I’m visiting Grace Allison Blair, award-winning author of Einstein’s Compass, over at her blog Modern Mystic to talk about my latest prehistoric fiction release, Against All Odds.
…and How to Add Drama to Your Story
Sneak peek:
Sometimes I read my WIP and even I get bored. Excitement may be difficult to define but I know it when I read it. I ain’t reading it here.
If you have that problem, here are some suggestions from efriend writers:
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- Look at your scenes. Is the drama predictable, or unbelievable? Is it a bridge too far or a euphemism too short? Or something else?
- A football fan friend of mine who’s also a writer explained what you want out of drama: Let’s say it’s the end of the season, and Notre Dame’s playoff hopes rest upon Penn State winning their final game (and they’re 0-11) — nothing else could help the Irish get in, no other combination of wins or losses, plane crashes, plague outbreaks, anything. I still want Penn State to lose. (Not intended to trigger Notre Dame or Penn State fans–just fun)
Come visit!
@gracethemystic
#amwriting #IndieAuthor
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the Man vs. Nature saga. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Against All Odds, Summer 2020. You can find her tech ed books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning
Great tips, Jacqui. I wanted to leave a quick note here to make sure you saw my last reply on Debra’s blog, about potential spoilers for new readers in your first chapter excerpt. Just in case you wanted to take that into account during the rest of your tour. Not about Xhosa, but about Hawk and Nightshade (an easy part to omit in the excerpt, if you agree). 🙂 I don’t know whether that is important or not, as I haven’t read your first two books of this trilogy yet. It was just a hunch.
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Thanks for your thoughtfulness, Liesbet. I think it’s ok–the spoiler. That’s Chapter 1 of the book so they’ll find out pretty soon! Xhosa leads a pretty eventful life for having zero technology!
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In regards to the spoilers, I meant for the readers who haven’t read your book 1 or 2 in the series yet and hope to start the series from the beginning. Your excerpt in this book tour tells them what happens to those two characters before they read about it in the books that came before. Sorry for my confusing way of trying to make this point. 🙂
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That is true. Hunh. I hadn’t considered that. Well, I’m putting Book 1 on sale on publication date–maybe they’ll be inspired tos grab it! Or get both for free through KU. Seriously, I’m going to think about that. Thanks, Liesbet.
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Good idea. Plus, it’s easy to remove the few words with those two names in it from the excerpt too during the rest of your tour, if you so choose. That sentence would still make sense. 🙂
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I have no doubt, but I write about your book when I finish the Thames.
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Thanks! Let me know when so I can share it on my blog.
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Great suggestions, Jacqui. I’m looking forward to sharing my review!
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Thanks, Diana. I found this year that I really enjoyed the personalized posts authors wrote when promoting their new books. Thought I’d try it!
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You always do a great job at gearing up for and launching a book. 🙂 I don’t know how you do it!
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Heading over to Grace’s to get the full scoop!
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Thanks, Bette. See you there!
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Lovely Jacqui, going over to finish.
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Thanks, Robbie. Grace has a beautiful blog.
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Thanks Jacqui for having me on your blog tour. Glad to help you with your success.
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I’m heading over right now!
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You do so much to help others!
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I try but this–that they give back so much–I am awed by their friendship.
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That’s awesome website..
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Completely agree!
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I’ll check back later, Jacqui…not seeing the link.
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Got it! All updated. Thanks, Jill!
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Great visit!
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Good luck, Jacqui, with your latest book. I am sure it will be a success.
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I am hopeful for that. One never knows though. Sigh.
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Yes u win
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