Joyce Shaughnessy's Blog: Joyce Shaughnessy Writes, page 3

WRITERS EXPO ONLINE AUGUST 12 - 18

RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB - RRBC - is sponsoring their 3rd annual writers expo online on August 12 - 18th. 

There will be over 22 classes which you can download. You will have the opportunity to sign for as many classes as you wish. The nicest part is that you will only be charged for those classes you choose. The only charge for your "attendance" will be the accumulation of the individual charges for the classes you have signed up for.

We hope you will consider joining us in this great opportunity to learn more about the writing and publishing craft!

In order to register, go to this link:

https://rrbcwritersconferencebookexpo...

See you there!

WITH ANGEL'S WINGS by STEPHANIE A. COLLINS &...

WITH ANGEL'S WINGS by STEPHANIE A. COLLINS


     REMARKABLE BOOK!

This book is extremely well written. It has every element that makes a great novel. It makes the reader keep turning the pages and the emotions are described in such vivid detail that they can best be described as raw. I had to put the book down at times because it was so real. I especially ached for Hannah, her baby girl.
Laura’s children were born with genetic illnesses. The author described what happened in graphic, heartbreaking detail. The reader is left crying, angry, and sad. What more could one want from a book, except I sometimes felt like it was at the expense of the author and her family.
I am an editor as well as writer, and I honestly have not read any book as well written and edited as this one. In telling what is actually her own story in fictional, third party, the author doesn’t seem to hold back anything. That is one thing that made the book so remarkable.

I didn’t necessarily agree with every decision that Laura made, but that was okay. She is painted as flawed, hurt, and depressed. I look forward to any book written by Ms. Collins. She is an enormously gifted writer.

TOXIC MINDS by Gordon Bickerstaff

                                                         GREAT PAGE-TURNER
                                                         
Gordon Bickerstaff is a very talented writer who can intertwine sub-plots into one cohesive thriller. Toxic Minds includes extremists, family conflicts, university politics, lovers, fracking and somehow magically makes them into unified book.

Alexa is the mother of a troubled daughter who she has neglected because of her obsession with her work. A group of very dangerous people cruelly use the young girl in order to pressure her mother. Gavin Shawlens, a character in the author’s other books, is called in to help the daughter and to find out who has caused her great harm.
Although the author is unquestionably talented, I found as a writer and editor, that he needs to really work on point of view, especially deep point of view. If he could conquer his lack of understanding in this area, he would be nothing short of a truly great writer. That is the reason I am giving him four stars rather than five.

&...

                                                          INTO WINTER A GREAT READ


Into Winter is the third book in a series which relates the lives of several men and women who survive an America thrust into a dangerous world following the collapse of the grid. People are forced to survive any way they can. This book follows the third generation of families living in Peaceful Valley. Their parents and grandparents had built ways to survive, and taught the characters in this book everything they know. The main characters use the things they have been taught to contribute to the society existing in Peaceful Valley. But they are threatened by a gang in Corpus Christi led by Sandra Hawkins. She has managed to make citizens in Corpus Christi follow her autocratic lead. She’s dangerous and violent. She decides to wipe out the citizens of Peaceful Valley, but they are prepared for her and destroy her gang when it attacks them.The author moves into a discussion about how to build a democratic society and how to crush those who threaten them. The citizens struggle to form a democratic government in Corpus Christi and look to the future when they can begin to form one in the entire state. The author does this with great insight. This part of the book is wonderful because it reminds all of us how difficult it is to follow the balance between a democracy and a dictatorial society.
The author knows how to build characters and weaves them together in an interesting way. It is hard to put the book down. However, his use of phrases at the beginning of chapters, such as “In the meantime, in Corpus Christi …” and “Back in Peaceful Valley…” is distracting and shouldn’t be used. He also exhibits some difficulty with point of view. However, the writer is definitely a talented storyteller and leaves the reader wanting more.

STOP BY AND WIN A $10 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

GO TO:
               http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZlPeoN50mNU

(Trailer for A Healing Place)

         Leave a comment & your name will be in a drawing for $10 Amazon gift card
            and in the drawing for a fantastic grand prize!

RRBC HOLIDAY TRAIN BOOK TRAILER BLOCK PARTY!

Join us all month for chances to win daily as well as month prizes!

Radio Interview

Hi, I did a radio interview with Steve Jorgenson, Author Talk in August. Visit my website http://ahealingplace81680.wordpress.com to listen to the recording.

Books in the Basin

"Books in the Basin" will be held on Saturday, 10/6/12 in downtown Odessa from 1-4 pm. I will be signing both of my books. It benefits the Ector County Library! Hope you will stop by and say hello!

TV Interview

Hi! I will be interviewed by Krista Escamilla of CBS7 on her noon show 8/29/2012, re. "A Healing Place" and "Blessed Are the Merciful."!

Book Sale & Signing

Hi, I will be at Midland Downtown Farmers Market on Sept 15th from 9am to 1 pm selling both A Healing Place and Blessed Are the Merciful. Please come by and say hello!