Category: #openbook

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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Literature Beyond 26 Letters

#Openbook

Hey, romance addicts. I have another blog hop post for you guys!

Discuss: It never fails to amaze me that ALL the books ever written are made up of just twenty six letters.
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#openbook -Writing Pets in Romance

#openbook

Do pets (or other animals) play an important part in your books? Tell us about them.

Hey, romance addicts. I am back with a new blog hop post. Pets in romance? Many authors who consistently write pets and animals in their books. Find out if I do and why!

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Writing in Different Genres

#openbook

Is there a genre you would never try to write? Why?

Hey, romance addicts. I a new Monday, a new blog hop question. This week, it’s about exploring different genres to write. While authors should not feel compelled to extend beyond their selected genre, some may want to venture into new ones.

I recently dipped my “quill” into the BDSM Romance subgenre with the release of my new book, A Stroke at Midnight. Writing something different and the above question had me wondering if I ever wanted to write outside of romance.

Check out my answer in the video my latest video.

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When Characters Take Over (Video)

#openbook Blog Hop - Who’s the boss, you or the story?

Each new story draft comes with a list of decisions to make a book publishable. While writing, many authors will choose to lean on their outlined plot or characters to flesh out their story. If they don’t, no worries, the plot or characters will do it for them, dictating the trajectory of the prose.

In this video, I talk about my tenacious characters and their obstinance in making sure I write them and the plot to suit them.

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Gift Woes and Nos

#openbook

The holiday season is just around the corner. What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received? What’s the worst one you ever given?

Okay, full disclosure, I don’t celebrate any of the holidays from October to January, not for years, anyway. Most of my family members are not Muslims, so there is a lot going on with them during the holidays, but the husband, kids and I rarely take part.

I am one of those people who give gifts throughout the year. A spontaneous gift is one of my favorites. For me, they are usually the most sincere. I feel like the person thought of me as an individual, not a name on a list of people they must present some kind of offering.

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Saying No to Save Yourself

Click here to buy

#openbook

What would be the hardest thing for you to give up?

I recently had to give up the delusion that I could be everything for everyone.

I wear many hats. In addition to being a phenomenal romance author, I am a freelance writer, contributing to multiple platforms. I am also a terrific wife (my husband is a lucky man), mother of six , homeschooler, content editor and writing coach. A lot of stuff, right? Well, those are the things left after I did some soul searching and decided I was doing way too much.

Click here for a free download!
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