Well, Readers, I am not certain how we can be this far into December already! As much as I wouldn't mind moving past 2020, there's too much to do before the end. I still need to finish some writing projects—my NaNoWriMo recap, a piece on a bit of WWII history linked to a beloved Christmas… Continue reading Blog Tour: BENEATH A STARLESS SKY by Tessa Harris
Happy December! 2020 has been full many interesting surprises, but today I'm excited to share a pleasant one! I hadn't expected to have a publication announcement this year. My second novel, Where Shall I Flee? is with beta readers who have already given me lots of things to think about. I hope to hit the… Continue reading A Christmas Gift from Me to You
Photo by Hert Niks on Unsplash November is speeding away, and the Clares are busy preparing for Christmas. Over the last years, friends and family who know my interest in the Second World War have gifted me with some interesting items and fantastic reads. I thought I'd share a few of them with you today, in case you… Continue reading Who Else Needs Some WWII Themed Christmas Gift Ideas?
A family heirloom: This banner was used by author Joy Neal Kidney's family during WWI, then repurposed by her grandmother who added two stars and used it during WWII. You can read about it in her excellent book Leora's Letters. Many thanks to Joy for allowing me to use this image! One hundred and two… Continue reading Stars of Blue and Gold
Photo courtesy of Alejandro Escamilla, unsplash.com. No, that's not my desk. I WISH my workspace was that neat. And that it had coffee… Sorry! Focusing on the blog… Today's the day—the day I let my second novel out of my grasp and pass it along to beta readers. I'll admit, while I'm excited to be… Continue reading Better Beta Readings
November's lurking just around the corner, cracking its knuckles and waiting to pounce. A little melodramatic? Maybe. But I can't help viewing the turning of the calendar page with some trepidation. Between school and home, September and October have gone by in a whirlwind— momming and teaching and correcting and cooking and driving and writing… Continue reading A NaNoWriffic November’s Ahead
In 1941, the United States entered the Second World War and the "war effort" became the job of the entire nation. From altered shopping choices on the homefront, to the call for volunteer plane spotters near the cost, to the military-themed songs on the radio, American life changed in countless ways. The role of American… Continue reading Avis D. Schorer’s A HALF ACRE OF HELL: A COMBAT NURSE IN WWII
Welcome, Readers and Writers! I've been working hard on rounding out the characters in my second book this month, which led me back to this post from a while back. Sometimes the best teachers of good characterization are the vibrant characters we meet in other novels. I hope you enjoy my reaction to George Elliot's Middlemarch.… Continue reading George Elliot’s MIDDLEMARCH, and Keeping Readers Engaged for the Long Haul
2020 has done a great job of reminding me just how spoiled I am. (Maybe I should say "richly blessed with material goods." That sounds better.) I can't recall another time in my life when I wanted a staple item at the store (for instance, toilet paper) and was unable to find it. Those of… Continue reading Ration Books and Smart Shopping: Stretching U.S. Resources During WWII
Hello, Readers and Writers. This year has been full of twists and turns for our family— I imagine many of you could say the same! Plans changed, were adjusted, or were abandoned. 2020 looks very different from what we expected. However, the limitations of this year have come hand-in-hand with blessings. Our family has had… Continue reading Publishing Paths: A Visit from Fantasy Author J. Fries
