Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

Many beginner writers fall into the habit of what I like to refer to as “robot writing.” It’s when you basically write your scenes like a grocery list. Ex: Marcy stood and walked across the room. Then she picked up the candle stick to inspect it. She blinked when she noticed the spot of dried blood. Marcy dropped the candlestick and ran from the room. I call it robot writing because when I'm reading it I tend to fall into a robotic pattern and start to sound like the robot from the old Lost In Space series. "Danger. Danger. Will Robinson." You may as well put numbers in front of each sentence: First Marcy stood and walked across the room. Second she picked up the candlestick to inspect it. Third she blinked when she noticed the spot of dried blood. Fourth she dropped the candlestick and ran from the room. Don’t get me wrong, robot writing is absolutely acceptable in your first draft, no matter your writing experience. Your first p

When an author writes a novel, they make up the characters and the story, but the character, setting, story arc doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. There is usually a story behind the story. Often several little stories, which an author tweaks and cobbles together to mold into the main character or the supporting characters. Sometimes they will set their story in a real place. Other times they will create a fictional place that has aspects of places they’ve visited or lived. In my series, The Story Behind the Story , I will share some of the stories behind my stories. Though I have never outright written a person I know into a book, I have definitely been influenced by those who have crossed my path, as well as places I’ve visited or even simply passed through throughout the many years I’ve been on this earth. Feel free to ask questions or leave comments. I love, love, love to talk books or hear moments of your own life it might remind you of. I Want More – Th

Hey y'all, I wanted to pop in and give you the latest info on my favorite goat milk soap company. Bend Soap Company released their seasonal scents and they are yummy. Peppermint - crisp, fresh, invigorating. Feels like a fresh breath of winter without the biting cold. There are several products available in peppermint, while supplies last: Peppermint Goat Milk Soap Peppermint Milk Bath (1lb bag) Peppermint Lip Butter Peppermint Sea Salt Scrub Then brand new this year is Holly Berry. The tang of cranberry, a burst of citrus, all pulled together with a splash of sweet vanilla. Holly Berry is being offered in: Holly Berry Sugar Scrub Holly Berry Lip Butter (I LOVE this scent in a lip butter!) As I mentioned, these are seasonal, so only while supplies last. All-natural products. Reasonably priced. Place your order here:  https://bendsoap.com/#_l_5f

I saw this online the other day and I chuckled. It's absolutely true! And stupidly hard to find dresses with pockets. Especially pockets deep enough to carry a phone. I recommend eShakti! Dresses with pockets? Find them at www.eShakti.com. Shop now!

Don’t Just Wash Your Skin – Repair it! Are you battling a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, KP or dry skin? Or maybe you are just noticing the subtle signs of age creeping in on you. Don’t turn to chemicals or steroids, rely on high quality all-natural products. Bend Soap Company ’s goat milk soap and lotion provides all the natural benefits of goat milk as well as the many benefits of each of the high quality ingredients; saponified coconut oil, olive oil and palm oil. The essential oils they use are high quality, often steam distilled, oils and each bring their own list of benefits to the product. To learn more about the products read: The Science of Goat Milk Soap Natural Ingredients But you don’t have to take my word for it. Bend Soap Company has thousands of customer testimonials sharing stories of how the products have helped people across the country manage skin conditions, repair aging skin, repair radiation damaged skin, or just hel