Ronda J. Del Boccio's Blog: Writing is pure Bliss, page 38
December 5, 2014
16 Rules for Fiction Writing from Kurt Vonnegut
Send to KindleWhat does Kurt Vonnegut say about writing fiction? Here are 16 quotes revealing his rules, (see original source).:
1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.
2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.
3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.
4. Every sentence must do one of two things — reveal character or advance the action.
5. Start as close to the end as possible.
6. Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them — in order that the reader may see what they are made of.
7. Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.
8. Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To heck with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.
9. Find a subject you care about and which you in your heart feel others should care about.
10. Do not ramble.
11. Keep it simple. Simplicity of language is not only reputable, but perhaps even sacred.
12. Have guts to cut. Your rule might be this: If a sentence, no matter how excellent, does not illuminate your subject in some new and useful way, scratch it out.
13. Sound like yourself. The writing style which is most natural for you is bound to echo the speech you heard when a child.
14. Say what you mean. You should avoid Picasso-style or jazz-style writing, if you have something worth saying and wish to be understood.
15. Pity the readers. Our stylistic options as writers are neither numerous nor glamorous, since our readers are bound to be such imperfect artists.
16. You choose. The most meaningful aspect of our styles, which is what we choose to write about, is utterly unlimited.
Sources: Bagombo Snuff Box: Uncollected Short and Palm Sunday by Kurt Vonnegut Thanks to John Kremer for this cool graphic.
Which of these Kurt Vonnegut quotes speaks to or helps you ?
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December 3, 2014
Join a Thunderclap Book Launch for Romance Novel Beyond the Moon
Send to KindleLovers of deeper #romance books – Beyond the Moon is the story of 2 broken people; will they love again?Please do the following (takes less than 30 seconds!) to help spread the word.
1. CLICK THE LINK http://thndr.it/1zdMPeU
2. Read the quick instructions.
3. See the BIG red buttons? CLICK "support with FACEBOOK" &/or "Support with TWITTER" &/or "Support with TUMBLR"
4. Get a free sample for your Kindle device or free app, or buy the book using the link you'll see on the Thunderclap page.
We only need 100 to participate for this fun campaign to succeed.
That's it! You're supporting the work of +Velda Brotherton , a romance author with a storied career & spreading the word about a great romance. #BookLaunch #bookmarketing
Thunderclap: Beyond the Moon Romance Launch
Beyond the Moon Romance Launch. Can a broken Vietnam vet & a widow reach beyond the pain to love? Read Beyond the Moon, a Velda Brotherton #romance http://thndr.it/1vhddp0. We will post this message on your feed along with other supporters on. December 06 at 1:00PM CST.
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How can you use Google Hangouts to build your author platform?
Send to Kindle+Denise Wakeman shares these valuable insights. I will absolutely he paying close attention.
Reshared post from +Denise Wakeman
Authors, are you using live video to connect with your readers?Here's my contribution to Write Non-Fiction in November hosted by +Nina Amir
If you're using Hangouts on Air to connect with readers and sell you books, let me know. I'd love to see what you're up to!
Use Hangouts On Air to Grow Your Author Platform
Google Hangouts on Air are a great way to grow your author platform, because they are a fast way to get seen, build trust and connect with your readers.
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Can you earn money with social media and blogging?
Send to KindleCheck out these tips and see if you feel this would be something you could do. #socialmedia
Reshared post from +Peg Fitzpatrick
How people are making money with blogging and social media. From #blogherproBrands also look at your social graph. (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest)
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December 2, 2014
Book Review: Show Dog Sings the Blues by Devin O’ Branagan
Send to KindleShow Dog Sings the Blues is a tail…tale of mistaken identity that’s gone to the dogs.
Here is the description from Amazon:
In an unfortunate case of mistaken identity, pampered show dog Talisman is switched with a cowdog and has to work on a ranch for the day. By the time her harrowing adventure is over, she is in desperate need of a massage, a session with her Reiki Master, a consultation with the pet psychic, a full grooming, and a pedicure. However, along the way she learns powerful lessons—including the discovery that she’s so much more than just another pretty face. Hilarious and touching, a tale for dog lovers everywhere! This short novella is a spinoff from the chick-lit novel “Red Hot Liberty” and is told from the dog’s perspective. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Australian Shepherd Rescue: www.AussieRescue.org – Learn more about this book at www.CanineChickLit.com
While I have not read the novel from which this novella is a spin-off, I am an animal lover, and I’ve read a few of Devin O’ Branagan‘s other books.
This book is definitely more than a puff tale about a pampered dog who gets to experience a whole new life. Talisman faces unexpected dangers and experiences character development.
Based on Real People – with Fur
The two featured canines are based upon 2 of the author’s former dogs. She shares their story and a link to pictures of them as well as those of other critters who feature prominently in her novels.
It gives a chance for readers to learn something new about their favorite characters. It also gives you a chance to build a stronger reader base and sell more books.
If you’re an author, consider how you could adapt this for your work. Maybe you don’t have dog or cat bases for your heroes, but you might have interesting places, works of art, songs, or similar. It’s easy enough to make a page for them.
Critters are Characters Too
Even an anthropomorphized dog is a character, and the reader needs he hero to change. If your book features a dog or an alien or other non-human, that person still needs to have a road of trials.
This means that even if your character isn’t human, she or he needs to grow, face challenges, or otherwise learn something. It’s part of all stories, including the movies.
Spin Spin Spin-Off
Writing a novella that relates to a novel is brilliant. What a great idea for any fiction author. Show Dog Sings the Blues is a spin-off of the Red Hot series, which you can find at RedHotNovela.com.
O’Branagan wisely includes that link at the back of the book. The link takes you to a link on her main website, DevinWrites.com.
Multi Genre Authors
As a multi-genre author, O’Branagan has pages on her site relevant to each. This makes it easy to funnel the right readers to the appropriate series.
Keep this in mind for your own work if you, as do she and I, write a variety of stories.
Order the book:
You can read my 5-star review of Show Dog Sings the Blues on Amazon.
Order Show Dog Sings the Blues from Amazon.
And as Maddie the ranch dog would say,
Morde diem, which means “Bite the Day.”
Each Tuesday, read a book review on WriteOnPUrpose.com. I delve deeper in these than I do for what I post on Amazon
Focusing on what makes a good read, these reviews benefit authors and readers alike. Each contains helpful hints to help authors make their books more compelling.
If you are an author desiring a book review, go to my Review Request Page at WriteOnPurpose.com/reviewrequest and complete the form. You will need to provide a digital copy of your book and be willing to accept my honest review.
Follow your B.L.I.S.S.
Ronda Del Boccio
#1 best selling author, speaker, and Amazon Top Reviewer
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December 1, 2014
How Do You Make the Perfect Pinterest Pin?
Send to KindleUsing any social network means understanding how it works. Here's the short course in pinning.As an author always looking for book marketing help, it's important to understand that you can't just throw any old t hing at Pinterest or any other network and see what sticks.
Social media genius and #best selling author of The Art of Social Media +Peg Fitzpatrick shows you how to craft the perfect pin.
She and uber-author +Guy Kawasaki share loads of tips and strategies for maximizing your social media efforts in this book. You can get the your copy now at http://amzn.com/B00O4RHN8M
Follow your B.L.I.S.S.
Ronda Del Boccio
#1 best selling author and speaker
#BookMarketing #socialmediamarketing
Reshared post from +Peg Fitzpatrick
How to Optimize Your Pins for the Pinterest Smart Feed
Have you heard about the Pinterest smart feed and how it impacts your exposure?
Are you wondering what it means for your pins?
With its new smart feed, Pinterest enhanced key features, which means you need to do things differently to make your pins stand out.
In this article I’ll explain the Pinterest smart feed and how to use Pinterest’s changes to your advantage. If you learned something from this article, please share it with your network.
Read it all here: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/pinterest-smart-feed%E2%8B-optimize-pins/
And, of course, pin it for later http://www.pinterest.com/pin/232779874465440812/
My first guest post for +Social Media Examiner
#PinoftheDay #Pinterest #PinterestTips
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November 26, 2014
NaNoWriMo 2014 WINNER Ronda Del Boccio, They All Died Smiling
Send to KindleI hope you won’t consider it bragging when I tell you the news that I WON NaNoWriMo 2014!
How exciting to cross the 50,000 word mark, validate my count and get to the winner’s page.
National Novel Writing Month is a great way to commit to writing every day all the way to finishing a first draft of a book.
THe paranormal suspense novel They All Died Smiling is not finished yet, and I am taking a day off to rest my brain, but then it’s right back to the keyboard to continue to the end.
Afterward, I’ll go back through and make refinements. A couple of publishers are already interested in it, which astounds me.
I’m humbled and surprised, no matter what comes of it.
Writing 200 pages in a month means producing 6-7 pages every day if you’re on a 7 day calendar or an average 10 per day if you take of weekends. It requires dedication, discipline, and willingness to say NO to things, even when something else may seem more fun at the moment.
Whatever writing goals you set yourself,stick to them and you’ll reach your mark.
If you want to know about my next release and get free stories, go to WriteOnPurpose.com/read right now.
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Follow your BLISS!
Ronda Del Boccio
#1 best selling author and speaker.
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Novel Writing Help: Do Your Characters Have to Cuss? NaNoWriMo Day 26
Send to KindleToday while working on They All Died Smiling, on my mad dash to 50,000 words this month for NaNoWriMo, I needed to deal with an angry phone call without suddenly introducing swear words into an otherwise clean book.
At meetings of the Northwest Arkansas Writer’s Workshop, when an author is reading their allowed five pages, sometimes there is a cuss word on the page but the author replaces it with something more for a G-rated audience.
We travelers talked about cussing and steamy scenes in writing on the road back home. None of our group prefers Rated-R type content.
I’m pretty sure I won’t ever write a character who drops F-bombs every other sentence. I don’t care to read that and certainly have no desire to write it.
More mild cussing I can handle, though I’m happier without it. That’s just me. I make no value judgments about you no matter what your preference may be.
The thing is, lots of people swear, and they won’t all say “oh shucky-darns.” Here’s how I handled that in They All Died Smiling for the one scene in which it intrudes into the story.
Artfully Avoiding Cuss Words
Keep in mind that Kassidy, in whose head you are for the entire novel, is the daughter of a Baptist preacher and not prone to coarse talk.
Kassidy never made it to work because she was taken elsewhere. Her boss did not grow up in Maybury.
My cell vibrated for perhaps the fifth time. “Please excuse me, gentlemen. Since we’re on a break, I’d better answer this time. I’m pretty sure it’s my boss.”
Predictably, all the calls were from my editor. I answered. He yelled so loud into my ear it vibrated my head and I couldn’t even understand him. I dropped the phone, fumbled it back into my hand, switched sides, prepared to hold it a foot away from the other ear.
“What’s his name,” Joshua asked.
“Bob Barkley, my editor.”
He reached for the phone, tried several times without success o break through Bulldog Bob’s bellowing. Whence a moment of silence finally arrived, he put the phone to his ear and said, “Mr. Barkley, this is Agent Joshua Hayes of the FBI. Ms. Bates is helping us with an investigation.”
He yelled something a bull leaves behind so loud we all heard.
“That’s twenty bucks in the cuss can, Bob. And it’s the God’s honest truth.”
A pause, then uproarious laughter. “Oh yeah, and I’m the Queen of England.”
He next told me which portion of me needed to make an immediate appearance back at the Trib.
“Just that part? That’s forty bucks in the cuss can, Bob,” I said. “I’m afraid I’m detained.”
His debt doubled again before he slammed down the phone so hard I wondered if it broke. I’ve seen that in movies but never experienced it. I envisioned him stomping around the newsroom giving everyone an extra hard time. I’m in an alternate universe where a normal day has no meaning.
Russ’ mouth hung open.
“He thought I was lying.” Joshua stared stunned at my phone, then handed it back.
The incredulity in his voice, the look on my friend’s face, and Bob’s tantrum acted as a pressure release. I laughed so hard my sides hurt. I suppose I should have been upset, but with everything else in my life going sideways, I truly saw the humor.
Once I had regained composure, I told them, “I feel sorry for the poor folks in the newsroom today. Bulldog Bob is going to go berserk on them over the truth.”
What do you think of how I handled the situation? I hope Kass’ natural wit came through in a way that made you chuckle without seeming ridiculous.
Now for the…
NaNoWriMo They All Died Smiling Update:
I WILL cross the 50,000 word mark either tonight or tomorrow, a few days ahead of the November 30 deadline.
Here is my counter:
May your muse continue to inspire you.
Follow your BLISS,
Ronda Del Boccio
#1 best selling author & speaker
You can order all my books on Amazon
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November 25, 2014
Book Review of The Perfect Victim by Pamela Foster: NaNoWriMo Day 25
Send to KindlePeople read books to get caught up in a character or a story.
The Perfect Victim by Pamela Foster begins with a birthday surprise that turns out to be much more than Mary or her friend could possibly imagine.
The Perfect Victim is a real-world horror story of love gone wrong. It is a compelling but frightening story that just might make you lose some sleep.
Before I delve more deeply into the review, here is some more about the book.
Here is the synopsis of the book:
When friend Anne “buys” the new deputy for loan officer Mary Brock at the local charity auction, neither she nor Mary know what has been brought into their lives.
At a little over six feet, slim, with wavy blond hair, Billy Joe Wilkins is enough to make most women dream of snuggling on the beach, the ocean’s waves crashing rhythmically.
Mary discovers — to her delirious delight — that Billy’s lovemaking more than fulfills the promise of the dream. But when his demands begin to include Mary’s complete domination, physically and emotionally, it all begins to seem more like a nightmare she can’t escape.
But Mary is trapped by her own feelings, reeling between what she knows she should do and what Billy says she must do. She becomes obsessed with escape.
And what about her son? What about Michael? He’s being caught in the middle of her emotional tug-of-war. Will he become a victim too?
Can Mary find the courage to take control of the situation?
Praise for The Perfect Victim
“Foster has the gift of painting a scene so remarkably vivid that it’s as though the reader has stepped through Alice’s looking glass and can see, feel, smell and even taste the world she’s created. She offers up characters who are just as vividly present as they reveal their hearts and souls with no reservations. She has one of the most unique writing voices.” ~ Lori Ericson, author of A Lovely County
You can read my 5-star review on Amazon
Ronda’s Review of The Perfect Victim
.I’ve read most of Pamela Foster’s books. She is one of my favorite writers, and extremely versatile.
The Perfect Victim is a book she wrote a number of years ago then set aside. Returning to it after successfully publishing several books, she said she made improvements and it is now in print.
Deep into character – AKA Deep point of view
Getting into a character’s mind so the reader feels involved is important. There are various “levels” of narration. The least engaged is where you as the reader feel the character is telling you a story, as in you’re listening to the telling.
As the author goes deeper, the reader experience likewise becomes more rich and engaged. These days, the deeper the better.
Deep point of view means being so deeply inside the mind of the character telling the story that there’s no filter between his/her thoughts and perception of the story’s action.
Here is an example of deep POV from Foster in The Perfect Victim. These are Mary’s perceptions from from when the new boyfriend Billy wants to buy her son an expensive pair of shoes.
Black angerbubbles up from my gut. Pain in my molars reminds me to unclench my jaws How dare he put me in this position?
There’s no separation between character and reader, no distinction between thoughts and reaction.
Immediacy
This story has an immediacy most books don’t. A big reason for this is that Foster wrote it entirely in present tense.
Here is the opening:
A brew of perfume arises from pulse-points hot with anticipation , the air heady with the estrogen-rich excitement of a girl’s night out.
Let me tell you,, while writing in present tense amps up the immediacy and urgency of a tale, this is not easy to sustain over time. One slip into past tense and the spell is broken.
Emotion
Foster is a whiz at conveying emotion in her books. Here’s just one example. It takes place with best friend Ann wants to warn Mary about her new boyfriend:
I nod, concentrate on breathing, keep my mouth shut so the fear doesn’t fly out into the room.
Terror
I’m not kidding when I call this book “real world horror.” The situations that come up for single mom Mary as she enters a new relationship are frightening.
The story is likely to trigger fear or panic if you’ve ever had issues with a control freak or alcoholic.
Billy keeps inserting himself into Mary’s life and she’s torn between sexual desire and fear because of his control.
Adult content alert
This is a sexually explicit book with a few F bombs and some other coarse language. I mention this so you’re not surprised. .
Empowerment
Emotionally charged, frightening at times, t his is ultimately a tale of empowerment at great personal cost.
About Pamela Foster
Pamela Foster grew up in the redwoods of northern California where her family has raised all manner of mischief for eight generations. She’s lived on the banks of the Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii, on the edge of the Mexican Caribbean, in the prickly-sticklies of the Arizona high desert, and on the tropical coast of Panama. She now lives in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas with her husband and his retired PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) service dog.
When she’s not writing-or teaching writing workshops-Foster volunteers her time to raise public awareness of PTSD and its effects, speaking at Veteran’s Centers and civic groups and facilitating the Northwest Arkansas chapter of INTERACT, a support group for families of veterans.
How to order The Perfect victim
You can order from Pen-L Publishing or buy on Amazon.
NaNoWriMo Day 25 Update
This is an intense writing day for me, and I am loving every minute of writing They All Died Smiling. I blew past the 45,000 word mark a while ago. I should make the 50,000 word goal by Thursday, the 27th.
Enjoy this chilling book and as always, follow your BLISS,
Ronda Del Boccio
#1 best selling author and speaker
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November 24, 2014
Creating a Page Turner with Cliffhangers: NaNoWriMo Day 24
Send to KindleI’m chugging along in my novel They All Died Smiling, and today I was thinking about how I end chapters. No matter what’s happening or what comes next, I like to give people a compelling reason to turn the page.
Perhaps it’s because I cut my writing teeth on Doctor Who fan fiction back in high school but I like to leave off with a cliffhanger.
This is called the Zigarnik Effect, named after a Russian psychologist who studied the cliffhanger effect.
You hear it all the time: “5 lethal chemicals you have under your sink…news at 11.”.
SO today I thought I’d share some of my suspenseful statements:
Chapter One opens with this:
I thought I was just making another Friday night commute home. I had no idea I was about to dance with the devil. Silly me.
and the chapter ends with Kass mentally asking this question:
So why did terror seep into my mind during this time of joy for my friend?
Chapter two ends with impending trouble:
I never imagined the day would turn into an emotional roller coaster. Also didn’t figure it would start me on a quest that would get me chin deep in trouble. But it sure did.
Chapter Three finishes with a chilling thought:
I knew of a similar, equally unexpected situation in another state. Could these deaths be related?
Later, Kass will discover the depth of her trouble:
Because now, the enemy knows exactly who I am.
A little further along, Kass knows she’s being watched by a demon:
“Probably just a tree branch bouncing in the wind, or maybe a bird flyhing past the street light. Not much else it could be up this high.”
“Must have been.” No, it was a pair of eyes glowing like smoldering embers, glaring at me.
While crafting each chapter, end it with a strong emotion or the promise of more conflict to come.
They All Died Smiling NANoWriMo progress update:
I’m in the low 40K range, in the home stretch to make 50K words by the end of the month. Here’s my progress bar:
I invite you to get my books on Amazon.
Do you have a good cliffhanger to share? If so, add it to the comments.
Follow your BLISS,
Ronda Del Boccio
# best sellingauthor and speaker
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Writing is pure Bliss
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