Archives

Home > Archives

Writing Conflict Hurts

May 18, 2021 by marianne h donley in category Ages 2 Perfection Online Class, Online Classes tagged as Aged to Perfection, Craft, June 2021, Melinda Curtis, Writing class, writing conflict

Writing Conflict Hurts

Presented by: Melinda Curtis
Date: June 1 – 30, 2021
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $30

About the Workshop:

Writing conflict hurts – not just because it makes your characters suffer, but also because it’s painful to create and carry through on the page. However, conflict drives story and holds an editor’s attention, which means it sells books. Conflict also entices readers to turn the page, which helps create a satisfying experience (plus repeat purchases). Bring a story idea to this interactive course and learn how to build, refine or edit your stories by creating compelling conflict and stronger plots, one element at a time. Takeaways include:

Developing story goals that are hindered by conflict
How to deepen character and create emotionally satisfying endings
Better understanding of internal and external conflict
The “bumpers” that keep your characters acting consistently
Conflict that catches the attention of editors and agents
Summarizing and presenting your finished or developing story, including synopses, taglines and product descriptions

About the Presenter:

Prior to writing romance, award-winning, USA Today Bestseller Melinda Curtis was a junior manager for a Fortune 500 company, which meant when she flew on the private jet she was relegated to the jump seat—otherwise known as the potty. After grabbing her pen (and a parachute) she made the jump to full-time writer. A hybrid author, Melinda has over 60 titles published or sold, including 40 works to Harlequin and five to Grand Central Forever, mostly sweet romance and sweet romantic comedy. One of her books, – Dandelion Wishes –, was made into a 2020 TV movie – Love in Harmony Valley. She recently came to grips with the fact that she’s an empty nester and a grandma, concepts easier to grasp than movies made from her books or jet-setting on a potty

Click to Sign Up

0 0 Read more

May Featured Author: Neetu Malik

May 14, 2021 by marianne h donley in category Featured Author of the Month tagged as May Featured Author of the Month, Neetu Malik, Poet's Day, poetry

Neetu Malik’s poetry is an expression of life’s rhythms and the beat of the human spirit. She draws upon diverse multicultural experiences and observations across three continents in which she has lived. She has contributed to The Australia Times Poetry Magazine, October Hill Magazine, Prachya Review, among others. Her poems have appeared in The Poetic Bond Anthology V and VI published by Willowdown Books, UK, NY Literary Magazine’s Tears Anthology and Poetic Imagination Anthology (Canada).

Her poem, “Soaring Flames”, was awarded First-Place by the NY Literary Magazine (2017). She has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, 2019 for her poem “Sacred Figs” published by Kallisto Gaia Press in their Ocotillo Review in May, 2018.

Neetu lives in Pennsylvania, USA.

You can find Neetu’s poetry in these volumes.

Hover on the cover for buy links. Click on the cover for more information.

Pennsylvania Bards’ Eastern PA Poetry Review 2023

THE POETIC BOND X

THE OCOTILLO REVIEW SUMMER 2018 VOL 2.2

THE POETIC BOND V

THE POETIC BOND VI

0 0 Read more

Spotlight on Tara Lain

April 27, 2021 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Spotlight tagged as frat houses, Nerds vs Jocks, opposites attract, Tara Lain

Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters–and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn’t believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara’s characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically.

After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara’s creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture.

Tara loves animals of all kinds, diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers.

You can find out more about Tara using the following links:

Website
Facebook
Readers Group
Newsletter
Amazon Page
BookBub
Twitter

Tara’s Nerds vs Jocks Series

By clicking on the book cover below, you can find more information on each book in the series.

HEAD TO HEAD

COACHING THE NERD

SCHOOLING THE JOCK

2 0 Read more

Isn’t It Bromantic–A Review

April 24, 2021 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Book Reviews tagged as humor, Isn't It Bormantic, Lyssa Kay Adams, romantic comedy, The Bromance Book Club, Vlad and Elena

Isn’t it Bromantic
Bromance Book Club 4

Lyssa Kay Adams

Berkley

Available July 20, 2021

978-0593332771

With his passion for romance novels, it was only a matter of time before Vlad wrote one.

Buy Links

About the Book

Elena Konnikova has lived her entire adult life in the shadows. As the daughter of a Russian journalist who mysteriously disappeared, she escaped danger the only way she knew how: She married her childhood friend, Vladimir, and moved to the United States, where he is a professional hockey player in Nashville.

Vlad, aka the Russian, thought he could be content with his marriage of convenience. But it’s become too difficult to continue in a one-sided relationship. He joined the Bromance Book Club to learn how to make his wife love him, but all he’s learned is that he deserves more. He’s ready to create his own sweeping romance—both on and off the page.

The bros are unwilling to let Vlad forgo true love—and this time they’re not operating solo. They join forces with Vlad’s neighbors, a group of meddling widows who call themselves the Loners. But just when things finally look promising, Elena’s past life intrudes and their happily ever after is cast into doubt.

About the Author

Lyssa Kay Adams is an award-winning journalist who gave up the world of true stories to pen all-the-feels romances featuring sexy heroes and women who always get the last word. Lyssa lives in Michigan with her family and an anxiety-ridden Maltese who steals food and buries it around the house and who will undoubtedly be a character in a future book. Keep up with Lyssa on Twitter at @LyssaKayAdams.

Review

It’s no secret that I have enjoyed all of Lyssa Kay Adams’ book, but I especially love her Bromance Book Club series. They are laugh out loud funny, yet they manage to include complex subjects like failed marriages, sexual harassment, and family secrets. Isn’t It Bromantic is no exception.

Elena and Vlad have a modern marriage of convenience. She wants out and he wants a genuine marriage—what could go wrong?

Elena is wounded but strong. She’s used to being overlooked and ignored. While she’s convinced she doesn’t deserve Vlad, she doesn’t let anyone—not even Vlad walk all over her.

Vlad (also known as the Russian), may be my favorite character in the entire series. He’s just adorable, and he’s writing a romance novel! (I may have cheered when I read the tagline for the book: With his passion for romance novels, it was only a matter of time before Vlad wrote one.) This man seriously believes in romance, and he’s determined to have one of his own.

The Book Club bros, meddling neighbors, and a dog and cat who just show up every day for Vlad’s attention add to the humor. And seriously, the Cheese Man had better get his own book.

Isn’t It Bromantic is smart, heartfelt, and hysterical. You will laugh and cry—sometimes in the same scene. Lyssa hit a grand slam with the fourth installment of her series.

Available July 20, 2021, you can order Isn’t It Bromantic using one of the following Buy Links:

0 0 Read more

Calling Published Romance Authors

April 23, 2021 by marianne h donley in category Contests, Published Contest tagged as 2021 BBB Contest, OCC/RWA, occ/rwa BBB Contest, The Book Buyers Best Contest

2021 BOOK BUYERS BEST
CONTEST FOR PUBLISHED AUTHORS

Deadline is April 30, 2021

The OCCRWA is running its annual Book Buyers Best Contest for traditional or indie romances in print or e-novel format published during 2020.

Non-refundable entry fee: $30, RWA members; $50, non-RWA.

The contest is open now and closes on April 30, 2021. We invite you to submit to our contest (and tell your non-RWA writer friends about it, too!).

Even if you’re not entering one of your books into the contest, you’re invited to be one of our judges. It’s a fun experience to be introduced to the writing of published authors you don’t know (see link below).

Follow this link to learn about contest categories rules, entry form and fee, past winners, and call for judges

Thanks, Nancy Brashear and Cathleen Armstrong, BBB Coordinators