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Book Spotlight: In the Line of Duty

9/29/2016

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​Police officers and departments are especially hot topics right now, whether it be in regards to police brutality or the use of excessive force. It seems there is a clear line between people who respect them and people who despise them. But how does that choice come to be?

We all make decisions based on information that comes our way, but what if everything we read in the media about police taking harsh action isn’t correct? What if these articles are missing key intel? Unless we were in an officer’s shoes, how can we really know what transpired?
 
All of us have played—or at least are familiar with—the telephone game. In this, it’s easy to see how a message changes as it moves down the line. The same, too, I would suspect, is the case when it comes to reporting. But that’s only one way that information can get garbled, making it uncertain and difficult to claim as truth. Reports are also often colored by the viewpoint of a source. If that source is prejudiced against the police, it will immediately taint his or her reaction to a situation; before knowing any facts, the police will be cast in an unfavorable light.
 
I’m not saying that police always make the right decisions; they are human, after all. There are even some corrupt cops. However, I feel that people need to appreciate that unless they are there, in the moment, there’s no way of truly knowing why a certain course of action was taken.
 
As a result of my own respect for law enforcement, I have dedicated In the Line of Duty to all the fine men and women who serve or have served, and in memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. While most of us would run from gunfire, they run toward it. That right there is enough to warrant my respect. Just imagine what the world would be like without police. In two words, utter chaos.
 
--Carolyn Arnold
Author of In the Line of Duty (Detective Madison Knight series)
 
Excerpt from In the Line of Duty, Chapter 4:
 
A life of sacrifice to the higher good was what Madison had signed up for. She’d defend the innocent and protect and serve if it took her life to do so, and she’d do it despite the way the media painted things to make officers look like the bad guys more often than not. They applied too much use of force to a situation, or they shot someone who wasn’t armed. Meanwhile, it wasn’t disclosed that the officer approached a subject in the dark of night and the subject was holding a bicycle pump extended in the fashion of a gun. The officer had to make a split-second decision that, if it had been a loaded gun, the officer or his backup would have been shot.
 
And rarely did the news share the stories of courage and bravery—how the actions of officers saved lives and put criminals behind bars. They never reported about the officers who resuscitated a woman who was clinically dead, saving her life while waiting on the local paramedics to show up. No—law enforcement always fell under the microscope of scrutiny and judgment, and yet she and her brothers put their lives on the line every day because it was what many of them believed they were born to do. Of course, there were some who viewed the job as simply that, but not her. Donning her badge wasn’t something she gave thought or consideration to each morning. It wasn’t an option. It was the same as putting on a pair of pants or brushing her teeth.
 
You’ve reached the end of the excerpt, but In the Line of Duty is available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover from popular retailers.
 
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Apple iBooks
Kobo
Google Play
 
About In the Line of Duty:
 
He devoted his life to seeking justice. But would she get any for him?
 
It was an ordinary day for police officer Barry Weir. It was the end of shift, he was tired, and he just wanted to get home to his wife and kids. But someone had other plans for him, shooting him down and forcing him to make the ultimate sacrifice.
 
When news of Weir’s murder reaches the precinct, it leaves Detective Madison Knight and every cop in the Stiles PD itching for revenge. It cuts Madison’s boyfriend, colleague, and Weir’s childhood friend, Troy Matthews, deepest of all, driving him away from everyone he loves just when they need one another the most.
 
With evidence pointing to a gang-related drive-by, Madison and her team investigate the town’s seedy underbelly in search of justice for their fallen brother. But the deeper they dig, the more convoluted the case becomes. Now they need to figure out if this was a random shooting as part of a gang initiation, a straight-up hate crime, or a targeted kill. But with members of the Stiles PD under attack, they have to do it fast…before more officers pay with their lives.
 
About the Detective Madison Knight Series:
 
Murder. Investigation. The pursuit of justice. Do you love trying to figure out whodunit? How about investigating alongside police detectives from the crime scene to the forensics lab and everywhere in between? Do you love a strong female lead? Then I invite you to meet Detective Madison Knight as she solves murders with her male partner, utilizing good old-fashioned investigative work aided by modern technology.
 
This is the perfect book series for fans of Law & Order, CSI, Blue Bloods, Rizzoli & Isles, Women’s Murder Club, and Hawaii Five-O.
 
Read in any order or follow the series from the beginning: Ties That Bind, Justified, Sacrifice, Found Innocent, Just Cause, Deadly Impulse, In the Line of Duty, Life Sentence (Bonus Prequel).

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​About the Author
 
Carolyn Arnold is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series and has written nearly thirty books. Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark, POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
 
Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:
Website - http://carolynarnold.net/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold
 
And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at http://carolynarnold.net/newsletters. 

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Interview with author James Terzian

9/28/2016

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Tell us about your genre.

It’s Fantasy/ Action

 How did you come to choose it?

I am a big fan of Fantasy and Martial Arts.
 
Why does it appeal to you?   

I have always had a fascination with martial arts, style and different forms and weapons.

What do you find most challenging about the writing process, and how do you deal with it?

Writers block. I just take a few day to rethink my story and figure out where to go from there.

When and where do you do your writing?

My house after work or the weekend. It just quiet.

What have you learned about promoting your books?

It’s hard, time consuming, but rewarding.

What are you most proud of as a writer?

My creativity, and character development.

If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be and what would you talk about?

J.K Rowling, Big fan of her Harry Potter series and have read all of the book. I would like to talk about how to improve as a writer and what made her successful.

​Author bio
 
James Terzian is a upcoming Author with learning Disability in writing. Writing a novel to prove to others that having a Disability does not hinder you in anyway.  Born in Ukraine and came to America in 1992 at the age of five, Found his love for writing after graduation and is hoping to share his journey. Graduated with honor roll in High school despite his Disability, he strives to do what he loves, writing.
 
https://www.facebook.com/LordShadowsRises/
thelordofshadows.net
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bX2hv0
 
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Book Spotlight: ​The Christmas Eve Letter by Elyse Douglas

9/28/2016

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​The Christmas Eve Letter
By Elyse Douglas
Genre: Time Travel Romance/Women's Fiction
 
30-year-old Eve Sharland is browsing a Pennsylvania antiques store when she discovers an old brass lantern tucked away on a shelf.  She lifts it and sees something behind one of the sooty glass panes. To her surprise, she finds an unopened letter stuck inside.

The letter is postmarked December 24, 1885, and it is addressed to Evelyn Sharland in New York City. Eve gasps and drops the letter.  That’s her name!  The letter is addressed to someone with her name in 1885: Evelyn Sharland.

Eve purchases the lantern and the letter, and returns to her New York City apartment.  Later that evening, she opens the letter and reads it, astounded by its contents.  She stares at the lantern in wonder and alarm, deeply moved by the story of a tragic romance.

A few days later, following a request in the letter, Eve cautiously lights the lantern.  To her utter shock, she finds herself in the past—in 1885 New York City.  Eve is thrown into a life far beyond what she could have ever imagined, as she gets involved with one of the richest families in New York City, and meets the handsome Patrick Gantly.  She must struggle to survive and return to her own time, even as her destiny is changed forever. 

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Author Bio
 
Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age, and graduated with a degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers and avid readers, and played piano professionally for 15 years. His great grandfather lived to be a 134 years old, and was the oldest man in the world when he died in 1922.  Their cat, Sir Eaton, loves to take sips from a good glass of Pinot Noir.

Some of Elyse Douglas' novels include: "The Other Side of Summer," "The Christmas Bridge," "Wanting Rita," "The Christmas Diary" and "The Summer Diary." They live in New York City.
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elyse.authorsdouglas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglaselyse
www.elysedouglas.com
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/2byGqaA

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Interview with author Annette Oppenlander 

9/28/2016

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Tell us about your genre.  How did you come to choose it?  Why does it appeal to you? 

Had you asked me what my least favorite subject was in high school I would have said history. Yet, historical fiction has become my chosen genre. It sort of crept up on me over the years and grew into a fascination for all things historical.
 
Straight-up history, the way I was taught in school, was super boring. I remember lists of battle dates and descriptions of bloody conflicts. So, when I think of historical fiction the way I write it, I’d describe it as historical action/adventure. Rather than having history as the basis for the story, the story comes first and is then infused with history. In other words I attempt to immerse the reader into a world set sometime in the past.
 
I’m fascinated by the many colorful and exciting times humans have lived and suffered through. I find that the more I dig into the past of an individual, the more interesting that person becomes. Let’s take Lord Werner von Hanstein, a knight who lived in Thuringia, Germany during the late Middle Ages. He was master of Castle Hanstein and had a hot love affair with a beautiful woman. He also feuded with a nasty duke, did a bit of street robbery and later in life became city captain of Lübeck in Northern Germany. From what I could find out he was super charismatic and despite being a lord beloved by the peasants of his villages.

What do you find most challenging about the writing process, and how do you deal with it?

Two things come to mind:
  1. No matter how much I work, write, edit, research, etc., I never feel I’ve done enough. I always hear that little voice whispering how there is so much more to do. When you have a physical project or any defined task in your job, you go do the work and pat yourself on the back. Being an author and working for yourself there is no limit and the sense of accomplishment, if felt at all, is short-lived.
 
As mentioned under a different topic below, I’m working on becoming more patient. I think recognizing you have to give it time and believing in yourself ultimately help to keep your sanity.
 
  1. For me beginnings are hardest. Putting that first paragraph, page and chapter down requires the author to commit to some degree. Even though any chapter can be edited or thrown out, I often have doubts. First pages also determine the ‘voice’ of our character(s) and so it’s important that it’s done right. In fact there is a slew of twenty or thirty to-dos for first chapters. First chapters always daunt me when starting a new manuscript.

Once the story is complete I return to the beginning and keep tweaking until I’m satisfied. This process takes time, but strong first chapters are a must for any decent novel.
 
When and where do you do your writing?
I typically begin writing around nine am in my office, an ex-bedroom with lots of book shelves and a desk. I have a really great chair that allows me to sit for many hours. Some people love to write in a coffee shop, but I find that too distracting. You’re talking to a chocoholic, so to keep myself going in the afternoon anything with chocolate works for me and I eat way too much of it on a daily basis.
 
When I develop new material, I typically take several breaks, go to yoga class, walk the dog and do housework. It is during this time I work out any story problems, things I’m missing, a way to get my protagonist out of a pickle. Some days I work until five pm, others I quit early. I rarely work late into the evening because my brain seems to go into a fog after dinner.
 
What have you learned about promoting your books?
My publisher makes sure my books are available through the major retailers in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries. I keep a presence on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter, participate in author fairs and bookstore visits, go to schools and generally anywhere people want me to share stuff about writing, historical research and my books. I also now teach at libraries and a community college and am presenting at writing conferences. I’m really excited about being able to present at next year’s Historical Novel Society (HNS) annual conference.
 
They say patience is a virtue and I tend to agree. I’m trying to exercise more patience because the chance a book becomes a bestseller is extremely small. Consider the number of books published every day. I think right now more than 3,500 books hit the market on a daily basis. That’s a lot of noise. Even if you’re published through one of the major five publishers in New York, chances are you’re not landing on the bestseller list. It takes a lot of marketing dollars, connections and a healthy dose of luck.
 
For most authors this means we keep writing high quality books and keep marketing them, involving ourselves in our communities, teaching and sharing and being good people. And eventually, ever so slowly, we grow our audiences and maybe, just maybe one day, we can actually live off the income we generate.
 
So, I’ve decided to enjoy every minute of my author journey, well okay, not every minute, but I’m definitely enjoying the process of creating and polishing a story and seeing it through to publication.
 
It’s the best thing in the world.
 
What are you most proud of as a writer?

Looking back at how far I’ve come. I cringe when I think about my first manuscript and how proud I was at the time. Being a new writer we don’t realize how much is still missing and that it takes thousands of hours of writing, studying craft and reading to grow as a writer. I’m most proud that I stuck with it and kept going to workshops, studying books on craft and listening to my critique partners.
 
It’s not easy to receive negative feedback but it is an effective way of learning. I know I continue to learn every day and I strive to get better as long as I can make my fingers move on the keyboard. So, keeping a positive attitude through the low points in my journey has been important. 
 
If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be and what would you talk about?
​

I have a number of favorites, but my all-time favorite is J.R.R. Tolkien who I can no longer ask. I’d love to know if he had the “Lord of the Rings” story in his head before he began or if he came up with it as he wrote. I just find it so fascinating how he developed these amazing characters and beings and this convoluted, connected story where every group plays a role. I found it challenging enough to write the “Escape from the Past” trilogy and make sure that I didn’t leave lose ends. His is way more complicated and remains my favorite fantasy read.

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About the Author
 
Annette Oppenlander writes historical fiction for young adults and anyone who loves stories set in the past. When she isn’t in front of her computer, she shares her knowledge through writing workshops and indulges her old mutt, Mocha. In her spare time she travels around the U.S. and Europe to discover amazing histories. The mother of three ‘former’ teens, Annette lives with her husband in Bloomington, Ind.
 
On Facebook: 
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https://www.facebook.com/annetteoppenlanderauthor/
On Twitter: @aoppenlander
http://www.annetteoppenlander.com
 
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bH0A3m
B&N: http://bit.ly/2c4xmMI
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2bPpU7u

The author is giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Interview with author Heather Hambel Curley

9/27/2016

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Tell us about your genre.  How did you come to choose it?  Why does it appeal to you? 

I write paranormal romance.  I started out writing straight historical fiction, but I’m intrigued by the thought that tragedy never really leaves a place.  Do souls stay behind in places of tragedy, like Gettysburg or Antietam?  In 2004, I worked about a day and a half on an archeological dig.  We pulled up broken pieces of pottery that could be fit together almost like puzzle pieces: there were dainty green swirls or dark blue designs.  They hadn’t been handled by a person in over 150 years.  There’s a mystery to it, to who held it or broke it, and the curiosity of what happened at that moment when the pottery broke.  There’s so much what-ifs and what-thens with history and the paranormal.  To me, they all mesh perfectly!  

What do you find most challenging about the writing process, and how do you deal with it? 

For me, I have a crazy, nonstop schedule: I work full time, I homeschool my kids, and I run/work out.  Sometimes I sleep.  Finding time to write is the thing I struggle with, so when I do have a free block of time I really have to be able to utilize it to the fullest.  I’ve dealt with this by becoming a hard core plotter.  I plot my books out completely before I start writing.  I always carry notebooks with me so if I get an idea while at work or while brainstorming during a run, I can jot down notes.  Never stop writing.  With my kids at swim class or karate?  Bring my notebook.  In the car while my husband is driving us on a trip?  Got my notebook.  Lunch break at work?  Got my notebook.

When and where do you do your writing? 

I have a day job and two boys, so my writing time is pretty limited to either very early in the morning, after they’re in bed, or on the weekends.  I always write on the living room couch—I think I associate it with work time, as I used to do my homework on the couch.  But, like I said above, I’ve always got a notebook with me, so if I’m in the parking lot at the grocery store and something comes to mind, I write it down.

What have you learned about promoting your books? 

It’s definitely something you can’t do alone.  Or, if you can, you’re awesome and we need to chat.  I’ve learned that you need to set a budget, do your research, and know your audience.  Build your writing platform before you publish and determine your general audience/niche audiences and you’ll save yourself a ton of time and frustration.

What are you most proud of as a writer? 

I’m proud of bringing history alive.  Readers have told me they enjoy the historical aspects of my books and have learned things about the town they live in.  It’s kind of like a black bean brownie: there’s good stuff in there, but it’s surrounded by a paranormal thriller and spicy romance.  History doesn’t have to be boring—and I like being able to bring that alive for readers.

If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be and what would you talk about? 

JK Rowling.  I’d be so interested to discuss how she juggled spending time with her kids and writing amazing (and long) books.  Her world building is incredible; I’d like to hear how she came up with her world structures and details and where her inspiration came from.

Author Bio
​

Heather Hambel Curley writes sassy paranormal fiction and historical fiction. She lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons and, when not writing, she works as a disability claims analyst. She is represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA.

Although she’s never seen a ghost in Harpers Ferry--although maybe heard one--she was a volunteer with the National Park Service’s living history department and archeology departments at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The Armory and Arsenals were destroyed during the American Civil War, but guests can still visit many buildings described in her book Haunt. She is also a corseted Civil War reenactor with the Baltimore Light Artillery and has participated in events at many major national parks, such as Gettysburg and Antietam.

Heather also enjoys visiting the Caribbean, running, One Direction, and getting tattoos. You can follow her on Twitter at @Heather_Curley or visit her blog at heatherhambelcurley.com.
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Book Spotlight: Don't Forget the Parsley by Marie Claire Lim Moore

9/27/2016

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Don't Forget the Parsley
By Marie Claire Lim Moore
Genre: Memoir
 
Marie Claire Lim Moore builds on her first memoir, Don’t Forget the Soap, offering more entertaining stories about her family in this follow up. Like her first book, Don’t Forget the Parsley is a collection of anecdotes from different points in Claire’s life: stories from her second-generation immigrant childhood in Vancouver and New York City mix with recent expat experiences in Singapore and Hong Kong where she balances multiple roles as wife and mother, corporate executive and author. Her positively Filipino parents continue to have a big influence on her whether it comes to managing family and career, meeting heads of state and world leaders or simply making new friends. From stray observations (everything is funnier at church) and midnight anxieties (if Jessica Simpson gets to go to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, why shouldn’t I?) to life mantras (don’t let perfection hold you back) and litmus tests (would you serve drinks at my mother’s art show?), Claire’s warm and honest storytelling will resonate with readers and leave them smiling.

 


About the Author
 
Marie Claire Lim Moore is Filipina-Canadian-American banker, author and speaker. Her first book, Don’t Forget the Soap (And Other Reminders from My Fabulous Filipina Mother), became an Amazon.com best seller and was featured by GMA Network as one of the best books of 2013. After spending the early part of her childhood in Vancouver, Claire moved to New York City and attended the United Nations International School. She went on to study at Yale, climb the corporate ladder at Citi and travel around the world. She met her husband, Alex, while working in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and they married in Manila, Philippines shortly before moving to Singapore and most recently Hong Kong. Now Mom to Carlos, Isabel and Sofia, Claire also manages the Global Client business for Citi in Asia. Claire is passionate about promoting career-family balance through her talks as well as her writing. She is regularly ranked among leaders in the Asian and Filipino-American professional community and her experiences have been documented in The New York Times, USA Today, Smart Parenting and People Asia. In 2014, she received the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award™ (Global FWN100™) that recognizes Filipina women who are influencing the face of leadership in the global workplace.
 
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dontforgetthesoap
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarieClaireLM
Publisher: http://bit.ly/2cQoIjJ 
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cLicsB

On Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2drULIP

On B&N: http://bit.ly/2d8RY6K
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Interview with author Ms. Johnnie Renee

9/26/2016

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Tell us about your genre.  How did you come to choose it?  Why does it appeal to you? 

African American fiction is a genre of great depth, from just being an African American to the mental imagery of it. Although I wrote my story showing the violence and drug-related problems among our at-risk youth, I also focused in from the POV of a father’s, and a mother’s heart. Most of the public don’t consider the pain a mother carries; her visions; and deep thoughts when she loses a child, or is dealing with an at-risk youth. That pain is unbearable. I personally believe that when a mother reaches this stage, no amount of comfort can support her mental frame of mind. This is why I write in this genre, with multiple flashbacks and daydreams into the reality of laying a child to rest, or the sheer glimpse of peace found in a flashback of happier times. Being a mother of an at-risk adult child, I want all this pain to stop. I want to find a solution to our at-risk youths’ problems, thereby relieving the pain in a mother’s heart.

What do you find most challenging about the writing process, and how do you deal with it?

I would have to be honest and say it is the criticism about structure, and plot. I’m sure that if life can sometimes consist of more than just one or two characters, then so can fiction. I also think that if a reader can’t comprehend a story with multi-characters, I can very well say they can’t understand the culture of at-risk youths, or the immensity of the pain in a mother’s heart. I let the reader win. That’s how I deal with it.

When and where do you do your writing?

Every minute I have, I work on writing, and I prefer to be alone, anywhere in the middle of the ocean is just fine with me.

What have you learned about promoting your books?

It is very difficult, and extremely emotional, but I’ve learned a little, like continue to put the book in the view of readers. In addition, I now know what “What is your budget for marketing” means.

What are you most proud of as a writer?

Hum, I don’t know. I guess I would have to say it is my vision for writing: helping our at-risk youth make better choices in life.

If you could have dinner with any writer, living or dead, who would it be and what would you talk about?

Terry McMillan. At my stage in writing, coupled with my desire to be successful, I would say I would only want to talk about plot, point of view, and what differentiates life from fiction.


About the author
​
Ms. Johnnie Renee is a first-time author of Street Life fiction, and a writer of children’s fictional books. She loves children, believes at-risk youth can be mentored to make better choices in life. And she is an advocate for senseless pain in a mother’s heart.
 
http://twitter.com/weepmenot
http://facebook.com/ms-johnnie-renee-519772031543101
http://weepmenot.com
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bi2TYj
On B&N: http://bit.ly/2aR1g5H
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Guest Post: Stealing time to write and research

9/21/2016

1 Comment

 
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I love libraries. During my time at university, I used to live for the hours I could spend between leather bound tomes on psychology and medieval warfare. I got lost in the smell of those books, and in what was written in them. The local witch trials fascinated me every bit as much as nineteenth century literature did. My biggest regret after handing in the last of my last exam papers was that I hadn’t read everything I’d intended to there yet.

The years that have passed since then have taught me a lot about time management. Although I never really wasted a minute of my time at that big library – I don’t consider reading any kind of book as a waste of time – I did spend a lot of hours with books I wouldn’t essentially have had to read for the topics I was researching.

Nowadays, I rarely have time to go to a library anymore at all. Not like I used to. I have a day job and three children. And I published a book this summer. Whenever people ask me how I did that, I shrug and smile. Those who don’t have children would never understand how my first book came to be, and those who do would probably shake their heads. My book is titled Stealing the Light, but I should have titled it Stealing Time.

I’ve become a thief, and a planner. My calendar is a beast of burden, and I systematically use every little time slot I can get for my writing. My notebook has become my constant companion. I flip it open the second I turn off the engine in front of my children’s school while waiting for them to come out of class. I eat my lunch one handedly at an old desk in the utility room at my workplace, in between scribbling my ideas on a paper pad and checking my website and social media on my phone. My kids’ weekly music lessons are the best writing time I can get: I sit on a bench outside the building with a beautiful forest view and type away for a whole hour without interruption. I even write when I wake up at night, because there are times when the ideas just fall over themselves, wanting out, and there’s nothing you can do about that when you’re coined like me.

I use those stolen minutes for writing only. If I get to a place where I’d need to look something up that I’d missed during the drafting phase, I take notes, and I do that research on Sunday mornings before my kids wake up and before the family time begins.

I still love libraries. In this phase of my life, however, with family life taking priority over everything else at the weekends, I love search engines more. I do a lot of my research on the internet, because it’s super convenient not to have to actually drive to the library for the material anymore. Ours is closed on Sundays anyway, but the internet never sleeps.

The world is at my fingertips whenever I sit at my kitchen table, and I can double check my facts from home as reliably as I might at any library, perhaps more easily. There’s just more of everything online, and it’s always available.

More choice doesn’t necessarily mean more quality, but I usually find what I’m looking for, in the end.

Three things help me with that: One, I write what I know (to a big extent). Two, I use what I have (in my case, that’s my ability for languages). Number three, I limit my research time so I’m forced to use it economically.
Write what you know is one of the first things you’re told when starting out. I hadn’t heard that piece of advice when I began writing because I’ve never taken classes in creative fiction, but I’m a history geek and always have been, so medieval times are my field, and I took naturally to the theme without thinking about it. I did a lot of research in my area of interest years ago already for papers and for my thesis, so I know what to look for and where to get it.

I don’t think I ever doubted that knowing several languages can only benefit you, though it’s not everyone’s thing, especially if you’ve never actually needed more than one language. But: I’ve discovered that even if you only write in one language, it’s a great advantage if you can look up things in another on the internet. If I don’t come up with exactly what I need using keywords in English, I try in one of the other languages I know. This really broadens the scope in European history, for instance.

Limiting my research time has worked wonders for my overall time budget. One hour per week is enough for me to do what I need to get done without losing myself in the floods. Tempting though it may be to gain more insight through cross-references, there’s a danger of drifting off, and I hear that I’m not alone there. Several fellow writers have told me they struggle to stay on track because clicking on layered links and discovering new texts and articles is so much fun. Particularly when you’re a history geek. Of course, writing is supposed to be fun, or I wouldn’t be doing it, but finishing an entertaining book within a certain time frame is my main goal. You can’t publish something that’s not finished, and building a solid back list is the one thing that gets a self-published author noticed. That’s why I keep an eye on the clock at the bottom of the toolbar on my laptop while doing my research.

If you’re a writer, what’s your experience with research, and how do you manage your stolen time?



Author Bio

Lisa Hofmann was born in Siegen, Germany, in 1975. She attended schools in Germany and in Ireland. After graduating, she worked for a large international wholesale company and as an interpreter for two years before she attended the University of Siegen.
During her time at university, she translated books and other writings for her professors of Educational Didactics and Anglistics, discovering her talent for handling words. She began writing medieval fantasy fiction in her late thirties while working as a teacher. 
She still lives near her birthplace today with her husband, three children and a houseful of pets. She writes predominantly in English.
 
https://www.facebook.com/authorlisahofmann/
www.lisahofmann.net
E-Book Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HSD58D0
Paperback Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/3946618014 
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2bfiPeK
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2b6o5mg
 
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Book Spotlight: How to Sell on eBay by Richard Lowe Jr

9/20/2016

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How to Sell on eBay:
Get Started Making Money on eBay and Create a Second Income from Home
By Richard Lowe Jr
Genre: Non-Fiction
 
Gain a Second Income by Selling on Ebay!

Could you use a little extra cash? Do you need to make some money to pay a few bills, go on vacation or just build up some savings? Would you like to earn extra income working from home in your pajamas?

Looking for part-time employment in order to help make ends meet is challenging, and working a second, or even a third job, can quickly wear a person into the ground. But sometimes you need money to make ends meet.

I know exactly what you are going through. I needed to make money, now, but I couldn’t go out and get a second job.

Discover how to begin selling on EBay without spending any money on inventory, using good product descriptions, photos and titles to get customers to look at your products and make purchases.

You CAN make a second income by selling your own clutter on EBay, then expanding your new income by purchasing small, valuable items from local thrift stores, dollar markets and swap meets.

I know this, because that's what I've done.

In this book, I'll tell you exactly what steps you need to perform.

* What needs to be done BEFORE you start selling
* The research you need to do to become acquainted with EBay
* What kind of products you can sell, generally choosing merchandise in your own home that you no longer need
* How to keep your vital feedback score high so you attract new customers
* How to ship
* What kinds of products cause problems in shipping
* What to do when your products don't sell

And many more valuable tips and essential information. I’ve covered everything you need, from the pitfalls, the problems, and things to look out for! I’ll hold your hand and have you up and running quick.

Don't let another day go by without taking action to make some extra money to help you get caught up and even head. Get your copy of this book NOW.

About the Author
After spending over 33 years in the computer and information technology industry, Richard decided to take an early retirement to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional writer and published author. Richard is a leader in the computer industry, serving as Vice President of Consulting at Software Techniques and Beck Computer Systems before settling down as Director of Computer Operations at Trader Joe’s. During his twenty-year tenure at that esteemed company, he focused on computer security and preparing for the possibility of disaster.
 
Additionally, Richard has published books of his own. His first two volumes, Safe Computing is Like Safe Sex and Real World Survival Tips and Survival Guide, respectively touch on the subjects of computer security and how to survive emergencies and disasters. Richard has also written and published a series of short eBooks on the aspects of freelance writing, including blogging and ghostwriting. Other published books include How to Plan a Party and How to Surround Yourself with Beautiful Women without Being a Sleazeball. 
 
An avid adventurer, Richard has been a photographer for much of his life, with a focus on nature, scenic, performance and event photography. He has done everything from hiking in dozens of national parks throughout the country, to photographing various unique festivals and events, such as the Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball and the World Mermaid Awards Convention. He is well known in the Renaissance Festival and Belly Dance communities, having photographed over 1,200 dance events and 400 festivals. For several years, he photographed the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California.
 
Richard is currently working on a large number of short Kindle eBooks on a wide variety of subjects. Beginning in 2016, the first of a ten volume series of Science Fiction novels will be published.
 
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richlowejr 
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/richardlowejr
Website: https://www.thewritingking.com/book/how-sell-ebay/
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cDR3MC
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Book Spotlight: In Search of The One: How to Attract the Relationship You've Longed For

9/16/2016

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In Search of The One: How to Attract the Relationship You've Longed For
By Randy Siegel
Genre: Self Help – Relationship, Family, Parenting
 
Are you longing for your soul mate…the perfect life partner…“The One”—but aren’t sure how to attract the right romantic relationship into your life?  Or perhaps you’re already in a relationship—even a long-term one—but you secretly wonder if there might be someone out there with whom you’d be better suited? Cinderella, don’t give up on the prince!
Drawing from personal experience as well as insight from a wide array of experts, In Search of The One: How to Attract the Relationship You’ve Longed explores how to:
 
  • Debunk the myths around “The One” and stop savior seeking.
  • Examine the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual components of longing for a romantic relationship.
  • Convert longing into loving so that you can become your best self and live your best life.
  • Attract or rebuild a relationship so great that you could only imagine it until now.
 
In In The Search for The One, Randy Siegel explains that the true source of all longing is to be seen, heard, understood, and loved for all we are. By redirecting our focus on three psycho-spiritual paths—the evolution of the unconscious to the conscious self, the defended to the authentic self, and the higher to the divine self—we can find peace and grow personally while attracting a special kind of romantic relationship—a spiritual partnership—into our life.
The distance between longing and love is not as great as you might think.
 
About the Author
Randy Siegel believes that love and work give us the greatest potential for growth because that’s where our inner challenges are most visible. Since 1998, Siegel has inspired thousands of professionals worldwide to “stand in their power by becoming the full expression of all they are” for such organization as the Recording Academy (The Grammy Awards), State Farm Insurance, and the American Alliance of Museums.
Siegel has written five books including Break Up, Wake Up, Move On: From Broken Heart to Open Heart: Prepare for the Partner You’ve Always Longed For. He’s written articles for Balance Magazine, the Washington Post, and other publications and is frequently quoted by
the media. Siegel, his partner, Don, and their dog, Loodle the Poodle, divide their time between Asheville, North Carolina and Saint Simons Island, Georgia.
 
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandySiegelWrites/?fref=ts
RandySiegelWrites.com
On Amazon: http://amzn.to/2c9kTon

On Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15110757.Randy_Siegel

http://randysiegelwrites.com/
 
SPECIAL OFFER: For a limited time—September 16 through 20—readers can download a complimentary copy of In Search of The One: How to Attract the Relationship You’ve Longed For, by visiting Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I6XFW8W. 


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    Author

    Freda Hansburg is a psychologist and co-author of two 
    self-help books, PeopleSmart - which h​as sold more than 75,000 copies and has been translated into ten languages - and 
    Working PeopleSmart, 
    as well as numerous professional publications.  Her first novel Shrink Rapt, 
    is a psychological thriller with a dash of romance. She lives in the South Carolina Low Country.

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