E. Rachael Hardcastle's Blog, page 14
April 20, 2017
How To Write A Press Release
What is a press release?A press release gives information on a particular matter and is written as a statement, then issued to newspapers.What should be included in a press release?There are several sections in a press release, and the basics are:- your contact details at the top- the heading and subheading beneath that (centred)- location and date of press release in capitals- the body of the press release- any links you wish to add (these can be throughout the body- a call to actionWhat should it look like?Here is an example of a press release I recently circulated in relation to my book signing (upcoming in July 2017). I have colour coded the sections as above so you can see how I formatted the press release, what it said and how long it was. Please feel welcome to follow this format, however please do not copy and replace the below with your own details (because then how will you learn?).CONTACT DETAILS GO HEREBOOK SIGNING EVENT WITH AUTHOR E. RACHAEL HARDCASTLEDate - July 1st 2017Time - 1100-1430 hoursLocation - Wrose Library, Wrose, Shipley (UK)BRADFORD, UK - DATE OF PRESS RELEASE GOES HERE -In November 2016, local Bradford author E. Rachael Hardcastle visited Low Ash Primary School in Wrose, Shipley to deliver a creative writing workshop to their Year 6 pupils. At no charge to the school, E. Rachael Hardcastle ran several hours of idea-generating activities tailored to their topic of study, which resulted in the children writing short stories of their own.Later that month having received and compiled the children's finished work, two independently published books titled 'Children of War' were published and delivered for the school's library, creating over 50 young authors in less than eight weeks.At the end of January 2017, E. Rachael Hardcastle returned to the school with further copies of 'Children Of War' for the children to take home. It wasn't long before their story was picked up by a local television station, Made In Leeds, who interviewed E. Rachael Hardcastle and the children on The Lowdown Leeds show in February 2017.To meet her local readers and aspiring writers, E. Rachael Hardcastle recently contacted Wrose Library, Wrose, Shipley to arrange a book signing event. She hopes to encourage the community to visit the library more often and to meet the hard-working volunteers there.The event will take place on July 1st 2017 between 1100-1430 hours to celebrate both Wrose Carnival and Bradford Literary Festival. E. Rachael Hardcastle will be taking along copies of her brand new high fantasy release 'Finding Pandora' and her post-apocalyptic novel 'Aeon Infinitum: Run For Your Life' to personalise and sign for her guests.Entry to this events will be free of charge.For more information about E. Rachael Hardcastle, her books and her workshops, please visitwww.erachaelhardcastle.com.Social Media:www.facebook.com/ERHInspiredwww.twitt... you would like help or clarification with the above, please feel welcome to contact me.E. Rachael HardcastleTo download my free book on your favourite e-reader device, please visitwww.books2read.com/findingpandora.
April 19, 2017
What Should Go On Your Copyright Page?
What can the page contain?A copyright page is usually at the front of the book behind the title. It not only states the copyright notice, but it gives the publisher's information, the edition number, the ISBN and cataloging date, any legal notices, other printing history and sometimes shows the year and number of the printing, which can look very confusing. You can also include any credits for photography, illustrations, edits etc on this page, too.I'm currently reading a book by Brandon Sanderson and to learn more, I had a look at what's included on his. Pick up the closest book to you and you'll see that a copyright page for a traditionally published novel can be long and complicated.Do I need to include it all?No, but you do have to use the copyright symbol ©, the word or abbreviation 'copr' and not just (c). After this should be the year and then the owner however it is known.For example, mine looks like this© 2017 E. Rachael Hardcastle.Before I give you the example I use in my new book I want to clarify that I found some copy and paste examples of ideal copyright pages fromthis website. Mine is based on the shortened version and amended as necessary. I highly recommend you give it a read. Full credit for the content goes to the creator.Here is the example I use.I removed the publisher's address and some other sections that, because I'm indie, don't really apply.Copyright © 2017 by E. Rachael HardcastleAll rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.Printed in the United States of AmericaFirst Printing, 2010ISBN:www.erachaelhardcastle.comAs always if you need help or clarification, please feel welcome to contact me.E. Rachael Hardcastle
April 18, 2017
April 16, 2017
The Author Interviews, Round 3: #7: Alizabeth Lynn
Returning to the Author Interviews series isAlizabeth Lynn, author of Things that go Bump in the Bayou.
Music or silence?Yes. I can write in either scenario. However, I do prefer music when I get the chance. My go-to is video game soundtracks, although any music will do as long as it keeps the ideas flowing.Do you set goals of certain number of words a week or just when inspiration strikes?I use and app called Write-O-Meter to set my goals. I pick an end date, and it tallies the amount of words I need a day to reach my goal. I regularly try to exceed the goal, but if that doesn’t happen, it’s okay. Every word is forward progress.What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)I attack the page. Even when I have writer’s block, I try to make myself write—even if it’s as trivial as the character cooking, taking a shower, or getting dressed. It can be cut, later. I’m just happy to get the words on the page. Most of the time, it convinces my muse to fly back from Tahiti. It’s more fun in my brain than on the beach, anyway.What has your experience been like as a new Indie Author?Bruises, Highlights, and lessons?It’s been a total rollercoaster. I started out self-publishing, had a run-in with a publisher that didn’t satisfy, and went back to self-publishing. Now my book (Crimson Bayou) is doing better than ever, and I’ve learned a lot. I know there’s still more, but I’m enjoying the process again, which is what counts. I’m slowly figuring out which marketing strategies work for me, and when I remember to use that knowledge, the results are usually pretty good.What have you put most of your effort into regarding writing?Every draft of each book, certainly. The words take all of my initial focus, and then I move on to working with my spectacular cover designer, editor, and getting the final product formatted. I do the last, myself, both for my own works, and paid for other indie authors. Foundation Formatting is my other baby, and I love formatting the inside of books just as much as I love writing.How did you get connected with so many authors for your interviews?I admin a small Facebook writing group. It consists of both published and unpublished authors. They are friends as well as indie colleagues. I’m also a member of a lot of other writing groups, and I try to interact with the other members frequently.What is/are your book(s) about?Crimson Bayou is a paranormal romance that takes place in the fictional town of Jaune, Louisiana. Carissa Blaine is a widow who isn’t looking for love, but when she meets Aden McTarver, she begins to change her mind. Unfortunately, it’s not all flowers and romance. The Crimson Bayou Pack Master has plans for Carissa, a newly turned werewolf, that doesn’t involve her vampire boyfriend. However, that’s not all. There’s a sorcerer in the background pulling the strings, and no one will know until it’s too late.Savage Bayou is the second book in the series, another paranormal romance, significantly darker than the first. Ophelia Boudreaux is a sorceress who hasn’t always been a good person. She works for the enemy. Daniel Blackwood is a vampire with a dark past of his own. They’re forced to work together to rescue Carissa’s sister, but things don’t go quite as they plan. Love blooms despite death threats, bloody battles, and an ever-deepening mystery surrounding the sorcerer they fight against, but it’s all thrown into upheaval when the truth of Ophelia’s history comes to light, and nothing in Jaune will ever be the same again.Does your book have a lesson? Moral?Honestly, I haven’t even thought about that. Maybe? Be careful who you trust—not everything is how it seems. Also, not everything is black and white. Sometimes you need to explore the gray areas before you find the truth.What is your favourite part of your current book?Now that is tough! The book I’m currently working on is Midnight in the Bayou, the fourth book in the series. I think my favorite part is this little scene right here:Sadie scrunched her nose and shook her head.“No way,” she told him, “I’m not climbing under my house because you said there’s something I need to see. I’m not interested in your creepy little hidey-hole.”Duncan grinned. “Technically it’s your creepy little hidey-hole, as it’s under your house,” he pointed out, “Now, what exactly are you afraid of? Do you think I’m going to jump you amongst the rats or something?”Sadie took a hasty step farther away from the hole in the floor. “Rats?” She shook her head vigorously. “Oh no. Oh, hell no, no, no. I don’t do rats. Nope. Not me. You go play with the nasty things yourself. I’m not doing it.”Shaking with suppressed laughter, Duncan grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to the dark entrance. “There aren’t any rats, Sadie.”She looked up at him, her expression hopeful. “There aren’t?”Duncan shook his head. “Nope,” he said as she stepped closer and peered into the void.Sadie crouched down and put one leg into the hole. She took a deep breath and looked up at him. “You’re sure there aren’t any rats?”Duncan watched as she slowly lowered her other leg. “Positive,” he said with a grin, “the gators ate them all.”If you were running the 100 yard dash with a new writer, what writing, publishing wisdom would you bestow upon him/her before you reached the 100 yards?Do NOT give up. Every word is forward progress, and even if that progress is slow, it still adds up in the end.Many thanks to Alizabeth for part two of her interview. I am hoping she'll be back in future to share more writing and reading insights with us, so stick around. If you would like to support the author, please consider following her on social media or purchasing a book. You can also find a link to my free book below.*content warning for Alizabeth's works - 18+*Do you write alone or in public? Again, yes. I can write anywhere the words want to come.
Music or silence?Yes. I can write in either scenario. However, I do prefer music when I get the chance. My go-to is video game soundtracks, although any music will do as long as it keeps the ideas flowing.Do you set goals of certain number of words a week or just when inspiration strikes?I use and app called Write-O-Meter to set my goals. I pick an end date, and it tallies the amount of words I need a day to reach my goal. I regularly try to exceed the goal, but if that doesn’t happen, it’s okay. Every word is forward progress.What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)I attack the page. Even when I have writer’s block, I try to make myself write—even if it’s as trivial as the character cooking, taking a shower, or getting dressed. It can be cut, later. I’m just happy to get the words on the page. Most of the time, it convinces my muse to fly back from Tahiti. It’s more fun in my brain than on the beach, anyway.What has your experience been like as a new Indie Author?Bruises, Highlights, and lessons?It’s been a total rollercoaster. I started out self-publishing, had a run-in with a publisher that didn’t satisfy, and went back to self-publishing. Now my book (Crimson Bayou) is doing better than ever, and I’ve learned a lot. I know there’s still more, but I’m enjoying the process again, which is what counts. I’m slowly figuring out which marketing strategies work for me, and when I remember to use that knowledge, the results are usually pretty good.What have you put most of your effort into regarding writing?Every draft of each book, certainly. The words take all of my initial focus, and then I move on to working with my spectacular cover designer, editor, and getting the final product formatted. I do the last, myself, both for my own works, and paid for other indie authors. Foundation Formatting is my other baby, and I love formatting the inside of books just as much as I love writing.How did you get connected with so many authors for your interviews?I admin a small Facebook writing group. It consists of both published and unpublished authors. They are friends as well as indie colleagues. I’m also a member of a lot of other writing groups, and I try to interact with the other members frequently.What is/are your book(s) about?Crimson Bayou is a paranormal romance that takes place in the fictional town of Jaune, Louisiana. Carissa Blaine is a widow who isn’t looking for love, but when she meets Aden McTarver, she begins to change her mind. Unfortunately, it’s not all flowers and romance. The Crimson Bayou Pack Master has plans for Carissa, a newly turned werewolf, that doesn’t involve her vampire boyfriend. However, that’s not all. There’s a sorcerer in the background pulling the strings, and no one will know until it’s too late.Savage Bayou is the second book in the series, another paranormal romance, significantly darker than the first. Ophelia Boudreaux is a sorceress who hasn’t always been a good person. She works for the enemy. Daniel Blackwood is a vampire with a dark past of his own. They’re forced to work together to rescue Carissa’s sister, but things don’t go quite as they plan. Love blooms despite death threats, bloody battles, and an ever-deepening mystery surrounding the sorcerer they fight against, but it’s all thrown into upheaval when the truth of Ophelia’s history comes to light, and nothing in Jaune will ever be the same again.Does your book have a lesson? Moral?Honestly, I haven’t even thought about that. Maybe? Be careful who you trust—not everything is how it seems. Also, not everything is black and white. Sometimes you need to explore the gray areas before you find the truth.What is your favourite part of your current book?Now that is tough! The book I’m currently working on is Midnight in the Bayou, the fourth book in the series. I think my favorite part is this little scene right here:Sadie scrunched her nose and shook her head.“No way,” she told him, “I’m not climbing under my house because you said there’s something I need to see. I’m not interested in your creepy little hidey-hole.”Duncan grinned. “Technically it’s your creepy little hidey-hole, as it’s under your house,” he pointed out, “Now, what exactly are you afraid of? Do you think I’m going to jump you amongst the rats or something?”Sadie took a hasty step farther away from the hole in the floor. “Rats?” She shook her head vigorously. “Oh no. Oh, hell no, no, no. I don’t do rats. Nope. Not me. You go play with the nasty things yourself. I’m not doing it.”Shaking with suppressed laughter, Duncan grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to the dark entrance. “There aren’t any rats, Sadie.”She looked up at him, her expression hopeful. “There aren’t?”Duncan shook his head. “Nope,” he said as she stepped closer and peered into the void.Sadie crouched down and put one leg into the hole. She took a deep breath and looked up at him. “You’re sure there aren’t any rats?”Duncan watched as she slowly lowered her other leg. “Positive,” he said with a grin, “the gators ate them all.”If you were running the 100 yard dash with a new writer, what writing, publishing wisdom would you bestow upon him/her before you reached the 100 yards?Do NOT give up. Every word is forward progress, and even if that progress is slow, it still adds up in the end.Many thanks to Alizabeth for part two of her interview. I am hoping she'll be back in future to share more writing and reading insights with us, so stick around. If you would like to support the author, please consider following her on social media or purchasing a book. You can also find a link to my free book below.*content warning for Alizabeth's works - 18+*Do you write alone or in public? Again, yes. I can write anywhere the words want to come.
April 15, 2017
The Author Interviews, Round 3: #6: Bruno Carlos Santos
Please welcomeBruno Carlos Santosto round 3 of the Author Interviews.
Tell us a little about yourself - Perhaps something not many people know?I was born in a coastal town in Brazil but I like cold weather best... I’m addicted to a kind of tea called "mate’." I’m much more romantic than I wish I was, and if I could, I’d eat pizza every day.What made you want to become a writer?It feels like it was meant to be. I´ve been writing and reading my whole life, so when I finally got published, it felt so natural.Million dollar question, are you working on another book?Oh, yes! It is called "Solitude Creek" and will give terrible nightmares to anyone who dares to read it.Pen or typewriter or computer?Pen for taking notes, and computer for heavy duty writing.What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)I always carry paper and pen, so when inspiration strikes I’m all in.Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?Yes, once I create them, they take it over and I become a mere beholder of their deeds.If you could spend time with a character from your book who would it be? And what would you do during that day?It would be Lucille; I would ask her to sing to me. I have a thing for female voices.What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?My book had been just recently called the "worst anthology ever" by a reviewer from an horror website.What has been the best compliment?"Your book gave me chills."Who is your favourite author and why?I really like Clive Barker, but if I had to pick one, I would go for H.P. Lovecraft. His pantheon of disturbing deities are pure art and I'm a kind of outcast just like him.If you would like to support Bruno, please consider purchasing a copy of his book. You can click the image below to check out The Red Room.You can also download E. Rachael Hardcastle's free book atwww.books2read.com/findingpandora.
Tell us a little about yourself - Perhaps something not many people know?I was born in a coastal town in Brazil but I like cold weather best... I’m addicted to a kind of tea called "mate’." I’m much more romantic than I wish I was, and if I could, I’d eat pizza every day.What made you want to become a writer?It feels like it was meant to be. I´ve been writing and reading my whole life, so when I finally got published, it felt so natural.Million dollar question, are you working on another book?Oh, yes! It is called "Solitude Creek" and will give terrible nightmares to anyone who dares to read it.Pen or typewriter or computer?Pen for taking notes, and computer for heavy duty writing.What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)I always carry paper and pen, so when inspiration strikes I’m all in.Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?Yes, once I create them, they take it over and I become a mere beholder of their deeds.If you could spend time with a character from your book who would it be? And what would you do during that day?It would be Lucille; I would ask her to sing to me. I have a thing for female voices.What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?My book had been just recently called the "worst anthology ever" by a reviewer from an horror website.What has been the best compliment?"Your book gave me chills."Who is your favourite author and why?I really like Clive Barker, but if I had to pick one, I would go for H.P. Lovecraft. His pantheon of disturbing deities are pure art and I'm a kind of outcast just like him.If you would like to support Bruno, please consider purchasing a copy of his book. You can click the image below to check out The Red Room.You can also download E. Rachael Hardcastle's free book atwww.books2read.com/findingpandora.
April 13, 2017
The Author Interviews, Round 3: #5: Alizabeth Lynn
Next in my author interviews series isAlizabeth Lynn, author of Things that go Bump in the Bayou.Tell us a little about yourself - Perhaps something not many people know?I grew up in Northwest Louisiana, but I live in Texas, and I love it. My fiancé works for a local pipeline company, which allows me to stay at home with our children (11-almost 12, and 3) as well as write. I’m thirty with two years of experience, which means absolutely nothing to my children other than I must be older than dirt. My cat also doesn’t care. As long as he can walk across my keyboard and interrupt me at all hours, the kitty is happy. Our lifestyle is a little unconventional. We actually just sold our house and bought an RV, and next year, I plan to start home-schooling/online public schooling the kiddos. We adore the smaller space, and it allows us to spend more time together, even when I’m writing.What made you want to become a writer?It’s something that I’ve always wanted—going back to the very first book I read. I remember my mother helping me stumble through The Cat in the Hat, and my first thought when I mastered it was, “I want to do this. I want to write stories.” My first poem was written when I was 7, and I still have it knocking around in a notebook somewhere. My first serious attempt at a book was in 6th grade, when me and a friend started a project we called Diamonds and Destiny, about princesses and war, and weird, evil fairy-things. One day, even though she and I no longer speak often, I plan to revamp it and publish the book.Million dollar question, are you working on another book?I’m always working on some book or other. Right now, my main focus is my Things that go Bump in the Bayou series, which consists of six books. The first book, Crimson Bayou, was released in December of 2014, and after a brief stint with a publisher, was polished up and re-released this past January. Savage Bayou, the second book in the series comes out on 04/08/2017. The third book, Cursed Bayou, is complete, but unedited at the moment. The tentative release date for it is April 2018. This leaves book four (Midnight in the Bayou), book five (Danger in the Bayou), and book six (Redemption in the Bayou), which I am currently working on. Yes, at the same time. Each book already has an official cover, which will be shown to the social media world a couple of months before the books.Have you written any other books that are not published?The short answer is, “yes,” but we don’t talk about The Book that Shall Not be Named. It was a disaster of epic proportions, and the only novel published under my given name. It’s the sole reason I now use a pen name.What do you think about the ebook revolution?I personally love paperback/hardback books more, but I love how easy it is for everyone to have the opportunity to afford books. As long as people read, that’s what matters the most.What is your advice to Indie Authors? On writing? Marketing?If, like me, you forget a lot, hire a PA. Keep up with your social media sites. I have my Instagram linked to my Facebook author page, my Twitter page, and my Tumblr for this reason. I post to Instagram, and it ends up across the board.Do you still write? If so, what does your typical day look like?Hardly a day goes by where I don’t write. I get up, put my Keurig to use, and plop down in front of my computer. Between breaking for breakfast and waiting for the kiddos to wake (the youngest, usually, since I get the oldest up for school, first), I write. Then, whenever I get an idea, or can find time throughout the day, I open up whichever document strikes my fancy, and I write. Most days, my wordcount is between 500 and four thousand words, but not always in one manuscript.What is your writing style?I’m a plotantser. I plot tiny details, but leave the larger story to fate.Pen or type writer or computer?Yes. I will use whatever I have available to get the words out. My primary method bounces back and forth between my computer and a pan and paper, but I’ve been known to use a typewriter, as well as my phone in a pinch. I’m not picky. I’ve even written notes on my hand when nothing else was available.Many thanks to Alizabeth for part one of her interview. She'll be back in future to share more writing and reading insights with us, so stick around. If you would like to support the author, please consider following her on social media or purchasing a book. You can also find a link to my free book below.*content warning for Alizabeth's works - 18+*Do you write alone or in public? Again, yes. I can write anywhere the words want to come.
Tell us a little about yourself - Perhaps something not many people know?I grew up in Northwest Louisiana, but I live in Texas, and I love it. My fiancé works for a local pipeline company, which allows me to stay at home with our children (11-almost 12, and 3) as well as write. I’m thirty with two years of experience, which means absolutely nothing to my children other than I must be older than dirt. My cat also doesn’t care. As long as he can walk across my keyboard and interrupt me at all hours, the kitty is happy. Our lifestyle is a little unconventional. We actually just sold our house and bought an RV, and next year, I plan to start home-schooling/online public schooling the kiddos. We adore the smaller space, and it allows us to spend more time together, even when I’m writing.What made you want to become a writer?It’s something that I’ve always wanted—going back to the very first book I read. I remember my mother helping me stumble through The Cat in the Hat, and my first thought when I mastered it was, “I want to do this. I want to write stories.” My first poem was written when I was 7, and I still have it knocking around in a notebook somewhere. My first serious attempt at a book was in 6th grade, when me and a friend started a project we called Diamonds and Destiny, about princesses and war, and weird, evil fairy-things. One day, even though she and I no longer speak often, I plan to revamp it and publish the book.Million dollar question, are you working on another book?I’m always working on some book or other. Right now, my main focus is my Things that go Bump in the Bayou series, which consists of six books. The first book, Crimson Bayou, was released in December of 2014, and after a brief stint with a publisher, was polished up and re-released this past January. Savage Bayou, the second book in the series comes out on 04/08/2017. The third book, Cursed Bayou, is complete, but unedited at the moment. The tentative release date for it is April 2018. This leaves book four (Midnight in the Bayou), book five (Danger in the Bayou), and book six (Redemption in the Bayou), which I am currently working on. Yes, at the same time. Each book already has an official cover, which will be shown to the social media world a couple of months before the books.Have you written any other books that are not published?The short answer is, “yes,” but we don’t talk about The Book that Shall Not be Named. It was a disaster of epic proportions, and the only novel published under my given name. It’s the sole reason I now use a pen name.What do you think about the ebook revolution?I personally love paperback/hardback books more, but I love how easy it is for everyone to have the opportunity to afford books. As long as people read, that’s what matters the most.What is your advice to Indie Authors? On writing? Marketing?If, like me, you forget a lot, hire a PA. Keep up with your social media sites. I have my Instagram linked to my Facebook author page, my Twitter page, and my Tumblr for this reason. I post to Instagram, and it ends up across the board.Do you still write? If so, what does your typical day look like?Hardly a day goes by where I don’t write. I get up, put my Keurig to use, and plop down in front of my computer. Between breaking for breakfast and waiting for the kiddos to wake (the youngest, usually, since I get the oldest up for school, first), I write. Then, whenever I get an idea, or can find time throughout the day, I open up whichever document strikes my fancy, and I write. Most days, my wordcount is between 500 and four thousand words, but not always in one manuscript.What is your writing style?I’m a plotantser. I plot tiny details, but leave the larger story to fate.Pen or type writer or computer?Yes. I will use whatever I have available to get the words out. My primary method bounces back and forth between my computer and a pan and paper, but I’ve been known to use a typewriter, as well as my phone in a pinch. I’m not picky. I’ve even written notes on my hand when nothing else was available.Many thanks to Alizabeth for part one of her interview. She'll be back in future to share more writing and reading insights with us, so stick around. If you would like to support the author, please consider following her on social media or purchasing a book. You can also find a link to my free book below.*content warning for Alizabeth's works - 18+*Do you write alone or in public? Again, yes. I can write anywhere the words want to come.
Easter Bookmark Hunt in Lincolnshire
On 14/04/2017-17/04/2017 to celebrate the Easter Bank Holiday, I'll be leaving twenty bookmarks in various locations around Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, UK (and a few extra, surprise locations) for lucky readers to find and keep. It's not so long since I last did a bookmark hunt, and you all seemed pleased with your freebies so I thought I'd give it another go.If you're luck enough to grab one, let me know on social media.Tweet me @ERHardcastle or message me on Facebook @ERHInspired.Happy hunting, and have a wonderful Easter.E. Rachael HardcastleSome images from last year's bookmark hunt:
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The Author Interviews, Round 3, #4: Jesse Waldvogel
Next up in my Author Interviews series isJesse Waldvogelwho stopped by to answer 15 writing-related questions for us.Something many people don’t know:I am a spiritualist. I generally don’t talk about it, but it is somewhat of an inspiration for the second book that I will be working on. I am also quite an observant person, I notice more things than most people.What made me want to become a writer?Well, fourth grade had an assignment to write a short Halloween story for English class. It was fun and I loved creating the story. So needless to say, I wanted to keep writing.What is your writing style?Typically, first person. But my first book is third person, as it is a fantasy story. It just seems to fit fantasy stories to write in a third person. So many of them are in the third person.Do you set a writing goal?I try to set a 500 word goal every week. Will try to make it 1000, or maybe even 2000 when the opportunity arises.What are you working on at the moment?The current book I’m writing is about a Dark mage who comes across a village in peril, being devastated by a dragon that was tainted by a certain corrupting ancient magic. The he finds out what has caused the dragon to become what it was, an old enemy of elves, who all were once elves themselves, but were transformed into what they are by the God of the Underworld. And use the ancient magic that was taught to the first of them by that God.Does it have a lesson, or moral?It doesn’t have any lesson or morals to it.Do you let the characters control the story?Sometimes when I write, my characters do tend to hijack the story. Other than that, I mostly have the reigns to whatever story I’m writing.Who is your favourite author?I would say that J.K. Rowling would be my favourite author. She has gone through so much in her life, and still managed to get the start of her book series out, which sold millions worldwide and it is quite remarkably one of the most detailed world I have ever read. And she is an intelligent and compassionate person.Do you use the people in your life as inspiration for characters?Every character I create for any story that I write is purely from my imagination. I like to sometimes base some aspects of a world, or my stories from places or historical events, but my characters are purely imaginative.What do you love most about writing?What I love most about the writing process is the creation of the story. It is also what drives me to write my stories. Just thinking about the story inspires me to write it in the first place.Do you have a day job and if so, what do you do?I don’t necessarily have a day job, as my job (apart from writing) is a late night, floor maintenance job at a grocery store.Where do you see yourself in 5 years?Where I see myself in five years as a writer is having a few books published and a fulltime freelance writer, and maybe journalist.What is your favourite fiction book?My favourite fiction book at the moment would be James Barclay’s “Ravensoul”.What is your favourite non-fiction book?If college textbooks count as non-fiction, I suppose it would be “Understanding Our Universe”.Where can we find you online?You can find me on Facebook, either Jesse Waldvogel or WaldvogelWriting. Or my blog, waldvogelwriting.com.Many thanks to Jesse for taking part in this interview. If you would like to support this author's writing, please consider following them on Facebook.My free fantasy book is also still available for download using the below link.www.books2read.com/findingpandora
April 12, 2017
Use VLC Media Player to Convert Your Videos to MP3, for Free!
VLC Media Player is free to download and will play MP3 songs like ITunes or Windows Media Player. Another fantastic feature that comes with the player, is the ability to 'rip' the sound from an MP4 video and save it separately as an MP3 file.To download, Google 'VLC Media Player Free Download'.So what's the point to all this?If like me you upload weekly blogs/ vlogs and podcast interviews on YouTube, you can now pull the sound from these videos to upload as MP3 tracks to your website or to sell as podcasts. YouYube allows the creator of a video to (using video manager) download the video to their PC. Once you have done this and you have downloaded VLC, you're ready to go.Here's my quick step-by-step guide to doing this:Download your video and save it to your PCOpen VLC Media PlayerGo to MediaConvert/ Save...FileAdd (select your file and open it)Convert/ Save (a window will appear)Profile - Audio MP3Destination File (find the place you want to save it and give it a name - add .mp3 at the end of the name)StartThe progress bar will move as the conversion is taking place.To pull the sound from a video you have posted on YouTubewithout downloadingthe video first, use:Go to MediaOpen Network StreamSame process as above but use the URLYou should only use this for your own content or ask permission from the content creator before doing this.Please abide by copyright law etc.Here is a video I found on YouTube that explains the above quickly and easily. I did not create this content, so full credit goes to the channel.As always if you need help or clarification, please feel welcome to contact me.E. Rachael Hardcastle
The Author Interviews, Round 3: #3: Cornelia E. Miedler
Please join me in welcomingCornelia E. Miedlerto the Author Interviews.
What made you want to become a writer?Ever since I learned how to spell, I have been writing. I grew up on a farm in the Alps and was quite secluded from the ‘real world’. We did have a TV but only two channels up until I was 14 years old. I started off with writing poetry to deal with my teenage angst and to process my feelings. In school, I loved writing essays. It didn’t even matter to me what the topic was. When I was about 18 years old my school entered a writing contest. My essay was chosen to be part of a publication with the best entries. That was the first validation I got that my writing is interesting for others. It was intoxicating and made me want to keep writing.Pen or type writer or computer?I write all my books long hand in paper notebooks. Sitting in front of a laptop is not inspiring to me. I never leave the house without a notebook and often use different ones at the same time. The notebook allows me to sit in a park or at a café without being dependent on electricity. There is something magical about the ink appearing on paper and forming words, characters and actions. After several handwritten pages, I transfer what I wrote onto my laptop. While I do that, I keep adding new ideas. So I am basically already giving it a first edit that way.What is/are your book(s) about?I self-published my first book ‘LAlien-From the Austrian Alps to the Hollywood Hills’ in 2016. ‘LAlien’ is about my experience as a European immigrant from a small farm in the Alps in the big, cosmopolitan city of Los Angeles. I share my stories about the immigration process, getting married, attending university, adopting a dog, dealing with health problems, going through a divorce, Hollywood, work life, celebrity encounters – and most important of all: finding myself and learning to love myself. In March 2017, I published a short eBook with ’50 Writing Prompts’ on Amazon KDP, as I kept seeing on various author Facebook groups that established writers are seeking advice on how to overcome writers block and aspiring writers are looking for help on how to get started. I am currently writing my first book in German. My first two books were in English. My German book doesn’t have a title yet and is a novel about a young girl from the countryside who is having difficulties dealing with the conservative upbringing and the pressures put upon women to be a certain way in a small town.
Does your book have a lesson? Moral?Get outside your comfort zone and you may discover something new and wonderful. Don’t follow everyone else’s lead. Create your own path.Who is your favourite author and why?Bill Bryson. I read several of his books and they made me laugh. There are so many stories about tragedy but how often does a book make you laugh? Reading Bryson’s stories made me want to become a writer. I grew up reading all the literary ‘heavyweights’ in school: Kafka, Shakespeare, Goethe, etc. Bryson’s books made me realize it’s ok to write like a ‘normal’ person. Writers don’t have to use fancy words and write sentences that are half a page long. Writing and reading can just be fun! His ‘A Walk in the Woods’ had me laugh out loud in public numerous timesTell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?As of last year, I work part time in order to pursue my dream of writing. This is meant to be temporary for a few more months until I finish my next book. However, I would love to be a successful enough of a writer to be able to go part time for the rest of my life. Writing makes me happy and adds so much joy to my life.Favourite fiction book?The Perfume by Patrick Süßkind; Brave New World by Aldous HuxleyWho is the most famous person you have ever met?In my memoir ‘LAlien-From the Austrian Alps to the Hollywood Hills’ I dedicate an entire chapter to meeting celebrities. As an Austrian, it was especially weird to have Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature on my university diploma from the University of California-Los Angeles as he was the governor of California at the time. My most nerve-wracking celebrity encounter was that with Robbie Williams (Americans will most likely not recognize that name). I was totally star struck and somewhat stalked him. I also met Kiefer Sutherland and have a photo with him. Just to name a few of those I met over my decade in LA LA Land.Do you have a favourite genre to read?When I was young, it was all about fiction and romance. As I get older, I enjoy true-life stories much more, especially when a person overcomes hardships against all odds. I also like reading stories that make me laugh and give me that warm fuzzy feeling.Do you use a bookmark or fold the pages?Bookmark! Folding a page of a book is sacrilegious!Many thanks to Cornelia for stopping by to answer some questions. If you would like to support the author, please check out her book below.
What made you want to become a writer?Ever since I learned how to spell, I have been writing. I grew up on a farm in the Alps and was quite secluded from the ‘real world’. We did have a TV but only two channels up until I was 14 years old. I started off with writing poetry to deal with my teenage angst and to process my feelings. In school, I loved writing essays. It didn’t even matter to me what the topic was. When I was about 18 years old my school entered a writing contest. My essay was chosen to be part of a publication with the best entries. That was the first validation I got that my writing is interesting for others. It was intoxicating and made me want to keep writing.Pen or type writer or computer?I write all my books long hand in paper notebooks. Sitting in front of a laptop is not inspiring to me. I never leave the house without a notebook and often use different ones at the same time. The notebook allows me to sit in a park or at a café without being dependent on electricity. There is something magical about the ink appearing on paper and forming words, characters and actions. After several handwritten pages, I transfer what I wrote onto my laptop. While I do that, I keep adding new ideas. So I am basically already giving it a first edit that way.What is/are your book(s) about?I self-published my first book ‘LAlien-From the Austrian Alps to the Hollywood Hills’ in 2016. ‘LAlien’ is about my experience as a European immigrant from a small farm in the Alps in the big, cosmopolitan city of Los Angeles. I share my stories about the immigration process, getting married, attending university, adopting a dog, dealing with health problems, going through a divorce, Hollywood, work life, celebrity encounters – and most important of all: finding myself and learning to love myself. In March 2017, I published a short eBook with ’50 Writing Prompts’ on Amazon KDP, as I kept seeing on various author Facebook groups that established writers are seeking advice on how to overcome writers block and aspiring writers are looking for help on how to get started. I am currently writing my first book in German. My first two books were in English. My German book doesn’t have a title yet and is a novel about a young girl from the countryside who is having difficulties dealing with the conservative upbringing and the pressures put upon women to be a certain way in a small town.Does your book have a lesson? Moral?Get outside your comfort zone and you may discover something new and wonderful. Don’t follow everyone else’s lead. Create your own path.Who is your favourite author and why?Bill Bryson. I read several of his books and they made me laugh. There are so many stories about tragedy but how often does a book make you laugh? Reading Bryson’s stories made me want to become a writer. I grew up reading all the literary ‘heavyweights’ in school: Kafka, Shakespeare, Goethe, etc. Bryson’s books made me realize it’s ok to write like a ‘normal’ person. Writers don’t have to use fancy words and write sentences that are half a page long. Writing and reading can just be fun! His ‘A Walk in the Woods’ had me laugh out loud in public numerous timesTell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?As of last year, I work part time in order to pursue my dream of writing. This is meant to be temporary for a few more months until I finish my next book. However, I would love to be a successful enough of a writer to be able to go part time for the rest of my life. Writing makes me happy and adds so much joy to my life.Favourite fiction book?The Perfume by Patrick Süßkind; Brave New World by Aldous HuxleyWho is the most famous person you have ever met?In my memoir ‘LAlien-From the Austrian Alps to the Hollywood Hills’ I dedicate an entire chapter to meeting celebrities. As an Austrian, it was especially weird to have Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature on my university diploma from the University of California-Los Angeles as he was the governor of California at the time. My most nerve-wracking celebrity encounter was that with Robbie Williams (Americans will most likely not recognize that name). I was totally star struck and somewhat stalked him. I also met Kiefer Sutherland and have a photo with him. Just to name a few of those I met over my decade in LA LA Land.Do you have a favourite genre to read?When I was young, it was all about fiction and romance. As I get older, I enjoy true-life stories much more, especially when a person overcomes hardships against all odds. I also like reading stories that make me laugh and give me that warm fuzzy feeling.Do you use a bookmark or fold the pages?Bookmark! Folding a page of a book is sacrilegious!Many thanks to Cornelia for stopping by to answer some questions. If you would like to support the author, please check out her book below.
