Terry Odell's Blog, page 124

The Finer Points of Audiobook Editing

I’ve been spending a lot of time wearing headphones lately. On Friday, I was interviewed by Wooden Pants Publishing for their Daily Author program via Skype. Had to borrow Hubster’s headset with a mic for that one. The interview will go live at 2 PM today (Monday, Jan 9th), but if you miss it, you’ll have numerous opportunities to listen to replays.

Using my own headset, I’ve been listening to Pamela Almand’s narration of In Deep Trouble to get it ready for release. When I listen, I have a co...

“Truth” in Book Marketing – My Take

It’s not only Indie authors who have to wear the dreaded marketing hat.

Back at SleuthFest, Neil Nyren of Penguin-Putnam spoke of the marketing publishers do for their authors. Big names get the big budget. Lots of news releases, book tours, tons of ARCs sent out for review. But that same publishing house isn’t going to do that for mid-list authors. The money they put in is based on how much money they project that author will bring in. So, instead of direct mailings and book tours, the mid-l...

What’s Cooking Wednesday – Baked Meatballs

I’ve always shied away from making meatballs the ‘traditional’ way in a saute pan. Too messy, and too much hand-holding. I found this recipe for baked meatballs and the were definitely much easier. I made these for a party, so I doubled the original recipe and used half beef, half turkey. Adapt to your own taste.

Baked Meatballs

Ingredients:
c dried bread crumbs
2 garlic cloves, minced (or to taste)
2 eggs
c Parmesan cheese
6 T ketchup
S&P
2 T fresh parsley, minced, or 1 T dried.
1 lb lean...

When All Else Fails, Follow Directions

For 2017, I’ve decided to have interviews with characters rather than authors, and to that end, I sent out the announcement of openings on this blog, on my Facebook page, and to a variety of writing loops I belong to. Once again, I was surprised at how much trouble some people have following directions. Or should I say, I was not surprised. It happens every time I announce guest openings. Following directions seems to be something meant for other people.

If you noticed my post on Sunday, it s...

Why Resolutions Don’t Work

I ran this post a year ago, and I think it bears repeating.

With a new year come new beginnings. Fresh starts. We all enter it filled with hope and promises to make it better than the last one.

And, usually, by the end of January, all those good intentions have gone by the wayside. I gave up making resolutions long ago (although I occasionally make them for the Hubster—less chance of me breaking them that way). What I’ve learned, is that if you want to see success, you have to narrow your foc...

Guest Blog Openings

Authors: I’m accepting blog guests again, but this time, I don’t want authors, I want their characters. Email me for details: blog at terryodell dot com if your character is interested.

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Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. May 2017 be good to you, and may you be good to others.

I’ve got lots of new things going on this year, and I hope you’ll be joining me. You can fine me here at Terry’s Place — sign up for email notifications (in the side bar) to be sure you don’t miss anything.

Sign up for my newsletter where you’ll automatically get a short story, plus other exclusive content, sneak peeks, contests, and more. Link is in the menu bar.

Follow my Facebook page. All sorts...

Holiday Greetings – Giving and Getting

I’m taking the most of the rest of December off from blogging. I wish everyone a happy holiday season, and a healthy and prosperous new year.

Won’t you please share this post and help spread the word. Every little bit helps.There’s still time to increase my donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, which means you’re helping to create a world without MS.

For December, in honor of my daughter, who’s an endurance athlete and coach, AND has MS, I’m going to be donating a portion of all my audi...

Potential Pitfalls of Deep POV

I’m a reader who finds authors who use deep point of view create characters I can connect with on a much deeper level than with a more distant point of view. Therefore, as an author, I prefer to write in a deeper more intimate point of view.

There are some challenges, as with any approach to writing. One of my critique partners hit on a good one when she sent feedback on my most recent chapter.

In it, my characters were in a café, and it was one where customers place their orders at the count...

What’s Cooking Wednesday – Crock Pot Whole Chicken

I didn’t cook for Thanksgiving this year, and I confess to missing leftover turkey. However, there weren’t any good bargains on turkeys right after Thanksgiving, so I bought a whole chicken and decided to give the new Crock Pot another workout.

Crock Pot Whole Chicken

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs.), insidesremoved
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
(aluminum foil, or thickly-s...