Today, author Lauren Nalls takes over my page to discuss her short story, "The Rub," which appears in A Haunting of Words, a collection of ghostly stories in which my story "Jimmy's Shadow" also makes an appearance.

Tell us about your story, "The Rub."
“The Rub” is a journey into the hell of the human mind and soul; from the line that splits reality and madness, to the place the rules of the game of life, and death, become blurred. 

What inspired you to write this story?
This story was inspired by one of my current works in progress, I was thinking about what happened “after” and this was the result. I also pushed myself to see if I could write outside my usual genres.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been professionally writing for three years, but I’ve really been writing my whole life.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?
Great question! This particular story is way outside my comfort zone as a macabre thriller, and was a challenge for me. I normally write dramatic fiction, historical, and women’s fiction.

What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on a historical fiction coming of age story. I have a few more works in progress at various stages of development as well.

What else do you have available/published?
My other publications include my short story “Loose Ends,” A Journey of Words (Scout Media, 2016), and a poem, “Burgeon,” published in Fredericksburg Literary Review (spring 2014 Volume 2, Issue 1). I also blogged briefly for Fredericksburg Parent and Family, “Tortoise and Hair series” (2014).

What advice do you give to new writers?
Read, study, practice, and learn from mentors you trust. Keep going, don’t give up. Subject your work to critique but don’t get upset at criticisms. Writing is art and it’s up to the artist to discern what advice to keep and what advice to reject, but always be kind and grateful. That being said, art isn’t completely without rules, we have to learn the rules, or expectations, then break them with intention.

List links where people can find your work:
www.LaurenNalls.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenNalls/
https://twitter.com/Scribbleglitch
https://www.pinterest.com/scribbleglitch/
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You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

​Today, author Monica Sagle Zwikstra takes over my blog about her debut short story, ‘Storm House,” appearing in the anthology A Haunting of Words (which also features my brand new short story, “Jimmy’s Shadow”)
 
Tell us about your story “Storm House”
Storm House is about a house that, with every storm, sees the ghostly re-enactment of a murder. A wife killed by her husband. In recent years, the wife has managed to change things and now they take turns killing each other. This time, she thinks she may have found a way to sleep through those annoying storms altogether.
 
How long have you been a writer?
I have always written little stories for myself. However about four years ago I decided to take it seriously, learning as much as I could about the craft and art of writing. I joined a critique group for my novel work and I am a member of several on line critiquing groups.
 
What genre do you associate most with in your writing?
I generally say that I am a fantasy writer. Although some of my short stories are Sci Fi and speculative fiction.
 
What are you working on now?
I recently finished my first novel, (I 'm looking for an agent at this time,) and I have started a new novel.

What advice would you offer to new writers?
Learn the craft, then the art of writing, and be prepared to be learning for the rest of your life, as the learning never ends. And find a good critiquing group, either physically or online, to help you hone your craft.
 
List links where people can connect with you?
People can find me at www.facebook.com/MonicaZwikstraAuthor/ or @monicasaglezwik on twitter.
 
You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at:www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

​Most female authors are comfortable with creating interesting female characters, the heroines, or the MC (main characters). But compared to a male MC, there are certain characteristics specific to females.

Females think more (and often worry more), they are more demonstrative with their facial expressions and body language, and they talk in long sentences compared to their male counterparts. Your female MC can be feisty, adventurous, brilliant, haughty, humble, or shy. But she will have a lot of inner thoughts, conflicts, and self-deprecation or self-doubt.

Two important features are Characteristics (what she thinks or does) and Descriptions (how she looks).

Characteristics:

Each female character should have her own unique characteristics, highlighted via dialogue, inner thoughts, and actions. In this situation, the reader cares about what she is like rather than what she looks like.

Dialogue:
If your MC is witty, she’ll have interesting comebacks in her dialogue. Short, crisp and incisive.
If your MC is shy, she’ll hesitate with ums and ers.

Inner thoughts:
If your MC is conflicted or under-confident, she’ll obsess about what others are saying or doing, wondering how she should react, thinking she is being too forward, worrying about what others feel about her. If she is confident, her inner monologue with be what she anticipates other people will say. If she is shy, she will try to blend into the background and try not to express her thoughts and feelings.

Actions:
The shy, nervous one will wring her hands together, knit her eyebrows, drop her gaze or sit with her feet crossed, hands in her lap. The haughty one will stick her chin up, her eyes flashing. The angry one will clench her jaw or tap her foot. The one in love will look into her guy’s eyes, her pupils dilated, her lips parted.

Appearance:

While the reader is happy enough knowing what your MC is like, they like to imagine what she looks like. Not every female MC must be a stunning blonde, blue eyed beauty. So, how do you show what your character looks like? Don’t fall for the cliché ways like looking in the mirror and describing how she looks. She knows she has blue eyes. She knows she has dark hair. It’s better to slip it in surreptitiously in dialogue, actions, or inner thoughts.

Telling:
For minor characters, a quick way is to cut short description by telling important details: Her blonde hair was now peppered with grey (she is getting old). In two inch heels, she towered over most men (she is tall). She stuck a strand of silky black hair behind her ear (Her hair is black). She gets sunburnt in ten minutes and envies those who tan (she is pale). The dress that fit her well last year now stretched across her hips (she is putting on weight).

For more important characters, try to blend the descriptions with dialogue, inner thoughts, or actions.

Dialogue:
Someone can mention, “You couldn’t have missed her. She was at the party. The platinum blonde. White as porcelain, red collagen-infused lips, baby blue eyes.”
Or you can slip in something like: “He bought me a sapphire ring to match my eyes.”
He can give her a peck on her nose and say, “Love those freckles.”
Inner thoughtsShe can think: “Why wasn’t he attracted to her? Did he hate brunettes?”
She can think: “If only her hair was like her mother’s golden waves. But she was stuck with straight black hair, falling like a curtain around her face. No amount of heat treatments or curlers gave it a kink.”

Actions:
To describe brown hair, pointed chin and full lips: “He tucked a stray strand of her brown hair behind her ear and ran his finger down the side of her face, coming to a stop at her pointed chin. Then he pulled her closer and pressed his mouth against her full lips.”
Instead of “She was voluptuous”, you can write: “She slipped into a clingy dress which emphasized her curves, the low neckline showing off a cleavage models would kill for.”
She put on the padded bra and looked at the sides, wondering if the mastectomy scar would show. 

Finally, a good writer combines characteristics with appearance to make memorable, interesting female characters, be it the curly-haired, witty, brilliant Hermione, or the toad-in-pink soft-voiced, wicked Dolores Umbridge.

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I am pleased to interview Courtney Cannon, the cover designer of my upcoming novel The Blue House in Bishop ​

Check out her work at her website. They provide many services for authors. 

What got you into book cover design? 

I have been doing graphic design on and off for 11 years. I started out small on my fansites for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Harry Potter. Then I started manipulating photos to make money on some freelance sites. Then last year, my friend Janae needed a cover made for her debut book, so I tried my hand at it and fell in love with book design and editing.

What other services do you provide?

Currently, I am providing the following services:

• Editing (copy and developmental)
• Beta reading
• Cover design
• Formatting
• Book trailers
• Promotional images and teasers
• 3-d mockups
• Likes on your author page
• FB event and rafflecopter setup
• WordPress design and set-up
• Promotional voice over
• Audio-book narration
I hope to soon offer newsletter services that you can run your free and discounted books in.
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What genre do you like to write?
I like to read and write fantasy and paranormal, but I also do love stories from time to time. Most of my writing focuses heavily on character development and how their decisions shape their relationships with others. I write a lot about friendship and sibling bonding.