T.C. Michael's Blog, page 6
June 7, 2016
Book Sale!
Secret of the Last Born (e-book version) is now on sale starting today. I decided I wanted do do a book sale around my birthday, so here it is. Link to book posted below. The sale is limited, so take advantage of it now. Feel free to share!
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Last-Bo...Secret of the Last Born
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Last-Bo...Secret of the Last Born
June 5, 2016
Book Sale!
I will be having a promotional sale on the ebook version of Secret of the Last Born starting on the 7th as a special for my birthday. I'll post an update soon. :)
February 28, 2016
Writing Tips
Just a little help for those interested in the craft of writing...
Writing a book, story or essay may seem easy when you first dream up the concept that you picture as being the best thing ever imagined by human kind. Which, it may very well be, but once you put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, it gets a whole new level of intense. If you don't have the proper amount of planning and patients before you begin writing, things can get out of hand and you can easily lose control of the original direction you wanted to go. It could end up being a wast of three months before you realized things went bad, when instead you could have spend an extra two weeks preparing.
Being a writer isn't always easy, in fact, the easiest part is thinking of the very first ideas that spur your story. From there you have a lengthy process of imagining enough things to form a backbone for your story. You transfer that line of ideas to a paper or computer, then brainstorm and spend some more time thinking of things to give the story a beginning, middle, end. Write that down. Then, decide who your main characters are going to be and give them a personality of their own. Next comes the more difficult things: give each main character their own arc and purpose in the story, and the character arcs have to intertwine with the arc of your story. Allow them to fit in with the main plot. Develop it even more now and give it elements that make it more interesting to capture the readers attention. Add some plot twists and take out those filthy cliche's. Lather, rinse and repeat at least three times. Once you have a beginning, middle, end, story arc and plot, characters that are developed, and conflicts that the characters have to overcome - you're beginning to get a decent first draft. Fine tune everything and edit the heck out of that puppy. Learn about certain writing equations like the three-act structure, Dan Wells Seven-point story structure, formatting of chapters, and learning how to write outlines will help in the planning process. If your story fits any of these, then awesome it might improve your work, but if it doesn't match then don't worry!
Things to think about:
Protagonists and antagonists have to be believable people!
Readers have to connect in some way with the characters and/or plot.
Cliffhangers are great, don't overdo it.
Writing takes practice and a lot of it. Your first work won't be perfect, so don't worry.
Early feedback is essential.
Details matter, but once again, don't overdo it. (Watch out for world builders disease!)
Need more help? Research and ask questions. Learn as much as you can about the craft.
Writing a book, story or essay may seem easy when you first dream up the concept that you picture as being the best thing ever imagined by human kind. Which, it may very well be, but once you put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, it gets a whole new level of intense. If you don't have the proper amount of planning and patients before you begin writing, things can get out of hand and you can easily lose control of the original direction you wanted to go. It could end up being a wast of three months before you realized things went bad, when instead you could have spend an extra two weeks preparing.
Being a writer isn't always easy, in fact, the easiest part is thinking of the very first ideas that spur your story. From there you have a lengthy process of imagining enough things to form a backbone for your story. You transfer that line of ideas to a paper or computer, then brainstorm and spend some more time thinking of things to give the story a beginning, middle, end. Write that down. Then, decide who your main characters are going to be and give them a personality of their own. Next comes the more difficult things: give each main character their own arc and purpose in the story, and the character arcs have to intertwine with the arc of your story. Allow them to fit in with the main plot. Develop it even more now and give it elements that make it more interesting to capture the readers attention. Add some plot twists and take out those filthy cliche's. Lather, rinse and repeat at least three times. Once you have a beginning, middle, end, story arc and plot, characters that are developed, and conflicts that the characters have to overcome - you're beginning to get a decent first draft. Fine tune everything and edit the heck out of that puppy. Learn about certain writing equations like the three-act structure, Dan Wells Seven-point story structure, formatting of chapters, and learning how to write outlines will help in the planning process. If your story fits any of these, then awesome it might improve your work, but if it doesn't match then don't worry!
Things to think about:
Protagonists and antagonists have to be believable people!
Readers have to connect in some way with the characters and/or plot.
Cliffhangers are great, don't overdo it.
Writing takes practice and a lot of it. Your first work won't be perfect, so don't worry.
Early feedback is essential.
Details matter, but once again, don't overdo it. (Watch out for world builders disease!)
Need more help? Research and ask questions. Learn as much as you can about the craft.
February 14, 2016
Secret Project
Hello, hello, hello! Happy Valentines Day!
This post is about my secret project in the works! Okay, it's not so secret if you go to my FB page and look at some posts between 11/15 and now, but most people have no idea what it is! Good, good. If you subscribe to my monthly newsletter you may have read about a potential publication coming soon, but you don't get my newsletter, then subscribe now and the Feb. issue may have another hint.
As to what it is... ha! Keep a close eye on things! Nothing as huge as Christopher Paolini's new SciFi novel that he just completed the first draft on, but something new in my writing universe. Follow me on FB or twitter and something may just slip.
One last thing. This secret project of mine has progressed into it's second draft, and well, it's somewhat diminutive in comparison to Mr. Paolini's new work.
Catch me here:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/author.tcmic...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorTCMichael
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bCbDJL
This post is about my secret project in the works! Okay, it's not so secret if you go to my FB page and look at some posts between 11/15 and now, but most people have no idea what it is! Good, good. If you subscribe to my monthly newsletter you may have read about a potential publication coming soon, but you don't get my newsletter, then subscribe now and the Feb. issue may have another hint.
As to what it is... ha! Keep a close eye on things! Nothing as huge as Christopher Paolini's new SciFi novel that he just completed the first draft on, but something new in my writing universe. Follow me on FB or twitter and something may just slip.
One last thing. This secret project of mine has progressed into it's second draft, and well, it's somewhat diminutive in comparison to Mr. Paolini's new work.
Catch me here:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/author.tcmic...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorTCMichael
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bCbDJL
January 24, 2016
Newsletter
Hello Goodreads community!
It has been a while since I've posted on my Goodreads blog, but I am here to say 2016 is going to be a year of improvement and development, things will get bigger and better! My email newsletter is one of those things, sign up for your copy of the monthly newsletter and you can follow my work, discussions, and all things to come in 2016!
http://eepurl.com/bCbDJL
Have a wonderful day!
TC Michael
It has been a while since I've posted on my Goodreads blog, but I am here to say 2016 is going to be a year of improvement and development, things will get bigger and better! My email newsletter is one of those things, sign up for your copy of the monthly newsletter and you can follow my work, discussions, and all things to come in 2016!
http://eepurl.com/bCbDJL
Have a wonderful day!
TC Michael
December 4, 2015
Book on Sale
Hello Goodreads!
I just want to make a quick announcement that my book, Secret of the Last Born, is on sale until midnight tonight! A good book, especially when cheap, makes a great Christmas gift to a loved one or even yourself! So grab your copy now, the link is provided below.
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Last-Bor...
I just want to make a quick announcement that my book, Secret of the Last Born, is on sale until midnight tonight! A good book, especially when cheap, makes a great Christmas gift to a loved one or even yourself! So grab your copy now, the link is provided below.
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Last-Bor...
November 2, 2015
FREE GIFT!
Would you like a chance to win a free gift just in time for the holidays? Well, I'm giving one away for free, and I will announce what it is very soon! This is an advanced post, meaning anyone who see's this has extra time to enter before those who don't. There will be a few ways to enter soon, but right now, for an advanced opportunity, if you sign up for my monthly author newsletter you will be entered to win. It's very simply and easy, plus you get a head start on others! Fill out the form below to have an opportunity to win a free gift. Here's the link:
http://eepurl.com/bCbDJL
http://eepurl.com/bCbDJL
October 11, 2015
Author Newsletter!
Hello Goodreads!
I'm attempting to create an email newsletter. I've been thinking about doing one for over a year, and now I'm finally going to attempt it. I'm completely new to this, so if something goes terribly wrong, don't be too mean. Okay? I'm sharing this sign up form from the newsletter site, it allows you to join my newsletter and be added to the list to receive (probably a once monthly) email from yours truly. Once again, this is the first thing I've attempted, so if it doesn't look right or is in someway not very good, please let me know. If you elect to join my newsletter and fill out the signup form, then you might receive an email or two with a confirmation. Anyone has the option to sign up, but if you love books, authors, reading, some popular media, etc - things like that, then you would be the best match for this email newsletter. (Example, if you love super cross and it's the hobby that takes up 90% of your free time, then this newsletter is not for you. BUT, if you love books, buying books, and super cross, then sign up!) Here goes...
http://eepurl.com/bCbDJL
I'm attempting to create an email newsletter. I've been thinking about doing one for over a year, and now I'm finally going to attempt it. I'm completely new to this, so if something goes terribly wrong, don't be too mean. Okay? I'm sharing this sign up form from the newsletter site, it allows you to join my newsletter and be added to the list to receive (probably a once monthly) email from yours truly. Once again, this is the first thing I've attempted, so if it doesn't look right or is in someway not very good, please let me know. If you elect to join my newsletter and fill out the signup form, then you might receive an email or two with a confirmation. Anyone has the option to sign up, but if you love books, authors, reading, some popular media, etc - things like that, then you would be the best match for this email newsletter. (Example, if you love super cross and it's the hobby that takes up 90% of your free time, then this newsletter is not for you. BUT, if you love books, buying books, and super cross, then sign up!) Here goes...
http://eepurl.com/bCbDJL
September 28, 2015
Recommendations for a Review!
Hello book lovers,
Lately I have been running a few projects looking for reviews, feedback and critiques. One of the arms to this project is Goodreads. So, in advance, I will send out a book recommendation of my book, Secret of the Last Born. This is mainly to create awareness and not to spam or have selfish author syndrome (I just made that up!). The next reason for this is to make it easier for you to find my novel if your interested in reading it and leaving a review. If you're not interested then completely ignore it.
That is all and have a wonderful day!
TC Michael
Secret of the Last Born
Lately I have been running a few projects looking for reviews, feedback and critiques. One of the arms to this project is Goodreads. So, in advance, I will send out a book recommendation of my book, Secret of the Last Born. This is mainly to create awareness and not to spam or have selfish author syndrome (I just made that up!). The next reason for this is to make it easier for you to find my novel if your interested in reading it and leaving a review. If you're not interested then completely ignore it.
That is all and have a wonderful day!
TC Michael
Secret of the Last Born
September 22, 2015
Wonderful Reviewers
Hello good folk of Goodreads,
Goodreads is a spectacular site notoriously know for a few things. Obviously books, duh, but more precisely.... Reading forums, author Q&A's, book discussions, book recommendations, reviews, meeting fello book lovers, etc, etc, yada-yada-yada. I love Goodreads, it's a fun site and can get interesting when there's a heated discussion with two opposing points on the same topic. It's also a really cool place to find books and my favorite is to review books. Unlike Amazon, Goodreads allows you to review any book you want without having restrictions. That's precisely why I primarily use Goodreads as my go-to book review site. I know a ton of other readers who agree with me and prefer Goodreads over others.
But...
Let me get to the point of this post. My first novel is currently in publication and I'm looking for honest reviews. I know some people aren't into writing reviews, but even one or two simple sentences mixed with your 1-5 star review is more than enough for most authors, including myself. There are a few reviews under my book on Goodrwads (I will attach the novel link below), but I would very much appreciate a few more to help me write better books in the future, and if possible, make this one better. Please, with the kindness of your heart, if you've read my book the write a quick review containing your thoughts. If you haven't read it and you might be interested, I'd love for you to give it a shot.
That is all for now, go enjoy your day!
TC Michael
Secret of the Last Born
Goodreads is a spectacular site notoriously know for a few things. Obviously books, duh, but more precisely.... Reading forums, author Q&A's, book discussions, book recommendations, reviews, meeting fello book lovers, etc, etc, yada-yada-yada. I love Goodreads, it's a fun site and can get interesting when there's a heated discussion with two opposing points on the same topic. It's also a really cool place to find books and my favorite is to review books. Unlike Amazon, Goodreads allows you to review any book you want without having restrictions. That's precisely why I primarily use Goodreads as my go-to book review site. I know a ton of other readers who agree with me and prefer Goodreads over others.
But...
Let me get to the point of this post. My first novel is currently in publication and I'm looking for honest reviews. I know some people aren't into writing reviews, but even one or two simple sentences mixed with your 1-5 star review is more than enough for most authors, including myself. There are a few reviews under my book on Goodrwads (I will attach the novel link below), but I would very much appreciate a few more to help me write better books in the future, and if possible, make this one better. Please, with the kindness of your heart, if you've read my book the write a quick review containing your thoughts. If you haven't read it and you might be interested, I'd love for you to give it a shot.
That is all for now, go enjoy your day!
TC Michael
Secret of the Last Born
