Social media for authors--gift or curse? Dave from Kindlepreneur dissects various social media for you in The Ultimate Guide to Social Media. The summary is also really useful for those of us who tend to want to conquer everything.
Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing
wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular
order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
2T Repeat Performance
In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to
close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.
A Brief Musical Interlude--originally posted March 2, 2016.
Next month is April Fools, with Roxy Mews, S.L. Carpenter, newcomer Kayleigh Malcolm and me up to our usual April 1 hijinks. I'll have more on my offering, Cin Wikkid (including a great blog tour giveaway), later this month.
But for now, I thought you might enjoy a bit of fun with music.
(Warning: the following links are to audio files.)
I'm also a flute player, trained classical. Anybody remember the Masterpiece Theater theme? http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/01%20rondeau.mp3
How about this? (hint, it's not really about putting risqué underwear in the dryer): http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/06%20aironagstring.mp3
This is my hubby's favorite (tongue firmly in cheek. He'll sometimes start this in the wrong key just to watch my face when I come in and sound out of tune like pickles on pizza): http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/13%20pachelbel.mp3
And of course, no interlude would be complete without this: http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/23%20chickendance.mp3
What's your favorite music?
More on April Fools For Love here.
Next month is April Fools, with Roxy Mews, S.L. Carpenter, newcomer Kayleigh Malcolm and me up to our usual April 1 hijinks. I'll have more on my offering, Cin Wikkid (including a great blog tour giveaway), later this month.
But for now, I thought you might enjoy a bit of fun with music.
(Warning: the following links are to audio files.)
I'm also a flute player, trained classical. Anybody remember the Masterpiece Theater theme? http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/01%20rondeau.mp3
How about this? (hint, it's not really about putting risqué underwear in the dryer): http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/06%20aironagstring.mp3
This is my hubby's favorite (tongue firmly in cheek. He'll sometimes start this in the wrong key just to watch my face when I come in and sound out of tune like pickles on pizza): http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/13%20pachelbel.mp3
And of course, no interlude would be complete without this: http://www.flautstreicher.com/music/23%20chickendance.mp3
What's your favorite music?
More on April Fools For Love here.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
September 4T Olio
More Imgur!
Acting!
Amazing!
Acting!
Acting 101
New security system...
How to Prevent Thefts
If you see a ballerina...
A guide to art
Amazing!
4 hours of earth rotation in 15 seconds
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
3T Writing Tidbit
Brand. What's your brand? Be on-brand.Stay true to your brand.
But what is brand?
Basically, it's tags that identify the person behind the work being branded. These days, you have to brand everything from your particular art style to what kind of employee you represent to a potential employer.
My biggest challenge, writing romantic comedy/paranormal romance/urban fantasy/hard science fiction/steamy romance was finding my brand. Because it's all over the board, isn't it?
Isn't it?
Maybe not so much.
I may have already shared this but it bears a reshare. Find your brand's voice with this fun exercise.
I started Diana's first step, crossing out those adjectives that don't apply to my stories. Whew! Identifying what I'm not is a whole lot easier than figuring out what I am. I'm still not completely done. But some of the remaining adjectives that stand out are...
Wild. Witty. Unique. Upbeat. Fierce. Exciting.
If you're struggling with your author brand, I suggest you give this technique a try.
Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.
But what is brand?
Basically, it's tags that identify the person behind the work being branded. These days, you have to brand everything from your particular art style to what kind of employee you represent to a potential employer.
My biggest challenge, writing romantic comedy/paranormal romance/urban fantasy/hard science fiction/steamy romance was finding my brand. Because it's all over the board, isn't it?
Isn't it?
Maybe not so much.
I may have already shared this but it bears a reshare. Find your brand's voice with this fun exercise.
I started Diana's first step, crossing out those adjectives that don't apply to my stories. Whew! Identifying what I'm not is a whole lot easier than figuring out what I am. I'm still not completely done. But some of the remaining adjectives that stand out are...
Wild. Witty. Unique. Upbeat. Fierce. Exciting.
If you're struggling with your author brand, I suggest you give this technique a try.
Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
2T Repeat Performance
In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to
close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.
Engaging Readers--originally posted February 3, 2016.
Authors are told to read, read, read. I have to admit, between my own writing, studying how to write better, practicing flute, doing bills, keeping up with the house (well, not keeping up, more like running madly behind, trying to get within spitting distance...but at least my sink is clean :) ), making dinner, shopping, laundry...um, etc (substitute for me getting whiny, lol)--ANNNYWAY, I don't get to read for pleasure very often.
Always hopeful I might find a few minutes to enjoy a book, when I visit my library, I browse the New Release shelves. Last month, I found a book by an author I'd read a long time ago (but stopped reading), and picked it up. When I was sick the next day, I actually found time to read it.
It was SERIOUSLY good.
Hey, it might have been the fever. But I started another by the same author and it was also seriously good.
So, you probably have two questions. What's the book, and why did reader-me lose track of the series (and what's different about it now)?
The author is Lindsey Davis and the original series was Marcus Didius Falco, a private informer (i.e. detective) in Rome during the first century AD.
The new book is Deadly Election: A Flavia Albia Mystery (blurb at the end), continuing the Falco series with his daughter Flavia Albia.
Why did I enjoy the Falco series originally?
Why did I lose track of the series?
I think it's because Falco was, in a way, too well written. He's a guy, and to me, he came across as a guy. Even though there's a love interest, she's left in the background a lot. And he still ogles and stuff. And does some guy stuff that is mildly interesting but not completely relatable to me (I do enjoy some traditionally guy stuff, like sword and armor making).
(Please note, this is from my memory of the books. I may be misremembering, but since I'll be rereading some of the earlier ones now, I'll update if I get more info.)
So what's different about this book?
The new series is about Falco's daughter, a widow living on her own, already meaty enough. But more, she's an adopted Briton with no known past, so she's a mystery and a bit of outsider even though she's totally accepted by her adoptive family. Her family has money, but she doesn't, except what she earns. She's capable and smart and kind but strong. She's a woman so she notices stuff like jewelry and makeup and how a home is put together and gives observations on women's roles in society from a woman's point of view, stuff I find I'm more interested in than the guy stuff.
And, good heavens, Flavia Albia's observations are witty. Love 'em!
The Falco series was good but I didn't identify strongly enough with the main character and the middle action wasn't quite compelling enough (for me). As an author I'd like to think readers will cut me some slack, but as a reader I know there are too many books out there that satisfy two or three out of the following four factors.
Bottom line: as many as possible of THESE FACTORS need to be met for me to engage as a reader: a STORY I want to read; a CHARACTER I can relate to (doesn't have to be the main character, but does need to be in enough of the story action that I don't put the book down); few-to-no PET PEEVES knocking me out of the story; ENGAGING ACTION (that is, character doing stuff that I care about).
We use the tag words genre, character, good writing, and plot for the four things above. I think to some extent those words have been leached of meaning and hope the ones I've used make more vivid pictures in your mind.
Notice how many of these things are dependent on the reader? We like to think, as authors, we're in a lonely profession. But the truth of the matter is all art is collaborative, and stories rely on what the reader brings to the table as much as any stage production's success depends on audience mood.
What about you? What makes you lose track of a series? What makes a series a keeper?
Deadly Election: A Flavia Albia Mystery
In the first century A.D., during Domitian's reign, Flavia Albia is ready for a short break from her family. So despite the oppressive July heat, she returns to Rome, leaving them at their place on the coast. Albia, daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, the famed private informer (now retired), has taken up her father's former profession, and it's time to get back to work. The first order of business, however, is the corpse that was found in a chest sent as part of a large lot to be sold by the Falco family auction house. As the senior family representative in Rome, it falls upon Albia to identify the corpse, find out why he was killed, who killed him, and, most important, how did it end up in the chest.
At the same time, her potential young man, Faustus, comes looking for help with his friend Sextus's political campaign. Between the auction business and Roman politics, it's not quite clear which one is the more underhanded and duplicitous. Both, however, are tied together by the mysterious body in the chest, and if Albia isn't able to solve that mystery, it won't be the only body to drop.
Kindle | Nook | Kindle UK | Also available in hardcover and paperback (and audio at Amazon.com)
Engaging Readers--originally posted February 3, 2016.
Authors are told to read, read, read. I have to admit, between my own writing, studying how to write better, practicing flute, doing bills, keeping up with the house (well, not keeping up, more like running madly behind, trying to get within spitting distance...but at least my sink is clean :) ), making dinner, shopping, laundry...um, etc (substitute for me getting whiny, lol)--ANNNYWAY, I don't get to read for pleasure very often.
Always hopeful I might find a few minutes to enjoy a book, when I visit my library, I browse the New Release shelves. Last month, I found a book by an author I'd read a long time ago (but stopped reading), and picked it up. When I was sick the next day, I actually found time to read it.
It was SERIOUSLY good.
Hey, it might have been the fever. But I started another by the same author and it was also seriously good.
So, you probably have two questions. What's the book, and why did reader-me lose track of the series (and what's different about it now)?
The author is Lindsey Davis and the original series was Marcus Didius Falco, a private informer (i.e. detective) in Rome during the first century AD.
The new book is Deadly Election: A Flavia Albia Mystery (blurb at the end), continuing the Falco series with his daughter Flavia Albia.
Why did I enjoy the Falco series originally?
- Well written.
- I like stories that I can painlessly learn something (through the action). These stories are well researched, yet her research was represented in vivid interaction with the time and place, not dry facts.
- A love interest who does NOT get tossed to the side or murdered (this is a pet peeve).
- I like mysteries.
- Good editing (bad editing is also a pet peeve).
- Character was mostly driven by intelligent choices in difficult circumstances rather than making bad decisions to further the plot (aka not too stupid to live, another pet peeve).
Why did I lose track of the series?
I think it's because Falco was, in a way, too well written. He's a guy, and to me, he came across as a guy. Even though there's a love interest, she's left in the background a lot. And he still ogles and stuff. And does some guy stuff that is mildly interesting but not completely relatable to me (I do enjoy some traditionally guy stuff, like sword and armor making).
(Please note, this is from my memory of the books. I may be misremembering, but since I'll be rereading some of the earlier ones now, I'll update if I get more info.)
So what's different about this book?
The new series is about Falco's daughter, a widow living on her own, already meaty enough. But more, she's an adopted Briton with no known past, so she's a mystery and a bit of outsider even though she's totally accepted by her adoptive family. Her family has money, but she doesn't, except what she earns. She's capable and smart and kind but strong. She's a woman so she notices stuff like jewelry and makeup and how a home is put together and gives observations on women's roles in society from a woman's point of view, stuff I find I'm more interested in than the guy stuff.
And, good heavens, Flavia Albia's observations are witty. Love 'em!
The Falco series was good but I didn't identify strongly enough with the main character and the middle action wasn't quite compelling enough (for me). As an author I'd like to think readers will cut me some slack, but as a reader I know there are too many books out there that satisfy two or three out of the following four factors.
Bottom line: as many as possible of THESE FACTORS need to be met for me to engage as a reader: a STORY I want to read; a CHARACTER I can relate to (doesn't have to be the main character, but does need to be in enough of the story action that I don't put the book down); few-to-no PET PEEVES knocking me out of the story; ENGAGING ACTION (that is, character doing stuff that I care about).
We use the tag words genre, character, good writing, and plot for the four things above. I think to some extent those words have been leached of meaning and hope the ones I've used make more vivid pictures in your mind.
Notice how many of these things are dependent on the reader? We like to think, as authors, we're in a lonely profession. But the truth of the matter is all art is collaborative, and stories rely on what the reader brings to the table as much as any stage production's success depends on audience mood.
What about you? What makes you lose track of a series? What makes a series a keeper?
Deadly Election: A Flavia Albia Mystery
In the first century A.D., during Domitian's reign, Flavia Albia is ready for a short break from her family. So despite the oppressive July heat, she returns to Rome, leaving them at their place on the coast. Albia, daughter of Marcus Didius Falco, the famed private informer (now retired), has taken up her father's former profession, and it's time to get back to work. The first order of business, however, is the corpse that was found in a chest sent as part of a large lot to be sold by the Falco family auction house. As the senior family representative in Rome, it falls upon Albia to identify the corpse, find out why he was killed, who killed him, and, most important, how did it end up in the chest.
At the same time, her potential young man, Faustus, comes looking for help with his friend Sextus's political campaign. Between the auction business and Roman politics, it's not quite clear which one is the more underhanded and duplicitous. Both, however, are tied together by the mysterious body in the chest, and if Albia isn't able to solve that mystery, it won't be the only body to drop.
Kindle | Nook | Kindle UK | Also available in hardcover and paperback (and audio at Amazon.com)
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
September 1T Status Update
September news:
- Big sale coming just in time for Halloween! Mark your calendar October 28-November 4. More information next month.
- Hear the author play piccolo! 2019 American Legion band contest.
- Night's Kiss edits turned in! Cover request sheet filled out and turned in. Hopefully we'll see something online by October.
- Night's Bliss proposal package just about ready! My beta reader needs to look at the first three chapters and then I need to do a final pass over the whole thing.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
August 4T Olio
More Imgur!
Scientist logos
Scientist logos
If great scientists had logos...
Employee of the month!
Avengers Yearbook
The caption is NSFW, but the gif is.
Fuck
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