THE DAY HAS COME....

HAVE you ever dreamed of creatures just steps away living in your nearby forest?  

One can only guess what or who is lurking within the trees, ravines, brooks, or under foot.

Are they friend, or foe?

Are they zombies, ready to eat your brains?

Or fairies to delight and entertain you with their grace and charm?

Perhaps mischievous elves, wanting to place you under their spell?

What about frolicking water nymphs, to serenade and calm you with a  tranquil dance.

Or maybe, just maybe, something more...

Welcome to BROKEN BRANCH FALLS

by 

Tara Tyler

Hi, all!

Don't you just want to grab your copy. WELL...you should! AND NOW YOU CAN!!!!! I just finished reading BBF and loved it! Here is my review...

From the first page I was swept into Gabe the Goblin's life and times. Goblins are no different than any kid dealing with the trial and tribulations of growing up in a teen world.

As we all know high school has it cliques and social groups, but can you imagine being forced to only associate with said group? Yes...in Broken Branch Falls, species are ONLY ALLOWED to associate with their own kind. Major bummer. And that means everything! No hanging out, period.

What if you have a crush on a cute pixie or a bewitching ogress and you're an elf or a goblin...no can do. It's against the laws of the high council...species are not allowed to mix!

Not to mention your life is planned out for you. What if you're a goblin with a flair for fashion? Or an ogre who has musical talent? NOT ALLOWED...one must conform to the rules.

But...as we know...RULES are MADE TO BE BROKEN...

And Gabe does just that. Pulling off a prank on the Dragons' football team, Gabe is ordered to join the sport. A fraction of the size of your average ogre, Gabe soon learns to use his mind to survive. He creates new plays and the ogre team finally wins a game. Gabe bonds with the orgres...

Not good.

The High Council steps in...

What happens next?

A tale of mystery.

A tale of camaraderie...

An unlikely team is formed as Ms. Tyler weaves an intricate scavenger hunt with obstacles for Gabe and his friends. 

Will they succeed in their quest? 

Only their bravery and determination will get them home.

I found this a delightful and intriguing read. With memorable characters from all species! Ms. Tyler's wonderful ease of writing flows the reader through this adventure as quickly as one is swept over Broken Branch Falls themselves.

I recommend this to all middle graders, young adults, and adults alike. Their are lessons for all of us to learn within the charming prose. 

Thank you Tara! It was such a pleasure reading your book! ALL the best for your launch on June 24th!


Release Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Curiosity Quills

Gabe is an average fifteen-year-old goblin. He’s in the marching band, breezes through calculus, and gets picked on daily by the other kids at school, especially the ogres. Gabe’s closest friends are goblins like him, but Gabe is tired of being a goblin – he’d like to try other things. And he has his eye on the new ogress at school. It’s against all beastly rules, but there’s just something about her.

When a prank goes wrong, Gabe is forced to join the football team as punishment – but finds a way to make it work. Soon the whole school is getting in on the fad of mingling with other species. Too bad the adults have to step in and ruin things by threatening to destroy the school and split up Broken Branch Falls. And Gabe is their scapegoat. With help from friends, old and new, Gabe sets out on a quest for the Book of Ages, which holds the laws of all beastkind and hopefully the key to saving Broken Branch Falls. After all that trouble, it better work.

Add it to your GOODREADS list!

Twitter ~~~ Facebook ~~~ Blog

Also by Tara Tyler, techno-thriller detective series,
The Cooper Chronicles, Book One: POP TRAVEL

THE ORIGINAL TWISTER...

HAPPY FRIDAY, Everyone!

As you can tell from this wonderfully colorful marquis, it is time for another FUN BLOGHOP! The brainchild of Armchair Squid, this hop is all about a favored movie from the past. She is joined by hosts, Nicki Elson, Suze and Nan Mock. Is the film you watched over and over again still your favorite? Has it changed to you or does it hold a different significance? We'd all like to know. Everyone has a film near and dear to their heart!

There are so many special films that mean a great deal to me, but the my most treasured childhood film is THE WIZARD OF OZ. This film has a special meaning to me. First, it was a film I always watched as young boy. The first viewings I had were on our black and white TV. Yes, black and white. LOL. So for the first four or five times I never saw the film in all it colorful splendor. Can you imagine not viewing Munchinland and especially Emerald City in Technicolor?

And my MOST treasured memory is Judy Garland's singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." I love that song so much my mother sang it to me every night from the time I was five to seven. Mom was very special and PATIENT.

In 1969 my grandmother bought her first RCA color set. My bothers and I were amazed, gawking at it every time we visited her which was nearly every night. I'll never forget the night TWOZ played. At first the subtle difference between black and white wasn't as noticeable in the sepia toned beginning. BUT, when Dorothy opened that door.... TWoOZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The colors almost knocked me off the sofa. I couldn't BELIEVE my eyes. It was MAGICAL. I STARED without blinking for God knows how long. Then when they scampered through the poppies...and I caught my first glimpse of Emerald City.... To this day when the song breaks out and Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow skip across the poppies on their way toward Emerald City, my heart skips along with them. It's still my favorite scene and always brings a smile to my face. The Emerald City decked out in all its Art Deco splendor is my favorite architectural style. I would LOVE to see a real city just like that!

image courtesy of Warner Brothers/photobucket

The next revelation came when I saw TWoOZ on the BIG SCREEN. When I was about fifteen, the local movie house in our town still had a single screen... AMAZING, too because this was the age when ALL the theaters were splitting the single movie houses and creating multiple screens. It was like watching it for the first time... I was in owe. The INCREDIBLE details of Munchinland...the costumes...even the special effects at this time (1939) were pretty remarkable. After it was over, I never wanted to see it any other way again.

But I did! When it came out in video, I bought it and watched it often. Then the special edition DVD came out and I snapped that up too. Now with our home TV's larger than ever one can have that MOVIE experience right in their living room. I HIGHLY recommend it!

Thanks everyone for letting me share my happy childhood memories with you. Do forget to drop by the other hoppers and see what their favorites are!

Have a GREAT weekend.....

WHO LURKS BEHIND THE MASK? ...

Thousands of torches dot the winding hillside road. Their light dances on this inky, starlit night as an endless parade of horse drawn carriages glitter from feathered plumes, waving in the casual breeze. The queue moves slowly, and as each carriage pulls up to the medieval arched entry, masked strangers step out and climb the cobbled steps, entering into the gleaming marble hall.

Banners from nine different provinces flow from guilt poles, forming a colorful welcome to each royal guest.

Upstairs in the farthest corner of the castle, a jeweled crown is woven into the golden locks of a young woman. Her heart patters as she steps in front of the looking glass. Two hand maidens finish lacing up the back of her gown.

"You look beautiful your highness," stutters the youngest of the two. Emerald eyes flash from the reflection and into the servant's widened brown eyes. 

She nods. "Thank you, Arabella."

Trumpets echo throughout the massive halls and shivers race through Princess Zoe's body. She squares her shoulders and stretches to her full height. "It is time for me to meet my future husband." 

Arabella rushes to the princess's side and hands her a glittering mask. She bows. Princess Zoe gently takes it by the handle and steps toward her destiny.

One last carriage inches its way to the front. The footman opens the door and a booted leg hits the cobbled stone with a heavy click. He straightens to his considerable height and adjusts his metal mask dusted with fine marquisites. 

He jets up the stairs and into the grand hall. Hundreds of guests congregate at the base of a massive, multi-storied stair case as twenty or so trumpeters toot another announcement. He stops and stares at the top of the landing, his view unobstructed. 

A sentry calls out, "Her royal highness, Princess Zoe!" 

Princess Zoe turns her head to one side of the crowd, smiling at her guests. As she pivots her neck in the opposite direction, she rests her eyes on the one man who stands head and shoulders above the crowd. A breath escapes her. She composes herself and glides down the staircase like a breeze over a wheat field.

She greets each one of the eight princes with a polite air. And continues to the ninth. The remaining guests part as she steps toward the mysterious man who watches her every movement. A stoic figure, carved in granite. Flickering torchlight illuminates his hazel eyes as she stops before him. He bows. 

"Princess Zoe." His lyrical baritone voice sends electric shock waves through her body.  

"And your name, Sire"

He remains silent and extends his arm.

Another breath escapes her...

Why all the mystery?

What does he have to hide?

The Mystery Prince

by

Mary Waibel

Will Princess Zoe find her true love with this mysterious prince?

Or will his secret tear them apart?

A magical device may be their only chance...


First, I must say this is one of the most beautiful covers I have seen. And the mysterious circumstances of this premise has certainly peeked my interest! Let me be the first to congratulate Mary. She is an amazing writer and I know her newest novella will be a big hit! 

ALL the best MARY!

Please drop by Mary's site and wish her well. And snap up a copy of this book. I know I will...

Buy Link:

You can find Mary Waibel at:

http://marywaibel.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/authormarywaibel

https://twitter.com/mewtweety14

Thanks for dropping by today everyone. I hope you enjoyed my newest intro....

Have a great day everyone.

THE WAITING GAME ...

Hi, All,


Welcome to another segment of The Insecure Writer's Support Group. As most of us know Alex J. Cavanaugh founded the group a few years ago for writers to vent and support each other during the LONG process/journey to publication. Thank you, Alex.

I have been a member since day one and I know how wonderful this amazing group is in accomplishing what Alex has originally set out to do. It has grown into its own website and Facebook page. I bet Alex never new how successful this would be when he first created the group! So sign right up if you're feeling insecure or have some advice for other writers!

From my title you might have guessed my topic today is QUERYING! I know, I hear all the GROANS now...mine is right there with yours. 

As many of you know I have just finished the final edits on my second novel and have began the querying process. BUMMER. This is my least favorite thing to do as I am sure many of you agree. But it is a necessary part of our journey to publication. 

In the past I haven't been very successful in landing an agent. But this time I am hopeful. I have a terrific query letter, thanks to a fellow blogger/friend, Morgan Shamy, who helped me tweak it. I have had some requests from publishers in the past, so I know there is interest in my story. YAY! I'd also like to offer a HUGE THANKS to my CP's and Betas. You know who you are and if I could gather you all up and give you a great BIG BEAR HUG, I would!

Today I plan to send out another three of four letters. From previous advice from fellow writers, I've decided to send out a small group of letters and wait. Wait for the response, if any. This is by far the WORST. The "Waiting Game" grinds on my every nerve. What does one do while waiting? Read a book? Work on another project? Blog? Drink endless amounts of coffee? Eat chocolate? Hibernate? Pull out every single hair on your head? 

Well, although some of these my take up part of our day, the bottom line is, there really is nothing to do but WAIT. Sad, but true. However I do have a few tips that may help. First, do something for someone else. Take the focus off yourself and dive into CP or Beta project. That's what I'm doing and it really helps! Focusing on your partner's world is such a great escape. Not to mention you get so wrapped up in perfecting their story, there is very little time to think about what that agent or publisher is doing with your query.

Next. Get OUT OF THE HOUSE. Seriously, now that the weather, for the most part, is sunny and warm throughout most of the US and Canada, there is no excuse to be locked away in the house fretting over you queries. Commune with nature. Really study the chirping birds. Smell the blossoms, and look at each delicate petal. Go to your local dog park and watch the puppies at play. It is so much fun to see them all chase each other and have such a great time. 

And finally, exercise. Relieve the tension. Take a brisk walk. Go for a five or ten mile bike ride. Jog through the park, beach, or lakefront.  BREATHE. STETCH. Go home and you will be ready to face the dreaded empty inbox.  

As long as you keep you mind on other things, The "Waiting Game" won't tear you apart. Remember it is just a GAME. There will be winners and losers. Here's hoping we are all WINNERS!

Have a fantastic day today all and do visit your fellow IWSGers... Not a member? Sign up for next month's meeting!

INSPIRATION FROM THE PAST...

Hi, All...

Happy Wednesday!

Thanks for all the great comments about How I Found the Write Path, blog hop. The letters to our pre-writing selves were truly amazing! Thanks again Carrie for pulling it all together. SO many writers will benefit from it. I know it.

Today I'd like to talk about stumbling along in our writing progress. I must admit I'm in slight funk trying to reorganize my thoughts and get to writing again. For the past six months I've been in HEAVY revisions with my second novel and I am very secure in my belief that it is ready. I started to send out queries, but not as many as I should. I've been hesitating. BAD MICHAEL. I guess deep down I feel afraid of rejection, although I know it's part of our everyday lives. I haven't queried in so long, so I guess it's only natural.

So I am PUSHING myself. I can use a "NUDGE" guys. LOL.

I actually TRIED to dive back into my film noir novella I had started a while ago. For some reason I lost my edge on it. BUT.... At last I have been motivated. It's exactly what I needed! God always provides for us. Last night, on Turner Classic Movies, one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE 1940's Noir films was broadcasted. LAURA. With Gene Tierney. Have any of you seen it? It is so fine. The acting amazing. The detective, played by Dana Andrews, is flawless. THE PERFECT noir detective. Dark, muscular, handsome. Just like my detective in the noir I'm writing. Gene Tierney, who plays Laura is one of THE MOST GORGEOUS actresses of that time. Stunningly beautiful in her mystique. And of course, I CANNOT forget to mentions the amazing B&W visuals... Talk about atmosphere. SO uplifting. I STUDIED EVERY detail from the sets, clothing, stances, gestures, and speech and the forever lighting of cigarettes... SO NOIR!  Now to only capture that in my novella.

The cast is amazing in this film. Clifton Webb plays the elitist. A super young Vincent Price, Laura's fiancé' who is so unworthy of her. Who could ask for more, especially in Noir. If you haven't seen it, you should. It's great!

Here's the movie poster from 1944. Photos courtesy of listal.

SO I just want to tell all you writers out there that are in a funk, stuck in a mini writer's block, or just plain out of sorts. It only takes on little thing to set you back on the right path. SO LOOK for those small signs. You just might find them in your TV guide. LOL. I did!

HAPPY WRITING everyone and I hope this little bit of advice gets you over your HUMP....

How about you? Have any of you had any amazing stimulation this week? I'd like to hear about it!

FINDING THE RIGHT PATH IS CERTAINLY NOT EASY...

Happy Monday, everyone...

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Yesterday we finally warmed up a bit in Chicago and I actually spent most of the day out. It was great not having to a winter coat...IN MAY. Lol.

Today I am part of the "HOW I FOUND THE WRITE PATH," bloghop hosted by the amazing Carrie Butler and co-hosted by PK Hrezo...
It's Carrie's third year blogging... HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!!!! So she has decided to create a book to help newbe writers.... Here's the skinny by Carrie...

"I want to compile a free e-book for writers who are just starting on their road to publication, using advice from the most brilliant, up-and-coming voices in the industry: you guys! Here’s what it would involve:

THE PROMPT: 

Please write a letter/note to yourself when you first started writing toward publication. The only thing I ask is that you keep it under 800 words, including as many (or as few) of these elements as you like:

   - A lesson you learned the hard way

   - Something you didn’t expect about the industry        (positive/negative)

   - A writing-related resource you could never do without now

   - One thing you’d change about your journey

   - One thing you’re glad you did

   - Your number one tip for pursuing publication

   - Anything else you feel is worth passing on"

Doesn't this sound awesome?! So if you want to hop along you have all week! Drop over to Carrie's to add you name to the linky... Here

So here's my letter to my pre-writer self...

May 19, 2014

Dear Michael,

This is your future self writing to you on behalf of the incredible journey you are about to embark upon into the publishing industry.

First and foremost never give up your dream. At times, frustration will haunt you. Countless hours on the computer will seem never-ending. Keep an open mind and always listen to more experienced writers.

I have a few suggestions to make things MUCH easier for you, tips I have learned through trial and mostly error.

Economize your words. Simply write clear, concise, and to the point sentences. Avoid adverbs at all costs by choosing a stronger verb. Use search to find all LY words and common words, such as LOOK, TOWARD, JUST, REALLY, LIKE, etc. This way you can cut them down without to much difficulty. ALWAYS use your Thesaurus… it will be INVALUABLE to you. Keep it in your bookmarks for easy access.

LEARN your grammar and punctuation. It is ESSENTIAL. Take the time to do so.

LISTEN to your TRUSTED Critique Partners and Betas. You are a beginner, you know very little, and you mustn’t be sensitive to their suggestions. It will hurt, but listen to them anyway and make the necessary changes.

BLOGGING WILL be an essential part of your life. Embrace it. Forge as many friendships as you can because they WILL become your extended family and will ALWAYS be there for you.

This industry is BRUTAL. Don’t expect to be a best selling author right away. You have SOOOO much to learn before you will be anywhere near ready for publication. You are NOT JK Rowling. Even though you believe you are. 

When writing your first m/g, y/a novel don’t allow it to exceed 60,000 words. You will write and write and write and create a novel that is WAY too long and you’ll spend way too many years cutting it down. Once again… ECONOMIZE your words.

Don’t expect of find an agent any time soon. You are not ready. LEARN your craft before wasting precious hours writing queries and sending them to top agents which will reject you, BECAUSE you are NOT READY. POLISH your ms until it’s blinding, then query. This can take years. BE PATIENT.

Your journey will be a very difficult one, but you will forge friendships with amazing people who will be supportive of you and will help you hone your writing skills. This will also give you the ability to pay it back. You will be there for others and the skills you learn will help you achieve this. You will fall many, many times before this, but you will learn. Trust me.

The best thing I did for you was to join the blogging community. I can’t stress this enough…every new writer needs to involve themselves quickly to be a part of something that is beyond rewarding, beyond special.

And always remember, no matter what, never give up the dream you have. You will realize this is your calling. You WILL get frustrated by rejection, but remember you have a gift, never forget this, because you will be tested again and again. 

Don’t let minor achievements seem worthless. Even the smallest works published are a major achievement and will be a closer step to something much greater. Persevere. This is the best advice I can give you.

You’ll get where you need to be…In Time…

ALL the best.

Your future self,

Michael of In Time... Freelance copy/creative writer/illustrator/cover designer
http://wrting-art-and-design.blogspot.com


Well there you have it... A few things I've learned along my journey. 

I'd be honored to be part of the Collection, Carrie, so feel free to use it. 

Don't forget to drop in on Carrie and wish her a HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!!!

Have a great day everyone!!!

A TRIBUTE TO SOME VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE...

Hi, Everyone,


Are most of you all back to normal after last month's A-Z challenge? I'm still seeing posts here and there keeping the momentum going and I think that is awesome. I hope to get around a bit more too and visit new blogs that I didn't have time for last month.

It seems this Spring is a busy one for a lot of us. Each day I see a new book cover reveal or a release. Kudos to all of you! I wish you ONLY THE BEST!

Today I'd like to focus on something we as writers rely on more and more. And although I've discussed this topic on a few occasions and so have other bloggers, I believe it needs to be brought back into the light again.

I am dedicating this post to all my AMAZING BETAS and CP's! You guys know who you are.

These wonderful people take so much time and care to review our novels, picking out what doesn't work in plot, character development, world building, flow, pace, structure, grammar, spelling, and a myriad of other things. 

They also support us when we are frustrated, tired, and completely OVER our stories. They suggest fresh, new ideas to polish our works to brilliance. And they do this for us even with their extremely busy lives. Imagine fitting in the time between family, daytime jobs, and their own writing projects.

I had previously worked in a world of glamor, beauty, and self indulgence for fifteen years and believe me nothing was real. This surface beauty doesn't hold a spark next to the glow and warmth of the caring people I have had the privilege to trudge along with in our journeys into the publishing world.

What amazes me more than anything else is how busy, published authors will still take the time to help out others. To "pay if forward" as we call it. 

I see this every day.

As most of you know I have been working on the final edits of my second novel. 

I thought I was done especially after working with an editor for over five months. But she suggested I send it out to betas that had never read the original. This was not easy. I had written the first draft of this story three years ago and it has been through many CP's and Betas hands. 

I chose a few trusted authors who I respect completely and asked if they had the time to read through just for fun. Not expecting anything but their general opinion.

What I received back was surprising to me. The first, caught over two dozen typos and pointed out a couple of areas to build upon to make the story even better. She even suggested I flesh out one of the smaller scenes I just glossed over. And to have my MC respond more sensitively in a few other scenes. I did and sent it to her.  We both agreed to keep it in. Although it was only about a half a page, it added a bit more comedy which was needed. This story is extremely intense and adding more comedy certainly relieves some of the tension. 

Thank you, VR Barowsky.

After tweaking it all, the second Beta sent his. I was anxious for his comments because he was the first male to read my story. All my other CP'S and Betas are woman. I was excited to see a perspective from a male POV since my story is written in first person present from the POV of a seventeen year old boy.

Once again I was floored. He found even more typos. Do they breed? LOL. Not only that he pointed out I had too many LY words and another word that one would NEVER think to look for... TOWARD. I had an astonishing amount of them. He also felt the ending was flat. Too vague. This I had heard before from two other Betas, but kept it on the back burner until all the reviews came in.

He was specific. Pointed out what he wanted to see. I listened. I completely fleshed out the ending and added much more closure, leaving just a few unanswered questions. Always leave the reader wanting more...

Thank you, Mark Koopmans.

Yesterday I finally got to rewrite my query. Not my strongest point. I had received an email from a close blogger friend who had read my intro for my book during the A-Z and wanted to read it. Of course I was more than thrilled, especially since this is not her favorite type of story.  I had also asked her to take a look at my query.

An hour later, she sent it back to me, adding her magic. With only a few tweaks, it took a barely passable query and turned it into a force to be reckoned with! I can't WAIT to send it out. I never get excited about querying, but now, with this one, I am.

Later the evening, she contacted me and had already read over forty pages. She had to write me and tell me she can't put it down. Whoa... She made my evening.

Thank you, Morgan Shamy.

SO, as you see, I am very blessed with AMAZING CP'S and Betas. These three are only a few who have helped me with my current novel. There are at least a dozen others, who I am so thankful to for their input!

I'd like to speak to those writers who are too scared to have others read their work. DON'T BE... A CP can only help you. At times they will point out things that sting a little or ask you to cut out a particular scene which you LOVE. But sometimes it is necessary. Keep an open mind. WE ALL need to have fresh eyes read our works. Especially after the first draft. Remember it takes MANY drafts to complete a strong novel. Even when you think you are done, someone will point out something else to improve it more. 

One word of caution though. Make sure you trust the person you are sending it to, I've had a few bad experiences. NOT MANY at all, but once you find your CP/BETA family, you will be blessed beyond anything you could ever expect.

HERE'S to YOU my wonderful CP/BETA FAMILY! I couldn't have gotten this far without your love and support!

I hope you all have a magical Wednesday...