Frank L. Cole's Blog, page 3
February 11, 2013
Exhaustive Writing
I was told that once by my editor. Your writing can sometimes be exhausting. Ouch, right? Well, it was true. As a writer, we constantly try to find the most creative ways to say something. In many cases it works. Other times, it doesn't.
He plodded, sauntered, meandered, strolled, tip-toed, skipped, raced, cha-cha'd... You get my drift.
There are probably hundreds of ways to say "he walked" or "he moved". Sometimes readers will get lost in trying to determine what we're attempting to write in our books. I'm not saying using those words above are bad (well maybe cha-cha'd. Actually, I love that and now I'm going to trademark it for myself) but you have to find a balance between moving the story along and working in your writing style. If the word needs to be there, don't take it away, but think about the word before you include it. My sister told me she always imagines someone whistling a joyful tune while they walk whenever she sees the word stroll. Is that the image you want to create in a reader's mind. If so, awesome. If not... maybe walking isn't so bad.
On a side note... How does one meander? I'm curious. Can it help you lose weight?
Now some self-promotion..
I have 3 more "Blog Tours" coming up.
I need some reviewers and I need some help building up to my release of my 4th and most likely final Hashbrown Winters tale. If you have a blog, or a Facebook account, or you frequent goodreads, or any thing like that, I'd appreciate a "shout out". Tell your friends. These books are inexpensive ways to make your kids laugh with good clean (semi-potty) humor and stories that teach about the value of friendship. Ah, I just got all gushy. Go to my publisher's website HERE -
http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/blog-tour-hashbrown-winters-and-the-mashimoto-madness-book-2/
And sign up. Or just send me an e-mail or a facebook message or anything like that, to let me know you're interested. I'd be forever indebted!
He plodded, sauntered, meandered, strolled, tip-toed, skipped, raced, cha-cha'd... You get my drift.
There are probably hundreds of ways to say "he walked" or "he moved". Sometimes readers will get lost in trying to determine what we're attempting to write in our books. I'm not saying using those words above are bad (well maybe cha-cha'd. Actually, I love that and now I'm going to trademark it for myself) but you have to find a balance between moving the story along and working in your writing style. If the word needs to be there, don't take it away, but think about the word before you include it. My sister told me she always imagines someone whistling a joyful tune while they walk whenever she sees the word stroll. Is that the image you want to create in a reader's mind. If so, awesome. If not... maybe walking isn't so bad.
On a side note... How does one meander? I'm curious. Can it help you lose weight?
Now some self-promotion..
I have 3 more "Blog Tours" coming up.
I need some reviewers and I need some help building up to my release of my 4th and most likely final Hashbrown Winters tale. If you have a blog, or a Facebook account, or you frequent goodreads, or any thing like that, I'd appreciate a "shout out". Tell your friends. These books are inexpensive ways to make your kids laugh with good clean (semi-potty) humor and stories that teach about the value of friendship. Ah, I just got all gushy. Go to my publisher's website HERE -
http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/blog-tour-hashbrown-winters-and-the-mashimoto-madness-book-2/
And sign up. Or just send me an e-mail or a facebook message or anything like that, to let me know you're interested. I'd be forever indebted!
January 31, 2013
How do you Spell High Ate Us?
I've been missing. Lost in a mountain of snow and no one came looking. Sad. I learned how to survive by adapting to the Yeti. Oh they're out there all right and I've been accepted into their clan. They let me return to my normal life as long as I promised to pay a tribute to them once a year. Which reminds me. Does anyone know where I can score a satchel of dung beetles and an 8-track tape of Air Supply's greatest hits? Anyone?
I'm trying to resurrect my writing/marketing career. I've been on a bit of hiatus, which can be a fun word if you break it up and happen to know anyone named Atus.
"Hi Atus! Where have you been?" ..... That's all I got.
Ah, the joy is endless.
But seriously, there are so many ways to connect with people now-a-days. E-mail, cell phone, Facebook, twitter, blogging, Pinterest (whatever that is.) I bet people who enjoy voodoo love Pinterest.
My problem is I have a short attention span and my memory is awful unless we're playing the game 7-degrees of Kevin Bacon in which I rule the world. I also worry about bothering people. I don't want to be that guy that's always saying "Hey, look at me! I did something and I want you to love me for it."However, I know of no other way to get the word out about my books.
So let's try this. First, I will offer a Writing tip. I tried this before. Long before. Failed. But I'm all about second chances. And then, if I happen to have an announcement or something along those lines, I will add it at the end. These tips will vary in length and have no logical order to how I give them. For instance, this first one is short.
A Tip for Polishing up Your Manuscript - Open a separate word document or an excel spreadsheet (might be better) and cut and paste the first and last sentences of each chapter next to the chapter heading or number.
For example:
Chapter 1 - Boogies - Opening sentence - Connor loved his nostrils. Closing sentence - Which made him the last of the "picking" order.
Do this for every chapter and line them down the screen so you can see them all without too much effort.
Pretty simple right?
Now, take a look at each of your beginning and ending sentences and ask yourself a few questions. How often do you begin or end a chapter with dialogue? How often do you begin or end your chapter with a question? Do you start too many chapters off with pronouns? (i.e. Chapter 2 - He ran headfirst into a dumpster, Chapter 3 - His head was still spinning, Chapter 4 - He noticed a strange odor coming from his forehead, etc. etc.) Do you transition well to the next chapter, or does it just stop short and pick up on the next page with a different chapter heading? Do you see a pattern developing with how you end and begin chapters? Maybe you answered yes to some or all of these and you like it. Well, that's fine, but chapter transitioning is an important element of polishing your story and you should definitely develop a system for double-checking how you do it.
That's my tip and here's my announcement.
To gear up for the release of Hashbrown Winters and the Whiz-tastrophe, we’re doing a blog tour starting next week, February 4th-17th for the 1st Hashbrown Winters Adventure. I need bloggers! This book came out almost 3 years ago and I’m willing to bet there are a lot of you who haven’t read it with your kids yet. So… go to my publisher’s website and sign up for a slot. HERE - http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/events/author-tours/
It’s free and it supports a good cause. Me. And people will look at your blog too. So it supports you! Also, if you're a writer (published or soon-to-be published) I'll return the favor down the road.
Then e-mail me or something to let me know. These are great reads for your kids, but if you have the ability to let yourself travel back in time to elementary school, you might find them enjoyable as well.
We’ll then do:o Book 2, Hashbrown Winters and the Mashimoto Madness from Feb. 18th-Mar 4tho Book 3, Hashbrown Winters and the Phantom of Pordunce from Mar 5th-Mar 17tho And then finally the newest adventure, Hashbrown Winters and the Whiz-tastrophe from Mar 18th-Apr 9th
I'm trying to resurrect my writing/marketing career. I've been on a bit of hiatus, which can be a fun word if you break it up and happen to know anyone named Atus.
"Hi Atus! Where have you been?" ..... That's all I got.
Ah, the joy is endless.
But seriously, there are so many ways to connect with people now-a-days. E-mail, cell phone, Facebook, twitter, blogging, Pinterest (whatever that is.) I bet people who enjoy voodoo love Pinterest.
My problem is I have a short attention span and my memory is awful unless we're playing the game 7-degrees of Kevin Bacon in which I rule the world. I also worry about bothering people. I don't want to be that guy that's always saying "Hey, look at me! I did something and I want you to love me for it."However, I know of no other way to get the word out about my books.
So let's try this. First, I will offer a Writing tip. I tried this before. Long before. Failed. But I'm all about second chances. And then, if I happen to have an announcement or something along those lines, I will add it at the end. These tips will vary in length and have no logical order to how I give them. For instance, this first one is short.
A Tip for Polishing up Your Manuscript - Open a separate word document or an excel spreadsheet (might be better) and cut and paste the first and last sentences of each chapter next to the chapter heading or number.
For example:
Chapter 1 - Boogies - Opening sentence - Connor loved his nostrils. Closing sentence - Which made him the last of the "picking" order.
Do this for every chapter and line them down the screen so you can see them all without too much effort.
Pretty simple right?
Now, take a look at each of your beginning and ending sentences and ask yourself a few questions. How often do you begin or end a chapter with dialogue? How often do you begin or end your chapter with a question? Do you start too many chapters off with pronouns? (i.e. Chapter 2 - He ran headfirst into a dumpster, Chapter 3 - His head was still spinning, Chapter 4 - He noticed a strange odor coming from his forehead, etc. etc.) Do you transition well to the next chapter, or does it just stop short and pick up on the next page with a different chapter heading? Do you see a pattern developing with how you end and begin chapters? Maybe you answered yes to some or all of these and you like it. Well, that's fine, but chapter transitioning is an important element of polishing your story and you should definitely develop a system for double-checking how you do it.
That's my tip and here's my announcement.
To gear up for the release of Hashbrown Winters and the Whiz-tastrophe, we’re doing a blog tour starting next week, February 4th-17th for the 1st Hashbrown Winters Adventure. I need bloggers! This book came out almost 3 years ago and I’m willing to bet there are a lot of you who haven’t read it with your kids yet. So… go to my publisher’s website and sign up for a slot. HERE - http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/events/author-tours/
It’s free and it supports a good cause. Me. And people will look at your blog too. So it supports you! Also, if you're a writer (published or soon-to-be published) I'll return the favor down the road.
Then e-mail me or something to let me know. These are great reads for your kids, but if you have the ability to let yourself travel back in time to elementary school, you might find them enjoyable as well.
We’ll then do:o Book 2, Hashbrown Winters and the Mashimoto Madness from Feb. 18th-Mar 4tho Book 3, Hashbrown Winters and the Phantom of Pordunce from Mar 5th-Mar 17tho And then finally the newest adventure, Hashbrown Winters and the Whiz-tastrophe from Mar 18th-Apr 9th
November 12, 2012
Hashbrown Winters and the Whiz-tastrophe COVER REVEAL!!!
I'm very excited to reveal the cover for my next Hashbrown Winters adventure (4th in the series and 6th published book overall), Hashbrown Winters and the Whiz-tastrophe!
And... you can beat the rush by pre-ordering your copy today.
Just click HERE and I guarantee you'll live a longer, fuller life.
And... you can beat the rush by pre-ordering your copy today.
Just click HERE and I guarantee you'll live a longer, fuller life.
November 5, 2012
Horrible Hypochondria!!!
I feel horrible. I haven't written anything on this blog for more than a month and a half. Life's been busy, I'm under the gun (writing deadline that is) and I get panicky where I start to wheeze and think up all sorts of weird ailments. For example: My pinkie in my left hand hurts really bad when I twist it counterclockwise. This could be the beginning of the end.
Hypochondria is the real deal. I'll watch a show and if some character happens to have a sickness, after a little while, I start to suffer from similar symptoms. It's not too bad though. I don't get Lyme disease, or go blind, or suddenly have the urge to eat brains, but I do get weird moles, gout, kidney flare-ups, and my vision becomes blurry sometimes when I'm staring at my computer screen. You know when people say they have a ringing in their ears? I've experienced that too! I don't know what the heck that is. Weird.
I recently went to the doctor and bombarded the poor chap with all my problems. I don't think they like it when you blindside them that way. You know what I'm talking about. You make your co-pay, tell the receptionist you just need a refill on your standard meds, and when the doctor strolls in all smiley and ready to stethoscopify you, blamo! You pull out the handwritten paper (scribbled on both sides so you won't forget a single sniffle) and two hours later with more used tongue depressors and cotton swabs than a Junior High school science project, your doctor has to go on administrative leave while you stroll out of the office ready to purchase your burial plot. It's a big mess.
Perhaps, this is my way of making excuses for not blogging.
Nah, that's not it.
In other news, the third and final Guardians book is beyond the half-way point. *wheeze* I have about a month to finish the other half. *Is that a polyp!*
The Guardians of the Finisher's Fury
It has a nice ring to it don't you think?
Also, Hashbrown Winters and the Whiz-tastrophe should have a cover very soon. I will reveal it to the world as soon as I find out. Don't forget, the fourth book in my Hashbrown series releases April 2013. Ah, I can't feel my legs. How lovely.
That is all. I must go and dab my moles with antibiotic ointment.
Adieu.
Hypochondria is the real deal. I'll watch a show and if some character happens to have a sickness, after a little while, I start to suffer from similar symptoms. It's not too bad though. I don't get Lyme disease, or go blind, or suddenly have the urge to eat brains, but I do get weird moles, gout, kidney flare-ups, and my vision becomes blurry sometimes when I'm staring at my computer screen. You know when people say they have a ringing in their ears? I've experienced that too! I don't know what the heck that is. Weird.
I recently went to the doctor and bombarded the poor chap with all my problems. I don't think they like it when you blindside them that way. You know what I'm talking about. You make your co-pay, tell the receptionist you just need a refill on your standard meds, and when the doctor strolls in all smiley and ready to stethoscopify you, blamo! You pull out the handwritten paper (scribbled on both sides so you won't forget a single sniffle) and two hours later with more used tongue depressors and cotton swabs than a Junior High school science project, your doctor has to go on administrative leave while you stroll out of the office ready to purchase your burial plot. It's a big mess.
Perhaps, this is my way of making excuses for not blogging.
Nah, that's not it.
In other news, the third and final Guardians book is beyond the half-way point. *wheeze* I have about a month to finish the other half. *Is that a polyp!*
The Guardians of the Finisher's Fury
It has a nice ring to it don't you think?
Also, Hashbrown Winters and the Whiz-tastrophe should have a cover very soon. I will reveal it to the world as soon as I find out. Don't forget, the fourth book in my Hashbrown series releases April 2013. Ah, I can't feel my legs. How lovely.
That is all. I must go and dab my moles with antibiotic ointment.
Adieu.
September 22, 2012
Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado Review
I was fortunate enough to read B.K. Bostick's next offering in the Huber Hill middle grade series, Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado.Bostick has me hooked! The masked Brotherhood added a definite creepiness to the book and there were plenty of surprise twists throughout. I loved the locations in Spain. It reminded me of the first installment of the 39 Clues. Once again, Scott's humorous antics and frequent failed attempts to impress Hannah had me literally snorting. I can't wait for the third!
Bostick really has a great handle on writing for middle grade readers. He mixes hilarious scenes right in time with creepy ones to make it work. Plus, the guy is crazy funny in real life.
Check out his book trailer made with Legos:
And if you need to read the first, here's a little intrigue...
September 21, 2012
Authorpalooza! Fall 2012
I know I haven't given you much time, but I feel confident you could free up some time to come hang out.
I’m kicking off the fall with Authorpalooza! This Saturday (tomorrow) September 22nd starting at 4 pm until 8, I think. It will be at the Orem Barnes and Noble (330 E. 1300 S. Orem, UT) And check out that link! I’m like the second name mentioned on the whole huge list! You have to swing by and make it look like I’m a big time popular author. That how these things work.
Ann Dee Ellis, Aprilynne Pike, Berin Stephens, Carol Lynch Williams, Dave Farland, Emily Wing Smith, Frank Cole, GG Vandagriff, Jessica Day George, Kristen Chandler, Kristen Landon, Lisa Mangum, Mckensie Wagner, Mettie Ivie Harrison, Nathan Hale, Nichole Giles, Rachael Anderson, Scott Savage, Shawn Bucher, Sheralyn Pratt, Terri Ferran, Elana Johnson, Stacie Henrie, Eric Patten
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.c...
September 16, 2012
Ice Ice Baby
Man, I know I hardly blog anymore and when I do, I'm usually posting videos. Well, this one's no different. But, I do think the creative juices from making videos can help boost your writing ability. Maybe I don't really think that. In any case, here's the latest family/friend video offering. 
August 15, 2012
WriteOnCon Recap
Yakity Yak! It's been like a month and change since I've been on here. Busy with life I guess. Well let me just tell you about this... thing called WriteOnCon. A few months ago I received an e-mail from Elana Johnson about the possibility of me participating in this online writing conference. First things first... Elana Johnson! She's this amazingly brilliant author who wrote Possession and Surrender and she's contacting me to join this conference. Of course, I said yes, but then I kinda spaced it for awhile. You know how I can get. All of sudden, the conference loomed in the near future and I needed to get a'crackin' on my presentation. So, I go to the WriteOnCon website to check it out. Holy Shmokes, y'all! This is big. Huge! If you haven't clicked on the link... click on it and check it out. Here, I've made it even easier for you. HERE. There are so many rock star authors, agents, editors, etc. hanging at this online conference. People I idolize. People I want to work with. People I want to read my stuff. All carefully packaged on one website. And then there's me sharing a few tidly-bits of knowledge. Needless to say, this was probably one of the greatest events I've ever been associated with. Hands down. I learned so much just by browsing and submitting and clicking on video links. I immediately put what I learned to use and I feel like a better writer. If you're interested in entering the publishing world I seriously suggest you become a follower of WriteOnCon and when the next conference rolls around, you sign-up for it.
Here's the link to my video presentation (they call them vlogs and I guess so does the rest of the known universe.) You may have to sign up to view it, but it's totally free and worth your time. (Well, maybe not my video, but the rest of the site definitely is!)
Building Characters Into Real People
Here's the link to my video presentation (they call them vlogs and I guess so does the rest of the known universe.) You may have to sign up to view it, but it's totally free and worth your time. (Well, maybe not my video, but the rest of the site definitely is!)
Building Characters Into Real People
July 2, 2012
A Rare Treat
First off, let me spread the joy and thankfulness for your help! The Guardians of Elijah's Fire has been officially nominated for a Whitney Award! Kablam! But now it has to go through a rigorous process and hopefully will become a finalist. What happens if I win? They give me... a billion dollars. I know. A billion. I'll probably share some of it.
So, not really a billion, but it's probably a pretty cool award and I owe it to all my lovely friends and fans for working together to get me in the running for it. Dankashoon.
Now for the treat. It's no Oreo Fudge Shake from Arctic Circle (still digesting one as we speak), but it tiptoes on the border. This is a music video my family and friends created last weekend while camping and having fun. I chuckle every time I see it and the song just gets my toe a tappin.
Please watch it over and over and share it with all your friends. Maybe it will go viral and I'll make a billion dollars this way.
So, not really a billion, but it's probably a pretty cool award and I owe it to all my lovely friends and fans for working together to get me in the running for it. Dankashoon.
Now for the treat. It's no Oreo Fudge Shake from Arctic Circle (still digesting one as we speak), but it tiptoes on the border. This is a music video my family and friends created last weekend while camping and having fun. I chuckle every time I see it and the song just gets my toe a tappin.
Please watch it over and over and share it with all your friends. Maybe it will go viral and I'll make a billion dollars this way.
June 27, 2012
Whitney Nomination
This is just a quick post, but I wanted to get the juices flowing. There's this award that I'd love to be nominated for (and win, of course), but I can't do it without your help. They're called the Whitney Awards and if I could get your support, who knows? Maybe I could be a winner someday.
Here's the link. Just click on it and fill out the nominee form.
http://whitneyawards.com/wordpress/nominate/
You just need to add this information in the message box and hit "send".
The title of the book you are nominating - In this case it would be "The Guardians of Elijah's Fire"Author of the book you are nominating - In this case it would be me "Frank L. Cole"Your city and state - ummm... yeah.
Here's the link. Just click on it and fill out the nominee form.
http://whitneyawards.com/wordpress/nominate/
You just need to add this information in the message box and hit "send".
The title of the book you are nominating - In this case it would be "The Guardians of Elijah's Fire"Author of the book you are nominating - In this case it would be me "Frank L. Cole"Your city and state - ummm... yeah.
