So Barb H. had a wonderful idea, "Perhaps St Patrick's day has always been unlucky for Clancy because that is when her father died or her husband left her or she lost a child. I am getting all these crazy ideas and am probably off base. I will be anxious to hear what you say!" Barb thinks like I do! So now I have these elements...a time frame (St. Patrick's Day), interesting factoids (people actually DO make their own luck to some extent), a … [Read more...] about How I Write a Short Story, Part III
How I Write Short Stories, Part 2
In Part 1, I chose a theme (getting lucky) and did some research. Now I need a conflict, some sort of friction, because conflict drives action. Since this is a short story, and not a book, I need to keep it simple. A disagreement. A problem. A minor hassle. Hmmm. Okay, what about someone who complains that she is chronically unlucky bumping up against the luckiest woman on earth? These words resonate with me because right now there's a really … [Read more...] about How I Write Short Stories, Part 2
How I Write Short Stories–Part I
I get a lot of questions about how I write short stories, so I thought I'd take you through my process, step-by-step. Just so you know, I don't consider myself an expert. There are probably a million ways to approach a project like this. But perhaps walking through it with me will be interesting to some of you. I'm going to concentrate on how I write the Kiki Lowenstein Short Stories because I'd done so many of them. Part I -- What's the point? … [Read more...] about How I Write Short Stories–Part I
What's the Difference? Blurb, Review, and Back Cover Copy?
A reader recently asked me to explain a few term that can be confusing. Knowing the difference might help you, as a reader, better discern whether a book is right for you. Blurb, Review and Back Cover Copy * In the book business, a "blurb" is a comment made by one author regarding the merits of a book by another author. These are always positive, and usually you try to match the blurber's audience to your intended audience. "Reviews" … [Read more...] about What's the Difference? Blurb, Review, and Back Cover Copy?
Ten Things I Learned from Alice Zinn that Any Miniature Enthusiast Can Use — Plus a Contest!
By Joanna Campbell Slan 1. Label all your storage containers. It makes locating items so much easier. Win this basket by Alice Zinn. Go to Joanna's Facebook page for details. http://www.Facebook.com/JoannaCampbellSlan and click on the GIVEAWAYS icon in bright blue under the BIG picture of Joanna. 2. Use plastic storage containers. You never know when there will be … [Read more...] about Ten Things I Learned from Alice Zinn that Any Miniature Enthusiast Can Use — Plus a Contest!
Happy Valentine's Day! (I'm Feeling the Love!)
Hi Joanna, I just wanted you to know that I was so excited to find out my copy of Shotgun, Wedding, Bells was waiting for me on my kindle when I went to bed. I had to read "just a little bit." I am now starting chapter 45 and forcing myself to stop reading (it is after 1am) but man oh man that is a tough thing to do! The book is WONDERFUL! It is by far your best Kiki story ever! I know it is full of tragic … [Read more...] about Happy Valentine's Day! (I'm Feeling the Love!)
