Donna Steele
@steelestories.bsky.social
Romance writer and reader - I write paranormal, sci fi and contemporary romance. Having the best "retirement" anyone ever had. Just published my 55th book!! (No DMs). www.steelestories.com.
Remember, most authors are a small business - we'd love to have you shop with us today! www.steelestories.com/books/ #smallbusinesssaturday
November 30, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Remember, most authors are a small business - we'd love to have you shop with us today! www.steelestories.com/books/ #smallbusinesssaturday
Never express yourself more clearly than you think.
Niels Bohr
Niels Bohr
November 29, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Never express yourself more clearly than you think.
Niels Bohr
Niels Bohr
Rigorism [RIG-ə-riz-əm]
noun
English, 18th century
Extreme strictness in interpreting or enforcing a law, precept, or principle.
Example
"The vice principal was known for her rigorism, and every student expected the full term of detention allowed after they were called to her office."
noun
English, 18th century
Extreme strictness in interpreting or enforcing a law, precept, or principle.
Example
"The vice principal was known for her rigorism, and every student expected the full term of detention allowed after they were called to her office."
November 29, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Rigorism [RIG-ə-riz-əm]
noun
English, 18th century
Extreme strictness in interpreting or enforcing a law, precept, or principle.
Example
"The vice principal was known for her rigorism, and every student expected the full term of detention allowed after they were called to her office."
noun
English, 18th century
Extreme strictness in interpreting or enforcing a law, precept, or principle.
Example
"The vice principal was known for her rigorism, and every student expected the full term of detention allowed after they were called to her office."
In the end, all books are written for your friends.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
November 28, 2025 at 10:34 PM
In the end, all books are written for your friends.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Élan [ey-LAN]
noun
French, mid-19th century
Energy, style, and enthusiasm.
Examples
"She was a star employee, demonstrating skill and élan with her work."
"She showed élan with her coordinated accessories and sophisticated fashion."
noun
French, mid-19th century
Energy, style, and enthusiasm.
Examples
"She was a star employee, demonstrating skill and élan with her work."
"She showed élan with her coordinated accessories and sophisticated fashion."
November 28, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Élan [ey-LAN]
noun
French, mid-19th century
Energy, style, and enthusiasm.
Examples
"She was a star employee, demonstrating skill and élan with her work."
"She showed élan with her coordinated accessories and sophisticated fashion."
noun
French, mid-19th century
Energy, style, and enthusiasm.
Examples
"She was a star employee, demonstrating skill and élan with her work."
"She showed élan with her coordinated accessories and sophisticated fashion."
Writers get to treat their mental illnesses every day.
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut
November 27, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Writers get to treat their mental illnesses every day.
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut
Doctrine [DAHK-trən]
noun
Latin, 14th century
A belief held and taught by a church, political party, or other group.
Examples
Some old-fashioned doctrines need to be updated for modern times
Presidents are often remembered for notable policies or actions, which can be called their doctrine
noun
Latin, 14th century
A belief held and taught by a church, political party, or other group.
Examples
Some old-fashioned doctrines need to be updated for modern times
Presidents are often remembered for notable policies or actions, which can be called their doctrine
November 27, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Doctrine [DAHK-trən]
noun
Latin, 14th century
A belief held and taught by a church, political party, or other group.
Examples
Some old-fashioned doctrines need to be updated for modern times
Presidents are often remembered for notable policies or actions, which can be called their doctrine
noun
Latin, 14th century
A belief held and taught by a church, political party, or other group.
Examples
Some old-fashioned doctrines need to be updated for modern times
Presidents are often remembered for notable policies or actions, which can be called their doctrine
Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
November 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Pergola [pər-ɡə-lə]
noun
Italian, mid-17th century
An arched structure in a garden or park consisting of a framework covered with climbing or trailing plants.
Examples
The wedding took place under the pergola covered in ivy and white flowers
The only thing left in the garden was the wooden pergola
noun
Italian, mid-17th century
An arched structure in a garden or park consisting of a framework covered with climbing or trailing plants.
Examples
The wedding took place under the pergola covered in ivy and white flowers
The only thing left in the garden was the wooden pergola
November 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Pergola [pər-ɡə-lə]
noun
Italian, mid-17th century
An arched structure in a garden or park consisting of a framework covered with climbing or trailing plants.
Examples
The wedding took place under the pergola covered in ivy and white flowers
The only thing left in the garden was the wooden pergola
noun
Italian, mid-17th century
An arched structure in a garden or park consisting of a framework covered with climbing or trailing plants.
Examples
The wedding took place under the pergola covered in ivy and white flowers
The only thing left in the garden was the wooden pergola
Anybody can become a writer, but the trick is to STAY a writer.
Harlan Ellison
Harlan Ellison
November 25, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Anybody can become a writer, but the trick is to STAY a writer.
Harlan Ellison
Harlan Ellison
Ethnography [eth-NAH-ɡrə-fee]
noun
French, early 19th century
Scientific description of the customs of peoples and cultures
Examples
The required reading touched on the ethnography of the country, not just the history
You can be a tourist, but you can also immerse yourself in a culture’s ethnography
noun
French, early 19th century
Scientific description of the customs of peoples and cultures
Examples
The required reading touched on the ethnography of the country, not just the history
You can be a tourist, but you can also immerse yourself in a culture’s ethnography
November 25, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Ethnography [eth-NAH-ɡrə-fee]
noun
French, early 19th century
Scientific description of the customs of peoples and cultures
Examples
The required reading touched on the ethnography of the country, not just the history
You can be a tourist, but you can also immerse yourself in a culture’s ethnography
noun
French, early 19th century
Scientific description of the customs of peoples and cultures
Examples
The required reading touched on the ethnography of the country, not just the history
You can be a tourist, but you can also immerse yourself in a culture’s ethnography
Anybody can have ideas--the difficulty is to express them without squandering a quire of paper on an idea that ought to be reduced to one glittering paragraph.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
November 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Anybody can have ideas--the difficulty is to express them without squandering a quire of paper on an idea that ought to be reduced to one glittering paragraph.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Cadre [KAH-dray]
noun
Latin, mid-19th century
A small group of people trained for a particular purpose or profession. An activist group.
Examples
A cadre of heart specialists was on call for the transplant procedure.
The cadre joined the gathering in front of the statehouse to listen to speakers.
noun
Latin, mid-19th century
A small group of people trained for a particular purpose or profession. An activist group.
Examples
A cadre of heart specialists was on call for the transplant procedure.
The cadre joined the gathering in front of the statehouse to listen to speakers.
November 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Cadre [KAH-dray]
noun
Latin, mid-19th century
A small group of people trained for a particular purpose or profession. An activist group.
Examples
A cadre of heart specialists was on call for the transplant procedure.
The cadre joined the gathering in front of the statehouse to listen to speakers.
noun
Latin, mid-19th century
A small group of people trained for a particular purpose or profession. An activist group.
Examples
A cadre of heart specialists was on call for the transplant procedure.
The cadre joined the gathering in front of the statehouse to listen to speakers.
Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
November 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Invariable [in-VEHR-ee-əb-əl]
adjective
Latin, 15th century
Never changing. Having the same form in both the singular and the plural, e.g., sheep.
Example
"My mother's kitchen includes the invariable combination of a pot of coffee and plate of cookies."
adjective
Latin, 15th century
Never changing. Having the same form in both the singular and the plural, e.g., sheep.
Example
"My mother's kitchen includes the invariable combination of a pot of coffee and plate of cookies."
November 23, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Invariable [in-VEHR-ee-əb-əl]
adjective
Latin, 15th century
Never changing. Having the same form in both the singular and the plural, e.g., sheep.
Example
"My mother's kitchen includes the invariable combination of a pot of coffee and plate of cookies."
adjective
Latin, 15th century
Never changing. Having the same form in both the singular and the plural, e.g., sheep.
Example
"My mother's kitchen includes the invariable combination of a pot of coffee and plate of cookies."
Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.
Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
November 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.
Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Baroque [bə-ROHK]
adjective
French, mid-18th century
A style of European architecture and music of the 17th and 18th centuries following ornate detail
Examples
I do enjoy listening to baroque music, but the architecture is too much for me
The home was maintained in the height of its baroque style
adjective
French, mid-18th century
A style of European architecture and music of the 17th and 18th centuries following ornate detail
Examples
I do enjoy listening to baroque music, but the architecture is too much for me
The home was maintained in the height of its baroque style
November 22, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Baroque [bə-ROHK]
adjective
French, mid-18th century
A style of European architecture and music of the 17th and 18th centuries following ornate detail
Examples
I do enjoy listening to baroque music, but the architecture is too much for me
The home was maintained in the height of its baroque style
adjective
French, mid-18th century
A style of European architecture and music of the 17th and 18th centuries following ornate detail
Examples
I do enjoy listening to baroque music, but the architecture is too much for me
The home was maintained in the height of its baroque style
Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any.
Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card
November 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any.
Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card
Forfend [for-FEND]
verb
Middle English, 14th century
Avert, keep away, or prevent (something evil or unpleasant). Protect by precautionary measures.
Examples
"The fence should forfend rabbits getting into the garden."
"We need to rent a tent to forfend against any showers during the reception."
verb
Middle English, 14th century
Avert, keep away, or prevent (something evil or unpleasant). Protect by precautionary measures.
Examples
"The fence should forfend rabbits getting into the garden."
"We need to rent a tent to forfend against any showers during the reception."
November 21, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Forfend [for-FEND]
verb
Middle English, 14th century
Avert, keep away, or prevent (something evil or unpleasant). Protect by precautionary measures.
Examples
"The fence should forfend rabbits getting into the garden."
"We need to rent a tent to forfend against any showers during the reception."
verb
Middle English, 14th century
Avert, keep away, or prevent (something evil or unpleasant). Protect by precautionary measures.
Examples
"The fence should forfend rabbits getting into the garden."
"We need to rent a tent to forfend against any showers during the reception."
I force myself to write that first draft and call it a 'vomit pass,' just so I won't be precious about it.
M. Night Shyamalan
M. Night Shyamalan
November 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
I force myself to write that first draft and call it a 'vomit pass,' just so I won't be precious about it.
M. Night Shyamalan
M. Night Shyamalan
Benefic [bə-NEH-fik]
adjective
Latin, early 17th century
Beneficent or kindly. Relating to or denoting the planets Jupiter and Venus, considered to have a favorable influence.
Example
I don't usually believe in astrology, but my sister says my horoscope is benefic, and I should expect good things.
adjective
Latin, early 17th century
Beneficent or kindly. Relating to or denoting the planets Jupiter and Venus, considered to have a favorable influence.
Example
I don't usually believe in astrology, but my sister says my horoscope is benefic, and I should expect good things.
November 20, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Benefic [bə-NEH-fik]
adjective
Latin, early 17th century
Beneficent or kindly. Relating to or denoting the planets Jupiter and Venus, considered to have a favorable influence.
Example
I don't usually believe in astrology, but my sister says my horoscope is benefic, and I should expect good things.
adjective
Latin, early 17th century
Beneficent or kindly. Relating to or denoting the planets Jupiter and Venus, considered to have a favorable influence.
Example
I don't usually believe in astrology, but my sister says my horoscope is benefic, and I should expect good things.
I was totally unaware that we were the second-rate sex.
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
November 19, 2025 at 10:20 PM
I was totally unaware that we were the second-rate sex.
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Miscellany [MIH-sə-leh-nee]
noun
Latin, late 16th century
A collection of different items. A book containing a collection of pieces written by different authors.
Examples
There's just a bunch of miscellany in the attic — nothing valuable
My poem will be published in an upcoming volume of miscellany
noun
Latin, late 16th century
A collection of different items. A book containing a collection of pieces written by different authors.
Examples
There's just a bunch of miscellany in the attic — nothing valuable
My poem will be published in an upcoming volume of miscellany
November 19, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Miscellany [MIH-sə-leh-nee]
noun
Latin, late 16th century
A collection of different items. A book containing a collection of pieces written by different authors.
Examples
There's just a bunch of miscellany in the attic — nothing valuable
My poem will be published in an upcoming volume of miscellany
noun
Latin, late 16th century
A collection of different items. A book containing a collection of pieces written by different authors.
Examples
There's just a bunch of miscellany in the attic — nothing valuable
My poem will be published in an upcoming volume of miscellany
The Collection of Christmas Stories, Vol 2 is on sale for $.99 at Kindle, Nook, Apple, Kobo and Smashwords! for 11/18 & 19!! www.amazon.com/Collection-C...
November 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The Collection of Christmas Stories, Vol 2 is on sale for $.99 at Kindle, Nook, Apple, Kobo and Smashwords! for 11/18 & 19!! www.amazon.com/Collection-C...
The tale is often wiser than the teller.
Susan Fletcher
Susan Fletcher
November 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The tale is often wiser than the teller.
Susan Fletcher
Susan Fletcher