Tag Archives: fiction

Respecting Dan Brown

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

If you read Elisha Barber all the way to the end, you’ll find an Acknowledgements page. One of the first names on that page is Dan Brown. Yep, the same author everyone’s talking about this week, with the release of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, fiction, medieval, writing, writing series | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Review: Songs for a Machine Age

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

Songs for a Machine Age by Heather McDougal My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book is a delightful journey through an unusual fantasy world where machines and magic co-exist. While I didn’t find the heroine initially engaging, her talent … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews, books, fantasy, fiction, medieval technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Focus Groups Taking over the World!

Posted on April 10, 2013 by

This morning’s Wall Street Journal features an article entitled “Test-marketing a Modern Princess,” about how Disney Junior is developing their new Sofia the First television series. Yes, folks, these executives are sitting down with pre-schoolers, reading them storylines and filming … Continue reading →

Posted in books, essays, fiction, marketing, publishing, social media, Uncategorized, writing process | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Kelpie, by T. J. Wooldridge–cover reveal and raffle

Posted on March 27, 2013 by

So my plan was to return to history for this week’s blog, then I found out about my friend T. J.’s raffle, happening this week only! Read the excerpt below, and scope out the rules to win some fun prizes … Continue reading →

Posted in books, guest blogs, magic, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why We Love Violence

Posted on March 6, 2013 by

Time Magazine’s March 11 issue features a cover story about Oscar Pistorius, Olympic athlete and accused murderer. A little later on, it includes an article called “Serial Killing” about the addiction of television drama to blood. The link is the … Continue reading →

Posted in essays, fantasy, fiction | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop: Elisha Barber

Posted on January 2, 2013 by

I was tagged to participate in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop by the marvelous Heather Albano, author of two (so far!) steampunk novels you can learn more about at her post:  http://www.heatheralbano.com/2012/12/26/the-next-big-thing-blog-hop/ So without further ado: What is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elisha Barber, fantasy, fiction, historical medicine, history, magic, medieval, The Dark Apostle, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Three-act Structure Eureka!

Posted on November 28, 2012 by

Okay, I’ve heard about the three-act structure for quite some time, from a variety of sources, and had it sketched out for me in at least one workshop.  Quite frankly, it didn’t seem all that relevant.  But I finally picked … Continue reading →

Posted in writing, writing process, writing series | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Writer’s Blech

Posted on November 7, 2012 by

Over the weekend, I had a chance to talk with a writer-friend about one of the problems we all seem to face:  the moment we realize the work-in-progress (WIP) is, in fact, crap.  I think there is at least one … Continue reading →

Posted in fiction, writing, writing process | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

It was a Dark and Stormy Night. . .

Posted on October 31, 2012 by

Those of us in the Northeast are bracing right now for the “storm of the century” (yep, another one), and thinking about that old saw on New England Weather, if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute.  Me, … Continue reading →

Posted in fantasy, fiction, history, magic, writing, writing advice | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

Posted on October 24, 2012 by

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand My rating: 5 of 5 stars Anyone interested in survival of either body or spirit should read this book! This is the story of an Olympic … Continue reading →

Posted in book reviews, fiction, history, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments