Workouts while you read....what?

Happy Monday!

I came across this the other day and they made me giggle. I've always said that if reading could burn calories, I'd be a stick! Enjoy these workouts while you read.

Reading - the ultimate escape

A book is a splendid thing. The need to create is as strong for a writer as is the reader's desire to crack that spine or open the next book on their eReader. But a creative balance exists that requires the imaginations of both parties for a story to truly leap off a page.

How much should the writer share? How much can they gloss over, thereby allowing the reader to color in the rough sketch themselves? Too much information can drag a story to a halt. Too little, and you risk confusing your audience. Personally, I prefer incidental details be given sparingly and for the purpose of setting the stage or tone, otherwise they can pull the focus from where it actually belongs.

Engaging the reader is like a delicate dance, a seduction of the senses. A writer doesn't want them to be passive. Their participation, their involvement in the story, is vital. After all, these aren't merely words we've written, they're emotions. Passion. Either the characters or the tension of the plot needs to connect with the reader on a visceral level.

As with a play, the scene can and will change, but it's the cast who will ultimately hold the audience spellbound, leaning forward in their seats. Their gasps will come exactly where the writer and director planned it. Hearts may flutter. The audience might even make soft, involuntary sounds as they're drawn deeper into the tale.

When it's over, hopefully they've been moved in some positive way. Whether the writer's goal was to entertain, stir, or thrill their audience, we all hope to connect with them in a positive way. Enough so that when we open a new door, they'll gladly choose to walk through it and to meet more of our characters.




Image by Andrew Ferez/deviantART   http://fav.me/d71yvxs
http://25kartinok.deviantart.com/art/7b-426570544






       

Read any good books?

It's back to school in my house. This is the first full week of school for my kiddos. It's time to get myself organized again and be an author. I took most of the summer off. I did a lot of swimming and pool side reading. I really got my TBR list down a good bit...but of course, I added more books. I don't think that list ever really goes away.

I had a lot of book boyfriends this summer. I'm in awe of the men authors are able to create and hope that readers' get that infatuation feeling from the men I write. I have a few men I've written who are my favs, such as Tucker who is coming out this fall in Counting Cowboys, the first in the Carver Ranch series. 

I hope that Tucker provokes some fighting among women...but you know, I saw him first. :)

How much reading have you done this summer? Have you gotten any of those books on your TBR list read, or have you just bought new books?

-Lacey

Looking for Love

Hi, I'm Tara Mills and I'm a shy introvert with sexy tastes. I'm a bookish girl. I love to read them and love to write them. What I don't enjoy is stepping into the limelight and singing for attention. It's hard for me. I would love it if my books got more attention without forcing me out of my shell. Unfortunately, that can't and won't happen. So, I'm stepping outside my comfort zone and putting on my game face.

The truth is, there are a lot of authors out there, and more releases coming daily. It's hard to make a noticeable splash in a rainstorm over an ocean. There's noise, commotion, and raindrops fall so fast they tend to blur into one curtain of gray.

As a reader, I know how daunting it can be to find the right authors for you. I understand the challenges of locating stories that will make a deep impression on you and remain long after you've set the book aside. The kinds of stories you'll reach for again and again. Somehow this particular author connected with you. Or that story touched you, or entertained you in a significant way.

Writers love it when you read and enjoy our work. We greatly appreciate it when you write warm reviews. You've made our day when we hear you've recommended us, or something we've written, to others. And yes, even shy authors love to connect with their readers. We want to hear from you. Tell us how much you loved our book(s).

Most of us have author pages on Facebook so if you are on Facebook, like their pages. And yes, say hello. We're more than happy to return the greeting. Our author pages aren't simply for promotion and getting word out on our latest news. It's where we hope to connect with you, our readers.

Let me invite you to my Facebook page. I hope to see you there. Tara Mills

I'm also on Google +

Endings!

Before I begin - remember the big Beachwalk Giveaway! Win a Kindle Fire and all sortsa goodies! Click HERE for tour stops and HERE for scavenger hunt.**

So, to endings - I'm talking stories, books and conversations - which is the hardest to finish? From a writer's point of view, I find endings exciting and if it is going well, I can't wait to get to it. If I'm a reader - it depends on how in love with the book I am. I may have to slow down and tease myself if I'm really involved - I need time to be able to let characters go - then I need grieving space afterwards... is that ridiculous?? The thing with writing is you know you'll be revisiting with edits and changes so it's not so abrupt - and you've probably been living with the plot and people for ages and are quite happy to release them form you head!


***I'm stopping here quickly to refresh your visual memory of Ella's gorgeous pics blog and Lacey's very recent Man candy... worthy of another look, don't you think?


Now, if you're still with me or have returned from those photos (thanks - didn't think I'd get anyone back!) - to the third kind of endings - conversations. 


Now, I used to be a fantastic conversationalist - phone calls, coffees, visits, you name it, I was Ms Chat.That however, was before children. Now, I still have the skills to start conversations, but that's all. There are about four billion conversations I have started with my girlfriends which either my kids, their kids, or life in general (including tasty blog pics) have interrupted. Now I have developed a propensity for distraction so big, that I am truly amazed when I stick out a piece of writing until the bitter end.


I finished my  novel last week and now have to start on draft two - I will lock myself in my shed with no internet, phone or anything else, and GET IT DONE!


So what about these conversations all hanging with nowhere to go, like little chat orphans? 


Well, my ladies and I have come up with a plan. Seeing that women, sadly, usually outlive men, we have decided that when we are all in the same boat, we will buy a beach house and sit sipping margaritas all day finishing those long lost conversations.


Who's in? 


Remember the Scavenger hunt and blog tour!


Tabitha x xx