Interview with historical romance novelist Violetta Rand

Today’s blog guest is historical romance novelist Violetta Rand. She’s touring her novel Blind Allegiance.

Violetta will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a lucky commentor during her tour. To be entered to win, leave a comment below. To increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and leave comments there.

Bio:

Violetta Rand holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy and a master's degree in Environmental Management. Serving as an environmental scientist in the state of Alaska for over seven years, she enjoys the privilege of traveling to remote places few people have the opportunity to see.

Violetta has been "in love" with writing since childhood. Struck with an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, at five, she wrote short stories illustrated by her best friend and sold them in her neighborhood. The only thing she loves more than writing is her wonderful relationship with her husband, Jeff. She enjoys outdoor activities, reading whatever she can get her hands on, music, and losing herself in the ancient worlds she enjoys bringing to life in the pages of her stories.

Welcome Violetta. Please tell us about your current release, Blind Allegiance.

Eleventh century Vikings, very near the end of the Viking Age when Christianity spread across Scandinavia.

It’s a risk of a lifetime loving a man you’re supposed to hate…

Betrayed by a brother she hardly trusted before the bloodthirsty Viking, Jarl Randvior Sigurdsson, attacks her home, Noelle Sinclair is conveniently bartered as a means to save her cowardly sibling’s skin. Forced to leave her homeland and accompany the petulant Viking to the untamed wilderness of central Norway, Noelle is ever-aware of the burgeoning dangers around her—including her weakening resolve to resist Randvior.

Should Noelle surrender to his resplendent charms and seduction, or fight with every ounce of strength she possesses to get home?

What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve been writing poetry and stories since I was very young. Somehow, the universe decided I was going to be a writer. For years I ignored it, focusing on my education and career as a scientist. Cancer hit my family a few years ago and I guess that’s what woke me up. I needed a release. The words just started flowing and haven’t stopped.

Excerpt:

Cringing from his brutal words, Noelle finally burst. Through the blur of tears, she saw a warrior of tremendous proportion storm across the hall. He seized Brian’s arm and pried his fingers loose from her hair. She heard a loud snap as he curled Brian’s arm behind his back. Her brother stumbled and hollered, then dropped to his knees.

“Say it,” the colossal warrior demanded, visibly applying more pressure to his hand.

Brain tried to wrestle him down, but the stranger was larger and stronger—controlled him with little effort.

Although she detested her brother, her first instinct was to protect her own flesh and blood. Yet, it seemed a fitting punishment. Let Brian suffer the same mortification she felt whenever he embarrassed her, which happened too often.

Brain quit struggling. “Mercy,” he begged.

The Viking released him, and Brian staggered to his feet as gracelessly as a drunk.

“Is this how you treat your own kinswoman?” her rescuer asked.

“She’s faithless—no blood of mine. We’ve made our bargain Norseman, take her.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

Blind Allegiance is the first book in a series. The second book, Blind Mercy, was just accepted by my publisher in June. Book 3 of the series is nearly done. I’m also working on a 1980s contemporary romance with strong environmental connections. I’m pretty excited about it; an awkward biologist finally receives a federal grant to conduct research in central Mexico to study the fall/winter migration of monarch butterflies and their habitat. He doesn’t know what he’s getting into—conflict with a drug cartel, unexpected love, and the admiration of a young boy who changes his perspective on everything.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I sold my first story (with illustrations) at age five … the theme of the day was cats. My best friend wanted to be an artist/illustrator and I wanted to be a writer. We were quite entrepreneurial and enjoyed sharing our stories and making some cash. I never grew out of it.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like?

Right now I do. I write five to six hours a day (usually start in the morning). Between pages I’m a domestic goddess, caring for my husband and pets.

If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Typically, I write part time. I’m an environmental scientist by trade specializing in environmental risk assessments, contaminated soil and water investigations, and remediation projects. If I’m in the field (usually remote Alaska) I take my writing with me. I dedicate 2 to 3 hours a day to writing.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Religious conflict is part of all my stories. It’s such an integral part of human history—it shaped the world. My characters thrive off it, debate, and usually learn to accept/respect each other’s faiths.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer and a jockey. The horse thing never worked out, but I was a disc jockey (if that counts) for many years.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Hurry up and write! Through my writing/publishing experience I found so many wonderful people offering well-intentioned advice. Classes, marketing options, support groups, and so much more. Although these resources/tools are very important, it can swallow you. Write. The rest will follow.

Thanks, Violetta! Readers, don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card!

Guest post on writing about Chinese female spies by Mingmei Yip

Novelist Mingmei Yip, author of The Nine Fold Heaven, is here today to share some insight into female Chinese spies - characters she uses as protagonists.

Bio: 

Mingmei Yip has been writing and publishing since she was fourteen years old and now she has twelve books to her credit. Her five novels are published by Kensington Books and her two children’s books are published by Tuttle Publishing.

Mingmei is also a renowned qin (ancient string instrument) musician, calligrapher and painter. In Hong Kong, she was a columnist for seven major newspapers. She has appeared on over sixty TV and radio programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and the US. 

Chinese Female Spies

by Mingmei Yip

When I decided to write about a woman spy in 1930’s Shanghai, I read every book I could find on the subject. What I discovered during my research is that spies usually end unhappily. Spies, no matter how cautious, smart, scheming, or ruthless, usually in the end could not beat fate. The world in which they lived was dominated by turmoil and malevolence.

Most female spies in China did not enjoy long lives. They were either caught and killed, or discarded once their mission was accomplished. As in the ancient Chinese saying “After the rabbits are caught, the hounds are cooked.”

A spy is like a yehu, a chamber pot: When the master needs to pee, it is needed right away. But when he doesn’t, the pot is but a stinking eyesore.

An example is the Chinese prostitute spy sent to Harbin to spy on a Russian general. She succeeded in stealing his map, on which were marked the soldiers’ positions, their supply lines, and their planned attack route. The government received the map, but never sent anyone to rescue her. Instead, they joked about her as  “the sakura blossom without root,” and left her to die alone in a prison in Siberia.

Female spies had to endure many humiliations like what I describe in my novel:

“Because every time before I was allowed inside Lung’s bedroom or hotel room, I’d be stripped naked and searched thoroughly by Gao his head bodyguard. I was even asked to jump up and down in case a weapon – small knife, razor, poisonous pill -- had been hidden inside my vagina. Of course, he’d also scrap my mouth for possible pills wedged between teeth. Was I humiliated? No, because acquiring a thick skin was part of my training. I had learned not to be distracted by pointless feelings such as humiliation, or embarrassment. It was just part of the job.”

Many spies failed at their last step to succeed because at the last minute, they could not pull the trigger. We imagine this is especially true for women. They may fall in love with their target and find themselves unable to kill. This is what happens in Eileen Chang’s novel, Caution, Lust (made into a popular movie by An Lee). When the female protagonist finally lured her victim to the place planned for his assassination, she didn’t have the heart to kill him and told him to run.

A Chinese saying, “It’s difficult for a hero to resist a beautiful woman’s love.” Thus the ever-popular honey trap. But this also applies when a women meets a handsome, caring man. 

Come along with an ex spy as she returns to Shanghai where she’s a wanted woman – but she has to search for her baby and her lost lover. Is her baby really alive? Will she be able to find her lover? Can she elude the police long enough to find them? 

Learn much more about Nine Fold Heaven and Mingmei Yip at http://www.mingmeiyip.com and get your copy of this exciting and exotic novel at http://www.amazon.com/The-Nine-Fold-Heaven-Mingmei/dp/0758273541/.

Video trailer.

Live chat/interview with cozy mystery author Edith Maxwell/Tace Baker - 7/7/13

The Writer's Chatroom presents cozy mystery author Edith Maxwell, aka Tace Baker.

WHEN?

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Eastern USA Time.....7-9 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Sign In. No password needed.

Please note: The chatroom is only open for regularly scheduled chats.

Interview with debut historical novelist John Cressler

Today's guest has published many non-fiction books, but is here to talk about the first in his historical fiction series, Emeralds of the Alhambra.

Bio:

Dr. John Cressler spent 8 years at IBM Research and 10 years at Auburn University before joining Georgia Tech in 2002, where he has authored numerous books. He has been a TED talk presenter on the topic of The Many Miracles of the Microelectronics Revolution. 

He knows that multicultural cooperation is possible, and he has the history to prove it in his historical fiction debut novel Emeralds of the Alhambra, which is endorsed by a Nobel Laureate and a Harvard Divinity School professor. It is the first book in the Anthems of al-Andalus series. This novel is an interfaith love story set in medieval Muslim Spain.

His non-fiction books for general audiences include: Reinventing Teenagers: The Gentle Art of Instilling Character in Our Young People and Silicon Earth: Introduction to the Microelectronics and Nanotechnology Revolution.

Welcome, John. Please tell us about your current release.

Imagine a time when Muslims, Jews, and Christians found a way to live together in peace. Sound unbelievable? Well, it happened in medieval Muslim Spain! I wanted to break open this largely forgotten period in a compelling way that would engage a broad audience. I settled on a love story set during a key point in medieval Spain’s history. Emeralds of the Alhambra is set in the resplendent Alhambra Palace, in Granada, Spain, during the Castilian Civil War (1367-1369), a time when, remarkably, Muslims took up their swords to fight alongside Christians. What is inside the covers of Emeralds? Romance, battles, conspiracy, politics, religion, art and architecture. But, first and foremost, Emeralds is a love story.

What inspired you to write this book?

Emeralds is a darn-good-read, but it speaks to two fundamental ideas that I hold dear: 1) peaceful coexistence is demonstrably possible between religions, and 2) Love has the power to transform the human heart and thereby cross cultural and religious boundaries in many beautiful ways.

Excerpt:

She unfurls a white flag. “Perhaps we should talk about Arabic and English?”

He looks up, smiles weakly. “I think that is an excellent idea.”

The mood brightens.

“So...Arabic is a complicated language, so we will start simply, with a few basic words. Certain pronunciations will sound strange to you. They will prove difficult to form with your mouth. It just takes practice. There are many dialects of Arabic, but we will focus on Andalusi Arabic. Spoken only. Writing is much more challenging.”

He rests his hands on his knees, eager to put their confrontation behind him. “Good. Speak some Arabic to me.” He wants an excuse to study her face.

She purses her lips and looks skyward for a moment as she considers, then begins, “I am sorry that I offended you. I let my temper get the better of me. Again.” She grins.

“Interesting. What did you say?”

She hesitates. “That I am pleased to be able to teach you Arabic.” She grins again. “Speak some English for me.”

“Mmmm... Let me see.” His expression turns mischievous. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. And you have a ferocious temper.” He smiles.

She raises her eyebrows. “Well?”

“I said you have beautiful emerald eyes.” He fixes his gaze on her.

She blushes, looks down. Her response is barely audible. “Thank you.”

The silence stretches.

She swallows hard, decision made. “I am sorry I angered you, Chandon. I meant no offense. Sometimes my...opinions...just seem to slip out on their own. Forgive me.”

“No offense taken, Layla. I wish all women had such strong opinions. The world would be a better place. Let us put all of that behind us, shall we?”

“Agreed.” Their eyes remain locked on each other for a few seconds longer than necessary.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Emeralds is the first in a series of at least three novels dealing with medieval Muslim Spain. Book two is called Shadows in the Shining City, and is set in late 10^th century Córdoba, at the height of the Golden Age of the Umayyad Caliphate. I am 450 pages in, so stay tuned!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I have been writing most of my life, and have a whole bookcase of journals to prove it. When I began my research career, I starting writing scientific papers. A little later I began my life as a non-fiction author, and have published 5 books, two for general audiences. I first considered myself an author when my first non-fiction book was published in 2003. But my dream was always fiction! With the release of Emeralds, my debut novel, I can finally stake a claim as a novelist, which, if I had to be honest, I put in a higher category than just plain “writer.”

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I am a professor full time and a writer part time, a balance that I love. I am in my home office at 7:15 am every morning and spend the next 2.5 hours writing. Then I pack up and head to work, and for the rest of my day it’s my professor gig (teaching, grad students, research, papers, the university; presentations, telecons, committees, etc.). BUT, at 5 days a week, I get maybe one chapter per week of good prose. That adds up. I wrote Emeralds in about 15 months.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I do not do rough drafts. By that I mean, I continue to work on a chapter section by section until I perfect it. Only then do I move on. When I put that section to rest, it is 95% of what it ultimately will end up being.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was a curious kid, and early on I knew I wanted to study science. After all, scientists get paid to be curious and explore the world, so I did! Only after my PhD (in physics) did I learn that I also loved to teach. And only three years ago I learned that I loved to write fiction.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I have been married for 30+ years to my best friend and soul mate, Maria, my crazy Italian beauty. We met in 9^th grade and became best friends. We did not date until the night of high school graduation, and have never looked back. We married at 21 and had our first baby at 22! We have had a wonderful life full of great blessings, three great children, and now our first grandchild, while only being 51! How good is that?!

Thank you for spending some time with us today, John. It's been fun getting to know a bit about your and your writing.

Spotlight on Jennifer Oko's "Head Case"

Head Case

by Jennifer Oko

About The Author:

Jennifer Oko's first book, Lying Together: My Russian Affair (written under her maiden name, Jennifer Beth Cohen), was published in 2004 and received numerous positive reviews. The New York Times Book Review called Lying Together "riveting" and twice named it an Editors' Choice. The San Francisco Chronicle raved, saying it was "a heady cocktail" and "a quick, juicy read." Her second book, a satirical novel about morning television news entitled Gloss, was a Marie Claire "pick of the month" in 2007 and chosen as a "hot summer read" by USA Today.

Currently working as a freelance writer and media consultant, Jennifer is a "recovering" journalist and award-winning television news producer. A graduate of Columbia University's Journalism School, her career has taken her across the country and around the world.

Additionally, Jennifer's writing has been published in a variety of magazines, including The New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine, Maxim, Self and Allure.

Jennifer lives in Washington, DC with her husband and their son and daughter.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Head Case

Genre: Humorous Mystery

Publisher: Jennifer Oko

Release Date: February 2013

Amazon

Book Description:

As one reviewer states: "HEAD CASE is an enjoyable gem of a mystery, and more...There are drug-dealing grannies, pill-popping celebrities, Russian mob bosses, eccentric ex-Soviet chemists, feuding roommates, faltering friendships, bad bosses and a rat named Raskolnikov - so how can you not have fun?"

HEAD CASE is a new, exciting and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny mystery from an author whose work has been called "SIMPLY RIVETING" by The New York Times and "SHARP AND FAST-PACED" by Publisher's Weekly. It's like Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones meets Carl Hiaasen's Nature Girl (with a dash of Janet Evanovich's One for the Money) as Olivia embarks on a postmortem quest to deconstruct the remarkable events that lead up to her mind-altering death.

A comic satire of the influence of the psychopharmaceutical industry on American life, HEAD CASE takes Olivia and her estranged friend and roommate Polly Warner on a collision course involving ethically challenged executives, spotlight-hungry celebrities, third-rate mobsters and drug-dealing babushkas. A smart and savvy page-turner, HEAD CASE explores the meaning of personal relationships, emotional intelligence, and mental health while taking the reader on a synapse-stirring, neurotransmitting rollicking ride.

Praise for Head Case

"Head Case is an enjoyable gem!" ~Dan McGirt, Amazon Reviewer

"Oko's writing is as addictive as the pills she pokes fun at!" ~ElevenelevenAM, Amazon Reviewer

"All I can say is that if you don't put ALL YOUR OTHER BOOKS AWAY and read just the FIRST chapter you are NUTS; you will find yourself going and going and I will just say it now --your welcome!" ~Jennifer Elizabeth Hyndman, Amazon Reviewer

Excerpt

EXCERPT:

It's all very dramatic. Although I suppose on some level, in the end, that is what Polly wanted. I mean, she didn't want anyone dead, certainly not anyone she knew. The opposite really. She once told me she just wanted it all to be very alive. Life. Which is drama, right?

I think she was probably right, that to some degree that's what we all want. Or wanted. If we were going to be satisfied just living our lives with the dull drudgery of the everyday, then why would we spend so much time fantasizing about what's next, what's in, what's hot? If dull drudgery made us fly, Polly wouldn't even have the silly career she has. Celebrity publicists wouldn't exist. No one would aspire to anything. And without aspirational living, who would care about celebrities, luxury goods, or, hear me out now, the pursuit of happiness. Right? So maybe there's a very direct link between our celebrity culture and our societal eagerness to pop a pill.

I know it might sound like a stretch that there could be a connection between designer psychopharmaceuticals and, say, designer fashions, but if you stop to consider that, with the exception of certain celebrity Scientologists, just about everyone who is anyone in the world of the aspirational has certainly popped a few in their time, it makes sense. We live by these assumptions that overnight success is possible, that shiny happy people are models to uphold, that tomorrow any of us could be the next A-lister, the next gazillionaire. Couldn't there be a connection here? If there is a pill for every little micro-problem in our brains, why not believe that there's a quick fix for everything else too? I'm sure Polly used to believe that. I know she did.

This is what's so nice about being dead.

I get to play the role of wise sage, and with an amazing perspective. Because when you die, not only can you flit around the present, you also get to watch stuff in rewind. You get to go inside peoples' heads in the past tense and follow the firings of their synapses, medicated or not, as they spit them toward the present. Yes, Cher, it turns out that you can turn back time. But the catch is-drum roll please-you can't be alive to do it. And so, proverbial remote in hand, I'm now able to backtrack; I can take a look and try to figure out how this all happened to my best friend. And by extension, of course, how this happened to me. How, at the ripe age of twenty-eight, with a future as bright as whatever cliché the tabloids will soon be gushing, my body-the body of Olivia Zack-is lying down there in the back of a black Lexus SUV (license plate NYX1KZ, in the event anyone can do anything with this information) while I'm up here, floating around bodiless in the ether, shape-shifting, wall-transgressing, house-haunting, and whatever else it might be that you imagine we ghosts can do. I'm trying to figure that out as well. After all, this is fairly new for me, too. I've only been like this for a few minutes, just long enough to zip up to Polly's apartment and witness her flailing about, waiting for me to come and comfort her once again.

Anyway, in order to figure this out, it seems logical that before I can fully focus on my ending, I need to go back to the source of the whole mess. Because it's very clear, especially considering the other blood that was spilled near my remains, that I seem to have gotten caught up in a drug war. And I'm not talking crack cocaine. I'm talking Prozac. I'm talking Ritalin. I'm talking Adderall, Lexapro, Zyprexa, Klonopin and what have you. The good stuff. The blockbusters. The billion-dollar babies.

Go get some popcorn. The show's about to begin.

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Spotlight on Navigating the Eldercare Journey by Jodi Clock

A Must-Have Book!

Navigating the Eldercare Journey: Without Going Broke

by Jodi Clock

About The Author:

For over 25 years, Jodi M. Clock has worked in the ‘end-of-life planning’ industry, including family and corporately owned funeral homes, advance funeral planning companies, casket manufacturers and insurance agencies. Having personally witnessed the financial confusion that families endure, especially at an emotionally taxing time, Ms. Clock has centered her career on helping people to understand the options that are available to them. She currently writes and speaks about the basics of Medicaid and asset protection and is a seasoned expert in end-of-life directives.

Ms. Clock wrote Navigating the Elder Care Journey...Without Going Broke! to help people appreciate the important facts they need to know in order to make the right financial choices, in one easy-to- understand guide. It is her hope that through the personal stories, straightforward information, and family care plans which include checklists, she will help people manage this process. Her goal is for everyone to become informed on options available that will not leave their hard-earned assets unnecessarily exposed, potentially saving them hundreds if not thousands of dollars; qualify for Medicaid; and have their funeral expenses pre-paid, therefore allowing their loved ones the ability to focus on what’s important and not have anxiety or stress over finances.
When she’s not consulting or helping manage the family funeral business, she volunteers with The Noah Project, a no kill animal shelter. An avid animal lover and supporter, she has a house full of pets and enjoys spending time on the western Michigan shoreline.



Website | Facebook | Book Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin

Genre:

Non-Fiction / Aging Parents/ End of Life/ Eldercare / Financial Planning

Publisher: Windy City Publishers

Release Date: April 26, 2013

Amazon

Book Description:

“I don’t feel old.  I don’t feel anything until noon.

That’s when it’s time for my nap.” 

Bob Hope

We’ve all enjoyed a good laugh at the perils of getting older. But entering your Golden Years without any money is no joke. End-of life planning is a difficult subject to talk about - between facing mortality (either your parents or your own) to discussing the ever-confusing subject revolving around long term care options or understanding the differences between Medicare and Medicaid, or a living will vs. a living trust, there’s nothing fun about facing death and the issues that come with it.

Navigating the Eldercare Journey – Without Going Broke! can help reduce the challenges and minimize frustration encountered when you are placed in this situation. This easy-to-understand guide takes you from the basics of understanding long term care options that are available, how to seek out an elder care attorney and know if they are good fit for your needs, and how to qualify for Medicaid as a financial means to pay for care, including the benefits of funeral planning - in layman’s terms. Author Jodi M. Clock provides fundamental information regarding the basics in a way that helps you understand not only why her recommendations are important, but how you can minimize financial exposure regarding end-of-life events. Whether you are in a crisis situation or taking proactive measures, these valuable end-of-life solutions could safeguard you and your parents’ assets.

You have a choice – be proactive and preserve your money. Don’t leave it unprotected and unnecessarily taxed when you or your parents die. No matter how prepared you think you are, the reality of death is sobering, and expensive. When time is on your side, you can make well- thought-out, proactive decisions, enabling you to focus on what’s most important in life.

________________________

Praise for Navigating the Eldercare Journey:Without Going Broke!~



"Absolutely Essential Reading!" ~AuctionHugh, Amazon Reviewer



"This book was insightful and educational. The layout of the book (especially the key points) allows you to easily scan pages if you don't need to read the entire chapter."~Laura, Amazon Reviewer



"Everyone should have a copy of this book in their home. An easy read, but full of useful information. It relieved a lot of the stress I felt about this topic." ~Bill Sangster, Amazon Reviewer

________________________

Excerpt:

The Emergence of Medicaid Planning Medicaid planning is a new concept and is probably somewhat of a mystery unless it has impacted you or someone you love directly. Quite possibly, “You don’t know what you don’t know”. Receiving Medicaid assistance to pay for endof-life care is based primarily on net worth and income. Your financial assets cannot exceed a certain amount. If they do, you will be required to pay for your care privately until your assets are depleted to the point at which you do qualify. This often causes individuals to enter into a “spend down” cycle that depletes their personal nest eggs. With good planning, however, you can properly position and reallocate your assets to preserve your nest egg and also qualify for Medicaid.

Up until the last 20 years or so the need to reposition assets (i.e., to have all of the individual’s assets owned by a living trust) to qualify for Medicaid assistance didn’t exist. Why? The average life expectancy was not as long as it is today. In our parent’s generation, someone living to age 80 was equivalent to someone today living to be 90 or even 100 years old. Over the next 25 years, as the baby boomer generation begins to age, the number of people who will be in need of this type of planning will be tremendous. Organization is essential!

The criterion for Medicaid is specific, and if you need help understanding it, there are resources available. Don’t let the process be intimidating!

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Review of "Your Book Starts Here" by Mary Carroll Moore

Your Book Starts Here: Create, Craft, and Sell Your First Novel, Memoir, or Nonfiction Book

by Mary Carroll Moore

reviewed by Lisa J. Jackson

Mary Carroll Moore shares her years of teaching her own “How to Plan, Write, and Develop a Book” workshop in her book, Your Book Starts Here: Create, Craft, and Sell Your First Novel, Memoir, or Nonfiction Book. But don’t think that Your Book Starts Here is simply a workbook of exercises. It is so complete, detailed, and instructive, that I think it is a classroom in a book.

Moore’s conversational style keeps the reader engaged and involved, much like a student in a classroom. She asks questions and expects the reader to work out the answers. She gives numerous examples from past students that touch on novels, memoirs, and nonfiction writing. No one is left out, and when I read the book, I felt like I was immersed with other writers eager to discover new tips, tricks, and ways to make the story come alive on the page.

Your Book Starts Here isn’t a book you read once and put on a shelf. It’s a reference book that offers insight, exercises, and real-world examples for all stages of your book writing project.

One particular tip I found riveting was how to change your Inner Critic into an ally. A lot of writers deal with damaging self-talk, but Moore has suggestions on how to turn the unhelpful voice into, at a minimum, a silent voice. One method she used for her memoir and a particular memory that refused to get on the page was to write a letter to her Inner Critic. In her writer’s notebook (which she recommends all writers have), she thanked the Inner Critic for keeping her safe over the years and described how she appreciated its role. “Then I asked it kindly to step aside, to let me write this chapter. I explained why I needed to write it…”

When she finished the letter, she closed her notebook and went back to her desk. The Inner Critic was silent and the chapter flowed onto the page with ease. The inner voice is usually our subconscious trying to get us to face something. Meeting the voice head on writing out what it is we’re feeling when trying to write a particular scene that is fighting us, can help us move forward.

Moore’s book is full of sharing. She not only speaks from experience, but she details those experiences with the reader and that builds a bond. For instance, she talks about the idea of writing for one person; since most writers tend to “begin writing for themselves only.” She didn’t believe in this advice, which she learned from reading Kurt Vonnegut’s work, but after publishing several books she learned how true the advice was by seeing how it improved her own writing. And I believe her, since I felt she was talking to me, one person, as I read the book.

People tend to be left- or right-brain focused, and Moore touches on this a few times. She talks about writers needing to use both sides of the brain to produce the best work and she includes reasoning, student examples, and exercises to help you find your mind’s balance.

The book has 25 chapters divided over 3 sections: planning, writing, and developing and is meant to be read in whatever order applies to your current project. Dedicate some reading time, because once you start reading the book, it’s hard to put down. There are numerous exercises to try, questions to ponder, and tools you can adapt to your own work.

It’s worth repeating, Your Book Starts Here is a writing class in a book. Whether or not you can ever attend Moore’s workshop of a similar name or not, having a copy of Your Book Stops Here to refer back to and mark up can help you continually improve your craft. The appendix alone can keep your muse entertained and curious for months, if not more, because it includes Moore’s favorite books covering writing skills, getting ideas, healing via writing, editing and revision, publishing, the creative process, and more.

Lisa J. Jackson is multigenre writer with a passion for New Hampshire. She is a great leads editor for New Hampshire Writers' Project, cofounder of the blog Live to Write, Write to Live, online author chat moderator at The Writer’s Chatroom, and a volunteer with, and Communications Director for, NH Granite State Ambassadors.

NH Writer, newsletter of the New Hampshire Writers' Project, was first publisher of this review.