Category Archives: Preparing for writing

Guest: Author Alexa Kang [Free book offer]

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Tonette Joyce

Guest: Author Alexa Kang [Free book offer] I picked up Alexa Kang’s “Shanghai Story” for something a little different to read.I had no idea just how different it would be. It is the bravest piece of work that I have … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Anthologies, author interview, author's life, authors, big plans, book covers, book series, careers, characters, Characters based on real people, Christmas, Clean Writing, Compilations, creating scenes, decisions, dialogue, editing, experiences, Faith-centered stories, Family, fantasy, GIveaways/Contest, Guest, Guest author, helping others, historical, history, holidays, imagination, inspiration, inspirational stories, interview, language, lifestyles, Miscellaneous, New Year's Eve, novels, paranormal, plots, Preparing for writing, protagonists, research, short stories, social media, TBR List, titles, Tonette Joyce, translations, using talents, Why I Write, writers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Planning My Work

Posted on December 14, 2020 by Patricia Kiyono

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Our resident hound asked, “Typically, how many drafts do you complete — of a novel or novella — before you submit it to a publisher / editor … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, Patricia Kiyono, plots, Preparing for writing, romance, The Author Life, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Gettin’ It Down

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Tonette Joyce

This week The Hound asked: “Most of us (writers) will depart this earth with several unfinished manuscripts. Have you ever thought of what might become of them? Will someone in your family pick them up and FINISH them? [as the … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, big plans, Books, collections, creating scenes, decisions, experiences, Family, imagination, Life, Miscellaneous, Mystery stories, novels, plots, Preparing for writing, Science Fiction, short stories, time management, Tonette Joyce, using talents, writing, youth | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Branching Out as an Author?

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Patricia Kiyono

I posed this week’s topic: What kind of book would you like to write that you haven’t tried before? I love to read most genres in the romance category, but the ones that usually keep me reading are those that … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, cozy mystery, goals, Mystery stories, Patricia Kiyono, Preparing for writing, The Author Life, What if, writing | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Searching for the Real Me

Posted on September 7, 2020 by Patricia Kiyono

This week’s topic was one I proposed: If someone were to look at your internet search history, what conclusions might that person draw about you? I viewed my browsing history recently, and it looks like most of my online time … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, Daily life, Patricia Kiyono, Preparing for writing, The Author Life, writing | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

I Do and I Don’t

Posted on August 19, 2020 by Elaine Cantrell

This week we’re talking about using notes. Well, I do and I don’t. I bought myself a nice appointment book, and I write down everything there. I do a schedule for my blog posts, doctor visits, outings with friends, etc. … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, Elaine Cantrell, Miscellaneous, Preparing for writing, writing | 6 Comments

Heeeere, Shippy, Shippy, Shippy!

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Tonette Joyce

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

Just My Two Cents

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Elaine Cantrell

Many times when people find out I’m a writer they’ll say, “I always wanted to write a book too.” My answer? “That’s great. You should do it.” All the while I’m aware that most of them were just making conversation, … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, Elaine Cantrell, Miscellaneous, Preparing for writing, writing | 11 Comments

So, You Want to Be a Writer?

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Patricia Kiyono

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

What a Character!

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Patricia Kiyono

This week, one of our foxes asked, “Has anyone ever asked you to add them to one of your stories?” “Have you told anyone that you were basing a character on them?” I’ve based many of my characters on people … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, characters, experiences, Family, Fantasy vs Reality, inspiration, inspirational people, Patricia Kiyono, Preparing for writing, writing | Tagged , | 12 Comments