Allison Bruning's Blog, page 2

#ArmchairBookExpo: Dining with the Authors

Dining with the Authors
Oooo. I get to be a complete nerd on this blog post for Armchair Book Expo. I was asked: 
Who would you dream of enjoying a meal with? Would it be breakfast, lunch, dinner, or simply coffee? What would your meal be?What would you discuss? 
Alright then. Let's get to it. I'm so excited!  
Let me welcome you to my dinner party. I have a list of authors I have always dreamed of enjoying a meal with. I love a great intellectual conversation so I wouldn't have dinner just with one author. First, I would have to fix my time machine because I'm quite certain Laura Ingalls Wilder and Shakespeare aren't alive anymore. 
Anyways, here's a list of my dinner guests. (They would all attend, of course). We would dine in style at the very seclusive, Diner of the Time Gods. I can't disclose the location of the diner, where my time machine is or how I got it. 
Laura Ingalls Wilder
William Shakespeare
Albert Einstein
H.G. Wells
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Margaret George
Diana Gabaldon
Rose Wilder Lane
Finis Bates
and
Marion Zimmer Bradley
We would have a very intellectual conversation surrounding historical topics, writing and of course anything else we would like to discuss. We would all be the best of friends but unfortunately none of my guests will remember any of it once we return back to our own times, well maybe my contemporaries will. You really can't disrupt the timeline. If you do, it could be disastrous for the future.
Sssshhhh, this meeting never happened. You don't know a single thing. Do you? I didn't think so. :-)

ArmchairBookExpo: It's OK to be different

Authors: It's OK To Be Different
It has always amazed me how much controversy can amass whenever you mention diversity in connection with the book world. It's almost as if some great literary god has been offended whenever an author even dares to challenge the norm. Yet, the thing is there have been many authors who have successfully challenged the standard quo. There are several ways an author can delve into diversity. 
Authors could write a book with a minority as protagonist or have a multicultural cast of characters in their book. People have this mental image of what a character should look like or act all because of their ethnicity or gender. Some authors have challenged their readers to look beyond these preconcieved notions and accept what isn't generally accepted. 
A recent shift has been in the use of strong female protagonists. Some historical fiction authors, such as  Philippa Gregory and Margaret George have challenged readers to push beyond strong male leads and accept that females could be strong as well, no matter how much history tried to demoralize females in given time periods. I jumped on that bandwagon with my books, Calico (Children of the Shawnee: Book 1) and Elsa (Secret Heritage: Book 1). My readers love it. 
I read an article today where author Hilary Mantel was disappointed with female historical fiction authors for empowering their female characters. She urged female historical fiction authors to stop do so stating that it was unrealistic for any woman in historical periods to have that kind of empowerment. My first thought was, she can't seriously mean all cultures throughout history? My character, Calico, is an empowered white female in the 1700's who was raised by the Shawnee. The Shawnee allowed women their freedom to speak openly. In fact, most women who were captured by the Shawnee never wanted to return to their families because they had more freedom with the Shawnee than in their European culture. 
Another diversity that can cause problems is when the author writes a book that is not from the voice of a European. Calico is written by the Shawnee's perspective of history. I've had a hard time with that book because of that very fact. A majority of white people who read it don't like it and my Native American readers love that book. Many readers who see the white woman and Shawnee man on the cover think that that story is going to be told from a white perspective all because she's white. 
A third issue I see in diversity is when an author has a lover or main character who is disabled. For some reason, society has it ingrained in them that a disabled person can't be empowered. The love interest in Elsa is a man who has Aspergers. It's not diagnosed because no one knew what Aspergers was in the early 1900's. Historical fiction authors have rarely written about the conditions of the disabled or mentally handicapped. But then again, people with these conditions in the past were rarely treated with the respect they are today. 
What are some ways you think authors should be different?

#ArmchairBookExpo: Readers, Bloggers and Authors UNITE!

Readers, Bloggers and Authors UNITE!
Calling all readers, bloggers and authors. You are all superheros! United we stand, divide we fall. 
Alright I may have gotten a bit carried away in my intro. 
Time to be serious, Allison.
Collaboration is key to having a successful writing career. The literary world is a harsh place to work if you don't work well with others. There's a symbolic relationship (yes, I did just get all nerdy on you) between authors, readers and bloggers. Authors depend upon bloggers to help spread the word about their work and they depend upon readers to buy their books. Bloggers depend upon authors to give them new worlds to write about. Readers depend upon the bloggers to recommend books to them. The collaboration between the three is so closely related to each other that they in essence need each other in order to survive. 
But that bond can be easily broken if the reader or blogger feels disrespected by the author. Let's face it bloggers and readers worship authors. It can be very tempting for the hero worshiping to go to an author's head. But YOU CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN. The blogger and reader need to feel that you truly care about them. So authors need to be humble and thankful to them for giving you the career you have always want. 
HAVE YOU HUGGED A BOOK BLOGGER TODAY?
No?
Go find a book blogger in your genre and give them some love! 

#ArmchairBookExpo: Make It or Break It

Make It Or Break It
You've got this amazing idea in your head that you're sure is going to be the NEXT BESTSELLER! Whoot! Whoot! Oh, you're so excited you can't start to write the book. You go through the entire writing and publishing process. You're baby is finally in the world. You're so excited that you put more of your blood, sweat and tears into with marketing it everywhere. BUT then the bummer moment happens. NO ONE HAS BOUGHT YOUR BOOK. Or worse yet...duh....duh...duh...you get the worst reviews of the century. 
WHAT IN THE WORLD JUST HAPPENED?
You can blame it all your readers, my friend. 
Yup, it's the readers fault. Well not entirely. It was yours, as well. I know. If your a reader or an author, sometimes you can be both, your probably saying "What?" in a really snarky tone to me. Just calm down, please, and let me explain. So there is this really weird thing that happens to writers. We have all kinds of crazy ideas that are constantly floating around in our head. Naturally born writers do this all the time. I've been known to work on about three or four ideas in my head per day sometimes. And that's just on a normal day. My thoughts can really spring forth from anything like a conversation, something I've read, family stories, etc. When my muse is really going I could be caught daydreaming all day with different scenarios. The problem with being an author is that readers in a certain genre expect certain rules and expectations to be followed within the genres you write in. Some readers like cross genre stories. Others, not so much. The author has to find the right balance between what the reader is expecting from them and whatever their creative ideas are. If you sway to far either way your readers won't read the book or give your book a bad review. Worse yet, if you are writing as series and you kill off the readers favorite character. Tread carefully my friend. We have to appease the readers and our own muse. 
What are some books you've read that you think the author needed some help with?

Top Ten List of Best Practices for Authors

Best Practices in the Book Community
I must say this is a very interesting topic. Being an author means hard work. I don't just sit around all day and write my little life away. I've had to develop some techniques in order to keep my writing career on track. Time management, organization and creativity are my best friends. Not having any of those three can break a writing career. Life can throw speed bumps at you and for writers who aren't dedicated to their writing it can cause them to completely give up on their dreams. I've had a few times in my life when I was tempted to do so but I just pushed those thoughts aside and keep going. 
Some of the best practices I have found in my writing career I have learned along the way. I love helping new authors. So here is my Top Ten List of Being An Author. 
#10 - Write Every DayOkay this may sound a bit simple. But you'll be surprised how many writers don't write everyday. These writers will let life tell them they don't have time to write. But they do. You don't have to write an entire book in a day. I can write an entire book in a month or two. How do I do it? I write a chapter per day. That way I don't become overwhelmed with the thought of how much I need to write. The following day I'll proofread what I wrote the day before, edit (if needed) and move on to the next chapter. That way I am building upon the book. Doing this has also allowed me the opportunity to work on more than one book at a time. I don't always do that, though.
#9 - Set Goals and Reward YourselfI learned this lesson via NaNoWriMo. It's one of the best things I have ever learned. The rewards don't have to be expensive, either. You can choose what you want. Sit down with your project, break it up into chunks then set the award for each chunk. The reward will motivate you to achieve your writing goal. Small goals will build upon each other until you have achieved your larger goal. 
#8 - Step Away From the Computer!Yes, I said it. Take a Break. You're not a writing robot. Go out and do something else for a while then get back to your writing. Put that paper away and come back to it the next day. 
#7 - Blog and WebsiteA blog and website is essential for any author to have. Readers love to visit their favorite author's website. Offer a sneak peek or some kind of incentive for your readers to visit your website. Link your blog feed to your website. Not everyone is going to know that your blog or website exist so make sure you also link the website on the blog. Don't put the same content on the website that can be found on the blog. Remember, your name is your brand not the name of your book. So you want people to remember your name. Keep the website and the blog updated. 
#6 - Know Thy Target MarketNot everyone will want to read your book. It's useless to market your book to the entire world. You need to find book bloggers and readers who read in your genre. But even still, some readers will not read everything in that genre. For example, my typical readers for my book Calico will not necessarily read my book Elsa, even though they are both historical romance. Why? Because Calico is told from the Shawnee Native American's point of view while Elsa is about a woman who falls in love with a man who has Autism. Also, the books are from two different time periods. Calico takes place in the 1700's while Elsa take place in the early 1900's. I would have to market those books to different demographics. 
#5 - Get InvolvedWriting can be a lonely life but it doesn't have to be. Find writing groups in your community or online. These be a great source of information and inspiration. 
#4 - Don't Forget Social MediaSocial media can make or break a book. Most people, at the time I am writing this, are on Facebook at least 15x per day. This means you can reach the greatest amount of readers on that social media. But Facebook alone isn't the only social media you need to get involved with. Twitter and Instagram are used heavily as well, just not as much as Facebook. You need to create a social media presence without constantly advertising your book in every post. Readers want to know their favorite authors are human. Sure we are worshiped by our readers and book bloggers but don't let that go to your head. A great author will be highly respected by their readers and bloggers if they are humble enough to interact with them. 
#3 - It's All About Your AttitudeLook I won't lie to you. There are some authors out there who just don't care about their readers and bloggers. They are rude, egotistical and prideful. And more than likely you haven't heard a single thing about their books. Why? Because gone are the days that an author can sit on their ivory tower, write and never interact with their readers. Authors who have a negative attitude will not be able to sell their books because no one will want anything to do with them. If you're going to have a writing career you have to remain positive in the public. Show that you truly enjoy this writing career you have established for yourself without being prideful. Just remember, without the readers and bloggers your book isn't going to sell.
#2 - Don't Stop WritingJust because you have written a book doesn't mean you should stop writing. Readers who really enjoyed your book will want to read more of your work. You should be writing a new book while your old book is in the publishing stages. I also look at it as a pipeline. I have a book published, one in the publishing process and one I am working on. The pipeline continues to flow no matter what. If I am working on a novel then I will push a short through if the publishing process finishes a book. That way my readers will always have something to read that I have written. The worst thing that can happen to a writer is to lose a reader because they you don't have anything else for them to read. 
#1 - Don't Lose Your Passion!The life of an author can be very hard. It's a not a career that will make you rich quick. If that is your intent then you are in the wrong field. Don't even consider publishing your book if that is your motivation. You really have to love writing. This career demands you keep learning, keep writing and keep promoting your brand. You will have to get out of that chair and interact with the world. There will be some sacrifices you have to make if you truly want this life. If writing makes you happy then do it! 
What other suggestions could readers and book bloggers offer authors?

@ArmchairBookExpo: Introductions

Armchair Book Expo Introductions
It's that time of year again. I am so excited to be back at Armchair Book Expo. This is my fourth year of attending the online book blogger conference. 
My name is Allison Bruning. I am the author of several books. I am best known for my historical romance books, poetry and non-fiction shorts. I have recently expanded into children's books and high fantasy erotica. I know you're reading that last sentence again. I really did just put those two genres in the same sentence. 
I am currently writing Field of Grace. Field of Grace takes place in Marion County, Ohio right after WWI. Guilt ridden, Ida McIntyre doesn't know how she can ever win her father's approval until Jeremiah Miller poisons her family. Determined to prove her worth, Ida sets out to find help only to face Jeremiah's wrath. Faced with life and death decisions that will challenge her strength and determination, what seems to be a simple deed turns into disaster until she realizes there is hope to save not only her family but her father's approval.
I have several non-fiction shorts that are with the editors. My novels Lies and Deceit (Children of the Shawnee: Book 2) and Bailey's Revenge (Irish Twist of Fate: Book 1) are with the editors as well. My children's book, Hoppy's Grave, is with the illustrator. Most of these are scheduled to be released by late Summer/early Fall.
I love to read historical fiction and fantasy. I am currently reading An Echo in the Bone (Outlander: Book 7) by Diana Gabaldon. I am a huge Outlander fan. I love the show and the books. 
The best thing about being an author is writing the multitude of stories in my head and being able to share them with the world. I love interacting with my readers and book bloggers. 

#SundayMorning Author Allison Bruning has returned to blogging.

Hello World!
It's been awhile since I posted something on my blog. So many wonderful things have happened since I last posted. My husband and I transitioned into fulltime RVing with our businesses Big Bend Productions and Academic Warriors. I am no longer teaching students in China. I am online teaching homeschool students throughout the world via Outschool. I absolutely love it. I have always enjoyed writing and implementing curriculum. Outschool allows me to do just that. I have taught a little over 100 students throughout the United States and Canada since starting with them only a few months ago. I'm a very popular teacher. I have around 48 classes and will be adding more.

When I'm not writing curriculum or teaching, I can be found writing. I am currently working on a novel titled Field of Grace. Field of Grace is the first book of my new series, New Beginnings and takes place right after WWI in Marion County, Ohio. It's loosely based on a true story that happened to my family. More information will be coming about that as I work on it.

I had a few stories published while I was away from my blog.
Draconian Rapture (high fantasy erotica)Daniel Boone in Love (non-fiction)Sequoyah: The Man Behind the Legend (non-fiction)and Reflections
I currently have a children's book in the publishing process titled Hoppy's Grave and the sequel to Calico (Children of the Shawnee: 1) titled Lies and Deceit. I have several more stories in the pre-writing stages including a writing project with Nate Orlowek, Mystique, God's Guardian, and a murder mystery series taking place in ancient Israel called City of Refuge. 
I'm happy to announce that I am back in the blogging world! Here is the new blogging schedule.

Blog Schedule Sunday - Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book ReviewerThis is where I will be posting weekly updated concerning my work in progress, books sales, book tours, RVing around America, my businesses and more. 
Monday - Author SpotlightI am a book blog host for Mountain Trails Writers. I won't be posting every Monday. 
Tuesday - Mysterious OhioThis topic will change whenever I have a new book published. 
Wednesday - (off) 
Thursday - WWI This topic will change according to whatever book I am currently writing. 
Friday - Celebrate the Small Things hosted by Lexa Cain
Saturday - (off)
It feels so good to have my blogging schedule back. I will still be participating in monthly blog hops you can find listed on the left side of my blog.

This week's schedule is going to a bit different than what I just posted. I am participating in Armchair Book Expo, an online conference for book bloggers. The conference runs from Wednesday through Sunday. Bloggers are given two topics to write about on their blog each day. So I will be posting twice per day in addition to the WWI post and the Celebrate the Small Things post.

I can't wait to get started. See you all on Tuesday!

#What'sUpWithAllison: Getting Ready for #NaNoWriMo

What's Up With Allison?
Welcome back to my blog! Yesterday I blogged about some amazing changes that have happened in my life.  I'm starting a new week with a new routine. I'm absolutely loving this new routine. It's giving me time to get everything done without overworking myself. 
It seems October is going by so quickly. NaNoWriMo 2016 is right around the corner. I can't wait for this year's NaNoWriMo! 

I absolutely love this time of year. NaNoWriMo is the best. All of my books have either been written during NaNoWriMo, Camp NaNoWriMo or using their writing strategies. This year, I will be working on Hoppy's Grave. Hoppy's Grave is a legend I learned about when I was child attending Camp Mowana. I've been the to cave and gravesite. I even took my husband to see those sites. Hoppy's story has never been published. I'm very excited to write the novel format of the story. I was going to write it as short but I think it would be best told in a novel. 
So....are you going to attend NaNoWriMo this year?

New Directions, New Routines. #IAmWriting #OverseasEducation

I'm back! It's been awhile since I've had time to blog. I have recently started teaching ESL classes to students in Beijing, China via VIPKID. VIPKID is an online learning platform where American teachers teach English to Chinese kids. I absolutely love my job! My schedule has had to take some adjustments, though. I rise at 4am and teach from 5 - 9am CST. Beijing is thirteen hours ahead of me. Sometimes I work in the evenings as well from 8 - 9pm.

I have also been busy with building my businesses, Big Bend Productions and Academic Warriors. I have the most amazing staff at Big Bend Productions. I've worked hard to build the right team. The authors I've gathered under Marfa House are amazing! My next short, Lady of Wild Rose Pass (Paisano Paranormal Patrol: Book 1) is scheduled to be released on October 11th. I can't wait! Just take a look at that new cover!


When I'm not teaching, working or writing I am working on my PhD in Education studies. I'm about half way through my program. I can't wait to be Dr. Allison Bruning. I'm supposed to graduate in 2019. I'm almost to my dissertation phase. My areas of focus have been gifted education, roadschooling and homeschooling.

Now that I have my schedule and routines set up I should be able to blog more often. See you next time.

#AuthorSpotlight: S.N.Garza

S. N. Garza is from Southeast Houston, Texas, with her husband and two small children. She is a full time Chilihead employee at Chili's Bar & Grill. Author of steamy, sexy, sinfully beautiful stories about strong alpha men and the women who fall for them. When she's not taking care of her family, or working her tail off, you can find her writing well into the night with her headphones on, or reading another steamy romance novel, attaining another fictional boyfriend. RememberWhere the men are strong, the women, stronger.
Amazon Author Page URLamazon.com/author/stephanienicolegarza Goodreads Author pageHttp://www.goodreads.com/sngarza Facebook PageWww.facebook.com/stephanienicolelgBlog:Http://sngarzabooks.blogspot.comInstagram: @sngarza124Twitter:@sngarza_author
----Bound Bound: Smarturl.it/boundbook1Bound iTunes: https://itun.es/us/9Hl0-.lBound nook: smarturl.it/bound1nook
Courtland spent his childhood watching his mother turn tricks and bowto her abusive pimp. It taught him a lot about relationships and hownever to get involved in one. When he meets sweet Adelaide, his lifeis forever changed. Her gentle personality has him thinking maybe hisvow to never commit is misplaced. Until she disappears out of hislife.Adelaide knew the only way to escape the darkness she’s lived her lifein, is to go back to the one place that’s haunted her dreams. Home.Reuniting with Courtland is the last thing on her mind until shebecomes helpless to his every kiss. Hopeless to his every touch. Andno matter how far she tries to run, her heart is irrevocably bound tohim.
--



Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend Amazon: Smarturl.it/daagbf iTunes: https://itun.es/us/c1Gw-.lNook: smarturl.it/daagbfnook 
***for mature readers due to sexual content, graphic language, and violence. Not for young adult readers*** He will show her a world she never imagined. She will show him how to open his heart to love. Scarlet Castle is a small-town girl with big-city dreams. Ever since she can remember being a dancer on Broadway has been her goal, but downtown Houston is as far as she’s gotten.Dax Dixon keeps the books at Saints and Sinners Lounge, a well-known cabaret in the heart of Houston. He’s also the grandson of a hard core motorcycle club president. No one can prove the club is full of criminals, but Dax doesn’t need proof for what he already knows. And he also has no intention of being involved.As for the opposite sex? They were only good for one reason.Then he meets Scarlet. Then all bets are off.One night at the lounge Scarlet becomes a witness to a crime, living proof that the MC is not as pure as they want people to believe. Dax’s grandfather wants to eliminate her and he sends someone she least expects to get the job done.Can Dax get to her in time to save her from the MC determined to destroy their future?--
Hot Houston Nights: Boxset (2 stories for the price of 1)Hot Houston Nights: BoxsetGraham & Isabella/Grant & PippahAmazon: smarturl.it/hhnvol1iTunes: https://itun.es/us/Onzqab.lKobo: smarturl.it/hhnvol1koboNook: smarturl.it/hhnvol1nook
Graham & Isabella: What happens when a one night stand, doesn’t stay just that? Out for the first time after a long term relationship, Isabella wasn’t expecting much except a good time with the girls. A one night stand wasn’t in the cards, until she met him. Graham is damaged both physically and mentally by a past that refuses to let him go. When he sees Isabella for the first time, she wasn’t at all what he was expecting. One night. No regrets. That’s all it was supposed to be. But fate has different plans. Follow Graham and Isabella on their discovery of trying to fight fate, but one night just isn’t enough. 
This is a three part serial series of hot sexual encounters and conflicting emotions. Their journey to their happily forever after will be a hard one, but so worth it.
Grant & Pippah: Grant Moore is fine being a bachelor. He has no intentions on letting a woman lead him around by the nose like his best friend did. Until the one night he slept with a virgin. When morning came, she disappeared with the night. Leaving him feeling robbed. Something about her ignited a flame that he wasn't ready to burn out.Pippah Walker had a list. Being the daughter of a wealthy man, she was making it happen. But when he cuts off her expenses and ships her to Texas to learn some real life lessons, Pippah decides to take a risk and mark off one of her quests. Having a one night stand.
No names were exchanged. Just red hot passion.
---
His Second ChanceAmazon: smarturl.it/hsciTunes: https://itun.es/us/vhzqab.lKobo: smarturl.it/hsc1koboNook: smarturl.it/hscnook
As a young girl, all Kellan ever wanted was to be herself. Always compared to her perfect older sister, Kellan leaves for college with hopes to be free of condescending parents. When tragedy strikes, and her older sister gets murdered, she’s more ostracized than ever. So she stays away.Five years and a big blow up with her boyfriend, Kellan returns to Bay Creek. A small Army town in west Texas.After the tragic loss of his wife, Beckett took every mission he could to avoid his hometown. Letting his family raise his son in his absence. When Kellan shows up, he’s reminded what it feels like to be alive again. Only one thing…he never expected to fall in love again. Not with the sister of his dead wife.Sparks fly and passion ignites. How could something so wrong, feel so right?Will his second chance at happiness blow up in his face?Secrets are uncovered. And the betrayal cuts deep. But love…cuts the deepest.
--X-Treme Measure Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bMyiU6Smashwords: smarturl.it/xmsmashiTunes: https://itun.es/us/SOATdb.lKobo: smarturl.it/xmkoboNook: smarturl.it/xmnook
X-treme Measure Blurb
* this is a contemporary romance novel recommended for ages 18+ due to sexual content and mature subject matter*

X-TREME MEASURE: where everything is for your pleasure.

Daniel 'The Duke' Greensboro wants nothing more than to take care of his little girl. Being a male stripper and escort made that happen. He wasn't looking for anything else. Until she moved into the apartment next door and turned his world upside down.When Moriah's financial aid is cut off, she has to find a new place to live and going home to deadbeat parents wasn't an option. Finding a posh apartment in the heart of Houston was her only choice. She didn't anticipate meeting hot, sexy-as-sin, single dad Daniel Greensboro...the neighbor across the hall. When he asks for a favor, she just can't say no. Then one night Moriah goes out with the girl's from work and they head straight for X-treme Measure. She has no idea what to expect, until she sees Daniel, heating up the stage. Seeing Moriah at X-treme Measure is shocking but it provokes him to give her just a little tease of what she could have. 
Sometimes you find love in all the wrong places. Every once in awhile, it's so worth it.
---
Coming November 24thServedAmazon pre-order Smarturl.it/servedsng
Sarah Connelly's had a crush on Team USA Volleyball player Donovan Richards ever since she could remember. When she finally gets the chance to meet him, she never thought she'd catch him with his pants down. What's a girl to do?The intense, focused gold medalist Donovan Richards never believed in love at first sight. Until Sarah, the new sports medicine trainer, came walking in, catching him almost naked in the locker room and staring straight at his dick. Sarah is dedicated to her job, but Donovan is relentless. He goes for what he wants and that's the sexy, sassy Miss. Connelly.
Should she choose love over having the career of a lifetime? Or can she find a way to have both? Donovan certainly thinks so, because he's never giving up on her or on them. Even if it means quitting Team USA.