The Inspiration of Setting … Delsora Lowe

Writing is all about setting. In this case, I’m not talking about the setting of our books or articles or poetry. But the setting in which we place our desk and computer or pad and pencil.

Oak and Sunset From My Window

Moon Playing Hide and Seek with the Oak

For me, visuals are important. I need the distraction of scenery or activity, even if it’s a scene of squirrels chasing each other around my oak tree trunk in the spring or gathering acorns in the fall. OR birds pecking the ground for bugs. OR the profusion of dandelions springing up across the brown turning to green lawn. OR the arrival of elementary-aged kids bicycling or skipping or skateboarding to school, wearing backpacks laden with who knows what.

All those common-day occurrences are fodder for the imagination. When I can’t think of a word or I can’t figure out why the heroes of my story are acting out or not doing anything at all, which is unacceptable in a story that must move along, these little distractions allow my brain to observe and become distracted. That little act of woolgathering helps to empty the mind and allow the muse to take charge and create.

But sometimes, the same ‘ole, same ‘ole just won’t do the job of releasing the muse. A change of scenery is needed. That can be taking a walk around the block, enjoying neighbor’s gardens to free up the brain, or getting away for a self-imposed, writing retreat weekend, where you can stare at waves pounding the rocky shore in New England. OR the vibrant sunsets dipping below the red rocks in Arizona. OR eagles flying over a calm lake surrounded by tall evergreens as far as the eye can see in the Adirondacks. OR the expanse of white sands meeting a blue sky of a North Carolina beach, with only the flight of native birds for company. OR a sunny day in Colorado with the range of snow-covered mountains as a backdrop.

Red Rocks of Sedona, AZ Painted by My Grandfather

Unfortunately, those types of retreats are a bit out of my budget. But, even a three-block trip to the local coffee shop to people watch while inhaling scents of dark roast, spicey chai tea, and cinnamon buns, can elicit memories and help create a new outlook on story.

So, when you’re stuck, or need a break from whatever activity is holding you hostage, take a mini-vacation around the neighborhood, or plan a weekend getaway to really rejuvenate your muse or relieve stress of the day-to-day drudgery that can totally shut us home-bound writers down.

To choose which I prefer, sitting at my usual writing place with the familiar scene or exploring new places with a view, is a toss-up. I know where things are on my desk (even though it is a frightful mess.) I know what I’ll see out the window as I gaze blankly looking for the correct wording. I know I can jump up and grab my favorite mug for a cup of tea, the flavor to match my mood of the day.

The Oak in Early Spring

But changing up my writing environment, puts a new spin on the world and makes my brain do a reset, opening up my mind to think differently. Observe a new prompt to jumpstart my stalled writing. Or bring me in contact with an overheard conversation or new image that will spark an idea for a brand-new story.

Hanging at the Beach

Both the familiar and the unfamiliar have a place in reenergizing our minds and souls, and jumpstarting our writer’s muse…or anything in your life that needs jumpstarting.

What’s your favorite setting?

 

The Love Left Behind

Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/Love-Left-Behind-Hartford-Estate-ebook/dp/B08L5N5DS9/

Books2Read   books2read.com/u/mglVqK

 

cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Her newest novella is The Love Left Behind. Two holiday books will be released this fall.

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:
View From Desk, Oak Tree, Painting: Photos by author
Kids with backpacks: Free Pictures Of Backpacks, Download Free Pictures Of Backpacks png images, Free ClipArts on Clipart Library (clipart-library.com)
Thinking: People Thinking Clipart, Transparent PNG Clipart Images Free Download - ClipartMax
Steamy Cup: Clip Art - Free Steamy Cup - Google Search

My Favorite Other-Abled Characters

By Linda Lovely

I've listened sympathetically to friends discuss the difficulties in dealing with autistic family members. However, my ability to relate to the challenges of grandparents, parents, and teachers who interact daily with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) sufferers is limited by my lack of personal experience. It's hard to understand what we haven't encountered in our own narrow lives.

Providing insights into the minds and hearts of people we may not meet in our day-to-day existence is one of the great gifts of literature and movies. In my case, a 1988 classic movie, Rain Man, and a 2013 novel, Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, have helped me better fathom the triumphs and fears and joys and frustrations of both autistic individuals and the people who love and care for them.

What is ASD? The term groups together a wide range of development disorders. Symptoms typically include difficulty communicating and interacting with others and a compulsion to repetitive actions. According to my limited internet research, Asperger's Syndrome, the diagnosis assigned to Max, the little boy in author Matthew Dicks' Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, is now considered a part of the ASD spectrum.    

I loved Dicks' novel because it helped me imagine what it would be like to BE autistic and "different" from other children. Budo, Max's imaginary friend, tells the story. Budo loves Max with all his heart and tries to protect him from the raft of dangers that can befall an eight-year-old who attracts the attention of class bullies.  

I might never have picked up this novel if it weren’t for my book club, which (thank you) forces me out of my mystery and romantic suspense comfort zone. However, I heartily recommend this adventure for its lively point-of-view, intriguing characters, and solid plot.

If you haven’t seen Rain Man, I urge you to track it down on one of the services that catalog older movie treasures like this one. This film’s ASD sufferer is a grown man, Raymond Babbitt, played flawlessly by Dustin Hoffman. Tom Cruise plays Ray’s materialistic younger brother Charlie, who didn’t know he even had a brother until the senior Babbitt dies.

Both the book and the movie show us love’s many guises and the value of relationships that can be as difficult as they are rewarding. Humor is the added ingredient in both works of art.

If you’ve read the book or seen the movie, do you agree with my five-star ratings?

Write? Not me!

 By: Marcia King-Gamble

www.lovemarcia.com

How does a Psychology/Theater major end up being a writer? Well, lots of funny things and careers happened along the way to my forum.

My mother, for one, thought I should be a journalist, but with my strong opinions, I thought that would not be a good choice. I speak my mind usually, and diplomacy is something I acquired over the years. Then there was that C I received in creative writing; my one and only C I might add. My professor hated my writing and called it, “Welcome to teeny tunes.” My topics were always about the challenges of youth, and yes my professor was a b---h, and most of her students literally shook when she entered the classroom.  But heck, I was nineteen years old, and my world was myopic. What else was there to write about other than personal experiences?

  

My goal was to be a therapist. I planned on putting my dual major to work in the field of psychodrama. What that means is patients act out roles to correct and work through issues.  For a very brief time I even participating in one of those groups. It was essential to understanding the process.  Some where along the way my interest waned.

After graduation, the airlines came calling, and I jumped at the opportunity to see the world on someone else’s dime. Life in the hospitality industry was exciting and kept me in and out of the country for years. Roles in management had me busy and stressed.

Then one day, my then husband found a box of “teeny tunes,”  and determined I could write. He will tell you that my writing was one of the reasons he fell in love with me.  And it was he who spotted an article in the newspaper for a local group called, ‘New Jersey Romance Writers.’ He urged me to attend.

I found the group helpful, exciting, encouraging and professional. Buoyed by all that talent around me, I’d submit some very amateurish work that got encouraging rejections.  The truth was, my heart was still not into writing until I met a freelance reader for Harlequin/Silhouette. She shared with me another aspect of the business that I didn't know existed. Harlequin hired freelance readers to prescreen unsolicited manuscripts. 

This was much more my speed. I love to read, and reading manuscripts from the slush pile, and telling the editors which were worthy of their attention was definitely more me.   I read for seven years, until one day it clicked. I now had a pretty good idea of what editors might be looking for. Then and only then did I seriously begin to submit.

In 1997 thanks to the late editor, Monica Harris (founder of Kensington’s Arabesque line) I was signed to a two book contract. And in 1998 Remembrance was released. 

Now 19 years later, having written for Kensington, St. Martin’s Press, BET and Harlequin, I am the proud author of over 30 books and 8 novellas. This is my dream.

I write every day, whether I’m on deadline or not. It’s been therapeutic and gotten me through many stressful  life changing events. Writing works like exercise for me. It gives me an endorphin rush.

Writing is what I love and is an integral part of my life!   Now who would have thought?

Romance writer, Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This former travel industry executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned more than 31 books and 8 novellas. Her free time is spent at the gym, traveling to exotic locales, and caring for her animal family.

Visit Marcia at www.lovemarcia.com or “friend” her on Facebook.

Tending Your Garden—and Your Writing

By Linda Lovely

Spring is easy for gardeners. Practically everything blooms. At least in the South, it’s hard to have a garden that doesn’t look gorgeous in April. Flower beds filled with crocuses, daffodils, and irises paired with feathery white dogwoods, azaleas in every hue, and purple rhododendron.

Autumn is tougher. Yes, I just bought a flat of pansies to give a splash of color that will last from now until next spring. But, since I like to get maximum payback on my elbow grease investment, I concentrate on planting perennials and bushes that flower at least twice a year.

Here are some of my garden favorites. These pictures were taken on September 20 in my yard. (Well, I did crop out a few nearby weeds.)

Miss Huff Lantana-Comes up faithfully every year and blooms for me until frost.

Variegated Liriope-Great edging to brighten a shady path. Hard to kill. Drought tolerant. Blooms late summer into fall. Year-round leaf color.

Encore Azaleas-Bloom twice a year. For me, fall is always the more prolific bloom period. Blooms last for WEEKS.

Knock Out Roses-Start blooming in May and keep right on chugging into October. Disease resistant and pretty forgiving. A beaver chewed my largest bush down to a couple of jagged stumps. Came back next season.

Orange Tea Olives-We have three kinds of tea olives in our yard. Terrific privacy hedge. The bushes (ours are about 10-feet tall now) have green glossy leaves year-round. PLUS they bloom multiple times a year, including right now. The smell especially from the fragrant variety is unbelievable and heavenly. 

Loropetalum-I love these bushes (can be trees) with their green/purple foliage and feathery pink flowers. In spring, they look like cotton candy. But, depending on the year, they also bloom in fall.

What do gardening and these plants have to do with writing?

Just like perennials and flowering bushes continue to provide enjoyment season after season, series—novels that feature the same main characters and themes—pay continuing dividends for authors and fans. With a little tender-loving care, the same characters can prosper for many years as we follow them in new stories/adventures. A bonus is that we get to know the characters better with each new book in the series. That’s why I write two series: Marley Clark Mysteries and Smart Women, Dumb Luck Romantic Thrillers. 

So why is my new novel, Lies: Secrets Can Kill, a standalone historical suspense novel? Stories my relatives told me about life in the 1930s and the colorful Street Fairs that were a tradition in my hometown of Keokuk, Iowa, called to me to write a story set in that time and place.

Colorful annual flowers and one-of-a-kind books sometimes captivate me as a gardener and a writer. Sometimes it's impossible to resist intriguing departures from the perennial/series rule.

Do you read/write series and stand-alone books? What’s your preference?

For more info about LIES:  http://windtreepress.com/portfolio/lies/ 

      

2011 – What happened in the world of publishing…

Gosh it’s January 2012 already! I don’t know about you but I’m excited about the coming year. When I look back on 2011 I’m pleased it’s over. It wasn’t the best year for me personally, or for New Zealand. The earthquakes that destroyed Christchurch and killed so many rocked our little country. And don’t let’s forget the devastation in Japan, tornadoes in USA , and other natural disasters around the world.

Also, in 2011 the world of publishing changed.For the better if you ask me...

I’ve a feeling 2012 will be a great year. I’m not really one for New Year resolutions, but I do set myself goals. My 2012 goal is to gear up my writing so that my output doubles or triples even.  I’ve set myself weekly targets, realistic weekly targets, so that I can publish three novels and at least three novellas this year (and still work at my other job twenty hours per week). I know, it’s a big task, but if I work hard enough I may be able to give up the other day job.

The real driver is that I want to move to a rural part of New Zealand where jobs are not prevalent and will therefore have to rely on my writing income. I have bought a one acre section, with my sister, in the Hawke’s Bay wine region. Here’s a photo of my section – see the view. We want to build a huge house with swimming pool on the site, and move in Christmas 2012. Sigh – I need my writing career to take off to achieve that dream.My section is a huge incentive

That’s a lot of writing, I hear you gasp? I need this output because of the word SELF-PUBLISHING. I’m traditionally published at present, but I’ve decided I’m not sitting back and letting a traditional publishing house tell me when my books can be published. My current contract allows me one book a year. You can’t make a living off that. In fact, I have learned that to make money in publishing you have to publish at least 4-8 books a year.

So I’m going to self-publish this year. I’m not sure if I shall also traditionally publish, that will depend on my contract obligations. I have decided to look at the self-publishing model for several reasons:

1.       Book runs are diminishing. A new author is no longer building their brand through book-store distribution. If that is true, then why do you need a traditional publisher?

2.       Digital books are outselling print books about 4:1 in the romance genre and an author owns their online marketing space not a traditional publisher

3.       I can put books to market when I want, and when it’s right for me

4.       I can price the books competitively. Currently I’m a debut author with a book priced at $14 and an e-book at $8 – how do I compete and build my brand at that price? I can’t.  Ebooks are setting the price at around $4.99 (Avon’s new ebook price)

It also means I have to find time to do the marketing, but I had to do that anyway.

My first self-published book, a novella, I’m releasing in my favorite romance month, February – ready for Valentine’s Day. I love the whole concept of making time for romance. It’s the little things we do on Valentine's day to show someone how special they are to us. Breakfast in bed, romantic picnic lunches (remember it’s summer in NZ), the candlelit dinners, and romantic cards from anonymous admirers.

So, watch out for my first self-published novella, due out on Valentine’s day (14^th of February 2012). It’s a 35,000 word novella called, To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield. Here’s the blurb:

Caitlin Southall’s temper has finally got the better of her. She’s challenged Harlow Telford, the Duke of Dangerfield, the most notorious rake in all of England, to a wager. She wants her house back. The one her destitute father lost to Dangerfield in a card game. But if she doesn’t win their bet, she not only loses her home, she loses her dignity and pride and damn it all, maybe her heart... For the handsome Duke has decreed, when he wins, she must spend the night in his bed.

Harlow Telford is amused by his hellion neighbor, Caitlin, or Cate to her friends, who seem to encompass everyone on earth except him. When she bursts into one of his private gatherings, he mistakes her for the entertainment. Her slap across his face sets him straight and raises the absurd desire to seduce the unconventional beauty into his bed. When she issues her daft challenge to win back her father’s pile of rubble, the terms are set.  And he’ll do anything to win—except fall in love...

I’m looking for reviewers. If you’d like a free copy of To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield in exchange for a review on Amazon then contact me on romance at bronwenevans dot com.

Happy New Year! I hope you achieve your goals this year.

Beta Readers – An Author’s Secret Weapon?

It's the holiday season - 1 December. I can't give presents to everyone, but I can offer you some fabulous advice - find BETA READERS.

What’s a Beta Reader, I hear some of you ask? Well, they’re a weapon in a writer’s arsenal, and I find them a tool really worth using – if you find the right beta.

The purpose of a beta reader is to help me write the best story I can, by pointing out the weaknesses in the story, the areas they’d like more, the parts they simply love and just about anything else about your book.

A Beta reader is just that. I use ‘readers’- people who are not writers. I have critique partners amongst my writing friends, so what I want is pure reader input – how has my book entertained them and would they buy it.

Writers use Beta Readers in different ways. Nalini Singh doesn’t give them any direction; she simply wants feedback on the story. I, on the other hand, give my beta readers direction. Here are some of the questions I use:

Did you find anything confusing about the story?

What did you love?

Did the story take any turns that lost you?

What did you think of the characters?

Would you change anything?

Is there any place that you felt the H or h acted out-of-character?

Did you find the ending satisfying?

However, just like critique partners, you don’t have to agree with all their feed back.  In my soon to be released Regency romance, INVITATION TO SCANDAL, one of my cherished Beta readers didn’t like what I did to one character. But that character’s fate was pivotal to the book and therefore, I couldn’t change it.

Here’s some of the fabulous detail I got from my Beta Readers:

Did you find the ending satisfying?
"Again, I would have LOVED!! LOVED!! LOVED to have read that Anthony and Melissa were at the wedding and are living happily ever after that she is expecting or has had a baby or two and that Melissa and Rhea are just as good friends as Rufus and Anthony. I’m a hopeless romantic.  Made me wonder if Samuel and Maggie will have a story? Will they????? Something like Anthony and Melissa?  What about Stephen? Will he have a story? What about Alex? Will his story be coming? What about Stephen? Daniel too? OMG!!!! I CANT wait for this book to come out. I am crossing all my fingers that Alex and Stephen will have books coming out. Do you have any ideas when this Rufus' book will be released? Is there any chance the other characters will have books. I’m very sorry to pester you."

If that isn’t the best pep talk I’ve ever received I don’t know what is! But it’s not all roses…

Did you find anything confusing about the story?
"No, I understood the plot and the storyline.  Two people trying to prove themselves in this world.  One to become independent and the other to redeem his family name. And the both of them would do whatever it took to do to make it happened. My only problem with this book was the number of times that Rhea moaned about her parents’ marriage and that she wasn't going to be dependent on any man and Rufus being betrayed and how he will never love again and that he would never trust a woman."

The last comment was a flashing red ALERT – things need to be tightened. So I have tightened them and it’s made the book much better.

How do you find good beta readers? – ask. Use your blog to request a Beta Reader or Facebook or visit readers forums and ask. Specify what you are after. I was very straight on the point that I wanted ‘READERS’ only.

When a person applies, ask them what they read. It helps if they read and love your genre. Ask them what their favorite books are and why? Ask them if they review books and if so where. Then go and read the review. Do they have a good understanding of the genre and could give you sound feedback.

Tips for good beta reading:

1. Don't be afraid to ask questions.  If something wasn't clear to you, it probably will be unclear to others also.

2. Be specific in your feedback. Point out the exact spots where things don't work, not just vague generalities.

3. Make suggestions (which are free to be ignored) as to how the problem can be solved.

4. Point out the good bits too. I know as an editor, I tended to be oriented towards "fixing the problems", but I realized that one needs to point out favorite bits not only as a leavening of encouragement, but so that one doesn't end up losing those bits in the rewrite!

Tips for authors:

1. Give your beta-readers some direction, especially if they have not done this before.  At the least, tell them the kind of things you wish them to pay particular attention to, such as characterization, plot, or style.  You want them to look at the things you are weakest in, and that they are strongest in, so they can help you improve them.

If they are inexperienced, you might want to give them a list of questions to keep in mind while they read, such as:

* Are there parts of the plot which are confusing?
* Are the characters behaving out-of-character?
* Are there turns of phrase that are clumsy?
* What are your favorite bits?

2. Thank your beta-reader(s) even if what they said wasn't helpful. After all, they spent their precious time reading your story and thinking about it. Worth a ton of thanks.

3. Remember what your beta-reader said is only their opinion, it isn't gospel. This is your story, you have the say. On the other hand, do listen you your beta-reader, because what was the point in asking them to beta-read your story in the first place if you don't?

4. If a suggestion is made that you can't agree with, explain why.
It may be that when you explain your reasoning, or the intent of that bit of the story, you may be able to figure out between you something that works for both of you.

I was lucky. I found several very useful Beta readers and I’ve dedicated my second book, INVITATION TO SCANDAL to them.

I can’t recommend strongly enough that authors try Beta Readers. They give their time for free and offer valuable insight. I can’t do without them…

Have a wonder Christmas everyone and I'll see you in 2012!