…join the IWSG parade and meet a lot of writers/readers. Oh, and Phil also says that spring will be early this year.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
The awesome co-hosts for the March 6 posting of the IWSG are Beverly Stowe McClure, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard!
March 6 question – Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?
Today I’m answering the question over at the IWSG site and propping it up with one of those pithy quotes I like so much. Hope you’ll pop by. There’s so much happening this EARLY SPRING for all IWSGers. And speaking of things happening here are two new books!
Twelve-year-old Lindsey McKay’s biggest dream is to be a famous ballerina. But after moving to New York, she ends up at the Community Center with a teacher who’s a burly bear in tights.When she meets Madame Destinée, the teacher of a top dance school who offers her classes for free, Lindsey can’t believe her luck. In exchange, she must perform in the school’s exclusive midnight shows, ones sure to make her a star. But something’s not right…One by one, the other dancers disappear. Each time they do, a music box with a figurine just like the missing ballerina joins Madame Destinée’s growing collection. If Lindsey doesn’t discover the truth about the dance school, she might end up a tiny figurine herself.
There’s a GIVEAWAY, but it ends midnight EST, March 15th. Better sign up now. If you have questions, you can contact Tonja HERE
Jackson Stone is sick of ghosts. With his love life in shambles, he heads to Romania for a horror writers’ retreat, hoping it will be a break from the supernatural and breathing space from his relationship with medium Kate Carlsson.
But as his fellow writers begin disappearing or losing their minds, he realizes he needs Kate’s help.
When Jackson loses his own memory, Kate’s love is the only thing that can bring him back. But she’s falling for the man responsible for the evil in Romania. A man who claims to be her soul mate. Will this master of wraiths forever break Kate’s bond with Jackson?
Here’s some BIG news about #IWSG. We’re now in the top 50 blogs for writers at the UK Writers Hub.
This month my Email Connect gives a little history about a few of those pesky grammar rules that sometimes give us fits. Hope you’ll join me and receive your free story as a thank you.
The February WEP was another whooping success. Please congratulate the intrepid writers who entered and give those who won some kudos.
See you over at IWSG. What did you think about the UK Writers Hub news? Did you check out Tonja’s video? How about J.H. Moncrieff’s ghostly tale? Did you enter the WEP last month?
Oooh, that Music Boxes one sounds intriguing!
I think I most like writing from a conflicted characters’ point of view, whether they’re the hero or the villain. Not necessarily a gray character, but a character who’s dealing with a lot and is unsure of the path that they’re taking. I love exploring their motivations as I write, their reasons, as they go back and forth and debate with themselves and ultimately come to whatever conclusion they do, whether it’s a good one or a bad one. So, yeah, I don’t know if I really like writing from the hero or the villain’s perspective better, but I love it when I can explore the reasons behind either decision.
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbosityreviews.com
Are you ready for an early spring? I’m not, but I live in a place that typically stays warm.
Those books seem fantastic!
I am ready for spring and hoping we just got our last snow storm. Come on warmer weather!
Love seeing Tonja and her book here. I read Music Boxes and it is a great spooky read. 🙂
That’s great news about IWSG! Nice to see Tonja’s book featured here, too.
It’s a good read with spookiness that will keep the young reader on edge.
Lee, thank you so much for featuring my upcoming release on your blog. Your support and encouragement have always meant the world to me–you’re one of the kindest people I know.
This is why I always mention the IWSG in my novel acknowledgements. I really don’t know what I’d do without this group.
If you ever have time or the inclination to read FOG, just let me know, and I’ll send you an ARC. But no pressure at all!
Tonja’s book sounds SO spooky–I was surprised to discover it was middle-grade fiction. I still can’t wait to read it. Wishing her all the sales!
I’ll read FOG with pleasure. Just hope you can give me some time because so far I’m 10 books behind. You writers are turning out a lot of manuscripts these days!
Take all the time you need, my friend. It’s not going anywhere.
Forest of Ghosts sounds interesting, thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much, Mark. If you’d like a review copy, let me know.
jh (at) jhmoncrieff (dot) com.
A couple of great releases there.
I’m beginning to think that furry little jerk lied. It’s snowing again today!
We need to talk to him.
I think he needs to get out into the world more and experience the weather he’s predicting.
Those look like great books, both. And all the news! I need someone to put it all together in one post for me. Have a wonderful month, Lee.
It seems as if there’s a lot of news every month, doesn’t there?
Thanks for all you (and the other organizers) do for IWSG. I love the optional questions. They spark great ideas.
Glad to hear that, Diane. I like the question, too.
Thanks for a head’s up on those books. They both look great and I’ve already read some of Moncrieff’s earlier stories with those characters, so I’m pumped to see what comes next in this series.
You rock, Tamara! Thank you. x
Some great releases, congrats Tonja Drecker and J. H. Moncrief!
Congrats to JH & Tonja!
I’m off to check you out at IWSG…
I’m still waiting for some Spring weather, but I guess I’ll give that groundhog until March 21. LOL Ooh I don’t know that I’ve ever written from a villain’s point of view, or just the antagonist, but I want to! They’re fun to read.
-Lauren
Villains can be darned charming. Give it a try and let us know when you do,
Both of these new releases sound like great reads!
Heading over to IWSG.
I think Phil is a fibber.
Perfectly said.
So many books, and so little time these days. The only advantage to being stuck inside trying to keep up with my reading and writing is that the weather outside here in Michigan is horrible. I might as well try to get all my reading down now, before the weather gets better.
That’s a great idea. I’m always behind in my reading, and I often am glad for the dark, cloudy days when I can stay inside and just read.
Villains fascinate me too! I am more interested in the antag in a story now a days, processing what makes them tick, what makes them move the story along.
Lots of flaws in those bad guys, and that’s what makes them so compelling.
Highest of sales to them both! I am off to read your IWSG post. 🙂
That’s a great wish, Roland.
Great post at IWSG! I enjoyed the stage play Wicked – a fun take on a different point of view. Someone once said, all villians had mothers (even if said villian murdered her) so there’s always room for nuance in our characters. And so great that IWSG is getting the recognition it deserves.
Looking forward to JH’s latest book in her GhostWriter series. I’ve already read the first three.
Thanks for reading the #IWSG post and this one. Love those villains, no matter what they do. They fascinate me.
You’re the best, Lee. Thank you so much for your support!
I always knew you were awesome, but that just got doubly confirmed. 🙂
Music Boxes is an interesting story that kept me guessing what would happen next
Haven’t read the other book, but now I want to.
Very different books, but I love to read all kinds of stories. Guess you do, too.
JH sent me an arc of Forest of Ghosts. I already started reading it. The cover for Music Boxes is great. I also saw the trailer. Very good.
I look forward to your take on JH’s next book.
Both books sound awesome and are right up my alley.
I’ve read one; now I need to read the other. You guys need to slow down with the books. I can’t keep up.
Early spring?? Ha! It feels more like winter now than it did in January.
That rodent didn’t get it right this year.
I know there are people who want to wring the neck of that rodent, but we really haven’t had enough of winter here and the azaleas are now popping open!
Weather is capricious! We’re drenched and that is so rare in California that we just don’t know how to manage all this water.
I saw your great post on the IWSG site. Congrats to Tonja and J.H. on their books.
Glad you stopped in the IWSG site. I’m slowly making my rounds to see how others answered this month’s question, but got a sample in your comment.
Congrats to the authors with new books. Now I’m heading over to find out who you prefer to write about 🙂
Don’t you have a new book coming out? Seems I read that Gracie was back.
Yes! DON’T MESS WITH GRACIE launched this week. It’s the third book in The Amazing Gracie Trilogy.
OMG Lee!! I just read your story Tsantsa and that was gruesome! And so sad, and made me wonder what happened to Matt! Wow. That was powerful and very well written, of course.
Tsantsa happened when I was depressed! 🙂 I try not to be depressed too much. Thank you for reading it.
It really feels like spring is coming early (or at least, soon), but I know not to get my hopes up yet. It’s Canada. I’ve seen it snow in June.
Well, you’re really in a northern kind of place, so I’m not surprised. I’m finding that I’m growing to like cooler, wetter weather since we’re in such a high fire area.
Your story sounds intriguing. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
I had the honor of reading Music Boxes prior to publication. A good read. Congrats to Both writer’s and their new releases.
Phil did say an early spring, but right now we’re in a deep freeze. I wonder how early Phil was thinking…. ?
We need to round that guy up and grill him!
Hi Lee – sounds like Phil has his wires crossed! But excellent to see these two books … Musical Boxes would frighten me as a kid! Congratulations to all admins at IWSG – the Brits have done you proud … cheers Hilary
Those Brits have indeed done us proud, and we’re thrilled.
Congrats to JH and Tonja!!!
Congratulations to IWSG!!! Music Boxes sound spooky good as does Forest of Ghost. ooooOOOOOOooooo…
They do both have a spook factor.
Congratulations for the award! I do love the IWSG. It keeps me in touch with blogging, and with lots of authors I admire and read. The two books here sounds super creepy! Been seeing Tonja’s everywhere!
I think DLP and Tonja have done a great job with their promo. And I love #IWSG for that reason, too.
Congrats to JH & Tonja – both books sound terrific!
The huge mounds of snow in my yard don’t appear to be listening to any of the groundhogs… 🙂
I think Phil may have missed the mark this year.
A horror writer’s retreat as an escape from the supernatural… That’s a great set up for a book.
Woot on the releases! That’s exciting, along with the award ranking!
It was great to see that award come our way!
Thanks for the shout-out! Phil missed the mark for us again. Poor, Phil. Loved your post over on IWSG!
Hi Tonja,
Happy launch month. I’m sending vitamins along with good wishes.
Thank you for promoting Music Boxes.
Phil might’ve said an early spring but we have been really cold here.
Enjoy showing off new books. Glad to do it. Sorry about Phil. We need to talk to him.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
It’s wonderful to see you again, dear friend!
If cleverly constructed, I enjoy a story told from the perspective of the antagonist. It expands the mind and reminds us there is more than one point of view on every issue and circumstance.
Coming from a background in television production, I think promotional teaser videos like Tonja’s are valuable tools for generating interest in new books.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
Visual enticements do pull people’s attention in. Thanks, Shady.
Some great new books this month!
They just keep a’comin’, don’t they?