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Get up and get writing! We're in this together!
Friday, September 29, 2017
Thursday, September 28, 2017
THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY: Are You a Good Neighbor?
I think I'm a pretty good neighbor. Still, there are times I can be stingy about my books and who I believe deserves them for free.
After all, I work very hard on my books, have to pay out some money to get them delivered to my home and try to keep my prices fair for those interested in buying them.
But there are times I feel it. You may have felt it too. You're talking to your neighbor, and something he or she says reminds you of one of your books. Maybe it's a character, maybe it's the plot, maybe you don't really know why you're thinking of that particular book, but you are.
What would it mean to your neighbor (they don't actually have to live next door for them to be your neighbor by the way) to receive a free gift from you just because?
Today is National Good Neighbor Day, and if you've been following my posts and tweets lately, you may have a pretty good idea of what I've been paying attention to. I am simply amazed that on any given day of the week, there is a day to think about, maybe even honor something.
And it's simply amazing what I've learned.
So, today I'm hoping to do something. I'm not sure who's going to get a free book from me. It might even be you. :) But I'm listening.
After all, I work very hard on my books, have to pay out some money to get them delivered to my home and try to keep my prices fair for those interested in buying them.
But there are times I feel it. You may have felt it too. You're talking to your neighbor, and something he or she says reminds you of one of your books. Maybe it's a character, maybe it's the plot, maybe you don't really know why you're thinking of that particular book, but you are.
What would it mean to your neighbor (they don't actually have to live next door for them to be your neighbor by the way) to receive a free gift from you just because?
Today is National Good Neighbor Day, and if you've been following my posts and tweets lately, you may have a pretty good idea of what I've been paying attention to. I am simply amazed that on any given day of the week, there is a day to think about, maybe even honor something.
And it's simply amazing what I've learned.
So, today I'm hoping to do something. I'm not sure who's going to get a free book from me. It might even be you. :) But I'm listening.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sarah E Boucher
Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?
How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?
I'm a full-time kindergarten teacher, so August to May I'm either teaching five-year-olds or recuperating from teaching five-year-olds. That means I write primarily in my pajamas during summer and long school breaks. I work writing in between travel and family get-togethers and anything else that happens. Being both a teacher and a writer means I'm less likely to burn out with either career. It works for me!
How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptop or some other method of getting your words down?
I love the romantic idea of writing longhand, but my inborn editor instantly wants to tweak what I've written down, so working on my laptop is the best option for me. It gives me the freedom to manipulate words and chapters as quickly as I change my mind. Additionally, I have never been able to work at a table or desk that faces a wall. I generally take over any sunny corner, be it comfy sofa or cozy armchair, and get to work.
What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?
My favorite aspect of writing is finding a phrase or a scene that is so good that I make myself laugh or cry when I read it back. Conversely, I hate finding errors in my published books. Those stories have gone through an army of beta readers, several grammar Nazis, and professional editors. Twice! That's a lot of people who missed an error, but I'm mostly angry because I missed it myself. And then I feel like a big idiot. That's the writer life. Top of the world one day; bottom of the dog pile the next.
How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?
My books are a direct result of a lifetime obsession with fairy tales. Fairytale collections dot my shelves and anytime I need a little inspiration, I turn back to them. Usually, a question spurs my plots. The burning question behind Becoming Beauty was: what if Beauty was selfish and beastly instead of sweet and giving? After that, the story just tumbled out. I’m a slow writer and a perfectionist editor, so Becoming Beauty took me a couple of years. I’m going on book three and that time frame seems to be the norm.
What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?
The main driving force behind my marketing plan is connection. Writers are far too apt to hide in their homes and write rather than get out in public or get online and connect genuinely and respectfully with readers, book bloggers and reviewers, other writers, and public figures who will help them promote or sell their books. For instance, when Midnight Sisters was released in January 2017, I ran a two-week blog tour as well as a book launch party in a local shop. Exhausting, but fun. Since then, I've guest posted on many different sites and made author appearances at different venues every month. Traditional face-to-face marketing is as crucial as online marketing.
What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?
Midnight Sisters, a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princess, was released in January 2017 and I’ve been promoting it all year. Also, I'm nearly done drafting a twist on Rumplestiltskin where Rumple is actually the hero. Isn't it about time he's portrayed as an attractive Spaniard who woos the heroine? Whether you think so or not, it’s happening! And I’m thrilled to grant Rumple some time in the limelight!
Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
There are several projects that live on the back burner, but most of them are fairy tales I simply haven’t gotten around to writing. Like a role reversal of Red Riding Hood with a hero named Red and a wild woman wolf, or a Rapunzel retelling revolving around a mother/daughter relationship. All of these story snippets live in tiny files on my hard drive and on little scraps of paper on my bedside table.
What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
I'd tell young writers the same thing I've told my nieces. Keep learning, keep trying, and don't give up. Join a writing group or create your own so you can see other young writers' work, inspire one another, and learn and grow together. No matter how much your mother, bestie, or boyfriend loves your writing, polish your work as much as possible before submitting it anywhere. Take your time and be just as professional as possible. And never forget that though writing is work, it should also be fun. Do it because you love it or don’t do it at all.
***
Website: SarahEBoucher.com
Book links:
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
TUESDAY TRAILERS: Writing in Public Places
Your time is almost up!
Writing outdoors is refreshing; it can also be dangerous if you're not keeping an eye out while you're working on your next bestseller.
Today is National Situational Awareness Day, and it makes me think of the times I am out and about and recording my thoughts on paper or on my phone. I may be at a park, at the mall, or sitting alone at a restaurant writing on paper napkins like J.K.Rowling.
Wherever I am outside of my home, I hope I'm aware enough of my surroundings to be safe. I know how things can get when I'm wrapped up in a scene. And I know how easy it is to lose something precious to me in a second.
Writing outdoors is refreshing; it can also be dangerous if you're not keeping an eye out while you're working on your next bestseller.
Today is National Situational Awareness Day, and it makes me think of the times I am out and about and recording my thoughts on paper or on my phone. I may be at a park, at the mall, or sitting alone at a restaurant writing on paper napkins like J.K.Rowling.
Wherever I am outside of my home, I hope I'm aware enough of my surroundings to be safe. I know how things can get when I'm wrapped up in a scene. And I know how easy it is to lose something precious to me in a second.
#NationalSituationalAwarenessDay
Monday, September 25, 2017
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Roger White
Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?
Two things got me writing in a joyful way: a) word processing on a personal computer and b) getting my own website and having to put stuff on it. The first happened in the late seventies and the second in the mid-nineties. After I started word processing I took up writing magazine articles and white papers for the companies I worked for. I was explaining pioneering technical ideas such as personal computers and local area networking. When I got the web site I widened my writing topics enormously. I added science and science fiction, current events and history, and why we think the way we do. I also widened my styles. I added writing movie scripts to my repertoire.
How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?
Each day I sit in front of my personal computer and read lots of articles. When I get inspired by something I’m reading I write my own article about it. For more lengthy topics I come and go from them throughout the day.
How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptop or some other method of getting your words down?
I write on a desktop computer. I will occasionally write on a laptop, but I usually find the environment where I’m using the laptop too distracting.
What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?
My favorite part is coming up with interesting new insights and then taking on the challenge of how to express them in a way other people will find both understandable and interesting. The least favorite part, these days, is waiting for the new insights to pop up – I’ve written about a lot of things. LoL!
How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?
I have written fifteen books that are now published. I come with the ideas in many ways and how long they take to write varies from a couple months to a year.
What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?
I use my website and social media to promote my books. That’s the core. I get out and do a few other things once in a while.
What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?
My latest book is “Profit from History” where I talk about the patterns I see in history and how they can be applied to predicting the evolution of current events.
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I’m currently working on adding a book to my Visions of 2050 series. This is future forecasting about our near future, and what it will really be like. I foresee lots of interesting, and surprising, changes coming.
Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
Getting the movie scripts that I have written from my stories produced. I’ve written about 70 scripts now, but I haven’t found anyone interested in making them into for-real videos yet.
What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
Start small and short. And, for that matter, stay there. Most of the stories I write are short stories – they are about exploring a single concept. Short stories get finished a lot faster than novels. When I put together a book it is often a collection of short stories about a common theme.
The benefit of this is that things get done. A surprise benefit of this approach is that the movie scripts are a lot easier to write.
***
Friday, September 22, 2017
Thursday, September 21, 2017
THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY: How To Write a Cookie Recipe Like a Professional
Today is National Pecan Cookie Day! And you know what that means!
You may also be interested in putting together your own cookbook and making it look professional. Click on this link for ideas on writing recipes!
Have a yummy day!
Kathryn
EAT COOKIES!
You may also be interested in putting together your own cookbook and making it look professional. Click on this link for ideas on writing recipes!
Have a yummy day!
Kathryn
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Christy Monson
1 Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?
I have always loved writing. When I was in college, my favorite class was a children’s literature venue. I’ve written off and on through the years, but now I devote most of my time to it.
How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?
I love writing first thing in the morning. If I put it off until later, my day gets going with so many things, I don’t get to it. Also, my ideas flow better in the morning.
How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptop or some other method of getting your words down?
I love my laptop. I can write so much faster than any other method.
What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?
My favorite part about writing is the creation of plot. I love writing historical fiction. So, I do my research, and the plot fits into the information I find. It’s kind of like putting a puzzle together. My least favorite part of writing is waiting for the publisher’s schedule to print the book.
4 How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?
Banished is a book I wrote about Native Americans (Hopi Tribe) in the four corners area of the United States. It took about a year to do the research and write, but I love the process. It’s a fun part of every-day life.
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What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?
I love doing school visits, and I teach classes at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
Here are my social media links. I’d love to have anyone visit them anytime.
Website: http://www.christymonson.com
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/christymonsonauthor/
Twitter: @ChristyMonson
6. What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?
I have a new book titled, “Finding Peace in Times of Tragedy” that will be out in the spring of 2018.
7. Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
I have lots of picture books on the back burner. I have several that I’m sending out to small publishers. I’m working on nonfiction ones right now.
8. What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
It isn’t about talent. Writing and publishing is about hard work and perseverance. You have to have a thick skin and be ready for lots of rejections. But if you keep going, you’ll be successful!
***
Dre has waited twelve summers to become a man in his clan, but during the ceremony the chief banishes him. Will he die in the desert? Dre sees a golden eagle following him and discovers the great bird is his recently deceased father returned to him as a spirit guide. More trouble awaits from a neighboring clan, and Dre scrambles to survive in the world.
This book won the Utah Arts Council Award for Children's Literature and the Marilyn Brown Award for Western History.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Aargh! It's Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Tuesday Trailer? Of Course.
If you're writing a pirate book, you'll need some background music to keep you writing. This one has some terrific pirate songs for your use.
I don't know about you, but getting the right music playing as I'm writing, really helps my writing to flow.
Not writing a pirate book? You just might be inspired after listening to these tales!
No interest in writing a pirate tale?
Try this. No, no pirates, but have you ever been on a cruise when someone has been murdered? No? I didn't think so.
If you're writing a pirate book, you'll need some background music to keep you writing. This one has some terrific pirate songs for your use.
I don't know about you, but getting the right music playing as I'm writing, really helps my writing to flow.
Not writing a pirate book? You just might be inspired after listening to these tales!
No interest in writing a pirate tale?
Try this. No, no pirates, but have you ever been on a cruise when someone has been murdered? No? I didn't think so.
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Friday, September 15, 2017
FRIDAY FLICKS: Take Your Shoes Off and a LISTEN
Good news! I have 25 complimentary Audible.com codes available!
If you'd like to review Tie Died, drop me a line here or at kathy@ariverofstones.com and I'll send you your code right away. All I ask is that after you give a listen, you give me an honest review.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Kathryn
If you'd like to review Tie Died, drop me a line here or at kathy@ariverofstones.com and I'll send you your code right away. All I ask is that after you give a listen, you give me an honest review.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Kathryn
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Thursday, September 14, 2017
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