Magic Eye Friday, NoNaNo and finally a title for my next book!!

Hope my visitors from across the pond had a great Thanksgiving, and enjoyed/are enjoying spending time with their loved ones. Cheers to you all!!

I have to report that I've hung up my NaNo pen... but I'd like to thank everyone who gave me support and encouragement along the journey.

The reason NaNo and I have gone separate ways is because LIFE got in the way; I had overnight visitors two weekends running, and just when I planned to do my catching up, we had a family crisis. I'm happy to report the 'crisis' is out of hospital and recovering well, but I knew it was time to duck out .

I'm pleased to say I'm still furiously writing my book, so it's not a total fail. And I've finally got a name for Soul Protector #2 - it's going to be called Heads, You Lose, (which is very fitting at the moment). It's a shame I didn't 'win' NaNo, but I'm not sad. NaNo has been brilliant for clocking up the wordcount and I'll definitely be trying again next year. If you're still participating, I wish you fast fingers and a sea of imagination!

And finally, here's some Friday inspiration for anyone who might need it... Don't forget to turn up the volume ;o)

http://www.youtube.com/user/MetalMike831

Have a great weekend!

Introducing Debbie Bennett

Debbie Bennett describes herself as 'just a boring middle-aged civil servant with a secret life as a writer.' Hmm... when you see the description of Debbie's book, I think you'll agree she's anything but boring.

"What do you do when you realise that the bad guys might care more about you than the good ones?

Ricky's on the edge of a life of crime. Skipping college to steal cars in the aftermath of his father's death in action, it's not surprising that his dreams are vivid and seem almost real.

Calith's just on the edge of a life. Snatched from Ricky's world to another place altogether, Calith's found out that when you've grown up with the enemy, it's hard to make friends.

Then Ricky dreams of Calith and nobody seems more real than this boy from another world, with his multi-coloured hair and temper to match. But are Calith's motivations all they seem? Ricky's not sure. Calith's dark past is coming back to haunt him big time, and when you're jumping worlds to escape the good guys, something must be wrong somewhere, mustn't it?

A contemporary fantasy, certified 100% vampire-and-werewolf-free. No elves, faeries, dragons or wizards. Not even any zombies. Anywhere.

No, really - there aren't.

Edge of Dreams is available for just 99c/86p from the following outlets:

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Smashwords

So, not boring at all... You can find out more about Debbie, here.

http://www.debbiebennett.co.uk/

http://www.authorselectric.co.uk/

Soul Protector #2 - a taster...

NaNoWriMo has definitely been a shove in the right direction. I'm clocking up large daily word counts on Soul Protector #2 and am totally lost in the story. And that's just the way I like it. If only I could come up with a title!

Anyway, here's a taster for you...

First play this, the louder the better! (snaffled from Breaking Dawn soundtrack).

Here's how I envisage Dan... I have this photo printed out and brooding at me from behind my PC. I tell hubbie it's purely to help with writing my book ;o)

And here's Gracie from the first book in the series, (she's standing this side of the mirror).

 

Blurb: 

Gracie felt safe with Dan by her side. He'd been the one to save her life and introduce her to the world of Soul Protectors. Strong and dependable; he was her rock. And after everything they'd been through, she believed she could rely on him completely. So what happened to make her doubt him? 

While struggling to come to terms with what she's discovered, Gracie finds out Dan is in trouble. Huge trouble. And now she has to bury her pain in order to save him. But saving Dan means risking her own life, and betraying every one of her fellow Soul Protectors.

Mush dash - got writing to do...

Getting to Know Mel Comley...

Just before I introduce you to a very successful indie author, I want to share something that made me smile. A Google alert told me Soul Protector had been mentioned on Hawaii Five-0 Online. It was an article referring to a lovely review from Kim the Book Worm where she had likened my main character, Dan, to Alex O'Loughlin, aka, Steve McGarrett! I love hearing how other people perceive my characters. In my mind Dan looks quite different, (although I'm not complaining about Alex - far from it ;o)). That's the great thing about reading books; you go where your imagination takes you...  

I wonder who Mel Comley had in mind when she wrote her book, 'A Time for a Change'? For those who haven't heard about her yet, Mel is a British thriller/romance writer who now resides in France. She's happiest when she's tapping away at her keyboard creating memorable characters and great stories. 

A Time For Change by Mel Comley is a romance/mystery novella, available for 86p/99c.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Based on a true story.

Danielle Pires's life is going well. She has a boyfriend who wants to marry her and is building a reputation as a talented and hard-working interior designer. Keen to expand her portfolio, Danielle is delighted by a request to breathe life back into the Victorian Mansion that handsome Scott Jordache is renovating.

Her parents, meanwhile, have organised a surprise Caribbean cruise to give her a much-needed break.

Danielle sets sail only to discover Scott aboard the same ship, but mysteriously travelling under a pseudonym. Intrigued, she feels torn between mistrust and being drawn in by his charm.

Should she let herself fall for Scott or return to the security of the man she left at home?

Q&As

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for almost ten years professionally after I retired early and moved to France, this gave me the freedom to write full-time.

Do you have plans for any further books?

A Time for Change is my second romance and it’s been great to change genre, but my greatest passion lies with thrillers. I have two thrillers out at the moment Impeding Justice and Final Justice but the third book in the trilogy Cruel Justice is due for release on the 1^st October.

What is your favorite book and why?

Actually, I know people will condemn me for this, but I saw the film the other day and was reminded what a terrific book The Da Vinci Code is, a stunning thriller!

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?

I would always say join a writer’s site, such as Authonomy where you will learn your trade. There’s more to writing than just putting words on a page. Then, invest in a GOOD editor, only go with someone who is recommended. There are lots of people calling themselves editors out there who clearly know nothing about the art of writing.

NaNoWriMo - my experience so far

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I've been aware of NaNoWriMo for a few years now. I knew what it entailed; a group of writers coming together to take part in a month long writing frenzy. And I knew it wasn't for me. Seriously, who's got time to write 50,000 words in one month on top of all their other duties? Not me. 

But the buzz wouldn't die down. Each year, more and more people spoke about it, facebook statuses and author forums were full of it, and I learned that last year's participants topped 200,000, writing a total of 2.8 billion words, (between them, obviously, not each!). And... more importantly, bona fine novels were coming out of it. 

This year, as the buzz started building, I tried to ignore it. But a little nagging voice at the back of my mind kept telling me I should give it a try. When an author pal put up a message asking who else was going for it this year, I scanned the comments. Someone had stated she needed to do it, to motivate her to crack on with her novel and stop her habit of editing before she finished her first draft. Ping! There it was; I realised I needed it too. NaNoWriMo was going to be the kick up the bum I'd been looking for.

So I started on Tuesday, and I can't help feeling like I've embarked on a diet. On day one I was mega-motivated, writing over 3000 words, and feeling like I was unstoppable. On day two, my muse gave me the silent treatment, but then yesterday it perked up again. Today, day four, I have written over 6,500 words in total. I can't deny it's tough trying to fit the high word count round my other stuff. But, in the spirit of a diet, I'm refusing to give in, (did you know I used to work for Weight Watchers?). I've joined a support group, and it's great; we share our successes and failures and spur each other on. When you read about other people struggling on through migraines and fitting NaNo in around an eleven hour working day, you know you've got it fairly easy.

So, although I'm not chomping at the bit like I was on Tuesday, my goal is still firmly in my sights, and you never know, I might just be one of the NaNo 2011 winners . And if I'm not? It really doesn't matter; I'll have made great headway on the first draft of my next book, and in the big picture, that's what's important.

Good luck to anyone else who is taking part in the madness this year. And if we haven't buddied up yet, my username on NaNo is Amanda Leigh Cowley.

Oh, and as it's Friday...

 

Magic Eye Source