All Blog Posts (5,816)

In my almost forty-seven years I've matured in the ways of language. Somewhat. To hear me speak, maybe your thoughts would differ. Let's agree I've tried to think about language and the words, or rather, their correct usage, before I speak. Do I still say 'gonna' and 'sorta'? Sure, and I also tend to speak faster than some people, namely my students, can comprehend. But I'm working on it and I think…

Stephanie Lynne Thorburn's blog.  16th May 2013.

'Rok Stars, Snooker Legends &…

Websites are now as important for establishing identity as a birth certificate or a driver's license. Yet, I've noticed that once an author puts one up, the site is often forgotten and neglected.

I research authors when they send me query letters in my capacity as acquisitions editor for Oak Tree Press. I like to know who I'm dealing with and, short of doing a background check, websites are all I have to give me an inkling of their accomplishments up to this stage in their…

This is the first in a series of life skill blogs. These will tie in the aspects I teach in my taekwondo classes. Sometimes there will be a connection to writing, sometimes not. I think it will be up to the individual to relate these to his/her  specific situation, whether writing or other activity. I hope you will enjoy these and, as always, I invite comments.

What can be said about…

We're a fantastic community. Sometimes we need to and do address issues that are brought to our attention to keep it that way.

Please be aware that constantly linking to your own work or copy/pasting it here is irritating to many other members. To those who do: you're not making yourself look good in the eyes of the community. No one likes a taker who doesn't give back to Authors.com and only makes self-serving posts. And it REALLY hurts us on Google when it's duplicate content. Read…

   Around the campfire burning low, yet still gives off a warming       glow

 Down on the ever warming ground, the weary men sat all around             

 They passed some time at idle play, that holds the loneliness at bay          

 And they tell tales of days gone by, while stars looked on in blackened sky

 As Bushmen dream in swags remote, the dingoes howl their eerie note

 And God alone stands watch at night, beside that camp fire burning…

Hello from Bill Kingsley. Although originally from NJ, I have lived in many locales. "You Call This Living?" is a nonfiction book about the human condition and promoting it is a tough road as many imagine.

Characters are dominating your thoughts, your fingers are itching to type and the beginning of a great story fills your computer screen.  Then...silence. You reach that point in your story where your characters take a coffee break and you are left with writer's block.

This has happened to me more times than I wish to admit. The story my thoughts have been obsessed with are eventually filed away and forgotten. It is so frustrating.

New characters are once again running amuck in…

Promise of Tomorrow Volume 2: Discovery reveals some secrets here: http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com/2013/05/something-to-discover.html

I walked into the Barnes & Nobles book store in the “The Shoppes at Webb Gin” shopping mall in Snellville, Georgia on Saturday and saw customer Nyadi Abasto checking out my two novels A Brownstone in Brooklyn and the National Award winning Ghost of Atlanta.

I’ve been waiting fifteen years to see a customer in a Barnes & Nobles store looking on the shelves and…

The Skin I'm In - An Intimate Journey With God

5 out of 5 stars (blessed!) from every comment!

I have received some wonderful reviews on my newly released book.  I just wanted to share!

Ms. W:  This is an amazing read! I came across the book on my Kindle app in the UK and I have been deeply encouraged by sharing in Ms Tyler's life journey. I…

Hello Everyone,

I'm Jewel Tyler, author of, The Skin I'm In - An Intimate Journey With God - first book in a two part series.

The story is not based on…

ONE

‘My story is not the best and I even don’t know if I should say it out’

I told my friends but they wouldn’t listen. They say that to be friends that really make sense, we need to know each other very well and that our jobs also depend on it.

‘Okay, I will say it but don’t say I haven’t warned you’

My name is Christian Kale. I have other names but I don’t use them, my sister who is bigger than me says that they are not cool. She is in F2 and I am in…

Story Four of the 2013 One series is now available. Read about it here: http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com/2013/05/whats-your-worth.html

     Where am I?

     This is a question you DON’T want your readers to dwell on as they turn the pages of your novel.

Picking the setting of a novel is obviously a critical step.

     You must craft a vivid and realistic setting to act as a canvass for your characters to perform. This setting/sense of place must be credible.

When…

Verse:

Tulog ko’y mahimbing kapag ika’y nandyan

Yakap mo na kay higpit unang halik na kay tamis

Hinahanap ka kapag ikay di mamasdan

Loob koy ay palagay kapag ikaw ang kasama

Nang lumaki ay biglang nawala ang sabik

Umaalis ng walang sabi kahit alam na masakit

Chorus :

Sa aking ina…

  Sitting in front of my computer slapping my head from side to side...

     Finding an agent is so difficult that at times you want to slap your head from side to side and commit physical harm to your body.

      Maybe, if I slap hard enough my brain will work in overdrive to figure out a way to make agents interested in my fourth novel: Purple…

Finally, a warm day. Spring has been a long time coming. So, on this fine Friday morning, as I’m preparing to head to the tournament, I have to make a stop and pick up this week’s featured author. Where are we going? Where else but the gym for him show me some pointers while I conduct my…

     How to use subplots to your advantage in crafting a novel?

     Have you ever driven down one of those winding backwood roads in a rural area and couldn't figure out how to get back to the main highway? Well, that is the feeling a reader gets when they read your novel and get lost in a tangling subplot.

     Your goal as an author is to create a little…

That moment when you see or hear something and your response is "AHA" can make all the difference in so many ways.  Specifically, I want to talk about AHA moments that we have as authors and the challenging task of marketing ourselves and our books in today's e-everything market.  Realistically, even if you get the best possible traditional publishing contract, to compete in today's market you have to learn how to use social media, blogging and websites to market your reputation and your…