Raquel Byrnes

And the Villain Is...

2012-01-30T05:29:00.000-08:00

Obvious Villain

In keeping with the fun I had writing my post on action cliches, Brakes Only Fail On Hills, I decided to share my list of things that try to keep in mind when writing my own villains...

Don't give him a deformity, scar, or creepy behavior.

How do we know that Dr. Evil is evil before he even speaks? He is bald, has a scar, does that weird pinkie thing, and dresses like a futuristic mortician.

Misdirection by appearance and behavior is a great device when writing suspense, but make sure it is actually pointing to someone who is NOT the villain.

Minions are a dead giveaway.

Whether its a creepy friend that does their bidding or a doormat for an assistant, keep the talk of diabolical plans while excitedly rubbing their hands together to a minimum.

Particular to suspense...you can't unveil or hint too heavily at the villain or it will spoil the surprise and lose the reader.

They are caught in a blatant lie.

Photo by Tiago Fernandes.

The heroine sees the villain arguing with a man and later when the man is revealed to be a bad guy, the villain denies it.

This is a great way to add conflict between the OTHER main characters. Misunderstanding clouds the issue and often throws suspicion where it can do some good to further the story.

Make him gain advantage too soon in the story.

We've all seen Rocky, right? He gets beat down at first, but then a sudden burst of energy/inspiration/verbal backside kicking by his bestie sends him back to win the day.

The problem with letting your villain gain the advantage too quickly is that its the equivalent of putting a blinking red arrow over his head. Keep the story off balance and the reader wondering.

Your hero is too important to lose.

Really just wanted a reason to post a pic of Jake.

This, I think, is one of the quickest ways to ruin the story. If one of your characters is a wayward prince, the President, the only survivor of his species....the odds are whoever is picking on him is gonna lose and is therefore...the villain.

What are some instances in a mystery, be it book or movie that have given away the villain too soon? How might we as writers keep the reader guessing?

Until next time...Go Write?

Warring Spirits, COTT Selection

2012-01-29T17:21:00.000-08:00

*guest post by Michelle Massaro

(Ms. Davy) was an amazing cheerleader and I lived to make her smile with my stories. Whether I really was or not at that point, she made me believe I was a good writer.

~ Sr. Editor April Gardner, on who inspired her writing.

***

Today we get to spend some time with COTT founder April Gardner. April is an amazing author, good friend, and an inspiration to me. She’s a sometime home school mom, a military wife, a talented writer, and a frugal do-it-yourselfer. So I was excited to get to pick her brain! Below are the questions that I always wanted to ask. I’m sure you will find them just as fascinating as I do.

Michelle: April, what was it like growing up with missionary parents?

April: We never lacked for excitement, that's for sure! Some MKs struggle with change, but I never minded it. I was shy and content merely to be with my family; wherever they were, I was happy, no matter the town or country! Growing up in Spain and learning Spanish was one of God's beautiful gifts to me.

Michelle: That's so cool! Some might be surprised to hear that you are dyslexic. What advice or encouragement would you give to others out there struggling with dyslexia?

April: I'd imagine that most reading this are adults, and by the time dyslexics reach adulthood, they've managed to cope quite well. Having a child with dyslexia, however, was something that took me completely by surprise, surprisingly. LOL From what I hear, it goes through the mother, so odds were pretty good one of my kids would struggle with it. When it comes to dealing with a dyslexic child I've learned three things. 1. Patience is the name of the game! 2. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. 3. There is no shame in being dyslexic or having another learning difficulty.

Michelle: You have now experienced both the public school world and the home school world. What are your observations comparing both?

April: My most important observation is that God's plan for our children's education is 1. God's plan for us in unique! I cannot compare how others chose to educate their children with our own choices. 2. God's plan for us is not set in stone, never to change. What might be His will one year, might not be the next. We must be flexible and keep our ears tuned to Him. He'll speak most loudly through our kids via their progress, contentment, discipline, and attitude.

Michelle: Great insights! Ok, so what began your fascination with history?

April: Laura Ingells Wilder and her Little House books! They were the first "big" books that held my attention well enough to make reading worth all the effort. I haven't looked back since!

Michelle: I love those books too! You are a military spouse--where have you lived, and which was your favorite place?

April: The military first moved us to Germany. We were 19 years old and newly married. Our tour lasted 7 years. Straight from there, we went to England for four years, and we've currently been in Georgia 2.5 years. Germany holds a very dear place in our hearts for many reasons, but I have felt most content and fulfilled right here in Georgia. God bless the USA!! Boy, it's good to be home. :-)

Michelle: Wow, that sounds so adventurous! And now you're a published author--another adventure! Who first inspired you to pursue publication and writing? Who inspires you today?

April: Several people along the path of my life worked together to inspire me to pick up the pen, but the first was my high school creative writing teacher, Ms. Davy. She was an amazing cheerleader and I lived to make her smile with my stories. Whether I really was or not at that point, she made me believe I was a good writer. Today, it's the drive to reach goals that inspires me. I do love a challenge!!

Michelle: Of the characters you've created, who is your favorite and why?

April: True Seeker, the budding Creek Indian warrior from my latest novel, Warring Spirits, is my favorite character so far. His heart is good and true to his name, he seeks wisdom, honor, and a personal relationship with the Giver and Taker of Breath.

Michelle: I like his character too. But of course, they're all good in my opinion! Besides writing excellent historical romance novels, you also have a lot to share on your blog about managing health issues with diet, frugality, and parenting. Any idea what's coming up in 2012?

April: Great question! LOL My blog is ever changing, but yes, I do tend to focus on those topics. Right now, I'm on an all-natural foods kick, so I'm sure my followers will see more of those tips in the future.

Michelle: Tell us about your recent book releases.

April: Warring Spirits is my latest adult fiction release. It's set in 1816 and is the story of a woman who might be able to hide her African heritage except for her hair, which is a dead give-away. Milly's escape from slavery leads her to the safety of Negro Fort where Major Phillip Bailey, believing her to be white, takes it upon himself to "free" her from the stronghold. At the same time, he's ordered to launch an attack against it. Accomplishing both is a virtual impossibility, especially when the beautiful woman doesn't want to be rescued. Where blood is shed, unexpected love may bloom!

Michelle: I've read it and it's awesome! Head to Amazon you guys, you won't regret it. April, thanks for answering all my hard-hitting questions today, lol.

Readers, check out COTT this week for some of our favorite Amish Excerpts!

Book Birthday - Ruby Dawn Releases Today!

2012-01-27T12:31:00.000-08:00

Today is the official release day for the second book in my Shades of Hope series! Ruby Dawn is a story very close to my heart and I 'm so excited that it comes out today!

I had such a great time last year on the Purple Knot Book Tour and I can't wait to get out there and hang out with fellow lovers of romance. I made some great friends during that time and it was such a blessing to meet you all.

I will be out and about in a little bit and will share the details as soon as I can.

For now, I'd love to share a blurb and excerpt...

Ruby Dawn, Book Two - Shades of Hope series

Dr. Ruby McKinney understands the plight of runaways in her city; she used to be one of them. Tom, Ruby’s friend and protector in juvenile detention, disappeared after a tragedy. Now a DEA agent, his investigation pulls Ruby back into his life and back into danger. Will they survive long enough to take their second chance at love?

A Painful Past.

A former street kid, Ruby now reaches out to runaways through her medical clinic in the worst part of the city, but her escalating battle with a gang leader puts that in jeopardy.

A Love Returns.

Cavalier, a risk-taker, charming… Ruby’s first love is now on the right side of the law and the center of a dangerous DEA sting involving her clinic. Tom’s disappearance ten years ago broke her heart and rattled her faith. As their romance relights, memories of what it costs to love him flood her with fear.

A Desperate Plan.

Ruby’s battle with the gang ignites a firestorm of danger, and a pattern of lies from within her own camp emerges. With Tom’s life in the balance and her world cast in shadows, can Ruby trust God as she once did…or has she strayed too far, for too long to ever return?

Excerpt:

“Shhh,” Tom whispered. He took my hand in his and kissed my palm sending a ripple through me. “Its okay, I know what you meant, Ruby. And you’re right about what you said the other night too,” he breathed and leaned closer.

Barely able to think, I stood frozen by his nearness. “What I said?”

He smiled, so close now that I could feel his lips move. “You said that I don’t know you anymore. That I need to get to know you all over again.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s not what I said,” I breathed.

Tom’s hand slipped to my face, cupping my cheek in his palm. He ran his thumb over my bottom lip and it sent heat thrumming through me. I gripped his sleeves, my fingers digging into the material.

A wayward warning flittered somewhere in the back of my brain, but I closed my eyes instead of moving.

Tom brushed his lips against mine, barely touching, his breath soft.

Up front, Lilah shouted. “This place is a wreck!”

Startled, I pulled away from Tom. Lilah had either rotten or impeccable timing. I hadn’t decided which just yet. “I – I’m back here,” I shouted back. “I’ll be right out.”

Tom groaned and let go of me. He looked up at the outer door with frustration. I followed his gaze to Lilah rooting through the debris making enough noise for three people.

Reluctantly, I turned from Tom and walked back down the hall to the front lobby. “It looks worse than it is, Lilah.”

“What are you talking about? This place is jacked-up!”

She spun slowly around with her arms out at her sides. Behind me, I heard the rear door swing shut and turned to look for Tom. My heart sank. He was gone.

Clash of the Titles Winner!

2012-01-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

**guest post by Michelle Massaro

For the last couple weeks, Clash of the Titles has been exploring two books delivering powerful death scenes. That's right, death scenes. The two books were The Vengeance Squad and The Redemption. We met authors Sidney Frost and MaryLu Tyndall and waited with bated breath to find out which title got the most votes. If you missed Friday's announcement, I won't keep you in suspense. Though the competition was stiff, the champion title is...

...

The Redemption, by MaryLu Tyndall

Congratulations!

About the book:

Lady Charlisse Bristol sets off on a voyage in search of a father she never knew, only to find herself shipwrecked on a deserted island. After weeks of combating the elements, her salvation comes in the form of a band of pirates and their fiercely handsome leader, Edmund Merrick. Will Charlisse free herself from the seductive lure of this pirate captain and find the father's love she so ardently craves?

While battling his attraction to this winsome lady and learning to walk a more godly path, Edmund offers to help Charlisse on her quest--until he discovers her father is none other than Edward the Terror, the cruelest pirate on the Caribbean. Can Edmund win this lady's love while shielding her from his lecherous crew and working to bring her father to justice?

Can the supernatural power of God rescue Charlisse and Edmund from the danger and treachery that await them as they ride upon the tumultuous waves of the Caribbean?

***

A few of the comments from readers:

I loved the Excerpt B.....I look forward to reading the book..it seemed more historical and the genre of books I enjoy reading. I am personally blessed by many of the Christian fiction authors and want to say thank you for all you for your readers. God bless you both!

Someone turning to Christ at the last moment is always a touching scene. It tugs at your heart to know that someone you would never see again, now you will. Very touching!

Keep writing as God leads you. You are bringing God's truth to readers; some who really need those truths in their lives.

About the author:

MaryLu Tyndall, a Christy Award finalist, and author of more than ten novels is known for her swashbuckling historical romances filled with deep spiritual themes.

MaryLu dreamt of tall ships and swashbuckling pirates during her childhood years on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. Unfortunately, instead of pursuing that dream, she worked as a miserable, landlocked software engineer for fifteen years. Only by the grace and providence of God, did she decide to answer His call to write a Christian Pirate series. Today, while writing her eleventh novel, she manages a home, husband, and six kids while battling three cats who have decided that her keyboard is the best place to sleep! She believes that without popcorn and chocolate, life would not be worth living, and her sole motivation is to bring others closer to God.

***

What fun! For a sneak peak at the book, check out the winning excerpt here. You might also enjoy her fascinating interview here.
Right now, COTT is in the middle of a brand new clash so be sure to head over there to cast your vote. You just might win a free book!

Happy reading!

Brakes Only Fail on Hills and Other Action Cliches

2012-01-13T09:58:00.001-08:00

So here's the thing...I love, LOVE action and suspense. A requirement for my movie-going experience is that something blows up and there are car chases, gunfire, and some form of fight scene in which furniture is used as weapons. Yeah, my husband is totally lucky.

I also write Romantic Suspense...so in my books there are lot of emotions and drama and angsty relationship stuff, but there are also a lot of thrills. What I don't want is for those scenes to be "done before" and therefore not at all entertaining.

So I've made a list of things that happen in movies and books...scratch that, ALMOST EVERY MOVIE or BOOK...scenes that I should avoid at all costs. Lets start out with the little annoying things...

Photo by San Diego Shooter.

If the heroine is in a nature setting and an animal attacks, she will be the only one the predator goes for despite the fact that there are multiple Sherpas, bad guys lurking in the bushes, and a love interest within inches of her.

Raging river rapids are no match for the speed of the hero despite rough terrain as he is always able to run alongside the person being swept away and in fact...get ahead of them, find a tree that has fallen exactly halfway across the water, and fashion a rescue loop in time to pluck them to safety.

Photo by Greggoconnel.

Bad guys always kill someone in front of giant picture windows with open drapes. Especially when the heroine is jogging by or bird watching and accidentally happens to look at said window with binoculars or a camera.
Corollary to this rule is that her face is always brightly lit by lightning or passing car headlights to give the villain a proper look at her.

Random hot guy in glasses.

Super sexy heroes never have glasses. They never squint, hold secret evidence files at arms length to read them, and they can always decipher-pronounce obscure words even if they are in a different language or from a magical realm.

Intercourse is possible with any sentient being from any corner of the universe/realm/magical species because they all are physically identical to humans -- except hotter. They also fall in love instantly, for very specific reasons, for eternity even if they have just glanced at the heroine.

Photo by Wonderlane.

All bombers abide by the international color codes for wires so that the hero/heroine knows which wire to cut. The exception to this rule is of course, if the hero/heroine is in fact a bomb expert...then the bomb is "something they've never seen before" and the wire they cut makes the time go faster.

If your brakes fail, you MUST be either in San Francisco during some sort of protest or on winding dark mountain cliff roads where you will end up dangling with two tires teetering over a deadly drop...otherwise the hero cannot find and rescue you just as a bird lands on the bumper and causes the car to fall and explode.

Heroes must always be intimately acquainted with every street, access road, and "secret shortcut" of any city they are in despite having never visited before. They must also be able to navigate dark and defunct boiler rooms below street-level with nothing but a lighter and a keen sense of hearing.

Secret dynamo.

All hackers are antisocial, pierced/tattooed, have strange or ironic hairdo's and are secret dynamos in the sack.

Okay, that one is actually probably spot on...>

Those are some of my favorite action/thriller cliches...do you have any that just irritate you? How about some fallacies that really pull you out of the book and make you roll your eyes?

Until next time...Go Write!

First photo by o5com.

Working Like a Dog!

2012-01-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

I have totally loved my vacation! I am a little bummed its almost over. My teacher hubby goes back to work on Monday, the homeschooling starts up again, and..."Writer Raquel" is back in action!

After working super hard on edits in December, the crazy party/dinners season started for Christmas...at least for all my kids. Let me tell you, six kids makes for a lot of running around. And what is it with White Elephant gift exchanges...those are hard to shop for!

So now that I'm getting back into the swing of "Authorhood"... I wonder what you all did over the vacation. I always had the impression that things in publishing slow down as far as submission acceptances and what not. Have you guys had any interesting news this past month? What about all the Indy Authors? Did you step things up for the holiday buying season?

Photograph by KM Photography

Anti-Heroes 101: The Elusive Bad Boy

2011-11-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

So far in my series on how to write bad boys, I've touched on, The Mysterious Bad Boy and the Bad Boy With Potential. Both posts were lots of fun to write and I encourage you to take a look.

The Dark Quality:

For a lot of men, its the chase...right? Well that is not always the case. For my third installment of this series we explore the draw of the one we just can't seem to catch; The Elusive Bad Boy.

Maybe he is outside our social strata, economic standing, or just plain not available because he doesn't realize we exist...for a lot of women, this bad boy is too hard to resist chasing.

The Appeal:

Ever hear from your friends that the guy she was dating was 'too nice' or maybe 'boring' and she just can't put her finger on why she liked him in the first place? She caught him...that's what the problem is.

You see, the Elusive Bad Boy is attractive because he is a challenge. A lot has been said about men and the hunt, but women in romance novels need a challenge too and the un-catchable man is a prize that ramps up the conflict.

The Set Up:

Famous Elusive Bad Boys are Romeo as in the star-crossed lover of Juliet. Also a man that is meant for another; this is often used in period romances where a second or third son of a noble is duty-bound to marry the woman whose family provides the best alliance despite who he 'truly loves' and desires.

So he appears unatainable, aloof, but there is something there and she knows it. And its those fleeting tastes of what could be that keep her hooked on this guy.

Take opportunities to show his inner turmoil over loyalty to his family/group and his desire for a future with the heroine. Let her see this and understand where he's coming from and what is at stake. It must be abundantly clear why he is torn. She must have a reason to keep chasing...

The Reward

This Bad Boy is torn between all that he knows and the potential future with the heroine. She is both drawn to and frustrated by his loyalty and this drives the conflict and tension between them.

A contemporary example would be Charlie Hunnam's character in Sons of Anarchy. Jax Teller, the heir apparent for SamCrow loves a woman that is both outside the club and a threat...this makes for awesome tension. Where do Jax's loyalties lie? How far is he willing to bend the rules to be with her? Will she be the destruction of everything he knows? Will she survive his world?

The Heart's Hope:

In the end, of course, it is through her perseverance, understanding, and equally noble behavior that finally wins him over. The reward here is that she knows what it cost to be with her and that to him, she is worth it. In the end, the chaser becomes the pursued and they finally revel in their hard-won love.

Remember that this type of romance is wrought with heartache, sacrifice, and uncertainty. This is not the type of character to go with if you're writing a romantic comedy or a sweet southern story.

The heroine must be strong-willed, self assured, and a worthy adversary for both the hero and the women within his group. Make sure that she has a special talent or ability that proves helpful because that is usually what wins him and those he loves over.

Is she a lawyer and gets them out of trouble? Is she psychic and helps them to find a lost loved one? Maybe she's a doctor and is able to attend to one of their members in secret. She has to be valuable to both the group AND the hero in order to make choosing her a viable option.

***Crossover Potential***

The Elusive Bad Boy is often mashed up with The Mysterious Bad Boy because both have secrets that they must protect. Whether its the inner workings of the family organization, the political intrigue of the nobles, or the bloodlust of their elders...this bad boy is a rush to write!

Do you have a favorite elusive bad boy? Any examples in media or books that really grabbed your attention?

Until next time...Go Write!

Anti-Heroes 101: Bad Boy with Potential

2011-10-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

Last week we kicked off my series on writing anti-heroes with The Mysterious Bad Boy post.

The Dark Quality:
Today we are touching on...the Bad Boy With Potential. He's talented and insightful and if it wasn't for the aimless streak, a seriously successful dude. This is the amazing artist, the genius in the rough, or the untapped hero.

For whatever reason. For instance; a guilty past where he doesn't feel he deserves success. He is hiding or avoiding his true calling.

The Appeal:
So this is the reverse of the princess in the tower. This is a guy that needs to be rescued from himself. He must be written as a true talent with an amazing personality that is both humble and noble or he'll just come off as a slacker.

Whatever is holding him back should appear insurmountable at first. And there has to be a concrete reason why he is without direction. We see this a lot in romantic comedies where there are two potential suitors. One is highly successful, but flawed and the other is the nice guy that hasn't really hit his stride yet.

The Set Up:
Our Bad Boy with Potential is often set up as the hunky room mate or co-worker with the kick back attitude. He is often the confidant to the frazzled heroine as she pursues the wrong guy for her. One that this guy knows will break her heart. He can also be the childhood friend, think Sweet Home Alabama's Josh Lucas.

Overlooking this guy can lead to some great conflict for your heroine. Not understanding her attraction to someone so outside of what she thinks she needs. He can also harbor an old flame for her and that can cause tension between them when its clear she wants another. There are a lot a great opportunities for inner conflict with this couple.

Your heroine must have a maternal quality for this recipe to work. Whether its the fact that she's known him forever and therefore knows his heart is noble or her own experience with mothering siblings, she has to have the nurture quality to see the potential.

The Reward:
With every bad boy story line, you need to have that moment of redemption. That scene where all the things he's done or said finally make sense. Usually ten chapters in or so, the time you need to supply the first major disaster.

Show his hidden strength and nobility to the reader. Does he take the high road in a confrontation with his rival, and doesn't take credit for that? Does she see him treating someone who can do nothing for him with honor and respect? Set up a scenario in which the successful man and he deal with a situation in opposing ways and make your Bad Boy with Potential come out the better man.

Make who he is and how he truly loves her the most pure and cherishing of the two suitors. The reward is that he really knows her and loves her despite her flaws. That his is a better, more substantial man. Make his talent or potential somehow relate to her...

Remember in Sweet Home Alabama where she discovers the lightning glass is how he first became successful and that it was something they discovered together in their youth? That has a deeper connection that will resonate with the heroine and, by extension, your reader.

The Heart's Hope:
There has to be a reason that a successful woman would see something in who at first appears to be a total loser. Sprinkle throughout the first chapters, hints of his success. Whether its seeing him in a mysterious meeting, having him hide something he's working on, or hearing of his success in passing from others...there needs to be evidence that she sees and the reader sees of his potential.

This is where her heart's hope comes into play... This type of woman wants to feel a part of something and her helping him provides a sense of being connected and needed.

Also, if he's an artist and she is his muse, then she is halfway to being hooked because inspiring greatness in someone is a huge ego boost and draw.

***Character Bonus***
Because the Bad Boy with Potential is often already in the heroine's life in the form of a room mate, co-worker, or other peripheral position, this character has the added bonus of knowing how much of a nutter the heroine is and loving her anyway. He's proved his staying power. He loves her despite her flaws. That is always a good thing.

What about you? Can you name your favorite Bad Boy with Potential from movies or books?

Until next time...Go Write!Publish Post

Tournament of Champions - Week 1

2011-10-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

It's Finally Here!

Today I am hosting a game for the Tournament of Champions over at Clash of the Titles! From October 10th to November 4th, join us for games, prizes, and the ultimate literary showdown!

The game today is to answer the question posed on Clash of the Titles about my book, Purple Knot.

Question: What is the nickname that Summer and Jimmy use for Reyna? The answer can be found at my author site here.

Don't forget to leave your answer over at C.O.T.T. for a chance to win a $10.00 Amazon gift card!

But I Thought I WAS Normal...?

2011-10-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

Me Skyping with my brother.

Okay, so here's the thing. I often do things that I believe are perfectly normal only to have people arch their brows at yet another "strange" thing that I've done. Case in point, this past month my husband and I having discussed the health benefits, humane arguments, and ecological issues, have decided to become vegan.

Now, this wasn't an arbitrary or random decision. We've been moving towards that for some time...so why did I get all the tongue clicking, head-shaking, slow sighs? No idea.

My daughter put it succinctly when she said, "The only odd thing left for you guys to do is to become nudists."

Really? So my husband is Irish and I am Mexican...okay, so bi-racial marriage, but in southern California we are actually the majority. Its common with such a transient community to meet people from all around the world. Throw in the fact that I traveled a lot as a marine kid and it was inevitable that I meet someone from across the country. Not weird...at least to me.

We homeschool. Well...it seemed like the smart thing to do at the time. Eleven years later and we still love it. How can that be weird?

We've adopted four children. Well...we wanted a larger family and this is how we did it. Six kids total doesn't seem like a strange thing to me. Its not like we rate our own reality show. Yes its a little...chaotic. But we are happy and blessed...how can that be odd?

On the Scorpios - researching a book.

I'm an author. Which I didn't realize was considered an "out of the box" profession until I heard my daughter use it as an excuse. "Yes, I'm late for class but...my mom is a writer." The tutor actually nodded knowingly. Huh? Is it really that unusual?

This all brings me to writing. Doesn't it always? I struggled for a long time with 3rd person vs. 1st person. I even wrote a three book series (never published) in third person because that is what the conferences and books told me was the best way to write. It was normal.

After years of rejections and rewrites, I finally decided to write in the voice that came naturally to me. I wrote a romantic suspense in 1st person. Weird to write in that POV? Maybe. Unusual to have a romance in first person? No idea. What I DO know? It ended up being the first book my agent sold.

With so many opinions on how to break into the publishing industry, it can be confusing and downright disillusioning. And the question of voice and POV and genre...Oy Vey! So many differing opinions. We have the tendency to lose our passion in the face of all those parameters. Whether they are real or not.

Barbara Nicolosi, one of my favorite writer/screen writers once said, "Though we are told to write what we know...we should actually write what our heart knows to be true."

Honor, sacrifice, true love, compassion, courage...these are the things of great stories. And THAT, my fellow lovers of the written word, is what people want. Write a great story. Write something people can't put down. That is, after all, how I pick a book. Does it grab me on the first page? Do I NEED to know what happens next?

Write what you'd love to read and you'll be fine. Its not weird...its your unique and valuable style.

Until next time...Go Write!

Anti-Heroes 101: The Mysterious Bad Boy

2011-09-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

Everybody loves a bad boy, okay...not fathers, but most women who read romance do. There's something about that elusiveness that just grabs our attention. From rogues a la Han Solo to rebels like James Dean, there are anti-heroes to challenge your heroine no matter who she is or what the story.

The Dark Quality:
Today I'd like to touch on the first kind of bad boy...the Mysterious Bad Boy. This is the guy with a secret. A man with baggage so intense, he keeps the heroine at arm's length for her own good.

Whether its a dangerous association or a frightening aspect to his own being (blood lust) it is something that will certainly put the gal in peril.

The Appeal:
This is all about the chase. This kind of guy allows only a select few into his circle and that in and of itself is a major draw. Here is a man who doesn't offer himself to just anyone and being trusted by him is very flattering. The more elusive, the better because the one who finally captures the heart of such a guarded man is truly special, right?

There are usually some traits that help us understand why she is attracted to him. These can be in the the form of an incredible talent for something beautiful...music, art, photography...this is how he communicates how he feels. Its veiled and its aching, but it is definitely deep. She gets it and it hits her like a ton of bricks.

The Set Up:
A great way to utilize this type of character is hint at this destructive threat enticingly throughout the first few chapters. A strange happenstance here...a cryptic suggestion there, and your heroine will be unable to quell her curiosity.

The Mysterious Bad Boy is a great character because his secret is usually the main conflict of the story. It is the catalyst for the inner turmoil between them...his need to keep her safe and her not understanding his aloofness. And it is the drive for the outer conflict as well; the actual physical danger to them.

A great way to amp up the tension with this type of anti-hero is to put him in opposition with a heroine that is naturally a hunter of truth. Whether its a cop, an investigative reporter, or a someone who has a past that drives this specific curiosity (think sister gone missing years ago or abandoned by father) make sure your heroine is not afraid to demand full disclosure.

The Reward:
With every bad boy story line, you need to have that moment of redemption. That scene where all the things he's done or said finally make sense. Usually ten chapters in or so, the time you need to supply the first major disaster.

Show the real danger here, amp up the threat, and show how much of a sacrifice he's been making to keep those he (secretly) loves safe.

Having believed for so long that he was unlovable because of this "secret" her acceptance of him will bond them through out the remaining two disasters. Be sure to make the remaining two conflicts escalate in personal and public danger.

Later, show how far will he go to protect the heroine. Will he take it to his own destruction? Will he go against everything he believes to not lose her to this danger?

The Heart's Hope:
There has to be a reason for a perfectly sane leading lady to choose to become entangled in this situation. What is the hope of her heart? What does she truly and deeply believe will happen if she just sticks it out?

In this type of story, it is usually that only she "truly" knows him. He is an elusive prize that all women want, but only she can attain. She is the "chosen one" that he allowed into his secretive world.

She believes that if she just weathers the catastrophic events fueling your novel, that in the end their bond will be so powerful that nothing can separate them. (Think Bella and Edward)

This is the quintessential anti-hero in almost all paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, and comic book stories where there is a secret identity/secret power.

Can you think of any that you really loved? How about some that you really didn't buy?

Until next time...Go Write!

Delia Takes the Prize! C.O.T.T.

2011-09-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Delia Latham for taking the crown in last week's Staff Clash. Two anonymous COTT staffers went into the ring and readers had another hard choice to make. Some said:

"This was a cruel choice!! LOL! They were both excellent."
(About Delia's excerpt): "Beautiful words expressing emotion and making the reader want more."
"Intense emotions on both excerpts! Great job!"
"Terrific excerpts!"
(About Katie's excerpt): "I need to know Wulf better! I have a feeling he's dreamy."
"Awesome clash with two well-written, emotion-packed scenes! Great job, authors!"

Of course, nobody knew at the time that those authors were Delia Latham and Katie McCurdy.

Both are recent additions to the staff. Delia has come on board as a Blog Alliance Correspondent, and Katie is the official Talent Scout. (Looks like COTT scouted some talent when they found these two gems.)

This fun excursion was a great interjection into the usual good times shared at Clash of the Titles. This week sees another fierce challenge with nameless authors nominated by COTT staff. Be sure to head over there and vote now!

And in just 2 weeks, the party begins! Mark your calendars for October 10th and be ready to play for extra prizes all month long as COTT celebrates it's first anniversary. Your vote will determine which of the year's winning authors will receive the ultimate honor: the Laurel Award.

* by Assistant Editor of COTT, Michelle Massaro

Going DARK...

2011-09-19T10:03:00.000-07:00

With my recently finished Gothic romance, Whispers on Shadow Bay, off to the designated people and places I am free to dally in different projects while I...you guessed it...wait. The life of a writer, right? Sigh.

One great thing about waiting is that it opens up the creative possibilities. I'm not working on a book to fit into a series nor am I trying to write to a specific imprint's requirements. I'm just writing for the sheer pleasure of it and seeing where the character and the story goes.

This is actually what happened last time. I was done with the third book in my Shades of Hope series and was wondering if I should write a fourth, but not really feeling it.

I'd fumbled NaNoWriMo terribly....like train wreck. So I decided to explore a genre I'd been reading and toying with....and ended up writing a whole book.

This time around I seem to be treading the same waters. Not sure if I should go forward with the second book in the Gothic romance series because the first one is still out in proposals...so what to do?

Well...I've started a book called, Dark. Its a romantic suspense, but with a lot of danger and thrills in the chase. My main character, a very reluctant addition to the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team, struggles with the whole process of crime scene investigation, bodies, and the danger involved with hunting a killer...and we take the harrowing journey with her.

I've had a great time constructing a twitchy, unique personality in a primarily alpha-male environment. Its been said that her mind works in a great and terrible way and the process of writing how she sees the world, the crime, and the unseen flow of it has been so fun!

Plus...I might get to go on a ride along with our men in blue if I'm lucky!

So, I'm off to do more research. The librarians think I'm crazy anyway since the last time I was there I asked for books on old cemeteries, hidden passageways, and daggers.

What do you do when you finish a project? Are there unfinished stories rattling around in your head that are just dying to be written? I'd love to know what lurks in the dark corners of your writer's mind.

Until next time...Go Write!
Photograph by Alan Cleaver_2000 Photograph by Christopher Craig

Announcing the Tournament of Champions

2011-09-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary, Clash of the Titles!

It's been almost a year since COTT opened its voting-booth doors and invited everyone in. Over the past twelve months, readers have chosen 25 Clash winners and received 48 free books. And along the way, a family formed. That family consists of the voters, authors, staff, and the 25+ blogs who have banded together in mutual support with COTT.

This is cause for major celebration! So COTT is doing it up to the nines.

Clash of the Titles' first annual Tournament of Champions begins next month! Over the course of four weeks, past winners from the previous year will compete in a series of clashes for the ultimate prize: the Laurel Award. The Laurel, COTT's most prestigious honor, is awarded by public vote to a single author among the year's champions.

Voters are expected to turn out in droves to support their favorites and participate in games just for readers. Each week, COTT sponsors—consisting of various authors and staff—will issue fun challenges to readers along with the chance to win gift cards, critique services, a business card design, and more.

A dozen sponsors are lined up for the event so far. That's a lot of prizes!

Throughout the month, details and updates on the Tournament of Champions will be shared on the COTT website and featured within the Blog Alliance. To help spread the word, please grab the special Tournament Button (below) to display on your site. Then send a link to your page to: contactcott at gmail dot com to enter the special COTT Shout-About drawing. The drawing will take place during the first week of the Tournament and the winner will receive a Clash of the Titles mug.

Please also consider Tweeting or sharing this article on your Facebook wall.

(it only takes a second--just click the share button.)

Mark your calendars and spread the word. This BYOV (Bring Your Own Vote) party begins on October 10th!

* Michelle Massaro is the Assistant Editor of COTT and a writer of contemporary Christian fiction. Find her on Twitter @MLMassaro or Facebook.

Historical Romance Giveaway and Interview!

2011-09-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Raquel: Today my special guest is Historical romance author, Penny Zeller. Welcome to my Author Feature, Penny.

Penny: Hello Raquel. Thank you for having me as your guest!

Raquel: I'm so happy when I find fellow authors and can't wait to share them with other lovers of romance. Let's get started...In one sentence, sum up your style or voice as an author.

Penny: That’s a great question! I think the sentence “impacting lives for Christ through the written word” sums up my voice and passion as an author.

Raquel: That is a powerful calling. Why don't you tell us about your book.

Penny: Hailee is the third book in my Montana Skies Historical Romance trilogy. Here's what it's about...

For years, orphan Hailee Annigan was just a ragamuffin in the Cincinnati streets, stealing food to keep her two younger brothers fed. Her thievery landed her in a home for delinquent youngsters, where her life was changed, thanks to her teachers. Now, nineteen-year-old Hailee excitedly heads to Montana to be a teacher, yet she's still plagued by her shameful past and the fear of never seeing her brothers again.

Based on his upbringing in high-society Boston, no one would have guessed that Nate Adams would attend seminary and become a church pastor in rugged Montana. Even now, Nate's parents refuse to put aside their own plans for his future and accept his calling.

When their paths converge, an immediate attraction draws Hailee and Nate together, even as the pressures and demands of others pull them apart. Can the unlikely pair come to terms with their pasts and face the future together?

Raquel: Ok, you've got me intrigued. Is there an overriding theme you hope your reader’s take away from your book?

Penny: The overriding themes are forgiveness and dependence on God, who never leaves us.

Readers can also expect to share in Hailee’s pain and sorrow, as well as the joy she experiences. They will watch as her faith wavers and her heart breaks at the losses she experiences in life. They will share with Nate as he struggles to release to the Lord burdens he was never meant to carry. My books are character-driven, and as such, throughout the book and with a variety of characters, readers will catch a glimpse of struggles with forgiveness, Salvation, rededication to Christ, and the hope of a new life

Raquel: Wow, sounds like an incredible journey for the reader. Does your background influence what you write?

Penny: I would definitely say that my background influences what I write. As a wife and a mom, I am better able to develop scenarios that pertain to being a wife and a mother. As a volunteer, Bible study leader, and as one who ministers to women and children, my passion is to bring my characters to life in ways that encourage others to grow in their faith through reading inspirational fiction.

In addition, I was able to interact with a wide variety of individuals during my former jobs as a legal assistant, a caseworker at the social services agency, and as a bank teller. This helped me to be able to better create characters with real feelings and real trials.

I would advise a new writer to give his/her writing to the Lord and to not give up! I speak from experience when I say that when He closes one door, He opens another (much better) one.

I give more tips for writers, including sticking with writing and how to prepare for a writer’s conference here: http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/sticking-with-writing/

Raquel: What’s coming up for you in terms of your career?

Penny: Next on the agenda is my historical romance series set in the post-Civil War era. I recently completed the first draft of the first book and am hard at work on the second.

In addition, I am thrilled to be a part of two blog tours for Hailee. From the end of August through the middle of October, I will be hosted on a variety of blogs (many with giveaways!) and will be discussing numerous topics pertaining to my books, writing in general, and even some interviews with characters. Also, on September 14, I am part of the FIRST blog tour. I update all the information on my Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks

Where readers can find me on the web: I love to connect with readers at -

My website: www.pennyzeller.com

My humor blog “A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author” www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com

My FB Author Page: www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks

On Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/pennyzeller

Thank you so much, Raquel, for having me as your guest. It was an honor to be here!

Raquel: It was a pleasure to have you visit, Penny. And I'm thrilled to announce that Penny has offered to give away a copy of Hailee to one lucky commenter!

If the winner is a U.S. resident, she will receive a personalized paperback copy of Hailee. If the winner resides outside the U.S., she will receive a PDF ebook copy.

Penny Zeller is the author of several books and numerous magazine articles in national and regional publications. She is also the author of the humor blog "A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author" (www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com). She is an active volunteer in her community, serving as a women's Bible study small-group leader and co-organizing a women's prayer group. Penny devotes her time to assisting and nurturing women and children into a closer relationship with Christ. Her passion is to use the gift of the written word that God has given her to glorify Him and to benefit His kingdom. Hailee is the final book in the series, which began with McKenzie and Kaydie in Montana Skies, her first series with Whitaker House. When she's not writing, Penny enjoys spending time with her family and camping, hiking, canoeing, and playing volleyball. She and her husband reside in Wyoming with their two children. Penny loves to hear from her readers at her website, www.pennyzeller.com.

Dialogue--Snappy Dialogue, That Is - Clash of the Titles

2011-09-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Coming Up at Clash of the Titles, October 10-November 4, 2011

The first annual, Tournament of Champions!

Over a FOUR week period, SIXTEEN previous COTT champs will face-off in EIGHT different mini-Clashes.

Only ONE will take home The Laurel Award.

With Clashes, games, and prizes galore, you won't want to miss this month-long celebration!

********

*Guest post by Lisa Lickel

Dialogue lets your characters be heard. It’s their voice; their conversation amongst themselves. It’s how they tell their story. Dialogue is talk. Discussion. Arguments. Jokes. Questions and answers. Foibles. Mystery. Mesmerism. It’s the muscle on the skeleton of the story.

The writer’s ability to conquer natural dialogue comes out of how well we know our characters. The reader’s ability to hear natural-sounding dialogue comes from the depth from which he is drawn into the story.

Using dialogue in a book helps readers see that characters spend time with each other for a reason, even if they’re stranded on desert islands. Tom Hanks had Wilson in the move Cast Away, after all. Dialogue is more than internal mutterings or their revelations to the reader. It needs to be heard, not just read. The words need to translate immediately to sound in the reader’s inner ear, and thus be natural, no matter the setting.

What can we deduce from these two small pieces of the excerpts in this Clash? Are you in time, in story, in the character’s emotions? Can you cheer for them? Figure out exactly what will happen next, or are you eager to turn the page for more?

“Would you mind if I walked with you?”
“As long as we’re not together.”
“All right.” He strode into the street and spread his arms as wide as his grin. “There. We’re not together.”
“Jack!” she cried…. “Get back up here.” Ruth motioned frantically.
“Don’t make me fix you up again.”

“Perhaps you cannot wait for the wedding night?”

Her brown eyes simmered. “Why you insufferable cad!” She raised her hand to slap him.

He caught it and lifted it to his lips for a kiss, eyeing her with delight.

She studied him then released a sigh. “You tease me, sir.” Snatching her hand from his, she stepped back. “But what would I expect from you?”

In a novel, talk must have a purpose. A conversation shouldn’t be talk for the sake of filling time or space. Readers have only until the last page to spend with people in a book, so writers must not waste time. Dialogue is meant to reveal something useful, important to the story line—passion, motive, or confession.

Why Snappy? Characters must speak true to their nature. While snappy it might not describe the personality, it implies action, tension, perhaps a slip of the tongue or a revelation that might even surprise the character, but certainly should surprise the reader.

Clash of the Titles hopes you are intrigued by these little snippets of story and want to find out more about the books and authors. Stop by and you’ll get that chance! Meet the authors and leave comments to enter the drawing for a free book.

*Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives with her husband in a hundred and fifty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. Surrounded by books and dragons, she has written dozens of feature newspaper stories, magazine articles, radio theater, and several inspirational novels to date. She is also the senior editor at Reflections in Hindsight.

Book Trailers: How To and Where To Post

2011-09-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Whether you've braved the trailer making journey on your own or paid someone to make one for you, the next step is where to post them.

Outside of YouTube and your own website, where do these things go anyway? The truth is, there are tons of places to post your book trailer. From Web forums to LinkedIn account to sites exclusively for trailers, here are a few to get you started.

There are also specialty sites for specific genres or markets. For example, since I write inspirational fiction, I also have my trailer on Christian Book Videos. There are sites for every genre...Wrote a horror book? Post your trailer on The Fear Zone. What about romance...Seriously Reviewed is your spot.

Keep in mind that a lot of these sights do require a release date and ISBN. Some also require you to have a FLASH version of your video. However, a lot of the sites out there will just allow an embed code from YouTube which is super easy.

There was a site called Trailer Spy that was really fun but I got an error code at the time of this post. I'd check back though just in case.

If you're interested in making your own...something I encourage you to try at least once, Hub Pages has a great "How To Create Your Own Book Trailer" article with links to photo sites, music sites, and everything else you'd need to get started.

Something I found helpful a.k.a sanity saving, was the plethora of YouTube tutorials on how to make a book trailer. Everything from, "How to Fade the Music" to "How to Insert Sound Effects" all kept me from pulling my hair out.

The following is the first one I ever tried. It was for my debut novel, Purple Knot. My publisher ended up making one of their own for the entire 3-book series...but I'm still proud of my end results considering I didn't even realize my laptop had Movie Maker to begin with...totally not an expert.

So grab your laptop and give it a whirl...you might surprise yourself.

Photograph by M4D Group.

COTT Champ Lisa T Bergren

2011-08-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

*Guest post by Michelle Massaro

Congratulations, Lisa T. Bergren, author of Waterfall! Lisa's winning excerpt was discovered by COTT's new Talent Scout, Katie McCurdy. You can read Katie's review here. This YA title is being highly-praised by adults and is only the second YA title to win at Clash Of The Titles. Visit Lisa's site to learn more about her.

About the book:

Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one.
Remaining means giving up all she’s known and loved…
and leaving means forfeiting what she’s come to know…and love itself.

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. Stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds… until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

And thus does she come to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

Sounds amazing, doesn't it? No wonder it won! If you're ready to read it, head to Amazon now. You can read Lisa's COTT interview here or check out her excerpt here.

Lisa, welcome to the COTT Hall of Fame. We're very happy to have you join us!

Readers, do you hunger for a well-written convo--one dripping with sarcasm or perhaps laced with unspoken meaning? Maybe you like a quick wit or a character whose comments make you LOL. Wish you could influence the dialogue of the fictional characters you read? This week COTT is hosting a showdown for the Snappiest Dialogue. Hurry on over and let our authors know what you like, and what you long to see, in the spoken interaction between characters. See you there!

* Michelle Massaro is the Assistant Editor for COTT and has a passion for evangelizing through fiction. She writes contemporary inspirational novels with heart-rending themes intended to frame the message of God’s healing love. Michelle has written for Romantic Times, Circle Of Friends, and Pentalk Community, among others. Find her on twitter @MLMassaro, Facebook, or her blog, Adventures in Writing, and join the fun.

Controlled Chaos - 6 kids...Easy Squeazy!

2011-08-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Awesome Hubby and our six...yes, SIX kids.

As a homeschool mom of six, my day starts off pretty mellow. The kids wake up at their own times, eat and start on their work. It’s not until the mid-morning hour when all of them are bustling around that the fun really begins. I sit at my laptop in the classroom and try to do research for my book while simultaneously mixing icing ‘glue’ for our Great Wall of China replica made out of sugar cubes.

Once I have that going, I get the crock pot going with tonight’s meal. Usually some hearty chicken stew…it’s easy and yummy. Meanwhile the babies have started to feed the water turtle their playdoh, so I fish that out with the pen I was using to jot down some personality quirk ideas for a character in my new work in progress.

I get the babies busy on some coloring, give my high schooler a lecture on Skyping while doing math, and settle down to check my email and Twitter...for two minutes. Because my Jr. Higher needs me to help him look up the average rainfall for Papua New Guinea for his report. I print out his information, pop on over to my blog, read and answer comments, and start on a new post, but…

I answer a call from my mother who wonders why I never bring her grandkids over anymore (we were there last week) and I flip through the calendar and find a time between my critique group meeting and date night with hubby. I write myself a note on the paper with my character quirks and put it on the fridge as a reminder.

School time over, I put the babies to their nap and sit down to read the last chapter I wrote so I can get ‘in the groove’ of writing.

Until my third grader reminds me that we are supposed to be planting the potato he’s been growing with toothpicks and a glass…my GOOD crystal? Oh well we get it into the ground and I wash off, pop the bread in the oven and sit down to type…something. Where was I again?

Hubby comes home, dinner and homework are tackled, we put the kids down and I have some coffee on the couch with my sweetheart. He goes off to grade papers and I settle down at my laptop. Nine-thirty and ready to write. Now if I could only find my notes on character quirks…

(Post originally appeared on Purple Knot blog tour.)

Do You Make These Query Mistakes?

2011-08-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

We all talk about agents as the gatekeepers to publication. Well, your query letter is your key to that kingdom. With so much riding on first impressions, here are five query no-no’s to avoid.

You query someone who doesn’t represent your genre. Make sure to research the agent you send your query to. Websites like Query Tracker and books like Writer’s Market all list the genre agents represent. Do your homework so you don’t waste your time.

You don’t talk about your book. I know it sounds crazy, but a lot of people do this. Queries are pitch letters for your book. So make the bulk of your one-page allotment about the manuscript. Don’t go off on what inspired you or how you researched it. Sell the idea of the book.

You have grammar mistakes. This one is a biggie because it represents you as a writer. Do you have a grasp on the craft? Can you get to the point? Have you heard of a comma? Queries reveal a lot about you as a writer. Make sure you shine.

You come off as arrogant, clueless, or both. Yes, you want to show confidence. Of course, you are proud of your book. But telling the agent that your manuscript is the next Twilight or whatever your genre’s superstar is makes you look terrible. And don’t announce that it’s "recently finished" – otherwise known as unedited.

You don’t wait long enough. One thing you don’t want to do is annoy the agent. Don’t call five times to see if they got it. Don’t call them at all, actually. An email after a month is acceptable for follow up.

What are some things you should do?

Write it in the voice of your book. Is your novel fast-paced? Then convey energy in your pitch. Show them that you pack a punch in your writing.

Hit all three biggies: Who is it about? What is the conflict? What happens if they don’t stop it?

Give the vitals: What is the word count? What is the genre? Give them specifics that will help them visualize who they’d pitch your book to.

Mention you’ve gone social: Don’t refer them to your website to read more…they don’t do that. But do mention you feel comfortable using social media to promote your book. List a blog address or a Twitter account, but remember—those are NOT for the agent to go searching for information they need.

Send the right format: Some agents have gone paperless and only accept email queries. Some only want the query as the body of the email and not as an attachment. Don’t knock yourself out of the running before you even start by not sending what they want.

With a little research and attention to detail, your query can catch the attention you deserve. Take the time to do it right and you’ll give yourself a fighting chance to snag that dream agent.

(Post originally appeared on Purple Knot blog tour.)

Photograph by Sarah G.

Smooth Sailing - Romantic Friday Writers

2011-08-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Today for the Romantic Friday Writers the theme is Smooth Sailing. This scene takes place on a boat, a very special one built as a wedding present from James to his fiancé, Rain. What follows is the aftermath of the tragedy that tore them apart...

Moonlight glinted off the water and cast quivering blue reflection across the polished deck. James leaned against the railing and let his gaze follow the slivers of moonlight dance across the surface.

He heard movement behind him and then his sister was next to him. She leaned against his shoulder like she’d done since their dual birth. She whispered next to him her voice as full of sorrow as his had been.

“What are you going to do?”

James shrugged.

“Nothing I can do, now. Rain said, 'No.' She sent me away. I think...I think she's slipped too far for me to...”

Grief and frustration burned in his chest and he blew his breath out slowly. He rubbed the silver key in his hand. This couldn't be real, couldn't be happening.

His sister wiped her cheek and James realized she was crying, had been crying, also. He hugged her with his left arm and they stood watching the waves lick at the hull.

Finally she asked, “Are you going to keep her, the boat?”

James closed his eyes and then nodded.

“What about Rain?” His sister’s voice broke. “I mean, this isn’t the end, is it?”

Hearing her name made the hollow in his chest ache and James grit his teeth.

“I can’t give up on her,” he said softly. “I know in my bones that we’re supposed to be together.”

His sister made a murmuring noise.

“Then we wait,” she said finally. “I mean, she’s the one, right?”

James swallowed against the lump in his throat. His voice was hoarse when he answered.

“Yeah,” he said and rubbed the silver key again. “My one and only.”

I'm so happy I got to share a small portion of what is one of my favorite romances. If you'd like to check out the other entries in the Romantic Friday Writers challenge for this week, then hop on over.

Or if you'd like to join, then enter your blog address in the linky on the RFW home page.

Twitter Schmitter - How To Remain A Reclusive Writer

2011-08-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

You're a writer. What care you for social media like Twitter? But, its expected now by agents and publishers and so you've signed up for an account while shuddering at the thought of your inner writing sanctum being invaded. Well fear not... I'm here to help you rid yourself of those pesky followers. With Seven Simple Steps...you too, can tank your Twitter following!

Step One: Make sure your account is locked so that no one you follow can follow you back. This keeps your Tweets confined to you and your family members -- who call if they have anything to tell you. Excellent start so far!

Step Two: Choose your name like you're trying to encrypt your identity. Don't make your Twitter handle your real name...or that of your blog. No! That's too easy for others to catch on to who you are. Make it something like H82Twt so that you remain true to your reclusive writer persona.

Step Three: Use the lines in your profile to make obscure statements and claims instead of telling people who you are and what you do. Death to all Palladins...Me like chocolate...Joss is Boss. These are all excellent ways to hide your true identity. Be creative!

Step Four: Take a strangely cropped picture of just your eyes or maybe an avatar of you as a purple dingo and use that as your profile photo. That really helps to ward off recognition. You don't want people to recognize the picture on your book or blog as that of the person they've been interacting with...no, no!

Step Five: Follow the Rule of Five...Make sure you either Tweet every five minutes or every five days. That's the magic number. This enables you to flood the feed of prospective readers and writer buddies with absolute junk...and then you disappear for days. Trust me...this works wonders!

Step Six: Ignore others. Don't retweet interesting blog posts, contests, funny articles, or anything that might be of interest to other people or help them reach others. Remember, the goal is to remain unengaged with the world at large. Also...if someone does follow you...DO NOT FOLLOW BACK. That will just encourage them.

Step Seven: Stay away from searches! Don't look up topics that interest you like #amwriting or #writetips. These discussions and Tweet threads will suck you in and you'll be tempted to answer someone's question, comment on their Tweet, or otherwise join in. Don't fall for it!

There are of course, many other ways to sabotage your Twitter account. Keep in mind that while these methods are effective, they are not foolproof.

Bots will eventually follow you and it is your duty to open their direct messages about phones and pet meds and CLICK THE LINK....this spams all of your four followers! They love that.

If I have missed anything, feel free to leave your suggestions for successful Twitter tanking in the comments.

All kidding aside, writers can gain a lot of good from Twitter. I've heard about contests, open calls for submissions, and new agents on the block, all from Tweets. I've connected with writers going to similar conferences, been introduced to critique groups, and learned about extremely helpful blogs via Tweets. Social media can be an advantage. The trick is balance. Make sure you leave time for your first love...writing.

Join the Campaign!

2011-08-21T22:12:00.000-07:00

Today marks the first day of sign-ups for Rachel Harrie's Platform-Building Campaign! I did this last year and had a blast and made some lasting connections with other word lovers.

A new concept of groups was established last time and I got to know bloggers in my own genre. From interviews, ice-breakers, a choose your own adventure blog hop, and other cool meme's the challenges were so much fun!

So if you're interested in meeting with other bloggers and joining in on some creative challenges, then head on over to Rach Writes to sign up. The link closes at the end of August, so don't wait.

Do You Remember...

2011-08-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Guest post by: Jennifer Slattery

Do you remember those dances held during junior high and high school? How you and your friends would spend hours pre-dance talking about what you'd wear, how you'd do your hair, and...giggle, blush, giggle...who might ask you to dance?

Only those dances never quite ended up how we envisioned, at least not in my school. Inevitably, the guys huddled near the far, heavily-shadowed wall while the girls spent their time crying in the bathroom or trying to comfort their near hysterical friend hiding in the stall.

At least in Junior High. High School got a little better and people actually danced, and the bathrooms were far less crowded with splotchy-faced, sniffling girls.

But reading this week's excerpts actually brought me back even further...to sixth grade.

We didn't have dances--instead, our school hosted skating parties. Do you remember those? "Elvirah" blaring from those gigantic speakers while a disco ball lit up the room, making that feather pinned in your hair really stand out.

(Those have come back, btw. Seriously.)

We'd do the hokey-pokey, skate on one foot, then backward...but what the girls waited for, holding their breath and scanning the glittering room for their short, waif-thin and equally shy hero, was when the DJ announced, "Find a parnter!"

Now here's where it gets really fun, and extremely embarrassing, but remember I was a stupid kid with absolutely no life....

Who knew come skating party time, a boy--maybe even the boy--might hold my hand. Oh, the very thought made my stomach twirl.

In preparation, I slathered lotion on my hands the week leading up the event--and I mean slathered. Then, I'd rub it in and hold my hand out to my mom.

"Are my hands soft? Feel them."

She'd laugh and feel my hand. Then I'd slather on more.

"Feel them now."

She remained patient for about three or four applications.

What about you? Any stupid, cheek-burning stories to share?
Be sure to come meet our competing authors this week on COTT

How To Find a Critique Partner

2011-08-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

A good critique partner is worth their weight in gold. Someone who points out what you can’t see, is clear and precise in their advice, and able to do all this with the compassion and understanding that can only come from a fellow writer, well if you find one, you’re on cloud nine.

The problem is that it’s really hard to find them. I have been blessed with a phenomenal team mate in the writing life and I wanted to share some tips on how to find a critique partner of your own.

· Join yahoo groups in your genre. Did you know that there are thousands of groups all specializing in a type of writing? From science fiction-horror to paranormal vampire teen love stories, there is a group for you. The best place to find a critique partner is where other writers in your genre hang out.

· Join a local critique group. Writers that take the time out of their busy schedule to meet with other writers are bound to be serious about their craft. Join a group and bring your chapters. It’s a great way to get multiple critiques at once.

· Take Part in Blogfests. If you have a blog, and you should if you’re a writer bent on publication, then joining blogfests is a great way to meet other writers. Sometimes you hit it off with someone and exchange chapters with one another. Blogger, Rachel Harrie, came up with a Beta-Match campaign in June that was awesome.

· Join a Writer’s Guild. Most guilds offer a forum for writers to exchange work and critique each other’s chapters. It’s a nice way to connect with other members as well.

Whichever avenue you chose, be sure that you understand that it is usually a quid pro quo situation. For every chapter that you submit, you critique someone else’s. Also remember to be gracious. If you don’t like the advice, don’t argue. Thank them for their time and move on. With a little luck and some perseverance, you’ll find your dream writing partner.

(Post originally appeared on Purple Knot blog tour.)

Photograph by Covilha.

Love Never Fails...

2011-08-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today I am a guest blogger over at Carol Ann Erhardt's Blog! She is featuring an interview and my new release, Purple Knot.

I'd love to see some familiar faces over there so if you have a moment, hop on over for a visit.

And don't forget to stop back here for my post tomorrow on How To Find A Critique Partner. Worth their weight in gold, a person that gives you honest feedback is hard to find, but I've got some helpful tips on how to find the elusive creatures.

New COTT Champion: A Familiar Evil by Anne Patrick

2011-08-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

*guest post by Jennifer Slattery

The next Clash of the Titles literary champion is Anne Patrick! Her her novel A Familiar Evil won the vote for Author’s Choice.

Here’s a blip of her COTT winning excerpt (excerpt B):

“Excuse me. I’m looking for Chief Russell.”

Jordan’s stomach did a nosedive at the familiar voice of her soon-to-be-ex-husband.
“You found her,” Frank answered.
Jordan looked up just as Sam smiled. “Indeed I have.” He started toward her desk.
Colleen barged through the opened door. “Chief, there’s an Agent Russell here to see…oh, I guess you found her.”
“Agent Russell,” Frank repeated. He turned back to Jordan, “Isn’t Russell your married name?” He then shifted his gaze back to Sam, “That must mean you’re her husband.”
“Not for much longer.” Jordan hurried around her desk and ushered Frank out the door. “You’ll be hearing from me.” She closed the door and looked at Sam. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here at your request.”

Read the full excerpt here.

A few reader comments:

I'm hooked! Loved the tension between Jordan and Sam.
Both were really good! I Liked Excerpt B because of the rather humorous exchange between husband and wife. :-) Definitely a book I'd want to get and read!
Love tension in Excerpt B. And there's promise of lots more!!

After reading Anne’s tension-filled excerpt, we wanted to know how she came up with such great stories. Her answer? She writes on the fly.

“I’m a Pantser,” Anne said. “I never plan anything. As a matter of fact I didn’t know who the killer was in A Familiar Evil until toward the end of the book when he sprang out at me and said, ‘I’m your man.’ Of course I had suspected he was the one but I wasn’t for sure. There are several possibilities.”

Her plot ideas come to her just as unexpectedly. “Often times when I'm researching one book, ideas for another start to sprout,” Anne said. “Reading the paper is another good source for me. Life is truly stranger than fiction.

Read the full interview here.

What Anne had to say about her time on Clash:

"Thanks for having me here at COTT. You ladies are awesome!"

Want to join the fun? Hop on over to Clash of the Titles now to vote for our next literary champion and be entered into our drawing for a free book! And don’t forget to stop by Clash of the Titles Book Club to join our cyber-chat. We’re devouring Delia Latham’s Destiny’s Dream.

*Jennifer Slattery is the marketing manager for Clash of the Titles. She writes for Christ to the World Ministries, the Christian Pulse, and Samie Sisters. She’s also written for numerous other publications and websites including the Breakthrough Intercessor, Bloom!, Afictionado, the Christian Fiction Online Magazine, and Granola Bar Devotions. She has a short piece in Bethany House’s Love is a Flame (under a pen name) forwarded by Gary Chapman, another piece in Cathy Messecar’s A Still and Quiet Soul, and a third piece scheduled to appear in Majesty House’s Popcorn Miracles.

You can find out more about her and her writing at Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud and you can catch some great writing tips at her writing blog, Words That Keep.

Why I Need a Jeweled Dagger

2011-08-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Dance of the Setting Sun

I'm doing research on a new book. Having recently finished and sent off Whispers on Shadow Bay, the first book in my new Noble Island Mysteries series, I am giddy with excitement to begin learning something new.

That something new is for book two, Secrets at Crescent Point. It is a story that centers on the gypsy clan that inhabits the outskirts and surrounding waters of Noble Island. As an author, I create worlds for my characters and the reader with as much detail as possible and that is why I do a lot of research before I begin writing.

For instance, I've been researching the Romani gypsies. Things like clothing descriptions, particularly the dresses used in the veil dances and festivals.

I learned that in the Romani gypsy culture, family name can hearken back to what the family's occupation used to be whether a silver smith, wood carver, performer, etc. I also hope to find some recipes to try.

My Baby

My husband isn't quite convinced I need a dagger to write this book, but he did not see the bound dagger fight...yes, as in bound by a rope or long piece of silk at the wrists to the guy that is trying to stab you.

I mean, pirates had daggers...gladiators, evil spy chicks, even the Mughals of India. Surely, I need one as well! For research, of course. Plus it would look VERY cool next to all the other bizarre detritus of my writing obsession.

What about you? What do you most love about researching a new book?

Confused! - Romantic Friday Writers

2011-08-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Challenge #14

Today at Romantic Friday Writers the Challenge is..."Confused." If you'd like to participate, hop on over and join the Linky.

This scene is from my latest WIP, Whispers on Shadow Bay. Its a Gothic Romance so it is supposed to have a bit of a darker feel.

Rosetta is stranded at Shadow Bay, an aging estate on Noble Island, and has gotten turned around on her way back to the house. She's come to the island to start over and to escape a scandal. Simon is the master of the old mansion with secrets of his own.

Whispers on Shadow Bay

Threading through the tall grass, I took the trail to a clearing. Waves of purple and pink flowers swayed in the cool breeze. Their sweet scent drifted over me as they swished with the tumbling air. August back home was sticky and hot. Out here, the whispers of fall chilled the air. I shivered in my t-shirt and looked back over my shoulder at Simon. He wasn’t near the car anymore. I couldn’t see him at all. I’d never reacted so thoroughly to anyone before; blushing and stammering like a school girl with a crush. What was wrong with me?

Extending my arms over the waist-high blooms, I waded through the field and let the petals tickle my palms. The tourist website had described Noble Island as beautiful and foreboding. Given to sudden shifts in weather, it was unpredictable by nature. As if reading my thoughts, a sudden change from daylight to gray drew my eyes skyward. Dark clouds slid across the pale sun and whipped up a wind.

I hugged myself and hurried toward the other side of the clearing to the trees. Halfway there, sudden movement in the flowers caught my eye. I froze. A flash of raven hair rifled through the blooms and was gone. Heart ramming in my chest, I scanned the stems, squinting. Further away, a sound like a child’s giggle distorted by the wind echoed across the field.

“Hello?” I took a step back into the clearing. “Who’s out there?”

Straining to hear more, the field swayed in rivulets with the buffeting wind, but was silent. Thunder rumbled overhead, the dark clouds roiling with flashes of purple. If there was a child out here in this weather, they’d surely get chilled. Another step in to the grasses and I caught sight of a shock of pink material billowing over the flowers but it was gone before I could focus. The hair on my arms spiked with building static, a bright thread of light tore along the sky. It lit up the pale face of a child peering out at me from behind a tree across the clearing. It was gone with the flash.

“Lost?” A voice said over my shoulder.

Gasping with fright, I staggered back and turned to face Simon.

“Did you see that?” I said, hand to my chest.

“What?” He looked past me, his jaw set.

“I thought I saw…something.” Head pounding with a headache, I rubbed my temple.

“I found this in the car.” He held out my sweater and I turned to slip my arms in the sleeves. “With the weather turning, I thought you might be cold.”

“Thank you.” I shook my head. “You didn’t see anything?”

“Come inside, Rosetta.” The teasing smile no longer at his lips, he extended his hand. “It’s not safe out here at once it starts to get dark.”

“But…there’s someone out there.” I glanced behind us as he pulled me into the woods.

The dark look on Simon’s face made my stomach flop. “There always is.”

Thank you so much for stopping by! There are other challenge excerpts over at the Romantic Friday Writers site. Don't forget to vote on the sidebar poll.

There are challenges every Friday and if you'd like to join in, all you have to do is follow and participate.

Until next time...Go Write!

Writing Contest - A big Thumbs UP!

2011-08-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

If you aren’t an active part of a critique group or have some Beta readers giving you feedback on your manuscript, assessing how you’re growing as a writer can be difficult. One of the best ways to do this is by entering a writing contest. Now, it may seem intimidating, but here are three reasons why you should go ahead and fill out that entry form.

· It will help you learn to follow directions. This may seem like a little thing, but it is surprising how many people burn an opportunity with an agent or editor simply because they didn’t check the submission requirements. Check them. Follow them to the letter. To. The. Letter. A contest, much like submitting a query, is a winnowing process and you don’t want to end up on the threshing floor before they even read your story.

· You learn to work with a deadline. All contests have a date at which submissions are no longer accepted. Writing to deadline is something that you will eventually have to do and learning how you deal with this during a contest is a lot better than freaking out when an agent gives you one. Do you need to get more organized? Do you need specific writing times to be productive? A contest deadline will reveal how you work under pressure.

· You learn how to take critique. Even if you blow them out of the water and final on your first try, you will get back suggestions for improvement. Taking criticism graciously is an essential part of being a writer. Learn how you handle it from a contest and you can be sure you won’t break down later on when dealing with a publishing editor. Do you argue? Do you get hurt? Do you throw up your hands and walk away or buckle down and improve? Contests can help you see how you deal with this.

There are a lot of inexpensive contests out there with wonderful professionals willing to look over your first 50 pages and give you honest feedback. The types of contests available span the genres, from romance to flash fiction, there’s something out there for your style and story.

Many writers’ guilds offer contests as well as their local chapters. Romance Writers of America and Writer’s Digest Magazine both have excellent opportunities to get your work in front of professionals. Take care to enter contests that only charge a nominal fee. Around thirty-five dollars is the norm. Anything that charges a hefty entrants price may not be reputable.

Contests can be exciting and helpful if you enter them with the right attitude. Who knows, you might take the trophy.

(Post originally appeared on Purple Knot blog tour.)

Photography by Carbon NYC.

Win a Free Book on Goodreads!

2011-08-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

I know, right?

In honor of the end of summer, I'm giving away a print or eBook copy of Purple Knot on Goodreads. With vacation coming to a close, you have a chance to win an edge of your seat romance to take to the beach, camping, or to just read by the pool.

All you have to do is click on the button below to enter. The giveaway closes in one month...September 10th.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Purple Knot
by Raquel Byrnes

Giveaway ends September 10, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Also a quick favor to ask of you all. If anyone has purchased a copy of Purple Knot, I would love a picture of you for my author website. I have a page for romance lover pics. If you bought an eBook copy...just hold up your reader.

When my next book releases later this year, I will pick a submitted picture at random and send them an ARC of Ruby Dawn, Book 2 in the Shades of Hope series.

So get those entries in and send me your pics. Until next time...Go Write!

Photograph by Ogimogi.

Writers...Sheesh!

2011-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Reyna Cruz here, main character in Raquel’s book, Purple Knot. I’m here to give you a peek inside the strange world of her writing habits.

Ever seen one of those Bugs Bunny cartoons where Bugs is talking and then all of a sudden the artist erases his ears and draws antlers on him? How about when he’s eating a carrot and then the artist draws a wick and fire and it’s suddenly dynamite? Yeah…it’s like that.

She starts out with a pretty good structure. I know what’s going on. I have a goal…a mystery to solve and then, WHAM! My ex-fiancé, Jimmy, is suddenly at my front door. What in the world? So okay, there’s a good reason.

But then she adds something tragic. Someone I love is in trouble…dire danger and I’m all ramped up and still dealing with the feelings over Jimmy being back in the picture. But she’s decided we’re in love still, right?

Uh, no. She just got some comments from her Beta Reader, darn her! Apparently I’m conflicted about Jimmy and though I want to kiss him…I don’t. And then there’s a total misunderstanding and he’s pulling away. Raquel is so mean!

So now she’s writing in a plot twist that’s not too bad, I can totally handle it. Wait…what? Critiques are back from her writers group. Oh, no. That plot twist is now so much more dramatic, the stakes so much higher. I can’t believe she turned the tables on me like that!

Okay, well it’s time for her to do the report cards for her kids. She homeschools, you know. So I’m just stuck here, probably for days, mid-air…literally. I wonder if she’ll write something soft for me to land on?

Ouch! Not quite the way I expected that to end. She’s ramping up to the climax of the book, making Jimmy declare, uh, wait she deleted that. Now she’s pacing and eating chocolate. Not good.

Uh, oh. I recognize that crazy look in her eyes. Her fingers flying over the keyboard at break-neck speed. I’m shocked…I had no idea what was coming! And Jimmy and me, we…are you serious?

Raquel may be a bit crazy and she may make a lot of changes, but it’s always an adventure. I hope you come with me along an amazing journey in, Purple Knot! You won’t be sorry.

~Reyna "Rain" Cruz, Private Investigator

(Post originally appeared on Purple Knot blog tour.)

Photograph by Todd Huffman.

Clash of the Titles - If You Had To Choose...

2011-08-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what a writer thinks about other genres, authors, and books? Let's find out! I put together some fun questions for our Clash of the Titles authors, as well as our current anonymous Clashing authors.

Some of their answer surprised me. Others made me chuckle, or made me think about my own motives.
Here they are!

If you had to choose...

...to do only one of these for the rest of your life, which would it be? Read or write?

Amanda Flower-- Read- I write because I was reader first.

Lisa Lickel-- I’ve written twenty-five novels so far, published five of them and hope that’s not it, and it’s not like I feel I’ve written everything I wanted to...but between Kindle and my p-tbr-pile, there’s well over a hundred books just calling to be read.

Jennifer Slattery- Write, definitely, because that's when I feel God's presence strongest. I also process through my writing, whether penning articles, devos, blog posts or novels. So I imagine if I quit writing, I'd have horrendous therapy bills!

Gail Pallotta-- It would be extremely hard not to read, but I'd write because I feel that God can use my writing, even if it's in a small way.

Michelle Massaro-- mmm, read. That's why I write and it's also a whole lot easier! Lol

...only one genre to read for the rest of your life, which would it be?

Amanda Flower-- Mystery- I'm a huge mystery fan.

Lisa Lickel-- Ouch! Hit a girl where it hurts. Fantasy.

Author of Excerpt A-- History. I love science fiction, but I have a passion for history.

Jennifer Slattery-- Women's fiction. I love reading about characters ultra dependent on God's grace

Gail Pallotta-- I would read classic books that get at some truth about humanity.

Author of Excerpt B—Romantic Suspense

...only one author to read for the rest of your life, which would it be?

Amanda Flower-- Nevada Barr- Her description of the nationals parks is amazing.

Lisa Lickel-- Hmmm...besides you, of course...um...Mary Stewart.

Author of Excerpt A-- Jack London. He wrote a lot of man vs. nature kind of stories, which I enjoy a lot.

Jennifer Slattery-- Hm...I'll give three. I love CJ Darlington and the real-life issues she writes about, but I also loved Diana Prusik's debut novel, Delivery. Then there's Athol Dickson. Wow, that fella can write

Michelle Massaro-- C.S. Lewis. He has such a variety of books to read and they all contain such spiritual truths. Screwtape Letters, Chronicals of Narnia, Space Trilogy, Mere Christianity, I'd be all set
.
Author of Excerpt B-- Tough one! I'll go with Mary Higgins Clark

....only one book (in addition to the Bible) to read for the rest of your life, which would it be?

Gail Pallotta-- Other than the Bible, I rarely read a book more than once, but My all-time favorite book is An American Tragedy.

Author of Excerpt A-- Drat, you took away my answer. Since I can't pick the Bible, I would say Homer's, The Illiad.

Michelle Massaro-- Could I choose the whole set of Narnia books? If not, I'd have to go with Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. (hehe, is this answer a cheat?)

Author of Excerpt B-- The one that comes to mind first is Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson.

What about your COTT reader? What would your answers be to these same questions?

At the Clash of the Title Book Club this month, we're discussing COTT champ Delia Latham's novel, Destiny's Dream. Head over there and see what all the hype is about!

~ April Gardner is the Sr. Editor of COTT, and best-selling author of Wounded Spirits

5 Things I Learned When I Got Published...

2011-08-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Me in a submarine...no reason.

It’s the holy grail of writing. Seeing your book in print is every author’s dream. Elusive for so long, what I learned about getting published once it happened came as a surprise. Here a few things I’d like to share with you.

· It takes a long time. Not kidding. A long time. I used to think that signing with an agent meant publication was just around the corner. Not so much. It may take a year or more to find a home for your manuscript and then the real waiting begins.

· The editorial process isn’t as painful as I’d feared. I used to hear horror stories about evil editors with blood-red pens slashing the life out of stories. This couldn’t be further from the truth. They want you to succeed. They want to help you make your book better, tighter, more compelling. Let them.

· Your proposal informs a lot of what marketing says about your book. This was my biggest surprise. The blurbs and taglines you create all get used both by your agent and the publisher for your media kit. From back cover text to book trailer snippets, your words help to sell your novel, so make sure your proposal is amazing.

· You have to learn marketing. No matter the size of the publisher from big box to small imprint, you need to educate yourself. How to give great interviews. How to deal with bookstore owners. How to connect with readers. These are all important skills, and you have to teach them to yourself.

· It’s not the finish line. One book release does not a career make. You have to keep producing for your agent and the publisher. Get on a schedule. Write your ideas down and find the time to keep writing.

Publication is only as wonderful as your outlook. It’s not about numbers or validation. It’s about achieving a dream and sharing your love of storytelling. I’ve learned to keep in mind why I started this crazy journey in the first place.

It’s the love of creating worlds and characters, a passion to tell a riveting tale, and my need to write no matter what.

(Post originally appeared on Purple Knot blog tour.)

Google+ For Writers...What You Should Know

2011-08-03T00:10:00.000-07:00

So much buzz is going on about Google + these days that I thought I'd pass along some interesting articles I've come across.

There are a lot of really cool ways to tweak your profile and one of these is a Google+ ID shortener.

I love to add new ways to connect with other writers and readers so I was excited to see this cool widget maker to customize one for my blog's sidebar.

So far, the most helpful information has come out of Galley Cat. Its a post on Promotional Tools for Writers. They have a list of writers currently using Google+ as well as some tips to help you optimize your profile. There is even a section on how to organize a book party.

If you're looking for ways to "tag" people like the @ on Twitter or like to add hot keys, then this article on Google+ Tips and Tricks is just up your alley.

I for one am excited about the hangouts. I think it would be fun to have virtual critique group meeting. That would be both useful and fun!

You need an invite to join, but they are plentiful. Anyone who has a Google+ account, can send out invites. I got mine off a Twitter buddy.

So whether or not you're excited to try it or you think its another time-suck...at least you have the lowdown on how to use Google+ correctly. For those of you interested in more information, the Google+ Blog is brimming with videos and tutorials.

Until next time...Go Write!

What to Look for In an Agent

2011-08-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Agents are people and as such, they vary from micro-managers to the other end of the spectrum. One thing to help you decided what you to look for in an agent is to look at yourself and how you work.

· Do you need hand holding?

· Do you hope for a movie-esque relationship where they call you up at night with a great idea?

· Do you see an agent as a sort of mentor or teacher?

· Do you want them to help you with your manuscript because it needs an overhaul?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you don’t need an agent. You need more time.

You see, agents take you on spec. That is, they don’t make any money unless they sell your book. So when looking for an agent, make sure that YOU’RE what THEY’RE looking for in a client.

Once you feel you’re ready to query, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you separate the honest, reputable agents from the scoundrels.

· Agents do not charge you money. Period. Not for a reading fee or a submission fee or anything else.

· They do not say they will take you if you use their editorial services. Reputable agents with connections to an editing service let you know about that relationship up front. And whether or not you use their service should not affect your submission with them.

· You can check their track record on Publisher’s Marketplace or similar sites. If they are successful and have been in the business a while, then it will show.

· If their commission is outrageous, more than 10-15% domestic, or they penalize you for being new by charging a higher commission then walk away.

Where do you find a great agent?

One of the best places is to meet them face-to-face at a conference. My own agent has said that he finds 80% of his clients during sessions at conferences. This is a wonderful way to dialogue with an agent about what to expect, how they handle client questions, and what level of interaction you are looking for.

Websites like Query Tracker, a free database of literary agents and publishers, is a fantastic place to start when you’re ready to submit your query. Finding an agent is a long process, but worth it when you connect with the right one.

As a wise person once pointed out…publication isn’t a selection process, it’s a survival process.

(Post originally appeared on Purple Knot blog tour.)

Photograph by John Buckman.

Clash Of The Titles - The Champion Announced!

2011-07-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

guest post by April W Gardner

Clash of the Titles is proud to announce that author Marianne Evans with her novel, Hearts Crossing, is our newest champion!

About the book:

Collin Edwards, a former parishioner at Woodland Church, has renounced God without apology, his faith drained away in the face of a tragic loss.

Daveny Montgomery cares deeply about her relationship with God, and the community of Woodland. Lately though, she's been in a rut, longing for something to reignite her spiritual enthusiasm.

A beautification project at Woodland seems the answer for them both. Daveny spearheads the effort and Collin assists, but only with the renovations, and only because he wants to know Daveny better. Despite his deepening feelings for her, even stepping into the common areas of the church stirs tension and anger.

Can Daveny trust in Collin’s fledgling return to faith? And can Collin ever accept the fact that while he turned his back on God, God never turned his back on him?

Marianne competed with the
Adam and Andrea Graham, and their YA book Tales of the Dim Knight.

What readers said:

I'm amazed--can't wait to read more!
These books have very different plots and backgrounds, but both sound as though they are great books. Congratulations to the writers.
Both were so well done and packed with emotion. This just keeps getting harder and harder!

A glimpse at Marianne's winning excerpt:

Officer Lance Edwards banged hard on the front door of the home. A cacophony of sound increased. “Saint Clair Shores PD. Open up.” Seated in the squad car, Collin Edwards watched his brother cast a quick glance back at the squad car then up and down the street.

Lance trotted back to the vehicle, opening the door. “I'm calling for back up.” He was laser focused. “Stay where you are, and keep alert.”

“Yeah. Got it.” Collin frowned as Lance barked into the car radio and activated the roof top light bars. He left the car to return to the front door.

This time the door was yanked open. A hulking, angry man filled the entrance.

“Step outside, sir.” Lance rested a hand against the butt of his gun.

READ FULL EXCERPT HERE

About her Clash Marianne said:

It has been an honor to "clash" with such a worthy opponent! :-) I love Clash of the Titles.

Next week, April Gardner hosts a special "Author's Choice" Clash. Anything goes with this one--authors chose their favorite excerpts from their own works to submit, and we narrowed it down to the top two for readers to vote on. Spread the word!

-April W Gardner is the Sr. Editor at Clash of the Titles

and author of Wounded Spirits.

Style Sheets, A Writer's Best Friend

2011-07-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

My Actual Manuscript - Eeek!

When I was first writing, I heard from a fellow author about the Style Sheets that editors use when going over manuscripts. Editors use style sheets to maintain consistency. For example, spelling of names.

What I've found though, is that a "Fiction Project Style Sheet" is very helpful in keeping track of things while I am writing. This is an especially helpful tool for you "Pantsers" out there who rarely have extensive notes beforehand.

This can also be particularly useful to the science fiction or fantasy author who often use made up spellings for people and places. As a suspense author, I use them to keep track of red herrings and misdirection in my plots. Here is a simple one I made for 1st draft revisions.

The way a style sheet is usually set up is by dividing a few pieces of paper into 8 boxes. I like to do this on a word document, but drawing it out on notebook paper seems to work for my friend. Editors have a lot more on their style sheet, but I use an simplified version for writing.

You will label the boxes with things like: Characters, Dates, Time Spans, Places... That way there is consistency throughout your entire manuscript.

A style sheet will help you catch things like starting a conversation in the morning and then describing the glorious night as your character walks home. (Yes, I've done that.)

Or for example, you say a certain person died two years ago (time span box) but then you write that its the first anniversary of her death...you'll catch it.

Also, for anyone that writes military thrillers, details like rank, type of weapon, and specialized equipment can be hard to juggle so make a box for those types of things.

I like to have a miscellaneous box for things like character quirks. Not only do I keep them straight, but while revising, I realize that they may have stopped with a distinctive trait halfway through. Because the style sheet helped me catch it, I know to add it in.

I include a box for romantic interaction so that I can list how the hero and heroine begin to get closer and if I am escalating the tension, physical proximity, etc.

For thriller writers, a box for the ways your killer is devolving may be helpful in pointing your protagonist to clues.

Punctuation is a very important one here. Decide if you will use ellipses or an em dash, whether or not you use Ms. or Miss, that sort of thing. Do you spell out your chapter numbers or use a numeral?

Style sheets can be a really helpful reference guide when revising your own work or to give to a critique partner when asking for edits. They're fairly easy to make.

What are your revising tricks? If you have tip or method that makes your life easier, then let me know. Until next time...Go Write!

Photographs by: Laurel Russwurm, restlessglobetrotter, Mild Mannered Photographer.

Anniversary and Contest Winner!

2011-07-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

I started blogging three years ago this month! I can't believe how much I've learned from all of you during that time. I think my first post was basically a picture of my kids and like..."We went here for the summer."

Yeah, I had no clue.

But thanks to all of you and your blogfests, contests, awesome posts on craft and the industry...I've come to not only enjoy blogging, but have made friends with many of you.

From celebrating a positive reply to a query to feeling your pain when we get a "No," its been so lovely to connect with other authors and lovers of the written word.

I'm looking forward to the coming year and can't wait to see what all of you do with it!

Until next time...Go Write!

Congratulations to Gail M. Baugniet! You have won the Detective's Surveillance Kit Giveaway!

Prizes include; goodies to eat and drink during your "stake out," an Amazon gift card, a cool gadget from ThinkGeek.com and copy of Purple Knot!

Thank you all for entering and for being so supportive with your blog posts, Tweets, and "likes" for my book!

Photograph by Squeaky Marmot.

Clash Of The Titles - Gut Wrenching Scenes

2011-07-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Guest post by Michelle Massaro, Asst Editor for Clash of the Titles

This week COTT is focusing on gut-wrenching passages, which are some of my favorites! So it got me wondering, why do we so enjoy reading those scenes that tear our hearts out and end with an empty box of tissues?

Most of us already know about stress hormones and how they build up in the body, causing all kinds of problems. According to one article I read, emotionally-induced tears contain protein-based hormones as well as leucine enkephalin, a natural painkiller. So "a good cry" flushes all those stress hormones out of our system.

Well, the science is all fine and dandy but I still wanted some experiental answers. Here's what some of you had to say:

Diana Prusik: Tears are cathartic. There's nothing like a good cry during a touching scene . . except for a good cry followed by laughter. (Think Sally Fields' stellar graveside scene in Steel Magnolias. Poor Ouiser!) Something about reading or watching a scene like that feels emotionally cleansing.

Brian Heffron agrees: Catharsis
Barbara Robinson: Because a book has to touch us emotionally or it's nothing to us. It must evoke reader emotions. If I don't feel anything when I read a book, the book is not any good, and I wouldn't finish it.

Christine Lindsay: I think we need to cry as much as we need to smile and laugh. Although when we cry, it's because we are always reaching out for hope. That this sad situation will not remain, but that the sun will shine again. It's about hope.

Jessica Patch: God designed us to connect with others. The bible says rejoice when others rejoice and weep when others weep. We're built to care. We want to. Real life or fiction, we're drawn to it and good writing makes us feel like it's real even when it's not.

Those are some great answers! What about you? Why do you love those gut-wrenching scenes? (Or if not, why don't you care for them?)

~ Connect with Michelle at her blog, Adventures In Writing.

Madame Bovary's Daughter

2011-07-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today I have a guest post from author Linda Urbach. Her novel, Madame Bovary's Daughter, is receiving rave reviews and I wanted to have her tell us about her process.

The research and writing process of writing Madame Bovary’s Daughter.

When I encountered the novel Madame Bovary for the first time in my early twenties thought: how sad, how tragic. Poor, poor Emma Bovary. Her husband was a bore, she was desperately in love with another man (make that two men), and she

craved another life, one that she could never afford (I perhaps saw a parallel to my own life here). Finally, tragically, she committed suicide. It took her almost a week of agony to die from the arsenic she’d ingested.

But twenty- five years later and as the mother of a very cherished daughter, I reread Madame Bovary. And now I had a different take altogether: What was this woman thinking? What kind of wife would repeatedly cheat on her hardworking husband

and spend all her family’s money on a lavish wardrobe for herself and gifts for her man of the moment; most important of all, what kind of mother was she?

It was almost as if she (Berthe Bovary) came to me in the middle of the night and said, “please tell my story.” This is the first historical fiction I’ve ever written so research played a big part. My first two novels were al all about me but my life had gotten very boring which is why I turned to historical fiction. I used the Internet almost extensively. I found sites where I could walk through Parisian mansions of the times. Sites that not only showed what women wore but also gave instructions on how to create the gowns that were popular. I bought this great book, Mrs. Beeton’s Household Management which gives you details of absolutely everything you need to know about the running of a house in the 1850’s. You want to serve a 12-course dinner, she’ll tell you how. She’ll also tell you how many servants you need and how many pounds of paté you need to order.

The thing about research is you have to be careful not to let research get in the way of the writing. I tended to get so interested and involved in reading about the Victorian times and France in the 1850’s I would find the whole day had gone by and I hadn’t written a word. So the important thing for me is making sure I’ve got the story going forward. That’s the work part. The fun part is then filling in the historic details. It’s like I have to finish my dinner before I’ve earned my dessert. The other thing about research is that I learned to keep room open for a character I hadn’t thought about before. For example, I suddenly came across the famous couturier Charles Frederick Worth, an Englishman who went to Paris and revolutionized the fashion business. He jumped off the page at me and insisted on being part of my novel. So my advice is always keep a place at the table of your book for an unexpected guest.

An intriguing tale, I encourage you to check out Linda's book and see for yourselves.

...Brilliantly integrating one of classic literature’s fictional creations with real historical figures, Madame Bovary’s Daughter is an uncommon coming-of-age tale, a splendid excursion through the rags and the riches of French fashion, and a sweeping novel of poverty and wealth, passion and revenge. -- Booklist

First Time Mishaps

2011-07-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

I've been writing for over a decade. In fact, I wrote a series, three books, before my fourth book got published. This is pretty common. Writing is sort of a "learn as you go" type of gig. Sure you have to have a great premise. Yes, its important to take workshops and classes. Definitely read books on the craft.

But...But!

You will never know what you will face when writing a novel until you're 50 thousand words deep and realize...you don't know where this is going. Or you get to 40 thousand words and figure out your story was better suited to novella. Here's my favorite...You get to 120 thousand word and realize...this should be two separate books.

You have to write. Everyday. Give yourself time to get better. Face, overcome, and learn from your own trials during the process.

I'm giving a workshop for beginning fiction writers and I get a lot of the same topics during the question and answer period. There seems to be common problems that crop up with first novels. So I thought I'd list a few of them and see what you other writers and readers have found in your own journey.

The middle sags - you get to a certain point and realize that your characters aren't really doing anything.

Your secondary character became more interesting - the whole Luke/Han Solo phenomenon. Sidekick takes over plot.

You finished your story too soon - Everything falls into place according to plan and BAM!...the end -- on page 150.

Your story is too long - You're on page 800 of your hero's journey and he still hasn't rescued the babe.

You have a series of pointless battles and/or car chases - Because...well you like to write those. And that's conflict, right?

Over the course of the next couple weeks, I will go over each reason a first novel hits these snags and methods to overcome them.

And for those who have completed a novel...what was the hardest part? What roadblocks did you hit and how did you deal? What did you learn from the experience?

Until next time...Go Write!

Photograph by Poppet with a camera.

Apparently I'm Shallow...But I'm Okay With That.

2011-07-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

So I've been reading a lot about character motivations lately and I've come to realize that initially I am a shallow, shallow, gal. Well, not really because I intend to layer more noble motivations for my heroine to be attracted to the hero, but really...he looks at you like this...

Are your first thoughts about anything other than those eyes? Yeah, mine either. But the great part about writing a hero, especially a dark hero like the one in my next WIP, House on Raven Hill, is that you can infuse all types of noble, dangerous, and compelling reasons for your heroine to fall in love with him.

I tend to list towards a hero that is witty and can duel both physically and figuratively with the heroine. He must be more than nice to look at. If I'm going to spend months of writing and editing with this guy...I have to like him.

My question to my fellow authors out there is this: Do you start with a list of qualities for your hero to possess or do you start out with qualities you hope he gains by the end of your novel? How do you balance the need to move him along an arc of change with needing to make him initially attractive and a believable hero?

And for readers of romance...what are you favorite qualities in a hero?

Photograph by Lucy BurrLuck. Photograph of Henry Cavil.

Back With the Living

2011-07-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

So I'm back with the living! So sorry I've been absent from the ether this week. I missed all of you, but I'm finally turning the corner on this terrible summer flu and I can't wait to see what you all have been up to.

I am almost at the 60 K mark in my first draft of Whispers on Shadow Bay and I've finished revising the 2nd draft of my plot blocks. I'm still iffy on the actual location of the final scene, but that's not due for a bit. Its during this point that I start to imagine what the cover might look like and the font...I think its my brain's attempt to cajole me into finishing on time.

I have a July 30th deadline for this book. I mean to finish it before the school year begins and all kinds of craziness ensues on my home. This will give the Beta Readers time to go over it. I may have to sweeten the pot with doughnuts to get them done in time.

On the bright side, I am feeling well enough to drink coffee again -- my brain fuel -- so things should start cracking soon on the WIP again.

I'm putting together a list of Blogfests on my sidebar so if you know of any, let me know.

I'm off to read your posts now...mwah!

Photograph by Moggs Oceanlane

Clash Of The Titles

2011-07-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

-guest post by COTT Senior Editor, April W Gardner

Since we’re in the middle of Clash of the Title’s two week summer break, we thought we’d introduce you to the book club COTT has recently begun. All this month we’re delving into The Stones written by COTT champ, Eleanor (Ellie) Gustafson.

The Stones is a historical/biblical novel based on the life of Kind David. Most of us know how the story ends (wink), but Ellie presents the details in such a fresh and unique way that I find it’s almost as if I’ve never read the story before. It’s hefty reading, but I’m really enjoying it. Ellie’s prose is lovely and almost poetic. It’s enchanting. And the historical detail simply fascinates me. Actually, I’m quite in awe of all the research she’d done.

My favorite so far in the book is Abigail, David’s third wife. She was always one of my favorite female Bible characters. I think it’s rather romantic that saving her retched husband’s life earned her the (future) king’s love. Her dead husband was barely cold in the ground before David took her to wife. Talk about making an impression!

Quite the colorful character in The Stones, she’s strong-willed (which wasn’t a gift in those days) and usually the cause for tension. But it’s generally because she’s fighting for what she believes God requires of them. David’s standing before God and the people is more important to her than her staying in his good graces, which she doesn’t lose for long anyway. David loves her too much.

Care for a tiny peek into her personality? Here she is chiding David for bringing booty home from the Amalekites he’s just raided and killed.

She says, “Did you consult Abiathar and the Urim and thummin to find out if you’re the man to do it? It seems to me you’re tearing off this ‘vengeance’ thing, when it’s the Lord’s business to—”
“Enough, woman! You have a find hand on my faults and don’t hesitate to say so.” (great line, by the way) The flare died quickly, and David sighed as he wrung a cloth and wiped his dusty face. “Abigail, Abigail, you don’t understand. We have our reasons. We—”
“You mean Joab has his reasons. This was his idea, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, and it’s a good idea.” His voice grew irritable again. “We must get Achish to trust us. Once he thinks we’ve made ourselves odious to the Israelites… And besides, I thought you’d like clothes and jewelry.”
“They’re soaked in blood. I’d never wear them” (Wow. A scene with this feisty gal is always interesting!)

Historical/biblical fiction is my all time favorite genre, but I can’t help but wonder the entire time that I’m reading--Which parts are real and which are made up? In a book club setting, I get to ask the author questions as I’m reading. How fun is that?!

If you’ve ever had a question about the life of David, Ellie’s your gal. She will be available all month long at the Clash of the Titles Book Club to chat with her readers and anyone who would like to meet another of our amazing COTT Champs!

WANT TO BE A PART OF COTT STAFF?

Clash of the Titles, is on the search for a new staff member! If you are a writer who’s looking to gain exposure, connect with other authors, add bullets to you professional bio, and have a blast doing it, we would love to chat with you to see if we are a good fit. Please contact us for more details: contactcott(at)gmail(dot)com.

--April W Gardner is the award-winning author of Wounded Spirits.

Getting it Right - Accuracy with Real Settings

2011-07-09T00:47:00.000-07:00

This is a picture my brother took of the view from Columbia Tower in Seattle. It is one of the places that I visited when I stayed with my brother last year. It was taken at night with some sort of fancy-pants filter that he uses on his bazillion dollar camera. I have one taken from my phone that I was going to use until he found out and sqwaked with indignation over it. Apparently it didn't do the city justice. His city.

I included a description of this view in my romantic suspense, Purple Knot, as sort of an interesting tidbit a character notices. It happens to be the view from a bathroom stall in the building. The stall's outer wall is floor to ceiling tinted glass so that you can look out over the city while you take care of business. This is a real thing locals show visiting friends. I got a huge kick out of it.

That got me thinking about accuracy in writing. I've received emails from readers that live in the areas I write about and are so happy I got details correct and mentioned small establishments they frequent. It makes them feel like I've taken care with something dear to them...their home.

My current WIP takes place on Noble Island, a fictional setting based on the San Juan and Orca Islands off the coast of Washington. The photo to the left, taken by my brother, is of a lighthouse there and it is a place I use in my story. I hope to visit it in the winter.

Do you as a writer do anything to ensure you get the setting details correct? Sure, there's Google Earth and word of mouth, but have you found anything else that works short of visiting?

I'd love to know...

Photographs by Carlos C. Franco

Is There No Fixing This? - Romantic Friday Writers, Forgiven

2011-07-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Romantic Friday Writers are posting their answer to Challenge No. 9 - Forgiven.

I opted to enter a scene I'm working on for Bayou Blue, the third book in the Shades of Hope series. In it, Jake has just had an argument with Riley, an auburn-haired spitfire that everyone in town calls 'Red'. She did something that jeopardized the investigation into a tragedy everyone believes her brother caused.

Verona is Jake's best friend since childhood. They grew up on Bayou La Fourde together and she pulls no punches even if he is the parish's sheriff.

Bayou Blue
Coming August 2012
Sheriff Jake Ayers wants his parish to heal from the tragic bombing that left his town in mourning, but with Riley Drake back in town, that’s not going to happen. Jake cares for the beautiful, determined reporter, but Riley is causing no end of trouble. Most of the people want her dead. Emotions run deep in the bayou, and Jake’s are no exception. Keeping a level head and an indifferent heart is going to be as difficult as keeping Riley alive.

Jake stood at his desk, stretched, and grabbed the sheriff’s star from the desk top.

“You weren’t a stupid boy, Jake,” Verona’s voice called from the front counter. “How is it that you’re being such a stupid man?”

“Evening, V,” Jake said back. “Come as part of the goodwill committee again?”

Waving the question away, she lifted a section of the counter, clicking her gum as she walked over. “Where’s Red?”

Ignoring her question, Jake leaned back on his desk, half sitting, and crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re not supposed to be back here.”

“She’s just as stubborn as you are, you know. Someone’s got to bend for you two to have any sort of chance.”

“Comment?” Jake tried to shrug off her words. “How do you mean?”

“You know what I mean, Jake.” She sauntered back toward the desk, her head cocked to the side looking at him with a worried smile like she used to do when they were kids. “You planning on hiding out here all night? There’s a party outside in case you hadn’t heard.”

“Oh, I’ve heard,” Jake nodded to the cells down the hall. “I’ve got a few revelers here for company already. And I’m not hiding. I’m on duty.”

Verona stopped in front of Toughie’s desk, scooted onto it, and sat facing Jake. “You hiding from her?”

Jake stared at her for a beat and then shrugged. “I have no—”

“Oh, please, Jake. I saw you with her, remember?” She pointed to his face. “I’ve seen that look on you before.”

“Don’t do this, V.”

“You going to deny there’s something there?”

“No.” He answered simply. No point in lying to her. “Doesn’t matter what I want though. It’s a bad idea. Her brother blew up the town, Verona. Besides, she and I fight whenever we get within ten feet of each other.”

“Maybe you should get closer,” she drawled.

Jake grabbed his hat from the rack pointedly ignoring the comment.

“I told her to leave town.”

“Like that’s never happened before.”

Jake turned to face her unable to hide the sorrow swirling in his gut and her smile faltered. He plopped the hat on his head, stared out at Verona from under it, and shrugged.

“I don’t know. I told her I was freezing her out of her brother’s investigation. That I couldn’t trust her, so yeah, I think she’ll probably leave.”

“Is there no chance of fixing this?” Verona asked quietly. “You think she’ll just…leave again?”

“I’m not sure if I can charm her into forgiving me for this one.”

She nodded at him, her eyes boring into his. “Is there some reason you’re refusing to see that this woman is the one good thing to come out of all of this? That she just might be what you need?”

If you'd like to take part in the weekly challenge, go to the Romantic Friday Writers blog and sign up!

You can also find links to all the other awesome excerpts there.

JC and the Blog Tour De Force!

2011-07-06T01:37:00.000-07:00

J.C. Martin is joining me during her mini blog tour to promote the release of the Stories for Sendai charity anthology.

Raquel: I'm so delighted to have you stop by, J.C. Can you tell us what your Tour de Force is all about?

J.C.: Stories for Sendai is a collection of 20 uplifting and inspirational short stories that all share a common theme: they encompass hope and the strength of the human spirit. All proceeds from sales of the anthology will go towards helping victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Raquel: What a worthy endeavor. You really put your talent to work for the good of others. Can you tell us how long you've been writing?

J.C.: I’ve been writing all my life, but have only decided to seriously pursue writing as a career last August. To allow more time each day for writing, I had a change in career. As a kung fu instructor, I LOVE writing action scenes, and I believe my knowledge of the martial arts come in very handy when writing fight scenes.

Raquel: Do you have a favorite book on the writing craft? If so, how has it helped you?

J.C.: Stephen King’s On Writing is one of the most inspirational books on writing around! The part memoir, part how-to book discusses elements of style, and how less is often more. He provides examples of his first draft and then shows us how he edits it—absolutely priceless advice! Hopefully I’ve managed to put his tips to practice in my contribution to the anthology, a short story entitled Tommy’s Legacy.

Raquel: Is there a way that we can help the disaster victims in Japan?

J.C: Why not purchase a copy (or two) of Stories for Sendai? You get a lovely little book of wonderful short stories, plus you also contribute to aid efforts in Japan! As an added incentive, there is a prize draw, with awesome prizes like books, gift vouchers and critiques!

All you have to do is to buy a copy of Stories for Sendai and email us a copy of your receipt at storiesforsendai (at) ymail (dot) com. One entry per purchase! Winners will be announced on July 15th!

With Michelle Davidson Argyle, J.C. Martin is co-editor of the Stories for Sendai charity anthology. A displaced Malaysian living in south London with her husband and three dogs, she funds her writing obsession by working as a martial arts instructor. Her short stories have been published by New Asian Writing, Pill Hill Press and Static Movement, and she is the winner of IFWG Publishing’s Short Story Contest in 2010. You can find her online ramblings at http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/. For shorter, 140-character versions of her ramblings, find her on Twitter @JCMartin_author (http://twitter.com/#!/JCMartin_author).

Raquel Byrnes

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Anti-Heroes 101: The Elusive Bad Boy

Anti-Heroes 101: Bad Boy with Potential

Tournament of Champions - Week 1

But I Thought I WAS Normal...?

Anti-Heroes 101: The Mysterious Bad Boy

Delia Takes the Prize! C.O.T.T.

Going DARK...

Announcing the Tournament of Champions

Historical Romance Giveaway and Interview!

Dialogue--Snappy Dialogue, That Is - Clash of the Titles

Book Trailers: How To and Where To Post

COTT Champ Lisa T Bergren

Controlled Chaos - 6 kids...Easy Squeazy!

Do You Make These Query Mistakes?

Smooth Sailing - Romantic Friday Writers

Twitter Schmitter - How To Remain A Reclusive Writer

Join the Campaign!

Do You Remember...

How To Find a Critique Partner

Love Never Fails...

New COTT Champion: A Familiar Evil by Anne Patrick

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Confused! - Romantic Friday Writers

Writing Contest - A big Thumbs UP!

Win a Free Book on Goodreads!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Purple Knotby Raquel Byrnes

Giveaway ends September 10, 2011.

Writers...Sheesh!

Clash of the Titles - If You Had To Choose...

5 Things I Learned When I Got Published...

Google+ For Writers...What You Should Know

What to Look for In an Agent

Clash Of The Titles - The Champion Announced!

Style Sheets, A Writer's Best Friend

Anniversary and Contest Winner!

Clash Of The Titles - Gut Wrenching Scenes

Madame Bovary's Daughter

First Time Mishaps

Apparently I'm Shallow...But I'm Okay With That.

Back With the Living

Clash Of The Titles

Getting it Right - Accuracy with Real Settings

Is There No Fixing This? - Romantic Friday Writers, Forgiven

JC and the Blog Tour De Force!

Purple Knot
by Raquel Byrnes