The Masquerade Crew: Always got a pet project underway? Join the club. MEET @MsQuietStorm81, Our New Crew Member

The Masquerade Crew: Always got a pet project underway? Join the club. MEET @MsQuietStorm81, Our New Crew Member

Now working with the Masquerade Crew as a reviewer.  Check out my new reviewer profile.  Stay tuned for new reviews coming soon.

Shooting for Love Mock Cover Art

Mock Cover Art 

Potential cover art design for Shooting for Love.  Comments and Suggestions are welcome.

FB Author page

Tammy Roberson (@MsQuietStorm81) tweeted at 3:10 PM on Mon, Jan 21, 2013: Like me on FB (Author Tammy Roberson) for new upcoming projects, excerpts, reviews, cover design unveiling & more http://t.co/4zNdPd5f (https://twitter.com/MsQuietStorm81/status/293450491583672320) Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

Mock Cover

Design/Layout of mock cover 

Currently working on the design & layout of my mock cover design for Shooting for Love.  Will use in the event that I go the self-pub route.  Unveiling coming soon.

Writing critique groups and writing partners? Yay or Nay? What say you...

What are the benefits of joining a writing critique group or get a writing partner or two? Is it wise to go it alone in your writing process or should one seek another discerning eye to give voice to what we fail to see or what we just plain ignore in our writing? I myself have not used a critique group or worked with a writing partner in my foray into novel writing and I must say I’m quite hesitant to start.

Obviously the benefits are tremendous for those who self-publish—which I’m still up in the air on —however I’m deathly anal about my writing. My beat writing from long ago during my college newspaper days along with my poetry and creative writing from even longer ago all had to be edited over and over before I even contemplated sharing it. What can I say, I’m a perfection at my craft and prefer self-criticism first and foremost. Therefore it feels me with angst to think about having someone read my unedited writing and then provide their “solicited” opinion on said unedited work.

So the question I’m presented with is how would a writing partner or critique group benefit me personally? Would I be able to join a group/partner that meets face-to-face or would an online interaction suffice? What are the best avenues to meet and connect with others to join a critique group or find a writing partner? Would I be open to a group or a partner from other genres or should I stick strictly with romance and women’s fiction focused writers. While the critique in its essence would be beneficial wouldn’t this take away from the time for actually writing, editing, etc?

What say you writers? Do you use writing partners or critique groups? What have been the benefits that made you decide to continue using this resource? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about connecting and networking with other writers, readers and lovers of all things literary. However I’m not completely sold on the benefits outweighing the demands on my already scarce amount of free time.

Launched New FB Author's Page

Go check out and like my new Facebook author's page: Author Tammy Roberson Facebook Page

Writers do you feel your character’s emotions when you are writing a scene?? Then how do you expect your readers to???

As a reader, anytime that I am reading a scene and I have this churning, unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach I realize that I am so keyed in to the story that my body is reacting to the words. I am feeling what the characters are feeling, therefore when they cry I may shed a few tears…when they feel certain emotions, I share in those same emotions. That in my opinion is the testament to a writer really digging deep and showing the emotions of their characters.

As a writer I try to do just that. And when I don’t, I rewrite and try again. Getting the reader to become emotionally connected to the characters in a story, first starts with the writer becoming emotionally connected. If you’re not experiencing that churning feeling in your tummy when you write a scene, then why would you expect your readers to grasp onto emotions from a character that just aren’t there, and continue reading a story.

Writers, make a practice of always keying into your character's emotions, whether they be ecstatically happy, inconsolably sad, deliriously amorous or just plain apathetic...whatever the case might be. A writer’s goal should be that the reader not only read the character’s emotions but feel them too.

Shooting for Love Blurb

Professional Photographer Allyson Daniels is on a mission. A mission to clear her brother’s name of a scandal that could have him seeing serious prison time. She is not looking for love, and most certainly not from the likes of philandering ADA Elijah Young, the prosecutor who just happens to be taking on the case against her brother. Allyson’s number one goal right now is becoming a household name in the photography business, not falling in love or lust. Loving and losing at such a young age taught her years ago to protect her heart at all cost so this unwanted attraction towards her arch enemy has her questioning just what goals she should be shooting for.

Elijah’s only objective right now is bringing down Diego Santiago and his crew. He is through with love. He plays hard and works even harder. Being burned by his ex-wife two years ago has turned him off of commitment and his trust in women is at an all time low. He enjoys living the bachelor life to the fullest. Or at least that’s what he had been telling himself until he met the fiery and feisty Allyson. The woman was way off limits and not at all his time with her sharp tongue, yet somehow she infiltrated his heart, making him feel things he has no right to feel for her.

She’s shooting for her brother’s freedom, he’s shooting for a conviction in his biggest case to date, but before they know it they’ll both be Shooting for Love.

Editing: Mighty is the RED pen

Shooting for Love

Steadily working on the edits for Shooting for Love and quickly finding out that the writing process is never really completely until you submit your manuscript, lol.  Rewriting a few scenes at the moment and also debating on revising the first few chapters to make the story move a little quicker.  (Seems to move a little slow initially before my main characters come across each other)  Also reviewing a few scenes and tidbits of information to make sure they are well developed. 

Will post my Shooting for Love blurb later and introduce the main characters.

Indie vs. Traditional Publishing

Publishing

     As I sit here working on edits for Shooting for Love, I'm still plagued with the question of publishing.  I've been indecisive in choosing between just self-publishing or pursuing submission to a traditional publishing house.  I literally switch between the two on a daily basis; sometimes it feels like mere minutes when I shift from one to the other.  Obviously the clear cut choice for any aspiring author is to be picked up by a major publishing house and sit back and wait for fame to claim us, while we sit back on our laurels and bask in our success.
     Okay I know, I know.  On many counts I know that it doesn't quite work that way.  Writing the book is only a huge portion of the battle...but there is so much more to come.  Some of my favorite authors are excellent writers, have a great fan base and constantly put out award-winning novels, however they still have to pound the pavement--hard--in hopes of drumming up sales and increasing their readership.
     Writing an award worthy novel is just the first step--a very long and arduous but necessary step of becoming an author.  Marketing however is a huge factor in weeding out the believers versus the nonbelievers.  You were dedicated enough to your craft to sit down and write your book, now how much faith do you have in your work to try selling someone else on the merits of publishing it or for that matter even reading it.

New Releases on My 2013 To-Read List

Books that I am anxiously awaiting...

A.C. Arthur: Decadent Dreams (Release Date: March 19)
Maureen Smith: Seducing the Wolf (Release Date: April)
Adrianne Byrd: Unbreak My Heart (Release Date: April 23)
Eric Jerome Dickey: Decadence (Release Date: April 23)
Zuri Day: Platinum Promises (Release Date: April 23)
Cheris Hodges: Forces of Nature (Release Date: May 7)
Yahrah St. John: Delicious Destiny (Release Date: May 21)
Jacquelin Thomas: Five Star Seduction (Release Date: May 21)
Niobia Bryant: Never Keeping Secrets (Release Date: May 28)
Naomi Chase: Betrayal (Release Date: August)

More to come...Indie Authors & Newly Discovered Authors

What new releases of 2013 are you awaiting???

Review #1 - Any Way You Want It, by Maureen Smith

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Scorching Hot

Amazon - Buy Now

     Reviewing any work by Maureen Smith in my mind can be summed up in four quick words.  Brilliant Writing.  Excellent Read.  Am I a biased fan?  Yup, probably.  However I'm also a voracious reader who has very high expectations and standards  for the literature that I read.  Reading is a labor of love--there are so many other things that I should be doing when I pick up a book.  Since I can remember I have had a love affair with words,--reading and writing them-- therefore I have a great appreciation and admiration for writers that can weave a story together with beautiful word play.

     Any Way You Want It, is a follow up to Maureen Smith's novel Whatever You Like, featuring elite escort agency owner, Zandra Kennedy and her childhood friend, former Navy SEAL Remington Brand.  Remy has been carrying a torch for his friend for some time and Zandra is far from immune to his charm, however she is initially hesitant to rock the proverbial friendship boat.  Eventually their love and an all-consuming attraction can no longer be denied.  This novel is a scorching hot read that will ensnare the reader from start to finish.  The erotic sex scenes will leave steam coming off of your e-reader or the pages of your book.

2013 Writing & Photography Goals Outline

Today's Challenges Equal Tomorrow's Greatness

In an effort to both organize and challenge myself in 2013 I have developed a running list of goals that I intend on accomplishing and exceeding over the next 12 months in both my writing career and my ongoing photography business.  This blog is dedicated primarily to my writing & reviewing however there are times when my photography work will cross over and I will mention different projects that are underway that will either work in conjunction with my writing or completely unrelated in an effort to maintain my focus and dedication to my business.

Mad Reviewer Reading Challenge

Will start reviewing my first book later this week for the Mad Reviewer Reading Challenge by The Masquerade Crew. http://masqueradecrew.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-mad-reviewer-reading-challenge-join.html Definitely have a good idea of what book I'd like to review first.

Well it's official...I'm LIVE.  Woo Hoo!!! Launching my new writing & reviewing blog.  Just finished writing the manuscript for my second novel, Shooting For Love yesterday and now I'm rejoining the masses in this crazy blogger world.  Hoping to continue growing my craft as I recommit to this journey of writing.  Also hoping to network with fellow aspiring authors, published authors and the many book lovers who enjoy a good read.