One of the hardest parts for me is writing a blurb for my novel. You only get a small space to make readers crave more, so make that sale count! Here are some things to help you get it right! Keywords Welcome to 2022! If you aren’t using keywords in your blurbs, you’re not using... Continue Reading →
May Reads
I LOVE BOOKS! And sometimes I have a hard time finding indie books to fill my monthly recommended list! This month, I give you my favorite authors! These authors NEVER fail to impress me and entertain me when I need it most. They love interacting with readers and make you feel like you've always been... Continue Reading →
Writers Resources: POV
Did you know we now have 4 different points of view? Let's go over them and learn a little more about this new view point. 1st person Your main character is telling the story as they see it. Pronouns like "I" and "Me" are common in 1st person writing. As humans (unless an unusal breed... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Dialog
Our characters talk a lot. But what are they really saying? More goes into dialog than you might think. What part of the globe is your character from? What words are shortened? What's the lingo in the area? What era are we in? What age is your character/s? All these questions should have answers. It... Continue Reading →
April Reads
Erik Simpson is a brilliant young zoologist who has no memory of his life before the age of sixteen. Trained by his aging foster father, a world renowned zoologist, Erik astounds his colleagues with his insights into animal behavior. As his thirtieth birthday approaches, Erik has a recurring dream of stumbling through the Amazon jungle,... Continue Reading →
April Reads
Erik Simpson is a brilliant young zoologist who has no memory of his life before the age of sixteen. Trained by his aging foster father, a world renowned zoologist, Erik astounds his colleagues with his insights into animal behavior. As his thirtieth birthday approaches, Erik has a recurring dream of stumbling through the Amazon jungle,... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Writers Anxiety
Do you dread sitting down to write? Do you feel nervous about the job you love? Never fear, help is here. All writers are a little aprehensive about their work, but I want to dive deeper, and help you learn to live with your writers anxiety. What is writers anxiety? Easy, it when you feel... Continue Reading →
March Reads
Jerry McNeal didn’t ask to be born with the gift of premonition. Nor did he ask to be haunted by the ghost of a K-9 police dog that doesn’t even appear to like him. And yet, in the second book in The Jerry McNeal Series, Jerry finds himself saddled with both.As Jerry struggles to coexist... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Social Media
Tons of new social sites are popping up across the world wide web. But its hard to know which ones will take off and which ones will flop. Part of staying relative is knowing where your audience hangs out. So today, here are some social media accounts you should have. No matter what your genre... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Building A Book Concept
There is so much out in the world that inspires us to write. But jumping into that novel is a whole different beast. Having a concept layed out can help you stay on track and motivated to finish. So let's look at what it takes to create and maintain a concept for your manuscript. 1.... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Wanye Clingman
How long have you known you were destined to tell stories? Telling stories from a child on. Only by finding that someone I knew from Film Making would also help do all the editing I need did I try my first book, knowing I did not need a publisher and could use Amazon, did I try... Continue Reading →
February Reads
"Charlie is hungry. He simply can’t wait. What will his dear mother put on his plate? Charlie picks up his fork and stops in midair. Oh, no! On his plate! What is THAT sitting there?" "Lousy Liver" is an award-winning, deliciously whimsical tale that follows the imagination of a young boy as he devises one... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Social in 2022
Keeping with the times is a must for all authors. Social media is a must if you want to succeed at all, but it can be difficult to decide which outlets are a good fit (not including Facebook or Twitter, which you should already have). So, here’s 5 social outlets you should have. 1. Goodreads:... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Interview Answers
In the spirit of missing authors to interview, I thought we could take a little time this week to talk about the best way to anwser questions. Interviews are important to any authors career. So, why not have the most interesting responses, and draw more attention to your writing. I recommend sticking to the deadline,... Continue Reading →
January’s Must Read
"Follow me," he invites, "into the deepest, darkest parts. Where there are no limits, and all the best girls turn bad."When her father is killed and her mother marries a man she barely knows, Ali’s precisely planned future falls apart. Until now, her careful life has always stayed within the lines.Thrust into a world without... Continue Reading →
My 2021 Favorite Word Nerds
Goodbye to another year of COVID chaos! Amoungst all the ups and downs, I still managed to connect with some amazing people. Some I've know for years and just simply took time to check in on them and others may be a little newer, but still worthy of a mention and click. These amazing humans... Continue Reading →
December Reads
Books make amazing gifts! Please choose indie books this year, it’s a small, local business to be an author. “Rachet-tense atmosphere” - Allie Cresswell“The action zings” - A.M. Reade“A harrowing climax” - Alison HendersonAfter a string of arson fires drives migrant farm workers from their homes, Damien goes undercover to infiltrate the white-supremacist, neo-Nazi militia... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: The Write Recovery
Whether you’re coming down from NANO, or just finished a draft, you’ll need a break. Time to shake the hectic schedule away and return to enjoying life beyond the screen. But how? Giving up on writing for an entire week is a stretch, but a few journal lines a day actually does your brain good!... Continue Reading →
Updates!
Welcome back! My hiatus took a little longer than I planned, but here we are. I finally took my own advice and put my writing down. I felt stuck and needed the time to refocus. Thank you for hanging in there with me. Today I have found it’s hard playing catch up and have procrastinated... Continue Reading →
November Reads
The second anthology in The Nightmare Collective is finally here. Enjoy the chills and thrills brought to you by the amazing authors of the Indie Author Book Expo group. Gripping new tales from authors all over the globe are fresh to entertain you and all of your horror needs Get yours HERE Everyone has their... Continue Reading →
October Reads
For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale.Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control.Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost... Continue Reading →
September Reads
Now fully possessed by the Dark Power, Lord Corban Vayd has unleashed his fury and his Garganite troops on the Realm. King Lange, crippled by the loss of the Sword of the Archangel and the White Wizard, is unable to stop the Dark Lord's attack. The king of the Realm must consider doing the unthinkable:... Continue Reading →
Story Time: Wasted Nachos by Jennifer Thompson
Lights flashing and snapping apertures sounded in the darkness. Her body was a beautiful mess of punctures and blood, dress tore from hooking on the tree limbs that tried to save her, but it was all futile. The vessel that was her body let her soul escape through the gaping holes blood had once used... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: The Write Inspiration
I've been in a rut; that's right, I've got the block and my motivation is faultering. But it's time to shake things up, get the blood flowing, and get inspired to write again. And I'm not talking my normal tricks, because the more I use them, the more I'm starting to feel immune. I'm talking... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Nick Kokonas
What started your love of writing? Since I was young, I’ve always had an affinity for writing, but it has been an on-again, off-again relationship. I wrote short stories often in elementary school, then took some creative writing courses in college, but other interests like music pushed writing to the back burner. The publication of... Continue Reading →
August Must Read!
Ex-soldier Jason Williams has emigrated to the colony world of Midgard to start a new life. He has taken on a new role as deputy colonial marshal, where he hopes to put his checkered past behind him and put his skills to good use. Not three days after arriving on Midgard, Jason finds himself embroiled... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Short Stories
Recently, my writer's group decided to enter a short story contest. We each write a short, help each other with feedback, and submit. All the while pushing each other and celebrating our victories. So now I got this challenge of writing a short story, and that made me think, what does it take to make... Continue Reading →
Author Interview J. Jerome
What got you into writing? I have been writing since grammar school. It started with reading novels for class and writing poems.What is your favorite genre? Why? Fiction/mystery and suspense. I like this genre the most because I love to try and figure out the mystery and who done it. Being able to visualize characters... Continue Reading →
July Reads
Deliverance will come...But that is another story.What makes a legend but the stories told about him? Interviewing Gorias La Gaul, the biggest legend of them all, is a dream come true for young scribe Jessica. Where other girls her age would swoon beneath the steely gaze of the warrior, Jessica only has eyes for his... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: My Favorite Editors
That's right! I'm giving you all an updated list of my favorite editors and why I think you should check them out! Kim Hunther Wordsmith Proofreading. This amazing woman is my personal editor! Though its been a while since I finished anything, she is always easy going and can give me the feed back I... Continue Reading →
June Reads
Maria is a normal girl with an extraordinary relationship with the sea. As climatic changes take effect, this relationship could save everyone around her.A short-story by award-winning Portuguese author. Get it HERE A Short Walk to the Other Side is a second short story collection of supernatural, metaphysical, science fiction, and horror stories following "The... Continue Reading →
Happy Memorial Day!
Thank you to all Veterans! Speacial shout out to my daddy ( a heavenly navy vet), Author Larissa Shively-Vitt (my trans-hero), and my Bestie Candi Breen! Your service effected me and so many others and there are not enough words to tell you how greatful I am for that!!!
Write Resources: What Your Formatting Says About You
Readers and editors a like will nit pick the smallest of gramatical errors. And when you're trying to DIY the last thing you need is to look like a rookie. The format of your book is more important than you think. It shows just how much you care about your craft, and while I'm all... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Naughty Writing
Well we can take this converstation in 2 directions, and why not? The first thing that comes to mind when I think about 'naughty' writing is cussing. I am the proud daughter of a sailor (who never cussed a day in his life), and use cursing regularly when talking. Its just a part of me;... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Harper Raye
1. What got you inspired to start writing? Nothing really, I just love to write I can name a certain thing. 2. What genre do you prefer to write in? I would say murder mystery thriller are my favorites I can kill someone off without going to prison ( Lol) 3. Tell us what it... Continue Reading →
May Must Reads
Jake Cullen, a disabled teen novelist, is contacted from the great cyber beyond by a person who calls herself Miranda.It turns out that Miranda isn’t a hacker, but an AI program, a free-roaming, independent program that can go anywhere and do anything it likes within the confines of cyberspace. Jake finds her creator, Doctor Helena... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Battle or Boring?
Has anyone noticed how much easier it is to show a fight than tell one? Movies are lucky! They can enhance and lock a person into a story with visual effects. But why is writing a battle so dang hard? Too long and you risk long, wordy sentences. Wrong descriptive words and it throws the... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Elements of a Cover
While it is nice, you don't have to be a graphic design guru to create a cover for your book. The there are some rules you should put into practise though. So get ready to create an eye catching cover! Side note: If you can't create what you are looking for, a graphic artist/cover designer... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Teresa Dunn
When did you know you had a thing for writing? At the age of 14 How many books do you currently have own? Over 200 Do you find it easier to write at night or during the day? During the day because it's quiet. Where do you find the inspiration for your poems? Nature, scenery,... Continue Reading →
April Reads
Maura has never felt so alone in her life...nor has her existence ever been so overshadowed by peril...Not only do both her parents--her distant but loving mother and recently- returned father--remain absent from her life, but due to the hideous error in judgement executed in collusion with her best friend, Valdamir, and adoptive sister, Susie,... Continue Reading →
Why We Shouldn’t Go Back.
What about the past are we so attached to? Clearly things were about to explode and the pandemic was the catalyst that sparked the engine of urgency. Instead of trying to fix things together, we’ve spent the last year pulling each other apart. And this needs to stop. We can’t go back to normal. We... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Read Out Loud.
Part of writing is getting the flow of your story right. I found most writers (new and seasoned) forget to do one thing. Read it to yourself. Not the normal internal reading, but out loud. That’s right! Reading what you’re stuck on, or editing, out loud can help you determine if that scene fits your... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Myths of the Lucky Writer
Luck comes in many different ways, and sometimes it feels like other writers have all the luck! So here are my five favorite myths about writing to inspire your luck. Only bad writers need feedback. False, we all need feedback to grow. And repeating the actions only drive home the point. Take all your feedback... Continue Reading →
Author Interview: Mckayla Jade
What brought on your love of writing?It was my escape from the world.Would you consider yourself an avid reader as well?Yes. I love to read.How has the pandemic affected your writing life?It kicked my career into high gear.When did a novel start coming to life in your mind?I wrote my first while in jr. high... Continue Reading →
March Reads
They’d love for everybody to be healthy. But a horrible virus brought them into a nightmare. What can be done to stop the spread of this coronavirus?“This book explains in a way that can be easily understood by children what a Covid-19 infection is. It shows how we can stop the spread of this virus... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Press Release Distribution
Its taken me a long time to put this list together. I've been researching for the last two years and watching the "best" and the "worst" so you have a competitive edge to announcing your book to the world. A press release is one of the oldest, yet best, ways to promote your book without... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Romancing Readers
Romance novels are among the top three genres published today. Why? Because, romance readers know what they want, and how they want it. So how do you get to know the world of romance readers? Let's talk about what it takes to write romance your readers will melt for. Part of hooking readers by the... Continue Reading →
February Reads
*DEATH: (A Love Story) is an Award Winning Finalist in the 2020 International Book Awards.*You might think that Death prefers first place, but truth be told, Death revels in being THE FINALIST!WARNING! YOU COULD DIE READING THIS BOOK! When's the last time you had an intimate heart to heart chat with your death? Have you... Continue Reading →
Writer Resources: Building/Rebuilding Your Author Site
Part of building your audience is building a site. You know, a place where your upcoming fanbase can go to learn EVERYTHING they need to know about your and your book(s). Building a site isn't an easy feat, however, today I bring you the best and easiest to use web site creation tools. Make sure... Continue Reading →
Write Better: Knowing Your Audience
Its something I speak about ALL THE TIME. The first thing I will tell you when planning your project is to research, interact with, and become your audience. It sounds creepy, but I do mean it! I don't write YA because its easy, its because I LOVE to read YA. This inside edge gives me... Continue Reading →