It's funny where a writing prompt may lead you. The prompt that resulted in the following excerpt suggested I write about something in which I have expertise. But what emerged (don't ask me how) was this story. Not only do I not have any expertise in the subject, I also have no experience in the … Continue reading Writing Prompts and Where They Lead You
Book Review: “A Light of Her Own” by Carrie Callaghan
Judith Leyster. Do you recognize the name? What if I added a list of her contemporaries? Hals, Rembrandt, Vermeer. “Aha!” you might say. “She’s an artist.” And indeed she was. A very gifted seventeenth century Dutch artist, and one whose works were not recognized as her own until the late nineteenth century. She was the … Continue reading Book Review: “A Light of Her Own” by Carrie Callaghan
If “Hope” was a movie…
Have you ever tried visualizing your characters as movie actors? I suppose it's rather like "If my novel were a movie..." but really it's more a means of finding an image that represents your characters' looks and personalities. I've spent some time looking for images that fit Hope and her friends. Sometimes an image will … Continue reading If “Hope” was a movie…
Book Review: Death, Disease, and Life at War by Christopher E. Loperfido
I spent much of my early life hearing stories about "Uncle Jim," aka James D. Benton, my great-great-grandfather's brother. My father, a huge Civil War buff, visited local school groups and historical societies, dressed in Uncle Jim's uniform and sharing his stories of battle conditions. His (unrealized) dream was to publish a book about the … Continue reading Book Review: Death, Disease, and Life at War by Christopher E. Loperfido
Ireland: Beauty and Bitterness
We’ve been exploring Ireland these past couple of weeks, a somewhat leisurely tour of the Emerald Isle starting in Dublin on the first of October. Three days in Dublin where we took a walking tour and a bus tour along with wandering the streets on our own. Then a train ride across to the west … Continue reading Ireland: Beauty and Bitterness
Origins: Hope
When you start a story you never know where it’s going to go. The earliest version of my novel, Hope, looks nothing like it does today. Here’s where it started: I was trying to come up with story ideas, and the thought struck me that it might be interesting to write an unlikable protagonist. Instantly, … Continue reading Origins: Hope
My (and Hope’s) New York State
This week I’m spending time in one of my favorite places—the Adirondack Mountains—and the inspiration for the setting of my WIP Hope. We are near the hamlet of Indian Lake in the southwestern part of the Adirondack Park, one of the largest forest preserves in the country. Now most people think New York City when … Continue reading My (and Hope’s) New York State
Story Origins: And Know They Love You
I grew up in a house rich with history. It was built in the early nineteenth century by a Revolutionary War veteran, home to a future Civil War Surgeon, and--quite possibly--a stop on the Underground Railroad. Central New York is well-known for its participation in the emancipation of slaves and the women's suffrage movement. Seneca … Continue reading Story Origins: And Know They Love You
#PitchWars #PWPoePrompts #BoostMyBio
Throughout the month of July, aspiring authors have been encouraged to share bits about themselves and their WIP on Twitter,#PWPoePrompts. The July 31st prompt? #BoostMyBio. Okay, so this is not July 31st…I’m a day late. I could pepper you with excuses or I could just get on with it: Once Upon A Time... there was … Continue reading #PitchWars #PWPoePrompts #BoostMyBio
How do you find “comps” for your novel?
I’ve been searching and searching for recent comps to my novel, Hope. Vinegar Hill, by A. Manette Ansay, and Sentence of Marriage, by Shayne Parkinson are close. They are relatively contemporary (although outside of the recommended limit), and they both show how the surrounding culture can pressure a woman into accepting what should be unacceptable. … Continue reading How do you find “comps” for your novel?
Susannah Willey Writes 