On the Serious Side

As you know, my publisher went bankrupt recently and regardless of the clauses in my contracts assuring me that I would have my rights (to t...

The Internet Doesn't Smell

I remember many years ago when the bookcase in the corner of my parents’ living room contained a complete set of Encyclopedias, a lovely col...

Getting Side-Tracked

All right, I started to check out the art work of Michale Whelan , and what happened? I got side tracked! I started looking at one picture, ...

Let's Hear It For Sci-Fi and Fantasy Artists

For years I've had a love affair with book covers painted by Michael Whelan. There's just something about his work that can so trans...

Bass-Ackwards

I have never been able to mold myself to fit an ideal. In anything. Even when I'm trying. Even when it really really means a lot to m...

Finding the Little Red Dress

You all know what I mean by the perfect little black dress, right? Well swap that out for a fiery red one that hits right above the knee and...

Confessions of a Research Whore

Hello. My name is Lynda and I’m a research whore. I’ve always been this way but...I don’t necessarily research for a book I’m writing. No, I...

Researching Backwards

Just so you know...I haven't been to bed yet, and I'm typing this in at 1:44 in the morning...so techincally it's still Wednesda...

To The Internets!

I admit it--I never have been an organized person. I am not now an organized writer, either. One day, perhaps. It's my dream to somed...

Research--How I Do It

My story ideas usually start with the characters. And I always find that giving them a name helps solidify them in my mind. (Yelling at some...

THE END isn't the end

Typing THE END isn't the end of the writer's job. Not at all, you nod sagely, now begins finding a market for all those lovely words...

The Two of Me

I’ve been asked by a fellow author about the differences in my two personas and I thought that might make a good blog topic. Let me introduc...

The Road Less Traveled

If you’re at all like me, you have a defined schedule. Up at 7:30; at work by 8:30; lunch at noon; off work at 5:00; then writing/housework ...

First Chapters Romance Writing Competitioin

Here's an interesting contest for all those aspiring unpubbed writers out there. Seems like too good an opportunity to miss! -----------...

S.T.A.R.

Have you ever looked at or listened to something that just seemed...off to you? Have you ever read a book or story or piece of story where ...

Guest Blogger - Christine Norris

Hello! As you’ve probably guessed by now, this isn’t the usual blogger. My name is Christine Norris, and I’m a children’s fantasy author. I’...

Time Traveling with an Epilogue

I just finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows [no spoilers, I promise!] and once again I must tip my hat to J.K. Rowling for...

When One can't Decide

Sometimes, one of the hardest things is to try and decide what book to start next. There are so many stories to be told, so many little tidb...

World-Building 101

Something Xandra said in her latest blog got me to thinking...I know...just about everything gets me to thinking. But when she mentioned wor...

Paint Chips

I've spent the past few months making trips every so often to Lowe's and Home Depot and loading up on paint chips. I have a stack a...

Kick A$$!

I’m lamenting the fact that I have so much to do (August 1st deadline, need I say more?) and so little time before I must pack my things to ...

Is Too Much of a Good Thing is Still Too Much ?

Since I missed my day this week, I decided to wait until the freebie days to post. Sorry, but I'm recovering from surgery and at the beg...

A thimble full of facts about Conflict

I get the feeling it's conflict week here at Star-Crossed. I don't know why I think that...it's just one of those psychic feelin...

Conflict works - with care

Reading the entry by my esteemed fellow author *grinning and waving* I thought I'd put my own thoughts to the topic. Conflict is what ca...

The Trouble With Conflict

It's said that Story is Conflict. Guess what? I suck at conflict. At a workshop taught by the fabulous Jennifer Crusie, she let on tha...

Friday the 13th: A Week in the Making

I usually don’t give much credence to the superstitious, spooky occurrences of Friday the 13th. Though I have on occasion had small bouts of...

Wednesday Whining

I’ve been trying to lose weight...well, all my life pretty much. But in the past two or three years I’ve tried really, really hard. I eat fa...

The Science of Fiction

I did something this week that I haven’t done in a while. I picked up a non-romance book to read. Like clearing the pallet after a spicy mea...

I Just Did It

No, I didn't just come from seeing "Transformers" - though I have a feeling that I'll have a date with Optimus Prime in th...