Minding Spot: 2011-05-29

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Guest Post: Top iPhone Apps that Can Help with Writer's Block

No matter if you are an awarding winning writer, journalist or blogger, chances are you've dealt with the all too familiar, and highly dreaded, writer's block. While gathering inspiration from nature, friends and other forms of artwork and writing can help you remove the unwanted road blockage, your muse might very well reside within your trusty iPhone. To learn the top 5 apps that are designed to get those creative juices flowing for writers, continue reading below.

1. Storyteller. This fun app, which is more suited for fiction writers, is the perfect tool to get rid of that pesky writer's block, or at least get you thinking outside of the box. This is how it works: the app randomly generates suggestions by pulling from a pool of more than a thousand possible plots, settings, characters and themes. You create a unique story every time. You can then pick and choose which ideas you like—just make sure you write the combinations down on a piece of paper, you can't save the generated sequences. Price: $1.99

2. INSPIRIO. Similar to Storyteller, INSPIRIO is also an idea generator. It works a little differently, however. Instead of formulating the preliminary concepts of a story, it has to do more with word play: it randomizes a list of adjectives, adverbs, nouns, and verbs in a unique way. You then decide what you want to do with the words. They might inspire you to come up with an idea or help you find that perfect word you've been looking to describe your main character. But it also has a special "daydream machine" and "scenario" feature that is designed to get you thinking of possible plots and characters. Price: $2.99
3. Writer's Block Buster. Like the name suggests, this app is not only made to help writer's figure out what is killing their creativity, but it also serves as an organizational tool and helps with writing mechanics, including punctuation and spelling. Price: $3.99

4. Nano Diary. Lastly, sometimes the best way to get rid of writer's block is just to write. About anything. Just write and write (no editing needed). But while probably only a small portion of this type of free writing will be useable, you won't be able to write anything down if you get inspiration while you're out and about and forget your notebook. Instead, you can turn to the device you'll most likely never forget, you phone, and use the Nano Diary app to document all of your ideas and thoughts. You can also use it as a real journal and document your day—there may be some valuable information in there that you can use in your next piece of writing. Price: 99 cents
Author Bio:

This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at online school about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Simple Steps Canning Guide Review

This canning guide will help you understand what processing does, how canning works and what equipment you really need. It will guide you through the topics found on the Simply Canning Website. Included area some 'Test Your Understanding” self graded quizzes. These will help you determine that you did indeed understand the section that you just read.

Once you understand the basics there are many questions and problems that you will successfully avoid.

Simple Steps also includes tips to make canning day successful.

• Tips for what to do before canning day. How to best prepare.
• How to make canning day go smoothly.
• Tips for canning marathons.
• How to know that your food is safely preserved.
• How to store your jars and food when you are done.

I grew up with the sound of PING! My grandma canned and so did my mom. They always had a garden and fruit trees and canned everything! End of the year harvest was no problem because they would just throw all of what was left into a big pot and make vegetable soup and then can that! The sound of Ping! is the sound of the jars sealing, a sound I associate with my childhood.

As I grew to adulthood, I shrugged off those ideals. Spending hours slaving over a hot stove or canner? For what purpose? I could buy what I needed without all of the work. But in the past few years, I've realized I want food for my family that is free of preservatives and sprays and harmful pesticides. I want to share with my daughter what my family let me learn. Of course I never got to do the canning but I sure peeled and prepped alot of vegetables!

Simply Canning takes the hassle out of canning and makes it easy. The difference between different acidic foods when you can is discussed as well as the difference between a warm water bath and actually using a canner. Sharon also lays it out in easy to understand terms about the equipment you need to safely can.

If you're looking for a good way to utilize your produce later or want to eat healthier, give canning a try. It really is a lost art and Sharon makes it so easy to understand and follow in this canning guide, Simply Canning, which is also available in a six week course.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Strong at the Break by Jon Land

Strong at the Break is the third Caitlin Strong novel in the series. However, this is the first book from this author I have read. I really didn't think I was missing too much though and it read fine as a stand alone book.

The story opens with some backstory of a young Caitlin and her father, a Texas Ranger, supposedly about to go fishing but instead staking out a place. Maxwell Arno has been doing some pretty bad things in the church, and Caitlin's father Jim is there to arrest him. The problem arises though when Maxwell doesn't want to be arrested and a shoot-out transpires with Max dying in his son Malcolm's arms.

Years later, Texas Ranger Caitlin Strong finds herself in several operations that lead her from Canada, to Mexico and as far as Iraq. But the person holding the helm is Malcolm Arno, who took his father's evil place and made it ten times worse. There's a showdown about to go on and it's between Caitlin and Malcolm.

Political unrest, drug trafficking, child slavery and more are key notes in this page-turning thriller! Caitlin is a fierce heroine with her grandpa's Colt and her dogged determination. Action-packed, strong and versatile characters, a strong plot and sensible, yet excitingwriting, Strong at the Break is a great thriller!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Really Good Editing

Author? Writer? Aspiring writer?

As of this month, Harrison is launching a new enterprise called Really Good Editing. Really Good Editing is a freelance editing business.He plans to utilize some of his time working one on one with writers, ideally providing extremely in-depth developmental editing for mostly works of fiction. Harrison is currently with Bancroft and for the record, they have amazing books!
I think every would-be author needs a serious edit, and I'm hoping Really Good Editing comes to represent that for a great many people.

Harrison could be a great help in the writing community - so spread the word if you can :)

He also has a new facebook page!
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Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield

Cassandra 'Cass' Dollar lost her daughter Ruthie because she couldn't care for her properly. She was an alcoholic who sank into depression, bringing strange men home. Losing Ruthie seemed to wake Cass up and she joined AA as well as got a job at a local gas station. She was determined to get her daughter back.

When a government experiment goes wrong, the world changes. A blue leafed plant, when ingested, caused many people to acquire a fever and then turn into a Beater- a flesh-eater. Cass waits until the Beaters are out of control and she knows she will be able to get Ruthie back without a quarrel. She does and takes her to a safe shelter. But one day later, the Beaters attack, and Cass is taken by the Beaters, even though Ruthie is saved.

Cass wakes up and doesn't realize where she is or what happened. Her body is filthy and her skin is missing in patches. She, who had been a Beater, has returned. She has another chance. But coming back from the disease is unheard of. Cass finds help with an outlaw called Smoke. He says he believes her, that she is not a zombie now and that she is not infected. He will go with her to find and retrieve Ruthie.

Their journey takes them to the Rebuilders, those that use heavy artillery to see civilization restored to their liking. It takes them to the Convent, a place that only females are allowed. It takes them to face death and back again. It this desolate world Sophie Littlefield has built, there is death, life, love, compassion and abuse. Well written and thought-provoking, this is a zombie dystopian novel like no other.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Witches of East End Winner!

Thanks to the sponsor for this super giveaway! Winner has 48 hours to respond to winning email or a new winner will be selected via randomizer.org. Prize shipped direct from sponsor.

Leila @ Within Pages - CONFIRMED*

Congratulations!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Wonder Girl: The Magnificent Sporting Life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias by Don Van Natta Giveaway

This is the extraordinary story of a nearly forgotten American superstar athlete.

Texas girl Babe Didrikson never tried a sport too tough and never met a hurdle too high. Despite attempts to keep women from competing, Babe achieved All-American status in basketball and won gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Olympics.

Then Babe attempted to conquer golf.

One of the founders of the LPGA, Babe won more consecutive tournaments than any golfer in history. At the height of her fame, she was diagnosed with cancer. Babe would then take her most daring step of all: go public and try to win again with the hope of inspiring the world.

A rollicking saga, stretching across the first half of the 20th century, WONDER GIRL is as fresh, heartfelt, and graceful as Babe herself.

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to Hatchette Books, I have two copies to giveaway!

MANDATORY ENTRY

Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Girl Who Disappeared Twice by Andrea Kane - Review/Author Interview & Giveaway!

Family court judge Hope Willis is frantic when she receives a call asking if she picked up her daughter Krissy from school. She and her husband Edward and their nanny Ashley cannot locate her anywhere. It brings back too many bad memories for Hope, as her twin sister was kidnapped when they were six and Felicity was never found.

The first twenty-four hours are critical in kidnapping cases and Hope is wasting no time calling in the big guns. Sure, the local police and the FBI are called in but she also immediately hires Forensic Instincts, a private firm of investigators with a high success rate. Casey Woods is the owner and a renowned behaviorist. Rounding out her team is Adam, a former navy Seal, Ryan the techno-geek and she really wants to hire Claire, a clairvoyant.

The team just closed a high profile case and they are all tired, but immediately get to work on Krissy's abduction. The Forensic team can bend the rules a bit to gather leads and other information that the others can't. Casey's boyfriend Hutch brings her a gift of a bloodhound, Hero, which is a welcome addition to the team.

The investigation veers into different directions as the Willis family's secrets are delved into leading into mob connections. An old investigator, Parker, who led the team for Felicity's abduction thirty years ago, appears convinced the two kidnappings are related. He tries valiantly to find that link. But as they all keep digging into different directions that may or may not be connected, the time table on finding Krissy diminishes.

The Girl Who Disappeared Twice is a great thriller. Casey Woods appears to be the main protagonist in this novel but I just couldn't find a connection with her. She was too know-it-all and didn't have a lot of compromise in her character unless it worked out to her benefit. It would have helped to have more background on her character to understand her better. The plot was tight and although I figured out who the kidnapper was half way through the book, I wanted to know why and also to see how the characters would come to the same conclusion. A gripping, thrilling drama with fantastic writing and a handful of diverse characters that I would love to see in another thriller.

Describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.

Forensic Instincts, a maverick investigative team, works with—and sometimes behind the back of—the FBI to solve a bizarre kidnapping case. (Okay, that’s 22 words—but it’s close! J)

What inspired you to write THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED TWICE?

A “what-if” idea (I can’t reveal what, because it would ruin the book!) and a longstanding desire to write a thriller with a team of protagonists. Enter Forensic Instincts.

Where do you do most of your writing?

I have a home office, but it’s far away from distractions and from the refrigerator!

What is your favorite book?

I’ve been reading since I was 3, so I couldn’t begin to select one book I love most! As for my own books, whichever book I’m writing at the time is always the one I love most and hate most. I’m inside the characters’ heads and the storyline, so I feel profoundly connected. On the flip side, I see all the flaws—and then some!

Which part of THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED TWICE was the most enjoyable to write?
Without a doubt, the Forensic Instincts team. I loved creating them, developing them, and watching them interact with each other while working like demons to find a five-year-old kidnapped little girl.

THANK YOU ANDREA!

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy to giveaway to a lucky reader!!

*All entries must be submitted in a separate comment, along with email*

MANDATORY ENTRY

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Splash Into Summer Winner

So happy it's summer! Winner has 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner wil be selected via randomizer.org. Thanks to Laura Macy for sponsoring this contest! If you haven't checked out her book yet, Project Reunion: It's All About Me - definitely add it to your summer list! It's great!!

dollycas - CONFIRMED*

Congratulations!!

The Inch Principle by John T. Condry & Paul E. Carpenter

ABOUT THE BOOK

You'd walk a mile for a MILLION DOLLARS - would you move an Inch? Each year, John Condry and Paul Carpenter teach thousands of people to manage, motivate, and communicate more effectively. Their unique message is that managers need to let go of past experiences and stop hoping for a better future. Instead leaders feel the power of focusing their energies on today! The Inch Principle compresses these principals into the 21 Million Dollar Inches of Management. Together these 21 inches will increase your ability to confront any management challenge with confidence. If you want to achieve anything big, challenging, magnificent, or unprecedented apply the 21 Million Dollar Inches of Management. The Inch Principle contains over 180 pages of management gems that produce maximum results.

MY THOUGHTS

This book breaks down the business of management and gives you solutions. You'll find it fascinating that instead of looking at the broad picture, you take it by the inch. They take the type of leader ability you have and break it down, about who you are and what you do, and then give you solutions to help you with different fundamentals and apply them to yourself and your own business.

The things that you think are right in business, you may find wrong. For example meetings and red zones. The exact science in how he breaks it down will astound you. There is a clear function in almost anything you have problems with ; blue collar, white collar, or management. It is utterly fascinating and in depth. A must read book!

Interview with author Amanda Alvarez of Hunting Human

I recently had the opportunity to interview author Amanda Alvarez! I recently reviewed her book, Hunting Human and gave it rave reviews!

Q: What inspired you to write Hunting Human?

A: Inspiration came from a lot of places and at a lot of different times. The initial idea was born of boredom in the back of my constitutional law class. The idea just kept unfolding over the years and when I finally sat down to write it I knew what I wanted the book to be. But the journey had a lot of ah-hah moments throughout the course of writing, editing and publishing.

Q. Are your characters based on anyone you know?

A: No. I find it difficult to write that way. If I base a character on someone I know then it’s hard for me to separate what they might do or think from what the character might do or think. There was one tiny exception – Angie, the owner of the coffee shop in my book was named after my paternal grandmother. But none of the characters are based on anyone I’ve ever met.
Q. If you could see Hunting Human on the big screen, who do you envision playing Beth, Braden and Marco?

A: Awesome question! And I have no idea. To be honest I think I’d be so incredibly overwhelmed to see the story on the big screen I just wouldn’t care. I will say that when I’m crafting characters I very rarely give much thought to how they look – I’m too consumed with who they are and how they act. I usually have to go back and add in physical details when critique partners point out that though they feel like they know the characters, they can’t “see” them.

Q. Is there anything about your characters that only you know? (Not depicted in the book)

A: Oh, geez. I’m sure there is. But not much comes to mind, especially regarding Braden and Beth. I tried to give readers a really good idea of who they were throughout the book. I do of course know a lot of things about the secondary characters… like what huge secret Chase is harboring, how and when Braden’s father told his mother he was a werewolf, and who Lucy is in love with… but I can’t share any of those!

Q: Are you working on another novel? If so, can you tell us anything about it?

A: Yep. I’m currently working on a romantic suspense novel that’s got strong paranormal elements. (I just love characters with abilities!) And I’m working on the next book in the Edwards Family Saga.

Thank you so much Amanda for dropping by today!!

About the Book:

For two years, Beth Williams has run from the past, and the beast that dwells inside her. She is haunted by memories of being kidnapped and the savage attack that killed her best friend. Now Beth finally thinks she's ready to move on...with Braden Edwards, a charming, irresistibly sexy man who tempts Beth to embrace the present.

But the past lurks closer than Beth realizes. Markko Bolvek, one of the werewolves who kidnapped her, has tracked her to Portland, Oregon, his pursuit fueled by a hunger for vengeance. Only Braden, a werewolf himself, senses the danger shadowing her steps. The Edwards and Bolveks have been enemies for centuries—and despite the instant connection he feels with Beth, Braden isn't sure which side of the war she's on.

With suspicion at odds with their attraction, Beth and Braden must learn to trust one another to stop Markko for good. Can Beth accept the wolf within—and love a man who embodies everything she fears?

About the Author:

Amanda was born and raised in Texas - and due to an unfortunate three year stint in Michigan - doesn't plan to ever live anywhere where flip-flops and sweatshirts don't constitute winter attire. Often audacious and adventurous, she tends to find herself in a slew of dangerous (and hilarious!) predicaments (law school and fighting raccoons in dumpsters) and thankfully has many friends ready to lend aid (while they laugh.) When not lawyering, writing, or thinking about going to the gym Amanda is often caught sampling local cupcake offerings and planning to someday co-open an evil bakery and sell dastardly desserts. She currently lives in Dallas, Texas with one regular-sized cat and one jumbo-sized cat, and can be seen writing in public places frequented by hot guys (strictly for research purposes, of course!) with her friends and fellow writers Killer Cupcake and Pantherista(names omitted to protect the not-so-innocent).

You can find her on: Facebook

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