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Tantalizing Talks! Victim #3: David EstesHold on to your ...

Tantalizing Talks!


Victim #3: David Estes

Hold on to your hats, ladies! We’ve got the ever-so-charming Mr. Blue Eyes (as his fans affectionately call him) for this installment of “Tantalizing Talks.” If this is your first visit to “TT” then you already know my quirky style of Q&A. However, I couldn’t help but add a few eccentric ones just for David. *Snicker, snicker.*
I am thrilled to introduce his newest novel, The Moon Dwellers . Even the title is exciting! Estes has created a dystopian world like no other. Not only are his characters compelling, taking you on a journey you absolutely must follow, but the writing style is alluring in a raw, gritty sort of way. The first line of the book: “Hands grope, men shout, boots slap the rock floor.” Ooooooo. Esteshas masterfully written a gripping story that won’t disappoint. Now, let’s hear what he has to say . . .



THE AUTHOR:
1.) A simile that best describes you?

I am like the Energizer bunny, I just keep going and going (and going). I tend to wake up early and go to bed late and write a new book every six weeks. I’ll be publishing 4 children’s books in a series in August and the sequel to The Moon Dwellers in September! I’m also on Goodreads constantly and love participating in book discussions, random discussions, meeting new people people, and playing games.

2.) Three of your favorite things?

* Goodreads! As many people know, I’m pretty much obsessed with Goodreads.
* Books! Without books I’m not sure what I would do with myself!
*Animals! I love all animals, especially cute and cuddly ones!

3.) Where you live and who lives with you?

After living in Australia for the last three years, my Australian wife and I recently left Down Under to travel the world for two years so I can write and she can write and take photographs. We’ve been in Hawaii for the last 5 weeks and we still have another 4 weeks here! Next stop is Nashville to listen to some country music and then Pittsburgh to visit my family. After that, who knows? The Caribbean, Mexico, Africa, Europe, Asia!

4.) The best thing about where you live?

Well, right now the best thing is getting to see a different place every month. We’re staying in each place we decide to visit for at least a month at a time so that we can really immerse ourselves in the culture and get to know the people. I also love that we have the flexibility to leave a place and go wherever we want next!

5.) The worst thing about where you live?

Living out of a suitcase! We can never really unpack and get settled as we know we’ll be leaving soon. Oh and all the plane rides get annoying too, I can never seem to sleep because my legs are so long!

6.) Currently your favorite author and why?

Right now my favorite author is Veronica Roth, author of Divergent and Insurgent. She has such an amazing ability to create a world so grim and tortured, and yet make you cheer for the characters to win in the end. Reading Divergent was one of my many inspirations to write a YA dystopian novel.

7.) Quote by your favorite author of all-time?

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” As I’m sure many of those who read this will know, this is from The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. There are a million amazing and inspiring quotes out there, but this one has always been my favorite. It was the perfect line for Tolkien’s characters and their story, but the beauty of it is that it can be related to many other books, as well as to real life. Sometimes the first step is the hardest, because once you take it you are out of your comfort zone. But I can promise you that it’s always worth taking anyway!
 

THE BOOK:
1) Name of main character and three adjectives to describe him/her?
I have two main characters, Adele and Tristan, and I tell the story from each of their points of view. They are from very different backgrounds, which I hope makes for an interesting contrast.

Adele is strong, compassionate, and sarcastic. The stuff that comes out of her mouth surprises even me sometimes, which I love. It’s almost like she wrote her own lines using my fingers to type! She has her father’s strength and her mother’s compassion, too, which is an intriguing combination.

Tristan, on the other hand, is honest to a fault, loyal, and reliable. Sometimes his honesty gets him into trouble, but I also think it’s what makes him so endearing. Throughout the first book and even more so in the sequel, the bond and loyalty between Tristan and his best friend, Roc, is shown. He’s reliable in that you can count on him to come through for you in difficult situations. He’s definitely someone I would want to watch my back in a fight.

2) If your main character could be earth, wind, fire, or water, what would he/she be? Why?
Adele would be fire. When she strikes, she’s hot and fiery—not someone you want to mess with. But as the adrenaline subsides, she starts to simmer like hot coals.

Tristan is earth. He’s solid like rock and dirt. Stable, steady, reliable. And he’s the type of a guy a girl would want to set down roots with.

3) Name of villain or antagonist in your story and three verbs to describe him/her?
There are two main villains in the book: Tristan’s father, President Nailin, and his killing machine, Rivet.

Verbs huh? Interesting. President Nailin is lying, cheating, and stealing. He’ll do anything to anyone to get what he wants and puts the self in selfish.

Three verbs to describe Rivet are killing, killing, and killing. He gets extreme pleasure from extinguishing the life of other people, and wants nothing more to take down Adele and her friends.

4) If your villain were any flavor ice-cream, what would he/she be and why?
Hahaha! Great question! President Nailin would be extra dark chocolate, the more bitter the better. Rivet would be bright red cherry sherbet, the color of blood.

5) Describe the main plot of your story in one sentence.
The Moon Dwellers: In a world where humans have been forced to live underground due to the uninhabitable earth’s surface, seventeen-year-old Adele—a citizen of the middle class moon dwellers—must attempt to escape from prison, and find and reunite her shattered family armed only with two very capable fists and a wicked roundhouse kick.

6) The best theme of your story?

That’s a tough call as my story has many themes that I hope readers will enjoy, including family, honor, loyalty, and friendship. But of these I would say family is the most common theme. For Adele it’s all about bringing her family together, while Tristan is trying to escape his father’s shadow and find his mother. Many of the supporting characters go through similar quests involving their own struggles and joys of their families.

7) One of your favorite sentences in your book?

“Me, the queen of sarcastic comments—self declared—has been outsarcastified.”—Adele

I like this quote because it shows a bit of Adele’s personality, which is very sarcastic. I also got to invent a word, try and guess which word is made up! Haha!

8) One thing you’d like readers to know about the world you created or the characters in them?
I guess I just want my readers to know that the emotions the characters display throughout the book are the real deal. They don’t mince words and they don’t hold back. The world they live in is a dangerous and sad world and so they are all dangerous and sad. But at the same time, they manage to find great joy amidst all the turmoil because of the relationships they develop, which is one of my favorite things about it.

Finally, I just want to thank Stephanie for allowing me to come on her blog for this interview. The questions were awesome and thought-provoking and I hope you enjoyed my responses! I can’t wait to see what your readers think of The Moon Dwellers!! Also, I made a pledge when I started writing a couple of years ago that I would always respond to questions and comments from my readers, so I encourage everyone to talk to me on one of my favorite social networking sites that Stephanie has provided for you. I can’t wait to hear from you and happy reading!! Thank you, David, for your delightful and witty responses! Your generous spirit puts a smile on my face. To read more on Estes and his novels, which I highly recommend, please access the links below.  Also, check out his Angel Evolution series, and stay tuned for the upcoming sequel The Star Dwellers !

Website: http://davidestesbooks.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/David-E...
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/davidestesbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/davidestesbooks

Where you can buy The Moon Dwellers :

Kindle Ebook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FJV8SQ/r...

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Dwellers-S...

B&N Ebook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-m...

Smashwords Ebook: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

The Star Dwellers: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

MASTERMINDING THE VILLAIN

We all love to hate the villains of our favorite stories, but what truly makes them worthy of our contempt and loathing? One of the most fun parts of being a writer is developing not only our loveable heroes and heroines but also the malevolent villains they must fight and conquer. In developing my new demon-hunter series, I’ve been analyzing some of the most infamous villains to determine what makes them so hate-worthy. Here’s a shortlist of must-haves.

Innate Evil:
Seems a bit obvious, but definitely true. There can always be a wicked motivation guiding our enemy’s wicked deeds, but they need to actually enjoy implementing their sinister plots to really jerk our chain. For example, Voldemort. He is a power-hungry egomaniac. Yes. However, it is in those moments where we see genuine joy on his serpentine face when he has Harry in his claws that makes us yearn for his demise.
Intelligence/Cunning:
Stupid villains are booooo-ring. Our hero/heroine needs an opponent equal to their own intellect. Otherwise, there is no real satisfaction in conquering them. In addition, it is also preferable that our foe harbor secrets that can possibly destroy our hero unless he/she has the inner strength to triumph. Look at Darth Vader. The ultimate secret he waylaid on Luke Skywalker: “I am your father.” Noooooooooooo! The dark side nearly won. Fortunately, Luke had the inner strength to win over his father to the side of good in the end.
Disfigurement:
This goes without saying. The villain must have some sort of physical deformity. Now, that does not mean that the villain can’t be beautiful. But there must be some other attribute that sends chills up our spine—demonic voice, hissing laugh, glowing eyes, creepy gait. Consider Aro, a leader of the Volturi in Twilight. (Note: I realize the Volturi are not the ultimate enemy in this series, but they do serve as central adversaries to the will of Edward’s “vegan” vampire coven.) All of the Volturi and Twilight vampires are exceptionally beautiful. But when Aro comes into the room, there is a tangible sinister presence hovering around him. Along with the blood-red eyes (denoting him as a human blood-drinker and murderer), his eerily soft voice and gentle movements make us cringe at the deadly force hidden behind this facade.

Charisma & Confidence:
The most infamous leaders in history and literature are alluring, enabling them to gain a steady following of henchmen to do their dirty work. In history, I instantly think of Hitler. You can look at just about every villain mentioned above and see that they have a certain charm that appeals to like-minded miscreants. Part of the appeal is the leading antagonist’s unwavering confidence to squash the lesser-beings standing in their way. There is a word for this in the teachings of the Greek tragedy—Hubris. Arrogant pride will always be the fatal flaw to doom any bearer of this trait. This seems to be a truth in literature and in history.
So that’s the crux of masterminding the ultimate villain. I may have missed something and would love to hear your views. Happy writing!

Tantalizing Talks!Victim #2: Colette L. SaucierWelcome b...

Tantalizing Talks!

Victim #2: Colette L. Saucier


Welcome back, lovely readers! If this is your first visit to “Tantalizing Talks,” I hope you enjoy my rather unconventional version of Q&A. This is my attempt to give you a little taste of new and upcoming authors and a bit of a tease of their works in a unique style.
For round two, I am nail-bitingly pleased to present Colette L. Saucier and her A-MA-ZING Paranormal Regency Romance, Pulse and Prejudice. By some great fortune, I stumbled across her book on Goodreads. I cannot express how pleased I am that I did. This adaptation of Jane Austen’s most famous work is told through the eyes of Mr. Darcy who has been cursed as one of the damned. Without saying too much, the addition of bloodlust to Austen’s Victorian romance makes this retelling scintillating and oh-so-sexy. To see the dark, brooding Darcy struggle between man and monster captured me beyond reason. I could not remove my eyes from my Kindle until I was finished, pausing only for meals and unavoidable mommy-moments. So, without further ado . . .
THE AUTHOR:

1.) Three adjectives to describe yourself?

(1) laid-back (2) sarcastic (3) honest (often to a fault)

2.) Where you live and who lives with you?

Southeast Louisiana with my husband and our two dogs.

3.) The best thing about where you live?

The food.

4.) The worst thing about where you live?

Heat, humidity, and hurricanes.

5.) Currently your favorite author and why?

I should say Colette Saucier, since the main book I have been reading (repeatedly) is my newest release (All My Tomorrows) to prepare for publication. Other than that, I have been knee-deep in research for the sequel to Pulse and Prejudice, which means a lot of non-fiction and no “favorite” authors; but all work and no play... So when I need a break just for some light, escapist fun, I have been turning to the ol’ stand-by: Regency romances by Lisa Kleypas.

6.) Quote by your favorite author of all-time?

William Shakespeare. He has so many incredible quotations, but one of my favorites: “I love you with so much of my heart, there is nothing left to protest.”

THE BOOK:

1) Name of main character and three adjectives to describe him/her?

Fitzwilliam Darcy: (1) conflicted (2) arrogant (3) introspective

2) If your main character could be any animal, what would he/she be? Why?

I guess a bat since he’s a vampire!

3) Name of villain or antagonist in your story and three verbs to describe him/her?

George Wickham: (1) lying (2) seducing (3) biting ;)

4) Describe the main plot of your story in one sentence.

The paranormal adaptation of Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Mr. Darcy, vampire, as he struggles to suppress his desires for Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

5) The best theme of your story?

Love between unequals overcoming all obstacles.

6) One of your favorite sentences in your book?

“Is this what it means to be violently in love?”

7) One thing you’d like readers to know about the world you created or the characters in them?

With the exception of the paranormal aspects, I adhered rigidly to the characters created by Jane Austen, as well as her world and the Regency era. It is historically accurate down to the weather, and it has no words that were not in use in 1814.
Thank you, Colette, for sharing some time with us! To read more on Saucier and her novels, which I highly recommend, please access the links below.Website: http://www.colettesaucier.com/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Colette-L.-Saucier/e/B0083I750E/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
FaceBook Page: http://www.facebook.com/colette.saucier

Balancing on a Beam

Who wishes there were more hours in the day so that you could accomplish all of your lofty goals? Today’s author needs to balance social media marketing, including posts on blogs (your own and others), Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook, along with managing family life, full-time jobs, and, oh yeah, writing the next book. So, how does it all get done? Here’s the secret . . . there is no secret. However, there are some key rules to follow that have worked for me in balancing on this precarious beam.


Know when to say when:
I don’t think I’m alone when I admit that I often get tunnel-vision when I’m surfing Goodreads, making new connections, reading/commenting on blogs, posting on Twitter and FaceBook, and so on. How many of us can block out the whole world around us when we’re zoned in on cyber-space, working hard to promote our books and stay updated in the book world? I sometimes feel like Lois in “Family Guy” when Stewie repeatedly says, “Mom, Mom, Mommy…” about a hundred times with no response. However, as a wife and mother of four, I know that my first job is them. Sometimes, it’s more important to stop reading that amazing book review on Passionate Book Divas (shameless plug, but wonderful book blog) in order to get your two-year-old some juice. Hopefully, you all have a supportive family to follow your dream as an author, but everyone has their limits. Realizing that your family loves you more than the book world and knowing when to say when is paramount to keep the balance in family life.
Never enough time and exhausted to boot:
Okay, unless you have the great fortune of being a full-time writer, you’re probably an indie author like me with a full-time job. As a high school English teacher, yes, I’m off at 3:00, but there are still lessons to plan, tests to make, and papers to grade. Who has the time to blog, much less be inspired to write? I can’t speak for everyone, but I can share what’s worked for me. First, go ahead and confess to yourself that you truly aren’t exhausted all the time. A lot of the time, perhaps, but where there’s a will there’s a way. (I hate clichés, but it’s true.) I keep a journal/notebook wherever I go. No, this isn’t for my deepest darkest secrets. It’s a writing journal for anything I’m currently working on. If I have ten minutes before a faculty meeting, fifteen waiting for my kids in car line, or thirty minutes at lunch, then I’m writing a scene for my new novel or organizing plot sequence or outlining a blog. You may say that you can’t write unless you have an hour at a time. That’s not always a luxury we have, except between 10:00 and midnight (when I actually do a great deal of my writing). If it’s going to happen, you’ve got to make it happen. Try the journal; you may be surprised.
Tenacity is key:
Many people have remarked on my stubbornness. Sure, I could be hurt, but I wear my obstinate badge proudly. This is part of my tenacious drive to get what I want. It seems that all successful authors living and chasing their dream of authordom probably have a stubborn streak. Am I right? I do get exhausted at times, wanting to do nothing but veg on the couch with my husband and a glass of wine, which I do quite often. But, I also commit to myself that I’ll be spending an hour later that night, working on my new book till the words blur together and my eyelids droop.
Ultimately, don’t let your dream die because you feel overwhelmed that you don’t understand Twitter or you only have five followers on your blog or you have writer’s block and don’t know where the hell your story is going or you don’t have enough of that elusive, fleeting thing called time. Push past it and bulldoze ahead. But, also remember that when your toddler hands your husband his favorite toy to play with and hands you your iPhone (knowing it’s your favorite toy), it may be time to put it down, pick him up, and give him a hug.

Tantalizing Talks!Victim #1: Amanda Leigh CowleyIn an att...

Tantalizing Talks!
Victim #1: Amanda Leigh Cowley

In an attempt to satisfy my own personal need to dance outside of the proverbial box, I’ve devised an unusual Q & A format to present exciting new authors to all book lovers out there. I hope you enjoy this whimsical way of meeting these wonderful authors who decide to subject themselves to my eccentric experiment. ;)

First up is Amanda Leigh Cowley. She is the author of Soul Protector, the first book in her paranormal romance series that is refreshing and original. Cowley has created a fascinating world where nothing is at all what it seems. Our heroine Gracie discovers all too quickly that the paranormal world is the real one.

THE AUTHOR:
1.)           Three adjectives to describe yourself?

(1)  cheerful, (2) loyal, (3) dreamer

2.)          Where you live and who lives with you?
I live in Northampton, which is pretty much in the centre of England, with my husband and two energetic boys.
3.)          The best thing about where you live?
Very green, lots of great parks, only an hour on the train from London.
4.)          The worst thing about where you live?
It’s about the furthest point from the sea in the UK, (and I love the sea….)
5.)          Currently your favorite author and why?
Suzanne Collins, because … the Hunger Games. Need I say more? She has such a fantastic imagination. I’m in awe of her.
6.)          Quote by your favorite author of all-time?
‘Just hold on. Just for a minute.’
‘Are you all right?’ I found my gaze dropping towards his chair, afraid some part of him was pinched, or trapped, that I had got something wrong.
‘I’m fine. I just . . . ’
I could see his pale collar, his dark suit jacket a contrast against it.
‘I don’t want to go in just yet. I just want to sit and not have to think about . . . ’ He swallowed.
Even in the half-dark it seemed effortful.
‘I just . . . want to be a man who has been to a concert with a girl in a red dress. Just for a few minutes more.’
--Me Before Youby Jojo Moyes


THE BOOK:
1)    Name of main character and three adjectives to describe him/her?

Gracie Reynolds: (1) self-conscious, (2) dependable, (3) sympathetic
2)   If your main character could be any animal, what would he/she be? Why?
Hmm … erm … that’s a difficult one. Gracie is probably most like a dog(!) - gentle, affectionate, fiercely loyal, and protective.
3)   Name of villain or antagonist in your story and three verbs to describe him/her? 
Let’s just call him ‘Main CSP’ for now. He is (1) trespassing, (2) deceiving , (3) hurting.
4)   Describe the main plot of your story in one sentence.
Girl discovers a unique paranormal talent, nearly kills herself trying to figure out what it means, and when she finally embraces what she is, a secret from the past is waiting to bring her world crashing down again.
5)   The best theme of your story?

The challenge of morality.
6)   One of your favorite sentences in your book? (Note that Amanda has taken the liberty of providing more than one sentence and given an excerpt rather. Completely forgiven, because she's so marvelous.)

“My dad told me, during a rare sober moment, that no matter what you do in life you should always have a Plan B, because life rarely works out the way you imagine. If you have a Plan B, when the rug is pulled out from underneath you, you’ll be okay. You’ll know which direction to turn next. That was probably the only piece of useful advice he had ever given me. And I’d disregarded it. I didn’t have a Plan B.”
7)   One thing you’d like readers to know about the world you created or the characters in them?
With Gracie, I wanted the opposite of an attention-seeker; a likeable character with an imperfect life who was doing her best to soldier on through a rough patch. I wanted the reader to understand why she was insecure, and to be on her side when her life took a bizarre turn.
Thank you, Amanda, for joining in the fun! To hang out more with this amazing author, check out her Blog http://amandaleighcowley.blogspot.co.uk/and FaceBook page, http://www.facebook.com/AmandaLeighCowley.
For a copy of or more information on her novel Soul Protector, access the links below.
US readers: http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Protector-Series-ebook/dp/B005CNGEGY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338926565&sr=8-1
UK readers:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Protector-Series-ebook/dp/B005CNGEGY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338926572&sr=8-1

Write What You Know: Right? Or No?

When I was an undergraduate in creative writing at LSU, there was one mantra that all of my professors repeated time and again, write what you know.  Realizing that their wisdom far outranked mine, I continued to focus on writing southern fiction with whimsical, sometimes a bit loony, characters that resembled relatives and acquaintances from my childhood. (No offense to my relatives or acquaintances.) For many years, I clung to this philosophy to write about only what I knew—Louisiana landscapes, eccentric southerners, realistic worlds with characters bound by blood, religion, and, of course, great food. However, there was something missing from this rule: imagination.

Now that I've settled on writing in the fantasy genre, I’ve been pondering this Writing 101 rule lately and wondering if I’ve completely turned my back on the idea. I suppose the answer is yes and no. Just like most things in life, there is no black and white.  Yes, my writing is saturated in sultry southern settings.  Yes, my characters tend to be eccentric, pensive, and a bit sarcastic (like most people I know). However, I do not always adhere to what I know. For example, in my novel RISING, one thing I set out to do was to create evil creatures I had never heard of in literature or myth. I specifically wanted to create something I did not know. I wanted them to be from my own imagination and not from something I'd heard of already. Does this make me a bad writer for straying from the old adage?
When you think about the genre of fantasy, you really must consider all things in possibility that extend from what we know. Middle Earth is nowhere in the known world, though the Shire resembles the rolling moors of England and Ireland.  Hogwarts is nowhere in the known world, though there are similar mysterious castles perched on deserted cliffs in Scotland. So, perhaps we should write what we know would feel genuine to the reader, even if we’re writing about unknown, fantasy worlds that could never exist. What do you think?

Eye Candy

That enticing, tantalizing thing that makes your fingers itch till you want to snatch it up and tear right into it.  Yeah, that's right. I'm talking about book covers.  What were you thinking?If there's one thing we all know, it is that people judge books by their covers—initially, at least.  I know that I, for one, am guilty of this crime.  Now, I know it should be about the caliber of writing and not the pretty packaging, but book junkies tend to be sensual people, drawn to the aesthetically pleasing.  Beautiful binding, vibrant and alluring images can be a seductive tonic to the imaginative mind.So, what does this mean for us Indies out there without the "big boy" publishing company budget?  First of all, it means don't underestimate your consumers.  Yes, they're probably all above average intelligence and shouldn't base purchases on tempting eye candy.  But ask yourself, if there was a bowl of chocolate almonds and a bowl of m&m's in front of you, which bowl would your eyes and hands go to first?  Second of all, it means that you better do some research before you take the do-it-yourself route.  This doesn't mean you must pay inordinate sums of money to get the job professionally done.  There are several online services that charge modestly for very well done covers.  Before you even go there, check out your local artists.  That's what I did.  Not only am I more than pleased with the outcome, but it spawned a professional relationship that has expanded into several projects—illustrations for the hard cover edition, a book trailer using her original artwork, and future book covers for the series.  (Thank you, Devon.)  Some aspiring artists will exchange their talents for exposure and publicity.  All I'm saying is, before you decide to take Photoshop 101 or the Dummies guide to book covers, weigh your options for the most professional and appealing outcome.  You may be the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling, but no one will ever know unless you make them want to open the cover.

It’s Time for Some Serious Writing . . . Oooooo, Shiney!

So, here is what’s been happening to me lately.  Internal monologue begins . . .  “Let me just check Twitter before I get started.  Oh, look at this blog; let me just read this really quickly then I’ll go work.  He’s so right; let me respond to this blog first.  Wait, what’s going on at that LinkedIn discussion?”  And so, away I go on social media tangents rather than focusing on book two, which is waiting impatiently to be written.  Heck, the other day I almost applied for a voluntary book reviewing job for a fantasy website.  What was I thinking?! (Or, was that missed opportunity? Hard to tell these days.)  Now, I am well aware that as an indie author, there is a necessary need to be plugged in for book promotion, networking, and so on, but there is also a need to unplug for the sake of the craft.  I find that I’m becoming so connected to fellow writers and readers that I’m becoming disconnected from my own writing.  Being the overly reflective and analytical person that I am, I’ve come up with a few solutions.·         Many writers do this already.  If not, commit to one or more people to form a writer’s workshop/group that meets on a regular basis.  I have recently done this, and it already is having the necessary effect.  Knowing I’ve got a deadline and my friend Margaret is waiting for my next installment keeps me aware of my duty to my current work.·         Pick up a journal or your laptop and go somewhere new to brainstorm about characters, plots, events, and details.  Instead of feeling the need to complete an entire chapter, story, or article, write short inspired pieces and worry about connecting to the whole later.  I recently had the great fortune to spend some time in a cabin on a lake which led to several pages of imagery-laden prose for different scenes in book two.  Sometimes, a coffee shop or outdoor park will do the trick just as well.·         Recognize that you have a social media addiction and learn to just say “no” when it’s writing time.  You don’t need a 12-step program to break free; just a little self-discipline.We all know the Writing 101 adage, “write a little every day.” I suppose writing a thought-provoking blog would count (wink, wink).  However, as a writer, you must remember your ultimate goal—to add something every day toward a publishable work.  This includes writing notes on characters, plot twists, or outlining an article.  I’m afraid this does not include tweets or comments on blogs, Facebook, and LinkedIn discussion groups.So, when you’re about to settle in for some serious writing time, and you suddenly feel like the dog Doug in “Up” with that Internet icon staring at you (Squirrel?), just look away and use that gift you were given for a reason.  Anyone else with focus-friendly tips, feel free to share.

It's Time for Some Serious Writing . . . Oooooo, Shiney!

So, here is what's been happening to me lately.  Internal monologue begins . . .  "Let me just check Twitter before I get started.  Oh, look at this blog; let me just read this really quickly then I'll go work.  He's so right; let me respond to this blog first.  Wait, what's going on at that LinkedIn discussion?"  And so, away I go on social media tangents rather than focusing on book two, which is waiting impatiently to be written.  Heck, the other day I almost applied for a voluntary book reviewing job for a fantasy website.  What was I thinking?! (Or, was that missed opportunity? Hard to tell these days.)  Now, I am well aware that as an indie author, there is a necessary need to be plugged in for book promotion, networking, and so on, but there is also a need to unplug for the sake of the craft.  I find that I'm becoming so connected to fellow writers and readers that I'm becoming disconnected from my own writing.  Being the overly reflective and analytical person that I am, I've come up with a few solutions.·         Many writers do this already.  If not, commit to one or more people to form a writer's workshop/group that meets on a regular basis.  I have recently done this, and it already is having the necessary effect.  Knowing I've got a deadline and my friend Margaret is waiting for my next installment keeps me aware of my duty to my current work.·         Pick up a journal or your laptop and go somewhere new to brainstorm about characters, plots, events, and details.  Instead of feeling the need to complete an entire chapter, story, or article, write short inspired pieces and worry about connecting to the whole later.  I recently had the great fortune to spend some time in a cabin on a lake which led to several pages of imagery-laden prose for different scenes in book two.  Sometimes, a coffee shop or outdoor park will do the trick just as well.·         Recognize that you have a social media addiction and learn to just say "no" when it's writing time.  You don't need a 12-step program to break free; just a little self-discipline.We all know the Writing 101 adage, "write a little every day." I suppose writing a thought-provoking blog would count (wink, wink).  However, as a writer, you must remember your ultimate goal—to add something every day toward a publishable work.  This includes writing notes on characters, plot twists, or outlining an article.  I'm afraid this does not include tweets or comments on blogs, Facebook, and LinkedIn discussion groups.So, when you're about to settle in for some serious writing time, and you suddenly feel like the dog Doug in "Up" with that Internet icon staring at you (Squirrel?), just look away and use that gift you were given for a reason.  Anyone else with focus-friendly tips, feel free to share.

Adults Who Love YA: What’s the Lure?

About a year ago, I found myself wandering down the YA aisle of Barnes & Noble with my niece Jessen, who was then 17.  This was a common occurrence for the two of us, even though I was and am well beyond my teen years.  As we perused titles, judging books by their covers and picking up only the prettiest ones, I heard two other women debating whether a particular series was worth buying.  I glanced in their direction, noting they were both somewhere north of my age by about a decade.  Before I could poke my nose in their business, having firsthand knowledge and strong opinions about the series, another young woman butted in.  She appeared to be in her late 20s.  Instantly, the five of us were engaged in a heated conversation that included things like: “She must stay true to herself.” “Yes, but if she fails, there will be dire consequences.” “It won’t matter when he gets a hold of her.” After several minutes of discussion, we went on our merry ways.  I remember giggling to myself about our age-range, considering our passionate opinions about teen fiction.  I turned to Jessen, saying, “That was kind of crazy.”  But, was it?          So, I’ve been doing some deep reflection about why so many adults, including myself and many friends, love YA.  Here are my theories:1)      Nostalgia.  Maybe we miss high school?  NOT.  You couldn’t pay me any sum of money to go back to that place.  But, I can tell you that I enjoy reminiscing with old friends that feeling of being in high school—carefree, no responsibilities (dancing practice, part-time jobs and finals don’t count), and hanging with friends who were the center of my universe. So, perhaps one draw for us over-mortgaged, overscheduled, and overworked adults is that YA brings us back to a simpler time and place.2)      PG-13.  While I love my super-dark, super-sexy novels, sometimes I want to read something that I know won’t make me face the harsh reality of the adult world.  It’s like watching a PG-13 movie; I know I’m going to get a thrill ride without the gratuitous (or necessary) blood, guts, and sex that often accompany R-rated movies.  It’s the same safe bet when you pick up a YA book.  There will definitely be a hero facing imminent danger, but there won’t be any gory or salacious details that bring us to that gritty place.3)      Anyone Can Win.  Now, this relates mostly to paranormal/fantasy YA.  There is a certain fantastic feeling when our YA hero or heroine, typically an odd outcast, surmounts all obstacles and wins the day.  He or she undoubtedly has flaws and weaknesses, yet still prevails over the evils of the world.  As someone who sometimes feels odd, has flaws and weaknesses, I like these literary reminders that we all can win—even young, inexperienced, unworldly teenagers.  While I’m actually not a fan of clichés, there is one that seems quite fitting here: “Age is only a number.”  When I think back to that meeting in the bookstore where women in their 50s, 30s,  20s, and teens became sort of kindred spirits for the moment, it seems that age was only an insignificant number.  No matter our station in life, we all long for stories that can take us to a place of nostalgia and excitement with hopeful, happy endings.