The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

October 9, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

 

Finding The Right Balance

 

Writing a good story has a lot to do with finding the right balance. What do I mean by that? Think about a story you’ve read and loved. Was there only one element to the story, or did the author mix things up to keep things interesting?

 

It’s rare that a book fits solely in one genre. Sure it typically has a main theme whether that is romance, horror, mystery, fantasy, or science fiction, but is that the end? Is that all there is to it? Doubtful. A lot of stories out there use either romance or mystery/suspense to spice things up. It keeps the reader engaged. Romance pulls on human interaction and relationships. It makes books, and characters, relatable. Mystery and suspense keep readers on their toes trying to figure out what’s going to happen next or which character is going to live or die.

 

As a romantic suspense author, I get to play with both of these themes and intertwine them. It can be challenging at times finding the correct balance, and I’ve had several people ask me how I do it so seamlessly. For me, it’s rather simple. I don’t have a formula I follow that says every so many chapters there needs to be some part of the mystery thrown in. I just write, and when it feels like it’s been a while since the ‘bad guy’ has reared his or her ugly head, I add something in to throw my characters off balance and refocus the reader’s attention on what lies in the background.

 

No matter what you’re writing, it takes practice to do it well. Writing a well-balanced story is no different. I go back and look at the first few stories I wrote, and I can see how much I’ve improved over the years. My only hope is that I continue to hone my skills as a writer, and that in another five years, I can look back at what I’ve written and see my growth as an author.

 

By Author to Author Member and Contributor Sherri Hayes. You can learn more about Sherri and her books at http://www.sherrihayesauthor.com/

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Lissa Bryan Hosts Ghost Story Contest

To celebrate the one year Book Birthday of Lissa Bryan's, Ghost Writer, she is hosting a ghost story contest! Visit Lissa's blog for information on how to enter, rules, and bust out your notebook and pen! There are some fantastic prizes at stake! The winner will be chosen on Halloween! http://www.lissabryan.com/2013/09/ghost-story-contest.html

You can also join the TWCS Book Club on Facebook to discus Ghostwriter with Lissa the entire month of October! https://www.facebook.com/events/601835033192271/

Book Birthday & Release Blitz Giveaway

Author Andrea Goodson is celebrating the one year book birthday of the first novel in The Riverbend Trilogy on Saturday October 5th! The party goes through October 11th with a Rafflecopter giveaway on her blog! Enter to win every day! www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Allie Jean and T.M. Franklin Host Vine Challenge

Are you an Instagram junkie? Don't feel bad, most of use are! Take a look at Allie Jean and T.M. Franklin's websites to enter the Vine Challenge and win a prize pack of books! The contest runs September 12th to October 17th! http://alliejean.net/ and http://www.tmfranklin.com/

Happy Anniversary, MORE!

Author T.M. Franklin is celebrating the one year book birthday of MORE by making Window, a novella, FREE from 10/7-11/2013! Be sure to get your download! http://www.amazon.com/Window-ebook/dp/B00BU7TYBS She is also running a giveaway starting 10/4/2013, visit T.M.'s website to enter! http://www.tmfranklin.com/

Book Signing with Sherri Hayes

Visit Author Sherri Hayes tomorrow, October 10th from 6:00-9:00pm at the Eldechrist Winery in Plain City, Ohio for a book signing! Learn more here, http://www.eldchrist.com/

Book Signing With Sandi Layne

If you're in the Baltimore area, be sure to stop in this Saturday and visit author Sandi Layne!

She will be at Greetings & Readings in Hunt Valley, Maryland from 1pm – 3pm. Get your books signed and have a Q&A with the author! Find out more information here: http://sandyquill.com/2013/09/28/book-signing/

Wednesday's Weird Word

Burgoo

Definition: a stew or thick soup. Also, a kind of porridge, is a nutritive dish, eaten by mariners, and much used in Scotland

Origin:  Turkish/ Persian

Savvy Savings

Take a look at the ultra low-priced reads hand picked by A2A members on Kindle! *covers are never posted without permission from the author*


Oxygen by Carol Casella

4 STARS $1.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BAJ25M


Secrets to Die For by L.J. Sellers

4 STARS $0.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089OEH4O/


The Accidental Bride by Christina Skye

4 STARS $1.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008EN405G/

Thank you for reading this week's edition of Author to Author's, The Wednesday Word! Visit us again next week for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word!