Interesting notes on the Dead Drop

by JoslynChase in Learning, Suspense, Teaching

So, if you’ve been following along, you know that I’m currently working on the next book in the Riley Forte Suspense Thriller series that started with Nocturne in Ashes. In this book, Riley goes to spy school to learn the skills she’ll need to go undercover. In my research, I’m learning all kinds of fascinating […]

Music class and Magic Eye: How one pop art phenom makes a point

by JoslynChase in Learning, Mystery, Teaching

If you’re old enough to remember the Magic Eye craze of the 90’s, you can probably recall standing among a curious crowd and staring at a framed mass of vivid dots and swirls in an effort to summon the underlying 3-D image. I remember how tickled I was the first time I achieved this feat, […]

Anyone else out there remember Encyclopedia Brown?

by JoslynChase in Reading, Teaching

Do you harbor fond memories of the boy detective who worked out of his garage? Do you remember his tagline? “25 cents per day, plus expenses – No case too small.” Do you recall how he wasn’t afraid to take on the sniveling bullies and stand up for the little guy? I came by my […]

What’s black and white and shed all over?

by JoslynChase in New Release, Teaching, Travel

I’m not talking about a newspaper, an embarrassed zebra, or an ailing balance sheet. If you’re wondering why I’ve twisted an old joke to use as a title for this month’s post about my adventures as a writer, I hope you’ll hang around to read the story and enjoy the punchline. I’m happy for this […]

Are you feeling it?

Why do we spend time reading a book or watching a movie? Why do we invest ourselves in a good story? The reasons tie into the same motivations that spur us to eat, build a shelter over our heads, and make babies. Survival—and because it feels good. In fact, these survival tactics feel good to […]

Guess what happened to me on the way to the grocery store?

by JoslynChase in Learning, Reading, Teaching

Okay, so I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic, I’ll admit it. Since I was kid, I loved telling stories, and everything is fodder for my story mill. I remember returning from a trip to southern California when I was 14. Our family went out to dinner and I entertained the entire restaurant with […]

My latest story is up for a Reader’s Choice award, and I’m asking for your help.

by JoslynChase in Challenges, Learning, Reading, Teaching

  Here’s the teaser… Locked inside the cold, metal walls of an abandoned warehouse, Homicide Detective, Adam Carson, wakes up on the wrong side of a gun. In the course of a morning, his wife leaves him, an assailant abducts him, and the unknown person  behind the gun treats him to breakfast. One that wreaks […]

The secret solution to life problems

by JoslynChase in General, Learning, Teaching

Problems are a part of life…sigh Have you ever got chewing gum stuck in your hair? Or tried to get your dog to swallow a pill? How about cake layers or slices of bread that keep sliding apart? These are pesky problems, but have I got a solution for you! Before we go there, though, […]

Story Power: What is it and why does it matter?

by JoslynChase in Free Stuff, Learning, Reading, Teaching

As a music teacher, writer, and public speaker, I have an appreciation for the power of Story. I use it in my work every day to illustrate and demonstrate, to open eyes and minds and broaden the picture for my students and the receivers of my work. But the power of Story is by no […]