New Virtual Book Tour Site Launch on Feb 1, 2008

New Virtual Book Tour Site Launch on February 1

Many people have heard about virtual book tours, sometimes called virtual author tours or virtual blog tours. They are a new and exciting way for authors to "tour" the internet - without leaving their home.

Imagine... you can meet potential readers from all over the internet and potential all over the world and you don't need to leave your home and family. In addition, a virtual tour is much more reasonably priced than the plane tickets, hotel rooms, meals etc that you need to buy for a book tour on the ground.

Authors and readers are all invited to visit the new virtual book tour site. There are over 100 articles and interviews to help authors learn more about book promotion. There are a number of web pages that were created by our tour site sponsors - they offer many products and services that could be beneficial for you. (If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact me at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com for more information.)

What's different about this book tour option? While our featured authors will visit other blogs throughout the month, each tour stop will be posted on the book tour site. Visitors who come to the site have the option of reading any or all of the information about the books and the author in one central location. So, whether you arrive at the tour on day 1 or the last day, you can easily catch up on all the details that each author wants to share with you. Each visitor has a choice about how they want to learn about the feature authors. I encourage you to visit the site frequently to find out what new information has been posted. The links which are posted below, take you to each author's tour page. All posts about their books are linked to these pages and are easy to access.

So, what books are we featuring in February? Here's some information about the authors you will meet during the month. They have all posted some information on the site and much more will be posted throughout the month.

Earl Ofari Hutchingson - The Ethnic Presidency: How Race Decides the Race to the White House http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Earl+Hutchinson+-+Feb+2008
The Ethnic Presidency is an explosive look at how racial and ethnic conflict has openly and covertly played a crucial role over the past three decades in influencing, shaping and ultimately deciding who bags the world's biggest political prize, the White House. It explains how racial politics is playing an even bigger role in the 2008 presidential election and future elections.

Steven Clark Bradley - Nimrod Rising
http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/steven-clark-bradley-author-nimrod-rising

Have you ever felt that the world was guided in ways that are beyond man's control? The constant changes in the world since the time of Nimrod 4000 years ago until today and all the events that have shaken the world have been to bring the universe back into the hands of the Prince of Darkness, Lucia, a world that he had ruled with his Watchers before it was all ripped from his grasp when man was created. Nimrod Rising paints a diabolical picture of how the Prince of Darkness executes his evil plot to take the world back by force and destroy civilization in the process. From the Great Builder Nimrod in 4000 BC to today, 666 generations later, you can ride the storm of Nimrod Rising and experience the death of a world and the birth pangs of another. You will swear it is really upon us!

Virginia Vassallo - Unsung Patriot: Guy T. Viskniskki How The Stars and Stripes Began
http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Virginia+Vassallo
The Unsung Patriot is the biography of Guy T. Viskniskki, the dynamic first officer-in-charge and editor-in-chief of The Stars and Stripes newspaper. Based in part on Guy's unpublished autobiography describing the first difficult months of the paper, his granddaughter's knowledge of the family verbal history paints a picture of a complex man. A devoted husband and father, Guy was unable to show the love he felt for his family. Guy poured his time and talent in the newspaper business. His knowledge and energy made the Army's newspaper a reality and his doctrine of "by and for the soldiers" still is the guiding light of the Stars and Stripes.

I want to extend an invitation for each person to visit the site and learn more about each of these authors and their books. I invite readers and authors to register on the site and create a profile page to tell us more about yourself. Also, feel free to post a comment about any of the posts or post an introduction on the forums. If you have questions, feel free to contact me at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com.

I look forward to meeting many new people.

Nikki Leigh
Author of the Book Promo 101 Series
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

A Introduction to one of my Publishers

A place where the printed word is more than just words on the page.


Books in all genres, all available in e-book, many available in print!

Like history? Want a thriller? Wishing for a touch of romance?

Maybe chills are more your style? How about a bit of fantasy? Reach for the stars with a sci-fi? Or how about a little horror?

Want something for the kids to read? Got some young adults wanting a good read?

Want to have a taste of the excerpts? Check out the blurbs? Have a gander at the covers? Read about the authors?

It's all here at Wings ePress! Visit us at www.wings-press. com and see what we have to offer you in the reading department!

I am sure you will enjoy looking at all the fantastic covers and reading the excerpts and interviews at Wings so get the over there take a look. If you have manuscript you are looking to place you may want to check out their submission guidelines. They are wonderful to work with.

Introducing Your Protagonist

Introducing Your Protagonist
By Billie A Williams

When do you introduce your protagonist? Think about it. Your reader will want to know who and why, at the very least, when they begin to invest themselves in your book. People care about people not back story, not a favorite tea pot. Unless of course, it’s the protagonist's favorite thing left to her by her grandmother or a favored aunt.

But see, there we have it—that tea pot is connected to a person. Who is that person —why does or should the reader care?

If this town or the place is a character, we need to know why this town should be different then any other. We need to know how and why. We need to have some reason to visit this particular town at this particular time in your story-worth-telling. Or why are we here – we didn’t stop by for a scenic tour on our way to find a good compelling book to read.

You must make it matter be that character person, character town, or character monster. Why do you shed a tear when the big foot is released at the end of The National Lampoon Christmas Vacation? It’s a furry monster. Why do you care about the calf Billy Crystal has adopted in City Slickers? Because the writer invested in character. The monster’s character, the family's character — he made us love that furry, ne’r do well critter. Billy Crystal’s character's attachment to the calf echos our own attachment—in both cases the creatures taught us lessons about life and showed the vulnerability of us all. We cared!

Bring your most important characters front and center early. Make sure we have a reason to care about them.

Small Town Secrets
January 2008
ISBN 978-1-59705-7660 (print)
978-1-59705-283-2 (electronic)
Study Guide for Small Town Secrets
Available at http://www.billiewilliams.com
Would You like the recipe for Chaneeta Morgan's favorite Cookie? Email me at billie@biliewilliams.com with cookie in the subject line and I'll send it right off to you.

I've been What?

Yup that's what she said - Me Me'd That's what I've been - but who wouldn't want a chance to brag a bit - give up a few inconsequential things about one's life ...LOL
Well, How many Sandy? Thanks so much for tagging me with this. Let me see!
1. I have a collection of teddy bears, puppies, and creatures from The National Wild Life Federation, The Humane Society of the U.S, and more decorating my writing area freebies from the donations I made to them.
2. I have the covers of all my published books (paperback ones anyway)framed and decorating my writing area walls.
3. I have three new to die for book covers you can see on my website at http://www.billiewilliams.com
4. I want to change my name because it's too hard to type billie williams without leaving out an 'L' some where -- and that makes URL's wrong LOLOLOL.
5. I love listening to Kenny G or Four Play Jazz CD's while I write -
6. I love classical music
7. My favorite Musical of all time is South Pacific followed close on the heels is The Sound of Music.
8. I always wanted to dance in a chorus line
9. I intend to be the cover story of Writer's Digest Magazine's December 2008 issue.
10. I intend to make the New York Times Best Seller List this year.
So okay now you know how fanciful I can be but as it says in South Pacific "You've Got to have a dream, if you don't have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true"

So who would I tag with my own ME Me'd list
Janet Elaine Smith
Pee Wee SK Hamilton
Joyce Anthony
Marvin Wilson
Ron Berry
Kristie Leigh Maguire

So now you all can pick your six people's blog and link their names to their blogs after you list 6 things about you that not any, or many people know. Have fun!
Billie

Crochet and Printed Words

What do Crochet and the printed word have in common. As I was busy making bookmarks for the members of my book club [The Capricorn Goat~~January Flannel)I was thinking about the similarities. Think about it.
1. In crochet you start out with a base, usually a chain of so many stitches. In fiction you start out with a base, usually an outline in some form.

2. In crochet you build on that base one stitch at a time, pattern upon pattern the whole becomes evident especially in the pineapple pattern I'm using for these book marks.

In fiction you build your story one paragraph at a time, one chapter at a time a pattern builds if it's mystery or any other genre your story will follow certain conventions, certain patterns that the reader of that particular genre expects to have.

3. If you mess up in your pattern somewhere while you are crocheting, you will have to rip out your treasured stitches to get back to where the flaw snuck in.

Fiction, that's what edits are for. To grab that flaw - if you are lucky enough to catch it before you finish your chapter, you just delete and rewrite until you get the part straightened out.

Debbie Macomber writes delightful romance stories and she is also a crafter - I believe she knits and crochets. How interesting to find how the creativity of one area spills over into the next.

4. One stitch at a time the project gets finished, and while you are doing the repetitive activity of crochet (or whatever craft you might choose) your muse has been sitting on your shoulder whispering ideas in your ear.

When you put pen to page after a session of crochet, it seems the words flow like a river from your mind. One word at a time, one stitch at a time, one pattern, one paragraph, one bookmark, one chapter at a time. The book mark will mark your place in the printed words of your favorite novel or your own that you have just written.

Crochet like the nuns used to, Write Like the Wind and you'll be surprised where it will take you.

If you would like to join the book club and experience a novel in progress, serialized to bring you a chapter a week to your in box free go to http://www.billiewilliams.com/BOOKCLUB.html and sign up.
January Flannel (the protagonist in The Capricorn Goat) even has her own blog so visit that and find out what she is sharing today. Her blog is http://JanuaryFlannel.blogspot.com see you there.

Crusin with Kristie Leigh Maguire

The retired (she's way to young to really retire - with social security and all that -) but she has recently given up the helm of Star Publish to pursue her own writing career
and yet she always has time to play hostess to aspiring writers - and on January 15th she will host me - Billie A Williams...so come on by and read a bit, chat a bit, comment and receive a gift just for showing up. Here is the link.
Kristie Leigh Maguire http://kristieleighmaguire.blogspot.com/

This was Fun - Marvin is such a neat guy!

But now lets move on to the next blog on my tour - here you will find lively questions and I hope entertaining answers - Don't forget to leave a printed word or two - comment that is, for your chance to win some great prizes and also just for commenting you will get a download copy of The Golden Kettle Cafe Cookbook. The cook from Small Town Secrets, Chaneeta Morgan and I created just for you {smile}- Thanks!
Here's the link Elaine: aka Ashley Ladd http://ashleyladd.blogspot.com/

So come on over and visit.
Billie

Marvin Wilson Visits - Saturday January 12, 2008

Hi Marvin, I’m so glad you agreed to be interviewed on my blog – Printed Words (http://www.printedwords.com ) today. It’s a real pleasure to host you.

1. Question: I’m sure you will probably hear this more and more but the question first in my mind is—Who is the REAL Marvin Wilson and is he at all like the Owen Fiddler your new book.

Oh, jeez, ya just had to go and let the cat out of the bag … that was supposed to be a secret! (sigh) Yes, Owen Fiddler is very much like me. He is a composite of all of us, those elements we abhor in others but seldom admit to in ourselves.

2. If someone was going to make a movie out of Owen Fiddler, who do you see being cast as Owen?

My first choice would be Kevin Bacon. He’s average enough looking, not one of those Hollywood GQ types, and he can pull off the “selfish prick” character with panache.

3. Tell us about your first published book – Title, genre and all that stuff. How does it compare with Owen Fiddler, or perhaps it doesn’t – what are the similarities and differences.

I ROMANCED THE STONE (Memoirs of a Recovering Hippie) is an autobiography in the spiritual/inspirational genre. I wrote it to help others, my way of “giving back” to God for saving my life and soul. Three years ago I was a lost, broken down shell of a man, a hopeless narcotics addict. Nobody’s fault but my own, I had made my own bed and was miring in it. A powerful spiritual experience with the Christ cleansed me in an instant. It’s not a “preachy” book, but hopefully a pointer that can dissuade others from making the same mistakes I made and convince someone who has started down that path to wake up before it’s too late. I have, in fact, received e-mails from several people I never met who read it and were inspired to give up the pipe/needle/bottle in favor of spiritual health and God’s Love. You can imagine how that makes me feel.

OWEN FIDDLER is a fiction, but it deals with the same subject, in essence that is. It is much lighter, a more humorous and fun read than STONE, although there is some humor in STONE as well. Both books are about choices and consequences … the knowledge of right and wrong, free will and responsibility for our actions. Whereas STONE is a personal journey, OWEN is an abstract – an anthropomorphic principle that everyone can relate to in some measure.

4. What is the theme surrounding your work – it all seems tied together, the music, the art, the books — is it? Please explain that connection or disconnection among it all.

All my efforts to communicate, whether it be music, art or the written word, are themed with spiritual admonitions to get past your petty isolated little “self” and reconnected with the One.

5. What part does music play in your career as a writer? Do you consider yourself a professional musician as well as writer? Talk to us about your music…what does it mean to you, what do you hope it will mean to your audience.

Well, the term “professional” means you make money at it, it also is supposed to represent a level of quality (although that’s not always the case), so I guess I am a professional in both music and writing. Music came to me first and easiest, but I love both means of expression and yes, I would have to say they both have an influence on each other in me as I create. My song lyrics and my books have spiritual messages.

6. Which is your first love, the written word or the music and why?

I am a musician first, I suppose. I was singing and performing at age two, well before I could read or write. My first career was that of a rock and roll guitar player, back in the late 60’s and throughout the 70’s. Music is the universal language. Music speaks to the heart and soul without need of translation. There is only one song, only one note, really, and that note is the WORD, the quintessential fabric of creation. (That is, by the way, one of the themes in OWEN FIDDLER) When I took up the art of writing, I wanted to be an author who makes the written word sing and dance on the page, really engage the reader like music can absorb the listener, instilling all kinds of emotion and thought. Good writing, even prose, should have rhythm.

7. When I watch your videos, I’ve seen two of them so far, I feel a complete range of emotions from happiness, sadness, fear, anger, and joy. Did you build your videos to elicit these emotions or is this just a buy product of your convictions?

Both. I’m big on emotion. I want the reader/listener/viewer to feel all the “pushed envelope” aspects of the human condition.

8. Who painted those water color images in the video “Owen Fiddler is Here!” - was it you, a friend? Were they commissioned for this video or discovered and then the video built around them?

My son, Blue Moonsky, is a graphic artist. I dabble with drawing, but he surpassed me at about age 10 or 12 so I defer to him when I want a drawing done. He did the cover art for the book OWEN FIDDLER also. Blue drew the Owen Fiddler and Frenda Fiddler sketches in the video. The rest of the images I found on free sites on the internet. Thank God for Google!

9. What does Marvin Wilson do in those quiet hours when you are not writing, playing music or designing videos? Do you have any hobbies? What is your recreation?

I read a lot, not just for fun (which it is) but also as a professional duty. Any aspiring author who is not reading as much as he/she is writing is not going to get very far. There is sooooo much good literature out there and every great author has style and skill you can glean something from to improve your own craft. Besides reading, I like watching sports (Big Pistons and Tigers fan), a good movie now and then, educational TV (love history and discovery channels), picnicking, meditation/prayer, playing cards, playing with the grandkids. I also love woodworking, although I don’t have a shop right now. One of my wish list items for retirement is a well-equipped woodworking shop. I get immense pleasure crafting things out of wood. I’ve felt a connection with trees ever since I can remember, was an avid tree climber as a kid. My favorite “get away from it all” pastime is rustic camping.

10. Can you give us a peek at a normal/average day for you.

When I’m in the writing “zone” – those times when I can’t type fast enough to get the thoughts and inspirations out, I’m often up at 3 or 4 in the morning pounding away at my keyboard. I sometimes annoy my wife because the clicking is so loud it wakes her up. Those days I can write for hours at a time, taking breathers every now and then to check e-mails, eat, and hit the little boys’ room. But of course, those days aren’t “normal” – if they were I’d blow up in short fashion! Most days I am up early, just before dawn. I love to watch the sunrise from my terrace over the lake … even in the winter I am out there, it’s so inspirational and I have a quiet meditation/prayer/devotion time. Then I hit the computer for a few hours, e-correspondence, networking, marketing, etc. Around mid-morning I’m hungry so brunch-time (seldom eat breakfast), then if I’m so inspired I write. If I’m writing crap (and I am a big critic of my own writing) I hit the “delete” button and move on to my other interests. Occasionally I do small carpentry jobs for additional income – can’t afford full retirement yet. Sometimes I go and baby-sit my grandkids in the evenings so my daughter and son-in-law can have some free time.

11. Where did the Average Praise Band come from? What is the background about Rhythm and Truth?

My brother, Dana, and sister-in-law, Kim co-pastor the church where I received Grace and was cleansed of my demons. I’ve been a member ever since, and quickly was added to the praise band, which was small and not very big on professional talent at the time. Then one Sunday a young brilliant guitarist showed up and wanted to play with us. Big boost. He is a member of a very popular (in Michigan, at least) secular band that had a drummer and bass player who were also Christians. They joined the next week. HUGE BOOST! Now we have a top quality praise band that raises the roof with highly spirit-filled Christian Rock Music. The name, “The Average Praise Band,” was my idea, a play on the “Average White Band.” The CD, RHYTHM AND TRUTHS (We’ll Praise the Hell out of You!) is heavy into the blues/rhythm and blues/rock and roll genres, so that gave birth to the title.

12. Where do you see yourself and your career ten years from now?

Well, if I can come this far in less than three years and God willing I live on, continue to grow, learn and improve my writing skills … in ten more years I would hope my books will be a common site on the shelves of bookstores and libraries across the country and maybe even around the world. When I get passionate about something, I have this “if I’m not successful it will be over my dead body” kind of attitude. So, in ten years I’ll either be a successful author or dead.

13. Is there anything else you wish to share with my readers – something that inspires you to create perhaps?

Just get in touch with yourself. Not your “ego-self,” – I mean the divine self. Listen to your first thought and always obey it, act on it. Second, third and fourth thoughts are usually selfish rationalizations as to why you need not heed the first thought. Spontaneous inspirations are more accurate, more abundant with universal truth and meaning than pondering. I’m getting Zen here, but when you eat, just eat. When you laugh, just laugh. When you cry, BE the cry! When you sing, become the song. Be here now and enjoy every precious second of life.

14. One more question, how old were you when you first decided to write as a career? And do you think it takes getting tough times before you really see what you were meant to do with your life? If so what were those tough times for you?

I was fifty-five when I decided (actually was commanded) to become a published author. For me, yes, it took some bottomed-out Hellish times and experiences to get to my real calling in life, that of an inspirational communicator. That was just my path, however, it’s certainly not necessary and I would not recommend my path for anyone faint of heart. I nearly got myself killed. The whole story is contained in (and the purpose for writing) I ROMANCED THE STONE.


Billie, I want to thank you for having me on your blog and the opportunity to interact with your readers. Your questions were very thought provoking and I had fun composing the answers. I wish you and your writing all the best and look forward to a long friendship with you as an esteemed colleague. If your readers would like to learn more about my books and me, here is my contact information:

Book Websites: http://www.rockofallages.com and http://www.owenfiddler.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/Paize_Fiddler
Blogsite, Free Spirit, at: http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com
E-mail: marvwilson2010@gmail.com

I ROMANCED THE STONE sells on www.amazon.com or if you want an autographed copy, just e-mail me.

OWEN FIDDLER the Ebook is now available on www.mobipocket.com and by the end of January it will also sell at www.ebooksonthe.net and www.fictionwise.com – print copy (trade paperback) version should be out my mid-year 2008.

============================
Thank you so much for being here Owen/Marvin you are a marvel and your answers to these questions help us know the real you and it’s an amazing you.

Best Wishes and good luck with all that you do!
Billie

Thanks Everyone for playing Friday Free For All

The book with the most frequently selected hook was SKULL MUSIC this is the cover.

I Want to thank you all for playing along with Friday Free For All.
I still have prizes to give away - and I had hubby draw numbers out of a hat tied to each of you - so in order as they came I will list them here.
There is no easy way to do this - So I will list the names here - and then I will contact you as it becomes your turn to choose.
1. already done was Vicki (Artist Way Workbook)
2. Sandra C (The Watch)
3. Linda E
4. Zoe
5. Cora
6. Joyce
7. Suz
8. Ron
9 Pee Wee
10 Janet
As for the best question - that was really a hard one, all of the questions were thoughtful and interesting. It was unique and different and it was Joyce who asked if my clues are picked before I start a mystery or if my characters discover them. Truth is I had never thought of it until she asked - So it was a surprise when I realized that yes my Characters find the clues not me. So thank you JOYCE if you would like a download copy of the edited Small Town Secrets - which is the prize for this - let me know or you can have your choice of a book you haven't read from my Wings books.

Free For All Friday

Hi Everyone,
to thank everyone who helped me with my little "Hook" project - I'm declaring FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL Party Day!!!
Come on over to my blog at http://printedwords .blogspot. com I will have a whole raft of prizes to give away. I will list them early in the morning and then all day long I'll be drawing names from those who leave a comment on my blog and you will get your choice of one of those prizes...So get there early and come back often. Just leave an email addy with me so that I know where to get in touch with the winners.
It's gonna be a fun day....So COME ON DOWN!
Billie
http://printedwords .blogspot. com
www.billiewilliams. com
billie@billiewilliams.com

Oh and the top three picked winners of the hook project were:
1. Tung Umolomo
2. Skull Music
3. Death by Candlelight
In that order and all three of them were able to go on to the person who wanted to see them - she would accept three So MEGA THANKS EVERYONE!! I'll keep you posted on the outcome.
***************************************************************************

FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY PRIZES:
January 11, 2008 Friday Blog Tour Break

**************************************************************************
1. The best question of the day will receive a download copy of Small Town Secrets
The rest of the prizes - will be picked by you from these. When you comment your name will go into the hat and each name drawn sometime during the day will get to pick the prize they want. So Come early and post to get first dibs on the prizes. = )
2. Download copy of Spice Up Your Writing! Write to Entice
3. T-Shirt with the cover art for Small Town Secrets (size M) (1)
4. Writing Wide Mouse Pad (1)
X Vicki chose this as her prize. The Artist’s Way Workbook (1 )
6. Wolf Hot pad set (1 set of two hot pads)
7. One wolf oven mitt
8. Gardening tote bag (1)
9. Dolphin Beach Towel (1)
10. Tiny pink Valentine Unicorn (1)
11. Dream catcher charm (1)
12. Valentine Pencils 2 ea. (6 total)
13. Hand made jeweled Snowflake bookmark 1 each (5 total)
14. Hand made snowflake charm bracelet 1 each (5 total)
15. Hand made snowflake pin 1 each (5 total)
16. Hand made snowflake key chain 1 each (5 total)
X Classic Elegance Lady’s Wrist Watch (1)[Gone- Sandra picked this pize]
18. Peach nectar Bath/Shower gel (1)
19. Black Berry Nectar Bath/Shower gel (1)
20 Dolphin small plate/knick knack (1)

To Prologue or Not to Prologue

Do you write Prologues to begin your mystery or other genre of a story? As Chris Roerden cautions in his book Don’t Murder Your Mystery, readers tend to skip this ‘front matter’ anyway so why do you do it? One of the weak reasons he hears so often is because,” writing the prologue was the easiest way to get started.” His reaction to that is, “even jumper cables are temporary.”

I have to agree with him. In other words, if you think you need a jump start to your book consider where you are coming into the story. Authors admit to writing prologues to get the muse to perch on their shoulders. But then, and listen carefully, I’ll whisper this so you really pay attention – they delete it! Denise Dietz is one of those kinds of authors. Sometimes he doesn’t delete it exactly. But she says in her novel Foot-prints in Butter, her prologue became her second chapter.

If agents and editors know that most readers skip front matter in the books, why would you risk giving them one more reason, or any reason to reject your manuscript? If a prologue is seen as a crutch, it’s time to get your novel to the doctor and surgically remove the prologue, or put a cast on it, to block it from your story. That prologue, especially if you don’t want your manuscript to wind up DOA on the editor or agents slush pile, is a waste of space and energy in most cases.

Thinking about prologues, there are a few reasons they can be useful. Be certain thought that yours is actually necessary, that it doesn’t give away crucial plot elements too early or hook into your main story line too late.

Reasons to allow a prologue to introduce your work:
1. Back Story connection
2. Future Story connection
3. Cheap Thrill/Body on the front page
4. Summary Prologue

The first two and number four are self-explanatory. If you do need to give back story or a peek at the future and it can’t be introduced in the first paragraph or chapter of your story these can be used if done correctly. The cheap thrill or getting your body (in a murder mystery) on page one is sometimes perceived as necessary. You may use this to crank up suspense, cook lukewarm chapter one that follows to a full rolling boil and then wind up leaving your reader high and dry when the person they though was the protagonist suffers some catastrophic end. Then the story seems disconnected as it plods along to some mediocre beginning before we find the real protagonist. This is death in the water, this is your manuscript DOA. Your reader may not recognize any of the players tripping across the page.

No one ever said a body had to appear on the first page of your mystery. Many successful mysteries have not shown a body until much later if at all. To get any story off to a good start we must become engaged with the protagonist on some level. We need to be awakened to the reasons why we’d follow this engaging creature from page one all the way through the labyrinth of angst and clue to a final victory. Watch her squirm, as she tries to resist being drawn into this drama, get your reader to invest in her future. A prologue is a risk, at best, a total failure oft times at managing to be a necessary part of the story. Be very certain your prologue is a viable part of the story and not just a bunch of throat clearing.

Take a look at a prologue that carries its weight and pulls the reader in. Its brevity ensures it will be read, much like the caption under a picture or a side bar in a article—brevity is key here.

“I don’t dwell on the past. No point in that. But I still can’t stay in the same room with a man wearing Paco cologne. And there are times when a ringing phone makes my heart race. I read the newspapers, but I skip certain stories. The nightmares come less often.”
A Woman’s Place, by Linda Grant

Don’t use a prologue as ill disguised back story, and description of a first chapter that would be weak and unnecessary fluff or padding. Make your prologue work for its inclusion for your reader and your editor.

Be sure to visit Sandra Cox's blog and the Wings Author Blog tomorrow to read an interview with me at Sandra Cox
and wings at Wings Author's Blog
Thanks and I'll see you there!

Guess who's coming to Dinner????

Well, okay so I'll be going to dinner - well maybe not dinner but entertainment is sure to be available.

I am honored to say I will be visiting none other than Ron Berry's blog tomorrow on my tour. Please stop by and say Hey! I'm sure it will be a fun time...you never know what Ron is going to cook up.
See you http://unwriter. blogspot. com/ here where the action will begin on Monday January 7....And thank you Ron!

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT

Owen Fiddler - aka Marvin Wilson will share some printed words with you tomorrow on his blog - but he will be here on the 12th - be sure to stop by both places to learn more.
Announcing OWEN FIDDLER January 12 2008 Blog Tour Prizes!


To all you wonderful hosts!

1) Please announce to your readers that everyone who leaves a comment on your blog-interview with Marvin D. Wilson will receive downloadable PDF file sample first chapters of both my published books, I ROMANCED THE STONE and OWEN FIDDLER. Make sure to keep a list of all commenting visitors – come Feb 1, send me the list and I'll send them the thank you gift.

2) All commenting visitors are eligible for a drawing from which I will select three winners.

* 2nd runner up will receive (his/her choice) either a print copy of I ROMANCED THE STONE or a downloadable PDF copy of OWEN FIDDLER.
* 1ST runner up will receive the same option/choice.
* Grand Prize Winner will receive BOTH books.


The drawing will take place during the first few days of February, as soon as I have received the lists of commenting visitors from all the hosts.


Also (and this is for you guys) – whichever host receives the most comments on their blog-interview will receive from me (your choice) – either a print copy of I ROMANCED THE STONE or a PDF copy of OWEN FIDDLER or a copy of my CD, The Average Praise Band – RHYTHM & TRUTHS (We'll Praise the Hell out of You!)


Let's have some fun with this!

Marvin {-:>




--
Book websites at: Owen Fiddler and Rock of All Ages
Got MySpace? MySpace at: Marvin the Martian
Big ol' blogs at: Free Spirit







--
Visit my websites at: Owen Fiddler and Rock of All Ages
Check out my MySpace at: Marvin the Martian
And read, share, and comment on my blogs at: Free Spirit

A Break From the Blog Tour

A couple of days off from the blog tour. It has been quite interesting. Not that I am interesting, but the questions I've received sure have been. It makes me think about what and who I am, what my printed words say to others. My novels appeal to many people and says things I never knew they said.

January first Small Town Secrets , my latest mystery/suspense was released. The ads connected to my blog and Google adsense alerts went on a search for the title, unfortunately it latched on to gays as a community that my Small Town Secrets was directed to. My Small Town Secrets is not at all about gays.

A couple friends came to my rescue when I was considering jumping off a bridge and offered some terse printed words to correct the misnomer or the mistake in Google guidance that has occurred.
"There is nothing gay about burning down a town",says Ron Berry and a serial arsonist is on a mission in Nettlesville in my Small Town Secrets.

Berry also suggests, "The secrets in these closets are not at all gay". The secrets uncovered in my Small Town Secrets have the potential to destroy lives. They are about some powerful women at odds with each other because one has won the coveted prize of Nettlesville's Town Chair Woman designation. The other is the powerful owner of the Daily Nettle Newspaper. It is essential that these two women work together if they are to save Nettlesville from the arsonist. Yet when Olga digs up a skeleton in Chaneeta's past, hoping it will destroy her -- something happens...will it destroy Chaneeta or as sometimes happens will it make her stronger?

A larger question still is, will they be able to bury their rivalry long enough to save the town from becoming more than a heap of ashes.

What else is going on in Nettlesville?
Be sure to join the blog tour and hear more - or buy the book at http://www.wings-press.com and find out for yourself about these Small Town Secrets that are different from those others.

Thanks for stopping buy and be sure to come back on the 12th to visit with Marvin Wilson - a delightful man, with a great story or two and some video trailers that will knock your socks off.

The latest on the Printed Words -Blog Tour

The blog tour is going along just wonderful - so many nice people so much fun information and questions -- you would not believe what gets printed about me--you will see I'm not just another pretty face LOL. But there is more news afoot as the week continues Marvin Wilson is going to be a guest right here on my printed words blog on January 12th -- here is a bit of a preview about Marv
============================================================
Dear Blog Hosts-

Here's some cool stuff to help raise interest and drive more readers to your blog for our interview dates. Hats off to Billie Williams, btw, she started this and I just HADDA follow suit! LOL - Incentives are attached and also pasted here for your convenience.

Announcing OWEN FIDDLER January 12, 2008 Blog Tour Prizes!


To all you wonderful hosts!

1) Please announce to your readers that everyone who leaves a comment on your blog-interview with Marvin D. Wilson will receive downloadable PDF file sample first chapters of both my published books, I ROMANCED THE STONE and OWEN FIDDLER. Make sure to keep a list of all commenting visitors – come Feb 1, send me the list and I'll send them the thank you gift.

2) All commenting visitors are eligible for a drawing from which I will select three winners.

* 2nd runner up will receive (his/her choice) either a print copy of I ROMANCED THE STONE or a downloadable PDF copy of OWEN FIDDLER.
* 1ST runner up will receive the same option/choice.
* Grand Prize Winner will receive BOTH books.


The drawing will take place during the first few days of February, as soon as I have received the lists of commenting visitors from all the hosts.


Also (and this is for you guys) – whichever host receives the most comments on their blog-interview will receive from me (your choice) – either a print copy of I ROMANCED THE STONE or a PDF copy of OWEN FIDDLER or a copy of my CD, The Average Praise Band – RHYTHM & TRUTHS (We'll Praise the Hell out of You!)


Let's have some fun with this!

Marvin {-:>




--
Book websites at: Owen Fiddler and Rock of All Ages
Got MySpace? MySpace at: Marvin the Martian
Big ol' blogs at: Free Spirit

Get ready to check him out. I'm sure he'll be posting links to some dynamite video trailers with music and all - you are gonna love this - take my word for it.
Billie