tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66370358641565361772024-03-11T03:58:32.360-05:00All Things Writing...a blog for writers and readers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969128607361895190noreply@blogger.comBlogger566125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-85087483571583002322017-08-01T09:15:00.001-05:002017-08-01T09:15:39.993-05:00How can readers help authors? Reviews and Social Media!I love when a reader emails or Tweets "I loved this book! How can I help spread the word about your work?" You know you've made a connection in some way and that feels good. No, not good. Amazing!<br />
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So if you're a reader and you want to help an author, what do you do?<br />
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1. <b>Write a review</b>--Places like Amazon and Goodreads are great places to leave reviews for authors. This helps spread the word about a book you especially enjoyed and can help you connect with the other readers with like minded interests. Will the author read your review? Depends on who they are, but personally, I like to read mine. Even the bad ones. How else will I be a life long learner if I don't hear it all? Some authors may not like to admit it, but reviews--good and bad--are important. They are what get others interested in the story.<br />
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By the way, it's always great to leave a text review, but even a quick review where you just star the work is fine, too. It all helps!<br />
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2.<b> Social Media</b>--Did you just love that book? Did you relate to every character? Feel like you were living their lives? Then don't keep that inside. Hurry to your Twitter account and post your emotion right now! Or update your Facebook status asap. Snap that Instagram pic of the book cover and share it with the world.<br />
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Authors are always told to use social media as a way to connect with their readers, but it's also a way for a reader to express how they felt about they read. If you want to help out your favorite author, tag them on social media as you talk about their book. If you see that author's name in a Tweet, retweet it. This is spreading the word just like leaving a review. Share the author's post on Facebook. Like their photos.<br />
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You'd be surprised how these simple acts can help an author out!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-71421042188488331132017-07-14T08:13:00.001-05:002017-07-14T08:13:15.485-05:00Writing Basics 101: Setting the Scene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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“Set the scene.”<br />
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I remember hearing those words way back in middle school when I was first learning about how to write a story. My teacher wanted us to mention where the story was taking place and add in details like “They sat in a chair” or “The house was made of brick.”<br />
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As I got older, I understood that setting the scene meant adding in more sensory details. “The smell of fresh lemon was in the air” or “The rough grain of the wood against her hand was uncomfortable.”<br />
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I’ve been writing for a long time now. You’d think I’d have “setting the scene” down.<br />
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But I don’t. In fact, an editor I’ve been working with recently says “setting the scene” is the number one thing she comments on when it comes to my writing. I set the scene, but not quite enough. There are always sensory details and descriptive wording I leave out. <br />
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If you don’t “set the scene” properly, you’re missing a valuable opportunity to provide insight into your characters. Setting the scene gives us juicy details we don’t even realize help shape the inner workings of a character’s mind.<br />
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Let’s go back to this example: The house was made of brick.<br />
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What kind of brick? Is it a one-story home? Two story? Is there a balcony or a porch? Is the house close to the road or faraway? Is it a cookie cutter house in a suburban neighborhood or an older home in the country?<br />
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Pretty basic stuff, right? Why does it matter?<br />
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Little details like that can give us information about a character’s socio-economic situation. It can tell us what part of the country they live in. It can tell us if they are snobby or down to earth. It builds a picture of who they are that isn’t built on just dialogue. We can make inferences about them based on setting information.<br />
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Go back and look at your work. It’s basic Writing 101, but you might be surprised to see how much you are leaving out in your scene setting. When I write, I typically write hard and fast, trying to get the basic plotline done quickly. Then I go back and look at each scene, making sure to set the scene every time a location changes. Sensory elements are woven in here, too. It is worth the time in the editing process to do this and will strengthen your story more than you can imagine.<br />
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So dig a little deeper! If you do this, your writing will be that much richer!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-70379300462827424432017-06-24T08:41:00.000-05:002017-06-24T08:41:01.424-05:00Last 5 Days to vote for Butterfly Suicide on Kindle ScoutOkay, this is it! The final five days until my Kindle Scout campaign is over....<br />
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It's been an interesting journey. I've watched my stats go up and down. Like way down. Realistically, my chances of getting offered a contract--despite how much I believe in my book--are not great.<br />
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That's okay. Live and learn, right?<br />
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I really appreciate all those who have nominated my book, and no matter what happens, I hope to be able to get a copy of Butterfly Suicide into your hands soon! Here's the synopsis of the book and after you read it, if you feel so inclined, head on over to Kindle Scout to read an excerpt and nominate it.<br />
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<a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/3G0JK4QT8C842"><span style="color: magenta;">BUTTERFLY SUICIDE KINDLE SCOUT LINK</span></a><br />
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<span style="color: lime;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Butterfly suicide</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: lime;">The blood on the cafeteria floor has been washed away and the bullet holes plastered over, but those words carved deeply into the back of the worn auditorium chair will always be a reminder for the students of Rockingham High School of what happened there last May. For Stephen Valley, the brother of infamous school shooter Jude Valley, that day is one he will never be allowed to forget—especially since the small town blames him for the loss of the seven students killed in Jude’s rampage. Tormented by cruel late night phone calls, vandalism to his home, and a growing reputation as a bad boy, Stephen longs to escape to a place where no one has ever heard of Jude or his deeds. Unfortunately, poverty has a firm grip on his mother’s finances, imprisoning him in the bigoted town with no options to leave.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: lime;">Monica Monroe, a self proclaimed Theatre Nerd, hates being known only as the sister of Jude Valley’s murdered girlfriend, Simone. The constant questions about what really happened the day of Simone’s death, the sympathetic looks from strangers, the way her parents are falling apart—it’s all become too much. Even though she’s never believed Jude killed her sister over a lover’s quarrel, she does blames herself for not seeing what a monster he was. Her mother and father have decreed she never talk to her secret crush, Stephen Valley, but when she is partnered with him for an acting scene in Theatre class, Monica views this as an opportunity to finally get some answers. Being paired with Stephen proves to be dangerous for her emotional well being and her heart. When he is beaten up for being on her street, Monica realizes his life after the actions of Jude has been as traumatic as her own.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: lime;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0439106d-da5e-b614-8129-edb39bc9cec6"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: lime;">When they look inside Jude’s Artistic Bible—a collection of Jude’s most private and graphic art work—Monica and Stephen decipher a devastating secret which threatens to rip their families apart and destroy their blossoming secret romance. Together they must decide whether to confront the truth or keep quiet the reason for the “butterfly’s suicide.”</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-85893983215558640282017-06-20T09:01:00.000-05:002017-06-20T09:01:07.743-05:00Creating Love Triangles in Young Adult FictionNothing takes me back to my youth more than reading a great tale of unrequited romance in high school or young love gone bad. As someone who was falling in love at every turn in the road as a teenager, teen heartache is something I remember all too well. The highs, the lows (oh god, the lows)--it's how we learn the basics about relationships. My latest book, Butterfly Suicide, has a love story in it, but not a love triangle. I love a good triangle, but in this book, it just wasn't necessary. In a story about the aftermath of high school shooting for the shooter's brother and the sister of one of his victims, the drama is pretty strong without adding in an additional element. Currently, Butterfly Suicide is part of the Kindle Scout program! Please click on the link to nominate it for publication! ONLY 9 DAYS LEFT!!!! <a href="http://amzn.to/2qWYnFx">BUTTERFLY SUICIDE NOMINATE HERE</a><br />
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<br />
But I digress from the topic...<br />
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Love triangles...they certainly do make for interesting reading material. It seems like every young adult fiction series has one, too. Not that I'm complaining. Let's face it: a little love intrigue can really spice things up!<br />
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But what are the elements of a good love triangle? Here's one simple formula that we will look at today:<br />
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<em>Girl has best friend who has the hots for her and she sorta reciprocates. He is nice, good looking, and makes her laugh. Then the new guy enters the scene. Like Guy 1, he is good looking, but with a devil may care quality that she finds fascinating and repellent all at the same time. Usually, he's hurt and burdened by a dark past. Guy 2 still sweeps our Girl off her feet, though at some point he will screw up so that she can fall into the arms of Guy 1. However, Guy 2 will redeem himself in some way and that's when the decision moment happens: who does she pick to be with?</em><br />
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Spoiler alert---it's probably going to be Guy 2. As much as we like Guy 1, somehow he always gets overlooked.<br />
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How did I do? Does the above scenario sound familiar? Have you encountered it in your reading or perhaps in your own writing?<br />
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While there are always variations to the love triangle scenario (hey, sometimes Guy 1 might win after all), it's usually pretty much the same thing. And that's not necessarily a bad thing! The fun part is seeing how it all works out in the end and what the author does to hold the reader's interest.<br />
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I'm talking, once again, about the emotional connection.<br />
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I love it when an author can surprise me with the love triangle scenario or more importantly, get me emotionally invested. Now, most of you are probably familiar with the whole Bella, Edward, Jacob situation from <em><strong>Twilight.</strong></em> The thing is--that triangle is so famous because the author was able to make a strong connection with her readers and they couldn't stop talking about it. Heck, they were even picking teams, hence the Team Edward/Team Jacob phenomena.<br />
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Another example of this is <em>The Mortal Instruments</em> series and <em>The Infernal Devices</em> trilogy by Cassandra Clare. Both tales sucked me in, but for different reasons. Both also had strong love triangles that evoked an emotional response from me.<br />
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<strong>MAJOR SPOILER ALERT:</strong> Do not read further if you don't know how this series ends. I'm going to be talking turkey here and I don't want to ruin it for you.<br />
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In the <em>Mortal Instruments</em>, our triangle is Clary (Girl), Simon (Guy 1), and Jace (Guy 2). They pretty much fall in line with the earlier example I gave you. However, there are some cool twists that I didn't see coming like...wait for it...the possibility of incest. Clary and Jace are supposedly brother and sister though they don't know that at first. This throws a kink in the relationship and drives her back to Simon. However, the author doesn't let us get too comfortable with that since she turns Simon into a vampire and introduces a werewolf that has designs on him. There's also a possible distraction to the triangle from Alec who is Jace's best friend and his sworn "soldier" partner. In the end, everything works out fine and readers everywhere celebrate when we discover that Jace and Clary are not related to each other and free to love. Simon and Alec both find other love interests so the reader is left with the feeling that all's well that ends well.<br />
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For me, the emotional connection in this book was that I was not rooting for Jace. I actually didn't really even like him. I wanted Simon to win Clary's heart and the author briefly gave me that satisfaction only to jerk it away. I should have stopped reading right then, but damn---the emotional connection made me keep going.<br />
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In the <em>Infernal Devices</em> we have something a little different. Tessa is our Girl. Will and Jem are Guy 1 and 2 but they are a little different. They were close friends which made the love triangle even more interesting because you knew it would probably break up a strong relationship that had been established prior to Tessa's arrival on the scene. Once again, I had trouble liking Will and rooted for Jem. However, to my surprise I started to really like Will and that complicated my feelings. Who was going to win her heart? Who deserved it more? Was it possible she could have a relationship with both men? Without giving it away, I have to say that the author did a good job of giving me what I wanted in the end.<br />
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But again, she stuck to the basics of the love triangle rule and established a strong emotional connection with the reader.<br />
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So what can you take away from this? What's the point? When writing a love triangle, find ways to deviate from the formula, but give us solid, developed characters that are flawed, but still easy to relate to.<br />
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Take a look at your own work. Do you have the love triangle? What are your characters doing that make us care about them? How are you establishing that emotional connection? Is your heroine torn about who she should be with? Is the reader supposed to see things about the men that she doesn't? Are we privy to the inner workings of the minds of the love triangle members?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-29912031020554927042017-06-07T12:26:00.000-05:002017-06-07T12:26:01.274-05:00Sex in YA novels: How far do you go?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<i><span style="color: red;">Nominate Butterfly Suicide for publication at Kindle Scout: <a href="http://amzn.to/2qWYnFx">http://amzn.to/2qWYnFx</a></span></i><br />
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How far can you go when writing about romance in young adult novels? What kind of love are young readers looking for? Is sex allowed? How graphic should it be? Should it be in there at all?<o:p></o:p></div>
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It's a big debate for some writers, as well as, some readers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Remember when the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twilight</i> book series first came out? Keep in mind, I'm talking about before all the craziness of the movie versions. Most of the people I talked to about this series were really into the romance of it, the lingering looks between the two main characters, the blatant yet unsatisfied desire, the sexual tension! This is the type of romance that many older YA readers(20s-30's) remember experiencing in high school or really wanted to experience. It's just one of the reasons they like romance in young adult stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But then comes the sex.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I recall sitting around with a group of women at lunch and one of them was talking about how Edward and Bella were getting to the point of having sex in the book. This woman didn't have a problem with the progression of the relationship, but she'd decided that she would not allow her daughter to read any further in the series until the daughter was much older. She also felt like once the writer brought sex into the book, the romance factor was gone. To me it sounded as if the story had taken a turn into adulthood that the reader wasn't willing to follow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think that's an interesting phenomenon and really very personal to the reader. And as a writer, it's something you have to be aware of. Romance and sex can make or break your young adult book depending on how you use them. Sometimes it’s the factor that sells books. Sometimes it’s the factor that turns your audience off. It all depends on how you weave those things and what style of YA book you are writing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I write YA, I usually don't set out to have a romance in the story. However, because of the age group, because of the hormone factor, because it's virtually impossible to put two teenagers in the same room and not have them notice each other, some sort of relationship usually develops. That's life though. That's reality. That's what YA readers cling to. When it comes to sex, I only let my characters get there if its part of the natural progression, but it's still something I'm cautious about. In my young adult novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bayou Myth</i>, sex is a factor in the story, though it's not something my main character is doing. However, we do learn a lot about my protagonist's thoughts on the subject! Though my book is mainly a YA horror novel, it does have a romance in it that helps drive the story along.</div>
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In my latest novel, Butterfly Suicide, sex is certainly a factor in the story line. While my characters are grappling with the aftermath of a high school shooting and how it affects their lives, they can't help but notice each other, too. In fact, they begin to question if they are attracted to each other because of what happened or are they're feelings of desire real deeper than that? It's a tough question because we're dealing with two people whose sphere of experience in the romance department is limited. Isn't that how it starts out for most teens anyway?</div>
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In the end, a writer should let the romance and sex angle develop how it will. What would be the natural progression for your character? Put aside the audience you are writing to (yeah, I know lots of people will contradict me on that one) and allow your characters to just develop!<br />
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Butterfly Suicide has been accepted into the Kindle Scout program. That means if it get enough nominations and attention, it might be published by Kindle Press. Readers who nominate it also get a free copy of the ebook as well. If you're interested in helping a writer succeed, please click on the link provided and nominate Butterfly Suicide for publication. Thanks!<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://amzn.to/2qWYnFx">Butterfly Suicide Kindle Scout Nomination</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-36567866403321329622017-06-06T14:51:00.000-05:002017-06-06T14:51:21.774-05:00 Kindle Scout campaign for Butterfly Suicide: Why write about school shootings?Well, it's been an interesting few days of campaigning. I've seen my stats soar and sink and then soar again for Butterfly Suicide. Thanks so much to all of the readers out there who continue to nominate it. The campaign is still running so feel free to share the link with your friends. Remember, you get a free copy of Butterfly Suicide if the campaign succeeds! <a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/3G0JK4QT8C842"><span style="color: red;"> Butterfly Suicide Kindle Scout Nomination</span></a><br />
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I wrote Butterfly Suicide after a conversation with someone close to me regarding the power of perception. Something had happened in my friend's life when they were in middle school and this particular event went on to color the way people viewed them in high school and beyond. Around the same time as this conversation, the awful tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary occurred. As an elementary teacher, I was especially horrified by that event--saddened for the community, heartbroken for the young victims and their families. I followed the story that day as it unfolded and couldn't help but wonder what was going on in the minds of the shooter's family, too. How did they feel? How would they live with what happened? How do you move forward knowing that someone in your family is capable of such destruction?<br />
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These questions were the beginning roots of Butterfly Suicide. I spent quite a bit of time tooling around with the story line about a school shooting which takes place in a small town and trying to decide what was important to tell, what was just fluff, what would be interesting to a reader. In the end, I crafted a simple story that really isn't about the shooting, but more about two teens dealing with the aftermath and what people do in order to get through horrific events like this.<br />
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School shootings aren't an easy subject to write or read about, but unfortunately, they are still a part of our reality. My hope is that Butterfly Suicide reminds people to look at all sides of the story.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-22829249848065457042017-05-29T17:34:00.000-05:002017-05-29T17:34:07.159-05:00Butterfly Suicide--A Kindle Scout CampaignAs we all know, Amazon has become a big player in the world of publishing. It's a driving force for readers and authors. A few years ago they introduced their Kindle Scout program. The idea behind Kindle Scout is to create a place where readers can preview up and coming authors and help decide what works should get published by Kindle Press. It's a great way to get a sneak peek at some of the amazing work that's out there, but has yet to be recognized. All a reader has to do is check out the excerpt posted for a book that catches their eye and then hit the Nominate Me button. At the end of the 30 day campaign, they receive a letter indicating whether or not their choice as been selected.<br />
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I've been watching this program for a while and have decided to go for it with my latest young adult novel, Butterfly Suicide. Having published with small presses, as well as, independently, the idea of being a hybrid author who works on multiple platforms is highly appealing. I would love to work with Kindle Press!<br />
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So if you are interested in helping out writer, if you want to be what the folks in Shakespeare's time called Patrons--but without the financial commitment--please check out my book, Butterfly Suicide, on Kindle Scout starting on May 31. Thanks!<br />
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Click here to go to the Kindle Scout Nominating Page for Butterfly Suicide which will be active on May 31: <a href="https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/3G0JK4QT8C842">Butterfly Suicide Kindle Scout</a><br />
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In the meantime, here is a blurb of Butterfly Suicide:<br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Butterfly suicide</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The blood on the cafeteria floor has been washed away and the bullet holes plastered over, but those words carved deeply into the back of the worn auditorium chair will always be a reminder for the students of Rockingham High School of what happened there last May. For Stephen Valley, the brother of infamous school shooter Jude Valley, that day is one he will never be allowed to forget—especially since the small town blames him for the loss of the seven students killed in Jude’s rampage. Tormented by cruel late night phone calls, vandalism to his home, and a growing reputation as a bad boy, Stephen longs to escape to a place where no one has ever heard of Jude or his deeds. Unfortunately, poverty has a firm grip on his mother’s finances, imprisoning him in the bigoted town with no options to leave.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Monica Monroe, a self proclaimed Theatre Nerd, hates being known only as the sister of Jude Valley’s murdered girlfriend, Simone. The constant questions about what really happened the day of Simone’s death, the sympathetic looks from strangers, the way her parents are falling apart—it’s all become too much. Even though she’s never believed Jude killed her sister over a lover’s quarrel, she does blames herself for not seeing what a monster he was. Her mother and father have decreed she never talk to her secret crush, Stephen Valley, but when she is partnered with him for an acting scene in Theatre class, Monica views this as an opportunity to finally get some answers. Being paired with Stephen proves to be dangerous for her emotional well being and her heart. When he is beaten up for being on her street, Monica realizes his life after the actions of Jude has been as traumatic as her own.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0439106d-5661-23c9-3e37-26f0258533b0"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">When they look inside Jude’s Artistic Bible—a collection of Jude’s most private and graphic art work—Monica and Stephen decipher a devastating secret which threatens to rip their families apart and destroy their blossoming secret romance. Together they must decide whether to confront the truth or keep quiet the reason for the “butterfly’s suicide.”</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-79963491147762293522016-06-24T09:53:00.001-05:002016-06-24T09:53:42.994-05:00Writers League of Texas Manuscript FinalistSuper excited to be attending a happy hour at the Writers League of Texas Agents and Editors conference! Not only will I get to reconnect with some great writer friends, but I get to hear my name called out as a finalist in their Manuscript Contest. My latest YA manuscript, Butterfly Suicide, made it to the top five. I really love the Manuscript Contest and have found that it provides excellent feedback and encouragement!<br />
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If you've never been to this Texas conference, I highly recommend it. It's a great way to meet other writers, as well as, agents and editors. There are informative workshops and seminars on all areas of writing and some great swag, too.<br />
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If you're at the welcome happy hour this afternoon, look me up! I'd love to say hello!<br />
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By the way, the first book in my YA series set against the swamps of Louisiana and the culture of voodoo, is free for the next few days at Amazon. Get lost in the world of teenage voodoo queen Joan Renault! Click here for your copy! <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Myth-Book-ebook/dp/B007SQVIVY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466779179&sr=8-1&keywords=bayou+">BAYOU MYTH FREE KINDLE COPY</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-30926073307657867382016-06-21T17:35:00.000-05:002016-06-21T17:35:40.794-05:00Great Summer Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah...those lazy days of summer. I just got a great email from Amazon saying I had a $58 credit because of a lawsuit settlement about price gouging for ebooks. Whatever! This just means more awesome books to purchase for my summer reading list. While it's true I've had my nose to the writing grindstone for awhile, I'm finally coming up for air to read some great young adult fiction! Here's what's on my reading list:<br />
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1. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy<br />
2. Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavksy<br />
3. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes<br />
4. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider<br />
5. Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy<br />
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That should tied me over for a week or two! And then it's back to the grind! I've got plans for Bayou Curse--the final book in the Bayou Myth series--to be completed by Spring 2017! Super excited about this!<br />
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I've also been working on several other projects which I can't wait to share with you soon!<br />
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Happy reading!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-70515531111122592032015-07-07T00:00:00.000-05:002015-07-07T00:00:05.529-05:00Changes to Amazon's Publishing ProgramWell, if you live in the self publishing world at all then you've probably heard about the changes KDP is making in regards to how authors enrolled in the select program will make money. Now it's based on pages read---this could be a good thing, could be a bad thing. I'm never very good at explaining royalties so I'm going to refer you to one of my fave blog sites on book marketing. I saw this woman, Penny Sansevieri, lecture last year at a writing conference. She rocks! Check out her views on this latest change!<br />
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The New Changes to Kindle Unlimited<br />
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<a href="http://www.amarketingexpert.com/the-new-changes-to-kindle-unlimited/">http://www.amarketingexpert.com/the-new-changes-to-kindle-unlimited/</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-8833820093141447602015-07-06T10:35:00.000-05:002015-07-06T10:35:39.908-05:00RWA 2015~New York!!I attended RWA 2014 last year in San Antonio and loved it!<br />
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Unfortunately, I won't be attending this year's conference in New York. The ever dreaded finances have gotten in my way. Am I depressed about it? You bet! I think RWA is one of the best conferences you can attend if you are a romance writer.<br />
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What is RWA? It stands for Romance Writers of America and is pretty big deal to be a part of. You have to have met certain criteria in order to be considered for membership, as well as, pay the membership dues. They have two levels: PRO and PAN and each forum for those groups is a great way to find a wealth of information about romance and the publishing world.<br />
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When I attended last year, I met writers from all walks of life and who write in all genres of romance. They had great workshops that also covered different styles of writing! One of my favorite parts was attending the book signings. It was a chance to get up close and personal with some of the biggest names in the world of romance today! Not to mention all the awesome free books get as well...<br />
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Speaking of those books, I made sure to grab the ones that were nominated for RITAs. I have enjoyed reading them this past year and getting a feel for what counts as award winning material in the world of RWA. Reading them inspired me to tighten up my own work and to delve more deeply into my material.<br />
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Another great thing about the RWA conference? It's a great place to meet agents and editors. However, if you've ever been curious about the small press or wanted to dip a toe in the world of self publishing, this conference provided a lot of insight into both.<br />
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So yeah...I'm bummed about not going to New York for RWA 2015, but hey...there's always next year! I'm already saving up for RWA 2016 in San Diego!<br />
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Esmae~<br />
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P.S. The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Prude-Book-Naughty-Shakespeare-ebook/dp/B00KPK57Y4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1436195206&sr=8-3&keywords=esmae+browder">The TAMING OF THE PRUDE</a>is free all this week at Amazon!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969128607361895190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-47078092714360732015-06-23T09:53:00.003-05:002015-06-23T09:53:49.306-05:00Need a quickie? Ravishing Rosaline is free...Ravishing Rosaline is free this week at Amazon! Yay!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZXW4x8wiQtKQeXfJNEB_5G34pzkmWl5-QxmUOGGqVwee96XgyXVA3ZtWSpyt7BsCgCzNA2wlC4op8nSP6K7tnEHYX9NNgAsA-dHuc-CrP9i0YeiW7_7ZYBEH3G-Enn-CyzQLieDGHPAf/s1600/ASD_RavishingRosaline-DRAFT1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZXW4x8wiQtKQeXfJNEB_5G34pzkmWl5-QxmUOGGqVwee96XgyXVA3ZtWSpyt7BsCgCzNA2wlC4op8nSP6K7tnEHYX9NNgAsA-dHuc-CrP9i0YeiW7_7ZYBEH3G-Enn-CyzQLieDGHPAf/s320/ASD_RavishingRosaline-DRAFT1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So much happened before Romeo met Juliet... </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ravishing Rosaline...Romeo's first love or so the story of Romeo and Juliet tells us. But who was she really? In this sizzling erotic tale, we are invited in to Rosaline's world--a place where women are expected to be chaste and submissive. But Rosaline isn't like that. Her pleasures know no bounds, her need for revenge against a former lover consumes her. She will do whatever it takes to get her desires met--even if it means taking Romeo away from Juliet. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Once again, Esmae Browder delivers a modern day prequel to one of Shakespeare's most timeless romances.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Ravishing-Rosaline-Naughty-Shakespeare-Series-ebook/dp/B00JA26GM0">CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY </a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969128607361895190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-2961953690611195692015-06-21T00:30:00.000-05:002015-06-21T15:49:23.465-05:00How To Market the Heck Out of Your First Book--Without Expiring! <div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: red;">This is actually a repeat post. I decided to re-post it because I've been seeing a lot of chatter from writers about how hard it is to be in the business of writing. I agree that it is more difficult than it was even ten years ago. Publishing has changed so much and so have the demands of the marketing department. We simply can't sit back and expect that some other person is going to do the work for us! Check out this article for some great tips on marketing your book!---Mary Ann</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
How to Market the Heck Out of Your First Book--Without
Expiring<o:p></o:p></div>
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By <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Kathryn
Jones<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Burned out?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5CmYu2DEMFxKfDtLo5mEbkg88B5dlIof4eVcuO8KnOWdgMYKVSumtdyxb9rVvavSPyLn_1aIYDKsCYJHY4NPWICkQq5hoQ1d3M_Ayo0031Pu7Lr_4pc2yloM2uieFj_k9PmLbxy_epI/s1600/kathy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5CmYu2DEMFxKfDtLo5mEbkg88B5dlIof4eVcuO8KnOWdgMYKVSumtdyxb9rVvavSPyLn_1aIYDKsCYJHY4NPWICkQq5hoQ1d3M_Ayo0031Pu7Lr_4pc2yloM2uieFj_k9PmLbxy_epI/s1600/kathy-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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Many of us are,
especially when it comes to marketing our first book, and I'm not counting the
craziness of wondering where to start in the first place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But since I've
suggested it, let's start there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here's a long but
sweet list of places/ways to market:<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. Reviews<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. Interviews<o:p></o:p></div>
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3. Blogs<o:p></o:p></div>
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4. Social Media<o:p></o:p></div>
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5. Postcards<o:p></o:p></div>
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6. Speaking
Engagements<o:p></o:p></div>
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7. Online Advertising<o:p></o:p></div>
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8. Book Trailers<o:p></o:p></div>
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9. Book Signings<o:p></o:p></div>
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10. Contests<o:p></o:p></div>
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Burned out yet?
Just reading the list may do that to you. But I want you to notice something.
Almost all of these ideas are online ways of marketing. And that's good. Why is
that good?<o:p></o:p></div>
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FREE. Don't you
love the word FREE? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Consider all of
the money you'll be saving by plugging in an idea or two and running with it.
Now, pay attention. I did not say you have to do all of these ideas at the same
time, or that you had to do all of the ideas above, just that this was a list I
was creating for you to look at.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So why the list,
you ask?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sure beats trying
to figure out where to start. Now with that said, I want you to look over the
list again. Pay special attention to the top two ideas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
will get the word out about
your book without too much work on your end. A search for reviewers need no
longer difficult either. Consider all of the bloggers who read and who would
love a free copy of your book so that they might review it. Sold. Think about
all of the reviewers who will review a PDF copy of your book over a paperback
copy. Even better. And think about this link:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IW-w-tIUjmr05TeGx3JbGpUdHemgfResBi8eRKnp8pB-BqDVOWfGl3WCQ-Ati6Ycb-l6P-6uSXdwXtPIQ-A6HLb0C82Bwtlx2B97rhDcKvccs0vvz034_fNsrqQpTo-z05Hyr7dHDH8/s1600/marketing-your-book-2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IW-w-tIUjmr05TeGx3JbGpUdHemgfResBi8eRKnp8pB-BqDVOWfGl3WCQ-Ati6Ycb-l6P-6uSXdwXtPIQ-A6HLb0C82Bwtlx2B97rhDcKvccs0vvz034_fNsrqQpTo-z05Hyr7dHDH8/s1600/marketing-your-book-2014.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>Reviews</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.Stepbystepselfpublishing.net/reviewer-list.html.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Interviews</b> include <i>blog interviews</i> and <i>blog
radio interviews</i>. Both of these come free to you and take very little of
your time once you have them lined up. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Blog interviews</i>: Blog owner sends you a
writer's questionnaire. Just fill it out and return it along with your author
photo and book cover. The blog owner will do the rest. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Try:
http://www.4writersandreaders.com<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Blog radio interviews</i>: Same as above,
only you are recorded via blog radio. The host may send you a list of questions
beforehand, or he/she may just schedule a day. The radio interview will be live
or recorded. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Try:
http://www.wnbetworkwest.com/WnbAuthorsShow.html<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once you have a
handle on Reviews and Interviews, go down the list. See what additional two
you'd like to add to your marketing plan. For example, consider the ease with
which you can talk to others about your books if you also have a postcard in hand
to give them when they ask about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Postcards </b>are wonderful things.
Consider how often you are at the grocery story, the bank, the doctor's office,
just standing around waiting for someone or something. I get my postcards
through Vista Print online. On one side of the card is printed my book cover.
On the back? Information about me and about my book including my website, my
email, my book's synopsis and my social media links.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghiNv2IDN-QqdhumyYNQlVUkHf6vgQ2bgRNOS3WvV_SKj4oWRVPfkLDQoAiLmkxysFpgI1JBLbSqmtqOHX_lcAFvSIitK0VfQrK_IlGW58-HNUHRq18drbPzAkdKDWYvxbXqEvrKy1HU/s1600/sm-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghiNv2IDN-QqdhumyYNQlVUkHf6vgQ2bgRNOS3WvV_SKj4oWRVPfkLDQoAiLmkxysFpgI1JBLbSqmtqOHX_lcAFvSIitK0VfQrK_IlGW58-HNUHRq18drbPzAkdKDWYvxbXqEvrKy1HU/s1600/sm-cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
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If the first two
prospects, getting reviews of your book and obtaining interviews, scares you
about as much as hanging off of the Eiffel Tower, start here. Get 500 cards
made up and talk your book up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But don't make
that your only task. I sometimes get burned out when I forget to balance my
marketing with my writing. That means I don't market more than I write, and I
don't write more than I market. Even then, I sometimes get burned out, but that's
because I've forgotten that life is more than writing and marketing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so I take a
break.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's amazing what
I can do with a fresh mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.82666778564453px;">Kathryn Jones is a writer, publisher, and marketer. She loves to weed the garden, take early morning walks, and speak to fans about her books. She is currently, with the help of her genius husband, renovating her newly purchased home. She is a reader of the works of C.S. Lewis, whether it be fiction or nonfiction and is open to connecting with writers and readers alike.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.82666778564453px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.82666778564453px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">http://www.ariverofstones.com.</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">http://www.ideacreationspress.com</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">http://www.twitter.com/kakido</span></div>
<div class="ecxMsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.35em; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 22.719999313354492px;">http://www.facebook.com/kathrynelizabethjones.author</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-56410310621858866542015-06-19T13:51:00.000-05:002015-06-19T13:51:38.283-05:00Kindle Scout and Erotic Fiction: Not a Perfect MarriageLike many authors, I'm intrigued by the idea of the new KindleScout program. I've been watching it closely, paying attention to what other writers are saying about it on the RWA threads, and had come to the conclusion that it might be worth a try.<br />
<br />
So I read the fine print, followed the instructions, came up with a cover, (see example) and uploaded my manuscript...only to have it rejected for the content. The eligibility guidelines indicate that they do not take manuscripts with excessive profanity, racial slurs, or sexual content that may be considered graphic or too offensive to others.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH4KzDPT5TijmGi42h_02HWphNt3TJ_ww86XIIkaWN8xNl7w0TJYjiTeQqByAmo7cYC2BrmZ-WuzXW-BENsCqUi_q0xj1UFCQEhTKY_o2Uc-u7QmBIt-S5oMVgie7WiBfuxfQ-Y9lDPFq/s1600/ASD_EsmaeBrowder_FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH4KzDPT5TijmGi42h_02HWphNt3TJ_ww86XIIkaWN8xNl7w0TJYjiTeQqByAmo7cYC2BrmZ-WuzXW-BENsCqUi_q0xj1UFCQEhTKY_o2Uc-u7QmBIt-S5oMVgie7WiBfuxfQ-Y9lDPFq/s320/ASD_EsmaeBrowder_FINAL.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Hmm....okay, I went back to the drawing board and cut out all dirty sex words referring to male or female body parts beginning with the letter C. I figured that might help the content machine.<br />
<br />
Nope. Still rejected. Same reason.<br />
<br />
So I went back again and edited all the curse words which started with F, Sh, or started with an A and ended with the word hole. Actually, there were quite a few of those words. Excessive. Alright. I could see that.<br />
<br />
Nope. Still rejected. Kept on trying.<br />
<br />
Finally, after several more tries, Amazon sends me a letter saying that I've submitted a bunch of times, blah, blah, blah,...I email them back, trying to find out exactly what the problem is. Tell me what needs fixin', people! You do take erotic material, right? It's listed as a subgenre on your KindleScout site.<br />
<br />
Received an email back saying they can't give me any exact information. And yes, they do take erotic fiction. Have a nice day.<br />
<br />
At this point, I'm kind of done. Something in my work is too racy, but since they can't provide any real clue as to what it is, it seems sort of pointless to keep trying. I can only assume it has something to do with the sex scenes. However, since the story is an erotic fiction, it's not like I can cut them out!<br />
<br />
So here's my word of advice: Be careful about submitting a story with sex in it to KindleScout. Apparently, they are really afraid of offending their readers! Like, really afraid....<br />
<br />
Visit me at <a href="http://www.esmaebrowder.com/">Esmae Browder Website</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969128607361895190noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-7616364192238652752015-06-18T07:26:00.000-05:002015-06-18T07:26:17.941-05:00Bayou Scar free on Amazon June 18-22I love to be able to offer free things to readers! So when it comes to Bayou Scar, I'm doing it! For the next five days, the second book in the Bayou Myth series will be available for your Kindle for free. I've had several fans ask me when the third book is coming out. Well...let's just say the hope is that it will be available for you as a Christmas present!<br />
<br />
By the way, I love reviews--good or bad. Even the bad ones can help you grow as writer! So if you choose to take advantage of this free offer, would you be so kind as to leave me a review? Don't feel comfortable doing that? Feel free to drop me a note at my email address: maryannloesch374@gmail.com. Be sure and drop by my website to see what else has been going on in my world!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIf7JZmm811PnmjX-vFppFc3VtNkAyILeKJRcupQZAqpNp4P8xoYwXQpyG2u3EnpfwD7Tiln_RdQOA1YeOB8Sl-1J019dPDJKIslNwMfMk_aao6HkZdl8bt0Ae51QaJVThCqcXXjVC4s/s1600/bayou+scar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIf7JZmm811PnmjX-vFppFc3VtNkAyILeKJRcupQZAqpNp4P8xoYwXQpyG2u3EnpfwD7Tiln_RdQOA1YeOB8Sl-1J019dPDJKIslNwMfMk_aao6HkZdl8bt0Ae51QaJVThCqcXXjVC4s/s320/bayou+scar.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Scar-Book-Myth-ebook/dp/B00F7Q0SYA">AMAZON BAYOU SCAR FREE</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being a teenage voodoo queen is never easy, especially when
your heart is broken, a bossy arch nemesis lives in your house, and your
psychic freakiness is suddenly the coolest thing in your high school. Though she’s tried to clean up the tainted artifacts
left over from the Fates Potion, Joan Renault’s mind has been on other things—namely
the voodoo priestess trapped on the astral plain who is plotting revenge
against her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the moment Joan Renault holds the Apple of Discord in
her hand, its power ripples through her life like a poison. The least of Joan's
worries should be some silly apple her nominee for the Winter Court Ball will
have to carry but this is more than some symbol of high school pageantry. It’s
poisonous. Toxic. And it just might kill the people Joan loves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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When the voodoo god, Baron Samedi, approaches her with a
tempting offer that could put right all the things that have gone wrong, Joan
must decide what’s more important: fixing the past or moving into an uncertain
future filled with voodoo and witchcraft. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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This is Book 2 in the Bayou Myth series. Haven’t read Book
1? Get your copy of Bayou Myth today!<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-6297387446560412072015-03-05T17:51:00.000-06:002015-03-05T17:51:15.179-06:00Fade to Black or Explicit Sex? How do you know what to write in a novel?I often get asked if sex scenes are necessary in a romance novel. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dtubIGoYO1GMpWBttRjXXwt8N5ubiK-t2Aq_cQaHes4ryeU0PqWGJnUOsy3FAU6jYzjKg9ZxJMlxTWj1ScpbQEQgIadoI52zCrfrQCSWUc5zLz3kycbbx-HxSYY8uj46teTxNJ6RXR6A/s1600/Taming+Cover+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dtubIGoYO1GMpWBttRjXXwt8N5ubiK-t2Aq_cQaHes4ryeU0PqWGJnUOsy3FAU6jYzjKg9ZxJMlxTWj1ScpbQEQgIadoI52zCrfrQCSWUc5zLz3kycbbx-HxSYY8uj46teTxNJ6RXR6A/s1600/Taming+Cover+Final.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a valid question. <br />
<br />
After all, if you look at some of the erotic fiction or romance books out there, it does seem that the sex scene can at times be a mite gratuitous. Why can't we have the sweetheart romance without knowing every intimate detail of what is occurring in our heroine's bedroom? Why does it matter that his member filled her with rapturous joy or that her bosom heaved with desire? Do we have to know what all of their "parts" are doing when the moment of climax arrives?<br />
<br />
Hmm....<br />
<br />
I think it depends on the reader and what they desire. Romance can be defined as many different things. To some, it's the thrill of the first date, the wind in his hair as he looks deeply into her eyes, the scent of lilacs surrounding them as she laughs at his jokes. For others, it's the desire to satisfy primal needs and enjoy the steamy passion of others if we can't create our own. <br />
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Sex scenes can also be tricky things to write. Some authors tease us with lots of build up and then leave it all to the imagination with a nice "fade to black" scene. Others go all the way--every steamy detail is out there to be examined. <br />
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As for myself, I've done both. I like a good tease where you get your reader riled up, but don't necessarily give them all the details. However, there are times when I think that technique can backfire. If your book is classified as a romance and the reader is expecting a hot read which doesn't "climax" in the bedroom, you can face some critical backlash. I've read plenty of books that were good, but would have been spicier if the sex had been a shade hotter or the sex is missing from the book. I would be wary of fading to black with every intimate scene in your manuscript. It gets boring after awhile.<br />
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If you aren't a fade to black writer and like to write juicy scenes where the sex is explicit, good for you! My advice to you is to write as if your mother is not looking over your shoulder. Mothers have a wonderful way of getting into our heads at all the wrong times. Nothing is worse than writing about masturbation and then hearing your mother's voice telling you that you are doing it wrong! Get rid of Momma and be brave, bold, and purposeful. <br />
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So how do you know if you've written a sex scene that is gratuitous? <br />
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If it the sex scene doesn't change something about the relationship of your couple or affect the plot in some way, it's gratuitous. Sex is a writing tool like anything else in a novel. It often changes the dynamic of the story. Sex in a book can be intimate, causing some revelation of love or heartbreak from a character. It can also be unwanted which adds a new level of stress or unhappiness. Sex scenes can develop a character, taking them from shy, blushing flower to smoldering temptress. Again, the point is that whenever there is a sex scene, it should further the relationship or the plot. If it doesn't, it's an unnecessary scene. <br />
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Wow. I'm starting to feel a bit warm myself. I think I hear my latest character calling me. I left her deep in the throes of desire and have to decide what to do next. Fade to black? Detailed scene? Oh dear. I think I hear my mother calling, too....<br />
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Happy writing!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969128607361895190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-32945638996785309242014-08-29T01:00:00.000-05:002014-08-29T01:00:05.918-05:004 Ways to use Pinterest to Promote Your Books!A year ago I vowed I wouldn't get sucked in.<br />
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I wouldn't lose more of my valuable writing time by hanging out on another social media site. <br />
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Guess what I did today? Yep. I got sucked in. Pinterest has now gained my interest.<br />
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Many of my writer friends have been singing the praises of this social media system all along and I've certainly been aware of it. As a teacher, I've perused it a time or two looking for new ideas for my classroom. From learning how to create fairies in a jar to discovering some great lesson planning sites for early theatre education, Pinterest has really helped me in my day job.<br />
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But what about in writing? How can a site like this be of use?<br />
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<br />
If you are not familiar with what Pinterest is, let me lay it out for you. It's kind of like your own bulletin board or scrap book. You can create multiple boards and on each board you can post things related to that board's topic. For instance, maybe you're really into comic books. Create a board titled Comic Books. You would then post pictures of comic book covers or characters there. <br />
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The key is to think visually!<br />
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And that's where Pinterest can be really useful for a writer. <br />
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Authors spend a great deal of time working on describing setting, locations, character physicality, etc. With Pinterest, you can find pictures of those things and post them on boards for your readers to come look at.<br />
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Trust me. It takes the reading experience to a whole new level! Here are four ways an author can use Pinterest to promote their work to a reader. By the way, you can view how I've used these techniques at <a href="http://pinterest.com/maryannloesch/boards/"><span style="color: red;">http://pinterest.com/maryannloesch/boards/</span></a><br />
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1. <strong>General book info</strong>. With Pinterest you can create a board that is specifically for your book. On the board you can post things related to the novel, such as, pictures of locations or pictures of specific things in the book. For example, my YA series takes place on the Louisiana bayou. I pinned pictures of the bayou to my board. Bayou Myth has lots of objects in it that are important to the story line. With that in mind, I made sure to pin pictures that represented those items. Medea's necklace, an antique compact mirror, and an owl broach play a central part in the book. I found some great examples of what those things look like and was able to put them on my Pinterest page for the Bayou Myth series. I think this is a great way for readers to connect with your work in a way that is visual and which will allow them to get an even better view of what the world is like that your characters live in.<br />
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2.<strong> Character traits</strong>. Character development is so important in our novels. If the reader doesn't relate to our hero/heroine, we're in trouble. Hopefully, that's not the case in your story though! Sometimes when I've finished reading something, I want a little more. That's where having a character page comes in handy. You can create a board on Pinterest devoted entirely to the things that your character enjoys and likes. You could even include things that may not have been in the novel, but help develop the character even more. The nice thing about a character page is that it doesn't necessarily have to be a public page. You can create a "secret" page which means only you can view it. If you're a writer who likes to research and gather materials before the writing process, this is a tool that can help spark your imagination.<br />
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3. <strong>Tease your audience about an upcoming book</strong>. Your new book is almost ready to publish, but you're still tweaking those last minute details. However, you're aware that it's important to start spreading the word about this new project. Create a page for the new book that offers only visual clues as to what the book might be about. This is a great way to entice your readers curiosity and keep them guessing about the content of the new book. You could even offer a giveaway contest to the person who correctly guesses the theme or subject of the book.<br />
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4. <strong>All about you.</strong> Create a board that represents all of your wonderful attributes and interests. Readers love to connect with authors in a personal way. Show your readers what's on your book shelf by pinning book covers of authors you love. Give them a glimpse of your dachshund obsession by letting them glimpse cute photos of your favorite dog breed. Maybe you're a fan of a particular brand of chocolate. Let the world know on Pinterest. Little things like this help a reader relate to you and maybe even remember you when your new book comes out!<br />
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So....what are you doing still reading this blog? Want to go to Pinterest? Look up on the left hand side of the blog and find the <em><strong>Pin It</strong></em> button. Pin <em>All Things Writing</em> to your board and get started on creating your own!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-82868297372609042902014-08-27T01:00:00.000-05:002014-08-27T01:00:06.150-05:00Writing in Layers--Six Steps to Improve Your First DraftI think the editing process is flat out a pain in the ass. I really hate doing it, and yet, I can't seem to get my prose perfect the first time. Over the years, I've been given lots of checklists and revision tips, but recently a ghostwriting client provided me with a writing layers tool that is excellent for when you finish the first draft of a novel. I'm going to share a few steps of this tool with you in the hopes that it will help make the second draft of your novel stronger.<br />
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1. If you are writing a romance, check to make sure that every scene makes the reader worry about whether or not the main couple will end up together. If we aren't worried, if things are too perfect, change that scene until we are worried or cut it altogether.<br />
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2. Is the main character doing something he/she wants or is he/she just sitting around waiting for something to happen? We want to root for our protagonist so make them proactive.<br />
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3. Step into your antagonist's shoes and think about things from their point of view. Make a list everything you'd do to stop the protagonist.<br />
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4. Are your characters doing what you'd want to do in their situation or scene?Keep in mind, I'm not talking about what <em><strong>we would do</strong></em>, but what we would <strong><em>want</em></strong> to do if we actually had the courage or guts to do it.<br />
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5. What is the worst thing that could happen to a character in each scene? It doesn't have to happen, but it should make us worry that it might.<br />
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6. Every scene should make us feel like we walked in on the middle of a conversation--not the beginning of one. Start as close to the conflict as you can.<br />
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I have many more tips to share with you regarding cleaning up that first draft, but the above should be enough to get you started. You can either do them one at a time or you can do them all as you go through the novel. It's up to you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-83332771004618606432014-08-25T01:00:00.000-05:002014-08-25T01:00:00.854-05:00Managing Your Time as a WriterDo you hear that? Yes. It's the sound of the children making their way back to school after a long, lazy summer. Many parents breathe a sigh of relief while us teachers prepare to batten down the hatches and start a brand new year.<br />
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I love what I do, but I'm always sad about the end of summer. My prime writing time happens during those two and a half months where I'm not thinking about my students or their creative development. Instead, I'm focused on mine.<br />
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Managing your writing time no matter what career you are in is tough. Most of us don't have the luxury of sitting at home all day and escaping to another place with our imagination. The bills aren't going to pay themselves. So what's a working writer to do? After all, we're supposed to be networking, Tweeting, Facebooking, maintaining our websites, Pinteresting, and making ourselves available to readers--and writing! How do you do that on top of a full time job?<br />
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It ain't easy!<br />
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Everybody has their own method, of course. For me, I schedule my daily writing time for early in the morning. I put in about an hour before I have to start thinking about breakfast and getting the kiddo up. At night, I usually spend another hour editing. Weekends are my big days to push hard. I close the door which signals to the rest of my family: Don't bother her or she'll freakin' kill you. I also use those days to schedule tweets or to schedule my blog posts.<br />
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Yes, there are times when I lapse from my schedule. Honestly, as much as I love blogging and connecting with readers, I really need my writing time even more. So sometimes my blog posts may suffer, but I think the writing, getting the words down, is the most important thing.<br />
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So to those of you in the same predicament as me, good luck to you! Hang in there!<br />
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You can follow Mary Ann Loesch at <a href="http://www.maryannloesch.com/">www.maryannloesch.com</a> or find her on Twitter: @maryannloesch!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-49936544347554353432014-08-18T01:00:00.000-05:002014-08-18T01:00:07.297-05:00The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig--a reviewAt RWA, I attended a fantastic workshop on the roots of historical romance. It was presented by two authors, one of which was Lauren Willig. After hearing her talk about the evolution of the historical romance, I was curious to check out her writing.<br />
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I'm so glad I did!<br />
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The Ashford Affair is a stunning romance that takes place in the 1920s and in the late '90s. It is a stirring look at the "titled" life and how the events of the past can change our lives in ways we never even imagined. With settings in Kenya, England, and New York, The Ashford Affair takes the reader on a whirlwind tour.<br />
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Clemmie is in her mid 30's and a successful lawyer. She comes from a unique family who have issues with the basics: sitting down and speaking the truth. Her grandmother, Addie, is celebrating her ninety-ninth birthday and the family has gathered together. However, Addie mistakes Clemmie for someone she knew in her youth: Bea. When Clemmie inquires who Bea is, no one wants to give her a straight answer. Confused by everyone's reticence to talk, Clemmie embarks on a journey of discovery that leads her to her grandmother's childhood in England where she grew up in the shadow of her cousin, the elegant and much sought after Bea.<br />
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There is so much to this story! Betrayal, love gone wrong, murder, a safari, and true romance---I couldn't put this one down. As many of you know, I like my romance to be steamy and full of heat. This tale actually does have sex, but it's what I would call elegant sex, behind closed doors, nothing to graphic, darling! Yet, what really pulled me in was the romance of it. Think Out of Africa with a dab of the modern world! The characters were so well built that I felt like I really was peeking into their private lives. Ms. Willig created a world of splendor tarnished by World War I.<br />
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If you like your romance with a dash of Downton Abbey, check out The Ashford Affair!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-88786711859159695172014-08-15T01:00:00.000-05:002014-08-15T01:00:02.587-05:00Q & A with Esmae Browder<i><span style="color: red;">All Things Writing has a few questions for our latest blogger, Esmae Browder! </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>What is your story's heat level? How do you approach the sex
scenes?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I’d say the heat is pretty darn hot in Ophelia’s Lessons! Since
this is one of the stories in my Naughty Shakespeare series, I go on a Quill
Pen system. This tale gets five Quill Pens! That means it was hot enough for
Shakespeare’s quill to catch fire. When it comes to sex scenes, I let them
unfold naturally. My erotica is very character driven so the style and type of
sex they have is based on their personality.<br />
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How do you maintain activity as a writer when sitting at a desk all day?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lots of breaks and I have an IV drip of caffeine that goes
directly to my heart! Just kidding. It can be tough to sit behind a screen for
long periods. I take walks, I go to the store, and I sometimes close my lap top
and walk away. Those things help me keep my sanity and let me puzzle out my
story.<br />
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What is it that you loved about the main characters in your story?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In all three books of the Naughty Shakespeare series that are
currently out, my favorite thing about the main characters is that they aren’t
who we’ve been led to believe. You know, the original stories that Ophelia’s
Lessons (Hamlet), Ravishing Rosaline (Romeo and Juliet), and The Taming of the
Prude (The Taming of the Shrew) are based on are all over 400 years old. We’ve
certain preconceived ideas about them. It’s fun to change up those expectations
and give each tale and character a new little twist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /><b>
What do you feel is your strongest type of writing? Humor? Angst? Confrontation
scenes? Action? Sex? Sensuality? Sweet Romance? And why?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Humor. If you can’t laugh at yourself or situations, you’re in
trouble. I think that’s especially true in novel writing, too. If your
characters don’t have a bit of humor now and then, than it’s hard to identify and
connect with them.<br />
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Are you social media savvy? If so what do you suggest for others? If not, why
not?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I try to be. I love me some Facebook time and Twitter time. I’m
constantly fiddling with my website because it’s fun. I love going to book
signings and showing off my business cards with the QR codes on them. I think
social media is an important tool for writers. It’s not going away, so if
you’re serious about promotion, you gotta jump on the bandwagon and start
learning about it!<br />
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What are some things from your life or things you have observed that you've
infused into your stories?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">That it’s important to take risks! All my characters take a risk
of some sort. Maybe it results in good things, maybe not. But they take the
chance instead of lamenting what could have been.<br />
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If you had an unlimited budget, where would you like to visit for story-related
research?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Hmmm….so many places. However, I think jolly old England would up
first. So much history and culture there. Of course, I’d never survive the plane
ride. I’m way to anxiety ridden about flying.<br />
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Finally, tell us a little about your newest release!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ophelia’s Lessons is a fun, erotic, modern day prequel to
Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. Ophelia is a sweet, innocent girl. Or is she?
When her roommate, Portia, comes up with a plan to “educate” her on the ways of
love, Ophelia discovers there’s a lot more to life than she thought. With the
help of Horatio, Ophelia’s eyes are opened to a world of sexual delight that
she hopes will help her capture the love of her life, Hamlet. But her new found
world could also be her undoing. There are lots of secrets and lies surrounding
Hamlet’s family which threatens to suck her in and crush her hopes and dreams…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Gotta question for Esmae? Feel free to ask!</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969128607361895190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-83658750863715189922014-08-13T01:00:00.000-05:002014-08-13T01:00:00.543-05:00The Challenge of Writing Erotic Fiction<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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When people ask what genre I write in, I tend to hesitate
and giggle…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know the moment I
say “erotic fiction” the person will start to look at me differently. So I like to hold onto those final few
seconds before I let the truth drop.
It’s fun to see the comprehension cross their face as they realize what
the word erotica means.</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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Next question is usually something like, “So do you write
porn?” or “Isn’t that like smut or
something?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both questions make me laugh. If you are an erotica fan, you
know that there are all kinds of books that fall within this category. True,
some of it can be pushing the envelope of being something else, but good erotica,
the kind that gets your toes curling and your engine revving, is about creating
a story where the sexual elements enhance the tale, drive the story even, but
the end result is a well written book that keeps the reader’s interest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of my challenges as an erotic fiction writer is to show
readers that the storyline is just as important as the sex! Without a strong
narrative, the sex becomes boring. We
want an emotional investment in our erotic characters just like we do with any
other genre of fiction out there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope the books in my Naughty Shakespeare series manage to
hook you emotionally and get you hot and bothered at the same time. Shakespeare
wrote these characters 400 years ago. All I did was provide them with a back
story and spicy sex life. Ophelia’s Lessons is the first book in the series and
is a modern day prequel to the play Hamlet.
You may recall that Ophelia was a tragic, doomed character driven to
madness by Hamlet’s treatment of her. Ophelia’s Lessons explains why she was so
infatuated with Hamlet and the lengths she would go to in order to capture his
heart. Gone is the innocent young ingénue! She is replaced by a sexually
vibrant young woman ready to explore all the acts of love--even if it means
sleeping with Hamlet’s best friend, Horatio. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This erotic book is definitely not the story you read in
high school English class!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So what category of erotic fiction does my Naughty
Shakespeare series fall under? Good question! Because of the name “Shakespeare”
it may be tempting to think this is historical erotica, but actually it’s best
described as erotic romance. However, there are certainly many subgenres of
erotica out there like steampunk erotica, fantasy erotica, paranormal, etc. You
get the idea!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I encourage you to dive in to the Naughty Shakespeare
series! Start with Ophelia’s Lessons and then venture on to Ravishing Rosaline
(a prequel to Romeo and Juliet). Round it all out with The Taming of the Prude
(a retelling of Taming of the Shrew). Look for new titles to be joining this
series soon!<o:p></o:p></div>
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May all your nights
be erotic ones--Esmae Browder<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969128607361895190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-47717483762974753472014-08-11T01:00:00.000-05:002014-08-11T01:00:05.349-05:00A World Apart by CD Brennan---a reviewAh...young love...it's so much fun to read about! Especially when you've already been through it and come out the other side. I love finding a sweet romance where I'm totally hooked by the end of page one and am reminded of what it was like falling in love for the first time....<br />
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<br />
Once again, Cd Brennan has pulled me in with her Love Where You Roam series. About a year or so ago I read and reviewed the first book in the series called <b>Watershed</b> and loved it. I was excited to get my hands on a copy of her latest release, <b>A World Apart.</b> What I liked about <b>Watershed </b>and the idea of this series in general, is that it blends people from many cultures together, binding them in love.<br />
<br />
In <b>A World Apart, </b>the reader is introduced to Australian Lizzy (who actually made a cameo appearance in Watershed) and Scottish Hamish. Lizzy is currently working as a bar maid in a Scottish pub and researching her family tree. She is headstrong, fun loving, adventurous and unafraid of a challenge--which of course, makes her the exact opposite of serious Hamish. Hamish is the local hottie (his nickname is Hottie Hamish), but he is a shy guy who comes off as being a bit brusque and reserved. He may have the money and background that Lizzie doesn't, but he is seriously lacking in social skills.<br />
<br />
He offers Lizzy a job as his house keeper which she accepts. Her first day on the job is not exactly a stellar one--she manages to take his dogs for a long walk and gets lost in the process. Hamish comes to her rescue, but ends up stranding them on the side of a mountain overnight. Well, this leads to some intimate cuddling, which leads to feelings of desire, which leads to...well, you get the picture.<br />
<br />
Turns out Hamish is angling for a job at a university but when he interviews for the position, he discovers the university wants more than just a "by the books" teacher. They want someone who can relax, relate to the students, be a human being. Shy Hamish feels out of his league, and when the Dean invites him to a black tie affair, he definitely doesn't know how he will get through the event. However, it occurs to him to take Lizzy who is able to charm the pants off of anyone. Unfortunately, the dinner doesn't go exactly as planned and leads to a series of misconceptions and self doubt.<br />
<br />
As usual, Cd Brennan brings her characters to life through great dialogue and accents. It is easy to hear Lizzy's Australian voice which is a contrast to the Scottish brogue of Hamish. These characters felt real to me, very believable. Her book is rich in description of the local scene, but it's the interplay between her characters that really makes this tale fun to read. I wished it hadn't ended so soon! I just wanted to go a little further down the road with these two characters.<br />
<br />
While there is some sex in the book, it's nothing graphic. This is a sweetheart book where the romance is the focal point and shows the development of the characters relationship and growth as people. I would give it a low rating on the heat level, but high on the romance!<br />
<br />
Here is the Amazon link for the book! Can't wait to see where this series roams next!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-Apart-Love-Where-Roam-ebook/dp/B00J7XE8HC/ref=sr_1_9?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1407707126&sr=1-9&keywords=a+world+apart">A World Apart</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15272865345029946809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-1393701607472520582014-08-08T01:00:00.000-05:002014-08-08T01:00:01.843-05:00How Much Do Book Covers Matter?Mary Ann has covered this in several of her posts, but after going to RWA Nationals this year and really taking a look at the covers publishers put on their romance books, I have to agree with her--book covers can really draw a reader in!<br />
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Ah, the book cover. I firmly believe it can make or break a
book. It’s the first thing a reader
sees, the first thing that draws them to your little tale, incites their curiosity,
and says to them “yes, this is the book I want to read next.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A bad book cover can cause all sorts of problems.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If the cover is boring, you gotta depend on the title. If
the title stinks, too, then you’re in big trouble. It doesn’t matter how great
of a writer you are--unless of course you’re already established with a large
group of readers--if the book cover isn’t working, you won’t see much in the
way of sales.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Book covers should also reflect a little bit of what the
genre is, too. Especially if you are a writer just starting out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here’s my own example of why I feel so strongly about this
point in particular:<o:p></o:p></div>
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My first book was bought by a small, but well known, press
with a great reputation. The book was an urban fantasy with slight romantic
overtones. The book cover was of this super hot, shirtless guy in front of some
office buildings. It looked like this dude was ready to sex you up and take you
home to mama! The twinkle in his eye, the coldness of his chin, the well
developed abs, and bulging front of his pants promised a book with lots of hot
sex and down and dirty love. But remember, the book had only romantic
overtones…so of course, a few people bought the book thinking it was going to
be erotica. Luckily for me, the writing did pull me through here, but many
people felt that the cover was misleading as to what kind of book it was. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, my latest books in the Naughty Shakespeare stories
all have book covers that hint at the characters and the genre of book. In fact, one of the things I wanted to make
sure of was that all three books had some similarities. I wanted all covers to
have a woman with her back to us and just a hint of profile. All covers also
had to in some way reflect a character trait of the story, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Ophelia’s Lessons, a modern day prequel to Hamlet, I wanted the image to be wistful and
romantic. The open back of her dress hints at sensuality as well. Notice the
trees in the background? Well, an important scene in the book happens beneath
the trees. Even the colors were important to me. The miss of greens and blues
is calming and relaxing. We don’t see the woman’s face and are left wondering,
who is she? What does she really look like?<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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I wanted a little different tone for Ravishing Rosaline.
Rosaline is a prequel to Romeo and Juliet. In the play, she is the character
Romeo is in love with before he meets Juliet. She also happens to be her
cousin. This is a story about everything not being as it appears and the search
to express oneself with sexual freedom. <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="image02.jpg"
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Again, the woman is looking away, but we <o:p></o:p></div>
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see her fiery red hair and that she is <o:p></o:p></div>
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unashamed of being naked. It’s being <o:p></o:p></div>
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openly sexually and tantalizing at the<o:p></o:p></div>
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same time. Kind of like Rosaline…</div>
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And then there is the Taming of the <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
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Prude. This time we see a little of our <o:p></o:p></div>
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leading lady’s face. That’s a reflection<o:p></o:p></div>
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of Kate alright. She would never<o:p></o:p></div>
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turn her face away or be ashamed<o:p></o:p></div>
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of her nakedness. The flowers hint<o:p></o:p></div>
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at being one with nature, and if you <o:p></o:p></div>
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read the book, you’ll see that this is<o:p></o:p></div>
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true. A retelling of Taming of the <o:p></o:p></div>
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Shrew, Taming of the Prude is a <o:p></o:p></div>
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fun, humorous tale of a freshly <o:p></o:p></div>
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married couple and their discovery<o:p></o:p></div>
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of how delightful married sex can be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Especially if you add a partner.... <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dtubIGoYO1GMpWBttRjXXwt8N5ubiK-t2Aq_cQaHes4ryeU0PqWGJnUOsy3FAU6jYzjKg9ZxJMlxTWj1ScpbQEQgIadoI52zCrfrQCSWUc5zLz3kycbbx-HxSYY8uj46teTxNJ6RXR6A/s1600/Taming+Cover+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dtubIGoYO1GMpWBttRjXXwt8N5ubiK-t2Aq_cQaHes4ryeU0PqWGJnUOsy3FAU6jYzjKg9ZxJMlxTWj1ScpbQEQgIadoI52zCrfrQCSWUc5zLz3kycbbx-HxSYY8uj46teTxNJ6RXR6A/s1600/Taming+Cover+Final.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Will your reader notice all the little things I just pointed
out when they pick up the book? Probably not. But they may notice enough to
make them read the synopsis or get an idea of what kind of book it is. That can
be the difference in making a sell or not! <o:p></o:p></div>
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May all your nights be hot and steamy ones beneath the
covers!--Esmae Browder<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969128607361895190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6637035864156536177.post-1425176182988663272014-08-06T01:00:00.000-05:002014-08-06T01:00:02.201-05:00Quirky Writing Habits<br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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I consider myself a bit of a quirky person.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://thehairpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/wooden-spoons.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thehairpin.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/wooden-spoons.gif" height="279" width="320" /></a></div>
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For example, I don’t like wooden spoons--can’t stand them!
If I know one is in the house, I can’t sleep.
I also don’t like people touching my feet. Yeah, yeah, I know how great foot massages
can feel, but the idea of someone kneading or pressing on the bottom of my feet
makes my toes curl in fear! The other big quirk of my life revolves around
birds. I hate birds. They fly too close,
poop in midair, and certain birds will even peck at you in order to steal your
hot dog. I refuse to go anywhere near an
aviary. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m sure my long suffering husband could go on and on and on
about my zillion other quirks!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I do have a few writing quirks, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I struggle every day with what I call “writing resistance.”
I love writing and nothing makes me as happy as the joy of putting together
strong characters and fun plot twists.
Every moment I spent writing the Naughty Shakespeare series was
wonderful--when I made myself settle down and write. You see, like many
writers, I find that there are many things that make me resist sitting down and
writing like I should. Facebook, Twitter, email--they are the bane of the
writer resistance. One of my quirks is that
I must read all emails, update my Facebook and Twitter accounts, and check my
emails again before I get down to the business of writing. If I don’t do it, I
feel oddly guilty...<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another quirk for me is that I can’t write if someone else
is in the room. My favorite writing
space is in my bedroom. It’s a plain little area with nothing very exciting
about it, but if someone enters the room or is lying on the bed, I get
agitated. I can’t fully immerse myself
into my work. I’m constantly thinking they are looking over my shoulder,
reading my erotic scenes, about to bop me on the head. I usually have to minimize my screen and give
whoever is in my space ugly looks until they leave. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My favorite quirk is my candle ritual. I have two tall
“Jesus” candles on my desk. I do my best writing when they are both lit. Don’t
know why. Don’t know how. But there it is! When Jesus is lit, my mind gets
creative!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I suppose I should be grateful for these little quirks
because they do keep me productive. I
couldn’t have written my Naughty Shakespeare series without being aware of
them! In fact, I like to think because I have my quirks the characters in
Ophelia’s Lessons do, too! However, their quirks tend to be much sexier than
mine! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Any other quirky writers out there?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969128607361895190noreply@blogger.com1