tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71813689273564084662024-03-13T02:28:09.863-07:00Raquel Byrnes~Danger, Love, and Mystery~Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comBlogger495125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-6522667947354422322020-05-12T09:26:00.001-07:002020-05-12T09:26:30.490-07:00This is not the end. It is a new beginning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<font size="2"><span style="font-size: large;">This is not the end. It is a new beginning. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Though I've spent years, since 2008, writing about the craft and the industry from an author's viewpoint, I feel its time for some fun changes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My new blog, <a href="https://www.raquelbyrnes.com/electric-dreams-blog" target="_blank">Electric Dreams Blog</a>, will be more personal where I will be sharing not only my professional life, but also what goes on behind the scenes in the writing life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From family recipes, research trips, and other fun aspects to putting a book together, I hope you'll find it just as fun and educational as the NiteWriter blog has been for me. I will continue this blog as an archive so that all the writing and publishing posts are still available.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope to see all of you over at the new digs! I have so much to share with you guys!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings, Raquel Byrnes</span></font><br />
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Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-61556785975869779912020-01-13T09:16:00.000-08:002020-01-13T09:18:03.639-08:00Reading Challege Week 3 -- OOPS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year I'm taking part in the <b><a href="https://mommymannegren.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/2020-reading-challenge.pdf" target="_blank">52 Books in 52 Weeks Reading Challenge</a> </b>by Mommy Mannegren's blog. She also has a really cool group for the challenge over at <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1044066-mommymannegren-s-2020-reading-challenge-52-books-in-52-weeks" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>. The challenge comes with book prompts to help you choose what to read every week. This is super helpful since my only parameter for reading this year was "something I haven't read before" which you would think is a given but I tend to reread old favorites.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP7L1DjXPoxNXa3DZ17CeKhsamfpgFX-Om1nDazNeGpBT_5KjKo3Z4Ve9TYTlw-steajQWoolNKKT8blnpoxaZ78gPaN-Fh2-YKpwZNuSBCw2WWvesfy_-RAnsJHEJ-rmc7cETppD7cc/s1600/Wuthering+Heights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="360" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP7L1DjXPoxNXa3DZ17CeKhsamfpgFX-Om1nDazNeGpBT_5KjKo3Z4Ve9TYTlw-steajQWoolNKKT8blnpoxaZ78gPaN-Fh2-YKpwZNuSBCw2WWvesfy_-RAnsJHEJ-rmc7cETppD7cc/s200/Wuthering+Heights.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP7L1DjXPoxNXa3DZ17CeKhsamfpgFX-Om1nDazNeGpBT_5KjKo3Z4Ve9TYTlw-steajQWoolNKKT8blnpoxaZ78gPaN-Fh2-YKpwZNuSBCw2WWvesfy_-RAnsJHEJ-rmc7cETppD7cc/s1600/Wuthering+Heights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>The first prompt was, <i>A Book on the Mensa Reading List 9-12 Grade</i>. So, I read Emily Bronte's, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wuthering-Heights-Emily-Bronte-ebook/dp/B06XDH4GJ1" target="_blank">Wuthering Heights</a> which for some reason, despite my love of Gothic romance, eluded me thus far. I didn't hate it. It was a less sexy version of a Danielle Steel novel to be honest. Family drama that spans multiple generations with a lot of terrible behavior by practically everyone. The 'dark hero' Heathcliff was absolutely despicable. The heroine(s) were at turns frustratingly passive and incredibly diabolical.<br />
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I was quick read which is good because I didn't read the directions for the challenge right and thought that I only had the three days of the first week to read it. You don't. The first week was 1-11. <b>*screams internally*</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoUZhPcZ2jU2ryFx69Nctwr6bUCf31lQQu8VGeyAgb12BdPSbcpcepzAUm3veVxzgB_syk-ieScCp-0UsejTHTNR9wfMHtprHAbL1qPHGn6H-hINk4wcOeDAnqhR50TLvciG3vVwyvNQ/s1600/Inferno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoUZhPcZ2jU2ryFx69Nctwr6bUCf31lQQu8VGeyAgb12BdPSbcpcepzAUm3veVxzgB_syk-ieScCp-0UsejTHTNR9wfMHtprHAbL1qPHGn6H-hINk4wcOeDAnqhR50TLvciG3vVwyvNQ/s200/Inferno.jpg" width="129" /></a>The second book prompt was, <i>Literary Fiction</i>. So I read Dante's, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Inferno-Divine-Comedy-Book-ebook/dp/B007REKT08/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=dantes+inferno&qid=1578933861&s=digital-text&sr=1-4" target="_blank">The Inferno</a> because I am apparently a glutton for punishment. I had to read the Cliffs Notes before each canto (chapter) but I got through it. It was disturbing and eeked me out. Also it was really a vehicle for political commentary and calling out people Dante didn't like so I got a lesson in Italian politics for my troubles.<br />
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This brings us to week 3 or actually week 2 for people who can follow instructions. OOPS!<br />
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I wanted to go much, much lighter in my choice this week because the first two books were slow going and dense and I really didn't want to get burned out. The whole point of the challenge is to enjoy reading.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDAOKAcEVhHq0056Xe5nPaGuC70HOg0l7k1YiBVagfqGq4ukUOIYTs_bN8Q-QsI2p3DwBidBWqeprQlT-Y9A4NadvLrI6xgVs-XDBxDecTWuOiCV3XfhmQP-5ItwiJCY1Rj31cP85_0I/s1600/A+Great+and+Terrible+Beauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDAOKAcEVhHq0056Xe5nPaGuC70HOg0l7k1YiBVagfqGq4ukUOIYTs_bN8Q-QsI2p3DwBidBWqeprQlT-Y9A4NadvLrI6xgVs-XDBxDecTWuOiCV3XfhmQP-5ItwiJCY1Rj31cP85_0I/s200/A+Great+and+Terrible+Beauty.jpg" width="131" /></a>So, for my third book the prompt was, <i>Read a Bestseller. </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDAOKAcEVhHq0056Xe5nPaGuC70HOg0l7k1YiBVagfqGq4ukUOIYTs_bN8Q-QsI2p3DwBidBWqeprQlT-Y9A4NadvLrI6xgVs-XDBxDecTWuOiCV3XfhmQP-5ItwiJCY1Rj31cP85_0I/s1600/A+Great+and+Terrible+Beauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I was given the book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Terrible-Beauty-Gemma-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B000FBJF28/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">A Great and Terrible Beauty </a></i>by Libba Bray, a while ago by a friend and just hadn't been able to get to it. It is the first book in a YA Historical Fantasy and looks like a fun read. I started it last night and was immediately engrossed. The first person, present tense is a bit hard to get used to, but over all it lends a frenetic energy to the narrative thats fitting.</div>
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I'm excited to sort of hit cruise and read something only for pleasure. Not that I knock the previous two books. I definitely am better for reading them. But, like I said, I wanted to do this challenge to give myself permission to disappear with a book like I did when I was a kid.</div>
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If you'd like to take part in a challenge this year, there's still time! Take a peek at GirlXOXO's blogpost <a href="https://www.girlxoxo.com/the-master-list-of-2020-reading-challenges/" target="_blank">The Master List of Reading Challenges </a>where she's posted links to quite a few.</div>
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Until next time... </div>
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-20084399744345940312020-01-03T07:00:00.000-08:002020-01-03T07:00:16.617-08:00Failing Forward -- A Resolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past year was not a good one for writing. In fact 2019 was a year of struggle for me as an author.<br />
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Specifically, my decision to write a sci-fi thriller really pushed me into a steep learning curve. Don't get me wrong...I am loving the science and the futurism. It has to do with pace. Noir stories tend to slow burn and that can be difficult for someone who loves to write action.<br />
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I found that I kept hitting walls with point of view, plot, even character decisions. And then I realized that in my attempt to push through these blocks I was giving up on fun. And if writing isn't fun...it's tedious.<br />
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So I decided to be ok with failing at writing this book. It's only the first draft. I have room to grow. I can fall short as long as I don't stop trying. And that is a big step for a chronic perfectionist.<br />
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This year I pledge to step outside my comfort zone often. I'm starting with a book challenge. Reading is the lifeblood of authors and I want to read books I would not naturally gravitate towards.<br />
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GirlXOXO has a helpful <a href="https://www.girlxoxo.com/the-master-list-of-2020-reading-challenges/" target="_blank">post</a> with a list of great book challenges to try. There's one to fit any taste or schedule. I'm doing the mash-up of the 52 books in 52 weeks but using the book suggestions from Rory Gilmore's Master reading list.<br />
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If you do decide to take a reading challenge keep me posted on what you're reading! Until next time, happy New Year and go write!<br />
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-66104643588825371232019-11-04T10:51:00.000-08:002019-11-04T10:51:25.203-08:00Painting, Books, and Personal Storms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recently I have had to deal with some painful health issues that make it truly difficult to write. I don't know it its the frustration or the fact that I can't seem to focus on writing that is the culprit. Doesn't really seem to matter. The end result is the same. I can't write at the speed and quantity that I am used to and that really puts a damper on the whole 'love of writing' thing.<br />
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I have been enjoying some really motivational and encouraging blogs as of late. Most of them have to do with writing or reading because that is my bread and butter. But there are some that are of my other loves like gardening and watercoloring.<br />
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I find often that having a creative outlet other than writing can sometimes remedy writer's block even if I end up painting stormy clouds or lonely asteroids floating in dark space.<br />
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As I concentrate on healing and on giving myself grace for not writing like a madwoman <b>All</b>. <b>The</b>. <b>Time</b>. I have also promised to better manage the other aspects of my writing life that I <i>do</i> have control of right now. Like time and stress and social interaction.<br />
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For one, I have chosen <i>not</i> to participate in <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">#NaNoWriMo</a> this year because if I add any additional pressure to myself I fear I will blow a gasket. However, I do encourage you to try it if you haven't as the community is outstanding. Encouraging, engaging, and tons of fun! Plus there's t-shirts!<br />
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Secondly, I did sign up for a giveaway earlier in the year and yesterday my daughter and I had a lot of fun doing the "photo shoot" for the book I'm giving away. I think it turned out pretty nice...<br />
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If you're interested, its a HUGE multi-author event with tons of books and a $100 Amazon gift card!<br />
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<a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/efda/thankful-for-our-readers" target="_blank">You can enter here for a chance to win!</a> </div>
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Heading into the holiday season, I hope to get back into the groove of writing. Despite all the social engagements and shopping, I am determined to stay on task...most of the time. And give myself permission to procrastinate if I have to.</div>
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Hopefully, the words will start flowing again.</div>
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-66462998099536212612019-07-23T17:57:00.000-07:002019-07-23T17:58:05.332-07:00Revisiting Old Haunts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhIKid1oXUzp_fmoQMSNZzelINnwT3voNTIR_pCmiNHpKI87oCXxNDCkI-_nFLWzFFe6ovK1oJ2PlrcLp1OCzGlq1wz_eUvODXFXTMD2ZEZg-0MUCXDfOQyIZ1U-BPNBnzHOj0Gp_Y9c/s1600/underground+san+francisco+by+thrillist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhIKid1oXUzp_fmoQMSNZzelINnwT3voNTIR_pCmiNHpKI87oCXxNDCkI-_nFLWzFFe6ovK1oJ2PlrcLp1OCzGlq1wz_eUvODXFXTMD2ZEZg-0MUCXDfOQyIZ1U-BPNBnzHOj0Gp_Y9c/s1600/underground+san+francisco+by+thrillist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="474" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhIKid1oXUzp_fmoQMSNZzelINnwT3voNTIR_pCmiNHpKI87oCXxNDCkI-_nFLWzFFe6ovK1oJ2PlrcLp1OCzGlq1wz_eUvODXFXTMD2ZEZg-0MUCXDfOQyIZ1U-BPNBnzHOj0Gp_Y9c/s320/underground+san+francisco+by+thrillist.jpg" width="320" /></a>When I was younger, maybe high school, I discovered detective novels. Not modern ones. The old-school, hardboiled detective thrillers like Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Agatha Christie -- crime fiction fraught with drama. I was immediately addicted.<br />
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My book heroes moved from the curious teens of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew storylines to the grizzled detectives, the private eyes with snappy wit, the keenly observant yet horribly vain inspectors. My love for a good chase led me deeper down the suspense rabbit hole to Gothic mysteries where I discovered the deliciously brooding Victoria Holt and Du Maurier.<br />
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My husband and I recently started on another reading aloud kick. We previously went through a few of Connelly's books. But this time I was in the mood for something nostalgic. Something that elicited the forlorn notes of a lone jazz trumpet or visions of hot steam rising off a dark street. So, we're reading The Maltese Falcon. My husband has never read it or seen the movie and I'm excited to see how he reacts to the twists and turns.<br />
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As a suspense writer myself, I love to see genuine surprise or worry at a turn of events in any story, not just my own books. We're having a blast! I wonder what other books are worth another read through...and another. What are your favorites that you return to again and again?<br />
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Or better yet, what books do everyone love that you just couldn't get into? I'd love to know.<br />
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Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-89307893399417611322019-04-04T12:22:00.000-07:002019-04-04T12:22:37.434-07:00The Secrets Beneath the Streets<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_O94-l2kZM76ImSBdn9tyiz3tU4Q-7jVYW3oDKGZG74BRWLyvLz8XpluOlks4MOGVixmb13it1Ld8CNF-1MGL5soXG0tUCv1FaAZBM349G4TQDbxFBsF5OBYD1B8z_yHR57r8LJDhPc/s1600/yohei-shimomae-1167275-unsplash+tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_O94-l2kZM76ImSBdn9tyiz3tU4Q-7jVYW3oDKGZG74BRWLyvLz8XpluOlks4MOGVixmb13it1Ld8CNF-1MGL5soXG0tUCv1FaAZBM349G4TQDbxFBsF5OBYD1B8z_yHR57r8LJDhPc/s320/yohei-shimomae-1167275-unsplash+tunnel.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,San Francisco,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Ubuntu,Roboto,Noto,Segoe UI,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: nowrap; word-spacing: 0px;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/NkQR-rlIM44?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; transition-delay: 0s, 0s; transition-duration: 0.2s, 0.2s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out;">Yohei Shimomae</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/@yoheis?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; transition-delay: 0s, 0s; transition-duration: 0.2s, 0.2s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out;">Unsplash</a></span></td></tr>
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As an author, research is the icing on the book-writing cake for me. On top of feeding my thirst for newer and newer hobbies, it helps me to feel like I am writing in the most authentic way possible. For instance, I took gun and skip trace lessons to write my private investigator heroine in <i>Purple Knot</i>. I learned shorthand and found the courage to woman-up and eat alligator for my journalist character in the southern suspense, <i>Bayou Blue</i>. Its one of the best parts of writing because it forces you to stretch into the story. To learn something you might never have wanted or needed to study. That's why I love it.</div>
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This is even more true when it comes to the setting and location of my books. To better understand the local lore for Gothic mystery, <i>Secrets at Crescent Point</i>, I took underground walking tours of Seattle's "haunted" spots, learned about the mystifying lights seen off the shore of Orca's island, and of course, visited the famous Pike Place Market. Those fish mongers throwing massive fish over your head is a must see!</div>
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So when I began my current WIP, a Sci-Fi thriller set in near future Silicon Valley, I was super excited to use every part of my beloved state. From the aromatic and bustling China Town to the gleaming bastions of high tech innovation in southern San Francisco Bay, <i>Veridian</i> truly revels in the sights and sounds of California.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLJR6MiRqwvLpwgBRUrekUOHGae4t1Tvy-iwjPt_8IbOw7HyOsZxjV0oQLsIfrf76tWP-w3xv5Auh1KJDOQI2nykrFRe9_7m6HdEv5DeLddxzzdQ0A9onP6cNCbJ-Nal0KwApkezRjrE/s1600/randy-jacob-147810-unsplash+boy+in+tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLJR6MiRqwvLpwgBRUrekUOHGae4t1Tvy-iwjPt_8IbOw7HyOsZxjV0oQLsIfrf76tWP-w3xv5Auh1KJDOQI2nykrFRe9_7m6HdEv5DeLddxzzdQ0A9onP6cNCbJ-Nal0KwApkezRjrE/s320/randy-jacob-147810-unsplash+boy+in+tunnel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,San Francisco,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Ubuntu,Roboto,Noto,Segoe UI,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: nowrap; word-spacing: 0px;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/B95VRTAEf-M?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; transition-delay: 0s, 0s; transition-duration: 0.2s, 0.2s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out;">Randy Jacob</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/abandoned-subway?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; transition-delay: 0s, 0s; transition-duration: 0.2s, 0.2s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out;">Unsplash</a></span></td></tr>
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Something that truly piqued my interest were the stories and images by urban explorers of the abandoned tunnels and ghost stations that spiderweb undetected throughout the area. </div>
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Apparently, there is a vast unknown commotion just beneath our feet. Closely guarded are the entrances and location to keep them from being sealed off by the cities, these places are fascinating to me. And in fact, are featured prominently in my upcoming novel. My heroine, Elara Savoya, tracks stolen tech wherever it goes no matter what. It takes her to some dangerous and breathtaking places.</div>
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If you are ever in California, I encourage you to slip in some exploration between Disneyland and the beach. All along the state but particularly from San Francisco to LA there are places to see that will definitely make an impression.</div>
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For instance, <a href="https://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2014/07/hollywood-subway-downtown-la-abandoned-underground-railway/" target="_blank">Los Angeles</a> has underground sublevels that drill down as much as three stories beneath the street and once housed creepy veteran's hospital overflow rooms, dank storage space, and even fallout shelters. Needless to say, I was hooked on the legends and ghost stories surrounding these abandoned places, especially after seeing some of the elaborate décor of some of the abandoned stations. I wondered who would choose to live there as I've heard some do. I wonder why and what they were like.</div>
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What about where you live? Are there any places off the beaten track that just spark your imagination? I'd love to hear about them.</div>
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Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-47347489310346517832019-03-18T06:00:00.000-07:002019-03-18T06:00:05.140-07:00Bullet Journaling for Authors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdk3YdHpqTtZSMfuNCH4hWzjyc2L9c01NdL8etZWpCIirP4PjxkHeT2sT-MekLJPkepaXnfFu3Xuns_kHLlL9SOYr5KjKh7XJgd7gJ6SPwM9KY1-_9-XUxrOYbadj8k_AQNdPg_vCUecg/s1600/20190222_113037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdk3YdHpqTtZSMfuNCH4hWzjyc2L9c01NdL8etZWpCIirP4PjxkHeT2sT-MekLJPkepaXnfFu3Xuns_kHLlL9SOYr5KjKh7XJgd7gJ6SPwM9KY1-_9-XUxrOYbadj8k_AQNdPg_vCUecg/s320/20190222_113037.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I love to bullet journal. I find it relaxing and it gets my creative juices flowing when I'm having trouble with my writing. Sometimes just doodling or water coloring can redirect my mind and I can get back on track on my chapters.<br />
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Often, I find myself creating cluster brainstorm maps of my books or character interaction. I sketch the cityscapes in my novel or work out the details of weapons with pencil and paper. There's something soothing about the soft scrape of a fountain pen that settles the mind. So the creative aspect of writing has always been tied to my journaling habits.<br />
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Recently, however, I have discovered some really neat ideas for using organization spreads to help keep tabs on tasks common to the writing life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHX-5hryYz_OvcFjPJbJm-TkcTKdgIwQRR_gK9eZX_zBg-ajcoKI3jpjArb1fNQ-9emRrQubg69n_yrZAjdTbfjJxP6rmmkQijbj-3pd5E_VDNfXEl0lmddUfowqb40mW1prDUw3bv7vE/s1600/20190314_102202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yq8w1pls6myGnqS3U4YcurlH87Y0ImnsuxxRhDPOsi55CVtmVX_8PeECv4WiRd_NgKh4C8Ezz4CuNGeFBEEnTxpsWI7M9RtT4hmYQxfiu_SKam5kwTz2TLXj92fyDZ5MglUElVNkxNY/s1600/20190314_102449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yq8w1pls6myGnqS3U4YcurlH87Y0ImnsuxxRhDPOsi55CVtmVX_8PeECv4WiRd_NgKh4C8Ezz4CuNGeFBEEnTxpsWI7M9RtT4hmYQxfiu_SKam5kwTz2TLXj92fyDZ5MglUElVNkxNY/s200/20190314_102449.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHX-5hryYz_OvcFjPJbJm-TkcTKdgIwQRR_gK9eZX_zBg-ajcoKI3jpjArb1fNQ-9emRrQubg69n_yrZAjdTbfjJxP6rmmkQijbj-3pd5E_VDNfXEl0lmddUfowqb40mW1prDUw3bv7vE/s1600/20190314_102202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHX-5hryYz_OvcFjPJbJm-TkcTKdgIwQRR_gK9eZX_zBg-ajcoKI3jpjArb1fNQ-9emRrQubg69n_yrZAjdTbfjJxP6rmmkQijbj-3pd5E_VDNfXEl0lmddUfowqb40mW1prDUw3bv7vE/s200/20190314_102202.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></div>
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So, once or twice a week I sit down and write out some things I want to accomplish in say, social media. I brainstorm ideas for graphics to post on Instagram or Facebook and jot down deadlines for newsletters, blog hops, etc. I've incorporated a Writing Expenses page that really helps me see at a glance some of the business aspects of being an author. The possibilities are fun to consider. I'm working on a Word Count Goals page right now and its very motivating.</div>
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Bullet journaling has a great community and there are so many ideas on Pinterest, Instagram, and especially Youtube where you can follow amazing tutorials for organization spreads and themes. I really recommend taking a gander at the Bullet Journaling or #BuJo community for yourself. </div>
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To celebrate my birthday with all of you, two of my suspense novels are on sale all month on Amazon!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018DWGCP8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" target="_blank">Purple Knot</a></b> is a romantic suspense set in Seattle where private investigator, Reyna Cruz, must work with the man who broke her heart to find her best friend's killer.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018DWGGNG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3" target="_blank">Whispers on Shadow Bay</a></b> is a Gothic mystery set on spooky Noble Island where young caregiver, Rosetta, must seek out the cause of strange happenings and ghostly visions plaguing Shadow Bay Hall.<br />
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And as always, you can read all of my books for free on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Raquel-Byrnes/e/B0052AH51A?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1552585814&sr=8-1">Kindle Unlimited</a>!<br />
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Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-9015340706565647312019-02-14T04:00:00.000-08:002019-02-14T04:00:13.957-08:00More Than a Box of Chocolates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Today I am so excited to host author, Kathleen Neely where she talks about the history and meaning behind Valentines Day...</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b></b><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s Valentine’s Day, and romance is in the air. We
set aside a special day to celebrate love. It’s a day for flowers, candy,
dinner, and gifts. An evening for a Hallmark flick in front of a cozy fire. A
month to read a heartwarming romance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But why? Where did this celebratory day begin? The
origin actually had little to do with romance. It dates back to the 3<sup>rd</sup>
century AD. A Catholic priest, Valentine of Terni, was executed for aiding Christians who were being persecuted. Here’s the link to romance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Marriage
among Christians was banned by Emperor Claudius II because he felt men were
reluctant to leave their wives and families to fight for Rome. Valentine defied
that order and married Christian couples. His execution occurred on February
14. Upon his death, the church honored him with Sainthood, and Valentine’s Day
was born.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t place all of your focus on romance. There are
greater needs than a floral bouquet and a heart-shaped box of chocolates. St.
Valentine was martyred because of his love for God and for other Christians.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>This is what we should remember. </b></span><br />
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<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">See what
great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God! And that is what we are. 1 John 3:1</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dear friends,
let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We love
because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Give thanks
to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:26</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I could fill pages with beautiful passages about God’s
love. The word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love </i>appears 551 times
in the NIV Bible. (This varies among versions). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">‘Show, don’t tell’ is a common catchphrase for writers
as they pen their stories. But we can take that beyond the written page. St.
Valentine showed his love for Christians in tangible ways. How can we show love
to both Christians and those who don’t yet know Christ? How can we meet their
physical, emotional, and relational needs? We don’t need a romantic special
someone in our lives to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We have the Author of love
in our hearts urging us to go into the world, spreading His love. Let’s answer
with the words from Isaiah. “Here am I. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8. </span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">About
the Author </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kathleen Neely resides in Greenville, SC
with her husband, two cats, and one dog. She is a retired elementary principal,
and enjoys time with family, visiting her two grandsons, traveling, and
reading. </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
is the author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Street </i>Singer,
to be released in February, 2019. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beauty
for Ashes </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Least of These </i>will
be released in 2019. Kathleen won second place in a short story contest through
ACFW-VA for her short story “The Missing Piece” and an honorable mention for
her story “The Dance”. Both were published in a Christmas anthology. Her novel,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Least of These</i>, was awarded first
place in the 2015 Fresh Voices contest through <span><a href="http://www.almostanauthor.com/">Almost an Author</a></span>. She has
numerous devotions published through <span><a href="http://www.christiandevotions.us/">Christian Devotions</a></span>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6utS1rFojYrCExk_F2KchOKO6FP8z7PjkbqQnIxL2jjCBS-PFXJj9yCYwmtd1IkNFg-aZIv1QC4RqeJY-_dCiyMeeLNbpigLbcOfFPUH6R16kAriDZKxQh_GAl9rynUf69NScbYgPo_Q/s1600/IMG_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6utS1rFojYrCExk_F2KchOKO6FP8z7PjkbqQnIxL2jjCBS-PFXJj9yCYwmtd1IkNFg-aZIv1QC4RqeJY-_dCiyMeeLNbpigLbcOfFPUH6R16kAriDZKxQh_GAl9rynUf69NScbYgPo_Q/s200/IMG_0224.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kathleen
continues to speak to students about writing and publication processes. She is
a member of Association of Christian Fiction Writers. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.kathleenneely.com/">Website</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> –
www.KathleenNeely.com </span></div>
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<span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kathy.neely.98">Facebook</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> –
www.facebook.com/kathy.neely.98</span></div>
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<span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://twitter.com/NeelyKneely3628.com">Twitter</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> - https://twitter.com/NeelyKneely3628</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Check
out her new release:</b></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">T</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">he Street Singer</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> will be available
February 22. Learn more about it from her website at <a href="http://www.kathleenneely.com/">www.KathleenNeely.com</a> .</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Excerpt from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Street Singer </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
done figured you knew. You wore them questions all over your face. She opened
her water bottle and took a long, slow drink. Here’s what you gotta know. There
ain’t no more Adaline. I’m Adda, my given name. That’s all I am.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Trisha
nodded but remained unsatisfied. “Can I ask what happened?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Adda
laughed. “Honey, age happened. You too young to understand. The body goes. The
voice goes. The energy goes.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
know, but your records, they sold…maybe millions.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Adda
chuckled at that. “Well, you be givin’ me too much credit, but yeah, they did
sell back in the day.” Adda looked at her watch and took a bite of her
sandwich. “So, I guess you’re wondering where all my money went.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Trisha
backpedaled. The bluntness made it sound so callous. “That’s none of my
business, but...”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
right there. It ain’t none of your business. But I’ll tell you anyways. My
daddy, he was a sharecropper in Mississippi. We young’uns had to help when we
got big enough to hold a shovel. I never got me past primary schooling. Them
record people knowed it and all them fancy papers I signed didn’t give me much
left over.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Trisha
gasped. “That’s terrible.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Adda
looked up from her lunch. “Oh, they treated me good. Real good. Set me up in a
fancy place to live, bought me clothes and food. Dressed me for pictures and
took me to the studio. But they never let me go places where I’d get to talk
and never let me talk in microphones where I went to sing. Didn’t want me
having no friends. I knew they feared my poor schooling would show. Them fancy
papers I signed didn’t leave me much left over.”</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-2066903938863761782019-02-11T04:00:00.000-08:002019-02-11T04:00:05.972-08:00Desolate Paths - Romantic Suspense<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TVG3CytNOcLUxfUHIE2APkJg91Yt1aMz6KB-ZyQ9l4vP8JeJ8QJ9G9ZQgsoxK-cnwo0e76K3X6STQNitbnRgl5iBOZNxsevAnYY1jhaACB7H9FNP1mD9yN0-ZYspvRxz8bhuflJVhEc/s1600/Erin+Unger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="477" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TVG3CytNOcLUxfUHIE2APkJg91Yt1aMz6KB-ZyQ9l4vP8JeJ8QJ9G9ZQgsoxK-cnwo0e76K3X6STQNitbnRgl5iBOZNxsevAnYY1jhaACB7H9FNP1mD9yN0-ZYspvRxz8bhuflJVhEc/s400/Erin+Unger.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div>
<b>Blurb</b>:</div>
<div>
When rehab is Brooke Hollen’s only chance at redemption, she
runs straight to it. But can she survive the serial killer who hides amongst
the damaged and healing? And can she trust Kyle Reston, another rehab resident,
who wants to take her under his wing? Or is he responsible for the residents
who keep disappearing?<br />
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<hr />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Today I am so happy to introduce author, Erin Unger. She has written a romantic suspense called Desolate Paths and I'm super excited!</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Romantic suspense is one of my personal favorite things to read so you know I jumped at the chance to interview her.</b></i></div>
<div>
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?</div>
<br />
If I could go back—and boy do I wish I could—I’d tell myself to start writing!! Like right now. I wish I’d figured out God’s plan fifteen years sooner because it’s a long and arduous process becoming an author.<br />
<br />
What is your writing Kryptonite?<br />
<br />
Funny you should ask. My Kryptonite is way more persistent than Superman’s. It’s my mostly grown kids. As soon as the ‘Do not disturb’ sign goes up on my office door, suddenly they have a million questions and emergencies. And I have to help them right then. Nothing can wait. It’s so hard to send them away without dealing with their crises.<br />
<br />
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?<br />
<br />
Ooh, this is an easy one. Erynn Newman’s book Out of Darkness is absolutely one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, yet few people know about it. It should be on the NYT bestseller’s list for sure.<br />
<br />
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I love hiding a secret mulligan in every book I write. It’s a single name. I dare my readers to search for it. It can be a place or a person. And it means a lot to me because it stands for the beginning of a lot of things for me. Like where I first started writing and where I matured the most.<br />
<br />
Do you believe in writer’s block?<br />
<br />
Writer’s block is worse and more real than the biggest monster in your closet. I’ve suffered from it several times in my writing career. And I have friends who’ve struggled with it too. I even almost considered quitting because I had it so bad at one point. But thankfully God has kept me going and equipped me with better writing techniques to get past it.<br />
<br />
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?<br />
<br />
I write because I feel God called me to be a writer. I even tried to give up and tell Him he was wrong about me becoming a writer. I’m sure you can imagine it didn’t work. It’s the way I minister to others in this world, and it’s very spiritual watching my characters grow in Christ. I even find myself growing with my characters as they are learning spiritual truths sometimes.<br />
<br />
<i><b>A big thanks to Erin for her thoughtful answers.</b></i><br />
<i></i><b></b><br />
See Below for Information on Erin Unger<br />
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Social Media Links:<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.erinungerwrites.com/">www.erinungerwrites.com</a></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ErinUngerWrites/">https://www.facebook.com/ErinUngerWrites/</a></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/erinungerwrites">https://twitter.com/erinungerwrites</a></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/erinungerwrites/">https://www.instagram.com/erinungerwrites/</a></span><br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Short
Bio:</b><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Erin Unger was raised in the hills of
Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could
find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has
enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 107%;"> But her fast-paced life sometimes rivals the suspense in
her books thanks to all her mostly grown children and a couple grandkids. Her
novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Desolate Paths,</i> released January
11, 2019.</span><br />
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-28642359937120812172019-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:002019-01-21T05:00:08.277-08:00Finally Taking a Breath<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3vHc2lcrwpb2IVamfJBwpBVaSrKGaI4RVIj7ztNymP88MOcfe8URdoi6k1UBKPbyLq1wLDX668K0GTR9T6zzgxV07h0KZQKW2VzcVZu_SqcWjDXwTWkuNdgSoiSj7KFV1V6ut32k_uI/s1600/best9of2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3vHc2lcrwpb2IVamfJBwpBVaSrKGaI4RVIj7ztNymP88MOcfe8URdoi6k1UBKPbyLq1wLDX668K0GTR9T6zzgxV07h0KZQKW2VzcVZu_SqcWjDXwTWkuNdgSoiSj7KFV1V6ut32k_uI/s320/best9of2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best 9 of 2018</td></tr>
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Last year was a doozy! For me, 2018 was a 'hit the ground running' kind of year. For one, my steampunk series, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/bookseries/B071GR2DLQ/ref=dp_st_1611169739" target="_blank"><i>The Blackburn Chronicle</i>s</a> was released by my publisher in an unusual way. The volumes dropped in January, February, and March with four novellas releasing between the individual books. They did that because of the cliff hangers and it worked out extremely well, but it was crazy for a while. Like going a little batty kind of busy, but I loved it.</div>
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I got to take part in a few really fun author events from a massive campaign for Science Fiction and Fantasy authors via the SFF Roundtable to some more intimate <b>#WIPjoy</b> and <b>#MeetAWriter </b>events on Twitter. It was super fun connecting with fellow #Booknerds or book DRAGONS as we prefer to be called. Meeting other authors and lovers of science fiction and fantasy books is always so encouraging for me. I also got plugged into a great group on Twitter at <b>#WritingCommunity</b> which is the most interactive group of users I've ever encountered. Lots of fun and support there.</div>
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As you all know a week after my birthday in the spring, I fell and separated my collarbone from my shoulder. It was not fun and involved a lot of doctors visits and physical therapy. I'm almost completely mended by now, but the whole ordeal did take some conferences I had planned to attend off the table. It was such a bummer as I really was looking forward to hanging out with some lovely authors and readers I'd met last year. I do hope to attend in 2019.</div>
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Though the injury grounded me for a bit, I did do some fun interviews over at Radio Retrofuture, Steampunk Radio, Speculative Fiction Cantina, and Lore Haven. One of the highlights of the year was when my article for <a href="http://speculativefaith.lorehaven.com/fantasy-most-eternally-realistic-kind-story/" target="_blank">Speculative Faith </a>about fantasy and grace got a narration treatment from <a href="https://youtu.be/_dcDRMeWbOs" target="_blank">Christian Geek Central on Youtube</a>! That was such a thrill to hear. So grateful. </div>
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Subscription box for Christian YA books, Anchor Chest, chose to feature the first book in my series, the <i>Tremblers</i>, in one of their first boxes. A Youtuber named <a href="https://youtu.be/BexjqQ3BBTQ" target="_blank">KellysBookSpill</a> did an unboxing and it was awesome. I loved the super cute steampunk swag too!</div>
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Heading into fall I was raring to get into the next series tumbling around in my head. So I did a lot of planning towards the end of summer and into early fall. Working out the logistics of space elevators and researching 40's glamor for the aesthetic I was trying to create. I'd been honing the ideas and found that <b>#WIPjoy</b> and all of the prompts really helped me think about what I was needing to fine tune before I started writing at full speed. So there was a lot of false starts with this book.</div>
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Finally, in an effort to kick off my new romantic suspense series, I did <b>#NaNoWriMo</b> and got my behind handed to me in like week 2. It was brutal. I started off so promising, but plot problems and that pesky shoulder injury prevented me from being a NaNo Winner this year. However, all was not lost. Taking part in the word sprints over at Realm Makers was fun and I met a lot of other speculative fiction authors and book lovers. If you don't know about <a href="https://realmmakers.net/" target="_blank">Realm Makers</a> you should check it out. Its an amazing organization for Christian speculative authors. They have a yearly conference that is awesome.</div>
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So, heading into this new year I am all about the new series. I've done a ton of research and had a blast doing it. I can't wait to share Veridian with all of you!</div>
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I'm taking a breath from the massive push that was all of last year and making sure I read...a lot. I need the release and also the fun of diving into a world that I get to watch unfold without a clue as to what will happen. I'm open to suggestions for reads. I plan on tackling my to be read pile with gusto.</div>
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Until next time...RB</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Follow Charlotte, a young Victorian debutante who must brave a world of air ships and dangerous <span style="color: black;">rouges to stop a deadly plague in YA steampunk thrillers, <a href="https://www.raquelbyrnes.com/thetremblers.html">The Blackburn Chronicles</a>. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DDJtTOH7SNw2WwRVGxv8Ku5Wz_OcQbZJzxcxcHolVFbfiEwz-lpR28IXT4GiLVhrSIJx79gibwEnzNMvM9j4cEvXjTmOlzTDybi0TYwvHJ_7sYSEdPLec5kC4rr0mtstAIl7kwnQ32U/s1600/blackburnjpelicanadvert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DDJtTOH7SNw2WwRVGxv8Ku5Wz_OcQbZJzxcxcHolVFbfiEwz-lpR28IXT4GiLVhrSIJx79gibwEnzNMvM9j4cEvXjTmOlzTDybi0TYwvHJ_7sYSEdPLec5kC4rr0mtstAIl7kwnQ32U/s320/blackburnjpelicanadvert.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Raquel-Byrnes/e/B0052AH51A/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1547957700&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Blackburn Chronicles</a></td></tr>
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-45710228568976717372018-12-10T13:14:00.000-08:002018-12-10T13:14:44.545-08:00Writing When You're Running Out of Steam<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,San Francisco,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Ubuntu,Roboto,Noto,Segoe UI,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: nowrap; word-spacing: 0px;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/s0hA1bPtvII?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; transition-delay: 0s, 0s; transition-duration: 0.2s, 0.2s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 0.58, 1), cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 0.58, 1);">rawpixel</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/writers-block?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; transition-delay: 0s, 0s; transition-duration: 0.2s, 0.2s; transition-property: color, opacity; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 0.58, 1), cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 0.58, 1);">Unsplash</a></span></td></tr>
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One of the hardest things to do as an author is to write when I don't feel like it. It happens more often than you think. Putting my behind in the chair and my hands on the keys despite not really having any idea how to move forward is so important. I believe it is a major skill in writing professionally. Not quitting just because its hard is something we all struggle with so I thought I'd share a few ways I encourage myself to tough it out. Hopefully these tips can get you through the holidays without pulling your hair out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyad69UAn3i2u6HKf-7qf233Hw5ewBL6TczHPH88JLrcdp1lpvvjZBmwCiGGBVeDgb2bv9yUsoln53GG5Jyappvu7RGO9qrFT05q87RSnDRzvBjZKlGdNXCNTVuRg1fNR2fRUIBysuBA/s1600/write+or+die.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyad69UAn3i2u6HKf-7qf233Hw5ewBL6TczHPH88JLrcdp1lpvvjZBmwCiGGBVeDgb2bv9yUsoln53GG5Jyappvu7RGO9qrFT05q87RSnDRzvBjZKlGdNXCNTVuRg1fNR2fRUIBysuBA/s320/write+or+die.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Write or Die is an online program designed to get you through writer's block by providing and timer and stimulus as an incentive during word sprints. There are a few modes...alarms if you fall behind your wordcount, flashing lights, or the softer more pleasant reward mode that gives you pictures of puppies for achieving your goal. That one is my favorite. You can even get an app for your phone or computer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeKSzfAi5OYW6r9doyXYoOY6amuFdNrIpPxTwjv8s9P-MmpqBYevYOjdWfY24sVZy_ljEHzanVHx2SNsDHeLXzNTzxw066Y3T76lUAXg0mqnsLR69JSUt8QNPrDTMKS9zDgEgzU-1NYY/s1600/Doodle-Your-Way-Out-of-Writers-Block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1024" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeKSzfAi5OYW6r9doyXYoOY6amuFdNrIpPxTwjv8s9P-MmpqBYevYOjdWfY24sVZy_ljEHzanVHx2SNsDHeLXzNTzxw066Y3T76lUAXg0mqnsLR69JSUt8QNPrDTMKS9zDgEgzU-1NYY/s320/Doodle-Your-Way-Out-of-Writers-Block.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Do something creative that has a side connection to writing. For instance, I like to bullet journal. So I find doodling while listening to my book's soundtrack or a writing podcast helps me to think about my story in another way. I almost always works.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRKcgU1TMg7mMt_JFlfcijwdLWbuWclJjYHAkeRyQqbTRfHFKdtwtgd4hs2ccHt76WQ6viHRtCIg1u4Nvqzv4NFMUy4yLPlU9Xy_xF0rA5bQgsz_5i5LwIkB9PQyIurw3YuGR2Mc9j0E/s1600/starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="474" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRKcgU1TMg7mMt_JFlfcijwdLWbuWclJjYHAkeRyQqbTRfHFKdtwtgd4hs2ccHt76WQ6viHRtCIg1u4Nvqzv4NFMUy4yLPlU9Xy_xF0rA5bQgsz_5i5LwIkB9PQyIurw3YuGR2Mc9j0E/s320/starbucks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last, but not least, I saw this on Twitter during NaNoWriMo. A woman wrapped some fun gifts for herself in nice paper and labeled them with word counts. So at 5K she got a box of chocolates, at 10K she got a new coffee mug, etc. I am not above this at all. I can totally be bribed and cheaply, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIk-f4cSZ8sQQNALL-wUg-5q_xr6LXx0mxPFF9OgR6ViN6XANa7Q8ZiWMIIHSapLoWW8BA_xSWB5HtXOBJQAo1RQrwyn7HMRoyiICiIaoe37pPYiftWfTg8iTl9dZHOnMxO73Nrz1v60/s1600/hour-glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIk-f4cSZ8sQQNALL-wUg-5q_xr6LXx0mxPFF9OgR6ViN6XANa7Q8ZiWMIIHSapLoWW8BA_xSWB5HtXOBJQAo1RQrwyn7HMRoyiICiIaoe37pPYiftWfTg8iTl9dZHOnMxO73Nrz1v60/s320/hour-glass.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
Finally, know yourself and when you write best. Optimize your success by choosing times that work best for you. Are you a night owl like me? Then set time aside and guard it like a dragon with their horde of coins. Don't slip something else in you 'should' be doing instead. Your writing time is important and for others to treat it that way you need to as well.<br />
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Hopefully you will find one or more of these suggestions helpful. If you have any tried and true tricks to get back on track then feel free to share them in the comments. Until next time...happy writing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3_nY5WB5isZUGshnAXPQOq5b6rFnxRJPC42RZLUSzTzg3rktlZcQhWk7NQ1IXi6kNka5OZI8bTK0NR5eh4fXClx0nGq7w7qAZlAhqdNbaY38qiiTOPnPgzT9gmAeqducqVkFSjSa8Ss/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="81" data-original-width="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3_nY5WB5isZUGshnAXPQOq5b6rFnxRJPC42RZLUSzTzg3rktlZcQhWk7NQ1IXi6kNka5OZI8bTK0NR5eh4fXClx0nGq7w7qAZlAhqdNbaY38qiiTOPnPgzT9gmAeqducqVkFSjSa8Ss/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div>
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-81047202778475920012018-11-08T14:12:00.001-08:002018-11-08T14:12:44.403-08:00Remembering with Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLplEywhpbg-wUWrLV55jNfpNoM6_J53-E-bAqJy5Sji1lIMmOHXfjfx4WswKiW7RPfGJTQYegu4W8qoFaGFxrKFXCVoU_StSpKoo8GSz1acWSunXH46vyWTvl55EvXkUnA24ZzcCtUs/s1600/giantskeleton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="937" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLplEywhpbg-wUWrLV55jNfpNoM6_J53-E-bAqJy5Sji1lIMmOHXfjfx4WswKiW7RPfGJTQYegu4W8qoFaGFxrKFXCVoU_StSpKoo8GSz1acWSunXH46vyWTvl55EvXkUnA24ZzcCtUs/s320/giantskeleton.jpg" width="187" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86lawucW6E8GtuvT6-18pG3yYyTQ0wKsJajQIfasmoZOInXwtdGt1OzMPZWr-KYsLiyGMUtXfIQDSYRYdtni3ASRfSLUE4gVZ310hWVXNhhc_A3A8uj8kVtKiX38_MvHvgXlmkhJ2f9k/s1600/aztecgoddess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I lost my mother a few years ago. It wasn't sudden. She'd been sick for a while, but it was devastating nonetheless and I think of her every day. So much so that I often avoid even talking about her because of the immediate ache in my throat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZPFlflZPoAMboTfEB4ZOgy40EecFVr9PxZlseujBBYeJYLrZyCdNtzQhINU5IpdHaWU_1TSmv-CYFUuJo0O1I00OhvUj3eEq1rM2ppq1m06Ty2xP9s8_nRtjow1Su4kgnqH570Wwy-Q/s1600/aquaskeletonfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: right; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZPFlflZPoAMboTfEB4ZOgy40EecFVr9PxZlseujBBYeJYLrZyCdNtzQhINU5IpdHaWU_1TSmv-CYFUuJo0O1I00OhvUj3eEq1rM2ppq1m06Ty2xP9s8_nRtjow1Su4kgnqH570Wwy-Q/s320/aquaskeletonfamily.jpg" width="240" /></a>This year, her birthday fell on <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/dia-de-los-muertos/" target="_blank">Dia de los Muertos</a> and I thought that maybe going to the festival with my family would help me to think of her in a different light. Not one of loss or sadness, but with happiness and hope. I hadn't celebrated this way since I was a very young child and visiting my Nana (grandma) in Texas.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH8IblFehJLGToJ8tCzhVS6BTyabXwluy20lx3WS026tjRgM4sgVshCpVxwR3ngqbRISS3nYtAUlAcAjYzvD5H1g22SRQe3fHUriV3RT3vU_E1jLx3ydoH1Y3cBA5Ak_5Br7_2CQyZXQ/s1600/aztecgoddess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZPFlflZPoAMboTfEB4ZOgy40EecFVr9PxZlseujBBYeJYLrZyCdNtzQhINU5IpdHaWU_1TSmv-CYFUuJo0O1I00OhvUj3eEq1rM2ppq1m06Ty2xP9s8_nRtjow1Su4kgnqH570Wwy-Q/s1600/aquaskeletonfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>The idea came to me because I've been working on a new series and the main character is Mexican like me. She works with her entire family, cousins and all, on a daily basis. So all of the craziness, fighting, eating and celebrating is very personal to me. It is what I grew up with and what I reach back to for comfort. </div>
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My community is in southern California and so there is a huge Dia de los Muertos festival near me. There are processions with people dressed as Aztec warriors or as the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls) dressed in formal wear, as well as various depictions of death. All of it done in festive bright colors with flowers and smiles. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH8IblFehJLGToJ8tCzhVS6BTyabXwluy20lx3WS026tjRgM4sgVshCpVxwR3ngqbRISS3nYtAUlAcAjYzvD5H1g22SRQe3fHUriV3RT3vU_E1jLx3ydoH1Y3cBA5Ak_5Br7_2CQyZXQ/s1600/aztecgoddess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ofrenda note I left for my mother.</td></tr>
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Lost loved ones are depicted as happy, dancing, and having fun. Often we make and eat their favorite meals, listen to their favorite songs, and talk about happy memories with each other as we remember those we lost.<br />
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My mother loved dancing cumbias or Columbian dances. So I was determined to get out on the dance floor and dance with my family. We had a blast.<br />
The real emotional part was in the park. Away from the dancing, food, music, and laughter there is a path that leads into a dark park lit by hundreds of candles on tables.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH8IblFehJLGToJ8tCzhVS6BTyabXwluy20lx3WS026tjRgM4sgVshCpVxwR3ngqbRISS3nYtAUlAcAjYzvD5H1g22SRQe3fHUriV3RT3vU_E1jLx3ydoH1Y3cBA5Ak_5Br7_2CQyZXQ/s1600/aztecgoddess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
Traditionally people will set out 'ofrendas' or offerings which are photographs, favorite objects, foods, and drink that remind them of those they lost. Some of the tables were amazing with strung lights, handmade tissue flowers, cutout banners, painted sugar skulls or candies, etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH8IblFehJLGToJ8tCzhVS6BTyabXwluy20lx3WS026tjRgM4sgVshCpVxwR3ngqbRISS3nYtAUlAcAjYzvD5H1g22SRQe3fHUriV3RT3vU_E1jLx3ydoH1Y3cBA5Ak_5Br7_2CQyZXQ/s1600/aztecgoddess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH8IblFehJLGToJ8tCzhVS6BTyabXwluy20lx3WS026tjRgM4sgVshCpVxwR3ngqbRISS3nYtAUlAcAjYzvD5H1g22SRQe3fHUriV3RT3vU_E1jLx3ydoH1Y3cBA5Ak_5Br7_2CQyZXQ/s320/aztecgoddess.jpg" width="191" /></a>I do not do an altar or offerings. Its not part of my own family's tradition. But I did leave a note to my mother on the community offering table. I told her that I miss her and that we are all doing well.<br />
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This year I think that celebrating my mother's life and thinking about her surrounded by family and laughter was really what I needed. I came away from it all with a smile on my face and great times to remember with my own children.<br />
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I want to incorporate more of my family's traditions and customs into my writing. I hope that it gives others a nudge to explore their own heritage with their family.<br />
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I think this will be a new family tradition for us.<br />
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Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-30996395122908246432018-10-31T06:00:00.000-07:002018-10-31T06:00:04.523-07:00WIPjoy Wrap Up - What I Learned<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzB8QF6rrTyNNb-sf-y52csYV8NUY1RQfvUviG7Vnr5DJGkEvQnbO3bPMBr0k1aMjNpGQef41AlOJVUu9urQaDfXEW3SOgBPW6wR4q2l1tShZ0237CgUMT2V9IoRwey_9FIkiE0qt6lEw/s1600/IMG_20181014_212538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzB8QF6rrTyNNb-sf-y52csYV8NUY1RQfvUviG7Vnr5DJGkEvQnbO3bPMBr0k1aMjNpGQef41AlOJVUu9urQaDfXEW3SOgBPW6wR4q2l1tShZ0237CgUMT2V9IoRwey_9FIkiE0qt6lEw/s320/IMG_20181014_212538.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BpDduv9lkbn/?taken-by=raquelbyrnes" target="_blank">Day 15: Genre of Art That Best Describes Your WIP</a></td></tr>
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As you all know, I took part in #WIPjoy this month. It is a Twitter event that celebrates your Work In Progress and helps authors to connect and encourage one another.</div>
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Aside from the social aspect, the part of the fun of the event is that I find most helpful is that it forces me to look at my story from angles I wouldn't necessarily see otherwise. The amazing Bethany Jennings <a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/simmeringmind" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: none; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: purple;"><span class="username u-dir" dir="ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">@<b class="u-linkComplex-target" style="font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline;">simmeringmind</b></span> </span></a> and S.D. Grimm at<span style="color: black;"> <h2 class="ProfileHeaderCard-screenname u-inlineBlock u-dir" dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; direction: ltr; display: inline-block; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; max-width: 260px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; unicode-bidi: embed; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a class="ProfileHeaderCard-screennameLink u-linkComplex js-nav" href="https://twitter.com/SDGrimmAuthor" style="background: none; text-decoration: none;"><span class="username u-dir" dir="ltr" style="direction: ltr; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed;">@<b class="u-linkComplex-target" style="font-weight: 400;">SDGrimmAuthor</b></span> </a> </h2>
</span>did a flat out awesome job at coming up with the daily prompts.</div>
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Some of my favorite ones included other types of art that best describes your story. So for Veridian's main character, tech hunter, Elara Savoya, I used the future noir graphic arts.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBc5LvekdxV5i_sgEpbmFl1bgG2YuW5izsxxjbL3EuG7qQlYWojeAsvTkkqc9G0hyphenhyphenuKj3twaVi7tnJwhkV0uIUPtva9638Pa554uslX_WVRwoGpLJ7P9NDGY6kLLE25kWJ2BXTYhqyF8/s1600/fall+elara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBc5LvekdxV5i_sgEpbmFl1bgG2YuW5izsxxjbL3EuG7qQlYWojeAsvTkkqc9G0hyphenhyphenuKj3twaVi7tnJwhkV0uIUPtva9638Pa554uslX_WVRwoGpLJ7P9NDGY6kLLE25kWJ2BXTYhqyF8/s320/fall+elara.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/raquelbyrnes/status/1056958711867105280" target="_blank">Day 29: Fall, food, festivities, and family.</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9iDKNTHdkoDDoGvgqN8U2ipzya2YvmrIwSpz60EFtBme4UbSIkMIubOOxsMEHpecOj9EIgrQCP6h3OQB91-xjADvtgb_Q4NhNqbddUcdOgzYnMEh52pmm2iNy0lWzkseTc-L9M3CbgE/s1600/IMG_20181022_121745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>We were also asked to share our writing playlist which was a lot of fun. If you'd like to check it out, its on Spotify here: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1bk5JxyiVC0BslgO6XyZ3d" target="_blank">Veridian Playlist</a></div>
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But it was the more personal questions that really served to help me solidify my main character in my head. </div>
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There was a question about what my main character's loved about fall.</div>
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Or what childhood dreams she had that will never come true...that was a really hard one!</div>
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It made me think about her outside of the story...outside of the high stakes drama. What was she like at home?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9iDKNTHdkoDDoGvgqN8U2ipzya2YvmrIwSpz60EFtBme4UbSIkMIubOOxsMEHpecOj9EIgrQCP6h3OQB91-xjADvtgb_Q4NhNqbddUcdOgzYnMEh52pmm2iNy0lWzkseTc-L9M3CbgE/s1600/IMG_20181022_121745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9iDKNTHdkoDDoGvgqN8U2ipzya2YvmrIwSpz60EFtBme4UbSIkMIubOOxsMEHpecOj9EIgrQCP6h3OQB91-xjADvtgb_Q4NhNqbddUcdOgzYnMEh52pmm2iNy0lWzkseTc-L9M3CbgE/s320/IMG_20181022_121745.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/raquelbyrnes/status/1054750580210651137" target="_blank">Day 23: Elara dreamt of the stars.</a></td></tr>
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She loves her family. They drive each other crazy because they work together in the tech recovery game.</div>
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I realized they may fight a lot...but they fight best together.</div>
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Graphics and playlists aside, I feel like I learned a lot more about my characters and story through this event. </div>
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Overall I feel pretty excited to head into next month's craziness of NaNoWriMo. </div>
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If you are taking part in the race to 50K add me as a buddy. I'm under Raquel Byrnes on the site.</div>
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As a reader, do you like to see more than the books? Do songs, art, and other fun stuff get you excited for the story? </div>
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I'm off to plot for #NaNoWriMo. Wish me luck and see you soon!</div>
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-32024578323443101962018-10-28T12:35:00.000-07:002018-10-29T08:27:36.838-07:00To 50K and BEYOND!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34pB7n6uFS1warJs4Ej6JPFWEAyzzVrEHstaaXk099VYXjsrTXQK2aLQDFtgetGhDScRStQsB6emH8sNP00adVnD0Qlr-O4ATDokd6d7Ryc9TeRBdUDuWNBORLUQlFjP2zJ0O6EpVHkU/s1600/nano+crest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="960" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34pB7n6uFS1warJs4Ej6JPFWEAyzzVrEHstaaXk099VYXjsrTXQK2aLQDFtgetGhDScRStQsB6emH8sNP00adVnD0Qlr-O4ATDokd6d7Ryc9TeRBdUDuWNBORLUQlFjP2zJ0O6EpVHkU/s320/nano+crest.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you follow me on social media, you know that I have committed to undertaking the <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">National Novel Writing Month</a> challenge of writing 50,000 words in 30 days. That was not a typo... fifty THOUSAND words in thirty DAYS.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've done this before and it was painful and frustrating and exactly what I needed to kickstart myself into writing the trilogy I had been researching for literally months.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyspNesszXYiniDlAKyaL_I3YcycmtjhyLFpKdxv1riEYYGJorRnmEi1FazbPjS5cnOmxNxHZJ5DzgqGNXpX0hs93JlRyqtGmj1qx6SO3C_-jSGRbRVG6uUvwDRsWnAFbVkowHPaTqt4s/s1600/Veridian+Visual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyspNesszXYiniDlAKyaL_I3YcycmtjhyLFpKdxv1riEYYGJorRnmEi1FazbPjS5cnOmxNxHZJ5DzgqGNXpX0hs93JlRyqtGmj1qx6SO3C_-jSGRbRVG6uUvwDRsWnAFbVkowHPaTqt4s/s200/Veridian+Visual.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/raquelbyrnes/status/1046770255555645441?s=20" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">#WIPjoy Day 1 - Visual of your Work in Progress</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So here we are again and I have spent a lot of time talking about, researching, plotting, and agonizing over my current book. Its a work in progress (WIP) in that I have been working on it...just not writing it. That is something I hope to remedy with #NaNoWriMo this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I did an entire month of <a href="http://simmeringmind.com/about-wipjoy/" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" target="_blank">#WIPjoy</a> which I love because it makes you think about and explain aspects of your characters and novel you may not have delved into otherwise. I find the quarterly Twitter event quite helpful and encourage you to take part in the winter. Its great fun and you meet a lot of other authors which is always a good thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I'm working on a scifi mystery. It takes place in the near future where Elara Savoya, a tech hunter is dragged into a high stakes international plot that will put the space race and ultimately man's place among the stars in jeopardy. So yes...I'm raring to go on this one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the intimidating things about #NaNoWriMo is that it takes place during the holiday season. For those who take part in NaNoWriMo and who also live in the United States, that means Thanksgiving. A huge family dinner with tons of prep and cleanup and time spent socializing. Great for the soul...not so great for the word count.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a fix, Christen E Krumm has proposed a <a href="https://christenkrumm.com/2018/10/prep-tober/" target="_blank">BACKWARDS NaNoWriMo</a>. This involves frontloading your wordcount per day so that as you start to inch towards the holidays, your required words per day to stay on target goes down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This method has you go gangbusters while you're still all excited and hyped up on Halloween candy and gives you a break as you head towards Christmas decorating, shopping, partying, etc. Here's a helpful writing plan from Christen's site.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://christenkrumm.com/2018/10/prep-tober/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Backwards NaNoWriMo Plan</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think I'm going to give this a try. Anything to get my first draft done before the new year. I'm hoping to hit a few conferences and I'd love to have a working draft to pitch or talk to editors about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What about you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you thinking of doing #NaNoWriMo this year? If so...add me on your buddy list (Raquel Byrnes) and I'll do the same. Just leave your user name in the comments. Happy writing!</span></div>
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-80076183300683755122018-10-05T04:30:00.000-07:002018-10-05T04:30:07.556-07:00#WIPjoy and Playlists<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This month is <b>#WIPjoy</b>! Its a Twitter event that happens every season, so four times a year, that brings together authors to share their Work In Progress and encourage one another. I love this event and look forward to it every year. The amazing Bethany A. Jennings @ SimmeringMind and S.D. Grimm @SDGrimmAuthor make WIPjoy both fun and uplifting. </div>
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<b><a href="http://bit.ly/VeridianPlaylist" target="_blank">Veridian Playlist on Spotify</a></b></td></tr>
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<b>We are currently on Day 5: Tunes for Your WIP.</b></div>
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Whenever I start a new book I also start a playlist. I've always used music to help me not only get in the right mind-set for a give scene, but it really helps me to organize my story in a way that a visual chart doesn't quite touch.</div>
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I get a better sense of the pace with music. Too many fast, exciting songs and I realize I need a lull scene to give the reader a moment to catch their breath. On the flip side, if my song list consists of too many slow pieces, I write in something that picks up the pace.<br />
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The playlist for my sci-fi thriller, <i>Veridian</i>, is coming along nicely. Since its a future-noir, I get to have some moody jazz, great old big band pieces, soulful love songs, and awesome space themed soundtracks.<br />
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A playlist is never complete until the book is finished, but its certainly fun to see what other authors use for inspiration.<br />
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#WIPjoy is such a fun way to connect with authors, see what they're working on, and to get sneak peeks at upcoming books. I highly recommend checking it out.</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">These are the last few days of the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/ga/p/84f8be509bd3d63d" target="_blank"><b>All Hallows Read Giveaway</b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I</span></span>f you like exploring s<span data-offset-key="1hbm5-0-0" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; word-spacing: 0px;"><span data-text="true" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">trange noises in the walls, secret passages, and rumors of ghost. Then join the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of Gothic Mystery, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Shadow-Bay-Raquel-Byrnes/dp/1611161924/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank"><b><i>Whispers on Shadow Bay</i></b><span style="color: #b00000;">.</span></a><b></b><i></i><u></u>
<b>The GIVEAWAY ends on October 7th.</b>
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</span></span></span>Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-73934074140018610442018-10-01T04:00:00.000-07:002018-10-01T04:00:01.395-07:00All Hallows Read Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so excited to participate in <b>All Hallows Read</b> this year! Its a completely made-up holiday to celebrate reading and books. The idea is to give someone a scary book this month...Thats it!</div>
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Reading free books? Yes, please!</div>
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The yearly celebration was started by Neil Gaiman and I think the video of him explaining it is so funny because the people in the background are hilariously trying to create mayhem...</div>
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Its not only for individuals to gift someone they love with a truly breathtaking tale. Libraries, books stores, book clubs, and coffee shops all get into the tradition. For more information check out the <a href="http://www.allhallowsread.com/" target="_blank">All Hallows Read</a> website. They have downloadable posters, recommended reads for all ages, and bookmarks!</div>
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Some of my favorite reads are <i>Frankenstein</i> by Mary Shelly, <i>Bride of Pendorric</i> by Victoria Holt, <i>The Legend of Sleepy Hollow</i> by Washington Irving, and <i>The Tell-Tale Heart</i> by Edgar Allen Poe.<br />
To give you more ideas Goodreads has an <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/43937.All_Hallows_Reads" target="_blank">All Hallows Read List</a>! </div>
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So if you like spooky books and there are people around, you can join in! Pick up some scary stories to hand out from a library book sale, the thrift shop, or even me!</div>
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I am celebrating by giving away 3 Kindle copies of my spooky Gothic mystery, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Shadow-Bay-Raquel-Byrnes/dp/1611161924/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Whispers on Shadow Bay</a></i>! The GIVEAWAY last from October 1-7th.</div>
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All you have to do is <i><span style="color: black;"><b>enter the giveaway below</b></span> </i>and the winners will have their books in time to join in on the fun!<br />
Don't forget to check out the <b>#AllHallowsRead</b> hashtag on twitter and Instagram for inspiration on what to read this Halloween.</div>
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<b>Enter for a chance to win one of 3 copies </b><b> </b><b>in time for </b></div>
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<b>All Hallows Read!</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/ga/p/84f8be509bd3d63d" target="_blank">Click To Enter GIVEAWAY</a></td></tr>
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-14404363493140924442018-09-21T16:32:00.000-07:002018-09-21T16:32:38.451-07:00Ripping Apart Your Own Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Two weeks ago I finally finished the first draft of my outline for Veridian. This week I am trying to stitch it back together. This always happens. I finally get the outline done and then I talk it through with my husband who is my sounding board. He inevitably asks questions that lead to more questions that lead to a meltdown because my plot has holes I didn't see before and now everything is ruined! Or something to that effect.</div>
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This time I was going over the technology predictions and political map of my scifi thriller and he pointed out some things I could do better...and some things that I could do without. Needless to say I was both excited to make the changes and frustrated to be back at square-one after finally finishing an outline that was truly a struggle to wrangle into completion in the first place. Blerg!</div>
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But a fellow author friend of mine who gives me the best encouragement sent me the graphic above. Its great advice that I promised to keep in mind. What I am doing now is just the beginning. I don't know why I forget this EVERY time I start another book.</div>
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Maybe its the dreamer in me that wishes to show you with perfect detail the amazing sights I have in mind. Whatever the reason...I will remind myself that first drafts suck as a rule. I can't very well edit something that isn't there.</div>
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So as I head into the weekend I plan on getting a ton done on this outline. We'll see! Hope you all have a wonderful time recuperating from this busy week!</div>
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-42221647533738021032018-09-12T12:52:00.000-07:002018-09-12T12:52:08.704-07:00Giveaway and Skywatch Musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSMUzd__vi195R2vzXfjoO2q5JHwQXXsTnwsU_r7KOIkzW0OHhBYCUWilNCln9ou8V7FNjR8H6MWqAnpi5ZvDaeS5Ds2uoMzTGdWC6gfOmrGLdQd6IsmuTJLYqyJuWtBeIlFzDty5akc/s1600/desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSMUzd__vi195R2vzXfjoO2q5JHwQXXsTnwsU_r7KOIkzW0OHhBYCUWilNCln9ou8V7FNjR8H6MWqAnpi5ZvDaeS5Ds2uoMzTGdWC6gfOmrGLdQd6IsmuTJLYqyJuWtBeIlFzDty5akc/s320/desert.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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July and August are my favorite months of the year because the sky has to offer so much to skywatchers like myself. From aphelion to Mars in opposition, its spectacular...as summers should be.</div>
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However, as we slide into September, big changes are on their way. Venus sinks deeper towards the horizon and gets brighter. The gas giants will dominate the southern view of the sky. And all of it points towards the autumn equinox on the 22nd.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEXp4mpdb3d3FU0d3J-2PSMzOSzKjtYWPCiUWeIXXmd1tAjWqy5ik3ANZ5GR2JLLUHVy5xZlOWFYYB0VT6kd2xZyfAeTHZ8XEaoeeITJCp4dqn3JfcH88sKI_AeVA90u9fzHkBROejYI/s1600/Loved+the+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="864" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEXp4mpdb3d3FU0d3J-2PSMzOSzKjtYWPCiUWeIXXmd1tAjWqy5ik3ANZ5GR2JLLUHVy5xZlOWFYYB0VT6kd2xZyfAeTHZ8XEaoeeITJCp4dqn3JfcH88sKI_AeVA90u9fzHkBROejYI/s320/Loved+the+stars.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibEXp4mpdb3d3FU0d3J-2PSMzOSzKjtYWPCiUWeIXXmd1tAjWqy5ik3ANZ5GR2JLLUHVy5xZlOWFYYB0VT6kd2xZyfAeTHZ8XEaoeeITJCp4dqn3JfcH88sKI_AeVA90u9fzHkBROejYI/s1600/Loved+the+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I find skywatching both relaxing and exciting. If there is a thing. I anticipate the beauty and fun with my family. We often have viewing parties and we blow up an inflatable mattress, haul out the hot coco, and snuggle in soft blankets with our faces towards the heavens. But after the kids have grown fidgety and gone to bed and hubby wanders off to grade papers, I relax and wait for the moon rise or the fleeting streak of a comet.</div>
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I am trying to keep this attitude with my current WIP. Right now there is the anticipation that research and daydreaming and plotting brings. The want of what will come. But I am not enjoying the rest and enjoy part of it. I need to change that.</div>
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So today I broke out the watercolors and messed around with adding some creativity other than writing to my daily life. I am not good at painting. Terrible really. Which is freeing somehow because I can do it with the goal of having fun as opposed to making it perfect.</div>
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I keep trying to remind myself that the first draft is the sand. I'm shoveling it into the sandbox so that I can make castles later. Thank you, Shannon Hale, for that awesome reminder that first drafts are supposed to suck. </div>
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I have some great news to share with all of you! This month until September 20th The Tremblers will be .99! Its to celebrate this <b>HUGE giveaway</b> and contest going on over at <a href="https://mybookcave.com/retailer-group/89b60601/" target="_blank">My Book Cave</a>. There's prizes up to $400 and tons of gifts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8xAbZqmST1jh7KQyKZ0ynJtz2FPI88pVMjT5bJemzlswgPa9al6DcjfylOXgW3PIUMaFQJRn-pQYmUwY3AFwpJuptHQZv4be-67Ja9YD5K-3u__YopozJVrJpwM9EBskn4y3z-l60-M/s1600/Book+Cave.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8xAbZqmST1jh7KQyKZ0ynJtz2FPI88pVMjT5bJemzlswgPa9al6DcjfylOXgW3PIUMaFQJRn-pQYmUwY3AFwpJuptHQZv4be-67Ja9YD5K-3u__YopozJVrJpwM9EBskn4y3z-l60-M/s320/Book+Cave.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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So if you'd like to check it out, head on over to <a href="https://mybookcave.com/retailer-group/89b60601/" target="_blank">My Book Cave's Pelican Book Group Extravaganza</a>! And check out The Tremblers a steampunk thriller for only 99 cents!Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-35570197081673148212018-08-04T11:36:00.000-07:002018-08-04T11:36:39.655-07:00Wax Seals and Penny Dreadfuls: A Writer's Tools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6l-KKJ2f2VVOvSGwoQ7VrOS9e-hU2HKZK7syxCntduwz6fZHVp2zOVqbTqmmkmymj4jVL_gKzWRzEYp2WOiwefJu2xAGH6OR4RMsS2w1BHOayZXJH9TCTQqh5VyIWuXIRXPGLpX13xQ/s1600/20180804_094019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6l-KKJ2f2VVOvSGwoQ7VrOS9e-hU2HKZK7syxCntduwz6fZHVp2zOVqbTqmmkmymj4jVL_gKzWRzEYp2WOiwefJu2xAGH6OR4RMsS2w1BHOayZXJH9TCTQqh5VyIWuXIRXPGLpX13xQ/s320/20180804_094019.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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One of the things I love most about the writing life is that I allows me to connect with other people. Some from far, far away whom I might never have met otherwise. So when I send out signed copies for prizes or what not, I always try to include a special letter to my fellow book lovers.</div>
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The one I wrote for the Blackburn series is especially dear to me because it talks about how the heroine, Charlotte, helped me to process memories of some difficult times. I hope her story inspires you like it did me.</div>
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Plus...I get to play with fancy quills and wax seals. Also a major writerly perk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2JZ-LB4GqSfb_hE9y5LON4pB5t2jKUpGukl8h11uFJ951oyEGNgdzxPrV5iq27zzPKF02TmWcAHQKjbahGAWosWXJebhY6cbDTfDxY-2ltRHxFCRCXXV2I_xxF53Ojuf9N4jWTxklU4/s1600/IMG_20180804_105145_452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2JZ-LB4GqSfb_hE9y5LON4pB5t2jKUpGukl8h11uFJ951oyEGNgdzxPrV5iq27zzPKF02TmWcAHQKjbahGAWosWXJebhY6cbDTfDxY-2ltRHxFCRCXXV2I_xxF53Ojuf9N4jWTxklU4/s320/IMG_20180804_105145_452.jpg" width="164" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2JZ-LB4GqSfb_hE9y5LON4pB5t2jKUpGukl8h11uFJ951oyEGNgdzxPrV5iq27zzPKF02TmWcAHQKjbahGAWosWXJebhY6cbDTfDxY-2ltRHxFCRCXXV2I_xxF53Ojuf9N4jWTxklU4/s1600/IMG_20180804_105145_452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>To keep from going mad with all the deadlines and writing goals, I have resolved to work more reading time into my schedule. I'm currently reading a lovely <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_dreadful" target="_blank">Penny Dreadful</a> compilation I picked up a while ago. It begins with the estimable Mary Shelly. I haven't read <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein" target="_blank">Frankenstein</a> in over a decade. </div>
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It even has <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_in_a_Pyramid;_or,_The_Mummy%27s_Curse" target="_blank">The Mummy's Curse by Louisa May Alcott</a>. I've not had the pleasure of reading anything of hers other than Little Women so this should be a treat. I hear it is a creepy little tale involving hapless Egyptologists and ancient curses.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnx-b3Je7ptWoCZetPt3K5Z6GbEUroGMcH7wgrcMTJ7Y53w5iYoOipiGBFp4Tl6ke0-944U9uFyM9X-HRmYYQVYU7lHocfz3hCFmgkoU_VjGRpmiKnxLdL4lRidZeYYMzJ4YJ1BurCaQ/s1600/IMG_20180804_085118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnx-b3Je7ptWoCZetPt3K5Z6GbEUroGMcH7wgrcMTJ7Y53w5iYoOipiGBFp4Tl6ke0-944U9uFyM9X-HRmYYQVYU7lHocfz3hCFmgkoU_VjGRpmiKnxLdL4lRidZeYYMzJ4YJ1BurCaQ/s200/IMG_20180804_085118.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
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I'm currently working on a near future scifi thriller. So I get to do a lot of research on mega structures and neurotechnology. Not to mention wade through the space elevator arguments. There are apparently wildly differing opinions on the feasibility of such a thing.</div>
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It is great fun to imagine what might be. And creating the moody atmosphere of Veridian with all its neon and smooth, cold glass is something of a challenge. Its amazing how much I want to juxtaposition lush fabrics and vivid colors to that sterile world. Working on the wardrobe aesthetic of my main gal, Elara. Beauty, brains, and a bad temper. I think some blood red lips might do. </div>
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Photos by: <a href="http://m-ban.tumblr.com/post/132254509795/透明な沈黙" target="_blank">m-ban</a>, <a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/9207125/-Eden-Archives-" target="_blank">eden acrchives</a>, and <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/artofsoulburn/art/Megastructures-2-Space-Elevator-Design-Packet-595277384" target="_blank">art of soulburn</a>. </div>
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Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-9918088704614114022018-07-27T11:34:00.001-07:002018-07-27T12:00:32.612-07:00Weekend...<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/vp/bde592185548715332dfcf0c303e10fb/5BD91B8C/t51.2885-15/e35/37627263_423367071483402_5179007634375704576_n.jpg?_nc_eui2=AeHuHhz9KOOpRqNINkv9XUuHVGGTClJfp6_SYUVJv3xGxMN78OMRqtFqg3mr4hHuuy3dwwa3H0jmUANe4ELHnwLO" style="max-width: 586px;" /></div>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlvmMAJlKZE/">Heading into the weekend with these fires and this heat. Just want to dive into a story and not come up for anything but coffee and chocolate. ☕🍫📚 #authorlife #amwriting#authorsofinstagram - via Instagram</a>Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-79846848073889330802018-07-26T13:21:00.000-07:002018-07-26T13:21:35.571-07:00A Love Restored + Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WqEqEYuiujv5ZChJm7ZUPeKFWJPcQbD3i72u94qHUZnrSCoNxBibU4S6cFGPgwEhKpNGVyV8e1NK4eco0a5pWCv1epjmSgY59OSkUuVgMZmykSvMwOW5Oxhrzl6GyWATO5i1qQqnTm4/s1600/ALoveRestored_prc5391_750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WqEqEYuiujv5ZChJm7ZUPeKFWJPcQbD3i72u94qHUZnrSCoNxBibU4S6cFGPgwEhKpNGVyV8e1NK4eco0a5pWCv1epjmSgY59OSkUuVgMZmykSvMwOW5Oxhrzl6GyWATO5i1qQqnTm4/s400/ALoveRestored_prc5391_750.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Today, guest author, Kelly Goshorn is here to talk about her amazing new novel, <i><b>A love Restored</b></i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">To celebrate, she is giving away one of these amazing book charms and an Amazon gift card for your book binging pleasure! We'll choose one random commenter to receive this fun giveaway!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MSt6K5H1bu8GQYIS1-xfb3OsNdMkC036BeZek-eIoDNix0_RFzyBMt4frT5dKsU-rRCvBBLkQ6BREtZId28fpNrFeq6dZDI8uKZXE2yIbUxjLEEeF-rv1IY1ixN_8d3hp1YeaDHZjkI/s1600/Book+Charms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MSt6K5H1bu8GQYIS1-xfb3OsNdMkC036BeZek-eIoDNix0_RFzyBMt4frT5dKsU-rRCvBBLkQ6BREtZId28fpNrFeq6dZDI8uKZXE2yIbUxjLEEeF-rv1IY1ixN_8d3hp1YeaDHZjkI/s320/Book+Charms.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b>About the book~</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">She was nothing like the woman he’d
envisioned for his bride, but he was everything she’d ever dreamed of—until a
promise from his past threatened their future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">With pert opinions and a less-than-perfect
figure, Ruth Ann Sutton doesn’t measure up to society’s vision of a perfect
lady. When she accepts a position teaching in a Freedman’s School, it threatens
the only marriage offer Ruth Ann is likely to receive. She’s forced to choose
between life as a lonely spinster or reinventing herself to secure a
respectable proposal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Determined
to rise above his meager beginnings, Benjamin Coulter’s reputation as a fast
learner and hard worker earn him the opportunity to apprentice with a surveyor
for the railroad—a position that will garner the respect of other men. </span><span style="margin: 0px;">After
a chance encounter with Ruth Ann Sutton, Benjamin</span><span style="margin: 0px;"> is smitten with her pretty face, qui</span><span style="margin: 0px;">ck
wit, and feisty personality.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px;">When
others ridicule his choice, will Benjamin listen to his heart or put ambition
first?</span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.66px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Purchase on </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2J2wBAz"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Amazon US</span></a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.66px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2KH820M"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Amazon UK</span></a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.66px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://bit.ly/2KhDiCE"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Barnes & Noble</span></a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.66px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0px;"><b>Author Chat~</b></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is the f</span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG9SOwsSpbSHoG4mwnZVEpi7qNEcfkKOmSqIxPttEd74GrzFsY7-hV5yPllemMJj9-TYFPTJd_BkmhLCC5pv9Zfsy96BsNsZHLovJFWgrI-hmfF-WnFZD5STu0T1BpV1lerPfCUAaDgk/s1600/Author+Bio+Pic1_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-right: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG9SOwsSpbSHoG4mwnZVEpi7qNEcfkKOmSqIxPttEd74GrzFsY7-hV5yPllemMJj9-TYFPTJd_BkmhLCC5pv9Zfsy96BsNsZHLovJFWgrI-hmfF-WnFZD5STu0T1BpV1lerPfCUAaDgk/s320/Author+Bio+Pic1_small.png" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></span></a><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">irst book that made you cry?</span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDG9SOwsSpbSHoG4mwnZVEpi7qNEcfkKOmSqIxPttEd74GrzFsY7-hV5yPllemMJj9-TYFPTJd_BkmhLCC5pv9Zfsy96BsNsZHLovJFWgrI-hmfF-WnFZD5STu0T1BpV1lerPfCUAaDgk/s1600/Author+Bio+Pic1_small.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Where the Red Fern Grows</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">. My seventh-grade math teacher read it to us
for a few minutes every day after lunch. When Old Dan and Little Ann died I
broke down and sobbed.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What is your writing Kryptonite?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The blank page. Ugh.
Sometimes it is a real slugfest to fill up that empty page and get the draft
written. I much prefer the editing process. Taking those rough words and
polishing them until they shine is the part I enjoy the most.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Did you ever consider writing under a
pseudonym?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Yes. I wanted to use
my maiden name, Kelly Criste. I thought it sounded “writerly.” When I told my
husband, the disappointment in his eyes made me think better of the idea.
Between you and me, I still think it sounds better than Goshorn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What was the best money you ever spent as a
writer? </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Hmmm, that’s tricky.
So many things from craft books, to attending conferences and joining critique
groups have all played a pivotal role in my growth as a writer. But if I must
choose one, then I think the money I spent on entering contests was very
beneficial to me. Not only did I get feedback from published authors and industry
insiders, but I was blessed to final in four contests. I even managed to win
one, The Cott Olympia. When I pitched <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
Love Restored</i> to agents and editors in 2015, I was able to reference the
recognition the story had received. Although I usually mentioned this toward
the end of my pitch, one editor told me I should’ve led with that information.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As a writer, what would you choose as your
mascot/avatar/spirit animal?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">What a great question!
I think I’d have to say a turtle. I think I’m the slowest writer to ever grace
the planet earth. But like the turtle, I keep plodding along “slow and steady”
until I type “The End.” Team turtle for the win!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">About Kelly ~</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Kelly Goshorn weaves her affinity for
history and her passion for God into uplifting stories of love, faith and
family set in nineteenth century America. She is a member of American Christian
Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Kelly has been enjoying her own
happily-ever-after with her husband and best friend, Mike, for 28 years.
Together they have raised three children, four cats, two dogs, a turtle, a
guinea pig, a gecko, and countless hamsters. Thankfully, not all at the same
time. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys spending time with her young adult
children, scrapbooking with friends, board gaming with her husband, and
spoiling her Welsh corgi, Levi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><b>You can connect with Kelly on:</b></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://kellygoshorn.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit;">Her Website</span></a></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kelly.j.goshorn/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit;">Facebook</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/KellyGoshorn"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit;">Twitter</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/KellyGoshorn/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Pinterest</span></a></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellyjgoshorn/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit;">Instagram</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18023325.Kelly_J_Goshorn?from_search=true"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit;">Goodreads</span></a></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-7076215584118088922018-06-26T08:58:00.000-07:002018-06-26T08:58:44.897-07:00Summertime Means Overdrive!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiF9uXC-XEBsJDMfjjz6pFsIua1r64q3EKlC4pIlAcSiARK9IiM6vZVis9fVTgqP5LNjgokML7h9eX96TTNKr0F_UAocrLt8uSuKtb7I1mfc7k7DQEOMDxj3N4WrCy2O5BhaoYRdHQaU/s1600/2018-06-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiF9uXC-XEBsJDMfjjz6pFsIua1r64q3EKlC4pIlAcSiARK9IiM6vZVis9fVTgqP5LNjgokML7h9eX96TTNKr0F_UAocrLt8uSuKtb7I1mfc7k7DQEOMDxj3N4WrCy2O5BhaoYRdHQaU/s320/2018-06-05.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to the Grind Coffee House-Riverside, CA</td></tr>
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I usually don't write during the daytime from August to June because I am a homeschool mom and my kids take up all day. But once summer rolls around, all bets are off.</div>
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I love summer because it is my most productive time as a writer. We live in the dessert so going out during the day is not a fun experience anyway. As a result we tend to live like vampires out here in the Inland Empire. Its common to see parks empty until the sun starts to dip below the horizon. It gets over 100 degrees here so we adjust.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf_LJ10-EvEYlaSOH2UWYGsKuhyvv8OwEDd3nLUbhmSXuzNAL_F3U9WBELg9MjOjYF_83DGjcNOXG2Luj_IzcenGzLXGJXJ4wK25NBUT_nCKTEjApMN6o2UzAfgpkVRYT6itzbhfPgi8/s1600/2018-06-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf_LJ10-EvEYlaSOH2UWYGsKuhyvv8OwEDd3nLUbhmSXuzNAL_F3U9WBELg9MjOjYF_83DGjcNOXG2Luj_IzcenGzLXGJXJ4wK25NBUT_nCKTEjApMN6o2UzAfgpkVRYT6itzbhfPgi8/s200/2018-06-05.jpg" width="150" /></a>So I switch from a night owl to a day worker for three months out of the year. The advantage to this is I tend to have coffee houses to myself as they tend to get busy after people get off of work. I recently discovered one that I really like. It has that old coffee house feel that I so missed from my college days.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf_LJ10-EvEYlaSOH2UWYGsKuhyvv8OwEDd3nLUbhmSXuzNAL_F3U9WBELg9MjOjYF_83DGjcNOXG2Luj_IzcenGzLXGJXJ4wK25NBUT_nCKTEjApMN6o2UzAfgpkVRYT6itzbhfPgi8/s1600/2018-06-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
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My husband I used to go and study at one in Oceanside that was so supportive of local talent that you really felt connected to the community. Artists, musicians, poets, and yes...even authors were the bulk of the clientele and it was fabulous.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo4E-6J0Lr5IWFH_A4S3UWBUQVTG9AhCQNCBJ3x36EfHgthqfoJwO5ih4yo6Rm89CMUpMVGTs_XPjsircG9MST1ayjyR94bgWF0lb7vyZzV6aU-dXTyXLLa_UTZ_dMMKG9LVqosHEqaI/s1600/2018-06-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo4E-6J0Lr5IWFH_A4S3UWBUQVTG9AhCQNCBJ3x36EfHgthqfoJwO5ih4yo6Rm89CMUpMVGTs_XPjsircG9MST1ayjyR94bgWF0lb7vyZzV6aU-dXTyXLLa_UTZ_dMMKG9LVqosHEqaI/s200/2018-06-05.jpg" width="150" /></a>There's a coffee house I visited recently in a nearby city that reminded me of those beloved beginnings. I was running errands at the courthouse and wanted to grab a bite to eat. Problem is that not a lot of places serve vegan fair and so I wasn't hopeful. Still, I found a little place and was pleasantly surprised!<br />
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Back to the Grind Coffee House was such a throwback to my old writing days that I just had to share<br />
it. They have a cute loft for open mic nights, a basement where a writing group meets, and tons of original art around. There are vintage typewriters and tons of books...everywhere. Not to mention a disco ball, which, given the décor, was not out of place at all.<br />
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I hope to make it out there to write quite often this summer. The mellow beats, awesome food (its not all plant based), and the creative atmosphere really drew me in.<br />
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Where do you find you are most creative? Do you write at the beach? In a tiny hidey hole in your own home? Wherever you can? I'd love to hear about it.<br />
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Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-17055132222076692082018-06-08T08:42:00.000-07:002018-06-08T08:42:13.160-07:00Feature Friday Futures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZztsVQSPnVeXJrcYeq7TSbiZwdZp2mpzZCkp8c0zOzpl-9WJ4gCvHDZrHWauUJuri2knE6HKLs2pIRyP6FxOybdTHgkbfuxxtioHCHK0qxQXpl0uHnthN1CnWwBKl1-NDr-XCXnN5Px4/s1600/Feature-Friday-Futures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZztsVQSPnVeXJrcYeq7TSbiZwdZp2mpzZCkp8c0zOzpl-9WJ4gCvHDZrHWauUJuri2knE6HKLs2pIRyP6FxOybdTHgkbfuxxtioHCHK0qxQXpl0uHnthN1CnWwBKl1-NDr-XCXnN5Px4/s320/Feature-Friday-Futures.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Today I am over at Erik Klein's blog for a <a href="https://www.ericlklein.com/feature-friday-futures/interview-raquel-byrnes/" target="_blank">Feature Friday Futures</a> interview! A technology geek and an author, Erik's questions were so much fun to answer. We explored the interesting treasures research for my steampunk thriller, <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7WSGZ7/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1" target="_blank">The Tremblers</a></i></b>, unearthed. No pun intended!<br />
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Take a peek at the interview where we get into military history and Victorian ingenuity. What was surprising to learn about and what everyday item has a cool twist in my steampunk series, The Blackburn Chronicles.<br />
<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-89830407779701109192018-06-06T10:54:00.000-07:002018-06-06T11:23:16.376-07:00The Dim Zone - How Far Is Too Far?<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #323b43; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrZWBQS26HFNJacWnj-P0bo6hkv2DmtkJsmFkNb2LOHABmKI869PMENdiii5c8eV_We6AEWzvjuNNQ5rlAIbxGc4z9m4ttpafM_ge8PskUym4cQAdO6CzRooC_3uGIFKJj_JGlMqdPXs/s1600/The_Dim_Zone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrZWBQS26HFNJacWnj-P0bo6hkv2DmtkJsmFkNb2LOHABmKI869PMENdiii5c8eV_We6AEWzvjuNNQ5rlAIbxGc4z9m4ttpafM_ge8PskUym4cQAdO6CzRooC_3uGIFKJj_JGlMqdPXs/s320/The_Dim_Zone.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today I am featuring a science fiction novel by Chris Turner with a bonus free Booktrack!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">The Dim Zone</span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">How
far is too far? </span></span></b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mercenary Yul Vrean is hired by billionaire
CEO Mathias of Cybercore to bring back alien samples from a remote planet in
the Dim Zone. It’s a region rife with murderous space pirates and slavers, the
warlike Zikri and Mentera.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This alien technothriller is full of deadly
space battles, extreme action, bio-mechanical fusion, killer aliens, a touch of
the bizarre and fantastic… it will certainly intrigue fans of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alien, Predator</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Matrix</i>.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In a race for mechnobot technology, genius
Sigmund Hresh has engineered a prototype for what may be the holy grail of AI.
The uses of such technology vary from the sinister to the saintly. Yul and his
space thugs may be the only link preventing the next galactic war and saving
the human colonies from hostile aliens.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The
Making of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dim Zone</i>...</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The booktrack audio component was based on
many space classics with similar textures to </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwFa-w8h4oQ&list=PLfzW_wEeYxk6BOn3-Ff309al2je0-TTn1"><span style="color: blue;">Alien
Covenant</span></a></i><span style="color: black;"> and </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3ND8q_EMVA&list=PLFxcRFdrm3PqCxqGF76D1MU4vwFNWOfnS"><span style="color: blue;">Life</span></a></i><span style="color: black;">.
I created composite alien effects from mixes of digital samples and animals,
using pitch effects and warping. All in all, an eerie backdrop to the alien
planet Xeses, and later, the corridors inside the starship Orb of the Zikri
hunters. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Enjoy </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CZ2KLG1"><span style="color: blue;">The Dim Zone</span></a></i><span style="color: black;">, the next book
in </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079D5FBVS"><span style="color: blue;">The Timelost</span></a></i><span style="color: black;"> series:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://bit.ly/2wtIf5B" target="_blank">Booktrack (free)</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Find The Dim Zone on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dim-Zone-Alien-Alliance/dp/1927117879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528309358&sr=8-1&keywords=dim+zone" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Follow the author on <a href="https://twitter.com/MagicInnersky"><span id="goog_1812205660"></span>Twitter<span id="goog_1812205661"></span></a></span></div>
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Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7181368927356408466.post-15836975632308117262018-05-26T04:25:00.000-07:002018-05-26T04:25:10.611-07:00Submersibles, Zombie Knights, and Free Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wil0eBCTulBjrCS7SHZHZmrYZs-MMl-2ytGxxsqrtpNiAPDCIS9RV5KgPOS4V2y7jHBOGN2obbtk0bsobsTTrhMajsrRkuAYjwuZ_4YIrN59n6a2UBPobP0JUMAe34BuDLdJ8uC5DkY/s1600/three+book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wil0eBCTulBjrCS7SHZHZmrYZs-MMl-2ytGxxsqrtpNiAPDCIS9RV5KgPOS4V2y7jHBOGN2obbtk0bsobsTTrhMajsrRkuAYjwuZ_4YIrN59n6a2UBPobP0JUMAe34BuDLdJ8uC5DkY/s320/three+book.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today I am over at <a href="http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pamela Thibodeaux's Wild Rose blog</a> to talk about the third book in my steampunk thriller series, <b><i>The Blackburn Chronicles</i></b>.</div>
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<b><i>Chasm Walkers</i></b> is the culmination of a series that spans nations, seas, and the sky. Long brewing wars and unexpected betrayals drive Charlotte's story towards an excited finale!</div>
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From strange submersible machines to unexplained mechanica controlling the heroin, there are plot twists and harrowing adventures that bring this series to an explosive end. </div>
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I hope you check out Charlottes journey from debutante to dissenter to the most dangerous woman in a war for survival.</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0777SHXZ2/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_3" target="_blank">The Chasm Walkers </a>will definitely satisfy your fix for thrills.</div>
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To celebrate the release of the series, I have three <b>#FreeReads</b> available to download. Have a taste of the strange and chaotic world of The Blackburn Chronicles with these novellas...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSTsJyckR_FVNvzVM0cDZqHSDT-3ilaZCNmMBpDhr2GHb9S7AOHP0PCtr7mG3H7wxxD2Xw7elKh9CLOc4V73PqHYxaQEtq2DiqbfcRqy5aDq4TU4UrDkBZBNtD991ZvLk_nzU6iYGk80/s1600/freenovella.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1045" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSTsJyckR_FVNvzVM0cDZqHSDT-3ilaZCNmMBpDhr2GHb9S7AOHP0PCtr7mG3H7wxxD2Xw7elKh9CLOc4V73PqHYxaQEtq2DiqbfcRqy5aDq4TU4UrDkBZBNtD991ZvLk_nzU6iYGk80/s320/freenovella.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pelicanbookgroup.com/blackburnchronicles/gallery.html" target="_blank">Click to Download Free Novellas</a></td></tr>
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<br />Raquel Byrneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12870113745683162915noreply@blogger.com