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Turning Plight into Writing Inspiration by contributor Eve Simkins

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, In : Guest Posts 

Being plagued by an addiction is usually associated with misery and sadness. In the creative arts though an affliction is often the spark that fuels authors to create the marvelous pieces of work we are familiar with. The reasons for addiction differ from one person to the next, but for past authors though it seemed to be a way for them to quieten the world surrounding them and enabled them a focus. Many writers have turned their addictive plight into a way to engage an area of their brain ...


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Turning Demons into Literary Inspiration

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, In : Guest Posts 
by contributor, Eve Pearce

There is something intrinsically captivating about the down and out character who is on the edge of falling into a pit of either a drug-induced terror, an abusive past or a variety of other demons. The demise of these characters is perhaps what is so intriguing. The juxtaposition of these worlds, which are more often than not being identifiable to our own by not being far removed from the everyday, whilst also having that edge, which is different to what co-exists ...


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3 Things to Love About Used Cars, a guest post by Alia Anderson

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, In : Guest Posts 

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love used cars! Actually, yes I can begin to tell you - that is what I am doing right here. Call me a nostalgia nut, call me old-fashioned, but they just do not make cars as they used to. That is why for me buying used is the only way to go. With every new purchase of something old, I dip into the past (like a time traveler) and pluck out what I love the most in an automobile. Here are 3 things I love the most about buying used.

Learning

Seriously, wh...


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Great reads for young entrepreneurs, a guest post by Bradley Taylor

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Saturday, March 22, 2014, In : Guest Posts 

Knowledge is key to entrepreneurial success. Here are five books which offer fresh insights to young entrepreneurs on how to recognize and achieve their professional ambitions.

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Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game (1985) is a military science fiction novel which presents mankind's struggle against the 'Buggers', an insectoid alien species. To prepare against future invasions, children are trained from a young age through a series of games which require them to exercise their...


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What Made Oscar Wilde Great, a guest post by Bradley Taylor

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, February 7, 2014, In : Guest Posts 

Oscar Wilde has attained worldwide critical acclaim as one of the most proficient, insightful and exceedingly witty authors of his generation. He is celebrated globally for his literary prowess and remains one of the most widely read and translated authors in the English language. Therefore, what better way to demonstrate Wilde's literary greatness than through his own words? Listed below are some of Wilde's most memorable quotes; seeped in his famous wit and formidable intellectual insight...


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Top 5 books on the Mazda MX-5, a guest post by Bradley Taylor

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, February 7, 2014, In : Guest Posts 

The Mazda MX-5 has been held with high esteem since its release, revered by many as one of the world's most accomplished lightweight sports cars. Here are five books which offer exclusive insight into the MX-5's conception, as well as information on how to maintain repair and customize any model of this outstanding roadster.

1. Mazda MX5 1.6 Workshop Manual (Enthusiast's Workshop Manual Series) by Rod Grainger

This book is perfect for any MX-5 enthusiasts who want to learn more about t...


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Top 5 books for learning mathematics, Guest Post by Bradley Taylor

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, In : Guest Posts 

Students face a large workload throughout their academic life, which can lead to stress in certain topics. Mathematics is a cumulative skill and it can be immensely difficult for a student to develop their skills if they have misunderstood or not been taught certain fundamental principles. This inaccessibility to vital skills can hinder their confidence and future academic and work prospects. It is worthwhile investing in a mathematics learning guide to teach children the topics which they ...


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The Winter in Fort Mohave, Arizona, A Christmas Story by Becky Scarberry @Scarberryfields

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Sunday, December 1, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

I want to tell you a true story about the winter I spent in Fort Mohave, Arizona.

In November of 1997 my husband, Rick and I were living in Rogue River, Oregon. We lived on my father’s non-working farm with our three cats, eight chickens, and a dog. We were having some problems, I won’t go into. We decided we needed three months away from home to relieve some of the stress.  

Rick’s father had passed away a short time before this. He and his older brother inherited their father’s...


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Top 5 Books On Luxury Cars, guest post by Bradley Taylor

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Saturday, November 9, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

The next best thing to driving or shopping for a luxury car is to turn through the lush photographic pages of a glossy coffee table book on luxury cars (when it’s not playing eye candy, that is) and feast on some auto erotica.

Here’s a line-up of the top five books on luxury cars that any auto or style nut must have, in no particular order.

1. Exotic Cars (First Gear) by John Lamm


This is not a coffee table book since the 256 pages are compiled into a handy paperback that makes for...


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5 Great Reads for Car Enthusiasts, a guest post by Louis Rix

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, September 20, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

Image from MS Free Images


If you are a car enthusiast, the odds are that you will be interested in everything car-related. The exciting world of the leading car designs and their makers makes for interesting reading. Read about innovative technology and different auto manufacturers.

Listed below are the top 5 great reads that every car enthusiast must have in the house, office and even in the car:

1.  Intermeccanica - The Story of the Prancing Bull
Intermeccanica - The Story of the Prancin...


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3D Printing Fuses Art And Technology In New And Exciting Ways

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

A guest article by Abbey Peschel, Boston-area printing and marketing specialist

The massive appeal of 3D printing technology is bound to increase as new ways of using these printers are introduced. Although many people have had some exposure to the capabilities of 3D printers in terms of producing tangible and viable goods from a broad range of materials, modern artists are now using this technology to take art to entirely new levels. This has resulted in the production of visually intrigu...


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5 Best Places To Travel For Writing Inspiration, a guest post

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, In : Guest Posts 
Whether you travel halfway around the world, or simply take a quick trip to the next town or city over, taking a trip to a new locale can jostle you out of a writer’s block. Getting out of your usual space and exploring new places serves as inspiration and generates new ideas.
There are destinations throughout the world that are renowned for jumpstarting the imagination and have served as the backdrop for many a writer looking to finish a piece or hone their craft.
Here are the best cities ...

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How The Indie Author Revolution Has Impacted Traditional Publishing? A guest post

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

The Indie author revolution has totally taken over the traditional publishing. It has made publishing more self sufficient, self starting, inspirational, entertaining, thought leading, educational, etc. But there are many nay Sayers who try not to let the indie authors come into limelight. Various book sellers as well as reviewers don’t even look at the self published work and say that it’s a part of their company policy.

But all this does not hamper the growth of indie authors even t...


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How Writers Can Use Twitter for Promo, a guest post

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Saturday, May 18, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

These days social networking websites are on boom to get connected with people. Amongst all social websites twitter is one of the popular networking sites for instant messaging system. Using twitter you get to connect with the people you know and the people you would like to know. Twitter is used for various reasons, one of the common reasons are promotion. In order to become a good promoter, you will have to be a good twitterer that the people will love to follow you and tweet your post.

...
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Most Effective Tips on Beating Writer’s Block, a guest post

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, May 10, 2013, In : Guest Posts 



Since childhood days, we have been hearing that books are our best friends and they are. Most of us like to read books of various types. Getting access to a book is very easy nowadays. One can access to any books, old or new through the net very easily.  Books broaden our views and they help us to perceive things differently.

Most of the writes have to face writer’s block at some point of time. There are many reasons for that. One may have some personal problems or it could be some sort...


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How to Make a Writing Space in Your Home

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Thursday, April 18, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

~A guest post by Bridget Sandorford

Whether you write for pleasure or you write professionally, it's important to have a space in your home to call your own where you can write. Having your own writing space can help you to feel relaxed and inspired so you can produce your best work.

However, space may be at a premium in your home, and you may not be able to just claim a room and declare it your own. Here are a few tips for how you can make a writing space in your home regardless of ...


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Words that Are Most Often Misused, a Guest Post by Alexis Bonari

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, In : Guest Posts 


Spell check can't save you from yourself. You can't rely on those little squiggly red and blue lines (the blue ones for grammar issues) to save you from misusing words or even from misspelling them (since you could just end up spelling a new word from your misspelling). You have to learn proper usage to make sure you don't make gaffes that could derail your writing or make you seem like an amateur.

Don't worry though: The mistakes that you are likely making are the same ones that a lot o...


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Boomer Lit, a New Genre, is Stalking the Net! -A guest post by @claudenougat

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

   

A guest post by Claude Nougat

Never heard of Boomer lit? It all began at the end of last year. On 5 December 2012, Boomer Café published an article predicting that Boomer Lit would be The Next Big Genre aimed at boomers – all 77.5 million of them in the US alone, many more if you counted in the rest of the world. The article was picked up by major, highly trafficked websites like The Passive Voice and Gawker Media, and within a week, it went viral. Sure, some people were unhappy at the...


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Time Management Tips for Online Writing Instructors

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Thursday, February 21, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

businesses,businessmen,communication devices,Communications,computers,computing,laptop computers,males,men,office equipment,offices,paperwork,people,persons,technology,work,working,workplaces

-A guest post by Ken Myers

Teaching an online writing course has its benefits but the one thing that instructors often run into is their ability to make time to really sit down and work on the course. Other courses and life seem to get in the way, so here are some tips to help you make the time:

Prepare: Before you sit down to log onto your online course make sure that you are prepared mentally and that you have all the right tools to complete your tasks as the instructor. Chances are...


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YA Beta Readers, a Guest Post by Rebecca Scarberry @Scarberryfields

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, February 15, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

A while back, I saw an author of adult fiction tweeting about how hard it was for her to go from writing for adults to young adults. I thought back to when I had written Messages from Henry, a novella for young adults.  That story began as a 1500 word short story for a short story contest. I didn’t win, but I decided to expand the story anyway.  It’s a story about a homing pigeon, Henry. He has special abilities.

At that time, I didn’t have internet service in my home. I would take ...


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WISH UPON A STONE…THE BEGINNING, a Guest Post by C D SIMMONS @whoscindylou

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, February 15, 2013, In : Guest Posts 


What was it that turned me and made me decide to give writing a try? Let me see if I can get this story started.

In the beginning…no...wait, that has already been done, start over.

Once upon a time…no, no, that is just crazy, what are you trying to do?

There once was a …*sigh* this is not working. Just try again.

*tapping chin with fingertip* Oh, okay, I think I have it.

Hey, welcome, come meet the voices in my head.  Yep that about sums it up.

I have always been hooked on...


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Why I Write, a Guest Post by Tony Nesca

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, February 1, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

So…the other day I went for a walk, late afternoon, early grey settling in, everything looking grim and happy at the same time, wondering why I write, why would I, or anyone else, put words down on paper, for what bizarre, perverted, self-possessed reason would anyone give a damn what I have to say?

   Sun was low and dirty and I couldn’t help but notice the fall colors dancing around like it was all there in perfect symmetry, all reason and rhyme and beauty and magic, the orange ...


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Into the Zone: Fitness Challenges for Writers, a guest post by Evelyn Birchall

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Thursday, January 24, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

In late October last year, the youngest ever world champion in swimming and nine-time Olympic gold medalist, Ian Thorp, released his biography, This is Me. The Aussie sensation had shocked the sporting world when, in 2006 (at the age of 24), he turned his back on his much beloved sport at the pinnacle of his career, owing to an identity crisis: “What would I be if I didn't’ have swimming as the safety blanket it had become?” he asked himself. Thorp also struggled with depression, a dise...


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Independent Authors & Blog Tours, A Guest Post by Evelyn Birchall

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Thursday, January 17, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

In the fast moving world of the digital age, blog tours aren’t an especially new idea; The New York Times was reporting one author’s journey back in 2007. They are however becoming increasingly commonplace and important, especially with the recent huge leaps forward in self-publishing and the competitiveness of the marketplace. It is no surprise that this is a tactic commonly used by some of the more established authors, as well as those trying to get their first effort noticed.

How ...


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Helping Kids Keep Journals, a guest post by Paul Taylor

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, In : Guest Posts 

When it comes to giving kids a love for writing it all starts with making it fun. If you do not make it fun then kids will not want to do anything. The most important part is keeping a positive attitude and making sure the children have a chance to really express themselves. Here are some tips on how to help kids to keep a journal and really enjoy writing it:

1.     Have great topics – The first thing that I have found to encourage children with journal writing is to give them a good i...


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The confluence of inspiration: NaNoWriMo and Fifty Shades of Grey

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Saturday, December 29, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
A guest post by Scott Bury



I just finished writing my second novel, and thought I’d share the process with other writers.

As usual with me, the inspiration to write this book came from more than one place. The first is the phenomenal success of Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James. I have read, somewhere, that it outsells the Bible worldwide.

Reaction to it is extreme: people either love it or hate it, with little in-between. I bought a copy for my lovely wife, Roxanne, last spring (really! ...


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Great News for Readers from Author, Brad Cameron!

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, December 28, 2012, In : Guest Posts 



Author, Brad Cameron, is offering a "Holiday Special" for his series, The Zeke Proper ChroniclesNow through January 4th, Book One, Odin's Light and Book Two, The Serpent's Ship of The Zeke Proper Chronicles are only $0.99 on eBook for Amazon. A lot of fantastic reading for a very affordable price!

Get your copies at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=odins+light. 

If you haven't already, check them out and don't forget to write a ...


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7 Literary Reasons to Perform Background Checks

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Saturday, December 8, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
A guest post by Jack Meyer



MS Free Images

Can you imagine how many books could have been spoiled if the characters in them ran background checks? Of course, writers want to keep the reader in suspense and entertained. However, a background check could have saved a lot of grief to the main character of the book. There are many stories that involve an employee who winds up being a serial killer and a background check could have saved the lives of everyone in the establishment. Because the cha...


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VIGILARE Book Trailer - Watch the Video!

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, November 30, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
A guest post by Brooklyn James. Originally published at: http://brooklynjamesblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/vigilare-book-trailer-watch-video.html


BOOK TRAILERS are a relatively new concept, following the promotional success of the movie trailer. Without a movie trailer, advertised on national television, how else would we know of the latest blockbuster or quiet Indie film coming to a theater near us?

By virtue of movie trailers, we get an average of two and a half minutes to determine whether t...


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Great Books for Toddlers, a guest post by Allison Foster

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Monday, November 5, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

The toddler years are an important age to share your love of books and reading with your child. These are the formative years where children get the foundation that will last them the rest of their lives. The memories you form with your children during the toddler years can have a huge impact on their future. With that in mind, the reading choices you make are very important. You should, of course, read to your children on a regular basis. This not only gives them memories, it also help...


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Balloon Animals by Jonathan Dunne

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
-A guest post. We've invited author Jonathan Dunne to tell us about his new book:


Balloon Animals is 299 pages of comic fiction, quirky, funny and touching.  It’s a novel that readers will love or hate. It is a breath of fresh air in the stale atmosphere of tired generic thrillers. I write from the gut and that’s where the comic element comes from, in other words, I’ve no idea; it’s organic. Then again, so is manure. Interviewers have asked me, ‘How did Balloon Animals come about?...


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What Nannies Like to Read to Children and What They Don't

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, October 26, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

A guest post by


If you love children, then being a nanny is one of the best jobs in the world. I mean, what other profession can you devote your undivided attention to providing quality childcare for one or two children? One of my favorite parts of being a nanny is reading time. I love how the children attentively listen and get enthralled in the stories. They learn so much by being read to, and their imaginations develop so rapidly that pretty soon they are creating stories o...


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ALONE INTO DANGER - How to Make your Scary Stories even Scarier

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Monday, October 22, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

A Guest Post by Rayne Hall

Have you written a horror story, or are you working on a frightening scene? Here's a professional technique to increase the reader's fear.

Solitary adventures are more dangerous than group adventures. In nature, an animal which becomes separated from the herd is vulnerable to predators. To make your scene scary, let your heroine face the danger alone. 

The more you isolate your protagonist, the more frightening the scene becomes. Think of as many ways...


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Vigilare by Brooklyn James - Character Interview

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Saturday, October 20, 2012, In : Guest Posts 


Thank you kindly for sharing my character interview for my novel, Vigilare, the first in a thriller trilogy. Hopefully your readers will enjoy, as it is a dark and menacing read, just in time for a good Halloween read!

Vigilare will be FREE on Amazon Kindle for 2-days, October 21 & 22 (Sunday & Monday) at the following link: http://www.amazon.com/Vigilare-ebook/dp/B005W4YEEC

Character Interview in the voice of the Vigilare (questions provided by Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts Blog):

1. Who ...


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How To Turn A Room Into A Small Writing Space

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Monday, October 15, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

A guest post by Jason Miner

Turning your home into your personal writing workspace isn’t as daunting of a task as it sounds. You don’t need a whole office to write or a giant room to pen your thoughts. All you need is a comfortable and quiet location in your home that you can escape to. Here are some suggestions on how to make that happen:

The first step is to find your spot and stake your claim. This is probably the most difficult part of the task so search high and low for a space i...


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On Being a Confident Writer, a guest post by Bernard Hope

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, September 28, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

 

For some writers, confidence is easy. They seem naturally inclined toward this steady and comforting attribute. For others, it’s a journey or even a hard-won battle. Here is a truth that may be difficult to accept or surprising to learn: Confidence can also be a choice.

Confidence as a writer/author involves a number of factors. In this article, I will cover some important aspects in the process of realizing your confidence.

·        Identify success. First of all and probably most ...


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Great Chapter Books for Kids, a Guest Post by Debra Johnson

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, September 26, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

When I was a kid, I could not wait to get my hands on the latest book or book series. I was always devouring whatever books my school library had to offer. If I found a book or book series I loved, I would insist that my parents buy it for me. I would read and reread my favorites, always discovering new worlds and new adventures in the pages of my books. I want to share my love of reading with children, and so I thought I could give you some ideas of books that were my favorites as a chil...


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Why Self-Publish? (Or, Why I’m Too Impatient), A Guest Post by Miranda Stork

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Monday, September 3, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

Okay, so I’m not that bad…no really! I didn’t actually think it would be easier to self-publish. Because in fact I know it’s very, very hard. A few years ago I worked for Stag Editors in New York as a proof-reader and editor, and believe it or not, some of our clients were indie authors. So I not only got to see the plethora of talent available in indie books, but also saw a lot of the mistakes.

When I first wrote Conner, I was only eighteen. It was a great achievement for me, an...


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Review of Loki’s Daughters, A Guest Post by Nancy Parker

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Sunday, September 2, 2012, In : Guest Posts 


If you are looking for a good historical romance to read on your Kindle then look no further! When I first got my new Kindle, I was on the search for free books to download. After all, I did not want to have to shell out more money so soon! I ran across Loki’s Daughters by Delle Jacobs and fell in love. I have read it at least three times since then and enjoyed it more every time.

Loki’s Daughters is about the struggle of a group of Celtic women left to fend for themselves when every f...


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3 Great Children’s Book Series, A Guest Post by Roxanne Porter

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

I love to remember the books I enjoyed as a child. You could say that I had unusual tastes. I preferred adventure, excitement, and weirdness to any normal book series like The Babysitter’s Club. With that in mind, I give you my favorite book series as a child. I loved these books and still have them on my bookshelf today. If you have kids that enjoy slightly offbeat stories, then they will love these three book series:


 My Teacher is an Alien by Bruce Coville – What would you do i...


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Happy Blogoversary to ME!!! A guest post by RJ Palmer

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, August 24, 2012, In : Guest Posts 


From the blog of RJ Palmer, Head Wingnut in Charge

 

Okay everybody AND all my precious Wingnuts for we are, indeed, in a class all our own...I wanted to let you know…

IT'S A BLOGOVERSARY!!!

It's the second birthday of the blog of Yours Truly, Confessions of a Wingnut and Science Fiction Junkie, and I thought that I'd be the one to give out the presents. I know, I know...Kind of have that backwards and upside down, don't I? Since you all benefit from it, I don't wanna hear any whi...


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North and South, a Novel by Elizabeth Gaskell

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Saturday, August 18, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
 A Guest Post by Heather Smith



I love a good classic book. I have read all of Jane Austen’s books, of course, and was thoroughly enamored. However, I felt that there was something missing at times. Where was the men’s side of the story? I mean, I know we got to read all about Elizabeth and her feeling and thoughts, but what about Darcy? Was he not a character we were interested in? In that mindset, I ran across North and South.

This is a novel written in the same period as Jane Austen’s w...

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Ever wonder what it would be like to walk through life in someone else's shoes?

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Monday, July 30, 2012, In : Guest Posts 




Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter Finalist, The Boots My Mother Gave Me, is FREE on Kindle for today (July 30)!

Book description: Strong-willed tomboy Harley LeBeau puts you in the boots her mother gave her, as she takes you along her journey of escape from an abusive childhood and the desire to find herself as she comes of age. Made to feel a burden to her father simply by her gender, Harley is determined to prove her worth and independence, leaving...


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Three Dark Threads Running Through My Crime Fiction

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
A guest post by author, Michael J. McCann




Do you prefer your crime fiction dark or light?

If you favor cozy mysteries, then your choice will be a lighter strain of crime fiction featuring puzzle-solving amateur sleuths with an interesting hobby or pastime, set in a quiet, charming community in which murders take place off-stage, away from the public eye. Murder She Wrote, the 1980s television series starring Angela Lansbury, always comes to mind as the quintessential cozy mystery.

However,...


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Using the “F” Word in Fiction Guest Post by Author sbr martin

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Sunday, July 1, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

Oh, behave! I’m not being nearly as scandalous as the title of this guest post would suggest. The “F” word to which I’m referring is “Fact,” and its use in fiction can be just as challenging, just as brow-raising, as the dirty word you likely thought I meant.

My fiction has been described as “psychological and thoughtful” by Midwest Book Review, my characters as “flawed and believable, yet familiar” by Publishers Weekly. One book review blogger recently wrote: “Martin...


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15 Minutes and an Episode of Jeopardy, A Guest Post by Cora Lee

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, In : Guest Posts 


Cora Lee, Author

 Historical Romance author Grace Burrowes did a blog post a couple of months ago called The Twelve Minute Solution, in which she talked about how counterproductive large goals can be for some people.  It was a post that really resonated with me, and I had to restrain myself when I commented, because every other book, article, and post about writing tells you to set goals—aim high!—and stick to them.

But I’ve never been very good a...


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Genres, boundaries, rules and my hero

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

A Guest Post by Scott Bury

Genres have definite rules. Some make sense: Gothic horror tales need a haunted house, and that house has to be big and dark with lots of scary-looking places for horrors to hide in and spring out at you. Romances have to have beautiful protagonists, because let’s face it, no one wants to fall madly in love with an ugly person. Science fiction has to be based on real science or the fans get mad, fast. Sure, there has to be some...


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My Almond: Superhero Armor by Brooklyn James

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, May 11, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

 


When asked by Karen to do another guest blog on overcoming the hurts sustained in my own experience with an abusive childhood, my response was, "I guess I never thought about it." The human spirit is truly amazing. It has the ability to triumph, not even realizing it is, in fact, triumphant.

 

My novel, The Boots My Mother Gave Me (An Amazon Breakthrough Novel Quarter Finalist) is a Dysfiction inspired by a true story, about a young girl coming o...


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Women and Thrillers, a Guest Post by Brooklyn James

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Saturday, May 5, 2012, In : Guest Posts 


After completing my first book, Vigilare, in the Vigilare trilogy, I thought I had written a detective mystery with a paranormal spin. Lo and behold, my surprise, when I kept reading reviews referring to my novel as a THRILLER. I had no idea I was that exciting!

Gabino Iglesias of the Austin Post said, “Vigilare walks the line between a thriller and a supernatural adventure while safely anchored in a scientific discourse around blood that James put together so well that it's reminisce...


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Confessions of a Haunted Mind, A Guest Post By Hunter Shea

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Monday, April 30, 2012, In : Guest Posts 


I’m going to tell you something I don’t often repeat. 

I love nightmares. 

Oh, a dream about swimming in a lagoon by a tropical island has its place, but rarely do those dreams stay with me. Like an orgasm, the moment is wonderful, yet fleeting. 

All my life, I’ve had nightmares. I’m sure you’ve had your share, too. The difference with me is, at a very young age, I made peace with those nighttime visions of terror. As soon as I learned to embrace them, to dissect the patterns of...


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Ten Things I've Learned About Life, a guest post by Toby Neal

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Saturday, April 28, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

We are fortunate to once again welcome talented author Toby Neal to our blog as a guest writer. Toby's book, Blood Orchids, is free April 28 and 29 on Amazon Kindle. Be sure and grab a copy of this fast-paced suspense. Now, we turn over the "podium" to Toby.


Toby Neal, Author

Ten Things I've Learned About Life by Toby Neal

·        Niceness: it DOES matter. What kind of world would this be if we all gave into our nasty, jealous, greedy, murderous, slanderous impulses? So, when in doubt be N...


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I Am A Recovering Asshole - A Guest Post by Nameless

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, April 13, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

MS Free Images



I was an asshole. I can admit that now. But I had to come very close to losing everything before I was able to face the truth about myself and my behavior. On the verge of losing my wife and children, I had to take a long hard look in the mirror. I didn't like what I saw.

To get a really accurate picture of myself, I had to wait until I was sober. If I looked at myself when I had been drinking or smoking, I got a distorted image. In a state of mild or even advanced inebria...


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A New Literary Genre? -A Guest Post by Rolando Garcia

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Thursday, April 12, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

I may have unknowingly created a new literary genre. But don’t take my word for it. Read on and let me know if you think that is the case.

It all started when I saw a picture of a “sun zebra.” Unfortunately I can’t tell you what a “sun zebra” is without spoiling the title story of my book. Then, after I saw this animal, a little girl named Nell wandered out of my mind and went to tell her dad she had found a “zebra.” Since the story takes place in a farm in the middle of Pen...


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Creativity Is Therapy, a guest post

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Sunday, April 8, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

by Brooklyn James (Author of The Boots My Mother Gave Me, An Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter Finalist)

I enjoyed reading Robert French’s guest blog about depression and its correlation to writing. His blog got me thinking about my own relationship with writing.

The completion of my first novel, The Boots My Mother Gave Me, was a New Year’s resolution. I had no intentions of completing a book. The coming of age Dysfiction is about a young girl overcoming an abusive childhood. Growin...


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Out of the Rabbit Hole, A Guest Post by Robert French

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Thursday, April 5, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

Robert French

When Karen invited me to do this guest post, I was really pleased because I had a great subject in mind but as I was writing away, I got an overwhelming desire to embark upon an entirely different subject, one that is a little more personal and a lot more painful.

If one reads the biographies of writers through the ages, a common theme is that many writers, especially those who may deal with darker subjects, are victims of depression. According to health.com writers are #5 in ...


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Beta Readers, a guest post by Rebecca Scarberry

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Thursday, March 22, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
I know many people have written about Beta readers, but I would like to tell you about my experience with them.  I don’t want anybody to be discouraged after reading this from Beta reading. I have never had any family members as a Beta reader. They have all been friends or acquaintances.

I’m new to writing fiction and when I used my first Beta reader, it was for my first novel (shelved for the time being.) That Beta reader was knowledgeable and very kind. She corrected some punctuat...

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Character Interview With John Reeves from The Fall of Billy Hitchings

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Sunday, March 18, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

by Kirkus MacGowan

Kirkus:  Kirkus MacGowan here. I’m at an undisclosed location with John Reeves. He agreed to answer a few questions for the fans of The Fall of Billy Hitchings. Keep in mind, he’s a secretive individual. My goal is to give the reader some insight into just who John Reeves is. There may be questions he can’t answer, especially those relating to his involvement in Secret Ops.

Kirkus:  I’l...


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Par-Tay Time! – This is your Lucky Day!

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, March 16, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
Guest post by Mimi Barbour




My Cheeky Angel
(1st book in the Angels with Attitudes series)
by Mimi Barbour

Annie is naïve and love-starved, she’ll soon to be celebrating her big 3-0. Something needs to be done! Celi, her ‘down-to-earth’ guardian angel appears to help kick-start Annie’s big change—her looks, her job, her whole life. By taking a managerial position with a sophisticated shoe manufacturer, Annie becomes embroiled with her new associates and hooked on the power of bi...
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Twitter Etiquette and Other Pet Peeves, Guest Post by Ciara Ballintyne

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, March 2, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

So here I am, having a rant again. Those of you who know me probably know I have a rant blog – Somebody Has To Say It – because, well, somebody does! Strangely, it often seems to be me…

Many of you have even expressed your delight at my wide-ranging and entirely justified vitriol. I have touched on Twitter etiquette previously, in my early days on Twitter, but we’re going to revisit the topic again, with some new and exciting pet peeves of my own and some contributed by my Twee...


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Pono: Rescuing an Abandoned Dog, a guest post by Toby Neal

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Sunday, February 19, 2012, In : Guest Posts 



Pono

My daughter found a neglected 6 pound scrap of elderly Pomeranian wandering outside our neighborhood in the dead of night. He was not appealing: his collar had to be cut out of (color indeterminate) matted dreadlocks, his toenails were so long they looked like curling Indian slippers, and something was VERY wrong with his hind legs so that he listed and bobbled like a sailor under the influence.
     I was smitten. Utte...


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How Much is too Much? Graphic Content in Fiction

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Monday, January 23, 2012, In : Guest Posts 


Advisory: This post contains graphic adult content.

A guest post by Author Sevastian Winters

The coolest review I've received to date for any of my books, delivered a mere two out of five stars… from an author, no less! Bar-none, it's my very favorite review of all time. In fact, I use it to sell books!  I'd take 1,000 such reviews over 1 Million reviews from 5 star fans telling me how fucking awesome I am. Ripped directly from Amazon, here's what it says:

“This review is from: Wolf's Ri...
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Why Poetry and Love? A Guest Post by Poet, Nadina Boun

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Thursday, January 19, 2012, In : Guest Posts 

First, before I begin, I would like to thank the duo authors known as Wodke Hawkinson for giving me the opportunity to write on their blog, and for their support.

I was given the honor to write this article in regards to my new book The Four Letters of Love soon to be released on Amazon, strategically before Valentine's Day.

Why poetry and love? I asked myself the question.

As a poet, I have been recently aske...


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Guest Post by Author, Mandi Casey

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
 

An interview with Mandi Casey's character, Sydney Sedrick:

Interviewer: In a nutshell, how would you describe yourself?
Sydney: Well, I’m 27 years old, and I was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. My parents moved down to Chicago, but I’ve recently moved back to Kenosha to help my Aunt Judith with her store, Morning Sun. Since then, my life has been turned upside down.

Interviewer: What makes you say that?
Sydney: A few nights ago, I was attacked by a werewolf and he bit me in the neck. Eve...

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New Release By Christine Cunningham

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Monday, January 2, 2012, In : Guest Posts 
             


Author Christine Cunningham


Guest post by Christine Cunningham:

This year is dedicated to gratitude, grace, and generosity! In that spirit, I release my new book 30 Day Guide to apply Eternal Beginning!

30 Day Guide to apply Eternal Beginning is a work book created to help apply the lessons interwoven in the book Eternal Beginning. Each day is divided by a quote from Eternal Beginning, the lesson to apply, a paragraph to motivate, and an action step that will cement the less...


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The Editing Process by Scott Bury

Posted by Wodke Hawkinson on Friday, December 9, 2011, In : Guest Posts 


Guest Post by Author, Scott Bury

Thanks to PJ and Karen for inviting me to write about my editing process. This is what works for me, and it has also worked for hundreds of students I taught it to when I was a college English professor.

My editing process

What’s the most erroneous myth about writers? The scene in TV shows and movies, where the writer types an opening sentence and immediately rips the page out of the typewriter, crumples it in rage and throwing it into an overflowing waste-bask...


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Dark Longings
A mystery/suspense
by Wodke Hawkinson




Sue, a sequel to Zeke
by Wodke Hawkinson




Zeke, a thriller by
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Betrayed, a suspense novel by
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Tangerine by
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Catch Her in the Rye,
Selected Short Stories, Vol. One
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Blue, Selected Short Stories, Vol. Two
by Wodke Hawkinson


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