-
Teaching My Kids Mystery Writing
What I Use to Teach Mystery Writing to my Homeschooled High School Students
-
Hello, Sherlock!
When you think of a detective, odds are, a familiar image comes to mind. Namely, a spindly tall man smoking a pipe and playing the violin. Say hello to Sherlock Holmes. Below you’ll find what I’ve used to introduce my kiddos and students to this investigator that is almost as shady as the villains he stalks and the man who created the legend. I use one of my favorite short stories to invite my students to enter Sherlock’s world. Then, if they want to dig deeper, I pull out the big dogs with The Hound of the Baskervilles. Get to know the Detective on his official site —> https://sherlockholmes.com/ Meet…
-
Say Hello to Edgar Allan Poe
This Building A Mystery Post is all about the author of the very first detective story. Say Hello to Edgar Allan Poe, the sith lord of the macabre and melancholy himself. I believe diving into Poe’s famous detective story is a fabulous place to start when learning how to write a cozy mystery. (Something this writer mom loves to do with her high school students. I’m thrilled to share it with you.) Let’s start with Mr. EAP and his wild biography. Like other famous mystery writers, Mr. Poe leaves us with a tremendous gap in his timeline. It’s a mystery no one has unraveled with certainty. Edgar Allan’s death pulls…
-
Five Bookish YouTubers for Writers
We all need a little help sometimes. When you’re just getting started with writing, you may need more than a little. If you’re like me, you need a GRIP LOAD of advice, tutorials, and more. Here are five YouTubers that I turn to for guidance. I bet they can help you as well. Self-Publishing with Dale From uploading your manuscript to finetuning your keywords, Dale cuts through the haze of how to’s and helps writers become authors. Snarky and understanding, Dale has no qualms about bringing in experts and getting his hands dirty assisting his viewers. Check out his channel and subscribe if a jump start into publishing is what…
-
Because I gotta Have Faith- My Testimony
*** Warning: this post may have triggers for some – please be kind to yourself. I’ve tried to gloss over some of the most hurtful triggers (not for my embarrassment but your wellbeing). PLUS, this post is less edited than others on purpose. I didn’t want to lose any of the emotion behind it. *** Grab yourself a warm cup of coffee and snuggle in. This is just you and me chatting. I was raised in a Christian home. Isn’t that how all these vanilla testimonies begin? Does that mean I’m a cliche? Well, so be it. I was raised in a Christian home by imperfect but loving parents. They held…
-
To Plan or Not to Plan: 2022
I have a confession to make. I have purchased and filled in hundreds of planners in my adult life. I’ve also paid for and attended numerous webinars, classes, and boot camps to teach me how to plan properly. And yet- somehow- I’m never able to rock my goals. So this year- I give up! Sort of! Maybe you can relate? Of course, I still have goals and dreams and hopes. And sure, I’m still going to prayerfully pursue them- I’m just ditching the color coding and 90-day charting of said goals. Here’s why: GUILT Yup! Guilt. Every missed goal- every slipped my mind deadline heaps another shovel full of stinky,…
-
Christmas Movies: 2021
This is the season for Hallmark and holiday classics. At my house, the movies are nearly as important as the decorations. Here’s a list of the Hualde family’s Christmas movies of 2021, clustered into our homemade categories. Some are old favs, and others are new fads. XXX Be Advised not all movies are suitable for all ages. Use discretion and good judgment. XXX Staples/Old Favorites White Christmas: This one typically makes an early appearance during the season. Usually, even before the chilly weather sets in. It only makes sense. Auntie Mame: Though not truly a Christmas movie, the Christmas scene during the Depression makes me smile every time and gets…
-
Audio Edition: First Chapter Sneak Peeks
I love getting a sneak preview of new books. However, as a homeschooler and mom, I rarely get the chance to sit down and curl around stories in print. Most of my reading time is divided between teacher manuals and read alouds. I’m not complaining. It’s just a fact of this season of life. That’s why I’ve launched into audio reading and why I’m thrilled to offer you a free first chapter sneak peek of my mysteries- in audiobook. No download or sign up necessary. Just follow the links over to YouTube and take a listen. I keep my manuscripts clean- free of steamy scenes and swearing. (unless using food…
-
4 Weeks on BLE
Have you ever started a new diet/ meal plan and known you were going to give it everything you’ve got- only to have your imaginary naysayer gripe that you won’t make a week? #everydietI’veevertried… But not this time! I’m four weeks in and counting!! Let me share the nitty-gritty of my last 28 days, and maybe you’ll be inspired to give BLE a try. 😉 It’s HARD! The end. You can stop reading!— just kidding, there’s more! It’s worth it! Yes, at times, the little sugar addict in me kicks and whines for a liver of something sweet. Surprisingly it’s been begging for sweet tea and boba instead of cinnamon…
-
Not Just Another Food Tracker
In my first week on Bright Line Eating I scoured the internet for printables and charts. However, I could not find a food tracker that I liked. I wanted it simple and useable and fun (ish). So, I made my own Bright Line Eating food tracker- complete with gratitude and encouragement journal pages. On BLE, foodie freedom fighters are asked to plan their meals before the day begins. This takes all the guesswork out of the next day’s meal prep. Gone are last-minute whimsy-driven decisions. Once I write down my meal plan, unless there’s an emergency, I stick to it. Or I’m supposed. So far so good. We’re also asked…
