The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

August 13, 2014

Are you ever self-conscious about what you write? 

This question was asked of me a couple of weeks ago at a book fair. I write contemporary romance and BDSM erotic romance, so this particular person was specifically asking about the sex I write in my books.

She went on to ask me if I would feel comfortable with my family reading what I wrote. The answer to that question is simple. Yes, I'm comfortable with my family reading my books. My mother and sister-in-law have read most of the books I've written.

Over the last three years, I've been asked these questions, and similar ones, regarding the genre I write. For a reason I'm still trying to wrap my head around, romance has this stigma attached to it. Granted there is some pretty racy stuff out there, but there are also sweet romances that contain no sex at all, and everything in between.

Romance is a genre that encompasses a huge variety of sub-genres and writing styles. At its heart, however, it is about relationships. Since when did love become that dirty word that can't be talked about?

Then again, it's not the love part some people have a problem with. It's the sex. Again, this confuses me. Most adults I know, especially those in romantic relationships, are having sex. It's human nature. So why is it taboo in books about the development of an adult relationship?

I'm not sure this stigma of the romance novel will ever completely go away. There will probably always be those who will look down their nose at the genre thinking it is inferior. It's not. There are romance authors that spend hours writing, revising, and editing the same as writers of any other genre. Writing is an art, no matter the genre.

 

Written by A2A Author and Contributor, Sherri Hayes. Learn more about Sherri on her website, www.sherri-hayes.blogspot.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Lindsey Gray's Giveaway

Author Lindsey Gray has a giveaway going on to celebrate 1500 Likes on her Facebook page and the 2nd Birthday of her novel, Revisited. Check out the post pinned at the top of her Facebook page to enter! https://facebook.com/LindseyGray11

You can also check out Lindsey's radio show, Gray Matters. Catch up on past shows and listen to new ones as well! https://archive.org/details/GrayMattersRadio

Win a Signed ARC from T.M. Franklin

Join A2A Author T.M. Franklin on Goodreads for a very special giveaway! Entries are open now through August 21st! https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/103669-twelve

 

Wednesday's Weird Word

Anfractuosity

 This refers to a channel, crevice or passage full of windings and turnings, not quite a maze, though some mazes certainly take on an anfractuous appearance, one that is sinuous or winding.

Thank you for reading this edition of Author to Author's The Wednesday Word! Visit us again in two weeks for more news, savings, and giveaways to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word! Have a wonderful day!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

June 18, 2014

*Note: This edition of the Wednesday Word was published one day late on June 19th due to power outages from severe storms in the North East on June 18th. Thank you for understanding. :)

Virtues of a Writer

 Humility in Writing

Humility: Being able to respect one's own limitations.

Doesn't sound very motivating, does it?

In the writing world, we are told by our peers to put our best foot forward and have no fear. To try, try, try, and never give up. Though it might seem confusing and contradictory, humility can play an essential role in your writing process.

Let's break down that definition a bit and see what value we can derive from it.

Respect.

Respecting yourself is key to any success you seek to achieve in life.

Respect one's own limits.

You know your limits. You know what tires you out or turns you off from the work you love.

Pushing yourself too hard by setting unrealistic expectations for yourself can lead to writer burn out pretty quickly. If your word count goals are dragging you down, take a break. If your promotional activities are too taxing, back off for a while. (Professionally, of course. If you have others depending on you, you need to be clear with them by letting them know what you are going through and notifying them of any changes you plan to make.)

Take a moment to sit down and accurately assess what you can and cannot do on a daily basis. Jumping on every opportunity that comes your way may seem like the road to success, but more often leads to unnecessary burdens that can put quite a damper on your fiery love of writing.

As a writer, I sometimes have trouble following my own advice. There have been plenty of times when I felt burnt out and needed a break. It's normal, you don't need to feel badly about it or let fear of failure consume you.  Respecting yourself enough to have humility means that you're giving yourself what you need in order to succeed.

By respecting your own limits, you can ensure that writing continues to be an enjoyable activity.

Do you have a hard time respecting your own limits?

What activities tend to lead to your own "burn out" as a writer?



By A2A Member and Contributor, Andrea Goodson. http://www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com   

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Sydney Logan Releases Soldier On

Check out Sydney's website for the release of Soldier On this weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Download Fireworks for Only 99cents

Lindsey Gray has permanently lowered the price of Fireworks to 99 cents! Check it out! http://lindsey-gray.blogspot.com/2014/06/birthday-celebration-fireworks.html

 T.M. Franklin Hosts Blog Tour and Giveaway

The How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You Blog Tour and Giveaway continues through June 19th.  Up for grabs: TWO signed copies of Ainsley, THREE eBooks of the winners' choice from the TWCS library, a t-shirt, notebook and pen, and some other fun prizes!

Jennifer Garcia to Visit Long Beach Library

If you're in California this weekend, stop by and visit Jennifer at the Long Beach Library this Saturday, the 21st for a signing and panels with Jami Denise, Lorenz Font, and many others!

Jennifer was also chatting books on Hummingbird Place Blog Talk Radio this week. Click here to listen: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/.../2014/06/16/sweet-romances

Wednesday's Weird Word

Frigorific

Something frigorific causes cold or is chilling

Thank you for reading this edition of Author to Author's The Wednesday Word! Visit us again in two weeks for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word! Have a wonderful day!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

April 9, 2014

The Sweet Romantic Hero – A Myth in Contemporary Romance?

Admittedly, I’m new to the publishing game. My love stories are sweet, contemporary romances with happy-ever-afters featuring male characters who adore their women. My men are patient, kind, sweet, and devoted.

According to some reviewers, my guys are also a little too perfect.

I had no idea this type of man was such a myth in contemporary romance, but according to some, these qualities in a man are unrealistic. As a new author, it makes it difficult to find a home in the writing world.

As a woman, it makes me sad.

In my latest novel, Mountain Charm, Dylan Thomas is a Nashville reporter who has been sent to the Smoky Mountains to write a story about Appalachian witchcraft. He falls hard for Angelina Clark, an Appalachian witch who had cast a love spell when she was a young girl. Dylan is stubborn and bitter—thanks to his father leaving when he was a toddler. Dylan also has quite a temper, especially where Angelina is concerned. He tends to act before he thinks, and he ends up in jail twice during the course of the book because of his short fuse. To me, Dylan is incredibly flawed, despite the fact he is very much in love with Angelina and treats her well.

Are fictional guys only realistic when they treat their women like crap? Or, do they have to be tattooed “alpha males” with rock-hard abs (not that there’s anything wrong with that) to keep the attention of today’s reader?

Maybe nice guys really do finish last, which is a shame, because women deserve nothing less than to be adored—in fiction and in real life.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

 By A2A Member and Contributor, Sydney Logan. http://www.sydneylogan.com  

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

It's Release Week for April Emerson

Check out the latest release news, blog tour, and Rafflecopter giveaway for The Righteous & The Wicked! http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/

Join Sandi Layne for a Christian Romance Discussion

Sandi Layne will be discussing Christian Romances on the Hummingbird Place on blogtalk radio on Monday, 4/24 at 7:45pm Eastern. www.blogtalkradio.com/hummingbirdplace Up for discussion will be Life, Books, and other Romance Industry issues. Their website is: http://www.thehummingbirdplace.com

Join A2A Authors for Some Viking Excitement!

Lissa Bryan and Sandi Layne are watching VIKINGS on History Channel. Not only do they live-tweet the episodes (@LissaBryan & @sandyquill), they do a day-after recap/discussion. Here's the latest from episode four: http://sandyquill.com/.../eye-for-an-eye-vikings-episode-4/

 

Join Lindsey Gray's Blog Hop and Giveaway

 A2A Author Lindsey Gray is participating in the Celebrate Romance Blog Hop! There is a great list of Romance Novels and their beautiful covers plus eBooks and soaps from The Soap BARista to giveaway! Giveaway ends 4/11. http://lindsey-gray.blogspot.com/.../talking-book-covers...

Enter a Book Trailer Contest!

Join Sherri Hayes and enter to win a signed copy of The Finding Anna series! All entries must be submitted by 04/15/2014! http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2014/04/win-signed-copy-of-finding-anna-series.html?zx=7d7e0b13d1c32b72

Wednesday's Weird Word

Cynosure

A person who is the center of attention.

Oddly enough this word originates from astronomy, referring to the dog's tail in Greek, kunosoura. This term was used by Greek sailors to describe the handle of the Little Dipper. Like most sailors of the time, they greatly depended on astronomy for navigation. Hence the 'center of attention' meaning!

Thank you for reading this edition of Author to Author's The Wednesday Word! Visit us again in two weeks for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word! Have a wonderful day!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

March 26, 2014

Invisible Burden of the Trilogy

tril·o·gy

ˈtriləjē/

noun

noun: trilogy; plural noun: trilogies

1. 1.

   a group of three related novels, plays, films, operas, or albums.

   • (in ancient Greece) a series of three tragedies performed one after the other.
   • a group or series of three related things.

     “a trilogy of cases reflected this development”

Origin

from Greek trilogia, from tri- ‘three times’ + logos ‘story.’

In the current publishing climate, I am seeing a divergent (See what I did, there?) set of perspectives regarding trilogies. On the one hand, folks like them because they are considered to be an extending of a story involving characters the reader has come to love/hate and this is pleasing. On the other hand, the story often changes or ends in a way that a reader might find unsatisfactory.

Because, let’s face it, life DOES that. If your life were a trilogy, would YOU expect to be where you are, now?

I digress.

As I am writing the final book in what is, in fact, a trilogy, I have to confront the general expectations of those who read trilogies. And I have to confront the fact that I am not and never have been a terribly conventional sort of person.

A trilogy is, as per the definition above, a group of three related novels. Related. That is, they are bound together by common theme or purpose, as well as (often) a character or two. Or more.

My trilogy has three separate books, each with its own story arc, but they are related. They are pointing to a place in history that I always intended to get to, and I’m there, just about, in my current writing. It’s a burden to shoulder, though, when I know how people sort of expect trilogies to conclude. A burden that I hadn’t fully considered when the idea originally occurred to me, once upon a time.

But still, I persevere. I am trying to balance my ideal for this final book—

—As an aside, it is highly intimidating and frustrating to write a trilogy and publish it and be unable to go back and tinker with earlier books in the series—

—with the role the final book in a trilogy should play. Because, honestly, to me a trilogy is a series of three related books. But to many, it’s a saga that should end in a certain way.

So, I continue to write, adding a scene here and there, progressing forward in my ultimate design for this final Viking book. I fret, I dance, I look up dates and names, I check the weather patterns for the 9th century…

And I enjoy the process.

I hope my readers will enjoy the result. Both of this book and the entire trilogy. By A2A Member and Contributor, Sandi Layne. Originally posted on her blog March 19, 2014 http://sandyquill.com/2014/03/19/invisible-burden-of-the-trilogy/

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Enter April Emerson's Giveaway

It's the last week to enter April Emerson's Good reads giveaway! Don't miss it! https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/83983-the-righteous-and-the-wicked

Join R.E. Hargrave On Tour

Sign ups are open to participate in Author R.E. Hargrave's latest blog tour! http://www.rehargrave.com/2014/03/the-divine-trilogy-mid-series-tour.html?zx=4b5db85bcb698529

You can also join up with R.E. for a Facebook party this weekend here... http://www.rehargrave.com/2014/03/aint-nobodys-fool-multi-author-event.html

Join A2A Authors for Some Viking Excitement!

Lissa Bryan and Sandi Layne are watching VIKINGS on History Channel. Not only do they live-tweet the episodes (@LissaBryan & @sandyquill), they do a day-after recap/discussion. Here's the latest from episode four: http://sandyquill.com/.../eye-for-an-eye-vikings-episode-4/

 

Sign up for The Truth in Lies Book 2 Cover Reveal

Signups are open for Jeanne McDonald's The Certainty of Deception cover reveal on April 25th.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PAI_DiCRFcIg6vRQijoTcJNh02CiJXmLihxLiCJgdYs/viewform

Wednesday's Weird Word

Floccinaucinihilipilification

Noun for the act of deciding that something is totally and utterly valueless.

Thank you for reading this edition of Author to Author's The Wednesday Word! Visit us again in two weeks for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word! Have a wonderful day!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

December 4, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

 

Hello, December!

The holiday season is officially upon us. No doubt we will all be very busy in the coming weeks with festivities, get-togethers, family visits, and of course, shopping!

As if we won't be busy enough with all of the day to day activities that the upcoming holidays require of us, our jobs as authors can also take on a different form during the next few weeks.

What can you do as an author to help get your readers in the holiday spirit?

There's plenty, none of which may seem as though they will get attention in the midst of the holiday madness. However, you might be surprised by what a few simple actions on your part can do to spread some festive cheer among your readers and perhaps even add a few new members to your existing audience.

1.) Have a Holiday Sale

This is easy enough to accomplish. Choose a few dates on which a novel or two of yours will be available at a discounted price. We are all looking for deals around the holidays and your readers will be thankful for the discount you are offering. Don't forget to advertise it so that you can reach as many people as possible. Work within your budget, you don't have to purchase internet ads to get attention for your sale. Spread the word to readers, other authors, and as many bloggers as you can. Most of these people will be glad to pass on the savings to their audience. Don't forget to include links and preformatted code for those willing to share. They are doing you a favor and you should make their job as easy as possible.

2.) Host a Giveaway

If people love saving money, they love freebies even more! Giveaways are a fun and easy way to gain new readership and simply make someone else's day a little brighter. Sites like www.rafflecopter.com and social media make it easy to handle a large number of entrants. As with a sale, spread the word through authors, readers, and bloggers in your network.

3.) Publish a Christmas Story

This might be a bit last minute for this year, but that doesn't mean you can't get started on a nice Christmas novella for next year while you are in the cozy holiday mood! Many readers enjoy Christmas stories that carry a sweet and heartfelt theme. Otherwise, why would Hallmark be so successful in the many ooey-gooey, make-your-heart-melt, holiday-themed movies produced each year? Don't lie to yourself, you know you love them too!

Lastly, and this one might be difficult even if it sounds easy...

4.) Be Merry!

The holidays can bring quite a bit of stress into our lives. Financial issues, family troubles, and simply being busy can drain you. Don't let that shine through to your readers. Try to remember that many people go through rough times during the holidays, your positive attitude and sense of fun might impact the mood of those around or connected to you. Spreading a positive message of cheerfulness might just make one of your readers have a better day. This is not only beneficial to you as an author, but as a human being as well. Helping others, no matter how small the act, always brings with it a sense of accomplishment. Doing the right thing never feels wrong. Don't be a scrooge!

 

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, Andrea Goodson. You can learn more about Andrea on her website, www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Sydney Logan's Giveaway & New Release

Sydney Logan has published another holiday story! The Little Drummer Boy is currently available on Amazon! Visit Sydney's website to enter her giveaway for a $10.00 Amazon gift card and a hand-crafted bracelet! The contest closes December 6th, so get moving! http://www.sydneylogan.com/2013/11/giveaway-little-drummer-boy-by-sydney.html

Win a Kindle Paperwhite

Authors Sydney Logan and T.M Franklin are hosting a giveaway for a Kindle Paperwhite or a $100.00 Amazon Giftcard! Visit their websites to enter, the contest goes until December 6th! www.tmfranklin.com www.sydneylogan.com

 

Malfunction Erotica Hosts Giveaway

Enter to win one of over 50 prizes! visit the website for your chance to win! http://houseofmalfunction.com/2013/12/01/malfunction-erotica-c-w-book-reviews-xmas-giveaway-2013/

Wednesday's Weird Word

Banausic

Definition: Mundane or simply functional.

Savvy Savings

Riverbend: The Collection

99 Cents

By Andrea Goodson

http://www.amazon.com/Riverbend-Collection-Andrea-Goodson-ebook/dp/B00FE5BTLK


Holiday Hijinx

99 Cent

By Roxy Queen

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GZ01RRO

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!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

November 6, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

Using Strange Words

This is part two of a three-part series on Researching and Writing Historical Fiction originally written in 2012.
 

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How to Best Use Appropriate Terminology in Historical Fiction

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As a child, I was taught to use proper terms for everything.  When I had a question about what a word meant, my mother would send me to (drumroll, please) The Dictionary.  This 1935 dictionary was about five inches thick and weighed…well, I don’t know how much it weighed, but it was heavy. And it was my best friend all the way through my undergrad studies.

 

When I began writing fiction (in my thirties, but early training can stick with one) the insistence upon using the proper terms, with full knowledge regarding their appropriate application, was important to me.  But, like most any nerdy know-it-all, I tended to overuse all that I knew at first.

Don’t Overwhelm

Readers of historical fiction want to have a flavor for the era in which they find themselves. An historical tale about the Scottish Highlands, for example, should definitely mention men in kilts.  They will want to hear a bit of an accent, too.  Some “braw shoulders” would not go amiss. Nor do “yon brogues” in the mention of footwear.  Readers want to know if the claymore is the weapon of choice in a battle. They might even be interested to know it is sometimes more accurately written as claidheamh mòr.

 

Terms like these are enough to flavor the historical fiction story.  Using too many, however, is like adding far too much cumin to your curry, garlic powder to your stuffing, or gravy to your mashed potatoes. The essence of the story is overwhelmed by the accents.  This is not a good idea.

Speaking in Tongues

Hard and fast rules about characters speaking in their “native tongues” are not to be found, but there are some common sense notions on this subject.  Remember, as a writer, that your first priority is to share a story with your readers.  To that end, your narrative should flow and dialogue (internal and external) should suit the characters.  You should endeavor not to draw a reader out of the story if possible.

 

It is fun to hear a character speaking the occasional word in “their” language.  An occasional word of Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) or Old Norse or Latin is flavorful.  Readers will enjoy knowing that a woman’s long tunic/dress is a léine, but they probably don’t need to hear an entire conversation about pulling teeth in Gaeilge.

 

Another concern some authors might find is when to use native languages. Should the reader only read the words as “foreign” when the characters speak or should the words be sprinkled throughout unspoken narrative?  This is purely author’s choice (at least until your editors get a crack at your manuscript), but remember that if one is hearing a “foreign” word, it isn’t always comprehensible.

Keep it Real

As I mentioned earlier, I tended to be a nerdy know-it-all when I first started writing historical pieces. (Some might argue that I still am!) For history geeks like myself, there is a certain kind of joy in sharing the minutiae one encounters during research.  Words that were hard to find to suit a situation, a rare term or expression indigenous to a people or place, newly-discovered slang—these things can make the true history geek giggle gleefully as they seek paths where the new information can be shared.

 

Which is fine, when it works.  A scene can be structured to include the new findings, true, but as a writer, you want to make sure (again) that the focus is on your story rather than the accents you bring to it.  Keep the flow organic, natural, not forced just to include the new information.  Historical fiction is storytelling.  Educational? Sure.  But remember that the goal is not to teach a college course in, say, Koine, a Greek language.  The goal is to tell the story about people that might speak that language.  Make sure the terms and language usage are “real” for that time and purpose, not forced to conform to some new—and extremely cool!—information you found in your research.

 

When your readers reach “The End” you want them to come away satisfied, intrigued about a different time and place.  You want them to feel as if they’ve been immersed in a new experience, but not uncomfortably so.  Bring them with you, but don’t overwhelm them with details.

 

If you find that, after your story is complete, you still have a lot you want to share?  Blog it! Because there are history geeks out there just like me who will want to read what you’ve found.  We’ll all benefit and have a good time, which is really what it’s all about.

 

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, Sandi Layne. You can learn more about Sandi on her website, http://sandyquill.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Ninety-Nine in November

Author L.V. Lewis has put her first book in the Ghetto Girl Romance Quadrilogy on sale for 99 cents the entire month of November! If you are a Fifty Shades fan and would like an exciting twist from a cultural perspective, then this book is for you! Check it out! http://www.amazon.com/Shades-Jungle-Ghetto-Romance-Quadrilogy-ebook/dp/B009ZL7DJQ

 

Author Lindsey Gray's Cover Reveal

Lindsey Gray has revealed the cover to her upcoming new release, Not The Same Season. Take a look at her blog to see this fantastic cover and read an excerpt! http://lindsey-gray.blogspot.com/?zx=6b126e5e8f412c90

 

T.M. Franklin to Release The Guardians TOMORROW!

The highly anticipated sequel to MORE will be available for purchase tomorrow! Stay tuned to T.M.'s website for the buy links or to preorder a signed copy! http://www.tmfranklin.com/

Andrea Goodson to Reveal Cover for To Be Loved

Join author Andrea Goodson on Thursday, November 26th as she reveals the cover to her upcoming YA new release, To Be Loved! You can also enter for a chance to win a signed paperback! All bloggers are invited to participate. Contact Andrea via her website for more information. www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com. *Note: Cover Reveal date has been changed from 11/7/13 to 11/26/13*

Wednesday's Weird Word

Cabotage

Definition: coastal navigation; the exclusive right of a country to control the air traffic within its borders


Origin: Greek/ French

Savvy Savings

Love in Disguise

7 Romance Novel Set on Sale for 99 cents!

By Multiple Authors, take a look!

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Disguise-Romance-Boxed-ebook/dp/B00FQMZB1A

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!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

October 30, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

Going Deep

This is part one of a three-part series on Researching and Writing Historical Fiction originally written in 2012.

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Reading an article is a grand thing, if one is doing a research paper.  Writing fiction, though, means that a writer has to be able to breathe with a character’s lungs, see with their eyes, smell with their nose, and hear with their ears.  The writer has to immerse themselves in a place that is, frankly, no longer extant. They have to go deep.

 

Know Your Era

 

 

In order to bring depth to your historical fiction, it is helpful to have an idea about the political scene (insofar as it was evident), societal norms, and artistic tastes or your era.  Reading biographies (or autobiographies, if so there be), examining the great works of art, and even studying the varieties of household furnishings can serve to enrich the world for yourself and your readers.  Do you have the opportunity to go to a museum to see artifacts from your chosen time period? Can you walk where the people walked, even though the landscape has changed since then? Do you know people who have been able to do so?

 

Studying clothing of the era is, of course, very helpful. It is not enough to just get the outer garments right, though. One should also look into undergarments (if they had them) and what the contemporaries thought of them.  And, if you can, try on costumes made to suit that era. Walk around in the breeches and waistcoats, the boots and garters, the wigs, the panniers, the leather wrapped around your legs.  How does the clothing affect the pattern of a stride?  Does the stride affect the rhythms of thought? The speed at which people moved, then?

 

Not only is this an outer thing, it’s also an inner process, the immersion. Language plays a huge role in different eras.  If one is writing about ancient Celts, for example, one can look into any surviving poetry.  Read the sagas, listen to the songs that have survived.  The heartbeat of a people is in its music and music carries history within it.

 

Reading commentary, news articles, or anything that was written near the time one is writing about is also helpful.  Getting a contemporary slant as to morals and values is important, too.  This does not always help with phrasing dialogue, however, as older cultures often wrote in a more stylized manner than they would have spoken, day to day. If the historical era in question is within the past three centuries or so, it is much easier to pinpoint social ideas and possible characterization references from contemporary sources.

 

A note: It is generally acceptable to write a quirky historical character, but make sure the quirks will fit in with the society or make sure that their quirks are noted by their contemporaries.

 

Resources You Can Use

 

One type of resource for more information about an era is finding people who are still connected with it in one way or another.  People are outstanding resources for the historical fiction writer. Do you need to internalize the religious values of a culture? Find people who know these values and can express them. You might even find practitioners!  Make very sure you approach them with respect; in trying to bring their culture to life within your story, you want to do it honor in every possible way.  Treat your living, breathing resources with respect and appreciation.

 

If you need help with languages, find experts. If you want to know how it feels to walk next to the Nile River, look around online, perhaps in travel forums.  People, I have discovered over the years, are happy to share their experiences with you.  Sometimes they appreciate being credited, other times not so much. That’s okay. You can always ask.

 

Another tool I find very helpful in writing historical fiction is Google Maps.  Shocking, but true.  You can better gauge distances over unfamiliar terrain by using this website.  I have a character, for example, who needs to walk from one location to another and I didn’t know how long it would take.  I plugged the two locations into Google Maps and asked for the walking route.  Granted, things today are quite different than they were three hundred years ago, but this gave me an estimate with which to work.

 

There is always latitude for creativity beyond this. But that is an article for another day.

 

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, Sandi Layne. You can learn more about Sandi on her website, http://sandyquill.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Author to Author to Host HUGE Halloween Giveaway!

Join A2A members on Halloween as they give away up to $120.00 in Amazon Gift Cards! That's some serious Kindle Cash! Visit the Facebook page of each author and play Trick or Treat for your chance to enter! You can find the Facebook pages by visiting the A2A page on the morning of Halloween, October 31st! It's going to be BOOKtacular! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-to-Author/131653083691953

Odin's Murder $0.99 Sale

Authors Kira Gold and Angel Lawson have put their newly released book, Odin's Murder, on sale for just $0.99 until Halloween! Get it while you can! http://www.amazon.com/Odins-Murder-ebook/dp/B00F2ISDHM

 

 Lissa Bryan Hosts Ghost Story Contest

To celebrate the one year Book Birthday of Lissa Bryan's, Ghost Writer, she has hosted a ghost story contest! Find out who the winner is tomorrow! http://www.lissabryan.com/2013/09/ghost-story-contest.html

Sherri Hayes Hosts Giveaway

Stop by Sherri Hayes' blog to enter the giveaway for a signed set of Sherri Hayes' bookmarks and a Red Zone key chain! http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2013/10/big-cocks-and-broomsticks-blog-hop.html?zx=51ae08dd043eac66

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, only a few days left! http://www.amazon.com/Window-ebook/dp/B00BU7TYBS

 

Join Author Lindsey Gray in the Paranormal Palooza

Lindsey Gray will be featuring her novel, Redemption, with a character interview, excerpt, and giveaway. The giveaway runs until October 31st. Head on over and join the fun, you have one more day! http://writeawaybliss.com/redemption-by-lindsey-gray/

 

T.M. Franklin To Make Appearance

Join Author T.M. Franklin as she signs books and teaches about bargain book trailers at the Northwest Bookfest this weekend at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. Visit the Northwest Bookfest's Facebook page for ore information! https://www.facebook.com/NorthwestBookfest

Andrea Goodson to Reveal Cover for To Be Loved

Join author Andrea Goodson on Thursday, November 7th as she reveals the cover to her upcoming YA new release, To Be Loved! You can also enter for a chance to win a signed paperback! Visit Andrea's website to learn more about her books, www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com.

Wednesday's Weird Word

Leiotrichous

Definition: Having straight hair

This word is near extinction!

Origin: Greek

Savvy Savings

Love in Disguise

7 Romance Novel Set on Sale for 99 cents!

By Multiple Authors, take a look!

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Disguise-Romance-Boxed-ebook/dp/B00FQMZB1A

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!

The Wednesday Word - September 18, 2013

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

September 18, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

Picking a Title

Finding the right title for my books is something I spend a lot of time contemplating. Often a title doesn’t come to me for a particular book until I sit down to write the book blurb for my publisher.

Need and Truth, books two and three in my Finding Anna series, were like this. The right title wasn’t coming to me no matter how many minutes—hours—I spent thinking about it. I was at a total loss. I was discussing Finding Anna, Book 2 with my editor one day, and she suggested I go ahead and write book summaries for marketing, and see if a title came to me. Sure enough, after I finished, I noticed a theme. Need. Could she be what he needed? Could he be what she needed? Could they find what they needed in each other?

Red Zone, my newest novel, was the exact opposite. I knew even before I started writing what the title would be. The hero, Gage Daniels, is a professional football player. I knew I wanted to utilize a football reference in the title, I just had to find the one that would be the best fit. It’s a romantic suspense novel, and I wanted something that would reflect that. In football, the red zone is the stretch of field between the twenty yard line, and the end zone. They are the last yards that stand between the offense putting points on the board. It’s the part of the field that either makes or breaks a team. They pull together and score, or they fall apart, and lose the precious opportunity.

Every story is different, but for me, it’s important to take the time to find the right title for a book. It should say something about the story whether it be the overall theme, or something more vague. Either way, the title should mean something, and shouldn’t be rushed. It’s better to take the time to find a title that works, than to pick something generic that has no meaning.

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, Sherri Hayes. You can learn more about Sherri and her book 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

Andrea Goodson to Rerelease The Riverbend Trilogy

It's almost Riverbend's first Book Birthday! In celebration, Andrea Goodson is rereleasing the entire trilogy, Riverbend, Rapid Water, and Waking Tide, as a one-book boxed set the week of October 6th! Any bloggers interested in reviewing the entire collection prior to rerelease are invited to contact Andrea via Facebook or Website for an ARC. www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Sydney Logan's 2000 Likes Giveaway

Sydney Logan has hit 2000 Likes on her Facebook page! She is still celebrating and hosting an amazing giveaway with books and swag from some awesome authors! Visit her website to enter! http://www.sydneylogan.com/p/giveaways.html

 

Fall into Reading Giveaway!

Stay tuned to Author to Author's Blog for the upcoming Fall Into Reading Giveaway! Enter for a chance to win a $25.00 Giftcard! Giveaway takes place September 22-29. Don't miss it! www.author-to-author-blog.blogspot.com    

Sherri Hayes Hosts Newsletter Contest

Want a chance to win a bookmark from Sherri's book, Behind Closed Doors? Visit her blog and sign up for her newsletter to enter! While you're there take a look around and explore some of her other work...that is if you like sensual romance. Who doesn't? http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2013/09/weekly-update-contest-announcement.html?zx=71f71efc3854ef20

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/

Allie Jean To Release New Book Trailer

Author Allie Jean is all set to release the book trailer of Book 2 in The Dreamer series...tomorrow! Visit her website to watch! http://alliejean.net

Lorenz Font Releases Tormented

The second book in Lorenz Font's The Gates Legacy has been released! Check out Lorenz's website to read the summary and check out the first book in her series, Hunted! http://lorenzfont.com

Wednesday's Weird Word

Borborygmus

This one sounds as though it should be from the world of Harry Potter!

Definition: Medical term, referring to a rumbling in the gut. Origin: French, Latin, Greek

Savvy Savings

We seem to be running low on coupons this week, but 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*

Katrina, The Beginning by Elizabeth Lorraine

4 STARS $0.99

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K1EVY6/

Gingerbread Man by Maggie Shayne

4.5 STARS FREE

http://www.amazon.com/Gingerbread-Man-ebook/dp/B00EHI1MDK/

Out in the Country by Kate Hewitt

4 STARS FREE

http://www.amazon.com/Out-In-The-Country-ebook/dp/B008EV1C9U/ref

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!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                September 4, 2013

Writing & Publishing Tips

Something to Say

Many people ask these questions of a writer time and time again, “Why do you write?” “Do you just like to tell stories?” “Are you writing about people you know in real life?”

The answer to the first question is actually quite simple. Simple, but with a long and complicated history behind it. The answer is I write because I have something to say.

I suppose the larger and more important question would be, as a writer, what do you have to say and why do you need to say it?

Authors around the world write their stories, books, and sagas for many different reasons. Some are so intensely creative that they can’t seem to keep all of their wonderful ideas locked inside their minds. Some just love the feeling of using their imagination and coming up with plots that are easy for readers to closely identify with, sharing thoughts, feelings, and situations that we can all easily understand. Others might use their imagination in a different way entirely. A way that transforms the world we know so well into a place that exists only in our dreams, such as the genres of supernatural and fantasy novels. Some authors, and I am sure many at that, use writing as a tool to sort out a large heap of mixed feelings and emotions of their own, as a method of therapeutic release.

I truly believe all of the above is present in some measure inside every writer, in one way or another. However, above all the multitude of possible reasons one might want to write, I believe there is one very specific yet general feeling among all of us. It is simply that we have something to say.

That is what started my journey in the world of novel writing.

I had something to say, something to share with the world from my own experience and perspective and, whether the world actually needed to hear it or not, mattered little. What mattered was that I wanted to say it, I wanted to throw it out there and just see if somehow, someday, that general message might help another person.

My books are not self-help by any means. I do not give advice to others as to how to handle specific situations. The Riverbend Trilogy is pure fiction. They are about watching a character try to figure that out for herself. Navigating her way through the darkness of grief and finding out if she will continue to sink into the trenches of her mind or resurface stronger than when she began.

Fiction is my art medium, it is how I express myself. It is how I share what I feel needs to be said to the world, to the many readers out there who might possibly gain something from a book they read by an unknown, unheard of, small-town indie author. Books have changed my life and since I was a very young child I have had a love affair with reading. Books have helped me to learn and grow as a person, which is why I so enjoy writing.

Although I write with empathy for my main character, Lena’s story in Riverbend, Rapid Water, and Waking Tide is not actually my experience. I used my own feelings and thoughts to form what I imagine she must go through after having experienced the loss that she does. I also threw in a bit of mystery and adventure because those are the things that I enjoy in a good book, as well as the budding love story.

Lena’s story is about self-discovery and how she manages to find her way through the dense fog of grief that plagues her every waking moment. It is about strength, hope, and love. The Riverbend Trilogy exposes the universal truth that we are all stronger than we know, we are all capable of deep rooted trust and love, and eventually, the darkness will disperse. The light will come back into our lives, if we only allow it to do so.

That’s what I wanted to say to the world, the message I so desperately wanted to spread that I couldn’t possibly contain myself any longer. The Riverbend Trilogy is just how I say it and that's why I write.

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, Andrea Goodson. You can learn more about Andrea and her books at www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

Sydney Logan Celebrates the Anniversary of Lessons Learned

In case you missed last week's edition, it's been almost a year since Sydney Logan released her Amazon Best Seller, Lessons Learned. This novel has been described as "Very intense, highly emotional, and extremely raw." Well, isn't that what we all look for in books? To properly recognize the one year bash of Sydney's Amazon bestseller, she is holding a giveaway! Be sure to check Sydney's blog to enter to win and go ahead and pay her a visit now to read all about Lessons Learned! Happy book birthday! http://www.sydneylogan.com/

New Release for A2A author Angel Lawson

Mark your calendars because Odin's Murder is set to be released on September 10th! Angel has coauthored this book with Kira Gold. Check out Angel's blog for fun events and a teaser from the upcoming release! Congrats Kira and Angel! http://www.angellawson.com/teaser-tuesday-odins-murder/

Wednesday's Weird Word

Facinorous

Definition: Criminal, immoral, vile.

Origin: Latin facinorosus, criminal or wicked.  

Savvy Smashwords Savings

If you don’t have a Smashwords account, you can create one for free and download your ebooks in any format for any eReader device!




Charlie's Angel by Samanth Fury

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Use Coupon Code: TE84U


     

Wraith by Angel Lawson

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Riverbend by Andrea Goodson

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Use Coupon Code: EZ64N    

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!