Defending Glory: iBookBuzz's Book of the Month!

Book of the month. Book. Of. The. Month!

Those four little words are guaranteed to bring a smile to an author’s face, and I’ve been smiling since Saturday when I learned DEFENDING GLORY, first book of the Piedmont Island Trilogy series, is November’s Book of the Month at iBookBuzz.

A huge thank you to everyone who voted. Your support and encouragement is truly inspiring.

A special thank you goes to my publisher, Vanilla Heart Publishing, who created this Youtube video to commemorate the occasion. What a surprise! The really cool thing is work began on it when Defending Glory was one of four finalists, not the winner. How’s that for having complete confidence in the outcome, in the story, and in the author?!

As for my smile? Well, let’s just say my cheeks HURT! :)

The fun begins online at iBookBuzz November 1. I hope to see you there. I’ll drop by daily to chat and answer your questions. In the meantime, happy reading iBookBuzz's Book of the Month: Defending Glory!

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Characters: Flower or Weed?

Authors continually strive to create memorable characters that walk off the page like Scrooge, Harry Potter, or Grandma Mazur.

Some writers complete lengthy character questionaires. Others interview their characters.

I understand the reason for this process. It's vital to give characters flaws, foibles, and bad habits. But there's just one problem. I'm a pantser. Nothing kills my creativity or desire to write quicker than a questionaire!

So, how do I tackle characterization?

I ask one (and only one) question: Is this person a flower or weed?

This short, simple query gives me a clear indication of who this character is, yet it allows me to flesh them out more fully as I write the first draft. I'm neither restrained nor confined by this technique. It's flexible, insightful, and did I mention simple?!

It's also subjective. While you may view a particular flower beautiful, I might find it repulsive. The same works with weeds. Gardeners despise dandilions, but I adore them. They signify springtime and the end of winter. They're resilient, tenacious and cheery. Even sunny! All traits than can easily be applied to a person.

Is your character a flower or weed? The answer may just be somewhere in the middle, and how fascinating is that?

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iBookBuzz's Book of the Month

DEFENDING GLORY, book 1 of the Piedmont Island Trilogy, has been chosen one of the final four in the Inspirational category, and could be iBookBuzz's Book of the Month for November, 2011.

How cool is that?! This is a wonderful opportunity, and I couldn't be happier. Neither can my editor and publisher!

If you have not already voted for Defending Glory, please go to http://bit.ly/pKWjBN. You can vote between now and October 13th, (but please, the sooner the better!)

The book accumulating the most votes will be announced on October 15th.

Fingers crossed it will be DEFENDING GLORY. :)

Thanks so much for your support, and as always, happy reading!

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Book Fair Celebrating Writers and Readers.

Mark your calendars! This Saturday, October 15, from 11 to 3, the Deltona Florida Regional Library will host its second Annual Authors Book Fair - Celebrating Writers and Readers. The book fair attracted 70 authors last year and served as an introduction to authors and poets in Florida or those who call Central Florida readers their audience.

Vanilla Heart Publishing author Melinda Clayton will be there, and she will also help represent the other in absentia VHP authors (including me) at the VHP table. All participating VHP authors (that includes me!) are offering giveaways and will have books available for purchase. If you're in the area, please drop by, say hello to Melinda, and treat yourself to one (or more) VHP books!

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Winner - Banned Books Giveaway Hop

Thank you to everyone who dropped by during the Banned Books Weed Giveaway Hop. This wonderful hop was graciously hosted by the ladies at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and I Read Banned Books and celebrates the freedom to read. As for me, it's an honor to have so many new and exciting Fun, Fantastic Friends and Followers!

The winner of an e-copy of one of my books (Defending Glory, Protecting Hope or Frank, Incense and Muriel) is Lolawid.

Congratulations, Lolawid! Please email me within the next 48 hours with the book title of your choice. I'll forward it asap!

If you did not win, why not download a free novel sampler www.bit.ly/jQaGu9? It includes the first chapters of Defending Glory and Frank, Incense and Muriel. Coming soon - the release of Protecting Hope. Watch for it.

Happy reading!

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Vanilla Heart Publishing Goodreads

Q&A with Vanilla Heart Publishing Authors

There's a new group at Goodreads. Come chat, ask questions, discuss writing and discover a super collection of books written by VHP authors, including moi!

The group is open to all.

Please join.

October 01, 2011 to October 31, 2011

http://bit.ly/qI81E0

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