Celebrations and Motivation

Happy New Year!!!

Tomorrow, I have a much more important post, but today, I just had to stop and say:

THANK YOU!

AND

WOOHOO!

LIFE IS WORTH CELEBRATING!

ANY SMALL SUCCESS IS WORTH A CHEER!

LET'S  STEP INTO THE NEW YEAR AND CELEBRATE EVERY TINY BIT OF LIFE WE HAVE!

I admit, I have a few things to celebrate today.

Madeline Mora-Summonte and I both have stories

in The Best of 2016

at Nail Polish Stories

We won't get paid for this honor, and the journal is a celebration of tiny fiction, but I'm still excited and honored to be included with such great company - Madeline is an exceptional short fiction author.

And, then, there's this fun and awesome video celebrating 2016 with my daughters' team - created by one of the athletes:

My youngest has short, blonde hair and kayaks (two-sided paddle)

My oldest has long hair with blonde ends (usually up in a high messy ponytail) and canoes (one sided paddle).

If you watch, see if you can find them.

THESE ATHLETES INSPIRE ME!
Celebrations help motivate me.

What inspires and motivates you?.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tara Tyler's Five Reasons to Use Chapter Titles

Please welcome Tara Tyler, guest extraordinaire!

5 Reasons to Write with Chapter Titles

By Tara Tyler

I am a total PLOTTER. I need organization. I also like to name things, people, places, stories, even scenes. So this topic spoke to me… I even gave a few chapter headings from all my books as teasers.

5 Reasons to Use Chapter Titles

1. As a Teaser/Preview - I like to hint what the chapter is about. And the hint lets the reader guess what’s coming
2. For a Character POV - I love how some books, like Game of Thrones, have characters for the chapters so I could look ahead and see when my faves were coming up
3. As a Quick Reference - I use them for myself whether I put them into the novel or not for organization. Like in my YA/Adult series Pop Travel, I have the list (with page numbers of course) so I know where to look for a certain scene or section as needed.
4. To be Quirky & Funny - I have fun coming up with the previews and teasers. I was raised to be punny =D
5. For Creativity - The process of devising them stretches the brain muscles!

As promised, here are some of my faves from my novels…

For my Pop Travel Series, the chapter names are just for me, they're not in the books.
From the middle Pop Travel. As you can see, I started very basic, until I switch series...

Locker

Shocker

Plan

Saffioti & Jones

Library

Miki & Jared

Café

Vivienne

Hitman

Detained

Released

A few from Simulation, can't give too many or they spoil the story!

a new deal

C meets the C

G meets A

C chase

G&A investigate/C Slug

G & A trap

And here's a sneak peek at Disposal, these chapter titles are a little more detailed:

1. Passion in a pill
2. Jimmy's all-nighter
3. Get to work
4. Let's do lunch
5. Is he dead?
6. You can have him
7. Kids, nothing but trouble
8. You want me to what?
9. Torture Chamber
10. Thrill of a lifetime

For my Beast World Series, these chapter titles are totally in the books.

Chapters 1-16 From Broken Branch Falls

1. Careful what you wish for
2. Best laid plans
3. Meet cute
4. Leave the pranking to the pros
5. Punishment fits the crime
6. No pain, no gain
7. Phoenix from ashes
8. Cracking the armor
9. Hiding in the bushes
10. Here's the deal
11. A glimpse of hope
12. Smashed to pieces
13. Powder keg ignited
14. The big deal
15. Plan hatched
16. Werewolves? There wolves

And lastly, the first twelve from Cradle Rock

1. You Can't Live With 'Em
2. Sense of Insecurity
3. Up, Up, and Away
4. Fire It Up
5. Watch Out For That Tree
6. Pit of Despair
7. Gesundheit!
8. Without a Paddle
9. Don't Get Too Cozy
10. Forget Me Not
11. Sticks and Stones
12. Be Our Guest

I hope you had fun reading the chapter headers and maybe they piqued your interest! Thanks Tyrean, for letting me come over and be a part of my release party. I had a great time!

Do you use chapter titles? Give us a teaser!

WELCOME BACK TO THE FOREST!

CRADLE ROCK, Beast World Book Two

by Tara Tyler

Gabe the goblin just saved his town Broken Branch Falls from splitting apart. He also revealed that humans--horrible creatures of myth and legend--may actually be part of their history! But seriously? Nah!

Now Ona, Gabe’s girlfriend, is headed thousands of miles away to Camp Cradle Rock for Spring Break seeking evidence of humans. Gabe knows better than to tell a stubborn ogress she’s crazy, so he’s letting her go and spending the break at the beach like a normal teenage beast. And he’s determined to have a good time without her, whether he likes it or not.

But when Gabe hears Ona went missing, he and his friends set out for the wilds of the west to find her, no matter what dangerous creatures get in his way. Not even humans.

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Check out the Book Trailer!

Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently she has two series, Pop Travel (techno-thriller detective capers) and Broken Branch Falls (fantasy adventures). To squeeze in writing, she economizes her time aka the Lazy Housewife. Make every day an adventure!

Talk to me!
Author Blog ~~ @taratylertalks ~~ Facebook ~~ Housewives Blog


I'm also giving away signed copies of Broken Branch Falls and Cradle Rock, some Beast World swag, and a $20 GC!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tyrean's Review: Cradle Rock is an excellently fun MG adventure through a fantastical world of Beasts and those strange mythical creatures, humans. Gabe, Ona, and their friends stumble into a human camp, nearly begin a war, and then . . . well, you have to read to find out! It's hard for me to review this one because I was so caught up in the adventure that I didn't slow down. The characters are fully developed, the world-building is insteresting and full of depth, and the plot rocks! 

Do You Have Goals? Mini-Thanksgiving Edition

HAPPY LATE THANKSGIVING!

Thank you, fellow writers, for all of your encouragement!

Thank you, Misha and Beth, for hosting this hop!

I'm keeping this short today. My last post was a wee bit long.

My main November goals were:

1.  - Thanksgiving - as an attitude and a holiday - Yes!

2. Exercise and Health - Hmm. Some. Lost my walking logbook, and had to guestimate.

Miles walked: at least 30

3.  NaNoWriMo - 32,870 words - I'm way behind schedule, and I had to write three essay responses to questions about homeschooling for my daughter's college applications today. Why did we homeschool? 638 word response. What methods of evaluation were used: 235 word response. What classes were taken outside of the home? 427 word response. I have three more due by the first. 

Update on NaNoWriMo - I squeezed through the finish line on Wednesday, just at 50, 102 words!

My December Goals Are:

1. Christmas Cheer!

2. Walk 50+ miles.

3. Yoga x 20 days of the month.

4. Write/Revise 25,000 words.

For Black Friday and Always:

Champion in the Darkness is free everywhere.

I have a bunch of short e-story books set free at Smashwords. 

How are your goals tracking this month?

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Links, and a Look Ahead

HAPPY

THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving has changed for me.

Maybe it's because of dietary restrictions in the house - think food intolerances and digestive issues to an extreme factor (eggs, dairy, gluten, corn - just to name the most annoying ones),

but I started focusing on giving thanks for Thanksgiving.

My father-in-law sits at the head of the table and tells Sven and Oly jokes. 

Everyone is invited to the kitchen, before and after the feast, at my Aunt's house.

This year, we aren't getting together at my Aunt's house. It makes me sad. I'm missing my cousins - three of the younger ones are pictured here. And yes, we are all stuffing our faces on leftovers - just an hour after dinner. :)

This year is so different from previous years. Some loved ones are gone. Some have larger families that have invited them into new traditions. Every celebration is different, and yet, I still have thanksgiving in my heart.

Thank you, God, for giving me life!

Thank you, friends, for giving me cheer!

Thank you, family, for your love!

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And, don't worry, I still eat turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pie on Thanksgiving. It's just a little more creative.

BLACK FRIDAY

I know that most people see this day as a day of insanity, rioting in stores, etc.

I know a wonderful group of people who see it as an opportunity to share..

On Friday, they have cookies to hand out to shoppers. 

They do this every year.

They don't shop.

They go to share love, kindness, and Christmas cheer.

If people want to talk, they might share their faith (but only if asked).

They inspire me.

Who inspires you on Black Friday?

If you don't have enough to do/read/consume this weekend, check out these links that I ran across recently:

LINKS

Updating a Facebook Page

How to Write a Headline (for twitter, facebook, instagram, etc.)

Outline and Tracking Tool for Writers

Eight Elements of a Successful E-book Launch

50 Vague Phrases that Have No Business in Your Query

How Authors Can Build Their Audience on Instagram
Although - I have to say - it does matter how many times a day we post on instagram according to my two "in-house" teen experts. Once a day is best, twice is okay. Once a week is good, as long as it's on the same day every week.

The Social Media Frequency Guide
The numbers change on this type of article every time I read one, but it's good to stay updated on the latest data.

Black and White Publishing has a new way to publish books through youtube!
Check out this Flash Fiction story, "Breathe," by Milo James Fowler.

I really, really like this video: Know Your Why

And, this is a longer "Know your Why" type video about How Great Leaders Inspire Action

LOOKING AHEAD
Do You Have Goals? - This Friday
IWSG and Dressember - December 7th
Guest Post by Tara Tyler - December 14th
Last Post Before Christmas/The Reader Edition - December 19th
Do You Have Goals? And Early New Year - December 30th

What are you thankful for this year?

Do you know your why?

5 Reasons to Write About the Paranormal by Christine Rains

Please welcome the amazing Christine Rains to 

the 5 Reasons to Write Series

Thank so much for having me here today, Tyrean! More so, for inviting me to talk about two of my favorite things: writing and the paranormal.

Tyrean: Thanks for coming by, Christine!

The supernatural has fascinated me since I was a child. I was the kid who wished Halloween was every month, I picked up every scary book and film, and I was the always the first to investigate strange noises in the night. (I wouldn’t last long in a horror movie!) I had to share my love of the paranormal through my stories.

Here are five fantastic reason to write about the paranormal:

1) Escaping reality. Of course every story helps you escape from your every day life, but the paranormal can bring you into a whole new world. You can create a parallel dimension or craft a hidden society of wizards which exists within our mundane world. You aren’t limited by every day rules, but you must always keep in mind the rules of the world you do create.

2) In creating that world, you get to play with countless what-ifs. What if vampires were real and controlled all the major countries’ governments? What if powerful psychics banned together to control the world’s population through their cell phones? I always knew those things were going to land the human race in trouble! You can put forth a lot of food for thought with these what-ifs.

3) Supernatural characters are such fun to play with. Sure, they can shapeshift, have super speed, and can read your mind, but along with the strengths of being paranormal beings, they get the weaknesses. You can stick with the legends and have your vampires unable to go into the sunlight and your werewolves deathly allergic to silver. Or you can create new ways to torment your characters. And since your characters are supernaturally powerful, you can torture them in ways you couldn’t normal humans.

4) Most paranormal tales have elements of mystery and horror in them. It’s such an adrenaline rush to write the scary and suspenseful scenes. I love to get my heart pounding and bring goosebumps to my skin.

5) Wide-eyed wonder. Sometimes it’s difficult to put into words what you’re imagining in your head, especially when it isn’t real. Yet when you do find the right words, not only will you be happy, you will leave your readers in awe. The paranormal can be beautiful and horrifying, but it’s the otherness which attracts us. Every book which has made a lasting impression on me has hit me with this otherness, because I’m seeing something new and wonderful.

If you write paranormal stories, what’s your favorite thing about writing them?

And if you’re a reader, what’s your favorite thing about reading them?

Author Bio:

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood but make her a great Jeopardy player. She’s a proud member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. She has one novel and several novellas and short stories published. Her newest urban fantasy series, Totem, is her biggest project to date and weaves ancient Inuit myths with modern day society.

Website: http://christinerains.net/

Blog: http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/

Newsletter: eepurl.com/3pxgr

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CRainsWriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorchristinerains

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christine-Rains/e/B00AZYIAT4/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

A few notes from blog host, Tyrean:
1. "Rain Vigil" at A Story in 100 Words came out on Saturday. Plus, I have a vignette, "I am Patient," getting published in Vine Leaves Literary Journal tomorrow.

2. Children's author Stephanie Faris has a new book out in her Piper Morgan series!

Piper helps some four-legged friends find the perfect home in the third book of the brand-new Piper Morgan series.

Amazon Link

3. Remember, if you want to escape reality with some wide-eyed wonder, read Christine!
Her latest book just came out!

No one messes with Saskia Dorn’s family and gets away with it.

The same murderous shifters who had hunted her sister have attempted to steal a magical totem pole. Since the pieces are scattered across Alaska, Saskia, a polar bear shifter, takes her search to the tundra for any signs of the lost totems.

Cloak of Snow - at Amazon