historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
1920 On my thirteenth birthday everything changed. I was up and out early to check my trap lines. The air was full of the sounds and smells of spring: the sweet scent of Ma’s favorite purple lilacs, the sing-song warble of mating orioles. My overalls were soaked to the knees from walking through the hay … Continue reading Teaser: Chapter 1 of “Hope”
I’ve just completed the umpteenth edit of Hope and I’m wondering: What more will it take to make this novel publish-worthy? According to my betas and developmental editor I’m getting closer. “Readers want a protagonist who takes charge, who wins against all odds,” is what I’m told. But that’s not what life was like in … Continue reading Editing Woes
Authors: How many times have you wanted to chuck this whole writing thing? C’mon now, I see you hiding in the corner. Fess up. Maybe it’s the bleak weather, but right now anything to do with writing is the last thing I want to do. Writing has become a chore instead of a passion. Having … Continue reading My Love-Hate Relationship With Writing
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
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…
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
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
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
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
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 