Hunky heroes and plucky heroines in clean, contemporary, small town romances in the real — and imaginary — worlds.
What's my favorite trope and my least favorite? Guess what. I have some pretty strong feelings about romance as it’s written today. Okay, not just romance, I have a gripe with what I believe is the most common trope in fiction today and it just happens to also be found in romance. Let me explain..... …
Continue reading Question: What is your favorite trope in romantic fiction? Your least favorite?
My current work-in-progress is titled The Snow Queen. I chose the title because it was the only thing I could think of that would tell readers that it would be about a woman who deals well with winter in the wilderness. Of course, she's not really a queen. And she loves summer just as much …
Anyone who lives in the country and depends on a septic system to get rid of used water will understand why I snapped this picture of a crew digging a new system into our property. It's been a year since we learned our old septic was overloaded due to misuse because I didn't know how …
How do authors design fictional cultures and customs? It’s called world building and it’s taught in classes, plus there are books on the subject. But possibly the best and most fun way to design a fictional universe is done when writers simply close their eyes and let their imagination soar. What kind of world should …
Continue reading Question: How do fantasy authors come up with fictional cultures and customs?
My office has a window. It's not nearly a window wall but it's larger than most windows. And it overlooks the north woods where I live. I merely peek outside and see the yard and then, less than 20 feet beyond, the forest. Needless to say, having that window in the room where I write …
I went outside this morning and happened to pass by a bush that's outside my office. I'd noticed before that it seemed to have a few slightly yellow leaves. However, passing by so close, I realized that it has more than a couple. It is showing signs of heading into autumn full steam ahead. …
How to create a character you’d like to spend time with? Easy! Create a character with the same characteristics as people you know that you enjoy spending time with. If you can’t come with anyone like that, then make that character into the kind of person you wish you knew and could spend time with. …
I'm not sure if it's possible to get tired of summer, but there's always that chance. You know what I mean. Too much warm, beautiful weather. Too many sunny days. Or too many mosquitoes and wood ticks. Any of the previous things can make you yearn for adventure of another sort. Like joining the multi-generational …
I love Pampered Chef. They make kitchen gadgets and cookware that last just about forever. I spoke with one woman who still has the pan she bought fifty years ago. Fifty years! So when my granddaughter said she was going to sell Pampered Chef products, I told her that she was making a mistake because …
Shouldn’t a writer have a passion for writing? Not necessarily, though it helps if the writer is a voracious reader and at enjoys at least one or more of the aspects of writing. I wasn’t passionate about writing when I began. I simply wanted to earn money working at home and, since I love reading, …
