When I began my writing career, I was fueled by passion, determination, and naïveté. Like many new writers, I thought that if I worked hard enough and believed in my stories, success would naturally follow. While some of what I dreamed of has happened, some things have turned out very different from what I imagined … Continue reading Five Things I Wish I Knew When I Began My Writing Career
Author: Meredith Allard
My Summer Routine (Hint: I Don’t Have One)
I love summer because it's vacation time for me. I was going to write a post about my summer routine, but when I started thinking about it I realized that I don’t have a summer routine. I don't follow a schedule. And quite honestly, I love it. Another Example of My No-Routine Routine I wrote here … Continue reading My Summer Routine (Hint: I Don’t Have One)
Top Summer Reads of 2025: My 5 Favorite Picks
The Joy of Summer Reading It goes without saying that I read a lot during the summer, especially these days when I’m hardly leaving the house because it’s so hot outside. I know you’re thinking but you live in the desert…of course it’s hot! True, but the heat hit us sooner this year and we’ve … Continue reading Top Summer Reads of 2025: My 5 Favorite Picks
A Sneak Peek: An Excerpt from The Professor of Eventide
I’ve had so many questions about The Professor of Eventide, which makes me very happy, so keep them coming. You can always send your questions to me through the Contact link above or at meredithallardauthor@gmail.com. Right now, readers mainly want to know when the book will be published. If you’ve been following me for any … Continue reading A Sneak Peek: An Excerpt from The Professor of Eventide
How to Create Memorable Characters Your Readers Will Love
How to Create Memorable Characters I've been asked many times how I create such well-rounded characters. The truth is, I'm not entirely sure myself. Here I am, minding my own business as I think my way through a story, and suddenly these people appear. Who are you? I find myself asking the question aloud sometimes, … Continue reading How to Create Memorable Characters Your Readers Will Love
Poe and the Gothic: Researching His Literary Style
Sharing More Book Research Since I shared my research into the nineteenth-century spiritualism movement last week, I thought I’d share some research into one of my favorite authors, Edgar Allan Poe. Yes, if you’re wondering, this research also plays into my new novel, though I can’t say how yet. I’ve read so many biographies about … Continue reading Poe and the Gothic: Researching His Literary Style
Victorian Séance Research: History, Mediums, and Beliefs
The Belief in Spiritualism It's hard to talk about my current WIP without spoilers! I think it's safe to say that some of the book is about spiritualism in the nineteenth century. I've touched on spiritualism before in the Loving Husband Series, specifically with Olivia, who, of course, is one of the most powerful witches … Continue reading Victorian Séance Research: History, Mediums, and Beliefs
Annotating Books for Research and Enjoyment: My Personal Methods
The Joy of Annotating Books I’ve been a bookworm all my life. I started reading at a young age, which my mother attributes to my watching Sesame Street. Ernie and Bert and ABC songs aside, books were my first and best friends. I lived in books. In books I saw that there were other worlds, … Continue reading Annotating Books for Research and Enjoyment: My Personal Methods