Ask Me Anything

One of the questions asked & answered:

Q: Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

A: My most recent published work is Annie’s Karma, it is a sequel to Karma Visited. When I was a child I used to dream of traveling places in my sleep, ironically like my title character I would “see” various disaster scenes in my dreams. Occasionally within the next day I would hear news reports that uncannily reminded me of the disasters I dreamed about… coincidence?

Ask Chelle Cordero a writing related question

(BTW, ask anything… but if it is too personal
I MAY plead the 5th!)

Writing Prompt - May 21, 2018

How was your weekend? Did you have a good time?

Here's a Monday Writing Prompt -

Pretend you were there, 

write a letter to a friend who couldn't make it and 

describe it for her/him.

(and if you WERE there, write a description 

as if you were reporting on it!)

Author Chelle Cordero on Facebook

Just like breathing ~ 60+ Days to Live, Breathe, & Write

In one of my earliest interviews as a published author I was asked
WHY do I write...

my answer was simple, "I write because I breathe."

When I created my Amazon Kindle Blog in 2009, I named it to reflect my love of writing

Living, Breathing, Writing

The blog received lots of acclaim and there were several subscribers, but when my publisher and I noticed that a few would-be blog users complained that they didn't have a Kindle (the blog was not available on a PC) we decided to make some of the lessons available to them & created

Living, Breathing, Writing: A Lesson A Day, Volumes 1 & 2

Soon we responded to more demand and created the wildly popular 

60+ Days to Live, Breathe, & Write

print a copy of this sheet

60+ Days to Live, Breathe, & Write

has been used in classrooms and libraries across the nation!

 Author in Residence by J.B. Naylor 

Having Chelle Cordero's blog on my Kindle is like having an author here in residence with me. She gives inspiration, motivation, and best of all, practical advice and solutions. I love the "writing exercises" she offers at the end of each blog, as well as the "writing prompts". I've already used them myself and with my 6th grade writing class!

  A professional author/writer shares her tips by R.M.E.

Just Google Chelle Cordero's name and you will see that she knows what she is talking about - her byline has shown up on many articles all over the country in newspapers and magazines. And she has authored multiple novels and short stories as well.

This is a terrific chance to learn from a pro. Until now only a few have been able to attend a writing workshop led by Cordero because of location, now so long as you have access to the internet or a Kindle you can benefit from her amazing tips. Her workshops have been so helpful.

60+ Days to Live, Breathe, & Write
 is available in Kindle and
in Paperback from Amazon and Barnes & Noble

The Fictional Life of a Fiction Writer ~ #MondayBlogs

We’ve all seen those funny T-shirts and mugs warning people that THE WRITER is around and ready to put them into the next story. One would think that people would tend not to want to disclose personal info once they’ve been warned “Be careful what you say, you could wind up in my next book.”

I adore creating characters that I have (almost) total control over, they take my advice with little argument and even though sometimes they need a bit of nudging, they don’t disappoint. And the best part, I can KILL someone off if I so desire! However I have found that a writer does have to be careful when doing research…

There was the, time I needed help in “hiding” a murder that would eventually be found once the medical examiner knew what he was looking for after exhuming the body. So I called an acquaintance who worked as an investigator at the local MEs office, explained that I was researching a story and asked my questions. He was very cooperative and helpful — until I thanked him and was ready to hang up the phone. I was then subjected to a few minutes of his questions making sure that everything was okay between my husband and me.

Considering the topics that writers discuss on the phone with editors, publishers and critique buddies, we must truly keep the NSA hopping. Paranoia set in one day when my sister and I were discussing a murder scene and we both thought we heard a few clicks on the phone, every minute or so after that one of us would speak clearly into the phone and state this is for a fiction story we were formulating.

I have discovered that my husband is not appreciative of those sudden lightbulb moments I get after trying to work out a scene and somewhere in the middle of dinner and I say “Oh yeah, I have to make so&so do that!” It took him a while to realize I wasn’t talking about some long lost relative turned up during a genealogy search a long lost cousin was conducting. Of course sometimes I talk in my sleep and mumble about all these juicy tidbits that leave him wondering exactly what I do all day.

And of course all of the research I do as a writer, both for my fiction and my alter-ego journalist, turns into all of this useless trivia knowledge, but G-d forbid I can hold my own during a couples’ Trivial Pursuit game.

Yep, being a writer is certainly an adventure.

Writer Prompt Wednesday ~ June 1, 2016

Welcome back to my almost-weekly feature, just for fun.

On Wednesdays I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

I'll start:

Falling to earth, so peaceful...

If there was a way I could freeze time

and remain suspended in the air forever.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

Writer Prompt Wednesday ~ May 25, 2016

Welcome back to my almost-weekly feature, just for fun.

On Wednesdays I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

I'll start:

I had no idea what was moving around out there,

but I was sure I didn't want to come out of my tent.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

Writer Prompt Wednesday ~ May 18, 2016

Welcome back to my almost-weekly feature, just for fun.

On Wednesdays I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

I'll start:

They had no idea what was waiting

for them inside the cabin.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

Writer Prompt Wednesday ~ May 11, 2016

Welcome back to my almost-weekly feature, just for fun.

On Wednesdays I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

I'll start:

Something told me that the new hotel
wasn't going to be a success.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

Writer Prompt Wednesday ~ May 4, 2016

Welcome back to my almost-weekly feature, just for fun.

On Wednesdays I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

I'll start:

I would say it was a dark and stormy night, but it was
clear, so clear that I could see the danger in front of me.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

Writer Prompt Wednesday ~ April 27, 2016

Welcome back to my almost-weekly feature, just for fun.

On Wednesdays I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

I'll start:

I knew that I would find peace at the end of my journey,
but it seemed so very far away and I was so very, very tired.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

Writer Prompt Wednesday - April 6, 2016

Welcome back to my new weekly feature, just for fun.

Every Wednesday I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

I'll start:

Guess who is coming to dinner?

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

Writer Prompt Wednesday - March 30, 2016

Welcome back to my new weekly feature, just for fun.

Every Wednesday I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

I'll start:

I should have realized what I was getting into when he
took me here on our first date.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

Writer Prompt Wednesday - March 23, 2016

Welcome back to my new weekly feature, just for fun.

Every Wednesday I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

painted by E. I. Couse

I'll start:

They met in hiding knowing their families wouldn't understand.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

Writer Prompt Wednesday - March 16, 2016

I'm trying a new weekly feature, just for fun.

Every Wednesday I am going to post a random picture I find online 

(and yes, I will make sure not to violate any copyrights)

and I will ask everyone to contribute to a "story" by adding a 

sentence in the comments.

Be sure to read the comments before yours so that we actually 

write a continuous story inspired by the picture.

Got the plan?   Good.

Here's this week's picture:

I'll start:

She walked away from the destruction and desolation that had become her life.

Ok, now it's your turn —
add your sentence below

...and be sure to come back next week!

How to Support an Author ~ #MondayBlogs

We may act all sure of ourselves, but writers are really an insecure bunch. We depend, like Blanche DuBois, on the kindness of strangers.

I've been writing professionally as a career since 1981, mostly non-fiction (newspaper and magazine articles, ad copy, and more). In the 1990s I decided to pursue my dream of writing fiction, so I wrote stories that had basis only in my mind. Finally I had a full length manuscript in my hands. After a few false starts and a new and different manuscript I was able to call my self a published author.

One of the nicest things I've found since becoming a novelist is the general support amongst authors. Definitely there are a FEW who are too competitive and allow their not-so-nice side to rule their day, but fortunately as I said those are the few.

I have found other authors who are willing to constructively critique current WIPs, will post, re-post, Tweet and even host other authors, are willing to include others in book store signings and provide helpful advice and tips based on personal experiences. I honestly don't know, at least not personally, any other professional field with the same support system.

If you are venturing into writing for (hopefully) publication, yes you will find those days when, for lack of a better description, you just want to crawl under a rock and hide. There will be days when you face your first, or even subsequent book reviews, with trepidation so gripping as to seemingly paralyze you. Mailing a query to a publisher, whether or not you've already been published, will have you holding your breath until you get a response. Wanting to become a professional author is a little bit like asking to be flogged in public daily.

If you are an author here are some things you can do to support your fellow authors - Use your social media accounts to boost other writers by sharing posts or using the link buttons at the bottom of an author's blog post. Even clicking the "LIKE" button on the other authors' FaceBook posts will help. Tweet or re-Tweet their special news. Interview an author on your blog, with both of you publicizing it you'll probably get a lot of new traffic which also helps you in the long run. Review books, authors LOVE getting reviews. Get involved with other authors both online and in-person. Join Street Teams and help spread the word about your favorite authors in person and/or online.

Enroll in periodic and seasonal blog hops and other combination events. Two weekly blog hops that I participate in are Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday (on FaceBook) where writers from various genres post mini-excerpts from their work and invite everyone to comment. Seeing your work through someone elses's eyes is truly eye-opening and even if this work is already published you will get helpful insights for your current and future writing. There are also various email groups where authors can share, in a sheltered environment. Get involved.

Do not tear into another author, especially not publicly; yes you may do them some damage, but you will hurt yourself even more — no one likes a whiner, or worse, a nasty SOB. Chronic complaining online, about your life, other authors, publishers, etc. will make you unlikable to many would/could be fans. Respond to other authors with the same respect that you want to be treated with.

Smile and the whole word smiles with you.

I thank each one of you for your support.

Chelle & Charmaine Gordon at a multi-author event

A Sample From the Amazon Kindle Blog

Living, Breathing, Writing
[Kindle Edition]

Getting Emotional

Put your reader into the story by making them feel as if they are there. Let them feel emotion. Incite your readers to join you and to experience something through your words. If your reader feels an emotional attachment they will feel as if the words they are reading is reality.

Think of a time, any time, that your community has gone through a defining moment… preferably when you were there. Think of times like severe storms and natural disasters (up to and including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, etc). If you have been fortunate enough not to have experienced a natural disaster, think of any incident that might have grabbed news headlines locally (i.e.: fires, accidents, lost child). Use any incident that affected you and your emotions. Choose an event that might have changed things whether for the better or worse, so long as the event made an impact on your community or yourself.

Make sure that the reader can identify with you as a real person. Let them know you have feelings, vulnerabilities, hopes and even fears. You’ll find that a reader will often put themselves in the place of a character, or alongside a character, if they believe it is a real person.

Try throwing yourself into the middle of the incident and write about it from your perspective; if you were in the middle of it, describe it from your perspective doing something different than what you did. Write this story in first person. Feel free to make yourself a hero or have the solution to a problem if you would like. Were you frightened, sad, or  angry? Don’t say it, show it in your actions. If the power went out and it was dark, mention the shadows, bumping into something or someone, or show how frustrated you were because you couldn’t see the exit or find something you needed without light.

Put feelings into retelling this story, reach deep into your readers’ emotions and let them “feel” as if they are right next to you and the events are happening now. Build tension with your words similar to the way filmmakers use background music building to a crescendo as forewarning of something to come. If the event is a storm you might talk about the increasing volume of the howling winds of the increasingly deafening roar of rain hitting the roof. Don’t add too much unnecessary description or be unnecessarily verbose or you will find that your readers will lose interest or get lost in confusing rhetoric.

One way to get emotional is to make a list of emotions that you felt during the event, or believe you would have felt if you were there or circumstances were different. For each emotion listed write down three things you did based solely on the emotion such as crying, slamming a door, covering your ears so you won’t hear, ducking under a table for protection or anything that was a pure emotional reaction. Make sure that you include these actions in your tale, but try NOT to name the emotion.

Writing Exercise:  Practice your point-of-view. Describe the room you are in at this moment and your actions from your point of view (first person: I see, I hear…); then describe the room from the viewpoint of someone standing in the doorway and watching YOU (third person: She sat rocking in the chair…) Remember that in third-person the person describing the room cannot be in YOUR head, they cannot know HOW you feel.

Writing Prompt: Write about your feelings (a.k.a. emotion) for each main color of the rainbow - red, yellow, green, blue and violet. Does any color make you think of a specific memory?

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