If Only I'd Known: Writing Lesson by Loretta Wheeler

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SlingWords welcomes Loretta Wheeler who writes in the friendly, casual style with which she speaks. Reading her post is like having a conversation with her over a cup of morning coffee.

Loretta is giving away a copy of her latest novel, The Verandah/Southern Breezes ,. All you have to do to win is leave a comment and your email addy. She’ll choose a winner at random and notify you by email.

Loretta has 7 books available on Amazon: 3 short stories, 3 novellas, and a full-length novel which is her latest release under the name Loretta Wheeler, The Verandah/Southern Breezes.

Loretta, writing as L. Reveaux, recently released  Siren’s Call which has a much higher heat level than her other books.

More About Loretta Wheeler

Loretta Wheeler lives in the south along with her Australian husband, their cat Lil’ Dickens, and their dog, Jack. Both pets are rescued fur-persons who are very much loved.

Most of Loretta’s writing is set in southern locales, whether in the thriller or romance genre. She says she writes of southern things because most of her stories speak to her in a southern accent. Something she recognizes easily since her own is so strong.

Find Loretta online: Website * Facebook Profile Page * Facebook Fan Page * Twitter.
Author Loretta Wheeler

If I’d Only Known: Change Is The Only Constant
by Loretta Wheeler

Boy, if I knew then what I know now, no telling how different things would be. How many of us say that? All through life, we glance over our shoulders, shake our heads and murmur (or if you’re a guy, you mutter) those words. The movie, Frequency gave us a good look at what being able to travel back, and share a few well-placed words, could do for us. We’d be off and running, right? Yelling Yahoo! all the way to the bank.

Well, since no one has broken the linear time line yet, the next best thing is to research what those who’ve gone before us have to share. Or heck, even research the ones running alongside us who took a slightly different path. And, just so you’re prepared, the path keeps changing. Bring a second pair of running shoes, or maybe a pair of hip boots. It can get mighty deep in here.

Everything Changes Faster Than You Can Imagine

What the path required even a few years ago is different than what is required now. This includes writing styles.

Throw out starting a paragraph with “It was.” That doesn’t fly anymore. Charles Dickens would be rewriting like crazy. Heck, even he might be muttering (See? Males mutter.) about finding the right freakin’ path.

The marketing path also changes often. What works best for a couple of years, suddenly wears thin because everyone’s doing it, and no one pays attention anymore. They scroll past all the familiar jargon and well-worn paths, selecting just a few footprints left behind. If you’ve chosen to stay with blogging, one thing that remains the same is to offer something free. If you yell Free it still garners a second look.

Be Prepared

I suppose, the gist of what I’m saying is be prepared to constantly change. You may even have to bend your style a little. I’m an “It was” gal, and I still love to start with an opening scene, not right in the middle of action. Be prepared to change your style.

Be prepared to change your marketing techniques, because sugar, the times, they are always changin’ when it comes to marketing. And with change comes a new learning curve. Whether it’s losing the oxford comma, eradicating passive voice, or donning a new hat labeled Marketing Guru, or MailChimp Madame.

I’ve bought the marketing hats, but the Guru and Madame hats are way too big for my head. Thank God there are others running alongside me who sport that Guru and Madame side like they’re walkin’ a runway.

I’m trying to keep up with them, but I’m thinkin’ there better be some signposts up ahead warnin’ of Slip-Falls and Avalanches. And further up, one with flashing lights, screamin’ in big letters: Changes Ahead!

Southern Breezes/The Verandah by Loretta Wheeler

Watch the Book Trailer!

What if everything you’ve hoped for suddenly comes true, almost as if it’s divinely orchestrated? But what if it’s accompanied by a ghost who’s dressed in clothes straight out of the Roaring Twenties?

It’s spring on Galveston Island, and everything’s running full tilt. Spring breakers swim in high curling waves, turquoise umbrellas line the sand, and the Pleasure Pier is lit like a bejeweled princess, her lights flashing with temptation.

Shelby Alexander, a New York Times Bestselling Author, has come back to the island to live. She and her friends came every summer when they were young and daydreamed often of living there when they were grown. Good to their word, all of them have now returned.

Shelby is finding that even though she’s thrilled to own a part of her Aunt Sookie’s house, the excitement’s only just begun, because a gorgeous guy has also arrived along with a scruffy dog named Charmin’. Fast on their heels is a ghost—a ghost who seems quite comfortable lounging on Shelby’s verandah, blowing smoke from its cigarette—and who is always, always surrounded by a deliciously sensuous fragrance.

Time For Reading Fun

Add The Verandah/Southern Breezes to your Library. It’s in Kindle Unlimited or buy for $2.99.

Remember, you have a chance to win a copy of this book. Just leave a comment with your email addy. Loretta will pick a random winner and notify you.

Takeaway Truth

How delightful! A romance with a ghost, a gorgeous hero, and set on fabulous Galveston Island. Thanks, Loretta, for giving writers the benefit of what you’ve learned.