Dressage Horse or Bucking Bronc? By Maggie Toussaint The gait of a horse can be compared to story writing, editing, and even marketing. During the creation of a story world and its characters, the initial feeling authors have is often prancing or flighty. Authors shy away from some ideas and gallop like the wind toward […]
July’s Question What outrageous character names tickle your fancy? Terry Ambrose: I’m terrible with outrageous character names! However, I’ll give this a go. How about a femme fatale named Scarlett Ribbons? Or a boss who was called Malum Dictatum? The psycho could be Doozy McCoozy. And a stalking ex could be Folle McVey. Nancy J. […]
Celebrating our Independence By Maggie Toussaint Americans celebrate July 4 as Independence Day. In my youth, we had to travel thirty miles to see fireworks. At first, the loud noise of the sparkling pretties startled me, but it didn’t take long to ignore the boom and wait impatiently for the delightful burst of fizzling, sizzling […]
History, Mom, and Seafood By Maggie Toussaint Some days are more monumental than others. For instance, May 13 is the 133rd day of the calendar year. 232 days remain. How is that possible? This year is going by at record speed. If I blink my eyes it might suddenly be November! Looking at history, numerous […]
Color Me Happy By Maggie Toussaint Why wait until we’re eccentric to wear whatever we want? My best buds and I asked this question and decided we’d wear whatever colors/clothes/shoes we wanted. We’re all old enough to know better, of course, but our Mamas are gone so nobody is likely to snatch us up by […]
Cover Reveal Shrimply Dead By Maggie Toussaint A good book cover draws your eye and then encourages you to savor it. Ever since I signed my first book contract, I’ve been asked to make suggestions for the publisher’s cover artist. In nearly every instance, they used my ideas to create the cover. So when it […]
We hereby resolve to… by Debra H Goldstein, Nancy J Cohen, Lois Winston, Cheryl Hollon, Diane A.S Stuckart, and Maggie Toussaint I’ve given up resolving to do things like exercise, lose weight, or be a kinder person; so, my resolutions for 2021 (beyond hugging family and friends again) are 1) embrace my tendency to procrastinate […]
Happy Holidays to All! What a strange year 2020 has been! And there’s good news-we’ve all survived the pandemic thus far. Keep up the great work of protecting yourself and your family by wearing masks and social distancing until we get through the vaccination process. Meanwhile, your friends at Booklover’s Bench want to help shine […]
Christmas Anticipation By Maggie Toussaint [Note: book giveaway entry open thru Wed. Dec 16. Winner announced on Thursday Dec 17.] As a kid, I couldn’t wait for Christmas. My imagination would hit feverish highs of envisioning what gift would be under the tree. Coming from a large family, our gifts weren’t as plentiful as heartfelt. […]
Of Ghouls and Saints By Maggie Toussaint Many believe that on Oct. 31, the veil between the living and the dead thins, allowing the dead to return to earth. Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain wherein people lit bonfires, offered harvest sacrifices, and wore costumes to ward off ghosts. In the 8th […]
