Have you ever made the mistake of asking an eight-year-old what a movie was about? I have—and the results were brutal.

Nearly an hour later, as he finally wrapped up his nonstop, blow-by-blow report with “And that’s what it was about,” my eyes were glazed over and I was bordering on comatose. All I could think of was, I just asked what time it was; I didn’t want to know how to make the clock! Honestly, a simple “It was a story about a dog named Snickers” would have sufficed.

Eight-year-olds, however, have not yet learned to focus. Their attention span is still somewhat akin to that of a housefly, so I knew it was pointless to try to explain to him that I simply wanted a one-line synopsis of the movie. Better to cut my losses and make a run for it before he started telling me about the sequel.

But are adults that much different? To be more specific, are writers that much different? We should be. In fact, we must be if we are to be effective communicators. But are we?

One of the most frequent problems I see in working with writers is a desire to “eat the entire elephant.” I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, and that’s a great way to approach writing. For instance, if you want to write a story about your family vacation to the Redwoods, you need to stick to what actually happened on that trip. You should, of course, include enough information about your family, the scenery, the weather, and the magnificent trees to bring your story to life, but you don’t have to write an encyclopedia on trees in general. Or, if you’re thinking of writing about a particular spiritual experience you once had, you don’t write an apologetic on the entire Bible. In other words, successful writing is about finding and keeping your focus, unlike the eight-year-old with the limited attention span who rambled on about the movie because he wasn’t able to formulate and express one clear thought. In essence, he was trying to eat the entire elephant in one big bite. Writers often attempt the same thing, and it simply doesn’t work.

In My Son, John, my focus was this: God’s love is strong enough to bring healing to any situation, regardless of how traumatic or ugly or seemingly hopeless. Maintaining that focus, I was able to transition from the original story about a woman who discovers her 23-year-old son has AIDS, which is her first realization that he is involved in a homosexual lifestyle, to a woman whose mother is savagely murdered and then her 23-year-old son is arrested for the crime.

A drastic change? Not really because I knew what my story was really about, as captured in my focus statement about God’s love. Whether you want to write fiction or nonfiction, short stories or articles, children’s books or study guides, the bottom line is still the same: Identify your focus, and then—unlike the little boy and his never-ending rendition of the movie—stay true to that focus.

Your readers will thank you, and will come back for more!

Happy elephant eating!

*Adapted from THE TRAIN-OF-THOUGHT WRITING METHOD: Practical, User-Friendly Help for Beginning Writers by Kathi Macias (AuthorHouse, 2005).

My Son, John
Synopsis

Murder. Could there be a more chilling word? Could it be any more horrible than to have a loved one killed, brutally and heartlessly, without obvious reason or motive? When Liz Peterson’s elderly mother is found viciously beaten to death in her home, Liz and her husband, Charles, along with their grown son, John, and teenage daughter, Sarah, are horrified beyond words. Their previously predictable, respectable lives seem to have vanished without a trace, as they struggle to make sense of a senseless act.


And then a second blow—more devastating, if possible, than the first—rocks them to their core. John is arrested for his grandmother’s murder. As what’s left of the Peterson family begins to crumble under the weight of loss and accusation, the Petersons’ longstanding Christian faith is put to the test in a way they could never have imagined, and unconditional love is stretched to its limits. Will family ties and relationships withstand such a crushing blow, or will evil succeed in dividing and conquering this once close and inseparable family?

About the author
Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi is a teacher of creative and business writing and frequent guest on broadcast programs. She won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Her book, My Son, John, is also available on Kindle.

Visit Kathi’s website athttp://www.kathimacias.com”> http://www.kathimacias.com and her blog at http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/.  Stay tuned to Kathi’s website for news of her upcoming Blog Talk Radio show. 

Book Addict contributor C.J. Lyons talks about the latest in her Angels of Mercy series with Krysten Hager.

Tell us about your newest book, Urgent Care?

Urgent Care is the third book in the Angels of Mercy series and follows ER charge nurse Nora Halloran as she faces her greatest fear: the man who assaulted her two years ago has returned and now he’s killing his victims.

How does your character, Nora, change in this novel?

Feeling guilty about not reporting her assault (over 60% of victims never report) Nora has retreated to the world of rules and guidelines, using them to protect her patients and give them the best treatment possible.  But when a fellow nurse is murdered and Nora realizes the killer is the same man who assaulted her, Nora must break all the rules.  She risks everything including her own life to stop the killings and save the man she loves.
What was your road to publication like? Was it an easy process?

My road to publication was as twisted and difficult as a blind man navigating the streets of Manhattan at rush hour with his ears plugged full of cotton batting.  But I knew it was a dream I wanted to pursue, so once I made the leap of faith and left my medical practice to write full time, I never gave up.

How have both your careers (in medical field and as an author) changed with the series doing so well?

After seventeen years of practicing pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine, I left to write full time.  Since then there have definitely been ups and downs—with the economy and its impact on the publishing industry, I suspect every writer could say that.  I’ve been lucky to have been successful enough with the Angels of Mercy series that I just received a new contract for the fourth book, Isolation, that will be Gina’s long-awaited (and frequently requested by my fans!) story. 

Becoming a national bestseller has increased my visibility so now I find myself turning down more requests to speak and teach workshops than I accept, but I love teaching, so I still over-book myself.  I’m also beginning a new series, one that I hope will appeal to my current fans as well as mainstream thriller fans.

What advice do you have for aspiring and struggling writers?

Either Tim Allen or Winston Churchill said it best: Never surrender, never give up.  This is a tough business, so learn everything you can about it, have realistic expectations, listen more than you talk, but in the end you need to dare to dream that you can succeed. 

I am convinced that there are three keys to success in any business, but especially in publishing: Vision, Passion, Commitment.  If you have all three you can do anything.

What changes have you seen in the publishing world since your first book was published? Is it easier or harder for a new writer to break in?

I think in many ways it’s easier for a new writer to break in right now.  Publishers have always been more willing to take a gamble on an unknown new author that has potential than they are to support their own mid-list authors whose sales figures may be mixed.  And unfortunately, with the current economy, many, many authors have mixed sales figures attached to their name, most of which have nothing to do with the quality of their work.

Can we expect another book in the series?

Yes!  Isolation will be out December 2010, and is Gina’s story.  I’ve just begun it, but I can already tell that it’s going to be very intense and dramatic—just like Gina herself!

Your novel, Lifelines, is a finalist in the 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense for best Mainstream Mystery/Suspense novel of 2008. Tell us what you felt when you found out.

I was honored.  I’ve been a judge for the Daphnes for years and know the quality of writing it takes to final, so to have my first book be included among so many stellar novels was a thrill beyond compare.

Where can we find your blog and website online?

My website is http://www.cjlyons.net and I blog for Criminal Minds every Monday at http://7criminalminds.blogspot.com/

Anne Rainey now lives with her fabulous husband, two gorgeous teenage daughters, two ornery dogs and three snooty cats. When she’s not dressing, feeding, cleaning or spending time with them, she can be found at the computer writing stories hot enough to make your toes curl.

Anne got her start writing erotic romance when she wrote the first chapter of Haley’s Cabin. Back then she wasn’t sure she had what it took to get published but her friends encouraged her to finish the story and submit it to a publisher. Anne listened, finished the book, and is now happily published with thirteen published books to her credit and several more under contract.

Anne sold her first category length novel to Samhain Publishing in 2007. Since then she’s been busy writing and selling, having sold six more stories to Samhain and three to Red Sage Publishing. Anne has also signed a contract with Kensington Aphrodisia for a novella and two single titles.

Anne writes steamy contemporary erotic romance with an emphasis on emotion. Her characters are people like the people we all know in our real lives, roofers, administrative assistants, construction workers, massage therapists, and firefighters. Her heroes are hard working men who like their sex varied and plentiful and they are paired up with heroines who wouldn’t have it any other way.

The titles under contract with Kensington Aphrodisia are Anne’s hottest titles to date. “At first I was afraid to venture too far into the steamier stuff. I wrote hot, but vanilla. It’s been a slow progression.” And progress Anne has.

Anne’s latest release Reckless Exposure is part of eRed Sage Publishing’s Three Kinds of Wicked series—think hot ménage stories! In Reckless Exposure time-strider Trey finds himself in contemporary Manhattan where his targets are fashion photographer Rand Miller and Model Lucy Flemming. Innocent, lovely and trusting, Lucy gives herself to Rand in every way possible. She is more than his model. She is his muse. When Rand realizes that Lucy must move out of not only his apartment but his life, he decides to give her the going away party of a lifetime, complete with massage oil, margaritas and their mysterious neighbor Trey. But Trey has a mission to fulfill. This cannot be Lucy and Rand’s last night together. Trey must turn this ending into a new beginning for all of them.

In Suni’s Gift, Suni, a teacher, can’t shake the fantasies of having two men at once but Suni is happily married to her firefighter husband Ross and knows she can’t act on the fantasies so she commits them to her journal. When Ross finds the journal he realizes that Suni isn’t satisfied. Ross wants to give Suni everything she desires so he sets up a ménage experience as a Christmas gift to Suni. Though it seems like the story would be mostly about sex the story is deeper and more meaningful than that. It delves into the confusing feelings that each of the characters have as they decide whether to go through with the ménage encounter.

Anne’s stories are varied with unique characters and plots. Anne says that she usually gets the ideas for her stories characters first, then she builds a plot around the characters. For example, when she wrote Taking Chloe the secondary character, Grace, popped into the epilogue. She knew Grace would be mouthy, a real firecracker. She’d have to be in order to put up with her cousins Blade and Merrick. So, it seemed natural to pair her with someone who could handle her, without wanting to change her. The sexy, ex-military, slightly older Jackson Hill was the perfect fit. Jackson doesn’t feel emasculated by Grace. Instead he likes that she speaks her mind and knows what she wants.

Anne’s own favorite is Tasting Candy. Blade Vaughn is her most favorite hero, a hero she crafted by combining the best of all the men in her life and a few bits of the bad. In Tasting Candy the heroine was date raped and has a very difficult time being around men. Blade is like a gentle giant. He comes in and coaxes Candy’s passion to the surface. It’s a story that combines both strong emotion and a lot of steam.

Anne has attained many of her publishing goals but she offered up some practical advice for other authors who are just starting out and who want to write erotica or erotic romance. “Be very choosy where you put your work. Don’t be impatient and toss your manuscript out there to just anyone! You worked hard to create a good, solid story, now it’s time to do some research,” she says.

“Ask questions when seeking a publisher,” she adds. “Find out who the people are behind the scenes and where they worked before starting up a publishing company. Check into the authors writing for them. Are they happy? Buy a few of their titles and judge for yourself. Are they putting out quality work?”

A firm believer in self promotion, Anne says, “You’re setting yourself up for a really lousy royalty statement if you expect the publisher to do all the promoting for you.” Anne suggests rubbing elbows with readers, joining readers’ communities. Anne also maintains a website where readers can check out her current releases, read blurbs and even a sample chapter of each of her books at http://www.annerainey.com. You can also find her on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/annerainey Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/annerainey and MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/annerainey

About the columnist
Laurie Sanders is the founder and CEO at Black Velvet Seductions Publishing. The company publishes romance, romantic suspense, and erotic romance. Visit Black Velvet Seductions at http://www.blacvelvetseductions.com

Anyone who orders the book today (Thursday Oct. 22) will be able to access 85 prizes from authors, business people, coaches, and many more!

Summary

Overcomers, Inc: True stories of hope, courage, and inspiration will give readers the knowledge and emotional resilience to face the most difficult times of life by sharing inspiring stories of triumph.

You will find this a book of diversity. There are many authors, from many walks of life. However, they all share a common bond. They triumphed over tragedy and gleaned wisdom in this process. While this is not a religious book, there are stories full of faith, of many kinds and flavors. It is funny how in your darkest times, faith often becomes your brightest light.

All of the contributors to this book want to encourage you to hold tight to your belief that a better day will come. It is their sincere desire to pass along what they’ve learned through their own trials, to make your journey easier.

To get your own copy and receive dozens of bonus gifts go to http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch 

How Big Is Your Tent?
One Man’s Quest to Find the Answer for More, More, More.
By Joshua Aragon

My journey has been remarkable - one which I continue to live and enjoy in wonder. I now have an amazing fiancée and five beautiful kids with whom I get to share in the joys of life. My career, after many successful years as an entrepreneur and leader in the technology industry, is nearing a close, to allow more time for me to pursue my writing, teaching and speaking. The process of reinventing my life was, and still is, both enlightening and synchronistic. Although the struggles still exist, (you should see my tent now!), I now have a new perspective from which to look at life.

It is my hope that by sharing some of the key lessons I have learned on this journey, you too, can benefit from their transformational attributes.

The first is to take responsibility for your life and know that you have the strength, power, and courage to deal with any situation in which you find yourself. Rather than placing the blame on others and rendering yourself powerless, know that you come from the Source of all and with it, there is nothing you cannot do or be.

The second is to know that no matter where you are in life, regardless of your age, present health, wealth, circumstances, or beliefs, nothing is permanent and you can change your life, starting right now. Become today the person who you were meant to be. It all becomes possible with just one thought.

The third lesson is that you were sent here to shine. Don’t be afraid of what lies within the shadows. Know that it’s good and never accept anything less than your own personal best. You’re not in competition with others; you must only strive to make yourself better today than you were yesterday.

The final and perhaps most important lesson is to stop asking yourself, “What’s in it for me?” and start each day by asking, ”How may I serve?”

From Overcomers, Inc.; True Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration.

{Used with permission}

Win a copy of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre! Leave a comment to enter to win. US and Canadian residents only.

Hi, and thanks for inviting me to the blog! While I was writing this book a couple of years ago, something interesting I encountered was balancing out the different and new elements of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre while staying true to Jane Austen’s beloved characters, and it’s one of the reasons I loved writing the book. I started it at Longbourn, Elizabeth’s house, on the morning of her wedding, so that I could start it at a familiar point for readers. Elizabeth and all her family are there, and they are all recognizably the characters from Pride and Prejudice.

As the book progresses, Elizabeth is exposed to more and more unfamiliar places and people, which makes things fresh for readers, and so in order to keep a link back to her own world, and the original novel, I included a number of letters to her sister. She writes about the familiar world of Hertfordshire, as well as her fears and uncertainties about the new direction her life has taken. The letters are a bridge between the two novels, as well as being a bridge between Elizabeth and Jane.

It was great fun taking the characters out of England and sending them to Europe for their honeymoon. I gave me a good reason for creating a completely new world for them, which is what I wanted to do. They travel to Paris, then visit one of Darcy’s uncles in a gloomy castle in the mountains and travel across the Alps to Italy, where they stay in Darcy’s palace in Venice.

There are balls and parties in Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, just as there are in Pride and Prejudice, but there are also a lot of frightening experiences for Elizabeth as well. To make sure I stayed true to her character I went back to Pride and Prejudice and looked at how she behaved when things weren’t going so well for her. She is usually full of spirit, but when she finds out that Lydia has eloped, Jane Austen tells us that she had “a pale face . . .  her knees trembled under her . . .  she sat down, unable to support herself . . . looking miserably ill . . . she burst into tears.”

So I knew that Elizabeth wasn’t a wonder woman who could cope cheerfully with anything, but instead was a real person. When things get really tough for her in Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, I let her give way to her emotions as she does in Pride and Prejudice.

And as for Mr. Darcy, well, he’s still quiet, reserved and mysterious… And the secret behind his strange behaviour is something Lizzy never imagined could be possible!
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre is a real blend of old and new. I wanted to read something different myself, and the best way to read it seemed to be to write it! It’s a great read for Halloween, with bats and wolves and other spooky things, and I hope you love it as much as I do.

About the Author
Amanda Grange is a bestselling author specializing in creative interpretations of classic novels and historic events, including Jane Austen’s novels and the Titanic shipwreck. Her Jane Austen sequel Mr. Darcy’s Diary is a bestseller in the US and the UK. She lives in England. For more information on Amanda and her books, please visit http://amandagrange.com/. For more information on Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, please visit Amanda’s blog and the Sourcebooks Spotlight Page. Interested in reading an excerpt? Follow us on Twitter the week of Halloween!

Author Jean Lauzier knows how tough it is to write on your own.

Today Lauzier chats about the new site and how it can help writers in the weeks before National Novel Writing Month.

Writing is a solitary endeavor and most writers tend to be those who enjoy that solitude.  However, as humans we need interaction with other humans.  Especially those who share the same passions as we do.

Let’s face it, our friends and family often don’t understand the obsession we have with words and putting them on the page.  Often they don’t approve either.  And while they read our writing and tell us it’s wonderful, they may be telling us what they think we want to hear.  Or, even though they are well read enough to know a good story, they don’t have the craft knowledge to help us improve our writing.

This is one of the many reasons we need to associate with other writers.  Only another write knows what it feels like to be awakened in the middle of the night, just having to get the pen and paper out or fire up the laptop.  Only another writer understands when you start talking about your characters as if they were real people.  And only another writer understands the frustrations that come along; the doubts, the highs when things go great and the lows when they don’t.  Only your writer friends understand the agony of rejection and the thrill of acceptance.

Each year,  many thousands of writers gather to write their novel during the month of November. for National Novel Writing Month.  And, a great many of them do finish.  However there are a greater number of those who don’t.  I’ve been in both groups and it’s much more fun to be in the group that finishes.

Being in the group that finishes with a novel is the reason I started the Let’s Write a Novel…Together blog.  And I want to share that journey with other writers.  But not only do I want a finished novel, I want a novel filled with promise.  I don’t want a novel that is filled with words just to get words on the pages.  I don’t want rambling pages of needless and boring description just to get the word count higher to get the little “winner” bar.

And that’s where Let’s Write a Novel…Together comes in.  This month we’ve been discussing some basic writing topics such as characters, POV, writer’s block and commitment.  Starting in October, we’ll be plotting our novels.  We’ll get serious about creating our characters and world.  We’ll brainstorm our plot and key scenes so when it comes time to write, we’ll have an idea of where we’re headed.  And during November, we’ll be your encouragement and support headquarters.

Writing a novel is a journey, an adventure and I invite each of you to join us.  It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner who thinks it’d be cool to try writing a novel or an experienced writer with several novels written.  Come, join us.  Let’s write a novel…together!

Bestselling authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson invade Neverland again in their fourth Peter Pan book!

This month I’m delighted …

…delighted?

… okay, fine, I don’t get delighted.  I haven’t been delighted in my life.  I’m a guy.  We have emotions … I think … but they’re all buried deep and all that.

Anyway, I’m emotioned (as much as a guy is able) to be able to talk with not one, not two, but THREE best selling authors! 

Dave -  PULITIZER PRIZE WINNING   -  Barry

Woo-hoo!  Clap, clap, clap!

and …

Ridley   -  RAYMOND CHANDLER FULBRIGHT FELLOWSHIP   -  Pearson

Woot!  Shrill whistling

and …

Dave Barry/Ridley Pearson, co-authors of …  a bunch of books!

Okay, okay, there are just two authors.  I got excited.  But two bestselling authors?  It’s like having three regular authors, so of course I’m excited.  Who wouldn’t be?

Anyway, Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have collaborated on yet another Peter Pan book, Peter and the Sword of Mercy, which should be hitting the best seller lists any time now.  Between them they’ve written a bunch of books (legally defined as more than sixty), and gained fame in on their own before ganging up together to assault the book world with their combined efforts.

Without much more ado or adon’t, here we go:

Question (for Ridley):  You’re a mad talent as a thriller writer, but now you’re into the humor/YA market.  Are you doing this just to show off?

RP:  I make porpoise sounds to show off (which is why Molly can speak porpoise in the books).  I’m writing for young readers because they are the best readers out there.  That, and I never grew up.

Question (for Dave):  When I was reading the Peter Pan books, all I could think was, ‘what, no exploding cows.’  How hard was it to keep the cows out of the books?

DB: I thought about putting some cows in the Neverland lagoon – mer-cows – but this would not have been popular with the mermaids. I also considered flying cows, but that could get really messy. So as of now it’s basically a cow-free series. Although we do have a really smart bear. But it does not explode.

Question (for Ridley): Did Dave let you write any of the funny stuff in the books? 

RP:  Dave is—thankfully—the humor police in this collaboration.  But I sneaked in a line or two when he was napping.

Question (for Dave):  I guess this is more of a comment, but you realize you ruined my Sundays when you retired from writing your Pulitzer prize winning syndicated column and it no longer appeared in the Chicago Tribune.

DB: Just for you, I’ve written a bunch more columns, which will appear in a book coming out next May called “I’ll mature when I’m dead.” You had BETTER buy this book, Mr. You-Ruined-My-Sundays.

Question (for either or both):  Tell us a bit about the hardest part in the process of collaborating on a novel and the part that surprised you the most.

DB: The hardest part is when we spend days arguing as we try to figure out a plot that’s exciting and satisfying and not utterly ridiculous. The most surprising part is how often, when I’ve written myself into some hideous plot dilemma, Ridley comes up with some nifty solution. Exploding cows, for example.

RP: We outline the books together - usually in person. Then we divide by character and write first drafts of various chapters—and we send the first draft to the other guy and a war of editing begins that is actually very healthy for the prose, story and characters.  We’ve learned over time to write in a kind of third voice—not Ridley, not Dave—but the editing is still as ferocious as ever, in hopes neither we nor readers can tell who was behind the keyboard at any given time.  Unless a character breaks wind: that’s Dave.

Question (for both):  When I was contacting you, the name ‘Disney’ came up.  Disney!  Wow!  So, um … what’s up with that?

DB: We LOVE Disney. They support us and let us wear pirate outfits and make our books look beautiful. And they found us a wonderful illustrator, Greg Call.

RP:  Enough said.   

Question (for either/both):  As most of the world knows, you guys play in a rock band with Stephen King, Amy Tan and Mitch Albom.  Who plays what … who sings … are you breaking any state laws … and is this on YouTube somewhere?

RP: The Rockbottom Remainders is a garage band of authors that raises money for non-profits, but as Amy Tan has said, “I would do this to kill the whales.

DB: About 17 of us play guitar, but never exactly in unison. Most of us also sing. Amy Tan wears Spandex. Scott Turow wears a wig. We try very hard never to allow ourselves to be recorded, or even to allow our notes to linger too long in the air.

Question for (Dave):  What do you like most about what Ridley contributes to your joint writing projects?

DB: Ridley is a great combination of being disciplined and psychotic. You cannot beat a disciplined psychotic as a writing partner.

Question (for Ridley):  The same question, er, though, about Dave’s contributions.

RP:  Eye patches.

Question (for Dave):  How’s the campaign for Presidency going?

DB: I am leading in all 57 states.

Question (for Ridley):  Did you have to alter your writing habits or style in order to go from writing thriller to writing a joint YA book?

RP:  Dave and I strive to write story and fun characters.  We aren’t there to teach life lessons, we’re there to entertain.  We don’t “write down” to our younger readers, and I think they respect us for that.  I think I can speak for Dave (but do I dare?) in saying we’ve never had this kind of fun writing. It’s simply the best—and that’s because of the audience.  Kids are the best.

Question (for both): Why should people rush right on out, through heavy traffic, caffeine overdose and exploding cows to buy “Peter and the Sword of Mercy”?

RP:  Because our daughters have to go to college someday.  Actually, it’s because Peter and Molly and Tinkerbell are at it again, and any reader knows WHAT THAT MEANS!

DB: Because it – and I say this in all modesty – is a terrific book. If you’ve enjoyed the previous books in the Starcatchers series, we think you’ll like this one a lot.

Question (for both):  Where can people get your stuff, follow you on Twitter, FaceBook and all that?

DB: Google!

Thank you very, very much for showing us more of the Dave Barry/Ridley Pearson world!

RP: What’s amazing is that it looks a lot like the regular world, only more regular.

Okay, readers, you know what to do!  Get out and buy their books!! 

About Norm:
Norm Cowie is the author of Fang Face - as if being a teenager doesn’t suck enough, a YA humor/vampire. You can find out more about his twisted humor at http://www.normcowie.com