Book Blurb

      My next book is on the way. Take a look at this blurb. Would this blurb peak your interest in this book?
    
      Beth, a recent graduate from nursing school grew up with a father who was a minister and mother who supported his every decision. They have been happily married for thirty years. Her cousin Cornflower and her husband Tommy have been happily married for three years with a beautiful one year old daughter. Beth is about to embark on her first romantic relationship at the age of 22. Believing that romance and virginity is the requirement for a happy, longstanding marriage Beth guards her virginity.
      Beth's life is shattered when she comes to the conclusion that all men cheat. But she won't deal with it as her cousin did. She has another way to deal with her cheating man.

Describing a Character for Your Novel

     I will admit that in my novellas, The HIM Series, there was not much character description. This was intentional as the goal was to have characters that a reader could mold in their fantasy as they read. In the beginning the characters were fashioned to fit any age group. I experimented with this concept. I gave the book to a woman over 60, a young woman in her early 20s, A woman in her 40s and a man in his 50s. Each person enjoyed book one. Each person had the same comments:

• I couldn't stop reading. I had to know what was going to happen next.
• How long was this woman going to let herself go through this?
•  He was something else.
• I could almost smell his cologne.

      It seems that although minimal descriptions were given, the readers had developed their own fantasy of what attributes each character possessed. Surprisingly, the women loved HIM. The one man who read the book enjoyed it but was quite put off by the portrayal of HIM.
      I have decided for the next book that is already in the making to build the characters for the readers. To build a character there needs to be more than just a physical description. The character needs a personality, a background. The personality may stem from the background. Maybe the character is withdrawn, shy or aggressive because of an event in their past.
     The character may be a happy one or maybe optimistic or pessimistic. Maybe the character is playful, seductive, outgoing or overbearing, never satisfied. If each character is given a complete personality from appearance to social status to quirks to tone of voice, your reader will more than likely know who is speaking the dialogue or who did what without being given the characters name, just as you would know which one of your family members made a particular comment or performed a certain action.
     So pull out the post it, index card or notebook and write a detailed description for each character. Give your character a physical description, a background, a voice. Give your character their own personality for the part they will play in the story.
     If you are interested in experiencing the story of HIM, read it online here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20820366-him?ac=1
Click the read book link. Enjoy.

 
 

    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   

       
   

   

     

          HIM The Trilogy
     
     

          by Brigitta Moon
     

     

         
            Giveaway ends August 10, 2014.
         
         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         
     
   
   

      Enter to win

Self Published Authors

     Self publishing a book is a courageous step. A self published author wanting to share their writings with readers is why it's done. I have created this book club for readers to discover the works of self published authors and for these authors to put their books on the list so readers can find them.
     Link to this new group and enjoy and experience the stories of the self published author.

        Discover a Self Published Author    
        1 member
    This group is for readers and authors. This group is for readers and authors to discover and embr...

Books we've read

     

       
            DEBT CRUNCHER: HOW I WENT FROM A CRED...
            by Brigitta Moon
          Start date: July 27, 2014
     
       
     

       
            HIM
            by Brigitta Moon
          Start date: July 27, 2014
     
       


View this group on Goodreads »
 

Should Authors Review Their Own Books

     I was considering leaving a review of my own books as Goodreads tells the authors they can. I didn't feel really comfortable with it. It seemed like I would be touting my own horn. So, I decided to google the subject and was routed to a conversation on Goodreads. The conversation was insightful and boasted both sides of the question; should an author review their own books?
     Here is what I came away with:

• Cons- The author rating his or her own book is offensive, tacky and unethical. The author is too close to the work and would not be able to rate it objectively, a biased opinion. The author's rating of his or her book may skew the ratings.
• Pros- If the author rates his or her own books it shows that they not only wrote but read it. The review would show what the author thought of the book if he or she is being honest.

     It's really difficult to watch your book sit on the shelf without a rating. I was tempted to rate mine just to see a rating. I did intend to give an honest review but, now I wonder how honest it would be. From my point of view, I enjoy love stories with a little mystery and a touch of erotica, so my review would have been an honest one.
     I wrote the HIM Trilogy, but the time came when I had to review the entire book for mistakes to have a bound book for sale. I found it hard to review the book for mistakes as I kept getting drawn into the story and found myself reading the story instead of reviewing for mistakes. I have read this book a few times with the same result of being drawn into the story. I enjoyed it and would have given it a 5 star. If I had to rate them individually, I would have given book one 3 stars only because I think sentence structure could have been better.
     So, instead of posting my own review, I have decided to pass my advance copy on to a reader and let her review it on Goodreads. Here is my reasoning for the decision. Let's say I wanted to find a plastic surgeon to do an eyelift or a mini facelift to get back my youthful appearance. My face is quite important to me and I wouldn't trust just anyone coming at it with a knife. So, when I hunt up reviews on the plastic surgeon, his review doesn't count and doesn't matter to me.  All I want to know about him is what his patients thought of his work, bedside manner and final results of the surgeries.
     I believe that is what a reader wants to know, if other readers enjoyed the book and thought it worth the investment. So for now, I will wait patiently to see what rating readers place on my books.

 
 

    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   

       
   

   

     

          HIM The Trilogy
     
     

          by Brigitta Moon
     

     

         
            Giveaway ends August 10, 2014.
         
         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         
     
   
   

      Enter to win

Preparing for Sleep Away Camp

     This is the second year my daughter and I have participated in the Girl Scout's sleep away camp. We learned from year one that to get into the activity you want, you have to be online waiting to register when registration opens. Equestrian camp is popular. So in January we were on the look out for the start of registration. The first day registration opened, we were in line on the internet waiting to register. Shouts of joy were uttered as we claimed our spot at the Horse Lovers Camp.
     Now, here is the kicker. This is our second year so, not only did we know what to take to camp, the Girl Scouts send information in the mail and in email format outlining everything. And today, our big day to head for camp, we were unprepared. I left the packing up to my daughter thinking I would double check everything the morning we were to leave. As luck would have it, she had misplaced things she needed that I had purchased last year. She was suppose to pack them away. So, they are packed away somewhere; we just can't find them.
     Before we could go to camp we made a WalMart stop to repurchase camp dishes so she would have something to put her food on. But WalMart was out of camping dishes. So we improvised with other hard plastic dishes. We repurchased a water bottle that the bugs couldn't get into. Her pillow left at home, we repurchased a pillow and pillow case. We didn't remove those huge D batteries from her lamp, so we bought more. They probably would have still been dead after a year anyway.
     She couldn't find the rain gear, so she packed a water repellant jacket. Thank goodness because it is pouring outside. So, with all that said, shop in advance when you get the list and when your camper comes home don't leave the putting away of the gear for next year to her. I was so happy she had the lamp. They are expensive.
     When your camper goes to camp, keep in mind there may or may not be a bathroom they are accustomed to. As my daughter told me, "No flushing toilets." There is no electricity in the cabins, hence the battery operated lamp.
     The next hurdle is the bugs. Be sure to send bug repellant and implore your camper to use it and reapply it during the day. My camper had it and used it once in the morning. She returned home with bites all over her legs and yes she still has the scars. The same advice to your camper for sunblock. Once a day is not enough.
     If you have a young one who will be staying at camp for a week or more here are some of the basics to start gathering:

• Flashlight with batteries plus extra. (or a battery operated lamp)
• two towels- one for the pool and one for the shower
• Mesh bag for wet clothes
• mess kit- unbreakable cup, bowel, plate, knife, fork and spoon
• backpack to carry item around camp
• sleeping bag and sheet or blanket
• pillow
• toiletries
• hair ties
• raincoat or poncho
• sunhat
• A book to read, no electronics allowed.

Well, we made it to camp an hour late after shopping in Big Lots with 20% off of everything, and low and behold we had not one book. We will be better prepared next year.

The Journey of a Book

     Books have traveled a long way since I was in elementary school. Audiobooks were unheard of as being a way of enjoying a book. These types of books were available but were thought of as being for the blind.  Children had access to books accompanied by records and then tapes so they could follow along in their book as the reader read as a way of learning to read.
     Today audiobooks have become popular. When I travel for vacation in my car, because I avoid flying, audiobooks are entertaining. For a sixteen hour drive, I stock up with audiobooks for the kids during the day and audiobooks for adults at night. On one of our trips to Florida the kids enjoyed The Magic Treehouse series and A Series of Unfortunate events. I have to admit, I enjoyed the stories also.
     At one time I would get the print book and the audiobook so when I was in the car I could listen to the audiobook and pickup where I left off with the print book in the house. I have discovered that the audiobook is so much more entertaining. It is like seeing the movie in your thoughts and imagination as the reader reads. The reader takes on characteristics of the characters and bring them to life.
     One thing I have found to be disappointing is when a series reader is changed. After listening to a reader read a book, bring it life, capture the reader and then disappear is disheartening. It is difficult to adjust to  the new reader. Look at it this way; for the duration of a series of books, I have listened to the same voices. They become friends that I can't wait to meet in the next book. Then I am ambushed with new voices proclaiming to be the characters I know so well.  It is so hard to adjust because I know the voices and tones of my characters that I rush to listen to as soon as the new book is out. I live with them as I travel to work and vacations. When the reader is changed it's as if the characters have died. Sometimes I am able to accept the change. Janet Evanovitch switched her reader in the early part of her series so we had not formed a solid bond. I enjoyed the series all the way up to the 19th book, including the books she wrote in between up to the Husband List.
Just a note of fun- I receive emails updating me about news for Janet Evanovitch. Her Book the Husband List had me in hot water. When the then love of my life saw the email proclaiming the Husband List was available, he actually confronted me. When I saw it was from Janet, I burst into laughter. He still didn't think it was funny. Hmmmm, I guess he should not have been reading my emails.
     With that said, I have enjoyed James Patterson's Alex Cross for some years now. I have been through so much with Alex, the murder of his first wife, the marriage to his second, almost loosing Nana, the death of his foster daughter, all of his injuries, attacks on his family and sleepless nights. I have watched his children grow up. They each have their own voice and tones displaying happiness, sadness and disappointment that I have become accustomed to over the years. I think to myself, I pray, I cross my fingers, when the new book comes out, please be Alex and not someone different. Sad, isn't it? I know, I know, you're saying, "Get a life girl."
     In answer, I have many lives and adventures in all the books I listen to, read and yes write.

Enter to Win One of Five Books - HIM The Trilogy

    Goodreads Book Giveaway    
   Enter to win

       
 

          HIM The Trilogy
   
          by Brigitta Moon

          Giveaway ends August 10, 2014.    
         
          See the giveaway details
          at Goodreads.
       
           Enter to win