by Robert Tate Miller Her name was Jamie Heckman, and she was the prettiest girl at Flat Rock Junior High. But, where “pretty” often opens doors to teenage popularity, Jamie was scarcely a blip on our school’s social radar screen. She had few friends, and I wasn’t among them. The year was 1976, and I… Read More
Recently, my daughter and I took a trip to London, with a few days in Rome. I wanted to see all the places in London that I’d been writing about for years. The three-day side trip to Rome was a last minute decision, but a very good one. Of course I knew London was a… Read More
By Ariella Moon Recently, I was interviewed on Colliding Worlds Radio with two children’s authors, Rose King and Ruthie Darling. The topic, books and the importance of reading to children, is dear to my heart. The discussion reminded me of my own childhood, when novels like The Chronicles of Narnia sent me on grand adventures,… Read More
No question, writing dialogue in a novel can be tricky. Each character has a unique voice distinct from the others in the book. Since I’ve never been particularly good at description, letting the characters tell the story is my favorite way to craft a novel. Of course there has to be narration, ways to move… Read More
You just learned your friend is working with a literary agent. You’re thrilled for her, but do you feel less successful because you are still struggling with your first novel? Or maybe you are proud to have released one book, but then you meet someone at a conference who recently had a tenth publication. Are… Read More
by Stefanie London. Growing up my favourite Disney movie wasn’t Beauty and the Beast. It was certainly top five, but I was a die-hard Little Mermaid gal. I wanted to have Ariel’s signature red hair, and I loved shiny things like she did. I was fascinating with anything “underwater” like reefs and sharks and colourful… Read More
by Kat Martin All year long I search for new and interesting stories. Each year, they seem more elusive. November 1st, WAIT UNTIL DARK, a digital novella will be released. It’s a prequel, and introduction to my Maximum Security series that starts with THE CONSPIRACY, out January 22nd. As I worked to come up with… Read More
Even if you’ve never heard the famous rhyme about Lizzie Borden, I’m sure you’ve heard about her. In August 1892, Lizzie’s father and stepmother were brutally murdered in their house in Fall River, Massachusetts. The size and shape of the bloody chop marks on the bodies suggested that a large axe had been used. Although… Read More
In the United States of America, we have the power to change things—through our vote. On November 6th, the right, and privilege so many Americans fought for will be in play once again. We have a choice. Sit and do nothing or get our rumps in gear and VOTE!!! Whatever your beliefs, your political party,… Read More
I have nothing against big cities. My youngest lives in Seattle, two blocks from the Space Needle. I fall more in love with the city each time I visit, but when it comes to where to set my stories, small-town wins every time. Although I admit, sitting near the water’s edge at Lake Union and… Read More
Do you have a pet or pets? Do you like to read books with pets in them? I have cats. I love dogs but I don’t have a large property where I can let them run and I live on a country road without much place to walk. So cats are easier. (And my husband… Read More
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