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Carol S. Mann
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Bits and Pieces
“He knew everyone had flaws. People fell from grace all the time. But some people fell further than others.” From “Ferrelli’s Fall” (Creek Songs).
Tag Archives: short story
Good News
I’m happy to announce that Creek Songs has been named a National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist in the “Fiction: Short Story” category.
International Book Awards
I’m happy and honored and humbled to announce that my short story collection Creek Songs has been recognized as a Finalist in the “Fiction: Short Story” category of the 2022 International Book Awards. There were thousands of entries from all … Continue reading
Posted in Authors, Books, fiction writing, International Book Awards, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged 2022 International Book Awards, AquaZebra Book Publishing, book awards, Carol Mann Author, Creek Songs by Carol Mann, Finalist for International Book Awards, International Book Awards, short story, short story collection, Short story collection winner
4 Comments
“A Brief Interruption” Goes Live
The Palm Springs Writers Guild hosted its Member Appreciation event recently featuring readings, books for sale, food, and fun. Mellow jazz played in the background as members and guests mingled, browsed the book offerings, and noshed on self-serve goodies and … Continue reading
Short Story Settings
Choosing a short story setting seems to occur in two ways. Sometimes the choice is conscious and sometimes it’s not. For example, there may be a setting an author likes and simply knows that one day they will write a … Continue reading
When Your Story Setting Chooses You
You may have visited or lived in a place you knew would become a setting for a story you had yet to write. A place that spoke to you in not only a visceral, emotional way, but also in an … Continue reading
Posted in Authors, blogging, Books, Creativity, fiction writing, Finding Ideas: The Creative Process, Inspiration, Looking for Inspiration, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged Choosing a story setting for your writing, Maid of the Mist, Niagara Falls, short story, story setting, story setting influencing a character, The American Falls, The Canadian Falls, The Horseshoe Falls, writing the short story
9 Comments
A Writers’ Critique Group at Last
I pulled into the parking lot of the local library a little before 10 a.m., feeling a bit excited. After many years, a writers’ critique group was forming in my locale under the auspices of the Palm Springs Writers Guild … Continue reading
Posted in Authors, Books, Creativity, fiction writing, Inspiration, memoir, novel, personal essay, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged Being in a writers' group, Developing Writing Craft, La Quinta Library, novel, Palm Springs Writers Guild, personal essay, Purpose of a critique group, short story, Writers and a Critique Group, Writers' Camaraderie, Writing Critique Group
4 Comments
Writing, a Party, GE, and Samsung
Writer’s block is something that’s been ascribed to by writers for years. You know the definition. The ideas aren’t there, the well has gone dry, the muse has left the building, the empty page holds you in a mind-altering stare. … Continue reading
The Next Writing Project
I’m anxious to start on my next writing project. The book of original poetry and art called All Ways A Woman, done in collaboration with artist Lynn Centeno, is launched and we are well into marketing it at various venues. Our … Continue reading
Fiction Writing – Like Your Own Political Convention?
Fiction writing is like your own political convention. Pardon me? Really? Okay, hang with me on this. First, let’s look at what happens when you’re writing a short story. I attempted to analyze this conundrum with a story I just … Continue reading
Posted in fiction writing, Reading, short story, Writing
Tagged analogy, antagonist, fiction writing, pantser, planner, protagonist, reading, setting, short story, steps in writing the short story, writing, writing process
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Written Beneath the Palms 
Thoughts while reading a rejection …
Acceptance and rejection letters come to writers in all forms. Of course, the acceptances are the most fun. You savor them, place them in a special file, even frame them. The rejections are often form notes, maybe with a small … Continue reading →