FRIDAY READS: Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

So when I saw Horrorstor featured on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, I knew I had to have it. It's a horror story set in an IKEA knockoff. Now, I loves me some IKEA. But you know it'd be freaking creepy to be in one at night. All those fake rooms, all those twists and turns, the endless maze. Not to mention all those Allen wrenches and wordless instruction booklets. *shudders*

This author took that concept to the nth degree using an IKEA knockoff concept named Orsk. But it's really clever how they packaged the story. The book looks like an IKEA catalog and there are ads throughout the book that read like IKEA-speak. (Have a question? Just ORSK!) But the furniture ads at the beginning of chapters get more and more sinister as the story goes along.

So at first I was worried that this would be all schtick. Clever but not much substance. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. The story is darkly funny (especially if you've ever worked in retail) yet still delivers on the creepiness. It's got that Scream vibe. Where you're laughing one minute but then getting creeped out the next. Also, fair warning, this is not a romance. I know that's what I usually feature, but this is not that. If scary books aren't your thing, then this probably won't be for you. It's not terrifying IMO. It's creepy. But I know some of you avoid horror-type stuff at all costs. 

Also, because of the illustrations and format, you'll want to either get the print copy or read it on a larger device. I think you'd miss a lot if you were reading it on an e-ink device.

BUY THE BOOK: B&N | Amazon | iBooks

What do y'all think? Anyone freaked out by the idea of getting trapped in an IKEA at night? My nightmare would be being forced to assemble the furniture all night. My thumbs hurt just thinking about it.

Disclaimer: Though Amazon and iBook links are affiliate links, I only recommend books I truly enjoyed from my own TBR pile. I purchased this book and was not asked by anyone to promote it.

Thirteen Writer Woes and the Books to Cure Them

I'm a writing book whore. I can't deny it. I know every how-to-write book says this one is "the only writing book you'll ever need". But yeah, whatever. Not true. Every book on craft that I pick up, I learn SOMETHING new. A new technique, a new way to look at things, an a-ha moment on something I was having trouble with. These books feed your writer brain like Reese's chocolate easter eggs feed your soul. So I figured I would compile a list from my personal stash of writing books to recommend.

*This is an old post that I have updated and added new books to. 

Thirteen Writer Woes and the Books to Cure Them

Problem #1:You're a pantser and are dying to figure out a way to SIMPLY plot without having to become something you're not. 

Though I have a little nerdgasm looking at pictures of people's plotting white boards with all their notes and post-its and color-coding and index carding, the idea of actually doing that to one of my stories makes my throat close up. But, at the same time, I crave some organization, some rough map of where I'm going. Enter my favorite book, *pets its cover* Seriously, life-changing. I can now write entire synopsis (to sell on proposal) before I've written any of the novel. Don't worry that it says screenwriting, it totally applies to novels as well.

Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder

This was another life-changing book for my writing life. I always had plotter envy. Some part of me thought that was the "right" way to write a book and I was just cheating. Well, this book helped me embrace my pantser-ness and learn ways to work with some of the downfalls of pantsing. I recommend this to any writer. I've had plotters who have read it an gotten a lot of out of it too. Highly recommended. 

Story Trumps Structure by Steven James

Another book that goes with the screenwriting method of writing is My Story Can Beat Up Your Story by Jeffrey Alan Schechter. This one has some great techniques for that loose style of plotting. Lots and lots of good stuff. I've made worksheets from some of his stuff that I use with every book.

Problem #2: You keep getting partial requests but not follow-up full requests. So, you may, um, suck at openings. 

Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One and Never Lets Them Go by Les Edgerton

This is a tiny little book with a lot of great information.

The First 50 Pages by Jeff Gerke is also a great one for analyzing your opening pages and getting a reader hooked.

Problem #3:  You're writing your first book and are absolutely overwhelmed by the process.

Your First Novel: An Author Agent Team Share the Keys to Achieving Your Dream

Problem #4:  Your stories seem to lose focus or meander during the process.

Or maybe you're getting feedback from critters saying--I'm not really sure why your character is doing this or this scene doesn't seem to have a focus/point. This means you need to get down to the bones that hold a character and story together. This one is a classic you'll hear recommended over and over.

 Goal, Motivation, & Conflict by Debra Dixon

Problem #5:  You know you can write, but your books still aren't getting that agent, publisher, or enthusiasm from readers. 

You get feedback like, "You clearly have talent, but the story or characters just didn't resonate with me or reach out and grab me."

The Fire in Fiction: Passion, Purpose and Techniques to Make Your Novel Great

Problem #6: When you go back to edit your book, you have to cut a ton of scenes because they just aren't moving the story forward or adding anything.

Make a Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time

Problem #7 You need to write some hawt scenes, but whoa, shock of all shocks, sex isn't that easy to write! Who knew?

*I do a workshop on writing love scenes, so if you're ever around when I'm doing one, I encourage you to attend! :) You can see where I'll be on my Events page.

Passionate Ink: A Guide to Writing Erotic Romance by Angela Knight

Problem #8: You've been told you need to "tighten" your writing or you need a refresher on grammar.

I'm not sure how you can make a book about grammar engaging, but somehow, Constance Hale makes it happen. I actually enjoyed reading the book, and it's a good refresher for the basics but also the not-so-basic intricacies of grammar. Sin and Syntax by Constance Hale.

Want to write tight?

The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well by Paula LaRocque

Problem #9: You just want a kickass book on writing and want to hear Stephen King talk about what adverbs have to do with hell. 

On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft

Problem #10 - Your characters jump off the page and readers instantly feel connected to them, but your plot is weak or downright absent.

This book has been a life saver for me because plot is always my biggest struggle. It's one of those books you want to read slowly and more than once because there's a brilliant nugget on every page. Pretty much anything James Scott Bell writes about writing resonates with me. I don't plot ahead but this helps me analyze structure after the fact. I also made worksheets from some of his questions to use when I'm brainstorming a book.

Plot & Structure: (Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish) by James Scott Bell

Problem #11 - You can come up with the most twisty-turny, compelling plot ever, but your characters are cardboard players stuck in there just to serve the plot or are completely unbelievable.

The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines

Problem #12 - You're writing is "good" but you can't seem to make that draft sing and stand out. 

I had the privilege of seeing Margie Lawson speak at a local conference on fresh writing and it really was a revelation. (When you read MELT INTO YOU, the prologue was totally inspired by that class. I came home and wrote it the night after her lecture.) Her editing system and focus on taking the clichés out of your writing is amazing. She doesn't have a book, but she has lecture packets. And though twenty bucks may seem pricey for a packet, I can assure you these packets are THICK and chock full of awesomeness. Check them out here.

So those are some of my faves. Every time I open one of these books, I learn something useful. It's like my prescription when I have writer's block.

Problem #13 - You're running out of ways to describe expressions and ways for characters to express certain emotions. 

The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi is a great reference source listing all kind of emotions and then the physical expressions of them.

So do you suffer from any of these above afflictions? Which one? Do you have any of these books? What's your favorite craft book and why?

What to Read: Dark Romance - My Recommendations

I'm starting a new series of blogs today called What To Read. I did something similar a few years ago, but I figured it was time to tackle a few other subgenres and to update some recs on older ones. Today, I'm focusing on dark romance--one of my favorites.

Now, the definition of "dark" can vary widely from person to person. A really gritty romantic suspense could be considered dark if you focus on the fact that there is violence or murders or serial killers. But that's not what I'm talking about today. For my purposes, a dark romance is one that has an anti-hero, a villain type as the lead guy, and/or completely mindf*cks you. The usual lines of morality are blurred. These are the guys who you really wouldn't want to mess with in real life, but who are so interesting to read about.

When I read these, I have that thought--wow, I really shouldn't be rooting for these people or liking this hero or wanting this person to get the girl. But I do. And I can't help it, lol. Hence, the mindf*ck. I love when an author can pull that off.

And the key for me that separates this from just reading about really bad people is that even when the main guy is an anti-hero, he always has some seed that keeps you with him. It could be his version of his own moral code, some line he won't cross. Or something happens and he's redeemed on some level(as much as one of these guys can be redeemed.) Or the backstory is so well-crafted that you get it. You understand why he is the way he is. Usually, very bad things have happened to him. So you see the humanity underneath the dangerous, broken parts.

Now, a trigger warning. Some of these books go to really dark places. Uncomfortable places. In many ways, that's the beauty of fiction. You can step in and out of the world and still be safe. However, if you have triggers around rape, violence, or anything in that zone, you may want to steer clear of these.

Okay, so recommendations. And note, none of these authors have asked me to feature their books or given me copies in exchange for promotion. These are my own personal recs of books I've read. 

Recommendations

*Click book covers for more info

One of the ones that has stuck with me as of late is Prisoner by Skye Warren and Annika Martin. Skye is one of the first authors I saw doing truly dark romance. Her books pull no punches. They go there. The heroes are often very bad men, but you want to read about them and the heroines. She has a number of books out there, but her collaboration with Annika is probably my favorite. Prisoner is about...a prisoner (surprise!) who kidnaps the heroine when he escapes.  I also enjoyed Love the Way You Lie.

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This next duet is one that will mind*ck you. You really, really don't want to feel any sympathy for the guy. He's so very villain-y...until you find out why. Captive in the Dark and Seduced in the Dark by CJ Roberts. All the trigger warnings for this one, y'all.

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The Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith is a little (a lot) left of center from the others. It's Sci-Fi and LOOOOONG. And, uh, the hero is an alien/lizard man. I know, I know. Believe me, if I hadn't seen a lot of people whose opinion I trust recommending it all over when it came out, I never would've picked it up. But it ended up being one of my favorite reads of whichever year I read it. The hero lives by different rules (you know, he's on an alien on a different planet and all) and the heroine is human. But the journey he goes on is truly worth reading. 

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Like Dexter? Try One Cut Deeper by Joely Sue Burkhart. She does a good job of making the hero sympathetic even though he's about as dangerous a man as one can be. This one has blood play, knife play, and edgy BDSM scenes. You've been warned.

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Okay, so what if you're curious about dark romance but you don't want to jump into the deep end quite yet? Here are some suggestions for books that are dark in theme but still have heroes with strong moral codes who you can feel good about.

I recommend Tiffany Reisz's Original Sinners series all over the place. Full disclosure: We share an agent and know each other. But honestly, that has nothing to do with my love for her books. The series is well-written, sexy, and intense. Expect lots of BDSM, a sadist priest who you'll love, and a long list of characters who will stay with you for a long time.

---

Asking For It by Lilah Pace is one that has a dark theme but likable characters. This and the follow-up book, Begging For It, tackle the issue of rape fantasy. It's a tough topic, but the author handles it with a deft hand. 

So I hope that gives you a place to start if you're looking to try out this genre or if you're looking for more reads within it.

For those of you who read Dark Romance, what books would you recommend? I'm always looking for another great read.

Friday Reads: An Organizing Book For the Right Brainers & Visual Learners

So at the beginning of the school year, I get that same new year feeling I get when January rolls around, that feeling of a fresh start. And with that usually comes a focus on my two regular challenges: diet/exercise and organizing.

I'm back on track with the diet thing and have even started a private Facebook group called the Healthy Habit Exchange if you want to come join us and share tips and encouragement.

Request an invite here.

But I've also started working on the organizing thing again. Last year I did a big purge in my house when we remodeled, going with the minimalist mentality. So too much stuff isn't my problem this year. However, organizing my schedule and not forgetting things is an ongoing challenge. I've discovered that a lot of my issues come from the fact that I'm a visual person and pretty right-brained. Organizational apps and calendars on my phone are pretty useless for me. Unless I see it right it front of me all spread out and big picture, it's forgotten the minute I type something in. And yes, I can set up reminders but that doesn't help me see the overall view of what my week or month is looking like relative to everything else.

So I've gone to a paper planner and have made it like an art project, which is feeding my creative brain and tricking me into writing everything down because it's fun. Isn't is pretty? This is the

Happy Planner

from Create 365 if you're interested. It's very, very nice and worth every bit of the twenty-five dollars it costs. There are

other designs

besides this one as well.

But while I was poking around on Pinterest for planner stuff, I came across a few articles about how to organize for the ADHD brain. I clicked on them and was like--wow, this is so me. Now, I'm not ADHD. The list of symptoms doesn't fit me. BUT I definitely suffer from hyperfocus, especially when I'm writing, and that means all these other things get forgotten or dropped. And the strategies that work for people with ADHD totally click with how my brain works when it comes to organizing. It was an a-ha moment, honestly.

So with more research, I found this book:

Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD

. It was recommended on a few sites and most said--ignore the fact that it's aimed at those with ADHD, these tips can help a lot of people who have struggled with traditional left-brained organizing techniques.

Those recommendations were right on. I found this book so helpful. And more than once thinking--yes, this! Like, for instance, putting things in nice covered bins or boxes never works for me. Once it's out of sight or under a stack, it's dead to me. I will never remember what's in there and I won't go digging through it. And if things get stored in the back of my pantry, I may as well throw them away. If I can't see them, they no longer exist.

There's a lot more than just putting things in sight in the book. It's a quick read with lots of pictures and a ton of great tips. Some are on the extreme side (like only having one towel per family member), but there's way more good stuff to takeaway than stuff that didn't resonate with me. And it plays into the minimalist mentality as well. So if you're looking for something that's going to tell you how to organize a tone of STUFF, this isn't the right book unless you're willing to purge.

So anyway, though I usually reserve Friday Reads for fiction, I thought I'd pass this along since I know there are a lot of right-brainers (or those with ADHD) out there who maybe could use these tips too. If you're highly left-brained, this book will probably give you hives though. So be warned, lol. 

Check out the book:

Amazon

|

B&N

So are you left-brained or right-brained? Anyone else in love with their paper planner?

*Note: I have not been asked to endorse any of these products, but the links are affiliate links.

Friday Reads: Love the Way You Lie by Skye Warren

 

It's Friday Reads time! This week I have a dark romance for you. And bonus, it's on sale for 99 cents! 

If you haven't read Skye Warren before, be prepared for dark romances with anti-heroes--know that going in. There are happy endings but it's not your traditional romance. That's what I like about her books, that pushing the envelope edge. But it's not for everyone, so this is an easy way to try her out. And this one isn't as dark as some of her others I've read. But I love her use of language and the storylines she tackles. She's becoming an auto buy for me.

Amazon | B&N

About the book:

A dark romance about the lies that lead us down...

I'll do anything to get safe, even if that means working at the scariest club in town.

I'll do anything to stay hidden, even if it means taking off my clothes for strangers.

I'll do anything to be free. Except give him up. When he looks at me, I forget why I can't have him. He's beautiful and scarred. His body fits mine, filling the places where I'm hollow, rough where I am soft.

He's the one man who wants to help, but he has his own agenda. He has questions I can't answer. What are you afraid of?

You.

What are you reading this week?

Weekly Book PSA: Pike's book CALL ON ME is now out and this is what Publisher's Weekly had to say about it: "...sets the pages on fire. The romance is as sweet as the action is hot, and there's something deeply satisfying about the way this couple comes together."

Have you gotten your hands on Pike yet? ;)

Nook |Kindle | Kindle UK | Kindle Canada

Kobo |Apple/iTunes | Google Play

**Disclaimer: Any books recommended here are from my own TBR pile that I buy with my own money unless otherwise noted. I have not been asked to review this book by the author or publisher. I do not take review requests or feature sponsored content. However, Amazon links are affiliate links.**