Rachael Tamayo's Blog, page 19

Writing: Creating Book Teasers

So here you are. You've written a book, now it's time to market. The daunting task of creating a book teaser stands before  you, but how do you do it? What should it look like? 

In this day and age, social media is where it's at when it comes to self marketing.  Personally, I'm still learning. 2 books, 2 short stories and one more book on the horizon, I'm still struggling with what works and what doesn't.  I do know one thing, when I'm cruising through twitter...a good teaser always makes me stop and look twice.  

First things first...you need to decide on the mood/genre of your teaser and match it to the part of your story you're trying to sell.  A hook, if you prefer.  Something to grab their attention. In the genre of romance, you see a lot of sex.  Half naked hunks, sexy big busted women in the throws of passion. Of course, there are other ways to go. That is more for the steamier sort of romance, and only one example.  

Once you decide on the mood...now you get to find a picture. Stock photos, personal artwork you've arranged, but nothing from celebs or models.  

Next comes text...there are several ways to go. Quotes, tag lines....but it must be something that makes the reader want to know more. makes them curious, want to find your book and download that sample.  

In these samples you will notice some common things. Short, sweet, to the point. The grab  you. They have the book title, they have the authors name, maybe a release date.  Don't get wordy.  One or two lines, that's it.  

These are some I've created. I used a free site called Canva. You can also use microsoft paint, or sites like picmonkey. 

So now sit down sit down and get cracking.  If done right, they can be very effective.  Remember the more you practice the better you will get. 

Book Review: Frost on My Pillow by Leah Hamrick

I've never delved to far into the paranormal genre, but I always enjoy a good romance.  In this book, I found both.  I've also been known to enjoy a young adult novel. I loved the Hunger Games series and Harry Potter, among others. 

In Frost on my Pillow, we meet seventeen year old Lyla. She lives in a world within a world, so to speak, hidden by magic within our own everyday world. One day, young Lyla has to run for her life, and she jumps through the curtain that keeps her society so well hidden from ours and finds herself suddenly thrust into a world that she knows absolutely nothing about.  

Knowing what she is (a fire-bringer) but being so terribly sheltered and innocent, she doesn't know where to turn and ends up meeting two young men that aren't what they seem.  Falling in love,  learning about sex and relationships, and taking on demons proves to take it's toll on the young group of friends, but they learn fast because they have to in order to survive. 

Leah Hamrick finds the perfect balance between the teenage voice and capturing the adult reader. I think that she does a splendid job of staying in character without leaning to far into the adult mind when it comes to the decisions that these teens have to make.  It's not an easy thing to do, and she did a great job. 

I think this is a young adult book written for adults, and it's a great read.  I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good paranormal romance, series, or the young adult genre.  

Five stars! I look forward to the next installment.   

Find it on Amazon

Writing: Venturing out of your comfort zone

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. "   Maya Angelou

Write what you know.  I think this is probably the most common advise that writers hear, both aspiring and published.  In some form, it's true.  I obviously can't sit down and write a book about heart surgery.  On the other hand, this is possibly bad advise. Especially in this day and age, when the internet provides a wealth of unlimited knowledge at our fingertips,quite literally. 

Every writer starts out in a comfort zone. A genre. A voice, a person (first, third) They settle there.  Find a publisher or an agent that loves it? That's great! Not an easy thing to do, quite an amazing accomplishment. Lets celebrate by writing the next piece. 

And the next.

And the next.

Now you've got half a dozen and ideas shelved. No best sellers yet? Join the club. Amazon has millions of other books competing for that top 100 spot that we all crave. So what now? Give up? 

Of course not. You're a writer. A writer writes....always. Our characters and stories keep us awake at night. We script in our head while we lay in bed trying to sleep. We can't ever stop. 

How about this? What about that idea you had that you laughed off? It's outside your comfort zone isn't it? Don't know how to voice that character or script out that plot line? This is where you get to flex your muscles and show what you can really do.  Sit down, and start it. I bet you will surprise yourself.

I say this because I've got first hand experience. I never thought that writing paranormal was something I could ever do.  I always thought I lacked that magical imagination. Then one day, while watching the movie, The Visit, I watched the scene where the creepy old lady talks the kid into getting into the oven and a light bulb went off. Hansel and Gretel...modern...retold....but I hesitated. It ate at me. So I sucked it up and tried it.  Cranked out the short, Gretyl and the Witch.  It's turned out to be my most popular to date.   Who knew? 

Try something new. It might be amazing. 

 

 

Writing: Getting Attached to Characters

"When writing a novel, a writer should create living people, people, not characters. A character is a caricature."--Earnest Hemingway

I used to hear that when writers are crafting their stories, their characters take on a life of their own. Before I got deep into it like I am now, I never really quite understood this. However, now that I'm wrapping up my first ever series, I totally understand it.

They aren't just characters in a story. They are real people that live in my head that I have to get onto paper!  Or so it seems. If you write, you fully understand this. Getting so attached to these beings that you've created that you over edit, over revise, and are your own worst critic.

I've run into this myself recently.  Book 3, Claim Me, of my current series was just sent off to my publisher.  I don't even know how many times that I've re-written this book. I originally wrote it as a teenager and shelved it. So by now...at least 6-7 times.  At some point I had to back away and say..no more editing. My beta readers love it. It's time to let go.

I've created an entire world around these imaginary people.  Now it's time to let these little babies fly away on their own and hope that you will all love them like I do. 

So this is what I've done.  I'm the proverbial mama bird shoving her fully grown baby out of the nest because it's time to fly.  This isn't to say that you won't see some of these characters again. When you create whole worlds (especially in a series) It's easy to have them pop up again in the future. 

You will see Ashley and Shane again in The Scarred books, coming in the future. You will also See Brandon (Making his debut in Claim Me, in the Scarred books.) 

So I say, get attached. Love them. Nourish them and let them grow, because you never know. They might just pop up again when you least expect it.  They sure have for me. 

Stay tuned to my social media for updates on the final installment of the Friend-Zone series.

 

Nanowritemo: National Novel Writing Month

So here we are. A third of the way through November. In writers circles, it's also Nanowritemo, or National Novel Writing Month. 

The Challenge: Crank out 50,000 words in 30 days, even if they suck.

Challenge accepted! 

I suppose it's the "even if they suck" bit that some might get hung up on. We are writers, why would we want to write a whole book if we know it stinks? For a couple of reasons, actually. 

It's an exercise. A chance to push yourself to your limit (perhaps even beyond) and show yourself and other writers what you can do, in just thirty days. Maybe it doesn't suck. Maybe you will set it aside and six months later you will open up that file and a little light will pop on and you will revise it to be your masterpiece. Let's not assume! We are writers. Put simply, we love writing. It's in our blood, our bones, we can't help it. Even if every book we have bombs, chances are we will just keep writing more.

Remember, with every book you write, you just get better. The plot is by far the hardest thing to get just right.  

So writers, write. And you out there that are friends of writers, loved ones...forgive us if we seem distracted this month. If we aren't as social as usual. We will be back, don't give up on us. 

We are doing what we  love. 

 

Writing Tips: Breaking away from Editing

You just typed The end at the end of those 100,000 or so words that you slaved over. Cried over. Screamed at the blank page because it was taunting you.  Pat yourself on the back. Have a beer or glass of champagne to celebrate! 

So what comes next? Revision. It never happens the first time. Ever. Even Stephen King doesn't crank out a finished work the first time around.  You still have your head in the game. You're deep into the minds of each of the characters. You know where those loose plot points are and just how to tie them up.

Before you jump back in....STOP...STEP AWAY....you will thank yourself later. 

It's been said by famous writers, the best way to revise or edit is to step away for a chunk of time. Weeks, and then go back when you're head isn't in it any longer. Why? Because now you are objective. Now you can read it with new eyes, the eyes of a reader. You can see those spots that you might have missed, that weird thing your character is doing (Seriously, what was I thinking?) That entire scene that needs to die the death of the delete button.  

“You’ll find reading your book over after a six-week layoff to be a strange, often exhilarating experience.”--Stephen King

Stephen King has what has been coined "the drawer method." He takes his manuscript and stashes it in a drawer and leaves it there for at least six weeks.  Of course, most of us might turn to a more electronic version of this.   My personal method Is as follows: I crank out a first draft in about 2 months.  I stash it. I write a second rough draft during my waiting period. When that one is done, I go back to the first stashed manuscript, read it, and start my revision with fresh eyes.  I promise, it wont take you long to get back into the head of your characters, and you will be a better writer for it.  

So give it a shot. Step away, write something else, and go in and edit with a clear mind. The extra step will make a difference. 

Book Spotlight: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Vol 4

Welcome to your worst nightmare. Sleep is highly overrated. You could be reading a book guaranteed to keep awake long after the kiddos are in bed and the Halloween candy is tempting you to grab some. Please enjoy these eight tales sure to send you to hiding under the bed!

 Solstice Shadows and eight fabulous authors team up to bring you, our faithful readers, creepy tales from all around the world. 

Check it out here

Sleep is impossible after reading these eight tales of things that go bump in the night…

 Mysterious Warrior Battles Evil Coven…

 Haunted wedding dress horror story…

 Every secret has a cost…

 Who am I and why am I here?

 Long hidden secrets emerge from the pond…

 Unexpected consequences from an interruption…

 Don’t plan on the usual housewarming!

 The perfect relationship from hell!

 Sadie K. Frazier, Josie Montano, S.C. Alban, Johnny Gunn, K.C. Sprayberry, Debbie De Louise, Archimede Fusillo, and Alex Pilalis present eight stories of horror sure to have you screaming!

Check out the Trailer

Have a scary time and don’t forget to leave the lights on!

Book Spotlight: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Vol 3

Welcome to your worst nightmare. Where creatures creep, bad guys or gals extract trouble where there is none, and you are guaranteed not to have a good night’s sleep.

 Solstice Shadows and eight fabulous authors team up to bring you, our faithful readers, scary tales from all around the world. 

See it here

Eight tales sure to send your goosebumps screaming in terror…

 The Twilight Zone meets Hitchcock…

 Do you see me now?

 Nothing is as it seems…

 Wake Up to Your Worst Nightmare…

It’s dark magic; get the picture?

Do captured Spirits really exist?

 A dream house of mystery…

 Cora inherits a haunted castle.

 

Authors Christopher Davis, Rocky Rochford, Leah Hamrick, S@yr, M.A. Cortez, P.J. Lawton, CS Patra, and E.B. Sullivan bring your worst nightmares to life in this scary, can’t put down anthology.

Watch the Trailer

While you’re out and about for these wonderfully terrifying stories, check out our Halloween cookbook, to prepare wonderfully themed meals

See the cookbook

Character Spotlight: Adrienne Lawrence (Chase Me: Friend-Zone book 1)

Younger sister to Ashley, and best friend to Chloe, Clint, and Micah, Adrienne is a little spunky and just sarcastic enough to make everyone around her smile. 

Beautiful but doesn't seem to know it, with wild curly hair and a love for shopping. No one is more important to her than her friends are.  After days at a venue wedding in Kentucky with Clint, her hunky friend, she decides that her attraction to him is not as important as his friendship.

However, resisting the pull of blonde hair, blue eyes, and the memory of those lips makes  it hard to remind herself that it's just "not worth the risk."  What does make it easier, is when she is reminded that Clint is a ladies man, fluttering from flower to flower like a sexy little bee.  

The last thing she wants is to become just another woman on his list.  To bad she can't stop thinking about him.

Can Adrienne get past her hang ups regarding Clint's past? or is he doomed to be an unfulfilled wish?

Find out in Chase Me, Friend-Zone book 1. Available now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Chase Me (Friend-Zone Book 1)

By Rachael Tamayo

Book Spotlight: The Boyfriend by Alex Pilalis

I'd like you all to welcome a special Guest today! Welcome Alex Pilalis, multi-published author. I read his most recent publication, The Boyfriend and I loved it. A great mix of suspense and thriller with a twist of an ending that I didn't see coming.  Not to mention that I loved to see the romantic subplot from the male perspective.  A nice short read when you don't want to get into a novel.  So what's it about? Let me tell you!

Mary might be everything that Andy has been looking for; bright, sexy, interesting, and very keen on him. Not usually having much luck with the ladies, Andy might rightly be cautious about this flirtatious young girl who thinks they were fated to meet – especially when things start to take a darker turn, as he gets to know Mary more.

What Andy discovers next shocks his whole existence. Can he successfully navigate his relationship with Mary and still keep his life? 

I highly recommend that you pick this one up today. It's available in the Solstice Publishing anthology, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Vol 4, which is stuffed full of nice spooky reads just in time for Halloween.  

check out this Sample:

“I’d… better get back to my friends,” Mary said. “They leave tomorrow.” 

Okay,” Andy said, suddenly realizing he was running out of time with her. He hated asking a girl for her number—usually because they found new and creative ways of saying ‘no’ when he asked. However good the conversation seemed to go, the clincher was finding out if they wanted to give him their number or not. 

“Are you on Facebook?” she asked, surprising him.

“Yes,” Andy said, instinctively reaching for his phone. “Maybe we could meet up sometime, and I’ll show you around town.”

He opened the Facebook app and handed her the phone.

“Sure, that sounds nice,” Mary said as she searched her name and added herself as a friend.

What a cool move, Andy thought.

“Hey,” she said, scrolling down his Facebook profile. “Your birthday was recently.”

“A few weeks ago,” he said.

She looked up at him, flashing her large eyes. “Mine too.”

“No way,” he said, smiling. “When’s your birthday?”

“August ninth.”

Andy paused, raising his eyebrows. He let the revelation settle within him before he spoke. “That’s… that’s the same day as my birthday.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you joking?”

“No, no. Really,” he said, shaking his head.

She gave him a bemused look, wrinkling her brows. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-nine,” he said.

She barked a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand as she composed herself.

“What?” he asked.

“I just turned twenty-nine, too.”

“Wait,” Andy said. “So we were born on the same day, in the same year?”

She handed him back his phone, watching him closely. Her finger brushed his as he took the phone.

“Andy,” she said. “This might sound strange, but… do you believe in fate?”

Andy blinked, momentarily frozen. “I do, actually.”

Mary smiled, looking away briefly before meeting his eyes again. “That’s good to know.” She touched his shoulder and kissed his cheek as she moved away.

“Get in touch,” she said.

Andy’s heart fluttered again. This girl was really something. “I will,” he said smoothly, trying to sound cool.

She turned back and smiled as she walked away, before entering the dark club.

Andy let out a relieved sigh. That had gone so well. What were the chances of meeting a girl who was born on the same day and same year as him? And she mentioned fate! He could already tell that she was someone special. Someone worth knowing.

His friends whooped and cheered as he returned to them.

“Oh my God!” Emma shouted. Her words were slurred and she swayed slightly as she pressed both hands on his shoulders. “That was Monica! Oh I’m so happy for you! She’s so pretty.”

They went back in and danced the night away, sweating and drinking until the club finally closed. Andy didn’t see Mary in the club again. But that was okay, he could get in touch with her on Facebook. He thought about Mary the rest of the night. He couldn’t help but acknowledge a nagging, troubling feeling, however. One he told himself was nothing to worry about.

Talking to Mary, getting along well with her, something about it all had been too easy.

Alex is also the author of Island Legends: The Awakening of James Island and Dark Light

After completing an Art Foundation course and a BA in Digital Arts, Alex Pilalis pursued his interest of animation with an MSc in Computer Animation and an online course with Animation Mentor. He is currently an animator on children's television shows.

Alex began his publishing journey with two children's story books, "Three Wishes" and "Where Dreams May Go," and was spurred on to write and create more.

As a big science fiction and fantasy fan, and heavily inspired by classic adventure stories such as The Lord of the Rings, the Star Wars films and Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Alex felt a great urge to tell his own story. Being an avid gamer, he spent the majority of his time growing up developing a video game adventure concept, and to this day has amassed hundreds of A4 pages, several filled notepads, dozens of word documents and a detailed Wiki, collecting all the ideas and images of the world as it progressed and became what it is today. Feeling the overwhelming need to bring the story to life and out into the ether, somehow, Alex decided to use his passion for writing and storytelling and turn the game into a novel, which has become Island Legends: The Awakening of James Island. Doing so has allowed him to delve into the character's minds and bring them to life so much more than he ever thought possible back when he was designing hit-point percentages of sword attack combinations, and the result is a much more mature and complicated story than his younger mind could have ever conceived.

 

Originally from London, Alex currently lives and works in Dublin, Ireland. 

Find him on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and his Website.