This isn’t a blog about the ups and downs of the romantic suspense genre. Rather, it’s about the light and dark. To clarify, I’m using those words as a “simplistic umbrella” when describing novel elements and author styles. It’s also how I categorize my works of fiction. Just because I write light, doesn’t mean I can’t […]
Archive | Musings
4 Benefits of a Book-Based Education
“Formal education gets you a job. Self-education makes you rich.” ~ Jim Rohn There are countless success stories told by millionaires, icons, leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, celebrities, influencers, professionals, and authors who gained their education from books. Whether they didn’t succeed in a formal teaching environment or didn’t have access to, or the luxury of, traditional […]
Brews and Books: Coffees to Pair with Your Morning Read
If you’re a morning person, you probably also have a morning routine. Exercise, meditation, podcasts, newspaper, prayer, journaling, taking a walk, or doing something that is just for you before the day gets rolling. Because once it does, often you’re at the mercy of other people’s schedules. Still, whether you work at home, from home, […]
Books That Will Make You a More Well-Rounded Person
Do you remember filling out your college applications? Along with your GPA and essays there were questions about your extracurricular activities. The emphasis was on finding out whether you were a well-rounded person. But being “well-rounded” is much more than participating in the Glee Club or volunteering at your local pet shelter. It includes adopting […]
Elements Authors Use to Build the Intense Suspense
You’ve just tossed a handful of popcorn into your mouth when “Bam!” the killer jumps out of the closet. You jump, choke, and rush to the kitchen for a cool drink to clear the cough and curb your adrenaline. While that movie success is the result of a million-dollar budget, authors don’t have that luxury. […]
No Such Thing as a Bad Review
Let’s face it. No one likes criticism. Well, at least the destructive kind which hurts to read and possibly leads to scars or setbacks. But we also can agree that constructive criticism is useful. While there’s positives and negatives to all feedback, the “bad reviews” of books are largely of the latter. Now I’m not […]
Push On To Publishing
Guest Post: Push On To Publishing by Diana Rubino To all published and aspiring authors, my story (and learned experiences) will inspire you to push on to publishing if nothing else will. It’s unique because I’m probably the longest aspiring author to be published—18 years. As every grade school kid, I wrote short stories growing […]
Five “Killer” Genres Unpacked: The Difference Between a Mystery, Detective, Crime, Thriller, and Suspense Novel
Someone is killed in the book, therefore it’s a thriller. Or is it a mystery? A killer left a string of clues, so it’s a suspense. No, it must be a mystery. Right and wrong. Now you get why this can be so darn confusing! The “Killer Genres” are one of those tricky, sticky, picky […]
Literary Lounging: Discovering the Ideal Sofas for Book Lovers
For book enthusiasts, a cozy reading nook is not just a corner of the room; it’s a sanctuary where stories come to life and imaginations flourish. Central to this haven is the perfect sofa, inviting readers to lose themselves in the magic of words. In this exploration, we delve into two iconic sofas, the Cloud […]
Finding Time to Write
This is an ongoing challenge for so many writers because life “gets in the way.” Any writer and author you talk with will share their ongoing battle with choosing between getting word count met or taking care of personal and professional business. Of course, if you’re on a publisher’s deadline, the accountability helps.But not everyone is. Therefore, […]