M. B. Weston’s Author Newsletter, Volume I, Issue 2

Breaking News
A Prophecy Forgotten (aka APF), Book I of The Elysian Chronicles
APF’s debut has been pushed back to January, which (coincidentally) is one of the best times for a new author to debut. Keep checking the website for updates on APF’s status.

Out of the Shadows (aka OOTS) Book II of The Elysian Chronicles
I’m still muddling through the 2nd draft of OOTS. Don’t worry, Davian fans, I’ll have the 2nd draft finished soon enough.

Website Updates (www.elysianchronicles.com)
Recent Updates:

• The Elysian Chronicle Fan Art section: Many of you have already begun sending me your own drawings and art of Elysia’s characters, and I’ve displayed them on my website. Check out the Gabriella doll designed by Tara Albanese. It’s amazing! If you want your art on my website, scan it into a computer and e-mail it to me.
• The Elysian Chronicles Mythology & History: Construction is finished! Check it out in the About Elysia section.
• Young Writers section: I’m building a young writers section where I hope to give teenage writers advice on writing and getting published. Currently, I’ve posted the meeting times for the Young Writers of Naples and a list of teenage writing contests. Keep checking as I keep adding. If you know of any writing contests, e-mail me the information, and I’ll post it on the web.

Stay Tuned For:

• Updated information on APF’s main characters.
• Updated dates & author events as APF’s publication date draws near.

Contest: Win a Free T-Shirt
Send cool Elysian Chronicles T-shirt ideas to mbweston@elysianchronicles.com. If I use your idea, I’ll give you a free T-shirt.

Author Events
Schools, etc.
This month, I’ll be speaking at Christ Community Lutheran School. If you want me to speak to your class, tell your teacher to e-mail me at mbweston@elysianchronciles.com.

Radio:
On November 17th, I joined Praise FM 89.5 on the radio. I had a blast. Check out the pictures on the website.

Young Writers of Naples Club
If you are a high schooler in Naples, join me and other students at Barnes & Noble from 10:00-12:00 on the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month.

Monthly Writing Tip
“Said.” When writing he/she said, amateur writers often try to use words such as quipped, bellowed, yelped, etc. instead of said. Don’t be afraid of said; readers ignore it, and editors don’t like said-synonyms. Use said unless yelled or whispered is crucial. And don’t modify said with an adverb. “Nice butt,” she said cheekily, doesn’t need cheekily. Here are a few more points:

• Your dialogue should imply how your character speaks. Use strong dialogue, and your reader will hear the yell or the whisper without you writing yelled or whispered. Strengthen your dialogue instead of resorting to a said-synonym or, worse, an adverb.
• You don’t need said after every speaker—just enough to clarify who’s talking.
• Use action instead of said. I grabbed the knife. “I hate you!” doesn’t need a said (or even a yelled), and it gives your reader a better picture than “I hate you!” I said.

Tags: Elysian Chronicles, A Prophecy Forgotten, Out of the Shadows, M. B. Weston, Elysia, Young Writers of Naples, writing club, writing tips