We all know that if people don’t know about your “product” (whether that product is a book, a cog, or a movie), people won’t buy it. They can’t, because they don’t know it’s there.
But there comes a point where oversaturation of marketing hype about you will hurt you more than help you. Here is an interesting blog post about such matters. This author makes a point to ponder.
Filed under Professional
Janie Rose Whitaker’s world revolved around her chocolate shop until Roger Wentworth and his young daughter moved into the apartment across from Janie’s. Anyone would think Roger fit the mold of the “perfect” guy, but soon Janie discovers secrets that could keep them apart forever.
Though she resists getting involved in Roger’s complicated life, they are drawn further into a bittersweet relationship. You will laugh, cry, and crave chocolate as you read this LDS parody of the classic novel Jane Eyre.
Recently I received a free copy of Chocolate Roses to review. I was wondering what my response would be upon reading it. Why? Because romance is one of the few genres I avoid. I’m not a big fan of it. Not sure why, but there you have it. So I was pleasantly surprised to find once I began Chocolate Roses, I really wanted to know how it ended. I felt very wrapped up in protagonist Joanie’s life.
The greatest enjoyment from the novel? Janie was NOT a knock-you-dead-gorgeous female. Far too many stories seem to have larger-than-life women who are more beautiful than is realistic. One of the reasons I found Chocolate Roses fun to read was because Janie felt like “Every Woman.” If Janie could have the happy ending Chocolate Roses offers, there really is hope for the rest of us!
Chocolate Roses does have some difficult and sad moments in the story line, which is to be expected (being based on Jane Eyre). But if you are looking for a unique and quick read, something fun for your free time in the next few weeks, pick up Chocolate Roses. It really is a quite creative and fun read!
July 26
Nichole Giles–Random-ish by Nichole
July 27
Deanne Blackhurst–Annie Speaks Her Mind
Tristi Pinkston–*Tristi Pinkston
Alison Palmer–Tangled Words and Dreams
July 29
Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen–The Write Blocks
C.S. Bezas–For the Love of the Written Word
Sheila Stayley–Why Not? Because I Said So!
Marsha Ward–Writer in the Pines
August 3
Anna del C.–Anna del C. Dye’s Blog
Laurie Lewis–A View from the Other Side
Valerie Ipson–Of Writerly Things
Anna Arnett–Insights and Ramblings from Anna Arnett
August 6
Lynn Parsons & Danyelle Ferguson–Queen of the Clan
Chocolate Roses can be purchased from Deseret Book, Amazon, and of course your local LDS bookstore.
Filed under Reviews
We often hear, “Don’t get discouraged.” I’d rather it be worded, “Don’t STAY discouraged.”
Discouragement is all too common an emotion. Most of us, if not all, have found ourselves living from time-to-time in that rundown establishment known as Hotel Discouragement. Do you visit there so often you have your own room? The trick is to stay there no longer. If we wake up in the depressing, filthy, crusted sheets of despair, the choice is ever present to get up and move to a sunnier place.
Here’s a good quote to help us do so. I found it at David Lebovitz’ website. He was speaking about writing cookbooks. Yet his advice pertains to all writers, artists and any other valiant individuals. David advises us all to shun the dark moods of despair, reminding us:
“…don’t be discouraged. Julia Child was rejected by almost everyone because Mastering the Art of French Cooking wasn’t considered salable. Later in life, another of her books that was turned down became a huge success.”
Hmmm. Good things really do come to those who patiently work hard…and who choose to move out of room 232 in that shady establishment, Hotel Discouragement.
Filed under Quotes
I love this line shared by author Terry Montague. She posted it at a writers’ forum back in 2005: “Your story is built on the strength of your antagonist.”
How profound that is. How many stories have been spoiled by an unbelievable wimp of an antagonist, barely able to further the intrigue of the plot?
In other words, your ‘hero’ should have to work to win. If you want to spice up your current novel, see if you can’t intensify the ‘badness’ of your antagonist. It makes the story more nail-biting as your protagonist fights against a nearly unbeatable enemy.
Filed under Quotes
Just read this news account this morning. It reminded me to be grateful for everything I have at the moment…and especially for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Filed under Thoughts
As a creativity coach, I am continually looking for useful tools to help others who desire to dig deep, find their personal voice, and explore new heights in creativity. I just stumbled across this software today online and am curious whether this is a worthwhile look or not? Now I’m on the look for anyone who’s used it! :0)
Filed under Quotes
The next time someone accuses you of being lazy because you’re sitting in the sun reading (or on your porch or any other relaxing location), show them this terrific list. Erin Klingler wrote it, author of the new suspense novel Between the Lines. Loved the list. No more guilt for me for reading! :0)
And while you’re at it, you might start with her book, Between the Lines, as your first no-guilt read. It’s really a fun one!
Filed under Thoughts
I cried today. But not for the reasons you might expect. I did so upon finishing Laurie Lewis’ newest book, Awakening Avery.
I didn’t cry because of the plot points, the characters’ angst, or any part of the story itself. I cried because after reading the book, I realized I have thrown away so much of my life.
Let me explain. I lived just barely north of the main setting of the book (Sarasota, Florida) for 12 years. Do you know I only went to the beach three times during that decade-long-plus era of my life? And it was in this realization that the impact of this book has made itself known in my life.
The main protagonist in the story, Avery Thompson, will forever live on in my life as the inspiration for complete change. I now choose to stop living my life in fear. I choose to stop avoiding life’s experiences. I choose to visit “the beaches” in my life by simply enmeshing myself in the sand they offer and enjoying the experience.
All too often I think we as mortals keep ourselves tightly encased in glass cases, afraid to experience pain. This was what Avery was doing in the story during the first year after her husband’s death. As I watched her evolution, I realized that in many ways throughout my whole life, I’ve mirrored her fear.
No longer. And I count myself fortunate to have read this story. A few typos, sure. A few tweaks, sure. But what book doesn’t have that? This is a book I will remember having read years from now, and I pray that my choice today to “go to the beach” and stop fearing the sands of life will reap beautiful memories of a life well lived when my life is done. Thank you, Laurie, for Awakening Avery. Thank you, Laurie, for awakening me.
Here’s how you, the reader, can get your own copy! I think it will change you in ways you’ll forever celebrate.
You can learn more about Awakening Avery and Laurie Lewis on her website: www.laurielclewis.com and her blog: A View From the Other Side of the Hill.
Filed under Interviews, Professional
Here’s just a quick post to end the night with. Today I stumbled across a fun-to-read article on how to approach writing a book review. It’s a quick read with some great points. Thought you’d enjoy it.
And have a great night!
Filed under Professional, Reviews
Summer’s here and what better way to kick it off than with a blog tour for
Awakening Avery by Laurie Lewis as Awakening Avery
is the perfect poolside read.
Avery can’t cope with the death of her husband and is finally convinced by
her son to return to the family’s Anna Maria Island vacation spot. With the
help from some new-found friends, Avery swaps her house with a widower
named Gabriel. As Avery and Gabriel step into each others lives, they begin
a correspondence that leads to spiritual and emotional awakening for each
of them.
We’re giving away 3 fabulous prizes.
Two readers will win their own copy of Awakening Avery! Yeah. There will be one lucky grand prize winner who will win the beautiful necklace above. The contest opens June 2 and will close June 13 at midnight MST.
June 1 Sheila Stayley
Why Not? Because I
Said So!LDS Women’s Book Review
June 2 Alison Palmer
Tangled Words and Dreams
June 3 Kimberly Jobs
Scribbled Scraps
June 4 Nichole Giles
Random-ish by Nichole
June 7 Deanne Blackhurst
The Book of Deanne
June 8 Tristi Pinkston
*Tristi Pinkston, LDS
Author
June 9 C.S. Bezas
For the Love of the Written Word
June 10 Joan Sowards
Joan Sowards
June 11 Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
The Write Blocks
Entering the contest is easy–all you have to do is blog, tweet, follow, or
comment and then fill out this little form HERE.
1. Follow our reviewers blogs.
(1 entry for each blog you follow.)
2. Leave a comment on a
review. (1 entry for each review you comment on.)
2. Blog about Awakening Avery, the contest, or a review. (3 entries
for each blog post.)
3. Follow us on twitter. (1 entry
for each person you follow.)
http://twitter.com/csbezas
http://twitter.com/walnutspringspr
http://twitter.com/nicholegiles
http://twitter.com/LDSWBR
http://twitter.com/ssdawn2002
http://twitter.com/kimberlyjob
http://twitter.com/joansowards
4. Tweet about the contest. (2
entries for each tweet.)
5. Post about the contest on your
Facebook. (2 entries for each facebook post or status update
about the contest.)
6. Become a fan of Walnut Springs Press on Facebook. (1 entry for becoming a fan.)
7. Anything else you can think of that
will spread the word. (3 entries for every social media site you post
on.) If you mention it on goodreads, shelfari,google buzz, make it your
status on gmail chat, https://csbezas.wordpress.com/wp-admin/media-upload.php?post_id=289&type=image&TB_iframe=1MSN or yahoo messenger let us know. We’ll reward your
creativity with entries.
Here is the beautiful necklace being awarded as the grand prize!
Filed under Interviews, Professional
