Cathy Perkins's Blog, page 154

Janis Patterson Muses It Up!

When my first novel was released – back in the days when the dinosaurs browsed outside the cave and all books were written on typewriters, usually manual ones – I looked forward to Release Day like most children look forward to Christmas morning.

Finally the day dawned. There were no trumpets, no eager press banging on my door. Well, I didn’t really expect the trumpets, but the fact that I, of all people, had a book put out by a major publisher certainly seemed to be a newsworthy item. Obvious...

Author! Author! That’s Me!

I’m sitting here looking at a case of books, Knight of Runes,my book. Okay, so you may think I’m sitting and staring at it because he’s a really hot guy. Only for a little while. I have one in residence, hot to me that is. Lord Arik may not be real but holding the book in my hand I realize that my novel is.

I started this project March, 2009 with an innocent excitement to help a friend write her book. It quickly escalated into creating a series of romance novels. We each had stories in our hea...

The End of the World as We Know It

So—it’s December. We are only three weeks from Christmas (and, no, I’m not done with preparations so we’re not going there in this blog) and here in Minnesota things are REALLY weird. I mean, some of you are in parts of the country where balmy weather is normal this time of year. But up here, we are not supposed to be able to walk the dog in sweatshirts on December 5th. I think we’ve had about two weeks total where the temp been below forty degrees since last February.

Some people think it’s g...

What’s In A Name? Hometown Girl, Release!

When I started writing Hometown Girl I was, like always, at Starbucks. I had just gotten off the phone with my dear friend and fellow blogger, RR Smythe, aka Ronna. I adore Ronna, and I’ve always loved her name.

I’ve always had a problem remembering names, which frequently gets me into trouble—like now.

I tend to name characters after friends (first names only) so I don’t forget my character’s names. I know, I know… I’m daft.I got off the phone with Ronna and went to start my novella HOMETOWN G...

Hockey Pucks and Cassette Tapes

I recently ran across an article I’d clipped out of a magazine that suggested visual aids for recognizing healthy portion sizes of food. “Once you’ve learned portions, they stay with you forever,” the article said.

The first example was “. . . a medium potato is the size of a computer mouse.” Whoa! A computer mouse? With laptops, tablets and touch screens, who uses a mouse anymore?

Next came “. . . an average bagel is the size of a hockey puck.” Huh? I’ve been to a hockey game, but I have no id...

Revisions 101 with guest blogger Allison Brennan

I love revisions.

There are many authors who tell me they hate revisions, or dread getting an editorial letter; I’m the opposite. I expect an editorial letter. I expect to revise any book I send in. Even if I think the book is good, it’s always better after editorial input.

I’m not talking about copy editors – they’re the ones who go through and make sure your manuscript is clean with correct grammar and style, that your timeline is consistent, that you didn’t give your heroine blue eyes on pag...

The Review Quandary – or is it a Quagmire?

There was a time when a book review was a scholarly piece. It might analyze structure or parse theme. Contemplative endeavors, the reviewer filtered the words through their own experience, but wrestled with what the author attempted to convey. While I occasionally encounter a thoughtful analysis of a novel, more often authors – or their publicist – parse reviews for the perfect sound bite in order to create a marketing piece.

Purchased reviews—marketing bits—have been around since storytelling...

Powerball Jackpot!

Lottery fever is sweeping across the country. Forty-two states, plus Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands, participate in the Powerball lottery, whose jackpot this week has climbed to a near record-breaking 425 million dollars! The Powerball game operates much like a 50-50 with half of the proceeds going to the prize pool and half going to state coiffures. Of the half that goes to the states, thirty-five percent is profit and will benefit various state programs aimed at education, seni...

It’s Bond. James Bond.

To celebrate the recent release of the latest James Bond installment, SKYFALL, I thought I’d take a look back at the spy series that’s spanned generations from it’s original published inception in 1953.

Now for those who don’t already know—not sure who these cave dwellers might be—James Bond was the creation of Sir Ian Fleming who wrote twelve novels and nine short stories featuring MI6’s super-spy. I don’t know anyone who’s actually read one, but I know plenty of people who’ve seen the movies...

Writing and Pecan Pie

I have a fondness forpie. Pecan is my favorite. I am always on the quest for the perfect recipe.I’m looking for something that’s not too sweet, nor burnt. It is a lot like writing and reading. both areas I’m constantly trying to perfect.I do this by taking classes, reading and tinkering with my writing. Sometimes I succeed–and I find somethingthat does make my writing better or I discover a book that is delicious, other timesit doesn’t and I have to throw itaway.Just like a burnt pie.

Lately,...