Can you believe it's Friday already? I'm so excited for the weekend and for a new installment of First Page Friday. Thank you to our author and to Angela and Heidi for their hard work. I am so appreciative of everything I've learned from these critiques.See you next week!The EntryA Turn To Windwardby Robert M. StarrJanuaryThe hands that pushed the rabbet plane carefully along the edge of the lapstrake plank were still strong and skillful, but they were no longer young. And the two teenage boys learning to cut gains into the ends...
Friday, 31 May 2013
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Yesterday I was driving to pick up my son from school and there was a crowd to one side of the street. I slowed down and saw a young woman lying half in the road, her leg, arms, and belly all bloody with what looked like road rash. From my vantage point it seemed like she'd taken a nasty spill off her bike. She looked like she was a teenager, around 16 or so. As I mentioned, there was a little crowd around her, several teenage boys, a couple of girls, and a woman. The woman was bent over her and I rolled my window down and...
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Well, today is a tender day for me. My son will be leaving on a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He'll be serving in Texas and while I am so proud of him, I'm going to miss him. Because of this, helping him to get ready and doing a lot of stuff as a family one last time for two years, I didn't get any writing done. I did have another idea for a twist in Bart's story, but I haven't written it down. I know I'll get back to writing this week and I'll probably need that distraction.How did you...
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Things haven't really slowed down, but just for my sanity's sake I fit in some reading and finished Her Hesitant Heart by Carla Kelly.Her Hesitant Heart is about Susanna Hopkins, a divorced woman who is traveling west to Wyoming to accept a teaching position in Fort Laramie. The details of western life in the late 1800s are amazing and really add to the authenticity of the story. I loved Susanna's spirit, even though she's suffering through...
Monday, 27 May 2013
I hope you're taking advantage of this Memorial Day to hug your loved ones a little bit closer and remember those who have gone on before us.I'm so grateful for my belief and knowledge in a hereafter where families are reunited and a loving Savior will wrap his arms around us and welcome us home.Until we meet again . ....
Friday, 24 May 2013
Well, remember on Wednesday when I mentioned this has been the busiest week of my life? Yeah, I had a little snafu when I thought that this was the last Friday of the month, so I gave the critique to Angela Eschler instead of Ms. Shreditor. And, of course, Angela is critiquing next week for the last week of the month, as usual. And poor Ms. Shreditor didn't get a sample to critique because of my mistake. *sigh*So, instead of a new critique from Ms. Shreditor, there's just a very sorry and red-faced Julie Bellon. However,...
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Yesterday I sent out a newsletter to my mailing list talking about my new book, the conference I'm presenting at next month, what I'm working on, etc. etc. It's supposed to be a quarterly newsletter, but lately it's been more like a bi-annual newsletter.I know several authors who have newsletter that put them out monthly, but lately I've been wondering how effective newsletters are. I love hearing from my readers and I know I could use my newsletter more effectively, but what do my readers want to see?Do you ever read exclusive content...
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Well, this has been one of the busiest weeks of my life so my word count is zero. I did think of a few more possible plot twists for Bart's story, and I'm glad about that. I just need to sit and write them down.I did want to mention that there are only two more days to vote for me in the public voting for the RONE awards. What's that you ask? Here's the info:My book All Fall Down, is up for a RONE award which honors the best of independently published and small press books. This is the second round where the public can...
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Well, it took me a little while to write this post because I had to gather my thoughts. There was so much action, secrets, and emotion in this episode, it was hard to pinpoint one thing that summed up my feelings.I loved the Kono/Adam investigating to clear her name. I loved Steve and Danny coming to her rescue. I loved how evil Michael was and I'm so sad about Fong. I hope he makes it. He deserves that, especially with how he's been there for Kono every time she's needed him. The look he gave Adam as he took...
Monday, 20 May 2013
This week I've been reading the 21 Principles---Divine Truths to Help You Live By the Spirit by Richard G. Scott. He is an apostle in my church and I love his frank way of presenting things. There were so many principles that applied to me in his book, but Principle 3 has stuck with me all week and I really want to share some of my thoughts about it with you because it encompasses a lot of how I feel about my writing and my religion.Elder...
Friday, 17 May 2013
Before we get started today, the second round of voting in the 2012 RONE awards is open and you can vote for my book All Fall Down. (You do have to register to vote, but it's free and easy). If you are so inclined, please go here to vote for me! (We're on Week 5, the thriller/suspense category).It's finally Friday and I'm so glad. Today on First Page Friday we're learning about looking for audience and pulling your readers in. Thank you to Ms. Shreditor and our author for all their hard work. See you next week!The...
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Wow. I'm just not even sure where to begin with this. It was great and it was horrible all rolled into one. Let's start off with the case.They took a ripped from the headlines approach (there was a Canadian tourist found in a water tank not too long ago, ew) and had the blood shower which led to the body. (Would it really be all bloody? Like Jon, that was my question.) Anyway, Beckett rushes up and Castle asks her where she's been because he's been calling her and she looks all guilty and shifty and doesn't tell him...
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Monday, 13 May 2013
Belonging to Heaven by Gale Sears is like a gentle breeze on a summer's day---something to savor. It tells of courage, sacrifice, and dedication of George Q. Cannon, the first LDS missionary there, and Jonathan Napela, a convert to the church who has to make some very big decisions in his life. The last third of the book is so inspiring and touching, you'll want to have a handkerchief nearby. The book had a slow-moving style to it that...
Friday, 10 May 2013
This was a very interesting critique and I hope you read it and answer Ms. Shreditor's question: What do you think of semi-colons in dialogue?As always I'm so grateful for the time and effort put into First Page Fridays. I always learn so much! If you would like to submit your work, please follow the guidelines in the sidebar. See you next week!The EntryUntil Shiloh Comesby Robert M. StarrOctober, 1876The little girl at the piano was the first to see him ride over the ridge and down into the Montana valley that was her home.“Rider...
Thursday, 9 May 2013
I've started Bart's story, which means I've been researching and organizing said research for a couple of weeks now. I know a whole lot about hostage negotiation teams, drug busts, what happens to cops who are disgraced, and well, I better not say more so I don't give away the story. Research can be fun to do (and you have to know when to stop or you'll never write the story) and sort of boring to organize and make it useful.I organize my research in two ways. I have a notebook where I take notes (leftover habits from my days...
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
I got another review of Ashes Ashes! Thank you Tamera Westhoff. Click here if you want to see what she thought of it.As for word count, I'm excited to tell you that I have outlined Bart's story (the third book in my Hostage Negotiation Team series) and I started writing it! I only have about eight hundred words or so, but it was awesome to see them on the page.How did you do this we...
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
What an emotional Hawaii Five-O that was last night. I knew I would have nightmares as soon as the little girl was shown to have a chain around her ankle and the newly kidnapped girl was brought in. Every parent's nightmare. I loved that the older girl was keeping a journal, since I'm a big journal fan myself, although I have to say when I saw what happened to her my first thought was, I hope her parents get that journal somehow.It was interesting watching Danny's reaction to the situation. You could tell he was affected...
Monday, 6 May 2013
I've been a busy girl this week. I read three books that would be perfect for Mother's Day gifts or for any of the women in your life just because.The first one is One Drop At a Time by Russell M. Ballard. I loved the idea of a honeybee only producing one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey their entire life and yet their contribution is vital to the whole. I think mothers and women produce a lot of kind and compassionate acts that aren't...
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Friday, 3 May 2013
YAY! My new book is finally available on Kindle! I'm so excited for you all to read it and let me know what you think.Click here for the Kindle linkClick here to add it to your GoodreadsOn to First Page Friday! As always, thank you to our authors and editors who spend so much time polishing and helping us all be better writers.The EntryReigning Cats and Dogsby Jane McBrideIf a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience. ~Woodrow Wilson~ I heard...
Thursday, 2 May 2013
So, I've been waiting to post the blog because I was SURE the Kindle version of Ashes Ashes would be live today, but it isn't and I'm disappointed. Sorry to everyone who was waiting. I'm still hoping and checking and will post it as soon as I see it. Thank you all for your support. The blog tour/book launch is going to be fun. I've got some awesome contests coming up.Check back for all the announcements. And cross your fingers it goes live SO...
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Well, I did about a thousand or so words in editing this past week and I'm so glad that part is over. Now it's the fun part of blog tours and book launches. Hooray!This has been such a fun and exhausting process. I'm glad to see this baby going out in the world, though. I'll let you all know as soon as I see it live and ready to buy on Amazon. Big thank you to all of you who did sprints and supported me through the worst and the best.How did you do this we...
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