Community Story Board is as Community Story Board Does

February 3, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 6 Comments

The Community Story Board is back. Here is a message from the editors to provide some guidance going forward. Please visit with the idea of submitting some of your great work. You will find the submission guidelines on the site.

We’re back!!! New Guidelines.

After careful consideration and discussions with a panel of experts (we hear voices), we are implementing some not so drastic changes. In the spirit of keeping this a fair and fun community for everyone, we have rearranged some privileges, made some editorial changes, and adjusted our guidelines. Some of you who had free posting privileges prior to our closure may now find that you are restricted and need an editor’s approval before posting. After a history of consistent quality posts, you may regain privileges to post without editor approval. This is not anything personal or a judgment against your writing or talent, but we are striving to take the CSB in a more positive direction. To do so, we need to establish more quality control.

Going forward, we ask that people remember that this website is about feedback. The ‘C’ stands for Community and we mean it. Even if you dislike a piece, please feel free to comment on it with respect and integrity. Consistently coming to the editors with an issue about works that are represented on the blog does not help the author in question learn and grow. If discussions do get heated and cross the line of civility, the editors will step in and there will be the risk of removal of offending party(ies).

Without further ado, here are the New Guidelines!

This blog is intended to feature Short fiction, non-fiction and poetry, as well as art pieces and musical works. We would prefer if your submission was no longer than 1000 words long, unless it has been arranged prior.
We ask that you limit your posting to 1 piece per day unless you are an editor or have previous permission. The exception to this rule is during contests, prompts, and themes that require more than one post per day.
The work you submit must be original and all rights must belong to you. If you are submitting work for someone else, you must include a signed release with your submission. Any work that is deemed as not original will be promptly removed from the site and you will no longer be allowed to participate. This includes any art work or photos that are an accompaniment to your writing, unless it is public domain.
Your work will be published as determined by the editors of this site, and on the schedule that works for them.
We will not edit your work for you. It will be published as is.
We maintain the right to refuse to publish a work at our discretion and without any further explanation.
We do not claim any rights to your work. It is yours to do with as you wish. If you no longer wish to have your work featured on the site, please use the contact form on the Submission Guidelines Page. Please remember to include the title of your post so that we may easily find and remove it. It may take up to 72 hours for it to be removed from the site.
Please keep in mind this is a community. Choose only your best stuff and post the rest to personal blogs.
The formatting of your piece will be handled by our editors, unless you have posting privileges. WordPress sometimes does odd things. We will do the best we can to ensure that it comes out looking great.
If you are submitting an excerpt of a published book, please also send us a link to the book and the publisher information.
Fan Fiction will NOT be accepted.
NO self-promoting via single links to your blog with no other content.
All content on this site is property of the individual author. If you are going to use it in part or in whole somewhere else, you must have permission from the author first, with the exception of reblogs.
Please include the links to your website/sales pages with your work if you wish to have them posted.
Please note: It may take up to a week for one of our editors to get back to you.
If you wish to have a photo included with your submission please note this at the top of your submission and we will send you the appropriate email to submit it to. We kindly ask that you limit your photos to one per submission, unless you are doing a photography post that has been previously approved.
Please ensure that your photos are appropriate for all audiences and are not offensive. This includes graphic nudity, violence/gore, sexuality, and anything else that may be construed as inappropriate.

We hope everyone has a good time here and shares in the joy of reading and writing–Thank you, the editorial team.

Keep a look out for a post about coming events such as an artist contest and the bi-monthly theme, which will be replacing the weekly prompts.

Top Ten No Nos is as Top Ten No Nos Does

February 3, 2014February 2, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 12 Comments

Here is the 31st installment of Ten Top Lists of What Not to Do by Marie Ann Bailey of 1WriteWay at http://1writeway.com and John W. Howell of Fiction Favorites at http://johnwhowell.com. These lists are simu-published on our blogs each Monday. We hope you enjoy.

Top Ten Things Not to do When Writing a Novel

10. When writing a novel, do not try to explain to anyone what you are doing. If you do, at best they will walk away shaking their head. At worst you might find yourself as a recipient of an intervention by well-meaning friends and family which you didn’t know was being filmed until you see it on Dr. Phil.

9. When writing a novel, do not assume everyone in the world is waiting for it to be finished. If you do, at best you may get used to the sound of crickets when it’s done. At worst people might start avoiding you on purpose without trying to hide the fact that they are.

8. When writing a novel, do not ask your spouse to read parts and provide an opinion on how they like it. If you do, at best, you might end up in an argument over whether you really only used your imagination in writing those sex scenes. At worst, you both might end up paying a lot of money to a divorce lawyer.

7. When writing a novel, do not ask your children to be quiet while you write. If you do, at best they will make even more noise and you will have to find a way to sound proof your room. At worst, you might just be investigated by child protective services at the request of neighbors who are tired of the screaming and crying (mainly from you).

6. When writing a novel, do not think you need a rest by playing a video game or knitting the sleeve of a sweater. If you do, at best you’ll lose your focus on your plot. At worst, you will finish the sweater and reach the god level in the game, but never finish the book.

5. When writing a novel, do not try to make a decision on whether you should plan the book or just write it. If you do, at best you may get stalled on starting the novel and have to adjust your publication deadline. At worst, you may end up having an argument with yourself and end up not on speaking terms, which would totally blow your deadline.

4. When writing a novel, do not keep your own counsel on word usage or grammar. If you do, at best you may get lucky and have only a few mistakes. At worst, you will need to leave town and change your name to avoid the laughter from your peers.

3. When writing a novel, do not do your own editing. If you do, at best you may be surprised by the number of problems in your book. At worst, you may want to book a trip to a country with no extradition treaty with the US.

2. When writing a novel, do not avoid rich characterizations. If you do, at best you will have a book filled with pounds of boring material that not even you will want to read. At worst, you will need to find a decent disguise when meeting other authors and readers to avoid being called out by your characterizations of them.

1. When writing a novel, do not skimp on the plot thinking your literary style will pull you through. If you do, at best you might have a book you love, but no one else does. At worst, you might win the Worst Literary Book of the Year Award in recognition of your achievement.

Thank You is as Thank You Does

February 2, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 33 Comments

Well, the My GRL Blog Tour has been completed. We are down to the worm in the bottle; the chips and salsa are gone. It is time to strike the set, pack up the gear, and call it a day. The tour was supported by thirty world-class bloggers and from what I can tell was a success. Each hit their mark and in the end made a lot of beautiful music. If the promoter don’t mind, and the roadies don’t mind won’t you stay for a little bit longer. Please, please, please say that you will. I have one last note to play which is a final thank you to each of these wonderful people. So in order of appearance I give you:

Kristy Feltenberger Gillespie Devorah Fox

Kevin Brennen Ionia Martin

Sarah Cradit Hanna Stern

Charles Yallowitz Linda Hill

Robynn Gabel Julian Froment

Marie Ann Bailey Melissa Janda

Rhonda Blackhurst Dean Kealy

Helen Valentina Helena Hann-Basquiat

Bradley Corbett Herman Kok

Audrey Dawn Papi Z

Madi Preda Katie Sullivan

Cayman Thorn Andra Watkins

Alison Jack Rosie Amber

Susan Nicholls Jo Robinson

Pamela Beckford Teri Polen

Thank you all just one more time.

My GRL Blog Tour Volunteer Recognition – Pamela Beckford

February 1, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Pamela Beckford has two places on WordPress she calls home. The first is her blog titled Year ‘Round Thanksgiving Project. This is where Pamela can express herself in the form of looking for something to be thankful for each and every day. She made up her mind it is more blessed to be thankful for the good in one’s life. Her words; “and the power of looking for something, even on the bleakest day, to be thankful for is incredible. Kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. If I am looking for good, I will find good.” So the reader can count on Pamela to bring out what is good in most any situation or challenge. Her comments on these thanksgiving posts can be found under the Thanksgiving tab.

Pamela also does book reviews which can be found under her Book Review tab. Her reviews are very succinct and she doesn’t waste a lot of words which gives the reader a quick idea of what she thinks and how much she likes the book in question.

The Random tab houses just what you would expect; random discussions about a number of topics of the day. She also posts a lot of information about other authors and sites which have caught her eye. Pamela is one of the most supportive bloggers in this regard.

Her last tab on this site is Who Am I? this is the spot where you get to know a little about Pamela. She says, “I’m Pamela. I hate these pages where you have to talk about yourself. Really, I’m not all that interesting. I am CEO of a local nonprofit, I’m middle aged (who am I kidding? I’m past the half way mark), I’m a grandma and a mom. My grandson is the sun and the moon to me. I never knew true love until he was born.” She is very interesting. Don’t let her fool you. Which leads to her other site:

Poetry by Pamela where the reader will really get to experience Pamela’s skill in writing moving and sometimes complicated poems. She is not afraid to try new forms to make a mark. Recently she has been creating beautiful verse in Tanka and Doidotsu in addition to her other forms. She has chased subjects as diverse as: Winter, Spring, Fall, Summer, Flying, Season of Love, Why Now? It’s Over, and Resolutions. There really is a poem for every person on Pamela’s site. Go visit and tell her hello for me.

Thank you Pamela for your help with the launch of My GRL.

My GRL Blog Tour Volunteer Recognition – Teri Polen

February 1, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 1 Comment

Teri Polen has an interesting site: Books and Such which contains some of the latest book releases as well as links to reviews of the book listed. Many times Teri has done a review in advance of the actual release so this linking feature really helps to get up to speed on the latest opinion when the book is launched. The reviews are spot on and Teri answers the questions the reader needs answered before deciding to get the book.

Teri also spends a great deal of blogging time supporting other authors in their release, cover reveal and blog tours. This thank you post is but one of many directed to Teri for the support given.

Teri has a well thought out view of likes and dislikes. The About Me posting on Books and Such pretty much tells the tale. Here is what it says about Teri’s likes and then a modifier to the like:

“Books (no romance), music (absolutely no country), wine (no Merlot), movies (no chick flicks), chocolate (dark) – good. Shopping (unless in a book or electronics store) and the color pink – bad.

I’m an aspiring writer hoping to publish by the traditional route or self-publishing. Sometimes I’ll write about my journey to publication, others I’ll review books, talk about movies or anything else I feel like blogging about.”

Recent posts on Books and Such have included: a review of The Vanishing by Wendy Webb , a review of We Are Here by Michael Marshall, a review of The Truth Against The World by Sarah Jamila Stevenson, a release announcement of Happy “Echoes” Release Day!, a review of The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey, and review and release announcement for Red Rising Release Day!

Teri is also a member of Networked Blogs and can be followed Here

Visit the site and learn first hand what a reviewer would like to see in a book. Thank you Teri for supporting the launch of My GRL.

My GRL Blog Tour Volunteer Recognition – Susan Nicholls

January 31, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 6 Comments

Susan is helping on the My GRL launch and I thank her very much. A visit to her blog S.K.Nichols│mybrandofgenus is well worth the time it will take to look it over. There are a number of places where you will find information which you would be hunting for on your own had you not visited.

An example is the tab; Writing Process WIPs. Here you will be able to look at what Susan is currently working. In addition you will find a number of helpful posts on the mechanics of writing. Susan has explored topics on dialog, research, and software. There are links to helpful sites such as an on line class offered titled Scrivener for Dummies. This tab also features Susan’s suggestions and experience in the marketing of her book Red Clay and Roses. Her experiences are documented in such a way to provide the reader with very helpful how to do and how to avoid mistakes.

Another example is Book Reviews and Books. Susan has kept up to date with some outstanding releases and she uses this space to provide detailed reviews of the books she enjoys. These reviews give plenty of reasons to read the book for which Susan has offered an opinion.

The Short Story and Poetry tabs contain some interesting subject material covered in a well thought out and a well-executed way. The stories and poetry are definitely worth taking the time to read and ponder.

The Red Clay and Roses tab provides information on Susan’s critically acclaimed book. It is here that the novice can learn the book is a fictionalized true story of life in the Deep South during the time of Jim Crow Law, and before Roe vs. Wade. Women were supposed to keep quiet and serve, abortion was illegal, adoption difficult, and racism rampant. The discovery of an old ledger opens a window into the dynamics of the 1950s-60s, when the world was beginning to change. Mystery, rape, murder, drama, and forbidden love meld as the origin of the ledger unfolds. AVAILABLE FROM YOUR FAVORITE EBOOKSELLER: Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, etc…, or you may purchase a copy on smashwords in a variety of formats, including ePub for your iPad or other reader, a Kindle version, and a PDF version for your computer if you don’t have an ereader device; (a free sample is available). The paperback POD is now available on Amazon.

My favorite tab is About since it is here we have a one stop shop to understand how talented and well-rounded Susan really is. She says it best, “I am an author, poet, history loving Registered Nurse, with a 30 year career in everything from ER, CCU, med-surg, pediatrics, geriatrics, hospice, and psychiatry to forensics. I am currently performing wellness screenings. I am a GA farm girl, transplanted, living in and loving the city life of Orlando. I wrote “Red Clay and Roses”, a novel that explores civil rights, interracial relations, and women’s issues in the 1950s and 60s. I am also a wife, mother and grandmother.”

What Susan doesn’t list is her warm and generous support of other writers and her fine sense of humor. Go visit and you will see what I mean.

Thank you for your help on My GRL Susan.

My GRL Blog Tour Volunteer Recognition – Jo Robinson

January 31, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 5 Comments

Jo Robinson lives in South Africa and is plagued by an intermittent internet. Some of her lastest posts describe trying to get her two novels downloaded before the internet goes out again. All of us must sympathize with Jo and have, at least one time or another, been caught in the same circumstance. Her blog is titled Simply Jo Robinson – Writer. Here is how she describes herself “Born in the windy city of Port Elizabeth, I live in Africa with my husband, four birds, some chickens, and a dog. I originally started this blog as a ‘diary’ for two of the characters in one of my books, but as it does, life took a different turn here and there, and now it’s just my blog. I am a writer, so I blog about writing and books, but not only that. I blog about things that happen, things that I like or don’t like, or anything that catches my interest enough for me to focus on. Other interests are human and animal rights, painting and poetry. Sometimes I’m very serious, and sometimes I really am not.” Jo has graciously offered to help with the launch of My GRL and I take this as a serious moment.

Jo says she is a writer and if you have visited he blog you know this is not brag. She writes on all kinds of subjects, she reblogs those things she finds interesting and is a participant in the Feed My Reads project. In addition Jo writes books and stories. She is launching two currently, but has two novels and two short stories in print. She has also collaborated with a number of authors on the collection The Plight of the Rhino Anthology. The authors are donating £1 per book to Save the Rhino International

Here is the rundown on the books and short stories currently available:

Shadow People

After Natalie and Gabe discover a hidden room, they are hurled across time and space, and find themselves on Lapillus, a beautiful world made up of precious gems. But they soon realize that Lapillus is home to an ancient evil when they are attacked by the demonic wraiths of the Nefandus.

African Me & Satellite TV

For many years Suzette has managed very well to live her life without actually taking part in it, avoiding any possibility of pain by very carefully ignoring reality. Until something happens. Something so terrible that she has no choice but to abandon her cocoon of safety.

Fly Birdie A Short Story.

Hannah’s life has given her no reason to be anything but bitter and afraid. She tries to hold on to her sanity as her life spirals further into superstition and dread, until a small averted tragedy leads to the melting of her heart, and teaches her how to love.

The Visitation. A short Story

Tony makes a potion to kill humanity because he hasn’t felt the touch of love or friendship in his life. But when he goes to disperse his poison, something happens to change his mind.

Thank you so much Jo for your help on the launch of My GRL

TGIF is as TGIF Does

January 31, 2014January 30, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

Yes kids it is Friday and as well all know, it is a day of celebration for surviving the long arduous week at the sweat shop. So you don’t need to work hard reading this post, I am going to keep it simple. A quick Haiku which talks to the week and how we all have earned a rest. It is titled:

Friday is the best,

Wonder why it took so long . . .

To reach from Monday.

Happy Friday. Hope your weekend is the best.

My GRL Blog Tour Volunteer Recognition – Rosie Amber

January 30, 2014January 30, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 9 Comments

Rosie Amber – An English Author Who supports other Writers and who also Writes Book Reviews

Rosie Amber is an amazing person. She has so much going on it makes one tired just reading the various tabs on her blog site titled simply Rosie Amber. I thought I would quickly read about the books she has reviewed. I went to her Books I Have Reviewed tab and I thought I would see a few. There have to be over fifty on the list which is a testimony to Rosie’s dedication to reading.

Another surprising tab is the number and quality of guest authors listed under the Guest Author tab. Looking at Books Reviewed, Guest Author and the fact that Rosie makes a review submission form available on her blog, means she cares about books and authors. This is one friendly place to spend a few minutes.

For those of you who have followed Rosie know she is very concerned with propagating a sense of good deeds by leading with example. She began her My Year of Doing Good Deeds in 2013 and has carried it over to 2014. This is a personal commitment by Rosie to herself to be accountable to her for meeting the challenge of recording a year of doing good deeds. Trust me, some of her good deeds are directed to the benefit of authors. Her support of My GRL is one example and one which is meaningful to me. I think this is the essence of her good deeds. They are meaningful to others.

Rosie is also an author. Her Talk of the Playground is available on Amazon. You’ll meet Glenda Glossop and read all the antics of Moortulk primary school.

The rest of the tabs on her blog show Rosie’s spirit of rewarding others. Her Romancing September Across the World Tour and 24 Sleeps Til Christmas gives her readers an opportunity to participate either through some fabulous interviews with romance authors or opportunity to win books.

This year she has opened the A to Z challenge to authors who want to publicize their book. It is real simple, just let Rosie know you want your book to occupy a letter of the alphabet (title). I can see she is quickly running out of letters, so go HERE and sign up before it is too late.

Finally you will want to follow Rosie on Twitter. Here is her handle. Go give her a tweet and say Hi for me. Thank you Rosie for helping support the launch of My GRL

My GRL Blog Tour Volunteer Recognition – Alison Jack

January 30, 2014 ~ John W. Howell

Alison Jack is an author, editor and is helping with the My GRL Launch. She writes her blog, An Author’s View and that’s not all. She has written her book titled Dory’s Avengers. The story – In a stifled and oppressed United Kingdom, nothing can be achieved without the approval of the dictatorial Sponsors, at whose head is the malevolent and cruel Lord William St Benedict. In Britain’s cities the Sponsored live narrow, if privileged, lives, while the Unsponsored are confined to menial roles and to less desirable districts. Among the Sponsors many victims is Lord William’s own son, the forthright and charismatic Theodore (Dory) held captive by his father since he was a boy. In the unassuming town of Applethwaite, in the shadow of the Cumbrian fells, an unlikely revolution is brewing. Albino gymnast Louis Trevelyan and his motley group of friends are fiercely proud of their Unsponsored status and gradually forge a plan not only to liberate the beleaguered Theodore but the whole of the United Kingdom… Dory’s Avengers are coming!

Alison Jack has spent much of her adult life working in book distribution – Dory’s Avengers, however, is her first foray into the world of books as an author. She is a keen walker and has a particular love for the Lake District fells – the atmospheric setting for much of her novel.
Aside from writing her own novels and blogging, Alison spends a lot of time editing the work of other authors. When not writing, Alison enjoys reading, playing guitar – with more enthusiasm than skill – and wakeboarding. She lives near Cambridge with her partner and three cats.

Although Alison lives in Great Briton she can take an edit commission from any part of the world. Alison asks. ” Are you an author of fiction? Before you share your story with the world, why not make sure your manuscript is as elegant as possible? Alison’s Editing Service is here to help. As a bonus for manuscripts of 50,000 words or more, the first 5,000 words will be edited FREE OF CHARGE.” Visit her edit service HERE.

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