Beware of Vampires!

Vampires walk along side us as we travel through life. No, I'm not talking about blood suckers. Soul Suckers - They latch on to you and drain your energy, leaving you exhausted.

I've been lucky in my writing career, so far, not to have ventured upon one of these creatures, but I have heard horror stories from others in the profession.

I do, however, have a few lurking in my life, outside of the business. Best method of dealing with these awful things is to avoid them at all cost.

How many of you are laughing at this point? Bet you have one in your closet right now.

Some signs to watch out for when identifying a vampire. Angry people - they complain about the most off the wall things you can think of. Blame-shifters - nothing is ever their fault. Self-important - nothing you could do would ever impress these people. Self-pity - Had a bad day? Bet this one can top it and will.

Words from my most endearing vampire, "Oh, so it's just online." These were the words I received after telling the vampire of my latest accomplishment, my novella "Escape to Love".

So, now, do you recognize that vampire who's made a home in your life?

Escape to Love Review

It has arrived!

The first review of Escape to Love is available at Surrounded by Books Reviews. Cherie Reich begins her review with, "Cher Green bewitches a spell for love in her Escape to Love." Pop over to read the rest of this wonderful review.

Thanks Cherie!

Summer Splash Contest @ Romance Junkies

Romance Junkies is hosting a Summer Splash Contest. There are many authors participating and some great prizes.

To enter to win one eBook copy of Escape to Love and one three card tarot reading, click on post card 1 and click the U in Summer. (You may go directly to my section by clicking U here.)

Hover over all three postcards to find links to other participating authors.

Contest ends August 31st. Good luck!

Computers Crash!

Don't fall victim to every writer's worst nightmare - computer crash!

I've heard horror stories of losing all your hard work to a computer crash. Till last week, I'd never actually experienced a total crash.

Friday night, I completed my novella, Seduced by Darkness. All I had to do was edit and send to publisher.

Something told me to take that extra second to back it up to my flash drive, and I did.

The next morning, the computer was incapable of starting up. Recovery DVDs + screwed up DVD drive = dead computer. I haven't given up, but for now it sits to the side, and I'm using my back up computer. She's a slow girl, but she'll get the job done till I can figure out my next step.

Thank you to all writers who have ever shared their horror stories. You saved my life! I have most everything backed up to flash drives thanks to all the warnings.

Yes, I lost my favorites. (I'd just started using a new browser and had it on my list to do - backup favorites.) I can't think of anything else that wasn't backed up. But, as in a move, one day I'll go searching for something and discover it was lost in the crash.

There are many alternatives for backup - flash drives, DVDs, external hard drives, online storage. As a safety precaution - back up your work.

How do you back up your work? How often?

eBook Giveaway

To celebrate the release of my historical romance novella, Escape to Love, I'm offering one free copy of the eBook to be given away at the first of August. Winner will be notified in the March Issue of my newsletter.

What you need to do to participate -

Be a newsletter subscriber. (All current subscribers will automatically be entered in the giveaway contest.)

Gain extra entries - 1) be a follower 2) advertise giveaway (twitter-Facebook-etc. 3) comment on this post (If you are already a current follower, mention this in your comment to get the follower entry. Also, mention in comment if you're a new follower, and/or if you've advertised and where. Multiple advertising = multiple entries)

Entries must be in by July 31st to qualify.

Plot Device!

Okay, so you are sitting around, searching the net for help with forming your plot. You come across an electronically device which will create your plots for you. Do you buy?

I found this video at http://fpdorchak.wordpress.com. It is hilarious. A must see! Hope you enjoy.


Plot Device from Red Giant on Vimeo.

Guest Post at Misha's My First Book blog

Misha, of My First Book blog, invited me over to do a guest blog. The topic, "Where do you get your ideas?"

I explored this topic in a similar post here on my blog. The new post includes thoughts on where/how I grew my idea for Escape to Love. Stop by and discover the idea germ and leave comments.

Happy Wednesday!

Discovering Your Story

I have never started a poem yet whose end I knew. Writing a poem is discovering. -- Robert Frost

This is very true when writing poetry. As far as I know, no one structures a poem until after it is drafted.

This is true to my own writing of fiction. Sometimes I have an inkling of the end, but the true discover is in the writing process.

I begin with a thought, an idea germ. Through free-writing, the germ grows into a story. During writing, the story takes on life. The story doesn't take on true form until the editing process.

How do you discover your story?

Monthly Newsletter

With all the excitement over the new release, Escape to Love, I've failed to mention my new newsletter. I've archived July's issue for you on a new page - Archived Newsletters. You can sign up for the newsletter on your right.

The main purpose was to announce the release of Escape to Love. My future plans are for this to be a monthly newsletter, with occasional special issue upon release of new projects.

Join now and keep up to date on what's next in my writing journey.

Also notice to your right, the blog is now available on Kindle! Isn't technology wonderful?

Have a great Friday!

The Magical Process Revealed

It seems most writers search for a magical process to writing. I'm about to reveal the secret. Are you sitting down?

One side of the room goes quiet in anticipation, and the other groans, knowing there is no magical process.

But, there is. The magical process is within each writer. The only secret is in discovering the process.

Every writer works in different ways and each process will be different.

The more you write, the more the process will be revealed.

So, the magical process, the secret, is to write. Write when you happy, sad, mad, confused. Continue to write when you are stuck, feed up, lonely. Discover your writing process.

Have you discovered yours? Care to share? All comments are welcomed.

Escape to Love - Available for Purchase

Exciting update on my new novella.

Escape to Love is now available for purchase at eTreasures Publishing.

Available as eBook for a low price, you can't go wrong. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story. Feel free to post to this blog, or contact me personally.

Escape to Love will be made available in other formats in the future.

Sign up for my new newsletter to keep informed of updates and news on other publications.

Have a great Fourth of July weekend!

Interview at Up Around the Corner

Terry W. Ervin II, author of Flank Hawk, invited me to his blog for an interview. Stop by and join the conversation. I'd enjoy hearing from you, and I'm available for any additional questions you might have. Click here to go directly to the interview.