Category: Guest Blog

“What were you thinking?” K. E. Karl

I am often asked this when I tell people I smuggled munitions into South Africa for the African National Congress—Nelson Mandela’s organization—in the 1970s and early 1980s. My recently published book, Our Man in Mbabane: A Novel Based on a True Story, is about… Continue Reading ““What were you thinking?” K. E. Karl”

Interview with Dana Dargos and Said Al Bizri

1-When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? My writing journey began in kindergarten, where I’d create crayon-scribbled, staple-ridden stories (drawing inspiration from diverse entertainment media, such as Bluth’s “The Land Before Time” and the videogame “Jak and Daxter”), and proudly present… Continue Reading “Interview with Dana Dargos and Said Al Bizri”

Nonfiction and Me by Jessica Marie Baumgartner

When most people talk about books or writing they usually mean fiction. I’ve created plenty of my own worlds and original stories, but my most prominent tales are all true stories. Nonfiction is incredibly underrated. From Michelle Obama’s memoir to I Am Malala, Born… Continue Reading “Nonfiction and Me by Jessica Marie Baumgartner”

The Hidden Protagonist by Ron Zayas

I was halfway through my novel, following my character descriptions and intricate outline to a T, when I realized I had the wrong hero.

Nancy Burkhalter – The Education of Delhomme: Chopin, Sand, & La France – Le Mot Juste

Nancy Burkhalter The Education of Delhomme: Chopin, Sand, & La France Le Mot Juste For the historical novelist, thorough research is mandatory. We must make sure that the Union Pacific train ran through Laramie, Wyoming, in 1880 and not the Burlington Northern. Even if… Continue Reading “Nancy Burkhalter – The Education of Delhomme: Chopin, Sand, & La France – Le Mot Juste”

Off-Island by Marlene Hauser

The release of my novel Off-Island in paperback by Matador, part of Troubador Publishing had been long overdue. Originally written in 1982 and entitled Krystal, the then name of the main character, it was shelved after several major publishing houses in New York took a pass. As… Continue Reading “Off-Island by Marlene Hauser”

Funny Things by Jennifer deBie

Being a novelist is a funny thing. It’s a funny thing for a whole host of reasons, but the funniness of it struck me particularly hard this past weekend, when I realized at 1:32AM Saturday morning that I was stone-cold sober, and earnestly researching… Continue Reading “Funny Things by Jennifer deBie”

Inspiration by Donald Furrow-Scott

  After four years of writing four novels and fully outlining four more, a calm is overcoming my muse this summer. It is not a fit of writer’s block, in fact, quite the opposite. Nor is it some f​uror poeticus​ that will result in… Continue Reading “Inspiration by Donald Furrow-Scott”

Thoughts on writing a collection of interlinked stories by Elizabeth Merry

Carey Harrison, novelist and playwright, said once, that if you get into the habit of writing novels, short stories, plays, or television scripts, then every idea you get turns itself into the appropriate length. And to avoid that, you should aim for different lengths,… Continue Reading “Thoughts on writing a collection of interlinked stories by Elizabeth Merry”