My family did not have pets growing up until after I left for college. Then my…
Elaine Orr & Elaine L. Orr
The Difference Between “My Bad” and “I’m Sorry”
Admittedly, I’m not the youngest author on the block. However, I only began hearing the phrase…
Finish (or Start) that New Book for the New Year
I usually pound away at books throughout the year. In 2022, I had a bigger mix…
Give Yourself a Break with a Book
In many countries, the time between mid-December and New Year’s is fraught with frenzied activity. It’s…
Is it Book Marketing or Relating?
It’s been a while since I’ve written a post about marketing books. I let readers know…
What do Dragons and Mice have to do with Writing?
Turns out dragons and mice are very relevant. Lancelot Schaubert’s piece (November 29, 2022 on Writer…
The Best Advice Top Authors Received
And some they offer to others. At the Prime Crime at the Columbia Club conference the…
Authenticity Plus Creativity = a Well Researched Book
The Prime Crime Panel “Research: Write What You Know or Study Up?” brought together four panelists…
A Panel on Research in Writing
As someone who did analytical research for years, I like to delve into almost any topic.…
In a World Where Makeup Matters
I followed a link in something I was reading (can’t remember what, truly) and it took…
Why is it so Hard to Write Sometimes?
“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty…
When to Keep a Secret and When to Tell Readers More
Authors who write a series — whether sci fi, fantasy, mystery, romance, or family saga —…
Writing in First Person vs Third Person
I write four mystery series, two in first person point of view (Jolie Gentil and River’s…
Remember When People Thought 50 Was Old?
My friends and siblings and I have discussed that we feel (and sometimes look) younger than…
My Family’s History Contributes to Mysteries
Each summer for twenty-seven years, I’ve headed to Southwest Missouri for the reunion of Orr and…
It’s Fun to See Who Buys Your Books
I often tout the benefits of selling my books at all online retailers (termed “going wide”…
The Frantic Finale — Finishing a Book
I am a very methodical writer in the sense that it’s my job and I keep…
Building New Interest in Older Series
I write four series, but a couple of them have been “stuck” with only three books.…
Building Worlds in Fiction
Often, world building refers to creating cast/setting/story line for a fantasy series. I’m in awe of…
Why Buy Directly from Smashwords?
Though this 12+ year-old company was recently merged with Draft2Digital, Smashwords still operates. One reason D2D…
Can You Start Writing Before Knowing the End of a Story?
The short answer is “sure,” but the longer one would be, “Start if your characters and…
Mobi is Mosey’n On
I often encourage readers do download MOBI files from Smashwords and email them (via Amazon’s Kindle…
You Can’t Write Well if You Don’t Read
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to…
Subscription Services and Libraries Can Save Money for Readers
Everyone is trying to squeeze an extra quarter from a dollar these days. For me that…