Storyteller's Journey

Plot Twist - A Memoir on Writing

by Harlan Coben

Flap Copy Description:

With 100 million books in print worldwide and over twenty blockbuster television and film adaptations of his work, Harlan Coben has much to teach us about the creative process. Part deep personal memoir, part storytelling seminar, Plot Twist is a refreshingly honest look at the life of a writer whose stories have thrilled us for decades...

My Thoughts:

While Mr. Coben is a super successful author, I must confess that this is the first Harlan Coben book I've read. However (like so many others) I discovered the uber-talented writer through his made-for-TV mystery thrillers. When I listened to him on a podcast, I was fascinated by his life, and by his approach to his craft. I just had to read his new book!

From his pragmatic approach to writing, to his quirky Jewish family (which includes the Kosher Nostra!), this is one of the few books I've read on writing that was not only insightful, but entertaining. He also reveals a few of his secrets to those incredible finales for which he's so famous. He included numerous inspirational quotes, which was cool for me since I love quotes. Here is one that he mentioned over and over: "If it helps me produce pages, good. If it doesn't, bad."  My personal favorite: "Amateurs wait for the muse to arrive; the rest of us just go to work." (Attributed to many authors.)

I highly recommend Plot Twist to anyone who aspires to be an author, and to established authors as well!

Storyteller's Journey

Autumn's Arrived!

After a fun-filled and productive summer, autumn has finally arrived. It's my favorite season here in the Pacific Northwest.

Gray rain clouds bring on a cozy feeling of spending time inside reading, writing, and enjoying a mug of hot coffee or apple cider.

Click here to read my recent quarterly newsletter which includes an exciting update on my current work in progress.

Wishing everyone a fantastic fall season!

Storyteller's Journey

The Summer of '26
 

After our spring trip to Scandinavia, we spent most of our summer close to home. The black-tailed deer herd that resides on our property is always a joy to behold.

Spending time with our sweet granddaughter Adeline is one of our favorite things to do. She's very curious and loves to be outdoors. She also loves to be creative. The day I took this photo Adeline had another art lesson with her oil-painter grandfather, Michael. 

🥀

Speaking of oil painting, serving as a model for my husband is something I regularly do. Believe me, I'm the last person who should be a model! (Pictured here: Victoria in Blue Dress - 12 X 16 - Michael Lindstrom.) 

Attending the summer concerts of MIDNIGHT THEORY was also something we enjoyed doing. Our son, David, plays the bass guitar for the band. (He's pictured on the far left.) Great music!

Catching up with my longtime friend, Laura, is always special. She has an English degree from UCLA and is a former editor for a NYC magazine - she keeps me on my toes! We enjoyed a luncheon not far from her riverside home.

In August we travelled to Olympia, WA, to visit my cousin Jill, and her husband, Mike. Since they live in the Bremerton area, and we live in SW Washington, meeting in the middle works well. So much fun!

Later in August, I took my dear friend and book formatter, Kriston, out to lunch along the Columbia River. It was a great way to celebrate the publication of my new novel A VIGIL IN VENICE.
 

Obviously, this is a blog about my writing journey, and yes, I wrote a lot this summer! So far, the first draft of book 4 of The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle is over half done. Stay tuned for more updates!

Storyteller's Journey

Photo credit: CNN

Never Forget

Twenty-five years ago today, America changed forever. It was one of those days that was not only horrendous, but that defined our collective view of the world forever. Many have compared it to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. I've blogged about 9/11 many times, but the post that still resonates with me, was when I wrote about my visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City over a decade ago. Click here to read that post.

Remembering and honoring all those who lost their lives on that day, and years later. May their memories be a blessing.

Book Release

It's Book Release Day!

When I first envisioned my time-travel middle grade series about a young protagonist named Livvi Biddle, it was back in 2012! Now, the third book in the series is finally being released! It's taken two extensive trips to Europe, a ton of online research, the reading of numerous books, and the collaboration of a number of talented and creative partners. 
(Not the least of which was my fine artist husband, Michael Lindstrom.)

Click here, if you're interested in purchasing my latest novel.

As always, thanks for your continued support!

Storyteller's Journey

It's Summertime!

After a busy spring, it feels like summer crept up on me. That being said, after Independence Day, I'll begin drafting book four in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle. Consequently, I'll be taking my usual summer break from blogging; I'll be back in September just in time to announce the release of A Vigil in Venice - Book 3.

Stay tuned for news on the release of A Vigil in Venice!

I recently returned from my Scandinavian Adventure, where among other things, I did a bit of research for my next book. I've included a few photos in my recent newsletter. 

Click here to read the quarterly newsletter to learn about the trip and other author news.

Wishing each of you a fantastic summer season!

For all the fathers and father figures out there: Happy Father's Day!

Storyteller's Journey

Public Domain Photo

Most of my blog posts for Storyteller's Journey include the daily routine of my life as a writer. But nearly every year, I go on an actual trip. I'll be stepping away from my blog while my husband and I visit Scandinavia.

After a brief stay in Denmark, we'll travel to Sweden. We'll visit friends in Eslov, I'll do some research at Varnhem Abbey in Skara, we'll travel to Stockholm, and later, we'll visit the Lindstrom Family ancestral home near Mora. This is also where the Anders Zorn Museum is located, which we're anxious to visit.

After leaving Sweden, we'll travel to Oslo, Norway, and take the Norway in a Nutshell Tour to Bergen. One set of my maternal great-grandparents emigrated from that area. (I also had a set of French great-grandparents, and two sets of British great-grandparents.)

I'll be sure to post about the trip and how it ties in to Book Four of 
The Time Travel Tales of LIVVI BIDDLE!

By the way, I'm all set with some reading material for our trip!