Horny Hump Day August 29th

Ahh, I missed another Horny Hump Day last week. Spent the day splashing in the black creek waters of our tropical paradise. But, welcome back to this week's Horny Hump Day.

I continue right where I had left off the last time, Nyasha was with Shelly and trying to get her mind off of Fiona, and it seems Shelly knew exactly what to do to help, here goes:

"Soon fingers rubbed at her love spot as she moved her body smoothly against it. Her head moved from side to side as the fingers pried inside of her; moving back and forth in unison with her hips. A symphony played somewhere to which her body moved; crashing in tune with the banging of the cymbals."

Hope you enjoyed my three sentences this week and be sure to check out the other Horny Hump Day Participants for more hot and steamy teases.

Ciao

Stop! Don't delete that scene!

Some of us writers tend to change a lot of our story when we are editing; pressing the delete button or cutting out what we don't want and saving it in another document for later use. This week's guest in the TTC VBT is Doug Simpson and he tells us how scenes that could no longer fit into his first book turned his plot in to a series.

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Tides of Change in the Mind of the Author

After over a year of publishing articles in a number of countries, which has now grown to seven countries, I decided to see if I had the talent and tenacity to write a novel. I had previously written or attempted to write novels a number of times over about forty years but could never come up with a respectable manuscript. I always seemed to find a major flaw that I did not like, and really could not adequately change, so the scrap paper pile just got deeper, again.

So, why did I think I was any smarter this time around? Good question. All I can say is that experience in bad writing is still valuable experience, even if it is not profitable. Besides, I was now retired and my time was mine, after my wife and grandchildren claimed their cut. I also had some new found ideas which had accumulated in my thick head, as a result of my hundreds of hours of researching a select group of the over 15,000 readings given by the legendary American mystic, Edgar Cayce.

My major area of research was survival of the soul and spirit after the death of the body, and the reincarnation of souls. Sounded like a pretty interesting topic to me. Next, I needed a hero. In about one second flat the name Dacque popped into my head. What’s a Dacque, I wondered? Never heard of him or it! Then, after a little careful consideration, I realized that it was a fantastic name for a kind-hearted Good Samaritan because it was unique. If someone asks you, “Did you read the new book about Tom?” the first thing you ask is, “Tom who?” But, if somebody says, “Did you read the new book about Batman or Superman?” you know exactly who they are talking about right away. Unique! Dacque is not the same kind of superhero as those two, but he is a very special. He is the kind of hero in his own right. Go ahead, I dare you. Go to your favorite search engine and search for Dacque. I just did, and my boy appears twice in the first ten entries. I’ll gladly take that kind of coverage any day.

My original intention was to have Dacque, an avid walker, encounter a handful of individuals in distress on his morning walks and to write a few chapters on how my ‘Good Samaritan’ assisted these individuals to get over their problems or difficulties. I thought an appropriate title might be Soul Attraction, where Dacque is led to these individuals in distress and you get to read about how he helps them get over their various difficulties. That didn’t last long. Dani Christian, the first damsel requiring rescuing proved to be so interesting that she demanded the entire novel, and the name on the cover became Soul Awakening, reflecting the fact that Dacque assisted Dani and some of her new friends to discover their past associations in their previous lifetimes.

If Dani Christian kidnapped Book I, Soul Awakening, what happened to the other poor souls that were supposed to be rescued after Dacque had performed his miracles on her life? Not a big problem. It simply gave me an excuse to turn the adventures of a Good Samaritan with the unusual name of Dacque, into a series titled The Dacque Chronicles. Book II, titled Soul Rescue, should be published later this year and Book III, titled Soul Mind is slated for a late 2012 or 2013 release. Book IV has been started but Dacque had been so busy promoting his earlier escapades that he has not found time to advise me how it turns, yet. Darn. Put your hero is in the limelight and he thinks he’s a star!

© Doug Simpson 2012

Doug Simpson is a retired high school teacher who has turned his talents to writing. His first novel, a spiritual mystery titled Soul Awakening, was published in the United States in October of 2011, by Book Locker. Check it out at http://booklocker.com/books/5754.html. It is available in print and eBook format through most book stores around the world. His magazine and website articles have been published in 2010 to 2012 in Australia, Canada, France, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. His articles can be accessed through his website at http://dousimp.mnsi.net.

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Thanks to our guest Doug Simpson for sharing how his series was born. After reading about Dacque I am quite intrigued to read the book, are you?

 

  

An erotica romance author bares it all for your eyes only

Welcome back to Anjie's corner and the TTC Virtual Blog tour. This week we got the opportunity to sit down with a fellow author and ask them a few questions. When I found out that I would be getting to interview the sultry Laci Page, I was doing the happy dance. As an aspiring erotica romance author I couldn't wait to get the fat and skinny out of this author. So we sat down with a cup of joe and a pen and paper and as she dished, I wrote. So here goes, all you wanted to know about Laci Page and her writing.

Welcome Laci

1.    Can you tell us a little about yourself? Something that isn’t in your bio below.

My first love is the young adult paranormal romance genre. I’d never read anything erotic until a few years ago, and once I did I realized it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I found I actually enjoyed it.

2.    When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Three short years ago. I put the words to a page as a personal challenge and I found out that it was something I enjoyed.

3.    What is your life like when you are not writing?

I’m a wife and stay at home mother of two teens who keep me busy running “mom’s taxi”.

4.    Are you published? Did you go self publish or tradition and why?

Yes, I am published. My debut erotic novella, “Let’s Keep On Truckin’” released a few short months ago. I chose to go with a small press publisher, Decadent Publishing. Self publishing the way I would want to (hiring cover artist and editors) would cost more than I could afford so I opted against it.

5.    What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

How my mind works amazes me. Once I got going, the ideas and characters just came to life, and I never knew I had that in me. That was my biggest surprise in all of this.

6.    Who are some of your favorite Authors?

I don’t have favorites. I just enjoy the romance genre in general.

7.    Laci Page is known for erotic romance, how did you choose that genre?

I read an erotic novella that I won in a contest, and loved it. After a couple of days of thinking about it, I said, “I think I could write stories like that.” And I did.

8.    Do you think you could write other genres? And which ones?

Sure, I think I could. Some not as well as others. Contemporary and Paranormal would be the two that stick out in my mind, but I wouldn’t hold to just those. If my brain gets an idea I am going with it.

9.    Laci Page is a nom de plume, why did you choose to write behind a pen name?

I’ve also had a young adult story published under my real name, and would not want my younger teenage fans to find the erotic stories and read them.

10. What does it take to make an erotic romance sizzle?

For me: It starts with an enticing cover, a catchy blurb, good editing (errors remove you from the scene), and a story that grabs you from the start. The characters should have an undeniable chemistry in and out of the bedroom. 

11. Did you write query letters for your book? Is there any advice you could share on query letters for aspiring authors?

No. I didn’t write query letters. I actually contacted a publisher and sent an email for an open submission. I explained I was new to the writing world and wanted someone to take a look at my work to see if I was any good. After a couple of rejections/suggestions they accepted one of my stories.

12. If you could pick a celebrity to play one character in the movie version of your book, who would it be?

Unknowns. None of my characters remind me of anyone on the big screen right now.

13. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Any criticism is hard to swallow. Whether it’s good or bad. When the editors send my first round of edits, it’s always hard to swallow, but I keep telling myself I will improve over time. When I hear the good, “Wow, that was good. I didn’t know you could write like that.” I smile, but I’ve never been one to take compliments well. That’s just who I am. The best compliment is when someone says they couldn’t put my story down.

14. You work with a publisher, what is one of the toughest things to face when working with a publisher and one of the best parts of working with a publisher?

Everything is great working with my publisher. They take care of “behind the scenes” while I work with my editors to polish my stories. My publisher assigned a cover artist and I work with them to get a great cover based on my suggestions, meanwhile they assign me three editors (content, line and senior) who one by one go through my manuscript. They also format my book to put it on dozens of purchase sites, and issue review copies to reviewers. Decadent Publishing is a neat group of people who are always there for each other. The support there is unbelievable. The draw backs to a publisher is people need to get paid for their hard work, so I don’t get as much of a percentage off sales as I would if I self published.  

15. There are different views to the topic that readers judge books on their covers. As an erotic writer what are your views on how a cover influences someone to buy or not buy a book.

Just from hanging around on facebook the old saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” is so far from the truth when it comes to my genre. People LOVE cover art in the erotic/erotica world. The sexier the better. It seems to pull people toward certain books.

16. I am an erotica/romance aspiring author, presently editing my first novel, a lesfic romance, but mostly through my editing I keep telling myself that my writing is too boring, that no one would actually want to read it. What is one piece of advice that you would give me or any other aspiring author in my position with regard to my self-doubt and fears?

It’s very normal to feel that way. Even experienced long time authors have some self doubt sometimes. If this is something you really want to do, stick to your guns and pursue it. I would say to find a critique group or a few beta readers. Let them be the judge, and don’t use friends who might be afraid to hurt your feelings to get honest feedback. It’s scary to let people read your work, but isn’t that the goal in the end?

Thank you so much for hosting me today. You drafted up a great line of questions, and I enjoyed answering them! Good luck on your future ventures and with your writing!

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Blurb from “Let’s Keep On Truckin’” (By Laci Paige and Decadent Publishing, heat level 4).

Lily loves traveling on her job since no one can do it better than her. Being out on the open road gives her plenty of time to reflect and avoid unwanted attention, but somehow it always finds her....

When she comes across Ryder, first at a grocery store, then at a rest stop, sexual desire sparks and she knew she had to have him. If only her ex hadn't shown up, igniting a fantasy she never thought possible.

Seeing Alex in a whole new light, Lily realizes second chances are in order, but will she have to choose between the two men? Or could she be happy with both?

Excerpt:

In the candy aisle, I felt someone looking at me. Turning my head, I gazed past a man standing near me. A very nice looking man, but I ignored him, or at least I tried to. His green eyes locked on mine. Warmth and tingles spread throughout my body causing my knees to go weak. The man’s face held sharp features, and his sultry lips rewarded me with a demure smile. I would’ve loved to feel them on mine. He stepped closer to me. My heart rate spiked. Nodding to the shelf in front of us, he focused in on something and reached for it. He stopped mid-reach, and our gazes met again. His arm lowered. I knew I couldn’t look away, and I had a feeling he couldn’t either. I bit my bottom lip, and I saw him take notice. He leaned in close to me, mouth parted to speak.

“Excuse me,” a voice requested. We stepped away from each other so the woman behind us could retrieve candy from the shelf. She sure took her time. Separated by the woman, I kept glancing over at the man. He, too, continued to gaze my way. There was something about him; he made something stir inside me.

Available for purchase from: http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Keep-on-Truckin-ebook/dp/B00816ZX9S/ & http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=540&osCsid=1okloom7mnbvupdk81i3741s21

Author Bio:

When Laci’s not reading or writing she can be found spending time with her husband supporting their children. Laci enjoys camping, hiking, & photography. And she loves to chat with fans on Twitter and Facebook. Laci and her family currently reside in Hampton Roads, VA.  You can contact Laci Page at any of the following links:

http://lacipaige.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/laci_paige

https://www.facebook.com/lacipaige

https://www.facebook.com/authorlacipaige

http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=540&osCsid=28h21vnldsgfgbo3feevilqdj3

We are All Mental - Ellie Mack

This week’s guest, the eloquent Ellie Mack, discusses a topic I think we all can relate to. Her post resonated with me as I am in the process of building my house. I remember when I went to the bank and filled out that withdrawal slip almost emptying all I have saved over the past few years, I walked out in almost cold sweat. I went home and instructed the workers to cut the trees and set the foundation. I watched them work and my heart seemed to beat in my throat. Walls began closing in around me and I felt as though I would pass out. All it was in my life was a progressive change. I heard a youth on the road last evening repeated saying, “scared money don’t make money, fearless money makes money.” It made a lot of sense to me, my money was sitting in the bank and my fiancé and I are living apart even after having a child, it was time to as my guest puts it below, become a “box smasher.” Ellie Mack’s posting below not only resonates with me but it feels like a pep talk for all those of you scared of change and the unknown.

o.O.o.o.o.o.O.o.o.o o.O.o.o.o.o.O. o.o.o o.O.o.o.o.o.O. o.o.o o.O.o.o.o.o.O. o.o.o o.O.o.o.o.o.O

We're All Mental

By Ellie Mack

Let's face it we are our own worst enemy! I know there are many of us with this affliction. We try to hide it, keep it under lock and key but the strange thing is others can often recognize it before we can see it in ourselves. It robs us of simple pleasures, prevents us from participating in life and hinders us from stepping outside of our box.

We play these mental games with ourselves, and then either pander ourselves out of doing things or admonishing ourselves for our failings. Sickos - all of us! Shame, shame, shame!

What is it? Anxiety Disorders. OK, you may not be fully diagnosed with it but we all have various stages of this budding affliction.

I am notoriously one who is daring, willing to try things. Bungee jumping, parasailing, snorkeling, spelunking - ok won't be doing that one again anytime soon, and even rappelling are not things for the faint of heart. Instead of giving into peer pressure, I was the kid your parents warned you about. Yes, I did daring stupid things. Yes, I jumped off a roof. Yes, I took a dare more often than I gave them. But as I've gotten older and become responsible for the lives of others (parenting changes you - it really does), I've detected a line of thinking that is akin to an anxiety disorder.

My 17 year old daughter is getting ready to begin her senior year in high school - yeah! Go Sarah! However today she is nearly in a panic, because of the unknown.

She stated it like this: "When you're going to do something that you're nervous about it, it's best to just do it and not think about it. Sort of like getting on a roller coaster, you don't think about the physics of the design of the roller coaster, or the g-force, or how dangerous it is. You just look at it and think - ooh, fun!"

Yeah, if we all could remember that! However, when we face a new challenge our brains go into high gear and we over analyze the situation, adding the terrifying what ifs. Choosing a new hairstyle, starting a new phase like starting college, starting a new job, making a career change, going to a different gym, taking a different route to work, they can all be intimidating. Personally, I don't think it's a matter of anxiety disorder but fear. It's scary to step out sometimes but as you talk yourself out of it, you convince yourself it's scary and not worth trying, therefore next time it's easier to stay in your box. Before you know it, the box has shrunk and your stuff has an inch of dust on it.

Yep, you know it, I'm a box smasher! I come in like a tornado and rearrange the furniture, move your stuff, shift things "6 inches to the right"; sometimes tearing out an entire wall to expand a wing. For those who think I never get scared - get real! I just do it afraid.

Fake it till you make it, or never let them see you sweat. Either one works. I know a person however, that over the years has let themselves be overwhelmed by the smallest of things, allowing their box to close in so that it's such a cramped little affair there's barely room to turn around. It's sad, really.

Now there are individuals who really do have anxiety disorders. I have some of the symptoms that I will list below, but I don't let it dominate my mind. I am not dead yet, and I've got a lot more life to live. In fact, I intend to live mine out loud! If you're not so bold and brazen maybe you could start with baby steps. Wear a different color; it can be a huge shock to the system. Smile at someone you don't know - I know, shocking. Try a new food - I don't know, that could be risky. Read this blog - omg - we may be moving a little too fast. One step at a time!

My point is that as we get older we are more prone to settle into routines. Routines then become ruts and before long the rut is a grave with the ends knocked out. We allow worries and fears to dominate our thinking and before long we accept failure because we are afraid to try. I don't want to be that person. It's humorous to watch Mr. Monk, but in reality it would be a sad existence. I know from personal acquaintance, the above mentioned person's box is beginning to resemble a coffin.

So here's what WEbMD has to say about it:

What Are the Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder?

Symptoms vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder, but general symptoms include:

• Feelings of panic, fear, and uneasiness
• Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts
• Repeated thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic experiences
• Nightmares
• Ritualistic behaviors, such as repeated hand washing
• Problems sleeping
• Cold or sweaty hands and/or feet
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• An inability to be still and calm
• Dry mouth
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Nausea
• Muscle tension
• Dizziness

I'm sure we can all recognize some of those symptoms but it doesn’t mean we need to run out and get a prescription for Xanax. I rebel against the pharmaceutical companies need to overmedicate the world population when all we need to do is put on our big girl/ big boy pants and live life - to the fullest measure experiencing everything it can throw our way! Just dodge the tomatoes.

Yeah, and some call me an adrenaline junkie as well! It doesn't matter though, I'm having a blast.

Write on my friends, write on!

About the blogger.

Ellie Mack lives in a small town near St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a BS in geography/cartography. She has worked for Department of Defense, county government, as a substitute teacher, and various other jobs.  Her hobbies include reading, bicycling, playing Tombraider, and Dance games such as Dance Dance Revolution, and Zumba. Between being a mother to two teenage girls, a wife, homemaker, and a mortgage loan officer, Ellie writes paranormal romances.
Ellie’s first erotica piece is appearing on http://storytimetrysts.blogspot.com/

Ellie’s blog can be found at:  http://quotidiandose.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/passion-2/

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Do you ever feel like you are having an anxiety attack? What are the sort of things that bring on these attacks for you? Do face fear head on like Ellie? Share your thoughts below, we are curious to know what you think on the topic.

Horny Hump Day August 15

Welcome Back to Horny Hump Day at Anjie's writing corner. Thanks to Grinelda Markowitz for reminding me of this weekly blog hop.

As you are aware I am still editing my first novel: An Unexpected Desire. Last evening I couldnt sleep because the beginning of a new chapter that I am inserting kept forming itself in my head. So I reached for my blackberry and I tapped away at the keypad and produced four hundred and forty four words and here is a few of them, hope you enjoy.

"Nyasha threw the sheet off of her naked body and sat up throwing her legs off of the bed. Fingers traced her spine as she closed her eyes. Warm hands slid over her shoulders and cupped her breasts; a finger teasing her nipple, getting it hard. Soft lips pressed against her neck as hot breath permeated her skin. "Come back to bed," the sultry voice whispered in her ear. She closed her eyes and allowed the hands to lower her back onto the soft ruffled sheets, as the supple lips were pressed against hers."


Well I hope you like it, there is a lot of drama following this scene and I am working on it at present, I believe I am midway of my edits and really hope to finish them at month end then I will be looking for some beta readers.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the other participants on this week's Horny Hump Day Blog Hop and leave comments.

Excerpt from a promising new Romance Novel by Linda Bolton

This week on the blog tour we are sharing excerpts from our books; whether we are published, finished writing, still writing, or editing. My guest this week is romance author Linda Bolton and she shares an excerpt from her first book Perfect. Leave a comment for Linda and let her know how you liked her excerpt, make suggestions, or just leave one word that you would use to describe Linda's excerpt.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks to my guest Linda for her excerpt and blurb.

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My first book, Perfect, is still searching for a publisher. I hope you like the excerpt.

Perfect

Alexandra Daniels is a forty-something, hard-working mom, wife and employee. Her life has been plodding along at a snails pace and she’s longing for excitement. She wins a trip to her favorite talk show in New York, the Veronica Becker Show, and it just so happens the actor of her dreams is a guest, Derek Dunbar! Is Alex’s life about to change?

Derek Dunbar is Scottish, an actor and a hunk! Every woman in America drools after him. He has his pick of women but stinks at relationships. At forty, is he longing for a more meaningful relationship? Does he even know how to have one? Is he willing to make the effort or will it just be too complicated?

Chapter 1

Alex sat in her chair, her eyes wide, staring at the screen.  She loved the Veronica Becker Show and was a faithful viewer.  During her lunch hour at work she would rush to the break room to turn it on.  Veronica had viewer contests every week.  Alex had never won anything but that didn’t prevent her from signing up each week in hopes, knowing full well the likelihood of winning was minimal at best.

“Today one lucky viewer will win a trip for two to visit New York and my show.  An all expense paid weekend!” announced Veronica Becker, touted as the ‘Every Woman’s Woman’ by national magazines. 

Veronica Becker had become a household name, a chef for the everyday woman; quick, inexpensive meals that were tasty too.  Veronica had taken her love of cooking to television and added a bit of fashion, some down to earth chat with the audience and  interviews with the latest stars.  She was  health conscious and wanted the women in her audience to look their best at any age. She also loved to give things away. Coming from a modest family she believed in giving back. Generous to a fault, if there was an earthquake somewhere, a typhoon, or tornado, Veronica was there to help out.  

“Our winner is Alexandra Daniels of Plano, Texas! Congratulations! We’ll be giving Alexandra a call today!”

Her co-workers were staring at her. Had she really won?

“Alex! That’s you! You won!”, they all shouted.

“Oh...my...God! I can’t believe it! I won!”

Alex had the hardest time concentrating the rest of the afternoon.  As a customer service rep for a marketing company, she was usually swamped with work but couldn’t concentrate. Two o’clock rolled around and Alex’s cell rang, a number she didn’t recognize.

“Hello?”

“Is this Alexandra Daniels?”
“Yes it is”
“Alexandra, this is the Veronica Becker show. I am pleased to tell you that you are the winner of a  trip for two to New York City and tickets for the show.”

“I can’t believe it! Are you sure?”  Alex was still in shock.  She wanted to make sure there was no mistake.  Josh would never believe her.


"Yes, you’ve won! We will send your tickets out next week. Your trip is for April 15-17.  Can you make it those dates?”

“Oh yes!  I’ll make it work! Thank you so much!”

“We’ll get back to you Monday to finalize the details.  Have a great weekend!”

“Oh, I will now!” Alex was amazed! It was true, she actually won! She was already mentally packing when reality hit.  Josh would never take off work to go.  Maybe Mattie could go with her....no, she had school.  She could ask Kathleen, her best friend and co-worker, but they couldn’t take off at the same time.  Kathleen was her back up so one of them had to be there. No, she’d have to go alone. Well, it was about time she did something adventurous.  This was probably the most exciting thing that had happened to Alex in a very long time.

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Linda Bolton is an aspiring contemporary romance writer.  She is looking for a publisher for her first book, Perfect.  While working on a future projects Linda can be found:

On Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/linda.bowersbolton

and http://www.facebook.com/lindaboltonauthor

On Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/#!/lindalou42 

Her romance blog at http://www.lindabolton.blogspot.com

To plot or panster? Whether it is nobler in the mind to self-edit or not? -Allison Bruning

All writers have their own writing process; whether we make big charts and long sheets before we start write, or whether upon the birth of an idea we just sit and tap away at the keys letting the story carry us wherever it wants; we all write in our own way with our own process. Some of us call ourselves plotters; some of us, the ones who write by the seat of their pants, call ourselves pansters, and some of are a hybrid of the two types.
Today our guest Allison Bruning tells us which one she is and gives us a peek into her writing process.

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To plot or panster? Whether it is nobler in the mind to self-edit or not? Those are the questions running in my mind?

               Alright so I took some liberties with William Shakespeare. This week on the Tasha Turner Virtual Blog Tour we were asked to write about our writing process. With so many characters in my head fighting for my attention it can be hard at times to organize my own writing process. I have to admit. I am a pantser. If there were a group called Panster Anonymous I would be their leader. Can you see it now, “Hello, my name is Allison Bruning. I drive writing professors nuts. I am a writer who flies by the seat of her pants then sits down to organize her characters, plots and what ever else needs structure. I am a pantser.” Yeah that’s me. I’m well known to write three copies of the same novel then merge them together into one storyline. I’m also known to start a story, research while writing it then incorporate the research into the storyline. I’ll edit chapter by chapter as I go, inserting information here and there. With Calico, I really didn’t have the interesting details about Hunting Bear until around my third draft. He just wasn’t speaking to me about his motivations until the story was almost completed. I knew he wanted to hurt Calico and I knew it was somehow connected to Alexander but that didn’t come to my story until much later. I had to discover the character of the Demon Bride before Hunting Bear told me why he wanted to hurt Calico. Once the Demon Bride storyline was open up to me, I went back into my story and added the missing chapters and details that were not only vital but missing from my storyline.

After I have finished writing my first draft it’s time for me to edit. I will be the first to tell you I suck at editing my own work. Actually, I’m not the only author that can say this too. You will find most authors have a hard time doing this. We are just too close to our work. So what is the answer to this dilemma? I used to use my husband. I would write the storyline then read it out to him. But now that he is going school for two BA’s that is hard for him to do. He works fulltime and goes to school fulltime.

              Enter the beta readers! What is a beta reader? I was asking that question a few months ago when my publisher introduced me to the concept. A beta reader is someone who reads the first draft of an author’s work looking to see if the story flows and if there are mistakes with characterization, grammar, etc. These people are a godsend, let me tell you! They can find the mistakes and offer suggestions that I would have never been able to see for myself. After I receive the suggestions back from the beta reader, I incorporate them into my story. I go chapter by chapter afterwards making certain everything runs smoothly, listening to my characters to tell if the story is complete or not. I can’t explain it but you will just know when it is ready to be submitted. Then I send my masterpiece to my social media coach, another godsend for any author to have in her backpocket, and together we tighten everything up for submission to a publishing house.

Most people think writers just sit and write all day. As you can see, writing is work. As I say over and over again, it takes a team of creative and dedicated people to publish a book. Thank heavens there are beta readers and social media coaches out there to help the ever wandering voices in my head. 

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• About the Author

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  The Executive Director of the Kentucky Young Writers Connection, a non-profit agency of writers who promote young authors throughout the state of Kentucky. Allison originally hails from Marion, Ohio. Her father, Roland Irving Bruning, was the son of German immigrants who came to the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Her mother's family had been in the United States since the 17th century. Allison is a member of the Peter Foree Chapter of the  Daughters of American Revolution. Her linage traces to Private Reuben Messenger of Connecticut. Her educational background includes a BA in Theater Arts with a minor in Anthropology and a Texas Elementary Teaching certificate. Both acquired at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. Allison received National Honor Society memberships in both Theater Arts and Communication. Allison was also honored her sophomore year with admission into the All American Scholars register. She holds graduate hours in Cultural Anthropology and Education. In 2007 she was named Who's Who Among America's Educators. She is also the recipient of the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards.

  
   

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  Allison lives with her husband in Kentucky.  Calico is book one from the series, Children of the Shawnee. It is available at http://amzn.to/JSNRpm. She is currently working on the sequel, Rose.  She is also working on another series, The Secret Heritage, which traces the life of her great great grandmother at the turn of the 20th century in Ohio. Allison's interest includes Ohio Valley history, anthropology, travel, culture, history, camping, hiking, backpacking, spending time with her family and genealogy. Her genres include historical fiction, paranormal, romance, and suspense.

  
  You can reach her at:

  Facebook: http://on.fb.me/xxJ249

  Facebook Fan Page http://on.fb.me/plvkxJ

  Twitter: @emeraldkell

  
  Blog: http://bit.ly/whteQI

  
  Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5164664.Allison_Bruning