Jennifer moved to Mansfield eight months ago. She fell in love with the town at first sight and is already active in the community. Read on to hear her tips for a successful transition to country life. Tell us a bit about your life before Mansfield. I lived in Montrose at the base of the … Continue reading Jennifer Harrold’s Mansfield Tree Change
Since spending time in Mansfield, my interest in re-purposing has come to the fore. So, when Barto mentioned a couple of old pairs of skis, I suggested they’d make a good coat rack. In my favour, Barto was too attached to the skies to let me mess with them, so he took charge of the … Continue reading DIY Project Two: Ski Coat Rack
Have you ever wanted to write, but struggled to find the perfect time and place? Does the following sound familiar? I can’t start work until I have the right __________ (fill in the blank: study space, computer, head space, time, other). Yes, it’s hard to fit creativity into our busy schedules. Wouldn’t it be wonderful … Continue reading The Perfect Time to Write
JJ Campbell’s fascinating background includes jobs as diverse as hypnotherapist to video producer. Her first published novel, Reclaimed, is book one of the paranormal trilogy, The Immortal Trinity. The story of how it came about is an inspiring tale of women helping women. What did you want to be when you grew up? I was a … Continue reading How JJ Campbell Reclaimed Her Voice
Today marks a year since I posted my first blog, so it’s time to review progress. In my first year, I wrote 42 posts and nearly 30,000 words. Here are some highlights from The Winding Narrative: I celebrated a win in my writing journey when I signed with Michael Cybulski of NAC, see Five Reasons to … Continue reading The Winding Narrative Turns One
This week, I had the pleasure of chatting with Kate Forster, best-selling novelist (women’s fiction and young adult romance) and founder of The Ladybirds—Women Who Write Helping Other Women Who Write, a support network for female writers on Facebook, now over 1,500 members strong. Kate charmed me with her honesty, grounded approach and a genuine … Continue reading Kate Forster, Novelist and Founder of Ladybirds
As you may know, Barto and have a country escape near Mansfield. Barto is in big-kid heaven there with grown-up Tonka toys such as a tractor, ride-on mower and log splitter, while I’ve become chief gardener. The previous owners planted a garden across the length of the house with 45 roses. Last autumn and winter, … Continue reading The Case of the Mysterious Rose Saboteur
With the boom of self-publishing, over one million new titles are released each year in the US alone. Authors strive to make their book stand out by attending book launches, book clubs, book readings and other functions. Book reviews are a major way to boost their online presence. Here’s how to help your favorite authors by reviewing their book. Continue reading An Easy Guide to Writing Book Reviews
Last week, I discussed websites and blogs for writers. This week, my focus is on social media. Beyond personal use, authors can use social media to promote their writing and to connect with the writing community. There are a myriad of different apps available, each with a slightly different focus, so where should you start? … Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Social Media for Writers
Tweets, blogs, posts, comments … social media can become overwhelming. But writers, whether they like it or not, are in the business of book sales, and few businesses can thrive without an online presence. Social media apps are more than a means to connect with friends, they’re a valuable marketing tool. I’ve heard unpublished writers … Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Websites and Blogs for Writers
Brightside Story Studio 