Accepting my Wrinkles: And, Yes, You May Call Me a Crone!

by Tracy Shawn   Fear and malice of the older woman has a long and ugly history. In fact, the origin of the word hag, which has often been used as an insult describing an older woman, … [Read more...]

Inspiration for the Discouraged Writer

Please Note: This piece was first published in booksbywomen.org on April 22, 2022 by Tracy Shawn under the Title: Writing Through Depression, Pushing Past Doubt: Inspiration for Discouraged … [Read more...]

Tracy Shawn Interviews her Protagonist Paloma Leary from Newest Novel, Floating Underwater

Please note: This piece was first published in booksbywomen.org under the title "Authors Interviewing Characters by Tracy Shawn" on October 3, 2021 Character Interview with Paloma Leary from Novel … [Read more...]

Book Club Discussion and Reader Questions for Floating Underwater

  by Tracy Shawn Below are ten book club/reader questions that are included in my new novel, Floating Underwater. Please know there are no spoilers, so potential readers may check them … [Read more...]

Why I Wrote Floating Underwater

  by Tracy Shawn What Inspired Me The idea for my second novel, Floating Underwater, came to me from personal history, past work experience (when I was younger, I interned at a psychiatric … [Read more...]

Finding Your Writing Muse: Interview with the Wise and Witty Gabriel Lucatero

  Photo of Author Gabriel Lucatero   Tapping Into the Writing Muse   Tracy Shawn: I can see that you've definitely tapped into your writing muse! You’re a prolific author, as … [Read more...]

Are Deathbed Visions Real?

    The Meaning of End-of-Life Visions   by Tracy Shawn, M.A.   Hospice workers across the world note that deathbed visions are a common occurrence. Loved ones … [Read more...]

Why I’m Not Sorry for Still Saying “Im Sorry!” (And Why You Shouldn’t be Either)

How and When to Apologize by Tracy Shawn, M.A. A dear friend (whom I’ll call Nancy) recently had to delay two of our agreed-upon meeting times, which, then, had to be ultimately canceled. She … [Read more...]

Sudden Fiction/Twitterature by Tracy Shawn

Three Sudden Fiction/Twitterature Stories  by Tracy Shawn     The End of the Road "Don't take your eyes off the road." She clamps her hand on his wrist. "You're the one who's … [Read more...]

How Reading Can Curtail Anxiety

by   Tracy Shawn     Reading, can indeed, reduce anxiety. But why? Stories provide an escape from our personal stressors and worries as well as a much-needed respite from … [Read more...]