L.M. Nelson's Blog, page 8

Author Spotlight – Karen Kinna

Author Spotlight

[image error]Karen Kinna is in the Author Spotlight today. Karen was born in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Now living on a secluded lake near Austin, Texas with three rescue dogs — a wiener, a basset, and one crazy corgi, Karen writes full-time in a constant flurry of dog hair and stray kibble. Her hobbies include doing canine agility with corgi “Madd Maxx.” (Maxx and Jaxx even have their own Instagram account! “MaxxAndJaxx”)

A proud member of RWA (Romance Writers of America), Karen is a past vice-president of SARA (San Antonio Romance Authors) where she is still very involved with conferences and contests.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Simon Fraser University, with minors in Journalism and Shakespeare.

For 14 years, Karen was a featured entertainment columnist twice a week for a large newspaper chain based in southern British Columbia. (MetroValley News.) She cut her teeth in the writing world by interviewing actors, authors, and musicians – including Diana Gabaldon, Robin Williams, and Alan Jackson.

Her ON STAGE theatre columns were syndicated and circulated to an audience of over 100,000 readers.

Karen has written plays for the stage, children’s books, and sci-fi and parenting articles for the past two decades.

Her first love is Contemporary Romance — the steamier the better!

When not writing, Karen narrates sexy romances for Audible under a pseudonym, in her home sound studio. She loves doing character voices and channeling her inner actress.

Life is too short for regrets! Recently, she has started kayaking and wakeboarding – Her Facebook motto is “Fifty and Fabulous!”

Wild at Heart Trilogy

Heart of the Storm (book 1)

[image error]A skillful cross between “We Bought A Zoo” and “Twister,” Karen Kinna’s compelling debut novel is sure to take the romance world by storm – literally.

​When zoologist, fiery redhead Quinn Gallagher is sent into a Cat 3 hurricane to rescue the four-legged residents of a fledgling zoo on the wind-swept banks of Lake Charles, Louisiana, she isn’t prepared for the stiff opposition of Head Curator and Veterinarian, Dan Taylor. Stealing his coffee, his pride, and eventually his heart, Quinn is a force to be reckoned with in this madcap tale of delightful characters and epic conflict. Readers will never forget the pink Cadillac named Maribelle, an RV named Lucifer, a snake named Elmo, and a ferret named Houdini.

Heart of Fire (book 2)

[image error]When beleaguered cattle rancher Brody Gallagher answers the door to pregnant dark-haired beauty Tess Taylor, he is unable to send her packing, and her arrival compounds the strange activities that have been plaguing the ranch. An arsonist is on the loose and neither Brody nor the local police can get a lead on the culprit.

Worried about finances, cut fences, and increasingly violent fires, Brody and Tess are thrown together in the fight of their lives, sparking a raging inferno of passion which threatens to consume them both.

Get your copy of the Wild at Heart Trilogy on Amazon

Christmas in Canada (contains 2 complete novellas)

[image error]Identical twin sisters, Mac and Claire Adams, couldn’t be more different! Each woman finds themselves on a terrifying Christmas Eve adventure — and each meets the man of her dreams in the process….

Set in the lush snowy landscape high up in the Cascade Mountains of British Columbia, these two novellas are spine-tingling adventures of life and death… and unexpected passion.

Tomboy Mac isn’t into men … and certainly has no warm feelings for stranded helicopter pilot Beau Lamont from Baton Rouge Louisiana.

Type-A Claire has her life scheduled to a T. . . and doesn’t plan on letting billionaire oil tycoon Travis Smith from Austin Texas derail her life plans.

Christmas in Canada is available on Amazon

For more information, visit Karen’s website or connect with her on Facebook.

Author Spotlight – TK Lawyer

Author Spotlight

Welcome to another Author Spotlight with paranormal romance author, TK Lawyer.

[image error]Award Nominated Paranormal Romance Author, TK Lawyer has been writing since high school, but it was sometime in 2011 when her writing blossomed into a career. Craving excitement and adventure, she jotted down a few notes for a book and never looked back.

Her books blend her interest in the paranormal and her love of romance.

Steamy, unique, fun tales of adventure with alpha males and feisty, curvy females are her signature.  She writes what she loves:  passionate, erotic, emotion-tugging novels that widen readers’ experiences and leaves them wanting more.  No two books are alike and each one is a stand-alone novel ready for fans and readers alike to dive into and enjoy!

Let’s take a look at some of her books

[image error] Angels and Diamonds

Angels and Diamonds spins seven heartwarming tales of finding love when you least expect it and the struggles of holding onto true love. Each fun tale depicts ardor, attachment and dedication while staying true to the theme of a Diamond and an Angel.

Puppy Love- Petra, an owner of a dog rescue group in need of financial assistance finds an unlikely funding source

Bride to Be- Diamond, a bridal shop owner meets a man who seems vaguely familiar. Little does she know he will change her future

Promise- Tauria’s relationship with an Archangel leads to her forgotten past

The Gift- Celeste’s gift is more than her Angel can handle

Hunted- Natasha’s encounter with a mercenary has an unexpected, mutually beneficial outcome

New Home- Marisole’s home search for a ‘friend of a friend’ thrusts her back into the life of a man she once craved. Sadly, he doesn’t know she exists.

Make a Wish- Are Stella’s dreamy adventures genuine or vivid imagination?

Grab your copy on Amazon

Nightfall

[image error]Tamara’s spicy scent thrills, seduces and weakens him like no other. She is his and he wants her. Unfortunately, she is done with men. Tamara’s been burned too many times in the past and she’s not looking for a relationship…..ever. But when she finds a stray dog on her doorstep she decides she wants a relationship with a male, after all- that of pet and pet owner.

Josh is not a dog and he has no interest in staying her pet. He has one burning desire- Tamara- in his bed, nightly and permanently. He will stop at nothing to convince Tamara they are better together and that he needs her, forever.

Their paths are intertwined and their future is inevitable but will Tamara allow Josh to love, cherish and protect her? Or will she say good-bye to the amazing, dedicated man whose loyalty and sweet promises could shatter her walls completely and consume her with desire?

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Nightfall is available for purchase here.

Jasper

[image error]Tatiana seeks rare, coveted treasure: a strong, loving, committed male she can respect, be proud of and become her full-fledged partner. She has sought this elusive prince among men, her own personal champion but instead found many, many frogs and quite a few toads. Does her hero exist on Earth, or did she miss her opportunity?

Jasper isn’t seeking a mate. His only intention is to rescue Tatiana from a fatal car accident, but he finds himself drawn to her in ways he can’t explain. She’s a rare, precious gem and there’s no turning back for him. He must know her and introduce himself in some sort of “human” fashion, at some sort of “human” event, for he is not of Earth.

Once Tatiana finds out Jasper’s true identity, will she accept and trust him? Will Tatiana allow herself to enter into a permanent, loving relationship with an unearthly but powerful being who only wants to adore and protect her?

All of TK’s books are available on Amazon

For more information or to connect with TK, visit her website, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Goodreads, or Bookbub
For access to all book trailers, visit her YouTube channel

Author Spotlight – Jack Kregas

Author Spotlight

[image error]This week’s Author Spotlight is on Jack Kregas. Jack was born in New England in the north east of the United States. After a stint in the US Army, he was discharged in Europe, and the next forty years were spent skiing and living life to the max, as well as creating several successful businesses.

Winters in the Alps and summers windsurfing on Maui, Jack departed Switzerland for Maui full time with his Australian wife and small daughter. After five years, he moved the family to Australia and became an Australian Citizen.

Jack now lives in Brisbane and is retired, writing full-time after his very successful autobiography, It’s All About Me and a few others. He plays golf and travels to participate in poker tournaments or promote his books. His latest novel, Decisive Sunset, book four in the stand-alone Joey Moretti series, is available now at all outlets.

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It’s All About Me and a Few Others

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Jack’s books are available on Amazon, ibooks, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords in paper and e-books. Two Videos are also available. You can see them at www.jackkregasbooks.com

To learn more, visit Jack’s website or connect with him on Facebook.

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Author Spotlight – K.M. Hodge

Author Spotlight

[image error]It’s that time again–time to introduce you to another fabulous Indie Author. This week, the spotlight shines on K.M.Hodge. USA Today Bestselling author, K.M. Hodge grew up in Detroit, where she spent most of her free time weaving wild tales to spook her friends and family. These days, she lives in Texas with her husband and two energetic boys and once again enjoys writing tales of suspense and intrigue that keep her readers up all night. Her stories, which focus on women’s issues, friendship, addiction, regrets and second chances, will stay with you long after you finish them. When she isn’t writing or being an agent of social change, she reads Independent graphic novels, watches old X-files episodes, streams Detroit Tigers games and binges on Netflix with her husband. She enjoys hearing from her readers, so don’t be shy about dropping her a line.

* K.M. Hodge was awarded the winter of 2016 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for her Red on the Run.

Book Cellar Series
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Walker Texas Wife

“At first glance, the small town residents of Herald Springs, Texas, lead charmed lives. But behind the dazzling smiles and inside the large brick homes, they all have their secrets.”

Texas & Tiaras

“Nobody in Herald Springs can believe that their small town served as the scene for a major criminal showdown. With the events of the annual gala behind them, the drink and gossip club just want to get back to their normal lives, but the drama is far from over.”

The Book Cellar Series is available on Amazon

The Syndicate Series

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Sally Ride Chronicle (Prequel)

“The Syndicate doesn’t believe in divorce, but murder is another story.

Sally wants out–out of her marriage, out of the mob, out of Ocean City. An impossible dream. That is until the MDNA, a secret hacktivist group, invites her to join the ranks of their rebellion. The goal? Take down the criminal empire.”

Red on the Run (Pinnacle Achievement Award for Thriller)

“You can’t hide from the Syndicate. Run, Red. Run!”

Reader quote: “Move over Baldacci. Prepare for competition from this new author! Spellbinding – hard to put down.” ~ Patrisha Ehlert

 

Black and White Truth 

“Seventeen years after The Syndicate trial, Jason Knettle sets out to write the shocking true crime novel on the group that ruined so many lives. With the help of a new source, he uncovers a frightening truth—The Syndicate is back… and more dangerous than ever with a new leader at the helm.”

True Blue Son

“Dr. Zander Ride grew up a son of The Syndicate, his fate as a career criminal all but sealed. With the help of his mother, he escaped a life of crime… until the night he heard The Syndicate had shot his mother in cold blood.”

Grab your copy of the Syndicate Series on Amazon

K.M. Hodge has a new series coming out November 12th — The Love Under Fire boxed set. Order yours now!

For more information about K.M., visit her website or connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.
Sign up for new release emails and get a FREE GIFT!

 

Author Spotlight – Laurie WJN

Author Spotlight

Welcome back to Author Spotlight. This week’s spotlight shines on Laurie WJN.

[image error]Laurie has always been a writer, creating stories as a teenager, using journaling to process her feelings, and after some encouragement from her husband, she decided to focus more on the writer inside her.

Many years ago, she co-authored a book about therapy techniques for women with eating disorders, based on her work as a recreational therapist.  That book was published in 2001. Ever since then, she wanted to get back into writing/publishing.

After a yearlong struggle with an incredibly mean spirited uterus, her husband said[image error] “Honey, you should write a book about it”, so she did.  In 2014, she released The Misadventures of Me and My Uterus.  Her book is simply her story, told in a very honest way, with lots of truth and even more humor (because let’s face it – this stuff is funny).  It helped her deal with the crazy procedures and the uncertainty that she was facing.  She decided to call her book, The Misadventures of Me and My Uterus, because it really explained the year that she had gone through.

After that, she wrote Fearless and Feminine, Raising Confident Daughters.  This book delivers a successful and practical approach to raising strong, confident daughters, helping them become the amazing women they were meant to be. As a recreational therapist and professional educator, she wanted to share her personal and professional experience to guide parents and other caregivers of girls, providing them with the tools to help their daughters embrace being both Fearless & Feminine.[image error]

Laurie thinks every writer has a unique voice and style of writing. In The Misadventure of Me and My Uterus, she kept the book very informal and tried to use humor as much as she could.  In Fearless and Feminine, she tried to blend both personal and professional experience in an authentic and straightforward way to guide parents and give them the tools to help their daughters be as confident as they can be.

Her writing comes from a very genuine and honest place — she wants to share what she has learned in order to help others, and hopes that comes through in her writing.

[image error]In 2015, she published a short story entitled The Locket. In The Locket, a very special locket shares the history of a group of women through several generations, stories of love and happiness, stories of struggles and triumphs, memories of the past and hopes for the future.

She is currently working on an anthology all about grandparents that she hopes to release this year, as well as working on two different historical fiction novels, but those are not quite ready yet.

In addition to writing, Laurie loves hanging out with her wonderful husband and her sweet dog. If she is not reading or writing, you might find her swimming, traveling with her husband, or watching sports. She is an avid fan of her alma mater, Arizona State University. She and her husband attend all the Sun Devil football and basketball games. Her husband is from Green Bay, so of course they watch all of the Packer Football games too.

A word from the author:

I love how accessible publishing is currently. As a later in life writer, I decided to take advantage of all of the publishing opportunities available today and not simply wait and hope for a publishing house to pick me up. I know it’s a gamble, but even if I am not on the NY times best seller list right away (which of course I should be – my books are fabulous), at least my books are out there and I know people are getting the chance to read them.

I really think there has never been a better time to write and publish a book. As the popularity of ebooks continues to grow exponentially, authors have so many choices for publication. There are unending technology tools and resources available for writers.  No longer do authors have to spend days at the local library, trying to read old microfiche films, now just a few clicks on your laptop can yield the research needed for your latest book setting. If you don’t want to go the traditional route of an agent and a publishing house, Indie publishing firms abound. Once a book is written, authors have a plethora of marketing tools at their disposal through a whole host of social media platforms. The tools for writing have improved so much, anyone with a computer and enough motivation can become a writer – at any age.

Happy Reading!

Laurie WJN

All three of Laurie’s books are available on Amazon 

For more information, follow Laurie on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, or Goodreads

Author Spotlight – Phebe Phillips

Author Spotlight

Welcome back to another episode of Author Spotlight, starring Texas Indie-Author, Poet, Illustrator, Blogger, Podcaster, Certified Raw Vegan Cuisine Chef, Felt Maker, and Cat Lover, Phebe Phillips.

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Phebe lives in the top of a high rise in Dallas, Texas with her husband, and their tabby striped cat named Harold-of-God—you may see him on Instagram at #HaroldofGod. Her husband, Mac Hargrove, grew up on cattle ranches in South Texas. Today, he is a CFP and works in finance with the investment bank, Alex. Brown. They have both eaten a plant-based diet for almost seven years, and have a daily 20-minute meditation practice.

She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BFA in Film & Journalism, and began a toy company under the brand name, Phebe Phillips when she was in college. In 2010, a government regulation changed her toy business. She also changed by picking herself up and going back to school for science, which lead to culinary.

She is certified as a Raw Vegan Chef from the Matthew Kenney Academy. Phebe has worked in one of the most famous raw vegan kitchens in the world, The Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Patagonia, Arizona under the direction of Dr. Gabriel Cousen’s. While there, she served in the kitchen and in the Sprout House becoming a master at growing micro-greens and sprouts. Through eCornell and the work of Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of The China Study, she learned about plant-based nutrition. She attends seminars and studies closely with both Dr(s). Campbell and Caldwell Esselstyn, the Cleveland Clinic Cardiologist and author of Reversing Heart Disease and the Engine 2 Diet.

When she returned to school for Science, she fell in love with Biology, MicroBiology, Chemistry and Genetics. After learning how special the human body is, and precious that we are alive, endowed with gifts and inspiration to offer the world, she realized the best way for her to inspire was to apply her newfound science knowledge to food for creating the best fuel for becoming the best-self she could be!

She found that what she put in, and on, her body greatly affected the quality of her life, and her daily meditation practice. The result of all this was the brand new life path mentioned in the above paragraphs. Almost daily, she gets asked questions. She hopes to speak to those questions through her blog. Her favorite saying is, “Simplicity of Life Allows Freedom”..

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Her first book, Why Me? Positive Verse for Loss and Sadness brings her characters to life using poetic verse and art illustrations.

Why Me? Positive Verse for Loss and Sadness eloquently guides both young and old readers through life’s sometimes catastrophic events. Using poetic free verse, Phebe Phillips leads her readers into awareness that each of us is special and that indeed, each of us is loved. Why Me? is designed to bring words of comfort to those affected by life-changing events such as a death, the heartbreaking loss of a pet, a change in family structure, or one of life’s many challenges and disappointments. Beautifully illustrated in chalk pastels, Phebe frees each reader to use their own imagination as she weaves her story to include diverse portrayals of ethnicity and gender while using animals in human form. Many illustrations hold a deeper meaning than what may be seen upon first glance, such as in the illustration for “Sometimes things leave…” which represents the ladder to the sky as a DNA double helix marked with hydrogen bonds.

This story was originally created at the suggestion of the Dallas Chapter of the American Red Cross to address positively the hard subjects of loss and sadness. Since its beginning, 4000 copies have been placed in the ARC’s Emergency Response Vehicles for distribution to those in need of comforting words.

Here’s the Amazon Link

Phebe also writes a lot of serious poetry. One poem, Pilot’s Story, was published November 2017 by the U.K. Publisher Lost Tower Publications. Beyond the Hill is their thirteenth book. It’s topic is Stunning War Poetry by Select International Poets.

She has more details on her personal website: www.phebephillips.com. Connect with Phebe on Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest, or email her at phebe@phebephillips.com

Author Spotlight – Mark Rounds

Author Spotlight

Hello, and welcome back to Author Spotlight. Today I’d like to introduce you to Mark Rounds.

[image error]The first book Mark read, other than See Spot Run, was Rocketship Galileo in the second grade. He was restricted from the library in the third grade because it was such a wondrous place, that he forgot to do his “real” homework. Things haven’t changed much since then.

Mark has been an Air Force officer fuzzing radars in B-52’s, a bouncer in some of Spokane’s least classy bars, a consultant in information technology, geek in a cube in a couple .com’s, folk singer, and currently faculty at the University of Idaho in MIS. He has published papers and conference proceedings on Computer Security, Hacking Motivations, Geographical Information Systems, and Grizzly Bear Habitat. Academically, Mark has a BS in Computer Science from Montana State University in 1978, MBA from University of North Dakota in 1985, MS in Computer Science from Washington State University in 2000, and a PhD at the University of Idaho in 2014 focusing in Cyber Security. Mark has promised his wife that he will enter into a 12 step program to kick his education habit.

When he was younger and more foolish, he competed as an IPF powerlifter and has a first ascent in Glacier Park on Red Rock Point. Mark’s current hobbies include Civil War Reenacting, Reading, Folk Guitar, competing in Practical Pistol meets, and cooking gourmet food for his wife of 40 years and 3 kids. Mark is also known as a gamer and has recently published his fourth novel, Commonality Games.

The Plague Years series

Hell is Empty

[image error]Hell is Empty and All the Devils Are Here is the story of Chad Strickland, his family and friends as they try to survive the onslaught of a virulent plague. The setting is in the near future in Central Washington. Chad and Mary Strickland, along with their neighbors, Dave Tippet and Heather Tunney band together to protect their children and their way of life. Along the way, Chris Vaughn and Amber Hoskins join their group as they are hounded out of their homes and forced to go on the road to escape a gang of infected bikers led by Special Agent Macklin, who is in turn part of a bigger plot to overthrow the US Government and take control.

At This Hour

At This Hour, Lie at My Mercy All Mine Enemies is the sequel to Hell is Empty and All the[image error] Devils Are Here. This is the second chapter in the story of Chad Strickland, his family and friends as they try to survive the onslaught of a virulent plague. The setting is in the near future in Central Washington. Chad, his family, and his friends old and new, were in a gravel pit at the top of the Vantage grade in central Washington. Chad’s hot rod Camaro had been shot up pretty bad by the plague infected people holding the bridge as had his friend, Chris Vaughn. But his friends and family and the Bikers Against Child Abuse chapter out of Wenatchee, Washington had banded together to cross the bridge; the BACA members to rescue one of their kids and Chad’ family to find a new home after being hounded out of their homes in the Tri-Cities. Their world had collapsed when they took in Chris Vaughn and Amber Hoskins. Amber was a remission case from the Plague that was bringing civilization to its collective knees, and Chris was her fiancée. Now this unlikely band of allies was facing a new day.

 

This Thing of Darkness

[image error]In this third installment of the Plague Years series, the Strickland family and their developing clan has settled in the rolling Palouse Hills in Moscow, ID. Most of America is in chaos; either under the control of petty crooks and jumped up warlords or badlands populated by those unlucky enough to have caught the Plague.

Major David Tippet and his friend Captain Chad Strickland have been tasked to gather intelligence and to begin to reassemble the isolated pockets of uninfected people in eastern Washington. They have been assisted by the local National Guard unit, ROTC detachments at the Universities in the area and by regular people who are stepping up to do their part.

Meanwhile in the aftermath of the attack on Fairchild AFB near Spokane, General Antonopoulos and a ragtag assortment of firemen, aircrew, and others are trying to escape former Special Agent Macklin as he leads his band of mercenaries and Infected in an attempt to capture the general and further disrupt the already unraveling fabric of civilization at the behest of his powerful sponsor, Nergüi.

The fate of civilization in the Northwest and indeed the world may rest on whether these disparate forces can reorganize and again march towards a peaceful and prosperous future.

Get your copy of  Hell is Empty ,   At This Hour  , and This Thing of Darkness

 

Commonality Games

 [image error]Aliens have taken over the Earth and installed their own government and rebuilt the economy of the planet. Poverty is mostly eradicated and the masses of Earth’s population are growing. The new diversion is the Games. Gladiators done the clothing and equipment of many historical eras and brawl to entertain the masses. Taol Ubner and his friends are drawn into the Games and must be victorious or die in the attempt.

Commonality Games is available on Amazon.
Connect with Mark on Facebook

Author Spotlight – Mary A Russell

Author Spotlight

[image error]Today’s author spotlight shines on Mary A Russell.

Mary spent five years researching and writing Secret Keepers and Skinny Shadows. Her unique research methods allowed her to uncover information that might have ordinarily escaped scrutiny. Russell believes her novel reveals corruption that often goes unnoticed in small towns in the United States that are secluded from the outside world. The story is driven by the information presented in Lillian’s letters.

 

Let’s take a peek at Secret Keepers and Skinny Shadows

[image error]When Bert Grayson is murdered, it sets off a chain of events to apprehend a relentless killer who would not be stopped.

Don’t trust anyone, Lee and Miranda were warned! But they risked their own lives in this heart stopping race against time.

Lillian Grace, a woman with her own secrets, had loved Bert. Her rambling letters, written after his murder, are the only link 50 years later to what really happened in that alley the night Bert was found with his throat slit.

 

2016 Kindle Book Awards Semi-Finalist:  Crime Romance Murder Mystery Series

Purchase your copy of Secret Keepers and Skinny Shadows on Amazon 

 

Connect with Mary on Facebook or Twitter @marysloft5

 

Setting the Stage

[image error]Setting is such a crucial piece of a story. In order to have a great story, a writer must not only have dynamic characters, but a setting to put these characters in. All stories have some sort of setting, whether it is in an imaginary land full of mythical creatures or takes place during the 1800s. Setting helps paint a picture for the reader and initiates the main backdrop and mood for a story.

Setting is broadly defined as the location of the plot or where an event takes place. Setting is both the time and geographic location within a narrative or work of fiction. This includes region, geography, climate, buildings, and interiors.

Selecting an appropriate setting for your story must go beyond just you liking it. The behavior of fictional characters often depends on their environment. Setting sets the stage for what happens to your characters. Why does the character need to be there? What part does it play in your character’s journey or their past? Characters need to interact with the setting.

When building your setting, don’t do it all at once. World building should happen over the course of your entire novel, layered into every scene. The goal is to create a well-designed background for your characters without overwhelming the scene or interrupting the story. Carefully balance introducing readers to your world while maintaining plot. Let the setting unfold as the characters move through the scene. Build in elements of weather, lighting, the season, and time. A good rule of thumb is not to spend more than 3-4 paragraphs on setting at a time. Start with the bigger picture then zoom in on the details. Don’t try to include every tiny detail in your description. Focus on things your characters would notice, keeping in mind that different characters will see and interact with the scenery in different ways.

Help the reader picture themselves in the story. Include different senses when describing the setting. In real life, we explore and experience our surroundings through our senses. Through our experiences, we respond with an emotional reaction. Your characters need to do the same.

Utilize the internet and do research. Look up maps, tourist information, and photos of specific places you’d like to include in your setting. Gather information and use some of it when writing your description. If you are able, visit these places in person. It can add depth and flair to your writing.

For more information on setting, see the links below.

Writer’s Edit

Writer’s Digest

The Importance of Story Setting

Common Setting Mistakes

Writing World

Location, Location, Location

Author Spotlight – Harry Hoover

Author Spotlight

[image error]Welcome back to this week’s episode of Author Spotlight, featuring Harry Hoover. Harry is a self-improvement author, freelance writer/copywriter, blogger and content developer. He writes on self-improvement topics, business and marketing, social media, and tourism.

The 1976 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill studied broadcast journalism and political science. After graduation, he spent six years as a radio and newspaper journalist, covering cops and courts, hosting a daily call-in talk show, serving as a columnist and managing editor, as well as performing color commentator duties for UNCC basketball.

He was a government public information officer, then worked at a PR firm and an advertising agency, prior to starting his own agency in 2001. Harry started marketing agency, My Creative Team, in 2007. He has stepped down from daily duties with the agency and has returned full-time to his first love: writing.

Harry publishes You, Improved, a blog designed to help readers improve their bodies, minds, spirits, and lives. Harry and his wife, Terry, a mystery author, live near Lake Norman where they are often visited by their son, daughter and grandsons.

Get Glad: Your Practical Guide To A Happier Life  
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Quotes from Get Glad

Gratitude is the shortest path to happiness.

Happiness comes when you are grateful for what you have and not grasping for what you don’t.

The first battle when you are unhappy is deciding that being miserable is not for you.

It’s natural to be unhappy sometimes. No amount of positive thinking is going to change that. But the truth is that you can avoid many things that cause unhappiness and be happier.

Get Glad is available on Amazon

 

Born Creative: Free Your Mind, Free Yourself

[image error]Quotes from Born Creative

Everyone is born creative – it’s part of your human birthright.

You may not be artistically inclined like Picasso or da Vinci, but you can think creatively.

The more you believe you are creative, the more creative you become.

The notion that geniuses such as Shakespeare, Picasso, and Mozart were any more `gifted’ than you is a myth.

Get your copy on Amazon (Kindle version is always free)

 

His first book, done at the request of a publisher, is Moving to Charlotte: The Un-Tourist Guide

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Get it here!

 

Follow Harry on:
Twitter @harrywhoover
Instagram @harryhoover
Facebook You, Improved page
Facebook Moving to Charlotte page