Is Your 2008 Goals Glass 2/3 Full?

2008 is almost 2/3 gone. Have you accomplished 2/3 of your goals for the year?

If not, there's not a moment to spare. Get busy.

You've got four months to turn things around and make sure you're ready for a new set of goals for 2009!

A quick reminder that September 1st is the deadline to register for The Muse Online Writers Conference. This free virtual writer's conference offers live chats with experts in a variety of genres and writing disciplines as well as workshop sessions that last all week.

Mark your calendar for Oct. 13-19 and register at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2008MuseConference

When you make your real time chat and workshop selections in September, be sure to sign up BURN THOSE BUNNY SLIPPERS AND BECOME THE SUCCESSFUL WRITER YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ... Chat Monday, Oct. 13 9 a.m. EST and all-week workshop. It will be my pleasure to "meet" you and work with you for this live chat and workshop (conducted via e-mail all week.)

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

Deep POV- the mint to your book's julep

by Maggie Toussaint

Show of hands here: how many are guilty of serious headhopping in your earlier works or first drafts? (My hand goes up.) It's a problem I struggled with initially. Then I glommed onto POV nuances. I learned how to show the non-POV character's thoughts through their dialogue, behavior, or body language, as observed through the eyes of the POV character.

Along the way to writing prowess, authors learn when to use third person POV, first, and omniscient. Each POV sytle lends itself to various fiction genres. Some use omnisicent to show a larger view at the opening of a chapter/scene and then transition into the main POV style. Many romances traditionally use multiple third person POV, so that the reader can feel at ease in the heads of both the hero and heroine. By contrast, it is quite common for mysteries to be in first person POV, with the sleuth as the only POV character, though there are many exceptions within both romance and mystery genres.

In both third person and first person POV, there exists an opportunity for deep POV. In a third person POV scene, that transition may be signalled by the words he (she) thought or italics. In first person, no such transition is needed because the reader is already inside the head of the POV character. However, in my opinion, deep POV should be used with a light hand.

Case in point: A book I recently read written in first person POV had a heavy dose of deep POV. Consequently, I brooded along with the main character for pages upon pages. I experienced considerable anxiety about the story's direction and the author's mental health. This particular book was well written, and the deep POV wasn't presented as monologue, so there were no technical flaws, as in impedence of the story. Even so, it was dizzying and uncomfortable for me.

Writers want readers to feel connected to their books. But narrowing the lens of the story to deep POV, restricts the flow of information. To me it's like going on a long hike and only being able to stare down at your feet. As a reader, I want to sense more of the panorama of the setting. Being trapped inside someone's mind too long feels too limited, like a horse wearing blinders.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy deep POV, and I think it makes a story. For me, its most enjoyable when its done sparingly, like a sprig of mint in a mint julep.

What are your thoughts on deep POV? Do you notice it? Does it bother you?

Maggie Toussaint
romance.danger.mystery
www.maggietoussaint.com

Forbidden Publications Scavenger Hunt!!!

Starting on Monday August 25, through September 30, the authors of Forbidden Publications are hosting a Scavenger Hunt!











Simply visit the author's sites, note where the
treasure chest icon is







and click on the treasure chest to be taken to the page on how play! It's that esay!



Prizes are listed and there's a lot of them!!! Incuding a Grand Prize basket! So come and play!

A Truly Affordable Writer's Conference

I've been getting e-mails advertising a writer's conference for those who think they can't afford the tab for one that requires travel and a hotel room. Sounds great, BUT the "bargain" price is still a bit high for this author.

Luckily, there's an even cheaper alternative (as in FREE unless you choose to make a small donation to help with expenses for next year's session.)

If you've always wanted to go to a writer's conference but can't afford the plane ticket, hotel, conference fee, and babysitter ... The Muse Online Writers Conference is for you!

This virtual writer's conference offers live chats with experts in a variety of genres and writing disciplines as well as workshop sessions that last all week.

Mark your calendar for Oct. 13-19 and register TODAY (or at least soon) at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2008MuseConference

When you make your real time chat and workshop selections in September, be sure to sign up for BURN THOSE BUNNY SLIPPERS AND BECOME THE SUCCESSFUL WRITER YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ... Chat Monday, Oct. 13 9 a.m. EST and all-week workshop. It will be my pleasure to "meet" you and work with you for this live chat and workshop (conducted via e-mail all week.)

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

This 'n That

That's about how my life is these days. It's close to back-to-school time, which means lots of stuff going on at home, at church, at work. My vacation (what vacation?) is over.

Last week, I took my oldest off to Colorado so she could start graduate school. Yesterday was her first day of orientation. She called and said everything was going great. And, she's the only female out of 16 new first year math grad students.

At the end of this week, we will be moving my son back into the dorms for his sophomore year at the U. Is he excited? Who knows! He's a boy. He misses his sister, so I'm guessing he will be glad to get back to school to keep himself occupied. I, at least, know he loves his schedule for this semester. He has told me that much.

With school starting up, we get back to having Youth Group at church. I still have to get around to planning out the high points of the year and deciding on meeting themes. Saturday is our annual family pool party. The kids will have a good time, but I'm always looking for parental help which is scarce. *sigh*

And, in the midst of all of this, my next release appears on Tuesday. Here's the scoop. . .

He doesn’t need a wife. She doesn’t want a husband. Destiny’s not listening.

Book 2 in the Gypsy Legacy Series

As children, Brand Waring, heir to the Duke of Warringham, and his brother were kidnapped and sold to a plantation in the West Indies. Now Brand is back to wreak vengeance on those responsible for his brother’s subsequent death. The last thing he wants, or needs, is to be distracted by an instant attraction to a flighty Society belle.

Felicia Collings has found it easy to refuse every marriage proposal, thanks to a ring left to her by her gypsy great-grandmother. Reportedly it will lead her to the man whom she is destined to marry. To her relief, the ring has been blessedly silent on this issue. Until Brand recognizes it, and sparks fly.

In spite of himself, Brand finds himself drawn to the beauty, and to the wounded soul reflected in her eyes. At his gentle hands, Felicia begins to learn what it means to be cherished and loved.

Then the past rears its head to threaten their fragile happiness. As Brand begins to doubt whether vengeance is as sweet as a lifetime with Felicia, he finds himself racing to save them both from not one cold-blooded killer—but two.

Read an excerpt

GIVEAWAY: In honor of the release of The Duke, I'm giving away two copies of the first book, The Marquis, in two separate events. To find out how you can get in on the action, check out the Contest page on my Website.

~Denise
Heaven begins with an HEA

Sorry I'm Late

I meant to be here sooner, but real life got in the way. Then, I got lost and couldn't follow the trail of bread crumbs to our new home.

Finding just the right name for a character is serious business in any author's busy life. That's why we spend so much time flipping through Name the Baby Books and searching online.

This week, take a break from serious business and try this Name Game Meme instead. After you follow the link to author Christine Verstraete's blog, be sure to linger and explore her other topics too.

http://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2008/08/daily-blog-11-name-game-meme.html

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://tinyurl.com/2wlc43 “Lucki In Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://tinyurl.com/33ndbl ”The Christmas Promise,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne RosetteKeep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com) with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://tinyurl.com/3d2gsc “Forever Love,” a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

How publishing works

Warning: If you're informed, know the real truth about publishing, protect your keybord and don't drink while watching this video.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ_-TOJhXXk

SRN Chatting Tonight!

Come chat with the Sweeter Romantic Notions Authors

Tonight at Fallen Angel Reviews Chatter Group

We'll be there from 6-9 CST 7-10 EST

Hope to cya there!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FallenAngelReviewChatters/

Adelle Laudan

Woodland Daughter is released!

I've missed celebrating the UK release of my Edwardian historical, Woodland Daughter!
This is the first book I've written set in the early Edwardian era of England and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it.
Another 'first' for me is writing a book where the heroine is married and a mother at the start of the book, that made a wonderful change for me.
Woodland Daughter is only available in hardback, but it is worth it, I promise you! Eden's story is a lovely one, full of the ups and downs of spliting her life in two, her home life and her working life. She oftens finds that the two threads entwine and become one.
Blurb
A new century brings change to the carefully ordered world Eden Harris maintains -- change that threatens all she holds dear. Despite years of devoted service to the Bradburys, the leading family of the community, Eden hides a secret that would affect them all, a secret shared only with her husband, Nathan and grandfather. Then an enemy returns, shattering her world and exposing her secret.Torn and provoked, she strains to protect her family until a devastating accident robs her of Nathan, and she is alone and frightened. As the threat against her grows, Eden takes her precious daughters and flees from the country estate and the cottage she's called home, to live amongst masses in York.Her attempt to start anew is not so simple as the past haunts her, and the one man she thought lost to her so many years before, returns to claim what has always been his. Eden must gather her strength and look into her heart to accept what the future offers.
Woodland Daughter is available from Amazon UK .

Regards, Anne.~

http://www.annewhitfield.com/

Woodland Daughter out now! Check website for details.

We're almost set up here!

But in the meantime, please visit our current blog located at
http://www.sweeterromanticnotions.com/blog

SRN will be relocating to this blog in the near future, so watch for the announcements!