Tag: writing

  • Review: Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot by Jane K. Cleland

    To continue preparing to write the next book in my series, I chose a craft book dedicated to plot structure with an emphasis on suspense and twists. Rather than being targeted to one genre, the book ensures that all of the writing advice can be applied to any genre, from political thrillers to nonfiction memoirs.…

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  • Review: Writing Mysteries edited by Sue Grafton

    So far I’ve written a female coming-of-age novel, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, a time-travel book…and those are all in the same series. What’s next? I think a murder mystery is on the horizon, and as a newcomer to this genre, I needed to get back to basics. Writing Mysteries is a solid book…

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  • June Wrap-Up & July Goals

    This whole linear time thing is for the birds. I feel like it was just yesterday that I sat down to write last month’s version of this post. That usually means that I got a lot of work done during the month, or absolutely nothing at all. Let’s see how it all fell out. Either…

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  • Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2018

    I had another wonderful retreat at Hogwarts Seton Hill University this past weekend, where I originally received my Masters degree in Writing Popular Fiction. The alumni of this program wanted an excuse to keep coming back every year, so In Your Write Mind was developed. It’s open to former students and the general public alike,…

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  • In Your Write Mind 2018 Schedule

    This weekend, I’ll be returning to Hogwarts Seton Hill University for the annual writers retreat hosted by the Writing Popular Fiction graduate program alumni, of which I am one. Mostly, we just wanted an excuse to come back to our favorite place in the world and meet up with our tribe. But because everyone should…

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  • May Wrap-Up & June Goals

    It’s been done before, so I’ll skip the trite comments about “OMG how is June here already??!” Instead, let’s get to the good stuff. After you admire the absolutely adorable dragonling that I bought at Balticon last weekend. Fable has been tasked with protecting my TARDIS die, and if you think he’s amazing, check out…

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  • Con Report: Balticon 52

    If you’re here for a copy of my alternate history presentation, read on! I consider Balticon my “local” con for many reasons — it was the first SF/F convention I attended as an adult (back in college), it’s currently located a few blocks from where I worked for almost a decade, and Baltimore is the…

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  • Author Interview with Clark Casey

    One of the best things about my job is the opportunity to read books I might otherwise never come across. Recently, I had the privilege of reading Clark Casey’s paranormal Western Dawn in Damnation. I enjoyed the book, so I furthered my goal of supporting indie authors by asking him for an interview! ABOUT THE BOOK…

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  • Balticon 52 Schedule

    Here’s my schedule for Balticon 52, taking place over Memorial Day weekend at Baltimore’s Renaissance Harborplace hotel! Friday The Blurring of Genre Borders (panel) at 4 pm Saturday Broad Universe Rapid-Fire Reading at 1 pm Slash of Our Ancestors: A History of Fanfic (panel) at 2 pm Autograph session with J.L. Gribble & Jay Smith…

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  • April Wrap-Up & May Goals

    I’m totally having that weird feeling of having accomplished so much in the past month while also doing not much of anything at all. Take a look below and let me know where you think I fall on that spectrum. Currently reading: A Wind in the Door (Time Quintet #2) by Madeleine L’Engle Currently watching: Catching…

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  • March Wrap-Up & April Goals

    It’s been another whirlwind month at Casa Siamese, filled with lots of reading, blogging, editing, and other such shenanigans. I’ve been doing a lot of working out, and I’m counting down the days until the weather finally gets warm enough for me to walk outside. (Yes, I’m aware that I could walk outside now, but…

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  • Con Report: 2018 Author Series at Uniontown Library

    This past weekend, I was privileged to be invited to the library in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to be part of their 2018 Author Series. I presented an interactive lecture on the alternate history genre and it’s possibilities in all genres of fiction. You can find my full PowerPoint presentation and some pictures from the event below.

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  • Con Report: Cleveland ConCoction 2018

    As always, I had a fantastic time at Cleveland ConCoction this year! It’s one of my favorite cons, for the people I get to see, how many books I tend to sell, and especially how well this convention treats the authors they invite to participate in programming. I wish other conventions would take note! FRIDAY…

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  • Cleveland ConCoction Schedule

     This weekend, I will be attending Cleveland ConCoction for the third year! This is one of my favorite conventions in terms of how authors are treated and the variety of events. I made some great friends last year that I can’t wait to reunite with. The convention is a new hotel this year, farther from…

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  • February Wrap-Up & March Goals

    Wow, the year is flying by. So are the deadlines! Just kidding — I’m actually on pretty good track with all of my current projects. But things are only going to pick up again before they slow down. On top of everything else, my husband and I joined one of those meal delivery services in…

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  • Build Report: Star Wars Arrowhead

    To celebrate completing revisions on my fourth novel, Steel Time, and sending it off to my publisher for layout, I took a break before jumping into my next major project (revisions to book 5, Steel Shadows) by building the awesome set I received from my littlest sister last Christmas. The Arrowhead (75186) — 775 pieces…

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  • Con Report: Farpoint 2018

    Last weekend, I attended my first Farpoint convention! You could say that I got my start in speculative fiction as a Star Trek fan, so it was nice to get back to my roots, as it were. FRIDAY Since this is a “local” convention for me, I commuted from home rather than staying at the…

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  • Farpoint 2018 Schedule

    This weekend, I’m excited to make my debut appearance at Farpoint 2018 in Hunt Valley, Maryland! Here’s my schedule: Friday 4 PM: Creating Immersive Worlds 5 PM: All Things Winchester 10 PM: Book Fair Saturday 10 AM: Book signing 11 AM: Reading from Steel Blood Sunday 10 AM: Superhero Film Overload? 11 AM: Book signing 12…

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  • January Wrap-Up & February Goals

    Wow, is the first month of 2018 done already? Seems like it flew by in a whirlwind of writing and reading and LEGO. Oh wait — because that’s basically all I did this month. January Wrap-Up First of all, the good news: The first draft of Steel Empires #5: Steel Shadows is DONE! Final word…

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  • December Wrap-Up & January Goals

    Happy new year from all of us at Casa Siamese! Though you won’t see this post until it goes live on Wednesday morning, I’m writing it late Monday afternoon with a tummy full of amazing New Year’s Day brunch and a hot mug of tea. I’m excited to start 2018 with a bang, and by…

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