"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Monday, October 30, 2017

Recommended Halloween Reads


It's Halloween and time to suggest some thrilling stories!

I recommend trying something new like "Black Cat Magazine". I've also suggested these hauntingly fun reads.

If you're looking for something a little lighter, try my romantic Halloween short story (about 800 words): Madame Tooshkas Spell.

What scary reads do you recommend?

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Blogiversary and Giveaways

It's official! I have now been a part of the blogging world for SEVEN years!

To celebrate, I am offering a few FREE READS:

1) Anyone who wants a FREE copy of my short story "Broken Angel" can receive a pdf version by leaving a comment below, or you can also email me at: writinginwonderland(at)gmail(dot)com. Simply let me know where to send your copy. This promotion is good through November 1st.
2) Madame Tooshkas Spell - Halloween short story (romance) about 800 words.

ALSO...

Dancing Lemur Press is running a special all October - buy one audio book, get one free.
Buy any of the eleven Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. audio books in October 2017 from either iTunes, Amazon, or Audible. Send a copy of your receipt (less any payment info) along with your 1st and 2nd choice of free audio book to inquiriesATdancinglemurpressllc.com. You will receive a code for a free audio book download. You can choose your free book from these ten titles: 
He Gave Me Barn Cats by Maria Santomasso-Hyde, The Remnant by William Michael Davidson, Tornado Warning by Tamara Hart Heiner, CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh, CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh, CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh, Bloodwalker by L.X. Cain, Matowak: Woman Who Cries by Joylene Nowell Butler, Under a Purple Moon by Beverly Stowe McClure, and Dragon of the Stars by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Writing for Profit

From writing to publishing to marketing, the Insecure Writer's Support Group members provide tips on making money as a writer. This guide represents the spirit of the IWSG - to encourage and support writers everywhere! It is our hope that this book will benefit you as a writer, no matter where you are in the journey.

EBook ISBN 9781939844453 FREE
Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo

Monday, October 16, 2017

Trying Something New: Black Cat

While I enjoy the works of Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I must confess mystery has never been my most prolific genre. Don't get me wrong, I love a good thriller. I just usually prefer something a little lighter when reading for pleasure (yes, I'm a huge fan of the romance genre. I love Happily Ever Afters).

I have, however, enjoyed more than a few issues of the mystery magazines such as Alfred Hitchcock Mystery and Ellery Queen. Oddly enough, I've not once read an issue of Sherlock Holmes mystery magazine. None of the stores in my area carry it, so...

I've often wondered over the reason these mystery magazines are still so successful, yet others have floundered by the wayside. Most genres no longer have print magazines dedicated solely to their market. Not only do these suspense magazines continue, a new contender has just been introduced.

Black Cat Mystery Magazine just launched its inaugural issue this past month. A production of Wildside Press, this magazine is slated to issue quarterly. I just received my copy of issue one, and hope to delve in soon. I've already recognized several author names (if you follow the SleuthSayers blog you will recognize them as well). If you're interested in learning more, you can read an interview with the editor, here.

Have you checked out this new publication yet? Are you a mystery magazine reader? Who is your favorite mystery writer?

Friday, October 13, 2017

Friday the 13th!

Welcome, foolish mortals... 

It's Friday the 13th! Are you superstitious? Does this day mean anything to you?

I love when the 13th falls on a Friday in the month of October - a time already filled with dress-up, horror, fantasy, thrillers, and ghost stories! Whether you believe in them, or not, it can be great fun to gather together to share those spooktacular traditions.

Do you write thrillers? If you're interested, don't forget to check out the submission call for the Insecure Writers Suppot Group Anthology Contest which is due November 1st. For more information, click here:  http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2017/09/insecure-writers-support-group-and.html

Also available this month, Dancing Lemur Press is running a special - buy one audio book and get one FREE. Buy any of the eleven Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. audio books in October 2017 from either iTunes, Amazon, or Audible, including my five audio books, and get another one of their titles for free. 

What rituals are you partaking in today? Are you submitting to the IWSG Anthology?

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th!

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Crafting the Villain

It's confession time. I've been guilty of ignoring the bad guy.

A few years ago I realized why I wasn't happy with my fiction. I had been guilty of creating flat villains. They were simply in the story so the hero/heroine had an enemy. However, there wasn't a whole lot to them. They were boring, cardboard creations for my protagonists to react to. That's it.

There's an old saying that actors would much rather play the bad guy than the good. Why? Because they can be just as, if not more, interesting and in depth than the hero. The same can certainly be said of writing stories as well.

I began reading specifically to study villains. I soon realized there were three types of antagonists I found the most interesting.

1) The villain as the complete opposite of the hero - this could be in looks, experiences, preferences, or abilities.
2) A villain who is just like the hero except with one major difference. This shows how easily the protagonist could have become the villain, or how close the antagonist came to being the hero.
3) The hero and villain is one character. "Every villain is a hero of his or her own story" - Christopher Vogler in The Writer's Journey.

I tried to keep all of this in mind when I created my short story "Broken Angel." I was so pleased with the outcome that I've dedicated myself to crafting better villains. I'm revisiting old manuscripts that I felt were weak so that I can flesh out the villains side of the tale.

I have a few ideas for new stories as well, and it's difficult to focus on one at a time. However, I'm too excited about the possibilities now to give up. So, I'm diving into villainy to save my manuscripts.

How about you? Have you been guilty of ignoring your villain? Who are some of your favorite villains?

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

IWSG: Personalized Characters

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

OCTOBER QUESTION: Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose?

My Answer - Yes, there is a little of me in every heroine I create, a little of my husband in every hero, and a little of anyone who aggravates me in my villains ;-)

How about you? Do you ever include personal details in your character creation?

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Fall Reads

Fall has finally arrived, although temperatures in our area haven't dropped much and usually still feel like summer. Orange decor, and pumpkin everything seems to be surrounding us amidst continued clean-up after Hurricane Harvey. 

If you prefer to stay home cuddled up with a good book instead of heading out to crowds celebrating seasonal festivals, try one of my suggestions from 10 Scary Reads to Terrify Your Inner Child.

Interested in FREE scary books? Try one of these!

Need a last minute costume idea? Try one of these 10-Minute Lliterary Halloween Costumes and dress like your favorite characters.

How are you celebrating this season?