Behind the Scenes: I’m not inspired…what do I do now?
Which comes first: the writing or the inspiration?
Are you writing a book or even a school paper and have lost your inspiration?
Diana Stout
About Diana Stout
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A new series!
The first story of the Laurel Ridge novella series is coming soon!!
To appear on Amazon as an e-book!
Seven stories with seven couples. Each couple with their own story, told against the backdrop of a small southern community of Laurel Ridge, Georgia.
SHATTERED DREAMS – Mason Baylock has returned to his hometown as a newly appointed judge. He’s hoping to reconnect with his high school sweetheart, Shelley Willis, but she’s not interested. To keep him foremost in her mind, he frequents the diner, located across from the courthouse and where Shelley works, on a regular basis. Once a week for the more than the past three months, he’s been asking her out. And, once a week for more than the past three months, she’s been turning him down.
And then one evening, they become locked up in the kitchen’s cooler by accident. That’s when there’s no more escaping–the real conversation begins–and where the heat gets turned on. She can’t deny she isn’t attracted to him, but she’s not about to date someone who shattered her dreams years ago, either. And then, she discovers that there is more to the earth-shattering consequences than even she imagined, which threatens to fracture and splinter life as they know it.
Will both their dreams be shattered forever? Or does enough of a spark remain that they can rekindle the love they once shared?
Thank you, readers!!!
The reviews for Grendel’s Mother are starting to come in.
From Sarah Stuart on Readers’ Favorite:
“The author paints a vivid picture of inequality and discrimination. More than entertainment, this book is thought-provoking. . . . produced a fantasy that will appeal to teens and adults alike.”
From readers on Amazon.com:
“A tautly woven tale around a character often ignored in literature and offers the reader insight into how she became the frightful figure in Beowulf. . . . a story of abandonment, desperation, survival and strength. How surprised I was to find myself rooting for a character I had always thought of as menacing.”
“Presents a graphic description of village life in medieval times, especially for women of the times. . . . a survivor who uses her love of nature and her determination to live and protect the life of her unborn child to make a home in a cave deep in the forest.”
“Highly recommend it. Gripping tale!”
“Thank you for a wonderful book!”
Thank you, readers, for your comments!
Grendel’s Mother & Determined Hearts are published!
I’m excited
to announce that two of my books are now available on Amazon, with both books are available as either an eBook or a paperback.
Grendel’s Mother, while a YA medieval historical novel, as a stand alone or a companion for Beowulf, it was written with adults in mind, too. Did you like the Hunger Game series, the Divergent, the Maze Runner?
Determined Hearts is a reprint from a 1993 published book – a contemporary romance.
I look forward to your comments and questions, and your reviews.
Happy reading!
Grendel’s Mother – Coming Soon!
Grendel’s Mother was ten years in the making, so I’m thrilled to be announcing that this book will be coming out soon!!! Look for an announcement in late March or April.
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Welcome to What’s New!
Welcome to my new website, new logo, and my new company, Sharpened Pencils Productions, and in particular to this blog which is all about What’s New!
The entire website is under construction, so bear with me while I install information, primarily in the Portfolio and Services areas. So ignore the duplication in some areas. Hopefully, you will be curious enough to come back to see the new construction.
The purpose of this site is to connect all of my projects under one umbrella: my portfolio of books, scripts, and classes and classes that I’ll be offering; my three other blogs; services I’m offering as an editor, writing coach, consultant, speaker, and more, both paid and volunteer; and of course, all my social media.
Additionally, I intend to invite other writers, producers, screenwriters, writing programmers, editors, agents, teachers of writing, book cover artists, and other professionals to make presentations through this new What’s New blog. Ideally, not only will they provide valuable information to you, as a writer of fiction, nonfiction, screen, stage, and print, but provide you discount or special opportunities to their classes, books, or services.
And, it is my plan to promote the work of my clients and various associates as their work becomes published, produced, and implemented.
If you’re interested in joining me in this venture, appearing as a guest, let me know, via e-mail. Just click the e-mail envelop button at the top of any page.
I can’t close without giving a HUGE (!!!!!) shout out to Creative Web Designing Inc, and it’s wonderful owner, Lee Younkman, who happens to be my nephew and website designer extraordinaire. I couldn’t have done this without him, and I just may have shown him a few website tricks, too. With his expertise and mine, we make for a fine collaboration.
I’m excited about this new venture and hope you will be, too.
So what do you think? I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Diana
A New Vision
The image, which was my view from my hotel window while at a conference in Traverse City looking out at the Bay, truly represents my looking at the world through another window.
Birth of a logo
The new year of 2016 began with the genesis of Sharpened Pencils Productions. leading to the creation of this website and the logo, shown here.