Tabby's Nocturnal Nights

noreply@blogger.com (Tabitha Blake) — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:08:00 +0000

I WILL BE ON VACATION MAY 29TH THROUGH JUNE 5TH. YOU CAN STILL CONTACT ME AND I WILL RESPOND BUT I CAN'T MAKE ANY COVERS UNTIL I GET BACK. IF YOU CAN WAIT I WOULD LOVE TO DO YOUR COVER!

My Five Favorite Writer's Helper Sites Around the Web

noreply@blogger.com (Allison Merritt) — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:01:00 +0000

Hey y'all. Hope some gorgeous spring weather is upon you. We've had some thunderstorms and far too many cold snaps, but this week, we're living the good life.

I thought today I'd let you in on some of my favorite help sites for writing in case you're feeling uninspired. I know a few people who've mentioned they're not motivated or stuck in their WIPs. Here we go (I tend to repeat myself without remembering, so if you've seen some of these links from me before, don't remind me unless it gets excessive. It's all about my self-confidence. *wink, wink*):

1) Chaotic Shiny - A) it has one of my favorite words in it. I love shiny stuff. B) It has generators to help propel your writing. Need names, places, descriptions, events? Chaotic shiny has it. My first novel, The Treasure Hunter's Lady, was the plot product of a random story generator. God bless the people who put those things together.

2) Behindthename.com - It has long, long lists of names from literary to historical. I've picked tons of names from this site, either by searching for the name and its variations or by meaning. I don't think I could live without this site. It's the mother of all baby name web spots.

3) Cracked.com - Okay, it can be vulgar, and they make fun of a lot of things, from history to politics to the animal kingdom. But I also learn all kinds of things from this site. It not only points fingers and blurs the reality you know, it teaches. Who could ask for more?

This photo has nothing to do with this
post. That's the beauty of it.

4) Stock xchng - I know, it's a weird looking title for a website. And what does the stock market have to do with writing? Well, your guess is as good as mine. This isn't about money. Although you can find dollar sign photos here. For free. For your blogs. I love this site because I've pulled all sorts of goodies for blog posts from it. It makes my life easier because I don't have trot around the world searching for an approproate (or inappropriate) photo.

5) Pinterest - You knew that was coming, huh? What I love about it is that I can make super-sneaky private boards. And it fuels my obsession with steampunk fascinators and hats. And I can upload graphics and media I use to market my books. I have a whole board full of quotes from them. Or you can see everything I've pinned from motivational quotes to Victorian photography. Yes, it's a time suck, but it's a deliciously wonderful one.

Feel free to share your favorite ~~time suck~~, er helpful writer-friendly sites with me!

When I'm not blogging here, I'm at Have Novel, Will Edit, Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus!

Down and Dirty - Naming a Character X

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Lutter) — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

If you’re a writer, there can be no greater challenge than the task of naming your characters. Years ago, I remember hearing the famous Nora Roberts admit that when she began a novel, even though she had the idea of a plot, when she started to write, she often used an X to indicate her hero or her heroine because coming up with a good name was a challenge. In that moment of time she just wanted to write the story, and she wasn’t about to stop and try to come up with a name.

She’d worry about that later--which in Nora speak probably meant that she’d take time and energy and do it right.

Because real writers don’t throw any name down on the page.

Professional writers use a number of tricks to name their characters. One is to write the alphabet out from A-Z. The rule of thumb is that no two characters in the their story can have first names that begin with the same letter of the alphabet. It makes sense really--similar sounds at the beginning of too many names would only confuse the readers -- like three sister protagonists who have the names Jill, Jane and June.

When I was writing my novel, Wild Point Island, some of my character names were made up and some were names of real historical people from a manifest of a boat that sailed from England to North Carolina in the late 1590’s. That situation created an additional challenge.

Here is a grid of the main characters from my first novel Wild Point Island. I put an asterist near the characters who were real.

A-Ambrose Viccars*

B-

C-Charles Florrie*

D-

E- Ella Pattenson

F-

H- Hugh Pattenson*

L- Lily Pattenson

P- Prat*

R-Rose Payne*

S-Simon Viccars*

T-Theodore Pattenson (Uncle Teddy)*

W- Mr. Wyles*

This is the third step in my Down and Dirty, Twelve Steps to Revision. To create a story that is marketable and sells, make sure you check the names of your characters.

But let’s explore this concept further. What are the other rules of thumb when naming characters?

Make the names pronounceable and easy to remember. And to go further with that concept, unless you’re writing a comedy where irony is the rule, a character’s name should reflect their personality or appearance. Writers often research the etymology of names and even though some of the subtle nuances may be lost on the readers, it can help you feel more comfortable with your characters.

It’s also important to stick with as few variations of the name on the page as possible. Even though in real life, we may be known by different names to different people--our aunt calls us one thing, our brother calls us something else, in the world of fiction, if a character in your story is known as Caroline, Carie, Linney, Mooney, your story will start to feel like a confusing Russian novel.

It’s no wonder that an author will use an X before she comes up with the precise name she needs.

Next month, we’ll continue with Down and Dirty and explore the importance of having concrete and visible goals in your story.

Words On Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Therese Gilardi) — Mon, 06 May 2013 02:49:00 +0000

I live in southern California, in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Which means that, although I was not directly in the fire zone this weekend as chaos broke out with the Springs Fire, my house and car were covered in ash, and the sky was a combination of Halloween orange and black in the mountains above my home. Not native to California, I resisted until this week the notion of considering what I would take with me should the order to evacuate be issued. All of a sudden I realized: if I can't lay hands on it in a hurry, it's potentially going down in flames. What to save?

Ironically I have been attempting to conquer a terrible clutter habit over the past few months. I've had to accept the fact that sloth has kept me surrounded by crap I do not need, do not want, and do not even like. But my writing?

Unfortunately, yes. I am buried in mountains of half-baked plots, poems whose stanzas will never be complete, short stories whose characters even I loathe. Why? Why am I so wedded to sheltering these unwanted inhabitants in my home? And how can I let them go?

I have a friend, a successful journalist turned novelist, who told me years ago that stories that are perpetual struggle will never succeed. For a long time I resisted this notion. Why not keep every word I've ever written - after all, maybe I can recycle it ....

The road to the recycling center is, alas, far too often paved with goods no one would want. Just like my notebooks. I'm grateful the fire spared my home - thank you to the best firefighters in the world - and gave me the chance to kill my little darlings on my own. And that's what I'm doing: hitting the delete button so to speak, pitching the old so I can welcome the new.

What about you? Do you keep every word you've ever written? Would you save every draft should the order to evacuate be issued?

A hot werewolf ménage!

noreply@blogger.com (Berengaria Brown) — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:58:00 +0000

“Werewolves Can’t Fly” is the sequel to “Flight to Joy”, but you don’t have to have read the first book to enjoy this one.

“Flight to Joy” blurb
Mermae can fly. She’s had to keep it a secret, and has never met anyone else like her. One evening she thinks she sees something as she lands after a flight, but decides she’s mistaken, so walks home.
Kade sees a woman flying and is intrigued. He can fly, yet has never met anyone else who can. So he follows her to her apartment to learn her address, then hurries home to his partner, Iain, to tell him the good news.
Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_93&products_id=3570

And now the story continues…

“Werewolves Can’t Fly” blurb:
Mermae joined Kade and Iain four months ago. Halloween is almost here and Iain, a werewolf, is desperate for them to commit to each other.
But how can they keep their secrets in a city? And if they move out of the city how will they earn money and live?
Iain asked werewolves Dwyer and Nelson, who live on a secure farm, if his family can bond there and run on Halloween. Dwyer and Nelson are thrilled Iain has found his third person and welcome them to a little hidden cabin.
The mating is wonderful, but all their other problems remain unresolved. Is there a solution to them?

WARNING! PG 13 EXCERPT
They lay on their sides in bed, sweaty and relaxed, satiated, yet Iain wanted more. With Halloween so close now, he wanted to convince-- no, that's wasn't fair. All decisions had to be made freely. He wanted Mermae and Kade to understand how badly he needed them to mate, to commit to each other, so his wolf side would be fulfilled.
Hoping he could explain himself properly, Iain said, "Halloween is special to a werewolf."
"What, you're going to howl at the moon?" teased Mermae.
He tugged her closer to him. "You never know, I might. But I really will need to run properly that night, and I want you both to be beside me. Traditionally, we fuck, then run, then fuck again on Halloween."
Mermae slid up on an elbow so she could look into his face. "There's more than that, though, isn't there?"
"You're a very perceptive woman. Yes, there is. We usually fuck the first time as humans and the second time as wolves, but that can't happen in our triad. But the ritual, yeah I need to complete the ritual. I..." Iain broke off. He didn't want to pressure her, or Kade, although Kade knew a bit more about how important this all was to him.
"You want us to commit." Mermae spoke slowly yet firmly.
Iain rolled over and lay flat on his back staring at her face, trying to read the expression behind her eyes. He nodded. What if she turns me down? What if she isn't ready yet to take this step?
"Okay. Let's just go through this all again. You can bite me without turning me into a werewolf. You've bitten Kade and nothing's ever happened to him. Right?"
"Yes." Kade spoke at the same time as him. Iain was going to add more, but it was obvious Mermae was still thinking, so he waited for her to finish.
"The commitment is binding. Once we commit it's for life. Except that you're going to live a hell of a lot longer than Kade and me. Does this mean even after we die you can never commit to another two people?"
"Yes, it does. But I've been told in committed triads that include non-wolves, the humans tend to live quite a lot longer than regular humans. As you know, I've never lived in a pack. We were lone wolves. My three parents and twin brother were killed by hunters when I was a teenager and when I looked for a pack, they were all one male/one female packs, and much bigger than me and..." Once again he couldn't finish what he wanted to say. This was not the time to pull the pity card. Mermae had to decide for herself, not because of anything he said, but because she wanted to commit to him and Kade.

Buy Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_91&products_id=3711

Berengaria Brown
http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
http://berengariabrown.com/
Friend me on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter.

Book Lover's Buffet Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Introducing the Book Lovers’ Buffet. Load up, you won’t gain a pound!
The Buffet’s “Bouquet of Books” sale will be open May 1-3. More than 175 ebooks, all reduced in price to just 99 cents. Save in categories such as Young Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense, Erotic Romance, and more!
PLUS, visit the website to win gift cards to your choice of online retailers. $400 in gift cards up for grabs!
Titles from popular authors such as:
· Gemma Halliday
· Angie Fox
· Jenna Bennett
· Amanda Brice
· Jennette Marie Powell
· Clover Autrey
· Carly Carson
· E. Ayers
· Genevieve Jourdin
· CJ Lyons
· Renee Pace
· Sophia Knightley
· Tori Scott
· Meredith Bond
· Anthea Lawson
· Diana Layne
· Lindsey Brookes
· Gina Robinson
· McKenna Chase
Marie Hall
H.P. Mallory

http://bookloversbuffetdotcom.wordpress.com/

And many, many more!

Hosted by Indie Romance Ink.

Using Life Tragedies as a Conduit to Stronger Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Kaye Spencer) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

My dad passed away April 6th. Surgery was successful. Recovery was not.

His death was totally unexpected—one of life’s curve balls that comes at you from out-of-nowhere and leaves you wondering what hit you.

The past 24 days seem like a surreal episode in my life. I constantly revisit those last heart-wrenching hours spent at his ICU bedside willing him to live by telling him childhood stories to keep him with us until other family members could get there in time to say goodbye.

There is consolation that he went peacefully and not in pain while holding my hand, but I have a new understanding of what bittersweet really means.

What does this have to do with my writing?

About a week ago, it came to me that I’ve written a scene much like the one I experienced with my dad. My heroine holds her father in her arms as he dies from injuries sustained in a freak accident. My heroine tries to keep her father with her through the stories she tells him, but she is ultimately unsuccessful to stave off the inevitable.

My story is a finished, but unpublished historical family saga that I put aside three or four years ago because it just didn’t quite feel complete even though I’d typed The End on the last page of 120,000 words.

Now I know why.

The characters have been waiting for me to deepen the death scene. It’s a critical scene that changes the heroine’s life. It is her darkest moment. The characters knew I could make that scene rip the readers’ hearts out once I personally experienced the angst, hopelessness, and heartbreak of losing my own father. I had to know those emotions—wallow in them, rail against them—before my characters could own them.

I’m going to revisit that story and rewrite that scene while my own hurt is heavy in my heart. My characters deserve it, and I need it to help come to terms with some of my anger and sadness.

I even know who to dedicate the book to now.

Rest in peace, Dad.

Until next time,

Kaye

Fall in love…faster, harder, deeper with Kaye Spencer romances
www.kayespencer.com

The Goddess Brigid/Brigit

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Chick) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

In honor of Beltaine, which arrives on May 1st, I decided to write a post about an important Celtic deity that is associated with spring.

Brigid is the most enduring of the Celtic goddesses. She has survived to this day as St. Brigid. She is part of the Irish gods and goddesses called Tuatha de Danaan who were originally a sea-faring race called Pelasgians that lived near the Aegean Sea. Considered a magical race, the Danaans possessed the knowledge of blacksmithing. According to the Book of Invasions, the Tuatha de Danaans were driven northward from Greece as a result of invasion from Syria, and eventually reached Ireland.

This popular goddess is also worshipped in Scotland (Bride), Britain (Brigantia) and Gaul (Brigandu) where a celebration in her honor takes place on February 1^st on Imbolc when the first signs of spring appear, usually when the ewe’s become pregnant. Brigid is a giver of plenty, and is loved and respected by ordinary people. Brigid also is a deity of learning, culture and skills, which equal the Greek Athena. Brigid is the daughter of the Dagda in some tales. A triple goddes, she is the goddess of poetry, inspiration and divination.

Brigid may once have been Brizo of Delos, a moon goddess, whose name is derived by the Greeks from the word, “brizein” meaning ‘to enchant.’ But as Brigid she is seen as a sun goddess, her name “Breosaighit” means ‘fiery arrow.’ It is not known how this change transpired. Maybe as a moon goddess, she was seen as a death aspect, and feared by humans so she was transformed into a sun goddess, a giver of life, to win the love of the humans. She may have been a goddess of metalworking as well. It is thought that she has a face that is beautiful on one side and ugly on the other.

Brigit has appeared in some form in a couple of my novels. In Beltaine’s Song, she is part of an ancient Celtic legend that revolves around the festivals of Beltaine and Samhain. Brigit represents the lighter half of the year, Beltaine. She awakes at Beltaine and sleeps during the darker half of the year, which starts on Samhain.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

All three books of my Dark Goddess trilogy are available in Print and Ebook. Set in Dark Age Scotland, I mixed history with a Samhain/Beltaine myth that revolves around an Irish clan and the goddesses Brigit and Cailleach.

http://kelleyheckart.com/BookShelf.html

Another Great Way to Get Your Writing Noticed...

noreply@blogger.com (D.A. Berry) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:50:00 +0000

Last week, a college student asked (who read my first two books) if she could interview me for her writing class. Thrilled she enjoyed by novels so much and chose my paranormal series was a great feeling. For me though promoting my work is very important, writing ‘for the love of it’ is what it’s all about.

After doing the interview I sent her some promotional items to give out at her presentation. This is just another way to have others learn of your work. Below is the interview questions she asked…

D.A. Berry Interview

1~What is the most blatant lie you've ever told?Telling the truth no matter what the consequence is the right choice, and is the path I’ve always taken. Lies have a way of coming back to haunt you. And in the end, the truth always comes out…

Now in my novels sometimes my characters will mask the truth ‘to protect someone they love or care for’. However, the aftermath almost always leaves the one they lied to hurt and the untruthful character feeling awful because of their actions.

2~Are the names of your characters in your novels important? Yes, I do a ton of research before finalizing my character's names. The name must echo the character’s heritage, time period (they lived in) and most important their personality. How I begin is picturing a character in my mind, what are his or her good qualities, strengths and physical features. I also think about their weaknesses and how it affects their overall personality.

3~What are the most important attributes to remain sane as a writer? First you can’t beat yourself up if at times the words just aren’t there when writing a chapter or trying to conclude the story. It happens, even to me. That is when you need to take a break, and give your creative mind a rest. Most times when you sit back down and begin typing the words just flow.

It’s also very important to remember not every critic or reader will like your work. You can’t allow every negative opinion or comment to affect you emotionally. Not all may relate to, or enjoy novels written about the genre you pen.

Last take pleasure in life and make time for those you love. Read one of your favorite author’s newest releases…you’ll be amazed at how rewarding getting lost in another’s work can be.

Thank you, for asking me to do this interview.

Sincerely,

D.A. Berry

D.A. Berry, h Author

My Website: www.daberryauthor.com

Vampire Series Novels~

A Deepened Hunger Book #1

A Cry From Beyond Book #2

Dark Secrets Anthology ~

Buried Secrets Book #3

Ancient Secrets Book #4


Meet the new addition to our family, *Theia*

Why Write in the Paranormal Genre?

noreply@blogger.com (Mary Corrales) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

I love creating. There are the amazing settings and situations in addition to fantastic characters beyond our imaginings. Nothing is ever so exotic as that which we do not know. Reading paranormal books, for me those are romances, is the opportunity to experience something beyond reality.

Let me feel the cool touch of a vampire's fingers as he caresses my neck. Or how about the shiver that runs down the spine at the warm breath of a demon lover. What powers are available to this amazing creature so different from us? One might only guess before turning the page to find out.

Then there are the shifters among the group. Cat, wolf, dog, and even dragon shifters are as alluring as any creature of the night. Their abilities to become something other than human and yet still maintain that humanity is intoxicating.

Those who have never written in the paranormal genre might wonder if they have the ability or imagination. Indeed, it's something each author struggles with as we strive to make our characters and storyline unique.

Here's the answer: Yes! One hundred percent if you love paranormal stories you should try your hand at writing them. Why? Because stretching the boundaries of imagination is an amazing experience. I never dreamed I'd write a demon who could cause imps to get horny by blowing a breath at them, but that's what happened in Love's Demon Ways.

What's fun about paranormal is that the ordinary doesn't exist. While a character may be mortal, that character's love for a paranormal creature is extraordinary in itself.

Imagination…

It is a wondrous expansion of our minds to places yet seen, characters yet known, and moments yet experienced.

This is my playground, how about you?

Mary

Twitter

Mary Corrales is a multi-published erotic romance author in genres including paranormal, futuristic and contemporary suspense.

Please Welcome Georgia Lyn Hunter to NN!

noreply@blogger.com (Tabitha Blake) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:47:00 +0000

Why do you write romance? 

GLH: I’m a hopeless romantic and no matter how tough the journey, I want that HEA in the end. No matter how corny, the getting there is what I wait for.

Are you aware of any themes that run through your stories? If so, what are they?  

GLH: Yes definitely. Although, this book is a standalone, it’s a prelude and introduces the Fallen Guardians world, which I’ve already started to write. It’s the reason why several gods fell and now live on this realm as Guardians.

What would you like readers to take away from your stories?  

GLH: That even in your darkest moments, there is always hope. And I say this from personal experience too.

What is your writing schedule?  

GLH: I write in the morning after a light editing/reread of the last ten or so pages I did to get back in the zone. Then in the evenings, I write some more. I’m one of those writers who must get the rough draft written first before I start the revisions and rewrites, or else I’d just sit there staring at a sentence trying to fix it, make it different/ better, then wonder where the heck did time go to.

What is your best memory?  

GLH: When my kids were born and I first saw them.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure? 

GLH: Cadbury’s chocolate covered Turkish Delight—just thinking about it makes me crave for some. :)

What is your favorite fairy tale? Why?  

GLH: Beauty and the Beast. He’s all scary brutal and rough, and still Belle found the gentleness of the man beneath all those layers. And the fact Belle always had her nose buried in a book. :)

What was your favorite vacation?  

GLH: When we went to Disneyworld in Florida. Awesome.

Name one person that you feel supported you outside of family members. 

GLH: Piper Shelly. We met through a critique group and became really good friends. She watched out for me.

How did you come up with the title? 

GLH: With much difficulty. :) Actually, it went through several title changes while writing the manuscript, then I wrote a pivotal scene and I just knew this was it. I'm not going to say more, but you’d figure it out when you read the book.

BIO: Georgia Lyn Hunter, she’s happiest with a book in her hand and never thought about writing, too busy devouring the books out there, then she read her first paranormal romance several years ago the writing bug bit. She loves creating strong, alpha heroes who think they need no one and the heroines come along and knock them on their gorgeous asses.

She enjoys brainstorming with her daughter over new ideas and have several book ideas plotted out for the story Arc. Now she just wants an extra pair of hands to get it out, because she complains her brain is like a hive, her characters voices too loud, and they all want out. J

She’s excited to finally live her dream with the release of her first book.

Georgia Lyn grew up on the tropical climate of South Africa and now lives in Qatar with her husband and her two children. When she’s not writing or plotting her next novel, she enjoys reading, catching up on missed TV shows and being with her family.

Blurb:

Born in the flames of Heaven’s wrath, he’s all things sinful…and too dangerous to love.

An immortal guardian, Aethan’s walked alone for millennia, trapped in a hell of his own, until a feisty mortal crosses his path—a female he shouldn’t even look at, one who shakes the precarious foundations of all that he is—and one who’s determined to walk the edge of danger.

She only wants to be normal…

All her life, Echo Carter wanted “normal,” an impossible feat given that she can see demons. Now she’s determined to hunt down the demonii responsible for the death of her friend—and no man, no matter how sexy, will stop her—until she discovers a horrifying truth about herself, forcing her to turn to Aethan. But when two stubborn wills collide, a dangerous passion ignites…

As evil closes in, will this warrior overcome his darkest fears and claim her as his—or lose her to a far more sinister fate.

Be My Kindle Hero?

noreply@blogger.com (Allison Merritt) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 05:01:00 +0000

You know me. From time to time, I like to rewrite a song to fit our writer lifestyles. Today, I have a rendition of Jukebox Hero by Foreigner. Maybe not my best work, but amusing nonetheless and it has a bad@$$ beat, am I right? Dear Foreigner, please don't sue me. All you'll get is whatever's at the bottom of my purse, which includes some change, cookie crumbs, and a comb I found in the Walmart parking lot.

No plug-in in sight
Dead battery on the Nook
Couldn't get a copy
it was a sold out book

Heard the roar in the line
She pictured the scene
Put her head to the wall
Then like a distant dream
She heard one fan beam
About the prose
Just made her day.

Saw text in her eyes
and the very next day
Bought a used lap top from a pawn store.

Didn't know how to write it
but she knew for sure
that keyboard
felt strong in her hands
Didn't take her long and
Just a few key strokes
She had a novel in the works
Just one laptop
And she had to go.
She started writing and never gonna stop.

She gotta keep writin'
Someday she's gonna make it to the top.

And be a Kindle Hero
With stars in her eyes
Be a Kindle Hero
She took one key board, stars in here eyes.
Kindle hero she'll come out tonight.

In a cafe without a name
No plug-in in sight,
She writes another sentences
writing by screenlight.
Like a trip to the stars
to that night in the line

And that one laptop made her whole world change.
Now she's gotta keep writing, she just can't stop.
Gotte keep writing, she's got to be on top.

And be a Kindle Hero got text in her eyes
She's a Kindle Hero got text in her eyes.
Yeah
Kindle Hero got text in her eyes.
With that one laptop, the whole world came alive.

Be on top tonight
She started writing
Ain't never gonna stop.

Gotta keep on writing.
Someday she'd gonna be on top.

When I'm not here, I'm blogging at Have Novel, Will Edit, hanging on Facebook, Twitter, and G+.

Down and Dirty - So You Really Like Me?

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Lutter) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

If you’re a writer and you write commercial fiction, the

question you should be asking yourself in the revision

process isn’t if the reader likes you--the writer--but if she

likes your main characters--the hero and the heroine,

because that’s more critical to your success in terms of

selling your story.

Welcome to Down and Dirty - The Twelve Step Program

to Revising Your Work.

We are on Step #2 - Create a Hero Who is Both Likeable and Heroic.

And if you’ve written your rough draft and are in the

process of revising, what you need to examine is the

likability and heroism of your main characters.

This isn’t my bright idea. Two giants in the industry rant

about this concept all the time.

For example, Donald Maass, top literary agent in New

York, in his Writing the Breakout Novel, asks, “Why

would we wish to read about characters whom we do

not like? The fact is, we don’t. We stick with characters we

like, we admire, we cheer for; we abandon characters we

dislike, we disapprove of, and don’t care about. It’s that

simple. That is not to say protagonists can’t be flawed,

troubled, torn, haunted, unhappy, hapless, or in any other

condition that makes their situation ripe for drama and

action.”

He goes on further to write, “That is why lifting your

hero above his circumstances—indeed, above himself-- is so

necessary. How do you do that? It starts in your opening

pages, when your protagonist gives us some reason to care .

. . I believe it is because we see ourselves in them. Indeed,

when we see in others ourselves as we would like to be. We

want our heroes to win. Heroic qualities are highly

desired.”

If you’re not yet convinced, Michael Hauge, top

Hollywood scriptwriter, in his book Writing Screenplays

That Sell also insists that “readers must empathize and

identify with a hero.” In his book, he provides a concrete

outline for how a writer can achieve this goal. An author

must do two of the following five things:

Create sympathy for your hero. Make your hero the victim of some undeserved misfortune. You will often notice that in the beginning of stories or movies, something bad usually happens to the main character, something the character does not deserve. This is done quite deliberately so that the audience will be drawn to the hero or heroine.

Put the hero in jeopardy. The truth is that we identify with heroes we worry about. If the hero is about to be evicted from his apartment or about to lose his job, we will bond with that character more quickly.

Make the hero likable. Show your hero as kind, loving, etc. or show him as being liked by others. Movies or stories often begin with the hero doing something nice for someone else that he doesn’t have to do--being altristic. Again this scene is deliberately placed in the beginning to win the audience over.

Make the hero funny. We identify with heroes who make us laugh. Many of the current popular heroes in movies are comic heroes. Think of Steve Carell or Paul Rudd or Will Ferrell.

Make the hero powerful. We like to root for characters who get the job done. By powerful we mean either physical strength as in superhero or intelligent as in super agent or highly talented in a certain field as in super nerdy.

Last month we examined Anita Shreve’s The Pilot’s

Wife. Shreve began her story with the Inciting Incident--her

heroine is awoken in the dead of night by a knock on her

door. Her husband’s plane has exploded near the coast of

Ireland. Her ordinary world is completely changed.

The beginning of the story is very powerful. The hook

pulls us in. But there is a risk in beginning a story like this.

Will the reader care enough about the main character to feel

the impact of her tragedy? To continue reading?

Shreve does two things brilliantly in those first few pages.

She gives her heroine undeserved misfortune--that is the

opening hook. Thus she creates empathy for her

character. And she makes her heroine likeable. By using

deep point of view, we are the heroine. We experience her

thoughts, her bewilderment, her panic, her shock, as she

hears the news of her husband’s death. It’s the little details--

her bed head when she first wakes up, her thoughts about

and anguish over her teenage daughter on the page that pulls

us along.

Of course, Donald Maass cautions us to go one step

further. Our heroine or hero by necessity must show signs of

heroism in our story, but he says--show us a glimmer of

heroism on those first few pages--in that first scene. That

glimmer will make your heroine believable later on in the

story.

And he suggests an exercize in his workbook to help you

focus on that heroic quality:

1. Write down the name of your protagonist

2. Write down the name of someone in your life who is a hero.

3. Write down his/her greatest heroic quality?

4. Assign that quality to your protagonist.

5. Find a way to show that quality in the first scene of your story.

This exercize works. When I completed the exercize, I did it for the sequel for my first published novel, Wild Point Island:

1. Lily Pattenson

2. my father

3. He never gave up; he never stopped believing. He was an inventor and invented a product that it took him years to market. He started his own company. I always admired his determination.

4. Lily - determination

5. When my sequel opens up, and Lily is summoned back to the island, she is determined to right the wrong she did the year before despite the odds against her.

So you really like me?

We want the reader to say YES.

Next month, Step #3 of Down and Dirty will discuss a neat and nifty trick to making sure the naming of your characters doesn’t cause needless confusion.

What not to do when you host a radio show.

noreply@blogger.com (LKF) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000

I’ve been co-hosting a radio show for writers for six months now and have learned a lot from other authors. I have had the opportunity to pick up writing techniques, marketing tips and even software that helps these poor old arthritic hands. The experience has been amazing and fun. So when an email came out from my writers group, Marketing 4 Romance Writers, needing hosts for a show I thought sure, I can do this. My part as co-host was so easy that doing it alone shouldn’t be that hard.

MFRW BTR radio show segments are 30 minutes. All I had to do was interview a fellow author for 30 minutes. Kristyn Phipps, a very patient person, put us through training and I felt it was going to be pretty smooth. Once the training was over I waited for the schedule to post so I could seee who I was interviewing.

The schedule was released and I gasped. Now the panic set in. Not because of who I was interviewing, Tammi Clarke Gibbs was a great author and would be easy, it was the schedule. I was set to be first. I knew I would mess it up, miss a button to push or even forget to record.

I called Victoria Valentine. She is the host of the other show I’m part of and she calmed me down and told me not to worry. Just do some research and write down some questions. She told me it would run smoothly, and the time would fly by.

So I did what she said. I had my opening questions and my closing remarks all set. I felt relaxed and was ready.

Saturday came along and I got online and froze. I couldn’t remember how to log in or even how to get to the studio. Talk about a bundle of nerves. Good thing it wasn’t a TV show. After a few moments I remembered everything. Tammie called in and the show started. Victoria was right the time flew by. We chatted like we were sitting around the kitchen table. It was so much fun, that I almost forgot to sign off. Once the screen went blank, and it stated we were off the air, Tammi and I continued to chat. We talked for another 20-30 minutes about writing, marketing, what we liked and disliked and about things we wanted to do in the future. I felt like I made a new friend and we exchanged e-mails and Facebook sites. It was great. I grabbed my coffee, sat back on the couch and blew out a sigh of relief. I did it, without one mistake, or at least I thought.

I finished my coffee and went to my email and there was a note from Karen and Kristyn. They listened to the recording and loved it, even the extra chat after the show ended. Like I said, I thought I made it through without a mistake. J

I guess the taping continued because I did not disconnect from the show. So everyone who listens to the recorded segment gets to listen to Tammi and I chat up a storm about life and what we think about it. Thank goodness we kept it clean.

So that was my five minutes of fame that is now recorded for the world to enjoy.

The lesson to be learned, the end doesn’t always mean the end. You have to hit the stop button also.

Rescued from the Dark

Released through Black Opal Books

February 2013

Available on Amazon and B&N

Until next time

Lynda

Lynda Kaye Frazier

http://lyndafrazier.blogspot.com

www.lyndakayefrazier.com

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynda-Kaye-Frazier/189048967838229

Twitter- lynda_kaye

Amazon Author page:http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B009L7TK04
Writing is my passion, Reading is my Love.

Writing is a Career

noreply@blogger.com (Berengaria Brown) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 08:58:00 +0000

If a writer wants to be taken seriously, they have to treat the job seriously. That means that the comments they make in public need to be professional. Of course, they can talk about their children, and their pets, and their garden, exactly as you might talk about such topics at work. But just as being rude to the boss at your day job may see you unemployed fairly quickly, so too being rude about your cover or your publisher may see you not getting any more covers or contracts.
Publishing is a small world. Everyone knows someone who knows someone. So switch off the internet before raving about how your heroine has long blonde hair and is overweight, and the cover model is a size zero with a bob cut. Spell check your blog posts. Answer emails from your publisher and their staff in a timely manner. In other words, you’re at work, so act in a professional manner.
And most of all keep writing.
Some days it’s natural to want to come home, sink into a comfortable chair, and relax. Do that. For half an hour. Then get your butt in front of the computer and start writing. Every page is one page closer to the end of the book. Even one paragraph is better than nothing.
I’ve been able to write a number of books because I write shorter books. Mine are all under 25,000 words. This means fewer characters, less complicated plots, and the book as a whole is faster to write. The shorter length suits me. But that’s a matter of personal choice. The only rule is to keep writing. Every day if you possibly can.
I write for several different publishers. Because I write across different genres, I send each different genre to a different publisher. Writing several different genres helps me stay fresh and different, and writing for several different houses means I can have more books released than might be the situation at just one publisher. Of course, it also means that sometimes I have edits for several different books at once, which can be a headache. But overall, the system works for me.
Promotion can be a big drain on time. I have a blog and a website. I try to update my blog several times a week. I update Facebook and Twitter most days, sometimes twice a day. With chat loops, I read and respond to two loops I like, that have a mix of authors and readers. I go to at least one chat a month but these can vary from a special chat day that’s so busy it’s almost impossible to keep up with the posts, to ones where it’s like you’re talking to an empty room. I know often people lurk on loops but I really don’t know how helpful such chats are, either the incredibly busy ones or the almost silent ones.
I also guest blog from time to time, and enjoy visiting other people’s blogs and talking to the commenters. But again, it’s a big time commitment, first to write the blog, then to keep coming back and commenting. My hope is that every now and then someone will enjoy my blurbs and excerpts and be prepared to try one of my books.
Do I have the best plan to make my writing a successful career? I don’t know. All I know is that I’m doing my best to treat this seriously as my profession, to learn all I can, and to keep researching, keep learning and keep writing.

"Dogged Pursuit" blurb:

Dwyer is a two-hundred-year-old werewolf currently working as a limo driver. He’s enticed by the scent of a man he has to take into the city. The man’s smell overwhelms him and calls to him “mate”. Yet he thought only a male and a female could mate and he is gay.
Nelson is equally attracted to Dwyer and the two spend a very hot night together.
However their second date is on Halloween and Dwyer is really struggling to keep his wolf under control. Nelson’s scent is giving him a permanent hard-on and his wolf is demanding to be let free, to bite and mate with Nelson.
How is Dwyer going to get himself out of this mess? And what will Nelson’s reaction be? Can they possibly have a future together now?

"Dogged Pursuit" PG Excerpt

Nelson was struggling to concentrate on what he was saying. Am I even making sense anymore?
All he could think about was Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome sitting beside him and the huge cock the driver was displaying.
It was six months since he and Sam had split up. Four months with only his hand before he'd caved and bought a dildo, something he'd sworn he'd never do. A dildo he kept in a locked drawer so none of his friends would ever see it. But how he longed for a hot, hard cock powering up inside him and a hot, hard body to hold close to him.
Well, this Dwyer -- Mr. Dwyer? Dwyer something? -- surely had a huge cock and a hard body. He was ripped. That black t-shirt couldn't hide his muscled chest. His arms were strong, shoulders broad, and thighs -- oh, yum! His thighs stretched his black jeans to the limit. Judging by the size of the hard on, he was either hung like a horse or had a serious case of blue balls. And I want him!
Whoa! Where did that come from? Five minutes' conversation and I want him in my bed? Well yes, I do. Thick, dark, curly hair, eyes as black as sin, skin tanned a deep bronze. A totally delicious package. Just like the totally delicious package between his legs. Get your mind out of his pants! Oh, but how I'd love to have my hand in his pants. To feel that huge dick. I bet it's harder than a rock. I bet his come tastes real nice, too.
Nelson suddenly realized there was silence in the car. He looked at Dwyer, wondering if he'd missed a question or something, but Dwyer was looking straight ahead concentrating on the traffic. With a start, Nelson noticed they were only ten minutes from his office. What's the etiquette here? Can I ask him for his business card? His cell number? I probably can't just say, "Wanna fuck tonight?"
"We're almost at your office. What's the building look like?" asked Dwyer.
"Gray concrete, like so many others. But there's a very small courtyard out front with some seats and trees and a semi-circular drive, so you should be able to let me out right there."
"Sounds like a plan. How are you getting back to pick up your SUV tonight?"
"Yeah, that's a bit of a problem. None of the guys I work with live out that way, and none of my friends who live near me work up in this part of the city. Figured I'd have to get a taxi."
"I can pick you up if you want. But the timing will be tight. You'll need to leave work right at five so we can get you back to do the paperwork before the place shuts."
"You'd do that for me? That'd be great. I can leave by five. I'll just tell them I'll make up the time at home. They all know about this seatbelt recall. Couple of the guys have been making jokes about it all week. Here, I'll give you my cell number."
Dwyer handed Nelson his card as well, then pulled up outside Nelson's office.
A minute later, Nelson was collecting his briefcase and laptop and heading into the building, his heart beating fast at the knowledge he'd be seeing Dwyer again in just a few short hours.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll get fucked tonight by the hottest man in town. Woo hoo!

BUY LINK: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2887

Berengaria Brown
http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
http://berengariabrown.com/

Friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter.

Focusing on the Negative: WHY DO WE DO IT?

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:54:00 +0000

The question is....WHY? Why do we do that to ourselves?

It's something I've been thinking of for awhile. Then, in one of my writer's groups, someone mentioned how they had some good reviews, but there was that one that wasn't that kept stealing the attention.

I can so understand that.

My second book, Baby Stetson, was released in March. My betas loved it, my husband says it's his favorite book of mine. I've gotten sales..

What did I focus my energy on?

Those stupid returns on Amazon.

Yeah. Totally stole my spotlight. Come on, I should be happy! I released a second book, I created a story that is emotional, grabs people's attention, and it's selling!

So why the heck should I focus so much on the returns when most likely, it's those accidental purchases when they meant to grab a sample, or it's those people that abuse the ridiculous return policy system that shouldn't get a second thought on their crappy practices anyway.

I took it personally. I shouldn't but dang it. I did. It's like your child, letting them out in the world, and you'd do anything to protect your child...I'm the same way with my book. I know I can't please everyone, yet, that's exactly what I try to do. IT CANT BE DONE! Simple as that.

Somehow, I need to get in my head and shove that negative focusing far out, out out!

I don't just do it with books. Any of my passions, I'm a perfectionist about. Just the other night, I went out to karaoke with my friends. Yes, I know it's karaoke, but with love of singing and performing, I put my all into it. My voice cracked on a high note and I cringed. When I got a compliment later about my singing, I thanked the lady, but of course, dopey me had to mention the negative...how I faltered on that note. Ugh! Can we get a re-write? Why did I just say that?

So, how can we get these ways of thinking out of our mind? No wonder the world gets in shambles in sometimes...look at our subconscious minds.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

Hey, I wanted to let y'all know about a contest going on, too. On my author blog. I'm looking for naming help on Love and Music in Texas Book 2. That's a way to end this blog post in a positive. Contests, and winning!

http://www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com/2013/04/contest.html

"If I could..."

noreply@blogger.com (Kaye Spencer) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Hello, everyone. I'm romance author Kaye Spencer. Today I want to play a trivia game called, "If I could..."

1. If I could have any vice without repercussion, it would be...
Cuban cigars & Scotch whisky.

2. If I could live anywhere in the world, it would be...
Fairplay, Colorado first and the Scottish Highlands second.

3. If I could spend time with anyone from history, it would be...
William Shakespeare.

4. If I could spend time with a living actor and actress, it would be...
Alan Rickman and Judi Dench.

5. If I could have any X-Men attribute, it would be...
claws like Wolverine's.

6. If I could live in the future in any sci-fi movie/tv show, it would be...
Firefly/Serenity.

7. If I could live in any time period of the past, it would be...
the American Old West between 1865 and the turn of the century 1900-ish.

8. If I could have any type of house I wanted, it would be...
a lighthouse.

9. If I could spend time with any author from any time period, it would be...
western author, Louis L'Amour.

10. If I could change the ending of any classic novel, it would be...
Phantom of the Opera and Christine would stay with the Phantom.

What are your "If I could's…"? ;-)

Until next time,

Kaye

Fall in love...faster, harder, deeper with Kaye Spencer romances
http://www.kayespencer.com

Signs of spring

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Chick) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Everywhere around me are the signs of spring from beautiful flowers to crazy spring breakers hanging out on the lake, and coming into grocery stores half-naked in bikinis. My husband likes the last sign of spring.

The lighter half of the year was an important time for ancient societies that counted on the warm months for new crops and feed for their herds. After a long harsh winter, spring was greeted with celebrations and smiles.

While I enjoy the winter months of shorter days and cold nights, I look forward to spring. The longer days of sunlight help me get more work accomplished and I feel more energetic.

In Greek mythology this is the time when Persephone is released from the Underworld and returned to her mother, Demeter.

In Christianity, spring is the time when Jesus was resurrected. The Christian Easter has origins from the Teutonic Eostre, a spring goddess that symbolized renewal and fertility. But how did a rabbit handing out eggs become the symbol for Easter? Rabbits or hares represent fertility and fruitfulness. The egg is also a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Hares often find small depressions in the ground to sit in for protection. In the spring, a bird called a lapwing nests on the ground. Sometimes hares find the depressions made by the lapwings and sit in the nests and it looks like the hares are hatching the eggs. And that is how the rabbit (hare) and the egg became symbols of Easter.

So, here where I live we have the usual signs of Easter that everyone recognizes and we also get the young, wild spring breakers, a sure sign of spring.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Two mortals are caught in the midst of the battle between the Titans and Olympian gods.

http://kelleyheckart.com/BookShelf.html

Some Other GREAT Book Promoting Ideas… when on a budget~

noreply@blogger.com (D.A. Berry) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:15:00 +0000

Being a published author one always looks for new ideas to market their novels. Here are a few of my favorites that won’t cost you a ton of cash and are very easy to create.

~Yearly Calendars

This is one of my favorite promo items to create. First, I choose one of my book covers as the background. Next I’ll go to a site which offers free downloads for creating calendars of various versions. www.wincalendars.com has so much to choose from and supports Microsoft word. Whether your preference is to create an appointment book style or basic one-page item, they have all you’ll need.

~Designer Book Marks

This is one item I truly love to create. All you need is a roll of one inch sheer ribbon, some wide holed craft beads and a thick threading needle. I choose to finish the look with a charm representing the theme of my novels. Though so many of our readers use a kindle, they still treasure and collect book marks.

~Personalized Pencils or Pens

This is a really inexpensive way to promote your work with many options. I choose either a pencil or pen done in black with white lettering. You can have them printed with your name, your novel's title or both. The site I use is called www.Forteachersonly.com their pricing is quite affordable.

Well that’s all for this month~

To all my readers have a blessed holiday. If you would like more information on how to create any of these items feel free to drop me an email…

D.A. Berry, author

daberryauthor@msn.com

www.daberryauthor.com

Gust Post D'Ann Lindun

noreply@blogger.com (Tabitha Blake) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Please Welcome D'Ann Lindun to NN! Its a pleasure to have you. And now I will turn the floor over to you.

Do your characters practice safe sex? Or do you prefer to go with the fantasy, and have them use nothing, leaving that practical stuff off page? I have done both, but honestly, I prefer my characters to practice safe sex. It’s not a political statement or anything like that. I just think condoms brought up in the conversation can be sexy. Let me demonstrate:

From Cooper’s Redemption:

She straddled his belly. His hands went to her ribcage, slowly sinking lower until they rested on her hips. Where they remained.

A boiling, building pressure deep within her needed an escape. And only Cooper could release it. Eager for his touch, she reached for her jeans’ buttons. His hands captured hers and he threaded his fingers through hers, effectively stilling her.

Puzzled by his sudden brakes—much as she loathed to—she sat up straight and said, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t carry condoms with me.” His voice carried a ton of regret.

“Oh. Me either. At least not in my saddlebags.” Stupid, stupid, stupid.

“There are other ways—”

“No.” Elizabeth rose. With her eyes locked on his, she and kicked off her boots. The she unsnapped her pants. Letting them fall to her feet, she stepped out of them. “If we don’t have trust between us, we don’t have anything. Would you agree with that?”

“Yeah.”

Stepping over him, she straddled him, then lowered herself, guiding his erection against her damp opening. “Would you say absolute trust is vital in any relationship?”

“Yeah.” His surprised tone deepened a bit.

Easing him inside her a fraction of an inch, she continued. “And there’s more.”

“More,” he agreed as his voice croaked a bit like a frog’s.

Holding her position, she said, “I want you to know I have complete faith in you. I always have. I do now.”

“I know.”

Satisfied with that, she took him completely inside her.

Blurb:

Elizabeth Adams is a Los Angles native who has always dreamed of living in the Rocky Mountains. She loves western movies and riding horses, and dreams of being a heroine in a western film. She gets her chance for real life adventure when her mother disappears from Salt Lick, Colorado, after going there to sell a ranch she inherited.

J.B. Cooper (just Cooper) is under suspicion for killing his neighbor, Henry Harper, over a water dispute. There is no evidence to convict him, but the shadow of doubt hovers around him. He just wants to be left in peace.

Circumstances throw Elizabeth and Cooper together when he tracks rustled cattle to her ranch … and discovers a body in the barn. Once again, he is the suspect in a suspicious death. Elizabeth is convinced Cooper had nothing to do with the murder of her cousin because to her, he’s a true western hero. Together, they search for her mother, clear Cooper’s name and fall in love along the way.

And from Rodeo Man:

“Cody, please,” she gasped. “Now.”

Instead of giving her what she needed, he removed his fingers and climbed on the bed, raised above her. The head of his penis pressed against her. His eyes stayed locked on hers as he reached between them to guide himself into her.

She grabbed his wrist with one hand. “Wait.”

Her free hand searched for the condom she’d stashed earlier. Her fingers wrapped around the package, and she brought it out. With the hand holding his wrist, she let go and clasped his erection while she ripped open the package with her teeth. As she removed the protection, he covered her hand with his.

“No.”

“What?” Had she heard right?

“Leave it off.” He nibbled her bottom lip then spoke against it. “If you want it off, leave it.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she nodded. “Yes.”

His hand covered hers, circling his straining penis, he guided the head into her. The pressure in her belly began to climb again, and she wrapped her calves around his legs, needing him deeper. He didn’t need urging and began to plunge into her, each time pushing a little farther. When she thought she could take him in no deeper, he pressed more.

Digging her nails into his shoulders and her teeth into his chest just above his flat brown nipple, she kept herself from screaming as he brought her to the edge of ecstasy. The tension in her broke, and she came, shuddering as intense waves flowed over and through her.

He found his own release, shaking as he, too, came.

For a long moment, they each found their breath, then he rolled off her, taking her in his arms. She rested her cheek against his chest, listening to his still-pounding heart. For just a moment, she saw Wyatt’s face in her mind’s eye, but he didn’t linger, and she felt no guilt. Cody rested next to her, and she wanted it no other way.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yes.” She raised her head and looked at him. “Are you?”

“Yes.” He tightened his arms around her.

“Cody?”

“Hmmm?”

“You…I mean…we didn’t use anything.”

“I know.” Faint humor colored his words.

Blurb:

When Laney Ellis’ husband is killed by a bull, she is left alone to run their small cattle ranch and raise their son, Justin, on her own. One thing she is determined her son will never do is ride rodeo bulls. But that is the dream Justin holds dearest—to be exactly like his dad, the onetime Colorado State High School Rodeo Champion.

After his rodeo career peaks and begins to slide, Cody Utah opens a bull riding school. Although attracted to his next door neighbor, he steers clear. Cody has heard rumors Laney trapped her husband into marriage by getting pregnant in high school. The last thing Cody wants is children. His mother was a drunk, and he doesn’t know who his father is.

A bull's hooves turned Laney’s world to dust; bull riding gave Cody a life worth living—can they find common ground?

Author Bio:

Falling in love with romance novels the summer before sixth grade, D’Ann Lindun never thought about writing one until many years later when she took a how-to class at her local college. She was hooked! She began writing and never looked back. Romance appeals to her because there's just something so satisfying about writing a book guaranteed to have a happy ending. D’Ann’s particular favorites usually feature cowboys and the women who love them. This is probably because she draws inspiration from the area where she lives, Western Colorado, her husband of twenty-nine years and their daughter. Composites of their small farm, herd of horses, five Australian shepherds, a Queensland heeler, nine ducks and cats of every shape and color often show up in her stories!

http://dlindunauthor.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/DLindunAuthor

http://www.amazon.com/DAnn-Lindun/e/B008DKL9TU

Down and Dirty - Where Can I Begin?

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Lutter) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Down and Dirty Twelve Step Program - REVISION

Step One : Begin your story in the right place - “the inciting incident”

Writers break into a cold sweat at the very thought that the beginning of their story is not the real beginning at all. A very good friend of mine sold her first novel only after she lopped off the first three chapters. She sold it rather quickly after she realized she hadn’t begun the story in the right place and was willing to make the change.

Screenwriters call the right place the “inciting incident,” and now the term has caught on and is so popular that novelists, short story writers, heck everyone uses it to describe that moment in the beginning of your story when your protagonist is jolted out of their normal routine or “ordinary world.” In the oft used example, the Wizard of Oz, it’s when the tornado whisks Dorothy out of Kansas (her ordinary world) into the land of Oz which becomes her adventure. The story of the novel becomes her struggle to get back home to Kansas.

In Jaws, the inciting incident is the shark attack, which disrupts the ordinary world of protagonist Martin Brody, who is the police chief of a resort town. The story of the novel is Brody’s attempts to get the shark and stop the attacks.

The inciting incident can take many forms. Eric Borg, Hollywood scriptwriter, in his blog called The Flying Wrestler describes at least 15 variations of inciting incidents that have occurred in Hollywood movies.

In the Hollywood cult classic Casablanca the inciting incident is when your deepest and darkest secret is made public, wrecking your comfortable existence, and you are forced to face this underlying thing that haunts you. Remember Rick when Elsa walks back into his life?

In one of my personal favorites Jerry Maguire, the inciting incident is when the thing that defined you and/or supported you (the key to your identity, your mission, your sense of self, your well being,etc.) is suddenly taken away or threatened. Remember Jerry (played by Tom Cruise) struggling to win back his clients and finally ending up with only one athlete to represent?

In Pretty Woman or Twilight, the inciting incident is when you meet (or have a first real interaction with) someone who seems like they could be your perfect counterpart, and somehow change your life for the better, but it will be incredibly hard to win them over, or make a relationship work--long term. Remember Vivian Ward, the warm-hearted prostitute, who ends up falling in love with wealthy businessman Edward Lewis who she meets on Hollywood Boulevard?

Log onto the website to see some other examples of inciting incidents and the movies associated with them: www.flyingwrestler.com/2012/11/inciting-incident/

In Anita Shreve’s The Pilot’s Wife, the inciting incident occurs in the opening scene of the novel. This is taken from the back cover blurb: A pilot’s wife is taught to be prepared for the late night knock on the door. But when Kathryn Lyons receives word that a plane flown by her husband, Jack, has exploded near the coast of Ireland . . . This is where the protagonist’s ordinary world is shattered. The story of the novel is her attempts to piece together the secret life he led; a life that is slowly revealed.

Inciting incidents are enticing ways to begin a story because they act as powerful hooks to pull the reader in. A character is jolted out of his ordinary, hum drum world. The danger, of course, is that if--as in the example of The Pilot’s Wife--all this undeserved misfortune is heaped on the character too soon, we might not have the opportunity to bond with her. Shreve’s biggest challenge is to find a way to make the reader like her, care about her, and sympathize with her.

But we’ll talk more about why that is so critical in Step #2 of Down and Dirty.

WILD POINT ISLAND, MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE, WAS RELEASED ON JUNE 15, 2013. AVERAGE READER REVIEWS: 4.7 STARS ON AMAZON

A newbies marketing plan.

noreply@blogger.com (LKF) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 06:00:00 +0000

I'm staring down at my baby and smiling at my big accomplishment. But like a new mother my stomach is in knots and my palms are sweating. He's here, now what do I do?

Like being any new parent you search for all the best ways to get the word out that the your new baby is here. Well I'm not a sales person so I'm tripping and making mistakes, but this is my first and your suppose to make all your mistakes with your first, right?

After much review, and many hours of reading anything I could get my hands on, I still don't have that magic formula. But I do have a direction. Take one step at a time and find what works.
So I am going to shout out to all my neighbors, family and friends that my baby is here.
Move on to my virtual family and fiends.
I'm going to facebook, tweet, blog post, guest post on other sites and seek out reviews.
Do book signings and pass out book marks, pushing my book and my web pages.

They say the best way to market you is write your next book, then the next and the next.
Well I forgot that step. Like I said the first is the one to try new things until you find out what works for you.

So I'm off to blog, tweet and facebook post excerpts and hope I find readers that like my story as much as I do.

What is your magic marketing formula?

I want to introduce you to my new baby. I think he's pretty wonderful and I hope you do to.

Rescued from the Dark

Released through Black Opal Books

FBI agent, Jason Michaels goes undercover with the Irish Mob to get information on their gun smuggling ring. While on assignment he realizes they have joined forces with a known terrorist group manufacturing drugs. He searches for information to tie the two together when he finds out they have kidnapped a fellow agent, and the only girl he has ever loved. Jason soon realizes their using Mercy to perfect their dosage and that his cover has been blown. He knows he has to save her so takes off on a journey that will take him up against his enemies, peers and the Agency that he loves, but willing to give up to bring Mercy back to him.

n explosion ricocheted behind Jason Michael’s eyes as the pressure mounted in his head. The rush of panic consumed him. He struggled to move, tried to swallow, but nothing. His throat burned as the flames engulfed his lungs. He needed to breathe but couldn’t. Shit. He strained to make out the muffled voice, but the pounding in his ears erased all hope. His head started to spin and he succumbed to the realization, this was it, the end. He won. The flames dampened and his heartbeat slowed as the drums subsided, then the voice became clear.

“Give it to him now you son of a bitch. What were you thinking? We still need him.”

In a split second, Jason sucked in a breath, causing stabbing pains to shoot through his chest. Every muscle fiber burned as the cold blast of air shot through his lungs releasing the oxygen his body craved. He arched his back, raising his chest up to pull in more air when his head snapped to the side and the crack from his neck echoed in his ears. The pain ripped through his jaw, racing across his cheekbone. Before he could gather his senses, intense burning set his face on fire. What the hell?

The slap against his cheek stung, and his eyes snapped open. He wrenched upright, hitting his head on the roof of the SUV. His gaze darted back and forth looking for something familiar until he locked onto the ice-cold stare of the devil himself, Shaun Flanagan.

Damn, that was close. Jason could not blow his cover, even if it meant he would die as David Logan and not Jason Michaels.

“You’re finally awake, my boy. We almost lost you,” Shaun cold, emotionless laugh caused Jason’s blood to boil. “You stopped breathing, I think. It’s hard to tell with this new stuff. I hope you’re not too injured. We’ve got work to do.”

Jason’s vision blurred, but his other senses were sharp. Shaun had known exactly what the drug would do and the burn in Jason’s throat was a harsh reminder. Shaun’s sarcastic tone spoke volumes to him. He was evil and did not play by anyone’s rules but his own. Jason had spent the last two months undercover, playing their games and doing their dirty work to buddy up tight to this family. He’d earned his spot with Thomas Flanagan, but his son Shaun had issues trusting anyone, even his own father.

Jason’s anger burned inside of him, but he couldn’t afford to make mistakes, not now. He was too close. It’s time to step it up, but first the drugs had to stop. He rubbed his aching jaw with one hand, clenching his other into a fist to hide his visible shaking. He had to get control of this game before he lost everything.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFYANMK

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rescued-from-the-dark-lynda-kaye-frazier/1114500674?ean=2940016369129

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/285303

KOBO: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Rescued-from-the-Dark/book-mS6P9bqlx0ifOjztxuBrmg/page1.html?s=BNbii4WZ40uUHUgelR46hg&r=1

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-rescuedfromthedark-1061653-152.html

BOB: http://www.blackopalbooks.com

My News!

noreply@blogger.com (Therese Gilardi) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 05:02:00 +0000

Okay, I wasn't planning this but ... I'm elated so I wanted to share. Today I got an e-mail from my publisher with the happy news that my paranormal romance, "Matching Wits With Venus", is now available as an audio book! Suddenly I'm smitten with the idea of people on car trips listening to my story as they roll past diners and sand dunes, oblivious to anything but my little tale ....

Funny but hearing someone else read my work has had a surprising effect on me. The story no longer belongs to me - the narrator has made it her own, with her inflections, her accent, even her decision about how to pronounce the surname I'd made up for my protagonist. All over again I'm reminded of how we really don't own the interpretation of our work once we send it out into the world.

Maybe my comfort with letting go is why I do not stress submissions - I often have to remind myself that I have a poem or piece of short fiction out there floating around in that gray zone between reading, acceptance and rejection.

How about you? Are you able to give your work the hands off treatment once you've released it into the world? Or do you prefer the helicopter parenting style? If so, why?

I hope the month of March has been off to an excellent start for you, and that you too receive a bit of unexpected happy news over the next several weeks. And if you're in the mood for a good road trip book, especially if you want to celebrate the start of spring with Cupid, please give my audiobook a listen .... http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B00BHQ63KC&qid=1361988298&sr=1-1

Free Read of Prelude to Werewolf Story

noreply@blogger.com (Berengaria Brown) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 05:06:00 +0000

Sometimes when an author writes a book, there are sections of the story that end up on the cutting room floor. They are back-story, or too much information, or slow the pace of the story. But also sometimes they are very interesting snippets about one or more of the characters.

In "Dogged Pursuit", one of my werewolf books, the elderly couple is absolutely convinced Dwyer is their long departed black dog, Shaggy. Why would they think that? I can't tell you what happens to them, that would spoil the story. But to write the book I needed to know the connection. It never ended up in the actual story, but they loved Shaggy and this is why...

Shaggy’s Story

It was a bitterly cold winter’s night and Cora Ainsley was rocking newborn Sally to sleep by the fire when Fred heard a noise at the door.

He hurried over and switched on the porch light but couldn’t see anything.

“Who is it, dear?” asked Cora.

“No one there. Must be the wind.”

But he heard it again. A soft whining. He opened the door and looked out. No one. And not really much wind either, although it was damn cold out there.

Something damp touched his slippered foot. Fred looked down and saw a tiny bedraggled ball of black fluff standing on four very wobbly little legs.

“Oh my goodness! Who are you and where did you come from?” he asked picking the tiny puppy up and quickly shutting the door behind them both.

Fred hurried back to the fire and gently put the pup on the rug in front of it while he went to get a towel to dry it off. “Although a handkerchief would likely be big enough to do the job,” he laughed to Cora.

Dark liquid eyes shone lovingly at the man as he rubbed the tiny fur ball dry, and a rough red tongue licked his hand in gratitude.

“Likely someone will come looking for him tomorrow,” warned Cora as the pup snuggled to sleep on Fred’s lap.

But no one came looking for him, and when the Ainsleys asked around the neighborhood, no one reported a lost pup either, so he stayed.

His coat remained a solid black color but shaggy as if it needed a trim, so Shaggy became his name. And he and baby Sally were inseparable, although he grew much faster than she did.

“I swear that dog is smarter than the average person,” Cora and Fred would say to each other at least once a week.

About eighteen months later, Shaggy and the toddler Sally were playing in the backyard as Cora was hanging out the laundry.

Suddenly there was frenzied barking, and sounds of splashing. Cora dropped the clothes in her arms and turned and began to run to the lake. But Shaggy was there long before her, the baby’s diaper gripped between his teeth as he dragged Sally from the water.

By the time Cora arrived, red-faced and puffing with exertion and panic, both dog and baby were sitting happily on the ground, huge grins on their faces.

“I swim. I swim” laughed Sally. Shaggy’s big red tongue lolled out of the side of his mouth as he grinned at Cora.

“Shaggy, Shaggy, how can I ever thank you? The baby would have drowned before I’d gotten there. If it wasn’t for you…” her breath hitched.

Shaggy just grinned, his dark liquid eyes showing he would always be there for the family he’d chosen as his.

Buy link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2887

Berengaria Brown

http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/

http://berengariabrown.com/

Bringing a Book to Life

noreply@blogger.com (Nikki) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:00:00 +0000

When you read a book, don't you want to be completely submerged in the story? I know I do. I love a heartwarming romance, especially. With Baby Stetson, I watched my hero change from a man who turned off all of his emotions, other than anger. Kind of jaded. Well, okay....more than kind of. You see, Lucas Bennett, Baby Stetson's hero, didn't have the best past. He's always been a loner, having to fend for himself. The last thing he expected when his job lead him to Harmony's Echo was to fall for Avery.

Lucas and Avery have a connection that's deeper than just physical attraction. I loved writing about their relationship. I love that Lucas learned to open himself up to Avery, even if it was slowly. I felt just as torn as Lucas when secrets keep him from fully opening up to Avery. This book has wrought out quite a few different emotions. I worried at first, that readers may not connect with Baby Stetson they way they had with The Secret Santa Wishing Well. I don't feel that way anymore. I think you will be happy to know you can expect the same type of experience for both books, this time with Baby Stetson, it's a full length novel! Almost 100k.

Creating the cover helped to enhance the book even more. I know that the cover fits the story well. That's what I love about having full input on covers.

If it's wrong to have huge fictional crushes on your heroes, well, then I'll take being wrong because Lucas has stolen my heart! (and my husband is okay with this because he says he's the one I sleep with at night, not Lucas. LOL)

I can't wait to share my book with the world. I'm feeling great today. I love that I have the freedom to do this- to write, to create stories that readers can fall in love with and read over and over again. I feel a sense of accomplishment, because there is a lot that goes on in my life, but I'm able to sit down and let the words flow. Never has it come so strong, and I can sit back a little and marvel and my progress.

I hope readers will love Baby Stetson just as much as I do. And there isn't that long of a wait, I promise.

I leave you with this. The Baby Stetson cover!

Thanks for listening to my rambling today!