My Writing Strength: Snappy Dialogue
Writers often are asked, “What is your strength? Narrative or dialogue?” That’s an easy question for me to answer. My writing strength is dialogue. My characters’ dialogue rarely changes between the...
View ArticleSelf Publishing, Traditional Publishing or a Combination?
For many authors, deciding how to publish is a difficult decision. Should they go with a traditional publisher? Go it alone and become an indie author? Or publishing using a combination of the two?...
View ArticleEstablishing a Writing Routine: My Best Tips
Establishing a writing routine can be a challenge for many newer writers. There’s plenty of advice out there on how to establish a routine, so I decided to compile a list of the strategies that worked...
View ArticleDo You Have a Love-Hate Relationship With Your Characters?
Is it possible for an author to have a love-hate relationship with her fictional characters? Merriam-Webster defines a love-hate relationship as “strong feelings of both love and hatred for someone.”...
View ArticleHow to Organize Story Ideas
Are you a writer having problems organizing story ideas? If so, you’re not alone. As Writer’s Digest puts it, “The desire to write The Great American Novel is like an overactive beast that needs...
View ArticleAre My Characters Based on Real People?
Are my characters based on real people? The quick answer to this is “no.” However, it’s a bit more complicated than that. While none of my characters are based directly on someone, several are named...
View ArticleHow to Create Fictional Characters
Without characters you don’t have a story. So how do authors develop them? There are many different methods. For this blog, I’m sharing some tips from writing experts. Novel Writing Help cautions...
View ArticleDeveloping My Latest Work in Progress
How did I get the idea for my latest work in progress? Well, it depends on which one you’re referring to. I have several. In 2022, I will launch three historical fiction novellas, Journey of Hope,...
View ArticleHow Much Research Do You Do for Your Novels?
The amount of research I conduct for my novels varies considerably, but as an author of historical fiction, research is vital. As the History Quill puts it, “One of the trickiest aspects of writing...
View ArticleHave You Ever Scrapped a Work in Progress?
Have I ever scrapped a work in progress? The answer is “yes.” When I was a teen and young adult, I wrote dozens of novels I never published. However, if you’re referring to works in progress since I...
View ArticleHow Many Genres Do You Write?
How many genres do I write. Three. I am a multi-genre author. That wasn’t always the plan. When I was a child beginning my writing journey, I dreamed of becoming a famous novelist. This is still...
View ArticleFirst Person or Third Person Narratives: Which is Better?
When it comes to fiction writing, which is better? First person or third person narratives? While for some it might be a matter of personal preference, or genre, there are clear pros and cons to...
View ArticleNovella Journeys Through the 19th Century Canadian Wilderness
Journey of Hope Available January 11 Journey of Hope, an historical fiction novella by Melina Druga, tells the story of Claire Appleton, who lives a simple life in 1829 New Brunswick with her husband,...
View ArticleAn Excerpt From Journey of Hope
An excerpt from Chapter 3 from Journey of Hope by Melina Druga Lavinia Fox Winthrop’s shriveled and cracked hands appeared two decades older than the rest of her 42 years. While the skin on her face...
View ArticleMost of My Blog Posts are Gone. Here’s Why.
If you’re a frequent visitor to my blog, you may have noticed something is different. Most of my blog posts are missing. Don’t worry. They haven’t been deleted. They’ve simply moved. When I started...
View ArticleAn Excerpt of Rose’s Assignment
An excerpt from Chapter 5 from Rose’s Assignment by Melina Druga “Hello, Mama,” Rose said, maneuvering up the aisle trying to prevent her voluminous dress from injuring the tender plants. Her mother...
View ArticleAn Excerpt of The Unmarriable Kind
An excerpt from Chapter 2 of The Unmarriable Kind by Melina Druga “You wish to speak to me, sir?” Pen in hand, Steward sat behind his neatly organized desk and glanced up when he heard her voice....
View ArticleHelp Stop Catfish Accounts on Social Media
My identity has been stolen twice – that I am aware of – to create catfish accounts on Instagram. The first time, they used a variation of my name and the same profile photo I was using at the time. I...
View ArticleGoodbye, Historical Fiction. Hello, Contemporary Fiction.
It’s time for me to say goodbye. To historical fiction, that is, and make the switch to contemporary fiction. While we all know never to say never, this makes The Unmarriable Kind my final historical...
View ArticlePreorder Sexual Awakening
We’re two months away from the launch of my next eBook, Sexual Awakening. Currently, it is available only on Amazon and can be preordered today for 99 cents. This is an introductory price and is...
View ArticleSexual Awakening Launches Today
Teenager Cassandra Economos loves five things: Her awesome friends. Her big fat, dysfunctional, Greek family. Rock music. Her plan to move to Chicago. And Kurt Cobain. Soon, she’ll gain another love....
View ArticleMr. Right is a Myth Launches Today
Co-ed Cassandra Economos has a plan. Earn her degree then move into a Chicago penthouse. If she can meet a guy who accepts her, high sex drive and all, that’s an added bonus. But how many frogs must...
View ArticleChristmas Surprise Launches Today
Two couples. One bound for forever. One living in the moment. A Christmas they won’t forget. Cassandra: My boyfriend Corey often quotes love poetry, but he’s never directly told me he loves me. But...
View ArticleRock Star Romance Launches Today
Rock Star Romance launches today on Amazon. A college grad still reeling from an amicable breakup falls for a rock star who’s given up on love in this contemporary, second-chance romance. A year after...
View ArticleARC Team Members Wanted!
Love to read and give authors honest reviews? Apply to join my team! I’m building a review team for The Rock Star’s Wife series. Although I did write each book to be read either as a standalone or with...
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