BOOTCAMP for Novelists Online October Class

October BOOTCAMP for Novelists Online course begin October 4.

Register at http://bootcampfornovelists.com/current-courses.html

Enrollment for these courses is open until October 12.

October 4 — October 31

7B PUNCH UP YOUR PROSE

With Connie Flynn

You can have great characters, excellent plots,and zingy dialogue but if you don't write the story with brevity and clarity and evocative words you'll lose readers by page three. This course covers the writing habits that must be developed to keep your stories engaging.

Need more info? Contact Connie $22

bootcamp4novelists@cox.net

7P ART OF PACING

With Linda Style

Pacing isn't all about speed. It's also about moving readers along. And even more. Pacing has many facets and involves everything from the tone of your book to the language you use. In this class you'll learn the ins and outs of pacing from story to scene to paragraph to sentence and how to use pacing to benefit your story.

Need more info? Contact Linda $22

bootcamp4novelists2@yahoo.com

3B SCENE&STRUCTURE

With Connie Flynn

Structuring scenes for maximum impact is the third pillar of story structure. You'll leave this course knowing where and when to place a scene and how to connect each scene for ease of flow and maximum impact.

Need more info? Contact Connie $25

bootcamp4novelists@cox.net

3P ESCALATING CONSEQUENCES

With Linda Style

Pro writers know how to keep each scene simmering with expectation by highlighting external situations and internal conflict to create high drama. This course covers just that topic and you'll never again wonder what to do with that boring but necessary scene.

Need more info? Contact Linda $25

bootcamp4novelists2@yahoo.com

To register for courses or get more details go to BOOTCAMP for Novelists Online http://BootcampforNovelists.com/current-courses.html

FOR WRITERS: Using Twitter to link your blog posts!

Would you like to post one announcement on your blog and have it sent out to (almost) all of your social networks? Using Twitter is a good way to do so without giving away the passwords to your email accounts. There are sites that advertise linking your networks as a service but they require your password to do so—I urge you to protect your passwords! This process may be a bit more time-consuming, but it will save you hours of cross-posting. (Please note that I use Blogger.com for my personal blog, I assume these directions will also work on other blogs like WordPress, but I don’t have personal experience with those.)

LINK YOUR BLOG TO YOUR TWITTER PAGE

First, sign up for Twitter. Here’s my Twitter URL: http://twitter.com/KathryneKennedy/
Just click the “Join Today” button on my page. Follow the directions for setting up a profile, it’s quick and easy.

Now go to: http://twitterfeed.com/ Click on “Sign in with OpenID” just below the Login button. A new window will open, allowing you to sign in with your Google, Yahoo, etc. accounts (sign in to those accounts first before going to TwitterFeed for quick access—your password will stay hidden either way). You can now add your blog feed to Twitter. Please note that this is different than the regular URL for your blog. Mine is: http://kathrynekennedy.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default If you’re not sure how to get your blog feed URL, click the help button on Twitterfeed, and they have directions on how to get your feed (helpful hint: add the gadget “subscribe to this blog” to your blog and the atom feed icon will post for you to click to get the URL feed for your blog.)

Your blog entries will now post to your Twitter page, using the first few words and a tinyURL (which is a link back to your blog’s entire post).

LINK YOUR TWITTER POSTS TO YOUR MYSPACE & FACEBOOK PROFILE:

Both of these network sites are similar in the way they post your Twitter entries by using Applications (Apps). Sign in to your Facebook and/or Myspace Account and then:

On Facebook, look on the very bottom of the left hand side of your home page and click on Applications. Click on “Browse more applications”. In the “search apps” box, type in Twitter, hit the “enter” key on your keyboard. Click on the Twitter by Twitter app, and follow the directions to enter your blog link. When activated, your tweets will now post on the very top of your profile page and in your news feed.

On Myspace, at the top of your home page, mouse over the “More” tab, and click on “Apps Gallery” from the drop-down menu. On the right hand side there is a “Search Apps”. Type in Twitter, hit “search”. Choose the “iTwitter” app and follow the directions. A box will now appear on your Myspace profile page with your latest tweets.

OTHER NETWORK SITES:

So basically, you now have your blog feeding to your Twitter account, and your Twitter account feeding to your Myspace and Facebook sites. If you are a member of any networks on ning (BookPlace, Fans of Romance Novels, Readers & Writers of Distinction Fiction, etc.) your blog can be fed directly to your profile pages by clicking the RSS FEED on the left hand side of the page, and entering your Blogger URL. You don’t need a Twitter account for this.

I hope you found this helpful. If you’d like to share any of your own tips for linking your posts, please feel free to comment!

Until Next Time,
Kathryne

And the winner is......

Congratulations, Michelle!
You just won a free signed copy of Cara Putman's book.

Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail.com (no spaces) to claim your prize.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sorry for the late posting. My son is down with the flu!

Love Happens

Love Happens
Spoiler Alert: I will give away some of the best scenes.

While watching movies, I often look for the lessons that can be applied to writing novels. This week, I watched Love Happens with Jennifer Aniston. I was hesitant to see it because of the bad review I heard on the radio, but it turned out to be quite entertaining.

All romances need a strong conflict keeping the hero and heroine apart. The conflict between the hero and heroine was strong. He is still emotionally distraught over the loss of his wife and the role he played in her death. It is impossible for the hero to love again unless he puts her death behind him.

Transitions need to be done well in both movies and novels. In this case, most were seemless, but there was one exception. Near the beginning of the movie, the heroine is in the men’s room confronting the hero. She tells him she would not go out with him and why. In the next scene, she receives flowers and in the following scene, she walks into the restaurant to meet him as if they never had the argument. That transition was jolting. It wasn’t true to her character, in my opinion. She could have given him all the reasons she wasn’t going to meet him, followed by the one pivotal reason she decided to show up. Would have been more true to the character.

On the other hand, the humor was well written and executed. Often times you can come up with funny scenes if you write down what would be the worst, most inappropriate act someone could do at that moment. In this movie, one mourner made cookies with her husband’s ashes because he enjoyed them so much in life. Another woman admitted she had made a mold of her husband’s…private parts before he died so they could still have fun after his death. Later, our motivational speaker/hero hides under his in-laws table. Appears against character, but in this case is meant to be humorous and does in fact come off as funny.

Overall, I found the humor a needed break from the heavy emotional scenes brought on by most of the characters dealing with the loss of a loved one. Also, the hero and heroine were well suited for each other, the conflict was believable, and the scenes held my interest.

I hope you will find a movie to analyze and share your findings. We enjoy hearing from you.

Until next time,
Happy Writing,
Tina LaVon

Interview with Cara Putman

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Cara Putman. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Thanks so much for having me. I see you have my favorite kind right there. Mind if I help myself to a truffle?

Absolutely! We aim to please.

I understand you have a new release out called Trial by Fire. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

The blurb say it best. Her mother's house was first. Then her brother's. County prosecutor Tricia Jamison is sure she's next on the arsonist's list. But who is after her family? And why does every fire throw her in Noah Brust's path? Noah can't forgive Tricia. Her failure to protect him on the stand the previous year meant his father's reputation was ruined.

Trial by Fire is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

The working title was Deadly Judgment, but as my editor and I talked about it, we knew it needed something that reflected the book a bit better. She came up with Trial by Fire, which is perfect because the heroine is an attorney, trials play a role, and an arsonist is hunting her.

Would you describe your book as a cozy, mystery, suspense, or thriller?

This book is definitely romantic suspense. So readers who love a romance will enjoy it, but it also has a strong ticking clock, woman in jeopardy feel. It’s the kind of book I love to read.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

Primarily the fact that I love reading in this genre. If I have a stack of books, all from authors I like, but one is suspense – that’s the book I’ll pick up first. I love the twists, turns, and pacing of well-written suspense.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

The heroine is a strong supporting character in the first book, Deadly Exposure, and I knew she wanted her own story. Then I played with ways that her career as an attorney could place her in harm’s way – but in a manner she’d never anticipate.

Do you have all the key suspense/mystery elements thought out before you begin writing?

I generally know the outlines of a plot, generally know the hero, heroine, and the bad guy. Then as I write, new thoughts and twists develop. That’s what makes it such a fun process.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

Each book requires research. For this one, I had to research the setting since I hadn’t been to some of the buildings in Lincoln, NE. I also had to investigate how arson is investigated. I found a NOVA video on a serial arsonist which was hugely helpful. Then I also found websites for the organizations that train fire investigators. I also interviewed a friend who is a fire investigator, and he was wonderfully helpful to make sure my research was accurate.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I like Noah, the hero. I already knew Tricia pretty well, but her story took a turn I hadn’t anticipated, and writing Noah’s response was such fun. It allowed him to reflect Christ’s love in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

I develop my characters through a combination of what you mentioned above. I’ll start with a sheet, then move to interviews, then use a tool Jeff Gerke has developed. And as I research, what I learn will impact how the characters may respond. It’s a very organic and fluid process. Fortunately, there are great resources available to help push writers when their characters quit talking or get predictable.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Colleen Coble has been a fabulous mentor. Brandilyn Collins mentored me from a distance through her fabulous blog Forensics and Faith. These women work hard to improve with each book and keep me guessing. Exactly what I want to do with my writing.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Great question. I think appearing on blogs like yours helps because people who read your blog might not otherwise learn about my books. So thanks for your help spreading the word!

What do we have to look forward next?

I’m beginning a book that will release in July 2010 – I’m very excited because this series will marry my love for World War Two with my love of suspense! Hollywood, stars, and murder oh my!

Thanks, Cara!

To celebrate her book release, Cara is offering a free book of Trial by Fire to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see who won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Check out author’s website at: http://www.caraputman.com/

Buy: http://www.eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=20173.

"Kills, Chills and Thrills: A Guide to Writing Thriller Novels"

October 2-30, 2009
"Kills, Chills and Thrills: A Guide to Writing Thriller Novels"
by CJ Lyons
www.WriterUniv.com

Thrillers are hot! Look at any bestseller list and you'll find an overwhelming number of thriller novels. What makes them different from other genres? How can you use thriller techniques to make your own novels compelling, no matter the genre? And where the heck do writers come up with those ideas? CJ Lyons will dissect several popular thrillers as examples, offering insights from bestselling novelists such as David Morrell, Robin Cook, Carla Neggers, Robert Gregory Browne, JoAnn Ross, and Lisa Gardner. By the conclusion, you'll have all the tools necessary to craft a compelling thrill-ride of your own!

Topics include:
* What makes a thriller a thriller?
* Tricks of the trade: research
* The quirks of thriller characters
* World building, plotting and pacing
* Theme: intersection of plot and character
* Hooks & twists, and series vs. stand-alone
* Tips from reviewers who specialize in crime fiction

Award-winning author CJ Lyons is a physician trained in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. She has assisted police and prosecutors with cases involving child abuse, rape, homicide and Munchausen by Proxy; and has worked in several trauma centers, on the Navajo reservation, as a crisis counselor and victim's advocate, as well as a flight physician for Life Flight. Her debut medical suspense novel, LIFELINES, was released by Berkley in April, 2008.

The fall equinox - September 22, 2009

Today is the equinox. The autumnal equinox, to be precise. Astronomically-speaking, the equinox is more than just a box marked on a calendar or the start to fall.

Astronomers define the autumnal (fall) equinox as the moment when the Sun crosses the Celestial Equator, heading from the north to the south. And what is the Celestial Equator? It’s just the projection of the Earth’s equator onto the heavens. As the Earth rotates, the Celestial Equator appears as the midpoint of the sky’s motion. (taken from New York City Astronomy)

Read the rest at:
The fall equinox - September 22, 2009

Posted using ShareThis