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Meet J.B. Moonstar

J.B. Moonstar moved to Florida in her early teens and has lived there ever since, enjoying the mild weather and abundance of wildlife.  She even spent several seasons raising orphan squirrels.   She graduated from the University of Central Florida and has spent her working career in the legal profession.  Her novels are inspired by her family and nature, as well as her need to escape from the real world once in a while.

How much do you write in day? Week? Month? Year?

At this point, I work full time at my “day job”, so writing is something I do either at night or in the morning. I find myself getting up at 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning to spend a few hours writing before work.

Where do you get your best ideas? In the shower, driving, dreams, etc.

The main plot is many times based on nature/conservation magazines that discuss the plight of animals who are being pushed to the brink of extinction because of human greed or ignorance of what their actions do to wildlife. Since the purpose of Ituria’s Islands on the moon is to rescue endangered animals, I get ideas from these types of magazines for the plot or theme.

However, a lot of my stories are based on one thing, or one memory, and I build a story around it; and some even have a hidden agenda.  The Russ book was an adventure to show how Jenna’s grandpa met Ituria many years ago as a teen, and it was also to rescue a “hidden voice” that I found trapped in the outdoor bathroom. I felt so sad that the small frog had somehow gotten into the bathroom and had not been able to get out, that I wanted to make sure that he finally got back into the sun again. I found him on a windowsill behind the blinds just as I started working on the Russ and the Hidden Voice, and Granger is still with me on a shelf. I have him in a glass box, just like in the book, and he is out in the light all the time, just like he asked.  In the first Taylor book, Red Wolf Rescue, I had just lost my dog to cancer, and I wanted to get her to the moon to be safe – that is why Kali is in the book. In the Jan books, I used as inspiration some small figurines, and they were used as the driving point to connect the various stories together.

I will say that Michelle came to me in a dream, inspired by the beautiful artwork of my cover designer and illustrator, Jenn Kotick, who had created a wonderful mermaid and manatee portrait; I liked it so much she has agreed to let me use it for the cover of the book. Michelle was persistent, and I wrote her first book in a few weeks also (early mornings and weekends), and I am getting that finalized and to the publisher now.  You will most likely be seeing Michelle again.

Which are you: Plotter, Pantser, or Plantser? Why?

I’m not sure. I try and plan the facts out, but facts don’t tell the story. Sometimes you just don’t know what is going to happen. When writing the Jenna and the Eyes of Fire, I remember getting about three quarters of the way through and everything was stacked against Jenna. I thought to myself – how is she going to get out of this, and I just stared at the computer screen for a few minutes. My character (in my head) realized she had to do something now – time was running out.  She couldn’t wait for me to figure it out, so Jenna wrote the rest herself, letting me know how she would handle things and how the book would end.  Now that Megan is in Ituria’s world, she loves adventure, so I just put her in a situation, and she takes it from there.  As I was telling my publisher, Taylor and Megan really wanted to be in a book together, so they basically wrote Taylor and the Final Nine themselves in just a few weeks.  I learned early on that I should listen to what my characters want to do, because if I try to force them to do something they don’t want to do, whole chapters fall apart, and I have to start over. They are in control, and if they don’t get what they want, the story doesn’t work.

Do you work well under pressure? How do you handle deadlines?

Working in the legal profession for many years, I have learned how to handle pressure and to meet deadlines. Sometimes deadlines even help, so you don’t think – well, I’ll get to it later, no rush.

I learned early on that I should listen to what my characters want to do, because if I try to force them to do something they don’t want to do, whole chapters fall apart, and I have to start over.

Favorite video game. Why?

I like playing Pokemon, I know it’s a kid’s game, but I like running around and not having to kill anyone like most video games. I also like to raise my Pokemon through their different forms, sometimes until they are so powerful that no one can defeat them.  When your Pokemon reaches level 100 or more, you can beat most anything that comes your way. Then you go to your box and get some smaller level Pokemon and start again.

How much research do you do for your writing? Is it for character, world, or plot? What are you researching now?

I did a lot of research for the first book in The Ituria Chronicles – several months of reading about the moon, and how I could create islands under the surface of the moon. Learning about the volcano flows, caverns, the moon’s relationship with the earth, all were taken into account to make a place that could actually exist.  In my research, I learned people are now talking about making human habitats in the moon’s caverns. It would keep humans safe from the 500-degree difference in temperatures and meteor impacts on the surface. However, should they attempt this, I do need to tell them that Ituria got there first!

What’s your editing process? Describe it for us.

When I am writing a story, I always start by reading it from the beginning, or at least the past three to four chapters, so I usually catch many mistakes in spelling or punctuation as I reread them. If something doesn’t fit in the beginning because of what happens near the end, I can change it. As far as final editing, I try and focus on each word to make sure it is spelled correctly and fits. A printer once told me that to avoid typos, he would read the entire page backwards so he would only see words and wouldn’t be “reading”, since when you are reading your mind completes a sentence or adds a word that isn’t there.  I don’t read it backwards, but I do still try to focus word-to-word rather than reading for context when checking for spelling and punctuation. Then I read it again at least two or three times to make sure there isn’t something missing or a loose end that needs to be resolved.

All my characters are compassionate and really care for their families and the animals that live around them.

Share your favorite character from your stories. What made them your favorite to write?

All my characters are my favorites, each in their own way.

I do admit I love working with Knocker, he has such a confident air about him, and being a very large fire-breathing dragon allows him to control any situation, even when he is in human form. He has had many years of experience dealing with humans and doesn’t get upset when confronting them anymore, he knows he has the upper hand even though the humans may think they are in control.

I like the girls – Jenna, Jan, Megan and Michelle; because they are ready and willing to stand up for themselves and not take orders from anyone; they are the ones in charge – even if they are only about 12 years old. I guess it is how I wish I would have been at 12 – when I was 12, I was told that I could either be a nurse or a secretary – that was the only thing girls could do.

Russ and Taylor also have their own backgrounds, and I have enjoyed seeing Taylor grow in confidence as he realizes that while he may have what some consider a handicap, he also has many strengths that outweigh this perceived weakness.  All my characters are compassionate and really care for their families and the animals that live around them.

How did you choose the genre you write? Was it by choice or encouragement from friends or fate aligning the stars?

My daughter was an avid reader in grade school, always one of the top readers in the class. When she was in 4th grade, she was reading at a much higher level. However, as a 4th grader, I didn’t want her to be reading some of the books that are out there for high school students. So that is how the first book was written, I wanted to write a story with lots of adventure but still okay for grade school students to read. My first attempt at writing was to write a story with dragons and unicorns and magic and adventure, but still safe for a 4th grader to read.

Tell us a little bit about your life growing up. Did any of those experiences make it into your writing?

I grew up in a military family – moving every summer. So, I was kind of a loner, even though I had 2 brothers and 2 sisters. No long-time childhood friends when you move every summer. Most of my characters are loners, although Jenna’s sister does cover for her when she goes out on adventures.

I work in the legal profession, which by nature requires accuracy and ability to meet deadlines, as well as the ability to be organized, at least in your head, to know the status of numerous matters at all times.

What’s your background and how did that influence your work?

I work in the legal profession, which by nature requires accuracy and ability to meet deadlines, as well as the ability to be organized, at least in your head, to know the status of numerous matters at all times. Writing fantasy fiction is fun and allows me to get out of the fact-filled legal world, but each of the characters, even a dragon, must work within the facts surrounding them.  In the first Jan book, once Megan was freed from her chains, she still couldn’t leave the cave because she was a giant dragon and couldn’t fit out the small stairway to get to the top!

How does where you live inspire your writing?

I live in Florida, where it is summer most of the year. Even in winter it doesn’t get too cold, and I don’t even own a heavy coat. I raised orphan squirrels for several years and started because in 2004 we had three hurricanes within a six-week period and numerous squirrel nests were blown from the trees. I rescued two of them and contacted a local wildlife group on how to raise them.  While I don’t raise the babies anymore, I have “my squirrels” now whom I feed and provide water out in the back yard. One is a character in my books (Sedric from the Jenna series). I also have two red-winged hawks that perch on my fence and screen on a regular basis, we can hear them calling to each other all the time. (Taylor’s hawk from first Taylor book) We call the two hawks Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.

Have invisibility or flying?

I have always wanted to fly, ever since I was a child. That’s funny though because I hate being in airplanes – I avoid flying in an airplane at all costs, would much rather go by car. I want to be able to just take off into the air and fly somewhere, but I want to be in control. Maybe I got this from my dad – he was a pilot in the Marines for many years, yet he would not get into a commercial plane – he would drive across the country rather than take a commercial flight. He had to be in control of the airplane, or he wouldn’t get in. Sounds like a trust issue that I inherited from him.

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It’s NaNo Time!

The 4 Horsemen want to help make this NaNo a success. In the spirit of writing your heart out, please find a sample of our Author’s Accountability Planner designed specifically for NaNo!

NaNoWriMo 2021 – Author’s Accountability Planner SampleDownload

No matter your location in the world, you can participate in NaNoWriMo. Starting in September and October, many library systems host special events in conjunction with local NaNoWriMo chapters to help prepare participants for this special event.

Every November, writers can connect with resources, networks, and events online and within their region. Signing up on the NaNoWriMo website, whether you plan to participate or not, keeps you informed on what’s happening online and locally throughout the year. The website connects you with your NaNoWriMo home region, allowing you to follow calendars, hop in forum discussions, and so much more, like year-round online sprints and NaNoWriMo Camp sessions in months that might be more aligned with your schedule and outside of holiday seasons. You may not be writing the novel in November, but that doesn’t mean you can’t join festivities and workshops!

We strongly believe writing isn’t a solitary venture, but an opportunity to build a writing community anywhere, both physically and virtually!

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Meet Dominic Ashen

Dominic N. Ashen

Dominic N. Ashen is an author and avid reader, with a heavy focus on gay, BDSM-themed erotica. After spending his youth in search of books with characters who were more like himself – queer ones, specifically – he decided to start creating some of his own. His stories star queer protagonists, most often gay and bisexual men, and feature heavy themes of dominance, submission, and all sorts of kinks. Dominic loves the fantasy, sci-fi, and horror genres, with a penchant for writing longer stories where he is able to weave in the sex and kink right alongside the plot.

What is your writing routine or schedule like? Walk us through a typical writing episode.

I try to write a little every day. Since I have to work during the day, and I tend to write longer books, that means blocking out a few hours a night. I try to outline new chapters on Sunday, and then work on the rough draft Monday through Thursday. I spend Friday turning that rough draft into a first draft, and then usually do some editing on the weekends. I try to finish one chapter a week!

Have you considered/do you write under a pen name? Why or why not?

I do write under a pen name. Given the genre I work in, I think the reason why is fairly obvious. Who I am as “Dominic” isn’t all that different from my normal self, but I still have to maintain a day job and the public persona that comes with it. I really love doing this, and maybe one day when I’m able to support myself off my writing alone I’ll be able to be a little more open.

“Who I am as ‘Dominic’ isn’t all that different from my normal self, but I still have to maintain a day job and the public persona that comes with it.”

What are your feelings on happy endings? As a reader? As a writer?

That’s actually one of the reasons I started writing. When I was younger, almost every book I read that featured a gay protagonist seemed to not have a happy ending. A lot of times they would be really dark. I enjoy a good tragedy as much as anyone else, but the world is already bleak enough as it is. I like to leave the stories I read feeling good, and as a writer, I want my own stories to leave people feeling good.

As a reader, do you have a pet peeve? Certain words, too much description, “alabaster skin,” or too many arms and legs in a fight/sex scene?

This isn’t necessarily a pet peeve, but I often notice a lack of accuracy when it comes to male-on-male sex scenes. I think we have porn to thank for most of that. For example, there number of writers who don’t seem to know what a prostate orgasm actually is or how they work. That, to me, is a little telling. Though maybe complaining about that is telling on myself?

“When I was younger, almost every book I read that featured a gay protagonist seemed to not have a happy ending… I want my own stories to leave people feeling good.”

What’s your favorite Podcast? Why is it awesome? Drop a link.

Only one? Alright let’s see… Comedy Bang Bang, hosted by Scott Aukerman and featuring an endless amount of unhinged guests. It’s essentially a fake talk show, where there wiull usually be one real guest on, and then everyone else is doing characters – and it’s all improvised. Just a really great and funny weekly listen.

Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast

How much research do you do for your writing? Is it for character, world, or plot? What are you researching now?

Too much, and almost all of it for world-building stuff. I know I spend way too much time worrying about whether or not stuff feels authentic. I have so many spreadsheets filled with made up animals, plants, entire fictional countries. Character and plot stuff is a little more fun – I just get a little stoned, put on some good music, and work through the problems in

What’s your editing process? Describe it for us.

After I finish a piece of writing, I let it sit for three or four weeks before coming back to do any editing. In the time since – especially if it’s a book chapter – I may have made some new choices or come to new conclusions on where I am taking the story. Sometimes I’ll get ideas for things to foreshadow or that would benefit from an early mention. As I read through it again, I can make the appropriate changes, adding new sections or taking out old ones that no longer work.

“I spend way too much time worrying about whether or not stuff feels authentic. I have so many spreadsheets filled with made up animals, plants, entire fictional countries.”

What advice would you give to new writers?

Don’t stress out so much about your first draft. Just focus on getting what you want to say onto the page – you can always come back later and fix it. Sometimes the thing you need to work through some writer’s block will only come to you if you keep moving forward.

Did you always want to be a writer? What has your journey to becoming an author been like?

I had always been making up stories in my head, but putting them to paper didn’t start until my teen years. I’ve been writing online on and off for years, but I didn’t know where to start as far as getting published went. A friend of mine had just published his first book, and sent me 4 Horsemen’s link! Having a place to submit my story and then finding out someone actually liked it was surreal, and after that everything just started moving so fast! I’m still not entirely sure it feels “real” yet.

“Don’t stress out so much about your first draft. Just focus on getting what you want to say onto the page – you can always come back later and fix it.”

How did you choose the genre you write? Was it by choice or encouragement from friends? Was it fate aligning in the stars?

Choice but also accident? I knew I wanted to write fantasy/sci-fi stories, and I knew I also wanted to write erotica, but I never really considered mixing the genres. It wasn’t until I had been kicking around the idea for a story in my head for a few years that I finally had some inkling that I could combine the two. I still have those other stories I want to write, but right now this fantasy adventure/kinky gay erotica series is just so much fun!

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Meet Leo Sparx

Leo Sparx is a digital artist who is bringing his fascination with the history of queer sex to the literary erotica world. Inspiration for his work is often found during virtual orgies, trips to offbeat museums, or classic—occasionally spooky—literature. His unique blend of steamy sensations and dark passion takes the reader on a kinky exploration and allows them to experience encounters in unexpected locations.

What is your writing routine or schedule like? Walk us through a typical writing episode.

My writing routine consistently involves either a soft rainbow blanket and a cat on my lap or balancing my phone dangerously over the bathtub water with a glass of wine. There is no in-between.

Have you considered writing under a pen name? Why or why not?

Gay vampires included Anne Rice has done quite a bit correctly as an author. So, I don’t mind following in her footsteps and using a pen name for my queer dark BDSM erotica collections. The fun part will be readers finding parallels between these narratives and stories I have released under my other author name (which are not erotica.) The more observant readers may notice some of the same characters have crossed over into both worlds. Happy hunting 😉

“The fun part will be readers finding parallels between these narratives and stories I have released under my other author name”

What are your feelings on Happy Endings? As a reader? As a writer?

As both a writer and reader I like endings that make me feel something. If that means a happily ever after, great, but I never start a book expecting every character will make it to the other side unscathed. In my books, the kind of happy endings readers can anticipate may happen on a massage table in a private room, but they’ll never cost extra 😉

What should we watch on Netflix? Why?

My favorite thing to do on Netflix is find an indie movie I’ve never heard of before and give it my full attention. Independently made films are so often labors of love and I highly recommend letting the writer take you on their journey. The stranger the better. You may even discover a classic before anyone else has had a chance to appreciate it.

“The stranger the better.”

What kind of music do you listen to, if any? Why? Share a link if you have one (Spotify, YouTube, etc.).

When I’m writing certain scenes, music is essential. A lot of times I find myself with the same song on repeat because it captures the exact mood I’m trying to get on the page. For the House of Otter series I made a playlist that doubles as a great soundtrack for reading the books.

What’s your editing process? Describe it for us.

As far as editing goes, picture me clicking my tongue and rolling my eyes at my characters telling them they sound stupid or are taking the wrong action and them saying, “Well you wrote it, honey.”

“Well you wrote it, honey.”

How much of the real world do you place into your writing? Are your friends in your stories? Your family? Do you take revenge in your stories? What about research? (Names can be removed to protect the innocent.)

Dark magic elements aside in a few of my stories, almost everything I write is something I’ve experienced in some capacity. Like the beach where young men proposition older men for money, the backroom with mystery built-in tunnels, and even the BDSM dungeon where things get a little too dangerous—I’ve seen these places and met the people, that’s how I know how to write about them.

“I’ve seen these places and met the people”

What advice would you give to new writers?

If you’re just starting out, my best advice is to connect with other writers. Whether you join a virtual group, perform at open mics to share your work, attend conferences, or use a meetup app to find critique buddies– the most valuable asset I have in my tool set has always been talented people who appreciate the written word. That sort of networking and support system continue to be essential for me every step of the way.

“…connect with other writers.”

How does where you live inspire your writing?

I tend to be a bit nomadic and every place I’ve ever called home has found its way into my stories. Gay bars on the beach, bath houses in the desert, clothing optional queer resorts deep in the forest– they all have a special place in my heart and inspire me to explain their lore for people who may have otherwise never had the opportunity to experience it.

“My appreciation for Edgar Allan Poe extends beyond my loose adaptations of some of his stories.”

Why’d you get that tattoo?

This could out me as far as secret identity pen names go, by my appreciation for Edgar Allan Poe extends beyond my loose adaptations of some of his stories. On the space above each of my knees I have symbols inspired by his tales: so far, a black cat and a raven sitting on a book with a skull. The plan is to add a few more: a wine bottle, a heart with an eye inside, a beetle, and anything else I can fit into the blank skin I have left on my body.

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Upcoming Online Events for Writers

Looking for an Online Writer’s Conference? Here’s some upcoming events full of agents, authors, and editors in the industry, including a 4 Horsemen or two!

Orange County Library System (FL) is doing their Annual conference online this year and it spans 3 days! This is a free event Jan 29-31.

https://www.ocls.info/ocls-writers-conference

Some personal favorites here is romance author Kerry Evelyn, literary agent Saritza Hernandez, writing coach and children’s book Arielle Haughee, Writer’s Atelier founder and editor Racquel Henry, screenwriter and author Jennie Jarvis, paranormal thriller author L.E. Perez, our very own COO Author Valerie Willis, and many more!

Women in Publishing Summit is drawing near. Head on over and get registered for this March 1-7th online conference with experts from all over. Learn from “Women in Publishing” and discover the latest trends in order to grow as a writer AND publisher.

https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/

Hosted by the amazing Alexa Bigwarfe, she has pulled together some amazing experts from all sides of the industry! In the past, we’ve seen some amazing insight on audiobooks, marketing, ad campaign via Facebook and Amazon, writing newsletters, self publishing and beyond. Also, our 4HP COO and CEO will be hosting some amazing topics

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It’s NaNo Time!

The 4 Horsemen want to help make this NaNo a success. In the spirit of writing your heart out, please find a sample of our Author’s Accountability Planner designed specifically for NaNo!

Accountability_Nano-1Download

No matter your location in the world, you can participate in NaNoWriMo. Starting in September and October, many library systems host special events in conjunction with local NaNoWriMo chapters to help prepare participants for this special event.
Every November, writers can connect with resources, networks, and events online and within their region. Signing up on the NaNoWriMo website, whether you plan to participate or not, keeps you informed on what’s happening online and locally throughout the year. The website connects you with your NaNoWriMo home region, allowing you to follow calendars, hop in forum discussions, and so much more, like year-round online sprints and NaNoWriMo Camp sessions in months that might be more aligned with your schedule and outside of holiday seasons. You may not be writing the novel in November, but that doesn’t mean you can’t join festivities and workshops!
We strongly believe writing isn’t a solitary venture, but an opportunity to build a writing community anywhere, both physically and virtually!

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Starting Strong: Crafting Your First Lines

Whether you’re trying to hook a reader or entice an agent/publisher, your first line makes or breaks your piece. This vital line or opening paragraph/page is the sole reason why anyone continues to read or puts your story down. Here are some tips and examples of what makes a strong opening.

Don’t

Here are a couple of turn-offs we’ve discovered during the submission process. There’s always an exception to the rule, but if you intend to break the rule, make sure your submission brings a unique spin.

  1. Don’t open with the main character waking up or going to bed. Place readers into the action or a moment of significance! (Unless there’s a naked man hanging from the ceiling. LOL)
  2. Don’t start with a sunset or sunrise scene description. This is a cliche. Make it clear. It’s either night or day, not in transition. Readers just started the story. Don’t lose them to generic scene descriptions. 
  3. Don’t open with dialogue unless you establish at least two of the following: the setting, a character, conflict, or goal/motivation. Without context, you aren’t giving the reader a reason to care about the main character.
  4. Don’t show the reader–The End of the World–before the story even gets started. This robs readers of a sense of setting and characters; give them a chance to care about the world before you end it. 
  5. Don’t tell… SHOW READERS. Make the scene unfold and engage the reader, enticing them to lean into your story (like a good action flick).
  6. Don’t be mysterious or vague! Specificity and sensory details are great tools to introduce the reader to your setting and characters.
  7. Don’t wait to establish character names. Readers must know who these characters are ASAP.
  8. Don’t give lengthy setting descriptions–and derail the story’s opening–until after you hook the reader. No one picks up a romance novel expecting to read a page or more of cafe descriptions.
  9. Don’t begin with something ending (like a break-up, career upset, catastrophic life event, etc.) unless the genre specifically calls for it. This trope works in a romance but not in thrillers.
  10. Don’t disregard genre expectations. Certain audiences want specific tropes in their stories (especially in romance and erotica). Yes, it’s been done a million times–they know that and love it.      

Do

It’s not all bad news. Here are some pointers on how to make your opening line stand out. Readers want to be invested in your story and characters immediately. Take the time to explain things. Remember, even when it feels obvious, readers don’t live in your head; they won’t interpret your words the same way. If you can, get beta readers to review/critique your first lines and/or pages.

  1. Start with ACTION! Place readers in the moment, whether it’s essential to the plot or not. Make them feel like they’ve just been shoved onto a train. They don’t know where it’s heading, but they’re excited to find out! Make them say, Wait! What?
  2. Rely on universally-experienced motivations, conflicts, or goals. Readers understand the fears of starting a new job or the hesitation to knock on their crush’s front door. The motivation/conflict/goal doesn’t have to be grand. Just give enough for the reader to immediately identify with the main character or action.
  3. Decide on a point of view and stick with it! Often, new writers start with one POV, then randomly shift to another. This will confuse the reader (and shows you need more editing!).
  4. Give readers a strong sense of your character(s). They are the vehicles your readers travel within. The readers will want to know if your character is the right fit for them as soon as possible.
  5. Use your setting to establish your story’s overall genre/tone. Characters can also handle this, but don’t rule out the usefulness of a properly described setting. 
  6. Remember: sometimes, less is more. Of course you love your words–every single one of them–but sometimes, it’s better to release them. 
  7. Establish at least two of these in your first paragraph: goal, motivation, or/and conflict.
  8. Stick to one tense! Stories that constantly shift from present to past confuse readers (and suggest you need closer editing). Remember, certain genres have specific tense expectations.
  9. Beware of the order in which you deliver details to the reader. The information shared in dialogue is very different from how it’s written for readers. Pull the reader smoothly into your world (like a camera lens zooming in/out of a scene) instead of jolting the camera around.
  10. Support your title, genre, and blurb with your opening lines.

Our Favorite Book Openings

Here are a few famous book openings we love at 4 Horsemen Publications. Revisiting your favorite reads is a great way to compare and contrast strong first pages.

  1. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife… – Pride and Prejudice
  2. It was a nice day. All the days had been nice. There had been rather more than seven of them so far, and rain hadn’t been invented yet. – Good Omens 
  3. When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton. – The Fellowship of the Ring
  4. The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. Then the soul-erosion produced by high gambling—a compost of greed and fear and nervous tension—becomes unbearable and the senses awake and revolt from it. – Casino Royale
  5. When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. – The Outsiders
  6. I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war. – Red Rising
  7. Tyler gets me a job as a waiter, after that Tyler’s pushing a gun in my mouth and saying, the first step to eternal life is you have to die. – Fight Club
  8. Everyone my age remembers where they were and what they were doing when they first heard about the contest. – Ready Player One
  9. Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.  – One Hundred Years of Solitude 
  10. There are some men who enter a woman’s life and screw it up forever. Joseph Morelli did this to me—not forever, but periodically. – One for the Money
  11. “Where’s Papa going with that ax?” said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast. – Charlotte’s Web
  12. I’m pretty much fucked. That’s my considered opinion. Fucked. – The Martian
  13. The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. – The Last Unicorn
  14. Like a baby harp seal, I’m all white. My forearms are thickly bandaged, heavy as clubs. My thighs are wrapped tightly, too; white gauze peeks out from the shorts Nurse Ava pulled from the lost and found box behind the nurses’ station. – Girl in Pieces
  15. Your father picks you up from prison in a stolen Dodge Neon, with an 8-ball of coke in the glove compartment and a hooker named Mandy in the back seat. – Until Gwen 
  16. The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed. – The Gunslinger
  17. The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. – The Night Circus
  18. A girl is running for her life. The summer air burns at her back, but there are no torches, no angry mobs, only the distant lanterns of the wedding party, the reddish glow of the sun as it breaks against the horizon, cracks and spills across the hills, and the girl runs, skirts tangling in the grass as she surges toward the woods, trying to beat the dying light. – The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
  19. We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold. – Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
  20. This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it. – The Princess Bride

Practice Makes Perfect!

Take time to write strong opening lines. This exercise is a great way to create a story prompt for later! Try different ways to start: use the same scene but in different ways (changing POV, genre, or starting point). Or mimic your favorite opening paragraph  and see how it shifts your story’s first line. 

Here are some flash fiction samples from writer Bre Brixus (Thank you for letting us hijack these!). These are strong examples of opening lines/paragraphs:

  1. It wasn’t until Lela’s third portrait that she realized the drawings were coming to life.
  2. As a mortician, I’ve heard a lifetime of jokes about being the best person to hide a body. I never imagined I’d be shoving a corpse into a dumb waiter.
  3. Jake fell from the 34th floor scaffold, delighted at the thought of making the ten o’clock news. But when he never hit the sidewalk, he feared making headlines for a very different reason.
  4. Jasmine, more a lover than a fighter, declared her arcane duel weapon–a tube of lipstick. When she kissed her rival, the enchantment was sealed: anyone she kissed fell obsessively in love with her.
  5. It wasn’t until my thirteenth life that I started to remember my previous incarnations.
  6. Trevor wasn’t her first love or her last, but throughout all of her centuries, he was the only man who always found her.
  7. When the fate of six friends hinges on a slip of paper in your pocket, you know you’ve made some shitty decisions.
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Endnotes: Restart Numbering by Chapter

Check out my quick walk-through on YouTube!

Based on Adobe InDesign CC 2020 edition.

I’ve tried everything I could think of, but at last, I found an answer. No, you don’t need to convert anything to static text. These Endnotes are linked and fully functional even when they com imported via a DOCX or RTF. This is perfect for authors and clients who want Endnotes that restart the numbering (both superscript and endnote listing) after each chapter. Leave comments below if you would like more tidbits like this from me!

Story Splitter Script

First, I recommend downloading StorySplitter.jsx script: https://indesignsecrets.com/how-to-split-long-story-into-smaller-pieces-unthreading-middle-story.php

You can simple copy and paste the JavaScript coding into a text file, save it with the “.jsx” ending to make it readable. Drag and drop this into your InDesign Scripts folder. An easy way to find this folder is to open InDesign, open the Scripts window/panel, right-click the folder you wish to add it into and click Reveal In Finder (MAC) or Show In Folder (PC). Simple drop it into this folder and it should immediately appear in the Scripts panel within InDesign.

Not only does it give you more control, it helps you be more concise on how you will be splitting the story. This is vital to make this work!

You can also take advantage of sample Javascripts that come with InDesign called BreakFrame and SplitStory.

Endnotes Setup

Unlike Footnotes that relies on the Paragraph Styles system, Endnotes relies on the story and threading features of InDesign. I recommend having Show Text Threads on so you can see how you are breaking and changing the textflow (View > Extras > Show Text Threads)

First, open TYPE > Document Endnote Options and make sure to change the drop down from Continuous to Restart Every Start.

Find the first page of the Chapter and using the Selection Tool, select the text frame.

Double click StorySplitter in Scripts Panel. Select Break Before.

Viola. That’s it. Every time you break the book like this, it will restart the counting of the associated Endnotes and updates instantly.

Happy designing and typesetting!

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Making an Author Bio with 7 Simple Questions

Whether you are new to the realm of publishing, writing your first book, or even launching under a pen name, the one element we often pain over is writing that Author Bio. No worries, 4HP has your back! Here are some things you should keep in mind to make this easier to write and maintain. Anytime you are asked for your bio, take a moment to look it over and freshen it up. It’s by far one of the most important introductory tools between an author and their readership. It’s okay to dive into your favorite authors and look at their bios and pick apart what connects with you and doesn’t work for you as a reader. So, let’s talk about making your own author bio with some simple questions and what they should be doing for you and your readers.

How Long Should A Bio Be?

There’s some art and marketing sense that needs to go into it. Every author should be keeping a GDOC or Document on their system with their bio written in three formats. The idea is to be concise and limit fluff while maximizing keywords. Here are three types of bios I’ve been asked for and recommend having ready:

  • Long bio (300-350 words)
  • Regular or Short bio (100-150 words)
  • Snippet (50 words)

Having these prepared beforehand will make your life easier when you need to update them and meet all the social media, conference, and blogging needs. The most common one used is your regular or short bio of about 100-150 words.

What goes into a Bio?

You are trying to do a lot of things with a bio with a very small word count. The 100-150 bio is the backbone commonly used for book blurbs, about the author sections within your books, and serves as a foundation for the long bio and snippet. Here are SEVEN simple questions to amp up your bio and ability to increase marketing and searchability :

  1. Who are you and where do you come from?
    • This is your pen name and where doesn’t mean you have to say Florida. Feel free to make something up, or if you’re a memoir or non-fiction writer, you can say, “I come from a long background in game development” or “A skin cancer survivor” as an instant way for someone to connect with you.
  2. What genre do you write?
    • It may seem silly to announce this, but you do! You want the reader to have a clear expectation of what kind of stories to associate with your brand name. Often, authors have several pen names to differentiate between genres and readerships. Loyal readers are less likely to dive into a book in a disliked genre, and clarity can prevent confusion in your brand/genre, limiting unnecessary bad reviews. Declaring genre optimizes your ability to include keywords for SEO or Search Engines. Keywords will connect your brand with books and authors of a similar readership.
  3. Why do you write this genre &/or what are some favorite books that inspire your writing?
    • Again, this is a great opportunity to connect with the right readership. Let’s be honest, we all geek out when an author has similar taste in books!
  4. What is something a little personal or a hobby you enjoy doing?
    • It doesn’t have to be unique. There’s nothing wrong with saying you enjoy playing video games or binge-watching Supernatural on Netflix. It’s a chance to share a little of yourself without getting too personal.
  5. Is there anything you want readers to know about you or your books, or something you hope they gain from reading your work?
    • Often this element is missing from Author Bios. Here’s your opportunity to make yourself and your books unique. You can let readers know how you craft your writing, what kind of research you do, or using Question 3 and 4, WHY those books and WHY that hobby.
  6. Are you active in your local writing community, or have you won awards?
    • I call this the closer. Most authors tend to place this first in the bio, but I find it has a better hit on the back end. If the readers have gotten this far in your bio, now you’re about to close the deal with them liking you or having more confidence and faith in what they’ve read about you so far. For example, I mention I am “an award-winning fantasy author” to answer question 1, and by question 5, I have supported this with what I read, what I enjoy doing, and the fact I pack mythology and fantasy in my books. Now, with question 6, BAM! I won bronze in Mythology fiction in 2008 for my debut book. That says a lot! And it supports who you are and how well you do it. Other ways to close is to share community involvement, show that you’re passionate, whether you volunteer at the animal shelter or library, or even participate in NaNoWriMo for the last two/ten/last year, or host workshops online. This all adds agency to you as both a person and a writer.
  7. Where can we find you?
    • This is more of a MUST HAVE for any author that wants to grow on social media, expand newsletters, and give readers better access to them. Here is where you list all the ways a reader can get in touch or keep up to date with you and your books. Some authors simply have a website link here ( www.willisauthor.com ) which in turn, has all the links and access to all the other social media and newsletter stuffs. It’s completely up to you whether to provide them with a link to your Amazon Author page, list all the social media, sign up newsletter link, or even just a Facebook page/group link. No matter what, your bio should be driving traffic and interaction by the end of it after convincing them how amazing you are!

Now Where Do I Put My Bio?

There’s a lot of places where you will find the bio helpful in your journey as an author. If you’re not sure where this crazy thing goes, here’s some ideas and commons uses to keep in mind as you craft your bio and fine-tune it to bestsell you and your writing:

  • Author Bio Page on Website
  • Description/Bio on Social Media Pages
  • Amazon Author Page
  • Back of every book you write as your Author Bio or About the Author Bio
  • Back Cover of your book (More common for Non-Fiction and Memoir)
  • Conferences and Conventions when they ask
  • Book Blog Tours
  • Author Interviews (Though I recommend shifting them to be more personal for each place that interviews you. For example, if this is with a paranormal website or magazine, you may want to add more paranormal related flair to the bio.)
  • Press Kit or Media Kit (and include all three versions for optimal results)
  • Email Signature (Seems weird, but this works well with snippet bio!)
  • Introducing yourself online anywhere! (Forums, Social media takeovers, and more!)

Did You Write Your Author Bio? Share it in the comments below!

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“You’re not a traditional publisher.” And here’s why:

As a hybrid company that doesn’t follow the present day practices, we are often faced with mixed reactions. When we encounter that moment, here’s how we respond, with the upmost transparency of who we are, why we are doing this, and what we hope to achieve for our authors.

We are often met with rejection where we are labeled and placed in a bucket of other publishing paths. This often includes a statement of “You’re not a traditional publisher” followed by “We do not support self-publishers, vanity presses, author services, independent presses, hybrid publishers, & anything non-traditional.” That’s a big mix of different companies and lost opportunities for authors who may not be aware of all the paths available.

Every author needs to be able to know the difference of each of these facets, what each do (or don’t do) for them and their readers, the risks and underlining terms each come with including how money is exchanged, and lastly, how your book is produced and sold on vendor sites.

So, that leads us to where do we fall as a publisher. Yes, we are a hybrid publisher, something not quite traditional (though we are modeled after them to a point) and not quite that edgy independent press.

Below is how we make it clear where we fall in the Publishing Industry where everyone favors large companies and “traditional publishers”:

Thank you for your response, however, we are requesting you take another look at us.

We do not fall under any of the categories you listed. We are approaching publishing in a very different way. We practice radical honesty and transparency. 

First, this year alone we will have published over 100 quality titles (we are hoping for 200).

We let our authors know in advance the cost to produce. We do not charge them this. It does come from the sales, however, unlike traditional publishers that take this money back by offering less than 10% on profits and hold the rights, we have 40% profits and the authors hold the rights and see what it is costing them. We also don’t give advances that may be pulled back. 

Also, yes, we started this because we were authors tired of how the industry works. However, as authors we are clients and treat our work the same way as every other author on our roster. We are the minority in this line-up. 

We have correct contracting and quality for all of our authors. We are trying to make a change so authors can get their work out fast, advertised well, edited correctly, epic covers and helping them to succeed. 

I am asking you to take another look. We are real, legitimate and we are here bringing authors to the front of the game.

Please help us to make this change in our industry. Feel free to ask us anything about what we are doing.

Best Regards,

The 4 Horsemen

https://frankspizzapalace.com/menu