What’s on my iPod: “Titanium” (feat. Sia) by David Guetta & Sia
What I’m reading: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The last person I followed on Twitter: @theresetweets
1. ‘Characters Welcome’ on Writer Unboxed
Kathleen Shoop shares her methods of character development on this popular site, an inspiration for any writer. for writers. “When I break out the literary clay, I can’t help but think of USA Network’s tagline, “Characters Welcome.” To sculpt the people of my books I explore their pasts, career paths, and the historical context of the setting. For example, considering issues such as traditional gender roles of the time and studying the bold outliers who defy expectations for their era. Simple enough.”
MORE ABOUT KATHLEEN:
Bestselling Kindle author Kathleen Shoop is a Language Arts Coach with a PhD in Reading Education whose work has appeared in The Tribune Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Pittsburgh Parent Magazine. The Last Letter is her award-winning, debut novel. After the Fog is her latest, released this month and already an award winner. She lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children. The Last Letter is her debut novel.
2. 5 Stars for After the Fog
According to Lilac Wolf and Stuff, Kathleen Shoops’s Kindle bestselling book, “The Last Letter,” set the bar high and “After the Fog” does not disappoint. “The plot was full to bursting and the story read as though in a dream. I think its because we are observing a memory in the present tense. It was so engaging, I couldn’t put it down. Did you read The Last Letter? If not, you should get that and this. Both are wonderful stories.”
Continue entering to win Kathleen’s health and wellness basket giveaway! The basket contains natural and organic body products, as well as a $100 Whole Foods gift card. When you purchase Kathleen’s new book and forward your receipt to contests@sparkpointstudio.com, you are automatically entered to win the basket. For more details about the contest be sure to visit Kathleen’s blog.
MORE ABOUT AFTER THE FOG:
For every woman who thinks she left her past behind… In the steel mill town of Donora, Pennsylvania, site of the infamous 1948 “killing smog,” headstrong nurse Rose Pavlesic tends to her family and neighbors. Controlling and demanding, she’s created a life that reflects everything she missed growing up as an orphan. She’s managed to keep her painful secrets hidden from her loving husband, dutiful children, and their extended, complicated family.
When astagnant weather pattern traps poisonous mill gasses in the valley, neighbors grow sicker and Rose’s nursing obligations thrust her into conflict she nevercould have fathomed. Consequences from her past collide with her present life,making her once clear decisions as gray as the suffocating smog. As the pressure mounts, Rose finds she’s not the only one harboring lies. When the deadly fog finally clears, the loss of trust and faith leaves the Pavlesic family—and the whole town—splintered and shocked. With her new perspective, can Rose finally forgive herself and let her family’s healing begin?
3. Why Do Writers Write?
Jennifer Gooch Hummer’s post on the Diving Wand is a must read! Why does she write? “When I was seven years old, I was brushing my teeth one day, minding my own business, when the girl in the mirror smirked at me. “You’re going to be a writer you know.” “Nope,” I said. Writers were old and not pretty and not famous. Plus, I had big plans to be a professional Avon lady. There was no way I was going to be a writer. “You’ll see,” that little girl said. And by fourth grade I knew she was right.”
MORE ABOUT JENNIFER:
Jennifer Gooch Hummer has worked as a script analyst for various agencies and major film studios. Her short stories have been published in Miranda Magazine, Our Stories, Glimmertrain and Fish. She has continued graduate studies in the Writer’s Program at UCLA, where her work was nominated for the 2006 Kirkwood Prize in fiction. Her debut novel, Girl Unmoored, was released in March 2012 and has earned several awards including Winner, YA category, Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Currently, Jennifer lives in Southern California and Maine with her husband and three young daughters.
Leaders from IBM to Time Warner are praising David Grossman’s latest book, the 2nd edition of “You Can’t NOT Communicate.” It is an essential resource for anyone in the organizational communications and HR fields–anyone who wants to communicate better in the workplace. The forward is written by Jeff Stratton, Executive VP and Worldwide Chief Restaurant Officer of McDonald’s Corp. Truly the best in business writing!
MORE ABOUT DAVID:
David Grossman, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA, is one of America’s foremost authorities on communication and leadership, and a sought-after speaker and advisor to Fortune 500 leaders. A two-time author, David is CEO of The Grossman Group (www.yourthoughtpartner.com), an award-winning Chicago-based strategic leadership development and internal communication consultancy; clients include: Accor, AOL, GlaxoSmithKline, HTC, and McDonald’s.
5. The Song Remains the Same is Captivating
Allison Winn Scotch’s novel, “The Song Remains the Same,” was reviewed by Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf. “I was captivated the moment I picked up this story. I was drawn in right alongside Nell, and felt for her as every new relationship was introduced, torn down and rebuilt…Just as she was rebuilding her own life and memories. One can’t help but root for her…because she could be any one of us.”
MORE ABOUT THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME:
From the New York Times-bestselling author comes a novel that asks the question, who are we without our memories? And how much of our future is defined by our past?
One of only two survivors of a plane crash, Nell Slattery wakes in the hospital with no memory of the crash – or who she is, or was. Now she must piece together both body and mind — with the help of family and friends who have their own agendas. She filters through photos, art, music and stories, hoping something will jog her memory, and soon – in tiny bits and pieces –Nell starts remembering…It isn’t long before she learns to question the stories presented by her mother, her sister and business partner, and her husband. In the end she will learn that forgiving betrayals small and large will be the only true path to healing herself — and to finding happiness.
Leave A Comment