Blog - Page 16 of 39 - Bestselling Author Sharon Michaels

Start a Cozy Mystery Book Club

Are you an avid reader of cozy mystery novels?
Have you thought about starting a cozy mystery book club?

Book clubs offer an excellent way to connect with like-minded readers while discovering new books and authors.
What are some pros and cons of belonging to a book club?

Pros:
* Socializing with like-minded individuals who enjoy cozy mysteries.
* An opportunity to discuss and analyze books in a group setting.
* Learning about new authors and discovering new books.
* An opportunity to share recommendations and get feedback from others.
* It can lead to the formation of new friendships and social connections.

Cons:
* Difficulty in selecting books that everyone in the group will enjoy.
* Scheduling conflicts that may prevent some members from attending meetings.
* The risk of a group becoming cliquey or exclusive.
* Potential for disagreements and conflicts regarding book selections or interpretations.
* Pressure to finish the book before the club meeting may create additional stress for some members.

Here’s my advice: If you cannot find a cozy mystery book club you enjoy, begin your own.

Choose a Fun Name for Your Cozy Mystery Book Club

A memorable name such as “Mysteries & Mochas,” “Whodunit Bookworms,” or “The Coffeehouse Clue Crew” will create recognition by potential members and help instantly brand your club.

Choose a Theme

While cozy mysteries all share a similar genre, you can choose a specific theme to guide your club’s reading choices. For example, you could focus on books set in a particular location like a small town or on a specific subject matter like animals, paranormal, cooking or crafts.

Choose Reading Materials

Once you’ve decided on a theme, it’s time to choose reading materials. Consider choosing books with a variety of formats, such as novels, short stories, and novellas.

Invite Members

With your name, theme and reading materials in place, it’s time to invite members to join your book club. You can post on social media or local community pages. You can also ask friends and family members if they’d like to join. Be sure to provide potential members with the relevant information they’ll need to participate in meetings, including the time, date, location, and reading schedule.

Set Meeting Dates

Once you’ve gathered a group of members, it’s time to set meeting dates. Consider meeting once a month to discuss the chosen book. Then choose a specific time and location that works for everyone in the group. Either in-person at a local coffee shop or library branch, or online using a video conferencing platform.

Prepare Discussion Questions

A key part of any book club is discussing the reading material. Be sure to prepare discussion questions ahead of time to keep the conversation flowing and to ensure everyone has an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Discussion questions can focus on key elements of the story, such as the characters, plot, setting, and themes.

Get Creative

In addition to hosting discussions, you can also get creative with your book club. For example, you could host a potluck where members bring a dish mentioned in the book, or you could host a murder mystery party where members solve a mystery game. You could also host a movie or TV show night featuring adaptations of cozy mystery novels.

Have fun!

Starting a book club is a great way to connect with others who share your love of reading and mystery-solving. By following these steps and getting creative with your approach, you’ll be sure to create a cozy and engaging atmosphere for members to enjoy.

Happy Reading!!!

*****
Amazon Bestselling Author Sharon Michaels has been writing and self-publishing non-fiction and fiction books for over thirty years.

Sharon Michaels Author cozy mystery books available on Amazon in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and Paperback

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, mature characters, smart animals, a bit of paranormal and, later in life romance. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Planes, Prisoners, and Poisoned Pies

Planes, Prisoners, and Poisoned Pies is Book 3 in the Tabitha Clive Amateur Sleuth Short Read Cozy Mystery series.

Amateur sleuth, part-time reporter, and baker extraordinaire, Tabitha Clive is back to make sure justice is served.

Your Kindle and Kindle Unlimited copies of
Planes, Prisoners, and Poisoned Pies
Book 3 in the Tabitha Clive Amateur Sleuth short read cozy mystery series
are waiting for you here:

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, fun characters, smart animals, and maybe a bit of paranormal. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Balancing Writing with Everyday Life

I’ve been writing and self-publishing books for over thirty years. This is the second post in my “writing pearls of wisdom” series. I’m excited to share how I’m balancing my writing with everyday life.

Writing can be a fulfilling and rewarding activity. It can also be challenging when it comes to balancing the many other responsibilities in your life. Whether you are a professional writer or a hobbyist, it can be difficult to find the time and motivation to write while also managing work, family, and other commitments.

Here are my suggestions:

1. Set Realistic Goals

One of the most important things you can do is to set realistic goals for your writing. This means taking a realistic look at how much time you have available for writing each day or week, and then setting a goal you can realistically achieve.

For example, if you only have an hour or two each day to write, it would most likely be unrealistic to set a goal of writing an 80,000 word novel in a month. Instead, set a goal that is achievable in the time you have available, such as writing a chapter or two each week.

2. Prioritize Your Time

Prioritizing time means making writing as important as your other commitments, such as work and family. It may mean making sacrifices in other areas of your life, such as cutting back on TV or social media time. It also means being intentional about how you use your time.

3. Create a Writing Schedule

Creating a writing schedule can also be a helpful tool for balancing writing with everything else going on in your life. This means setting aside dedicated time each day or week for writing. It could be an hour each day before work, or a few hours on a weekend afternoon.

The key is to create a consistent schedule that you can stick to. This will help create a writing habit and ensure that you’re making progress towards your writing goals.

4. Be Flexible

While it’s important to have a writing schedule and stick to it as much as possible, it’s also important to be flexible. There will be times when life happens, and you won’t be able to stick to a schedule. It’s important to be kind to yourself and recognize that it’s okay to miss a writing session or two. Don’t beat yourself up and don’t let it derail your progress. Just get back on track as soon as you can.

5. Join a Writing Group

Writing groups provide accountability and support, as well as opportunities for feedback. They can also help you stay motivated and inspired by connecting you with other writers who share your passion. There are many online writing groups, as well as local groups, that meet in person. Find one that works for you and make it a regular part of your writing routine.

Balancing writing with your everyday life can be challenging, but not impossible. Finding the balance that works for you will make it easier to pursue your writing goals while maintaining a fulfilling life.

Please remember, writing is a journey, and it’s important to appreciate and enjoy the process along the way.

Happy writing!!!

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Jailbirds, Jelly Rolls, and Justice

My newest cozy mystery!!!
Jailbirds, Jelly Rolls, and Justice is a fun short read cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Amateur sleuth, part-time reporter, and baker extraordinaire, Tabitha Clive is back to make sure justice is served.

Your Kindle and Kindle Unlimited copies of
Jailbirds, Jelly Rolls, and Justice
Book 2 in the Tabitha Clive Amateur Sleuth short read cozy mystery series
are waiting for you here:

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, fun characters, smart animals, and maybe a bit of paranormal. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Striving for Your Best

I’ve been asked to share what I’ve learned over these past thirty plus years about writing, being a self-published author and striving for my best. This is the first post in a series of ten posts where I’ll be sharing my writing pearls of wisdom.

As an author, striving to publish your best work is always the goal. Whether you’re working on a book, a blog post, or even a simple email, your writing reflects your professionalism, your abilities, and your attention to detail. While it is impossible for any writing to be completely flawless, striving for excellence will help you stand out in a crowded field.

So how can you work towards achieving your best writing?

Here are some tips I’ll learn over the years:

1. Always proofread and edit your work

Before publishing anything, it’s important to proofread and edit your work. This allows you to catch errors, typos, and mistakes that you may have missed during the writing process. Perhaps more crucially, it gives you the opportunity to refine your work and ensure that it reads and flows smoothly.

It can be helpful to read your work out loud. It’s a way to help you catch inconsistencies in tone, pacing, and diction. You can also ask someone else to proofread and offer feedback on your work, as it can be all too easy to miss even the most obvious of errors when reading your own work.

2. Research thoroughly

Research is an essential element in any writing project. Regardless of your topic, it is vital that you collect enough information to provide value to your reading audience. By researching thoroughly, you can ensure that your writing is accurate, up-to-date, and factual.

3. Strive for clarity and concision

Effective writing is not about using the most complicated words, but about using the right words to convey your message. Think carefully about your word choices, as well as your sentence structure and flow.

Be concise, but clear in your writing. To achieve clarity, avoid lengthy sentences, paragraphs, or jargon that may distract or confuse your readers. Instead, use simple and easy-to-understand language to convey your message.

4. Seek out feedback

Feedback is an essential part of improving your writing. Seek out opinions from colleagues, peers, or experts to understand where your writing may need improvement. This can help you identify what aspects of your work are strong and where there is room for growth.

5. Practice makes perfect

As with any skill, practice makes perfect. Continuously working on your writing and incorporating feedback can help to improve your writing ability over time. Writing regularly, reading widely, and experimenting with different writing styles, techniques, and structures can help to hone your craft.

Keep on top of any emerging trends or changes in the writing field, and be open to learning and growing as a writer. Attending writers’ workshops or taking online courses can provide opportunities for feedback, learning, and improvement.

Striving towards your best writing is a continuous process requiring careful attention, hard work, and practice.
I believe perfection is impossible. But setting high standards and actively working towards them will help you create work of which you can be proud.

Happy Writing!!!

Writing Pearls of Wisdom - Author Sharon Michaels

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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