tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23646760166344009062024-03-13T00:59:08.720-04:00The South Jersey Writers' Group BlogTips, events, and updates from your local writing groupSJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-82179048808316070862017-01-27T10:02:00.000-05:002017-01-27T10:02:11.971-05:00"The Long Harbor Testament" by New Novelist Tom Minder<h3>
Interview conducted By <a href="http://dawnbyrne.yolasite.com/">Dawn Byrne</a> </h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsfc55JujvLl2B1BT7cW3xBd5MS3b0gXfY2Oxe7N_aF2TGLYbeHUdlh5W4M_09a1KPdlTWqyq4YDwQWkF_H67DSiD-XsxezJbldKkSB0bdnBJ5Z2d9bA_G9hypbHz-XsojzETPtjt59c/s1600/Tom+Minder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsfc55JujvLl2B1BT7cW3xBd5MS3b0gXfY2Oxe7N_aF2TGLYbeHUdlh5W4M_09a1KPdlTWqyq4YDwQWkF_H67DSiD-XsxezJbldKkSB0bdnBJ5Z2d9bA_G9hypbHz-XsojzETPtjt59c/s320/Tom+Minder.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
Tom Minder’s first novel “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Long-Harbor-Testament-Tom-Minder/dp/1612968007/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=">The Long Harbor Testament</a>” was published and released this month through Black Rose Writing. He’s no newbie to fiction though with his short stories that can be found in: Tall Tales and Short Stories (mephitis mephitis), STORGY (At the Diner), Fiction on the Web (Murder in South Jersey), PILGRIM: A journal of Catholic experience (Self-Denial), CommuterLit (The Battling McManns), Spank The Carp (Squirrel!), Cat & Mouse Beach Nights Anthology (Burning for Rehoboth).<br />
<br />
Tom answered questions about his book and other writings. The following are tidbits about this author of dry humor and his new and upcoming works.<br />
<br />
<b>Tell us about you and how writing fits in with your life. </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">I’m retired and live in Turnersville, NJ with my wife, Paula. After years of promising to write my novel, I started in October 2012. After fifteen months for the first draft, nine more for beta reading and edit, and three years of querying agents and small presses, "The Long Harbor Testament" was accepted by Black Rose Writing. Since I retired, I spend fifteen to twenty hours a week on writing-related activity. This includes new writing, self-editing, submitting short stories, submitting my novel for reviews and planning the marketing steps. </span><br />
<br />
<b>The characters drive your cozy mystery novel in a fun way. How did you come up with these colorful people and how they are connected to the murder?</b><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br />Sixty-five years of attending weekly mass, Sunday breakfasts, thousands of diner dinners, and seeing criminal elements in Philly and South Jersey via TV, movies, and real life, created a roster of characters waiting to be stuffed into a book. Sit in a diner for an hour and tell me you can’t find characters stranger than fiction. </span><br />
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<b>Why is food included so much in your narratives? </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Food, and consumption thereof, is the great equalizer in our society. Where else do people gather together voluntarily and happily? Sporting events, maybe, but people go for the beer, nachos, questionable meat products, and overpriced pretzels as much as for the contest. Speaking of athletic feats, navigate through the crowd at halftime looking for a rest room and you’ll see moves unmatched on the field. All making room for the next beer and crab fries. </span><br />
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<b>Beside diners, your settings tend to be along bodies of water. Is there a reason for this? </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">I hadn’t thought of that. I guess the seaside and ocean have calming effects on people while also posing dangers from rip currents, large people on inner tubes, unexpected waves which can cause wardrobe malfunctions, etc. </span><br />
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<b>I've read some of your short stories, and am excited about your next project. Can you talk about that?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">I’m planning an anthology of the short stories, all featuring the same two main characters, with occasional cameos from the Jersey Devil. This married couple is a composite of myself and Paula, Dagwood and Blondie, and Nick and Nora Charles. I’m not sure about my next novel but am thinking along religious lines. </span><br />
<br />
<b>Thank you for the interview, Tom. Looking forward to your collection of short stories, and more.</b>Jessica A. Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08813007842584063423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-80904691182171513542017-01-24T11:54:00.003-05:002017-01-24T11:54:23.361-05:00Poconos Writers Conference 2017(by K.A. Magrowski - originally posted on <a href="https://kamagrowski.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/poconos-writers-conference/" target="_blank">Literary Debauchery</a>)<br />
<br />
I had the pleasure of attending the 4th Annual Poconos Writers
Conference over the weekend. I love conferences because no matter what
your level of writing, you can never (and should never) stop learning.
Sponsored by writer and attorney Michael Ventrella and the<a href="https://poconowriters.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> Poconos Liars Club</a>, this one-day writing event featured three writers and one agent who gave excellent talks on craft and publication.<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="https://michaelaventrella.com/" href="https://michaelaventrella.com/" target="_blank">Michael Ventrella</a>
kicked off the conference with his talk “The Biggest Mistakes Made by
New Authors.” Some great advice included treating your writing like a
job in terms of dedicating your time and learning the business,
finishing your work, and his secret to success (exclusive to attendees
only, I’m afraid). I jest, but he did emphasize the importance of
talent, hard work, and networking.<br />
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Next up was agent <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/AliaHanna" href="https://twitter.com/AliaHanna" target="_blank">Alia Hanna Habib</a> from <a data-mce-href="http://mccormicklit.com/staff.html" href="http://mccormicklit.com/staff.html" target="_blank">McCormick Literary</a>
who presented on query letters and knowing your genre (with examples of
what works and what doesn’t). Every time I go to a talk on query
letters I learn something new and this was no exception. Alia’s
experience was invaluable (and funny). Highlights included ensuring your
query reads something like jacket copy, know to whom you are submitting
and, of course, read the submissions guidelines.<br />
<br />
After lunch, romance writer <a data-mce-href="http://meganhart.com/" href="http://meganhart.com/" target="_blank">Megan Hart</a>
spoke on Point of View. She provided clear instruction on each type of
point of view. I think my greatest takeaway here was the emphasis on how
point of view not only controls what we the readers know, it gives the
reader information as the character sees it. Each character is the hero
of her or his own story, which affects <em>how</em> they tell the story.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dark fantasy author <a data-mce-href="http://www.robboley.com/" href="http://www.robboley.com/" target="_blank">Rob E. Boley</a>
wrapped up the speaker line up with his presentation on Worldbuilding,
which, as he points out, is integral for all genres, not just
speculative fiction. Rob asked members of the audience what they thought
worldbuilding included and the responses were phenomenal. Many
volunteered answers but then made connections with how that aspect (say,
currency) would affect the world and the way characters interact. Rob
emphasized that your world must serve the story. Coincidences that screw
the characters are acceptable. Those that help are not. There are no
silos – different aspects of the world affect other aspects (just like
the real world!). Do not cast brushstrokes and don’t see everything in
black and white.<br />
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<br />
The audience participation really energized the crowd for the final
session – a Q&A panel with the authors where we discussed marketing,
networking, and being yourself on social media (please, no non-stop
promo tweets!) and at writing events. In the end, sell yourself as much
as your work, but be real.<br />
Highly recommended conference,
especially if you’ve never attended one and might be feeling overwhelmed
at the thought of a large, multi-day event.<br />
<br />
PS Huge shout out to the <a data-mce-href="https://monroepl.org/?page_id=96" href="https://monroepl.org/?page_id=96" target="_blank">Eastern Monroe Public Library</a> for hosting the event. Support your local library!<br />
<br />
PPS I might have bought some books…<br />
<br />
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-16341288035560464222016-11-07T11:05:00.000-05:002016-11-07T11:05:03.848-05:008 Reasons Why You Should Go On A Writing Retreat<h3>
By <a href="http://www.jessicaannwalsh.com/">Jessica A. Walsh</a></h3>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
Yesterday concluded yet another incredibly productive <a href="http://www.meetup.com/South-Jersey-Writers/pages/8601792/Welcome_Visitors!/">South Jersey Writers Group retreat</a>! The company was like-minded and lovely, the location mere blocks from the Ocean City beach was inspiring, the rental was comfortable, the food was delicious, and best of all, the words flowed from our finger tips. If you've never gone on a writing retreat and remain on the fence, then keep reading because following are eight reasons you need to go!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaCvuRNOLxx9_7mS54_Te8a1PjYNESIP7hgimDuJrBuoI_ihJfLCaIYFPJtMSYjNB8kpuXnZRNCxi-I_yH3tTD0WiE4J01UdEfPPvlAi-yaylVmVgxsG3i4bby-28xEeQzC_Yo1LCzGI/s1600/writing+retreat+Nov+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaCvuRNOLxx9_7mS54_Te8a1PjYNESIP7hgimDuJrBuoI_ihJfLCaIYFPJtMSYjNB8kpuXnZRNCxi-I_yH3tTD0WiE4J01UdEfPPvlAi-yaylVmVgxsG3i4bby-28xEeQzC_Yo1LCzGI/s320/writing+retreat+Nov+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: <a href="http://dawnbyrne.blogspot.com/">Dawn Byrne</a>, <a href="https://jennifermeaton.com/">Jennifer Eaton</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/lisenminetti">Lisen Minetti</a>, <a href="http://theobligablog.blogspot.com/">Sarah Hawkins Miduski</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/EmaTimar">Erika Timar</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/thegetoutgirl">Amy Hollinger</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>1. No Distractions & plenty of quiet</b><br />
<br />
Writing is difficult at home due to the incredible number of distractions! The dog, the kids, the piles of laundry, the clean dishwasher that needs to be emptied, the ringing phone, and on and on and on. Distractions are literally endless when you're home. Some writers block or a challenging scene and before you know it you think your time may be better spent cleaning out the closets. But away on writing retreat all the distractions of home are eliminated and there is peace and quiet to work. <br />
<br />
<b>2. People cook for you</b><br />
<br />
We share cooking responsibilities on retreat so for all but the meal you prepare, you literally get to work until someone announces food is ready. For those of us who do all the cooking at home, this is an extra special treat. Which brings me to my next point...<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>3. EXCELLENT snacking</b><br />
<br />
Writers need fuel, so everyone brings snacks, which results in a fabulous variety. Chocolate covered raisins and almonds, fruit, veggies, salted caramel apple smores dip, popcorn, veggie stix, cheese puffs, chips, chocolate croissants... you name it. It keeps our energy up and I don't know about you, but aids my concentration.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>4. Get to know & celebrate your fellow writers</b><br />
<b> </b><br />
We don't talk much, except during meal time, but when you basically live with people for a long weekend, you get to know them better and that is a real bonus. Friendships are made and strengthened at retreat and the time with like-minded people is beneficial to everyone. There are also some great laughs and sharing of personal news and accomplishments that are met by plenty of cheers.<br />
<br />
The truth is that we all want one another to succeed. Being with people who do what you do, and want the same things as you do tend to understand you. And time with people who understand why you do what you do is always refreshing and motivating. <br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>5. Get away</b><br />
<br />
Vermont, Nockamixon State Park, Ocean City, NJ.... regardless of where we retreat, we get to get away and have a new experience. Most everyone takes walks on retreat and it's a special treat to walk somewhere other than your own neighborhood. I know many of us really enjoyed our November walks on the beach this past weekend.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUslmwncC8dMymUlIPajH6ib4vTHdue811wY7OafuWrcpg4Sl_JJ52PUJwuUKX-J-PSke_O4w4edX1c1M1ZNi1-fIS4gWqj2QHo_2M8Md_ZrHQaYiUlZp_q5IScAMCzamMyI46oG9z7Jc/s1600/ocean+city+in+november.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUslmwncC8dMymUlIPajH6ib4vTHdue811wY7OafuWrcpg4Sl_JJ52PUJwuUKX-J-PSke_O4w4edX1c1M1ZNi1-fIS4gWqj2QHo_2M8Md_ZrHQaYiUlZp_q5IScAMCzamMyI46oG9z7Jc/s1600/ocean+city+in+november.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean City beach in November</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>6. Positive peer pressure to keep butt in chair</b><br />
<br />
When everyone's diligently working, there's a level of motivational energy and pressure to do the same. Again, there are no distractions and the sole purpose for being there is to write. That pressure is beneficial for some serious productivity.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>7. Inexpensive way to go on writing retreat</b><br />
<br />
Many writers go away to be more productive, but when going it alone, it can get pricey! When going on retreat, all the costs are shared. The eight of us stayed for three days in a lovely apartment blocks from the beach for less that $60 per person plus the cost of snacks and one meal.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>8. Time for ideas to percolate</b><br />
<br />
Even if you're the most disciplined writer, chances are you work for a few hours then move on to something else. But when getting away and having multiple days to focus <i>solely</i> on writing, there is plenty of time for new ideas or solutions to problems to percolate.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
Thanks to this weekend's retreat I restructured the entire global story of my work in progress, wrote 9,000 words, and made great progress on my outline. None of this would have happened had I not gone away and spent 25 hours sitting at a table surrounded by wonderful like-minded women, with absolutely nothing for any of us to to do but WORK. <br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b>Jessica A. Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08813007842584063423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-62520063505660911732016-10-03T09:57:00.002-04:002016-10-03T09:57:54.948-04:00Dawn Byrne: A Review of Amy Newmark's "Chicken Soup for the So...<a href="http://dawnbyrne.blogspot.com/2016/09/a-review-of-amy-newmarks-chicken-soup.html?spref=bl">Dawn Byrne: A Review of Amy Newmark's "Chicken Soup for the So...</a>: Simple Soup Suggestions I smiled when I saw the book cover of Amy Newmark’s "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Simply Happy." H...Jessica A. Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08813007842584063423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-25957010842121561612016-09-23T17:45:00.000-04:002016-09-23T17:45:05.840-04:00South Jersey Writers' Group Open Mic Night - September 30th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-29426857529135910922016-09-21T14:31:00.000-04:002016-09-21T14:32:19.693-04:00September Meeting Recap: Guest Robin Lovett<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h3>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By K.A. Magrowski </span></h3>
<h2>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One
of the advantages of helping run a large and successful writing group is
getting to meet and schedule so many great authors to give talks and
presentations. The South Jersey Writers’ Group has hosted many wonderful
authors who have given talks on the craft of writing, the business of
publishing, and the joys of creativity. Each time, beforehand, I think, what
can this person possibly tell me that I haven’t heard or read before? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymAGxeB0mqR0uebcHjseDNWRcgU9Xk6Up8xyqaQSoePBlrLxLpyUwgQCyuIfuIuSVvRSizTsR4lfJ4g5v1-Rqn2b6wqg11x5mJw0rKwCz7eMIklBWN3cZRIdKn-Nax5e7t3vjIRN5xWA/s1600/Lovett1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymAGxeB0mqR0uebcHjseDNWRcgU9Xk6Up8xyqaQSoePBlrLxLpyUwgQCyuIfuIuSVvRSizTsR4lfJ4g5v1-Rqn2b6wqg11x5mJw0rKwCz7eMIklBWN3cZRIdKn-Nax5e7t3vjIRN5xWA/s320/Lovett1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Each
time I am pleasantly surprised, and hearing <a href="http://www.romancelovett.com/">Robin Lovett</a> speak
was no exception. Robin spoke on writing that “unputdownable” book that will
hook editors, agents, and readers and how to turn a good story into a great
one. So, you may be asking, how does one do that? Well…</span>
</div>
<h3 class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Don’t
neglect Emotion</span></i></b>
</h3>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
more we emotionally connect to a character, the more invested we are in a book
and the less likely we will want to put it down. We will need to keep reading
to find out what happens and, more importantly, how the characters will be
affected. Emotion brings each scene alive and each scene should be a journey. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How
can we convey emotion? Body language, tone of voice, the visceral response of
the character, their internal thoughts and mental journey. Think of acting –
how would this play out in a movie? How would I, if I were the character as an actor,
make this face? How would I feel? How would I perform that motion?</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
you hook the reader in the gut, chances are they won’t want to put the book
down. If they must, they will continue thinking about it. I know I have read
books where both during and afterwards, I couldn’t stop thinking about the
characters. Driving, working, cooking. Sometimes all that took second place (at
least for a while) to the novel or story.</span>
</div>
<h3 class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Turn
up the Conflict and Tension</span></i></b>
</h3>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
writing, we also should be thinking, what’s the worst that can happen? How can
I increase the conflict and tension? How will my characters react to what’s
happening? There should be a crisis moment in every scene. Of course, this
doesn’t mean someone getting killed or an explosion, but something crucial to
the character, something important. And here’s the important part: the reader
must know/understand why this scene is crucial, why what is happening is
significant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
blog post cannot convey the best part of Robin’s presentation. Her absolute and
utter passion and joy for what she does. Part of my day job sometimes involves
getting up in front of people and providing training or education and I was
literally taking notes on how to engage a crowd from her. I could feel her
enthusiasm seeping into the group and being reflected back. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN0GacmQIggtS642JNsbTaSRcONRw0OAquQvb4KE43BWiFjBNPzneye2QxV6euUCk5kMLHSx5BpTXyg-ceFSNys4hk6gZFaipIiOoaDByfNCCv8A6qIZMxLdm8BWNy13_2H5wS0l1rX0/s1600/Lovett+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjN0GacmQIggtS642JNsbTaSRcONRw0OAquQvb4KE43BWiFjBNPzneye2QxV6euUCk5kMLHSx5BpTXyg-ceFSNys4hk6gZFaipIiOoaDByfNCCv8A6qIZMxLdm8BWNy13_2H5wS0l1rX0/s320/Lovett+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> I’d
like to part with a few tidbits Robin gave on how to be better writer (who
doesn’t want to know “the secrets” of a successful writer, right?)</span>
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Know your genre and
subgenre</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Know the current work
being written and what agents and editors (and readers!) want (personally I
think this important, not so much so we can copycat the latest success story,
but just so we are aware of trends. You can’t break the rules until you know
them.)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Always keep on
learning</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Find what fuels you to
write</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Be willing and ready
to accept critique to make your story the best it can be</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Best of all and most
importantly - Give your story the respect and the time it deserves! Don’t rush
to publish (or pitch) without a genuine effort at receiving feedback,
rewriting, and editing. Remember only you can tell the story inside of you so
make sure it reflects the best you are capable of at that time!</span>Jessica A. Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08813007842584063423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-25566022840739807332016-08-18T20:49:00.000-04:002016-09-23T17:38:13.002-04:00Interview with Author Ewart Rouse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>The following interview with <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">SJWG</a> member and author <a href="http://www.ewartrouse.com/">Ewart Rouse</a> was conducted by <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">Marie Gilbert</a> and originally presented in slightly different form on her blog, <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/">Gilbert Curiosities</a>. You can read the original interview <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/2016/05/gilbert-interviews-author-ewart-rouse.html">here</a>, but we are proud to re-present it below, Enjoy.</i>
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<i>Marie Gilbert: I love being a member of the South Jersey Writers' Group. Our group provides opportunities and inspiration for all members to reach their goals. Everyone has a story to tell and if you check out our blog, you will learn how many of the members got started down that road to publication. Our group is blessed with many talented people and I was happy to have this chance to interview Ewart Rouse on his books and on his love of Cricket.
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<i>Ewart Rouse is the author of the <i>Sticky Wicket Trilogy</i>: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Watkins-Bat-Sticky-Trilogy-Cricket-ebook/dp/B01I5LPM3K/">Watkins at Bat, Sticky Wicket Trilogy Vol.1</a></i>; <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Watkins-Fights-Back-Trilogy-Cricket-ebook/dp/B01I1Y6NG6/">Watkins Fights Back, Sticky Wicket Trilogy, Vol. ll</a></i>; <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Watkins-Finest-Inning-Trilogy-Cricket-ebook/dp/B01I1Y6SAW/">Watkins' Finest Inning, Sticky Wicket Trilogy Vol. lll</a></i>; and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Watkins-Overseas-Tour-Another-Cricket-ebook/dp/B01I1Y6V22/">Watkins' Overseas Tour: Another Sticky Wicket Inning</a></i>. All the books are about a game I don't know that much about, but Ewart Rouse was graceful enough to explain.
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Tell us a little bit about yourself and your days as a reporter in Trinidad and here in the States. Did you always want to be a reporter?</i>
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Ewart Rouse: I grew up in Trinidad back when it was under British rule. Because there were few local authors at the time, we studied primarily British and American literature in school. I decided I wanted to be a reporter after it struck me that many of my favorite authors - including Dickens, Steinbeck, and Hemingway - were journalists.
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There are no journalism schools on the island. Fortunately, the <i>Guardian</i>, the major daily newspaper, ran a training program for would-be journalists who, if they cut mustard, were offered jobs. I applied and was accepted into the program. After three months of following the beat reporters around, attending formal classes that they taught in the newspaper's library, and covering stories, I made the cut. I was given the court beat, and soon was covering politics, the top beat, at a time of great political upheaval with the island seeking its independence from Britain.
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With that background, I landed a reporting job with the Associated Press in New York when I migrated to the United States in the 1970s. After brief stints in the wire service's bureaus in Newark, Atlantic City and Washington (the Watergate scandal that led to Nixon's resignation and Gerald Ford's swearing in as President was brewing then), I joined the staff at the <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i>. I worked at the <i>Inky</i> for three decades, primarily as a business writer, retiring as a suburban editor in the paper's Cherry Hill bureau a few years ago. While at the <i>Inquirer</i>, I also taught newswriting as an adjunct journalism professor at Arcadia, Temple, Rutgers and Rowan Universities.
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<i>Marie Gilbert: Ewart, your books are about cricket and the men who play this game. Would you explain the dynamics of the game and what attracted you to it? How long have you been playing? Can women play, too?</i>
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Ewart Rouse: First, a little history: my series of “Sticky Wicket” novels originally were published by LMH Publishing. I acquired the rights back to the books and now have republished them, with new covers and material, through CreateSpace. Each volume is part of the same story, but can stand on its own.
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Now, they aren't sports books, but rather novels about immigrants from countries where cricket is the national sport - India, Pakistan, the West Indies islands, England, etcetera - who yearn to play the game of their youth in their adopted land. It's a humorous look at a supposedly “gentleman's” game, a game considered the granddaddy of American baseball. I take an almost over-the-top approach to the challenges the men face, not least of which are wives who think it's time the men grew up and spent more time with their families, as well as Little League and soccer moms who don't take too kindly to these strangers in white uniforms, chattering in myriad languages and with funny accents, who have taken over their playgrounds - “hijacked,” as they tell it - to play a “foreign” game that nobody understands, a game that lasts the entire day, freezing out their kids.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5Q4MFAZHp5pxEU_cfgHi0aqcc7MnrS6OUVpx4dJv_89_GEZZRrcCVHVMs5XBoEX5WQb15LK-8k_eLRuo8ESXaM8LH9RT9kWLqupW_rMsIUpoBvMRaAc5j6wJrlMWs8-9pe_ugEKIAg/s1600/ewart5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5Q4MFAZHp5pxEU_cfgHi0aqcc7MnrS6OUVpx4dJv_89_GEZZRrcCVHVMs5XBoEX5WQb15LK-8k_eLRuo8ESXaM8LH9RT9kWLqupW_rMsIUpoBvMRaAc5j6wJrlMWs8-9pe_ugEKIAg/s400/ewart5.jpg" width="250" /></a>As one angry Little League official demands of Watkins during a confrontational meeting, “You people are in America now. Why don't you play an American sport?”
That quote tells you it's a story about a clash of cultures, and that something's gotta give.
What attracted me to the game? Because it is a national sport in Trinidad, it was natural for me to pick up a cricket bat when I was old enough to lift it, as natural as an American kid would swing a baseball bat at that age.
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And yes, women do play the game, at all levels, including international tournaments.
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<i>Marie Gilbert: Is the character Watkins based on you, or someone you knew?</i>
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Ewart Rouse: That's one of the first questions I'm usually asked. Watkins and the other characters are composites of people I know ¬- men who are so obsessed with the game they are willing to jeopardize their marriages to play it, and women who have given their husbands an ultimatum: put down that cricket bat and attend religious services with me on weekends or the marriage is over.
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It's a scenario with which athletes and spouses in any sport, and readers of any genre, can identify.
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<i>Marie Gilbert: Can you explain to the readers what exactly a “sticky wicket” is?</i>
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Ewart Rouse: As I explained on <a href="http://www.ewartrouse.com/">my website</a> the expression is akin to “being in a pickle.” For example, try explaining to your boss what you were doing at the casino, where you were spotted, after you had called in sick from work.
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In cricket parlance, a “sticky wicket” refers to the condition of the playing surface of the game - the 66-feet-long by 10-feet wide strip in the middle of the field. When it is adversely affected by moisture, the surface - called “the wicket” or “pitch” - is likely to cause the bounced ball to behave in an unpredictable manner. It might pop up, go right, go left, or creep like a rat toward the batsman.
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Even the most talented of batsmen - the ones with the sharpest of eyes and quickest of reflexes - can be surprised by such a delivery, end up playing the wrong stroke, and getting out.
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The novels' “sticky wicket” titles refers to “the pickle” in which protagonist Freddie Watkins finds himself as he battles the wives and the establishment.
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<i>Marie Gilbert: Do you feel that cricket is becoming more popular in the states as more people learn about the game and how it's played?</i>
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Ewart Rouse: Back in the mid-1980s, there were seven established clubs in the Philadelphia-South Jersey area. Today, with the influx of immigrants from cricketing countries, (New Jersey reportedly is among the most popular destination in the United States for immigrants from around the world), there are dozens of clubs in several leagues. Nationwide, there are now hundreds of clubs.
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It has remained a largely immigrant sport, but there is a concerted effort by the United States Cricket Association to get Americans to take up the sport, just as they have soccer, once considered a “foreign” game. That effort includes getting schools to follow New York City's example and make cricket part of the schools' sports curriculums.
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<i>Marie Gilbert: Can you tell us about the Lifetime Achievement Award that you received and the proclamation given to you by the Mayor of Camden?</i>
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Ewart Rouse: The South Jersey Caribbean Cultural Organization holds an annual “heritage day” festival on the Camden waterfront, with lots of music and vendors selling ethnic foods and things Caribbean. The mayor of Camden issues proclamations recognizing the day and the recipients of various awards. In 2013, I was presented with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of my years as a journalist, teacher and my activism on behalf of the cricket community. It was quite an honor.
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<i>Marie Gilbert: You have four books out in your Sticky Wicket Series. Can we expect a fifth one?</i>
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Ewart Rouse: Following the mantra “write what you know,” I'm going from the cricket field to the newsroom, from humor to thriller. My next protagonist is a crusading journalist who becomes the story after he loses his moral compass and becomes involved in a number of potentially career-ending, headline-grabbing incidents.
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<i>Marie Gilbert: What advice would you give to young people who are curious about trying their hands playing cricket?</i>
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Ewart Rouse: There's plenty of info on <a href="http://usaca.org/">the USA Cricket Association website</a>.
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<i>Marie Gilbert: What advice would you give to young people who are interested in becoming writers?</i>
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Ewart Rouse: Take notes about interesting quirky people, their idiosyncrasies, their pithy quotes and vignettes. They might recognize themselves in your stories and threaten to do bad things to you if portrayed in an unflattering light. When that happens, you have your sequel.
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Also read anything you get your hands on, from books and newspapers (before they go the way of the dinosaur) to labels on paint. Each contains nuggets of information that the mind will retrieve for just the right spot in your next project. Embellish them, take them to the extreme and, who knows, maybe you end up with a bestseller. Some might call you a dreamer but, hey, as the saying goes, you can't have a dream come through if you don't have a dream.
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<i>Marie Gilbert: Thank you, Ewart Rouse for this interview. Too those of you out there who are interested in learning more about the game of Cricket and the men and women who love the game, pick up the Sticky Wicket books. They are available from Amazon on Kindle and in paperback <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ewart-Rouse/e/B00J7E9GJ6/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1474665183&sr=1-2-ent">here</a>. </i>
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SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-84774914279428718492016-08-10T14:00:00.000-04:002016-08-10T14:00:00.177-04:00Mieke Zamora-Mackay's Character Workshop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zmbfpy1kdEG-g2jNQUk-FmE05-iIVlYcq5S0oavSvBZ3Rr2LWyYk8QsDJVNqTchkXKttMg4Qu6Fn5cbnQP_Pq5SkCGV0NcsTwbStrEaSEAwKONLpUeTlGyueswWLMQZQjbq1RI7PNQ/s1600/am1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zmbfpy1kdEG-g2jNQUk-FmE05-iIVlYcq5S0oavSvBZ3Rr2LWyYk8QsDJVNqTchkXKttMg4Qu6Fn5cbnQP_Pq5SkCGV0NcsTwbStrEaSEAwKONLpUeTlGyueswWLMQZQjbq1RI7PNQ/s400/am1.jpg" width="400" /></a>
By <a href="http://dawnbyrne.yolasite.com/">Dawn Byrne</a>
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After taking <a href="http://www.miekezmackay.com/">Mieke Zamora-Mackay</a>’s popular outlining workshop, I was thrilled she volunteered to cover another writing topic. Saturday, May 28th, I headed over to the <a href="http://www.camdencountylibrary.org/haddon-township-branch">William G. Rohrer Memorial Library</a> on MacArthur Blvd. in southern New Jersey’s Haddon Township for her workshop titled, “Crafting Characters That Touch Readers’ Hearts.” Like other writers I know, I’m constantly sharpening my writing tools and looking to improve my craft.
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Even with the holiday weekend in swing, the conference room filled with members of the <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">South Jersey Writers’ Group</a>. I wasn’t surprised - Mieke knows her stuff. Mieke’s two brave teenaged children were available to Young Adult Fiction writers for interviews to assist with realistic dialogue and characterizations.
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I appreciated the folder of hand-outs to take home. The huge notepad Mieke wrote on not only spoke to my love of old school materials, but was kinder on my eyes than any digital screen I’ve had to squint at from the front or back row.
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One of the writing exercises was to create a character sketch from pictures Mieke handed out. Mine was of three young woman dressed fashionably, sitting on padded bleachers. I’ve done picture prompts before but, because of Mieke’s presentation, I notice nuances I hadn’t before when doing one. <a href="https://kevinstephany.wordpress.com/">Kevin Stephany</a>, who also used a photo visual, commented on <a href="http://www.meetup.com/South-Jersey-Writers/">the SJWG’s Meetup site</a>. “I may have enough material to generate a story off of it.” Me too.
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Surrounded by my writing and critique partners, along with new and other established members, artistic energy comingled as our group took in the presentation and utilized the quiet writing time. This always incites me to begin and sustain fresh ideas.
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My selfish self is wondering if Mieke will present yet another workshop, and which topic she’ll choose.
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<i>If you'd like to participate in one-of-a-kind workshops like this, please look into the <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">South Jersey Writers' Group</a> for more members only events like this.
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Special thanks for the photos taken by SJWG members <a href="http://www.ewartrouse.com/">Ewart Rouse</a> and Dawn Byrne</i>.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-46423105183861199562016-08-05T14:00:00.000-04:002016-08-05T14:00:19.512-04:00Moonrise by Gail Priest <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8bJB8YskG34HoFia1AaUos-Ybix8tDxSXP5wvImmOq7E7-GQ9XdK9FiwGBFB4PxkKk-nVUM_T6o1owekmZe_Du_VKJoHdVvgc8S3OFpdGK9N-XkUyfdxyaesPccIxGdQ6W-3rNL8Cw/s1600/gail1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8bJB8YskG34HoFia1AaUos-Ybix8tDxSXP5wvImmOq7E7-GQ9XdK9FiwGBFB4PxkKk-nVUM_T6o1owekmZe_Du_VKJoHdVvgc8S3OFpdGK9N-XkUyfdxyaesPccIxGdQ6W-3rNL8Cw/s400/gail1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">South Jersey Writers Group</a> is proud to announce <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Annie-Crow-Knoll-Gail-Priest-ebook/dp/B01GSRNMU8">Moonrise</a></i>, the third in <a href="http://gailpriest.com/books-by-gail-priest-2/">the Annie Crow Knoll series</a> by member and author <a href="http://gailpriest.com/">Gail Priest</a>.
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<i>Return once again to Annie Crow Knoll… a place to grieve loss, accept change, and rebuild a life worth living.
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Breezy and Jemma, are world-class cyclists until violence at a race leaves Breezy with permanent physical disabilities and kills the man she loved. With her Olympic dream shattered, guilt and shame threaten to destroy her future happiness. Her sister Jemma escapes with only minor injuries, but the psychological damage she experiences shakes her self-worth, her Olympic potential, and her capacity to accept love.
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The young women return to Annie Crow Knoll, their childhood home on the Chesapeake Bay, to heal and reclaim their lives, and with their parents and grandparents, struggle to make sense of life after this tragic and irrational incident.</i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQvxcq9K9vjALVCn5rc-jrd4orFYdZHsCLwfuQxLoeAphgDFkAkLnusbz1FHT1cCU9A3A0922ioiivdbGf9jIThvX4VcJWFO4RojczreY_gjTnWxNcL4Sl15kIMpi6wEjSc-Lfqt32w/s1600/gail2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQvxcq9K9vjALVCn5rc-jrd4orFYdZHsCLwfuQxLoeAphgDFkAkLnusbz1FHT1cCU9A3A0922ioiivdbGf9jIThvX4VcJWFO4RojczreY_gjTnWxNcL4Sl15kIMpi6wEjSc-Lfqt32w/s320/gail2.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<i>Annie Crow Knoll: Moonrise</i>, the third novel in this fiction series by Gail Priest, is a story about the power to reinvent life after surviving loss and trauma. Don't forget about the first two parts of the Annie Crow Knoll saga, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E4XX16Y">Sunrise</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MT6OWSY">Sunset</a></i>. Though part of a series, <i>Moonrise</i> can be read as a standalone, and can be purchased at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Annie-Crow-Knoll-Gail-Priest-ebook/dp/B01GSRNMU8/">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/annie-crow-knoll-gail-priest/1123900838;jsessionid=23448120C0E232F14956715F9277036E.prodny_store01-atgap04?ean=2940152802689">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1122582840">iBooks</a>, and <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/annie-crow-knoll-moonrise">Kobo</a>.
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Gail Priest can be found at <a href="http://gailpriest.com/">her own website</a>, <a href="http://gailpriest.com/category/blog/">blog</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGailPriest/">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/gail_priest">Twitter</a>. Don't forget to subscribe to <a href="http://gailpriest.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=402ec65c2802e4cf87bc1e647&id=7fee7f0061">her newsletter</a>, and see her in person at <a href="http://gailpriest.com/media-and-events/">these upcoming events</a>.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-32445739309951842542016-08-02T18:42:00.000-04:002016-08-02T22:27:07.560-04:00Steampunk Granny's Bohemian Author Bonanza<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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By <a href="http://www.glennewalker.com/">Glenn Walker</a>
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On August 14th, author <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/">Marie Gilbert</a> will be bringing several other writers together at <a href="http://www.treehousecoffee.net/">The Treehouse</a> in Audubon NJ for her <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/2016/06/steampunk-grannys-bohemian-author.html">Steampunk Granny's Bohemian Author Bonanza</a>.
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The event will take place on the afternoon of August 14th, from noon to 3:00 PM at The Treehouse, home of many <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">South Jersey Writers' Group</a> events like our <a href="http://south-jersey-writers.blogspot.com/2015/03/south-jersey-writers-open-mic.html">Open Mics</a> and <a href="http://south-jersey-writers.blogspot.com/2015/04/sjwg-april-blogfest.html">Blogfests</a>.
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Among the authors featured will be South Jersey Writers <a href="http://gailpriest.com/">Gail Priest</a>, <a href="http://ladyhawkestorytelling.com/index.html">Laura J. Kaighn</a>, <a href="http://www.ewartrouse.com/">Ewart Rouse</a>, <a href="http://johnleonebooks.com/">John L. Leone</a>, <a href="https://kamagrowski.wordpress.com/">Krista Magrowski</a>, <a href="http://cassandraulrich.com/">Cassandra Ulrich</a>, <a href="http://www.thewarmerchants.com/">Gregg Feistman</a>, as well as <a href="https://lcbennettstern.com/">L.C. Bennett Stern</a>, <a href="http://www.spiritlightservices.com/">Tracy Farquhar</a>, and <a href="http://www.adolphinashephard.com/gods-way-ytvy-videos.html">Adolphina Shephard</a>, and of course the Steampunk Granny herself, Marie Gilbert. Marie will be selling copies of her <i><a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/p/book-apocalyptic-tale.html">Roof Oasis</a></i> series, including the latest entry, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beware-Harvesters-Book-Three-Oasis/dp/1533257469/">Beware the Harvesters</a></i>.
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More details can be found <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/2016/06/steampunk-grannys-bohemian-author.html">here</a>. Hope to see you all there!
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04881290766254795431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-45066974832097125322016-06-23T12:30:00.000-04:002016-06-23T12:30:25.420-04:00South Jersey Writers' Group Open Mic Night - June 24th<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04881290766254795431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-20672999060329085412016-05-20T23:40:00.000-04:002016-05-20T23:40:10.801-04:00Travel Writing with Peter N. Milligan <div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B3CutMvKLNmyK67-t6NwYXKGEkTAutGKkvmMi2PIDqBc-Ye0RMR3GKiIrN_SPrAGJeuA5U3NAcQpbgCJ_enRIgqWStRu1nuQruLYSFu71TjMo4Mfp-aNup3dnh3VowYlBPABFTvKBzDk/s1600/Peter+N.+Milligan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B3CutMvKLNmyK67-t6NwYXKGEkTAutGKkvmMi2PIDqBc-Ye0RMR3GKiIrN_SPrAGJeuA5U3NAcQpbgCJ_enRIgqWStRu1nuQruLYSFu71TjMo4Mfp-aNup3dnh3VowYlBPABFTvKBzDk/s400/Peter+N.+Milligan.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By <a href="http://theobligablog.blogspot.com/">Sarah Hawkins Miduski</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m a bit obsessed with travel. I spend my days in my drab
cubicle, listening to travel podcasts. I check Instagram multiple times a day,
just to see pictures of travelers around the world, and I read a lot of travel
books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, a great travel book has just the right balance of
humor, philosophy, and heart warm. It should make me want to put it down at
least once to check Google Flights to see how much it would cost to fly to the
destination (s) discussed. A good travel book should inspire wanderlust. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first travel book I read in 2016 was <a href="http://www.bullsbeforebreakfast.com/">Peter N. Milligan’s <i>Bulls Before Breakfast</i>.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though I still have no desire to actually run with the
bulls, due to my unfortunate propensity for clumsiness, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuG8l5KYAm675dWS61ugXnDhK8JM8_qBSmHKH6hNRwHGHGSzfq0oFuItec-uVErtSZrz5ql3HYL5Gf1dQIzOkRCEAk0a7M_X3WqYAsg3jyFa1tkPXv3Jaou6Qp-llx4wkIFYsuv8tTdCOC/s1600/Peter+N.+Milligan-Bulls+Before+Breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuG8l5KYAm675dWS61ugXnDhK8JM8_qBSmHKH6hNRwHGHGSzfq0oFuItec-uVErtSZrz5ql3HYL5Gf1dQIzOkRCEAk0a7M_X3WqYAsg3jyFa1tkPXv3Jaou6Qp-llx4wkIFYsuv8tTdCOC/s400/Peter+N.+Milligan-Bulls+Before+Breakfast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was quite taken with
Pamplona, its people, and most importantly, its food. There were a few times while
reading about the juicy steaks, tapas, and the peppers that you <i>have</i> to
try, that I decided someone should invent a book with an edible cover and
pages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also have a fascination with sub-cultures,
and loved learning about the bull runners and the culture that surrounds the fiestas of San Fermin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought that <i>Bulls Before Breakfast</i> was a
great travel book, so I was very excited when I saw that Peter was on the
schedule to speak to The South Jersey Writers' Group. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, Peter gets bonus points for providing fantastic
handouts (and brownies). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter’s talk was a nice blend of writing advice and travel
inspiration. He shared his four rules of travel.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 Rules of Travel by Peter N. Milligan</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">1)</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Go anywhere and never with a tour group </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">2) </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Travel with children <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">3) </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Be first (get up early)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">4)</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The 3 Laws</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter then shared his journey to getting published. He
reminded the group of something we hear a lot, but need the constant reminder
of, be persistent. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t give up. Peter did not give up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First write something, and then get it out there. Keep
sending out submissions, even when you have reached the Rs in the <i>Writer’s
Market</i> book. Peter reached the Rs, though his agent came from the F submissions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, once you secure an agent, publisher, editor, etc… be
ready for some “intelligent compromise.” This was an excellent term for an excellent piece of advice.
You can hold your ground on some things, but you should choose your battles,
especially when it comes to ticking off sports broadcasting celebrities or
excessively inebriated actresses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter also shared some of the unexpected things that can come from finally having your book out there, like jealousy from friends,
demands for handouts (aka-why don’t you just give me a free copy of your book),
and even death threats.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone learned the term for what many of us already do, book "fluffing." This refers to the act of helpfully reorganizing a shelf at a book store so that either ones' own book, or a favorite book, is turned out, cover forward. This will increase the likelihood that a passerby will be enticed to take the book home. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter's son said this was the best picture and I had to include it. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter’s talk was brilliant. It was fun, entertaining, and
highly informative. I think everyone left with a nice shot in the arm of
writing motivation, and a nice dose of travel motivation too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish Peter a good run at this year’s San Fermin Festival, and I, as well as many other South Jersey Writers' Group members, look
forward to reading his next book, even though I disagree with the publishers, I would
not tire of all of the “Ari stuff.” </span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07679184170724621689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-91721125619976436612016-05-19T13:00:00.000-04:002016-05-19T13:00:33.606-04:00South Jersey Writers on The GAR! Podcast <br />
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By <a href="http://www.glennewalker.com/">Glenn Walker</a>
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Recently here on the blog we talked about <a href="http://www.garpodcast.com/">The GAR! Podcast</a> recording live at the 2016 <a href="http://camdencomiccon.tumblr.com/">Camden Comic Con</a>, and interviewing several members of the <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">South Jersey Writers' Group</a>. You can read about that <a href="http://south-jersey-writers.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-south-jersey-writers-group-at-2016.html">here</a> (or <a href="https://biffbampop.com/2016/04/20/the-gar-podcast-the-south-jersey-writers-at-the-2016-camden-comic-con/">here</a>), and hear the episode <a href="http://www.garpodcast.com/2016/04/20/the-gar-podcast-134-the-south-jersey-writers-at-the-2016-camden-comic-con/">here</a>.
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My podcast partner <a href="http://www.adventuresofray.com/">Ray Cornwall</a> and I have recorded live at the Camden Comic Con all three years it has existed, and South Jersey Writers' Group members <a href="http://amyhaha.com/">Amy Hollinger</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/robert.repici">Robert Repici</a> have each been on the show before, but never at the same time. This year's convention gave them both a chance to join us together for an hour of fun, which we have called The GAR! Podcast speed round, as we hit as many topics as we possibly coul as we chatted and watched the convention around us.
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Among the subjects discussed were Amy's wrestling questions, the Undertaker, Mario Bros. on TV, Aaron Paul, Ray's Hulu obsession, Philip K. Dick, the Ultimate Warrior, cosplayers, so many Spider-Men, "Mister Rogers" and "Sesame Street," the world of L. Frank Baum's Oz, the dark side of "Hoarders," name ownership, famous last words, the racism and sexism of "Night Court," and the deconstruction of Captain Cold. Yeah, it's that kind of show.
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Amy has been enjoying her retirement as President of the SJWG, and Robert actually ran a creative workshop at the convention, which they also discuss. For our coverage of the last two years at the Camden Comic Con, click <a href="http://monsura.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-gar-podcast-at-camden-comic-con-2015.html">here</a>.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-26209533170576605492016-05-15T15:00:00.000-04:002016-05-15T15:00:24.070-04:00No Place to Pray by James Carpenter<br />
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"<i>No Place to Pray</i> is located at the creative nexus where Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy, and Richard Pryor converge. Rarely do writers explore, much less depict with insight, irony, and comedy, the endless lower depths of American culture…" - Larry Bensky, Executive Producer, “Radio Proust;” and former contributing editor to the <i>Los Angeles Times Book Review</i>
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Two young men, one bi-racial and the other white, meet in an overnight lockup and begin their shared twenty-year downward spiral into alcoholism and homelessness. LeRoy and Harmon work together, drink together, brawl together, and as Harmon suffers from his final illness, they both bed Edna, a wealthy widow who, out of pity, curiosity, and loneliness, takes them into her vacation home by the river.
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Through episodes rendered from shifting, multiple points of view, a series of flashbacks, and LeRoy’s adventure stories - this very smart but uneducated man’s attempts at fantasy writing - we learn of the people and tragedies that shaped their lives and those whose lives unravel along with theirs at the seams of race, class, and religion, and where no one ever quite tells the truth.
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South Jersey Writers' Group member and author James Carpenter can be found on <a href="https://twitter.com/jcarpenter47">Twitter</a>, and you can pre-order the book <i>No Place to Play</i> <a href="https://twistedroadpublications.com/product/no-place-pray/">here</a>.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-47780814391579908022016-05-03T13:00:00.000-04:002016-05-03T13:00:18.144-04:00The Writers Coffeehouse for April 2016 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By <a href="http://dawnbyrne.yolasite.com/">Dawn Byrne</a>
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<a href="http://www.janicegablebashman.com/">Janice Gable-Bashman</a> and <a href="http://www.jonmcgoran.com/">Jon McGoran</a> teamed up to lead the <a href="http://liarsclubphilly.com/">Philly Liars Club</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheWritersCoffeehouse/">Writers Coffeehouse</a> in <a href="https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2782">Willow Grove PA</a>. Topics? Character Voice and Outlining. They answered questions, and Jon threw in information on marketing.
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Examples of distinct voice done well can be found in J.K. Rowling’s books. The very different voices of the alternating main characters in <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-American-Boys-Jason-Reynolds/dp/1481463330">All American Boys</a></i> by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, ring distinct in the book’s characters with their similar backgrounds, living in the same place. “Be true to your character,” said Janice. Make sure the similar persons you design are individuals so the reader can easily tell them apart.
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Jon spoke of economy in writing. The voice of a character should show the story, so exposition isn’t needed. You don’t want to undermine your character by violating their POV. If you need something explained in your story, let the character bring up the information needed and address it through his/her dialogue or internal thoughts in a way that’s natural and fluid.
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Be conscious of how often you switch POV. Color-coding your manuscript is a technique that can identify where each POV character is in the story and how often you’re in that view. The different POV will pop off the page so you can see if there’s a balance. Scrivener and other software work well for this, but so do Post-it notes and 3x5 cards.
Outlining helps in establishing your characters. You should understand your characters a bit before writing the outline, but you can find out more about them as you build the outline. Janice, while outlining, sometimes comes up with dialogue for her characters. She stops outlining and writes the dialogue down as it comes to her. A gift! For her last book, it took three months to create her outline, but she did less editing after the story was written.
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Having an outline saves time when an editor or agent asks for changes. It also prevents bad surprises for the author by keeping information consistent and easy to check. Make sure when you do those changes that you also reflect them in the outline for later reference. If you’re creating a series, having a record of the completed books in an outline or other form, makes it easier to keep information throughout the series uniform.
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But Janice and Jon agreed: “Do whatever works for you.” Steven James swears in <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-Trumps-Structure-Unforgettable-Breaking-ebook/dp/B00JX12L7M">Story Trumps Structure</a></i> that one shouldn’t outline.
Biographical character sketches should contain deep stuff about characters beyond their physical form and what they like to eat. Interviewing them can enable you to find their voice. For each character, you should know their unique POV, even if you’re not writing in their POV. Whatever happened in the character’s life before the story will show in their dialogue and actions. Even birth order is important with family characters.
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A question about dialect came up. Suggestions: Find a few words to repeat to relay a character’s dialect, but go light with it. Alternate spelling doesn’t look good on the page, it bogs down the writing and tires the reader. The cadence of words spoken in English by a non-fluent character displays their background to readers. But don’t stereotype your people. There’s a fine line with this, so be sparing with colloquialisms and dialects. When sprinkling in non-English words, they shouldn’t need translation because of context.
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<a href="https://twitter.com/KeithStrunk">Keith Strunk</a> joined the meeting as Jon shared information about <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/home/">BookBub</a>. “It’s huge. Seems to be a powerful tool,” said Jon. An email marketing tool for ebooks, BookBub works on price reduction to stimulate sales. Its thriller list alone has 2.5 million addresses. Similar services, like <a href="http://www.thefussylibrarian.com/">The Fussy Librarian</a>, are smaller than BookBub, which averages 26,000 downloads. So for the prorated cost of their book, some authors have had success. But for ebooks priced at 99 cents, Jon suggested we consider what percentage of their buyers will purchase another book by that author priced above 99 cents. Harlan Ellison believes you should never give your stuff away. That may be what authors who go the 99 cents route with BookBub are doing in hopes of other sales.
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<a href="https://marielamba.wordpress.com/2016/05/02/agent-monday-querying-mswl-a-must/">MSWL Manuscript Wish List</a> is a 12-hour pitch on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSWL">Twitter</a> to literary agents. Authors put up a tweet to see who likes their pitch. Agents who are looking to represent an author may request pages of a manuscript.
How important, really, are business cards? “Networking is about touch. Lots and lots of touch. And that’s what business cards are,” Keith answered. A card is a memory, so you are “marketing memory” with your picture on the card. It’s about interaction with people, and a card can create a connection. But, “Networking is always a long term thing.”
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Jon had a signing for his new book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dust-Up-Thriller-Doyle-Carrick/dp/0765380307">Dust Up</a></i>, after the meeting at the front of the store. Janice will be signing at the <a href="http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2351">Barnes & Noble Teen Book Festival</a> in Neshaminy PA on June 11th.
Look for the many local conferences coming up. A few are <a href="http://thrillerfest.com/">ThrillerFest XI</a> in New York July 6-9, the <a href="http://pwcwriters.org/">Philadelphia Writers Conference</a> in Philadelphia June 10-12, the <a href="http://pennwriters.org/conference/">Annual Pennwriters Conference</a> in Lancaster, PA May 20-22, and <a href="http://www.noircon.com/">Noircon 2016</a> in Philadelphia June 15-16.
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There will be no Coffeehouse in May, although it resumes June 26th, noon to 2 PM with an additional hour for networking. Thanks for setting up this SJWG road trip, Sir <a href="http://www.glennewalker.com/">Glenn Walker</a>. Thank you <a href="http://gailpriest.com/">Gail Priest</a> for driving. The Liars are great, and so are you.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-34532361950415314872016-04-25T14:00:00.000-04:002016-04-25T14:00:13.501-04:00Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72hftIN_bOmAFsXgvzMqr7Rip59vahyphenhyphenCPIQ6dk2C58JZOcGTmKC1e-HbfdXViXu_1ck84RxQ_p6I4k_nuJpSz37T1WVb62MqE7lJVEdmYIYnIXIWdEvias-qsSWOlpI-Oq2PqsXQEbQ/s1600/com1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72hftIN_bOmAFsXgvzMqr7Rip59vahyphenhyphenCPIQ6dk2C58JZOcGTmKC1e-HbfdXViXu_1ck84RxQ_p6I4k_nuJpSz37T1WVb62MqE7lJVEdmYIYnIXIWdEvias-qsSWOlpI-Oq2PqsXQEbQ/s320/com1.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
By <a href="http://www.glennewalker.com/">Glenn Walker</a>
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This is both a personal message, and a revelation about the South Jersey Writers' Group as a whole, so I couldn't think of a better place to post these thoughts.
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For those of you who don't know, I had been having some health issues, and a serious bout of illness landed me in the hospital for several weeks. No exaggeration here, folks, I nearly bought the farm, and I'm not talking about real estate. I don't think I would have made it if not for family and friends, and the <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">South Jersey Writers' Group</a>.
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I just wanted to say thank you to everyone - thank you for all the cards, the gifts, the gift basket, the gift card, books, phone calls, and visits.
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Thank you to everyone who reached out basically, sent thoughts and prayers, either in person or digitally - especially Marie, Dawn, Robin, Jim, Amy, Loretta, Michael, Jennifer, Doot, Gail, Patti, Kahlil, Mark, Jord, Krista, Rich, Victoria, and Jessica, among others - everyone, in other words.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjba-sQlKmsijqQUrjcoRoHe0iHeNnww83SCGWBYofHn_TNJjebupi1u3FrYD2UIHjZnmroJ4eT8dCvHbI0f01CSkJ9JdUxiRafEl2nC5nxWpfBA3U0ir7yxeanVWmaxTwc5yiIggkq7A/s1600/com2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjba-sQlKmsijqQUrjcoRoHe0iHeNnww83SCGWBYofHn_TNJjebupi1u3FrYD2UIHjZnmroJ4eT8dCvHbI0f01CSkJ9JdUxiRafEl2nC5nxWpfBA3U0ir7yxeanVWmaxTwc5yiIggkq7A/s400/com2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Apologies if I haven't gotten back to you. My vision was very bad for quite some time, making use of the laptop and phone very difficult. It took a while but my vision adjusted somewhat finally. I also suffered some memory loss during my time in the hospital. I am still discovering texts and Facebook messages I don't remember.
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I got home the day before Christmas Eve, and the recovery was, and remains, slow and difficult, but I'll make it, I'm still pretty much invincible, but nowhere near as cocky as I once was.
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When I returned to the group and its functions slowly, everyone greeted me with smiles, hugs, and kisses. I had no idea so many folks cared, but you did. I don't know how I survived so many hugs. Seriously, and this is the part where I tear up, this group is so important to me, and I was struck by how everyone pulled together as a community to help me, care for me, and just wish me well.
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The South Jersey Writers' Group is not just writers trying to help each other with writing goals, and learning from each other, it's a support group, a circle of friends, friends who may very well have saved my life. Sure, maybe it started as people putting words to paper, but now it is a strong loyal community… my friends. I love you folks.
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Thank you so much again. I am so blessed with wonderful friends, especially in the South Jersey Writers' Group.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-11943999027699057412016-04-20T13:00:00.000-04:002016-05-14T22:06:42.013-04:00The South Jersey Writers' Group at the 2016 Camden Comic Con <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By <a href="http://www.glennewalker.com/">Glenn Walker</a>
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April 9th was the third annual <a href="http://camdencomiccon.tumblr.com/">Camden Comic Con</a>, and for the third year in a row, my podcast partner <a href="http://www.adventuresofray.com/">Ray Cornwall</a> and I have recorded <a href="http://www.garpodcast.com/">The GAR! Podcast</a> live during the convention held at Rutgers University in Camden. As in the years before, we conducted many interviews with creators in the comics industry, <i>and</i> even some members of the <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">South Jersey Writers' Group</a>. This year, we interviewed so many members, that we dedicated <a href="http://www.garpodcast.com/2016/04/20/the-gar-podcast-134-the-south-jersey-writers-at-the-2016-camden-comic-con/">an entire episode</a> to the group.
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Episode 134 of The GAR! Podcast features discussion with <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/">Marie Gilbert</a> about "<a href="https://biffbampop.com/category/the-walking-dead-2/">The Walking Dead</a>," female protagonists, her upcoming novel <i>Beware the Harvesters</i>, and ghosts; fiction and non-fiction with <a href="http://dawnbyrne.yolasite.com/">Dawn Byrne</a>; addiction with <a href="http://south-jersey-writers.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-mad-writer.html">Kahlil Weston</a>; <a href="https://randyribay.com/">Randy Ribay</a> tells us about his novel <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Number-Parallel-Universes/dp/1440588147">An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes</a></i>; and then Steampunk Granny Marie returns with filmmaker <a href="https://biffbampop.com/tag/christopher-eilenstine/">Chris Eilenstine</a> to round out the show - she may have even scored a movie deal on air! Listen and learn.
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Marie also reported on the 2016 Camden Comic Con <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/2016/04/great-times-at-2016-camden-comic-con.html">here</a> on her <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/">blog Gilbert Curiosities</a>. The first installment of GAR's coverage of the 2016 Camden Comic Con can be found <a href="http://www.garpodcast.com/2016/04/15/the-gar-podcast-133-neil-vokes-the-camden-comic-con-2016-interview/">here</a>, with more to come, including an episode featuring SJWG members <a href="http://amyhaha.com/">Amy Holiday</a> and Robert Repici, keep your eyes on <a href="http://www.garpodcast.com/">our website</a>. For our coverage of the last two years at the Camden Comic Con, click <a href="http://monsura.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-gar-podcast-at-camden-comic-con-2015.html">here</a>.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-66822526583308183792016-04-17T14:00:00.000-04:002016-04-17T14:00:00.168-04:00Ashes in the Sky by Jennifer M. Eaton <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The highly anticipated sequel to <a href="http://www.jennifereaton.com/about.html">Jennifer M. Eaton</a>'s <i><b>Fire in the Woods</b></i> has been released. This young adult contemporary science fiction (because you can’t get enough contemporary or science in your fiction) novel continues the adventures of a young girl whose friendship with an alien helps to save the planet from an invasion from space. After the <i><b>Fire in the Woods</b></i> come the <i><b>Ashes in the Sky</b></i>.
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After inadvertently saving the world, 18-year-old Jessica Martinez is ready to put adventure behind her and settle back into the familiar routine of high school.
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But when she's offered an opportunity to photograph the inside of an alien spaceship, Jess jumps at the chance. After all, she would be crazy to turn something like that down, right? Spending time with David on the ship has definite advantages and the two seem to pick up right where they left off.
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But when Jess discovers a plot to sabotage David's efforts to establish a new home for his people on another planet, neither David's advanced tech nor Jess’s smarts will be able to save them.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hBvJoHr2wHM" width="560"></iframe>
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<i><b>Ashes in the Sky</b></i> from <a href="http://www.month9books.com/">Month9Books</a> is available for purchase at <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Ashes-Sky/Jennifer-M-Eaton/9781942664413?id=6340331108378">Books-A-Million</a>, <a href="https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/ashes-in-the-sky/9781942664413-item.html?ikwid=ashes+in+the+sky+jennifer+m+eaton&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0">!ndigo</a>, <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781942664413">IndieBound</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ashes-Fire-Woods-Jennifer-Eaton/dp/1942664419/">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ashes-in-the-sky-jennifer-m-eaton/1121684037?ean=9781942664413">Barnes&Noble</a>, <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/ashes-in-the-sky">Kobo</a>, and <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Ashes-in-the-Sky-Jennifer-M-Eaton/9781942664413?ref=grid-view">Book Depository</a>.
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Author Jennifer M. Eaton can be found at <a href="https://jennifermeaton.com/">her own website</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.m.eaton.3">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniferMEaton">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.jennifereaton.com/about.html">various other social media</a>.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-18166501620910561812016-04-12T14:00:00.000-04:002016-04-12T14:00:15.113-04:00Warrior Heart by Laura J. Kaighn <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>What if?
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What if you’re driving along an isolated, forested road and discovered a body?
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What if that victim was injured, still alive? What if the man wasn’t even human?</b>
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Thus begins storyteller <a href="http://ladyhawkestorytelling.com/">Laura J. Kaighn</a>'s epic science fiction series centered about an unlikely pair of characters: one a human woman from 1999, the other a Vesar warrior from 2105 AD. This is their journey - through time and space, across alien worlds and despite the prejudices their many differences pose...
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The <i>G.A.V. Pompeii</i>, a jack-of-all-trades spaceship, serves the Galactic Alliance –a community of three races: humans, Tloni and Vesar. In this first installment to the <i>Vesar Warrior Legacy</i>, the <i>Pompeii</i>’s crew must stop the Orthops from changing history, even if it means single-handedly traveling to the alien race’s homeworld. Their mission: to prevent the giant insects from constructing and using another time machine.
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After Vesarius is accidently thrust back in time to Earth of 1999, the Vesar warrior meets a school teacher who rescues Vesarius and helps him return to his universe of 2105. But when Dorinda is subsequently trapped in that future, the pair’s adventures together truly begin. Join Vesarius and Dorinda as they travel into galactic turmoil!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKlryiSywkOAQoD3YhdxB9nesL-Yf3lBJTMl1rL1CgU_-btteb4t86qzf7mVLNS73ioUQ8Rpia74fWTim55AfCRXesM7-JIbKFkALuQvTHd4pubLVFOImAvFTu4gsraJ3e0DhqrQIuw/s1600/4524984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKlryiSywkOAQoD3YhdxB9nesL-Yf3lBJTMl1rL1CgU_-btteb4t86qzf7mVLNS73ioUQ8Rpia74fWTim55AfCRXesM7-JIbKFkALuQvTHd4pubLVFOImAvFTu4gsraJ3e0DhqrQIuw/s1600/4524984.jpg" /></a></div>
Laura J. Kaighn, of <b><a href="http://ladyhawkestorytelling.com/">Lady Hawke Storytelling</a></b>, has been writing and sharing her stories since childhood. Her favorites deal with nature, both human and wild! Combining her loves of science, animals, astronomy and her own American Indian heritage, Laura naturally found herself writing her first science fiction novel back in 1991. Little did she realize, at the time, those efforts would lead to a complete series of ten volumes!
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The <i>Vesar Warrior Legacy</i> is the result of Laura’s dedication to story, character and conflict. May Vesarius’ and Dorinda’s journey, dreams and desires make a positive impact in our world today...
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On April 16th, check out the official book launch party at the <a href="http://www.thebookasylum.com/">Book Asylum Bookstore and Café</a> in Blackwood NJ, from 1-3pm. Along with an open reading and book sale, there will be prizes for science fiction fans. Laura will test your knowledge in a fun quiz. On April 23rd, there’s the 2016 West Deptford Township Book Festival at the <a href="http://riverwinds.govoffice.com/">Riverwinds Community Center</a> in West Deptford NJ, from 10am- 4pm. For Laura's summer storytelling program, check out here website <a href="http://ladyhawkestorytelling.com/">here</a>.
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1522795472/">Warrior Heart: Book One of the Vesar Warrior Legacy</a></i> is now available through Amazon and B&N.com! Keep an eye out for <i>Warrior Spirit</i>, <i>Warrior Trial</i>, and <i>Warrior Fury</i>, books two through four of the <i>Vesar Warrior Legacy</i>, coming soon!
SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-3765624315637513002016-04-08T14:00:00.000-04:002016-04-08T14:00:17.204-04:00What Inspires Me to Write?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By <a href="http://cassandraulrich.com/">Cassandra Ulrich</a>
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It never ceases to amaze me how a song can lead to a story idea. But, it’s not every song, just the ones that resonate with me in some emotional way. Sometimes, this has led to idea overload when I’m forced to avoid listening to these sources of inspiration until my imagination slows down.
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My first novel, <i>A Beautiful Girl</i>, was inspired by <i>The Story of Beauty</i> by Destiny’s Child. Every time I listened to that song, I thought that someone ought to write a story based on its words. I didn’t realize I’d be the one writing that story many years later and finish the first draft in two months. This book of hope has touched the lives of the many people who have read it so far and continues to do so.
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The birth of <i>Love’s Intensity</i> was a bit different. Soon after my father’s death, I began listening to Latino music. The story didn’t form until I saw yet another version of Shakespeare’s <i>Romeo and Juliet</i>. (Can there be too many? I don’t think that’s possible, but it better be well done.) Is it any wonder there’s salsa, family drama, and sword fighting in this story? Oh, and don’t forget about forbidden love.
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By the time the idea for <i>Billiard Buddies</i> came along, I’d discovered Colbie Caillat and couldn’t get enough of her <i>Coco</i> album. Combine that with an appreciation for Billiards and strong female characters, out came a delightful story worthy of a cup of your favorite hot beverage and a comfy sofa.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVH_CdtAs7c2yJqGm9U84C45xlO5ZnbISyAsNmsPjNyJFVEwGecFmDp7jlcMjKjA3zJeOvoNoZxSAo0u_IO1fQuOsSko3-0_QnECXD8dIBa5QPnXuScHzCNxiiMM_s2HkXPWLACYk5Q/s1600/cass3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVH_CdtAs7c2yJqGm9U84C45xlO5ZnbISyAsNmsPjNyJFVEwGecFmDp7jlcMjKjA3zJeOvoNoZxSAo0u_IO1fQuOsSko3-0_QnECXD8dIBa5QPnXuScHzCNxiiMM_s2HkXPWLACYk5Q/s400/cass3.jpg" width="266" /></a><i>If It Kills Me</i>, a story currently in contract, barely preceded <i>Billiard Buddies</i> with the discovery of <i>Lucky</i>, sung by Colbie Caillat as a guest on Jason Mraz’s <i>We Sing</i> album. When I heard Jason’s song <i>If It Kills Me</i>, I was hooked after only the first listen and the plot fell into place.
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Another bonus is that I find it easier to edit a story if I replay the song that inspired its birth. Scenes fly onto the page on the wings of sound. I’m merely writing what’s dictated to me by the characters acting out their lives in my mind. Music not only inspires me to write, it’s the lifeblood of the stories I share with the world.
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What song will inspire my next story?
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<i>About today's guest-blogger:
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<a href="http://www.cassandraulrich.com/">Cassandra Ulrich</a> was born on the beautiful island of St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, located east of Puerto Rico. Living in the tropics fueled her imagination and daydreams. For years, she wrote poetry and entered competitions. However, only many years later did she discover joy in writing stories longer than a few pages.
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She published her first young adult novel, </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00815SQBQ/">A Beautiful Girl</a><i>, in April 2011. The inspirational novel has already touched many hearts ranging from teens to adults. Her second novel, </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Intensity-Cassandra-Ulrich-ebook/dp/B00DVNVPLQ/">Love’s Intensity</a><i>, is a teen paranormal romance and was released on July 11, 2013. Her third, </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Billiard-Buddies-Cassandra-Ulrich-ebook/dp/B00KJOQBOQ/">Billiard Buddies</a><i>, a New Adult romance novella, was released on May 24, 2014. In June and August 2014, she also released two poetry books, “</i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Real-Purpose-You-Are-Special-ebook/dp/B00LAQO86K/">Real Purpose: You Are Special</a><i>” and “</i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Experienced-Cassandra-Skelton-ebook/dp/B00MWK81JI/">Life Experienced</a><i>,” written while in high school and college.
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Cassandra can be found on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CassandraUlrichAuthor">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CassandraUlric1">Twitter</a>, her <a href="http://cassandraulrich.blogspot.com/">Blog</a>, and her <a href="http://cassandraulrich.com/">Website</a>.</i>
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-16838458258906522032016-04-05T21:06:00.000-04:002016-04-05T21:06:09.096-04:00South Jersey Writers’ Group Hosts Open House, Thursday, April 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The South Jersey Writers' Group will be holding a free open house Thursday, April 21st at 7 PM, at the Barrington, NJ VFW Hall, 109 Shreve Avenue. Light refreshments will be served.
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"This is a great opportunity for writers, and those interested in writing from beginners to advanced levels, to meet and chat with our members," said SJWG President Krista Magrowski. "Additionally, several of our members who are published authors will discuss their journeys from idea to publication and what belonging to the writers’ group means to them. If you’ve ever written anything, or thought about writing anything, this group can help you hone your craft. We look forward to meeting interested wordsmiths from the South Jersey area."
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Founded in 2006, the South Jersey Writers' Group has grown to more than one hundred members. A supportive community of local writers in all genres, members come from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience. The group offers monthly meetings with professional speakers, critique groups, open-mic events, write-ins, blogfests, workshops, retreats, and more.
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For more information, visit our website at <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">www.southjerseywriters.com</a>.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-81469429452720718662016-03-14T18:00:00.000-04:002016-03-14T18:00:17.762-04:00SJWG Open-Mic Night - April 8th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO99vuIsIz6nUAZqYIX6at3nUUcnJU7KHCKsrWm1hziV3dyRM2ubq-EbXn85OciFJEuF-FQbR7SX5T5SPam2zd4R2ZTjTLnRGug6O4ndFClsxsUqQh5oxUToVhuGfLO4_BH1IdK4tVg/s1600/open.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO99vuIsIz6nUAZqYIX6at3nUUcnJU7KHCKsrWm1hziV3dyRM2ubq-EbXn85OciFJEuF-FQbR7SX5T5SPam2zd4R2ZTjTLnRGug6O4ndFClsxsUqQh5oxUToVhuGfLO4_BH1IdK4tVg/s640/open.PNG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-688481343220551432016-03-03T20:00:00.000-05:002016-03-03T20:00:07.969-05:00Facebook, Web Design, and Dialogue at the Writers Coffeehouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By <a href="http://dawnbyrne.yolasite.com/">Dawn Byrne</a>
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Author <a href="http://www.kellysimmonsbooks.com/">Kelly Simmons</a> led the February <a href="http://liarsclubphilly.com/">Liars Club</a> Writers Coffeehouse in the <a href="https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2782">Willow Grove PA Barnes & Noble</a>. Her first topic? How writers can use <a href="https://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a> to promote their books.
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Readers are on Facebook. Build relationships with them for lasting online benefits. Ask questions and have them share answers to pull engagement to your site. On average it takes ten impressions from people who like, have heard about or bought your book, to make a sale. Word-of-mouth through social media and other sources is most valuable to prompt interest and keep it going. Too bad we can’t really control it.
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Experiment only with small amounts of money. Paying to boost Facebook posts for advertising your book isn’t too beneficial. E-commerce is. Remember, Facebook controls your author page. If you do boost your posts, don’t do it to an existing one. Create a new post and make sure it’s a good one. Kelly is experimenting with targeting her audience for specific posts, narrowing her audience to get the most for her money. She’s still not sure if this works on Facebook.
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Facebook ads for authors are good for branding but are a long term investment, and creating them can be difficult. Try different visuals for promoting your book, and make sure they’re sized correctly on the page or ad. Faces tend to be very eye-catching. Some graphic design sites are free, like <a href="https://www.canva.com/">Canva</a>. Blurbs, reviews and endorsements are great as headliners with your book cover. Compare your book with similar authors. Ex. <i>“If you liked…, you’ll like my book.”</i> A ‘Buy’ button on Facebook’s ad manager isn’t as desirable as the ‘Learn More’ button. A ‘Learn More’ button gets interaction from more people.
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An audience member asked about other social media. Kelly uses <a href="https://twitter.com/">Twitter</a> for real life feed, but communicates with male friends more on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/">LinkedIn</a>. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/">Instagram</a> draws mostly a young audience and women. People use Instagram on their phone to view feed because it’s pictures with only some text. Facebook and Instagram rely on visuals, which draw more attention than text, so Facebook beats Twitter in its success to promote book sales.
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Touching on website design, Kelly suggests thinking visually and owning your pictures to build a website that’s unique to you. <a href="http://www.wix.com/">Wix</a> and <a href="http://www.weebly.com/">Weebly</a> are simplistic programs for designing visuals. <a href="http://www.squarespace.com/">Squarespace</a> is a bit harder to use. <a href="http://campl.us/">Camera+</a> is for smart phones. <a href="https://www.gimp.org/">GIMP</a> and <a href="http://freewarehome.com/">Freeware</a> are like <a href="http://www.photoshop.com/">Photoshop</a>. <a href="http://www.photoshop.com/products/photoshopelements">Photoshop Elements</a> and <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">PicMonkey</a> are two other options. <a href="https://unsplash.com/">Unsplash</a> and <a href="http://www.istockphoto.com/">iStockphoto</a> are downloadable picture options, but taking your own pictures is best. For further help with web design check out blogs like: <a href="http://www.amyporterfield.com/">Amy Porterfield</a> and <a href="http://www.sarahvonbargen.com/">Sarah Von Bargen</a>.
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<a href="http://www.kathryncraft.com/">Kathryn Craft</a> shared in discussing dialogue. It should do multiple things. Go beyond suggesting context by adding subtext that shows the emotional reality of the character. Everything has context and subtext and feeds into the conversation. <a href="http://www.janicegablebashman.com/">Janice Gable Bashman</a> said, <i>“Listen to what’s not being said.”</i> Scenes and the sequels between them are now done at the same time. Use dialogue to continue the story and layer it with action. The situation comedy "Frazier" is an example of great dialogue. The two brother characters are very alike, yet their dialogue uniquely distinguishes each.
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Dialect can be done in different ways. Janice handled this in her book by simply referring to a character’s accent. Some authors start with dialect and then continue the story without it. <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithStrunk">Keith Strunk</a> said pacing and cadence of dialogue allows readers to pick up a character’s accent.
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Kelly’s tricks to learn good dialogue:
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<li>1. Listen to award winning radio commercials</li>
<li>2. Watch Aaron Sorkin shows</li>
<li>3. Read screenplays</li>
<li>4. Write down what you hear from people</li>
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As the meeting broke up, Keith videotaped volunteers for the Liars Club Coffeehouse Video. We gave our names and explained why we write. Keith’s prompts calmed my nerves before I spoke. He let me view and listen to myself for assurance that I wasn’t too bad. I left the meeting happy about myself, writing and other writers. Sadly, the Coffeehouse won’t meet in March.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-43936297726814723232016-02-29T21:40:00.000-05:002016-02-29T21:40:31.095-05:00Current SJWG Blog Roundup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbh_M29RATvISuV39-8atPOpNhv20t27VdYZQXnPZn5Tz2-KdnsfFTt8fwMRBwhYln8UHokXvLwMvMd6qyWUhJlJj9ACqz9g7jaaKGJwMwV1XSrwC22pCRkWUZHsf9bUQ1MKE5s-Y78g/s1600/ab1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbh_M29RATvISuV39-8atPOpNhv20t27VdYZQXnPZn5Tz2-KdnsfFTt8fwMRBwhYln8UHokXvLwMvMd6qyWUhJlJj9ACqz9g7jaaKGJwMwV1XSrwC22pCRkWUZHsf9bUQ1MKE5s-Y78g/s400/ab1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Compiled by <a href="http://blog.crackingnut.com/">Jessica A. Walsh</a>, <a href="http://www.miekezmackay.com/">Mieke Zamora-Mackay</a>, and <a href="http://www.glennewalker.com/">Glenn Walker</a>
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There is so much talent in the <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">South Jersey Writers Group</a>, and as we've mentioned in the past, so many bloggers. And many of these bloggers produce content on a fairly frequent basis, so we thought it would be a cool idea to highlight some of each month's more intriguing and interesting blog posts and present them here.
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Please give a click and a read, and we hope you will like the samples enough to become regular readers. Check them out!
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<a href="http://jsnouff.com/kristin/">Kristin Battestella</a> continued reviewing films and shows for her blog, “<a href="http://ithinkthereforeireview.blogspot.com/">I Think, Therefore I Review</a>,” including <a href="http://ithinkthereforeireview.blogspot.com/2016/02/whitechapel-season-2.html">Season Two of "White Chapel</a>," which she thinks is slipping.
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<a href="http://dawnbyrne.yolasite.com/">Dawn Byrne</a> recollected a story about her green 1970 Chevy Nova in her post “<a href="http://www.dawnbyrne.blogspot.com/2016/01/not-so-new-nova.html">Not So New Nova</a>.” Spoiler alert: It wasn’t so reliable.
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<a href="http://weneedmoresundaydinners.blogspot.com/">Joanne Costantino</a>’s maintained the same group of girlfriends for over forty years, which is beautiful and impressive. There’s nothing like a day away from the family laughing with the girlfriends to recharge one’s batteries. She tells the story in her post, “<a href="http://weneedmoresundaydinners.blogspot.com/2016/01/happenstance-and-god-giggles.html">Happenstance and God Giggles</a>.”
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<a href="http://jennifermeaton.com/">Jennifer M. Eaton</a> keeps very active over at her blog writing advice to help fellow writers learn from her mistakes, as well as reviewing books. Particularly helpful, considering she is quite accomplished despite having a full time job and a family, is her post answering the question: “<a href="http://jennifermeaton.com/2016/01/18/how-the-heck-do-you-write-all-this-stuff/">How the heck do you write all this stuff?</a>”
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<a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/">Marie Gilbert</a>, who wears an awful lot of hats, has a group of friends to go with each one! She reflected on her many friendships in her post, “<a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/2016/01/walking-tightrope-of-friendship.html">Walking the Tightrope of Friendship</a>” at her blog, <a href="http://gilbertcuriosities.blogspot.com/">Gilbert Curiosities</a>. Marie also reviews several television show for <a href="http://biffbampop.com/">Biff Bam Pop!</a>. This past month she also reviewed <i><a href="http://biffbampop.com/2016/01/19/marie-gilberts-review-of-the-revenant/">The Revenant</a></i>, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdp6xOKzSdrZ-DpzqLVE4UyDqUCGWmLTXNrPwYUju2W6xmf5iQKq2Fhx7nBSN9vb5oKLy2N3Ml_N0sNoncKzRjvHXhDGPMIObnNDZa1dC5heVKn2I3oRnTmNuLDYfPx0yzkTsm5B2Iw/s1600/ab3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdp6xOKzSdrZ-DpzqLVE4UyDqUCGWmLTXNrPwYUju2W6xmf5iQKq2Fhx7nBSN9vb5oKLy2N3Ml_N0sNoncKzRjvHXhDGPMIObnNDZa1dC5heVKn2I3oRnTmNuLDYfPx0yzkTsm5B2Iw/s400/ab3.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<a href="http://theobligablog.blogspot.com/">Sarah Hawkins-Miduski</a> continued writing about her many experiences in Disney World over at <a href="http://theobligablog.blogspot.com/">The Obligablog</a> throughout January, but she also took a break to share <a href="http://theobligablog.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-favorite-six-reads-of-2015.html">her favorite reads of 2015</a>.
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Memoirist and short story writer <a href="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/">Victoria Marie Lees</a> takes a stab at <a href="http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com/2016/01/synopsis-is-not-bad-word.html#comment-form">writing a synopsis</a>.
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We have a real-life bull runner in our ranks. <a href="http://www.bullsbeforebreakfast.com/">Peter N. Milligan</a> clears up one of the <a href="http://www.bullsbeforebreakfast.com/#!The-Most-Common-Bull-Running-Misconception/cmbz/568a97590cf229802c3db8e5">biggest misconceptions about bull running</a> in Pamplona.
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Author <a href="https://randyribay.wordpress.com/">Randy Ribay</a> shares <a href="https://randyribay.wordpress.com/2016/01/23/oscarssowhite/">his #OscarsSoWhite thoughts</a>.
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<a href="https://kevinstephany.wordpress.com/">Kevin Stephany</a> reviews one of the most influential and controversial books on writing out there, "<a href="https://kevinstephany.wordpress.com/2016/02/13/book-review-no-plot-no-problem-by-chris-baty/">No Plot? No Problem!</a>" by Chris Baty.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UbvcAIh3QhBfJg2MqcV-gUg8Il1gtf9kLyCpLMJq6yYDzilRczgYH2-FFOnk4lKF_2_DNsh6IfRVvFP39t1go9GqKCknNJ486A8T3hWzRecKfF_mr-rWddfpXNDeTRTz7HGfobAIwA/s1600/ab4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UbvcAIh3QhBfJg2MqcV-gUg8Il1gtf9kLyCpLMJq6yYDzilRczgYH2-FFOnk4lKF_2_DNsh6IfRVvFP39t1go9GqKCknNJ486A8T3hWzRecKfF_mr-rWddfpXNDeTRTz7HGfobAIwA/s400/ab4.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="http://blog.crackingnut.com/">Jessica Walsh</a> has a story in "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Soup-Soul-Heartwarming-Hilarious/dp/1611599563/">Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Dog</a>" and don't forget to check out her terrific blog, <a href="http://blog.crackingnut.com/">The Cracking Nut</a>.
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Founder <a href="http://soothingprose.com/">Janice Wilson</a> talks about "<a href="http://soothingprose.com/">Total Worth</a>" on her website <a href="http://soothingprose.com/">Soothing Prose</a>.
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Our Outreach Trustee <a href="http://www.miekezmackay.com/">Mieke Zamora-Mackay</a> has been reviewing "<a href="http://biffbampop.com/category/the-x-files-2/">The X-Files</a>" for <a href="http://www.biffbampop.com/">Biff Bam Pop!</a>. Check out what she thought of the new season <a href="http://biffbampop.com/category/the-x-files-2/">here</a>.
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We hope you liked this month's selections from SJWG member blogs, and will not only read more at their respective sites, but also come back here next month for more. Don't forget to 'Like' the South Jersey Writers at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SJWriters">Facebook</a>, 'Follow' us at <a href="https://twitter.com/SJWriters">Twitter</a>, and check us out on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/SJWriters/">Pinterest</a>. Thank you!
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364676016634400906.post-68262064940049741432016-02-11T00:57:00.000-05:002016-02-11T00:57:00.953-05:00Liars Club Writers Coffeehouse Back Again for 2016<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglEYZLcW0D4iVECMfvTN6Mbn97IBeZU9PUdBliD7IN1h7ooAw9_lX3hSwtSusOj3p0sUxVzVUyrurQlgXWA5ASa3zA75z6lt25hrlvoOdfF1kz6myHhXNrNB63HhN4-lbxqaOnbgBgw/s1600/cof1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglEYZLcW0D4iVECMfvTN6Mbn97IBeZU9PUdBliD7IN1h7ooAw9_lX3hSwtSusOj3p0sUxVzVUyrurQlgXWA5ASa3zA75z6lt25hrlvoOdfF1kz6myHhXNrNB63HhN4-lbxqaOnbgBgw/s400/cof1.jpg" width="400" /></a>By <a href="http://dawnbyrne.yolasite.com/">Dawn Byrne</a>
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<a href="http://www.jonathanmaberry.com/">Jonathan Maberry</a> led the <a href="http://liarsclubphilly.com/for-writers/">Liars Club</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheWritersCoffeehouse/">Writers Coffeehouse</a> in the <a href="https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2782">Willow Grove PA Barnes & Noble</a> via Skype. <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithStrunk">Keith Strunk</a> hosted the Liar-filled meeting, which included <a href="https://marielamba.wordpress.com/">Marie Lamba</a>, <a href="http://www.janicegablebashman.com/">Janice Gable-Bashman</a>, <a href="http://www.kellysimmonsbooks.com/">Kelly Simmons</a>, and <a href="http://www.kathryncraft.com/">Kathryn Craft</a>. One of the <a href="http://www.southjerseywriters.com/">South Jersey Writers' Group</a>’s recent third Thursday speakers, <a href="http://www.donnagalanti.com/">Donna Galanti</a>, fit well into the nucleus of Club members.
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Jonathan began with information on the Writers Coffeehouses. There are nine active ones and more are popping up in the US, and other countries. It started with this group that now meets in Willow Grove. When thanked for starting the Coffeehouse, Jonathan reminded us that the Liars Club started the Coffeehouse, and that he is just a part of the Club. He shares hosting duties with the Coffeehouse in San Diego, where he now lives. “Community matters to writers,” he said, after exchanging familiar and sincere greetings with us. His fondness for our group showed in his face and words.
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Questions for Jonathan matched the subject of how to get the word out about your book once it’s published: Blogging in your genre can be the grass roots in promoting your work. Subscribe to other blogs who read yours to making connections with potential readers. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/">Goodreads</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/">LinkedIn</a> are a must. Reach out to writer conferences that do your subject and genre; you’ll meet people who can be helpful. Your writer’s platform on social media and how it’s maintained brings awareness of your book to audiences. Synching up your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts makes posting content easier. Starting a conversation is vital for your audience to make a connection with you. “The author is the brand,” said Jonathan. But don’t promise things that cost you a lot. If people are interested in you, they are more likely to buy your book.
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Jonathan suggested multi-platform to promote anthologies. They don’t sell well, but anthologies can engage readers and get audiences interested in you and your other work.
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Interviewers don’t always read your book, so give them a cheat sheet of questions to ask ahead of time. Making it easy for them, can make you popular to work with. Give one or two takeaways, that aren’t your plot, to make a memorable engagement with potential readers.
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To learn how to do a podcast or book trailer, watch and listen to them. Trailers should be one-minute long, with strong production. After Jonathan had to end his Skype visit, Keith took advantage of the computer to show <a href="http://kerrygans.com/">Kerry Gans</a>’ trailer for her book, “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1514679736">The Witch of Zal</a>.” Keith and Kerry had both worked on it. Donna is also a resource for making a trailer. Check out the one for her book, “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Joshua-Lightning-Road-Donna-Galanti/dp/1942664044/">Joshua and the Lightning Road</a>.”
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Two terms new to me: <a href="http://lookbook.nu/">LookBook</a>, where actors are put into your characters’ roles; and sizzle reel, which requires voiceovers and is expensive because so much goes into it. But the most interesting take away for me, was Jonathan’s advice to read out loud your edited, polished work. Listen to the polished voice of it. Study it, analyses it and contrast it with your original draft. This can help with your next work.
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As always, Jonathan shared information on the current markets and trends: Graphic novels, the original ones that don’t feature superheroes, targeting girls are much in demand; pitch yours like a regular novel. Cross genre works are still hot. “I’m seeing a bit of a decline in memoir,” said Jonathan. But real life fiction is huge. Horror is starting to build in mainstream audiences.
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Don’t be too specific with your plot when agents ask for summaries of books not yet written. “Be interesting but vague,” said Jonathan. He also highlighted the importance of having an agent: “If it wasn’t for my agent, I wouldn’t be in California.”
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March 7, agent Marie Lamba is doing a First Page Workshop and answering questions on a panel for the SCBWI in Eastern, PA.
May 20-22 is the Pennwriters Conference in Lancaster, PA. Jonathan and Kathryn will be keynote speakers and Donna will present workshops on craft and marketing.
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Kelly Simmons took suggestions for next month’s Coffeehouse. She’ll be leading it, and selling her new book, “One More Day.” The trailer for it is cool.
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Remember, no matter how many Sundays are in a month, the Coffeehouse always meets the last Sunday of each month from noon to 3 PM, unless a holiday gets in the way. It’s worth the trip over the bridge and through the city for us South Jerseyans. Three hours of shop talk and cohering with professional and upcoming writers is an exhilarating experience. And, my favorite, it’s FREE.
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<br />SJWritershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13408759382185575535noreply@blogger.com2