Janette Rallison's Blog, page 20

Almost There . . .

Do you remember that scene from the original Star Wars where the fighter pilot is going for the shot that will destroy the DeathStar and he keeps saying, “Almost there . . .” right before he’s tragically killed? I feel like him in so  many ways. I’m almost there to so many things but it also seems like none of them will actually happen. (Finishing Slayers 3 comes to mind. I’m on page 510.)

So, the audio book for Just One Wish is almost finalized. (Maybe today or tomorrow.)

And the audio book for My Fairly Dangerous Godmother will hopefully be out in time for Christmas.

And I’m expecting The Girl Who Heard Demons to come back from the copy editor really soon, so yeah, I’m almost there.

Stay tuned.

Donating blood

Okay, so while I’m busy working on Slayers, my son is making videos. This one made me laugh so I had to share it. (Almost on page 500, without any chapter breaks, by the way. Which means once I put in chapter breaks it’ll be over 525)

Multi Author book sale

Hey readers, Son of War, Daughter of Chaos is part of this sale and is only .99 for the next two days. Also, if you go to the top right hand corner of my blog and hit the subscribe to my announcements, you will be led to a link where you can download All’s Fair in Love, War, and High School for free.

The authors of Echo Ridge decided to organize a multi-author sale during release week and invite our favorite authors to join us. All the books featured on this sale are only $.99 and they are all amazing!

Don’t forget to enter the rafflecopter giveaway for $200 in Christmas Cash.

Happy book shopping!

Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology

Christmas Kisses is a collection from five bestselling and award-winning authors. Set in the snowy town of Echo Ridge in upstate New York, these inspirational romances are sure to delight while you sip cocoa by the fire and listen to Christmas carols.

Amazon * iTunes * Barnes & Noble * Smashwords * Kobo * Goodreads

Brownies & Betrayal by Heather Justesen

Pastry chef Tess Crawford thought moving from Chicago to quiet Silver Springs, Arizona would simplify her life. That was before she found the body of a woman with whom she had traded heated words the previous night, left her fingerprints on

the murder weapon, and came under attack for trying to clear her name. When her cheating ex-fiance shows up, intent on convincing her to come back to work for him, Tess—armed with an extra batch of éclairs—decides to take control and solve the mystery herself, with the help of friends and frenemies alike.

But will that be enough to save her when she gets too close and the killer decides it’s safer to get her out of the way?

Amazon * Kobo * Barnes & Noble



Simplify & Savor the Season by Connie E. Sokol
Ready to enjoy the holidays again? Use this two-part holiday organizer to help you savor the celebrations. In the first half of the book, brainstorm the Big Four; then, detail the To Dos including menu, gift-planning, etc. with success tips on how to eliminate the unnecessary and focus on the essential. Wrap up with “5 Holiday Juicers” to make life joyful. Keep your notes handy in the companion Simplify & Savor Take-along Planner.
With the second half of the book. curl up with a cup of cocoa and read “Savory Suggestions and Stories,” a collection of laugh-out-loud anecdotal stories including “Let Go of the Cookie Cutter Christmas” and “Thankful for Turkey Warbling”. Make this holiday season one you remember and enjoy!

Amazon 

Diamond Rings are Deadly Things by Rachelle J. Christensen

Adrielle Pyper knows how to plan a wedding, and she’s especially good at pleasing bridezillas. But when her biggest client and best friend is murdered just three days before the wedding, Adri’s world falls apart. She moves to the resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho, and starts from scratch. Thanks to Adri’s impeccable taste and unique style, she lands two celebrity clients, and her business seems headed for success—until someone vandalizes the specialty wedding dresses she imported from overseas. Adri must race to uncover the secret hidden within the yards of satin and lace before she becomes the next victim.
With a delightful blend of mystery, toe-curling kisses, humor, and spine-tingling thrills, Diamond Rings are Deadly Things will keep you turning pages long into the night.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Apple * Kobo



A Baker’s Dozen by Lucy McConnell
Tempt your sweet tooth with 13 delicious, easy, and beautiful dessert recipes. Each recipe has been time-tested and found irresistible. You’ll horde the Lemon Brownies but you might be willing to share the Rock and Roll Cake—with a good friend.
Recipes include: Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Cookies, Pumpkin Bunt Cake, S’mores Cheesecake, No-Fail Lemon Bars
Impress your coworkers, family, friends, and even the guys at the car repair shop with these recipes. They’re sure to become favorites in your recipe box, lunch box, and ice box.

Amazon



The Colony by Cami Checketts
To protect her sons from the mistakes of her past, Brinlee Trapper escapes to a secluded mountain home. But there are dangers lurking in the mountains she has never encountered. The little family is saved from injury by Jed, a mysterious hunter. Brinlee is drawn to him, but she worries about his involvement with a peaceful commune hidden deep in the mountains behind her property.
Lance, Brinlee’s attentive neighbor, has his own troubled history. Between his obvious attraction to Brinlee and his developing love for her children, Brinlee finds it more than difficult to guard her heart against this tender intrusion.
While Jed offers a life of excitement and freedom, Lance holds the key to the family Brinlee always wanted. When it comes time to choose, she learns that both men have secrets that could shatter her fledgling trust in men and the wrong decision could leave more than her heart exposed to danger.

Amazon

Torn Canvas by Donna K. Weaver

Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Up-and-coming talk show host Olivia Howard wants an interview. She, like the rest of the press, expects a hero, but Jori knows the truth. His beauty masks a beast.
In seclusion and evading the press, Jori struggles to make a new life as an artist. But he can’t hide from himself; more than his face is damaged. How can Jori possibly make amends for all that he’s broken? When Olivia finally tracks him down, he must decide if he can trust her. Could this unlikely woman be a key to freeing his heart and healing the beast?
Amazon * Audible * iTunes

The audiobook is only $1.99 with the purchase of the ebook.


Son of War Daughter of Chaos by Janette Rallison
Aislynn is accustomed to watching for the enemy. Her parents instructed her from the time she was young to look for people with the signs: greater than normal strength, eyes that can glow green, and the ability to jump long distances. Over the years, Aislynn has come to view her parents’ fears as quirks-things that get in the way of having a normal high school life. When Aislynn’s mother dies under suspicious conditions, her father doubles his restrictions. But all his precautions can’t stop the boy with glowing green eyes from finding Aislynn. She realizes too late she’s been drafted into an ancient Egyptian war, whether she’s prepared or not.
Amazon

Vocal Crush by Lisa Swinton

Can you ever out run a broken heart?
Lexi Court spent seven years traveling the world, living the nomadic Broadway life, in an attempt to outrun the broken heart Nick Rivers gave her. Now, there’s nowhere left to go.
When she accepted a position as a high school drama teacher in Las Vegas, Lexi hoped to get over Nick, find a nice guy, and settle down. But what should be a quiet summer gets turned upside down when Lexi’s best friend, Taffy, drafts her to be an emergency replacement coach on a televised vocal competition.
Feeling out of her league among the other three celebrity coaches, Lexi fights for the most promising contestants to be on her team. One note from a single voice shatters her summer. Nick unexpectedly auditions and joins Lexi’s team. With her vocal crush on him raging as strong as ever, she has nowhere to run from Nick’s dreamy looks or siren voice.
Lexi has no doubt that Nick can win the competition. The question is does he want to win her heart as well or will he damage it beyond repair?
Think television reality show The Voice meets Jane Austen’s Persuasion.

Amazon


Picture Perfect by U.S.A. Today Bestseller Heather B. Moore

Gemma has never done anything out of the ordinary, until her boyfriend Randy starts to ignore her. But even cutting and dyeing her hair doesn’t get his attention. She decides to join her old high school friends for spring vacation, only to be faced with Drew, her best friend who suddenly seems interested in her as more than a friend. Gemma must determine if her heart is on the rebound or if it’s finally met its true match.
Amazon




Endless Modern Cinderella by Jaclyn Weist
Sydney lives her nightmares every night. While other teenagers are dreaming of boys or traveling to exotic places, she must run a staircase with no beginning or no end, or a terrible debt will never be paid.
Just before her seventeenth birthday, the dreams change. She is no longer alone.
But her nightmares don’t end when she wakes up. Her stepmother and stepsisters threaten to ruin everything she holds dear. She must protect the secret that both she and her father have magic or they will use it to their advantage.
As Sydney learns to control her magic, what seemed impossible before—escaping her stepmother and those ever-present stairs—is now at her fingertips. When she learns the ultimate plan of her evil captor, Sydney must stop her at all costs, or she will forever be trapped inside her nightmares.

Amazon


Cookie Girl Christmas by Christene Houston

Molly Hayes has one more job before Christmas and then she can put her plans for a storefront bakery of her own in motion. What she doesn’t bargain for is the handsome young Scrooge who insults her cookies and makes her blood boil. Toss in a heaping helping of snowstorm and a pinch of romantic old Inn and you’ve got yourself the perfect recipe for a not-so-silent-night.
Amazon




And Something Blue by Paige Timothy

Bridal consultant Laurie Fletcher spends all her time helping others prepare for the most special day of their lives. Logan Reese is easily the most irritating man on the planet, and for some reason, he’s made annoying Laurie his mission in life. Will true love ever come Laurie’s way, or is she doomed to watch others get their happily ever after while she sits on the sidelines?
Amazon




Six Days of Christmas by Kaylee  Baldwin

When Natalie goes home with her best friend for Christmas, she expects plenty of quiet time to work on a winning ad so she can turn her dream internship into her dream job. Instead, she gets time-consuming Christmas festivities, a house full of children who seem to be multiplying, and Jimmy, her best friend’s brother—someone who makes her question everything she’s always thought she wanted.
Amazon





Ring Around the Rosie by Julie Coulter Bellon
As the ex-wife of a law enforcement officer, Sarah Reed has known loneliness and loss. In order to cope, she makes a life for herself that’s full of routine while building a wall of ice around her heart. Everything about her is as predictable as she can make it until a tiny detour for her ex-husband, Ron, changes her life forever. Caught in a bomb crisis, Sarah is taken hostage by a man who wants Ron and everyone around him to suffer—and his idea of suffering is more terrible than Sarah had ever dreamed.
Captain Ron Reed has seen the worst of humanity in his job with the Hostage Negotiation Team, but he never expected his past to come back with a vengeance—literally. Aaron Starks, a criminal explosives expert, has stolen next-gen bomb technology. He uses it to force Ron to bargain for the lives of his team and his ex-wife, Sarah, the woman he still loves. But the situation escalates when Ron discovers that Starks has an even bigger objective in mind—using the bomb to show how vulnerable America and her people truly are.
Ron is willing to risk everything to save his country and those he loves, but when negotiations break down, will his sacrifice be too little too late?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes * Kobo


Yesterday by Amanda Tru
Her yesterday was five years ago. What will her tomorrow bring?

When Hannah Kraeger saves a family injured in a car accident, she has no idea she has changed events in the past. Waking the next morning, Hannah discovers her yesterday was really five years ago.
Each trip Hannah takes through time changes the timeline and her own life. With help from Dr. Seth McAllister, Hannah must unravel the mystery of why she time travels and who she actually is before the strange ability costs her future, the man she loves, and even her life.
YESTERDAY is a thrilling Christian Romantic Suspense filled with unexpected twists, mystery, and romance.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes


My One and Only by Shannon Guymon
Meredith Jensen has seen her share of ups and downs. She’s found love twice already and lost it in spectacularly traumatic ways. Now? She just wants a peaceful life, free from love and drama. Meredith’s plans for the future center around planning other people’s weddings and her new online dating website. Just because she works to help other people find love doesn’t mean she wants any part of it though. Unfortunately for Meredith’s plans, Asher Murphy is determined to get her to give love another chance. But then again, so is Pule Matafeo. Meredith has never denied that she’s stubborn and feisty so it might take the combined forces of all their friends in Fircrest to get her heart back on track in time for Valentine’s Day.
Amazon


Stealing Adda by Tamara Leigh
WRITER’S BLOCK, NIBBLED NAILS, PLAGIARISM, OH MY! AND DID I MENTION ROMANCE? Life for Adda Sinclaire, New York Times best-selling author and historical romance writer extraordinaire, reads more like a country song than a breathless, bodice-bursting affair. For starters, she has no romance in her own life. That might have something to do with the fact that her husband—correction, ex-husband—ran off with Stick Woman, whom everyone knew would never be more than a mid-list author anyway. To add insult to injury (and another verse to the country song), her ex not only took their dog but gave it to Stick Woman. If that isn’t enough, Adda has come down with a horrible case of writer’s block, finds herself gifted with a Bible that is determined to speak to her, and is the unwitting target of a romance cover model’s misdirected advances. Just when she catches her breath—and quite possibly the eye of a certain fabulously good-looking man (ahem…her new editor)—her arch-nemesis gives the pot one final stir.
Amazon



Spy by Night by Jordan McCollum
After watching her parents’ marriage crash and burn, CIA operative Talia Reynolds doesn’t believe in “happily ever afters.” Besides, her job entails eighty-hour weeks, juggling a dozen covers and disguises, and tracking down a dangerous Russian spy ring. She hardly has time for romantic entanglements, even if she could let her guard down enough to get close to anyone.But all the rules she lives by could be broken when she meets aerospace engineer Danny Fluker.
Danny moved to Canada for a great job — and a chance to start over after a bad breakup. Dating definitely isn’t in his plans . . . until beautiful and enigmatic Talia throws a perfect storm right in his flight path. When he catches a glimpse of the real woman behind her façade, he has to get to know her better.
Talia has to find a Russian spymaster before he figures out she’s not who she claims, and failing to keep her two lives separate in the process could mean the death of more than just her budding relationship. Danny has to decide if a future with Talia — and facing the past — is worth the risk of getting hurt again. If they can break through the barriers keeping them apart (and avoid a major international catastrophe), they just might have a chance at being happy together.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * iTunes * Smashwords * Jordan McCollum Store


Saving Grace by Michele Paige Holmes
From #2 Amazon Bestselling Historical Romance Author and Whitney Award Winner, Michele Paige Holmes, comes SAVING GRACE, a regency romance from the Hearthfire Romance series:

After the death of her grandfather, the Duke of Salisbury, Grace Thatcher wants nothing more than to live quietly in the country with her younger siblings. Her father’s debts thwart those plans, and to protect her sister, Helen, Grace must marry a man of her father’s choosing.
As each suitor proves less than desirable, Grace comes up with clever schemes, causing each to reject her. While staying at the mysterious Sutherland Hall, a middle-of-the-night mishap sends Grace into the arms of a stranger, Nicholas Sutherland—and provides inspiration for her grandest plan yet—one that will leave her reputation in tatters yet free both her and Helen from all possibility of marriage.
Too late Grace regrets her rash actions when her father’s last choice, Mr. Samuel Preston, proves to be a gentleman and a friend. But Samuel is the sworn enemy of Nicholas Sutherland, the man responsible for her “ruin.” Now instead of being free, Grace is caught between two men—each with his own agenda.
Other Hearthfire Romances: LOVING HELEN & MARRYING CHRISTOPHER

Amazon



An Unexpected Proposal by Annette Lyon

While working at a wood camp in the Logan canyon during the winter of 1880, Caroline Simpson is forced to thwart the aggressive advances of Mr. Butch Larson, and in the process discovers that her long-time friend James has genuine affection for her. But as stubborn as Caroline is, she minimizes the emotions James has awakened in her, and it takes almost losing him to admit her true feelings.
 An Unexpected Proposal was introduced in the first volume of the bestselling and award-winning Timeless Romance Anthology series, Winter Collection:
Amazon #1 Bestselling *New Release* in Clean Romance, Top 10 in Regency Romance, Top 5 in Victorian Romance
Amazon * Smashwords *iTunes *Kobo

Paris Cravings by Amazon #1 Best Selling Author for Clean Romance, Kimberley Montpetit

Can life really turn on a dime, a missed bus—or a stuck pastry shop door?

Chloe Dillard’s life has always been complicated. Her mother is a neurotic romance novelist and her boyfriend, Mathew, has been pressuring her to go “all the way”.

But after The Worst Night of Her Life, Chloe escapes on her Senior Class trip to the swoon-worthy city of Paris which takes her mind off her troubles—temporarily. On the final leg of her dream trip, Chloe squeezes in one final run for a last-minute box of decadent pastries. Add a broken shop door, subtract a broken four-inch heel from her cute strappy sandals, and Chloe ends up one stuck girl on the bakery shop floor with a sprained ankle.

Rescued by the shop owner’s dreamy son with chocolate-syrup eyes, the beautiful city of Paris suddenly becomes Chloe’s personal secret adventure. And even though Jean-Paul, the oh-so-kind La Patisserie shop boy is the gentlemanly guy Chloe has always dreamed of, even he has a girlfriend.

The police are tracking her down as a run-away, Mom’s having a nervous breakdown over her daughter’s “disappearance”, and Chloe’s just trying to have a Happily-Ever-After even as her dreams with Matt are swirling down the drain.

What’s a girl to do in the most romantic city in the world?

Easy Pastry Recipe in the back of the book!

Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveawayCami Checketts

Bestselling Clean Romantic Suspense AuthorChristmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology, A Touch of Love, Summer in Snow Valley, Protect This, Redeem This, Reality Ever After, Shadows in the Curtain, Fourth of July, The Colony, Blog This, Poison Me, The Broken Path, Dead Running, Dying to Run, and Full Court DevotionWebsite

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Rich in friends

I just got back from the Kanab writers conference. (Check out those beautiful rocks. Gorgeous area) Before that, I was at LDStormakers Midwest in Kansas. (Also a beautiful area because it has real trees.) The funnest thing about conferences is seeing and meeting other awesome writers.

At conferences, we inevitably talk about what we need to do to take our writing to the next stage–and to hopefully become rich and famous. (Here is an actual slide from Jessica Day George’s class. Now don’t you wish you’d come? She totally told us all of the rich and famous secrets.)

Here’s the thing. I am not really rich or really famous. Most authors aren’t. But I’ve gotten something amazing out of this career. I know a ton of awesome people. I’m not sure why writers and readers are nicer than the average people. But they are. Case in point: I remember meeting John and Danyelle Ferguson at one of the early Provo LDStorymakers conferences. John introduced himself and told me he wasn’t really a writer, he was just here taking notes at the classes because his wife wanted to go to more classes than was physically possible. So he was sitting in some and he was taking notes in others. (That’s how you know you married the right man, by the way.)

For the last two years I have stayed at John and Danyelle’s house when I go to Kansas and do school visits. Ditto for Liz Adair, who I met through my writing group and who has put me up in her house in both Washington and in Kanab. Her husband took me, my husband and another writer ATVing on Friday. (Lots of fun even if I did crash once. Hey, the rode was washed out. It happens.)

I met Sarah Eden through a booksigning, told her I would critique her next book, and then ripped the thing to shreds. She still speaks to me anyway, although she has admitted that when she writes now, she hear’s my voice in her head, saying, “What is your character’s goal? Just living, is not a valid goal.”

She has put me up in her house in Provo twice now, and she’s stayed with me in Arizona once.

I could go on and on, but this would become a very long post. And I realize these stories are sort of making me look like I make friends with authors just so I can use them as lodging. (Really, not the case.) Anyway, the point is, writing has it’s benefits. I may not live in a mansion and hob-knob with celebrities, but I am rich in friends.

Thank you to all the readers and writers out there who have become my friends!

Writing Peeps, don’t miss the Kanab conference Oct 23-24

Do you want to hobnob with awesome authors? Of course you do, because you have great taste. Well, the Kanab conference is the most bang for the buck. Forty dollars. That’s it. I spend more on overdue library fines.

David Farland is keynoting and he’s worth the price itself.

Here’s a link to the website http://kanabwritersconference.com/

And here’s the class descriptions:

An Introduction to Screenplay:  The Realities of Restrictions — Doug Tifflin

With the number of remakes and reboots being made in the last couple of decades it is more difficult than ever for a spec script to make it to the big screen and it’s looking no better for the near future.  That being the case, why would anyone focus so much time, energy and frustration on writing a spec screenplay?  Some would say to work on dialog; someone else might say to work on timing and there might be someone left that still believes writing a screenplay is easier than writing a novel.  But no matter why you want to write a screenplay don’t let the industry numbers or the naysayers hold you back.  Don’t shy away from writing the next big blockbuster or indie feely out of fear.  Learn how to embrace the rules and restrictions that define the most rigid form of popular writing being practiced today and within that structure discover the freedom of expression and energetic creativity you’ve been looking for.

Audiobooks: Doing It All Yourself — Tanya Parker Mills

A brief look at the growing audiobook industry, followed by a step-by-step rundown of how to set yourself up as the narrator of your own book (as well as books by others, if you like) using the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX). You will learn what you need in terms of software and equipment to set up your own home recording studio, how to prep for narration, how to work with ACX and clients, and how to market your finished work. Those attending should bring their laptops, if possible, in order to become more familiar with ACX.

Dialog: How to get your characters talking–the right way — Janette Rallison

Dialog isn’t real speech but  must sound that way to your reader. In this workshop, you’ll learn ten techniques that will help you create the artful deception. You’ll learn which deadly tagline mistakes to avoid, how to do away with unnecessary taglines, and the right way to convey needed information to your readers through dialog (and when you shouldn’t.)

Everybody Likes a Good Fight – Lois Brown

Every book has conflict and conflict often turns ugly. Whether your book has a one-on-one fist fight or an EPIC battle scene, learn how to write a “fight” to remember.

How to Make a Poem — Rod Miller

What is poetry? How does it differ from other forms of writing? This presentation, designed to inspire aspiring and beginning poets, answers those questions and more. Some of the most common literary techniques and tools poets use to create effective (and affective) poetry are explained and demonstrated, using examples from several outstanding poems by a variety of poets. Key points and examples of technique are illustrated with PowerPoint visuals.

Marketing: You Mean I Have To Sell The Darn Thing? – Steven J. Clark

There is a harsh new reality in the world of traditional publishing. Unless your last name is Patterson or Grisham or Steele, there will be no marketing budget, no flashy ad campaigns or publisher provided book tours. Whether self-published or traditionally published, writing fiction or non-fiction, more than likely you alone will be responsible for your book’s sales. Author and 35-year marketing veteran, Steven J. Clark shares tips and insights that may help you do just that.

Master Class: Writing for a Huge Audience — David Farland

David Farland has trained dozens of authors who have become New York Times bestsellers.  In this class, he’ll talk about the techniques he uses to write to vast audiences.

Mastering Point of View — Janette Rallison

Your use of point of view can either make or break your novel. Learn what POV is, the mistakes to avoid, (editors report that 90% of the slush pile has POV mistakes) and how to amp up your character’s internal thought to help your novel with that all-important “voice” agents and editors keep talking about.

Memoirs: The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth, Can You Bring It? — Pamela France

“A memoir should have some uplifting quality, inspiring or illuminating, and that’s what separates a life story that can influence other people.” MITCH ALBOM. “I will say, with memoir, you must be honest. You must be truthful.” ELIE WIESEL

Pamela has written a true story told using the memories of a child-her inner child. It is a story of survival-a love story without romance, but hope. It tells of the age-old struggle between good and evil, light and dark forces around us. No longer a novice at memoir writing, Pamela will share how and why her self-help/memoir came to be. Memoir writing will be explored and suggestions from those prominent in the genre research will be shared with insights, helps and guidelines.

Murder & Mayhem: Elements of Writing Mystery – Lois D. Brown

Even if you’re not planning to write the next Sherlock Holmes series, you need to know how to incorporate elements of mystery into any genre. In this class we’ll go over how to place red herrings into your story, how to throw the reader off the scent, and how to create that surprise ending we all love to read. Its all about fooling your readers without  losing their trust. See you there. Or will I?

Saturday Keynote: Writing in 2015: When to go Indie and when to go Traditional — David Farland

In the ever-changing world of publishing, some authors are making it big as Indies while others are making a fortune as traditionally-published authors.  Come look in David Farland’s crystal ball and see if you can find your own path to wealth and fame.

Show, Not Tell the Macro and Micro Way — Annette Lyon

What does “show, don’t tell” really mean, anyway? More importantly, why does it matter, and how do you do it? We’ll cover 8 concrete ways to show instead of tell, 4 on the micro (line and paragraph) level and 4 more on the much broader macro (scene, chapter, story) level. These 8 techniques will take your writing from “meh” to “wow.” Make room in your toolbox for this one!

Slingshots and Trebuchets: The Power of a Critique Group — Liz Adair

Liz discusses the stages a writer goes through, from closet scribbler to publishable author. She describes the anatomy of a critique group, shows how it can leverage your growth as a writer, and gives tips on how to get a critique group started.

Special Guest: How to Make Writing a Passion That Profits (or Selling Yourself, Selling Your Books)— TJ MacKay

Promoting and marketing one’s writing seems to be that dirty little deed that every writer knows must be done but few truly understand. Come learn the tricks and unique marketing strategies that will help your books get noticed and turn your passion into profit.

SWORDS AND SPEARS AND AXES! OH MY! (Medieval Weapons 101) — C. David Belt

How can you write believable historical fiction or fantasy that includes swordplay if you’ve never wielded an actual sword?  Do you know the difference between a long sword and a great sword?  A saber and a rapier?  How about the difference between a thrusting spear, a throwing spear, and a hewing spear?  How heavy is a mace or a war hammer, and how hard is it to swing one?  Why is the butt-cap one of the greatest military inventions of all time?  Did you know that a flail (think spiked ball on the end of a chain and handle) is actually a farming implement?  Why is the idea of a three-foot long bronze sword wielded by an eleven year-old (e.g., “Riptide” in the “Percy Jackson” series) laughable?  How heavy is a suit of chain vs. plate, and how hard is it move, much less fight wearing armor?  This is a HANDS-ON demonstration of various types of swords, axes, spears, and other weapons and armor, ranging from the Bronze Age to the 19th Century, from copper to bronze to high-carbon steel.  Participants will have the opportunity to handle and heft actual weapons, don armor, and learn how such items were employed.

The Hero’s Journey: It’s not Just for Fantasy Anymore (Using the archetypes to create powerful fiction in other genres) — Annette Lyon

You may have heard about the classic story archetype used by George Lucas and others, but what you may not know is that the characters and plot points can be tremendously useful in any kind of story, whether you write Romance, Women’s Fiction, Historical, Mystery, or, yes, fantasy or science fiction. Learn the major character archetypes and the steps in the classic Hero’s Journey theory. Then see how to apply them to your work so you come away with the tools to draft faster while producing a more powerful novel no matter what genre you write in.

The Realities of Self-Publishing vs. Traditional or Vanity Publishing – Steven J. Clark

This no-holds-barred class discusses traditional vs. vanity vs. self-publishing. Traditional publishing houses are becoming more and more distant and exclusive. Vanity presses will print anything you want, but with a considerable price tag attached and many times resulting in a basement full of unsold books. The alternative is self-publishing, often touted as being easy, ultra-low-cost, or even free. But if you do it right, ‘easy’ is a relative term, and ‘free’ doesn’t necessarily mean without cost. Find out why.

The Secrets Every Writer Must Know for Success — TJ MacKay

Everyone in publishing knows writing a great story is paramount.  But…what else?  In this class attendees will learn all the nitty-gritty that can make a great story shine – Secrets like what type of editing produces the best results, why everyone focuses so much on reviews and how to make them work towards sales – All things that will truly make or break your book’s chance at stardom.

What is Creative Nonfiction? —Rod Miller

This “emerging” genre is more talked about than understood. Although practiced for years, it seems to have become the flavor of the week in creative writing programs and appears to be making headway in the literary world. But, what is it? Where does it fit on the continuum from fact to fiction? Why is it as often panned as praised? This workshop will answer all your questions about Creative Nonfiction—or originate more. PowerPoint visuals emphasize key points.

Writing As a Spiritual Practice — Raven Chiong

“In order to have self-expression, we must first have a Self to express.” (Julia Cameron – The Artist’s Way”

2014 marks Raven’s tenth anniversary of stream of consciousness writing every morning. What started out as a writing assignment has transmuted into a non-negotiable spiritual practice that has become a way of life. In this class, Raven hopes to inspire participants to deepen their journey by beginning their own Morning Pages. Prompts will be given, with opportunities to both read and witness. Please come prepared to sit in Circle and bring old fashioned pen and paper!

You Had Me at Once Upon a Time: Great Beginnings — Liz Adair

Liz shows why it’s so necessary to have a good first paragraph and then offers the class techniques in crafting a beginning that will grab the reader and compel him to read on.

 

Two of my books for .99 and a free short story anthology

Hey, it’s time for Bookmarked Bargains, (Oct 12-16) which is basically when a bunch of authors from one of my writer’s groups all put a bunch of our books on sale–which means awesome bargains for you!  I will hopefully have better graphics soon. (I’ve been in Kansas at the LDStorymakers Midwestern conference) Until then, just check out the site for your preferred genre. http://www.bookmarkedbargains.com/

Here’s the link to YA romance. YA books for cheap

I’ve got Blue Eyes and Other Teenage Hazards and Just One Wish up for .99

And this is also exciting, another writer’s group I’m in put together a clean short story anthology which is free, and I have a brand spanking new 17 page ya romantic comedy story in it. Classic Janette Rallison.

We’re trying to get Amazon to price match it and drop the price there to free, but until then, you can get it at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/58327

Happy reading!

Vote for the Worst Pickup Lines Used as Song Lyrics

Once again it’s time for The Enrique Iglesias Memorial Worst Pickup Lines Used as Song Lyrics Award!

I have to say that this year there are a lot of contenders so it will be hard to pick just one.

Locked Away by R. City featuring Adam Levine

If I got locked away

And we lost it all today

Tell me honestly would you still love me the same?

If I showed you my flaws

If I couldn’t be strong

Tell me honestly would you still love me the same?

I don’t blame the song writer for wanting to know if his girlfriend would still love him even if he lost all his money. And yeah, we all need to know if our significant other is in the relationship for the long haul. But the lyrics: If I got locked away and we lost it all today, seem more like a confession of eminent arrest rather than a profession of love. I think the correct question to ask is: what did this guy do, and where did he put the body?

 

Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift

And when we’ve had our very last kiss

My last request is

Say you’ll remember me

Standing in a nice dress, staring at the sunset, babe

Red lips and rosy cheeks

Say you’ll see me again even if it’s just in your wildest dreams

Wildest dreams

I love Taylor Swift’s music. If I was stranded on that proverbial desert island with only one singer, it would be Taylor Swift. I never get tired of her songs. Plus I don’t think she would kill me in my sleep and eat me. I can’t say the same for some rappers.

Taylor has perhaps had a rocky road where relationships are concerned, but it seems like she’s jumping the gun to write a pre-break up song. I mean, those lyrics have got to make a guy feel secure about their relationship. He’s wondering if it’s true love and she’s already got requests for him after she’s long gone.

 

Talk Dirty by Jason Derulo

Been around the world, don’t speak the language

But your booty don’t need explaining

All I really need to understand is

When you talk dirty to me

Talk dirty to me

Talk dirty to me

Talk dirty to me

The rest of the lyrics to this song are so graphic that if I print them, I’ll be blocked from all decent people’s computers. In fact, these lyrics are bad enough that I may have to change the name of this award from The Enrique Iglesias Memorial Award to The Jason Derulo What Were You Thinking Award.

Um Jason, I think you’d have a better chance of picking up classy women with the line: “Talk literature to me.” Or “Talk stocks and investments to me.” Or pretty much anything else. Maybe just, “Talk to me.” What you’re going to pick up with these lyrics is an assortment of social diseases.

 

I Can’t Feel My Face by The Weeknd

I can’t feel my face when I’m with you, but I love it, but I love it

I can’t feel my face when I’m with you, but I love it, but I love it

And I know she’ll be the death of me, at least we’ll both be numb

And she’ll always get the best of me, the worst is yet to come

All the misery was necessary when we’re deep in love

This I know, yes I know, and I know

This is perhaps the weirdest song I’ve heard in a long time. I’m not sure whether these lyrics are supposed to be compliment or a plea for medical help. Personally, if a guy said this to me, I’d call 911.

 

Marvin Gaye by Charlie Puth

Let’s Marvin Gaye and get it on

You got the healing that I want

Just like they say it in the song

Until the dawn, let’s Marvin Gaye and get it on

We got this king size to ourselves

Don’t have to share with no one else

Don’t keep your secrets to yourself

I love the melody of this song, but the lyrics are just too creepy. Why would you say, “Hey look, we don’t have to share this king size bed with anyone else”?

Who does Charlie usually share it with and where are they now?

As far as using Marvin Gaye’s name as a verb–well, if your name has become a euphemism for (what phrase can I use that won’t get me blocked?) for doing it, then maybe your life was misspent. Just saying.

Feelings by Maroon 5

And you say that it’s not right

But where does he think you are tonight?

Does he know your nasty side . . .

If you want me, take me home and let me use you

I know he doesn’t satisfy you like I do . . .

I got these feelings for you

And I can’t help myself no more

Can’t fight these feelings for you

No, I can’t help myself no more  I, I, I

You and me let’s go all night

Going so high, we f*** the sky

Come with me now, f*** that guy

Ah Adam Levine, no other artist has ever sung two songs that were nominated at the same time. Although in all fairness, that may be because the radio doesn’t play that many Jason Derulo songs.

So, where do I start with these lyrics?

You know, I’m not even going to touch the whole calling a girl ‘nasty’ issue, and I’m not going to bring up the fact that women don’t want to be used, they want to be loved. I won’t delve into the tastelessness of using the F bomb in song lyrics. I’m just going to point out that your usage of the F word is inconsistent and therefore confusing. Is the term supposed to be a good thing (first usage) or a bad thing (second usage)? Because, yeah, those lyrics make absolutely no sense. Plus the first usage makes for a really bizarre visual image.

Okay blog readers, vote for the song that you think deserves the award the most! (And feel free to nominate other deserving songs.)

To see other years’ nominees you can check out these blogs:

2011 Enrique Award

2012 Enrique Award

2013 Enrique Award

2014 Enrique Award

When not to give up

There are many times and legitimate reasons why a writer stops writing. After I had twins, for example, I didn’t write a whole lot. Ditto for when I was pregnant and throwing up. My muse had traveled to happier places and I wished I could go with her.

But here’s when you shouldn’t give up–right after you get an editorial letter. At that point, you’ve done 2/3 of the work. (Or 1/2 of the work or 1/3, you know, depending on the manuscript.)

Not coincidentally, that’s the moment when you’re going to want to quit. I just got an email from a would-be author who received his first editorial letter, and he told me he’s decided to stick with advertising. I feel for him. I’ve quit my writing job half a dozen times. The problem is, there’s no place to actually turn in your resignation letter. And if you’ve signed a contract, you still have to do your edits even though in your mind you’ve sooo quit.

By the time your edits are done, you realize your book is actually better for going through that harrowing experience, and you already have ideas for your next book. So you do it all over again.

I was going to wrap up this post with some stirring motivational thought about not quitting, but as I reread it, all I can think is: wow, writers are sort of gluttons for punishment. I guess we are. But the byproduct can be a beautiful thing.

12 novels by 12 bestselling authors in 12 months

And if this venture was a calendar, I would by Miss September. In fact, I think I should call myself that for the entire year. 

Slayers 3 update

I get asked at least once a week, sometimes in person, and frequently by my mother, when the next Slayers book will be out. So I thought I’d make an official update.

The good news is that I’m on about page 300. I haven’t gotten anything written the last two weeks because I was doing edits for The Girl Who Heard Demons. (One of the beta readers requested the book end with a kiss, and she may have a valid point, so I may rewrite the ending scene tomorrow and then I’ll send it off to the copyeditor.)

Speaking of copyediting, I just got the copyedits for The Wrong Side of Magic and my publisher wants them by Friday, so that’s what I’ll be doing this week.

But then I’m going to go back to Slayers 3 and finish it. I have to, because I have to have How I Met Your Brother written and to an editor by June of 2016.

I’ve realized that Slayers 3 is going to be a very long book, because I’m not even to the climax scene yet .

And I still don’t know who Tori will end up with, so yeah, I’ve got to figure that out too. And maybe I’ve added another character that I shouldn’t have–because really, did the series need any more characters? No, no it didn’t, but (spoiler alert) maybe there’s another dragon lord around.

And I’ve got to do something with Senator Ethington, because I’ve mentioned him in the first two books. And you know, you can’t have a gun in act one unless it goes off by act three. The same could be said of corrupt Senators, right?

Sooo, that the update.

Oh, and did I mention that my son is getting married the beginning of Oct? Someone please send me some of their extra time . . .