I started research for a new novella this week. The story is set in Lawrence, Kansas in 1855. It will feature a family who moves from New England to Lawrence as part of an effort to increase the abolitionist population of Kansas. The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act the prior year allowed the territories to …
Last week I drove to St. Louis to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. I had a great time talking to other authors and attending workshops by agents and authors on craft and the business of writing. I was a semi-finalist in the Genesis contest in the historical fiction category, but did not win. …
If you have subscribed to the newsletter, then you may want to open the e-book Claire’s Need to Know in Kindle. Here are instructions for Kindle and other e-readers Kindle Options On your phone: (These instructions are specific to the iPhone and may need to be adapted for other phones.) In a few minutes, the …
Adding an EPUB Book to Kindle and Other e-Readers Read More »
My winter newsletter featuring a science fiction short story releases today. Comment below on your thoughts! I’ve mulled a story idea involving the discovery of extra-terrestrial life for some time. So many possibilities exist. Advanced, intelligent aliens are the usual theme. But what about a world with animal life as intelligent are Earth’s critters, but …
Winter Newsletter Releases Today With Sci-Fi Flash Fiction Read More »
I feel like an old, WWII submarine popping to the surface to get fresh air. I’ve been head down working on my next book for several weeks. After twenty chapters, I’m taking a break to post. I’ve had other post ideas, newsletter ideas and a todo list for the website struggling for attention like baby …
I’d love your comments on the flash fiction in the latest newsletter. Running Through the Field was inspired by an article in Writer’s Digest about writing horror as a short story. Since I’m drafting a novel set in ancient Israel, the horror vibe combined with that setting. Comment below and tell me what you thought …
Does a writer friend talks about NaNoWriMo, or the shortened version NaNo? Worried they are spouting lines from an ancient Mark and Mindy episode? Or you may suspect he or she is sleep deprived and jumbling words. Possible, but not the reason these mysterious terms are uttered. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. A nonprofit organization by that …
Last Saturday I attended my second family reunion of the summer. Another is scheduled later this month. I enjoy connecting with people at reunions. When we have a larger attendance, I must work hard to speak to everyone. Sometimes I can’t get to everyone, so my wife and I compare notes on the drive home. …
Yesterday Elaine and I drove to the funeral of Gerry Conklin, my brother-in-law’s mother. It was in the town where I had a weekend youth ministry during college. The day blessed me in two ways. First, it was great to hear the Christian hope proclaimed. One memorable line came from the discussion on the resurrection …
I will launch the summer edition of the newsletter today. Please comment on the newsletter and the flash fiction here. I am excited about this issue. Not only is it a milestone for the website (1st newsletter) but I enjoyed writing the flash fiction. (Flash fiction is a short story, usually less than 1,000 words.) …