Carla Cassidy is an award-winning author who has written more than fifty novels for Harlequin Books. In 1995, she won Best Silhouette Romance from RT Book Reviews for Anything for Danny. In 1998, she also won a Career Achievement Award for Best Innovative Series from RT Book Reviews. Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write.
How-to Tips for Aspiring Writers
I’m often asked for writing tips by aspiring writers and no matter how the markets change the tips remain the same.
1. Read. I would recommend you read in the genre you want to write. Don’t just read for pleasure, be analytical and try to discover what that author is doing successfully.
2. Write. I know this sounds silly, but I can’t tell you how many aspiring writers I meet who spend months researching, who talk about the book they’re going to write and they never get around to putting butt in chair and just doing the work.
3. Learn. Go to workshops to learn craft, take on-line courses to learn techniques to better your writing. Join a writer group. It’s wonderfully affirming to realize you aren’t crazy…you’re a writer and there are other people just like you!
4. Be nosy. Become acutely aware of other people when you’re shopping or walking in the park or whatever. A snippet of overheard conversation can be the heart of a new book. Characters are everywhere and I believe most writers are observers who then create.
5. Listen to the voices in your head. You aren’t crazy! Sometimes my best scenes arrive in my head before I put them on paper. Your subconscious often does your writing for you if you just listen.
6. Write every day. At least for me, writing is like a jealous lover that demands attention. If being a published writer is really what you want, then you should be actively working toward that goal every day. Dreams rarely happen unless you work for them. If you want to be a writer, then work it!
After years in hiding, Josie Colton has her life back. But to settle a family promise, she must find an old clue buried at the Colton Valley Ranch. She enlists the help of ranch foreman Tanner Grange—in exchange for working as his twin toddlers' new nanny. On their search, the single dad soon begins to lasso Josie's heart.
Tanner agrees to assist Josie and is alarmed by how the Colton beauty fits so perfectly into his life. He's got his hands full investigating the disappearance of his boss and caring for his little girls. When it's clear someone will kill to stop Josie from uncovering the clue, Tanner vows to protect her…for life!
- Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Harlequin (July 5 2016)
- ISBN: 978-0373279944
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Happy Canadian Day, I was in Canada in 1975-77.
ReplyDeleteYes, those muslim girls were bridemaids.
I like the Colton series.
ReplyDeleteHAVE NOT READ THIS WRITER IN A WHILE. THANKS FOR THE CHANCE. SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com
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