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Adding Angst | Blot Tour Stop at Faith Blum Author

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Ever read a book where you are just as torn apart as the character? Yeah. That’s what angst is.

 In “The Secret Slipper,” the biggest lesson I learned was about upping the stakes—intensifying the angst. I want my readers to feel it with my characters. But I usually fall flat in my first attempt (courtesy of my personal lack of emotion) and have to edit to add it. For me, it’s an ever-learning process of upping angst.     

Join me today over at Faith’s blog for my thoughts on adding angst to your story.




It’s modern… it’s musical… it’s… a new project!

Published on by Amanda Tero4 Comments
*ahem*

I have another new project going on right now.

Yeah. Not the Horseback Librarian project. That one is in the hands of some alpha readers, so progress is slow on that story right now. And, I mean, I had to write something… right…?

Right now I’m working on… well, I’ll just leak out what I’ve leaked out on social media (so if you follow me, you already know this ;)). Each day this past week, I’ve given a new clue for what the new project is all about.


Day 1 – Modern
There’s a new project on my desk and I’m super excited to share it with you!!! Keep a lookout each day this week for clues about it. I’ve had a few people guess that I’m writing another historical fiction—wrong! This time, I’m going modern! 😄 And it has been FUN!!! Tomorrow I’ll share a little more.



Day 2 – Pianist
For the first time, I am writing about one of the things I know best: piano! So, we have a modern story where the MC is a pianist and a piano teacher. I have loved throwing musical elements into my writing! What’s a musician-based book you’ve read?

Day 3 – Short Story
So… I may have already spilled this bit of info, but my new project is a short story! I think… if ten chapters and about 12k words can still be categorized a short story? If may be breathing on the neck of novella. What do you think? Is 12k a short story or novella?

Day 4 – First Person
I haven’t written in first person POV since “Letters from a Scatter-Brained Sister” (which was one of the first publishable short stories I wrote). Modern fiction just couples well with first person. And I love the style it helps me have—whimsical, humorous, and casual. Which point of view do you like to read? First or third?

Day 5 – Stephanie
And we have a name! The modern pianist maybe-short-story (maybe novella?) written in first person is about Stephanie—or Steph, as her friends call her. She’s a single 27-year old who lives on her own about thirty minutes from the main hubbub of the city, teaches piano, and is a pianist. Anything more might be spoilers…

Day 6 – Contentment
The theme of Stephanie’s story is contentment. Psalm 37 is a powerful backbone to the message of contentment for her. What are some verses that speak to you about contentment?

Day 7 – Caiden
“I shook my head as I grinned. If we weren’t cousins, I would have definitely had a crush on him when I was a teen. Short-cropped dark hair, a slight grunge instead of a full-fledged beard—well, that wasn’t there as a teen—and a well-built frame that boasted of Caiden’s diligence to the gym.”

Next up…
I’m sharing the title and cover soon! Keep your eyes peeled!!

What’s in a Dress? | Blog Tour Stop at Drop in the Ocean

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

Lia buried her hands in the folds of Geva’s gown, the soft linen not calming her at all. She made sure her steps were slow and even, making her appear the careful lass Bioti claimed her to be. Had she not spent the last hour transitioning from filthy rags to this pale green gown, she would have doubted that she was the same lass mucking the stalls this morn. She lifted her eyes, taking in every embroidered flower that decorated the deep gray silk of Lady Yzebel’s gown. The beauty of elegance stopped as she looked at the lady’s face.

What’s in a dress? Today, we might not be able to look at a stranger and automatically assume their position, financial status, and wellbeing, but in the medieval era, dress was all about those very things.
Last week, I discussed weaving historical elements into fantasy (ish) fiction over at Author Abigail Harris’ blog—particularly village life in reality vs. fantasy and my mix of both. Today, I’m over at Drop in the Ocean discussing medieval clothing. Read the full article here.

One Word: Balance | Blog Tour Stop at Blossoms and Blessings

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You know, sometimes it’s just the right time to throw aside propriety and ramble. If you’re me, that is. 😉 Maybe other authors have it all together all the time, but I definitely don’t.

Today I’m over at Blossoms and Blessings sharing an “About-the-Process” post which includes… totally forgetting that I have more than just “Protecting the Poor” on my desk right now. *hides face* Yep… I’m not the only one who struggles with balance, am I? 😉

Read the full, rambling post here.

Writing Two POVs | Blog Tour Stop at Writings from a God-Girl

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments

Have you ever wondered the difference between writing one point-of-view and two (or more)? Have you ever considered if your book needs just one POV or two? Do you know how to make that decision?

I don’t know that I have the answers for everyone, but I absolutely loved writing in two POVs for “The Secret Slipper” and “Protecting the Poor”–and, like so much about this series, it has been a huge learning experience!

Hop over to Writings from a God-Girl to read a little of my thinklings about this POV process.

Weaving History into Fantasy | Blog Tour Stop at Author Abigail Harris

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

 
Let’s be honest. When we think of the medieval age, we tend to romanticize it. I mean, who else gets these images in mind? (credit: all images from Pixabay)

This is more the style that I featured in my Tales of Faith series, but it’s not historically accurate. Read the full article over at Author Abigail Harris’s blog.

Yours Truly, Thomas | Book Review

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
The premise of this story was amazing: a dead letter office worker who feels pity for a man who’s running out west yet yearning for his love back home. As the story unfolds, there are many more juicy story bits that are creative, but it’d spoil it to tell you.
The romance in this story was sweet and there really wasn’t any moment I felt it was inappropriate. Penny is definitely a romantic dreamer at heart, but she does get a taste of reality through the story.

There were references to God and things being ordered by Providence, but it seemed that the characters who “are changed now” were changed by circumstances and people, not God. Thomas mentioned reading the Bible and there was one verse shared (that I remember), but it wasn’t a super strong spiritual thread.

The writer in me did not wholly enjoy this book. There were fantastic ideas, but I felt like the story was dialogue-driven and I wasn’t really allowed to *feel* the characters because they were always talking. But I do try not to let the writer in me shade my review rating too much. If someone just wants a sweet read with a twist of a mystery, they may enjoy this one.

*I received this book from Revell reads and happily provided my honest review* 
Purchase this book on Amazon.
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About the Book
For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people’s mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more–a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn’t expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply.

When Penny’s undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring–perhaps too much–for the one who wrote it.