Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Word of Mouth: One of the Most Powerful Tools in Helping a Book Succeed

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Think for a few minutes about the kinds of things that make you want to pick up a book and read it. Most of the time we read a book because it's by an author we already know and love. Sometimes a cover might attract us to take a closer look, particularly if we're browsing in a brick-and-mortar store. But I'm guessing the large majority of us discover books based on word of mouth. The … [Read more...]

Why Are Novellas So Popular? (Plus a FREE Novella!)

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A novella is simply a short novel, usually about a quarter or third of the size of a full-length book. It contains all the same elements as a novel: well-drawn characters, interesting plot, love interest (for romances), and internal character growth. But the story is much less complicated and moves fairly quickly. As publishing and books have entered the digital age, novellas have increased in … [Read more...]

The Power of Stories

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As an avid reader, I LOVE to be entertained by a well-told story. And of course as a writer, I LOVE when readers say things like: I couldn’t put your book down or it kept me up past bedtime. Fiction is supposed to be entertaining—a good story with lovable characters wrapped up in a riveting plot. But books are more than pure entertainment. They are laced with incredible power. First they … [Read more...]

Why I Love Writing YA (And a giveaway!)

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Today I’m celebrating the release of a new book! While officially the book doesn’t hit shelves until next Tuesday (March 7), I decided today was close enough to start partying and have a giveaway! FOR LOVE & HONOR is the third and final book in my Young Adult series set during medieval times and centering around knights, castles, and daring damsels. For those who haven’t yet read An … [Read more...]

4 Reasons Romance Novels Are an Important & Valid Type of Literature

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I couldn’t pass up the opportunity during Valentine’s week to have a post about romance—particularly about writing romances. Even though nowadays romance novels are widely accepted and liked, there are still people who turn up their noses at the thought of reading a romance (or writing one). Some view such novels as “fluffy” or “trashy” or “titillating.” They may believe that romance novels … [Read more...]

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