Featuring…”Waiting”

When I looked at my e-mail this morning I was excited to see that Waiting is featured today at http://www.centsibleereads.com. I can’t begin to tell you how fan-ta-bu-lous this makes me feel. Okay, I got a little big-headed. But lets face it, this is what all those months of sitting behind a computer and releasing my internal muse is all about.

Recognition. It is what all of us thrive for. The ‘hey, great report card’ we get from the folks, the Cap and Gown at the end of it. The ‘fantastic job’ when you boss gives you that 1.2 percent raise. And it’s when you see the amount of books that have been purchased and the blurbs and reviews that we receive on our piece of art; our stories.

We write for others entertainment (and to quiet the voices in our heads) so we love it when someone comes back and says, “I read your book. I enjoyed it. When’s your next one coming out?”

Have a great Monday. I know I am going to

 

Lucky Seven Tag (you’re it)

A couple of fun first class ladies have put out this challenge, and shoot, I hate being left out in the cold, so I’m taking Joelene Coleman’s tag and passing out “Lucky Seven” tags of my own.  The rules of the game are as follows:

1. Start on the 7th line of the 77th page of your manuscript, and copy the next 7 lines to post.
2. Tag 7 other of your blogger friends to do the same.

Here is my excerpt from ANTE UP, to be seen at e-pubs in June.

Max felt overwhelmed as the reporters jumped into his space, shoving all types and sizes of microphones in his face. Feeling a sense of dork-dumb override his thought processes, he was grateful that Royce maneuvered himself as a shield in front of him.

Maybe fifteen minutes had passed when the reports decided that they’d gotten enough information, even though Max could tell they weren’t satisfied.  Royce gave a minimum of words repeatedly.

“Please check with your local police. We are simply guests of the department.

Scene explanation: Royce and Max (my 12 year-old hero) have just uncovered the body of a 3 year-old missing boy by telepathy. Max is a spiritual guide who has been sought out by the young child needing to tell his mother where he’s been buried so he can go through the light. Mission accomplished and now they are being overcome by interested media.

Today, I’ve blogged over at DoreeDePew.com about a romance called Moosed Up by Tiffinie Helmer. It’s a wonderful read and a new release about the misadventures of a city gal gone to experience the wild of Alaska. With a romance too!

 

 

Kacey Mark

 

 

 

Mary Martinez

Lisa Deon author of The Carriage Trade, coming out soon.

CJ Thomas author of The Kerry McDaniels Series available now.

 

 

Cindy A. Christensen Love on Laird Avenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diane Darcy: She Owns The Night

 

and M.E. Ferris: Writer

Ante Up Book 2 of Series

Coming out soon. Ante Up is Max McCarty’s story in the DunMuller’s Series. Max is a twelve-year-old spirit guide who has a young girl in a coma appearing before him at odd times and asking for help. But Max assists with the dead, he has no idea what is needed to insure the safety of a child that gets well and is back in the hospital only days later.

A fun 200 page Middle Grade for Boys.

P.S. The boy on the cover is my grandson, Callum.

Kelli Ann Morgan does a wonderful book cover!

Missing the Middle

I write, therefore I need to see a book through start, middle and end. Lately I’ve wondered about the forgotten middle. The hook is important. Its how we keep our readers reading, right? So we put a considerable amount of time into it. Perfect it. The End is important; it ties up the story, concludes what caused or created your story and keeps your readers excited to read your next book. The middle, sometimes is simply thrown in to make the word count work or the book thicker.

Well, without the middle, you’re missing the meat of things. Besides, a soggy or missing middle makes a reader put the book aside. The middle is the story. It’s the action in a film. The explanation to the introduction. Or, in the case of the child with the missing teeth, it’s the obvious.

I don’t think there is anything worse than not giving the middle of a book just as much, if not more, concentration.  I dislike a book where I skim several pages looking for the story. I like to know where I’m at. What the heroine or hero is doing, but six pages on how the weather went from a beautiful summer day to the height of frozen tundra triggers my ‘set aside’ syndrome. I, like a lot of other writers, like to keep the five senses involved so that you don’t get lost and wander off, but dragging on with the day, the dress, the weather without connecting things to the characters is a killer.

Don’t let your book become the, “Loved the start, and the finish was okay, but the middle left me feeling empty.” My responsibility is to sell the whole story. Including the saggy center.

Doree

Interview with Mary Martinez

Today, I am pleased to welcome Mary Martinez 

Thanks Doree for letting me ramble at your place today. I’m very excited because this is a day that I’ve been waiting for forever.  The Beckett Series first book, Disappear, is here! I’ll save that for last though, so let’s just visit a bit, is that okay? I brought a bottle of wine—I know that your friend Lisa likes, that box stuff, I didn’t want to take any chances. Not that I’m a snob or anything. Well actually I am, when it comes to wine and food. Maybe that’s why my pants are so snug. Oh, everyone I also brought some appetizers, so fill your plates. Doree where would you like us all?

Doree: Pick a comfortable cushion where ever you’d like. So Mary, give us a bit of background about yourself.

Mary: So you want your readers to go to sleep? I’m not exciting, that’s why I have imaginary friends I write about!

Okay, here goes. I have a new day job with the State of Utah. It’s very interesting and I really like my new co-workers. I’d tell you a bit about what I do all day, but then I’d have to find a place to stash your body in the west desert. Just kidding (but it made it sound intriguing right?).

I am a part of a team. I’m the Nana in Papa and Nana. Every Wednesday night is Papa and Nana night and our house erupts in chaos, I love it. We have seven grandkids, five boys and two girls.

Ron and I love to tailgate and we have season tickets to the University of Utah (UTES) football games and the women’s basketball games. We even got married at football tailgating in 1999. In fact, as I write this I’m rushing because I have to get ready for a Hot Dog Festival tailgate for Senior day for the Lady Utes basketball.

My life is busy and full. I love all of my friends and my family—how in the world did I get so blessed. Okay now I’m getting sappy. Next question please.

Doree: Is this your first series? Will you do more?

Mary: Yes The Beckett Series is my first. I feel like I’m a part of their family. There are three books, the first about Tyler, the second about Jessica and the third about Christine. Martha and Fred Beckett, the rents, have a bigger brood than these three. There are the twins, Raven and Glenna. They are in California. Raven the wild one, all leather and boots. Rides a Harley, the whole nine yards. Glenna total opposite, shopping is therapeutic for even a hangnail. And last but not least Matt the financial wizard. So… you never know what will happen next.  And will I do more? What a question! I’ve already started on a new series. The Bride Dress Diaries. The first book is complete and I’m tweaking it at the moment.  Three Weddings and a Dress. I think everyone is going to love Bella. No not a vampire, a dress.

Doree: Since I  write YA and MG, I understand that you are collaborating with your grandsons on a book. Can you tell us a little about it.

Mary: Okay everyone fill your glasses and plates, I’m about to launch a story about the kids. Yes, I’m writing as Nana Martinez, and the series will be called the Nana Adventures. The first book will be History Mystery.  The three oldest boys each have their own character, and each with a special power.  Our story is set in a little town on the cliffs of fictional town in central California, named Cliffdale.

The boys and I did a ‘walkabout’ in Magna, that’s where we live in Utah, we took pictures of shops, parks, the high school etc. Then we came home and made a town map on a poster board. Our Cliffdale looks a lot like our hometown. We made a house plan so they could pick out their rooms when they visit Nana.  Anyway we have it all plotted out, the boys solve a 50-year-old mystery, now Nana needs to write it. So stay tuned.

Doree: Sounds like a great collaboration. Before we go into your new stuff, where can people find you?

Mary:  You can usually find me in my office. Oh you mean on-line? Sorry.

Web site: http://www.marymartinez.com/

Blog: http://marysbooksblogger.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mlmartinez33

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/marylmartinez

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1646623.Mary_Martinez

Doree:  So what’s this I hear about a Book Bomb?

Mary: Yes today is my Book Bomb. I’m not sure exactly what everyone else thinks it is… But my definition is this:  When you have a book release you sound the battle cry and your friends and family gather around for a strategy planning meeting. Then you all join together to swarm Amazon. Everyone either like’s, tweet’s or some may even buy your book. Which will hopefully drive your sales and numbers up launching your book and eventually make it a HUGE success.

That is what I hope it is, anyway. So in advance thank you all so much!

Disappear (The Beckett Series Book I)

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GHO1MI

Print available May 2012

Blurb:  After two years undercover as an FBI agent to infiltrate a crime organization and discover the identity of a hit man, Tyler Beckett’s cover is blown. Tyler’s new assignment is to protect the only witness who can identify the mysterious killer. If only he didn’t find her so attractive. Each day it becomes harder to keep his objective, especially since he knows the interest is mutual.

Keira Cavanaugh is the only witness to a hit ordered by a crime boss. The safe house is compromised and the same hit man shoots Tyler. Fearing Tyler is dead, Keira plans revenge on the crime organization. She must fake her own suicide in order to survive.

When Tyler discovers what Keira plans, he realizes he must stop her before he loses her for good.

You can read the blurbs for the next two books on the web site

Innocent http://www.marymartinez.com/innocent.html

Quiet http://www.marymartinez.com/quiet.html

Trailer http://www.marymartinez.com/beckettseries.html  (Best viewed on full screen)

BUT last but not least, in honor of the launch of: (Place The Beckett series jpg here)

I’m having a month long contest for a Kindle Giveaway. All you have to do is help me spread the word, and let me know how you did it. Details are here: http://www.marymartinez.com/news.html#events

Thank you so much for inviting me to your place Doree, and thank you for being part of my Book Bomb. I have the best friends!

Thank you, Mary. It was a pleasure to share a glass of wine, food and time with friends.

Check out Mary’s Beckett Series, Book One. And, remember a like and/or a review is always appreciated.

Until next week, take an adventure, read a book today. Doree

Daily Writing

As a writer, we must write everyday. And like everything else, some days it’s a little hard.It can be like pulling the plug on Niagara Falls. You know there’s a lake full of ideas building up but something has got to nudge the plug.

In a creative writing class, the teacher said to take the first thing in your mind and write up a paragraph about it. Well, I love my husband but there are mornings he can be a bit of bug, it wouldn’t be fair. The teacher also suggested that we open the dictionary to any page and write down the first noun you find. Then, open the dictionary to another page and write down the first adjective that you find. Now, take the two and write a couple of paragraphs. Here is this mornings:

Sorrowful Discus

The sun was already warm and beating down on the coral clay at eight-thirty a.m. The spectator’s swarmed in and filled the bleachers. It was going to be a great day for Track and Field. The announcer sounded enthusiastic and the crowd roared. Oh yes, smiles galore.

Until you happened to walk by the Discus Shed. There, silence wasn’t golden; it was fire red and green with jealousy. Circle Swifty had medaled at the last great glide. Or so he decided.

He hadn’t. Not according to the pint size moppet who was rolling out the tape measure. Several of the other discuses had heard the words, “Shy of the line. Number four is two inches inside.” Yet, ole Swifty bragged about his length and made sure that when he gave his story, he added an inch or two each time.

It was Roundy Glyder that stole that line. Stole it, heck he passed it by a good four or five. But he rolled. Yep, it brought him right back to the line. And in this chaotic sport, it seems that if you roll back, you’re disqualified. So, ole Roundy rocked back and forth on his narrow edge, around and around he circled, until he toppled flat into the ground. The sorrowful discus wouldn’t talk; he still hasn’t made a sound.

Once the schedule was posted and the listing all arranged, those sorrowful discus eyes widened in delight as he read his name. Roundy Glyder would be the first to compete. His length, his soar would mark the line that all would have to beat. The last time this had happen, Circle Swifty measurements let Roundy Glyder win the meet.

Give it a try and have a little fun.

Until next week, remember strangers make great characters.

Doree

A-E’s of Senses

And my favorite dip is now off the table:

In this wonderful world of writing, we are drilled that we need to use our senses. All five senses should be utilized in our writings. The senses set the story; where, when, why, and how through sight, hearing, tasting, touching and smell. I refer to this as the A-E’s of showing in writing.

A) Everything that happens around us comes with a form of smell. A is for Aroma. When you pass a rose-bush, you take in the delicate fragrance of roses. When you pass a bakery at 6:00 am, you take in the lingering scent of rising yeast, flour, eggs and sugar. Your response is to picture a hot piece of bread with melting butter, you stomach growling from hunger, your saliva trigger is pressed.

B) Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Words describe what the eyes see. The morning sun peeking over the horizon; Cotton white clouds float across the sky. Light blue to dark green tells a reader the depth of water the author wants us to see. Show a bus with the color of yellow and I see #5, the school bus I took every day to learn about the world.

C) Do we cuddle or catch? Do we caress or capture? Touch is shown in the action of what we place into our hands. What is identified when our eyes are covered through the tips of our finger-tips.

D) Decimals or degrees are how we hear. Whether it’s the sound of crickets rubbing their legs together, the bee buzzing around our head or the creaking board beneath a shoe as it crosses a floor. The needs of a baby are reflected in the sounds of their crying.

E) Going back to the smell follows closely to taste. Melted butter against your tongue, the glossy slip of melted goodness sliding across your taste buds.  The tangy drips of orange juice or the crunch between your teeth as you smack down on the thick piece of cake or cereal in the morning.

Every move should be identified, every odor reflected in your words, the colors that surround you and the songs that tangle in your mind with a little slip of grass between your lips to saver on our nature while holding tight the book that’s taken you into another world.

Remember to use your senses when you put on paper the great American novel. And so until next week.