Tag Archives: Michelle McGill-Vargas

This is Gary

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

Read how one Gary native is using her influence and resources to revitalize Gary, Indiana in a massive vision called This is Gary, Continue reading →

Posted in Goal Setting, history, Interview, Social Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Gary, Indiana Preservation Tour

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

I’ve always been interested in the history of my hometown. Even as a lifelong resident, I enjoy hearing the juicy factoids about the city’s past, and still feel the stories would make an historical tour not only possible, but interesting. … Continue reading →

Posted in Goal Setting, history | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is Historical Tourism in Northwest Indiana Possible?

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

In researching my work-in-progress– an historical tale about Prohibition in Gary, Indiana– I came across the Rum Runners Tour in Windsor, Ontario. The tour probed the area’s connection to the Prohibition Era in the United States. On the tour, we drove … Continue reading →

Posted in genre writing, history, Writing Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Steel Mills and Tommy Guns: Gary, Indiana and the Prohibition Era

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

Gary, Indiana doesn’t quickly come to mind when one thinks of the Prohibition Era in the Midwest. Chicago, Al Capone and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre are more obvious choices. I’ve heard stories that Gary’s close proximity to Chicago gave those … Continue reading →

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How I Wrote My Poem: Guest Post by Tom Spencer

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

I am reblogging this previous guest post in memory of my friend, Tom Spencer, who passed away June 30, 2015. How does one create poetry? I have no idea. I’ve tried it a few times and have only read one in my … Continue reading →

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Character Descriptions: A Perspective on “Coloring” to Your Fictional World

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

There is a pancake house in my area that has the brightest sign on the street. Electric blues, yellows and pinks flash across the screen advertising specials and hours of operation. Among all the other businesses, this restaurant is impossible to … Continue reading →

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A Matter of Trust

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

I’ve written before about how valuable writing critique groups can be. I’ve also written about when it might be time to move on from a group. Today’s post touches on one aspect of critique groups necessary to help members become … Continue reading →

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Pros and Cons of Publishing with a Small Press: A Publisher’s Perspective

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

At one time, I would have never considered querying a small press. To be honest, with everyone either self-publishing or working toward obtaining a publishing deal with a traditional press, I just wasn’t exposed to information about small presses. Until I … Continue reading →

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The Music of My Prose: How Music Inspires Writing

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

It’s the MUSIC that provides the emotion I need to drive my passion for the characters and the story line. I remember reading the interview of an author– I want to say Stephenie Meyers– in which the author stated they listened … Continue reading →

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Writing A Memoir – One Author’s Story: Guest Post by Ron Trigg

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

Thanks to Ron Trigg for this fabulous post about memoir writing! Check out my review of his book The Alluring Temptress in my Goodreads section. Obtain your copy at Amazon.com “You really ought to write a book.” I’d been hearing … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger, Memoir, Publishing, Writing advice, writing method | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments