Science Fiction and Fantasy
Ah, what a glorious life becoming a novelist, gleefully crafting thousands of words daily. A seemingly endless flow of creative ideas keeps bubbling to the surface. Fanciful dreams take flight—New York Times Best Seller, Oprah’s Book Club, movie rights.
You probably guessed where I’m going with this.
The life of a writer is mostly hard work. There are moments when everyone in this business asks, “What made me think I could ever do this?”
Continue reading “The Life of a Writer”
Did I ever tell you I really enjoy the winter season here in New England? Those of you who have been with me for a while have heard me say it before, but it’s worth repeating.
Alas, as I write this, the forecast is for warmer-than-average temperatures for the next week. But I’m hoping the season will linger for a bit longer.
For me, this is an excellent time to focus on the craft of writing. There are fewer distractions during the cold and snowy weather. Although I love gardening during spring, summer, and fall, I always feel torn between that and my true passion for writing.
Continue reading “Winter, My Favorite Season”
Have you ever considered the magic mere words can have when strung together in a novel? I don’t necessarily mean the sorcery or witchcraft in a supernatural or fantasy story.
I’m referring to the feeling you get from a good book, whether it’s happiness, wonder, surprise, or whatever the emotion.
Most people read fiction because they want to experience something from the story.
Many readers love getting swept away to another place and time. Maybe it’s the excitement of seeing a hero or heroine overcome insurmountable odds. Or perhaps you like twists and turns and shocking surprises.
Continue reading “The Magic of Words”
The photo above was taken at my desk where I am working on my latest novel.
I once heard a writing coach say that the easiest novels to read are often the ones that authors worked the hardest on.
My novels take a long time to produce because I spend so much effort fine-tuning the little things that the reader will never notice. Every author has a million choices to make as the story progresses, and those choices make the difference between a dull story and a book that you can’t stop reading.
Continue reading “Why Some Novels Are So Easy To Read”
In this journal post, I am excited to share a list of my all-time favorite books, spanning beyond just the past year or so. These are the books that have captured my heart and that I have remembered through time.
I once heard someone say that books provide a view into a reader’s soul, and the ones readers choose can tell a lot about them. So, I’d like to share some of my most cherished books with you. Looking at this tally is like taking a snapshot of who I am.
I’ll begin with those most recently read and work my way back. Let me know if we have any in common, or even better, if you have recommendations of books I should consider.
Continue reading “My Most-Cherished Books”
People often ask me, “Why did you decide to write fantasy fiction?” The other question I often get is, “How do you come up with ideas for your stories?”
So, today, I pull back the curtain just a little to show you what’s behind my books and what inspired me. This won’t answer all your questions, but it will give you a peek into why I write and what I think about as I develop a manuscript.
Why Do It: Everyone has a passion in life—that one thing you want to accomplish more than anything else. For me, it has always been to write fiction (at least since I was in college). I had worked as a communications and marketing manager in the corporate world for many years, which paid the bills. Eventually, I pursued my passion and wrote the story I had secretly worked on for decades.
Continue reading “Creating Fantasy Fiction”
Not that long ago, artificial intelligence was a topic limited to science fiction novels and movies. That is no longer the case. AI is here, it will change many aspects of our lives, and it’s not going away.
AI systems are generally more intelligent than humans and are already beginning to change our society in many ways.
Experts with more knowledge about the subject are debating AI’s positive and negative ramifications–something we all should pay close attention to. AI has the potential to transform society by improving human creativity. However, it also comes with a serious risk of misuse and societal disruptions that could have dire consequences.
Continue reading “Artificial Intelligence Is No Longer Science Fiction”
Surprise!!! Today’s topic is all about books, including great quotes on this topic from Carl Sagan.
Reading is a terrific pastime regardless of your specific preference. I write about magic in my novels because that’s the type of story I like to read. But I have a little secret. Books themselves are the real magic.
A remarkable transformation happens whenever you begin a new novel. The rush of excitement, a sense of wonder, an otherworldly feeling, takes over as you read.
Continue reading “All About Books, Including a Quote from Carl Sagan”
Here’s a picture of my writing desk on a chilly and damp early December day as I write this. Our first measurable snow is predicted in a few days, just in time because I only yesterday finished cleaning up the dead leaves from the lawn (a fall ritual here in New England).
Some people hate the cold and inclement weather of winter. But I love it. The season gives me a chance to hunker down inside and devote more time to writing.
As we head into these final weeks of 2021, I thought it would be a good time to update you on the headway I’m making on my next work, Elthea’s Nemesis. It will become Book 4 in The Story of Elthea’s Realm series.
Continue reading “Progress on My Latest Novel”
If you’re like me, you look forward to the time of day when you read for pleasure. I enjoy meeting people who are avid readers.
These are the ones who steal glances at cover jackets whenever seeing someone else reading. They ignore the trinkets and furniture at yard sales as they rummage through piles of dusty old books. Bookstores are a mandatory stop while shopping. They subscribe to a half-dozen online promotional sites offering discounted ebooks.
In the book publishing business, these people are called whales. They consume far more books than the typical person. When it comes to word of mouth, whale readers are priceless. They will tell everyone what they are reading and post detailed reviews.
Continue reading “A Healthy Addiction to Books”