these two gorgeous freeloaders happy! 🐾📚

It’s been a while since I worked on a #branding system and guidelines. It’s like crafting a technical book—documenting the birth of a brand and how to breathe life into it. Some call it the brand bible; others, the brand police guidebook. Whatever the name, this is the essence of a brand’s life.

#WritingTips Bring your main characters to life. Create their pegs, study their mannerisms, the way they speak, their appearance. Talk to them, pick their anecdotes, and let them help you guide the story. Make them real.

#BrandingTips 1. Be consistent: logos, colors, tone, everything. 2. Simplicity wins: don’t overcomplicate your message. 3. Know your audience: speak their language, not yours. A great brand isn’t what you say, it’s what they feel. 💡

The world has lost 3 extraordinary icons: Robert Redford, Jane Goodall, and Diane Keaton, all in just one month. 💔😭

#VirginiaWoolf’ s story inspired self-publishing authors. Her journey reminds us that creativity knows no bounds. What’s stopping you from sharing your story?

The writer in me is screaming—why didn’t I think of that and write it first?! 🤣😅😂 📷: FB/heyluenell

As a writer, the em dash has always been my favorite punctuation—long before the rise of AI. It’s my way of presenting expanding thoughts. While editing my current manuscript, I tried to minimize its use, but, why should we change how we write just because AI uses it too?

Black and White 🖤🤍 #MeghanSussex in #ParisFashionWeek

🌅 A SICILIAN SUMMER 🌿 Chapter 5 of  The Runaway Prince novel is my sweet spot, my gift to you, readers. A nostalgic ode to childhood and the bittersweet beauty of growing up. It’s the kind of memory that lingers, even as time blurs the edges of everything else. ✨ Read the full preview tr.ee/ftz6iP

Now, here’s the kicker. The loudest critics? They’re never the ones putting their heart on the line to create something. Real artists, whether they paint, write, compose, or craft, don’t tear you down. They get it. They respect the grind, and the courage it takes to put yourself out there.

Cheer up, Pao! I know the weather’s a bummer today, and you can’t chase butterflies. 🦋 🐈 #catsofbluesky

Chocolate chips and hazelnut cookies .My kitchen smells good today. 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪

A serendipitous encounter connects a young copywriter and a reluctant heir. The story follows their journey of self-discovery and dreams, exploring love and the unpredictability of life within the boundaries of their chosen paths.

Almost 3 AM and I’m deep into line editing my new novel—5 chapters down! Due to the typhoon, work was declared WFH, so I’ll happily wake up at lunchtime. #WritersLife ✍️