Ginger Simpson's Blog, page 13
September 18, 2020
Please Bring Back Smokey the Bear by Connie Vines @California Forest Fires 2020 #SmokeytheBear
I reside in Southern California about 35 miles from both the El Dorado Fire and the Bobcat Fire.
Yesterday the El Dorado Fire claimed the life of a Firefighter.
The wildfire continues to burn in the San Bernardino National Forest, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes in mountain communities.
Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.
Even if we are not in the evacuation area, the smoke, ash, and air quality is fearfully unhealthy. Some are relying on medical grade-masks indoor their home. Going outdoors is out of the question.
Here's what we know about the blaze so far today:
THE BASICS
Acreage: 21,678
Containment: 66%
Structures destroyed: 4 homes, 6 other structures
Structures damaged: 2 homes, 4 other structures
Residences evacuated: 3,467
Structures threatened: 26,031
Personnel: 1,351 firefighters
Deaths: one firefighter killed
Injuries: 12
CNN: El Dorado FireThe Bobcat Fire continues to grow in the Angeles National Forest as the firefight enters its 13th day.
The blaze has been rapidly spreading north, prompting new evacuation orders and warnings for communities in the Angeles National Forest and foothills near the High Desert.
Here's what we know about the fire so far today.
THE BASICS
Acreage: 60,557 acres
Containment: 15%
Resources deployed: 1,300 firefighters
Bobcat FireFires are also raging in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington.
Stay Safe.
Please Remember: Fires become deadly in only a matter of moments!
Connie
August 29, 2020
Joan Reeves: Review of Paradise Perfume! #Joan Reeves, #SlingWords
Joan Reeves: Review Paradise Perfume
Thanks Joan!
Please visit Joan's blog for FREE STUFF, Reviews, and more! And, of course, to read her review!
Joan Reeves is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary Romance. Her novels--Keeping Romance Alive...One Sexy Book at a Time--have been published in a half dozen languages, and her ebooks are available at most ebook sellers with audio book and print editions also available.
Thanks Joan!
Please visit Joan's blog for FREE STUFF, Reviews, and more! And, of course, to read her review!
Joan Reeves is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary Romance. Her novels--Keeping Romance Alive...One Sexy Book at a Time--have been published in a half dozen languages, and her ebooks are available at most ebook sellers with audio book and print editions also available.
August 28, 2020
August 24, 2020
Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner--No, an Amazon Gift Card! By Connie Vines #ContestWinner
J. Q. Rose, author at BWL Publishing, graciously invited me to guest blog about my current release.
https://www.jqrose.com/
I had a wonderful cyber time! There was also drawing for a participation prize for visitors/commentators.
The winner is: Marsha from Texas. Her Amazon e-gift card is on it's way.
https://www.jqrose.com/
I had a wonderful cyber time! There was also drawing for a participation prize for visitors/commentators.
The winner is: Marsha from Texas. Her Amazon e-gift card is on it's way.
August 22, 2020
Making a Story Real for your Reader by Connie Vines #RR87 @connievines_author
What elements do you include in your stories to
make a story seem and feel more realistic to the reader?
The challenge of every fiction writer or non-fiction writer creating a fictional story, is to craft a fictional story that is believable. This challenge is taken to new levels for writers of realistic fiction. These stories, which are woven around real events that have taken place, can be formed around memoirs, historical moments, and even horror stories if desired. It is just important to remember that realistic fiction doesn’t blend well with other fictional genres. It must stand on its own.
That’s why it’s important to know how to write realistic fiction in a way that can relate to the reader, be realistic, but not include fantasy elements that drive readers away. Here’s how I keep it real for my readers.
#1. Don’t go crazy with your characters. Most people in real-life don’t have crazy names, (though spelling names phonetically is the latest craze.) If a parent wishes his/her child going though life 'spelling his/her name' that's their business. However, i don't give my characters crazy names. Sometimes a guy named Joe, Jacob, or Chris is good enough for realistic fiction.
#2. Give your story a good structure. Realistic fiction needs to involve the characters in a comprehensive way. People like to see what happens to them because realistic fiction puts the reader into the character’s shoes.
#3. Create a good introduction. You want your readers in realistic fiction to begin developing relationships with the characters immediately. This will help to draw them into the story. Let the first couple of pages be the setting where your readers develop a dialogue. Then let the events of your story begin to unfold for your characters. This will lure the reader in so they don’t want to put the book down.
#4. Make sure your settings are realistic as well.
#5. Create conflicts that are part of the character dialogue. Even close friends are going to have conflicts from time to time. In realistic fiction, these conflicts must also have a touch of realism to them.
#6. Build to a solid climax. The most common error that is seen in proposed realistic fiction is that the entire story builds up to a climax at the very end of the story. Remember to have plot-points, dark moments, and mini-resolutions to subplots.
#7. Create a conclusion with a twist. Have you ever worked hard for something only to have something unexpected happen? Sometimes the conclusion of a realistic story is predictable and that’s a wonderful thing. Readers love it when everything works out as it should. For some characters, life might throw them a bit of a twist.
By keeping things real, you create stories that will help readers relate to your characters in a very personal way. There is no better method to create a story that people won’t want to put down until they’ve finished it.
I don't wish to give too much away in my works in progress, or my published stories.
But here's are a few teasers and hints of what is to come in my novels:
Current (Limited Time) Release:
"Paradise Perfume" a short romance story which is part of a box-set, Last Chance Beach, Summer's End. "Fragrance and love cannot be hidden." My teaser gives hint at the theme.
My blurb tells a bit more: Tempest Javid returns to Last Chance Beach to begin a new life.
Sam is a single dad on vacation with his pre-teem daughter. He's worried his daughter may become too attached to her, but maybe he's the one whose heart is at risk.
"Gumbo Ya Ya" an anthology for women who like Cajun romance, is my next release.
Each story has a 'Cajun main character. And, of course, food is also part of the realistic slant of each story.
Please stop by and see what each of these talented authors have to say about "making a story" real!
Happy Reading!
Connie
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1ZR
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
Last Chance Beach, Summer's End (14-new stories!)
Still 99cents:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CV3GN3R/
Free! Companion to Last Chance Beach:
https://www.amazon.com/Cocktails-Last-Chance-Beach-Reeves-ebook/dp/B08DR4K3YX/
make a story seem and feel more realistic to the reader?
The challenge of every fiction writer or non-fiction writer creating a fictional story, is to craft a fictional story that is believable. This challenge is taken to new levels for writers of realistic fiction. These stories, which are woven around real events that have taken place, can be formed around memoirs, historical moments, and even horror stories if desired. It is just important to remember that realistic fiction doesn’t blend well with other fictional genres. It must stand on its own.That’s why it’s important to know how to write realistic fiction in a way that can relate to the reader, be realistic, but not include fantasy elements that drive readers away. Here’s how I keep it real for my readers.
#1. Don’t go crazy with your characters. Most people in real-life don’t have crazy names, (though spelling names phonetically is the latest craze.) If a parent wishes his/her child going though life 'spelling his/her name' that's their business. However, i don't give my characters crazy names. Sometimes a guy named Joe, Jacob, or Chris is good enough for realistic fiction.
#2. Give your story a good structure. Realistic fiction needs to involve the characters in a comprehensive way. People like to see what happens to them because realistic fiction puts the reader into the character’s shoes.
#3. Create a good introduction. You want your readers in realistic fiction to begin developing relationships with the characters immediately. This will help to draw them into the story. Let the first couple of pages be the setting where your readers develop a dialogue. Then let the events of your story begin to unfold for your characters. This will lure the reader in so they don’t want to put the book down.
#4. Make sure your settings are realistic as well.
#5. Create conflicts that are part of the character dialogue. Even close friends are going to have conflicts from time to time. In realistic fiction, these conflicts must also have a touch of realism to them.
#6. Build to a solid climax. The most common error that is seen in proposed realistic fiction is that the entire story builds up to a climax at the very end of the story. Remember to have plot-points, dark moments, and mini-resolutions to subplots.
#7. Create a conclusion with a twist. Have you ever worked hard for something only to have something unexpected happen? Sometimes the conclusion of a realistic story is predictable and that’s a wonderful thing. Readers love it when everything works out as it should. For some characters, life might throw them a bit of a twist.
By keeping things real, you create stories that will help readers relate to your characters in a very personal way. There is no better method to create a story that people won’t want to put down until they’ve finished it.
I don't wish to give too much away in my works in progress, or my published stories.
But here's are a few teasers and hints of what is to come in my novels:
Current (Limited Time) Release:
"Paradise Perfume" a short romance story which is part of a box-set, Last Chance Beach, Summer's End. "Fragrance and love cannot be hidden." My teaser gives hint at the theme.
My blurb tells a bit more: Tempest Javid returns to Last Chance Beach to begin a new life.
Sam is a single dad on vacation with his pre-teem daughter. He's worried his daughter may become too attached to her, but maybe he's the one whose heart is at risk.
"Gumbo Ya Ya" an anthology for women who like Cajun romance, is my next release.
Each story has a 'Cajun main character. And, of course, food is also part of the realistic slant of each story.
Please stop by and see what each of these talented authors have to say about "making a story" real!
Happy Reading!
Connie
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1ZR
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
Last Chance Beach, Summer's End (14-new stories!)
Still 99cents:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CV3GN3R/
Free! Companion to Last Chance Beach:
https://www.amazon.com/Cocktails-Last-Chance-Beach-Reeves-ebook/dp/B08DR4K3YX/
August 3, 2020
Last Chance Beach, Summer's End and Cocktails @ Last Chance Beach by Connie Vines
Who doesn't love a day at the beach?
Sand between your toes, the briny scent of sea air, and the salt water taste on your lips--good times.
And the music and the beach reads.
This box-set is only 99cents at Amazon and the companion Cocktail at Last Chance Beach is FREE!
14 new romance stories by 14 Bestselling and Award winning authors.
My short-story is Perfume Paradise. A Sweet Summer Romance. My heroine, Tempest Javid, has returned to Last Chance Beach to begin a new life.
Fragrance and love cannot be hidden. . .
Cocktails on Last Chance Beach, recipes & excerpts from #LastChanceBeach #SummersEnd, is No.1 Best Seller/Top 100/Alcoholic Beverages. If U think Cocktails are good, wait till you read the 14 #Romance #ShortStories in our #boxset. #99cents #KU https://viewbook.at/LCB-Summers-End
July 30, 2020
Free e-book! Cocktails on Last Chance Beach is FREE
Last Chance Beach, Summer's End, boxed-set, has 14 new romance stories
.
In Cocktail on Last Chance Beach you will be able to make these cocktails or mock-tails at home.
Each recipe has a tie-in to each writer's story.
Tempest and Sam spent a romantic evening at the Sands-on-the-Beach. Don't you wonder what they were each drinking?
Take a sneak peek--if you haven't read my story, Perfume Paradise. Or if you have read the story, Tempest's drink or mock-tail version, would help you beat the heat on a hot summer day!
Cocktails-Last-Chance-Beach/
.
In Cocktail on Last Chance Beach you will be able to make these cocktails or mock-tails at home.
Each recipe has a tie-in to each writer's story.
Tempest and Sam spent a romantic evening at the Sands-on-the-Beach. Don't you wonder what they were each drinking?
Take a sneak peek--if you haven't read my story, Perfume Paradise. Or if you have read the story, Tempest's drink or mock-tail version, would help you beat the heat on a hot summer day!
Cocktails-Last-Chance-Beach/
July 25, 2020
Character Development--Delving into the Unknown by Connie Vines #RR85 @connievines_autnor
How do you develop a character who is different
in personality from all the other characters you have developed, or from yourself?
This month's topic took a bit of reflection on my part.
It seems each one of my characters is different in personality, goals, dreams, and motivation. Of course, if it is a romance story/novel the plot-line and the characters are focused on love and romance; a mystery focuses on the mystery and a search for clues; fantasy, the norms of this other-world. However, I visualize each of my characters in his or her own right. Therefore, each is different from any characters who have come before, or will come after.
While none of my characters are me. The way I look at the world, my sense of humor, likes and dislikes are often part of a character's world.
I dislike turnips, vegan 'meat', the color orange, turtle-neck clothing, and wedged shoes. It is doubtful any of my characters will wearing an orange turtle-neck sweater, pants, wedged shoes at an event while holding a plate filled with a vegan hamburger sliders and turnip-fries.
In my current release is part of the box-set: LAST CHANCE BEACH, Summer's End.
In"Paradise Perfume" my heroine, Tempest Javid, owns a Perfumery and is a fragrance consultant. I have a background in perfuming and my skills are her skills (and more highly developed than my own). Tempest's personality and goals are hers and hers alone.
I find the characters unfold as my story develops.
This wasn't always the case.
Until recently, I wrote very detailed plot-lines, character sketches, etc. For my story, "Paradise Perfume" I have a very basic plot line: the simple W method and only physical details and notes about my characters.
I just sat at my computer and wrote. Dialogue popped into my head (which is the usual for me), but the plot-line just unfolded.
I go back the next day, write, and find I thought of details to go back and add in: a bracelet to be worn, her favorite fragrance,
his past history, etc. I guess I'm officially a 'panster' now. I'm writing by the seat of my pants without a net to catch me!
Link to LAST CHANCE BEACH, Summer's End.
only 99cents on preorder!
My next release: Gumbo Ya Ya--an anthology for women who like Cajun romance, is an August release @ BWL publishing Inc.
Marrying of Murphy, is a fun, fast-paced story, Love Potion # 9, (Persia Richmond is a perfumer who may have/ or may not have developed a Love Potion). So one again, my perfuming skills are are a part of the plot-line! A Slice of Scandal, a mini-TV cooking show murder/mystery, and The Pirate Ghost, a time-travel love story.
Publisher's Website/ Gumbo Ya Ya
See what these talented writers have to say about character development!
Connie
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Y4
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
in personality from all the other characters you have developed, or from yourself?
This month's topic took a bit of reflection on my part.
It seems each one of my characters is different in personality, goals, dreams, and motivation. Of course, if it is a romance story/novel the plot-line and the characters are focused on love and romance; a mystery focuses on the mystery and a search for clues; fantasy, the norms of this other-world. However, I visualize each of my characters in his or her own right. Therefore, each is different from any characters who have come before, or will come after.
While none of my characters are me. The way I look at the world, my sense of humor, likes and dislikes are often part of a character's world.
I dislike turnips, vegan 'meat', the color orange, turtle-neck clothing, and wedged shoes. It is doubtful any of my characters will wearing an orange turtle-neck sweater, pants, wedged shoes at an event while holding a plate filled with a vegan hamburger sliders and turnip-fries.
In my current release is part of the box-set: LAST CHANCE BEACH, Summer's End.
In"Paradise Perfume" my heroine, Tempest Javid, owns a Perfumery and is a fragrance consultant. I have a background in perfuming and my skills are her skills (and more highly developed than my own). Tempest's personality and goals are hers and hers alone.
I find the characters unfold as my story develops.
This wasn't always the case.
Until recently, I wrote very detailed plot-lines, character sketches, etc. For my story, "Paradise Perfume" I have a very basic plot line: the simple W method and only physical details and notes about my characters.
I just sat at my computer and wrote. Dialogue popped into my head (which is the usual for me), but the plot-line just unfolded.
I go back the next day, write, and find I thought of details to go back and add in: a bracelet to be worn, her favorite fragrance,
his past history, etc. I guess I'm officially a 'panster' now. I'm writing by the seat of my pants without a net to catch me!
Link to LAST CHANCE BEACH, Summer's End.
only 99cents on preorder!
My next release: Gumbo Ya Ya--an anthology for women who like Cajun romance, is an August release @ BWL publishing Inc.
Marrying of Murphy, is a fun, fast-paced story, Love Potion # 9, (Persia Richmond is a perfumer who may have/ or may not have developed a Love Potion). So one again, my perfuming skills are are a part of the plot-line! A Slice of Scandal, a mini-TV cooking show murder/mystery, and The Pirate Ghost, a time-travel love story.
Publisher's Website/ Gumbo Ya Ya
See what these talented writers have to say about character development!
Connie
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Y4
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com
