This book is a type, romance, that I don't often read, because I don't write in this genre -- or haven't yet. But I needed to review it because it was a perfect for and perfectly delightful summer read.
One of my major complaints about romance novels in general (especially the historical ones) is that they can be overwritten. By that I mean the author puts every ounce of historical information the author knows in the novel, so it takes forever to read! Now I love history, especially European History (my major in college), but if there's too much it bumps me out of a story.
A Courtesan's Desires is an excellent balance, just enough historical verisimilitude to keep me reading and engaged in the 19th century world of a young Hutterite woman, who is thrown from her insular world into a far, far different one. I adore reading about history and groups I know little about, and this novel begins with stepping into the Hutterite world and gives the reader a wonderful taste of that world. Action filled, A Courtesan's Desires also moves along at an excellent clip, I read this short novel in a lazy summer afternoon! Only one tiny historical inaccuracy bumped me out of the work and only because I was a history major -- and I doubt any other reader will ever catch it. For anyone who enjoys a historical romance, A Courtesan's Desires will be a great read.
A place about writing, editing and marketing for all creative people.Here's where there's recipes for success from a well published author, film editor and e-talent scout for Barbarian Books.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
What My Father Taught Me and Happy Father's Day
My father was an artist. Growing up, he lived with a Navajo family and grew fascinated with their sandpaintings. As an adult, he was the first person to permanently preserve sandpainting forms. In his art and life, he always followed the less-traveled path. Here's what my dad, Luther A. Douglas, 1919-1976 taught me about being a creative person:
1. It will always be hard and complicated.
2. It will always be simple and easy.
3. Many people will neither understand nor appreciate your end product.
4. Many people will understand and adore your end product.
5. There will never be enough time to create.
6. There is nothing but time as you are always creating.
And most of all, my father taught me, none of the above matters because being creative is not what you do, it's what you are.
Miss you, Dad.
1. It will always be hard and complicated.
2. It will always be simple and easy.
3. Many people will neither understand nor appreciate your end product.
4. Many people will understand and adore your end product.
5. There will never be enough time to create.
6. There is nothing but time as you are always creating.
And most of all, my father taught me, none of the above matters because being creative is not what you do, it's what you are.
Miss you, Dad.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
The King's Ransom A REVIEW
Here's one of my biggest writing tips, and it's a simple one that's been said before (and better): If you want to be a writer READ. And I'd add to that read in the genres you're writing in, each book is a great lesson on writing, plus it's fun!
That having been said, here's my review of The King's Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello:
This is a fast, enjoyable read that I believe any middle grade boy would be enthralled with, and girls too. Set in the fantasy world of King Arthur, the story follows 12-year-old Gavin and his friends on their individual quests to save their friend, the Wild Man. The story also is accurate as to the medieval time period in many respects. I was most impressed by the complexity of the emotional world of the main characters, their character and story arc were surprising but rang true and satisfying. The author did an excellent job of portraying rich and varied people in a rich and varied culture. Only one small thing bumped me as a reader, I do not think that one of the surprises at the ending was well enough foreshadowed. But overall, I'm looking forward to reading this author again--and I'm an adult.
What did I learn from reading The King's Ransom? That a story can be complex and satisfactory for an adult and still be appealing to a younger audience, too. As long as we care about the characters, we care about the story. Something to remember, IMO characters come first and foremost.And in my writing, I start with characters and go from there.
Readers, what do you think? Are there, as I believe, only "character driven" novels out there now? Or?
That having been said, here's my review of The King's Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello:
This is a fast, enjoyable read that I believe any middle grade boy would be enthralled with, and girls too. Set in the fantasy world of King Arthur, the story follows 12-year-old Gavin and his friends on their individual quests to save their friend, the Wild Man. The story also is accurate as to the medieval time period in many respects. I was most impressed by the complexity of the emotional world of the main characters, their character and story arc were surprising but rang true and satisfying. The author did an excellent job of portraying rich and varied people in a rich and varied culture. Only one small thing bumped me as a reader, I do not think that one of the surprises at the ending was well enough foreshadowed. But overall, I'm looking forward to reading this author again--and I'm an adult.
What did I learn from reading The King's Ransom? That a story can be complex and satisfactory for an adult and still be appealing to a younger audience, too. As long as we care about the characters, we care about the story. Something to remember, IMO characters come first and foremost.And in my writing, I start with characters and go from there.
Readers, what do you think? Are there, as I believe, only "character driven" novels out there now? Or?
Monday, June 4, 2012
Giveaway Winners, A Tip, and A Workshop
Congrats to DK Christi, JQ Rose and BN100 who all won a $10. Amazon gift certificate. Jan won the copy of THE MALL FAIRIES: EXILE. Please winners, if you don't get your prizes within 48 hours, notify me in the comments. I'll be sending them out, plus the cookbook to all those who requested it.
Since I have two novels just released from two different publishers (and I've never been self published) I've had several people ask what was the most useful thing I did to have two novels out? The answer: when I was first starting to write, I wrote short stories. It's an ongoing class in how to write. Now, I sell about 12 short pieces a year and that helps gain the attention of publishers.
And speaking of ongoing classes, here's info on my upcoming workshop:
Since I have two novels just released from two different publishers (and I've never been self published) I've had several people ask what was the most useful thing I did to have two novels out? The answer: when I was first starting to write, I wrote short stories. It's an ongoing class in how to write. Now, I sell about 12 short pieces a year and that helps gain the attention of publishers.
And speaking of ongoing classes, here's info on my upcoming workshop:
- Tuesday, June 12, 2012
- 7:00pm until 8:30pm
- Maui Wowi - 520 E. Franklin in Meridian, ID
- Come to this very popular workshop taught by Conda Douglas, writer of tween fantasies and cozy mysteries and a film editor. Learn tricks, tips and strategies for writing solid shorts!
For more about Conda, visit her blog http://condascreativecenter.blogsp ot.com/ or Conda's Amazon page http://www.amazon.com/ Conda-V.-Douglas/e/ B004FSEHG6/ ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 and check out her book trailers there too!
The cost of the workshop is $25 each. For more information and to register, contact Jane Freund at jane@freundshippress.com or (208) 407-7457.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
LAST DAY BLOG GIVEAWAY and RECIPE!
This is the last day of my giveaway, and I'll announce the winners tomorrow JUNE 5th, so here's how to enter again:
THREE AMAZON GIFT CARDS, each worth $10 will be given away.
Plus, a copy of THE MALL FAIRIES: EXILE, which is available in all e-book formats.
AND for everyone: a PDF of THE MALL FAIRIES SWEET TOOTH COOKBOOK. All of the recipes are easy and my kitchen
tested. I will send the PDF of the cookbook to anyone who requests it in the comments.
This
giveaway is simple to enter.
Just leave your name and e-mail address in the comments.These
comments will not be published.
And your e-mail information will not
be kept on a list, but deleted after the contest ends and the winners
are
selected. If you want a comment to be published, please send that
comment
separately. PLEASE NOTE: if you don't have some kind of account that
allows you to comment under that account, you can comment anonymously
and be entered that way. Just select anonymous at the end of the comment
list.
And here's one more wonderful fairy recipe that's included in the cookbook:
SMOKE
MAKES A BIRTHDAY CAKE
(CHOCOLATE
MUG CAKE)
Smoke, the Black Patrol Sheriff is a bit miffed. At six inches tall,
he's the biggest of the fairies. So he's been press-ganged into making a Toddle
Wing's birthday cake, since he's big enough to add the ingredients to a large
mug, stir with a whisk and with the help of the rest of the Patrol, place the
mug in the microwave. But he's a Sheriff, not a chef, grumble, grumble. Or at
least he complained until he saw the three-year-old Toddle Wing's face light up
at the delicious results.
MUG
CHOCOLATE CAKE
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons flour (unbleached
works well, self rising too)
4 tablespoons white granulated sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons milk or soy milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons white granulated sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons milk or soy milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Combine all ingredients in a
large coffee mug. Whisk well with a fork or whisk until smooth
and make sure well mixed. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 – 3 minutes. Cake mix
will puff up and then settle. (Time depends on microwave wattage and shape/size
of mug. Experiment.) Makes 1 very large serving, or two little snacks. Or
enough for a large fairy birthday party.
Variations:
Add ¼ teaspoon salt and drop 2
salted caramels into mix for a salted caramel chocolate mug cake.
Add 3 tablespoons Nutella or peanut
butter.
Add 2-3 drops of orange extract for
a orange chocolate mug cake.
For "frosting" add 1 to 3
tablespoons of chocolate chips to mug. These will sink to the bottom of the mug
and then flip the mug upside down on a plate and you have a mug cake with
frosting!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
EMERALD BARNES and Doing the Unexpected
“When characters do the unexpected, people pay
attention.” Victorious – Sickowitz
I was watching Victorious with my nieces the other day. Okay – I lied. I was watching it. (That show is like a guilty pleasure. It doesn’t hurt that my nieces love it
too.) And on the show while teaching his
students acting the teacher, Sikowitz, said, “When characters do the
unexpected, people pay attention.”
Although that’s true for acting, it’s equally true for
writing. No one wants to read about a
character doing predictable things.
“Oh well, that vampire is going to drink animal blood.” Oh wait. “Human blood!? He just killed someone!”
See the difference?
These days, people have these “good vampires.” I say bring on the blood-sucking vamps who want to take over the world and kill anyone who gets in their way. That’s not to say there aren’t vampires who don’t want to take over the world, but I think vampires should drink humans. * Back to topic now…
Even if a character grabs Cheerios instead of Apple Jacks when s/he always goes for the Apple Jacks. That’s unexpected. It means your character has changed. But why do they change their cereal? That’s when you keep your readers guessing.
I know that’s kind of a mundane example…
What if suddenly your main character pulls out a knife and
stabs a random stranger while on a nature hike?
S/he has never done that before.
Shoot, s/he probably never thought about it before. So what’s going on? Have aliens taken over your main character’s
brain? Is s/he hypnotized? These are the things that will grab your
readers’ (or reader’s) attention.
Keep your readers guessing! And if they think they’ve figured it out, surprise ‘em with a huge twist at the end! That’s what I did with my new release, Read Me Dead. I’ve received a lot of feedback from reviewers, readers, etc saying they had no idea the ending was coming! I loved it of course, because that was my intention!
What unexpected thing has your character done? Tell me and you could win a copy of both of my books! *Of course, this isn’t to be expected of All characters. There are good vampires and there are evil vampires. I’m not hating on either. This is just my opinion.
Buy Links:
Piercing Through the Darkness: http://www.amazon.com/Piercing-Through-the-Darkness-ebook/dp/B004P1IYLW/
Read Me Dead: http://www.amazon.com/Read-Me-Dead-ebook/dp/B007WMQK3A/
Connect with Emerald Barnes:
Website: http://www.emeraldbarnes.us
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/emeraldbarnes
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/emerald_barnes
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Barnes/e/B004PL38QS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
A Recipe from the cookbook
One of the recipes in THE MALL FAIRIES SWEET TOOTH COOKBOOK, which you can have a PDF of for free, see below!
Through JUNE 3, I'm having a blog giveaway, details here:
THREE AMAZON GIFT CARDS, each worth $10 will be given away.
Plus, a copy of THE MALL FAIRIES: EXILE, which is available in all e-book formats.
AND for everyone: a PDF of THE MALL FAIRIES SWEET TOOTH COOKBOOK. All of the recipes are easy and my kitchen
tested. I will send the PDF of the cookbook to anyone who requests it in the comments.
This
giveaway is simple to enter.
Just leave your name and e-mail address in the comments.These
comments will not be published.
And your e-mail information will not
be kept on a list, but deleted after the contest ends and the winners
are
selected. If you want a comment to be published, please send that
comment
separately. PLEASE NOTE: if you don't have some kind of account that
allows you to comment under that account, you can comment anonymously
and be entered that way. Just select anonymous at the end of the comment
list.
POUT'S CRISPY RICE CEREAL BARS
Pout, the teenage fairy with the protruding lower lip, believes he is
totally, awesomely Goth. He affects to wear all black, with usually a press on
tattoo of a skull or a bat on his skinny pale white chest. No way would he ever
want anyone to know that his favorite cookie is crispy rice cereal bars. He's
loved them since he was a tiny Toddle Wing, marshmallows and rice cereal, yum!
The only one who knows is his mom, and she won't tell, because she bribes him
with a cookie to wash those silly tattoos off.
Basic Recipe:
4 tablespoons margarine or butter
6 cups crispy rice cereal
1 16 ounce bag of marshmallows (fresh mini marshmallows work best)
In
a large saucepan, heat the butter on medium heat until it melts. Add
marshmallows and stir constantly until marshmallows all melt. Remove
from heat. Add crispy rice cereal and stir well. Using a greased
spatula, spread mixture in a buttered 15 X 10 inch pan. Cut into bars
when cooled.
Okay, now for the variations:
Add vanilla or rum or orange or lemon extract, a teaspoon or two.
Add a cup of nuts, or raisins or any dried fruit, or a cup of chocolate bits (or a third a cup of each!).
Add any spices you like, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cardamon.Okay, now for the variations:
Add vanilla or rum or orange or lemon extract, a teaspoon or two.
Add a cup of nuts, or raisins or any dried fruit, or a cup of chocolate bits (or a third a cup of each!).
Add 1/3 cup of cocoa.
Or be daring and trying a bit of pepper and hot sauce to the cocoa! Strange but good if you like it weird and spicy!
And tomorrow, May 31st, check back for Emerald Barnes fun blog post and her great giveaway!
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