New Book Review for "Eleven"

I just finished reading "Eleven" By Carolyn Arnold last night and am here to share my review.
I am new to this thing called "review" And also new to reading books by authors other than Stephen King!

So here goes,
The first few pages didn't grab me quite like I had hoped, but I pushed on and once I was past the first few pages, Carolyn pulled me in and hooked me through to the end. I am a big fan of the crime shows on TV, but normally don't read that genre. Carolyn really did a great job on writing her story, forming the plot and gave it a great ending. There were some great descriptions and yet she left enough to the reader's imagination. The only complaint I really have, and this is just my personal opinion, was that I would have liked to see a little less of the descriptions and a little more dialogue between the characters. I would have liked to see the character's personalities emerge though their dialogue more than through their actions.

But overall I give "Eleven" a 5 star review.
And if it's ever made into a movie, Tommy Lee Jones has got to play Jack! Or my second choice would be Billy Bob Thorton! He was my favorite character in the story. You did a great job creating him!

If you would like to read "Eleven" By Carolyn Arnold you can find it here
http://www.amazon.com/Eleven-Carolyn-Arnold/dp/146643936X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1325613920&sr=8-6

You can find Carolyn on facebook https://www.facebook.com/carolynannarnold
And follow her on twitter Carolyn_Arnold
And don't forget to check out her site
http://sassy3421.blogspot.com/2011/12/tuck-and-roll-writers-highway-part.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CarolynArnold+%28Carolyn+Arnold+-+A+Writer%27s+Journey%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail

Love to Read!

Good Morning and Happy New Year! I was supposed to have posted this blog post 3 days ago, but... And it was supposed to be about New Year Resolutions and Goals, but...So I thought I'd combine them into one post today.
First, I don't make resolutions. To me they are like "Promises" and "Rules"
"Never make a promise you can't keep."
                  And
"Rules were made to be broken"
So no resolutions here! For me they are just a way to set myself up for failure. But I want to share some other blogger's posts with you this morning on their resolutions and goals.

http://nepheletempest.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/as-the-year-fades-to-memory/
http://www.rachellegardner.com/2011/12/goals-resolutions-words/
http://www.ericaluckedean.com/the-daily-blog/2012/1/2/theres-nothing-like-a-good-book.html?lastPage=true#comment16431943


http://clairejdeboer.com/2012/01/the-difference-between-a-new-years-resolution-and-a-goal

But wait! I do have some goals for 2012!

1. I want to read more books by new authors. I'm a big Stephen King fan, but since I started writing in 2011, I decided to start reading books by new authors and giving them support. (And I'm doing good so far. I have read two books since Christmas by new authors. Richard C Hale and Carolyn Arnold.)
2. To get better at writing reviews. I tend to be short and to the point!
3. To improve my query writing. Here I also tend to be short and to the point. 
4. To keep learning new things.
5. Finish writing the middle two books for my series, "Chris' Journey Turning Different Corners"
6. And last, but not least, to reconnect with family and friends that I seem to have been neglecting since I started writing. I've heard being a writer is a lonely life and boy they weren't kidding!

And this is my tarot card this morning. Sounds good to me!

"The Knight of Pentacles card suggests that my power today lies in practicality. I plan ahead and consider my options to set priorities or define goals that serve my long-term purpose. My values lay in the potential that often remains unseen by others. I am cautious, steady, optimistic and reliable and have earned the new trust or position that empowers me. My asset is accepting responsibility."

So I wish each and everyone of you, "An awesome new year, filled with success for all your resolutions and goals!"

Do You Doubt Your Work?

This is my horoscope this morning... Cold Feet? Me? Yes, actually I do have doubts this morning.

I have been reading little excerpts from other writer and author's books. And for me that's a No-No.
The reason is, I tell myself, is I don't want to be influenced by other's writing while writing my current book.
But over the last few days I have stumbled upon little bits and pieces here and there on blogs that I follow.
The problem is I find myself saying, "That's awesome. That's great!" And because I might be in a slump on my own writing at the moment I say to myself, "Why would anyone want to read what I write?"
Then I go back to my current work and start reading through it again, and tell myself, "It's not so bad. :-)

Do you have doubts as you are plotting out that perfect book? Do you get cold feet?
What do you do to get your feet warmed back up?

Energy
			Jupiter Trine Pluto
			November 19, 2011 to December 17, 2011
			Don't wait a second longer than you absolutely have to. You have the power in your eager little paws. Don't get a case of cold feet now!

Stumbling Block

Good morning and Happy Monday everyone!

   Today I want to talk about "Stumbling Blocks", Not "Writer's Block", per say, just stumbling ones. Have you ever been so engrossed in a book, and just finished reading a great chapter and are anticipating the next one, when all of a sudden the writer seems to have stumbled through that chapter? Yes the chapter needs to be there to carry on the story and yet it just goes flat....There is a favorite song of mine where the guitar riff is going great and then the guitarist throws in this one note and it gives me the impression that his hand slipped. It's like, "Okay, where did that come from?"

  This past week I have been having a stumbling block on the chapter I am currently working on. And yes, it needs to be there. The scene has played out in my head a dozen different ways and I know what needs to be said, but every time I start typing it up, I feel like I am stumbling through it and I really don't like that feeling...

So my question to you is...How do you get through it and keep your readers engrossed instead of giving them the impression that you fell flat? Love to hear what you have to say. And as always, all opinions are more then welcome!