chapterbychapterblogtours – Page 20

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Hello lovelies and welcome to my stop for the Rage of a Dragon King Blog Tour. If you’re new to my blog, welcome to Sincerely Karen Jo. Today, I have a special guest post from the lovely author, J. (Jenny) Keller Ford. She’ll be sharing 10 awesome writing tips for aspiring authors

Hope you enjoy reading and don’t forget to leave your comments at the end!

When you’re first starting out as an author, there is no doubt you can become overwhelmed. There is so much information out there on how to write, how to edit, how to find an agent, should you find an agent, etc., that a lot of really good writers give up before they’ve ever written a word. This business, just like any other, especially in the arts, is filled with competition, contradicting information that it’s easy to find yourself trying to stay afloat in a sea of confusion. When I first started out, the main tip I always got from other authors was “Don’t give up. Authors who give up never get published.” While true, it really didn’t give me what I was looking for when I asked for writing tips. I have since come up with a few tips of my own for aspiring authors and I hope this helps in even the smallest way.

Never give up. Authors who give up, never get published. It’s true. I had to get it out of the way, to there. 🙂
Never, ever, ever compare yourself to other authors. More times than not, it will lead to massive amounts of self-doubt. Authors have enough of their own doubts without adding more. Remember, you have your own voice, your own style, so let it shine through.
Read, and read a lot. Read in the genre you want to write. If there is an element of romance in your Sci Fi, read romance, too, not just Sci Fi. If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write.
Surround yourself with beta readers and listen to them. They are worth their weight in gold when you find good ones. Receiving criticism is hard. No one likes to hear their baby needs work, or is ugly in its current form. Put on your big girl/boy pants, don your thick skin, and really look at the suggestions they give you. Listen to those things that are similar across the board. If more than 2 people bring up the same thing, it usually is a good sign you need to take notice of their suggestions.
Start connecting with people who can help you when the time comes to market your book. Join Facebook groups, be active. Sign up on Absolute Write. Scan the forums. Participate in other messages from other would-be authors who are looking for advice, too. Follow your favorite authors. Sign up for newsletters. You want to strategize yourself so people know you and see you as a serious contender and someone they like.
Social Media – get involved, but don’t make it all about your book. Your future fans want to see you’re human and have a life outside of books. Help others, promote others. When the time comes, they’ll promote you.
Arm yourself with books that can help you. Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi have written a whole series of Thesauruses. There are six or seven in the series and I suggest you get every single one of them. These books will show you how to take your stories from “tell” to “show”. They are a must for every author’s library of How-To books.
Think about if you want to go the traditional route or the self-pub route of publishing. Each have their goods and their bads. Talk to other authors. Narrow down a list of agents and publishers. Research them. Make sure they deal in your genre. The last thing you want is to send your space opera epic adventure to an agent who publishes cook books. Again. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Writer’s Marketplace and Writer’s Beware are two great sources.
Writer’s block got you down? Sit at your computer or with our pad and pen and start writing anything that comes to your mind. It doesn’t matter if it makes sense. The point is to get the words to flow. Before you know it, there is a story coming out of you. It’s an amazing thing. All you have to do is kickstart the old brain.
At some point, you have to stop editing. There will always be something you want to change, something your characters said that you think you can make better. A scene that could have used an extra punch, but if you keep editing, you’ll never get published. At some point, you have to be happy and content with what you have. It will never be perfect. Nothing ever is. Love your baby. Know you’ve done your absolute best. When your beta readers love it, your editor and publisher love it, then you’ve accomplished something wonderful. Bask in it, and move on to the next. Keep writing.

Rage of the Dragon King

(The Chronicles of Fallhollow #2)

J. Keller Ford

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Publication Date: October 24, 2017

Publisher: Month9Books

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David and Charlotte paid their dues. They traveled to another realm, battled the Dragon King, recovered the all important magic key to the mage tunnels, and found the heir to the throne of Hirth, as promised. Now it’s time to go home. There’s just one problem: the powerful crystals needed to activate the tunnels have been stolen…and David’s parents have mysteriously disappeared along with them. Guess who’s not going home to Havendale anytime soon.

Eric Hamden, squire extraordinaire, survived the poisonous knick of a shadowmorth’s blade, rescued the king of Hirth from the bowels of the dragon’s lair, and confronted a heartbreaking betrayal that nearly got him killed. Still reeling from the news, Eric sets his sights on a daring rescue only to wind up in a prison of his own with David and Charlotte at his side. But rescues come in strange ways, and before they know it, the three end up in David’s hometown of Havendale…and Eric gets a quick schooling in Modern Life 101. He’d rather fight a dragon.

With secrets, lies and betrayals meeting them at every turn, David, Charlotte and Eric soon discover that Havendale isn’t the sanctuary they’d hoped for. Even their best-laid plans can’t prepare them for the danger that stalks them. This time, no amount of magic or prayers can save them. War has been declared, and in the final battle, someone must make the ultimate sacrifice. Let the battle begin.

Other Books in the Series

Book 1

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About the Author

(Jenny) Keller Ford is a scribbler of speculative fiction and YA tales. As an Army brat, she traveled the world and wandered the halls of some of Germany’s most extraordinary castles in hopes of finding snarky dragons, chivalrous knights, and wondrous magic to permeate her imagination. What she found remains etched in her topsy-turvy mind and oozes out in sweeping tales of courage, sacrifice, honor and everlasting love.

When not torturing her keyboard or trying to silence the voices in her head, Jenny spends time collecting seashells, bowling, screaming on roller coasters and traveling. She is a mom to four magnificent and noble offspring and currently lives in paradise on the west coast of Florida with a menagerie of royal pets, and her own quirky knight who was brave enough to marry her.

Published works include The Passing of Millie Hudson, a paranormal short story that can be found in READING GLASSES. IN THE SHADOW OF THE DRAGON KING is her debut novel and the first installment in the Chronicles of Fallhollow Trilogy. Book 2 in the series is slated for Fall 2016.

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Thanks for reading. Leave your comments down below.

Sincerely Karen Jo

Hello my fellow book lovers and welcome to my stop for the Marked Beauty Blog Tour. If you’re new to my blog, welcome to Sincerely Karen Jo. Today I have S.A. Larsen share her ideas and techniques for awesome world building. Happy reading lovelies!

The World of … (World Building)

Establishing Your Story Grid

by S.A. Larsen

World building is an essential part of any fictional tale. It gives your story legs to stand on and an arena to flourish in. It can even become a character itself.

Constructing a story’s world is much like walking through a supermarket and honing in on specific ingredients that when brought together create an unforgettable meal. You still see the other cans of soup and the jars of pickles, but these particular pieces fit into your puzzle that contribute to your story problem, character development, and themes. The best mixtures, I’ve found, are the ones that play a duel or even a triple role, enriching the world, challenging a character, and pressing the story forward. But in order to do that your world must have a grid – specifics that are constant and foundational, giving the reader a steadfast platform to walk on.

So, how do you build it so they will come . . . and stay?

Ask yourself real-life questions and come up with structural answers that will serve as your building bible and your grid.

What is the world like? Is the environment harsh? Even though your story world is mostly set at a playground behind an elementary school where it always rains, you need to decide what it looks, feels, and smells like, and keep those constant. You need to establish a sense of place for the reader.

*A note about the senses: When I begin reading a fictional story, one of the first things I notice are the different smells. Why? It’s just my thing, I guess. Although I can’t literally grasp on to the sweet aroma of the warm, sticky bun the character is devouring or inhale the briny scent wafting in from the open sea, I can image both. A rich story world touches the five senses, guiding the reader deeper into every aspect without becoming distracting. And if you toss in some supernatural element you can really have fun with these. But remember it must be plausible and ground the reader more soundly into this world. If it doesn’t, you probably shouldn’t use it.

What are the story world’s necessities – What do the people eat? How do they prepare their food? Do they have special customs or rituals? What language do they speak? Is it a free world or are limitations in place? Elaborating on these will set the feel for your world. Your characters will become that more believable as you walk them through scenes incorporated with these details.

Develop the world’s outer dressings – How do the people dress? What type of transportation do they use? What are their living quarters like? Where do they work, and what type of work do they do? What are their schools like? Where do they do their shopping? How do they stay connected and communicate? Answers to these types of questions should give you a visual of what the world looks like at a glance. It will also add layers to your characters, molding them into three-dimensional forms that will only enhance and deepen the world you’re creating.

Inner Dressings – Are there prejudices in this world? How do people feel about their world at the story’s onset? What would they like to change? What is their moral code and how does that affect interpersonal interaction? Answers to these types of questions should give you a view of the hidden desires and fears of your story world.

*This one is interesting because for some characters their inner dressings will probably change by the end of your story. That’s their character growth. But establishing the demeanor of your story world at the beginning is vital to showing this eventual character transformation.

Are there magical elements in play? If so, what are they and what is their scope? How are they limited? Who can use them? And if some characters can’t, why not? Defining rules for these elements will only make the world you’re creating stronger, bolder, and more plausible.

What happened before the story began? What is the history of this world? Of its people? (People could refer to a family or a clan or a group in a school.) Establishing backstory is an important ingredient to expanding your world building. It gives it reality, blood and sweat-equity. And this is a great place to use your world building as a character. It can be a ton of fun. Different characters will have unique reactions to the world before you began this story world.

How did the history of this world alter it for the present? Are their social or environmental issues to explore? If there was a natural disaster, how do those people live differently now? Does it show in their attitudes and belief systems?

There are many other elements we could explore here. But the main point is that the reader must be made aware of the sights and sounds, the rules and geography, and even the history of your world. And if you’re writing a tale where otherworldly or supernatural elements come into play then your world building needs even more structure. Readers must have a guide when they enter a new story world, and you are it.

Marked Beauty

S.A. Larsen

Marked Beauty Cover

Publication Date: October 2017

Publisher: Ellysian Press

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Uncovering hidden secrets can sometimes kill you . . . or worse, steal your soul.

Anastasia Tate has a secret. She can feel the emotions of others through their life energy auras. Not a welcome gift for a teenager. Especially when a sinister presence begins stalking her.

Viktor Castle also has a secret. He’s tasked with protecting humanity yet cursed by an ancient evil to destroy it.

After Viktor saves Ana’s life, her abilities grow stronger. Drawn together, she senses Viktor has answers to lifelong questions. Only he shuns her at every turn, knowing he has saved her only to put her in more danger.

As Ana struggles with her attraction to Viktor, he tries everything to bury his unexpected feelings for her. But they must find a middle ground. For only together can they combat the dark forces threatening both their lives . . . and their souls.

About the Author

S.A. LARSEN is the author of the award-winning novel Motley Education, the first book in a fantasy-adventure series for middle grade readers. Her work has appeared in numerous local publications and young adult anthologies Gears of Brass and Under A Brass Moon by Curiosity Quills Press. Marked Beauty is her debut young adult novel. Find her in the land of snowy winters and the occasional Eh’ya with her husband of over twenty-five years, four children, a playful pooch, and three kittens. Visit her cyber home anytime at www.salarsenbooks.com.

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Release Party Giveaway: What better way to celebrate a book birthday then by a giveaway! There are many ways to enter, which you’ll find below. You can win an iTunes, Amazon, or Starbucks gift card, an authentic Vera Bradley Little Crossbody in Cobalt Tile, an assortment of bookish swag, and even a KINDLE Fire HD 7″! The giveaway runs from release day, October 17, 2017 to December 5, 2017. Winners will be announced via social media December 7, 2017.

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However, if you have read Marked Beauty or purchase it and read you can earn extra entries by posting a review on any major online retail bookstore and Goodreads! All the information you’ll need is in the form below.

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