Passionate Writer Publishing

Omegia Keeys shows her book Saturday to her former coach, Bennie Edwards. Photo by Tim Moran Amid book signing, former Elston track star sees coach for first time since 1993By Tim Moran

Staff WriterPublished: Sunday, October 30, 2011 5:07 PM CDTMICHIGAN CITY — There was nothing but smiles on the faces of Omegia Keeys and Bennie Edwards at Sophia’s House of Pancakes on Saturday afternoon.

Although Keeys did have a few tears running down her cheek, her run-in with Edwards at the local eatery was a heartwarming reunion.

Keeys, a Michigan City born author and former Elston High School track star, and Edwards, her high school coach and mentor in the early 1990s, were speaking to each other in person for the first time since 1993, the year Keeys graduated and began running track at Indiana State University.

Saturday’s reunion was part of a book signing where Keeys, who now lives in Indianapolis, returned to her home town to sign copies of her latest book, “Rise and Fall of a Track Star.”

“It is so wonderful to see Benny come back and to see the two of them together,” said JoAnn Johnson-Campbell, Keeys’ mother.

Edwards and Keeys took a few minutes, after an emotional hug, of course, to look through an old scrapbook of photos from their days with the Elston track team.

“It is so great to see him,” Keeys said. “It has been way too long.”

A proud Edwards could only smile when speaking of his 1991 state champion in the 400-meter dash.

“It is truly a blessing to hear and know about all her accomplishments,” Edwards said. “It is very enlightening to me to see her become a fantastic author and successful writer.”

It wasn’t just Edwards who came to see Keeys, now the author of six books. Her friends, family and a number of former teammates were on hand as she signed and sold copies of her newest work.

“It’s a great day to be back home,” the author said. “People have come in that I have not seen since high school.”

“Rise and Fall of a Track Star,” which can be purchased online at Amazon.com and other sites, is an emotional tale of how Keeys never gave up on her goals despite being a victim of a rape at 16 that led to the birth of her son.

Other works by the former stellar athlete include ones centered on preventing bullying and peer pressure.

“They are all for good causes,” Keeys said.

Edwards also was reunited with Keeys’ sister, Teresa Brown, who ran at Elston in the 1980s and qualified for the state tournament three times in the 200- and 400-meter dash events.

“It’s great to have the whole family here,” Johnson-Campbell said.

Need I say any more about my book signing? It was a blast! I would like to thank one of my closet and life long friend Stacey for being a part of this journey and Veronica, my ISU friend and track mate, for making the trip from Chicago.

Until Next Time,

Omegia

          Where am I?

          This is a question you DON’T want your readers to dwell on as they turnthe pages of your novel.

        Picking the setting of a novelis obviously a critical step.

           You mustcraft a vivid and realistic setting to act as a canvass for your characters toperform. This setting/sense of place must be credible.

          When youread great works of fiction, you know immediately where and what time periodyou are in. For example, Walter Mosley puts you in early fifties’ Los Angelesin Devil in a Blue Dress, Harper Lee sets you in the early twentiethcentury south in To Kill A Mockingbird and F. Scott Fitzgerald sets youin the roaring twenties in The Great Gatsby.

          You mustgive your reader a sense of place and this will make it easier for your readersto exist in the “Fictive Dream” ofyour novel’s world.

           A greatauthor once said: “Characters interactwith setting/sense of place as if its’ another character. The setting/place ofplace will change the character. In a different sense of place the characterswill be different. The setting/sense of place will change the characters.”

     In crafting your novel, ask yourself a couple of questions. Whatis the relationship of a particular setting to your novel’s main characters? Canyou imagine him/her in a different setting?

            Whathappens in novels, when the protagonists appear in a new setting—what does thatappearance in a new setting have to do with “what the book is about”?

      For example, my point of view character, AndyMichael Pilgrim, lived, interacted and changed in the three novels of theJulius Thompson Trilogy: A Brooklyn in Brooklyn, Philly Style andPhilly Profile and Ghost of Atlanta.

           In theprogression of the trilogy, Andy’s early adult life was shaped by growing up inBrooklyn, New York and in the move to Philadelphia he was shocked in his youngadult life watching the influence of drugs and gangs destroy young people’slives.    Finally, in returning to hisbeginnings in Atlanta, Georgia, as an adult, he was shapedby the negative memories of his past.

           The threecities were major characters and forced Andy Michael Pilgrim to react as if hewas confronting another living person in each novel.

            As you craftyour novel, ask yourself, “Where does the action take place?”

             In reading your novel, the must reader learnpretty quickly in what place and time the story unfolds—in other words, wherein time and space the story “is set.”

           The settingis the backbone of your novel, upon which you will build a cast of dynamiccharacters. Research your settingso you can add very, very specific details to make your setting as realistic aspossible. You must be very descriptive in your setting to pull and keep peoplereading your book.

  In choosing the setting for your novel, askyourself these questions:

            1. Whatyear is it?

      2. What City and town do your characterslive in?

            3. What isthe weather like?

      4. What season is it?

            5. Whattype of architecture is found in your setting?

            6. What is the setting of your Novel?

      7. How do you paint a pictureof the setting in the reader’s head?

    I hope these hints help you create realistic settings for your novels orshort stories.

    Happy Writing!!!!!!

Julius Thompson

Ghost of Atlanta

Darryl: It's so good to have you with us, Sindee. Can you give us a little background on who Sindee Lynn is?

Sindee Lynn: Yep I sure can. I'm a new author but I have wanted to be a writer since I was about 13yrs old. My aunt used to bring me tons of Harlequin romance novels when she would come to visit and I was hooked. I currently live in Richmond, Va with my daughter and I am excited about finally being able to do what I've wanted to do for so long.

Darryl: Very good! So you were a romantic at an early age. Were there any other genres that appealed to you?

Sindee Lynn: Paranormal ... I have loved vampires since I read Anne Rice's Interview with a vampire. So currently I write in a few genres...paranormal romance, interracial romance & African American romance. So yeah I guess I'm still a romantic even to this day. Something about that happy ending.

Darryl: LOL I love Anne Rice's book. I feel you on that! What kind of support did you have once it was known that you wanted to write?

Sindee Lynn: LOL...well back when I was 13 my family thought I was nuts...And even when I got a little older I got some pretty odd looks from family and friends. But when realized I was serious they got on board. Now you always have those who believe but don't believe...and then I have the ones who would check on me to make sure was moving forward with the goal of being published. My daughter stayed on my and I have a really good friend who was always on my case.

Darryl: Yes I know all about that! But as a writer or author, you have to put up those walls in order to succeed. What motivates you to write?

Sindee Lynn: I love it...I've always had an active imagination even as a kid and so writing gives me an outlet for all of that. It just never gets old. As long as you have imagination then you always have something to write about.

Darryl: I totally agree. How many published books have you written?

Sindee Lynn: I have 2 out now: Prince's Donor & Changing the Rules...both available on amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and my publishing company website: www.passionatewriterpubl​ishing.com . My newest book, Unexpected Packages, will be available on April 5th.

Darryl: Great, thanks! The romance genre is probably the most popular genre in the literary world. What makes your novels different from other romantic novels?

 Sindee Lynn: I think one of the best ways to become good at being different is to read what's out there. I have been reading romance novels for a long time...lol No need to say just how long...And a lot of time with romance authors can get into the same story line just told a different way. I guess here is where that imagination comes to play and thinking outside the box. Another I love about writing. Its about really anything i can think up in my head is potentially a good storyline... lol

Darryl: Love the answer...so tell me, is there a certain writing process that you follow?

Sindee Lynn: LOL ... SMH ... not at all ... lol U know I have tried to sit down and do an outline. I have tried to have my full on synopsis ready and waiting for when I write. I have even tried using index cards...And none it has worked for me. So I am the writer who sits down with just a thought and I write. Somewhere during the process my characters start to speak and they let me know if what I'm writing is making sense or not. So I guess the short answer...NO I don’t have a process.

Darryl: LOL! I love asking that question because every author has a different answer to it LOL Ok, now please tell us about your latest book “Unexpected Packages”. Give us a brief synopsis if you please.

Sindee Lynn: My pleasure. Its about Connie & Kenny who both have very different ideas about what their looking for in that perfect significant other. For Connie she would love to have the pretty boy - you know the guy every girl wants - but she's a little overweight, doesn’t really pay attention to how she dresses & her fav outfit is sweats & tshirt…she doesn’t think she can get this kinda guy & plus her past history with men hasn’t been the best. Kenny is looking for the perfect woman, who can compliment his business life - someone who can network, look good on his arm and won’t hassle about working late at work. They each don’t think the other is for them but they find out when they get to know each other that they are exactly what the other has been looking for...it’s just packaged a little differently. Get it .. Unexpected Packages

Sindee Lynn: I should have been better prepared for that question...lol Remember no counting typos against me.

Darryl: Haha! Yes I remember. Oh ok I was going to ask you about the title...Love it! Was there anything you found particularly challenging while writing your book?

Sindee Lynn: I'm an erotic author and when I started writing this book and I was trying to do my love scenes, I wondered why they didn’t work. The scenes weren't jiving with Connie's character and who she was becoming. So the most challenging thing for me was in order to create Connie's character the way I saw her in my head I had to tone it way down on the way I normally build sexual tension and definitely on the love scenes.

Darryl: Really...ok cool. Yeah I would guess some storylines and characters have their own scale to follow. What makes your characters memorable?

 Sindee Lynn: I would like to believe it’s because I try to create them to be as real as possible. I generally take some characteristics from people I know so I think it makes them more real.

Darryl: Ok that works. Just a few more questions, Sindee. What would readers love the most about “Unexpected Packages”?

Sindee Lynn: I think the characters. Because they could be ppl you know. I think everyone will be able to relate.

Darryl: Do you have a website that you would like people to know about, and where we can keep up with your writings?

Sindee Lynn: I sure do. www.sindeelynn.com  They can catch me on Facebook - search Sindee Lynn .. my publishing company's website: www.passionatewriterpubl​ishing.com  They can email me: sindeelynn@yahoo.com Lol I think that's about it.

Darryl: Cool...I appreciate that. Ok final question: What advice would you give to writers who are interested in writing a book in the romance genre?

Sindee Lynn: Just don’t give up on your dream of getting published…find those few family members or friends who are going to encourage you and don’t listen to those who don’t have anything encouraging to say.

Darryl: Great advice. Thanks for your time, Sindee. I had a fun time getting to know you.

Passionate Writer Publishing Press Release

Passionate Writer Publishing Announces

Meet Your Favorite Author

April, 2011 - Passionate Writer Publishing Authors are on the move and coming to a city near you. Our talented Authors will be stopping by the Arkansas Literary Festival on April 9-10, Philadelphia Book Festival April 16, and the Dayton Book Expo April 30.

Stop by the Passionate Writer Publishing Table for readings, signings, Q & A, to learn more about PWP, and for your chance to win an eReader. 

Can't Make the Events?

No worries you can still pick up a book from one of our authors at your local retailer, Passionate Writer Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books a Million. Don't forget you can also download our titles on any eReader format to include Kindle, Nook, and ePUB (Apple).

Marketing

Have a book and need to get it out for the world to see? Passionate Writer Publishing is not only leading the pack as an independent publisher but in marketing our titles and other aspiring or established authors as well. Contact Kelly Aldridge admin@passionatewriterpublishing to find out how we can help.

About Passionate Writer Publishing

Passionate Writer Publishing, LLC is a Independent Publishing company located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Created in 2007, the company has grown to encompass books of all genres and authors from all walks of life. PWP firmly believes that every passionate writer should have an equally passionate publisher.

PWP provides quality books in both paperback and electronic format. Since opening our doors we have been dedicated to providing our authors with a  top notch publishing experience. We passionately believe in each title we select for publishing, therefore we make each title designed to sell. Outside of critiquing, copy editing, editing, and proofreading we design each cover uniquely to stand out.

PWP is owned and operated by experienced veterans in the publishing industry. Our primary goal is to preserve the passionate prose of the writer while placing these words in the hands of eager reading public.

Passionate Writer Publishing

Rebecca Poe

Director of Publishing

Passionate Writer Publishing

Kelly Aldridge

Client Services Representative

As I listened to The Author Project's Interview with Cyrus Webb on Conversations Live Radio it truly dawned on me how people can come together for the common good. Not only are there seven authors on this anthology, but they are all from different genres. You have HD Hatcher-Alternative/Gay Fiction, Lisa Rusczyk-Alternative and Sci-Fi, Omegia Keeys-Erotica and Young Adult, Jo Davis-Mainstream Fiction, Vogue and KJ Thompson-Urban Fiction, and new comer Autumn Price in which this was her first published work. These authors banned together to say No to Bullying and Suicide and showed each other respect while on the interview. Sometimes it's hard for a host to control an interview with just one author but not the four HD Hatcher, Autumn Prince, Lisa Rusczyk, and Omegia Keeys on the line with him yesterday. They are truly a class act.

As a victim of being bullied for an entire year by a group of unrenlenting girls during my high school years I want to thank these authors for having the strength and courage to speak out.

All proceeds go to charities in support of bully prevention and suicide awarness.

If you missed the interview feel free to catch here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2011/03/22/cyrus-webb-welcomes-the-author-project-to-conversations-live

Kelly Aldridge

Client Services Representative

Passionate Writer Publishing

www.passionatewriterpublishing.com

Introducing: The Writer Project - UnlovedSeven authors (Jo Davis, HD Hatcher, Omegia Keeys, Autumn Prince, Lisa Rusczyk, KJ Thompson, and Vogue) have joined forces to send one message. That message is, You are not Unloved! Unloved is an anthology dedicated to those who have been the victim of bullying, or know someone who has been bullied.

Bullying was once considered a harmless rite of passage. Some were either bullied in school or they were the bully. What was once considered an acceptable practice has now been drawn into the limelight by the national attention of highly publicized suicides due to bullying.

Bullying can take on different forms. Bullying is not just a physical act but can also be an emotional, written, or verbal act as well. Bullying can take place in the workplace, school, online, and even while we are traveling in our vehicles on the road. Bullying is a form of abuse that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and civilized nations across the globe.

When bullying goes too far, the end result is sometimes suicide. Suicide should never become an option. One life lost to this senseless way, is one too many!

All proceeds from Unloved will go to charities in support of Bully Prevention and/or Suicide Prevention.

For more information, please visit: www.hdhatcher.com or www.passionatewriterpublishing.com or visit the Unloved Facebook page.

Read more: http://socyberty.com/issues/unloved-by-the-author-project-to-be-released-january-11th-2011/#ixzz1FvLBZMwi

Check out: http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/unloved.htm

Lisa Rusczyk is the author of The Blue Pen, Sam the Night Person, Full Moon in December and A Dream of the Past. She lives in North Alabama with her husband and six beloved cats. Chasing the Dark is her newest novel:

Melanie’s a budding artist always looking for the next high. She finds it one night when Sora and Josh take her on an ambulance-chasing ride. They watch a gruesome scene as the bodies are removed from the wreckage. Melanie doesn’t know why, but she is both attracted to this new pursuit and afraid of where it will take her.

The chasing brings Melanie closer to the mysterious Sora, his secret past, and the darker things that happen in the city at night. Along the way Melanie must face her own demons while escaping the drug dealing business.

Join Melanie and her friends Shara, Manny, Max, Sora and Josh as they confront and chase away their own personal demons.

For more information: http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/chasingthedark.htmPress Release: http://www.prlog.org/11290644-chasing-the-dark-virtual-book-tour.html ;

Julius Thompson interview

1: What is the most productive time of the day for you to write? 

    Without a doubt my best work is done late night around 11:00 p.m. It feels like early morning, the ideas start to flow; my minds’ eye is filled with the visuals. It’s just a great time to write.

2: Do you start your projects writing with paper and pen or is it all on the computer?  

  I get a genesis of an idea and then write notes on the idea and figure out where my characters will fit in the storyline.     I have various icons on my computer with folders. For example, I have Icon with organization. I number each folder for chapters from 1-to-60. I put all the information in each folder that I can use for that chapter.  I develop ideas and situations and then after I gather enough material, I’m almost ready to write.   Before I start writing, I develop a character resume for the Point of view character, the antagonist and the influential minor characters.   Now, I’m ready to write.

3: What do you draw inspiration from?  

The inspiration for writing the trilogy came from the people I’ve known, loved and imagined over the years and the situations I’ve encountered. I think about the great music of the era.        As a college student in New York City in the sixties, I experienced the sit-ins at The City College of New York while looking at the gates of The College shut tight and wondering if I was going to graduate. I can still smell the smoke from the burning buildings during the Brooklyn riots. From incidents like these the origin of the trilogy evolved.

4: Do you set yourself goals when you sit down to write such as word count?      

  My major goal is to develop characters unique to the book and is able carry a storyline. I do not worry about word count. I write until I’m almost finished for the nights, then I stop. I don’t’ complete the scene; I want to pick at that same point the next night. 5: Being a self published author how do you come up with your cover art?Thanks for the compliment, but I’m not a self-published author, I was fortunate to get an incredible publisher, Passionate writer publishing, and they have a super cover artist, Allen Meeks. He captured the essence and tone of Ghost of Atlanta after reading the book.

6: What drives you to choose the career of being a writer?      

  I wanted to write a view of life in the Black American Community during the last thirty years of the twentieth century. People saw the sweeping changes, but I wanted to show the view of ordinary everyday people

7: Do you own an e-book reading devise?    

    I’m a traditional person who loves to read paper books. I love the feel of the book in my hand and the turning of the pages. This creates an atmosphere that enhances the author-reader relationship.          I feel like I’m editing a book when I read it in e-book format. Most of my friends love the e-book, but this will have to be something I have to get used to doing…in the next lifetime (smile).         

8: Who are some of your favorite authors and what are you reading now?

The last book I read was Degrees of Separation by Sue Henry. It’s a Jessie Arnold Mystery.  The author has a strong grasp of intense storytelling and strong characterization. The setting is a small town in Alaska that has been shaken with a murder that disrupts the tranquility of a winter in the land of snow and ice.  

    It’s a fascinating “Who done it” that keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next.  What is the next clue to be uncovered? 

9: What do you think of book trailers and do you have any plans to have any?

I love book trailers; it’s an effective way to communicate with your readers in a visual medium. Here’s the link to my Youtube book trailer from my Buffalo-Brooklyn book tour. When you get a chance, please watch and let me know your response:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORyiTT9eXlM&feature=youtu.be

10: What are you working on now that you can talk about?    

 I’m working on my fourth novel, Purple Phantoms, which is the story of the haunting of a high school basketball team. What sparked my interest in writing this book, as a basketball coach, I’ve seen too many young athletes die at an early age. I’m about 35, 000 words into the project.

Rating: 5 Stars - Readers Favorite Boo Reviews andAward ContestThe Ghost of Atlanta     

    Julius Thompson is asuperb writer. "The Ghost of Atlanta" is, overall, a superbly writtenbook. This novel is the third in a series. The book is a very fast read that buildsup slowly and has a fantastic ending. Mr. Thompson has included all theingredients that make for a well-written novel: great character descriptions,an exciting well-thought-out plot, edge-of-your-seat adventure with all theproper descriptives (old love and love rekindled, friendships-new and old,hate-the kind that festers, murder-brutal and heartless, drugs-of the worstkind, family ties-both good and bad, etc.).         The story takesplace in Atlanta, Georgia, present day, the maincharacter, Andy Pilgrim, is a newspaperreporter. His life is full of ups and downs with a past that haunts him daily,hence, 'Ghost in Atlanta'.Only Andy can, and must,have the courage to face his ghosts, one-on-one. He has many friends and familythat help him along the way, and those that would like to see him failmiserably. Can he defeat his ghosts and continue on with his life?       

  I will not spoil thebook for you but I will say that the story is full of excitement and is reallyvery ethereal. The reason I say that is because the characters themselvespresent the reader with many questions, such as, How can Andy`s friend, Philip, always be there for him just at the right time? How is it that certaincharacters are praying for Andy just at the right moment? How can a familycousin appear to Andy in the blink of an eye and then disappear just asquickly? How can friends and family in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Atlanta beso in tune with each other, helping Andy when he needs it the most? 

  All theseingredients make this novel taste like your favorite pie flavor. All theseingredients make you want to continue reading this novel in just one sitting.    

   I now have a verystrong desire to read Julius` first two novels in the series. I can hardly waitfor the next one. Julius, please keep writing. To the reader, don't hesitate toread this; you will not be disappointed. I, for one, am very glad that I readthis book and I rate this book 5 stars, wholeheartedly."

About Ghost of Atlanta:

In The Ghost of Atlanta, Andy Michael Pilgrimfaces demons from his youth that haunted his life. These are the ghosts in thecrawl spaces of his life; some are real and some supernatural.After landing a job with The Atlanta Defender, Andyreturns home and visits the place where he finally faces remembrances of hisdeceased abusive father. While walking around the grounds, he meets hismysterious cousin, Joe Boy, and finds out that the property is going to be soldby unscrupulous cousins. While Andy fights this battle, he must confront the personaldemon of a possible drug addiction, breaking the color barrier at the south’slargest newspaper, The Atlanta Defender, meeting his old girl friend andfighting the lingering effects of segregation in small-town Georgia life.As the story unwinds, all these forces push Andy toward thebreaking point, where he almost quits on life. Malevolent mortal deeds arecommitted and Andy could be next in line."The Ghost of Atlanta" is, overall, a superblywritten book.

5 stars!~Readers Favorite

About Julius Thompson: Julius Thompson grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section ofBrooklyn, New York and attended Bushwick High School. The sixties inBrooklyn was an era that had a personality, a feel, and a life-force thatchanged a generation. Mr. Thompson felt this energy and experienced thesefires of social change.

After high school, Mr. Thompson spent the next four yearsriding the "A" train to Harlem, in upper Manhattan, to earn aBachelor of Arts degree from the City College of New York. At CCNY, whichwas located just a few blocks from the famous Apollo Theater, Wednesdayafternoons was hard on the undergraduates. The matinee performances of themajor R&B groups of the times were more tempting than attending aboring college lecture. Most of the time Mr. Thompson succumbed to thetemptation, but still earned a college degree from one of the best universitiesin the country.

At CCNY, literature instructors like Prof. ThomasTashiro, fueled the fire in him to become a writer!  Brooklyn, New Yorkand attended

Mr. Thompson’s journey to compose a trilogy began in 1995.The fourteen year fictional journey of character Andy Michael Pilgrim fromBrooklyn, to Philadelphia and finally Atlanta is now complete. In thispilgrimage, readers experience places that are filled with hopes, dreams,challenges and fears that make us human.

The novels that make up the trilogy are A Brownstone in Brooklyn whichwas published in 2001, Philly Style and Philly Profile in 2007 and Ghostof Atlanta which will be published the first week of January 2011. Mr. Thompson received the Georgia Author of the Yearnomination for Philly Style and Philly Profile, from the Georgia WritersAssociation, in 2007.

Mr. Thompson is writing his fourth novel, Purple Phantoms, which is astory about the haunting of a mythical high school basketball team. Mr. Thompson is currently a Creative Writing/PublishingInstructor at Atlanta’s Evening at Emory’s Writers Studio. For more informationplease visit him at www.ghostofatlanta.com.

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Making the Fantasy True in a Reader’s Mind

As a reader, I want to be sucked into a story somuch that I can’t believe these things are happening to someone, but I feellike the really are. It’s a trick of the writer to make other people believeher fantasy. How is this achieved? Is it word structure, pacing, page layout…what is the secret?

At the heart of this is world building and 3Dcharacters. World building can be as detailed as possible to make a story’ssetting believable, yet fantastic. Making characters who have serious flaws andamazing goodness all in one package help enhance the believability of theauthor’s fantasy.

The trick for a writer is to put the world buildingand these terrific characters into words that any reader can read and relateto. If a reader doesn’t relate, then most likely she’ll put the book down.There are many themes that most people relate to, such as love, disappointment,danger, fear, hope. When a writer’s characters are believable and experiencethese things, the reader begins to believe. That’s when the pages startturning.

I love to read. It’s my favorite thing to doother than pet my six kitties. Nothing gets my heart pumping more than beingcompletely sucked into a book because I love or hate the good guys and bad guys,or want to be in that writer’s fantasy all day with a pot of tea at hand. It’swhat made me want to try to write. Finding that right mix of a great world andintriguing characters that I can spend ten hours in a row with is what inspiresme to write more and I hope my readers find a new fantasy to live in for just alittle while.

Lisa Rusczyk

Chasing the Dark

The Message

For me, it was about honoring the people that have always been in my corner. When I first thought about being an author, I knew I didn't want to use my 'real' name.

Truth of the matter; it was BORING. So I started to come up with all types of things to show my love of writing.

The name was 'handed' to me when a cousin came into the kitchen and called my dad Webster (which is his last name) and he called her by her last name, Swangin. Which is also my mom's maiden name.OK, I digress for a moment. The proper pronunciation is Swang-in.

I knew that I needed a hook. However,being Webster-Swangin wasn't enough. I played with the order and decided that it needed something more. The letter B came from my married name and so began my career as an author named, B. Swangin Webster.

Now, the first thing people ask me is: Is that real? and I ask them; what do you think? The most inventive explanation came from a woman at a book signing that said. Wow, you must really love writing. I asked her why she asked that and she said, "Doesn't your name mean you're swinging those words around?" I was a bit confused until she said. "You know, swinging, but you used the slang term and words;for Webster-like the dictionary." Just like on Family Feud, I clapped and said, "good answer" (although it earned a loud X) She seemed so excited; I didn't have the heart to tell her that she was wrong.

B. Swangin Webster

http://booksshoeswriting.blogspot.com/

Working with an Editor

As writers, we eventually find ourselves at themercy of an editor. Sure, we’ve had people read our books and stories and offeradvice and criticism, and even praise. Then the time comes when we putourselves out there and have our work raked over by a professional who has seenand read it all. Panic!

The truth is that your editor wants to make yourbook the best and most marketable and readable it can be. Editors spendcountless hours on your book, looking at it with both a fresh eye and aseasoned mind. An editor doesn’t just fall into the job, she works hard to getwhere she is and loves her work. Most likely after a long day of editing, shegoes home and snuggles up on the couch with yet another book, just for fun.

When your editor makes suggestions, you may feel theinstant urge to protect your baby. Consider carefully all that your editor hasto offer in terms of making your book better. Read over suggestions severaltimes and see how they may fit your book. If you do not see eye to eye withsome of the ideas your editor offers, then explain why completely to youreditor. Your editor will listen. She will consider, too. She is almost asinvested in your book as you are.

When it comes to line editing, an editor will makechanges to the way you write. At first, this may seem invasive. Read throughthe changes, let them sit for a day or two, then compare the changes to yourold manuscript. You will probably be surprised at how well your editor hassmoothed over rough wording and passages. Your editor is not changing yourstyle. She is enhancing it with gobs of experience at what makes prose flow.

Most of all, don’t be afraid to communicate withyour editor. Always be polite and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Youreditor is there to make your story better.

Lisa Rusczyk