Kathy Steinemann

Ordinary writers describe the body in order to evoke images in readers' minds. Extraordinary writers leverage it to add elements such as tension, intrigue, and humor.The Writer's Body Lexicon provides tools for both approaches, with a boggling number of word choices and phrases for body parts.Add depth to your writing. Mold the body until it becomes an integral part of your narrative.

Why do you write? Perhaps you're penning a memoir, fantasy, or romance. Maybe you're writing a sci-fi series or creative nonfiction novel.At the receiving end will be readers who demand clarity. If you confuse them, you lose them. Learn how to capture their attention and keep them engaged. Discover when to bend or break the so-called "rules" and motivate everyone to finish "just one more chapter."- Explore ways to create convincing dialogue without resorting to distracting dialect, pauses, or ill-placed exposition.- Conquer words and phrases that propagate like a virus.- Find answers to the following questions: - Is it ever alright to use "alright"?- What is the correct order for stacked modifiers?- Why should you avoid filter words?- How can you reduce word bloat?- Are adverbs really as villainous as many insist?- What about semicolons, present tense, and head-hopping?- What is contractionitis? How can it be cured?- Learn how to: - Minimize repetition of words such as "but" and "because."- Decrease reliance on crutch words.- Reduce word bloat.- Maximize action beats.This book is a must-have for all writers, from amateur to professional, fiction to nonfiction.Sprinkled throughout, you'll find exercises and examples with ideas for story prompts. Snap 'em up at will, and ...... write on.

You just read your manuscript and discovered that your characters nod like marionettes in every chapter. When they're not nodding, they roll their eyes.Time to slash the Pinocchio strings and turn them into real people. Award-winning author Kathy Steinemann provides the tools. She cuts through the so-called rules and offers simple solutions.Too many repetitions of "little"? There's a cure for that. Do you rely on "very" too often? There's a cure for that too. You'll find the remedies in this book's dispensary.Should you ever use anything other than "said" to attribute dialogue? Are exclamation points taboo? The answers might surprise you.Learn how to harness body language, purge hackneyed adjectives, and draw on the environment for ambience. No more wooden characters. You'll transform them into believable personalities that your readers will learn to love. Or hate.Get in the driver's seat, relax, and enjoy your journey-with Kathy Steinemann's book as your GPS.

Rules, rules, rules Don't feed the cat bacon. Don't grab the closest fortune cookie. Don't give Lisa milk.And then there's Rule 1: Emmett is always right.Ha Megan has her own take on that.Join retired couple Megan and Emmett, along with their family, as they conquer the challenges of retirement, neighbors who overstay their welcome, and dogs who leave poop landmines in the yard.Emmett says he married Megan for her wicked sense of humor.We know better.Will Emmett ever finish the chores in the job jar? Will he win his bet with Megan and get to buy a new Harley? And what will they do about the demanding cat monopolizing Megan's lap? The answers will amaze you.Oh-we can't forget the strawberries and whipped cream.Sorry. No spoilers.Are you ready for belly laughs, chuckles, and a tear or two?

Confused about fiber? You're not alone Not all fiber is created equal. Roughage is insoluble fiber-often "scratchy" in texture. Many people with IBS or IBD have been told to increase their intake of soluble fiber-the soothing substance that turns into a gel and helps to calm an irritated digestive system. However, it's often difficult to find fiber information for the foods you consume every day.No more guessing. This book contains over 450 entries in several charts-useful for anyone with bowel problems like diarrhea/constipation, or for health-conscious individuals interested in increasing their daily fiber consumption. Take control of your life Get the fiber information you need to help control that angry bowel.

If you're allergic to laughter, get your meds ready. Nag Nag Nag will exercise your laugh muscles. It might even make you wet your pants.Megan and Emmett share many of the same quirks and problems as other married couples. The way they deal with them might take you aback.Discover how Emmett copes with Megan's nagging. Learn how Megan treats telemarketers. Her once-in-a-lifetime offer makes them hang up. Every time. Will Emmett ever fix the blasted dishwasher? You'll be shocked when you realize why it broke in the first place. And how does he get around Megan's cat rules?Granddaughters, Violet and Lisa, provide a few surprises and chuckles too, with the unique perspectives of youth. Their widowed mother, Marsha, is determined to raise her daughters right. That means healthy food like broccoli. Yuck The difference between broccoli and snot is that kids don't eat broccoli.And we can't forget Sabrina, the Siamese cat. You'll find her meowing and purring her way into your heart as she careens around corners and wins the affections of the most unlikely characters.Nag Nag Nag will entertain you with laughs, tears, and unexpected twists.

Suppose you saw something you couldn't explain. And then suppose it turned out to be something far stranger, or funnier, or more horrifying than you ever expected. That element of surprise, and a different way of looking at things, is what this anthology is all about. Most of the short stories take less than fifteen minutes to read, and the ultra-short drabbles take less than thirty seconds.Kathy Steinemann, Amber Hayward, A. L. Kaplan, and Donna Milward share their tales and fantasies in this book of drabbles, flash fiction, and short stories.Why would the government force an artist to paint portraits of despots or drug lords? Why would healthy people die for no obvious reason? Do you suppose that wishes could ever be dangerous? What's a BioInterFace Fluxxatron ? Do aliens watch reality shows? Why would someone pay double the usual rate to move a heavy trunk? Why is the mud from Sludge Flats so valuable?Discover the answers to these questions in this collection of tales that embraces an eclectic mix of humor, horror, fantasy, scifi, romance, and life experiences so unbelievable that they have been disguised as fiction.