It's About The Journey

Show of hands - how many of you have read both Saving Cassie and Invisible?

From the release of Saving Cassie in October until the release of Invisible the last day of January, only four months had passed on the calendar but on a writer's journey it feels much longer. If you've read both of my books I'm sure you can tell which came first.

And I'm not the only one. Take a look at an early book by Nora Roberts and compare it to one of her more recent releases. The differences show how even the big names started at the same place I am now. I learned a lot about self-publishing with Saving Cassie and I will continue to learn with each release. With Saving Cassie I jumped in and learned by doing.

I am lucky, there is a wonderful local writers group in my hometown. The monthly meetings are a welcome change from the solitary business of writing. This month was a discussion on self-editing and some of the things to look for when editing your work. Head hopping, deep POV versus third person POV, generic verbs, passive versus active voice, and the list goes on. We all write different genres but the editing process is the same regardless of the genre. Every meeting gives me something to think about while I type away on my latest work in progress.

And the moral of the story is: keep learning and honing your craft. Writing is a process and a journey. Enjoy the journey and keep learning.

Happy reading!

Get Hooked on Invisible - #MFRWBookHooks

Welcome to Book Hooks Wednesday!

 

This week, let's take a look at Invisible.

 

 

They found each other. Then the killer found them.

Detective Jackson “Jax” McKenna walks into a psychologist’s office and finds that the doctor bears a striking resemblance to his first love, Lainie, who disappeared ten years ago after their disastrous first date ended in violence.

Dr. Elizabeth Parker is really Elaine Wilson, Jax’s Lainie. She’s been in hiding since the night that changed both their lives. Jax discovers the truth when the killer lets Lainie know he’s found her. When Jax and Lainie go on the run to keep Lainie safe, old feelings resurface as the killer threatens their lives. Can Jax save Lainie and help her stay Invisible?

 

 

 

Book Hook:



“Dr. Parker? Your four o’clock appointment is here.” Sheila’s announcement made me jump and when I looked at the clock, I realized how much time had passed while I was deep in thought. This was the last appointment of the week, and I was ready for a couple of days off to unwind.

I shuffled the papers on my desk and found the new patient file I’d been reading when Sheila called. The file included official documents from police department internal affairs for a psychological evaluation. I’ve seen several of these orders over the years. It’s protocol whenever an active officer is wounded in the line of duty and is required before they’re allowed to return to work. I reached for the folder and pressed the intercom button. “Sheila, please send him in as soon as he’s filled out the insurance paperwork. Thank you.”

Sheila knew to give me a few extra minutes to allow time to limp to the conversation area to set the stage and sit in my customary spot. I preferred not to begin sessions with the inevitable questions about my own disability. The people who came to see me were in need of my expertise and compassion. It was all about their healing, not mine.

The name on the file folder, J. McKenna, gave me a chill. He was wounded in the line of duty, shot by a bank robbery suspect. Seeing the name reminded me of where I came from and why I was in hiding. I pushed the memories down. I’m not that person anymore. That person doesn’t exist. It wasn’t necessary to touch the locket underneath my sweater as a reminder, but it had become a nervous habit. The locket was the only thing I kept from that life.

The door opened, and Sheila showed my patient in and as my eyes met his, my heart stopped for what seemed like hours. After reading the file, I was afraid of this. How many Jackson McKennas could there be? The hair is shorter, and the face is older, but it’s him, I would know those eyes anywhere. Jackson McKenna. He was my first love and indirectly the reason I have to use a cane to walk farther than across the room.



 

Invisible is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Amazon link

Barnes and Noble link

 

 

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Turn Off The Timewasters

When I do page takeovers or an online author event my favorite part is answering questions. Most often, the question is either "Why did you start writing?" and "How do you find time to write?"

For me, finding time is write is simple. Each night after my "real world" job, I fire up my laptop, turn on some music, and try to write. The biggest problem - balancing writing time with promoting time.

In order to not spend all night on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, I set the alarm on my cell phone.

I usually give myself about an hour to answer emails, check what's going on on Facebook, post about my books, and tweet. I also use this time to answer any Facebook messages. When the alarm goes off, it's time to write. Some nights I have to turn off my wifi connection so I don't hear the Facebook notification.

The best way to find time is to sit down and turn off the distractions.

How do you find time to write?

New feature coming Wednesday! MFRW Book Hooks is coming to this blog.

Valentine's Day - Another HolIday About the Money

It's that day again, the day devoted to hearts, flowers, chocolate, and money. Yes, money.

A romance author who doesn't celebrate Valentine's Day? Yep, that's me. I love the idea of a day for lovers but Valentine's Day has morphed into a competition: who gets the biggest/best flowers/chocolate/jewelry. It has become a day for some to dread - those who are "left out" because they don't have a significant other. There is so much pressure to give the "perfect" Valentine's Day gift that people stress over it. It has become a day of "What did you get/give for Valentine's Day"? There is so much pressure to have a valentine and expectations are so high that it's easy to be disappointed. It's become a day more about the gift than the expression of love.

Personally, I would love for it to be a day for just doing something nice for someone else. I used to be one of those hoping to get flowers delivered to me at work as a physical validation of love. But what does it really show? Just that you have the money to buy something.

I would rather have a life full of little signs of love - my husband cleaning the snow off my car or giving me time alone to work on my writing. I try to show my husband how I feel by cooking dinner occasionally (he usually does the cooking), recording his favorite shows, or just making sure he has clean socks.

Being married for twenty-two years has shown me what's important. It's not the gift - it's the love behind it and the way you show it every day.

Basically, it boils down to this: don't feel bad if you don't receive flowers or candy today - look at how love is expressed every day and strive to show someone how you feel by your actions. Your actions speak louder than any bouquet of flowers ever could.

Here are just a few ideas to show them how you feel:

• Light some candles and have an intimate dinner for two
• Leave a note or write a love letter expressing how you feel
• Watch their favorite movie together

How do you show your love every day?



Give Your Opinion And Win!

Hello Remenions!

Well, Invisible has been out for a little over a week. Sales aren't where I would like them to be but I will keep at it.

I want your feedback on this question: What kind of posts do you want to see here on my blog?

I want to start a new feature here on Remenicky Writes but I'm not sure what it should be. I want to help other authors in the same spot I am - looking for more ways to get their name out there.

Would you like to see author spotlights? Guest posts? Book spotlights? Author interviews? Those all seem to be taking place on a lot of blogs these days and I really want to do something different.


Also, what do you want to see on my weekly blog posts? I feel like I'm posting the same thing week to week.

So, send me your ideas, suggestions, and preferences - if I decide to use it I will gift you one of my ebooks (your choice).

No idea too small or too big. Get your ideas in and win an ebook! Click on the Your Opinion Counts tab and comment with your idea, it's that easy. This will be an ongoing contest.

Meanwhile, I just want to update you on my current work in progress. Ragan's Song, Book 2 in the Fairfield Corners series is a stand-along paranormal romance and I am about 1/2 way through writing it. You'll find out why Ragan left the way she did and how it affects Adam and Logan and Cassie. You won't want to miss it... I am hoping for a fall release - I will keep you updated on my progress.

Remember, Indie Authors live and die by reviews so please consider leaving a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads.

Until next time...

Happy reading!

L.A. Remenicky ~ Romance With A Twist

 

A Day Late - But Not A Dollar Short!

I normally post on Sundays but I had so much going on last weekend that I just didn't get to it. I am trying everything I can think of (that I can afford) to get Invisible in the hands of more readers.

Invisible release and release day party. Now I know why authors pay to have someone else do these - it was a blast but it kept me hopping! Had a great turnout thanks to Penny For My Thoughts Book Blog - thanks ladies!

Saturday - Did my very first author takeover on the One More Chapter Facebook page. A great time was had by all.

Sunday - I participated in the Platinum Multi-Author Event on Facebook. A great turnout and everyone seemed interested in Invisible.



Hopefully these events will translate into book sales - squeezing every penny until it squeaks makes it hard to reach readers.

Then, it was Superb Owl time!! Unfortunately, the Broncos didn't do well. Have to say that the Audi commercial with the hybrid dog (doberhuahua) was hysterical!

And, more big news...

Drumroll please!




I will be attending my very first author signing event in November! Indie Unmasked will be on November 15, 2014, in Indianapolis. If you get the chance come out and meet some great authors. I may have to do some fangirling myself!



They will be posting information on this event as it becomes available. 

Indie Unmasked website

Until next time...

Happy Reading!

L.A. Remenicky