Erika Gardner, Author and Guest Blogger

My guest blogger today is Erika Gardner, author of THE DRAGON IN THE GARDEN, published by Tirgearr Publishing. Here is Erika's fascinating take on how she--and other authors--choose their genre. Or do they choose it?

You Don’t Get To Pick The Genre… The Genre Picks You- Sort of Like a Stray Cat

I love books. I unabashedly, unapologetically adore them. I delight in reading them, dreaming tall tales up, and then writing them down. Stories make me happy and if you are following the lovely Elizabeth’s blog I am guessing it is the same for you. At least the reading part anyway.

Liz writes in some of my favorite genres. The sweep and happy ending of a good romance or the satisfaction of a mystery unraveled just right are the elements that make me curl up on the couch, cup of tea by my side and a book in my lap. They are also two of the reasons that my house appears to have been built of books. My poor husband has given up on building me any more book shelves.

My very favorite genre is fantasy. Not surprisingly, this is what I write. I have frequently had well-meaning friends bound up to me and say, “I have a great idea for your next book!” or “You should write a *insert genre here*.” It doesn’t work that way. Liz would likely back me up. My story telling voice simply won’t do romance, or cozy mystery, or thriller. There is a remote possibility that I could write a ghost story, but then, ghosts fit in quite nicely with my usual fare: wizards, phoenixes, sirens, a chupacabra or two, you get the idea. My novel The Dragon in The Garden contains a dragon (obviously), fallen angels, fairies, demons, a Valkyrie, even some gryphons- just your basic Erika day at the office.

This book started out a children’s book. I had intended it to be middle grade. This lovely idea came to me. A little girl wandering her grandmother’s garden, touching the various garden statues, smelling the flowers until she realizes that there is one statue that is special. It is not a simple figure made of stone; it is a dragon in hiding. I’ve included a picture of the actual figurine that inspired the book. The child, named Siobhan, calls the dragon Daisy and they become friends. Siobhan has a talent, no magical powers, just a special ability. She can see the absolute truth. She sees through lies, illusions, even spells. 

Sounds like it could be a children’s book, right? Kind of sweet, even, right? Yeah, that would be a resounding no. A hot fallen angel crept into the mix, then a love interest (also a hot fallen angel) and an even hotter King of the Fey. I found myself shaking my head at my computer saying, “Um, I am not a children’s writer.” My understanding is that middle grade publishers frown on sex scenes. Not to mention the violence in the epic battle near the book’s culmination.

Here’s a bit about the book as it ended up being written, the way it wanted to be written:

There is magic beneath the mundane and in The Dragon in the Garden, Siobhan Orsini witnesses it all. No lie can fool her, no glamour or illusion can cloud her Sight. She sees through them all and wishes she could close her eyes. Returning to face her past, Siobhan inherits her grandparents’ house in California’s wine country. She encounters a talking dragon, a hot fallen angel, a demon lord, a Valkyrie, and, oh yes, her ex-boyfriend. And that is just in the first twenty-four hours. 

It’s time to find out why she has this power. 

Siobhan seeks out the Oracle and learns that only her Sight can help mankind navigate the travails of an ancient war. Our world is the prize in a battle between the dragons, who would defend us, and Lucifer’s fallen angels, who seek to take the Earth for themselves. Using her gift, she will have to make a choice that will decide humanity’s future.

To purchase The Dragon in The Garden please see:

http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Gardner_Erika/thedragon-in-the-garden.htm

This post was written by Erika Gardner. She’s a native Californian, lifelong lover of fantastical adventures, and a dedicated Whovian.  If you enjoyed it, please sign up to receive updates on www.erikagardner.com   Or you can follow Erika on Twitter @Erika_Gardner, “Like” her Facebook page Erika Gardner- Writer and Storyteller. Or check out her contributions to the BBB Blog.

 

 

Teaching Creativity & Expression

I'll be teaching a session of "Creativity and Expression" for Writer's Digest University, starting Thursday, Feb. 18. Here's the description:

Are you a beginner writer? Do you want to put pen to paper but have a case of writer’s block? Learn creative writing techniques to launch your writing and transform your ideas into your next story.

When you take this online workshop, you’ll explore creative writing topics and learn how descriptive writing can breathe life into your characters, setting, and plot with Rebecca McClanahan’s Word Painting. Stretch your imagination, develop your creative writing skills, and express your creativity with this writing workshop. To sign up or for more info, go here:

https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/creativity-expression

Hope to see you there. And a very Happy Valentine's Day to all!

How cold is it?

Make you think of anything?

Yup, it's coooolddd here!

THE FINAL STRAIGHT by Charlotte Howard

Check out THE FINAL STRAIGHT, the latest from Charlotte Howard. Pre-order your copy today! THE FINAL STRAIGHT

Blurb:

April Miller works for her best friend, Max Knight, on his livery and competition yard. Their friendship has withstood many turbulent times, and while April is deeply in love with Max, she is also aware of his womanizing ways and has refused to succumb to his flirtatious charms. When her ex, AJ, suddenly comes back with a business proposal, April finds herself torn between the two men.

Buy Links:

Currently available for pre-order:

Kindle US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SW7GE26

Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00SW7GE26

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/514851

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-final-straight/id962554508?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=9781311748546

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-final-straight-charlotte-howard/1121135931

Excerpt:

“You up there?” she called. The thud of footsteps grew louder as she made her way up the stairs. It wasn’t long before she was in the doorway, hands on hips, surrounded by a halo of curls the same colour as her temper.

The dog had followed and was panting by her leg. April batted her away, and Max rolled his eyes at the anger and frustration that exuded from her every pore, turning his back on her and dropping the towel.

“What the hell, Max?” she exclaimed, but it wasn’t because of his nudity. She’d seen him naked more times than any other woman.

He stepped into a pair of tight boxer shorts and turned around, preparing himself for the grief he had been hoping to avoid.

“What have I done now?” he asked, walking towards the wardrobe and pulling out a pair of dark, shredded jeans.

“What’s the point? Do you even remember her name?”

He didn’t answer. She wasn’t expecting him to; she never did. Fastening the button on his waistband, he went to the chest of drawers and took out a clean T-shirt.

“Well, I’ll tell you what her name was,” April said, walking into the room. “Mellie Banks. Ring a bell?”

Max shrugged.

“It should,” she snapped. “Her father has three horses on this yard, or did until he turned up this morning and took them off.”

He moved behind her and started to massage at the knot of tension that had built at the base of her neck.

“Don’t try to appease me, Max,” she said, but he could tell that her anger was waning. He continued to press into her muscles, letting his thumbs make small circles either side of her spine. Bending his head to the curve of her shoulder, he placed his forehead on the sleeve of her polo T-shirt and took a deep breath, inhaling the dusty scent of straw and shavings.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured into her back.

She shrugged out of his touch and turned to face him. “You’re hopeless,” she sighed. The corners of her lips flickered into the smallest of smiles.

“We could just hide in bed all day,” he said, taking her hands and tugging her forwards. “Forget about Mellie Banks. Forget about the yard…”

“And who’s going to pay my bills when this place falls on its arse?”

The edge of the mattress connected with his knees and he fell backwards, pulling her with him. “You know I’ll always take care of you.”

She landed on top of him, inches away from his face. He lifted a hand and tucked a stray red curl behind her ear. With a frustrated groan, she rolled off of him and lay on her side.

“As much as I would like to be the next notch on your bedpost, we have a business to run.” She shoved herself up.

He watched as she straightened her clothes and ran her fingers through her hair.

“Anyway,” she said, glancing over her shoulder. “I’m not your type. I have a brain.” She flashed him a smile before bending down to pick up the towel and tossing it in his direction.

“Ouch.” He feigned a hurt expression before getting up to follow her. Bracken panted around his ankles.

“I’ll make you a coffee, and then if you need me I’ll be saving your business.”

Author Bio / Links:

Charlotte lives in Somerset with her husband, two children, and growing menagerie of pets and can always be found with a cup of tea in her hand. When she's not writing or running around after small people and animals, she loves to eat curry and watch action films.

Charlotte is an active (and vocal) member of the Yeovil Creative Writers.

http://www.charlottehowardauthor.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteHowardAuthor

https://twitter.com/Shy_Tiger

http://choward2614.wordpress.com/

http://www.pinterest.com/choward2614/

http://instagram.com/choward_author/

Review Tour Jan. 3-9

Hey everyone! I’m doing a review tour at My Addiction is Reading Jan. 3-9. There will be reviews of MISTLETOE MEDIUM, the third in the Lottie Baldwin Mystery series. Also we’ll have contests and lots of fun. Here’s the link:

https://sites.google.com/a/myaddictionisreading.com/2016-tours/elizabeth-delisi

Hope to see you there January 3-9. Contests for those who visit each stop and comment, and extra entries available for sharing!

Win 30 Crime Novels!

Thirty mystery and crime writers have gotten together to offer you a holiday contest: a chance to win 30 Crime Novels. Yes, 30! Included is my novel MISTLETOE MEDIUM, 3rd in the Lottie Baldwin Mystery series of cozy, paranormal mysteries. All you need to do is go here to enter the contest: a Rafflecopter giveaway Three lucky winners will win all 30 titles. Drawing ends at midnight on New Year’s Day. The winners will be announced on Jan. 2nd, 2016. If you share this giveaway on Twitter or Pinterest, your name goes in twice. If you share on FB, your names goes in three times. You must share inside the rafflecopter to take advantage of this. Happy holidays, and best of luck!