Blog

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As a curious observer of life, I blog on writing, marketing, my prairie - anything that interests me in the moment. I like to have conversations with readers, so don’t hesitate to leave a comment. I'll respond.

Who was she – before?

By Carol / 12 July 2010 /

My challenge today is creating a character analysis for two of the main characters in my novel.  As a writer of non-fiction, the idea of creating characters totally from imagination is a huge challenge.  For…

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Seeing horizontal in a vertical world

By Carol / 02 July 2010 /

I learned of another approach to marking trails while doing research for an article for The Iowan.  “Before highways and road signs” was published in the May/June issue. I’m reprinting the piece here with permission.…

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Coffin or casket – Does it matter?

By Carol / 13 June 2010 /

Coffin or casket? Is there a difference?  And if there is, does it matter? Until recently, I used these words interchangeably. But I learned by talking to Loren Horton, an expert on Victorian and early…

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Making social media work

By Carol / 11 May 2010 /

I’m a real neophyte when it comes to social media. I stumble around to discover paths that others have traversed easily for ages.  So I was surprised that American and former colleague Drew McLellan welcomed…

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Iowa's roadways suffer bug plague

By Carol / 29 March 2010 /

Iowa’s roadways suffered a bug plague of unprecedented proportions over this past winter, according to an official of the Clean Iowa Ditches Coalition. “Litterbugs were out in force over the winter,” confirmed Illa Pickup, spokesperson…

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Iowa's Indie bookstores – jewels on main street

By Carol / 25 March 2010 /

My love affair with bookstores stepped up a notch this past year when I was assigned to write a feature on Iowas independent bookstores for The Iowanmagazine. Visiting these unique locations and talking with the…

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Writing a place in time

By Carol / 02 March 2010 /

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres.  To experience life in a different place and a different time fascinates me. As a writer aspiring to write historical fiction, I read these books with one…

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7 things I've learned

By Carol / 27 January 2010 /

 Reflecting on the past – looking to the future. It’s a January sort of thing. So join me as I think about the 7 Things I’ve Learned in my writing life to date.   1.…

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Picking up the pieces

By Carol / 20 January 2010 /

Yesterday’s hoar frost was followed by freezing rain over night. This morning I’m watching an ice storm wreak havoc outside my window. Limbs are coated with ice. The double whammy of wind and ice is…

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What's your passion?

By Carol / 10 January 2010 /

I admire people who know their passion. People with passion get things done, often against tremendous odds. Just one example: Jonas Salk worked for decades, with passion, to find a vaccine effective against polio. We…

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