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Washed Up

June 30, 2025 by in category Quill and Moss by Dianna Sinovic, Writing tagged as , ,

“Did I tell you about the time Aunt Jen and I found a wooden box on the beach?” Molly pulled her jacket tighter against the chill that had descended along with the sunset. Her three kids sat around the fire with her, listening to the crackle of the flames as the night around them darkened. 

“A treasure chest?” Aaron, the romantic in her crew, clapped his hands in anticipation. She smiled. Of course his imagination would leapt to a tale of pirates and doubloons. This was his birthday weekend, the reason they were camping.

“I’m afraid not,” Molly said. “It was a small box, room for only two or three coins. That’s not much booty.” She held up her hands to mime the size—more of a ring box than anything.

Aaron’s face registered disappointment, but Lara perked up. “Jewelry!” She was a year older than Aaron. “Earrings and gold strands, I’ll bet.”

Not willing to be outdone by his sister, Aaron immediately countered. “It was a tiny map that led to buried treasure.”

“No.” Treena, at thirteen, two years older than Lara, filled the captain’s role for Molly’s gang of three. She offered her pronouncements calmly but forcefully. One day she’d be a CEO, Molly predicted. “Let Mom finish her story. I doubt it was any of those things.”

“Do you want to venture a guess?” Molly put another piece of wood on the fire. They were camped on a friend’s property, on their way to the Jersey Shore, their destination for tomorrow. “What I remember best was that the top of the box had an octopus carved into it. Its tentacles hugged the sides.” 

“Where is it now? Or did you lose it?” Treena’s gaze challenged Molly, a more and more frequent occurrence these days. And just like the teen to hit on the stickiest part of the story.

What possessed me to bring up the box?

“Your dad took it when he left.” Molly stirred the fire again to buy some time. “So, no, I don’t have it. He may have tossed it.” Like so much else Kurt had tossed in their lives. It took years of not seeing that—until the day it was so obvious she cringed.

“You still haven’t said what was in the box.” Lara was hopping from one foot to the other. 
“And why would Dad want to take it when it was yours?”

Precisely because it was hers. She’d searched for it in the days after he walked out, even as she grasped that the empty spot in her drawer was there because he couldn’t resist one last blow. Still, she refused to talk trash about her ex; he had visitation rights. 

“In the box …” Molly let the words linger. “No gold coins, no jewelry, no treasure map. Aunt Jen was probably thirteen, like you, Treena. That would have made me twelve.” She’d kept the box despite its warped wood and a chipped corner, despite Jen’s worry it was infested with sand fleas (it wasn’t). She’d kept the box as a memento of her childhood, of a time when Jen was strong and healthy. 

“When we pried it open, we thought we’d find a note written by someone who was lost at sea.” It hadn’t occurred to them that any paper note would have turned to pulp.

“But it was empty,” Treena said. Her tone shaded in her opinion: stupid story.

“It was not empty.” Nestled inside was a pair of dog tags, pitted and corroded by years soaking in saltwater. She and Jen could make out the soldier’s first name, but the last name and military ID were undecipherable. Blood type O+, religion Lutheran. They guessed Navy, but it could have been Army—only the “y” at the end of the word was clear. They also guessed at the war, the same one their great-grandfather had fought in.

For years, Molly studied the dog tags and wondered. Was he already dead or about to drown when the tags were stashed in the box? Who would have removed them and why? His imagined face surfaced in her teenage dreams; a young face, of course, a face far different from the man she ended up marrying.

When their third child was born—finally, Kurt said, a son—she named him Aaron, to honor that long-dead sailor. Kurt didn’t understand her fascination, and maybe she didn’t either. She just knew she was drawn to the stranger.

“Your namesake,” Molly finally said to her son. “That’s what was in the box. That’s why I told the story tonight. It’s a true birthday tale.”

More of Dianna’s stories

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First Loves…

June 28, 2025 by in category Quarter Days by Alina K. Field, Writing tagged as , , ,

What books kicked off your love of reading?

Welcome to my Quarter Day’s post!

If you’re a fan of A Slice of Orange, I have to assume you love books and you love reading. How did your romance with books get started? This topic came up in a recent discussion in the Belles Brigade Facebook Group.

My first book binge was the Little House on the Prairie series, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, somewhat relatable for me, being a Midwestern girl whose grandparents lived on a farm. My second that I can remember was the Trixie Belden mystery series. I still love detective stories.

Lots of horses and more mysteries

Author Rue Allyn remembers reading The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley. I’m not sure why, but these books never crossed my radar. Maybe my local library didn’t have them. Another favorite for her though was the Nancy Drew series of mysteries.

Author Deborah Williams Craton loved the Bobbsey Twins, a preference shared by author Caroline Warfield who also mentioned the Misty of Chingoteague series by Marguerite Henry. Another series about horses that I’d never heard of. (What did my librarians have against horses?) Caroline also binged on Louisa Mae Alcott’s Eight Cousins and the sequel.

Stepping outside the U.S., Janet, one of the British members of the Belles Brigade said that she started her love of books with the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. The first book, published in 1942 must have been a great escape read for British children enduring the fighting of World War II. (Janet came to it later, being too young for WWII.)

Moving to the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand author Jude Knight loved The Adventures of Hutu and Kawa, by Avis Acres. Hutu and Kawa are two pohutukawa fairies, “who lived in the bush with friends such as Willy Weka and various pixies and elves.”

Mystery, Adventure, and Lots of Books in a Series

Many of the books mentioned are mysteries and most have at least some adventure. And the publishers were prolific, if not the original authors. Some of the series books were written by multiple ghost writers over a span of decades.

One of the first mysteries I read after finishing all the Trixie Belden books I could get my hands on was The Murders in the Rue Morgue, by Edgar Allen Poe. It scared the bejeebers out of me! I think I’m old enough now to read it again.

Do you have a favorite reading memory that’s not on this list? Share it in the comments please!

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My Visit with 5th Graders

June 15, 2025 by in category Writing

There are moments in life that reaffirm why we pursue our passions, and my visit to my daughter’s 5th-grade class last month was one of them. (Don’t worry, I only caused her mild embarrassment.) Since my books might be a bit young for these almost-middle-schoolers (Also, how is my baby already on the brink of middle school?!!) I chose to focus on sharing my journey to becoming an author instead of reading from my work. I talked about how my love for writing took root at a young age and grew stronger through journaling, storytelling, and eventually studying English in college.

The students were very engaged in the conversation and their questions were thoughtful and curious. We talked about goal setting—how recognizing our interests early can shape the skills we cultivate. Seeing their excitement reinforced the power of storytelling and the importance of pursuing what sparks joy.

After my visit, the students surprised me with a heartfelt thank-you card, signed by each of them. Their words and appreciation put the biggest smile on my face—a beautiful reminder of why I love sharing my passion for writing.

A thank you card from my daughter’s 5th grade class.

I left with a renewed sense of purpose, hoping that my visit inspired even one future writer in that room. Because every story begins with an idea, and sometimes, all it takes is encouragement to bring it to life.

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Down to Earth

May 30, 2025 by in category Quill and Moss by Dianna Sinovic, Writing tagged as , ,

Lily pressed her flowered handkerchief to her forehead and wondered for the fifth time that day why she had signed up for the Festival of the Earth event. The May sun beating on the roof of her canopy turned it into a DIY heat lamp. Stacks of her ecological thriller sat ignored on her table. The crowd was more interested in the pastry shop’s tent next door, the line for lunch turnovers stretching down the mown pathway from the parking lot.

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

She’d hoped to sell at least several copies of her book Unplugged, a fictional tale about a full-off-the-grid society; after all, its theme aligned nicely with the festival’s. In fact, the vendor on the other side of her was hawking solar panels, and she considered flagging everyone who passed her up to let them know her book was relevant—her main character had four panels on the roof of her cottage.

It didn’t help that the cumin-and-coriander aroma of the turnovers made her stomach grumble. Her packed lunch of peanut butter and jelly had lost all appeal in comparison. 

Another hour in, and one book sold, to the mother of a family of three littles ready, she said, for something “more mature than Sesame Street.” Lily tucked away the cash in her pouch and watched the family stream toward the kids’ crafts tent—a place where youngsters could launch gigantic bubbles to float elongated and short-lived across the nearby park field.

She sighed. Even with the sunny weather, the day was a bust so far. Not ready to give up yet, though, she left her booth long enough to introduce herself to the solar vendor. Networking was important at sales events. Busy in the full sun, the vendor was bent over the electrical hookup for the largest of his panels, muttering under his breath. He didn’t seem bothered by the heat, even as Lily fanned herself with an event program. 

“Just wanted to mention that the novel I’m selling today is about folks who embrace solar.” Lily stuck out a hand, but withdrew it when the vendor ignored her. “That’s a nice fit with what you’re selling. You know, about being unplugged.” When he finally looked up, he squinted at her with a frown. “Nobody reads books any more.” 

The hell they don’t. She stomped back to her table, threading her way through another wave of potential tire-kickers for the solar cells. “Stop by my booth next,” she called to them, with a friendly wave. “I’ve got free snacks!”

But her mini-bags of pretzels were no match for the tasty turnover tent, and eventually Lily succumbed, taking a spot at the end of the long queue. She hoped the turnover supply would last until she arrived at the front of the line. 

“You’re Lily Spruce, right?” The young woman at the turnover counter wrapped up a chicken turnover for her, but waved away the bills Lily offered. Her name tag read Rachael in precise hand-lettering. “I read your book on a friend’s recommendation. Really, really good. This is my contribution toward your authorial efforts.”

“Wow,” Lily managed to say. “Thanks.” Back at her booth, she savored the unexpected treat—from an unexpected fan. The day was worth it for that, if nothing else, she decided. And a breeze picked up, carrying away some of the tent’s stifling warmth and bringing with it the faint rumble of thunder.

It was then that she noticed the advancing cloud bank. Checking her phone, she skimmed the severe weather warning. As though one of the next-door solar panels had activated, the energy of the  crowd changed to one of urgency. Already the wind increased, making the canopy tents pop and threatening to send them aloft. The line dwindled to nothing for Rachael, the turnover vendor. The kids’ craft tent emptied, and people hurried toward the parking area.

Lily packed away her books, wrapping them in plastic against the approaching rain, and pulled out her rain slicker. The smell of rain mixed with the lingering aroma of cumin and coffee.

In the next booth, Rachael struggled against the wind to take down her canopy. Lily sprang into action. “Let me help. And then maybe you can help me with mine.”

Rachael looked up, surprised. “Sure thing.”

Together they collapsed the canopy, working in a light mist. Then they tackled Lily’s, and slipped the tent into its sleeve just as the mist turned to rain. 

The park stretched out beyond them, now empty. Only a few vendors remained; the rest had fled. 

Rachael pulled her wheeled cart onto the pathway, heading for the parking area. “So much for a festival for the Earth,” she said. “A pity it’s rained out.”

Wasn’t that the definition of unplugged? Lily pictured her novel’s protagonist, facing whatever Mother Nature threw at her: storm, drought, flood, heavy snow. You were thankful for sunny skies when you got them, but the changing weather kept things interesting.

“It’s all part of life,” Lily said with a shrug. “But hey, we can make the most of it. Let’s go grab a beer and commiserate.”

Dianna Sinovic’s Books

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Updating Your Newsletter

May 5, 2025 by in category Writing

There’s been a lot of chatter amongst indie authors about selling direct. Publishing is going through a strange time. I won’t single out where the blame lies. For me things haven’t been as I had planned, but there are still time left in the year to make some changes.

I made two writing goals for this year. Amongst the things were open my online store, upgrade my newsletter and release at least one audio book.

I will be honest, I didn’t think dipping my toe into audio books would be as involved as it is. I thought all I needed to do was select which book I wanted to bring to audio life,  select a narrator and editor and upload it the audio platforms. Those steps are required. However, I discovered looking for the perfect narrators was a little more involved. Not only does the voice need to fit the story/characters, the narrator needs to have a following and be one I can afford.  

To prepare for my journey into audio books, I went on an audio book binge. I also touched based with some narrators I met at Steamy Lit Con. The narrators have been very helpful explaining the ins and outs of doing audio books. Overwhelmed is an understatement. Once I processed the information, I realized I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was to jump into audio books. I also had no idea how expensive it is to do audio books. I say expensive, because I am choosing not to do royalty share and the size of my books. I write BIG books which translates to an expensive investment.

I’m also trying to figure out if I want to do different narrators for different series. This question is another reason why instead of releasing an audio book this summer, I’ve pushed this goal back to the end of the year.

What I have been able to accomplish, is my online bookstore and upgrading my newsletter. Upgrading my newsletter was a little easier than I thought. I use Flodesk which is creative friendly. I hadn’t been using it a manner that showed my creative style. After watching a Book Funnel newsletter webinar, I gained a little insight on how to make some changes. 

I used to publish a digital magazine, but it never occurred to me to use a similar style for my newsletter. I don’t like to overshare my personal life with readers. My reasoning is because I feel they want to hear about my books, not about what type of moisturizer I use or how I like my coffee. Instead, I’m trying out something I hope is welcomed, a who dunnit game. My upcoming release is the last book in a series and it reveals the answer to an ongoing question. So each newsletter installment features a possible suspect.  

So far, I think this is the best newsletter style for me. I use different layout blocks with links that force readers to visit my website. I’ve discovered doing this generated some hits to my direct sales links. Side note…Have my direct sales increased or surpassed my other platform sales? No, but I haven’t really pushed direct sales, because it took so long to set up the direct links. (I’ll save conversation about direct links later). Plus I needed or wanted to make sure my print books were well stocked and that I had a POD (print on demand) source I liked. So far for me, the POD I’ll be using is BookVault. I love their work (more about them in another post).

Let’s be real, a newsletter can be difficult to master, but it is the best way to communicate with your readers. We have to remember, social media is good. However, you don’t own those followers. Social media decides which of your followers to share your posts with. But you control who on your mailing list, gets your newsletter.

Recap: Make your newsletter, informative, fun and a reflection of your style.

If you’re interested in trying Flodesk, clear the link https://flodesk.com/c/9APFWB  and give it a try. 

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