Category Archives: Research

Novel Research: The Art of Bobbin Lace

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Laura Stanfill

Lace, specifically bobbin lace, has become an important part of Lost Notes, my 19th century epic novel. It showed up in the background of the first draft, but now, in the second draft, I’m weaving bobbin lace into my plot. Reading … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Fiction, Research, Writing | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

The Book That Wasn’t a Book

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Laura Stanfill

In 2000, while working for the Chautauquan Daily as a summer music reporter, I met the bandleader of Independence Jazz Reunion. He hired me to write a biography about the band’s colorful 50-year history. I traveled to Maine and New … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Journalism, Research, Writing | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Twelve Writers All in a Row, Including Jean Auel!

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Laura Stanfill

I attended one of my favorite local writer events Friday night. HomeWord Bound is the annual fund-raiser for Community Partners for Affordable Housing. Oregon authors attend as guests and featured speakers, giving attendees the chance to chat with them, buy books, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Community, Research, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Let’s Talk About Goals

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Laura Stanfill

My writing friend Liz Prato, a wonderful teacher and author, sent out a very inspirational email this week about setting writing resolutions for 2012. “How can you accomplish a goal if you don’t articulate it?” she wrote. “You’re also way … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Research, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Author Interview: Lisa Rivero on her real-life title character, writing middle-grade historical fiction and indie publishing

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Laura Stanfill

From its opening scene, on a hot South Dakota day in July 1904, Lisa Rivero’s new middle-grade novel captures the imagination of its readers with a lively protagonist, authentic historical details and the stark realities of homesteading. OSCAR’S GIFT: PLANTING … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Research, Seven Questions, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Interview: Kristin Bailey Murphy Offers Insights About Famous American Authors in a Book About Her Great-Aunt’s Career

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Laura Stanfill

I have the great pleasure of introducing Kristin Bailey Murphy as part of the Seven Questions series. Kristin’s life-in-letters book about her great-aunt is so fascinating that I decided to feature her work in two posts. If you haven’t already, pop … Continue reading →

Posted in Research, Seven Questions, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Kristin Bailey Murphy’s Manuscript Reveals the Life and Letters of Annie Laurie Williams, the Dramatic and Motion Picture Agent

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Laura Stanfill

Author Kristin Bailey Murphy is writing a nonfiction book that’ll be of great interest to anyone who admires the work of John Steinbeck, Margaret Mitchell, Lloyd C. Douglas and Harper Lee. Intrigued? So am I. The book is titled AFFECTIONATELY, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Research, Seven Questions, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Author Interview: Faith Elizabeth Hough on Literary Historical Fiction, Avoiding the Info Dump and the Art of the Outline

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Laura Stanfill

It’s such a treat to interview Faith Elizabeth Hough today as part of the Seven Questions series. She writes literary historical fiction for children and young adults. Faith, a Connecticut resident, is the author of THE WITHERING VINE, which earned an honorable … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Research, Seven Questions, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Metamorphosis: Exchanging My Writerly Stripes for Spots

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Laura Stanfill

In the past six months, everything I know about myself as a novelist has changed, except for my dedication to the craft. That’s the one constant. I write every day. My wake-up-as-someone-else metamorphosis has to do with plot. Now I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Plot, Research, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Interview: Novelist Julia Stoops on Anti-War Activism and Using Research to Build a Realistic Fictional World

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Laura Stanfill

Julia Stoops is one of the most accomplished creative professionals I know. She has earned acclaim in numerous fields, including visual art, teaching, innovative website design and fiction writing. She recently completed her first novel, PARTS PER MILLION. Julia’s work on … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Research, Seven Questions, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments