Elise VanCise's Blog, page 18

Sweet Potatoes, Croquet, and Summer Fun for Authors!

Summer is fast approaching and our muses are itching to get out and enjoy the sunshine. It’s a great time to pack that picnic basket with crowd pleasing treats like Sweet Potato Croquettes.
Sweet Potato Croquettes are quick and easy to whip up. Toss these ingredients in your shopping cart:1 box corn flake cereal1 40oz can yams (you can use candied if you prefer) 1 bag mini marshmallows Cinnamon or Allspice
When you get home put that watermelon in the fridge to chill then preheat your oven to...

The Midwife's Revolt: A fictional time machine to early America

Welcome to the the review tour for The Midwife's Revolt  by Jodi Daynard. “A charming, unexpected, and decidedly different view of the Revolutionary War.” —Publishers WeeklyBook Description: The Midwife’s Revolt takes the reader on a journey to the founding days of America. It follows one woman’s path, Lizzie Boylston, from her grieving days of widowhood after Bunker Hill, to her deepening friendship with Abigail Adams and midwifery, and finally to her dangerous work as a spy for the Cause...

The Allure of Cowboys and Lawmen

Welcome to the Cowboys and Lawmen Blog Hop! The hop starts May 2nd and runs through May 6th. During these four days 49 authors will be telling you about why they enjoy reading and writing about those sexy fellas in the white hats.
Not only are there going to be some great blogs on the hop but for every post you comment on with your email address, you will be entered for some amazing prizes.***PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO QUALIFY***Grand Prize: A $100 Gift Card for Amazon or Ba...

Zograscope: Charlotte's Window

Charlotteslipped quietly from the bed; she paused when the sheets rustled as he shifted in his sleep. When he was settled, soft even breathes making his thick handsome chest rise and fall she started down stairs.
The fourth step down creaked, the sharp sound echoed through the quiet house. Charlotte gasped softly startled herself. She quickly tiptoed down the rest of the staircase before putting on her robe.
For a moment, she listened to the stillness of the house. It was a lovely night with...

YouTube Marketing

Everyone knows what YouTube is. Home of the hottest music videos and silliest cat videos, however it is also a great marketing tool for authors.

Many of us know about the use of YouTube for posting our book trailers. I have one there myself. I have also created vids for some of my Examiner articles. However there are more ways to boost your brand with YouTube than just book trailers.
How about asking readers for a video review? Read a chapter of your book or a short story aloud. If you’re not...

X is for Xylophone

X is for Xylophone. Why? Xylophones are cool! They're not just kids toys, they're a serious instrument  found many orchestras' percussion sections. It's a percussion instrument because it uses force and vibration to create sound, like a drum. Only instead of striking a flexible surface such as a stretch canvas of a drum, the musician strikes one made of metal, wood, or ceramic tiles.

Xylophones and their many variations have been around since man's earliest history. However...

Work in Progress: Worth

For the letter W on the A to Z blogging Challenge I'm sharing an excerpt from my work in progress, Worth. Enjoy a little taste of this exciting thriller and please leave a comment and let me know what you think. :) 
Blurb: Dean Cross waited impatiently for his estranged wife to step off her flight. He has hope that after three years of separation they can put their marriage back together again. The last passenger disembarked, no Lucinda. Had she missed the flight, changed her mind?
K...

Villains Are Valuable to Verse

Villains are essential for a story. They give our heroes and heroines purpose. Baddies help the good guys see how important the good things in life are. In 3:10 to Yuma by Elmore Leonard, Dan Evans wouldn't be able to find his way again. Or, become a hero to his son if not for outlaw Ben Wade and his being “rotten as hell.”
If you haven’t read this awesome story or seen either of these movies (shame on you! J ) Dan Evans is a down and out rancher who lost part of a leg in the Civil...

Update ROW80 Round 2 Week 4

Week 3 had lots of stumbles and splats, but nothing a bit of duct tape couldn’t handle. There were a few major strides that took place too. Whoo hoo!
Update on Goals for Round2 Week 31. Yup Catching up again with A to Z and maintaining it. Um… oops? Came close but no cigar on keeping up, however not so far behind just one letter behind, two if this posts after midnight. :P 2. Get in word count for NaNo YES! Camp NaNo has been Verified and Won. That was a big plus for the week. 3. Get at least...

Ten Tips From Famous Tale Spinners

Ten writing tips from the greatest of fictioneers. 
1. Ray Bradbury 
2. R.J. Keller  3. Elmore Leonard
4. Mark Twain
5. John Steinbeck 
6. Edgar Allen Poe 
7. Stephen King 
8. F.Scott Fitzgerald
9. E.B. White 
10. John Steinbeck 

Part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge for the letter T