A blog for authors, about authors, written by an author
The 14th Annual Smashwords July Summer/Winter sale starts on July 1
and runs through July 31
Get your copy of your favorite ‘The Council Of Twelve’ series book between July 1 and 31 for half the price!
Pick your book(s) and enter Coupon Code MK79Y
Please, use the chance to get your copy of ‘The Council of Twelve’ series books for
50% off!
I look forward to welcoming you as my new reader!
April 14, 2022 I published the first part of this blog post series, about the best part of telling a story. There are so many good parts, to me, each holds its own appeal. Let’s have a look at them again:
1. Drafting the plot
2. Finding a motive
3. Creating the protagonist and antagonist
4. Finding the perfect location
5. Thinking of plot twists
6. Create side characters
[7. Depending on the story, maybe even create a world]
Last time I ‘drafted the plot’, today I’m trying to find a motive.
I’m not sure, should I tell you, to me that’s more difficult or easier, than drafting the plot, since technically you can’t have one without the other.
Let’s find an example: you’re reading a crime story; the killer strangles a woman, when the police identifies and confronts him, he jumps off a bridge and you’ll never know why he did it. Wouldn’t you be disappointed? I know I would be.
In the case of a crime story, the motive of the killer is basically what drives the book. Why does the murderer what he does?
When we look at the ‘The Council of Twelve’ series, I have to find the motive for the actions of ‘both sides’, Good and Evil. Clearly expressed: Why does the Evil side what they do, how does the Good side react, and what is the outcome? We got the ‘why’, and that results in the ‘how’ – hence, the motive and the plot, which belong together.
The motive is the ‘why’ and with that in mind, we want to ask ‘how’, which leads us to the plot. One leads to the other, and we’re already in ‘the middle’ of story-telling.
What would you say to a criminal story without a motive, or a story without recognizable reason? Wouldn’t it just be empty? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
GenZ Publishing is “on a mission to bring new authors to the world.” Founded in 2015 by Morissa Schwartz when she was just out of college, GenZ publishes a wide range of genre fiction, as well as some nonfiction. It also has a YA imprint, Zenith Publishing.
Ms. Schwartz, who describes herself as a bestselling author, is also an entrepreneur: in addition to GenZ/Zenith, she’s the founder of Dr. Rissy’s Writing & Marketing, which offers various PR services along with copywriting, editing, and consulting; and, according to her Reedsy bio, of a ghostwriting company called AmWriting. She was recently elected to the IBPA Board.
As you might have realized, I took a week off from blogging. I’m still in transition to a new place, and a new life situation…
I have been busy with so many things, including trying to adjust to my new situation, working on book five some more, but when it comes to that, I’m in a waiting position right now.
1. My copyright lawyer is supposed to file it, I’m waiting for his information on that
2. The editor is looking over my book Blurb, I’m waiting for him to get that done and get back to me
3. My cover designer is desperately waiting for the blurb to finalize the cover
4. And I’m waiting for an information (good news) I’ve been waiting for since Tuesday night… The wait is killing me, and the ones who know me, are probably laughing now. Patience and I aren’t on best terms. I hate it to wait, even more since I am in a hurry.
What does that mean now? That I’m waiting for everything, and it seems I’m not progressing in any direction, which drives me up the walls. I’m unhappy if I’m stuck, no matter, if it’s within a book, or in real life. I wish, things would go on…
What do you wish for? What is the thorn in your flesh? Let us know in the comments.
It’s getting spring, warmer weather, life goes on, we live and arrange ourselves with the pandemic. COVID became a part of our life…
Through everything that happened during the past couple of years, I did not forget the holidays. They’ve always been a part of me. That’s how i grew up. I live, eat, pray…
Many things in my life are changing right now. Step by step I’m heading into the direction I probably should. And I know, I have to say thanks for my healing, and my getting better.
I wish you and your loved ones Happy Easter.
James saw the woman across the room and imagined her in another time. In that time she wore a dress with a bustle, corseted up, in brilliant peacock colors, her hair up with a diamond comb.
Now she stood in straight legged jeans, black sandals, and a white button down shirt. Her brown hair wasn’t up, but down around her shoulders.
She turned towards James and mouthed out the words, “come closer.”
James was feeling lucky. The jeans and button down shirt would come off a lot quicker than layers of a bustle dress and a tightly laced corset. Of course, she’d want him. Of course, she’d have him. How could she resist?
Up close she was even more intriguing than she had been from a distance. Freckles scattered across her face. Out of nowhere she pulled out a pair of blue framed glasses and looked at him with bright hazel eyes. She really looked as if she was looking at an ancient artifact or a perplexing work of art.
“I’m James,” he said.
“I’m Isolde,” she told him. “So, what is your pickup line tonight?”
“Before we get to that, I know you’re a Vampire.”
“Just like you.”
“Maybe.”
“What are you doing here?”
“It’s a party. I knew the place would be full of nice warm people. After the past two years it is good to finally get out and be somewhere with plenty of donors.”
“Is that what you call them?”
The benefits of smiling
Smiling does not only improve the quality of our face, it also benefits us in different other ways. We are more likable. Also, smiling allows us to share our humanity, in sociable settings as well as the work environment, and it also, surprisingly, improves our health. As we age, we smile less often. According to studies, a child smiles up to 400 times a day, as compared to the average adult who smiles only about 20 times within 24 hours. Considering we are truly improving our family and work-life by smiling, we need to learn how to smile and laugh again.
Smiling releases cortisol and endorphins, which improve our well-being by:
If we take all the advantages into account that smiling gives us, and the only con would be a few laughing lines around the lips, I would like to highly recommend: ‘Live your life and smile away’.
What is it that makes you smile? Tell us about it in the comments.
(Sources: Smiling: Why It’s Important in Your Personal Life and Workplace | Psychology Today & Surprising Health Benefits Of Smiling | Henry Ford LiveWell)
When Jake got so very sick, I had to take him into emergency care on a Sunday. That day I got so much help from friends, family, and readers, followers and many more! I’m so very grateful! When we left that vet-urgent care, there were good news, and not-so-good news. I had opened a Go-FundMe fundraiser for Jake. I am a very loving and caring cat-mommy, but unfortunately not a rich one. The pandemic hit me hard, and I didn’t know how to take care of my boy.
Jake’s tail wound was severe, but it had been taken care of and got better. He slowly started carrying his tail high again, full of pride, as he always did.
Unfortunately, his respiratory infection did not improve at all, but worsened. At the follow up appointment I was told that it’s essential, Jake starts to eat again, or organ failure and suffering to death would be the immediate results. By that time, Jake weighed less than a Yorkshire Terrier, but was double the size.
Three days later, I had to clearly see, that Jake decided to leave me. He did not start eating and stopped drinking too. I did, whatever I could to convince him to stay longer with me and Tjara, but Jake decided, it was time for him.
Jake crossed the Rainbow Bridge and left me here…
I tried to keep you all updated on the GoFundMe page, and I can assure you, that all funds are going towards Jake’s final vet bills. I cannot express how much all your help means to me! Thank you very much for your generosity and your compassion!
This one here, it is for Lisa
And she knows I’m teasing her
I’m glad you finally woke up
After winter went out in a blur.
**
The past weeks when it was colder,
you were tired and also sad.
But when the sun came out today
I almost thought you had gone mad.
**
Suddenly you turn from a grumpy,
tired lady, within only a short whirl,
in a colorfully dressed and beaming
almost dancing teenage-girl.
**
The outside world got more attractive
And I can see, you’re breathing life!
Go on like this, dear friend ‘in crime’
And soon enough you’ll be a wife!
**
But joke aside, it does get warmer,
We all should laugh more, and should smile.
It’s spring time, a very special season,
To feel refreshed, and show some style.
**
The world awakens, first blossoms grow
Birds are singing, happiness we can find
All over the place, so let’s agree,
We love to leave the cold behind.
*****
(Copyright: Aurora Jean Alexander, March 2022)
Today I had planned to write about ‘The power of positive thinking’… instead I decided to write about something else:
We all know that earlier this month Russia has invaded the Ukraine.
I’m not going into details about known facts, or any political discussion here.
All I would like to ask you at this moment is:
Please, pray for Ukraine and its people, pray for the end of that war, pray for peace in the world!
Thank you.
Song by John Lennon
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