C: Click Here

C:  I visit lots of blogs, not only during the A to Z Challenge, but nearly every day of the year.  I even visited some on Christmas Day last year.  And by visiting my friends, I often am led off on a tangent by some link they've included in their blog topic for the day.  Some of those links are explained and the link in made by clicking at the word, here.  As in, click here.  Go here. 

I'm not an expert on how search engines work but one thing I've learned from somewhere or from someone, is that you should name your links and not write, click here. 

For instance, my romance publisher, New Concepts Publishing, has my most recent fantasy romance on special.  A Tiger's Courage is now available in print as well as ebook.  You can find it at any ebook retailer like Amazon and Fictionwise.

Notice how the links to my book and my publisher are the links.  I don't say 'click here' to buy the book.  If I get the idea of it, it helps my numbers and rankings with search engines.  I don't have to understand it to do it the best way. 

So no more 'click here' or 'go here.'   Are you thoughtful of what words you use in your links? Do you google yourself to see if you have all the top spots in a search of your name or your book?

Happy Valentine's Day

I've read some stuff recently on the actual chemistry of love.  There have been studies that have proven the brain releases certain chemical like dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is released when you do something pleasurable. People can get addicted to activities that cause the release of dopamine, like drugs, eating chocolate, and falling in love.  There's lots more chemistry involved but this isn't a science blog.  Today it's a blog about love or maybe love stories.

When an author writes a romance, there are some rules readers expect in a romance novel.  The 'happily everafter' is one of the things that make a novel into a romance novel.  Most readers want the main protagonists to be monogamous.  Even though some science claims men aren't naturally wired to be with just one woman, science also says they live longer and healthier if they pick one good woman and stay with her.

The romance writer also has to insure there's more to the attraction between two people than appearance alone.  Again science questions the role of scent but most of know what we like.  Is it that mystery called pheromones or are we borrowing that idea from the animal world? All of which the smart romance writer will include descriptions including more than height and weight.

So how does a romance writer get those demanding readers to sample her work?  Great cover art is a place to start.  That cover might convince someone to open that first page or read that free portion available online.  I believe my cover for my latest romance, A Tiger's Courage, is the best for showing two characters in love.  Happy Valentine's Day. Hope your romance is producing all the right chemicals for you.

Cover Gratitude

Many authors know the feeling of helplessness when it comes to cover art. When you self publish you have control over what cover represents your work but even with small publishers, you may be at the mercy of the powers that be.  I've been lucky and liked all my covers but one.  My complaint about that one was the heat level.  The extremely risque cover wasn't equal to the sensuality level of the book and I thought it mislead readers.  Some probably purchased it expecting something erotic in nature and others probably didn't purchase for the same misconception.  I'm over it, though that book has been my worst seller of my romance line under the name, Susan Kelley.

Viola today, I received the cover for my newest romance novel, A Tiger's Courage.  The artist, Alex DeShanks, got it exactly right.  Hair color and length for the protagonists is correct and the overlapping pictures capture the desert setting of the story.  To top it off, the title and my name are both in this exceptionally cool font.  I love it!

Do you have a great cover story, good or bad?  How much say do you have in the final appearance of your book cover?

Hell Week

I don't say much about my day job except to mention when it's cutting into my writing time. This week there are some exceptional things going on. For instance, out of six people in our department, three are going to be absent most of the week. It will be challenging and hectic, not good for coming home and jumping right into another job.

I also must do some Christmas shopping this week. My husband is taking some of the burden off and buying some things for the adults on my list.  I also did some shopping online and the gifts should arrive on my doorstep before the end of the week. 

I'm trying to get Beyond the Gate, Book#2 of The Futhark Chronicles, up on Smashwords and am running into the same situation as before but now I realize it's not all my fault. If a lot or people are trying to upload at the same time, it does strange things and claims you've made an error.  I still get frustrated.

This Friday, New Concepts Publishing, my romance publisher, is releasing my latest fantasy romance, A Tiger's Courage.  I had work to do for that. Sorry to complain but I needed to vent a little.  I do need to stock up on the wine this week and perhaps even the strong stuff. 

Is holiday planning or the day job work load infringing on your writing time? Any big events happening with your writing before the end of the year?

Absent For a Few Days

Sorry I haven't been around much this week to visit blogs despite my intention to use that new smartphone to keep up with you all.  I'm been deep into getting Beyond the Gate, Book #2 of The Futhark Chronicles, ready for publication.  Some of you were with during my last attempt to self-publish the first previously published book in my epic fantasy series.  Now I'm about to delve into those same frustrations again.  Yes, I bought a few bottles of wine today. Just in case.

I can't help but dread it despite all I've learned from the first time. Hopefully by next week at this time, it will all be behind me and I can start on the promotion for my next romance coming out in a two weeks.  A Tiger's Courage is the third book in The Tigers of Salubria fantasy series from New Concepts Publishing.  My publisher is hosting a chat and lots of contest giveaways next Saturday. More on that later this week. 

So think of me now and then over the next few days as I pound my head on my desk and use words not usually heard in my writing office. If you notice me visiting your blog everyday, it means I'm too distressed to work on what I should be doing.