tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59269898907038678332024-03-14T05:51:01.218-04:00Behind The Garden GateThe Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.comBlogger392125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-20977846971852999592021-08-25T11:26:00.003-04:002021-08-25T11:26:33.192-04:00Call for Billionaire Romance<p>Hello authors</p><p>We
want to see stories in all genres but in particular ROMANCES that have a
billionaire or millionaire in them. It’s an old trope but a good one.
Change it up to make it fresh and new. What are some examples of
these? The classic movie that comes to mind of course is Pretty Woman,
or Maid in Manhattan was a good one. A lot of old time harlequin
romances featured the classic rich hero and the not so rich heroine.
Change it up or make it fresh and new. If you write historical – that’s
great too. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’m
not going to give you any other parameters. These can be hot or sweet,
they can be long or short, they can even be part of any of our series.
How about a Once Scoop or Two story with a billionaire twist. Go for
it. Scarlet has Passport to Pleasure series happening now – let’s have
some billionaires in there. Did anyone strike it rich in Wylder? Maybe
a billionaire comes to Wylder? Its an open call for submissions and no
there’s no particular end in site but we’d like to get these out as
early in 2022 as we can. <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Happy writing. <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Rhonda Penders<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">President/Editor-in-Chief<u></u><u></u></span></p>The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-56905119104416764692020-10-12T18:39:00.003-04:002020-10-12T18:39:31.428-04:00Call for submissions - Christmas Cookies Series<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">We are happy to announce a brand new series at The Wild Rose Press. Similar to our popular “Candy Hearts” series from a few years ago and our more recent “One Scoop or Two”, this series is open to submission from all writers not just TWRP authors. </span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Details are below:</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><u style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">CHRISTMAS COOKIES!</u><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR A NEW SERIES FROM THE WILD ROSE PRESS, INC.</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">We are launching a new series for </span><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><u style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Christmas 2021</u></strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">.</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">These are meant to be short stories, quick holiday reads 7,500 – 35,000 words. They will be released electronically - not in print.</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">All stories have to do with Christmas or holiday cookies. It must have a Christmas cookie in the title – for example something like Murder and Mint-Meltaways. Something unique but make sure it has a cookie in the title. NOTE - We are not trying to discriminate against other holidays so feel free to make a Hanukkah cookie or some other holiday cookie. But we want cookies – not pies, not cakes, etc. </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">The story should take place during the holiday season - November 1 through January 1. It must center around a Christmas/holiday cookie. This crosses all lines in the company from historical to paranormal to romance. They can be any heat rating from erotic to sweet and any genre. </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">The first stories will release in November 2021 so deadline for submissions to your editor or </span><a data-auth="NotApplicable" href="mailto:queryus@thewildrosepress.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #007c89; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">queryus@thewildrosepress.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> is March 1, 2021. You can submit after that but it will not be guaranteed a 2021 release – they will be held for 2022 holiday release.</span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">Open to all. Any questions, email your editor if you are a TWRP author or email Rhonda Penders directly – <a href="mailto:rpenders@thewildrosepress.com">rpenders@thewildrosepress.com</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"> </span>The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-23307642511077256002020-04-01T20:08:00.002-04:002020-04-01T20:08:35.985-04:00Writing ResourceHi Everyone<br />
<br />
our behind the garden gate blog has been quiet but I wanted to share some resources with you as I discover them<br />
<br />
Today I bring you Chris Fox<br />
<br />
Check out his resources for authors on his website<br />
<br />
https://www.chrisfoxwrites.com/<br />
<br />
Stay safe and healthy<br />
The Wild Rose PressThe Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-1935524420878928322016-08-16T18:50:00.002-04:002016-08-16T18:50:42.957-04:00WRITING PLAUSIBLE PLOTS by Roberta C.M. DeCaprio<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCM91vUq_Otni0uvJULRV7o8xIMu3nwPAC0XxDZdQAe6ZFwXwszXxs8aXoGvxrTHozr6imoqTnTVTDKNG9PuORX1Ij1JXelfdFg0h5A010EkSDBM_D6TmtoPLQcBlBWV_zLalBj9ezH-0/s1600/BornofProudBlood_w7235_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCM91vUq_Otni0uvJULRV7o8xIMu3nwPAC0XxDZdQAe6ZFwXwszXxs8aXoGvxrTHozr6imoqTnTVTDKNG9PuORX1Ij1JXelfdFg0h5A010EkSDBM_D6TmtoPLQcBlBWV_zLalBj9ezH-0/s1600/BornofProudBlood_w7235_300.jpg" /></a>One writing tip I’ve heard over and over again from my editors is to
write plausible plots. This is a hard task to accomplish when writing
the paranormal or science fiction genre, because basically the content
is far-fetched. However, even with that fact in mind, a writer of such
works has to make the incredible, seem credible.<br /> <br />
My time travel
novel, ALTERED JOURNEY (ZLS Publishing) is about a man going back in
time to save his family from being murdered. While he ventures back,
through an attic portal, I have his life (as it would have been if his
family hadn’t been killed) flash through his mind so he’d be prepared to
exist in the past, know his place in the family and those individuals
he was never privileged to meet.<br /> <br />
My adult romantic fairy tale, A
RIVER OF ORANGE (The Wild Rose Press) is about a young woman,
ship-wrecked on an enchanted isle, falling in love with and inspiring a
shape-shifting, young king to overcome his curse and reclaim his throne.
To do this properly, the young woman had to do some soul-searching and
reclaiming of her own.<br /> <br />
My paranormal mystery, COMA COAST (Wings
Press) is about a woman, left in a coma from an auto accident, falling
in love with a man she meets while unconscious. Her journey to find him
when she awakens brings forth a past she never knew and the friendly
haunting by a helpful ghost. Again, the character’s inner reflections
upon her own life, and coming to grips with who she really is, made the
plot believable.<br /> <br />
I do admire, though, the script writers of the
classic horror film. They seem to get away with ignoring the “plausible”
rule, effectively managing to scare the breath out of the viewer. <br />Let’s take apart the horror flick:<br />
<br />
THE FALL – In every horror film the woman, while running from the
creature stalking her, falls. First of all, a zombie or a mummy (which
have many times been the horror creatures) walk so slow, it’s a wonder
they could catch anything . . . let alone a woman running for her life.
The irony of this is, the woman could do fine running over uneven
terrain – then will suddenly lose her footing on level ground, just as
the creature becomes the closest. And why is it always the woman who
falls?<br /> <br />
THE SEPARATION – I don’t know about you, but if I was being
terrorized by something unexplainable frightening, the last thing in the
world I’d do is separate from the other people in my group. What in
heaven’s name do these characters think they can accomplish my
diminishing their fighting unit to just one person? <br /> <br />
THE BASEMENT –
Now, I hate the basement on a normal, sunny, afternoon. If you think I’d
attempt going downstairs at night, when the power’s been cut, during a
thunder and lightning storm, and after hearing unusual activity, then
you have a brain the size of a pea. What person in their right mind
would have the courage (or stupidity) to try this? You can bet your last
dollar I’d high-tail out of my home as fast as my legs could carry me
(making sure not to fall), go to a neighbor’s house and call the police.
Or get into my car and drive as far away as I could to get help.<br />
<br />
THE CAR – And that brings us to the getaway vehicle . . . one that works
perfectly fine throughout most of the movie, but suddenly develops
ignition problems (after the character drops the key and takes time to
find it) when its needed as an escape from harm’s way.<br /> <br />
And yet, as
implausible as it might be, we sit at the edge of our seats in terror –
hands over our eyes and peeking through finger slots, while watching a
horror film. We let it scare the daylights out of us. We look in
closets, check behind the shower curtain, and beneath our bed before we
go to sleep. We contemplate keeping a light on, check the locks on the
doors (especially the basement door), and sleep with a cell phone in our
hand (just in case the phone lines are cut). So, as far-fetched as the
movie script is, it can still frighten us. The writers have hooked you,
gotten you to picture this scenario as really happening. And it all
starts to become plausible because you’ve begun to believe. It’s a hard
job that’s well done . . . editors take note. <br />
<br />HAPPY WRITING!<br />Roberta C.M. DeCaprioThe Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-27018054781368620092015-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:002015-12-12T12:29:15.183-05:00Writing Historical Fiction by David WilmaIf the story focuses on real personages like Julius Caesar or Abraham
Lincoln the author should strive to be as faithful to the historical
record as possible. Lincoln should be tall, Caesar should have epilepsy,
and both should be skilled political operatives. The trick is how to
put words in their mouths. There are no recordings, but they left
writings. Witnesses wrote down what they said. Anything the author gives
them to say should be consistent with all that. And the details of
their time need to be accurate. Caesar rode a horse from Gaul to Rome
while Lincoln took the train from Springfield to Washington. But did
Caesar have stirrups on his saddle? Did Lincoln's train arrive at Union
Station? Readers will jump on errors. Bill O'Reilly wrote about the
Lincoln Assassination (non-fiction) and talked about the Oval Office.
Buzz. The Oval Office did not come into being until Theodore Roosevelt.
Lincoln conducted business on the second floor of the White House.
Research, research, research. Read, read, read. I gave Abraham Lincoln
the wrong color eyes until a colleague pointed out my error. <br />
<br />
The
librarian with a web browser is your best friend. Make friends with
your librarian. Tell him or her what you are doing and he or she will
love to help. You will get calls weeks later with some idea or tidbit.
Even if you have access only to a tiny regional library, librarians are
part of a network called Interlibrary Loan. They can find just about any
book for you. <br />
<br />
There is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">accuracy</span>—detailing events as they occurred, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">authenticity</span>—getting
the time and situation right. Sometimes you might have to fudge
accuracy to make the story flow such as inventing a town or a person.
Authenticity relates to what wood smoke smells like and what it is like
marching through Pennsylvania in a wood uniform. If you can't be
accurate, be authentic.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_p1e1yMda5PSaAyraJudyyH2sGE2B4lFIRG_Q2TvINkOxzr2nxUsWfATlHPwJKPdq2skNE_4IFJJE9jJm_QnHMHWGBUkdmnL1W5Sd1tEPHscFR5vCyea1Q9fyRVCyHKwim5QOnKaoP8k/s1600/DownTheRiver_w10135_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_p1e1yMda5PSaAyraJudyyH2sGE2B4lFIRG_Q2TvINkOxzr2nxUsWfATlHPwJKPdq2skNE_4IFJJE9jJm_QnHMHWGBUkdmnL1W5Sd1tEPHscFR5vCyea1Q9fyRVCyHKwim5QOnKaoP8k/s1600/DownTheRiver_w10135_300.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
David Wilma<br />
To Read more and to purchase click <a href="http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1297">HERE</a>The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-72972787068077887142015-11-20T07:17:00.001-05:002015-11-20T07:17:22.844-05:00Writing Historical Fiction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLLd42S1X-G8ifikHBBrK5PsS3nm-OOMi9gR_MgsFK7_ZlcSvm_trUolHJaa4KbmWMnfb2PaAqj9BHxjJxJLJQ5qQLDNTj7ZRAkBOLXTbBIV-s47HCkdkA8XjLEStJC0uTsPioFCCI_A/s1600/DownTheRiver_w10135_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLLd42S1X-G8ifikHBBrK5PsS3nm-OOMi9gR_MgsFK7_ZlcSvm_trUolHJaa4KbmWMnfb2PaAqj9BHxjJxJLJQ5qQLDNTj7ZRAkBOLXTbBIV-s47HCkdkA8XjLEStJC0uTsPioFCCI_A/s1600/DownTheRiver_w10135_300.jpg" /></a>I am first a historian (TWRP convention rather than an historian) with a
passion for the past. I came across a story that was the foundation for
my first novel and a series here at TWRP. The problem was the details
were both sketchy and contradictory. Two of my ancestors were murdered
in a disagreement over the ownership of slaves. There is a little
information in the official record, the court order book, and the first
historical account was penned 60 years later from oral tradition.
Needless to say, there was much possibility of error. Other accounts
contradicted the first. <br /><br />How to tell the story? I've always been a
fan of historical novels. These take several forms such as alternative
history (Lee prevails at Gettysburg), a fictional character in real
events (the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser), and getting
inside the heads of real people (The Killer Angels). In the case of
fiction it is less important to have absolute historical accuracy than
to have the story and the scene to be authentic. An author can jigger
around events to make the story more manageable (Fraser does this). The
important thing is to leave the reader with a good sense of the time and
the events and even educate the reader about real personages.<br /><br />In the case of my first book, Down The River <a class="postlink" href="http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=6506">http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=6506</a>
I had a list of the known players, only the barest details of events.
The rest was all mine. I decided to tell the story of the murders and
the times from the point of view of Phyllis (real person) the only
eyewitness to the crimes. I needed to learn about the location Eastern
Kentucky and its history, the history and legal structure of slavery,
and concurrent events (War of 1812) that might influence the characters'
actions. Research began in every book at the library, even the Library
of Congress, dealing with local history. I even got books on the natural
history of the region. I visited Colonial Williamsburg o see how houses
were built, how ox carts operated, and what people made and ate. <br /><br />More to follow<br />
David WilmaThe Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-44449336241767937202015-11-01T06:00:00.000-05:002015-11-01T06:00:02.763-05:00Christmas is Coming by Katherine McDermott<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgxrDUg0h4Yzn7QSO6RvQ37einGdFSOIa8wRZjaafyu78CjmrGy2qJCFWlRzfTrRsl5a3auRZFJWyviDR7d42lwZbeZ_DnuXVaCQnF_ptCGR7cABE4wa5BbsBsQF54utZAZIRO1ln3L0/s1600/Hiding_w9495_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgxrDUg0h4Yzn7QSO6RvQ37einGdFSOIa8wRZjaafyu78CjmrGy2qJCFWlRzfTrRsl5a3auRZFJWyviDR7d42lwZbeZ_DnuXVaCQnF_ptCGR7cABE4wa5BbsBsQF54utZAZIRO1ln3L0/s1600/Hiding_w9495_300.jpg" /></a>I recently boosted sales of the paperback version of my suspense romance Hiding by selling them<br />at an arts and crafts sale and providing Christmas wrapping. This was easy to do. Last year after<br />Christmas I bought rolls of papers at very low prices. I cut the paper with pinking shears about and<br />2 inches wider and taller than my book. Then I glued the backsides with rubber cement. Many different charitable organizations have sent me adhesive gift tags so I put them on my sacks as well. All purchasers have to do is slide the book inside, fold down the top and seal it with tape. They might want to add a bow.<br /> Also, with Christmas in mind, I think we should all support each other and our wonderful publishers by giving books from TWRP to our friends and family for the holiday. So Merry Christmas and I plan to do my shopping at The Wild Rose Press website.<br />
<br />
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-2271603822989578872015-10-30T14:07:00.001-04:002015-10-30T14:07:14.927-04:00Band-Aids, Boo Boo's and Beefcakes-Ask A Registered NurseOn Dec 1, 2015 we will be having a follow up chat with Kim Turner.<br />
<br />
8pm ET in the Wild Rose Press chat room.<br />
<br />
Have a question, medical related, post it here in a comment on this blog. Kim will answer in the chat on Dec 1st!<br />
<br />
See you there.<br />
<br />
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-74445400625410154242015-10-10T10:03:00.001-04:002015-10-10T10:03:14.099-04:00Lobster Cove SeriesSince the Summer of 2014, you've been swept away to the Seaside town of Lobster Cove, across genre and in all lengths of fiction. However, the time has come to close for submissions to this quaint community. Final deadline for submissions is Dec 31, 2015. <br />
<br />
Thank you to all the authors who have brought Lobster Cove to life. <br />
<br />
Look for future series from The Wild Rose Press.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdSn6PpkWfxr5M4-AcRT14YUrN2SSR1DIYDW6dY4R-rjQyK6ZDum625q_bdkjIjWgQYt8L9XhSPyChZitGis56zjV5DlzYarFETM3cD-ZWyiIk743Mr0ifYZCs1BJR8cOnLRwHEGWOkA/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdSn6PpkWfxr5M4-AcRT14YUrN2SSR1DIYDW6dY4R-rjQyK6ZDum625q_bdkjIjWgQYt8L9XhSPyChZitGis56zjV5DlzYarFETM3cD-ZWyiIk743Mr0ifYZCs1BJR8cOnLRwHEGWOkA/s320/blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-10245091196970791422015-08-17T06:00:00.000-04:002015-08-17T06:00:08.673-04:00Tossed Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yUUIP2fzozGKxL5Ou_rD8JbcZRaBxwDsgWgaFA-wrEM6d80ZK1X81-tEutA6mEZid4GWTPL21YMxSDX7g_q48sxUs__OEw9CV5OhZ-04gkGQ_SnEgFxkhzuK0Fl-qbfU5gSxb3zAaXw/s1600/Depositphotos_22563175_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yUUIP2fzozGKxL5Ou_rD8JbcZRaBxwDsgWgaFA-wrEM6d80ZK1X81-tEutA6mEZid4GWTPL21YMxSDX7g_q48sxUs__OEw9CV5OhZ-04gkGQ_SnEgFxkhzuK0Fl-qbfU5gSxb3zAaXw/s320/Depositphotos_22563175_original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
or, Just a few words
to the wise…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay, how many of you know what a tossed salad is? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yep, thought so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And why is it called a “tossed” salad?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, you’re right — because you toss it with the serving
utensils in order to mix the ingredients together, of course. Or, in some recipes,
you put a lid on the bowl and shake the whole works.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So why would you write “He tossed the empty container in the
wastebasket.”???<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To me, that says he either picked up the wastebasket and
shook it, or he used a stick or something similar to stir and “toss” or mix the
contents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s why I will edit that sentence to say “He tossed the
empty container <i>into</i> the
wastebasket.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You write “She jumped in the car and slammed the door,” and
I will edit it to “She jumped into the car and slammed the door” because
otherwise you’re telling me she was hopping up and down inside the car (a
convertible with the top down maybe? Or a child jumping on the seats?), whether
slamming the door was a result of the jumping or simply happened with or after
the jumping.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s just one of my picky little correction points.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
#2<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you know the difference between “wave” and “waive”? (Besides
the extra letter in the middle, I mean.) Apparently some authors — and editors,
I’m sorry to say — do not know there’s any difference, because I’ve seen it numerous
times in final galleys.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can wave your hand at someone either to catch their
attention or as a way of saying goodbye. If you were to waive your hand…Wow! I
don’t think you really can do that, although Lady Macbeth would have gladly
done so, probably. Dictionary definition of “waive” is “to officially say that
you will not use or require something that you are allowed to have or that is
usually required.” You can waive your right to a jury trial, or the committee
may waive the requirement of a fee with your application. But to waive your
hand would mean you want to throw it away, relinquish it voluntarily, or put
off immediate consideration of it (as in, just ignore the darn thing). Hmmm. <span style="background: rgb(241, 241, 241);"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That leads us to “waver” and “waiver.” A ghost may waver in
front of you, or a person unsteady on his or her feet might waver from side to
side. Neither would waiver, because, first of all, “waiver” is not a verb; it
is not something you do. A waiver is a noun, a thing, usually a legal document
that puts aside some otherwise restricting rule or necessary step in a process.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
#3<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last but not least, let me make a recommendation. At some
point before you say you’re done with a book and it has your approval, use the
Search feature of your Word program and see how many times you have used the
word “peek” — you might be surprised at how often it has crept in! And let me
suggest that you try using “peer” in some of those spots if you really need to
indicate to a reader that someone was sneakily looking somewhere or at
something. Your homework for this evening is to look up the dictionary
definitions for each:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peek = ………..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peer = ………..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And don’t you dare use “peak” or “pique” instead of “peek” —
or vice versa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
~<st1:place w:st="on">Nan</st1:place><o:p></o:p></div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-74927021040354173292015-07-22T21:47:00.001-04:002015-07-22T21:47:15.165-04:00Steam punk and Coffee Time RomanceDo you write steam punk? Are you all excited about bicycles,
balloons, steam engines, clock work and the Victorian Era transformed with a
vast range of wild adventures shared by intrepid heroines and dashing heroes?
Do you dream—and create tales-- about air ship pirates, hidden treasure to
discover and a bit of magic and mayhem? If so, August’s Book Brew is for you! We’ll
be hosting our day-long event in <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_939957861" tabindex="0">Monday, August 3</span> from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_939957862" tabindex="0">noon until 8:00 PM EDT</span>. The
event takes place on our Coffee Thoughts blog page. Our participating authors can
post one or two excerpts up to 1500 words, a cover or other picture and another
post or two about your writing, the genre, or anything you think readers would
enjoy. To sign up—and I suspect this will fill up fast—drop me an email at <a href="mailto:bookbrew@coffeetimeromance.com" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">bookbrew@coffeetimeromance.com</a><wbr></wbr>.
Once I hear from you I’ll send you all the procedures and how to share in this
fun event!The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-73084408342831105582015-07-14T14:43:00.001-04:002015-07-14T14:43:15.805-04:00Help Wanted: A new series from the Wild Rose Press<div class="MsoNormal">
Help Wanted: At times, everyone needs a bit of help. And
love doesn’t always come easily. The historical department at The Wild
Rose Press is pleased to announce Help Wanted, an exciting new arranged
marriage series where cupid gets a little push. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Help Wanted stories should focus on the struggles of heroes
and heroines who need a mate—fast!
Maybe it’s the lonely frontiersman looking for a wife to help him settle
his claim. The war widow who needs a
handyman. The soldier eager to marry before heading off to war. The hippie
posting a sign at Woodstock. Let’s not forget the Regency heroine thought to be
past the marriage market, the lord who needs to sire an heir, or the heroine
desperate enough to become a mail order bride. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An announcement or advertisement must appear within the
first twenty pages to get the story started. Your characters may advertise on
their own or have the advertised-for spouse thrust upon them. We are looking
for fresh ideas and unique twists to bring about the arranged marriage rather
than the same old tired plots.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Stories must be historically
accurate and suited to one of the following lines: American Rose, Cactus Rose,
Tea Rose, Vintage Rose**. Story length of all ranges will be considered, but we
prefer to see 2ok and up to give the relationship time to develop. Please
follow the general submission guidelines on the website for formatting and
submit via queryus@thewildrosepress.com. “Help Wanted” should appear in the
subject line, as well as your title.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">**while
this series was created with historical authors in mind, if you can find a
valid reason and believable plot for a contemporary arranged marriage story,
TWRP will gladly consider it for this series! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJu9-5YFpLS8F1sbr_ZdQZmN3_hHkny34iOb7OuoBMSdsbIFLgQ97WiDJ8ZxlbYKkDI21EVFzGFNrALVBx_xQNwyQc8VuxWmVgf5ZWgELdjQxxPhDbvzqqXFukNQtVn7DuQ_2Nlm8fyM/s1600/HelpWanted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJu9-5YFpLS8F1sbr_ZdQZmN3_hHkny34iOb7OuoBMSdsbIFLgQ97WiDJ8ZxlbYKkDI21EVFzGFNrALVBx_xQNwyQc8VuxWmVgf5ZWgELdjQxxPhDbvzqqXFukNQtVn7DuQ_2Nlm8fyM/s320/HelpWanted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-36450319955269971432015-06-01T10:04:00.000-04:002015-06-01T10:15:20.951-04:00Call for Submissions<span style="color: firebrick; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">REAL MEN WEAR KILTS - Call for Submissions - The Wild Rose Press, Inc.</span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">
Whether he's the leader of his clan in the historical highlands,
invited to a Halloween party, or your sexy next door neighbor,
we’re looking for a hot hero in a kilt. The story can be any genre
as long as it is erotic—contemporary, historical, time travel,
paranormal, fantasy, futuristic, western, suspense, M/M, etc.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="color: black;">LENGTH: Preferred target is 20k-40k but will accept any length.<br />
SETTING: Any s</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">etting though Scotland is preferred.<br />
MUST: Hero must wear a kilt at some point in the story.<br />
TARGET SUBMISSION DATE: <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1790660669" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">October 1, 2015</span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: black;"> All titles are subject to change as we will focus on the Highland/Kilt aspect.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="color: black;">Query at <a href="mailto:queryus@thewildrosepress.com" target="_blank">queryus@thewildrosepress.com</a>
with "Scarlet Rose Series REAL MEN WEAR KILTS" in the subject line.
Please list the word count and enter a 1-2 page synopsis in the body of
the email. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Email <a href="mailto:Diana@thewildrosepress.com" target="_blank">Diana@thewildrosepress.com</a> for any questions.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjBgssppWKtv5a6eI86kRqK8Nty7yikyyrRrwqsR0wbWLaRkcGYlLRbKhuluXDMDJ3IQuA1zFmlLR9yxOQ99yoMsbdaGLQhJ5nLmv1BiNKWEN8OIGKi6DJFP01EwCzYALBycStJtKaTE/s1600/RealMenWearKilts_Slider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjBgssppWKtv5a6eI86kRqK8Nty7yikyyrRrwqsR0wbWLaRkcGYlLRbKhuluXDMDJ3IQuA1zFmlLR9yxOQ99yoMsbdaGLQhJ5nLmv1BiNKWEN8OIGKi6DJFP01EwCzYALBycStJtKaTE/s320/RealMenWearKilts_Slider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;">
</span></div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-16184641334857045962015-04-13T06:00:00.000-04:002015-04-13T06:00:01.973-04:00A Wild Rose Press author talks about rejection<div style="text-align: center;">
Mary Eleanor Wilson talks about rejection and her path to publication.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check it out</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wildwomenauthorsx2.blogspot.com/2015/03/rejection.html">http://www.wildwomenauthorsx2.blogspot.com/2015/03/rejection.html</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="8" style="text-align: center; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="pageHeading" colspan="2" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">About Mary Eleanor Wilson</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="nowrap"><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td><td class="infoBox" width="100%">I
have been telling stories since I was a child. In school I was the kid
who always had a 13-page dissertation on "What I Did During My Summer
Vacation." I sold my first story to a romance magazine when my youngest
son was two years old, and since then I've been waging the love/hate war
of writing and publishing. My work has been featured in Guideposts,
Angels on Earth, Snitch Magazine, and many other publications. After
majoring in Journalism at St. Mary of the Woods College in Terre Haute,
Indiana, I worked in newspapers for several years. I now concentrate on
writing what I love most -- novels!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5K76vVmO9g-yRu1aC4UHHNH5oMWX7fPWjcCUUeoc4U0rwMO_r9ws8EpEwtsny4aI5ghbrTXsdroTKMiLRlvsH-SUnhJ0G5A3WOgyjmQct7zenG-2ZpRrtD4bzypRVV8Tf-dO2qo9a80/s1600/SomewhereDowntheRoad_w8884_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5K76vVmO9g-yRu1aC4UHHNH5oMWX7fPWjcCUUeoc4U0rwMO_r9ws8EpEwtsny4aI5ghbrTXsdroTKMiLRlvsH-SUnhJ0G5A3WOgyjmQct7zenG-2ZpRrtD4bzypRVV8Tf-dO2qo9a80/s1600/SomewhereDowntheRoad_w8884_300.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6032">To Purchase</a></div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-16224088799710967782015-04-10T07:47:00.002-04:002015-04-10T07:47:35.674-04:00150th anniversary of Lee’s surrender to Grant<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">April 9, 2015 marks the 150<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House, effectively
ending the American Civil War. What not
many people realize is that it was not in fact the complete end of the war, and
several skirmishes and battles followed because Lee surrendered only the Army
of Northern Virginia, not all Confederate forces. General Joseph Johnson, with whom Lee’s
forces had been trying to link up, presided over a very large force in North
Carolina. For a while, Johnson agonized
over whether to surrender or fight on.
Many of his starving troops were eating the bark off trees and picking
through horse manure for bits of oats and corn but still wanted to continue the
fight. With no hope of reaching
supplies, and with soaring desertion rates, a couple of weeks after Appomattox,
Johnson too surrendered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The passions that drove the
Civil War were epic—as was the cost in lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If you add up the number of
American men killed in the Revolutionary War, along with The War of 1812, The
Mexican War, World War I, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The
Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan, <i>more
American men died in the Civil War than in all the other wars in which America
fought combined.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The passions of that tragic war,
the determination, rage, treachery, and deceit, are captured in <i>Point Blank:
A Novel of the Civil War</i> by Carmine Sarracino, which will be
released in the future by The Wild Rose Press.
Follow Louisa March, modeled after Louisa May Alcott, as she serves as a
volunteer nurse in a hospital in Washington just after the horrific battle of
Fredericksburg. Idealistic and naïve, she struggles to overcome challenges of
espionage, drug trafficking, war profiteering, and murder that tempt her to run
away from it all and return to her comfortable home in Massachusetts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Her love for a war-weary,
badly wounded Union soldier, however, keeps her in the hospital—and in the
midst of the high drama of this most deadly conflict. Her limits are tested every day: first by the gruesome wounds she must tend
but then by the collapsed social barriers that put her into situations of
sexual temptation she could never have imagined back home in Boston. Fiercely determined to be strong and succeed,
she is challenged at every step of the way.
Only her love for Cole Morgan, a Union soldier who was nearly dead when
she began caring for him, inspires her to find strength deep within herself
that she did not know she possessed. The
enemies the two confront are as darkly powerful as their love for each other,
especially Dr. Stephen Valentine, a drunkard, spy, and war profiteer, and Eustace Light, an albino Confederate
sniper with preternatural vision, almost superhuman marksmanship, and an
unquenchable hatred for Yankees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colby Wolford<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Historical Editor<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Wild Rose Press</div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-76424121437220293172015-04-06T06:00:00.000-04:002015-04-06T06:00:02.339-04:00It's a great day to snowshoe....<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">... </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The most recent storm left a foot and a half of snow on
the ground, and the trails have been untouched for eight days, according to the
log at the trail-head. The snow sparkles in the brilliant sun, the sky is
a high clear blue, and the air is still. Temps are a little below freezing, but
that's a good thing; snowshoeing is physical, and we'll warm up soon.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
The virgin powder entices me like a blank page, waiting for me to make my mark
on it. What will I find out there? Where will the story take me? But I feel
intimidated, too. Will I mess it up? Get lost? Destroy something pure? </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
Well, sure I will. There is no creation without destruction, even if it's only
the destruction of a different story I might have told. Getting lost on snowy
trails is ridiculously easy, especially in open woods like these. Where the
porcupine tracks cross my route, I'm tempted to turn and see where he lives,
deep in the hemlock grove. Happily, getting unlost on snowy trails is
incredibly easy--just turn around and backtrack until you get your bearings. My
snowshoes will leave tracks for others to follow, but no one else will have the
joy of breaking trail.</span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
On the other hand, no one ever follows exactly the same path. Whether I'm
writing a classic genre like cozy mystery or attempting the Appalachian Trail,
I will move at a different pace and see things differently from anyone else. I
may follow someone else's footsteps, but mine will alter hers. Those who come
after me will obliterate mine, or widen the trail, or make detours, just as I
do as I follow my hiking partner. </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PN-eZojGYU-2NqMpJ3eI5JvefgTzm4ftSl8_vRz3RUCya0Om_jWAbV678ZaCDayze3FBstwxb0lpV_izyKJcyoWYoLgUD_Q8tGhGiueZOScjBXV8lzKhAUYVkwVNXlplcRfAifSRqP4/s1600/Framed_w8470_750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PN-eZojGYU-2NqMpJ3eI5JvefgTzm4ftSl8_vRz3RUCya0Om_jWAbV678ZaCDayze3FBstwxb0lpV_izyKJcyoWYoLgUD_Q8tGhGiueZOScjBXV8lzKhAUYVkwVNXlplcRfAifSRqP4/s1600/Framed_w8470_750.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
Making new tracks and making<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>new
stories are hard work. Snowshoes widen and lengthen your foot, so your
outer thighs and quads take on more of the effort, and your core and back
muscles need to compensate. Every new story requires a stretching of the mental
muscles, makes you reach deep for new characters and insights, and you will
develop new skills to support the tale as it grows. I am often as weary after a
day's writing as I am after a day's 'shoeing. </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
And just as exhilarated, too. All endeavors, mental or physical, have their
rewards. Half this essay ran through my head as I walked, and writing anchors
the trail in my memory. Either one is precious, but both together are
miraculous. </span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nikki Andrews</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">to Purchase on Amazon: <a href="http://amzn.com/B00HJEHFV2" target="_blank">http://amzn.com/B00HJEHFV2</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blog: <a href="http://www.scrivenersriver.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.scrivenersriver.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com</a></span><div>
<br /></div>
</div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-38874717815159967932015-03-30T06:00:00.000-04:002015-03-30T06:00:05.393-04:00A Great Blog on CraftA great blog on craft, of layering depth into your story. Check it out!<br />
<br />
<br />
Hill, E. A. “It Ain’t Over Till the Full Story Sings”. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Editor’s Blog</span>. March 23,2015. March 30,2015 <a href="http://theeditorsblog.net/2015/03/23/it-aint-over-till-the-full-story-sings/">http://theeditorsblog.net/2015/03/23/it-aint-over-till-the-full-story-sings/ </a>The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-69799903850156180392015-03-24T07:17:00.002-04:002015-03-24T07:17:58.252-04:00Author Renee Johnson Writes - A great blog articlePlease hop over to Wild Rose Press author, Renee Johnson's blog.<br />
<br />
<h2 class="entry-title">
Justen Ahren Demystifies his Monastic Approach to Writing</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<em><strong>“The nature of a monastic pursuit is one that involves ora
et labora, ‘prayer and work’ — a submission of every aspect of one’s
life to a particular purpose. Literally, when we work with attention
and intention our work is our prayer.” — Justen Ahren</strong></em></div>
<div>
<em><strong><br /></strong></em></div>
<br />
<a href="http://reneejohnsonwrites.com/2015/03/10/justen-ahren-demystifies-his-monastic-approach-to-writing/">http://reneejohnsonwrites.com/2015/03/10/justen-ahren-demystifies-his-monastic-approach-to-writing/</a>The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-8751951217920629762015-02-16T05:00:00.000-05:002015-02-16T05:00:06.477-05:00Warmth in the Writing Cave<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">So, it is after the holiday season and everyone is getting down and dirty
in their writing caves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How’s the
heat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I don’t mean the rating level.
Those caves can sure get pretty drafty.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Let’s face it, it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> the
middle of winter, and here in Southern Ontario we’ve been getting the brunt of
a few good snowstorms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woodstove is
great....but it is in another room and my office is freezing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">But the work is still coming in and due dates
are never ending. So, as much as I would love to curl up with a book in front
of the warm fire, it doesn’t happen often.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Recently, I have found something awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have been around for a long time but only lately have I discovered
the wrist-warmers/arm warmers/fingerless gloves, whatever you’d like to call
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an awesome idea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, we can wear extra sweaters and a
blanket over our legs if necessary, but our poor hands are shoved out there
drilling the keyboard with icy fingers.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Whether you are crafty and can make your own, buy them already made, or
simply hit the dollar store, buy a pair of mitts and cut the fingers out, these
little marvels sure help make that writing cave a little more
liveable...especially when you are working in there on cold winter nights.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">And hey, don’t
forget your own style—if bright colors are your thing, go for the bright and
bold to keep your mood high for writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">And who says you
can only have one pair?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe this month
you are writing something hot and sultry, so go for a sleek black and red pair,
but next month you might be planning to write about vintage ladies and hunky
dukes so need something a little lacier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have fun with them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your writing
cave is all about getting the story right, so give yourself a little
inspiration on your wrists!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">For the crafty writers, here are a few links to make your own:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I’m a crocheter and these are really cute, quick and easy.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPKOJQbQttZwzHv46v_0n7BaldT0FtUjtixiCUZAe4AJyoxay5A8YSfkyxjn21lZrzUxXbvFCldNR0ceCHxeNxilQ2-vpbbNai8SErrm1JfmYw2Tm9Cn4q3RXKk44gZVJoSdWhK46OmU/s1600/Fingerless+gloves+crochet.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://theanarchistknitter.blogspot.ca/2013/12/omg-its-almost-christmas-fingerless_6.html"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: blue;">http://theanarchistknitter.blogspot.ca/2013/12/omg-its-almost-christmas-fingerless_6.html</span></span></a></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Since I’m not a knitter this page gives a whole bunch of choices.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.knittinghelp.com/free-patterns/categories/fingerless-gloves-mitts"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.knittinghelp.com/free-patterns/categories/fingerless-gloves-mitts</span></span></a></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">And since I mentioned vintage, here is a sweet set to crochet: </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb4mbE9hjxpH_SqLBj3u6-6tTbVWXcb3UOByW4QS3q8JuZicKc9_xAWj4zQL6oSZ7hijfyip0t0SHMFH_7l2YlL6BUr85P4UJ8EfIqDHhSnLv1q5bPBX4e6WtQqgTP3cmTp8BsiMDpLY/s1600/Downton-Abbey-Arm-Warmers_ArticleImage-CategoryPage_ID-680794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb4mbE9hjxpH_SqLBj3u6-6tTbVWXcb3UOByW4QS3q8JuZicKc9_xAWj4zQL6oSZ7hijfyip0t0SHMFH_7l2YlL6BUr85P4UJ8EfIqDHhSnLv1q5bPBX4e6WtQqgTP3cmTp8BsiMDpLY/s1600/Downton-Abbey-Arm-Warmers_ArticleImage-CategoryPage_ID-680794.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.whistleandivy.com/2013/11/vintage-inpsired-armwarmers.html"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.whistleandivy.com/2013/11/vintage-inpsired-armwarmers.html</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">As I said, for those not so inclined or want a quick and easy fingerless
gloves, hit the dollar store or your local Walmart and pick up something fun,
funky, sassy or sultry and simply cut out the fingers to keep your hands warm
and the writing moving!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> Stay Warm!</span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Stacy D. Holmes</span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Senior Editor, Yellow</span><br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><a href="http://thewildrosepress.com/" target="_blank">The Wild Rose Press</a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-80711983059610181262015-01-13T11:09:00.000-05:002015-01-13T11:09:04.153-05:00Chat Tonight - Special guest host - Goal Setting<div>
<div>
<div>
Tonight Jan 13, 2015</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Join special host Linda Joyce in a 1 hour chat on SMART-R Goal Setting. 8-9pm ET
<br /></div>
Please see the attached worksheet. Use of this worksheet will be discussed in the chat tonight.<br /></div>
Link to chatroom: http://chat.thewildrosepress.com/<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
<div>
Linda Joyce
Award-winning Author
Bayou Born 2014 RONE Award Finalist
Bayou Bound – new release
<br /><a href="http://www.linda-joyce.com/">http://www.linda-joyce.com</a><br /><a href="http://lindajoycecontemplates.com/">http://lindajoycecontemplates.com/</a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LindaJoyceAuthor">https://www.facebook.com/LindaJoyceAuthor</a><br />@LJWriter <a href="https://twitter.com/LJWriter">https://twitter.com/LJWriter</a>
<br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950241.Linda_Joyce">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950241.Linda_Joyce</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"> SMART-R Goal Worksheet by
Linda Joyce www.linda-joyce.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"> Goal</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">:________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"> Critical
Updates?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: 52.35pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480; width: 315px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 1.05in; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.05in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 67.3pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Specific<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">What
is the desired result?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">(who,
what, when, why, how)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.05in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 127.45pt;" valign="top" width="170">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 1.05in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.5pt;" valign="top" width="55">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 62.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 67.3pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Measurable<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">How
do you measure progress?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 62.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 127.45pt;" valign="top" width="170">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 62.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.5pt;" valign="top" width="55">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 62.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 67.3pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Achievable<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">What
skills and resources are needed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 62.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 127.45pt;" valign="top" width="170">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 62.9pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.5pt;" valign="top" width="55">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 74.85pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 74.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 67.3pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Relevant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Does
the goal alignment with your overall goal?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 74.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 127.45pt;" valign="top" width="170">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 74.85pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.5pt;" valign="top" width="55">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 76.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 76.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 67.3pt;" valign="top" width="90">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Timely<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">What
is the realistic deadline?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 76.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 127.45pt;" valign="top" width="170">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 76.4pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 41.5pt;" valign="top" width="55">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"> Reward:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-73712562578382322692014-12-24T06:00:00.000-05:002014-12-24T06:00:04.446-05:00Twas the night before shut down....<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG43yORR76K6PHhsgB3Mkxx-LlwJPK4y37b08i4qovdmr74GE7zEbG3w0vsP_4eUGwN0PSqBwihN8Y0SUCw55YWjNSPi1w-E0d2t29h6j_yTpTi5C95Zh-o4vu8nnfg5uh5SDw6bFVR0/s1600/Depositphotos_4430283_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG43yORR76K6PHhsgB3Mkxx-LlwJPK4y37b08i4qovdmr74GE7zEbG3w0vsP_4eUGwN0PSqBwihN8Y0SUCw55YWjNSPi1w-E0d2t29h6j_yTpTi5C95Zh-o4vu8nnfg5uh5SDw6bFVR0/s1600/Depositphotos_4430283_l.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">"Twas the night before shut down,
and all through our house</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">All the editors were sighing, and letting go of their mouse.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">The cover models were hung (hee
hee) on the covers with care,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">In hopes that the readers would drool and stare.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">The great manuscripts were edited
and all have been read,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">As visions of more submissions danced in our heads.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">With RJ at her computer, and Rhonda
in her pjs,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The editors are poised for a few easy days.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">When over in Crimson there arose
such a clatter,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">A villain on the prowl was as mad as a hatter,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Away to the department the
editors flew like a flash,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">But the bad man was caught and tied with a sash.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">The hand on the breast of the heroine
vampire,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Her body parts tingled, as if on fire.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">When what to our unbelieving eyes
should appear,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">But one lonely cowboy with all the right gear.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">With a mighty stud, so lively and
thick,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">We knew in a moment it must be erotic.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">More rapid than eagles the senior
editors they came,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">And we whistled, and shouted, TWRP would never be the same.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now Nicole!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Now Diana! Now Stacy, Amanda, and Leanne!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">On Callie Lynn! On Lori! On Roseann!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">To the top of the porch!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">To the top of the wall!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">To the fantasy department we went, to all have a ball!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">As elves, ghosts, and other creatures
fly,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">When we see these characters we look to the
sky</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">So all around us in the air they
flew,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">With a variety of costumes, and some
dragons, too.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">And then in a twinkling we heard
in the hall,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">A Civil War soldier with a lilting southern
drawl.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">As we were turning our heads and
looking around,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">A modern day hero was what we found.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">He was dressed in his finest from
head to his boot,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">His clothes were tight fitting, and we let out a hoot.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">A bundle of manuscripts he had
flung on his back,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The host of good stories TWRP would not lack.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">The manuscripts—so many!</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">The plots how they varied.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Thank goodness, the hero and heroine were not married.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">The older heroine is welcome her,
too.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Her experiences are old, but her love life is new.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Lords and ladies, and a man in a kilt,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Oh we love how those Scottish heroes are built.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">A sweetheart of a story can warm
a reader’s heart,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">But unless behind closed doors the characters are apart.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Give me a cowboy who just rode
into town.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Or a vamp and a were, but please not a clown.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">An erotic, oh dear, can make us
so hot,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">But please make sure the manuscript has a plot</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">We looked in the pack for a
manuscript to take,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Saved the stories on our computers for after the break.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Putting our flash drives in a
very safe spot,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The Christmas cheer made us feel like a tiny tot.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">We sprang to our computers for
one last time.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">We needed to end our little rhyme.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">So here us exclaim as we shut down
and go out of sight,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: medium;"><strong><em>Allison Byers</em></strong></span></span></div>
<div>
<u style="color: #990000; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">TWRP Editor, Historical Department</u></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;">~~American, ETR, Cactus, and Vintage Lines</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="HOEnZb adL"><span style="color: #888888;">
</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Comic Sans MS;">~~"Making History Come Alive"</span></span></div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-78276220374943933582014-12-21T09:11:00.001-05:002014-12-21T09:11:26.792-05:00The Wild Rose Press on Holiday<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone at the Wild Rose Press wants to wish you the best this holiday season. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our offices will be closed from Dec 19 through Jan 5, 2015.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPQd0jV_5DL6fsqM8EgEXFy6iOuviHbi5ePzCVOq1uxbYdkgmCJDHUzwFV3JVBgQwdTxXTEZZXaavcPxJxrZkcYrCAs7XVosDAGlC2MTaX0wrY4VPOZdhSC4REHoEXI0rP38FN97caBQ/s1600/Depositphotos_7867484_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPQd0jV_5DL6fsqM8EgEXFy6iOuviHbi5ePzCVOq1uxbYdkgmCJDHUzwFV3JVBgQwdTxXTEZZXaavcPxJxrZkcYrCAs7XVosDAGlC2MTaX0wrY4VPOZdhSC4REHoEXI0rP38FN97caBQ/s1600/Depositphotos_7867484_l.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Enjoy, relax, and read a good book from The Wild Rose Press.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.thewildrosepress.com/">www.thewildrosepress.com</a></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.wilderroses.com/">www.wilderroses.com</a></b></span></div>
<br />The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-18631826541525455562014-12-15T06:00:00.000-05:002014-12-15T06:00:04.389-05:00Why you shouldn’t give your book awayBy Rhonda Penders<br />
<br />
Why buy the cow when the milk is free?<br />
<br />
We’ve all heard that saying. Basically, the meaning behind it is that someone isn’t going to pay for something that is offered for free. Whether it’s your virtue or your book, the issue is still the same.<br />
<br />
When a writer devalues her work to the point of giving away her book, isn’t that what she is really doing? Just giving it away as if it were nothing?<br />
<br />
I have to wonder if an author is so desperate to have someone, anyone, read her book, that she’s passing them out like pamphlets on the street corner.<br />
<br />
Is it so bad that she doesn’t think anyone would or should pay for it? What about the months, maybe even the years, she spent pounding away at the keyboard creating that book? What about the lost hours spent editing and reworking it to perfection?<br />
<br />
A promotional ploy<br />
<br />
Most authors sacrifice a lot to write a book. They give up any and all free time in exchange for getting the story on paper. That has to be worth something; certainly more than a freebie.<br />
<br />
Authors tell me it’s a promotional ploy. Promotion is great and today we have to constantly try new angles and ideas to draw in readers. I have no issue with giving away a chapter to entice a reader to purchase the rest of the book but give away the whole book? It doesn’t make any sense.<br />
<br />
Authors hope that by giving away a book, readers will buy more of them or will buy the next book that comes out. Unfortunately, it doesn’t usually work that way. Readers are a very frugal bunch. If they can get free books, why would they pay for yours? They will simply pick up someone else’s free book tomorrow, and someone else’s the next day, and so forth.<br />
<br />
The numbers don’t lie<br />
<br />
You may disagree with me – maybe your experience is different – but as a publisher, I have to tell you that the sales numbers don’t lie. While a select small number of authors may have seen book giveaways as a clever promotion to boost the sales of their next book, it is rare. Giving books away isn’t making sales numbers climb. How could it? Free doesn’t equal bigger royalty checks.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, authors have devalued their craft to the point where even they don’t think it should cost anything. I’ve been to a lot of craft shows the past couple of months. I’m amazed at the price of the handmade pieces people are selling. But then I think about the hours and hours of hard work these artists put into each piece and I have to admit it’s probably a bargain. Aren’t authors the same as these other artists? Aren’t authors creators of their craft and shouldn’t they value their work just as much as a wood carver or a glass blower does?<br />
<br />
Maybe this old adage has a point in today’s publishing world. Every writer has to do what he/she thinks is best for their career.<br />
<br />
It’s a tough time in publishing for authors but the answer isn’t giving it away. To me, that’s the same as giving up.<br />
<br />
- See more at: <a href="http://buildbookbuzz.com/why-you-shouldnt-give-your-book-away/#sthash.z3vNpgzB.dpuf">http://buildbookbuzz.com/why-you-shouldnt-give-your-book-away/#sthash.z3vNpgzB.dpuf</a><br />
<br />
<span class="im"><b><i><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Rhonda Penders</span></i></b><b><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">, Editor-in-Chief</span></b></span>The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-32601589178580254772014-12-08T08:02:00.001-05:002014-12-08T08:02:23.135-05:00Monday Morning Tell and Show<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Many know this, others don’t. Some
find it easy, others difficult. No matter what the case, I would like to
discuss characterization with you and how it comes about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“What is characterization?” you
ask.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Easy—it’s the art of giving your
written characters their unique identity, that which sets them apart from other
characters in your writing—or the characters in other people’s writing for that
matter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“But how do you give your
characters their identities through characterization?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Quite simply, in two different ways:
directly and indirectly. Direct and indirect characterization are the two
methods writers use to shape, mold, and form characters. Continue reading and
you’ll find information on how to keep these two methods straight in your head
as well as how they help to make your characters relatable, lively, and
interesting. I’ll begin with direct characterization since it is the easiest method.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Direct characterization is what the
author states about a particular character. The author makes explicit
statements to the reader: statements like “He was this” or “She acted like
that.” If you don’t want your reader to mistake some facet your character has,
direct characterization will set the reader the straight. But there is a problem
with using direct characterization that can drastically effect your writing and
even your publishability (yes, I did just make up that word).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
You see, direct characterization
falls into the realm of telling. And I’m sure you’ve heard many times in the past—and
you may be hearing it from your editor now—you need to show, not tell. Direct
characterization does not lend itself to gracefully painting images and
emotions; rather, it’s an abrupt statement (however eloquently written) that
tells facts. Therefore, the use of direct characterization should be kept to a
minimum.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
But lucky for you, there’s a way to
avoid this: use indirect characterization.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“But what is indirect
characterization? And how do I use it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I’m so glad you asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
There are a variety of ways to work
indirect characterization into your writing—five to be exact. And to help you
remember them, just think of the word STEAL (just as I’m stealing this section
of information from one of my college writing classes…but it’s not academic
dishonesty, this info is public domain and plastered all over the internet).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><i>S</i></b><i>peech</i>: what is the character’s tone, word choice, and/or accent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><i>T</i></b><i>hought</i>: what do the character’s private thoughts/feelings reveal
about the character?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><i>E</i></b><i>ffect</i> on others toward the character: how do people react/behave
around the character?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><i>A</i></b><i>ctions</i>: what does the character do, how does the character do it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><i>L</i></b><i>ooks</i>: what does the character look like, how does he/she look or
carry him- or herself?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indirect characterization really isn’t a hard concept. All
that you are doing with indirect characterization is revealing your character’s
personality without stating it outright.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Now that you know the difference
between the two types of characterization, how will you work it into your
writing? Or, perhaps, how will you change your writing style? That I cannot
tell you because every author has their own process when it comes to writing.
But what I can do is give you two tips):<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b>Tip #1:</b> After you finish writing, start from the beginning and search
out those all-knowing author statements that give details instead of paint
pictures. When you’re sleuthing through your pages, especially look for the
telltale verb forms of “to be.” Besides being a weak verb, forms of “to be” can
be a tip-off that there is a direct characterization statement. Once you find
it, try and think of a way to subtly paint what you have brazenly stated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b>Tip #2:</b> While writing, if you find you have written a statement (eg
She was shy.) Stop and fix it right then and there. And do this for three main
reasons. First, it cuts down on your editor telling you that you’re telling and
not showing—no one wants to sound like or listen to a broken record. Second, it
cuts down on the time it takes to edit your manuscript. The less telling you
do, the less rewriting you have to do! Third, this to establish the habit of
critically eyeballing what you’re writing while you write. This kind on-the-job
training hones your skills because practice doesn’t make perfect if you’re
practicing incorrectly, so correct a stylistic mistake as soon as it’s made.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I hope this information was either
a good refresher for your or that you found it helpful for either correcting a
bad habit or looking at new ways to create and shape your characters. I want to
leave you with this note from one very successful writer:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“Every human being
has hundreds of separate people liing under his skin. The talent of a writer is
his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and
have relate to other characters living with him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Mel Brooks</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colby Wolford<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Historical Editor<u></u><u></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Wild Rose Press</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-67189517550638042692014-11-24T16:49:00.000-05:002014-11-24T16:49:00.889-05:00Is your manuscript ready to submit? <div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Is it technically clean? Grammar? Punctuation?
Formatted properly? Have you followed submission guidelines for the agent or
editor you are submitting to? Yes? Then what else will your manuscript need?</span></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It
needs to be brilliant. It must stand out from the crowd. Your ghost story may
be a little <i>Ghost and Mrs. Muir</i> mixed
with <i>Ghost</i>--not a bad concept at all.
If so, you have two good examples of concepts to blend. Make certain you
fulfill the expectations of the reader.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Taking
your writing from beyond good to great. Several books recommend methods to help
you understand the difference and ways to evaluate your own work. There are also
a couple of blogs I think may be helpful. During a recent weekend workshop on
writing, one point struck me as solid genius, and the idea stuck. Think about
the best books you’ve ever read. Out of the hundreds, perhaps thousands, how
many are memorable? Why? What was it about the subject or characters or plot which
made that particular book stand out from the rest? Does your book contain those
same elements?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Consider
the number of manuscripts agents, editors, and publishers see versus the number
of books actually published. How do professionals decide whether to publish one
well written, technically perfect vampire novel over another? Or one gut
wrenching romance over another? One mystery with compelling twists and
turns…instead of another? The answer for a first time author may be in evaluating
the first published books by bestselling authors in the genre you write. Once
the author’s first book has been contracted, do we ever see that same attention
to detail in follow up books? We should. And often we do. But compare your book
to the first best seller by Stephen King or one of your favorite authors. A
good example might be Harry Potter. The manuscripts were turned down over and
over again by many traditional publishers. The first book in the series had to
be strong enough, well written enough, unique enough to take a chance with,
because buying a young adult fantasy series was a stretch at the time. What did
happen, was that the stories had universal appeal. They were well written, the
characters were fully developed with the potential to expand as the series did.
The plot had a villain worthy of the title and a cast of characters we cared about
and wanted to know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Compare
it to Hunger Games. The audience is a little older but the adventure contains
the same unique elements. And the first book is strong enough to hold on to
fans for the second book, etc. What about Outlander by Diana Gabaldon? Adult
content, a historical - time travel - romance. Don’t tell the men who read this
series as historical fiction that it is also a romance. Don’t tell anyone grounded
in reality about the time travel aspect. Yet even while crossing genres, this
series worked. The answer to the question of what makes a best seller--besides
selling books--is doing it well—better than the rest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s
no longer enough to write a technically perfect novel. To stand out from the
rest, the manuscript must rise above all those well written stories. Your story
must be robust, your manuscript a masterpiece. Each chapter should demonstrate
genius. Tighten the CONCEPT. Clarify the HOOK. Tweak your PREMISE. Each scene must
address GOAL, MOTIVATION, and CONFLICT. Then review each of these points and
see if you can elevate your novel to the next level, and then the next. Good
luck. I’m looking forward to seeing it soon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Links:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://storyfix.com/category/story-structure-series" target="_blank">http://storyfix.com/category/<wbr></wbr>story-structure-series</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://writerunboxed.com/author/don/" target="_blank">http://writerunboxed.com/<wbr></wbr>author/don/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://stephenking.com/library/nonfiction/on_writing:_a_memoir_of_the_craft.html" target="_blank">http://stephenking.com/<wbr></wbr>library/nonfiction/on_writing:<wbr></wbr>_a_memoir_of_the_craft.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Another
trick to writing your novel is learning about screenwriting. The first course I
took featured Sid Field’s concepts. Those of you using Scrivner for writing may
be familiar with the screenwriting program Final Draft. I’ve left a couple of
links here for you that may be helpful in plot development.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://sydfield.com/articles/the-art-of-problem-solving/" target="_blank">http://sydfield.com/articles/<wbr></wbr>the-art-of-problem-solving/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://sydfield.com/writers-tools/the-paradigm-worksheet/" target="_blank">http://sydfield.com/writers-<wbr></wbr>tools/the-paradigm-worksheet/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That
being said, a word of caution: Good dialogue generates information in your story,
but it shouldn’t replace narrative completely, especially deep point of view.
Deep point of view (the characters’ gut feelings and thoughts) is what makes a
reader feel or care about the characters and invest emotion in the story.
Investment drives commitment. Commitment drives memories. Memories make books
remarkable. Remarkable books make best sellers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Frances
Sevilla</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Editor
- The Wild Rose Press</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fantasy
and Crimson</div>
</div>
The Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.com0