It’s official. The Scythian Trials has been released into the wild and is off to a great start! If you’d like to pick up a copy, the buy links are below the description on the website as is the button to pick up a signed copy. 🙂 The blog tour was a tremendous success, and I’m so grateful to everyone … Read More
Five Tips to Write for Life
There’s a thread weaving through Facebook that I’m enjoying these days. Writers from all walks of life are sharing their top five writing tips and secrets, and then they challenge another five writers to do the same. I’ve been following the threads like a hound chasing rabbits, loving the snippets of insight and advice from the authors that I admire. … Read More
How to Stop Facebook’s Shenanigans From Keeping You From Your Tribe.
I was talking to a friend today about Facebook’s crackdown on using personal pages for business. For those outside the writing community, I’m sure you may not think this is a big deal. But for every entrepreneur out there, it’s a game-changer. Last year, Facebook scaled back a business pages’ reach, meaning only a few people could see posts containing URLs … Read More
Symbolic Sunday–Why is Kailmeyra’s Moon Purple?
One of the most challenging aspects of making a different world is finding a way to infuse fiction into reality. Readers must be able to navigate through the story without being bogged down by unfamiliar places and lengthy descriptions. Weaving familiar images into fantasy serves as an anchor, giving the reader a visual they’ve experienced. When creating Kailmeyra, I wanted distinctive … Read More
Fear Blog Hop Giveaway!
Welcome to the first ever Pages of Fear blog hop. It’s a pre-Halloween event celebrating authors who like to fright and delight with their writing. As you progress through the twenty-eight blogs/websites, you’ll learn about authors you may already know and be introduced to some new ones. Everyone loves the opportunity to get something free. All of the authors have … Read More
Social Marketing 101: Four Author No-no’s on Twitter
Most of you know that for the past six years or so I’ve been consulting authors on social marketing and branding. And what I’ve learned is that authors, both traditional and indie, don’t understand how to use social media, nor the power it can have on their bottom line. Here’s the thing: Social networks are designed to build relationships, not sell products.  Let … Read More
The Artist’s Heart
I’ve found quality in the arts, no matter what form, have one thing in common–intent is the key to true expression. Those that want glory but aren’t willing to improve might have a level of success, but their art seems shallow and quickly fades. Those that become enamored with the arts are like a star-crossed lover. Their passion only lasts as long as the euphoria … Read More
Suspended in Creativity
The stage lights serve as a barrier; they blind the performer from seeing the audience’s reaction, they protect them from fear. In that moment, they are Mozart’s Fiordiligi or Tchaikovsky’s Joan of Arc. Their mind is mute; instinct takes over, time is suspended in creativity–expression is life. I haven’t performed in years, but on rare occasions, my heart remembers, and I again am … Read More
What Inspires Your Muse?
I spent all day yesterday carefully crafting a post. After a few hours of intentional word choice, I had a pretty good piece … a hook at the beginning, compelling words, well written, downright insightful at times. The problem was, it sounded stuffy and pretentious, even to me. As most of you know, I’m a vocalist, and I started remembering all … Read More
Five Ways Writers Stumble
I hate the term writer’s block. It’s too strong—like there’s this solid barrier that randomly shoots up, completely walling off any imagination. The frustration is real, but I don’t believe it’s a block. It’s more like tripping over that rock you didn’t see or stepping into a hole that you thought was a puddle. Sometimes we manage to muddle through. Other times … Read More