A writer's journey...

The other week on Facebook, an author posed this question to her friends: ‘While I know both are very important, if you could only choose one which would it be—a professional editor or a graphic designer?’ For some this could be a challenging question, but her friends got it right.  While the importance of an attractive and eye-catching cover cannot be dismissed editing can really ‘make or break’ you as an author. Think of this way, whose name is on the book?  That’s right.  Your product, your book, has your name—and your reputation—riding on it.  Notice that I termed your book as a product? That is the first key to success.  Writing is a business. When you start out in the publishing world, everything can seem overwhelming.  By this point you should have established a following online via Twitter, Facebook, a blog, and possibly on other media sites such as Google+ and PinIt. These networks afford you excellent opportunities and before ...

In just about 37 days, Life Sentence will be here!  Here's today's sample: Excerpt from Life Sentence ,  Chapter 11 "Bryan, what a wonderful day." Jessica sat across from him, her face glowing from the massage earlier and the champagne. Her eyes were glassy exposing the extent of her relaxation. Smiling at him, she reached her hand across the table for his. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." Bryan returned her smile and squeezed her hand. After the spa treatment in their suite, they had a nap followed by lovemaking. Now they were both seated at a table in the resort's world-renowned restaurant.  A brick fireplace the height of one wall appeared to be twenty to thirty feet high. The tables were draped with red cloths, the lighting dim, and a candle centerpiece burned on each table. The famous Frank Sinatra crooned You Go to My Head adding to the  ambience .  "So you'd come back again?" She tilted her h...

The above-noted question is a dilemma many self-published authors face.  After all, we're the entire package.  We're the writer, the editor (even though we also hire professionals), and the marketer.  We stop producing, guess what? Sales will slow down.  So what is an author to do? We look at the successful self-pubbed authors and we know that we need to produce quality books and the more the better, but how can we find time and the creative muse to do so when we're stressed about finalizing edits on an upcoming release?  (Side thought: I find stress about money and time to be the biggest creativity killers.) Well, I had a little bit of a break through yesterday.  Logically the goal plan can work, but it will take commitment.   I was fortunate that when I set out on my self-publishing course, I had several novels already written so I've been working through having them professionally edited and published.  I have 3 more releases p...

Madison Knight is coming back...well sort of.  LIFE SENTENCE is the book that inspired her.  Although, it is a romantic suspense, Madison has a cameo role allowing my readers to learn a bit more about her background. And I'm giving you a chance to sign up for an advanced reading copy!  This version is publish-ready too!   The official release date is August 14, 2013. Here's the overview: "If I pay with my life, you will pay with yours." Defense Attorney Bryan Lexan may have just taken on the case which will cost him his life. When his client, a Russian Drug Boss, is convicted of first-degree murder, he vows to make Bryan pay. Meanwhile, Jessica Pratt has always prided herself on being a modern woman–you know, the kind who doesn't need a man to make her feel complete. So when she finds herself torn between two, she realizes that not all decisions are based on facts. If they were, her boyfriend, Bryan, would be the logical choice. He has...

She smiled.  This was the happiest she had been in a  long time. As authors we hear the phrase  “s how don't tell ”  often.  When we’re starting out it’s a trickier feat to accomplish than after we’ve been writing for a while, but there is still no room for an author to get lazy. To simply state how a character feels, or appears when it comes to emotion is taking an easy way out--and a boring road for our readers.  Since we’d never want to head down that path, it’s imperative that we continuously call ourselves out on this. For example, a POV character makes the observation that another is feeling upset.  Does the narrative simply read, “He knew that she was upset with him”, or does it show us what makes him come to that conclusion?  Think of it this way, what characteristics or mannerisms indicate a person is upset/angry?  Even pull this from your own life and the people around you.  Take your spouse.  How do y...

Ties that Bind, Justified, Eleven, and Pearls of Deception are no longer eReader prejudice.  What does this mean?  This means that these works are available from all the popular eRetailers now and not just Amazon.  My other published works will be also moving over soon. In celebration, you can grab Ties that Bind for only 99 cents! Your eReader, your way. You can pick up your copy at the following links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Apple Sony Diesel Smashwords

Should I have a prologue or epilogue? Is this chapter too long? Should I include accents in my dialogue? What about foreign language—should I use it or re-cap in English? Should I write it in first, third, or a combination of viewpoints? Does that first sentence really grab the reader or should I change it? As a writer, all or some of these questions may have hit you at one point or another.  And I’m sure there’s a lot I’m missing.  After all, we work hard on our manuscripts and we want them as perfect as possible.  You may have found yourself reaching out to a trusted friend in person or through an online community to try and find the answers you seek.  I’m here to tell you, with most of the above, the answer lies in you. It’s your story, and only you know the best way to tell it. Of course, there’s no harm in seeking opinions, but at the end of all of it, the decision lies with you.  My advice?  Follow your heart. If you...