• 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…

  • “Indian Summer” An Historical Romance

    In the spring of 1739, Gabriella Deza stands poised on the verge of womanhood. A product of her guarded upbringing, she is naive in the ways of love until dashing Manuel Enriques declares his love for her. Quite by accident, Gabriella uncovers a plot hatched by a British spy. Armed with her information, Manuel embarks…

  • “Indian Summer” excerpt from first chapter

    The following is an excerpt from “Indian Summer” now available at Second Wind Publishing. The first rays of sun rose above the ocean, setting the waves afire. I gazed out my window, watching the town of St. Augustine awake. Sounds from the kitchen below blended with the calling of the men on the docks and…

  • Reebdoog’s Halloween Horror

     This story was written for Horizons, an online video game I have played for several years. I entered it in the Fall Festival scary story contest and it was chosen for publication in the game. Reebdoog’s Tale is told every year now by a character at the festival grounds. REEBDOOG’S TALE “I’ve a tale to…

  • Write it Right or Yes, Viriginia, Mechanics Count

    When I was a child, I couldn’t spell. I’m still spelling impaired and love spell check above any of the other features of my word processing program. I am, however, glad I have a good background in punctuation, because word processors are woefully inadequate there. Rule of thumb, if Word corrects your punctuation, it is…

  • 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:…