Death by Blank Page--Lynda K. Scott

Today starr words welcomes author Lynda K. Scott talking about her creative process!

I sat down to write this blog post when it started thundering. My alien kitten, Wookie, usually helps me write blog posts, books, email…you name it, she’s there.

Except when it thunders.

That’s when she makes like lightning and is gone in less than a second. Sometimes I think she actually teleports to some hidden kitten cave when she feels safe. Possibly on another planet or another plane of existence. It doesn’t matter because she’s vanished.

Leaving me on my own.

So I’ll talk about my creative process. Or as I like to call it…Death by Blank Page. Yeah, I stare at the darn blank page until some idea forms in my mind and I can start writing. I was recently asked about my ‘process’ which seems like a really highbrow term to describe my writing. I tend toward stream of consciousness writing by getting into the POV character’s head and letting them tell the story, how they feel, what they’re doing and why.

No, I don’t plot in advance though I’ve tried. I know how I want the story to end and I know that my main characters are going to kick and scream if I try to force them to do something they don’t want to do.  Any writer will tell you that you can’t force a character to act a certain way or do a certain thing if it’s not in their nature to do that. It’ll stall the plot faster than a slow walk through quicksand.

What I do is give the characters choices. They may not like either choice but they’ll pick one so they feel in control of their destiny. Usually they pick what they think is the easiest course of action.

Clearly, they don’t know me very well.

Neither choice will be pleasant. Both choices will stretch their abilities or cause them to learn something about themselves. Or lead them into even more peril. Why would I do this to the characters I’ve created? My job is to give them the opportunity to grow and learn and conquer the bad guy or problem. In doing so, they also learn to trust, to sacrifice and to love.

Those are lessons we all could learn.

Ah, here comes my alien kitten sashaying into the office. The storm has passed, the sun is coming out. Wookie tells me I’ve written enough and that I should tell you how beautiful and special she is because she picks the winners in my giveaways. Today, I’m offering a signed copy of my novel, Heartstone to one reader who leaves a comment (Sorry, US only) by Friday, April 25.

Thanks again for having me here!

Lynda

Where to find me on the web:

Website http://www.lyndakscott.com.

To join my newsletter, send a blank email to: LyndaKScott-Newsgroup-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lyndakscott

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LyndaKScott

Facebook Author Page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynda-K-Scott/201599553208653

  

Heartstone

By Lynda K. Scott

Mundania Press

Science Fantasy Romance

Eric d'Ebrur is out of time. He must fine the legendary Heartstone and fulfill the ancient Gar'Ja bond he shares with the Stonebearer. But when he finds her, he discovers that love can be more dangerous than the Gawan threat. Eric can defeat the mind-controlling Gawan but will it cost him the woman he loves?

After terrifying episodes of hypersensitivity, Keriam Norton thinks she's losing her mind. When handsome shapeshifter Eric d'Ebrur saves her from the monstrous Gawan, she's sure of it. But insane or not, she'll find the Heartstone and, if she's lucky, a love to last a lifetime.

Available in print and ebook format

Buy Links: Mundania Press (use MP10 at checkout for 10% discount)

http://www.mundania.com/book.php?title=Heartstone

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Heartstone-Lynda-K-Scott/dp/1606592335/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3

Altered Destiny

By Lynda K Scott

Science Fantasy Romance 

Available in ebook formats 

Stranded on an alternate Earth, architect and Jill-of-all-trades, Liane Gautier-MacGregor must find her way back to her homeworld before she's enslaved...or falls in love with a man who is the exact duplicate of her ex-husband.

Devyn MacGregor's alter ego as the Reiver Lord is the only way he can fight the Qui'arel and their nefarious Bride Bounty, a tax paid with human females...until he meets the oddly familiar woman who claims he is her husband. And who sets in motion the rebellion that will either free his countrymen or destroy them.

Buy Links:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Altered-Destiny-ebook/dp/B00579FKFO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308920443&sr=8-1

Nook http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Altered-Destiny/Lynda-K-Scott/e/2940012882417

   

Great Escapes – Valentine’s Day

By Lynda K. Scott and Linda Wisdom

Coliloquy

Interactive Adult Paranormal Fiction

The heartbroken and lovelorn come to Great Escapes B&B in search of a relaxing getaway, only to embark on a weekend of sexual self-discovery, courtesy of the inn's resident ghosts, who bring to life each guest's deepest desires.

Just as the ghosts transform to meet the needs of each guest, Great Escapes leverages the Kindle platform to deliver what each reader wants. Do you like your erotica steamy or romantic? Your hero to have blue or brown eyes? Anonymously fill out your preferences, and we'll deliver the best version of hundreds of combinations prepared by the authors.

In Great Escapes: Valentine's Day, Rose's best friend gives her a weekend stay, where an invisible lover helps her to rediscover her sexuality. But will she open her eyes enough to see who is right next door?

Buy Link

http://www.amazon.com/Great-Escapes/dp/B007P4365K/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1332913900&sr=8-6

Thanks for stopping by Lynda! Ah, more books to add to my out of control TBR pile! 

To our visitors--Don't forget to leave a comment!

Refugees on Urloon by Melisse Aires

After some nasty computer issues, I'm delighted to finally welcome Melisse Aires to starr words...

 I'm thrilled to announce the release of Refugees On Urloon by Lyrical Press!

Amazon*(Sale price this week!)

ARe*

Fictionwise*

Blurb 

Two weary refugees, two moons and a life-changing fertility festival. Watch out for a whole lot of sensuality.

Under normal circumstances, Svana, non-military maintenance crew, and Captain Liam Ringel, a highly respected military instructor, would never have crossed paths. A sudden anomaly, however, thrusts them into deep space where they are rescued by the inhabitants of an exotic and isolated waterworld, Urloon. 

With no rescue forthcoming, the refugees can choose between adapting to the sea or farming the land. Svana is saddened when her budding friendship with Liam changes due to their different choices. However, when they are invited to an alien fertility festival, the Moonfest, they are given the opportunity to create a memory that will impact and intertwine both their futures. 

WARNING: Alien fertility festival, aurora lights, dancing alien beasts, body paints and hot pheromones. M/F Sensual.

Excerpt: 

“We are lost?” Lost in deep space. A death sentence. “Think so. We’ll know more when the computers come back online.” The news was not good and did not get better after the computers came back on. They were deep in uncharted space, and there was no way to know if the jumpstream that had dumped them here would return them to Confederated system space. Though they tried around the clock, they were unable to communicate with anyone. Their small damaged ship was truly alone. They had enough supplies to last for perhaps sixty days. After that, the ship’s fuel would be gone, and they would die in deep space. Captain Ringel wouldn’t let them give up. They continued with repairs and communication but the mood was quiet, with bursts of anger. The crew was so young. Svana mourned for their lost futures, and for her own daughter, so far away, whom she would never see again. Many nights, Svana held a weeping young one in her arms, giving what comfort she could. Going about rote chores in her supply room, Svana heard a shout from her open com. She climbed the ladder as fast as she could. The entire bridge was in a shouting, laughing uproar. Their distress signal had reached someone. Captain Ringel was talking to the contact in the small conference room. Svana waited with the crew for him to come out, hoping for good news, for a future. “Urloon. It reached a planet called Urloon,” Lu, one of the junior engineers, said. “Isn’t that a First World Planet? I remember learning something about Urloon in first school,” another crew member said. A com tech’s finger glided over the com board. “Yes. Urloon. Settled by first wave Terran settlers but was left isolated for centuries while Terra fought the Terran Civil War. Water… Wow! Water-adapted humans live in domes in the warm seas. They adapted themselves at the DNA level to bare young already adapted to the sea.” Captain Ringel came back onto the crowded bridge and his smile was blinding. “Urloon, a former Terran colony out on the Rim, is sending a rescue ship. They will be here within twelve days.” There were twenty days left of life support. The crew erupted into joyous shouts, leaping and laughing so the floor shook. In the tumult Captain Ringel’s gaze caught her own. He nodded slightly, and Svana knew it was an acknowledgment of the work they had done together. Sounds like a great tale, Melisse, one that's now on my TBR list. Thanks for stopping by starr words!

 

Authors In Bloom starr words winner

Congratulations

Tobi

Your name was chosen by the sibs random generator!

photo by John Shaver--yes, the flower really did smile!

Contact me with your mailing addy and your bracelet will be on it's way!
lizistarr at gmail dot com

Authors in Bloom Blog Hop!

Line 14: The handsome stranger strolls along.Isn't that a great way to start a blog--or anything else?! It's a line from the Authors in Bloom traveling tale. Visit the authors blogs listed below in the next 10 days and copy down the phrases you find on each blog. Collect them all and you'll be eligible for our grand prize of your choice of a Kindle or Nook and a gift certificate. 
Read further for a second line to the story, and info on the starrwords giveaway, too.
We were asked to give a gardening tip or a recipe for your enjoyment on this hop. I thought perhaps I'd give you both. 

I don't have much of a garden space, but there are a few plants I treasure because they come from my Grandparent's yard. Grampa had the greenest thumbs and every time they moved during their long lives together, the plants moved along too. Above is a picture of lilies that he had helped plant along the state highways. Our family calls them Burdetta lilies after my grandmother. I have iris that came originally from that same source, too. Then there's my peonies. I wait anxiously each spring for them to peek out, remembering the long row of bushes lining the yard at the farm where I grew up.

My gardening tip? No matter the size of your garden--from a single pot of geraniums to a formally laid out yard--enjoy it. Take a sense of calm and beauty from your plants, and give them back a good word, some love and a bit of water. Even a spiky cactus will respond and add to your enjoyment.

For a recipe--that's even harder. I'm a lunch lady by day, so I do a lot of cooking. But what can I share today? Of course you can always follow the link on the sidebar and check out the recipes on my recipe blog mz *lizzie cooks.  How about a quick, no bake cookie so you can get back to your garden?

Most often I've seen this recipe made with peanut butter, but I prefer it without--and I do need to watch peanuts at school due to allergies. So without further chatting--

Chocolate No Bake Cookies

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup (one stick) margarine or butter

1/2 cup milk

3 cups quick cooking oatmeal

5 Tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a heavy sauce pan bring the first three ingredients to a rolling boil. Stir constantly and boil for 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper. Cool until set. Store in an airtight container.

This photo is of cookies proudly displayed on an assortment of Darlene's handmade potholders.

 Beautiful, aren't they--the potholders, I mean.

Now, for the starrwords giveaway! Leave a comment and follow the blog for the chance to win a handmade, spring bracelet. I'd show you a picture, but it's not done yet. :)

Oh and here's the next line in out Authors in Bloom story...

Line 15: He spritzes the crowd with a mist of attention.

And the rest of the authors, so you can read the rest of the story:

Two Hops Two Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of my overlapping blog hops!

Rae M

 And

Crissy

Your gift cards will be coming your way!

Thanks for stopping by starrwords.

photo by John Shaver

Hoppy Easter Blog Hop

Yep, I double scheduled my blog hops. Looking for the Birthday Hop, simply scroll down or check the archive list on the right. :)

Here now is ...

http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/ 

Click on the link below the bright and shiny Hoppy Easter egg to find the list of participating authors and their prizes. The more you visit, the more chances you have to win.

What's in store for you at starrwords? I could talk about my family's Easter  traditions, but I doubt they're much different than many of yours. I could talk about the smooth creamy wonderfulness of a chocolate bunny..... Sorry. Chocolate's as distracting as a shiny new idea sometimes.

Moai decked out in their Easter bonnets

How about a few words about Rapa Nui? I've always found the history and legends of this small Polynesian island interesting. Called Easter Island after the first European contact on Easter Sunday 1722, the land and people have been through trials and downward spirals that would floor many of us today. Yet, they survived war, disease, starvation and backbreaking artistic endeavors. The resulting Moai are fascinating, aren't they? Or...are they the product of ancient aliens?

I won't keep you here any longer with the random thoughts racing through my head right now. Leave a comment telling me if you'd ever like to visit Rapa Nui and add your email below for a chance for an Amazon gift card! If you follow this blog and let me know, you'll get a second entry. All names will be entered into the sibs random generator and the winner chosen April 9th.

Have a Joyous Easter!

Curious about my books? Check the Double Keltic Triad tab at the top of the page! And happy reading.

Happy Birthday Blog Hop

Birthdays... Can't say I really enjoy my own. And from the looks of this picture, I never have.

*lizzie at 8

Nope, the birthday girl didn't like her crown, although it looks like everyone else is enjoying the goodies. 

Now, I'd just as soon totally forget any day that hints at my birthday. Since I can't seem to ever remember how old I am anyway, that's probably a good idea. 

Except for one birthday at work--I'm a lunch lady--I put a row of candles along my serving line and told the kids who asked that was how old I was. Luckily the line moved quickly enough they weren't able to complete counting the colorful wax sticks. And there's no escaping the repeated singing of the birthday song. 

Warren Rice 100 Years Old

I do love helping others celebrate their birthdays. In 2007 my grandfather turned 100. Despite some family sadness only a few weeks before, the celebration weekend was spectacular. Family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of Warren Rice. The best part of the weekend? Family stories that took us back through the years to 1907! 

It's my goal to match Grampa's age (he passed shortly before his 102nd birthday)--as well as his sharp mind and indomitable spirit. And have a chocolate cake that's just as luscious and huge!

To celebrate all kinds of birthdays--especially Carrie Ann Ryan's (the founder of this hop) I'm giving away a gift card to your choice of online bookstore. Leave a comment before you hop on to the next author's blog to have your name in the drawing. Comments will also be eligible for the grand prize of a Kindle Touch or an Amazon gift card. Carrie Ann will draw for the grand prizes on the 7th and I'll get the sibs random generator going and pick my winner as well.

Good luck and 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

No matter what day you celebrate!