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Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Do you finish (a series) as you start?

June 19, 2024 By D'Ann Mateer

I happened upon a dilemma recently:  If I start a series in one form, can I satisfactorily complete it in another?  Let me explain.  Say there is a series I started in paperback. Then the ebook for #2 goes on sale. Do I break format to read the book? Or do I wait and finish the whole series in paperback?  I know this might sound a little crazy to some of you, but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Reading Tagged With: Audio Books, eBooks, paperback books, series

Novelettes and Novellas and Novels, Oh My! 

June 5, 2024 By D'Ann Mateer

Recently I started working on a short story which will soon be a giveaway to my newsletter subscribers. Except I ended up writing a novelette!  What is a novelette, you ask? And are you suddenly wondering about the definition of a novella or even a short story?  I’m here to demystify some of the forms of fiction for those of you who are readers and not writers.  A Short … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Reading, Writing Tagged With: forms of fiction, novel, Novella, short story

Fan Fiction Contest

May 2, 2024 By Karen Witemeyer

. One of the characters in my latest book - If the Boot Fits - is a young boy with a vivid imagination. Fergus Ellis is the hero's youngest brother, and he never goes anywhere without his pencil and tablet. He names the animals around the house and dreams up adventures for them that he jots down in his tablet. He has dubbed the family milk cow Mrs. Merriweather and has set her up as banyard … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Reading, Writing Tagged With: Childrens Stories, Fan Fiction Contest

Reading & Recipes

March 21, 2024 By Karen Witemeyer

Much of family life happens around food. Special occasions are celebrated with a favorite meal followed by a yummy dessert. People connect as they chat around the dinner table. Difficult problems are hashed out over a cup of tea or a shared pot of coffee. Illness is battled with chicken soup and a sympathetic touch. It can be the same in fictional worlds. So, when my characters share a meal, I try … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Reading, Recipes Tagged With: Book Excerpt, If the Boot Fits

If the Boot Fits – Coming Soon!

March 7, 2024 By Karen Witemeyer

Book 2 in my Texas Ever After series releases in just 5 days! I'm so excited to share this story with you. Reimagining the Cinderella fairy tale in an 1800's Texas setting has been so much fun. I was inspired by the classic line from Woody in Toy Story 2 – If the boot fits. What could be a more perfect premise for a western Cinderella, than to replace the glass slipper with a cowboy boot? That … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Books, Reading, Writing Tagged With: Behind the Book, If the Boot Fits, New Releases

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