Em Barrett's Blog: Em Barrett's Blog, page 2

Something new... {El Train Love Story}

For anyone who's interested, I wrote a short story (about 30 pages) that will be free on Amazon starting at midnight tonight! It's called El Train Love Story and you can download it here:

http://www.amazon.com/El-Train-Love-S...

If you read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xo Em

Let's talk about sex... {LGI BOOK CLUB Topic #3}

Hey ladies (guys, obviously feel free to jump in too if you're out there reading)...

I'm really curious to get your thoughts on the following:

If you're reading a book that is not intended to be a romance or erotica novel, but rather a book that is more generally of a chicklit/women's fiction/new adult genre, how much sex are you looking for in such a book...?

To tell you about myself, when I'm reading a novel like Leaving Green Island (i.e. not a book intended to be a romance or erotica novel), I don't usually like lots of detailed sex scenes. I'm thinking, OK, I get it, they had sex, or, they had crazy sex, now what happens??! I'm more into the characters' sexual tension, and the lead up to when they hook up, and then I'm not as into a long, graphic play-by-play. BUT, that's me and I know that is not necessarily true for other readers.

What about you? In a novel of this genre, what amount of descriptive sex do you hope for/expect? I'm really trying to grow as a writer, and I'm curious if I should be including more descriptive sex scenes. How did you feel about descriptions of Brecken's sex life in LGI? Not enough? Just right? Too much detail?!

Thanks so much for your thoughts...

{LGI BOOK CLUB} Topic #2

Hi everyone! Just to re-hash...

As I work on Green Island #2, I'm realizing that I wish I had more feedback from readers on certain aspects of Leaving Green Island... LGI was my first novel, and I want to be sure that I am growing and improving as a novelist based on readers' responses to this book :) This book club is something I just started in the hope that I could get to know my readers and also gain valuable insight into your thoughts on LGI that will be very helpful to me in my future writing!

For anyone who hasn't finished LGI yet, you might want to skip reading these posts since they will contain spoilers.

{LGI BOOK CLUB - Question #2}

** Do you think that most girls/women have an old flame who they never fully got over? How do you feel about Brecken's initial interactions with Reed given that she was engaged to Will? Was emailing with Reed and meeting him for drinks understandable under the circumstances or not? Please let me know how relatable you found Brecken's situation to be and whether or not you agreed with the way she acted. **

THANK YOU in advance for your feedback!

xo em

Trying something new... {LGI BOOK CLUB}

As I work on Green Island #2, I'm realizing that I wish I had more feedback from readers on certain aspects of Leaving Green Island... LGI was my first novel, and I want to be sure that I am growing and improving as a novelist based on readers' responses to this book :)

While the reviews that have been posted on Goodreads and Amazon are helpful, they don't always dig into my particular questions about the book. For this reason, I thought I would put together a few blog posts (probably this week and next) where I could reach out to fans of LGI to get your thoughts on certain portions of the plot and facets of the characters. Any feedback that you have to offer would be extremely helpful to me! I'm viewing this kind of as an LGI book club, so feel free to voice any and all opinions you have to offer on the book! I'll include "LGI Book Club" in the blog post title for each of these postings so you can be on the lookout for them, if you want.

Also, I'll randomly select one of the responders to this thread to choose the name of a minor character in Green Island #2!

For anyone who hasn't finished LGI yet, you might want to skip reading these posts since they will contain spoilers.

{LGI BOOK CLUB - Question #1}

** How did you feel about the portion of the book that related to Brecken's struggles at her law firm? Specifically, did the sexual harassment plotline add to or detract from your enjoyment of the book? How about her questioning of law firm culture and her professional trajectory?? **


THANK YOU in advance for your feedback, and happy new year to you all! I hope everyone has a Reed Whalen to kiss at midnight ;)

xo em

Leaving Green IslandEm Barrett

99 Ratings...

Leaving Green Island is just one rating away from its 100th rating on Goodreads!!

While I do admit that the negative reviews can be a little bit rough on me, I'm thrilled that LGI has an average rating of 4.28 stars :)

Thank you to all my readers (lovers and haters included!) for your feedback ~ it all helps to make me a better writer and is definitely being taken into consideration as I continue to work on Green Island #2.

Happy holidays!

xo em

Paperback Copies ~ Leaving Green Island

I just wanted to share the news that Leaving Green Island is now available as a paperback book!!

Although e-books have their definite advantages, I'm an old-fashioned girl and definitely prefer "real" books myself. So, I have to admit I'm pretty freaking excited to finally have an actual copy of the book to put on my bookshelf and admire ;)

If you have anyone on your gift list who you think might enjoy the book, definitely pick up a copy (or ten! It's just the right size to fit in a stocking ;)

http://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Green-I...

Thanks so much for the continued support!! Happy holiday to everyone!

xo Em

Barnes & Noble NOOK

As of today, Leaving Green Island is available for the Barnes & Noble NOOK!!

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/leavi...

Chick Lit Goddess Q&A

I had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A with Isabella Louise Anderson on her blog ~ www.chicklitgoddess.com!

If you have a minute, please check it out :)

http://chicklitgoddess.com/2012/09/26...

I'll always love you, Jordan Catalano...

Please check out my Q&A on the amazing Julie's Chick Lit Blog!

http://julieschicklit.blogspot.com/20...

I'm honestly kind of obsessed with Julie's blog... she has short, clever posts that are actually interesting - everyone should check it out :)

Thanks so much, Julie, for the great review of Leaving Green Island!

Selected as BOOK OF THE MONTH!! :)

Rosie Review was kind enough to read and review Leaving Green Island this weekend!

I am incredibly excited about Rosie's review and ecstatic that she selected Leaving Green Island as her book of the month :)

http://rosiereview.wordpress.com/2012...

Thank you Rosie Review!!!

Leaving Green Island