Sheryl Winters's Blog, page 11
August 2, 2014
It all comes back to Star Wars.
“I’m Luke Skywalker, I’m here to rescue you.”
Sound familiar? When you are writing that short story, or six book novel, there will never be a Luke Skywalker coming to your rescue. Even George Lucas had to write Star Wars the long way, using a pen or laptop and only his brains to help him.
When the next scene refuses to come to you, or worse, when you can’t find the motivation for your heroine to slap the face of the man she loves… Only you, the writer can “write” yourself out of the box. If you want to know why the aliens have landed outside your main character’s house, you are the one who has to figure it out, just like doing the dishes, if you want it done, you have to go into the kitchen to make it happen.
What a piece of junk!
That my friend is the best writing advice you can ever get. You will always learn more by having someone rip apart your hard earned work than you will ever have by having a friend or family member read it.
“I’ve got a very bad feeling about this.”
Trust your instincts, I wrote a good sixty thousand words on my first novel before I realized. The plot was terrible. There was no way around it. People had hinted, they had “Pleaded strongly” I didn’t listen. I kept to the original plot jumped off the page and slapped me. It was that bad.
I put aside seventeen chapters. Took out a clean piece of paper, (okay, I made a new word file) and started over. Some of the characters got a major makeover. Jaden went from bossy and rude to painfully shy. Draven was still amazingly hot, but less of a jerk. Isla was and shall always be, the original Ice Queen. The point is, I recognized where I went off, and I rewrote it all. Is it completed? Yes, but the editing, that will take a bit longer.
“You’ve never heard of the Millennium Falcon? … It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs.”
My novels are the Millennium Falcon. Not the Falcon that every knows from watching the movies two hundred times, (or more), but the Falcon that Luke first heard about. He had no clue what the Falcon was. The same way most of you have never heard about my writing.
“I find your lack of faith disturbing.”
Lack of faith occurs all the time. When I’m struggling to make a scene happen. When a well-meaning friend or relatives say’s “good luck with that,” in a sarcastic tone of voice. There are times when all writers have problems with their books or scripts, when they feel like giving up.
“You’re all clear, kid! Now let’s blow this thing and go home!”
I was adding the last bits to The Heart Stone, yesterday, this line came to me, and I couldn’t help laughing. Why the laughter? Because that morning I realized I had yet to add the traitor to the plot. He had to be intermixed throughout several scenes, I had motivations to consider, the shock and the betrayal to plot in. You know the petty stuff, every other writer takes for granted. Is there ever an all clear button? Will I ever know when I’m done because the, all clear whistle, has blown? Or will I just throw in the towel and send it in hoping for the best? I guess only time will tell.
“Stay on Target.”
This is my favorite line. When I’m stressed out. When the scene isn’t going right or I’m at my wits end, or positive no one will ever like my stuff. This line always comes to me. It is a reminder not to let the little stuff bother me, to keep going, to never stop.
July 30, 2014
Louder than Words
Louder Than Words
by Iris St.
Clair
Release Date: 09/16/14
Swoon Romance
Summary from Goodreads:
Disappointment has
been on speed dial in Ellen Grayson’s life lately. Her dad’s dead, her mom is
numbing the grief with drugs and alcohol, and her so-called friends are slowly
abandoning her. Trusting a popular teacher with her troubles should have been safe,
shouldn’t have led to an unwelcome seduction attempt, shouldn’t have sent her
running to the girls’ bathroom for the final moments of her Junior year. Lesson
learned. Best to keep all the sordid details of her life to herself.
Enter Rex Jacobi, a cocky teen recently transplanted from New York and fellow
summer camp employee. Though his quick wit and confidence draws her in, she’s
not letting him get too close, not til she’s sure she can trust him. By the
time Rex’s charming persistence wears down her resistance, it’s too late. He’s
put Ellen on the perma-pal shelf and shifted his romantic attentions to her
arch-rival. Even worse, the teacher who tried to seduce her is still
misbehaving with impunity.
With her ability to trust as shaky as a chastity vow on prom night, Ellen must
decide if she has enough remaining courage to speak up about her teacher and
risk retribution, to tell Rex how she feels and risk heartbreak, or hold all
her secrets inside, the only safe place she knows.
About the Author
Iris St. Clair is the pen name for a long-suffering cubicle worker by
day, a Walter Mitty-like dreamer by night. (Her alter ego Tatiana Ivanadance
also choreographs gravity-defying routines in those fantasies, but that’s
another bio.)
No matter what genre she writes, she prefers witty, insecure heroines and
kind, persistent heroes able to break through to the gooey heart inside.
In high school she was voted most likely to win at Monopoly and Clue, but
least likely to throw a ball anywhere near a target. Thank goodness writing
requires less hand-eye coordination, punctuation errors notwithstanding.
Iris believes in the two-year “fish or cut bait” dating rule
and has a 20+ year marriage and two teenaged sons as proof of concept. She
lives, writes, dreams and dances in the rainy Portland, OR area.
Author Links:
Book Blitz Organized by:
July 27, 2014
Congratulations…
I had some exciting news so I enlisted the help of a friend today. She’s no Fhina but she is a wonderful Robin!
Robin Kitty would like you to know that it’s time to congratulate a few people! Last names left out to protect the winners.
Linda won an Arc Copy of Purr-fect Mating
Kirstie won a 25$ ebook
Erin won a copy of Purr-fect Mating
(No relation to the cat above, I assure you) Robin (Human) also won a copy of Purr-fect Mating.
Congratulations! Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Want to learn a little bit more?
Fhina and Wulfar have a little problem.
On their wedding night, at the stroke of midnight, Wulfar changes into his shifted wolf form and cannot shift back. Not even to communicate with the woman he loves.
Fhina, upon waking the day after their mating, no longer recognizes her mate. Pregnant and confused, she’s convinced herself her mate has run away and left her to live alone. With his dog.
Can the cursed pair find a counter charm before Fhina gives birth? Will Wulfar be able to curb his inclination to run?
Or will their mutual curses break up their love affair before it’s really even started.
Or get your copy now:
Roane Publishing | Amazon | Amazon UK | Bookstrand | Smashwords
Excerpt:
“It’s just…Wulfy’s missing, and I thought—” The words stick in my throat. What if she won’t help? How will I ever find him?
“He’s what?” In the background, I can hear loud thumps and shouting. “I’m getting the duct tape out. I’ll use it this time, I swear it!”
“You will not.” I bite back a giggle.
“I might. You have no idea what I’m putting up with. They spent all week at Mom’s, and she hyped them up on pixie sticks and soda. I’ve exhausted a whole day peeling them off the ceiling. I’m just hoping when it wears off they’ll sleep for a week.”
“Good luck with that.”
“Did you say Wulfy is missing? How long’s he been gone? He’s probably off for a long run. Wolves do that, you know? Remember how Mom used to take off for days, leaving us with Aunt Ginger? Always claiming she was out hunting, when she was really in Vegas gambling?”
“But, I haven’t seen him in days.” I shove the notepad back and forth across the table.
“Did you, uhm…snap at him?”
“No!”
“Well, fess up. What happened?”
“Nothing. I was on the phone with Mom and I uh…” I try to remember the conversation. “I told her about the doggy bowl I got for Wulfy. I even gave him the fancy new dog food I got for him. He scratched at the door and I let him out.”
“You got him a dog bowl?” Bella chokes.
“Well, yes. I thought it was a nice thing to do.”
Honestly, wolves. They never make sense, even in human form. Of course, I gave Wulfy a dog bowl, how else do you show a dog you love them? One can’t go around petting them 24/7.
July 25, 2014
Fire in the Woods by Jennifer Eaton Cover Reveal
Welcome to the Cover Reveal for
Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton
presented by Month9Books!
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky—literally. But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel.
But her father runs their house like an army barracks, and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere. Ever. So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met?
Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David. That doesn’t mean she won’t do it. It just means she can’t get caught.
Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part. After all, she can’t really fall for a guy who’s not exactly from here.
As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. But all is not what it seems. David has a genocide-sized secret, and one betrayal later, they are both in handcuffs as alien warships are positioning themselves around the globe. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she’s to save the boy she cares about without sacrificing Earth—and everyone on it.
Title: Fire in the Woods
Publication date: September 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Jennifer M. Eaton
Corporate Team Leader by day, and Ranting Writer by night. Jennifer M. Eaton calls the East Coast of the USA home, where she lives with her husband, three energetic boys, and a pepped up poodle.
Jennifer hosts an informational blog “A Reference of Writing Rants for Writers (or Learn from My Mistakes)” aimed at helping all writers be the best they can be.
Beyond writing and motivating others, she also enjoys teaching her dog to jump through hoops—literally.
Jennifer’s perfect day includes long hikes in the woods, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, and snuggling up by the fire with a great book; but her greatest joy is using her over-active imagination constructively… creating new worlds for everyone to enjoy.
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
(Winners will receive their book on release day)
July 21, 2014
Happy Book Birthday to Purr-fect Mating
Purr-fect Mating
Lil Genie Series Novella
Genre: Paranormal / Romance
By Sheryl Winters
Release Date: July 21, 2014
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Keywords: Paranormal, Romance, Shifters
Fhina and Wulfar have a little problem.
On their wedding night, at the stroke of midnight, Wulfar changes into his shifted wolf form and cannot shift back. Not even to communicate with the woman he loves.
Fhina, upon waking the day after their mating, no longer recognizes her mate. Pregnant and confused, she’s convinced herself her mate has run away and left her to live alone. With his dog.
Can the cursed pair find a counter charm before Fhina gives birth? Will Wulfar be able to curb his inclination to run?
Or will their mutual curses break up their love affair before it’s really even started.
Purchase Links:
Roane Publishing | Amazon | Amazon UK | Bookstrand | Smashwords
Excerpt:
“It’s just…Wulfy’s missing, and I thought—” The words stick in my throat. What if she won’t help? How will I ever find him?
“He’s what?” In the background, I can hear loud thumps and shouting. “I’m getting the duct tape out. I’ll use it this time, I swear it!”
“You will not.” I bite back a giggle.
“I might. You have no idea what I’m putting up with. They spent all week at Mom’s, and she hyped them up on pixie sticks and soda. I’ve exhausted a whole day peeling them off the ceiling. I’m just hoping when it wears off they’ll sleep for a week.”
“Good luck with that.”
“Did you say Wulfy is missing? How long’s he been gone? He’s probably off for a long run. Wolves do that, you know? Remember how Mom used to take off for days, leaving us with Aunt Ginger? Always claiming she was out hunting, when she was really in Vegas gambling?”
“But, I haven’t seen him in days.” I shove the notepad back and forth across the table.
“Did you, uhm…snap at him?”
“No!”
“Well, fess up. What happened?”
“Nothing. I was on the phone with Mom and I uh…” I try to remember the conversation. “I told her about the doggy bowl I got for Wulfy. I even gave him the fancy new dog food I got for him. He scratched at the door and I let him out.”
“You got him a dog bowl?” Bella chokes.
“Well, yes. I thought it was a nice thing to do.”
Honestly, wolves. They never make sense, even in human form. Of course, I gave Wulfy a dog bowl, how else do you show a dog you love them? One can’t go around petting them 24/7.
~~~oOo~~~
Book Blitz and Tour-wide Giveaway
Ecopy of Purr-fect Mating and a $10 Amazon gift card.
Ends 8/15/2014
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing’s marketing department.
July 14, 2014
Midnight Dawn
Today, I bring you one of my favorite authors. Her work is funny, interesting, introspective, full of other worldy characters and it’s well fleshed out. I can not say enough good about her or her work.
“Midnight Dawn straps you in from the beginning and whisks you away on an emotional, breath-taking ride of romance, fantasy, and good vs. evil. It’s magic.” –Naima Simone, author of the SECRETS AND SINS series
Midnight Dawn (The Mortal Machine #2)
Release Date: August 4th, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, Embrace Imprint
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Back of the book:
Her soul remembers his touch, even if she doesn’t.
With only three days until the wraith king turns the earth into an all-you-can-eat buffet, Addison Beckett is forced to enlist brooding sentinel Asher Green’s help to unlock the Mortal Machine. According to the founder, all she has to do is find the sanctuary—the same sanctuary she can’t remember because Asher erased her memories.
Trying to save humanity while navigating Asher’s lies is a royal pain. But the more time she and Asher spend together, the harder her soul tries to remind her what else he’s made her forget—that he loves her, wants her, needs her.
When she’s trapped by the wraith king and forced to pick who will stand by her in the coming battle, Addison is faced with an impossible choice: the sentinel she loves who refuses to love her back, or a powerful stranger who insists they’re meant to be together. Her decision will determine the fate of humanity, and once decided, can’t be undone.
About Jocelyn Adams:
Jocelyn is an office grunt by day and creator of romance and adventure by night. Born a farmer’s daughter with a vivid imagination, she spent her childhood dreaming up stories.
With no formal training, she relied on the honest feedback of her writing group to take her from that first short story all the way to THE END of her first novel. She now has five published novels and has recently signed a 3-book deal with Entangled Publishing.
When she isn’t slinging words, you can find her shooting her bow or enjoying the serenity of family life in her little house in the woods.
Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter
July 13, 2014
The Purr-fect Alternative to your Average e-Book.
Sure, you could read someone else’s book.
You can fall asleep before the last chapter
because of the mind numbing boredom of it
you can throw it against the wall when the ending just
doesn’t “Stick” properly.
But have you considered an alternative?
A book that will make you roar with laughter,
Purr with joy until the very last page?
A light heart-ed book without rampaging psycho’s, ex-lovers
or sparkling vampires.
If you’re looking for something new,
Something that will make your heart…PURR
Try Purr-fect Mating.
The CHEAPER alternative to throwing your kindle across the room.
The Purr-fect-ly Cheap Alternative to an Average e-Book.
Sure, you could read someone else’s book.
You can fall asleep before the last chapter
because of the mind numbing boredom of it
you can throw it against the wall when the ending just
doesn’t “Stick” properly.
But have you considered an alternative?
A book that will make you roar with laughter,
Purr with joy until the very last page?
A light heart-ed book without rampaging psycho’s, ex-lovers
or sparkling vampires.
If you’re looking for something new,
Something that will make your heart…PURR
Try Purr-fect Mating.
The CHEAPER alternative to throwing your kindle across the room.
July 9, 2014
I believe
I believe that if we touched the person next to us, we might make a difference.
And that if the road ahead is hard and paved with stones,
then it’s mine to travel.
And I believe that if we try harder than we’ve ever tried before,
the path in front of us will straighten out and become easier.
And I believe if you need a helping hand and you reach out…
You’ll always find mine.
July 7, 2014
Welcome to Paradise
Welcome to Paradise
Contemporary Western Romance Novella
By London Saint James
Release Date: August 18, 2014
Just three days before her thirtieth birthday, acquisition editor for Starling Press, Sutton Callaway, has buried the last of her family in the cemetery on the plot of land that she inherited.
After turning down the powerful and wealthy owner of Triple Bar-S Ranch to sell her inheritance and walk away from the obligations of running one of the biggest cattle ranches in West Texas, Sutton puts her Dallas condo on the market, resigns her position from SP, packs the contents of her life into boxes, and heads for the one place filled with bittersweet memories—Paradise Ranch.
Will Sutton be able to handle the pressures of being the newly appointed cattle baroness, the rough and tumble men under her employ, and the temptation of a sexy mystery man? Or will walking in her grandmother’s matriarchal boots be too much to fill?
About London Saint James
London wrote her first short story in the second grade. Her teacher informed her parents she had a big imagination, and as far as he was concerned, having a big imagination wasn’t necessarily a good thing, so she placed her vivid characters, her childhood stories, along with her imagination on the shelf, where they would wither for a while. After all, she needed to grow up and do the “sensible thing.”Life moved on, London grew up, and the sensible thing earned London a degree in Psychology. She took a serious job in the real world, doing serious things and being a responsible adult, although the need to be a little irresponsible crept in. As a result, she started scribbling again.Happy to find her imagination was still alive and kicking, she decided to pursue writing, walked away from doing the sensible thing, took on the world of the written word, and has never looked back!
Links:
Web: http://www.londonsaintjames.com
Blog: http://londonsj.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LSJRomance
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/LSJRomance
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/London-Saint-James/e/B005I7KJWY
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LSaintJamesRomance
Facebook Author page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Saint-James/154331444626603
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lsjromance
Kindlegraph: http://www.kindlegraph.com/authors/LSJRomance
