When I first decided to write Hush, Little Baby, all I had were the subject of the book and the two main characters. Since these characters were little people and I knew next to nothing about how they lived, I really needed to do some serious research. Through it, I learned a lot, such as […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Pamela S. Meyers and an appointment made by God
I have attended the Pioneer City Rodeo in rural Palestine, Illinois, over Labor Day weekend for many years. For almost as long, I’ve wanted to set a story in this town five hours south of my home in Chicagoland. But how to get all the details right? About two years ago, I drafted the story and […]
Behind the Scenes: Researching the Amish by Sci-Fi Author Kerry Nietz
Author Kerry Nietz gave himself the challenge of bringing to the printed page a jest about writing the ultimate cross-genre novel, to be titled Amish Vampires in Space. He did a great job; his book that has won some awards. Sci-fi he could handle. Vampires, same. But Amish romance? Find out how he researched it here: http://www.speculativefaith.com/amish-eye-for-the-sci-fi-guy-part-1/
Behind the Scenes: Author Ada Brownell exposes insane asylums of 100 years ago
In the early days of asylums, people who had seizures were thought to be lunatics or demon possessed. The public thought the same of those with Down’s Syndrome. Even paralyzed people were committed to asylums because the public believed paralysis was caused by humors in the brain. I once worked as a reporter for The […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Cleo Lampos discovers the orphan trains
The books on the gift shop shelf featured grainy photos of children huddled around coal driven steam engines. Dressed in turn of the century clothes, some ragamuffins carried grief like luggage, but others appeared wide eyed with adventure. “Orphan trains,” my brother explained. “Those children were adopted here in the St. Cloud, Minnesota area. They […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Terri Wangard in a WWII Flying Fortress
Here’s how to make World War II come alive in your mind: ride in a Flying Fortress like I did. My World War II series Promise For Tomorrow features three navigators who fly in B-17s, the Flying Fortress. You may have seen them in movies like Memphis Belle, where the men speak to each other […]
Behind the Scenes: Help from Dad for author Paula Mowery
My newest release, For Our Good, features a corporate pilot named Colton. I’m very familiar with this line of work since my father was a corporate pilot for many years before recently retiring. One of his experiences sparked this story. Colton is approached by a mysterious man about carrying a parcel in his plane in […]
Behind the Scenes: Trip to an Island by Tiffany Amber Stockton
Ever since childhood when I first saw the film Somewhere in Time, starring Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman) and Christopher Reeve (Superman), I dreamed of visiting Mackinac Island (pronounced Mak-i-naw). Once the writing bug bit me, I searched for a good story to set on Mackinac. Two years after sending the story to my […]
Behind the scenes: author Darlene Franklin tells of candy hearts
When I was brainstorming for my Valentine’s story, “My Candy Valentine,” I thought of those candy hearts with sayings printed on them. I was surprised to learn that “conversation hearts” have been around since 1866, in plenty of time for my 1916 story. Necco, the company that makes the conversation hearts, adds new sayings every […]
Research: Embrace It or Shun It by Carole Brown
I enjoy digging into new and interesting things. Here’s an idea of what kind of research I’ve done for recent books: The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman. A woman’s fiction with strong elements of suspense and romance: Tattoos–what would work and what wouldn’t. A design of my own or a pre-designed one? West Virginia and whatever […]