Tag: writing business

Bluebonnet Ballerina by Carol Kilgore — book review

Book Review by K.M. Saint James

Bluebonnet Ballerina is not your average cops and robbers’ type of suspense. Readers can expect characters, both live and the ‘gently deceased’, to appear on the pages of Bluebonnet Ballerina. The cast includes ex-CIA, cops – active to reassigned, a best friend complete with her guiding spirit, a couple of love interests, and even a few decades-old ghosts thrown into the mix. The hard hitting world of human trafficking, guns for hire, and genuine bad guys are counterbalanced by a healthy – and much appreciated – dose of the ‘woo-woo’ factor. Bluebonnet Ballerina is filled with: a plot that MAKES sense – always a pleasant surprise in a suspense novel; characters that are intelligent; and […]

How to entice Readers . . . 5 Writing Tips to Building Book Teasers!

How to write better book teasers

Writing . . . writing . . . and writing. The book is nearing its end. What’s next for the author? Before you go crazy considering ALL the things to do for a book launch, focus on something closer to your current writing mind-set. Every writing day is about producing new words. But it is also about editing what’s on page. You polish scene consistency, authentic characters, snappy dialogue, and just enough narrative to set any scene. So, while completely enmeshed in the writing and rewriting, here is the perfect opportunity to search out book teasers for the upcoming book launch. Remember, writing as a PROfessional requires authors to hone their craft, daily. Teasers — […]

A Writer’s Magic – as close as fingertips!

Harry Potter used a wand. Bewitched twitched her nose. Harry Dresden wielded a staff. Writers come with their own special form of magic. Whether it’s pen to pad, stylus to tablet, or keyboard to PC . . . a writer’s magic is as close as fingertips. New writers often feel that they must pursue fiction writing as they don’t carry a bag of non-fiction writing tricks. Don’t allow the concept of non-fiction writing to intimidate. Consider the 3 easily defined categories: Educating: How-to-manuals, directions, historical explanations, or scientific explorations fall into this category. Influencing or persuasive: Every sales brochure, each editorial, even academic critiques are designed to persuade the reader to a certain conclusion. Narrative: […]

Marketing Plan of Action – how to start simple and build to great!

Marketing Plan of Action tips by K.M. Saint James

Tim Grahl, author of Your First 1000 Copies and founder of booklaunch.com believes that Marketing doesn’t need to be a ‘eew’ prospect. So, I’ve read over a few of his techniques and decided to break-it down into a Plan of Action. New Year . . . New Goals . . . and all that. More importantly, it’s about finding a way to market that doesn’t make the author in me cringe at the idea. READ ALONG & SEE IF YOU AGREE According to Tim, MARKETING is about creating long-lasting connections. I’d say this is sound business whether you’re selling books, artwork or cars off the used lot. None of us want just the ONE-AND-DONE customer. […]

Book Review – Magic Harvest by Mary Karlik

Book Review by K.M. Saint James

Magic Harvest (Fairy Trafficking) by YA author, Mary Karlik Want to push aside the FAIRYTALE veil, and see what really happens between the pages of ‘once upon a time’ and ‘happily ever-after’? Then Magic Harvest is a definite read for you. Author, Mary Karlik, has woven a wonderful tale that intertwines magical creatures with the human world. The story is filled with elves, trolls, dragons, a band of law enforcement Investigators, and a host of fey people. And just like real-life, some of these folks are good, and some, not so much. Magic Harvest is a dedication to a sister’s love, and the sheer determination of sibling to let nothing keep her from affecting a dangerous […]

Phrase . . . the true meaning behind the catch phrase: A fool’s paradise.

Be a Better Writer for K.M. Saint James teaching tips

Pick a genre and you’ve probably read the catch phrase: Fool’s Paradise. ‘John thinks he’ll finally get the promotion, but then he lives in a fool’s paradise.’ ‘Her fool’s paradise ended the day she caught her cheating lover in bed with her best friend.” Are you writing historical stories and worried about the inception of this phrase? Unless, your characters are pre-1462, you’ll be safe. This phrase first found its way on page in the Paston Letters, 1462. But what exactly does a fool’s paradise mean? Shakespeare embraced its usage in Romeo and Juliet, and certainly that was one couple that lived in happiness based on false hope. Writing current fiction . . . or […]

Don’t Bungle your Blogging (or Become a Better Blogger – Writer)

In my daily perusal – read – of a multitude of blog and websites, I’ve discovered some uh-oh moments. Despite the type of blog, the number of individuals involved with the blog, or the purpose of the writing, the mistakes exist. No Grammar Police hat worn here. But I will say that on-page mistakes threaten our reader’s pleasure. Good writing is hard work. More importantly, easy reading is harder work. GOOD GRAMMAR — Wait! Don’t stop reading yet. I know . . . I know . . .The word GRAMMAR should be issued in a whisper. Ears snap closed like a gator before his midnight snack. Patience, Padawan – this could be useful information. I’m […]

Too Much to Swallow – Plotting

However great the storyteller, however well published the author – one truth remains constant. Plotting, beast that it is, can never be side-stepped, shortened or eliminated. Short story to novel, fiction to non-fiction, romance to suspense, each writer must face the daunting task of basic plotting. Breaking the process of plotting down into specific bites can make the entire process more palatable. Who . . . What . . . When . . . Where . . . and Why: basic questions guaranteed to cook up plotting BRILLIANCE Who – be specific, which character is the target of this plotting session. 1) One of the protagonists? 2) The villain? 3) A secondary character who’s crucial […]

Writing . . . Margie Lawson . . . agent appointments

Wow! It’s been a busy time. For the past few weeks, I’ve been rushing to get projects completed for a local writing event. North Texas Romance Writers hosted their first Two-Step Conference. Margie Lawson was the guest speaker, along with Cori Devoe from 3 Seas Literary Agency and Melissa Jeglinski from The Knight Agency, who took a full-day worth of agent appointments. Simply said, “Two-Stepping was great!” Many of the conference attendees were experienced. Me . . . I was a virgin in the ways of Margie Lawson. Believe me, it’s a total immersion in writing. The woman is high-energy and she drags her student into the thick of learning with a smile. I understand […]

First page

NTRWA is hosting a conference in a few months. As one of the early entrants, I’ve been given the opportunity to submit my first page — for review — to the great Maggie Lawson. She’ll analyze — probably to pieces — the writing, then offer suggestions for making it better. Okay, I’m a little nervous to have Maggie Lawson read anything I’ve penned to paper. I’m posting it. Tell me what you think. What works . . . what doesn’t. This is actually the prologue tugged and tucked into one type-written page, so I may have deleted so much, it doesn’t make sense. Let me know, please, before I’m read in front of a room […]