Steph's Scribe

The Website of Author & Professor Stephanie Parrillo Verni

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  • Podcasts from Steph’s Scribe 2020
  • Books I’ve Enjoyed
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  • About Me
  • PRESS KIT
  • Podcasts from Steph’s Scribe 2020
  • Books I’ve Enjoyed
  • Books I’ve Written

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  • My 5th Novel Has a Name (at least for now)

    November 15, 2020 /

    Today, it’s official. I have a book title. I have a copyrighted ISBN number. I have a “mood” for the cover. And while I am going to seek traditional publishing this time around and solicit an agent to represent me, I still need to go through this process to help move in the right direction and keep me motivated should I venture down the self-publishing road again. The characters in this novel are not only in my head, but in my soul. Each one is a part of me, and a part of you, and a part of everyone we have met along the way. With five main characters, a…

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    Breathing in the Air and Tasting The Wines in Napa Valley

    April 27, 2016

    Writing About Baseball: The Slump from The Postcard & Other Short Stories

    December 11, 2018

    Little Milestones Receives 5-Star Review from Readers’ Favorite

    July 17, 2020
  • The Path to Writing Novel Number 5

    June 26, 2020 /

    *** At almost 17,000 words in, I can’t hold in my excitement for the challenge I have ahead of me. Writing this next novel is going to require some thought and some time to get it all in order. There are so many moving parts to this story that I grabbed a notebook and am connecting and dissecting each character in detailed character sketches. I’ve researched what a true empath is, as the character who is an empath is the main thread within the novel. I’ve used sticky notes and pencils, diagrams and plot point outlines. My initial board that I began a couple of months ago has now been…

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    What Are You Missing Most Right Now?

    July 29, 2020

    Breathing in the Air and Tasting The Wines in Napa Valley

    April 27, 2016

    The Best Soup | A Family Favorite

    October 20, 2015
  • Podcast 16: Taking a Gander of What’s Out There Before You Write

    May 21, 2020 /

    *** Sorry it’s been a couple of weeks…I explain in the Podcast of where I’ve been and why I haven’t posted a Podcast in a while. I’m really looking to hear your thoughts about this one…so feel free to comment below and share your opinions on your readings and your approaches. I love to learn from others. Next week, I’ll share with you my thoughts on my MFA program—people ask me all the time if I think it’s worth pursuing an MFA as a writer, and I’ll answer that in next week’s Podcast. Hope everyone is staying well. Let me know your thoughts on prior reading before writing. I’m so…

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    The Case for Gelato

    April 16, 2017

    10 Random Thoughts for the First Friday of the New Year

    January 3, 2020

    Random (And I Do Mean Random) Thoughts

    September 21, 2015
  • Podcast 14: Finding and Flushing Out Story Ideas for Novel Writers

    April 14, 2020 /

    What’s my next project? I’m trying to figure that out. I’m outlining, doing research, and juggling two things simultaneously as I flush out what might be my next project. As I dig in, I’m finding out what might work as my next piece of writing. Are you in the same boat? If so, today’s podcast may be helpful as we dissect ideas and begin to move forward. Where are you in the writing stage right now? I’m in the very, very beginning stages of tackling a new story idea. Let’s move through the process together. Check out today’s podcast below. * Stephanie Verni is Professor of Communication at Stevenson University. She…

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    Friday Fodder | It’s Been a Good Week

    September 4, 2015

    Let’s Do This Thing

    November 1, 2018

    The Merriest Season and a Week of Joy

    December 24, 2019
  • Friday Fiction: A Short About Reincarnation & Love (and in need of feedback)

    April 3, 2020 /

    I’ve been researching the idea of reincarnation lately. I’m not exactly sure why this particular concept has been stuck in my brain for several weeks, but it has. I’m in between books right now, having begun a new manuscript, but not sure where that one’s going, and the idea of reincarnation—a love story about reincarnation—keeps popping into my mind. Last week, I posted a poll on my Instagram story to see how many of my connections actually believe in reincarnation, and the result was a resounding 50/50. I’m not sure what I believe myself, but the concept sure is interesting. I’ve met people in my life that I have felt…

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    Frocktober begins tomorrow & I’ve picked my charity

    September 30, 2020

    Happy Easter!

    April 12, 2020

    What I Didn’t Say About Life as an Author

    January 22, 2020
  • First Book Signing for Little Milestones Scheduled for Skipjack’s in St. Michaels, Nov 24th

    November 13, 2019 /

    Hooray! I am so excited about this! Skipjack’s in St. Michaels will be carrying my book, and has asked me to come and do a book signing. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than meeting the folks in St. Michaels over coffee, treats, and a shared love of the town. St. Michaels has always been a special place, and it was an honor to set my novel there. I hope you can make it–and do some holiday shopping while you’re there! xx

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    Autumn is Always a Good Time to Fall into a Story

    November 9, 2015

    It’s Been A Helluva Week & A Little Milestone Is In The Books

    October 23, 2019

    Podcast 13 – Ideas to Help Foster Creativity During This Crisis

    April 6, 2020
  • Let Us Take You to St. Michaels – the setting of my new novel, LITTLE MILESTONES, with a video tour

    November 3, 2019 /

    CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO One of the things I had on my “to do list” with Little Milestones, is to take you on a guided tour of the places and settings that inspired the writing of my novel, Little Milestones. I was patiently waiting for the perfect Saturday to go and shoot the footage, and that day came with blue skies, fall foliage, and a friend by my side to make it fun. Little Milestones is available on Amazon.com and BN.com. It’s a story of moving on, love, friendship, family, and forgiveness. It’s a light novel that takes you from Labor Day weekend through Christmas, and it’s set in this gorgeous…

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    Back To School Sunday

    August 23, 2015

    7 Tips for Working From Home During This Unusual Time

    March 20, 2020

    On This Valentine’s Day, LOVE

    February 14, 2020
  • Finding Inspiration

    September 3, 2019 /

    As someone who writes fiction as my side job, I seek inspiration, either from other people or from places. Additionally, as a writer who is about to publish my 4th novel, I use places almost as I use characters in my novel—they must have a personality and purpose.  Setting is very important to me, and getting a handle on that place requires me to do some digging and exploring. Next month, I will launch my newest novel, LITTLE MILESTONES, set in St. Michaels, Maryland, a place I love visit when I need to get away from the rat race of life. It’s only a little over an hour away from…

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    What Are You Missing Most Right Now?

    July 29, 2020

    Fashion Resolutions for 2016

    January 1, 2016

    All the Best This Holiday Season

    December 24, 2015
  • Writing About Women + Friendship in Little Milestones

    June 9, 2019 /

    For the past several years, I’ve watched a PBS show called Call the Midwife. It’s a series based on the memoirs entitled Call the Midwife: A True Story of the East End by Jennifer Worth, a district nurse and midwife who was living in the East End of London during the 1950s. The show intermingles birth and birth issues experienced by a group of midwives consisting of nurses/midwives and nuns, with the theme of women friendships at the core of all these characters who live together in Nonnatus House. When I first came across this show, I was mesmerized. In my own life, I’d experienced some ill-fitting friendships and was…

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    The Colors of Autumn

    October 27, 2015

    Suggestions for Helping Kids (and Adults) Enjoy Reading

    October 2, 2015

    The Things We Take For Granted

    December 16, 2015
  • Stay Positive, Writers!

    May 29, 2019 /

    It’s the first day of summer break for me, and that means it’s time to dust off my work in progress and hunker down. I’d really love to have this novel done by the end of summer. However, in doing so, there are challenges. It’s really easy to tell ourselves that our work is mediocre…that it needs a lot more love and attention…and that may very well be true. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be wonderful! My current work in progress needs some love and attention. I have to start at the beginning and go through it, chapter by chapter and sentence by sentence. I have to pull this…

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    Back To School Sunday

    August 23, 2015

    Podcast 6 – Joining a Writers Group

    February 18, 2020

    Podcast 13 – Ideas to Help Foster Creativity During This Crisis

    April 6, 2020
  • Deciding to Be A Hallmark Movie in Annapolis, Not Just Watch One

    December 9, 2018 /

    * Last night, my college roommate and dear friend, Elizabeth, and I took to the streets of Annapolis for the annual Parade of Lights. Our husbands were engaged otherwise, and so we were on our own. A resident of Shady Side, south of Annapolis her whole adult life, she had never been to see the boats parade in and out of City Dock and Ego Alley, and so we decided it was the proper thing to do, seeing as how we watch a helluva lot of Hallmark movies and love the quaintness of the towns featured in them. As someone who grew up and still lives in the area, I…

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    Podcast 6 – Joining a Writers Group

    February 18, 2020

    Podcast 9 – Building Your Story

    March 10, 2020

    Happy Halloween!

    October 31, 2015
  • #NaNoWriMo Tribe: Proud of Us as the Finish Line Approaches

    November 28, 2018 /

      I know this doesn’t mean a lot to many people, but for the few of us who adore telling stories, I’m very proud of you. I wouldn’t be much good to anyone as a writing cheerleader if I didn’t actually participate in National Novel Writing Month and help encourage others to do the same. Haven’t you ever done something just for the love and sheer joy of it? While I’m still 7,000 words short of my goal, with tired eyes and a lot of coffee, I’ll continue until the bitter end…along with thousands and thousands of others of us who are all doing the same. Bonding with other writers…

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    My Newest Writing Project

    September 7, 2018

    Friday Fiction: Writing the Prologue & Baseball Girl

    April 15, 2016

    Podcast 5 – Clearing Your Head, Work Space, and Thinking About POV

    February 3, 2020
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I finally picked up my mail from campus and got the award I received in August for the work the Fellows did to help the university navigate the pandemic. As one of five Faculty Fellows for the newly established Center for Teaching and Learning, we created programming workshops to help faculty adjust to teaching during these challenging times.
Hi, all! Thought I’d make a video and try a little different introduction. I am so thankful to be connected to you all. As I say in my profile, I’m here to inspire and be inspired, and today I’d like to share those sentiments.
Today, I'm trying to break the Monday blues by wearing an outfit inspired by the fashion on @emilyinparis. The character Camille wore a cute one-piece plaid jumper with a sheer-sleeved shirt (see my stories), and I tried to mimic that outfit in my own way.
Before you write something, do you have to get mentally prepared and inspired? I know I do. Getting in that head space and physical space to be ready to write can be hard sometimes.
My daughter and I were lucky enough to spend an afternoon in Monterey, CA. We had lunch at a restaurant that was on the Pacific Ocean that jutted out over the water. It was a cloudy day, but stunning, and the meal was delicious.
Well, we made it to Friday🥳With so much uncertainty still floating all around us, sometimes you just gotta toss your head back and laugh. My wish for you today is that you have people around you who can make you belly-laugh. You know the kind of laughing I mean, right? The kind where you snort or cry or can’t catch your breath because it’s so damn funny????
Venice. 💕 #tbt
Annapolis has a lot of cool neighborhoods, and there are many on the water...including homes on rivers, creeks, and the Chesapeake Bay. I took this shot of Sherwood Forest from the boat in the fall. It was a beautiful day, and my camera was ready to capture the colors that were all around us.
Tired of being here, here in the cold,
FINALLY! Woo-hoo! An edited and complete manuscript is DONE and ready for beta readers!
Yesterday, I was able to get to the 100-page mark of editing my new novel (in stories). There were a couple of points where I got a little choked up reading the story—not at all expecting myself to react that way, as I wrote the words. Again, as I said last week, that’s what can happen when you put a little distance between yourself and the work.
Any other tea lovers out there? I’ve been watching a bunch of British movies lately, and it reminded me of all the high teas we enjoyed in London. You can probably guess from my posts that I’m going a bit stir crazy and I’m totally dreaming of our next trip. Until then, we’ll have to make our tea at home and watch shows/movies set around the world. Some recent favorites include: Emily in Paris, Cider with Rosie, Love and Friendship, Photograph, Island at War, Finding Joy, Grantchester, The Last Post, and Call the Midwife. #tbt

Recent Blog Posts

  • Show recommendations to binge-watch January 7, 2021
  • Here’s Hoping for a Brighter 2021 December 31, 2020
  • Ending 2020 with a Manuscript and Some Thoughts December 30, 2020
  • A Writer’s Muse: Annapolis December 18, 2020
  • Give the Gift of Books December 15, 2020
  • One of My Favorite Scenes November 22, 2020
  • My 5th Novel Has a Name (at least for now) November 15, 2020
  • Capturing Moments November 12, 2020
  • The 6 a.m Pledge for My Health November 4, 2020
  • Reading, Writing, and an Empath for November November 1, 2020

Steph’s Scribe is the blog of Stephanie Parrillo Verni, professor, author and blogger. Copyright 2021.

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