By M.S. Kaye (Guest Blogger)
Hi, Lisabet. Thanks for hosting me today!
Hi, Lisabet. Thanks for hosting me today!
The
first step to being published is learning how to write WELL. Educate
yourself! You may have an amazing story, but can you convey it as
vividly as it is in your mind? Here are some of my favorite books on
craft and other aspects of the writing world (I suggest reading these
books in the order provided):
- The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. This is a skinny and fabulous book. Start here; this book will give you the building blocks of writing well.
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne and King. The basics but more in-depth. Great chapter on sophistication.
- Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan. Create images in your readers’ minds as vividly as Van Gogh created with paint.
- Stein on Writing by Sol Stein. Craft, more than just the basics.
- Spunk and Bite by Arthur Plotnik. Read the others first so you understand the rules well enough to be able to break them.
- 77 Reasons Why Your Book was Rejected by Mike Nappa. Get insights into the publishing world from someone who’s been in virtually every role.
Do
you have any favorite writing books to add to the list?
Here’s
a little information on my most recent book:
Strong
as Death
Born
from Death book one
by
M.S. Kaye
Ilona
discovers what it means to have a mother who is a modern woman and a
father who is a 19th-century gentleman ghost.
After
being hit by a car and taken to the hospital, Ilona starts to realize
she’s different from other people, and that her mother has hidden
the truth from her. She sneaks out of the hospital in order to
discover the truth.
A
mysterious boy named Archer guides her through Brooklyn and
introduces her to Hendrick, the man who claims to be her
father—though he died in 1890.
Ilona
must discover not only what she must do to rid the city of Soll, a
sadistic and powerful spirit, but also what it means to be half
ghost. She proves what her mother told her—love is stronger than
death.
Amazon:
http://amzn.com/B01F2WTQ5K
All
Romance Ebooks:
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-strongasdeath-2081413-143.html
Add
to your to your to-read on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29933299-strong-as-death
Awaken from
Death, Born From Death book 2
Will be released
10/15/16 from Inkspell Publishing.
The
truth of an ancient connection threatens to destroy Ilona and Archer.
As they struggle to understand, Lettie discovers, or rather
remembers, their history, as well as the punishment Archer bore as a
result. She comes to accept Archer will never leave Ilona, but will
that cause his destruction?
Excerpt from
Book 1:
Another twenty
yards and she’d be out of the darkness of the trees and almost to
the sidewalk, within reach of the light from the streetlamps.
A figure stepped
out from behind a large oak, directly into Ilona’s path.
Ilona stopped and
searched for a way around.
“What are you
doing?” a rough voice growled.
Ilona recognized it
immediately, even before she registered Archer’s face.
“It’s none of
your business what I’m doing,” she said.
He moved closer.
“You’re making it goddamned impossible to protect you.”
“You can’t
protect me.”
His jaw tightened,
and he glared. “What in the hell do you think I’ve been doing?”
“I’m honestly
not sure.”
His voice rose.
“You’d be lying frozen dead in a gutter right now if it wasn’t
for me. You saw what happened in the shelter—you’d have been
attacked by now if I hadn’t been around.”
Her tone was quiet,
calm. “I know how you scared them away.”
“I told you I
have a talent for creating fear. It comes in useful.”
“But you don’t
like it.”
He said nothing.
“And I know
you’ve been around,” she said.
He raised his
eyebrows as if she was being slow.
“Before you asked
me if I was lost,” she said. “You were there—when the car hit
me.”
His expression
sobered.
She waited for a
response.
Finally, he said,
“I’ve been around.”
“Will you answer
one question? And be honest?”
“I give as much
honesty as I can.”
Her lips curved a
little. That was perhaps the most honest response he had yet given.
She moved closer,
and he backed away.
“No,” she said.
He stopped.
“When you turned
the corner and asked if I was lost,” she said, “you leaned your
shoulder on the wall. How did you do that?”
His eyebrows pulled
together.
“You’re really
good at it,” she said. “It took me awhile to realize you never
actually touch anything, that you stay out of the light, that you
don’t get cold, your breath doesn’t come out in puffs in the cold
like everyone else’s, you never let anyone close, near enough to
realize you have no scent, to feel the static when you get too
close.”
He took a step
back, as if in self-defense.
“Don’t
try to lie anymore,” she said. “I know what you are.”
About
the Author
M.S.
Kaye has several published books under her black belt. A transplant
from Ohio, she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville,
Florida, where she tries not to melt in the sun. Find suspense and
the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com.
To
receive news on upcoming releases, sign up for email updates on her
website.
Social
Media:
2 comments:
Hello, MS,
This sounds fascinating and different. I hope it does really well!
Thank you for hosting me!
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