First Impressions and Animals....

Just watching the Today show with a preview of Diane Keaton's new movie, Darling Companion. A dog movie! Being a dog lover, this sure sounds like one I want to see. But the first preview I see the guy loses the dog! Well not a first good impression - of the male character.

Funny how sometimes things get stuck in your head, but to me, any movie that centers on an animal I have to see - War Horse. Sad but sure rooted for the horse!

Adventures of Tin-Tin - still on my list as the dog is so cute.

Writing-wise, maybe that's why subconsciously I usually put a dog in most of my stories. Usually they add something to the story (they should if they are there!)

In my kid's mystery, Searching for a Starry Night, the dachshund Petey is right in middle of the mystery.

In my Girl Zombie story, a German Shepherd dog Chico is there as protection tho the main character (who is part Z) wonders if he will smell that she is "different."

Adding a dog or another pet or animal to a story can only make the story better, imo anyway. You know for sure that is one character the reader will love. haa!

** Do you like to read books with animals or do you put animals in your own writing, and why?

* (PS - Looking at the new pix, wish I would have made it to that conference!)

Spring Fling Recap

For the last two days I've been attending our Chapter's bi-annual Spring Fling Conference. Each year the committee seems to outdo themselves, and this year was no exception. I think this year's event was the best ever.

It was fablulous to mingle and meet fellow authors, agents, and editors. I got to hang with my fellow Wild Rose Press authors and the Acme Babes! I strengthened friendships forged at monthly chapter meetings as we had more time to sit, chat, and enjoy meals together.

The workshops provided a wealth of information, tools, strategies, and tips which I will attempt to assimilate over the coming days. My brain is still spinning.

I discovered Susan Elizabeth Phillips is just as funny and kind and generous in person as she appears on-line and from her books. There is something humbling about hearing a mult-published, award-winning, hall of fame author say she cannot write a synopsis. And to have her use the pronoun 'we' when she discusses the challenges, struggles, and truimphs of writing.

I pitched a mss to Megan Long of Harlequin Superromance, who was gracious enough to offer advice and suggest I 'drop her name' and send it along to the American Line, for which it seemed better suited.

On the downside, I had the bookseller order way too many of my books for the book signing and I can home with a loaded credit card and a box full of my own books. Oh well. What can you do?

All in all, I'd say it was a fabulous weekend, and the only bad part, is tomorrow I have to return to the 'real' world and can't bask in my author persona all day long.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

Pitch Palooza While Daydreaming! by DL Larson

Spring is here and it's Spring Fling time again for the Chicago area romance/mystery writers. This Midwest conference for writers will be my third and I'm looking forward to it,if only ... 1. I had more time to prepare 2. Had the perfect pitch 3. Had the smooth style to catch an editor's attention 4. I could just say, "buy my book, you won't regret it!" 5. I didn't have to fight the traffic to get there I think you get the idea. In a perfect world it would all be so easy to promote my work; I would have no trouble writing the next book. It too would be a best seller and everyone, simply everyone would be happy! Unfortunately real life slapped me up side the head and said, "go pack! Time's a wasting. You don't have time to daydream!" So despite the fact I haven't had much time to prepare, I have been working towards a pitch of some sort. If anyone has seen me driving lately, they might think I've slipped another notch mentally. I've been practicing my pitch as I drive. I tend to wander in my delivery, thinking of something more important I should share with each run-through. Not what one would call productive, but I keep veering back to my "main theme." I realized something else too. Just like my sister, I move my arms when I talk. I'm sure I looked like a dork while driving, waving my hands about. I suppose stating to an editor to just purchase my book is a bit forward and not nearly as suave as one might think, so I will continue practicing my pitch as I fight Chicago traffic. Consider yourself forwarned ~ don't get too close to the lady in the red car waving her hands around and looking as if she's talking to someone in an empty car while racing down the expressway heading toward Second City! Til next time ~ DL Larson

There's More to Being an Author Than Some Would Believe

Life has been hectic lately. Along with keeping up with what my friends are doing on the various social networks I belong to, I planned and held my Book Launch Party last Sunday. It's not as easy as some might think. Thursday, my blog at The Blood-Red Pencil, outlines the steps I took to get that party done right.

I'm glad to say it went very well, with a steady stream of friends and relations stopping by for print copies of my latest romantic thriller, Forever Young: Blessing or Curse. Some also bought Killer Career, which came out 2 1/2 years ago. One friend downloaded my thriller on Kindle instead, and asked me to sign a bookmark for her.

Before that, I submitted two short stories to be featured in the Corner Cafe anthology early this summer. When I know the exact date, I'll spread the news. I'm also halfway done writing Blessing or Curse, my sequel to Forever Young: Blessing or Curse, and hope to get that finished sometime this summer. Of course, I'll tell everyone about that as well when the time comes.

And, this Friday, I, as well as a number of our Acme Authors Link members will take part in the Spring Fling Writers Conference at the Chicago Mariott NW in Hoffman Estates Illinois. I'll be doing a workshop about Blog Book Tours on Friday at 1:00 pm, also offering Forever Young: Blessing or Curse and Killer Career at their book signing, plus attending more workshops, and moderating two workshops on Saturday.

All this goes to prove there's more to being an author than just getting words down on paper. I don't drink any of those energy drinks, so I have to rely on eating right and trying to get enough sleep so I have enough energy to get everything accomplished, or at least as much as I can!

What about you?  Are you busy with writing related projects?



For excerpts and buy links to all my books,
see http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com/

Take It or Leave It

So I've been doing some reading about midlife weight gain: why it happens, what to do about it, etc. The reading has actually been very interesting. Of course, each book gives different advice based on the 'expertise' of the author. Some of the ideas were really great and I've already started adding them to my lifestyle. Such as eating smaller meals more times a day instead of large ones less often. Not skipping breakfast. Changing the kind of exercise I do. Sometimes the authors disagreed or had opposite opinions. One said exercise was best in the morning. (No way I can do that with my work schedule.) Another said it didn't matter what time of day you exercised, as long as you did it. (That I can handle.) One said to give in to those chocolate cravings. (Now that I can get on board with.) While another said to limit dessert intake to twice a week. (No way. I'm a dessert-a-holic. My mom always used to say the something sweet of dessert lets your tummy know its done eating. Now there's advice I like!) One said the amount of calories you take in matters. The other said dieting is the worst thing you can do to your body. I think ultimately what it comes down to is learning to 'listen' to your body and do what's right for it so you feel comfortable in your own skin. After all, it's your body and you have to live with it. Will I ever fit into a size four again? Probably not, but if I feel good about myself and have a healthy body, does the number on the waistband of my jeans really matter? And I'm not a twenty year old anymore. I'm in my forties. If the number says six or even eight, I think I can live with that. This got me to thinking as I was going over a mss last night. It was one I'd written years ago, redid, and sent to an editor friend, not as a submission, but to have another pair of eyes take a look at it before I pitch it next weekend. I really trust this editor. She's good at what she does. She contracted my first three books and I learned a lot from her. But as I was reading some of her suggestions, there were some things she commented on that I didn't agree with. Many of her suggestions are right on the money and work for the story. But, in the end, it's my story, and I have to do what I feel is right for it as the author. So, as with anything in life, people have a lot of opinions to offer. But advice is just that. You can either take it or leave it. Only you can decide what's best for you or your writing. Until next time, Happy Reading! Debra www.debrastjohnromance.com

Why A Writer? by DL Larson

I often wonder why I chose this life as a writer. Or, did being a writer chose me? I've been at this for so long it's difficult to remember the sequences that led me to where I am today. How about you? Do you remember why you chose a writing career?

Reading has always been a great passion of mine. Even the mundane parts of reading manuals or instructions. I always found the mistakes in written words and found it aggravating that words were mispelled or used inappropriately, while other folks shrugged as if saying, "who cares? We're putting this thing together not editing a best seller." Yet I find reading my new phone instruction manual impossible to follow. And I wonder where my skill as an editor disappeared to! Then I re-evaluate the situation and I worry about the experts who wrote such a manual, appalled at their lack of writing skills.

So I pause for a moment, readjust my thinking, noting that the writer/editor/critquer called DL Larson has taken over and has the urge to fix the broken sentences to repaired. Call me a word mechanic, I can't help myself, it bugs me to see broken structure when it comes to words.

The other day I saw a toddler having a tantrum. It was nothing serious, just a little guy frustrated at not getting his way or not having the skill to express his wishes or maybe Mom was determined to get her way for once. I don't really know, but I had to smile when Mom said, "Use your words." I wanted to ask her if she was a writer.

Since I can't think of anything I'd rather be, being a writer suits me fine. I knew when I was ten years old I had a story to share. I still haven't written the story that perked my interest toward putting words to paper. Maybe someday I will accomplish that goal. It took a few more decades before I finally settled down to the business of writing as a career. There's been struggle, challenge and satisfaction, and always the urge to keep trying.

So tell us, why did you chose a writing career?

Til next time ~

DL Larson

A Night to Remember

On April 15, 1912 Titanic succummed to her injuries and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The tragedy captured the hearts and minds of the world. This fascination with the majestic ship continues today. On the 100th anniversary of her sailing and sinking, the media is filled with reminders, memorials, and rememberances.

Last night my local historical society hosted "An Evening Aboard the Titanic". It wasn't so much a remembering of the tragedy, but a celebration of the people who had sailed upon her.

'Passengers' could opt for a steerage ticket and partake in a corned beef and cabbage buffet. Or, for those inclined, a captain's table ticket would provide them with a served multi-course meal featuring items from the Titanic's actual menu. (I opted to dress up and join the Captain at his table, my hubby decided steerage was more his style!)

All passengers were greeted by Captain Edward J. Smith and received replica boarding passes. The 'unsinkable' Molly Brown circulated among guests, as did John Jacob Astor and Helen Churchill Candee.



A unique photo opportunity was available. Before dinner, the Captain offered a prayer and a brief moment of silence for all of those lost at sea. But the night focused much more on celebrating friend'ships' than it did on sinking ships. A trio provided lively Irish music, and passengers were able to test their Titanic knowledge with a round of trivia.


All in all, it was a spectacular night, one I will aways remember.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com