The Struggles of a Writer…

Good morning… If you’re a writer you know some of the struggles of a writer. Maybe you’re not a writer and you ask what I’m speaking of, well here goes. As a writer you have many struggles and I’m listing just the top five.

Time – A lot of writers aren’t full time. They work other jobs and have to fit their writing in between business meetings, job hours and family time. It’s a true struggle to meet deadlines and get everything else done. But as a writer, you strive to get that few minutes here and there to write. The story has to be told.
Being seen – This is a real struggle in a market that is bursting at the seams with other writers just like you. You have to find the right niche, then make sure you stand out among the thousands, in some genres, millions of other books.
Money – If you haven’t had that break out moment, then you’re having to pay for a lot of advertising and promoting. It’s a struggle when you spend more than what comes in.
Reviews – Oh yeah, this is a struggle for traditional and indie authors. You don’t want to buy reviews, you want genuine, heartfelt reviews that draw in more readers. But more and more I hear fellow writers say it’s almost impossible to get their readers to post a review. Reviews help us authors build our reader base.
Respect – Wow, this one is hard to gain. Most people look at you strangely when you say you’re a writer. Some even say, oh I can do that, but don’t have the time. Then they say, can’t you find a better way to spend your time, or you need to do something other than write. In my opinion those people don’t have a clue as to the draw of a writer to the writing. We have to do it.

So, do you feel the struggle?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Romancing September Across the World – Day 4 – Michelle Betham

Good morning everyone! I want to welcome you to the 2nd part of Day 4 of the 3rd Annual Romancing September Across the World Blog Tour. If you haven’t checked out Rosie’s post from earlier, then go by https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/ and get caught up.

Now on to today’s featured author, Michelle Betham.

Here’s the question I asked:

What has been the biggest inspiration for your writing?

As far as auhtors are concerned, it’s definitely got to be the likes of Jilly Cooper and Jackie Collins – both queens of escapism in my eyes. Reading their books inspired me to create my own brand of escapism, something that, hopefully, can transport the reader to a whole other world. That’s all I ever wanted to do with my writing – give people the chance to escape for a little while. And if I’ve managed that with even just a handful of people, then I’ll be more than happy.

But inspiration comes in all forms, and for me, music is and always has been a huge inspiration for me. I can hear a song, listen to a lyric, and all of a sudden a story will start to form. Music has helped me through many instances of writer’s block, it’s even helped inspire entire books I’ve written. I’m one of those authors who makes playlists for their books, and I have to have music on in the background when I write. I can’t write in silence. So, for me, music is extremely important. It’s definitely a HUGE inspiration for me.

Here’s a little bit about today’s author:

Michelle Betham is an ex-media technician turned author of hot, edgy, gritty romance, usually involving rock stars, sports stars, and bikers. But not usually all in the same book. Yet. She is both self-published and published through HarperImpulse, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.

Addicted to binge-watching TV dramas she struggles to think of a life before Netflix, loves rock music, tattoos, spicy food, and Keanu Reeves – a crush that’s lasted over twenty years, and one she blames entirely on ‘Point Break’…

Her dream is to ride a Harley. And visit Las Vegas… And be able to eat any amount of chocolate without putting on weight…

She lives in County Durham, north-east England, with her husband and West Highland Terrier, where she can be found most days drinking tea and making up stories.

I’ve recently set up a website, and that can be found at www.michellebetham.co.uk

There’s my blog – http://michellebethamwriter.blogspot.co.uk/

And I can also be found on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichelleBetham

Twitter – @michellebetham

and

Pinterest – https://uk.pinterest.com/writerchelle/

Todays featured book is “Shirley Valentine Goes to Vegas”. If you haven’t checked out the her book, then here’s a little about it and where to find it.

Book Description

Shirley Valentine meets Sons of Anarchy in this raunchy, red-hot read! Lana Saunders is on a mission find the ‘new Lana’, the real Lana. After twenty years spent as a prim and proper businessman’s wife, she’s finally swapped beige cotton for black leather, and cardigans for tattoo sleeves! With the ink only just dry on her divorce papers, she’s ready to live it up in Vegas. What she doesn’t expect is to meet wickedly sexy biker, Eddie and is shocked when he asks her out. Not only does he send her sex-starved libido into overdrive, but the connection between them is unlike anything she’s ever experienced. So when Eddies asks her to stay with him in Vegas, the desire to fall into this gorgeous man’s bed and stay there forever is too tempting to ignore! Living with Eddie in Las Vegas is the most fun Lana’s had in years-especially when he shows her that there’s more than one way to ride on a Harley!-but soon she realises she can’t ignore her old life forever, particularly when her ex, Adam shows up determined to win her back! Author Michelle Betham gives Jackie Collins a run for her money in SHIRLEY VALENTINE GOES TO VEGAS, a story about what happens when you realise that life isn’t what you thought it would be…

AmazonUK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shirley-Valentine-Vegas-Michelle-Betham-ebook/dp/B01222DBCC/ref=sr_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437489960&sr=1-16

AmazonUS – http://www.amazon.com/Shirley-Valentine-Vegas-Michelle-Betham-ebook/dp/B01222DBCC/ref=sr_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437489960&sr=1-16

I hope you enjoyed it! Keep watching for more great authors all month and don’t forget to go by Rosie’s post at https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/… Let’s make it another

Romancing September Across the World – Day 3 – Linda Lee Williams

Good morning everyone! I want to welcome you to the 2nd part of Day 3 of the 3rd Annual Romancing September Across the World Blog Tour. If you haven’t checked out Rosie’s post from earlier, then go by https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/ and get caught up.

Now on to today’s featured author, Linda Lee Williams.

Here’s the question I asked:

What has been the biggest inspiration for your writing?

While I was growing up, I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy. I was hooked on shows like “The Twilight Zone” and “The Outer Limits.” Later, I consumed novels by LaVeryle Spencer, Nora Roberts, and Belva Plain as well as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and John Jakes. These authors inspired me in different ways, but they all had one thing in common: The ability to tell a good story and make me suspend my disbelief. When I started writing in earnest, I strove to develop the same skills. Even though I still don’t measure up, they helped me set the bar higher.

Here’s a little bit about today’s author:

Linda Lee Williams writes “contemporary romance with a paranormal twist.” Her stories revolve around imperfect characters, their families and friends, and a host of life issues. Currently, she has four published novels and is part of a short-story anthology.

After moving to Denver from Chicago, Linda taught creative writing classes and formed a writers’ group. An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, biking, and birding. She loves critters of all kinds. During her journeys she’s called Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado home. Wherever she roams, she finds inspiration in her surroundings.

Blog: http://indielindy.blogspot.com

Crazy Lady Authors: http://crazyladyauthors.weebly.com/blog

eNovel Authors at Work: http://enovelauthorsatwork.com/linda-lee-williams/

Todays featured book is “Old Town Nights”. If you haven’t checked out the Linda’s book, then here’s a little about it and where to find it.

Book Description

When Abby Lawrence shows a house to Ambrose Slater, she’s unable to resist the handsome, sensitive hybrid-vampire, who is a powerful mortal. As she witnesses the deterioration of his brother’s marriage to a regular woman, Abby must decide if she can embrace the vampire lifestyle or give up the only man she’s ever loved. Ambrose must choose whether to risk losing Abby’s love or setting her free, even if it kills him…

Can a vampire baker and a spunky realtor make their relationship work? Or will their quirky families and the odds against them doom their love affair?

Amazon, US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZ106QO

Amazon, UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Town-Nights-Blood-Company-Book-ebook/dp/B00DZ106QO

I hope you enjoyed it! Keep watching for more great authors all month and don’t forget to go by Rosie’s post at https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/… Let’s make it another awesome tour for 2015!

Romancing September Across the World – Day 2 – Helen Hollick

Good morning everyone! I want to welcome you to the 2nd part of Day 2 of the 3rd Annual Romancing September Across the World Blog Tour. If you haven’t checked out Rosie’s post from earlier, then go by https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/ and get caught up.

Now on to today’s featured author, Helen Hollick.

Here’s the question I asked:

What has been the biggest inspiration for your writing?

Hmm a difficult question to answer. I think I would say ‘the Past’.

I don’t mean individual people – all those famous (or infamous) names we meet in history books, nor do I mean the events of the past – the battles, the politics, the things those famous people did or did not do… The past is much more than this. For me, for you, for everyone the past is part of us because of the years that have gone by – yesterday, last year, last century and the ones before that. I don’t mean reincarnation or anything spiritual, but each and every one of us is connected to our ancestors who lived there in the past. We are connected to what has been through our grandmother and grandfather’s grandmothers and grandfathers.

One of my historical fiction novels is about the events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. I know that my ancestors were alive in that year, I have no idea who they were, where they lived, what they did – whether they were directly involved or not… but I do know that at least two of them, a man and a woman, (or a boy and a girl) were alive then.

How do I know?

Because if they were not I would not be here today. My DNA is connected to their DNA and the past lives on through it, through us.

Here’s a little bit about today’s author:

I have always loved reading – and writing. I wrote stories as a young teenager, never believing I would one day be a published author.
I just so love bringing my imagined characters alive – to me they are very, very real – especially my pirate, Jesamiah Acorne!

‘Helen Hollick has it all! She tells a great story, gets her history right and writes consistently readable books!’ (Bernard Cornwell)

My Lost Kingdom Series – I AM THE CHOSEN KING (HAROLD THE KING is the UK title of the same book) and its prequel, The FOREVER QUEEN (A HOLLOW CROWN is the UK title of the same book) tells the story of the twilight years of Anglo Saxon England before the Norman Conquest.
Stripping the Norman propaganda from what we think we know of that most famous date in English history – 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, my novels portray all the honour and dignity that history remembers of its fallen heroes.

I am also co-scriptwriter for the UK movie 1066 which is in development.

Website: www.helenhollick.net

Blog: www.ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelenHollickAuthor

Twitter: @HelenHollick

Helen’s featured book is “Sea Witch”. If you haven’t checked out the Helen’s book, then here’s a little about it and where to find it.

Sea Witch Book Description

The Time : The Golden Age of Piracy – 1716.

The Place : The Pirate Round – from the South African Coast to the sun drenched Islands of the Caribbean.

Escaping the bullying of his elder half-brother, from the age of fifteen Jesamiah Acorne has been a pirate with only two loves – his ship and his freedom. But his life is to change when he and his crewmates unsuccessfully attack a merchant ship off the coast of South Africa.

He is to meet Tiola Oldstagh an insignificant girl, or so he assumes – until she rescues him from a vicious attack, and almost certain death, by pirate hunters. And then he discovers what she really is; a healer, a midwife – and a white witch. Her name, an anagram of “all that is good.” Tiola and Jesamiah become lovers, but the wealthy Stefan van Overstratten, a Cape Town Dutchman, also wants Tiola as his wife and Jesamiah’s jealous brother, Phillipe Mereno, is determined to seek revenge for resentments of the past, a stolen ship and the insult of being cuckolded in his own home.

When the call of the sea and an opportunity to commandeer a beautiful ship – the Sea Witch – is put in Jesamiah’s path he must make a choice between his life as a pirate or his love for Tiola. He wants both, but Mereno and van Overstratten want him dead.

In trouble, imprisoned in the darkness and stench that is the lowest part of his brother’s ship, can Tiola with her gift of Craft, and the aid of his loyal crew, save him?

Using all her skills Tiola must conjure up a wind to rescue her lover, but first she must brave the darkness of the ocean depths and confront the supernatural being, Tethys, the Spirit of the Sea, an elemental who will stop at nothing to claim Jesamiah Acorne’s soul and bones as a trophy.

buying links (US / UK),

Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Witch-Helen-Hollick/dp/1906236607

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Witch-Helen-Hollick/dp/1906236607

links to author social media

Website: www.helenhollick.net

Blog: www.ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HelenHollickAuthor

Twitter: @HelenHollick

I hope you enjoyed it! Keep watching for more great authors all month and don’t forget to go by Rosie’s post at https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/… Let’s make it another awesome tour for 2015!

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….

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…

Outlines, good or bad…

I’ve been telling you about my surprise manuscript for a couple of weeks. As I sit here enjoying my coffee and the morning sun, I’m going over the outline for the new work. It’s a complete outline that goes to the words ‘The End’.

Some writers say they can’t work from an outline and others, well they can’t work without one. I’ve written several books using a outline draft, but it sometimes changed through the process. My new work is coming along well with the outline. This outline seems to flow with the way I see the story in my head. But I wonder if it will stay the same.

Here are some good points to using an outline…

1. The outline keeps you focused on the story and where it’s headed.

2. Outlines are not written in stone and can change.

3. If you have a detailed outline, all you need to do is make a chapter out of each line.

Since my outline goes to number 29, that means it’s looking to be a really long book. The details are there, all I need to do is pull each chapter from the lines I’ve written. With this outline I was able to pull the story that’s running around in my head out. When a story comes into my head, usually the whole thing comes in a rush and I can’t wait to get to the end. With my outline I was able to get the story on paper so that I’m free to fill it all out.

So, do you work with outlines? Have you ever tried? What was your experience?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Tax season is over and I’m back!

Well now that the main part of tax season is over I’m back to my blogging and writing schedule. I’ve missed speaking with all of you everyday. It’s funny how you miss it. My writing has seriously suffered this year, but I plan to make up for the lost time and quickly.

I have several projects coming up and in the works. Today and tomorrow I’m working with my assistant/editor on those projects and I’ll be letting you in on them really soon… Also be looking for several giveaways of Ridge before Oakley comes out in the next week or so. I’ve received some great response from this new series and I’m excited about what’s to come in this next chapter of my writing.

Also I’ll be working on my publishing company more closely and am excited about the things coming up with it. Since I have a great designer on my team, I know things will only get better. We’re working closely with a fellow author to create her author platform. Can’t wait to get involved again now that things aren’t so busy.

Well off to write and dream. Hope all is well with all of you and enjoy this day you were blessed with.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

As the fog clears

This is the view from my front porch this morning. The temperatures have finally warmed up and the threat of rain looms, but you can’t tell by the gorgeous sunrise. The fog is starting to clear and is barely visible in this photo. I feel inspired as the vibrant colors stream through the front windows.

As most of you know from reading my posts I try to get in my word count every morning. This morning as I woke at 6:00 my body and brain felt heavy and filled with inspiration zapping fog. I dragged myself out of bed and fixed breakfast for my son. As I poured the coffee and the delicious aroma steamed up to my nose I smiled. Yes, I need several cups of coffee. Since the time changed the sun comes up later and that always makes it hard for me to wake up. But one look at this beautiful sunrise I feel inspired to get to work. I can do this is the feeling it inspires.

Does a beautiful sunrise inspire you? As for me, I’m off to get in a couple thousand words before a warm shower and then on to the accounting office. I may need that third cup of coffee while I type…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Monday and the rain begins…

As we slowly transition into Spring the rain starts. Here in Georgia we’re looking at rain until Sunday. Of course it’s better than ice, but it’ll make a long, dreary week. In the back of my mind I wonder in the threat of cold weather is gone or if this is just a tease. At least we had a gorgeous weekend which helps with this dreary Monday.

The clocks moved forward this weekend and hopefully you changed yours, if not you might be late for work, just sayin’. It always throws my body into a crazy frenzy when the time changes. I feel tired and sleepy, but am trying to meet my word count goals this morning. For those that have been asking what I’m working on, well it’s Oakley. This book is really fun to write. It’s been humming along nicely. I’ve received so many nice emails and calls about fans enjoying Ridge and I know you’ll enjoy Oakley. This series is beginning to become one of my favorites. I’ll be releasing some snippets before the release date is revealed.

Now, back to the lousy weather this Monday morning. How does the weather affect your writing? Do you write better when it’s snowing and cold, wet and miserable or sunny and delightful? As for me it’s a toss up. I love to sit by the fire when it’s cold and write, but on sunny, warm days it’s nice to sit outside and write. But I do have to say that sometimes the rain puts me in a blah mood, but sometimes it gives me the right mood to write.

Hope everyone has a great Monday and don’t forget to scoot over to my website to see what the March Madness Sale for the day is… stephaniehurtauthor.com.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…