Saturday, March 28, 2009

Why we read....

When I read, I want a mini vacation. I want to be taken away from my everyday world and whatever problems I might have on a given day. Maybe to experience something in another country. To see the people from another's point of view.

I read so that I can visit the world of the author and see where they can take me. Some authors write so smooth you don't realize you're even turning the pages and before you know it, you're deep in their created world, enjoying the characters and feeling what they feel, smelling what they smell, whether it's the smoke from a crackling bon fire at night or the scent of sagebrush that's been rubbed between your fingers. It could be the damp earth one smells while walking through the woods on a tropical island, colorful birds cawing overhead and the screech of monkeys jumping from branch to branch. Maybe the characters are walking on a warm sandy beach in the afternoon, enjoying each wave as it washes over their feet with the refreshing coolness of the ocean as the sand filters between their toes.

Whatever the world, it's different from my own and takes me there if the writer has done their job. I strive very hard to pull my readers into my world and become the character, to enjoy the thrill of falling in love again, or seeing old friends you've missed, or discovering something mysterious and figuring out what happens. I want you to want to keep reading. I hope you can't put down my books and will one day reread the story.

Next time you pick up a book, I hope it takes you to another world that you can get lost in and enjoy! It should tug at your memory weeks after you've finished it. That's the joy of reading and that's what I want my readers to feel.

Thank you for stopping by. I'd love to hear from you. Until next time, happy reading!

Deanna

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Reader/Surfer Appreciation....

I consider myself a reader and a surfer of the internet though I should be writing, but we all need a small break once in a while, right? I love clicking from site to site, checking what's out there and how big things actually are on this highway. One could easily get lost or dig so deep into some websites we're not sure where we began or how we got there.

What DOES draw us into one site more than another? Is it the color that pops off the page or more the words that draw us in, promising more if we delve deeper? How long do we spend on a website? Or is it how long do we spend 'inside' a website, tunneling further inside with every click? When you enter, is it like visiting a place that you can actually envision, lined with pictures and soft carpet and smells of brewing coffee or do you imagine yourself enjoying a latte in an overstuffed chair while watching a good movie or reading a good book.

Do you surf and click because you're bored, need to find information, looking to learn something new? We all have different reasons we click and read. Some sites allow us to network with other readers, be a part of a community and actually belong. Those of us who may spend hours alone working look forward to saying hi to those in our network and it makes us feel good or perhaps YOU make someone smile who's having a bad day as they surf around. Those are the good things we look for while we're out here. But I'm glad you stopped in to enjoy a comfy chair and smell the coffee here for a while; I DO appreciate that you took the time. Please know you're welcome to stop in anytime and when you're ready, click on my other sites and venture into the hallways there. Leave me a comment or sign the guestbook, say hi and let me know you stopped in. Don't be a silent visitor, I would enjoy reading that you were here...or there.

Until later, safe surfing and I'll see you soon on the highway! *W*

Deanna

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Book trailers

I've been considering this for a while now. I've watched several that are out there posted by other authors and they really are amazing. Some authors have gone to so much detail and precision timing so the pictures change with the beat of the music. I can only hope mine will turn out as good. I'm not sure when I'm going to get the time to produce mine but I will. I'll post a note on my website along with the trailer there and also post it anywhere that I'm allowed to do so! LOL

Pictures are being collected for the trailer for my current book, Never Surrender, and also for my next novel which is about falling in love the second time after losing the first love. The second one takes place in England, 1778 and involves ships, pirates, handsome dukes and a beautiful heroine of course! Collecting trailer pictures is fun but so time consuming I get lost out there. Hubby thinks I forgot about him! That's isn't possible though! He's too important to me!

Then there is deciding what type of music to use but that is fun to listen to also. So many pieces out there too. I hope you stick with me so you can see the end result of the final trailers. I should have more time once May and June roll around so stay bookmarked to my sites and check back often. Have to run for now but I'm out there. Leave me a post on one my sites or stay connected in the background, so long as you stay connected!

Until next time.....happy reading and surfing!

Deanna

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Find me, I'm out there! Time travel novels...

Promotion....I love surfing the net for new places to link up with, even though it seems a time-waster, it's not because it eventually will get me to so many places. More readers will be able to connect with me and that's my long term goal. If you like, I'd be honored if you would forward my links to your friends who you think might enjoy time travel and historical romance novels.

A friend sent me to a new site the other day and when it's up to full power, will be a great site for readers and authors alike. Though when I put in the name of the site, a different site came and I'm now aware there are two sites with the same name although getting to them is different. The site is called The Bookhouse: http://www.freewebs.com/thebookhouse/paranormal.htm Now the other site has the same name but what comes up is: The Book House. I'm listed in the site at freewebs.com so please take a few minutes and check out the site. Ernie has done a great job there.

My yahoo reader group is also out there. Check out yahoo for Deanna_Jewel_Readers and join me! You can also enter my contests at my sites by going to the link on the left which will also show you my others sites if you care to join me there.

I thank you for taking the time to read me and pass on my links. You will help me get the word out about another great novel! Thanks again and until later.....happy reading and surfing!

Deanna