Wonderful news for James and Sarah/Elizabeth fans. The last draft of Down Salem Way is finished. Really! Okay, the book is not finished finished because it needs final edits and other odds and ends, but the light at the end of the tunnel is bright and clear and within reach. This is where the manuscript … Continue reading Did That Word Exist Then? Language in Historical Fiction
Writing
Advice On How To Be Happy From Robert Louis Stevenson
Finding Life Advice At Starbucks I was standing in Starbucks when I saw this list from author Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) hanging from the community board. I think his advice is as appropriate today as it was over a hundred years ago. I’ve been pretty busy lately, … Continue reading Advice On How To Be Happy From Robert Louis Stevenson
How to Live Like a Poet According to Jack Kerouac
Researching and Writing During a Busy Term I can verify that life as a PhD candidate is a lot of work. There are times when, after long days of researching, writing, and teaching courses at my university, I feel as if I'm lacking even one viable brain cell. I can walk into the supermarket for … Continue reading How to Live Like a Poet According to Jack Kerouac
A Creativity Refresher Course: The Artist’s Way
My Creativity Needed a Boost Last week I started participating in Julia Cameron's 12-week course The Artist's Way. It might seem odd that I would start such a course at this stage of my writing life. I've been writing since I was a teenager, I've had short stories and articles published since 2000, and Her … Continue reading A Creativity Refresher Course: The Artist’s Way
Are You Pursuing Your Passion?
You May Have More Than One Passion My current writing project, the historical novel that drove me batty over the summer, is now full speed ahead and looking good for its February release. I mention this because I’ve recently become aware of Steven Pressfield’s concept of the shadow career. In his book Turning Pro, one … Continue reading Are You Pursuing Your Passion?
Trying New Writing Tools: Scrivener, I Love You
Sometimes You Need A Break From Writing A few weeks ago I wrote about how I had been struggling as I was writing my new historical novel. Nothing in the story seemed to be working, and for whatever reason I was at a loss as to how to fix it. I decided to give myself … Continue reading Trying New Writing Tools: Scrivener, I Love You
Writing the Love that Dare Not Speak Its Name in Historical Fiction
Here's author Laurel Deedrick-Mayne talking about her new novel, A Wake For The Dreamland, and her experiences writing historical fiction about a gay character during World War II. * * * * * How do we write the love that ‘dare not speak its name’ within the genre of historical fiction? I confess that even writing … Continue reading Writing the Love that Dare Not Speak Its Name in Historical Fiction
Tips for Writing the Second Book in a Series
Seeking New Information About Writing Whenever I have a new writing task ahead of me, when I'm writing something new to me, the first thing I do is seek information from writers who have traveled that road before. There’s a benefit to searching out tips and hints from others who have already been there, done … Continue reading Tips for Writing the Second Book in a Series