SOMETIMES IT TAKES ONE BROKEN HEART TO HEAL ANOTHER.
Courtney Winston is a writer on a deadline. Eager to finish her book and get over a recent break-up, she ditches Christmas with her family and retreats to a secluded cabin in the mountains.
Appliances rarely work, and cell service is spotty, but Courtney senses there is more to her rustic rental—something dark and haunting.
Then Peter, the attractive Stone Mountain Lodge owner, and a meddling cook, Mrs. Finn, keep coming around, shattering her peace and offering advice on how to fix her heavy heart.
Courtney grows closer to Peter, but Mrs. Finn warns her of his troubled past. Undaunted, Courtney sets out to win him over. But being with the brooding stranger may end up costing her more than she ever imagined.
The Christmas Spirit
by Alexandrea Weis
Published by: Rosewind Books
Publication date: October 27th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Thank you Author Weis for this wonderful guest post that will surely encourage all writers to follow their passion and dreams.
10 Tips for Becoming a Better Writer
10. Find your voice – This takes time, a lot of writing, and is never stagnant. It is essential to find your voice because that is what readers will recognize and follow in your works. Everyone has a voice, but it takes a lot of time to perfect it.
9.Never stop learning. You will never know everything about writing or the publishing business, no matter how much you try. The book world is continually evolving, and to succeed, you must adapt and change with it. Embrace new ideas, new social media trends, new genres, new marketing methods, and new methods for putting your words on the page. You never want to be stale as a writer, which means learning about your skill, either through reviews, editors, or readers. Listen to what people say and strive to take the constructive criticism and put it to good use. You can always be a better writer.
8. Hire great editors. This ties into tip nine. An editor is the difference between a good story and a great one. Take the opportunity to work with a variety of editors and don’t get into a rut. It can be hard to work with a new editor, but it can also be a golden opportunity to learn more about your craft. Strive to find good editors by talking with other authors. And even though budget constraints can limit your choices, you can still find good people at reasonable prices. Also, invest in getting references editors use such as The Chicago Manual of Style. You are your best editor as a writer, but fresh eyes on any story are vital. Find the right mix that works for you.
7. Find a great designer- We know how important covers are, but you don’t have to break the bank to find one. Many designers and companies offer pre-made covers that are beautiful and may match your story. Do not; be afraid to shop around, and make sure you get a cover you love. If you do not, you will regret it and spend more money down the road to change it. Try to avoid that hassle and cost. Take the time to find the best cover for your book. It is an essential piece of marketing that helps sell your book.
6. Go to book signings – I do not recommend them to sell books because many authors do not make a profit, especially after factoring airfare, hotel costs, and singing fees. But they can give you an excellent opportunity to network with other authors in your genre, which is crucial. Marketing is a lot of word of mouth, and if fellow authors can give your book a boost on social media. You can exchange marketing ideas, learn about the newest trends, make great contacts, and even a few good friends.
5. Learn your genre – Make sure you take the time to read other books in the genre you want to write in. Many authors write novels that fall into one, two, or three genres at once, but remember those more complicated stories are harder to market and challenging to find an audience. Go slow and start simple. Find a genre you love, write a story you adore, then your readers will come.
4. Always take the time to be kind to anyone, reader, fan, fellow author, or someone just starting out. Kindness is a simple commodity that is in short supply these days. We are all in this together, so there is no excuse for not taking the time to listen, offer your advice when asked, and encourage others in your field.
3. Expect to juggle a lot. Friends, family, pets, and co-workers may not understand your obsession with writing but persevere. It will take up a lot of your time, but those who love you will understand.
2. Believe in yourself and your work. There may be days you think you can’t, days when you will question your sanity and ability to write. There may be days when you have no idea what you are writing, but don’t worry—every writer goes through that. Believe in yourself, and the rest will follow.
1. Never, ever give up! No matter how downbeat you may feel from lack of sales, a scathing review, a horrific editor’s evaluation, or more rejection letters from agents and publishers that can fill a tall trash can, don’t give up. This isn’t about awards, money, glowing reviews, or having a top-five publisher. This is about you, your story, and finding the perfect words. If you can change one life, you can influence a thousand. Imagine all the lives you can reach with your book.
Keep writing, no matter what!
Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, advanced practice registered nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable.
Weis writes romance, mystery, suspense, thrillers, supernatural, and young adult fiction and has sold approximately one million books. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.
She is a member of both the International Thriller Writers Association and the Horror Writers Association. www.AlexandreaWeis.com
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Giveaway
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October 27th
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October 28th
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–Literary Gold >> Excerpt
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October 30th
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–Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews >> Review
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–Two Ends of the Pen >> Interview
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