I'm heading off in a few moments to spend the day catching up with the Dads, but I thought I'd take a minute to do my weekly update. And that's all it will take, is one minute, since there's not much going on.
This week I sent of the second round of edits on This Feels Like Home to my editor. She received them and said she'd format and then send them back to me for one last look before sending them off to the line editors. She thought including the reader letter and blurbs at the end wouldn't be a problem, so that's good.
Between my initial version and the blurb committee, we did come up with a fabulous blurb for the book:
Can a danger-addicted cowboy and a safety-conscious urbanite ever see eye-to-eye?
When Chicago native Amber Winfield visits her aunt in Texas, she’s happy to absorb some local color—but dating a bull rider? That’s more cowboy than she’s prepared to go. As an accessibility consultant, she knows too well the hazards of extreme sports. Just one night with Jake Hawkins, though, and she’s captivated by the caring man underneath the cowboy swagger. But she could never fall for a man so intent on chasing danger…could she?
Jake’s got one goal—earn enough points to ride on the pro circuit—and he won’t let anyone stand in his way. Especially not a sophisticated city lady who thinks bull riding is crazy. Women like Amber are the reason he’s perfected the art of loving and leaving. So why can’t he get her off of his mind…or out of his heart?
I'm hoping a cover appears soon, because then I can get started on ordering some promotional items.
And yep...that's it for the week...
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Romance in Paris Redux by Margot Justes
This weekend A Hotel in Paris is free on Kindle. I 'd like to share a blog I wrote when the book first came out.
It is spring at least according to the calendar. It is cold, damp and dreary, the flowers are barely sprouting, grass is still brown and potential for snow not an impossibility. You keep waiting for it to improve. And it will. Eventually.
Ah, that is because you’re home. It’s the everyday expectation in our existence. We perform our daily rituals.
So instead, let’s hop on a plane and go for a ride, a change of scenery if you will.
Let’s imagine we’re in Paris in the spring, walking along in the Luxembourg Gardens. The gentle mist falling on the tree branches leaving a crystal reflection, a heavenly clean earthy smell permeates your nostrils as you take a deep breath.
Walk along the gravel path and hear it crunch beneath your feet. Listen to the birds chirp as they spread their wings and take flight only to land perched on a shoulder of a statue.
Watch the grass as it seems to become greener right in front of your eyes, the rain still falling and sinking deep into the earth.
Leave the peace of the gardens and walk out through the wrought iron fence. Go across the street while the gentle rain is still falling, sit down in the café, order your favorite brew and observe the wet wrought iron glisten in the golden sun peeking through the clouds.
While in Paris, I have done exactly that many times and have found that a gentle rain, overcast sky can be as romantic as anything else-whether you’re alone strolling and day dreaming or walking with someone special by your side. It’s what you make of any given moment.
Truly, in Paris every little thing that you take for granted at home becomes incredibly special. Every moment counts and is treasured. There is something magical about the city.
Maybe that tells us we should not take anything for granted when at home but seize every moment. I’ll leave that up to you.
Cheers,
Margot Justes
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris
Art brought her to Paris, then a stranger’s death changes her life.
A Hotel in Bath
It is spring at least according to the calendar. It is cold, damp and dreary, the flowers are barely sprouting, grass is still brown and potential for snow not an impossibility. You keep waiting for it to improve. And it will. Eventually.
Ah, that is because you’re home. It’s the everyday expectation in our existence. We perform our daily rituals.
So instead, let’s hop on a plane and go for a ride, a change of scenery if you will.
Let’s imagine we’re in Paris in the spring, walking along in the Luxembourg Gardens. The gentle mist falling on the tree branches leaving a crystal reflection, a heavenly clean earthy smell permeates your nostrils as you take a deep breath.
Walk along the gravel path and hear it crunch beneath your feet. Listen to the birds chirp as they spread their wings and take flight only to land perched on a shoulder of a statue.
Watch the grass as it seems to become greener right in front of your eyes, the rain still falling and sinking deep into the earth.
Leave the peace of the gardens and walk out through the wrought iron fence. Go across the street while the gentle rain is still falling, sit down in the café, order your favorite brew and observe the wet wrought iron glisten in the golden sun peeking through the clouds.
While in Paris, I have done exactly that many times and have found that a gentle rain, overcast sky can be as romantic as anything else-whether you’re alone strolling and day dreaming or walking with someone special by your side. It’s what you make of any given moment.
Truly, in Paris every little thing that you take for granted at home becomes incredibly special. Every moment counts and is treasured. There is something magical about the city.
Maybe that tells us we should not take anything for granted when at home but seize every moment. I’ll leave that up to you.
Cheers,
Margot Justes
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris
Art brought her to Paris, then a stranger’s death changes her life.
A Hotel in Bath
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Can a Writer Be Cloned? Redux by DL Larson
The blogs lately have given folks several glimpses of the many hats we authors wear. It's a lot like playing dress-up, a past-time my granddaughters love to play. They even change their names when they're playing.
"Call me, Cammie," my little Alex said one day.
"Okay," I said. "Call me, DL."
She thought that was a very funny name. I suppose it is, but it's my writer's name and as others have mentioned earlier it's important to keep one's name in the public's mind. DL Larson missed the Authorfest everyone is talking about. She's very sad, down in the mouth at hearing how wondeful the day was. But Deb Larson had a commitment that she agreed to months ago and so DL Larson didn't sign up for the Authorfest.
As an author, we have to find that fine balance between our craft - writing, our livelihood - working, and our hearth - the family, friends, church and those dozens of volunteer organizations we agree to help with. It's never easy and sometimes - like DL Larson missing out on a big fat opportunity like Authorfest, the choices we make leave us feeling unfulfilled in all areas of our life.
That's when we have to let go and simply be. We can't always be where we want to be and we can't please everyone, even ourselves sometimes.
So once I accepted that it was okay to miss out I could move on, excited about the next opportunity to exploit, I mean promote my name, DL Larson, my books, awesome, fascinating and rivetting historical family sagas. I remembered there is always a next time. Like today. I've gotten to mention my name, DL Larson, several times. Okay, six times. I feel better already.
Promoting my books is hard work, but rewarding too. Just when I think I'm drowning in my own ineptness as a marketer, someone will come up to me and say, "I loved your first book. I can't wait to read your next one." And I'm glad I'm not a clone. The real DL Larson needed to hear that!
So now I can honestly say I'm thrilled so many found the Authorfest to be a rewarding day. I'm happy for them and no longer frustrated with my inability to be at two places at once. I've accepted my limitations. Still, it would have been nice if DL Larson could have attended. Nicer still if someone had asked her about one of her books. And it would have been a stellar day to make some sales. Maybe cloning would work ...
Nah! There's only room for one DL Larson in this world.
Till next time ~
DL Larson
www.dllarson.com
"Call me, Cammie," my little Alex said one day.
"Okay," I said. "Call me, DL."
She thought that was a very funny name. I suppose it is, but it's my writer's name and as others have mentioned earlier it's important to keep one's name in the public's mind. DL Larson missed the Authorfest everyone is talking about. She's very sad, down in the mouth at hearing how wondeful the day was. But Deb Larson had a commitment that she agreed to months ago and so DL Larson didn't sign up for the Authorfest.
As an author, we have to find that fine balance between our craft - writing, our livelihood - working, and our hearth - the family, friends, church and those dozens of volunteer organizations we agree to help with. It's never easy and sometimes - like DL Larson missing out on a big fat opportunity like Authorfest, the choices we make leave us feeling unfulfilled in all areas of our life.
That's when we have to let go and simply be. We can't always be where we want to be and we can't please everyone, even ourselves sometimes.
So once I accepted that it was okay to miss out I could move on, excited about the next opportunity to exploit, I mean promote my name, DL Larson, my books, awesome, fascinating and rivetting historical family sagas. I remembered there is always a next time. Like today. I've gotten to mention my name, DL Larson, several times. Okay, six times. I feel better already.
Promoting my books is hard work, but rewarding too. Just when I think I'm drowning in my own ineptness as a marketer, someone will come up to me and say, "I loved your first book. I can't wait to read your next one." And I'm glad I'm not a clone. The real DL Larson needed to hear that!
So now I can honestly say I'm thrilled so many found the Authorfest to be a rewarding day. I'm happy for them and no longer frustrated with my inability to be at two places at once. I've accepted my limitations. Still, it would have been nice if DL Larson could have attended. Nicer still if someone had asked her about one of her books. And it would have been a stellar day to make some sales. Maybe cloning would work ...
Nah! There's only room for one DL Larson in this world.
Till next time ~
DL Larson
www.dllarson.com
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
You Can Make an Impact Redux
Here's one of my posts, this one from 5/9/12, but it still holds true -
When you least expect it, you can make an impact. Last week, when I stood on my back stoop, I noticed a June bug. They always seem to appear in the wrong month, but I digress.
The stoop was wet. The bug lay on its backside, with its tiny legs flailing. I could have ignored its plight. Maybe it would have righted itself. Maybe it wouldn't have. It might have been just another bug trying to have a life and not succeeding.
I thought for a moment, then went back inside. I tore off a small piece of typing paper and went back out. Ever so gently I placed the paper under the bug, taking care not to get any of its tiny legs squashed in the process. Then I slowly lifted the bug up, turned the paper over and placed it on top of a nearby piece of vegetation. It didn't move. Well, I'd done all I could to help its survival, so I went back into the house.
Half an hour later, when I went out to walk my dog, Rascal, I looked for the bug to see if it was still there. It was gone!
The June bug is only one example, but writing is another. Through your efforts, you have the awesome power to transport readers from their everyday world, with its cares and troubles, into another place where they can live for a while.
Yes, you can make an impact!
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Find Excerpts and Buy Links to Morgan Mandel's Books at
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Sunday, June 9, 2013
Summer Journal 2013 - Entry #2
Today I'm ready to attach and hit the send button for the second round of edits for This Feels Like Home. This past week I did my backwards (starting at the last page and going forward) read-through to look for minor errors. I found a few phrases that needed to be fixed, but nothing too major. I also did some double-checking of general facts to make sure I wasn't making mistakes about the weather in Texas in the Fall or making sure I had my characters at the right age so when they talk about the past I'm not making them too young. Sometimes things like these get lost in the momentum of writing and it's easy to forget to go back and double-check.
Before I hit send, I'm going to write up a 'letter to the reader' for the front of the book. This particular editor didn't ask for one, but all of my other print books have one, including the two that began this particular series, so I'd like to be consistent. In staying with that idea, I'd also like to come up with a short series blurb for the end of the book. My former editor did a wonderful one to tie This Can't Be Love to This Time for Always, and again, for consistency, and to encourage readers to read the entire three-book series, I'd like to have this.
Looking ahead, I'm not sure what writing project I'll tackle this coming week. But I'm sure something will come to me!
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
Before I hit send, I'm going to write up a 'letter to the reader' for the front of the book. This particular editor didn't ask for one, but all of my other print books have one, including the two that began this particular series, so I'd like to be consistent. In staying with that idea, I'd also like to come up with a short series blurb for the end of the book. My former editor did a wonderful one to tie This Can't Be Love to This Time for Always, and again, for consistency, and to encourage readers to read the entire three-book series, I'd like to have this.
Looking ahead, I'm not sure what writing project I'll tackle this coming week. But I'm sure something will come to me!
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Retirement by Margot Justes
I retired yesterday, and for the first time in twenty nine years, I feel a sense of freedom and elation.
Today, I went to breakfast, and to an outdoor art fair, played in the garden, and generally relaxed.
There was no pressure to write, no pressure to get my errands done, and then write, no pressure to make sure everything was done before Monday, and the beginning of the work week.
There was no pressure whatsoever. No agenda, just pure freedom. It is indeed a strange and marvelous feeling. I wanted to enjoy it. The demand of the writing world will intrude, but I welcome that intrusion. I welcome the characters telling me where they want to go. I welcome that creative world with open arms. I'm ready to be a full time writer.
The desire to sit in my office and pound on the keyboard is there, now more than ever, but it is at my leisure, and most assuredly at my pleasure. The time is mine, let's see what I do with it.
I welcome the change and challenge.
A Hotel in Bath
Hearts & Daggers
Hot Crimes Cool Chicks
www.mjustes.com
Today, I went to breakfast, and to an outdoor art fair, played in the garden, and generally relaxed.
There was no pressure to write, no pressure to get my errands done, and then write, no pressure to make sure everything was done before Monday, and the beginning of the work week.
There was no pressure whatsoever. No agenda, just pure freedom. It is indeed a strange and marvelous feeling. I wanted to enjoy it. The demand of the writing world will intrude, but I welcome that intrusion. I welcome the characters telling me where they want to go. I welcome that creative world with open arms. I'm ready to be a full time writer.
The desire to sit in my office and pound on the keyboard is there, now more than ever, but it is at my leisure, and most assuredly at my pleasure. The time is mine, let's see what I do with it.
I welcome the change and challenge.
Cheers,
Margot Justes
A Hotel in ParisA Hotel in Bath
Hearts & Daggers
Hot Crimes Cool Chicks
www.mjustes.com
Friday, June 7, 2013
Including My Backlist! by DL Larson
This is my new book cover for my first book, Memories Trail, Part One. It is a love story/war story set in the midst of the War of 1812. If you enjoy history and a tight plot of family strife and commitment, perhaps you'll enjoy this.
The blurb:
'Three people united in passion and purpose are torn apart by the devastation of war. Dominion over the wilderness beyond the frontier threatens all they believe in.'
Part One is now available on Smashwords - I hope! I'm still struggling with some epubcheck issues that are worse than gremlins.
Any advice, I would love to hear them. I've gone over all their suggestions and have 2 itty bitty issues that will not resolve themselves. So I'm afraid my book may be in limbo a bit longer for those with an Apple apparatus.
If you follow this address: http://www.smashwords.com/ it will take you to my books. I've priced them at $2.99 each. I'd love to hear advice on that as well. I'm not ready to give my work away for free, but you can read 20% free to see if you would like to purchase it. I felt that was a good compromise.
My second Book, Promises To Keep, will soon be available in ebook too. It's a work in progress!
My new book, Promises My Love, is available in ebook at Amazon.http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Promises+My+Love%2C+DL+Larson#/ref=sr_hi_eb?rh=k%3APromises+My+Love\c%2Cn%3A283155&ie=UTF8&qid=1370616029&keyword=Promises+My+Love%2C I sure hope I did that right - or everyone will know how enept I am with technology!
So tell me, how are you fairing in the ebook world? Are you selling more? Enjoying being responsible for your own fate?
Share with us.
Til next time ~
DL Larson
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