4 Reasons Why Fiction Writers Need Editors... by guest editor Ally E. Machate

Hello, writers! 

Hope you had a refreshing weekend hiking through the woods or spring cleaning out your closets and attics, whatever your passion ;)

Today with us we have editor Ally E. Machate, to to talk about why fiction writers need editors. You know, that little something many of us balk at and yet, when it comes time to start sending out queries and sample chapters, we start to wonder, "maybe I should..." 

As someone who has bit the bullet and become a better writer for it, check out Ally's four reasons why...


4 Reasons Why Fiction Writers Need Editors
by guest editor Ally E. Machate

You’ve slaved over your manuscript, and now it’s time to edit. You could do it yourself, but with rare exception this would be a mistake. Here are four reasons why fiction writers need editors:

• Your brain is working against you. It's impossible for the brain to be 100% objective about its own creations. Have you ever thought you said something, only to have your listener tell you the words coming out of your mouth were different? Likewise, when we read, our brains often fool us by filling in missing words and processing misspellings or incorrect punctuation, reading what it knows should be on the page rather than what's actually there.
  
  
• You know too much. Technical errors aside, there are other aspects of your manuscript that may not be as obvious to readers as they are to you. As the author, you know what you meant and how you want readers to feel about it. Your perspective is more informed than your audience's; that knowledge further hinders your objectivity.


• Your friends and family are lying. Though you’ll get better results if you choose test or “beta” readers representing your target audience, it’s human nature to be kind when doing a favor for someone; readers (especially loved ones) may not be 100% honest or they may emphasize what they liked, downplaying or omitting what they didn’t. They may also not be capable of fully articulating weaknesses. An experienced editor will be much more analytical, identifying problems and offering suggestions on how to fix them.
  
• Editing requires more than good grammar. Each kind of editing requires different, though sometimes overlapping, skill sets. Good grammar and a sharp eye for punctuation are strong advantages, but not equal to working with an editor, who should also aid with “big picture” issues. The reverse is likewise true. [Check out my article explaining different types of editors here.]

If you can’t hire someone, get at least one critical person not obligated to be nice to you to edit your book: no spouses, siblings, parents, or best friends. Fellow writers make excellent critiquers: one great partner can work, but I recommend critique groups because you get a wealth of feedback at once. Of course, other writers will be harder on you than the average reader—but that's the point! A reader may not be engaged by your characters or excited by the romantic tension, but won't know why. They just won't love the book. However, like a pro editor, a fellow writer will show you why something isn't working, and will have suggestions on how to give your characters authenticity or how to better cultivate tension. And if you’re submitting, remember: industry gatekeepers are tougher than average readers, too.

It may take a while for a crit group to make its way through your manuscript, but if you have the time (and don’t have the money), this is an excellent alternative to hiring a professional. And I encourage you to try a critique group even if you do intend to hire someone! You want to give your book its best chance at success in a world where millions of new books are published each year, and millions more are rejected. A good editor, whether a pro or a skilled writing partner, can make all the difference.

Ally E. Machate

Ally E. Machate is an editor, writer, and publishing consultant who loves using her insider knowledge of the publishing industry and fifteen years of experience to help others reach their publishing goals, whether it’s showing a writer how to improve a manuscript, get an agent, or self-publish, or ghostwriting a book to help an entrepreneur skyrocket her business platform to new levels. Grab Ally’s free white papers and learn more about her services at www.ambitiousenterprises.com and www.allymachate.com.

Guest author Kristina Riggle talks about her thought-provoking and heart-wrenching novel inspired by real-life events...

Good Morning, my fellow writers :)

Today we have with us Kristina Riggle, acclaimed author of Keepsake and the new thought-provoking and heart-wrenching novel inspired by real-life events, The Whole Golden World (Wm Morrow/ HarperCollins).

 

Kristina Riggle

Lia Mack: Kristina, thank you so much for joining us today at the BB Writers Retreat. 

Please start us off by telling a little about yourself...

Kristina Riggle: I write, I parent, I read, I volunteer, I run (slowly and not very far). I also have a dog which I never thought I'd say about myself, but it's amazing what your family can talk you into.


Lia Mack: Can you tell us a little about your book? 

Kristina Riggle: It's about two families and a town torn apart by a teacher-student affair, told from the points of view of Morgan (the teen-ager), Dinah (her mother) and Rain, (the teacher's wife).

Lia Mack: What was the most challenging aspect of writing this particular story?  

Kristina Riggle: Making all the characters understood. It's told from three points of view, and they are so different from one another. I had to make the reader feel for each of these characters, even the ones whose perspectives seem totally skewed, from the outside looking in.

Lia Mack: What are you working on now? 

Kristina Riggle: Researching, preparing and drafting a new book that no one has seen a single word of yet, so I won't say any more.

Lia Mack: Can you describe a bit how your venture into writing looked like? 

Kristina Riggle: I started out as a newspaper reporter, which at the time seemed like a more viable way to earn a paycheck. I quit when I had my first child and I was burned out on newspapering, and started to come back to creative writing in earnest. (I'd never really stopped, though.)

Lia Mack: What does your typical writing day look like? 

Kristina Riggle: Drop off the kids, run or other workout, and then writing plus business-type tasks (like this interview, for example). It would be easy to fill up a whole day with administrative type chores, and home chores, but I do my utmost to guard that writing time and give it priority. Right now I still haven't put away my (non-melty) groceries. I got home from the store three hours ago.

Lia Mack: What are your thoughts on authors needing to build a platform? 

Kristina Riggle: It's a different world for fiction and non-fiction. For novelists, I'd say not to get distracted by thoughts of platform until you've written the thing and spit-shined it. It's too easy to get distracted by marketing and publicity. Once you know your novel shines... It's a tough one. What's a novelist's platform supposed to be, anyway? An expert in writing novels? There are lots of those already. An expert in your subject? Maybe, if your subject lends itself to a non-fiction hook. But otherwise? I don't know. This isn't really an answer, but it's all I've got.

Lia Mack: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself if you could speak to the aspiring writer you once were? 

Kristina Riggle: Take the long view. Any one rejection is only one rejection.

Lia Mack:  Perfect advice.  And thank you so much for being our guest author today.

If you'd like to learn more about Kristina Riggle and her books, please visit her online at: www.kristinariggle.net, Twitter: @krisriggle, Facebook: Facebook.com/RiggleNovels

Author Ellis Shuman on what a typewriter Bar Mitzvah gift and devoted creative time can do for your writing...

Hello again, writers!

Today we have with us debut suspense novelist Ellis Shuman, author of Valley of Thracians, a face paced mystery about a missing Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria.

Ellis is currently working hard at work editing his next book, also a suspense novel, so I'm very glad he took the time out of his busy writing schedule to come meet with us today.

Please help me give a warm welcome Ellis Shuman, today at the BB Writers Retreat!

Lia Mack: Ellis, please start us off by telling a little about yourself:

Ellis Shuman: I was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and moved to Israel as a teenager with my family. After finishing high school in Jerusalem, I served for three years in the Israeli army. Along with my wife, I was a founding member of a kibbutz in Israel's southern desert. My years on kibbutz, working in agriculture and milking cows, served as background for my short story collection, The Virtual Kibbutz.
My wife and I now live in a community in the hills west of Jerusalem. For many years I worked in the hotel industry and my last position in this field was Food and Beverage Comptroller at the Jerusalem Hilton, back in the years when there was a Hilton hotel in Jerusalem. I have worked for the past decade in the online gaming industry, and a few years ago, my position was relocated on a two-year assignment to Sofia, Bulgaria. That experience served as background for my suspense novel set in Bulgaria, Valley of Thracians.

Lia Mack: Ultimate question...Why do you write?

Ellis Shuman: I grew up with an ever-present urge to tell a story. I inherited my writing abilities from my father, who was a journalist. During my summer vacations as a child, I wrote, edited, and marketed a neighborhood newspaper and went door to door selling copies of the page that told everyone what their neighbors were doing that summer. I have wanted to write a novel all my life, and have many unfinished manuscripts probably gathering dust in some archived online digital folder. Even though I work full time, writing is my hobby. I enjoy writing fiction, but also nonfiction, including book reviews, travel reports, and other stories that I have a need to tell.

Lia Mack: Can you describe a bit how your venture into writing looked like?

Ellis Shuman: I began writing stories as a boy and was extremely grateful to receive a typewriter as a present for my Bar Mitzvah at the age of thirteen. That typewriter would serve me for many, many years, and in fact, I wrote a manuscript for my first, and eventually unpublished, novel on that machine. I think I still have it in the attic for sentimental reasons. I remember deliberating whether to buy an electric typewriter when they first came out, but in the end elected to go with my first computer. A word processing program was like heaven for me. No more retyping entire pages or whiting out mistakes with Tipp-Ex. I had advanced into the modern age of writing. Even so, when I began writing the stories that became The Virtual Kibbutz, I wrote out some of them by hand in a café because I didn't own a laptop at the time. When I came home in the evenings I would then type up my stories into the computer, giving me a chance to review that morning's creativity. Now I type up everything on a laptop, barely ever visiting the desktop computer we have in our home.

Lia Mack: Can you tell us a little about your book?

Ellis Shuman: After living for two years in Bulgaria, I wanted to be able to share that experience through my writing. I enjoy reading suspense novels, so I made the decision to write a suspense novel set in Bulgaria. As far as I can see, there are not too many novels, of any genre, available in English that tell about life in Bulgaria. Along with the element of suspense, I became determined to include a sense of Bulgaria in the book. Many readers have stated that Valley of Thracians is part mystery, part travelogue. That's because I write about Bulgaria's history, culture, food, tourist sites, and most importantly, about Bulgaria's people. Readers will be enthralled not only by a fast-paced suspense story, but also by an introduction to a country about which they previously knew very little.

Lia Mack: What was the most challenging aspect of writing this particular story?

Ellis Shuman: While living in Bulgaria, my wife and I traveled extensively around the country. I guess everything we were doing for two years was research for my novel. I didn't take notes along the way, but I revisited many of the museums, villages, cities, and themes of Bulgarian history in a virtual manner after my return to Israel. Thinking back, there are some places in Bulgaria I would have loved to revisit while I was writing the book because research on the ground is always more effective.

Lia Mack: What are you working on now?

Ellis Shuman: I wrote one collection of short stories about Israel, and one suspense novel set in Bulgaria. These are the two countries that I think about the most, so I set for myself a challenge - to write a novel that will highlight both Israel and Bulgaria. Living in Bulgaria I felt very comfortable identifying myself as an Israeli, and discovered there is a lot of respect in Bulgaria for Israel and for Israeli leaders. There is also quite a bit of cooperation between the two countries, and this gave me an idea for what I could feature in my next novel.

Lia Mack: What does your typical writing day look like?

Ellis Shuman: I am always writing, but at my day job my writing is devoted solely to marketing copy. I commute to the office, a drive that leaves me quite tired, and uncreative, at home in the evening hours. In order to gain time for my creative writing, I decided to leave home one hour earlier in the morning. Before I sit down at my office desk, I sit down for a nice cup of coffee in a café not far away. I take out my laptop and manage to get a lot onto paper, or rather into the computer, despite the noise and racket of the cappuccino machine and the customers at the other tables.

Lia Mack: Can you share a photo of what your writing space looks like?

Ellis Shuman: Here is my very unseemly table in the café, off to the side and near the electricity socket that powers up my laptop. I am one of the first people to buy coffee in the mornings, so I have my choice of tables. I don't need anything else around to stimulate me because my mind is working at high speed as I type.

Lia Mack: What are your thoughts on authors needing to build a platform?

Ellis Shuman: It doesn't matter if a writer is traditionally published or self-published, because in both cases, most, if not all, of the marketing falls upon the author. I think it is essential for an author to establish him/herself on a social platform, but one shouldn't go overboard doing it. I maintain a very active blog, where I write about Israel, Bulgaria, book reviews, travel, and about the writing process. The readership of my blog grew immensely when I became active on Twitter, where I associate with other published and aspiring writers. Someone said that an author has to spend 90% of his or her time marketing. Building a platform is crucial to this endeavor.

Lia Mack: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself if you could speak to the aspiring writer you once were?

Ellis Shuman: I would tell myself "Keep on writing, you'll eventually find your voice." Writing is an art that takes practice to perfect. I don't say that I am the accomplished author that I want to be at this stage of my life, but I keep on practicing, knowing that one day I will get there. Each article I write is better than the one before, and each book I write will be better than the one previously published. I look forward to what I will achieve in my new book, and I anxiously await the day that I will be able to share it with my readers.

Lia Mack: Thank you so much for being our guest author today at the BB Writers Retreat. Where can BB readers go online to find you and your work?

Ellis Shuman: I blog once or twice a week at Ellis Shuman Writes.

Readers can find my books at Amazon:

The Virtual Kibbutz
http://www.amazon.com/The-Virtual-Kibbutz-ebook/dp/B00ASK6VA0

Valley of Thracians
http://www.amazon.com/Valley-of-Thracians-ebook/dp/B00B68J114

And finally, readers are invited to follow me on Twitter: @ellisshuman


:)

Best of the Web for Writers...Week in Review Take 1

It's Friday! :):):):):)

And what a week it was. Anyone else feeling the effects of March coming in "like a lion?" It was sunny and 70 one day, freaking windy as hell and 30 the next. Someone's siding is still in my front yard and try as I may, I can't tell which house it came down from.

So, if anyone is missing beige siding, please come get it... lol...

But I digress. This week was a great blog post week for writers as usual, with tons of craft info and tips and hints popping up along the way.

My first fav blog post of the week for writers was from Ellen Brock's editorial blog: "Top Ten Reasons Why Your Novel is Getting Rejected". If you're wondering why your novel keeps getting rejected, hop on over to Ellen's post and see if your novel fits into any of these top 10 reasons why. And, if you're lucky to not see yourself in these top 10 reasons yet are still getting rejected, Ellen offers mentoring services to help polish and shine your query+synopsis+first chapter combo.

I really loved Advice to a Young Writer. In a sweet (yes, I said sweet) yet motivational letter to an aspiring young writer, Jack Forde tells it like it is. "This letter, and everything else I’ve shared like it, is my way of saying that the easiest way is to end the search for shortcuts… and start walking the path that was always right in front of you."

Best Tweet of the week for writers was from Rebecca Scarberry ‏@Scarberryfields... “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged.” ~Lucille Ball. #Writers, just keep writing!"

Best pic to share with your writer buddies comes from INKYGIRL.COM, aka Debbie Ridpath Ohi. And you know you've done it before...not wanted to kill your darlings... ;) You know what I do? I keep all my darlings in a file folder named "darlings"...and I kill them. I'm sure I'll never use them nor read them again...BUT... it's nice to know they are somewhere safe because, well, you never know...

 Best advice of the week come from Jodi Picoult.

And last but not least, my own two cents: Just write.

Simple as that.

Until next week, just keep writing!

:)

Interview & Giveaway with guest author Yona Zeldis McDonough, author of "TWO OF A KIND"

Welcome to this week's BB Writers Retreat!

Please let me introduce you to our guest, Yona Zeldis McDonough, author of "Two of a Kind".

After the interview (below) Yona is giving away a signed copy of her book, so be sure to enter to win!

 

Yona Zeldis McDonough, author of "Two of a Kind"

Yona Zeldis McDonough is also the author of many more publications, including:

and for children: (Partial list)

Lia Mack: Yona, thank you so very much for joining us today for our BB Writers Retreat. 

As always, I like to jump right in with the ultimate question...Why do you write?

Yona Zeldis McDonough: I write to keep myself sane, balanced, hopeful and happy.  I write to make sense of my experience, and my perceptions. I write because I have to, pure and simple. I feel I did not choose writing; writing chose me.

Lia Mack: That's a precise way to put it - "writing chose me." 

Can you describe a bit how your venture into writing looked like?

Yona Zeldis McDonough: I was enrolled in a graduate program in art history at Columbia University and I was NOT a happy camper. I did not like anything about it and was not sure what to do next.  I was allowed to take other courses in the university—for free—and on a lark, took a fiction writing class. I was instantly hooked and decided that fiction, not art history, was what I wanted to do with my time on earth. I left the program shortly after that and began writing—first stories, then novels—always with the same goal in mind: becoming a full-fledged, published author. It took many years before this happened.  But it did and I have not looked back.

Lia Mack: That's wonderful. 

Can you tell us a little about your book?

Yona Zeldis McDonough: It’s a second-chance-at-love-story. Ten years after losing her husband, Christina Connelly has worked through the pain, focusing on raising her teenage daughter and managing her small decorating business. But her romantic life has never quite recovered. Still, it’s irksome to be set up with arrogant, if handsome, OB/GYN Andy Stern at her friend’s wedding. If he wasn’t also a potential client, needing his Upper East Side apartment redesigned, she would write him off.

This is never going to work, Andy thinks. Still grieving his wife and struggling with a troubled son, he’s not looking for a woman, and certainly not someone as frosty and reserved as Christina. Their relationship will be strictly business. Yet to everyone’s surprise–including their own–these two find themselves falling in love. But if reconciling with their pasts is difficult, blending their lives and children to create a new family is nearly impossible. They’ve been given a second chance…can they overcome all the obstacles in the way of happily ever after?

Lia Mack: What was the most challenging aspect of writing this particular story? 

Yona Zeldis McDonough: The novel is told from several points of view and all of them came easily to me—except Christina Connelly’s—and she was the protagonist! I don’t know why, but she was a very tough nut to crack and it took a long time before I was able to find my way into her head and heart so I could tell her story.

Lia Mack: Don't you just love those illusive characters ;)

What are you working on now?

Yona Zeldis McDonough: I just sold a new manuscript to my publisher, New American Library.  It’s called YOU WERE MEANT FOR ME and is about a 35 year old single woman who finds a newborn infant on a subway platform and decides to adopt her.  Then the baby’s biological father shows up…The novel will be out in October 2014 and I am beyond excited!

Lia Mack:  That IS exciting! Can't wait for October :)

What does your typical writing day look like?

Yona Zeldis McDonough: Now that my children are older, I am more the mistress of my own time. I like to write first thing, so that I know I have that done no matter what else happens during the day.  I work in my upstairs office, usually with one or more of my two dogs (Pomeranians, small and yappy) nearby.  I put in a few hours and break for lunch.  Sometimes I work in the afternoon too; otherwise that’s the time for appointments, errands, meetings etc.  Gym late in the day or early evening.  If I am really deep into a book/project, I’ll write again late at night, sometimes into the wee hours.  It’s NOT good for my sleep—gets me all pumped—but those quiet night hours can be very productive.

Lia Mack: That sounds like a dream schedule, although I know how distracting dogs can be... Can you share a photo of what your writing space looks like?

(see below!)

Yona Zeldis McDonough: I work in a small room on the second floor of my house. I face the backyard (also small!) and I painted the room light blue so it feels like the outside comes streaming in. I have all sorts of beloved objects around me and on the wall above my desk is a poster of a ballerina named Paloma Herrera. Her pose—head tilted back, arms extended, leg reaching up to the sky—is so beautiful it makes me gasp a little every time I see it, and she is an inspiration to me every day of my life.

Lia Mack: What a fantastic muse in an idyllic setting.

On to business... What are your thoughts on authors needing to build a platform?

Yona Zeldis McDonough: I confess I resisted at first. I thought, Platform? Why does an author need a platform? But now I see the importance and the value. There are so many books and writers out there, so much competition.  You need a way to distinguish yourself and bring attention to what you do.  You can’t beat the system, so you have to join it. 

Lia Mack: This is true. Perfect advice for writers everywhere.

Speaking of writers and advice, if you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself if you could speak to the aspiring writer you once were?

Yona Zeldis McDonough: I turned down a couple of juicy magazine jobs in my youth and I really do regret it now. I think it would have been great training and an opportunity to make great contacts.  So I would go back and tell myself, “Honey, you say yes to that job—pronto!”

Lia Mack: Indeed! :)

Yona, thank you so much for being our guest author today. 

Where can BB readers go online to find you and your work?

Yona Zeldis McDonough: I hope you’ll visit my website, which is www.yonazeldismcdonough.com and friend me on Facebook!
 

Yona Zeldis McDonough's writing space

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Breakfast & Giveaway with Best-Selling Author Michelle Cruz Rosado :)

Breakfast is served! Author Michelle Rosado's favorite smoothie!

Good morning, writers!

Yesterday we had special guest author Michelle Rosado talk with us about her book PURSUING YOUR DESTINY. It was a pleasure to interview Michelle and as a thank you for being our featured guest author this week, she is giving away a SIGNED COPY of her book, so be sure to enter to win :)

Today at the BB Writers Retreat, she's serving up for us her favorite breakfast smoothie recipe!

To make it vegan, Michelle skips the yogurt and adds a dash of almonds and flax seed.

Strawberry Spinach Smoothies

Ingredients:
1 cup mango juice (Orange Juice also works well)
1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 lb  fresh or frozen strawberries, halved or quartered
1/2 lb fresh or frozen blueberries
1 banana
1 cup packed fresh spinach
Drizzle of honey (about 1 Tbsp)

How to:
1. Add the liquid ingredients first: 1 cup mango (or orange) juice, 1/2 cup yogurt.
2. Add in the 1/2 lb strawberries, 1/2 lb blueberries, 1 banana (broken into a few sections). Blend until smooth.
3. Add in the 1 cup fresh spinach and drizzle with honey to taste. Blend until smooth and serve to the folks eagerly waiting in line.

Recipe from Natasha's Kitchen.

Interview & Giveaway with Best-Selling Author and Mentor Michelle Cruz Rosado, author of "PURSUING YOUR DESTINY"

For this week's BB Writers Retreat, I thought it would be a wonderful idea to invite Inspirational Speaker, Best-Selling Author and Mentor Michelle Cruz Rosado, co-author of PURSUING YOUR DESTINY.  

Michelle Cruz Rosado, co-author of PURSUING YOUR DESTINY

Michelle Cruz Rosado has devoted herself to teaching and mentoring around the world through words of love, hope and perseverance. Rosado's story has been featured on CNN, NBC Nightly News, FOX and BBC.

Lia Mack:  Michelle, thank you so much for speaking with us today. 

Please start us off by telling us why you write.

Michelle Cruz Rosado: I write to communicate from spirit in ways that my mind finds distracting. Writing gives me the opportunity to express myself solely from the depths of my heart and not by the demands of others. I write to inspire others, and in turn inspire themselves.

Writing has been a passion of mine since my early years in high school. My English teachers were extremely supportive of my work and encouraged me to be a writer. I began my writing journey with poetry, then on to articles for the school newspaper.
After the tragedy of September 11 however, I wrote an article entitled, "Will I Recover", a personal account of my escape from Tower 2 when the first plane crashed into Tower 1. The article was released on October 6, 2001 was followed by "The Recovery", in September of 2006. Both articles became the foundation for my co-authored book, "Pursuing Your Destiny" and has motivated me to continue writing through my blog.

Lia Mack:  Can you tell us a little about your book? 

Michelle Cruz Rosado: "Pursuing Your Destiny" is a story of survival and forgiveness. It first describes my experience on September 11, 2001 and takes the reader back in time as two children growing up in different parts of New York. Through the journey, I also describe my spiritual awakening and share ways of how to overcome any adversity one faces.

Lia Mack:  What was the most challenging aspect of writing this particular story? 

Michelle Cruz Rosado: Through weeks of contemplation I decided to share very personal stories of my childhood and as a survivor of domestic abuse. When I realized the book was not about the authors but about the reader, the fear and resistance subsided. It's important for everyone to know that they are never alone, and each of us has the ability to heal.

Lia Mack:  What are you working on now? 

Michelle Cruz Rosado: I'm currently working on a piece for a New York City publication which will be released in December 2013, as well as working on my mentoring/consulting business.

Lia Mack:  What does your typical writing day look like? 

Michelle Cruz Rosado: A typical writing day is in between the emails, calls and research. I always have a Word document open to type whatever comes to me. I could find myself writing from 7:00am to 9:00pm at times, if I'm truly inspired.

Lia Mack:  Can you share a photo of what your writing space looks like? 

Michelle Cruz Rosado: Below :-)

Lia Mack:  Do you read while you write? What are you reading now? 

Michelle Cruz Rosado: If something sways my attention I'll take the time to read it while I'm writing. I'm currently reading Dale Carnegie's classic, "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living." It's helping me calm my inner critic and confidently move forward in my writing.

Lia Mack:  If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself if you could speak to the aspiring writer you once were? 

Michelle Cruz Rosado: Nothing can stop you from expressing what you feel, whether it pertains to a traumatic experience or the happiest moment of your life. You have the right to write.
 
Lia Mack:  I like that! "You have the right to write."

Thank you so much for being our guest author today. Where can BB readers go online to find you and your work? 

Michelle Cruz Rosado: My book, speaking, consulting and mentoring services can all be found on my official site, www.MichelleRosado.com.

Michelle Rosado's writing space :)

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Having a Happy Cooking Thanksgiving Day! :)

All is quite. The turkey is resting in a water bath in the sink to help remove some of the salt from it's overnight brine. The hubby's asleep. The kids are asleep (Thank God!) and I'm using this one half hour on Thanksgiving morning to just sit.

And write.

Because that's what I love to do when I have time to think ;)

And I realized something. Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year. Why? It's all because of the cooking. I love to cook! I haven't been able to do much of it lately, but thankfully yesterday and today I've had the spoons to do it, so it's on!

And cooking up a storm, I am!

Which reminds me exactly why I want to open and run a B&B. I love keeping house and love cooking. Even in the morning. I'm a o'dark hundred girl from way back ;)

Thankfully I have great guest authors here on the blog for BB Writers Retreats and they leave me a special gift - the recipe for their favorite breakfast. I can't wait to offer up a menu full of author favorites. I think it'll be a nice touch to a writers' retreat, to eat what your favorite author likes for breakfast...

Well, my To-Do lists are calling my name. I've got to butter the turkey and pop it back in the fridge until it's time to start cooking it. In the meantime, I've got 4 pies to make, as I'm sure the pumpkin I cooked last night will yield 2 pies it self... And who doesn't like extra pumpkin pie laying around?!??! I know I do! :)

To that, I'm also making my classic apple pie with the thatched pie crust topping (my hubby's going to cry happy tears as he's gluten free too and never gets to have pie crust). And last but not least my favorite cook Amanda Green from A Whole Lot of Crock's Pecan pie.

Oooh. And maple corn bread.
And jalapeno tequila cranberry sauce (my own recipe ;)
And my hubby's favorite Giada recipe for parmesean mashed potatoes...

I better get cooking!

But not before I pop over to my good friend Dana Renee Style's blog for a unique Thanksgiving recipe card creation! I want to print these out for my own recipes so next year, I'll be organized. And I LOVE organizing ;)

Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful. Thank you for stopping by!

:)

Writing Prompt Wednesday #1... Let's Eat! :)

photo credit: www.bonappetit.com

Prompt
In 250 words or less and inspired by the photo above, write something. Anything. The beginning of a story. The middle. A scene. Some dialogue. Anything!

Challenge
If you want something extra to go on, add in some mystery. Culinary mystery.

Share!
Please share in the comments section below. Go!

:)

Interview and Giveaway with Renee Rosen, author of "DOLLFACE"

Welcome back to the BB Writers Retreat series!

Today we have with us featured guest Renee Rosen, author of the debut novel  DOLLFACE: A Novel of the Roaring Twenties.  

Renee is here to speak with us today about her love for the craft of writing, as well as give away a signed copy of her debut novel! Be sure to comment below to enter to win :)

Renee Rosen, author of DOLLFACE

Lia Mack: Welcome to the BB Writers Retreat, Renee. Thank you so much for being our guest author today. 

Can you please start us off by telling us a little about yourself?

Renee Rosen: I grew up in Ohio and have lived in Chicago most of my adult life, except for a brief stint in New York City. I’m a former advertising copywriter who always had a novel in her desk drawer. Not surprising that I’m a history nerd and an avid reader, too. 

Lia Mack:  I think history nerds have a warm place in all our hearts...book worms too :) 

Ultimate question...Why do you write? 

Renee Rosen: I wish I could say that I have some earth-shattering message that needs to be conveyed or that I feel this intense need to express myself, but the simple truth is that I write because I can’t not write. I know that sounds ridiculous but my life just doesn’t feel right and it doesn’t work if I’m not writing.

Lia Mack:  I think you summed up the drive to write perfectly. 

Can you describe a bit how your venture into writing looked like?

Renee Rosen: I’ve always known I wanted to be writer and began working on my first novel when I was a teenager. It was horrible—truly shameful. It took me 17 years to get my first novel published back in 2007. And in between I had the great fortune to study with writers like Susan Minot, Carol Anshaw and Michael Cunningham. It was and continues to be a lot of hard work, but I find it extremely gratifying.

Lia Mack: How wonderful to be able to study the craft of writing with those great writers. 

Can you tell us a little about your debut novel DOLLFACE?
 
Renee Rosen: DOLLFACE is the story of a flapper who falls in love with two mobsters from rival gangs during Prohibition Chicago. Vera, the main character, is torn between two men whom she later realizes are both gangsters; one works for Capone and the other for Dion O’Banion and she is caught in the middle. Anyone watching Boardwalk Empire will find some familiar territory here as several of the characters in the HBO hit are also featured in DOLLFACE. One thing that I think separates DOLLFACE from other gangster novels is that this one is told from the woman’s point of view. We see how a couple of nice girls get sucked into the grim world of gangsters and how they grow and struggle to navigate their way through such historical events as The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre.

Lia Mack: That is an exciting and complex perspective to write from. Truly sets the stage for an excellent read. 

What was the most challenging aspect of writing DOLLFACE?
 
Renee Rosen: Definitely nailing the time period and the voice. I really had to pay attention to historical details. For instance—there were no zippers in the Twenties and I really wanted to get the clothing right. Also, there’s a lot of wonderful slang that came out of the era and at one point I went way overboard with it. As one writer friend put it, it was starting to sound like something out of Guys and Dolls.

Lia Mack: It's an ecentric era to write about indeed, alive with unique visuals and details. Can't wait to read your novel and be transported back in time.

What are you working on now?
 
Renee Rosen: My new novel, out next November, is called WHAT THE LADY WANTS and it’s about Marshall Field (the retail tycoon) and his thirty-year illicit affair with his neighbor, Delia Caton. It starts in 1871 with the Great Chicago Fire and goes through the early 1900s. It covers the establishment of the world’s greatest department store, Marshall Field & Company, as well as the 1893 Columbian Exposition. I’m having a lot of fun with this book as well, though I have to say there’s a lot of tragedy involved with the Field’s family.

Lia Mack: How exciting. That's so great you've been able to use your love of history in your writing. 

What does your typical writing day look like?
 
Renee Rosen: Typical depends on what phase of writing I’m in. If I’m drafting (which is the hardest for me) I’ll get up in the morning, put on a gallon of coffee, answer some emails and sit down to write. I’ll write from about 10 until 2ish. If I’m revising and on deadline, like I am now, it’s a whole different ball game. I get up and start working and I’ll work until 5 or 6, take a break for dinner and then I’ll work from about 8 until I can’t see straight anymore! 

Lia Mack: Wow! That's dedication :)

Can you share a photo of what your writing space looks like?
 
Renee Rosen: Have laptop, will travel. In other words, I write all over the place (inside my home and other places, too) but this is my favorite writing chair.

"Have laptop, will travel."

Lia Mack: What are your thoughts on authors needing to build a platform?
 
Renee Rosen: I think it’s necessary to have an online presence and if you’re writing non-fiction or a memoir, platform is key. It’s less critical with fiction and if you do have a platform and you’re writing fiction, I think publishers think it’s a lucky strike extra. But ultimately for fiction, it comes down to the book, the story, the writing.

Lia Mack: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself if you could speak to the aspiring writer you once were? 

Renee Rosen: I would have read more and I would have gotten involved with my local writing community sooner than I did.

Lia Mack: I think that's great advice, Renee. Thank you. And thank you so much for being our guest author today!

Where can BB readers go online to find you and your work?
 
Renee Rosen: Here’s all my scoop:
 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ReneeRosenAuthor
 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReneeRosen1
 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/412370.Renee_Rosen
 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dollface-A-Novel-Roaring-Twenties/dp/0451419200
 
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dollface-renee-rosen/1116600431?ean=9780451419200
 
Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780451419200

 

"Soft Boiled Eggs", Guest Author's M.L. Doyle's Favorite Breakfast Recipe

Good morning, writers!

Today at the B&B, featured guest author M.L Doyle is sharing her favorite breakfast recipe :)

"I’m a very basic cook," says author M.L. Doyle. "[I] usually fix myself the typical bacon and eggs, sometimes do a potato hash. My favorite breakfast is what I used to eat at B&B's when I lived in Germany. They always had a big selection of meats and breads but the really good ones had soft boiled eggs. I loved putting the egg in the little cup, opening the top and finding that soft, warm egg on the inside. Delicious!"

Soft Boiled Eggs


Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 cups water

Directions:

1. Bring the water to a rapid boil.
2. add salt and keep it at a rapid boil.
3. Prick the bottom (wider end) of the egg with an egg pricker
4. Immerse in the boiling water and boil for exactly 5 minutes.
5. Dash in cold water, crack & enjoy.

recipe from Food.com