I wrote today's post as part of the WOW-Women on Writing Blanket Tour for  "Not Just Spirited: A Mom's Sensational Journey with Sensory Processing Disorder" by Chynna Laird. The book is a memoir of a mother fighting for a diagnosis when countless doctors told her that her daughter was just/… Read full post »

The contest winner of the free book by Helen Gallagher 

Blog Power and Social Media Handbook is

Rita Bourland!  

Congratulations, Rita!  Read full post »

Attention all bloggers!

Just by leaving a comment on this blog, you will have a chance to win a copy of Helen Gallagher’s new book, Blog Power and Social Media Handbook.                                  /… Read full post »

Believe me when I say I am not a lover of fantasy. I rarely spend time reading the genre. But I made an exception when I read about Michelle Paver’s book Ghost Hunter  that won the prestigious Guardian Children’s Fiction prize.  The  award seems to be the British equivalen… Read full post »

It’s that time of year .  . .

The excitement usually begins in October. E-mails and Listservs throb with speculation about the book that will be chosen by the American Library Association as the best children’s fiction published within the previous year and receive the Newbery… Read full post »

The sun admires its grandeur on each tree

And azure skies frame orchards' colored rows;

The lakes reflect with narcissistic glee

The autumn palette nature's beauty knows.

At times the golden aftternoons enhanced 

By warmth and storm clouds restless for release

Give way to Thor's di… Read full post »

 I wrote today's post as part of the WOW-Women on Writing Blanket Tour for Healing with Words: A Writer's Cancer Journey by Diana M. Raab, MFA, RN (www.dianaraab.com).  The book includes Diana's experiences, reflections, poetry and journal entries, in addition to writing prom… Read full post »

 Meet Dave Watson 

Share some details about yourself, Dave. Tell us about your work, hobbies, and family.

After graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Illinois in 1989, my wife Sheila and I moved to southern Wisconsin so I could join a pract… Read full post »

            It was a sultry summer day in Jonesboro, Georgia. The sun was so hot that everyone moved in slow motion—if they moved at all. In town, the cronies sat on benches in front of the barbershop, fanning themselves and exchanging war stories as they watc… Read full post »

Sandy Beaches, sunlit waters, cool breezes, swaying palm trees . . .

 Where in the world is this writing retreat? Can you guess?

    Be the first to identify this location and tell us about

your special… Read full post »

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am not an avid reader of poetry, but I do keep some volumes on my shelf for inspiration. Somehow, the lines of verse with their distilled language are a powerful teacher of written expression. So each year I make it a point… Read full post »

Last week, I wrote about my small, second-floor  home office space . Remember my attempts to include feng shui principles in my décor?

            The office is friendly and usually organized for productivity, but there are times, e… Read full post »

            Browsing through shelves in a college bookstore, I found an unusual title in the section on creative writing: The I Ching for Writers-Finding the Page Inside You by Jane Sloane. Naturally, I had to look at the table of contents and skim the back cover.&n… Read full post »

Although water and woodland views are certainly my first choice for a writing niche, I usually don’t have the luxury of the vacation accommodations in Door County that I wrote about last week.  Most of the time, I work at home in a cozy room on the second floor that I… Read full post »

 by Guest Blogger: Sue Roupp 

For 3500 years or so storytellers and poets have written stories in various concise forms.  We recognize everlasting themes: survival, death, betrayal, joy, amazement, loss, abandonment, sadness, time passing, birth, fear, redemption and much more transce… Read full post »

            As writers, you have probably heard the name AVI. Maybe you were introduced to his fiction while you or your children were in grade school. Avi has written for middle grade and teen readers and won the prestigious Newbery 

    &… Read full post »

North of Milwaukee,Wisconsin, on Route 43, Door County stretches along Lake Michigan. Filled with tranquil scenery, it makes the perfect escape for writers. One of my favorite spots in the “Door” is Sturgeon Bay, which lies between Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

 What makes this area… Read full post »

By Guest Blogger: Mary Jo Reinhart 

One of the earliest considerations when starting a new fiction piece is the name of your main character. Whether a picture book or novel, your characters will typically demand to be named before they will act. Don’t dismiss the importance of this… Read full post »

As I sat at my computer to write my Monday blog post, I was uncertain about my focus. Avoidance seemed like a good tactic until I could make up my mind what to write. In the meantime, what to do? Check email!

There were the usual posts from relatives and… Read full post »

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during July and August, I will post entries associated with my theme-reading and writing. 

Books You’ll Want to Read

On Mondays articles will be about something I’ve read  about writing.

People You Should… Read full post »

When summer temperatures soar into the 90s or a long car trip threatens to disrupt family tranquility, parents may be looking for activities for restless children. Finding good books that entertain young readers could be one answer. Where are the best places to look for an irresistible title?

 … Read full post »