Ready To Publish Friday - Punctuation

Ready To Publish Friday presents you with another good article found on the net.

The Finer Points of Punctuation

by Kristy Taylor

Perhaps the best way to illustrate the importance and effect of proper punctuation is to imagine reading a piece of writing without it. Supposing you were to read this entire article – all 900 words of it – with absolutely no punctuation. Not just the obvious periods and commas, but no colons, dashes, exclamation marks or question marks.

Punctuation hasn’t always been a part of writing. It evolved over time, as the printing process itself evolved. Prior to the development of printing, punctuation was almost non-existent and when William Caxton first printed books in English, he used three basic punctuation devices, mainly to indicate pauses and sentence endings.

Throughout the 17th century, more punctuation was devised, the most recent being the quotation marks. Eventually we had punctuation as we know it today, consisting of at least a dozen different punctuation devices (depending on your definition) – although some people would have difficulty naming all of them.

Click HERE to read entire article

Ready To Publish Friday - Editing

Ready To Publish Friday is bringing you another helpful article found on the net. Hope you enjoy!

Editing Made Easy
by Lee Masterson

So you've finally done it. You've finished your prized manuscript - the one you've spent months creating - and the temptation to pop it into a postal package and ship it off to a welcoming editor is tugging at you mercilessly.

I urge you to resist that temptation. For now, anyway.

After spending so much of your time and effort in producing what you have so far, it would seem a shame to rush things at this crucial stage in your manuscript's life. Once the first draft is done, almost every writer realizes that an edit or partial rewrite is going to be a necessary task.

There are almost as many different ways to edit and rewrite as there are writers. Some prefer to edit as they go. There are those who prefer to chop and change storylines midway through the creation process. Others seem to race through the first draft and spend time polishing it up once they're done. I'm one of the latter.

It makes no difference which technique you prefer, as long as it works for you. The point is to end up with a professional manuscript which an editor will hopefully buy.

So let's take a look at 12 polishing techniques that could mean the difference between a sale and a rejection.

Show all
Click HERE for entire article

Ready To Publish Friday--Overused Words

Welcome, welcome, welcome to another Ready to Publish Friday article feature found on the web. Overusing words is something writers tend to do. We become pretty fond of certain words and sometimes they creep their way into our stories over and over and over... Then there are some words that despite how we feel about them, we use them because they're easy and readily available. Check out the article to find out which words we tend to abuse. Happy Friday.

10 Overused Words in Writing

David Bowman, Owner and Chief Editor of Precise Edit, wrote this article. (c) Copyright 2008, by Precise Edit

All words are good words. Some, however, are overused without adding value to what you write. As a result, they reduce the readers’ interest, make text seem redundant, and cause the writer to appear amateurish.

We have created a list of 10 overused words, based on the documents we have edited over the last 5 years. We don’t recommend that you remove these words from your writing. Instead, we recommend that you become aware of how often you use them and that you revise your documents to limit their use.

Click HERE for entire article.

Ready To Publish Friday - Courage

Welcome to Ready To Publish Fridays!

Last week we showcased an article about inspiration and we hope you found it helpful in someway. This week we're presenting an article about courage. How does being courageous relate to being ready to publish and writing in general? Here's a little teaser, but for a complete answer click the link.

Developing a Thick Skin: How To Accept Criticism
by Betty L. Meshack

I'm sure your mom, like mine, taught you, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Unfortunately, during childhood, other children did not have the benefit of my mother's advice, or of her trusty and quicker-than-lightning index finger and thumb which, painfully and with regularity, enforced her edicts on the fleshy part of my upper arms.

So when the inevitable evaluations by other children of, inter alia, my hair, my clothes, my size, my speech patterns, and my grades were "thumbs down," and I came running to her for solace, her advice was, "Stick and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Let it roll down your back as if you never heard it. You are all right. You're my baby." Great advice to instill a modicum of self-esteem in a little girl from South Central, right? Sure it was, although the scar tissue from the barbs exists to this day; echoes and reverberations from the teasing and rejection are often replayed mentally at the most inopportune times.

Click here ===>> Developing Thick Skin

New to Ready to Publish Fridays

Wednesdays & Fridays Blog would like to take Ready to Publish Fridays in a new direction. Thanks to all the authors who have thus far graced our pages and thanks to the many readers who continue to stop by to enjoy the conversations.

Ready to Publish Fridays will be featuring articles, essays, and resources pertaining to writing.

Our first selection hits on a very important element in writing.


When we think of the process of writing, many times we neglect to think about the inspiration that most must have to begin creating something. Some of us are lucky enough to be able to find inspiration in anything. Then there are those of us that seem to lose the ability to feel inspired. And we lose it for a lengthy period of time.

Touching Ones Soul: The Ultimate Inspiration For a Writer by Edward B. Toupin talks about why people write and I'm sure there is something in it that every writer can benefit from.

Here's an excerpt:

From smoke and dirt to pollution and oil, it is amazing how much gunk
can collect on a window over time. I sit here in my office looking out
the window that appears to look the same as it did when it was new, but
wondering why it was always a gray overcast outside. I was just used to
the slow collection of crud so I never really noticed how opaque the
window was becoming. It took a lot of cleaner, four rags, and a lot of
elbow grease to make the window acceptably transparent again, but it'll
never be the same as it was when it was new.

Just as with the window, from birth, we all collect some level of gunk
on our souls. This gunk consists of misinformation, prejudices,
conflict, trauma, and myriad other experiences that layer over our
creative insides. These layers slowly change the way we see our world
by creating an opaque film over our soul's eye. With that we begin to
see the world in a way that we assume that it is and not necessarily in
a way that it truly exists. Our reality becomes tainted preventing us
from perusing and becoming everything that we could possibly become.
However, somehow we need to clean off that gunk to obtain a clear view
of life.


To read the entire article, click HERE

Enjoy!

AUTHOR NICHOLE PAYTON

AUTHOR NICHOLE PAYTON

Let’s start getting your shine on. Tell us who you are beyond an author.

I am a mother of two boys, full-time government employee, a loyal friend and a blessed woman.

Show us when you realized you had a passion for writing.

I realized I had a passion for writing when I was younger. I use to write down every thing, I wrote detailed long letters to my friends at school, I kept journals. Every time I had a pen in my hand something always went down on paper, from writing poems to writing down lyrics from my favorite songs. I can remember when I was younger when the cassettes and boom boxes were out. I use to stop and rewind my favorite songs just to write down the lyrics...I always had a fascinations for how words were put together into something so amazing.

We understand that uniqueness counts in the literary world, but we equally understand there must be relatability. tell us an author with whom you share similar writing styles.

At this time, I cannot say that I do share a similar style with any authors. As I am still finding my voice as a writer, I don't believe that I could actually say that my writing relates to their work other than most of my main characters has faith, puts God first and have a strong belief in them. If I had to choose, I would say maybe Christian writers but on the other hand there are Fiction writers who also have these characteristics in their characters also.

Show us how your styles are similar.

They would be similar as I stated previously with the characteristics. What I love about being a writer is that you have total control of your characters. So even though there are the antagonist in my novels that I am working on now that you may not like due to the way they handled certain situations, somehow you still end up liking the character itself for who they are deep inside their heart.

Tell us your preferred writing genre and the genre you prefer to read.

My preferred writing genre is fiction. I prefer to read self-help books, but I read what interest me.

Show us what your audience looks like.

My audience looks like single mothers, married couples, older, younger men and women who have been in certain trails and tribulations in their life, but still manage to come out on top. My audience comes from all different cultures. I would like my audience to be anyone with whom I can inspire.

Tell us an important lesson, on the business side of publishing, that you've learned on your journey.

I've learned that you have to do a lot of research on the writing side and business side and most importantly, I’ve learned to be patient.

Going back to the beginning, show us the day you received your publication offer or the first time you saw your bound book.

I was excited and proud of myself. The first publication offer I received was for the Triumph of My Soul Anthology series book # 3, published by Peace in the Storm Publishing/Elissa Gabrielle. I wrote a short story titled My Soul Says Yes, which is anticipated to be released in Christmas 2009.

However, I was asked to be a participant in an Erotic Anthology titled Tasty Temptations, published by My Time Publications/Leila Jefferson, which will be released February or March of 2009.

Tell us your expectations of an aspiring author approaching you for information about writing/publishing?

You really don't know what to expect, but in general, I would offer my advice as to keep writing. If writing is your passion then stick with it, don't give up. Maybe your manuscripts will be rejected the first time around and maybe not, every situation is different but in any case does your research on writing to hone your skills and research the business aspect of it as well.

Ready to shine? Tell us the name of your book.

My first publication is for the Erotic Anthology that I was asked to participate in titled Tasty Temptations. The title of my erotic short story (which could change by its release date) is "Double Shot of Mocha, Please", the release date is February/March 2009.

My first publication offer anticipated release date is Christmas 2009 for The Triumph of My Soul series, book # 3. My story is titled My Soul Says Yes.

From one of your character's point of view, show us why we should buy it.

Both main characters play an important role in the story. Although it’s erotic, my short story has a strong storyline, which shows how two people find true love with sharing the interest of writing and reading. Sometimes it's difficult for writers to find that person who can actually share your views on writing and have the same passion and on top of that...the support. However in my short story both Trent and Angela's point of views will show the interest of the literary world. The love, the strength of one another and the support, along with some hot steamy scenes included will make it even more enjoyable.

The Triumph of My Soul Anthology series, my short story inspirational, My Soul Says Yes, the character Destiny shows her faith in God. She felt as though she loss her faith when she loss herself due to difficult obstacles she had experienced in her life. Destiny shows her strength to move forward and always put God first.
Without telling too much of the story, in My Soul Says Yes, Destiny reaches out to individuals who are believers, one who has the strength to move on when the battles get tough and still prayed all at the same time.

Tell us where we can find you on the internet.

You can find me at the following website and email:

www.myspace.com/shy320 or email me at nichole320@yahoo.com

Thank you for spending time with us on the Wednesdays & Fridays Blog. We wish you much success!


Thank you for gracing our space! Wishing you even more success!

AUTHOR CHERYL LACEY DONOVAN

AUTHOR CHERYL LACEY DONOVAN

Coming from a legacy of preachers, Cheryl Lacey Donovan is walking in her destiny. An anointed woman of God, her mission is to challenge you to look inside yourself for change, to identify the strongholds in your life, and to tear them down with the help of the creator. Once you have crossed her path, your life will never be the same.

Cheryl Lacey-Donovan is an acclaimed author, educator, and inspirational speaker and a compelling advocate for personal empowerment. Her first book "Women What the Hell are You Thinking: An Inspirational Guide to Becoming a Virtuous Woman of God was released on May 1, 2007 to rave reviews. "Women What the Hell are you Thinking" remained in Amazon's top 10 hot new releases during the entire first two months of its release.

Her new work The Ministry of Motherhood is destined for the bestseller list as it ministers to mothers who are living through what Cheryl has already overcome.

Tell us a little about you outside of being an author.

Outside of being an author, Cheryl Donovan is an inspirational speaker, talk show host, and entrepreneur. I have three adult children, a grandson, and a wonderful husband of 15 years. Most importantly however, I am a daughter of the king who believes in walking out God's destiny for her life.

What is your earliest writing memory?

My earliest writing memory is that of composing poems for my parents during special occasions. You know, the whole roses are red and violets are blue thing.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript?

Euphoria, accomplishment, amazement, you name it I've felt it. There is just something special about putitng pen to paper and getting your thoughts in black and white.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

Each of my books is non-fiction. The topics discussed are either my own personal experiences or those of persons I have discussed issues with along the way.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

Well, my work in progress is a book that my husband and I are writing together. This book will address the ups and downs of maintaining "Happily Ever After" My upcoming release is the Ministry of Motherhood. This book discusses the valley to mountaintop experiences that I had being a teenage mother who was abused by my first husband.

I am a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let's say I've never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me.

The Ministry of Motherhood is my journey from an abused teenage mother to an award winning author, talk show host, and inspirational speaker.

Ultimately being responsible for life's circumstances, the book seeks to encourage mothers to become accountable to themselves and their children as they look inside themselves for change.

I consider myeslf a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would yuo do when you receive mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

Receiving a mediocre review would only cause me to strive harder for excellence. While I don't expect everyone to like my books and will probably not jump at every bad review, if the there are valid points, I would consider it an opportunity to improve upon my craft.

What authors influence your writing dreams and aspirations.

I really love Maya Angelou and Alice Walker. I also like Stormie Omartian and Beth Moore. We seem to speak the same language.

What books would you recommend on writing?

101 Ways to Generate Top Book Sales. Antonio L. Crawford

The Self-Publishing Process: The Beginners Guide To Book Publishing Success. Renee Bobb

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

I would have researched "Book Fairs" better. Some of them are good to go to, others are not; with regard to book sales that is.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Research is the key to a relatively smooth ride in the publishing industry. The more adept you are the better off you'll be in the long run.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Readers can visit my blog at www.virtuouswoman-31.blogspot.com , www.blogtalkradio.com/worthmorethanrubies, www.cheryllaceydonovan.com

Writer George Taylor

Writer and Poet George Taylor

Let’s start getting your shine on. Who are you?

University of Detroit High ’66. Irish American third generation native Detroiter. Had one job my whole adult life: poet laureate of nowhere. Michigan Wolverine ’70;

When did you realize you had a passion for writing?

When I walked into my principal’s office in high school and told him that I needed to take the classics curriculum. Something embedded in languages and ancient stories had a hold of me and wouldn’t let go.

All writers adore words. Describe your love affair with writing.

I write every day. To do so, I give up paid employment, concerts, trips to museums and art galleries, seeing my family and friends, and travel. I don’t regret a moment of the huge swatches of unpaid time I spend to do the thing I most love.

Name two authors with whom you share similar writing styles.

Walt Whitman, Jack Kerouac.

What makes them similar?

A free uninhibited search for a language and rhythm that is truly American, which hints at the depths of love and suffering inherent in the American soul.

Name and thank one author that has been instrumental in inspiring you to write.

I thank Pablo Neruda for his artistic genius and his enormous dedication to the people of Chile. He was an artist who cared for more than himself and his publishing track record.

What does your audience look like?

Proposed Market for book:

(Magnitude of Audience Gets bigger as we go down the list.)

1. Detroiters who are fascinated by stories of their own era and of the historical changes they have seen.

2. Midwestern Rust Belt Residents who want a fresh look at the history of Detroit and other manufacturing centers.

3.‘Green’, ecology loving readers who want to redeem their own vision of American industry and see a new breath of creativity and hope

4 Anyone looking for a new inspiring vision of America

5. Poetry lovers in the US and other countries.

What genre does your story fall under?

Poetic Memoir

What distinguishes you from others seeking to be published authors?

I know how the business of publishing works, and I am methodically pursing a marketing program for my manuscript. Also, Detroiters and other Americans need to read my story.

New authors usually lack the business knowledge of writing. What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned about things beyond the page?

(I think your question is about the business side of writing.) Having self-published two books and started an on-line bookstore, I know that the main thing I have learned is ‘don’t undercapitalize.’

You need a lot of money to make a business work here in America. Whatever you think you need to publish a book, ou need to double or triple that figure. particularly for marketing costs.

What are your thoughts on rejection letters?

I wallpaper my office with them, to remind me of what bad taste most people have.

And I keep a list of people I intend to write to after I get published.

If you approached an author with questions about writing, how would you expect them to respond?

I’d expect them to be too busy writing to bother with me. Or to generously remind me of the one thing that writers need to hear: Strap yourself to your desk and keep writing.

Are you ready to really shine? In 100 words or less, tell the Wednesdays & Fridays Blog readers why your manuscript should be published.

Detroiters hunger for an updated new vision of our hometown, as the seedbed of the new America: community based, appreciate of art, and supportive and protective of its citizens. My manuscript inspires confidence that the American vision, when it is compassionate and inclusive, is still great. It carries the message that Art is the healer for a confused, hurting culture. Plus my stories are funny, heartbreaking, scary, and above all, the ‘troof’.

Author Gwynne Forster

AUTHOR GWYNNE FORSTER

Gwynne Forster was born in North Carolina, grew up in Washington, D. C., and has lived, studied and worked in New York City ever since she came of voting age. She considers herself a humanitarian, a perspective that she inherited from her mother, a high school principal, and which she also attributes to her work and education in the social sciences, more specifically, demography. Her fiction writing reflects her training in the sociology of the family and her understanding of inter-personal relations. It should not be surprising then, that quite a few of Gwynne’s novels and novellas are set within the context of the family.



Fiction writing is Gwynne Forster’s second career. She holds bachelors and masters degrees in sociology, a master’s degree in economics/demography and has additional graduate credits in journalism. As a demographer, she is widely published. She is formerly chief of (non-medical) research in fertility and family planning in the Population Division of the United Nations in New York and served for four years as chairperson of the International Programme Committee of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (London, England). These positions took her on official business to sixty-three developed and developing countries. Gwynne sings on her church choir, loves to entertain, and is a museum hopper, gourmet cook and avid gardener. She enjoys classical music, opera, jazz and blues with her husband with whom she lives in New York City.

This is just an excerpt of Gwynne's bio; to read the rest head over to her website.

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

I'm a demographer, and as such, I worked for seventeen years a Chief of Fertility and Planning Research in the Population Division, United Nations, New York. Following that, I served as chairwoman of the International Programme Committe, International Planned Parenthood Federation, London with leadership of its family planning programmes in 126 different countries. These positions have taken me to 63 developing countries that I can count from memory, and I have visited or worked in the vast majority of European countries. I have three university degrees, I love music, especially jazz, blues and all classical forms. I'm married, have raised a stepson, and I live with my husband, who is also a demographer.

What is your earliest writing memory?

I think about age five, because I could read and write at that age, but I don't recall specific things that I wrote.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

Enormous relief. By the time I finish a manuscript, my next one is already fighting for room in my head.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

A Different Kind of Blues is one of two books due out in October. It is mainstream women's fiction. Having to fulfill a contract, I asked myself what kind of heroine would offer a challenge to me after having written almost forty books and novellas. I was watching television and saw a commercial about a woman who'd just been told she had two months in which to live. I didn't want to make it quite that melodramatic, but I wanted a heroine strong enough to cope with a terrible shock without having to write a morbid story about her. I came up with Petra Fields, who set out to do all the things she'd always wanted to do, credit card bills be hanged.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

My current project, Finding Mr. Right, is about a woman hell bent on exercising her right to chose her man herself, without any one's help. Even when the ideal guy is presented to her, she insists on doing her own choosing and nearly ruins everything.

I'm a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let's say I've never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

My latest release has received outstanding reviews, and if you like enough suspense to keep you turning the pages and even dreading possible outcomes, enough mind-blowing sex to make you jealous of the heroine and an Alpha Male you'll dream about forever, Drive Me Wild is for you.

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do if you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

I'd shrug it off. A review is just one person's opinion.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I can't think of any author who has influenced my aspirations insofar as fiction writing is concerned. That is because I became a novel writer by chance after having enjoyed a highly successful career as a demographer, one for which I am trained. All I receive from fiction writing is, as far as I am concerned, pure gravy.

What books would you recommend on writing?

John Gardner, The Art Of Fiction

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

I wouldn't have written a romance as my first book. I write mainstream fiction, and some of my books have won awards, but they are always judged as romances, because reviewers associate me with romance. And when they complain about something, it's usually what distinguished mainstream women's fiction from a romance.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Don't be disappointed by rejections. When you get one, clean up the manuscript and send it to the next editor on your list. The appraisal of fiction is, in some important aspects, highly subjective.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Probably that I have great respect for the English language, don't feel comfortable using blue language and love nature and people, not to mention tall, good-looking, educated and successful men.

You can find out more about Gwynne Forster and her books on her website: www.gwynneforster.com

Author Stormy Glenn

AUTHOR STORMY GLENN

Let’s start getting your shine on. Tell us who you are beyond an author.

Oh boy, me beyond being an author… that’s a big one. First and foremost, I’m a Mom of six wonderful teenagers, three boys and three girls. I am also married to the man of my dreams, my high school sweetheart (yes, there’s great romance story there), and he is the model I use for all of my heroes. I read like crazy and I love to cook. I also have neon green toenails, I am addicted to iced vanilla mochas with whip cream, and have a secret obsession for B-Rated monster/disaster movies.

Show us when you realized you had a passion for writing?

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love to write, whether it was for school or for pleasure. I’ve just always done it. I used to get extra credit in school by writing essays. I started writing stories about ten years ago, mostly for my own pleasure and because I had this burning need to get the “characters” out of my head. Once a story idea takes place, I become obsessed with getting it out. I go through withdrawals if I can’t get to my computer to write. It’s not a pretty sight. About six months ago, my husband bought me a laptop. After that, I kind of lost my ever-loving mind. I’ve been writing non-stop ever since.

We understand that uniqueness counts in the literary world, but we equally understand there must be relatability. Tell us an author with whom you share similar writing styles.

Oh, I’m not sure my “style” matches any one author specifically. I have authors I wish I shared a writing style with… J.L. Langley, Carol Lynne, maybe Jade Buchanan. These are some of the authors that I read and wish my style was similar with. If I was to say who my style was most similar to, though, it would be mostly like Carol Lynne.

Show us how your styles are similar.

I think my style is closest to Carol’s because of the way I feel when I read her work. I cry, I laugh, I get angry, I fall in love with her characters. That’s how I feel about my characters. They live in my head (and it’s a mess up there). They live, and laugh, and love through every word I write. That’s what I get from Carol’s books. We both believe in happy endings, that everyone deserves true love, and that to find and keep true love, you have to work at it. But, it’s worth it in the end.

Tell us your preferred writing genre and the genre you prefer to read.

Hmmm… that’s a hard one since I don’t have favorite books, I have favorite bookshelves. But, if I had to nail it down, I would say that I love to read erotic, paranormal, gay, sci-fi, werewolf romances. I also would have a hard time picking a genre for my writing. I write whatever comes into my head. Currently, though, I have been writing erotic paranormal, werewolf, futuristic, contemporary, gay, ménage a trois romances.

Show us what your audience looks like.

My audience would feel a tingle in the middle of their palm when they read a really good erotic romance/romance novel. They would cry at the sad things and the conflicts, maybe even laugh at the humor. They might come across a passage that they just had to read to someone else. It would be all they could do not to go to the end of the book and read it just to make sure that the characters had a happy ending. My audience would believe in true love and happily ever after endings.

Tell us an important lesson, on the business side of publishing, that you've learned on your journey.

The most important lesson I learned was that the work doesn’t stop when you sign the contract. That was the most astonishing thing to me. I just assumed I would send them my manuscript, sign a contract, do a couple of promo things and that was it. Boy, was I wrong! I spend one day doing promos, answering emails, updating my blog, myspace, and website, popping in at my yahoo groups, etc… the other day is spent writing. Luckily, I write fast or I’d never get another book done. And my books haven’t even been released yet. I can’t imagine what it will be like when they are.

Going back to the beginning, show us the day you received your publication offer or the first time you saw your bound book.

My first three publication offers came very quickly, all within the same ten days. Talk about being overwhelmed. But, my first one came on a Sunday. We had been out of town all day and I was checking my email. I was so stunned, I had to read the offer three times before it sank in. I just turned to my husband and said, “I’ve been publish”. It was pretty much the same thing the next week when the next offer came, and four days later when the third offer came. I’m still stunned. I keep reading the offer emails over and over again.

Tell us your expectations of an aspiring author approaching you for information about writing/publishing?

The first thing I would tell them is to never give up. You’re going to receive a zillion rejection letters… expect it. But try to look at it as a learning experience. At least your name is getting out there.

The second thing I would tell you is not to be afraid to ask questions. Most of the authors I have met have been very friendly and helpful. They want to see us all succeed and they know more than you do. And remember that no matter how many books we have published or how long we’ve been in the business, there is always room for improvement.

The last thing I would tell you is to be passionate about what you do… love it, live it, breath it.

Ready to shine? Tell us the name of your book.

Secret Desires, Siren Publishing, October 20, 2008

The Katzman’s Mate, Siren Publishing, release early 2009

A Promise Kept, Torquere Press, release early 2009

And I just received an offer from Siren Publishing for four more books, My Lupine Lover, Sweet Treats, Full Moon Mating, and Forbidden Desires (sequel to Secret Desires). These don’t have a release dates yet.

From one of your character's point of view, show us why we should buy it.

If I were Leyland from Secret Desires I would tell you to buy the book because I’m just that damn cute. How could you possibly pass on a face like this sexy? Just don’t tell my cowboy I said that. He hates it when I flirt. When he gets upset, the fur will fly and I’m not cleaning it up afterwards.

Tell us where we can find you on the internet.

Stormy’s website: www.stormyglenn.com

Stormy’s Rantings http://stormyglenn.blogspot.com/

Stormy’s Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/stormyglenn

Stormy at Siren Publishing: http://www.sirenpublishing.com/stormyglenn/

Stormy at Manic Readers: http://manicreaders.com/StormyGlenn/

Stormy’s Email: stormyglenn@hotmail.com

Author Dywane D. Birch

AUTHOR DYWANE D. BIRCH

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you one of my (Dj Frazier) personal favorite authors, Dywane D. Birch. He is the author of When Loving You is Wrong, Shattered Souls, From My Soul to Yours, and was a part of the anthology Another Time, Another Place: Five Novellas. Today he's getting his shine on and introducing us to his upcoming release Beneath the Bruises.

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

Okay, this is always the part of interviews I like the least. But, I’ll say this: socially speaking, besides being an author, I love traveling to Europe and Egypt. Professionally speaking, I have a master’s degree in psychology and I am a clinically certified forensic counselor, which is just a fancy title for someone who is credentialed to work with offenders in prison-or community-based settings. I’m also a former director of an adolescent crisis shelter, and currently work with adult offenders of domestic violence, as well with adolescents remanded to a youth detention center.

What is your earliest writing memory?

My earliest writing memory is writing in a journal when I was eleven years old. However, writing was never something I aspired to do.

Why do you write?

Honestly, I write to enlighten, entertain, and encourage others. I understand the power of words, so knowing that I am able to touch someone else in some way (no matter how big or small) with my words is what keeps me inspired to write.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

I typically experience a feeling of relief once I am satisfied with a completed manuscript. It’s like WHEW, I’m finally done!

You have the great ability to write, true to form, in a female voice. Besides studying your craft, who else played a part in shaping this skill?

To keep it real with you, I don’t study the craft of writing, never have. However, I guess I should give credit to my mother, aunts, sisters, female companions, and those women who have been a part of my life in some form or fashion for allowing me to listen to them and really hear them. Other than that, I really believe my ability to write in female voice is a gift.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

My most recent project releases November 4^th. It’s titled Beneath the Bruises, and it’s an inspiring and touching story about a thirty-something year old mother of five who is trapped in an abusive marriage, but with counseling she is able to find her voice and begin to heal through the power of self-love, self-acceptance and self-discovery. I’m actually really excited about it.

I'm a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let's say I've never read any of your books before, how would you pitch your latest release to me if we were standing in a checkout line?

Yes, I agree. Word of mouth is the greatest seller. Speaking of which, I need to thank YOU for being a big supporter of my literary work, and always spreading the word. I truly appreciate the love! Okay, so back to the question. If you were in a checkout line I would pitch my latest book by saying, “hello, my name is . . . if you are looking for a fast-paced, in-your-face book that is filled with drama and steamy sex, then I have just the book for you. It will make you laugh, cry, scream out loud, and wanna slap somebody all in one sitting, and still have you hanging onto the edge of your seat for more. And after you have finished reading it, if you honestly don’t like what you’ve read, I will personally send you your money back.” Then I would flash you my mega-watt smile. lol

How important are book reviews to you?

Good, bad, or indifferent, I believe book reviews are very important. It helps stir interest in your books, and it also gives me the opportunity to honestly consider what is being said/written about my works. I want to know what others think/feel about my writing. I am not able to grow as a writer without honest, constructive feedback.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I cannot say that my writing dreams, goals or aspirations are (or have been) influenced by any other authors. I don’t know if I should feel some kind of way about that, but it’s my truth—and my reality.

What books would you recommend on writing?

I probably should be embarrassed to say this, but I can’t make one recommendation for a book on writing. I’ve never used one. I probably should pick one up, but I haven’t felt the need to. Nor have I ever taken any writing classes.

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

I wouldn’t change one thing. My road to publication has been a very interesting and fulfilling one. That’s not to say that there haven’t been some disappointments and frustrations along the way. But, for the most part, everything I have done thus far has been on my own terms. And, overall, it has been a beautiful journey. One I am still travelling and learning from.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

I would tell any aspiring author to be patient, set realistic goals, be tenacious, be open to criticism, and write for all the right reasons, whatever they may be.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Well, there’s not much about me readers will learn, but they can definitely learn more about my books by going onto www.myspace.com/dywaneb, www.blackplanet.com/Adulfictionwriter2 or www.freewebs.com/dywanebirch

Off Topic

The last book I read was: the galley for Allison Hobbs’s “Big Juicy Lips: Double Dippin’ 2”

The last CD I purchased was: Wow, it’s been a minute. I think it was Meshell Ndégeocello’s “The World Made Me the Man I Am”

My biggest distraction is: Hmm. Nothing comes to mind. I’m typically a focused being.

My guilty pleasure is: *hangs head* Expensive, designer shoes.

The one thing I want people to know about me is: that I am a private man (with flaws) who strives to be the best that I can be; that I love (and live) life to the fullest with no regrets, and no excuses. Okay, okay, I know, that was more than one thing.

Thanks for extending this interview. And, again, I thank you for your continued support of my literary endeavors, and for spreading the word to whoever will listen. I am sincerely grateful.

Until the next time . . . peace, love & happy reading!

Thank you, Dywane! The pleasure was all ours.