reading

“Continuing Education”

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

U-Tube is a great resource for many things. My husband uses it quite often. He’s a do-it-yourselfer who finds help, directions, videos, and multiple viewpoints any time he needs it.

As an author, I find answers—and even inspiration—by regularly listening to podcasts and tutorials.

I know. You want to write, write, write without interruption. So do I.

I’ve found the only way I want to give up time for this endeavor is to simply plan it into my weekly schedule. One afternoon a week, I take off my author hat and put on my student hat.

Nothing in life is learned through osmosis (the unconscious assimilation of ideas and knowledge) as much as we’d like to think it possible.

Most authors start out writing by going to conferences and reading books on the subject of writing. But writing rules and trends change, so don’t stop learning. 

Carve out some time for continuing education each week to keep yourself “up-to-date” and in “the know.”

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What’s Up with ‘That’?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Just as some realtors are known more for listing and others for their mastery at selling, in writing some authors are known as experts at character development, while others are more proficient at plot.

However, my opinion writers must strive to master characterization and plot. We must also improve in other areas as well. Description, dialog, backstory, and the ever elusive cliff hanger are also important in crafting a well-rounded novel.

And as we grow as writers it is important to stay up on changes within the industry. For example, did you know that within the last year or so the word that, got the ax?

If you want to refer to something specific, you can simply name what you are referring to: “I’d like some more of that” can be changed to, “I’d like some more mashed potatoes.”

Sometimes you can just rewrite the sentence as: I found that the price of a haircut and color in Las Vegas is almost twice what I’d paid in Phoenix, so I may decide to “go gray.” (True, by the way). This can be rewritten as: I may decide not to color my hair anymore because the price in Las Vegas is twice what I paid in Phoenix.

Here’s more information on that usage:  use that for things, but use who/whom when referring to people.“Pass the cookies to everyone who wants one.” Or, “I’d like to test drive that car.”    

Finally, avoid beginning sentences with the word that and avoid phrases such as “the fact that…”

But, if you’re like me and can’t remember all of the rules concerning the word that, simply try to reword your sentences to avoid using it so often that it becomes a glaring repetition. 

So, you caught my misuse above? How about a rewrite:  “…to avoid using it so often it becomes a glaring mistake.”

So You Want to be an Author

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I retired from teaching quite a number of years ago, and like so many before me, I longed to write a book.

I told myself it would be easy. After all, I knew grammar, sentence structure, paragraph construction. I was aware of the importance of using adjectives and verbs to make a story exciting.

Without going to school each day to teach, I knew I had the time to write.

I began writing, telling the story that had been in my head for eons. The process was exciting. I was living out my dream. And, I must say, I was pretty proud of myself. 

Until I shared the first chapter with a group of seasoned writers who burst my bubble. I was “telling” the story, but they said I needed to “Show, Not Tell.”

I found that just because I had been a teacher… just because I loved to read… didn’t mean I could naturally write. That began a months-long quest to learn the writing “rules.” Reading books, taking classes, going to conferences.

I joined professional groups. I studied the craft of writing.

Writing is fun, but it is also hard work.

Several years later, with a few books under my writing “belt,” I started the blog that you are now reading. It has been five or six years of sharing what I’ve learned with others once every week.

Each of my blogs is archived on my website under the heading “BLOGS.” I invite you to visit my website and spend some time reading on subjects that interest you as a writer. I am not the end-all of writing information by any means, but there may be usable information there for you.

My website: www.brendapoulosauthor.com  (You’ll want to start your own website at some point, so when you follow the link, look around to see all of the “parts” that need to be included and click on the various links to see how they all work together for the benefit of your readership).

Celebrate My Dad’s Birthday!

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

When is a series born?

Is it on the outset? When the author writes the first words of BOOK ONE?

Is it near the end of the first book, when the author realizes just one book won’t tell the entire story?

Perhaps it’s when the author is writing the epilogue for book one and gets the urge to continue the story with one of the other characters from the first book?

Or, is it when the author receives great reviews, stating the readers’ desires to read more about a certain character, setting, or event?

Whenever it happens, I say it’s a good thing. If you’ve enjoyed writing book one and you have your audience engaged for one reason or another, then by all means consider writing a series.

That’s how I came to be writing the Simon Says series. (Which turned out to be four books! Simon Says, Truth or Dare, Tug of War, and Cat’s Cradle).

In honor of my father’s birthday on May 5th, you will find the series FREE in e-book format on Amazon for that one day, only.

Here’s an easy way to get all four books. Use this link, http://www.brendapoulosauthor.com which will take you to my website. Scroll down and click the BUY NOW button. It will take you to my Amazon page, where you can scroll once more to the books and “purchase” your free copies.

As always, a reminder that authors do value your comments. So, when you’ve finished reading, please go back to my Amazon page, scroll down, and leave a review.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

So You Want to Write a Romance Novel

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Have you thought about writing a Christian Romance Novel? Here are some interesting ways to make the distinction between them and secular romance novels:

  1. Although both genres write about the pursuit of love relationships, Christian Romance does this while conveying lessons about faith, family, and relationships.
  2. Because they include these “lessons” the writers see their audience as being both Christians and non-Christian readers.
  3. Both Christian and secular Romance involves some degrees of sexual tension. However, whereas the non-Christian Romance is more overt, Christian Romance is not explicit.
  4. In Christian Romance, we find conversion experiences referring to emotional, religious, or sexual changes. Christian Romance often involves more inexperienced heroines, whereas secular Romance often features characters with more sexual experience. 

5).   Women are often the primary caregivers to children in Christian Romance.  

6)    Christian Romance stresses more traditional family values and conventional roles where the husband is the primary breadwinner. 

7)    Most often, Christian Romance gives injunctions against sex outside of marriage.

8)    Secular Romance is seen as increasing in sensuality, explicit sex acts, and sexually-laden language. 

9)    Christian readers and authors most usually agree that the purpose of Christian Romance books is to represent a ministry about and to women.

10)  Thus, these books are often read by Christian women to strengthen their faith. Religious beliefs are inherent in the plots.

11)  Many women readers—even if not professing Christianity—prefer good, clean, wholesome language, characters and plots.

That’s Entertainment

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Moving and renovating have taken up months of our time, so we decided to take a break and go to the movies.

That’s where we experienced sticker shock. Two senior tickets cost us $22.50.

Then, there was $10 for a tub of popcorn, which my husband and I shared.

Last of all was a soda for each of us. Size small. $6.25 each. 

“No, thank you,” I said to the young man behind the counter when he asked if we wanted Nachos, ice cream, or red vines.

Grand total for two hours of “escape”?     $45.00

I’m telling you this to prove a point. An e-book will cost you anywhere from FREE to $5.99 and you can buy a big bag of popcorn at the supermarket for about five bucks. Soda? $1.00 each.

So from $7.00- $12.00 you can enjoy on average ten hours of reading fun.

I actually enjoy the more active process of reading to the more passive act of movie-going. And, especially with prices being so high nowadays, a movie will have to promise me a lot to get me out of my favorite reading chair and out the door.

The Four D’s

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Have you been writing and writing and writing only to end up with a novella rather than a full-length novel?

Have you found yourself stuck in the middle of your book wondering if you should backtrack or forge ahead?

You can call it lengthening, padding, embellishing… whatever you’d like, but here are four suggestions for making your story the most it can be.

The Four D’s:

First of all, start back at the beginning and add description/details to enhance the plot or characters or setting.

Secondly, develop the story. Expand it. Add more scenes. Perhaps add more characters or develop each scene so characters come alive.

Thirdly, add more dialog. Remember, don’t tell the story. Submerge us in it. Let us be part of the story experience.

Finally, dig deep. That’s right. Deepen the story. You may have only scratched the surface. Re-read one of your favorite novels. You may find that the reason you like it so much is because it has real depth.

As our two year old grandson says at the end of a meal, “All Done.”

Say “Cheese.”

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I read the newest book by a very prolific author. Each time I read one of her books, I turn it over to the back cover and see the same picture. She hasn’t updated her photo in at least the past 20 years.

I checked her Facebook page. Both her picture and bio haven’t been updated there, either.

I had to laugh though, when I realized I hadn’t changed my picture in the last 7 years.

Whether it is just pure laziness or if it’s because I like seeing a younger version of myself, I had to laugh at myself for doing the same thing.

Clearly, I have updated my information in About Myself on my website, www.brendapoulosauthor.com, but the picture remains the same one I’ve always used.

I’m told that when you make changes on your website or Facebook page, the little internet crawlers get more interested in visiting you. Then ever-so-slightly, your ranking is improved. The changes don’t have to be huge. A change as small as a new profile picture is all that’s necessary.

So, take a few selfies, upload, and wait to see if you’ve become more visible.

Having Trouble Sleeping?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I’ve had trouble sleeping lately and I think I have found the reason why.

I used to knock off my work day at about 4 p.m. But due to a recent move that changed the order of things, I have had to sit down at the computer for a couple of hours after dinner most evenings.

When I write something particularly emotional, scary, or suspenseful I end my day with frustrated or angry feelings.

I put my theory to the test this week. 

When I worked on one of my books about dementia (I’m sure I’ve mentioned some of them. For example, 

I Remember Holidays) my anxiety level wasn’t nearly as high as when I worked on my suspense novel.

So, I’ve learned an important lesson: end my day’s writing with something light and happy. 

And I’ll get a good night’s sleep.

Twisted

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

When reading through some book descriptions on the internet, I came across an author who described her writing as Twisted Romance.

Hmmm.

Years ago, twisted was often used to describe someone who had weird ideas or actions. Kooky or even kinky might have been synonyms.

I was curious to know if the term twisted, nowadays, meant something different.

Here’s what I found.

The current term twisted romance tells the full spectrum of love stories. Dark, depraved and addictive. Frantic and often painful. They are gritty and seek to take you out of your comfort zone.

Sometimes referred to as adult fantasy, these books may be more than you bargain for and introduce both the reader–and the writer–to the world of pornography. In my opinion, these books are a dangerous inroad to evil and a dark world that I (for one) want no part of.

Much better to stick with cozy mysteries, mainstream romance, and Christian Fiction (of course).