A cozy home office/library… prime for writing time!
When people think about successful authors, they often picture inspiration striking like lightning — a writer sitting in a cozy room effortlessly crafting bestselling novels. In reality, most successful authors rely less on sudden inspiration and more on consistent daily habits.
Writing a book doesn’t happen overnight. It happens sentence by sentence, page by page, and day by day.
While every writer’s process looks different, many successful authors share similar routines that help them stay creative, productive, and focused. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or a seasoned writer working on your next project, adopting a few intentional habits can make a tremendous difference in your writing journey.
Here are some of the most common daily habits of successful authors.
1. They Write Consistently
One of the biggest differences between writers who finish books and writers who don’t is consistency.
Successful authors understand that waiting for motivation isn’t reliable. Instead, they build a regular writing routine — even on days when creativity feels low.
Some write for hours every morning. Others squeeze in 30 minutes before work or late at night. The key isn’t necessarily how long they write, but how consistently they show up.
Progress adds up over time.
2. They Read Every Day
Great writers are almost always great readers.
Reading exposes authors to different writing styles, storytelling techniques, dialogue structures, pacing, and character development. It also helps refill the creative well.
Many successful authors read both inside and outside their genre to broaden their perspective and sharpen their craft.
Remember, reading isn’t a distraction from writing — it’s part of the process.
3. They Protect Their Creative Time
Successful writers treat writing like a priority, not an afterthought.
They create boundaries around their writing time by limiting distractions, turning off notifications, or setting dedicated work hours. Some wake up early before the rest of the world is awake, while others write during their most productive hours of the day.
Protecting creative energy is often just as important as finding it.
4. They Accept Imperfect First Drafts
Many new writers get stuck trying to make every sentence perfect the first time around.
Successful authors know better. They understand that first drafts are supposed to be messy. The goal is progress, not perfection. Editing comes later.
Giving yourself permission to write imperfectly can remove a tremendous amount of pressure and help creativity flow more freely.
5. They Stay Curious
Writers draw inspiration from the world around them.
Successful authors observe conversations, study people, ask questions, and pay attention to everyday details. Curiosity fuels storytelling.
Sometimes the smallest moment — a stranger’s comment, a childhood memory, or a random news headline — can spark an entirely new story idea.
6. They Keep Notes and Ideas Nearby
Ideas rarely arrive at convenient times.
Many authors keep notebooks, voice memos, or notes apps nearby to capture dialogue snippets, story concepts, character ideas, or sudden inspiration before it disappears.
A small idea today could become the foundation for a future novel or even a series.
7. They Embrace Discipline Over Motivation
Motivation comes and goes. Discipline is what keeps books moving forward.
Successful authors understand that not every writing session will feel magical. Some days are difficult, frustrating, or uninspired. But they continue anyway.
The habit of showing up consistently often matters more than fleeting bursts of inspiration.
8. They Take Care of Their Mental and Physical Health
Writing requires mental clarity, creativity, and emotional energy.
Many successful authors prioritize habits that support their overall well-being, such as exercise, sleep, healthy routines, and time away from screens.
Burnout can quickly drain creativity. Rest and balance are essential parts of a sustainable writing life.
Let me speak honestly here… This is my problem. I often take on way too much, and my mental and physical health suffer for it. When that happens, my writing is often the first commitment that gets set to the side. For example, I am a wife, a mom, a full-time Realtor, I am a co-owner of a local lounge bar and wine/bourbon retail shop (The Vine And Oak), I am the owner/founder of a new local theatre troupe (Front Row Theatre Troupe) that does dinner theatre at a local restaurant (Main Street Cafe), and I am an author. That is a lot of hats to wear, and I often find very little time to just focus on myself. White space on my calendar doesn’t exist, so exercise time, meditation time, etc., tend to get forgotten. When that happens, my creativity goes down the drain, and my writing time suffers.
9. They Learn Continuously
The writing journey never truly ends.
Successful authors continue improving their craft through workshops, podcasts, books, classes, critique groups, and feedback from other writers. No matter how experienced they become, they remain open to growth.
10. They Finish What They Start
Starting a story is exciting. Finishing one requires commitment.
Many successful authors develop the habit of pushing through the middle sections, difficult scenes, and moments of doubt instead of abandoning projects too soon.
Finished manuscripts create opportunities. Unfinished ideas stay stuck in notebooks.
There’s no single formula for becoming a successful author. Every writer has different routines, creative rhythms, and processes. However, consistent habits often separate those who dream about writing from those who actually complete books.
Success in writing rarely comes from one perfect day of inspiration. More often, it’s built through small daily actions repeated over time.
Write regularly. Read often. Stay curious. Keep learning. And most importantly, keep showing up for your stories.
Those small habits may eventually lead to something extraordinary.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
One visible spirit. Two phantom thieves. Three courageous friends.
June Brookes has haunted the library at Pinedale High for decades, without attention. Until one day, new sophomore, May Blakely, notices. Could this be June’s chance to cross over to the hereafter? If only she knew what needed to be finished from her old life.
Angsty May prefers solitude. Her deadbeat dad may have ditched her in this small town, but she has no interest befriending this strange girl, or the cute boy across the street.
June’s hereafter hustle goes haywire when two phantom soldiers plot to hijack her passage to peace, at the expense of hurting fellow students. June saves May’s life, igniting their joint efforts to protect the school. Can May help June to her happily ever afterlife?
Don’t miss the rest of the Haunting of Pinedale High books!Find them on Amazon
Celaine Charles lives in the enchanted Pacific Northwest, teaching elementary school by day and writing by the stars at night. She’s an award-winning, multi-genre author who balances her dual life creating poetry, fantasy, and contemporary romance shorts, while blogging about her journey on Steps in Between. In addition, she’s embarking on the world of children’s picture books.
She’s published collections of poetry through Egret Lake Books and Palmetto Publishing Group, and fiction through The Wild Rose Press and Eliza Storm Books.
Celaine is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, Storyteller Academy, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and reads poetry regularly with the Museum of Northwest Art, Writing’s on the Wall series.
Would you like a chance to win a$40 Amazon or PayPalGift Card?Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
After watching the Netflix movie, Girl Haunts Boy and the Netflix series, School Spirits, I literally wrote my new young adult paranormal fantasy, When June Haunts May, as if it were on the screen!
I pictured my blue-haired angsty sophomore, May, meeting the spirit, June, in her new high school. June pesters her for a friendship in which she has no interest, not to mention she’s dressed like she’s headed to a fifties sock hop. But this girl…ghost…desperately needs to connect with May. She’s the first person to see her in decades, so she must be the key to help her crossover to the other side. In the midst of meeting, they both stumble upon the local high school lacrosse star, Reid, crying by himself in the…rumored to be haunted…woods behind the school.
Hiding behind my writing desk, each main character was in constant motion as this story came to life. And they’re all three going through real emotions the big screen could vividly portray. May prefers loneliness as her safe haven. June’s been alone for so long, she’s a jumbled mess when someone finally sees her. Reid fears the loneliness he predicts is soon to come for reasons they all find out later. This book, without being sad, shines a little light on three different perspectives of loneliness.
The story is set at the start of fall, the colors all golden-green and marigold-yellow at a North Carolinian school, Pinedale High. On campus there’s a wooded area and pond behind the school, with an old neighborhood sprawling out beyond, complete with crumbling sidewalks and overgrown shade trees. The autumn season creates the perfect ambience for this small-town story and would make for a spookily cozy movie any time of year.
May, June, and Reid become unlikely friends, meeting some curiously amazing side characters along the way. They will truly have you smiling and possibly wincing at the same time. And as if figuring out her past isn’t enough for June to deal with in her seemingly small window to cross over, two Confederate soldiers decide to hijack her freedom, putting the whole school in danger.
When June Haunts May has just enough spook, risk, and vulnerability woven in with tender moments that build relationships, including friendship and young love, to make this cozy ghost story the perfect feel-good movie!
I also wrote a novella, Stained Glass Secrets and Star Wishes, back in 2022. It’s a mash-up of Hallmark meets Fantasy, and I’ve always imagined it as a holiday movie on the Hallmark Channel.
A stressed-out, single accountant skips out on life to spend Christmas alone at her family’s snowy, lake cabin. A freshwater fairy, who looks handsomely human out of water, comes to the surface to face his own fears and grief, yet unexpectedly spies her crying through a window. Together with a wish on a star, a snowy ice castle, some Christmas cookie mishaps, and Ollie, the springer spaniel, they fall in maybe-one-day-possibly love.
The whole story makes me gush!
And finally, I’ve been told by many readers of my young adult Keeper Series (Seam Keepers and Dream Keepers), that it should be made into a movie. I guess with my own ADHD, I always try to write my books with strong pacing. It’s a tough one for me because I can get wordy. But hopefully with the art of revision and rereading my stories again and again through that revision process, I smooth the pacing for the most reluctant reader to want to read. And good pacing does make for a great movie!
What a fun question to answer!
Advice they would give new authors?
I would tell a new author to keep writing no matter what. And equal to that, keep reading and learning how to improve your craft. That’s it. New (and seasoned) writers need to continually remind themselves to ignore the noise and negative reviews (unless there’s truly something that will help them improve their writing) and just continue to create and grow in their craft.
Going to writer’s conferences is also a GREAT way to learn the craft and business of writing. There are support systems out there, but writers need to reach out to find them. A writing conference and/or writing class in your community are great ways to get started.
I met my writing critique group through a writing class. Then we all attended a writing conference together. I learned so much while at the same time, increasing my support system. Writing is an isolating experience because we’re generally alone for long periods of time. Critique groups and writing classes can help ease the isolation and provide resources.
So new writers—read, keep writing, ignore the noise, and reach out to find your people and improve your craft!
Describe your writing style.
Always a hard question for me, but this is my assessment of my writing based on what my critique group and beta readers tell me, as well as how it feels when I’m drafting my stories.
I am a lyrical writer working to edit down my long sentences while still trying to achieve the dance and flow of a full story.
There. I said it. I guess you might say I’m overly wordy, but ultimately don’t want to come across that way, so I have to backtrack over all my writing in the revision and editing stages to cut words. I will never be that writer who needs to add more details for word count. Ha! I am the opposite! My stories always need to be cut and tidied up.
Lyrical writing is just part of my process, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
What makes a good story?
For me a good story is all about the characters. I can read a book with an okay plot, if I love the characters. But it’s difficult for me to read any story, if I can’t relate or connect with the characters working through even the most organized plot lines. I’m definitely a character-driven author and reader, both.
Along with intriguing characters, I appreciate lyrical voice and sensory explosion on the page. I want to see, and hear, and taste, and smell everything the characters do. When a simple sentence sweeps me away, I’m in awe of the author and can’t wait to read more.
What are you currently reading?
This is my year of reading ARCs (advanced reader copies) and researching romance. It’s been rough not reading fantasy and poetry, the two genres I love the most, but 2026 filled up fast with several ARC reads for other authors. I am exploring the idea of writing a full-length contemporary romance.
I’m not sure how this happened, but I may have overcommitted myself with ARC reads. With that said, it’s fine. I love helping other authors this way because I need their help in return, and it feels special getting a sneak peek at a finished book that’s not out there yet. Getting those early readers and honest reviews can surely help set a newly launched book in the right direction. So, I am happy to do that. I just happen to have a lot of ARC’s back-to-back right now.
As for romance, this is a new genre for me. I’m already writing short stories with my author’s collaboration project. With fellow writers, SD Porter and Eliza Storm, we are each writing short rom-com style stories to match each holiday. We’ve written one for Halloween (Midnight Meet-Ups), one for Valentine’s Day (Sweet Chaos), and our new collection for the Fourth of July (Caught a Spark) comes out this summer (2026). I’m having so much fun, I think I might want to write a full-length romance! To research, I’m reading a variety of authors in the romance world right now. Most of these have been audiobooks, since I’m busy reading ARCs.
For now, I’m reading books for other amazing authors and swooning about my own one-day romance.
What is your writing process? For instance, do you create an outline first? Do you write the chapters first?
I always think of characters first, no matter what kind of story I’m writing, be it fantasy, contemporary romance, or children’s. After that, I place my characters in a setting that fits them, then loosely point them in the direction of what they want or need until something internal and external gets in their way. Finally, I make as many things rain on their journey…so that we have some kind of interesting story and growth arc in the end.
Writing chapters and scenes help me when I’m stuck. It’s okay to write out of order, and I’ve done this before with books, but I find that it takes me longer sometimes to stitch them back together. For this reason, I try to write as linearly as possible.
When drafting a new story, I do consider plotting plans like Save the Cat and the Three Act Structure, however they are sketched and not written in ink. I ask myself a lot more questions than I used to when planning a story now. I want to know up front what lie they believe about themselves, what childhood trauma might be holding them back, and then how they might use that very fear to save the day.
I’ve always called myself a recovering pantser. My first book took seven years from first draft to publication. Although it was a long journey, I still learned so much on the way. I wouldn’t trade any of that time, however I don’t want to spend seven years on a book again. At my age (not telling) I don’t have time for that. As much as I love letting my characters explore and choose their own story (which I still do to a degree) I have a few mile posts I need them to get to along the way to keep me focused and grounded….and ultimately to get more books in my reader’s hands.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I do believe in writer’s block, but I’ve learned a few things about the wall that stops the flow of writing and some tips and tricks too.
We all fall into different categories of life and we’re all facing different obstacles in the way of writing (or having time to write). So, the variables are unmeasurable. With that being said, I remind myself that creating is unique for everyone and can be affected by a vast number of reasons. I can’t name them all here but…family and/or job responsibilities, time restraints for a million reasons, health, life surprises (positive and negative), energy levels, and more. Give yourself a break! It’s okay to step back sometimes. Regroup. Start again when you can.
I’ve read that sometimes we get stuck when we don’t know our story well enough. You can work backwards to the place you felt confident and try to angle it in a slightly different direction. Presto! That sometimes works.
Plan a field trip to research my characters (where might they go if they visited my town?)
Drown my sorrows in chardonnay and allergy-free chocolate
Reread all I’ve written again with fresh eyes
Read another author’s ARC
Read book reviews
Work out (I like Pilates)
Write or read poetry
Write something completely new (maybe an article helping other writers)
Pray (this one seriously works for me)
Find some fresh inspiration for my writing space (a new candle, vase of flowers…)
Plan a weekend or even just a day to NOT think about writing and just be
Spend time with loved ones or friends and just live a little (fill up the life tank)
Find a new flavor of tea or coffee to drink while I write
Try plotting a little—if you’re a pantser. Try pantsing a little—if you’re a plotter. The point? Do something different!
Read a writing craft book
Dress up when I write (or maybe dress in character), but sometimes dressing for the occasion puts me in the right mood.
Burn candles or use aroma therapy to set the mood…I like lavender and vanilla
Create mood boards to go with my stories (Pinterest is great for this)
Take my characters out for lunch…or dinner…or coffee…or dancing (whatever might work for the story). By this, I mean that I write a small scene that might never make it into the book, but maybe something to share with readers later.
Here’s a new one, not on my blog post. Find a music soundtrack that coordinates with your story or story vibe. Background music can put me in the mood.
Another new idea, not on my blog post, which works for me most times…set a timer. I like 25-minute sprints, but even if you only have ten minutes, write for that allotted time. You will feel better. And sometimes that’s all we need to get back in the groove.
Every writer faces it sooner or later: writer’s block. One day the words flow effortlessly, and the next, the blank page feels impossible to conquer. Whether you’re drafting your first novel, working on your tenth manuscript, or simply trying to finish a blog post, creative roadblocks are a normal part of the writing journey.
The good news? Writer’s block doesn’t have to stop you for long.
Here are 25 practical tips to help you break through the mental fog, rediscover your creativity, and get the words flowing again.
1. Stop Waiting for Perfection
Perfectionism is one of the biggest causes of writer’s block. Give yourself permission to write badly. You can always edit later.
2. Write Something Different
If your novel feels stuck, try journaling, poetry, flash fiction, or even a social media post. Sometimes creativity just needs a change of scenery.
3. Set a Tiny Goal
Instead of aiming for 2,000 words, aim for 100. Small victories build momentum.
4. Take a Walk
Movement clears the mind. Some of the best story ideas appear when you step away from the keyboard.
5. Read a Great Book
Reading reminds you why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place and can definitely spark creativity when you feel like the flames have all died down.
6. Change Your Environment
Try writing at a coffee shop, library, park, or different room in your house. A fresh setting can inspire fresh ideas.
7. Write the Scene You Want to Write
You don’t have to write your book in order. Skip ahead to the exciting scene that’s been living in your head.
8. Turn Off Your Inner Critic
Your first draft is not supposed to be polished. Let creativity happen before editing begins. I know it is hard, but if you can just write without stopping to correct your mistakes, you might find that the creativity continues to flow.
9. Use Writing Prompts
Prompts can jumpstart creativity when your imagination feels stuck. You can even use Google to search for writing prompts in the genre of your story, that way you stay within the same mindset.
10. Talk Through Your Story Out Loud
Sometimes speaking your ideas out loud helps untangle plot problems faster than staring at a screen.
11. Take a Break Without Guilt
Rest is productive. Your brain often solves creative problems in the background. Take a break for 5 minutes or 5 days, sometimes you just need to give yourself a timeout.
12. Listen to Music
Create a playlist that matches the mood of your story or characters. Do you write in silence or with background noise like music? Sometimes writing to a playlist curated by the mood of your story can help. And, if you like to write in silence, listening to the playlist while not writing can spark ideas and creativity between writing sessions.
13. Revisit Your “Why”
Why did you start writing this story? Reconnecting with your purpose can reignite motivation.
14. Eliminate Distractions
Put your phone away, close unnecessary tabs, and give your writing your full attention.
15. Write at a Different Time of Day
You may discover your creativity works better early in the morning or late at night.
16. Don’t Compare Yourself to Other Writers
Every writer’s journey looks different. Focus on your progress, not someone else’s highlight reel. This one is so important. Don’t compare yourself to the author who pumps out 12 books a year, or the one who always seems to have a new release just around the corner. Your journey is yours and theirs is theirs.
17. Brain Dump Your Ideas
Write down every thought, scene, or dialogue snippet without organizing it. Clarity often follows chaos.
18. Re-read Your Favorite Scene
Reading something you’ve already written well can boost confidence and help you reconnect with your voice.
19. Set a Timer
Try writing nonstop for 10 or 15 minutes. You might be surprised how much appears when you stop overthinking.
20. Remember That Inspiration Often Follows Action
Waiting to feel inspired can keep you stuck. Sometimes the act of writing creates inspiration.
21. Talk to Other Writers
Writing communities can offer encouragement, accountability, and fresh perspectives. I bet you have a local writing group in your area. Reach out to your local library or search on social media and get connected.
22. Focus on Progress, Not Word Count
Even a single paragraph is progress. Even a single sentence is progress. Celebrate those small wins.
23. Give Your Characters New Problems
If your story feels flat, raise the stakes. Conflict creates momentum.
24. Accept That Writer’s Block Happens to Everyone
Even bestselling authors struggle sometimes. Writer’s block is not failure — it’s part of the process.
25. Keep Showing Up
The most important thing a writer can do is continue. One sentence at a time still moves the story forward.
Writer’s block can feel frustrating, discouraging, and even overwhelming. But it doesn’t mean you’ve lost your talent or creativity. More often than not, it simply means your mind needs a reset, a new perspective, or permission to write imperfectly.
Some days writing will flow naturally. Other days it will take discipline and patience. Both are part of being a writer.
Keep going. Your story is still worth telling.
You can break through writer’s block… You just have to find the right strategy for you! Comment below and share what works for you.
There’s a reason murder mystery books never go out of style. From classic whodunits to modern psychological crime fiction, readers continue to return to stories centered on the darkest act imaginable — not because they crave violence, but because they crave understanding.
At their core, murder mysteries offer something deeply human:
Order in chaos
Answers where there was confusion
Justice, even when it’s imperfect
Mystery readers aren’t fascinated by death. They’re fascinated by truth.
And in every mystery, truth is the ultimate prize.
There is an innate human need for order in chaos!
Murder is the ultimate disruption. It shatters routine, safety, and expectation in a single moment. In real life, that kind of chaos often remains unresolved, messy, and painful.
In crime fiction, however, chaos is given a framework. A mystery promises the reader something reality often cannot: The belief that everything will make sense eventually.
Through clues, patterns, and investigation, murder mysteries restore balance to a broken world. Even when the ending is grim, the act of uncovering the truth provides emotional closure.
This is why mystery readers feel comforted — not disturbed — by these stories.
And let’s be honest, a lot of us, especially those of us who love a good mystery, also love the search for truth!
At the heart of every murder mystery is a question:
What really happened?
The psychology of crime fiction revolves around curiosity. Humans are natural problem-solvers, and mysteries invite readers to participate rather than observe.
We analyze suspects
We track motives
We question alibis
We search for inconsistencies
Unlike many genres, murder mysteries treat readers as intelligent collaborators, not passive consumers. Each page becomes an invitation to think deeper, notice more, and question assumptions.
That intellectual engagement is addictive. It is what keeps us up late at night, turning page after page.
When you really think about it, murder mysteries offer control over our deepest fears.
Darkness exists in the real world — violence, betrayal, cruelty — and pretending otherwise doesn’t make it disappear. Mystery novels (much like true crime podcasts) allow readers (and listeners) to confront those fears from a position of safety.
In a book, the threat is contained, the danger has boundaries, and the reader controls when to turn the page and when to stop reading.
This sense of control is critical. Crime fiction lets readers explore fear without being consumed by it. The structure of the genre acts as a psychological safety net. Along the same lines, true crime allows the listener/reader to gain knowledge by exploring real-life situations to heighten their awareness as a form of self-defense or personal protection.
This is one of the biggest reasons people love mysteries: they allow us to look at the darkness without being swallowed by it.
We all seek justice, even when it’s complicated; mysteries often provide that.
Real-world justice is often slow, flawed, or nonexistent. In murder mysteries, justice may not always be clean — but it is acknowledged.
Sometimes the killer is punished, sometimes they’re exposed, and sometimes justice is moral, not legal.
But the story always recognizes that what happened matters.
For mystery readers, this acknowledgment is powerful. It reassures us that actions have consequences and that truth still holds value — even in broken systems.
Oftentimes, the “Why” matters more than the “Who” in mysteries and in life!
While readers enjoy solving the puzzle, the most compelling murder mysteries go deeper than who committed the crime.
They ask:
Why did this happen?
What broke inside someone?
What pressures, fears, or secrets led to the act?
This exploration of motive is where crime fiction becomes deeply human. Murder mysteries aren’t about monsters — they’re about people. Flawed, frightened, desperate people.
And that’s what makes them unsettling — unforgettable — and often real.
If you’ve ever listened to (or read) true crime, you already know that ordinary people make the most terrifying villains.
One of the most haunting elements of modern murder mystery books (and real life) is the realization that evil rarely looks evil.
The killer is often a spouse, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or someone trusted.
This forces readers to confront an uncomfortable truth: darkness doesn’t always announce itself.
Crime fiction holds up a mirror to society and asks: How well do we really know the people around us?
That question lingers long after the final page. It makes us look at those around us in a slightly different way.
I don’t believe that as a society we are fascinated by death — I believe we’re fascinated by truth.
At its core, the enduring appeal of murder mysteries isn’t morbid curiosity. It’s the belief that truth can still be uncovered, even when everything feels broken.
Mystery readers return to these stories because they promise: clarity, meaning, and understanding.
In a world filled with unanswered questions, crime fiction offers one profound comfort:
The truth matters — and it’s worth seeking, no matter how dark it gets!
Maybe one day I’ll write a murder mystery… for now, I will continue to enjoy reading them!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
I can scare and thrill you in only…100 words!
Stay at Castle Dracula…and Other Short-Short Stories
by Jim Nemeth
Genre: Horror Short Stories
Do you enjoy a good drabble? No, not America’s most popular word game—that’s Scrabble. No, not those cute, furry little creatures from Star Trek—those are tribbles. A drabble is a form of intense fiction writing consisting of 100 words. Not 100 chapters, not 100 paragraphs, nor even 100 lines. 100 words. Exactly.
Author Jim Nemeth loves the format and is an accomplished dabbler in drabbles. “Whenever I explain to friends what a drabble is,” Nemeth relates, “I get the exact same expression of disbelief: ‘100 words?’ In fact, I took these reactions and wrote a drabble about it, “Impossible Assignment,” which leads off the collection.”
Stay at Castle Dracula and Other Short-Short Stories, a chapbook, collects 26 tales, 23 of which are drabbles. With the three other stories, the author “splurged” and indulged himself with an additional 100-200 words.
Other tales of five score words include “Disgruntled,” where a joyous family Christmas celebration turns horrific when a little boy doesn’t get the toy he wanted; “Love Potion” relates what happens when a witch’s magic works too well. And in the title story, another young English traveler debates his decision in staying in Count Dracula’s centuries’ old castle.
In 1993, Nemeth won first prize in a national magazine’s short story writing contest for which legendary authors Ray Bradbury and Robert Bloch were judges. The award held special meaning for Nemeth, as Bloch remains his favorite writer and main literary influence. Nemeth is the author of two additional books: It Came From…The Stories and Novels Behind Classic Horror, Fantasy, and Science Fiction Films and Robert Bloch: An Unconventional Bibliography, as well as being the webmaster of The Robert Bloch Official Website (robertbloch.net).
A long-time community activist, the author is particularly committed to the cause of animal rescue. He lives in the historic harbor town of Marblehead, MA.
It’s been a little quiet around here lately… and if you’ve been following along, you’ve probably noticed.
The truth is that life has been full in the best (and busiest) ways. Real estate has picked up in a big way this year and in between helping clients navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives, I’ve also been soaking in a pretty special season at home—my son’s graduation is right around the corner. If you’ve ever walked through a milestone like that, you know how quickly time seems to speed up. To top it off, I’ve started a dinner theatre troupe (Front Row Theatre Troupe) and our first production opens tonight and runs for one weekend.
Somewhere in the middle of all of that, my writing routine slowed down more than I’d like to admit.
But here’s what hasn’t changed: my commitment to this year’s goal of publishing two books.
I haven’t walked away from the stories. Not even close. If anything, they’ve been quietly growing in the background—taking shape in snippets of notes, late-night ideas, and those moments where inspiration shows up at the most inconvenient times (like in the middle of a showing or while driving between appointments).
Sometimes the creative process isn’t about constant output. Sometimes it’s about living enough life to have something meaningful to write about.
That said… I’m ready to get back to it.
Over the next few weeks, you’ll start to see more from me again—both here on the blog and behind the scenes as I move these projects forward. I’m excited about what’s coming, and I think you will be too. There are stories in the works that feel deeper, more layered, and more alive than anything I’ve written before.
Thank you for your patience, for sticking with me, and for continuing to care about the stories I’m telling.
We’re not behind… we’re just building momentum.
And the best is still ahead.
The empty page can either be exciting or frustrating… Today it is exciting!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Dive into a different world, where nature and friendship are full of surprises.
Twins Tabitha and Timothy leave London for a wild Shetland island — no Wi-Fi, no friends, and a mysterious great-uncle. In Papala, they discover a new way of life, unexpected friendships, and courage they never knew they had.
A fun, eco-conscious story for ages 9–12 that the whole family will love.
When their parents sail the world without them, 12-year-old twins Tabitha and Timothy are sent to the remote island of Papala, known as the “Bird Island.” Great Uncle Tamhas becomes their guardian in a world as strange as the island itself.
Tabitha is frustrated with the island’s isolation and limited Wi-Fi, but Timothy is delighted to uncover the island’s natural secrets. The twins soon realise however, they are not the only newcomers to the island.
Discover a story about courage, friendship and the joy of embracing the unfamiliar. Dive into a different world, where nature and friendship are full of surprises.
You’ll love this story of courage and friendship. Buy now before the price changes!
Check out: https: //www.sjbstories.com to know more!
S. J. Barratt is a self-published, professionally edited children’s author whose eco-themed stories celebrate the connection between people and the natural world. Rooted in an English countryside upbringing and shaped by a career in agriculture, she blends a gardener’s curiosity with a storyteller’s warmth to her writing. Now based in Lyon, France, Suzanne creates tales that inspire middle-grade readers to swap screen time for green time—and rediscover the wonders waiting just outside their door.
A former BBC broadcaster and journalist, Gill Mills brings over 20 years of experience in entertainment to her narration. Known for her warm, resonant voice, she began her voice career while DJing on BBC Radio 1 and has since voiced numerous TV and audio productions. She now runs a content company specialising in podcast and film production from her studio in East London.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Political unrest, war over valuable mines, forbidden love, and a homesick dragon bound in chains threaten the land of two moons.
“The gritty reality of trench warfare and the smoky chaos of riots is striking in D. L. Gardner’s Land of Two Moons…a rich and ambitious fantasy novel that successfully builds a world trembling on the brink of magical and political upheaval. This is a delicate, intricate novel that rewards patient reading.” – Independent Book Review
Arthur and Hallie are twin siblings, son and daughter of the Duke of Lodesmoor. Humble teenagers who befriend the village people and sympathize with their grievances. Their father, Lord Balmier, whose duchy is approaching financial collapse, uses his subjects as pawns in a battle over a string of valuable mines.
Lord Balmier sees his son’s sympathy toward the serfs as an alliance against him and soon acts to squelch Arthur’s sedition.
Hallie clings to a forbidden love, and both siblings must resist their father’s harsh rule.
All the while they are unaware that their mother keeps a mystical dragon named Killian, bound in chains by a spell, whose fate will affect them all.
As the twin moons approach a rare and magical eclipse, alliances shift, secrets unravel, and Arthur and Hallie must choose between loyalty, freedom, and sacrifice to save their people and themselves.
“With strong pacing and a cast of memorable characters – including a homesick dragon, this is the perfect book for fans of the ‘fantasy’ genre. Highly recommended!” – The Wishing Shelf
Land of Two Moons will be a limited edition leather hardcover signed and numbered, a special edition case laminate hardcover, an eBook, and a paperback with printed edges. A rigid slip case is available for the hardcovers.
D.L. Gardner is an award-winning author, artist, filmmaker, and screenwriter with over 28 published works to her credit. Writing and painting are her passions and fantasy her forte. When she’s not pounding keys on the computer, she’s canning salsa, picking apples, listening to the voices of critters in the woods, or watching flowers grow. She loves visiting far-off lands through books by both reading and writing.
Her genres include all fantasy, historical, and mystery.
Get to know D.L. through her websites and blogs or send her a message her on Kickstarter.
Currently a FINALIST (2025 March) in the Cannes World Wide Film Festival for her screen adaption of her book An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody.
Other awards include Wishing Shelf book Award 2023 for audio, B.R.A.G. Award 2022 for the Cho Nisi series, Book Excellence Award 2019 and 2015 for Ian’s Realm and Cassandra’s Castle. Best Screenplay adaptation from her book Dylan at the Paris Screenplay Awards, Mile Hill International Screenplay Awards, L.A. Edge Awards, European Cinematography Awards, and Moondance Film Festival. Best Screenplay Award for adaptation from her book An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody at Veers Film Festival, Best Screenplay Award for adaptation of Ian’s Realm at the Twin Falls Sandwiches Film Festival and many more.
Why two? Why not half a dozen if we’re going to double things?
This story is about twins. Two moons, two siblings, two dragons, and about their bond with one another.
Traveling through the heavens, Puck and Phoebe are two giant orbs, a magnificent sight to the humans who live on the planet Unnilles. Both beautiful and dreadful. But what is most terrifying is that every forty years they will meet and turn the world dark. In those days, the wind wreaks havoc in their villages and cities.
Why this story?
Having lived through a few generations, I see a pattern that repeats itself. Children hit a stage in their life when they rebel against their parents, and in turn, grow older and wiser only to find their children rebelling against them. I wanted to show the struggle of families trying to get through this awkward phase.
The twins in Land of Two Moons have compassion for the common people, but Dad, the Duke, wants to rule with an iron fist, mostly because he’s going bankrupt. His stubbornness causes his children to go out on their own to stop a war that is bringing their father’s duchy to ruin.
The support system the teens have is in each other, and that support is magnified by twin moons and ultimately twin dragons. What stands out is their loyalty to one another and how it changes the people they come into contact with, and how it changes the world they live in.
The moral, if there is to be one, is that true love, Agape love, is the most powerful of all forces around. It’s a bond of loyalty, trust, and forgiveness. But the struggle to obtain that is no small feat, and sometimes it takes an outsider to verify you’ve arrived.
Land of Two Moons is a family story, a wholesome adventure for all ages.
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Earlier this year, I made a commitment in writing — I said I would publish two books this year.
That wasn’t a casual goal. It was intentional. A little scary, but very real.
So today, I want to share an update.
Book One of my newest series (NAME TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON) is officially in rewrites.
This stage of the process is one of my favorites — and also one of the most demanding. Rewrites aren’t about fixing something broken. They’re about refining something with potential. They’re where characters deepen, tension sharpens, and themes become clearer. It’s where the story truly becomes what it was always meant to be.
According to my beta readers and editor, the bones are strong and the world is alive. Most importantly, the heart of the story is exactly where I want it to be.
Now it’s about polishing and fine-tuning.
Once rewrites are complete, the manuscript will head to final editing. From there, it’s formatting, cover design, and all the behind-the-scenes pieces that transform a document into a book you can hold in your hands (or download to your device).
If all continues on schedule, I’m hoping for a late April or early May release. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.
I share that carefully — not as a hard promise, but as a target I’m actively working toward. Publishing isn’t just about finishing a draft. It’s about stewarding a story well all the way to the finish line. And I want to do that thoughtfully.
What I can say with certainty is this: the progress is real and I am so excited for you all to meet the characters who have been living in my mind for the past few months.
The world within this story is expanding in ways that excite me. The emotional arcs are landing more deeply. The layers feel richer. Every pass through the manuscript makes it stronger.
When I wrote that New Year’s resolution about publishing two books this year, I meant it. And this is the first major step toward fulfilling that commitment to both my readers and me.
Thank you for following along in this season of creation. Writing can sometimes look quiet from the outside, but there is so much happening beneath the surface. I can’t wait to share more as I move closer to release.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
A quaint riverside town holds many secrets … and the only ones who’ve seen it all are the critters.
A quaint riverside town holds many secrets … and the only ones who’ve seen it all are the critters.
This book club dives (literally!) into the pages of a cozy mystery. The quirky group must solve the mystery to get out of the book. It’s so much fun – you’ll wish you had a book club like this!
In this journey, they choose a book set in a lovely riverside town. They land in a charming neighborhood and find they are part of a local book club. They are having a great time – and then a dead body shows up. (Of course it does!)
The clues to what happened come to them in a unique way – via the critters in the house.
As usual, the club finds plenty of time to enjoy the unique setting of their journey, as they solve the mystery – one critter at a time.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This book is part of a magical cozy mystery series of 11 books and growing.
Each book can be read as a standalone, but are much more fun in order.
Available in eBook, paperback, Kindle Unlimited, and audiobook.
Don’t miss the rest of the series! Find them on Amazon
Elizabeth Pantley is a bestselling author of fiction and non-fiction books. She writes two well-loved cozy mystery series: The Magical Mystery Book Club, and the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic series. She has also written the international bestselling No-Cry Solution parenting book series that is available in over twenty languages.
Elizabeth lives in the majestic Pacific Northwest and spends winters in the sunny desert of Arizona. While neither location is home to any paranormal beings (that she knows of) the vastly different yet equally lovely locations are the inspiration for the settings in many of her books.
Nina Soden 