Friday Friend--Melissa Kier

Please welcome Melissa Kier, a fellow Rebel Ink Press author, to our blog today!

As a writer, Melissa likes to keep current on topics of interest in the world of writing.  She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America and EPIC.  Melissa is always interested in improving her writing through classes and seminars.  She also believes in helping other authors and features authors and their books on her blog.

Melissa doesn’t believe in down time.  She’s always keeping busy.  Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a book reviewer, an editor for a publishing company as well as an author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice- a large grocery bill, tons of dirty dishes and a mound of laundry. She loves to write stories that feature “happy endings” and is often found plotting her next story.

Thank you Jennifer for having me on your blog. I’m excited to share my books with your readers. Hello everyone. I hope you are looking forward to the weekend as much as I am.

When did you first start writing? 

I first started writing in high school. I had a typing class and had to free type during part of the class. I’d write stories and give them to my friends to read. I was also writing poetry at that time. Over the years, I’ve written for online blogs and online newspapers as well as continued to write poetry. A little over a year ago, I wrote my first novella. I was working as an editor for a publishing company and book reviewer and was encouraged to give my own writing a try. The rest is history. I currently have seven novellas and short stories published, as well as many more in the works.

Where do your ideas come from? 

My ideas come from my own past as well as daydreams. I love to wonder “what if”. Usually on the drive to work, I come up with some amazing plot point and wish I could pull over to write.

Do you sit down and write, waiting to see what happens next? or do you otline first? (i.e. pantser or plotter) 

I sit down and write. Most of the stories, I have a general idea of who the characters are and where the story is going to go. I guess you could say, I outline in my head. But when I sit down to write, the story and the characters come to life. Things change and surprises happen. With my day job, I have to find time to fit in the writing so I don’t sit and write a set number of words each day. I like to find time to curl up in bed with the dogs or on the couch and let the story unfold.

What is the best thing about being an author? And the worst? 

The best part about being an author is getting to tell your stories. I love being able to share my ideas and be creative. I get a kick out of knowing that someone else reads them or enjoys them. The worst part about being an author is that there isn’t enough time in the day to do everything that I want to do. With the day job, being a wife and mother, I don’t always have the time to devote to writing each day. I have to let something slide. Sometimes that’s the house cleaning or enjoying a good book…sometimes It’s sitting down to work on my WIP. If only I could clone myself or figure out how to go without sleep!

What is the best compliment you could receive from a reader. 

The best compliment I received was from a reader who told me that they cried when they read the story. I knew that they were invested in the characters and felt the joy and loss along with them. I knew that I’d connected with them on some level. It really makes writing all worthwhile!

Tell us about your latest book. 

My latest book, “Three’s a Crowd” is the sequel to my first book “Second Time’s the Charm”. It tells the tale of Alex Hunter and his new wife, Lissa. They met through his ex-wife and blended their family of three boys. As newlyweds, they were looking forward to a happily ever after but when Alex’s ex-wife interferes in their lives, things quickly change.

Here’s the blurb:

For Lissa, the second time at love was a charm but in marriage, three’s a crowd.

Single mother Lissa Vincent found her soul mate in her best friend’s ex-husband. Alex Hunter couldn’t believe his fortune when his ex-wife told him her best friend was available. After divorce, finding love again could be a challenge but it appeared Alex and Lissa had gotten lucky. Yet as they start their lives as newlyweds, Alex and Lissa don’t realize just how difficult it might be to blend a family.

When Alex’s ex new marriage begins to unravel, she sets her sights again on Alex. Does Alex still have feelings for the mother of his child? Will Lissa keep her best friend or lose her husband?

Fairytales promise a happily-ever-after. But what really happens after the after.

EXCERPT

Sipping a glass of ice water while I waited, I looked forward to seeing Chloe. We’d been co-workers and friends for years.

When Chloe walks in, I watch as all the men’s heads turn to stare as she approached our table. Her beauty always drew gazes and left me feeling like a weed planted next to a stunning flower.

After Chloe and I make a bit of small talk and order, I ask the question I’ve been dying to ask since I ended our phone call. “What is going on, Chloe? What can I do to help?”

“Mike’s quit his job at the college and decided to open his own catering business and the stress of having no money coming in is taking its toll on us. All we do is fight. I can’t stand that I have no say in how our money is spent. Would you believe he bought a delivery truck for his business but hasn’t even gotten the brakes fixed on my car?”

“I’m sorry, Chloe. What does Mike say when you talk to him about this?”

“He really doesn’t understand. He has stars in his eyes about what the future holds and can’t see what’s happening right in front of his face. My salary is the only thing paying the bills. With the way Mike’s spending money, it’s going out as fast as it’s coming in. You know, Lissa. You’re so lucky to have Alex. He’s a wonderful provider. What I wouldn’t give to have him back in my life.”

Ouch. Chloe’s words hurt. I knew Alex was a wonderful husband, but he was mine now. Was she really indicating she wanted him back?

“Alex is a fabulous husband, father, and friend. I’m lucky to be his wife.” Needing to establish my territory, I made sure to point out Alex was mine.

“Yes, he is. I’d give anything to have him back. Just to make it clear, if you ever hurt him or let him go, I’m going to be right there to pick up the pieces. After all, we have a child together. We’ll always be in each other’s lives.”

“Well, Alex is very happy and I’ll do anything to keep him that way.”

The rest of lunch passed in a blur. I couldn’t keep my mind off her ultimatum. Maybe Chloe was just reacting to all the problems in her own marriage by lashing out at me. I was willing to give her the benefit of doubt. However, all I wanted to do was to escape the original lunch from hell and get home to Alex to reassure myself of his love. For me.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Threes-a-Crowd-ebook/dp/B00CTCDHVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1368974389&sr=1-1&keywords=melissa+keir

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/threes-a-crowd-melissa-keir/1115320553?ean=2940016615738

All Romance Ebooks:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-three039sacrowd-1185386-148.html

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a story about a teacher who has a one night stand with a parent of one of her students but doesn’t realize it. The story will share their relationship and how they get together.

This is what readers are saying about Melissa’s books:

Amazon 5 star review for Second Time’s the Charm- “Such a sweet and heart warming story. As I read it, and the details unfolded, I was engrossed to see if that I thought was going to happen, would really happen.” – Lacey Wolfe, Romance Author.

Barnes and Nobel 5 star review for Protecting His Wolfe- “Great read. I couldn't put it down. I really liked the characters, especially Betsie and the Pigg brothers. A love story with suspense and surprise.” – Anonymous

Melissa loves hearing from readers!

www.melissakeir.com

http://www.facebook.com/melissaakeir

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelissaKeir (fan page)

www.twitter/melissa_keir

Thank you again Jennifer for letting me stop by. I hope that I’ve entertained your readers and would love to hear from all of you about your thoughts on what is great about being an author.

The Art of Writing THE BLURB

I always thought I was pretty good at coming up with the back cover blurb for my books. For This Feels Like Home I came up with this:

The last thing Amber Winfield wants, or needs, is a rodeo cowboy. She never imagined she'd be having a fling with one. Then again, she never imagined she'd meet someone like Jake Hawkins. Soon she comes to realize a one night stand with the sexy cowboy wasn't enough. Despite his dangerous career, Amber finds herself falling for the charming bull rider.

Jake's one goal in life is to ride the pro-circuit, and he won't let anything - or anyone - stand in his way. So why can't he get city gal Amber off of his mind...or out of his heart?

It gives the basic GMC and falls within the 100 to 150 word guideline set by my publisher.

Yesterday I got an e-mail from my editor. Wild Rose now has a blurb committee which reviews blurbs. These ladies really know their stuff. Here's what came back:

Can a danger-addicted cowboy and a safety-conscious urbanite ever see eye-to-eye?

When Chicago native Amber Winfield visits her aunt in Texas, she’s happy to absorb some local color—but dating a bull rider? That’s more cowboy than she’s prepared to go. As an accessibility consultant, she knows too well the hazards of extreme sports. Just one night with Jake Hawkins, though, and she’s captivated by the caring man underneath the cowboy swagger. But she could never fall for a man so intent on chasing danger…could she?

Jake’s got one goal—earn enough points to ride on the pro circuit—and he won’t let anyone stand in his way. Especially not a sophisticated city lady who thinks bull riding is crazy. Women like Amber are the reason he’s perfected the art of loving and leaving. So why can’t he get her off of his mind…or out of his heart?


My first reaction was "WOW!" My second reaction was, "I need to buy these ladies a drink." They really dug into my story (and obviously read either all or part of it). My final reaction was, "Hmn? I still have a lot to learn about this whole writing business, don't I?" And that's really the fun part. Writing of any sort is always a work in progress. I learn something new with each and every project.

So I wrote back to my editor, "WOW! I LOVE it!" She then sent along the approval, which will now allow the cover art process to begin. We're moving right along! How exciting!

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

Easy video making

I discovered the link to the ‘Animoto’ website http://animoto.com/ on one of the yahoo loops, thanks to Liz Bailey. You can create a 30 second video for free – and it’s EASY, even for someone technically challenged like me!

You choose your background from a group of templates, select your music from a list, upload whatever photos you want to include, and add text. It tells you if you have too much for the freebie 30 seconds, so you need to be fairly economical with how much you include. You can then preview your video and make whatever changes you want. Once you're happy with it, you simply click ‘produce’ – and lo and behold, your video is ready.

Here’s the trial one I produced, which took me about 30 minutes. I think I spent about half of that time deciding what music to have, so don’t forget to turn your sound on.

http://animoto.com/play/G6s9KTVVdfZT5VLe7PMqtQ

I’m already thinking of making one for my next book. As it’s set in Ireland, I have plenty of photos I can use, but may also need to upload some Irish music, as I don’t think there is any in the Animoto list.

 

To make videos longer than 30 seconds, there is a monthly fee, but for the moment, I'm quite happy with the freebie option!

 

 

Writer’s Block

I got one, I got one! An idea, is.

I’ve been a bit stuck lately. Writer’s block, times two, since I’m working on two manuscripts right now. Seemed like a great idea back when I started. I had two ideas for stories and I couldn’t decide which one I wanted to work on first—the sequel to The Seduction of Esther, or a brand new book based on a beautiful Victorian mansion I’d recently walked through. So I decided to write both, figuring that when I got tired of one, I’d switch to the other.

And it worked for a while. I hit a groove, which I usually hit when I first start writing. Each story flowed well and the two were different enough that I didn’t get confused.

I wrote a lot during February, less so in March and almost nothing in April. I have no idea what happened. Every time I sat down to write, I had nothing to say. The characters weren’t speaking to me, the stories didn’t interest me and I spent all my time staring at the page and trying to come up with reasons to check Facebook and email.

Writer’s block and it was horrible.

But today, I sat down and worked on the sequel and I came up with a subplot! An actual subplot, which will lead me eventually to a scene that I’ve already written, but which fits toward the end of the story. I wrote that scene almost in the very beginning; it was one of the scenes that inspired me to write the story in the first place. I loved the scene and knew I wanted to include it, but I didn’t know exactly where or how.

Well, today, I found the roadmap that leads me to this scene. It makes sense, it shows character development, it helps with the story arc and I think it’s going to work.

I’m not sure exactly what kicked me out of my slump or what I did to get into it in the first place. I wish I did; I could prevent it from happening, or get out of it easily. And only time will tell if this new subplot will pan out. But I’m hopeful, and I haven’t been in a while.

So tell me, what do you do to cure writer’s block?

Life progress report

I haven't had time (or brainpower) to write this seek, but have done some critiquing.  Still it was a good week.

The wildfire that ranged through out township is now out. Our farm was spared due to two big plowed fields to the south that kept the inferno channeled east, rather than toward us.

My daughter reached her webseries Kickstarter goal of $6,000 after she uploaded a final Vimeo of her dancing for dollars on the NYC subway. You can take a look:  https://vimeo.com/66328060.

Gardening is in full swing and we've made good progress, trying to make up for our abysmally late spring. The trees are leafing out, and I still do not have the vocabulary for the incredible shades of green that are  popping up on the horizon.

We mulched old raspberry plants and set in 1000 new plants in six long rows (on the right side of the picture.

Friday Friend: Joanne C. Berroa

It's my pleasure to welcome fellow Rebel Ink Press author, Joanne C. Berroa, as today's Friday Friend. 

Joanne, please tell us a little about yourself.

I’ve been writing all my life and that’s a few years. Back in 1983, Dell published my novel, “The Barbary Coasters.”  It was set during the 1860’s in the Barbary Coast of San Francisco and was part of a series of books written by different authors called, “The Making of America.” My pseudonym was Lee Davis Willoughby.

I’ve written articles for several computer magazines over the last thirty years doing software and hardware reviews and ads.  I was also a photographer for cover art for two magazines back in the 80’s, and currently write profiles for businesses and professionals for Micromedia Publications, a local newspaper publisher.

Rebel Ink Press has released three of my historical romances thus far: My Life, My Heart – a time travel novel with a twist; On Angels’ Wings – a novel set during the turbulent years of World War II; and Love’s Sweet Vengeance – a novel set in the old west in 1866. 

When I’m not reading or writing, I teach piano and organ.

When did you first start writing?

I began writing in grade school, was first published in 1983, and have had three romance novels released in e-book format this year.

Where do your ideas come from?

When I can’t sleep at night, I dream of scenarios I can use for future novels. Everything seems clearer in the quiet of night and characters come alive for me. In the morning I type on my laptop whatever I plotted during the night, jotting down a rough working outline that will be enhanced when I actually begin the novel.

Do you sit down and write, waiting to see what happens next? or do you otline first? (i.e. pantser or plotter)

I outline but ultimately my characters take me off the beaten path and I have to do additional outlines. My characters have freedom to evolve, but when they do, I revise and update my outline so I’m always working off one.

What is the best thing about being an author? And the worst?

The ability to bring a story to life and live vicariously through my characters is the best thing about writing. The worst is rejection. To me a writer is a super sensitive being because you have to be that way to create believable characters and storyline. That said, rejection hurts.

What is the best compliment you could receive from a reader.

“A great read with an interesting and informative blend of history and fiction.” I’ve gotten several reviews like that and it made me happy.

Tell us about your latest book.

Love’s Sweet Vengeance is a romance set in 1866 in the Old West. It’s about love, danger, and revenge featuring a lady sheriff and a sexy bounty hunter. I had a blast writing it!

What are you working on now?

The novel I’m writing now is a romantic family saga taking place in the late 1800’s starting in Hungary and traveling across the Atlantic Ocean to New York City and up to Saratoga Springs. It’s unlike anything I’ve done so far and I’m enjoying it immensely.

BLURB: Love’s Sweet Vengeance

The Old West in 1866 spells romance and danger. Pair a smart and independent lady sheriff in New Mexico Territory with a virile bounty hunter and you get sizzling chemistry, even though they’re at odds with each other and their objectives.

Garrett Wade and Amanda Larson form a truce to work together to track down Clem Jones, the outlaw responsible for Garrett’s wife’s murder. But will the justice they’re after consist of Amanda’s way or Garrett’s?   Amanda, a lawman first and foremost, wants to bring Jones in for a fair trial, but Garrett wants only revenge--to put a bullet between the wretched outlaw’s eyes. 

Their quest leads them into mortal danger, while a powerful lust brings them together in ways neither bargained for. Can they survive the peril, exact justice, endure a gut-wrenching separation, and still nurture their lust into an abiding love?

EXCERPT: Love’s Sweet Vengeance

Through the trees a gray wolf appeared, its fangs dripping with saliva. The wolf saw Amanda the same time she saw it. She leveled the gun in her hand and was about to release a warning shot to scare away the wolf.

“Fire that gun and you’ll alert Clem Jones you’re on his tail.”

She turned quickly to her left where a man in black attire sat atop a handsome stallion. On his head was a ten gallon hat with ties beneath his chin. She recognized the face as that of Garrett Wade.

“How’d you get out of jail?” she asked.

He removed his hat and flung it deftly in the wolf’s direction, sending the animal scurrying back into the woods. Garrett dismounted and retrieved his hat. Dusting it off on the side of his leg, he crossed to where Amanda was standing.

“Your deputy’s a good man, Sheriff,” he said. “We had a little chat. I explained to him if he let me go, I’d look out for you and make sure no harm came to you. He said he promised your pa he’d take care of you. He admitted he didn’t like you riding out alone after that sonofabitch Jones.”

“John let you go?” she said, her pretty blue eyes wide as saucers.

“Sometimes it takes a man like him and not a boy like you to know what’s right and what’s wrong. He shares the same code of honor as I do.”

She frowned. Had she heard him correctly? He thought she was a boy? “A boy?” she said incredulously. “Are you calling me a boy?” Her scowl showed her irritation.

“No offense. You look kinda young to be a man.”

“You are a fool, Mister Wade. I’m not a boy. I’m a woman. ”

Even in the waning light she could see his startled expression and it pleased her. The idiot couldn’t tell a woman from a boy.

He looked her over as if seeing her for the first time then a slow smile spread across his face. He laughed. “Well, I’ll be damned. A woman sheriff? What won’t they think of next?”

LSV Purchase Links:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=joanne+c.+berroa

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/joanne-c.-berroa

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Joanne+C.+Berroa

http://www.bookstrand.com/joanne-c-berroa

BLOG:

www.joannecberroa.blogspot.com

WEBSITE:

www.joannecberroa.wordpress.com