Announcements: PNW inspired horror caretakerpress@gmail.com; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series) Author Update: Erick: building landing pages for ads (for testing)  Dead Still presale price 99 cents Revision of Book Two in new series finished (this weekend) Pikes Peak Writing Conference in Colorado Springs, CO using content from conferences for social media clips     Valerie: new printer (printed out all the things) published a permafree book (first in series) Book two is half written from repurposed content   I'm reading: beta read manuscript Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe   Erick: The Institute Stephen King   Notes: First Lines--book, chapters, scenes; sets the stage, POV, entice the reader away from other distractions, vary the opening lines within a book to prevent boredom; repetitive, stylistic elements only sometimes work.  Openings--protag's needs and wants Hooks-- into the story, seducing; narrative voice; themes; settings; odd or curious, "First lines are invitations." - Stephen King; what kind of party is your book? Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon