On this Veterans’ Day and everyday, I thank all military members, past and present, for their service. Did anyone wonder what is the difference between Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day? Veterans’ Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. Memorial Day is celebrated to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving […]
Author Interview with Stacey Gustafson
Today, I’m pleased to participate in a blog tour and interview Stacey Gustafson, author of Are You Kidding Me? My Life with an Extremely Loud Family, Bathroom Calamities, and Crazy Relatives. Julaina: Since you are a friend of mine, I know you, but for our readers, who is Stacey Gustafson? Stacey: I’m a humor writer, […]
Flash Fiction Book, UP, DO
Patricia Flaherty Pagan edited Up, Do, an anthology of thirty-three flash stories by award-winning and emerging writers. The four categories are “Our Hearts”, “Our Bodies”, “Our possible Futures”, and “Our Dreams; Our nightmares.” In the Introduction, Pagan writes: “I subscribe to the theory that flash fiction is like a geode of a larger narrative. Slicing […]
Your Characters’ Smiles
Can you tell the difference between a fake smile and a natural smile? A genuine smile includes wrinkles around the eyes, the mouth muscles move, the cheeks rise, and eyebrows dip slightly. Research has shown that an apology given with a smile in a courtroom, produces a lesser penalty than an apology without a smile. […]
Ray Bradbury Quotes
Ray Bradbury has said: “I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows, or gorillas. When this occurs, I pack up my dinosaurs and leave the room.” “Creativity is a continual surprise.” “I’m not in control of my muse. My muse does all the work.” “Write a short story every […]
Mystery Authors Night at Towne Center Books
Mystery Authors Night at Town Center Books this evening featured Penny Warner, Sophie Littlefield, and Carole Price. Penny Warner, known for her Party Planning Mysteries,The Official Nancy Drew Handbook, and the Code Busters Club series, has a new book out called Death of a Crabby Cook. She writes under a pen name, Penny Pike for […]
Legends in your Story
One instructor of a writing class told the members to add a legend or myth to the story. One whose elements would reflect an aspect of the plot or character. In my novel, Norman in the Painting, I’ve tried to think of a myth that continues by word of mouth in the small town where […]