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I’ve got about a dozen unfinished stories. When I look back to see why I gave up on the story (sometimes mid-sentence), I discovered most of them died out around chapter three. I was shocked. What was so hard about chapter three? Why would I give up so easily? As I...
Mimosa Trees Have you ever compared mimosa trees and writers' dreams? I have. Several years ago, I attended a writers’ conference in North Carolina. While driving with my husband from our home in Texas, north through Alabama on Interstate 85, my husband and I looked...
Join us for a book review of Michelle Weltz’s new picture book, Miraculous Sky; a story based on true events.
Writing a synopsis is hard. Don’t let anyone kid you. I struggle with this task, but it doesn’t have to overwhelm you. I’ve found that I can brainstorm my synopsis in the same way I brainstorm or revise my books, or do developmental edits for my publishers. Here are...
Introduction Since this book is written for adults to read to children, or for children to read themselves, I thought it would be fun to have an adult's POV on the book as well as two children's opinions. The author of the book, Bill Edgar, is my oldest daughter's...
One of my favorite genres to read is historical fiction, specifically World War II novels (check out my previous review of Until Leaves Fall in Paris), so I was excited to get to be a part of the ARC team for The Stars We Hold by Melissa Armstrong. I’ve never read a...
REVIEW Butterfly Ink is the newest young adult romance from Monarch Educational Services by Lori Keating and it’s perfect for a summer vacation read. Meet Calista: a teen about to have all her wishes come true through a magical tattoo made of butterfly...
I Dream a Dream for You by Bob Hostetler is a sweet board book of bedtime rhymes to read to little ones. This love-filled picture book of dreams and hopes can be shared with the toddlers and young children in your life. REVIEW Full of bold illustrations, I Dream a...
In our recent Master Class on fantasy, author Amy Earls provided important tools for writing YA and MG fantasy. Today, team member Deborah S. DeCiantis gives her perspective (from many years of being an English college professor) to understanding classic fantasy. ...
Ask The Right Question Marketing 101 for an author: know thy audience. In my writing workshops, I love to ask kids to raise their hands high if they love researching history. There are always a few budding history geeks with eager hands in the air, aglow with the idea...