Hot News, Dark Spells, and on Fire!

News first! No time to explain, let me sum up.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group’s next post is THIS Wednesday!!!

Jen Daiker will be published in a collection of romantic stories next year – way to go, Jen!

I won Laura B. Writer’s 200 followers contest – an eBook copy of Kristen Lamb's Are You There Blog? It's Me, Author! Thank you, Laura.

Saw Puss in Boots – great animation and solid story. Think adventure rather than comedy. And not for real little kids, as they simply won’t follow the storyline.

Madeleine Scribble and Edit gave me the Friendly blogger award. Thank you, Madeleine!

And appreciate all the words of congratulations on CassaStar cracking Amazon’s Top Ten in science fiction – and special thanks to Rusty for catching a screen shot of it at number eight. I still can’t believe it…

Darkspell's Launch Spookfesta

Darkspell by Elizabeth Mueller – available today!
Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . .until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.
As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own. Will love prove thicker than magic?
Purchase Darkspell on Amazon and visit Elizabeth at her BLOG or WEBSITE

Spookfesta question - "If I had all the magic in the world, I'd . . ."
Return the earth to its original state – as Heaven. (Of course, I couldn’t really do that – but fortunately, God can!)

On Fire!

Thanks to everyone who has signed up for CassaFire’s Catch Fire! blog party on February 28, 2012! If you haven’t, visit HERE (see also tabbed page under my header) to join the fun and a chance to win a copy of CassaFire.

And thanks to those who’ve spread the word about this blog party. My official tour is now set and CassaFire is already on Goodreads with a four star review.

Happy Halloween! Anyone else have a wild week or weekend? Participating in Elizabeth’s fest? See a movie? About to panic because NaNo starts soon…?

Creating Compelling Characters

Today’s blogfest is all about how writers create compelling characters.

First, let me quantify that statement – I hope I’ve figured out how to do that!

Now, on to my process…

I just look to the qualities in the characters of other books. What draws me to that character? What do I admire? What causes me to relate to those characters?

I prefer characters that are intelligent and crafty, remaining one step ahead of their opponent. They should be brave and possess confidence. But, the most important component – they are flawed and yet still manage to get the job done.

For me, that’s the key – imperfect characters. Nobody’s perfect. (I know I possess many defects!) That’s why we relate to others who share our weaknesses and insecurities. Of course, a character can’t be a total loser. Even at our lowest point, we still hope that we possess some redeeming qualities. We want to believe that we can grow and improve. And a compelling character needs to do the same.

In the end, believable characters give us faith in ourselves. Broken down into those simple terms, designing compelling characters isn’t so difficult after all.

And if you really think about it, that’s pretty damn cool!

Be sure to visit Elana Johnson and Jennifer Daiker at Unedited, along with the other participants listed below!

It’s a Wrap! And a Call for Help…

First, a BIG thanks to all eighty-three Top 10 TV Shows blogfest participants! Many of us discovered shows we had in common and shows that were new to us. Some of the lists were so original, too! I was trying to monitor the most mentioned show and I finally concluded that Firefly was the winner. (Hear that FOX? Bring back Firefly!!!) Many of you received lots of comments and new followers, which is awesome. Overall, I had a blast! Hope everyone else did, too.

I moved the participant list to its own page - see tab above. All links go directly to the blogfest post and non-participants were removed. Some posted early Tuesday, so check for those you may have missed.

There’s also the Great Blogging Experiment this Friday! During our week of blogging tips, Elana, Jen, and I planned September 24 as day to blog about “Writing Compelling Characters.” (Okay, the ladies planned it - I just created the blogfest linky signup.) See Elana’s BLOG for details or sign up at the bottom of my blog.

And now my call for help…

A full blog tour is planned around my book release next month - see tab above for stops. I was honored with more offers than I could accommodate and I appreciate those friends so much! However, with the release date looming closer each day, I’ll admit it - apprehension is setting in.

Spurred by Talli’s 1000 Blogs quest on December 1, I am asking for help. It would be so awesome - and humbling - to see my book (or book trailer) appear on blogs across the web on October 19. I have this fear that date will come and go - and no one will know about CassaStar!

If any of you (besides those already hosting me on my tour) are willing to blog about my book on that date, please let me know! I can supply you with the cover, the synopsis, the html for the trailer, a bottle of wine - whatever you need. I’m not above begging, either! It’s not a pretty sight, but I’m willing to grovel…

Awesome Week!

And next week will be cool, too.

Yes, I know – I passed 300 followers! Damn, didn’t I just hit 200 in July? Need to celebrate! Doubt I can do another book giveaway until October, but for now, drinks on the house. Wow, 300 people find me interesting... that'll give my wife a chuckle!

Don't forget the Top 10 TV Shows blogfest on September 20th! Sign up for it above. There were 60 participants for the Movie Dirty Dozen, and I'd like even more for this one.

The blogging series this past week with Elana Johnson and Jennifer Daiker at Unedited was great. Special thanks to Elana for inviting me to participate. Not sure I had as much to offer as those ladies, but I hope someone benefited from my ramblings. Big welcome to all my followers, too! And the week kicked off with Karen at Coming Down the Mountain’s Labor Day Weekend BBQ. Big hello to all who found me through that blogfest!

Elana, Jen, and I are also doing The Great Blogging Experiment on September 24 – check it out!

Monday I’m hosting Cassandra from Cassandra Jade in the Realm. She did something cool with her blog tour – hosts are visiting her site as well. So, on Monday, Cassandra will be here and I will be at her blog.

Several of you commented that you want to know more about my book. Okay, but only because you asked! Next week I’ll talk a little about my two main characters. For now, you’ll just have to visit the page above marked CassaStar for my book’s synopsis and the trailer.

Lynnette at Chatterbox ChitChat has a big contest and I thought some of my fellow writers might be interested. “Preparations for our next big contest are underway. If you know someone who writes adult romance or an adult genre with romantic elements, ask them if they’d like to join a small critique group, then send them our way. At the moment, Rumored Romantics has three members: Suzanne Johnson, Katrina Crew, and Lynnette Labelle.”

Finally, I caught MACHETE last weekend. A bit over the top, but it’s a classic grindhouse film. Lots of action and fights. Amazing cast, too. And the star, Danny Trejo, is sixty-six! Impressive.

Whew! Did I cover everything?

Joint Blogging Series - Post Topics and Relationships

I am joining Elana Johnson and Jennifer Daiker at Unedited this week for a series on blogging. Please visit their sites as well for some expert advice. As for me, I’ll just offer my humble advice and experience.

What to blog about? I think all new bloggers struggle at first. Hell, some days I don’t know what I’m going to say!

I winged it the first couple months before discovering my groove. There were some good posts and a few I just tossed out and prayed. I kept looking at other author and writer blogs and felt I had to do what they did in order to succeed.

Then one day while making changes to my layout, I took a long, hard look at my profile description. It finally hit me – I needed to blog about my passions.

I tweaked my profile description and began blogging on those subjects. Talk about relieving pressure! I now had permission to be myself. This was reflected in the quality of my posts, which in turn attracted more readers. I’ve heard more than once this isn’t a typical writer’s blog, but that’s okay. I’m not typical – I’m Alex! (The commenting Ninja!)

I think the key to successful blogging lies in one’s passions. If you’re excited, your readers will be as well.

The blogging community is about building relationships. We’ve walked into a party – now it’s time to mingle. We exchange ideas and thoughts, testing the waters. Those who share our kindred spirit become friends. We cheer one another on when something great happens and comfort when times are rough. And it’s through these friendships that we grow and change.

I never realized all this community had to offer until I became involved. Now that I’ve a whole army of friends behind me, I can declare it was worth the effort. And I am here to stay!

Joint Blogging Series - Comments

I am joining Elana Johnson and Jennifer Daiker at Unedited this week for a series on blogging. Please visit their sites as well for some expert advice. As for me, I’ll just offer my humble beginnings and advice.

Most bloggers crave comments. Our blog post sits there, ignored by the world, and then – a comment appears! We’re thrilled. We want more. We need more. It’s a matter of life or death!

Eh, maybe not that bad.

I’ve watched my comments grow this year from single digits to over fifty-five per post. While I’m still not sure how this happened (I swear I didn’t bribe anyone) I can tell you what I’ve done to encourage comments.

I follow and comment on a lot of blogs. My goal is a hundred a day. Some days I fall short. (I slack, I sleep in, I live my life – that sort of thing.) I usually comment on quite a few though. Now, while I enjoy the luxury of blogging from work in addition to blogging at home, I think every blogger can hit 2-3 dozen blogs a day.

I try to create interesting posts, ones that spark the interests of others. Sometimes I drift, but I try to stay within my basic topics as well. If it’s a passion of mine, I like to think that shines through in the post. I believe that’s the key, too. A blog can be about anything that excites the host, and it works as long as the posts reflect that fact. After all, excitement is contagious.

Posts that receive the most comments are the ones that encourage a response. Asking a question entices others to get involved in the discussion. Sometimes the individual comments here are longer than my post! But that’s great. Blogging is all about getting involved.

Okay, my movie posts garner a lot of comments, too. Guess my followers are just as geeked-out about movies as me!

I reply to commenters in my post, and you’d be surprised how many come back for a reply – and comment again.

Word verification turns off some people and they won’t comment. Enough said.

Participating in blogfests will draw comments, but you need to comment as well.

Contests are a big draw. I’ve held one contest and that post still holds the record for the most comments.

Finally, really big news draws comments. An event that rocks your world! When I posted my book trailer, everyone stopped by to comment on it. I don’t often post about my upcoming book, but it really made me feel good to receive so many words of encouragement.

I don’t think there’s any big secret to increasing comments. If you’re willing to do a lot of little things, then it will happen!

Joint Blogging Series - Followers

I am joining Elana Johnson and Jennifer Daiker at Unedited this week for a series on blogging. Please visit their sites as well for some expert advice. As for me, I’ll just offer my humble beginnings and advice.

I began blogging last November and started by following a few science fiction sites and authors. It was slow going at first as I figured out my topics and posting schedule. By the end of March, I’d amassed a whole thirty followers. Yes, rather pathetic!

The turning point was the A-Z Challenge, hosted by Lee at Tossing it Out - blog a letter of the alphabet every day in April with Sundays off for good behavior. Not only did I find my blogging rhythm, I gained sixty new followers that month. Lee followed up the challenge with a music blogfest in May, and I hosted The Movie Dirty Dozen in June. During this time, I continued to find new blogs, and my following grew to 200 by July.

It took a great deal more than just the blogfests to gain followers, though. Gaining and maintaining quality followers is a multi-faceted endeavor. Here are some of the actions that increased my followers and my recommendation for those who want to increase blog followers:

Be willing to follow others, and not just for the sake of enticing them to follow you. Follow because you are genuinely interested in their blogs.

Create posts of interest, especially those that foster a discussion. Define your topics and create a posting schedule. How often should you post? Between three times a week and daily is ideal.

Comment on other blogs – often! Most bloggers appreciate even a short comment as long as it’s relevant to the post. Some of us even like snarking.

Praise and reward other bloggers. Reference someone’s great post, announce another’s achievement, or pass along an award. Invite others to provide a guest post for your blog.

Place your favorite blogs in your blogroll.

Actively seek out new bloggers. Investigate blogs suggested by others and explore blogrolls.

Be true to yourself. Be genuine in your posts and comments and focus on your strengths.

If you adopt these suggestions and become involved in the blogging community, an amazing thing happens – others will reciprocate. They will place your blog in their blogrolls. They mention you in their posts. They invite you to provide guest posts for their blog. And they spread the word that you are an awesome blogger to follow!

We tend to measure success in terms of numbers, but it’s quality, not quantity, that really matters. My followers are an awesome bunch of people and I am grateful for their patronage. (I’m also humbled so many find me interesting.) In return, I promise to fulfill my end of the bargain so they keep coming back! Otherwise, it'd be really dull around here...

In Alex's World...

It’s 90 degrees outside and 60 degrees in my office. I love working in a refrigerator! Other than freezing my ass off, good things are happening this week. And not just in my world, either! Talli just hit 400 followers! That is awesome – she’s a great blogger and beautiful gal. Would love to hear an audio of her voice, as I bet she has a sexy accent, too. (Wait, did I say that out loud?) She’s holding a giveaway, so check out Talli’s BLOG for details. Fallen just hit 200 followers and is also holding a contest! So, stop by Falen Formulates Fiction and say hi to Yvie for me as well. Cassandra Jade kicked off her virtual tour on Wednesday with a unique twist – during her visits, the host blogger visits HER site as well. It’s like a two-for-one deal. I’m looking forward to hosting Cassandra on the 13th. Elana Johnson contacted Jennifer Daiker at Unedited and yours truly to do a triple-post series next week on blogging. Elana wanted three viewpoints on blogging from experts. No, that is not a typo. No, I don’t believe it either. Jen has close to 700 followers and Elana has… well, at least a million. (Reminds me of the child’s game “Which one of these items doesn’t belong?”) The series kicks off on Monday and Elana will have details up at her website very soon. So, be sure to visit THOSE two awesome ladies for some great info. Then you can come by and humor me with a nice, short, irrelevant comment… And despite the fact I’m working on guest posts for my virtual tour next month (Dear Lord, that’s next month!!!) a couple new ideas struck me for the sequel to CassaStar. So, I’ve been writing, turning Byron’s world upside down again. Actually, I stuck him in a barrel and sent him over Niagara Falls… Thanks to everyone who’s visited over the past couple weeks. The Blogging Idiosyncrasies posts were a big hit. If you missed them – and judging from the amount of comments, you didn’t – Part One, Part Two, and Part Three. Wait, did I mention another blogfest in the spirit of The Movie Dirty Dozen? No? I’ll get back to you on that one…