Kindle Romantic Suspense - New Book Cover

Tell Me A Story - News

I've just created a new book cover for WITHOUT REPROACH ~ a Romantic Suspense available on Kindle for only $2.99 (£2.13 UK) ~ to see if I can improve reader interest.

I have been reading how important it is for a book cover, especially on Kindle, to relate to the story and to convey a message in it's own right. So I took it to heart and produced a different cover.

Please give me feedback on it. Does it do anything for you?

Are you on Kindle - and if not, why not. Kindle books are available on PC and mobile devices with a FREE app - giving you access to thousands of cheap books. So get your Kindle app now from Amazon ~ then you too, can try Without Reproach

Talking It Through

Tell Me A Story - Writing Tips

"AJ .... Can you help me? I'm soon to take part in a radio interview. The commentator has sent a list of possible queries and one of them wants me to discuss my story. How do you describe your book. I find it difficult to tell people what my story is about. How do you go on when presented with this?"
- Christine S.

Hello Christine,

This was raised a short time ago. I'm no authority on radio interviews. I detest being the centre of attention, but talking about your story is a fundamental part of promotion, even to a shy person. I have to admit it is challenging putting over the idea of a whole book in just a few words. I feel I'm underselling my work when I do it, but it MUST be done. It just needs a bit of thought.

• Concentrate on things that interest YOU in the book, what excites you about it.
• Discuss the opening premise and how it affects the story.
• Talk about the outlook and mood of the central characters and why they behave the way they do.
• Explain what conflicts exist between the main characters and perhaps what those conflicts mean in terms of the storyline.
• Discuss any issues raised in the story. Are they resolved at the end or partway through?
• Talk about how many main characters are in the story, and how the characters intertwine.
• Explain whether the main conflict is man conflicting with man, man conflicting with nature, or man conflicting with himself (read woman for man).

With a little homework it's surprising what you can come up with.

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Romantic Suspense

Keep Characters Authentic

Tell Me A Story - Tips

I loathe it when I’m reading a novel, and a protagonist, for no logical reason, does something out of character. I recently tossed a book to one side because of it - no, I'm not citing names, I don't want a lawsuit in my face, but I’m sure you know what I'm talking about.

Characters should seem authentic.

Most of us have seen it at some time. I wonder how some authors get away with it. For heaven’s sake, we are supposed to think that characters are REAL. If a character is withdrawn they're not about to make a career in television presenting, are they? They wouldn't do it in real life, so why in a story.

I’m an expert on shyness. I'm quiet (well mostly), I am definitely not an extrovert. In fact I was interviewed on a radio chat show a while ago, and was full of panic. I dislike being the centre of attention - so why put fictional characters in ludicrous situations? It simply does not work.

Character's aspirations and responses should always be consistent within the framework of the story. Don't allow them do phoney things just to make a shoddy passage seem better. Your readers might start reaching for another book if you do....

Make your characters authentic. Make them plausible! Keep your readers turning those pages.



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Romantic Suspense