How many times have you bought or borrowed a book and put it down after the first few paragraphs or chapters? I have. The opening didn’t grab my attention. If you’re a writer or just starting, establish momentum from the beginning. Do you know what a hook is? For...

Welcome to November, the start of the holiday season. Ecclesiastes 3:12 tells us, "I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.” (NIV) This time of year, we begin preparations for Thanksgiving. Not just planning a...

This month I’d like to share some pointers if you are considering becoming a fiction writer. You WILL need an agent if you want to be traditionally published. Don’t put out a book before it’s ready. Find a critique group (not your mom or best friend), an editor, and a...

Have you ever been to a book signing? My past experiences have only been at libraries, but these are things the author considers: Have you ever thought about what the author needs to attend a book signing? Be sure you have the time and date correct and fill out any...

Some of you reading this may not believe as I do, but this holiday/holy day is special in my life. Wikipedia defines Easter as: “Easter,[nb 1] also called Pascha[nb 2] (Aramaic, Greek, Latin) or Resurrection Sunday,[nb 3] is a Christian festival and...

You may have made conclusions about mail-order brides from the old-fashioned anomaly of the Victorian era, but here are some facts from the Smithsonian Institute’s historical letters about these brides who risked it all to marry a stranger. During the latter part of...

Most people don't think about cotton this time of year, but people have worn this fabric since before 3000 B.C. In 1607, cotton continued to be grown despite the English ban. England only wanted to promote the wool industry at the time. We all probably remember...

I always saw cardinals when I was little because I grew up in Missouri. (I’m not referencing the football or baseball teams.) I didn’t know then that there was lore about these birds, but later, I found out that they could be messengers from heaven. Hmm. I wasn’t sure...

November this year is a busy month. We had national and local elections, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving. Forgive me if I have missed any other recognizable event. My apologies for not posting in October. I had serious back surgery which took me “out of pocket” for a...

We tend to associate autumn with the pumpkin automatically. Pumpkin decorations, pumpkin pies, pumpkin muffins, and even Jack-o-Lanterns. Its name comes from the Greek word “pepon” which, means “large melon.” Throughout various languages, it changed to become the...