Tag: featured
Spending Seven Years Writing a Novel: A Study in Madness or Determination?
Spending Seven Years Writing a Novel: A Study in Madness or Determination? This June, my fifth novel, Claire Casey’s Had Enough, will be released. When I shared the cover in my monthly newsletter, many friends said, “Wow, you wrote it so fast!” I laughed because that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m sharing this […]
Good Thing I was a Lawyer First
I don’t believe in fate. To believe in fate requires me to believe that free will is an illusion, that our choices only serve something predetermined. Actions have consequences. Now that I’m in my mid-fifties, I’ve had a lot of time to make a lot of choices and suffer (or celebrate) the consequences of those […]
No matter what you say, I am By Pamela Fagan Hutchins
By Pamela Fagan Hutchins Many of you, like me, wrestle with the question of whether you “deserve” to be something. A parent. A computer scientist. An athlete. Or in my case, a writer. Whether I am a good enough writer. Whether I am really even a writer at all or just some Karin Slaughter wannabe. […]
THE ART OF SUSPENSE: CRAFTING UNPREDICTABLE TWISTS IN CRIME FICTION
By Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson crime thriller novels The lifeblood of crime fiction is tension—the underlying current of unease, suspense, and anticipation that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The elements that contribute to tension are: INTRIGUING CHARACTERS Complex characters with hidden motives and flaws make for compelling reading. The interplay […]
The Saint and the Drunk – A Guide to Making the Big Decisions In Your Life: Excerpt
This excerpt is from Stephanie Peirolo’s upcoming book The Saint and the Drunk – A Guide to Making the Big Decisions In Your Life about how to use the ancient spiritual tools of St Ignatius of Loyola through the lens of the Higher Power concept from Alcoholic Anonymous for a modern, spiritual-but-not-religious approach to make […]
ALL’S FAIR IN BOOKS AND BANTER
By Christina Hamlett Who among us hasn’t scoped out bridal, craft, garden and home decor shows held at convention centers? The basic structure of a “meet, greet, browse, purchase” platform is the same model used by book fairs. Authors and readers, however, aren’t the only ones attending these events; publishers, agents, librarians, educators and vendors […]
How I Use My Hauntings as My Creative Guide
By Taryn Hubbard Everyone has something unique they obsess over, that keeps them up at night, or ticks away in the back of their mind. I refer to mine as my hauntings. When I set out to write my debut novel, The Very Good Best Friend, I had been ruminating about many of the themes examined […]
“We’re Going to Have to Let You Go”—Firing a Writing Project
By Lee Upton Years ago I was fired from a job at a credit agency. My first reaction: I sobbed. I sobbed so much it felt like tears spurted out of my neck. I sobbed because I was embarrassed. I sobbed because I was humiliated. I sobbed out of pity for the sad and anxious […]
Why You Should Write the Book of Your Heart
By Karen Booth If you’re reading this, chances are you’re hoping you’ll write a bestselling book. You’ve imagined what it would be like to hit the top of the NY Times list and having people line up around the block at book signings, just so they can tell you how brilliant you are. If you’re […]
Everything is Copy
By Marilyn Simon Rothstein, Author of Who Loves You Best I’m an author and a voracious reader. Naturally, I love libraries. A few weeks ago, I met Fran, my best friend from college, in Washington D.C. Fran suggested a tour of the Library of Congress. Lunch afterwards. I would’ve preferred lunch first. I worship libraries, […]
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