First Draft to Published

About Pairs Pairs, written by D. W. Richards is the story of Kayley and Adam, a single mom who makes her living writing greeting cards and a young carpenter; and Alexandra and Henry, a former stripper with dual identities and a math teacher with some unusual gender issues. The couples are connected through Henry and Adam, who are cousins, and through Kayley’s friend Helen, who is also Henry’s step-sister. As each couple builds a connection, the joint friendship turns into family. Kayley’s daughter, Terra, becomes a central focus of both relationships; she is loved and nurtured by the village that the couples create. With the tightening of the bond between the couples, the mission for the pairs—which begins and ends with Kayley—turns to parenthood for Henry and Alexandra. The story weaves the elements of past sexual abuse, sexual dysfunction, problem pregnancies, and absolute devotion to family into a plot that draws the reader into the lives of these very unconventional characters Who ...

What do all successful and happy people have in common? They believe in themselves and their ability to accomplish whatever they want. Not everyone shares this belief about themselves and the world they live in. Several people actually believe the exact opposite about themselves, even though they experience success and happiness, they are unable to fully enjoy it, because they don’t believe they deserve it or that it won’t last or that they got lucky. Your beliefs can prevent you from doing the things that you want and enjoying the things you want, yet even though they are this powerful, they are completely under your control. Yes, you are in full control of what you believe about yourself and the world you live in! The problem is you don’t fully understand this or how your beliefs were developed, so you don’t challenge or replace them and live as if they were true. In order to be happy and successful in everything you do, you have to first believe it’s possible and to do that you need...

For those just beginning their writing career, or contemplating embarking on one, please accept a few humble words of advice. First, if you want to be a writer, write. Hemingway said it best when someone asked him how they could be a writer: “Go somewhere and write.” So, go somewhere and write. Write every day. Set yourself a goal, say 1000 words, and write those 1000 words, every day. The object is to write enough, often enough, that the mechanics of building sentences and paragraphs become second nature. You write your 1000 words a day for the same reason a musician plays scales, or an artist sketches, practice. Second, write what you know. This has almost become cliché, but it is often misinterpreted. This does not mean that if you're a high school student in Peoria, you can't write about commercial fishermen in Denmark, though that might be difficult. What it means is if you're a big fan of western fiction and have read every Louis Lamour and Zane Grey novel ever writte...

My newly released book entitled The Simpering, North Dakota Literary Society , based on the stories of six female geniuses bumbling their way through the grim era of 1919. They’re trying to make sense of the practical in their time. More importantly, they’re trying to grab their share of the happiness they deserve using only the tools they’ve got. So what? How can you and I, as serious readers, buy a book like that when the characters are often cheerful, their stories improbably optimistic, and even their names are so stilted that to hear them in the physical world would be astronomically rare? Where does one get off approaching such a tough era through humor and gentle irony when there’s so much terrifying stuff going on? If I’m going to write faithfully to the condition of the world, shouldn’t l start dark and descend from there? Shouldn’t I use a degree of shock more appropriate to the gravity of the day? Wouldn’t anything else be patently dishonest? It’s a problem, because I don’t...

You’ve been working on your novel for months, maybe even years, and lately you feel more discouraged than ever. Perhaps it’s the disappointment of not having finished the book yet. Maybe you don’t know where to go next with your story. Or it’s possible that you’re just physically and emotional drained from all the time and effort you’ve poured into this dream. I’ve been there! Occasionally falling into a writing slump isn’t reason for alarm. What’s important is that you don’t stay there too long. Here are five tips for re-energizing yourself when you feel like giving up. ■ Read Inspirational Stories About Writing and Writers Take a writing break and read about successful writers who weathered the storm. Here are two excellent books to get you started: Knit Together: Discovery God’s Pattern for Your Life by Debbie Macomber. This book was such an inspiration to me. Macomber, a best selling writer with more than 100 million books in print, openly shares her story of writing rej...

On Wednesday, we asked our guest author Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, author of “Secrets” to provide a favorite writers quote and explain what it means to her. "All grownups were children first (But few of them remember it)" “Grownups never understand anything by themselves, and it is exhausting for children to provide explanations over and over again.” From “The Little Prince” I love these quotes as they speak the truth! Children are aware of so many things that we block out and/or forget about as we grow up. Our children try to inform us about these things but oftentimes we just don’t ‘get it’. For example, kids know how to relax and have fun. Do we? Not often enough. Kids know things on other, deeper levels also, that we often block out in our busy lives. They even recognize the spiritual aspects of life. For example, In Secrets: You Tell Me Yours and I'll Tell You Mine...maybe, the girl knows that she needs more of a spiritual life than the family provide...

Today, we have a double of the Friday Five – Five Fun or Laughable Things That Happened during the writing of a novel. Our top post is from Sherry Shumard writing her novel Heartbroken Promises2 and our second post of the day is from Brandie Knight writing her novel Hollywood Under the Covers. I can guarantee you’ll find something to laugh about in each one. Grab your coffee because you won’t want to stop reading and help support an author by buying a copy of their book. Enjoy! About the Book: In Heartbroken Promises 2 the main character Vicky Wainright decides to go to Jake’s Island to be close to her sister Miranda. Miranda recently got married to a very handsome and rich man and Vicky decides to stay there for awhile. She meets two new love interests. One is Jake’s brother Jordan and the other one is Noah- her sister’s butler. She is kidnapped while babysitting for Jordan’s son Derrick. She isn’t for sure who kidnapped her or why. Then things get complicated when she has unexpect...

Writing Daze brings you a little fun on Friday with our Friday Five. We asked Hollywood Author Brandie Knight to come up with five fun things that happened during the writing of her novel, “Hollywood Under the Covers.” Grab your coffee cause you’re going to want to read all of these five. Enjoy! Book Synopsis A powerful talent agent, the Mistress of Romance, an international superstar, a sexy movie star, and Hollywood’s biggest and best-kept secret breeds a scandalous world of betrayal. Hollywood Under the Covers is a rare look inside the seductive entertainment industry. To the outside world, Hollywood is portrayed with glamour, riches and fame—but to insiders, it’s a cold, dark, scandalous place, where survival is not about basic instinct but the people you’re sleeping with. The book exposes the erotic side of four Hollywood moneymakers, openly revealing how nothing is safe in the hands of greed. Purchase Hollywood Under the Covers now at Amazon . 1. While I was writing my manuscr...

A writer is all about words and guest author Katie Salidas, author of Immortalis Carpe Noctem is visiting today on her virtaul book tour with Pump Up Your Book. She is sharing with us a favorite writers quote and if it ties into the inspiration for her book? "Write What You Know" Katie: I think everyone has heard the quote “write what you know.” It’s probably one of the first things we as writers are taught. It makes sense too. You should be knowledgeable in the things that you are writing but that doesn’t mean you cannot write what you are not completely familiar with. I write about vampires. I’ve never been one so I cannot write them from experience. What I can do, though, is take things and experiences I do know and translate them to the characters I create. For instance, when writing Immortalis, I needed to describe bloodlust. What is bloodlust? Again, not being a vampire I have no real basis of comparison, but I do know a few other things that might come close. I’ve st...

ABOUT THE BOOK: EVERY UNWED MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE COMES TO LIFE IN THE PAGES OF INVASION OF THE BABY DADDY, a compelling and moving debut novel that echoes the emotional and cerebral frustrations of unwed mothers throughout the ages. Its unforgettable characters and authentic story line are interwoven with current and real facts about the volume of unwed mothers in our society today. In the story, Dr. Sands believes he has found his perfect mate only to discover that she is pregnant from a previous relationship. Not fully aware of the ramifications of this colossal news, Dr. Sands and Rachel date via long distance during her pregnancy and ultimately decide to get married. In order to make a life together, Rachel must move to Tennessee to start a new life with her husband. But the Baby Daddy has other plans for them. Determined to make this marriage work, Dr. Sands goes to extraordinary lengths to try and negotiate with the Baby Daddy. Brimming with honesty from the author s own experience...

U.L. Harper, author of the fiction novel, The Flesh Statue, will be stopping off at Rundpinne ! Langley, sick of his suburban life and sick of watching the man who raised him wither from the relentlessly ugly clutches of Alzheimer’s, moves to Long Beach with the hopes of finding more. What he finds is a group of poets with a message, a message they want to get out. When Langley moves to Long Beach he instantly finds himself in a new world of poetry and graffiti. A world that is in the throws of destruction and in the need of revolution. Langley is forced to make the decision; does he stay in this new world with its collapsible revolution, or does he attempt to endure a life marred in the memory of his death mother and in the current state of his Grandfather. The Flesh Statue follows Langley on this search for answers and along the way introduces us to an array of characters from the eratic Cinci who is trying to escape a troubled past, to Bert, a man who is willing to fight and burn fo...

Tinisha Nicole Johnson, author of the nonfiction book, Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman. Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself as a Black Woman, will be As The Pages Turn visiting off at Lessons Learned discusses many of the issues and concerns women in their twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties face in their personal and professional life from sexism, racism, hair, balancing family, relationships, and much more. The book highlights ten life lessons that are of top priority when it comes to a black woman’s emotions, personal perceptions, and life in general. The book is written to inspire women of all ages, and invite them to realize that real happiness begins from the inside out. Although written specifically with the black woman in mind, many of the concepts in the book would benefit any woman. find Tinisha here at her site

About a year ago I had a chance to meet our author F.M. Meredith at The Los Angeles Time Book Festival . She was at the festival promoting her books having driven half a day to get there. She is a great promoter of her books, something that is so valuable to authors today. So, in promoting her 6th book, An Axe to Grind I asked her how she balanced writing and promotion. An Axe to Grind - Synopsis Detective Doug Milligan and his partner question suspects in the murder of a stalker including the stalker's target, her boyfriend, father and brother, as well as the stalker’s step-father. The investigation leaves little time for Doug to see his fiancée and fellow officer, Stacey Wilbur. Stacey handles a molestation case which involves the son of a friend. She and her mother talk wedding plans, though all must wait until Doug's renter, Officer Gordon Butler finds another place to live. When Doug disappears while tailing a suspect, Stacey sets out to find him, hoping she can reach hi...

Looking for a great present for Valentine's Day. Check out all the newly published book this month and some great authors. Pump Up your book have the following authors on virtual book tours this month. Watch the video trailer here Authors include; Maria Andrade, author of the relationship book, Heart Magic: Keeping Love Alive and Well Carla Buckley, author of the apocalyptic novel, The Things That Keep Us Here James R. Goldberg, author of the current affairs healthcare book, The American Medical Money Machine Angela Henry, author of the mystery novel, Schooled in Lies Barbora Knobova, author of the relationship book, Tales for Delicious Girls Susie Larson, author of the inspiration/motivation/devotion book, Embracing Your Freedom: A Personal Experience of God’s Heart of Justice Alan Markowitz, author of the gritty memoir, Topless Prophet Kaylin McFarren, author of the women’s contemporary fiction, Flaherty’s Crossing Judi Moreo and twenty-five other authors of the motivational book...

The great thing about Thursday is that it’s time for another Thursday Thirteen. Thirteen Things about the novel “Wench” and it’s author Dolen Perkins-Valdez. ABOUT THE BOOK Situated in the free state of Ohio, Tawawa House offers respite from the summer heat. A beautiful, inviting house surrounded by a dozen private cottages, the resort is favored by wealthy Southern white men who vacation there, accompanied by their enslaved mistresses Regular visitors Lizzie, Reenie, and Sweet have forged an enduring friendship. They look forward to their annual reunion and the opportunity it affords them to talk over the changes in their lives and their respective plantations. The subject of freedom is never spoken aloud until the red-maned, spirited Mawu arrives and voices her determination to escape. To run is to leave behind the friends and families trapped at home. For some, it also means tearing the strong emotional and psychological ties that bind them to their masters. When a fire on the resor...

At the Los Angeles Book Times Festival April 25 and 26 I had the pleasure of meeting one author in particular. Marilyn Meredith, http://marilynmerdith.blogspot.com author of No Sanctuary. One of the highlights of blogging about Hollywood stars and famous book authors is being able to meet them in person. Marilyn was signing books for all her fans and gave away an extra special gift for those who bought a book, it was, her first Tempe Crabtree novel, Deadly Omen. Marilyn shares with us her experiences at the book festival at The Real Hollywood blog . Want to find out more about these exciting characters from No Sanctuary? Click on the links below from the authors virtual book tour: Memories of a Simpler Time, http://valleygirlmusings.blogspot.com/2009/03/memories-of-simpler-time-interview-with.html Author creates blog for her novel, http://valleygirlmusings.blogspot.com/2009/03/author-f-m-meredith-creates-blog-for.html Thursday Thirteen with a Character from No Sanctuary, http://valle...

Author Doug Hewitt stopped by my blog The Real Hollywood earlier this week during his month long virtual book with Pump Up Your Book Promotion and he answered some Hollywood Trivia questions. One of the questions asked him if he happened to be shipwrecked on the same deserted island with the television characters on the show Gilligan’s Island how would he entice seven different individuals to read his book? Other questions dealt with a game show question, an acceptance speech others. Come on over and check out the answers. A chapter excerpt of The Dead Guy is available at Doug Hewitt’s website ABOUT THE BOOK: Jack Thigpen (www.hewittsbooks.com) works in Detroit, nicknamed The Motor City, the perfect place for a fraud investigator who specializes in car insurance scams. He is on a case he believes is a typical, low-level crime, but it quickly turns into a situation with ominous international consequences. Ironically, as he is targeted for death because of his investigation, Jack is di...

The U.S. Postal Service must think I am a rich woman with all the bills they continually deliver to my mailbox. It does become rather depressing to receive nothing but bills, but once a month I look forward to my writer’s magazines. Recently, an author’s book arrived in the mail. Of course, I had requested the book from the author so I could write a review, but wasn’t sure which day it would arrive. “No Sanctuary”, by author F.M. Meredith is the latest in the Rocky Bluff mystery series. Rocky Bluff is a fictional town in the California foothills with a comparable small town feel to that of Mayberry in the Andy Griffith television show. The town comes to life and so do the Rocky Bluff police officers and detective to solve the mystery of one woman’s murder that involves two churches, two ministers and two wives. Be sure to look for my review at The Real Hollywood during the author’s virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion . She will be hosted all week at The Real Hollywood...