Serious writers need Jane- Excellent Blogs by A Most Charming Agent
- New Release Spotlight: Kaitlin Curtice
- New Release Spotlight: Lindsay Harrel
- New Release Spotlight: Andra Loy
- New Release Spotlight: Peggy Frezon
- Bestseller Spotlight: A RESISTANCE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
- New Release Spotlight: Jean Neely
- New Release Spotlight: Tad Stoermer
- New Release Spotlight: Cara Putman
- New Release Spotlight: Becca Kinzer
- New Release Spotlight: Becky L. McCoy
- Writing and Illustrating — Fun and informative
- WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING’S FALL FULL MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE VIRTUAL WRITERS RETREAT
- Book Giveaway: PUMPKIN ON A VINE by David L. Harrison
- 2026 FALL VIRTUAL Writing & Illustrating FULL MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE WRITERS RETREAT is OPEN
- Book Giveaway: DOLL TROUBLE by Kim A. Larson
- Book Giveaway: THE PHONICS HANDBOOK POETRY COLLECTION by David L Harrison and Mary Jo Fresch
- BookGiveaway: NICE TO EAT YOU by Karen Yin
- Book Giveaway: The Phonics Handbook Poetry Collection by David Harrison and Mary Jo Fresch
- Book Giveaway: MY PONY WONDER by Jessica Milo
- Book Giveaway – FIFTH GRADE TOP DOGS by Jerry Spinelli
- Book Winners and Industry Changes
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Category Archives: Pen Points
Children, Spinsters, and Patriots
Babies died. Children died. Young men and women died. Life in 1630s early-colonial America called for hard work, endurance, and brought much heartache. Here in our high-tech automated world of designer medicines, we think of our ancestral grandfathers and sons … Continue reading
Ale and Leather. . . Let ‘s Drink to it.
If you sailed from England to the New World in the 1630s, before the age of coffee or tea, your beverage of choice would be cider or ale. No one trusted the purity of onboard water. On the ship your … Continue reading
HOW TO USE 3,000 STRAIGHT PINS
Queen Elizabeth (b. 1533 – d. 1603) used about 3,000 straight pins a month, probably more than most, but still an impressive amount. Pins have been used for about 4,000 years, appearing around the emergence of the bronze age. You … Continue reading
What Walking Tells About You.
The walking gait of your ancestors frequently indicated their vocation or place in society. A townsman might demonstrate a quickness of step and there’s the gentleman’s swagger. Yet the sheepherder needs a lithe or nimble stride compared to the flatfooted … Continue reading
Posted in Pen Points
Tagged 16th century, ancestors, Author, Character attributes, research, tips for writers, walk long distances, writer
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IS THIS TRIP WORTH TAKING?
Would you sail on this ship across the ocean? This replica of the Dove sailed the Atlantic Ocean in 1634, accompanying a larger ship, the Ark. Used as a supply ship and a scouting vessel in more shallow waters, the … Continue reading
Posted in Pen Points
Tagged 1638, Biography, historical novel, Leonard Calvert, Lord Baltimore, Margaret Brent, Maryland, precolonial, research, writer
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SouthWest Writers Interview #2
Way back in the early 1990s I joined Southwest Writers Workshop (now SouthWest Writers). This writers’ group welcomes all writers and authors with conferences, contests, classes on the craft, and open-armed friendship. If you hear someone in NM say they … Continue reading
Posted in Pen Points
Tagged and the Nut, authors, Caribbean Islands, Charlene Bell Dietz, craft of writing, Creativity, Hotel 1839, ideas, Little Dix Bay, Mad Dog, mystery, Southwest Writers, St. John, St. Thomas, SWW, the Psychic, The Scientis, Virgin Gorda, voices, writing diverse characters, writing process, Writing tips
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CHARLENE BELL DIETZ, Author: Inkydance Studios 