With five books under my belt (four in print, the fifth currently in eformat, with print scheduled in May 2015), learning the ins and outs of marketing as a writer has been hit or miss for four years. It hasn’t been an easy road by any stretch of the imagination (and I’ve got a wild […]
Continue readingAuthor Archive: Jami Gray
Time…sweet, sweet time #writinglife #writing
We’ve officially survived the first month of a new year. Everyone make it through? All limbs attached? *two arms-check, two legs-check, head-little wobbly, brain—-brain? BRAIN? Great we have a runner!* We’ve settled nicely into the new shack. Enough so that I’m finding it easier to write at home, rather than ditching the males and heading […]
Continue readingWriting outside the box #writingtips
We’ve all heard the term, “Think outside the box”, what about writing outside the plot box? Here’s the thing, there’s a sense of safety by staying within the structure of a pre-determined plot. You’ve done your pre-writing work, you have your characters, their motivations, their history, you’ve got your first third, second third, and last […]
Continue readingWhy Outlining is Not in my Future #writingtips
Previously I did a post regarding writing rules and I mentioned they were not my friends. Let me introduce you to the one that drives me the most crazy, the one I’ve had to part ways with if I want to remain a partially sane writer–the outline. Now, there are many, many writers who swear […]
Continue readingNew Release: SHADOW’S CURSE hits shelves Jan. 17th! #UF #newread
It’s here! SHADOW’S CURSE is now available, and if you haven’t picked up your copy, go…go…go! This is the fourth installment in my Kyn Kronicles from Black Opal Books, so if you’re looking for an edge of the seat ride, hop on in and hang on… SHADOW’S CURSE: BOOK 4 OF THE KYN KRONICLES Beauty […]
Continue readingWhen To Dump Those Writing Rules #writing #breaktherules
Everything we do has rules, right? And writing has a PLETHORA of rules. Write what you know. Do your research. You must have an outline. Your characters must have depth. You must have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Don’t headhop. Don’t…don’t…do…do… A writer could get lost in the rules. Hell, the rules can […]
Continue readingThe Almost Kiss – Almost Kiss, No Kiss Blogfest
Let’s start the new year off right. Today we’re taking part in the Almost Kiss, No Kiss blog fest. You know what I’m talking about…that scene you read that gets your pulse racing, anticipation firing numerous warning shots, but instead of the expected follow through, the scene veers to left or right or a completely […]
Continue readingCheryl Carpinello brings Sons of the Sphinx for a get-together
It’s been a while since we’ve had a guest, but today we have the lovely Cheryl Carpinello, the creative mind behind SONS OF THE SPHINX, 2014 Literary Classics Silver Medal winner Preteen/YA. Plus, she’s offer to give two random commenters an e-copy of her TUTANKHAMEN SPEAKS. So don’t be shy, share your favorite read as […]
Continue readingTimothy Desmond and THE DOC
Today, fellow Black Opal author, Timothy Desmond found his way into our Swamp. He even brought his Suspense novel, THE DOC (arriving soon), with him. (heh, he may need that doc if Eerie’s Free Range Zombie herd gets riled up again!). When a dying friend and fellow Civil War reenactor asks California physician Hank […]
Continue readingChe Gilson debuts DOG FIGHT
May is our month of visitors, and today’s is the multi-talented CHE GILSON, one of Black Opal’s newest authors. Her debut release, DOG FIGHT, will hit shelves soon, so keep an eye out. In the meantime, we thought we’d share the wild worlds in her head by asking a few questions! Whether we’re plotters […]
Continue reading