Category Archives: food

Unskilled Labor of Love

Posted on May 21, 2021 by Tonette Joyce

The actual question of the week was one that I posed: “Do your characters tend to have skills that you have yourself? Do you write about people who do things that you wish that you could manage?” The answer to … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, authors, big plans, Books, characters, Children's books, cozy mystery, creating scenes, decisions, experiences, Family, fantasy, food, imagination, inspiration, jobs, Life, lifestyles, memories, novels, short stories, Tonette Joyce | 11 Comments

Dollars to Donuts

Posted on May 7, 2021 by Tonette Joyce

Jeff-The-Hound brought up: “We all try to avoid plot holes in our own stories… but have you ever encountered one (or more) major plot holes in a book or movie that made you want to scream? Has it been serious … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Books, characters, cozy mystery, food, Life, lifestyles, Mystery stories, novels, plots, protagonists, reading, research, romance, romantic suspense, Tonette Joyce, writers, writing | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Bio Blurb

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Tonette Joyce

This week we were asked: “You’re the headline speaker at a writers’ conference, and you need to submit a short bio for the program. What will you include?” I will never forget the first time that I had to submit … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, America, author's life, authors, autobiographies, awards, big plans, biographies, blogging, Blurb, book covers, Books, careers, childhood, Daily life, decisions, experiences, Family, food, helping others, inspiration, jobs, poetry, publishing, reading, recipe, short stories, The Author Life, time management, Tonette Joyce, What if, writers | 7 Comments

English: British to American

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Tonette Joyce

Last week while we were discussing the possibility of our works being translated into other languages, I said that  I would like to bring up translating English to English, that is to say, “British” to “American”. I have read books … Continue reading →

Posted in America, authors, Books, characters, dialogue, food, foreign publications, imagination, Life, Lists, Miscellaneous, movies, novels, phrases, protagonists, publishing, Random thoughts, reading, Tonette Joyce, translations, TV, writers, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Breakfast Paid

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Jeff Salter

And I never figured out WHO paid it By Jeff Salter Interesting experience one morning (exactly three years ago) as I went out for breakfast (after my haircut). The place was more crowded than I’d ever seen it — every … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, Family, food, Jeff Salter, memories, Random thoughts | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Oh, Brother! Try This On For Size.

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Tonette Joyce

Question of the week, in this time of COVID: Once it’s safe to do so, what’s the first thing you want to do that you haven’t been able to do in the last 10-12 months? This is too easy: I … Continue reading →

Posted in big plans, Daily life, decisions, experiences, Family, food, memories, shopping, Tonette Joyce | 7 Comments

Changes, But Not All for the Worse

Posted on December 25, 2020 by Tonette Joyce

So, in the time of COVID, how will our holidays be different? I can imagine that it has touched all of your celebrations, but take heart, with a story below.  If you need to be uplifted, feel free to skip … Continue reading →

Posted in America, big plans, childhood, Christmas, decisions, experiences, Family, food, friends, helping others, Holiday, holidays, inspiration, Life, memories, Tonette Joyce, traditions | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Guest: Author Jennifer Girardin

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Tonette Joyce

I met today’s guest online and was captivated by her varied and beautiful posts. Jennifer Girardin is the author of the Moriston House British Mystery Series, and many of her posts reflect that life. Welcome, Jennifer! Your posts are often … Continue reading →

Posted in art, author interview, author's life, big plans, book covers, book series, Books, characters, collections, Daily life, experiences, food, Guest, Guest author, historical, history, hobbies, imagination, inspiration, interview, lifestyles, Mystery stories, novels, pets, Tonette Joyce, traditions, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Guest Tim Germain and “The Customs of Christmas”

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Tonette Joyce

Today, I bring you something interesting for the the beginning of the holiday season, as many people are starting their Christmas celebrations early this year. I also believe that with so many writers reading this blog, and Christmas being a … Continue reading →

Posted in America, big plans, blessings, blogging, Christmas, Compilations, experiences, Faith-centered stories, Family, food, Guest, Holiday, holidays, inspiration, interview, Miscellaneous, Random thoughts, research, traditions, winter, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

“Let Other Pens Dwell on Guilt and Misery”

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Tonette Joyce

I found the quote above from Jane Austen, which rather fits our crew this week when we addressed this week’s topic: “What are some of your small guilty pleasures?” We are some pretty innocent folk here who also really don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in big plans, clothing, Dealing with stress, experiences, Family, food, imagination, inspiration, Life, Miscellaneous, movies, reading, time management, Tonette Joyce, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments