Top 12 Places in Novels that Will Trigger Your Wanderlust
Can’t travel this summer? No problem. A good book can transport us to another city or country and to places we can only dream of visiting. Even when a story is sad or downright depressing, a memorable depiction of a locale can still trigger our wanderlust.
Top 12 Southern Novels
Zora Neale Hurston. Harper Lee. Margaret Mitchell. They are three of my favorite novelists from the American South whose books are also set in the South.
Top 10 Supporting Characters in Literature
They’re called sidekicks. They play second fiddle, but some secondary characters are as memorable as the protagonists they support. In fact, well-drawn supporting characters are a hallmark of exceptional novels.
13 Nuggets of Wisdom from Novels
I read novels for pleasure. I consider it a bonus when a book also enlightens or offers advice. Indeed literature can empower readers to take positive actions, according to a recent study.
How to Use Music in Your Novel: "In His Corner" Playlist
In novels like “High Fidelity” (Nick Hornby) and “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” (Rachel Cohn and David Levithan), music is central to the story. But even if your novel doesn’t focus on music, you can use it to establish the mood of a scene or strengthen your depiction of a character.
Small Presses: 2 Publishers Open to Unagented Submissions
Small and independent publishers often cater to an alternative market not targeted by big publishers. They are usually more flexible about accepting unsolicited manuscripts from unagented writers. If you’re looking for a traditional publisher, check out these two small presses.
James Salter's “A Sport and a Pastime": Languid, Rich, and Memorable
James Salter's "A Sport and a Pastime" reminds me of a five-star resort. It’s luxurious, oftentimes impractical, but always pleasurable. Don't go looking for the basics. Everything is extra.
Publishing Breakthrough: What it Feels Like to be Finally Accepted by a Publisher
It was a Thursday like any other—eight hours in the office, dinner with the family at home, and a treadmill workout, while I watched Brad Pitt’s “Killing Them Softly” on DVD. The movie was abysmal, but Brad looked good, and I burned some calories. What happened next, however, was what made April 10, 2014, one of the best days of my life.
7 Classics that Belong to the Romance Genre: Why I Started Reading Romance Novels
I didn’t start reading romance novels until a year ago. I’ve always preferred literary fiction and historical fiction. I also read the occasional thrillers and mysteries—think Lee Child and Tana French, respectively.
Book Review: Love in the Time of a Great Hurricane
I don’t know much about Galveston Island or Texas. But after reading The Promise by Ann Weisgarber, it’s almost as if I’ve been to Galveston—with the added bonus of being dramatically swept back in time.