Author Interview with Laura A. H. Elliott

Author Laura A.H. Elliott

Author Interview with Laura A.H. Elliott.

I’d like to thank Laura for sitting down with me for this interview.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I live in a tree house on the central California coast most of the time. When I’m not there I can be found in Santa Cruz, Palo Alto, San Francisco or Los Angeles. I love meeting readers and other authors at book festivals. The most unusual job I ever had was painting sets in Hollywood. The best day at work was when I got to interview Quentin Tarantino. The biggest surprise I ever had nearly killed me. I have two extra bones in my feet so I’m a mutant.

What inspired you to write your first book, Winnemucca?

I wanted to write a book about a girl that awakens to her own intuition. We rarely pay attention to our own intuition. I think women are more intuitive than men and the idea of exploring this uniquely female quality really intrigues me. That, and I love the idea of writing a book about an enchanted road trip. I guess The Yellow Brick Road inspired part of the trip as much as anything because Ginny begins by taking a walk, a very long walk. I love writing about walking probably due to my mutant feet. J And I love the idea of picking a place like Winnemucca, NV to be the Emerald City of the novel because it’s anything but lavish and is an uncelebrated, hard luck town but is rich with the history as a crossroads to The West. Winnemucca [pronounced Win-A-Muk-A] is pretty cool when you say it too. Every time I meet someone who has been through Winnemucca, they tell the best stories about their experiences there. Click here to read a few from the Santa Rosa Book Festival.

What inspired you to write Shadow Slayer, book 2 of The Shadow Series, your latest release?

Shadow Slayer explores our duality. Why we become who we are. I wanted to pit ourselves against our alter egos in an epic battle between humans and shadows. The enemy of our world are the shadows, the people we’ve chosen not to be. In Shadow Slayer, there’s a war brewing between the world of the shadows and the world of humans. The premise is that in our thirteenth year we decide who we will be as an adult. I love exploring the consequences of our choices through parallel worlds. Another parallel world book that I’ve written is Transfer Student, an intergalactic tale of beauty and the geek.

The books in the series follow Roxy O’Grady as she grows up. In book one she turns 13 on her Halloween birthday. She turns 14 in book 2, 15 in book 3, and 16 in the final book. These ages have a soft spot in my heart. If you look at the school pictures of a tween/teen from 12-16 so much physically changes, but these changes don’t begin to reflect the huge transformation that happens from within. In book 1, on her 13^th birthday on Halloween, Roxie wants to be popular and fit in more than anything. So she invites all the popular kids to her birthday party. They all come and give her a birthday gift that’s literally out of this world. In Shadow Slayer, on her 14^th birthday, Roxie is enchanted by and must master her powers as The Shadow Slayer, the one human who will be entrusted to protect the world from the shadow onslaught for the next five hundred years.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I don’t like to write to messages. I write to entertain. Most of my books have an underlying theme of finding empowerment in difficult circumstances. I also explore what it means to trust.

Give us an insight into your main character. What do they do that is special?

There’s a war brewing between the world of shadows and the world of humans. Roxanne O’Grady must save the world from the shadows that want nothing more then to overthrow it so that they can become human themselves. She must master wielding the Slayer’s sword in order to slay the shadows that cross into the human world. But, she can’t even kill a spider. She also needs to trust her gut not her eyes when she tries to solve the mystery of how to keep the peace between worlds. Kind of a lot for a fourteen year old, especially when she’s auditioning for the school play and has a crush on the perfect 10 guy at school, someone she and her best friend Ally were convinced never existed. Boy, were they wrong.

What are your current projects?

Right now I am editing my first adult paranormal romance called The Storytellers, which will release 7/2. It’s a story about four women writers whose stories all come true for each other. I’m also writing Moon Killers, book 3 of The Shadow Series & Last Life, book 4 of The Shadow Series this Fall, right around Halloween J

Have you won any awards or contests?

Um, yes. Winnemucca won best book trailer of the month from booksinsync.com. Click here to see the trailer for Winnemucca, a small-town fairy tale.

Why do you write?

I have to write. I write for lots of reasons. I began writing because I had a very big problem I couldn’t solve just by talking to friends. Once I began to journal about it, my path became clear. It’s interesting. Very often my personal journal is sort of like a prayer. I say what I’m grateful for, I ask for help with what I need to accomplish. My public writing is just pure fun. Characters come to call, they start speaking to me and I write to get to know them better J

What is the hardest thing about writing?

Trusting my instincts.

What is the easiest thing about writing?

Having fun with it.

Do you ever experience writers block?

Only when something is wrong in my real life…a sickness or crisis. I usually always write to get through it, but the writing comes very slowly.

What is your favorite go to recipe? (Please include recipe. It will appear on the starving writer website)

Everyone who knows me knows my writing is fueled by popcorn. I LURVE it! And live on it.

Click HERE to see Laura’s popcorn recipe

I want to thank Laura again for taking the time to sit down and answer these questions for us. To learn more about Laura and here books Click HERE.

Limited Time Offer Free Enrollment in Journaling E-course

Journaling Guide and E-course

Do you want to take my Journaling E-course for free? Read the course description below and decide.

Journaling Guide and E-course

This insightful book and e-course will help you discover an exciting new way to express yourself. You’ll discover how you can use your journal to explore your thoughts, feelings and values. You’ll also learn how to use your journal to support the discovery of the true you. Journaling in this way opens you to the possibilities of transformation and personal growth.

There are many positive benefits to journaling. It can help you with your personal growth and development, gaining insight into yourself, problem solving and stress reduction. Journaling can help you through times of lose and grieving to assist you through the healing process. It’s also a place to reflect on the happy events in our lives, our relationships and how they affect us.

There are no rules in journal writing but writing.

As part of this journaling guide is an e-course. This thirty day course will help you create a lifelong journaling habit. You will receive a daily e-mail with a question, a quote that will have you reflect on journaling, an exercise and additional insights. Even though you receive daily e-mails this class is self-paced. Enroll and start learning today. Your first lesson comes within minutes of enrollment confirmation.

At the end of the thirty days you will have established a positive journaling habit and routine.

I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “What’s the catch?” There’s no catch. I want to offer the course to my followers for free, but this is a limited time offer. This course’s enrollment free is usually $14.95.

To enroll in the Journaling E-course for Free (a $14.95 value) click HERE and enter the Coupon Code CL73Z.

After taking the course, I would love to know what you thought of it. Please send me an e-mail letting me know.

Remember this is a limited time offer. The coupon code expires on May 30^th, 2013. Don’t waste any time and enroll today. You’ll be glad you did.

Laura K Marshall

Course Instructor

Imagery Writing Exercises

A successful image plugs the reader right into the story. They can feel, hear, see and even smell what’s going on. You want your reader to be completely immersed in your story as if they are a part of it.

Consider the two following lines. “Clara was weak.” versus, “Clara was unable to heave her body from the chair.”

Which one of these statements makes you want to know more or what happens next?

It’s now time to practice creating images that give your writing a boost. Rewrite these four statements with imagery.

I hate cauliflower.

Her shirt was a mess.

The sun is bright.

His room is messy.

Now that you have the hang of this, pull out a draft of something you’ve been working on and try to make vague lines more vivid with imagery.

Have a great day writing.

Author Interview ~ Heather McCorkle

Author Interview ~ Heather McCorkle

Author Heather McCorkle

I’d like to thank Heather for sitting down with me for this interview.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I am an author of fantasy, in all its many sub-genres. Living green, saving endangered species, helping other writers, and supporting fabulous authors are a few of my passions. I am also a volunteer for the IS Foundation which works to make the world a greener place. When I’m not volunteering, writing, or surfing my social networking sites, I can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, I enjoy the outdoors almost as much as the worlds I create on the pages. No need to travel to the Great Northwest though, you can find me here, on my blog, and Monday night’s on Twitter where I co-moderate the #WritersRoad chat. 

What inspired you to write your first book?

A show on the melting polar icecaps.

What inspired you to write this book?

The Dragon Empire: A life-long love of dragons and fantasy!

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Everyone can make a difference.

Give us an insight into your main character. What do they do that is special?

Grendar strives to make the world a better place for all creatures. He is fascinated by difference creatures and understands that they all have a place in the circle of things.

What are your current projects?

The First Dragonwatcher is in editing, it’s a tie-in novel to The Dragon Empire.

Why do you write?

Because I must. The characters that come to me demand that I write their stories.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

The first draft.

What is the easiest thing about writing?

Editing.

Do you ever experience writers block?

Of course, unfortunately! Exercise, brainstorming, or a shower usually works to break it though.

What is your favorite go to recipe?

Mocha Brownies Click HERE to get the recipe

I want to thank Heather for taking the time to sit down and answer these questions for us. To learn more about Heather and here books Click HERE.

I remember my first … Journal Writing Exercise

I remember my first …

We have all had a life time full of firsts. The first time we rode a bike, first day of school, first trip to the coast, first date, first kiss, first job, and so forth. Our lives are full of experiences but there’s something about the first time you do something that really sticks with you. Think about a first that really stands out for you. Write everything you can remember about that first. Who was there, what you were feeling, the weather, events leading up to the first, etc. Don’t hold back. Let the experience of the first flow over and through you. Give every detail you can remember.

Are you interested in learning more about Journal Writing? Then check out my Journaling Guide and E-course. I take you through the process of establishing a positive journaling routine through daily e-mail course work. I would love to take you through the journaling journey. To find out more and to enroll. Click HERE.

Have a great day and happy writing.

Extremely Lucrative Writing Niche – Speech Writing

Writing

Extremely Lucrative Writing Niche – Speech Writing by Bob Bly

“What’s a writing niche in which you can make a lot of money, but – unlike health or financial – doesn’t have too much competition?”

Well, I’ve found just such a niche for you — speechwriting:

Did you know you can make between $2,000 and $3,250 writing a single 20-minute speech — and you can do it in just a day or two?

Speechwriting is a relatively easy form to master … extremely lucrative … fun … intellectually stimulating … and less commercial than direct mail, online, and many other types of copywriting.

Plus, there are relatively few experienced speechwriters working today. So there’s plenty of work for everyone.

I’ve been writing speeches, on and off, for over 3 decades – and have been paid as much as $10,000 for a single presentation (though that was a full-hour lecture).

In my e-book “Speechwriting for Fun and Profit,” I reveal everything you need to make a six-figure income as a freelance speechwriter.

Including:

** Shortcuts to getting your first few speechwriting clients and assignments. Plus: easiest speechwriting project to start with.

Page 28.

** The 3 secrets of achieving lasting success as a freelance speechwriter. Page 31.

** Where to get lists of potential clients you can contact about speechwriting work. Page 32.

** Typical rates earned by freelance speechwriters per assignment and per hour. Page 15.

** How to find speechwriting assignments online – and bid for them successfully. Page 39.

** And so much more….

For details . or to download “Speechwriting for Fun and Profit”

on a 90-day risk-free trial basis … just click here now:

 Once on the page click on products (left hand side) then scroll down to Speech Writing Magic.

Sincerely,

Bob Bly

Young Adult Must Read List

Summer Reading

YA Must Read List

Are you ready for the long days of summer? Are you ready for those wonderfully warm days to lounge around the pool, or sit in the shade of a tree?

With summer just around the corner, you’ll want to grab these Young Adult titles to help you relax and entertain you through the summer. These 35 young adult titles will not disappoint. Titles are not listed in any specific order. Happy Reading!

1. Zellie Wells Trilogy by Stacy Wallace Benefiel
2. 13 on Halloween by Laura A.H. Elliott
3. Shadow Slayer by Laura A.H. Elliott
4. Winnemucca by Laura A.H. Elliott
5. Transfer Student by Laura A.H. Elliott
6. Sea Dweller by Melanie Atkinson
7. Ripper by Cidney Swanson
8. Chameleon by Cidney Swanson
9. Unfurl by Cidney Swanson
10. Saving Mars by Cidney Swanson
11. Defying Mars by Cidney Swanson
12. Losing Mars by Cidney Swanson
13. Secret of the Songshell by Brian Tashima
14. Running Wide Open by Lisa Nowak
15. Getting Sideways by Lisa Nowak
16. Redline by Lisa Nowak
17. Dead Heat by Lisa Nowak
18. Queen Witch by J.R. Pearse Nelson
19. Born of Fire by Heather McCorkle
20. Fire with Fire by Heather McCorkle
21. The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle
22. Channeler’s Choice by Heather McCorkle
23. Rise of a Rector by Heather McCorkle
24. To Ride a Puca by Heather McCorkle
25. The Dragon Empire by Heather McCorkle
26. Spider Wars by Angela Carlie
27. Loramendi’s Story by Angela Carlie
28. Dark Horse by Angela Carlie
29. Ghost Hand by Ripley Patton
30. After by Marla Bowie LePley
31. Amazing but True – Africa Adventure by Laura K Marshall
32. Amazing but True – Secrets by Laura K Marshall
33. Amazing but True – San Francisco by Laura K Marshall
34. Amazing but True – Egypt by Laura K Marshall
35. Amazing but True – Greatest Show on Earth by Laura K Marshall

 

You can find all of these titles at The Starving Writer Book Store. Click HERE to enter the store.

Happy Reading!