The Challenges of Writing That Second Book

Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com Or third, or I suppose now I'm starting on a fourth... I first published this post after releasing my first novel in 2019. Since then, I completed the second book that I was writing about and released it as Where Shall I Flee? in November of 2021. Now I'm working…

An Interview with Author Jonathon Mast

Hello Readers and Writers! Author Jonathon Mast graciously agreed to stop by for an interview and to let me throw all sorts of questions at him. I hope you find his insights on writing and publishing as interesting (and entertaining) as I did! SO, Jon, when did you become “a writer”? Was it something you…

Guest Post by JPC Allen: When a Character Turns into a Problem Child

Welcome to another November weekend, and another excellent guest post! Today, author JPC Allen shares her thoughts on the challenge of working with characters who simply refuse to behave themselves. (Who knew fictional people we invent could be so ornery?!) I hope you enjoy her thoughts on this topic as much as I did! -Anne…

Guest Post By Andrew McDowell: Dusting Off Stories From History

Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash Hello all—we've made it to another weekend! Today, author Andrew McDowell has been kind enough to stop by and share his thoughts on historical fiction. Can stories from history be overused, even as a framework for fiction? I enjoyed reading Andrew's thoughts on this, and I hope you do too! -Anne I…

Whaddya Mean You Don’t Like My Protagonist?!

I'm on the verge of launching a new story, which means introducing new protagonists and hoping they "play well" together. While their personalities are different than the characters from my first book, (i.e. the characters this post was about when I wrote it a few years ago) the lessons are essentially the same. I hope…

I’m Talking About Writing Historical Fiction on the Merry Writer Podcast

Photo by Israel Palacio courtesy of Unsplash.com Good morning Readers and Writers! If you didn't get enough of hearing my melodious(?) voice on Our American Stories last week, today author Ari Meghlen is hosting me on the podcast that she and Rachel Poli host: The Merry Writer. After years of chatting with Ari online, it…

My Interview on JPC Allen’s Blog: Writing Tip — Guest Blogger, Anne Clare

Happy January to all! I'm kicking off a new year of blogging with an interview over at author JPC Allen's site, where she starting the New Year by featuring new authors. I hope you can stop by her site, and I look forward to seeing you back here in the days and weeks to come!…

Guest Post by JPC Allen: How to Write a 10,000-word Short Story in Two Weeks and Not Lose Your Mind

Today, I'd like to welcome author JPC Allen!  I greatly enjoyed her first published short story, "Debt to Pay," a part of the anthology From the Lake to the River. It was filled with fascinating characters and lots of good suspense and mystery. Her second, "A Rose from the Ashes" has just been published- but…

The Challenges of Writing That Second Book

This June, after years of research, rewrites, and editing, I published my first novel. Putting my paper and binding "baby" out into the world was exhilarating, terrifying,  exhausting... but it's done! That mountain is scaled! And then... I had the first reader ask, "When's the next one coming out?!" Don't misunderstand me- having people ask…

Publishing Paths: A Visit from Author Jennifer Hallmark

Today, I'm pleased to welcome author Jennifer Hallmark! While she's been travelling her writing and publishing road for several years, Jennifer is celebrating the publication of her first novel, Jessie's Hope! She's graciously offered to stop by and share her publication story, and some advice and encouragement for other writers. Take it away, Jennifer!   Hi,…