Lisa Vandiver's Blog, page 19

Write What You Know

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Write What You Know. When I was a new writer starting out, this bothered me quite a lot. However, as I continued growing as an Author, the idea became more clear to me. I know about love, loss,  struggles, victory,  defeats,  and many other experiences. From these experiences, I can utilize the knowledge in my fiction stories.

A part of me, my experiences from certain events in my life play a role in how certain characters are created; their tastes, their styles, etc… And that’s okay because I think it connects the author to the characters and their stories on a deeper level. As a result, the reader will feel the connection while experiencing the story.

Above all,  I listen to the voices of the characters while I write. This is where the Romantic  Suspense, Fantasy, Horror, and YA stories that I enjoy reading, and yes, writing are birthed.  I’d love it if you checked some of my stories out.  You just might find something you like.

I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on this subject.

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Josie’s Thorn

[image error]Romantic Suspense Cover by Rick Green

Josie’s Thorn is my Romantic Suspense story. It is a stand alone book although I’m working on a story that has evolved from this one. Here is Josie’s introduction:

Josephina McCrea returns to her Utah family ranch after her parents are killed in a plane crash and her brother injured in a mountain climbing accident, leaving him in a coma.

Upon arriving at the ranch, she is met with adversity in the form of sabotage, possible financial distress, and customers wanting to end their contracts because she’s now in charge.

She finds an ally in Jacob Rainthorn, her former teenage lover, but as the mystery develops, so does their passion for one another. Can they find love together once again or will the secrets they each hold from the other cause, even more, pain than they are able to handle?

Is Jacob Rainthorn to be her destined lover, or forever a thorn in her heart?

Find out in this mystery romance that is filled with suspense, drama, danger, and passion for the reader who loves all of these beautiful things wrapped up in one energetic and enticing novel.

I enjoyed writing Josie’s Thorn because it involved some of my favorite things; horses, ranchers, and cowboys.:) The location of the story are in Utah, near the Ute tribal reservation.

Amazon

Imagination

[image error]Imagination. It’s a wondrous thing. We utilize this powerful tool that our brain created every day whether we realize it or not. When we watch movies, read a book,  look at art, or listen to a song, we use our imagination to get lost in the story. As storytellers in the form of Authors,  Artists, Musicians, or Movie Makers, we certainly use our imagination to create the perfect experience for the reader/music lover/movie goer/art lovers. Without it, no story would exist. And would our world not be boring without this amazing tool? Would our world not be dull without all of the fantastic ways to entertain ourselves?

There are many ways other than the ones I mentioned that we can be entertained; so many that I cannot list them all. As a person who enjoys these things, I say thank you for your skill. I say to those who benefit from the work of those entertaining, the next time you enjoy a form of entertainment, be a book, movie, artwork, video game, or another form of entertainment not mentioned, think of the hard work that the creator put into it. Realize this person reached deep into their imagination and pulled out the best parts-simply to entertain you. And be thankful for their minds.

Imagination isn’t just for entertainment. Think about all the brilliant minds that have created things that have made our lives easier to live in this modern world.

To the creators, who use their imaginations every day, I say to you. Thank you. And please continue to stretch your minds, and use your imagination.

To anyone who has a story in their imagination but hasn’t released it yet. Do it. Let that story out in whatever form of entertainment you wish. The world is waiting for the joy of what you have to offer. Don’t be afraid, do what you have to do to set your imagination FREE.

 

 

The Where She Belongs Series

Justina Lindsey must find her way alone after the woman who took her in is murdered. She soon finds herself involved with a bad boy who has ties with the mafia, but when a handsome attorney enters her life, she is challenged on matters of her heart. The secrets she has start weighing heavily upon her.

This story is a two book series and my first book completed as an author. As I wrote this story, I fell in love with the characters, and my hope is that my readers will as well. You can check out the series at Amazon. The first book in this series is FREE.

Regarding Writing

[image error]Don’t be afraid of the Zombies of Writing. Use your brain and become the writer you want to be.

I have often experienced ‘Writer’s Block.’ Many say there is no such thing while others like myself, are human, and will willingly admit there is such a thing that exists.

What causes Writer’s Block? In my opinion, many things can cause it; fatigue, distractions, or perhaps, you’re just not feeling it for the art on a particular day. While others may see it as a distressful situation, I’ve decided to embrace those moments as rare moments to rest, relax, and enjoy my life outside of the writing world. I have discovered that by putting the writing away and involving myself in another activity helps to revive my brain as well as my spirit. When I return, perhaps a day later, or sometimes, days later, I experience a fresh breath with the project.

I only listed a few things that I think can cause Writer’s Block, but I’d be curious to find what you think on the subject, and if you have any suggestions to help with it.

In the meantime, I’d like for you to enjoy a piece written by my friend and fellow Author, Linda L. Barton. She wrote this article for the Deadly Reads website. I hope you’ll take a look at it as I think you’ll enjoy it. Until next time, here’s something quirky I came up to either bore you or make you laugh.

Vince Guaglione on Deadly Reads Podcast

I am co-host of Deadly Reads Podcast. We interview anyone involved in the entertainment industry from book writing to movie making. This includes all of the things in between those two worlds, such as blogging, author services, producers, directors, actors, script writers, and any other work, so long as it involves the book publishing world and the movie and television industries. So, if you’re involved with entertainment in any way, we at Deadly Reads would love to interview you. You may contact me at lisavandiver@deadlyreads.com or deadlyreadsradio@deadlyreads.com

We had a moving show with Vince Guaglione. He is a guy who asks lots of questions, not only of himself but also of his society and the world around him. Although he claims he’s found no real answers, that hasn’t stopped him in his quest to gain perspective on a little something we call life. The untimely passing of his significant other in early 2012 set him on a two-year journey of grieving and coping; one littered with many unexpected emotional roadblocks. As someone who enjoyed writing and keeping a journal in his formative years, he decided to dust off the old notebooks and re-engage in the practice of journal writing in order to help collect his thoughts and cope with his loss.

As he worked through the process, he decided to self-publish his journal entries in compilations. Thus was born The Narratives series of books.

With decades of journal writing under his belt, he compiled his knowledge of the practice in a short work, titled “From Thoughts To Written Words: Learn To Journal From The Soul.” This handy reference guide dives into the world of journal writing and provides insight and guidance for anyone who wants to learn how to journal.

To see Vince’s full bio, you may visit his website and to take a look at his books, please visit his Amazon page.

You can catch Vince’s show with us by going to our YouTube Channel.

Peculiar Green Guests

I just really liked this poem. It reminded me of my late Cousin, Rick. He once told me many years ago, that back behind our grandpa’s farm, he saw little green men scurrying about. Most people thought he had lost his mind or attempted a great story, but I had always believed him, and still, do to this day. Good Job, Frank Solanki

Frank Solanki

I flashed a light in the sky

With a small mirror in my hand

And beheld with my naked eye

A UFO dropped down on land

And out came two green creatures

With a tail each and eyes a-poppin’

A thousand other eerie features

The aliens had come a-droppin’

I looked up at the sky again

For I found it quite hard to digest

“Why can’t He throw down snow or rain

Instead of peculiar green guests?”

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Deadly Reads Radio Is Back

As Coordinating Producer of Deadly Reads Radio Podcast on YouTube, I am proud to announce that we’re back. Our setup of the show is different though. Instead of being on the radio, we have decided to do podcasts, and then put them on our YouTube channel.

You may go there and listen to all of our shows and meet our wonderful guests from book authors to movie directors, and all in between those two titles in the entertainment industry, including musicians.

Side note* If you are in the entertainment business in any form or fashion, publishers, editors, formatters, camera operator, talent agent, script writer, and set design, and many other things I know I did not mention, we want to interview you. If you’re interested, you may contact me at deadlyreadsradio@deadlyreads.com or lisavandiver@deadlyreads.com

Last week was our comeback show, and we began with a bang by having one of our favorite people on our show. Mr. Mike Pettit.

[image error]Bestselling Indie Author Mike Pettit returns to Deadly Reads Radio for an evening of informative and lively conversation. We are always thrilled when Mike drops by for a visit on Deadly Reads Radio.  He is a wealth of information about the Indie Publishing World with his tips on branding and marketing.

Mike is also a Bestselling Author of over 30 exciting action-packed crime novels, as well as books in the western genre and true life stories.

 

2017 Total Eclipse

 

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What an exciting day it was for us. I enjoyed teaching my daughter about the eclipse and how it worked. Seeing her bright eyes as she viewed the day, pleased me.

Watching the videos of the eclipse from various sources was also a fun thing, and it was evident, as I watched, it certainly was something to get excited about.

We were not plunged into total darkness as we were not directly in the totality zone, but we did experience a hazy, dim hour similar to the time right before dusk. At least that was my take on it.

I’d love to hear about all of your experiences and even some photos. If you send the pictures, I’ll gladly share here with credit going to you.

If you missed the 2017 eclipse, don’t worry, it’ll be back in seven years, so you’ve got time to prepare, or you can catch this year’s eclipse on YouTube from various channels.

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An Escape From Reality

An Escape from Reality, simply put, is my attempt to entertain you while I introduce you to my works of fiction.

I believe that the title says it all, Escape From Reality; From time to time, isn’t it nice to just lose ourselves in an interesting movie, television series, or book? Isn’t that what entertainment is all about for the one desiring to be entertained? I think so.

So, come in, sit back, kick your shoes off, and relax with a refreshing cold or hot drink of your choice, while you explore the adventures inside my imagination.