Blog
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.
Research indicates our brains edit the past to accommodate present views. When we build a new memory, we gather little bits of information and store them together, say researchers at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of…
Read MoreWrite a letter they’ll read after you’re gone. In these days of electronic communication, fewer people put pen to paper. Gone are the days when everything from the mundane to the momentous made its way…
Read MoreDealing with homeless children 100 years ago In the 1800s, boatloads of immigrants arrived in U.S. port cities. They came seeking the American dream; the reality they faced was often more a nightmare. Large families,…
Read MoreGoals to keep mind and body fresh. I’ve set two goals for myself this winter: one walking and one reading. In just the first few weeks of the year, I’ve found some interesting links to…
Read MoreEarly 20th century photos inspire writing. Whether writing memoir or novel, I’ve found photos a great source of inspiration. Today, almost everyone has the ability to take photos. Digital cameras allow us to take pictures…
Read MoreResults of second annual reader survey released. If you’re a reader or writer of historical fiction, you may enjoy digging into the results of the 2013 Historical Fiction Survey. In the second year of the…
Read MoreJanuary 1 is a time for resolutions and I just made one I know I’ll have no trouble sticking with throughout the year. This afternoon, I learned about the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge, and since…
Read MoreInspiration to take big steps often comes from others. When I was 51 years old, I screwed up my courage and left behind the title, the pay check, and the prestige of the corporate world…
Read MoreFinding perspective and gratitude after suicide. When I thought about my senior years, I imagined spending a good deal of time with my older sister, Jane. Though she lived in Pennsylvania and I in Iowa,…
Read MoreA night in jail offers a change of venue to explore issues of control. I’ve slept on floors that were softer than the mattress in my cell. The pillow was hard enough to knock someone…
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