| A.E. Albert: A Writer's Blog

Top 10 Blog Posts For 2014
by A.E. Albert
@aealbert23

1. Book Review: Ben The Dragonborn: The Six Worlds (Book 1)

by Dianne Astle

Young Adult

Fantasy/Adventure

There's nothing really special about Ben Taylor. Or is there? Our unlikely hero discovers that his school isn't a regular school at all, but a mysterious institution where heroes are found...and trained. However, before he is prepared for his destiny, he finds himself chosen, and thrust into a strange and watery world.

We are all meant for something. A destiny or path to follow. Ben shows us that regardless of what we know and can do, nothing can separate us us from what we are meant to do. This is the message I received when reading this wonderful book. It's a tale people of all ages will enjoy and bond with.

The author begins the story by revealing a tantalizing mystery, which only makes the reader yearn for more. Before you can blink, you are thrown into this new world, a place rich in history and where anything is possible.

The author doesn't deviate from he core of her book and the plot flows seemingly without effort. She stays on track, keeping the reader engaged. The story is filled with ups and downs, until the end where more twists await the reader.

The characters are alive, so the reader naturally empathizes with their plights and victories. Astle creates wonderful contrasts between these characters, making the dialogue fun and poignant.

About The Author

Dianne lives with her husband Doug and dog, Thomas. She is the author of The Six Worlds series. Book Two will soon be available on Amazon.

2. How To Promote Yourself: Taking Baby Steps And Starting Out Small

These days I've been learning a lot. About 8 months ago I knew nothing about the internet. Well, except
surfing it and of course, YouTube.

However, I knew absolutely nothing about social media. I'm one of those people who could live without a cell phone. For heaven sake, I only write a Facebook status once a year and that's thanking everyone for their birthday wishes!

You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks!

Well, a lot has changed since then. About 5 years ago, I decided to write my first novel. About 6 months ago, I began to prepare myself to self publish. I had no idea what I was in for. Please, don't let this discourage you. I had no platform what so ever. Heck, I didn't know what Twitter was!

I quickly realized that I needed to inform myself. That was when the trouble started. One site would lead to another and another, until my head was filled with a million strategies I MUST implement NOW.

I soon felt inadequate. How dare I present myself to the world wide web? Everyone else has it together, looks Pro and well, I scream green. I would read these incredible articles and think, 'What do I have to offer the world?'

Well, An Old Dog Can Learn A Few New Tricks

Soon I began giving myself headaches. Then I just wanted to give up entirely. This all started out to promote my book. But through my writing and publishing journey, I've learned a lot.

I realized that maybe what I have to say is not for everyone, maybe just one. What I needed to do was stop overwhelming myself. I decided that if I wanted to succeed, I needed to focus on only a few strategies at a time.

Daily tasks:

Read three blogs a day and make comments when appropriate.
Twitter at least one fresh comment or event. Then re-twitter when appropriate.
Check Facebook notifications.
Check gmail
Check hotmail
Read any blog comments and respond.
Share a post on social media.

Weekly tasks:

Find three new relevant blogs to add to my reading list.
Write a blog and publish it
Promote my book on social media.

Very important! Write this all down and put it where you can see it.

I know, I know, simple Right? But that's what I needed to do to stop getting myself overwhelmed and then discouraged. The way I figure it is, everything becomes automatic as you go.

Soon I'll be ready to take on more responsibility. If I've learned anything from writing my novel, it's that those who succeed are those who persevere.

It's all about baby steps.

3. How To Create A Blog Post in 14 Easy Steps

Every blogger will tell you, first and foremost, you need good content. This is elementary no matter what niche you're in. What makes this task a little bit easier is creating a blog that interests you. So, pick that corner of the internet that you find intriguing and maybe know a few things about.

The Fundamentals Of Every Blog Post:

If it's appropriate, put a number in the title. This implies a compact and to the point article.
Use short paragraphs. It's easier for the reader and less daunting to read.
Vary your font. The length of your blog may determine what font size you use. But never use very small print, again it's difficult to read.
Use images.
Break up your page with subtitles. Our eyes naturally read headlines and it keeps people reading.
Place an author bio at the end. It's hard to find a widget for Blogger, so use your imagination. You can go to 'layout' and put an image URL in 'upload' photo. Or do what I did. I created my author bio and manually inserted it at the end of every blog.
Invite the reader to leave a comment, do an interview and guest post at the end.
Go to 'Search Preference' and add meta tags in to empty box under blog description.
Create a search description. On the right hand side of the edit page, click this option. Make sure you use keywords for optimal search results.
Enable 'link to this page' during the editing phase of writing.
When applicable, use the link button above to create page links. Do this when you mention another blogger or if their content is relevant to your article.
At the top of the post write: by________ and underneath write your twitter URL.
Place your site in the main search engines.
Create buttons on your side panel that enable other to follow you by social media or email.

Widgets Every Blog Needs

Facebook like button.
Share buttons
Social Medias Links
Contact Me widget
Author Bio (WordPress)
Follow By Email Widget
Website Hit counter

When you're done your post and you publish, don't forget to share it on social media. Don't wait for other people to do it for you!

Just like everything, blogging requires dedication. Since you're going to be browsing the internet anyway, have your idea list near by so you can add to it. Hey, You're going to write about what you love, have fun!

4. A Love Once Found

Romance

What inspired you to write your first book?

I was actually inspired to write by a very good friend of mine. This person’s struggle and determination through life inspired me to find the same determination that makes the difference between those who “say” and those who “do.” Since meeting this person, I have seen the possibility that no matter where you come from, you can do anything you persevere to do. I chose my genre based on my admiration for those powerful books and movies that draw tremendous emotion out of the reader/viewer. These stories give people an incredible connection with their feelings.

Is there a message in your book and/or books?

Originally, my book was created as a short story based on a chance encounter. But I decided to lengthen my novel into a three part story. By adding more juice to the adventure. I wanted to convey the internal struggle and emotions in one woman’s heart when she feels she’s found the man of her dreams. We have all had these feelings, and been through this emotional roller coaster. But my story carries a lot of internal dialogue. We see how Victoria feels about Mateo, how she falls, how she grows and most importantly, how she learns about what she needs in life more than anything else.

Is there anything in your book and/or books based on real life experiences?

Not at all. LOL. Of course! I think the “flavor” in every book is taken in some way from the hearts and minds of all authors. I wrote A Love Once Found at a time in my life where I had spent years watching and contemplating the relationships of many friends in my life. You'd be surprised how wise we become just by watching the world around us. I think everyone grows personally, intellectually, emotionally…Our knowledge of who we become and what we seek in life gets only more beautiful the more we walk the path that is life. Reading the book delves into Victoria’s personal growth.

What books and/or writers have influenced you the most?

I'll have to confess, having worked as a videographer for years, I write my books with my eyes closed. By picturing every scene in slow motion, I can pull each emotion and gesture out of my mind and onto the paper. In that regard, I'll admit, it’s the heartwarming stories by Nicholas Sparks, Winston Groom, and Robert Benigni that help draw emotion into my books, especially my new piece: Unrequited, due out next year.

What has been your greatest challenge when writing?

I think most people share this challenge when writing, and that is of course, finding the time to write. The love of family keeps me busy, but time management is the only way to ensure you turn out a good book. My trick is to find pockets of time, and head to a quiet place away from distraction, where I can “slo-mo” the next scene…even if it’s four or five pages. Every little bit brings you closer to finishing that great story.

What are you working on right now?

Well, I’m currently working on a romantic novel of a different nature. This one follows the lives of two people into adulthood. Despite the natural tendency of life leading them apart, their lives are brought together more than once. This new piece will focus more on the personal contemplations of both the female and male characters, as opposed to just the female mind in A Love Once Found.

What have you learned and do you have any advice for other authors?

Organization, commitment, and perseverance is so important for any author to not only produce quality work, but to also promote their work once it is ready for publication. By networking with other authors and using different online resources for publishing and promoting, you can make your mark in that big pond!

About A.W. Clarke

A. W. Clarke is a Toronto-raised author who started his literary career in 2011. A.W. has worked in the service industry for several years, with dual-trade experience and an additional background in videography and graphic design. A.W. enjoys reading and writing philosophy, romance and spirituality.

5. Self-Publishing: Setting Goals

Writing and self promotion takes self-discipline. There's no boss with a whip. No time card to punch.

Just you.

Good intentions start us on the journey, but you need more in your arsenal if you want to stay there.

You Need A Plan

Make sure yours goals are achievable. The first draft must be simple. Just because you want to do a million things or write 10,000 words in a day doesn't mean it will happen. Always take life into consideration: your work, family and whatnot.

Read: Organizing Your Writing Time

Decide What You Want And Learn Everything About it

Decide what avenue you want to take: traditional or self-publishing.
Find out what you need to do to get there.
Plan your promotional onslaught.
Find people like you and create a support system.

Plan, Plan, Plan...And Plan Some More

Once you know what you want to do and how to get there, plan it out. Google calendar is a great program to organize when you write, social media/promotion, and your personal life all in one area.

Create lists for everything in between. Don't overwhelm yourself, just do what you can. Todoist is another great program. You can create lists which are accessible on any web page you may be on.

Here's an Example of my day:

Wake up at 5am:

Get ready for work/eat breakfast/take vitamins.
Check emails/google+/FaceBook.
Respond if necessary.
Share blog posts(Pinterest, Facebook, linkedIn, Twitter, google+)
Twitter
Work on book.

After Work:

Work out.
Shower.
Clean house.
Check emails/google+/FaceBook.
Respond if necessary.
Twitter.
Work on blog.

Make Your Goals Tangible

Write your goals down and put them where you can see them. I know this may feel a little violating if you have others in your household. However, this is important. Get over it! I know...I've been there.

It's great to visualize yourself as a published and profitable author. But you need to create steps from point A to point Z. Having a dream is the fuel we need to stay on track, plan and persevere. But they certainly aren't going to magically give us what we want.

Having A Dream Is Only The Beginning

It's hard work. The billboards say to live your dream. They forgot to add the part that it isn't easy.

Even the best laid plans are no more than fairy dust if you don't implement them. As your daily tasks become automatic, you can heap more onto your plate.

All this work you've been doing, all the sacrifice, will be worth it! We live in the land of opportunity. However, it's our job to get out there and find it!

6. Book Review: Galactic Energies: Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories

by Luca Rossi

Science Fiction & Fantasy
Collection Of Short Stories

Galactic Energies is a copulation of short stories. Many are dystopic in nature, while others test the boundaries of the imagination. It's a myriad of adventures that take you into humanity's dark future or out into open space to explore distant worlds.

There seems to be a common thread in many of Rossi's tales. He has an uncanny ability to observe Earth's present circumstances and then gaze into it's future. Technology may not enhance our lives as promised, but aide in eradicating what makes us human. His stories are thoroughly believable and more frightening, possible.

Each story is fast paced and flow effortlessly. The book is an amazingly easy read and I couldn't put it down. Rossi has the ability as a writer to create something that has the reader thinking about it when they're done. Sometimes with a chill of foreboding.

In a very short time, the characters burst into life. The realism of the dialogue, only makes the characters more vibrant and the story more authentic. I highly recommend this book!

Luca Rossi enjoys riding his bike and spending time with his family. He is the author of many science fiction & fantasy novels.

7. Author Interview: Daniela Norris

Book Title: Collecting Feathers: Tales from the Other Side

Genre: Magical Realism/Collection of Short Stories

What inspired you to write your first book?

I always knew I wanted to be a writer and I've written stories since I learned to write - but I knew I first had to live life and gain some experience - both in living and in writing - before I can achieve that.

I started writing short stories, which were inspired by everything around me - people, situations, places I've visited and places I lived in. These stories were published in my first collection titled The Year Spring Turned into Winter in 2008. I then wrote two non-fiction books, and my new collection of short stories, titled Collecting Feathers: Tales from The Other Side is out this month - November 2014. It is inspired by my fascination with life, with death and with everything in between them.

Is there a message in your book?

I would say that the main message in my latest collection of short stories is that contact with the 'other side' can happen in many ways. In fact, today I believe that this contact is not only possible - but is something that happens regularly, consciously and subconsciously. This is something that is perhaps easier to accept if explored through fiction - which is what I've tried to do in Collecting Feathers.

Is there anything in your book based on real life experiences?

Absolutely - while of course the short stories in my latest collection are fictional, the situations they stem from are not. Contact with The Other Side has always fascinated me, and I explore the journey of how I came to believe in the possibility of contact with the other side - in my previous, non fiction book, titled On Dragonfly Wings.

What books and/or writers have influenced you the most?
While there are many books and writers that have influenced me over the years, I've recently read The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell, which is worth a mention - and a read. I also love Haruki Murakami's writing, and - of course - Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Paolo Coelho, both the princes of magical realism.

What has been your greatest challenge when writing?
I suppose that my greatest challenge was letting myself write what I really wanted to write. I come from a political background, I am a former diplomat, and the switch to spiritual and inspirational writing was not obvious. But once I embraced the truth of who I really was and what really interests me, it all flowed naturally.

What are you working on right now?

I am currently working on a reincarnation novel, based on some past-life regressions I've had myself. Can't say much more as it is still unfolding!

What have you learned and do you have any advice for other authors?

The most important advice I can give is: be true to yourself and to your inner voice.

About Daniela Norris

Daniela I. Norris is a former diplomat, turned inspirational writer and speaker. Her award-winning stories, articles and essays have been published in numerous newspapers and magazines. Collecting Feathers: Tales from The Other Side (Soul Rocks, November 2014) is her fourth book. She lives with her family near Geneva, Switzerland.

8. Writing: The Importance Of Doing You Own Research

Many writer's rely on assistants to do their research for them. As we all know, research is a long and arduous task. Of course, since the internet, this difficult, but necessary job is significantly simpler. I know from personal experience the convenience of clicking on Google as opposed to walking to the local library.

However, this new convenience doesn't stop those who can afford it from giving this task to someone else. And why not? There's nothing wrong with this, I just happen to think it can be detrimental to your writing.

There's Always A Pot Of Gold At The End Of A Rainbow

Of course, this opinion comes from my experiences and writing style. Much of The Time Sphere takes place in historical settings and required a lot of research. However, as I continued this en-devour, I saw how this research manipulated my work and even altered in some cases.

As I look back on my writing journey, I see how my research had a hand in manifesting my novel. Without it, it would not have become what it did.

So, as you tire of completing this long and tedious task, remind yourself of the benefits you will reap. And hey, it makes your work all the more your own.

9. Author Interview: H.R. Kasper

The Mirror: World's Collide Series (Book 1)
Fantasy

Young Adult

What inspired you to write your first book?

I've always been fascinated by mirrors. When I was younger (let's pretend that wasn't that long ago), I sometimes pressed my hand upon the glass, hoping that I would discover a fantastic world, completely different from my own.

It was that memory, along with a cliffhanger writing prompt, that inspired what turned out to be my first actual "book".

Is there a message in your book and/or books?

I suppose that there's underlying morals in every one of my stories, from anti-bullying to standing up for what you believe in. In The Mirror and the series Worlds Collide, there's the aforementioned messages plus the main message, Lux Vincemus (the light will prevail).

Is there anything in your book and/or books based on real life experiences?

I don't really base much in The Mirror off of my true to life experiences, but some characteristics of certain characters are modeled after people I know. I also subconsciously weave my own struggles into my characters and plot.

What books and/or writers have influenced you the most?

The writers that have influenced me include Rick Riordan and Regina Doman. Some of the numerous books that have inspired me are C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia (all seven!) and Louis Sachar's Holes.

What has been your greatest challenge when writing?

The most challenging thing for me when I write is to let my characters run the show, not because I have control issues, but because I love my characters and I want the best for them. Sadly, they don't always make good choices. It's very hard for me to step back and let them learn their own lessons, rather than using the power of the pen to force them to make a decision that is uncharacteristic of them.

What are you working on right now?

I am currently working on the sequel to The Mirror, titled The ShadowMaster. If you've bought the first book in the Worlds Collide series, you know there's a sneak preview for The ShadowMaster at the end of The Mirror.

So far, it's an intense story-danger at every turn, the fates of entire worlds hanging in the balance, all that good stuff. And that's pretty much all I'm going to divulge right now.

What have you learned and do you have any advice for other authors?

Writing has taught me a great deal about life. The meanest people are often the most scarred. Those who make bad choices sometimes have good, plausible reasons for doing so. And, as a character in the story of your life, you don't know the plans your author has in store for you.

I do have a few pieces of advice to other writers: let your characters shape the story. I find that when I let my characters run with the line, fantastic stories are made. And don't be afraid to break the rules every once in awhile!

Do you have a favorite character whom you've written or are writing about?

Gosh, that's almost like asking me to pick a favorite child. I love all my characters (excepting some of the baddies). However, I am not completely impartial. In The Mirror, I love Zach Johnston. He's dreamy, heroic, brave...and taken, ladies, so don't get excited ;)

This may come as a surprise to those of you who have read the book, but Zynthia Avariss is also up there on my list. She's so fun to write because of her complexity and unpredictability, and I get excited whenever I write a scene with her in it.

Is there any particular reason why you write or started writing?

Besides the fact that I love it and it keeps me from losing my mind? Not really.

When did you first start writing The Mirror?

I started writing it last September, and finished it this July.

How many books will be in the Worlds Collide series?

As of now, I have plans for there to be five books in the series, total. That could change, though, and I may write a spinoff series when those books are all finished. For now, I'll just concentrate on writing The ShadowMaster.

About H.R. Kasper

H. R. Kasper is a writer, photographer, sports fanatic, animal lover, and self-proclaimed grammar Nazi. She lives in northeast Ohio with her family on ten acres of beautiful, wooded land.

10. Quick Tips For Editing Your Book

So you've written the first draft of your book. Take a break, you've earned it. Wait a few weeks and then tackle the arduous job of editing. You're going to need it!

Story editing:

Read your book:

Read it aloud.
Read it Backwards.
Read it on printed paper.

Get other people to read it for you.
Look for lapses in logic.
Take out anything not related to the core of your book.
Look for areas that need more: humor, action, character development, etc.
Consider alternate routes your plot can take and see if they work.
Keep track of plot and smaller details. The reader will remember if you deviate.
Make sure there is some type of conflict/resolution throughout your story.
Dialogue should be natural and not necessarily grammatically correct. Their speech should reflect their character.
Avoid cliches.

Proofreading:

Capitols- beginning of sentence.
Periods- end of a sentence.
Comma and question marks were applicable.
Avoid the word 'that' and take it out of dialogue, unless truly necessary. People don't use 'that' often.
Watch the spellchecker: eg. definitely may be changed to defiantly or may not correct it all.
Watch for irregularities in font.
Use 12 size font and New Times Roman.
Look for missing prepositions, but also watch for over using them.
Avoid verbs ending in -ly.
Two digit numbers should be written as words.
If you think a sentence is too long, be safe and make it two sentences.
Watch for word confusion: to/too, their/they're.