Jessica Nelson's Blog, page 10
September 3, 2012
And the Winners Are....
Woohooo, the giveaway has ended and there are goodies to dispense!
Godiva Winners:
K. Victoria Chase
Karen Lange
B&N Gift Card Winner:
Nick Wilford
Sweet Caroline and Sweet Baklava Winner:
Sandra Orchard
Send your snail mail addys to me at jessica_nelson7590 AT yahoo DOT com and I'll get these out to you. :-)
Thank you for participating!!
Happy Labor Day!
Godiva Winners:
K. Victoria Chase
Karen Lange
B&N Gift Card Winner:
Nick Wilford
Sweet Caroline and Sweet Baklava Winner:
Sandra Orchard
Send your snail mail addys to me at jessica_nelson7590 AT yahoo DOT com and I'll get these out to you. :-)
Thank you for participating!!
Happy Labor Day!
August 13, 2012
A Rockin' End of Summer Contest
Summer is almost over! Even though autumn is my favorite season, I'm sad because I'm going to have to start getting up early (I know, I know, don't throw a book at me!)
So since I don't have anything new coming out yet, I thought it might be a good idea to have some kind of contest. I've never done the twitter/fb/post type of contest but I think it might be fun.
Heeheee, especially since there's chocolate involved.
So here are the deets (that's for you, Lindsay!):
1. If you want to be entered once to win a prize, let me know in the comment section.
2. Mention Love On The Range on Facebook OR Twitter, let me know in the comments, and you get two entries.
3. Mention Love On The Range on BOTH Facebook and twitter, let me know in the comments, and you get three entries.
4. If you have another cool promotional action that I don't know about, let me know in the comments. If it's combined with FB/Twitter, then that's four entries. :-) If not, then that's two entries.
5. EACH time you tweet/post/FB something, let me know!!! I'll keep tallying things up so I know how many times to enter you.
This is a THREE week contest. It ends midnight September 2, 2012 and I'll announce winners on Labor Day. (I won't be posting anything new until then)
So you all will have plenty of time to do whatever you're comfortable with doing to be entered. :-)
PRIZES
Two people will receive Godiva in the mail...it will be awesomely delicious. :-)
One person will get a B&N $25 gift card
One person will get a critique by another author (I don't know who yet but will put it up when I know)
One person will get Sweet Baklava by Debby Mayne and Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck, 'cause this is a sweet contest. Teehee!
So what do you think? I hope this makes sense but feel free to ask questions. Okay, let the contest begin! :-)
So since I don't have anything new coming out yet, I thought it might be a good idea to have some kind of contest. I've never done the twitter/fb/post type of contest but I think it might be fun.
Heeheee, especially since there's chocolate involved.
So here are the deets (that's for you, Lindsay!):
1. If you want to be entered once to win a prize, let me know in the comment section.
2. Mention Love On The Range on Facebook OR Twitter, let me know in the comments, and you get two entries.
3. Mention Love On The Range on BOTH Facebook and twitter, let me know in the comments, and you get three entries.
4. If you have another cool promotional action that I don't know about, let me know in the comments. If it's combined with FB/Twitter, then that's four entries. :-) If not, then that's two entries.
5. EACH time you tweet/post/FB something, let me know!!! I'll keep tallying things up so I know how many times to enter you.
This is a THREE week contest. It ends midnight September 2, 2012 and I'll announce winners on Labor Day. (I won't be posting anything new until then)
So you all will have plenty of time to do whatever you're comfortable with doing to be entered. :-)
PRIZES
Two people will receive Godiva in the mail...it will be awesomely delicious. :-)
One person will get a B&N $25 gift card
One person will get a critique by another author (I don't know who yet but will put it up when I know)
One person will get Sweet Baklava by Debby Mayne and Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck, 'cause this is a sweet contest. Teehee!
So what do you think? I hope this makes sense but feel free to ask questions. Okay, let the contest begin! :-)
August 6, 2012
Winner and Some News
First, congrats to the lovely Susan who won Katie Ganshert's Wildflowers From Winter! I'll be contacting you to get your addy. :)
Now for some news:
Lady Scribes and author Lily George are interviewing me today. I'll be giving away a copy of my debut. :-)
I read all your comments and think Monday sounds like a good day to blog, so I'll be changing things on that front.
Also, I'm planning a completely rocking End of Summer contest to promote my book Love On The Range (which isn't available in physical stores but is still available online). There will be big prizes involved, including Godiva, books, gift cards and maybe some author critiques? I've never done a contest like this that will involve tweeting and stuff, but I've seen other writers do it and it seems to work for them? So I'll announce the deets next Monday and go from there.
Summer is going by way too fast. My eight year old just told me the other day that he thinks this summer went faster than the others. LOL I'm inclined to agree.
How is your summer going? Any cool news?
Now for some news:
Lady Scribes and author Lily George are interviewing me today. I'll be giving away a copy of my debut. :-)
I read all your comments and think Monday sounds like a good day to blog, so I'll be changing things on that front.
Also, I'm planning a completely rocking End of Summer contest to promote my book Love On The Range (which isn't available in physical stores but is still available online). There will be big prizes involved, including Godiva, books, gift cards and maybe some author critiques? I've never done a contest like this that will involve tweeting and stuff, but I've seen other writers do it and it seems to work for them? So I'll announce the deets next Monday and go from there.
Summer is going by way too fast. My eight year old just told me the other day that he thinks this summer went faster than the others. LOL I'm inclined to agree.
How is your summer going? Any cool news?
August 1, 2012
Restructuring
Due to some family changes, I no longer am working Mondays and Fridays. The summer has been more busy than I anticipated so my poor blog has languished a bit.
I'm wondering if I should move to posting on Mondays...
What do you think? When do you post? What days do like to read blogs the most? Should there be chocolate? (grin)
I'm wondering if I should move to posting on Mondays...
What do you think? When do you post? What days do like to read blogs the most? Should there be chocolate? (grin)
July 25, 2012
Assumption is Not Sustainable Conflict
I've been in the writing world for over five years now and I've known for a long time that if characters can have a good, honest talk and work out their troubles, then the plot conflict isn't strong enough.
But I hadn't thought of this in the form of assumptions until a reader made a comment about a book and how she enjoyed that the characters didn't just assume things about each other.
A character's goal has to be impeded by more than her thinking the other character (antagonist/hero) wouldn't like the goal. The internal conflict should be more than her thinking the other character will disapprove or hate her.
I adore internal conflicts but they have to have a concrete external conflict to make them believable. If the conflict isn't believable, or worse, could be cleared with an honest conversation, then this hampers the tension of the story in a big way.
The reader might not care about turning the pages to find out what happens.
I know for a fact that one of my manuscripts relies too heavily on assumption as the basis of conflict. That's something I need to change.
Have your characters assumed too much? Do you like it in books when there's a misunderstanding or would you rather there be definite stakes/goals driving a wedge between characters?
But I hadn't thought of this in the form of assumptions until a reader made a comment about a book and how she enjoyed that the characters didn't just assume things about each other.
A character's goal has to be impeded by more than her thinking the other character (antagonist/hero) wouldn't like the goal. The internal conflict should be more than her thinking the other character will disapprove or hate her.
I adore internal conflicts but they have to have a concrete external conflict to make them believable. If the conflict isn't believable, or worse, could be cleared with an honest conversation, then this hampers the tension of the story in a big way.
The reader might not care about turning the pages to find out what happens.
I know for a fact that one of my manuscripts relies too heavily on assumption as the basis of conflict. That's something I need to change.
Have your characters assumed too much? Do you like it in books when there's a misunderstanding or would you rather there be definite stakes/goals driving a wedge between characters?
July 18, 2012
What I've Been Reading (and Giveaway)
I've been eagerly awaiting this book and Katie's writing didn't disappoint! The characters were interesting but I really enjoyed Katie's prose the most. It's strong and unique. I'll definitely be picking up her next book.
I whipped through this book! Williamson is a new author to me but I thought the pacing of the story was great. Have I read/watched clone stuff before? Sure, but the characters came across very real and I enjoyed the dialogue. Looking forward to more by her!
This was a sweet story. I particularly loved the secondary characters, esp. the jilted fiance. I'd love to see him with his own story because I think he'd have a great character arc. The best friend was a lot of fun too. I'm looking forward to reading more of Beth's work. What drew me to this story, besides her being a blogging buddy, was the premise. :-) Very hooky!The two books below are not my normal type reads but I enjoyed both of them. Besides being drawn into the plots and interesting characters, it's always fun to read genres where the writing "rules" are much different (pov, for example, is played with more loosely).
So today I'm going to be giving away Katie Ganshert's debut novel Wildflowers From Winter! Just let me know in the comments if you'd like to be entered. :-)
What are you reading today? Anything outside your preferred genre?
P.S. I've got a short post over at Craftie Ladies of Romance today if you feel like stopping by.
July 11, 2012
The Theme of it All
I read a wonderful article in the RWR recently about theme and how it plays into books/stories.
According to the article, theme is the passion and question inside the writer that finds its way into all her stories. Beneath voice and plot is theme.
I'm not detail-oriented and I'm not a plotter, but after having a few manuscripts of different genres and tones under my belt, I have an idea of what the overarching theme of my stories is (note: love is not necessarily a theme).
Do you think about Theme in your writing? Do you analyze it in books?
According to the article, theme is the passion and question inside the writer that finds its way into all her stories. Beneath voice and plot is theme.
I'm not detail-oriented and I'm not a plotter, but after having a few manuscripts of different genres and tones under my belt, I have an idea of what the overarching theme of my stories is (note: love is not necessarily a theme).
Do you think about Theme in your writing? Do you analyze it in books?
July 4, 2012
#WhiteKnightFAIL
My writer friends and family know I have a soft spot for "bad boy" heroes in fiction. I've tried to analyze why and have had some interesting insights into myself, but recently I had a major breakthrough.
I'm watching a series which is out of my norm, but have found myself hooked by the storyline...and the "bad boy". One night while watching a scene between "good guy" hero and heroine, I became aware of this odd feeling in my chest. A discomfort.
And then I recognized what it was.
Distrust.
That's right. I prefer "bad boys" because I distrust Knights in Shining Armor. You know, the good boy heroes who live atop a shining steed, so high in fact that I know their fall is going to be a hard one.
What I like is that while a "bad boy" starts in one place (usually empty, lonely, and ugly), I know that by the end of the story, the "bad boy" is going to have redemption. He's going to be happy at the end, and healthier.
The only place a bad boy can go is up. A shiny knight? Down. Takes the hope right out of the story for me.
So yes, it's twisted and I would never recommend a "bad boy" in real life, but in fiction I truly do adore that redemptive, finds-peace arc. Not to mention the excitement and challenge of it all. :-)
Which fictional "bad boy" do you love? And if you prefer "good boy" heroes, who is your favorite? Ever wondered why?
I'm watching a series which is out of my norm, but have found myself hooked by the storyline...and the "bad boy". One night while watching a scene between "good guy" hero and heroine, I became aware of this odd feeling in my chest. A discomfort.
And then I recognized what it was.
Distrust.
That's right. I prefer "bad boys" because I distrust Knights in Shining Armor. You know, the good boy heroes who live atop a shining steed, so high in fact that I know their fall is going to be a hard one.
What I like is that while a "bad boy" starts in one place (usually empty, lonely, and ugly), I know that by the end of the story, the "bad boy" is going to have redemption. He's going to be happy at the end, and healthier.
The only place a bad boy can go is up. A shiny knight? Down. Takes the hope right out of the story for me.
So yes, it's twisted and I would never recommend a "bad boy" in real life, but in fiction I truly do adore that redemptive, finds-peace arc. Not to mention the excitement and challenge of it all. :-)
Which fictional "bad boy" do you love? And if you prefer "good boy" heroes, who is your favorite? Ever wondered why?
June 27, 2012
BOC, BOC
Butt On Chair
Butt In Seat
Butt Glue
This is what writers should do. Sit down and write. For many of us, especially if unpublished or without a contract, we tend to procrastinate. Right when we're about to write, we remember that our blinds need cleaning.
Back in the day, I used to pound out 1k a day. I'm trying to work back up to that but it's been pretty challenging.
Do you have daily goals with your writing? What area in life do you find yourself procrastinating the most?
Butt In Seat
Butt Glue
This is what writers should do. Sit down and write. For many of us, especially if unpublished or without a contract, we tend to procrastinate. Right when we're about to write, we remember that our blinds need cleaning.
Back in the day, I used to pound out 1k a day. I'm trying to work back up to that but it's been pretty challenging.
Do you have daily goals with your writing? What area in life do you find yourself procrastinating the most?
June 20, 2012
Stakes, And I Don't Mean the Vampire Kind
Finally I got to see this movie I've been wanting to see for months. The previews rocked and I'm happy to say that I loved the movie too. :-)
As I was watching it in the theater (yay!), I was processing the format of the storytelling, the characters, the dialogue, even how the director used the setting and visuals to create mood.
I immediately connected to the heroine because she was a little girl imprisoned by a wicked queen. I rooted for her to be free and cheered (inwardly, of course) when she escaped.
Then came my AHA moment.
A hero is tracked down, a guy who can follow the heroine into dark places and bring her back. I didn't want him to. I wondered why he would.
Then the evil queen offers him something that made my breath clench and immediately hooked me into the story.
You see, the hero is found drunk and careless. He's a widower who lost his way when his beloved wife was murdered.
The wicked queen sees his loneliness...his pain. She has evil powers and offers to bring his wife back from the dead if he'll find the heroine.
HIGH Stakes.
He has everything to gain if he does this thing. Who couldn't relate to missing someone so badly you'd do almost anything to get them back? Who couldn't empathize with the hero's pain?
And that was when I was hooked for good. The conflict was set. I wanted the heroine free, but I also wanted this hero to get his wife back.
I'm torn...and I'm perched on the edge of my seat to see what will happen next.
This is what having high stakes in your story can do. It creates believable and seemingly insurmountable conflict that will cause the reader to flip pages. Not only that, but high stakes create empathy.
I haven't done a whole lot of high stakes writing in my books so far. I'm still learning and will definitely be incorporating this into my future works.
If you're a writer, what kind of stakes is your protagonist facing? How can you heighten them? Readers, do you know what movie I'm referencing? *grin* If you've seen it, who did you root for and why?
As I was watching it in the theater (yay!), I was processing the format of the storytelling, the characters, the dialogue, even how the director used the setting and visuals to create mood.
I immediately connected to the heroine because she was a little girl imprisoned by a wicked queen. I rooted for her to be free and cheered (inwardly, of course) when she escaped.
Then came my AHA moment.
A hero is tracked down, a guy who can follow the heroine into dark places and bring her back. I didn't want him to. I wondered why he would.
Then the evil queen offers him something that made my breath clench and immediately hooked me into the story.
You see, the hero is found drunk and careless. He's a widower who lost his way when his beloved wife was murdered.
The wicked queen sees his loneliness...his pain. She has evil powers and offers to bring his wife back from the dead if he'll find the heroine.
HIGH Stakes.
He has everything to gain if he does this thing. Who couldn't relate to missing someone so badly you'd do almost anything to get them back? Who couldn't empathize with the hero's pain?
And that was when I was hooked for good. The conflict was set. I wanted the heroine free, but I also wanted this hero to get his wife back.
I'm torn...and I'm perched on the edge of my seat to see what will happen next.
This is what having high stakes in your story can do. It creates believable and seemingly insurmountable conflict that will cause the reader to flip pages. Not only that, but high stakes create empathy.
I haven't done a whole lot of high stakes writing in my books so far. I'm still learning and will definitely be incorporating this into my future works.
If you're a writer, what kind of stakes is your protagonist facing? How can you heighten them? Readers, do you know what movie I'm referencing? *grin* If you've seen it, who did you root for and why?
