Thursday, February 11, 2010

Character Craft: March Online Writing Workshop

Character Craft

Fascinating, engrossing, compelling, unforgettable, frustrating, hardheaded characters! We love to read about them and, in order to sell our books, we have to write them as well. The Character Craft workshop is designed to be informative, interactive, and enhance your approach to character creation. To do this, we’ll move beyond common character charts and bios to zero in on the unique traits, beliefs, and actions that separate characters that lie flat on the page from those that live in the hearts of readers.

Biography

Kim Louise is a hope-full romantic who still can't believe that she gets paid to do what she loves. She's penned over fifteen novels & novellas, writing for BET Books, Genesis Press, and now Harlequin. She has been a lead author for Kimani Press/Arabesque and 3-time Emma Award finalist. Her novels garner top reviews from Romantic Times Magazine, Romance In Color, and RAWSISTAHZ Book Reviews. Kim’s 2005 presentation at the RWA National Conference on FINDING TIME TO WRITE was selected as one of the top 25 presentations that year. Her novel SWEET LIKE HONEY was a finalist for 2008 African-American Romance of the Year by Romantic Times Magazine

For more information: lpatrice9@aol.com

Friday, February 5, 2010

Just Released Banished Scoundrel

Just wanted to let my friends know I have a new book coming out today.

Blurb:
Known scoundrel Jack Avery must earn the queen's forgiveness by rescuing her missing daughter from the human world. His sources reveal the Princess Noelani is being held by a powerful man who likes a good game of chance. So with twenty borrowed pieces of gold Jack enters the high-stakes game. Only the lady he encounters is no princess. This pretty Kitty makes him want to hear her purr.

Under a memory spell, Kitty recalls nothing before the governor bought her from her parents and offered her protection from those he claims would kill her kind. So what if, in order to control her, he forces Kitty to morph then deprives her of sexual release after transformation. But the crafty card player she is assigned to “entertain” reveals himself as a kindred spirit—a shape shifter—and unravels the lie she’s been forced to live.

Together Jack and Kitty risk it all, for the stakes are high and the prize is worth it...freedom, forgiveness, love.

Purchase the book at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php

Also learn more about my hero Jack, who is off with Dr. Raven.
They are having some fun.
Visit http://theblackraveneroticcafe.blogspot.com/
to see what they are doing.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Anita


www.anitaphilmar.com

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

MARCH ONLINE CLASS: ONCE MORE WITH FEELING

Getting Your Book on Keeper Shelves

DATE: March 1 - 31
INSTRUCTOR: CHERYL ST.JOHN
COST: $25.
REGISTRATION VIA PAYPAL: http://cheryl-stjohn-workshop.blogspot.com/
REGISTRATION OPEN IMMEDIATELY


CLASS DESCRIPTION:
We all have favorite books, and for most of us there are a special few that hold places in our hearts. What writer doesn’t want to be able to write stories that will connect so vividly with readers that their books will become favorites? How does a writer go about writing a book like that? How do you connect with the readers on such an emotional level that they buy in for the duration of the story and root for your characters? By making them feel the story. By putting them in the time and place, by winning their trust, and making them believe that the outcome is important. What your story people say and do are not what hooks the reader. How your characters react is what engages and endears your reader.

Cheryl St.John is the award-winning author of more than thirty-five historical and contemporary novels for Harlequin and Silhouette Books. One thing all reviewers and readers agree on regarding her work is the degree of emotion. Words like heart-warming, emotional depth, touches your soul, tugs your heart all over the map, endearing characters and on my keeper shelf are commonly used to describe her work.

Cheryl believes techniques of writing can be learned and offers this workshop to share methods used to inject tone and communicate senses and feelings. She will reveal what she believes is the most important job we have as writers and give practical, applicable suggestions on the many ways you can convey emotion in your stories.
Cheryl will share a checklist of ways to make sure your book is one readers will want on their keeper shelf. Mark your calendars for this workshop, register now, and prepare by getting out a favorite book and reminding yourself why it’s a keeper.


INSTRUCTOR BIO:
Cheryl’s achievements include over thirty-five published books in both contemporary and historical genres. She has received multiple Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and three RITA nominations. In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real life situations.” She has taught writing on local and national levels, and is in demand as a motivational speaker.

Cheryl’s upcoming release, MONTANA ROSE in the To Be a Mother Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical anthology, will be in stores this April.


FORMAT:
The class will be conducted via subscription to a private yahoogroup. Two lessons per week, followed by questions and answers. Each lesson will include one brief assignment pertaining to the participant’s current work in progress. Entire archived class will be available for one week after the ending date.


ENDORSEMENTS:
“I found Cheryl St. John's class on emotions full of insight and wisdom. Her lessons helped me understand what was missing in my story while offering alternative ways to to approach my writing. Cheryl's willingness to share her experience and expertise is greatly appreciated by this aspiring writer.”
- Susan Kapost


“Cheryl’s marvelous understanding of the human condition comes across in her writing and her workshops as well. In Once More with Feeling, I learned how to write characters from the inside out. By the end of her class, I had brand new tools for exposing my characters strengths, vulnerabilities, and greatest desires in a way that leads to strong emotional responses in readers. I highly recommend Cheryl’s class.”
– Kim Louise, Sweet Like Honey, Kimani Press.