L.M. Nelson's Blog, page 11

5 Simple Writing Tips

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(image from https://thecostaricanews.com/top-tips-improve-writing-skills/)

As writers, we’re always looking for tips to improve our craft. Here are 5 simple tips that can give your writing that extra punch.

Know your character’s unique view. How does he or she interact with the world around them? Write through that lens.
You don’t need as many dialogue tags you think.
Don’t forget visceral reactions. Readers want to feel your character’s emotions.
Use figurative language.
Read.  The more you read, the better writer you become.

 

Author Spotlight – Kara Liane

Author Spotlight

[image error]It’s time for another episode of Author Spotlight. This week, I’d like to introduce you to Kara Liane. Kara is a lover of all things romance. She holds several degrees, including a Master’s in Management from Wayland Baptist University. Her husband of 16 years proudly serves in the military, and together with their twin elementary-age sons and two adult dogs, reside in New Jersey. Kara is an environmental scientist by day working full-time as a Lab Tech in the wastewater field. In her spare time, she loves to read, write various things including poetry, stories about her sons, and her latest novels. She also loves to give back to the community and serves as a Key Spouse to two squadrons on her local military installation. As a family, they enjoy going camping. If you don’t find Kara chasing after her sons, then you’ll find her glued to her computer, or enraptured by something she’s reading.

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Let’s take a look at her latest book, Nursing Myself Back

[image error]This steamy, contemporary romance novel is the final book in A Tryst of Fate Series. This standalone story picks up right where A Force of Nature – Book 2 (Kindle Scout Winner 2017) left off within the circle of friends. Find out if Caleb can help Liz heal, and see if Liz can be the perfect woman Caleb has been searching for.

~Liz~

I can get back to myself, I just know it. After my heartless husband’s death, I can find a way to move on. I want to learn to let someone in again and be with a man who truly wants me. I believe I can heal my tattered heart and bruised soul…somehow. I need a friend first, but above all, I need love.

~Caleb~

My hunger for cougars is something that’s always been a part of me. When I met Liz, though, she ignited a passion in me that lent way to a whole new level of hunger–this one burns bright and deep. I can be her friend and her lover. I can be anything and everything to her. I don’t think my appetite will ever be satiated where she’s concerned. I’m the sweet one of our friends. I’m the nice guy of our group. But in bed, well, that’s where I come alive, and the beast will not be tamed. This cougar is about to meet the hunter.

Nursing Myself Back is currently up for pre-order on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. It is set for release July 17. The paperback is live!

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Buy links: 

Amazon US:  https://amzn.to/2HxtezW
Amazon UK:  https://amzn.to/2JkVhs5
Amazon CA:  https://amzn.to/2JlkEKy
Amazon AU:  https://amzn.to/2sSm9EL

 For more information or to connect with Kara, visit her Facebook Author Page, Twitter, Goodreads, her Amazon Author Page, Instagram, or her website.

You can also email Kara at authorkaraliane@gmail.com and sign up for her newsletter.

Author Spotlight – TL Clark

Author Spotlight

This week’s Author Spotlight is on TL Clark. TL Clark  is a British author who stumbles [image error]through life as if it were a gauntlet of catastrophes. Rather than playing the victim, she uses these unfortunate events to fuel her passion for writing, for reaching out to help others. She writes about different kinds of love in the hope that she‘ll uncover its mysteries.

Her loving husband (and very spoiled cat) have proven to her that true love really does exist. Writing has shown her that coffee may well be the source of life.

Her latest book release is a paranormal romance, the Darkness & Light Duology .

[image error]The two book series starts with Love Bites:

Shakira had never felt at home growing up in Surrey, but as soon as she entered the quaint Welsh village she knew she belonged. Maybe it was because of the welcoming villagers. Or perhaps it was the presence of the others whom she sensed nearby; the ones she saw in her dreams, with their strange glowing eyes.

Fate is not always kind. It gives with one hand and takes with the other. There is a reason she didn’t grow up with her own kind.

A rich tale of witchcraft, fae, sorcery, elinefae and dragons; this is a story for all who dare to believe.

Get your copy of Love Bites on Amazon. 

From fun in the sun in Ibiza to a trip down memory lane, check out her whole range of books on social media:
Goodreads,  Facebook, Amazon, Instagram, and Twitter.
Read her blog or sign up for her newsletter at http://tlclarkauthor.blogspot.co.uk/

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Weathered Hearts

[image error]I don’t mean to bring you misery,

I don’t want to cause you pain,

I want to give you sunshine,

Instead I bring in floods of rain.

Flowers bloom around you,

They smile, laugh, and cheer.

But when the moon of me surrounds

you,

Their sunny laughter disappears.

I love you more than I can tell you,

More than words can ever express,

Though I try to give you sunshine,

Fogs of denseness make a mess.

I want to understand you,

Want to see your point of view,

But the minute I unlock the door,

It bolts back up like glue.

My head just doesn’t get it,

My heart is aching too,

It seems the more I try to help,

The less you want me to.

I want so much to be the one

Who always makes you smile,

I try to lift you up inside,

Yet you walk the lonely mile.

I am always by your side,

Though you may not think it’s true,

I just wish my sun could lift the rain

So you can see it too.

I want to be your sunny day,

I don’t mean to be your rain,

But if a storm comes crashing down

Like a locomotive train,

I’ll umbrella you with love

And try my best to understand,

In the end, when thunder frightens you,

I’ll be there to hold your hand.

Let me take away your misery,

Let me take away your pain,

Let me bring to you my sunshine,

And we’ll dry up all the rain.

Story Scene

If you’re struggling to get started or need that extra push to get through a tricky scene, this might be helpful.

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You can read the full article at NowNovel.com

Bring on the Rain

I posted this about three years ago, but since it’s been raining here for the last 4 days, I thought it was appropriate to repost. I’m not complaining about the rain at all. This city needs rain, desperately. It’s been over 100 degrees every day since the middle of May.

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I love rain.  I grew up in an area of the United States where it rains almost daily.  Now that I’m in Texas, rain is a rare treat.  We’ve received more rain this year than we have in many years, so much rain that many cities have been devastated by floods. Despite this, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Texas so green. It’s beautiful.

It happens to be raining again today.  I love the sound of rain.  The sound of rain not only relaxes the mind, but it can inspire creativity as well.  Art, photography, music, poetry, theatre, literature — rain has provided inspiration for many artists.

Today I’d like to share some rain-inspired works that I love.

 

A painting by Belorussian painter Leonid Afremov.

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This awesome photography shot is called Rain Again.

 

A poem entitled “The Rain to the Wind” by my favorite poet, Robert Frost

The rain to the wind said,

‘You push and I’ll pelt.’

They so smote the garden bed

That the flowers actually knelt,

And lay lodged–though not dead.

I know how the flowers felt.

—Robert Frost from his poem “The Rain to the Wind”

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One of my favorite musicals is Singin’ in Rain, starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds.

See Gene Kelly Perform the song “Singin’ in the Rain” here.

Rain has a purpose.  It brings life by providing water for flowers and plants. Rain fills reservoirs, which provides clean drinking water.  It keeps lakes and rivers at capacity, which not only benefits fish, but also gives us a place to go waterskiing, swimming, or enjoy other recreational water activities.  Rain supplies puddles for kids to splash in and a water source for animals to drink from.  Rain cleanses the Earth, relaxes the mind, and cools the air.  I love rain.

13 Ways of Water

The lake ripples as boats float by.

The clouds pour raindrops from the sky.

Puddles are fun to splash in and play,

Cleanse in holy water before you pray.

Making spaghetti, it boils and churns,

But frozen as ice, it cools down burns.

Putting out fires and cleansing thirst,

And on a hot day from a sprinkler it bursts.

Delicate snowflakes fall from the sky.

In summer the water balloons sail by.

It combines with soap for washing my socks,

Then helps me relax on sauna rocks.

Vapor or liquid or solid as ice,

Water is life, and water is nice.

-L.M. Nelson

Author Spotlight – Sarah Klaiber

Author Spotlight

Welcome to another edition of Author Spotlight, featuring Sarah Klaiber.

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Writing was Sarah’s first love. Her creations started at a very young age with poetry and short stories. As time went on, her passion evolved into songwriting. Sarah enjoyed composing so much that she made plans to pursue it as a career after high school. She was offered a recording contract, but there was a different path in her future.

Creativity took a back seat as Sarah worked towards being the best wife and mother she could be. The music scene made a brief re appearance, but the experience was disappointing to say the least. After that, the pen stood still for quite some time.

From a very young age, Sarah also fought the silent battle of depression. It worsened in time and began to rob her and her family of the happy memories they deserved. Finally, she had enough. That was the day she began her journey to fight instead of give in. The result has been better days.

Sarah taught herself that, among other changes, taking time to find appreciation provides a better outlook and bring light to some darkness. The concept began with “Treasures,” the resurrection of her passion for writing. Today, she is proud to be the voice of someone who gets it, someone who still struggles but not ashamed to admit imperfections while trying to help others.

Her children’s book, Treasures, was born as a result of a personal journey towards natural mental wellness. It has since evolved into a mission to share the connection between appreciation and happiness. Treasures are not always in the form of gold and gems. Treasures are not always buried or difficult to find. Treasures are sometimes felt and not seen. Treasures are around us every day.

Let’s take a look at her new children’s book, Treasures.

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Klaiber’s new book teaches kids and adults how good it feels to love and appreciate the treasures all around us.

There are millions of children’s books available today, and thousands of books on the value of positive thinking.  Award winning author Sarah Klaiber has managed to take a completely unique approach to both genres with this new release.

Nearly all of these kinds of books extol the virtues of positive thinking. Nothing new there. However, to find the reason WHY we should be positive, we must look beyond our perceptions of everyday events. This goes beyond positive thinking to the realization that every happening – good, bad, ugly, sad – offers us the opportunity to find a hidden treasure. What is a treasure? A treasure is anything that has value. And every one of those treasures holds massive power. How do we do that? There are three simple steps – Stop. Look. Appreciate.

“I wrote this book to remind kids and adults to appreciate the small things, the things around them that mean more than they realize,” Klaiber stated. “If more children grow up with this message, the world could someday be a happier place. The same result could come from more adults being reminded of it as well.”

A child’s mental health is all important. Our children face issues we have never faced. The mental health issue is particularly challenging, as today’s kids must interact in a world in which social media (and the resulting cyberbullying) take center stage. This does not only affect children. Adults face many of the same issues. Thankfully, Sarah did not stop with publishing a book. She also created a blog where she presents all kinds of ideas in regards to learning how to stop, look and appreciate.

When asked about the mission of her blog, Sarah stated “It is important to think positively more often than most of us do. The opportunity is always with us, not just when the book is open. My blog gives this message value. It gives the opportunity to connect, comfort and allow gentle reminders into our unprioritized minds.”

Treasures has received high praise from readers and reviewers. The book received a five star review from Readers Favorite. In that review, Barbara Fanson stated, “Treasures will remind children that they have a lot more valuable items in their life than they realize.” Red City Review said, “The lesson offered is a crucial one, and parents will be sure to support the message that the book is trying to make.” Another Amazon reviewer said, “Perfect book for keeping little ones grounded in this high tech, materialistic world.” Great word choices tell what children (and everyone) value most. Excellent for grandparents’ (and parents’) snuggle time . . .”

Treasures is available on Amazon or by private purchase.

Sarah is available for author visits and can be reached using the information below or through her website. You can also connect with her through Facebook.
Contact information: sarah@treasuresaroundus.com
(716) 628-4770

Helpful Writing Tips

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Indie Pride Day

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Today’s the day, Indie Authors, Indie Pride Day! Post a photo of yourself and your books. Use these hashtags:

#IndieBooksBeSeen

#IndiePrideDay

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Author Spotlight – Jeri Lynn Stone

Author Spotlight

It’s time for another edition of Author Spotlight! This week I’d like to introduce you to author Jeri Lynn Stone.

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Jeri Lynn Stone lives in a small Arkansas town with her husband. They live in the center of four beautiful lakes and each are within twenty-five miles from home. They love going to antique car shows, gardening and Mother Nature. She enjoys writing and is currently working on the fourth stand alone novel in her Crime Mystery “Tara” series.

 

Tangle With Tara is the 3rd stand alone book in the “Tara” Detective Crime Mystery series. Here’s more about it.

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Relentless New York Detective Tara Woods and her partner are about to face the worst nightmare of their careers. A horrifying murder of young, beautiful girls directs the detectives to a case of missing teens. Six teenage girls are kidnapped and held hostage in a bizarre circumstance. When a case of teenage girls being kidnapped and held captive hits too close to home, Detective Tara Woods and her partner investigates and links the victims of the murder and kidnapped cases together. One by one, innocent girls living within a five mile radius of Tara’s apartment come up missing. Then, the creep snatched her friend’s teenage daughter who lived next door. Game on. He tangled with the wrong person.

You can purchase Tangle with Tara through the Texas Authors website or Amazon.