What do I say to a mother or father who has lost their child? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I make them cry? How about the siblings of the angel? What if death is a topic of conversation when they are around? What if it has a negative effect on them? How can I help the family?

These are all valid, well meaning questions stemming from a place of love. Death is an emotional topic and hard to speak to. When it involves an untimely death it becomes increasingly intense. I can say that there were very few people who said something that really bothered me when Christian passed away. Even those who did, were not saying it maliciously.

I am going to give you my piece of advice that answers any and all questions surrounding an especially emotional death, such as child loss. Are you…

I am very pleased to welcome D.L.Finn to Fiction Favorites on this TGIF Friday. She is launching her first book of poetry and it is great to have her here to tell you about it.

Thank you, John, for having me on your blog to celebrate today’s release of my first poetry book, “Just Her Poetry Seasons of a Soul.”

Finn Facts:

1. Snowstorms distract me, and I don’t get much writing done.
2. My mind wanders into the land of writing when I cook. I burn a lot of dinners.

Blurb:

Take a journey with D.L. Finn as she blends her love of nature with her deepest emotions. Sit with her on the forest floor observing its tranquil beauty, or stroll along the ocean’s shore admiring the vastness of its horizon. Here in these peaceful moments, you’ll be able to experience her thoughts and feelings in the light—and in the darkness…

Even though I’ve personally switched from Facebook Ads to Amazon and Bookbub ones, I’m well aware that Facebook advertising is far from dead. However, every Facebook update seems to change everything, including where you can advertise. Adding to the confusion is the fact that Facebook now lets you advertise on Instagram and Messenger as well as the so-called Audience Network, Instant Articles, and Facebook itself.

If all this makes your head spin, here’s a helpful Infographic, courtesy of Jomel Alos. First published on Spiralytics, it not only describes where your Ad will appear in each of these networks but also explains how to pick your desired network based on your objectives. Do you want to let everyone know your name–aka brand awareness? Facebook and Instagram are best. Do you want to increase sales? Ignore Instagram. And so forth.

Check out the Infographic below and read the full post on…

on Just Publishing Advice:

Learn how the order of adjectives works

You certainly use a lot of adjectives when you write.

In its simplest forms, you add an adjective before a noun or after the verb to be. Adjectives can add descriptive properties quickly and easily to any noun.

So, you know that adjectives are words that modify nouns. But do you know that there are many different types of adjectives that can modify a noun or pronoun?

Not only that, do you know that they have a set order when you use two or more?

Learning how to understand and use English adjectives better is one of the easiest ways to improve and tighten your writing.

Continue reading HERE

by Lev Raphael

Unpublished authors imagine that once they are published, life will be glorious. That’s because they haven’t thought much about bad reviews. Every author gets them, and sometimes they’re agonizing.

As a published, working author, you learn to live with the reality of bad reviews in different ways. You can stop reading them. You can have someone you trust vet them for you and warn you so that nasty splinters of prose don’t lodge in your brain. You can leave town or stay off the grid when your book comes out.

When it comes to social media, we all have platforms we like and others we tolerate—the latter because we feel a need to be there. Several months ago I abandoned Facebook,  a platform I only tolerated. Since then, I’ve been trying to be more selective where I spend my time, and also, to use that time more wisely.

I’ve always loved Twitter. One check-in and I immediately know what’s newsworthy and what’s trending. Lately, I’ve been using the platform to connect more openly with other writers—thanks mainly to Judi Lynn, who nudged me to participate in #1LineWed.

If you’re not already familiar with #1LineWed, it’s loads of fun and great for connecting with other authors. How does it work?

Each Wednesday, Kiss of Death (@RWAKissofDeath) a twitter feed devoted to romantic mysteries and thrillers, posts a theme/topic. Your work doesn’t have to be romantic in nature to participate. Just…

Do you know where to start your novel?

Successful commercial fiction doesn’t start with first words you ever put on the page. The start is where the true beginning lies. It’s where the book takes off. It’s where subtle character introduction meets engrossing plot. I don’t mean an interesting memory or event. I mean riveting, don’t want to put it down, if I only requested three chapters I need more, stat! In today’s age of short Twitter-like attention spans, online reading communities that give you quick starred reviews as well as editors and agents who have piles of reading on their desk and computers you need to grab someone’s attention and keep it.