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What Decorating Cookies Can Teach Writers About Story Detail

Dec 12, 2018
2 min

What Decorating Cookies Can Teach Writers About Story Detail

I adore the holiday season. I love the twinkle of lights, stockings hung by the fireplace, the nip in the air (even in Birmingham, Alabama), and the scent of delicious treats, fresh from the oven, wafting through the house. In our house, the holiday season means baking cookies. Lots of cookies. Batches of sugar cookies. Snickerdoodles. Gingerbread cutouts. We whip up loads of royal icing and gather bottles of sprinkles and colored sugar. It’s a relaxing, fun, and messy way to

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Laura McNeill

Nov 7, 2018
1 min

Fabulous Fall Giveaway – Books, Coffee, Mug, T-Shirt, & More

Hi Friends, I am in deep in the middle of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), working on my next book, but hit the pause button today to visit the blog of Karen Pokras Toz! Jump on over to Karen’s site for all of the details on my new Lauren Clark novel, The World Breaks Everyone. Fabulous Fall Giveaway from Lauren Clark & Karen Pokras Toz Entering is easy and free! Best of luck and I hope you’re having a spectacular November! xo, Laura BTW – Karen is a fabulous writer!

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Laura McNeill

Apr 29, 2018
2 min

Best Writing Books, Part 1

I’m often asked about my favorite books on writing. I have shelves of books on writing, editing, publishing, story structure — you name it. But, when I’m asked to recommend the best writing books, the same volumes comes to mind. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft I agree with King. As an author, reading as much a possible gives you fuel. It revs up creativity, inspires, makes you think, and makes you laugh or cry. As for the keeping your butt in a chair statement, it might sou

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WYAM TV Interview: Writing, the Deep South, & Center of Gravity

Laura McNeill

Oct 23, 2015
1 min

WYAM TV Interview: Writing, the Deep South, & Center of Gravity

I recently had the opportunity to talk with television personality Suzie Wiley at WYAM-TV on her show, Valley Happenings. The station broadcasts out of Decatur, Ala. and airs statewide. Wiley is quite a vivacious and enthusiastic host! She asked all sorts of questions about writing, the Deep South, Center of Gravity, and my new novel, Sister Dear (being published by HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson on April 19th, 2016). Here’s the first part of the interview, which runs just over

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Writer Wednesday – Do’s and Don’ts ~ Part 3 (Networking)

Laura McNeill

Oct 21, 2015
2 min

Writer Wednesday – Do’s and Don’ts ~ Part 3 (Networking)

This is the third part of three in my series of Do’s and Don’ts for New Authors. I’ve covered Work-Life Balance (Part 1) and Marketing (Part 2), and as promised, will talk about Networking this week! So, as a new author in the publishing business it is important to connect well with many groups of people, but primarily these three: Readers Other authors Bloggers Why are these three groups so important? It may seem obvious, but without readers, we as authors couldn’t do what w

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Writer Wednesday: Do’s and Don’ts for a First Book ~ Part 1 (Work-Life Balance)

Laura McNeill

Oct 7, 2015
3 min

Writer Wednesday: Do’s and Don’ts for a First Book ~ Part 1 (Work-Life Balance)

A few weeks back, I served on a writer panel in Dallas with three wonderful and smart authors — Kristy Cambron, Katherine Reay, and Mary Weber. All fresh off our first year in the traditional publishing industry, we shared our thoughts about the whirlwind that’s been the last 12 months … in the hopes the information and discussion would be of help to other aspiring authors! Today, I thought it might be fun to share portions of our talk. Here are some of the questions that our

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Laura McNeill

Sep 23, 2015
1 min

Samantha March’s Video Review of “Center of Gravity”

I’m so thrilled to share that Samantha March, founder of Chick Lit Plus and the fabulous Books & Beauty channel on YouTube, just shared this video review of Center of Gravity! Samantha’s Books & Beauty YouTube channel is divine…she’s a charming hostess… and I highly recommend subscribing so that you can watch all of her great reviews! NOTE: If you’d like to check out the wonderful novels that Samantha has written, visit her Amazon Author page! Hope you enjoy Samantha’s revie

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Watch the WSFA-TV Center of Gravity Interview

Laura McNeill

Sep 21, 2015
1 min

Watch the WSFA-TV Center of Gravity Interview

As promised, here’s my WSFA – TV interview with Montgomery anchor Tonya Terry. We chatted about books, the news business, story ideas, and upcoming author events. Here goes: I’m working on getting my WBRC – TV (Birmingham, Ala.) interview up on the site as well! Later this week, I’ll post notes from the ACFW Conference on “Do’s and Don’ts for Debut Authors.” Next, Friday, Sept. 25th, I’ll be talking about books and all things author on Valley Happenings WYAM – TV 51. Happy M

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Laura McNeill

Jul 10, 2015
1 min

Write an Amazon Review in 3 Easy Steps

Since the Center of Gravity, I’ve had a number of people ask exactly HOW to leave an Amazon review. Whether it’s for Center of Gravity or your favorite novel, leaving a review on Amazon means the world to an author and can be done in a few simple steps! Let’s take a look: STEP 1 Visit the book page and click under the title, next to the yellow star rating, where “customer reviews” are listed. Click on “customer reviews.” Step 2 On the next page, you’ll see this section. Click

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Publishing, Pen Names, and Breaking the Rules

Laura McNeill

Jul 1, 2015
3 min

Publishing, Pen Names, and Breaking the Rules

When I first began writing, several authors generously shared their unwritten rules for forging a successful career. They unanimously recommended: Writing in a popular genre Thinking long and hard before using a pen name Sticking with one genre Being a newbie to the business, their advice seemed reasonable and sound. After all, they’d played it safe, signed with agents, and landed long-term publishing deals. Fast-forward a year later, and I’d finished my first terrible, awful

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10 Reasons E-Readers Are Better than Boyfriends

Laura McNeill

Jun 5, 2015
2 min

10 Reasons E-Readers Are Better than Boyfriends

Many authors, bloggers, and readers occasionally lament that they have too many books to read. In my heart, I know that it’s really that there are not enough hours in the day … those pesky jobs and to-do lists always seem to get in the way! But what if your main squeeze is the one doing the complaining? Too many books on the nightstand. Too many books next to the bed. Don’t despair….pick up an e-reader. Here are TEN glorious reasons you might want to trade in your flesh-and-b

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Laura McNeill

May 27, 2015
2 min

10 Ways to Show You Love a Writer

A few years ago, fellow author Eileen Flanagan penned a fabulous article that I’ve kept bookmarked on my laptop. It’s sound, thoughtful, and amusing advice for anyone who loves a book author. With all of the great beach reads hitting bookstores now (the storage on my Kindle is full to bursting!), and Center of Gravity being released in just 6 short weeks, it’s perfect timing to share an abbreviated version of Eileen’s post.* Here we go … 10 Ways to Support your Favorite Write

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Writer Wednesday: 6 Ways Reading Makes You a Better Writer

Laura McNeill

May 13, 2015
3 min

Writer Wednesday: 6 Ways Reading Makes You a Better Writer

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” – Stephen King It’s hard to ignore the words of this famous author, who’s penned more than 50 novels and 200 short stories, as well as one of my favorite books on the craft of writing … appropriately titled, On I realize that the rest of us — mere mortals in the author arena — are likely not going to be as prolific as King, but it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take his advice.

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Laura McNeill

May 2, 2015
2 min

7 Reasons to Love Indie Bookstores

Today, more than 400 independent bookstores across the country participate in the first ever Independent Bookstore Day. Plenty of fun and quirky events are being held from Athens, Georgia to Biloxi, Mississippi (details to follow), but first, here are 7 reasons to LOVE our Indie Bookstores. 1. A place to connect – Indie bookstores have that wonderful neighborhood feel — a definite sense of community in our rushed and busy world. Indie bookstores are friendly and welcoming, th

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Laura McNeill

Apr 30, 2015
1 min

Reader Spotlight: Ron Wright

Today, I want to introduce you to my friend and trusted beta reader, Ron Wright! Ron and I met on Facebook several years ago and connected over a mutual love of books! The book is a personal and humorous account of his month-long trip to Japan to reconnect with his older son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Here’s the 411 on Ron: Name: Ron Wright Hometown: Oxford, OH Where you live now: Port Orchard, WA Family members: Sue, David (and a bunch who no longer live with us)…

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Laura McNeill

Apr 29, 2015
2 min

Writing Wednesday: One Million Words

One of my favorite books about writing craft contains a quote that really resonates with me. In On Writing, Stephen King offers this sage advice to budding authors: “The first million words are practice.” That sentence is powerful enough to make anyone stop and re-think his career. Those six words might have a person doubt her own drive and ambition. I’ve been there. More than once. But I also haven’t given up. And that’s the stuff of writers are made of. A note before we get

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The Beauty of Indie Bookstores & Book Clubs

Laura McNeill

Mar 6, 2015
2 min

The Beauty of Indie Bookstores & Book Clubs

I just spent the most fantastic evening with a room full of (almost) complete strangers! Chris Bohjalian’s Novels I say “almost,” because I ran into, and happily sat with, a woman I’d met at a lunch honoring author Chris Bohjalian (Midwives, Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands)…which is another blog post entirely. Tonight’s event event was a “Book Club” evening at Page and Palette, Inc. in Fairhope, Ala. Stephanie and Anderson, two dedicated P & P employees, host the gathering a few

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Laura McNeill

Feb 22, 2015
2 min

5 Ways to Write A Fantastic First Line

There’s no one perfect formula for writing fantastic first lines. They can be short or long, descriptive or straightforward. The choice, ultimately, is up to you. For more ideas, peruse your favorite books and study the first lines that really grab your attention. Figure out why. How do those first lines make you feel? What questions come to mind? Here are examples of five great ways to open your novel: 1. Be Suspenseful – “She heard a knocking, and then a dog barking.” – T

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