I have sent “The Silver Cord” out to many book review blogs and websites over the last week – in between writing and re-writing (more on that later). It can be very difficult to choose who you want to send it to. Even if you read their reviews and look at their wish list, you NEVER know how they will feel about your book, the plot, or your writing style. Will they connect with the protagonist? Will they like the premise? So many questions and they will write what they think, no matter what.
Sending out a book review request is exciting and scary. If you think about buying a book on Amazon or iBook, Barnes & Noble – anywhere – you read the reviews about it, right?
You read the NY Times reviews, the reader reviews on web sites, they are everywhere. A book review can make or break a sale and an author’s reputation as a writer. For instance, if I have 100 great reviews, I am more likely to sell my book to readers who are on the fence about it.
The moral of the story? PLEASE write reviews for books you like. It helps readers that are considering purchasing it and not only does it help the author sell more copies, but it means SO much to us when we hear an honest, well written review. Even if it’s not 5 stars, we want to know what you think. How else will we get better at our craft so you have great books to read?
Speaking about writing... I seem to have fallen into the re-write trap lately. I write a scene, then analyze each word to death then forget what day it was and have to go back in the manuscript. I end up only writing a paragraph in the same amount of time I could have written the majority of a chapter. I am editing while I’m writing. Not good. I need to write like a maniac THEN put it away for a day or two and go back and read through it when I’m done with each chapter to make sure everything is in the right timeline. I have notes everywhere about everything and keep plot twisting. I also have been researching a bunch so that is taking time away from writing as well.
Ten days until Halloween/Samhain!! There are some great recipes to celebrate the holiday!
Here is just one of them:
Remembrance Cookies
These cookies can be made on Hallows Eve. They can be shaped like people and the herb rosemary is added to the dough as a symbol of remembrance. Some of the cookies are eaten while telling stories or attributes of special ancestors, reminding us that we still have access to their strengths--or perhaps a predisposition to their weaknesses. The rest of the cookies are left outside by a bonfire as an offering. This can be a solemn ritual, but it need not be.
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter or margarine (softened)
1 egg
2 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar
1 1/2 T. chopped rosemary
Heat oven 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract, and rosemary until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold flour mixture into sugar mixture. Beat until dough forms and refrigerate for three hours. Divide dough into halves. Roll out one portion to 3/16 of an inch on a floured surface. Cut out with gingerbread women or men cutters and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with second portion. Bake for 5-7 minutes.
Taken from: http://recipesforapagansoul.weebly.com/samhain-oct-31.html
Sending out a book review request is exciting and scary. If you think about buying a book on Amazon or iBook, Barnes & Noble – anywhere – you read the reviews about it, right?
You read the NY Times reviews, the reader reviews on web sites, they are everywhere. A book review can make or break a sale and an author’s reputation as a writer. For instance, if I have 100 great reviews, I am more likely to sell my book to readers who are on the fence about it.
The moral of the story? PLEASE write reviews for books you like. It helps readers that are considering purchasing it and not only does it help the author sell more copies, but it means SO much to us when we hear an honest, well written review. Even if it’s not 5 stars, we want to know what you think. How else will we get better at our craft so you have great books to read?
Speaking about writing... I seem to have fallen into the re-write trap lately. I write a scene, then analyze each word to death then forget what day it was and have to go back in the manuscript. I end up only writing a paragraph in the same amount of time I could have written the majority of a chapter. I am editing while I’m writing. Not good. I need to write like a maniac THEN put it away for a day or two and go back and read through it when I’m done with each chapter to make sure everything is in the right timeline. I have notes everywhere about everything and keep plot twisting. I also have been researching a bunch so that is taking time away from writing as well.
Ten days until Halloween/Samhain!! There are some great recipes to celebrate the holiday!
Here is just one of them:
Remembrance Cookies
These cookies can be made on Hallows Eve. They can be shaped like people and the herb rosemary is added to the dough as a symbol of remembrance. Some of the cookies are eaten while telling stories or attributes of special ancestors, reminding us that we still have access to their strengths--or perhaps a predisposition to their weaknesses. The rest of the cookies are left outside by a bonfire as an offering. This can be a solemn ritual, but it need not be.
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. butter or margarine (softened)
1 egg
2 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar
1 1/2 T. chopped rosemary
Heat oven 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract, and rosemary until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold flour mixture into sugar mixture. Beat until dough forms and refrigerate for three hours. Divide dough into halves. Roll out one portion to 3/16 of an inch on a floured surface. Cut out with gingerbread women or men cutters and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with second portion. Bake for 5-7 minutes.
Taken from: http://recipesforapagansoul.weebly.com/samhain-oct-31.html