by Roxanne Rustand When someone refers to their “writing journey,” I think back to my own journey and my own misconceptions back in the early 1990’s. It all seemed so clear back then. Write. Be dedicated. Absorb everything I heard at writers’ conferences, study my books on writing and the scores of writing workshop tapes I listened to endlessly. It …
The Breath of Beauty
by Christine Sunderland Tonight is All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints Day. For now, the dark of tonight eclipses the light of tomorrow. Death shadows life. The ghoulish threaten the beautiful. In pre-Christian Celtic Britain, October 31 was considered the end of summer and harvest, the day before winter and longer nights. Believing that the spirits of their …
Why We Write
By Ian Acheson For those of us who’ve started out on this writing journey later in life it’s often a result of that burning story idea that’s been bugging us for years. That was me 15 years (really has it been that long ago?). Or how many times have we met someone who says they really want to write their …
Using Titles, Hooks and Tropes to Break In at Harlequin Love Inspired
By Lee Tobin McClain Did you ever look at Harlequin Love Inspired books and wonder why their titles are so weird? Seriously, “The Hometown Sheikh’s Secret Baby?” But those titles work because they showcase the “hooks” that make readers want to read the books. Don’t scorn them; use them to discover the hooks that will help you sell your novel! …
Help for the Time-Starved Writer
By Joanna Davidson Politano “How on earth do you find time to write a book?” This question came from my local librarian when I told her my debut was releasing soon. I had a baby in one arm and held my toddler’s hand with the other hand. I was a naptime novelist, I said, and we made it work. In …
She Stole My Idea!
by Kim Vogel Sawyer A couple of months ago, I came across an article about Lisa Wingate’s recent release, Before We Were Yours. You’ve probably heard about it—set simultaneously in 1939 Memphis and present day Aikens, South Carolina, it’s the fictionalized account of the notorious Tennessee Children’s Home Society which stole babies and adopted them out to wealthy families. I’m …
Our Journey
by Christa Kinde Travel takes courage. Away from home, without the comfort of familiar things, surrounded by strangers, we wander. Not all that long ago, my husband and I were in a foreign city, trying to navigate dark streets with nothing more than the tiny map from the back of a brochure. Drizzle added a wet sheen to the streets, …
5 Reasons Authors Should be on Goodreads
By Amber Schamel To Goodreads, or not to Goodreads…that seems to be a question. Since it’s one of my all time favorite sites, I thought I’d address this question and give 5 reasons why I think authors should consider joining and interacting on the site. Goodreads is especially for book lovers! To market our books, we first have to find …
Ten Things to Do If You are Missing the Conference
by Chandra Lynn Smith I love musicals. I also love thrillers and mysteries. I even love sappy romances and intense drama. If you saw my arms loaded down when I left the library or looked at the array of books on my Kindle it would be obvious my reading choices are similar to the movies I like. This past summer …
The Path of Perfection
By Christine Sunderland I am currently reading a novel with a fascinating historical setting and colorful characters. It has received rave reviews, become a bestseller and book club favorite. And yet, the characters seem shallow. What is missing? I considered the plot, which lacks direction. The action doesn’t climb to an anticipated climax. I asked, What drives these characters? What …