Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Do You Believe What You Write?

Before I welcome Jamie Ayres to my blog, I wanted to announce the winners to the Indies 4 Hire Event.

*Drum Rollllllll*

Mil Holmes - 25 page edit or novel formatted - from Gwen

Shelley Munro – 1 blog or FB Header - from Maria

Shelley Munro - 1 custom blog badge for tour event or bloghop - from Maria

LD Masterson - 50 page edit or novel formatted - from Gwen

Congratulations to the winners and thank you all so much for participating. The event was crazy-busy and a great success and you all helped to make it so!

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And now, another drum roll please!

Welcome Jamie Ayres!
Jamies new release, 18 Things, is such an original and awesome concept.
Check it out.



Writing Paranormal Novels





Do You Believe What You Write?

Writing the paranormal novel takes more than adding in a vampire or wizard . . . but whatever characters you do decide to cast, you have to make them believable!

Except, what if one of the ‘fantasy’ characters you write about actually exists?

In my YA contemporary paranormal love story, 18 Things, there’s a bit of inspiration behind the inspirational side of the novel.

When I was almost twelve years old, I was ready to commit suicide. You may find that hard to believe, but I’d already suffered many injustices by that age and was convinced that:

a) God wasn’t real –otherwise He wouldn’t let all those bad things happen to me

b) God was real, but He hated me

c) God was real, and He didn’t hate me, and He had a plan for my life

I really needed to discover the answer to my question before I made my decision, because I’d heard if you commited suicide you couldn’t go to Heaven. And of course I didn’t want to go to Hell.

So I prayed.

I didn’t even get on my knees.

I stared up at the ceiling before going to sleep that August night in 1991 and prayed in my head:

“Jesus, if you are real, I need you to show me a supernatural sign that you love me and have a plan for my life. If you do this, I promise I won’t commit suicide. I promise I will endure anything if you love me. Please show me a ghost tomorrow. If you don’t, I am commiting suicide and you can’t send me to Hell, okay? Because that means You didn’t hold up your end of the bargain.”

I went to bed honestly thinking I would end my life the next day. I’d already brainstromed a list of ways to do it and had the materials ready.

So, God knew I meant buisness.

The next morning, I opened my bedroom door to a man on his knees, his hands folded in prayer, with a smile on his face and looking up at me. He was wearing blue. But that’s not the most unusual thing about him.

I could see through him!

He was transparent!

We looked at each other for a few seconds before I shut my door, trembling in disbelief. Then I dropped to the floor, made the sign of the cross, and said another prayer.

“Dear Jesus, thank you for answering my prayer, and please don’t ever show me that again.”

When I opened my door, the “ghost” was gone. In his place was a peace in my heart I’d never known before. I didn’t speak to anyone about it for five years, and when I did, it was my now husband (who of course, teased me mercilessly). But that one ‘sign’ kept me from comitting suicide all through middle and high school.

Flash forward to another night in August of 1997 when I truly give my heart to Jesus. When I realize I survived all the atrocities in my life because God had a plan and purpose in mind. When I realized my ‘ghost’ was probably my guardian angel. When I realized that out of six billion people on earth, God cared so much about me, He heard the cries of a little girl and gave His angel the okay to answer my prayer.

The next year I married the man who mocked me for seeing my little blue man. But he still didn’t believe me. One day, while I had some free time inbetween my college classes at UCF, I browsed through Barnes & Noble (yeah, not much has changed, lol). I went to their religious section and flipped through a book on the power of angels. Immediately, I was drawn to a chapter on Guardian Angels. In it, the author quoted from the diaries of a German mystic who died in 1919. Her diaries are widely circulated because she described a visual relationship with many angels. From her writings:

“The Guardian Angels of children are exquisitely lovely.
They are dressed in blue and always are seen with their hands folded in prayer.”

So, you tell me, do you believe in what you write?

About the Author:

Jamie Ayres writes young adult paranormal love stories by night and teaches very young adults as a public school teacher by day. When not at home on her laptop or at school, she can often be found at a local book store grabbing random children and reading to them. So far, she has not been arrested for this. She lives in southwest Florida with her prince charming, two children (sometimes three based on how Mr. Ayres is acting), and a basset hound. She spent her youthful summers in Grand Haven, Michigan and this setting provided the inspiration for her debut novel, 18 Things. She really does have grandmothers named Olga and Gay but unlike her heroine, she's thankfully not named after either one of them. She loves lazy pajama days, the first page of a good book, stupid funny movies, and sharing stories with fantastic people like you. Visit her website at http://www.jamieayres.com/



18 Things is available here:




Add 18 Things to your TBR list!
at

Monday, January 28, 2013

Coming Out With A Partner

Hey all, today I'm with Angela Brown over at Writers Guide to E-publishing talking about partnering up for a joint book release and blog tour. It's not for everyone, and even so, ours was unique.

Here's a sneak peak from: Thinking About Partnering Up?: How the Partners in ParanormYA Did It....

How was this going to work? You have two people, two books, and touring together could make for one long blog tour post.
By the time we launched our tour, we knew each other’s characters and were able to write them all, like those writers on sitcoms. We had them interact with each other, wrote playful posts where they appeared on game shows and interacted with blog hosts. Of course we did some serious interviews, too. And people loved it!

We hope you can stop by!

*****

The Indies 4 Hire was a great success. Thank you all so much for participating and supporting me and Maria Zannini in our indie endeavors!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Pass Me The Bottle




Add your own caption.

Here's mine: Are you going to choke it or pass it?



*****

Thank God It's Friday, everyone!

It's been a great week and the end of the Indies 4 Hire event. We're still available for questions through the weekend - or whenever, you know where we live :)

The rafflecopter is still going through the weekend, so we'll announce the winners on Wednesday.

You can still enter HERE at Facebook

OR

HERE on my blog.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Pssst! Part Vamp - Wrap Your Neck Before Entering!

Today my blog is being taken over by Jasmine from the new novel by C.M. BrownHe Came For Mine. I haven't met Jazz yet, so I'm just gonna wrap up my neck real good and tight because you never know - I mean, *whispers* I heard she was part vamp...

Welcome, Jazz - Take it away!


Hi, I’m Jasmine, Jazz for short and C.M. has asked me to write a post about myself for Gwen Gardner, but firstly I would like to thank Gwen for having me here today – Thanks Gwen, I know Carolyn really appreciates it.

Well, in The Protector Series, I am the female MC… The Chosen One, which means every vampire from every dimension, and I am learning there are quite a few, wants a piece of me!

I started off naïve, unaware that vampires even existed, but because one of my ancient relatives fell in love with a vampire from Aidensdein and remarkably produced a child through the relationship, I have been destined to be the most sought after human alive. Just my luck!

I would never have known any of this had I not met Seb and fallen in love with him at first sight, as corny as that sounds, it’s the way this story starts. Sebastian and I seem to be made for each other and I don’t think another guy would ever take his place, although some do try.

I live in the same area C.M. lives in, the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia and she describes the beautiful beaches and mountain areas in book one, He Came For Me. I like to surf and have an interest in photo journalism, so living in this area suits my lifestyle. As the series proceeds, I develop an interest in martial arts and weapons and become quite strong as my character develops.

But with the number of vampires after my blood, I am always in some dilemma and my knight in shining armour, my Protector, Seb, is always there to save me….

I wonder what would happen if one day he didn’t make it in time?

Well, I hope you found my short post interesting. Find out more about my relationship with Seb and my adventures by reading The Protector Series and thanks again Gwen for having me here today.

Jazz

**********************


BLURB: He Came For Mine, Book Two in 'The Protector Series'

Fending for herself for almost two years,
Jazz worries she will never see Sebastian again.
A new man enters her life, but he holds a secret.

Will Jazz trust him?
~~~~
Sebastian discovers an ancient ritual which must be performed
on the Chosen One's son before his first birthday, or he will die.

He returns to Earth to find Jazz in the arms of another man.

A man he knows very well.

A man he does not trust....

********************
C.M. Brown profile:
A long-time lover of Fantasy Novels I have decided to put pen to paper and create my own. Many years spent helping high school students write their assignments from years 8 to 12, has given me the experience to forge ahead with this dream! I live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia and have shared some of the wonders of this area with you in this book. I am married with two teenage children, one studying at University the other in the senior years of High School. I enjoy reading and writing and spending time relaxing on the beautiful beaches I live near, walking my dog and swimming.
********************
Connect with C.M. here:



Monday, January 21, 2013

Bring On Fatso, Stinky and Stretch

That's right, bring on Fatso, Stinky and Stretch!

Does anyone remember who they are?

To find out, visit me over at C.M. Brown's blog today....


*****

I'm also being interviewed over at Kitty Muse Book Reviews today. Please stop by and learn more about me, my series, and the next two books in the works.

*****


Also, the Indies 4 Hire Event starts today.

Please come join and support your local indies.

We're having an informal forum where you can ask any questions about self-publishing, cover design, formatting or editing.

AND

Don't forget the giveaway! It's easy to enter!

Want to help us tweet? Just copy and paste:


  1. Help us celebrate and support indies Jan 21-27. Need book cover/formatting/editing? Indies 4 Hire http://tinyurl.com/cc7mwcshttp://tinyurl.com/cc7mwcz #indies4hire

  2. An Indie helping Indies, Gwen Gardner Indie Services: editing and formatting http://indieservices.blogspot.com #indies4hire

  3. Book Cover Diva - Because every book is first judged by its cover. #bookcovers http://bookcoverdiva.blogspot.com/#bookcovers  #indies4hire


Friday, January 18, 2013

Indies 4 Hire Event and Ghosts

Happy Friday!






Today I wanted to tell you about an event I'm hosting with Maria Zannini. Since Maria and I both started new indie businesses we decided to team up to tell everyone about it.

The Indies 4 Hire Facebook Event starts on Monday January 21 (noon EST) - January 27th and is brought to you by.....





and





Feel free to grab our badges for your sidebar!


Got self-publishing questions? Questions about designing covers, formatting your novel, editing or proofing? This will be an informal forum-type Q & A. We'll be there to discuss or answer any questions you always wanted to know but maybe afraid to ask.

This is an indies helping indies event, where we'll share information and encouragement for those of us rogue-writers who've decided to go it alone. But - there's no need to really do it alone, because we have the support of our fellow indies!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help us in spreading the word or recommend us to your author friends - and of course, join us next week!

  • Join HERE
  • After joining, while you're still on the FB page, click the "invite friends" button and invite your indie author friends
  • Enter the Rafflecopter (you're going to love the prizes...)
  • Help us tweet (provided below) 
Covers+Formatting+Editing=Indies 4 Hire FB Event. Help celebrate and support the indies. https://www.facebook.com/events/325449000904734/ #indies4hire

Publishing can be affordable: editing, proofreading or formatting? Try Gwen Gardner, Indie Services http://indieservices.blogspot.com #indies4hire
Every book is first judged by its cover. What do you want yours to say? http://bookcoverdiva.blogspot.com Book Cover Diva  #indies4hire

*****

Also, I'll be over at C.M. Brown's blog on Monday, talking about - what else? - GHOSTS!

Please stop by the event and C.M's if you get a chance!

Monday, January 14, 2013

The Dragon Empire!


CP Design
 Who has another book coming out?

Heather McCorkle!

Check it Out!

The Dragon Empire by Heather McCorkle -- February 2013 / Compass Press


On Yacrana, dragons stand at the top of the evolutionary ladder instead of humans. Such an advanced species is not without its issues though.

There's trouble in the Dragon Empire, the kind that could start a war between dragons and the races of people. Hidden factions of dragons believe they should rule the lesser races, not simply stand aside and allow them to develop as they will. Having lived so long in peace, the Emperors turn a blind eye, many oblivious that such attitudes even exist.

Despite being only an architect class, emerald dragon, Grendar is willing to risk banishment and death to stop that which his rulers refuse to see. The hope of peace lies not within the scaled breast of a dragon however, but within the hands of a group of people. But if the hidden factions have their way, these people won’t live to fulfill such a destiny. With a reluctant seer at his side, Grendar must leave his precious Empire for the outside world to save those that will one day save his kind.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17158656-the-dragon-empire

AUTHOR BIO


Heather McCorkle

I am an author of fantasy, in all its many sub-genres. Living green, saving endangered species, helping other writers, and supporting fabulous authors are a few of my passions. I am also a volunteer for the IS Foundation which works to make the world a greener place. When I'm not volunteering, writing, or surfing my social networking sites, I can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, I enjoy the outdoors almost as much as the worlds I create on the pages. No need to travel to the Great Northwest though, you can find me here, on my blog, and Monday night's on Twitter where I co-moderate the #WritersRoad chat.



Author Links:

Website: http://heathermccorkle.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4957267.Heather_McCorkle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Heather-McCorkle/211058455603533

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherMcCorkle


Friday, January 11, 2013

Friday Funnies: Folder or Not? And A News Leakage


Thank you Debbie Ohi!

I'll admit it. I am an ex-folder.

Nobody ever told me I wasn't supposed to. I always folded pages, and then as I got older, I only folded paperbacks. And as I got even older (yikes!) I stopped being a folder altogether.

Now I only use bookmarks.

Yep, I'm a bookmark addict.

How about you? Are you a folder, non-folder, ex-folder?

*****
I have a bit of a news leak!

Maria Zannini and I are having a FB Event
and we'd like you to join us. Just click here:


January 21 - Jan 27, 2013



Lovely Indies 4 Hire Badge by Maria Zannini


The event will be pretty low key. We're letting our friends know that we're open for business and will be on our Facebook Event Page for discussions on book cover art, editing and formatting. Have any questions? Please join us and invite your friends. We will also have a rafflecopter giveaway. I'll go into more detail next week.

*****

Happy Friday, everyone!

Have a good one and be safe!


Monday, January 7, 2013

Carol Kilgore: Solomon's Compass Cover Reveal

Today I'm pleased to be helping the lovely Carol Kilgore reveal the awesome cover of her newest novel, Solomon's Compass!

Description:
The death of her beloved uncle, Randy Rankin, brings US Coast Guard Commander Taylor Campbell back to Texas to take care of his estate and find out if he really did bury his treasure.
Jake Solomon’s job is to make sure Rankin’s killer doesn’t set his sights on CDR Campbell. Set along the Texas Gulf Coast, SOLOMON’S COMPASS is a story of love, loyalty, and the value of keeping a promise.

I know that most of you already know Carol, but in case you want to know a little more, here is her author bio:
Carol Kilgore has always had stories and characters in her head, but she didn’t know she should write them down until about a dozen years ago. Once she started, she couldn’t stop.

Her first published short story won the Derringer Award for Best Short-Short Mystery. She continued to write short fiction for a few years and also enjoyed a small success as a freelancer before giving it all up for her true love—novels.

Carol writes a blend of mystery, suspense, and romance she calls Crime Fiction with a Kiss. Always at least one crime; always a love story. Solomon’s Compass is her second published novel.

As the wife of a Coast Guard officer, Carol has lived in locations across the U.S. She and her husband now live in a San Antonio suburb and share their home and patio with two active herding dogs that keep them free from all danger, real or imagined.

You can find Carol here:

website . blog . facebook . twitter . goodreads . amazon

Friday, January 4, 2013

From The Ashes - Cover Reveal

I'm sure I've never been more impressed by a young adult.

Jessica McKendry is beyond talented.

Check it out, the cover of her debut novel,

From The Ashes!





I'm not sure how it all went wrong.

The concept was simple.

The Trials were made to test us. They were made to challenge our strengths; our bravery.

We were supposed to come out better.

Winning the Trials would make us Superior citizens.

It would bring us honor and demonstrate our loyalty to the Imperial Alliance. I knew exactly what I wanted.

Until I met him.

There was something about him. Something dark. If only I had known the danger it would put us in.

I thought I knew the risks.

But I never imagined the price we'd pay.

***

***An insightful look at the good and bad that exist within us, McKendry's debut is a high-octane adventure that pushes the imagination to the limit as it lays bare the nature of self-reliance, self-confidence, and teamwork. Playing with the concepts of dark and light and how they affect our lives in multiple forms, her novel is a complex coming of age story that encapsulates the heroine's journey from student to leader. A dark tale of love and revenge, From the Ashes is a powerful reminder to think for yourself instead of blindly following what you've been taught to believe.***


Look for From The Ashes in February 2013.

Congratulations Jessica!

Friday Funnies: Reading Addict


Thank you Debbie Ohi!


I'll admit to having done this.

And I agree, the cereal box is much more interesting.

How about you?

Do you always have to have something to read?

Happy Friday!

*****

Other Stuff:

There are new posts at


and



Wednesday, January 2, 2013

IWSG and 2013 Goals

I hope everyone had a great holiday and have come back refreshed! My bloggy break sure did me good. Now I feel like I can come back, get organized, set some goals and get to work.

But first - today is the first day of 2013's Insecure Writer's Support Group posting. We "meet" on the first Wednesday of every month. If you're a writer and need advice, encouragement or friendship, you can sign up HERE. Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting, and extra thanks for his helpers this month, Tyrean Martinson and Jamie Gibbs. The membership list has become quite lengthy, so they're helping Alex so that everyone on the list receives a visit and support. 

Current Insecurities
(yeah, they change from month to month, hence the need for an ongoing support group!)

I'm going to make this a short list, as my goals are intended to help me with my insecurities:
  • Marketing myself (I cringe at this, feeling like I'm begging for attention and screaming, "It's all about me! Everybody look at me!" How can I be a wallflower, when I'm screaming me, me, me!?)
  • Writing ability (Even though I've written a book, I still feel insecure about my writing ability. I could be better).
  • Indie Services (My new business. Who do I think I am and what makes me think I can do this?)
2013 Goals
I think that with more experience, I can soothe some of my insecurities/fears. I know I am the only person that can do this for me. I have to do it myself. Good thing I'm in the habit of taking the bull by the horns, even if I'm not a very good bullfighter. So - here's the plan:
  1. Schedule. Come up with a work schedule that includes everything I need/want to do, to include: writing, editing, new business and networking (blogging, Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, Pinterest, etc.). I spend too much time online and need to curb mywandering and loitering habit. This will be done by next week.
  2. Editing. Finish editing my second novel, A Guilty Ghost Surprised. Complete by March 1st.
  3. Writing. Write/edit a novella as part of my Indigo Eady paranormal mystery series. Before June.
  4. Write a first draft of the third book in the Indigo Eady paranormal mystery series. By December.
  5. Reviews. Ask for them. *cringing*
  6. Market my formatting/editing business as well as myself. *really cringing now*
This will do for a start.

Any advice?

How do you fit everything in to your schedule?
 
What are your plans/goals?