on November 15, 2021
If you’ve made it here from the SHINE Facebook Group, WELCOME!
You not only get a view of my desk (actually a dining table from Pottery Barn), but you get to see my late, great, beloved Belgian Sheepdog Traveller. He was not always an under-the-table kind of dog, but as he got older, he liked to be as near to me as he could.
This view of my desk is very dog and cat treat-focused, but I promise you that lots of work is done here also!
on November 2, 2021
Not for nothing (another way of saying “My Work-in-Progress takes place in 1919 San Francisco”, I’ve done a lot of research about WWI-ish American women’s lingerie.
To keep my research together, I’m collecting together some of these newspaper advertisements today.
First, I like to know how much everything costs. Don’t you?
And then, I like to know the fabric my heroine is wearing under her clothes. I can tell you right now that in this story, my heroine’s skin is being caressed by that silky, sexy, and definitely superior, Crepe de Chine.
And I like to make sure that my heroine has some variety. Because she’s not going to be in her step-ins all day.
But finally, here’s my favorite find: PARIS BEAUTIES PAINT DIMPLES ON KNEES FOR NEW “BATHING” SEASON.
PAINTED DIMPLES, because, WHY NOT?
on October 26, 2021
Coroner or Medical Examiner, do you know which “death professional” your city has?
It’s a big thing, when you’re writing crime fiction, to make sure that you have the facts straight: does your story setting have a Coroner or a Medical Examiner? Because they do different things, these guys.
It’s also important to know when you’re writing historical crime fiction. So for my 1919 WIP, I went to the April 12, 1919 San Francisco Examiner for the straight scoop.
And here you are: In 1919, the City of San Francisco had a Coroner (Dr. T. B. W. Leland), and when Dr. Leland joined the U.S. Navy during WWI, Dr. John Gallagher took over the job.
You’re welcome.
But more importantly, now I will know where I “archived” this specific piece of information.
on June 23, 2021
Author C.V. Lee recently interviewed me about my love of Sanborn Maps, List Links, and Hidden Research Resources.
It’s all here on the PLW YouTube Channel.
And for more info about Sanborn Maps, check out my Unlocking the Secrets of Historic American Cities with Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.
on June 20, 2021
Join me on Paper Lantern Writers for my latest blog post New Cover, Same Old Fanny. Not surprisingly, it’s about how I changed the cover of my novel FANNY NEWCOMB & THE IRISH CHANNEL RIPPER.
But just because we’re all pretty busy these days, I’ll cut to the happy ending (and answer the title question above) here:
“So, if you’re an author and your existing cover or covers aren’t making you happy,
aren’t making you feel proud,
don’t make you go yummmmm,
make you feel like a failure, and
don’t compliment the other covers in your genre,
it’s probably time to redo your cover.
It’s worth the time, it’s worth the money, it’s worth the rethinking of how you want your novel to be known.”
on June 11, 2021
on May 14, 2021
Think you’ve got a great book cover? How about finding out for sure? Today on Paper Lantern Writers!
on April 24, 2021
As a founding member of the Paper Lantern Writers Historical Fiction Author Collective (whew! what a long title!) I’m excited to invite you to join SHINE, our new Facebook Group.
SHINE is for readers and writers, editors and researchers, and anyone else who loves to talk about books, especially our favorite historical fiction.
Here’s the official story:
“We are a group of historical fiction readers and writers who love to talk about historical fiction!
We’d love to find out what you are reading and writing, but please limit self-promo to Fridays.
Other recommendations are welcome any time!”
on April 21, 2021
Here’s an absolutely GREAT PHOTO that I couldn’t fit into my Fifty Fabulous Online Library Historical Collections post.
It’s titled “Bathing Beauty Pageant, 1925, Huntington Beach, CA” and it’s courtesy of the Library of Congress.
on April 20, 2021
