Category Archives: Books

Writing Tips ~ Understanding Your Voice/ New reviews/Contest

WRITING TIPS

For a writer first staring out, I think understanding one’s own voice is kind of a strange concept to grasp. You’re trying so hard to wade your way through the mechanics of writing, your focus isn’t on what the heck your voice IS at that point in time. :) The reality of your voice is…it becomes more defined and distinctive the more you write.

I’ve read authors’ books where I really appreciated their writing style, it was so lyrical. But “voice” is more than just style of writing. It’s the whole package. The best way I can describe “voice” in all its intangible glory is as follows; Voice is what gives your dialogue its unique rhythm, your characters their distinctive pop, and your plot its layered depth.

Does having a specific “voice” mean you can only have one type of writing? I hope not! I’ve written serious tear-jerkers, humorous romps, and intense action-adventures. But I’ll bet one thing is true in all of these stories…my voice comes through, regardless. In other words, no matter the genre or focus of your story, your voice will circle back to that “unique rhythm, distinctive pop and layered depth” thing every time. At least, that’s how I see it.

NEW REVIEWS

Not just the same ole, same ole! “Have you ever picked up book after book after book (I could keep going on) and none of them were holding your attention because it was just the same ole same ole? Brightest Kind of Darkness, love the title by the way, was a book I picked up after becoming bored with reading and *hoping* it would fix the my lack of good reads…it did just that! Click here to read the entire review at The Reading Housewives of Indiana

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Unique storyline and beautifully written “…Brightest Kind of Darkness is a wonderful start for a new series which isn’t easy to forget. Its unique storyline and the beautiful and easily flowing writing makes it possible to be sucked into a new world and I can’t wait to find out more about this.” Click here to read the entire review at Fictional Distraction.

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“…Brightest Kind of Darkness was a really entertaining read full of original ideas. It wasn’t perfect, but it was certainly somewhere in my top reads of 2011. The reasons for this are many: the unique plot, the chemistry between Inara and Ethan, the solid characterizations and the writing itself…” Click here to read the entire review at Great Imaginations.

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Definitely going on my list of FAVORITE kindle books! “…This story was scary, suspenseful and extremely romantic. I loved the growing relationship between Nara and Ethan and they way their gifts worked together. I did not put this book down until I was finished with it and wanted to start it all over again from the beginning. I highly recommend this author and I will be diligently looking out for the sequel.” Click here to read the entire review by The Book Runner

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AMAZING BOOK!! “This book was so good on so many levels. The idea of it was so intriguing and even now I have so many questions! When I first started reading I was excited because even though Nara had some kind of supernatural ability there wasn’t any of that usual instant attraction stuff between her and Ethan. I loved how naturally their relationship progressed. They spent time together and built up a trusting friendship first, eventually leading to love. The love I felt as a reader from both of them was so obvious, and I adored how the author used such a natural evolution from friendship to what they now have. I can’t wait to read more about Nara and Ethan… together they make one heck of a pair and I’m so excited to find out what happens with Ethan!…” Click here to read the entire review by Sara Hulce

CONTEST

Tomorrow is the last day to enter the BOOK LOVERS INC contest to win an eBook copy of BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS. 🙂

Writing Tips ~ Where to Start Your Story

I usually post Writing Tips on Thursday, but with Nanowrimo officially starting I thought today would be a great day to post an entry for my Writing Tips series.

Don’t you wish there was some magic formula that said, Start you story HERE like that sign to the left? Haha, me too, but hopefully this post can help point you in the right direction.

I admit it, I was a backstory queen when I first started writing. But I think that had more to do with the fact I was 1) initially a total seat-of-the-pants writer and 2) I didn’t plan my characters. They evolved as I wrote the story. Therefore my first two or three chapters were really me creating long, drawn out–very involved–character sheets. Heh.

Then a writer friend passed along a concept that has stayed with me…

Start your story where your character’s conflict and your plot’s conflict collide.

I’ve never forgotten it. Did it change how I started my books? Sure it did. But what I also discovered was that my progress slowed a bit in the beginning, because (apparently) I needed those first two chapters to get to know my characters inside and out. That was my muse’s process.

Now, instead of having to cut the initial three chapters, I’ll have to go back and flesh out the beginning. I also now create a detailed outline as a way to get to know my characters. That way I’ll know what I need to go back and work on for more for clarification.

Keeping that rule of thumb “how to start my story” in mind has been immensely helpful. It forces me to stay focused and reminds me that all that stuff I’m itching to show about my character right up front can come later, sprinkled in bit by bit.

The nice thing about following the concept of starting where the character’s conflict and the plot’s conflict collide is that you have so many options for a gripping opening scene…from an action scene to a dialogue scene…to even strong narrative. I just ask my character(s): What kind of scenario can I put you in that represents the crux of YOUR issue and the story’s main plot? and then I’m off and running, er typing. 🙂 

Hopefully you will be too. Best of luck, you Nanowrimo-ers!

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Also, I wanted to highlight a couple of recent reviews BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS received. Thank you to Angel’s 909 Reviews, Ron C. Nieto and Romancing the Book for the wonderful reviews!

5 Stars! “…P.T. Michelle will leave you dying for more! Over all, this is a great story of love, mystery, loss, gain, friendship, and adventure. I cannot wait for P.T.’s next novel!
Brightest Kind of Darkness will have you on the edge of your seat, fighting every need you may have, just to read one more page, and always dying for more. With great characters, a strong plotline, and a never-ending supply of action—this novel is the perfect read, and will have you questioning everything from, “What will happen next?” to, “Just how far you would go to keep the ones you love most, safe?”  Click here to read the entire review at 909 Reviews
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4 Stars! “I do have one roaring complaint about Brightest Kind of Darkness: I want more of it! There are so many things I thoroughly enjoyed from this book. For starters, the action was non-stop. From the opening scene, which put me on edge and shot up my adrenaline even when I wasn’t yet invested in the characters, all the way through to the very end, I was glued to the pages and unable to turn away! Every spare moment I had, I invested into reading more, into trying to figure out the mystery of the dreams and the visions and the crows and…Wait. I’m not making much sense, am I? I always try not to spoil reads, though, so I can’t really explain what the above referred to, but I can promise that you’ll be hooked from one issue to the next…”  Click here to read the entire review at Stories of My Life
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4 Stars! “This was an exceptional Young Adult novel. I grew attached to the characters pretty early in book and was with them everything step of the way…”  Click here to read the entire review at Romancing the Book.

Get Your Creep On YA Book Listing – 2011

Just in time for Halloween, here are some YA books that should fit right in with the creepy holiday this weekend.  Want to read scenes that’ll leave you tense, anxious, looking over your shoulder? Check out the list of YA books below where you’re bound to find some books that will fill your creepy/spooky/spine-tingling reading needs!

*bwhahahahaha*

Happy Spooky reading!

P.T. Michelle | BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS | http://amzn.com/B0058J4KSQ | dark-paranormal, romance | $0.99

J.A. Templeton | THE DEEPEST CUT | http://amzn.com/B0058HTU0G | dark-paranormal, romance | $0.99

P.R. Mason | ENTANGLEMENTS | http://www.amazon.com/Entanglements-Multiverse-ebook/dp/B005R0RPPG/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1 | urban fantasy, romance | $0.99

CC James | Demon Trackers: The Anointed | http://www.amazon.com/Demon-Trackers-Anointed-ebook/dp/B0057PHJQ6 | horror, action/adventure | $0.99

Jo Ramsey | The Dark Lines 1: The Black Bridge | http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Lines-Book-One-Bridge/dp/0983419906/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1318262818&sr=8-2 |paranormal, urban fantasy| $13.95 (print)

Tawny Stokes / DEMON WHISPERER / http://tinyurl.com/3kx2duj / horror, urban fantasy / $2.99

Nicole Zoltack | SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME | http://tinyurl.com/3bh824a | paranormal, horror | $0.99

Helen Scott Taylor | A CLOCKWORK FAIRYTALE | http://amzn.com/B005JERQDG | fantasy, romance | $2.99

Stacy Juba | Dark Before Dawn | http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Before-Dawn-ebook/dp/B005PG7SXG/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318277666&sr=1-2 | psychic, paranormal |
99 cent sale through Halloween

Wilson Doherty | ASHLYN’S RADIO | http://amzn.to/qRrEEV | YA-paranormal, romance | $3.99

Maree Anderson | FREAKS OF GREENFIELD HIGH | http://amzn.com/B005M9TC3K | YA, paranormal | $2.99

Edie Claire | WRAITH | http://www.amazon.com/Wraith-ebook/dp/B005FR7NL2 | paranormal, romance | $0.99 sale through October 31st.

Andrew Culver | CAMP CANNIBAL | http://amzn.to/qpLFmd | YA horror | $0.99 | Note: This is New YA (where the main character is college-age)

Lori Devoti | DEMON HIGH | http://www.amazon.com/Demon-High-ebook/dp/B004IE9WLM | dark urban fantasy | $0.99
(right now $2.99 but price in process of changing…)

Kelly McClymer | BLOOD ANGEL | http://amzn.com/B005UJR5EU | dark-paranormal, fantasy | $0.99

Lena Coakley | WITCHLANDERS | http://www.amazon.com/Witchlanders-Lena-Coakley/dp/1442420049/ | dark-fantasy, action| $10.98 (print)

Nicole Chase | MORTAL OBLIGATION | http://amzn.com/B005F9YGN8 | vampire, dark-fantasy| $0.99

Angeline Kace | DESCENDED BY BLOOD | http://amzn.com/B005IQL6EA | vampire, dark-fantasy| $0.99

Addison Moore | Ethereal | http://amzn.com/B004U34BZS | angels, dark-fantasy| $0.99