C.J. Warrant's Blog, page 4
April 25, 2016
CJ’s Man Crush Monday
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Diamonds, Dreams, Hot Damn, losing my mind, Lover, Sparkly, Tattoo, writing, Yummy
April 21, 2016
Make Room For a Trailer
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been a visual person. I’ve learn and absorb greatly with images. Visuals helped me through high school and cosmetology. I learned along the way many people are the same.
So when my editor suggested that I would benefit in having a book trailer for Forgetting Jane, I thought it was a fabulous idea, but didn’t have a clue where to begin.
I watched many trailers on youtube, talked to many author friends–I even went on line to see how much it would cost me to have it made by someone else…Can I say HOLY COW!
As a debut author, my budget minded brain eked out in pain when I saw the cost. Therefore, I decided to tackle the trailer myself. I have a Mac, which included IMovie, and using that application was a breeze.
Within reach of my fingertips, I had all the tools I needed. So without hesitation, I dug deep into the right side of my brain and slammed it overdrive. I began piecing together images I’ve collected from various sites my fellow authors had suggested-some were free and some were paid for.
Once I got my picture collage together, I then broke them down to where they would best describe my novel. I have to say, as a novice, I did pretty damn good.
By the end of it, I got quite acquainted with my computer and learned a great deal more than just putting together pictures.
Don’t be afraid to make a trailer. Yes, it’s time consuming but in the end, it’s worth it and your budget brain won’t cry out in pain.
So without further ado…Let the trailer speak for itself.
Happy Thursday!
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Aphrodite Writers, Beaver Lake, breast cancer, Chicago North RWA, Coffee, Cops, Dreams, Duck hunting, Eli, fear, ghosts, Guppies, Jane, kids, killer, losing my mind, mystery, Novellas, Novels, Sisters in Crime, Small Town, Snoring, Stories, suspense, Thriller, Traitor, Urgent kisses, Voices, Windy City RWA, Wisconsin, writing
April 18, 2016
April 15, 2016
Forgetting Jane ~ Book Launch
I am pleased to announced that my Supernatural Romantic Thriller, Forgetting Jane has an official release date. Drum roll, please! June 29th, 2016
So Close! I’m so thrilled with the news that I can’t keep still. More information will come on Forgetting Jane’s launch party in the near future, so please follow me on my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram , to get all the latest details. There will be some awesome giveaways and a few other surprises.
Forgetting Jane will be published through Solstice Publishing and will be available in all Ebook formats and print.
Here is a link to Goodreads. Please add it to your shelf and mark it as Want to Read:
With mutual themes of a small town crime, old buried secrets, ghosts and love forged from tragedy, Forgetting Jane crosses three genres and would appeal to fans who read Supernatural/Paranormal, Romantic Suspense and Thrillers.
Here is a small excerpt of Forgetting Jane:
I’m alive.
The first drag of cold air into her lungs burned like acid. Her fingers stung, deep under the nail beds as she clawed out from the hard ground. She tried moving her legs, but her energy waned fast. No matter how hard she wrestled out of the hole, the lower half of her body was bound in the heavy cemented earth.
The sharp wind layered her like an icy blanket. A prickled sensation skated across her skin like razorblades. She shivered in pain.
A screech of an owl in the distance made her pause. Where was she? Dark surrounded her in its murkiness. Though a glimpse of morning light barely skimmed the horizon, the warmth of the day hadn’t touched her.
Happy Friday!
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized
April 11, 2016
April 7, 2016
Tag Lines-How important are they?
As a brand new author, I’m realizing there is so much more to learn in the publishing 
world. Like I said in a previous post, I’m only a tiny fish in a huge ocean. So, even the littlest details are important, and to be remembered. Therefore, without freaking out, I try to take things into strides.
For one…Tag lines. Yikes! How important are they? I SAY VERY IMPORTANT! But easily forgettable.
They are the tiny cracks–a glimpse into your book. The lure of those few words on the cover can draw a reader to pick up your book and flip through the pages.
Those simple but powerful few words are just as crucial as the back cover blurb. So that being said, I believe TAGs delivers the right punch to the brain and captures a reader attention.
My first novel, Forgetting Jane, which is due to come out in June of 2016 is a dark romantic thriller with paranormal elements. With the help of my wonderful critique partners, we were able to come up with a few tags for my book and out of three, one hit the mark for me.
Buried Secrets Won’t Stay Buried… Hmm. By reading those five words, it sends a shiver along my skin. Of course, knowing the details about my novel also helps.
However, whenever I browse for a new book, I study the front and back cover first before delving into the pages. With E-Books, it’s little more difficult. Yet, with a kick ass cover and a powerful tag line, one can pull a reader in.
So Tag lines are essential. Even if its not on the cover but use them as blasts in social media, and in swags and promotional items, they are important.
It’s the little things that sometimes aren’t so little.
Have a great Thursday!
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized
April 4, 2016
March 28, 2016
March 24, 2016
You Write?
Over the years, I’ve learned to write in the dark. What I mean is that I never shared with anyone that I wrote stories and poems. Family, friends and co-workers alike, I’ve kept my talent to myself. So when I seriously decided to tell the world what I did, I got a response like “You write?” Imagine a quirked brow, eyes wide with surprise and sometimes with a slight frown as they absorbed the odd news.
Then a series of rapid fire questions usually came right after. It was like a test. Yikes! “When do you find the time? How do you come up with these stories? How does your brain work that way? What do you write? How do you come up with the names? Is sex in it?” Etc, etc…
I loved the last one. The second I’d say romantic suspense, they zero in on the romance part and want to know about the sex.
Anyway, as a newbie author, I’m like a tiny fish starting out in a huge ocean full of various size fishes with more experience and with a lot more exposure to the publishing world. As a newbie author, I have to continue to write like my fellow authors before me and make a place in the world for my stories.
In doing so, social media’s a wonderful place to get started. Tell you friends and family-they’ll be your biggest supporters. Don’t be afraid of who you are inside. Bring it out the author in you.
So to all the writers out there that haven’t been published yet…spill. Talk. Get use to the idea that you are a writer. Let everyone you know that you write and your stories are wonderful. The more you share, the people around you will believe, support and follow you in your publishing journey.
Happy Thursday
CJ
Filed under: Uncategorized
