Authors

One Lucky Evening

| Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday! Don’t forget to stop by the Scribes. My guest today is USA Today bestselling author – Terry Spear!

A few announcements:

  • The winner of the Paranormal Freebies Giveaway is: Renee Bennett. The winner of the The Romance Review’s Week 2 Q&A is crazycatlady. Congratulations you both won an e-book copy of Mystic Ink. I have e-mailed you the details.
  • Also, on March 20th, I’ll be having my first ever author chat over at The Romance Reviews. I hope you can stop by. But don’t worry, I’ll remind you again!
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This week, my fellow Scribe PJ Sharon released her third book – Savage Cinderella. I highly recommend it to all of you. I know, because this is the story that brought PJ, me and the Scribes together.

See, it happened like this.

J Monkeys, Susannah Hardy, and I were all part of a writer’s group at our local library. One June evening, PJ arrived looking for critique partners. After the meeting, Suze and I stayed behind to talk with PJ. After that we all became critique partners. PJ’s book was Savage Cinderella, mine was Ascension and Suze’s was Bonaparte Bay (click here for a short story from this wonderful universe).

PJ also enlightened us with the words RWA (Romance Writers of America). She is personally responsible for recruiting me, Suze, and J to CTRWA.  J met Jamie Pope (since they joined the same month) and PJ introduced us to Katy Lee.

Last year, J birthed the idea for a group blog and the 7 Scribes were born.  And, personally, I crossed the line between wannabe writer over to professional.

It has almost been a year since the Scribes started and two years since I met PJ, Suze, and J. I am so happy to have made such great friends and to know such wonderful writers.

So to PJ – Congratulations on your new release! I’m sure glad you decided to come to our writer’s meeting that June! I can’t imagine life without knowing you, Suze, J, Katy, and Jamie.

Spill it – tell me about your friends and the people who are traveling with you along the journey of life!

An Ode to Scar

| Casey Wyatt

Yay! It’s Friday! Don’t miss my post at the Scribes – Kung-Fu Ya! and with the Soul Mate Authors – Let Me Entertain You!

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It all started with an innocent photo taken by Kristan Higgins while filming her book trailer of MY ONE AND ONLY.

My husband, the good sport that he is, agreed to play a biker dude named Scar who is a romance addict.

Since then, Scar has taken on a persona of his own. I’ve made two new friends on Twitter based on curiousity alone (who’s that smiling man behind you?)

So here is my Ode to Scar.

Scar – how I love thee, let me count the ways:

1.  You agree to attend CT RWA events which require you to dress up.

I make this look good.

2. You color my hair for me and you do a great job. Sorry. No photos. You’ll have to take my word for it.

This has nothing to do with coloring Casey's hair.

3.  You unashamedly pose with Kristan’s new books and let her post your face on her Facebook page. Yes, he’s been know to blush at the comments.

I AM Kristan's number one fan!

4. You agree to be filmed with a tattoo that says “I heart romance.” And you say the words, “I’m a romance addict” so everyone on the internet knows it.

"Hey. I'm Scar. And I'm a romance addict."

5. You let me photograph and blog about your great burger challenge defeat.

Nom! Nom! Nom!

6. And you love me, you really love me. Thanks honey!!

Yes, his shirt does say – “My weiner is bigger than yours.” Priceless.

Inspired Beauty

| Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday everyone! Don’t miss my guest over at the Scribes today – Lisa Kessler, author of Night Walker

This week’s post is a short one. I’m working on MYSTIC STORM, Zephyr’s story, so I’m a bit preoccupied! I’d like to share with you some photographs of the enchanting real world setting for the book.

Stonington Point is a historic area of Stonington, Connecticut. Just miles away from Mystic, CT.

The houses are beautiful! I love the blue door.

Roses in bloom. I like to imagine that Zephyr would stop to smell the roses.

I imagined the Gallup Inn, Zephyr’s hotel and spa before I ever visited Stonington. I was delighted to find an actual house that fit my imaginary vision. And this is actually a hotel. While we visited, a movie with Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep was filming. (No, sightings, but we did see the film crew set decorating.)

I loved all the colorful buildings!

One last look at the beautiful ocean.

I hope you enjoyed the brief tour! See you all next week!

Tell Me a Good Story

| Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday everyone! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes today –  Lasting Impression.

I recently began writing MYSTIC STORM, Zephyr’s story, and it got me thinking about storytelling and two television programs – Downton Abbey and The Walking Dead.

What does a British period piece and a post apocalyptic survival story have in common?

On the surface they seem to have zero in common. But in reality they have many similarities. They are both about a group of people trying to cope with social change brought on by a world cataclysm (World War I, The Spanish Flu, a zombie outbreak). They both feature a compelling cast of characters that are easy to root for (or in the case of Thomas and Mrs. O’Brien – despise!). And both programs are stellar examples of great storytelling. The kind that sucks you and doesn’t let you go. (Even if I do rush out of the room when zombies appear during The Walking Dead).

As a writer, these are the comments you want to hear from readers:

“I couldn’t put your book down!”

“The story pulled me in.”

“You kept me up all night.”

“I can’t wait for your next book.”

Music to a writer’s ears. Praise of the highest order.

As a reader I want to read (or watch) a great story. I’m not impressed by flowery prose, laundry list descriptions of a character’s outfit or paragraphs describing a room’s furnishings. In my mind, writing and storytelling are two different things.

A storyteller takes you on a journey, weaves a tale, and connects you to the characters. Writing is the vehicle that brings the story to life, but should be more the like the soundtrack (in the background creating a mood, not bowling you over with bombast).

So tell me, what’s your preference? Do you get caught up in the words themselves? Or do you go for pacing and action? Or maybe a combination of both?

Guest Blogger:Donna Shields- Do You Remember the First Book You Ever Wrote?

| Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday everyone. Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes today. We have a special guest – Australian Visual Artist, Glenise Clelland. Be sure to leave a comment. One lucky person will win a copy of her book – LOVE FALLS IN LOVE WITH LOVE.

I also have a special guest blogger today. My fellow Soul Mate sister – Donna Shields. Donna will also be visiting the Scribes on 2/17 to answer our interview questions.

Take it away Donna!

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Do you remember the first book you had written? I don’t mean the first published. I’m talking about that first completed story. The one you shoved under your mattress or stuffed onto a shelf in your closet never wanting it to see daylight again. So afraid to show your masterpiece to the waiting world.

After a while, you get brave. Maybe join a critique group or sign up for a writing workshop. And little by little, eventually you make connections and show off your baby. And that’s just the beginning of the nail-biting experience.

Secrets of Jenkins Bridge is my baby, my first love of writing. And just like your first child, you have a very hard time letting your story go. And that’s me. Even though I already have one published novella, it’s just not the same as this one. I have taken my time with Secrets of Jenkins Bridge.

My experience from the beginning was a bit backwards. I began writing it in the fall of 2007. Within six months, I had finished, edited it, and sent off a query letter to Harlequin. Mind you, this story was vastly different back then. It had only taken them two weeks to reply back requesting the full manuscript. I was over the moon! I sent it in and waited. And waited. About a month later, I received a reply. A semi detailed rejection. And being the first, it hurt. A lot. I did the worst thing a writer could ever do. I tucked it away and didn’t write at all for almost two years. Please don’t do this. I’m still kicking myself in the bum for wasting all that time.

But, I eventually began to write again. I joined a critique group whom I wouldn’t give up for anything now. I revamped the story and passed it along to my critique partners. They really helped in so many ways. I also joined Savvy Authors and took some workshops. And finally finished Secrets of Jenkins Bridge November 2011. My editor loves it. She can’t wait to see it published.

My advice to new and unpublished authors? Don’t ever give up on your dreams of writing. Keep going. Join a critique group. Take a workshop. Polish that baby and learn that eventually you will have to let it go and rejection is part of the process. Before you find the perfect home for your special story, you will go through a few rejections. But, you can’t become published if you don’t write.

You can find me:

At my blog: http://donna-realworldwriting.blogspot.com

On facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/shieldsdonna

On Twitter: @Donna_Shields

On SMP’s Author Blog: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/

You can buy Secrets of Jenkins Bridge at: http://soulmatepublishing.com

Coming soon to Amazon and Barnes and Noble also.

Thanks Donna! 

How about you? Have you ever been tempted to give up your dream? Or even take a break for a while?

Something Old and Something New

| Casey Wyatt

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes – I Heart Ebenezer Scrooge!

Since the holiday is fast approaching, I don’t have much to report this week. I’m excited to be on vacation all next week and I hope to make progress on Devil’s Advocate. I had worked on it way back in May and June, then stopped to write The Undead Space Initiative.

Now, I’m in the process of getting back into the groove and submerging myself in the story. I’m excited about this one because it’s based on the very first novel I ever attempted to write. The book was never fully completed and it’s bugged me that I never finished it.

Let’s face it. I had no idea what I was doing back then! It’s better if that story never sees the light of day. Yet, I couldn’t forget my heroine. Devil’s Advocate is my attempt to breathe new life into her.

I still have some decisions to make – first person POV or third? Urban fantasy or romance?

(Who am I kidding? Romance always sneaks into my books.)

Whatever I decide, I’m hopeful to add another manuscript to my completed pile!

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season! Leave me a note and let me know how you plan to spend the holidays!

Ever Been Rejected and Accepted in the Same Day?

| Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday everyone! Please be sure to visit the Scribes today. I have posted my recipe – Wyatt’s Whoopie Pies.

And if you still haven’t entered the Soul Mate Author’s December contest, what are you waiting for? The prize is a brand new Kindle! You can enter once per day!

As most of you know, I have two other completed novels, besides Mystic Ink:  Ascension and The Undead Space Initiative. I have been actively seeking publication for both books. And both were out to editors. Key word in that last sentence – were.

Now, I never thought in a million years that I would receive a rejection and an acceptance all in the same day.

The rejection – Ascension – which boiled down to scheduling, was disappointing. But, I was expecting it. (I always expect a no, but that’s how I protect myself from being crushed by rejection!). The editor was kind and encouraging.  I will try submitting that book elsewhere in the coming months.

Later, that same day, I received an offer for the book I wrote in a month as part of the Scribes double dog dare back in July.

Yeah – The Undead Space Initiative which I never, ever, thought would sell, that book received an offer!

I was so shocked, I asked my husband to read the e-mail to me. He looked at me like I was nuts, but obliged. After all, I had just been rejected, how is it possible that on the same day, I got an offer to buy USI?

I’m not complaining,  but merely pointing out the strange way the world works. I’m thrilled! Ecstatic to have made another sale!

You may have noticed, I haven’t named names. I won’t yet. Not until everything is finalized.

I only mention the offer now, because two weeks ago, I promised on the Scribes page to mention good news faster.

And a promise is a promise!!

Once it’s a done deal, I will share the details.

And now, I really have to start my next book! Evil plotting – here I come!

Ever have good news, but been afraid to divulge it right away? If you have any good news or any news, feel free to share it!

Have You Read A Good Book Lately?

| Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday! Please be sure to visit the Scribes today. My special guest is Anita Clenney, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of  Awaken the Higland Warrior and Embrace the Highland Warrior. Two lucky commenters will win a copy of her latest book.

I’m also over at the Soul Mate Blog today – What I learned from an Eagle Scout.

And don’t forget to enter to win a Kindle at the Soul Mate Author’s Blog. You can enter once a day! Don’t miss out on a chance to win!

Speaking of books, I recently joined Goodreads. My first thought after a few minutes was – where has this site been all my life?

I was like a kid in the candy shop. As an avid reader, I had a boatload of fun adding in books, reading recommendations, and visiting the different communities.

Hours later, I had added over 300 books to my “already read” list. Mind you, I only gave them a star rating and only included books read over the last few years (that I could remember). There are a ton more I’ve read over the course of my life, but I resisted the urge to add everything.  After all, I’m supposed to be writing my next novel.

Once Mystic Ink is officially released in January, I’ll create my own author page. Squee! I’m very excited to be part of the Goodreads community. One, because I’m a reader, and two, as a newly published author, I can interact with other readers and writers.

In the spirit of Goodreads, I offer a book recommendation of my own. Actually two books:  Blood Oath and The President’s Vampire by Christopher Farnsworth. Imagine if a vampire worked for the President? And he kicked butt and didn’t care about taking names? These books are action-packed adventures more in the spirit of Jason Bourne than Twilight. Highly entertaining and a lot of fun!

Cable TV executives pay attention. These books would make a great series! Hint, hint!

I hope to see you on Goodreads soon!

How many of you are members? And if you are, let’s be friends!

Extra! Extra!

| Casey Wyatt
Happy Friday! Please be sure to remember to visit me at the Scribes today  for my blog – One Month from Now.

Today, I have some newsworthy items to share with everyone.

  • Sunday, December 4, I will be blogging at Mare’s Place. Be sure to leave a comment to enter for a chance to win some Mystic Ink/Casey Wyatt stuff.
Great Prizes!
  • Writers – it’s not too late to enter CTRWA’s The Write Stuff Contest. The deadline is December 5th. In addition to receiving feedback from experienced contest judges, this contest awards cash prizes to the winners!
  • Speaking of excellent prizes – stop by and leave a comment at the Soul Mate Author’s Blog for a chance to win the December contest prize – a Kindle.
  • And fans of the Scribes – we need your help. If you enjoy our blog, please nominate us for The 6th Annual Top 10 Blogs for Writers Contest – here. Please leave a comment and our link (otherwise your vote doesn’t count!). Thank you for your support.

Anyone have news to share?