Hosting a Holiday Party for the Authors on my Bookshelf
This year, I decided to go all out and invite all of the authors from my bookshelf to a holiday party. The authors arrived in groups according to their genre,
Category: Writing and Reading
Posts about all things writing. How to write, how I write, how others write, writing themes, writing tips, ideas, famous writing, and more.
Also posts about reading: how to read, why we read, and what we should read.
Heroes and Villains: Crafting Compelling Characters by Dante
How to write about villains who are very successful from a financial standpoint without glorifying them or resorting to tired stereotypes and creating heroes with great earned achievements that are
What I Would Have Done Differently Before Self-Publishing My First Novel
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to write children’s books. By that, I mean chapter books for children, otherwise known as middle grade. I wanted to write
Has Anyone Else Had Their Characters Dictate Their Story? by Elaine Franklin
The inciting event A few years ago, I was at a writing class at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) in the middle of writing a serious book when I
3 iPad Apps to Plan Your Next Novel by Tristan Stocker
There’s plenty of software out there to help you write a full manuscript, from purpose-built platforms like Scrivener and the Reedsy Editor, to simple word processors like Microsoft Word and
Ranking The Best Places to Read
Readers are known for taking books with them wherever they go. Whether it’s a physical copy or an audiobook, there are limitless places to read. But some places are obviously
A 73-Year-Old Expat Author’s Promotion Adventures by Robert W. Norris
The last time I was responsible for trying to get the word out for a book I’d written was back in the mid-1990s. Google didn’t exist. There was no Wikipedia
Writing a Mystery Series by Mike Martin
Just how do you write a mystery series? That’s a great question. The simple answer is to write one story, one book at a time. I have now written 14
Creative Inspirations – Suburbia
Coming up with story ideas is a struggle. It’s hard to find the right concept that is going to hold your attention along with the reader’s. However, once I have
Working With an Illustrator by Karen A. Wyle of Oblique Angles Press
I wrote the initial drafts of most of my picture books many years ago, starting when I was pregnant with my oldest child. I was sitting (my most frequent activity
Laura’s Books and Blogs Blogging Recap 2023
Laura’s Books and Blogs turns five years old this month, and this year, I’ve seen tremendous growth thanks to my supporters, fellow indie authors, and higher search rankings on Google.
My Favorite New York Kids in Middle Grade Fiction
For a number of reasons, no two childhoods are the same. But one big part of this has to do with where a kid grows up. Every environment has different
Creative Madness by David Atkinson
I decided to write a book and an album of songs simultaneously. I suppose the question is, WHY? All I can say is that it seemed like a great idea
3 Halloween Graphic Novel Recommendations with The Whistling Kettle Fall Tea Pairings
Everyone loves a good team up, and good combinations can amplify an experience. Fall is the return of hot tea season and its specific fall flavors. And the perfect activity
Editing Your Novel for Details
A big question while editing is how many times should I edit my novel. But equally as important is, what type of edits should I do to my novel. In