define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true); October 2013 » Page 3 of 5 » My Book Therapy

Archive | October, 2013

Featured Fiction Friday: Meet Carrie Turansky

By on October 18, 2013 in Featured Book, Featured Fiction, Featured Fiction Fridays

This year’s Frasier Contest has come to a close. Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists, and our Grand Winner! In order to have the Frasier each year, we introduce the Judges on our blog. Its our way of giving back a little bit to the published authors who help us help YOU! So lets meet one of the Judges that made it all possible: Carrie Turansky, with her new book The Governess of Highland Hall!

Q: Carrie, would you give us a little blurb about your the story?

A: Fans of “Downton Abbey” and the English Edwardian-era will love the romance of The Governess of Highland Hall where governess Julia Foster must find her place when she is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help,

Returning to England from the mission field in India, Julia Foster accepts the position of governess at Highland Hall to help support her parents. But she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected. Sir William Ramsey, widowed and left to care for his two young children along with the two teenage daughters of his deceased cousin, is consumed with saving the estate from financial ruin. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith. Will Julia and William be able to cross the great class divide that separates them, or will the pull toward power and wealth keep them from finding a future together?

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Isn’t It Romantic? How to Create Romance

By on October 17, 2013 in Editing Basics

Let’s talk romance.

Yes, men, stay with me. This is good for you too. Especially if you have any romantic thread in your books.

The romantic thread is key to almost every story. A few authors write with little to no romance but most of us have some kind of romantic tension in our stories.

Lately, I’ve seen a few reviews where readers felt the romance in the book was just physical. Nothing but kissing and touching, or nothing how the other “look.” The readers felt deprived of the romantic relationship.

Romance is more about heart than “hand” so to speak.

It’s about how the characters feel about each other. It’s emotion. Connection on a soul-to-soul level.

I remember while writing Diva Nashvegas, I felt the sexual tension between Aubrey and Scott long before they’d even held hands.

When they finally did hold hands, look out. Sparks! Boom! Fireworks!

In fact, we have to be careful not to be too enticing or sensual as we lead up to the first kiss or touch.

The romantic connection must have an emotional hook.

How do you do that?

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One Thing Marketing: Ten Tips for Event Marketing Part 2

By on October 15, 2013 in Melissa Tagg, One Thing Marketing, Platform-building

Two weeks ago we talked about the first five tips I picked up along the way as I planned for my very first book launch party. The party was a blast! You can check out Part 1 here. Five more event marketing tips coming at ya today:

6) Give people the opportunity to stay connected after the party

Something like a launch party or book signing can be a great one-time interaction between you and readers, but how much better is it if you can find a way to stay connected after the party? I mentioned in Part 1 that I did a pretty big giveaway as part of my launch party. We had five grand prizes, worth about $25 a piece. In order to enter, though, people had to sign up for my newsletter list. I now have an avenue for staying in touch with these readers.

Other ways you could stay connected: Send a “thanks for coming” eblast to attendees, give them an incentive to visit your website after the party, post party photos on Facebook and invite attendees to tag themselves, etc.

7) Collect information

Going along with that last tip, because your attendees cared enough to come out to your event, they’re people you’ll want to consider for future launch teams or other book promotion opportunities. So don’t miss this chance to data-gather. Collect names and email addresses, for sure!

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Some Shameless Storycrafter Retreat Promotion!

By on October 14, 2013 in 2. Create Your Story, 4. Writer’s Life, Inspiration and Life Coaching, How do I get started?, Susan May Warren, Writing Conferences

Where did the time go? That’s the thought I had as I hung up with an aspiring writer after spending two hours helping her with a novel. We had so much fun brainstorming her book the time slipped away.

I love helping writers find their story. And I’m blessed when I receive feedback like this:

“Something in your approach (all those check points and lists) caused some pieces to click into place that hadn’t before so that I could think better about the process.”

My favorite moment in teaching – when I hear an “ah ha!” or someone looks up at me with a sparkle of understanding in their eyes.

That’s what the MBT Storycrafter’s Retreat is about – helping you unlock your story. Whether you’ve written a handful of stories or are just starting out, we’ll spend a weekend working together to help your publishing dreams and goals come true.

You come with an idea, and leave with a story.

I’m going to brag for a moment on a few of my former attendees:

Mulit-published non-fiction author Beth Vogt showed up thinking that she’d just listen in, pretty sure writing fiction wasn’t for her. After I barred the door and told her to “come to the dark side,” she discovered she had a fiction voice. Look for her 3rd novel with Howard to hit the stands this spring!

Marketing guru Melissa Tagg knew she had a story in her- but she just didn’t know how to untangle it from her brain. She wowed us with her first chapter – and walked away on fire to write. Her first book came out with Bethany House last month!

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