Friday, July 30, 2010

Moselle's Insurance by LoRee Perry

It's release day Friday at White Rose Publishing. Here is today's new release with a special deal!

Release Day Special offer! Purchase any edition of Moselle's Insurance by LoRee Peery--The latest release from White Rose Publishing--and receive a $5 White Rose Publishing gift certificate FREE. Purchases must be made on 30 July 2010 to be eligible, so hurry before time runs out. http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/Moselle39S-Insurance


Creative artist Moselle Carson gives new life to old items, but she can’t seem to renew her shattered ideal of love. When she returns to her hometown to help with a new family business, memories of a broken heart and small-town gossip chip away the tough exterior she’s erected over the years. Now she’s forced to decide whether she’ll rebuild the wall or trust that true love never dies when it is ordained by God.


Generous insurance agent and vulnerable firefighter, Eric Todd, remembers too well how he mistreated Moselle and then set her aside. Now he longs for true love and the second chance to become a husband and father. Can he learn to forgive himself and still keep the secret that may redeem him in her eyes?

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LoRee will be one of my upcoming guest bloggers. I'm excited to be hosting her here so we all can get to know a little more about her.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Get Ready For Change

Beginning in September, my blog will undergo some changes. I'm reviving my Blog Morning Show where I will be interviewing authors in a "talk show" format. The first Monday of every month, I'll have an author join me for a fun question and answer session. This was a hugely successful venture before, so I'm looking forward to reviving it for my readers. If you are an author and would like to be on my Blog Morning Show, you can contact me using the form on my website at http://www.carolannerhardt.com/ .

Also, beginning in September, Wednesdays will be guest blogger day. Each and every Wednesday, my readers will enjoy reading a post from another fabulous person who has something to say. You don't have to be a published author to guest blog. If you are interested, please contact me through my website at http://www.carolannerhardt.com/ .

This all promises to be great fun, so be sure to become a follower, so you don't miss out!

I'm also reviving my Newsletter beginning in September. The Newsletter goes out to only those who subscribe from my website. If you are already signed up, you won't have to do a thing. For new subscribers, the link isn't up right now, but my webmistress will be updating after her return from RWA National Convention. My newsletter goes out four times a year...Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. I'll be giving away a free book or other gift to one of my subscribers in each edition of the newsletter.

Watch my blog for listings of upcoming interviews and guest bloggers!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

KISS (Keep It Simple, Sweetie)

When selecting names for your characters make sure your readers will know how to pronounce them.

So many authors choose "exotic" names for their characters, but for me, I'd rather relate to a down-to-earth name. If I have to struggle to determine how to say the name out loud, I'm always detracted from the story itself.

Several of my character names have been: Beth, Jilly, Keith, Grace, Tyler, Hope, Zack, Jake, Amy, Joshua, Dolly, Brad, Tiffany, and Charlie.

I found a fun site to look up popular names by era. http://bit.ly/bD0qjk

Have fun selecting names, but try not to make them tongue twisters.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A Writer's Confession - Crawling from the Abyss

When tragedy strikes, a person can find themselves at the bottom of a dark abyss without knowing how they arrived. The realization of how far they've fallen arrives with terror--terror that grips with strangling tentacles.

I've been there. It's a hopeless place, dank and confining, like the dungeons where many perished long ago. Chains shackled me to a life of stifled hope.

Yet, I survived. Little by little, one word at a time. Each word became a cathartic stepping stone creating a handhold with which to climb out of the abyss.

The sword which drove me to despair became obsolete as the words began to flow. Then one day, I stood at the top of the abyss. I never looked back, for to do so would be foolish. Instead, my experiences became the fodder for stories.

I am a survivor. I am a writer.

Monday, July 26, 2010

How To Revise...

...a blank page.

Sorry, that is impossible.  Staring at a blank screen is daunting. It's...scary!  It's worse than the scariest horror movie!!!

How can a writer avoid the terror of staring at a blank page?

Some tips:
  1. If you are beginning a new story, don't start by opening your software to a blank page if you have no idea of what you intend to write. Even pantsers need a vague outline of what their story is about.
  2. Flesh out your characters. Utilize writer's tools to learn your main characters' goals and motivations. Learn what makes them tick, what their unspoken desires are, what their fears are, and how they react in various circumstances.
  3. If you are in the process of writing your story, don't stop at the end of a chapter. Stop in the middle of the scene. When you come back to your scene again, you'll know exactly what should happen next.
  4. Jot down the main things that happen in each chapter as you write them, and before you stop writing for the day, jot down what scenes should be next.
Whatever motivates you to get quickly back into your story, do it. Writers are not alike. Each must find what works for them.

Establish a pattern of writing and stick to it. And, never ever start with a blank page and no idea. You can always revise later, but you cannot revise a blank page.

Friday, July 23, 2010

"I Have a Plot" (He Said, She Said)

Recently hubby and I had dinner with my best friend and her husband. My friend and I always wind up chatting about our writing endeavors. Suddenly, her husband said, "I have a plot for a book."

"What is it?" I asked.

Here's the answer. "Two people are in a locked room and no one can get in. One kills the other with a knife carved from ice. When the dead person is found, there is no murder weapon."

My response: "Why did the one person kill the other? What was the motivation?"

"I don't know. It's just a plot."

A plot? Hmmm. People who don't write just don't get it.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Believable Romance, Believable Characters

As a writer, I'm also an avid reader. My bookshelves are lined with books of all genres, some romances of old. You know what I'm talking about...the so-called "bodice rippers" where the poor beautiful and well endowed heroine is at the mercy of a pirate captain but ultimately falls in love with him. Or some other equally inane plot, with the same sex scenes. Perhaps that was considered "romance" years ago. I also believe that's why romance is snubbed by many as being trash.

Real romance happens every day. People fall in love and get married. These people may not be the "beautiful couple" depicted on the covers of romance novels. But they have been on a journey of finding their soul mate.

I love books portraying ordinary people, in extraordinary circumstances, who find true love. It's the sigh when I read the last word that makes me want to read the book again. Love. Romance. Happiness.

I just finished reading Colleen Coble's Rocky Harbor series. I loved the characters and their journeys to finding love, the adventure, the suspense, and the wonderful dogs. I sighed at the end.

Have you read any great romance books lately?

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

I've heard that old saying so many times, but as a writer, it has a meaning much different from what the quote's author might have imagined. "A picture is worth a thousand words." One would think it means there are no words needed to describe what one is seeing.

To me it means so much more. A picture might be a snapshot in my mind of something I've seen in the past which made an impact and a vivid memory. Or it might be something I'm currently viewing through my window, or it could be an actual picture taken with a camera.

A writer brings all of these to life with words.  A writer's paintbrush is words.

In the hands of a writer, a snapshot becomes a scene, and a scene becomes a story.

Yes, it's true. A picture is worth a thousand words...or more.

That's the gift of a writer.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Amazon's New 70% Royalty Option

Great news for those who publish their own works on Kindle. The announcement was made on June 30th that books meeting certain criteria, including a price between $2.99 and $9.99, will receive a higher royalty rate or 70%.

This new option will benefit authors, such as myself, who have the returned rights on previously published books.

I also read somewhere that Amazon's digital sales had surpassed print book sales. Another sign that e-books are here to stay.

While I love print books, as my bookshelves can attest, I've been purchasing all e-books since buying a Kindle. My husband is grateful.

Amazon's New 70% Royalty Option - Click Here to Read

Monday, July 19, 2010

Blank Screen Syndrome

Have you formed any habits regarding your writing? Sometimes we form them without planning. For instance, when I worked a day job, I carried my laptop and wrote during my lunch hour and breaks. Years of utilizing this way to write transpired to a form of writer's block when I made writing my day-time job.

Now, I had the time to write, a nice big widescreen monitor and spacious desk. However, I found myself staring at a blank screen. Nothing intimidates like a blank screen, fingers on place over the keyboard, and your mind unable to conjure any words. I'd find myself thinking "what should come next?" I tried to sketch the scene on paper, but it didn't transpire to new pages on that huge monitor.

Why?

The answer lay in formed habits. For years, my home office desk and computer had been for promoting, emails, blogging, Facebook, paying bills, etc. It wasn't for "writing." My laptop had become my writing tool of choice.

The answer for me? I set up a small area for my laptop and writing tools. Once I began using my laptop, the words began to flow again.

We are such creatures of habit. We begin establishing habits when we are young and continue all through our lives. Making writing a habit is necessary for any writer. It must be part of your day, every day. I realize my habits are not those of anyone else, but sharing what I discovered may benefit someone else who is suffering from "blank screen syndrome."

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Company, Cats, Birds, and Books

This week we had family visiting from Michigan. Hubby's sister and brother-in-law are such great people. Every time we are together we all say how much we wished we lived closer together. Hubby wants to visit Michigan again, so I'm going to see what we can do about getting portable oxygen concentrator and nebulizer so that he can have his wish.

One of our feral cats just walked by my office window and looked in at me. I think she is telling me they want breakfast. I'm still enjoying my view from this lower floor office. The flowers are in full bloom and each day brings new visitors in the form of bees and butterflies of multiple varieties. Most fun is to watch one of the feral cats try to catch a butterfly. Luckily they are too quick for her.

We put a new bird feeder in the back yard. It has two sides to hold two different kinds of seed. One side is for finches and the other for the birds with larger beaks. It's been too wet and rainy to know if the seed will draw them back or not. We used to enjoy sitting on the deck and watching all the different kinds of birds visiting our yard. Of course the cats became a deterrent, but with this feeder the cats can't get to the birds. Plus, we feed the ferals so well they don't seem to bother the birds at all...speaking of which, I better close off this post and feed the cats.

Have a great weekend, and thank you for stopping by to visit!

~~~~~~~
Release Day Special offer! Purchase any edition of Rodeo Redemption by Teri Wilson--The latest release from White Rose Publishing--and receive a FREE .pdf of Teri's award-winning, "Cup of Joe." Purchases must be made on 16 July 2010 to be eligible, so hurry before time runs out. http://bit.ly/d4Tidv

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Vacation

Taking a vacation from blogging until Friday...

Company visiting form out of state.  : )

Friday, July 09, 2010

A Time for Healing

Tamelia Tumlin's newest release is available for purchase today. White Rose Publishing is offering a special for today only.


As an active church member, Jaci Sinclair believes the Christian message that forgiveness is open to all…all except her, that is. Years ago, Jaci made a life-changing mistake, and now she’s sure she doesn’t deserve the one thing she wants the most—a family of her own. But when Hunter Grant walks into her life, her world is turned upside-down. Not only does he make her desire a family even more, he shines a lamp on the one thing she refuses to see.

Ex-FBI hostage negotiator, Hunter Grant, has lost the one thing he treasured the most—his family. Filled with bitterness and anger towards God, Hunter vows never to let anyone close to him again. He moves to Yellow Rose, Texas, trying to forget the tragic deaths of his wife and son—deaths he should have prevented. Wanting to lose himself in the sleepy little town, he is not prepared for the powerful feelings Jaci stirs within him.

As Jaci’s and Hunter’s worlds collide, neither is prepared to face the demons that haunt their pasts and hinder their future together, but for everything there is a season…even a time for healing.


Release Day Special offer! Purchase any edition of A Time for Healing, White Rose Publishing’s latest release, and receive a $5 WRP Gift Certificate FREE. Purchases must be made on 9 July 2010 to be eligible, so hurry before time runs out. http://bit.ly/9tE9DP

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Confessions of an Author Who is Not a Mornning Person

I am so NOT a morning person. When I roll out of bed, my body and my voice do not want to work. I don't drink coffee. Instead, I stumble down the stairs, turn off the security alarm, retrieve the paper and climb back up the stairs. Then I head to the kitchen, out through the deck and down the stairs. (Luckily, our back yard is neighbor proof.) I feed the feral cats, give them fresh water, and climb back up the stairs. Grab a glass of ice water and head back down the stairs. I take my morning vitamins and head to my office.

By now my body is working much better, and my brain is waking up. I sift through emails, answer things that require immediate attention. Next, I view Facebook and see what's happening with my friends and family.

Then, I open Blogger. My brain is fully functioning and full of crazy ideas. I begin to type and whatever spills out becomes my blog for the day.

Next, I climb back up the stairs, try my voice by saying a few words to the hubby, and head for the shower.

Ah, now I feel alive. I'm ready to move into my day.

So, I'm off to the shower dear readers. Then back to reading the first 76 pages of my manuscript. I can tell you this. It's good! Reading and editing is how I shut the voices in my head telling me what I write is garbage. Slows me down, but keeps me on track.

Hope you have a great day!

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Warm, Warmer, HOT!!!

Did you ever have one of those days when you just couldn't think of anything you wanted to do? I have so many things that need to be accomplished, but I'm sitting here with no ambition to tackle any of them.

I don't want to sit and do nothing either. It's just that nothing excites me today. The weather is hot and humid, another day just like the day before. I feel captive to my air conditioning.

The worst part of all is that my novel is set in a warm climate in a summer season. Why didn't I choose to write this story in the fall or winter?  *sigh* Maybe today I'll focus on writing a short story about snow.

I love warm weather, but not HOT!!!

Stay cool and thanks for stopping in.

Monday, July 05, 2010

My Husband is Tethered...Evil Grin...

My husband is on oxygen assistance 24 hours per day. What that means is anytime he goes outside the house, he must carry a tank of oxygen on his shoulder or over his back. These tanks only last about four hours, so we must plan our outings according to his "fuel" supply.

In the home, however, he has an oxygen concentrator. It's a machine that makes oxygen. It sits on the floor in the hallway between the living room and bedroom. He has a fifty foot length of tubing which tethers him to the machine, but allows him freedom to walk around the house at will.

See my evil grin? My office is on the lower floor of our home at the extreme opposite of the area where his concentrator sits. Our stairs creak when anyone walks on them. So, now when I'm writing, he doesn't have the option of interrupting me without me being fully warned.  And his tubing only reaches to the door of the office. Now, by the time he reaches me, I'm turned in my chair waiting to hear what he has to say. And, he makes very few trips down the stairs. : )  Ah, the joy of having long periods of uninterruption when I'm deep into telling my story.

Enjoy your day!

Saturday, July 03, 2010

You Can't Please Everyone

"I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure--which is: Try to please everybody."


~Herbert Bayard Swope~

Wise words to heed in any area of your life. As a writer, this is something to remember.

Some writers get caught up in entering contests, lovingly known as contest junkies. Judges comments can very greatly. Why? Because it is hard to keep personal preference from weighing in on the numbers. I remember a particularly nasty comment from a judge which put an end to my contest days. Most judges were fair and gave wonderful feedback and comments to help me. But one just made nasty comments throughout. The coordinator told me to disregard the comments, because the judge was obviously having a bad day. They dropped that score, but the comments still stung.

Along the writing path, you will submit your work to critique partners, advance readers, editors, agents, and friends. My advice to you is to remember you can't please everyone. If you try, you'll fail.

Don't rewrite your story to please another person, not even to gain a contract. Remember, this is your story. Remain true to what you want to say. That doesn't mean you shouldn't polish it, or make changes to better your work. But don't "reinvent the wheel" (pun alert!)

However, if everyone is telling you that your character is unbelievable or cardboard, then you'd better look at that character. That isn't changing your story.

Keep writing, and remember...you can't please everyone!

Friday, July 02, 2010

Fitting it All In Your Suitcase

Have you ever packed for a trip and found you couldn't fit everything into your suitcase? I remember sitting on mine to close the locks because I'd stuffed so much inside. Then I'd find something else to add, and would have to decide how important that item was. I could leave it behind, or open that suitcase and try to find a spot for it, or I could remove something else to make room for the item.

How about your goals for the day? Do you find yourself adding new items, trying to stuff them in the short hours available? Eventually, something will not get done. Just like the suitcase, there is only so much room.

When I retired, I dreamed of sitting at my desk eight hours a day and doing nothing but writing. I envisioned it, I longed for it, and finally I had the opportunity. What I hadn't bargained for were all those daily things that get in the way. I still had a house to run, a husband to feed and care for, laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, yard work, and the added challenges of volunteer work for my church.

The eight hour a day dream didn't come to fruition. Some days I sit and wonder how I ever managed to get everything done while I worked a full-time job. What happened?

Some days my suitcase is so full there is no way to close it. Other days, I'm so tired from closing the suitcase the prior day that I leave it sitting open and empty.

The key is defining the important things I need in the suitcase and leaving others behind. That's hard. Especially when an item is something like watching my favorite television show. Something has to give.

I'd always thought that when my children moved out, I would have more time for things I wanted to do. Not so.  Enter the husband.

But that's another story. I'll talk about that on Monday. For now, I have an open suitcase with only one thing inside. I need to go prioritize what to pack today.

Thanks for stopping by!