tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:18:55 +0000http://www.lisashearin.com/blog.cfmlisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)Blogger779125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-3928980956166366514Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:08:00 +00002010-03-13T10:18:55.193-05:00As promised, here is the complete plot synopsis for The Trouble With Demons. Scroll down to yesterday's post for all the details as to why I'm posting it -- basically, it's a teaching tool for those of you "pre-published authors" who will need to know what one looks like and how to write one. And as always, if you have any writing-related questions afterwards, please ask. That's what I'm here http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/plot-synopsis-for-trouble-with-demons.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-1331013852300051829Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:22:00 +00002010-03-12T08:12:17.383-05:00 Today is my synopsis for Armed & Magical. As someone asked yesterday, is there a set length that I synopsis should be. MLTF was 7 pages, A&M was 6, and TTWD weighed in at a whopping 12 pages. I made mine long enough to say what I needed to say. However. . .if an agent or editor asks for a certain length -- give it to them. But if they just ask for a synopsis without giving a length, do http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/plot-synopsis-for-armed-magical.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-5736964414239381723Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:13:00 +00002010-03-11T08:03:35.371-05:00I wrote the synopsis for Magic Lost, Trouble Found (then called Thief of Souls) in third-person but keeping the humorous/modern voice of the books. I wrote the book in first-person, but the synop in third because that's what the writing books said to do. I'm here and published, so it worked, but synops were a lot easier for me once I switched to Raine's POV. I determined what worked best for http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/plot-synopsis-for-magic-lost-trouble.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-7717188812960566414Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:50:00 +00002010-03-10T08:20:10.734-05:00For those of you ready to start submitting your work to agents, today is the start of kind of a mini book synopsis writing seminar. Today is what a synopsis is and isn't. Then tomorrow through Saturday, I'll post the synops that I wrote for Magic Lost Trouble Found, Armed & Magical, and The Trouble With Demons.For those of you who haven't read one of more of those books yet, avert your eyes -- http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/book-synopsis-what-it-is-and-what-it.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-3545779323290827982Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:28:00 +00002010-03-09T07:42:09.661-05:00I've approved the design on my new website -- and it looks fabulous! Webmaster Todd says it'll go live sometime this month.For those of you who subscribe to The Writer magazine (or get it at your local bookstore), the April issue is out and my column is on its usual place on page 10. This month's topic is "Know the signs of author burnout."And I have some REALLY big news that I can't share with http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/news-and-new-contest-for-arc.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-8891414782620004426Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:29:00 +00002010-03-08T08:16:45.485-05:00Before we get to today's Bewitched & Betrayed snippet, a little blog housekeeping business . . . works4me is the winner of their choice of one of Rob's first four Cal books! Just email me with the title of the book you want (either Nightlife, Moonshine, Madhouse, or Deathwish) along with your full name and mailing address and Rob will sign and personalize your copy and get it in the mail to http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/monday-snippet-and-tuesday-contest.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-6083213242659750985Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:06:00 +00002010-03-06T07:19:41.959-05:00Since I haven't heard from either one of the winners of Rob Thurman's books, I've randomly selected two new winners.van_pham is the winner of the signed and personalized copy of Roadkill! Email me with your full name and mailing address and Rob will get your prize in the mail to you.works4me is the winner of their choice of one of Rob's first four Cal books! Just email me with the title of the http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/since-i-havent-heard-from-either-one-of.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-6744379783580703928Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:47:00 +00002010-03-03T14:53:31.161-05:00I just found about this one, folks. Go over to Dear Author for a chance to win in the Ace/Roc Spring 2010 book preview. THREE ARCs of Bewitched & Betrayed are available for the winning TO WIN: Leave a comment listing the top two books you would want AND tell them your favorite Ace/Roc book. They are giving away: SHALADOR'S LADY / Anne Bishop -- 3 ARCsFIRST TRUTH / Dawn Cook -- 3 finished http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/contest-to-win-arcs-of-bewitched.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-8494827812245921211Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:37:00 +00002010-03-02T07:55:11.839-05:00Today's one of those days when I just don't have the energy for a blog. Yesterday, I had an 11-hour workday -- and that was just at my day job. As a result, I was too exhausted to work on Con & Conjure. Needless to say, I'm one more pooped author. In fact, since I have so much writing catching up to do, (and we're insanely busy at the office this week), I think I'll take this week off from http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/prizes-severely-pooped-author.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-5914473327436399733Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:45:00 +00002010-03-01T08:01:55.357-05:00Before today's Bewitched & Betrayed snippet -- the winner of the "Name Raine's 6th Book" contest. The winner is Katie Lovett with the absolutely priceless ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE. Excellent mirroring of "all hell breaks loose" which is EXACTLY what happens in Book 6. Katie, If you'll send me your mailing address, I'll send you a book goodie gift pack with postcards, magnets, and bookmarks from http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/03/monday-snippet-title-of-book-6.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-8935554689192985007Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:03:00 +00002010-02-27T08:47:59.354-05:00The winner of the signed & personalized copy of Rob Thurman's Roadkill is Ryanne (love your name)! And the winner of their choice of one of Rob's first four Cal Leandros novels is okbolover! Email me with your full names and addresses (and for okbolover which one of Rob's first four books that you'd like) and Rob will sign them and mail them to you. Thank you everyone for your participation http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/roadkill-winner-great-nyt-bestseller.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-5858749228702266705Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:30:00 +00002010-02-26T07:55:20.601-05:00Today, I'm featuring the latest, soon-to-be released Cal Leandros novel by Rob Thurman -- Roadkill. It hits bookstore shelves next Tuesday, March 2.If you post a comment in today's blog to be entered to win a signed and personalized copy of Roadkill. The winner will be randomly selected from the Comments section, and announced on my blog tomorrow.The WINNER of yesterday's contest -- I've http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/chapter-1-of-roadkill-plus-another.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-3806569451887220842Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:45:00 +00002010-02-25T09:56:30.161-05:00Let's do the contest details first: Post a comment in today's blog to be entered to win your choice of one of Rob Thurman's first four Cal Leandros books, signed & personalized by Rob. "I wanna win! or "I love Rob's books" or just comment on the snippets of Rob's first four books that I've posted below for your reading enjoyment. You can do the same on tomorrow's post to be entered to win a http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/rob-thurmans-cal-leandros-novels.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-6199818013830183519Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:29:00 +00002010-02-24T07:52:55.602-05:00I posted the following article a long time ago, and feel that it warrants repeating. I read it on the website of Diana Pharaoh Francis (fabulous fantasy author), and thought it was so vitally important, that I asked if I could post it here. A lot of people think that just because you get published that you'll be popular enough to keep your books on the shelves and keep getting book contracts. http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/how-to-help-your-favorite-authors.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-8918556518143159322Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:30:00 +00002010-02-23T07:40:56.373-05:00<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/special-team-mychael-birthday-snippet.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-9193502683186562806Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:39:00 +00002010-02-22T07:59:25.032-05:00And the winner of the Bewitched & Betrayed totebag in Friday's contest . . . Elfbiter! Congratulations, sweetie! Elfbiter's entries are all of the following: You know you're a writer if . . . The letters are getting faint on your keyboard.You are late to social functions because you had to jot a scene down.You dangle participles for fun.Your characters get more action than you do.When at the http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/contest-winner-and-monday-snippet.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-617770239443145760Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:16:00 +00002010-02-21T10:20:20.571-05:00I saw this today on Ilona Andrews' blog and it cracked me up. I had to share it. Enjoy!Old Spice commercial -- "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like"http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/sunday-morning-laugh-out-loud.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-6142744290079281493Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:09:00 +00002010-02-19T07:09:00.230-05:00For some Friday fun, and in homage to Jeff Foxworthy, I've come up with a writer's version of his classic "You might be a redneck if. . ." (All the ones I've written below apply to me. Scary, huh?) And for fun, let's keep adding to the list. Respond to the blog with your own "you might be a writer if. . ." And the one that makes me laugh out loud will win a totebag with the cover of Bewitched & http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/you-might-be-writer-if-contest.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-2988673976729005251Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:30:00 +00002010-02-18T07:34:14.665-05:00I'll admit it -- I have a soft spot for devious, gray area characters. The world isn't black and white (as much as some people try to tell themselves otherwise), and neither are we. Even the most evil person (or character) has some redeeming quality or at least some quality that is less than pitch black, or has a justifiable reason (even if it only exists in their own mind) for what they do. And http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/why-i-love-gray-characters.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-497831946979376256Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:45:00 +00002010-02-17T06:54:39.224-05:00As most of you know who are regular readers of my blog, my husband and I are the proud owners (though a more accurate description would be Dog Mom & Dad) of retired racing greyhounds. As any greyhound parent will tell you, these are the most wonderful dogs. People who are not familiar with the breed think that they're hyper, excitable, require a LOT of exercise, and run constantly. They like a http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/greyhounds-45-mph-couch-potatoes.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-6904085500406338621Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:33:00 +00002010-02-16T07:41:44.364-05:00Okay, I've selected a winner for the "Name Raine's Book 6" contest. However, "the powers that be" at my publisher have to give a green light to the title first. As soon as I have their okey-dokey, I'll announce it here. Hopefully this will be in the next day or so.The economy is starting to bounce back, but book sales are still suffering. In an effort to help out my author buddies -- and to help http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/contest-results-cool-posts-new-contest.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-2349686921648737173Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:17:00 +00002010-02-15T07:51:35.139-05:00Okay, for all you ladies who are on the verge of forming a third team -- Team Vegard -- this snippet's for you. When I was dressed and armed to my satisfaction, I went to the door and tried the knob. Surprisingly it was unlocked. I opened the door. Not surprisingly, the space on the other side was filled with a big, blond, overprotective Guardian."Afternoon, Vegard."My bodyguard nodded once. http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/bewitched-betrayed-snippet-with-raine.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-362174187461831736Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:18:00 +00002010-02-13T10:24:00.125-05:00For those of you who are curious how a writer with a full-time job spends the time between when they leave the day job and start their evening writing, the following is pretty much how it goes for me:Drive home from the office Potty dogs Feed dogs Potty dogs again Give antibiotic to girl greyhound Give cookies for all dogs because greyhound took her pill nicely Feed cat Feed humans Do two loads http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/evening-in-life-of-writer.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-7585640098723077764Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:31:00 +00002010-02-12T07:48:14.354-05:00My agent, Kristin Nelson, sent this to her authors yesterday. It's a short article by Chuck Thompson on an author's six rules for better readings. I thought it was great (and I picked up a few good ideas for my next signing), so I thought I would share it with those of you who are "pre-published" and thinking about your own future signings. ; )On Monday, the Bewitched & Betrayed blurb will http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/authors-six-rules-for-better-readings.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941554619662322102.post-2284593839148862680Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:35:00 +00002010-02-11T07:50:25.590-05:00Shiloh & Janice, the owners of All Booked Up, a bookstore in historic downtown Apex, NC, will be hosting a Launch Party for Bewitched & Betrayed on Saturday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m.Come and join us for an afternoon of fun. Wine, cheesecake, coffee, tea and more will be served. (Did I mention cheesecake?) There will be signed goodies for the taking from all of my books, Q&A, chatting, book signing, http://www.lisashearin.com/2010/02/launch-party-for-bewitched-betrayed.htmllisa@lisashearin.com (Lisa Shearin)3