Nicole MacDonald's Blog, page 16
July 7, 2011
Thursday Writing tip - thanks to Nancy for this one!
I do love that every time someone is good enough to do a critique - partial or full for me, I learn something new. When Vicki did a critique for me I learned that 'was' really shouldn't be followed by a word ending in 'ing'. Which of course makes sense when it's pointed out to you, but at the time while writing, can be hard to resist. And now of course I see it frequently done in all the books I read ;p traditionally pubbed and self pubbed. So today's tip is from Nancy (author of The Magic of Windlier Woods - currently free on Amazon) after she sent me a partial critique (and again, many thanks Nancy).When writing dialogue if the dialogue is preceded by an action then use a full stop (period) before the dialogue not a comma. Okay so some of you will be shrugging and saying. 'Already knew that.' Well I didn't and I have to assume there will be others out there that didn't know this either. I had a hunt on the net after this helpful piece of information and found a fantastic site with some wonderful tips. Have a read and I think you may want to favorite the site for future reference. Commas and PeriodsA comma separates dialogue from its dialogue tag, and periods and commas ALWAYS go inside the quotation marks.
Incorrect: "You should be proud of your name", Lin said. Correct: "You should be proud of your name," Lin said.
The same is true of periods: Incorrect: "You should be proud of your name". Lin turned her back on him before she could say something she might regret. Correct: "You should be proud of your name." Lin turned her back on him . . . etc.
To punctuate dialogue divided by a dialogue tag, place a second comma after the tag, and after any words that come between the tag and the continuation of the sentence. Incorrect: "If you try," he said his smile persuasive. "You'll find it's easier than it looks." Correct: "If you try," he said, his smile persuasive, "you'll find it's easier than it looks."
When a character takes action after speaking, the action usually begins a new sentence and should not be punctuated with a comma, as if it is a dialogue tag. Incorrect: "Let's proceed, shall we," Roberta coughed, shuffling her papers. Correct:"Let's proceed, shall we?" Roberta coughed and shuffled her papers.(Note also that it's preferable to remove the "ing" participial phrase and replace it with the conjunction "and" to join the two actions of coughing and shuffling papers.) Question Marks and Exclamation MarksBoth question marks and exclamation marks take the place of commas and periods; they are not used in addition to them. Also note that unlike the previous example, a period is correctly placed after the dialogue tag because the tag does not divide a single sentence but separates two distinct sentences. Incorrect: "Watch out!," She yelled. "Do you want to get hurt?" Correct: "Watch out!" she yelled. "Do you want to get hurt?" Dashes and EllipsesTo punctuate dialogue correctly, dashes indicate where a sentence breaks off, such as when one character interrupts another. Ellipses indicate that the dialogue trails off, such as when one character is unsure, or does not want to finish the sentence. Incorrect: "I told him we would break his . . ."
"Quiet," he said. "You don't know who"s listening." Correct: "I told him we would break his—"
"Quiet," he said. "You don't know who's listening, or even worse. . ." SpacingIf indentations are used in the text, indent the first line of dialogue. When one character stops speaking and the focus moves to another character's speech or actions, begin a new paragraph.Incorrect: "Watch out!," She yelled. "Do you want to get hurt?" He shrugged and made a face. "Not really." Correct: "Watch out!" she yelled. "Do you want to get hurt?" He shrugged and made a face. "Not really." Keep each characters' response and descriptive material with his or her dialogue. Incorrect: His eyes dropped to her chest, lingered there, and then moved back up to her face. "Pretty locket." What nerve! He had deliberately stared at her breasts. Her voice took on a frostier edge. "Is there something I can do for you?" Correct: His eyes dropped to her chest, lingered there, and then moved back up to her face. "Pretty locket." What nerve! He had deliberately stared at her breasts. Her voice took on a frostier edge. "Is there something I can do for you?" CapitalizationThe first word of dialogue is always capitalized. Incorrect: He said, "we can be there by morning." Correct: He said, "We can be there by morning."When dialogue is divided by a speaker attribution, begin the second half of the sentence with a lowercase letter, not an uppercase one. Incorrect: "We can be there by morning," he said, "If we get started right away." Correct: "We can be there by morning," he said, "if we get started right away." Never capitalize the dialogue tag. A lowercase letter follows the punctuated dialogue. Incorrect: "Yes, it's mine," Said the woman. Correct: "Yes, it's mine," said the woman.
I don't know about anyone else but I learnt lots from that *grin* Hope this helps, now must dash I'm off to German Sword instruction with Loi and Sian. We had our first lesson on Monday night and it was so much fun we're going again tonight.Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Incorrect: "You should be proud of your name", Lin said. Correct: "You should be proud of your name," Lin said.
The same is true of periods: Incorrect: "You should be proud of your name". Lin turned her back on him before she could say something she might regret. Correct: "You should be proud of your name." Lin turned her back on him . . . etc.
To punctuate dialogue divided by a dialogue tag, place a second comma after the tag, and after any words that come between the tag and the continuation of the sentence. Incorrect: "If you try," he said his smile persuasive. "You'll find it's easier than it looks." Correct: "If you try," he said, his smile persuasive, "you'll find it's easier than it looks."
When a character takes action after speaking, the action usually begins a new sentence and should not be punctuated with a comma, as if it is a dialogue tag. Incorrect: "Let's proceed, shall we," Roberta coughed, shuffling her papers. Correct:"Let's proceed, shall we?" Roberta coughed and shuffled her papers.(Note also that it's preferable to remove the "ing" participial phrase and replace it with the conjunction "and" to join the two actions of coughing and shuffling papers.) Question Marks and Exclamation MarksBoth question marks and exclamation marks take the place of commas and periods; they are not used in addition to them. Also note that unlike the previous example, a period is correctly placed after the dialogue tag because the tag does not divide a single sentence but separates two distinct sentences. Incorrect: "Watch out!," She yelled. "Do you want to get hurt?" Correct: "Watch out!" she yelled. "Do you want to get hurt?" Dashes and EllipsesTo punctuate dialogue correctly, dashes indicate where a sentence breaks off, such as when one character interrupts another. Ellipses indicate that the dialogue trails off, such as when one character is unsure, or does not want to finish the sentence. Incorrect: "I told him we would break his . . ."
"Quiet," he said. "You don't know who"s listening." Correct: "I told him we would break his—"
"Quiet," he said. "You don't know who's listening, or even worse. . ." SpacingIf indentations are used in the text, indent the first line of dialogue. When one character stops speaking and the focus moves to another character's speech or actions, begin a new paragraph.Incorrect: "Watch out!," She yelled. "Do you want to get hurt?" He shrugged and made a face. "Not really." Correct: "Watch out!" she yelled. "Do you want to get hurt?" He shrugged and made a face. "Not really." Keep each characters' response and descriptive material with his or her dialogue. Incorrect: His eyes dropped to her chest, lingered there, and then moved back up to her face. "Pretty locket." What nerve! He had deliberately stared at her breasts. Her voice took on a frostier edge. "Is there something I can do for you?" Correct: His eyes dropped to her chest, lingered there, and then moved back up to her face. "Pretty locket." What nerve! He had deliberately stared at her breasts. Her voice took on a frostier edge. "Is there something I can do for you?" CapitalizationThe first word of dialogue is always capitalized. Incorrect: He said, "we can be there by morning." Correct: He said, "We can be there by morning."When dialogue is divided by a speaker attribution, begin the second half of the sentence with a lowercase letter, not an uppercase one. Incorrect: "We can be there by morning," he said, "If we get started right away." Correct: "We can be there by morning," he said, "if we get started right away." Never capitalize the dialogue tag. A lowercase letter follows the punctuated dialogue. Incorrect: "Yes, it's mine," Said the woman. Correct: "Yes, it's mine," said the woman.
I don't know about anyone else but I learnt lots from that *grin* Hope this helps, now must dash I'm off to German Sword instruction with Loi and Sian. We had our first lesson on Monday night and it was so much fun we're going again tonight.Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
July 5, 2011
Writer Wednesday - Introducing Pauline Barclay
Come meet Pauline Barclay! She hosted me on her own blog several weeks ago and I wanted to return the favour so have a read and check out her latest novel which is receiving some pretty fantastic reviews. Take it away Pauline : )
Thanks Nicole for inviting me to your fabby Blog spot and I hope that you are selling zillions of copies of your latest book, The Arrival. New Zealand is a long way on the plane, but only a nano second away with social media. How great it is to talk to you most days despite us being half way round the world from each other and me up and about whilst you are abed…!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?Hi, I'm Pauline Barclay and I live on the lovely sunny Island of Lanzarote, which is around 70 miles of the Moroccan coast, with my husband and our two rescue doggies. Last month my third novel, Sometimes It Happens… was published on Amazon Kindle. My other two books are also available on Kindle and in paperback.
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I've always enjoyed writing, as a child I wrote poetry, then in later years I wrote short stories. Some years ago I wrote two full length novels, but they are archived in my computer and will forever stay there! In 2009 Magnolia House was published, 2010, Satchfield Hall and May 2011, Sometimes It Happens… I am now busy on book 4, but I must devote a lot of time to market the three already out there!
Have you ever been surprised by a controversy among fans or reviewers - for example, you created a character without thinking too much about what people would think of him, and found some readers loved him and some hated him?For Satchfield Hall I've had some great remarks regarding Henry Bryant-Smythe because nobody could believe just how evil he is. He's hated and loved by readers in equal measures as they wanted to know just what he would do next. He has the confidence to do whatever he wants to do and cares nothing about others.Simon and Chicky in Sometimes It Happens… are loved by many of the readers, I was not expecting this.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?Ideally I like to have all my commitments done for the day and only then can I sit down and enjoy writing, which is normally in the afternoon. It is not always possible, but I try!
What do you like to do when you're not writing? When I'm not writing or racing around with my other commitments, I like to walk the dogs, read and cook. But at the moment there is never enough hours in the day to do half of the things I need to or want to….sigh!
How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?As mentioned earlier, I have three books published, but to be honest I don't know which is my favourite they all have their merits. Magnolia House is about how an act of kindness can turn into something beyond your worst nightmare, but there is an underline message in the story and through lack of communications things start to go drastically wrong. Satchfield Hall is about power and how it can consume you. By contrast Sometimes It Happens…. Is a lighter story, but don't be fooled into thinking it is not an emotional and passionate journey. All my books are written with passion and emotion.
Which of your characters would you most/least invite to dinner, and why?I would invite Jane Leonard from Magnolia House because she has so much to talk about and I feel I would learn a lot from here. From Satchfield Hall I would invite Muriel Bryant-Smythe because she deserves to be treated kindly and with respect. Doreen Wilkinson would be my guest from Sometimes It Happens… she would have everyone rolling around giggling, I love this character, down to earth, yet a tad too sensitive at times, but she never gives up.
What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?Before moving to Lanzarote I worked in communications and was a communications manger in the oil industry. I loved my work, I wrote and edited magazines, press releases, articles for the international press, Internet and intranets. For me, the best job in the world!
Once again Nicole, a huge thanks for letting me take up your space and time and for allowing me to meet your wonderful followers and friends. I am now one of the 30 hand picked show case authors on the new and exciting Love a Happy Ending. This a brand new magazine style web site for readers, so if you love books, please stop by!
My books are available from:Amazon.co.ukAmazon.comIf you would like learn more about my books, please visit me at,My website - WebMy blog - BlogMy facebook page - FacebookOr follow me on - Twitter
Hope you enjoyed this, take care all!
Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Thanks Nicole for inviting me to your fabby Blog spot and I hope that you are selling zillions of copies of your latest book, The Arrival. New Zealand is a long way on the plane, but only a nano second away with social media. How great it is to talk to you most days despite us being half way round the world from each other and me up and about whilst you are abed…!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?Hi, I'm Pauline Barclay and I live on the lovely sunny Island of Lanzarote, which is around 70 miles of the Moroccan coast, with my husband and our two rescue doggies. Last month my third novel, Sometimes It Happens… was published on Amazon Kindle. My other two books are also available on Kindle and in paperback.
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?I've always enjoyed writing, as a child I wrote poetry, then in later years I wrote short stories. Some years ago I wrote two full length novels, but they are archived in my computer and will forever stay there! In 2009 Magnolia House was published, 2010, Satchfield Hall and May 2011, Sometimes It Happens… I am now busy on book 4, but I must devote a lot of time to market the three already out there!
Have you ever been surprised by a controversy among fans or reviewers - for example, you created a character without thinking too much about what people would think of him, and found some readers loved him and some hated him?For Satchfield Hall I've had some great remarks regarding Henry Bryant-Smythe because nobody could believe just how evil he is. He's hated and loved by readers in equal measures as they wanted to know just what he would do next. He has the confidence to do whatever he wants to do and cares nothing about others.Simon and Chicky in Sometimes It Happens… are loved by many of the readers, I was not expecting this.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?Ideally I like to have all my commitments done for the day and only then can I sit down and enjoy writing, which is normally in the afternoon. It is not always possible, but I try!
What do you like to do when you're not writing? When I'm not writing or racing around with my other commitments, I like to walk the dogs, read and cook. But at the moment there is never enough hours in the day to do half of the things I need to or want to….sigh!
How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?As mentioned earlier, I have three books published, but to be honest I don't know which is my favourite they all have their merits. Magnolia House is about how an act of kindness can turn into something beyond your worst nightmare, but there is an underline message in the story and through lack of communications things start to go drastically wrong. Satchfield Hall is about power and how it can consume you. By contrast Sometimes It Happens…. Is a lighter story, but don't be fooled into thinking it is not an emotional and passionate journey. All my books are written with passion and emotion.
Which of your characters would you most/least invite to dinner, and why?I would invite Jane Leonard from Magnolia House because she has so much to talk about and I feel I would learn a lot from here. From Satchfield Hall I would invite Muriel Bryant-Smythe because she deserves to be treated kindly and with respect. Doreen Wilkinson would be my guest from Sometimes It Happens… she would have everyone rolling around giggling, I love this character, down to earth, yet a tad too sensitive at times, but she never gives up.
What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?Before moving to Lanzarote I worked in communications and was a communications manger in the oil industry. I loved my work, I wrote and edited magazines, press releases, articles for the international press, Internet and intranets. For me, the best job in the world!
Once again Nicole, a huge thanks for letting me take up your space and time and for allowing me to meet your wonderful followers and friends. I am now one of the 30 hand picked show case authors on the new and exciting Love a Happy Ending. This a brand new magazine style web site for readers, so if you love books, please stop by!
My books are available from:Amazon.co.ukAmazon.comIf you would like learn more about my books, please visit me at,My website - WebMy blog - BlogMy facebook page - FacebookOr follow me on - Twitter
Hope you enjoyed this, take care all!
Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
July 3, 2011
Playing writer!
No character Monday today. I'm actually not sure who to do next so if anyone has a preference feel free to say it : ) I've actually taken Monday and Tuesday as annual leave so to work on Awakening. I know some people might think this is crazy but it'll make me feel sooo much better when the first draft is done and off to the critiquers. Speaking of which... Any takers? I have a couple whom I adore but I'm always looking for others. Obviously you have to be able to deal with the fact I use multiple points of view. Because I'm not changing that. Essentially I want people for a couple of different stages (seen there's usually a few re-writes). So have a read of the 'ideal' people I'm looking for and if you fit the part (and you want to do it) get in touch via my contact button on the right. You of course must have read The Arrival (otherwise it'll make nooo sense whatsoever ;p) and I am needing a quick turn around time (ideally no longer than 2 weeks). I am very happy to offer my services in exchange but obviously not till Awakening is done and dusted : )
I'm looking for
A couple of basic overall readers - read it, tell me the stuff you hate/love/find boring. No actual editing (spelling/grammar etc) required unless you're covering two of the people I'm looking for (good by me *grin*)
An editor extraordinaire - you have to understand my 'voice' well enough to not throw out rather unhelpful comments such as 'you change POV here' ....
A kick-ass proof-reader - for the final version at which point I find it exceptionally difficult to spot those cursed errors anymore. So I'd love to be able to line someone up for this! You wouldn't be required for a couple of months (I expect)
Any offers would be GREATLY appreciated *grin* many, many thanks!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
I'm looking for
A couple of basic overall readers - read it, tell me the stuff you hate/love/find boring. No actual editing (spelling/grammar etc) required unless you're covering two of the people I'm looking for (good by me *grin*)
An editor extraordinaire - you have to understand my 'voice' well enough to not throw out rather unhelpful comments such as 'you change POV here' ....
A kick-ass proof-reader - for the final version at which point I find it exceptionally difficult to spot those cursed errors anymore. So I'd love to be able to line someone up for this! You wouldn't be required for a couple of months (I expect)
Any offers would be GREATLY appreciated *grin* many, many thanks!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
July 2, 2011
Better late than never - Friday Funnies
Sorry for the delay peoples : ) Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend and a major congrats to Nancy Williams! Her short story The Magic of Windlier Way is on the top #100 Free books on Amazon. Get it while it's hot!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 30, 2011
Thursday's Writing Tip - From a professional editor
A fantastic post I came across on a site I think many of you may really like! Meredith at Fiction Workbench discusses POV's and using first and third person. In. The. Same. Story.
Here's the snippet as well as a link to the whole article and Meredith's fabulous site.
'First of all, there's no problem at all with mixing first person and third person POV in a single story or across a collection of stories like you are planning. Writers do it all the time. It's probably best to establish a pattern–so when you are *in* Derke or Shylocke's POV, use first person for them every time. Don't have one scene/story in Derke's POV written in first, and then another in third. Be consistent. If you want Granish to be in third person, use third person for all of his POV scenes or stories. But as long as you maintain that sort of consistency, it's okay even to write a novel that has some POV characters in first person and others in third.
And if a first-person character appears in a different story or scene that is NOT their own POV, of course it's okay to have them in third person. You just can't go into their head because they are not the POV character. But they can be in the scene in third person, no problem.The important thing to remember is to stay in one POV for the entire scene. If you are going to change POV, make sure that it's logical to do so and that there is a clean, natural break into a new scene so the transition is clear. Try to establish the POV as early in the scene as you can, and give each POV character a strong, unique voice. Ideally, we should be able to tell whose POV we are in just by the voice of the narration, even without the character being identified. Do that, and you can use any combination of POVs that you wish.' Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Here's the snippet as well as a link to the whole article and Meredith's fabulous site.
'First of all, there's no problem at all with mixing first person and third person POV in a single story or across a collection of stories like you are planning. Writers do it all the time. It's probably best to establish a pattern–so when you are *in* Derke or Shylocke's POV, use first person for them every time. Don't have one scene/story in Derke's POV written in first, and then another in third. Be consistent. If you want Granish to be in third person, use third person for all of his POV scenes or stories. But as long as you maintain that sort of consistency, it's okay even to write a novel that has some POV characters in first person and others in third.
And if a first-person character appears in a different story or scene that is NOT their own POV, of course it's okay to have them in third person. You just can't go into their head because they are not the POV character. But they can be in the scene in third person, no problem.The important thing to remember is to stay in one POV for the entire scene. If you are going to change POV, make sure that it's logical to do so and that there is a clean, natural break into a new scene so the transition is clear. Try to establish the POV as early in the scene as you can, and give each POV character a strong, unique voice. Ideally, we should be able to tell whose POV we are in just by the voice of the narration, even without the character being identified. Do that, and you can use any combination of POVs that you wish.' Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 28, 2011
Winter has hit and I'm rambling..
And brrrrr is it cold! My thigh bones are aching, most annoying, does anyone else get this or am I just weird *lol* It's been like that for as long as I can remember. The view from my desk today was grey with rain and misty. With seagulls whooping past as they tried to navigate the gales. I wouldn't want to be a bird in this weather. The book count is 20,000 and still creeping up albeit a bit slower now that it's not the 'new' thing. And I got a note from Lianne at Lovethyauthor that I'm going to feature on their site tomorrow. Which is fantastic and totally unexpected! So many thanks to them for this opportunity and I hope they enjoyed the read.The difficult scene in Awakening is progressing slowly and I both dread and look forward to book three, Feel the Burn, for this reason. It's crazy how much it takes a toll on me while working on them. I'm getting around a note a day from someone who's just read The Arrival and wants to let me know they enjoyed it. Which really just makes my day *grin*I'm missing my laptop lots as I hunch over my wireless keyboard with my computer jammed on a coffee table in front of me. My greatest wish now is that book two will sell well enough for me to get the tinsy Toshiba notebook I've spotted in the shops. Green, naturally ;p It has a battery life of eight hours and only weighs 1.1kg. So I'd actually be able to take it bush! Which would be cool.Tonight it's pizza at nana's and she's just had her second operation on her eyes so hopefully it means she'll be able to read and watch TV again without feeling ill. I know she's been aching to read for ages but because of the cataracts hasn't been able to. This is the other reason I want to get The Arrival into Createspace, because she'd like to read it and I'm looking forward to see what she thinks of her character. Actually I'm not entirely sure she even remembers that I based a character on her so that should be a pleasant surprise for her.A rambling post I know, next week I have a fabulous author lined up for interview (and now I'm going to dash off the questions to her before I forget). I hope you're all well. Oh! And congrats to Pixie who is officially now Mrs Edgecombe and has to be one of the most beautiful brides I've seen. Isn't this pic stunning?
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 27, 2011
Character Monday - introducing Gredel and Citaan
How were your weekends? Good I hope. Mine was good, quiet and I worked out a couple of tough scenes in Awakening. I find these sort of scenes very draining and some of you may remember the post I did last year (feels sooo long ago ;p) on what I call 'method writing'. Method writing is how I write. I imagine myself as the character and pretty much act out the scene - emotionally and often out-loud (and now you see the other reason Glenn and I have our own rooms *lol*). I've always done it this way and I presume lots of other writers do it too. Glenn was helping his family move which was probably a good thing as coming across me bawling my eyes out or seething with fury for no apparent reason does tend to bewilder him a little. Though he's totally fine with it when I'm working on the … intimate scenes *giggle*. As I get closer to the final scenes of Awakening I find myself already planning scenes in Feel the Burn - book three of the Trilogy. I found myself doing the same thing when writing The Arrival, planning ahead to scenes in Awakening.I got a couple of new reviews on the weekend which was exciting. One, a two star review had me laughing.'Everything is too breathlessly marvelous. Probably a perfect book for a young teenage girl. Some interesting creatures are introduced, but the focus is on the four beautiful girls and their beaus and their fairy tale romances.'It's the first time anyone's complained about that! I've never been one to write dark. It's just not me so I can understand where she's coming from to an extent. But I wish she wouldn't recommend it to tweens - as Kerrin (who's read the first portion of the draft to Awakening) can attest, Awakening is very adult. I have to assume the reviewer found the switching POV's easy enough as she obviously read it and didn't complain about them. And it's funny to me to see the characters described as 'beautiful girls'. Yes technically they are attractive but that's not really what I see when I write them. It's always fascinating to see how a reader interprets your work, and the other review was a 5 star - WOO!The book download count is over 18,000 and it's now available on UK Amazon and is in their top 100 free e-books list. Which is very exciting. Again I find it interesting that the percentage of people downloading after viewing the page has dropped. I hope it means that only those who genuinely are interested in the blurb/sample are grabbing it.
Meet Gredel - aka Dash Mihok
Maybe Zooey? Just with blue hair (see below for inspiration, though I envisioned it darker) and gold eyes
And now, introducing Gredel and his lovely wife Citaan.
Gredel is the second in command in the Griffon Guard and can appear rather gruff to outsiders. He's very level headed and can deal with pretty much any situation thrown at him. Except his lovely wife who tends to turn him on his head with just a smile. Recently married after a whirlwind romance Gredel is utterly infatuated with Citaan and her with him. As second in command Gredel stands in for Alek where necessary and rides Phroma, a dark griffon with violet undertones in her wings. Phroma has a young pup, Ageip, whom Gredel is very fond of. He also hopes that Ageip may link with his unborn child in the future.Citaan is part water-sprite (her grandmother was a full blooded sprite) and consequently is gifted with water. This is also what gives her, her unusual blue hair and golden eyes. She works in the castle for Elena as a research assistant and first met Gredel when he was required to fly her deep into the Scrodian Mountains in search of some unusual fae Elena was interested in. She is one of six girls and has a far outnumbered brother, Brece. Her father adores all his 'girls' and is very protective of them, in fact his reputation for protectiveness tends to precede him. It's what makes Gredel a tad nervous of him.
Take care all! Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Meet Gredel - aka Dash Mihok
Maybe Zooey? Just with blue hair (see below for inspiration, though I envisioned it darker) and gold eyes
And now, introducing Gredel and his lovely wife Citaan.
Gredel is the second in command in the Griffon Guard and can appear rather gruff to outsiders. He's very level headed and can deal with pretty much any situation thrown at him. Except his lovely wife who tends to turn him on his head with just a smile. Recently married after a whirlwind romance Gredel is utterly infatuated with Citaan and her with him. As second in command Gredel stands in for Alek where necessary and rides Phroma, a dark griffon with violet undertones in her wings. Phroma has a young pup, Ageip, whom Gredel is very fond of. He also hopes that Ageip may link with his unborn child in the future.Citaan is part water-sprite (her grandmother was a full blooded sprite) and consequently is gifted with water. This is also what gives her, her unusual blue hair and golden eyes. She works in the castle for Elena as a research assistant and first met Gredel when he was required to fly her deep into the Scrodian Mountains in search of some unusual fae Elena was interested in. She is one of six girls and has a far outnumbered brother, Brece. Her father adores all his 'girls' and is very protective of them, in fact his reputation for protectiveness tends to precede him. It's what makes Gredel a tad nervous of him.
Take care all! Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 24, 2011
Rather late Friday Funnies!
Sorry for the lateness ;p Things have been a little crazy of late and then my laptop died : ( Really not helpful at all when I'm trying to finish the draft for Awakening *sigh* But we'll make it work! ( I <3 Project Runway). My current download count for The Arrival is 16,755 and they've got it FREE on Amazon UK too which is fantastic! And I've had a few lovely reviews and even some comments on my Facebook page for the Trilogy and my Amazon author page. So even though I can know longer use my darling battered Toshiba I have lots to smile about : ) Have a fantastic weekend everyone!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 22, 2011
Writer Wednesday - Introducing Joy Campbell
Joy is the author of Contraband, Dissolution and Hardware and I invited her on my blog to have a chat with us. She has two blogs The Character Depot and Joy L Campbell so pop over and say hi and check out what she's been up to.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your books?I live in Jamaica. Reading is my first love. Writing is a close second. I also enjoy cake making and decorating. I'm a sucker for electronic gadgets. My writing is directed at several groups - romantic suspense junkies, the women's fiction and contemporary fiction crowd and young adults.Contraband is about choices. A drug dealer has to choose between the benefits of selling marijuana and the woman in his life. Kidnappers and corrupt police officers run amok and someone gets killed.Dissolution came out in May and is about infidelity and the effect it has on one family. Someone dies in this one too.Hardware will be getting a second round of edits shortly and that one is romantic suspense, so there's murder, mayhem and self-discovery.I think I'm obsessed with killing people.
Which of your characters is your favourite?It would be hard for me to pin down one character, but if I classify them according to personality traits I admire, that might be easier. I'm gonna cheat and say I love them equally. I've noticed this is one question that writers never same capable of answering. It's like being asked which hand, foot or eye one prefers.
How long does it take you to write a book? Anywhere from two months to two years. I'll write up a NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) project during November and then forget to finish it until the following October, when it's almost time for NaNo again.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? I watch too much Law & Order (mostly reruns from all the series) and NCIS. I also spend way too much time on social networking sites and visiting other people's blog. Since I bought a Kindle, I troll Amazon looking for deals. Recently, I joined the library so I'm reading more than I usually do. Since I started writing, I've neglected my reading. I'm trying to remedy that.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?There are no limitations in fiction. I can take a situation, create a hundred spin-offs and write something unique – even though it is said that every story has already been told. Also, my characters all surprise me in one way or another. It might be something said or an unpredictable action. We writers are big on imagination. We can write incredible situations into being and have readers raving over our characters. That's nothing short of amazing.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?I read in phases so I've learned different things from various writers. Dick Francis and Jeffrey Archer taught me about suspense. James Herriot and Gerald Durrell are masters at humour. Along with providing me with many hours of amusement, Mark Twain introduced me to uncommon words and gave me an appreciation for complex sentences. (Check out The Innocents Abroad if you ever have time). James Clavell and Eric van Lustbader turned me on to things Japanese and Oriental. Charles Dickens showed me Victorian England and along with it, intense human suffering. An assortment of Caribbean writers showed me what it is to write from an island perspective and endure in a harsh foreign environment.
What project are you working on now?Make that projects; I never seem able to work on just one thing at a time. I'm editing Distraction, a story about three women who deal with dysfunctional relationships within and outside of their marriages. I'm trying to decide where to take another story that has six chapters written and I'm outlining the one that comes after that. I also have a YA novel with one only chapter written and there are other projects waiting. I'm trying not to think about how long I've neglected those.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?I mentioned before that I like complex sentences. For a while, the criticism I got most often was that I used too many words and tended to over explain. I needed a remedy and got a writing coach for a year. He told me today's reader is not inclined to take the scenic route. He told me to unlearn everything I was taught in school and learn how to write clear, concise sentences. In Jamaica, we use British English. Now combine that with my tendency to write convoluted sentences and you have disaster. Writers on the network where I'm a member never tired of telling me that I should stop using Latinate words and use plain Anglo-Saxon ones. What the heck? I still use Latinate words because it's my experience living on a Caribbean island that used to belong to Britain. However, I now dedicate one of my editing runs to identifying words that may make North American readers wonder what on earth I'm talking about. Readers like my characters and twisty plots. That satisfies me as a writer.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?Take time to learn the craft. It's the best gift a writer can give herself. When you feel a burning need to submit your first novel, douse the fire with more editing. The book isn't ready. I found that out by trial and error. There should be a foolproof way for novice writers to know when a manuscript is ready. It would have saved me feeling like an idiot several times over.Finding a writing network did wonders for me. After harsh critiques, I sometimes felt as though I'd been violated, but all the criticisms helped. It took me a while to understand that some people give excellent advice, but know nothing about tact. Over time, I also learned how to differentiate between what advice would work for me and what was regurgitated clap-trap that more experienced writers feed to newbies.
And please excuse the lack of pictures, blogger is playing up and won't load them! *grrrr* hopefully by tomorrow morn (NZ time) I'll have them up. The links however do work : )
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your books?I live in Jamaica. Reading is my first love. Writing is a close second. I also enjoy cake making and decorating. I'm a sucker for electronic gadgets. My writing is directed at several groups - romantic suspense junkies, the women's fiction and contemporary fiction crowd and young adults.Contraband is about choices. A drug dealer has to choose between the benefits of selling marijuana and the woman in his life. Kidnappers and corrupt police officers run amok and someone gets killed.Dissolution came out in May and is about infidelity and the effect it has on one family. Someone dies in this one too.Hardware will be getting a second round of edits shortly and that one is romantic suspense, so there's murder, mayhem and self-discovery.I think I'm obsessed with killing people.
Which of your characters is your favourite?It would be hard for me to pin down one character, but if I classify them according to personality traits I admire, that might be easier. I'm gonna cheat and say I love them equally. I've noticed this is one question that writers never same capable of answering. It's like being asked which hand, foot or eye one prefers.
How long does it take you to write a book? Anywhere from two months to two years. I'll write up a NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) project during November and then forget to finish it until the following October, when it's almost time for NaNo again.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? I watch too much Law & Order (mostly reruns from all the series) and NCIS. I also spend way too much time on social networking sites and visiting other people's blog. Since I bought a Kindle, I troll Amazon looking for deals. Recently, I joined the library so I'm reading more than I usually do. Since I started writing, I've neglected my reading. I'm trying to remedy that.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?There are no limitations in fiction. I can take a situation, create a hundred spin-offs and write something unique – even though it is said that every story has already been told. Also, my characters all surprise me in one way or another. It might be something said or an unpredictable action. We writers are big on imagination. We can write incredible situations into being and have readers raving over our characters. That's nothing short of amazing.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?I read in phases so I've learned different things from various writers. Dick Francis and Jeffrey Archer taught me about suspense. James Herriot and Gerald Durrell are masters at humour. Along with providing me with many hours of amusement, Mark Twain introduced me to uncommon words and gave me an appreciation for complex sentences. (Check out The Innocents Abroad if you ever have time). James Clavell and Eric van Lustbader turned me on to things Japanese and Oriental. Charles Dickens showed me Victorian England and along with it, intense human suffering. An assortment of Caribbean writers showed me what it is to write from an island perspective and endure in a harsh foreign environment.
What project are you working on now?Make that projects; I never seem able to work on just one thing at a time. I'm editing Distraction, a story about three women who deal with dysfunctional relationships within and outside of their marriages. I'm trying to decide where to take another story that has six chapters written and I'm outlining the one that comes after that. I also have a YA novel with one only chapter written and there are other projects waiting. I'm trying not to think about how long I've neglected those.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?I mentioned before that I like complex sentences. For a while, the criticism I got most often was that I used too many words and tended to over explain. I needed a remedy and got a writing coach for a year. He told me today's reader is not inclined to take the scenic route. He told me to unlearn everything I was taught in school and learn how to write clear, concise sentences. In Jamaica, we use British English. Now combine that with my tendency to write convoluted sentences and you have disaster. Writers on the network where I'm a member never tired of telling me that I should stop using Latinate words and use plain Anglo-Saxon ones. What the heck? I still use Latinate words because it's my experience living on a Caribbean island that used to belong to Britain. However, I now dedicate one of my editing runs to identifying words that may make North American readers wonder what on earth I'm talking about. Readers like my characters and twisty plots. That satisfies me as a writer.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?Take time to learn the craft. It's the best gift a writer can give herself. When you feel a burning need to submit your first novel, douse the fire with more editing. The book isn't ready. I found that out by trial and error. There should be a foolproof way for novice writers to know when a manuscript is ready. It would have saved me feeling like an idiot several times over.Finding a writing network did wonders for me. After harsh critiques, I sometimes felt as though I'd been violated, but all the criticisms helped. It took me a while to understand that some people give excellent advice, but know nothing about tact. Over time, I also learned how to differentiate between what advice would work for me and what was regurgitated clap-trap that more experienced writers feed to newbies.
And please excuse the lack of pictures, blogger is playing up and won't load them! *grrrr* hopefully by tomorrow morn (NZ time) I'll have them up. The links however do work : )
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
June 21, 2011
Thank you for suspending your disbelief….
I got another 2 star review. I know, I know, when you offer a book for free you're sure to end up with click happy people who really should have read the sample and reviews PRIOR to clicking the buy button. Some people just can't resist something free ;pThe main gist of this review is that she doesn't get it and can't follow it. All good, not everyone is going to like every book so I'm fine with that. What really irked me is the section below.
I read a lot of fantasy including romantic fantasy. I could not get into this book at all. I liked the concept. While it stretched my beliefs that these 20-somethings were blackbelts AND into archery AND into sword play and could sew and do magic...ok, I can suspend some belief to further the storyline.
It pretty much sent my inner feminist on a total rage *lol* because guess what? These characters are based on my friends and what I know. So, please suspend disbelief while I list the achievements - weird, wacky and otherwise - of myself and my friends and our current ages (or what age we achieved them at). And join in!! I'd so love to hear what you've done/can do. What irks me the most about the comment, is that it's a female making such a judgemental comment.C'mon people as females we get pigeon holed enough by the opposite sex, lets not do it to each other! So tell us your fantastic achievements and if you have daughters/nieces/friends, hell any girl out there who needs or wants a boost of girl power, send them this way, cause we want to know just how awesome they are. And boys you are very much welcome, some of my favourite reviews are from guys who obviously prefer a kick-ass female lead to a damsel in distress.
Nicole age 28 (almost 29 Yikes ;p)Smallbore shootingTramping - since the time my parents could strap a pair of boots on me.Sewing (the character Ada is based on my Grandmother Ada who is an incredible seamstress to the point I saw it as magic as a child)Jazz dancingBelly dancing (where I acquired the nic-name Dimples..)Practising Witch for 10 years - Not practising anymore, my beliefs are more about what Witchcraft and Pagan's root beliefs are. Yes I created the spell in the book and yes it could technically be used (though sorry, as with all 'spells' they really are about attracting positive energy rather than 'zap bang').Writing! Though some may disagree *lol*Basic training in Taekwondo, Karate, Jujitsu & fencingClassically trained vocalistJewellery designer and maker - used to sell it in a boutique store
Sian - 27 (28 on Friday!!)Orienteering, 2nd in National Champs (under 18 year olds)TaekwondoArmy cadetBasic Air force trainingMy whole secondary schooling was earned by continuing scholarshipsQualified Technical Laboratory Microbiologist and Chemist in both human pathology and food technologyBodypaint modelWiccan goddessAnd general geek *lol* (we all use Siany as our reference manual *grin* her knowledge is vast)
Pixie aka Sarah - 28Taekwondo (black belt)Ballet - on Pointe till I was 19WriterSword fighter - German sword fighting, a new international sportLearning to ride so to participate in 'skill at arms' exercises (where participants ride a horse and complete fighting) not brave enough to joust (yet;p) but my dad and brother do.Serious sewing and handcraft skillsQualified Nurse
Chelsea - 21 (22 soon, both Chels & Sian are Cancer's)Have 2 degrees – BCA (commerce) and BSc (Science) majoring in Maths, Psychology and Finance (2006-2009). Currently finishing my honours in finance (2010-2011)Victoria Graduate Award 2009/2010Reserve Bank Scholarship (2007-2009)6yrs Touch RugbyNetball (2yrs wellington reps)TennisBadmintonSkiing since whenever you were first able to ;pUnderwater Hockey (does the mental image of this amuse anyone else? Amuses the heck outta me ;p)SaxophonePianoBallet
Sally - 40 (Sian's workmate)Represents NZ in Smallbore shooting - has done for yearsDoes pole dancing for fitness (WOO! Go Salz)Exceptional sewing skills
Kerrin - 295 yr competitive gymnastics11 yrs competitive springboard and platform diving (the memory of Kerrin pushing herself slowly up into a handstand from sitting will stay with me for EVER!)Jazz dancingBA in English LiteratureCompleted two novelsSecretary for Playgroup, Soccer player, writer, card maker, sewer, studying for Early Childhood Degree.A mother of 2 beautiful kids (and daily migraines for two years since and still doing it all!)
So c'mon - tell us your fabulous, quirky, or excelling achievements!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
I read a lot of fantasy including romantic fantasy. I could not get into this book at all. I liked the concept. While it stretched my beliefs that these 20-somethings were blackbelts AND into archery AND into sword play and could sew and do magic...ok, I can suspend some belief to further the storyline.
It pretty much sent my inner feminist on a total rage *lol* because guess what? These characters are based on my friends and what I know. So, please suspend disbelief while I list the achievements - weird, wacky and otherwise - of myself and my friends and our current ages (or what age we achieved them at). And join in!! I'd so love to hear what you've done/can do. What irks me the most about the comment, is that it's a female making such a judgemental comment.C'mon people as females we get pigeon holed enough by the opposite sex, lets not do it to each other! So tell us your fantastic achievements and if you have daughters/nieces/friends, hell any girl out there who needs or wants a boost of girl power, send them this way, cause we want to know just how awesome they are. And boys you are very much welcome, some of my favourite reviews are from guys who obviously prefer a kick-ass female lead to a damsel in distress.
Nicole age 28 (almost 29 Yikes ;p)Smallbore shootingTramping - since the time my parents could strap a pair of boots on me.Sewing (the character Ada is based on my Grandmother Ada who is an incredible seamstress to the point I saw it as magic as a child)Jazz dancingBelly dancing (where I acquired the nic-name Dimples..)Practising Witch for 10 years - Not practising anymore, my beliefs are more about what Witchcraft and Pagan's root beliefs are. Yes I created the spell in the book and yes it could technically be used (though sorry, as with all 'spells' they really are about attracting positive energy rather than 'zap bang').Writing! Though some may disagree *lol*Basic training in Taekwondo, Karate, Jujitsu & fencingClassically trained vocalistJewellery designer and maker - used to sell it in a boutique store
Sian - 27 (28 on Friday!!)Orienteering, 2nd in National Champs (under 18 year olds)TaekwondoArmy cadetBasic Air force trainingMy whole secondary schooling was earned by continuing scholarshipsQualified Technical Laboratory Microbiologist and Chemist in both human pathology and food technologyBodypaint modelWiccan goddessAnd general geek *lol* (we all use Siany as our reference manual *grin* her knowledge is vast)
Pixie aka Sarah - 28Taekwondo (black belt)Ballet - on Pointe till I was 19WriterSword fighter - German sword fighting, a new international sportLearning to ride so to participate in 'skill at arms' exercises (where participants ride a horse and complete fighting) not brave enough to joust (yet;p) but my dad and brother do.Serious sewing and handcraft skillsQualified Nurse
Chelsea - 21 (22 soon, both Chels & Sian are Cancer's)Have 2 degrees – BCA (commerce) and BSc (Science) majoring in Maths, Psychology and Finance (2006-2009). Currently finishing my honours in finance (2010-2011)Victoria Graduate Award 2009/2010Reserve Bank Scholarship (2007-2009)6yrs Touch RugbyNetball (2yrs wellington reps)TennisBadmintonSkiing since whenever you were first able to ;pUnderwater Hockey (does the mental image of this amuse anyone else? Amuses the heck outta me ;p)SaxophonePianoBallet
Sally - 40 (Sian's workmate)Represents NZ in Smallbore shooting - has done for yearsDoes pole dancing for fitness (WOO! Go Salz)Exceptional sewing skills
Kerrin - 295 yr competitive gymnastics11 yrs competitive springboard and platform diving (the memory of Kerrin pushing herself slowly up into a handstand from sitting will stay with me for EVER!)Jazz dancingBA in English LiteratureCompleted two novelsSecretary for Playgroup, Soccer player, writer, card maker, sewer, studying for Early Childhood Degree.A mother of 2 beautiful kids (and daily migraines for two years since and still doing it all!)
So c'mon - tell us your fabulous, quirky, or excelling achievements!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, on Amazon or UK Amazon or Smashwords
