Dianna Sinovic, Featured Author
November 7, 2021 by Dianna Sinovic in category Featured Author of the Month tagged as Dianna Sinovic, Featured Author of the Month, Quill and Moss, Short Stories
Author of the Month: Dianna Sinovic
Dianna is a contributing author in the last two anthologies from The Bethlehem Writers Group, Fur, Feathers, and Scales, Sweet, Funny and Strange Animal Tales and Untethered, Sweet, Funny & Strange Tales of the Paranormal. She has also contributed stories for the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable ezine, including “In the Delivery.”
Born and raised in the Midwest, Dianna has also lived in three other quadrants of the U.S. She writes short stories and poetry, and is working on a full-length novel about a young woman in search of her long-lost brother.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Horror Writers Association, The American Medical Writers Association, and The Bethlehem Writers Group, LLC.
Dianna also has a regular column here on A Slice of Orange, titled Quill and Moss, in which she frequently includes short fiction.
Below, you can also listen to Dianna read her short story, “Cold Front” from the GLVWG Writes Stuff anthology.
Other books by Dianna Sinovic
Catching Up–and Dogs
November 6, 2021 by Linda O. Johnston in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston tagged as Bear Witness, dogs, Her undercover refuge, Lark O. Jensen, Linda O. Johnston, new releases, Uncovering Colton's Family Secret
Can I catch up with the months I haven’t posted here? Probably not. But I missed it—and hope you missed me! 
In any case, I’ve been busy. With writing? Sure! And I still write in multiple genres, although that’s changed a little. But romantic suspense and mystery? Oh, yes.
As always, I keep on plotting. I’ve had two new books out this year, both for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. In August came Her Undercover Refuge, the first HRS book in my new Shelter of Secrets series. And yes, it includes dogs.
The Shelter of Secrets series is a spin-off from my K-9 Ranch Rescue series, since both take place in the fictional town of Chance, California. And I just received copies of a new edition of what had been the second in the K-9 Ranch Rescue series, Trained to Protect. Why is there a new edition? Harlequin is republishing some books that have dogs on the cover!
Then came Uncovering Colton’s Family Secret, the tenth in the Coltons of Grave Gulch series, which was published this month. No dogs, but I really enjoy all the intrigue and romance the wide-reaching Colton family gets into.
What’s next? Well, in May 2022 my next mystery, Bear Witness, an Alaska Untamed Mystery, will be published by Crooked Lane . . . under a pseudonym. I’ll be Lark O. Jensen then. It does include a dog as well as Alaskan wildlife, including—what else?—bears!
Also in May comes my next Shelter of Secrets romantic suspense story, Guardian K-9 On Call. Yes, a K-9 is involved.
I’ve been reading a lot, too. And I want to mention here one of the books I most recently read and really enjoyed, the first in Diane Kelly’s new cozy mystery series that starts this month: Getaway with Murder, from the Mountain Lodge Mysteries. You won’t be surprised that I’d already loved Diane’s work, especially her Paw Enforcement series, because it involved . . . what else? Dogs! And this new series is also really enjoyable, revolving around a mountain lodge that has just been taken over by the protagonist who’s gotten it refurbished and turned into a delightful place for people to visit, including special groups like yoga retreats. But who thought murders would occur there? Well, readers of Diane’s work, maybe…! A really entertaining read. And it features a cat… and includes a dog.
Do you get the impression I’m obsessed with dogs? Could be… I’m particularly obsessed with Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and always love it when my Cavalier Cari hangs out with me when I’m writing, or lies on my lap when I’m watching TV. We recently lost her big sister, Mystie, and I’ve started looking for a Cavalier puppy, so Cari will have canine company again.
So—how about you? Do you like to read, or write, or both, in multiple genres?
Do you like dogs?
Do you like A Slice of Orange? Must be, since you’re here. I certainly enjoy it, and appreciate the ability to blog at you!
A Few of Linda O. Johnston’s Books
THE HARDEST THING I’VE HAD TO DO THIS YEAR
November 5, 2021 by Tracy Reed in category Pink Pad by Tracy Reed
Happy November…Happy Thanksgiving.
The past two years have been challenging for everyone. I talked about this before, but I missed my writing goal for this year. But last month I was faced with the reality that I wasn’t going to meet my deadline and release date. Let me clarify. I could have put the book out, The Good Girl Part Four, but I would have been shooting myself in the foot because it would have been rushed.
Part of my release process is do a simple read through when my editor returns the manuscript to me. Then I wrestle with some of her edits. I step away a couple of days, then return to the story and review the edits. It’s usually during this process that more words are written and I do another mini edit. This process can take a couple of weeks. Then, if I can I’ll send out ARCs. To do this step right, I need to factor in another month at the least. Confession…I haven’t done ARCs on my last two books. Reason, I was rushed and didn’t want to disappoint my readers by missing the release date I promised. As it is, I’d already broken my promise not to end it with a cliffhanger. I forgot, I’m an Indie Author and I control my production schedule.
Now I was faced with breaking a few promises. Missing the release date. I have pushed the release date back several times and finally settling for a more realistic date of January 18, 2022. The other promise I broke which my readers don’t know yet is Part Four in The Good Girl Series ends on a cliffhanger.
It was never my intention to do that, but the book was getting way too big. When I split the book in half, the first half was at 62,000+. The book I sent to my editor was 74,000+ words. After tweaking and pre-editing, I had added an additional 12,000+ words. This lets me know that if I had kept the story as one book, it would have been HUGE. I felt that would have been too large for a romance.
The other reasons I pushed my release date back was personal. My mother had double eye surgery and she needed my help. Then I had an allergy attack which had me on a lot of meds. (If you’re on my mailing list then you read the email and know what happened.) My family and health come first. For these reasons, I had to do the hardest thing I have had to do this year, announce the pushed back release date of a book I promised would be out this year and that wouldn’t have a cliffhanger.
What made me feel better about sending that email was that I had received one from a best selling romance author explaining why she pushed her release date back. As writers we have to remember our health and family are the priorities. Self-care is one of the new buzz words, but it’s also a necessity if we want to continue doing what we love.
I really wrestled with sending out such a personal email, but I felt it was necessary to explain why I had pushed the release date back. When I sent the email I was prepared to refund any pre-orders for the book. Thank God, only one person cancelled their pre-order and I’m fine with that. I believe God will restore that one sale with many more. I was surprised to receive emails from readers sending their prayers and blessings to me and my family and fully understanding why I pushed the release date back.
So where does that leave my book now? My editor has it and the cancelled pre-order was restored. It was only on pre-order at Apple Books and D2D, but now it’s also at Amazon and Kobo. And as soon as I figure out Google Play I’ll load it there as well as Eden books. FYI, I just received my first Eden Books pay out. Adding more books to the site is on my To Do List.
I’m also going to be bold and put Part Five in the series up for pre-order as well. I’m doing a little experiment. I’ve never had a pre-order for more than a month at Amazon. I’ve read posts where writers said they really benefited financially and rank wise with a longer pre-order. We’ll see what happens.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stay safe. See you next month.
Wings of Silk Book Tour and Giveaway
November 4, 2021 by marianne h donley in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Rabt Book Tours tagged as #Giveaway, #RABTBookTours, @RABTBookTours, Li-Ying Lundquist, Wings of Slik
Historical Fiction
Published: November 2, 2021
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
After surviving a childhood under the oppressive rule of Chairman Mao’s “Cultural Revolution,” a young, courageous teenager abandons her life in China for the freedom of the unknown in America. Arriving at the New York City doorstep of family members she’s never met, Ying-Ying has been promised they’ll help her learn English and accomplish her dream of attaining a college degree. But weeks later, she’s kicked out without explanation. Now a homeless immigrant, Ying-Ying must learn who to trust, how to find work, and how to succeed in a bustling metropolis that looks the other way. Overcoming obstacles of abandonment, heartbreak, and injustice in a foreign land, she remains fiercely determined to become a woman who will impact the world. An incredible story of second chances, Wings of Silk reminds the reader that underneath the fragile form of an individual, a strong and resilient heart is always ready to take flight.
About the Author
Li-Ying Lundquist was born and raised in China under the strict regime of Chairman Mao’s “Cultural Revolution.” The daughter of intellectual parents, her life was in constant danger and she grew up believing academic performance and perfectionism were the keys to survival and fulfillment. After high school, following a strong desire to find freedom and get to know family members who lived in the United States, Li-Ying left her life in China to pursue the American dream.
Overcoming the plights of a young immigrant who did not speak the language, Li-Ying obtained her master’s in computer science from a prestigious university and became a successful lead engineer. While working for AT&T Bell Labs, she and her team made the world’s first “text message” for mobile phones.
Today, she is happily married to a wonderful man and has two darling sons whom she loves with all her heart. An advocate of freedom founded on self-respect and happiness, she hopes readers of Wings of Silk will be inspired by the lessons of forgiveness, grace, and God’s powerful love.
Contact Link
Purchase Links
I believe there is not a single soul in this world that understands my disappointments, exhaustion, and hopelessness. I assume both Francis and Kaito are married and have their own children now. I don’t want to burden them, plus they must hate me: I am the one who broke up with them. I even start to think I am a horrible human being, unworthy of any happiness.
Soon I think of suicide, and the negative come without reprieve. Life is too hard. I’m such an imperfect person and I deserve an awful marriage. This overwhelming pain is also impacting my child. I have little happiness in my life, and nothing I’m looking forward to. The American Dream I’ve worked so hard for isn’t enough. I am extremely depressed and my hope is so nonexistent that I just want it all to end. I research methods of suicide and ruminate over which way I should go about it.
One night, I’m determined to do it. I decide I’ll try to overdose on pills. I scour all of our medicine cabinets, and have my pill cocktail all ready to take before I go to bed. Dylan is working late downstairs in his office, but he’ll be up later, and I want it to be him. I want it to be him who finds me and has to explain this to everyone. When it’s time to go to bed, I burst into tears. I sit on the bathroom floor, my face soaked and my body shaking as I talk myself into the commitment for what I’ve decided is the only answer for my future. There is no other. It’s terrible. I see no way out of the life I’ve buried myself in, and I tell myself that if I do this, everyone else will be better off too. No one wants such an empty and sinful person around.
Yes, that’s it.
I stand on shaky limbs. I fill up a cup with water that will help me swallow the handfuls of pills I’ve laid out. I watch the cup fill until my eyes are blurry and it begins to overflow in the sink. I never imagined this. I never thought my end would happen in such a manner. I never understood why someone would do this, but now I do. I thought death was the worst thing that could happen to a person, but now I know better. Suffering without any hope of a way out, that is worse.
I take a deep breath, and feel peace that soon this will all be over. I grab the first pill and take it. I grab the second pill and take it. I grab a third pill and take it. I grab the fourth, but hear Isabella. She is crying and calling for me. I can’t ignore her, and it’s probably best I say goodbye, take one last look at her.
I go into her room, and immediately take her into my arms, soothing her and telling her all the words I wish someone would say to me.
“It’s okay, my darling. It’s all going to be okay. You are safe. You are loved. I love you.”
She’s had a nightmare and tears have wet her face like they have mine. I stroke her hair and take in her face as she calms. As her breathing settles and she starts to fall back asleep, a smile creeps out from her lips. The sweetness of the moment makes me smile as well. I watch her sleep, and take in her room. Hanging on the wall is my butterfly kite. I hung it in her room when we moved into this house, but had forgotten it was there. I stare at it, and remember what it feels like to look back and see how far I’ve come. Though I’m ashamed of so much of my life, perhaps it shouldn’t be over yet. Perhaps, I’ll get stronger. Perhaps something more is out there for me. This thought is enough of a pull that when I go back to my room, I throw the rest of the pills away. For today, I want to be able to see Isabella’s smile tomorrow. I can’t miss that just yet. Deep down, I’m terrified one day I will lose control again to let this episode repeat.
I cannot do this to my darling Isabella.
Casting Your Story by Will Zeilinger
November 3, 2021 by Janet Elizabeth Lynn and Will Zeilinger in category Partners in Crime by Janet Elizabeth Lynn & Will Zeilinger tagged as Casting Characters, Character development, Joseph Campbell, The Hero's Journey, Will Zeilinger, writing
You’ve heard of “casting directors” in the world of film, TV, and advertising.
I was an art director for ads and commercials, and selecting the proper models or actors for a job was key to the success of each project. Likewise, as an author, you are the casting director for your story, and casting the right characters is crucial to keeping the reader interested.
If you have the casting correct, any two characters can be put in a scene together and keep the reader interested. This requires that each character is already interesting on their own and that they have an opinion about every other character. They don’t have to say anything about the others, but they can have an internal view that will affect their behavior toward the other members of the cast.
Each character should have a purpose in the story. If not, then they aren’t needed. They can interact with each other independently or confront one another through the main protagonist.
The types of character can vary, but in Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey,” he identifies eight archetypes. You can vary these to fit your needs.
| 1 | The Hero | Your protagonist |
| 2 | The Mentor | The one your protagonist goes to for advice |
| 3 | The Ally | The BFF or loyal friend |
| 4 | The Herald | The one who tells the protagonist they must change |
| 5 | The Trickster | Can function as comedy relief or goof (i.e., Gilligan) |
| 6 | The Shapeshifter | Not who you or the protagonist thinks they are |
| 7 | The Guardian | Tries to discourage the protagonist (to play it safe) |
| 8 | The Shadow | The opposite of the protagonist – evil? |
Think about the age, ethnicity, gender, education, and socio-economic background of each one. Are they a proper fit? Are they believable?
In the end, each of the character types I’ve mentioned have a unique of your plot and the rest of the cast. Consider the extent to which they interact, and consider using some aspects of the types above. Each character has the ability to move the story along. You don’t necessarily need all of these types, but you are the author, so use who you need. You can even write a story with only one character.
While the easiest way to build characterization and personality in your protagonist (main character) is to surround them with people they must interact with, if you isolate your protagonist, then developing depth and interest becomes a challenge.
Take the film, Castaway featuring Tom Hanks. He’s stuck on an island, alone, for four years. Writing a story featuring one character is an excellent exercise in character development. When writing a story like this, here are two things to remember, but this holds true for any type of story you tackle.
1. Your reader needs to care about your character
You must give the character a reason for the reader to care about what they do or what happens to them. As in a fully populated story, your main character doesn’t have to be “good” for the reader to care about them. Villains are just as interesting as heroes.
2. Have a conflict
Conflict kickstarts the story plot. Without conflict or a problem to solve, there’s no plot and no story. How your protagonist reacts to the conflict helps the reader to guess what they’ll do or not do next.
Here’s a tip I use to cast my stories:
I like to clip photos of different people and use them as my casting catalog when developing a story. I can always look at their faces and consider how they’ll look or what other characters think of them. If your casting doesn’t seem to be working, you can always re-cast a character.
Have fun. You’re the Director.
Some Book by Will Zeilinger and Janet Elizabeth Lynn
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