During a recent long car trip out of state with my fiance, I sat in the passenger seat typing away on my Chromebook, sighing here, laughing there, oohing and aahing at other points. I shared with Kyle the deadlines I had to meet the day after we would return back home, and he made a thought-provoking comment: “At…
Since graduating with my bachelor’s degree five years ago, I have been debating whether to enroll in a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in creative writing. The idea of it sounds absolutely blissful to me–honing the craft, develop my skills, making important connections with established writers and publishers, and, of course, forcing myself to…
What I love about writing articles for newspapers and magazines is connecting with people who have inspiring stories to share. I connected with Anni Welborne through an online writers’ group. Her daughter, Stacy, a 12-year-old who suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and sensory processing disorder, was recently crowned the Indiana Miss Amazing Pre-Teen queen. A…
Like many writers, I am always looking for advice on how to boost my word count. I consult magazines, blogs and websites to learn the answers to the ever-popular questions: How often should I write? How many words do I need to write every day? What time of day do successful authors write? What room…
Two If by Sea is an emotion-packed suspense novel with a touch of sci-fi that explores the depths of grief and loss. Bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard‘s (The Deep End of the Ocean) latest book opens in wake of a tsunami in Brisbane and follows Frank Mercy, a middle-aged man who has survived but lost his pregnant wife…
There’s a common myth among writers that people were born with the talent to write. My mom has always told me that I have a “gift” in writing, and while I enjoy compliments, I have to argue that I wasn’t born with special writing skills. Perhaps I had instilled in me certain qualities that are required to…
Every writer aims to be an effective storyteller with their novels. That goal in itself is a lofty challenge. To come across as an effective storyteller in person is a whole new game, especially for those who fit the stereotype of the introvert writer. Bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard has the written and verbal craft of storytelling mastered. Readers of…
To get from the seed of an initial idea to a published book, writers have to discover the habits and practices that work best for them. Christina Baker Kline published several works before her most recent novel, Orphan Train, sold over 2 million copies. While her previous books did not attract immediate attention in the way Orphan Train did, her writing…
If Orphan Train has been on your to-read list since its release in 2013, consider bumping it up to your must-read-right-now list. I had been skirting around Christina Baker Kline’s bestselling novel and finally picked it up when I saw she was coming to the Des Moines Public Library’s Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) series. Every…
Historical nonfiction is not a genre I normally dive into, but after listening to best-selling author Karen Abbott speak, I couldn’t be more eager to read her book. Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy interweaves the stories of four women who risked everything during the Civil War. Abbott began her speech by saying that she prefers her protagonists to…