Alison Kent's Blog, page 10
December 30, 2011
The one where I rant against bad advice
At the beginning of each year, I find myself wanting to take classes. Usually at the end of the previous year I've hit a slump and am desperate to find a way out – a way that's not just butt in the chair hands on the keyboard. Of course I know that's how it's done, but a part of me wants to latch onto new tips and tricks to make the hard easier. So I signed up for a class to help renew my interest in blogging. I've been blogging for ten years. I started blogging with Greymatter. The earliest post still remaining (since I have deleted a few that were dumb) is from September 12, 2002.
Problem is, I'm addicted to Twitter and Facebook which require much less thought. ;) My deep meaty thoughts go into my manuscripts, except for the ones I brood about and say to myself, "I should blog about that." I never do. I thought maybe a class would clear away my ennui and I could get this blog back to the level it once was, with lots of thoughtful (bwahahaha) content on reading and writing, no 'rithmetic.
Also, recipes. Dogs and cats living together! Geology and nursing!
First thing in this class, the instructor sends the group members to Twitter to talk amongst themselves instead of using the Yahoo loop.
Whaaa?!?!
Second thing in this class, this instructor, highly respected in the publishing industry, advises everyone to use WordPress.com for their blogs.
Whoa, nelly, says I to myself, again, because I don't want to get involved in a big row where I have to check back and respond to questions.
But those two items just floored me, me the person who's been an early adopter of all things social media. I actually deleted my first Twitter account because there was no one to talk to!
Now, I'm sure you're asking what's wrong with WordPress.com. Honestly, nothing – as long as you don't care if at some point in time you lose all your content. See, the blogs on WordPress.com are hosted by WordPress.com – not by the bloggers who are filling the blogs with their content. My blog is run by WordPress, yes, but it's hosted on a private server (which the husband and I own with our business partner) which means if my server ever goes down, or closes up shop, I'm not going to lose anything.
Scroll down to the section headed Holy !@&*$$!!!!!*&!@!(&^!&@^#*!%@$%!!*^@$ if you're thinking I'm off my rocker. Free isn't always free.
And about sending hungry newbies to Twitter to get to know each other? And without any instruction about how Twitter works? How is anyone sharing a class supposed to get to know the other members in bursts of 140 characters, 10 of which are taken by the class hashtag? ::shaking head:: I keep waiting for Twitter to totally crash.
Do you know I've actually heard authors say that doing nothing but broadcasting to Twitter with promotional tweets won't cause followers to leave. WRONG. I unfollow people often who do nothing but broadcast promotional tweets. Social media is about being social (as I've said SO many times) and that means interacting. You want to broadcast, fine, but don't expect anyone to listen if you're not engaging, too.
/rantover
Now I'm going back to bed to cough up more lung parts and do some reading and hope my soup and Mucinex and vitamin C kick in here soon. If they do, I'll type up a year end reading round-up post for tomorrow. See? I'm trying!
UPDATED TO ADD: The instructor ALSO told the class that everyone MUST use either TweetDeck or HootSuite for tweeting because it's what the professionals use. Gah. Self-proclaimed experts annoy me. Yes, this person may have a fantastic blog, and doing things her way obviously works beautifully for her, but everyone out there in social media land needs to find what works comfortably for them. Otherwise, there's no fun to be had, and there's a whole lot of WRONG going on.
December 29, 2011
Christmas week winners
December 28, 2011
Spinach Tortellini Soup
After too many days of too many rich foods, I wanted something simple for dinner last night. And last week, two separate recipes for spinach tortellini soup had arrived in my inbox within minutes of each other. One was in an author's newsletter, another in a daily recipe email I get from Fine Cooking. The latter was for a smaller pot, less of everything except garlic. The former added an onion which I knew I wanted, so I combined the two. It was very simple, not fancy at all, a thin brothy soup, but adding some fresh baked bread – and a couple of ham slices from Christmas to the husband's plate – made it a very filling meal. Here's my version of the two recipes.
2T butter
1 onion diced
8 garlic cloves minced
2 cans petite diced tomatoes with juice
8 cups chicken broth
2 cups fresh cheese tortellini
16 oz fresh spinach
parmesan cheese
Melt the butter in a Dutch oven and brown the onions, then quickly brown the garlic, 30 seconds or so. Pour in the tomatoes with their juice and the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add tortellini and cook until done per instructions. Turn off heat and drop in fresh spinach to wilt. Spoon up, top with shredded parmesan and nom!
December 24, 2011
Three days, Two books, One author, Zero dollars
I posted the below bit recently, but wanted to mention that until midnight on the 26th, both of these books are free for the Kindle. Just click the covers for the description page and the link to Amazon will be there! Merry Christmas!!
*****
In 1999 and 2000, I wrote two books for the Kensington Bouquet line of category novels. Both were the sort of small town contemporary romances that are so popular today, though both are old enough that my writing style has long since evolved. I've heard these books described as "wordy," LOL, which is true! But I love them still.
Anyhow, for the next three months, they're available for borrowing for the Kindle if you're an Amazon Prime member. During that time, they're not on sale for nook or other devices, but this is only temporary! With Amazon allowing authors to offer their self-published books to Prime members for borrowing, I couldn't not take advantage. And the books will be available for free to EVERYONE from December 24 – 26, 2011.
Click either cover to take you to the book's page, and the link for Prime member borrowing is there! We'll return to our regularly scheduled availability program soon!
December 23, 2011
The Sheik's Command by Loreth Anne White – a digital giveaway
Angel of mercy— or desert temptress?Aid worker Nikki Hunt only wanted to ask Sheik Zakir Al Arif for safe passage across his war-torn country. She never expected to be taken prisoner by the handsome, secretive sheik. Or to be attracted by the lust his dark stare set off in her—a lust as hot as the Sahara.
Desperate to thwart a coup, Zakir was forced to hold the beautiful stranger captive—though what he really wanted was to take her to his bed. In close quarters, Nikki and Zakir succumbed to their explosive desire—until an enemy within forced an act of betrayal that could tear them apart forever.…
To save a kingdom, they must conquer love.
Instead of doing my usual 12 Days of Christmas giveaways (because I'm almost out of my own print books, and I just can't deal right now with boxing and mailing things, lol), I'm going to spend this week giving away books by some of my good friends. The winner gets to read a fab book, the author gains new fans, and I get to play Santa.'
A win win for everyone!
More people need to read Loreth Anne White and that's all there is to it. We met several years ago through a business acquaintance, and since then we've discussed craft, the industry, work habits – you name it. Hardly a day goes by without one of us whining to the other. Usually it's me doing the whining. ;)
If you'd like a copy of THE SHEIK'S COMMAND for your Kindle or Nook (I can only gift from Amazon or Barnes & Noble), just leave a comment by the stroke of Christmas (12/25/2011 00:00 CST). I'll draw the winner next week!
December 22, 2011
Agony/Ecstasy by Anne Calhoun & HelenKay Dimon – a digital giveaway
All new stories of punishing extremes and unbearable pleasure…
With historical, contemporary, and futuristic backdrops, this outrageously diverse collection of original stories explores every conceivable variation of BDSM erotica-from knitting circles to the Titanic to a retelling of The Little Mermaid.
Instead of doing my usual 12 Days of Christmas giveaways (because I'm almost out of my own print books, and I just can't deal right now with boxing and mailing things, lol), I'm going to spend this week giving away books by some of my good friends. The winner gets to read a fab book, the author gains new fans, and I get to play Santa.'
A win win for everyone!
Yes, I know there is another cover image for this book, but I dislike it immensely so am only showing this one. ;) Also, I know there are many other authors involved in this project, but two of my dearest writing friends, HelenKay Dimon and Anne Calhoun, both have stories in this collection which have received rave reviews.
If you'd like a copy of the AGONY/ECSTASY anthology for your Kindle or Nook (I can only gift from Amazon or Barnes & Noble), just leave a comment by the stroke of Christmas (12/25/2011 00:00 CST). I'll draw the winner next week!
December 21, 2011
Hotshot by Jo Leigh – a digital giveaway!
Subject: Captain Luke "Solo" Carnes.Current Status: On temporary assignment.
Mission: Public recruitment and saving his ex's tail!
Obstacle: He wants much, much more than that…
Sara Weston, an Air Force Captain herself, needs a pilot for her recruitment program, and fast. And she's found the perfect candidate. Top gun pilot Luke Carnes is qualified, charismatic and available. Problem #1—he's ridiculously hot. Problem #2—he broke Sara's heart years ago…
But she'll be professional. Just as long as she's never close to him. Never under his gaze. And never in his bed.
Then again, never is a long, long time…
Instead of doing my usual 12 Days of Christmas giveaways (because I'm almost out of my own print books, and I just can't deal right now with boxing and mailing things, lol), I'm going to spend this week giving away books by some of my good friends. The winner gets to read a fab book, the author gains new fans, and I get to play Santa.'
A win win for everyone!
I've known Jo Leigh since the dawn of time, and have had the privilege of sharing a couple of Blaze miniseries with her, Do Not Disturb and Men To Do. I love her writing. LOVE it. She's so so talented.
If you'd like a copy of HOTSHOT for your Kindle or Nook (I can only gift from Amazon or Barnes & Noble), just leave a comment by the stroke of Christmas (12/25/2011 00:00 CST). I'll draw the winner next week!
December 20, 2011
Pretty Persuasion by Olivia Kingsley – a digital giveaway!
Young Lady Georgiana Montford is heartbroken and infuriated when she discovers her lifelong betrothed, Robert Balfour, in the arms of another woman. Severing their friendship, she vows to choose her own husband, a man who'll share her thirst for adventure. Yet, despite her attempts to forget him, Robert's place in her heart proves more unwavering than she could ever have imagined.After seven years on his Caribbean plantation, Robert returns to England a changed man. Weary of traveling and troubled by his past, he hopes to attain peace of mind through marriage and family. Though scarcely daunted at finding Georgie in love with another man, he soon learns that winning her hand—and heart—will take more powerful means of persuasion than expected.
Instead of doing my usual 12 Days of Christmas giveaways (because I'm almost out of my own print books, and I just can't deal right now with boxing and mailing things, lol), I'm going to spend this week giving away books by some of my good friends. The winner gets to read a fab book, the author gains new fans, and I get to play Santa.'
A win win for everyone!
I've known Olivia Kingsley ten years (I think!) and yet we've never met in person. We were in an online critique group together at one time, and I had the privilege of reading PRETTY PERSUASION. She's recently self-published it, and it was one of Julia Quinn's featured Monday Historical Romance recommendations!
If you'd like a copy (Kindle, ePub, PDF) of PRETTY PERSUASION, just leave a comment by the stroke of Christmas (12/25/2011 00:00 CST). I'll draw the winner next week!
December 19, 2011
Frosted Shadow by Nancy Warren – a Kindle giveaway!
There's nothing pretty about murder.Meet Toni Diamond, make up artist to middle America. She's also got a nose for trouble and a passion for solving mysteries. Imagine Columbo in a lavender suit. She never met a woman who wouldn't look better with a little help from the Lady Bianca line of cosmetics. But don't be fooled by appearances. Underneath the fake diamonds and the big hair is a sharp brain and a keen eye that sees the details as well as the funny side of life. When a Lady Bianca sales rep is murdered at the annual convention in Dallas, Toni is the one who notices things that some people, like sexy Detective Luke Marciano, might easily miss. Only someone who understands as much about how to make appearances deceiving could see into the mind of this killer — a murderer who wants to give Toni a permanent makeover. Into a dead woman.
Instead of doing my usual 12 Days of Christmas giveaways (because I'm almost out of my own print books, and I just can't deal right now with boxing and mailing things, lol), I'm going to spend this week giving away books by some of my good friends. The winner gets to read a fab book, the author gains new fans, and I get to play Santa.'
A win win for everyone!
I'm sure all of my visitor readers know Nancy Warren from her fabulous books for Harlequin. She and I shared two miniseries at Blaze, Do Not Disturb and For A Good Time Call. We also both wrote for Temptation, and Brava, so we've known each other for years. I'm so excited that she's doing some self-publishing while writing for Blaze.
If you'd like a Kindle copy of FROSTED SHADOW (it's a Kindle only giveaway on this one, sorry), just leave a comment by the stroke of Christmas (12/25/2011 00:00 CST).
I'll draw the winner next week!
December 10, 2011
Borrowing titles on Amazon
In 1999 and 2000, I wrote two books for the Kensington Bouquet line of category novels. Both were the sort of small town contemporary romances that are so popular today, though both are old enough that my writing style has long since evolved. I've heard these books described as "wordy," LOL, which is true! But I love them still.
Anyhow, for the next three months, they're available for borrowing for the Kindle if you're an Amazon Prime member. During that time, they're not on sale for nook or other devices, but this is only temporary! With Amazon allowing authors to offer their self-published books to Prime members for borrowing, I couldn't not take advantage. And the books will be available for free to EVERYONE from December 24 – 26, 2011.
Click either cover to take you to the book's page, and the link for Prime member borrowing is there! We'll return to our regularly scheduled availability program soon!
Alison Kent's Blog
- Alison Kent's profile
- 642 followers
