Impact of a Move, a Test Passed, a Reception, and a New Book by Debra H. Goldstein I planned to write this week’s blog about the recent publication of The Killer Wore Cranberry: a Fourth Meal of Mayhem. I was going to tell you how I still am happy dancing that my story, Thanksgiving in […]

Is A Critique Group Right For You? by Connie Campbell Berry You’ve spent months alone with your characters. The setting of your novel is more real to you than your hometown. You can quote whole chapters word for word. You laugh and cry at all the right places. But is your manuscript ready to be […]

Free Prizes All Month – 105 Authors – Bake, Love, Write – Cooking and Me by Debra H. Goldstein Even the words themselves make me tremble. Cooking!?   Cookbook!!!! There are a few things you can always count on from me:  I shoot straight, I have an emotional side but I’m not touchy-feely, and the kitchen […]

Am I a Character in Your Book? by Maggie King I’m frequently asked if my characters are based on real people: “Am I in your book?” “Is that woman like your mother?” For the most part, my answer is no. But, as my characters are a hodge-podge of the many “real” people I’ve known over […]

Crystallizing Your Book Idea . . . for Paranormal or Any Genre By Debbie Herbert I love paranormal romance because the possibility of magic tingles my creative drive and curiosity. The speculation that there might be something more to reality than can be perceived through our senses provides a natural “what if” environment writers need […]

Why Research is the Extra Element in Writing by Teresa Inge I grew up in North Carolina reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Combining my love of reading mysteries and writing professional articles led to writing short fiction and a novel. I also love it when I research a new story I am writing. Most of the […]

Debra Does Cooking by Debra H. Goldstein Remember when I decided to try my hand at pottery? (Stop laughing L.M.) Well, I’ve decided to impress Joel with my culinary talents. There is some danger in this decision because I’ve spent thirty years training him to expect a certain level from my homemaking skills. For example, […]

The Writer’s Life Isn’t for Sissies by Marilyn Levinson The electronic age has made it easy for anyone to self-publish a work of fiction. All you have to do is write a book. It needn’t be approved, edited or even good. As long as the text is formatted correctly, up it goes on Amazon and […]

  Fourth of July Gratitude by Debra H. Goldstein When I think about the Fourth of July, I think about watermelon, fireworks, ribs, and family fun, but I also realize it celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The signing of that short document on July 4, 1776 declared our independence from Great Britain. […]

The Meaning of Life by Debra H. Goldstein Recently I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the meaning of life and its other alternative. This isn’t a new topic for me to explore. I first started thinking about it shortly after my fiftieth birthday when I woke one morning to find my arms had […]