Clicking On and Off…

Writing doesn’t work like a light switch. You can’t just switch it on and off at your whim, can you? I sometimes struggle with writer’s block. It feels as though the writer in me has been turned off, but it wasn’t my choice. Some days this scares me because I love to write, what if it doesn’t flip back on? So, what controls your switch? Good question huh!

I’ve worked on this question for a while and here’s what I came up with. It’s not an exact science, but it makes sense, for me that is.

Life controls my switch a good bit of the time. I’ve realized that when something is going on in my life, usually something stressful, life turns the switch off. No matter how hard I try, what comes out of my mind through my fingers isn’t satisfying. So, control the stress, keep the switch on. Easier said than done.

Guess what else controls your switch, other story characters. I noticed that when I decide to work on just one story, another story’s character steps in and holds the switch. It’s as though they’re saying, ‘work on my story or the switch goes off, your choice’. The only way to deal with this is to at least give the other story a few lines, then the switch is untouched.

Does this sound crazy? Think about it. How many times has your switch went off and you struggled to get it back on? Did you have something going on or was there another story pushing at you? Now you’re seeing what I’m talking about.

Try to push stress out when it starts in and give the other characters looming in your brain a little love, it might help.

What flips your switch?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

P.S. If you get a chance, come by and join my Street Team. I some special prizes inside the Street Team portal that you might enjoy. Go to www.stephaniehurtauthor.com and follow the instructions, it’s easy and fun…

Learning from others…

Good Monday morning! It’s drizzling rain here in Georgia, but that’s alright, we need it. Also since it’s Monday it kind of meets with my mood.

Today I want to talk about how you train as a writer. Some people say, ‘it’s easy to write, anyone can do it’, but that’s not the case. Writing takes more than you think to get from start to finish. You can sit down and write an idea for what you want, but it takes more than just an idea to get the full story. I’ve had ideas before and thought they’d be good, but they didn’t have enough filler to actually make a book.

I like to study what my favorite authors do. You may be asking what I mean, well it’s quite simple. I read lots of books in the genre I write. As I read, I’m looking at the sentence structure, paragraph lengths, the setup of the characterizations and the way the book is brought to the end. It’s amazing what you can learn from doing something you love, reading.

Then of course I read posts from other authors, writing magazines and even study courses. So, do you still think it’s all that easy? I’ve learned more English in the last three years that I’ve been publishing, not just writing. English skills are very important when you’re writing. Hey, I was thinking backwards for a while, but once you get into the business you realize, it’s more than just words on paper.

Several authors I follow have businesses that help other authors. All authors should want to help each other. It’s amazing the things you can learn from other authors about their own mistakes and how to correct them. I also join many Facebook writing groups, which just by reading them daily I can learn so much. Try it, you won’t regret it.

So, do you learn from other authors? If you’re struggling with something in your writing, there’s always someone out there or an article that can help you out.

As always, good writing and May God Bless you….

Street Team

Hey bloggers! It’s Kaleigh again!

The Street Team is getting a good response and I want to thank everyone who signed up for it! For the next few days ONLY the first chapter of Chase (the 3rd book in the 5 Oaks Ranch series) will be on the street team page for anyone that has joined! I will have to be taking it down next week because Stephanie has provided me with some awesome new information that needs to be put on the site.

Also, make sure that you are referring people! If you refer someone and they let me know you will be eligible for an ARC of Chase before it is available to anyone else! So make sure you are signing up for the Street Team and telling everyone else about it!

Just go to http://www.stephaniehurtauthor.com/#!street-team/cdmb and it is so easy to sign up! We will approve you and then you will be able to view the newest and juiciest new from Stephanie! If you have signed up and did not receive your awesome welcome package please go back and make sure that you sign up for the Street Team and not the subscription to Stephanie’s author newsletter. If you have signed up for the Street Team you should be asked for a password and I will have confirmed your membership!

Have a great day,

Kaleigh

Editing, it’s very important!

Good Tuesday morning! It’s nice to be back in a regular schedule. Vacations are really nice and relaxing, but then I start losing track of my days and that makes my brain turn to jelly. Not good when I’m on two book deadlines, and have accounting to catch up on.

While on vacation I downloaded three books to my Kindle to read while at the beach. I was so excited about one of the books, but as I started the first page things didn’t sound right. I struggled through a couple more pages and put it down, thinking I was sleepy. I picked it up the next day and more of the same. The story line was really great, but the writing or rather the editing was bad.

I’ve heard authors say they found books that were hard to read because of the poor reading, but usually I can muddle through. This one wasn’t like that and the sad thing is the book is by an author that I really like and have read before. It has me thinking really hard about my editing process. I’m constantly reading articles about editing and writing which helps keep me educated on the craft. This book would have been covered in red marks and comments. But I really wanted to find out what happened to the two characters. Eventually I’ll pick it back up and try again.

Some may ask if I plan on putting a bad review on this book. The answer is no! I don’t believe in downgrading an author, especially one that’s written some great books. It’s very possible that this book was downloaded from the wrong file. I did that with a reviewer one time. Now that was embarrassing. I might send her a email and inquire if she’s checked the finished and published product. I just don’t like to be negative to my fellow authors. We’re all in this craft together and should support one another, not tear one another down.

So, do you make sure that your editing process is what it needs to be? Also, make sure if you’re paying an editor, double check their work too. Everyone can miss something, even the experts.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Coffee, 3 cups and still going…

Good Friday morning everyone. It’s been a great week of vacation. As I sit here writing this post, I’m working on my 3rd cup of coffee and thinking about downing the whole pot. I wonder if it would be weird to just drink from the pot and save myself the trouble of going back and forth to the kitchen. Thinking…thinking… nope, I’ll go back and forth to the kitchen.

As for my vacation it was great. I’m glad to be home, but the beach was refreshing and relaxing. It’s amazing to sink your toes in the warm sand and listen to the waves crash onto shore. I enjoyed spending my time on the beach writing. The inspirational surroundings made me write with a open mind. I finished the outline for Luke and Maggie, by the way they’re coming up really fast.

How’s it going with everyone else? Are you writing, if so what?

I’ve been really busy lately, with writing, getting ready for a book signing in September and on top of that I’m working with my friend across the pond, Rosie Amber, on Romancing September Across the World Tour. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about my Street Team which my editor Kaleigh started up. So I’m really busy. And did I mention I have several books in the works, with a looming deadline on two of them. But this is when I thrive.

So here’s a couple of things to keep you up to date…

Told you I’ve been busy. If any of you are in the Georgia area on September 26th, then come by and meet me. Also you can meet my editor too! Then of course the Romancing Tour starts September 1st. Rosie and I need your help promoting the tour. We’ll be announcing a Twitter hash tag soon, so keep an eye out.

If you’d like to join my street team, then go to my website and follow the crumbs. It’s easy to sign up and then you’ll get some cool swag, along with enticing tidbits before anyone else. Also, if you decide that it’s more you want, then follow the instructions to get a chance at ARC’s of the newest books coming out. I’ll be in touch with the members often, letting you know all the upcoming things with my writing and things going on in my head. Maybe I’ll even let you help with cover decisions, but you have to sign up to get those benefits. If you have questions, email my street team at stephs.street.team@gmail.com or just go to my website at www.stephaniehurtauthor.com!

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

I have much to tell, but some will have to wait!

First of all, I hope all is well with you this Tuesday morning. For me it’s going wonderful. I have news, but some can’t be told until later this afternoon, but I can fill you in on some of it.

The advertisement above is the first bit of news. Yes, I have another book signing event coming up in September. I’m getting excited already, so things are looking good. If you’re anywhere near the Hiram, Georgia area on September 26th then come by and let’s talk.

Another bit if news is that I’m working on a new book that goes in a totally new direction from my norm. It’s not my usual cowboy romance, but a contemporary romance with some history sprinkled in. I’ve been hinting for a couple of weeks about something exciting in the works, well this is it. It’s based in Tuscany, Italy. I told you it was a step away from my usual writing. I had this in my mind for a while, but suddenly it came rushing in and needed to be brought to life. So now, three chapters in, I’d say it is on its way.

Now, for the news that will come this afternoon, let’s just say my editor is working on it and she holds the key to unlock the news. I don’t even know all the details yet, which has me on the edge of my seat.

So, how’s your week going? I hope your writing is going well and that you’re working on something exciting.

As always, good writing and may God Bless You!

What’s true love?

What is true love? It’s a question I’m asked a lot because I’m a romance author. That doesn’t put me into the category of an expert on the subject of love. Although I do read a lot about love and romance, it’s part of the job as a writer.

So, what is it? Some say that true love is a myth, what do you think? For me I’m a firm believer in this thing called true love. It’s a real thing. But true love is met by many skeptics. Here are few definitions of true love that I’ve found:

1: From the Bible (My favorite definition by the way)

1 Corinthians 13:4-7New International Version (NIV)

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

2: Dictionary.com –

noun

a sweetheart; a truly loving or loved person.

3: Webster’s Dictionary-

True´love`

One really beloved.

That’s only 3 of the many definitions you can find when you look it up. Does this define the words? Somewhere in between all of these definitions you’ll find the true meaning of love.

Here’s my feelings about it, so sit down and get ready. Remember before you read this that I’m an author of romance, so I warned you…

True love comes from deep inside your soul. It’s the purest, deepest kind of love that you can experience because as the words say, ‘true love’, it’s true, not just lust or infatuation. Your heart beats for someone else. It goes beyond those feelings you had in high school, beyond the fast beating heart, it’s the reason your heart beats. True love is more than words spoken, gifts given or even a look, it’s a feeling all of it’s own. Nothing compares to true love and I know this, because when you find your soulmate, true love, you’ll know it. Everything else that you’ve thought was love suddenly becomes untrue.

Remember I warned you, I’m a sap for true love. So, what’s your meaning of true love? Do you believe in it or are you a skeptic?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Do you treat writing as a business or hobby?

Let’s talk about your writing for a moment. Lately I’ve been reading a lot about the business of writing. It’s got me thinking about my writing. Most articles I read constantly ask, do you treat your writing as a business? Or is it just a hobby that you play at? Something to think about.

I take my writing seriously, really seriously. To me writing is a business that I treat as though it’s a 9 to 5 job, but I don’t get to spend that much time with it. I’ve talked to several writers that feel the same way I do about writing, but others say they only write on a whim and don’t really take it serious. I guess it’s whatever is important to you.

Can I let you in on something I’ve learned from my experience and the experience of the many writers I’ve spoken with, if you don’t take your writing seriously, how do you expect anyone else to? If it’s just a hobby, then your fighting a losing battle because you’re not planning to put in it what it takes to really do something with it. I’m not lecturing, just stating a fact.

So, here goes my soapbox moment. For your writing to count, then you’ve got to believe in it yourself. You need to step up to the plate and take that swing. Yes, you’ll miss the ball a couple of times, I know I have, but in the end you’ve given it all you’ve got. The only way to make it to home base is to put the effort in and push forward.

One author told me that all she ever does is promote to friends and family. That’s good, but if that’s all you do, then your reach is only so long. In order to succeed you’ve got to go past your inner circle, step out of your comfort zone and do it. Do some Facebook promotions, Tweet like crazy, do an author signing, but do something! Ok, I’m off my soapbox for this one moment, but don’t fret, I’ll be back on it again really soon;)

Ask yourself this question. What do you want out of your writing? Is it fame, fortune, or to get a point across? Why do I ask? Well, it’s an important question because a lot of really good writers never see any of that. Do you know why? They never strive to better themselves. Read every article you can get your hands on, enter contests, attend conventions when possible, but inform yourself. As with any business, you’ve got to keep up with today’s readers. To do that you’re going to have to step up to that proverbial plate and swing…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Come like my author Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StephaniePayneHurt or

Just like editing a book, only a lot messier!

Saturday we started pulling up the carpet in our home and replacing it with hardwood. Let’s just say it’s been interesting. You don’t know how dirty carpet it until you pull it up. I was astounded to say the least. Twenty one years of living life were ground into the floor and no matter how much you’ve vacuumed and cleaned, it’s never clean enough.

Here’s some pictures of the finished den, still have kitchen, dining room and three bedrooms, yikes!

As I was ripping up the carpet and cleaning up, I realized that it’s similar to editing a book. How you might ask? Well, think about it this way, you make a draft. That’s the starting point, the place you’ve poured your heart into with sloppy abandon. You know the first draft is always riddled with holes, bad grammar, spelling issues and much more, like the dirt I found.

Then of course you dig in and start the editing process, much like the moment the broom and shop vac start clearing out the ground in dirt. Once you’ve got that first draft cleaned up, it’s time to lay in the shiny, squeaky clean new floor, uh I mean manuscript.

Now the work is done and it’s ready for publication or is it. Have you done everything you need to do? Even with the newly laid floors, we had to run a dust mop over the top and put down a little finishing molding. The same is needed for your new manuscript. It’s important to make sure you’ve read, reread and read out loud. This is your showplace and it’s got to be as close to perfect as you can get it.

So, what have you been up to lately?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

If you get a chance come over to my website for all the news…. www.stephaniehurtauthor.com

and like my Facebook to get updates and help me break 100 likes! https://www.facebook.com/StephaniePayneHurt

Summertime and feeling it!

Good morning! We’ve made it halfway through the week… It’s been a really crazy couple of weeks. For one the heatwave that we’re in here in the south is almost too much! With the high temps and really high humidity, you walk outside for just a minute and you’re soaked. Where’s the rain when you need it? Although my family says I’m crazy, I’ve been completing my 4 mile walks three evening a week and yes about one mile in I’m questioning myself. But I’m on a diet and exercise is part of it.

Another thing which is awesome, I’ve received two wonderful reviews of “Ridge”. One came from one of Rosie Amber’s review squad, which by the way is a great team to get to review your book. Here’s the wonderful review:

4 Star **** Is there a Dr in the house??

By Lynn F. on June 6, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

This is a love story that follows Ridge Cauthen. He is the eldest son of the Cauthen clan. Ridge fought in the war in Iraq. He is now back home and working on his family’s ranch. He by chance meets the new Veterinarian, Mallory. Ridge is dealing with PTSD from his military service. PTSD that includes nightmares, flashbacks and mood swings. Not an ideal time to try and make someone fall in love with you. My favorite part of this story was the amount of love, patience and forgiveness Ridge is shown by his family and friends. I would hope all Veterans would receive the same treatment. I’m not going to tell you if Boy gets Girl you just have to read it for yourself 🙂

Then two weeks later I received an email from Reader’s Favorite stating that I had a review posted and maybe it’s not a big deal to some, but to me it’s really cool to have that emblem to put on your book. Here’s this review:

	5 stars!
Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite In Ridge by Stephanie Hurt, meet an ex-soldier who is struggling through life with PTSD, until the day he meets ‘the One’ and his world turns upside down. Ridge is the oldest Cauthen boy. He grew up in a big, happy family. Ridge is kind and caring, always looking out for his younger siblings and others who need help. So when the time came, he enrolled in the army and served his country. But two years in Iraq broke him. There is so much a kind heart can take, and his heart has taken and seen enough. Now he is back home and working at the family ranch. Getting away from the war didn’t help much. He is still fighting off the enemies in his mind. Every night is a struggle with nightmares, but they never end. His family loves him and is kind to him, but how much longer are they going to stay that way? When luck brings Mallory (a new vet in town) to him, he is not sure he wants to have her in her life. Can she truly love him? Can she accept him with all his broken parts inside? Ridge by Stephanie Hurt is a novel that will fill your heart. You will feel so much compassion and kindness for Ridge that you will tear up. Ridge is such a nice guy; he is kind and very sweet. This novel showed how pointless wars have destroyed the lives of many men and how they are suffering because they pledged to protect their country. When you sit down to read the novel, keep a tissue box nearby because you will need it. A really good novel. And I got this nice label for my books: So, this made my month, but then it got even better! How could it get better you might ask, well, I received an email that a bookstore about an Hour & a half from me asked me to come do a book signing, which made me smile. We’re working on a date in September, but I’ll give more info as it comes. It’s just been an exciting couple of weeks which kept the really hot weather even hotter because with the excitement comes major hot flashes (Wink-Wink) don’t you just love those ladies! So, how’s your summer going so far? Is it hot where you are or for my friends across the globe how’s your winter? As always, good writing and May God Bless You… Check out all the great reviews on Rosie’s page: https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/