Category Archives: inspiration

Heeeere, Shippy, Shippy, Shippy!

Posted on June 26, 2020 by

This week:  If, suddenly, after all your years of writing, your “ship” finally came in and your titles were receiving wide acclaim (and sales… and INCOME), what would you like to do with that “positioning” to help aspiring writers? That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in art, author's life, authors, big plans, blessings, Books, careers, decisions, experiences, friends, helping others, inspiration, inspirational people, lifestyles, Miscellaneous, poetry, Preparing for writing, reading, research, teaching, The Author Life, Tonette Joyce, using talents, writers, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman

Posted on June 12, 2020 by

Since the first time I saw it on TV as a teenager, one of my favorite movies has been “Inn of the Sixth-Happiness”, with Ingrid Bergman, Curt Jürgens and Robert Donat.  I bought a VHS tape of it when as … Continue reading →

Posted in America, authors, autobiographies, big plans, biographies, blessings, book review, Books, careers, characters, decisions, experiences, Faith-centered stories, Family, historical, history, inspiration, inspirational people, Life, memories, movies, reading, romance, Tonette Joyce, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Guest Author: Charlotte Brothers and Creatures of Habit

Posted on June 8, 2020 by

Last month, during our RWA virtual chapter meeting, two of our members announced the publication of their first books. As this is always a momentous occasion, I invited them both to come here and share a bit about how their … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, Guest, Guest author, Guest author post, historical, inspiration, Miscellaneous, Patricia Kiyono | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

LISTen, Remind Me…

Posted on June 5, 2020 by

“What is something for which you constantly need reminding? ” That never used to be a problem for me. Oh, I could go on about memory in general, but I will try to make it brief. I was the one … Continue reading →

Posted in decisions, disability, experiences, Family, food, goals, holidays, inspiration, Life, Lists, memories, shopping, sports, Tonette Joyce | 9 Comments

Slices of Life

Posted on May 29, 2020 by

Question: Have you ever used real-life experiences in your writing? Answer: Often. I have a very good imagination. I can write about experiences which have never crossed my path. I’ve had them published and I have received awards, but… with … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, awards, Books, characters, childhood, Children's books, Christmas books, Compilations, creating scenes, decisions, experiences, Family, goals, history, Holiday, imagination, inspiration, inspirational people, Life, memories, novels, poetry, publishing, Science Fiction, short stories, Tonette Joyce, writing, writing from experiences | 4 Comments

Yes, That Really Happened

Posted on May 25, 2020 by

Our question for this week is, “Have you used something that happened to you in real life in any of your stories? Did you change it at all?” I’ve often remarked that each of my female protagonists shares something with … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, characters, Christmas books, creating scenes, experiences, Fantasy vs Reality, hobbies, inspiration, Music, Patricia Kiyono, teaching, using talents, writing, writing from experiences | Tagged | 14 Comments

Guest Author: Rose Fresquez and First Site

Posted on May 18, 2020 by

This month, I’ve invited another member of the Sweet Critique Group, my subgroup of the Writing Gals Critique Group, to highlight some of her writing and share a bit of her journey to publication. Rose is a busy mom, but … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, authors, Faith-centered stories, Guest, Guest author, Guest author post, inspiration, Patricia Kiyono | Tagged , , , , | 23 Comments

Subleties

Posted on May 15, 2020 by

I have always been aware of how a simple gift can lift a spirit, how a kind remark or compliment can make a day, or even be remembered for years by the recipient. I also know that a mean action … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, Books, characters, cozy mystery, decisions, experiences, Family, free week, helping others, imagination, inspiration, inspirational people, Life, phrases, plots, protagonists, Random thoughts, reading, Tonette Joyce, villains, writers, writing | 10 Comments

Abundant Advice for Aspiring Authors

Posted on May 8, 2020 by

This week: What advice would you give to an aspiring author? I actually have a list. There have been many who talk to me about writing. I also have had many young writers around or in touch with me, so … Continue reading →

Posted in art, author's life, authors, big plans, blogging, book series, Books, characters, clothing, decisions, dialogue, experiences, Family, fantasy, friends, goals, imagination, inspiration, interview, Life, novels, plots, protagonists, Publishers, reading, romance, Science Fiction, self-publishing, shyness, subplots, technology, Tonette Joyce, traditional publishing, using talents, Validation, writing, Writing and other professions, writing from experiences | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

So, You Want to Be a Writer?

Posted on May 4, 2020 by

This week’s topic: What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Last week, I participated in a faculty writing retreat at the university where I teach. Normally, these retreats take place on campus, but due to stay-at-home orders we … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, inspiration, Patricia Kiyono, phrases, Preparing for writing, The Author Life, writers, writing | Tagged , | 9 Comments