Day: July 28, 2015

Writing: Stay the Course or Follow the Muse?

museFor the past nine months or so, I’ve been working on a book that almost refuses to flow. I love the story, get excited about the ideas floating around in my head, but every time I sit down to work on it, it’s like pulling teeth. I don’t know what it is that makes it difficult. I have much of the story line mapped out, I know the arc of the characters, I know how it all ends, but I feel like I have to almost literally drag the details out of my keyboard. Nine months and five chapters. Not a good pace.

Not that I care about my own pace. I have no deadlines, so if a book takes three months or twenty, it doesn’t matter so long as I get it done and I’m satisfied with it. However, I would really like it to be a bit easier than it has been.

But then, one day, the kernel of a new idea popped into my brain. Continue reading “Writing: Stay the Course or Follow the Muse?”

Indie Reads – July 2015

Indies Unlimited does not review books, but we do have a couple of renowned reviewers on staff. We thought a great way to celebrate indie writing would be to ask those reviewers for their top indie picks of the month. Here are this month’s top picks from our experts:

Ashes of Life Erica Lucke Dean 120x177Ashes of Life by Erica Lucke Dean

“I would recommend this story to everyone, even if you don’t normally read contemporary fiction or young adult.”

Read the rest of the review by ?wazithinkin.

Ashes of Life is available through Amazon.com.

Woods Runner by Rejean Giguere 120x177Woods Runner by Rejean Giguere

“A fascinating glimpse into a fictionalized life of a Woods Runner as he traded ironware for pelts with the native American tribes.”

Read the rest of the review by Pete Barber.

Woods Runner is available through Amazon.com.

CXVI the beginning of the end by angie smith 120x177CXVI: The Beginning of the End by Angie Smith

“As a thriller, this ticks all the boxes and it’s meticulous and precise. I really like Angie Smith’s writing…”

Read the rest of the review by Cathy Speight.

CXVI: The Beginning of the End is available on Amazon.com..

Feng Shui & Charlotte Nightingale by Pam Ferderbar 120x177Feng Shui & Charlotte Nightingale by Pam Ferderbar

“I rarely read a book where I picture many scenes unfolding in exquisite detail like I did here.”

Read the rest of the review by BigAl.

Feng Shui & Charlotte Nightingale is available at Amazon.com.

Knightswrath by Michael Meyerhofer 120x177Knightswrath by Michael Meyerhofer

“Meyerhofer continues with his superb writing and keeping with the epic fantasy genre.”

Read the rest of the review by Sooz.

Knightswrath is available through Amazon.com.

Indie Book Blunders: A Reader’s Moment of Doubt

quotes by famous authors about bad booksI need convincing. I need convincing that it’s worth my while continuing to read books by independent authors.

Before you start shouting, ‘Defector, defector’, hear me out, please.

My Kindle has been one of my favourite purchases (I pretty much take my Kindle everywhere). It’s up there with my ice-cream maker (seriously, home-made ice cream is to die for, seriously), my MX5 (oh, I’m so in love with my car) and my latest bicycle (yes, I’m the female version of a MAMIL).

My first task upon receipt of my beloved Kindle was to download books onto it. Where to look? Amazon, of course, but via Facebook friends, I found some interesting book groups: groups frequented by independent authors, who, I discovered, were keen to give readers free copies of books in return for an honest review. Excellent! It wasn’t the free books that attracted me, I hasten to add (by this time I had, in fact, gone slightly beserk on Amazon, and my bill that first month of Kindle ownership was a bit…ahem…and caused raised eyebrows and dropped jaws on Mr S) but avenues leading to a source of potentially good books. Continue reading “Indie Book Blunders: A Reader’s Moment of Doubt”