News and Fun Stuff

This week I had a lovely Fav post on my favorite household appliance, my Dyson vacuum cleaner. I decided to hold off on that last night, when I remembered my newsletter was going out this weekend. Today, check out what I've been up to and what's going on in the publishing world. I'm featuring a copy of my November author newsletter just for you, and hope you will subscribe to this monthly update by signing up at: 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DanielleThorne_BookNews/

I've been languishing at just under a hundred subscribers all year long, so come join the fun. You'll have to check out the lame joke at the bottom. After all the writing and research I do every month, for some reason everyone seems to enjoy the jokes the most. Whatever works for you!

~Danielle Thorne

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Danielle Thorne's Book News & More

www.daniellethorne.com

November 2011
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CONTENTS:
Greetings
Publishing News
Editor's Tip
Reviews
Author Eats
Book Watch
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GREETINGS:
I hope everyone has enjoyed late 2011 and have big plans for the holidays. I
know big doesn't necessarily mean expensive -- there are many creative ideas out
there that bring happiness to others and don't cost a dime. If you haven't heard
about the new sharing site, Pinterest, I strongly encourage you to check out
this great place for awesome inspiration about every topic imaginable. I've
already tried new recipes, hairstyles, and makeup. There are a few craft items
I'm going to try for gift giving this year, too. You can check out my Pinterest
boards at: http://pinterest.com/danielle_thorne/

In writing news, this month was my scheduled time to work on edits for my
February release, DEATH CHEATER. It's helped that my other editing assignments
have been trimmed down, because I've had a few weeks to breathe. Unfortunately,
things don't always run on the schedules we expect -- I haven't seen any editing
rounds for DEATH CHEATER yet, but there's no use worrying about things beyond
our control. I'm excited about this new paranormal. I hope you will be, too.
Here's a short excerpt:

DEATH CHEATER

A low rumble echoed around me, and the tall, dark trees went still. Not even a
leaf stirred. My heart hummed, and a tingle of apprehension made my palms damp.
A snarl came from the shadow of a tangled thorn bush, and soft, padding
footsteps shuffled in the darkness. Maybe it was a raccoon or an angry squirrel.
My breathing went ragged with fear.

Athena, whispered a soft voice.

Whipping around, I stared hard into the gloom. It sounded gentle, but at the
same time it sent chills up my arms. I glanced up through the hooded canopy of
tree branches and tried to see heaven.

God?

There was a growl, and the terror I'd been holding at bay zipped up my spine
into my skull. I was sure my long hair stood on end, like when kids touched the
electrostatic generator at the science museum. Something was coming for me, and
it wasn't from these woods. It'd been following me all day. Maybe even my entire
life.

Whew! I'm looking forward to making Athena's paranormal journey through high
school a series. Keep on the lookout for more news to come. Meanwhile, if you
celebrate Thanksgiving, have a wonderful day with family and friends. If you're
in need of some festive recipe ideas, watch and follow my blog for some of my
best ideas! www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com
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PUBLISHING NEWS:
Move over, i-Pad, the Kindle Fire tablet is here for $199. While many bloggers
caution not to compare the two, it's hard not to get excited about a new option
that costs less and does more. The Kindle Fire is the hot new tablet, and it
seems to me there's a lot to be excited about. It's lighter and just a bit
smaller than the i-Pad. Besides the standard games, music and book software,
there's access to the Amazon marketplace and unlimited television shows and
movies for a fee. The Kindle Fire also offers cloud storage. If it seems too
good to be true, we'll just have to wait and see. The best result of this
competition for Apple and other tablet makers is, in my opinion, that prices for
such electronic accessories will continue to fall, making technology affordable
for more people who desire it.
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EDITOR'S TIP:
Commas seem to cause a lot of confusion when there are more than one involved.
In general, we use additional commas when we list items in a series. The big
question often is, do you use one for the next -to-last item or not? As in,
before the conjunction?

This is done differently depending on whether your work is non-fiction or
fiction. Again, a quirk of having two style guides -- the A.P. and the Chicago
Manuel of Style.

For fiction writing, always use a comma with your next-to-last item:
"I saw planes, trains, and automobiles.
For article writing, leave the comma out:
"I saw planes, trains and automobiles."
This rule applies to three or more in a series. Not a pair. 
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REVIEW:
Title: COLD MOUNTAIN
Author: Charles Frazier
Disclaimer: I received no compensation for reviewing this novel.

Charles Frazier's COLD MOUNTAIN is a success, not because of the screenplay that
adapted to it to film, but because it sets a standard on par with the great
American novel. It does not compel the reader to toss pages like coins, nor does
it use suspense or erotica to entice delving for more. It simply does what great
literature does: leads your mind and heart on an odyssey into the lives of
simple characters with universal, complex issues.

There is no simpler story line than that of love and devotion between parent and
child, between two hearts melded together at first glance or of friendship. COLD
MOUNTAIN brings this recognizable plot into an environment cultivated by war and
bloodshed, compassion, trust and forgiveness. It is Frazier's ability to bring
it forward in these new clothes and his poetic sense of description and
structure that lure us into a poignant deja vu we recognize as the chapters
pass. We all have loved and lost. We all have been touched by the handiwork of
God.

COLD MOUNTAIN should be set down from time to time while being read. It was
never meant to peruse and scan idly. This book will provoke thought and
recollection. It echoes timeless lessons from the heavens by reminding one of
the ties between deity and nature and opposing forces of the good and the evil,
which battle not only around us but within the darkest canyons of our hearts.

The beauty with which Frazier narrates this Appalachian journey is as if falling
headlong into a poem, Frost perhaps, and then trailing off somewhere alongside a
stream to ponder for a season its significance. It is the standard by which all
future literature will be judged by anyone who has the ability to grasp the
genius of its composition. May it be ravished by romantics, enjoyed by
historians, studied by writers and treasured for what it truly is: gifted
storytelling.
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AUTHOR EATS: PUMPKIN BREAD (for Bread Machine)
1 cup sugar
1 cup of canned pumpkin pie filling
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup chopped nuts, if desired

Lightly mix all ingredients and spread in a well-greased bread machine pan. Bake
on Quick Bread or Cake setting. *One of my favorites!*
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BOOK WATCH:
RENEGADE HEARTS by Anne Patrick
(http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-206/Anne-Patrick-Renegade-Heart\
\
/Detail.bok)

WINNING MR. WRONG by Marie Higgins
(http://www.amazon.com/Winning-Mr-Wrong-ebook/dp/B00514HJLS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital\
\
-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310863743&sr=1-1)

LAST RESORT by B.J. Robinson
(http://www.amazon.com/Last-Resort-ebook/dp/B005CQ7JQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=13\
19232682&sr=8-1)
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See you next time!
Danielle Thorne
Visit me: www.daniellethorne.com
Follow my blog: http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com
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LAME JOKE OF THE MONTH:
What did Mama Turkey say to her wayward turkey son?

Answer: If your father could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy!
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©Danielle Thorne. This newsletter may be forwarded, quoted and pirated in any
responsible manner. Just give me some credit, ya scallywag, by leaving in me
byline!

Fighting "The Good Fight": Shawna Williams

Please welcome Inspirational Romance author, Shawna Williams, to The Balanced Writer. I have known Shawna as a friend and author. I've read her books, I've worked with her, and I also share the title of 'Editor' with her at two different publishing houses. She is warm and talented, a tender writer and a true Christian. Her books have received awards and stellar reviews, and she has even been a featured book of the month author with Christian readership organizations. Shawna's new release is my favorite book of hers to date: THE GOOD FIGHT.

I never intended to be a writer. Never gave it any thought until I was thirty-one years old, and even then it was just about my own curiosity in trying to make sense of a dream I'd had. I pondered that dream for many years as I wrote and revised the story -- ad infinitum times. My first two books, NO OTHER and IN ALL THINGS were the result of those years of pondering and rewriting. 

THE GOOD FIGHT was a book that I had no intention of writing. When I came up with Roger Talbot's character while writing my debut novel, NO OTHER, my initial plans for him were to serve as one of the main antagonists -- especially to the hero in that story, Jakob. As the story unfolded though, the character of Roger began to reveal himself in a different way. He was arrogant and unlikable, but not bad, just easily manipulated due to his sights being focused on attaining a certain goal. In the end of that book he showed himself capable of standing for right, though it cost him what he'd been trying to attain. 

As I promoted NO OTHER, I often mentioned that there was a sequel in the work and was surprised to find that many of my readers assumed it would be about Roger. When I told them it was a continuation of Jakob and Meri's story, they would ask, "Are you going to write about Roger?" My answer at the time was that I had no plans to do so. 

However, while writing IN ALL THINGS, something funny kept happening. The character of Jakob had many unresolved issues, and they kept manifesting in a comparison of himself to Roger. A third of the way through that book I realized that while Roger's character wasn't in the story, he definitely had a strong presence. Toward the end of the book he made a reappearance, and so I thought that I was likely done with him. 

The book released, and guess what readers asked me? "What about Roger?" That's when I began to ponder some of the more interesting aspects of his character, and his character's relationship with the other characters from those two books, as well as the history of the area at the time. Suddenly it was staring me right in the face, the workings for an intriguing story -- one with strong elements of suspense for that matter. 

Even as I wrote I didn't really think I could ever grow to like Roger's character the way I had liked Jakob. But then Pennye popped up, and she had a way of bringing out some unexpected qualities in him. By the time the book was done these two had wormed their way into my heart as deeply as Jakob and Meri. I hope my readers will feel the same. This book is written because of you. Thank you for stirring it within me. 

Book Blurb:

Roger Talbot's life is defined by his devotion to public service. Having just successfully prosecuted a brutal murder case, Roger turns his attention to discovering the shady dealings of Niles Parker -- the town's former mayor, Roger's old boss and the father of the woman Roger almost married.

Pennye Carrington ran away from Port Delamar with plans never to return. However, learning that her brother had murdered a family member of a famous movie star changed those plans. Pennye comes back with the hope of bringing stability to a family in disarray, but facing the torment of her childhood may be more than she can handle.

Roger's mission to bring down Niles Parker and Pennye's desire to keep her brothers out of trouble create a middle ground, where two people who couldn't be further apart, embark on a danger-filled journey of discovery to find themselves and each other.

                       

About Me:

I'm a lot of things: a Christian, wife, mother, friend, author, artist, rock hound, science geek and animal lover. The first four take priority. The rest tend to jostle for my attention. Since I'm always a dreamer, author usually wins. 

Indeed, my first two books are the result of a dream -- an actual dream. It nagged me for six months as I mentally tried to fill in all of the gaps. I finally had to write it down. Since then, God has continued to bless with me inspiration at times of His choosing.

Technically, I'm an Inspirational Romance writer. But I like to think that romance includes more than the relationship between two people. It can also be about the era or place, or even a single moment in time, when an elusive whisper reaches inward and ever so gently taps the soul, saying, "This... Remember this."

It's my desire that my stories create such a moment.

Some of my methods for filling my creative reservoir are reading about the histories of small towns, pouring over old photos in antique shops and people's homes (If I'm at yours, I'll ask to see your picture albums.), and asking prying questions about your best family stories. Oh! And if you ever see a lady on the side of the road, taking pictures of old, dilapidated houses and buildings, it's probably me. My website: http://shawnakwilliams.com/

Win a copy of THE GOOD FIGHT!

Details about my book release contest:

http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/2011/10/kindle-giveaway-with-new-book-release.html

My Halloween Mischief

Congratulations to "Julie" --this month's winner of my book giveaway. Thanks for joining us at the Monster Mash. Stayed tuned for more seasonal contests.

SWANSBROUGH MANOR AND CEMETERY

If you celebrated, how was your Halloween? My crowd made our way to our yearly haunt at Georgia's Swansbrough Manor.  Featuring a spook-filled cemetery, creepy church, swampy ol' bayou, and two pirate ships, our wonderful friends include us every year by allowing us to take part in the action. Hundreds of visitors attended this past weekend's celebration and toured the haunted grounds. Several incriminating photos have circulated around Facebook, so I'm sharing them here just for you. (Thanks to Dawn W. for the pictures.)

A sleepy pirate guards treasure within the Black Pearl.

This poor fellow is locked up in the hold.

A sneaky little stick man danced around the cemetery all night long.

By day, the Black Pearl juts out of the manor's right wing with the cemetery in the foreground.

Yours Truly minding the bayou as a voodoo witch.

I wish I had the room to post all of the pictures taken by friends and visitors, from the cemetery to the church, to Davy Jones' Flying Dutchman. It was a wonderful, fun-filled Halloween once more for our community. You can check out more pictures and video at the manor's website: www.swansbroughmanor.com  

Take care and enjoy the candy. The holidays have just begun!

~Danielle Thorne