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. :)
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How to get rid of a body: Author style

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You gotta be careful when you are out in public and writing, especially when you are with other writers discussing different scenes.

Three of my writer friends met with me at a local Chinese restaurant. After sitting down we started talking about our craft. My friend Gina, who was next to me, started to discuss a death scene. She mentioned how the man was in a tub full of chemicals that would dissolve a body. This was before Breaking Bad had this very same scene folks.

Looking at her, and not realizing or paying attention most likely to who was around me, I told her that it all depended on the size and weight of the man and what chemical she was using for if she was not using the right amount or the right chemical she would have a hot mess.

My friend Adrianne started to say, “Guys, lower your voices.”

We ignored her and continued. I told my friend Gina that if she used the wrong chemical there could be a chance it would eat through the tub and the floor and it would fall to the first floor.

Again, my friend Adrian said, “Guys, lower your voices,” as she pointed to her right.

Again good ole me ignored her and continued. As I did so I just happened to look over. Sitting next to us were four officers, two of which were listening to me.

We quickly explained we were writers, honest, and was discussing a scene. I continued to tell them that my degreed was in Chemistry to which they smiled. But we quickly moved on to a different topic.

So now I need to carry a sign like the one above. #Writerproblems

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Writing My First Death Scene

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A few months back I wrote my first death scene. Before I go any further this book is for YA and up. People know me for my Jasper series which is a children’s series. But I do write in YA and adult as well just the Jasper series was the first ones out.

When I wrote this scene, the death one, it just flowed. I am not sure if I read to many mystery and action books or just watch too much TV but it didn’t take me long to write close to 1000 words on this. It did scare me when I giggled upon finishing. Either that was due to me actually writing it, how it seemed effortless or perhaps that it made me nervous how much fun I had doing it. As someone who has written children’s book it was an odd experience. But what was fun was when I told other authors about this experience and how they laughed with me at my glee. #Writersgetme

I lost nine characters during the fight. I guess I was making up for lost time. I have yet to develop the scene fully and unsure where it will show up in this WIP but I’m hoping it progresses the storyline to the reader.

If it is this much fun doing this kind of writing Jasper volume 4 and 5 may be written much later so I can explore this one more fully.

Author brand

Author Brand: Have one?

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Years ago I was reading an issue of Writer’s Digest and came across this topic. I can’t remember the author of the article but at the end of it was her Twitter handle. I decided to follow her in hopes of learning more. Since then I have expanded my brand through Facebook, Twitter, Goggle+, Linkedin and a website just to name a few.

It takes time to cultivate one’s brand but it is, in my opinion, vital to each author out there. I mean after all, once you are done writing your book and the revisions and edits are all done, then what? No matter how you choose to publish how will you basically shout to the world about your book? Apart from friends and family how else can you let people know about it?

I started on my brand the minute the first draft of my first book, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure”, was done. I didn’t wait until it was completely done, I didn’t wait until all the T’s were crossed and the I’s dotted. In fact when I started sending out query letters a good portion of the publishers wanted to know where I was online. Thankfully I was able to provide that information.

Like I mentioned it will take some time in the beginning, but start somewhere, anywhere, and grow from there. You don’t have to be all over the place for that will exhaust you and the sites that do work for you will not be fully run due to you trying to do it all. That was how I learned my lesson trying to be everywhere and not thinking that I was not giving each site enough love and attention it needed.

In due time it will get easier to update the sites to go and make a post or send out a relevant tweet to your followers. But, everyone, do start somewhere no matter how small no matter where just start. You want your book to shine. It deserves to shine.