Author: Beth
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The vampire ground fruit of the Balkans
Europe is a rich resource for vampire stories, and nowhere is tied as closely to vampire myths as the Balkan peninsula. Romania, in particular, is so steeped in vampiric lore that it’s become an inextricable part of their history, and the belief in vampires plays an important part in their… Read the rest…
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The Second Annual Mid-South Renaissance Faire
It was a sweltering day, not unusual for late August in the Mid-South. The sun was brutal even at nine in the morning, driving us to slather on extra sunscreen before we got in the car. I’ve always heard my friends raving about the wonderful experience of visiting a Renaissance… Read the rest…
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Project wrap-up: Midnight Cowboy
In early June, I’d written myself into a corner in the novel I’d been working on since the beginning of the year. I knew right away that I’d failed with my outline. I didn’t have anywhere to go without making some major changes to where the story was headed. It… Read the rest…
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How branding dates your book
Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken a lot of time out to read books. It’s been great, but in all of them I’ve picked up, I’ve noticed a recurring issue. Name-dropping brands and franchises in your book lends it a certain real-world appeal, but you encounter an immediate problem:… Read the rest…
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Tea review: Tazo Cinnamon Chalet bagged tea
Exploring more bagged tea options, this blend was what ended up next on my list. I decided to try it on an unseasonably pleasant day, figuring the cinnamon would make it too warming to enjoy in the high summer temperatures we’ve had. Tazo’s Cinnamon Chalet is a rooibos blend, something… Read the rest…
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Are you sure your book is finished?
It’s been a long-standing source of frustration for me as a reader: reading a book that doesn’t give me any sense of closure. In some cases, it’s small oversights, forgotten characters, plot threads that weren’t tied up to my satisfaction. And sometimes it’s something else entirely. Books need more than… Read the rest…
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Free printable inserts for your Recollections planner
As great as planners are, they can be cost prohibitive–especially when many sizes are proprietary, meaning brands can’t be mixed. Last week, I mentioned buying a Recollections brand planner from my local Michaels to organize my writing, and I have to say I love the planner. Recollections is a Michaels… Read the rest…
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