All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
Author, Blog, Book, Creative Writing, Emotions, Guest Blogging, Lissette. E. Manning, Published, Short Story

Guest Post- Lissette E. Manning

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Dreams Are What We Make Of Them

By: Lissette E. Manning

Success in the literary world is sometimes defined by how many books you sell and how fast/how far you climb across the charts. Word of mouth helps and the fans you accrue along the way help in getting the word out on what you do. Not to mention your friends and family, those that are supportive, anyway, will be there with you every step of the way. They’ll be there with you throughout your triumphs and your failures.

Every step you take will determine how you far you take your dream and the success it’ll net you. Mind you, success doesn’t happen over night. It takes time to get there so that you can reap the rewards from the efforts you’ve put out.

Keep in mind that in order for us to enjoy those benefits, we have to actively work for what we want. If you want to rise to the top, you’ve got to put in the hours and the effort to get yourself there. No one else is going to do it for you.

Sure, you can have someone else do the work for you and scream to every part of the world that you exist, but I’m going to be honest, unless you make that effort yourself and show people you really want to make things happen, there aren’t a good many that will take you seriously. Dreams are what we make of them but we have to strive and work whole-heartedly to achieve them.

If you believe in what you do, show it. If you know you have what it takes to make things happen, strive to make your dream possible. Don’t sit around waiting for someone else to try to do the work for you. The more you show others you’re determined to succeed, the more they’ll see you’re ready to take the next step.

Your book is like your baby. You want it to grow into something beautiful – something you’ll be proud of. You want people to see you took the time to make your work shine to the best of your ability. You’ll be taken more seriously that way, in all honesty.

Don’t let your work go out into the world half-assed. Edit, revise, re-write, and proofread your work until you think it’s ready. If it’s not, keep at it until it is. Listen to suggestions and feedback. Implement as many of them as possible. Keep working until your book is completely polished. Make it shine in the eyes of your readers and your followers.

Make use of beta-readers in order to make sure every base is covered when it comes to the above. Beta-readers are your eyes and ears when it comes to editing and revising your work. They’ll always see things you don’t see in the first place. Trust them and thank them for the work they do for you. Find a way to show them your appreciation in every way possible.

Always take the time to polish your work before you release it out into the world. The product you put out will make or break you. The more your work shines, the better things go for you. Poorly edited manuscripts tend to put off your potential readers. You’re pretty much killing your career, then and there.

Never settle for second best in all you do. Strive always for the best. Make your books shine. Make your readers, fans, and followers believe in your work. If you truly believe in it, they will too. They’ll shout your praises to every part of the world once you’ve shone you’re willing to give them great work for every penny they shell out.

Dreams are what we make of them. Our success is defined by the quality of work we put forth. It’s defined by the belief that we believe in ourselves and the products we give to those who seek to immerse themselves in the books we write. Believe in yourself and strive for your dreams. They do come true but only if we truly work to achieve them.

Broken

By Lissette E. Manning

Genre: Romance, Drama, Short Story

The past is hard to bear, but sometimes, we must face it, no matter the cost.

Displeased with the life she’d led, Ellie Morgan walked away from it all in hopes of finding happiness amidst all the turmoil. She knows it’s only a matter of time before she has to face the bitter reality of the repercussions caused by her past actions.

Broken and bereft, she tumbles head first into her despair. Yet there’s always a silver lining to every cloud, a certainty she knows is there if she’ll allow herself to see it. To do that, she must let go of the past and put her ghosts to rest, once and for all.

Available for purchase via the following retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords.

Bonding, Emotions, Family, Hugs, Laid back, Life, People, Uncategorized

Hugs

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I seen this video a few years ago and simply loved it. The song is from someone who to me was amazing. Even though we never met, his voice touched me deep inside.

A hug can bring a person up from the pits of despair, loneliness and sorrow. It builds one up and makes your heart smile on the inside. They are free and can say so much more than words do. It is easy and the results for me are amazing.

My son a few years back bought a shirt that had written on it “ Free Hugs” and wore it to school. Needless to say he got a lot of female hugging going on if ya know what I mean. 🙂 Some people are not huggers and that needs to be respected.

There are a variety of hugs.

-The one where two people barely touch as the exchange is done

-The one where the hug is so tight one has to come up for air

-The hug between two people who have not seen each other in years

-The hug between a child and their parent

-The one between a spouse greeting their loved ones after being away on tour, business and the likes.

Each vary in intensity, time and emotion. The faces may change but the emotion stays the same. An action that we as humans use to express ourselves without uttering a single word.

I love hugs.

For Israel, R.I.P

Definitions, Speaking, Story, Voice, Writing Style

Your Voice

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As writers do you know what your voice is?

According to Margaret Maron, creator of Judge Deborah Knott:

Voice is the most important ingredient in a successful book. The plot may be clever, but if the voice doesn’t engage us, how can we care?

According to John Morgan Wilson who writes the Benjamin Justice mystery series:

There is difference between voice and style though it is difficult to get at. To me voice is closer to attitude and the emotional quality of the prose, reflecting the personality of the author.

According to Chris Roerden:

The first step in developing your voice is not to add something but to identify the ineffective writing habit and techniques you’ve picked up over the years and get rid of them.

My Character Development instructor said he knew my voice and I did as well. Funny I thought to myself for my last instructor told me the same thing. This is a trend for people out of my writing groups concur with these teachers. How come everyone knows what my voice is but me? I try hard not to think on this and just write. Apparently I am accomplishing the voice subconsciously.

I have read numerous articles on this topic and when it seems the definition makes sense then a new article comes across my desk and destroys it

Jason Pinter , former St. Martin’s Press editor states:

Voice is the conversational quality of your writing, the way you “talk” to your reader. It’s as important in writing as it is in conversing aloud with someone or speaking to a group. If your voice isn’t confident, assured, authoritative, natural, and appropriate for your characters and story, the writing will feel stilted, forced, ragged, weak, awkward. Just as speaking aloud is ineffective if one is halting, hesitant, lacking in confidence, and so on .

This one makes sense to me since for now I can’t verbally express my definition of the voice. One good way is to read your story aloud. It may sound silly but it is a good way to hear one’s errors, pace and flow. Perhaps a writer will discover their voice.

Will I ever be able to describe this important ingredient to others, I do not know. Hopefully though my voice is being written loud and clear in my writings.