Denise Covey's Blog, page 16

#IWSG post. #Writing at the desk. Jane Austen. Writing for fun! Lynda Young release, Cling to God.

Welcome to another #IWSG post.


Thanks to Alex J Cavanaugh for starting this group and thanks to the rotating co-hosts. This month, please visit Alex's assistants, 
 Tamara Narayan,Tonja Drecker, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Lauren @ Pensuasion, Stephen Tremp, and Julie Flanders! 
Today my topic is Writing at the Desk. 

We as writers might be sitting at our writing desk (your bed, the beach, the cafe), penning something for pure enjoyment. Okay. Rare. Most likely we're sweating over a masterpiece with a deadline, which is where writing loses its fun aspect. And where insecurity hits.

Jane Austen was prolific in her writing, with 6 major novels to her name. (See her full range of books HERE). The most popular has always been Pride and Prejudice which has had numerous adaptations. Considering she died at just 41 years old, she penned an amazing number of words--published novels, and some 3,000 letters. 

When Jane Austen was 19 years old, her father George Austen recognised her prodigious talent. He bought her that little mahogany writing desk we see in the rare drawings of her. This was in the early 1700s. Don't tell me that Jane, a woman, felt secure writing away in those good old days, where, let's face it, women had fewer options than today.

[image error] Austen christened her beloved desk with a tale told through letters (remember them?) featuring the wicked and wayward Lady Susan Vernon, an unashamed adulteress. Jane didn't dream it would see the light of published day. This was her fun work. The wickedly audacious tale about Lady Susan was considered way too scandalous by Austen's family to ever be published. But, time marches on, and fifty years after her death, the controversial and unfinished work was published. The Kindle edition is FREE.

Many years later (early 2000s), enter Whit Stillman, American filmmaker. He fell in love with the witty and charming Lady Susan and has worked laboriously to turn Austen's epistolary novel (a novel written as a series of documents) into a screenplay. 

Stillman jokes:

"The family was right. It should never have been published. It is about a corrupt young woman who is a mistress of manipulation in her attempt to make the world her own. Lady Susan is a terrific find. It was Austen's first adult work."

Stillman has named the adaptation, Love and Friendship, and has attracted big name actors--Kate Beckinsale is Lady Susan.

[image error] We usually think of Jane Austen as tame. Chick lit claims her as its heroine, one of the first chick lit writers. Think Emma and you can see where they're coming from. There are multiple Jane Austen fan clubs and reading groups, and novels written about her. She has become a commercial commodity, even having zombie films and books adapted from her novels. Think Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

If we think of the old adage 'write what you know', Austen must have been a very critical observer of her times. Her Lady Susan letters show her as a serious comedian with an incredible perception of the world as she knew it. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Someone who needs no introduction, and writes what she knows, is our blogger friend and fellow Aussie, Lynda Young. 

Lynda has gouged out some time from her frantically busy life to pen a daily devotional to help in the chaos of life. 

Cling to God: A Daily Devotional by Lynda R YoungRelease date: October 18th, 2016
Published by Freedom Fox Press Cling to God in the chaos of life…
Blurb: Cling to God is a book of devotionals for every day of the year. The aim is to encourage Christians in their faith, to help them think about their beliefs and learn more about God. The devotions are short and inspirational so that people with busy lifestyles will still be able to spend time with the Lord each day. It will appeal to a wide Christian audience, to those new in their faith as well as those matured beyond milk and honey.
Author Bio: Lynda R Young, a Christian first, writes devotionals, articles, and speculative short stories. In her spare time she is also an editor, game developer, artist, and dabbles in photography and all things creative.She lives in Australia with her sweetheart of a husband. 
You can find her here: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Links in full:
http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com.au
https://twitter.com/LyndaRYoung
https://www.facebook.com/LyndaRYoungAuthor
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5832201.Lynda_R_Young
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~So, what are you writing at your desk?Do you have a favourite Jane Austen book?Do you have any questions for Lynda re her devotional guide?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And the question of the month for #IWSG is:

What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust, or has it been published?
My first serious piece of writing was a story about a girl who sought asylum in Australia. This was the time of the Vietnamese Boat People seeking safety in Australia after the Vietnam War. I did my research, but life got in the way and this piece never grew wings. Now with asylum seekers and refugees all around us, the premise is current. Maybe I'll find it, dust it off, and modernise it. Or maybe I'll just start again...better idea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And the next IWSG Anthology is on FANTASY. Over at WEP we have a guest post from our previous winner, Arpan Ghost, writing about FANTASY.

The Inlinkz form is up. You can now sign up for the WEP GARDENS challenge in my sidebar or over at WEP or on Yolanda Renee's blog. Post from August 17 - 19.

The Liebster Award wherein I answer 11 questions, mainly about writing.

Yolanda Renee at Defending the Pen has nominated me for the
Liebster Award.
What is a Liebster Award?
The Liebster Blog Award is an exciting opportunity to develop relationships with our fellow bloggers from different domains. This is a peer nominated award, which acts as a chain blog post. And is mainly intended to connect with new bloggers while building your email list.
Thank you, Yolanda!

Who is Yolanda? She's a sassy lady who writes very scary murder thrillers and zombie stories, and that's just for starters. She works with me at Write...Edit...Publish (WEP) which feeds her passion for flash fiction. Yolanda is a special blogging friend with something to say (she's started a political blog so she can say some more!) and she doesn't mince words there. Her blog is fun, full of variety, and so is Yolanda!
If you don't already follow her, please click HERE and follow her right now!

~~~
Here are the questions Yolanda posted for her nominated bloggers to answer.

1.    What WIP are you working on now or tell us about another hobby you have?
I have several WIPs on the go, but the one I'm currently giving most attention to is my chick-lit novel, Carpe Diem, about the agony and the ecstasy of an Australian girl and a French artist in Paris.
2.    Do you find subjects for blogging difficult or overflowing?
Overflowing. I get ideas when I read blogs, newspapers, watch telly, read books. I think--I want to know more about that, so I research it and post about it.
3.    Your favorite fictional character, why?
Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With the Wind, proving how trials and tribulations can change someone for the better. Such an inspirational character. Who thought a spoiled, beautiful, selfish girl could find the grit to care for her family in the midst of terrible suffering. Her relationship with Rhett Butler is a whole other story...I'll think about it tomorrow...
4.    Your favorite author, why?
This is very difficult. I am an avid reader and have several favourites so I must at least tell you about two. I love Pat Conroy for his utterly beautiful descriptions of settings, especially in Beach Music and South of Broad. And Anita Shreve for her captivating stories told in lyrical language, often very suspenseful.
5.    Your favorite genre, why? 
Once again, I don't have just one favourite genre. I am very eclectic in my tastes. I love romance in most of its forms--paranormal/suspense/chick lit/literary fiction (erotica, not so much) and I always look for a romantic element no matter what genre I read because fiction for me reflects real life and real life is about relationships.
6.    Blog hops pro or con – productive or a waste of time?
Pro. Blog hops are invaluable in building our blogger platform and connecting with new bloggers. In my early days of blogging, I grabbed onto every blog hop that came my way. Now that I co-host my own permanent blog hop I can only say that the writing demanded by blog hops such as WEP improve our writing skills although they are very time consuming for the hosts.
7.    Biggest regret or the best decision you've ever made?
Regrets, I have a few, but then again, too few to mention, lol! Best decision? Hmmm. Deciding to have kids? 
8.    What is the meaning of success to you?
To be happy within yourself which I guess is a product of the choices you've made in life.
9.    Do you write reviews for the books you read? Why or why not?
I do write reviews for the books I read. Quick ones on Goodreads for best-selling authors who don't need my help, and longer reviews for blogger friends. As I read a lot of books I can be slow in reviewing, but I eventually get there. I love it when a blogger asks me to read/review their book then gives me a nudge when I don't get a review up quickly enough for them. I love it when people review my book too!
10.Biggest social media success or failure?
Other than blogging, Instagram. It takes so little effort and is very rewarding, especially if you love photography and travel. 
11.Please share a paragraph or two from your current WIP or your favorite quote.~~~~~
A paragraph from Chapter One of my chick-lit novel, Carpe Diem:

I never asked too much when I moved to Paris. My dream was simple. I would meet a gorgeous Frenchman with floppy dark hair falling into mischievous black eyes who would prostrate himself at my feet, make me his wife and carry me over the threshold of his quirky Paris apartment close to the Champs-Elysées. After an early-morning love fest, he would kiss me passionately one last time, then leave for work in his snappy bespoke business suit doing whatever he did in his office on the Champs. I would stretch out on my sumptuous satin sheets until noon, before making an appearance at the exclusive boutique near the Plaza Athenee where I was personal stylist to chic Parisiennes who were also not averse to a lie in. 

So, pretty simple?

Ah, dreams.

Where did they go so wrong?~~~~

Thanks, Yolanda, this was a lot of fun!
~~~~

The Liebster Blog Award rules are:Write a blog post about your nomination, displaying an image of the award.Thank the person who nominated you that includes a link to their blog.Answer the 11 questions the person who nominated you asked you in his/her blog post.Nominate 5-11 other starting bloggers who you think deserve this award and come up with 11 questions of your own for them to answer.List these rules in your blog post.~~~~

My nominations for the Liebster Award:

Kelly Steel @ Learning to Write

Jemi Fraser @ Just Jemi

Karen Lange @ Write Now

Ann Best @ The Mormon Bests, Memoir Writer

Misha Gericke @ The Five Year Project


Richard Hughes @ Writing and Living at Richard Hughes

Pat Garcia @ Pat Garcia Book Reviews


    ~~~~

And here are your 11 questions to answer on your blog if you accept the award.


1. What is your burning motivation in life?2. If you are published, quickly outline your journey for us. 3. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Why?4.What writing 'secret' can you share with us? 5. What author inspires you more than any other? Why?6. What/who means the most to you?7. What is your favourite season? Describe something about that season to appeal to our senses.8. What do you like to write? Novels, novellas, short stories, flash fiction, poetry, memoir--if you write more than one, tell us.9. Share with us a sentence or a paragraph from a current piece of your writing.10. What blogger has inspired you the most?11. Do you think social media is important in the life of a writer? Why/why not?

#IWSG post - July - How to write like the greats - Hemingway

It's the first Wednesday of the month again. Welcome to July's IWSG! Thanks Alex J Cavanaugh and your co-hosts this month--Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott! Visit them if you can!

I buy a lot of how-to books and it used to make me insecure reading them and realising that my style was nothing like the 'greats' which might explain why I'm not a 'great'! But writing comes down to being true to yourself. You can emulate whoever you like, but you'll never be them. You'll just sound fake.

Still, now that I'm quite comfortable with my writing style, it doesn't mean I don't read how-to books any more. Came across a great one in the library.

The book is called 'Fiction Writing Master Class' and the subtitle is 'Emulating the work of great novelists to master the fundamentals of craft'.

Here are some of the greats covered:

Honore de Balzac
Charles Dickens
Herman Melville
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Edith Wharton
W. Somerset Maugham
Frank Kafka
D.H. Lawrence
Ernest Hemingway
Margaret Mitchell
J.D. Salinger
Ray Bradbury
Stephen King

It's no secret I'm a fan of Hemingway. I've read most of his little books, but I don't think I write like him. He's sparing in his prose while I tend to verbosity. But this book picks up the techniques these writers use which gives them their recognised style. Some of the techniques are great to follow.

Here are Hemingway's 'secrets':
Did you know Hemingway is the most imitated author of our time? Not everyone likes his sparse style, but nevertheless, if it worked for Hemingway, writers think it's worth trying to write like him.

I once found (and blogged about) a way to improve your writing was to find a favourite passage by a writer you love, copy it, then write your own. By doing this exercise, I found that I was able to expand my paragraphs, add more of the senses. It was like a free-writing exercise, but following the steps of a master. I know it improved my writing style.

So how did this book distil the style of Hemingway?

SENTENCE LENGTH
Hemingway is most famous for his short sentences. He used simplified, direct prose. But he worked long and hard to write like this. Unlike those of us who love the open slather of NaNoWriMo, it is said that Hemingway never moved on to the next sentence until he was happy with the one he'd just written.

Advice in this book?
Hemingway's technique is especially helpful when rewriting. Break up long complex thoughts into bite-sized morsels. Short sentences can have dramatic effect. String together a series of short sentences when you want to stress a point or add dramatic punch to your prose. I've found I'm doing this now without thinking too much about it.

Example from 'The Snows of Kilamanjaro'...

'All right. Now he would not care for death. One thing he had always dreaded was the pain.'

Notice the cumulative effect, pounding home the idea that the hero is nearing death.

Short sentences add variety and music to your writing...add create white space so your pages don't look cluttered. Mix short with long at times, which Hemingway was also fond of doing. There are many examples in The Old Man and the Sea when he was in the thoughts of the old fisherman.

SENTENCE SPEED
Hemingway's prose moves along at a rapid clip. He writes in the fast lane. I'm not going into detail here, except to say he uses two methods to add speed to his sentences--(1) he chooses short words for simple diction (no flowery language with Hem), and (2) he cuts out commas as much as possible. There are many examples of this technique in A Moveable Feast-

''Often Miss Stein would have no guests and she was always very friendly and for a long time she was affectionate .' Fairly zips along.

The author also covers Hemingway's DICTION, DETAIL AND COLOUR (Imagery), USING 'AND', THE LOOK OF YOUR PAGES (white space), CHARACTERS BASED ON REAL PEOPLE, STRUCTURE (his endings are more memorable than his beginnings. His conclusions are filled with significance made more memorable by foreshadowing throughout his stories.

So ENDINGS--imbue them with symbolic significance and foreshadow final events. Drop subtle hints along the way. Beef up your conclusion with added meaning by making universal or spiritual statements.

So, really, Hemingway did have a lot to offer we writers of modern prose.

No need to feel insecure if  you don't write like Hemingway. But it doesn't hurt to read about him and check how we could improve by following some of his 'rules'.


How about you? Are there any writing greats you like to emulate?Are you secure/insecure this month?

The TMI Blog hop. This is me, from A to Z. Even Donald Trump gets a mention...

Just for fun and because Yolanda Renee is a good blogger friend, as are bloggers Debbie and Guilie, I'm participating in the TMI Blog hop. I'm always up for a challenge. How about you? Take the dare and join us!
You have until July 13th!
This is me, from A to Z
A: Age Age is redundant in this world at this time. I feel blessed that I live in a clean, healthy environment and feel as energetic as a twenty year old, even though I'm a few decades older. Still, growing old is better than the alternative--dying young--and that happens all too often.


B: Biggest fear That I'll be pushing up daisies before all my ideas/books/travel articles, are published. I've devoted most of my life to others, now I feel time slipping through my fingers, gathering momentum, slip sliding away...
C: Current time 12.23 pm, Pacific Time (Brisbane). CNN blaring about the trials and tribulations of Britain's Brexit vote. For a political junkie, heaven to watch and hell to think about the repercussions around the world.
D: Drink you last had Black tea with milk.
E: Every day starts with A groan or a high five, depending on what I've got planned, followed by a drink of distilled water, followed by the first of many cups of tea. Then I make a thermos of beautiful Chinese Emperor Green Tea I bought in China to sip all day like the Chinese do. (I'm a heavy drinker!) And then there's my first cafe coffee of the day, so I'd better get dressed...


F: Favorite Song That's too hard, but I always say 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' by U2, my favourite band.
G: Ghosts, are they real? Yes, I know they are, because I was visited by one once, and I've heard a few 'true' ghost stories that can't be discounted. I believe they're out there! 
H: Hometown Kenilworth, a tiny country one-horse town in the Sunshine Coast hinterland where they make boutique cheeses. It's about 40 kilometres from our beach house at Peregian Beach.



I: In love with Reading. I'm obsessed. Keep those books coming! If I read half as much, I'd write twice as much, but (((shrugs))) what can I say?
J: Jealous of? People who actually love the gym!
K: Killed someone? I can't comment as it's before the courts as we speak. Apparently someone heard me bad mouthing Donald Trump and, well, you just can't do that in this politically correct climate. So, I'm a person of interest should anything happen to the Donald.



L: Last time you cried? Hmm. I'm not a big crier, but when I cry, I really get into it. Watching those poor refugees living in those camps and trudging across deserts does it for me.

M: Middle name Claire. Only found out recently that my father wrote 'Clare' on my birth certificate but I've gone with the 'i' all my life.
N: Number of siblings Too  many to count. My parents took us as we came. So I 'fess I have six bros and 3 sistas. I'm piggy in the middle.
O: One wish I can't have world peace or the cure for every terminal illness on the planet, so I'll say I wish that people could stop hating each other and inciting others to hate what you hate. And did I do that when I mentioned Donald Trump? I don't hate him, just think it's a strange system that allows someone of his ilk to run for President in what is currently the most powerful country in the world. That could well change with him at the helm. So I wish...
P: Person you last called? Siam Spicy Thai restaurant to make a reservation for my weekly dose of Thai Red Chicken Curry. Yum!
Q: Question you're always asked When are you going to stop teaching and write full time? Good question. I take it under advisement.
R: Reason to smile I've got so much to be thankful for, and so many  have so little.
S: Sounds that annoy you I can't stand music in the car for some reason. Weird. So when I'm not with him, my husband plays his Johnny Cash full bore. I can hear him coming up the street!
T: Time you woke up 7.45 am. I'm currently on 'holidays' up at the beach so am enjoying the odd sleep in. But as we're doing renos, today there was the carpet man and the pay-tv man is about to arrive to fix our box.
U: Underwear color Who wants to know? Scary question! Anyway, my underwear is always some shade of pink.
V: Vacation destination Travelling is an obsession. Next destination--either Cuba, the French canals driving our own hire boat, or back to Paris.
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W: Worst habit Procrastinating about everything! 
X: X-Rays you've had Most recent was on my foot from too much running! All fixed now. Still running.
Y: Your favorite food Cheesecake! Favourite cheesecake? Toblerone. I've shared the recipe on my blog several times.
Z: Zodiac sign Libra. That's why I'm a procrastinating nice balanced person. One of the most famous Librans is Vladimir Putin. I rest my case. 


Please join us!
The blog-fest is on through July 13th. 
Just add your name and post your answers.




The TMI: 26 Things About Me #Blogfest is all about getting to know you better. To participate, please write a comment and add your link to the list.1. Debbie @The Doglady's Den  8. Robyn @ Just Bits And Pieces  2. DiscConnected  9. Shady Dell Music & Memories  3. Tilting at Windmills  10. Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life  4. Cathy Graham  11. Yolanda Renee  5. Shilpa Garg  12. C. Lee McKenzie  6. Chicky  13. DeeDee  7. Guilie @ Quiet Laughter  14. Denise Covey  


(Submissions close in 15d 3h 42m)Create your own linkup for free

Do you have goals bloghop. Novels, novellas, short stories, travel articles...how has June been for you?

Earlier this year I joined this regular monthly Friday bloghop hosted by Misha Gericke and Beth Fred. It's a steadily growing list as writers realise it's a good motivation.The reason I joined this hop was to keep myself honest, and honestly, reflecting on my goals for the month is a good motivation to push myself. So here it's the last Friday of June, ridiculous, so it's time again...
You're more than welcome to join this bloghop. All you need to do is read and follow the guidelines then SIGN UP HERE...

Your goal is the link title. Not your name or your blog's. This is so we can keep track of who's doing what. 

I signed up as Number 13,   'publish a novel and submit short stories'  this year. 

MY WRITING LIFE IN JUNE 2016

MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE NOVELLA, BOOK TWO - The Vendemmia (The Harvest)I am into the sequel to the second story in my  series Under the Tuscan Moon. Sorry for taking so long for those of you who have asked where is the second novella, but the research is taking longer than I'd planned. I hate reading sequels that are rubbish, written under duress, so bear with me.
In the sequel, my two 'loveable', ahem, vamps, Vipunin and Cuchulcain, have returned to Vipunin's castello where he lived before he was turned. Here Vipunin intends to be a very disruptive influence at harvest time. Ciassia and Sibon  are unaware they harbour a monster in their midst, a monster who will do anything to get what he wants...and he wants Ciassia. 
SHORT STORY UPDATELast time I gave an update on one of my Paris short stories, Carpe Diem, it was at 25,000 words. This story is lighting up my life and sending electricity through my fingertips as I type, so it is now at 30K+. So I figure my protagonists, Saskia and her lover Raphael, are demanding nothing less than novel length. When you meet these two, you'll know what I mean... A quick mock up to give you the idea
Currently I'm sorting the chapters as there's a PAST and PRESENT element. I have a further motivation to get the structure right (even as I continue to write up their marriage in country France). I'm lucky to be attending a Margie Lawson immersion class in Brisbane in early August. I've worked through some of her online tutorials and this woman knows a thing or two about writing/editing.  As Margie says on her web page: "EXPECT to work for three full days (plus the afternoon and evening you arrive) dissecting, analyzing, and deep editing." I feel very blessed to have strong-armed my way into her seminar. I'm going to use Carpe Diem as my piece to work on with Margie.
WRITING ABOUT TRAVEL As regular visitors and blogger friends know, I wear a travel writer's hat. Well, I've been travelling again...to tropical North Queensland, so haven't achieved more than taking photos and making notes. No time to work on my travel articles, but it won't take long to rectify this now that I'm back home. 
MY PARIS COOKERY SCHOOL NOVELThis is still waiting for November's NaNoWriMo. 
WRITE...EDIT...PUBLISH Have done some guest posts, at Chrys Fey's in particular, in which I mention WEP's August challenge, GARDENS. I spent some time meandering around the Remembrance Gardens in Townsville. I felt a story coming on... Please join us in August if you love gardens--flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, photographs, artwork...
WRAPPING UP...So overall, June has been very low key as far as writing goes, but you've got to live your life. Major renovations at our beach house (next year our principal residence) are slowing me down writing-wise. I'm helping with the painting now. It'll be worth it when I can lock myself away in Den's Den which is about to be painted. Filling the bookshelves will be delightful.

READING I READ A LOT but haven't reviewed much this month. I'm concentrating on bloggers' books on my kindle. Just finished The House by the Lake by Ella Carey, an Aussie writer. Delightful! Already topped some of Amazon's best-seller lists. Set in Berlin and the US and follows her Paris Time Capsule based on the true story of an abandoned apartment in Paris. 
AIM HIGH

Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer. – Ray Bradbury

How are you going with your 2016 goals? I'd love to hear from you. Please share in comments or join the hop.

I'm over at Write With Fey being interviewed by Chrys Fey on scintillating subjects like Paris, WEP, blogging and more...

Thanks for coming by!

For the next few days I'll be over at Chrys Fey's being interviewed on topics of her choice. Luckily she was interested in my Paris obsession and my love of WEP. 

Please note Yolanda Renee's and my next WEP challenge...GARDENS. Surely all of you in the Northern Hemisphere are so excited to have winter behind you and the gardens blooming. Been seeing some of your great flower shots on Instagram just as we go into winter Down Under (but nothing like YOUR winter! Bliss!) 

Here's our blurb at Write...Edit...Publish for the GARDENS challenge:

This challenge will be a great opportunity for the photographers, but also for writers attempting to describe the most beautiful gardens ever seen. For example, nonfiction on 'The Best Gardens in the World', or historical--'The Hanging Gardens of Babylon', travel- 'The Lingering Garden at Suzhou' or something similar for travelers. Also, as always our fictional pieces with a romantic/unromantic garden scene, or photographs of mind-blowing gardens to motivate people...

Sign up...August 1st for posting between August 17 - 19. 
So..,if you can afford the time, please click HERE and pop on over to Write With Fey. Both Chrys and I would love to see you!

My sister is about to hit Paris for the first time! Pity about the garbage littering the streets...remember seeing and smelling that in Naples (Napoli) in Italy's south where it is a way of life thanks to Mafia control. But the French always fight back when the government tries to change the status quo...rightly or wrongly.

#IWSG post--Chrys Fey gjves us 5 steps to defeat insecurities and also launches her latest release with The Wild Rose Press, Seismic Crimes--and a GIVEAWAY!

Time for us to throw our insecurity hats into the ring for the month of June, or to tell us how to overcome our insecurities.

Many thanks to Alex J Cavanaugh and his awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG will be Murees Dupe, Alexia Chamberlynn, Chemist Ken, and Heather Gardner! 


Over to my special guest, Chrys Fey...


Tips to Defeat the Insecurity Monster
Writers are no strangers to insecurity. That’s why Alex created this nifty group, right? That’s also why there’s so many of us.
During the course of writing and publishing a book, we can encounter many insecurities. We question our writing skills, agonize over our lack of writing time and even our writing speed. Then we stress over revisions, critiques, and edits. Querying and submitting brings an all new insecurity to the table with the threat of rejections and the torturous waiting game. Once we move on to the publishing gig, new insecurities dawn: release day, marketing, finding readers, getting reviews, and stressing over sales and bad reviews. It is a lot to deal with, especially back-after-back, but the good news is that none of these are insurmountable.
Every write experiences these same insecurities and struggles. While knowing that doesn’t help us in the moment or show us how to deal with them, it should relieve us in knowing that we’re not alone. And because we’re not the first (and won’t be the last) to face these insecurities, there are countless writers/authors out there who can offer us guidance, advice, and help when we need it. One good place to look for that is within our group.
When I was insecure about the release of Seismic Crimes, many IWSGers signed up for my release day promo, blog tour and supported my Thunderclap campaign. In the past, IWSGers rooted me on when I was going through personal problems, offered to beta read for me when I had no one and gave me courage.
I wish there was a sure-fire way to beat insecurities as they come, but there isn’t. There are, however, some techniques you can do to help you move past them.
1. Take a deep breath.
You’re stronger than any insecurity you will ever encounter.
2. Give yourself a break.
We’re not perfect. We make mistakes, and we have to learn.
3. Take a step back.
Put your book away for a few days so you can return to it with fresh eyes. Also try to look at it as an outsider (a reader, not the writer).
4. Make a plan.
When you’re facing an obstacle that seems bigger than you, break it down into smaller (manageable) steps. Then tackle each one at a time.
5. Ask for help.
After you’ve done all you could with editing, promoting and marketing, it’s time to seek help. There’s no shame in doing this. It’ll take a lot of stress off you, and you’ll be surprised at how many people want to support you.

While writing and preparing for the release of Seismic Crimes, I did each of these techniques for every insecurity I encountered. And guess what? I’m secure now! There are some things in the future that may bring new insecurities (book signings/events, etc.), but I’ll do these steps and I’ll defeat it!

Title: Seismic CrimesAuthor: Chrys FeySeries: Disaster Crimes Series (Book Two)Publisher: The Wild Rose PressFormat: Digital and PrintPage Count: 282
DIGITAL LINKS:Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CANOOK / KOBO / All Romance eBooks
PRINT LINKS:Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA The Wild Rose Press
BLURB:
An Internal Affairs Investigator was murdered and his brother, Donovan Goldwyn, was framed. Now Donovan is desperate to prove his innocence. And the one person who can do that is the woman who saved him from a deadly hurricane—Beth Kennedy. From the moment their fates intertwined, passion consumed him. He wants her in his arms. More, he wants her by his side in his darkest moments.
Beth Kennedy may not know everything about Donovan, but she can’t deny what she feels for him. It’s her love for him that pushes her to do whatever she has to do to help him get justice, including putting herself in a criminal’s crosshairs.
When a tip reveals the killer's location, they travel to California, but then an earthquake of catastrophic proportions separates them. As aftershocks roll the land, Beth and Donovan have to endure dangerous conditions while trying to find their way back to one another. Will they reunite and find the killer, or will they lose everything?

BIO: 
Chrys Fey is the author of Hurricane Crimes, Book One in the Disaster Crimes series, as well as these releases from The Wild Rose Press: 30 Seconds, Ghost of Death, and Witch of Death. She is an administrator for the Insecure Writer's Support Group and has participated in the Blogging from April A to Z Challenge. When Fey was six years old, she realized she wanted to be a writer by watching her mother pursue publication. At the age of twelve, she started writing her first novel, which flourished into a series she later rewrote at seventeen. Fey lives in Florida and is always on the lookout for hurricanes. She has four adopted cats who keep her entertained with their antics, and three nephews who keep her entertained with their antics. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and through her blog, Write with Fey. She loves to get to know her readers! 
AUTHOR LINKS:Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

HURRICANE CRIMES 99¢ SALE!

DIGITAL LINKS:Amazon US / Amazon UK Amazon CA / NOOK / KOBO All Romance eBooksThe Wild Rose Press


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Thanks for talking to us about insecurities, Chrys. Here's my best wishes to you for an avalanche of sales for Seismic Crimes! 

Please leave a comment and wish Chrys well!

Do you have goals bloghop. Novels, novellas, short stories, travel articles, monetising your blog...what are you writing?

Earlier this year I joined this regular monthly Friday bloghop hosted by Misha Gericke and Beth Fred. I was thinking of taking my name off the list because who gives a toss what I'm writing/not writing? But then I re-read the comments to my March post and found them quite kind and encouraging. The reason I joined this hop in the first place was to keep myself honest, and honestly, reflecting on my goals for the month is a good motivation to write more. So here it's the last Friday of May, ridiculous, so it's time again...
You're more than welcome to join this bloghop. All you need to do is read and follow the guidelines then SIGN UP HERE...

1) Beth and I Misha will be co-hosts of this list.
2) If you do enter your link into the list, please be supportive of the other entrants.
3) Keep us up to date with how you're doing. Update Day is on the last Friday of every month. Even if you don't think you achieved much or anything, write a quick post to say so. We can't encourage if we don't know. 
4) When you enter your blog's address write your goal as the link title. For example, my link's title will be "earn $7500 per month." Not your name or your blog's. This is so we can keep track of who's doing what. 

I signed up as Number 13,   'publish a novel and submit short stories' this year. Check out the participants at the bottom.

MY WRITING LIFE IN MAY 2016

MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE NOVELLA, BOOK TWO - The Vendemmia (The Harvest)I am really into the sequel to the second story in my  series Under the Tuscan Moon. Sorry for taking so long for those of you who have asked where is the second novella, but the research took longer than I'd planned.
(SIDEBAR: If you've read Under the Tuscan Moon, I'd love a review. Thanks to the lovely people who have reviewed it on Amazon and Goodreads and given 4 and 5 stars! If you haven't read it and would like to, please drop 99 cents in my begging basket at Amazon and go for your life; if you don't want to spend that outrageous sum of money, please email me and I will send you a free kindle copy if you'd like to review it.) 
The subtitle of this one is The Vendemmia (Italian for The Harvest, in this case, the grape harvest). My two 'loveable', ahem, vamps, Vipunin and Cuchulcain, have returned to Vipunin's castello where he lived before he was turned. Here Vipunin intends to be a very disruptive influence at harvest time. Ciassia and Sibon  are unaware they harbour a monster in their midst, a monster who will do anything to get what he wants...and he wants Ciassia. 
SHORT STORY UPDATE Last time I gave an update on one of my Paris short stories, Carpe Diem, it was at 12,000 words. This story is lighting up my life and sending electricity through my fingertips as I type, so it is now at 25,000 words. So I figure my protagonists, Saskia and Raphael, are demanding nothing less than novel length. When you meet Raphael, you'll know what I mean...
Currently the lovers have driven south-west of Paris to La France Profonde (deep in the country), to the tiny village of Les Salles Lavauguyon, so Saskia can meet Raphael's parents and plan their marriage in the glorious Romanesque church (after the civil ceremony of course). But what's with the parents? They are nothing like Raphael described them. 
As I said in my previous update on this story, it has grown from a 1,000 word flash fiction originally published for #fridayflash. It's been messing with my head for 5 years! So I have added flesh to the bones. And I have a French translator standing by waiting for me to finish! Now that's motivation!

What's with the motorbikes? Try this extract...

"With her arms around Raphael’s waist and her face pressed between his shoulder blades, her adrenaline soared as he roared into the Paris night, accelerating full throttle up the hill from Pigalle, past the windmills, then through the slick, dark streets of Montmartre. By the time he braked at the door of her 17th century pension, revving the engine twice just for fun, she was in love."

WRITING ABOUT TRAVEL 
As regular visitors and blogger friends know, I wear a travel writer's hat. I have recently returned from a subsidised trip to China so that demands many articles.  For this China series, I am hoping to break into more online travel magazines to add to the print mags. So it's a wonder I've written any fiction at all, but I'm being honest when I say, except for NaNoWriMo, I've never written so much non-fiction or fiction in my life in a month.
MY PARIS COOKERY SCHOOL NOVELSadly, I haven't been able to work on my Paris Cookery School novel and it languishes at 25,000 words. But look out when I get a chance. I may finish it this November. 
WRAPPING UP...So overall, May has been a very successful, wonderful writing month even though as I said we embarked on major renovations at our beach house. I skedaddle off to the library and peace and quiet when the noise-makers are at work. I'll join them when we reach the painting stage. 
I rather liked my philosophical bent at the end of March's update, so being short of time, I'll leave it there and hopefully have time to get ever so clever next month!
And I READ A LOT but need a jolt to review what I read. I'm really trying! But I've read 50 books so far this year (most in January holidays) so when I get your book read, I'll do the right thing by you!!

AIM HIGH
It's always a good idea to set yourself achievable goals, but it's even better to use the turbo power of imagination to help you get there. For example, you may decide that you'd be happy to have your body in better shape. Instead of just thinking: 'I'm going to tone and trim my waistline', bring on the drama. Try rephrasing that into something like: 'I want to turn heads as I walk down the street and wow people when I walk into a room'. Remember, when you use colourful, vibrant imagery it will be easier to achieve your goal and turn your dream into reality.

So...when you dream of your finished story...instead of just wishing you could reach the finish line, add drama. 'I want to write the most riveting, amazing story that people will love so much they will say to everyone in their reviews on Amazon and Goodreads--'You've got to read this story!' Imagine that!

I'm sure this Shanghai migrant worker has a goal!
How are you going with your 2016 Writing Goals? I'd love to hear from you. Please share in comments or join the hop.

1.... earn $7500 per month for a year2.Sell 500 Books per Month3.To get a novel finished and published4.create a publishing company setting standards for excellence.5.Write a million little words6.publish at least 2 novels in the next 4 years.7.Write and Publish 2-3 Books/Novellas and short works8.Publish two decent-selling book series9.Publish two books a year10.Complete and publish The Paper Duchess Series11.Accomplish My Goals By End of 201612.Sell an average of seven books a day13.Publish a novel and submit short stories14.Publish The Missing Girls Series in 201615.earn $2500 per month by December16.get rejected (by a editor or agent) 24 times this year17.Richard P Hughes18.Finish editing my novel before NaNoWriMo2016Submit your link:Link Title:

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Carol Riggs tells us about the birth of Bottled, her about-to-be-released genie novel for Clean Reads.

Hello, and many thanks to Denise for inviting me to do a guest post on her blog!
THE (long, extended) BIRTH OF BOTTLED
 On a winter’s day in February of 2011, I happily finished my YA sci-fi, SAFE ZONE…the novel that will release in October of this year, 2016. That very same night, I tossed and turned with a brand new idea for a novel. It would be a story about a genie, a light fantasy that would be mostly contemporary with a twist of magic. It could have a dual point of view, one from the genie and one from the master. There would be romance! adventure! danger! but I’d have to make it different enough from Disney’s “Aladdin” and the old TV show, “I Dream of Jeannie.”


At the time, I didn't know of any genie novels being published, so it was fresh and different from the vampires, werewolves, angels/demons, fairies, etc. that were popular then. Time passed while other stuff happened. I signed with an agent for my debut (THE BODY INSTITUTE) and worked on that. She suggested that one point of view might be better, so I dropped the dual POV idea. I wrote on BOTTLED  when I could, mostly in 2012 and 2103. My agent preferred another novel over BOTTLED, so we shelved it for a while.
After my agent and I amicably parted ways in 2015, I dusted the manuscript off and shaped it up. By that time, there actually were genie novels being published, about a dozen of them (rats, so much for being unique and beating the trend). In 2015 I tried out a Twitter pitch during #SFFpit to agents and editors, and got some responses that didn’t pan out. In December of 2015 I threw out some more tweets during another Twitter pitch: Transformed into a genie by a scheming man, Adeelah searches for her human love while protecting her new intriguing master. #PitMad #YA
One small press showed interest, and I submitted to them. I then remembered another small press I’d heard about, Clean Reads, and looked them up (not to be confused with Clean Teen Publishing). I loved their policy of no graphic violence, profanity, or sex. I submitted via their online form, and viola! FOUR DAYS LATER I found a contract in my inbox. Whoa! I emailed the first press (as is professional/courteous to give them a chance to offer), and ended up signing with Clean Reads. 
As a girl, I used to watch "I Dream of Jeannie" all the time (yes, I am that old), along with "Bewitched." I loved those shows. Except sometimes Jeannie drove me NUTS with all the scrapes and tangles she got her master into. Such chaos! I wanted my novel to be a more serious tribute to the enchantment of the show. Unlike Jeannie, my genie has limited powers and isn't able to use her abilities to reach her own goals. Having limitations with the magic made things more fun and challenging plot-wise.
YOUR WISH . If you had a genie like Adeelah, what would you wish for? Tell me in comments. Here are her limitations:
1. The wish must be tangible. No wishing for abstract things like world peace, true love, or happiness.2. The wish cannot directly change another person or deal with them against their will (NO healing, making people fall in love with you, bringing someone back to life, giving you long life, materializing the perfect boyfriend/girlfriend/chef/bodyguard/parent, etc).3. The wishes are not limited to three like some genie stories. They are unlimited.
```````````````````````````````````````
BOTTLED
At seventeen, Adeelah Naji is transformed into a genie and imprisoned in a bottle. For a thousand years, she fulfills the wishes of greedy masters—building their palaces, lining their pockets with gold, and granting them every earthly pleasure. All that sustains her is the hope of finding Karim, the boy she fell in love with as a human. When at last she finds a note from her beloved, she confirms he has access to the elixir of life and that he still searches for her. 
But someone else also hunts her. Faruq—the man who plots to use her powers to murder and seize the life forces of others—is just one step behind her. With the help of a kind master named Nathan, Adeelah continues to search for Karim while trying to evade Faruq. To complicate matters, she begins to experience growing fatigue and pain after conjuring, and finds herself struggling against an undeniable attraction to Nathan.

As Faruq closes in, Adeelah must decide just how much she’ll risk to protect Nathan and be with Karim forever. How much power does she really have to change her future, and what is she willing to sacrifice for an eternity of love? If she makes the wrong choice, the deaths of many will be on her hands. 


Carol Riggs is an author of fiction for young adults (and adults!) who lives in the beautiful green state of Oregon, USA. Her debut novel, The Body Institute , released Sept 2015 from Entangled Teen, exploring body image and identity. Her fantasy YA, Bottled , will release from Clean Reads on July 7, 2016, and her sci-fi YA, Safe Zone , will release from Entangled Teen in October 2016. She enjoys reading, drawing and painting, writing conferences, walking with her husband, and enjoying music and dance of all kinds. You will usually find her in her writing cave, surrounded by her dragon collection and the characters in her head.
CONNECT WITH CAROL
Website: http://www.carolriggs.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/artzicarolFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolRiggsAu...Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
 Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads
 

Thanks Carol for lighting up my blog today with your genie Adeelah!How about you, dear reader. Are you into genies? Do you remember Bewitched or I Dream of Jeanie?

Short travel post number one -- China, the Great Wall -- and a few bonus photos.

Several of you asked for more pics of my trip to China and I'm happy to oblige. Today I'm starting with a few outtakes from travel articles I've written since returning home. I'll start my first 'proper' China post back at the Great Wall after a little detour. 
TRAVEL 'FIRSTS'

Travellers the world over share the heady anticipation of ‘firsts’—the first time they see Rocamadour, (the town of the Black Madonna and foie gras) built into the cliff face not far from Bordeaux in France, the first time they make it to Everest Main Camp, the first time they make a pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.

Glorious Rocamadour didn't disappoint!

Yet some ‘firsts’ can be disappointing. Think about this...As I entered the hallowed halls of the Vatican to gaze upon Michelangelo’s painted ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, a much-anticipated 'first', it was not the ceiling but the floor that dominated the scene—wall to wall tourists lying on their backs pointing cameras with lenses as long as their arms to the ceiling while nattily-dressed security guards danced over the inert bodies screaming, ‘No photo! No photo!’



But my last ‘first’ exploded every expectation I’d held since I saw newspaper photos of President Nixon and Mao Zedong on the Great Wall of China in the '70s—my own ‘first’ visit to the Great Wall, the foremost example of ancient architecture on the planet.
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Here I am, all ready to rock! Those mountains look a mighty long way away!
What I dubbed Base Camp at the Juyong Pass Great Wall section.
After climbing the wall, it was good to mosey around here while the thighs tried to stop wobbling.





Heading for the watchtower at the top of the mountain. Those stairs were full-on killers.  We’re all giddily happy to be climbing the wall. Some tell me it was a long-cherished dream, impossible to fulfill when China was closed to foreigners, (wàiguó rén, or ‘big noses’).

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This wall is mighty steep and goes forever. It's a long way to the top if you want to rock 'n' roll!!

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The top of the section. Sadly, I didn't make it this far, but the hubs is far more competitive than I am...of course he had to take photos for me!

How about you? Do you have any travel 'firsts' that never leave your mind?Thanks for coming by.I hope you enjoyed travelling with me.Next post will be on Tienanmen Square and the Forbidden City.