Is American Idol fixed?

Tell Me A story - opinion.

Is American Idol REALLY fixed like Felicia Barton, Kendall Beard, and Ju'Not Joyner claim? Or are they simply cases of bad losers...

Or, heaven forbid - is it a case of whipping up publicity, especially seeing as Ju'Not Joyner is about to release a CD.... Whoops, have I just added to his album promotion?

• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

End of post - Is American Idol fixed.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

Quotation

Tell Me a Story - life.

I had a Tweet today from a guy with the strange handle of Sleeptreatment. He Tweets good advice from time to time. This latest Tweet, is a quote from something he found on the Internet by American editor H. L. Mencken - Love Is The Triumph Of Imagination Over Intelligence. - Brilliant.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

End of post - Quotation

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said
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José Saramago and “The Elephant’s Journey”

Tell Me a Story - news.

It seems there's nothing quite like jumping on a bandwagon. Even the most successful authors don't seem averse to conforming to an award winning trend.

Nobel Prize-winning author José Saramago, must have liked what he saw in the runaway success of the Sara Gruen novel “Water for Elephants,” because he's now hot on the heels with his own jumbo story, “The Elephant’s Journey”.

I'm not suggesting there's anything untoward like plagiarism taking place - No way José!

No, someone of Josè Saramago's standing has no need to stoop so low, it's just that..... well there ARE other subjects... Did you have to be so obvious about it, José? You could have at least given it a different title....

Maybe I'll write one - what do you think of The Elephant Circus..... or An Elephant's Pride.....

See the New York Times for more information.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post - José Saramago and The Elephant’s Journey.

Nick Sabatino book signing AGAIN.

Tell Me a Story - inspiration.

Those of you living around CENTERVILLE, OHIO could be in for yet another treat. At ninety years of age, Nick Sabatino will be doing another book-signing for Tiny Donut with a Big Heart at Bill’s Donuts on 1st August 2009 between 9am and 12 noon.
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Apparently, so many people turned out last time that he ran out of books - Wow! Brilliant, Nick, who could ask for more.



So, take a drive, walk, run, jog, whatever you want, just get down to Bill’s Donut Shop, 268 N. Main St. on 1st August and give Nick all the support you can.
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....And just in case you're wondering why he's chosen that venue, Bill’s Donut Shop was part of the inspiration for the book - so there....

Well done Nick. You really are an inspiration to us all.
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• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post Nick Sabatino book signing again.

Help with book promotion

Tell Me a Story - opinion.

This is one for all you published authors out there who aren't actually best sellers.

If, like the rest of us poor mortals, you're struggling to get your book read, then you need assistance. Publishers don't seem to give a damn once your book is in print; promotion is for celebrities not for real writers. Real writers have to do their own promotion - uggggh! I hate it.

Help is at hand though, you'll be glad to hear.

Carolyn Howard Johnson has produced a neat book that gently guides through you the maze of book promotion - and without spending a fortune.

Using her own experience, Carolyn shows you insider wrinkles that most publishers or publicity agents simply won't. The Frugal Book Promoter is invaluable. I purchased it a while ago - loved it. It's full of good stuff - one of those books you refer to time and again.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

My Hubpage record.

Tell Me a Story - update.

I've just been looking over my Hubpage statistics. I'm dead chuffed to see that my Hub on writing (article, for the uninitiated) - 400 Alternative Words For Said, is heading for 5500 unique visits, and 64 comments have been left. A record for me.

- I hasten to clarify that the gist of the article is to NOT use alternative words for 'said', that 'said' is a lowly word that disappears in reader's eyes.

- But wow! 5500 people have hit the site for information. That's an awful lot of people who've taken the trouble to look at what I say and think. It makes me feel humble. It also makes me realise how careful we writers need to be in what we say.

If you're one of those people who've visited, may I say thank you for your support, and I hope it provided you with the right information....

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post - My Hubpage record

A few strange facts.

Tell Me a Story - information.

Wow! The heat is really something over here at the moment. It's frying your eyeballs time. It takes me all my time to switch the laptop on never mind find something of interest to say.

But.... I have found something. Think you know about your favourite author? What about these strange facts. Take a look at this site here to learn a few things about Dan Brown; John Grisham; Nora Roberts; Danielle Steele; Sidney Sheldon; Stephen King and loads of other best sellers.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post - A few strange facts.

Author, Michael Di Lauro

Tell Me a Story - success

In these bleak financial times, it's nice to hear of publishing success stories. When it happens, I'm all for letting the world know that you CAN still get out there, that there ARE still opportunities to be had.

From Ottawa, Canada, Michael Di Lauro, writing instructor and advisor, is thrilled to announce that he's signed a contract with a publisher for his book The Net Present Value of Life. You can read a brief outline at his site

I guess the only thing he needs now are marketing ideas. Publishing is only the first step. I'm afraid very few houses have publicity budgets. It's a sad fact that amongst new authors, only celebrities sell books. Still, getting published is a major achievement and should never be overlooked.

Hold it in your hands, Michael. That first thrill can never be replaced.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

Stephanie Meyer, and Forks, Washington State

Tell Me a Story - comment.

Just a mention in a popular book can work wonders.

For example, the Twilight series from Stephenie Meyers has unleased thousands of visitors on the small backwater of Forks, Washington State.

Previously, no one had heard of the place, now it's innundated with cash-spending folk.... It must have solved the financial problems of several local business people.

It goes to show that good things can come from sh*t.

I just wish she'd mention my book in her blog. I mention her's often enough..... There's no justice is there....

For more information, see the full article on 'Buzzle'.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post - Stephanie Meyer, and Forks, Washington State
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Book Publicists

Tell Me a Story - information.

One of my Twitter 'friends' is Carolyn Howard Johnson, American award winning author.

I've just received a Tweet from her regarding information about Book Publicists. If you're interested in pushing your book, then I suggest you give it once over. Some good stuff in there.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

next post

Ascot party at Llosa de Camacho

Tell Me a Story - current affairs....


Okay, so we all have our daft moments. Mine was last night at an Ascot theme party.

I made a 'top-hat' out of cardboard and covered it with an old sheet. The jacket was crumpled for three days to make me look like a loser. I lost my shirt at the races with heavy betting. My pocket kerchief was a pair of red knickers and the bowtie was something my wife used at halloween last year.

All in all we had great fun, even though it had been raining just before the party began.

Below, me in my strange outfit.


Most of the ladies wore strange attire too....


Mine host was David Regnard - looking suave, as ever.



My friend, ex-international model, Micheline de Marsac done up like a dog's dinner.

A great view across the valley and Llosa de Camacho

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A good time was had by all, until it started to rain again shortly after midnight. Still, there's always next time... next theme.

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Thanks to David and Brenda for staging the party.

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• Next post on Bedlam.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post - Ascot party at Llosa de Camacho

Jayne Ann Krentz publishes her novel on Twitter

Tell Me a Story - comment.

Most writers get frustrated at not being able to publish their work. I've been incredibly lucky to have mine in print, but it wasn't always like that. If you're struggling, here's a novel way of getting your book out there..... If you find it useful or encouraging, please give me a thumbs up on Stumble, Digg or whatever Social Bookmark site you use....

Jayne Ann Krentz, a New York Times best selling novelist is transporting one of her popular characters, private investigator, Fallon Jones, to cell phones and laptops of readers everywhere.

Jayne Ann Krentz about to launch novel on Twitter.

Looking for ways of reaching new readers, Jayne Ann had already dismissed Twitter as a way to tell people what she is ‘doing right now’’ as being far too boring –I have to agree. I’ve only just started exploring Twitter, and as far as I can see most people tweet shit.

However, instead of writing about what she’s doing, Jayne is taking her tweets and publishing a micro-novel, 140 characters at a time.

Wow! Talk about a serialized novel…. This has to be the ultimate in bite sized reading….. I might consider doing it myself if I get sufficient followers on ajbarnett …

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• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post -Jayne Ann Krentz publishes her novel on Twitter

Danny Gokey raises money for charity

Tell Me a Story - comment.

American Idol star, Danny Gokey, has helped raise $10,000 for charity. He used his popularity to persuade Tweeters to ‘follow’ football star, Nick Barnett (@nickbarnett ) raising Nick's followers’ to 10,000 followers!!!

Incredibly they pulled it off it in only 9 hours!!

Well done Danny. Now another Professional football player, David Clowney ( @davidclowney )will also donate $5,000 if Danny can persuade 5,000 people to follower him by the tenth of July.

So, if you’re on Tweeter, get your fingers twiddling and help Danny to raise another $5,000 for charity.

*** Danny Gokey, Danny Gokey, Danny Gokey ***

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• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post - Danny Gokey raises money for charity

Adam Lambert's first album

Tell Me a Story - news

I told you Adam Lambert followed me on Twitter. Well I've now returned the compliment and I'm following him too. I've just had my first tweet.

The tweet from Adam Lambert (American Idol) reveals that 19 Recordings have signed him to a record deal. Along with this exciting announcement, it was also disclosed that his first album will be licensed to RCA Records for release this autumn.

Great news, Adam. I wish you all the best. With your talent, I know you'll do incredibly well.

*** Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert ***

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• .Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post - Adam-Lambert first-album

Adam Lambert is following MY Tweets

Tell Me a Story - comment.

I cannot believe this. I am blown away. I have recently started to tweet. Twitter is still an unknown quantity to me, so I'm only just about fumbling my way through. I've had a handful of people 'follow' me so far but today...... Wow!

Today my mind is reeling. At 16:25hrs (local time) I had a new follower .... The incredibly talented ADAM LAMBERT from American Idol.

ADAM LAMBERT is following what I say..... Can you credit it..... I am gob-smacked .... I've been a fan of his since first seeing him perform.... I only hope I say things he wants to hear.

Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert, Adam Lambert,

• Next post on Tell Me a Story.

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Book writing, 20 ways to polish that manuscript
Writing a story – 12 important elements of dialogue
550 other words for said

End of post - Adam Lambert and My twitter.