Leave a comment and I'll gift you one of my novels or a subscription to my Wellness Ezine.

Leave a comment and I'll gift you one of my novels or a subscription to my Wellness Ezine.
Follow me by email, below right

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Share your idea about success in publishing and win a chance to get published

What's your idea of writing success?

All you need to do is share it and you could a chance to get it published on the Writers Digest blog.

Sounds good? Bop on over to the web site that follows and check it out.

Keep writing and reading...

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-q-what-defines-writing-success-a-chance-to-get-published?et_mid=582809&rid=49847111

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Share a favorite dessert recipe and appear in our book!

Do you have a favorite family recipe for a dessert? If you're willing to share it, you could get featured in our next book. We prefer more healthy than less healthy, but if your recipe is really terrific, we might waffle on that...

We're looking for recipes for our upcoming book, CANDY, MURDER and JUST DESSERTS, and we'll be taking recipes for the next two weeks.

Interest you?

Here's the format to use:

Ingredients:

(list them one per line, by amount)

Directions:

(how you combine the ingredients, temperature to bake at, if applicable, and any other directions needed for serving).

What do you get?

We'll mention your name, your blog, your web site, your twitter address, your next project, a current book you've written or plan to write, or something else if you can think of something else you'd rather have listed, as long as it fits in with the book.

We can't do two of the same recipe, so e.g., if someone sends in pumpkin cake and we already have a pumpkin cake recipe, you're out of luck. It's first come, first served in that case.

NOTE: You cannot use recipes you find in a cookbook or online. They have to be original family recipes you've tried and loved or we'll have to disqualify you.

That's it!

Just put your information below in the comment section, along with your email or twitter address or website where we can leave information.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

DEAR LUCKY AGENT Contest now on!

11th Free “Dear Lucky Agent” Contest (Middle Grade Fiction) is going on now!

Agent judges and super-cool prizes...

To find the 11th (free!) “Dear Lucky Agent” Contest go to the GLA blog by clicking More information about the  contest, which is live through August 27th!


I know I'll be entering...what about you?


Thursday, August 9, 2012

I got the Versatile Blogger Award!


I'm shocked and pleased to have received this award!  What a high!

.By accepting this award I agree to do the following:
  •  Thank the blogger who awarded me with a link back to him/her.
  •  Share seven things about myself.
  •  Pass the award on to fifteen other newly discovered blogs.


Seven things about myself:

Along with being a fiction writer, I am a nurse and wellness educator (at http://www.carolynchambersclark.com where I offer a free Wellness Newsletter, copies of my health-related books, e-books, free articles, and more.

I was born in northern Wisconsin, went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and then moved east for a masters degree at Rutgers University and a doctorate in nursing education at Columbia University.

I write fiction by myself and with my co-author, Anthony Auriemma.

I love the beach and can drive there in 5 minutes or bike in 10.

I garden all-year round in large pots.

Blogs I have passed this award on to are: (I'm working on getting okays for these...)


Thanks again to Glo Haynes, blogger extraordinare

(https://plus.google.com/1162083985767116575/posts)
for finding my blog interesting and Versatile!

What is High Concept and what does it mean to writers and readers?

Whether you're a reader or a writer, I'll bet you're wishing for that terrific book to come your way...the one that makes your heart beat with anticipation, and won't let you stop no matter what.

Does that happen often for you?

It probably happens only when you come upon a high concept book...something that strikes an inner chord with you...makes you say..."Yes, I have to read that."

High concept could be the term that explains why some books that may not be that well-written, have main characters we can't identify with, and have many flaws, become overnight sensations. Yes, of course, word of mouth and/or great promotion can do that, but, for me at least, their popularity stuns me.

Alexandra Sokoloff  is my guru for this topic. Although she writes about screenplays, what she says is just as true for books... Whether you're a writer or a reader, I've jotted down some "rules" about high concept books.

First rule

It's high concept if the book can be explained in one sentence and the majority of people who hear it will want to read it.

Second rule

 It could be a high concept book if it's whimsical and helps us pretend the real world doesn't exist. I guess any escapist theme will do...

Third rule

It could be high concept if it's so intriguing we've all been there (or would like to be). Star Wars, ET, X-Men, Sleepless in Seattle, Kate & Leopold, anything with Simon Baker in it...oops, gotta control those fantasies.

Fourth rule

It's topical and hits a nerve or fetish. Examples? Fatal Attraction, Disclosure, Fifty Shades of Grey.

Fifth rule  (Here's one that explains the zombie craze to me, not that I understood the vampire craze that came before it). 

It contains a cultural metaphor for the moment, i.e., information overload has turned us all into brainless undead, which are what zombies are!

Sixth rule

If you can exploit a primal fear, you're in with a high concept book. Examples? Jaws, Jurassic Park, Exorcist, and yes, zombies taking over the planet! No wonder Ms. Hocking is a millionaire!!

Seventh rule

Even though it may read as a mishmash, be sacrilegious or controversial and you'll be high concept.  This includes: Da Vinci Code, Fifty Shades of Grey, some of Mel Gibson's films and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Eighth rule

Retell a classic or a fairytale and you're in. Recently there have been scads of retellings and they do well.

Ninth rule

Answer the question, "What would you do if...?"  Of course, the question has to be sexy, indiscreet, and possibly ridiculous, ala  Indecent Proposal. This movie was a while back,but it asked the question, "Would you have sex with a stranger for a million dollars?" As Ms. Sokoloff writes so well, the movie promoted a zillion water cooler discussions as people fantasized about having sex with Demi Moore or Robert Redford...Personally, Demi's gorgeous and a great actor, but she does nothing for me, but Robert Redford, now there's a man...oops, fantasies again!

Tenth rule

Tie the premise to a theme or holiday or setting that makes the story universally appealing. There are plenty to choose from: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Paris, London, turning forty and still terrific, etc. Flirting with Forty had both Hawaii and gorgeous bodies (Heather Locklear and Robert Buckley...no, Heather was the one turning 40; Robert was like 25, but he fits the gorgeous bodies category..Whatever happened to Robert? And speaking of gorgeous, why isn't Hugh Jackman making romances anymore? I like him much better as a stunning lover ala Kate and Leopold than as an X-man with metal things coming out of him...but that's just me).

Eleventh rule

Choose an old-fashioned romance. Ms. Sokoloff helped me understand why so many people adored Twilight when it did nothing for feminist, me. Take an annoying, plain, stupid, selfish, clumsy, unkind girl and a superhero or two and voile! Magic...


For more of Alexandra's brilliance, go to
http://www.screenwritingtricks.com/2010/02/what-is-high-concept.html

Friday, July 27, 2012

Free edit of your work, YA and/or MG writers!

Pitches, queries, text...whatever you need feedback on. The contest opens next Tuesday over at http://motherwrite.blogspot.com/

Go there and find out.

Good luck!

Win a free copy of FROST!

If you'd like to get away from the heat of summer, sign up for this giveaway. Who knows? You might be the one to win a free copy of FROST.

For particulars, go to http://www.goodchoicereading.com/2012/07/frost-by-kate-avery-ellison-blog-tour.html

Good luck!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Five Ways Fridays: Too many Writing or Reading Projects

Whether your a writer or a reader, spreading yourself too thin can be draining. I ought to know. Just a while ago, I was working on eight books, that's right, count them one...two...three...four...five...six...seven...eight.

Whew, it's hard just counting to eight. It didn't work out too well. What was I thinking? Multi-tasking is one thing, but octo-tasking is another.

But...I think I've finally steadied my writing ship. Here are 5 things I learned doing it.

  1.  Although it's good to have a lot of ideas, writing a little here and a little there dilutes your effort.
  2. Find someone or something to help you decide what to focus on. Get as much information as you need to make a good decision.
  3. When in doubt, ask your readers (if you're a writer) or a trusted friend (if you're a reader). If you're both, then, aren't you lucky? You'll have two sources of answers.
  4. When a trusted reader gives you information, listen. If it sounds logical, at least try it. In this case, my   trusted reader asked me, are any of these books part of a series? Of course, then it became logical to choose to work on the series book, which by the way, happens to be the best seller.
  5. Once you've decided, follow through and stick with your decision. In this case, it hasn't been hard because I'd already finished 1/4 of the book and had detailed notes for the rest. Although I'm writing this as a writer, I've also tried to read several books at the same time. That dilutes the experience, too, so maybe all of these steps also apply to readers...at least they apply to me as reader...
Let me know what your experience has been with writing or reading too many books at once.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Have I lost my way?

Yup, I'm working on 8 different novels at once.  What, am I an octopus? Nope, when I run out of ideas or enthusiasm for one, I switch to another...Different strokes for different days...It's a new theory I'm testing out. What do you think?

Happy summer!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Life is short--Here's your chance--50 new contests to enter!

Choose from over 50 new writing contests every month. New contests added daily. Just one of the benefits of being a writer at http://www.fanstory.com/index1.jsp?at=173.

Bop on over and see what the hubbub's all about...

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Stuck in the middle of a writing project? Here's some advice from veteran writer...

Whether you write books or read them, here's some advice from veteran writer, Tod Goldberg. Hey, writing one of the most popular TV series--Burn Notice--means he knows whereof he speaks.

To read his advice, click on:
http://dailyfig.figment.com/2012/05/31/daily-theme-from-tod-goldberg/

And...good luck with that project!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Why writing keeps you sane

I'm a firm believer in the idea that writing, especially fiction writing, keeps you sane.

What do I base this on?

My own experience, of course, and the fact that people who journal show all kind of healthy behaviors while those who don't, don't. From fighting off infection to getting over trauma, writing/journaling helps. This comes from my other writing life...writing books, articles, and newsletter issues about staying healthy and getting well.  Peek in on my other life at http://www.carolynchambersclark.com for more on this topic...

My personal, as opposed to my professional experience, also tells me writing keeps me sane. It just does. If I go without writing fiction for a day, I can tell. My husband can tell, and probably anyone I come into contact with can tell. Writing fiction frees me from the day-to-day hassles, the noise of TV and even the internet, and allows my unconscious free rein. Heaven knows, as a control freak, I don't let that happen very often, except, of course, in my dreams...

So, there you have it, my theory on why writing fiction keeps me (and others) sane. What's your take on this important concept?

I'd love to hear what you think...seriously...

Carolyn


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

FREE copy of Love in Midair

Love romances? Hop on over to http://archive.feedblitz.com/218287/~4164128 and leave a comment and you just might get a copy of LOVE IN MID-AIR...sounds enticing, doesn't it?

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

SAMMY AND ME: A G.I. AND HIS DOG IN VIETNAM up on Amazon!

My husband's new memoir, SAMMY AND ME: A GI AND HIS DOG IN VIETNAM is now up on Amazon.
Stay tuned for new giveaways.

If you like dogs, heart-warming stories, and veterans...this one's for you.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

FREE 10-page manuscript evaluation...

------------
Third Tour Stop, Writers' Ally, hop over to win a free 10-page manuscript evaluation and witness a heated back and forth between archenemies!
http://writersally.blogspot.com/2012/02/land-or-ocean-dweller-giveaway.html

Friday, February 17, 2012

ALMIGHTY SARA in ABNA contest!

Entered Almighty Sara, a young adult fantasy in Amazon.com novel contest. I'll keep you posted.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Giveaway over at Cynsations!

Sweet Giveaway: Signed Copies of Love? Maybe. and The Cupcake Queen

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway-love-maybe-and-cupcake-queen.html

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Great contest over at http://ebysswriter.blogspot.com/

Finished a novel? Want to enter it in a contest to get a free first page crit from famous agent, Lauren Hammond?

 Go to 

http://ebysswriter.blogspot.com/ 

and dive right in.

I did and have fingers and toes crossed.

But you better hurry because you only have a day!