Kathy Cyr's Blog: Kathy Cyr- Author, page 102

Thursday Three

Good morning/afternoon, people!

It's Thursday Three: Writing prompts.
The mind is slow going today, even with prompts. I've already had a pot of coffee and could probably use another. So, let's see how you do. Hopefully, you will fare better than me.

#Writers

Write a story about a New Year's party that causes time to stop.

A book report, a slingshot, a bag of old makeup

Wallflower Social Club

These prompts were from http://awesomewritingprompts.tumblr.com/.
Click the link to discover more.

#Books #Ebooks #SelfPub #Publishing #Novel #WritingPrompt #AmWriting #Writers #Readers

Wednesday Wisdom

Running a bit late on Wednesday's Wisdom, but here we are. :)
Last week, we explored some wisdom from J.K. Rowling. I thought this week, we could check out James Patterson.
I've read mixed opinions and feelings on him, but I find his work ethic exemplary and even inspiring. So, here we go...


What I Learned From James Patterson
I’ve been lucky enough to write with James Patterson for the past two and a half years. Before that I’d written eight novels, including Rogue, been published in multiple languages, sold books into movies, and been nominated for and won various awards. In short, I thought I knew what I was doing when it came to commercial fiction. Working with Patterson, however, I discovered quickly that I didn’t. Read more here:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/soapbox/article/55152-what-i-learned-from-james-patterson.html

How I Write: James Patterson
I pretty much write seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. I’ll get up around 5:30, put my house in order, write a little bit, maybe an outline for that day. Then I’ll go out around 7, frequently walk a golf course for an hour by myself. Then I’ll come back and write until, oh, 11 or 12. It’s a combination of any business I have to do, whatever novel I’m working on, outlines … I was just compiling the number of outlines I do and found that I write about 900 pages of outlines a year. Most outlines are three or four drafts, so it’s a lot! Then one full novel a year, and whatever polishing … If you came to my office, Noah … Sorry, maybe we’ll only get through one question here…
Read more here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/29/how-i-write-james-patterson.html

James Patterson Explains Why His Books Sell Like Crazy
“Let’s shoot the breeze for a bit,” says James Patterson, exuding a relaxed attitude on a recent morning at his Palm Beach home despite the fact that he has 13 books coming out this year. He had 11 last year. To date, the 65-year-old author has published 95 books—his most recent, “Guilty Wives,” hit shelves this week—and according to Nielsen ranks as the country’s top-selling author.
Read more here: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/03/30/james-patterson-explains-his-why-his-books-sell-like-crazy/

A Pep Talk From James Patterson
So Writer, you’re trying to write a novel in 30 days. Has anyone told you you’re crazy yet?

You’re not crazy. I promise. I know because I’ve written a novel in a couple of months. And yes, I’m a human being (just ask my editor, or my wife) and I do sleep. The book even got published. So anyone who tells you it’s impossible is wrong and you should probably stop taking their advice. Unless it’s your mom. Then just stop taking her advice about writing (you should still floss once a day).
Read more here: http://nanowrimo.org/pep-talks/james-patterson

7 Tips From James Patterson
Did you know that, since 2001, James Patterson has sold more books than any other writer? Apparently 1 out of every 17 hardcover books sold has Patterson's name on it.
Regardless of what anyone thinks of Patterson's writing, there is no arguing with his popularity. So, how does he do it? Here are seven tips Patterson gave to those who want to write suspenseful prose.
Read more here: http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2014/04/7-tips-from-james-patterson-for-writing-suspenseful-prose.html

#Writers #Readers #Books #Ebooks #SelfPub #Publishing #Novel

Traveling Tuesday

Good Morning!

It's Traveling Tuesday. Pic Prompts for #writers.
Settle in, because we're off to Black Valley Kerry Ireland.

Your character has traveled here. For what? Business? Family? Perhaps a home was left to him or her?

The Black Valley in County Kerry, is a remote location in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks situated south of the Gap of Dunloe and north of Moll's Gap. The valley is also part of the Kerry Way, a walkers version of the Ring of Kerry beginning and ending in Killarney.

The valley is also noted for being the last place in Ireland to be connected to the electricity and telephone networks due to its remoteness. The connection happened in 1978, according to a CIE Tour Guide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blac...

Other links of interest:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Way
http://www.kerryway.com/towns-village...
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction...
http://www.gokerry.ie/locations/black...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kman999... http://www.mydiscoverireland.com/blog/2014/09/02/ring-kerry-personal-highlights/



#Books #Author #Kidlit #MGLit #SelfPub #BookSeries #eBook #Writers #Readers #Publishing #AmWriting #WritingPrompt #Ireland #BlackValley

Monday Mentionables

Good Morning!

I hope your weekend was a great one.
It's Monday Mentionables time: Links for #readers & #writers.
I think I've chosen some good ones for you (& me) today.

#Writers

First up, ways to avoid using the word very.
I can tell you that I have a few in my current drafts.....okay, maybe more than a few. But, the word that is taking over my manuscript, at the moment, is 'watch'. Watch. Watches. Watching. You get the idea.
I've placed them in parentheses to remind myself they need to be changed. (there are alot of parentheses. lol.)

Have a look for yourself.

45 ways to avoid using the word 'very'
http://writerswrite.co.za/45-ways-to-avoid-using-the-word-very

This next link is pretty interested. It for screenwriters, but seriouly? I think any writer can use the info they supply. (IMO) The site navigation is weird and it hasn't been updated in a year, but the Columns section is what you want. If you scroll down to the bottom of the welcome page and click on Downloadable (TOC) under Archives, it might be easier.

Simply put, Wordplayer.com gives away secrets. Professional secrets. For free. From working screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. Secrets weighted specifically toward selling scripts to Hollywood. So if you want to make a sale, get an assignment, be able to quit that day job... Wordplay is for you!
http://www.wordplayer.com/columns/welcome.html

I'm having a bit of deja vu for this last link. I feel like I posted it before.
If you've already seen this website link, feel free to pass it along to someone who hasn't.
If you've never been to this website, go there and click around.
I find it truly interesting.

The Periodic Table of Storytelling
http://www.designthroughstorytelling.net/periodic/

#Readers

Okay readers, I've got some links for you. If you're a booklover like I am, you're going to want to click on the links below. Trust me. I'd fill my home with most of it. ;)

32 Brilliant Things Every Book Lover Needs In Their Home
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mallorymcinnis/buy-books-and-then-buy-this-stuff#.hy0WbM7gR

35 Clever Gifts Any Book Lover Will Want To Keep For Themselves
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/east-egg-vs-west-egg#.fjeMQPyXR

22 Things That Belong In Every Bookworm’s Dream Home
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/things-that-belong-in-every-bookworms-dream-home#.bfezQNLyx

#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit

Morning

Good morning, lovely people!

Coffee is in hand and it's #amwriting time.
I'm just finishing up chapter 6 of book 3. My pace has slowed a bit between book 2 and 3. Not sure what that is about, but am not going to dwell on it.
It's the weekend. Yay, right?
I hope whatever you have planned, big or small, it goes well for you.
May your muse be overflowing and I'm sending positive vibes your way.

K. :)

Morning

Good Morning!

#Coffee is in hand and it's #amwriting time.
Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a very creative day. May your muse be overflowing. Sending positive vibes your way.

K. :)

#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit

10 Things You Probably Don't Know...

Just for fun...

10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Max Hamby & the Blood Diamond

1. It is the first full length novel I've ever written.
2. It took four plus years to get up the courage to write & finish it.
3. It is a children's fantasy, but I wrote it in a way where people of all ages will enjoy it.
4. The title and main character came to me in 2010. The story came in bits and pieces. I added each piece to a binder for the next four years.
5. One of my favorite characters in the book is Crazy Alice. She's extremely unpredictable.
6. I knew before I started writing this story that it would be a fantasy. I love witches, wizards, fantasy creatures and magic.
7. Some characters in the book are modeled after friends & family, past & present.
8. The Downs is a massive, mostly unexplored, forest. It divides the magical from the non-magical. No one really knows what or who lives there.
9. The Trith, half-man & half-beast, came from a nightmare I had years ago.
10. The very first draft was horrible and had to be dumped. I don't even like to call it a draft, as it was 80% telling.

#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit

10 Things you probably don't know...

Just for fun...

10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Max Hamby & the Blood Diamond

1. It is the first full length novel I've ever written.
2. It took four plus years to get up the courage to write & finish it.
3. It is a children's fantasy, but I wrote it in a way where people of all ages will enjoy it.
4. The title and main character came to me in 2010. The story came in bits and pieces. I added each piece to a binder for the next four years.
5. One of my favorite characters in the book is Crazy Alice. She's extremely unpredictable.
6. I knew before I started writing this story that it would be a fantasy. I love witches, wizards, fantasy creatures and magic.
7. Some characters in the book are modeled after friends & family, past & present.
8. The Downs is a massive, mostly unexplored, forest. It divides the magical from the non-magical. No one really knows what or who lives there.
9. The Trith, half-man & half-beast, came from a nightmare I had years ago.
10. The very first draft was horrible and had to be dumped. I don't even like to call it a draft, as it was 80% telling.

#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit

Thursday Three

Morning! It's Thursday Three: prompts for writers. Grab your coffee, my friends. It's #amwriting time.

It was Christmas Eve and Lucy Brown was very excited. She hung her stocking up on the wall next to her bed and fell fast asleep. In her dream, she thought of all the lovely things that Santa would bring her. When Lucy woke up, she looked in her stocking and found nothing but a silver box. It was very shiny, with a star on the lid. She opened it to find
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/more/timefiller/magicpenss.htm

"Ouch! What was that for?" " I just felt like it, ok?" Stibbs had always been that way - always picking on the rest of us for no reason whatsoever. He liked to think he was hard, but I knew differently, I knew his secret. We had lived next door but one to each other since we were both four years old. Now, at eleven and in the final term of Year 6 at Newfields, I was looking forward to moving up to the Comprehensive. If only Stubbs was in a different form. Still, like I said, I knew his secret.
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/more/timefiller/magicpenss.htm

We ran though the woods as fast as we could. I could hear Ellie, my little sister, panting from running so long. "Are you okay?" I asked her, just as I snagged my foot on a tree root. I could hear them now. They were gaining on us. Ellie started to cry. "NO! stop crying!" Well, I couldn't blame her. She's only 4. Now they were only about 16 feet away.
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/more/timefiller/magicpenss.htm


#books #Author #book #kidlit #middlegrade #selfpub #bookseries #maxhamby #publishing #ebook #childrensauthor #MGlit

Did not know...

I did not realize author's can blog here on Goodreads. I visit all the time, but never noticed. (then again, I have a terribly habit of skim reading...sometimes :/ ).
This is wonderful. Now I can connect with other members, readers and booklovers. :)