Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Interview and Review

The Reading Cafe is hosting an interview and review of Quest of the Hart. Want to know what they have to say? Stop by and see!

The Reading Cafe


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Thursday, July 18, 2013

How Authors Write- Ace Hansen

Toady I welcome Ace Hansen to the blog as he, I mean, she, I mean-- Hmm, well this is embarrassing. I'm not sure just what gender Ace is, but, I welcome the little green alien to the blog to share his, her, it's writing process.

What do you write?
I write for the fun little Earthlings (8-12) My Earth host, Angelina, writes for the older, stranger Earth kids called Teens.

Do you use 1st person, 3rd person, multiple POVs?
JCB is written in 1st, my favorite, but I write in the other POVs, too.

How do you get started with a book- is it an idea, a character, vary from story to story?
An idea. Then I have to know who's gonna star in it.



Do you draft quickly?
When drafting I write 250-500 words per day, 7 days a week, until it's done. Is that fast or slow? I do think about every word, every sentence, every paragraph, and every chapter while drafting.

Do you do research before your first draft, during?
During. Google is my best friend while drafting.

Do you outline? How?
Tried an outline once. Huge failure. I'm a pantser from hip to toe.

Do you name everything up front when you are drafting or do you leave comments for yourself to go back and fill in later so you don't lose the flow of what you are working on?
Loads of notes to self on every page.

Do you work with CP's or Beta's? How soon into your draft do you let them see your work?
Betas. They see the MS when it is polished and hopefully won't make them scream.

What books/websites have you found most helpful to helping you write your best?
I've read many, but my best teachers are the authors who write fabulous books. I learn from them.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started writing?
Slow down and enjoy the creative process. Don't be in such a rush to get published.

What do you have out now, or coming out? Any upcoming events? A website we can find you and your books at? An author photo? A booktrailer? Anything else you want to share?
I want to share my gummy worms, but I'm not good at sharing my candy. But I'll share plenty of laughs with you if you'll read my book. Go read it!. Now. Please! Laughter is good for you. ^_^

Blurb: The world is farting green! Who will solve this global gas mystery?

Synopsis:  When a mysterious green gas crisis breaks wind, the Global Air Group (GAG) offers a million-dollar prize to the first person to discover the cause. Julius Caesar Brown dreams of winning the cash so he can pay off Jake the Snake, the blackmailing bully who threatens to ruin his chances with the cutest girl in fifth grade. But Julius can barely pass a math test, let alone solve an international scientific mystery. What he needs is money. Fast. His mom volunteers him to help the Zombie Lady. Yeah. The crazy woman down the street who every kid knows eats boys’ brains. But Miss Crabtree’s no zombie. And winning the million-dollar prize may not be as far-fetched as Julius once thought. 
  



If you'd like to learn more about Ace (of course you do!) you can find him on:

If you'd like to purchase JULIUS CAESAR BROWN AND THE GREEN GAS MYSTERY it's available as an ebook now and is coming in print Fall 2013:


Monday, July 15, 2013

JD Brown talks Serials

Today I welcome author JD Brown as she talks serials. Take it away JD!

What is a book serial?
Serials are books published in episodes or small chunks such as a chapter. This format allows the reader the unique experience of enjoying the story as the author creates it.

What is a web series?
Web series are episodes that are released on the internet, usually free for readers to access and enjoy.

Book serials were extremely popular in the 1800s and, thanks to e-books, blogging, and the internet, the trend is now making a speedy comeback in the publishing industry!

I invite you to check out my online serial book, Athena’s Oracle. Every 1st of the month, a new chapter is added, completely free for your enjoyment, and will continue to do so until the story reaches its conclusion.

About Athena’s Oracle by J.D. Brown:
Leena’s ‘gift of sight’ secures her place as the next great oracle of Athena. Instead of being groomed for wifehood like other girls, Leena spends her days within the walls of the Acropolis, shuffled around by the clergy and doomed to be a virgin forever. Before her ascension, Leena decides to take matters into her own hands. With the help of her father’s book of alchemy, she casts an incantation calling forth her own personal hero. But when that hero turns out to be a rogue vampyre prince with a haunted past, Leena begins to question if her feelings for him are the work of divine intervention, or a love spell gone horribly wrong. 


Athena’s Oracle is a prequel to the novels Dark Heirloom and Dark Liaison, also by J.D. Brown. Set in 4th century B.C.E., Athena’s Oracle chronicles the romance between Leena and Jalmari during the very early trials of their immortal lives.



About J.D. Brown:

J.D. Brown writes Urban Fantasy for MuseItUp Publishing, as well as a monthly “how-to” newsletter column for PDMI Freelance Publishing. She graduated from The International Academy of Design and Technology with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts and currently lives in Wisconsin with her two Pomeranians. J.D. loves paranormal characters; from vampires and werewolves, demons and angels, to witches and ghost. She is a self-proclaimed expert in vampire and Greek mythology. Her writings are often a combination of suspense and romance. J.D. enjoys helping her fellow writers and interacting with her fans and leads an active life on the web.













Follow J.D. Brown on her website, facebook fan page, and blog.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

POD's Blog Tour

Come join Michelle Pickett as she shares character interviews, Playlist, guest post on controversial scenes in the book, and more in her blog tour for POD's.

Monday, July 8 -The Reading Vixens
Tuesday, July 9 -Books Complete Me
Wednesday, July 10 -K-Books
Thursday, July 11 -Curvy Writer
Friday, July 12 -Total Bookaholic
Saturday, July 13 -BlookGirl
Sunday, July 14 -Cari’s Book Blog
 
There’s also a giveaway (signed copy of PODs and SWAG).

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy Birthday, America!!!!

Today is a day for hot dogs and hamburgers. For hanging with family and friends. And for celebrating the birth of a nation.

Happy Birthday, America!!!!

Monday, July 1, 2013

How Authors Write-Antje Hergt

Today I welcome MuseItUp Author Antje Hergt. She talks about her writing process and shares her debut release, Darinel Dragonhunter. Welcome, Antje!!!


What do you write?
I write YA Fantasy with a style kind of like a fairy tale but with a modern approach.
Do you use 1st person, 3rd person, multiple POVs?
I use 3rd person with multiple POVs.
How do you get started with a book- is it an idea, a character, vary from story to story?
Most the time it is an idea for a short story, but when I am about to finish it, my characters protest and want to tell me more.

Do you draft quickly?
I draft roughly with a chapter outline about 2-3 pages. Then I add scene ideas or dialogue snippets, which most of the time I move around later.
Do you do research before your first draft, during?
I do the research during the outline and most of the time during writing as well. To quickly check points when I come across them.
Do you outline? How?
I do the rough outline by hand, then a more chapter oriented one by word document. Later, I start an excel table for continuity and quick reference. Sometimes I even use Keynote to create a storyboard.
Do you name everything up front when you are drafting or do you leave comments for yourself to go back and fill in later so you don't lose the flow of what you are working on?
I am a flow writer, so I don’t fuss about naming when I write, but leave myself tons of sticky notes to go back and name things.
Do you work with CP's or Beta's? How soon into your draft do you let them see your work?
I love to work with beta reader after my 3rd or 4th edit. Then I sent it out to them.
What books/websites have you found most helpful to helping you write your best?
I read a lot of How-to books on writing for children and went to various writing courses, but the most detailed help I found on the Institute of Children's Literature webpage (http://www.institutechildrenslit.com)
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started writing?
I wish I had know how long the publishing process really was when I started, then I wouldn’t have told everybody I finished my first book before I actually had a publisher.
What do you have out now, or coming out? Any upcoming events? A website we can find you and your books at? An author photo? A booktrailer? Anything else you want to share?
My first book Darinel Dragonhunter was just released by MuseItUp Publishing and you can buy it on their webpage:




Or you can check it out on my webpage: antjehergt.com first and see for yourself.

Book Blurb:
Prince Darinel is traveling–for what feels like forever. Expelled from his father’s kingdom, he just wants to find a new home. When a shadow lures him to a wealthy kingdom, he stays to discover more about the darkness, but the citizens are tight-lipped.

Their king welcomes the foreign Prince hoping that he will solve his two problems: the dragon and his strong-willed daughter. Coming from a warrior kingdom, Darinel despises violence, but charmed by Princess Tuskja’s dare, he sets out to confront the beast. Instead of finding a fierce dragon, he finds a friend. The dragon’s malicious humor and his love of fairy tales entangle Darinel in a summer of adventures, while danger stirs in the East, the Dark Prince. Being refused by the Princess and humiliated by the dragon, this proud prince seeks revenge.

In compliance with the king’s decree, Darinel is torn between his friendship with the dragon and his love for Princess Tuskja, whom he can only marry if he kills his friend. Before he can make a decision, the kingdom is under attack. Now it is up to the dragon to either help his friend or respect his wish to not interfere.


Excerpt:
The prince sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. Do you mind if I take a break here?”

“Oh no. Be my guest,” the voice replied, cheerfully.

Darinel dismounted and reached to tie Tibor’s reins to the trunk of a tree, when a dark shadow swished over him. The horse bolted in panic and disappeared. Dumbfounded, he stared down the path they had just travelled.

“Oops!” The voice sounded a bit regretful.

“That was not supposed to happen.” Still shaking his head, he turned to a little sparkling stream at his feet and knelt beside it. He took off his helmet and splashed water onto his face and over his head.

“It is a bit inconvenient, isn’t it?” the voice said. “But don’t worry, the way down always seems faster,” it added cheerfully.

“Yeah, right!” the prince said with a smirk as he slid back to lean on a big boulder behind him. “Now you see I am no threat to you, won’t you come out and sit with me?” He ruffled his hand through his wet hair.

“I’d love to, but don’t you know, there’s a fierce dragon in these mountains?” the voice pointed out.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born and raised in Germany, Antje Hergt came to explore the Canadian Rockies in Canmore, Alberta in 2003. Taking part in the Writing-with-Style Program at the Banff Centre for the Arts in 2007 encouraged her to follow her passion: writing for children. Darinel Dragonhunter is her first novel, which was inspired by her deep love for classic children literature and fairy tales. Her thrill for science fiction/fantasy movies and television shows had an outlet in various genre short stories. She is a member of the Alberta Writer’s Guild and graduated from the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen with a degree in Modern Languages.
Currently, Antje still lives in Canmore with her snoring cat, Sally, and gets inspired by the magic of the Rocky Mountains.