by kristinoakley | Aug 31, 2019 | Creativity & Craft, Newsletter
Where on Earth do I get ideas for my stories? From dreams? Fairy dust? Alcohol? No . . . not exactly. Sometimes I use my idea generator. I call it my “If I Were Supreme Ruler of the World, What Would I Do?” scenario. It’s similar to what Stephen King...
by kristinoakley | Aug 16, 2019 | Creativity & Craft, Newsletter
In my last newsletter, “Editing Out the Lightbulb”, I asked for feedback on how to begin The Devil Particle and received twenty-four responses! To refresh your memory, here were the choices: “The burnt-out lightbulb makes a satisfying ‘pop’ as I...
by kristinoakley | Aug 2, 2019 | Creativity & Craft, Newsletter
I’m in the process of reworking the beginning of my young adult dystopian novel The Devil Particle and could use some help. Which of the following book openings do you prefer? Which book would you be more likely to keep reading? Let me know! “The burnt-out...
by kristinoakley | Jul 22, 2019 | Newsletter, Writing Life
Not that long ago, writers had only one way to get published — acquire a literary agent who would then sell the book to a publisher, the traditional route to publication. Oh sure, Charles Dickens self-published A Christmas Carol and Beatrix Potter...
by kristinoakley | Jul 1, 2019 | Conferences, Newsletter
Do you have a passion, something that excites and inspires you? Painting, gardening, tennis, playing a musical instrument, cooking? How often do you get to pursue it? What would it be like if you had six days devoted exclusively to that passion? From June 17th to the...
by kristinoakley | Jun 7, 2019 | Newsletter, Writing Life
I’ll be going through a bit of withdrawal this weekend. It’s the Chicago Tribune’s Printers Row Literary Festival and for the first time in years, I won’t be there. Attending this wonderful two-day event was something I did with my daughters,...
by kristinoakley | May 24, 2019 | Books and Movies, Newsletter
This weekend kicks off the start of summer with the opening of neighborhood swimming pools, Memorial Day parades, and celebrations like the World’s Largest Brat Fest in Madison. Summer is also the perfect time to relax at the beach, at an outdoor cafe, or in a...
by kristinoakley | May 9, 2019 | News and Events
Join me and American Players Theatre Actor Rob Doyle when we share the adventures we had creating the Carpe Diem, Illinois and God on Mayhem Street audiobooks. Friday, May 17, 2019 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Mystery to Me Bookstore 1863 Monroe Street, Madison,...
