Serious Wednesday: My Own Thoughts on Writing Suspense & Some announcements!

I'm talking today about why I write suspense, but

below that, you'll find the announcements in my life.

Do check them out, and let me know. 

You never know what may happen! 

Have a beautiful day! 

* * *

Why Do I Write Suspense?

Let me share a quote from Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense:
“There is great confusion especially in my particular job between the words mystery and suspense. The two things are absolutely miles apart. Mystery is an intellectual process guessing “who’ve done it?” But suspense is essentially an emotional process.”

Now, let me say--which leads to why I write suspense--

that I write shy of horror and no less than mystery. 

From childhood days, I longed to live the life of Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and other teenaged detectives. I wrote dramatic poems, created awful, but suspenseful fiction, and enjoyed every minute of it. But...there came a day...

I began writing in earnest, and when my debut novel (The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman) saw the light of the day (published!), it was filled with suspenseful moments, suspenseful events. It won awards and became Amazon's #1 best seller more than once. Which leads me to another thought:

• When I write suspense (and mystery) my characters not only are afraid, fearful of outcomes, confused or desperate, and stubborn with determination to win the day, but they're also human. 

* They're whimsical (like Tara in a book not yet published),
* Funny and sarcastic (like Denton in the Denton and Alex Davies series)
* Sometimes they're like a "wild child" such as Josie in the book A Flute in the Willows;
* but then her older sister, Emma Jaine, in With Music in Their Hearts, is more motherly, more determined to guide and guard her motherless sisters, and yet yearns for romance in her own life.
* And Destiny, in Caleb's Destiny is just plain spoiled and determined to have her way.

• Giving them traits like the above, and more, make them human. Yes, they want to solve the crime (mystery) or defeat the enemy (suspense), and this, along with creating mysteries for the characters to solve and creating dangerous events or enemies for characters to defeat, is what draws me in, fascinates me. 

I question my self. What will the tone of the book be? 
In this book, will it be a light mystery? Fun, lighthearted, silly, scary?
In this book, do I write in more suspense, or balance it evenly with romance?
In this book, how much emotion shall I fill it with?
In this book, how gritty (but off-scene) will I make it?
In this book, will I have a touch of romance, or balance it evenly?

All of these are important details I have to figure out. But figuring this stuff out, then writing it within the story, is exactly why I love writing suspense and/or mystery. 

* * *

Announcing! Announcing!

Don't Forget!

Mark Your Calendar!

I'm holding a FUN 

Contest 

in August!

Right here on this blog! 

Prizes are being determined now! 

***

I visited Michelle Levigne's blog on July 23, 24.

Please do check it out and see how events from long ago 

(it has to do with gold!)

helped me write Caleb's Destiny!

http://michellelevigne.blogspot.com/

***

Great summer reading. 

(My book: Knight in Shining Apron is in this collection)

Each book is only $.99

Thru Sept 9, 2020

***

Last, but not least, this: 
Coming up SOON!

*  An interview with Mr. Michael and Destiny (Caleb's Destiny) 
on Cindy Thomson's blog (to be announced).

A special post (about Caleb's Destiny) on Linda W. Clarke's blog
(to be announced)

Moving on...with Caleb's Destiny:
I'll be visiting:

* Sally Shupe's blog (Caleb's Destiny)
on August 13
and again on September 16

* Shannon Vannatter's blog with Caleb's Destiny 
on August 21st

* Catherine Castle's blog on
August 27 (and Sept 23)

Sabotaged Christmas: A Finalist!

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Carole Brown

From the Book Excellence Board:
It is with great pleasure to announce that you have been selected as a 

Book Excellence Award Finalist 

for the following book and category:

Book Title: Sabotaged Christmas
Category: Fiction

There were hundreds of entries from around the world and your book was selected

for its high quality writing, design and market appeal. 

I’m excited, yes, and so thankful for this honor on the first book in my Appleton, West Virginia Romantic Mystery series! 

If you’re interested and would like to see what all the hoopla’s about or just want to get ready for some December holiday reading (although it can be read any time!), then go here:

https://www.amazon.com/Sabotaged-Christmas-Appleton-Romantic-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0186GF4GY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8https://www.amazon.com/Sabotaged-Christmas-Appleton-Romantic-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0186GF4GY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

HAPPY READING!

Fabulous February Contest

What's more fabulous than getting something for almost nothing? Not much.

I'm so excited and thrilled with my upcoming book, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, that I've decided to do something special!

EVERY month until its release date I'm going to offer some kind of contest for those who participate. Sometimes the requirements will be easy like last month and this month, sometimes harder, but always, always fun! Sometimes the gift will be one item; sometimes multiple items.

For your information (and perhaps you already knew this. If so, bear with me, please!) February has SIX special days this month:

1. February 2: Candlemas day, the halfway point between Christmas and Easter. Yes.
2. February 4: Thank a postman day. Hmmm.
3. February 9: Happy Chocolate Day. Oooo la la!
4. February 14: Valentine's Day (sigh: romance is in the air)
5. February 15: Single Awareness Day (well, we do love all you singles!)
6. February 20: Love Your Pet Day (whether you have a pet or not, you still get a gift if you win!)

Now how much fun do you think we can get out of those days?
Well, for every special day listed, I'm going to add another gift to some lucky person. Here are some of the gifts to be included:

* A beautiful lacy scarf

(gorgeous! You'll look fabulous!)

* A bag of Godiva chocolates

(for the chocolate day!)

* A beautiful 3-D journal

(to write down all your memories and thoughts OR to write some notes for your next book!)

and

a $15.00 gift certificate from Amazon or Walmart 

(to save to buy my book OR to spend however you want!)

TWO more gifts coming. Smile.

All you have to do to be in the running is:

Tell me the most special and creative way you'd love to spend with your husband/wife, boy/girl friend or even just a best friend. Include your email addy in the comment section. You can also friend me on fb and comment on my fb page.

Someone will win; it might be YOU!

Blessings!

Oh, Dear Oh, Dear . . .

Way too busy. Will that excuse fly to you, my readers?
Are excuses EVER any good?

I hope so, cause I really have been very busy and totally forgot to check on the weird picture contests I'm having each month.

October's picture was:

And though only two commented, I've still chosen Linda Kish as the winner of THREE books (I added an extra one because of the above excues. lol). Congratulations, Linda, and if you'll email me at browncarole212 at yahoo dot com, I'll get a list of books to you so you can choose what you'd like.

lkish77123@gmail.com


For November I'm offering FIVE books to the winner of my choice. These books are not new, but in good shape, and hopefully you'll enjoy them.

Here's the picture:

Tell me how it stirs you. What hopes spring forth when you view it? What fears? Anything? Nothing? Does it remind you of why you hate the cold/winter? Or do you remember sledding? Ice skating? snowball fights? I wanna hear you!!

Blessings!

A Weird Contest . . .

 

How would you like to meet this friendly guy in your backyard?

 

How often do you use animals in your novels?

 

Tell me about a favorite pet and you could win a prize
(at least two books if I really like yours!)
if yours is chosen!

 

Blessings! 



There are Winners . . . And More Winners!

May's over and the BIG contest for May is over too! Without further ado, I'm going to give you the names of those who won a book. Ta da . . .


Wendy
Eileen
Linda Kish
Books are a Blessing
Tomynate
Jan Marie
Jo (ladijo)
Brookside Medi
Christian Book Nook (ibjoy)
Miss Kallie
Karen Lange
Arlene
Jeanette Levigne
Linda Glaz
Faye (crazi swan)
Lorilyn triple C
Diane Estrella
Cathy Shouse
Amanda 38401
Rose McCauley

Roseanna White won the Pirates kit from Eddie Jones
Pegg Thomas won Sharon Elliott's Suit of Armor for women

Please give me till the end of the month to get your book to you (that's if you respond promptly to your notification email I'm getting ready to send you)

THANK YOU, beloved followers, for participating!

Want some extra books for your summer reading? Look for the next contest coming RIGHT AWAY!

Blessings!

ONE More Week! And Other Stuff You Might Want to Notice.

Only one more week to participate in May's giveaway. Don't miss out on a chance to win a book. We're giving away twenty books plus Sharon Elliot's fantastic Suit of Armor and a pirate party pack for kids from Eddie Jones!

•Sharon Elliott's super inspirational book: A Power Suit will be given away during this promotion.


•She is also the author of the nonfiction book: Raising Boys to be like Jesus, from Judson Press.

•Sharon is the founder of Life that Matters Ministries, a Christian organization that exists to encourage you to discover your life purpose and live up to your full potential.

•Her website: http://www.lifethatmatters.net/

•Check out her blog at: http://sanewriter.wordpress.com/

•Sharon's online Bible study: http://www.lifethatmatters.net/ ("A Heart for the Word" Podcast)

Find her on Facebook and Twitter




From Eddie Jones and the Give a Boy a Book Promotion, here's the SUPER DUPER PIRATE PARTY PRIZE KIT (from his "The Curse of Captain LaFoote") for anyone who adores boys (which pretty well includes everyone! Smile)


8 invitations
8 - 9" party plates
8 - 9-oz. cups
16 luncheon napkins
16 pc. blue cutlery set
1 red plastic table cover
2 rolls of streamers, 1 blue and 1 red
12 each of blue and red balloons
2 pkgs. of confetti, 1 blue and 1 orange
4 yds. deluxe creepy cloth
12 pirate swords with eye patch
72 pirate tattoos


•Eddie is co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministry. He co-writes a weekly devotion with Cindy Sproles called, He Said - She Said, which can be found at Christian Devotions.us, and Common Ground Christian News. He also co-hosts a weekly radio show called, Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

•Struggling to develop a daily devotional life? Grab a copy of Spirit & HEART: A Devotional Journey. Eddie wrote the introduction. One of his devotions appears in the book, too.

•Eddie's column, Hard Aground, can be found in the Ocracoke Observer and Living Aboard Magazine.

•He also assisted with with the ghost writing and editing of Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust.

•Eddie's latest book, Hard Aground ...Again, is a humorous devotional book with a nautical theme based on Biblical principles.

•Need a writing coach? Eddie teaches writing classes on fiction,non-fiction, plotting, scene development, humor, devotional writing and romantic comedy. Visit http://www.writerscoach.us/ to learn more. Polishing the prose of others is his gift. Filling seats now for our Writing Workshop, starting in June. Plus, we have classes on how to start your own web-based radio show and how to craft a devotion. If you need help crafting your nonfiction or fiction book project, contact Eddie: aground@mindspring.com

Follow Eddie on Facebook. Become a Facebook Fan of Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust. Each week we giveaway a book to some lucky fan.

Follow Eddie on Twitter

Listen to Eddie and Cindy banter on He Said, She Said Radio as they discuss how God moves through His word.

Read Eddie's Blog; you'll read the "un-edited" thoughts and prose that prompt Eddie's novels, devotions and humorous boating columns.

A wonderful opporrtunity to win a free book or a pirate party pack.
What do you have to do?
Please make sure you read the following rules:
1.You must be a follower of this blog.

2.Comment and leave your email address as many times as you want on any post throughout contest period. EACH time you comment, your name will be entered again to receive a book!

3.For other chances to win a book: Link to my blog; announce this contest and rules on your blog, FB, Twitter, wherever: just make sure you let me know! :)

4.Or Encourage someone to follow my blog; let me know who they are.

****************************

ALWAYS let me know if you don't receive a book you've won. Writers are human. I'm human. We forget. Life gets in the way. Sometimes we take on more than we should. If something happens I WANT to know. I'll make it right somehow for you. Love you, readers!

*****************************

A Plug For Stephanie Morrill 

Do you know of a young person--young adult--who loves writing?

Someone asking for writing advice?

A teen who can use the motivation . . .

A place that is clean and spiritual and fun for teen writers . . .

A place with a host and lots of other excellent young adult writers sharing their experience . . .

I've got the answer!

Check out Stephanie Morrell's super Go Teen Writers Blog,

 the place to learn and broaden your writing experience for the younger writers.

http://goteenwriters.blogspot.com/

Many Super blessings today!

Winner of Laurie's Book!

Donna Alice!

Contact me, Donna! You've won one of Laurie's books!

Big congratulations!

Thank you, everyone, for participating and helping to make Laurie's interview such a success.

Tomorrow: Wednesday, January 27, Linore Rose Burkard will be on my blog! Yippee! She's a super writer of regency novels. Remember Mr. Darcy? She's got a hero that's fantastic.

Come visit us tomorrow!

Blessings

I NEED HELP!

Sorry, not mentally. Smile.

How can you help me?

• I need you to spread the word about my blog. Ask your friends to pop in now and then.
• Become one of my followers. It's easy and you'll have another followerer for your blog too when you let me know you've signed on.
• Enjoy the contests I occasionally sponsor. Who doesn't enjoy a free book or free gift certificate now and then? I know many of you email me with comments too. Thanks for those!
• Buy and read books from the authors I recommend!

And big thanks to all of you.

Quote:
God uses ordinary people. You don't have to be smart or beautiful (thank God!) . . . all you need is a pure heart. --Rick Warren

Blessings