Character Interview: Kara Nielson

Name: Kara Nielson

Significant Other: Well, I've been hanging out with Robbie, but I wouldn't call him a significant other. Just a friend. A really, really good friend. Who happens to be a guy. I don't know why I brought him up in this question, either. Can we just erase that and say my answer is "none"? Please?

What is your strongest belief? I'm still sorting that out.

How do you like to spend your time? Helping out the Blakes is fun...watching or playing sports can be, depending who's playing.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? I don't know. Maybe somewhere in South America...

What is your favorite food? Anything spicy.

Describe yourself in one word: Feisty.

What type of music could you listen to for hours? Country. Gotta love it.

Your dream is to be...? Out of this house. Beyond that, I don't really care.

Do you really like Robbie? I don't think I know you well enough to be comfortable with you asking me that.

Have you gone to Disney World/Land? I haven't even been to Wisconsin.

What was your first impression of Davey? He seemed nice, and he got me to smile...not many people can do that on our first meeting.

Kara, Robbie, Davey, Ella, and Joe can be found in the novels, Shrouded Jewels and Forgotten Memories.

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Questions courtesy of Kateri and Bonnie. Thank you!

Want a question answered in a future interview? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com or visit the Rivershore Books writing forum to give your input!

Are you an author in need of support? Visit Rivershore Books to learn about proofreading, editing, and publishing options, or email me with any questions. I'm here to help.

Grammar Day: Writing Numbers

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Writing Numbers

Basic Rule: If the number is twenty or under, it's spelled out.

One...six...twelve...fifteen.

If it's 21 or above, it's written in number form.

Any Exceptions? Yes. When there are two or more numbers in the same sentence, the formats should match.

There were 3 girls and 29 boys.

The party had only two bottles of pop, but one hundred and ten bags of chips.

Final Note: In the exceptions, it is your choice to spell out or to use the number form. Since larger numbers are easier to read (and write!) in the number form, I recommend this for numbers over 100.

1,293

vs.

One thousand, two hundred, ninety-three.

Still, it's up to you.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Book Excerpt: Sanisfreeda

The ebook of Sanisfreeda is available free on Smashwords and Barnes & Noble, and for $0.99 on Amazon.

      When their eyes became adjusted to the sudden bright light, the natural light of the outdoors, they looked around the small courtyard in awe.
      “It’s so…pretty,” Rosie said, temporarily forgetting her fears.
      “Look at that grass—it’s so green it doesn’t look real,” AnnaMarie said.
      “That water doesn’t look so good though,” Kyle said, motioning toward a brown waterfall.
      “Ew,” Jane said.
      “Wait, it’s not dirty," AnnaMarie said, stepping closer. "It looks really clean, actually.”
      “You’re kidding, right? Jane, tell me she's kidding,” Rosie said. “It’s like mud.”
      “No, she's right.” Bevin put a finger into it. It wrapped around his skin, like melted chocolate would.
      “Does it hurt?” Jane asked.
      “It’s warm,” he said, “not hot enough to burn. That’s so weird. Isn't water usually cold?”
      “Are you sure that’s water?” AnnaMarie asked.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Character Interview: Anna Martinez

Name: Anna Martinez

Significant Other: None. The young man I care for has his eyes on another.

What is your strongest belief? God works through all circumstances.

How do you like to spend your time? Talking and sipping tea with good friends.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? I actually really love the twin cities.

What is your favorite food? Sweets as a whole.

Describe yourself in one word: Learning.

What type of music could you listen to for hours? Anything played on a harp.

Do you have a crush on anyone? Unfortunately...yes.

What was your first impression of Mira? I'm not sure I've met her...she's Mical's sister, right? I think I've seen her from afar. It's hard to tell anything from afar. Mical really cares about her, though, so I'm sure she's wonderful.

Have you ever wished for a pony? I'm pretty sure everyone has, at one point.

Do you like pickles? I don't dislike them. They're not my favorite, though.
Anna, Mical, and Peyton can be found in the novel, Shrouded Jewels.

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Questions courtesy of Kateri and Bonnie. Thank you!

Want a question answered in a future interview? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com or visit the Rivershore Books writing forum to give your input!

Are you an author in need of support? Visit Rivershore Books to learn about proofreading, editing, and publishing options, or email me with any questions. I'm here to help.

Grammar Day: Smiley Faces

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Smiley Faces

Quick and easy tip: Don't use smileys in professional writing.

I know it's tempting. There are often times where I feel that adding a smiley would soften the message, but I resist.

Smileys, simply put, are unprofessional. Between friends and family, they're great. With your boss, coworker, employee, or client, they don't fit in. Instead, rely on your words to soften the message.

Final Note: Please and thank you are still good phrases. 

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Behind-the-Scenes: Editing Process

When a typical novel is around 70,000 words, it can be intimidating to start the editing portion of writing. I edit my novels at least five times before publishing. I change things every time.

The first few read throughs are to decide which scenes to keep, which scenes to delete, and which scenes to change. This takes a while, and sometimes involves completely rearranging the manuscript.

When it's to the point where it's chronological from beginning to end and contains nothing (overtly) unnecessary, I read it to check continuity. If a character is short and blonde in chapter two, she'd better be short and blonde in chapter twelve--or at least have some explanation for the change (hair dyed purple on a dare; standing on stilts).

The final step is basic proofreading. Of course during the other read throughs I've changed any typos I've noticed, but now that is my only focus.

This is me during the proofreading phase.

At this point, I also ask for at least one outside pair of eyes (my Grandma is my 'official' proofreader). I've seen the words so many times, I sometimes skim past the mistakes.

After that, it's formatting. I do a little skimming as I format, but I'm more concerned with how the words are lining up on the page.

When my proof copy comes, I read through one final time. Seeing it in print sometimes helps me find things I missed on the computer, and it's a chance to check the formatting.

They say first drafts aren't perfect. Well, neither are second or third drafts. From talking with fellow authors and reading behind-the-scenes pieces, I'm convinced this is a fairly universal experience--so don't be discouraged.

If you'd like a second pair of eyes or formatting help, visit the Rivershore Books website or email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com.

Character Interview: Kyle Nielson

Name: Kyle Nielson

Significant Other: None so far.

What is your strongest belief? People have layers.

How do you like to spend your time? I play guitar a lot.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Out of state somewhere.

What is your favorite food? Hot chocolate. Is that not a food?

Describe yourself in one word: Skeptical.

What type of music could you listen to for hours? Classical guitar--not played by me.

Who taught you how to play guitar? Mostly, I taught myself. Dad gave me a few pointers, though, when he was around.

Would you consider auditioning for American Idol? Ha! No, thank you. I don't need my technical abilities picked apart in front of the entire TV-watching world.

Do you wish Rosie would be nicer to you? Sometimes, yeah. It's not like I've been perfect toward her, either.

Are you excited about anything? Not really.

Do you ever wish you were someone like Robin Hood? Doesn't everyone?

Kyle, Jane, Rosie, and Bevin can be found in the novel, Forgotten Memories.

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Questions courtesy of Kateri and Bonnie. Thank you!

Want a question answered in a future interview? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com or visit the Rivershore Books writing forum to give your input!

Are you an author in need of support? Visit Rivershore Books to learn about proofreading, editing, and publishing options, or email me with any questions. I'm here to help.