reading Archives - Tina Hogan Grant

Hearing the word “rejected”

An author never wants to hear the word Rejected. After spending what may have been many years, working on a manuscript, being told your novel has been rejected can affect your self-esteem and confidence. Many writers begin to question their ability, labeling themselves as failures, not good enough, a bad writer or I don’t have what it takes.

Some will toss their manuscript in a closet, out of mind, out of sight until they find the courage to re-submit it to another publisher. Others sadly will quit writing altogether. The pain was just too much and they don’t want to experience it again.

Surprisingly, many best selling books were rejected Continue reading “7 Best Selling Books That Were Rejected” →

Everything books

5 Famous Authors Who Wrote Their First Book After 50

August 18, 2017October 14, 2017 Tina Hogan Grant

5 Famous Authors Who Wrote Their First Book After 50

The saying goes: “That age is just a number.” The authors in the following list, have certainly proved that. I am 53 and about to have my debut novel “Reckless Beginnings” published. Of course, lots of silly thoughts went through my head: “You’re too old to be writing a book” “It’s too late to publish a book.” and then there was this one: “You should have written the book years ago.” I began to question myself and the dream I’ve had of being a published author. Continue reading “5 Famous Authors Who Wrote Their First Book After 50” →

Weekly 7-day writing prompts

Monday’s Weekly 7-day writing prompts #4 Theme “Rescues”

August 7, 2017August 7, 2017 Tina Hogan Grant

writing prompts for writers & authors this weeks theme RESCUES. How it works.

Welcome to this weeks 7-day writing prompts for writers. This weeks theme is all about “Rescues.” Writing about this theme is great practice for incorporating action and drama into your works. Most rescues involve suspense, anticipation, courage and most of the time a huge sigh of relief when the rescue is successful. You want to make sure the reader is feeling all of these emotions while reading your piece.

Why use prompts?

As strange as it may seem, one of the best methods to help with writer’s block is to just write. Break yourself away from your current project and write outside the box. Explore different subject matter, avenues you not have ventured in yet. You will be surprised by how much it helps. Continue reading “Monday’s Weekly 7-day writing prompts #4 Theme “Rescues”” →

Everything books

25 Book fairs to attend August – December 2017 in the U.S

August 4, 2017August 4, 2017 Tina Hogan Grant

25 book fairs to attend for writers, publishers, agents and authors

It’s hard to believe that we are halfway through the year 2017. I can’t believe it’s already August. If you’re hoping to attend a book fair this year, don’t worry there’s still time. Better yet there are 25 upcoming book fairs scheduled untill the end of the year.

Here is a list of 25 book fairs to attend for writers, publishers, agents and authors. A great way to meet others in the industry. Continue reading “25 Book fairs to attend August – December 2017 in the U.S” →

Weekly 7-day writing prompts

Monday’s Weekly 7 – Day Writing Prompts # 2 Theme Animals

July 24, 2017August 5, 2017 Tina Hogan Grant

Writing prompts tips for writers. The theme this week is Animals. How it works

I will be posting a 7-day calendar with challenging writing prompts to help stimulate your mind and get the creative juices flowing.

Sometimes we just need a break from our current writing projects and explore other avenues of writing. Or maybe you are experiencing writer’s block. Maybe these prompts will help. Continue reading “Monday’s Weekly 7 – Day Writing Prompts # 2 Theme Animals” →

On writing

Tips on how to write a good book blurb

July 11, 2017May 26, 2018 Tina Hogan Grant

Tips on how to write a good book blurb

What is a blurb?

A blurb also referred to as a “Synopsis” or a “Glossary is the summary of the story found on the back cover of a book. Other than the cover, it is the other most important selling feature of a book. Once potential readers are drawn in by the fabulous cover of a novel, their next instinct is to flip to the back cover and read what the book is about. It’s at this stage, most readers will make the decision to either buy the book or move on. Continue reading “Tips on how to write a good book blurb” →

On writing

Looking for cover design ideas for debut novel – win a signed copy

July 7, 2017 Tina Hogan Grant

book cover ides

Your ideas are welcome

Looking for cover design ideas for debut novel. My publisher has asked me for some input for the design of the cover for my debut novel “Reckless Beginnings.” Currently I am drawing a blank and seeking some creative people for their ideas.

The synonyms / blurb of the book

Here is the blurb of the book that will appear on the back cover. Continue reading “Looking for cover design ideas for debut novel – win a signed copy” →

Blogging tips & Advice

How to Grow Your Blog: My Top 5 Blogging Tips for Newbies — The Boundless Agenda

July 1, 2017 Tina Hogan Grant

I won’t tell you to “write good blog posts” because I think it’s been said so much that it goes without saying now. Use Grammarly for writing conventions, do use WordPress’ built-in spell-checker, and give your post a dry read out loud before you hit Publish. What I will give you are 5 pointers, ordered in importance, that I actually […]

via How to Grow Your Blog: My Top 5 Blogging Tips for Newbies — The Boundless Agenda

While doing some research on blogging, I came across this post. Excellent advice and tips and wanted to share.

On writing

It takes courage to publish your first book

June 29, 2017May 4, 2018 Tina Hogan Grant

Many people have an idea for a book but very few actually write one. Why?

Finding The Courage To Publish Your First Book Can be extremely hard. We often hear people say: “That would make a great book! I should write a book.” Sadly that is the beginning and end of the book idea for most people. You have to have the passion, the drive, and the commitment and be willing to dedicate hours and hours of your time to write your story. Continue reading “It takes courage to publish your first book” →

Everything books

Book Review: “Invisible” by James Patterson & David Ellis

June 24, 2017December 21, 2017 Tina Hogan Grant

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I personally enjoy reading book reviews before purchasing a book and appreciate the time readers have put into their reviews and want to share mine in return.

Periodically I will post my thoughts here in the “book” section of my blog after finishing a novel.

I just finished “Invisible” by James Patterson and David Ellis. Here is the synopsis:

“Everyone thinks Emmy Dockery is crazy. Obsessed with finding the link between hundreds of unsolved cases, Emmy has taken leave from her job as an FBI researcher. Now all she has are the newspaper clippings that wallpaper her bedroom, and her recurring nightmares of an all-consuming fire.

Not even Emmy’s ex-boyfriend, field agent Harrison “Books” Bookman, will believe her that hundreds of kidnappings, rapes, and murders are all connected. That is, until Emmy finds a piece of evidence he can’t afford to ignore. More murders are reported by the day–and they’re all inexplicable. No motives, no murder weapons, no suspects. Could one person really be responsible for these unthinkable crimes?

Invisible is James Patterson’s scariest, most chilling stand-alone thriller yet.”

My Review

Category: Fiction-Thriller-mystery-crime

As always James Patterson never disappoints me. One Thing I love about his books are the short chapters. There is Something about short chapters: where you tell yourself, “Oh I’ll read just one more chapter. It’s really short. 10 chapters later, you’re still reading. His books are always a quick read for me. He grabs my attention right away and has me turning the pages hastily in anticipation of what is coming next.

I enjoyed this book Immensely. Finished reading it in just a couple of days. How they unravelled the crime and Emma’s intuition was brilliant and extremely clever. Some parts I have to say, were pretty gory, made me cringe a little, well actually a lot. I had to continue reading a few more chapters after the horrific acts of crime were being described, just to erase the images now planted in my head.

As the events of the crimes unfold, it’s a continuous guessing game, one heck of a ride and a very surprising ending. One I never saw coming. I’m a very satisfied reader after reading the book. It was entertaining, very hard to put down and a fantastic ending. You will not be disappointed.

I give this book 4 stars.

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