Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Tricks to Writing First Person POV


Last week I attended the 2013 Life the Universe and Everything fantasy/scifi writer’s conference. I thought I'd share the notes from a few of the panels I attended. The first panel I went to was on writing first person POV. The panelists were Larry Correia, Robert Defendi, Daniel Friend, Clint Johnson, and Rachel Ann Nunes. Here are a few of the points that stood out to me:

  • First, figure out how your character would talk
  • Use consistency with your character and don’t have them act out of character
  • Make a list of all the character traits your character has: mannerisms, etc. . .
  • The best way to show a character is through description
  • Other good ways to show character are through their emotional reactions, active thinking, and actions. 
I hope these are helpful. Do you have any other tips for writing in first person? I'd love to hear them. Next week I'll post more notes on other conference topics. 

Friday, February 15, 2013

Cover Reveal and Give Away: A Need So Insatiable


A Need So Insatiable
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A Need So Insatiable
Release Date: Winter 2013!
Genre: Contemporary romance

Summary from Goodreads:

“I’ve never bowed or kneeled for anyone,” Rafael said. “Never thought I would.” Then he was on his knees. He slid his arms around my waist, tugging me closer and bowed his head.
“You own me, Sophie.” He looked up, his dark eyes hitting me with enough force to snatch the breath from my lungs. “You’ve owned me from the moment I walked into your life in that music room. Then I saw you slipping out the window like the wolves were after you and I knew I wanted you in my life. You’ve wrapped yourself in my heart and mind. I can’t get you out. I don’t want to.”

Graduate opera singer, Sophie Fisher’s life is on fire and it’s not her breathtaking voice lighting it, but the trail of debts her father left behind after he passed away a few months ago. If she’s not ducking around corners or slipping out of windows to escape the debt collectors and a slew of characters sent from hell, she’s dealing with her rebellious fifteen-year-old sister, Lilli, who is still coming to terms with their father’s death. And as if that’s not enough, Rafael Van Rees bursts into her life—literally—bringing with him a set of emotions she isn’t prepared to deal with and a life the public had no idea of.

Rafael Van Rees, Maestro extraordinaire, just wants to be left in peace to date whichever woman he feels like, have dinner with whomever he feels like, and just enjoy his life. Until he meets Sophie and his past returns to haunt him. And just when he thought he didn’t care about her, his history proves him wrong. He knows when it comes to her, it’s all or nothing. Besides, she makes him feel fuzzy all over.
Is Sophie’s fire hot enough to melt the ice coursing through his veins?


About the Author
Cecilia Robert lives in Vienna with her two children, has an incurable obsession with books, anything romantic, TV and medieval architecture. When not working in her full time job, catching up with her two children, writing or reading, she can be found, knitting or crocheting, taking photos of old buildings.


***GIVEAWAY***
1 Amazon Gift Card worth US $15 + Book of choice from book depository US $15

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About the Author
Cecilia Robert lives in Vienna with her two children, has an incurable obsession with books, anything romantic, TV and medieval architecture. When not working in her full time job, catching up with her two children, writing or reading, she can be found, knitting or crocheting, taking photos of old buildings.


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Valentine for Writers

I found this cute idea for a valentine for writers on Pinterest. It's fun and easy if you want to make one.

Here's how to do it:

Supplies: 
paper
glue
heart-shaped cookie cutters
hole punch
Valentine's Day pencils
scissors
pen

Directions: 
1. Draw heart shapes on paper using two different sized heart-shaped cookie cutters (one large, one medium) as a temples.
2. Cut out paper hearts.
3. Glue the smaller heart onto the larger one
4. Write "You're just write for me" on the smaller heart.
5. Punch a hole on either side of the heart (I had to use a three hole punch to get a big enough hole since my one hole punch was too small).
6. Stick the pencil through the holes like an arrow through the heart.

Give it to a special writer you know. And for all you writers out there, Happy Valentine's Day!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Cover Reveal: Trust in Me

Trust in Me (Friends & Lovers #3)
Release Date: 02/28/13
Cover designed by: B Design

Summary from Goodreads:
This is a New Adult Title - Meant for Readers 18 & Older.


Roni’s dreams of becoming a contemporary dancer were smashed under the brutal rage of her ex-husband's fists. Getting divorced and starting over at the age of twenty-two was never her plan, but maybe in Texas, she'll find her path. When the town's local player, Rich, opens a Rec Center, she sees a way to rekindle her dancing dreams...and maybe have a little fun with her sexy new boss.



Rich never expected to fulfill his dreams in the town he planned to leave behind, but that's just what he's doing. His reputation as a noncommittal ladies' man might make it challenging to earn respect in the business world, but he's willing to prove that he's serious. In fact, when it comes to pursuing Roni, he's more than willing. But she's taking a page out of his book, not wanting to risk another relationship. Can he convince her that his playboy days are over and that she can trust him with her heart?
***


About the Author
Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.



Monday, February 4, 2013

Cover Reveal: VOLITION


What doesn't kill you ...

Zoe Vanderveen is on the run with her captor turned rescuer, Noah Brody.

They're in love.

Or at least that’s what he tells her. Her memories have returned but her feelings are dreamlike—thin and fleeting. Her heart can’t be trusted. Just look at what happened with Taylor Blake.

Senator Vanderveen’s new team of cyborg agents are in hot pursuit, and a reward for their capture is broadcast nationwide. Record breaking cold and snow hinder their escape. Someone dies helping them.

And their fight for survival has only begun.

Mark to read on goodreads. 


To celebrate Lee Strauss is giving away a $200.00 Amazon, Nook or itunes gift card!

Read on to find out how to enter.

VOLITION is the exciting continuation of Noah and Zoe's story from Perception.

 Eternal Life is To Die For

Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.
Her brother Liam is missing.

Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t.  He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.

Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn.  She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.


 Want to read PERCEPTION? It's available on Amazon, Kobo, itunes, and Nook.



About the author:

LEE STRAUSS


Lee Strauss writes historical and science fiction/romance for upper YA and adult readers. She also writes light and fun stuff under the name Elle Strauss. To find out more about Lee and her books check out her facebook page. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/elle_strauss To find out about new releases sign up for her newsletter at www.ellestraussbooks.com



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Friday, February 1, 2013

Cover Reveal: Forty Days

Cover Reveal: Forty Days (Neima’s Ark, Book One) by Stephanie Parent!

Forty Days (Neima’s Ark, Book One)
By Stephanie Parent
Release Date: 02/12/13
Genre: YA
Cover Artist: Najla Qamber

Summary from Goodreads:
The entire village knows Neima’s grandfather is a madman.  For years the old man has prophesied that a great flood is coming, a flood disastrous enough to blot out the entire earth.  He’s even built an enormous ark that he claims will allow his family to survive the deluge.  But no one believes the ravings of a lunatic…

…until the rain starts.  And doesn’t stop. 

Soon sixteen-year-old Neima finds her entire world transformed, her life and those of the people she loves in peril.  Trapped on the ark with her grandfather Noah, the rest of her family, and a noisy, filthy, and hungry assortment of wild animals, will Neima find a way to survive?

With lions, tigers, and bears oh my, elephants and flamingos too, along with rivalries and betrayals, a mysterious stowaway, and perhaps even an unexpected romance, Forty Days is not your grandfather’s Noah’s Ark story.

Forty Days is approximately 45000 words, the length of a shorter novel, and is the first installment in a two-part epic story.  It does contain a cliffhanger ending.
Readers looking for a traditional, religiously oriented version of the Noah’s Ark story should be warned that Forty Days may not appeal to them.  The novel will, however, appeal to lovers of apocalyptic fiction, historical fiction, and romance, as well as anyone who’s ever dreamed of having a baby elephant as a pet.

About the Author:
Stephanie Parent is a graduate of the Master of Professional Writing program at USC and attended the Baltimore School for the Arts as a piano major. She moved to Los Angeles because of Francesca Lia Block's WEETZIE BAT books, which might give you some idea of how much books mean to her. She also loves dogs, books about dogs, and sugary coffee drinks both hot and cold.

Author Links: