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Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Should Authors Stick to Writing in One Genre?

January 22, 2021 By Jody Hedlund

A fellow writer recently asked me: “How do you stick to one story? I find I have an overabundance of stories I'd love to tell, but they're scattered over different genres and times in history. I try to write whatever I can, just to get the stories down and find my voice, but it's so hard to choose just one and stick to it!” When I first started my journey to publication, the general opinion in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: Jody Hedlund

A New Series & New Book! (Plus a Giveaway!)

January 8, 2021 By Jody Hedlund

A Cowboy for Keeps, the first book in my Colorado Cowboys series, is now available! As I’ve shared the word about my newest series, some of my readers are surprised by the cowboy theme. And I’ve had to reassure everyone that, no, I’m not switching genres and writing westerns! This new series is another historical romance with my trademark plot twists, vibrant settings, and deeply emotional … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Assorted & Sundry, Reading Tagged With: Jody Hedlund, new release

How to Beat the “I-can’t-do-this” Mindset

December 18, 2020 By Jody Hedlund

Recently a reader by the name of Joanne sent me an email and said: “My dream is to be an author someday . . . Every time I sit down to write, fear rears its head and screams at me, "you can't do this," "what makes you think you have anything worth writing?" or more recently, "you won't stick this out so why even try?" So in the end, all I have is an empty page of fears. I wish I could push past … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: Insecurities, Jody Hedlund

Story Boards (and a Giveaway!)

November 20, 2020 By Jody Hedlund

Do you like Sleeping Beauty retellings? BESOTTED, the third and final book in The Fairest Maidens, is now available and is a unique retelling of the old classic fairy tale. Each book of the series is fashioned after a fairy tale BEHOLDEN (September) is loosely tied to Cinderella,  BEGUILED (October) is developed around Snow White. And, as mentioned, BESOTTED (November) is a retelling of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Reading Tagged With: Jody Hedlund, new release, The Fairest Maidens Series

5 Tips for How to Start the First Chapter

November 6, 2020 By Jody Hedlund

Recently Abby K sent me an email and said: “I am 15 and my dream is to be a published author. I am currently working on a medieval fantasy and having a hard time starting it. Do you have advice on how to start the first chapter? Do you have any advice on how to finish a manuscript and keep yourself motivated? I always jump from one project to the next.” Beginnings and endings. The take-offs and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: First Chapter, Jody Hedlund, Writing Tips

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