Everyone – from critique partners, writing group partners, twitter peeps, and writing instructors – seemed dismayed by my answers.

“I hardly have time to write a novel much less a blog. Blogging doesn’t really promote sales. I don’t want to. I have nothing interesting to say. I’m boring.

They were so dismayed, in fact, some insisted I would never get an agent or a publishing deal without a platform. The encouraged me. They coaxed. They rolled their eyes. When I finally agreed to have an open mind about it, it was a half-hearted shove-off. “I’ll blog when a publisher makes me.”

Well, a few short months ago I landed my first publishing deal with St. Martin’s Press. And today I begin my Great Blogging Adventure. Does this mean my words were prophetic and a publisher is finally making me?

Actually…no. No one is making me. My agent said I didn’t really need to blog. My editor hasn’t ever mentioned it. I just decided…I’m ready to start talking.

About my upcoming novel, THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND. About food. About makeup. About history. About makeup throughout history. About historical clothes. About historical fiction. About writing. About my writing life.

One day I just woke up and realized I have a lot to say after all. The jury is still out on whether I’m interesting or boring. Join me on my new adventure and you can be the judge!