There’s a song that says, “You’re going to miss me when I’m gone.” I can say that about many people in my life. However, I think I was missing the people so hard that I didn’t know something else has disappeared. I’m friends on social media with an author in California named Chad Grayson, and…
Tag: fiction
Buy a banned book today before they’re eradicated
It’s Banned Books Week, which means two things. People are going to recommend that certain books be wiped off the face of the earth. Also, other people are going to fall over themselves to find these books, add them to their collections and find out what all the fuss is about. Librarians have been chastised,…
UntitledTown book fair full of surprises
One of the fun things about being an author is being able to interact with people. This is an interesting trait in someone who also enjoys solitude and silence. Still, you have to sell books somehow, and I’m too cheap to hire a secretary (not to mention, not enough money in book sales to afford…
Homeowner association shows its literacy after banning Little Free Library
In today’s episode of Yucking Someone’s Yum, I present to you the Little Free Library, a concept of literacy being available everywhere, versus the homeowner association, a concept of Karens living down the road thinking they can bully you into doing whatever they want so the neighborhood can look uniform and sterile. For those who…
Romance can be found in the grips of mortal terror
We love our love stories. We love reading about someone lonely who finds someone in a tale that usually includes the words “unbridled passion” and “setting fire to my loins.” I’ve written plenty of those tales. However, that’s old hat. Some authors are writing love stories in the midst of dire situations where very few…
Sometimes stepping from the shadows is the only way to be a hero
We all love heartwarming tales. Whether it’s a hero saving the day or someone doing something that’s kind, we want somebody to root for, to give us motivation to keep listening, watching or reading. Of course, we also know that behind every great person, there’s usually someone else working in the shadows, providing support and…
Books hold the key to unlock the imagination
Books have been on the forefront of my mind over the last week. From selling the books I’ve written to buying books that have caught my eye, the literary side of my brain has kicked into high gear. It got me thinking of the books that I’ve read previously. I read more in my youth…
What do you do when the Empty Bowls stay empty?
I have about a dozen ceramic bowls sitting in my cabinet. There’s a tiny purple one that’s shaped like a heart. A couple of others are shaped like trapezoids. They’re all awash with color and include some interesting patterns. All of them are currently empty. Keep in mind, I don’t have a particular need for…
Creative spark can become a flame with the right circumstances
We all have a creative spark somewhere that inflames us and causes us to do wonderful things. Sometimes, it’s getting that perfect photograph of a raccoon clutching a tree branch in the forest. Sometimes, it’s painting that perfect image of a bowl of fruit sitting on a kitchen table. It could be sewing the most…
The spirit is willing, but the cash is weak when it comes to fun
When you love someone, you want to go and do things together on a regular basis. It’s completely understandable. After a while, just being at home loses its excitement, and you want to be somewhere else doing something else. One of the big things my sweetheart, Todd, and I like to do is go out…
Authors’ victories measured by leaving readers wanting more
Given the world that we live in, it’s not really a surprise that people escape into books. It’s easy enough to come up with fictional tales set in our world, but it can be even more fun to create an entirely new world and develop interesting creatures that inhabit it. Instead of putting on a…
Favoritism not a factor when writing novels
Which of your books is your favorite? This question was asked of me at a recent vendor event for Fox Valley Pride. It wasn’t the first time I was asked the question, but like the other times, I didn’t have a satisfactory answer. It’s akin to asking a parent who their favorite child is. However,…
