Goals for 2012 - 100K in 100 Days

I signed up for this challenge because I want 2012 to be a year of writing. If this goes well, I hope to write 1000 words all 365 days. However, I'm getting ahead of myself. To join me for this wonderful challenge: click here.







I have a great idea for this year. Not only will I get to post every day of the month, I'm hoping to get a publishable book out of it. More information to come. Join the challenge!

I also plan to read more in 2012 (not that the 53 books I read in 2011 are anything to laugh at) but along with all my fellow blogger's upcoming novels, I want to broaden my reading horizons. To join the challenge, click here.

Editing Matters!

It's easy to self-publish, anyone can do it. And because of that, reaching an audience is more difficult; there is so much competition. I shop for all my reading material on Amazon.com and I'm very picky about the books I spend money on. How do I choose?

Well, if my blogging buddy has written a book, I'll buy it.

However, if I don't know a writer, I go by reviews. And I think I'm not alone on this.

That's why editing matters. I won't buy a book if the comments are like this:

Or like this:

Or like this: 

And don't think all these reviews are from self-published authors. Some of these are well known authors.

What do you think? Does editing matter to you? If you don't know the author personally, do you buy based on reviews?

Writing a Series by Leigh Russell

(I'm pleased to have Leigh Russell on my blog. I've read all of her books and can't wait for the next in her series.)

Leigh Russell writes the popular bestselling UK crime series featuring Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel. Leigh’s new book Death Bed is on Kindle on amazon.co.uk, and out in print 2012. Details of all Leigh’s books can be found on http://leighrussell.co.uk 

Also, her book is available on amazon.com for Kindle.

The chances of a writer finding a publisher are slim. Consider the odds. Publishers receive many thousands of MSs every year. From these one or two might be selected for the publisher to spend considerable sums of money on before the book is even ready to sell. At best it’s a costly investment and publishers are becoming increasingly cautious about speculating on new authors.

Having written a story, I had no plans to show it to anyone and only submitted it to a publisher on a sudden whim. After all, I’d written the book and had nothing to lose by sending it out. I couldn’t have been more surprised when the publisher called me two weeks later to express interest in my writing, and subsequently offer me a three book deal. I accepted straight away. Why not? Suddenly I was writing a series!

Most authors plan in advance when writing a series, thinking particularly about the development of their protagonist through the books. I had barely planned what would happen to my detective in my debut novel, let alone her life through a whole series of books.

In its first year, Cut Short was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association New Blood Dagger Award for Best First Novel. It attracted some great reviews and before long was officially a bestseller. Suddenly I had fans waiting to read the next story in my series.

It’s hardly a spoiler if I tell you that the killer in Cut Short does not appear in the subsequent books, and my detective has a huge following wanting to know what is going to happen in her life. With three bestsellers to my name, I was thrilled when my publisher offered me a further three book deal. I accepted straight away. Why not?

If it’s rare to find a publisher these days, it must be even rarer to achieve significant and lasting success with a first book. It can take time to establish a name as an author, gaining a reputation and establishing a loyal fan base, the success of each book building on the one that preceded it. But the main advantage of writing a series is that as each book comes out, I barely have time to worry about how it will be received by critics and my all-important readers, because I’m already busy plotting and writing the next title in the series.


Leigh Russell
CUT SHORT, ROAD CLOSED, DEAD END, DEATH BEDpublished by NO EXIT PRESS
'a brilliant talent' - JEFFERY DEAVER
'psychologically acute' - THE TIMES
Shortlisted CWA New Blood Dagger
amazon kindle's Top 50 Bestseller list
Lovereading's Great Crime Sleuths list
http://www.leighrussell.co.uk

Clarissa's Agatha Christie Page

I have joined the Agatha Christie Carnival because... well, the woman's a genius and I want to read all her books. Again.

So, I'm posting reviews as I read the books.

However, I want to keep the book review separately so I've created a new blog just for the reviews. It's at Clarissa's Agatha Christie Page.

There you will find my review of Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie.

High Heels Mysteries Boxed Set On Sale for Kindle

Just a heads up, if you like the High Heels Mysteries, they are on sale today only for $1.99. There are five in this boxed set.

Buy it here. (amazon.com only)

A Free Kindle Book and Some Cool Kindle Covers

(1) Inspirational Quotes for Writers by Deborah Carney

What is it about? My son Daniel was a writer who passed away. His fiction will be published over the next couple of years as I get the manuscripts edited.

Daniel kept a file of all the quotes that inspired him. I have paired the quotes with some of my photography and art in the hopes that between them we can help writers get over writer’s block or even just give people a place to read and relax.

While the quotes included are aimed at writers, anyone can enjoy the photographs and art that are included, and the thought provoking quotes that are paired with the images.

The quotes and images included are not only inspirational; some are here to make you think. They are here to evoke emotion, whether it is relaxation, anger, agreement or debate.

Buy it here for FREE!

Buy it here for $19.99

Buy it here for $19.99

Buy it here for $44.99

Buy it here for $39.99

Buy it here for $39.99

Buy it here for $69.00

Show vs. Telling -- Why So Important?

Welcome to the Deja-vu blogfest! The hosts are DL Hammons, Katie Mills, Lydia Kang, and Nicole Ducleroir. The idea is to search and find a blogpost you think deserves a second look. Here is one I wrote over 400 posts ago--one of my firsts.

Currently, I'm halfway through a critique for a writer friend. This morning, the writer, after correcting some suggested changes, wanted to know what I thought of the characters. I guess I had said the book wasn't drawing me in like it should - I didn't relate to the characters. The next question was, of course - why?

I sat pondering the question awhile before it hit me. I believe it was the way he told the story. He did more telling and less showing and that ruined it for me.

You may be asking, why does that make a difference? Well, consider how we communicate, we often decide whether we like or trust someone by tone of voice and body language. In fact, up to 80% of our communication is done this way. That's why were often lost as to the emotional meaning behind text messages, email and IM. Don't write your book as if your emailing.

If the writer only tells the reader how the characters feels, the reader may not trust what the narrator or character's say until they see the words backed up by actions. (Sadly even internal dialog can be lies the character tells him or herself.) If a writer constantly tells the reader things rather than shows it, it pushes the reader away. It's almost like the writer knows an 'inside' joke and hasn't let the reader in on it.

It's not that we shouldn't TELL at all but I believe the writer will make a deeper impression by showing a character loving someone (perhaps rescuing them from a burning building or something less heroic) rather than just uttering the words.

Show how a character is lost without someone rather than have the writer say it. A writer should not forget the other part of communication.

Why do you think SHOWING is so important? Do you think it's important?

Hardware and Good Soup

I'm having difficulties putting photos into my post today, every time I click the photo icon and try to put a picture through, it freezes and I have to restart the browser. Maybe, it's just me. Or has it happened to you?

Anyway, on to the book review... 

Hardware by Jayda McTyson

What is it about? Camille Moyston has managed to put the nightmare of a violent attack behind her. Having forged a safe, predictable life, the last thing she needs is a cliché, oversexed Jamaican male expressing interest. For Quinn Mayhew, life is too good to waste time chasing a haughty, irritable woman who is too cautious to accept him for the man he is, but somehow she symbolizes everything he desires in his future.
When Camille's inner fortress finally starts to crumble, Quinn is arrested for murder and everything changes...

What did I think? Jayda (also known to many as JL Campbell from The Character Depot) writes great stories that take place in Jamaica. It's why I love her stories so much. You really get a glimpse into another culture. A country where women are not always treated properly. Where the views are a lot different than they are in Canada or the US. I read this book on my way to Jamaica and found it so interesting; not only do we look into the life of Camille but of her family and friends in Jamaica.

Here are some examples:

Camille, the main character, makes a lot of stereotypical assumptions about Quinn based on culture: (a) "She assumed him incapable of speaking a sentence of English." or (b) "He's probably spawned several children with different women."

Camille's friend, Penny, gets pregnant by a married man and immediately wants to abort it. Camille, however, when discussing her situation raises an interesting statistic: "Fifty percent of women in Jamaica are raising their children alone." Wow, that just blew me away.

Also, this tidbit (this seems to be a Mexican tradition as well): "Island tradition dictated that major housecleaning took place each weekend."

I also liked the references to various island delicacies such as: Red Stripe Beer and Blue Mountain Coffee. Both of which I tried while in the country.

Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't a reference book about Jamaica. This book has not only a love story but a lot of action. Pick it up today!!

Buy it here for $6.99

Also, I'm at Maria Zannini's blog today. A while ago she started collecting unique recipes and ideas from around the globe. I gave her a recipe for a popular Mexican Soup--Pozole. Check it out!

Blogger Plus Google+ Equals...

Soon our blogger profiles will be changing. I'm not sure yet if it's for the better. I think I might be spending more time on social media because of it. But, here's the rub.


When I make a comment and you click on my profile name, it will take you here:

To find my blog, or anyone's blog, the link will be in the right column, where the red arrow is pointing. I understand why google is doing this but it will be hard for writers to not get distracted.

What do you think of the new changes?

Cheap Kindle Textbooks for Mystery Writers

(1) FBI Handbook of Crime Scene Forensics

What is it about? The authoritative guide to navigating crime scenes—for professionals and for anyone fascinated by the world of CSI.

Buy it here for $0.99

(2) Criminal Profiling from Crime Scene Analysis by Various

What is it about? This seminal publication in the history of FBI profiling  as part of the information on serial killers. Topics addressed include: The history of criminal profiling, The profiling of murderers, The criminal-profile-generating process, Homicide type and style

Buy it here for $4.99

(3) Forensics 101 by Robert Jones

What is it about? Writers, especially fiction writers, are frequently unfamiliar with the forensic documents and have no time or desire to get familiar with many of them. In view of this, writers would most likely find concise, easily read, explanatory documents of assistance. Fortunately, you will not have to mount much of a search to find such a document. If you are reading this, you have it effectively in hand.

Buy it here for $2.99

(4) Coroner's Journal by Louis Cataldie MD

What is it about? A look at the day-to-day life of someone whose profession is death. The author, a coroner in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has had a hand in some famous cases. A detailed picture of what a coroner does and how the job affects his or her private life.

Buy it here for $12.99

(5) A Matter of Life and Death by Sue Armstrong

What is it about? A Matter of Life and Death tells fascinating stories of mysterious illnesses and miraculous scientific breakthroughs. But it is also crammed full of extraordinary characters – from the forensic anthropologist with his own Body Farm in Tennessee to the doctor who had a heart-and-lung transplant and ended up using her own lungs for research.

Buy it here for $9.99

I'm Back!

I just returned from my very first cruise holiday--and it was wonderful! I can see myself taking another cruise in the future. Someday I might be like those older cruisers who have gone twenty times or more.

Seriously, I'm sure there are great writing retreats on a cruise ship. Spend a week on a ship and just write. If not, there very well should be. I found myself in the library every night, listening to music and writing away.

The food was delicious. So much so I gained 1.8kgs in one week. Yikes. Now, I have to diet. I didn't get sick, not even sea sick and I had a couple of massages as well. That said, I'm glad to be home (a little) and ready to continue writing my next book.

I have decided to try and catch up best as I can but I'm not going to stress out too much with the 1000+ posts in my reader. I will just make sure I get back to reading what you're posting now and touch base with my 100+ emails.

Have you been on a cruise? How about a writing cruise? What did you like? Not like?

Pic Source: http://www.destination360.com/