Some authors plot. Some authors write by the seat of their pants. I'm a plotter and one of you asked how I keep up with all the details in my books. Here's an inside peek:
If you have a question for me, leave it in the comments section here, on my Facebook page, on Pinterest, on my YouTube Channel, or on Goodreads and I'll pick one for next week's edition of *All the Juicy DeeTales!*
When I was in NYC, my publisher Simon & Schuster took a quick video of me talking about *Fair Play* and ending with a promise to my readers. It was picked up by AOL and it has had over 167,000 views. Check it out!
If you want to be taken seriously as a writer, then make sure your manuscript is formatted properly. In today's tip, I talk about the proper format for fiction manuscripts.
I can't emphasize enough how important this step is. Sending a manuscript to a publisher that is single-spaced or written in a funky font will quickly result in its return. You only have one chance to make a first impression. Your manuscript format is the way to put your best foot forward.
Good luck with your project! If you have a question you'd like me to answer, leave me a comment here, on my Facebook page, on Pinterest, on my YouTube channel, or on Goodreads.
When I embark on a new book I often have no clue as to what is involved in my hero and heroine's professions. So, I read a lot of books and watch films on the profession if they are available. But nothing is as profitable as interviewing an old timer who worked in the field I'm researching back in the day.
Pretty neat, right? I would say that meeting these people and doing these interviews is one of my favorite parts of this job.
The winner of our Scavenger Hunt Contest is Crystal N. She will receive autographed copies of all 9 of my backlist! Congrats, Crystal!
One of the best--and worst--days of being an author, for me, anyway, is today ... the day my book is released. It's the best because, well, my new book is out! And that's super exciting.
It's the worst because I feel really, really vulnerable. So vulnerable, that I have a pretty awful recurring dream right around the time each new book comes out.
Here are All the Juicy DeeTales ...
Pretty awful, huh? LOL. But, in the end it's worth it. :)
What about you? When do you feel the most vulnerable?
(Don't forget to leave a question for me and maybe I'll pick it for next week's All the Juicy DeeTales!)
To Qualify, Go On Scavenger Hunt!
Welcome to my brand new website! We've been hard at work putting together a site where you can get to know me and I can get to know you!
In celebration of the launch, I thought it would be fun to do a *SCAVENGER HUNT* and whoever finds all the items (and sends me an email with the correct answers) will be put into a drawing for ALL 9 BOOKS ON MY BACKLIST!
(Fair Play--Book 10--will NOT be included since it is not part of the backlist. Tempest in the White City will NOT be included since it is a short story and electronic only.)
All scavenger hunt entries must be emailed by midnight CST on Mother's Day, May 11, 2014.
So here's 6 items in honor of my new book that comes out on May 6th:
Once you have the answers, go to the "Contact" tab and email them to me. Then I will put your name in the computer-generated, random drawing. Good luck everyone and let me know what you think of the new site!
(To leave a comment, click on the speaker-bubble just above the title of this blog. It's a tiny little icon next to the "likes" and "shares" link. Do you see it?)
Many of you have asked if my husband travels with me to my events. Well … let's just say … um … well, watch the video and I'll give you *All the Juicy DeeTales.* :)
What about your spouse? Does he/she behave when you're out and about?
Jumping from one character's point of view to the other is--in my opinion--not only sloppy writing, but it can become exhausting for your reader. But if you don't "head-hop," then how do you show what the other characters' reactions are to the scene?
I give you the secret in today's 2-Minute Tips for Aspiring Writers.
Do you have a writing question? You can leave it here on my blog, or on my Facebook page, my Pinterest page, my YouTube channel or on Goodreads. Then two weeks from today, I'll choose one and answer it in my next edition of *Two Minute Tips for Aspiring Writers.* See you then!
Ever since writing the books set at the World's Columbian Exposition, I've become an avid World's Fair collector. One of you asked what all I'd collected so far. Here's a peek!
Do you collect anything or know someone who does?
If you have a question you'd like me to answer, leave it in the comments section here, on Facebook, on Pinterest, my YouTube channel, or on Goodreads and I'll pick one for next week's All the Juicy DeeTales!
My most memorable experience as an author was when the town of Corsicana, Texas asked me to be the Grand Marshal of their annual parade since my books Courting Trouble and Deep in the Heart of Trouble were both set in their town.
I was so surprised and thrilled. I'll never forget that experience. Here's a sneak peek:
What's one of the most memorable experiences you've ever had?
If you have a question you'd like me to answer, leave it in the comments section here, on Facebook, on Pinterest, my YouTube channel, or on Goodreads and I'll pick one for next week's All the Juicy DeeTales!
Description does not come easy to me. Dialogue--I could write that all the day long. But description is a challenge.
One of the things that has helped me tremendously is what Dwight Swain refers to as the "Significant Detail." Just watch ...
Do you have a writing question? You can leave it here on my blog, or on my Facebook page, my Pinterest page, my YouTube channel or on Goodreads. Then two weeks from today, I'll choose one and answer it in my next edition of *Two Minute Tips for Aspiring Writers.*
And what about you? Does description come easily to you or do you have to work at it like I do?
