Secret word 5 & 6 for the Giveaway!
Hurt & Resentment
Sunday, December 29, 2013
New Year's Resolutions!
As the New Year approaches, many are making their New Year Resolutions in hopes of achieving their goals and becoming a better person.
Some will stick to it and others will stop trying all together after only a few months.
" What are some of the top resolutions made?"
1.Lose Weight
2. Stop Smoking
3. Save money
4. Better Job
5. Get Married (singles)
6. Make more time for yourself.
7. Eat Healthier
8. Excercise More
9. Less Stress
10. Stop Drinking
11.Enjoy life more....
These are just a few of the resolutions made yearly.
"What are your plans for the New Year?"
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
"Gift Bag Giveaway"
" Gift Bag Giveaway"
Books & Chocolate will be hosting a gift bag giveaway, filled all types if goodies.
In order to be eligible for this giveaway you have to be a follower of Books & Chocolate Book Blog.
This gift bag includes:
The book "No One Cared"
Bath & Body Works
Starbucks Coffee
Bath Loofah
Candle
& Chocolates
This giveaway will run from December 23-31, 2013.
At anytime that you hit follow Books & Chocolate, in the time frame, inbox me on Facebook and say follow, and give me the secret word of the day for your chance to win.
I will post a secret word everday on. Books & Chocolate.
At the end of the giveaway I will let you know what the secret words pertain to.
Two winners will be chosen, and announced on New Year's!!!!!
Let the giveaway begin.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Hosting A Linky Party
Hosting A Blog Party
By: Fluster Buster
To host any type of successful party there are a few simple guidelines that need to be followed Planning - Work out all of the details catchy name and theme allow? Recipes, crafts, DIY projects other linky parties, etc Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly it end? attendance? Follow your blog, add a link to your party, view other party links.
Decorating
Keep it simple! To much information leads people to link and run. You want them to stay a while and view the other posts that contains your party's name and when it starts.
Having the coding with the button allows other bloggers to easily display your button on their blog. Hip Chick has an easy to follow tutorial so you can create your own button and coding.
Invitations
Send invitations to people on your email list or by visiting other blogs a new party specific -
When it starts.
When it ends.
Where it is.
What they can link.
Party Games
that they will want to come back for the next party views on next weeks party links this will make them want to come to your next party. Featured bloggers can display on their blog.
Thank YouNotes
Thank your guests by visiting their linked post and leaving a comment.
Link be sure to send a thank you note via email.
Helpful Tips
For the Party be sure to start it on the same day and time every week.
Being inconsistent is a sure way to have people lose interest in your party.
They have better things to do than to keep checking your blog to see if the party started yet party link on the post that they are linking to or their side bar.
This wil help with both yours and their SEO(search engine optimization ranking.
Party pages don't get as much traffic as the actual linked post does; so it doesn't really help yours or their SEO ranking especially if you have run into a creative dry spell.
There is a lot of inspiration that can be found in those links for you.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Majra, By Author J.Simon Book Blast $25 Gift Card Giveaway
Book Blast $25 Gift Card Giveaway!
Hosted By Lady Reader Book Stuff
The Lucky Winner Could Be You!
MAJRA (Majra, #1) by J. Simon
Synopsis"In distant Sa'bahr, divinely inspired lunatics spend their lives inscribing every story ever told upon the backs of giant tortoises. The tortoises spend their lives weeping, for they cannot read the wondrous tales written upon their own backs..."
Aris has managed to live a quiet life, even in a stark desert land of glorious tales and beautiful lies, crazed artists and mad hermits. So what if he has a knack for tales? A mere messenger can't change the world Mighty great works he'll leave to mighty great men Now the soldiers of Majra have come to pacify his "savage" people. Few dare stand against them.
Certainly Aris never meant to. Taking work with the inavders was a way to help his family, not gain insights into the alien ways of their singular truth Beset by beguiling widows and vengefu plutocrats, firebrand Sheyks and sword-tongued maidens, the choices Aris faces could save his land—or break it.
Author Bio published in magazines and anthologies ranging from Baen's Universe to Writers of the Future This surely indicates a lapse by the Guardians of Taste, and inquiries are being made.
There is also a very smal chance that nuclear test fallout has transformed J Simon into a gigantic nuclear starfish poised to attack Tokyo, but these reports have yet to be confirmed.
Rafflecopter Giveaway
$25 Gift Card Giveaway!
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Books Available At:
Smashwords < https:// www.smashwords.com/books/view/ 351026 > |
Amazon< http:// www.amazon.com/Majra-J-Simon/dp/ 1492252190/ >
Goodreads < https://www.goodreads.com/ book/show/18427374-majra >
Run To You...Cover Reveal...By Clara Kensie
The Anticipated Cover Reveal
By Author Clara Kensie
RUN TO YOU PART ONE: FIRST SIGHT(available February 1, 2014
Part One in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that wil transcend secrets, lies and danger…
Sarah Spencer has a secret: her rea name is Tessa Carson, and to stay alive, she can tell no one the truth about her psychically gifted family and the danger they are running from. As the new girl in the latest of countless schools, she also runs from her attraction to Tristan Walker—after all, she can't even tell him her real name. But Tristan won't be put off by a few secrets. Not even dangerous ones that might rip Tessa from his arms before they even kiss…
RUN TO YOU PART TWO: SECOND GLANCE(available February 8, 2014
Part Two in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that wil transcend secrets, lies and danger…
Tessa Carson has unlocked her heart and her secrets to Tristan Walker—but Tristan has secrets of his own, and his might just mean the end of Tessa's family. Unaware, Tessa embraces falling in love and being herself for the first time since she was attacked when she was only eight years old. But secrets can't be run from forever, and sometimes love is too good to be true....
RUN TO YOU PART THREE: THIRD CHARM(available February 15, 2014
Part Three in the riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past and a first love that wil transcend secrets, lies and danger…
Betrayed, heartbroken, and determined to save her family, Tessa Carson refuses to give in to Tristan Walker's pleas for forgiveness. But her own awakening psychic gift won't let her rest until she uncovers the truth about her family and her past. And Tristan is the only one who can help her sift through the secrets to find the truth hidden in all the lies…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/ 19193490-run-to-you-part-three
About the Author Clara Kensie grew up near Chicago reading every book she could find and using her diary to write stories about a girl with psychic powers who solved mysteries.
She purposely did not hide her diary, hoping someone would read it and assume she was writing about herself. Since then, she's swapped her diary for a computer and admits her characters are fictional but otherwise she hasn't changed one bit.
Today Clara is the author of romantic paranormal thrillers for young adults. Her first book, RUN TO YOU, a super-sized three-part serial from HarlequinTEEN, begins February 1 2014 with weekly releases. The sequel also a super-sized three-part serial.
Begins June 1 2014 Her favorite foods are guacamole and cookie dough. But not together. That would be gross.
Author links:
htttps://www.goodreads.com/author/ show/7350533.Clara_Kensie
http://www.twitter.com/ClaraKensie
https://www.facebook.com/ AuthorClaraKensie
http://clarakensie.tumblr.com/
Cover Reveal Organized by YA Bound Book Tours < http:// yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Author Julianna Scott Book Blitz
Authoress Julianna Scott Book Blitz
The Seers & The Holders
Summary:
17-year-old Becca spent her whole life protecting her brother from, well everything. The abandonment of their father, the so called 'experts' who insist that voices in his head are unnatural and must be dealt with, and the constant threat of being taken away to some hospital and studied like an animal.
When two representatives appear claiming to have the answers to Ryland's perceived problem, Becca doesn't buy it for one second. That is Ryland and about Becca and Ryland's family, that forces Becca to concede that there may be more to these people than meets the eye. Though still highly skeptical, Becca agrees to do what's best for Ryland What they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together the information of their family's heritage their estranged Father, and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they've been waiting for.
However, they are all--especially Becca--in for a surprise that will change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind She meets Alex, a Holder who is fiercely loyal to their race, and for some reason, Becca and Ryland. There's an attraction between Becca and Alex that can't be denied, but her true nature seems destined to keep them apart.
However, certain destinies may not be as clear cut as everyone has always believed them to be Becca is lost, but found at the same time Can she bring herself to leave Ryland now that he's settled and can clearly see his future? Will she be able to put the the feelings she has for Alex aside and head back to the US? And can Becca and Ryland ever forgive their father for what he's done?
Goodreads Links The Holders: https:// www.goodreads.com/book/show/ 13579352-the-holders The Seers:
https://www.goodreads.com/ book/show/17457717-the-seers Buy
Links for The Holders Amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Holders ebook/dp/B009Y3ON7A/ref=sr_1_1? ie=UTF8&qid=1381767629&sr=8 1&keywords=the+holders+julianna+scott
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Holders ebook/dp/B00BOYK6NM/ref=sr_1_1? ie=UTF8&qid=1381779518&sr=8 1&keywords=the+holders+julianna+scott
B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the holders-julianna-scott/1112030710? ean=9781908844439
Chapters http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/the holders/9781908844439-item.html? ikwid=The+Holders+Julianna+Scott&ikwsec
Please Note:
Pre-Order Links for The Seers: (Note: We are trying to keep people away from B&N from Pre-Orders, at lest for now. for some reason they got the wrong synopsis and the one they have up as a HUGE spoiler in it, so unti they get it fixed, we are not posting any preorder links for B&N. Thanks!)
Praise for Series
"The twisty plot and swoony romance of The Seers kept me turning the pages as I fell in love with Becca and Alex al over again."
Trisha Wolfe, author of Fireblood
"It had a gripping plot, plenty of exciting twists and turns and some pretty fantastic characters which al combined to keep me glued to the pages."
A Dream of Books
"If this is any notion of what Julianna Scott can do, I cannot wait to see what is next. The Holders was refreshing and just one heck of a good read."
The Book Cellar"
I am so thankful this is only the beginning of a series because I couldn't imagine not being able to read a continuation of Becca's story. The Holdersis a novel too entertaining and emotionally charged to pass up!"
Lovey Dovey Books
The Seers 2 Excerpt:
I didn't mean to gawk, or blush, or get a goofy grin on my face, but as he stood there just inside the archway of the alcove I'm pretty sure I did al three. Though in my defence, I couldn't help it – he looked amazing. I'd never thought of Alex as "hot," or"gorgeous," or any of the other terms that a lot of girls my age used to describe a good looking guy.
That isn't to say that Alex wasn't any of those things, or that I didn't find him attractive, as I did. Very much so, in fact His dark blonde hair was always styled, he dressed very well, and his eyes – which had always been my favourite feature – were the most amazingly clear shade of storm cloud blue you could imagine. The thing was that the specifics of his appearance weren't usually what came to mind when I thought about him. He was Alex. It had never mattered what he looked like And while it still didn't matter, I was not about to pretend like I didn't notice. He was wearing a black tux like shirt and black tie, Alex's tie and shirt were black, and he also had a charcoal gray vest on under his jacket. His cuffs were French, his shoes shone as though they were new, and across his chest lay the same green sash Not going to lie, there was definitely a flush rising up my neck…
Though red as I was, oddly enough, Alex's
didn't blush at all. I'd have thought with me ogling him the way was, that his ears would be ablaze but then again, he seemed far too preoccupied to notice the way I was looking at him. Preoccupied… looking at me. His eyes clung to me like condensation on a glass, with an expression that seemed to hover between anger and fear – though deep down knew it was neither. Still, I couldn't help but feel self-conscious
Why didn't he say anything?
Was he upset? Did he not like the dress?
Was something wrong?
I took a breath to speak, but before could find my voice he was coming straight toward me. He didn't look around, didn't check the hall, or so much as shift his eyes away from mine as he crossed the small alcove in three strides, took my face in his hands and kissed me
And dear God… what a kiss…
His mouth moved against mine with more passion than I'd ever felt from him before. His right hand slid up into my hair and gently but firmly held my mouth to his, while his left dropped to my waist and pulled me tightly against him. His fervour poured over me like boiling water over ice melting me down to my core. I had no idea what had come over him, but whatever it was, it was hot, it was intense and if he wasn't careful, it was going to bring me to my knees.
But what hit me the hardest wasn't his sudden hunger or intensity, but the hint of something deeper, driving like an undercurrent beneath his passion It was something I'd never seen from him before, but unmistakable all the same.
Possession:
Alex had never been a dominant or outspoken person in general, but conscious or not, something in him was definitely sending a message: "She is mine." It may have only been implied but it was definitely there, and the very idea sent a tingling shiver across my skin as I gripped the lapels of his jacket with a throaty sigh. The message was raw, it was primal, and above all else, it was true: I was his. And he was mine. The fact that we had to hide it around these people didn't make it any less valid. We belonged to one another.
Forever:
A few short seconds later he pulled back with a husky breath, resting his forehead against mine for a moment before releasing me and stepping back slowly, his eyes glowing. He hadn't said a word – he hadn't needed to. smiled, hoping he saw the "I love you" in my eyes. His answering smile told me he did.
About the Author:
Pennsylvania, and spent the majority of her educational career convinced she would be a musician. However, after receiving her music degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, she realized that she'd been born in the wrong era for her dreams of singing jazz to adoring fans clad in zoot-suits and flapper dresses to come true and began to wonder if her true calling might be elsewhere.
While Julianna had always excelled in writing throughout school, she'd never considered it a career possibility until about three years ago, when she'd gotten her first story idea and decided to go for it. She grabbed her laptop, started typing away, and has never looked back.
Author Links
https://www.goodreads.com/author/ show/5806079.Julianna_Scott
http://www.twitter.com/Julianna__Scott
Rafflecopter Giveaway Code:
<a id="rc-2348b9213" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2348b9213/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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As a special gift to anyone who pre orders The Seers, we are giving away a free e-book with several scenes from The Holders written from different character's points of view! All you have to do to get yours is pre-order The Seers, then email your receipt or other proof of purchase to Julianna Scott at juliannascottbooks@hotmail.com, and she will send you the and she will send you the e-novella in the format of your choosing That's it! And if you have already pre-ordered The Seers, not to worry! Send your receipt along, and you'll get your copy too
Book Blitz Organized by YA Bound Book Tours
< http:// yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/ >
Twelve Steps Cover Reveal By: Veronica Bartles
The Anticipated Novel, Cover Reveal for Twelve Steps by: Authoress Veronica Bartles is finally here!
Twelve Steps by Veronica Bartles
Release Date: 03/25/14 Book
Summary Sixteen-year-old Andi is tired of being a second-class sibling to perfect sister Laina. There in Laina's shadow Andi's only noticeable feature is her pretty awesome hair. And even that is eclipsed by Laina's perfect everything else When Andi's crush asks her to fix him up with Laina, Andi decides enough is enough and devises a twelve-step program to wrangle the spotlight away from Laina. After all, great hair must count for something
Step 1:
Admit she's powerless to change her perfect sister, and accept that her life really, really sucks. OK, maybe that's two steps in one
Step 4:
Make a list of her good qualities besides great hair. There have got to be at least three good qualitIes right?
Step 7:
Demand attention for more than just her shortcomings, and break out of her shell. Easier said that done, but worth the effort in the long-run When a stolen kiss from her crush ends in disaster, Andi finds that her prince isn't as charming as she'd hoped and realizes she may need a new program--perhaps with less steps As cracks in Laina's flawless façade begin to show, the sisters work together to find a spotlight big enough for both to shine.
About the Author As the second of eight children and the mother of four, Veronica Bartles is no stranger to the ups and downs of sibling relationships. (She was sandwiched between the gorgeous-and insanely-popular older sister and the too-adorable-for-words younger sister. She uses this insight to write stories about siblings who mostly love each other, even while they're driving one another crazy. When she isn't writing or getting lost in the pages of her newest favorite book Veronica enjoys knitting fabulous bags and jewelry out of recycled plastic bags and old VHS tapes, sky diving(though she hasn't actually tried that yet).
and inventing the world's most delectable cookie recipes TWELVE STEPS is Veronica Bartles's first
novel Author Links http://vbartles.com/
AuthorVeronicaBartles Cover
Reveal Organized by
YA Bound Book Tours
http:// yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/ >
Sunday, December 15, 2013
"Writing A Story Plot"
"How To Write A Story Plot"
The core of any work of fiction is its plot, whether it's a novel-length book or a short story of only a few pages. Outlining the plot beforehand can help immensely with your writing, since it will let you see exactly what you have planned so that you can flesh the story out from there.
You can include secondary and minor characters if you wish, but only the main characters are essential when you're working on the plot (since these are the characters that will be moving the plot along or who will be otherwise affected by it.
Make notes of the major plot points of your story and which of your main characters will be involved in them. This doesn't have to be everything that happens in the story; you're only looking for the major events and the climax at this point. Further plot details will be filled in later.
Add secondary plot points to your list, indicating which major plot points they occur between or contribute to. Your list of secondary plot points will most likely be longer than your list of major plot points, since small plot points occur more often and are either the cause of or are caused by the major points. Include the introduction of new characters that are important to the plot in this list if they aren't introduced during major plot points.
Put plot points that are important to the details of the story on the list as well, even if they aren't very important to the story as a whole These points should include anything that helps to set the scene as well as the basics of the opening and ending of the story.
Organize your list in the order that the plot points will appear in the story. This will give you a rough chronological view of what the story will look like plot-wise, as wel as the characters that will be involved in each point of the plot From here you will have an easy reference as to what happens next in the story and who will be involved in it, making the actual writing of the story much easier.
Tips & Warnings
If your story features two or more plot lines that weave in and out of the story's focus make plot outlines for each Include details that may not make it in to the final story to make each plot line richer giving a sense that events are still happening even when the story isn't focusing on each plot.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
"Picking Characters For Your Book"
How to Pick a Character's Name When Writing a Book
By Andrew Wolter,
Picking the right names for the characters in your novel is just as important as the other elements of your book, including plot, structure and viewpoint. Names make impressions Choosing a good name for your character allows your audience to identify with your creation and is one of the deciding factors in successful characterization of a novel. With thousands of names available. it's important to pick the right name to bring your character to life.
Steps Step 1 of 6
Identify the genre of your book Knowing the category of fiction you're writing impacts the name of your character. For example, you wouldn't use the name "Igor" as your hero in a romance novel However, it's a perfect fit for a scary tale.
Step 2 of 6
Base your character name on the era in which your book is set. If your book takes place during the Victorian era, "Percy" is an appropriate name, while it is not a
Not a good fit for a modern hero.
Step 3 of 6
Know your character. Create an outline of your character's background. Include key information that relates to the character's financial upbringing ethnicity and defining traits. For example, you wouldn't name your character "Valencia" if she was born to a poor, family in the Deep South of the U.S.
Step 4 of 6
Acknowledge your character's likes dislikes, strengths and weaknesses This helps in understanding a character's attitude and outlook on
Life.
Step 5 of 6
Research the etymology of your character's name, and understand the meaning of the name to which you will be giving to your character Since the name "Crystal" means brilliant, clear thought in French, it would be a good fit for your character if she seeks logical resolutions under duress.
Step 6 of 6
Choose a name that allows a nickname for your character. This allows the reader to identify with your character as a real person Perhaps a child named "Susan" likes pastries and is referred to by her father as " Suzy Q".
Book Launch Party Ideas
"Book Launch Patry Ideas For Your Book"
After the long hours have been put in completing the manuscript of your book and it is ready to be released to the public, you may choose to host an officia book launch to celebrate the newly published work and give the title some initial exposure. This is an excellent way to give them a chance Consider some of these ideas to help make your book launch event a success.
Be Realistic
Be realistic about planning the event. If you are a best selling author, then the expense of this kind of launch party is probably not a concern. However, for the rest of us money is something that needs to be carefully considered. Think about how many immediate sales your launch is likely to produce and figure that into the launch plan. Don't spend thousands on three course dinner service, entertainment and a grand ballroom if you are only likely to sel a thousand dollars worth of books at the event. Instead, opt for a home launch party or inquire about using a small public space that can be rented for a nominal fee. A loca bookstore may also be an option. Have appetizers that are inexpensive to prepare instead of a full meal.
Social Network Saturation
With the popularity of social networking skyrocketing, it is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways of spreading the word about your book launch. Make sure you have informed those people you are connected with on these online social sites and create a page for your book with information about the title, the cover art and reminders about the launch and where the book can be purchased. In many instances, it is simple to link the page directly to an online source for purchasing the book.
Inform the Media
Don't forget to inform the local media about your launch. Visit radio stations in the area with information about the book in hopes of scoring a promotional interview. Send the information to the editors in charge of the entertainment or books page of the loca newspapers. Find out the names of the people who can help you promote the book through the media and be sure they get a personal invitation to the launch event.
Be Prepared to Talk
In the confusion of trying to organize the perfect launch party, don't forget to prepare yourself to speak at the event. People wil want to hear you say a few words about the book. Be ready to talk about the topic of the book, where your inspiration came from and perhaps even read a few pages from a particularly meaningful section.
Sign it and Sell
it Even if you don't want to ask people to buy your book personally, you should have someone do it for you. Have someone introduce you when you give your speech and then have them take the microphone again at the end of your talk and remind people that they can pick up a copy of the book and it will be signed by the author.
Friday, December 13, 2013
"How To Write A Book Blurb"
Book blurbs--the short quotes on the back of a book--provide slight hints of what is inside the cover. The writers of book blurbs are often staffers for magazines or publishers. Their combined usual standards for crafting the prominent back-cover material.
Step 1 of 5
Keep it short. Book blurbs are generally not more than 3 or 4 lines and can be as short as 7 to 10 words. One popular format is to omit the subject and only write a description in several words, such as "A wild Dionysian romp--a great read!"
Step 2 of 5
Use extreme action verbs. Providers of book blurbs like to promote literature with adjectives like"sizzling", "crackling" or"shattering." Then there's the ever popular "spine-tingling" used for thrillers and supernatural fiction.
Step 3 of 5
Make author comparisons. New authors are generally compared to more established ones. These comparisons can be made in a second or third sentence that compliments the original style assessment.
Step 4 of 5
Describe the journey. Formulas like"The author takes us through..." or"(Author) introduces the reader to..." are often used to set the stage giving the reader a preview of the setting or plot.
Step 5 of 5
End with a bang. Those who are enthusiastic about promoting a book will often include a repeated recommendation at the end such as a must read.
Tips and Warnings
By all means avoid spoilers or going too far into plot events Although book blurbs will sometimes include the brief description mentioned above, there is a line that should not be crossed between outlining general plot/setting and divulging things that the reader should have to figure out for themselves.
Many times, a book blurb will set up the "general problem" of a plot and then ask a question that the reader will answer in the course of completing the book.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Holiday Specials
Books & Chocolates will be running Holiday Specials on Author interviews, cover reveals, Author Spotlights and Excerpt Teasers.
Contact us @ chemistryslife@gmail.com
Cover Reveals $ 15
Excerpt Teasers $15
Author Interview $10
Author Spotlights $15
Book your date now. Special ends 12/23/2013. Each special runs a week.
Monday, December 9, 2013
"Taken" Blog Tour w/ Author Felicia Starr
Author Interview With Felicia Starr
- o How long have you been writing?-
It depends on what you consider writing. I have been writing poetry and journaling for as long as I can remember. I still have the first book wrote in elementary school. It was a tall tale about a character named Abe Washington. I have always talked about writing a book with one of my closest girl friends, probably since we were around thirteen. Life never really worked out that we ever found the time to make that a reality.
- o What inspired you to become a writer?-
I would have to answer this question more as what inspired me to become a novelist, because a writer have always been. I did not grow up with the technology that kids are exposed to these days. All the books read were in print up until about two years ago. My husband bought me a Kindle three years ago, it took me almost a year to turn it on.Of course the first thing I read on it was the Hunger Games. I didn't know what to read next. Some how I stumbled on Dannika Dark's book Sterling. I loved it! I was addicted to my kindle and for the first time looked up celebrity on social media. From there and after some very motivating email from her and author Amber Lynn Natusch decided to be true to something I always wanted to do-
o What was your first written work?-
Well, my fist documented written work is my tall tale I mentioned earlier. My first published book is Taken(Breaking the Darkness #1) published November11,2013-
o How do you come up with your characters?
- My characters kind of come up with themselves. I draw inspiration from all different places. Sometimes one word in a song or the person on line next to me can spark a character and their personal story
- o Why did you choose to write in your genre?
- I am not completely sure what my genre is. I think that it rides the lines of several genres. I love most things that are paranormal, fantasy and scifi. I always have. When I was a child and home from school sick loved to watch re-runs of I Dream of Trek fan, of course my favorite was because of my age was Star Trek the Next Generation. I will give most books and shows in the sci-fi/paranorma realm a chance. I do draw the line giant ice spiders- The funny thing about the genres that I write in is that is that it leaves me with an expectation of the paranormal or supernatural element in everything I read. I forget that not everyone writes or thinks that way- o
As a writer, what have been your three main struggles?-
*One of the things I have struggles with the most is finding time to write. I am always trying to find different ways to schedule time to get what is in my head on paper- *Another thing I need to work on as a writer is finding some way of cataloging my characters and their traits so I can easily reference them and make sure that I don't mix them up- *The third thing I struggle with is finding the right person to bounce ideas off of for my characters. have tried one critique group, but it wasn't for me. I hope to one day find a writing buddy that I can be in sync with for sharing ideas and working out any plot hole we might have in our stories- o
What have been your three inspirations?-
*There are a hand full of indie authors that have and do inspire me on a daily basis. I do try to remember not to compare myself to any of them because we all walk a different path of course they all have more experience than I do. I try to learn what I can by seeing what works for them- *One of the biggest inspirations is having someone believe in me and my writing. My sister and husband were of course supportive, but my cousin Amy has been a huge factor in inspiring me to keep pushing my writing and my career as an author- *The third thing that inspires me is yoga. The teachings of my guru and those that came before him influence everything I do-
o As a writer, how do you deal with negative reviews?-
So far I have not really had any "bad" reviews. I am sure that it will hurt when they come, and I know they will come. I have never seen a book without bad reviews. I see people give books that I have given a five start to a one. We all come from different places with different views and preferences. We can't all like the same thing, I know that my book(s) won't be everyones cup of tea- o
What new projects are you working on? Do write full time?-
I am working on a few different projects. I am currently writing book two in the Breaking the Darkness series The book is about half way through the first draft. I also have another series of stand alone paranorma romance's with some steamy high heat content. The first book is written and expected to release early 2014. also have a short story written for the Breaking the Darkness that will be 1.5 in the series. I hope to have it ready to release before spring 2014- o
How did you come up with the concept for your latest work?-
The concept for Taken developed as wrote it. I did not plan or outline. The core spark was inspired by a question I was left unanswered from a book that I read. My book does not have anything to do with that book, but the one question about a charter is something that readers will be trying to figure out.
- o What advice would you give other aspiring writers?- Don't give up. Some people start multiple project and never make the commitment to finish one book. Just remember you cannot go back and edit what you don't have written. Keep writing and don't be afraid to ask other authors for help. There may be some that are not interested in taking the time but most will. I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by some amazing authors. I talk a little bit about them in my acknowledgements in the back of Taken-
o What are some things your readers do not know about you?
- There is so much that readers don't know about me. I am not sure where I would even start. I love my coffee. I love all things coffee. prefer Dunkin Donuts to Starbuck but have my favorite drinks at both. I go through a jar of Hershey's caramel syrup a week-
o Leave our readers with some last words. In addition, can we contact you?- I am so excited that people are starting to read and enjoy my book That is of course the ultimate goal, to put out a product that is entertaining and leaves the reader.
wanting more. Knowing that readers want more is a huge motivator. Of course want to hear from you. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and my website. You can message me through any of those outlets.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
"Check Your Facebook & Twitter Friends List"
Publishing your book can be one of the most exciting times for you, as a writer. Now you are ready to get on the social networks and promote your book. This can prove to be a good move or a not so good move. When using Facebook & Twitter to promote your books; I thinks its a good idea to check your friends list and see who it is that you are promoting it too.
"Is it avid readers?
"Is it other authors?"
When you have your timeline filled with hundreds of book promoting, its kind of hard to sell your book to other fellow authors. I am not saying that it can not be done, but we need to target avid readers and supporters.
Join some book club groups, online book discussion groups and do some giveaways. I found that its best to think outside the box.
Think about going to some festivals, fairs, and doing some street promotion. Always remember word of mouth is always a great way to gain sells and followers.
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