Yesterday, as some of you know, was my birthday. As a terrific surprise and present, I received a wonderful review of Killer Bunny Hill from Night Owl Romance.
To quote Danya at NOR: "The only complaint is the wait till the next book comes out."
Now that is what I call a great last line! And a happy birthday surprise.
See the rest of Danya's review of Killer Bunny Hill at Night Owl Romance click here: Killer Bunny Hill Review
Tuesday's writing prompt is inspired by my birthday.
Let's see what we can come up with. Will it be funny, sad, scary? Or all of the above?
OH! And don't forget the cake!
Prompt: It was her birthday. . .
Happy birthday to ME!
Yes, today I am celebrating my birthday so blow up the balloons, sound the whistles and horns, toss confetti, and my favorite. . .drink champagne and eat cake.
I don't know about you all but a birthday is not a REAL birthday without cake. The cake cannot be just any cake. It has to be a Chambord Torte. Chambord and raspberry mousse layered in between dark chocolate cake. Mmm. My fave!
No, I do not require candles on the cake. Just lots of shaved chocolate pieces!
The champagne is Veuve Cliquot. OMG! This is just the best! Ask my friends.
I will be celebrating this event all week long! Help me celebrate the day I was born and forever more became known as "Sweet Cheeks" in my father's eyes.
What are you going to do to help me celebrate? Come on, put your thinking caps on, spin that propeller on that beanie, or just think like me (scary thought).
This week in our Book-A-Week Challenge we are reading "A Ghost from the Shadows" by Elizabeth Eagan-Cox
Elizabeth will be here on Sunday, September 27, 2009 for an interview and to respond to your questions or comments. Mark the date, read the book, and return here Sunday to ask Elizabeth questions and give her feedback.
More information can be found about Elizabeth Eagan-Cox on her website at http://www.elizabetheagancox.net/.
Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: Write Words, Inc. (June 4, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1594317224
ISBN-13: 978-1594317224
Purchase from: Amazon
Blurb: Talented publicity writer Shannon Delaney rebounds from a failed romance and takes refuge in an assignment at 1920's-era Magic Manor Dinner Theater on California's Catalina Island, Avalon resort. Assured of quiet surroundings as the only lodger at the renovation-in-process Magic Manor, Shannon soon discovers she is not alone! Portentous events, haunting clues and spectral visitations draw Shannon into separate, yet interwoven, mysteries: The hunt for nineteenth-century pirate treasure, and a decade-old tragic death that reeks of dark intentions. Avalon, fabled as Hollywood's getaway, is ideal as A Ghost From the Shadows location and for Shannon's continuing adventures as she builds her career and strengthens her intuitive powers to speak to the past. Returning characters include: Alex Blackthorne, Aunt Dora, Francisco Zavala, Zach Zavala and Shannon's personal spirit guide: Eric Blackthorne, master magician from the 1800s.
Sitting in my home office with my two cats next to my laptop on Saturday morning before the sun rises, the aroma of my homemade soup wafting up from the crockpot in the kitchen, I am thinking it has been a while since I wrote an article.
Not that I don't have enough on my plate right now, but I feel the urge to craft something that will help other writers. Yes, the topics of my articles are always in the writing realm.
My problem this morning is a topic for an article. Maybe it's the lack of food, or that it is still dark outside, or maybe my brain has gone to complete mush after fighting computer/network issues for three days, but not a single idea has popped into my head.
I would be very grateful if others would leave a comment as to what they would like to see. What have you not read that you REALLY want/need to see?
Let me know and I will see what I can craft.
As I dressed for work this morning in a top labeled with the color "aubergine" on the tag, I wondered, "Why aubergine? What is aubergine?"
Then, because it seemed the logical thing to do, I looked at similar colors in my drawers. (Yeah, okay, so this makes me a little odd, but my mind was working overtime.)
What exactly is aubergine, versus maroon, burgundy, eggplant (besides a vegetable), wine?
What is the difference between these colors? Are they not a version of purple?
Do manufacturers like Crayola, J Jill, and Victoria's Secret make up these colors so you buy the same item only in supposed different colors the next year? You know, "What's old is new again."
Here is your writing challenge. Besides sharing your opinion related to my questions above, describe for me one or more of those listed colors.
Using words, draw an image in the reader's mind what one or more of those colors makes you see, feel, taste, smell.
This should be very interesting and I look forward to seeing your responses.
This one took me a while to write, but I finally did write a response to the writing prompt: Something was wrong. . .
What do ya think? What do you think should happen next? Let me know by leaving a comment
Something was wrong. . .
Something was wrong. Something was definitely wrong when she slid her key in the knob and the door opened inward with a metallic squeak. Jane released the keys and jerked her hand back. The door was unlocked. Had she left the door unsecured? Jane’s heart beat a fast rap against her ribs.
Biting down on her lower lip, Jane removed the key from the lock and pressing two fingers on the wood, inched the door open wider. When the door was open far enough for her to see no one and for her to enter, she dropped her hand to her side.
Should she go inside? Fear and logic told Jane she should go back to her car, locate her cell phone, and call the police. What if she had left the door ajar? She cringed, thinking how embarrassed she would be if the police showed up and found nothing. They would find no robber, no vandalism, nothing, but her blonde flakiness. Jane shook her head. No way would she take that risk.
Jane steeled herself against the unknown, and grasping her keys in a tight fist, she crossed the threshold into the inky abyss of her storage room. Standing in the open doorway, Jane blinked several times and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She wished whoever built the building had put the light switch near the door instead of at the other end of the unlit hall, as far away from the door as possible. The muffled sound of her own blood rushing through her veins rang in her ears, making her a little woozy. Holding steady, she took a deep breath in then exhaled. Two more times and the foghorn in her ears cleared.
She listened, and hearing nothing, stepped further into the room. Was her imagination on overdrive or could there have been an intruder? Oh my gosh! Jane froze, her feet skidding to a halt on the marble tiled floor. What if a burglar were still here? The thought had a lump of fear knotting in her throat, threatening to cut off her flow of oxygen. Her heart hammered as she plastered herself tight against one wall, the stucco scratching her palm and digging into her backside as she attempted to make herself as small as possible.
Move or don’t move? Could she play statue as she had when she was a kid? Maybe she could close her eyes and will herself invisible. No. Her breathing was so rapid, her chest heaved in and out as a bellow would when fanning a fire. Jane swallowed the lump in her throat and commanded her heart rate to slow. Breathe, she mentally chanted.
Deciding she had let her mind play tricks on her and that she was acting ridiculous, Jane pushed away from the wall. On less shaky knees, and with more bravado than she felt, she jerked her heavy pocket book up on her shoulder ad stalked toward the tiny, red glow of the light switch.
“Only ten feet,” she muttered.
When she reached the end of the hall, Jane blew out a heavy sigh of relief. A small bubble of hysteria escaped her lips as she reached for the radiant lever on the switch.
A hand snaked out and grasped her by the throat. His fingers clutched as he shoved Jane against the wall. Her head hit the stucco with enough force a picture crashed to the floor. She tried to scream but only dry air with no sound came out.
Her vision blurred and fuzzy stars danced in her eyes. The fingers gripping her windpipe squeezed and strangled. Jane scratched at the vice-like talons. Air. She needed air. Please, please. She did not want to die like this, not knowing why or who.
Her nails dug in and she raked them across the hand. The man swore and she felt the foul odor of his breath hit her full in the face, but the hand that choked her loosened and Jane gasped for air. “Wh –” She struggled for breath. “Who – ” Who are you? she wanted to scream, but the hand tightened on her trachea.
No! Jane screeched inside her head. No! She kicked, twisted.
“No you don’t, you little whore,” the intruder whispered in her ear pressing his body hard against hers then running his tongue along her ear. His other hand grabbed her breast, pinched her nipple, and gave it a sharp tug.
Oh, no! He was going to rape her!
Did I leave you hanging?
A co-worker of mine will be making cider the old-fashion way using a cider press at Hollis Old Home Day this Saturday, September 19, 2009 starting at 10 AM. It is great fun for the kids to be able to throw the apples down the chute and then see them ground up, pressed, and out comes fresh cider.
Debbie does this event to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. She does not charge for the cider sampling but does have a pity jar for anyone wishing to make a donation to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
She will be working at the cider press all day.
Facts about the event:
Entry is free
The event starts at 10 AM but things really do not get going until after the parade.
Highlights:
Fireworks
Parade
Pet Parade
Booths
Field Day Events
Chicken Barbecue
Pies Wanted for Apple Pie Contest
Balloon Rides
Heritage Craft Demonstrations
Cow Pattie Bingo **Who does not like a good game of cow pattie bingo??**
Amusement Rides
There is apple picking and a corn maze
The corn maze is $5.00 per person and it is not part of the Hollis Old Home Day Event
Other vendors will be there
Location:
Hollis Old Home Day
Nicoles Field
Depot Rd
Hollis , NH 03049
603.305.3358
Directions:
The directions are from Rt 3 in NH
Exit 6 Rt 130 West toward Brookline.
Continue on Rt 130 for about 7 miles
Brookdale Farm is on the left side
Stay to the left where Rt 130 bears to the right.
Continue on the road staying to the left.
You will be on Depot Road.
The Old Home Day is on the left.
Last night while outside pulling weeds in my garden, my neighbors came home. We stood in the street for a few minutes talking when the sound of an ice cream truck caught our ears. Yippee! Ice cream!
This is how fun my neighbors are.
Kenny asked if we wanted ice cream. Are you kidding? Donna and I both bob our heads and in unison say, "Yes!"
Kenny reaches into his pocket and pulls out some money and hands it to Donna. "I'll pay, but you guys have to wait for it." (He wanted to watch a game on TV.)
Were we supposed to say no? HA! Donna snatched the money from Kenny, stuffed it in her pocket and the two of us started back toward my house. We sat on my front steps waiting for the ice cream truck to come down the road. Mind you, I had not even had dinner yet, but hey, I would forego real food for ice cream.
We sat there and sat there and sat there. While the sun waned in the evening sky and mosquitoes nipped at our ankles we sat there waiting for the ding ding of the ice cream truck salivating over the idea of an ice cream drumstick or bomb pop.
SIGH. The ice cream truck never showed. Bummer!
Tuesday's writing prompt: The sound of the ice cream truck. . .
Have fun with this one and I can't wait to see what you come up with.
Social Media is Word of Mouth on Networking Steroids
This past Saturday was the first meeting of the season for the New Hampshire Romance Writers of America NHRWA. Laurie Storey-Manseau was our guest speaker. Laurie is a marketing maven, agency owner of www.storeymanseau.com, and a working woman. You go Laurie!
The topic of Laurie’s presentation and discussion to NHRWA was Social Media. Hallelujah, someone to pull or is it push us into the next generation of marketing!
In her presentation, Laurie covered blogging, Twitter, Facebook, etc., and how to use these social media tools and technologies in marketing.
Here is where I receive vindication for my nagging of other NHRWA members for almost a year about getting into social media and marketing. :-) “Thanks, Laurie!”
One of the key points to Laurie’s presentation to a room full of writers that would be applicable to everyone is this: “Do not wait until you are published to start using social media.”
You see, I was behind the 8-ball when it came to marketing and social media. I waited until a publisher gave me a contract for my first book to start a blog. BAD! I did not use Facebook until a friend of mine twisted my arm and nagged me into it. I’m not even sure how or why I began using Twitter, although now, it is my lifeline as my blog and Twitter are the only things I can access while at my day job.
While the end goal of marketing as a writer may appear to be selling your book that will not occur unless people know you exist. Social media and marketing are not just about inundating people with information on your book, but is viral marketing with the real end goal of people, a lot more people knowing who you are, what your brand is, and why they should want to know more about you, and pass it on.
High-level social media/viral marketing example: You find someone who has a great blog on a particular topic of interest to you, you post a comment on the blog, and you pass the word on so others visit the blog post. Someone else who visits that same blog sees your comment, clicks your profile link, visits your blog, leaves a comment, and passes your site on.
Real-world example that happened to me: One day I started a blog post on Book-A-Week Challenge, where I encourage people to read a new book each week. I picked a book, posted information about it, read it, and then posted an interview with the author on the blog at the end of the week. Both the author of the book and me, the author of the blog, use social media to spread the word and tell everyone about the Book-A-Week Challenge, the authors’ book, and the interview. Guess what happens?
People I know read the book
People I know visit the author’s website/blog
People I know leave a comment on the posted interview
People the authors knows leave a comment on the posted interview
All those people now check each other’s profiles and visit their blogs or sites and pass the word on
If you’re a featured romance author in the Book-A-Week Challenge, chances are a reported from Examiner.com (Stephanie Giancola), contacts me or you so she can interview the romance author for her column (because Stephanie knows me and I now know this author)
Terry Kate from www.romanceinthebackseat.com sees the blog, contacts me, says she is going to be in New England, and wants to interview me as well as other authors that I may know
I introduce Terry to other authors and after her video interview sessions with us, we go out to dinner afterwards where I introduce her to future authors, Stephanie Giancola who does an on-the-spot interview with Terry for her online Examiner column.
Debbie from www.youdontsaynotogirls.com meets Terry that night with us and finds out that Terry knows someone on the West coast that Debbie could possibly hookup with to promote and move forward her business
See how all this works?
Remember the old adage that most business occurs through word of mouth? Well, social media is word of mouth on networking steroids. The amount of people you can reach is innumerable.
This week in our Book-A-Week Challenge we are reading "Losers Live Longer" by Russell Atwood
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Company, Incorporated
Pub. Date: August 2009
ISBN-13: 9780843961218
256pp
Purchase from Amazon or B&N
Blurb: The death of legendary private eye George Rowell looked like an accident—but searching for the truth behind it will put down-and-out East Village detective Payton Sherwood on the corpse-littered trail of a runaway investment scam artist, a drug-addicted reality TV star—and the bewitching beauty whose appearance set it all in motion...
About the author: Russell Atwood is a former managing editor of ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE. He's written for BIOGRAPHY and A&E MONTHLY magazines. He has been an NYC resident since 1991. His first Payton Sherwood mystery story appeared in EQMM. His first novel, EAST OF A, was published by Ballantine Books. His new Payton Sherwood mystery novel, LOSERS LIVE LONGER,is published by Hard Case Crime Books (09/09).
Find out more about the author at his website at www.loserslivelonger.com.
Rejections are inevitable. Critique groups will never think your writing is perfect.
You can take a page to a critique session, get feedback, modify the page, and then take it back to the next critique only to be told that there are still several things “wrong”.
That sounds extremely harsh, but it is not meant to be. The fact of the matter is, when you get a group of people to read your work everyone will have a difference of opinion. Every editor or agent will have a difference of opinion.
For those of you who are published authors, you can attest to the title of this blog post. Writing and the processing of getting published, whether your first or fifth novel can be a daunting task. The publishing industry is not for sissies!
Aspiring authors may have or may not have had the pleasure of receiving your first rejection yet. Just remember this: A rejection is a right of passage. It means you have finished a novel and taken that step of putting your heart out there and submitted your work for someone to read. It also means that an editor or agent has taken the time to read your work. That is a huge feat. (not huge feet)
In recent weeks, a couple of fellow writers have received rejection letters either from an agent or from an editor. Does it really matter as to which? No. What matters is that these writers put themselves out there and were told, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Is this a bad thing?
Sounds like a ridiculous question, especially if you are asking the author of the denied novel. BUT, it is not.
Both of the writers I mentioned actually received responses to their work that gave specific reasons as to the rejection.
Hallelujah! That is a tremendous help. These authors should and I know one did already take the offered critique, ponder it, and decide to modify, or move on elsewhere.
Unfortunately, not every agent or editor will take the time to offer advice or give you their opinion. I, myself, have received very nice one-liners that said, “This story is not right for me.” Or “I am not taking on new clients at this time.” Or any number of various reasons for rejection. Heck, there are those that you don’t hear from for months even after the story has already been accepted for publication by someone else. The worst is when your submission ends up in a black hole and you never even know if your work was received.
Now that you have received a rejection or several, a decision has to be made.
Do you give up, throw in the towel, turn tail and run away? Or do you straighten that spine, get a stiff upper lift, maybe buy a suit of armor to cover your chest and protect your heart?
This is when you decide whether you want to get published bad enough. This is when you decide whether you are a sissy or not. The publishing business is not for the weak at heart and the spineless. Pardon the expression, but this juncture is when you grow a set of balls or let them shrivel up and away.
Me, people will tell you that I have no patience. SHRUG! So, and your point would be?
BUT, I have the persistence of a pitbull who wants those pants attached to the man’s ass. (Okay, maybe not the best image, but you get the picture.) In the publishing industry, it takes persistence to get what you, the writer, want. Nothing will ever be handed to you on a silver platter. It never is in anything that is of huge importance to you. If you do not have to work hard for what you want in life or writing then it is not worth it in the end.
So what you receive a rejection. Have a good cry, eat a pint or gallon of ice cream, even feel free to give your pillow several hard punches. Got that out of your system?
Now, do you want to get published? How badly? How important is it to you to see your name on the cover of a book?
Know this. From here on, it only gets harder. Writing a story is hard work, creating it so it meets guidelines that you are not completely aware of is daunting, but tossing your story out there and getting your heart stomped on is the toughest thing you will ever have to go through in this business.
Is it worth it? This is the question that you and only you can answer.
If you answer yes then take the critiques offered by the editors or agents, the various critiques groups you may write with, and decide what is valid to your story. If you listen to the opinions of others, will it help you in achieving that “author” goal?
Take a step back and look at the advice the editor or agent, or critter offered. Now that you have gotten past the “rejection” word, gotten over your mad, does the suggestion make sense? Will cutting 8000 words make it a better and faster paced story? Will deleting most taglines or almost all “ly” adverbs make your story more readable?
Did you submit your manuscript to the right editor or agent? Publishing is not a one-size fits all kind of thing. If that were the case then we would not need so many agencies and writers. Do not send your children’s story to a non-fiction agent. Do not send your contemporary romance to a historical editor. Do not send your very dark thriller to a publisher who produces romantic comedies.
What you write may come from your heart, but the editor or agent is not hooked into that process because your “feelings” are not what they sell. It is the work, the words, the story, that makes a difference.
A rejection is not personal. It is professional. Suck it up! Do the right thing, go back to your story, and fix it.
We want to see your name in the “author” column! And if you need help along the way, you will find that most writers/authors are always willing to offer a tip, a pat on the back, or a box of tissues. Just ask.
Good luck!! Other writers, feel free to share your rejection and success stroies to help boost those who are on the verge of giving up.
Last week I posted the response to all she wanted. Do you remember that?
What did she want? She wanted to fall in love.
Then I turned around and posted the prompt: All he wanted. . .
What did he want?
That's an excellent question and this is how I decided. At work one day, now mind you, I work with mostly men, so this was interesting. I posed the question to my male co-workers.
I said, "Without thinking I want you to finish this sentence." I gave them the prompt.
Not all of them would do it without thinking. You have to understand that I work with software engineers so they automatically overthink many things. When I received quick and straightforward answers it was unanimous.
All he wanted. . .was sex. HA!
I took that theme and wrote this as my response to the writing prompt. What do ya think?
All he wanted. . .
All he wanted was sex. Should he feel sorry for that? Why? He did not need or want a lot of useless talking which usually turned out to be utter bullshit anyway, so why bother. Jack jerked open the door and walked into the bar with only one thing on his mind – getting laid. The smell of alcohol smacked him in the face as he let the wooden door slam shut behind him and sauntered into the dimly lit joint.
Jack was in search of a woman who wanted to get vertical with him, no strings attached. Just a one nightstand and in return he promised to rock her world or her bed for several hours.
The issue for him, Jack thought as he sidled up to the bar, would be in identifying the right female partner.
“What’ll you have?”
“Guinness,” Jack told the beefy bartender with the barbed wire tattoo on his bicep.
“Coming right up.”
While the bartender built the Guinness, Jack leaned against the bar, his elbows resting on the smooth mahogany. He eyed the patrons through the large mirror hanging behind bar. He popped a few peanuts in his mouth as he scanned the room until his gaze hooked on and stopped at a pair of legs. Long, lean legs with shapely calves led up to where a dark skirt bunched around solid, sexy thighs. Geez, he was instantly hard.
Jack shifted to relieve the pressure against the zipper of his pants and let his gaze travel up the leggy woman. Oooeee! Legs were not the woman’s only feature. The snug skirt hugged the shapely and purely feminine curves of her tight ass. His eyes continued up past a slender waist, perky breasts that were more than a mouthful, but not more than a handful – at least not too much for his hands to handle.
“One Guinness coming up.”
Jack glanced over at the bartender who slid the frosty mug down the smooth wood and caught the glass in his hand. “Thanks.”
As he lifted the mug to his lips, his gaze returned to the mirror. With the glass a breath away from his lips, his hand paused when her eyes met his in the reflection of the mirror. She smiled at him in a way that made his breath catch and told him that she was fully aware of him. All sensuality and come-hither. Jack swallowed, his mouth suddenly reminding him of a desert. His gaze locked on hers, Jack finished bringing the beer to his lips and drank long and deep.
Her tongue slipped out from between full lips and slid across them in a suggestive, make no mistakes about it, I give good head motion, Jack almost choked. Instead, beer sloshed down his chin. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, his brown eyes watched her very green eyes spark and light in flirtation.
Oh, yeah, she wanted him.
Heat flushed his cheeks and his little soldier popped tall and saluted in agreement with his assessment when she began sliding her hand up and down the pool stick in a stroking motion. Jack swallowed the lump of lust and decided she could stroke his stick any day or night.
Tugging his gaze from hers, he set his mug and what was left of his beer on the bar, pulled a twenty out of his pocket and tossed it next to the glass, then spun on his heel and without a second glance at anyone else in the room, headed straight for the woman. Gliding up to her, Jack wrapped one arm around her waist, bent his head, and whispered in her ear.
“I may not be Fred Flintstone but I bet I can make your bed rock.”
I don't know about you all, but after the long holiday weekend, and dealing with the horrendous traffic, I need a little writing boost.
For some reason, my mind is geared toward a bar scene, but you may not see this prompt the same way I do. Let's see!
Prompt: Standing in front of the microphone. . .
What did your mind envision? Looking forward to seeing your sentence, paragraph, page, or whatever you feel like posting.
September is my favorite month for a couple of reasons.
First, this is the month we go from blistering hot to breezes and cool nights when we go from summer to fall. Yards and trees go from green to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. We go from wearing peek-a-boo shorts during the day to jeans and a snuggly sweater at night. Instead of listening to the air conditioner kick on and hum, we listen to the crackle of logs on a roaring fire and the smell of marshmallows toasting over the open flame.
Can you tell I love fall? 
It's funny, but summer and fall are my favorite seasons. Summer is when everything comes to life including us and we celebrate the outdoors. Fall is a celebration of color, long walks, and coziness.
Another reason I love September is that it is the month of my birth. Yes, September is my birthday! That being said, I am taking a page out of a friend of mine's book rather than celebrate my birthday for just that one day, it is my intention to celebrate my birthday all month long.
Oh! Don't even think about asking me my age! :-)
First, the month is nine days down and I have yet to celebrate. Well, that may not be totally true. I did spend Sunday planting a bunch of flowers and I ordered a boat load of bulbs that I will get to plant when they arrive.
Other than that, nope, I haven't even had a bottle of champagne yet. That's because the actual day has not arrived.
So how do I celebrate all month and where do you come in?
I am so very glad you asked. :-)
1. I still need a digital picture of a street sign with the name Charley on it. For those of you who don't know, my friend Gina Leuci takes pictures of street signs as a hobby and because they make terrific and unique gifts when framed.
In my case, the names on the street signs are names of my characters in my novels. Cool idea, huh? Anyway, you can help me celebrate my birthday by sending me a picture of the name Charley on it. I would be grateful in the form of a book.
I will gladly exchange a copy of either of my books for a picture of a green "Charley" street sign.
2. If you live in New England and are reading my book for your book club, email me and invite me to your meeting. Send me a picture of your club reading one of my novels.
3. If you don't live in New England and are reading my book for your book club, email me and invite me to be on a phone call with your group to discuss the book.
4. Signup for the Wine Mystery Event I am planning with Zorvino Vineyards on November 13, 2009 by clicking here.
5. Attend a group book event at the Borders store in Concord, NH on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 2 PM. Join Nora LeDuc, CJ West, and me for some suspense and mystery.
6. Need a speaker for an upcoming event, why not ask a local author? Email me.
7. Are you a published author? Would you like to have your book featured in my Book-A-Week Challenge and an interview posted on my blog? Email me.
Last but not least. . .
Beyond all these nice and lovely things that would make my birthday celebration all the better, what I need or would like from you all are some other suggestions how you think I could celebrate?
What would you do for 30 days to celebrate your special month?
Post your ideas or comments back here. I look forward to reading your ideas. In the meantime, I have to go finish responding to last week's writing prompt and then read!
Book-A-Week Challenger is reading "Outcast" by Joan Johnston
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Mira (June 30, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0778325741
ISBN-13: 978-0778325741
Purchase from Amazon
Purchase from B&N
I love books with military types, Washington intrigue, and a little romance. I am very much looking forward to reading this book.
Blurb: Society bachelor and former army sniper Ben Benedict moves between two worlds—from high-society Washington to the mean city streets, from tuxedos to Glocks. His powerful Virginia family wants him out of harm's way, but Ben stays on the job, determined to make amends for a past that haunts him.
Dr. Anna Schuster is fighting demons of her own when she crosses paths with Agent Benedict. The two become adversaries—and lovers—as they search for an Al Qaeda operative bent on revenge.
Ben must fight against time—and his own darkness—to rescue millions of innocents and the woman he loves from a virulent bioweapon in the hands of a dangerous enemy.
Book-A-Week Challenge Interview with Kristin Callender author of "The Truth Lies in the Dark"
If you didn't have a chance to read it you can pick up a copy of Kristin's book at Amazon.
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: BluewaterPress LLC
ISBN-10: 1604520140
ISBN-13: 978-1604520149
Find out more about Kristin Callender at her blog http://kcsbooks.blogspot.com
In the meantime, check out Kristin's interview below, and leave her a comment or question.
When and why did you begin writing?
I have always been drawn to writing, but never thought of it as a career option for me until I was an adult. I shouldn't admit this but I was not the most motivated student in school. Writing was the one area that came easy to me. It was a great outlet for my over active imagination. I played with the idea of writing a book for a long time and when Nick and Amanda's story (The Truth Lies in the Dark) came to me I knew I had to sit down and give writing an honest try.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I had a hard time considering myself a writer. It wasn't until I had my first book published that I felt worthy of the title. Now I see it completely different. You are a writer from the moment you pick up a pen, or pull up a keyboard, and bring an idea to life. I tell people now that I will continue to be a writer, whether I become a published author again is up to the editor :)
What genre are you most comfortable writing?
I am still trying different styles and genres to see which fits me best. Picture me in a dressing room asking my husband, "Does this cozy mystery make my butt look big?" No, seriously I loved writing mystery and have a few more ideas and am now finishing a contemporary romance. So far I have been letting the stories choose me. If they yell out loud enough I write them. I imagine that eventually I will find my niche, but in the mean time I am enjoying the variety.
Who came up with the book cover for your book? Why?
My teenage son, Michael actually did the cover for The Truth Lies in the Dark. He painted a picture of New York City at night for a high school Art class and friends of mine suggested that it would make a great cover. I cropped it and sent to my publisher and they agreed. I didn't realize until later how rare it is to have so much control over the cover choice. I love that I get to share this with my son.
If your book was made into a movie who do you picture playing the part of the hero and heroine?
The Truth Lies in the Dark could be made into a Lifetime movie. A film producer loved the story and will be pitching to cable executives. I will hopefully be able to come back and tell you who was actually chosen to play the parts of Nick and Amanda. I have just extended the end date for a contest promoting this event. Stop by and leave a comment. The amount of comments received determines the amount of prizes offered. http://kcscontests.blogspot.com
What is your favorite way to take a break from writing?
Some days the writing takes over and I find it hard to break away for anything; food, phone calls, even the kids. Then there are days when you just don't feel it. Those days I love taking a walk with my music to clear my head, or I pick up a good book. Then there is always Twitter, which provides some comic relief and helpful writing advice.
What are your current projects?
As I shared earlier, I am finishing up a contemporary romance. I also have a few other stories started that I hope to get back to and of course new ones are always popping up. I would also love to try some children's books too. It is harder now to find time to sit and write. There is so much about marketing, promoting, and networking to learn. Juggling these new hats, along with work, family and friend commitments has been a challenge. I give a lot of credit to authors like you, who have found a way to do it all and have time for a Book-a-week challenge.
Thanks for stopping by for my interview and thank you Denise for doing this. It was a lot of fun. Good luck on your future Book-a-week challenges. I'll be back to check them out.
~ Kristin Callender : )
http://kcsbooks.blogspot.com
http://kcscontests.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/KCBOOKS
Wanted to remind you of Sunday's Book-A-Week Challenge Interview with Kristin Callender author of "The Truth Lies in the Dark"
Kristin will be here to tell us how she started writing and what she's working on, and answer whatever questions we send her way.
Join us Sunday, September 6 to learn about the author of The Truth Lies in the Dark.
If you haven't had a chance to read it you can pick up a copy of Kristin's book at Amazon.
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: BluewaterPress LLC
ISBN-10: 1604520140
ISBN-13: 978-1604520149
Find out more about Kristin Callender at her blog http://kcsbooks.blogspot.com
See you Sunday!
I can honestly say that when I took on the endeavor of writing my first book I never imagined that I would receive emails or letters from readers telling me how much they liked my books.
I have to tell you, it is the greatest feeling in the world to come home after a long eleven-hour day at work, like this past Tuesday, and find an email from a reader that starts out with the words “You have a new fan!”
That alone made my heart stop, do a little spin, and then jump into overtime.
You all know me by now, I just have to share it with you and say thanks to Kim for taking the time to send me a note. There is no greater pleasure! Thank you.
OH! My favorite line in Kim's email and from everyone is "I could not put it down."
Denise,
You now have a new fan! I had to email you and let you know I just finished your wonderfully fabulous book Killer Bunny Hill. It was a great read. I started it on Sunday night and just finished it on my lunch hour today. I could not put it down.
Besides Lake Mary, FL we also have in common the fact that I grew up in New Hampshire! My parents have a second home in Freedom, New Hampshire, which is about 1/2 hour south of Conway, NH. I loved spending my summers there and winter weekends there - swimming in the summers and skiing in the winter.
Well, I am going to hit my local library and see if they have any of your books there. If not, I'll be definitely going to the store to buy them.
Thanks again for sending me Killer Bunny Hill. LOVED IT!
Kim
By the way, Kim did go to her library and checked if they had a copy of It Happens in Threes, but they did not and she let me know the next day.
What?! How could that be? :-)
Not to worry. Kim and I have a plan. I am sending Kim a copy of each book for her to donate to her library so others can read them. Then in December when Connect the Dots is released the library will know they have to get a copy for my local fan.
PS - Kim, if they don't get the copy of Connect the Dots right away you let me know.
A fellow writer, blogger, and this week's Book-A-Week Challenge author of The Truth Lies in the Dark, Kristin Callender, tagged my blog yesterday.
I met Kristin through Twitter where @kcbooks (Kristin's Twitter name) posted a tweet saying she wanted a book to read. Well, I, of course, had a book so I sent her a tweet back. The next thing you know we exchanged books and here we are today.
So, what does getting tagged mean? It is a way to share information about yourself and connect with other writers/bloggers. The best part about this is it's not just for published authors. This is for anyone who picks up a pen or pulls up to a keyboard to bring their thoughts and ideas to life and then is brave enough to share them with the world.
More details can be found at Nick Daws post here: My Writing blog
Here are the questions Kristin tagged me to answer from her blog and am passing on to others, plus. See Kristin’s blog at kcbooks
1. Which words do you use too much in your writing?
But (but then I get rid of it on edits)
And (And at the beginning of a sentence – also catch on edits)
Just (sometimes you just have to use this word, but not very often)
2. Which words do you consider overused in stuff you read?
He said, she said – If there are only 2 people in a dialogue then do you really need the tagline?
Softly – OH MY GOSH! I don’t know how many times I see this word in a tagline such as “he said softly” – GAG!
3. What are your other favorite blogs?
There are so many good blogs out there, but here are some of my favorites.
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/ -A book reviewer’s blog by April Pohren, a new friend with writing talent
http://bookexposure.blogspot.com/ -A promotion/marketing blog by Jessica James, an historical fiction author and the best press release writer
http://cerihebert.blogspot.com/ -Another New Hampshire Author's blog by Ceri Hebert, who I met through my blog and will one day meet in person
http://jasonamyers.wordpress.com/ -A blog by writer Jason Myers who shares his trials and tribulations of getting published and everyday life
4. Name three favorite words * these are subject to change depending on day & mood :)
wicked
paradox
sunshine
5. ...And three words you're not so keen on *so are these, except rejection :)
spam
literary (you’ll have to ask me why)
RIF
6. What would you like to improve about your writing and/or blog?
I would like to get more efficient use of what little writing time I have, so have a plan as to the storyline and not as much seat-of-the-pants writing. Then I can turn out more books. :-)
For my blog, I would like to have more time to spend on writing more tip/writing article related posts.
It comes down to I NEED MORE TIME to do any kind of writing.
7. What’s your writing ambition?
I have 2 ambitions as far as my writing are concerned, well maybe 3. I want to write books that readers can’t or don’t want to put down, the kind where you are compelled to go to the next chapter even thought it is 2 in the morning and you have to be up by 5 AM.
I want to write my novels full-time and be able to support myself with on my writing career.
Ultimately, I would love to see my books turned into films. I want to see my hero’s on the big screen. (Mickey, Max, Jake, Lucas, and now Garrett.)
Whew! I did it. Now, I tag the following writers/bloggers.
April
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
Ceri
http://cerihebert.blogspot.com/
Jessica
http://bookexposure.blogspot.com/
Jason
http://jasonamyers.wordpress.com/
Blog Tag, You're it... April, Ceri, Jessica, and Jason. Can't wait to see what questions you choose and what your answers are. Have fun!
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