Jennifer Bray-Weber's Blog, page 69
March 19, 2014
Hump Day Kick Start – Flasher Edition
Song of the day: Live It Up by Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull
Hump Day Kick Start – for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a visual treat.
Introducing today’s prompt. She’s flashing traffic. How fun is that?
What’s her story? Is she doing this on a dare? What will she get for doing it (besides a giddy and/or queasy feeling)? Is she flashing her boyfriend on his way to work? How about protesting something—like tearing down the bridge she’s standing on or bras? What if her antics were caught on film by a news crew?
You tell me. Love to hear your take on this exhibitionist.
March 18, 2014
Link Of The Week- Strange Information
Here’s a site for you to add in all sorts of information to your novel:
Are you trying to poison someone? http://listverse.com/2012/12/02/10-poisons-used-to-kill-people/
Are you writing a book about great treasure?http://listverse.com/2014/03/16/10-of-the-worlds-greatest-lost-treasures/
Does someone need to be sacrificed? http://listverse.com/2014/03/17/10-contemporary-cases-of-human-sacrifice/
These are just a few of the topics covered on this site- I’ve had so much fun exploring this for Musetracks…..muwahahahahaha my characters are in for a ride now!
March 17, 2014
Bring Me the Horizon – Release Day! Giveaway!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Lift a mug of your favorite Irish ale (or beverage of your choice), today is also the release day of my latest Romancing the Pirate tale. Though BRING ME THE HORIZON is the prequel to the series, it is the fifth book to hit the virtual shelves. And it’s only .99! I’m so excited, I could sing a pirate shanty! And GIVEAWAY a free copy just for commenting!
BRING ME THE HORIZON blurb:
Graciela DuBois is desperate to find the vile pirate who took her sister. What better way to hunt a pirate than with another pirate? When she strikes a reckless bargain with the infamous Captain Banning, she soon realizes a ship full of rogues isn’t as dangerous as her growing desires for the captain.
Captain Cutler Banning is hardly impressed by the lass’s quest—especially when the man she seeks is a member of his pirate brethren. That is, until she offers to pay handsomely with a legendary gold nugget and her body. The beautiful temptation is too great and, despite the curse the gold is said to bring, he agrees to help. Doing so invites trouble both on board his ship and in his wounded heart. And Gracie has a secret that just may destroy the brethren.
Want YOUR copy? Click here!
Sign up for my newsletter to the latest on my pirate adventures, get sneak-peeks, and giveaways. Coming this summer, the 6th installment, MUTINY OF THE HEART.
Help me celebrate this lucky day! Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance at a free copy!
March 12, 2014
Hump Day Kick Start – Steamy Cowboy Edition
Song of the day: Cowboy by Kid Rock
Hump Day Kick Start – for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a visual treat.
It’s rodeo season in my neck of the woods, so I had to find me a cowboy. Whatcha think?
So tell me about today’s prompt. Who is he and what is he up to? Is he a stripper about to go on stage for a rough ride? (Think Magic Mike.) Maybe he’s a stripper about to enter what he thinks is a bachelorette party, but turns out to be something else entirely. (Love to hear that one!) Is he a ranch hand who is cleaning out his sexy boss’s stable? Or fixing her broken down tractor in hopes she might return a favor? Could he be one hell of a sexy bank robber, à la Jesse James style? What’s that expression on his face? Is he plotting? Is he angry? Is he jealous ,hurt, brooding? Is he staring down the cowgirl who just beat him in a horse race? Maybe he’s thinking about roping him that pretty sheriff’s daughter. What’s your take? Love to hear your thoughts.
Save a horse…
March 11, 2014
Musetracks Hunts For A Good Deal
An important part of the writing process is to work with critique partners. I know everyone has their own way of doing this, but I’ve seen it done two ways.
1. You email pages to your group several days in advance, they use track changes and print out their suggestions. So if you exchange 10 pages and you have 4 people in your group, you’re printing off 40 pages.
2. You make a copy of your pages for every member of your group and you work on it together- still 40 pages. Do that once a week for a month and you’ve used 160 pages of printer paper. That adds up in a hurry!
We like saving money! Here are two different, cost effective paper suppliers. I feel my pockets getting heavier with savings.
******If you have a place that’s cheaper, please share with the Musetracks family.
http://www.shoplet.com/HP-All-In-One-Printing-Paper/HEW207010/spdv If you don’t like to get out and shop- this one is for you. Free shipping!
http://www.costco.com/Costco-Copy-Paper,-Letter,-20lb,-92-Bright,-5,000ct-6%2B-Case-Pricing-CS1-677776.product.11766029.html By far, the best deal I found.
March 5, 2014
Bring Me The Horizon – Cover Reveal!!
I am super excited to unveil my latest pirate adventure, available everywhere e-books are sold March 17th! Behold!
Bring Me The Horizon
The blurb:
Graciela DuBois is desperate to find the vile pirate who took her sister. What better way to hunt a pirate than with another pirate? When she strikes a reckless bargain with the infamous Captain Banning, she soon realizes a ship full of rogues isn’t as dangerous as her growing desires for the captain.
Captain Cutler Banning is hardly impressed by the lass’s quest—especially when the man she seeks is a member of his pirate brethren. That is, until she offers to pay handsomely with a legendary gold nugget and her body. The beautiful temptation is too great and, despite the curse the gold is said to bring, he agrees to help. Doing so invites trouble both on board his ship and in his wounded heart. And Gracie has a secret that just may destroy the brethren.
Intrigued? You can have your very own advance e-copy for free. Yes, free! Just sign up for my mailing list.
~Jenn!
March 4, 2014
Link Of The Week- Tools To Use!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id345184462?mt=8 ”Streaks is a simple tool for tracking the consecutive days it takes to reach a certain goal. For each day that you accomplish your task, you mark it on the Streaks calendar, motivating yourself to keep the streak going! Miss a single day, and the streak starts over.
Start with a single calendar to track your first goal. Tap a day to mark it. Then, through the settings, add more calendars to track other goals. Toggling between calendars is as easy as flicking your finger up and down on the screen. Adding a note to a day is as simple as tapping and holding.” $1.99
http://www.gliffy.com/ ”This nifty program is free to use and works in your Internet browser — allowing you to easily create flowcharts and diagrams. If you’re stuck in your plot or are planning your novel, this is a great tool to help you visualize your thoughts and help you analyze how you might get from “a” to “b.” “
http://www.ilys.com/ ”We help the editing-mind take a nap while the creative-mind goes wild with expression.”
February 26, 2014
Hump Day Kick Start – Nickle Plate Edition
Song of the day: Click, Click, Boom by Saliva
Hump Day Kick Start – for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a visual treat.
Going for something a touch different today. Our prompt definitely has a story. Who is she? Burlesque dancer? Undercover cop? Antique car collector? Jilted lover?What is her mood? Vengeful? Despondent? Daring? Why does she have the gun? Does she plan to use it? Or is she protecting herself from someone or something? Where is she going? Or is she parked, waiting? And what’s up with the suspenders?
What say you? I’d love to hear your take.
February 25, 2014
Link Of The Week- Hear Your Book
Have you ever wondered what your story sounds like spoken aloud? Would you like to hear how the flow of your varied sentence structures fit together? Have you repeated words?
All these questions can be answered with this week’s Link Of The Week. It is a text to speech software that uses natural sounding voices and it’s free! (There’s also a paid version but the free one is quite good.) There are a number of uses for this program, check them out.
By the way…..did I mention it was free?!?
http://www.naturalreaders.com/
February 19, 2014
Writing and Censoring Sex for the Timid Author
Song of the Day: Counting Stars by OneRepublic
This past weekend I was a featured author at a local county library book festival. I had a great time connecting, reconnecting and meeting authors, organizers, and readers. Fun was had by all. I sat on a panel discussing steamy reads. No surprise there, right. The wonderful thing about panels is that people get varying responses to the same questions, be it highlighting authors’ processes, experiences, or craft. At the same time, there is often unifying advice for aspiring authors on perseverance, encouragement, and inspiration.
One attendee this weekend asked a series of questions that probably most 
authors struggle with at one time or another. The query started out with, and I will paraphrase, writing sex scenes. How do you write intimate scenes, especially steamy ones, knowing your parents, co-workers, and friends in the community will read them? I had a lot to say about this. My advice: cut out the noise, the whispers, the judging that is going on in your head. Don’t worry about what others will say or think. That’s crippling and taints the storytelling. Write for you. And then ask yourself who is your target market. I’d be willing to bet it’s not your parents, co-workers, and community friends.
This led to the next question. How do you write sex scenes? Much is determined by certain dynamic factors – genre, POV, situation, level of heat, and target market. The biggie is to rely on your senses. Use as many as you can. Be your characters. Are what they doing appropriate for them? (Not you!) Don’t just tell or explain what’s happening. Show it. Show it by utilizing action words and details. If there is dialogue, please, please say the words out loud to yourself. Are they appropriate? Is the exchange real? Sex is a real, natural human response to the base carnal needs as well as the deep emotional impact of love. This should be conveyed in storytelling, too.
What if you don’t feel comfortable writing the intimate scenes? If you squirm and feel awkward about it when you write intimate scenes, your readers will pick up on that. Your writing will be stilted and unreal. Write what you are comfortable writing. That said, don’t be afraid to push your boundaries. Remember your target market – what do they require from you, the characters, and the story. Don’t shock and awe if your characters/story/genre doesn’t call for it. Conversely, don’t fall short of expectations, either.
This led to a final question asked of me after the panel was over. What about writing controversial scenes or subject matter – something that could be offensive and/or sensitive? My answer is two-fold. Consider the characters. Don’t alter or censor them. Write the story or scene how it is supposed to happen if they, themselves, were writing it. No holds barred. Then write the scene differently – in another POV, behind the scenes, or in muted bits of key information. Just be sure not to lose the effect or purpose. Which way works best for you? Unsure which direction to take? Enlist in critique partners and beta readers to help. Honest opinions will go a long way. I wrote about a rape in BLOOD AND TREASURE. Clearly a horrific subject. Instead of recounting the disturbing act in detail, I took “screenshots” of the incident through the character’s mental state and awareness. I still achieved the emotional impact, but sans the graphic nature.
Bottom line to all these questions:
Write for yourself and your target audience.
Be comfortable with your product.
Use your senses.
Consider your characters. What would they do?
Don’t censor your writing!
This, of course, is just my candid advice. How do you handle these sticky situations?
