Maryan Pelland
Bio
A successful, professional writer/editor/publisher/mentor for half a century. Read me now before I throw in the towel. I love to empower other writers. My stories are helpful, funny, unique, and never boring. I write for avid readers.
Stories (20)
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Were Two First Shots Fired at Gettysburg?
Almost exactly 160 years ago, the first shot was fired at Gettysburg, one of the most horrific battles of the Civil War. Both Illinois and New York claim their cavalry unit made the move. Stay with me, and I’ll tell you some fascinating stuff about Gettysburg and about why it really doesn’t matter who was on first when these stories have lives of their own.
By Maryan Pelland7 months ago in History
An 18-Year-Old Is an Adult but Parenting Is Definitely not Over
As my grandchild navigated through senior year of high school to graduate last spring, I watched the family struggle for balance between the roles they have filled for almost two decades and the new roles they know they have to design for themselves and each other.
By Maryan Pellandabout a year ago in Families
Bipartisan Power to the People: How Republicans for Harris Will Secure Our Future
I am bone-weary of weirdos and power-mongers ruining my country. A new coalition, “Republicans for Harris” launched, featuring important Republican pundits in impressive numbers, according to MSNBC. Did you ever in your life think you would see such an organization??
By Maryan Pellandabout a year ago in The Swamp
If Your Book or Blog Isn’t Selling, This May Be Why
Many titles fail, and that’s how the writing/publising business works. Let’s consider self-publishing authors’ biggest mistakes. There is a right and wrong way to publish books; many authors just don’t get it.
By Maryan Pellandabout a year ago in Writers
Captivating or Cringe: Low-Quality Images Sabotage Your Readership
This story is about an obvious mistake that some of the best writers make. Think about this: you spend x amount of time carefully writing a story you believe has real value for readers. You pour in creative thinking, carefully choose the right words to impact a reader, proofread, fine tune, and sigh with satisfaction at the end.
By Maryan Pellandabout a year ago in Writers
My Truths about Medium, Substack, Vocal, and the Benefits for Writers
I was surprised that of the three platforms, only one felt truly writer-centric. Here’s my in-depth review of the three most popular writing platforms that have a monetization component. I look at how they operate, how responsive they are to inquiries, audience engagement, a brief synopsis of the money part, and overall writer satisfaction.
By Maryan Pellandabout a year ago in Writers
Want to Be a Wealthy Writer? Know How Language Works. Top Story - July 2024.
If you aspire to be a wealthy writer, you have to know how and why language works. It’s pointless to argue that one use of a word or phrase is absolutely correct and all other forms are dead wrong. There is often not a perfect rule for writing, or even punctuating, since several things impact any language, some without much forewarning. Bang! OMG suddenly appears as a WORD in the freaking Oxford Dictionary!
By Maryan Pelland2 years ago in Writers
Unleash Your Professional Writer Persona: Skills and the Pursuit of Success
No matter how hard you are struggling as a writer, you can unleash your professional writer persona and make a significant living. In this ever-changing industry, it’s fascinating that a multitude of exceptional writers have triumphed without setting foot inside a college, let alone acquiring a degree.
By Maryan Pelland2 years ago in Writers
How Media Bias and Social Media Bias Mess with Our Minds
Right, left, red, blue — how citizens choose to consume news will make or break any nation. The US is ramping up to another US Presidential Election. The type and origin of the news we consume will significantly impact what happens on Election Day. It can also knock us off our own principals and values.
By Maryan Pelland2 years ago in Humans
The Best Toys Don't Need Batteries and Don't have Screens
It's only the third week of June. The weather is too hot and the rain won't go away. The kids are sick of Roblox. They've already read a book. The activity of choice right now is squabbling. About everything.
By Maryan Pelland2 years ago in Families
How Murder in the Suburbs Shocked a Normal Family
Have you ever encountered a murderer up close, in real life? Before you answer, let me present a widely accepted theory. If the rate of murderers is 0.00005 per 100,000 people, and that's generally the statistic, then, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, any one of us may be in close proximity to 39 murderers over our lifetime.
By Maryan Pelland2 years ago in Criminal
