Terry Odell's Blog, page 216

Keeping a Cozy Series Moving

Today I welcome Elaine Orr, author of the Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series, which is set in the fictional town of Ocean Alley, New Jersey.

When I decided to write a mystery series that would be fun but not gory, there were the usual choices about setting, protagonist’s career, and continuing characters. I was not sure how many books would result. Would working with the same set of characters grow boring – if not for me, for readers?
Thus far I am not bored and it does not appear readers are, bu...

It’s a Small, Small World

What I’m reading: Best Laid Plans, by Elaine Raco Chase (Nook); Life’s Shorts, by Terry Ambrose
First, a HUGE thank you to all my readers for their amazing support of Dangerous Connections. It’s been hanging in the top 3 at Amazon in the Action Adventure Romance category, and is climbing in the “other romance category” ranks at Barnes & Noble. Keep watching this space — I’ll have some rewards for folks who help spread the word.

While writing the next book in my Mapleton Mystery series, I’ve set...

Another Chance to Win

First — Happy Birthday to the Hubster!

I’ve been all over the blogosphere recently — at Kobo Writing Life, at Fresh Fiction, and today I’m at Just Romantic Suspense, where you can win a download of any of my Blackthorne, Inc. books. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment.

Friday Field Trip — Poland

First — I’m the featured blogger at Fresh Fiction today, and I’ll be giving a download of ANY of my Blackthorne, Inc. books. Winner chooses the book and the format. (And if you have already read them, you can always give it as a gift.) Click here to find the post.
Next: This is the last day to win a copy of Dangerous Connections via the Goodreads Giveaway. And, the Booklover’s Bench contest ends on Monday the 18th. Still time to enter. Click here .

Years ago, my mother decided it was time to re...

NINC Workshop Recaps

What I’m reading: Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, by Jennifer Chiaverini (Book Club)

(First: Happy Birthday, Jason! Time sure flies.)

Jason 1 week old

After the writing workshop with Lisa Cron, the next session was called “Raising the Bar: New Opportunities to Explore Something New and Different.” Here are some of the highlights from the panelists:

We now have more freedom than ever in publishing. There are more opportunities and more flexibility. With on-line bookselling (not just e-books, but buying...

What’s Cooking Wednesday — Yogurt Marinated Chicken

While I was down helping my daughter after her surgery, I was in charge of cooking, but she was in charge of the menu. Because she’s an athlete, she leans toward the healthy recipes. This is a recipe one of her friends shared.

Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 c plain non-fat Greek yogurt

½ c cilantro (or parsley), chopped

1 small onion, chopped

3 T olive oil

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 T lime juice

2 t Garam Masala

1 t salt

1 t pepper

1 t ground ginger

Ins...

Hearing Voices: Typecasting Your Story

Today I welcome Ben Solomon to Terry’s Place. Ben knocks out plenty of short fiction, including three, hard-boiled yarns every month. Maybe that’s why he’s been hearing voices lately.

Imagine James Earl Jones drops by. After serving him anything he’d like, he cops your latest manuscript. Then he reads it out loud to you.
Can you imagine that? Now forget about being star struck and all—how does his reading affect your work? Does that fantasy do anything for you?
Put it another way: money’s no ob...

To Hear or Not to Hear, Part 8

First — a moment to thank all who have served.

What’ I’m reading: The Whole Enchilada, by Diane Mott Davidson

I’m combining my audio book journey with NINC recaps today, since there were representatives of ACX at the conference.

Along with e-books, audio books have experienced double-digit growth, and it’s expected to increase. Getting your books into audio now puts you on the front end of the trend.

On the audio book panel, Hannah Wall, the ACX rep was joined by several authors who are moving in...

Friday Field Trip — NYC with Jason and Deb

Thanks once again to Jason, and to Deborah Sandidge, for providing this week’s field trip pictures. Here’s what Jason had to say:

Deborah and I visited New York City to attend a photography expo, but of course that meant we could also use the opportunity to do some city photography and plan some workshops for 2014. This year, we visited some familiar spots but also made it to the iconic Flatiron Building, where we led a small group photo walk. Some of us hung around for twilight, and we captur...

NINC recap — Story, Part 3

I’m going to wrap up Lisa Cron’s workshop on Story with this post. If you haven’t read the first two, you can find them here and here.

I was reporting on her 5 steps to Storytelling last time, and got through the first three.

Step 4: World View

This is a much more in-depth process. It requires figuring out your character’s world view. To this end, she encourages writers to drill down into their characters’ background, to find the “live wire” or “third rail” that drives them.

The author needs to k...