May 11th and June 22nd - Writing Events in the New Orleans Region

This Saturday at 10am to 3pm Sola Writers is having a small fundraiser ($10 members / $15 non-members) in Westwego, LA (at Salaville Perk - Sala Avenue) (15 minutes from New Orleans).

It's more about getting writers (any writer in the NOLA/Gulf Coast area) to come on out for a day for writing and/or plotting. Giving each other ideas to help you move past just an idea, etc.  Can you imagine if 5 or more authors gave you 5 to 10 ideas on where you can take your story next? Or maybe you are stuck on a character? Or maybe just the plot. Whatever it is, these writers will help. And you'll help them right back.

OR if you rather just sit and write - going 20 minute writing sprints, then we will make sure that is what you do. :-) (anyone can attend...) (Lunch not included.)

For more info you can go here... http://solawriters.org/2013/04/02/plottingsprinting-party-may-11-2013/


Self-Editing Class::::You don't want to miss this Self-Editing class on June 22, 2013.  Sr. Editor, Liz Pelletier with Entangled Publishing is going to be teach us how to self-edit our novels before they are sent to a publisher or before we self-publish. (This is an opportunity you don't want to miss!) 

This is an all day class in Metairie, LA - Lunch and Lite Breakfast included. (10 minutes from New Orleans) and it's worth a drive from where ever you are... (You do not need to be a member - anyone can sign up.)

For more info go here...  http://solawriters.org/2013/04/16/self-editing-workshop-by-liz-pelletier-from-entangled-publishing/

Can't wait for these events... I hope to see lots of people attend...

Happy Writing,
Dawn Chartier
www.dawnchartier.com

Self-Editing Class by Liz Pelletier - June 22, 2013 (Metairie, LA)

Sola-RWA Writers group is having a full day class on Self-Editing and our instructor is the fabulous instructor, Liz Pelletier, Sr. Editor of Entangled Publishing. (See info below or go to www.solawrites.com)


~ Have you completed a rough draft of your book but have no idea how to tackle your edits?
Have your submission efforts netted a full request from an editor or agent only to end in
rejection after they’ve reviewed your manuscript? Do you want to learn how to edit like a
professional editor? Then you are a prime candidate for this Self-Editing Workshop by Entangled Publishing Co-Owner and Editor Liz Pelletier. ~

• When: Saturday, June 22, 2013
• Where: Andrea’s Restaurant, 3100 19th Street, Metairie, LA 70002 (map)
• Time: 8:30am – 4:00pm with pitches from 4:00pm-5:00pm
• Cost: SOLA Members $85/ Non-members $90 (Early registration ends June 1st.)
  • Late registration (June 2-10) SOLA Members $95/ Non-members $100
  • Registration includes light breakfast and lunch.
  • Space for the workshop and pitches is limited. Sign up early to ensure your spot.

To sign up go to:  www.solawriters.com and click on the Events page.

Hope to see you there!

Dawn Chartier

Free Book - Suzanne Johnson's Interviewing me at her blog today!

Hey y'all!

Tor Author, Suzanne Johnson is inteviewing me over at her blog today. Swing by for a chance to win a free book!

And if you are not a follower of Suzanne's --- you should be. She gives away so many books on her blog, she also reviews books, interviews authors, she does it all! lol --- Plus she has a new Wizard series coming out on April 10, 2012. (yes, I read it already, and I loved it!)

Happy reading,
Dawn
NOT AN ANGEL, OUT NOW!
DIAMONDS, COMING JAN. 2012

LEARNING THE CRAFT OF WRITING and my thoughts on Shadowfever...

Today I wanna talk about 1.) Shadowfever by Karen M Moning, and 2.) Writing.

First, if you haven't read Shadowfever, don't worry I won't give any spoilers here. I'd die if someone did that to me. I just want to prepare you that you won't get all the answers you are looking for when you read it. Second, I loved the book, I loved the series. My favorite to date. I wish I could write like her. But this last book left me feeling incomplete. Which was probably what the author intended to do so we will die waiting for her next series to come out - the series she hasn't written yet. Bites nails. Yes. I know she deserves a vacation. I know. I know.
But when you read it - comment here on what you think about it. No bashing her, because I love her books and she's a great lady. But what would you have done differently? Would you leave it as is? Maybe you figured out answers to things I'm confused about.

Now on to writing. After some really good feedback from agents I queried, I decided to revise my opening and tweek lots in the book. My characters will no longer be Psychics. They will be witches. I'm doing some research, but basically they are going to be unique to me and my world. I'm not writing non-fiction, so don't worry bout' it. lol

Now on to the craft of writing. As I write this I'll be perfectly honest. I'm a story teller at heart - not a true writer. I don't have great skills. My grammar lacks. But I am who I am. A story teller. So, now that the cats out of the bag I will tell you this - I've been taking several classes this year, and have a few more lined up. My head is going to explode with all this new knowledge. lol. But this is what I needed. I'm crossing my fingers all this educating myself pays off. (At least that's the plan) I can feel myself getting closer and closer to that contract. The contract that says "I want the entire series!" Oh-Yeah!

So, have you ever felt like you were almost there and did something that completely took your book from good to great? If so, what was that thing? I can say one thing I've done is take a class from Angela James and Shirley Jump. These class will help you polish up things that editors look for. Sure they look for a great story, but they look at the errors too. Errors that they may not have time to fix to get your great story out there. (Like mine.)

I hope everyone is having a great reading or writing day. Happy Friday, y'all...

Dawn
NOT AN ANGEL, OUT RIGHT NOW! LOL

P.S. SOLA'S FEBRUARY SPEAKER IS AUTHOR, VICKI LEWIS THOMPSON!

Fourth of July Scare...

I know I'm supposed to post about writing stuff, but I had to share my excitement over the holiday weekend.

My hubby and I decided to take a last minute trip and we ended up flying to Sanibel Island, Florida. The hubby wanted to rent a car, but I said we probably wouldn’t need one.

I was wrong.

We ended up renting bikes. We rode the bikes a lot. Good for our health right? We rode to the movie theatre (8pm) and then to dinner which was a few miles away, and we had to ride through a beautiful scenic Wildlife Nature Park on this cute little trail. It was really nice. (above is a picture of it during the daylight)

When we got to the movies, we were 10 minutes late, we saw Eclipse because it was either that or Toy Story 3, and I already saw TS3. (loved it too!) After Eclipse we rode our bikes (in the rain) another block further to eat at a place called ??? (darn the name escapes me).

After dinner we got back on the bikes, and headed back. As we entered the nature Wildlife Park (four foot wide) trail it was pitch black and I couldn’t see sh*% - It hit me. OMG! Wild Animals live in Wildlife Parks!!! I told my husband I would rather take my chances with the cars on the highway then ride in the woods with alligators, snakes, wild bob cats, and lord only knows what else. He said, no we are safer on the trails. The old bikes we rode didn’t have reflectors and when I say it was dark, I mean I couldn’t see squat, only the back tire of my husband’s bike. Argh!

While we peddled quickly, blindly through the long dark trail with my heart beating out of my chest, my body shaking so bad that I thought I would fall off the bike, and I almost fainted from fright, I glanced up after hearing noises in the woods only a foot from me. I couldn’t see anything, panicking I knew a damn wild cat would jump on my back. My heart leapt into turbo speed, crawling up my throat, and my pulse beat frantically through out my entire body. To the left I heard another noise and I yelled “go faster - go faster” He couldn’t see either so it was hard to tell which way the trail curved. He kept saying he wasn’t scared. Well, I was. I knew we would run on top of an alligator. Then the crickets sang louder and louder and louder, and I kept hearing the bushes move. I glanced to my left and saw large perfectly round orange eyes staring at me at about the height of a child. I truly thought I would pass out. I found a clearing and jumped on the highway. Yes, a few cars were coming but at this point I’d rather die from a car. My husband said to get back on the trail once we found a clear spot. I was scared to death, but I eventually got back on the dark trail.

Needless to say we made it out of there alive, but I’ll never ever forget the how frightened I was and how the sounds of crickets gave me the creeps. And now this creates a big problem. I live on 3 acres of land with plenty of crickets. Every time I hear them, I think of that terrible horrible bike ride through the jungle, I mean Wildlife park. (grin)

Care to share something that scared you so bad you thought you would pee on yourself?

p.s. We ate at The Thistle Lodge at the resort, and it was the best Lobster Bisque I've ever eaten. Just thought you should know. (grin)

Dawn

MY FIRST BOOK IS RELEASED TODAY!!!

I know most of you already know this but in case you haven't heard Not An Angel is finally released.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/not-an-angel-p-4016.html


Although this is a very exciting moment, I haven't had the time to truly let it sink in. My mom is not doing very well right now and I've been focusing on her and trying to make her as comfortable as possible. So if I don't respond to you or post on the blog right away, I hope you understand.

Thanks again to all of you who helped me along the publishing way...I couldn't have done it with out you.

Big hugs,
Dawn Chartier
Not An Angel, OUT TODAY!!!

NOT AN ANGEL, release date May 12, 2010

As though you haven't heard it enough...I'm also spreading the word *here* that my first novel, NOT AN ANGEL, will be released on May 12, 2010. (that's not too far away)

Screams!!!!! I'm so damn excited.......

Available at: www.thewildrosepress.com
You can read an excerpt on the publishers website or my website: www.dawnchartier.com


Hugs,
Dawn
NOT AN ANGEL, May 12, 2010
www.thewildrosepress.com

Diana Rowland's latest book release....

This is straight from Diana Rowland's blog - A contest to win goodies and books....(I'm sure she doesn't mind me passing this info around - Blood of the Demon is released....)....

Diana says,

So, most (normal) authors do a big promotional push for the release week of their book. This makes sense, see, because those first week numbers are considered super-important blah blah blah… And, for Mark of the Demon I did do a big push during the run-up to the release and the release week itself.

But, as you’ve all no doubt figured out by now, I’m not normal. Or sane, or sensible, (or organized), or anything else that could possibly make this whole Profeshunal Riter thing easier. (Plus, I was busy finishing up Secrets of the Demon before its deadline, which conflicted beautifully with the release week of Blood of the Demon.)

So, I’m officially embarking on a WEEK FOUR DEMONTASTIC PUSH TO HELL! (See what I did there? Normally it might be “from hell”, but since I write about demons I thought it would be funny to say “to hell” even though that really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense since the demons in my book aren’t from hell anyway, but I’m on a bunch of bronchitis meds and steroids and crap, so right now it’s TOTALLY HYSTERICAL. To me, at least.)

Anyway. Here’s the deal. I’m going to run a Big Neato Demontastic Contest To Hell! (Hence the title of this post.) Here are the prizes so far (and more may be added as the week progresses):

14 runner-ups will be chosen and be placed in random order to choose from–

An autographed copy of Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
An autographed copy of Accidentally Demonic by Dakota Cassidy
An autographed copy of Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
TEN autographed copies of Mark of the Demon or Blood of the Demon (winners’ choice)
A $10 Barnes & Noble gift card contributed by Michele Bardsley

And TWO AWESOMELY GRAND PRIZE WINNERS will receive New Orleans-y gift baskets with all sorts of cool New Orleans goodies, both books, along with a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card each.

Now, to be entered into the Demontastic Contest To Hell, all you have to do is:

1) Take a picture of yourself/someone else/a random sculpture/your pet/anything else with either Mark of the Demon or Blood of the Demon. And, because I don’t want to make it so that you have to buy a copy of the book to enter (I don’t want this to be something where you have to pay to participate) it can be a borrowed book, an e-book, a library book, or–if all else fails–a picture of the cover of the book.

2) Post said picture on your blog, or your twitter, or your facebook, or an online photo-sharing site (flickr or that sort of thing. Most are free and easy to use.) along with a link back to my website.

3) Come back and comment here with the link to where you posted the pic. I’ll be collecting all the winning pics and putting them on a page for all to see. (By posting your pic and commenting here with the link, you are giving me permission to repost said pic on the winners page. ‘Kay?)

4) PLEASE please please do NOT email me pics or files or anything like that. I’m super nervous about opening files from people I don’t know, and I’d rather not lose my work due to a virus. Thanks.:-)

Winners will be chosen by a panel of untrustworthy judges. Completely arbitrary and subjective points will be awarded for coolness, creativity, and WOW factor. Contest will close this Sunday, March 21st at midnight Louisiana time. Winners will be announced within the following week.

Go wild!!

P.S. Feel free to spread the word about the contest.

Again this is taken from Diana Rowland's blog (and see the last sentence says to pass it around)..

Dawn Chartier

Not An Angel, coming soon TWRP

www.dawnchartier.com

Karen Marie Moning "Fever Series Fans" Lunch in New Orleans with Jericho's z-lo (not with Karen)

(sorry for posting this again, had a error on last one)

A friend of mine has set up a World Tour Z-Lo lunch for fans of the "Fever series".

Why you ask? Well she has in her hands the Z-Lo. This is Jericho Barron's version of the MacHalo. We don't know why Jericho has this Z-lo? I'm guessing the answer will be in Karen's Dreamfever book coming out on August 18th.

So if anyone wants to join us:
Place: Port-Of-Call
Date: July 11th
Time: 11:30am
Address: 838 Esplanade Avenue,
New Orleans, LA 70116

(I tried posting a link to a map, but it didn't work. Go to google maps and search the address listed above, sorry.)

Debbie D and I would love to meet other Moning fans, we will take pics with the z-lo before we send to the next lucky person.....

"Stay to the lights!"
Dawn Chartier

Diana Rowland Book Signing in Mandeville, LA - Sola Member

On Saturday June 27, SOLA member Diana Rowland will be signing her break out novel, Mark of the Demon, at Barnes and Noble in Mandeville from 2 to 4pm.

Excerpt:

When Homicide Detective Kara Gillian finds traces of arcane power on a body, she quickly realizes that this is no ordinary murder. The serial killer known as the Symbol Man is a nightmare that Beaulac, Louisiana thought had ended three years ago, but now he's back for an encore and leaving every indication on the flesh of his victims that he is well-versed in demonic lore.

However, Kara is a Summoner of Demons, and may be the only cop on the city's small force who can stop the killer. Able to see and interact with a world most people can't, Kara must draw on her skills as a police officer and master of the arcane to stop the Symbol Man from killing again and possibly summoning something even she can't control.

But with a demonic lord of unearthly beauty and power haunting her dreams, and a handsome yet disapproving FBI agent dogging her waking footsteps, she may be in way over her head....
Learn more about Diana on her website at http://www.dianarowland.com/index.html

I can't wait to get my hands on this book, been waiting a long time...

Dawn

Today's Sola RWA meeting - June 2009

Today we had Cally Chauvin, paranormal investigator as our monthly speaker.
Oh how do I love anything paranormal. Cally spoke of her experiences with ghost and sometimes non-ghost. (meaning she didn't find any).

She spoke of how Ormond Plantation is one haunted Plantation, I'm going to look into staying there over night. Nope, I won't sleep, I'll be up all night too afraid to close my eyes....

She said she experienced a ghost sighting in St. Francisville at a Church. I've been around that church just this past March. I'm pretty sure it's haunted, you could almost feel it walking through the grave yard. (The grave yard is HUGE!) and beautiful....

Cally passed around some equipment she uses, many items are used by electricians. I'm sure I could get my hands on one of those, but do I really want to know if a ghost is hanging around me? No. I'm a little nervous to find that out....although I would love for her to come to my home and explore the possibilities that maybe we might have a ghost or two hanging around.

I won't go into any details, but I have experienced "something", not sure what, but just something I couldn't put a finger on....know what I mean??

Anyway, our group loved listening to Cally and her experiences, and I think I might take her class at a local college along with another fellow writer....I'll keep you posted how that goes....

Now, back to writing my paranormal stories........

p.s. If anyone is still interested in Sola's writing contest, the new deadline is July 15th!!! Get your 5 pages in...........

Dawn

Sola Writers (New Orleans, LA) Guest Speaker Charly Borenstien-Regueira

SOLA RWA writers Meeting at 10:00 Saturday (1/17/09)


Guest speaker is Charly Borenstein-Regueira, a Certified Professional Life Coach (2003), Certified
Life Coach Trainer (2005), and Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner (1999) with a thriving practice in New Orleans.
She specializes in working with leaders, artists, and executives who want to create positive, sustainable change
in their own lives and in their communities. She also provides seminars, workshops, and individual corporate
coaching services designed to shift workplace environments from places where people receive direction from
others to places where people are moved to do things that they care passionately about.
Ms. Borenstein-Regueira was Founding Director of the Orleans Parish Juvenile Drug Court, where she
pioneered a program providing in-home individual and family counseling and clinical substance abuse treatment
to youth and their family members. Her zealous advocacy for youth ultimately led to the discovery of physical
abuse of incarcerated youth at the hands of correctional officers and the subsequent closure of the Jena Juvenile
Correctional Facility in Jena, LA.
Meet…Munch…Mingle…Make it happen!

Announcement from: Janet Foret Lococo, Membership Director