After thirty years, the mission has finally come to an end. What's in store now for space exploration? I for one hope it continues... Have a great weekend!
Picture from Boston.Com
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Sunday, July 31, 2011
Picture of the Week (#9) - Goodbye to the Space Shuttles
Today I am continuing my weekly series that shows my picture of the week. It's just something that struck a chord with me for whatever reason. This week it's a picture from the final space shuttle mission and the lift-off of Atlantis.
After thirty years, the mission has finally come to an end. What's in store now for space exploration? I for one hope it continues... Have a great weekend!
(Click picture for original size)
After thirty years, the mission has finally come to an end. What's in store now for space exploration? I for one hope it continues... Have a great weekend!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Melrose - First Blood (Progress #3)
The first post of the weekend is an update on how my writing of Melrose - First Blood is coming along.
The big news is that, as frequently happens, my book's name is changing. From now on, the book will be known as "New Blood (Melrose Book 1)". The next job will be to engage someone to design a cover for the book. It's always a fun process getting a book ready for release.
As I've said before, New Blood is something a little different from my usual genre of YA Fantasy. New Blood is aimed at older Young Adults - 16+. The book has adult themes and younger adult characters (22 -25 years of age). It's also set in contemporary times and touches on the paranormal. But, it's no vampire story (or if it is, then it's vampires like you've never seen them before!).
I'm currently 60,000 words into an 80,000 word novel and the book is winding up to it's major climax. Events have already risen to near fever pitch with exciting plot lines, and characters displaying all sorts of traits and trickery. My protagonist and antagonist are on the brink of getting together - something that will not end well I fear!
It's been a different experience writing a book based on places I know (as opposed to the land of fantasy in which I usually stay) and using characters that you may even meet on your next trip down the street (although there are certain characters I would hope you never meet - for your own sake).
Since I last wrote, Beau, the antagonist, has been rallying his allies and generally causing mayhem with all around him. Lucy, the protagonist, is upset at recent events and has somehow been thrown towards Beau. Lucy's friends have warned against it, and loyalties will no doubt be tested in the upcoming weeks. There are still mysterious bodies turning up and the police are narrowing in on a suspect. But those bodies were once living souls; souls that have now passed to another owner. Souls that are giving their new owners power. And we all know that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely...
I'm excited to finish this first Melrose novel and the intent is to have the draft manuscript complete in the next week or so. Then it will be a mad rush to get it edited and proofed, ready for a fall release. You'll have to watch out for opportunities to win early copies or invitations for reviewers. I definitely think this is my best novel yet...
Back to the plot... I'll give you more background next week. Until then, try a little of my fantasy stuff - buy a copy of Xannu - The Prophecy. It's only $0.99 for a full 125,000 word novel - that's a pretty good deal. It's available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. Think Harry Potter meets The Chronicles of Narnia, during The Lord of the Rings!
The big news is that, as frequently happens, my book's name is changing. From now on, the book will be known as "New Blood (Melrose Book 1)". The next job will be to engage someone to design a cover for the book. It's always a fun process getting a book ready for release.
As I've said before, New Blood is something a little different from my usual genre of YA Fantasy. New Blood is aimed at older Young Adults - 16+. The book has adult themes and younger adult characters (22 -25 years of age). It's also set in contemporary times and touches on the paranormal. But, it's no vampire story (or if it is, then it's vampires like you've never seen them before!).
I'm currently 60,000 words into an 80,000 word novel and the book is winding up to it's major climax. Events have already risen to near fever pitch with exciting plot lines, and characters displaying all sorts of traits and trickery. My protagonist and antagonist are on the brink of getting together - something that will not end well I fear!
It's been a different experience writing a book based on places I know (as opposed to the land of fantasy in which I usually stay) and using characters that you may even meet on your next trip down the street (although there are certain characters I would hope you never meet - for your own sake).
Since I last wrote, Beau, the antagonist, has been rallying his allies and generally causing mayhem with all around him. Lucy, the protagonist, is upset at recent events and has somehow been thrown towards Beau. Lucy's friends have warned against it, and loyalties will no doubt be tested in the upcoming weeks. There are still mysterious bodies turning up and the police are narrowing in on a suspect. But those bodies were once living souls; souls that have now passed to another owner. Souls that are giving their new owners power. And we all know that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely...
I'm excited to finish this first Melrose novel and the intent is to have the draft manuscript complete in the next week or so. Then it will be a mad rush to get it edited and proofed, ready for a fall release. You'll have to watch out for opportunities to win early copies or invitations for reviewers. I definitely think this is my best novel yet...
Back to the plot... I'll give you more background next week. Until then, try a little of my fantasy stuff - buy a copy of Xannu - The Prophecy. It's only $0.99 for a full 125,000 word novel - that's a pretty good deal. It's available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. Think Harry Potter meets The Chronicles of Narnia, during The Lord of the Rings!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Book Review: Hugh Hefner's Quick Guide To Sex
Your Friday Chuckle...
Hugh Hefner's Quick Guide To Sex: (Two) 2nd Edition
Now you know this would make a great book. Oh yes it would! Unfortunately I think it's going to be a very short read - Probably more of a picture book actually. Still, the 'Two Second Guide To Sex' may bring a smile to some women's lives (unfortunately not any that we know, Hef...).
Not available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and SmashWords for only $9.99
And from AZCentral.com: Crystal Harris, 24, was on Howard Stern's Sirius XM radio show on Tuesday and revealed that Hugh Hefner isn't exactly a tiger in bed.
It lasted "like two seconds. Then I was just over it," she says. "I was like, 'Ahhh.' I was over it. I just like, walked away. I'm not turned on by Hef, sorry."
Harris, who broke off her engagement to the 85-year-old Playboy founder just days before they were to wed in mid-June, told Howard they only made love once.
"He doesn't really take off his clothes," Harris says. "I've never seen Hef naked."
Nevertheless, she says, "I loved him."
Good luck with the world tour, Hugh...
Hugh Hefner's Quick Guide To Sex: (Two) 2nd Edition
Now you know this would make a great book. Oh yes it would! Unfortunately I think it's going to be a very short read - Probably more of a picture book actually. Still, the 'Two Second Guide To Sex' may bring a smile to some women's lives (unfortunately not any that we know, Hef...).
Not available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and SmashWords for only $9.99
It lasted "like two seconds. Then I was just over it," she says. "I was like, 'Ahhh.' I was over it. I just like, walked away. I'm not turned on by Hef, sorry."
Harris, who broke off her engagement to the 85-year-old Playboy founder just days before they were to wed in mid-June, told Howard they only made love once.
"He doesn't really take off his clothes," Harris says. "I've never seen Hef naked."
Nevertheless, she says, "I loved him."
Good luck with the world tour, Hugh...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Book Review: Premeditated by Ryan Hunter
Disclaimer: I reviewed this book at a request from the author. I received nothing in return for the review and the comments are my opinions and mine alone.
PREMEDITATED By Ryan Hunter
Minimal Plot Spoilers… Murder is a nasty affair. Serial murders, far worse. The premise of this story is that seventeen year-old Jenna Adamson has been convicted of a murder she didn’t commit and so escapes from jail to put things right. To further complicate things, she actually confessed to the murder, knew all the intricate details and was serving time for it. But putting things right, as I say, is foremost in her mind. Somehow Jenna believes that by escaping from jail she can stop a whole series of murders from happening. And what is more she is going to involve her ex-boyfriend in her plan, against his will. What could possibly go wrong?
Tambri is a police detective determined to stop Jenna and return her to jail, if only she can track her down and capture her again. But Jenna proves very elusive and the only clues Tambri receives are the frequent letters that Jenna writes her, mostly describing the next murder that will occur. Of course, these letters only help to convince Tambri that Jenna is, in fact, the real murderer.
It becomes a race against time as Jenna tries to stop the pre-planned murders from happening and clear herself and her ex-boyfriend, Skyler, in the process. And did I mention earlier, what could possibly go wrong? Things do not go quite according to Jenna’s plan and a non-stop cat and mouse game begins with Tambri and the police, before the ultimate confrontation with the real killer.
The book moved along at a good pace and on the whole kept me engaged with the story. There were a few good plot twists, but generally the reader knows where it’s all headed after the first few chapters. The book was well constructed and the style, language, grammar and editing were better than most Indie Authors. My major critique of the book involves the back-story of the main characters Jenna, Skyler and Tambri. I never ever felt completely vested in the characters and cared 100% for how things turned out. As I say, the story was well written, but I was left trying to understand what exactly drove the characters to do the things they did. Of course things were sort of explained towards the end of the novel, but by then it was too late and only served to be more of an anticlimax.
In summary the book was a solid read and kept me interested enough to want to finish it. “Powerful, creepy, slightly disturbing”? Certainly it was slightly disturbing and a little creepy in places, but it did not strike me as a powerful book. If you’re looking to read something fairly light by a new Indie Author, give it a go. I look forward to reading the next book by Ryan Hunter and seeing how her writing matures.
PREMEDITATED By Ryan Hunter
Plotting murder began as a game until the first killing took place, bringing seventeen-year old Jenna Adamson to the realization that playing God isn’t a game at all.
Convicted of murder, Jenna escapes to stop the other murders, murders she claims were planned in a game of revenge. Unable to stop the killings alone, Jenna enlists the help of her ex-boyfriend, entrenching him in a conspiracy that could cost him his future.
As the two evade police and stumble into crime scenes, Jenna fears the day the identity of the real killer is unveiled. She knows the truth could steal away more than her freedom.
Premeditated has been described as "Powerful, creepy and slightly disturbing."
Minimal Plot Spoilers… Murder is a nasty affair. Serial murders, far worse. The premise of this story is that seventeen year-old Jenna Adamson has been convicted of a murder she didn’t commit and so escapes from jail to put things right. To further complicate things, she actually confessed to the murder, knew all the intricate details and was serving time for it. But putting things right, as I say, is foremost in her mind. Somehow Jenna believes that by escaping from jail she can stop a whole series of murders from happening. And what is more she is going to involve her ex-boyfriend in her plan, against his will. What could possibly go wrong?
Tambri is a police detective determined to stop Jenna and return her to jail, if only she can track her down and capture her again. But Jenna proves very elusive and the only clues Tambri receives are the frequent letters that Jenna writes her, mostly describing the next murder that will occur. Of course, these letters only help to convince Tambri that Jenna is, in fact, the real murderer.
It becomes a race against time as Jenna tries to stop the pre-planned murders from happening and clear herself and her ex-boyfriend, Skyler, in the process. And did I mention earlier, what could possibly go wrong? Things do not go quite according to Jenna’s plan and a non-stop cat and mouse game begins with Tambri and the police, before the ultimate confrontation with the real killer.
The book moved along at a good pace and on the whole kept me engaged with the story. There were a few good plot twists, but generally the reader knows where it’s all headed after the first few chapters. The book was well constructed and the style, language, grammar and editing were better than most Indie Authors. My major critique of the book involves the back-story of the main characters Jenna, Skyler and Tambri. I never ever felt completely vested in the characters and cared 100% for how things turned out. As I say, the story was well written, but I was left trying to understand what exactly drove the characters to do the things they did. Of course things were sort of explained towards the end of the novel, but by then it was too late and only served to be more of an anticlimax.
In summary the book was a solid read and kept me interested enough to want to finish it. “Powerful, creepy, slightly disturbing”? Certainly it was slightly disturbing and a little creepy in places, but it did not strike me as a powerful book. If you’re looking to read something fairly light by a new Indie Author, give it a go. I look forward to reading the next book by Ryan Hunter and seeing how her writing matures.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Last Few Days @ $0.99: How To Write & Self-Publish Your First Novel
Yep, that's it folks...
Since its launch in early June, I have been selling this excellent and popular ebook for just $0.99. As from Monday, the book's price will increase to $2.99. Of course this is still a great deal, but at only $0.99 it's truly a steal.
So, head over to Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Smashwords and pick up your copy today.
CONTENTS
1. Don't Start the Story at the Beginning
2. Become a Successful Writer in 2,000 Hours
3. Poems and Short Stories
4. Creating a Good Plot
5. How Long Should a First Novel Be?
6. Writing in the First Person
7. Writing in the Third Person
8. Dialog Versus Narrative – Show Versus Tell
9. Writing Your First Novel: Words & Routine
10. Conflict and Its Importance
11. Plot Pace
12. Creating Believable and Well Rounded Characters
13. Writing Dialog – Or ‘He Said, She Said’
14. Creating a Page Turner
15. Letting the Book 'Cook'
16. Self-Editing Your Novel
17. The Process of Pre-Reads
18. Creating a World of Fantasy
19. How to Write & Self-Publish a Novel: The End-To-End Process Checklist
20. Creating a Writing Environment without Interruptions
21. Reading to Write
22. Encouraging All Would Be Authors
23. The Self-Publishing Process - The COMPLETE A-Z Instructions
24. Marketing Your Novel - The Relevance of Social Media, ARCs and Book Bloggers
For more information, read my blog book page HERE.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
70,000 Visitors Must All Be Wrong
It’s been a hectic few months since I started this blog and yesterday (or the day before) I went through the 70,000 visitors number. I was amazed. I am also very pleased. It’s been a tough few months building blog traffic but the effort has been rewarded. I’m on track for a total of 25,000 visitors this month, and it must be time to up my game and see if I can somehow get it to explode. I’m thinking new marketing tactics are necessary.
So, all you people out there that have successful blogs, what do you do to generate web traffic? Do you have a favorite technique? I’d love to know. Drop me a line.
I know a lot of the success is due to constantly creating good content and from time to time I have been blessed with articles that people keep wanting to come back to. My two most popular blog posts; Dummies Guide To Publishing an ebook on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and Don't Start a Story at the Beginning have generated over 4,500 and 3,000 hits respectively. That’s 10% of my blog hits with two posts!
As summer draws on and I start to wind down on my book writing for the year (2 major releases to come in the next few months), I’m going to spend more time on marketing. I’ll be interested to see how it pans out. And of course, like all things I try, I’ll keep you in the loop. Have a great day.
So, all you people out there that have successful blogs, what do you do to generate web traffic? Do you have a favorite technique? I’d love to know. Drop me a line.
I know a lot of the success is due to constantly creating good content and from time to time I have been blessed with articles that people keep wanting to come back to. My two most popular blog posts; Dummies Guide To Publishing an ebook on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and Don't Start a Story at the Beginning have generated over 4,500 and 3,000 hits respectively. That’s 10% of my blog hits with two posts!
As summer draws on and I start to wind down on my book writing for the year (2 major releases to come in the next few months), I’m going to spend more time on marketing. I’ll be interested to see how it pans out. And of course, like all things I try, I’ll keep you in the loop. Have a great day.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Xannu - The Prophecy : Currently Trending
A couple of recent marketing articles have helped push the first in my YA Fantasy series, Xannu - The Prophecy, up the charts on the Amazon Kindle. Don't lose out, get your copy today. Be in on the beginning of what is going to be a wonderful five book epic fantasy series. And remember, the first book is only $0.99 - Four hundred pages of non-stop action. You seriously can't go wrong at that price.
Xannu - The Prophecy
Xannu - The Prophecy
Book 1 of 'The Southern Lands' saga
For fans of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and The Narnia Chronicles, the first installment in a thrilling epic fantasy series…
Would you wake up in a hot sweat if you lived your night’s dreams as a soldier battling un-earthly creatures, witnessing powerful magic and fighting to save your own life on a daily basis?
English schoolboy Terry West does. Frequently. After digging up some rune coins near a roman road, he has been living in another world inhabited by warlocks, seductresses, priests and prophecy. There Terry is a soldier, Teern Truthbringer, who has been tasked with finding the Xannu - 'he who will lead the people into deliverance.'
If only it wasn’t real; but it is. Very real. When it all began it was even enjoyable, but now Terry’s life is getting very complicated. Somehow he involved his best friend Joe and although it had seemed a good idea at the time, the consequences had been dire. Then there is Susan, the leggy sister of klutzy school-friend Brian. Why does she keep sending him messages?
Terry is struggling to balance the two lives he leads and every day he is losing his grip on reality just a little bit more. He’s been forced to kill enemies; his companion, the magical woman Maria, is scaring him half to death with her abilities; and his parents are on his back about his school work.
How will he balance the two lives he leads, solve two sets of problems, and understand the lessons he receives from both? Only time will tell. But time is something Terry doesn't have too much of, as everything is unfolding in ways he could never have imagined!
“Listen to the teachings of a wise man. You may not understand all he says but you will surely have nourishment for the future. Be positive and plan for success. Failure to plan is to plan for failure. Worry not at what came before but only prepare yourselves for that which is ahead.” (Pika’Al 10:1-5, The Scriptures of Al’Zaneed)
How To Write & Self-Publish Your First Novel - Writing For Success
Still Selling!You want to write a book? You know some of the pieces but you have some questions? How do I write dialog? How long should my book be? There are so many things to think about.
How To Write & Self-Publish Your First Novel will help you become a better and more established author. Check it out on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It could be the best $0.99 you've ever spent!
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