Reading, wRiting, and Roaming with Author Valerie Biel

Blessed Yuletide & My Gifts of the Season

December 14, 2017

We all sing about the Twelve Days of Christmas, but you might not have realized that the pagan celebration of Yule is twelve days long, starting (this year) with the eve of the winter solstice on December 20 and ending on December 31. 

Back when people followed a lunar calendar there were twelve days “leftover” at the end of the year.  These twelve nights thus became a special time where the veil between the worlds was thin and celebrations abounded. In ancient Rome, the Festival of Saturnalia (honoring Saturn—the god of agricultural bounty) lasted about a week at this time of year.  (Christmastide is also twelve days long from December 25 through January... Continue Reading

Holidays and Mysteries

December 13, 2017
          A Combination as Good as Santa’s Cookies and Milk:

Incorporating holidays into writing

Holidays are special for writers. In addition to being fantastic in themselves, holidays can serve as writing inspiration. For example, Halloween is a natural fit for a mystery, but other times of year could serve, as well. Christmas or New Year’s—counter-programming against a scary season—could be a great backdrop for a whodunnit. Yes, holidays can serve as excellent resources for writing. The methods of incorporating holidays include using time with family and friends as both a writing break and a way to investigate and contemplate characters; using the heightened senses surrounding holidays to improve writing craft; and finally,... Continue Reading

Celebrating "Wolves in the World" Release with Author Brea Behn

December 10, 2017

Today I welcome author Brea Behn! I’m a big fan of the dystopian genre, so I was excited to get to know Brea and read her stories. And today is a big day! She is celebrating the release of the fourth (and final) novel in her Wolves series: Wolves in the World. The series begins with Wolves in the Woods, which follows the disintegration of society after a devastating virus hits the world in 2056 with subsequent novels Wolves in the City and Wolves in School.

 

ABOUT BOOK ONE: When the C47 virus hit in 2056, no one was prepared for the devastation that followed. Even fewer of the survivors were equipped to provide for themselves without technology. Now an orphan, a young girl named Braelin is forced to... Continue Reading

Monthly Book Review - Fall 2017

December 6, 2017

Has it really been three months since I’ve told you about the great books I’ve been reading??

Apparently, but I know what happened. Instead of reviewing multiple books, I’ve been sharing new releases and interviews of Wisconsin authors.

If you missed those, here are some great ideas for Christmas gifts. (AND READ ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A GIFT FROM ME!!)

Barbara Britton’s Jerusalem Rising: Adah’s Journey. Read her guest post and my book review here. 

Purchase... Continue Reading

November Writers' Forum

November 28, 2017

In my journey through the steps of independent publishing, refining my writing skills, and most recently completing a successful agent search, I’ve come across some excellent information, tips, tools, and shortcuts that I think would be beneficial to any writer. Once a month, I’ll share the “best of” information and news from the publishing industry as well as feature other authors and writing instructors with tips to share. I am incredibly thankful for the assistance and advice given to me from writing and publishing professionals and am happy pay that forward. On a professional level, I also use my publicity and editorial skills to aid other authors through my company Lost Lake Press. 

December... Continue Reading

Thankful for Being a Writer: Happy Thanksgiving to All

November 22, 2017

 

 

 

 

November is the month to express gratitude, so it fits that this blog post is dedicated to personal thankfulness. While there are a few things I’d change about myself — let’s not go there; that’s a different post — being a writer isn’t one of them. To the contrary, I wouldn’t trade being a writer for anything.

While writers have varied and interesting (well-deserved?) reputations, this blog is dedicated to the wonderful traits that comprise being a writer. I... Continue Reading

Interview with Christine Keleny & the Release of "Narrow Escape in Norway"

November 14, 2017

I am so grateful to that Christine Keleny has stopped by to chat with me today. Christine is a Wisconsin author who writes both adult and children’s fiction. I’ve enjoyed her historical fiction “Rose” series very much (see below). For the middle-grade audience, I highly encourage you to read her Agnes Kelly mysteries. Book 2 – Narrow Escape in Norway – is now out and just in time for the holidays. This is a great family read! Book 1 – Intrigue in Istanbul – won the Midwest Book Award for children’s literature this year!!  Narrow Escape in Norway continues to follow Agnes and her grandmother on their quest to learn the true nature of her father’s work. Set in 1961, at the height of the Cold War, mysterious and potentially dangerous characters keep the suspense... Continue Reading

Barbara Britton Book Release, Guest Post, & GIVEAWAY!

November 9, 2017

Wisconsin author Barbara Britton’s third book in the Tribes of Israel series releases in e-book TODAY!!

I am thrilled to be part of Barbara’s author journey and have enjoyed the first two titles in this series immensely. Jerusalem Rising: Adah’s Journey was no exception and I was grateful to be honored with an advance copy! The author is a master at creating characters we love (or ones we love to dislike). The vivid descriptions are woven into a fast-paced plotline that transport you back to Biblical times when women were most certainly expected to know their place in society. (And those who didn’t were dealt with harshly.) Outspoken Adah has you holding your breath as you wonder what speaking the truth may cost her. I highly recommend this... Continue Reading

A Blessed Samhain Book Excerpt

October 30, 2017

This time of year is one of my favorites—not only because fall is such a lovely season, but more for the mysterious, magical holiday of Samhain. (Yes, I know you thought it was Halloween!) Last year, I wrote a blog post about the tradition of Samhain and how many of our modern-day Halloween traditions come from this sacred pagan holiday. I love that an essential part of writing believable fictional tales is researching and learning about so many interesting things. On the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Samhain (pronounced saah-win or saa-ween) marks the beginning of the spiritual new year. Samhain comes from the Gaelic word “samhuin” which means summer’s end.... Continue Reading

October Writers' Forum

October 24, 2017

In my journey through the steps of independent publishing, refining my writing skills, and most recently completing a successful agent search, I’ve come across some excellent information, tips, tools, and shortcuts that I think would be beneficial to any writer. Once a month, I’ll share the “best of” information and news from the publishing industry as well as feature other authors and writing instructors with tips to share. I am incredibly thankful for the assistance and advice given to me from writing and publishing professionals and am happy pay that forward. On a professional level, I also use my publicity and editorial skills to aid other authors through my company Lost Lake Press. 

November... Continue Reading

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