Fiction is all about the protagonist’s journey. What challenges does the protagonist face, what’s at stake? Is he/she/it looking for a...
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Q&A – Historical Fiction Novels for Newbies
Wading into the waters of historical fiction for the first time can be intimidating. With so many sub-genres under the umbrella term of "historical...
Q & A – Do You Hide Easter Eggs in Your Stories
Language is funny. Who would have thought the term Easter egg would ever refer to something other than those hard-boiled, colored things the Easter...
Q & A What is the Spark that Prompted Your Book
The world of historical fiction is full of amazing, interesting, and fascinating stories. I often wonder what sparks authors to write the stories...
Q&A: Favorite Ways to Interact with Readers by Guest Blogger Michael Ross
PLW NOTE: This is a guest post by historical fiction author Michael Ross. Thanks, Michael! *** Reader interaction is one of my favorite parts of...
Q&A – Something You Don’t Like About the Period You Write In
In order to be an author of historical fiction, an author must get really down and dirty in their chosen timeframe. The more intimate the research...
Q & A – Novel Pet Peeves
Every day, more and more novels become available for our reading pleasure. But sometimes, in the rush to get a novel written and published, things...
Q & A – Setting of Your Current Work in Progress – Where & Why?
Where a novel is set determines so many things about a story—the landscape, the architecture, the clothing, the food, the customs, the music, the...
Our Lanterns’ Favorite Holiday Books and Movies
For many, the holidays are about traditions; those past down from generation to generation and new ones we make, placing our own unique touch on the...
Dear Author… Thank You!
Writers become writers because they were first readers. Readers who got lost in someone else’s story and subsequently found their vocation. Today, a...
Q&A: What Strategies Do You Use to Keep Focused on Writing During the Holiday Season?
Since I have taken on the challenge of becoming a serious writer, I have discovered how easy it is to allow outside distractions to pull me away...
Q & A – Books to Make A Bad Commute Better
Rumor has it we’ve headed back to school and back to work. Even if you’re barely easing back into the outer world, the Paper Lantern Writers have...
Q & A – Can A Good Book Be Badly Written?
Writing gurus opine about plot, character, setting and a whole host of other factors that ensure a book’s success. But does every author really need...
Q & A – Your Museum Exhibit and Its Theme
I can remember as a child the excitement and awe of walking through the King Tut exhibit. It gave me a chance to peer into the life and death of an...
Q&A: Childhood Hiding Spots to Read
As we approach summer, it’s fun to remember the places we once stole away to in order to immerse ourselves in a good book. For this month’s Q&A,...
Q & A – How Would Your Characters Celebrate Easter?
When I recall Easter celebrations of my youth, I think of church and the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It was a day when girls wore...
Q & A – What is Your Love Language?
Photo by Maira Gallardo on Unsplash For me, the word February conjures up visions of Valentine’s Day — a holiday we’ve been conditioned to associate...
Q & A – Christmas Memories
With the winter season fast approaching, the dark nights lengthen and many days are marked by a gray overcast, rain, or fog. But together we’ve...
Q & A – What is Your Favorite Family Tradition
I love the holidays because to me it means precious time with family and friends. Not just a few hours, but days of togetherness. Throughout the...
Q & A – What Do You Owe the Real People Included in Your Book?
What do we owe the historical figures in fictional stories? This was a burning question that I wanted answered when I began writing. I was advised...
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