http://dawnbrown.org/blog Spine Tingling Tales of Mystery and Romance Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:17:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I don't think I know anyone who enjoys writing a synopsis. Let's face it, condensing a four hundred page manuscript into a five page summary can be a touch daunting. It can be done, however. What works for me is breaking the story down into the major plot points and ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/03/04/the-synopsis-insert-dramatic-scary-music-here/ I just finished watching the weather forecast for the week, and the predicted sunshine and temperatures above zero have put my in a very good mood. Sure, I like winter, but it's March now, and I'm ready for spring. Another reason I'm in such a good mood is the five heart ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/03/02/its-starting-to-look-a-lot-like-spring/ Sorry I've been scarce lately. I've been working like crazy getting Blood and Bone ready to submit. I keep flipping back and forth on my opening chapter. I think the scene works well to draw the reader in, but doesn't necessarily move the story forward. To cut or not to ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/02/20/reviews-and-shameless-begging-for-votes/   I received the Superior Scribbler Award from good friend and talented writer, Bella Mcfarland.  This award originated from The Scholastic Scribe, whose father suggested she sign up for the High School Journalism Program because she wasn't strong in math. Bella writes wonderful YA novels and woman's romance. She's had three of her romance ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/02/15/you-like-me-you-really-like-me/   Happy Valentines Day! To celebrate, I'm participating in the Love at First Sight Blogfest. I'm posting an excerpt from The Curse of Culcraig. I'm not sure it counts as a love at first. Maybe more intrigued at first sight. ;-) Set up:Hillary is in Scotland to research a book. Caid is staying ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/02/14/love-a-first-sight-blogfest/ Okay, I'm a couple of days early, but a quiz is fun on a Friday. Your Valentine's Day Personality is Practical As far as you're concerned, Valentine's Day is simply a commercial holiday. You don't place any real meaning on it. You don't think it deserves too much celebration. For you, Valentine's Day ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/02/12/happy-valentines-day-2/ So, this morning I'm sitting with laptop, trying to decide what to blog about. I had a couple of ideas, but they weren't really working for me.  The hubby comes into the room, and I say "I can't think of anything to blog about." To which he grumbles, "Why don't you ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/02/10/snow-day/ Sorry I dropped off the face of the planet last week. My strep throat came back. It was my own fault, really. I stopped taking the antibiotics after only a few days (they were killing my stomach) so not surprising, the strep returned. So now I'm on something else, and ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/02/08/monday-randomness/ I hope everyone had a good weekend. I did. After all, it was off  to a great start when I discovered this review for The Curse of Culcraig at Nights and Weekends. "Mystery, intrigue, and spine-chilling suspense make The Curse of Culcraigone fabulous romantic thriller...Ms. Brown brings the folklore of Scotland ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/02/01/monday-monday/ So a few nights ago I happened to catch that show Hoarders. I normally wouldn't have watched it, but HellHound had stolen the remote and I couldn't be bothered to a. go looking for it, or b. get up and change the station on the box. Anyway, for those of ... http://dawnbrown.org/blog/2010/01/29/book-hoarding/