Kelli’s Quill

Welcome Summer Issue!

May/June 2015

I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather and are making plans for a fun summer! This month in the Quill I’m sharing a few 5-star reviews for my writing book and posting an interview excerpt.

It's a double-issue, so let’s get started!

5-Star Reviews for You Can Write – Really!

My writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction, has gotten several excellent Amazon reviews.

Have you always wanted to write?

Are you looking for an extra boost of motivation?

Do you have a great story idea, but don’t know how to develop it?

Then THIS is the book for you!

You Can Write—Really! is an easy guide designed for beginner writers who need a boost of motivation and simple instructions on how to get started.

Award-winning romance author Kelli A. Wilkins takes you step-by-step through the writing process, covering the basics of plotting, editing, revising, and submitting.

She explores ways to get your creativity flowing, explains where authors get ideas, and shows you how to create interesting characters. Helpful tips and fun writing exercises get you started!

Order your copy here:

http://www.amazon.com/Write-Really-Beginners-Writing-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00THWLFQU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1428436650&sr=1-1&keywords=you+can+write+really

Here are excerpts from those great reviews I mentioned:

Long and Short Reviews gives it 5 stars!

“If you’ve ever wanted to write fiction, then you will want to read this book. In fact, this book has tips and techniques that will help not only beginners, but more advanced writers as well. All aspects of the craft of writing are covered, in the order that they are needed. The author is positive and up-beat as she encourages her readers. There are writing exercises in each section and I found these exercises to be interesting, with very specific suggestions made in ways that encourage the reader’s creativity. The chapters flow well, and the book is captivating, truly aimed at bringing out the best in the reader. 5 stars!”

Cozie Corner says:

“I give YOU CAN WRITE—REALLY! a 5 star rating. The Author, Kelli A. Wilkins pens YOU CAN WRITE—REALLY! in practical wording and easy to follow advice on how to write. I love how she broke down each section of the writing process and includes exercises on each topic she touches. Honestly I'm not a writer, but after reading this book I can see me giving it a try.... I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone who ever wanted to write their own books, as well as those who have written books before.”

The Book Junkie writes:

“I give it a 5 star on well written, written in a way to easily help you write and help you achieve those goals of having a 5 star book yourself one day. I think this book gives you a lot of good tips of writing and how to get to where you are looking to go with your book. This book I think gives you exactly what you are looking for and more. It will help you to write the book you are aiming to write, the pointers you need to make it successful and more.”

The Literary Nymphs review:

“YOU CAN WRITE—REALLY! A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO WRITING FICTION has a lot of very practical advice that is easy to understand and follow. The author did a good job breaking up the various components of writing a book or short story, making you think you are in a creative writing class as opposed to an English class. Each section of the book was followed by exercises that used the principles she was trying to convey. I loved this book and the way it is so easy to understand and follow. The author did good job in organizing it. Whether you are someone just starting or someone with some publications, this is a good book for the bookshelf.”

Amazon Reviewer Nerdy Girl has this to say:

YOU CAN WRITE—REALLY! isn’t just for beginning writers, it has something for writers at every stage. With sections such as Meet the muse, Excuses, Ideas, Characters, Marketing, etc., whatever you're looking for, there's something here to learn from. This book breaks down the writing process and shares tips and tricks to help you to learn and grow. I highly recommend it as a reference and as a way to inspire and encourage you to move past writing blocks, and tap into your creativity.

Another Amazon Reviewer, Sally R., says:

I've read some of Kelli's short horror stories and really enjoyed the creativity behind them. When I saw that she published a beginner's guide to writing fiction, I was really excited to read it. I enjoy writing, but feel as though I could never really get my thoughts down on paper. I struggle with editing and had no idea how to submit to publishing houses. She explains everything step-by-step to avoid overwhelm and makes getting published completely attainable. I especially found the writing exercises to be useful to get my creative juices flowing! “

Read the full reviews here: http://www.amazon.com/Write-Really-Beginners-Writing-Fiction-ebook/product-reviews/B00THWLFQU/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Q&A with Kelli

Here are a few questions I’ve been asked recently. If you have a question you’d like me to answer, send it to me and I’ll answer it in an upcoming issue of the Quill!

For readers who haven't tried your books yet, how do you think your editor or loyal readers would describe your books?

Reviewers and readers have fallen in love with my unique characters and far-from typical storylines. My romances aren’t just about two people falling in love – I include interesting plots and blend in mystery, danger, adventure, or comedy to make them stand out.

I strive to give readers a happy-ever-after romance. I hope that they would think the book was a fun and sexy read, that they loved the characters and rooted for them to be together. (I’d also hope readers would recommend it to friends!)

Has there been any characters that started off as supporting characters, but then developed into a more prominent character?

Oh yes! This has happened several times. It first began with my historical/fantasy novella A Most Unusual Princess, I liked Dalton and Elara so much that I wrote a full-length sequel about them, A Most Intriguing Temptation. Then, while writing that book, I absolutely fell in love with Prince Allan (Elara’s brother), and knew he had to have his own book – so I wrote A Most Unfortunate Prince.

A similar situation happened when I wrote Midsummer Night’s Delights. It was supposed to be one story, but turned into a trilogy and was followed by Midwinter Night’s Delights and Ultimate Nights Delights.

I’m proud of all the books in these trilogies. Each one was a lot of fun to write, and I enjoyed following the characters through their adventures. Because I wrote each book without intending on making a trilogy, each book stands alone as an individual read.

A Secret Match is a follow-up (of sorts) to my other wrestling romance, A Deceptive Match. That book was all about a straight couple (Vin and Danni) and Everett (the main character from A Secret Match) was a secondary character. I loved writing for Ev and always thought “one day” I’d give him a book of his own, but I didn’t have a clue as to what the story would be. I put thoughts of him aside and then one morning he popped into my head with a four-line book summary. Within an hour, I had the whole story in my head and I started writing.

What three words best describe your main characters?

Over the years, I’ve created dozens of interesting and unique characters. The main characters in my three recent books could be described as: determined, flawed, and hopeful.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

Right now, I’m revising a new historical romance and gathering ideas for a paranormal, and another gay contemporary.

In the horror department, I’m working on a few short stories. My latest Halloween tale, “Home for Halloween” was published in the Moon Shadows horror anthology. Read more about it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N232UEG

Enjoy the summer!

Happy Reading,

Kelli