Category: #openbook

The First Person to Believe in Me as a Writer? That Was Me

#openbook

Who was the first person who ever believed in you?

We all have stories of people who’ve inspired, motivated, and given us that little push when needed. But today, I want to share a slightly different story with you. A story of self-belief, resilience, and a sprinkle of stubbornness. This is the story of the first person who believed in me as a writer.

Spoiler alert: it was me!

Now, don’t get me wrong, external validation is great. A pat on the back, a compliment, or even a simple “I loved what you wrote” can work wonders. But before any of those words of affirmation came my way, I had to face the blank page with just one person cheering me on – and yep, you guessed it, that person was yours truly.

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Breaking the Ice of Love: My Favorite Way to Connect in New Romances

#openbook #bloghop #breakingtheice #romance #romancebooks

What is your favorite icebreaker (meetings, parties, dates, socials)?

Meeting someone new in a romantic context can be both thrilling and nerve-wracking. The first moments of interaction often set the tone for the entire relationship. I want to share my favorite icebreaker when meeting a potential love interest. Whether at meetings, parties, dates, or social gatherings, this approach has consistently helped me connect on a deeper level and create memorable experiences. Did it help me find my Mr. Forever? No, but it did help me find my Mr. 31-Year Marriage. So, let’s check it out.

Before delving into the specific icebreaker, it’s crucial to understand the underlying philosophy: authenticity. Being genuine and authentic to yourself is the key to forming a meaningful connection. People can sense when someone is sincere, creating a foundation of trust and comfort right from the start.

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From Dreams to Pages: My Journey as an Author

#openbook #bloghop #contemporaryromance #bestfriendsister #lawyerromance #interracial #ambw #bwam #writing #writerslife

What is your author origin story? (Or make one up.)

Every writer has a unique origin story, a tale of how they discovered their passion for penning stories and the winding path that led them to become an author. Today, I am thrilled to share my author’s origin story—a journey filled with inspiration, challenges, and unwavering determination.

As far back as I can remember, I was captivated by stories. Bedtime tales, fables, and books opened doors to enchanting worlds, stirring my imagination and filling my young mind with endless possibilities. The magic of words weaved by authors had me daydreaming about becoming one myself, with aspirations of conjuring my own realms of wonder and intrigue.

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Exploring Nature’s Wonders

#openbook #bloghop #contemporaryromance #bestfriendsister #lawyerromance #interracial #ambw #bwam 

A field full of sunflowers on a bright morning? Or rolling hills on a clear full moon night?

No matter the scene we choose, one thing is for sure – life can be beautiful. Even amid struggle and pain, moments of joy can still be found if you take the time to appreciate them.

The impact of nature on a person’s mood, health, and overall well-being is profound and well-documented. Spending time in natural environments, whether lush forests, tranquil beaches, or serene parks, offers many benefits that nurture both the body and mind.

I just wrote an article in Haute Hijab about the benefits of nature for my healing journey.

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Show & Tell: My Favorite Book Covers

#openbook

Few things are more thrilling than seeing your creative endeavors come to life in the pages of a book. However, before readers delve into the captivating worlds we’ve crafted, the first thing that captures their attention is the book cover. A beautifully designed cover can enthrall and invite readers into our stories.

Selecting the perfect cover to highlight a book is an essential endeavor for an author.

There are a few elements to consider when choosing the ideal cover. Firstly, the title should be easily read across platforms. This includes consideration of font size, typeface selection, and color palette — all factors that will capture attention while remaining legible in different sizes and resolutions.

An eye-catching image is also integral to drawing readers’ focus. Whether an illustration or photograph depicting something from within your story or totally unrelated yet captivating imagery, your cover must stand out among other books on shelves or websites.

I’m excited to showcase five of my favorite book covers that hold a special place in my heart:

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5 Marketing Tips for Newbie and Experienced Published Authors

#openbook

Most of us (or maybe all of us) struggle with marketing. What are your top 3 marketing tips?

New authors are often stunned to discover that in addition to writing a book, they will have to know must endeavor to get as many people as possible to learn about their story and want to buy it. Book marketing can be one of the most challenging things for any author who wants to get books to readers. The different platforms and demands for authors to know what to say and appeal to their audience may be daunting. Add the task of getting your work in front of as many eyeballs as possible, and you have a full-time job!

Marketing is an important aspect of being a successful author, but it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a little effort and creativity, you can get your books to readers who will love them!

Here are my top five marketing tips for newbies and experienced published authors.

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Back To Pizza Basics

#openbook

What toppings do you put on your pizza? Is pineapple a real pizza topping?
click here to buy

I was raised in a large family of four kids, so needless to say (but I’m going to anyway), the battle over pizza toppings remained a stable part of Friday night eating. My mother’s children had an expanse of tastes that made it necessary for her to have each of us take weekly turns to decide what would go on top of the tomato and cheesy goodness. When it was my turn, my brothers and sister groaned and complained to Ma that she was wasting a chance to have something new and different on pizza night.

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Cracking Open A Metaphor To Add Meaning To A Story

#openbook #bloghop #contemporaryromance #bestfriendsister #lawyerromance #interracial #ambw #bwam 

Write about a metaphor you used in one of your books. What does it represent?

Metaphors can be a valuable literary device to integrate symbolism in their works that will activate readers’ imaginations and offer them a different way. By directly comparing two different things, authors can give qualities to the first thing through the use of the second. In this way, writers can “show” instead of “tell” important aspects of a story or character as well as convey an underlying message through the thematic use of a metaphor throughout the plot.

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Writing Foundations Important To My Process

What is your process for writing? Plot, then write? Edit as you go or not until you've reached the end of the story? Figure out your characters first? Something else?

Questions like this week’s #openbook blog hop prompt usually excite me. Asking a writer about their process gives them a chance to relfect on how they get a story from idea to book, allowing them to analyze the different steps they may take to hone their plots and chracters into a narrative they want to share with readers.

I’ve published 8 novels and novellas and contributed to multiple-author anthologies, including short stories and novels. It’s been my experience that each story requires a unique writing process, wherein I use specific tools (I’ll write a post with the software I use another time) and methods to organize my thoughts about inspiration, plot, characters and editing. 

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Authors and Pen Name Options

Hey, romance addicts, it is your friendly stoker of flame.  I’ve been very busy writing for the wonderful Savage Bloodline mafia romance collection, the Voyage of the Heart Sydney collection, and the fourth book in the Brothers in Law series, Drowning in Shallow Waters. I decided to take a break from story writing so that I could post on this week’s open-book blog hop. Let’s look at this week’s question. 

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Diverse Books Battle -5 Tips To Writing Inclusive Stories

Hey, romance addicts. Another week, another thought-provoking blog hop post. Let’s take a look at what we have this week. 

Do you write diverse characters? If so, how do you avoid cultural insensitivity?

It’s interesting that this week’s blog hop question asks about diversity in writing. I spent the weekend fielding questions on social media, from white authors about including diverse characters in their books. It’s also ironic that the blog hop posing the question is not very diverse. As far as I know, I am the only contributing blogger who is identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). No, Italians and the Irish do not count. Let’s not go there. Anyway, onto my answer.

Of course, I write diverse books. just look at my covers.

As an author who identifies with multiple marginalized social intersections, I write to purposefully highlight a range of backgrounds and experiences in my characters. I think diversity is a stable part of literary expression for many BIPOC authors and that the main group challenged to understand the importance of diversity—and how to integrate into their work—is white authors.

Attempts to expand diversity in literature seem to present as a challenge and threat for authors who need to develop a greater appreciation for diverse literature and resist the cultural messaging that centers on whiteness.

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Unlimited Anything Creates Imaginary and Real Problems

Hey, romance addicts. I hope everyone is having a fabulous week and is geared up for the weekend! I am geared up for this week’s Open Book blog hop post. Let’s check it out. 

What do you wish you had an unlimited supply of?

Hmm. 

A nice, theoretical question is the perfect way to end the week. We live in a world filled with limitations. Our world is shaped by boundaries, which ensure that there is a constant balance of imbalance. I could not think of one thing of which I would not like unlimited anything, because it would only exacerbate my inability to escape the constraints of my existence. I don’t want to seem pessimistic–well, maybe a little–but bear with me.

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My Favorite Literature: The Best Books I’ve Read

Do you have a favorite piece of literature? What is it and why is it your favorite?

Hey, romance addicts. I know it’s been a while since I’ve written a blog hop post, but I couldn’t get in front of the camera to do a video. So, I’m getting back to basics and doing what I do best, writing. Let’s do this!

I don’t have one favorite piece of literature. The literary world is far too expansive to settle on one text. However, some books that influenced and inspired me come to mind.

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Character Journal – Waiting For An Author to Write

#openbook

Dear Diary. Write a diary entry or a letter from your character's point of view.

Hah! I love it. Baaz, you’re up!

Okay, Lyndell. Hi, romance addicts. I am Baaz Hamdi, the main character in Lyndell’s crime romance, Sealed by Love, Trapped in Sin, soon-to-be-released by After Hours Publications.

I’m not thrilled about opening up my personal thoughts to the world, but Lyndell is the boss. So, here we go.

Journal Entry Date: 5/16/2021

It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to reflect and write down my thoughts and experiences. My author was sidetracked again and had me stuck in a love scene for almost a week.

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