Category Archives: The process

Author Interview ~ Mansu Edwards

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I’d like to welcome Mansu Edwards, co-author of Plush Couches, as a guest to my blog.

Let’s start by just getting to know you a little before we dive into Plush Couches and find out what your story is all about.

  • What is your name and do you write under a pen name? Omar Glenn. My pen name is Mansu Edwards
  • Where do you call home? Brooklyn
  • Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do? I’m a Brand Ambassador. It’s a freelance gig. I’m very good at what I do. It’s cool.
  • What is your family like? My father likes reading online news articles. My mother watches movies on the Internet.
  • If it doesn’t bother you, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like? My room was plastered with hip hop posters. I had the N.E.S. and S.N.E.S. consoles and video games. The apartment was cool. It was a typical apartment.
  • Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy reading and visiting new places in New York City. Also, I enjoy watching videos, listening to music and podcasts on YouTube.
  • What is your greatest dream? To leave a positive and powerful legacy.
  • What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you? Nothing is stopping me. Right now, I’m transforming into the person God wants me to be.
  • Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love? My first love is food. I love to eat.
  • What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you? I had an Asthma attack in the 2nd or 3rd grade. My Mother took me to the hospital.
  • What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing? When I was young, I loved school writing assignments. It gave me the opportunity to use my imagination. I’ve been writing for 10 plus years.
  • What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not? I was a big wrestling fan. I wanted to become a Wrestler. I discovered that Wrestling was scripted and I think that’s what swayed me away from pursuing it. I eventually replaced it with video games and Hip Hop.
  • Who is your role model? Jay-Z, M.F. Doom, Jay Electronica
  • What is your greatest fear? Not having enough time to achieve all my goals.
  • Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? Paperbacks.
  • Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, what was it? Yes. “As A Man Thinketh” by James Allen
https://amzn.to/2YUVwxq
  • What is your opinion of novellas? I like an engaging story. A great story doesn’t have to be 200+ pages. Quality is key.
  • Have you ever read a book just based on its cover? Yes.
  • What is your favorite film based on a book? The Talented Mr. Ripley
https://amzn.to/30RROqo
https://amzn.to/2WwZhf0
  • What is your favorite book genre at the moment? I don’t have one.
  • What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? “Outwitting The Devil” by Napoleon Hill. I like reading self-improvement books.
https://amzn.to/2KhXkMO
  • What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? I’m reading, “How To Talk To Anyone At Work”. Paperback.
  • If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why? Nipsey Hussle, Jay-Z, Ghostface Killah, Bishop Nehru. I would invite them because they’re innovative risk takers. Our ideas can change the trajectory of the Art world.
https://amzn.to/2VYmItw

Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.

  • What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? The name of my most recent book is “Plush Couches”. On the way to a job interview, Rio Akuba experiences a critical and unsettling case of gas on the train after eating organic, Sweety Berry Bears.
https://amzn.to/2WdcDh3
  • Is the above book part of a series? No.
  • How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)? That’s a good question. I believe I left the idea up to the Illustrator.
  • Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)? I didn’t listen to music while writing “Plush Couches”.
  • How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? God gave me the title.
  • Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it? I don’t have a book trailer.
  • In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her? The main character is Rio. He’s unambitious and lives with his parents. Rio is the type who needs external motivation to take action.
  • What is your character’s greatest strengths? His greatest strength is emotionally connecting with people.
  • And what are his/her greatest weaknesses?  He’s too dependent. He doesn’t trust himself.
  • What are some of his/her favorite foods? He doesn’t have any favorite foods.
  • What’s a positive quality that your character is unaware that he or she has? He’s observant and perceptive.
  • Will readers like or dislike this character, and why? Readers will like the character because he’s charismatic and witty.
  • What first gave you the idea for your latest book? God gave me the idea.

Let’s talk now about your writing process.

  • What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter? I’m a Panster. I prefer writing the story instead of using an outline. It’s more enjoyable.
  • Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time? My challenge is selecting the best idea from several. I’m still looking for a solution to the problem.
  • Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company? I’m a self-published, indie author.
  • If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route? I spent an exorbitant amount of money with a Vanity Publisher which made me switch to self-publishing.
  • What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Finish the story. It’s only a draft.
  • Where can your readers follow you? . www.twitter.com/Ohassa, Instagram: @mansuedwards , www.facebook.com/Ohassa

#Theredheadedauthor Presents the June 2019 New York Times TOP 10 Best Sellers – FICTION

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As an avid reader of fiction (and an author who one day hopes to make the list) I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE checking out the New York Times Best Seller list. So, I’ve decided to start sharing their independently ranked top 10 right here on my website for my readers.

If you’ve read any of the TOP 10 selections and recommend them, please comment below and let me know. If you see something you like and plan to pick up a copy, you can do so by clicking on the title or the [BUY IT HERE] button.

#1 WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING

by Delia Owens

In a quiet town on the North Carolina coast in 1969, a young woman who survived alone in the marsh becomes a murder suspect.

BUY IT HERE

#2 THE NIGHT WINDOW

by Dean Koontz

The fifth book in the Jane Hawk series. The former F.B.I. agent pursues a slew of bad guys, including a Vegas mob boss.

BUY IT HERE

#3 THE 18TH ABDUCTION

by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

The 18th book in the Women’s Murder Club series. Lindsay Boxer investigates the disappearance of three female teachers.

BUY IT HERE

#4 THE MISTER

by E L James

Maxim Trevelyan inherits several estates and beds his cleaner Alessia Demachi, an Albanian piano prodigy who has been trafficked into England.

BUY IT HERE

#5 PAST TENSE

by Lee Child

Jack Reacher explores the New England town where his father was born and a Canadian couple now find themselves stranded.

BUY IT HERE

#6 REDEMPTION

by David Baldacci

The fifth book in the Memory Man series. The first man Amos Decker put behind bars asks to have his name cleared.

BUY IT HERE

#7 A GAME OF THRONES

by George R.R. Martin

In the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are mustering. Basis of the HBO series.

BUY IT HERE

#8 BLESSING IN DISGUISE

by Danielle Steel

Isabelle McAvoy faces challenges as she raises three daughters from three separate fathers on her own.

BUY IT HERE

#9 NEON PREY

by John Sandford

The 29th book in the Prey series. Lucas Davenport goes after a serial killer.

BUY IT HERE

#10 THE NEVER GAME

by Jeffery Deaver

Colter Shaw, the son of a survivalist family, probes the underbelly of Silicon Valley to go after a kidnapper.

BUY IT HERE

Week 18 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

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Today is the 18th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Remember, #WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.

  • Read the writing prompt below,
  • Spend 5 minutes writing (in your own voice or the voice of a character you’re writing) whatever comes to mind,
  • DON’T EDIT what you write! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!

The goal is 5 minutes of creativity.

Today I am writing in the voice of Nigel, a character in one of the novels I’m currently outlining.

Today’s writing prompt:

Have you ever experienced something that could not be logically explained?

Something that could not be logically explained? To you or to me? My whole life is filled with things that most humans would say could not be logically explained.

I’m blind. I wasn’t always blind, but when I was seven years old, I drowned. My family was at a backyard bar-b-q at a neighbor’s house, and I was playing with the other kids when I slipped and fell into the pool. I remember the feeling of the cold water rushing around me but after that, nothing.

I’m told I spent six months in the hospital, most of which I was either in a coma or sedated. When I finally woke up, I had lost all vision in both eyes. I couldn’t remember what my parents looked like or even that I had a little brother, only three years old.

My parents sent me away, to a boarding school for the blind. They said it would be the best thing for me—that I’d learn how to deal with my new reality.

I learned.

I trained.

I grew.

My life is different now. I still can’t see, not in the way you do anyway. However, my sight goes so much deeper than yours ever could.

They call me a Precognitive. It’s a fancy word for someone who knows what will come…someone with the ability to see into the future. So you see, my whole life is filled with things that you might say are not logically explainable.

© 2019 Nina Soden

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Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with! 

Have you ever experienced something that could not be logically explained?

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Would you like more sources for daily writing prompts? Click on the links below for two of my favorite writing prompt journals. I think you’ll really love them too!

300 Writing Prompts

  • High quality paper
  • 204 pages of cream paper
  • Open Smyth-sewn binding and art board cover
  • Lined with prompts
  • Foil stamping

300 More Writing Prompts

  • Cover style – art board with foil stamping
  • Page color – cream
  • Layout – lined with prompts
  • Paper 204 pages of 100 GSM wood-free, acid-free paper
  • Binding open smith-sewn

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Are you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all the tools I use in my writing process!

Are you working on a manuscript, but need a little help getting organized?Check out SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ~ An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel It isn’t just for indie-authors. I have filled it with all the tools I’ve learned over the years and use on a regular basis with each book I write.

Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal

#MindfulnessMonday 6/3/19 ~ Mindfulness Myths!

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Today’s #MindfulnessMonday Tip: Remember that mindfulness takes time. Like learning to ride a bike as a young child, mindfulness is a practice that often times leads us to stumble when we’re first learning but gets easier and easier with practice.

Check out today’s #MindfulnessMonday video and hear the truth about 4 mindfulness myths that just aren’t true! You can check out the video by clicking HERE!

Today’s Mindfulness Exercise/Journaling Prompt:

What does ‘MINDFUL’ mean to you?

I want you to write the word ‘mindful’ on a blank piece of paper and look at it. Really focus on the word and how it makes you feel. What does it mean? What do you feel about the word mindful? What other words can you find in its letters? Write the word multiple times to see if it changes how you feel about it. Write it in different ways, fonts, and colors. What does mindfulness represent for you?

After spending a few minutes with just that single word, I want you to write down what it means, to you, to be mindful.

Mindfulness journaling can be very private. However, I would love to invite you to comment below and share what being mindful means to you.

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Check out my #MindfulnessMonday YouTube Series and don’t forget to click subscribe so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 22 ~ Mindfulness Myths!

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I’m certified in Holistic Stress Management and Mind/Body Fitness. I’ve been practicing Mindfulness for 10+ years and am passionate about helping others in their pursuit of a more mindful existence.

Photo by: Mikel Healy

Would you like to take the 52-week challenge and experience a more mindful existence? Check out The Invisible You ~ 52 Weeks of Meditations, Activities, and Writing Prompts to Help you Discover You!

These are some of my favorite Mindfulness Resources:

Mindfulness in Plain English was first published in 1994, is one of the bestselling — and mostinfluential — books in the field of mindfulness. It’s easy to see why.

Author Bhante Gunaratana, a renowned meditation master, takes us step by step through the myths, realities, and benefits of meditation and the practice of mindfulness. The book showcases Bhante’s trademark clarity and wit as he explores the tool of meditation, what it does, and how to make it work.

This book is:

  • A best-selling introduction to mindfulness
  • Full of practical advice on developing a meditation practice
  • Written in approachable, clear language
  • Containing chapters on loving-kindness and concentration

Practicing Mindfulness

From finding your breath to feeling grounded, these practice-based exercises make integrating mindfulness into your routine easy. With over 75 essential meditations―that take between 5-20 minutes from start to finish―Practicing Mindfulness is an approachable way to apply mindfulness in your day-to-day life.

Reduce stress, improve mental health, and stay present no matter what the day holds when you practice mindfulness, with:

  • Mindfulness 101 that provides clear explanations of what mindfulness is, along with why and how it helps in your day-to-day life
  • 75 mindfulness exercises that are organized by difficulty to help develop your practice
  • Practical advice for overcoming obstacles to your mindfulness practice like how to deal with distracting noises or fight off sleepiness

Today and every day, mindfulness takes practice. Practicing Mindfulness offers effective, modern meditations and exercises to start practicing everyday mindfulness, today.

Someone Should Have Told Me ~ by Nina Soden

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The phone rang.

My Uncle is in the hospital.

He’s been there a month.

A MONTH and no one told me.

The phone rang.

My hands are shaking.

I can’t get the tears to stop.

A MONTH and no one told me.

The phone rang.

I may be far, but I’m still family.

Distance doesn’t make it easier.

Distance doesn’t mean I don’t still love.

A MONTH and no one told me.

The phone rang.

He has a week, maybe two.

It isn’t long enough.

I need him to breathe… to live… to fight.

A MONTH and no one told me.

The phone rang.

Miles between us and my voice betays me…

How do you say goodbye, when the words won’t come?

How do you say I love you when words aren’t enough?

I’m hurting… I’m angry.

A MONTH and no one told me.

The phone rang.

I have a phone; someone should have called.

I have email; someone should have written.

My heart is broken.

A MONTH and no one told me.

It isn’t right. It isn’t fair. SOMEONE SHOUD HAVE TOLD ME!

Dedicated to my Uncle Dan ~ I will love you always~

(C) Nina Soden 2019

For more poems, check out by collection on Amazon: Private Words Unspoken

Week 17 #WritingWednesday #WritingPrompt Challenge

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Today is the 17th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Remember, #WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.

  • Read the writing prompt below,
  • Spend 5 minutes writing (in your own voice or the voice of a character you’re writing) whatever comes to mind,
  • DON’T EDIT what you write! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!

The goal is 5 minutes of creativity.

Today I am writing in the voice of Kim, a character in my upcoming novel The Beast Within.

Today’s writing prompt:

If I looked into your fridge right now, what would I find?

Wine.

Oh, and beer. Now that Dean is staying over more often than not, he stocks the fridge with beer.

I think we had pizza a couple nights ago and Chinese takeout from that place just down the street last night. So, I’m sure there are a few containers of leftovers. I leave them for Dean. I don’t eat leftovers. Dean, he eats anything.

Yeah, that’s pretty much it; wine, beer, and leftovers. I don’t cook. It’s one of the first things I tell a guy when I start dating. I figure if they are expecting some June Cleaver type, then I might as well scare them away before I get to attached. You know?

Hi, I’m Kim, just your modern-day woman. I get my breakfast down at the coffee shop on the corner, lunch at the deli down the road, and dinner at one of the many restaurants within walking distance from my apartment which just so happens to reside just above my small boutique. I design a line of woman’s clothing, but I’m working on a children’s line. I cater to those high society types. You know the ones. The moms who like to dress younger than they are. The mother daughter combos who walk around in matching summer dresses.

I love what I do, it’s my passion, but sometimes my customers can drive me a little crazy. That’s why my fridge is stocked with wine. Lots of wine!

© 2019 Nina Soden

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Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with! 

If I looked into your fridge right now, what would I find?

* * * * * 

Would you like more sources for daily writing prompts? Click on the links below for great writing prompt journals I think you’ll really love!

Are you working on a manuscript, but need a little help getting organized? Check out SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A BOOK ~ An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel

It isn’t just for indie-authors. I have filled it with all the tools I’ve learned over the years and use on a regular basis with each book I write.

Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal

This planner/journal hybrid helps new and experienced writers stay organized while still fostering creativity. It is the perfect complement to So You Want To Write A Book.

Author Interview ~ Chrys Fey

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I’m excited to introduce Author Chrys Fey to my blog. She is the author of the Disaster Crimes series. She was kind enough to answer a few questions about herself, her story, and her writing process. 

Chrys Fey - Cropped

Let’s start by finding out a little bit about you…

1. What is your name and do you write under a pen name?

Chrys Fey is my pen name. Chrys comes from my real nickname Chrissy. It’s just a fun, condensed version. And Fey comes from the word “fey,” which means magical. When I came up with my pen name, I was writing fanciful, paranormal stories, so my pen name was a nod to those genres, but now my pen name is a nod to the magic of writing.

2. If it doesn’t bother you, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like?

My childhood home had a palm tree out front. When the branches would start to die and hung low, my brothers and sisters and I would grab onto them and swing around the tree’s trunk in circles. An oak tree beside my house was where I would climb up and sit on a branch to read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Woods—tall pine trees and thick palmetto bushes—surrounded my house on all sides, and deep in the woods in my backyard was my fort, made entirely of pine needles and shaped like an igloo. That fort became my heroine’s fort in Flaming Crimes (Disaster Crimes Book 4), and many of her memories of her childhood home are my own.

3. What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?

I’m not sure if I’d call it terrible, but I had spine surgery for severe scoliosis the day after I turned fifteen. I have fusion between my vertebrae and a titanium rod screwed to my spine. I’ve had many problems since then, and my whole body is out of whack.

4. What is your greatest fear?

Wildfire. More specifically, losing my home to a fire, because I had almost lost my childhood home to a wildfire when I was twelve years old. That fire, and all of my memories of it—from my best friend’s father saying, “It looks like it’s right next to your house,” to a firefighter getting burned, a brush truck getting stuck in the woods in my backyard, and one of my cats escaping outside and running toward the flames—are in Flaming Crimes.

5. What is your opinion of novellas?

I love them! I love to read them because they are fast, and I love to write them, too. I enjoy packing a lot of action and excitement into a novella, essentially dispelling the notion that you can’t write a fast-paced novella that is a complete story, with well-rounded characters. You can. And I have, with Hurricane Crimes.

Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.

FlamingCrimes_w12192_7501. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?

Flaming Crimes: a fiery story with steamy love scenes, nail-biting confrontations with criminals, and heart-warming moments between a couple who go through a lot.

2. Is the above book part of a series?

Yes, it is. It is the fourth book for the Disaster Crimes Series.

Hurricane Crimes (Book 1, under 50 pages)
Seismic Crimes (Book 2, novel)
Lightning Crimes (Book 2.5, free short story)
Tsunami Crimes (Book 3, novel)
Flaming Crimes (Book 4, novel)

3. Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

For Flaming Crimes, I listened to Demi Lovato’s album Confident for Beth’s chapters (who is a self-defense instructor), and a lot of Daughtry while writing Donovan’s chapters (who is a monster truck driver).

4. How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

At first, I thought of calling Hurricane Crimes, (The) Hurricane Killer, but I didn’t like that, because I felt that it gave the wrong impression of Donovan Goldwyn. I certainly wanted readers to be suspicious of him—is he a murderer or isn’t he—but I didn’t want that in the title. Then, one day, Hurricane Crimes came to my mind.

When I realized that the story wasn’t quite done, that more stories would follow it, I knew I would keep the two-word title trend for each book, use a word to hint at the disaster that would take place, and pair it with the word “crimes,” because there isn’t a disaster that crimes don’t follow.

5. In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her?

Beth Kennedy is the heroine. She is a tough cookie who teaches others how to defend themselves, but she is also gentle and loving. She’s been through a lot but has come out stronger.

Donovan Goldwyn is the hero. He is strong, passionate, and protective. When someone threatens the woman he loves, he sees red. He will do anything to keep her safe.

Really, you don’t want to mess with either one of them. You want them on your side.

Where can your readers follow you? Please list links to any applicable websites and/or social media accounts.

Website – http://www.ChrysFey.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/chrysfey
Twitter – https://twitter.com/ChrysFey
Blog – http://www.writewithfey.com
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/ChrysFey
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Chrys-Fey/e/B00GWLZJ8O

#MindfulnessMonday 5/27/19 – Mindfulness isn’t magic!

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Today’s #MindfulnessMonday Tip: Don’t take mindfulness to seriously… It isn’t a competition of who can be more mindful. It is about being present in the moment and enjoying life as it comes.     

Check out today’s #MindfulnessMonday video to discover a secret about mindfulness. You can check out the video by clicking HERE!

Today’s Mindfulness Exercise:

Mindful Reading!

Reading is a huge part of our daily lives. So much so that we often take it for granted. from text messages to emails to social media posts we are constantly staring at our phones, tables, computers and other devises. Find some time during the day when you can put down your electronic devises and focus on reading something in print… a book, a magazine, a newspaper (yes, they still print those). Allow yourself 5-10 minutes each day, when you can let go of all your other responsibilities to just get lost in the written word. You just might find that 10 minutes turns into 20 and 20 turns in to 30. I will warn you, there are some side effects to quiet reading which include…

  • Getting lost in a book and becoming attached to the characters you meet,
  • Learning something new,
  • Reduced stress,
  • Enhanced mental health and function,
  • Increased self-control,
  • Decreased anxiety, depression, and worry, and
  • A feeling of peace and comfort

Mindfulness Journaling Prompt:

Choose a poem you like and read through it very slowly. If you don’t have a favorite poem, do a google search for popular poetry or ask your Google Home, iPhone Siri, Alexa, or other smart device to tell you a poem about nature.

What do you like most about it? What images does it conjure up for you? What do you think about the words the poet chose to use?

Mindfulness journaling can be very private. However, if you are willing to share your experiences with me and my readers, I would love to invite you to comment below and let me know what poem you selected and how it made you feel.

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Check out my #MindfulnessMonday YouTube Series and don’t forget to click subscribe so you never miss an episode!

EPISODE 21 ~ Mindfulness isn’t MAGIC!

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Would you like to take the 52-week challenge and experience a more mindful existence? Check out The Invisible You ~ 52 Weeks of Meditations, Activities, and Writing Prompts to Help you Discover You!

I’m certified in Holistic Stress Management and Mind/Body Fitness. I’ve been practicing Mindfulness for 10+ years and am passionate about helping others in their pursuit of a more mindful existence.

Photo by: Mikel Healy

Scourge of the Fallen by W.M. Martin

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Would you prefer to watch the video, instead of reading the review? CLICK HERE

Fallen

TITLE: Scourge of the Fallen
AUTHOR: W.M. Martin

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★★
Characters: ★★★★
Appearance: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★ (4)

AMAZON DESCRIPTION:
Following the events of Shadow of Okeaous, the Fallen have been scattered. Whispers of the Hordes searching for something, around many of the Havens on Earth, has reached the ears of the Guardians. Meanwhile, the students of the Kindred Academy have been striving to further their knowledge of the incredible power lying dormant within themselves. With the aid of their Clan Leaders and an odd, new instructor, the dubious young Guardians-in-training will learn to harness exciting and dangerous new abilities. The worlds of the Kindred, no longer separated by the Veil, are equally unaware of an ancient darkness which has been steadily rising to drown out the light of the living; both Guardian and Fallen, alike.

Buy the book HERE!

MY 2 CENTS / THE CRITICAL POINTS:
WRITING (★★★★): Scourge of the Fallen is a self-published fantasy novel. I’ve said it before; fantasy isn’t my favorite genre and probably isn’t even in my top three favorite genres’. However, I read the first book in this series, Shadow of Okeaous and was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I really enjoyed it. That meant I was destined to read book two.

Martin has a very energetic writing style. His books are filled with action, adventure, and leave you almost longing for a few peaceful quiet moments. That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy this book, I did. It is a page turner with a lot going on and a lot of character arcs to follow.

One thing I really like about Martin’s writing is that he isn’t afraid to kill off his characters. Yes, some of the main characters die. I won’t tell you who, I think you need to read the book to find out, but prepare yourself.

I’m not sure how this book is marketing, but after reading it I would say it is good for Middle Grade – Young Adult readers. However, there are a number of times when Martin uses words in very obscure ways. Once example would be the word ‘purchase’ in the example below:

“Maggie could not get her swards out in front of herself enough to slice or to stab the large and imposing Fallen, so she kicked at him as hard as she could, but like her sward strike, her attack failed to find purchase.”

There were a number of references like that that I think some of the younger readers may not understand. The meanings are evident in the context of the story, but not always clear just by the typical meaning of the words being used.

STORY (★★★★): Scourge of the Fallen is the second book in Martin’s series and follows pretty closely behind where the first book left off. In book one, our main characters were 1st year students in the academy. In book two, they are second year student. They have already gone through a lot and have many battles and trials to face throughout book 2.

Martin gives us battle after battle and just when the reader is given a little hope that something good might happen, he throws another wrench in the story line.

CHARACTERS (★★★★): The reader is given numerous characters to follow in Scourge of the Fallen, maybe too many. There are so many storylines to follow and different characters to keep up with that I found myself loosing track at times. Not to mention the fact that many of the character (and location) names are difficult to pronounce, which makes it a bit harder to relate to and remember. I have the same issue when reading large epics like lord of the rings and Game of Thrones.

I only had two character-related issues with this story. The first was with Henry (human) who is introduced in Chapter 9. There was a lack of character development and nothing that really allowed the reader to connect with him much less care for him. Thus, when he died, we were left with an uneasy feeling of not really caring. It didn’t seem, to me, that Henry served much of a purpose or propelled the story along in any way. I think he could have been edited out of the story without a negative impact on the final storyline.

The second was Martin’s need to weaken our lead character, Maggie. Instead of Maggie being the hero at the end, which is what the series seems to be guiding us toward, another character (one we love to hate and love all at the same time) steps up and ends up being the hero. I like Lucy, I do, but it didn’t feel natural that she would be in the position she was in at the end, instead of Maggie. Just my opinion – I’d love to know yours after you read it. So, make sure you click on that link above to get your copy and then come back and tell me what you thought after you read it.

APPEARANCE (★★★★): The cover is great. Very eye catchy and inviting. It was designed by Anca Gabriela at BROSEDESIGNZ who I believe did a beautiful job of creating a cover that would inspire fantasy lovers to pick up the book.

FAVORITE QUOTES:
“That’s it! We’re all going to die. I knew it, we’re going to die. Thank you, Kylie, for delivering me to my death. Would anyone else like to say thanks to Kylie before we die?” ~ Klause

AUTHOR BIO: 

familyW. M. Martin is a writer of fantasy novels and a lover of his black lab, Willow. He’s also quite fond of his wife, Stephanie, and their four daughters. The stories he writes are inspired by his children. They are the first and last line of defense in regards to ensuring that his readers are certain to enjoy his works. He enjoys writing about female heroes, because his daughters are his.

Check out my YouTube channel and the video review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.

ALSO BY W.M. Martin:

Shadow

Shadow of Okeaous
hen a teenage runaway named Maggie Bennett is drawn to the small but odd town of Thieves, she is unaware of what adventure awaits her. Maggie must journey to a world beyond the one she knows to undertake the trials and train to became a Guardian, all while an ancient and malefic presence is secretly haunting her every step, and it desires, more than anything, that which it once held. Journey along with Maggie as she learns about the world of the Veil, her place within it, and the Fallen hordes who want to watch it burn.

Week 16 – #WritingWednesday Challenge

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Today is the 16th Edition of #WritingWednesday!!!

Remember, #WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.

  • Read the writing prompt below,
  • Spend 5 minutes writing (in your own voice or the voice of a character you’re writing) whatever comes to mind,
  • DON’T EDIT what you write! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!

The goal is 5 minutes of creativity.

Today I am writing as if I were writing in the voice of Molly, a character in a children’s book I’ve started.

 Today’s writing prompt:

You are a children’s book writer. Write the first few lines of your new book.

Hi, I’m Molly. I’m eight, so I know a lot about the world. My little brother, he’s only six, he doesn’t know very much at all. That’s why I have to teach him. Mom says to be patient; he will learn as he gets older. I try, I really REALLY do, but it’s hard. When we’re in the woods and the Droplops come out, he doesn’t understand that he has to run away. He thinks it’s funny when their drool and slobber lands on him and makes him all wet and sticky. To be honest, I don’t even think he sees the Droplops. If he did, he wouldn’t laugh. He’d probably run away, screaming and crying.

There was this one time, I was up in my treehouse and Timmy came out and was climbing up the ladder calling for me, “Molly,” he yelled. “Molly, open the hatch. I want to come in.”

I was trying to be really quiet, so he would think I wasn’t there and he would go back inside. It didn’t work. I think my mom told him I was up there. Finally, I had to just let him in.

So, we were sitting in the treehouse and I had the windows open. They aren’t real windows, like in a house-house. They don’t have glass or anything, but my dad did put shutters on them so I could open and close them. Anyway, the shutters were open and I was staring out at the sky across the field and the clouds were getting really dark. I told Timmy we needed to go back in the house because the Droplops were coming.

He just laughed. He actually laughed.

I wasn’t going to stick around. I climbed down the ladder and told Timmy to come with me. I knew he would because he wasn’t allowed to be up in my treehouse without me.

As I was running back to the house, a huge glob of Droplop slobber landed on my forehead. I wiped it off with the back of my hand and turned back to see where Timmy was, but he wasn’t there. The only thing I could see was the tall, slime covered Droplop standing next to my treehouse, reaching in through the window with his big green arm. I could hear Timmy, still up in the treehouse, but I had no way to get to him. The ladder was blocked and if I tried to climb the tree, the Droplop would see me.

I stood there, watching, when suddenly…

© 2019 Nina Soden

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Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with! 

You are a children’s book writer. Write the first few lines of your new book.

* * * * * 

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