Old West True Tale by Stephen Bly

Stephen Bly

Another Old West True Tale by award-winning western author Stephen Bly 

One of my favorite governors was Lew Wallace of New Mexico Territory (1878-1881). In addition, he was a lawyer, Union general in the American Civil War, American statesman and author. He's the source for many and Old West true tale. He's best remembered for his historical novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Rules of Murder, Historical Romantic Mystery, New Release by Julianna Deering

Rules of Murder

Author Julianna Deering Announces New Release: Rules of Murder, an Historical Romantic Mystery 

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, but he expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. 

When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself.

16 Cowboy Songs, A Music Quiz by Western Author Stephen Bly

Match the line from the cowboy songs lyrics to the title. 

Keep in mind, since most of these cowboy songs existed as oral tradition before they were written down, several versions of each have survived. The words you remember might be a tad different.

Whispers on the Prairie, new novel by Vickie McDonough

Whispers on the Prairie

New Release! Whispers on the Prairie 

Book 1 in the Pioneer Promises series

exciting new series set in 1870s Kansas

The last thing Sarah Marshall wanted was to leave Chicago. Especially to travel the dusty Santa Fe Trail. But when her uncle demands she go to help her feeble aunt, who took her in when her parents died, she has no choice. She hopes to get her aunt to her new home then return to Chicago.

Stephen Bly and horse Sundance

No one likes to get bucked off a horse. Old cowboys especially. But if his broomtail decided to 'hop for mama,' 'take ya to church,' 'chin the moon,' or 'wrinkle his spine,' he plowed the ground with his face. Then he must catch the rude horse and holler, "Ketch my saddle!"

Her Dad & Louis L'Amour: Finishing His First Novel by Guest Blogger Rebecca DeMarino

Rebecca DeMarino and Howard Worley

It was June of 2010, and my dad, at age eighty-seven, lay on a hospital bed, prepped for an angiogram. His aortic valve was just about closed, and his cardiologist ordered the test as a first step to open-heart surgery. The heart surgeon would not want any surprises when he went in to replace the valve. 

Now Dad held my hand and told me he wanted to tell me the end of the western romance he was writing, his first novel, the story he began to write nine months before.

Six Plot Kickers for Authentic Western Fiction

Stephen Bly

Authentic Western Fiction Plot Kickers by Stephen Bly

It's knowing the little facts that can produce the most authentic western short stories and novels, the truth in fiction. Some of the details of the Old West like those below can provide an extra shot of realism and emotion for the western genre and kickstart a sagging plot. All the examples are excerpts from Creede of Old Montana . . . .

A Bride For All Seasons, western romance novellas

A Bride For All Seasons

A BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS

The Mail Order Bride Collection of novellas by western romance authors Debra Clopton, Margaret Brownley, Mary Connealy, and Robin Lee Hatcher

It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue…

Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalogue isn’t dishonest—not exactly. If he tweaks his clients’ applications a bit, it’s because he’s looking out for their best interests.
This charming bouquet of romance novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they’ll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.

STORY DOODLES, Stephen Bly's Story Worksheet for Homeschoolers, Future Writers & Those With Writer's Block

Stephen Bly

Many have asked about my story worksheet that I've used at writer's classes, workshops and conferences.

What's a story worksheet?

 Do you remember those cardboard matchbook covers that said, "Draw Me!" If you're not of a certain age, probably not. They often included a cartoon character of a lady's or man's head.

Six Parenting Problems With The Crowded Nest

Once A Parent, Always A Parent

What Empty Nest? Parenting Adult Children by Stephen Bly ... Six Problems to Anticipate

Sometime between the ages of 18 and 20, our kids challenge us with a dramatic turn of events in our parenting. Like an eaglet stumbling from the aerie on its first flight, our child appears as a fully grown adult. Ready to take his or her plunge into society. We enter the world of our own solo flight: parenting adult children.

Or not.

The nest can seem more than full at times. It's crowded.