TGIF Everybody and Welcome!
It’s another Rave Reviews Book Club BOOK AND BLOG BLOCK PARTY! (Try saying that fast!)
I’m coming to you from just outside Chicago, IL—close enough to run to it, far enough to run away!
My gifts to you for sharing with me today are
(1) $15.00 Amazon Gift Card
(1) $10.00 ITunes Gift Card
That makes the # of Lucky Winners for this stop: 2
I invited you here today so that I could thank all of you for inspiring and supporting me along my journey back. I say back because this isn’t my first rodeo. I have a drawer full of unpublished stories!
I don’t know why I decided to join RRBC. I imagine I wanted to give something to authors who needed to be heard and supported. I knew, firsthand, how hard the struggle is. In the beginning, I enjoyed being on the outside of the club, retweeting your tweets, and sharing your books. I grew to respect and admire your talents, but I never expected to gain more than personal satisfaction.
Rave Reviews Book Club stated in the rules that I didn’t have to be an author (calling tech here), but, all of a sudden, authors like Robin Chambers started retweeting me and telling people to buy my books. Lord Have Mercy!!! I didn’t have any books!
Next, RRBC made me a Member of the Week because of my outstanding support of you guys. So naturally, I volunteered to join the Bethany Turner Pay It Forward roster and in doing so, I bought and familiarized myself with a lot more of your books.
Then, surprise, surprise! I began admonishing myself in Nonnie Jules’ voice—you know the one she uses when she’s telling us that “Sugarcoating is for Candy…” and I forced myself to write again!
So what follows is an excerpt from my book, The Neon Houses. Going forward, I’ll need an editor, a cover, a trailer, some reviews—all the resources and advice my RRBC literary family is known for. I’m a LUCKY girl!
But first, take a look and tell me what you think! If you like the first excerpt, you can click on the post entitled “The Neon Houses” on the right of the page and go to the second one (I’ll learn how to link eventually) .
Thanks for stopping by. As soon as possible, I’ll post the winners of my prizes! Be kind enough to leave a comment about my excerpt and I will see you on the next stop of the Rave Reviews Book Club BOOK AND BLOG BLOCK PARTY!
Linda on the day you posted your party blog I was out of town attending a family wedding and missed it and 4 others. So as I’m reading the Weekly Club Updates, I find you there under the inspirational blogs so I pulled it up. Your excerpt is really interesting. Must investigate further. Sorry I missed out on winning your awesome prizes. Drat!!
Unh-hunh! So you know that you were sorely missed! Thanks for this! 😍!
Enjoyed your intro….thanks so much for sharing and good luck with the book!
Thank you!
Enjoyed your post! Congrats and happy to learn more about you. I love that futuristic picture too. Have a great day.
Thank you!
Loved this, Linda! I’m so glad you are writing again! Good luck!
Thanks Rebecca!
Congrats, Linda, on finishing the books. Looking forward to reading the finished book. You’re on your way for sure. Loved both your excerpts and your gorgeous header at the top of the Neon Houses. Good luck and best wishes for success.
Hi Kim! Where you been? LOL!!! Thanks for stopping by
Rough day at work – Had to help provide training session and then we had our company picnic. Between Internet was down. But some very good food was provided, so alls well that ends well. TGIF!!!!!
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Page.
Thanks Kim!
Hi Linda! Your post is an absolute joy to read and inspiring, too! Such a lovely website as well. Bravo! 🙂
Thanks Natalie!
Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
Another stop on the RRBC Block Party – Linda Mims shares an excerpt from a book in progress…
Always nice to be reblogged, PHSolomon! Thank you!
My pleasure, I think you are off to a good start on that book. I’ll be more than happy to host you on my site for a blog tour when the time comes!
Thank you! Gushing!
Linda, I liked it! Get that ready to publish ASAP! Enjoy the block party!
I will and thank you!
Fabulous website, Linda. Love the futuristic colours. Great blog, too. Is the picture your book cover? It’s one that should sell your book. Have a great day.
Which picture, Brian? The header?
The one with all the space age stuff in it. Looks like something from Star Wars. Loads of action.
It does. Thanks for the tip.
Forgot to say thank you. So busy getting the info!
Keep writing – I want more! Aside from the RRBC help, you might consider NANOWRIMO — lots of support even if you don’t reach the writing goal! Either way, keep writing!
Hi Christa! I’m glad you want more. RRBC is so good for our egos!
WOW! The colors here are amazing! Great look to your blog, Linda. I love the narrative voice in your excerpt. It speaks of a fantastic tale! Best wishes on your blog day!
Hi Beem! Thanks for getting here. Now the party can begin!LOL. Appreciate your kind words.
I will definitely keep an eye out for it on the shelves at Amazon. Lol
Okay!
Congrats on a great opening hook for your upcoming novel! Enjoyed learning more about you and your enthusiasm and for you commitment to #RRBC. Folowing and looking forward to sharing your awesome PARTY POST! :_
Thank you, Bette! Your support has been awesome!
It’s a great concept, with tons of potential. It could easily be a series. Best of luck with it. ☺
Yeah! I was thinking I’m not ready to leave these characters. LOL!
Awesome post! Loved it! Best of luck with your writing!!!
Thanks Amy!
Ooh, remind me not to book a holiday there! There – you’ve convinced me it’s a real place. I agree, you don’t need to explain it all at the beginning, but one of the thing I tend to find with some of these dystopian stories is that the author is so familiar with “their world” that they forget to be kind to the reader and ease them through it. Not saying you do that, mind. It reads well so far. Thanks.
Thanks Steve. I’m open to all constructive comments. I will be careful, going forward, not to divulge too much too soon.
What an inspiring post, Linda. Welcome back to writing, it’s never too late to put your dreams on paper. I agree RRBC is super supportive. Your book concept is intriguing and I see great things in your future.
Have a wonderful day.
Thank you for leaving such encouraging words!
Thank you so much for this. You guys are inspiring!
Sometimes all it takes to get something going is a push/nudge from outside. Sounds as if that is what happened to you–good thing!
Yes it was a good thing. Thanks!
Inspiration comes in odd ways. I’m glad by joining RRBC you were re-introduced to your muse. Enjoy the adventure. The book definitely sounds interesting.
Regards,
Ani
Thanks for stopping by, Ani!
Tony I think we should let this girl a poster girl for our baby are RBC I wouldn’t we blog but for some reason it won’t let me have a great party
Hi Linda. Your page looks amazing. It’s so exciting that you are writing again. I can’t wait to read more of your work. Thank you for popping by my blog today!
I thank you! LOVE your page.
Thanks for all the help so happy to here those maxing group have gotten you writting
The book sounds very interesting pleas let me kno Howe you get on with it
Injoy the party
Thank you for your kind words, apboustead!
Your welcom
Welcome back to the writing world! I wish you all the best of luck in your endeavors.
Hi Linda,
I’m intrigued by Neon Houses and have listed it as a must read! Keep up the great work…you are a fabulous writer. 🙂
Thank you so much for that compliment, Gwen! Thanks for stopping by!
Lovely post. So true that indie authors, especially many of those in RRBC, are great about helping each other.
Yes, that is true! Thank you.
Congratulations on this new project! Neon Houses is now on my to read list. Best wishes!
This is great, Neon Houses is now on my to read list! Best of luck with this new project!
Thank you, Tara!
Hi Linda, your support for RRBC members is truly commendable. Neon Houses sounds like a great read and I hope you’re really enjoying the writing process.
Ha, Renae! You had a BUSY day, yesterday! So kind of you to stop by and encourage me!
As an ex-resident of Palatine IL, I loved this excerpt. It reminded me of the suburbs vs the city thinking back then. Congratulations on getting back to writing. I sense a best seller here.
That’s kind of what it’s like! Thanks John. I’m just trying to earn a place amongst you guys!
I think you have.
Linda…this is so fantastic. Good luck in the future…2055!!!
Thanks Richie! LOL!
This looks really good!!! I love distopian sci-fi. 🙂 I’m so happy you’re writing this, because I can’t wait to read it! 🙂 I offer release announcements, cover reveals, author interviews, etc. on my blog for free, so let me know if you’d like to be a guest some time. 🙂
Thank you! I look forward to guesting on your blog!You’re so kind!
Hi, Linda! I’m very happy that you decided to start writing again – your excerpts prove that you have what it takes and this story will one day be a great read to sit proudly in our RRBC catalog! Wow! Your page banner is fantastic! Have a great day on your Block Party!!
John, you know that I am a BIG fan of yours! I look forward to finishing and sitting in your catalog. Thank you!
Hi, Linda – well I’m hooked on Neon Houses already 😀 Have a fantastic party today and all the best for keeping that writing going now 🙂
Thank you, Jan! Such an honor to see my favorite RRBC Authors on my page!
Keep writing, Linda, so we eventually get to see where you’re going and how you get there. Have a great party day. 🙂
I will, Peter! The fun part is I don’t know how I’m going to get there. These people keep going their own way!
Fun stuff. Your setting is really intriguing.
Thank you!
Wow, incredible post and fabulous site, Linda! I’m going to follow now 🙂 Enjoy your blog party today!!
Thanks for stopping by and for the follow!
Love your tribute to RRBC. And Neon Houses sounds intriguing!
Thanks Kathy!
Hi Linda, it is good to know you and to learn more about you. Just remember, once you have a story to tell, and you tell it, you are a writer. So now, you are an author. Good to know that our great #RRBC was able to pull that story out of ya. 🙂 Have a great party today.
Hi Joy! My character shares your beautiful name! Thanks for your encouragement!
This is AWESOME!!! I absolutely love it! I was sucked right in. Right after fantasy/paranormal, my next favorite genre is dystopian, and I’m already hooked. I can’t wait for you to publish this. If you are looking for a book cover artist, I would recommend Tatiana Vila of Vila Design (http://viladesign.net). I have to share that I laughed a moment when I read that your story takes place in 2055 because my brain processed that and realized that that is only 40 years from now! I remember when the idea of 2000-anything was so futuristic and “out there,” and now it’s here. lol! Thank you for sharing this story with us, and I look forward to hearing about its release date so that I can buy it! 🙂
Yvette, you’re kind to stop what you’re doing and encourage me. I appreciate it! Yes, I love this genre and hope I can do it justice.
Welcome back! I enjoyed both excerpts of your book. Time to open that drawer of unpublished manuscripts!
Thanks Bruce Borders!!! So kind.
Love this post, Linda, and am sooo glad you decided to write a book! Both excerpts of Neon Houses look great and I can’t wait to read the finished book! Dystopian is right up my alley 🙂 Very best of luck, Linda, and thanks for all your support! Now it’s your turn 🙂
Thank you Harmony for all your support!
How wonderful that joining RRBC has inspired you to start writing again. I enjoyed your excerpt!
Thanks Michelle!I’m enjoying writing.
Great excerpt, Linda! And congrats on being featured today!
The story, from the opening line, is engaging enough that I’d say don’t give us all the “premise” info. A premise is usually a one liner anyway! I’d prefer to discover the rest through your writing (so I’ll have to read on!). I like the feeling that I don’t know everything about a book’s world right away and that I have to find out! But that’s just me. I enjoyed it and wish you the very best!
This is so helpful, Lisa. Just the kind of sharing I expect from RRBC! Thanks!!!
Hi, Linda! I’ve been anxiously awaiting your stop and alas, here it is! I love the sign on the door! I love the NEON LIGHTS! Most of all, I love the fact that you are writing, and I’m so happy that you love the club and every chance you get, you are shouting that message to the world! We adore you…have a great party stop today!
When you’re ready for a book trailer, book cover, blog tour, etc…we hope that you’ll visit http://www.4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com!
There’s a sappy saying, “If I had a thousand tongues, I couldn’t thank you enough”. Thanks for today! Thanks for RRBC!
You’re very welcome, my dear! Very welcome!