#WriterWednesday Author Interview with Mary P. Karnes

The wonderful Mary P. Karnes is my guest today for #WriterWednesday!

The last thing I ate, chocolate – I will never regret this choice.

The last thing I regret eating, bacon (I generally don’t eat processed meats.).

The last thing I ordered on-line, a new iPhone screen protector – a necessity!

The last thing I regret buying, another winter beanie – I have about ten!

Favorite places, my hometown, Ojai, California

Places I’d never want to go to again, Kansas – it’s a lovely place, but we only lived there a year and didn’t set down roots.

The coolest person I’ve ever met was James Taylor – I wanted to get his autograph for my husband, a huge fan. I couldn’t get near him. But I shouted out, “I gave birth to four children listening to your music.” (True story) His response? “Let that lady up here!” I got the autograph.

The celebrity that did live up to my expectations: Mohamad Ali (not a kind person to fans)

My favorite book as a child, Are You My Mother?

A book I’ve read more than once, Gone With the Wind

Hardest thing about being a writer. Writing when you are not motivated.

Easiest thing about being a writer: You can write anywhere.

Something I’m really good at: Motivating young women (I have four daughters and am a wedding planner)

Something you’re bad at: keeping track of my glasses

Something I’d walk a mile for – a good cup of coffee

Something that would make me run screaming from the room: a mouse

Things I always put in my books: wedding tips

Things I never put in my books, personal situations of my wedding clients

Favorite book genre: thrillers

Books I’d never buy: Sci-Fi

About Mary:

Mary Karnes, a college English major and former teacher, is the mother of four who raised her family through six corporate moves. She always dreamed of being an author and dabbled with writing throughout the years. Once the children were grown and out of the house, she started a wedding planning business, while simultaneously chasing her dream of being a traditionally published author. Her ‘Wedding Planner Mystery Series’ was born, with her business providing delicious subject matter for her books.

The first in the Wedding Planner Mystery Series, WEDDING BRIDE AND DOOM, debuted August 2023 and the second in the series, SAVE THE FATE, published October 2024. Book Three, UNVEILED SECRETS, published October 2025. The fourth book in the series will debut in the Fall of 2026.

Mary resides in New England and Southern California with her husband, Ken. She is hard at work writing book number five in the “Wedding Planner Mystery Series,” as well as working on something a little different, a stand-alone domestic thriller. Her door is a revolving one with her children and grandchildren visiting frequently.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://www.marykarnesauthor.com

 Instagram: @marykarnesauthor

Instagram: @marypkarnesweddings

 Facebook: Mary Karnes Author

Author J. M. Shaw is my guest for #WriterWednesday

I’d like to welcome J. M. Shaw to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing, hands down, is editing.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The easiest thing is writing the rough draft. Letting your imagination run free is much easier than trying to wrangle it in during the refining process.

Things you need for your writing sessions: A hot coffee, a comfortable seat, a quiet space—preferably tidy—and my laptop.

Things that hamper your writing: A messy space, a runaway to-do list, random phone calls, or my kids’ constant demands for snacks are all things that stifle my creative process. Sometimes, I’ll have to concede and take a day off writing because the fight for a conducive writing environment is just too exhausting.

Words that describe you: If you ask my husband, he’d say creative, driven, and compassionate are words that best describe me.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: In contrast, my family has described me as loud, socially awkward, and, at times, obsessively creative. While I appreciate brutal honesty, their delivery leaves much to be desired. On the otherhand, there are worse things to be called, so I’m not that offended.

Last best thing you ate: I am a sucker for chocolate in any form, but my favourite has to be Coffee Crisp bars. This past weekend, I splurged, and it was as good as I remember.

Last thing you regret eating: Years ago, I went out for a quick bite with my mother. We stopped for Chinese food at a local mall. It left a bad aftertaste in my mouth and, less than an hour later, I came down with food poisoning. At least I didn’t have to suffer alone, since my mom and several other patrons of said restaurant were also violently ill.

The last thing you ordered online: I recently ordered a trilogy—a highly acclaimed fantasy adventure. Now it’s sitting on my bookshelf, urging me to read it.

The last thing you regret buying: I bought a sweater dress a few months back that looked so good on the digital model. When it arrived, it was not only the wrong size but also far shorter than I expected—barely reaching my hips. Needless to say, this item was quickly returned for a full refund.

Things you’d walk a mile for: I love walking, and I could easily manage a mile. If someone offered me a Coffee Crisp, I wouldn’t hesitate to don my shoes and hit the trails.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: I find the sound of nails on a chalkboard the most uncomfortable sound, and you’d have to tie me to a chair to keep me from bolting for the hills.

Things you always put in your books: I have an odd sense of humor—situational banter with a sprinkle of irony and, if the mood is right, a little bit of slapstick to curve the edges. I will often break up the tension by throwing in something awkwardly hilarious.

Things you never put in your books: While I’m not opposed to reading spicy romance, if there’s enough action and adventure to balance out the flavor, writing steaming romance is another thing. While I have no problem penning clean romantic arcs, I’m not comfortable writing graphic intimacy, at least not at this point in my career.

Favorite things to do: Where do I begin? Though the list is extensive, there are a few standout items: reading, writing, hiking, playing the piano, and spending a quiet morning sipping a still-hot coffee under my gazebo.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: I hate cooking. If I could pay someone to feed my family in my stead, I would gladly fork over that cash.

The funniest thing to happen to you: I was attending an author signing, sitting in front of a bookshelf while talking to someone about my latest novel. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a book begin to fall from the shelf. Without missing a beat or even breaking eye contact with the person across the table from me, I thrust out my arm and caught said book before it hit the ground. My conversation partner and I were understandably surprised.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: Years ago, I was out with my eldest son, who was a toddler at the time, and my screaming bladder demanded I find a washroom. I quickly found my way to a public toilet, only to find it bustling with several other nature callers. I took the next available stall and, being that I couldn’t leave my two-year-old alone, brought him into the narrow cubicle with me. He cooperated for most of my visit until the very end, when he flipped the latch and shoved the door wide open before I could stop him. Regrettably, that day, a room full of strangers got a clear view of me with my pants down.

My favorite book as a child: When I was ten years old, I came home from school to find a copy of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. I have no idea where it came from, and it was a little above my reading age, but I became engrossed in the story and instantly made it a favorite.

A book I’ve read more than once: Aside from having to read my own novel countless times—a necessity of editing—the only other book that I’ve voluntarily read more than once would be the Gray Man by Mark Greaney. Though it’s not a genre I often read, Greaney is a master of action, and his stories never fail to draw me in. Even so, subsequent passes are not nearly as enjoyable as the initial read-through because you already know what’s going to happen.

About J. M.:

J. M. Shaw is a Canadian author of fantasy fiction who lives in Alberta with her husband and two young children. She’s been writing since childhood, building worlds from raw imagination and quiet observation, but it took years before she found the courage to share them. For Shaw, storytelling has always been more than a hobby; it’s a passion.

In 2019, Shaw was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, a turning point that brought clarity to a lifetime of feeling “too much” or “too different.” Her intense focus, emotional depth, and ability to live inside fictional worlds became not flaws but the superpowers of a neurodivergent mind. These qualities shape her stories, infusing them with realism, heart, and meaning, and giving her the courage to finally share her creative works. Her worlds may be fantastical, but her characters—flawed, searching, and deeply human—resonate on a personal level.

When she’s not writing, Shaw enjoys connecting with nature, curling up with a good book, and dreaming up new worlds. She also finds joy in encouraging young writers to pursue their own passions.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: www.jmshawauthor.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmshaw_author/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmshawauthor

Email: jmshawauthor1@gmail.com

#WriterWednesday Author Interview with Tara Hodgson

I’d like to welcome Tara Hodgson to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Go for walks outside no matter the weather

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Putting the laundry away - I’m good at the washing and the drying, but HATE putting it all away!

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: An assortment of beverages (coffee, water, sometimes a smoothie) and some background noise. This is usually Gilmore Girls on repeat. Not sure why it works, but I trust the process!

Things that distract you from writing: My phone and chores. The pile of laundry sometimes refuses to be ignored.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Finding the time to write in between my day job and other realities (aka. being a mom to two young kids, sleeping, cleaning) Easiest thing about being a writer: When the words flow and you create something from nothing. It’s a magical thing when that happens.

Favorite snacks: Pickles and sliced cheese

Things that make you want to gag: Blue cheese and olives

Something you’re really good at: Saying ‘no,’ setting boundaries, and protecting my peace. Something you’re really bad at: Leaving my house to socialize

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: All I wanted to do was be a marine biologist. For some unknown reason, this was the career to aspire to in my rural community.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: Public speaking because I was painfully shy growing up

Something you wish you could do: Play a musical instrument or sing well

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Nothing!

Favorite places you’ve been: Costa Rica

Places you never want to go to again: Las Vegas

People you’d like to invite to dinner: Taylor Swift, Betty White, Stevie Nicks

People you’d cancel dinner on: Any current politician.

Favorite things to do: Have a cold beer on the boat in the middle of my favorite lake and jump in the water when it gets too hot

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Confrontation of any kind

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Skydived on my 27th birthday

Something you chickened out from doing: I usually suck it up and do it anyways even if I’m dying inside while doing it

The most exciting thing about your writing life: I have the opportunity to highlight current, societal issues that are affecting teens by communicating them in a fictional manner. I love using my fiction as a means of sparking conversations and making people think

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: I wish I had started writing seriously sooner. I have so much to say and feel like I missed out on so much time!

About Tara:

Tara Hodgson is the YA contemporary author of Chasing Through Time and At Least I’m Trying. As a long-time teacher, she is passionate about communicating the potential implications of a technology-centred world and spark necessary conversations about these impacts on teens, using her fiction to do so. She lives on an acreage in Sturgeon County, Alberta with her husband, two children, and a crew of cats and dogs. When she isn't teaching or writing, she is reading. She loves all genres of books, but especially YA Contemporary, Fantasy, and Dystopian (but she’ll read anything, really!) She spends her down time walking, camping, boating, and relaxing at home with her family and animals.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: http://www.tarahodgson.ca/

#WriterWednesday Author Interview with Nikki Knight

I’d like to welcome the multi-talented Nikki Knight to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Rejection
Easiest thing about being a writer: Taking edits and notes – after a lifetime in a newsroom, I’m not hung up on my lovely words!

Things you need for your writing sessions: Five minutes and a flat surface for the laptop.

Things that hamper your writing: Lack of sleep – I work morning drive on the weekend, and I can’t get anything done on Mondays!

Words that describe you: Determined, creative, loyal, family-oriented. (Family of blood, work, and affection!)

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Easily distracted, hot-tempered, oversensitive.

Something you’re really good at: “The Dance,” anchoring breaking news.
Something you’re really bad at: Meeting people in person. I’m painfully shy. (I know it doesn’t make sense!)

Last best thing you ate: Chocolate cake on date night…I took the best bite and my husband didn’t mind!
Last thing you regret eating: Leftover canned soup. But I hate wasting food!

Favorite music or song: K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack (today!)

Music that drives you crazy: Pop stars trying to be country because it’s hot right now.

The last thing you ordered online: Fun press-on nails.

The last thing you regret buying: Blue eyeliner that looked cobalt and turned out to be turquoise. (Cobalt eyeliner and mascara is my signature thing.)

Things you always put in your books: Pets with personality –and a role in solving the case!
Things you never put in your books: Children in danger.

Things to say to an author: I love your work.
Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Gee, it looks so easy!

The funniest thing to happen to you: Walking in Manhattan’s Battery Park with a friend, we turned a corner and there she was. And I said, in the hill country accent I’d spent the last ten years working to lose: “Oh mah Gawd, it’s the Statue a’ Liberty!” My buddy just walked away like he didn’t know me

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: That time my dress fell off onstage during a college theatre production. I was a costume assistant, and I’d checked everyone’s outfits but my own. Good thing I was wearing dance underpinnings.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: We were at the Aquarium with our son, watching the beluga whale when there was suddenly a wave of liquid under it…and my son said, at full volume: “Look, Ma, the whale’s peeing!” It’s in the opening scene in MURDER ON THE SEA OTTER EXPRESS. 

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Unlike Grace, I don’t poison people…though I’ve thought about it occasionally!

My favorite book as a child: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES.

A book I’ve read more than once: STRONG POISON, Dorothy Sayers.

About Nikki:

Nikki Knight is the pen name of Kathleen Marple Kalb, an anchor/author/mom…not in that order. The Agatha-nominated author of short stories and more than a dozen novels, she’s also a longtime weekend anchor at New York’s 1010 WINS Radio. Her book series include the Grace the Hit Mom, Vermont radio – and under her own name, Ella Shane and Old Stuff Mysteries. Active in writers’ groups, she’s currently a Marketing and Communications Liaison on the National Board of Sisters in Crime, and a past VP of the Short Mystery Fiction Society and NY/Tri-State SinC. She and her family live in a Connecticut house owned by a large calico cat.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://kathleenmarplekalb.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Nikki-Knight-101660128672615

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenmarplekalb/

Threads: @kathleenmarplekalb

Bluesky: @mysterymarple.bsky.social   

#WriterWednesday Interview with Kristine Jensen

I’d like to welcome Kristine Jensen to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: As someone with a full-time writing job, making time to sit down and write my personal work

Easiest thing about being a writer: Letting the words flow once I sit down to write

Things you need for your writing sessions: My iPad with attached keyboard that has no access to email or social media

Things that hamper your writing: Getting sucked into my emails or social media

Words that describe you: Loyal, disciplined, trustworthy, hardworking, imaginative

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Empath, stubborn, overthinker

Something you’re really good at: Coming up with creative solutions to problems

Something you’re really bad at: Sleeping

Last best thing you ate: Gingerbread cake

Last thing you regret eating: Stale tortilla chips at 2am

Favorite music or song: Female vocalists

Music that drives you crazy: Hard rock, some repetitive techno music

The last thing you ordered online: A 2026 calendar

The last thing you regret buying: A book about clearing clutter (it just makes me feel worse about all my stuff)

Things you’d walk a mile for: Almost anything, I love to walk

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: A certain politician’s voice who shall go unnamed

Things you always put in your books: My heart and soul

Things you never put in your books: Murders

Favorite places you’ve been: Croatia, Southern France, Santa Barbara

Places you never want to go to again: Las Vegas

Favorite books (or genre): Fiction and historical fiction

Books you wouldn’t buy: Dystopian sci-fi

Favorite things to do: Reading, gardening, baking, hiking

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Removing a dead “gift” that our cat has brought into the house

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Climbed to the top of a fire lookout tree in a Montana forest

Something you chickened out from doing: Learning rock climbing from my son

The funniest thing to happen to you: I was talking about an ex-boyfriend to my mom and we ran into him and his new girlfriend in a mall — he must have heard me because we both turned red.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: I misspelled the last name of our CEO in a printed program for the company’s annual event with 10,000 attendees.

The coolest person you’ve ever met: My husband

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Hmm…the celebrities I’ve met looked like their pictures.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: You’re a great writer, please keep writing.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “It must be easy to write a memoir” — my book is fiction, not a memoir, and is set in 1963.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: Designed and planted beautiful flower gardens in our front and back yards

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Most recently, a fancy cake I baked got stuck in the pan and came out in pieces

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: An incident with sheep who get caught in flood waters

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: One reader thought the protagonist in Wednesday Club: A Novel was me, but Ivy is actually very different from me

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: Fleetwood Mac

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: Hard rock

My favorite book as a child: Little House on the Prairie

A book I’ve read more than once: Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Your favorite movie as a child: Wizard of Oz

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): The movie Willard — a horror film about rats

About Kristine:

Kristine Jensen is a lifelong writer whose work spans scripts and storytelling for brands and organizations. Raised in South Dakota, Kristine drew inspiration for Wednesday Club: A Novel from the minutes of her grandmother’s women’s club. She lives in Oregon, where she writes fiction that celebrates unlikely friendships and the quiet power of small towns.

Let’s Be Social:

Website/social media: www.wednesday-club.com

Facebook: Wednesday Club Novel

Instagram: Wednesday_club_novel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensenkristine/

#WriterWednesday Interview with Carol Pouliot

I’d like to welcome the amazing Carol Pouliot back to the blog and congratulate her on her 2026 Agatha nomination!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Deleting a paragraph/page/chapter that I worked on for days, when I realized that it had to go.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Getting lost in the book I'm currently writing. 

Things you need for your writing sessions: My comfortable chair with special cushions for my back.

Things that hamper your writing: Stress. 

The last thing you ordered online: All the books in Jennifer Ashley's Below Stairs Mysteries. I love them!!

The last thing you regret buying: A living room chair that has the perfect color combination. Sadly, I got sick of the pattern too quickly. I've been looking for a chair to replace it for the past two years.

Things you always put in your books: I always put some kind of reference to art in the books.

Things you never put in your books: I never put graphic sex or vulgar language in my novels.

Favorite places you’ve been: My current favorite place to go is England. I really love the villages and towns in Cornwall, Devon, and the Cotswolds. I've been about a dozen times and can't wait to go back.

Places you never want to go to again: I didn't care for Mexico and won't go back there. 

Favorite books (or genre): I’m hooked on British mysteries. They're always my first choice, whether they take place in a contemporary setting or a Victorian one. I love getting lost in London as well as in the enchanting small town.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I always read the first few pages of a book before I buy it. If it's badly edited, I won't read or buy it. 

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I moved to France by myself when I was 22. I had the name of the school where I supposedly had a job, but I didn't have an address, a place to live, or a plan. I didn’t care because I just wanted to go to France!! This was in 1973, so no cellphones or computers to help. I called my mother from the airport in New York right before I left. Thank goodness a letter had arrived with the address of my school. That was all I had when I took off. 

Something you chickened out from doing: I was a gymnast from eighth grade until my junior year of college. At that time, the even parallel bars were available for girls and that was my equipment. I was practicing for a meet and chickened out of a very tricky, scary dismount. 

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I was invited to speak at a book club shortly after Doorway to Murder, book one in my series, came out. After my talk, a woman raised her hand and said, "I've read a lot of time-travel books but this is the first one I ever read where I thought it could really happen. 

The craziest thing a reader said to you: I was at a book festival, standing behind my table which was filled with copies of all of my books. Someone came up to the table and asked where my books were available for purchase. My answer was: “Right here, right now.” 

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: Chapter one of book one, Doorway to Murder, actually happened to me and was the inspiration for the time travel part of my mystery series. I wrote the chapter exactly as it happened. 

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Although I did give Olivia some of my interests and a couple things in my background, she's not me. 

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: The first record I remember buying was an EP by Sam Cooke with the song "You Send Me" on it. We're talking vinyl here!  

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: I've never cared for folk music or the James Taylor style of music. 

My favorite book as a child: I adored The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I loved the way the kids furnished the railway car, and how brave and resilient they were.

A book I’ve read more than once: I always reread favorite books. I’ve reread all of Martha Grimes’s Richard Jury series, Ann Cleeves’s Vera and Jimmy Perez books, Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks novels, as well as all the Agatha Christie mysteries. I’m sure I will read them all again at some point.

About Carol:

Agatha-nominated author Carol Pouliot writes the acclaimed Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries, traditional police procedurals with a time-travel twist and a seemingly impossible relationship between Depression-era cop Steven Blackwell and 21st-century journalist Olivia Watson. With their fast pace and unexpected twists and turns, the books are known for their attention to historical details, rich atmosphere, and multi-layered plots. Carol is the former President and Program Chair of her Sisters in Crime chapter, Co-Chair of Murderous March, and a founding member of Sleuths and Sidekicks. Carol teaches a workshop for beginning mystery writers titled What’s So Great About Agatha? She enjoys speaking to groups interested in reading and writing, and loves talking with book clubs. You can find her email address on the Contact page of her website. When not writing, Carol can be found packing her suitcase and reaching for her passport for her next travel adventure.

Let’s Be Social:

Website

Facebook Author Page

Instagram

Pinterest

BookBub

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

#WriterWednesday Author Interview wth Holly B. Gutwillinger

I’d like to welcome author Holly B. Gutwillnger to the blog today for #WriterWednesday!

A few of your favorite traditions: I love to wake up early, before anyone else, to write by the fire with a cup of chai latte.

Something that you’ll never do again: I’ll never visit a corn maze on the farm and get lost again.

Favorite treat: Homemade pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream.

A treat that makes you gag: I gag at the idea of eating mincemeat pie.

Something you only do in the fall: I chop wood and stockpile for the winter months.

Something you’d never do in the fall season: I would never swim in the local lake.

Favorite beverage: Iced Chai Latte with extra cinnamon and two inches of foam.
A drink that gives you a sour face: Over-steeped green tea turned bitter.

Favorite smell: Cedar trees in the forest.
Something that makes you hold your nose: rotting leaves on the forest’s bed or in my yard.

Best memory: I have fond memories of packing a lunch and joining my father for a full day of harvesting wood for the winter.

Something you’d rather forget: My dog jumping into the icy lake to chase ducks.

Best thing you ever cooked/baked: Butter tarts with maple syrup in the recipe.

Your worst kitchen disaster: Sourdough bread from a failed starter.

Favorite place you to spend a day: In the hardwood forest in the Muskokas, which is located in Central Ontario.

The worst place to spend a day: In Florida because then I’d miss the autumn leaves in Ontario.

Funniest story: My boys, who were young at the time, carved a large hole in a pumpkin, placed them over their heads, and walked into the house to scare me.

Your worst story: It had to be the time I spent hours intricately carving an image on the pumpkin, but I pushed too hard and ruined the hours of work. It could not be repaired.

Favorite pumpkin spice item: I love Pumpkin cheesecake squares straight out of the freezer.

Something that should never be pumpkin-spiced flavored: Cinnamon buns should never ever has anything different because the original recipe is what makes them unique.

About Holly:

Holly B. Gutwillinger is an author and podcaster who calls a small northern Ontario town home. Her anticipated debut novel, North of Broken & Furever Home, launches February 14, 2026, offering readers an intimate and heartfelt exploration of a woman's complex, evolving relationship with her rescue dogs—a story that weaves together themes of healing, companionship, and the unexpected ways animals transform our lives.

Holly's writing voice is profoundly shaped by her deep love of family. As the proud mother of two adult sons, she brings an authentic understanding of parental devotion and the complexities of watching children grow into their own lives. This same fierce commitment extends to the animals who share her world, and her work reflects the belief that our relationships with both human and animal family members reveal fundamental truths about who we are and who we aspire to become.

Holly combines formal training with natural storytelling. She is currently deepening her craft through her MFA in fiction at the University of King's College, where she continues to explore the intersections of character, voice, and emotional truth. Beyond her individual pursuits, Holly is deeply embedded in the literary community, serving on the board of her local writers' guild and volunteering her expertise with the Women's Fiction Writers Association, where she helps support and champion other voices in the genre.

Through both her written work and her podcast, Holly creates spaces for authentic conversation about the stories that matter—those that examine our connections, our vulnerabilities, and the quiet courage it takes to open our hearts to love in all its forms.

Let’s Be Social:

Substack: https://substack.com/@hollybgutwillinger?utm_source=user-menu

Instagram: @rambling_from_the_little_shed 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ramblings-from-the-little-shed/id1852258364

Website: www.ramblingsfromthelittleshed.com

#WriterWednesday with Author Ruth J. Hartman

The amazing Ruth J. Hartman is my guest today for #WriterWedneday!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Take walks on a nearby trail with my husband. Play with our cats.

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: Dusting.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Chocolate, Diet Mountain Dew, Cats

Things that distract you from writing: Cats!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Coming up with story ideas.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Writing dialogue. I love that!

Favorite snacks: M&Ms and Doritos

Things that make you want to gag:  Beets, Brussel sprouts, rhubarb

Something you’re really good at: Making people laugh even when I don’t mean to

Something you’re really bad at: Driving and listening to the radio at the same time

Something you wish you could do: Be graceful and athletic

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Rake leaves

Things to say to an author: Your book made me laugh.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Are you sure you had an editor look at this before it as published?

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Climbed up inside a pyramid in Egypt

Something you chickened out from doing: Roller coaster rides.

The most exciting thing about your writing life: I get to make up stories and the people who live in them.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: Start earlier. I was 45 when my first book was published.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I stayed up all night reading your book!

The craziest thing a reader said to you: Cats are icky. Why would you write about them?

Best piece of advice you received from another writer: It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: Don’t worry about what others are accomplishing. You’re on your own path.

Recommendations for curing writer’s block: Take a walk. Go for a drive (go to Dairy Queen!)

Things you do to avoid writing: Laundry, dishes, clean litter boxes

About Ruth:

Ruth J. Hartman loves a good mystery. That’s probably why she happily gave up a life of cleaning other people’s teeth to write books. With several cozy mysteries under her belt, her main problem is keeping the characters straight – sometimes they have a tendency to hop on over to a different series, just for laughs.

Over forty books later, consisting of romances, a children’s book, women’s fiction, and now cozy mysteries, Ruth still enjoys the thrill of taking the thoughts and images of her characters from her imagination to her computer screen.

She lives in rural Indiana with her husband, Garry, and their family of spoiled cats. Because of Ruth’s love for felines, every one of her books has at least one cat in it. Her cats, who’ve deemed themselves her editors, act like they’re supervising her writing, even though they’re often loafing off or napping.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://www.ruthjhartman.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063631596817#