Friday, October 4, 2013

Guest Blog and Giveaway with Virgie Shofner!

Hey Gang! 
First of all, Diva Donna is the winner of the free ebook, Rough Piece of Road! Will get that to you soon!
And now, please welcome fellow Indiana RWA member, author Virgie Shofner, yet another brave guest-blogging volunteer!

The Book Series
by Virgie Shofner
 
When I started writing “Chimera: 1911 C. E.”, I don’t remember thinking that it would end up as part of a series. But then again, I don’t remember thinking I would write what is considered “erotica” either. I just knew that I wanted to write romance, and that I enjoyed describing the hero and heroine making love. 

The series developed when I discussed the book with my book editor, H. Christine Linblom, and changed even more when I talked with my publisher, Terry Mominee of Broken Glass Publishing. What started out as a book about vampyres and wiccans turned into a community of all kinds of different entities. As of now, I have plans for at least six books, which will include not only the vampyres and wiccans, but also a variety of other types of beings. In addition, the books will span a time period from 500 B. C. E. (Book Two) into the future. 

One important thing I have learned is that I should have listened more in my history classes! Because I am doing a series that spans different eras, the research needed can sometimes seem overwhelming. When I began, I had no idea I needed to know what kind of ships there were in ancient Persia, let alone clothing, land transportation, food, religion, laws, and even brothels! I now have a binder for each book that includes a map of the area that the characters live in, the research information listed above, and a character development sheet on each of the entities in the book. 

Whew! I get tired just thinking about how much work is involved! But I wanted to be an author, right? So with the fun also comes the work. Hmm. Perhaps, I could think of the research as foreplay. Wouldn’t that change the work to fun??      

Finally, I believe that the more we stretch ourselves as authors, the better we will become at our craft. It is very important that we surround ourselves with other writers, editors, proofreaders, beta readers, and anyone else willing to support us in our journey. 

Of course, the most important people that support us are our fans. Would we still be writers if we did not have them? Maybe. But writing would certainly not be nearly as enjoyable. So we cherish all of them: the fans who love us, who encourage us, who support us. And, yes, even the ones who challenge us and don’t understand us. For in the end, we belong together. Writers, characters and fans. The world would be a sad and boring place without all of us.    

Meet Virgie Shofner!

Virgie has over thirty-two years of experience in corporate advertising, promotions and marketing. In addition, she was a Realtor for ten years and is currently the marketing and publicity consultant for Broken Glass Publishing. Last, (and probably most important) she is the author of a soon-to-be-released paranormal romance series and grandmother of four.
Website: http://readvirgie.com/


Three years ago Chelsea walked away from the man she loved so her sister's child would have a father. Now her sister is gone, perhaps murdered by the man who owns her heart. When she returns to the Chimera coven and Whitney, will Chelsea find her eternal amour, her sister's cheating husband, or a man using magick to fool her? In this community of vampyres and witches, how can she trust herself to know if anything is real or...where magick begins...


Virgie is offering a free Kindle or Nook download of Chimera 1911 C. E. to one lucky commenter! To enter, post a comment below and include your email address. Contest closes at 9PM Sunday, 10/5/13. Good luck!

5 comments:

  1. Wow! Looks good! But, what I like best is the fact that Virgie took a chance and wrote this book! Bravo! I will definitely read it!

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  2. It does take nerve to write a book, Susan--something a lot of folks don't realize. It may be fiction, but you're still putting a lot of yourself out there for the world to see. Hats off to Virgie for that!

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  3. Wishing you much success with your new release Virgie! I have not had the experience of reading your work before, but I would sure enjoy to. The subject matter reads as fascinating!

    Thank you for the opportunity! Hi Cheryl! Wishing you well, as always!

    *big hugs*
    Shelbie Knight =)
    shelbie@shelbieknight.com

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  4. Hi Shelbie! Thanks for dropping by!

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  5. WooHOO!! I won A Rough Piece of Road.
    Virgie, Bravo!! Your new series sounds fascinating and write up my alley. Thanks Cheryl for giving us this opportunity to meet her. dmf747@comcast.net.

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