Do you believe in ghosts?
Paul does.
Remember Me: A Sonnet for Marigold is a page-turning and unpredictable journey of true love.
The Perfect Book to Read This Week
reading
Now, That’s Action!
Shortly after I began writing, some ten-plus years ago, I met a film director at a conference. In the course of our short conversation, he gave me a simple piece of advice I have never forgotten—“From the very first sentence, drop your reader into the midst of the action,” he said.
He gave me the examples of beginning with the screams of a mother giving birth or a firefighter running out of a burning house with a child in his arms.
Now, that’s action.
That’s suspense!
That’s called “engaging the reader”.
If you don’t give readers a reason to turn the page and read more, they will put your book down.
It’s as simple as that.
It’s as easy as picturing it in your mind’s eye
because
your book is a movie
in your own words.
These Are Sure to be Bestsellers
Stories of earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and tornadoes have dominated the news this week. If you are looking for a story to write, whether fiction or nonfiction, you have no further to look than out your own front window.
Some such stories have been made into Hollywood movies because they are sensational and tap into the deepest of human emotions. Who hasn’t enjoyed watching Volcano!, Twisters, San Andreas, Ash fall, or Tidal Wave—just to name a few?
These topics are almost sure to be bestsellers, if well-written and provide a new “twist.”
Get A Life!
Writers, over the years I have found my “writing” life taking on a existence of its own. I often feel like I live in two different worlds—mostly in the world of fiction I create for myself and my readers.
Last night, we had some neighbors over. I had a really good time visiting with them and I realized that many of my book ideas have come from little snippets of “real life”.
If you are someone who loves to write, I would caution you not to take your writing so seriously that you forget to connect with friends and family and enjoy life to its fullest.
In Search of a Compelling Read?
My background as a school guidance counselor, and degrees in Special Education and Psychology help me tell realistic stories–compelling dramas about how we respond when our dreams are shattered.
Books on a Budget
As a kid, I often went to a thrift store to buy used books to read. Today, it’s still worth the trip to Goodwill or Salvation Army to find books for those of us who read a lot and/or are on a budget.
However, if you’re looking for new releases, you can find deals on websites such as Book Sirens, Goodreads, and Book Bub.
Most give readers free copies (usually e-books) in exchange for writing unbiased reviews. Authors furnish books to them in hopes of garnering reviews, which are “golden” to writers, increasing their rank on Amazon and other websites.
Think writing reviews takes lots of time and more skill than you currently have?
Next week, I’ll tackle that question.
Another Reason to Celebrate!
July 4th is a big day for our country. I’ll be wearing my 250th Birthday shirt and I intend to celebrate!
Another reason I’m looking forward to the 4th of July this year? The launch of Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us.
Set in the 1970’s, this novel is the first of a series of three books that will follow four families up to the present time.
Heartaches?
Sure.
Twists and turns?
Of course!
Moments to cherish and ponder?
That’s what it’s all about.
For the next few days, I will be sharing excerpts from my first editorial review . . . FIVE STARS!
Happy Fourth of July!
Answer These 10 Questions
Please give your opinion on current books vying for your consumer dollar.
Do you look for books which have:
1- A story spanning a number of years -or- a story that is more of a “snapshot” of an incident or brief period of time?
2- A mystery, suspense, emotion-packed, roller-coaster of a book -or a lazy, slow-moving, descriptive, “feel good” experience?
3- A book that has a moral or truth to be discovered and applied to the reader’s life?
4- A historical book, whether fiction or non-fiction?
5- A shocking read, the product of a writer’s imagination that will “blow your mind”? A funny, light-hearted read?
6- Non-fiction or fiction?
7- Having a satisfying ending -or- a conclusion that is left “up in the air”– to the interpretation of the reader?
8. Is about 250 pages -or- more than 250 pages?
9. Even though the story might be fiction, it contains real information about a topic you might be interested in. For example, you may want to read ROMANCE, but are intrigued to learn about the life of Olympic skaters (who are the main characters in the love story), the way they train, the role of coaches, the process of being “discovered”, and so on.
10. Inspirational, changing your thinking or the direction of your life . . . having emotional impact?
**Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your answers will help guide writers in their quest to give you the best possible choices in contemporary literature!
America Reads the Bible
Psalm 119:105- “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
From April 18-25. 2026, a week-long event, America Reads the Bible took place in our nation’s capital.
Lasting eighty-four consecutive hours, nearly five hundred people read scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
Pure Fix carried the reading into homes nationwide.
There was no commentary. Just reading from the Word of God.
Pastors, worship leaders, entertainers, and so on honored God in this reading of the entire Bible, hoping to see families awaken back to simple Christianity.
The Tiny Story
I recently came across a term I hadn’t heard before.
Micro-fiction. Also known as Flash Fiction.
A few minutes of research later revealed the following:
Micro-fiction is a VERY short story, often 500 words.
Featuring strong imagery and emotional impact, this type of writing is often found in magazines and online platforms.
This type of writing forces writers to convey character, emotion, and plot in only a smattering of sentences.
