Tag Archives: writers

A Short Summary of Life and Marriage

Ther is a legend that Ernest Hemingway, once wrote a whole story in six words. This sparked an idea where online magazine Smith decided to run a six-word memoir contest. Entries poured in by the thousands, some from established writers like Joyce Carol Oates, and others from writers who had never been published. It resulted in the Not Quite What I Was Planning Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure which I reviewed. As I read, some made me cry. Others made me laugh. Some left me confused. In an article by Mem Fox about writing a picture book, she … Continue reading →

Writers Need Physical Exercises, Too

Posted on by

The life of a writer is great, we get up in the morning, we sit down at the computer and we start typing. But anyone who writes a great deal sits in a chair, their shoulders hunched forward, their back is slightly arched and their arms are tucked closer to their body. This is not a natural position for the body to remain in for hours at a time. You don’t really think about the stress this puts on your back, your neck and even your shoulders and your legs. Get Out of the Chair So when you spend a … Continue reading →

A Good Woman (2005)

“A Good Woman” is based on the Oscar Wilde play, “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” and stars Scarlett Johansson as Meg Windemere, a young lady who has been married one year to the love of her life, Robert (Mark Umbers). They go to stay for a time at an Italian resort, where they enjoy the lush living, luxurious accommodations, and get swept up in the society. A Mrs. Erlynne (Helen Hunt) is the talk of the town and the focus of all the gossip—she’s said to be a loose woman, a person without morals, and for a time it would appear that … Continue reading →

When Good Writers Go Bad

As you have probably heard, another writer was nabbed for making up the story of her latest non-fiction book. Margaret B. Jones was getting rave reviews for her book “Love and Consequences.” It was the story of how the half-white, half Native American girl grew up on the mean streets of South-Central Los Angeles. A foster child, she was forced by the Bloods to run drugs when her foster brothers, Terrell and Taye joined the gang. There was only one problem…none of it was true. Margaret, whose real name is Margaret Seltzer, was ratted out by her older sister, Cyndi, … Continue reading →

Frugality and Great Danes: An Interview with Author Carolyn Howard-Johnson

What makes Carolyn Howard-Johnson so frugal? Why her series of “Frugal Books” of course! (A listing of them follows the end of the interview.) But this author also has a passion for Danes –as in the Great variety. I thought it was maybe because she was a Scooby-Doo nut, but, nope, a real life Great Dane got her hooked on the breed. Read on to learn more about author Carolyn Howard-Johnson and the pets in her life. Courtney Mroch: What kind of things do you write about? (Genre, subject matter, themes, what have you.) Carolyn Howard-Johnson: I write about anything … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Marsha Ward and Her Books

Marsha Ward is our featured author today. If you missed yesterday’s installment of our interview, click here. Journalist, poet, and novelist all wrapped up in one, Marsha has written two novels and has another on the way. Will you tell us about those books? In “The Man from Shenandoah,” Carl Owen returns from the Civil War to find the family farm destroyed, his favorite brother dead, food scarce, and his father determined to leave the Shenandoah Valley to build a cattle empire in Colorado Territory. Crossing the continent, Carl falls in love with his brother’s fiancée while set to wed … Continue reading →

Writer’s Digest Magazine

Are you an aspiring author? Are you already published but seeking ways to hone your craft? One of the most valuable tools you will find to help you in your quest is “Writer’s Digest Magazine.” Each issue features a Brag Board, where readers can write in and share their accomplishments, such as finding an agent to represent them, getting their first article published, overcoming objections from friends and family to find success, etc. I find myself relating to much of what is said by the other readers and it gives me a feeling of unity. The magazine regularly includes a … Continue reading →

Acclaimed Author L.C. Hayden’s “Killer” Effect

Author L.C. Hayden, photo courtesy of the author and used with her permission Sometimes we rescue an animal, adopt it into our family, and think we’ve done it the favor by saving its life. I’d like to share with you the following exchange I had with mystery, horror, and inspirational writer L.C. Hayden. (Her books include, Why Casey Had to Die, her newest release, What Others Know, which was a Left Coast Crime nominee for best mystery, When Colette Died, which was an Oprah On-Line Reading Café selection, and When Angels Touch You.) She’s had a lot of pets (and … Continue reading →

Meet RITA Award-Winning Author Linnea Sinclair and Her Cover Model Cat Daq

In 2006, Linnea Sinclair’s book Gabriel’s Ghost won the Romance Writers of America’s RITA award for Best Paranormal Romance. Her next book, Games of Command, is set to be released on February 27, 2007. But this book is a little different than some of her others, because her cat Daq was not only the inspiration for one of the characters, he’s also on the cover! As he said when I contacted his mom about an interview: “I know you are speechless at how handsome I am. Everyone reacts the same way. Don’t worry. You’re also speechless at how small my … Continue reading →

Meet the Doggone Talented Award-Winning Dog Writer Sue Owens Wright

Photo of Sue Owens Wright with her basset Bubba (a.k.a. Cruiser) courtesy of the author and used with her permission A visit to Sue Owens Wright’s cleverly designed site will show you why this multiple award winning author definitely has lots to “howl about,” as she says. Over the past few years, she’s received seven nominations (two of those recently, one for Best Newspaper Column and the other for Best Fiction Book, Sirius About Murder) and has twice won the Mighty Maxwell, which is presented by the Dog Writers Association of America. (She’ll find out February 11, 2007 if she … Continue reading →