Using Real Herbs In Fiction: Yarrow
In the Landow Creek fiction series, the main character, Ivory, discovers the benefits of herbs for more than culinary uses. Naturally, to make the story as realistic as possible, I drew from personal experience and research. One of the first herbs I remember learning about is yarrow. I was...
The Seinfeld Method Didn’t Work For Me
Until it did, now I’m a believer. In writing circles, there is a story that Jerry Seinfeld writes a joke every day and afterward makes a big X through the date on a calendar. He makes forward progress in his craft by not wanting to break the chain of...
How I Plot Novels
Today, I’m sharing a glimpse behind the curtain into my novel writing process. As a writer, I’m always interested in how others do their work—always looking for new and improved ways to get words on the page. I used to feel guilt and shame over using so many analog...
What Is Magical Realism?
Just as important, why do I like it? Magical realism, according to Google, “is a literary and artistic style that depicts the real world as having an undercurrent of magic or fantasy.” The story is “set in a realistic environment, but includes supernatural or dreamlike elements that are presented...
Getting Deep Into Character While Drafting A Novel
My main character is a chef, so I’m creating recipes for her bistro. Something about this process helps me understand my main character (Ivory Bainbridge) and her challenges in the kitchen. This time I tried making Petit Fours. These tiny squares of layered cakes decorated with dainty sugared violets...
How Many Steps To Self-Publish a Novel?
“All right! There are thousand things that have to happen in order, we are on number 8, you’re talking about number 692.” –Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell in the movie Apollo 13. This quote came to mind this week as I finished my next novel’s first draft. It’s written...
Keeping Occupied While Waiting
On November 15, 2023, my first novel: The Inheritance was released by Five Feline Farm Press. I’ve discovered that writing a novel is hard work. Maybe that’s why we call it a “work” of fiction. You wouldn’t think it is difficult. Sit down and type for a few days...