Good Books

It seems like reading for me comes and goes in waves. I will read like 10 books one week and then nothing for the next. I'm sure part of it boils down to the fact that life is life and it gets busy. But here's a couple books that I've recently read and enjoyed.

                     

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

I love all things natural and side-effect free. I garden organically, bike everywhere I can and even go natural with having babies, so when I first learned about doTERRA I was very interested. Once I tried it myself I was hooked. This blog isn't only about doTERRA but I will feature their products often, If you are interested in learning more about it and try it for yourself you can click here: http://www.mydoterra.com/deannah/

Happy Tears

Thanks to Gabbie at DesignMom for posting this. It made me cry happy tears. I thought I'd post it here for you too.

Fall Wreath

I'm starting to want cooler temps, cardigans, boots and pumpkin cookies. How about you?

This is the first year I've put a wreath on our door. I guess I didn't put one out because I never had them on our door when I was younger. But now I've made one that stays in the living room for the spring and summer and one that's on the door, same: spring/summer. Now I need a fall wreath. I've been looking around for inspiration, here's what I've found.

This is from Pinterest so I don't know who owns the image--if you know let me know and I'll add it. :)

      This is from blissfullyeverafter.net I love the top left and middle left wreaths they are fall with out being only Halloween you know?

This comes from homeconfetti.blogspot.com I love the little sign inside the wreath.

And this last one is from craftaholicsanonymous.net. I think the simple design looks nice and quick to make too.

Do you put out a wreath?

Which do you like?

Friday Feature

It's been a while!

Connecting

How connected are you? As a writer do you believe you must be connected to be successful?  I do.
There are three main places that I believe you must be present to be considered connected.
Blog or Website
I've been told that even though I don't have a website that I need to purchase your name as a domain, and to start blogging. It's a good way to reach out to those you wouldn't be able to otherwise.
Facebook
You should have a fan page for you as an author and if you want, have a personal page.
Twitter
You must be on twitter and following people, tweeting and gaining followers of your own.

Word of warning though: If you are only ever posting quotes or talking about your own book(s) you will not have a large following and people may loose interest. Getting others to talk about your book is the idea, and you talk about theirs. Be you and be personable. :) GOOD LUCK!


So what other ways have you heard that you should be connected?

People's people

As we write we try to develop characters who our readers will relate to. We want the reader to cry laugh and worry with our characters right?...... RIGHT! :) So how do you do that? 

I have three ideas:

1- Believable reactions
Allow the teen age girl to wallow a bit after loosing her love-of-the-moment boyfriend, or walk on air when the guy of her dreams asks her out. We can relate to those reactions, we might even remember feeling like that ourselves.
2-Don't over use your emotion words
If they only shrug, feel butterflies and bite their lip to show emotion the reader is limited in feeling that deep down too. (And you wanna make them feel it deep down.)
3-Be True
IF your character arc is from shy to bold don't let the character stand up to the school bully in the first act, work your way there. If it feels outside the characters realm of behavior the reader will notice and be pulled out of the world you're sharing.