Jenny Hansen writes women's fiction, chick lit and short stories flavored with a large dash of humor...

by Laura Drake Some of my best ideas come to me while I’m riding my bicycle.  I had an epiphany during a gorgeous Southern California ride yesterday.  One of those moments when several pieces fall into place for a major “Aha” moment – I love it when that happens! For anyone who is not familiar […]

By Sharla RaeOne of the things we discussed in our critique last week was all writers’ tendency to repeat certain words and phrases. “Echoes” is a term I’ve heard applied to frequently repeated words. Read your chapter out loud, and that’s exactly what they sound like. Common Causes of Echoes: Laura, one of my critique […]

My novels revolve around two of my very different passions. First, the PBR (Pro Bull Riding.)  It is currently the fastest growing sport in America. I’m drawn to the graceful athleticism and drama - it's like a dangerous ballet.  Besides, what woman can resist a cowboy?  Not me – I married a ‘bleed maroon’ Texas […]

Sharla Rae  For the writer who enjoys history, researching is often the best part of writing a historical novel. Even so, deciding where to start can be mind-boggling.  Why Research? So Where Does the Research Start? To keep things simple, think of researching as the construction of a house from the ground up.  The Foundation: […]