Mail-Order Catalogs: Timeline and Truth
Mail-order catalogs didn’t show up in America as early as you might think… and couldn’t have impacted the mail-order bride phenomenon as early as today’s popular fiction market makes it seem.
What Western Historical Readers Said About Kindle Unlimited WILL Surprise You…
I asked for volunteers to interview by email, and urged them to respond honestly. I won’t reveal the ten interviewee’s names, to further encourage honesty. Their feelings on the subject will surprise you.
Christmas Novellas: 15 Reasons Readers Adore Them!
This time of year, Christmas-themed novellas account for many of the new releases. Sometimes they’re all alone. Sometimes they’re part of an anthology with anywhere from 4 to 20 other titles. They’re obviously popular with readers. But WHY are Christmas Novellas ADORED by readers?
I suggest 15 top reasons why, and several readers added to my list. Now it’s quite complete!
Deleted (Opening) Scene: The Bride Lottery
Question: How do authors determine where to begin the story?
Answer: I imagine in a group of five authors, you’d obtain at least 2 different answers. How’s that for ambiguous?
Every writer has developed their own methods that work for them. We’re all different, as unique as our fingerprints. My method of ensuring my books start at the right place may be quite different from someone else’s methods and that’s perfectly OK. My answer to this question: “As late as possible.”
This means I skip as much back story as possible– details that don’t really matter for the crux of the story yet it still makes sense. We dive right into action. It’s the latest possible moment when that “something” happens and everything changes.
Inside, I share a full, polished opening scene (not published in The Bride Lottery), deleted when I realized in the final drafts that the story was beginning too early.
Old Time Recipe: Shortbread
Historic recipes are a valuable link to our immigrant ancestors (whether the actual recipe is a family heirloom or not). This recipe for shortbread and Pebber Nodder (Danish Butter Cookies) put me in mind of my great grandmother. I include the Top 5 Reasons why I care about old fashioned cookie recipes.
