A blog for authors, about authors, written by an author
It is such a pleasure to present you my new Website. After all this time it’s finally published and I’m so proud to announce it here:
http://www.aurorajeanalexander.com
On my Website you will find:
a brief introduction,
my bio
how to connect with me
and links to my work.
It will be a pleasure to welcome you on my own personal Website.
I’m so excited!
________________________________________________________________________
Thanksgiving is traditionally a day to say grace, to be grateful, to say ‘Thank you’ for the blessings. And that’s what I’d like to do today.
I’m saying thanks for:
THANK YOU ALL!!
And I wish you and your families a
What an excellent Infographic. – And so true! đ Thanks so much, Kawanee Hamilton for this! đ
Kristen Lamb, experienced author and blogger, has published a new blog post I find very educating for new authors (which includes me of course). I’m always getting the best advice on Kristen Lamb’s blog and appreciate her support, experience and wisdom. Thank you Kristen!
As some of you know I am still recovering from the flu. Also, the holiday season gets more than a little insane so it is always a joy to run across fresh talent to share with all of you. The bad news is that Alex Limberg lives in Vienna so taking him as a hostage? Can you tweet #logisticalnightmare? Good news is, apparently Austrians work for compliments and candy cigarettes #littleknownfact.
So, with my Amazon Prime Account, I was able to secure SWEET blog content and all of us could avoid any sticky international incidents with the Austrians.
Which is best for all because, well who doesnât dig their pastries?
This is another guest post by copywriter Alex Limberg. To mix things up a bit, Alex is assisting me through the holiday season until he makes his New Yearâs resolution to kick his candy cigarette habit *rolls eyes*.
âŚand then weâllâŚ
View original post 1,324 more words
Lately I have lost one of my friends. I knew her for nearly 15 years and loved her. She was such an amazing, wonderful person with the greatest heart. Last week I was informed that she is no more.
I dedicate this poem to her. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Growing up, sheâs the different child
no matter how calm, no matter how wild
it never fits, itâs never a matchâŚ
no friends, no fun, on her soul is a scratch.
**
Jokes and laughter every day
but sheâs not part â she is the prey!
It took a while, but then the shock
to others she is the laughing stock.
**
The years go by, but not the pain
Everyday life becomes more strain.
Sometimes better, then again for the worse
she knows deeply inside, her weight is a curse.
**
Being an adult sheâs got the greatest heart
but people donât care, they still rip her apart.
She’s so amazing with no edges and nooks
still nobody cares; itâs all about the looks.
**
Sheâs hurt and used by so called âfriendsâ
repeatedly pierced and got no amends.
Getting it bad by only weeks apart
At the end she decided to take heart.
**
She made a decision, in secret, and slow.
that to her it was time to turn and to go
on silent soles, her inside in strife,
she blew out her own flame of lifeâŚ
**
(Copyright: Aurora Jean Alexander, November 2015)
When I became a writer and started with my stories, I had to classify them. Considering the existence of so many genres, I had a hard time to choose.
Where are the differences between the genres? I needed to get research done:
My research showed me that fantasy is a genre of fiction using magic and supernatural phenomena as a primary element.
It might be based on myth or legends or even Science that doesnât exist (yet).
Fantasy encompasses numerous subgenres. And now we are getting to a list I love! The complexity of the fantasy genre is fascinating!
(Source: Wikipedia)
What subgenre do I categorize my own stories in?
Here itâs getting difficult. The only thing thatâs clear is that my writing is âfantasyâ.
At the moment, I am working on several stories. Iâd sort one of them within the subgenre âurban fantasyâ, the other one might be identified as âheroic fantasy.’ The novel I work on is a mix between âContemporary fantasyâ – and âparanormal romanceâ.
And here I am now, switching between the real world, fantasy worlds, romance, funny characters, creepy creatures, and magic.
I love what I do! And even though the fantasy genre with its numerous subgenres is a little confusing, Iâm sure I am working myself into it.
What is it that I like so much about fantasy that I decided on this genre? I think it is quite easy to answer this question. I can let my imagination run amok. If I am going to turn the hair of my heroine blue and give her gills, who will stop me? If I decide to create a child with magical abilities, who will tell me that it âcannot beâ? I love myths, legends, and mystical creatures like unicorns⌠and once in a while I need a protagonist being a princess. This is why fantasy is just my genre. (or – paranormal romance, or contemporary fantasy… Maybe I should try to categorize my story after completing it.)
One of my favorite books is a fantasy book. I identified it a mix of Science fantasy and dark fantasy. It is: âWatchersâ, written by Dean Koontz. I love this book even though itâs one of Dean Koontz older books. It impressed me and I never forgot it I wish I one day can touch my readers as much as Dean Koontz can do it.
Do you have a favorite genre or subgenre you read or write in? Donât be shy, please tell me!
Why not shifting our word choice in favor of emotion? The Story Reading Ape knows why and has delivered a helpful infographic.
Kristen Lamb recommends writers to ditch 3myths “like a bad ex”. And I definitely believe she’s right.
I’m sure this blog post is helpful for many writers, not just us newbies.
In the spirit of the upcoming holidays, today we are going to talk about something touchy and complicated. No, I am not going to tell you where babies come from.
Okay, fine.
Amazon. With Prime, you get free shipping.
Moving onâŚ
The whole publishing paradigm makes me kinda twitch and we writers are often at the center of a lot of silly complaining. So Iâd like to debunk some pretty myths we writers love to perpetuate.
Itâs like that ex who we run into on Facebook and we get all nostalgic and remember all the loooove. But, if we took more than 30 seconds to think. Really THINK? Weâd remember why we were combing Craigâs List for a hit man willing to be paid in unredeemed Starbucks gift cards to take that person OUTâŚO_o
Same situation. Letâs unpack this, shall we?
View original post 1,986 more words
My birth name is âEthelâ. This is, as I was told, an old English girlâs name, some independent form of âEthelred.â That would be fine with me if I werenât male! I figure my name was sort of an expression of Luciferâs askew humor. At least he most of the time convulses with laughter when calling me.
As compared to what humans think demons are not only made, theyâre born as well. I am, in fact, the living prove that Iâm telling the truth.
My father and mother, Braxxus and Persophee, some âmediocreâ distractors (demons who confuse human senses to tempt them doing evil) met during some hellish fire party and fell in love. Thatâs what they told me, even though I strongly suspect they were more physically attracted to each other than anything else. From that moment on, they copulated as often as they could. From what Persophee said, I am their âlove bundle.â Iâd rather say, the result of this more than equivocal mating became me.
Unfortunately, these two demons had a bet going with Lucifer and lost. As consequence, I was compelled to serve as the footman of a minion, of the minion of the minion of Luciferâs master demon. Since Lucifer found me and the bet so hilarious, he often used me as his personal doormat and had tons of fun with that.
He thought it fascinating that I looked more human than anyone else in Hell. Both of my producers had scales and horns and except the somehow unexpected wiry hair that was standing up on my head and nearly looked like goat horns I had nothing demonic on me. When I was sent to Earth the first time, I could do so without the need of being changed. People shied away from me eventually because I seemed to smell weird, but after a few hours of bathing and a couple proper clothes I almost felt human and was accepted as one. That first time I discovered the beauty in this new world. I saw flowers, trees, green grass and ponds, parks, zoos and watched birds, cats and dogsâŚ
To me, it was almost painful to sow evil amongst mankind. I hesitated to do what I was sent to do and this annoyed the Master of all Evil. He ordered me back and punished me painfully.
That day I decided I had enough. I know, my kind normally enjoys wallowing in anger, rage, crime, pain, depression and murder. But I was sick of it. I felt like drowning in greed, bullying, sins, and blood. I did not want that anymore and decided to get out. Of course, it isnât exactly easy to change sides. But the thought of existing within evilness was unthinkable to me.
Finally, Lucifer helped me unintentionally by promoting me to become a distractor. He turned me into an extraordinarily handsome man to make it easier for me to tempt humans by being attractive to them. Additionally, to complete my physiognomy he re-named me âJesseâ, the âGift-giverâ. He nearly wet himself of laughter, explaining, that I indeed brought gifts to mankind: the gift of sin.
In my opinion, he got me closer to what I wanted. Of course, I need to be careful now. Guardian Angels donât know mercy! But since I am here, on Earth, it is time to take action to free meâŚ
**************************************************************************************************
What do you think: Would you like to help me finding out if “Ethel” is fascinating enough to become a new character in my next novella?
First of all, we want to thank you! Thanks a lot to all supporters, re-bloggers, commenters, readers, and of course: POETS!!
You all did such an amazing job – and you made it very hard for us, the jury members, to decide on the three winners! We are honored and happy you provided us with these amazing poems. It was such a pleasure to have you as participants and guests!
THANK YOU!!!
The Jury of the 1st Halloween-poem contest is proud to announce the three winners:
Bruce Louis Dodson
His poem has been published within the third collection.
Please click HERE to read it.
Jennifer Hinsman
Her poem is one of the third collection as well.
Please click HERE to read it.
“FloridaBorne”
Her poem can be found in the second collection.
To read, please click HERE.
(All winners were informed by email before this post was published)
Each winner has the chance to choose one of the following books:
E-book of âConfessions of a Corporate Slutâ by Jacqueline Gum
A signed copy of âRed White and Black Liesâ by Jim P. Spencer
E-book of either âThe Hunting of Timber Manorâ OR âObjects in the Rearview
Mirrorâ OR âStill Watersâ by F. E. Feeley Jr.
E-Book of âMorning at the Vineyardâ written by Juliette Kings
Thank you for an amazing experience and a fantastic contest!
A.J. Alexander and the great judges: F. E. Feeley Jr., Jim Spencer, Pat Shannon and Juliette Kings
Writer's Treasure Chest 
You must be logged in to post a comment.