historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
Let's take a break from writing today and re-visit nature. Charlie and I recently spent ten days in Montana visiting relatives and boy was there a lot to see! We went to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, hiked a few trails, drove up and across the Beartooth Highway (elev at summit 10, 947 feet) and … Continue reading Where the Buffalo Roam…
Let me start by saying that I love Lisa Gardner's novels. Before She Disappeared, the first of Gardner's "Frankie Elkin" series, was no exception. I really bonded with Frankie; I can't say why because I am not a wanderer, nor an alcoholic, nor am I haunted by the ghosts of my past. But Frankie is … Continue reading Book Review: “One Step Too Far” by Lisa Gardner
Boy, I sure have read some awesome books this summer. The kind of books that make me wish I was "that good" at writing. I've added a couple of authors to my "read every one of their books" list. Some have been short, quick reads, others very long but they kept my interest. In all, … Continue reading June-August Book Recap
You may recall reading my posts about our three old dogs. The first one, in May 2021, introduced you to 15-year olds Emmit and Riley, 17-year old Kody, and Jelly Bean the cat. Emmit died shortly after that post. Then in August, we said goodbye to Kody. Fast forward one year, and the last of … Continue reading Three, two, one…
While I'm (not so patiently) waiting for responses to my search for an agent/publisher for War Sonnets, I decided to submit the manuscript to the Historical Fiction Company for a review. I so desperately needed some kind of moral boost! As the days passed, I realized that whatever the results, it would be a make … Continue reading A Five-Star Review for “War Sonnets”!
In September, 1942, Tadashi is on a troop carrier in the East China Sea en route to the Philippines when their ship is hit by a monsoon. As the ship rocks violently, as men are blown overboard and booms toppled, Tadashi fears that his decision to leave his family and defend his country will have … Continue reading The Poetry of “War Sonnets”: En Route to War
In the spirit of our recently celebrated Independence Day, I'd like make a proposal: National Service. It's true that military conscription is not the issue it was when I was a youth. Back then we protested being forced to participate in a war that we considered immoral. Back then we campaigned for the right to … Continue reading Soapbox: National Service
In the fall of 1944, Tadashi is a guard at the infamous Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp northeast of Manila. He has been here for two years, and learned much about the Americans held captive there, as well as the cruelty of the Japanese brass. He yearns for home, for the wife he loves and … Continue reading The Poetry of “War Sonnets:” Strange Surroundings
I first met Erin Litteken as a member of a small critique group of women's fiction writers. I was working on what I now call my "practice novel," Hope, and Erin was working on the as yet untitled story of a young woman who survived the Holodomor, Stalin's veiled attempt to eradicate the Ukranian people … Continue reading “The Memory Keeper of Kyiv” by Erin Litteken
Writing a novel is the easy part of being an aspiring author. When I finished War Sonnets, sent it through the last batch of beta readers and critiques, and polished it until it shined, I felt like I was on the home stretch. I'd written a good story, felt validated by the work I'd put … Continue reading Slogging Through the Query Trenches
Susannah Willey Writes 