Camy Tang's Sushi for One?

Sushi for One
This week's book give away is "Camy Tang's Sushi for One?" Camy Tang is one of the best "chick lit" writers in the market with a refreshing voice. In order to be entered to win, follow these steps

1) If you've not already done so, please place your e-mail address in the box to the right labeled "Subscribe to my blog via e-mail.".
2) Shoot me an e-mail at kdawnbyrd_author@yahoo.com (that's kdawnbyrd(underscore)author@yahoo.com) with the answer to the following question. In the book, Camy's character had a 6 point check list from the book of Ephesians detailing the perfect mate. What's your check list? Two or three qualities that you consider absolutely necessary in spousal material or a significant other will be fine. The winner's name will be drawn out of a hat. Thanks for entering and good luck!

I asked Camy if she had a few words for us and here's what she said:
Hi everybody! I'm so thrilled Dawn asked me to write a little something. My latest novel, DEADLY INTENT, just released in July, and right now, I'm writing the sequel, FORMULA FOR DANGER. I'm really excited to be diving in to Rachel's story (sister to Naomi from DEADLY INTENT). I feel a kinship with her because she's geeky and shy and a little weird, just like me! Here's a quick blurb: Someone is trying to steal dermatologist researcher Rachel Grant’s latest research. She turns to Edward Villa, a man she secretly loves, but can even he protect her from the enemy after her life?FORMULA FOR DANGER will release in September 2010! Keep an eye out for it! Thanks for letting me blog, Dawn!Camy

Thanks for sharing with us, Camy! I loved Deadly Intent and can't wait for the sequel.

NaNoWriMo Ups the Ante...Working Under Pressure

Okay. I announced earlier that I'm taking the NaNoWriMo Challenge this year...50,000 words in 30 days (http://www.nanowrimo.org/). I've asked other authors to join me for the challenge and have about a dozen "buddies" for the journey. I thought it would be nice to have the support and also being accountable generally brings about success.

After corresponding with the wonderful, Gail Delaney, Editor and Chief at Desert Breeze Publishing (DBP), I found out that she needs a historical novel for the month of April. My first novel, an inspirational romantic suspense, will release with DBP in August. You can find out more about DBP on their website at http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/.

I said in an earlier post that I've been thinking about writing a WWII novel. Gail is holding the April slot for my historical, which I will write during NaNoWriMo. The title of the novel is Queen of Hearts. Good thing I work well under pressure. Give me a deadline and I'll break my neck meeting it. What about you? Do you work well under pressure or do you faint?

November Writing Contests

November 1
Inland Valley Romance Writers of America
Bad Kitty Contest
http://www.ivrwa.org/contest07.htm

Ohio Valley Romance Writers of America
Enchanted Words
http://www.ovrwa.com/enchanted_words/

Hudson Valley Romance Writers of America
Hook, Line, and Sinker
http://www.hudsonvalleyrwa.com/contest

Dorchester Publishing
Next Best Cellar
http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?ID=2685

November 2
Harlequin
Harlequin Presents Writing Competition
http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/07/the-harlequin-presents-writing-competition-2009-is-now-open/comment-page-1/

Writer's Digest
Pop Fiction Awards
http://www.writersdigest.com/popularfictionawards

November 4
Silicon Valley Romance Writers of America
Gotcha!
http://www.svrwa.com/gotcha

November 15
Pikes Peaks Writers
The Paul Gillette Awards
http://www.ppwc.net/ppw-fiction-writing-contest

United Press International and uwenp
UPI National Student Journalism Writing Contest
http://www.uwemp.com/contest

November 16
Romance Writers of America
Golden Heart
http://www.rwanational.org/cs/contests_and_awards/golden_heart_awards/contest_rules

November 30
Review Fuse
Book 1st Chapter Contest
http://www.reviewfuse.com/blog/2009/09/book-1st-chapter-contest-november-2009/

Women on Writing
Flash Fiction Contest
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

Disclaimer: This is by no means a full list of all contests offered. I do not endorse or recommend any contest, but provide these dates for information purposes only. Do your own research before entering any contest. Dates are always subject to change by contest chairs.

NaNoWriMo Challenge

November is national novel writing month. Are you up for the challenge? The goal is to write 50,000 words from November 1 to midnight November 30. This breaks down to just 1,667 words per day. There's no grand prize except the elation you'll feel for finishing the challenge. You can register at www.nanowrimo.org.

So, if you're up for the challenge, here's a little advice. Get all unfinished business out of the way. Let your family members know that you'll be writing during the month of November and need their support. Set aside a block of time every day to write. Start plotting now so you'll have a road map as to where you're headed with your story.

Any takers our there? If you want to be my buddy for the journey, you can add me after you sign up. My user name is kdawnbyrd. Happy writing!

Desert Breeze Publishing offers contract

Desert Breeze Publishing Offers Contract

Last Thursday, I was thinking about all of the last minute things I needed to do before I could leave for the beach. There was laundry to finish up, a house to lock up, dogs to deliver to in-laws, birds to be taken care of, etc. I knew that it was about time that I heard back from Desert Breeze Publishing, an ebook publisher Michelle Sutton recommended when she found out that I write inspirational romantic suspense that's not the run of the mill. For one thing, the first few chapters of the book, Killing Time, were set in a jail. What do you think would happen if a strong Christian woman was wrongly accused and incarcerated? Would she crack under the pressure? And, what would happen if inmates were being murdered at the jail and someone was trying to frame her?

Killing Time didn't make the rounds much. Desert Breeze Publishing was the only publisher to see it. It placed third in the Duel on the Delta contest, which Tina Columbo of Steeple Hill judged. She didn't request a full, stating that it didn't fit their line, but requested that I send her something else. I've not had anything else to send because I'm a new author and don't have a stock pile of manuscripts that some authors have from having written for years.

I'm elated about the opportunity to publish with Desert Breeze Publishing. After learning how to download ebooks to my Blackberry, I no longer purchase in print books unless I really want a book and can't get it in ebook format. I believe ebooks to be the way of the future and am excited about getting in on the ground floor. Killing Time is currently scheduled for an August 2010 release. I'll upload the cover as soon as it's available.

October 2009 Contests

October 1
First Coast Romance Writers
Beacon Contest for Unpublished Writers
http://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com/contest_un.htm

New England RW
First Kiss
http://necrwa.org/thefirstkiss2009.htm

New York City RWA
Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter
http://www.rwanyc.com/Love-LaughterContest.html

Maine RWA
MERWA Synopsis is Not a Four-Letter Word
http://www.mainerwa.com/2009_Synopis_Rules.htm

North Louisiana StoryTellers and Authors of Romance
The Suzannah
http://www.nolastars.com/node/84


October 7
West Houston RWA
The Emily
http://whrwa.com/emily/


October 11
Southern Magic RWA
Linda Howard Award of Excellence
http://www.southernmagic.org/lindahowardcontest.html


October 17
Western Pennsylvania RWA
Bump in the Night
http://wprw.wordpress.com/bump-in-the-night-flash-fiction-contest/


October 31
Christian Writers of the West
The Phoenix Rattler
http://joyfulhutch.googlepages.com/rattlerscontest




Disclaimer: This is by no means a full list of all contests offered. I do not endorse or recommend any contest, but provide these dates for information purposes only. Dates are always subject to change by contest chairs. Do your own research before entering any contest.

Angel With A Ray Gun Review

Deborah Kinnard's book "Angel with a Ray Gun" is a great read. I put off buying it because I assumed that the title depicted a science fiction novel and I don't read science fiction (nothing against you sci-fi fans, it's just not my cup of tea like my love of romantic suspense might not be yours.) I'm so glad that fellow author Michelle Sutton (Danger at the Door http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-29/Danger-at-the-Door/Detail.bok) recommended Angel with a Ray Gun. Deborah's characters were very believable and likeable and A.J.'s spiritual journey seemed so real as we traveled it with her. The author uses tension well and makes us want to read on to see if the two characters end up in a relationship. We travel a delightful, but bumpy road as a woman raised by a hippie chick mother and a minister begin to realize an attraction and feelings for each other. Deborah is a skilled writer who will draw you into the story and make you love her characters so much that you'll want to read on see what happens next. I'm looking forward to her next release.

Ebooks Verses Print Books

First and foremost, I'm a book collector. I've been one for approximately 20 years. It all began when I found a Nancy Drew book in an antique store in Charlotte in the 1990's. This book was blue with an orange silhouette of Nancy Drew on the cover. It intrigued me because I'd never seen one before. Nancy Drew had been my favorite as a child. I must have read all that the library in our small town had to offer. I bought the book and from then on purchased every "old" Nancy Drew book I could find. Truth be told, I had over 1,000 at last count if you take into consideration my paperback collection.

Since I'm a book lover at heart, you can imagine how I've fought the dawning of a new age...the ebook. I love the smell of a printed book, especially an old one. It's kind of a sweet smell. Calming for the soul. I vowed that I would never buy an ebook. My money would never support publishing companies that might eventually cause the print book to fade into nonexistence.

I was browsing the internet one day and ran across a blurb about Michelle Sutton's new release Danger at the Door. Since I work full-time in the mental health field, I really wanted to read it. I was disappointed that it was offered only as an ebook. I tossed the idea around for a few weeks before e-mailing Michelle to ask her if she recommended her publisher, Desert Breeze Publishing. She did and was so nice in her reply that I decided to give the book a try.

The end result was that I loved it. I had a little trouble getting it downloaded to my Blackberry because I didn't know that I needed reading software (You can download Mobipocket for free.) The people at Desert Breeze were wonderful. I'd downloaded a .pdf file and was disappointed when it became too blurry to read when I zoomed in on it on the Blackberry. Gail at Desert Breeze understood my plight and e-mailed me a .prc format that worked wonderfully.

That said, I absolutely love ebooks. I'm not killing trees, using expensive ink and lugging around a heavy object. And best of all, I can read when I want my cell phone. And, I can read in bed with hubby right beside me and don't have to worry about disturbing him with a bedside light. I can adjust the font if needed and there's no need to spend money on an expensive Kindle or ebook reader. Also, ebooks are very inexpensive (Michelle's was $5.99 at http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/) and many ebooks are free if they're in the public domain. An internet acquaintence recommended http://www.fictionwise.com/, but I've not yet purchased from them. . I've had a great experience with ebooks (Michelle's book is wonderful!) and I believe them to a wave of the future. After all, how many people fought purchasing a dvd player? Cell phone? And, now an ebook? It is my hope that the ebook is here to stay.

September Contest Dealines

September 1
Southwest Florida Romance Writers
Hold Me, Thrill Me Contest
http://www.swfrw.org/contest.php

Valley of the Sun RWA
Hot Prospect Contest
http://www.valleyofthesunrw.com/vos-hot-prospects.htm

East Texas RWA
Southern Heat
http://www.easttexasrwa.com/html/southern_heat.php

Romance Writers Ink
Where the Magic Begins
http://rwimagiccontests.wordpress.com/

September 4
Oklahoma RWA
Finally A Bride
http://www.okrwa.com/fab_index.htm

September 5
SpacecoasT Authors of Romance RWA
Launching A Star
http://www.authorsofromance.com/contest.htm

September 11
Mid-America RWA
Fiction From The Heartland
http://mararwa.com/Contest/contest.htm

Missouri RWA
Gateway to the Best
http://www.morwa.org/gateway.htm

September 30
White Rose Publishing
Hearts Crossing
http://whiterosepublishing.blogspot.com/2009/05/short-story-contest-hearts-crossing.html

East Valley Authors Query Contest
http://www.eastvalleyauthors.com/contest.html

Disclaimer: This is by no means a full list of all contests offered. I do not endorse or recommend any contest, but provide these dates for information purposes only. Dates are always subject to change by contest chairs. Do your own research before entering any contest.

Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton

I just finished reading Michelle Sutton's Danger at the Door published by Desert Breeze Publishing. You can click on the title above to go Desert Breeze's website to read the blurb about this awesome read. Don't be turned off by the ebook format. I was at first because after sitting at computer all day, I wanted to read a book that I can hold in my hands. I'm so glad that I downloded Danger at the Door. Michelle has developed some very memorable characters in this book and a love interest that's to die for. If you like suspense, you'll love it. I haven't read anything in the suspense line this good in about a year since I finished the Brandilyn Collins Kanner Lake series. Michelle is an excellent writer who kept me turning the page. I stayed up way too late last night and started reading again this morning with a bagel in hand for breakfast. I didn't stop reading until I reached the end and even though she brought it to a funny and delightful close, I still begged for more. If you're like me and you love it, we'll have more to love as I've heard that the sequel is coming out in April. Michelle Sutton you've outdone yourself and I can't wait to read what's coming next in the lives of these two wonderful characters.

Brides of Benneterre series by Kaye Dacus

NEWS FLASH... I just received an e-mail from Kaye Dacus. The third book in the Brides of Bonneterre series will be out in February 2010. For those of you who are following the series, the third book is Forbes' story. I replied to Kay that I can't wait to read about the handsome mystery man who every woman wants to date to make their ex's jealous. The title will be "A Case For Love," a fitting title indeed considering the fact that Forbes is a successful attorney.

Menu for Romance-- Kaye Dacus has done it again. Book two in the Brides of Bonneterre series is an awesome read! And, as an added bonus, it you like food, you'll drool over the menu. Kaye is excellent at building tension between the two love interests. She'll keep you on your toes wondering what's going to happen next. You'll feel so much like these characters are your friends that you'll be rooting for them as you read and praying to God that after being friends for eight years, someone will help these two realize their love for each other. I was particularly fascinated by the chef mother. I have always been interested in mental health and am working in the mental health field. Kaye does a wonderful job at showing that mental illness is not scary. The chef's mother is delightful and will keep you laughing. I live in the boonies and made a special trip 30 miles away to buy the book on the release date. You can imagine my disappointment when it wasn't in stock. I posted on American Christian Fiction Writers (Kaye is also a member and I highly recommend this group if you're a Christian writer.) Imagine my surprise when Kaye responded. Kaye is every bit as delightful as her characters. Please...someone tell me that there's going to be third book in this series!

Stand In Groom-- Kaye Dacus' recent release, is an excellent book. I highly recommend it after you'd had a stressful day and want to get away. One thing that really stands out in my mind about the book is that Kaye's heroine is a beautiful, full-figured, size 18 woman. Kaye shows us that size 18 is as beautiful as size 4. After all, we are all beautiful in God's eyes. The hero, who works out several times a week and is in good shape falls for this shapely woman. This book also speaks to us of how God can heal relationships and past hurts. I won't go into detail other than to say that the heroine was hurt years ago and has never been able to forgive and let it go. God works everything out in HIS timing. Kaye does an excellent job of showing how God comes through and answers prayers. Our hero and heroine face many obstacles, but healing and a happy end is found for all. This was one of those books that I just could not put down. Kaye did an excellent job of portraying her characters so well that we come to know them as friends and can't wait to see what happens next. So, make a bee line for your Christian bookstore and pick it up. You won't be disappointed!

August Contest Deadlines

August Deadlines

The Golden Rose
Rose City RWA
August 8 deadline
http://www.rosecityromancewriters.com/contest.html


The Golden Pen
The Golden Network RWA
August 15
http://www.thegoldennetwork.com/goldenpen.html


Heart to Heart
San Francisco Area RWA
August 15
http://www.sfarwa.com/contests.asp


On The Far Side
FF&P RWA Chapter
http://www.romance-ffp.com/OTFS.htm


Laurel Wreath Award
Volusia County Romance Writers
http://vcrw.net/index.php/contests

So What's Your Excuse?

Okay, I started off with such good intentions. I'd planned to write all weekend with a goal yesterday of 5,000 words. It didn't happen. Instead, I took advantage of every excuse that popped up to prevent me from writing. My mom was having a yard sale, so I went down there and hung out with my seven year old niece for a couple of hours. Then I came back home and took two naps, an hour each. I cleaned house some afterwards. Yesterday would have been the perfect day to write. I had the house all to myself (husband was playing golf.) Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who MUST have absolute quiet when I write. Finally, I took out my current manuscript and began rereading chapters 1-3, editing along the way. I was having a ball. Adding setting (I'm not a very descriptive writer) and removing troublesome words (see earlier post.) About an hour into it, husband arrives home, turns on the TV, starts cooking, playing with the dogs, etc. I sighed, knowing that the peace and quiet was over. I love him with all my heart, but he's very difficult to work around. Just when I'm on a roll, he'll ask me something or he'll comment on something that's being said on the TV, pulling me away from my current thoughts. I gathered up my netbook, a cold glass of tea, and some comfy cushions and headed for the covered swing out back. It was a gorgeous afternoon, warm and slightly breezy. I finished editing the chapters and wrote about 1,000 words on chapter 4, so not a wasted day. Writing is a hard and solitary venture for me. The words don't always flow, so I try to seize the moment and take advantage of them when I can. At times, I become a little frustrated and lay my current word aside for a few days. I believe that it helps to separate myself from the work so that I can go back to it with a new perspective. The first three chapters of my current work is being considered by a publisher and I took a break for a couple of weeks after my agent sent it to them. Editing those three chapters brought me back into the story and reacquainted me with my characters. So, what's your excuse for nor writing?

JULY CONTEST DEADLINES

Indiana's Golden Opportunity
Indiana RWAReceived by Midnight - July 1, 2009
Beginning plus synopsis up to a total of 35 pages
http://www.indianar wa.com/contest/ contest.htm

Heart of the West
Utah RWA
Electronic deadline July 1, 2009
First twenty pages.
http://www.utahrwa.%20com/howcontest.%20html

Melody of Love
Music City Romance Writers
Received by July 2, 2009
First twenty-five pages.
http://www.mcrw.com/contest.htm

Royal Palm Literary Award Competition
Florida Writers
http://www.floridawriters.net/RPLA.html

Dixie Kane Memorial Contest
Deadline Extended to July 15, 2009
First five (5) pages double spaced and a synopsis (one page, single-spaced, not judged)http://www.solawriters.org/

Flash Fiction Contest
Review Fuse
Originial story...1,000 word maximum
July 31, 2009
http://www.reviewfuse.com/blog/2009/06/flash-fiction-writing-contest-july-2009/

Editing 101: Removing Those Troublesome Words

Editing 101: Removing Those Troublesome Words

Ever feel like a surgeon with a scalpel when you start editing. A little cut here, a little cut there...

I judge contests from time to time and see authors sending in manuscripts that aren’t ready for publication for one reason or another. In many cases, it’s because their writing doesn’t flow. The addition of extra words will bog the reader down and cause the novel progress slowly.

When I edit my own work, I do a search for each of the following words and omit them or replace them with stronger descriptive words.

adverbs (words ending in –ly)
-ing forms of verbs
that (this words is widely overused)
had
it was
very
just, just then
was, were, is, are some, a little, some of the
rather
heard
tried to, proceeded to, seemed to, began to, started to
there were, there is, there are, there was
is
would, could, suddenly, immediately, all at once, thought, wondered, mused, knew, felt, decided
seemed, appeared, looked
could see, could hear, could smell, could taste, etc

*Use exclamation points VERY sparingly

*No back story in the first chapter at least