helaine mario

Other Writings


The challenges and rewards of writing a sequel

I never expected to write a sequel to The Lost Concerto. But everyone, myself included, wanted to know what happened next to Maggie, her Colonel, and Shiloh. Also, for me, I wanted to explore Maggie's past. There are no better words a writer can hear than "I did not want it to end." And so, with those seven small words, Dark Rhapsody was born.
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Helaine Mario

The First Two Pages

As writers, we want readers to "fall into our story." The goal for all of us is to draw the reader in. The mystery is how to do just that. An editor once told me that the writer has 25 pages to capture the reader's interest. But for me, and for many of you, it is the first few pages of your novel that can make all the difference.
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Helaine Mario

Romance in Thrillers

Do you remember the day you discovered a favorite author? I know the exact moment I discovered Helen MacInnes, often called 'The Queen of Espionage Writers,' because her books changed my life.
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Helaine Mario

Random Thoughts

Favorite quotes, words of wisdom, unexpected moments and… skylights.
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