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C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

Some Good News, Hat’s Off Corner with Angela Brown and AtoZChallenge!

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Some Good News

Yes, there is some. It doesn’t hit the headlines all the time, but it exists and it makes me hopeful that more will follow because of it. So here’s one bit of good news from Kentucky.
Raymond Burse, President Kentucky State University
The President of Kentucky State University took a pay cut of $90,000 (imagine that salary). That meant that all the minimum wage employees got a $3.00/hr. raise. 




Now on to the. . . 

Hat’s Off Corner

Here’s to Angela on her latest Evernight Teen book. Here’s her character having a bit of a chat with that hunk of a Vampire, Edward Cullen. Shiver me timbers. A vampire on my blog!


Beacon and Twilight

I want to thank C. Lee for making the magic happen. My name is Macie Breen. Angela Brown is the author who created me. I’m not sure what she was going through when she wrote Beacon. Are all authors so cruel?

Wait, will Angela see this? Because, if she can… I think you rock, lots and lots, Angela!! (Please don’t torture me so bad in the next book).

Anyway, C. Lee asked me here to have a chat with a character from one of the books I recently read from the banned books list. Hey, if The Colony wants to censor it, I HAVE to read it. I chose Twilight. Some of you know of this novel, maybe? Vampires that sparkle, werewolves that seem to always be shirtless, and a girl who is sought after by both a were and a vamp. I would not want to be her, all confused behind two guys. Give me Thane any day. 

Wait… there is Rig…
Yeah, let’s not go there. Oh, look, Edward Cullen just arrived.

*Macie stands up, offers her hand, but Edward quickly settles into the chair opposite her.*

Macie: Uh, okay.

*She drops her hand and sits back down.*

Macie: Nice to meet you, Edward.

*Edward sniffs the air a couple of times then dissolves into an even more pale state.*

Macie: I hope the lights are okay. C. Lee said she adjusted them so they are dim enough for you. 

Edward: The lights are fine.

Macie: Oh, good. So let’s get started. Now, I have to know, do you and Bella really – 

Edward: What are you?

*Macie’s mouth is left wide open by the sudden interruption but then she closes it.*

Macie: I’m a character in Angela’s novel, Beacon. It’s a YA urban fantasy dystopian. I think it’s pretty cool but I’m probably a little biased.

*Edward leans forward, eyes narrowed.*

Edward: C. Lee told me that. But she didn’t tell me what you are. 

Macie: I’m just a girl nobody likes. That’s all.

*Macie’s eyes widen.*

Edward: No. You’re not. And that’s a big problem.

*Macie visibly shivers*

Macie: Uh…why?

Edward:  Because I was also told that you liked Jasper so I brought him along to surprise you. One whiff of you and he will go berserk. Honestly…

*Edwards casts his eyes downward.*

Edward: I’m having a hard time holding my bloodlust back.

Macie: Uh…wait…what?

*Edward jumps to his feet, breathing hard.*

Edward: Seriously, what are you? You smell so… delicious.

*C. Lee enters the chat*
C. Lee: And that will be all for now folks. Edward, thank you for coming today. Macie, I suggest we find a different exit for you. And for anyone wanting to know what Macie is – which I better go find out myself – check out Beacon.


Enter to win a $75 Amazon or B/N GC by clicking and entering. Rafflecopter.

Be sure to stop by the OTHER TOUR HOSTS to increase your chances  of winning this great gift. 

My Quote for the Day: “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Thoreau

Any good news in your part of the world? Would you chat with a vampire? Are you entering to win Angela’s GC? Hope you’ve already entered the #AtoZChallenge. If not, sign up now!

AND. . . DON’T FORGET THE THEME REVEAL
MARCH 23

Self-Editing Tips and Hat’s Off to Angela Brown

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Self-editing Tips

I’ve read a lot of articles on the editing process. They have a lot in common, but each writer has his or her own system. Here’s mine. I usually work from the big picture (things like character consistency) down to the details (punctuation). I have a checklist, and this really helps me to focus on specific parts of my manuscript, one step at a time. 
I’m not an “organized” writer, but I am an organized editor. I try. 
Here’s my checklist:
Plot: engaging, complex enough, hits the ground running, starts in right place, keeps moving forward, logical, no coincidence that should not be there.
Character: MC clearly established at the beginning, MC wants or needs something immediately, markers for characters clear and consistent, not one-dimensional has good and bad qualities, makes reader care, motivations clear and right for the story
Setting: appropriate for the story, described sufficiently, but not too much 
Dialogue: advances the story, appropriate for the characters, increases conflict, always clear who’s talking
Scenes: there are various kinds of scenes, all further the plot or reveal more about characters  or build tension
Point of View: Consistent, the right choice for telling this story 
Pacing: Any scenes that drag and might need to be deleted, places dialogue could be changed to increase pace, heighten tension
Tone: Consistent for story, consistent with each character
Conflict: Sufficient to keep story interesting, does it increase throughout the story until the climax
Balance: Description, dialogue, narration, scenes and chapters. 
I don’t worry about getting everything during each editing session. Sometimes I make a note to go back to something later, then move on with the editing part I’m focused on during that session. 
Sometimes I stop and do that edit, even though I’m focusing on another aspect of the story. In other words, I’m flexible about moving around the story to fix things that come up while I’m in the process.

Suggestions

Stock up on survival supplies. Mine include nuts and water. No wine. I sometimes write with wine, but I never edit with it. 
Try for an uninterrupted time. I find that the more I can stick with the story during editing, the better I am at catching problems.
Don’t feel that you’re the only writer who has wanted to throw out their book at this point, but don’t do that. Take a break, then come back to the job when you’re a bit calmer.

Be prepared for several sessions with that manuscript. You’re going to have to edit it a few times. Be thankful when you’re down to those details of punctuation, grammar, word choice, and repeated or words or phrases. That means you’re almost finished. Relax.

Hat’s Off Corner

For seventeen-year-old Macie Breen, life in The Colony is a daily norm of being the odd girl out, that is, until everyday predictable slams to a screeching halt. Forced to the capital city of Bliss, Macie’s life becomes a horrific unraveling as she confronts daunting truths about The Colony as well as who, or what, she really is. 











Buy links: Evernight | Amazon
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6476148.Angela_Brown
Angela Brown in the Pursuit of Publishness blog: http://publishness.blogspot.com/
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Brown/e/B009JJEX60
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaLBrownWrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ALBrownwrites

Monday Miscellany With A Special Guest, Angela Brown

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In today’s Monday Miscellany I get to show off Angela Brown’s fabulous cover. 

Add this to your TBR list on Goodreads 

Here’s the short of it! 

Two teens…
Two lies…
Their paths collide when…
One bite changes a life.

Here’s the long of it! A series called . . .

NEO – Network of Extraordinaires and Otherworldlies:
Those who answer the call from NEO play their part in maintaining balance in our ever-changing times. With power-hungry malcontents, jealous gods, and even those with misguided good intentions, the fate of our world has oft been held in the hands of unsung heroes such as those that are members of NEO.

But before NEO, these heroes and heroines had lives, loves, issues and interests that didn’t involve saving mankind.

In Frailties of the Bond, it only takes one bite to change a life…

After a hiking trip gone wrong, sixteen-year-old Luca should have been dead. Since then, he’s drifted from one school day to the next, annoyed by the looks of suspicion. When a vampire attack claimed his mother and forced his first shift into animal form, Luca set out for Texas, vengeance bound, only to discover so much more when Aimee crossed his path.

Flesh-born of vampire parents sixteen years ago, Aimee shouldn’t exist. Magic, though, made dreams come true for an undead couple desperate for a child all their own. But this magic came with a price, a cost Aimee discovered after one forbidden bite.
Must read? Here’s your AMAZON link.

Some Miscellaneous Tid Bits Gleaned from Penny Sansevieri, Marketing Expert

  • Put your most important information in the top left corner of your website. Surfers look there first. After that their eyes will scan the center of your posts.
  • While Content is King, White Space is Queen. Give your readers eyes a break by breaking up your prose.
  • Myspace members don’t buy books as often as FB members.
  • Goodreads is the place to be if you’re an author.
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My quote for Monday.  “Writing is like sausage-making; you’ll all be happier in the end if you just eat the final product without knowing what’s gone into it.” Anonymous.