Update and a little question...

           










           Okay, so which look is better? Blonde or Brown hair. Just curious to know what you all think?

For me, its the Blonde. It just looks healthier to me lol. I love wearing my headbands and keep making new ones because its fun and its a good way to kill the time lol.

My next newsletter will be coming out soon. Its right on Labor Day, September 1. If you haven't signed up yet, you're more than welcome to do that while you're here. The sign up box is right at the side of the page. Simply put in your email and click on sign up. You'll receive a copy on the first of every month. Each issue is different. I enjoy sharing my issues with you. And you're welcome to share them with others.

Its been a busy month for me. I saw previews for a movie that kind of upset me though. I'm working on a story that has the same idea as the movie. There is a but coming lol. My story isn't a love story so it'll be quite different. Seeing the preview got me thinking though. I believe there will be a little rewriting to do because I really don't want all the same similarities going on between my story and that story. I won't tell you what they are because I don't want to spoil the story. You'll have to see what it is for yourself.

Sometimes a story is revealed to the writer in surprising ways. And when there are holes in the story, he or she fills them in, in ways that make the story feel whole. But sometimes the holes aren't filled right. The writer has to keep going back until the story is right from beginning to end. Then and only then can it be considered finished. That's just what happened with my story. All I have to do is edit what I have and refill those holes so the story is just right. Then I can send it to publishers. Boy, will I be glad when that's done lol. Its been too long since I've had something published.

So that's what happening with me. See you in a few days with my author of the month!

Amber Rigby Grosjean                            

August's Author of the month: Antoinne Evans

Check out this new author! Here’s the link to his website…..

http://antoinneevans.webs.com/

Antoinne is the author of a book titled “Welcome Back to Self”. This book is about this life and his forefathers. He also co-wrote the book Beginning with Ground Zero Blues (a collection of tales).

The most difficult book he ever wrote remains unpublished at this time. It’s a children’s book he calls The Beast of Burdens. He was sick for the most part during the writing of this book plus he had to teach himself to envision how life would look through the animal’s eyes so he saw himself as the biggest obstacle. He was afraid that a “ruthless” publisher would get a hold of this book after he died so he kept the story to himself. His second book, Welcome Back to Self was published with Publish America which he admits was a mistake because they “stole” much of his royalties. Other than that, he feels writing is fun and he feels writing is the most honorable thing he has ever done.

The easiest book to write was The Beast of Burdens. He had a nephew who died at a very young age (15) and he was able to see all the sketches Antoinne had done for the book leaving Antoinne feeling that he had achieved much more than by getting it published.

Antoinne began writing when he was 7 years old, starting with a heartfelt story explaining why whales sometimes beach themselves. Just as some humans lose the will to live when they lose someone close to them, a whale may deliberately beach themselves from a broken heart.  Antoinne was raised by a single parent so his neighbor became a father figure to him, inspiring him to write. His motivation? He says everyone has a story to tell. He tells his story not only by the written word but also through his conquests and defeats. He is writing a new book about encouraging young people in the ghetto, in honor of his cousin who was murdered in Milwaukee in 2010……...

For new writers out there, Antoinne says this, “Get ready for the rain when the sun quits shining. Always share your good fortune with others and if you don't like our President just remember it took 400 years for him to get there.”

Antoinne’s favorite book?  “Aasop's Fables was a collection of fables that was orally passed on for several thousand years. Aasop was a slave that overcame the stigma
of being a slave just like I am struggling to overcome being labeled Black.” In his own words.

Open Invite to Published Writers/Publishers/Poets

For those interested, this is an open invite for "artists" to be included in my monthly newsletter.

About the newsletter. On each month, on the first, I send out a newsletter several pages long via emails. The issue is in PDF format and can be printed out. It is free and its free to be included in a issue. I'm looking for someone who is published (those title(s) will be shared with my subscribers). Writers, poets, song writers, etc. Also publishers and agents are welcome because some of the subscribers are writers as well. I have a list of questions already made up so if you're interested in being included in an upcoming issue, send me an email at argrosjean@hotmail.com for the request. Insert "Newsletter Invite" in the subject line.

Important factors to include in your email (with the questionnaire once completed) are....Your pen name, title of all books published, genre, link to your website and/or blog, and your email addy. Once its your turn to be included (I go in order they are received), I'll send you a copy to confirm. I don't want anything being wrong with your information. The idea is to help promote your work or company. As a published author, I know how difficult it is to spread the word about the books. We all could use a little help. Even the big names have help in one way or the other. Yeah, when you tell a friend that so-and-so's book was great, you're helping that author promote the book! I love word of mouth promoting!

If you have any questions, please don't be afraid to ask. Thank you!!!

If you'd prefer, here's an online form for the newsletter.

Amber Rigby Grosjean

Little Update before newsletter comes out......

Well I've decided to go back to having brown hair lol. Guess you'll never know how I'm going to look from month to month lol. I'd just like to remind you that the end of the month has arrived. You know what that means, right? Yep, the first of the month will sure follow! That means yet another newsletter!! I've added something new for you to enjoy for this issue! Of course, I'll still be adding the author here sometime next week or whenever I have some extra free time. For those who have a subscription, you don't have to wait, you'll be able to see it on the first!

Summer has been really hot. Of course, you already know that. I've been catching a few stories on the news about the weather. Fires going on everywhere it seems. I heard Chicago has a fewer crimes going on up to this point this year, compared to last year at this time. I read it in a newspaper somewhere and couldn't believe it. 177 deaths due to crime! I'm really sorry for all those families and friends who are mourning for them. I also heard (unrelated to the weather lol) that my favorite store, Dollar Tree, has bought out Family Dollar (my second favorite store lol). The name will stay the same though but I thought it was cool to see it. Yellow Stone has been in the news due to the fires. I even met someone who had seen part of it before they left. It was before the roads were closed down so I guess it wasn't that bad, then. I heard it was started from someone driving in an area (at least one part of the park). Don't know how true it is but then again, it was on the news so it has to have some merit lol.

I've been busy working on the rewrite for Cursed Blood. I'm not sure how much I want to change just yet. I just want to make it better than it was. Give you a good thrill when you read it. Keep you on the edge of your seat. I love suspense, especially when it comes to a good horror story. Not sure on the romance part. Of course, that's what set it apart from other horror stories, I think. What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts about it. If you haven't read the original, its available on Amazon lol! And the sequel Spawn of the Curse is free to download for a limited time so check it out as well! And if you like either one, just add a small review letting others know. No harm in that lol.

Other than that, I can't wait to see you on the first! If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that on this page here on my blog. Its located on the right side of the page. Just enter your email address and press enter. Its that easy. I thank you, for those who do. If you decide to leave, same process just make sure its on the right line. For those who leave, I'm really sorry to see you go and thank you for the time to remained. So with that, I'd like to say see ya later. Enjoy!!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean

July's Author of the Month, James Lawless

James is the author of Peeling Oranges, For Love of Anna, The Avenue, Clearing the Tangled Wood, Find Penelope, Knowing Women, and Rus in Urbe.

You can find him and his books at

http://www.amazon.com/James-Lawless/e/B001JOXD96/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

His easiest book to write was The Avenue because the images just flowed. The hardest book for him to write was Clearing the Tangled Wood because it involved so much research. He began writing when he was 12 years old when his father bought him a journal. His mother inspired him to become a writer as she read him many stories growing up. He also enjoyed hearing the stories his mother and aunt shared while the men were all at work. His motivation? As he calls it, a condition that leaves him unfulfilled if he doesn’t write.

 

James overcame three things in his life. He had asthma as a child. The premature death of his mother. And nearly losing his son.

One of his favorite books is the diaries of Virginia Wolf for the insights into the sacrificial day to day craft of writing. James’ advice to new writers is just one comment…”Its not a hobby.”

June's Author of the Month, Holli Castillo

Holli has written three books in her Crescent  City Mystery Series (Gumbo Justice, Jambalaya Justice, and Chocolate City Justice [coming soon]).  She has also written an award winning screenplay called Angel Trap. This is an author who uses her real life for inspiration in her stories. Her husband was the model for “Big Who” and her deaf cat co-starred in her books. She has worked in many places including waitressing, stage manager, acrobat teacher, and has a law degree. She was raised in New Orleans where she lives now with her husband, two children, dog, and 2 deaf cats. And the stories take place in New Orleans, mentioning real events like Hurricane Katrina!

You can check out her website at………

http://www.hollicastillo.com/        http://jambalayajustice.com/      https:/www.facebook.com/holli.castillo

       

Gritty, Raw, And Engaging, [a review for one of her books]

August 31, 2009

By	Apex Reviews (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews

Tough, streetwise, and smart - with an even smarter mouth - Ryan Murphy is not a prosecutor to be trifled with; of course, if you were a peace-loving citizen in the crime-infested, drug-riddled Big Easy, you wouldn't want your law enforcement officials to be any other way. So, tasked with the duty of prosecuting a series of brutal crimes, Ryan uses her incomparable grit and wits to ensure that the incorrigible criminals behind them never again see the light of day.

There's only one problem: before she can see each case through to complete prosecution, the bad guys all end up dead. Even more confounding for Ryan: each killing is mysteriously linked to her - which is the absolute last thing she needs while striving to fast-track her own career. As the sinister events unfold - ultimately placing her own life at risk - Ryan, despite how slick and savvy she's become, must kick her game to an even higher level if she's to outwit a twisted killer who seems destined to remain one step ahead of her.

The initial installment in the Crescent City Mystery Series, Gumbo Justice is, hands down, the real thing. Herself a public defender and former New Orleans prosecutor, Holli Castillo infuses her compelling tale with such authenticity and unique energy that even those who have never visited the Big Easy will undoubtedly finish the book feeling as though they've lived there forever. Furthermore, her perfectly crafted characters and gripping storyline push the narrative along at break-neck pace, making the 200+ pages breeze by and leaving you craving for more as the story - regrettably - concludes...as such, hopefully installment #2 is just around the corner...

Gritty, raw, engaging - and with an absolutely delicious closing twist - Gumbo Justice is a highly entertaining instant classic from an emerging literary star fast on the rise. Kudos to Castillo for crafting such an ingenious, unique thriller, and be on the lookout for more from this promising new talent.

May's Author Choice: Deanna Jewel

First of all, you can check Deanna’s website at

http://www.deannajewel.com/

Deanna is the author of No Turning Back, Whispers at Ghost Point (sequel to No Turning Back), Never Surrender, and Unleash Your Inner Strength. She is a romance writer. Her newest book, Final Surrender (sequel to Never Surrender) will be released soon!

The most difficult book Deanna wrote was No Turning Back because it was the first novel she ever completed. It was published second due to the extended editing. She says the editing process took longer than the actual writing of the book.

The easiest book she wrote was actually her second book (published first), Never Surrender, because she simply wrote the movie that played in her head as the characters played out the parts.

She began writing back in 1991 when she injured her back. She was down for a few months and had many stories in her mind. She had nothing else to do so she let them escape onto the page. Great authors like Johanna Lindsay, Virginia Henley, Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss all inspired her to become a writer in the historical romance genre. The story teller in her motivates her to write and so far she says many people have enjoyed what she’s created.

What challenges have you [Deanna] overcome in life? Doesn't have to relate to writing. “I've always told myself there is nothing in life I can't accomplish if I set my mind to it and I raised my daughters with that instilled in them. Our mind is a powerful tool but if we doubt ourselves on what we can accomplish, we've already put up the block to what we can really do! Think great things and great things WILL happen! That's The Secret!” This was directly from Deanna’s own words.

Deanna couldn’t name just one book as a favorite. She says she enjoys all historical romances. Shanna written by Kathleen Woodiwiss did come to her mind though.

An added note for writers. Deanna says to reread her comment about challenges and then adds that you attract what you think. Why think small?

Next Issue: Mother's Day Newsletter

Next month is Mother's Day and the newsletter issue will be devoted to that. I'm mentioning it now because I'd like to add a little something from my readers to their mothers. If you'd like a special message for the women in your life, email me at argrosjean@hotmail.com and I'll include it in the issue. Please send it to me by the 20th so I have time to place it in there.

On another note, Easter is coming soon! I hope everyone has a great day celebrating the holiday. Jesus has risen! We should be thankful for that! I know I am!


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I'm working on a new book called Between Life and Death. I'm thinking its a good title. I'm stuck on it though because its nearly not long enough, even though the story is pretty much finished. Of course, I think I need to do something with the ending so its not just any ending lol. Through editing, I need to work on it so there's more obstacles for the main character. She's stuck in a town that appears abandoned and everything is pointing to a special day that happened five years earlier. But what does she have to do with what happened on that day? And why are her friends disappearing? That's all I can really say lol. Of course, some things may change in the story since I know how its going to end now. Sometimes, knowing is good, sometimes I don't like knowing lol. I think that's what keeps me going. The surprise at the end is always worth waiting for, for me. I can't wait to share it with the all of you! But you'll have to wait!!!


Amber Rigby Grosjean

April's Author Choice: TL Cooper

T L Cooper is the author of All She Ever Wanted; and 4 books of poetry Strength in Silhouette, Love in Silhouette, Reflections in Silhouette, Memory in Silhouette. Her books are available through Amazon among other places.

You can check out her full website at

 http://tlcreviews.tlcooper.com/

T L Cooper began telling stories when she was just on her grandfather’s knee. Her father had been complaining about a groundhog in his barn and her grandfather offered to kill it. She made up a story about why he couldn’t. Her grandfather asked questions to encourage her to turn it into a story rather than just a statement. He would get her to tell the stories of the groundhog to their family and friends to entertain them.

She is motivated to write by the need to use words to influence the world for the better. She prefers to write fiction because she believes a good story is more motivating in most instances than the dry facts. Her goal is to reach a wider audience by writing fiction than she could through nonfiction.

Her most recent book is called Red. It has been pushed to be released until later this year! More about this book……. In Cooper’s own words….

Police suspect Marissa Sterling killed her husband and her young children in a fictional small Kentucky town south of Louisville. Marissa suffers a mental breakdown in which an entity “red” blocks her memories and keeps her silent. Rookie Detective Azalea Kavanaugh refuses to accept the case as “open and shut” and teams up with Bryce Thorne, a reporter, to find the truth. The investigation is complicated as the secrets Marissa has spent her life protecting are revealed and Detective Kavanaugh must face her own past when mysterious packages about her own parents’ deaths start showing up.

T L. Cooper’s advice to new writers?  Read, talk to other writers, and trust your instincts.  Listen to what others have to say, but always stay true to your vision.

Cooper grew up on a farm in Tollesboro, Kentucky. She began writing when she was around 8.

She attended Eastern Kentucky University where she studied Corrections and Juvenile Services and earned a Bachelor of Science. She traveled the world to study cultures.

Other books by this author include It’ll Never Happen Again, and Connection which are both electronic books. You can download them on Amazon.

One review of many from her books ( this one is for Connection)…….

“What I like about this neatly written story of Tl's is her attention to detail. She has a way of putting you in the same room with the characters, almost as if you are a character yourself witnessing what is going on. This story is about connecting. Another thing that Tl does well is put vague, hard-to-define emotions into words.”  This review came from Tammy Ruggles in 2012. 

Besides Red coming out this year sometime, TL Cooper also has two other books coming out soon. One book is untitled at the moment and is a book of short stories. The other one is Vulnerability in Silhouette: Poems.

 

 Thank you!!!

Almost There--April Fools Day

One more day left of this month and then.......you guessed it, April Fools Day! Are you ready? One thing I've learned over the years, you almost have to expect something to happen and then don't fall for it. Easier said than done. It truly is. Especially when someone wakes you up right at midnight telling you something is wrong somewhere; the house, the neighbor's house, something on the news, what ever. You're not quite awake so you pretty much fall for it most of the time. At least I do anyway lol.

Its a fun time, don't get me wrong. I love seeing everyone else fall for the innocent pranks. As long as they stay innocent. You never want to see someone getting hurt. That's when the fun dies. So I'd like to wish everyone a safe and fun fools day!

There's always ideas running around. Buying a fake winning lottery ticket could work. Just don't do it if you're seriously needing the money though lol. You fell down and hurt something important. Usually people run up to you to make sure you're okay before calling 911 lol. Don't let it get to that point. I remember one year I told my little sister her butt was on fire. She was sitting on a heater vent because it was cold in the room. She jumped up and hit herself in the butt as she ran all around the room trying to put the fire out. If its cold where you're at, that could work for you. The list can go on forever, quite literally. And you want it to fit the circumstances in your life, something that relates to you. It makes it more precious seeing someone fall for it. When my husband and I worked together in a restaurant, our boss took some chocolate pudding and corn, spread it all over the bathroom and asking one of the guys to go clean it up before the place opened. It was gross but it worked. The guy thought it was real. It was rather mean but it was funny seeing the guy's face when he came out of the bathroom. Another idea? If you're good at cooking. Bake a cake (this would be for a guy) shaped as a bikini with balloons under the icing. When he cuts the cake, it pops. Someone did that for my hubby's birthday at the same restaurant. Everyone expect my husband jumped when the balloons popped lol. It was fun though.

Okay, that's enough ideas for you. Go have some fun. Just remember, keep it safe and everyone should have a good day. Don't be pranking the same person all day though, cause payback is never as much fun. Okay, you know the true saying, I hope lol.

Happy Fool's Day!!!!!!


Amber Rigby Grosjean

New Issue, Coming in April

In the next issue, I'm going to be introducing the author T. L. Cooper, author of many books with some new releases coming out this year. Those titles are included in the issue.

In the "On Writing" section of my newsletter, I've shared a little of what I know about the difference between dialogue and monologue. Some writers in the beginning can get the two confused which can cause problems in writing. It doesn't make a person dumb in anyway, by the way. Writing a book can be easy, writing a good book is difficult and requires time and a lot of patience. Toning one's talents makes it easier but its still hard work.

You'll have to read the issue to see what topic I've chosen for "Something to think about". I'd love to hear from you on the topics I've chosen to share.

And to end the issue, I've shared a little about me.

That's for April. Of course, the theme for the design is Easter! So let's get those baskets ready and start painting those eggs. But its not all bunnies and eggs. Remember it is the day the Lord has risen!

Thank you!!!!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean

Newsletters

   Today 3/4/14

A few more people have subscribed to my newsletters and to those people (and who are already there) I say thank you! This month is my birthday month! In this issue for March, I went with a St. Patrick's Day theme so you'll see some green and some flowers lol. I've already posted this month's Author which I hope you enjoyed. Check out her books!

Next month is April first, and no its not a Fool's Day issue. Easter is the theme, as you may have guessed. Its not too early to sign up for it, or for any issues for that matter. If you sign up this month, I'll send you March's issue right away! And if you'd like to check out any earlier issues, just let me know. I can go back as far as Jan 2013. I try to keep a copy of all my issues for that reason lol. Thank you very much everyone!!!!

 ______________________________________________________________________
 Posted on 10-13-13
My newsletters are still going strong. This month, I went with a scary theme for Halloween. Ghosts and bats lol. Okay, so its not so scary but the information is still interesting. Its not too late to subscribe. Even if its the last day of the month, if you want the current issue and get the next issue on the first, let me know.

November 1 is scheduled to be my next issue. I can hardly wait to share it with you. Thanksgiving is a factor of the theme with this one. I think that's one thing you can expect from me. When the holidays come up, they are featured lol. But I've done something new for this issue, something you can have some fun with. Its not all about writing in November. I don't think December will be either which is why a special issue will be coming out on the first of the year! So if you haven't subscribed yet, please please do so now so you won't miss that issue. Thank you!!!!!



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Posted on 6/14/13

Since I've went back to making my newsletters, I've been trying some new things. I'm hoping to get people to participate with me on them. I've added a whole section called, "Something to Think About". Each month I'll come up with something to make you think, maybe even react. I hope some of my topics aren't too controversial but then again if it makes you think then maybe I've done my job. I know its not related to writing in any way but these are things I've pondered at one time or another so it is related to me I guess lol.

And of course, I've added a section here to my blog that gives you a sneak peak of my newsletters. You get two whole pages to check out. I have a total of 9 pages in my newsletter. Of course, some months I may include extra pages. Those are the special editions lol.



Every month I will be including an interview with another writer. That is something I've done since day one and I've enjoyed it fully. It is a hard job to get noticed with everything us writers have to compete with. Besides competing with each other, we have to fight other things to get your attention. There's the computer with all the bells and whistles it has to offer. By the way, you can download books and read them on your computer too. There's television and all our favorite shows and movies. And even the radio can steal you away from our books. Shopping, working, parties, school, and so much more take your attention from our books. I take pleasure out of introducing new writers to you. People, otherwise you'd never know about and hopefully you'll be turned towards one of their books as well.

Also in each newsletter I throw in a book that I've actually read! Yes, I read now. Not as often as I'd like but I have read a few books here and there. I actually sat down and read all of the Twilight Saga books. It took me a little time but I did read those big books. I don't think I'll read anything that's longer though lol. It does reveal a little more about me, the things I like or don't like.

And as always (since day one) I include a section on writing because its who I am. I do have a lot of writers who subscribe to my newsletters but that's not why I added that section. I wanted to open the world of writing to those who don't write so they can see writing isn't as easy as putting a pen to paper. Okay, sometimes it can be easy but its not as easy as you may think lol. There's more to it than just writing something on paper, or typing.

And of course, I throw in some extra things into each issue to make each month different. The layout is always different and I try to change up the theme of my issues as well. If you would like to subscribe, I've added a little section on here to do that. If you're a writer and have a book published (even if its self-published), I'd love to include you in one of my newsletters. Send me an email and I'll get back with you with a full set of questions for one of my issues. Please include your name, or pen name if its different, your website or blog, and the title(s) of the book(s) you have published and I'll send you questions that relate to you.


Thank you!!!!!

Amber Rigby Grosjean