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Pairings by Jann Alexander include creativity, inspiration, books, writing, photography, art, history, travel, Texas life, lore and more
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Exploring the Untold Stories: The Power of Women in Historical Fiction
For Women's History Month, we're reading the stories of women once marginalized or totally overlooked in historical fiction

Jann Alexander
Mar 35 min read


How to Build a Library, circa 1885: Start with a Book Club
All it took in 1885 to build Houston a city library was a book club, begun by women with a desire for "intellectual culture."

Jann Alexander
Feb 242 min read


Milestones That Call for Celebration
There's a Magic to Celebrating Milestones...and It Begins With Champagne (and Books About It)

Jann Alexander
Feb 163 min read


The Irony of Surpassing Yourself
It’s ironic many extra words writers have to cut once they hit the magic length historical novels are: 100,000 - 120,000. Cue the angst.

Jann Alexander
Dec 12, 20242 min read


The Next Best Thing To Time Travel
When you’re researching historical fiction, it would be so much easier to rev up the Time Machine. Here's how I did without time travel.

Jann Alexander
Dec 11, 20242 min read


Three Things Scrivener Can Do You Probably Haven’t Thought Of
Whether you’re a Scrivener power user or a beginner, here are a few things Scrivener can do that you probably can’t do without.

Jann Alexander
Dec 11, 20245 min read


How Four Words Got Me Back on the Writing Track
Here's how four words that will become your mantra can help to keep you on the writing track.

Jann Alexander
Dec 1, 20244 min read


In Praise of Historical Fiction
The popularity of historical fiction with book clubs has soared. Read why in my conversation with historical author Janis Robinson Daly

Jann Alexander
Nov 25, 20246 min read


How to Be a Texan: Lessons in Texana
Let's say you're not from Texas. (Cue Lyle Lovett) But you got here quick as you could. Now you want to learn how to be a Texan. Here's how.

Jann Alexander
Nov 6, 20243 min read


Untangling the Past
Kay Smith-Blum's debut, TANGLES, spans two timelines and two star-crossed narrators in the dark shadow of radiation contamination, during th

Jann Alexander
Nov 1, 20242 min read


Where Old Typewriters Go to Die
Crowded out by more robust tools, typewriters have vanished from our desks. But not our back yards.

Jann Alexander
May 28, 20242 min read


Three Surprising Sources for Writers ISO Ideas
Inspiration strikes in strange and unexpected ways. But when it doesn’t strike, there are three tricks to juice it along.

Jann Alexander
Mar 6, 20233 min read


Location, Location, Location
There’s a saying in real estate, that it’s all about location. Location. Location. Location. It’s just as true in writing historical novels.

Jann Alexander
Feb 24, 20203 min read


Time Traveling on the Road
Road trips have an appeal that goes way back in time, and roadside oddities abound for time travelers willing to take a fork in the road.

Jann Alexander
Jul 10, 20132 min read
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