Oh, then there is the ultimate spring cleaning that I do. This year was a little different for me because not only did I do spring cleaning in my home, but I also added items that I cleared to my corner of my family's antique store. I worked all weekend packing things from my home and carrying to FAMILY TREE ANTIQUES & TREASURES located in Bay St. Louis, MS. Here are a couple of my treasures added to the store. If you see something you like, let me know and you can purchase it and I can ship it to you.
The store is full of crystal antiques, glassware, and more.
Another angle of the section called Mel's Marbles.
See the necklaces hanging on this, most are the necklaces like the one Jackie found in the antique store in my novel Never Stop Running.
Look at the fabulous vases, trinket box, and platter from Ivory Dynasty. These are true collector's items.
I have antique lunch boxes and comic books. I also have my books The Keystroke Killer and Never Stop Running which are autographed available too. Oh, BTW, this is the antique store that Jackie, my main character in Never Stop Running visits. I also have the necklaces pendant domed watches available for sale.
SPRING CLEANING YOUR MANUSCRIPTS BY ELIMINATING DIALOGUE TAGS
BY DR. MELISSA CAUDLE
Challenge Step - Use the find and replace area in Word and locate the word 'said.' Once you find it, look at your dialogue. Ask, is the tag necessary? If you can remove it without losing who said it, do so. Make sure you adjust your punctuation mark to a period. Once you remove the dialogue tag, make sure it is easy to understand who is saying what. Remember when writing, it is important that your dialogue is strong and reflects the character. If you are successful in that area, the dialogue tags can be eliminated. If you are confused by who is saying what without a dialogue tag, then add a character's action or feeling. Look at my example below:
"I am so glad you came," Martha said as she rolled her eyes.
"Thank you for inviting me," Tom said with a smile.
"I wouldn't think of any other person that I wanted to come," Martha mumbled beneath her breath.
"What was that?" Tom asked, "I didn't quite hear you."
The above example is correct in every sense, grammar, structure, and punctuation. However, I added the bold font to the dialogue tags that aren't necessary. Now read the example where I eliminated the dialogue tags and added the action of the characters. Notice how easy it is to read now.
"I am so glad you came." Martha rolled her eyes as she sighed.
"Thank you for inviting me." Tom flashed a white-toothed grin of male satisfaction.
"I wouldn't think of any other person that I wanted to come." Martha titled her nose high into the air as she covered her mouth.
"What was that?" Tom's brow furrowed. "I didn't quite hear you."
Now that you can compare the two, one with dialogue tags and one without, which one to you lets you visualize what the character is doing? How they responded? The last one without the dialogue tags proves that they are not needed. I challenge each writer to eliminate all dialogue tags to become a better writer.
The book Giveaway Contest for Max Hawthorne's books is in full swing. It is only the second week in and hundreds of new subscribers have entered. Thank you for your support. If you want to get to know Max a little more, he was on a radio show. Listen to the interview by clicking this link.
Also, don't forget to either subscribe or for additional chances to win leave a comment below.
This blog's author interview is very special as I have identified a talented and gifted writer -- Katherine Moore and her book Elementals Mystic Warriors. Who doesn't love mystical warriors? And, do I dare mention how beautiful the cover is? Please enjoy getting to know Katherine More and her novel Elementals Mystic Warriors.
Elementals Mystic Warriors - Synopsis
Enter into the enchanting world of the Mystic Warriors where an ageless immortal society of gifted and powerful supernatural beings exist, unknown to man, with magic and the ability to control the elements of nature and use these abilities to fight the forces of darkness. Desire, love, and adventure lie ahead for two unlikely souls destined to be together.
A powerful shifter, telepath, and practitioner of magic, Bly La Croix is a true daughter of the earth. She’s a descendant from a long line of Elemental warriors and magical beings as a protector of mankind while living among normal man as one of them. The various roles she’s assumed over time afforded her the secrecy necessary to fulfill her protective role to man.
Andrew Von Erikson, the eldest of the Von Erikson triplets born over six hundred years ago. The situation surrounding their birth created the one of a kind warrior that he and his siblings are. Known to the society of Elementals as Day Walkers, they are a triple threat to combat the evil of the world. Due to the circumstance of his birth, Andrew exists in a world of isolation, expecting nothing, to never find a mate who can save him from the shadows that haunt his being.
They were both summoned to return to Nos Ysse Kraggenra – Sanctuary Mountain, by the governing council of their society. Trouble is brewing and danger of the dark forces is presenting itself. It’s prey, mankind, and their weaknesses. From the moment they meet, Bly and Andrew are drawn to one another, helpless to resist the desire that ignites between them. Destiny has brought them together but is it enough to overcome the obstacles that malevolent force has thrown in their path.
Will the desire they share be enough to overcome the barriers of their lives that separate them?
NOW FOR KATHERINE MOORE'S INTERVIEW
Name of Book: Elementals Mystic Warriors
Year Published: 2019
Publisher: Self-Published
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katdunit
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/katdunit/
Tell your readers a little about yourself. Where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
I grew up in Iowa, LA a small town in southwest Louisiana, where everybody knew everyone. I am the third child of eleven children, six girls, and five boys. My parents moved to Houston when I was sixteen and I finished high school at Kashmere Sr. High, here in Houston. I married at an early age but that didn’t stop me from pursuing my education. Maybe delayed it but I eventually continue on. First at San Jacinto Junior College and later transferred to University of Houston-Downtown campus where I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a Minor in Psychology.
I was a single mom of four children after a failed marriage. This in itself was a struggle, but it just made me more determined to give my children a good life and that came with working hard. Sometimes I worked two jobs in the process, too provide for my family. Even as a single mom I was able to provide stability by purchasing our home.
What inspired you to write this book?
As a child, I always had a vivid imagination and I liked to read. In reading, I escaped into other worlds. Through reading, I travel through time and space and become whatever I wanted to be. My mom was an avid reader and that is where my love for reading came from. I wanted to share my thoughts on the written page, the adventures and characters I mentally create with others.
Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
I was inspired by the characters that I am writing about. A few of them are among the oldest ones, members of the first-born of the earth, Elves. These are preternatural beings, especially from mountainous regions, with magical powers. To me, they are the personification of the supernatural.
Who has been the biggest influence on you personally and as a writer?
Authors like Christine Feehan, Cecilia Kyle, and Isabel T. Lucas. They present great stories that make me want to read more
What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
Time! Working for myself or being self-employed, running a small home office can be very time consuming, leaving only late hours after closing my office to work on my book.
Tell your readers about your book.
The Elementals are descendants of generations of powerful shifters, telepaths, and practitioners of magic. They are magical beings, protectors of mankind living and working among normal man as one of them. The protect mankind from dark evil forces seeking to destroy man.
Who is your target audience and why?
My audience is anyone who has a love for the supernatural. The things that go bump in the night…the mystical and magical with a bit of romance, fighting and life challenges included. Adventure and action filled with the challenge of trying to maintain some normalcy in life in their abnormal world.
If you were going to give one reason for anyone looking at your book to read, why should they buy it?
If they love the paranormal world, with scenarios of almost immortal beings living beside us daily, as they work and function as peace officers, teachers, doctors even grocery clerks but unknown to normal man in everyday life this book is for you.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
My greatest success in life was the ability to have raised four amazing children successfully as a single mom with the help an influence of my family.
Everyone has life lessons to learn, tell your readers one or two of yours and how they make you the person you are today.
My father was a believer of that you can do and be anything you wanted to be if you truly wanted it enough. I took his message to heart in whatever endeavor I pursued. When things seemed impossible I just pushed a little harder until I achieved my goal. You have to work hard for what you want out of life… If at first, you don’t succeed, it just means that you need to approach your goal at another angle.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
My characters are a part of me. I feel them and I know them like they are old friends and family. My stories unfold as the characters identity and personality presents itself revealing their place in my story.
Tell your readers anything else you want to share.
Elementals Mystic Warriors is the first in a series of Mystic Warrior novels. Each book will open up the paranormal world with refreshing new characters that my audience will love. My second novel in the series is Dragonborn Search For A Dream.
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO PRE-ORDER HOW TO LAUNCH AND MARKET A BOOK
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Time has really flown by with my pre-launch campaign to launch my new book HOW TO LAUNCH AND MARKET A BOOK which will be published on April 1, 2019. Although this is April Fool's Day, this book is no joke and provides a serious marketing strategy to launch your book. Where did the time fly? It seems like it was yesterday that I started writing this book to help other authors to navigate a pre-launch campaign to make sure their books make it to the #1 New Release on Amazon. Not only have I successfully launched my books as the #1 New Release, but I have also helped dozens of others to do the same thing. The book is a step-by-step guide that starts six months prior to your publication date for maximum exposure. This is one resource you must have as an author. I am including to videos, the book's trailer so you can take a peek inside, and a sample audio version narrated by Timothy Burke.
HERE IS THE FLIPBOOK TRAILER
SAMPLE AUDIO EXCERPT FROM HOW TO LAUNCH AND MARKET A BOOK
NARRATED BY TIMOTHY BURKE
A.D.A.M. THE BEGINNING OF NEW LIFE IS SCHEDULED TO LAUNCH IN JUNE
I am always excited to publish a new book and right now you can pre-order my new science fiction novel A.D.A.M. - The Beginning of New Life. This book was so much fun to write as I delved into the world of a government conspiracy and the cover-up of an alien lifeform. This book has all the hallmarks of becoming a bestseller. Take a look at the book's trailers and pre-order your copy today.
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HERE ARE SEVERAL A.D.A.M. BOOK TRAILERS
And, don't forget to get your copy of my other two novels, Never Stop Running and The Keystroke Killer.
NEVER STOP RUNNING
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