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…
Tag: fiction
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,…
Sometimes you’re not the only writer in town
It’s not always easy for me to find time to sit down and read a book. I write full-time for a newspaper, and then I take quite a bit of time putting together my novels. However, I recently discovered a friend I went to school with in Chino Valley is in the same boat I…
Rural Roots and American Rainbows 