Ignoring The Redline

This has been a crazy busy week for me. I do apologize for posting just two articles but sometimes life dictates what you will do whether you like it or not. Well, life really didn't dictate things as much as work did but that's another story.

As much as my mind feels like it's been through a blender I just could not pass up the chance to write about today's topic. I will admit that this topic came to me as I was revising my manuscript but then again we learn the most when we are actually doing that which we want to learn about.

Like many of you I write on a laptop using Microsoft Word. I believe we have all seen the red zigzag line under sentences and words whenever we make a grammatical mistake or misspell a word. In my opinion many of us have come to rely on that redline while writing and as soon as we see it we want to correct whatever that problem is before we continue. There is a time; however, when we should ignore that redline and continue writing. Yes it will be hard to ignore that line but it is necessary in this instance. Wait a minute. You mean to tell me that I should leave a mistake in my cherished manuscript? Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. When should you do this? When you have a conversation between your characters.

I truly believe that once we start writing and we see these errors our old English teachers pop in our heads and reprimand us until we fix it. Let's face it...we don't use proper English when we talk to others, especially if they are friends or relatives. The strange thing is when we try to write these conversations in our manuscript we get this itch to have everything proper and correct.

As you know I am revising my manuscript and this topic flew at me like a missile. I was reading a conversation between two of my characters who happen to be brothers. The conversation went something like this:

"Hello Steve. What are you doing tonight?"
"I am watching television. What are you doing?"
"The same but I wanted to talk to you."

This is just a small snippet of the conversation but enough for you to get the point. When I read this section I immediately thought "this is not how people talk." At least it's not how I talk to my brother anyway. So one of my revisions to this conversation went like this:

"Hey man, what's going on."
"Nothin, watching a little T.V. You?"
"The same. Dude we need to talk."

Of course after I made the changes those redlines from Word were all over the place but I believe the changes made the conversation more believable and comfortable for the reader. Granted some of you may read the above and think that they both are no good but you can see the difference between the flow of how we talk to one another as compared to writing properly.

If you are having problems with conversations in your manuscript I would recommend relaxing for a moment and picture yourself having a conversation with that character. How you speak to a friend, family member or stranger is your best example of how your characters should talk within the pages of your manuscript.

When to Break and When to Keep Going

So close yet so far away. That's how I feel about my manuscript. I can see the finish line for the first round of revisions...heck I can smell and taste it. It seems though that the closer I get the more writing I end up doing. Am I pleased with the progress of my MS? Absolutely! There are sections that I cannot believe came from my mind onto the pages and then there are the sections that need more work but as a whole it's made a big jump towards completion.

I find myself at an interesting crossroads however and would like to discuss it here with all of you. We know that typically once you finish writing your first draft you should allow your MS a cooling off period before you start the revision process. Do you allow a cooling off period between your revisions? If so, how long?

I can understand the cooling off period between first draft and revision. You have all these ideas coming at you all at once and you just want to get those thoughts on paper. After doing that for two, three, sometimes four hundred pages your mind is pretty wrung out. The cooling off period gives you a chance to refresh and recharge. But the revision process is different because now you have the ideas in front of you. Now you are shaping them and molding them into the best possible story based on your original idea. Should we take a break between these revisions?

Thorn's article, which was posted Friday and you can find below this one, really got me thinking about this. He is on his ninth revision! I think it is safe to assume that he didn't take much of a break between these revisions. On the other hand he could have taken one after say...the fourth revision.

As I journey through this revision(s) I can feel a difference between that and the writing of the first draft. I seem to be more focused on the aspects of writing such as pace, structure, and development as compared to when I was freely writing my thoughts and ideas during the draft. I believe this is why many don't care for the revision process. This, I think, is where we truly display our skill or, as new authors, hone our skills.

Back to my original question - should the MS cool off for a period of time between revisions? This time around I am going to say no. I'm not going to wait. Once I have the first revision completed I plan to start the second one. I have already started it in my mind so I see no reason to stop the wheels once they are in motion. Will not taking a break be a benefit to may manuscript? I have no idea but I will let you know. If anything I will know what works and what doesn't for my next manuscript. In the end I would say the best advice one could give for a situation like this is to trust your instincts. Do what you think is best for your writing. If you think you should take a break then by all means do so but if you want to keep plowing ahead then have at it.

What has your experience(s) been like with revisions? Did you break between each one or keep moving forward?

J. Thorn - A Documentary Part III

Today we have a new article from author J. Thorn as he continues the journey to publication. If you would like to read the first two installments of the documentary you can find the first here and the second here. Now I pass the blog over to the writings of J. Thorn.

How do you roll? Seriously, how do you do it? When does the Muse visit you and how do you persuade her to stick around for a few thousand words?

I intended to blog about something completely different for this installment of the guest blog. However, I believe I am close to the finish line on my very first manuscript and began to reflect on the process. I started with a little research in the spring of 2008 and began the first draft in June of last year. After thirteen months, nine drafts, and a hundred and thirty thousand words, my next task is to polish up a query letter with my synopsis.

Most of that time, I am proud to say, was spent in my finished attic turned writing space. Every day I fought for my writer’s life against things like the “honey-do list”, the six year old son’s basketball obsession, the three year old daughter’s request for another reading of "Cows That Type", and my Gibson SG (that’s a guitar for all you non-music folk) pleading to be strummed. I find it truly amazing how many things I can find to distract myself when I am looking to be distracted.

Through it all, I managed to keep at least one sacred hour each day, locked in the attic, glued to my chair. However, here’s the rub. Just because I was ready, did not mean my Muse showed up. Some days, she waited for me next to the keyboard, reaching over and punching keys as ideas cascaded onto the page. Other days, she would not show and I struggled to get through anything, most of which I knew I would scrap at some point in the revision process.

From what I can gather, that dedicated space kept me sane and chugging along even when I thought I would never make it. Stephen King said that writing a novel is like crossing the Atlantic Ocean, by yourself, in a bathtub. Now I know what he means. If I had gone for the trendy option, sitting at Starbucks with papers scattered about and a pensive look on my face, I would not have finished a single chapter. People think it looks cool to whip out a laptop in a coffee shop, but you look like a dweeb. And really, how much work are you getting done?

But, I digress. I would not underestimate the power of the dedicated writing space. It can be your safe harbor, your own private Idaho (insert another cliche here). It does not have to be in a log cabin overlooking Lake Huron, miles from the nearest gas station. It just needs to insulate you and your Muse for a little bit of time each day.

It is very tempting to open that door, ask the wife or husband in, and hand them a chapter hot off the printer. This might work for others, but I never did it. I did not show a single word of the manuscript to anyone until I went through three revisions. The theory is that your ideas do not really come together right away, and showing them to someone while you are still in that mode may scare the Muse away as you chase what your first reader thinks would be best for the next scene.

I grabbed a digital camera and took a shot of my writing space. If you can do the same, and have the technical know-how, I invite you to do so in the comments for this post. I would

love to see the creative spaces of others.

Until next time,
J. Thorn

PPS Book Title Promotion: "Shotgun Shopping"

If you are wondering 'wow he is reading a lot of books!' You would be correct. I usually don't post back to back book reviews but when I say I will do something then I try very hard to keep my word. With that said, enjoy this rview for a fun book.

Title: Shotgun Shopping
Author: Sheevaun Moran
ISBN: 978-0-9819521-0-9
Genre: Self-Help
Pages: 149
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
Official Premium Promotional Services Rating:

Are you a non-shopper? Author Sheevaun Moran is. Moran delivers a colloquial delivery of tongue and cheek techniques, displaying the truth—a self help book that will help determine your degree of shopping displeasure.

“Shotgun Shopping” shines a light on how to materialize the wants and needs of people using shopping as a metaphor. “Shotgun Shopping” addresses buying in a practical light. Time management, being positive, and the importance of organization are all included in this guide to non-shopping. After reading “Shotgun Shopping” the reader will now be able to simply implement the learned techniques into their shopping routine.

Moran’s list of what to do and how to do it is interesting and thought provoking and leaves lasting impressions. What is more interesting; however, is the list of what not to do and why you should not. Focusing on the reasons of ‘what not to do’, she pulls the reader into her interesting store experiences. Situations the reader can relate and will nod in affirmation.

Growing up in a small U.S.A. town, Moran shares many purchasing techniques she developed while shopping with her mother whom Moran refers to as “the shopper of all shoppers.” Through “Shotgun Shopping”, Moran shows these life experiences and shares the solutions with her readers.

In essence, “Shotgun Shopping” is not a ‘how to’ or your typical ‘self help’ book about shopping or being a shopaholic. This account of practical knowledge within this book is a statistical guide…directing the reader on all intellectual abilities. Mentally, physically, and emotionally, the reader will have a different perspective when they enter a store. They will now have a new appreciation for when, where and why they choose to purchase a certain item. Moran does an excellent job incorporating her own experiences to illustrate her shopping techniques.

I recommend “Shotgun Shopping” for those who need motivation heading down the right path of life. “Shotgun Shopping” is an excellent reference that you can use during those times of stress, especially if shopping for that one particular item in the mall or a particular store.

If you would like to learn more about this author and/or the book 'Shotgun Shopping' please click Here.

PPS Book Title Promotion: "Poneasequa the Goddess of the Waters"

Title: "Poneasequa the Goddess of the Waters"

Author: S. Duckworth-Elliott
ISBN: 978-0-615-28969-4
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 126
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
Official Premium Promotional Services Rating:

New Book Brings Focus on Contemporary Native Americans

“Poneasequa, Goddess of the Waters is the coming of age story of a contemporary Wampanoag."

Native Americans are still here. Author Stephanie Duckworth-Elliott lets us know this in her debut Young Adult book, “Poneasequa, The Goddess of the Waters.

McKenzie Jones is always looking for a place that she can call her own and just be accepted the way she is. McKenzie escapes the daily rigors of chores and school, especially the stress of fitting in to a place where she was the only one that looked like she did; "Tall, red-brown skin, with dark brown hair and brown eyes." McKenzie often went to a place in her head called the "Place of Peace." Her "Place of Peace" was a place where she could be herself and feel that people would accept her. Little did she know that this place maybe a reality not just a fantasy that she has created.

McKenzie embarks upon a journey of self-discover after being asked by her teacher to do a presentation in front of the class on what it is like to be a Wampanoag (Native American) after overhearing McKenzie boast how she can contact her animal guide. To her dismay, McKenzie does not really know too much about the culture of her ancestors or about how that relates to what she goes through in 2009.

In the end McKenzie learns her final lesson as she has become a young woman, learned the truth of her history, received her name, and learned the wisdom of sacrifice and sharing, her final lesson is to live in peace and abundance where ever she may be.

Duckworth-Elliott delivers a rich in-depth look into Native American tradition and history. Her characters are both believable and easy to connect with. While Elliott shares the wisdom of Mackenzie’s grandfather through this main character’s adventures, the reader is able to feel McKenzie spiritually grow and transform into a woman where now she claims her Wampanoag identity.

Elliott entwines her endearing story into the fabric of history and breathtaking settings. Her depiction of the many Native American ceremonies (described in the pages of “Poneasequa the Goddess of the Waters”) will have the readers seeing warriors dancing in their heads and drums beating in their ears.

I recommend “Poneasequa the Goddess of the Waters” for young adults, whom are seeking their own journey of self discovery. Anyone with an interest in Native American heritage and tradition will enjoy this adventurous story. The journey of one little girl, through a world rich in history and tradition, will surly entertain both young and old. “Poneasequa the Goddess of the Waters” is a field trip to another world.

If you would like to purchase the debut book from author S. Duckworth-Elliott you can by clicking the following link(s): PPS bookstore, Barnes & Noble, Publisher

Are You Driven by Pace or Emotion?

Last week I asked you to describe your writing style with just one word. I must say that I was not expecting some of the words left in the comments. It is very evident that we have an array of different styles. I believe this is a good thing because it keeps the literary world fresh and ever changing. My idea for this article was to take your one word descriptions and look at them a little closer. Will we learn anything from this close examination? Let's find out. Before I go any further though I want to thank all of you for the comments I received for this. This article could not work without your support and help.

The one word descriptions that were received are: twisted, casual, lyrical, organic, atypical, inspirational, eclectic, heartfelt, rhythmic, succinct, unpredictable, comic, and down-home. As I mentioned above, this is a list that covers a full range of styles. In order to take a closer look we must first look at the meaning of these words. After looking them up this is what we have:

Twisted - Badly affected by experiences.
Casual – Care free
Lyrical - Poetic
Organic – Developing naturally
Atypical – Not what is expected
Inspirational – Making somebody feel more enthusiastic or confident.
Eclectic – Made of many parts from various sources.
Heartfelt – Arising from strong and sincere emotion.
Rhythmic – A regular pattern
Succinct – Expressed with brevity and clarity, with no wasted words.
Unpredictable – Not easily foreseen.
Comic – Humor
Down-home – Warm and personable

What I find very interesting about this list is that, based on definition, it can be separated into two categories - pace (flow) and emotion. So if we look a little closer we can see this:
Pace (flow) - lyrical, organic, rhythmic, succinct, unpredictable, casual, atypical
Emotion - twisted, inspirational, heartfelt, comic, down-home, eclectic
Does this mean that a person writing with a pace driven writing style cannot write with emotion or vice versa? Absolutely not, many times the two go hand in hand to play on one another. Actually, some of these descriptions can be in the other list or both for that matter.

Generally speaking though it can be assumed that many writing styles are based on pace or emotion. A pace driven writing style is predominantly dependant on the flow of the story. For example, if you have ever been to the beach standing in the surf and the waves starts to draw back into the sea. You can feel it pulling at you on its own course and if you slip you have no control on where you are going. This is similar to a pace driven writing style. On the flip side of this coin is the emotionally driven writing style. The pace can be slow, fast or vary but the main aspect of this style is expressing the emotion of the characters and getting the desired emotional response from the reader. An example of an emotional driven novel would be "The Notebook." The pace is rather slow but the emotions within this novel carry it through.

We all want the best of both worlds don't we? However there are few who have that without a lot of work. Most of the time, in my opinion, we are stronger in one aspect then the other and so we work hard to develop the weaker one. What does your style say about you? Well, that is for you to discover. If you don't know your style or haven't found it perhaps this will help you. Start by noting which aspect of writing you are really working on and which you feel confident in. Are you strong in pacing but weak in showing emotion? Can you pull the heartstrings but can't seem to get the pace right? This will get you on the road to finding your writing style.

"Just the FAQs" Blog Tour

Toady the New Author is the stop for author MaAnna Stephenson's Blog Tour. Enjoy the excert from her book series "Just the FAQs."

Join nationally acclaimed author, MaAnna Stephenson, on her blog book tour July 6-31. Two decades of technical writing, web design and marketing for countless private clients and community groups have led her to produce a new instructional series titled Just the FAQs, the ultimate user-friendly guides to the technical aspects of internet marketing and promotions.

Each time a blog visitor comments on any or all of the blog stops, they will be entered in a random drawing for two free Just the FAQs classes. Not only that, but every commenter is a winner and will receive a copy of MaAnna Stephenson's e-book the Quick Step Guide. If you haven't already read her books, be sure to pick up the series right here.

Acquiring a Domain Name

There are several ways for you to acquire a domain name. They are held by registrars, which are the agencies who register your domain name. These can be stand-alone registrars, who only sell domain names, or hosting companies that offer an integrated solution for domain name registration and hosting of your Web site pages. Following are a few scenarios for you to consider. (These are not the only situations you may encounter, but they will give you ideas for how you may want to proceed.)

- If you are hiring a designer, you may want to secure your own domain name with a stand-alone registrar.
- If you are hiring a designer, you may want to secure both your domain name and hosting yourself. Some hosts offer an integrated solution for both. In other words, it’s one-stop-shopping. (After consulting with your designer, you may find that you need to change the type of server, such as a Windows server or a Linux server. You may also find that you need more or less hosting space. All of these changes are simple to do and should not deter you from making the purchase yourself. If you feel more comfortable consulting with a designer first, by all means, do so.)
- If you wish to use templates to create the site yourself, you may want to find a provider that has integrated services of domain name registration and site creation templates.

If you wish to acquire a domain name before signing up with a hosting company, you can. Instead of your domain name pointing to a specific server where your files are located, it will simply be “parked.” In other words, it will be registered but not active. This is recommended if you want to secure a domain name before it gets taken by others. It is also a low-cost solution if you are sure of the domain name you want to
use but will not be launching your Web site for some time. Doing it this way secures the domain but keeps you from paying for hosting service you are not yet using.

If you simply want to acquire a domain name for future use, there are several stand-alone domain registrars. You can simply do a search on “domain name” to find them. Most folks doing business still prefer a .com extension. There are a multitude of new extensions and more being created all the time. The public is quite comfortable using these new extensions, so don’t be hesitant to try them. With most registrars, you can search for the domain name and extension you prefer, to see if it is available. If it isn’t, some registrars will provide suggestions for other names or extensions you may want to consider.

Multiple Domain Names

There are several good reasons to acquire multiple domain names. For instance, you can have multiple domain names all point to the same Web page. These additional domains are called “domain pointers”. If you decide to use this feature, be aware that regardless of what domain name the user types in, your main domain name will appear in their browser. The domain pointers will simply redirect them to the main URL, which is conjoined to the main domain name through the DNS. Why does all of this matter? It means that if you decide to use another domain name in the future, you can still have it point to the same home page without disturbing users who already have your site bookmarked under the old domain name.

It also means that when a user bookmarks your site, it will be under the main domain name address. So, if they type in one thing and bookmark another, it could be confusing for them. On the other hand, if you are using a main domain that could be misspelled, having multiple domain pointers with those other spellings could bring you traffic that you might have missed otherwise.

Many folks acquire domains on their personal name. Some business owners acquire domain pointers that use their personal names. So, if a user types in the owner’s name instead of the business name, they will be redirected to the home page of the business. You do not have to point additional domain names. You can simply park them. Often, celebrities will acquire domains with their personal name and park them just to keep others from exploiting the use of it.

For more information about MaAnna Stephenson and her virtual tour, check the schedule HERE.

You're Not The Only One

Before I get to today's article I must comment that the one word descriptions you supplied me on Monday's article are really great. There is still time to add your word to the list. I am working on that article but it is not ready yet so we will look at something a little different today.

Have you ever received a rejection letter? Are you nervous to mail out you manuscript because you know you will get those dreaded rejection letters? We all know that it is a rite of passage for new authors to receive rejection letters before we make it to the big show. Knowing this; however, doesn't make it any easier when we do get one.

Today I stumbled on the blog of author Frank Fiore and while I was browsing his blog I saw a post that caught my attention. What was that post? Well, it really wasn't the post as much as the list within the post. I'm not sure how he established this list; perhaps through his agent and people he knows but it....I think it would be better to just show you. This is a list of classic novels, famous authors and bestsellers that received rejection letters with a snippet of the letter included.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D H Lawrence - ‘for your own sake do not publish this book.’

Lord of the Flies by William Golding - ‘an absurd and uninteresting fantasy which was rubbish and dull.’

The Diary of Anne Frank - ‘The girl doesn’t, it seems to me, have a special perception or feeling which would lift that book above the “curiosity” level.’

Carrie by Stephen King - ‘We are not interested in science fiction which deals with negative utopias. They do not sell.’

Catch – 22 by Joseph Heller - ‘I haven’t really the foggiest idea about what the man is trying to say… Apparently the author intends it to be funny – possibly even satire – but it is really not funny on any intellectual level … From your long publishing experience you will know that it is less disastrous to turn down a work of genius than to turn down talented mediocrities.’

Animal Farm by George Orwell - ‘It is impossible to sell animal stories in the USA’

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov - ‘… overwhelmingly nauseating, even to an enlightened Freudian … the whole thing is an unsure cross between hideous reality and improbable fantasy. It often becomes a wild neurotic daydream … I recommend that it be buried under a stone for a thousand years.’

Watership Down by Richard Adams - ‘older children wouldn’t like it because its language
was too difficult.’

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame - ‘an irresponsible holiday story’

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré - ‘You’re welcome to le Carré – he hasn’t got any future.’

Some of these titles and authors you will recognize and some you will not. The point is this, every author at some point in time will have to make a decision. That decision will be to either allow the rejection letters to beat you down or to grow stronger and keep pushing. Just think what the literary world would be like if these authors above stopped pushing and their books were never published.

If you have received rejection letters don't let it get you down. You are not alone in this as it seems we all get or will get them. If you are ready to submit your manuscript but holding back due to nerves and/or fear of rejection take heart that even if you do get them at first you can still break through to the big show with a little more work and patience. If you are like me, still working on your manuscript and not even close to sending it out, then this is the time to prepare a thicker skin. Remember it is a business to many but a passion to us.

One Word

I have an idea for an article but I need your help. If you could describe your writing style in one word what would that word be?

I plan to use these words in the near future so click that comment button and share that one word with us.

Writing the Social Networks

We, as writers/authors, have the inevitable task of not only writing a manuscript, finding an agent and making the deal with a publisher but also the job of developing a platform and marketing. Many of us already know this as we have discussed this topic before. The interesting thing about developing a platform and marketing our books is that it should be easy. Why? Take the Internet for example; look at the number of social networking sites available. We have Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, Squidoo, Twitter, and the list goes on and on. I am of the opinion that with all these avenues of marketing it is still a daunting task.

I believe the major obstacle when it comes to building a platform of potential readers and marketing our book is time. It takes an unbelievable amount of time to develop a presence on these networks and to maintain that presence. Does it work? Is it worth it? These are questions we must answer before we jump into the sea of social networks.

Sure they all have their advantages and disadvantages but they all have one thing in common and that is to provide a means for us to connect with many people all over the world. It is actually a lot of fun to be on these sites and meeting new people.

If it sounds like I am complaining I can assure you that I am not. The reason why I am writing this article is because there has been a lot of discussion recently about Twitter and it's growing impact on just about everything from politics to literature. I have also read many comments from people who love Twitter and some who have never been on Twitter...not even once. This stands to reason that people have the same views about the other networking sites.

After trying many of these sites I can honestly say that you will meet people and if you are active you will meet a lot. Staying active on these sites is key though and that is when time becomes the enemy. Meeting people is one thing but developing a platform is another so we must consider the quality of the connections we are making on these sites. For example, my facebook page is full of childhood friends. People I have grown up with and knew how I was growing up. It simply perplexes them that I want to be an author. Would I consider them quality connections in regards to a platform and fan base that would buy my book? No I don't think so. Granted they may read the New Author to see what it's about and maybe hear about my book when it comes out but becoming a fan is a different story I think.

I think the above example is very important to remember. We want people to see us as authors. We want them to follow us and communicate with us because they enjoy our writing. This is where the social networks are helpful to developing a platform and marketing. This is really help. Take Twitter for example, we write short little twits and post them to our page. They can be about anything really but the real point of interest is in the top right hand corner where your profile is seen. Many of us have a statement along the line of "up and coming author" or "aspiring author" something proclaiming us as a writer. People read this and they follow because you either have something in common (like writing) or they want to see what you are about. If you consistently present yourself as a writer people will take it as face value and believe it. This is very important to remember as publishers and agents lurk in these networking sites. It is possible to grab their attention while there but you will soon need to display your skills to maintain their attention.

The Internet has provided us with an excellent opportunity to developing a platform and establishes a base with writing peers from the comfort of our own homes. It cannot be denied that this is a critically important part of being an author; however, this is also the perfect example of the importance of time management. It is interesting to witness how easily it is to get carried away by one or more of these networking sites and before you know it hours have passed while you twit or write on Facebook. As great as this may sound you also have a manuscript resting beside you that needs attention too.

This is a daunting task for all of us as we try to manage everything and then throw everyday life in the mix for good measure. So what is a writer to do? First remember your top priority in this is writing. As important as developing your presence is it doesn't compare to why you want to be an author. Set some time during the day or night to work on these networks, meet new people and share. If you have to break it up throughout the day that is fine but whatever you set for yourself try your hardest to stick to it. As fun as it may sound I would not recommend maintaining more then three networks and yes I would include your blog in that number as well.

What kind of impact has networking sites had on you and your writing? How do you manage your time between that, writing and everyday life?

A New Author Winning a Twitter Contest

Rebecca Woodhead has been a guest blogger on the New Author and a member of the New Author community for several months now. She has really made an impact on the Internet world for the better with her blogs and her Twitter page. Rebecca is destined to become a published author and with her talent and personality it would not surprise me if she made just as big a splash with her book as she has on the Internet.

Rebecca is currently in the top 16 for the Whose the Best Twitterwall competition. Unlike many others in the competition who post photos and such Rebecca has utilized her literary skills and contacts to get her this far.

She now needs our help as she is up against celebrities to determine who will be Ms. Twitter UK. Please click the link below and vote for her. Help the Twitter world know about this new upcoming author who happens to be a peer and friend to many of us. The world needs to know that there are intelligent new authors out there and this is one way to do just that.

Vote Here

Private Lives - A Book Review

Today I am posting a book review for a book I read recently. I encourage you to read this review and click on the links to the author's website as I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Private Lives." Anytime an author can capture a full range of emotions within the reader they are on the right track. I hope you enjoy the review and if you get a chance I recommend reading this book.

PREMIUM PROMOTIONAL SERVICES BOOK REVIEW:

Title: Private Lives
Author: Simon Marshland
ISBN: 978-1-905809-52-3
Genre: Literary Fiction
Pages: 254
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
Official Premium Promotional Services Rating:

Charlie Parker, Billy Kite and James Pewsey share more then a secret - they share the same fate.

Full of turmoil and massive confusion, Charlie attempts to deal with the death of the woman he adored and missing child. In a state of grief, he battles with his emotions while the FBI search endlessly for his kidnapped daughter. Reality mixes with improbabilities, and yet it is imperative for him to decipher right from wrong, especially when Billy Kite and James Pewsey come calling. Now it seems the truth is blurred with imagination, but he knows that neither truth nor honesty will save his child. An obsessive reality his daughter must be found is the only thing that matters.

Charlie comes from a humble middle class family. His mentor and friend while growing up is his grandpa, whom shares a lifetime of wisdom—engraved knowledge that Charlie later in life, puts into practice.

Charlie has an adventurous journey as a bachelor. He loves his single lifestyle, until one day, with just one look, his life changes forever—he falls madly in love with a beautiful young woman who shortly after becomes his wife. The tailspin affect she has on him doesn’t stop with just adoring love but through her family name changes his career and financial state forever as he soon discovers she is both gorgeous and extremely wealthy.

Together, they journey through life, but not without the unexpected times that his two friends try to take over.

“Private Lives” delivers the full range of emotions. The reader will find themselves laughing one minute and crying the next—and be ready to fight soon after. The author, Simon Marshland displays a great command of pace and character development throughout the story. Marshland entwines the multiple characters
with fascinating plots and detailed settings into a symphony that the reader will cherish. The British twist on word usage only adds to the flavor of this riveting story.

I highly recommend this intriguing tale of Charlie Parker for those who enjoy a roller coaster ride of emotions on every page. “Private Lives” is a book to keep on your shelf as you will want to read it over and over again. “Pirate Lives” is one of those novels that will surely show you something new each time you read it...and you will want to read it more then once.

To learn more about Simon Marshland and his novel "Private Lives" click here.

4th of July

Today we in the United States have the day off from work to celebrate the 4th of July. This is an important holiday in the history of the United States as it marks our independence and freedom. A lot has changed since that day so long ago but the core believes still holds true. We are a nation built on the ideals of freedom, perseverance and determination and yes we are a nation built "under God" as it is stated in so many of our most historical documents.

We, as Americans, should take a moment today and remember the sacrifice made to establish our Nation and the ongoing sacrifice to protect our Nation on a daily basis.

What does this have to do with writing? Nothing really unless you pay close attention to the elegant words, that were handwritten, used in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Nicolas Cage said it right in the movie "National Treasure" when he said "people don't talk like that anymore."

Enjoy this holiday and if you are living somewhere outside the States enjoy your weekend.

Be safe and happy writing.

Writing Hiatus

Have you ever heard the saying "to much of is bad for you"? What about "don't get spread out to thin or you will burn out"? Do these two sayings hold true with writing?

How many of you have taken a little hiatus from writing lately? It doesn't matter if you went on vacation, work got a little to hectic or life just threw you a curve ball at some point in time we will take a hiatus whether we want to or not. When we come back from that hiatus have we lost our writer's edge? I believe this is the big question for today's article.

Why do I ask this? Life has thrown me a few curve balls lately and I will be the first to admit that I have not been writing like I should be. At times I get a little worried wondering if I will have problems getting back into the flow of the manuscript and pick up where I left off. Will I be able to remember all the things I wanted to write? Will I be able to find all my notes?

In my opinion, how you spend your time during that hiatus is very important. We know that we can't focus on writing all the time and during a lengthy time away from writing it can be even harder but if we focus on our manuscripts for even a short amount of time each day we keep the ideas fresh. I think this is something we should remember especially if you are like me and have moments of worry. I have been thinking about my current manuscript and a future project I have in the works daily and the itch to write is really growing.

I also think that a little time away from writing is a good thing much like time away from anything we do on a normal basis. This time away allows us to recharge the batteries and I believe this will help avoid and/or relieve writer's block. I have not suffered from writer's block and I plan to keep it that way.

Nothing takes the place of sitting in a chair and writing away but we must always remember that life is going on around us and sometimes we get pulled away from our writing. Don't panic or beat yourself up about it. This is all normal in life. If we use that time in the best possible manner then we should be able to dive right back into our manuscripts. Until we do though make sure those ideas keep spinning in your mind and the story stays fresh in your thoughts so you'll be ready.

How about you? Have you ever worried about your writing after a long period away from it?