M. K. Theodoratus, Fantasy Writer, blogs about the books she reads--mostly fantasy and mystery authors whose books catch her eye and keep her interest. Nothing so formal as a book review, just chats about what she liked. Theodoratus also mutters about her own writing progress or ... lack of it.

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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Using Pinterest -- An Anytime Writing Tip

 

To Pin or Not to Pin. 
That hasn't been much of a question for me. 

The place confuses the heck out of me ,.. more so than GoodReads, even. 


Social Media confuses me because I can't figure how to make it work for me, like encouraging people to buy my stories. My sales tell me I'm a failure every  time I look at my stats. And, no. That fact that others are doing worse, doesn't make me feel better.

But back to Pinterest. I've got a minimal presence on there, mostly book covers. But my brain just got illuminated on how to use Pinterest to promote books from Jody Hedland's blog -- that I understood, finally. It's such a wonderful explanation of a promotion plan I just had to share it with anyone that stops by. 

I'm hoping it'll help me make more sales.
If you read the 15 July 14 blog, you might be able to too.

It may be a while before I get anywhere with her ideas, but for the record, you can visit my Pinterest ???? here. I at least follow back when someone follows me. First indication I found some pictures to post will be the picture of the blooming Christmas cactus showing up on my pages. Yeah, that's a bookshelf underneath it. Our place is littered with the things. Not cactus. Over-stuffed bookshelves. 

Or, I might just post it because it's been a long time since I've put something new up.

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Crossings has finally gone to my content editor. Thought it would never get there. Am proud It's come in close to 17,000 words.

I'll probably be promoting it more than I have my other stories...if I can find the time. I've got a short about Dumdee's [The Ghost in the Closet] childhood in the words I want to put up as a free story in August. I hope to get Crossings to my copy-editor before we go visit our kids in NYC.

Anyone care to review the story? I'll send you a free PDF pre-pub copy if you leave your email in the comment section.

I should have a PDF file sometime in the middle of August.The story's dark fantasy about an old geezer who's never had a spit of magic but manages to revenge a friend's death against some Frogtrolls with a little help from Fu-type Guardians. The friend in question is Granny Nan/Nance who's only remembered in There Be Demons by her great-grandaughter, Britt. [TBD is in long delayed copyedits, but the editor assures me she's making progress now that she's feeling better.]

Yeah. I started Crossings at the beginning of the year sometime. Frankly, I feel embarrassed that it's taken me this long to get it written.

One more thing and I'll shut up. I'm going to take sort of a social media holiday to clean out of the stuff I've saved from my various emails. Mostly promotion things. I've got to devise a better way to use my social media time.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Finding Time to Write: My Worst Writing Fear -- Stephanie Burkhart




My Worst Writing Fear: Finding Time to Write 

by: Stephanie Burkhart

Thank you so much for having me here today, it's a pleasure to visit.

 4Did anyone read or see Divergent? I picked up the book and had to go see the movie. I loved the world building and the creativity behind the story, but what struck me was how those in power played with a person's fear to test their inner strength and courage. Fear defines a character – look at Four. He worked hard to push past them. Where am I going with this? Fear is real. It makes you anxious. Nervous, even. It plays with your mind.

My worst writing fear is time. I never have enough time.   When I started writing, I didn't have such a full plate. I worked 40 hours a week full time as a 911 dispatcher for LAPD and writing on my down time was a good stress reliever. It still is.

Soon the boys came along with gymnastics, dance, boy scouts, cub scouts, and various other extra activities. I've got to find time to exercise for my weight watchers and then there's the house – gotta keep it clean. Finding time to write, edit, and do marketing is a rarity now. I find myself running out of time. And I don't like that. It makes me anxious.

I have stories I'm dying to write trapped in my head. It's a challenge to find a spare minute to type up my handwritten stories. I hate missing deadlines because I didn't have time to polish/edit my writing. I don't like being late. I always strive to be at least 5 minutes early.

So how do you fix it? Where can you buy time from? That's the challenge. Part of my solution is to work on my writing while waiting on the boys at their activity, or working for an hour after they finish their homework. Dedicating a fixed amount of time to a task then moving on seems to help. It also helps to be more realistic and adjust my goals, setting them further out so I can pace accordingly.

Do you have a fear you'd like to share with us today, or tips for time management? Please don't forget to leave your email. I'd love to hear from you. 





As you can guess from the banner, this is a Blog Tour organized by Goddess Fish.  Comment with your email and you will be in a drawing for an Amazon $25 gift card. Prize will be awarded by a random drawing of all commentators for the tour. 

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AUTHOR Bio & Media Links:

 Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD.  She was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire.  After serving 11 years in the US Army she currently calls Castaic, California her home. Stephanie was married in Denmark in 1991 and has two young sons. She adores chocolate, is addicted to coffee and enjoys early morning walks.  She's also an assistant den leader for her son's Cub Scout den and is a Boy Scout mom. She writes paranormal, contemporary, and steampunk romance and has two children's books published with 4RV Publishing.

You can learn more about Stephanie Burkhart and her writing at her author website. She's also found at various social media sites: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads, If you like to watch book trailers Burkhart has posted many for her various books on her YouTube Channel



BLURB:
Sunrise over Brasov

Rosa Getzi lives a life of intrigue at Poiana Brasov with Clement, a werewolf, and Cassandra, the witch. Her past doesn't matter to her – until she discovers what it holds.

Moldavian Moon Book Three: Sunrise Over BrasovPrince Michael Sigmaringen joins his sister-in-law, Caroline, and the vampire prince, Darius, in a daring rescue, igniting Rosa's desire to find her family. However, all is not as it appears. Rickard, Rosa's friend, escapes with her. Clement will go to any lengths to get Rosa and Rickard back.

At Darius' fortress, Michael soon discovers Rickard is a new breed of werewolf – one who can control the change, and Clement hopes to exploit Rickard's abilities.

Michael's courage, strengths, and convictions will be tested like never before. Can Michael and Rosa find true happiness and the rid the lupine haunting of the Sigmaringens once and for all?

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EXCERPT: Sunrise Over Brasov

He raised his hand and lowered his hood. An inherent strength filled his profile. Confidence. Concern. Relief.

Rosa's breath jammed in her throat. He looked familiar. He smelled familiar.

"Rosa, it's Michael. Let's go."

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

A frown set against his rugged features. "I don't have time to argue -- now put on a warm dress and cloak." 

"No." She was not going anywhere with him despite the relief in his voice. 

He sighed and shut the door. Moving with fluid grace, he crossed the room, jerked the door to her closet open and threw the items he wanted her to wear on her bed. "Get. Dressed." 

"No." She was determined not to budge, despite the danger outside.  

"Rosa, we're leaving."  

"I'm staying."  

"Why would you want to stay? Clement kidnapped you."  

Disconcerted, she pointedly glanced away from his hard stare. What did he mean by kidnapped? Clement didn't keep her behind bars and feed her only bread and water. Rosa could even go into Brasov to shop as long as Lucien or one of the bodyguards went with her.

"I'm going to take you back to your mother."

Her head snapped toward his direction. Mother? Of course she had a mother -- a family, even -- only she had no recollection of them. So why did her body fill with warmth at the mention of her mother by a man she hadn't seen before, but was hauntingly familiar? She pursed her lips, torn by conflicting emotions.

"Caroline and Darius can't keep this up. Now get dressed or I'll dress you myself."

"You'll find me an unwilling subject."

He drew in a deep breath and raked a hand through his thick ebony hair. "You are exasperating."

"So I've been told."


For a larger sample of Sunrise Over Brasov, check out the book's Buy Links.