Regency romance, romantic mysteries, & writing tips too.
Part of the fun of reading (and writing) Regency romance is the characters’ names. If you write Regencies, chances are that you’re always searching for names you can use. How do you develop names for your Regency romance characters? I use a book by Sherrilyn Kenyon, The Writer’s Digest Character Naming Sourcebook, for inspiration. It … Read more
At one of our writers’ group meetings last year, we talked about minor characters, and our discussion has stuck in my mind. When I create standard minor characters and walk-ons, such as the main character’s best friend, the waitress at the diner, and the car salesman, I look for opportunities to flesh out these characters … Read more
Our writers’ group met for the first time in 2017. Our discussion centered on plotting fiction and subplots. My own challenge with subplots is that they multiply like weeds. Before I know it, I’ve got half a dozen story threads which could be subplots, and my main plot’s vanished in the mayhem. Other writers in … Read more
How do you keep writing fiction when you want to give up? On some days you don’t want to write. That’s fine. Take a break. But what happens if it’s not just a mood, and you feel as if you should give up fiction now because you’re wasting time, money, and energy? Before you give … Read more
You’re writing a novel. Some days you’re exhilarated, and on rare days you’re in the depths of despair. You don’t know whether you’re doing anything right. You’re sure you’re making lots of mistakes. The things no one tells you about writing a novel When I wrote my first novel, I can remember thinking about something … Read more