by kristinoakley | Feb 26, 2021 | Fictional Research, Newsletter
When I wrote God on Mayhem Street, I created Frank Townsend’s family farm even though I didn’t know a thing about farming. As part of my research, I toured a friend’s farm and recruited Veterinarian Bill Stork to read my manuscript. His feedback gave...
by kristinoakley | Mar 1, 2020 | Fictional Research, Newsletter, Writing Life
While marketing Carpe Diem, Illinois and revising The Devil Particle manuscript last week, I made two discoveries: there’s an art to writing book blurbs and evil can be measured. One of my 2020 goals is to sell more eBooks through Amazon so I signed up...
by kristinoakley | Oct 18, 2019 | Books and Movies, Fictional Research, Newsletter
I just finished reading Stephen King’s latest novel The Institute and it’s now one of my favorite books by this master. The stakes are high in this tale of kidnapping, telepathy, and saving the world. The tension is palatable, the characters are...
by kristinoakley | Sep 28, 2018 | Fictional Research, Newsletter
Editing a manuscript is a slow process and can make an author feel like she’s slogging through mud. It can also be painful as she realizes a beloved scene that took days to write has to be cut. But there are times when editing is eye-opening and downright fun....
by kristinoakley | May 11, 2018 | Creativity & Craft, Fictional Research, Newsletter
While editing the second book in my Devil Particle Trilogy, I’ve been thinking about how to craft the third book. I have an idea of what protagonist Jaelyn Bellamy’s struggle will be, but not much else and it’s gnawing at me. It’s as if...
by kristinoakley | Apr 27, 2018 | Creativity & Craft, Fictional Research, Newsletter
I’m happy to say I’m beginning to know as much about survival in the wilderness as my protagonist, Gaige. Last weekend I hiked the Appalachian Trail to the top of Devil’s Tooth and Tinker Cliffs near Catawba, Virginia with nine independent women, our...
