Writing in 140: Seeing Down Writing Journey's Road - Latest BRP Commentary

Where do you see your writing self in 5 years? 10? Check out my latest post on BLOOD-RED PENCIL "Seeing Down Writing Journey's Road" and answer this question and more for yourself!

Check it out here, and leave comments!


The Blood-Red Pencil
Sharp and pointed observations about good writing
[http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com]

In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Talking with Author Mike Mullin

Debut author Mike Mullin stops by All the Blog's a Page to talk about the release of his debut novel, ASHFALL! Last time he was here, he talked about being a plotter and pantser. This time, it's all about ASHFALL and the writing journey.










Many visitors to Yellowstone National Park don’t realize that the boiling hot springs and spraying geysers are caused by an underlying supervolcano. It has erupted three times in the last 2.1 million years, and it will erupt again, changing the Earth forever.

Fifteen-year-old Alex is home alone when the supervolcano erupts. His town collapses into a nightmare of darkness, ash, and violence, forcing him to flee. He begins a harrowing trek in search of his parents and sister, who were visiting relatives 140 miles away.

Along the way, Alex struggles through a landscape transformed by more than a foot of ash. The disaster brings out the best and worst in people desperate for food, clean water, and shelter. When an escaped convict injures Alex, he searches for a sheltered place where he can wait—to heal or to die. Instead, he finds Darla. Together, they fight to achieve a nearly impossible goal: surviving the supervolcano.


Come on over to All the Blog's a Page now to learn more about Mike's debut novel!

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World-Building with Author Barbara G. Tarn (Interview)

I am an eclectic reader. From fantasy to erotica, from thrillers to rom-com, great characters dealing with major conflict can always at least get me to the first page. This year, I have indulged in much fantasy, and author Barbara G. Tarn has been the main author to supply me with it. I've read many of her works set in Silvery Earth and have marveled at the work it takes to develop a whole other world, set with rules, beliefs, values, customs, etc. So, I decided to ask Barbara some questions about world-building and her books, and she graciously answered them all!

















Head to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING now to read my interview with Barbara G. Tarn and definitely consider picking up one or more of her books! Here's the PERMALINK!





ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING



Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!



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Author Barbara G. Tarn Interviews Moi at Her Blog

Every once in a while, I relinquish my interviewer cap and become the interviewee. Friend and fellow author Barbara G. Tarn invited me to her blog to talk about myself as writer...come check out the interview! [LINK]

In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...Talking with Author Catina Sinches

As a full-figured hot tamale, I am always eager to support other amazing full-figured chicas looking to do great things: case in point, author Catina Sinches and her work, Full Figure Monologues. I'm currently reading it, and all I'll say for now is it offers the inspiration women need to see ALL of their worth. Welcome Catina as ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING's featured author for October!














About Full Figure Monologues

Full Figure Monologues was written to inspire and lend a voice to full-figured women. It focuses on real life issues and captures our hopes, worries and triumphs. The intent is to open up dialogue and encourage people to sit back and look at life from the point of view of women who are realistically the population within society. Women will be able to truly see themselves or someone they know who has dealt with the struggle to love their curves, entertaining negative thoughts, their relationship with food, letting go of the past as well as the courage to pursue their dreams.

Along with our curves, we are real women with everyday struggles. The women in the book put life into perspective and open up to show others that they are never alone. Life is not always going to be easy no matter what size you are, but the journey is absolutely worth it.


Head to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING now to read my interview with Catina Sinches and read a short excerpt from Full Figure Monologues; here's the PERMALINK!




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Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!



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"Writing in 140: Writers Read" - Latest The Blood-Red Pencil Commentary

Most people know how I feel about writers needing to read--today at The Blood-Red Pencil, in another Writing in 140 commentary "Writers Read," I offer a few quick reasons why we need to be flipping pages and reading books (that aren't our own).

Check it out here, and leave comments!


The Blood-Red Pencil
Sharp and pointed observations about good writing
[http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com]

Walking on Water with Author, Motivational Speaker Stanice Anderson

For September, I am honored to have author, motivational speaker, and definitely an inspiration of mine, Stanice Anderson, as ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING's featured author!










About Walking on Water When the Ground Ain't Enuf

WALKING ON WATER WHEN THE GROUND AIN’T ENUF is a testament to the love, power and grace of God in our daily lives. Stanice Anderson’s mosaic account of her journey over troubled waters toward unwavering faith is meant to inspire, encourage and uplift. Her gripping real stories, captivating testimonies, soul-stirring monologues, and cadenced spokentry, read like intimate conversations with a trusted friend. Get ready to laugh, cry, praise and walk on water. Come on! Get your faith wet.


Stanice's interview is probably the most moving interview I've ever conducted. Although the questions seem innocent and gentle, the answers that Stanice provide showcase her ability to lay out her life for all to see, and in doing so, you can be moved by the journey she's been on and feel a stirring in yourself to see blessings fall into your life. I won't even tempt you with a teaser from the interview. You just need to go, have a cup of coffee or tea beside you, and take a few minutes to fall into the interview (and the cool video) and think on it. I'll just say this--the "Come to Jesus" response? Yeah, it's the one that did me in.

Head to ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING now to read the interview; here's the PERMALINK!




ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING



Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!



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Direct link to feature can be found [here].




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Story Trumps Innovation - Latest Blood-Red Pencil Post

Are you trying to be innovative in your writing? Are you remembering the STORY? Check out my latest post, "Story Trumps Innovation" @ Blood-Red Pencil to read my thoughts on the subject. Leave comments - link

Resurrecting a Historical Figure ~ Interview with Author Sharon Ewell Foster

Right now, extra reading is not happening for me, but I did manage to start a book, a wonderful book that is on my TBR list once I finish with a major project: The Resurrection of Nat Turner by acclaimed author Sharon Ewell Foster. The first pages captivated me, and in this work, we get more than just a riveting story. We get a detailed, well-researched book that resurrects the historical figure Nat Turner, a man whose life--at least the one we know of based on history books--is not what it appears. At ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING, I interview Sharon as CLG's featured author for August, and talk to her about the research, writing, and purpose of a book that Publishers Weekly had this to say about: [The Resurrection of Nat Turner is] “fast-paced . . . nearly flawless . . . riveting and expertly told by an inspired, practiced storyteller.













About The Resurrection of Nat Turner

The truth has been buried more than one hundred years . . .

Leading a small army of slaves, Nat Turner was a man born with a mission: to set the captives free. When words failed, he ignited an uprising that left over fifty whites dead. In the predawn hours of August 22, 1831, Nat Turner stormed into history with a Bible in one hand, brandishing a sword in the other. His rebellion shined a national spotlight on slavery and the state of Virginia and divided a nation’s trust. Turner himself became a lightning rod for abolitionists like Harriet Beecher Stowe and a terror and secret shame for slave owners.

In The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part 1: The Witnesses, Nat Turner’s story is revealed through the eyes and minds of slaves and masters, friends and foes. In their words is the truth of the mystery and conspiracy of Nat Turner’s life, death, and confession.

The Resurrection of Nat Turner spans more than sixty years, sweeping from the majestic highlands of Ethiopia to the towns of Cross Keys and Jerusalem in Southampton County. Using extensive research, Sharon Ewell Foster breaks hallowed ground in this epic novel, revealing long-buried secrets about this tragic hero.


Head to ChickLitGurrl now to learn more about Sharon's journey of writing and promoting The Resurrection of Nat Turner; here's the PERMALINK!



ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING



Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!



[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

Direct link to feature can be found [here].

Break Writer's Block: Become the Storyteller, Not the Protagonist ~ Latest BRP Commentary

Are you a storyteller or a protagonist? In my latest Blood-Red Pencil post, "Break Writer's Block: Become the Storyteller, Not the Protagonist," I look at these terms - "protagonist" and "storyteller" - to argue how choosing one of these roles can dictate how we might fall into the writer's block trap...and suggest ways how to avoid that trap.Check it out here, and leave comments!


The Blood-Red Pencil
Sharp and pointed observations about good writing
[http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com]

Plotter, Pantser, Both? Talking with Author CHAMSIL @ All the Blog's a Page

Are you a PLOTTER or a PANTSER...or are you BOTH? That's the question being asked of the authors coming to you live this month on ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE. I have had author-friends who truly detest plotting, feeling it takes away from what the characters want to say, and I've had author-friends who detest flying by the seat of their author pants because the writing produced never seems to gel and come together. What do you prefer? Check out what the AtBaP authors of July think and share your own thoughts!

We round out July with an author I've known for a while now; I tell you, he's one of the hardest working writers I know. If he's not writing, he's on course to promote, promote, promote his wares: author CHAMSIL!









For Unbeknownst:

Memphis, Tennessee, 20th century.

Jamin Edson is a young business professional, boyfriend, and father of one who sorely lacks the connection, but is seeking love and acceptance within the confines of his family structure. Although, he has longed for this interaction, it has seemed so far from his reach. So far, that he continuously feels defeated. Lindsay Beauregard is a young business professional, girlfriend, and mother of one who is inflexible in every stretch of the imagination. She is very aggressive, opinionated and does things entirely in the manner in which she feels they need to be done. Hope Edson is a young child and daughter of Jamin and Lindsay, who becomes an unfortunate victim of circumstance and entangled in the web that is her parents’ tumultuous and challenging relationship. When Jamin makes the drastic decision to flee the city, abandoning his family in a last ditch effort to escape the persistent and volatile drama, Lindsay is left with no choice but to pick up the remaining pieces of the shattered mirror. Sadly, Hope is also forced to pick up a piece in order to reflect on her life and where she’s headed, even at a very young age.

Take a journey into their worlds in order to see how lives are forever changed and how those same lives run in parallel to one another in entirely different environments over a span of a number of years. Witness the trials and tribulations, heartache and pain, successes, pitfalls, and shortcomings that are the result of one fateful decision. There are many lessons to be learned. Life goes on. Life brings about new experiences. Life has inevitable challenges. Life isn’t always what it seems. But, ultimately, life catches up with you, sooner or later. The only question is…will you be ready when it does?


This is Unbeknownst.


Stop by All the Blog's a Page to not only read CHAMSIL's thoughts on plotting and pantsing in his writing life, but to also read an excerpt of Unbeknownst!

All the Blog's a Page ~ [site]
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Part 5 (of 5) of Book to Screen @ APOOO Bookclub

In the last part of the five-part series, Book to Screen, I offer information on where to find agents, contests, production companies, and more for your screenplay.

Big thank you to those who have e-mailed about the series, have learned from it, and are actually interested in now turning their books into possible screenplays!

To read my latest The Write Life for You commentary in the Book to Screen series, head to APOOO Bookclub via this [link].



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Plotter, Pantser, Both? Talking with Author Deborah Batterman @ All the Blog's a Page

Are you a PLOTTER or a PANTSER...or are you BOTH? That's the question being asked of the authors coming to you live this month on ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE. I have had author-friends who truly detest plotting, feeling it takes away from what the characters want to say, and I've had author-friends who detest flying by the seat of their author pants because the writing produced never seems to gel and come together. What do you prefer? Check out what the AtBaP authors of July think and share your own thoughts!

This week, we ask the Plotter-Pantser question to author Deborah Batterman whose collection of short stories, SHOES HAIR NAILS, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.








The settings of these stories - 1980s New York City, 1950s Brooklyn, Las Vegas, an exurban town post-9/11 - are as diverse as the rich palette of characters drawn with heart, humor, and sensuality. With a sharp sense of the telling detail, Deborah Batterman weaves narratives around the everyday symbols in our world and their resonance in our lives.


Stop by All the Blog's a Page today to read Deborah's engaging response to the plotter-pantser question; more than likely, you'll see some truth in her words.


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Permalink ~ [link]