Terry Odell's Blog, page 243

Why Write Seasonal Stories

Today I welcome Nell DuVall to Terry’s Place. Nell has been writing most of her life beginning with poetry, moving on to professional articles and books as Mel Jacob, and now novels and short stories with occasional blogs as Nell DuVall.

What makes a good seasonal story? First an author must write a story. That means interesting characters in an interesting situation with a problem to resolve, an appropriate setting, and good writing. Stories may be in any genre including literary. Language is...

Choose Your Career Path

I’m still looking for 500 “Likes” on my Facebook page. Once I hit that number, I’ll hold a contest. You don’t have to like my page to enter, but the sooner I hit that milestone, the sooner I’ll open the contest to entries. (Hint: spread the word!)
And, I still have some openings for guest bloggers for the first quarter of 2013. Would love to have you here. Email me at blog@terryodell.com if you’re interested.

I had a 30 day promotion for Deadly Bones via Barnes & Noble’s “Nook First” and it was...

A Gift For You

There’s still time to accept my holiday gift to you. Details are in Thursday’s post.

Friday Field Trip — Even More Nature

I’m still going through the pictures Stewart Rowe shared with me. If anyone else would like to send me some pictures, I’d love to post them here for another Friday Field Trip.

If you missed yesterday’s post and didn’t request your gift yet, scroll down. There’s still time.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Giving Gifts

What I’m reading: The Black Box, by Michael Connelly (print)

Our family holiday get-together is this weekend, and I’ve been wrapping gifts. I realized I’d overlooked one very important person. You.

Some of you are long-faithful visitors to this blog, and others are just discovering Terry’s Place. Some of you come on Mondays or Thursdays for my (usually) craft-related posts. Or on Tuesdays because my guest has nudged you to visit. Some like my recipes on Wednesdays, and some want to see Friday p...

What’s Cooking Wednesday — Potato Latkes

Since it’s Hanukkah, what better recipe for today than traditional potato latkes (pancakes). Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the war-destroyed temple. To purify the oil necessary to relight the menorah would take eight days. A flask of oil was found in the rubble, but only enough to burn for one day. Miraculously, it burned for the eight days they needed. (For a whole lot more information, you can go here.) So, foods fried in oil are eaten to commemorate the miracle. Which goes right...

Keeping Christmas Past In Our Present

First, before my guest talks about her holiday, Christmas, I’d like to wish everyone who’s celebrating my holiday a Happy Haunkkah.

Today I welcome Christy McKee to Terry’s Place. Christy writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Christmas is her undisputed favorite holiday because of the joy of giving and the treasured memories the season brings.

Growing up, Christmas meant toys from Santa, caroling with my church youth group, buying a tree at the old A & W Root Beer stand and breathing...

Invisible Authors?

What I’m reading: Photo Finish by Terry Ambrose (Nook)

Before things get too holiday-crazy, here are a few updates/reminders.

My next newsletter will be coming out the first week in January. Subscribers know there’s always an exclusive contest in the newsletter that isn’t announced anywhere else. All I can tell you now is that it’s well worth signing up! Tab is in the nav bar.

And, speaking of contests, I’ll be holding one when my Facebook Author Page has 500 likes. Spread the word. More details...

Hanukkah, night 2

Another night, another candle, and more good wishes.

Happy Hanukkah

Wishing those who celebrate, a very Happy Hanukkah. May your lights shine brightly.

(As for us, after lighting our candles tonight, we’ll be going to our Homeowner’s Association “Holiday Party” — anyone want to bet there won’t be any holidays other than Christmas represented? Then again, it’s held in a church facility, so what would you expect?)