On Tour: Hearts of Ishira by Bethany Aan

When Arianna wakes on a strange planet, she is the only human able to communicate psychically with the big, sexy Thorsani warrior who rides in with his men to rescue the Earth women from their crashed space transport. The Thorsani, humanoid but descended from sentient cats eons ago, are also marooned on this planet they have named 'Ishira'.

Hunter and his brother Jace are Commander and lead physician of Ishira colony. When the captured women tumble into their lives, the small Earthlings turn the men's world upside down. The girls bring drama and heartache, laughter and light...not to mention the first opportunity for sex in more than ten years. And though she's the oldest of her group, Hunter and Jace find themselves drawn to the lovely, curvy Arianna.

For Ri and her ladies, their tumultuous new life takes a very interesting turn when they discover that the Thorsani way is to marry in teams of men...

 

 

Author Bio:

Bethany has been a fan and a writer of romance, science fiction/fantasy, and erotic fiction for more than twenty years and is thrilled that the reading market has finally caught up to her love of all three so that she can share the stories she's always dreamed of writing.

Bethany Aan lives in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with her husband and their dog, Loki.

You can find her author's page on Facebook, follow her blog at bethanyaan.blogspot.com, or keep up with everything at once by visiting www.bethanyaan.com. 

  

Buy Links:

Nook      Kindle

CreateSpace (trade paperback)

Staying Positive: How Writers Can Use Positive Self-Talk

A Guest Post from Writer's Relief

Let’s face it: Becoming a professional writer isn’t easy. In a career path where rejections are a guaranteed part of success, a positive outlook can be difficult to maintain. As writers, we know that our work won’t be accepted by everyone, but long periods without an acceptance can make us wonder, “Is my writing strong enough?”

Thoughts like these discourage writers from time to time, and it’s those thoughts that hamper our progress and chain us down with self-doubt. But what if we could use our thoughts in a different way? What if, by regularly reminding ourselves of our strengths and goals, we could empower ourselves to not only feel better, but write better? 

Positive Self-Talk: Mental Reinforcement For Writers

Positive self-talk is a method by which writers can repeat key phrases (in the first person and always in present tense) to cause the mind to subconsciously accept them as truth. For example, if you want to consciously live in the present, rather than dwell on the past, you could focus on repeating the phrase: “I will live for today.”

This form of creative visualization is widely accepted and used by athletes, actors, and business moguls alike, and it can work equally well for writers. Don’t worry—there’s no incense or tie-dyed shirts required!

By simply clearing your mind and repeating certain phrases to yourself aloud, you can, theoretically, create a belief in your conscious mind. As a writer, you could use an affirmation like “I am a talented writer” or “My writing is good enough to be published.” Some writers also find it inspiring to use quotes from authors they admire.

Once you truly believe in your affirmations, you’ll begin to see a positive change in your writing habits.

How To Properly Employ Positive Self-Talk

Focus on the present. Don’t imagine what you will do or what you have done. Think about your writing now and focus on your best trait. Say “My writing is…” not “My writing will be…”

Keep it short and simple. Don’t bog yourself down with too many phrases, and don’t try to memorize a speech. Use short, strong sentences that exemplify your skills as a writer.

Find downtime to concentrate on your affirmations. You can self-talk right before you go to bed, or as you are getting up in the morning. If you practice yoga or meditate, you can use that time to come up with positive phrases or repeat a few you’ve already chosen.

Practice your positive self-talk routinely. Choose a moment of your day when nothing else is going on around you, then make it a habit to practice your positive self-talk every day at the same time. Not only will you find it easier once you have a schedule, but your brain will memorize them more easily if it knows they’re coming in advance.

Write your affirmations down. Jot down your positive phrases on Post-It notes and stick them places you walk past every day. Your mind will subconsciously absorb these phrases if they’re regularly in view.

Don’t exaggerate. Telling yourself that you’re a best-selling author isn’t going to make it true now, and you want to focus on the present. Use your affirmations to build up to a goal, but don’t stretch the truth, or your mind will resist accepting it.

Stay positive. Don’t including negative phrases like, “I won’t get rejections anymore.” Not only will your mind immediately remember times when you did get rejections, but choosing lofty goals won’t help if an inevitable rejection comes your way. Learn more about choosing the right words here.

Examples Of Positive Self-Talk (For Writers):

1. My writing benefits others. My readers are inspired by my writing.

2. Writing is my life. I am a serious writer.

3. I write every day. Writing frequently comes easy to me.

4. My family and friends believe in my writing ability.

5. Rejections put me one step closer to acceptance.

6. The past is the past. I write for the present.

7. I can balance my writing and my career.

8. I receive many compliments for my work. My thoughts are worth writing.

9. My characters are unique. I am talented at creating characters in my writing.

10. I can write wherever and whenever I want.

Believing you can become a successful writer is the key to becoming one. You don’t have to live in an ashram to use positive affirmations.

At Writer’s Relief, many of our clients have told us that dealing with rejection letters has become easier since they signed on with us. Our submission strategists manage the submission process, doing as much or as little of the work of making submissions as our clients like. Not only do our strategists motivate our clients to stay on track with submissions, but we also make the process less personal by taking the emotional element out of submissions and the regular rejections that all writers face.

One client, Robert G., told us: “I was afraid of rejection at first, but with the volume of publications that WR was targeting for me (about 25 per cycle), I got used to it, and soon I learned to let ‘Thanks for your work, but…’ roll off like water off a duck’s back. Quack!”

If you would like to learn more about how Writer’s Relief can help you submit to literary agents or get your work published in literary journals, contact us today. (http://www.writersrelief.com) 

And remember: A little positive self-talk can be a valuable tool to stave off self-doubt and fear of failure in all aspects of life. Create your own affirmations, and you’ll find a positive outlook can drastically change how you perceive your writing, yourself, and the world around you. 

Question: What techniques help you think positively about yourself and your writing?

On Tour: Eternal Lovers by VS Nelson

Ancient Legends - New Worlds Humans weren't the only ones to migrate to America... When two hidden worlds collide near modern day Lake Michigan, Jennifer, a young Native American, is confronted with the reality not everything is as it seems and things do go bump in the night. The questions she has long since asked are answered in this epic tale of self discovery when she meets Gabriel; the director of Guardians Incorporated. Born in New Tuat, Netchkhet, now known as Gabriel, came to Earth some five thousand years ago to protect the human race, Disillusioned because of an unfulfilled prophecy, he has become cold and distant - even from those of his kind. Secretly, he waits for his enemy to take his head so he may leave this world for good. Can a tiny Selkie melt his hardened heart and restore his faith in a power far greater than himself? When history repeats itself, can he save her from death's embrace or will they be robbed of a future again?

Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17235374-eternal-lovers 

Author Bio:  V.S. Nelson has always enjoyed reading stories with strong relationships and happy endings so it’s not surprising she found herself writing across the romance genre. Even her commercial fiction, Sins of a Man, the memoirs of a Mafia Hit man, is layered with romantic elements.

Landing in Arizona, after an exciting teaching career, which took her to the Middle East for several years, she lives in Arizona where she spend most of my time making love to her computer while writing, editing or researching, seven to ten hours a day. The days she’s not writing, you will find her with my critique partners at Starbucks, attending or presenting a workshop or at a RWA meeting.

Being a Native American woman and a Scorpio, she’s always had a fondness for history, mythology, the occult, and the unexplained events which have occurred on this world we call home. It was no wonder she found herself writing a paranormal series.

She enjoys hearing from readers, fans and people with similar interests. They are more than welcome to contact her through her website http://www.authorvsnelson.com

 

I am delighted to welcome author V.S.Nelson to (site) today. Virginia, thank you for being here today. I’d like to start off asking you, why do you write under your initials rather than your first and last name? Is it to hide your sexuality?

V: Not at all. When I first switched from writing non-fiction to fiction I felt a change was necessary. I, like most authors also googled my name. I was not surprised to find my name was being used by another author. What surprised me was she also writes paranormal romance often on the erotic side. We have since become facebook friends and joke freely about our common name. Virginia Nelson is my maiden name where it is her married name. Making a long story short I felt it best to use my initials for my fictional stories. There was never any intention on my part to hide my gender.

Interviewer: I think our readers would like to learn more about you as a person. Can you tell us at least five things most readers don’t know about you?

V: Well I’m not too sure what your readers know or don’t know about me so I’ll start off by stating some of the things that is mentioned on my website then share a few secrets with you. I’m Native American, a Scorpio and a grandmother who refuses to admit that I am as old as I truly am since I am still very young at heart. I wrote non-fiction and text books for years while I taught school in New Mexico and the Middle East. I’m retired now and spend my days writing fiction in sunny Arizona where I live with the light of my life who was also my high school sweetheart. (More on this personal story below.) I have a fondness for the occult, ancient cultures and religions which l believe led me to write paranormals and urban fantasies.

Now on to some of the things your readers may not know about me. 

(1)  I was diagnosed with MS in 1990 and was confined to a wheel chair for over two years. Thing got so bad with my health I feared I would spend my remaining days in a rest home. I made the decision to try several alternative healing methods, including acupuncture, to which I am forever grateful for. It is a long haul but I eventually regained the use of my legs and arms. 

(2)  As a young teenager, in 1964, I ran away with my high school boyfriend after my parents moved from Central California to Northern California. I hated my new school and was so lonely without him we choose to runaway to Reno to get married. Sadly, I chickened out once we pulled up to a wedding chapel.  He returned home as did I and we broke up. A year later my family moved back to central California and the two of us picked up where we left off. A few months later, fate deemed we would not end up together. He married someone else as did I. I hadn’t seen or heard from Tom in years until ten years ago when I received an email from classmates dot com that he was trying to find me. We emailed back and forth for sometime before the phone calls started. We decided to meet up in person and felt Las Vegas would be a central and safe meeting place. Our weekend adventure turned into a week. Two months later, Tom made the move to Arizona and we have been together ever since. We have been content with our relationship and both feel we are committed enough in that relationship that a formal ceremony was not necessary. – That was until Thanksgiving Day when we were discussing which conferences I would attend in 2013. A decision to take part in the http:/www.romancenovelconvention.com in Las Vegas was quickly made. While making arrangements for the conference on line, Tom suggested that since we would both be in Vegas we might as well go ahead and tie the knot officially. As it turns out the model, Jimmy Thomas, who is hosting the event will be officiating the ceremony during the conference’s costume ball. What better place to formally say our vows than at a romance convention? 

(3)  Another unknown fact about me is, after I retired from teaching college in New Mexico I ended up teaching for anther twelve years in the Middle East and Egypt. It was perhaps the most rewarding experience I have had the pleasure in my life. I lived in Qatar, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Egypt in addition to a few other places and wouldn’t change a thing about my life there. The people of those counties are rich in culture and I feel blessed to have known them. 

(4)  Much like the heroine, Jennifer, in Eternal Lovers – Sekhmet’s Guardians – Book One, I was raised by my grandparents until forth grade at which time I moved in with my mother and step-father.

Interviewer: Wow, you sure have led an amazing life. Do you draw on your personal experiences when writing your stories?

V: I think every writer no matter how their story comes to them will draw on their experiences and past emotions when developing their story lines and character profiles. As I mentioned, Jennifer and I share similar childhoods. 

Interviewer: So where do your stories come from? Do you plot them out?

V: I’m very much a seat-of-the-pants type of writer. I write what I see or feel. Each story comes from a different place inside me. Cupid’s story developed with a mere thought while Sekhmet’s Guardians was revealed to me through dreams. Gabriel the leader of Sekhmet’s Guardians came to me years ago when I was in Egypt. Too busy to give him the attention he demanded I placed him in the folds of my sub-conscious until he demanded I pay attention to him. That was three years ago. He still visits me nightly sharing the Guardian’s amazing tales and I continue to write them out.

Interviewer: Virginia, I’d like to thank you for being our special guest today. I hope you will consider coming back in the near future and sharing more of your exciting life with us.

V: Thank you. I loved being here and will check back later to see if any of your readers have questions for me.

Interviewer: If you would like to know more about author V.S.Nelson or her books I suggest you hop on over to her website http://www.authorvsnelson.com

READ an eBook this week 3 - 9 March 2013

To celebrate the upcoming publication of Keeper of the Dragon Sword very soon, Géra's Gift is taking part in this promotion week at Smashwords.

Use the code REW50 at checkout for 50% off.

(Offer valid until March 09, 2013)

Featuring Chess in my Books

With Keeper of the Dragon Sword approaching its date of publication (and I am very excited about that!) I have been making preparations for the launch both in my home town (if you can call Pretoria a town) and online.

Part of the visuals that will form part of the launch include swords and chess pieces. If you have read Géra's Gift, you will know that chess featured quite strongly when T'ara took part in a Strategy tournament on the planet Abea.

Although the swords play a more prominent role in Keeper of the Dragon Sword, Elizabeth's bodyguards play Strategy while they are guarding her.

If you are in Pretoria, or just in the vicinity, make sure that you keep a close eye on my blog, there are quite a few surprises that I am keeping up my sleeve for now, that will reveal themselves in April, May and June this year.

And one of those surprises ... Marisa van der Merwe, Founder and Owner of MiniChess, and Founder & Trustee of Moves for Life

Why would you encourage anyone to take up chess?
Chess is fun/creative/complex/universal/has endless options… Chess is an age-old game, yet links-up with modern thinking, computers, internet and social media. It exceeds all barriers of age, gender, culture, language, time and even physical disability. Playing a game of chess is like a total escape – almost like taking a journey to some fun exciting place, even if it is just a 5-minute game. You can play chess anywhere, anytime, even on the internet! On top of that: chess is cheap and keeps your mind active.

Read the full interview...

Tips, Tricks and Tales: Proofreading (a guest post)

A humorous look at the difficulties when proofreading for a friend

Isn’t it funny how we can sit and write our hearts (and minds!) out, then pour over our own words with great diligence yet miss some basic errors of grammar or spelling? Okay, sure, spell check helps but still, we do miss the odd few (!) and there always seems to be a better way to write it. Then a stranger asks you to proof read their work and every mistake stands forth, lit up in neon lights with arrows flickering. The secret part of us knows we wouldn’t have made that mistake (sure!) so how simple it is to make the mark and suggest a correction.

Okay, so we often miss our own errors yet we pick up those of strangers with seemingly sure simplicity. Great! Until a friend asks to proof read their work of art. “Of course,” I answered. “No problem. Will be great to read your work…Cannot wait…Thanks!” and I truly felt good, almost honoured, that he had entrusted me with what I know has been so difficult for him to get out and down. Writing that has taken hours to think about, craft, and meld into a story, events that have been heartbreakingly difficult to express. What a privilege.

Until the third page!

How could I put so many red marks? Surely, they can’t all be errors? I start proof reading my own proof reading. Yep, it’s simply not the right spelling, not the right grammar. One just can’t put it down like this. And it’s only the third page!

Take a break. Have some coffee. Start again.

By the middle of the book, I’m beginning to realise why it took him so long to write it. Then, after all the red marks (thank goodness it’s digital – can always take them out later I think), I suddenly have an idea. One I’m sure we’ve all had at some stage maybe: where is the line between entertaining the reader and telling the story in the way you want it told and satisfying all the literature and language pundits who will crit the spelling, the grammar and the structure?

Colloquialisms (as in words used informally but not in formal speech or language, or words expressing ideas other than their true meanings), cultural idioms, pronunciations, accents, language localised to specific communities and groups all play a huge role in telling a story and encouraging the reader to identify with certain characters, situations and events (now there’s a sentence in need of proof reading!!). So, how much do we sacrifice for our story and the effect we are looking for and, more importantly maybe when proof reading for a friend rather than a stranger, how much do we ‘correct’ and mark, with friendship in the mix?

I’m off for a break and another coffee!

About Rob: 

Originally trained as a Classical Pianist and in Drama and Theatre Arts in the UK, Rob moved to South Africa and into the medical world. He trained and registered as a Nurse and Midwife and then moved into Sales and Marketing of Medical products. All this time, writing was a passion and words a way of life.

Rob is currently living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a day to day challenge, but continues to write. His latest novel is ‘The MageStaff’, fantasy novel available at www.lulu.com and on iTunes, Kindle and Amazon and he has been asked to compile his poetry.

Tips, Tricks and Tales: Proofreading for a Friend (Guest Post)

To proofread or not to proofread...for a friend

Proofreading for a friend…I’ve been on both sides of this particular transaction and it’s schizophrenic all round! 
As the proofreader/editor, you want to be both kind and honest. As the author, you want to receive both kindness and honesty. In both cases, there is the fear that too much of either will damage the friendship.

Let’s take a closer look at kindness first. Friends care about each other’s feelings – it is one of the fundamentals of friendship. We don’t like to hurt the other or be hurt by her. As an author, I trust the friend I ask to proofread to care for my manuscript as much as I do. I want her to respect it, not laugh at it and certainly not use my blunders to spice up conversation around her book club dinner table!

As the proofreader, I am keenly aware that the pen in my hand (or the track changes function on my laptop) can be experienced by my friend as a cold blade slicing into her back. Allowing myself to comment as freely as I would on a complete stranger’s work, could be a bridge too far.

But how then does one deal with honesty? Is the answer to sacrifice it on the altar of friendship? I think not. Doing that would be the ultimate act of betrayal. In addition to being kind, friends count on each other to save them from embarrassment. Would you let your friend walk through the mall with a length of loo paper trailing from her skirt? Of course not. Similarly, you can’t call yourself BFF and in the same breath allow her to publish a manuscript rendered see-through by plot holes. As an author, I really count on my friend-readers to save me from myself.

But is that a realistic and, even more importantly, fair expectation?

Having thought about this question for a while, here is my conclusion: it is not fair to throw an unsuspecting friend into the whirlwind of proofreading. It is not fair to make her the custodian of all the emotion that constitutes a manuscript.

So, does that mean you are on your own, relying on the kindness, or indeed the cruelty, of strangers? Again the answer is “no”. The word “unsuspecting” in the statement above is the key to the conundrum.

I truly believe that friends who have experienced and therefore understand the agony and the ecstasy of writing, can be the best people to help exercise your manuscript’s wings before you release it. They know how much of yourself is contained in every word. They know how long and lonely the night before the deadline can be. And because they know, they should (and thankfully often do) find the delicate balance between kindness and honesty.

It is then up to you to find the balance between pain and pleasure when you respond to the edits.

About Charmain Lines:
I have always earned my living with words, first as a corporate communicator in a state-owned enterprise and for the past 7 years as an independent consultant. Increasingly, writing and publication production have become the mainstays of my business. I am fortunate that not a day passes without a story of some description leaving my desk. The jump into fiction writing happened 2 years ago. I am planning to publish my debut novel – a character-driven drama about family relationships – within the next few months.