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!

The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                             September 11, 2013

All of the Author to Author Writers would like to dedicate this issue of the Wednesday Word to the lost lives and still grieving families of September 11, 2001. We will never forget.

Writing & Publishing Tips

Five Elements of Writing the Perfect First Kiss

There’s nothing like it – after a hundred pages of will he or won’t he? the hero steps toward the heroine, heart racing, licking his lips in anticipation. There’s nothing like reading the perfect first kiss. If it’s done right, it’s even more satisfying than a more intense and graphic love scene.

“Are you all right?” Sam asked, straightening to look into her eyes.

“You look a little flushed.” Emily smiled, but didn’t answer.

Instead, she rose up on her tiptoes, her hand curling around the back of his neck, fingers tingling where they touched his skin. His eyes widened and dipped to her mouth before rising questioningly to meet her gaze. She nodded slightly, breath catching as he bent slowly to press his lips against hers. Heat surged through her, electricity tracing over her skin at the touch of his lips – his body against hers, as he drew her closer. In that instant, she felt all that they could be – the potential and the promise – their future together, whether days, weeks or years. -A Piece of Cake, T.M. Franklin

 Here are some tips for writing a nerve-tingling, toe-curling, perfect first kiss.

What Kind of Kiss?
The first thing is to decide what kind of kiss you’re going for. Is it gentle and sweet? Rough and passionate? Tentative and shy? Write down all the adjectives you can think of to describe the kind of kiss you want to write. Hit up that thesaurus. It’ll be a big help.

Build Up Slowly
To me, building anticipation is half the battle. You want the readers to be turning the page, wondering, When in the world is she going to make her move? Hint at the budding romance. Shy smiles fraught with meaning, longing glances that the reader knows about but the other character doesn’t see, moments where they almost kiss but don’t quite get there – all of these can help build the romantic tension. And they make it that much more satisfying when your characters finally, finally act on their feelings.

It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect
It sounds like a contradiction, but a perfect kiss doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes, the little imperfections – clashing teeth, or knocking foreheads – can add a realism to the kiss that makes it even sweeter. First kisses can be awkward, with the heroine worrying about her breath, or the hero wondering if he’s pursing his lips too hard. These moments are rife with opportunity for comic relief to mix with the romance – and the two can combine in satisfying and unique ways.

Avoid Tired Clichés
Lips that taste like honey. Tongues battling for dominance. Angels singing. Earth moving. You know the drill. If you’ve read it more than twice before, maybe it’s time to find another way to say it.

Focus on the Feelings
It’s not always all about the details. Sure, there’s some appeal to her sliding her fingers around his neck, then up to twist in his hair. But be sure to focus on the feelings to really make the kiss hit home. What does his skin feel like? Is her heart pounding? Are her palms sweaty? Is his stomach flip-flopping? Think about the best kiss you ever got, and then think about how it felt. Try to describe that, not whether you turned your head to the left or the right.

By Author to Author Member and Contributor, T.M. Franklin. You can learn more about T.M. and her books at http://www.tmfranklin.com/

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

A2A member Angel Lawson Celebrates Coauthored New Release

Angel Lawson and Kira Gold have coauthored a new novel that debuted yesterday! Odin's Murder, newly released on Amazon, is already receiving 5 STAR reviews!

"If you want a well written adventure with a good dash of the supernatural and fantastic characters give this a go."

Congratulations to Angel and Kira on what appears to be a fantastic read! Take a look and add a copy to your Kindle! http://www.amazon.com/Odins-Murder-ebook/dp/B00F2ISDHM/



Ethan Tyrell is out of his element at the College Scholastic Honors Program for exceptional students. But at least he’s out of prison. Keeping his temper and his hands to himself isn’t so easy when an irritating professor demands full participation with a mismatched study group, where he clashes with his roommate’s sister, Memory.

Memory Erikssen is not the kind of girl a boy can forget; she makes sure of that. Quick with both a charcoal pencil and a lipstick, she won’t draw the same line or walk the same path twice, and antagonizing Ethan is a break from the usual academic doldrums.

Ethan and Memory find themselves tangled together by more than their special abilities–and mutual irritation–as members of their team go missing, and they unravel a dangerous mystery that spans centuries of local and distant legends.

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

Attention Book Bloggers!

A2A Author, M. B. Feeney is looking for bloggers for the Cover Reveal for the upcoming release of her anthology, Honour! Visit the link below to read the summary and sign up! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14bTEHZNwuNCN7UrusUlB9zGF00UJiciWfeAT7xxqlrg/viewform

 

Andrea Goodson to Re-release 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 re-release are invited to contact Andrea via Facebook or Website for an ARC. www.andreagoodson.wordpress.com

Lessons Learned Anniversary Giveaway

Sydney Logan is still celebrating her on year book birthday for Lessons Learned! Visit her website to enter! http://www.sydneylogan.com/p/giveaways.html

Elise de Sallier Reveals Innocence Cover

Take a look at the intriguing cover for Elise de Sallier's newest book, Innocence. Visit Elise's blog to read all about this upcoming Regency Romance! http://elisedesallier.wordpress.com/elises-books/innocence/

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

Wednesday's Weird Word

Gazump

Definition: To unfairly acquire a property by bidding more than an offer from somebody else that has already been accepted by the seller.

Origin: Yiddish. "Gezumph" To overcharge or cheat.

Savvy Savings

We seem to be running low on coupons this week, but take a look at these ultra low-priced reads hand picked by A2A member Andrea Goodson on Kindle! She's added them to her TBR list, why not add them to yours?

*covers are never posted without permission from the author*

Silver Serenade by Gary O'Hara
4 STARS $0.99
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Serenade-ebook/dp/B008RBTSDY/

The Fool's Tale by Nicole Galland
4 STARS $1.99
http://www.amazon.com/The-Fools-Tale-ebook/dp/B000XU8DB0/

Wait for Me by Mary Kay McComas
4.5 STARS $1.99
  http://www.amazon.com/Wait-for-Me-ebook/dp/B00A11CDEY/

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!