Zara West's Blog, page 20

Meet Author Robin Leigh Morgan

Zara West Suspense

~ I Love to Write ~

My guest romance author today is Robin Leigh Morgan, an author, blogger, and book reviewer who writes contemporary romance and middle grade/young adult fiction.

 

Welcome Robin…

How did you choose the genre you write in?

Going back to my days as a child have I always loved to write. When I was in to public [grade] school I wrote all the time. But I stopped when I’d reached junior high [middle] school. While I’ve written articles [commentaries] for about eleven years, I didn’t really start writing fiction until I was past fifty. It took a bit until I finally decided to write romance, because I felt the most comfortable writing in this genre.

I’d originally wanted to write an adult contemporary romance, but I never felt satisfied with what I’ve written for a few years. Someone in the group of writers I went to occasionally suggested I write up for younger audience. But, I didn’t take this individual’s advice until I’d retired. It took a while before I’d finally completed my debut MG/YA paranormal entitled I Kissed a Ghost.

Now that I’ve become interested in writing romance as my career, I’ve been quite busy writing, and I’ve have several WIPs [Works in Progress] going on at this time. I have an adult contemporary romance I never finished, a MG/YA Urban Fantasy [with a romance backstory] that is a stand-alone sequel to my debut novel. I’ve also have two erotic GLBT/BDSM novellas, which I’m writing under a different pen name.

I love seeing how my writing has expanded into the various subgenres of the genre I’ve chosen to write in.

How did you come up with the titles for your books?

I simply keep on summarizing the book until I reach a point where I’ve got something I can use as the title, and my debut novel “I Kissed a Ghost” is a perfect example.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Have I ever experienced writer’s block? Of course, I have. What author hasn’t? And if they say they’ve never experienced it, I think they’re unwilling to admit to it. To get passed the episodes of this dreaded condition, I write Flash Fiction using prompts from a now defunct website. The rules for the stories is they have to consist only of five sentences.

I eventually took the ones I’d written for these prompts, added a few new ones, using prompts I hadn’t used before, and compiled an anthology of a hundred of them into my second book, Micro Fiction – An Anthology.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

The best advice I can give any aspiring author is to not take criticism, especially from another author, as criticism. Take it as I do, as a form of guidance and support from one author to another.

I Kissed a Ghost by Robin Leigh Morgan [image error]

In “I Kissed a Ghost”, Mary gets a new classmate named Jonathan who’s a great baseball player and to get on the team, he needs Mary’s help to improve his grades. Six months later when she learns she’s moving, she decides to give him something special–a first kiss.

Moving into her new home she soon discovers it has a ghost named George, her age, who takes her on numerous trips to the past of a hundred years ago. As she meets children her own age, everyone teases her about her house being haunted, but no one will go inside. Mary likes his help doing her math homework, writing her reports, and taking her back in time.

George and Mary’s interaction grows and she eventually gives him a quick peck on his lips while they’re in the past, which is the only place George is a real boy, for having done something special for her. Can Mary kiss George again at the special date and time he needs to be kissed? What happens afterwards if she does?

The answers are all in the book!

Buy Links
AMAZON

[image error] Learn more about Robin Leigh Morgan

The best place to find out about me is on my social media sites. Click here for links to each of them and to unedited excerpts from my debut romance novel I Kissed a Ghost.

https://about.me/rlmorgan51

Robin Leigh Morgan would love to hear from you.
Post your comments and questions below.

The post Meet Author Robin Leigh Morgan appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Don’t Get Bogged Down – An Interview with Daryl Devore

Zara West Suspense

~The Book is a Book ~

Today my guest is Daryl Devoré, author of Two Truths and A Lie in the Lawbreakers Box Set. She shares her views on writing, pen names, belly dancing, and more.

Take it away Daryl…

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Let’s start with I’m female. My name – Daryl – is both a male and a female name. If it is pronounced rhyming with Karl – then it is the female version. The male version rhymes with Carol.

I live in Eastern Ontario, Canada in a 175 yr old farm house.

I write under two pens names – Daryl Devore writes hot romance and Victoria Adams writes sweet romance.

Just an add on – Daryl is my real first name. When I was trying to pick a pen name, the writer’s group I belong too said – keep your first name.

Do you have an unusual hobby?

I am a belly dancer and a yoga addict. I study Raks Sharqi belly dance which is the more traditional type. A belly dancer is not a stripper and they did not dance to seduce the sultans – that’s Hollywood. Anybody can learn Rak Sharqi. It’s a fabulous activity.

Yoga – the studio where I practice has so many classes that it would probably be better if I just moved in. I love Warm Yin and Wall Yoga. I’ve tried all sorts of different classes from Hatha to Power Yoga. I love the way I feel when I leave class- open to the world, my heart is lighter, my mood is brighter. Yoga is my drug.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

No – the book is the book. It’s done. The story is written and that is that. A person could go back and fix something to death. There will always be someone who disagrees with something in the books or wonders why they character didn’t react a certain way, but you can’t fix the book for them. What about all the people who thought the book was fine? If I were to change parts then those people might not be happy.

So I circle back to the beginning – would I change anything – no – the book is the book.

[image error]Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

I have a medieval fantasy that has been sitting on my hard drive for a couple of years. It is nagging at me to finish it. I may dig into that.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

That depends on which pen name I am using.

Daryl Devore – purely imagination. I’ve written a few billionaire stories – sadly, I don’t know any billionaires. Also currently working on the medieval fantasy and happily, I don’t know any dragons. But having one as a pet might be kinda cool.

Victoria Adams generally writes contemporary stories – although I’m in the middle of a time travel one. The characters in those books are composites of people I know and the places are based on locations I have lived or visited. The prep school in Dancing in Circles is based on my high school and the main character is adapted from the guy who sat in front of me in English class.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Don’t get bogged down by the rules of writing. People will pontificate on the silliest things. Like –  you should never use the word “as” in a book. It marks you as a weak writer. PTHTHTHTH – I say to them. If the greats authors of old used the word “as” then you can to. And no, you aren’t Jane Austin or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but at one point – neither were they.

I have a motto – Picasso wasn’t always Picasso. At one point, he was just a guy name Pablo painting weird pictures.

So, go write your book.

Is there anything special that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

If you read a book, pul-l-l-lease leave a review. It doesn’t have to be a 5-page review. This isn’t an English assignment. Let me give you a few examples

A – I liked the book. It was great.

B – I fell in love with the characters in this book.

C – This book grabbed me by the heartstrings.

D – I couldn’t put it down. Read it all in one night.

Or…my personal favourite

E – Daryl Devoré is the most fabulous writer ever and this is the bestest most romantic book that has ever been written and you should be buy because it is so absolutely glorious.

Two Truths and a Lie by Daryl Devore [image error]

If you love hot, billionaire romances, then this is a must read.

From the author of the Two Hearts One Love Trilogy, multi-published, hot romance author Daryl Devoré’s latest book revolves around deceit, betrayal, passion and the theft of a multi-million-dollar, rare, red diamond.

As if multiple planes crashes, a car accident, and a concussion isn’t enough, carefree Byn and straight-lace billionaire, Mark clash over Byn’s need for independence and Mark’s struggle with guilt pushing him in the opposite direction of love. When an art forger, an art thief and a ninety-year-old woman get involved the chance for true love for Byn and Mark fades.

All is lost until a children’s game is their only hope.

Buy Link

Two Truths and a Lie from the Lawbreaker Box Set

AMAZON

Where to Find Daryl Devoré [image error]

Blog – http://daryldevore.blogspot.ca

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daryl-Devore/280168402052520

Twitter – http://twitter.com/daryldevore

Google+ – https://plus.google.com/u/0/107866370365154406917

(or Daryl Devore)

GoodReads Author Page – http://www.goodreads.com/DarylDevore

Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004TJ1354

LinkedIn – ca.linkedin.com/pub/daryl-devore/58/b42/792/

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Daryl%20Devore

Daryl Devore would love to hear from you.
Post your thoughts and comments below.

The post Don’t Get Bogged Down – An Interview with Daryl Devore appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Fifteen Minutes Writing – The Book Factory Method

Zara West Suspense

~ Life in Fifteen Minutes ~

Do you know how much time you spend on daily activities like reading e-mail and perusing Facebook? Do you struggle to reach your daily word count? I know that I do.

A while back, I took a workshop with USA best-selling author Kerri Nelson, which she has recently published in book form: The Book Factory Method: Your Guide to Producing Multiple Novels in One Year.

Fifteen Minutes Count [image error]

Kerri makes the point that in the scheme of things fifteen minutes is not very much of one’s time. In fifteen minutes, we can accomplish tasks like wash the dishes or fold the laundry. Why not spend fifteen minutes writing too?

In The Book Factory Method, Kerri explains how thinking in fifteen-minute time blocks is a sneaky way to find time to write.

Where are Those Fifteen Minutes Hiding?

Finding fifteen minutes is a lot less daunting than finding an hour or three for writing. Kerri suggests analyzing how you spend every fifteen-minute block of your work day and searching out those spaces where you can sit down to write.

Taking her advice, I kept track of how I spent my time over a three-day period (Here’s a 15 incredible minutes you can use to track your day) and discovered she was right.

Sure, I had all my daily tasks—like cleaning, washing, cooking, going to work, working, and so on. But there were also large blocks of time spent lost on Facebook and answering e-mail, time spent straightening my writing zone and getting ready to write, and time spent on rereading what I had already written—time that could be better spent just plain writing. In fact, I actually found three fifteen-minute blocks that could be better spent writing everyday.

Using Those Fifteen Minutes Effectively

Once you have your slots, Kerri suggests you get a timer. Using a timer and shutting down e-mail and the Internet is essential for this to work.

A note on timers: The timer I like the most is Hourglass. But I have also used my phone timer and an old-fashioned cooking timer just as effectively.

Now you are ready

Sit down.
Set the timer.
Start writing.
Do not stop till that timer dings.

Give it a Try

If you fast draft, you can actually produce quite a few words on the page in fifteen minutes, and in Kerri’s case, those dedicated fifteen minutes has produced a passel of published books. Will this work for everyone? I have no idea. But it worked for me.

I quickly found that sitting down and fast drafting (Kerri makes a particular point about applying this method only to new writing, not revision or editing) even for as little as fifteen minutes a day put words on the page for me.  Working with the time limit also trained me to be more focused. Knowing I was being times, I learned to ignore distractions. After all, there are very few things you can’t let slide for a few minutes.

In addition to the fifteen-minute writing method, Kerri provides many hints and helps for becoming more productive. She examines goal setting, motivation, and some writerly tricks for plotting (she’s a pantser), writing pitches and queries, and maintaining one’s physical and mental health as a writer. I strongly recommend The Book Factory Method for anyone who wants to become a more productive writer.

What method do you use to find writing time?
I love hearing from my readers!

The post Fifteen Minutes Writing – The Book Factory Method appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Rumer Raines’ New Book

Zara West Suspense

~ Sunflowers and the Mob ~

Rumer Raines, welcome back.  When Rumer was last here, we learned that she loved writing stories about hard-edged men with good hearts. Today she tells us more about herself and her new book Dirty Assests.

What are some of my favorite foods?    

I LOVE Italian food. I have honestly never had anything Italian that I didn’t enjoy. One of my favorite places in the world is Eataly, which is an Italian market. If you have one in your area, I highly recommend it!  Eataly offers Italian foods and it is just Delicious.

What are my favorite books? 

I don’t know if I could choose ONE book?  However, if I was stranded on an island and could only take one… I would have to chose Fifty Shades of Grey. Who doesn’t love a rich, powerful man that has a good heart?  Fifty Shades is the book that changed my views on the Romance Industry. I loved the dominant man who went after what he wanted.

What is my favorite flower?  

I love the sunflower.  It is big, bold and reminds me of sunshine. The sunflower reminds me of a happy place, where people just love each other.

What was the most interesting place you ever visited? 

 I am going to pick the Mob Museum in Las Vegas.  I am a little Mob obsessed, but the Mob Museum is a place anyone can visit! It was very interesting to learn the history of the mob and everything they were involved in. There was a wall of mob member pictures and some of them you would have NEVER guessed was associated with the mob. Some of the photos were even people you would recognize!

What other genres of novel would you love to write?

  I recently read a book from Adele Knight and she is an awesome Erotica writer.  It was pure smut, but she had a great story behind it. I would love to attempt to write Erotica.

Dirty Assets by Rumer Raines [image error]

Making money and getting laid.

Those are my priorities. 

Working at our bar, both come easily, especially when the last name Deluca ignites fear in anyone. Let’s just say, our business stays under the radar–as long as we have the means to silence anyone who thinks otherwise.

But when, Adele Day, our new waitress, comes along, she skyrockets to the top of my priority list.  With curves like hers, I know exactly what I want.  Turns out, Adele’s got secrets of her own.  And suddenly, she just might need the kind of help only the Delucas can grant.  Believe me, I am one dirty little asset she’s going to be lucky to have.

Buy link
AMAZON  

 

[image error] More about Rumer Raines

Webpage www.rumerraines.com

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/hotcoffeeandmenbookboyfriendsmafia/?ref=bookmarks

Twitter  https://twitter.com/RumerRaines

What else would you like to know about Rumer Raines?
She is waiting for your questions and comments.
Please post below.

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R. E. Mullins on Blood, Vampires, and Writer’s Block

Zara West Suspense

~ Don’t Name a Character After Your Mother ~

Fellow Wild Rose, R.E. Mullins returns to Awesome Romance Author Wednesday to tell us about her latest novel, Cold Hearted Vampire which brings to a close her Blautsaugers of Amber Heights Series.

But first, she shares some fascinating things about herself and offers some important writing tips.

Can I tell everyone a little about myself.

Okay, this sounds easy enough although I can’t think of a more boring subject. Well, here goes. I’m a city girl at heart transplanted to the boonies of Missouri where I see more deer than people and there is no pizza delivery.

What interesting jobs have I had and did it affect my writing?

I worked as a phlebotomist for ten years and helped teach the practical applications of drawing blood samples at a continuing education class for four years. No, blood doesn’t bother me. In class, I even stuck myself to demonstrate ‘fishing’ techniques. To me, going from sticking needles into veins to writing about vampires seems a natural progression.

Is anything in my books based on real life experiences or is it purely imagination?

I believe genetics and environment are reflected in everything we do. That means, even in the most outlandish worlds ever created by an author, all writing and actions are, somehow, influenced by life. As I said, I came up with the idea for a vampire story while working with blood.

My town of Amber Heights is fictional but it’s placed in Missouri and loosely based it on a couple of areas I’ve lived.

The description of my character, Morgan Maguire, was inspired by an image on a tarot card. For other characters, I might have taken a poke at a friend or relative by adding one of their traits or some physical aspect. In such cases, the roasted—I mean toasted, because it’s an honor, dammit—has been told.

However, I will caution prospective authors to steer away from naming a character after a relative. I made this mistake by asking my Mom and brother-in-law if I could use their names for secondary characters. Now the bro-in law is demanding I write a book featuring his namesake character as the hero, and he wants lots of sex scenes. Needless to say, this also goes for the lab assistant named after my mom, I am not writing naked scenes featuring anyone I actually know.

How much research do I do for each book?

Lots and lots. I love researching. The great thing about vampires is their extended lifespan. A backflash can send me looking back centuries to make sure the scene is accurate. For instance: my she-vamp lead gets a message in the latter 1800’s. Is it through telegram or telephone. I don’t just need to know what year the telephone was invented—I need to know when phones had become common household items. I also needed to know when did the use of telegrams decline. All this for one tiny part of a scene. I find it all fascinating so the hardest part comes when I’m forced to boil down all the interesting information I’ve discovered into something succinct that fits into the plot.

Do I ever get writer’s block?

The short answer is yes. I don’t know how any writer escapes the ‘well is dry’ syndrome. So far, I’ve been able to overcome the blank page by getting away from the computer for a bit. From the moment the grass is over an inch high in the spring until all the grass is dead in the fall, I go out and mow. I live on 32 acres and now mow about 5 of them. In the winter, I carry wood and clean rather obsessively. When writing is going well, you can guess, the grass can get pretty high and there’s a blanket of dust on everything in the house.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?  

Cold Hearted Vampire finishes the original Blautsaugers in Amber Heights series but I’m not quite ready to give up Amber Heights. With the novella, Diaper Duty Vampire, now available, I’ve bridged the gap into a new series called Vampires of Amber Heights. This will deal with some of those secondary characters (not my bro-in-law) and newcomers to the town’s vamp community.

Additionally, I was asked to write the novella, Vampire Girl: Back To Hell for Kindle Worlds. I enjoyed the experience and plan to write more things outside my vampire series. Eventually, I’ll turn my hand to contemporary romance as I would like my characters to actually live normal lives like occasionally sitting down to a real meal.

Now to tell you about my new book and series[image error]

In The Blautsaugers of Amber Heights series, you first meet Cailey and Gabe in It’s A Wonderful Undead Life. Then Gabe’s younger brother, Rafe falls for Morgan Maguire, Cailey’s mysterious friend in Vampire In The Scrying Glass. Next we learn the truth behind Metta Blautsauger’s ditzy demeanor in A Vampire To Be Reckoned With.

Finally, it’s Michaela’s turn in my new book Cold Hearted Vampire. All her life, Dr. Michaela Blautsauger has fought an uphill battle. Born at a time when females were considered chattel, she bucked the system to be one of the first she-vamps to earn their medical degree. I’ve always seen Michaela as a female Sheldon Cooper. She’s brilliant, a know-it-all, and she’s lacking in social skills.

Then Detective Seth Whitehead walks into her lab and challenges her on every level. For her part, she’s suddenly found a male (human no less) that interests her as much as the slides on her microscope.

Cold-Hearted Vampire by R. E. Mullins [image error]

   Dr. Michaela Blautsauger, a Nosferatu vampire, is considered an expert in her field of work. However, her skills when it comes to dealing with others and showing emotion is almost non-existent. When Detective Seth Whitehead barges into her lab, she discovers the human is just as interesting as the blood formula she is working on.

   Seth’s tenacity to find who is committing crimes in Amber Heights pits him against vampire aristocracy as well as Toltec vamps who are nasty to say the least. When the she-vamp he is falling heart over fangs for leaves the country to find the blood plant she needs, he follows and discovers his cold hearted vamp truly has a heart.

   When they both fall into Toltec hands, Seth knows he will do anything he has to do to keep Michaela from suffering harm. But will he be able to keep his own life in the process?

Buy Links
AMAZON  | B&N  |  WILD ROSE

Learn more about R. E. Mullins [image error]

Keep up with me on my blog and FB page

https://www.facebook.com/REMullinsauthor

http://www.remullins.blogspot.ca/

I also post on the 20th of every month at:  http://rosesofprose.blogspot.com/

R.E. Mullins would love to hear from you. Post your questions and comments below and she will get back to you.

 

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Book Review: Romancing the Beat

Zara West Suspense

~The Path of True Love ~

I truly believe that the best way to learn to be a writer is to be a voracious reader. That said, how-to-writing books definitely have a place in honing one’s skills. I have read many books that I have found helpful. Today I will review one of my favorites and explain how it helped me improve my writing.

Before you can write a romance, you need to plot out your story. When I began writing my first novel, I plotted by the seat of my pants as most beginners do. The feedback I received was that it didn’t fit the romance genre because the love story wasn’t the main focus, and the relationship between the hero and heroine was too antagonistic.

For a while I scratched my head. Then I went back and reread some of my favorite romance writers and tried to figure out what made their book so terrific. This was very time-consuming, and I soon found myself buried in the details (or just enjoying the story all over again) and losing the big picture.

[image error] So I was very happy to find this little book. Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes. This inexpensive, short book (100 pages) is perfect for the beginning writer or non-romance writer who has a basic understanding of how plot and character work together to build a story, but needs some general direction on crafting a truly awe-inspiring romantic relationship.

Romancing the Beat starts with a discussion of theme and points out that all successful romances share the same overarching theme “love conquers all.” Then she has a delightful way of describing the love arc as going from “hole-hearted to whole-hearted.” Doesn’t that just summarize the whole romance thing in a nutshell?

However, the part I found most useful, and that I will focus on today, is her analysis of the inner journey the lovers must go through to reach their happy ever after

To do this, Gwen Hayes provides a clear, easy-to-understand summary of the required plot elements or what she calls “beats” that show what the lovers need be doing from first kiss to final breakup and where these elements fit on a basic three act plot outline.

She encourages the reader to create their own version and promises that if you outline your story using these beats you will have a coherent love story with some very satisfied lovers (and readers) by the end.

[image error]

Based on her book, I created my own version of The Beat Sheet and have used it successfully to improve my writing. I find it particularly useful when doing my initial outlining and when revising

If you prefer a pre-made version you can download a printable pdf that can be cut into cards or Scrivener template on her website.

To learn more about the method or about Gwen’s other books visit GwenHayes.com

How do you plot out your romantic love arcs?
I’d love to hear your methods.

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Meet Awesome Romance Author Amey Zeigler

Zara West Suspense

~ Just Write ~

Amey Zeigler is a fellow romantic suspense writer who is also published by Wild Rose Press. In my interview with her, she talks about the struggles she faced becoming a published author and the most important thing she’s learned about writing. But let’s hear her tell it in her own words.

Here’s Amey…

Is there an event in your life that affected you as a writer?

When I had been seriously writing for about two years, my husband asked me what kind of writer I wanted to be. I didn’t know if I wanted to be a literary writer posing deep thoughts in obscure prose or weave tales of adventure and escapism in popular fiction, but I needed to find my raison d’être.

One dark January day, while I was in the throes of post-partem depression after the birth of my middle child, I picked up a book at the library. It was the third book in a YA series. Though I had read the first book and not the second in the series, I started reading it. It had action. It had adventure. A dash of comedy, and most importantly, romance.

Somehow, that combination burst through the fog of depression and hit that sweet spot in my brain that made me happy. It healed me. Or at least part of me. And I knew then and there that I wanted to write books that surprised, delighted and entertained readers. My books must have a combination of action, adventure, and romance. And I want to make people laugh.

What do I do when I’m not writing?

I have a 14-year-old daughter and two sons ages 11 and 7. So there is that. I won’t be quitting my day job of being a mom anytime soon and hopefully I’ll graduate to being a grandma someday—that sounds like way more fun! But my family is where I draw my strength and humor. Kids keep you humble, you know. They point out your faults and pick their noses in public just to embarrass you. It’s great that they keep me grounded in real life because most of the time, like when I’m folding laundry or mopping the floor, my head is in the clouds.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

In my case, the two go hand in hand. I studied theatre since I was ten years old, and I thought that my dialogue was pretty sweet. My husband asked me once what one of my talents was, and I was like, uh, flirting. But that was not very helpful once we married. However, I discovered that I could allow my characters to flirt so I wouldn’t have to waste such a great talent. I wrote Baker’s Dozen with all sorts of flirting and fun back and forth banter, and chemistry. And that’s what most people comment on, is that they like my protags’ chemistry.

But… I sent my manuscript to an agent who requested a full, and I was so excited because it was someone I really admired. When she wrote back, she said my dialogue was flat. OUCH! That hurt. And it was a wakeup call. My best skill was flat! I was depressed for two weeks. I couldn’t even look at my work, didn’t even open my computer.

After those two weeks, I found a book on dialogue, learned from it and refocused my scenes. I still have lots of fun chemistry, but now the flirting drops clues and actually drives the relationship and the story forward, which is what was missing before.

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

My second completed novel is so close to my heart, I want it to have the perfect home and in the right hands before I publish it. It was inspired by the year and a half I lived in Europe, focusing on the three months I lived in Vevey, Switzerland in my twenties.

Living in a foreign country was difficult and strange for me, even one as beautiful and modern as Switzerland. Some of the cultural misunderstandings and odd situations I encountered made it into my book. Like, I may or may not have hauled a recliner up four flights of stairs and scrounged junk from piles on the side of the road. Some of the funnier true stories I cut, like the time I was down in the basement looking for the light switch, and I accidentally hit the fire alarm instead.

What am I currently working on? Any new projects?

I am always working on projects! I’m currently sending out the Swiss story I mentioned above for publication. I’m also finishing the first draft to the second Baker’s Dozen book as well as a sweet romance about a casserole dish that helps heal a neighborhood. I am also researching a series set in Monte Carlo and finishing a few other projects I’m excited about: a YA paranormal romance and two other sweet romances set at the University of Arizona.

Is there a writing tip that helped me get published?

I knew I was close to publication when I was getting full manuscript requests. I think one of the things that really helped push me over the edge to achieving publication was joining a professional writing association like RWA and going to a conference. I didn’t need to meet an editor or agent face to face in a pitch session to get published. What I learned in the conference was little things I picked up as I talked to other published authors. Networking, making friends, learning the ropes of a path they had already trod really helped me take it to the next level.

Advice to aspiring writers:

The most important thing I read when I first started writing seriously gave me encouragement in the long, tedious years leading up to publication. I wish I could remember which book it was so I could properly credit the writer, but since I can’t, I’m going to share the little secret with you distilled into one line: persistence is the key to publication.

To get published, all you have to do is write every day and not quit. She gave some ballpark figures like your one millionth word will get published, or if you write for ten years you’ll get published. And here is why. You can learn skill that will match talent. A million words or ten years may sound like a lot, but to me, it gave me incredible hope. I always wanted to be a writer and had some talent.

But novelists make writing look easy, like the words just flowed from the proverbial pen. The revelation that it takes skill and hard work and patience and practice not just talent, seemed achievable to me rather than just hoping that I had enough talent. To the novices: keep writing. Learn the craft and practice skill. Write some more. Write what you love. Write what makes you race to your keyboard every day. And someday someone will read your words and think they just flowed like magic from your fingertips.

 

[image error]Baker’s Dozen by Amey Zeigler

Twenty-three-year-old investigative journalist, Andy Miller is armed with her many disguises and creativity to take down the riffraff of Saint Louis. When her stepbrother is murdered by the mob, Andy soon discovers she’s out of her depth.

Enter Hugh Donaldson who has reasons of his own for discovering the murderer. He’ll use everything in his power to achieve that, including lying to Andy about his past. Dangerous as he is attractive, his martial arts skills and his quirky ways raise Andy’s suspicions.

Although Andy balks at his lies, Hugh’s charms, twenty-inch biceps, and electrifying blue eyes are difficult to resist. Striking out on their own, Hugh and Andy try to outwit each other as they traverse North America tracking down people connected to the case.

As clues disappear and the body count climbs, Andy and Hugh must trust each other and use their combined skills to bring the murderer to justice.

Buy links
AMAZON  |  B&N  |  iTUNES  |  WILD ROSE PRESS

Find Amey Zeigler on the web!
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Author Amey Zeigler

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Amey Zeigler is happy to answer your questions and comments.
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The post Meet Awesome Romance Author Amey Zeigler appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Visionary Goals – a Place to Start

Zara West Suspense

~ Why I Start with Visionary Goals ~

In my last post, I talked about how I set up my writing journal. In this post I will explain how I set my visionary goals.

Designing Visionary Goals

When designing goals, there are three things we are advised that make a good goal. The first is it should be specific with a clear definition and a recorded start and end time. Second, the goal should be measurable so you know if you achieved it. Third, the goal needs to be achievable i.e. it is something you have the skills or can get the skills to accomplish. A visionary goal is different. It encompasses something we feel deeply about- something that may not be measurable.

Why Visionary Goals? [image error]

As an educator, I have written and been guided by thousands of measurable goals and objectives. So why do I start off my writing journal with my rather nebulous five-year visionary goals?

I do so because while being practical is a sure way to get work done, they do not inspire. And if there is something a writer needs to have tucked into their psyche, it is inspiration.

So this year, I have set myself the following five-year goals.

Write more books and stories from my heart
Discover readers who love my books
Be happy writing and not feel stressed

As you can see these are definitely not measurable objectives nor well-defined. I don’t specify a set number of books and stories. I don’t name the genre or the topics, and five years is pretty broad range in terms of a time-frame.

These are goals that come from my hopes and dreams. I talk about love, heart, and happiness– very general words that we can all argue about. What does it mean for a reader to love a book? What does happiness feel like to a writer? What is a story from the heart?

Working with Visionary Goals

Despite their nebulousness, these are definitely goals I want to attain. What writer doesn’t want to keep writing more and more wonderful books and stories? What writer doesn’t want their stories read by appreciative readers? Why write at all if it makes you feel stressed and unhappy?

However, just because these are visionary, doesn’t mean that we can’t use them to delineate our writing career path.

Turning Visionary Goals into Measurable Ones

So the next step is to take each visionary goal and place it in this sentence, and voila, you will have a nicely packaged measurable goal to guide you – but one that has heart at its core.

In order to _________________ (visionary goal), I will ______________ (your activity) for ____________ (time-frame).

An example:

In order to write more heartfelt books, I will write at least 2 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Now that is definitely something that will keep me on track, but also incorporates my dream of writing more stories from my heart.

I also use my visionary goals to come up with a slogan to hang over my computer. Here is this year’s.

Work hard. Work happy. Work inspired.

From Visionary Goals to Success

Setting goals is key to feeling successful. When you can track your progress, when you can count the number of words or pages written, and the number of stories sent out into the world, you know you have accomplished something. But if that leaves you stressed or you do not love what you have written, then it is all for nothing.

That is why for me starting with visionary goals is more fulfilling and, in the long run, leaves me happier as a writer.

Do you set visionary or practical goals for yourself?
How do you use them?
I welcome your thoughts and comments.

The post Visionary Goals – a Place to Start appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Book Review: The Queen of the North

Zara West Suspense

~Alternative History that Works ~

 

[image error]My few forays into alternative history have been interesting, but nothing terribly exciting. Often they require a great deal of suspension of belief. So I am pleased to announce I have found an alternative history romance I love – The Queen of the North by Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese.

Imagine the War of Roses never truly ended. That’s what the co-authors Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese do in this alternative history of Great Britain set in modern times. In their version, the north (York region) and the south (London/Lancaster region) are in social and political conflict with York as the loser being treated as a second-class part of the country.

The heroine is the daughter of a northern earl. She has just suffered a broken engagement and a rejection from grad school, but otherwise lives a normal life as a college student.

The hero is the Prince of Commonwealth. His wife has died, and he is under pressure to marry again and produce an heir for the throne, which for some rather unclear reason none of his relatives seem to want.

Lady Amelia (the peerage seems to function normally in the story) literally crashes into the prince at a horse race, and they sort of hit it off. Fifteen minutes of conversation leads to a cold request for her hand in marriage—her being the only likely candidate of the right age and status.

Truly a daughter of York, Amelia, while distrusting the prince and his motives, sees this as an opportunity to help her people gain status. But the situation is rife with tension and confusion. Especially, after she realizes she has fallen in love with, at least on the surface, a cold uncommunicative man.

There are two things that make this story exceptional for me. First, the authors have brilliantly depicted the hardship and actual pain being in the public eye imposes on royalty. While Amelia starts the story forthright and open, she soon learns everything about her life as a future princess is fair game for the media. The prince, on the other hand, who has grown up in a media fishbowl, maintains a stiff and contradictory relationship, which she can’t figure out.  Second, the delightful character of Priya, Amelia’s roommate, adds just the right touch of irrelevance and practicality to a story that could have turned dark and serious.

The alternative history works so well in this case, I believe, because the authors have made only a minor tweak for the reader to adjust to. Other than the York/Lancaster bit, everything functions the way we would expect in a contemporary British royal romance. Add in the mix of tongue-in-cheek humor and character torture of the most exquisite royal kind, and you have a winner.

If you like reading well-written contemporary romance about royalty, and are willing to suspend belief slightly, this is the book for you.

Do you read and or write alternative history romance?
What do you like about the genre?

The post Book Review: The Queen of the North appeared first on Zara West Suspense.

Romance Author Peter Perrin Interview

Zara West Suspense

~ Never Too Old for Love ~

Awesome romance author Peter Perrin writes contemporary romance set in a retirement village. In our interview, he shares his life experiences and why he choose to write romance.

Welcome Peter,

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Sure. I’m a seventy-three-year-old husband, father, and grandfather. I was born in England but have lived and worked in Aden, Singapore, Madagascar and Saudi Arabia.

Apart from writing, my interests are carp fishing, online computer games, and PS4 games.

I was inspired to try to write a novel when my then fourteen-year-old granddaughter published two novels on Amazon, and I thought I’d see if I could write a novel myself.

Is writing something that comes easy to you or not?

If only!  I started writing my debut novel some four years ago, having previously only written some poetry and some short stories for my kids. Those kids are now aged 40 to 48 so I was seriously out of practice. It took me two years to really get writing properly and then another two years to complete the novel.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I wanted to write something that would show older people in a positive light. Something that would go against the popular misconception that older people can’t have romance, relationships, and sex in their lives. So, a romance it had to be. But, not an ordinary romance. No, it was to be a seasoned romance featuring older characters with life experience and emotional baggage. Characters that mature readers of romance could identify with, who had been widowed or divorced and yet were still willing to take a chance on love. Hence the heroine is sixty-eight and divorced, and the hero seventy-one and widowed.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

Sure. Originally the idea was for one book titled, Not Too Old for Love. But, as the book neared completion I was so enjoying writing it I wanted to give some of the minor characters their own books. Indeed, my critique partner asked me if I would give their own book to two characters she particularly loved. I plan on doing that, but not together. So that means not just one other book but two.

Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination?

Short of science fiction, I believe all fiction is based at least in part on the author’s real-life experiences, albeit subconsciously sometimes. I’ve drawn a little on my experiences in the Royal Air Force, and there is also one scene directly based on the monthly matinée club dances at my local community center.

How did you come up with the title?

Well it started off as Not Too Old for Love, which I thought was intriguing and appropriate to the theme. Then I thought about it leading to a series, and was going to make it Not Too Old for Love: Grace’s Turmoil. But, my publisher told me the book name had to take priority on the cover. So, it became Grace’s Turmoil: Not Too Old for Love, Book 1.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

Both. The book takes place in a retirement village and it will be interesting for readers of book 1 to be able to follow the story of some of the minor characters as they develop into major characters in later books. The theme is to show that older people can have love, romance, and relationships after the flush of youth has faded. I might even find room in a later book for an even older pairing up.

Grace’s Turmoil  
by Peter Perrin[image error]

Divorced and emotionally damaged, artist Grace Stollery wants nothing more than to spend her semi-retirement painting and let time heal her emotional scars.

But when dashing widower Alfred Nobel moves into her retirement village, he turns her life upside down and her heart inside out by awakening feelings she wants to keep dormant.

Alfred quickly sets out to woo Grace and slowly she warms to him. But the village’s resident femme fatale wants him for herself. Will she succeed in driving a wedge between Alfred and Grace?

Buy Links
AMAZON  |  B & N  

More about Peter Perrin

[image error]Peter Perrin was born in Romford, Essex, England, in 1944. He joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) when he was just fifteen and during almost fifteen years service served in the U.K, Aden, Madagascar, and Singapore. Post RAF he worked in Saudi Arabia for a year. Since then he has worked mainly in Engineering, but was also a Purchasing Manager for many years.

He has been retired for eight years and lives with his wife of almost forty years in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. He is a father and grandfather. Peter has come to writing late in life, at the age of seventy-three, and writes sweet, seasoned romances.

His plan is for his debut novel, Grace’s Turmoil, to be the first in a series called Not Too Old for Love, where all the characters will be aged at least sixty. He knows that older people can still have fun, romance, and even sex. And as there is a growing demand by romance readers for characters who are aged thirty plus and have life experience and emotional baggage he wants to help them get their wish.

Apart from writing, Peter’s interests are carp fishing, and PC and PlayStation games.

His favourite quote is “Youth passes, but with luck, immaturity can last a lifetime.”

Do you think the age of the couple in a romance novel matters?
Peter Perrin looks forward replying to your thoughts and questions.

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