Sunday, August 31, 2014

Labels - Categories and Sub-categories

I've made a few changes to the blog. I'm hoping it will make it easier to navigate through the many posts.

You'll notice on the left side bar - Main Categories. You'll find almost everything the blog has to offer in these few topics.

At the bottom of the page, you'll find a cluster of All Categories. Some of the Main Categories have also been broken down into sub-categories to further help in finding your way.

I hope this helps new readers find more information, and past readers revisit areas long forgotten.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Aubrie Dionne - Minstrel's Serenade versus Game of Thrones

Today, we have a special guest. It's been a while since we've had her here. Please welcome back, Aubrie Dionne.

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. Her books have received the highest ratings from Romance Times Magazine and BTS Magazine, as well as Night Owl Reviews and Two Lips Reviews.

She has guest blogged on the USA Today Happy Ever After Blog and the Dear Teen Me blog and signed books at the Boston Book Festival, Barnes and Noble, and the Romance Writers of America conference.

Her books are published by HarperImpulse, Entangled Publishing, Astraea Press, Spencer Hill Press, Inkspell Publishing, and Lyrical Press. When she's not writing, Aubrie teaches flute and plays in orchestras.

~~~~~~

3 Ways Minstrel’s Serenade is like Game of Thrones and 3 Ways it’s not!

Alike
  1. There are dragons, zombies, and warriors! (Although the zombies are stories from the past. The real threat in this book is the dragons.) 
  2. Epic battles abound. (Not kingdom against kingdom- people against dragons!)
  3. Marriages are for political reasons. (Which is the central romantic conflict through the story.)
Not Alike 

  1. There are no prostitutes and no one’s running around naked. (Thank goodness!)
  2. The dragons are already taking out towns in the beginning. (No waiting around.)
  3. No dogs are killed. (Thank goodness again!) 

~~~~~

Minstrel's Serenade

 He’s sworn to protect her, but can he save her from himself?

Danika Rubystone has hated the minstrels ever since her mother ran away with one. As Princess, she’s duty bound to marry Valorian, a minstrel from the House of Song. But problems in the kingdom are mounting.

With her father dead she’s the sole heir to an imperiled throne, and wyverns attack Ebonvale’s southern shores. But after Danika finds a lone survivor of a wyvern’s attack who holds the key to protecting the kingdom and she finally meets the enchantingly sly Valorian, everything changes.

As Ebonvale’s Royal Guard sails with the minstrels to smite the uprising of wyverns, Danika dances a line between sticking by duty like her father, or following her wild heart like her mother.

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble
Author Links: Website, Blog, Twitter @authoraubrie

You may also enjoy:
Interview with Aubrie Dionne
Tricks to Keep Writing - Aubrie Dionne
Bad Attributes by Aubrie Dionne

Friday, August 1, 2014

Coming Out of The Closet


Many writers stay in the comfort of their dark closets for years. They hide their talent, steal time away from the family, and feed a deep need only they can understand. Sounds a little like an addict, doesn't it?

It's time to step out of the closet and into the light. Untangle yourself from the fear and embrace who you are--a Writer.

Okay, calm down, you don't need to jump into the lime light.

Take your time. Take small steps. The last thing you want to do is jump outside your comfort zone without a plan of action. Doing so may have you running back for cover, never to be seen again.

Gather Your Allies - Reach out to a writers' group, start conversations in writing forums, become a part of the writing community (online or off).

You think no one could possible understand the need, the craving to write? Everyone will think you're crazy? Voices in your head, who could understand that? You barely understand it yourself. They will turn on you, chide you, and even laugh at you? "You want to be a what?"

You're not alone. There are people out there just like you. They know exactly where you are, because they've been in the same place. Most writers will even reach out and guide you forward. But first, you have to let them know you are there.

Test the Waters - If your plan includes publication, sometime after you've created this new comfort zone surrounded by allies, you will need to stick those toes into the cool water of the writing world. You must let others see your secrets.

Careful now, make sure you are ready for this one. Having another person look into your deep, dark soul can be breathtaking, but it can also be devastating. You're about to be criticized, guided, and perhaps even bashed on what you've spent many lonely hours creating and forming.

Choose your first critique wisely. When the onslaught starts, take a deep breath, and don't take it personally. We all have areas to improve on. You'll need to know what to work on. Having other writers, preferably experienced ones, point out your weak spots offers you a new viewpoint on your work and a chance to improve.

Warning: Not all writers are helpful. DO NOT forget that. If the feedback you receive feels negative and hurtful, you may be experiencing over-sensitivity to someone criticizing your baby. Or, there may be a more devious aspect going on. Get a second opinion, maybe even a third, but chances are if all three point out the same thing, you may have found the weakness in your writing and/or your story. If at any point you feel devastated, take a step back, a day off, or a brisk walk. When you come back, you should be able to see the comments for what they are, whether they are helpful or useless.

Before you move on to non-writers and declare this new road you plan to take openly, you should get comfortable with your writing community, gain strength and confidence. And when you feel it's time to step a little further out to declare WHAT you are, start with your most trusted friends. Expand outward as you feel the need to do so. There's no need to rush things.

But above all, do you really even have to tell that second cousin who always makes you feel so small? The aunt on your father's side, who only talks about her son, THE DOCTOR. Wouldn't it feel better for your book to show up in their mail one day? Out of the blue, a signed copy! No need to be bothered with what these people think of your dream. But, it is up to you. Just don't say later that you weren't warned.

Are you ready? Deep breath, now step forward. Congratulations! You've made that first move. Good luck with each new step in your journey. 

You may also enjoy:
A Treacherous Journey
Courage
Your Muse

 
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