Five Links 11/2/19
Traci Kenworth
Writing:
1. https://stevelaube.com/i-have-no-plans-to-write-that-book/ “Whenever I go out, strangers offer unsolicited compliments about some aspect of my appearance, usually my hair or clothing. From this fact alone, I might decide that people like my style. Perhaps I should write a book!
But aside from the fact I have no desire to write a style book, there are other reasons why starting this project doesn’t make sense for me:”
2. https://megdowell.com/2019/10/30/you-might-be-craving-feedback-you-dont-actually-need/ “One of the most frustrating things about being a “small” creator is that even when you aren’t getting any feedback on your work, you have to keep working.
Sometimes I will publish a blog post that will absolutely tank, and other than low numbers and a lack of engagement, I have absolutely no way of knowing that this is the case — but I especially don’t have any clue whatsoever as to why that particular post performed terribly in comparison to others.”
3. https://stevelaube.com/making-comments-as-you-write/ “Today’s writers enjoy some advantages that weren’t available to scribes in the past. One of those is the ability in word-processing programs to track changes and add comments to a document. This is especially helpful during the editorial process. But some writers use that functionality as they write. So I asked my clients if they do anything like that. Here’s what some said:
I use the Comment feature in MS Word’s “Review” menu all the time, both as a professor and as a dean. As an author, I also use it to dream when I can’t find the words or don’t have the time to tweak the words. I use it to note sources that I think might fit in a certain section. It gives me a space to place ideas that I want to find quickly and work over later. It is handy because I can delete all comments with one push of a button when I am getting a final draft ready to submit (Alan Ehler, author of How to Make Big Decisions Wisely).”
4. http://booksbywomen.org/five-tips-to-help-you-write-a-novel-about-anything/
5. https://killzoneblog.com/2019/10/my-muse-is-gone.html “I fear this will be a short, sorrowful Wednesday post.
On Tuesday morning, my husband had to take our much-beloved cat, Miss Nina Garcia Benedict, to be euthanized. Her kidney disease had swiftly advanced from stage 2 to acute in two very short months. She was only 10 years old.
Nina owned us the way that a proper cat owns her people: with complete and utter domination. She was stunning to look at from her kitten days onward, and bore the fact with the humility of a Hollywood starlet.”
Research & Fun Bits:
1. https://wilfredbooks.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/how-to-create-the-perfect-email-opt-in-form/ “In my last post, I discussed some proven email list-building techniques. I will conclude this 3-part feature on email-based book marketing with some great tips by Mary Fernandez on creating the perfect email opt-in form, found on Persuasion Nation.”
2. https://sistersofthefey.com/2019/10/30/samhain-magic/ “Fairy Witchcraft honors deities connected to the faeries. This includes the liminal Gods, the Lady of the Greenwood, the Lord of the Wildwood, The Hunter, and the Queen of Wind.
My faery craft authority, Morgan Daimler, explains:”
3. https://syl65.wordpress.com/2019/10/31/thoughtfulthursday-resentment/
4. https://nicholasrossis.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/the-bet-free-halloween-story/
5. https://johnwhowell.com/2019/10/30/wednesday-story-day-aka-hump-day-233/
Some Things More Serious:
2. https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/2019/10/31/angel-messages-october-31-2019/
3. https://www.theresahuppauthor.com/blog/2019/10/30/hallowed-ground-visiting-the-9-11-museum/ “This isn’t a typical Halloween post, but it is about hallowed ground. The original meaning of Halloween is All Hallows Eve, the holy evening before All Saint’s Day on November 1. The fun side of the holiday came from pagan autumn rituals. In this post, I return to the hallowed side of the holiday.
On our trip to New York earlier this month, my husband and I and his mother took an afternoon to visit the 9/11 Museum on the site of the former World Trade Center. It was a beautiful sunny autumn afternoon, and people wandered the plaza which seemed remote from the bustling traffic around it.”
4. https://thesilenteye.co.uk/2019/10/30/the-landscape-that-teaches-steve-tanham/ “When we were creating the Silent Eye’s mentored correspondence course, we envisaged a three-year journey through a mental, emotional and spiritual landscape which would evolve as the Companion’s learning and depth of ‘being’ increased.
This landscape was to be internal – an active, meditative experience, whose presence would extend into the daily life as learning of true cause and effect deepened, and different aspects of modern living were brought into powerful harmony. In the true and ancient meaning of the word, this would become a very magical journey.”
5. https://scvincent.com/2019/10/31/unquiet/
Teaser Fiction & Poetry:
1. https://annieneugebauer.com/2019/10/28/the-a-n-10-10-i-do-it-because-its-scary/ “My tenth and final pick for The A.N. 10 is all about horror, just in time for Halloweek! (Let’s be honest; Halloween gets a full month from me at least, but ‘Hallomonth’ doesn’t have the same ring to it.) This post is a favorite for several reasons. First, it’s a glimpse into my theory on horror, which might not be quite what you’d expect. Second, it yet again showcases my fangirl powers, which is really just me shouting from the rooftops about books and authors I love, which I firmly believe all readers should do. Third, one of my literary heroes shared the post and said nice things about it (and me!), which made not just my day but my year. No kidding.” Ann Rice read this and another post of Annie’s. What a wonderful share for her to do!
2. https://annieneugebauer.com/2015/01/19/thoughts-on-it-by-stephen-king-what-it-takes-to-enjoy-horror-and-why-i-write-it/ “I recently finished the beast of a novel It by Stephen King. (Most people know it as ‘that one about the scary clown.’) Finding a book that will scare me again is sort of a white whale for me. I love being scared. Horror movies often scare me because they have the advantage of jump-frights and suspenseful music, etc. Books are at a disadvantage in the fear department, because if it begins to scare you, you can just put it down until you’re in a different mood. (Few people will pause a movie and finish it days later.) The fear has to be utterly insidious to stick with you from reading session to session, and there’s no such thing as a startle when you’re reading words on a page. (BOO doesn’t work; I’ve tried that one.)”
4. https://carrotranch.com/2019/10/30/tuff-beans-challengers/
5. https://mjmallon.com/2019/10/30/nightmareland-horror-anthology/
Book Reviews, Cover Reveals, & Author Interviews:
1. http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2019/10/31/in-which-i-recommend-some-scary-stories-for-you-to-read/ “o, a momentary humblebrag in which I note Wanderers was mentioned at the Washington Post yesterday as some of the year’s best horror — which is a kind declaration and I’m obviously beaming to be in such good company. But! I didn’t actually give the post much of a read yesterday, as it’s been a bit busy around these parts, and again, while I’m super pleased to be in such wonderful company… I also note that all too often, genre lists, especially horror, tend to exclude writers who are not, well, white dudes.
But, that sucks, because it misses so much.
So, here are some of my favorite scary reads (horror, or horror-adjacent) of late that white dudes did not write. (I do not guarantee these were all published in 2019, mind you, and I apologize for this temporary breach.) These are hasty, capsule reviews, as I’m buried under stuff right now (er, not literally, OR AM I), so forgive the brevity, and just buy these books.”
2. https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2019/10/31/my-halloween-conversation-with-colleen/
4. https://steviet3.wordpress.com/2019/10/31/another-halloween-treat/
5. https://teripolen.com/2019/10/30/badmoonrising-ritual-by-steve-stred-horror-occult-novella/
Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author 