When is the Book a Book?

On Saturday just after 3 PM, I typed THE END—another book finished! Or was it? It rather begs the question, when is the work finished?  A book is most certainly not finished when the author types “THE END.” First of all, let me explain that I’m what writers call a pantser, someone who writes by […]

It’s Messy. Is It a Process?

Process? I don’t need no stinking process. My book, alas, needs a plot. I’ve read the craft books. I know a scene from a sequel, and I understand the big W shaped romance plot and the four acts that make it up. I get hooks and turning points. I’ve tried outlines, story boards, and scene […]

Happy For Some

Highlighting Historical Romance: this week Jude Knight shares some thoughts about women who choose the single life and shares an excerpt from her new release, Revealed in Mist, to illustrate her point. By definition, the romance genre means a happy ending; happy ever after in most cases. And happy ever after in a romance means […]

In Which An Author Surprises Her Heroine

Highlighting Historical Romance: Michele Stegman joins us today. ________________________________________________________________________ It is a pleasure to be on your site, today, Caroline! Thank you for inviting me. In Fortune’s Foe, which scene was the hardest for you to write? The basic problem in this book is that the heroine, Mariette Fortune, wants to save her twin brother […]

Highlighting Historical Romance: Cerise DeLand

As you know we like to highlight the history in historical romance. Today we have a gem from Cerise DeLand. Pauline Bonaparte’s Missing Jewels, Money…and Cerise DeLand’s heroine’s search for lost treasures! As Napoleon Bonaparte signed his abdication in Fontainebleau in April 1814, his much beloved young sister Pauline had been very busy. Not only […]

Passion Feeds Creativity

Every writer’s work is fueled by their passions. One of mine is educational opportunity for women. Historically it didn’t exist.  I’ve written extensively on the subject in this blog in the past.** I had the good fortune to attend an excellent girls’ high school and wonderful women’s college, both of which pushed excellence and valued […]

Is it Magic? The Confusing World of Book Production

I’m still doing the happy dance after finding the paperback version of Dangerous Works on Barnes & Noble.  The rest of the world, if they are aware of me at all, probably scratched their head and asked, “Didn’t that book come out last year?”  Well, yes and no.  If you are a happy member of […]

StellaMarie Talks Back

StellaMarie is back! and she has answers to your questions! ~~~ Hi,Thanks so much for having me. OMG. I can’t believe a whole month has gone by. Caroline been so sweet to invite me back. Since then, “How to Train Your Knight” has spent two weeks on the Amazon Best Seller list and is still […]