Hidden Springs – A Small Town Setting

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 4 Comments

“Write what you know.” That is advice many writers, especially new writers, hear. Some say it’s good advice. Some say it’s terrible advice. True, if I only wrote what I had experienced personally, I’d have very limited story ideas. Writing what I know would have all my stories about a small town country girl who loves dogs and kids and …

Take a Trip to Hidden Springs for a Buck

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 7 Comments

Some of you have enjoyed my Hidden springs Mysteries. Others of you may not know I wrote a few cozy mysteries under the author name, A.H. Gabhart. Of course, if you read through my writing journey a few weeks ago, you’ll know that I have always loved reading mysteries and once, when I was in rejection valley, daring to set …

And Then There Were Cats – Writing Journey #15

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 22 Comments

And happily, in addition to that little bit of sinister, there are cats in Hidden Springs! Specifically Two Bits, Grimalkin, and Miss Marble to help save the day at just the right moments in the stories. If you’ve got a cozy mystery, and a dog is introduced, readers’ first question is, ‘Does the dog die?’ They never ask about a …

Have You Been to Hidden Springs?

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 26 Comments

  A few years ago, I strayed away from my historical novels and wrote a few cozy mysteries set in the fictional town of Hidden Springs, Kentucky where, as the picture above says, things are sweet and sentimental as well as a little sinister. After the first one, Murder at the Courthouse, was published, I did a magazine interview about …

Smiles, Flukes, Special Birthdays from Readers

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 7 Comments

On my Facebook author page, for years I do a regular feature, Mailbag Tuesday, where I share comments and messages from readers. Sometimes the readers are talking about my books and writing. Sometimes they are responding to a question I’ve asked on FB or in my newsletters. Sometimes I get messages from readers out of the blue. However they come, …

Book Treasures – An Interview with an Avid Reader

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 12 Comments

“My dream as a girl was to be locked in the library overnight. All those treasures, all mine for a time.” (Susan Gibson Snodgrass) In this post, I have a treat for you as I invited Susan Gibson Snodgrass over to share about her love of reading with us. Authors like me love Susan because she is an avid reader who …

No Mystery about the Winners

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 4 Comments

“As an inspiration to the author, I do not think the cat can be over-estimated. He suggests so much grace, power, beauty, motion, mysticism. I do not wonder that many writers love cats; I am only surprised that all do not.” (Carl Van Vechten) My dog, Oscar might take offense at that quote. Oscar’s a great writing companion, but cats …

The Mystery Continues with a New Mystery Picture

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 25 Comments

“Oh how I’ve missed you, Hidden Springs! That warm feeling when you see a friend that you haven’t seen in a while and just know that you’re going to enjoy your time together. That’s how I felt when I found this book in my mailbox. Once again we are transported to the small town of Hidden Springs and the cast …

Mystery Picture Time!!

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 34 Comments

It’s mystery picture game time. I’m a little late with the post, but a couple of granddaughters decided to spend the night. That slows Grammy down. Actually a grandson and some friends are camping here on the farm too, but they can manage on their own. Way too cold for me. Not that I’ve ever done any camping. Once the …

Typing with Nine Fingers

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 25 Comments

Some days it doesn’t pay to take a walk. First off this morning, March definitely came in like a lion around here with storms and winds. Lightning. Thunder. Even hail. And pouring rain. Over 2 inches last night and today. And nearby communities had it worse than us. But then the storm passed on to the southeast and so, as …