The Truth is

WE KNOW THE TRUTH, DO YOU?

Welcome readers to the continuing blog tour for the latest science fiction/fantasy book release, the anthology called, WE KNOW THE TRUTH, DO YOU? by twenty-five authors of a variety of genres.

I know, Sci-Fi isn’t my usual fare. So how did I end up in this wonderfully creative anthology? Well, I know author, editor, and mom Terri Wilson. Terri and I live across town from each other. When she, along with other author friends decided to put together an anthology to celebrate the upcoming Area 51 raid (which as we know captured the attention of every social media outlet out there. Terri said, why not give them an alternative to going to a raid and give them a cool book suggesting that a bunch of authors might be able to suggest more about Area 51 than people could possibly guess.

So the call went out and wow, the response was incredible. Terri was amazed and the anthology began in earnest.

Even I was excited because I know Terri’s work ethic. She was my PA for a while, has been my editor, my beta and even my formatter. So when she said she was honchoing this book, I openly declared I was IN, despite not having a clue what to write about since I don’t “do” sci-fi.

Ah, but I write about vampires and a mythological phoenix, so what could be more alien than this? Who needed to come from off planet? Not my story. My story suddenly came to me. What if the Air Force didn’t have a secret but there was one at Area 51? What if the lack of secret was the conspiracy? And what if the truth there was magic at Area 51?  Magic that was dying….

From there I tied my story to my current paranormal fiction series, Evening Bower, and used the characters from my series to tell the story of a young Air Force sergent who disappears and the friends from my series who show up to help. Their discovery is shocking and unexpected, sad and yet hopeful. I called it MERMURINGS (no, that’s not misspelled).

Of course I worried my story wouldn’t fit in. I soon discovered I needn’t have fretted. The stories that were submitted included alien immigrants, conspiracy theories, military black ops, mystery, romance, serial killers, prison escapes, humor, unexpected endings (or is it beginnings?), and so much more! And of course, there are actual aliens who come to visit! This book developed into a tome of stories where there was something for everyone. Here are just a few sample covers.

But you know what really sold me on the anthology? ALL royalties are to be DONATED to US VETS. That’s right – ALL. None of the authors will take one dime. As a retired US Air Force officer, I am so proud to be a part of this book because of that!

Then guess what happened? FORBES did an article on the upcoming “Raid of Area 51” and THEY MENTIONED THE BOOK! I almost lost my mind. You can read about that here.

After that we authors began a blog tour and that brings you here, with me. The Area 51 raid? Nah, it was a bust. But you can learn the Truth if you get this anthology, because we have the answers and we’ll share them with YOU. This book will tell you all you need to know. I promise.

Check out the anthology website here. And then take this link to get your copy of this terrific book (that happens to be over 400 pages long!) Would 25 talented and insightful authors lie to you? The truth is waiting….

I’ll see you at the edge of Area 51. Until then,
I remain, Yours Between the Lines,

Sherry

Good Thursday afternoon April 11, 2019!

If you read and follow me here and on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter, you know I’m doing surprise giveaways this month for National Poetry Month. There was one on my Facebook Author page (closed now).

When I was learning about poetry, a teacher turned me on to Sara Teasdale. One of my favorite poems of hers 

And if you are reading this, you can win a Kindle ebook of The Poetry of Sara Teasdale.

******All you need to do is comment with your thoughts on the above poem and tell me what it means to you. I’ll return on SUNDAY APR 14 at noon to use Random.org and pick a winner.*******

So leave your entry in the comments!! I’ll come back on Sunday and post the announcement.

(Ps. stay tuned to my Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages for more surprise giveaways!)

Yours in poetry, Between the Lines,

Sherry

Details Make (or break) Your Novel

I know you’ve heard the saying “it’s the little things that count,” or “the devil’s in the details.” Well, never has that been more true than when writing a novel.

Finely crafted details develop the reader’s world and keep them under your story’s spell.

Too many details or using the wrong ones, and your readers are flipping pages in bored and confused frustration as they search for meaningful information and a return to the plot.

If you want to talk about the omelet the sexy chef is making, we probably need to know about the ingredients but not intricate details about the pan. We may need to know about the stove if it is extraordinary (wood burning?) but not the convection oven. See?

Here are rules I’ve learned on what details to include, how much and when:

DO include details that support your character’s life as long as it helps us understand the personality or motivation. Maybe an assassin once won an award in archery in school.  DON’T describe looks that have no importance. We want to identify the villain soon as possible but maybe all we need to know about is the odd scar on his neck or tattoo on his finger. No need to get into detail about the gray eyes if we never see them or they don’t matter to the story.

DO concentrate on emotions. When people speak, they move. Eyebrows go up. Lips purse. Jaw muscles tighten. DON’T spend so much time emoting that we forget what we’re supposed to be doing or where we’re going. Emotions need to fit the scene and the people important to the moment. Forget the shock of the bus boy and consider the robber’s shock when he realizes he’s been captured. DO interject humor or pathos whenever you can. DON’T assume that because you don’t feel it that we will. If you don’t, we probably won’t either. Your passion must translate to the story and if it does the readers will feel it.

DO go for details that set you above the fray. Be original. Be unusual. DON’T be afraid to break tropes and set your world apart from what’s out there. Every witch has the same items and the same spell book. But instead of a cat or a gargoyle, who has a pet moth? The soaps show women always walking around their homes in high heels. What if your thing is a pair of 60’s go-go boots?

Most often forgotten are the senses. We readers love to know what the world is like, but how does it smell, or what colors are there? How does it feel? Silk or sandpaper? DO give us a complete sense of what the world is and DON’T give us more than we need for the moment. Share the rest of the details as we move through the story and experience what we need when we need it.

Too many details can be your story’s undoing. Give your readers richness and make your readers crave more. Give them too much and the gluttony will drive them away. Being sated on details is good. Being bloated is bad. (and they don’t make a Gas-X for that).

It is very true that details are the key to everything: a good suit, a tasty lasagna, and a book you can’t put down. Choose your details wisely and use smartly. And the result might produce a bestseller (I’m still trying!).

Thanks for coming by and keep writing!
Yours Between the Lines,

Sherry