by Christie Nelson | Jul 2, 2018 | Articles, News + Features, Research, Resources for Writers, Writer to Writer, Writing Process
It’s been said novelists have been driven mad trying to move characters from one room to the next. Spatial arrangements are often not our forte. But stories are deeply rooted in settings. In fact, place holds a key role in fiction. Try to imagine Willa Cather’s novels...
by Meredith Jaeger | Jun 29, 2018 | Articles, News + Features, Research, Writer to Writer, Writing Inspiration
I take pride in where I come from. As a native of Berkeley, or “Berserkely,” as legendary San Francisco columnist Herb Caen dubbed it, I represent the “Yay Area” with as much enthusiasm as E-40. I didn’t become a famous rapper like my Berkeley High School...
by editor | Jun 27, 2018 | Author Interviews, Writer to Writer, Writing Inspiration, Writing Process, Written
Why did you choose the 1830s England and France for your novels? Were there any books that inspired the fictional aspects of your work? The Industrial Revolution, new vision, and political reform made it an exciting time of changing norms. Two of my go-to favorite...
by Holly Niner | Jun 22, 2018 | Articles, News + Features, Resources for Writers, Writer to Writer, Writing Inspiration, Writing Process
The swing hung from the branch of a willow tree split in two by lightning. It was my quiet place. Under its shade, I observed the world, contemplated life, and read more books than I can count. The books came from a wonderful city library with circular staircases and...
by Jill Kolongowski | Jun 20, 2018 | Articles, Guest Contributors, News + Features, Resources for Writers, Writer to Writer, Writing Inspiration, Writing Process
Writing a first book is one thing. Writing a first book on a four-month deadline is another. So much is written about the joy of publishing a book, but less often discussed is the emotional minefield on the way to that published book. Writing my first book about a...
by Meredith Grant | Jun 13, 2018 | Articles, Author Interviews, News + Features, Writer to Writer, Writing Inspiration, Writing Process, Written
I had the pleasure of reading Under the Birch Tree to review for San Francisco Book Review. I hope you enjoyed providing your insights and experiences with us. What first inspired you to write your story? There was something about trees. When I was a young girl, maybe...