Writers have their quirks — and sometimes, their writing tools have a few of their own, I know my computer does. But back in the ‘old days’ I used a typewriter. In this playful Halloween poem, I imagine what might happen if an old typewriter refused to rest in peace. Whether you’re a poet, novelist, […]| Jack Ronald Cotner
Beneath the moon’s unholy gleam, Three sisters whisper through the dream. Their hollow eyes, once full of grace, Now mirror stars in death’s embrace. They danced in life with silken pride, Their laughter echoed far and wide. But time, that thief with ghostly hand, Drew veils of dust across the land. Now marble blooms […]| Jack Ronald Cotner
Every October, when the nights grow longer and the wind whispers through the trees, readers everywhere turn to stories that tingle the spine and stir the imagination. Halloween isn’t just a night of costumes and candy — it’s a season of storytelling. The best Halloween tales don’t just frighten us; they remind us of wonder, […]| Jack Ronald Cotner
“Sometimes the best way to clear your mind is to keep your wheels turning.” A Ride to Reset Yesterday I turned off the computer, took a deep breath, and hopped on my bike for a much-needed brain break. The day couldn’t have been better—partly cloudy, light breeze, and cool enough for an easy cruise. Before […]| Jack Ronald Cotner
Scroll through any streaming service, and you’ll see it: mystery is trending again. Dark thrillers, cold-case podcasts, “whodunit” reboots — they all prove one thing: people never stop loving a good puzzle. For young adults today, that fascination runs even deeper. We live in an age of instant answers, yet we crave mystery. We want […]| Jack Ronald Cotner
A Look Back at Small-Town Wonder in 1910 There are moments in a town’s history that seem to capture its very heartbeat. This colorized photograph of my hometown, Booneville, Arkansas, taken around the turn of the twentieth century, freezes one such day in time — the day the circus came to town. At the time, […]| Jack Ronald Cotner
This book was recommended by a trusted friend so I thought I would give it a try. Here’s my breakdown (no spoilers): Kate Carlisle’s debut novel, Homicide in Hardcover: A Bibliophile Mystery…| Jack Ronald Cotner
I discovered a 1957 black and white photo taken by either my dad or grandfather depicting my young sister, my mother, and an old man tending a donkey. The donkey, with a rope halter a…| Jack Ronald Cotner
1 post published by Jack Ronald Cotner during September 2025| Jack Ronald Cotner
A Family Heirloom as Historical Evidence Sometimes history comes not from official documents or grand monuments, but from the simple items families tuck away—letters, journals, and in this c…| Jack Ronald Cotner
How To Write A Murder Mystery is a guide to help ensure you are on the right road to successfully completing a work in this genre. Whether you are new to writing, a seasoned professional, or somewhere in between, this step-by-step guide from premise to plot twist may be just what you are looking for […] The post How To Write A Murder Mystery appeared first on Jack Ronald Cotner.| Jack Ronald Cotner
