Monday, June 12, 2017

SHOW MO!*

*You show me yours, and I’ll show you mine!




SCBWI Southern Breeze presents the first annual Manuscript and Portfolio Critique Event!


June is writing contest month for Southern Breeze and so throughout the month, we’re sponsoring manuscript swap events all over the region. Here’s one I’m hosting:  

JUNE 13, 2017, 1pm-3pm at Niceville Public Library.  email if you need more info spurvis500@embarqmail.com


Find more info on the Southern Breeze website at http://southern-breeze.scbwi.org 


Saturday, June 3, 2017

Time to Make Your Synopsis Sizzle



Class runs June 4th - 30th 2017

You’re in need of a synopsis. I can hear the moans and groans echo through cyberspace.
But do not fear.
This class is here to help you . . .
  •  give your synopsis the attention it deserves.
  • learn what to include and what to avoid in a synopsis. 
  • create a synopsis showcasing your best writing. 
  • add the intriguing emotional twists of your novel to the synopsis.
  • fill your synopsis with your unique writer’s voice.
  • give clarity, succinctness, and pizazz to your synopsis.
The goal of this class through lessons, assignments, and plenty of feedback is for you to come away with a sizzling, scintillating synopsis. A synopsis that will get the attention of an agent, editor, contest judge and prove you’re a professional and talented story teller.

No more moaning.

Sign up. 

Learn how to create a stellar synopsis. 

Register here: 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the class feel free to email me at


Friday, May 26, 2017

When the Characters Won't Leave You Alone

Welcome Sandra Tilley and her sometimes outspoken characters in her newest novel, The Ghost and Mrs. Miller published with The Wild Rose Press. 

Here to tell us a little about the journey to publication and her characters that wouldn't leave her alone is Sandra Tilley, creator of her characters Libby Miller, her ghostly husband Neil, and their good friend, Eli.




POP the top and fill the glasses! It's RELEASE DAY for

    

                                                      Amazon and The Wild Rose Press

Libby Miller never expected to celebrate her nineteenth wedding anniversary with a ghost. Nor did she ever expect to catch her husband Neil cheating with his assistant or his BMW flipping over an overpass or his ghost showing up in her dining room. Neil’s ever-present spirit prevents Libby from grieving, and his meddling ethereal presence poisons any attempts to forgive his infidelity. Adding to her anxiety are two men from her past—both of whom want a second chance. In her struggle to build a new life, Libby discovers forgiveness and friendship and passion. And a fondness for lost souls.


Libby: As the protagonist in the Ghost and Mrs. Miller, I'd like to thank our creator, friend, and author, Sandra Tilley.

Sandra Tilley:  Thank you, Libby. And many thanks to all my characters. It's been an amazing journey.

Neil:  An amazing and LONG journey.

Libby:  Kind of like our marriage. But I digress… Besides, you're a ghost. You have no matter. We're the ones squashed into her head for eight years.

Neil:  I may not occupy space, but I was trapped inside her brain with the rest of you. 

Eli:  As spokesman for the rest of the characters, we're all glad to be out. Hard to be cooped up, even with your best buds, right Neil?

Jesse:  Hey, man, don't speak for me--

Sandra Tilley:  Guys, I apologize for taking so long to get you onto the page and your story out into the world. But writing takes time. 

Libby:  We know. There's editing and revision…

Neil:  And more editing and revision.

Jesse:  Don't forget her leaving us in a dark file for a year.

Eli:  Awww, guys. Quit with the hard time. It's not like she didn't have other projects.

Sandra Tilley:  Eli, always the gentleman.

Jesse:  Always a kiss up.

Neil:  I'm a gentleman, too. I just choose not to steal someone's family.

Libby:  It's not stealing if someone throws it away.


Sandra Tilley:  Hold on, guys. Let the readers decide who's throwing and who's stealing. This is a happy day. MY happy day! 

Thank you, Suzanne, for hosting me and my characters on your blog today. Release day, finally. I think I speak for all of us when I say WHEW.  It feels good to put their story out there. It's a story of second chances. It's a story of reconciliation. It's a story of life. 

I'm thrilled you and your characters stopped by. Be sure to check out Sandra's newest release and you can connect with her here at SandraTilley.com Like her on Facebook Follow her on Twitter


           Available Now: The Ghost and Mrs. Miller  at Amazon and The Wild Rose Press


If you have any questions for Sandra feel free to comment and/or share your experience with those characters that just won't leave you alone.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Guest Blogging at Write Way Cafe

Check out The Write Way Cafe blog today where I'm guest blogging and share more information on
almost every writer's nemesis--creating a synopsis.

The Write Way Cafe -- Help I need a Synopsis






Hope to see you there!

Friday, January 13, 2017

My Newest Release - Dragon on a High Hill


My short story A Royally Rotten Red Day has been included in Dragon on a High Hill, a collection of Princess and Dragon Stories
a DyslexiAssist Reader


DyslexiAssist is a new initiative from Knowonder! Publishing that makes reading easier for dyslexics.

You can learn more a their website:


The book is published in a new font which independent research shows 84% of dyslexics read faster, 77% read with fewer mistakes and 76% recommend the font to others who suffer from dyslexia. There is also extra care taken with the font size, spacing between letters in the words, and number of words on a line and the page layout. 

I'm thrilled to part of this new and exciting initiative from Knowonder Publishing!

You can buy the book on Amazon perfect for all families, but especially for children with dyslixia.



Monday, January 2, 2017

January Another Sizzling Scintillating Synopsis Class

Beginning this week, I'm teaching another Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis Class at Lawson Writer's Academy. Would love to have you join us.







The Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis


You're in need of a synopsis. I can hear the moans and groans echo through cyberspace.

But do not fear.

This class is here to help you . . .

* give your synopsis the attention it deserves.

* learn what to include and what to avoid in a synopsis.

* create a synopsis showcasing your best writing.

* add the intriguing emotional twists of your novel to the synopsis.

* fill your synopsis with your unique writer‚s voice.

* give clarity, succinctness, and pizazz to your synopsis.

The goal of this class through lessons, assignments, and plenty of feedback is for you to come away with a sizzling, scintillating synopsis. A synopsis that will get the attention of an agent, editor, contest judge and prove you‚re a professional and talented story teller.

No more moaning.

Sign up.

Learn how to create a stellar synopsis.

***
Here's the buzz from previous classes.


Thank you Suzanne for helping me achieve my writing goals and get my synopsis shipshape and Colorado Gold entry in on time!

Suzanne's critiques are positive and professional, and they demonstrate best practices in fiction.

I respect Suzanne's craft knowledge and her skill as a writer, and I will definitely take her class again.


If you have any questions about the class feel free to ask. Look forward to seeing you there.