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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Guest Post with Author Lindsay McKenna and Giveaway

Meet Lindsay McKenna, author of Taking Fire.

Lindsay McKenna is proud to have served her country in the U.S. Navy as an aerographer’s mate third class—also known as a weather forecaster. She is one of the original founders of the military romance subgenre and loves to combine heart-pounding action with soulful and poignant romance. Her latest book is the romantic suspense Taking Fire.


Tips for Aspiring Writers

My tips for aspiring writers are the following:

Write your passion. If you don’t LOVE what you write, you’ll never make it in this business. And it is a business. The key here is your business is telling stories. Whether novella, medium length or full length novels, it’s about the story. If you are doing something you love, that you have a passion for, you will continue in it through the ups and downs, through rejections and near misses, until someday, you will publish.

Of course the flip side of this, nowadays, is since anyone can publish anything, whether it’s really ready to be published, is a whole other matter. Writers who want to make a career out of this, should tread very thoughtfully over doing this too soon, when their writing has not yet matured. Or make the mistake of not having their manuscript professionally edited, copyedited and proofread. I had to wait twenty-two years and worked at writing every day, refining my skills, understanding my ‘voice’ and paying my dues. And I don’t believe a critique group can give you their blessing on whether what you write is ready for prime time or not.

I see too many ‘young’ (meaning these are people who have been working five years or less at trying to learn the skill set of writing) jump the gun, throw out their story with or without someone who knows good story telling to give them good advice. It’s important the young writer hone her/his skills, develop serious discipline (you write every day, no excuses, unless you’re dead), maintain a schedule and finish what you start. Without this “muscle memory” being in place, the person will not last in today’s environment where series demand 3-4 books a year out of a writer. Don’t be in a hurry. Get your skills under your control, like moving a team of horses who are plowing a field.



She dances on the edge of life…and death

Not all are meant to walk in the light. Marine Corps Sergeant Khat Shinwari lives among the shadows of the rocky Afghani hills, a Shadow Warrior by name and by nature. She works alone, undercover and undetected—until a small team of US Navy SEALs are set upon by the Taliban…and Khat is forced to disobey orders to save their lives.

To go rogue.

Now, hidden deep in the hills with injured SEAL Michael Tarik in her care, Khat learns that he's more than just a soldier. In him, she sees something of herself and of what she could be. Now duty faces off against the raw, overwhelming attraction she has for Mike. And she must decide between the safety of the shadows…and risking everything by stepping into the light.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | iTunes | Kobo |
  
   

Check out what's up for grabs.


Up For Grabs:
  • 1 $100 Visa Gift Card
  • 1 Complete Set of Shadow Warrior Series

To Enter: 
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Lindsay McKenna & Tasty Book Tours for sponsoring this tour-wide giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 comments :

  1. Love the cover and the blurb sounds great! Thanks for the great giveaway chance!

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  2. Sounds great! What an interesting job to have in the Navy. Love looking at these covers. I can't decide which is my favorite!

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  3. This sounds really good, thanks I can't wait to read it.
    Penney

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  4. Great cover. Blurb sounds interesting. Looking forward to reading Breaking Point.

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  5. Very good writing tips. Thanks.

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  6. GREAT ADVICE!! Thank you so much for hosting!

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  7. Just signed up for your newsletter. Can't believe I haven't done so earlier, as I've read many of your books!!!

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  8. I've been a fan for a long time... Enjoyed the excerpt and looking forward to reading this book.

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  9. This looks like a great series. I can't believe i haven't read these books before, thanks for the introduction.

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  10. Love the tips... but the prospect of winning the entire series is so exciting!! Thanks for the chance!
    JoannaM

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