Category Archives: reading

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

POP Go the References

Posted on June 19, 2020 by

When we were discussing advice to young, new or would-be writers, I omitted some pieces of advice. One is: Avoid ‘pop’ references. As far as I am concerned, they age your work and make it seem irrelevant very quickly. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, big plans, book review, Books, characters, Christmas, dialogue, helping others, history, imagination, Miscellaneous, movies, Random thoughts, reading, research, Tonette Joyce, writers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Rambling Reader Reviews 2020, Part Five

Posted on June 15, 2020 by

I did a LOT of reading this month. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m getting weary of the story I’m trying to write, or if I’m tired of all the sewing I’ve been doing. It’s also possible that I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, book series, Books, Christmas books, cozy mystery, free week, Goodreads Challenge, historical, Mystery stories, Patricia Kiyono, reading, romance, spring | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 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

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

Rambling Reader Reviews 2020, Part Four

Posted on May 11, 2020 by

I’m still sewing like crazy, but I managed to read five great books this month. Yes, I’m still laughing my way through the Miss Fortune Mysteries – I just can’t put them down! But I sandwiched in a few others, … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, Books, cozy mystery, Goodreads Challenge, Mystery stories, Patricia Kiyono, reading, romance, TBR List | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 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

Rambling Reader Reviews 2020, Part Three

Posted on April 20, 2020 by

Our stay-at-home orders are still in effect, and I’m still sewing like crazy, in addition to grading final exams. But I did find some time to read. If you get a chance to check some of these out, you might … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, book series, Books, collections, cozy mystery, Goodreads Challenge, Kindle, novels, Patricia Kiyono, reading, romance | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Bring ’em On!

Posted on April 10, 2020 by

What do I read? What genre or genres? The real question is, what don’t I read? I was one of those kids who read the cereal boxes at breakfast. I read through the family’s World Book Encyclopedia by 4th grade. I … Continue reading →

Posted in authors, awards, book series, Books, collections, Compilations, cozy mystery, favorite books, food, imagination, libraries, non-fiction, novels, paperback books, reading, reading preferences, recipe, romance, short stories, Tonette Joyce, writers, YA | 8 Comments

Books on my Virtual Nightstand

Posted on April 6, 2020 by

  This week’s topic: What genres do you read? Why? I normally read at least one book a week. Usually, I’m reading in the evening, as it’s my way to relax at the end of the day. But I also … Continue reading →

Posted in author's life, Books, cozy mystery, e-books, Mystery stories, Patricia Kiyono, reading, reading preferences, romance, short stories, TBR List | 12 Comments