Empowering Unsung Women in History
(first published August, 2020 by Women's Writers, Women's Books) Many writing teachers tell new authors to write what they know. That has value if you are describing a setting, for example. It helps to know how the place looks, feels, smells, and sounds. But what if you write fantasy? No one knows what it’s like… Continue reading Write What You Don’t Know
Finding Strength in the Ashes by Mary Helen Sheriff Confession: I cried when I watched the Wonder Woman movie that came out a few years ago. The little girl still inside me, the one who ran around in Wonder Woman Underoos for much of her childhood, finally got her superhero movie and it was AMAZING.… Continue reading Finding Strength in the Ashes
Aunt Jemima figures are now quite collectible When I was a child, my mother always made pancakes with Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix, and I still do today. Nothing else tastes quite the same. My grandmother even had a cast iron doorstop of the Aunt Jemima character. These doorstops date to the 1930’s, but I have… Continue reading Aunt Jemima: Nancy Green
Dragonfruit by Malia Mattoch McManus (originally published on PaperLanternWriters.com) While writing my own historical novel about Hawaii, I read a lot of fiction and nonfiction about the islands. Today I’m going to share with you one of my new favorite historical novels. In Dragonfruit, Malia Mattoch McManus depicts Hawaii at the time of the overthrow… Continue reading New Hawaiian Novel
Since 1982, the last week of September has been designated Banned Books Week by the American Library Association. Books for children (especially young adults) are banned by parents, libraries, and schools for issues such as race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental illness, and disability. Nowadays, though, adults are encouraging each other to open difficult… Continue reading Banned Books Week
