Chocolate Ice Cream

Lured you in with that chocolate ice cream, didn't I?

Well, here's the real subject of this post. Although feel free to indulge your chocolate fantasies while you read about...deep POV.

(Insert evil editor laugh here.)

Did you know that deep point of view can be the most powerful tool in a writer's arsenal? Yup. With third or first person in the past tense, you can make readers see that world going on in your head as you write, feel as if they're your characters as they read. It's how to give life to a story and break through that invisible ceiling you've been banging your head against because your writing isn't compelling enough and you don't know how to give it more power with readers.

You know those reviews: "I laughed, I cried...I ate an entire half-gallon of double chocolate fudge ice cream while reading Ms. Blahblah's book. My husband came home from work and I was still in my pajamas, reading, just the way he'd left me that morning." Well, suck the reader into your story so they can't put it down and watch your fan base grow too. Cool, huh? Besides, it's fun to manipulate readers' minds.

So, how to go about it? Here's some general advice that might help.

First, think about what happens in each chapter or section and decide which character has the most to lose because of those events. Maybe even make a list of consequences for each character and why they will matter to them. The character who will suffer the most from the occurrence of the events, write that chapter or section from their perspective.

Now you've created tension automatically for the reader, whether you intend them to follow only one or several characters' journeys through the story. No need to describe the POV character's angst, 'tell' the reader what they're feeling. Readers can imagine it, feel it too. Perhaps the best thing about the One Character's POV and It's the Character With the Most to Lose method, the inner conflict occurs without you worrying about it. For outer conflict, all you have to do is make bad stuff happen for your character. Writing by it's very nature can make us tear our hair out or take up heavy drinking. One less thing to have to think about is good, right?

Next, introduce the POV character to readers in the first few sentences of the section or chapter so they'll know whose 'head' they're supposed to be in as they read. You might want to use the character's name in the beginning there, but after that, use the appropriate pronoun to designate them. Readers internalize pronouns--overuse of names pops them out of the story.

But what if other characters interacting in the scene are the same sex as the POV character? The content and flow of dialogue from one character to another and what's happening to whom in the scene helps, but try using their names, or little blurb descriptions of them to let the reader know who's who. For instance, here's the hot hero talking about the heroine to his green-eyed brother--the reader knows the brother's appearance from earlier in the story--and the hero is the first to speak:

"She wore nothing but a smile and gum rubber boots."

His eyes glowed emerald and his brows arched nearly into his hair. "And? Was it good naked, or bad?"

"Good." Definitely.

See? Even without using the brother's name, the reader knows it's him, and that he's surprised, on the verge of laughter.

Here's a biggie. Check your sentences for these phrases: he (or she) saw, he heard, he smelled, he thought, he tasted, he felt and any variations thereof which designate the senses.

Delete them, rewrite the sentence so it states what he saw, smelled, heard, etc. and you've made the reader and POV character share whatever that experience was simultaneously.

Consider these examples:

He looked up and saw blue-black clouds lying stacked on the horizon, heard a low growl of thunder and knew a storm quickly approached. He'd have to find shelter.

Or,

Blue-black clouds lay stacked on the horizon, thunder growled low. He'd have to find shelter, and soon.

In the second example, given a little more context, the reader might even feel the character's sense of urgency and their own heartbeat quicken. So you didn't tell them the character looked up...well, any time you describe the sky, readers assume the character looked up. Being fellow inhabitants of Earth, they know where the sky is.

Dialogue tags. Yeah, they're part of it too. Use them sparingly and try to keep an individual's dialogue with their thoughts or actions in the same paragraph. That way, the reader knows immediately who's speaking. Plain ol' 'he said' and 'she said' are actually really good tags because readers are so used to them they don't really see them. Weird, huh? So don't be afraid to use them if the speaker isn't readily apparent to the reader.

So, you know your goal as a fiction writer: keep the reader immersed, make them willingly suspend their natural sense of disbelief and keep them there until they read the last word. A daunting task, but ya know what? You're up to it! You already have a killer plot, good characterization, vivid imagery and strong dialogue. So, add deep POV and readers all over will be glued to your words. For a fiction writer, it truly makes 'the pen mightier than the sword'. And stock in ice cream soar.

Let me know how it goes with the POV, huh? Right now, I've gotta check the freezer. There's a carton of creamy chocolate goodness in there with my name on it. :-)

Mary Murray, editor

Some time ago Todd Leopold of Cnn.Com wrote an article pertaining to two newspapers that had decided to drop their coverage of books. This is a travesty to writers and readers everywhere. Though it is true that much information can be found on the internet, not everyone is an internet user.

Mr. Leopold states “For all the titles released, for all the Web sites devoted to covering books, my perception is that books don't matter as much in our society as they once did. I could be wrong. Maybe they still DO matter -- and maybe they never did, at least to a mass audience.” (http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/blogs/marquee/index.html). I must ask this question, if books never mattered to the masses, why is it that all those sites are devoted to book coverage. In the same Entertainment segment, there was a tribute to Laura Ingalls Wilder. “Embraced from the start by America's teachers, the books have been read by or to generations of elementary-school kids, which has helped to keep the books in continuous print.” (http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/04/27/littlehouse.anniversary.ap/index.html). This is all the evidence I need to refute Mr. Leopold’s point and say that books indeed do matter to the masses.

In his argument, Mr. Leopold also makes it a point to state that newspapers are a business that continue to suffer the effects of declining circulation. However, most newspapers offer an online version of their daily output. The same point can be made. By modernizing the newspaper itself, the industry has set themselves up for failing circulation rates. This is not an effect that should be taken out on readers and writers.

Though many people do have internet access, there are still plenty of people who don’t surf the information superhighway. To reduce coverage of book in traditional mediums in my opinion is damaging not only to authors but to readers everywhere.

Though it’s true as technology advances more and more people turn to the internet for their resources, there are times where people can’t or don’t want to use the internet. If this is the case, people will rely upon traditional sources for information. This includes newspaper coverage.

To cut out newspaper coverage of books is detrimental to the entire community of authors and readers alike. No longer will one be able to open the newspaper and read about books. No Longer will great books get the recognition they deserve. No longer will an author have the ability to target a local audience.

We tell our children that reading is important, but we prove them to them that it’s not by reducing coverage of the many wonderful books that are out there. By reducing coverage of books, it seems that we are telling our children that reading is not important. And that is the worst travesty of all.

In part I address this now because while reading remains a part of my daughters education, I see it dwindling. At second grade, she is required to read 15 minutes a day. She brings home no text books, and after her fifteen minutes, the rest of her work is often computer work. Given in the form of weblinks for us to look up information, and and she often reports using the computer at school. Friends report that their older kids also read less and less. Are we really on the road to books being wiped out? Because we are in the business of electronic publishing here at Lyrical Press, I thought perhaps you would have some insights to provide to this article I penned quite some time ago.

Debbie :)

*Snoopy dancing* Don't Ever Give Up!!

So I got the news on Sunday that TWO of my Lyrical Press releases, "Out of the Darkness" (writing as Lesli Richardson) and "The Reluctant Dom" (writing as Tymber Dalton) have both been chosen as finalists in the EPIC annual contest. I now sit on pins and needles until March waiting to hear if they win or not. (Let the nervous nail-biting begin!)

My advice to newbie writers: Don't give up. Ever. If you want to be a writer, keep working at your craft, read other writers, and never stop.

Sometimes, the biggest fear is actually putting a story out there, because by doing so we open ourselves to rejection, whether by publishers or readers or reviewers. But remember, if a story is sitting safely in a drawer with no one to see it, then while yes, you'll never receive rejection, you'll also never have a chance to reach your full potential as a writer.

Which brings me to another important point: Write your story for YOU. No matter how carefully you write your story, no matter what you do, I guarantee you someone, somewhere, will not like your story. Get over it now, because if you accept that fact going into this field, you will be a much happier person. That old cliche of you can't please all of the people all of the time is absolutely true. So don't sit there trying to craft the story for a certain demographic or another, write the story through your eyes, write a story you would enjoy reading. Now, that doesn't mean if an editor or critique partners point out certain things that you don't have to make changes sometimes, because you will. But when you start out, follow your voice, your muse, your whatever you call it.

Writing is both the loneliest and the most exposing of all crafts. "The Reluctant Dom" was an incredibly personal story for me to write, because I was the main character, Seth. Only it was my grandmother we lost after a six-month illness. Still, I knew that feeling of time winding down, of the if, not when, of anticipating her death. It was a very emotional and difficult story for me to write because that grief worked its way out through my writing. It was an extremely lonely job to write that book despite my husband and my awesome editor holding my hand throughout the process. I had to walk that path alone. And yet, now that it's published, it's like standing naked on a stage in front of people (um, considering the subject matter, that's actually a pretty close analogy *LOL*) and I'm waiting for them to either applaud or throw rotten fruit (or both). Either way, it's terrifying.

And again, that's part of the gig.

Why would anyone in their right mind want to be a writer? Because it's who we are, not what we do. We enjoy painting pictures with words, we enjoy sharing what the voices in our heads tell us.

Whenever anyone tells you writing is hard, yes, it is. Getting published is also hard. Marketing a book is hard. But if it's what you want to do, then you will find a way to do it, to keep doing it, to make a go of it because...well, we are a bit "tetched" in the head, let's be honest, folks. But it's the best job in the world, to have someone allow us to take them on a ride for a few hours or days with our words.

Never. Give. Up.

Lesli Richardson also writes as Tymber Dalton and is the author of the Good Will Ghost Hunting series, Out of the Darkness, The Reluctant Dom, and others.

Lesli's Lyrical Press Releases

Tymber's Lyrical Press Releases

http://leslirichardson.com

http://tymberdalton.com

http://twitter.com/madmumbler

When Characters Rebel

After you've worked with a certain group of characters for a long time (say, *cough* ten years *cough*), they tend to take on a little initiative of their own. Recently, I've started plotting the finer details of the fifth book in my House Phoenix series while I'm working with my editor on the first, and the release date draws near.

I received an interesting message the other day, and decided to share it with you. Technically, I don't have Gabriel's permission to post this -- but I'm sure he won't mind letting everyone know exactly how he feels.

FROM: gabriel_morgan

TO: sw_vaughn

Hey, Vaughn,

I hate you. I hate you with the power of a thousand fiery suns. I really, really do. I'm not usually this verbose – after all, you did kind of limit me in the vocabulary department – but I feel this needs to be said: The depths of my hatred for you cannot be contained within the boundaries of my character. Also, I am a weak fool who cannot think for himself, and I whine like a mule.

(Knock it off, Jenner. I can write my own letter.)

Anyway....where was I? Oh, right. I hate you. Have I mentioned that? It wasn't bad enough that you gave me a horrendous backstory. My father beat the crap out of me almost every day? Seriously? And I provoked him into doing it sometimes so he wouldn't beat my sister? Why in the hell would you do that to me? I mean, I'm a nice guy and everything – but Christ, how much beating is one kid supposed to take? By the way, thanks for the quick temper, too. That really helps, you know?

But the beatings didn't end there. Oh, no. You had this huge underground street fighting organization kidnap my sister and hold her for a ridiculously large ransom, and made sure the only way I could get her out was by getting the crap beat out of me. Again, and again, and again. You must really like watching me bleed, man. You are one sick puppy. You're almost as bad as Jenner.

Oh, crap. You created Jenner, too – so you're probably worse than him. No, that is not a compliment.

So all right. I get the crud kicked out of me on a regular basis. Fine. At least you let me get better at it eventually. I mean, leaving out the fact that this crazy Mendez guy wants to kill me, and the crooked cop Wolff is trying to get me put away forever, and the she-man wants me for a sex toy...no, wait, let's not leave those out. Let's add them to the endless list of reasons I hate you. Seriously, I do NOT want to sleep with Dell.

Every time you do something nice for me, you make something else worse. Way, way worse. I had nobody. Eventually you gave me a friend. For a few minutes I only had one foot in hell.

And then you made me fight him naked. NAKED. In front of a thousand people!

Come ON, man. Gimme a break, will you? On second thought, don't do that. You've already given me enough breaks. I think one of my ribs is still cracked.

Look, could you please just stop writing the series? I know what you have planned for me, and I don't like it at all. He'll probably kill me. You know that's not outside his capabilities, don't you? I mean, you made the man. You have to know what he's like. I am enjoying this immensely. Please continue to bring pain into my life.

(Jenner! Give me the damned laptop back.)

I hate you. I hope you get hit by a van like Stephen King. And while you're lying crippled in a hospital, I'm going to become a writer, and I'm going to write a series about S. W. Vaughn, who was kept in virtual slavery throughout childhood and beaten at least three times a day, and then is forced to join a troupe of medieval reenactment players as the prisoner who is tortured constantly and kept chained in a little box outside of shows. And I'll sell a hundred times more copies than you.

Love and kisses,

Gabriel Morgan

a.k.a. Angel

a.k.a. Gaijin Chump Boy

(Damn it, Shiro, you're supposed to be on my side here. Chump Boy? You really need to learn better slang...)

BROKEN ANGEL: Kicking the crap out of Gabriel Morgan from page one.

Coming soon from Lyrical Press.

Get your kicks in.

------------------------------------

S. W. Vaughn writes stories that refuse to fit the mold, no matter how much she bangs on them, yells at them, or threatens to virtually rip them up and toss them into that Great Recycle Bin in the Sky.

Vaughn has a thing for dark, scarred heroes and heroines, and feels that torture – whether psychological or literal – makes her characters more interesting. They all hate her for that. She expects to some day become the first victim of homicide by fictional character.

HUNTED, an urban fantasy novel, is currently available from Lyrical Press in ebook and print formats. BROKEN ANGEL is coming soon. Find out more at www.swvaughn.com

Woefully late…

I’m here! I know it’s nearly a new day… but I almost missed my blog date, urg!

I hate, hate, hate being late. However, it appears in some circles I’m known for it my brother says I work on “Rhonda time” (blowing raspberries at him).

I actually had a blog post started – and I and fully intended to post it early today, but as usual I got side tracked. I’m not sure this is a writer’s trait, but it’s one of my annoying habits. Sometimes I think I’ve developed adult ADD. I never had this problem when I was young, but when I sit and think about it… I never had the distractions or schedule I have now!

I love writing, I love my family, I even *gasp* love my day job. But at times my life seems a little too full. I’m one of those people who rarely – say no. I have a friend who is the same way, we joke about it. But as time goes by I am learning to take a step back and reevaluate. I just need to get a better grip on my calendar.

Thanksgiving will be celebrated in the U.S. next week, and I found out less than a week ago, that I will be hosting my in-law's Thanksgiving celebration. I did this for years, then my mother in law up and decided she wanted to have Thanksgiving dinner at her house. That’s fine with me, but over the years – 18 years, we’ve collected a very eclectic group of family and friends who gather at our house for Thanksgiving – and though my MIL was happy to host “whoever” I was steadfast in my desire to continue our easy going, relaxed Thanksgiving at home. So I have continued to do Thanksgiving lunch and we would drop by to visit in the afternoon at the in-laws. We have a good size group already, so adding back the fifteen or so miscellaneous family members doesn’t make me bat and eye. I expect a crowd of 30-35.

I thought a list of things to be thankful for would be fun, especially since it’s a little quirky, not complete, and totally and completely out of order.

1) My debut release, The Business of Sex came out on 10/19/2009. It was a very exciting day. I’m thrilled with the way the book turned out. My editor is a gem, the cover rocked and LPI make the whole process enjoyable.
2) My little one (4) learned the cutest Halloween songs at PreK & I remembered to video her! Each one made me smile and she was the shining star everywhere we went all month, as she sang her little heart out.
3) My husband isn’t sick anymore (no further explanation needed, I’m sure. Men can make the worse patients ever…)
4) My oldest daughter is reading a BOOK on my iPhone right now! And she’s ahead with her required reading this year (the reader, writer, and mother in me all shout for joy at this).
5) It’s November and I’m not depressed (this is huge, as I’m not a huge fan of the Holidays).

What are your Thanksgiving plans? What are you thankful for?


Rhonda Leah
www.rhondaleah.net
http://www.lyricalpress.com/rhonda_leah
http://www.lyricalpress.com/the_business_of_sex

New From Lyrical Press! 11.15.2009

Enjoy these new releases from Lyrical Press!
Shop for additional Lyrical books at Once Upon A Bookstore.

CONFESSIONS by Wendy Ely
http://www.lyricalpress.com/confessions

Genre: Romance
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-093-1
Length: Short Short Novel
Price: $4.50

Can Chelsea and Jordan find their child, and rediscover each other?

When Chelsea Montgomery vanished eleven years ago, her hometown thought she’d been abducted. In truth, she'd given up the daughter she'd secretly had with Jordan Case.

Now he confronts her to help find the child. With a little girl's fate hanging in the balance, will the uneasy partnership -- stained by the past -- transform into something else?

Content warning: Contains sexual scenes and sensitive family situations.


FALLEN by Ann Simko
http://www.lyricalpress.com/fallen

Genre: Thriller
Digital ISBN: 78-1-61650-102-0
Length: Novel
Price: $5.50

FBy midnight he still hadn't killed anyone.

Dr. Dakota Thomas isn't prepared for the gunshot victim who rolled through his emergency room doors. Michael Ricco looks like an average young Marine. His dog tags, however, tell a different story.

How could this fresh-faced Marine have a birth date of 1898? What was he doing wandering in the desert at night, alone and wounded? And why were thirteen people murdered to try to keep his secret?

In a world where genetic experimentation pushes the boundaries of how far someone would go to live just a little longer, the main question is…how many must die to keep one person alive?


EXILES FROM CHRISTMAS by Sandra Sookoo
http://www.lyricalpress.com/exiles_from_christmas

Genre: Romance
Digital ISBN: 9978-1-61650-092-4
Length: Short
Price: $2.50

Can Jayne convince Santa to take her off the naughty list?

Santa’s nephews have come to Crystal Falls to run a cookie business. If they fail, they’ll have to go back to the North Pole and fill their uncle’s black boots when he retires. But sick of toys, elves, and the North Pole’s influence, that’s the last thing Landon and Aaron want. They’re looking for love.

Jayne isn’t much for sentimental family holidays and she certainly doesn’t believe in magic. Working in the Crystal Falls post office, she is mystified when she handles mail bearing a North Pole postal mark.

When Landon and Jayne meet, their attraction for each other is undeniable, but will the truth about Landon’s life make Jayne’s a believer, or will it be his love that finally melts her heart?


MISSION OF CHRISTMAS by Candice Gilmer
http://www.lyricalpress.com/mission_of_christmas

Genre: Romance
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-095-5
Length: Short
Price: $2.50

Will one man’s Christmas cheer thaw Ms. Scrooge’s heart?

To put it plainly, Erica Jones hates Christmas. While everyone else is decking the halls, she's holed up in her apartment watching explosion-packed action films, stubbornly ignoring the whole thing.

Longtime friend Andy Hawkins knows why Erica hates the holidays, but this year, he's on a mission. Come hell or eggnog, she'll let go of the past and see the future standing right in front of her...

Content Warning:Sexual Content.

I'm A Little Quirky

I like to find things to talk about. Funny stories whether by my family or by something that happened to someone else. Many times I write about the quirks which I see in people or that I have myself. The ones which belong to me are the best because I know them better than anyone. Or at least I think I do!

For instance. I have a pasta addiction. There can't be enough of this starchy substance with all its different shapes and sizes in my house. At one point, in my 16 year marriage, my husband forbade me from buying anymore. I didn't see his point until he walked me to our pantry where there were four shelves full! For an entire year there was no need to buy any. Read into that what you want, but the truth is I really like pasta.

Then there's the fact I'm a laundry snob. Yes, laundry snob. With thirteen loads a week in my house I not only learned to love washing, separating, and folding, I needed to look forward to it. Really? Some of you may be asking. YUP, life works better when you go a little crazy and obsess on the mundane; trust me.
Recently, I had my friend Allie over every Monday to do her laundry. I cringed when she threw it all in and didn't separate anything. After all I have seven different piles to put all our clothes and what-not in. Yeah, yeah, yeah! Seven is a lot but I need my tans, whites, blues, colors, towels, dedicates, and "What the heck pile do I put this in?" piles. Then she wasn't using any fabric softener or some type of OxyClean stuff. I immediately took over. I mean really! Who showed this girl how to do laundry?  I was appalled when I found out she was washing everything in cold. Shaking my head at her, I used the excuse she's pregnant and I'll go downstairs to start the new load and swap the other. LOL She knew what I was doing.

So, this is the stuff writers are made of. We're all a little crazy. We all have our quirks. And when it comes down to it, we need that side of us which sees the world differently then everyone else. This is what helps the writer of Horror see your closet as a sinister place; or the Sci-Fi as a porthole to another world. The writer of Romance where she hides that something special for her love interest until the right moment. And don't get me started on Erotic!

We all have them so why not make them fun? How many people out there can honestly say they like the fact they're imperfect? Heck, I think it's what makes the world a fun an interesting place to write about. Why just the other day I found out that I read aloud while I'm editing. My husband actually risked his life by coming into my 'cave' and asking who I was talking to. Apparently, I read very loud.

What fun quirks to you have?

Rebecca Rose
https://sites.google.com/a/authorrebeccarose.com/divine-turmoil/

eLoving my Kindle

I've had it less than a week, but I already love my Kindle. I'm not surprised. I like reading paperbacks and hardbacks as much as the next guy, but I've never seen why enjoying print books would exclude enjoying eBooks too.

The "tactile experience" is an argument I often hear given as a reason to stick with books printed on paper--the feel of holding a book, turning a page. I like turning pages...sometimes. I've even fluttered them against my skin or near my face. I've run my fingers down a fresh page as I read. My main interest is to read the words on that page, but I understand enjoying the tactile experience.

Some folks say they like the smell of a printed book and couldn't give that up. I like the smell in a library or bookstore, but I don't find it a major factor when reading in my easy chair or bed. Maybe I need to hold books closer to my face? Regardless, I don't miss a printed book's smell.

Bottom line for this reader: I like my Kindle because, like a printed book, it disappears. I read fiction to escape into the world a talented writer has created for me. It doesn't matter if a paperback, a hardback, or a Kindle disappears in the process, as long as the medium does indeed disappear and leave me in the world the words create.

My Kindle is light and thin. I find it easy to hold with a finger poised on one of the "next page" buttons. A simple flex of a finger gets me to more words. It's not all that tactile, but frankly, it's easier and less cumbersome than holding a book with one hand and needing a second to turn a single page, especially if I'm reading in bed with one arm behind my head. The Kindle disappears quickly and completely. I like that.

I also like the cheaper cost of eBooks. I like downloading them without postage charges in less than a minute. I like that I can download a free sample before buying. I like that if I buy a dog of  a book despite the preview, I'm out $5 or $6 and a minute to download it instead of $14.95 + $4.95 postage and 12 days of waiting for delivery or a trip to the bookstore and a $19.95 + tax price tag. I like that I can carry many, many books in my thin Kindle, and if I still find myself without something I want to read, I can shop and instantly buy and download almost anywhere.

I'm not a total convert. I'll still buy printed books because an eBook version isn't available or I want a signed copy or I miss thumbing through pages or I want to browse and buy from my favorite bookstore...but I love my Kindle. I foresee saving enough in books to recapture the $260 price tag fairly quickly.

There's my take on the Kindle six days after getting one for my birthday. I haven't addressed many of the features, such as search capabilities or a built in dictionary, but the comment thread is open. If anyone has conflicting or reinforcing opinions or completely different reasons they either like or dislike eBooks, have at it.


Keith Pyeatt writes Horror with Heart, paranormal thrills, real emotion. His first eBook, Dark Knowledge, was released October 19th by Lyrical Press. Learn more about Keith and Dark Knowledge at his Lyrical Press author's page or at one of the following sites:

Keith's Website

Facebook

Twitter

Interview

Fiction's so much better, right?

I love writing fiction. Especially contemporary fiction, because we get to use all the hip new language now, instead of waiting years for it show up in some stodgy dictionary. Am I worried about "dating" my work? Heck, no. Modern language evolves constantly, but new terminology does seem to stick around. In the last 30 years, words such as totally, like, anal, dude, really?, text, and mouse are used (and at times overused) in completely different ways than they used to be. That's, like, totally cool. And here to stay.

Since I work with kids (lots of kids, different ones just about every day as a substitute teacher) and I've gone through trial by fire to have scarred myself so that I enjoy middle-schoolers, I get to hear fun new language all the time (and keep constantly abreast of all the oldie but goodie 4-letter ones, too...). One of my new faves is the adding of "ish" at the end of any word to create an adjective. (loudish class, barfish school lunch, coolish jeans, a goodish score on the last test, Emo-ish haircut, cranky teacher who's gone all handbook-ish) You get the idea. And "ish" is now a standalone word. As in, "Son, when will you be home? By ten?" He shrugs. "Ish." Or, "Is the new Rock Band as good as the original?" He shrugs. "Ish." (Which is still a much more satisfying answer than the standard "Ohn't know." or "Huh?")

In women's fiction or chick-lit, "ish" is a veritable cache. Hunkish, tallish, boutique-ish, firemanish, bossish (okay, so that's a little awkward -- sounds like something a kid with braces would say), and let us not forget celeb possibilities. A character can be Brad Pittish, Bea Arthurish, Angelina-ish, James Bondish, (yes, in my book all Bonds are real celebs and don't need an actual actor's name attached) Simon Cowellish, Ryanish, Paula-ish or Randy-ish (and see how different each image is!) Martha Stewartish (such a colorful adjective, no?), Disney Channelish, Fox Newsish... So much more vivid, succinct... to the point.

Fun.
Fiction is fun.

Autumn Piper
Got romance?
www.autumnpiper.com
http://piperpatter.blogspot.com/

Critique Partners

Hi guys, I wanted to post this earlier and did not get the chance, I apologize for my lateness :) I hope you all enjoy what I have to say today :)

Yesterday, I lucked into another editor who happened to ask my if I needed a crit partner. Anyone who writes, and also edits, knows that finding time to write can be difficult, and the writing process can become more difficult in and of itself because you become inclined to start editing your own work as you write rather than just getting the story out.

So when the offer was made, my answer was Yes! A resounding Hallelujah! Yes Please! Be critical, be picky, be honest. Lord knows I can use the constructive criticism, and to be honest, if I'm not trying to pick apart my own writing as I'm doing it, I'm more apt to just write the story. However, my habits come from a rather picky mind... There are things that I absolutely can not stand to see in a manuscript.

Anyone that I've edited will tell you what my peeves are, and any editor will tell you we all have peeves. Each editor has slightly different peeves, however, we are all much the same. We will pick on you for repetitive words, lack of grammar, poor story structure, character inconsistencies, word choices, lack of flow, awkward word choices, so on and so forth. Editing can be a tedious process.

Just imagine doing this to myself, while trying to write...lol at times it can be funny, even if it drives me crazy :)

The thing is, I've got a backlog of stories that I've stalled on, because I've stopped writing them to edit them, and in the process have lost my flow. As a matter of fact, as a writer, I'd say that is probably one of my bigger flaws. You can tell when I've lost my flow because I've stopped to edit something. It's a characteristic I need to lose. So today, I'm grateful, that I have met someone that is willing and able to critique my work, and I am willing and able to do the same for her.

If you are an aspiring writer, let me point out the many, many benefits to having a critique partner. As writers, we are not objective. We are too close to the piece to see the flaws that may be haunting our "baby". Like I pointed out, editing is a tedious process, and we editors can be a tough bunch. I would rather be told by my critique partner that there are issues than to be told by an editor. Not because it sounds better, but because the time to fix fatal flaws is before you even submit your work.

A critique partner can lift your spirits when you feel like giving up on your idea, they can brainstorm with you, they can help you muddle through a scene, they can help you mesh out a character etc. An editor will tell you, "that doesn't sound like your character, please modify it." And you as the author, will need to figure it out.

A critique partner will give you insightful feedback about the story that can lead you to make wonderful changes in your book, leading to something you might not have thought of otherwise, thereby causing your book to be something more than you ever dreamed it would be.

Really this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to critique partners. I had one with No Matter What and Perfect Game. I have been in Critique Groups, and they have helped me tremendously! I have a friend that reads and gives feedback on everything I write and I do the same for her, and now my new Critique partner. Really, you can not get enough feedback on your writing before you submit to a publisher!

A couple of things to remember though, keep a thick skin. Do not take it personally. No one is out to harm you, criticize you, or tell you how horrible your work is. The point of a critique partner is to help you, not hurt you. If you take it personally, you will only get discouraged and then all is lost.

Writing is so much more fun when you have people to share it with. Ultimately, the Camaraderie I have found within this field, as an author and editor is what has kept me going. We are a great group, and I couldn't imagine loving any group of people more than I love my fellow authors and editors!

Join us for chat on November 18th!

Would You Dare?

“You always say you want to write but when are you actually going to do it?”
I was sitting in a café in central London when my friend asked me this. I can still see her face, still smell the coffee, still see the traffic passing outside the window…..

I had that horrible sinking feeling you get when you realise you’ve let your life fall into a rut. She was SO right. I’d wanted to write since I was a kid but somehow “stuff” always got in the way. I admit that the “stuff” was all positive, I was juggling a really demanding job, a hectic schedule and a full social life …. but there was still that nagging gap.

I probably didn’t have to resign from my job and change country but hell, as we say in Scotland “In for a penny… in for a pound” – if I was going to do something different I figured that I might as well go the whole hog and take a risk.

Now, I’m not a risk taker..... Not normally! But I was 36 years old and my life clock was starting to tick. I’d had a few friends leave this world too quickly and with a rude lack of notice. What if that happened to me? Was a good job and nice flat really all I wanted?

I’d grown up in Scotland although moving back home wasn’t all that easy. I’d lost contact with most of my school friends and I hadn’t lived here for 20 years. BUT I did have a dream and if I wanted to write, I needed somewhere cheap to live!

Once I started writing there was no stopping me. I wrote the first draft of Daring to Dream in about 2 months; reliving the pain of all my first dates and failed attempts at attracting the opposite sex as they poured out in the actions of Sarah, the young protagonist (although I have to confess I don’t have her endlessly long legs!) and as for Jason….. I’ve not met a woman yet who wouldn’t like to become more intimately acquainted with a body like his!

Daring to Dream was an absolute pleasure to write and came from having the courage of my own convictions. I hope you enjoy reading it and please let me have your comments – feel free to share what dare! - I’d love to hear from you!

Grace

A Word Is A Word Isn't A Word

Hi, I'm Debbie, one of the editors here at Lyrical Press. Some of you all are lucky enough to have me as an editor, and some of you know me by way of facebook, myspace, writing groups or some other means. Some of you might not know me at all. And if you don't it's so nice to meet you. I have been writing for about four years now, and editing for about three. I am a mom to a beautiful little seven year old girl named Cheyenne. I love to cook and do many crafts, including scrapbooking and crochet. I am a huge music fan, and I believe that there is nothing music can't solve, and music is my tool for writing too :) Often I can be found with the music blaring and my nose glued to the computer either writing or editing. One of my quirks is that I can't work in silence. It bothers me lol. I have to have the TV or radio on, or my daughter talking to me....silence is deadly or so they say :) I also am a big nature freak. I love to be outdoors walking, swimming, hiking, at the park, whatever as long as it involves the sunshine, trees and everything outside :) Lucky for me I have a laptop and pair of sunglasses :)

Anyway, I've written an article I'd like to share with you guys about word choice. This is something I posted on my own blog a few days ago and I'd like to share it here also. So, without further ado, enjoy, and please don't hesitate to ask questions, leave me a comment, and/or just say hello!

As an editor, one of the things that peeves me is to come across a manuscript that is so good, but for the fact that the author has used the same words over and over again. Many times, authors don't realize just how often they are using what we like to call "pet words". Words that could be replaced by an alternative, but have become so easy to the author, they are thoughtlessly placed in the manuscript in order to "get the story out."

We as editors understand this concept. However, once the story has been written, there are certain tricks and tips that you as an author can use to look for these overused words and change them. First, let me stress to you, READ your manuscript. Don't think because it's written that you are done. The writing is the easy part. You as an author now also have the responsibility to perfect it. The first step in that process is to read word for word and ensure that what you have written makes sense. Does it flow? Are all your facts straight? Are your character names right? Do you overuse them? Do you overuse your pronouns? Are you straight on your character's motivations and traits? While reading, take notes. Are there words popping up more frequently than others?

Yes? Please say yes, because ALL authors have them. If you think you don't you are fooling yourself. With your list in hand, and manuscript read, use Microsoft Word's Highlight Feature. I use a different color for each word. Highlight these words so that you can easily see them and change them. If you don't know how to use the highlight feature, leave me a message, I will send you detailed instructions. It's really simple.

Now, with the words highlighted, you can go back and once again read your manuscript, this time editing the things you noted on your first reading and changing those words. It makes a difference what words you use. Why use the word look 60 times when there are so many others. Have you put the word shook in your manuscript 100 times? Well, why can't he or she rock, sway, didder, stir etc. And it goes beyond choosing synonyms. If you've used this word so many times, maybe it's time for your character to stop shaking. Take the word whisper. There is only so many times and so many ways a character can whisper before it becomes unreal. A character doesn't whisper all the time, well, unless they've had a tracheotomy and that should be explained, and then we editors will understand.

The bottom line is your word choice matters. It REALLY does. Don't choose these words that people will have to look up. No one wants to sit there with a dictionary and read your book. Why would I want to stop reading your story to look up a word I don't know? At the same time, don't dumb it down. Just write....write like you're talking to a friend. Talking to the average Joe. Let's face it. That's who is reading your book. So words like gesticulate might not be fitting when you can so easily say your character stirred in his sleep. Who says he gesticulated?

Before you submit your manuscript, take a moment and read it out loud. It may sound all good in your head, but when your hear it read, it may be totally different. The flow really comes out when you hear it as opposed to reading it. You'll hear those words that don't fit. You'll hear when you've said a word over and over again. You'll hear words that aren't ringing true. You'll hear it...and it's another way your brain operates that will help you submit your best work!

As authors that is what we all should want...our best work!

What makes us do that?

Author.
What a lovely word. A title I always dreamed would someday be mine. Since the release of my first novel, The Timestone Key, on October 19, I’ve been pinching myself a lot—trying to make sure that this experience is a dream-come-true and not just a dream.

When I was 22, I was in my first interview for my first job, an English teacher position at the local high school. The superintendent asked me what I saw myself doing when I was forty. I realize now that the definitive answer would have been something that mentioned still being a teacher at that school. Instead, in my naiveté, I answered, “I hope to have written the great American novel.”

Well, it isn’t exactly THE great American novel, and I didn’t make it by the time I reached forty, but seeing my name on the front cover of a book is certainly the fulfillment of a life-long dream for me.

The Timestone Key is the story of my heart—a romantic Arthurian fantasy conceived while on a vacation in England. I dragged my husband from one Arthurian site to another on my own quest. Stonehenge. Camelford. Tintagel. Glastonbury Tor. The places themselves conjured a story in my mind. I couldn’t rest until I had it written down.

What is it that drives us to tell our stories? Where does the compulsion originate? In her famous diary, Anne Frank wrote: “I want to go on living even after I die.” Poignant words from a writer lost to us well before her time should have even begun. But I get what Anne was saying. I want my children and my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren to know who I was and what made me tick. It’s a way to touch immortality at some level.

So today, we’re celebrating life and dreams that come true! Share with me what compels you to write or read or draw or do whatever it is that you truly love.

And BTW, I got that teaching job!

I think I'll take a bath. Yes, definitely. After a ten hour work day in the hair salon I'm ready to sit, relax, and soak. Maybe I'll add some candles and soft music, too. That's what us romance writers do you know. We have husbands who massage our feet. Children who listen and reply to us with a courteous 'thank you' or 'please'. Our homes are kept spotless by maids and we have cooks who whip up delicious healthy foods we rave about at our weekly women's group. Then, of course, we all have pool boys. Hee heee heee. Pool boys! Can I get anymore cliche'? Well, I could add that we all have a cabana, too.

Yes, I'd love to take a bath tonight but its just not going to happen. Writing duty calls and when that happens I better listen or I'll be up all night troubled by the fact my characters are in limbo. This is a sure fire sign I need to get typing. Many authors say they need to purge themselves everyday but I sometimes don't have it in me. When this happens I simply write in my head until a complete story has formed. It could take days to liberate myself from the saga that has been building in my mind. I once wrote and edited a complete novel in five weeks. Sleep was an option and there was no clean clothes in the house, but everyone seemed to manage while Mom became a hermit living in 'The Cave'. ('The Cave' is what we call my office because there isn't any windows in it.) The hard part for me isn't thinking up stories to tell. Oh no! I'm much too simple of a person for that; or am I complex? You be the judge.
The hardest part for me is sitting my butt down and writing. The fear of failure is what kept me away and why I didn't start telling tales until I was in my thirties. Now I can't stop!

My debut novel, Divine Turmoil, took me about ten months to write. I enjoyed the seclusion of weaving lives into stories of love. Through the process I often wondered: Who were these people living in my imagination? What do they want out of their lives? Where are they going and how will they get there? All valid questions and important when it comes to making sure a plot is intriguing enough for a reader to need to finish the story. 

From that first word I've ever typed to the ending of Divine Turmoil, I always knew how very lucky I am to be able to verbalize my daydreams into playful words and entertaining stories. I never doubted I would see my novel up for sale. Insecurity isn't an option when a goal is set and your dreams are hinging on you to make them a reality. If I learned anything from this journey it is that even in our busy everyday lives we need to remember who we are. I am a wife, mother, laundry mat, taxi, maid, cook, thank goodness I don't have a pool! But most of all, I am a writer and I love what I do.

Rebecca Rose

You can read more about this author at https://sites.google.com/a/authorrebeccarose.com/divine-turmoil/ 

Roget's. Love him? Or love him not?

Back when I first started writing with intent to publish, Roget's Thesaurus was my trusty best pal. He and I spent hours together coming up with brainy alternatives to everyday words -- most notably synonyms for "said". (My copy still falls open to the "say" page.)

Yowch. I thought I was so original because I'd come up with 98 different ways for my characters to express themselves. Then I read Stephen King's On Writing and it took the wind right outta my literary sails. King told me if my dialogue was strong, I didn't need all those silly variations. Well. You know, he was right. And when I started my revisions, I discovered it was obvious when a character exclaimed, because we have punctuation for just such an incident... Nor did I need crazy adverbs attached to "said", such as "said angrily". If the character's language is strong, as it will be if he's angry, why talk down to the reader? Garsh. That Mr. King knows his writing!

But what about all the other cool words in that fat little paperback? Surely it's more descriptive to have a vehicle "careen" off the road than to simply drive off. We get a great visual when a character saunters, limps, or promenades, rather than when she simply walks. Kinda feels like I still need the thesaurus.

Should I end this co-dependent relationship? (I'd planned to include Roget's in the dedications of my first book! We really do go back. Maybe I owe him. He probably meant well...)

After careful consideration, I've decided to keep things casual (platonic, nonchalant, perfunctory) and only turn to him for great verbs -- except for dialogue tags. Seldom-used adverbs, adjectives, and nouns tend to come off sounding a bit la-dee-da (professorial, hoity-toity, commencement speechish) for the voices of my characters. Not to say I won't consult Roget if I'm stumped (befuddled, flummoxed, at a loss) for a word now and then, but I'm careful not to get too dependent (needy, clingy, tied to the apron strings of).

After all, I wouldn't want to offend (gall, rile, piss off) my muse, who's been with me since I was 8 and the only way I knew how to tag my characters' speech was "said" and "asked".

Sometimes less really is more.

Piper Denna
Romance is sexy!
http://www.piperdenna.com/
http://piperpatter.blogspot.com/

Celebrating Release Day

Delilah : Hi everyone! I’m Delilah K. Stephans. I’m here with my buddy Antonia Tiranth, Jett Houston and Amara Carnesir. We’re hoping that you will join us as we celebrate the release of Jett and Amara’s book. I’m going to let Antonia say hi.

Antonia : Hey guys! I'm really excited about this release for a few reasons. First, its my third published work and that never gets dull. ^.^ Second, its the continuation of a tale that I am very much enjoying being the teller of. And finally, because its the first published work from both Del and I. Its not the first thing we've written together by any means and Del has been with me the whole time with the Rikashi series, helping me when I'm stuck and editing among other things. Okay, enough about me. I should introduce you to our stars, Jett and Amara!

Jett: Guess I’m up next. Well, Tir – that’s what Delilah calls Antonia – started chronicling the Rikashi stories. No one has quite figured out how she’s doing it, but that’s not the point. So when it came time for Black Velvet. I thought since those two were writing buddies that Del should get in on the fun…

Amara: Oh be honest, you just wanted to be difficult. And Antonia is too polite to type your foul mouth.

Jett: I am so paddling your ass when we get home Princess.

Amara: I might just enjoy it.

Delilah: Ok you two behave! Sheesh.

Jett: So, where was I? So, I wouldn’t talk to Tir. Drove her nuts!

Antonia : Nuts doesn't begin to cover it. More like hair pulling frustration.


Jett: Anyway, they go ways back writing and finished our story.

Amara: Wow! You didn’t cuss once, I’m impressed. I’m Amara. think Antonia was a little surprised when I ended up being in the middle of the third tale. I wasn't exactly very talkative in The Gathering ...I'll blame that one on Daddy...but I'm sure you'll find our story interesting. You'll learn more about the prophecy and some of the changes happening in our society. Things definitely heat up *looks at Jett* on several levels.


Antonia: You can say that again. So, I hope you guys take a look at Black Velvet. If you're new to the series, you should take a look at the first two. Now, what are we doing to celebrate? I'll let Del tell you about that.

Delilah: Ok so while we’re here we’ll be answering any and all questions. For one lucky commenter we have downloads of the two songs that fit the book – Tal Bachman’s “She’s so High” and Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet”. For a few others we’ve got a stockpile of goodies we’ll be giving out – buttons, cover flats, bookmarks, and other goodies. So feel free to ask questions or just say hi!

Antonia : The songs will be provided via a gift download from iTunes (just figured out how to do that!) Del and I love hearing from readers and invite you to visit our websites, Delilah's and mine. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook. And now for a look at the cover, Amara...stop drooling.



And the blurb : I scanned the tables and counter, my eyes settling on him. There he was. Dark cowboy hat, dark coat, dark hair, and too handsome for his own good. He was sitting in one of the back booths, blending with the shadows.

I walked to his table, seating myself across from him. He looked over his menu at me and smirked.

“Just can’t stay away from me, can you, Princess?”

The nickname made me bristle, but I took a deep breath. I had to keep my focus on the mission. “So it seems.”

“Interesting,” he murmured, turning his eyes back to the menu, his face hidden beneath the brim of the hat.

Now what? What exactly should I say to him?

“We need you,” I blurted. Might as well get right to the point, rather than beat around the bush.

He laid the menu on the table. His dark eyes skimmed over my hair, my lips and down to my breasts, before returning to meet mine. My breath caught in my throat. There was such intensity in those eyes.

“We,” he echoed, then his voice dropped to a gravelly tone that made me want to squirm in my seat, “…or you?”

Now exactly what was that supposed to mean? I was one of the Aikanaro, if all of us needed him, didn’t that mean by extension each of us needed him? “I need you to come --”

“Ladies first.” He tapped the brim of his hat with a finger and winked.

I blinked at him, not understanding what he meant by that. Then slowly his meaning hit me and heat crept into my cheeks. “That’s not what I meant,” I snapped. “If you would just let me finish.”

You can get your copy of the book from Lyrical Press, Inc.

Enjoy these new books from Lyrical Press! 11.02.2009

Enjoy these new releases from Lyrical Press!
Shop for additional Lyrical books at Once Upon A Bookstore.

Black Velvet by Antoinia Tiranth and Delilah K. Stephans
http://www.lyricalpress.com/black_velvet

Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-091-7
Length: Short Novel
Price: $4.50

Always in battle, always alone... A prophecy that cannot be denied.

Determined to avoid a forced marriage, Amara hops a plane to find and recruit Jett, the only man her fellow shifters believe can save them.

Jett cares little for Amara's cause, and an ancient prophecy has told him he must always fight alone. But when the plucky lass shows up in his life and refuses to leave, the last thing he expects is the turbulent emotions her presences brings.
When she's not busy hating him, Amara kind of likes Jett, and Jett can't deny that he's falling for her. But when love ignites between them, can they deny their destiny?

Content warning: Sexual innuendo, explicit sexual situations, language.

Divine Turmoil by Rebecca Rose
http://www.lyricalpress.com/divine_turmoil

Genre: Romance/Contemporary
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-090-0
Length: Novel
Price: $5.50

Family drama and a sexy neighbor create divine turmoil.

A family illness draws Serena home to face issues she's avoided for years: an absent father, an ornery sister, and steamy neighbor Brian Allan.

With one broken marriage behind him, Brian can't believe he's falling for Serena. She's a risk on heels -- spirited but vulnerable, and utterly irresistible. He'd be crazy to give her a second glance. She'll break his heart. Or his bed. Probably both...

Content warning: This title contains strong emotional content and delicious sex. What more could you ask for?

Fear and Desire by Kathleen Brandt
http://www.lyricalpress.com/fear_and_desire

Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-088-7
Length: Novella
Price: $3.50

Cassie's been touched by an angel -- and found it terrifying.

Defying her fear of heights, Cassie has moved in to the tallest building in town. She’s doing pretty well until a thunderstorm blows an unexpected visitor through her balcony window, and she finds herself nursing a wounded angel back to health.

Tending to the angel's wounds teaches Cassie a lot more than she expected about fear...and about desire.

Content warning, explicit m/f sex, virginity loss.

When the Condor Returned by Icy Snow Blackstone
http://www.lyricalpress.com/when_the_condor_returned

Genre: Romance/Science Fiction
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61650-089-4
Length: Novel
Price: $5.50

Peace was within their grasp...and then the enemy returned.

Love doesn't necessarily conquer all. Newlyweds Philip and Rebekah represent the union of two different people, but the Earthmen and the Tusteya are not understaanding of their union.
Philip needs to convince everyone that he is a capable ruler. When he and Rebekah think they've succeeded, The Condor, a Federation spaceship returns, reawakening thirty years of hatred and aggression.

Captain Renault, in charge of the Condor, considers himself a by-the-book commander. Whatever he does, he has the excuse of following orders. His viewpoints set him up to be in conflict with Phillip.

Phillip must answer the ultimate question--is he Tusteyan or Earthman?