tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56233295258578557452024-03-13T00:38:02.195-04:00Aspiring NovelistsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-78680610787364808422019-02-06T11:11:00.001-05:002019-02-06T11:40:13.229-05:00ISWG Are Online Whisper Groups Bullying YA Authors Out of Publication? What's an Author to Do?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">t's time for another installment of the Insecure Writer's Group hosted by the illustrious </span><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #f44c83; cursor: pointer; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">. To learn more about this supportive group click on the host's name.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">I feel very strongly about what happened to this author, and I fear it could happen to the rest of us if we don't stick together. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Recenty, SCMP reported that after signing a seven figure book deal for the Fantasy, BLOOD HEIR, Chinese author Amelie Wen Zhao was forced to pull it from publication due to allegations of racism. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">The premise of the highly anticipated Fantasy trilogy was a retelling of Anastasia, except Zhao's adaptation used blood magic. Critics felt the story had racist undertones because of the cover blurb's description of a "World where oppression is blind to skin color and good and evil exist in shades of gray."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Many criticisms came from a whispers online group, which, from my understanding are sort of the gate-keepers to approving YA novels. I'm sure this is an oversimplification, but for the sake of brevity, I hope it gets the point across. The backlash began when one c</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;">ritic, LL McKinney, tweeted how the book perpetuated anti-black sentiment. She said it was not possible for oppression to be color blind. This, in turn, set the wheels of book-bashing in motion. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Zhao, who immigrated from China at the age of 18, wrote a response letter, apologizing for any offense she may have caused, adding that the story was a representation of the indentured labor and human trafficking, prevalent in her country today. Further, the history of slavery in the U.S. was not something she intended to write about, but she recognized the subject was not viewed from her cultural context. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The problem I had with this entire situation was two-fold. First, Zhao was bullied into pulling her book from publication, which IMHO, is a form of censorship. Secondly, even if McKinney's comments were true, the public had a right to read and interpret the story for themselves. They never had a chance to start a conversation about it. Since when does the opinions of the few dictate which books pass muster? Free speech was and is the very foundation our country is built upon. If that's taken away, us authors may as well toss our pens and be done with it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">This brings me to the reason I chose to include the above information in the ISWG today. I'm currently writing a YA historical Fantasy that includes controversial themes. In my narrative, I've strived to build a model main character who makes the right choices, and overcomes her obstacles in a healthy manner. After reading about Zhao's experience, I'm insecure about some of the issues raised in my novel. If I'm fortunate enough to become a published author, will my book be rejected by the elite few? Experts in the publishing industry have often told me to write the story I want to write and forget about everything else. But it takes years to accomplish this. I'm now afraid that any story with controversial themes will be pulled. What's an author to do? Any and all comments about this will be welcomed. Until next time, happy writing. </span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-7554355698651270252019-01-02T14:51:00.002-05:002019-01-02T14:51:46.678-05:00ISWG Writing Myself Into a Corner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></a></div>
It's time for another installment of the Insecure Writer's Group hosted by the illustrious <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a>. To learn more about this supportive group click on the host's name.<br />
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First and foremost, happy New Year!!!!<br />
Now, onto the subject at hand, LOL. Currently, I'm writing a Young Adult Fantasy that transports the MC to ancient Carthage in 216 BCE. The pacing is pretty fast throughout with a few rest spots for the readers. While I like what I've written so far, it wasn't until chapter 28 that I realized my MC hadn't spent enough time in Carthage. She walked through the city as a prisoner, was captured by the God Ba'al Hammon's guards, spent some time in the temple and was then set on her journey. While this is well and good, my heroine has to make a choice that will affect the fate of the Carthaginian people. To accomplish this, she needs to be invested in them, to care about them. Needless to say, I was pissed off that I left such an important element out of the story.<br />
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I've since outlined the entire plot (which took three days to complete). Now, I have to go back and insert chapters, then change other scenes that are affected by the ripples from the new chapters. Grad school begins on the 18th, and I'll be doing a field placement. I'm insecure that this will eat up most of my time for writing. Even if I take thirty minutes a day at lunchtime, it'll take another six months to complete the draft. Argggh. Guess I'll have to suck it up and just do it. Have any of you ever written your characters into a corner? If so, how did you handle the situation? Did you have to make many changes to the novel? I'd be interested to read about your experiences. Until next time, happy writing. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-30172097130486976272018-11-07T12:20:00.003-05:002018-11-07T12:29:46.572-05:00Sometimes Life Just Gets In The Way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>It's time for another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group hosted by <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a>. If you're feeling down about your writing and need a supportive ear to bend, this is the group to join. For more information, click on Alex's name to be directed to the enrollment link. </i>
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Lately, life has gotten in the way of my writing. How you ask? Well, I'm in grad school full time. Although I love learning, and academic writing gives me that opportunity, it doesn't hold a candle to the way I feel when I'm working on a fictional story. There's something exhilarating about transporting my characters into another world where anything is possible, and the rules are dictated by my imagination. It's definitely a wonderful escape from my responsibilities.</div>
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As I'm sure you've discerned, I really, really love writing fiction. Now that most of my major assignments are out of the way, I've eked out some time to work on my novel, and it's brought me great joy. However, I'm insecure that my increased academic work schedule will become so full that I'll have little to no time for fiction writing.<br />
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I considered trying making a go at it in the evenings, but after a full day, my brain is usually fried. Weekends are reserved for playing catch-up with family, and my mornings are usually hectic. So, what's a fiction writer to do? Has anyone else felt this type of crunch? If so, I'd be interested to know how you overcame it and found time to write. Until next time, my friends. Happy writing. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-8433201581362822732018-08-16T16:56:00.002-04:002018-08-16T17:03:43.475-04:00My Furry Muse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello all,<br />
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Hope you're having a productive month. While writing today, it hit me that my cat, Buddy, is rarely far from my desk. Just looking at him relaxes me enough to churn out a couple of pages or more, on some days. I suppose that makes him my muse, LOL. Anyway, I thought I'd post a picture of my little fluff ball. Is anyone else more productive when their animals are nearby?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-67585145831041295592018-08-01T00:00:00.000-04:002018-08-07T11:11:23.334-04:00ISWG Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #292929;">It's time for another installment of the ISWG. For those who'd like to learn more about this supportive and helpful membership, please click on the name of our illustrious host: :</span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">This month's question was a doozie, and well worth posting about: </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">What pitfalls would you warn other writer's to avoid on their publication journey. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">There's so much I've learned from drafting PAWN OF THE GODS, that I hardly know where to begin. I could tell you all not to edit your book as you go. I did this and it took twice the time to finish my first draft, but this is advice lots of writers give, IMO. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">It's what happens after the book is done that counts. Even if you're published through traditional means, new authors are required to market their books. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I thought if I wrote it, "they" would read it. This might have been true twenty years ago, before self-publishing took off on Amazon. However, nowadays, each new release is a drop in a sea of stories. You could have the best book ever written, but if you can't attract an audience, then it will sit there unread. So, I'd advise new authors to begin their marketing campaigns early, before their book is completed. Reach out to sites within your genre. Establish relationships with other authors. Network in the community. The earlier you begin, the more of a buzz you'll create about your work. This will help when querying agents. Conversely, if you decided to take the self publishing route, it'll give you a leg up against the competition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">At one point, two major publishing houses reviewed my MS. Although they felt it was well written, etc, they weren't sure how to place an end of the world piece that flipped between the 16th century Mayan jungle and the 21st century White House. Once I got over the rejection (four years later), I self published the book while I worked on my second novel. The problem was I had no clue how to go about marketing myself. It's been a journey of tough knocks. I'm still Forrest Gumping my way through it, and once I've figured things out, I plan to post about them. Moral to the story, don't put all your eggs in one basket, have a plan B and market yourself early. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I haven't received much feedback from other bloggers over the past few months so this post may fall on blind eyes. However, hope runs eternal, and if this advice helps one writer, then it was worth the time I took to draft the post. Until next time, happy writing. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-23371591291952813812018-07-17T08:35:00.000-04:002018-07-17T08:35:17.116-04:00Phobias About Mirrors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello all,<br />
Last week the subject of mirrors arose in a couple of conversations, and I quickly learned that some of my friends were creeped-out by them. I understood this since I had similar feelings after watching Damian Omen years ago. I couldn't look at my reflection without half expecting to find a cloaked figure standing behind me. Luckily, I moved past it. <br />
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As a writer, I found it fascinating to learn that some people never do. One of my friends said she refused to look into the mirror at night if she wakes to use the bathroom. Another person imagined a strange face staring back at her from an alternate dimension behind the mirror, every time she looked in one.<br />
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The above phobias and fears got me to wondering if anyone else shared similar feelings about mirrors. If so, it would be interesting to know what they are. Until next time, happy writing. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-39220435772147838212018-07-03T12:28:00.000-04:002018-07-03T12:28:02.068-04:00Recommended Book THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER (read review)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello all,<br />
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It's been a busy summer and I fear my blog has suffered for it. In the past, I've limited my posts to all things writing. However, I recently decided to break with tradition and expand my posts to anything that interests me. Since reading is one of my favorite pass times, I thought it might help other authors to post my review about their books.<br />
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I just finished reading THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER. It's the first book in a YA Fantasy story about a girl who lost her memory following a tragic accident. As the only survivor, her family was forced to move to another state to escape the trauma. Upon arriving in her new home, Mara (the MC) began seeing things that made her question her sanity. Then, she met a mysterious boy, Noah, who seemed to know more about her than he let on. With his help, they embarked on a twisting and turning journey that led to more questions than answers. Needless to say, I got through the story in two days. This is unusual, since it normally takes me at least a month to read a novel in its entirety. <br />
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As a writer, I have to say the author did a great job with pacing, plot and characterization. I was pulled in from the start. I also stayed conflicted about my feelings toward the MC, which I suppose is the thing that makes her interesting. In addition, the author did a fantastic job between the MC and her love interest, Noah. I found myself turning pages just to find out what happened between them. And I must say, the unexpected twist at the end threw me for a loop.<br />
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I don't believe in giving five stars unless I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but in this case, this first novel earned the highest rating. I'm currently reading the second part of the trilogy and am also pulled in. I'd definitely recommend this series. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-41655477451830233182018-06-08T11:58:00.001-04:002018-06-08T11:59:46.064-04:00Which Pulls You In More, Good Story Telling or Good Writing?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday my husband and I debated whether good writing held more weight than good storytelling, or was the converse more important?<br />
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We decided that a book could be written with the eloquence of Hemingway's prose, but if the story is boring, the reader will put it down. Conversely, if the story is great, it's likely the reader will be pulled in and they'll miss some of the errors in the writing. Don't get me wrong, if the prose is riddled with misspelled words and the syntax and grammar are in the toilet, then of course, that might be a deal breaker. <br />
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We also concluded that beautifully written page-turners are few and far between. They're the rare gems that stand the test of time, like Tolkien's The Hobbit or a more modern example might be Harry Potter. But this is only two people's opinions. I'd be interested to know what you all think? Do you agree or disagree with my assessment? Until next time, happy writing and reading. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-65612005971865626382018-06-06T11:07:00.002-04:002018-06-06T11:12:24.057-04:00Thankful for the ISWG<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #292929;">It's time for another installment of the ISWG. For those who would like to learn more about this supportive and helpful membership, please click on the name of our illustrious host: :</span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;">Hello All, </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;">Time flies. It's hard to believe that June is already here. This said, e</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;">very month I whine about something or other, which is what this group was designed for. However, every once in a while, it's nice to look at the glass half full. FWIW, this group has seen me through some tough times during the drafting of my first novel. Knowing that other authors shared many of the same struggles I experienced, made me feel less isolated. For this, I want to thank everyone for their support over the years.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;">Last but not least, I'd like to answer Alex's question of the month: <b>Whats tougher to come up with, Book titles or character names? </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;"> For me, it's definitely the tittle. Trying to come up with something catchy that captures the theme of an entire novel is hard.It took me a year to decide on PAWN OF THE GODS for my first book. I'm still struggling to create one for my current WIP. It's a process for sure. How about the other authors out there. Which do you think is harder? Until next time my friends, happy writing and reading. </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-52008839189569024352018-05-28T09:18:00.000-04:002018-05-28T14:15:00.409-04:00Is There Something Wrong With Authors Who Write Dark Scenes in Novels? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello all,<br />
<br />
I hope you're doing well. I recently received an email from a reader who finished my latest novel, PAWN OF THE GODS. He seemed quite upset about how dark it was in places, and even implied that only a bad person could come up with some of the scenes in my story. So, let's set aside the fact that it's listed under the Dark Fantasy section on Amazon, and disturbing scenes should not be a surprise in this genre; I tried not to take the accusation personally. This reader didn't know me and his opinions were based solely on conjecture. However, it got me to thinking about how many other people might have similar thoughts when reading a novel. I decided to briefly explain my process when writing dark and disturbing scenes.<br />
<br />
As an author who tries to write authentic characters, I'm often forced to consider what would go through their minds, particularly in the case of a villain. Then,I put that character's thoughts into action. If I were writing about a serial killer, I might focus my research on past crimes and learn all I could about the murderers. Then I would create a character who was a composite of them. I'd probably include a stalking scene where the character justified his reasons for being a nut job. I might have him/her brutally kill someone, then show them smiling and whistling as they chopped up the body. Or maybe I'd go the opposite direction and make the character remorseful, depending on the situation. If I were writing about a racist, I might include a couple of expletives in his/her speech, because that's what I would expect from such a person. Anything outside of these realities would lack authenticity, IMO. Does this make ME a bad person? No, I'm merely tapping into a character's mind, just as an actor must do.<br />
<br />
This said, I wonder if other authors had similar experiences. Are there any readers out there who want to chime in about their views on dark scenes? I'd welcome your feedback.<br />
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-62035556162048819822018-05-16T08:54:00.004-04:002018-05-22T10:12:52.105-04:00Andrea Franco-Cook's New Release PAWN OF THE GODS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello all,<br />
I just wanted to announce the launch of my debut novel PAWN OF THE GODS. It's published for free on Amazon Kindle until May 22. After that, it will go on sale for $3.99. <span style="color: cyan;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/PAWN-GODS-Andrea-Franco-Cook-ebook/dp/B07D5M831Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526993420&sr=8-1&keywords=Andrea+Franco+Cook" target="_blank">PAWN OF THE GODS</a> </span><br />
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<b>Book Summary</b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">According
to Mayan prophecy the gods of the underworld will declare war on man. Their
undoing however, lies hidden deep in the Yucatan in 1572, when a winged
entrusted a celestial weapon to a Spanish Conquistador for safe keeping.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">Five hundred years later, the winged god
reveals himself to Soledad Mendoza, detailing how she is tied to the
conquistador, and the impending war. But the young English professor is unsure
of herself. Out of shape and a lonely widow at thirty, her predilection for
scotch makes her more suited to join a twelve-step program, than become a hero.</span><o:p></o:p></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">Unfortunately, Soledad is forced into
action when she learns her family friend, Senator Earl Edmondson has ties to
the conquistador and the weapon, ties that could either harm or help her.</span><o:p></o:p></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">A pawn caught in a dangerous game that
includes a deity with a secret agenda, and a woman with an extraordinary
destiny; Soledad must figure out who to trust or the fate of humanity may
suffer.</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">PAWN OF THE GODS flashes between the
sixteenth and twenty-first centuries, blending Spanish history with Mayan lore
and apocalyptic biblical beliefs. </span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">_____________________________________________________</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">This book was a serious learning
experience. It began as a 2012 piece and after that year came and went, I
reworked the piece. Then a couple of big name publishers had the manuscript and
wound up passing on it. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;">Defeated and disillusioned I filed the
book away. Five years later, a friend talked me into self-publishing it. I blew
the cyber dust off the MS, had it copy edited and hired a cover artist. It's
now published and for a short time, you can download it for FREE.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;"> There are a lot of religious
themes in this piece. However, it's tough to write about gods and not
incorporate spirituality into the story. It's also very, very adult with
graphic details that one can expect from an Urban Fantasy. At the end of the
day, the overarching message is a positive one. I hope that each of you enjoys
reading PAWN OF THE GODS as much as I enjoyed writing it. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-90849807076050577752018-05-02T10:07:00.001-04:002018-05-02T10:07:37.061-04:00ISWG--The Spring Time Grind<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #292929;">It's time for another installment of the ISWG. For those who would like to learn more about this supportive and helpful membership, please click on our illustrious host's name:</span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;">Hello All</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;">Time flies. It seems like I just submitted April's ISWG post, and in the blink of an eye, I'm back at my computer drafting another one. I've decided to address Alex's question of the month regarding whether or not the season inspires me to write more than others. After giving this some thought, I"d have to answer with a resounding NO!!! For some reason, my writing muse heads off for holiday during spring. I always feel restless and unable to concentrate, especially if the sun is out. I guess it's my body's way of saying get your middle-aged-spreading-butt out of the chair and go outside. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif;">Yesterday, I piddled on the computer, then I potted a bunch of plants. I also bought a new hybrid bicycle. As you can see, I did everything but work on my story. Hopefully, my muse will return soon. Otherwise, I'm insecure that writing will become a grind until the weather subsides. Do any of you experience similar feelings? If so, how do you get past them? Until next time, my friends. Happy writing. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-35099613310085300752018-04-04T10:04:00.002-04:002018-04-04T10:04:58.689-04:00ISWG How Do You Push Through The Negativity?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's time for another installment of the ISWG. For those who would like to learn more about this supportive and helpful membership, please click on our illustrious host's name: <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></span></span><br />
<br />
As many of you may know, I submitted my novel PAWN OF THE GODS, for publication on Kindle Scout. Unfortunately, I was short-listed. On the up side, I received three pages of feedback from the editorial team, noting the good, the bad and the ugly. I've since implemented the proposed changes and am preparing to self publish on Kindle Unlimited.<br />
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Although I've tried to look at this experience from a positive lens, how the editorial team took time to read the book, gave feedback, et.al, as each year passes, I become more insecure about my path as a writer. I'm half way through my second novel, and I can't help but wonder if I'll ever make it. Am I good enough? I'm sure other writer's struggle with the same questions, but this month it really hit me and although I'll persevere, it's been tough.<br />
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I'd like to know how many of you deal with negative thoughts that creep into your head? Is there some kind of special self-talk you do to get past it? Any and all advice would be welcomed. Until next month, my friends. Happy Writing. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-51375530853947146912018-03-07T10:06:00.001-05:002018-03-07T10:08:02.603-05:00Biting My Nails To The Nubbs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's time for another installment of the ISWG, hosted by the illustrious Alex J. Cavanaugh. For more information about this group, click <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a> .</span><br />
<br />
I've never been a nail biter until now. As many of you know, my novel PAWN of THE GODS was part of a publishing campaign with Kindle Scout. It ended a little over a week ago and still no word. Although some might say, "No news is good news." I've received conflicting feedback about this. One writer told me the winners are announced within the first few days, while the others are thrown into the slush pile to be sorted. Another writer told me the opposite, which leaves a lot of gray area.<br />
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So, here I sit, waiting and waiting, biting and biting my nails to the quick, wondering, is there hope? I suppose there's always hope, but I'm feeling very vulnerable and insecure about my book right now. I've put my writing out there to be shredded by pro's, and I fear they'll caution me not to quit my day job, LOL. One way or the other, it would be nice to know something so I can move forward.<br />
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On a side bar, for those of you who are interested in learning more about Kindle Scout, I plan to write an extensive post about my experience. It'll contain stats along with avenues for advertising and other things you'll need to know about the campaign. I won't provide too much detail here, but overall, regardless of the outcome, it was a positive experience. I learned a lot about the world of publishing. In closing, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I wait this thing out. Until next time, my friends in blogger land, happy writing. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-61031719648974596372018-01-31T08:33:00.003-05:002018-03-07T10:09:04.450-05:00Feeling Vulnerable<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">It'</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #444444;">s time for another installment of the ISWG, hosted by</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></b></a>. </span>To learn more about this wonderful group, click on the preceding link.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've posted my novel PAWN OF THE GODS on Kindle Scout, a publishing program ran by Amazon. It allows unpublished authors to post their work for thirty days. During that time, readers log on, read the excerpt (or not) and if they like what they see, they nominate the author for publication. At the end of the campaign, the nominations are tallied and the board votes on which books to publish. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">PAWN OF THE GODS has been up for a little over a week. It was on the Hot and Trending list for nineteen hours, and more than one thousand seven-hundred visitors have viewed my excerpt. All good stuff right? If that's true, why the hell am I so insecure? I suppose it's because I'm putting myself out there. It's tough to do, especially with such stiff competition. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This said, if any of you are interested, I posted my link below. If you like what you read, then it's only a matter of pressing the NOMINATE ME tab. If not, at the very least, please say a prayer that I'll make it through this campaign without having a stroke. By next month it'll be over and my poor nails will have a chance to grow back. Until then, happy writing. <i> B</i><i>ook link: <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/f.html?C=3KRKL8BRA5K9I&K=2YNHQ23XIXRQA&M=urn:rtn:msg:20180128050122244d96162bbb4650ad968f35dfb0p0na&R=1YI9R60IS9E2P&T=C&U=https%3A%2F%2Fkindlescout.amazon.com%2Fp%2F2CR5G6MWRRQCV%3Fref_%3Dpe_886810_126055510&H=LKXHTINUHXAHDBVSJNSNYKHY5LQA&ref_=pe_886810_126055510" target="_blank">PAWN OF THE GODS</a> </b></span></i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-18262506823319739022018-01-28T11:20:00.001-05:002018-01-31T08:59:43.983-05:00Pushing My Luck <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Hello All,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>It's been a couple of months since I updated my blog. I know, how shameful of me. I was enrolled in nursing school and it zapped every waking second of my days. I've since decided that it wasn't for me, and well, what a relief. This said, I'm probably pushing my luck since I haven't been on here for so long, but if any of you are merciful enough to forgive my absence, I'd appreciate it if you'd read the below blurb about the launch of my novel, PAWN OF THE GODS on Kindle Scout. It's only up for thirty days so any and all help would be greatly appreciated.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>The thirty day launch for my novel, PAWN OF THE GODS began this morning on Kindle Scout. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>How It Works</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>My book is posted for thirty days, along with hundreds of others in various genres. Readers click the following book link: <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/f.html?C=3KRKL8BRA5K9I&K=2YNHQ23XIXRQA&M=urn:rtn:msg:20180128050122244d96162bbb4650ad968f35dfb0p0na&R=1YI9R60IS9E2P&T=C&U=https%3A%2F%2Fkindlescout.amazon.com%2Fp%2F2CR5G6MWRRQCV%3Fref_%3Dpe_886810_126055510&H=LKXHTINUHXAHDBVSJNSNYKHY5LQA&ref_=pe_886810_126055510" target="_blank">PAWN OF THE GODS</a> </b></span>take a gander at the first five chapters of the story, and decide whether they believe it's good enough for publication on Amazon. If the answer is yes, they simply click the NOMINATE THIS AUTHOR button, and that's it.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>At the end of the thirty-day campaign, my nominations are tallied and the book will be removed from the panel, freeing up that nomination for another book. Then the author will receive an email notifying them whether his/her story was selected for publication. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Regardless of the outcome, I'd like to thank each of you for all the support you've given me over the years, while I toiled over this novel. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Cheers</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i><br /></i></span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-14322067220012237432017-05-23T18:56:00.002-04:002017-05-23T19:01:56.613-04:00Opinions Pleaaaaaase!!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello All,<br />
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I recently began a new WIP. Although I'm happy with my outline, I've struggled with the beginning. This said, I wrote two opening paragraphs. Both lead to the same place, but they take a very different paths to get there. I just can't decide which one I like better. If you have a minute or two, I'd appreciate it if you'd give your opinion. Which paragraph would keep you reading? Also, please be mindful that these are very raw first drafts. I'd be happy to return the favor anytime. Thanks in advance for your help. <br />
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<b>Opening #1</b> <i>A cold chill broke across my arms when he entered the room. It happened every time I saw him. By now you'd think I'd be used to him Yet, here I sat, dreading his very presence. You see, to everyone else he was a man of flesh and blood. A man who devoted his life to treating the sick. To me, he was Doom—bringing false hope to the incurable—deliverer of tragedy, ready to do his worst. My dad and I had been confronted by him many times, and for the last seven years, we'd stood our ground. I hoped that today, the fight would end. <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Dad must have noticed my discomfort, because he pulled out the old give her a pat on the knee card.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Like it miraculously made everything all right. If only he knew that after sixteen years of watching him, I'd learned to read his tells. A gentle pat was the way he masked his concern.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>Opening #2 <i> </i></b><i>Mirrors were taboo last summer. I'm sure dad thought it was a classic case of avoidance—that I didn't want to watch my long black hair fall out or my eye brows disappear. What he didn't know, was every time the sutures tickled my fingertips, I pictured a pale, bald freak with stitches across her scalp. No doubt that image was probably ten times worse than anything I'd see in the mirror. </i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-6261228567075037962017-03-08T11:12:00.001-05:002017-03-08T11:56:46.127-05:00From The Dust Marinade to a Gourmet Work of Fiction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hello all, it's time for another installment of the Insecure Writer's Group, hosted by <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>. </span>To learn more about this wonderful membership please click on the preceding link.</span><br />
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After several weeks of juggling family and nursing school, I finally get a much needed break. Specifically, Spring Break. Woo hoo!!!! Unlike some students who go wild during this time and head to the beach for fun in the sun, I plan to hunker down at my desk and catch up on my writing. It's been a month since I've written anything, and I'm jonesing to escape into my world of fiction. <br />
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My short story is about two-thirds complete. If all goes according to plan, I hope to have it done by the end of next week. Then I intend to pull my first novel from its dust marinade, and return it to the writing kitchen, where I hope to create a gourmet work of fiction. If I can find the time. <br />
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Once school resumes, every second of every day is consumed by my studies. I truly feel like a fish out of water without my writing, so I need to figure out some way to work it into my day. Guess I could experiment with rising early, like 4 a.m early. I've tried writing at night, but my brain is fried. Any suggestions on ways to find time to accomplish my goal? I'd truly appreciate the help. Until next time, my friends. Happy writing. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-59272471879263009652017-01-04T11:04:00.004-05:002017-01-04T11:08:42.438-05:00Flexing My Writing Muscles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hello all, it's time for another installment of the ISWG hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. For more information about this group, please click on the following link: </i></span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><i>Insecure Writer's Support Group</i></span></a><br />
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First of all, I want to wish each and everyone of you a happy New Year. In my experience people reserve their first post for NY resolutions, etc, but I've decided not to bore you with promises. What I will say is I'm looking forward to a fresh start--New Year, New Me.<br />
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Due to all the stress that comes with returning to nursing school, I haven't written at all. However, I did make it to my writer's group last month. After missing three months of meetings, I felt a little out of sorts. The sense of familiarity and comradery I usually encountered with the members was somehow off I didn't let it get me down. Instead, in the spirit of the New Year, New Me thing, I endeavored not to miss anymore meetings. I've also come up with an idea for a short story. It's controversial as hell, but the upside is it hasn't been done (at least far as I can tell). I've decided to try and write it during my break, in between studying for the TEAS exam and juggling family matters. Please wish me luck because it's been about five months since I've flexed my writing muscles, LOL. There's no telling how the prose will turn out. Until next time my friends, happy writing. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-42807397626818240392016-10-05T22:25:00.001-04:002016-10-05T22:31:19.061-04:00Counting the Days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhUOVxU3zp8/VrFA7WKczhI/AAAAAAAAPFA/mPTyhiaBV80/s175/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
It's time for another installment of the ISWG hosted by the wonderfully supportive <a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>. To learn more about this group click on the host's name.<br />
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Well, not much has changed from last month. I'm still overwhelmed by nursing classes, studying all the time, etc. I often find myself day dreaming about my current WIP that's steadily collecting dust in the archives of my computer. I've tried to write late at night (the only time I'm free) but by that time, exhaustion has set in, leaving my brain so crispy fried from studying, I can hardly articulate a sentence, much less progress a story line.<br />
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But all is not lost, sometimes the sun does shine through the grayness. I took a lot of last month's advice to heart, and I've been jotting down ideas as they come to mind, etc. Thanksgiving break is coming soon and I plan to write, rewrite and write again. I'm counting the days till I can dive back into my story. It's been too long. Hope the rest of you are having a great month. Until next time, happy writing.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-11845117521014704172016-09-07T09:41:00.005-04:002016-09-07T10:17:13.180-04:00What's A Writer To Do????<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">It's time for another installment of the ISWG hosted by the wonderfully supportive </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/" style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Alex J.Cavanaugh</a><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">. If you'd like to learn more about this group just click on Alex name.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The topic of this month's post is how do we find the time to write? Well, at this point in my life, I'm learning there isn't any, which, btw, is the reason I'm reaching out to you all. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">You see, recently I decided to return to the workforce. However, I quickly learned this was easier said than done. Despite the fact I hold a BSW and an MPA, I haven't been able to find good job. When I say <i>good</i>, I mean rewarding and challenging, a position that makes a difference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Needless to say, I concluded that I'd have to return to school in order to qualify for such a job. So I did just that. It's been a challenge. The curriculum is tough, fast paced and requires a lot of memorization, etc., which, combined with family stuff, leaves little to no time for writing (my first love). I can't express how much I truly miss it. I think about my characters and run plot twists through my mind on a daily basis. Then each evening, I end up feeling frustrated because I just don't have the energy to add them to the story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I'm insecure that if I don't get back on the writing saddle soon, I won't get back on at all. I'm just not sure how to proceed anymore. I need this nursing degree if I want to return to work, but in the absence of my writing, I'm floundering and lost. What's a Writer To Do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Have any of you experienced the same challenges? If so, how did you overcome them? Any and all advice would be appreciated. Until next time, happy writing my friends. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-54059392688400479122016-07-06T14:47:00.001-04:002016-07-06T18:26:24.407-04:00ISWG: A Case of The Hum Drums<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4nqk56FxUI/V3aVBqUUMdI/AAAAAAAAP0M/PgrceyA56aktSNept1kMHYdgm8iAgUl7gCLcB/s1600/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4nqk56FxUI/V3aVBqUUMdI/AAAAAAAAP0M/PgrceyA56aktSNept1kMHYdgm8iAgUl7gCLcB/s320/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
It's time for the monthly installment of the ISWG hosted by the illustrious<span style="color: lime;"> </span><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/"><span style="color: cyan;">Alex J. Cavanaugh</span></a><span style="color: lime;"> </span><br />
Click on the link if you'd like to learn more about this fabulous group. <br />
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<br />
Well, it's been slow going but I'm on chapter six of my new novel and I'm not very excited about it. Seriously, I'm unsure if it's the sunshine or the long days, but I haven't felt much like writing lately. The mere thought of it seems hum drum. In fact, I've had to force myself to peck away at my novel. The results of this are similar to going to the gym--after a dreaded work out I feel like a million bucks. Yet, each day I still struggle to make myself write.<br />
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I'm insecure that if I continue down this road, I might give up writing all together. Has anyone else felt this way? If so, I'd welcome any and all advice about how you overcame the writing hum drum's. Until next time my friends. Happy writing. <br />
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This month's theme was to post the best compliment I've received on my work. Short and sweet of it, posted below is a rejection letter from an editor at a small publishing house who read my book PAWN OF THE GODS. Although the company didn't pick me up, the editor's words inspired me to write-on. We'll see how the second novel turns out, LOL. <br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">D<i>ear
Andrea,<u></u><u></u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>We thank you
for considering SkyAzure Publishing for your book. We are very sorry for the
delay in responding, this does happen occasionally when we receive high numbers
of submissions. We have thoroughly reviewed your work and, although it was very
interesting and enjoyable, we feel we are not able to take it any further. As a
small independent publishing house, we can only commit to a very small list
every year. Due to the demanding level of production we feel is deserved by each
and every author we take on, we think it would be inappropriate to accept
submissions just because the work is good. Quite often we are already working on
similar books, do not have enough expertise in the subject area, or the most
suitable editor has already filled their quota. There are a whole host of
reasons for rejection and quite often rejection is no indication of quality or
talent. We at SkyAzure regret that we are unable to accept this piece on this
occasion. We wish you well in placing your work.<b><u></u><u></u></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><b>On a
personal note, I have to say I came close on this one. I am disappointed I am
unable to work with you. I do believe some stories should be told and some books
have something special to say, this is one of them. Unfortunately, however, this
is a very subjective business and quite often we editors make decisions based on
what is in the best interests of the company and the goals it has set. Please do
not take this rejection as an indication that the quality of your work was not
respected. I hope you find an editor who is in a position to offer you the
passion you deserve in bringing your book to publication. I would urge you to
keep writing and, although we cannot and do not endorse any other company, there
are many options available should you not find a traditional publishing house
able to commit:<u></u><u></u></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Editorial
services are available, these can easily be found by doing a quick internet
search. Finding a good editor/agent will help to improve your work and overall
proposal, although I’m not really sure that is needed in this case. There are
also self-publishing routes like Amazon etc. Also, there are some pay to publish
services, such as Copyhouse Press (<a href="http://copyhousepress.co.uk/" target="_blank">copyhousepress.co.uk</a>), who seem to offer a very jargon free,
cost effective, publishing route which will reach far more prospective
buyers/readers than that of self-publishing through Amazon. Again, always do
your research.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Best of luck
in placing your book.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Regards<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jack<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">---<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jack
Kraster<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">SkyAure
Publishing<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Submissions
Team<span style="color: #aeaaaa;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-26716235749236923372016-05-04T06:00:00.000-04:002016-06-01T20:38:47.271-04:00To Write a Story That May Be Offensive, or Not To Write It: That Is The Question.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3J0jx7Bc9No/VrH0HUT95oI/AAAAAAAAD4w/CSfQIL6R6a4/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3J0jx7Bc9No/VrH0HUT95oI/AAAAAAAAD4w/CSfQIL6R6a4/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's time for another installment for the Insecure Writer's Group, hosted by <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3J0jx7Bc9No/VrH0HUT95oI/AAAAAAAAD4w/CSfQIL6R6a4/s200/Insecure%2BWriters%2BSupport%2BGroup%2BBadge.jpg">Alex J. Cavannaugh</a>. </span>If you'd like to learn more about this fantastic group, please click on the aforementioned link.</span><br />
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The controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling's depiction of marginalized cultures in her latest book made me nervous. I haven't read the story, so I can't say whether the contents are offensive to Native Americans. However, given her reputation as a writer, I doubt she'd purposely insult an entire culture. Unfortunately, in this case, her intentions don't matter. At the end of the day, her works do--works that had an unintended effect.<br />
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This brings me to the reason I'm feeling nervous. I'm in the throws of writing a YA Fantasy, set on the Indian reservation in Lame Deer, Montana. My MC is Native American, as are 99-percent of the characters. After living in Oklahoma for several years (a state with strong Native American ties), I always wanted to write a story based on the culture. I'm also a big fan of the Longmire series, which only fueled my fire to write the book. <br />
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Now, I wonder if I should abandon the project and go to something else. I'm insecure that no matter how respectful I am toward the culture, how much I try to promote awareness about issues confronting many Native Americans today, it may still offend someone.<br />
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Maybe I'm putting the horse before the carriage, because my novel may never be published. On the small chance it is, I'm feeling wary. A friend of mine advised me to write the story I want to write and let the chips fall where they may. I shouldn't hold back out of fear of offending someone. Ultimately, that could happen regardless of what I write. I mostly agree with that advice, but on the other hand, I'd hate to be known (if I was published) as "That writer who used folklore from a marginalized culture to progress her career." I'm just not sure what to do. Any suggestions? Until next time my friends, happy writing.<br />
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P.S. Sorry the writing in this post isn't my best. I composed it from my IPhone.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-45227082806900066682016-04-06T10:12:00.000-04:002016-04-06T10:12:11.374-04:00Insecure Writer's Group: Feeling Disillusioned<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
It's time for another installment of the insecure writer's support group. For more information about this wonderful group, please click the following link:<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello all, I hope you had a productive writing month. I keep hoping to find time to make headway with my new novel, but life keeps getting in the way. I'm insecure that neglecting it will cause me to throw my hands in the air and give up. I love writing, but lately, I feel like it's not meant to be. The more time that passes between writing sessions, the more disillusioned I feel. Have any of you gone through these conflicts? If so, how did you overcome them? Until next time, my friends. Happy writing. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501918398545296619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623329525857855745.post-8200003410325273892016-03-02T11:16:00.001-05:002016-03-02T11:16:16.891-05:00Struggling To Get Into The Mind of A Sixteen Year Old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>It's time for another installment of the Insecure Writer's Group, hosted by <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.alexjcavanaugh.com/">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>.</span> To learn more about this fabulous membership click on his name.</i></b></span><br />
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This month I've had a heck of a time completing chapter three of my new YA novel. The words just aren't coming. In the past, whenever I've been blocked, it was due to writing myself into a corner. Essentially, I didn't know where I wanted my characters to go. This time around, I took measures to prevent this from happening again. I outlined the story and completed an extensive character sketch. Despite my efforts, I'm still struggling to get into the head of my sixteen-year old main character.<br />
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In chapters one and two, it took me forever to capture her voice. Thanks to feedback from members of my writer's group, I finally did it. Three is tough because I'm introducing new characters. My MC, who is an urban girl, is experiencing a rodeo for the first time as well. I keep asking myself how a teen would react to this, what would go through her head. I should know since I have three of them running around my house. Yet, I keep drawing a blank. I even went as far as asking my kids for feedback, but they gave me that lights are on but nobody's home look, which didn't help. I've read several YA books, so what gives?????<br />
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I'm beginning to think my muse took a permanent coffee break. Have any of you had similar experiences? If so, I'd welcome any and all feedback on how to get my muse to return to her day job. Until next time my friends, happy writing.<br />
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Signed, sincerely frustrated.</div>
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