Zoe Dawson's Blog, page 23
December 4, 2012
Rate the Blurb!
Come check out Zoe Dawson's book Leashed today at The Book's Blurb Blog. Today is catch up day...each book will only be up for a portion of the day due to us being down for a week...thanks and please visit. Don't forget to comment to be entered into our month contest. Comments made on this blog will count toward the November contest...winner to be announced on Thursday. Please share! http://thebooksblurb.blogspot.com/201...
Featured at The Book's Blurb Blog
A book blurb is a teaser that describes what the book is about. There are a certain number of components you need to make sure are in your blurb.Introduce the hero and heroine - This information allows you to give the reader some insight into who is going to play a role in your book. Descriptive words are best here. I use dog whisperer in my Leashed blurb to describe Callie and nightclub owner to describe Owen. That already gives the reader a wealth of information as to who will be playing the major roles in the novel.
Setting - I don't do this in my blurb, but indicating where your novel is set is a good way to define the world you've built with your hero and heroine. I could have mentioned somewhere in my blurb that Callie lives in New York City. It already has a dog culture and reinforces the other two characters in my book, the Great Danes Jack and Jill.
Simple Plot Setup - Show what the story is about. What brings these two people together. What is happening in the story that the reader might be interested in. What happens defines your story and gives it that concrete feeling.
Internal and External Conflict - In a romance, it's important to see who these people are. What they're goals are and how conflict will change and make them grow. So a glimpse of what will influence the couple tells the reader what difficulties they need to overcome.
Romantic Conflict - This element of your novel defines what is keeping these people apart. For Callie, she gets involved with emotional unavailable men and gets her heart broken. She vows to stay away from them. Owen is afraid of commitment. It's intriguing to find out how this couple overcomes these obstacles in their lives and relationship to achieve their happily ever after.
Premise - This concept identifies not only the tone of your book, but it's a way to hook the reader into your novel. My premise is comical. Next door neighbors have to interact because their dogs have mated and fallen madly in love. It's a cute setup. The reader has to know that the dogs are smarter than their owners. They know Callie and Owen are perfect for each other.
So, check out my book blurb and rate it. Leashed is featured today on The Book's Blurb Blog. Don't forget to comment to be entered in their monthly contest. Comments made on the blog will count toward the November contest and the winner will be announced on Thursday. Happy reading and writing!
December 2, 2012
Sometimes You Have to Do Something Else
There comes a time when there needs to be a break from writing. Yes. You heard me right. There needs to be time to fill up the well. Time to renew. Time to get some new ideas. Here's a few ways that I do that:
Go to the Gym - It's a good way to disconnect from the current WIP and just read on the treadmill. A way to undo your mind for a bit and get lost in someone else's world. Physical exercise is good for the body and getting away from your my current WIP is good for the creative well.
Surfing the Net - I love doing this. I start off by reading one interesting article or following a promising link and before I know it I'm miles from the beginning. But that's okay. Sometimes doing this gives me new ideas for books, adds to my wealth of knowledge, and once again frees my mind to fill the creative well.
Paint - Painting is concrete images transferred to paper. I have many ideas for pieces the roll around in my head. I have to admit that I haven't done this particular past time lately because I've been busy writing and working full time, but it's on my mind and I really want to get to it soon. Very soon. Focusing on the concrete visual also fills my creative well.
World of Warcraft - I play an massive multi-player online role playing game (mmorpg). I have a character named Starstrike. She's a Night Elf Hunter. You can check out her profile. She can quest (get a task, complete the task, return to the quest-giver) or she can go into a dungeon (fight virtual monsters, get virtual loot, make my character stronger), or raid (fight harder virtual monsters, get better virtual loot, make my character much stronger) or engage in other pursuits in the game that give my character materials like mining, fishing, gathering, or collecting. This takes my mind off my other imaginative world and also fills my creative well
What do you do to fill up that creative well for whatever hobby or craft you like to pursue?
Go to the Gym - It's a good way to disconnect from the current WIP and just read on the treadmill. A way to undo your mind for a bit and get lost in someone else's world. Physical exercise is good for the body and getting away from your my current WIP is good for the creative well.
Surfing the Net - I love doing this. I start off by reading one interesting article or following a promising link and before I know it I'm miles from the beginning. But that's okay. Sometimes doing this gives me new ideas for books, adds to my wealth of knowledge, and once again frees my mind to fill the creative well.
Paint - Painting is concrete images transferred to paper. I have many ideas for pieces the roll around in my head. I have to admit that I haven't done this particular past time lately because I've been busy writing and working full time, but it's on my mind and I really want to get to it soon. Very soon. Focusing on the concrete visual also fills my creative well.
World of Warcraft - I play an massive multi-player online role playing game (mmorpg). I have a character named Starstrike. She's a Night Elf Hunter. You can check out her profile. She can quest (get a task, complete the task, return to the quest-giver) or she can go into a dungeon (fight virtual monsters, get virtual loot, make my character stronger), or raid (fight harder virtual monsters, get better virtual loot, make my character much stronger) or engage in other pursuits in the game that give my character materials like mining, fishing, gathering, or collecting. This takes my mind off my other imaginative world and also fills my creative well
What do you do to fill up that creative well for whatever hobby or craft you like to pursue?
November 29, 2012
Review News!
Five Heart review from Sara at HarlequinJunkie. Check it out.
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-lea...
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-lea...
November 21, 2012
Fall In Love Giveaway Hop
The Fall In Love Giveaway hop was organized by Reading Romances!
As a writer, some ideas come to me through dreams, bits of conversation, a word in an article. But Leashed came to me because I loved the show Sex and the City and the unique friendships that the four women in the series built and developed over the course of the show. I envisioned the same kind of friendship for my Going to the Dogs series, but these women each had a dog they loved and each of the women were involved in the "dog business." Going to the Dogs was born. Sex and the City was a six season long story of how these women found romance. Happily Ever After is what we as romance writers are all about. Inspiration comes from everywhere when you're a writer, but it's a bonus when that inspiration provides such a wonderful viewing experience. 
I recommend Leashed not because I wrote it but because it's about friendship and love.
Fall in love with Leashed and enjoy the experience.
Buy Leashed here: http://www.amazon.com/Leashed-Going-D...
I’d love to connect with you on other sites.
Friend me on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/zoe.dawsonaut...
Follow me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ZoeDawsonAuthor
Friend me on Goodreads here: www.goodreads.com/user/show/8615573-z...
What you can win: An ebook copy of Leashed and a $10 Amazon Gift Card
Number of winners: 1
Open to: INT, US/CAN
How to enter: Comment here and go to http://www.zoedawson.com/#!CONTEST|ccq7 and fill out the contest form and include your email address as well as sign up for my newsletter for an extra entry
Hop and find more prizes!
November 19, 2012
Big Ole' Softie
When I decided to write about a Great Dane getting the Great Dane next door pregnant in my novella Leashed, it sounded like a great premise. But, I had no idea how much fun I would have writing about Great Danes. They are such beautiful dogs. But, they are also gentle giants. I discovered this video and just had to share. The evidence is overwhelming. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCPE6Z...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCPE6Z...
November 3, 2012
Famous Danes & Socks
I wrote this post for Plotmonkeys, but think it's so cute, I wanted to post it here, too! Feel free to answer the question and win the prize on any feed this blog is connected to! Also, comments are welcome, even if it's about my socks!
Famous Great Danes
With their impressive size and magnificent look it’s no surprise that Great Danes have been drawn and written about. Here are a few you might recognize.
Scooby-Doo
He’s Shaggy’s best friend, loves hero sandwiches and Scooby snacks and has that distinctive un-Dane like high-pitched laugh. It’s not a surprise that he is the most recognized and popular of the Great Dane celebrities. His character which began in 1969 and created by Iwao Takamoto is the distinctive Dane silhouette, but Iwao decided to go the opposite that is required for the breed. He made Scooby with a hump back and bowed legs. Scooby was also distinctive that he could not only totally understand Shaggy, but he could speak English. Okay, a variant of English with his “Rut Roh, Raggy” which translated means “Uh-oh, Shaggy!” The first episode, “What a Night for a Knight,” brought together the now famous Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy to solve mysteries. This famous Dane has starred in movies, comic books, novels, and of course animated cartoons. As you can see, I don my Scooby socks to keep my feet warm, but it’s also good inspiration for writing light, and funny mystery. We love you, Scooby!
Astro
He was large, silly, and caused George a lot of suffering and hurt. Who knew it was that dangerous to walk a dog. “Jane, stop this crazy thing!” But even though George wasn’t too keen on having this canine around, a robot dog was no match for the sheer lovable personality of Astro. This Great Dane was also created by Iwao Takamoto and made his debut in 1952. Yes, you are seeing that correctly. Astro pre-dates Scooby. I can only think that he was so cute and lovable that Iwao had to create another character to keep all that awesomeness alive. The Jetsons is one of the first cartoons to be broadcast in color on ABC so that even though Astro is grey, his pink tongue, that evidently liked slobbering all over George, stood out.
Marmaduke
Marmaduke a misbehaving Great Dane (a bit like Jack in Leashed) was the subject of a comic strip created by Brad Anderson in 1955. This Great Dane is syndicated in major newspapers all over the country. That’s right, he’s still in the Sunday morning funnies. How’s that for longevity. Brad’s son Paul is drawing him these days as his 88 year old father is probably enjoying his retirement. Marmaduke also starred in a 2010 movie with Owen Wilson voicing the bad puppy.
Giant George
This big boy lives up to his name. He is the largest Great Dane in history and is in the Guinness Book of World Records as Tallest Dog Ever (43 inches) and Tallest Living Dog. He weighs in at 245 pounds.
Diplomatic
This is a breeder of Great Danes out of Sweden who produce gorgeous Great Danes with delusions of grandeur. With names like Val Kilmer and Nicolas Cage, these dogs have a strong pedigree and live up to their grandiose monikers. Why not? Danes are impressive enough even without the Hollywood names.
Disney
Disney has given us a smattering of this breed in many of their movies such as: Einstein (Oliver & Company), Brutus (The Ugly Dachshund), and Danny (101 Dalmatians). No doubt about it. These dogs add a comic sense to many mediums.
Yours
The only other famous Great Danes I can think of would be yours! Share with us if you own a Great Dane and his/her name. Also, answer a question for me and win a copy of Leashed. What is Shaggy’s real name?
Famous Great Danes
With their impressive size and magnificent look it’s no surprise that Great Danes have been drawn and written about. Here are a few you might recognize.
Scooby-Doo
He’s Shaggy’s best friend, loves hero sandwiches and Scooby snacks and has that distinctive un-Dane like high-pitched laugh. It’s not a surprise that he is the most recognized and popular of the Great Dane celebrities. His character which began in 1969 and created by Iwao Takamoto is the distinctive Dane silhouette, but Iwao decided to go the opposite that is required for the breed. He made Scooby with a hump back and bowed legs. Scooby was also distinctive that he could not only totally understand Shaggy, but he could speak English. Okay, a variant of English with his “Rut Roh, Raggy” which translated means “Uh-oh, Shaggy!” The first episode, “What a Night for a Knight,” brought together the now famous Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy to solve mysteries. This famous Dane has starred in movies, comic books, novels, and of course animated cartoons. As you can see, I don my Scooby socks to keep my feet warm, but it’s also good inspiration for writing light, and funny mystery. We love you, Scooby!
Astro
He was large, silly, and caused George a lot of suffering and hurt. Who knew it was that dangerous to walk a dog. “Jane, stop this crazy thing!” But even though George wasn’t too keen on having this canine around, a robot dog was no match for the sheer lovable personality of Astro. This Great Dane was also created by Iwao Takamoto and made his debut in 1952. Yes, you are seeing that correctly. Astro pre-dates Scooby. I can only think that he was so cute and lovable that Iwao had to create another character to keep all that awesomeness alive. The Jetsons is one of the first cartoons to be broadcast in color on ABC so that even though Astro is grey, his pink tongue, that evidently liked slobbering all over George, stood out.
Marmaduke
Marmaduke a misbehaving Great Dane (a bit like Jack in Leashed) was the subject of a comic strip created by Brad Anderson in 1955. This Great Dane is syndicated in major newspapers all over the country. That’s right, he’s still in the Sunday morning funnies. How’s that for longevity. Brad’s son Paul is drawing him these days as his 88 year old father is probably enjoying his retirement. Marmaduke also starred in a 2010 movie with Owen Wilson voicing the bad puppy.
Giant George
This big boy lives up to his name. He is the largest Great Dane in history and is in the Guinness Book of World Records as Tallest Dog Ever (43 inches) and Tallest Living Dog. He weighs in at 245 pounds.
Diplomatic
This is a breeder of Great Danes out of Sweden who produce gorgeous Great Danes with delusions of grandeur. With names like Val Kilmer and Nicolas Cage, these dogs have a strong pedigree and live up to their grandiose monikers. Why not? Danes are impressive enough even without the Hollywood names.
Disney
Disney has given us a smattering of this breed in many of their movies such as: Einstein (Oliver & Company), Brutus (The Ugly Dachshund), and Danny (101 Dalmatians). No doubt about it. These dogs add a comic sense to many mediums.
Yours
The only other famous Great Danes I can think of would be yours! Share with us if you own a Great Dane and his/her name. Also, answer a question for me and win a copy of Leashed. What is Shaggy’s real name?
October 22, 2012
Deals A Plenty
Dog swag, ebook prizes! Contest for #Leashed. Enter at www.zoedawson.com. Three chances to win!
Also, NYT bestselling author Lori Wilde is giving away an authographed book if you buy Leashed! For more info, here's the link http://www.loriwilde.com/category/blog/
Good stuff!
Zoe
Also, NYT bestselling author Lori Wilde is giving away an authographed book if you buy Leashed! For more info, here's the link http://www.loriwilde.com/category/blog/
Good stuff!
Zoe
October 7, 2012
New Release
I'm thrilled to announce my first e-book which will begin the Going to the Dogs series. They're light mysteries that involve the owner and their dog.
Callie Lassiter and her Great Dane, Jack.
Brooke Palmer and her bulldog Roscoe.
Poe Madigan and her Jack Russells, Edgar and Allan (aka The Terrible Two).
Harper Sinclair and her Standard Poodle, Blue.
They all met at a dog park and became close friends. Watch their friendship grow and strengthen as they meet their matches on the road to true love.
Check out my website for contest book and goody giveaways that begins on October 15, 2012.
Leashed
Callie Lassiter and her Great Dane, Jack.
Brooke Palmer and her bulldog Roscoe.
Poe Madigan and her Jack Russells, Edgar and Allan (aka The Terrible Two).
Harper Sinclair and her Standard Poodle, Blue.
They all met at a dog park and became close friends. Watch their friendship grow and strengthen as they meet their matches on the road to true love.
Check out my website for contest book and goody giveaways that begins on October 15, 2012.
Leashed
