Erin R. Howard's Blog, page 15

Character Quote: Sam

Sometimes characters have a way of sneaking up and surprising you. Some characters take the lead and some are written as minor characters, to help the hero or heroine in their story. This character is no exception to that rule; except two of my Beta/ARC readers voiced that he’s their favorite character in The Seer!

Sam is a great character, and I really enjoyed writing him. However, I expected them to say Thea, Matthias, or Viktor. This prompted me to take a deeper look at Sam, and he surprised me. I wish I could explain more of what I found, but I can’t give everything away before you read it!

Character Quote: Matthias

Sometimes you start a story because you see a certain character in your mind and it prompts you to figure out everything about them. Sometimes when you’re writing, a character comes to your mind and completely surprises you. For The Seer, I knew I would have two opposing sides: an angel and a demon. Good versus evil. I already had Viktor in my mind and had a good solid grasp on his personality and what he stood for. But what would his opposing character look like?

Kind. Patient. Warrior. Good. Protector.

All of these things prompted me to create Matthias, but as the story unfolded, I found there’s so much more to him than meets the eye. I won’t give away all of my secrets, {you’ll have to read the story to find out!} but Matthias is not only a warrior and protector, but someone that you need by your side.

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Matthias’s Quote:  “You said the same thing fifty years ago. You’re an old man now, and if I have to wait another fifty years, you’ll be a dead man.”

Here’s what one of my Beta/ARC readers said about Matthias:

Matthias is well known by both angels and demons as a skilled warrior, and devoted protector that will do whatever it takes to keep his charges safe.  He carries the memory of every human he has been responsible for, the ones he’s saved, and the ones he’s lost.

-Teddie

You can find The Seer, on pre-order on Amazon for Kindle.  Be the first to receive it once it releases on February 27th.  Click here to find it on Amazon! 

 

 

 

Wisdom Wednesday: Heather Greer

Joining us today on Wisdom Wednesday is Heather Greer.

Genre:  Contemporary Christian Romance

Latest Novel: Faith’s Journey, releases on February 13, 2018.

Writing Tip:

I think one of the things that has meant the most to me in my writing came from a writers’ conference I attended. Kristen Heitzmann was speaking, and she mentioned she is not a plotter. This meant a lot to me because every other conference I attended preached the necessity of planning out every detail before writing, knowing the characters and their backstories from the start, and things like that. I felt like this was the first time I was not only given permission but encouraged to write the way I write instead of trying to write like everyone else.

 

That’s great! You have to write in a way that works for you.  I’ve heard other authors say they are either a panster {“flies by the seat of their pants”} or plotter, but I feel like I’m both! I like to plot, but once I get my basic ideas and such, I like to let the characters take over. 

Favorite Writing Tip for New Writers: 

Always keep learning. There is always some area of your writing that can improve.

So true! Learn new ways to do things, and improve your writing by reading other authors and books written about the craft.

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Katie McGowan left her parents and their faith behind years ago. However, when faced with a devastating betrayal, Katie is ready to go back to Carbondale, Illinois to help her elderly parents despite their tempestuous relationship. Drained by the constant friction, Katie finds emotional support and encouragement in Austin. His practical, simple faith speaks to Katie, and she finds herself yearning for a new connection to God. As their friendship grows, so does the attraction between Katie and Austin.

Before her fledgling faith and thoughts of romance have a chance to take root, Katie’s cheating fiancé returns, remorseful and promising change. Can her tentative faith strengthen their past love? And if her heart breaks again, will Katie’s journey to faith end before it has really begun?

Learn more about Faith’s Journey

[image error]As a preacher’s kid from Southern Illinois, Heather was well acquainted with ministry life in a small town before her husband became a pastor fifteen years ago. She started serving in youth and children’s ministries when her daughter was still a child. Now, those ministries and wrangling the schedules of her three teenage boys takes a lot of her time and energy, but Heather still tries to carve out a little time for herself to read a good book, bake, or occasionally binge watch her favorite television shows.

Heather has a heart to see women of faith encouraged and growing in their relationships with God. As believers grow closer to God and begin living out His truths in everyday life, others will see their need for the Savior and long for relationship with Him. It is Heather’s prayer that God will use her love of writing to foster this encouragement and growth in the lives of Christian women.

Thanks for joining me today, Heather! I’ve enjoyed having you on the blog this week, and I can’t read your new release!

Everyone take a moment and pre-order her book, Faith’s Journey, and make sure to check out Heather’s blog and social media pages. 

Heather’s Blog: Click here

Facebook: Click here

Twitter: Click here

Instagram: Click here

 

Author, Hope Dougherty will be joining us next week for Wisdom Wednesday!

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Character Quote: Thea

I love characters that are real, and ones that you can find a little bit of yourselves in as you read.

Thea is a teenage girl that is dealing with things that we all face at one point or another in our lives. She’s unsure of herself, has problems with trusting others, and is trying to reason out the circumstances going on in her life.  She is thrown into a situation that she never saw coming−one that leaves her questioning everything.

I think readers, {teenagers and adults both} will see glimpses of themselves in Thea, and enjoy getting lost in her story. Perhaps they will learn something new about themselves as they take this journey with her.

[image error]Thea’s quote from The Seer:

“I don’t want to go to sleep because I’m scared. What if I don’t wake up?”

 

Here’s what one of my Beta/ARC readers said about Thea:

Although Thea is very capable and quick witted, she struggles to feel sure of herself as she learns to use her gift, get answers to questions about her past, and ultimately, to get to Bethesda. Throughout The Seer you can’t help but feel like you’re part of her unlikely group of allies-from Heaven, Hell, and a few places in-between!

Get ready to get sucked into the world of the unknown that lies right before your eyes.

−Jackee

Tomorrow, is Wisdom Wednesday, so please join me and guest author, Heather Greer.  Heather has a new novel releasing this month!

Thursday, I will show you a glimpse of Matthias {an angel assigned to Thea, and also Viktor’s brother}.

For more information about The Seer, my upcoming Launch Party, and links to pre-order, please visit my website: erinrhoward.com

 

 

 

Character Quote: Viktor

As promised, I’m pulling the curtain back a little and showing you all a glimpse into the characters for The Seer!

I’m starting with Viktor.

He is perhaps my favorite character, which may surprise you. After you read the book, you will really understand why, but The Seer started because of an assignment my professor gave in a writing workshop. I had to write a short story about an unlikely hero. I knew that I wanted to switch my genre. I was almost finished with a chick lit book, but I had this longing to write a series about spiritual gifts. I put it off and put it off until I got this assignment. I started asking questions.

What if I wrote it from a villain’s POV? {point of view}

However, instead of strictly a villain, what if he’s got this desire to change but doesn’t know how?

What if he couldn’t fully be redeemed?

I mean, he is a demon after all.

From these questions, I jumped straight into this short story about two brothers: one who was a demon, and one that was an angel, and how they were fighting over this girl who could see into the spiritual realm. From there this story grew into a screenplay, and now, a series centered on Viktor, Matthias, and Thea.

I love characters that give you a reason to root for them. I like characters that are messy, {because life IS MESSY} have problems, and obstacles. I love characters that are real. I have a feeling that Viktor will not be the only main character that I write that’s a villain, or an unlikely hero. I think he will be just the beginning.

[image error]Viktor’s quote:

There was something to be said about people who sat on the fence between one side and another: They were too easily swayed to both sides. Jumping from one side to another? Now that was harder.

Here is what one of my ARC/Beta readers said about Viktor:

Viktor was my favorite character. He is a character that you can really relate to as a human. The inner struggle of good versus evil, right versus wrong, really comes out through him. You can’t help but root for him throughout the whole book, even though he is on the wrong side of it all. He was the character throughout the book that I just had to know (and couldn’t put it down until I knew) what battle or side was going to win him!

Also, his quote really hits home in my heart, to make sure I’m not on the fence, where I can be easily swayed to the side that I would never knowingly choose!

-Candace

Tomorrow, I’m going to share a quote with you from Matthias, so stay tuned!

BOOKS AND THINGS — Mantle Rock Publishing

Check out at what my publisher had to say about my debut novel, The Seer!

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Mantle Rock Publishing LLC has released an ebook for pre-order. This is quite a milestone for us because it is our first Fantasy/Speculative. This has been a gigantic move for us. Something I never thought I’d publish, but we bit the bullet and decided to try it. We have several more contracted to release in…

via BOOKS AND THINGS — Mantle Rock Publishing

Wisdom Wednesday: Cyn Taylor

Joining us today on Wisdom Wednesday is Cyn Taylor.

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Latest Novel: “Red Morning Glory.” First book is “Blue Mountain Sky.” Third in the Smoky Mountain Mist series “Dawn’s Gray Light” comes out this year.

Favorite Writing Tip for Authors: 

I write because it’s fun and because there are thousands of words zipping around in my head fighting for supremacy. Once the words have been painfully excised from my brain (it can be a painful process), and I get them transferred to paper, I take charge of them and can be in control. That is until the next thousand begin the war all over again. For me that war creates fun. I believe that if writing isn’t fun, maybe you shouldn’t do it. When I go to conferences and hear other authors talk about how hard it is being a writer I remind myself, and sometimes them, that I started writing because I enjoyed it. When it becomes drudgery, I’ll stop.

Sometimes writing can be hard, and painful. I’ve found that if I let go of my fear, and just write, the fun is there!

Favorite Writing Tip for New Writers: 

Ignore naysayers. Or put a hex on them. No wait. The first one. Also, I don’t rely on my family and friends to read and be truthful about my writing. They mean well but you rarely get the truth. Instead, I have a group of Beta readers who have been invaluable to me. All are teachers in some respect or another, none are related to me. Yes, there are millions of writers out there but if writing is your dream, don’t give up. As a writer, you are the weaver of your own dreams. Keep writing.

Beta readers are very important to the writing process and they won’t feel like they have to gush about your story. 

Thanks for joining me today, Cyn! I’ve enjoyed having you on the blog this week.  Everyone take a moment and read about her novel, Red Morning Glory, and make sure to check out her blog.   

Heather Greer will be joining us next week for Wisdom Wednesday.  

 

[image error]Glory Donaghan has a wonderful church, a devoted family, and a flourishing career. She feels God’s hand on every aspect of her life.

That life flips when Glory awakens in a hospital bed accused of drug abuse by Tanner Slade, a man she’d just met. Her problems compound when the infuriating angler continues to involve himself in her life.

When Glory tries to help an abused teen, more complications arise, and her own life is threatened. Her perfect world disintegrates, along with her faith.

Tanner Slade knows drug users are deceptive and fights his growing attachment to Glory. He refuses to allow his heart to rule his head a second time.

Presented with an opportunity to leave Tennessee and the turmoil behind, Glory battles her conscience while Tanner Slade engages in a war with her heart.

The romantic setting of the Great Smoky Mountains and the sport of fly fishing bring Tanner and Glory together. Their conflicted hearts need a lesson in trust, if life will allow them time to discover their true path.

 

 

Cyn Taylor lives and plays in Knoxville Tennessee in the foothills of the Great Smoky [image error]Mountains. She and husband Brent live on his family farm at the peak of Thunder Ridge along with a feral cat and other woodland creatures who come round to visit. They have two married adult children and seven grandchildren.

As a former freelance photo journalist, Cyn has written faith, community and feature articles. She says that seeing how life is lived by salt of the earth people behind the scenes is inspiring and has helped create the background for her books.

Cyn also gets some of the best inspiration for her storylines and characters when she accompanies Brent on fly-fishing excursions to the Smokies and local tailwaters.

He fishes. She writes. Life is good.

Connect with Cyn on her blog: http://cyntaylor2016.wixsite.com/blog

 

 

 

Wisdom Wednesday: Janet Ann Collins

I love Pinterest. I can sit and search for hours.  No matter what kind of mood I’m in, I can always find something to make me laugh or cheer me up.  For the past few weeks, I’ve been posting writing/developmental editing tips on social media, and I decided to open my blog up to other authors.  Every Wednesday, I will have a different author on for Wisdom Wednesday.  I can’t wait to see their writing tips!

Joining us today on Wisdom Wednesday is Janet Ann Collins.

Genre: Middle Grade

Latest Novel: A Shadow of Fear

Favorite Writing Tip for Authors: 

Read a lot in the genre you want to write. That’s my favorite because I love to read books for kids and that not only helps me be familiar with the genre, it gives me an excuse to read what I love.

Great advice! If you want to be a writer, you must first be a reader. 

Favorite Writing Tip for New Writers: 

New writers, it may take a long time to get published, but don’t give up. Attend writers’ conferences, read books on how to write and, above all else, keep writing.

Writing conferences are great for new writers.  You can learn the craft, meet other writers for support, and network with great editors/publishers.  

Thanks for joining us today, Janet!

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Ben wants to act like Jesus so his parents will think he’s mature enough to go to camp. But when his friend who uses a wheelchair needs him to do something truly dangerous can Ben face his fears?

Janet Ann Collins has been a parent, teacher, and foster parent of kids with Special Needs. She has written many feature articles for newspapers, her work has appeared in various periodicals and anthologies, and she’s the author of other books for children. She lives in Northern California. For more information please visit her website, www.janetanncollins.com

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