Headline News

http://newlinepress.com/nlp_kids

Just had to share this information and put it in the spotlight. This is awesome headline news. You should see the names of these awesome authors, of course my name is in the bunch too.

January Chat on Writing

Here I go again. I was just sitting at my kitchen table and like always, thoughts were running through my head. Earlier in the day I had read a couple of pages of an ebook that I have on my Kindle PC, the title "The Goddess of Fried Okra". They author has succeeded in creating believable characters.

Now with that said, it lead me to the thoughts of what an excellent writer is and what they do, what they know how to do.

An excellent writer is one who can make the reader hear the voice of their characters through the choice of words that they give as dialogue. An excellent writer writes with such style, depth and detail, the reader cam actually pick a main character out of a crowd. Through a writer's way with words, the reader can imagine and see the distinction of a southern belle, a New York charmer, or a British tycoon. You can see the characters unfold and come to life in the pages of the book.

An excellent writer will have the reader wanting more, not wanting to put the book down until they have reached the end. A good book leaves the reader with a satisfied feeling when the book has come to its conclusion.

An excellent writer knows how to make the reader feel the essence of each character and their situation, making the reader become one with the character. An excellent writer knows how to make a character pop out and become close friends with the reader.

An excellent writer can make the reader still hear the voice of a main character, even when the book is closed, because the character is still living on in the reader's head, making a lasting impression, which will cause the reader to search for other material by that particular author. All because the writer knows how to draw the attention of their readers, using their fabulous characters as bait, pulling the reader in and making a connection.


Just Another Thought
By Winona aka Nona

November News Letter

Okay folks, here I am experimenting as I sit at my desk. Well, it is certainly not because I don't have anything to do that I decided to do a little experimenting. I just thought as a writer and an author, I needed a newsletter, so I created one. Let me know if it looks like a news letter to you. I welcome all comments and suggestions, for I don't know what I am doing. Like I said....I am experimenting, with my mind headed in the right direction. I hope I can add it here, if not, I am going to feel like an idiot.

Well crap, it is not working, can't upload my newsletter from "Word". I am going to have to work on this some more. I just have to figure it out. I know there is a way.

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Are you getting into the holiday spirit? You know it is right around the corner, and it will be here before you know it. Maybe some of you are already making out your shopping list, at least getting started on it.

Well, don't forget to add some great children books to you gift shopping list. We all know that kids need fruits and veggies for their growing bodies. They also need some great books for their minds. Books that will spark their imagination and let them dream and wonder; books that will take the edge off of boredom and the rainy day blues.

Since I am an author, I can't help but be an advocate for reading. After all, what good are books if there are no readers? What good are publishers if there are no writers and what good are authors if they don't have the creativity to write what they wish to say?
Broken Voices
A New Home for Her Cubs
Sugar and Spice Fairy Tales for Girls
Stories from Grandma's Garden
Smiles and Frowns through Animal Town's Storybook
Wohali and the Little People


Good Books for Great Minds!

Beat the crowds and order them on line. http://www.amazon.com

My Interview with David Kentner

http://dakentner.blogspot.com

Here it is Wednesday, September 22, and I am feeling like I am on the red carpet again as an author. If you are wondering about that website address above, click on it and find out who is featured on it. Oh okay, I will tell you. David Kentner interviewed me as well as others and he put the interviews up on his website. I have to tell you, as an author, this is an awesome experience. Being a writer/author gets better every day. I not only talked about my books, I talked about myself and how I got started in writing. David Kentner posed some very good questions for me to answer. He made me think about things that I had not thought about for years.I guess you can say while doing this interview, I had an awakening within myself, taking me back to when I was 13 years old.
Well, this is a short blog today, I just wanted to share my last interview with you, actually, this isn't the last one for September. I have one more to do. I will be sending it off today. It's another blog interview posting. I just love this technology of blogging. You can accomplish so much, making big strides in your endeavors as an author. Marketing has all kinds of avenues that one can stroll down.The opportunities seem endless.
I hope you enjoy the Interview that I had with David Kentner.

MY 9/11 Author Interview

I just had my second radio author interview about an hour and a half ago. It was awesome, though like always, I was a tad bit nervous. For some reason, I developed a scratchy throat once I was in conversation. That was annoying, I tried to subdue the urge to cough. Thank goodness this interview was being taped and not going on air live.

That was the big difference between my last radio interview, on blog talk radio...I was live right then and there, couldn't make any mistakes or the entire listening audience would have heard.

This experience today was more relaxing and Don McCauley, the radio host explained everything before we got started. He told me what was going to happen, and what I could expect. It was like I was sitting at my kitchen table talking to a friend over doughnuts and coffee. If there was any mistakes made, it would be alright, because the tape was going to go to the editing room. We talked about my new book, "Broken Voices" as well as chit chatting about writing and publishing. The entire interview lasted about 13 minutes. Now that was quick and to the point, unlike the other interview which lasted about 30 minutes. Mr. Mccauly covered most of the talking points. When the interview was over, our conversation continued for about another 15 minutes, it was then that he began explaining the process of marketing and publicity for authors. I learned so much today...it was just awesome, not a boring moment entered into the picture.

This interview will not be aired for about two weeks because of the editing process. But, I can look forward to my book and my name being announced on the upcoming shows of http://www.theauthorsshow.com Under the Chilren's section. The interview will run for a month, at least that's what I think he said for free. After that, I can purchase the the license of the interview show and use it in my marketing strategy. This is the route that I want to take if my finances are available when it is aired. So, I am keeping my fingers crossed. As a writer trying to make a name for herself and get my books out there...all I can say is that I want it all!

I will keep you posted when my interview is going on air. You knew I was going to blog about it! Just can't help myself.....I am so excited.

Until the next time...put me on your list of favorite authors and my books on your bookshelves. You can't have one without the other.

What it is Like to be an Author

Okay, so you know I love being on Facebook with all my buddies and playing my favorite games and all, games like Yoville, Petville and Cafe World, plus a few word games. That's the silly side of me, things I do to unwind and relax. But, there is a serious side of me, and it all deals with writing; I am so hooked. I believe if you cut me open, sentences and paragraphs would just fall out. lol

When you are a serious writer, you can stay up until the early hours of the morning writing, especially when characters or ideas start talking to you. It will make you get up out of bed and start jotting stuff down. It will make you work out a scene that you stumbled on earlier in the day.

When you are a serious writer, it will take the place of housework, yard work, grocery shopping and make you catch up with all that other stuff later because you can't help but to put it on hold until you finish doing what you are doing. You can have the TV on, but you can't see it or hear it because you are deep in your work. Oh, and don't let the phone ring while you are busy being creative, if you are like me....it makes your blood boil because you don't want the interruption, especially if the call is as unimportant as a telemarketer or a bill collector, or someone looking for someone else in your household. It will make you just wanna say....Ahhhh Crap! (of course crap was substituted for something else. I am keeping it clean here cause that's how I do.) lol

When you are a serious writer, no matter if you are writing a short story or a novel, when you are knee deep in it, you might not stop to eat until it is late at night... if you stop to eat at all. You just don't have time for it. That's why you keep a cup of coffee or a Pepsi and a bag of chips close at hand so you can keep going. Well, what can I say....that's what I do. It works for me!

A serious writer will always be thinking up new story ideas, especially when a writer is coming close to the end of a story that is almost ready to submit. After all, someone is bound to ask if you are working on anything new, and of course I am. If you are like me, you have on file old stories that need to be tweeked or worked on. I have stories dating back to when I first started writing for children, when I was enrolled in a writing course. That was the best thing that could happen to me as a wanna be writer back then. I learned so much aboujt writing and the process of it. It was then that I knew my destiny was writing for children and teens. All this happened back in the 90's. Before that I dabbled in writing adult material and poetry; bet you didn't know that about me. But you know, it just wasn't my niche and nothing came of it. I guess you can say I was in the wrong genre and going nowhere. When you find where you belong when it comes to writing, the genre will suit your style and it will fit like a glove, bringing you together like a marriage united. It is awesome when you find your niche.

Well, this is suppose to be a note, however, it is more like a newsletter. What can I say...I am a writer and I love to write. I am just doing my little thing until I drag myself out into the kitchen and cook dinner....so boring. But doing this....it's exhilerating! Writing, regardless of what or how much you write, it is an awesome experience and it can take you to places and situations that you have never been.



For me, it's author interviews and author events........I am loving the life!

Hey there people. Just wanted you to know that this author has been a busy little bee. I have three author events to prepare for. Oh yeah, doesn't that sound super great?
On the 30th of this month, I will be appearing on the online blog Rack Radio show, and then on September 2, I will be appearing at a DC library open house with my books. Then on September 11, I have another radio interview.

As they said back in the day....this is groovy. I am loving this. There is so much to do after your book has been published. I plan on writing about this experience when all of the events are done. This will be one long blog I am presuming when I start writing about this experience.

Just remember writers, it's not over just because your book is published. You have to market it too, or else your book will sit on the shelf collecting dust bunnies. We have to help our books reach their targeted audience.

Author Interviews

As a dedicated writer, you can always find something to write about or talk about; especially if you have a blog or an author's website, which is a must have.

A writer doesn't always have to be working on their manuscript, or searching for new ideas for a new book. But, they must always keep their writing juices flowing, even if its nothing more than a few sentences a day, or a few paragraphs a week. You can always write or talk on any topic or subject that floats your boat. At least you are writing and telling what is on your mind.

This is what is on my mind today: Preparing for an Author's Interview

Now that your book is published and in the bookstores, that's not the end of the road for an author. Now you have to market it and promote it. After all, it's not going to fly off the shelves by itself. You have to put the wings on it. One way of doing that is through author interviews. Get yourself on TV and the radio. Do online author interviews through blog radio networks. They are fabulous!

When you have been booked to do an interview, be prepared! Get ready beforehand, before the big day. Most interview host will ask you for talking points for the discussion about you and your book. What do you want to talk about? Have your questions already prepared and know the answers. You do not want to become tongue-tied. After all, you have to know what you are talking about and sound like it too. Show confidence.

My first radio interview will take place at the end of August, and the same thing that I am telling you...I am doing too.

But, most of all, it doesn't hurt to have a fabulous publisher helping you along the way, showing you the ropes and giving you hot tips and advice as you prepare. I have a fabulous publisher with New Line Press, who is educating me on the process. Catherine, you are remarkable!

Do you have a fabulous, dependable and trustworthy publisher that you are working with?