Sunday, October 30, 2011

The editing dilemma


I'm working on the next story in my Harris Grove series. These are the final, refining edits -- and maybe a little re-writing. I really don't like this part.

The main problem? I wrote the story quite a while ago -- and with a particular audience in mind. Now that audience has changed since that publisher closed its doors. My style of writing isn't precisely the same, either. It's not a drastic change, but it isn't the same.

Every time an author writes, they refine their style or voice. Which is hopefully what I've done. However, I also have a slightly different voice when I write comedy over suspense. I have to get back into light and funny mode. Not always an easy transition.

Now, back to the story at hand: Table for Two. It's light; funny; sweet. Yeah, I'm really not sure it completely works. It seems too old-school. Too 1950s? No, that's not necessarily a bad thing, but I can't backtrack when it comes to voice. I want to keep refining until I just can't find anything to change. I want this story to reflect that.

But this story... I don't know. I like it. I'm finding it a challenge. And at the moment, it's kicking my butt.

Wish me luck!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Self-publishing times three



ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE

(A Blue Plate Special - Pops' Girls short story)

Amelia Wojosowski moved to Glen Meadow to heal her broken heart and start a new life. She never dreamed she'd fall in love with the oh-so-serious and sexy town physician.

Doctor Marty Winston has sworn off pretty waitresses ever since one broke his heart--but he can't resist Amy Jo, despite her penchant for dumping food in his lap.

She's a beautiful accident waiting to happen…no wonder he's falling in love.

Genres: short story; romantic comedy; sexy romance; series romance; contemporary romance.

PRICE: $0.99

For KINDLE

For NOOK

Other Formats at Smashwords


I now have three stories up for sale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. (Honestly, I'm beginning to wonder if anyone buys books at Smashwords? No action there, to date.)

Anyhow, things are going well. Not fantastic. I won't be buying a new car anytime soon, but that wasn't really the point. ;)

And the point was...? I wanted to do something with these stories. Stories I spent a lot of time creating and fussing over. Ones I did sell, but that may not have caught the attention of many readers. I actually want to give readers a chance to discover them. These books weren't big sellers their first trip out. My other publisher was very, very tiny. Small presses are a dime a dozen, and let's face it -- it's a BIG Internet out there. ;)

But what to do with published stories? Unless you have a big name, not many pubs will try something already done. Then a friend began talking about her foray into self-publishing. The more she talked, the more I listened. Then I thought: "Why not? Let's give it a shot."

My third story is now available. It's another Blue Plate Special - Pops' Girls story ... a very short story. It can also be considered a sequel to SECOND CHANCES (formerly known as: Learning to Live).

I like the characters because they're real. They're not over-the-top Alphas or "perfect" heroines. They might just live right across the street -- only they don't mind if you peek in the bedroom window. (GGGG)

If you enjoy this or any of my books, I do wish you'd let me know. Leaving a comment or even a review is a wonderful way to pat an author on the back. It will be appreciated. :)

~~Meg

Indulge your senses...
htt://www.megallisonauthor.com

Saturday, October 08, 2011

One more time...

I have a few wonderful romances gathering dust on the hard drive. They've been published before, but that small press went belly up some years back. So, I've decided to dust off the stories; shine them up; and publish them myself.

You can find the first two at Amazon, Barnes & Noble (NOOKbooks), or Smashwords. Links to buy are also on my website: http://www.megallisonauthor.com




Romancing Jenny
genre: short and sweet romance/romantic comedy
Cost: $0.99

Jenny wants a little romance in her life, but her current boyfriend, Mark, is romantically challenged. Give him up or put up with it? Jenny has to decide if romance is more important than true love.

AMAZON Kindle

NOOKbooks

Smashwords









Second Chances*

(A Blue Plate Special - Pops' Girls story)
genre: romantic novella/ continuity story/ romance with humor
COST: $1.99

Katie Marie Morrison hides behind a flirtatous mask as she serves burgers and peach cobbler at Pops' Dinner. Her bright smile and sarcastic wit hides the devastating knowledge she was just a one-night-stand for the one man she ever loved.

Jeff McAlester, her only lover, returns home for good. But timing is everything and it's Katie who's now ready to leave. Despite their rekindled love, she doesn't want to stay. Can Jeff, the man with bluer-than-blue eyes and highly-charged kisses, help Katie learn to live a little ... the old fashioned way with a white picket fence and Happily Ever After?

AMAZON Kindle

NOOK books

Smashwords

*formerly titled: Learning to Live