Happy Saturday, BB fans! Thanks to everyone who participated in our "puzzling" Friday giveaway! Keep all those facebook and Twitter notifications, coming! This week's winner is:
Melissa Lemon - After All by Deb Raney!
Congratulations, Melissa! Please use the button in the upper right side of this page to email me with your email address. Then, sit back and wait for your book to arrive. Thank you all so much for stopping by The Borrowed Book!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Weekly Drawing
It's fun Friday at The Borrowed Book!
.
To enter:
Follow Us! Followers are automatically entered. Or...
Leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.
Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry. RETWEET our Tweet, get two entries!
.
Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!
Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FIVE entries.
It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)
This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by Deb Raney and her newest release, After All.
.
To enter:
Follow Us! Followers are automatically entered. Or...
Leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.
Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry. RETWEET our Tweet, get two entries!
.
Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!
Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FIVE entries.
It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)
This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by Deb Raney and her newest release, After All.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Write Right~Phone Call Prices in 1957
An author or history buff can mine a wealth of information from the media of the time period in which they’re interested. I happen to be interested in all time periods, and I collect vintage books, magazines, and newspapers whenever I can.
Recently I bought a Woman’s Day magazine from April, 1957—the year and month I was born. (Yes, now our readers know how old I am.) I discovered some interesting things, among them, the prices of a phone call. Wow! Prices sometimes DO go down! Here’s the ad:
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Layering in the Six Senses to Bring Your Story to Life by Deb Raney
One of the final things I do with every first draft before I send it in to my editor is to go through each page to make sure I've layered in the six senses. I believe this one thing enriches the novel more than anything else I do as a writer.
I'm (finally) learning to weave more of the senses in as I lay words down for the first time. But even so, that final pass through the manuscript is crucial.
Here are examples of how I used the senses in After All, the third in my Hanover Falls Novels series.
SOUND
Have you given each character's voice a distinct quality and a tone that fits his mood?
FROM AFTER ALL: “Hey… Cut that out right now.” Pete’s voice was gentle, but his words were firm. “I see where your mind is going.”
She winced. “Okay, okay… Busted.”
And don't forget, background noises are every bit as important as dialogue in setting the tone of a scene, and helping the reader experience it.
FROM AFTER ALL: They stood in silence watching their fishing lines float like gossamer over the black water, the red-and-white bobbers rolling with the gentle current. The slosh of the water lapping at the rocks was the most soothing sound Susan could imagine.
SIGHT
Before characters ever speak (or at least very early in each scene) we need to be able to visualize them in their setting. "Paint” a backdrop and set the stage. Then, everything that follows will play like a movie in your reader's imagination.
FROM AFTER ALL: So this was the place Dave had called home. Morning sun streamed through clerestory windows high on the wall and turned the space into a jewel box of colors. Had that well-worn recliner in the corner been his?
SMELL
Think how many places you could identify by smell alone. Use that fact to add even more realism to each scene. And don't forget to show how the smell affected your character.
FROM AFTER ALL: She noticed he carried a big lantern along with the fishing gear. They came upon the river, and the scents of mud and fish and water hung in the heavy summer air. It was a good smell. Reminded her of her childhood.
TASTE
Taste conveys not only pleasure, as in the mouth-watering taste of food or the refreshment of a cool drink, but it can also express emotion.
Other than to describe food, the sense of taste is probably the most neglected sense in literature. Infuse your scenes with deep emotion by layering in tastes in ways that reflect more than the obvious.
FROM AFTER ALL: She swallowed another swell of tears and winced at the bitter taste that filled her throat.
TOUCH
Adding literal texture to your scenes helps your novel become a figuratively textured piece of work as well. Adding in tactile sensations gives depth to your scenes and often becomes a metaphor for the emotion you wish to portray.
FROM AFTER ALL: When Ferris Park’s fireworks fizzled away, Pete's arm tightened around her and he reached up with his other hand to brush her hair away from her face. She wanted him to kiss her. There was no denying that. But she put a hand on his smooth cheek and gently held him off. "It's been a wonderful evening. Let's just…go slow, okay?"
THE "SIXTH SENSE”
The sixth sense, perhaps more than the other five, is what makes our characters most vivid and real to our readers. In the inspirational market, this sense is often considered to be that “still, small voice” of the Holy Spirit. If you write fantasy or paranormal, that sixth sense might take the form of mental telepathy, etc. In mystery or suspense novels, it could be the ultra-keen instinct of a detective. In matters of romance, it might be labeled “woman’s intuition.”
That sixth sense infuses any story with deeper levels of complexity, intensity and mystery.
FROM AFTER ALL: She rummaged in her purse for her keys and held them at the ready before letting herself out. She was thankful she’d parked next to the building. But as she walked to her car, a shiver went through her. She wasn’t given to premonitions, but she had the oddest feeling someone was watching her.
A PINCH OF THIS, A PINCH OF THAT
Like seasoning in a fine stew, too much of one spice might overpower the more important one, but with a judicious edit, purposefully sprinkling the various senses throughout your manuscript, you can breathe new life into your story.
FROM AFTER ALL: Susan made her way across the dark parking lot. The air smelled like fresh-mown grass and though the thermometer had hit eighty today, the night air was chilly. She shivered in her short sleeves and rubbed a thumb over the teeth of her car key.
DEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched her writing career after 20 happy years as a stay-at-home mom. Her books have won numerous awards including the RITA, the Carol Award, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Deb's newest novel released from Howard/Simon & Schuster in May. She and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy the wildflowers and native grasses in the Kansas prairie garden in their backyard. They also love traveling together to teach at conferences, and to visit four children and four small grandchildren who all live much too far away. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.Monday, June 25, 2012
Book Spotlight: Veil of Pearls
"An Epic Romance of the Old South
It is 1811, and the prosperous port city of Charleston is bustling with immigrants like Adalia. But she has a secret: her light skin belies that she is part black and a runaway slave from Barbados. She lives in terror that her owner will come looking for her. Instead Morgan, the son of a plantation owner, finds her. He is handsome, charming, bored—and enamored of the beautiful Adalia. Soon she is swept into his glamorous world, a world in which the truth about Adalia’s heritage would ruin her—and Morgan. This epic romance reveals the beauty and tragedy of the Old South."
Book Trailer:
About the Author:"MaryLu Tyndall, a Christy Award Finalist, and best-selling author of the Legacy of the King's Pirates series is known for her adventurous historical romances filled with deep spiritual themes. She holds a degree in Math and worked as a software engineer for fifteen years before testing the waters as a writer. MaryLu currently writes full time and makes her home on the California coast with her husband, six kids, and four cats. Her passion is to write page-turning, romantic adventures that not only entertain but open people's eyes to their God-given potential. MaryLu is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. For more information on MaryLu and her upcoming releases, please visit her website at http://www.mltyndall.com or her blog at http://crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/"
You can pre-order the book now on Amazon.com - to be released July 1, 2012!
Amber's review of Veil of Pearls will be coming *hopefully* soon!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Weekly Drawing
It's fun Friday at The Borrowed Book!
.
To enter:
Follow Us! Followers are automatically entered. Or...
Leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.
Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry. RETWEET our Tweet, get two entries!
.
Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!
Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FIVE entries.
It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)
This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by John Kralik and his newest release, A Simple Act of Gratitude.
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To enter:
Follow Us! Followers are automatically entered. Or...
Leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.
Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry. RETWEET our Tweet, get two entries!
.
Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!
Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FIVE entries.
It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)
This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by John Kralik and his newest release, A Simple Act of Gratitude.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
A Simple Act of Gratitude
On December 22, 2007, John's life was at a low point. His law firm was losing money, he was in the process of a second divorce, and he was almost out of money. During a hike in the mountains, he became lost. As he stumbled along the path trying to find his way home, he heard a small voice that said, "Until you learn to be grateful for the things you have, you will not receive the things you want." At the time he didn't know what the message meant, but he was sure it was for him.
When he finally arrived home, he found a thank you note in his mailbox. It was for a Christmas gift he had given someone. As he thought of how good he felt to receive that note, he decided that he would write a thank you note to someone every day for the next year.
The story of how he began his writing project and the blessings he received from it are a joy to read. If you haven't read this book, I encourage you to follow John's journey as he comes to realize how blessed he really is.
After reading this book, I felt ashamed for the complaining I do instead of thanking those I come in contact with for making my life happier. My husband and children, my siblings, the people I work with, and those who furnish their services with a smile in the restaurants, hair salons, and supermarkets I frequent are just the beginning of those to whom I need to say thank you.
How about you? Thank you--two little words. Have you said them lately?
Here's a video that I think you'll enjoy. Thanks for stopping by today.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Author Karen Witemeyer: Using Fresh Comparisons to Deepen POV
Two-time RITA® Finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
There are many craft techniques that go into the art of writing in deep POV. One of my favorite, however, is one that doesn't get much press—writing fresh comparisons.
When an author writes in deep POV, the narrative is no longer in her voice but in the voice of the POV character. So it only makes sense that when a comparison is used for descriptive flair, it should relate to something that would naturally occur to the POV character, something unique to his personality and background.
If your hero is a western cowboy, the comparisons that mean something to him will be far different from those of a British nobleman. Similes, metaphors, analogies—all can be given a fresh spin that enhance your character's voice.
This takes work and creativity. Clichés are nearly always the first comparisons to come to mind when we write. Don't accept that lazy road. Work to make your analogies unique to your POV character. In doing so, you will deepen the POV and create memorable moments for your reader.
Examples:
I've chosen some examples from my latest release, Short-Straw Bride, to demonstrate. Note the differences between the hero and heroine's choice of comparisons. They both draw from their personal knowledge, Travis from his ranching background and Meredith from her more feminine perspective.
Travis:
The curves she sported now were definitely new, but the determination and bravery he remembered clung to her bearing like a grass burr to a pant leg.
All through dinner, Everett Hayes's demand hung over the Archer table like a boulder perched on an eroding precipice.
Meredith's words came back to him, flaying his defenses like a skinning knife cutting away a hide.
His wet trousers made the going slower than he would have liked, though, clinging to him like a bunch of woolen leeches.
Meredith:
Hiram's face scrunched up like a pumpkin that had started to rot.
Guilt pricked at Meredith like a row of sewing pins protruding through her corset seam.
An odd gesture for a man who wore authority like a well broken in hat.
Then he laced his fingers through hers and tugged her into his side in a motion so natural, it felt like a well-rehearsed dance instead of a spontaneous improvisation.
The way you craft your comparisons flavors the narrative in a way that will help your reader more deeply relate to your characters and keep your author voice from intruding. It will give your writing a freshness that will make it stand out from the crowd.
In my current work in progress, I have three POV characters: the hero, the heroine, and the heroine's father. In one scene, the heroine is racing on horseback to reach her father who is out with the cattle. We are in the father's POV, and as he notes her racing in, he makes a comparison.
Now, as I wrote this scene, the first comparison that came to mind was that she rode as if a pack of wild dogs were on her tail. This, of course, is a cliché. I searched and searched for a better simile. I came up blank. Finally, I dug deeper into who my POV character was. He is an ex-outlaw who's eluded the law for two decades. He's gone straight, but that outlaw blood still runs through his veins. As I pondered this character trait, the perfect comparison finally came to mind.
He twisted his neck to the side to work out a kink, and caught sight of his daughter riding down upon them as if a hangin' posse were in pursuit.
Not only does this analogy capture the POV character's personality, but it deepens the POV because that isn't something I as the author would say in narration. But it is exactly what an ex-outlaw would use as a descriptor were he relating the story.
You can practice this on your own. Take a clichéd comparison and rework it with your own character in mind. Here are some to choose from:
Light as a feather
Strong as an ox
Melted like butter
Stubborn as a mule
Leave a comment with a short descriptor of your character and your reworked cliché. The one I like best will win a copy of Short-Straw Bride.
I can't wait to see what you come up with! Website:http://www.karenwitemeyer.com
Blog: http://petticoatsandpistols.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/karen.witemeyer
Monday, June 18, 2012
Where the Past Meets the Present: Guards! Guards!
Any "Discworld"/Terry Pratchett fans out there? That year was the year Guards! Guards! was first published.
Now, I may have lost some (or most) of you already, but even if you've never heard of this series, I hope to share some writing advice from my (so far) limited experience with this rather hilarious fantasy book.
A dear friend of mine introduced me to this book and finally convinced me that I really needed to give it a try. (This just goes to show you how powerful word-of-mouth can be, as I ended up buying it for my Kindle, along with another book in the series!) I'm a little over halfway through right now, and I think I'm hooked!
What is it about Guards! Guards! that can catch the attention of a girl who reads mostly Christian romance books?
The Unexpected
Even when you're expecting the unexpected (it is fantasy, after all), the unexpected can still take you by surprise and make you laugh out loud. I love how this book is all about surprises! Secret-society meetings are normally depicted as serious affairs - but not so in Discworld! Ridiculously long passwords, "brothers" of the guild who just don't get it, and the saving power of takeaway food... Such a riot! Death is personified and given quite a presence; Carrot (named for his shape) is the newbie who might just bring the Night Watch back to its original purpose; and the Librarian is an orangutan who has to engage in a game of charades in order for anyone to understand him. Ah, yes - I'm not even done with the book, but I'm finding Discworld to be a new and intriguing place to visit!
Perhaps you're not writing fantasy - I'm not, either! And yet making the setting and the characters and the events unique, making them new and clever and unexpected, is something that can be applied to any genre. Quirks are endearing! And just looking at the name of this type of book - the novel - suggests that novelty is a good quality for it to have.
The UnrelentingOh, the humor in this book - the biting sarcasm and the cruel, but hilarious, commentary on humanity - is unrelenting! This book is rather broad in scope as a sort of satire on society. The tendency of modern society to focus on commerce...the impulse to protect one's own hide rather than be a hero...the instinct to blame others or to avoid the hard work and trouble of doing what's right... This all just goes to show how patient God is in dealing with us! Humans are quite a wishy-washy, self-centered lot...
Now, not all works are going to be satires - and the purpose of satires comes with its own issues and ramifications. But it's not just this style of humor that can be unrelenting. We can write with unrelenting emotion, unrelenting passion, and unrelenting heart. If you're going to write a book, why do it halfway?
That doesn't mean you should forgo comic relief if you're writing a drama, or disregard depth if you're writing a romantic comedy. In fact, Guards! Guards!, while being mostly very, very funny, eventually draws you in to the lives of the characters and makes you want to cheer for the men of the Night Watch - to see them succeed and move beyond their initial bumbling and cowardice. So being unrelenting doesn't mean you can't balance various elements. As I'm referring to it here, I want it to mean that you write with consistency and a deepening investment in the story. Don't go slack halfway through! Keep up the laughs or the thrills or the tears!
Until Next Time...
Well, I still have more to read, so we'll see if Guards! Guards! continues to be all that I like about it so far. And then I have Reaper Man (1991) waiting for me on my Kindle after that!
~ Have you tried a book recently that's from a genre you normally don't read? What made you want to try it - or what made you like/not like the book in the end? ~
Note: For more sensitive readers, Guards! Guards! is kind of crude, and it includes some swearing, violence, and drug/alcohol references. From what I've read so far I personally have not been too bothered by it, but I thought I'd mention it in case you were wondering about the content.
(Book image is from Terry Pratchett's website.)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Winners
Happy Saturday, BB fans! Thanks to everyone who participated in our
"puzzling" Friday giveaway! Keep all those facebook and Twitter
notifications, coming! This week's winner is:
Linda Yezak - Submerged by Dani Pettrey!
Congratulations, Linda! Please use the button in the upper right side of this page to email me with your email address. Then, sit back and wait for your book to arrive. Thank you all so much for stopping by The Borrowed Book!
Linda Yezak - Submerged by Dani Pettrey!
Congratulations, Linda! Please use the button in the upper right side of this page to email me with your email address. Then, sit back and wait for your book to arrive. Thank you all so much for stopping by The Borrowed Book!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Weekly Drawing
It's fun Friday at The Borrowed Book!
To enter:
Follow Us! Followers are automatically entered. Or...
Leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.
Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry. RETWEET our Tweet, get two entries!
Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!
Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FIVE entries.
It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)
This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by Dani Pettrey and her newest release, Submerged.
To enter:
Follow Us! Followers are automatically entered. Or...
Leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.
Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry. RETWEET our Tweet, get two entries!
Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!
Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FIVE entries.
It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)
This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by Dani Pettrey and her newest release, Submerged.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Top 5 Reasons to Join the Romance Writers of America
I joined the Romance Writers of America recently, mostly because my editor asked me to, but also because RWA, as it is affectionately known, is one of the largest, most widely recognized conglomeration of authors and industry professionals in the country. The association represents more than 10,250 members in 145 chapters offering local or special-interest networking and education.
Cool, huh?
Right away, I realized I'd made a good move by joining RWA. I began receiving newsletters and magazines jam-packed with information that I would not have otherwise had access to...at least...not easily. From marketing and publicity, to education and online workshops, RWA offers a wide variety of materials for writers of every level and ability.
Okay, I'm starting to sound like a commercial, so...here's a list of my top five reasons why every author should join RWA, followed by a snippet from the RWA website about the Romance Genre and how to write it successfully:
1. Networking ~ every author needs contacts and RWA offers over 10K at your fingertips.
2. Marketing ~ it's like a dirty word. RWA offers insight into marketing yourself effectively.
3. Education ~ just when you think you know it all, the rules change. Keep up with industry guidelines and stay informed regarding publishing house changes.
4. Conference ~ RWA offeres one of the largest, most sought after conferences in the nation. Learn more by clicking here.
5. Information ~ RWA gives its members insight into what is happening all around the publishing industry.
About the Romance Genre
Romance fiction is smart, fresh and diverse. Whether you enjoy contemporary dialogue, historical settings, mystery, thrillers or any number of other themes, there's a romance novel waiting for you!
Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending.
A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around two individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the main focus of the novel.
An Emotionally-Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.
Romance novels may have any tone or style, be set in any place or time, and have varying levels of sensuality—ranging from sweet to extremely hot. These settings and distinctions of plot create specific subgenres within romance fiction. Click here to better understand the subgenres within romance.
Romance Novel Formats
There are two formats for romance fiction:
•Series or "category" romances: books issued under a common imprint/series name that are usually numbered sequentially and released at regular intervals, usually monthly, with the same number of releases each time. These books are most commonly published by Harlequin/Silhouette.
•Single-title romances: longer romances released individually and not as part of a numbered series. Single-title romances may be released in hard cover, trade paperback, or mass-market paperback sizes.
To learn more about RWA, visit their website at http://www.rwa.org/.
Cool, huh?
Right away, I realized I'd made a good move by joining RWA. I began receiving newsletters and magazines jam-packed with information that I would not have otherwise had access to...at least...not easily. From marketing and publicity, to education and online workshops, RWA offers a wide variety of materials for writers of every level and ability.
Okay, I'm starting to sound like a commercial, so...here's a list of my top five reasons why every author should join RWA, followed by a snippet from the RWA website about the Romance Genre and how to write it successfully:
1. Networking ~ every author needs contacts and RWA offers over 10K at your fingertips.
2. Marketing ~ it's like a dirty word. RWA offers insight into marketing yourself effectively.
3. Education ~ just when you think you know it all, the rules change. Keep up with industry guidelines and stay informed regarding publishing house changes.
4. Conference ~ RWA offeres one of the largest, most sought after conferences in the nation. Learn more by clicking here.
5. Information ~ RWA gives its members insight into what is happening all around the publishing industry.
About the Romance Genre
Romance fiction is smart, fresh and diverse. Whether you enjoy contemporary dialogue, historical settings, mystery, thrillers or any number of other themes, there's a romance novel waiting for you!
Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending.
A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around two individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the main focus of the novel.
An Emotionally-Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.
Romance novels may have any tone or style, be set in any place or time, and have varying levels of sensuality—ranging from sweet to extremely hot. These settings and distinctions of plot create specific subgenres within romance fiction. Click here to better understand the subgenres within romance.
Romance Novel Formats
There are two formats for romance fiction:
•Series or "category" romances: books issued under a common imprint/series name that are usually numbered sequentially and released at regular intervals, usually monthly, with the same number of releases each time. These books are most commonly published by Harlequin/Silhouette.
•Single-title romances: longer romances released individually and not as part of a numbered series. Single-title romances may be released in hard cover, trade paperback, or mass-market paperback sizes.
To learn more about RWA, visit their website at http://www.rwa.org/.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Write Right~Keeping Your Hair in Good Condition in 1888
After reading the following article from Good Housekeeping, A Fortnightly Journal,Vol. 7-May 12, 1888,
to Oct. 27, 1888, I am very grateful for my shampoo and conditioner. Not to mention my nice hairbrush, blow dryer, and regular visits to my hairdresser.
Frequent brushing of the hair is recommended for its
improvement. The scalp should be made to glow with the vigorous use of a stiff
bristled brush, and a thorough brushing before going to bed at night is
considered to be of the utmost importance. This gives gloss and softness, and
long hair is in special need of it. Sage tea was an old fashioned remedy for wetting
the scalp and preventing the hair from falling out and it is still regarded as
excellent. Ammonia and borax are both used as invigorators of the hair, but
they should be used only in small quantities, or they will do more harm than
good, for too much ammonia will inflame the scalp and too much borax will make
the hair dry and brittle. Nor is soap good for the hair. The scalp may be
cleansed with the yolk of an egg, beaten in very little water, and rubbed well
into the scalp, where it should be allowed to dry and afterwards rinsed off
with lukewarm water containing a little ammonia. After the hair has been wet it
should be thoroughly dried before going to bed and before going out into the
open air. The scratching and irritating of the scalp with a sharp-toothed comb
should be avoided and the same danger is to be looked out for in the use of a
metallic brush.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Twitter Party: Spyglass Lane Authors
Spyglass Lane Cozy Mystery Authors are having a Twitter Party 6/15, 6-8 pm EST. Lots of free books and gift card giveaways!
Meet and interact with cozy mystery authors.
 Hickey, Cynthia 6:00 |  Sowell, Lynette 6:15 |  Connealy, Mary 6:30 |  Moore, S. Dionne 6:45 |
 Sleeman, Susan 7:15 |  Kozar, Linda 7:30 |
7:45-8:00
OPEN |
WHO WE ARE:
Spyglass Lane Mysteries for those who love detective work from the safety of their armchair. We’re the authors behind a great line-up of cozy mysteries that we’d like to share with you tonight!
There are tons of fun prizes being given away. Join us for great conversation and loads of giveaways.
#SpyglassMysteries
Spyglass Lane Mysteries for those who love detective work from the safety of their armchair. We’re the authors behind a great line-up of cozy mysteries that we’d like to share with you tonight!
There are tons of fun prizes being given away. Join us for great conversation and loads of giveaways.
#SpyglassMysteries
PRIZES:
Starbuck’s, Amazon,and Vera Bradley gift cards plusloads of free books! A giveaway every 15 minutes. Join the party by posting to and following #SpyglassMystery.
Starbuck’s, Amazon,and Vera Bradley gift cards plusloads of free books! A giveaway every 15 minutes. Join the party by posting to and following #SpyglassMystery.
CLAIM YOUR PRIZE:
Win a prize? Email S. Dionne Moore – sdionnemoore@me.com
Win a prize? Email S. Dionne Moore – sdionnemoore@me.com
OUR GOAL:
To reach lovers of mystery who enjoy clean reads that are fun, have a thread of romance and a chance for all armchair detectives to exercise their “little gray cells.”
To reach lovers of mystery who enjoy clean reads that are fun, have a thread of romance and a chance for all armchair detectives to exercise their “little gray cells.”
OUR TOPICS:
6:00 Cynthia Hickey-What type of occupation would you like to see in a cozy heroine?
6:15 Lynette Sowell – Recipes and Southern comfort food
6:30 Mary Connealy – Action and Comedy/Fav funny books
6:45 Sandra Moore – Topic: Fav settings for a mystery
7:00 Candice Prentice-book beginning: setting and intro of characters
7:15 Susan Sleeman – Cozy mystery themes
7:30 Linda Kozar – Name of your favorite Nancy Drew book
7:45-8:00 Open Q&A
6:00 Cynthia Hickey-What type of occupation would you like to see in a cozy heroine?
6:15 Lynette Sowell – Recipes and Southern comfort food
6:30 Mary Connealy – Action and Comedy/Fav funny books
6:45 Sandra Moore – Topic: Fav settings for a mystery
7:00 Candice Prentice-book beginning: setting and intro of characters
7:15 Susan Sleeman – Cozy mystery themes
7:30 Linda Kozar – Name of your favorite Nancy Drew book
7:45-8:00 Open Q&A
OUR FOLLOW POLICY:
Anyone who follows @SpyglassMysteries will be followed in return.
Anyone who follows @SpyglassMysteries will be followed in return.
OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PASSPORT:
Spyglass Lane Mysteries Pinterest
Spyglass Lane Mysteries Pinterest
HASHTAG INFO:
#spyglassmysteries
#spyglassmysteries
PURCHASE INFO FOR BOOKS:
All mysteries are .99 for all platforms! Check them out here.
All mysteries are .99 for all platforms! Check them out here.
LINKS FOR OUR AUTHORS:
S. Dionne Moore
Website
The Borrowed Book Blog
Website
The Borrowed Book Blog
Lynette Sowell
Facebook
Twitter: @LynetteSowell
Twitter: @LynetteSowell
Susan Sleeman
Website
The Suspense Zone
Facebook
Twitter
Website
The Suspense Zone