Anna J. McIntyre's Blog, page 9

Thanks to my Beta Readers

Thanks to my beta readers who’ve finished Coulson’s Reckoning this past weekend. I’ll be going through the manuscript this week, and then sending it off to the editor. If all goes as planned, it will be ready for release by the first week in March. I would like to say by March 1, but one never knows what might come up between editing and formatting.

While all five books of the Coulson Series include a complete story, Coulson’s Reckoning weaves together the threads of the first four books, where family secrets are revealed – many secrets known by readers, but not the characters.

I suppose Coulson’s Reckoning can be read as a standalone book. However, I feel the reader will enjoy it more – and better understand it, if read after the first four.

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A Kiss for you!

This past year I’ve participated in two anthologies – End of the Road, and the newest, The Kiss. While each is a collection of themed stories, contributing authors cross genres, meaning the kiss you encounter in the newest anthology might be of a romantic, mystic, sci-fi or horror in nature.

An anthology such as this is a good way to try out new authors and step out of your comfort zone by reading genres you don’t normally read. The Kiss includes a short story by best selling author, Colleen Hoover, as well as other bestselling authors and a few promising newcomers.

You can pick up The Kiss at most eBook vendors – for free!

One thing I’ve found amusing about a few of the lower reviews on the first anthology – some readers don’t understand what an anthology is, and they seem to be reading the book as if each story is supposed to be a chapter, and together all stories weave together one story. Ummm….no.

Find the Kiss at Amazon

Find the Kiss at Barnes and Noble

Find the Kiss at Smashwords

 

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Writing a Blog Post with my iPad

I’ll be doing some traveling in the near future and would like to leave my laptop at home. I am writing this on my iPad, using the little iHome keyboard I picked up at KMart for under thirty bucks. This keyboard is larger than the iPad cover keyboards that I looked at – and cheaper. But honestly, this keyboard is pretty tiny for my clutzy fingers. I don’t know how I would use the cover keyboard. It would be as effective (or non-effective) as the screen keyboard. My mother has a larger wireless keyboard for her iPad, and I guess I will have to eventually get a larger one too, if I ever want to use my iPad for serious writing or blogging.

Of course, I could take my laptop, but that is just a pain when checking into a flight.

On another note, I’ve heard back from one Beta reader who is about finished reading Coulson’s Reckoning, and so far she likes it and sees no major changes needed. Woohoo!

Photo: Wondering about the photo? It’s my granddaughter. I wanted to add a picture to the post, and this one was on my iPad. You have to admit, she is a cutie.

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Blog Hop – My Writing Process

When Susan Haught asked me to participate in this author’s blog hop I said sure, why not? After all, I didn’t have to post my entry until February 10, 2014. If you will notice, it is February 12 today. I have a good excuse, really. I was finishing up Coulson’s Reckoning, which yesterday, I sent off to the beta readers.

So please excuse the hop delay. I’ve been asked to answer a series of question, and then direct you to several of my author friends, to see how they answer the same questions.

What am I working on?

Like I mentioned in the introduction, I just sent Coulson’s Reckoning off to my beta readers. It is the fifth (and possibly final) book in my Coulson Series. When I finish up Reckoning, I will be working on another book in the Sensual Romance Series, and then I’m starting a new series. So you can see, 2014 is going to be a busy year for me.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Currently I have two series, The Coulson Series and The Sensual Romance Series. The Sensual Romance Series is contemporary romance – easy reading, light romances with happy endings. These are not “clean” romances (I loathe that term) yet they are not erotica or especially racy. I am afraid the “Sensual” sometimes throws off readers who expect more heat. Yet, these book would not fit into the “clean” romance slot – as I don’t keep the bedroom doors shut. Of course, sometimes it happens on a dance floor, not the bedroom.

The Coulson Series is a little harder to nail down, genre wise. I wrote Coulson’s Lesson’s first (originally titled Lessons) which was clearly a contemporary romance. Then came Coulson’s Secret (originally The Senator’s Secret) which is mystery romance. Some mystery readers – those who don’t like romances – were offended by what they termed “graphic sex scenes” – yet to a romance reader, those scenes might seem tame.

I decided to go back in time, and wrote Coulson’s Wife followed by Coulson’s Crucible. Coulson’s Wife is more historical romance, yet not a traditional happy ever after ending. Coulson’s Crucible, which features many characters from Coulson’s Lessons (as children) is more drama.

How does the Coulson Series differ from others of its genre? – I think the question here, which genre does it best fit? It is a family saga which has a bit of everything.

Why do I write what I do?

Some readers prefer books where the characters set an example. They don’t want a hero who makes poor choices, uses bad language or engages in what they deem immoral behavior. I’m drawn to flawed characters – those who possess both good and bad traits. Yet, I try to end each story on a happy or upbeat note. That was a little difficult in Coulson’s Wife, yet I like to think its ending was more bittersweet than sad.

The books in my Sensual Romance Series are just light reading – predictable in that boy meets girl, and at the end of the story boy and girl end up together in a happy ever after conclusion. While my readers are pretty confident as to where we are going, my intent is to make the trip enjoyable.

How does my writing process work?

This is my fulltime job, so I typically start work in the morning and stop when my husband comes home at night. When I write, I must do it alone, without distractions – no television or music playing in the background. I wish I could write with music playing, like some of my writer friends, but I can’t.

I have to use a keyboard. Give me a pen and pad of paper and all you will get from me is notes – no manuscript. I’ve tried using Dragon to dictate a manuscript, but I just end up with blank air. I’ve recently started using the Index Card ap on my iPad for outlining my manuscripts, which I love. I don’t follow my outline exactly – because sometimes a story will take us in a direction we never imagined.

Before you Hop Off

Visit my friend, Susan Haught.  She is the author of the newly released Shall We Dance?  included in the Halloween Anthology published by Dancing With Bear Publishing, Shall We Dance? is the heartwarming story of a young nurse who makes one elderly gentleman’s Halloween extra special.

 

 

 

Next week, stop by when

Suzie O’Connell, author of  author of Northstar Angels 

C. A. Newsome author of Cozy Mysteries with Bite

and newcomer Holli Marie Spaulding join the hop.  They should be making their posts next Monday…unless of course they are bad like me.

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Welcome to Coulson

Of Coulson’s Wife, one reviewer wrote it was “a bit far fetched.” I thought about that observation, wondering what about the story he found unbelievable. I don’t think the human story of Mary Ellen and Randall was far fetched, especially for that moment in time.

I then wondered if the reviewer was referring to the fact Randal Coulson founds the town of Coulson. If that was the part he found difficult to believe, well, truth really is stranger than fiction.

Coulson and its founding were inspired by the true story of my home town, Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The fictional community of Clement Falls was inspired by the Hualapai Mountain near Kingman, about an hour from Havasu.

Coulson is approximately 15 years older than Lake Havasu, but they share a similar history. I suppose I could have really thrown an unbelievable element into the story – like have Randall Coulson buy the London Bridge, take it apart, drag it across the globe and reconstruct it Coulson. But, they already did that in Havasu.

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Gratuitous Sex, what does it mean to you?

Perceptions are a funny thing. Just look at erotica. Some people believe erotica is different from pornography, while others insist they are basically the same thing, with erotica having a bit more storyline to conceal the carnal nature of the tale.

And then there is that term I loath, “clean romance” – for readers who prefer their romance stories basically sex-free. I hate the term because it implies there is something dirty about sex, and I believe sex is a natural and beautiful part of life.

When I created my Sensual Romance Series I wanted to give my readers a heads up on what to expect. I wasn’t going for erotic romance, yet neither was I writing “clean” romance. Until I actually write the story, I never know for certain how much sex – or how detailed the scenes will be, because I’m not a formula writer and I try to write for the story, not to a generic blueprint.

Unfortunately, there are readers who expect more heat, and I’ve had a number of reviewers refer to While Snowbound as a sweet, clean romance. While there were a few sex scenes they weren’t explicit. I’m sorry if the sensual was interpreted for erotic and misled some readers.

And then we have Coulson’s Secret, the fourth book in my Coulson Series. I’ve been rather shocked at some of the comments by reviewers who were offended by the language, and sex scenes in the book. I’ve always considered Coulson’s Secret to be the tamest of all my Coulson books – and I never considered the series to be erotica.

One reviewer didn’t like the gratuitous sex. I wanted to ask that reviewer, do you know what gratuitous sex is? The scenes in that book were not graphic, in my opinion, and I imagine if my romance readers, instead of mystery readers (it is a mystery romance) was leaving a review, they would call the scenes tame.

As for what gratuitous sex means – it means unnecessary – and those scenes were necessary to tell the story. Delete those scenes, and the entire storyline changes.

Another complaint – the language – notably the “F-bombs” yet one reviewer also complained about “damn.” I understand some readers don’t want to read any words or scenes they consider obscene. That is fine. Yet, they probably shouldn’t read my books.

Some people want to read stories where the main characters set an example. Those characters don’t curse or have sex outside of marriage. While it is acceptable for characters in the story to do something dastardly, like murder, those readers don’t want to hear the killer use profanity.

Please don’t misunderstand me – I’m not insinuating there is anything wrong with a reader seeking a G-rating. From my perspective it is no different than a reader preferring to read science fiction over romance, or non-fiction over fiction. We all have our personal preferences.

I write what I term realistic fiction. I  create three dimensional, flawed characters – who have both good and bad qualities. Sometimes they curse, and sometimes they have sex when they shouldn’t. After all, they are only human.

 

 

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Christmas Scrooge or False Accusations

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Book sales on my Coulson Series have been strong this past month. Yet, what makes me especially happy, are the positive reviews I’ve been receiving on the first book in the series – Coulson’s Wife.

While going through the reviews when preparing for this post, I found a most snarky and offensive comment left by someone the day before Christmas Eve, who doesn’t claim to have read the book – didn’t leave her own review – but questions the legitimacy of the other reviews.

The person wrote: “Practically all these reviews read the same. No information about the book at all. Can we say “purchased reviews” anyone?

Ummm…no we can’t say that. I have never EVER, in my entire writing career purchased any review. I have asked for honest reviews before, on a Goodread’s group that hooks writers up with reviewers in exchange for a free email file. But that was only on While Snowbound – not Coulson’s Wife – and I limited it to ten readers – and not all of those left a review, which is not uncommon.

But like I said, I never asked for Coulson’s Wife reviews on Goodreads – nor have I ever paid for any reviews. Plus, I don’t believe in review swaps. If I read a friend’s book and don’t like it – I won’t leave a review. If I like the book, I will leave an honest review. But I would never engage in the practice of review swaps, it doesn’t feel right to me. When I do like a book written by a friend, I want to be able to write a good review, without others doubting my sincerity.

If more than one reader said the same thing about Coulson’s Wife, it was probably because the readers shared the same impression about the story. Accusing an author of unethical conduct – simply because readers expressed similar sentiments in their reviews, is in itself unethical – in my opinion.

So what did some reviewers say about Coulson’s Wife?

“I haven’t found a book in quite some time that held my interest enough that I could read it in one sitting.”

“I think the author did a beautiful job making her characters come to life and I highly recommend reading this book.”

“I loved this book!”

“…a great ride, and I’m going on to the next book.”

“…so worth the read just make sure you have the time because everything else is forgotten while reading this book.”

“I totally enjoyed reading this book. I loved the characters especially Mary Ellen. great story which I will recommend to my friends.”

“Wonderful story.”

“Well written, with good description of characters.”

“..the people were very real.”

“I could not put it down.”

“I shed quiet a few tears while reading this book but I couldn’t bring myself to put it down. It was well worth reading.”

While I find the person’s snarky comment a personal insult – I still feel great about the reviews. It tells me my story has resonated with those readers.

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Temporary Amazon Exclusive

For marketing and promotional purposes, my eBooks are exclusive on Amazon.  They used to be on the other vendors – such as Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Smashwords. They’ll be back there in the future, but for now, you’ll only find them on Amazon.  For those of you who have Amazon Prime, this allows you to borrow any of my books.

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Rebranding Books from a Series

It’s sometimes a little confusion to some of my readers – those who read Lessons when it was first published two years ago, only to discover Lessons is now titled Coulson’s Lessons – and that instead of being number one in the Coulson Series, it is now number three. How did that happen? I am so confused!

Well, actually, I’m not confused – but I may have confused a few of my readers.

I first wrote Lessons, an adult love story – and then The Senator’s Secret, which is more mystery than love story. Readers first met most of The Senator’s Secret characters in Lessons.

I then decided I wanted to go back in time, and write about the people from Lessons, when they were children – to show how they first met and formed their relationships. I wanted to give readers more insight into their history.

When I started writing, I found myself jumping back one generation – to first tell the story of the grandfather that started the empire and founded Coulson. But the story ended up being more about his wife, in Coulson’s Wife.

After Coulson’s Wife, I wrote Coulson’s Crucible, which introduced many of the characters from Lessons. For some it might have been a character overload. I’m just hoping the story of Garret’s parent pulls the reader successfully through the book without too much confusion.

After Coulson’s Wife and Coulson’s Crucible, it was decided to rebrand the series – and rename the first two books written. Lessons became Coulson’s Lessons and The Senator’s Secret became Coulson’s Secret.

As I’ve mentioned before, there will be at least one more book in the series – Coulson’s Reckoning, which will tie together loose ends woven throughout the books.

Yet, for those who despise having to read all books in a series to get a complete story, I promise you can read any of the first four books, without having to read any of other books from the series.

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Standalone Stories

One of the most common complaints I hear from reviewers – on other author’s books – those that have been given away for free in some promotion – are the cliffhangers. Typically the first in the series, these books leave the readers without a clear conclusion and forces them (if the promotion works out as the publisher hopes) to buy the next book in the series.

Reviewers have never slammed me for this, because each of my books is a standalone story. That is fairly obvious in my Sensual Romance Series – where the only thing “series” about this collection is the shared expectation. These are simple romances, with guaranteed happy endings. The Sensual Romance Series is very different from The Coulson Series.

In The Coulson Series there is love, heartbreak, mystery and murder. It is never clear which lovers are destined to be together. While many of the same characters appear in each book, it is possible to enjoy just one of the books without reading the one that came before – or after.

In spite of that – there is a thread of unresolved issues and conflicts woven throughout The Coulson Series that will collide in the final (I think it will be the final book) book – Coulson’s Reckoning, coming in 2014.

 

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