Finding the right voice
Hi everyone! Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Sharita Lira, a wonderful friend and author onto my blog. This lady is an inspiration to me. She always has a kind word to say about everyone, and has been one of the most friendly and welcoming people to me since I arrived on the scene. Today she's going to be talking about finding the right voice in your writing, sharing a couple of excerpts of her books, plus giving away ebook copies of two of her books to a lucky commenter. The winner will be posted here tomorrow. Welcome Sharita, take it away.
Finding the Right Voice
Greetings readers! I'd like to thank Lavinia for having me here today on this lovely Wednesday. I'd like to blog about something writing related that all writers face. Finding the correct voice.
Now, for those of you that don't know me, I'm Sharita Lira but I write under 3 pennames. Rawiya, BLMorticia and Michael Mandrake. I won't bore you with a bio since the voice I'm referring to today is Michael so I'll just say if you want to find out more please have a look at all my links at the end of the post.
When a writer speaks of their voice, they're not talking alto or soprano.*laughs* In my opinion, they're speaking of the style in which they write. Every author has a different style so no 2 authors should be the same. Sure, we have similarities. One may be a lot more sensual as opposed to the other that might be a lot more erotic.
Now, imagine the author having to do this with his or herself. *raises eyebrow* The voices that speak to you in certain kinds of stories may clash between pennames. You find your sensual writer has now become you more erotic writer. Maybe your snarky one as made your more long winded and your eloquent voice more of a bad ass. *shudder*
I confess, I'm a newbie so I still struggle with this. In certain stories, Michael might pick up BL's style of smart ass and Rawiya might sound more like Michael. Is this okay? Erm, in some instances yes but not always. The key is making it work for a particular story or character.
In short, Michael Mandrake writes long winded, eloquent, stories about people in love. If humor comes into his tales, it's more of a dry humor, yet, my latest story, A Second Chance, has a character that would typically be a BL type of man. Captain in Training, Daniel DeClerc. He, along with his new partner, Farris are both smart asses, but because the story is about 2 cops who are facing the challenge of loving after losing a partner in the line of duty, it works.
Can you imagine being gay on the homophobic police force? In order to avoid scrutiny, you must keep yourself closeted. Because they have to deal with this fact, both men settle into personalities where they have to keep themselves laughing to avoid crying.
The characters make a lot of snide remarks, especially Daniel since he's the one in charge. *snicker* But it works because if he were more of the dry humor type that Michael would usually write then you wouldn't really connect with Daniel or feel what he is feeling.
Make sense? Hope so.
So in closing, if you're a writer with penames or even an author with one or your own name, have you found your correct voice? This, I'm sure, takes time to master and I haven't done so just yet, but I know as I get better, they might not clash as much. However as you can see, sometimes that works.
I'd like to thank Lavinia for having me on today. Here is where you can find me and my many personalities. To one lucky commenter, I'll give away A Second Chance and the antho XOXO just released, Tina B's Alternative Romance, Vol 2 .
The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#!
Michael Mandrake - http://tabooindeed.blogspot.comBL/Rawiya – http://blrawiyaerotica.blogspot.com/Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikemblFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharitaLira
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3542690Its Raining Men Blog - Now, here's a blurb and excerpt from my 2nd book with XOXO publishing A Second Chance just released July 16th.
Out Now
Publisher: XOXO Publishing
Author Michael Mandrake
Buylink: XOXO
Blurb: Hesitant to begin a relationship with someone new, two police officers who have lost their partners in the line of duty try to deal with their obvious attraction to one another. Will one of them accept the other's proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?
EXCERPT PG
While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral. I couldn't help but stare at him. I moistened my lips, biting the bottom as he came closer.
Damn…
"Um, hello…" I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. "I'm Farris Beason."
He accepted. "Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you." The handshake was firm, his hands soft like a female.
Don chuckled, "See Beason, if you would've been in the right frame of mind you could've joined Daniel today."
While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. Daniel was even more gorgeous up close. The only distraction was the defect on his finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.
"Pity," Daniel said with a grin. "Maybe when you've recovered from your wild night?" He cocked an eyebrow.
I laughed, "Yeah, um…maybe…"
We'd broken our hand gestures but not our gaze. Maybe he did play for my team, but the question remained, who was he married to?
Buylink - https://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15
Author written Blurb: Great stories by Allison Cassata, Cyril J Michael, Michael Mandrake, and Ashley Marie Lucas. The anthology offers a little of everything from a heartwrenching turned HEA from Allison, heartwarming story from Cyril, a romantic reunion from Michael, and a paranormal love thriller from Ashley. In these 40 pages is something for everyone. 4 fabulous m/m tales in one book.
Story Blurb - Michael's Benefits of a Strike is a reunion of a baseball star and the man he wanted all through high school and college. Being involved in the homophobic sports world, the two must stay closeted to preserve their reputations and jobs, but the work stoppage will allow them to spend some much needed time together.
PG Excerpt"Hello?" "Hi, this is Robert McIntyre at the Daily Southtown. You left me a message?" I heard the tone change in the man's voice. "Robert, this is Jake Valenta, how are ya', man?"My mind was racing while my palms went moist. As in Jake, who just turned down millions to wait until June, Jake? "Um, hi. How did you know where I worked?" I asked. "Your friend Alex is good friends with my gal pal Lori so…" Trying to keep it professional, I said, "Okay, Jake, what's the reason for your call?" "Hmm, well you did read the message right?" "Yeah I did, what does that mean?" I twirled a pen around my fingers while leaning back in my chair. "Well, in all the time that we went to Tulsa and OK State together, we never actually met. It's a shame too, Robert, because we lost so much time dude. We both had to keep ourselves closeted though, so…" he answered. "Wait, Jake, you said we had to…" I moved forward to keep from falling. "Robert, don't play dumb with me. You were aware that I was gay. Remember, Lori told Alex that…" "Yeah but I didn't believe it because…" I threw the pen on the desk. "I know, because I play straight real well. Here's a scoop for you Robert; I'm gay and always have been. Of course, if you print it, I will deny it. I need to play baseball at least ten years before I open that beautiful rainbow coloured door. Then again, if people stop acting like assholes and accept us for what we are, it might be sooner." Listening to Jake talk about his sexual orientation took me back in time. If only I had pursued him, if only I'd been less shy, if… "Robert, you still there?" he chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sorry Jake. Anyway, you were saying?" My pulse throbbed. The man I had a crush on for years was calling me. "That's okay Robert. Listen, I'm coming through Chicago to meet the team. They're trying to get a deal together to draft me. I want to see you Robert. I…I have to see you." Wow they sound great, don't they? Don't forget to leave a comment below for the chance to win a copy of one of Michael Mandrake's books.
Once again thanks for being here today Sharita, I wish you every success with your new books!
Finding the Right Voice
Greetings readers! I'd like to thank Lavinia for having me here today on this lovely Wednesday. I'd like to blog about something writing related that all writers face. Finding the correct voice.
Now, for those of you that don't know me, I'm Sharita Lira but I write under 3 pennames. Rawiya, BLMorticia and Michael Mandrake. I won't bore you with a bio since the voice I'm referring to today is Michael so I'll just say if you want to find out more please have a look at all my links at the end of the post.
When a writer speaks of their voice, they're not talking alto or soprano.*laughs* In my opinion, they're speaking of the style in which they write. Every author has a different style so no 2 authors should be the same. Sure, we have similarities. One may be a lot more sensual as opposed to the other that might be a lot more erotic.
Now, imagine the author having to do this with his or herself. *raises eyebrow* The voices that speak to you in certain kinds of stories may clash between pennames. You find your sensual writer has now become you more erotic writer. Maybe your snarky one as made your more long winded and your eloquent voice more of a bad ass. *shudder*
I confess, I'm a newbie so I still struggle with this. In certain stories, Michael might pick up BL's style of smart ass and Rawiya might sound more like Michael. Is this okay? Erm, in some instances yes but not always. The key is making it work for a particular story or character.
In short, Michael Mandrake writes long winded, eloquent, stories about people in love. If humor comes into his tales, it's more of a dry humor, yet, my latest story, A Second Chance, has a character that would typically be a BL type of man. Captain in Training, Daniel DeClerc. He, along with his new partner, Farris are both smart asses, but because the story is about 2 cops who are facing the challenge of loving after losing a partner in the line of duty, it works.
Can you imagine being gay on the homophobic police force? In order to avoid scrutiny, you must keep yourself closeted. Because they have to deal with this fact, both men settle into personalities where they have to keep themselves laughing to avoid crying.
The characters make a lot of snide remarks, especially Daniel since he's the one in charge. *snicker* But it works because if he were more of the dry humor type that Michael would usually write then you wouldn't really connect with Daniel or feel what he is feeling.
Make sense? Hope so.
So in closing, if you're a writer with penames or even an author with one or your own name, have you found your correct voice? This, I'm sure, takes time to master and I haven't done so just yet, but I know as I get better, they might not clash as much. However as you can see, sometimes that works.
I'd like to thank Lavinia for having me on today. Here is where you can find me and my many personalities. To one lucky commenter, I'll give away A Second Chance and the antho XOXO just released, Tina B's Alternative Romance, Vol 2 .
The Literary Triad - http://www.thelitriad.com/#!
Michael Mandrake - http://tabooindeed.blogspot.comBL/Rawiya – http://blrawiyaerotica.blogspot.com/Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikemblFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharitaLira
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3542690Its Raining Men Blog - Now, here's a blurb and excerpt from my 2nd book with XOXO publishing A Second Chance just released July 16th.
Out Now
Publisher: XOXO Publishing
Author Michael Mandrake
Buylink: XOXO
Blurb: Hesitant to begin a relationship with someone new, two police officers who have lost their partners in the line of duty try to deal with their obvious attraction to one another. Will one of them accept the other's proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?
EXCERPT PG
While we continued to chat, I noticed DeClerc in my peripheral. I couldn't help but stare at him. I moistened my lips, biting the bottom as he came closer.
Damn…
"Um, hello…" I looked past the chief to take a long gander at Daniel. I stood up, extending my hand. "I'm Farris Beason."
He accepted. "Daniel Declerc. Nice to meet you." The handshake was firm, his hands soft like a female.
Don chuckled, "See Beason, if you would've been in the right frame of mind you could've joined Daniel today."
While we exchanged smiles, I gawked at the pretty face in front of me. Daniel was even more gorgeous up close. The only distraction was the defect on his finger. Who was lucky enough to call him theirs? I had to find out.
"Pity," Daniel said with a grin. "Maybe when you've recovered from your wild night?" He cocked an eyebrow.
I laughed, "Yeah, um…maybe…"
We'd broken our hand gestures but not our gaze. Maybe he did play for my team, but the question remained, who was he married to?
Buylink - https://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15
Author written Blurb: Great stories by Allison Cassata, Cyril J Michael, Michael Mandrake, and Ashley Marie Lucas. The anthology offers a little of everything from a heartwrenching turned HEA from Allison, heartwarming story from Cyril, a romantic reunion from Michael, and a paranormal love thriller from Ashley. In these 40 pages is something for everyone. 4 fabulous m/m tales in one book.
Story Blurb - Michael's Benefits of a Strike is a reunion of a baseball star and the man he wanted all through high school and college. Being involved in the homophobic sports world, the two must stay closeted to preserve their reputations and jobs, but the work stoppage will allow them to spend some much needed time together.
PG Excerpt"Hello?" "Hi, this is Robert McIntyre at the Daily Southtown. You left me a message?" I heard the tone change in the man's voice. "Robert, this is Jake Valenta, how are ya', man?"My mind was racing while my palms went moist. As in Jake, who just turned down millions to wait until June, Jake? "Um, hi. How did you know where I worked?" I asked. "Your friend Alex is good friends with my gal pal Lori so…" Trying to keep it professional, I said, "Okay, Jake, what's the reason for your call?" "Hmm, well you did read the message right?" "Yeah I did, what does that mean?" I twirled a pen around my fingers while leaning back in my chair. "Well, in all the time that we went to Tulsa and OK State together, we never actually met. It's a shame too, Robert, because we lost so much time dude. We both had to keep ourselves closeted though, so…" he answered. "Wait, Jake, you said we had to…" I moved forward to keep from falling. "Robert, don't play dumb with me. You were aware that I was gay. Remember, Lori told Alex that…" "Yeah but I didn't believe it because…" I threw the pen on the desk. "I know, because I play straight real well. Here's a scoop for you Robert; I'm gay and always have been. Of course, if you print it, I will deny it. I need to play baseball at least ten years before I open that beautiful rainbow coloured door. Then again, if people stop acting like assholes and accept us for what we are, it might be sooner." Listening to Jake talk about his sexual orientation took me back in time. If only I had pursued him, if only I'd been less shy, if… "Robert, you still there?" he chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sorry Jake. Anyway, you were saying?" My pulse throbbed. The man I had a crush on for years was calling me. "That's okay Robert. Listen, I'm coming through Chicago to meet the team. They're trying to get a deal together to draft me. I want to see you Robert. I…I have to see you." Wow they sound great, don't they? Don't forget to leave a comment below for the chance to win a copy of one of Michael Mandrake's books.
Once again thanks for being here today Sharita, I wish you every success with your new books!
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