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Welcome to Pairings
Pairings by Jann Alexander include creativity, inspiration, books, writing, photography, art, history, travel, Texas life, lore and more
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Jann Alexander
Mar 35 min read
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
Feb 242 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 92 min read
Do Authors Face Choices? You Betcha!
Just like everyone else, we face choices. But the choices authors face aren't exactly like the ones you're imagining.


Jann Alexander
Jan 206 min read
How to Make Space for What Counts
Quitter's Day has come and gone, and with it, 80% of our 2025 New Year Resolutions. It's not too late for this smoother means to success.


Jann Alexander
Jan 136 min read
Where The Best Buzz Words of 2014 Ended Up: In Our Everyday Language
When Mark Twain advised to write tight, he surely hadn't been enchanted by the Buzz Words of 2014. Read on for my Fable of Our Times.

Jann Alexander
Jan 64 min read
When Inspiration Strikes, Authors Hit the Keys
How does inspiration strike? For these authors, it's the random events in everyday life that sparked ideas for their novels.

Jann Alexander
Dec 11, 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 6, 20242 min read
Suspense That Takes Us to The Edge
Read my review of DAMAGED by Cam Torrens, which delivers the fast-paced, all too real-life suspense prequel Tyler Zahn fans await.


Jann Alexander
Dec 1, 20243 min read
How to Have Fun with Panoramas
The panorama feature on the iPhone is Apple’s way of saying, “Go out and have fun with your phone" and use your pano wherever.


Jann Alexander
Dec 1, 20244 min read
How Four Words Got Me Back on the Writing Track
Here's how four words — Create First, React Later — can help to keep you on the writing track.


Jann Alexander
Nov 25, 20246 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 18, 20242 min read
Think In Threes To Amp Up Your Photos
How to amp up your photos: Think in threes when you lift your camera to your eye, squint and shoot.


Jann Alexander
Sep 1, 20244 min read
How Do You Start What You’re Afraid To?
Knowing when to stop writing is a lot easier than starting to write in the first place. But it's simple: You just have to show up.


Jann Alexander
Jul 15, 20244 min read
Why The Fear of Ruining Your Art Will Ruin Your Art
Don’t let fear become the biggest influence in your creative life. Find your commitment to painting and writing by delving into your fears.


Jann Alexander
Dec 26, 20231 min read
How To Celebrate The Holidays Like A Texan
Looking for some unique new traditions? Here are seven ways to celebrate Christmas Texas-Style, like they do in Austin, Texas.


Jann Alexander
Dec 2, 20232 min read
Creativity Works … When You Work
Don’t fight it. Creativity is a choice. Once you make it, the ups, and the downs, are the fun part.


Jann Alexander
Apr 20, 20231 min read
Renewed Inspiration In An Artist’s Poem
In 2006 I wrote this ode to my creative spirit, "Artist's Poem," and found renewed inspiration.


Jann Alexander
Apr 12, 20233 min read
When in Doubt, I Hit the Road
Hitting the road is part of my creative process. And I never pass by a historical marker without braking.


Jann Alexander
Mar 6, 20233 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
Oct 29, 20223 min read
What Happens When You Let Go
When you let go, you create space for something else to move in to your life, as Holiday Mathis told me in my horoscope.
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