Summer time! Time for Reading on the Beach...

I can't wait to get back to Florida and relax with the family on the beach. Yes. I'm a beach bum! I don't fix my hair or put on any make-up, it's just plain Jane me. Flip flops and all that. (Plus a few extra pounds, but whatever.) 

So far since the kiddo's school's out (Well, she's out for good. Now heading off to college. Boo hoo!), I really hadn't had time to kick back and chill out. I did, however, go to my publishers conference in Las Vegas, where I mixed business with pleasure. Mostly pleasure I'll admit.  (I tried posting pictures but they were all sideways. Sorry.)

 

I had a great time putting names to faces finally. I know many EP authors and staff but only from Twitter and FB. Oh, and I had the best roomie, Tonya Kuper, she's a YA author, and her book *Anomaly* comes out November 4th, 2014 with Entangled Teen. Can't wait to get my hands on this book. (Wish it were out now so I could read it on the beach. Darn. Maybe I could ask to beta-read it for her. Hint hint. or I'll have to take another beach trip in November. Plot Beach party!!!)

What else is going on? Let's see. If you hadn't heard me screaming from the Louisiana bayou, then you may not know about my Witch novel being acquired. Yep. My Vieux Carre' Witch sister series set in New Orleans got an offer last week. Not just 1 book, but also for book #2 and #3... I'm soooooo thrilled, and it still hasn't totally sunk in yet. I can't wait to see the cover. Love paranormal romance covers. I think this book will be out end of this year or early next. My first deadline is nine days away. (Let the fun begin.)

BUT, before BEWITCHING THE ENEMY (Book 1) comes out, I have another book (novella) that is releasing maybe August or September. It will be part of the new Entangled Publishing *Lovestruck* line.  (Y'all this line is going to be killer!)

This novella is fun and sexy, and part of the Vegas continuity series which includes, Gina Maxwell, Jade Lee w/a Kathy Lyons and me so far. Woot! (Can't believe I'm even mentioned in the same sentence with these two talented authors. My author idols!)  My slice of the series is titled, MASQUERADING WITH THE CEO, (though the title could change) it will be third to release.

And I'm just as excited about this book as I am with my Vieux Carre' Witch series. Probably because I can't wait to read all of these books and read about the surprise ending that none of the authors will know about until the very last author writes it. I think there will be about 20-30 Vegas books? Maybe. That's lots of fun! And sex! LOL 

Then while attending the publishing conference I find out more good news. I can't announce yet, but it's all good. (Those who attended the conference heard, if they were paying attention that is.)  2014 has been one of the best years for me writing wise and personal wise. Keep positive people. Whatever your dreams are - don't ever give up. Reach for what you want. Such as going on vacation to read on the beach. Can't wait! (Sharks stay away please!)

So what do you look forward to reading this summer?

Hugs,
Dawn
MASQUERADING WITH THE CEO, Entangled, Lovestruck (coming soon)
BEWITHING THE ENEMY, Entangled, Covet (coming soon)
DIAMONDS, Siren, B&N, Amazon Kindle (Out!)
NOT AN ANGEL, Kindle only (Out!)

What? We are almost in May???

Say it isn't so! I feel like I haven't stopped since Christmas. It's been one holiday after another, then on top of that there was the kiddo's birthdays; the grandbaby (Gigi) arrived in February; my anniversary trip in March, and I also submitted not one, but 2 books this year already. Woot!

I hate to confess that it took me a few years to write the last full novel, but that's because I rewrote it like almost 4 times. (Because I doubted myself. I had to put a stop to that "they won't like me crap", and ask an editor to give me a firm deadline. Yes. I did. She gave me 3 weeks. Holy crap! But it worked. Yay! (Thanks, CH!) I had to learn a hard lesson with that book. Write what you love. Don't change the "entire" book because 1 person suggest you do so. Go with your gut.)

However, I did write several novella's in between that time, and took lots of classes, attended several conferences, so it wasn't like I wasn't writing or learning. ALWAYS LEARN! (Which means you have to do a lot of reading too.)

Anywho...I can't wait for May to be over. My youngest daughter is graduating from H.S. I know right....Exciting! I'm so proud of her...Then there is the RT Convention in New Orleans. Right smack in the middle of Graduation time. Oy. We'll get through it. I can't wait though, there will be over 700 authors attending. (Not all of them are signing, but you'll get to see sooooo freakin' many that your head will be spinning. Plus I have a few friends staying with me. All at different times, so it's going to so much fun! :-) I think Thursday night is the pub crawl. I'll be at Bourbon Heat with the Entangled Peeps. Come find me.

I hope to meet you all at RT. Please come say hi, and if you see me hiding in a corner please come drag me out. I'm a little shy and need people to drag me from my shell sometimes. For more info about RT go to www.RTconvention.com  I think the Saturday book fair is $5.00  Be prepared for long long long lines.

Have a great weekend,
Dawn Chartier

(p.s. Please excuse any typos. I haven't had my coffee yet. :-)

My first Trip to San Francisco and Sonoma

On the 19th of March the hubby and I went to San Francisco and Sonoma. We both fell in love with both cities even though the start of our trip didn't start off too well.

We never fly first class, but this was a special trip (our anniversary) so we splurged a little, and thank God we did. Our butts were stuck on the plane for 2 hours before it finally got the go ahead to leave. Something to do with computer problems. BUT, there were free drinks in first class. Well worth the extra money. :-)


Here is a picture of me, no make-up and a little tipsy with the hubby while we waited for hours on the plane. (He was feeling no pain as well.)

Once we finally arrived we went straight to bed after checking in. It was 2am our time, midnight San Fran. time. We were exhausted to stay the least.  So the next day we ventured out on our own. We were staying at The Tuscan at the Fishersman Wharf area, and walked to the piers where we heard there would be seals.  And guess what? There were seals! (See them on the docks?)

 

 

So we strolled around took pictures, got a few drinks, and took a street car into the city, then got off when it came to the end, and then walked into China Town for lunch. We had one of the best lunches at Great Eastern (I think that was the name.) It was sooooooooooo good. The best Chinese food I've ever eaten.

That is not a picture of the restaurant, but I loved this building, so I had to take a pic. of it. LOL Then after lunch we hiked up the hilly streets to catch a trolly. I guess that's what they call them there? That was fun! The guy had to keep braking and I thought he'd lose his grip or something and we would end up all flying off. But no such luck.  And man was grew up in the same area I was from. Odd. Yes. We chatted about good ole' Louisiana politics.  (I'm still not sure how he knew where we were from, but he did.)

Then we strolled through some art galleries, then saw across the street, Ghirardelli's chocolate factory. OMG! We ran there! LOL We ate Salted caramel chocolate fudge ice cream. Killer stuff! I can still taste it. Sooooo good!

The next day we took a tour on the bus, and then walked through Muir Woods. Big Ass Trees! They reminded me of the trees in Twilight when Edward grabbed Bella and they flew through. Yep. They were huge. If you ever go to San Fran. this is a must see. Here is a sample below.

The hubby looks like a ant next to the tree. :-) It was truly a special trip through the forest and we needed more time, but our tour bus driver almost left us. Gah. Then he dropped us off in the small town of Sausalito. We ate at the Spinnaker for lunch which was nice, but probably geared for the older crowd or maybe it just seemed that way that day. But the view of the water and boats, and the food were really good. We then took a ferry back to San Francisco, but along the way the ferry made stops at all the islands, and we enjoyed the relaxing ride.

That night we didn't do much other than walk to an Irish pub, and I forgot the name of it. But we had a good time, didn't eat dinner, and passed out!  The next morning we had to get up early and pack for Sonoma!

We hired a personal tour driver from a Napa Private Tours, and he really knew his wine! I mean really know his wine. Meaning he studied them. Got a degree and all that. And he has the pin to show it. When people saw his pin at these wine places they were very impressed. "Is that what I think that is?" said one guy pouring our wine. LOL (Our tour guides name is Austin Smith, request him!) Austin actually just started his own wine tour company, but we hired him from Napa Private Tours, he was filling in for Javier. Austin's company is called, Noble Wine Tours. Austin or Javier (Napa) are both great! And I would recommend them both! Austin drove us to I think 5 wineries.  We hit Ram's Gate (Beautiful), Jacuzzi, Bartholmew, (I'm forgetting one), but the last one was amazing, it was called Ledson. We even joined the membership. LOL.

After we were worn out from drinking all day, we headed to the hotel which was also beautiful (MacArthur Place) and the room was perfect! We ate at their restaurant called Saddles, and called in the night.  The next day we played golf at the Stonetree Country Club. Not sure why they call it that, but the views from the course was amazing. They even had these huge rabbits that I thought were baby deer. Ha. I couldn't get a good picture of them they were quick.  That evening after golf we got a couples massage which was OK. I didn't get what I requested so I was a little disappointed because the guy who massaged me I thought would break my shoulders in half. I'm sensitive what can I say.

Other than that, all was well, and I'd love to go back and see more of California. Our trip was too short, but we filled it with lots of adventures. And hope our next trip will be even better.

And look what came in. Woot! Our first shipment of Ledson wine!  Six bottles for me. Six bottles for him. We share like that. :-)

~ Have a great day~
Dawn

 



Having fun at the Endymion Ball...Mardi Gras 2014! (Grand Marshal: Ian Somerhalder! Woot!)

As many of you know Mardi Gras is normally a few weeks long in New Orleans, and that's all cool and stuff, but normally when Mardi Gras time comes my family and I leave.  It's not that I don't like Mardi Gras, but once you've seen it 20x's or more it does get old...

However, riding in Mardi Gras is something totally different. This year my hubby got to ride in Endymion (which is one of the best parade's to ride in), and he had a blast. I didn't get to see him until the end of the night once his float made into the superdome where the parade ends and the concert and ball begins...

This year the Grand Marshal was Ian Somerhalder! Woot! (He was too far away for me to get a good look at him, but I can at least say I was in the same room with him. LOL (Check out this link to see tons of pictures of Ian from The Vampire Diaries and also Norman from The Walking Dead.)

Here are a few pics of me and some friends (and the hubby), a few before and during the Endymion Ball.

To some it up: If you haven't done Mardi Gras in New Orleans you are missing out! If you live here and you are tired of it - then ride instead. Happy Mardi Gras!

Hugs,
Dawn

Entangled Publishing is Celebrating 3 years w/ .99 cents books! Woot!

For the month of February, Entangled Publishing is selling books for .99 cents! I can do some serious damage with .99 cent books! Woot! Bye now!

Entangled Publishing

Happy New Year's!

Wait 2013, don't go! I haven't met all of my goals! Does that sound familiar to you too?

So what happened? Well, I told myself I would have another contract and book published in 2013, and lets just say 1/2 of it happened. I got the contract. Woot! But the other 1/2 will have to wait until 2014. (That's when the What Happens in Vegas series comes out, and I can't wait!!!!)

And you know what? I'm okay with that. Why? Because great things are worth waiting for. I know this will be great!

(1st picture of the hubby and I for 2014...Yep. We had a few...the proof is in his hand.)

So what are my 2014 goals? 

#1 Grow as an author. (Write better and faster.)
#2 Help other writers/authors along my journey.
#3 Learn to balance home life, work life and writing life (Writing is work life, too.)
#4 Get back into shape. While 2012 was the year of losing weight, and 2013 was the year to gain it back, 2014 will be the year to just get healthy. Eat better. Exercise more. No diets though. No worrying about getting into a size X. (I'll keep that number to myself - thank you!) As long as I'm healthy and happy, that's all that matters.  :-) 

2014 should be an exciting time for the Chartier/Thibodeaux family.  My oldest will be having a baby in February (or maybe January), and my youngest goes off to college. Lots of changes happening for us, but all good!

So what are your goals for 2014? Did you make any?



 

Thanksgiving has come and gone...Are you ready for Christmas?

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I did for the most part. I enjoyed my turkey dinner with my In-Laws. And I got to visit my family in Folsom, LA that night as well. However, I'm still in that, "I miss my mom mode." Especially during holidays.

Holidays are the hardest. I'm always thinking about her and how we would celebrate. She'd always cook certain dishes like oyster dressing, coconut-orange balls (don't ask), fruit salad, and even though my sister and/or brother would try to make those dishes, they never come out the same.

My father has a new wife, and while she is a sweet lady and makes my dad very happy, (I'm grateful for that)  I still miss my mom's company, ya know.

So enough about the holiday blues. So what is going on you ask?

Woot! I just got my contract from Entangled for the Vegas novella, and I'm super excited to start on edits and the whole process. Some authors fear the edits, etc.  I look forward to them. This is the part that I feel like I grow the most as an author. I try and absorb from the masters of editing. :-)

(Yuck! I just ate a nasty jelly bean! Sorry for the interruption. Back to the blog.)

Anyway, while I was waiting on the contract I was writing. It helps to pass the time, plus you have another book being created while waiting.  Did it take my mind off the contract? Hell no. LOL  But it certainly kept me sane. (Liz might say otherwise because I bugged her to death, checking in on the status more often than I should have. I should be lucky she hadn't changed her mind or maybe she had. Hope not.)

So, what else? I took my baby girl on a college tour. That was fun! I asked the people if I could attend too. The college was fantastic. I just need to write faster and sell some books so I can afford to send her there. Yep. Expensive. But its hard to say no to your kids dream, esp. when you know you missed out on the same exact one. And esp. since you know they will do great there. We also did her Senior pictures which came out great. I'll post once I get them back.  She's a gamer and captain on her school bowling team, so she wanted to take pictures with those items. They came out really cute.

What else? I threw my oldest daughter her baby shower at the house. It took about 2 months to get the house in shape. Glad it's over. We invited about 80 people, thinking 1/2 would show - don't ever count on that. We had about 80 people show up. I only had about 40 or so chairs set up. But the shower turned out beautiful and my daughter had lots of family and friends shower her with love. :-)  My grandbaby isn't due until February 4th, but I had to get the shower done before the holidays began.

Now on to Christmas. Have you started shopping yet? I have a few things bought, but normally I'm a last minute shopper.  I like to put myself through hell I guess. LOL 

Oh yeah. I got my tree up on December 1st, but as you can see we had a problem with the lights, so there are no decorations up yet. Maybe I'll just leave it like that. Not. Family is coming over Christmas day. Guess this tree has seen its last Christmas.

p.s. If I disappear for a while you know I've gotten my edits to work on.

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

Hugs,
Dawn

Happy Halloweenie, y'all!

I just checked the last time I posted a blog and discovered it was back in September.
Well...I'm not one of those who likes to blog. Sure you'll catch me every now and then on Twitter and more so on FB.  So if you're ever bored to death and want to know what the heck I'm doing - follow me on FB. ;-) (I can't promise much happens there either.)

Sooooo, what have I been doing you asked? (LOL)

I was invited to go to Colorado for a writers retreat with the awesome, Liz Pelletier (Entangled Publishing), and her local writers chapter, plus 3 of her authors. When I was waiting at the airport for Liz to pick us up - all I kept thinking was that I'm the only one she's picking up that is not one of her authors. Boo-hoo! I felt intimidated I guess you could say, but honored and super excited to the bone that she asked me to go... You see I'd submitted a short story to Liz back in July, and I knew she'd passed it on to her directorial editor, but that's all I knew.

I met 2 of her authors at the airport, (Cecily (next to me in pic below) & Tonya (not in this pic) and then I met (Cynthia - in white below) at Liz's house. Later I met (MK - with the scarf on right) and many other great ladies. And let me just say meeting these fabulous women was soooo worth the trip! We created a unique bond that will last forever! :-) (p.s. It snowed! Woot! I don't get snow in NOLA, and like a big kid - I couldn't help stare out the cabin's windows.

Anyway, on the drive back to Liz's house she had to stop for gas for her racecar. (I felt like I was riding in one, seriously. LOL) When she got back in the SUV she turned around and asked me to remind her to send me the novella bible for the anthology I wrote. A few seconds go by because my wheels are turning....Maybe I have to rewrite this story now that they have the bible done.  So I think I said something like, "Oh. Sure. Um. Why are you sending me the bible?" Please let her say she wants the story!

Liz said something like, "I told you - we are acquiring your story."

I think I said, "Um. You did?" I think that is something I would remember. LOL  But maybe she did weeks ago when she said "she really liked it and was sending it to her directorial editor." I hadn't a clue what that meant. I figured she was really saying it sucked and someone else would send me the rejection. Well, that's how I roll...Hehe...

So I'd gotten the "call" or rather a DM on Twitter and never even knew it. Ha!

Now what? Now I'm about to start another story for NANO and write for the entire month. (Book #2 in my Witch series.) I'm sure I'll get the edits for the novella during the crazy month of November, but maybe not. I can handle it! I'm ready! On top of all that I'm planning a baby shower for my daughter and I'm sooooooooo excited about the baby coming in Jan or Feb. Woot!...So between writing, working the day job and planning the baby shower, and the holidays my mind is soooo worked up at  night - its hard to fall asleep.

So if I'm gone the entire month of November and December you'll know why.

Happy Reading & Happy Halloweenie! (I have one Halloween picture of myself on FB, but I didn't want to scare you here. Ha.)


Hugs,
Dawn

Another Great (Writers) Post by Kristen Lamb!

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/want-to-be-successful-beware-of-end-of-the-rainbow-thinking/

For most of us in the writing industry - this blog is for you.

Enjoy!
Dawn

Summer's over for me....Boo Hoo...

So now that summer is over I feel like I can start my old routine again.  The kiddo goes to school and I get about an hour of writing in before I go to work, etc. During the summer I slept in until I had to go to work. Only writing I did was after work on most days.  My days off the kiddo was home, so I was easily distracted.

This summer we went to the condo for about 4 days or so, and no it is never long enough.  I keep trying to get the hubby to take more than two days off of work, but it never seems to happen.  The beach was great though and I can't wait to go back.

Another great summer moment was when Liz Pelletier (Entangled Publishing) came down for the weekend to teach a day long class. I love, Liz. She's pretty awesome. She also invited me to write a short story for a submission call they are putting out soon. I wrote it in 4 days. LOL  Maybe submission requests are they way to go for me.

Then I went to Atlanta in July to RWA National. There were about 9 Sola-RWA chapter mates there, and we all got together for lunch one day and breakfast another day.

I attended several classes, but I missed many of them too.  Seems self-publishing was the biggie this year, and that's great, but I'm still working on my craft. I took lots of craft classes. I'm still learning my voice right now, which I'm thinking is pretty simple. No flowery prose at all.  I say what I gotta' say and get out. Sometimes its more telling, though I do work hard to show when needed.

While at RWA I decided I know what I want when I grow up.  I want my book covers on elevator doors. Those elevator covers were just too cool! And Sylvia Day had drink coasters in the bar with her books and name on them. Whoa. Now that was a great idea. Mostly everyone hung out at the bar.

I got to chat with Barbara Vey, Jade Lee, Laura Bradford, Pamela Clare, (and her cute audio guy, Kaleo.), Sabrina Jeffries, and we even sat next to Nora Roberts once. Yes. I was an amazing time. And for the Rita/Golden Heart awards my buddy Devon Alexander and I got to sit with some amazing talented people.

 So where is my name you ask....Well, we sort of just sat down, and then realized we were crashing Table #64. We leaned over and asked two ladies who happened to be The Librarian and Bookseller of the year, Cathy and Sarah if someone was sitting there, and they said nope. LOL They said Devon and I where there guest. Sweet, huh. Congrats to these wonderful ladies...They rock!


So what did I learn from the conference? The number one thing was to write the next book.  Series sell better on Amazon. Readers still love paperbacks as much as e-readers.

So what did I do all summer on the writing front? Well I wrote a short novella in less than a week as I mentioned above. And I'm working on another short contemporary set in a small Louisiana town set in the Bayou. I'm still playing around with my witch novel, but it's been the hardest book to write.  Maybe because I re-wrote it 3x's and it's telling me enough.(Never)  I also got a new critique partner. And I hope she'll push me to do my best. She's already doing really awesome, but she has lots more on the way. I'll do my best to help her as best I can too. :-)

I hope you had a great summer. I would love to hear what you did or still doing.

Hugs,
Dawn Chartier

Jennifer Crusie on Sharknado

For anyone with a creative imagination - please read Jennifer Crusie's blog. She had great insight.

Click here. 

A little secret from Liz Pelletier with Entangled Publishing (Self-Editing Class)

Self-Editing Class

A little editors secret from Liz Pelletier, Sr. Editor, Co-Owner of Entangled Publishing:

How many times have you heard that you need to polish your manuscript until it's gleaming before sending it out the door? Armed with an almost infinite supply of caffeine, you toil over your baby for hours, cutting a few words here, changing a few words there. You diligently run spell and grammar checker over and over. You may even use a macro that points out you used the word "that" 16 times per page and smack yourself in the head. You argue with your critique partner over appropriate comma usage and dialogue tags until neither one of you can remember when to use a comma. And finally… Finally, you deem your baby ready for public consumption and send it off to your dream agent or editor.

After what seems like an eternity, you get a polite rejection in the mail claiming she just didn't "connect with your characters" or she felt your "plot was too passive" (my personal favorite) or he "didn't think your story started in the right place" or any number of things. I betno one mentioned a single thing about comma usage or redundant word choice, did they? And yet, every time we sit down to edit our manuscripts, those are the things we tend to focus on.

I'm going to share a little secret with you... Editors typically consider the mechanics of your writing only if they're truly horrible, but that's only after they decide if they can sell your story, if they love your voice. In the history of publishing, I don't think anyone has ever lost a book deal due to a missing comma or over-usage of adverbs. If you can write a story that a reader can't put down, even despite grammatical errors… Now that's a bestseller.

With that in mind, during this workshop we're going to focus on both the big picture and line edits, but we'll be focusing on concepts that will help you craft a bestseller: How to review your book through the standard three pass editing structure used by professionals, how to evaluate character growth arcs and story structure, how to peel away those bad writing habits to reveal your voice, and how to refine your writing style so a fluid and engaging story emerges.

By the end of the day, I hope everyone will have the tools they'll need to "Edit a Bestseller Like A Pro"!

Join us near New Orleans, LA. as we learn from Entangled Publishing co-founder and editor Liz Pelletier. Registration information is here. Early registration prices have been extended until June 10th.  Class is on June 22, 2013...  (if the links above don't work try this one below) http://solawriters.org/2013/06/03/self-editing-workshop-why-should-you-join-us-liz-pelletier-lets-you-in-on-a-secret/

I hope to see you there!
~ Dawn Chartier

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

Paranormal Author: Jami Gold shares 3 tips for being a better beta-reader...

I'm about to start searching for beta-readers for my witch series, Book #1, and I came across this great article written by author, Jami Gold.   Thought I should share it with those you who like to beta-read like I do. Enjoy her tips, and go and buy her books! :-)

Link below:

http://jamigold.com/2013/04/three-tips-for-being-a-better-beta-reader/

Author Kristen Lamb's Blog - My new favorite blog!

If you are an author and you are following my blog, I have one piece of advice for you.

Follow Kristen Lamb's blog.  Seriously.  Every day I read her blog and she inspires me in a such a way that no one else does.  She doesn't sugar coat the real world of the struggles of an author/writer.
And I think that is something we as writers need.  She tells you how you need to toughen up and keep going.  Yes, you will get bad reviews. Yes, you'll have people not like you. Yes, you'll want to give up and cry because of this or that, but the real writers, they get back in the ring and fight.

So do yourself a favor, and follow her blog.  Even if you don't want to follow, just head over there and read a few posts and make a comment or two. She has lots of tips for writing as well...

I promise you, it will make you feel better. You will not feel so alone after reading her blog. And if you are not a writer, it still might help you get through a tough time.

So here is the link.  Kristen Lamb. 

Enjoy!

March Madness...

It's been a while since I've posted, and that's because I've been busy with editing one novella and finishing up the other one. 

I've also been reading other authors blogs. Eating up advice like mixed M&M's and popcorn. So what have I learned you asked? Well, let me just put it like this.  I'm confused. 

Here is a list of advice from authors: (Just some examples so you can see my dilema.)

1.) Write what you know.
2.) Write what you "don't" know.
3.) Don't self-publish. Editors don't like self-published authors.
4.) Do self-publish.  Editors like a track record.
5.) Blog - To gain readers.
6.) Don't blog - Readers don't read them. Writers do. (Um. I'm a reader too.)
7.) Don't promote your book on Twitter or FB.
8.) Promote on Twitter and FB and everywhere else.  (To me, this is a fine line to walk, but if you do it often, it is annoying and I will unfriend you and never buy your book. Well, unless you are Kenyon, Ward or Shayne.)
9.) Interviews are a waste of time.
10.) Put your name out there.  Do interviews, etc.
11.) Make your book free on Amazon.
12.) Don't make your book free. People will think the book is bad.

The conflicting list goes on and on. Which ones are right? Crap. I don't know...but who does?

It seems like a lot of authors are trying to find that special magic formula that turns you into an instant hit.  Sorry, I wish I had the answers.  I can only share with you my journey and the bumps along the way, what worked and what didn't. Everyone has a different path. So you have to find yours. 

It could be just being in the right place at the right time with a great book ready to go.

Do what feels right.  Even if you fail at first, don't give up. Try a new angle.

I would love to hear some positive stories on how you found a home for your book(s) or if you are still looking for a book home, how are you going about it? 

~ Dawn

All About Mardi Gras ~ New Orleans Style...

So what is Mardi Gras all about?  When will Mardi Gras be next year and the year after that?
What is with the King Cakes and the baby inside of them?
Well, I'm not going to tell you all about it, instead I'm going to be lazy and let you follow this link and dive right into all the wonderful information already posted at this other website.

I love Mardi Gras, however, I stick with 1 or 2 parades a year (maybe that many), and never on Mardi Gras day. Too many people for my taste. I hate huge crowds with not enough restrooms. Yuck.

The first Mardi Gras I remember was when I was around 3 yrs. old, and my parents took me, my brother and sister. (My lil brother wasn't around yet.) I think we were in Grenta on Fourth Street. And all of a sudden I recall these beautiful horses. They were huge! I was standing in front of my mom, aching to get closer to them. Well my Mom was waving to the men on the horses to try and get them to throw beads to us, but instead of throwing them the man on the horse decided to get a closer look at my Mom.

The next thing I recall was my foot hurting real bad. And then my Mom arguing with the man on the horse who happened to be a policeman. Oy. From what I heard, he got an ear full. Luckily, she wasn't arrested. :-)  Ahh, the good ole' days of Mardi Gras. Now all I have to worry about is the kiddo's being flashed. I stay clear of the horses...even though I love them still today...

Oh yeah, you want the link: Mardi Gras New Orleans .

Happy Mardi Gras...Enjoy!

Dawn

Jack Reacher Movie Review

I thought Jack Reacher would be like Broken City, but it wasn't.  This movie was so much better.
It had plot. It had motive. It had plenty of conflict.  It didn't have sex, but it had heat...I loved it.

And even though I'm not a big Tom Cruise fan, he still did an excellent job. Kuddo's to Tom! The man can act...

The movie starts off with a shooting of 5 "random" people (or at least that's what it seems), and the shooter is caught.  The evidence was laid out perfectly for the cops. And when the police start to interogate him, he writes, "Get Jack Reacher."

Well, they have no idea how to find Jack, but it didn't matter, Jack found them. Jack sees the bad guy on the news and knows him.  Knows they have the right guy or do they?

Jack hook's up with the defending attorney (she asks him to investigate for her), even though he just wants to prove that the shooter is guilty, (not what the atty wants) but then he starts piecing the puzzle together and things don't add up.  Now, the real bad guys start after Reacher, but Reacher is a little too smart for those clowns.  They also go after the atty. Reacher is a little sweat on the atty., so of course he helps her out...Reacher is a bad ass, but the kind you have to like...

I don't think I'm giving the movie justice with this review, and I won't spoil it either, so go and see it for yourself.  You'll be happy you did.  I'm giving this a 4 out of 5 Stars.  Oh, and don't forget to look for Lee Child, the author of the Jack Reacher series.  Child's plays the cop who hands Reacher back his belongings after he gets out of jail.

Review by Dawn Chartier  

Broken City - Movie Review

Broken City * Movie Review by Dawn Chartier

I give Broken City 3.5 stars out of 5. This was a crime drama, car crashing, shoot-em up type of movie which stars some really good actors, (Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe) but the plot was a same ole' same ole'. It lacked a better twist and more sub-plots.

Quick Summary: An ex-cop was hired by the Mayor (who is running for Mayor again) to investigate his wife. The ex-cop (who is now a P.I.) believes he is trying to capture pictures of the wife cheating on the Mayor, but it's not what it seems. The Mayor has a bigger agenda.

The Mayor takes the pictures from the P.I. and pays him, then bad things happen to wife's supposed lover who is the Mayor's rival campaign manager. The P.I. realizes the Mayor is up to no good, and then it's too late. The Mayor has proof against the P.I., and he can't get out of it. He has two choices. Do the right or wrong thing. I won't ruin the ending and tell you which one he does.

I like my movies with a little more thought out plot. But this might be just me, so I wouldn't say it was a waste of money, it just wasn't what I'd hoped for. (p.s. I didn't pay for this one, a friend won the tickets, and I enjoyed her company as always.)