RSSCategory: How To and Tips

Ancestry, Archives, and Acadian Folklore: The Inspiration Behind A SEA OF SPECTRES

Ancestry, Archives, and Acadian Folklore: The Inspiration Behind A SEA OF SPECTRES

Nancy Taber What to do with an article about an 18th century ancestor during the Acadian Expulsion, an almanac excerpt about a 19th century bank cleaner (possibly) turned thief, and research about 20th and 21st century military women? Blend it all into a historical novel with three protagonists and three timelines. Throw in a phantom […]

August 5, 2024 | By | Reply More
How Women Experience Illness: One Mystery at a Time

How Women Experience Illness: One Mystery at a Time

By Kate Michaelson It’s a good bet you know at least one woman with a complex, ongoing health issue—whether it’s an autoimmune disease, endometriosis, or something not yet diagnosed. Maybe you deal with an issue like this yourself.  I’m one of those women too. In fact, my own quest for a diagnosis is part of […]

August 1, 2024 | By | 3 Replies More
Third Act

Third Act

Gerry Wilson I came into the world loving stories.  I’m still amazed that my parents allowed me to “write” in my books when I was a little girl. I still have my Winnie the Pooh books with my drawings and awkward attempts at cursive scrawled on the pages. I would have been three, maybe four. […]

July 29, 2024 | By | 1 Reply More
Inspiration for my Book A Place Unmade

Inspiration for my Book A Place Unmade

By Carla Seyler The catalyst for my debut novel, A Place Unmade, was an article in the New York Times called Save our Food Free the Seed. When I say catalyst, what I mean is I felt as though my hair caught on fire. In 1980, the Supreme Court allowed living organisms to be patented. […]

July 28, 2024 | By | Reply More
Intention by Ginny Fite

Intention by Ginny Fite

By Ginny Fite No one pointed to you in fourth grade and said, “You are a writer.” Well, maybe some of you, but mostly writers are self-anointed. No one makes us do this. So, why do we engage in an activity that often gives us such angst? After a decade of full-time fiction writing, I’ve […]

July 26, 2024 | By | Reply More
CREATING A HAPPY WORLD by Patricia Anne Saunders

CREATING A HAPPY WORLD by Patricia Anne Saunders

By Patricia Anne Saunders When I was asked to do a piece about writing Creating A Happy World: Cultivating Happiness Through the Transcendental Meditation® Program, I was delighted as helping people find happiness is close to my heart. I found my own path to happiness through Transcendental Meditation many years ago, and from my very […]

July 26, 2024 | By | Reply More
Mastering Multiple Points of View In Writing

Mastering Multiple Points of View In Writing

Writing with one point of view (POV) character, whether in first or third person, is the simplest choice a writer can make when venturing into fiction. After all, there is only one character to focus on and develop, and the story arc is aligned with that character. On the other hand, novels with several point […]

July 24, 2024 | By | 1 Reply More
Lost Down a Bright Yellow Rabbit Hole 

Lost Down a Bright Yellow Rabbit Hole 

Lost Down a Bright Yellow Rabbit Hole  ‘How much research do you do for your books?’ That has to be one of the most frequent questions I’m asked at author Q&A sessions.  The honest answer is, too much. If you’re a curious person at heart, like me, research for a novel can become an addiction. […]

July 23, 2024 | By | Reply More
So Now I Have to Write a Book Speech? 

So Now I Have to Write a Book Speech? 

While the introverted writer in her lonely garret is a trope, we authors have as many personality types as women in general. Some of us love the writing process and hate the subsequent public speaking. And some of us consider the book club visits and luncheons and keynotes the reward for our lonely writing. To […]

July 21, 2024 | By | Reply More
Relevancy and Becoming a Mentor

Relevancy and Becoming a Mentor

Relevancy and Becoming a Mentor I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the new writers flooding the marketplace successfully. It’s very exciting to watch so much talent find their niche and blossom. Whether it’s via TikTok or ads, KU opportunities or breaking out in a hot genre, for me it’s a reminder of hope and […]

July 18, 2024 | By | Reply More