Category: writing

  • Name That Character!

    This post was inspired by a post on the Second Wind Word Press page, by Pat Bertram.  In it, she talks about how a character name shows a lot about the character.  I started this as a comment to her, but it got too long, so I moved it here.  Dellani I believe a name tells…

  • I Did It Again!

    This November gave me another opportunity to sharpen my writing skills by participating in the National November Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge.  Those who participate agree to write a complete novel, 50,000 words or more, in the month of November.  For more details, look at www.nanowritmo.org Sounds easy?  Think again.  Finding the time to write each…

  • Creating a Character Sketch

    Writers new and old sometimes have trouble finding a place to start. We are full of all kinds of ideas, and jot them down in an effort to keep track of them. Getting these ideas into a cohesive whole can be trying. As an A.P. English teacher, I had to take high school students into…

  • Breaking the Writer’s Block

    Three o’clock in the morning, and I’ve been staring at the monitor for hours, unable to get anything coherent written. Banging my head on the desk doesn’t help, although it does dislodge a stack of papers exposing a CD I’ve been missing for months. I pop the CD into the player and wait for inspiration.…

  • Character Interview with Gabriella Deza of “Indian Summer”

          Second Wind: What is your story? Gabriella: I haven’t much of one yet, I’m only just 15, but what there is of it is told in “Indian Summer.” SW: Who are you? G: I am Gabriella Deza, youngest daughter of Governor Ferdinand Deza. SW: Where and when do you live? G: I…

  • Character Interview with Manuel Enriques of “Indian Summer”

    Second Wind: What is your story? Manuel: My story is still being written, but a portion of it is chronicled in “Indian Summer” by Dellani Oakes. SW: Who are you? M: My name is Manuel Hermida Enriques Orejan Sanchez and I am confidential aid to Governor Ferdinand Deza. SW: Where do you live? M: I…

  • Interview with Dellani Oakes

    Interview used by permission of Second Wind Publishing and the author  Second Wind: I am joined today by Dellani Oakes, author of the historical romance novel, “Indian Summer” available through Second Wind Publishing. Hello, Dellani, and welcome. Dellani: Thank you. I am delighted to be here. SW: What inspired you to write this novel? D:…