Writing

Hidden History: Time Team and Beyond!

on April 23, 2024

Perhaps the very best thing about hidden history is that it’s being revealed all the time! In today’s PLW blog, I’m sharing both an old hidden history favorite and some of the latest reveals. Ancient Pompeian frescos, anyone?


You had me until “her wedding gown on fire”

on December 28, 2023

One of the things to remember, as you use historical newspapers to research your historical novel or short story, is that “You can’t always believe what you read.” I found this article in the (Thursday September 25) 1919 New York Times and was immediately intrigued. How often do you read of a person being killed… Read More


Death By Dancing…what a way to go!

on December 15, 2023

Research is definitely of the joys of writing historical mysteries. I love it! My work-in-progress is a sequel to THE RED-HOT BLUES CHANTEUSE and takes place in one of my favorite cities in the world…New Orleans. Since starting THE MAGNOLIA VOODOO BRAWLERS (working title) I’ve been on the hunt for unsavory snippets about any French… Read More


Historical Fiction Update: Thirty-Eight Illuminating PLW Link Lists

on December 8, 2023

‘Tis the Link List before Christmas and today–on the Paper Lantern Writers blog–I’ve lined up the links of all thirty-eight of the previous PLW Link Lists. There are goodies galore in this list, but who can choose between such bright blogs as Eighty Excellent Online Historical Collections, Fashions for the Ages, Gay Subculture of Regency… Read More


RED-HOT Neptune Beach ~ the Coney Island of the West

on November 30, 2023

In my recent release THE RED-HOT BLUES CHANTEUSE, I wrote a few delicious chapters set at Alameda, California’s late, great Neptune Beach amusement park. Here’s a little more Neptune Beach history, in a post that was initially published in Linda Bennett Pennell‘s HISTORY IMAGINED. . . . Imagine that it’s April 1919 and you’re a… Read More