by Glynn Young My historical novel Brookhaven has no illustrations. I spent an estimated third of my research time hunting for them. The novel is set in two different time periods – the Civil War and immediately after, and then 50 years later, in 1915. From the beginning of the first draft, I quickly learned that I had to see …
Researching Cozy Mysteries
by JPC Allen Yes, you read the title right. But what research? We’re not writing historical fiction or scifi. We just need to set a cozy mystery in a cute small town with tons of ugly secrets. Create a likable amateur detective with a quirky sidekick. Throw in an unlikable victim, shifty suspects, and an even more unlikable villain, and …
God-Directed Fiction, Part 2 (Maakah)
by Mesu Andrews In yesterday’s post, I shared some of my research process to layer biblical Truth with historical facts. But what do I do when history seems to contradict Scripture? I fall on my knees and pray that the Lord will provide a creative fictional answer! In every book I’ve written so far, I’ve experienced at least one fact/Truth …
How To Research Biblical Fiction: Finding Truth & History – Part 1
by Mesu Andrews Do you read the Author’s Notes in the back of a book? I write them for my books and always read authors’ notes for biblical novels. My Author’s Notes often contain spoilers, but this post is spoiler free! Today’s post will give you a taste of my research process for my 8/19/25 release, Noble: The Story of …
Research Doesn’t Stop with Publication
by Glynn Young @gyoung9751 It was a year ago that the manuscript for my historical novel was attached to an email and sent to the publisher who requested it. I felt an incredible sense of relief. The thing was done. I could take a break from literally years of reading and research about the Civil War. Nine years of reading …
How My Novel Originated in the Family Bible
by Glynn Young @gyoung9751 When I was young child, I asked my father what the package was that sat on a shelf in his closet. It was wrapped in brown grocery bag paper and tied with twine. “That,” he said, “is the family Bible, and one day it will be yours.” That day came during a visit home to New …
Applying real life to your books
By Cindy Ervin Huff There is always at least one real-life experience from my life or someone I know in every book I write. Those scenes from my past add depth and realism to my stories. The research I do for my novels add another layer of realism. Historical events, people, or documents strengthen descriptions and help me add realistic …
What Turns Me Off as a Reader
by Jenny Powell MD I’ve been reading since I was four years old. My older sister taught me whilst playing school (I had always thought that since my mother was an elementary school teacher, she had taught us both. I assumed wrong.). I remember reading my first chapter book in third grade, the age at which they tested our reading …
Love on a Whim
By Suzanne Woods Fisher @suzannewfisher My husband, Steve, isn’t just serious about making ice cream; he’s practically a scientist about it, especially when it comes to vanilla. He’ll pore over textbooks, drive hours to source the perfect vanilla beans, and doesn’t hesitate to spend a bit more on top-notch organic dairy from small farms. Whenever friends come over for dinner, …
What Happens When You Finally Type “The End”?
by Glynn Young @gyoung9751 It’s been more than two years since the writing began. It’s been more than four since the research started. A little over a month ago, on Jan. 16, I wrote this in my writing journal: “Reached 87,758 words. First draft completed.” Five days later, I wrote “First reread / editing completed.” It was there I stopped, …