Archive for the ‘Fiction Writing’ Category

Enter the world of Make Believe with Edith and the Mysterious Stranger (ISBN: 9781589824690), a historical/fiction novel, filled with adventure and romance. With mysterious letters, cattle rustlers, a spunky woman, the liar’s fire, Halloween, and young love, there is always something happening.

Melynda Gascoyne, The Amherst Bee Newspaper: Buffalo, New York, wrote: “Clarke draws the reader into a world full of color and intrigue right from the first page. Her characters have faults that you want to see them overcome as you laugh, cry and cheer at just how genuine and vivid they are. They could easily be the neighbor next door. It’s refreshing to be able to read a story that can make you run the full range of emotions. The end is uplifting. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would highly recommend Edith and the Mysterious Stranger to anyone looking for a novel that is easy to read and just makes you feel good.”

It is 1904. Edith has wonderful qualities but her expectations are so high that she never gives a man a second chance. She used to sing professionally but has now settled down and serves others through her nursing abilities. During her stay in Idaho, Edith meets two men. Henry, the superintendent of schools, seems to be arrogant, flirtatious, and quite impressed with her talents. Joseph, a farmer and ranch hand, is just the opposite. He acts completely disinterested in her and unimpressed. At first, both men tend to get on her nerves until she decides it’s about time to not be so judgmental.

Lisa Haselton, Allbooks Reviews, wrote: “Clarke’s passion for her historical subject matter is apparent in the solid writing, which transports the reader back in time effortlessly. Her multi-layered characters are unique individuals who evoke empathy.  The experiences, challenges, dialogue, and dress are realistic for the time period and the descriptions are so vivid the reader is more a participant in the events than a pageturner. Edith and the Mysterious Stranger is a highly recommended read. It’s a great adventure story with strong values; great for the entire family.”

After Edith’s arrival to Idaho, a mysterious stranger begins to write to her, which changes her outlook on life for the better. For the first time, she gets to know a man’s inner soul before making any harsh judgments. Whoever he is, this man is a mystery and the best thing that has ever happened to her. The question that puzzles her is whether or not he’s as wonderful in person as he is in his letters.

Wendy Cleveland, Reader Views, wrote: “The Power of the Written Word — this is the life lesson I took away from Linda Weaver Clarke’s book Edith and the Mysterious Stranger. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in a good inspirational read from beginning to end. You won’t be disappointed. I’m definitely a fan and will be looking for another installment in the Roberts family saga.”

About the Author
Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughout the United States, teaching a “Family Legacy Workshop,” encouraging others to turn their family history and autobiography into a variety of interesting stories. Her novel “Melinda and the Wild West” was a Semi-Finalist in the “Reviewers Choice Awards 2007.” The historical fiction novels, A Family Saga in Bear Lake Valley, include the following novels: Melinda and the Wild West (2006), Edith and the Mysterious Stranger (2008), and Jenny’s Dream (2009).

“Edith and the Mysterious Stranger” (ISBN 978-1-58982-469-0, American Book Publishing, 2008) can be purchased through Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com. Publicity contact: www.american-book.com.

This is probably a silly question but do you write “5:30″ or do you spell it out or … ?

I know that English or Creative Writing are good, obvious choices. But are there any other, unique and interesting ones that would be good. Or is English by far the way to go?

When you are writing a fiction book, are you suppossed to always write in the past tense?
For example: “Jen let’s go to the store,” Ryan SAYS as he REACHES for his wallet.
Or are you suppossed to write it this way: “Jen let’s go to the store,” Ryan SAID as he REACHED for his wallet.
Does it matter if I choose to write in the past or present tense?

Dreams are a part of life and they come straight from the heart. In fact, dreams eventually become our goals. If you work hard enough, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. This was Jenny’s philosophy.

When reading historical fiction, the reader feels transported to another time and place. You can go on an adventure, learn about history, feel intrigued by courageous men and women, or fall in love all over again. “Jenny’s Dream” (ISBN 9781589824461) is one such novel, where dreams can come true. Melynda Gascoyne of The Amherst Bee Newspaper: Buffalo, New York wrote: “Clarke draws the reader into a world full of color and intrigue right from the first page.”

Jenny Roberts has many dreams, but will she be able to fulfill them? Jenny is home from college and is restless. She feels the need to spread her wings and fly away. She has dreams of becoming a writer and wants to pursue it. When her kindred friend, Will, asks her what her outlook on life is, she answers, “Dreams are an important part of life, and without them, life would be so dull. If we can envision it, then I believe it can be accomplished.”

Jenny’s dreams also include falling in love. She feels that one day she will find a man to love, the “prince of her dreams.” But is it possible to find love in one’s own backyard? As the summer passes, Jenny begins to recognize her true feelings for Will. When she realizes that he means more to her than a kindred friend, she must now choose between a career and romance. The only thing standing in her way is an unpleasant memory from her past, which has haunted her since childhood. She must learn to forgive before she can choose which dream to follow. This book is about the miracle of forgiveness.

Betsy Brannon Green, Best-Selling Mystery Author, wrote: “Clarke’s characters are well developed and her setting is compelling. But what separates this book from others is Clarke’s historical accuracy and meticulous attention to detail. The reader feels transported to another time and place.”

While Jenny is trying to realize her dreams, her father is concerned about the safety of his family. A ten-foot grizzly bear is seen in the area and its boldness has frightened the community. There is one man with the courage and determination to protect his family and neighbors: Gilbert Roberts! He attempts to defy this great beast but Melinda will not have her husband be part of it. Gilbert has other ideas. Old Half Paw must be stopped. “Jenny’s Dream” is the story of a young girl’s desire to become a writer and how she finds love and forgiveness, with the legend of Old Ephraim as the subplot.

Paige Lovitt, Reader Views, wrote: “Jenny’s Dream tells a beautiful story that incorporates the value of loyalty, love, family and forgiveness into it. I found myself greatly enjoying the romances between Jenny’s parents and between Jenny and Will. Each relationship demonstrates friendship, respect and love. I also enjoyed how the author put real experiences, taken from her family, into the plot. This is a great touch because it makes the story seem real. Jenny’s Dream is a wonderful story. It is a wholesome novel that will be enjoyed by family members of all ages. I think this series is destined to be a classic.”

About the Author
Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughout the United States, teaching a “Family Legacy Workshop,” encouraging others to turn their family history and autobiography into a variety of interesting stories. Her novel “Melinda and the Wild West” was a Semi-Finalist in the “Reviewers Choice Awards 2007.” The historical fiction novels, A Family Saga in Bear Lake Valley, include the following novels: Melinda and the Wild West (2006), Edith and the Mysterious Stranger (2008), and Jenny’s Dream (2009).

“Jenny’s Dream” (ISBN 978-1-58982-446-1, American Book Publishing, 2009) can be purchased through Barnes and Noble and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com. Publicity contact: www.american-book.com.

MYTH

If you want results in fitness, you have to be a frequenter of gyms.

 FACT

How many gym-frequenters do you know that are really fit? Personally not many!

On the contrary I know some people that despite having never stepped foot in a gym they are perfectly fit.

Most gym “visitors” spend their time in:

- observation

- socialization

- fruitless and ineffective workouts.

Conversely those who:

- have clear objectives

- perform tailor-made hard workouts from which they won’t deviate

- are focused, committed to their goals and give their maximum effort

can achieve remarkable results with no more than 3 short – 60’ – visits per week.

If you have a balanced diet and an active lifestyle that’s more than enough.

MYTH

To become fit you need a gym and/or expensive equipment.

 FACT

The most important pillar of fitness is neither exercise nor nutrition:

It is self motivation!

Self motivated people won’t need a gym and won’t need any expensive equipment.

Self motivation is a state of mind very crucial to fulfilling your objectives and achieving the desirable results.

Self motivated people make predictions for themselves that become self fulfilling – prophecies and they are made, not born.

There are tenths of ways and workouts to become fit even if you use your home as a gym.

Actually, if you are self motivated, you can exercise yourself everywhere: outdoors, at home, in a hotel etc.

Some ideas for home exercise:

- Total body workouts performed in circuits are great fat burners.

You will have to mix exercises for your upper body, lower body and your core: squats, lunges, push ups etc.

- Weight lifting with a pair of humble dumbbells (adjustable are better).

With practically no money, minimal time investment and equipment and a lot of self motivation, you can achieve admirable fitness results.

MYTH

If you look fit, you are fit!

 TRUTH

It’s true that some people achieve a noteworthy physique with a combination of resistance training and a relatively meticulous diet. Could such a guy contend that he’s fit? Rather not and the reasons for this are:

* these people very often neglect their most important muscle: their heart and by extension their cardiovascular system. Problems pertaining to oxygen intake, transport and management will bring fatigue and relative weakness to perform workouts and duties stressful for the heart.

* They also neglect the flexibility factor! They never include stretching in their workout routines! Stretching is a must for the elasticity of muscles and a comfortable muscle tone.

People that do not stretch enough – and in a right way – have problems with their range of motion, problems that aggravate as time passes.

Conclusion: To be regarded as fit you need except for good physique to possess:

- strength

- speed

- endurance

- muscle elasticity – max range of motion.

FICTION

The best hour for physical exercise is x…

REALITY

There is no specific time zone of the day in which physical exercise might be more effective.

Different hours suit better different people. Some people are clearly morning guys while others prefer afternoon hours even late evening.

Don’t buy into the morning / empty stomach myth. Morning exercising – especially real tough workouts – could have strongly catabolic effects!

Keep your precious muscles as the apple of your eyes!

It’s on you to choose the most convenient exercise time!

FICTION

I am exercising systematically for years but I see no result. Maybe it has to do with my genetics?

REALITY

Genetics could play some roll but you can overcome it. You will just need a little more effort. It’s you that will decide your fate, otherwise it would be like you admitted “fate ordered…otherwise!”. Nonsense!

It’s clear that most of the times you are a victim of positive caloric balance, simply you eat too much!

It’s a shame that people who exercise really hard throw their tough efforts out of the window because they cannot estimate the caloric value of what they eat.

Additionally there is a pervasive attitude among the fitness enthusiasts that when you exercise really hard, you can eat to your wish.

It’s hard to realize that a tough 60’ workout has a caloric value equivalent to 100gr of peanuts – accompanying that relaxing whisky glass – or a cruel 20’ H.I.I.T. program can be offset by two medium cookies!

Some people would be astonished to learn these unfortunate facts!

Conclusion: Learn to calculate – even roughly – the caloric value and the quantities of foods you consume. If you eat a lot, you will gain weight despite your copious exercising efforts.

FICTION

With x scientifically welldocumented diet you will be in the position to…

REALITY

Statistically it has been proven that nearly all diets fail. A lot of people backslide into a fatter me!

The only viable solution is a change in your lifestyle. You have to work on your mentality, to cultivate your self motivation and self discipline. Try to adopt – at all costs – the three following habits:

1) Set clear, tangible and concrete objectives and aim at their fulfillment. Work strongly on the mental part. Do your mental training!

2) Nutrition

Forget processed foods that you can find in boxes, packets and tins. Eat real unprocessed foods without loads of white sugar, salt and hydrogenated fats. These are real killers!

Your nutritional base should be:

- premium class protein from real food

- vegetables at your will plus some fruits

- good fats as monounsaturated and omega3

- ample water.

3) Finally, try to be consistent with your exercising program.

Forget long, boring cardio and adopt:

- weight training circuits

- total body workout circuits

- H.I.I.T. and especially sprinting.

These will rev up your metabolism.

Good luck!

Chris Strogilis

http://totalfitness-christos.blogspot.com

I need one for my American Literature class that in some way reflects American culture. 200-300 pages, college level

To become an author, should I study:
*English Literature? (I’m not interested in it, because it would just be about literature, not how to write better).
*Linguistics?
*Any others?

To write for a magazine, should I study:
*Journalism?
*Film studies?
*Media?
*Communications?
*Any others?

Looking for a good fiction book to read? Look no further. This medical thriller will have you glued to every page as the drama unfolds and an ER doctor must stop a biochemical nightmare from happening.

6 days … 6 days to stop an epidemic and convince the government that terrorists have indeed used smallpox as a weapon against us. When one of the terrorists shows up in the ER with symptoms, time is of the essence to convince higher ups and the government that indeed this is the dreaded once thought eradicated disease smallpox. If not for the quick action and prior medical expertise of the main character, Dr. Max Kroose, fatalities could be in the millions.

What makes the book even more interesting is that the events unfolding in the ER symbolize real events that occur in emergency rooms daily. The author, Dr. Paulo J. Reyes, is a practicing Emergency Room Doctor and First Responder to disasters in Los Angeles, California with a medical career spanning 25 years. His medical expertise helped to create a medical environment that medical personnel, fans of medical TV dramas, as well as all science fiction fans will enjoy. Added to that, the characters are well developed and passionate in their quest for answers. Although the book is fictional, it’s based on extensive research and leaves you questioning-could it happen today?

With today’s ongoing terrorists’ threats, the growing concern of a biochemical attack, and the fear of a global pandemic, this book shows you how situations like this would be handled. Would the government be prepared? Do we have enough vaccinations for everyone? Should we have voluntary vaccinations now? Questions you will want answers for.

To add this book to your collection, stop by our site at http://www.pauloreyes.com/. The book sells at Amazon and iUniverse as well as other leading online bookstores. Also, sign up to be an affiliate and start selling Sledgehammer on your site now. Science fiction at its BEST! This book has gotten numerous 5 Star Reviews. Get it now and see why.