Solitaire Parke's Blog

Hello everyone,
Inside My Writing Process -
I wanted to share a glimpse into what’s unfolding in my writing world right now. I am currently about six chapters deep into a new book, one that is taking me in directions I’ve never explored in my previous work. The story line is entirely unique, and remarkably, the idea came to me in a dream. It wasn’t just a vague impression, either; the dream came with vivid names, intricate details, and a clear sense of where the story would go. This isn’t an isolated experience for me. Some of my best and most interesting ideas have appeared in my dreams, almost as if the stories are seeking me out rather than the other way around.

Bringing A Story to Life -
Of course, writing a novel is never just about filling pages with words. There are countless steps involved, including researching locations, developing background information, and weaving together all the small pieces of knowledge that make characters and settings feel real. It’s a demanding and thought-provoking journey, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. During my research for this book, I’ve stumbled upon some fascinating material, especially topics revolving around ghosts and apparitions.

Exploring the Unexplained -
Have you ever walked into a room and felt something brush past you, almost as if someone or something was there? Or maybe you’ve noticed a sudden, strong scent that seems to come from nowhere, with no obvious explanation. These moments can be easy to dismiss, but they also cause us to wonder - what if there’s more to these experiences than we realize?

An Inspiring Question -
Not everyone is convinced by the idea of ghosts, and that’s perfectly understandable. Still, when unexplainable events happen with enough frequency or in such unusual ways, they can give even the most skeptical among us a reason to pause. This raises a compelling question: if an apparition or ghost was reaching out to us, would we even recognize its presence? This question has become one of the most intriguing themes shaping my new story, and I’m excited to see where it leads. I look forward to sharing more with you as the book takes shape.
If you have any interesting tales on this topic, please share. I would love to hear from you at sp@solitaireparke.com.

See you next time!
Solitaire
www.solitaireparke.com

“No, not spicy.”
That was my order every time - and nowhere did I ask for anything spicy.
I’d ordered the same chicken-and-rice dinner for weeks. At first, it was perfect. Then one night it arrived drenched in hot sauce.
The next week I tried again, telling myself it was a fluke. It sounded so good. One bite in - “yikes.” My eyes watered. My nose ran. Still spicy.
I gave them more than one chance to get it right. But sometimes it doesn’t matter how many tries you give something - if it isn’t working, it isn’t working. At that point, the smartest move is to switch it up.
That’s the idea behind my book, The Triple Threat: How to Write a Novel and Stay Sane in the Process: if what you’re doing isn’t getting you to “The End,” it may be time to adjust your approach and try a method that makes your writing life easier and actually moves the story forward.
I believe most people have at least one good book inside them - probably more than one. The hard part is knowing where to start (and what to do next).
I’ve been writing for years, and I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way. In The Triple Threat, I share what I’ve learned so you can skip the avoidable detours and turn your novel into a real, finished manuscript - not just a “someday” idea.
There’s nothing quite like holding your story in a finished format - paperback, e-book, or audiobook. It takes time and effort, but the pride that comes with it lasts.
What you’ll learn in the book:
• How to start (and how to keep going)
• Research, outlining, and planning tools
• Plots and subplots
• Characterization, dialogue, and conflict
• Timelines—and “showing” vs. “telling”
• Helpful templates and cover art basics
• Editing and publishing
• Examples throughout to make each step more clear
Want to learn more? If The Triple Threat sounds like the kind of guidance you’ve been looking for, you can find it here: https://www.solitaireparke.com/triple...

Every April since 1996, poetry takes center stage with National Poetry Month, the world’s biggest literary celebration! Organized by the Academy of American Poets, this month-long fest is all about sparking love for poetry and showing just how powerful and fun words can be.

Throughout the month, millions of readers, students, and educators join in with poetry readings, creative workshops, and school celebrations. From spotlighting beloved poets to discovering fresh voices, National Poetry Month invites everyone to explore how poetry shapes American culture, and maybe even write a poem or two of their own!
Below are some famous poets and links to their poems.

*Edgar Allan Poe - https://poestories.com/poetry.php
*Robert Frost - https://poets.org/poet/robert-frost
*John Keats - https://www.classicalpoets.org/10-gre...
*William Shakespeare - https://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/
*Emily Dickinson - https://allpoetry.com/Emily-Dickinson
*Walt Whitman - https://allpoetry.com/Walt-Whitman

My poetry book, TAPESTRY, is full of poems I have written over the years. Edgar Allan Poe is probably my favorite poet, and much of my poetry has been compared to the type of medieval verse that he was famous for. Below you can find several of my poems and if you’d like to read more, the book is available in numerous locations.
https://www.solitaireparke.com/tapest...

THE TRAVELER
by Solitaire Parke (from the book Tapestry)
I step upon the path -
And strain my eyes to see ahead.
I walk to strengthen my resolve
And resolve will make me walk instead,
Throughout my life,
Toward the light -
For answers to this strange and tangled thread.

I move upon the road -
And hasten toward the light I see.
I run to manifest my hope
And hope it finds my inner need,
Throughout my days,
A thousand ways -
For answers that are always plaguing me.

I fly above the highway -
And stretch my wings up to the sky.
I soar because the dream is real
And real is cause to fantasize,
Throughout the years,
And all the tears -
For answers to this haunting lullaby.

Lets support our nation’s poets and rediscover how powerful words can be!
Solitaire

Every Writer develops a routine uniquely suited to their life. Mine is shaped by coffee, music, and a pair of watchful dogs. My ‘think drink’ is mocha coffee, to which I add ice multiple times during the day.

I have two dogs who can be pretty distracting, but only when someone comes to the front door or anywhere near the house as they’re staring out a window. (They really dislike the postman and the trash removal truck!) They take their role as protectors very seriously. Aside from those incidents, they are devoted couch potatoes, literally asleep on the couch in my office.

I often listen to non-lyrical music during the writing process, but it must inspire the kind of narrative unfolding. Music helps set the emotional landscape and keeps me connected to the story.

Making a habit of writing at least several pages per day is an excellent goal but sometimes life gets in the way of the best laid plans. It’s important to concentrate on the story itself and generally it will fall into place. I rely on a simple structure that keeps me grounded called The Triple Threat: a beginning, a turning point, and an end, which happens to be one of my books.

Once I have established this structure, I create a loose outline that confines itself to those anchors. All the rest comes out as the story progresses. I believe that like life, you can’t dictate what happens with every twist and turn. Spontaneity is the spice that makes a better book.

I create characters that are based on people I know. The familiarity makes the emotions more forceful and the descriptions more vivid. Most, if not all the stories I have written came from distinct dreams, sometimes complete with plots, sub-plots, and titles. I try not to worry about how long a book should be or how many chapters, as it interferes with what’s most important, telling the story.

My writing space is an office with a rather large desk and an oversized, wall-mounted monitor which gives me extra space on the desk itself. That leads to clutter but somehow translates to a higher level of inspiration. I guess that makes me a slob, but a highly inspired one!

If I were to give any advice to writers just starting out it would be this: don’t Fixate on how much time it will take to write your book. Don’t force long writing sessions every day. Discipline matters, but what works best for me is to write each day when the inspiration is flowing. Take frequent breaks and don’t let anything derail you from finishing. Life will take its toll along the way but never quit. The book will be finished when it’s ready.

One thing I have learned is considerable patience. If writing teaches us anything, it’s that persistence - not speed - is what turns stories into legacies.

Solitaire
www.solitaireparke.com

Sign up to receive the FREE eBook and explore:

The pivotal moments that shaped a man’s fateThe themes of accountability, compassion, and self‑confrontationChallenging what it means to change

Discover the story behind The Atrium—a psychological thriller about guilt, choice, and redemption. In this exclusive eBook, you’ll follow a man trapped not only by circumstance, but by the memories and decisions that define him.

Download Here and enjoy!

Solitaire

www.solitaireparke.com

                  Why Art, Movies, and Mingling with the Marvelously Different Will Change Your Life (And Maybe Your Wardrobe)Welcoming 2026: A Creative Call to Adventure

Greetings, fellow travelers in the grand gallery of life! As the curtains rise on 2026 it’s time to consider an idea that’s neither about kale nor exercise. Let’s make 2026 the year we all say “Yes!” to more art, more creativity, and maybe even a few movies or musical numbers in our homes.

Why Art Matters: Everyday Enrichment, Zero Calories

Let’s be honest: life can sometimes feel like a never-ending loop of emails, to-do lists, and the dismay that comes with discovering an old moldy dinner that ends up in the Insinkerator.  Enter art! Whether it’s a splash of beautiful colors on a canvas, an amazing digital creation from the mind of an inventive computer geek, a simple doodle in a notebook, or that interpretive dance you do when nobody’s watching, art infuses our days with wonder, pleasure, and a dash of quirkiness. Creative experiences don’t just make our Instagram feeds appealing, they give life meaning, promote problem-solving, and make us feel more alive. Plus, unlike caffeine, art won’t keep you up at night (unless you’re a musician playing at a venue or you can’t turn your creative juices off – both of which have happened to me).

The Magic of Movies: Taking a Break from the Ordinary

Now, let’s talk about movies, the ultimate time machines, empathy engines, and providers of popcorn-related joy. Some of my favorites lately are movies that star the actor, Rutger Hauer – Blade Runner from 1982, The Hitcher, Ladyhawke, Surviving the Game. Watching a great film is like taking a mini vacation without the hassle of airport security. Movies invite us to inhabit other worlds, see through someone else’s eyes, and occasionally question why everyone in action scenes never seems to need the bathroom. More than entertainment, cinema is an art form that can spark inspiration, offer comfort, and encourage us to rethink our routines. The right film at the right moment can nudge us toward new dreams, or at the very least, inspire us to try slow-motion walks in dramatic lighting.

Lifestyles: Growing by Embracing the Wonderfully Weird

If you really want to supercharge your personal growth, try stepping beyond your comfort zone and engaging with people living lives wildly different from your own. Befriend a local avant-gard café or someone from your yoga class. Chat with the improv comedian at your local comedy club or finally accept your neighbor’s invitation to their “Experimental Cuisine Night” (just… keep an open mind about the beet lasagna). Surrounding ourselves with diverse perspectives and lifestyles not only expands our worldview but also helps us challenge our assumptions. It’s like updating the software of your soul – suddenly you’re running new programs and seeing life’s possibilities in high definition or perhaps an update.

Practical Tips: Adding More Art to Your 2026Visit a local museum or gallery: Bonus points if you bring a sketchbook or try describing everything in rhyming couplets afterward (poetry is harder than it looks)Host a movie night (theme hats encouraged): Pick films from different countries or genres and discuss them afterwards with friends (or your very patient dog).Try a new art form: Pottery, collage, interpretive shadow puppetry (is that a thing?), the world is your creative oyster.Say “yes” to invitations outside your comfort zone: Attend a poetry or writer’s group, join a dance class, or volunteer for a community mural project.Make time for daily creativity: Even five minutes of doodling, journaling, playing your guitar or keyboard, or humming tunes while you take a work break can do wonders for your mood and mind. Listen to background music while you paint or write.Incorporate Creativity—Make Life Your Masterpiece

As 2026 unfolds, let’s make a pact to welcome more art, more movies, and more beautifully diverse experiences into our lives. Not just because it looks good on social media, but because creativity makes every day richer, more surprising, and more meaningful. We all have the capacity to be creators, explorers, and admirers of the eccentric and profound. So, dust off your imagination, take time off and watch a movie you’ve been meaning to see, grab a ticket to the next concert in town, and don’t be afraid to try beet lasagna. Here’s to a year of vivid colors, a bold outlook on life, and unforgettable stories – on the screen, on the canvas. Make your life extraordinary!

Solitaire

Click Here for Art by Solitaire

www.solitaireparke.com

 

 

New Year’s resolutions – not a huge fan of them. They are often big promises that are meaningless and you are unable to keep. It only sets you up for disappointment.  There are no quick fixes or magic formulas for success. Instead of making these over-the-top resolutions, I prefer to be more realistic and come up with things that are achievable and keep you optimistic rather than feeling like a failure. Here are a few ideas you might employ for 2026 that I believe are achievable.

Exercise – here’s a big one. Most people make their expectations much too high and expect too much in too short a time. Put yourself on a program that takes a month at a time. This makes it easier to prioritize what you do rather than procrastinate. Enjoy dancing, hiking, going to the gym, playing sports, etc. Commit to walking 3 to 5 times a week.   Short distances at first until your body gets used to this new experience and then increase the distance accordingly. Once you start moving, you’ll feel better, breathe easier and your overall health will thank you. Walking also increases creativity. The conditions around you are changing and your mind can wander to new ideas. We have all become much too sedentary in our lifestyles. We need to move! (And drink more water!)

Eat healthier food – we are all in a hurry these days and eating is one of the things that suffers as a result. Make a few changes in your diet – add more fruit or vegetables each day, cut back on the ultra-processed foods, make simple healthy food choices whenever you can. If you make an effort to do even one or two things differently, you can create change.

Read a book – It’s a fast-paced world we live in, and we need to find a way to slow down. Everyone is interested in something so find a good book that catches your attention and pick a time to read a chapter per day – right before bedtime or during your lunch hour. Find a time that works for your schedule. A good book can take you to world’s unknown or enlighten you about a faraway place in this world. Whatever the subject, learning is always a wonderful thing. Our bodies and our minds will value the effort.

Kindness and gratitude – Develop an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful each day for your family, friends, and life itself. Treat others with respect and kindness. Go out of your way to say “thank you” to those who do so much for you every day. Be kind to those you don’t even know. Smile at people – it might make their day. Send a card to a friend or family member you haven’t heard from in a while. Volunteer at a shelter or food pantry. People need to know that someone cares. If there’s one thing this world needs more of it’s kindness!

Slow down the digital – It’s easy to lose track of how long you spend on digital devices. Try making a conscious effort to put down your phone completely during activities like walking the dog, drinking coffee with friends, socializing with friends and family, or playing with your kids and pets.

Explore new hobbies – Make different kinds of food, take a painting class, try building something, take dancing lessons, take up gardening, learn to play the guitar or piano, or make hiking your new hobby. Do something that feels fun and maybe totally different from what you would normally do!

The healthy resolutions listed above are sustainable ways that can improve your emotional and physical health that can be followed for a lifetime. This New Year 2026 try some of them out to make it the happiest and healthiest New Year possible!

Solitaire

http://www.solitaireparke.com

From December 8th 2025 – January 1st 2026, I’m excited to announce that my Ebooks will be available as part of the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale! This is a chance to get my books, along with books from many other great authors, at a promotional discount.

Join thousands of readers – find great book titles from your favorite authors and discover new authors in your preferred genres. Books are discounted from 25% – 50% – 75% – and even FREE! You can locate the Dragomeir Series (adventures with dragons), Vengeance of the Wolf (a horror/thriller), Tinker Smith and the Conspiracy of Oz (genetically altered children in a world of espionage and the wizard of Oz), Between Two Worlds (a rip in the fabric of time and space, and The Atrium (a psychological adventure in science fiction) at SMASHWORDS.

 

If you check out my website you’ll find other books – The Larger World Series in including a new release, The Forces of the Universe. For  anyone who could use an assist in   becoming a writer, there’s even a book to guide you on your journey –  The Triple Threat (how to write a novel and stay sane in the process), plus  books filled with Digital Artwork and many   interesting extras.

I hope you’ll visit Smashwords 2025 end of year sale.  Enjoy the holidays – MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone!

Solitaire

www.solitaireparke.com

 

 

Thanksgiving is generally a celebration of family, friends, and food; a time to be thankful for the blessings in our lives. The real history of Thanksgiving is a bit more complicated than mashed potatoes and gravy and pumpkin pies. If you’ve ever wondered why we celebrate Thanksgiving, or where some of our Thanksgiving traditions come from, you’re about to find out.

A woman named Sarah Josepha Hale lobbied Congress for years to make Thanksgiving an official holiday. If it wasn’t for this very determined woman, Thanksgiving wouldn’t exist today. She lobbied Congress for many years to make this holiday official. She wanted to make this a permanent American custom based on national pride. It wasn’t until 1863 that President Lincoln finally declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. Thanksgiving is considered by many people to be an attempt to bring some peace back to the country after the Civil War. Lincoln made the holiday on the last Thursday in November.

Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to change it to one week earlier. Franklin thought the turkey should be the United States’ official bird rather than the bald eagle. By 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill making the fourth Thursday in November the official date for Thanksgiving nationwide to help alleviate the effects of the Great Depression.

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was in 1924 and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo – live bears, elephants, camels and monkeys, unlike the huge balloons we have today. They did have floats, celebrities, bands, and Macy’s employees in costumes, as well as Santa Claus. About 3.5 million people attend the parade, and nearly 50 million watch it on their televisions at home.

Did you know that TV dinners came about because of Thanksgiving? In 1953, the Swanson Food Corporation got creative with leftover turkey as a result of overestimating how much turkey would be eaten on Thanksgiving Day. They used aluminum trays and created a complete Thanksgiving meal which sold for around ninety-eight cents. They sold ten million TV dinners and started the prepackaged frozen meal industry.

People have been cooking pumpkin pies since the 1600’s. The dessert has been an important part of Thanksgiving meals since the 1700s. One Connecticut town even postponed the holiday in 1705 due to a molasses shortage that prevented people from making pies.

The “pardoning” of the turkey has been an annual White House tradition. President John F. Kennedy was the first to pardon a turkey and President George H. W. Bush was the first to make pardoning a turkey an annual event in 1989, after he noticed the 50-pound bird at his official Thanksgiving proclamation looked nervous. Every president has upheld the tradition ever since.

In the 1870’s Thanksgiving Day football games began, although they were not on television yet. In 1876, Yale played Princeton in the very first Thanksgiving Day game. In 1920 when the National Football League was founded it began hosting games every year.

Here is an interesting fact: The day after Thanksgiving is amazingly busy for plumbers, according to a very well-known plumbing company. So, we need to be extra careful with turkey grease, potato peels, rice, and stuffing as they can clog your kitchen drain or garbage disposal.

The British have an unusual take on Thanksgiving Day, as they call it Britts-giving. Whatever they want to call it, it still represents the spirit of thankfulness and giving.

How many places in the United States have the name “Turkey?” Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina.

How many turkeys are prepared for Thanksgiving each year in the United States? 46 million

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day everyone!

Solitaire

www.solitaireparke.com

I am a writer who is passionate about classic science fiction. There is a list of authors who are considered to be the best. So, if you are looking for incredible science fiction novels, then these five, who happen to be some of my favorites, are included in that list and I would highly recommend them. I’ve given you a short version of their content and what I thought about each one. Whatever you choose to read, I don’t believe you’ll be disappointed. Happy Reading!

Robert Heinlein – Glory Road

     

 

 

 

 

This novel was written in first person and talks to the fourth wall on several occasions. The leading character is a down and out, unemployed man in serious need of a job. He answers an ad in the paper for “Hero for Hire” and stumbles his way to success. It was very inciteful and hilariously realistic to today’s social climate.

– The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

A computer becomes sentient in a prison located on the moon and teaches the inmates how to fight back the oppressors on earth by launching large rocks. Heinlein made it sound plausible and added just enough sound technical data to seem real.

John Varley – Titan

One of my favorite characters in this book was the mighty Cirocco Jones and her sidekick, Gaby. On an expedition to Saturn, they discover an unknown satellite orbiting the planet, they crash into it, and attempt to find their missing crew members. The narration was so vivid I could see what they saw as if I was there with them.

 – Millennium

Because of a thousand years of war, the Earth has been polluted beyond repair and humanity’s gene pool has become irreparably damaged. Scientists decide on a desperate plan; time travel into the past, collect healthy humans, and transport the populace to an uncontaminated planet to rebuild civilization. The only downside is each person selected can’t have changed the future by disappearing. I found the plot to be interesting, original, and deeply disturbing at the same time.

Piers Anthony – Macroscope

 Macroscope is a love story that surrounds the theft of a new kind of telescope that employs an infinite resolution while observing the space time continuum. The machine can look into anywhere at anytime, making it the most dangerous tool in the universe. The two protagonists fall in love while they attempt to keep the macroscope away from those who would misuse it.

 – A Spell For Chameleon

The lead character, Bink, must learn his magical talent before he comes of age or suffer the banishment of the country in which he lives. Bink learns he has a talent but there is no way to discover what it could be. He is banished to our world, one without magic, and eventually makes it back to Xanth, his world. Bink ultimately learns his talent is that no other talent will work against him. It is also determined to be the strongest talent in his world. I liked this book primarily because Bink was so naïve and nicer than those around him. It also proved that decency wins out.

Arthur C. Clarke  – The Sands of Mars

 This book was released in 1951 and shows a much more wholesome view of science and space travel. The leading characters find kangaroo – like creatures on mars and vegetation that will eventually produce air on mars. The protagonist is so taken with the planet that he volunteers to stay and help with the migration of people from earth.

 – The City and the Stars

I found the concept of this book fascinating and different from most science fiction of the time. The setting is in the distant future when the earth’s oceans have dried up, and mankind lives in one remaining city on the edge of extinction. The leading character discovers a second group of people that have once again learned how to live off the land, and they teach him the procedures needed to thrive.

Edgar Rice Burroughs – A Princess of Mars

 This is my favorite book and was the one that caused me to become a writer. John Carter is whisked off to the red planet, a place the natives call Barsoom. He meets a beautiful princess and has to defend her from a race of people that want her dead. The formula is constant with Burroughs books and involves finding the girl, losing her to kidnapping, and spending a herculean amount of effort finding and saving her.

– The Land that Time Forgot

 The main character, Bowen Tyler, is on a ship that sinks during World War 1 and through a series of misadventures finds himself on what he thinks is a deserted island. Exploring the island for food shows Bowen that the island is inhabited by dinosaurs and prehuman people that know nothing of the 20th century. Lys La Rue, a companion from the sunken ship must find a way to survive and ultimately leave the island.

Solitaire

www.solitaireparke.com