Join Us on the Blog Tour For Leslie D. Soule's Forgetting Fallenwood

I have always been fascinated by what makes authors tick--the process by which they develop their stories and characters. It is almost as interesting to me as the book itself! Novelist Leslie D. Soule was kind enough to give us this peek into the creative inspiration for Forgetting Fallenwood. 

Building A Fantasy World

By Leslie D. Soule

        So when I was a child, I adored the movie Labyrinth. In the movie, we’re introduced to teenager Sara, and her room is filled with things that later show up in the actual fantasy-world labyrinth she enters with the help of Jareth, the goblin king. There’s a book, the board game, a statue of Jareth, stuffed animal goblins, etc. Personally, I’ve found that fantasy writing is a bit like that. In my own fantasy world, called Fallenwood (the old name is Terra Illumina), I’ve taken the things I like – the things that littered the walls of my room when I was a teenager – dragons and the wolf king, crystals and unicorns and the things of 80s fantasy. To me, the original Fallenwood novel has a very 80s feel to it.

            As for my main character, I based her on myself because writing has always been a source of therapy for me, and for working out my own issues, on paper. It seems to me that nowadays, people are so eager to escape the past, forget their own histories, and always be wiping the slate clean. But as a writer, that feels so cheap – because there’s a lot to be gained from seeing how far you’ve come on your journey, even if it hasn’t been a particularly pleasant one. I guess that would really be the underlying message of the series.

            But back to Fallenwood. I wanted to add some danger to this world, and what could be more dangerous to a human than a dragon? Much of fantasy has dealt with dragon-slaying or befriending dragons, but I feel like if I were transported back to a fantasy land, I would probably try and stay as far away from them as possible, because as the saying goes, “I am crunchy, and good with ketchup”.

            Basically, I added the things I like, into Fallenwood – I like unicorns, but I feel like they’ve been made into overly-cute things. So I created the black unicorn. That, I can handle. Of course there is magic, and according to Orson Scott Card, you’ve got to have a price every time it’s used, to keep your characters believable and to keep them from becoming uber-powerful. That’s how/why I created the Curse that the magic-users have.

            And…I should have thought of direwolves, and snatched up that bit of fantasy before George R.R. Martin could put his signature stamp all over it. Hrmph! Oh well. What would YOUR fantasy world look like and/or include?

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Let Tom Swift Inform Your Writing

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Ever heard of Tom Swifties?

Maybe you're too young to be familiar with the classic Tom Swift adventures for boys. Or maybe you're a girl who never read a Tom Swift book nor cares to.

Tom Swifties are one-line jokes lampooning the style of Victor Appleton, the author of the original Tom Swift books. People started making jokes about his overuse of adverbs and the unnecessary taglines he wrote into his dialogue. Like the Polish jokes, they were so much fun that a whole series of them became available for the pun-loving. The author of these classics, of course, laughed all the way to the bank. But that's a lesson for one of my marketing seminars, not this article on writing.

Tom Swifties are something from America's literary past. This is now. I haven't dared to go to the new books in the series but I assume that this outdated writing has been eliminated from them.

You'll want to minimize tags and adverbs in your writing, too!

An example from one of the Swift books will suffice to let you know what to watch for. (Thank you to Roy Peter Clark for the example.)

"'Look!' suddenly exclaimed Ned. 'There's the agent now!...I'm going to speak to him!' impulsively declared Ned.'"

Even authors who swear that adverbs are always very, very good things to use and are reluctant to give up their clever taglines can see how, well . . . .awful this is. In fact, I have to reassure people the quotation is real! Some of the writing that comes to the desks of agents and editors looks almost as bad. Here's how you can make sure yours doesn't:

1. Use taglines only when one is necessary for the reader to know who is speaking.

2. Almost always choose "he said" or "she said" over anything too cute, exuberant or wordy like "declared" and "exclaimed."

3. Cut the "ly" words ruthlessly, not only in dialogue tags but everywhere. You will find specific techniques for strengthening your writing in the process of eliminating adverbs in The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. This book will also give you some computer tricks for making these edits easy.

You don't have to know the reasons or the techniques for making the "ly" and tagline edits easy, of course. You can follow Nike's advice and "Just do it!" But learning all you can about turning adverbs to your advantage is never a bad thing.

For more help with editing and all things related (like grammar, spelling, formatting) go to www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com or refer to your copy of The Frugal Editor: Do-it-yourself editing secrets for authors: From your query letter to final manuscript to the marketing of your new bestseller, now in its second edition as an e-book. It is available at http://budurl.com/FrugalEditorKindle.

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo) and The Frugal Editor: Do-it-yourself editing secrets for authors: From your query letter to final manuscript to the marketing of your new bestseller (www.budurl.com/TheFrugalEditor). Both books are winners of USA Book News "Best Professional Book" award the first in the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers holds Book Publicists of Southern California's coveted Irwin Award. The Frugal Editor is also the winner of Reader Views Literary Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Award for Marketing. Carolyn is also the author of "The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know To Sell Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less," the first in a series of inexpensive booklets for authors. www.HowToDoItFrugally.com.

This Week's Podcast Guest: Author and Animal Activist Chris Hammer

It is not often we meet someone who really lives their passion, so you can imagine my       delight to meet a person who's devoted to two! This Friday, author and animal activist Chris Hammer discusses her new novel, Family Can Be Murder. It is a suspenseful,  fast-paced thriller that will have you laughing one minute and scratching your head the next. 

Jane Grotto, the star of the story, isn't looking for any trouble. She is content to run her car repo business, have Sunday dinners at her parents' house and hang out with Fred, her feisty but good-natured Chihuahua. But when Jane's favorite cousin is accused of murder, trouble finds her. As she races to prove his innocence, she stumbles into a closet full of family skeletons, one of which is definitely worth killing for. Jane isn't looking for romance either, but when sexy NYPD detective Lou Lotedo shows up on the scene...well, let's just say there's only so much temptation a good Catholic girl can resist. Like any book you can't put down, Family Can Be Murder is over far too soon. Luckily for us, it is only the first installment of the Dysorganized Crime Series. The second book will be released some time this fall. 

Family Can Be Murder is her first novel, but it is not her first book. Her debut short story, Bixby and the Wolf, won international acclaim and was ultimately developed into a short story collection, Bixby’s Canine Capers. 

Chris is also the Founding Director of Irving House Animal Sanctuary; a rescue organization she established four years ago for the care of abandoned senior and special needs animals.  The organization is named for her first "client", a blind pit bull named Irving.  Since she was a child, Chris wanted to do two things: write, and help animals, and she is living both dreams. A portion of the proceeds from all book sales will fund Irving House. 

To read more about Chris' incredible work with animals or to order her books, please visit http://www.irvinghouse.org/

And be sure to tune in to the WITS podcast on Friday!

Join Us for a Conversation with Novelist D.J. Williams

There's only one thing better than a novel you can't put down, and that's a novel you can't put down and teaches you something. D.J. Williams' The Disillusioned is a such a story. It is at once a suspense thriller and a call to action to end the horrors of human trafficking. Tony Guerrero, the founder of F.A.C.T. Alliance (Fight Against Child Trafficking, calls it, "An engrossing tale ... makes you think about the world we live in and your place in it."

After their mother's suicide, Sam and Daniel are forced to leave their comfortable worlds behind and search for a woman they believe can unlock the secrets to her death. When they travel from Los Angeles to the heart of the Zambezi, they enter a world where death is one breath away, where thousands of children are disappearing into the darkness, and where the woman they are searching for is on the hunt for revenge. They will even come face to face to with the Devil himself.

Click here to listen to the podcast:

The Disillusioned may be his first novel, but Williams is no stranger to storytelling He has produced and directed over 140 television episodes syndicated on NBC, ABC, FOX and various cable networks worldwide. To buy the Disillusioned or learn more about D.J. Williams' work, visit http://www.djwilliamsbooks.com/

This Friday's Podcast Guest: Novelist Tanya J. Peterson

Tune into the WITS podcast this week as author, counselor and teacher Tanya J. Peterson discusses her  new novel, Leave of Absence. It is the story of two people from completely different worlds who find themselves admitted to the same mental health facility. As they struggle to rebuild their lives, they find that the only reality they can cling to is each other. This moving story explores not only the devastating effects of depression and schizophrenia on the mind, body and soul, but the healing power of friendship.     

Leave of Absence is more than an excellent read; it is also a reflection of Tanya's life's work. She is passionately committed to bringing awareness to mental health issues; however, rather than writing self-help or nonfiction books, she has chosen fiction as the vehicle to deliver her message. She believes that novels can reach a broader audience, and to this end, lets her characters do the talking in the context of a tightly woven and entertaining story.    

Tanya holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education, a Master of Science in counseling, and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. She has been a teacher and a counselor in various settings, including a traditional high school and an alternative school for homeless and runaway adolescents, and she has volunteered her services in both schools and communities. Her previous work includes the novel, Losing Elizabeth, about a teenage girl involved in an abusive relationship. To purchase the books or learn more about Tanya's work, visit Amazon or tanyajpeterson.com

This Week's Podcast Guest: Sola Olu

One of the most wonderful things a couple can hear is that they are going to have a baby. With joyful anticipation (and a healthy amount of pre-baby jitters) they prepare for their child’s arrival by shopping for tiny clothes, a stroller and a crib. There is no way to prepare, however, for the news that something is wrong with the fetus. Sola Olu's new book, The Summer Called Angel, A Story of Hope on the Journey Through Prematurity chronicles the struggles that she and her husband faced after the premature births of not one, both both, of their children.

Sola's book, which began as her private journal, gives a real time account of the horrifying complications that occur when a baby is born before the 37^th week (a 40-week pregnancy is considered “normal”). These life-threatening issues include weak muscles, an underdeveloped brain, and heart and lung problems. As she and her husband nursed their tiny babies through one medical emergency after another, they drew on their faith in God and love for each to get them through.  

 

Join us on Friday when Sola Olu speaks about her mission to engage, educate and comfort other parents of premature babies.  

The Summer Called Angel is currently available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Write your NaNoWriMo novel with Now Novel

NaNoWriMo is just around the corner, and what better time to finally start – and finish – that novel you’ve been wanting to write? Now Novel (www.nownovel.com) is an online novel writing course that leads aspiring authors through a step-by-step process to finishing their novels.

Through a series of in-depth question and answer sections, Now Novel helps you find your central idea, develop your plot and setting, create in-depth character studies, and put it all together with a custom-made skeleton that tells you what has to happen, and when. They also have a weekly emailer, a blog, Facebook page and forum, all tailored towards keeping you motivated and getting you to finish your novel.

Bridget McNulty is one of the co-founders of Now Novel, and a published author herself. Her first novel, Strange Nervous Laughter, was published in South Africa and the USA, and she was quickly inundated with queries about how to write a novel. “People kept emailing me and asking how to start their novels,” she says, “But it’s not really a quick answer. Now Novel is the result of all the knowledge I gained from studying creative writing in South Africa and the US.”

Now Novel is running a special on their course for NaNoWriMo. For this month only, you can get the course for only $9.99 – find out more here: http://www.nownovel.com/home/nanowrimo

THE Event for the Writing Industry is Back!

Promo day is an annual event for people in the writing industry dedicated to promoting, networking and learning. This years event will take place on Saturday 19th May 2012 at the brand new website www.PromoDay.info

The online event organized by Jo Linsdell has evolved since its humble begins on the writers personal website and grown into a world recognized event attracting thousands of visitors from around the globe.

The 2012 event promises to be the best yet with the launch of the new website and internationally renowned workshop presenters. The program is filled with fabulous and knowledgeable presenters and workshop topics are ones you can sink your teeth into. You'll be sure to come away with valuable connections via the networking areas and have opportunities to promote your own work and services throughout the day.

This unique event is completely free to attend and registration is now open via the website homepage. Once you're signed up you will be emailed the password to gain access to the forums where the conference takes place.

Since its inception in 2007, Promo Day has been incredibly successful and is a 'must-attend' for everyone in the writing industry.

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Contact:
Jo Linsdell
Founder and Organizer of Promo Day
email: promoday@ymail.com
www.PromoDay.info

Tune in this Friday for Part II of Our Interview with Apostle Kevin A. Johnson

Last week Apostle Kevin A. Johnson spoke with us about Dust Collector, his inspirational guide to holistic transformation. This week, we welcome Apostle Johnson back to the WITS podcast to discuss his follow-up book, Sabotage.

With the same compassion he used in writing Dust Collector, Johnson’s new book teaches us how to banish negativity from our lives and embrace God's love. This negativity shows up in many forms, including drug and gambling addiction, as well as other destructive behaviors. Sabotage provides the tools to help us combat these “spiritual terrorists” that cause us to experience fear, despair and pain. In order to do this, Johnson believes, we must be positive in word, deed and thought. “Before defeat can occur in the physical world,” he says, “it first occurs in the mind. We must overcome this way of thinking and allow God to do the rest.”

Be sure to tune in this Friday to hear more about Apostle Johnson's extraordinary work!

Apostle Kevin A. Johnson is a minister, counselor, and writer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and a minor in Pastoral Studies from the American Baptist Theological Seminary, where he graduated magna cum laude and was twice-named Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He also received special recognition for outstanding service by former Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist. In addition to his ministry and writing career, Apostle Johnson, along with his wife Terrah, owns and operates Just Breathe Ministries, LLC. To learn more about Apostle Johnson’s work, visit http://www.facebook.com/Kevin.a.johnson3  or email him directly at apostlekaj@yahoo.com

Discover Your Inner Wealth with this Week's Podcast Guest: Valery Satterwhite

Financial security is an integral part of the American Dream, and something that many people strive for their whole lives. They think if only they had more money, everything would be perfect. But what do you do when you have all the money in the world, yet all is not well in your world? You go to Inner Wealth Coach and Sports Psychology Coach, Valery Satterwhite. This Friday, Valery joins us to discuss her new book, Money Moxie: How to Transcend the Paradox of Privilege & Liberate Your True Worth.

With an empathetic yet non-nonsense voice, Money Moxie offers guidance on dealing with common human problems that have been compounded by wealth. Often stemming from the belief that they are only as valuable as their bank accounts, these problems manifest in an array of unhealthy behaviors, including eating disorders and addictions to drugs, alcohol, sex and plastic surgery.

Although people of means are the target audience, Money Moxie is an excellent and inspirational guide for anyone struggling to find their own true worth. It is currently available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Be sure to tune in on Friday to hear Valery's personal story and groundbreaking work.

Join Us for a Conversation With Award-Winning Author Michael Loyd Gray

It seems that with each passing day, our society is becoming more and more obsessed with fame. We spend countless hours watching, reading about, and sometimes even stalking, those who have it. For many people, fame is the ultimate dream, even if it means they have to air their dirty laundry on a reality show to get it. Rarely does anyone consider the downside of living in this golden fishbowl, but award-winning author Michael Loyd Gray does just that in his excellent new novel, Not Famous Anymore.

Elliott Adrian is in many ways a Hollywood cliché: small town boy who made good; a movie star with a mansion, a collection of sports cars, and an entourage of sycophants to fulfill his every desire; another celebrity behaving badly, without a care for anyone but himself. But beneath the flippant, arrogant façade beats the heart of an empty, desperately unhappy man. After his latest alcohol-fueled stunt lands him in rehab, Elliott decides he’s cashing in his chips and leaving L.A.—and fame—for good.

Disguising himself with a mustache, a cowboy hat and a series of vehicles that have seen better days, Elliott escapes his golden cage and begins driving back to the Midwest. He is not sure what he is doing, but he knows he is driven by an inexplicable need to make things simpler. What he finds, however, is that his life is about to get a heck of a lot more complicated.

In creating the rich world of his novels, Michael Loyd Gray draws both on his own experiences and the many pearls of wisdom he has gleaned from literature, music, and movies. His work, he has said, is inspired by that of Ernest Hemingway, but also writers such as Bobbie Anne Mason, Ellen Gilchrist, Raymond Carver, Stuart Dybek, Daniel Curley, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Whether you are a published author, aspiring writer, or just someone who loves a good read, you'll thoroughly enjoy listening to Michael Loyd Gray speak about his love of literature and his own creative process. Click below to listen to the podcast.

Michael Loyd Gray is an award-winning author, journalist and college professor. Born in Arkansas and raised in Champaign, Illinois, he has also lived and worked in New York, Arizona, Texas, and Michigan. He has a MFA from Western Michigan University and a Journalism degree from the University of Illinois. His novel Well Deserved won the 2008 Sol Books Prose Series Award. His story "Little Man" won the 2005 Alligator Juniper Fiction Prize and the 2005 The Writers Place Award for Fiction. Not Famous Anymore was awarded a grant by the Elizabeth George Foundation. December’s Children, another of his novels, was a finalist for the 2006 Sol Books Prose Series Prize and is forthcoming in 2012 from Sol Books as the young adult novel, King Biscuit.

Currently, Michael is a full-time online English professor at South University, where he co-founded Asynchronous, the student literary journal.

Not Famous Anymore is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

This Week's Podcast Guest: Michael Loyd Gray

Join us on Friday as award-winning author Michael Loyd Gray discusses his latest novel, Not Famous Anymore. Both a poignant social commentary and an excellent read, this book cements Gray's place among America's best contemporary authors.

Elliott Adrian is in many ways a Hollywood cliché: small town boy who made good; a movie star with a mansion, a collection of sports cars, and an entourage of sycophants to fulfill his every desire; another celebrity behaving badly, without a care for anyone but himself. But beneath the flippant, arrogant façade beats the heart of an empty, desperately unhappy man. After his latest alcohol-fueled stunt lands him in rehab, Elliott decides he’s cashing in his chips and leaving L.A.—and fame—for good.

As he travels along the dusty back roads of small town America, Elliott learns that quitting fame is not as easy as he had thought. But as he struggles to shed his movie star persona and avoid a rabid pack of paparazzi, he encounters friends whose pearls of real world wisdom lead him closer to his truth. For Elliot’s real journey is not about escaping Hollywood, but about
rediscovering himself.

Michael Loyd Gray is an award-winning author, journalist and college professor. Born in Arkansas and raised in Champaign, Illinois, he has also lived and worked in New York, Arizona, Texas, and Michigan. He has a MFA from Western Michigan University and a Journalism degree from the University of Illinois. His novel Well Deserved won the 2008 Sol Books Prose Series Award. His story "Little Man" won the 2005 Alligator Juniper Fiction Prize and the 2005 The Writers Place Award for Fiction. Not Famous Anymore was awarded a grant by the Elizabeth George Foundation. December’s Children, another of his novels, was a finalist for the 2006 Sol Books Prose Series Prize and is forthcoming in 2012 from Sol Books as the young adult novel, King Biscuit. Currently, Gray is a full-time online English professor at South University, where he co-founded Asynchronous, the student literary journal.

Be sure to tune in on Friday to learn more about Michael Loyd Gray and his craft.

Join Us for A Conversation With Ana M. Torres

Tommy Hulette feels anything but loved. After his happy childhood is destroyed by his mother's suicide and his father's abandonment, he struggles to shed the family legacies of secrecy and sadness. Tommy's poignant story of loss, survival, and self-acceptance is the subject of A.M. Torres' debut novel, Love Child.

Like her main character, Ana is a native New Yorker; however, they have little else in common. Born to large and close knit family, Ana and her six siblings grew up in the East New York section of Brooklyn. At a young age she began keeping a journal of her innermost feelings, and these entries inspired her to construct another family dynamic, one very different from her own. This became the foundation for the ill-fated Hulettes.

Today Ana lives on Staten Island, where she is currently at work on the sequel to Love Child.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Like what you heard? Order your copy of Love Child today!
http://www.outskirtspress.com/lovechild

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Child-A-M-Torres/dp/143276411X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332977384&sr=1-1#_

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-child-a-m-torres/1102635292?ean=9781432764111&itm=1&usri=am+torres+love+child

Ana M. Torres is also a regular contributor to Yahoo Voices. To read her short stories and articles, click here. http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/1395005/ana_m_torres.html

This Week's Podcast Guest: Leon Halfon

It is not often we meet someone who has, not only complete confidence in himself, but a true understanding of this adventure we call life. It is even rarer that we meet someone who came to these realizations before the age of ten. Leon Halfon is one of those people, and it was truly a delight to speak with him about his book, The Mathematics of Life.

Leon would say his philosophy comes down to the difference between "believing" and "knowing". Born on the island of Djerba to a religious family, Leon learned his fair share of dogma as a child. But he had little reason to question it until the age of 7, when a horrible car accident left him paralyzed.

Leon spent months in agonizing pain, and many thought he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. But then he had a miraculous experience that showed him another way of living. He taught himself to walk again, climbed out his wheelchair, and never looked back. Since then his life has been one adventure after another, and now he has written The Mathematics of Life to show others that they too can live the life they want.

Tune into the WITS Podcast this Friday to learn more about Leon's inspiring journey!

The Mathematics of Life is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products/SKU-0104947003/The-Mathematics-of-Life.aspx

Using "I" As a Conceit

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success

I don't know when I learned the word "conceited." I was raised in Utah where most of us didn't use "conceit" in the sense of an elaborate or strained metaphor but rather to mean that someone thought they were extra-super special. The little girl across the street who snubbed me because I didn't wear long stockings with garters (which was an immediate tipoff that I was not her kind) was "conceited" rather than prejudiced. The kid who was quick to make a point of how bright he was when I made a mistake was "conceited" rather than arrogant (or insecure). Gawd!I loved the word "conceited." I could apply it to so many situations and avoid learning new vocabulary words.

Of course, in a culture where being extra-super humble was valued, I soon noticed that our English language is, indeed, "conceited."

I'm speaking of the way we capitalize the pronoun "I." None of the other pronouns are capped. So what about this "I," standing tall no matter where you find it in a sentence? Recently as I tutored students in accent reduction and American culture I noticed that some languages (like Japanese) seem to do quite well without pronouns of any sort. I did a little research. Some languages like Hebrew and Arabic don't capitalize any of their letters and some, like German, capitalize every darn noun. So, English—a Germanic language at its roots—just carried on the German proclivity for caps.

But the question remained. Why only the "I?" Why not "them" and "you" and all the others. Caroline Winter, a 2008 Fulbright scholar, says "England was where the capital "I" first reared its dotless head . . . .Apparently someone back then decided that just "i" after it had been diminished from the original Germanic 'ich' was not substantial enough to stand alone." It had to do with an artistic approach to fonts. The story goes that long ago in the days of handset type or even teletype machines little sticks and dots standing all alone looked like broken bits of lead or scrappy orphan letters.

Then there is the idea that religion played a part in capitalizing the "I." Rastafarians (and some others, too) think in terms of humankind as being one with God and therefore— one has to presume—it would be rather blasphemous not to capitalize "I" just as one does "God." Capitals, after all, are a way to honor a word or concept.

Which, of course, brings us back to the idea that we speakers of English are just plain "conceited."

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Carolyn Howard-Johnson is an instructor for UCLA Extension's world-renown Writers' Program, and author of the HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers including The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success. It is a USA Book News award-winner as well as the winner of the Reader View's Literary Award and a finalist in the New Generation Book Awards. She is the recipient of both the California Legislature's Woman of the Year in Arts and Entertainment Award and is a popular speaker and actor. Her website is www.HowToDoItFrugally.com.

This Week's Podcast Guest: Author and Speaker Malinda Dowsett

Be sure to listen to the WITS podcast this week when we speak with Malinda Dowsett, co-author of Change Your Conversation, Change Your Life. This transformational book is a must-read for anyone seeking to overcome anxiety, stress and depression and manifest the life they truly desire.

For years, Malinda and Lani Barna leaned on each other as they struggled with tragedy, disappointment and upheaval in every facet of their lives. They knew there had to be another way, and they decided that they must begin with "changing their conversation".

Our words have immense power to shape our lives. When we speak negatively about our circumstances, we reaffirm and perpetuate them. Change Your Conversation offers guidance on how to change the dialogue that you have, not only with others, but with yourself.

Join us this Friday to hear about how Malinda and Lani transformed their lives, as well as their goals to help millions of others do the same. To order the book now, visit www.changeyourconversation.com/

The Second Mile Award 2010 Winner!

Several of you may have entered an essay for Second Mile Award 2010 sponsored by Janet Riehl and her father. We congratulate the winner, Tom Hoe, age 95, of Montana. Here is Janet’s notice thanking all of you who nominated elders who live an ordinary life in an extraordinary way.

Dear Riehlife Villagers,

We read about so many remarkable elders as we sifted through the nominations for the 2010 Second Mile Award. Nominees ranged from 78 to 95 and come from coast to coast.

We had our work cut out to choose our 2010 winner--Mr. Tom Hoe, a 95 year old musician and story teller, who continues to go the extra mile. Read Jan Beekman's essay nominating Tom: "How to Grow in Grace and Experience but Never Grow "Old" http://tinyurl.com/2ddzawl.

We've selected two honorable mentions: Joe Taylor and Helen G. O'Leary. The essays nominating these two elders are coming soon.

All the best,

Janet

Editor's Corner October 22, 2010

Within the past few years, Lightning Source (LS)—the printer for about 90 percent of all traditionally-books published—began offering publishing services to individual authors. This company will use off-set printing (bulk order) or print-on-demand technology (one book or a few at a time) and place your book in Ingram's distribution channels. If you print the book in this manner, you will still have to market your book, but Writers in the Sky can help with that. See our book promotion packages at http://writersinthesky.com/author-publicity.html.

You can sign up for an account with LS and become your own publisher. There is a cost for set up and you have to pay for the print cost of each book you order, but they do not ask for royalties because they are a printing service and you are both the author and the publisher. You will have to provide your book's interior layout and cover design yourself or you can hire someone to do the cover as I did for my children's book, The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children.

No matter what method you use to publish, you will have to pay for the cost of printing each book. Color printing is much more expensive and if you add glossy paper to your order, the price per book goes up even more. Your book will be considered a color print and charged thusly even if only one photo in your book is in color. The printing company will not run part of your pages in black and white and the rest in color then collate and combine the pages to create the book. It's one or the other—color, or black and white.

It is very important to have someone edit and proofread your text before submitting your file to LS (or a publish on demand service) because the printer will print exactly what you send without making any changes or revisions. No matter where you are in the writing of your book or story—idea, development, copy edit, or proofread—our writing instructors and editors can help you take your skills to the next level. Take a look at the services we offer and let us know how we can assist you.

Writers in the Sky Podcast is a weekly podcast where we interview guest authors, publishers, and book marketing experts. Each Friday a new show is uploaded to iTunes.com and is also available at http://nashvillewriter.audioacrobat.com/rss/writers_in_the_sky_podcast.xml. WITS podcast blog features more information about those who are guests on our podcast.

You are now on WITS e-zine blog. This is a networking site where we post announcements, book reviews, poetry, articles, and other material from our community of readers—that's you! Check out the submissions guidelines to send us items you want to include.

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Academic Tutoring from a Teacher with a Passion for Written Word

By Sarah Moore

I have had a passion for writing all of my life. I was fortunate to have wonderful teachers in school who fostered my skills and my love of words both through creative writing opportunities and research papers. I believe there is a true art to placing words and phrases together in such a way that the person holding the pen (or typing on the keyboard) makes an image or an emotion or an argument come alive.

When I became a high school teacher, I knew that I would emphasize writing in all of my courses. No matter the discipline, I believe that students should be able to express what they know through writing. This priority continued when I moved to teaching at the college level and worked with students in a senior-level research and writing course. In addition to these classroom settings, I spent nearly a decade as a college advisor and administrator at several large universities and two community colleges and, through these positions, guided students through application essays and other important graduate school preparation.

I now have a career that allows me to combine my lifelong relationship with writing with my most important role, which is being a mom. Being a freelance writer and editor offers me the flexibility to be there for my children while continuing to make connections with students.

I now offer academic tutoring and editing services for high school, college, and graduate students who are looking for assistance with any writing assignment. I work with students on term papers, expository essays for English classes, proper research techniques, college and graduate school applications, and much more. I let the students know when their approach is effective and where improvement can be made.

In addition to the important fundamentals of spelling, grammar, mechanics, and punctuation, I partner with the student to discuss phrasing, word choice, point of view, style, and other intangibles that really create a strong piece of writing.

Students should not contact me looking for someone to do their writing for them . . . that will not happen. But, they can expect a professional with the academic background and the dedication to make them better writers moving forward in their careers both in the classroom and beyond. I hope you will consider my services the next time you are facing an assignment that could use another set of eyes to take your writing to a higher level.

Craft of Writing Tues, Oct 19, 7 pm, Yvonne Perry, Guest Speaker

On Tues, Oct. 19, at 7 pm Yvonne Perry will be the guest speaker for the Nashville Writers Meetup Group. The topic will be on the craft of writing.

Be prepared for an exciting and informative experience.

Details: http://www.meetup.com/nashvillewriters/calendar/14937903/

Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer, author and keynote speaker who enjoys assisting people on a spiritual path by writing about topics that inspire excellence and uplift the spirit. She is a graduate of American Institute of Holistic Theology where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Metaphysics. She has written and published more than 170 articles on a wide variety of topics.

As a ghostwriter, Yvonne helps people get their message into a well-written book or article. She is the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services—a team of full-time writers located in Nashville, Tennessee.

You will want to take notes at this meeting.