Dog Days of Summer: Dehanna's Advice to Writers

Dehanna Bailee, this week's featured author at the Dog Days of Summer BlogTour describes her novel as:

"For Better or Worse" is a modern-day story about a woman, Sandra, who just wanted a simple life with some sense of normalcy--what she has is a home invasion gone terribly wrong, an old boyfriend hot on the prowl, and one very, very angry husband. This leaves the question: will this werewolf in hiding be able to prove she isn’t going to leave her husband while trying to protect him from the consequences of an unanticipated slaying?

So far you've gotten to read Dehanna's interview, her book reviews and an excerpt from her most recent release, "For Better or Worse." Dehanna was also kind enough to share some advice she has for aspiring authors.

When asked to name the three most important things for aspiring authors to do Dehanna said:

Write. Finish the project. Then find some really *honest* input. Oh, and can I add another one? Get an extra pair of eyes. Yes, I know you can spend plenty of time studying the craft, attending conferences, networking and rubbing elbows but in the end, all it comes down to is putting the words on paper--and to keep putting them down. The more a writer writes, the better they'll become, and it's the practice and dedication that will get them to where they want to be.

Great advice, Dehanna--it's like being a writer in theory versus being a writer in practice. So, writers... Are you writing at least as much as you're studying writing?

When asked how often she actually writes, Dehanna admitted:

Not as often as I'd like, but I think that is quite common for many who have to work their writing careers around other commitments. I have found that I write more if I stay offline and put everything work-related out of view; it also helps to close the door and unplug the phone. ;)

Again, absolutely agreed! Writing is a generally solitary art and craft for a bunch of great reasons. Often the more focus you bring to your craft, the better your results.

Ready to learn even more about Dehanna? Visit her website: http://www.dehanna.com or friend her on Facebook.

Just want to buy her book or see what others she's also written? If you're interested in POD, Dehanna also has a book on that topic, along with other fiction books at her site. Go on, now, check her out!

Because this is a holiday weekend (Happy 4th! Think Independently!) I'm extending the length of time for the random commenter contest to Sunday at 7pm EST. So, if you want to win some novels and some chocolate, check out Dehanna's book excerpt and leave a comment there to be entered in the contest. :-)

Dog Days of Summer: Dehanna Bailee Book Excerpt

Earlier today you got to read a couple of reviews paranormal author Dehanna Bailee has already gotten for her newest novella, For Better or Worse.

Dehanna also generously agreed to give us an excerpt from the book! (Dehanna points out that most of her books are rated R for adult situations and mild language.)

Feel free to enjoy this sampling of her work and comment afterwards anytime from now until 3:30pm tomorrow afternoon (EST) to be entered in this week's random comment contest (the content of your comment must relate to Dehanna, her book, her reviews...). Learn more about the contest and prizes at the end of Dehanna's excerpt. Enjoy!

From For Better or Worse (this short excerpt is where Sandra runs into her "hot-on-the-prowl" ex-boyfriend at a convention):

She paused, running the fingers of one hand up his jacket as if to straighten his lapels. “Look, I know it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other but I do have other reasons for attending and I don’t want anyone to think--”

“Think what, Sandra? That you’re enjoying a wonderful evening in the company of an old friend? What wrong can come of that?”

An intimate image came to mind. “I can think of--”

“As can I, but even if I’m a creature of the night, I’m still honorable. I won’t go beyond the bounds you set.”

“Yes. I know. It’s just...”

“What? You don’t know if you’re the one who can keep them?”

Kahne pulled away, a shining gleam of humor tinged with desire surfacing in his deep green eyes.

She bit her lower lip then dropped her gaze. “Things aren’t like that anymore.”

He lifted her chin with his knuckle. “Are they not? I’m no fool, Sandra.”

She stepped away from him. A chilly breeze encircled her, dousing some of the heat. His attraction was magnetic. He could have any woman he wished for but it seemed his heart was still hers, just as it had been so long ago. Yet, things had changed. He’d been reassigned overseas. And the long distance relationship simply didn’t work for her. She wanted consistency. Regularity. Normalcy.

Sandra paused at the edge of the rail, letting her gaze drift out across the vast expanse of mountains. Seeing the endless places to roam before her made her itch to explore the wilds further.

Kahne came up behind and encircled her waist, planting a small kiss on her shoulder. His heat warmed her from the chill while her mind screamed a warning.

“Tell me,” Kahne whispered. “What is it he has that I don’t...”

Hungry for more? Dehanna's For Better or Worse is available as an ebook direct through the publisher, LiteraryRoad.com, as well as through Amazon.com, Fictionwise.com, Mobipocket.com and other e-retailers. (ISBN 9781934037539)

Okay, now please leave a comment here for Dehanna, a random roll of the dice will determine the winner of our comment contest for the week. The winner will score a Bag o' Swag (man, I need to post the photo here).
~Saoirse

Dog Days of Summer: Dehanna's Reviews

Yesterday I introduced you to Dehanna Bailie, author of For Better or Worse and several other well-received novellas. Today I thought we'd start things off with a couple reviews Dehanna has received for this newest work of hers. Come back later to read a great excerpt!

"I really enjoyed the concept of this story...liked Sandra’s loyalty to her husband, but I did feel sorry for Kahne who…realized what he lost when he cheated on Sandra. The characters’ emotions are very real and there are some scenes that had me biting my nails. This story is going into my keeper file."

-- Maura, Coffee Time Romance

"The author’s efforts to weave a paranormal intrigue are clever and substantial enough to sink your teeth into. If you’re looking for a quick read featuring sexy werewolves, you’ll enjoy 'For Better or Worse.'"

-- Freesia, The Long and Short of It

I'll post the excerpt Dehanna was willing to share with us around noon EST and that's where you'll be able to comment to be entered to win a prize in our random commenter contest for the week. Our first winner was a Texan, our second (well, I need to check my email and see where ssuzuki hails from...), but you may just get to be our third! Winners get novels and chocolate--what's not to like? :-)

If you're ready to learn more about Dehanna and her books, you can go here. Check her out--she's done some neat stuff and garnered great reviews!
~Saoirse

Dog Days of Summer BlogTour: Dehanna Bailee

Today we welcome Dehanna Bailee, author of a number of intriguing novellas. Dehanna writes for several genres, including science fiction, non-fiction and paranormal.

My name is Dehanna and I've been in the writing/publishing industry for almost a decade. My debut novel was a paranormal romance titled "True Nature," which was received well by readers and reviewers alike, and since its release I had some fans who'd been quietly nudging me to write another werewolfie-based tale, thus came "For Better or Worse." You can find me on the web at http://www.dehanna.com and at Facebook.com

What is the rating for your book?

Most of my books, including “For Better or Worse,” are rated [R] for things like violence, adult situations, and mild language.

Please tell us a little about your recent novella.

"For Better or Worse" is a modern-day story about a woman, Sandra, who just wanted a simple life with some sense of normalcy--what she has is a home invasion gone terribly wrong, an old boyfriend hot on the prowl, and one very, very angry husband. This leaves the question: will this werewolf in hiding be able to prove she isn’t going to leave her husband while trying to protect him from the consequences of an unanticipated slaying?

What formats are your book available in? Where can we buy it?

“For Better or Worse” is available as an ebook direct through the publisher, LiteraryRoad.com, as well as through Amazon.com, Fictionwise.com, Mobipocket.com and other e-retailers. (ISBN 9781934037539)

Come back tomorrow to read an excerpt from Dehanna's newest novella, "For Better or Worse," and comment to get a chance to win our next prize pack!

~Saoirse

Wereword of the Week: Ulfahamr

Today's wereword is:

Ulfahamr (from Norway and Iceland, according to Montague Summers' book: The Werewolf in Lore and Legend). The ulfahamr is another name for the eigi einhamir (one not "of one form") that turns into a wolf by way of a wolf-hair shirt. These weres were supposedly endowed with the strength and speed of their animal, but their humanity did not dim in the shape of the beast. They were still unchanged in both their "soul" and their intellect, so the actions they took in wolf form could still be judged as the actions of the human part of them.