Brenda Hill

Author & Editor


 Hello, I'm Brenda Hill.  Thank you for stopping by.

Books are such a joy in life--the feel of them, the smell, the new worlds they open for me. I believe in the magic of storytelling. No matter my circumstances, I can open a book and find love, laughter, and a light to guide my way.

I'm a novelist, short story writer, and I also write features and restaurant reviews for my Southern California newspaper, "The Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror." I teach novel writing and edit manuscripts on a freelance basis.

I love to help writers improve their work. I met several aspiring writers as well as published ones in the bookstore I owned in Denver in the early 1980s. I had previously been a proofreader at a large aerospace corporation, so I critiqued several writers' manuscripts. That fueled my desire to write my own novels, so I took writing classes, beginning at the local community college. Next I attended writers' conferences, took more classes, talked to agents and acquiring editors, desperately wanting to learn as much as I could. I listened carefully as they revealed what they look for in a manuscript--and why they reject so many. Then I enrolled in a popular writing correspondence course as well as several online courses from New York. One summer I had the privilege of attending The University of Iowa's summer writing sessions. And, always wanting to expand my skills, I accepted an invitation to join an international critiquing group. I'm Brainbench certified in Written English and have edited for a small independent publisher.

For information about editing, please explore the side links, and for a step-by-step method for storyline development, click on Plot Your Way to Publication, now available in workbook size.

Even with all the knowledge I have tried to absorb, I still found it difficult to write a successful novel. The time and effort involved was astronomical. But I, as well as other writers I know, work because we're a determined people. We have to write. And we should, because when one has the burning desire to create, it's for a reason. Who knows. Perhaps something we have to say will touch someone else. Even in our bizarre stories-suspense, ghost, or even our serial killer stories-perhaps something we write will touch someone in a positive way. And that's a good thing.

Thank you for your visit,

I've begun a new blog at WordPress.com. Feel free to drop by and comment. Click Here:


Fifteen Minute Radio Surprise


Thursday, September 10, 2009, is the big day: my broadcast on Don McCauley’s radio program, The Authors Show. For those of us on the West Coast, it begins Wednesday the 9th of September at 9pm. (PST)

I’m eager to listen, yet anxious at the same time. I have no memory of what Don said or asked, much less what my answers were. We chatted briefly before the show went live, and I remember thinking it wasn’t so bad, but when he told me to hang on, that he was going to introduce me, everything changed in a heartbeat. I heard his professional voice announce me and my mouth went dry. My heart pounded frantically, and I hoped I’d be able to articulate words rather than squeak. I hoped I’d remember my own name. Thank God it wasn’t a TV show. I’m sure I would’ve stopped production with my glassy deer-in-the-headlights stare.

But Don is a professional and knew how to draw me out. At least I talked. About what, I have no idea, because when the program was over, I remember thinking I hadn’t talked much about my book, didn’t give my website, and I don’t think I even told the listeners where to buy my book. I only remember Don’s surprise when I mentioned I loved doing revisions. That’s the only thing from the fifteen minutes I do remember, so the broadcast will be a surprise to me as well as to those of you who listen.

I only hope it’s a good surprise.  

click here to listen to The Authors Show