Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Teaser Tuesday Snippets


Welcome to Teaser Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will post a snippet of a book from my personal bookshelf. Some books may be fiction. Some may be on the craft of writing. Here's today's selection.

Craft Book Selection

Da rules.

That's how we lose our voices. One of the ways, anyway. One of the biggest ways.

Huh? (I can hear you now.) Whaddya mean, da rules?

Way back in P.S. 101, the rules are what Missus Grundy drummed into our pointy little heads. You know--those carved-in-granite commands of the English language--as administered by that well-meaning, sweetheart dragon in the third grade.

In this chapter, we'll take a look at just how those rules keep us from getting to our individual voice in our writing. We'll also look at some ways to overcome what may appear at first glance to be a formidable obstacle in our journey toward publication, but is actually easily overcome, as you'll see.

Page 10, Finding Your Voice, how to put personality in your writing by Les Edgerton



Here's the Blurb:




Find your voice--
and make your writing sing!

You know a great literary "voice" when you hear it: David Sedaris' humorous cynicism. Elmore Leonard's weary, smart-mouth dialogue. Nick Hornby's simple yet imaginative descriptions. It's the kind of writing you should aspire to, right?

Well...not quite. Each of these authors found success in part by developing their own unique voice: a writing style that helped define--and throw the spotlight on--their work.

Now Les Edgerton shows you how to develop a voice of your own, one that rises above the literary din because of its individuality, not in spite of it!

Inside, he provides guidelines, advice and dozens of exercises for recognizing and developing a natural style that will make your characters, stories and dialogue better and more memorable. You'll learn:

* How to make any piece you write unmistakably yours and your alone
* What agents and editors really think about using your own voice
* How to write better by ignoring "da rules"
* The keys to getting your voice and personality on the page
* How to get back the unique voice you may have lost by trying to write like someone else.

Whether you write fiction, non-fiction or poetry, Finding Your Voice is a must for your personal library. Let's face it--editors, agents and readers all want to read something fresh and new. By finding your voice, you'll be giving them exactly what they want!

Do you have this book in your bookshelf?

Monday, July 30, 2012

Monday Musing


Good Morning!
I've been giving a lot of thought to the evolution of vampires. The earliest vampire movie I'm aware of is Nosferatu. It was released in 1922. He was a walking corpse. No chance of getting hot and bothered looking at that guy. Certainly no voluntarily exposing your neck for a little nip either. I guess in those days, the main jest of the movie was horror, not sex or romance. Along came the movie, Dracula played by Bela Lugosi in 1931 and later by Christopher Lee in 1958. These men were fairly nice looking, but again the movies were horror, not romance. They were easy on the eyes, so exposing the neck didn't appear to be a problem ( of course, they did use mind control to get what they wanted, too). In 1979 Frank Langella took the role of Dracula. A pretty hot guy as far as I was concerned. This version was still a horror, but with romantic elements. He falls in love with Lucy (we'll call her the heroine) and "marries" her. At the end, in their attempt to escape England and go to Transylvania, Dracula is destroyed. Lucy is "saved" by her former fiance' who does not forgive her transgression of infidelity. The last scene shows her smiling enigmatically as Dracula's cape fly away in the wind. Which makes you think, sequel! He'll be back!

Instead of vampires being creatures that cause mortals to fear, dread and panic they now incite feelings of lust, charisma or sex appeal. Writers and movie directors now show vampires as leading men or heroes. Today's vampires are not just ordinary looking Joes. They have muscles, amazing abs, firm jaws, intense eyes and dazzling smiles.

There are some pretty smokin' series about vampires out there by such authors as Lara Adrian (Breeds), F.D. Davis (In The Beginning: A Vampire Series), Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunters), Katie MacAlister (Dark Ones) and Kerrelyn Sparks (Love At Stakes).

Who are some of your favorite vamp writers? Which vamps do you think are smokin' hot?

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Teaser Tuesday Snippets


Welcome to Teaser Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will post a snippet of a book from my personal bookshelf. Some books may be fiction. Some may be on the craft of writing. Here's today's selection.

Craft Book Selection

All characters have unique personal histories and childhoods upon which social/historical events have a huge impact. Events that occur in a person's childhood shape the individual's background assumptions about life and the world, while those occurring in late adolescence shape the individual's conscious identity. Events in adulthood may affect the opportunities available to an individual, but do not shape their values or their identities.

Page 16, Writer's Guide To Character Traits by Linda N. Edelstein, Ph.D.




Here's the Blurb:





From sex to schizophrenia: Everything you need to develop your characters!

What makes a person commit a white-collar crime? Who is a likely candidate to join a cult? Why do children have imaginary friends? How does birth order affect whether or not a person gets married? When does mind over matter become a crippling problem?

Writer's Guide to Character Traits, 2nd edition answers all of these questions and many others. With more than 499 easy to reference lists of traits blended from a variety of behaviors and influences you'll gain the knowledge you need to create distinctive characters whose personalities correspond to their thoughts and actions--no matter how normal or psychotic they might be. In this updated and expanded edition, you'll also find:

* Comprehensive instructions on how to best use this book.
* New statistical information to help you create true to life characters.
* Corresponding exercises that show you how to put the material to work in your
stories.
* A quick-reference index to make cross-referencing a snap.
* Idea sparkers to get your thoughts out of your head and onto the page.

Plus, you'll learn about common--and not so common--psychological, physical, and relationship disorders; delve into the minds of criminals; find out what it takes to be a professional athlete, scientist, and truck driver; discover what life is like for a gang member, suicidal teen, and alcoholic; and more.

In Writer's Guide to Character Traits, 2nd edition, noted psychologist and author Dr. Linda Edelstein takes you beyond generic personality types and into the depths of the human psyche where you're sure to find the resources you need to make your characters stand out from the crowd.


Do you have this in your bookshelf?

Monday, July 23, 2012

Monday Musing


I love writing. Finding the time to do so is difficult if you have a day job and family obligations. I get in a little writing on my breaks twice a day at work, but writing at home is a different ballgame. There's cooking, cleaning, washing and spending time with the significant other and children. It doesn't leave much time for putting pencil to paper or fingers to the keyboard.

When do you find time to write?

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Romantic Quote Thursday


When I say, "I love you," it's not because I want you or because I can't have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are, what you do, how you try. I've seen your kindness and your strength. I've seen the best and the worst of you. And I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are. You're a hell of a woman.”
Spike to Buffy
Joss Whedon

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Teaser Tuesday Snippets


Welcome to Teaser Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will post a snippet of a book from my personal bookshelf. Some books may be fiction. Some may be on the craft of writing. Here's today's selection.

Could she tell the truth about her first few years at The Circle if he asked? Maybe it wouldn't hurt for him to know, to understand what she'd gone through to become a total bitch. She squeezed her eyes shut for a few seconds. She wanted to escape from him and the emotions he made her feel. Going from one job to another had pushed away the desire to live a normal life, to be loved by a man, to have two point five children, and to won a minivan parked next to the white picket fence.

"How old were you the first time you walked across The Circle's vestibule?" he asked with deliberation.

Damn! He was good. She could lie or try to avoid the question but he must know something and he'd already proven he could sense a lie. She took a deep breath and straightened.

"Fourteen."

Pages 100-101, Circle of Desire by Carla Swafford



Here's the Blurb



She knew how to fight but not to love...

As the top assassin at The Circle, a shadowy group of mercenaries, Olivia St. Vincent can hunt down anyone. She's been trained since she was a teenager to kill without feeling, to interact with men without love. But when she's kidnapped by the enigmatic leader of a rival organization, she learns she's been lied to for years. She never worked for the good guys.

Collin Ryker believes the sultry woman he's abducted knows more than she's telling about The Circle and its plans to complete domination. Over time, as they work together, Olivia's tenacity and vulnerability captivate him. But if he isn't careful, Collin will fall into the biggest trap of all: caring for a woman who can betray him to his greatest enemy.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Romantic Quote Thursday


"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves."
- Victor Hugo


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Teaser Tuesday Snippets


Welcome to Teaser Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will post a snippet of a book from my personal bookshelf. Some books may be fiction. Some may be on the craft of writing. Here's today's selection.

"Stop," I said quietly. "Find someone else to toy with. We both know I lack experience, so I don't know how to play the game without getting hurt. Besides, I hate games. I prefer knowing straight up what's real and what's bullcrap."
He sat back, something lurking in his gaze that tempted me despite knowing better. I gulped my wine for a distraction.
"It's your directness and refusal to lie to yourself that I find most appealing. And I'm not toying with you. I'm very serious about making you mine."

Page 107, Once Burned by Jeanine Frost


Here's the Blurb:




She's a mortal cursed with dark power...

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: a terrifying ability to channel electricity and to see a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...

He's the Prince of Night...

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all--but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him--a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites, threatening to consume them. It will take everything they have to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down n flames.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Fourth of July



A day celebrating our country's independence. A day full of sun, fireworks, cookouts with hotdogs and hamburgers and time in the pool. Sometimes baseball games or sack races or relaxing in an air-conditioned room sipping lemonade.

However you celebrate, remember that this day represents Freedom. Freedom to worship as you wish, free speech and due process, among other things. Freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Let's be happy. Happy Fourth of July!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Teaser Tuesday Snippets


Welcome to Teaser Tuesday. Each Tuesday, I will post a snippet of a book from my personal bookshelf. Some books may be fiction. Some may be on the craft of writing. Here's today's selection.

"Do you regret what happened?" he asked.
"Do you question all your lovers like this?"
A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Do you. Regret what. Happened?
Did she? Now she knew his taste and hungered for more. She would never again be able to look at him without thinking of the pleasure they had shared. That angered her. But regret it? "No." She didn't.

Page 192, Seduce The Darkness by Gena Showalter


Here's the Blurb:



She has a body made for temptation...and a kiss to die for.

The war between otherworlders and humans changed Earth beyond recognition. It also saved Bride McKells's life. Before, the gorgeous vampire was a target for every fanatic with a stake and a crucifix. Now, she's free to roam the streets--and desperate to find others of her kind. One man claims to have the answers she seeks. Devyn, King of the Targons, is a warrior and a womanizer, and he makes no secret of how much he wants Bride--and how dangerous he could be to her in every way.

An avid collector of women, Devyn easily seduces human and otherworlders alike. Until now. Not only does Bride resist him, but she leaves Devyn feeling something entirely new...a bone-deep need bordering on obsession. Her blood is the key to curing a vicious alien disease, but helping Bride uncover her origins will compel her to choose between electrifying passion and a destiny that could tear her from Devyn's side forever.

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