Flick and The Art of Patience

 

The Art of Patience

 

For a newbie writing is as an adventure, and it’s ludicrous to assume the first attempt at anything is going to be perfect.  Yes, there are those lucky ducks that work hard and have the King Midas touch; the stars and the moon align in synchronicity and everything they touch turn to gold.  This is great!  Who doesn’t love a success story?  Unfortunately, these guys are in the minority. 

 

Many new writers learn through trial and error, and continually work at honing their craft.  In the beginning, I wrongfully believed the hardest part of writing would be writing the book (you can chuckle now), but I’ve long since learned that is actually the easy part.  For me, the hardest part of the entire process was learning the art of patience.

 

Okay, the manuscript is finished and you are ecstatic!  So you move on to step two and begin editing again and again and again and again...and again.  Then you put it aside only to pick it up to edit again, and again.  If you’re fortunate enough to have a beta reader, they will look it over for you so you can edit again.  Sigh.  Yes, it’s extremely tedious and the characters you love so much start getting on your nerves.  But writing is an evolution, and although laborious, editing is part of the process.  Determination and patience are key. 

 

Once the editing’s done, you’re anxious to contact anyone and everyone with your baby.  This is when patience kicks in again.  We need to slow down.  Now is the time to closely examine who you want to submit your work to; review their guidelines, research whether they accept your genre etc.  Writing is a business and writers wear many hats in order to protect their interests.  Before acting in haste just to see your work in print, take the time to learn the industry; ensure what you worked so hard on doesn’t fall into the wrong scammy hands.  A simple, little Google search can save a writer years of heartache.

 

Writing and publishing from start to finish takes an extreme amount of time, research and patience.  As a new writer, I truly didn’t appreciate just how much.  So as you embark on your own journey, remember to stay positive, focused, and last but not least, patient.  At times, patience surely feels like an enemy; but in the end, if we use our time wisely, it’s always on our side.

 

 

Flick

by Keira Des Anges

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Leanna Matthews enjoys flying below the radar. She does well in school, has a few close friends and hides the fact she’s an astral-traveling telekinetic. But there’s no escaping her creepy dreams or Simora, the bizarre little spirit lady, that suddenly pops out of nowhere to warn her against keeping secrets and predicts an encounter with a sinister evil. For the first time in forever someone…or something…is on to her.

 

But life turns around when Leanna meets Piper one sunny afternoon. She’s inexplicably drawn to him, almost as if she’s been waiting for him to come. Forbidden to have a boyfriend Leanna throws caution to the wind, lying to her family and friends to be with him, while ignoring Simora’s ominous message.

 

Yet Piper has a secret of his own. He is on a mission and Leanna, unwittingly, is the key.

 

EXCERPT:

He stood idly by Ms. Fenson’s hedges, shifting around uncomfortably and looking at nothing in-particular.  After gazing at the sky, he stared at his feet and pulled at the shrubs behind him – which unless he had a death-wish, was an absolute no-no.  Ms. Fenson was a legend in her neighborhood and Leanna knew if this guy stood anywhere near the hedges too long she’d most certainly come after him – and it wouldn’t be pretty!  Although notorious for her loony behavior, no one denied Ms. Fenson took excellent care of her yard and was fiercely protective of it - in a scary, mad-womanish sort of way.

 

I’ll just walk by him, Leanna thought, trying to ignore the sudden tightness in her chest.  Anyway, who cares?  He doesn’t know me from a hole in the ground.

 

With each step, her legs turned to mush.  But an invisible force pulled her forward.  The pressure grew stronger, involuntarily pushing her along until she finally passed him; her heart racing, her body stiffening…

 

“Hey!” he called.

 

She stopped abruptly.  Was he talking to her?  It was hard to focus; the thumping in her ears grew nauseatingly louder.  But since there wasn’t anyone else around, he must be speaking to her.  Leanna turned around uncertainly.

 

He casually strolled over with his hands in his jean pockets.  When they finally stood face-to-face, Leanna’s breath caught.

 

He was even more strikingly handsome up close.  At around 5'10, he wore his wavy hair cropped close to his head, and in spite of his loose, red Ecko T-shirt, he sported a visibly muscular build.  His chestnut eyes were splashed with the tiniest specks of green and framed by long, dark eyelashes, in stark contrast to his honey brown skin.  They were the most beautiful eyes Leanna had ever seen.  But it wasn’t the color that intrigued her.  His eyes were clear and telling; their depths ran deep.  And for a fraction of a moment, she could’ve swore she saw herself.

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

By day, Keira des Anges has the distinct pleasure of assisting teenagers with disabilities find employment, empowering one life at a time. By night, she is a chew toy for her dog and cat and avid reader of anything spooky, magical and totally out of this world.  She lives in sunny Florida with her husband and two kids.

 

Twitter:  @KeiradesAnges

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/KeiraDesAnges

Website:  www.keiradesanges.com

 

Amazon:   http://www.amazon.com/Flick-ebook/dp/B00D8MW7EE/ref=la_B00DCFJYB6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379722174&sr=1-1

 

Book Video:   http://youtu.be/J0iUsTkB--w

 

 

Readers, Kiera is giving away one $50 Amazon or b&N gift certificate to a randomly chosen commenter. Three other random commenters will win $25 gift certificates so follow her tour and comment often. You can find her schedule at  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/09/virtual-book-tour-flick-by-keira-des.html
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Seven Point Eight

BLURB:

Seven Point Eight:

'The Truth Will Set You Free'

In the second installment of the Seven Point Eight series, the legacy of the OOBE project weighs heavily on the conscience of Dr Paul Eldridge. Tahra Mamoun needs to muster all her courage and venture back into the alternate dimensions of reality. Through a series of challenging, surreal and frightening experiences, she comes to comprehend the destructive power she can yield and must face her own demons in the process.

Paul continues his quest to understand the ancient knowledge of the cosmos, while dark forces seek to hijack his research to further a secret agenda. With their lives in jeopardy, Paul and Tahra confront their enemies against an international backdrop featuring the pyramids of Giza and the peaks of Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Sam and Ava endeavour to uncover their past, even though it may irrevocably change their lives.

In a tale of courage and tragedy, love and betrayal, their lives are interwoven around the demons of one man, Max Richardson, who'll stop at nothing to achieve his objectives.

Written in the style of a TV series, Seven Point Eight draws together quantum physics, psychic powers, alternate dimensions, time travel, past lives, ancient wisdom and conspiracy in a soap opera for the soul.

It’s the ideal read for lovers of sci-fi, contemporary fantasy, paranormal, metaphysics, ‘Lost’, ‘Fringe’, ‘Touch’, and Dan Brown books.

Excerpt:

“We’re looking for a human woman,” I said. “Have you seen her?”

He rose up on his back legs, revealing his full height of around seven feet.  Eventually, after he’d scrutinised us, he gave us an answer.

“She resides in the labyrinth.”

“The labyrinth?” I couldn’t recall seeing or hearing of one previously. “Where’s that?”

The jaguar man pointed and I followed his clawed finger, which aimed at the outcrop of rock. We focused our consciousnesses on that area and glided over to it in an instant. The outcrop reminded me of the pictures I’d seen of Ayers Rock in Australia, it had a peculiar vibration about it though. I saw a single opening in it, which was more of a large fissure and I glanced over to Tahra, my expression indicating she should follow.

“Let’s do it,” she agreed.

After we stepped inside, we found ourselves in a passageway the same shape as the fissure opening. The walls teemed with those shimmering, silvery ants we’d seen previously; for some strange reason, they ran in spirals. Pushing onwards, we crept down the long and winding passageway, descending slowly, aware of a point of illumination at the end of the tunnel.

Once we’d reached that point, the passageway opened out completely. We now found ourselves looking out over a massive cavern, which stretched out as far as the eye could see. The floor of it ascended and descended in an undulating pattern, with walls and tunnels that suggested someone had created a maze. However, the piece de resistance above us overshadowed this engineering. Looking up, my jaw must have dropped.

“Wow.”

Tahra followed my gaze and her face lit up with wonder. The ceiling was actually a gaping hole, suggesting the cavern might actually be a volcano, like the criminal mastermind’s lair in the recent James Bond movie, ‘You Only Live Twice’.

Through this hole I saw the whole universe, and by that, I don’t just mean a sky full of stars. Spiral arm galaxies, vast gaseous nebulae and three nearby moons existed side by side, filling my vision with cosmic wonder. I lost interest in the maze for a long moment, until Tahra nudged me. Someone had come to greet us.

“He’s a minotaur,” Tahra whispered.

He towered above us, tallness apparently common in this dimension. Come to think of it, our ibis headed friend didn’t lack height either. The minotaur’s hairy body was muscular like a rugby player, and his bull head gave the impression he wouldn’t tolerate any nonsense.

“Greetings, travellers.”

He spoke with such authority that I almost bowed, and I answered him respectfully.

“We seek our friend, a fellow traveller who became lost here.”

His deep voice resonated again throughout the cavern.

“You must successfully navigate the labyrinth to find your friend. When you achieve this, you will find the answers to your questions as a reward. Take care to navigate correctly, for some sections are perilous with obstacles that seek to deter you from your goal.”

He stepped aside, implying we move forward and then he disappeared back down into the labyrinth.

“I’d like to point out something I’ve learned on my travels,” Tahra said. “Our energy bodies don’t obey the laws of physics in other dimensions.”

“Hmmm. Wonder if that also means the labyrinth doesn’t either.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Marie Harbon has worked in both the retail and fitness industry. She has a degree in sport and fitness, and taught group exercise for several years, delivering aerobics and Pilates. For two years, she delivered BTEC sport courses and has also instructed dance and sport with children.

Marie is a member of Nottingham Writers Studio, Her future plans include not only completing the 'Seven Point Eight' series, but involve writing YA, children's and adult books, short stories, novellas and scripts.

Aside from writing, Marie is a self-confessed fabric geek and purveyor of beautiful, often ostentatious bags, bustiers and clothing. She lives in the town of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, which is in England.

Website - www.marieharbon.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/marie.harbon

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SevenPointEightChronicles

Twitter - @marieharbon

Do follow Marie's tour and comment often.  She's awarding a free copy of Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle via Smashwords and a 12 ebook swag bag including sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal and YA titles to one randomly drawn commenter throughout the tour. 

She's giving away some wonderful swag which is pictured below.  You can find her schedule at  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/12/virtual-excerpt-tour-seven-point-eight.html

Whisper of a Witch

Welcome to Suza Kate's blog tour.  If you came for Beyond the Book, scroll on down. Enjoy Suza's tour and Beyond the Book.
Suza is the author of Whisper of a Witch.  Please follow her tour and comment often. Suza will award signed cover flats and pens to a commenter at every stop, a total of five $15 Amazon/B&N GC to one randomly drawn commenter from this tour and her Name Before the Masses Tour, and gift basket from this tour and her Name Before the Masses Tour. You can find her schedule at http://www.goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/08/virtual-book-blast-whisper-of-witch-by.html

BLURB:

 

Biologist Shauni Miller, a beautiful as she is compassionate, harbors a secret that could alter her life forever. If she chooses to share it. Dr. Michael Black helps Shauni in her time of need, but sees more in the raven-haired temptress than she ever meant to reveal. He knows she’s hiding something, but then, so is he. Both Shauni and Michael have a role to play and decisions to make as a centuries-old prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. Only the fates know if they are meant to be together. Or if one of them has to die.

 

Excerpt:

 

“Anna shrugged. “Like I said before, magic likes its secrets and will only give us what we need when we need it. I don’t know the order of your trials, it will be revealed in time, as the power deems. There are pieces to this puzzle that even I haven’t found, yet. Things I won’t be allowed to know at all.”

 

Moving with grace across the dais, she bent to retrieve something from a stand between two of the chairs. She turned back with a chalice, silver and encrusted with precious stones of sapphire, garnet, and amethyst. A large round disc was on the front side as she carried it. From its swirling pattern and opalescence, Shauni guessed it to be moonstone. Usually found in necklaces and bracelets, it was a mineral worn for protection from harm. She had some herself.

 

“If you feel you are ready.” Anna paused for effect. “I can tell you the first.”

 

Claudia and Viv both cried out in the affirmative.

 

Willyn held her tongue, obviously unsure. She had a son to think of on top of everything else.

 

A few said, “Yes,” quietly, and the rest, including Shauni, nodded solemnly.

 

“Actually, you already know.” Anna’s lips curved with mischief. “You see, magic does the choosing.” She once again held up an open palm. “And it has made its choice.” She slowly pivoted until the vivid blue of her eyes rested on one witch in particular.

 

One by one, the gazes of the women followed.

 

They were all looking at the miraculous hummingbird still sitting on Shauni’s shoulder.

 

They were all looking at her.

 

 

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Suza Kates can’t remember a time when she didn’t love books, but two particular memories stay with her. “As a young girl I picked up Little Women, read it straight through, and promptly turned to page one to start all over again. The next book I did that with was Mind Hunter by John Douglas, tales about profiling serial killers.”

 

Thus a twisted romantic was born.

 

Throughout her teenage and young adult years, she read everything from horror to historical romance yet never imagined writing anything of her own.

 

It was during a long, cold winter in a tiny apartment in Germany that Suza picked up a pen and notebook to entertain herself. “The apartment was so tiny, my bed also served as my living room couch. Plus, I shared it with three cats.”

 

Missing the warmth, the hospitality, and the food of the South, she wrote about those things with a huge dose of family thrown in. She says she still has a sweet spot in her heart for her first book, Southern Moon, but to date, she hasn’t revisited it for submission to her publisher.

 

Suza followed her heart to Savannah, Georgia, and it was the gorgeous city with its moss-covered oaks and secrets of history that inspired her to consider paranormal romance. “I had an idea about sisters and magic, so I went to work on the first book of The Savannah Coven Series, Whisper of a Witch. The series is still going strong, and I am grateful every day that I took a chance on paranormal romance, a genre I wasn’t very familiar with and had never actually read before writing it.”

 

Suza has since joined RWA and can’t say enough about this organization. “The education and support are unparalleled. I am so grateful to all of my fellow writers who have offered advice.”

 

Suza still resides in Savannah and is currently working on her next book. She considers it a perfect day when she can sit at the keyboard with coffee in her cup and one of her cats purring in her lap. 

 

www.suzakates.com

http://www.facebook.com/authorsuzakates