How to Write Short Stories – and Write Them Well

So, a short story was probably what you specialized in when you started writing. What you called a “book,” if you started as young as I did, was probably a ten-page (tops) short story written in huge font. Sound familiar? You might have started with a little more professionalism than I did, so hats off to you.

But I started between the age of four and eight, depending on what you actually consider “writing.” Hmm, I should do a post on the controversial “definition” of writing. 🙂 But now I’m going off on a tangent and we’ve barely started. You can tell what mood I’m in, right??? *stares distractedly out the window with a smile*

Okay, let’s get back to business. *puts hat back on*

What constitutes a short story?

It varies. I mean, I don’t think a definition is actually necessary, but you should know that anything below 1,000 words is considered flash fiction, or a super short story. However, personally, I feel that flash fiction should be defined as something closer to a few hundred words or less. So, the minimum word count for short story falls somewhere in the <1,000 category, and can be up to 10,000 words.

Why are short stories so important in fiction?

Not only are short stories an excellent building block for writing (see my Faithwriters’ short stories), but they are a fabulous tool to provide entertainment, inspiration, amusement, and even, if you’re really skilled, a powerful piece of writing that makes an impact that lasts! It’s a taller order than it sounds. Some people may not have time to read a novel. But anyone can make time to read a short story. See the potential there?

I wish I could share with you all the incredible short stories I’ve read. I can’t, but let me say, they have changed my view of “short” stories.

And, I might add, so can the smallest stories. 🙂

Don’t you all just love LOTR quotes?

How to Write Them Well

No, not LOTR quotes, short stories. 😉

Okay, so, the only reason I can give you some advice on this, is because I’ve written so many of them. But if you’re really interested in writing short stories, do your research. I can only share the bit that I’ve learned along the way.

Depending on the length of your story, keep extra POVs to a minimum. In all likelihood, your short story is probably only focusing on one person. However, be very careful when including more than one POV. Try to have just one, if at all possible. It should help the story to flow more smoothly.

Stories are powerful. Words can change lives. So work on the flow of every sentence and paragraph, as you write and as you edit. Tightening sentences where you can will often help the story flow. Cut out unnecessary descriptions, but let the reader see the scene that is unfolding.

It is difficult to explain everything that can improve a short work of fiction. Your best bet is to read. Mine aren’t the best examples in the world, but you can check out the stories I’ve written for Faithwriters. If nothing else, you’ll be able to get an idea of a tight story with a message. My short stories page features many of the winning stories. But if you do some exploring on Faithwriters, you’ll find some really incredible winning stories.

First sentences and last sentences also count in short stories, mainly because they are the first and last impressions. But remember, quite often, the real fashioning of a story happens after the writing, during the editing.

So, read. Read a lot. If you want to perfect short stories, you can’t read enough of them. And you can’t write enough of them. My first many stories written for Faithwriters were, um . . . *coughs* embarrassing. But each one improved. And short stories are unique opportunities to inspire! Don’t discredit them because they’re short. Remember Lord of the Rings quotes!

Oh, and, before we go . . . a puppy update. Phoenix is doing awesome. Personality-wise, she’s bull-headed, but very sensitive. The other night, right at midnight, she heard two cats screaming outside, and started barking. Like. Crazy. I jolted awake, fumbled to turn the light on. She might have been noisy, but she was actually really freaked out and scared. So I petted her for a while, then turned off the light, and she went back to sleep. All thoughts of screeching cats forgotten. 🙂 Goodnight, Phoenix!

Your turn. What sort of short stories do you like to write? What is your advice for a newbie looking to start out with short stories? Have you ever had your dog wake you up in the middle of the night? Let’s chat!

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#CoverLove Tag = Awesomeness!

This is a new tag, invented by Anika Walkes and it is AWESOME. Just sayin’. It’s a tag for anybody who loves books. And, um, doesn’t that just about define us all?

There are RULES, people. Rules.

• Thank the blogger that nominated you and link back to their blog. (I kinda nominated myself.)
• Create seven new #CoverLove questions for your nominees (or just copy and paste mine).
• Answer the seven #CoverLove questions your nominator gave you.
• Nominate 7+ other bloggers and let them know they’ve been tagged.

 

1 . What are your 3 favorite covers of all time?

 Michael Vey – Fall of Hades. Because, can you honestly tell me that cover isn’t epic-ness?

 Fawkes because that’s equally epic. And that mask!

 This cover is just plain cool. I mean, the scroll, the ink, the pen, it’s just . . . really cool. And it’s an awesome book, so there.

2 . What is one cover that you could squeal over forever?

 Why could I squeal over this cover forever? I think the cover answers that question, if I’m not mistaken.

3 . A cover that’s sweet and innocent and cuter than a kitten in a bow?

 This was such a fun book, and that cover is terrific.

4 . An absolutely EPIC cover that just screams “I’M AWESOME”.

 Um, yeah. Seriously.

5 . A series that has amazing covers for ALL the books (a rare delicacy)?

   Can you honestly disagree with me here?

6 . What’s a cover you loved, but then you ended up hating the book?

 I almost didn’t do this one. It just felt mean. But let me be clear – I didn’t like this book, but I also didn’t finish it. My opinion of the story was by far the minority. But anyway, it’s such a lovely cover!

7 . The cover of a book that hasn’t come out yet but you’re screaming about how AWESOME the cover makes the book look?

 Yes, I did this one already. So?

 

Now it’s your turn!

1. Your two favorite book covers EVER.
2. A book you haven’t read, but can’t live without because of the cover.
3. A book you loved, but disliked the cover.
4. A cover you loved, even though you disliked the book.
5. A series in which every cover was AMAZING.
6. A cover containing your favorite color(s).
7. A to-be-published book with an epic cover.

Take these and just have fun with them! I’m supposed to tag seven people, but I don’t really have seven people I could properly tag. So I’m going to tag three, and if you want to do it on your blog, please do! And drop me a link in the comments, because I LOVE BOOK COVERS!

Officially tagged: Kate at the Inky Notebook and Hope Ann at Writing in the Light and Kinsey at Over the Withers. Have fun you guys!

Punctuation Pantry – Friend or Foe: Semicolons and Parentheses

“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
― Thomas Jefferson

Our second installment of the Punctuation Pantry talks about semicolons and parentheses. This may seem exceedingly dull (and I agree, suspended hyphens were more interesting);  but the fact remains, in this day and age, these two punctuation items need to be discussed. (See what I did there?)

A definition is not needed for parentheses. But you may have noticed that you really don’t see them anymore outside of emails (and blog posts, of course). 🙂 In books, you typically don’t see parentheses. Why?

Based on my observation, they’ve been replaced by dashes. Look at these sentences:

The characters in the movie were three-dimensional (and very entertaining).

Which can be written as,

The characters in the movie were three-dimensional – and very entertaining.

So, the general rule is, parentheses are fine for informal writing. But formal writing tends to avoid them.

SEMICOLONS

Semicolons basically join two independent clauses, which is very helpful in outlining or list-making. But until a couple years ago, I was strongly opposed to using them in formal writing, simply because they were used – heavily – in classics and older literature. They are more sparse in today’s work.

However, that does not mean they have no place in the literature of today. Do your research. But I would recommend not using them quite as frequently as the classics did, simply because they seem to be a little less popular today.

So, recap. Formal writing, avoid parentheses and sprinkle the semicolons. A lot of what I’ve learned about punctuation in writing comes from observing the writing of others. So if you want a stricter definition of what is accepted, do your research.

And NOW! Drum roll . . . I did not want to leave you all today with a few up-to-date pictures of our little Goldendoodle Phoenix. 🙂 She has grown so fast, it’s impossible to believe. She barely fits in my arms. Already! Today, she has her appointment with the vets, so she’s got a car ride to look forward to. She’s okay in the car, but we’ll see how it goes.

Fast asleep . . .

THAT FACE!!!

Her potty training is slow, but her training in basic commands is incredible. She’s even learning hand signals. And guess who wakes me up at five every morning? Without fail. That’s her “I’ve got to go to the bathroom” alert.

And good news, the cats are adjusting to her. And she knows she’s not supposed to chase them, but . . . oh, they’re so fast and fluffy she says!

So, what are your favorite uses of the three topics we’ve addressed in the Punctuation Pantry? Do you use semicolons or parentheses? Now, how about Phoenix – cutest puppy EVER? (I know, I’m horribly biased.) Let’s chat!

Highlights and Goals – July, 2018

I haven’t done a Highlights and Goals post in eons (however long that is), and now seemed an appropriate time, since I am WWAAYY behind in blogging and, um, I was running out of ideas. 😉

So, let’s dive right in, folks. June highlights!

The biggest highlight of June was bringing home our little puppy Phoenix. I introduced her in the last post, and she’s pretty much the reason I have been absent from this blog. To give you an idea, I’ve been keeping a pair of shoes on at all times just so I’m ready to fly out the door when she has to go to the bathroom. But then, if you’ve ever had a puppy you’re trying to potty train, you know where I’m coming from.

Otherwise, Phoenix is a remarkably smart little girl. She is already sitting and staying while I prepare her food and waiting for my release command despite being the most food-crazy dog I’ve ever met. 🙂

In other news, in June I also wrapped up a few more things in One Light Shining, which has been saved for editing/proofreading. And we planted our potatoes in the garden. We never plant potatoes now until late June/early July, which allows us to avoid the first onslaught of Colorado Potato Beetles.

So, June was a pretty wild month. Now for July goals!

This is where I have to be a little, shall we say, secretive. Because there might be a super crazy exciting announcement on the bookish front coming up in a few days to a week. So I can’t be too forthcoming right now. But stay tuned. Please. *cue dramatic music*

• Read Fawkes by Nadine Brandes. This is like, number one, and for a very good reason. I devoured Nadine’s Out of Time Series. And I LOVE the sound of Fawkes. If you haven’t the faintest clue what I’m talking about, go check out the book. Quickly.
• Train Phoenix. Of course. She’s going to be the best-behaved Goldendoodle in our neighborhood. Actually, I think she’s the only Goldendoodle in our neighborhood, so . . .
• Read. Because, I must.
• Pick raspberries. Our bushes in the backyard are FULL of unripe berries. They should be coming in a couple weeks.

I know, I know, boring. But the most potentially exciting thing on this list, well, can’t be on this list. You must watch for new posts, that’s all.

And speaking of new posts . . . you know how I said I was running out of ideas? Well, I need your advice. All of you. Let me know your ideas on upcoming posts I could share. Writing related is good, but I’ll consider anything that would interest my faithful followers! You guys are just the best. So, let me know your thoughts, ’cause I can’t read your minds. Oh, really?

Let’s chat! What are you up to this month? What book are you most looking forward to reading, or are presently reading? How about possible blog posts? I need your opinions! What would you like to see on this blog this month?

Big News – There’s a New Addition to Our Family.

Ookkaayy, so as you might recall from my last post, I hinted that there was going to be a big announcement on Monday. Alas, Monday is here! And just like an evil author, I’m going to make you wait for it. (Even though I did kinda spoil it in the title of this post.)

. . . .

 

Keep going.

 

. . . .

 

Keep going!

 

. . . .

 

. . . .

 

. . . .

 

Me and Phoenix. This was taken two weeks ago when we first met her. But we didn’t bring her home till this weekend. You can see how much she’s changed in two weeks.

*throws confetti for Monday and puppies*

So, unless there’s something wrong and you weren’t able to see that picture up there, you’ve just been introduced to the newest member of our family – an eight-week-old Goldendoodle puppy named . . . ready? . . . Phoenix.

No, I did not name her after the city of Phoenix, I named her for the ancient myth that says there’s a bird that rises from the ashes of a fire. I thought it fitting, based on the circumstances through which we brought this little girl home.

There have been a lot of changes on the family farm. Actually, we were forced to sell our entire herd of goats because of my allergies to the barn, which have just kept getting worse. So, it’s been a fairly difficult spring for all of us. To my whole family, Phoenix is a little beacon of hope – like a message from God saying, “I’ve got this. Wait on Me. Trust.”

“Yes, of course, I know I’m beautiful.”

“Play with me!”

If you were not aware, Goldendoodles are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. It is said that they inherit the Golden’s eager-to-please personality and the Poodle’s intelligence. Because they are a gentle, keenly intuitive dog, they also make excellent service animals. We’re hoping to raise these dogs, on a small scale. I’d like to train some as service and therapy dogs.

This is a new direction for us, although we did raise Great Pyrenees puppies for a few years after we first moved to the farm. But all that aside, it starts with one little adorable puppy named Phoenix.

She’s extremely well-adjusted and adaptable. She wants our older dog, Izzy, to play with her, and, well, that’s not going so well. 🙂 The cats are having the most difficult time with it. They had a very secure balance between the three of them and Izzy, who is extremely patient and gentle with the cats – because they leave her alone and she can approach them on her terms.

Because we did raise Great Pyrenees, we had a point of reference to observe Phoenix. Interestingly, she far more dependent than the Pyrenees puppies were, and, frankly, she’s smarter. 🙂

Right now, little Phoenix is sleeping soundly in my room. That’s her spot. Her safe haven. It’s funny to think she’ll have puppies of her own one day. Right now she’s so young, so much a puppy. But thank goodness her potty training is progressing rapidly. 🙂

So, there will be more updates to follow, sprinkled among our regular posts. Anybody want to see more of Phoenix? Check out our farm’s Facebook page. There’s a very popular puppy slideshow on there right now.

Do you have a dog or puppy of your own? Is Phoenix just irresistibly cute? Want to see more of her? (I’m telling you, she was the cutest of the litter.) Let’s chat in the comments!

You Know You’re a Writer When . . .

We’ve all seen those little notes that begin with “You know you’re a writer when . . .” and the blank is filled, usually with something humorous that you can totally relate to. But what if we just simplified it and said,

You know you’re a writer . . . when something inspires you to write.

What inspires you? A sight or a smell? A sound, like laughter? An image or a quote?

The fact is, if you’re a writer, you were probably inspired to write long before you put pen to paper. Writing doesn’t begin with the pen and paper. It begins with a feeling. A sensation you can’t identify that sparks imagination, creativity, excitement. Even ambivalence.

Think about it.

Were you the ten-year-old riding your bike or sitting on the lawn while telling yourself stories? Were you hiding in your room with a good book while your friends were playing? Did you hoard all the notebooks you could find and say that even all those couldn’t fit the stories in your head . . . even if they remained blank? Did you write a story simply because you had to? There was no choice in the matter – there was just this burning imagination that had to be expressed?

That’s where inspiration started for me. An idea – five kids stranded on an island at high tide. An imagination – two siblings transported back through time to help defeat a giant (the humble beginnings of One Light Shining six years ago). Eventually, creativity and originality – the crash of the nation’s power grid drives a family from their home (Ashes Remain, currently a first draft).

You know you’re a writer when there’s a bit of inspiration that must be set loose to conquer that giant, slay that dragon, wield that sword . . . or, simply, tame that imagination, harness its power, until the hunger in you is satisfied.

You know you’re a writer when it’s not about the money, not about the fame, not about the praise – it’s just about feeling alive, and it’s between you and God.

I would ride my bike for hours, rain or shine, greedily whispering stories I would never write, as I peddled faster and faster under the excitement of what was unfolding. One day, even this wasn’t enough. So, I just started . . . writing. Yeah, it was pretty lousy. I would never show my first work to a single soul, and I cringe to think I had my mom and dad read it. 😉  But that’s okay. If I hadn’t started that way, I never would have started at all.

Is writing easy?

No. It’s difficult, often. Torturous, frequently.

Why do we do it?

Because we must. To quit would leave us empty. There’s something in every writer that is only satisfied by the expression of words, a thirst only quenched by the victory that is achieved by the wielding of their power. We can’t substitute it. I’ve tried.

You know you’re a writer when the imagination and inspiration is too strong to ignore.

You know you’re a writer when you can see the story in your head, not the words on the page.

You know you’re a writer . . .

Now, before I forget, let me advise you in advance that on Monday, I have a very exciting, slightly off-subject announcement to bring forward. It’s a post that will be a lot of fun. 🙂 You ready? Monday. Don’t forget.

What do you think? When did you first start crafting stories? How far have you come? And what inspires you? Let’s chat in the comments!

 

How to Silence Your Inner Editor – and an Update on Writing with a Chromebook

Now, I normally do not blog on Sundays, but because I’ve gotten a little behind in blogging, I felt today needed to be an exception. So, greetings!

Today we’re going to have two blog posts in one. How fun!

Silencing the Inner Editor

We all have to deal with this. That sneaky little voice that slithers about in our brain and tells us one of two things – 1, that our writing is horrible, or 2, that sentence you just wrote is something a three-year-old would write.

Number One has no place in your brain. Erase it. Number Two, well, it has its place. But that place is NOT while your writing your first draft, and maybe not even your second.

Our Inner Editor can be difficult to silence, in part because some people will believe they need to edit as they go along. MYTH! NO! Do not edit while you’re writing UNLESS it’s your second or third draft and you are rewriting. That said, let me clarify. When you are rewriting, you are, in a sense, editing. So edit the previous draft, don’t edit the one you’re currently writing.

That’s the responsibility of the next draft.

See how vicious that cycle is? Beware of writing too many drafts before you decide enough is good enough.

Anyway, I do have some advice on silencing the Inner Editor, and it’s a technique I discovered during NaNoWriMo last year. I think NaNo has a June or July edition coming up, so if you’re one of the people taking part, this might be just the right time for you to hear this.

SET A DEADLINE

This might seem a little surprising if you’ve never experienced the stress and the relief of a deadline. Stress because it can be, well, stressful, and relief because I’ve found that my Inner Editor can’t rear its head when I know – completely know – that when writing on a deadline, the condition of the draft doesn’t matter much. What matters is the deadline. So, Inner Editor, relax.

Don’t set a random deadline. It should be challenging, but doable. And not too monstrous, unless you have some reliable people alongside to keep you going. 🙂

Like NaNoWriMo.

Still, I have found that a writing deadline/goal really helps me to focus on the task, NOT on my biased opinion of what poor writing looks like. We authors are the worst judges of our own work, believe me.

 

Writing on my Chromebook

So, on the subject of the Chromebook, some of you may remember I purchased one a couple months ago. It’s awesome. Not just for writing (like this blog post), but also for short Internet searches when I don’t want to fire up the computer.

But . . . one bit of my opinion has changed since I first announced the Chromebook.

I won’t use it for novel writing.

Editing? Yes. Short stories? Absolutely. But novels? No. Why?

Because I’ve used a Alphasmart Neo 2 word processor for so long, I completely adapted to the small, dim screen, and now I find myself incurably distracted by a large, bright screen. So, after juggling with this for a while, I switched back to the Neo. Now everyone’s happy. 🙂 It’s probably completely mental, but, hey, if I can get in the “zone” on a Neo, then on a Neo I shall write.

Isn’t that profound? 😉

 

And there y’all have it! But let’s chat. Have you used a simple word processor or a Chromebook? What are your techniques for silencing your inner editor? Let’s talk in the comments!

Reflections of a Serial People-Watcher

You can’t miss this beautiful, thought-provoking post from Kate Flournoy! I absolutely had to share this with you.

The Inky Notebook

Sometimes I feel like Sherlock Holmes.

Sometimes I wonder if that’s a good thing. 😛

I mean, how normal is it for a nineteen year old girl to smuggle her pen and notebook into the symphony and instead of paying attention to the music, spend the whole night ‘collecting’ the musicians? (I’ll have you know I got at least five very detailed and promising character profiles out of that.)

Or how polite and ‘what people do’ is it to watch the waitress from behind your menu and try to guess her life story by the wrinkles on her face, the scars on her arms, and the tattoo just peeking out from under her sleeve?

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An Exciting Writing Update . . . at Last!

So, if you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’re probably aware that it’s been MONTHS since my last personal writing update. Since November-ish, I think, since NaNoWriMo. And there’s a reason for that. But it’s not a good one.

I haven’t been writing.

*gulp* Yeah, no, I haven’t been. For the past several months, there has been so much going on around the farm, with planning, working the soil, trying to plan, and then there’s been me, trying to plan and trying to figure out life. You know, what we’d all like to figure out. 🙂

But if there’s one thing I haven’t been doing, it’s writing. Or reading. And I’m kind of ashamed, but sometimes it does help to back off and take a good look at what you’re doing. This spring has been so full of thrilling “ups” and discouraging “downs”, it made it too difficult for me to sit down and write. The words were empty.

*sighs*

Alas! Yes, this is a writing update, not a non-writing update, and not an excuse as to why I haven’t been writing.

A few days ago, my mom and I sat down and basically decided that I needed to start writing again. Now.

So, that just left the question of “what”. I had the option of Ashes Remain, the contemporary action novella that I’ve finished the first draft of. Then there was One Light Shining, my never-ending YA portal fantasy. And of course, something new.

As I mulled over that . . . I had a funny dream. I had a dream in which I’d written One Light Shining, published it, and it had been turned into a movie. 🙂  (I know, wouldn’t we all like those dreams, all the time? I NEVER get to dream about my books, ever!)

While thinking about that dream, I was reminded of the intended message of that book. A hard-hitting, powerful message of forgiveness, compassion, and grace. A story that timely encompasses the problems of today and combines them with struggles that have reached across the ages, set in a made-up world. Action, adventure, relationship, redemption . . .

There’s something there. I know there’s something in that.

So . . . yes. I chose One Light Shining.

My mom is going to read through the last draft that I wrote, for NaNo last year, and when she does, I’ll transmit her feedback to my outlining process. Then, write the next draft – what is this, the seventh? – and then find an editor. 🙂 I know, so simple, right?

And that is the sum of this long-belated writing update. But now I’m going to leave you all with one or two snippets from my beloved portal fantasy novel. Ready?

This one is from the new rewrite of the prologue:

He trod lightly upon the stairs, fully aware of which ones moaned when you stepped on them, avoiding those, and avoiding the windows where the moonlight peered in, uninvited. His foreknowledge of this home was critical. Trespassing was a serious business.

Okay, and so is this one:

But this was no time to lose his nerve. It was all he had left. He pushed on. There was a deadly earnestness in his steps, one that frightened him. Part of him still knew how wrong this was. No matter how hard he tried to silence those doubts, they turned his memories on him. Memories he’d spent the last year twisting, burying. They left his breath shallow and faltering.

    The hall turned dark as the windows disappeared behind him. An occasional candle in a wall sconce cast enough light – not that he didn’t know this hall by heart.

    Two doors to go.

 

There you go! A sneak peak into the rewriting process. I’ll have more updates coming later on. Who knows – someday I might even be publishing this book and I’ll be calling all you faithful followers together for a blog tour. 🙂

What are you working on right now? What is your writing-rewriting style? And please let me know if either of those snippets encourage you to read on. Feedback is everything while I’m revising! Let’s chat in the comments!

Ladies and Gentlemen . . . it’s a Blog Tour

Yes, indeed. Today is the day we celebrate the release of Tricia Mingerink’s and Sarah Addison-Fox’s newest books. My participation is going to focus on Tricia’s book, but I’ll have the schedule for the tour posted at the end, so you can take a look around!

Cool titles, right? And two seriously enchanting covers. Wow.

So, to celebrate the release of Dagger’s Sleep on the 28th, I have had the privilege to host an author interview with Tricia. But first, the synopsis of her newest book.

A prince cursed to sleep.

A princess destined to wake him.

A kingdom determined to stop them.

High Prince Alexander has been cursed to a sleep like unto death, a curse that will end the line of the high kings and send the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia into chaos. With his manservant to carry his luggage and his own superior intelligence to aid him, Alex sets off to find one of the Fae and end his curse one way or another.

A hundred years later, Princess Rosanna learns she is the princess destined by the Highest King to wake the legendary sleeping prince. With the help of the mysterious Daemyn Rand, can she find the courage to finish the quest as Tallahatchia wavers on the edge of war?

One curse connects them. A hundred years separate them. From the rushing rivers of Tallahatchia’s mountains to the hall of the Highest king himself, their quests will demand greater sacrifice than either of them could imagine.

And the interview with Tricia – which can also be translated as the first author interview I’ve ever done. 🙂

1. Welcome! What was it like to publish your first book?

It was really cool. I decided to be a published author when I was 6 years old and it was my dream ever since. 

That’s great that you knew so early on. 2. Would you say your writing/publishing experience has changed since your first book?

Yes, definitely. Things are different once you are published. There is a lot more pressure on your writing once you have fans waiting for the next one and you don’t want to disappoint them. 

3. What are your hopes for this new series?

I really hope it connects with readers just as much as The Blades of Acktar did and perhaps find an even wider audience. 

4. Would you say there is one author who has most influenced your writing? If so, who?

C.S. Lewis did much to shape my writing. The Chronicles of Narnia was one of the first fantasy books I read, and the way Lewis used fantasy to convey Christian themes still blows my mind each time i read the books. 

Agreed! Narnia was truly inspired! 5. Which do you prefer: Cats or dogs?

Dogs all the way. 

What??? How about daytime writing vs. nighttime writing?

Daytime, but since I work full time I usually end up writing at night. 

C.S. Lewis or J.R.R Tolkien?

If you hadn’t guessed already, C.S. Lewis. I re-read The Chronicles of Narnia at least once a year. I think I’ve only actually read The Lord of the Rings all the way through once. The writing is well done, but C.S. Lewis holds my heart. 

Thanks a lot, Tricia!

 ~ ~ ~ ~

About the Author:

Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn’t writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country.

You can connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, Twitter, Instagram, and her blog.

 And there’s a party to celebrate.

~ ~ ~ ~

To celebrate the release of Dissociate and Dagger’s Sleep, Sarah Addison-Fox and Tricia Mingerink are hosting a day-long Facebook Festival. There will be plenty of games and giveaways, not to mention Serena Chase, author of the Eyes of E’veria series, will be the guest of honor. It’s a party you won’t want to miss! You’ll be able to stop by any time during the day to join the fun, no matter what time zone you live in!

Giveaways!

Sarah Addison-Fox and Tricia Mingerink are each hosting a giveaway for their books for the blog tour. Sarah Addison-Fox is giving away a paperback set of the first three books in the Allegiance Series. The giveaway is open internationally where such giveaways are permitted and where Createspace ships. The books may or may not be signed depending on where the winner lives. To enter this giveaway, follow this Rafflecopter link: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/624234b712/? 

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And that about does it for the blog tour here! But you can find a lot more info about these two exciting books by checking out the blog tour schedule below. Enjoy . . . oh, and happy reading!  🙂

 

Tuesday – May 22

Laura Grace – Author Interview

Reading Anyone – Book Review

Jaye L Knight – Book Spotlight

Quirky Faith – Book Reviews and Author Interview

Wednesday – May 23

Allyson Kennedy – Author Interview

Sam H. – Book Review

Addyson Huneke – Book Review and Author Interview

Ivie Brooks – Book Reviews

Thursday – May 24

Shantelle Mary – Book Review and Book Spotlight

Brie Donning – Book Review and Multi-Character Interview

Blooming with Books – Book Review and Author Interview

Julian Daventry – Book Review and Author Interview

Friday – May 25

Faith Thompson – Book Reviews and Author Interview

Hannah Gaudette – Author Interview

CM Williams – Book Review

Chloe Parker – Book Reviews

Saturday – May 26

JM Christian – Book Review and Multi-Character Interview

Abigail McKenna – Book Reviews

Liv Fisher – Author Interview

Book Wolf – Book Reviews and Author Interview

Liz Koetsier – Book Spotlight

Monday – May 28

Jessica Dowell – Book Review and Author Interview

Lila Kims – Book Reviews

Marie Elrich – Book Reviews

Faith Potts – Book Review and Book Spotlight