Those who enjoyed Nancy Bilyeau’s debut historical novel The Crown will find its sequel The Chalice even more heart-wrenching and suspenseful. Once again we follow the adventures of former Dominican novice Joanna Stafford as she is torn from her peaceful country life and thrust into the maelstrom of Tudor-era intrigue. […]
Why I Never Get Any Writing Done
I am a slow writer, a failing demonstrated by the factoid that I started this post in Mycenaean, had to switch to Celt-Iberian, then Saxon, and finally Elizabethan English (I figure I’ll touch this up as I post the final version). You have no idea what a hassle it is […]
"You talk like you was there."
Hearing voices in your head can be a good thing. At least it can be if you’re a writer. One of the three legs of a good story is characterization. Three things paint the character’s portrait for the reader: description, action, and dialogue. The first is usually the easiest for […]
Lies, Damn Lies, Statistics, & "Slice of Life"
Posted by Walt “Slice of Life” writers, such as Ernie Pyle, Erma Bombeck, and Dave Barry, have occasionally been accused of exaggeration. A charge often leveled by parents, spouses, offspring, and just about anyone else who enjoys the gift of knowing them. To which I say: “Tosh” (and other words […]