Scary Good

Happy Halloween! Was there any doubt I would write about my favorite scary literature on this special day? But first, a word on the chilling and eerie. I’m a horror lover by nature. I always gravitated towards the paranormal as a child and, by the time I was in high school, I sat at the back of my classes and read Stephen King novels - not in English, of course. Though the amount of gore I...

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1 comment Barker, Bethany Masone Harar, Dahl, halloween, horror, King, Koontz, macabre, Poe, Rice, scary stories

Interivew With Janelle Franz, Runner Up in the Spring 2018 Flash Fiction Contest

Janelle Franz is a graduate of Northern Michigan University where she earned her BA in English/Writing. Her poem “The Barnburner” was a recipient of the Legler Memorial Poetry Prize. On her website, she enjoys exploring elements of the writing craft and inventive thinking. Originally from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, she currently lives in the greater Grand Rapids area. She loves swing dancing,...

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1 comment 2018 Spring Flash Fiction Contest, Janelle Franz, Runner-up, Sue Bradford Edwards

But first ...

A writer-friend thanked me recently for my quick and thorough response to her request for book cover suggestions. She was impressed at how organized and efficient I was in responding within her limited time frame. How did I do it? Well, it was easy. I was supposed to be doing something else! Right now, I'm composing this blog post because I should be grading papers and editing a short story to read...

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5 comments But first, focus on writing, priorities

NaNo... Again

NaNoWriMo is almost upon us... again. I don't know how many years I've tried it. I do know how many unfinished manuscripts I have because of NaNoWriMo: three. Here is a history lesson for you, boys and girls, to fill you in on why I'm doing NaNo 2018 and how I'm doing it Sioux-style. 2012? 2013? 2014? (I don't remember the year) It took longer than a month, I think. However, just like the chemicals...

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10 comments 'The Marketing Minute', 'The Prosperous Writer', NaNoWriMo

Adding Beats: Meaningful Actions that Move Your Story Along

As I draft my first adult novel, I find myself wondering if enough is going on. Each scene has a goal and, while I manage to either meet it or redirect the action, I suspect that sometimes it is all too linear. My main character does X. A secondary character gets in her way or lends a hand and together they do Y. They succeed or fail and the goal of the next scene is Z. But is it enough? Or do...

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3 comments action, beats, characterization, Deborah Halverson

Friday Speak Out!: No Appearance is an Island

by Blaise Ramsay Has this ever happened to you? You're sitting at a table on a Saturday morning in the middle of Barnes & Noble, yet it doesn't appear like anyone is interested? As authors we can get discouraged when sitting at a signing and it appears no one is coming up to see us or avoids eye contact the moment we look in their direction. Why? Is it something we said? Quite the opposite!...

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5 comments Blaise Ramsay, book signings, book-selling, Friday Speak Out, selling your book, writer tips

How to Fit Writing into a Busy Lifestyle

Meal planning gives me more time to write. As I’ve entered a new season in my writing life (working 30 hours a week and trying to juggle the demands and activities of two kids who never seem to stop), I’ve had to make some changes in my life to help me maintain my productivity. I’ve also begun to transition from writing freelance magazine and newspaper articles to working on the craft of writing...

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4 comments efficiency tips for moms, Renee Roberson, time management for writers, writing productivity tips

Getting the Setting Details Right in Your Fiction

I've recently been researching different items from the late 80s and early 90s. No, I don't mean the 1880s or 1890s--but 25 to 30 years ago in the 1980s and 1990s for my current work-in-progress. And it's so fun to take a trip down memory lane to my college years. My current manuscript tells the story of a woman who is trying to figure out who she is after having her life consumed by a narcissistic...

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5 comments book research, google, Margo L. Dill, novel writing, story setting, women's fiction

Interview with Robyn Russo: Spring 2018 Flash Fiction Contest Runner Up

Robyn’s Bio: Robyn Russo ponders life and writes about it from Austin, TX. She studied Human Relations at the University of Texas, a field she chose primarily because it involved gobs of writing. Her fascination with interpersonal communication and her tendency to play devil’s advocate shape her storytelling goal—fostering empathy in situations where initial reaction might be condemnation. Robyn...

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1 comment 2018 Spring Flash Fiction Contest, Anne Greenawalt, Robyn Russo, Runner up

Be the Plot Twist

Growing up, we watched programs like Perry Mason, Murder She Wrote, and Columbo. We watched as a family and often tried to figure out the plot or guess the ending. I do the same thing with books and sometimes I get a few chapters in and set a book aside because I've assumed I know how it will play out. Lucky for me I can't leave a book sit for very long; I need to finish if I've started. Quite...

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3 comments bullying, kindness, kindness matters, plot twist, shaming, social media shaming, stop bullying, stop shaming

Did I Enjoy Writing More Before I Was Paid For It?

photo via pixabay I'm sure there are many of you out there answering this question with a loud, resounding "NO," but late last night I read an article by someone who admitted they enjoyed writing more before they were getting paid for it. Of course, this made me think. This line of thinking reminded me of the time in high school when I was working on a fantasy novel. I enjoyed writing that novel...

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6 comments Nicole Pyles, writing dreams

Friday Speak Out!: Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

by Janet Garber When my close writer friends and I gather together, out come the wine bottles and our stories of family dysfunction. “My uncle married and divorced five times. Three of those times were to my aunt.” “Hmmph! My uncle Jack lived with my aunt on the first floor and his mistress on the second. Did I mention that the two women were best friends?” “. . .and we suspect Joey may...

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4 comments family stories, Friday Speak Out, Janet Garber, writer inspiration, writing ideas, writing material

October Scare (Or Recognizing the Blessing in Disguise)

Last week, I had my handyman come by to give an estimate for painting the interior of my garage. He picked at crumbling ceiling stuff and pointed out a hole in the sheetrock. But still, when he delivered the dollar amount, it was downright scary! No way would I spend that kind of money on my garage. But I had other projects and so I figured while he was here, I’d take him down to the basement. We...

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7 comments Cathy C. Hall, writing advice

Fear four ways

Maybe it's because Halloween is approaching, but lately I've been paying attention to the way fear drives characters (and readers). Fear is useful. Fear can protect us from danger, which is why we look both ways before crossing the street. Fear can keep us safe, help us succeed, and act in ways that may contrast with our normal behaviors. Our brain's fear center is the amygdala, which regulates...

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4 comments fear, monsters, phobias, viral fear.

Meet Kristen Olsen, Spring 2018 Flash Fiction Contest Runner Up

Kristen Olsen lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and cat. After practicing law for 17 years, she’s now on a creative sabbatical. Kristen studied creative writing at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, Madeline Island School of the Arts and through writers.com. Her flash fiction has been published on the website fiftiness.com (prize winner) and in the online literary journals...

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2 comments Contestant interview, Kristen Olsen, Renee Roberson, Spring 2018 WOW! Flash Fiction Contest Runner Up, writing advice

Cheryl Carpinello launches her blog tour of Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend

...and giveaway! His one desire...To be a knight. His future queen...At times reckless. Best friends…Bound by Friendship and Loyalty. When their adventure turns deadly & dangerous, Guinevere & Cedwyn find themselves embroiled in a life-or-death struggle. Not only are they in danger, but so are the kids of Cadbury Castle. Renegades—foiled in their attempt to kidnap the princess—steal...

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8 comments Book Launch, Cheryl Carpinello, Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend