There are those who wonder what the writer’s life is like, and those who think they know…but think wrong. I have met in person or corresponded with people who have such misguided notions as ~ Writers attend a series of literary teas where they exchange witty banter with other writers. ~ Writers jet all over the country and even the world giving speeches in exotic locales ~ Writers are rolling in wealth from hefty advances and fat royalty checks ~ Writers spend two hours a day writing and the rest of the day in such luxurious pursuits as getting spa...

While not all voracious readers are writers, almost all writers are voracious readers. We consume books as if they were manna, not only delicious but necessary for our very sustenance. Have you ever thought you’d like to write a book? What’s stopping you? While more would-be writers aspire to fiction writing, for some reason, wishing to spin a story rather than deal in facts or opinions, there is plenty of opportunity in nonfiction as well. And “nonfiction” includes cookbooks and memoirs as well as how-tos, motivationals, inspirationals, histories, and such. So first decide if you want to create characters and...

If the room where the family gathers, the room where guests are entertained, the room you likely spend most of your evenings in is the living room, the kitchen is surely the loving room. When you cook delicious meals for your family (or for yourself, if you’re living solo), you’re surely expressing your love. (And if you cook for just yourself? Well, I certainly hope you love yourself!) A cookbook that was around in my childhood had emblazoned on its cover, “The way to a man’s heart,” and surely you’ve heard the expression, “The way to a man’s heart is...

Although Disney World calls itself, and is called by many others, “The Magic Kingdom,” there is another magic kingdom that is much more accessible to all. You don’t have to pay a hefty price to enter. You don’t have to travel to Orlando, either. In fact, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home. I’m talking about the wonderful world of books. The price of a book is ever so much more reasonable than the price of entry to Disney World — and once you’ve bought a book, it’s yours for keeps. You can revisit it as...

It’s universal. We all want to be loved. And authors are no exception. We authors, however, want love not only from our families and friends but from our readers, as well. Are you showing love for the authors whose books you enjoy? There are, of course, classic stories of authors who scribbled in obscurity in dusty garrets and never put their works forth into the public light, their well-deserved fame coming only after their death. When the trove of the author’s manuscripts finally was unearthed from a box, a steamer trunk, or a hiding place under stored old clothing, they...

Did you know that there is a place of magic and wonderment right in your town? A place where your children (and you!) can be transported to far-away lands, where you can explore the world, meet famous people, and learn about almost anything you desire to? If you haven’t guessed, I’m talking about the library. The typical library of today lends much more than just books. Music, movies, maps, and much more are on offer at your local place of enchantment. There are computers available for use…and the main branch of the county library where I live offers sound mixing...

While not all avid readers turn into writers, most writers start out as avid readers. If you have a young family member who can’t get enough of books, who seems to gallop from the first page to the last, who wears out her or his library card, and whose bookshelf is crammed, you might possibly be harboring a budding author. Encourage her or him.

Sometimes we’re lucky and we don’t get what we want. My affinity for writing evinced itself when I was very young. I was writing poems, stories, even a play from the time I learned to spell C-A-T. Everyone cheered me on—family, teachers, family friends—and assured me I was going to be a writer when I grew up. But that wasn’t what I wanted. Broadway beckoned—and not scripting plays but acting in them. Starring in them. I had my heart set on being an actress. A health issue put the kibosh on my dreams of, as they sang in Showboat, “Life...

GreatReads.buzz has launched a new website built by the graphic design team at PhotoGraphics in Stuart, FL. The new website makes it easier for visitors to surf and/or purchase products.

New products have been recently added such as the Bumbler themed tee shirt and coffee mug.

“Leftovers? Ugh!” Is that what your family says—or what you yourself think—when you have leftover meats and try to serve them re-warmed the next night?