Crossing The Pond

My friend, Becky Lower, loves writing American historical romance novels as much as I do. I’ve enjoyed every one of her books, and I’m so pleased she is visiting me today. Welcome, Becky. Tell us about your new venture. When I first began to write novels, I hadn’t done too much research into the genres that sell best. I just knew what I loved to read–American historicals and English romances. I cut my teeth on Laura Ingalls Wilder and later on The Kent Family Chronicles by John Jakes, but I also loved reading about English aristocracy with the Cotillion balls, Read More

The American Revolution from the Loyalist Point of View

Elaine Couglar and I have a lot in common. Like me, Elaine Couglar is a retired teacher. Like me, Elaine writes historical fiction set during the American Revolution. Our approach in our writing is, shall we say…different. Elaine writes from the Loyalist point of view, and I write from the Patriot’s point of view. How fun is that? Welcome, Elaine. Talk about the books you’ve written. What was the first seed of an idea you had for your book? How did it develop? Almost ten years ago my son asked me if there was anything I wished I had done Read More

A Partridge, A Pear Tree and Three French…Inns? A Sweet Regency

Patricia Kiyono is dedicated to her craft. I know this because I’ve had the opportunity to work with her in brainstorming sessions and writing sprints. Her pursuit of excellence is evident in her books. I am so pleased to welcome Patricia to my blog today. Patricia, talk about the books you’ve written. What was the first seed of an idea you had for your book? How did it develop? The first idea for Three French Inns came about because of the popularity of The Partridge and the Peartree, followed by Two Tutor Doves. I decided to continue the series, and Read More

From Vampires to Sci-fi to Romance, Linda Kepner Likes Adventure in Her Stories

Linda Kepner and I had crossed paths long before we knew each other as writers. Today, our paths merge again on our author journeys. I am so pleased to welcome her to my blog today. So, Linda, please tell us a little about yourself. I am a multi-genre writer – I write science fiction, fantasy, slightly historical (1969) romance, and vampire fiction. I grew up on a farm in New York State, about 65 miles from Montreal; graduated from a college (Eisenhower) and got my advanced degree (Geneseo) in the same Finger Lakes region where Elizabeth’s The Cavanaugh House is Read More

One Way to Grow a Series of Novels

Writing a series can be challenging because of pesky issues like enough—but not too much—backstory, keeping characters’ names, physical attributes and personalities consistent, and keeping the stories fresh. Today Alice Orr talks about how she planted this garden and keeps it thriving in her Riverton Road series. Her latest in the series is A Villain for Vanessa. Welcome, Alice! A fiction series is a living thing. To keep it alive the author must keep it growing. She must never allow it to stagnate. An important component of a growing series is its location. In my Riverton Road Romantic Suspense series, Read More