Filter words, yet another way to be a better writer

Before a beta reader flaked on me she actually did give me something to be aware of. Filter words, I had no idea what in the world she was talking about. I went hunting to find out what in the world a filter word is. 

A filter word is something that goes between an action and the reader. 

Some Examples:

(with filter phrase) I see the bee dance around the flower. 
(without filter phrase) The bee dances around the flower. 

(with filter phrase) I feel angry. 
(without filter phrase) I am angry. 

(with filter phrase) I hear a cry from the next room. The baby has woken up. 
(without filter phrase) A cry from the next room alerts me the baby has woken up.

As you can see although there isn't a huge difference, it makes the impact is there. One seems a bit rough, the other more refined. 

To help you out here are some filter words to be aware of: 

to see

to hear

to think

to decide 

to watch

can

to decide

sound like 

to notice

to be able to 

to realize

to wonder

to touch

to seem 

Just another something to watch out for when you are editing. 

Happy writing!

Twitter tips

Tips and etiquette that if you follow just might help on Twitter

I'm wasting time on Reddit/Self-publish and for what has to be the tenth time I see someone ask what's the deal with Twitter. It didn't work for them, should they keep trying, do they really need it? Every single time I know all the ways they have dropped a pretty important ball. So I'm just going to say, yes-Twitter is important and it's FREE and learn how to use it. 

1. DO NOT tweet your book over and over on the hour every hour. If I have shrugged and followed you, I will unfollow you. A few (2-3)times a day, MAX. 

 2. Retweet other people for fucks sake. This is not that hard, and don't tweet them musing on the peanut butter sandwich they're making. If they are posting a giveaway or something about their book retweet that, think of it this way, would you rather have someone retweet you bitching about traffic or the one of two times you'll tweet about your book today? It's so fucking not rocket science. 

3. Sure, tweet about traffic or your musings on Kim K.-if you must- but try and keep it as professional as you would say at work. It's okay if you joke with a coworker about the Biebs but you don't share every little thought-unless it's so damned witty you just can't help yourself, fine. Be your authentic self but there's ways you can do that without letting it all hang out. And as this about attracting and connecting with readers, really all of the noise in your head doesn't need to be shared with one and all on Twitter.

4. Say thank you for the retweet, it's polite but if you ever want me to retweet you again-return the favor and don't tweet me bitching about my hair. Again, you know which tweet you want others to read, if I tweeted your promo check me out and retweet my book or promo. It'll take you three minutes tops and I just might tweet you again. 

5. This a slippery thing for me and I admit I feel bad that I don't. People out there thank their followers but I don't because I have had to unfollow so many people that I don't auto follow back and it seems more rude to thank someone for following when I know I'm not going to follow them. If you are another erotica or romance writer then sure, I'll usually follow. If it's a blogger or someone who's bio says they like to read then I'll follow. But I'm not following the book quote peoples-my feed is full enough so I'm not going to follow. Also, those people who never ever retweet and are only following me because I retweet-nope not following you or tweeting your ass, it's called karma. 

6. Follow the writers in your genre, if you're writing science fiction do not follow and retweet erotica authors, this is the oddest thing I've seen happen. This might explain why no one is paying attention to your tweets. 

7. Follow bloggers, this will help you see what other writers in your genre are doing and what does and doesn't appeal to you. Tweet them as well, if there comes a time when you would like to ask them to host a spotlight or giveaway this will go a long way. 

8. Think of Twitter as a big party, if all you do is talk to about yourself and don't let others be heard your circle will grow smaller and smaller. If you're off in the corner not talking to anyone or even trying then you're not going to have a good time. 

Why I am not following or retweeting you back on Twitter

Interesting how I went batshit crazy while writing and editing for a week and barely opened Twitter only to find I'd gained several new followers. Because I know how important Twitter is and an important tool I did still do my best to retweet people who were kind of enough to retweet me because that's what I do. If a fellow writer retweets me I will retweet them (BTW pinned posts are great if you want people to retweet you easily) any way I do this because it's the right thing to do HOWEVER if I don't here's why.

Yes I tag my stuff EARTG for erotica which yes basically porn for most people, lots of shorts and reading one handed. Yet for me my writing is erotic romance, for me I have to be able to take away all the sex scenes and there still has to be a solid, heartfelt story or I don't write. That's the difference that I seem to be having a problem with on some people who follow or retweet me. I get it, it's hard and you want to do something to set yourself apart from others and do what you can to catch people's attention. But if you are tweeting pictures where tits and underbits are hanging out then no, I will not retweet you. If you are tweeting your cover or pictures with writing that talk about a pussy or cock or fucking then no I will not retweet you. There's a difference between sex and sexy and that line isn't the same for everyone, for me I don't think it's that hard to tell. But hey that's just me.

If you only tweet about yourself or your books or quotes then NO I will not follow you back because all you want is for me to retweet your stuff without you returning the favor. This isn't rocket science, it's pretty basic if you want followers and you want people to tweet you then tweet them back and if someone has been kind enough to tweet you and follow you then return the favor. 

Bring your characters to life

Are you worried you can't really see your characters? Worried they seem a bit like card board cut outs?

Some tips to add depth. 

1.) Create a bio on each character who appears in more than twenty five percent of your story. 

2.) Answer 20 questions on each character. Small things like favorite color, favorite flower, to bigger things like favorite memory, favorite food, do they have a favorite sports team?

3.) Write a short story on an event/something that happened in your character's past. At least 500 words no longer than 3,000

4.) Write a in one day of the character before the story starts, have them move around do grocery shopping, walk their dog, feed their cat, interact with their BFF, their mother, etc. Again, at least 500 words no more than 3,000

5.) Have another character in the story describe them, from that character's point of view. 

6.) Three flaws and three awesome characteristics, cusses too much, quick to anger, snaps their gum when they chew, is very unorganized, is a neat freak, is a gossip. Do they see their flaws? Do they want to change their flaws? Is super smart but not an asshole about it, has a way with animals, has a way with kids, is an idiot whisperer, always cheerful but not in a pollyanna way, can function without coffee, great cook. Do they see how awesome they are or are they humble like that? 

7.)  Give them a playlist, songs they would listen to while they work, workout, read, plays in the background of their life. 

His on Demand

Kindle

iBooks

Kobo

Nook

Smashwords

Blurb

To make my dream come true, I’ll do anything, even put up with an asshole like Leandros Kaplan. Four years, five tops and I’ll have enough money saved to fulfill my dreams of writing full time. I know lying to him to get the job is crazy and stupid. It’s as crazy and stupid as the requirement for his new assistant to be married. I’m not married, and I’m not like his past assistants, the ones who dropped sexual innuendo daily and then would hand him their underwear when he asked for reports. I’m a freaking virgin at thirty-one.
I swear I never thought I would fall for him, it doesn’t matter that he’s a gorgeous Greek god billionaire, he’s also a jerk who takes pride in being ruthless and cold-blooded. He’s so out of my league we don’t even play the same game. He’s into dating double zero models. There’s no way he would ever be interested in a plus size like me.
When he finds out I lied I’m not surprised he wants his pound of flesh, I’m surprised he wants it in the form of my flesh, naked for him. The retribution he demands is me, whenever, however, he wants my body. I’ll give it to him, everything he demands. He doesn’t want my heart or tears, only I can’t stop giving him both, and it’s slowly tearing me apart. Can he ever forgive me for lying or will that one lie be the end of us?

3/24 New Blurb:

“Tell me why you want to work for me.”

          Blue eyes blink fast, her hands tighten in her lap, her lips thin then the ice is back. “It’s a tie between the salary and the opportunity of working for you.”

          Her voice is cool, even. Her composure in the face of my own inner unrest infuriates me, “Explain yourself.”

          Alexandra Clark is looking through me, no one has looked through me since Agatha. It incites violence within me. “I would be lying if I didn’t say the money mattered. With the money I’ll be making, things I didn’t think were possible will be.

“Then there’s working with you. Despite what movies and books want to make out, becoming a billionaire isn’t something that just happens. Thousands of people work hard and never make it. There’s an extra something that takes a person from million to billion that can’t be taught. There are people who would pay to be where I will be, but it’s me who will be paid, and very well.”

          Now, I am on an even keel. This is what I am used to, my money being the draw. It is refreshing to have a person admit money is what brings them to me. For ninety-nine-point-nine percent of people I meet, women and men, my appeal is my money. Only they want to pretend it’s something else. Begrudgingly, I give Alexa Clark another point, in addition to all the others. “You will earn your money. I do not keep banker’s hours, as you can see. While I will not expect you to work as many hours as I do you will be expected to be available to me every day of the week, to pick up when I call whatever you may be doing. Is that something you are prepared for? To work for what you want? What are you working for, Ms. Clark? What are your plans for your future?”

          I am pleased the question throws her. The ice melts for a moment. “I’m aware I’ll need to be available, and I’m willing to be.” A pause of hesitation. “I want to be able to write full time before I retire. That’s my plan for the future, working for you will make it possible. I’ve completed three novels to date, with my fourth releasing in a few months. My plan is after five years at this salary. I’ll be able to live off what I’ve saved while I write full time.”

          I am intrigued by her honesty. “What have you written?”

          “Historical fiction, set in Renaissance Italy.”

          Interesting, I wonder if I have read her before. I enjoy reading for relaxation although I do not read as often as I would like. “I can understand someone wanting to work with me if they were looking to start their own company, or work for themselves. You write about Renaissance Italy what do you hope to learn working for me?”

          “My main characters are various members of the Medici family. The Prince was written then, and it’s still as relevant now as it was then.”

          The tart reply earns her a smile, I have no control over. Her blue eyes glow in return. “You believe I would make a good character study?”

           Her head tilts ever so slightly, “I believe I’ll never find anyone better to observe. I’ve never been able to pin down Cosimo’s ambitious plans where he was always several steps ahead of everyone else. I’d like to see it in action.”

          “I do believe there is a whole chapter on avoiding flatterers.”

          “There’s flattery, and there’s fact. You’re the one who must recognize one from the other. Because of course you’ve read The Prince. Did you highlight it as well?” She responds with a quirk of those soft, plump lips. 

Excerpt:

Walking Elizabeth Ward to the elevator, I am satisfied by her happiness and effusive thanks. Dmitri owes me twenty dollars, I managed not only to hire her. I turned her from an angry shrew into a purring contented kitten.

          “She was pretty.” The words are spoken the moment the elevator closes and in Italian. I have to be wrong about the jealousy I detect. Yet when I turn it is clear on her face. Her blue eyes are a storm of emotion. “You got what you wanted. You really liked her.”

          I am drawn to Alexa, I cannot look away from her. From seeing her every emotion and desire on her beautiful face to the brilliant blue of her eyes. I hear her breath catch as she leans back in the chair behind her desk. My hands go flat on her desk to keep from reaching for her.

          I respond in English, there can be no chance of misunderstanding. “She is very pretty.” Alexa’s face tightens then her eyes fall from mine. “I did get what I wanted, I always get what I want. I got the best person for the job. That she happens to be a very pretty woman as well means nothing to me. She is now an employee, and I do not fuck employees. Ever.” Alexa inhales as sapphire blue eyes catch and hold mine and my cock screams for her. “That is all I do. I fuck, Ms. Clark. No emotions, just pleasure. Long hours, of complete and utter pleasure is all I want from a woman. Only it is not enough for many women, they get greedy for more than hours, they want days, weeks, months and several even want forever. All I want are the hours.”

          Her eyes are glittering sapphires, I want to see her naked in sapphires, a rope of them at her neck, in her ears, between her breasts. A long shuddering breath comes out of her, and I watch in painful fascination as her breasts sway. The ringing phone snaps me out of the thick haze of desire. It reminds me where I am, and who I’m talking to, at work to my employee, my married employee. Damn her for making me forget.

New Release Giveaway

Reader Giveaway

Winners: 
Just listing readers as some of the info from the rafflecopter seemed personal, bloggers are used to that which is the only reason why I shared their info. 

$20.00 Amazon gift card winner: Kelli S. 
$5.00 Amazon gift card winner: Julie E. 
$5.00 Amazon gift card winner: Gabby V. 

Winners have been notified. Thanks to everyone who participated!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blogger Only Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway