Have you ever wondered what it's really like to go to a Writers' Conference? Well, let me tell you.
It's a blast! Especially if you're like me and love to be around people. I LOVE to be around people. Especially people who I love.
And a room full of authors is definitely full of people I love.
But a lot of these people were extra special to me because we've worked together either as collaborators in a collection or as editor/author. And quite a few of them I had never met in real life.

Last weekend, I went to ScrivCon, the Writers' conference my publisher puts on each year. It was amazing, and I got to hug so many people I'd only met online before now. So, that was pure bliss for me. I love hugs. Quite a few of those people were authors I had edited for over the past few years. And that was really fun too. Because even though we'd worked together, we'd never met in person.
Fast forward to Saturday evening, and there was a gala and award banquet. Well, I didn't expect to win anything despite having three books up for awards and being in the list of finalists for Editor of the Year. There were just too many other great authors and books and editors. But I bought a fancy dress and planned to enjoy myself anyway.

This time of year, it's easy to get caught up in cheesy holiday movies on TV, but do you pay attention to the ratings? My friend and fellow author, Regina Rudd Merrick is here today to tell us how those ratings inspired a scene in her newest book.

Christmas books are fun to write. Christmas Rewired is book 4 of my RenoVations, Inc. series, but, like last year’s Christmas story, 12 Days of Mandy Reno, it’s not a mystery—it’s just a little romance, a little fun, and a lot of Renos.
 
A few years ago, after years of avoiding them, my oldest daughter introduced me to the mindless joy of watching Hallmark movies. They come in all genres, and some are better than others. My favorites are the Rom-Coms.
 
I realized, then, that these movies are exactly the kinds of stories I like to read as well as watch!

Today, we have a treat for you. I have lured Colleen Hall away from her horses and her writing long enough to answer a few questions about herself and her stories. I think they're going to intrigue you as much as they do me. Be sure to read all the way to the end for a special note from Colleen about how to get her books right now.

​You started writing at an early age even though life interrupted your author goals. When you were
laid up after surgery, you could've put your interest and attention anywhere--what led you to pick up your old writings again?

I found out that my niece had written a novel and was hoping to publish it. She planned to self-publish rather than go the traditional route, but her accomplishment started me thinking. If she could write a novel, why couldn’t I? That was the spark reignited my love of writing that had lain dormant for many years. So, while I was out of work recovering from surgery, I pulled out the manuscript that became Her Traitor’s Heart and started editing it. And the rest is, as they say, history.

What leads you to write historical fiction?

I grew up in New England around a lot of old things—200-year-old houses, antique furniture, history—so I guess I absorbed a lot of that into my psyche. I’m interested in history and historical stories, and my plots usually include some historical incident. w up in New England around a lot of old things—200-year-old houses, antique furniture, history—so I guess I absorbed a lot of that into my psyche. I’m interested in history and historical stories, and my plots usually include some historical incident.