A writer once told me that all first-time authors write their autobiography, even if tagged fiction. While I don’t believe that’s completely true, after all, some first-time authors write about vampires and shape shifters, I do think there’s a modicum of truth to that statement. In other words, even if an author writes a work of fiction, there are usually many elements of the story that are factual, and I’d venture to guess that, at minimum, new authors will probably pattern characters after people whom they know.
When my professor suggested to “Write what you know.” — a quote often attributed to Mark Twain, but some say it is much older — I wasn’t certain if I really wanted to do that. After all, who would believe me? Here are a few subjects I know about: Child abuse Sexual abuse Drug abuse Alcohol abuse Abandonment Rape Suicide Depression Belief in God The power to over come Love at first sight Stalkers Crime Tragedies Police A new family Happily ever after Hey, I moved out on my own at the age of seventeen, and I'm married to a retired police detective, so I've seen a lot. The problem is ... will anyone believe or want to read about "what you know?" Well, I guess that depends. If you put it into a story, add a little, as Hollywood refers to it: Based on a true story, but dramatic elements have been added for the sake of artistic expression, then, yeah, some people will believe and/or want to read because more than likely they can identify with a character and/or a situation. And while they can enjoy an escape into a fictional story, they may take something from it. The funny thing is most of the stories throughout history are based on a couple of those "unbelievable" elements I listed above. Although they may not all be in the same story, "love at first sight," "family tragedy," and/or "an unbelievable or vicious crime" are often the basis of a work of literary fiction. Fairy tales did it. Suspense-thrillers do it. It’s a great start. So if you don’t believe one or more of the elements of a story, does that make it "unbelievable" or a "bad" story? One of the most popular themes is "love at first sight," which often gets a bad rap by reviewers. You may not believe in "love at first sight," but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist, and many readers love it. In fact, even movies that aren’t tagged as "love at first site," usually have a hero and heroine thrust into an incredibly unbelievable situation, and are all of a sudden willing to die for each other. Of course, there are many classics like that, too: Romeo and Juliet, all the fairy tales, even The Godfather ... ooh, I bet you forgot about that one. Well, as I mentioned in the above list, these are all the things I write about. Why? Because it’s what I know. So, let me share a tidbit of information with the unbelievers of the world who don't think "love at first sight" exists... After my first date with my husband, I called my grandmother and told her I'd just met the man I was going to marry. Thirteen days later, he asked me to marry him. Thirty days later, we got married, and we’ve been married for twenty-six years. Yes, I believe in "love at first sight," yes, I write modern-day fairy tales filled with tragedy, mystery, suspense, hope and, above all, romance, because I’m living one. I’ll leave the rest of "what I know" situations that I write about in my books up to your imagination, and let you try to figure out what's real or made up. :) Until next time, happy reading and imagining! Carmen If you would like to read a little more about what I write, follow the links below. My stories are available in print, eBook, and audio formats at your favorite retailer. You can start with one of my FREE #1 bestsellers, my first novel, a romantic-suspense whodunit, She Belongs to Me, the first book in the paranormal romance Creatus series, and/or one of my mini-mysteries with a paranormal edge, The Pit Stop (This Stop Could be Life or Death).
Thank you for stopping by my place and reading my musings. Remember these are just my opinions and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section, and I promise you I will answer.
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Why I CAN'T offer anything but the first books in my series free...even though I'd love to.8/8/2016  It's not that I wouldn't love to put ALL of my books on promotion, I WOULD, believe me. Funny thing that many readers may not know ... most authors actually make more money on books when they offer a book FREE for a limited time. Offering a book FREE creates a buzz, reaches new readers, and qualifies for great advertising through book blogs such as eReader News Today and Book Bub. But the reason I can't -- or won't -- offer anything other than the first book in a series free is because, in my opinion, it does a disservice to many readers. Many readers may not have read the first book in the series ... and sadly, even when I state that the book is part of a series on the cover or in the book description, many readers don't read the "full" description when they find the books on a book site ... or they get upset because they have to pay full price for the first book in order to enjoy the book special. This is particularly important when a book is offered FREE. Often, readers simply don't read the description when a book is free, especially when it's advertised on a site they trust ... like Book Bub or eReader News Today. I know many authors still offer their second, third, and fourth books in a series "free for a limited time," but ... as much as I'd love to make the extra money, it just isn't worth it to me to upset my avid-reading friends by forcing them to buy the first book to get the second free, or when a reader invests time into a book, only to realize something is missing because they didn't know there was a "first" book, which leads to poor reviews, which no author can afford. I made that mistake once before -- I have the poor reviews to prove it -- so I'll never do it again. I do, however, ALWAYS offer the rest of my books for 'less than a latte' each, some permanently priced as low as $0.99. And here's the GREAT news, if you follow my newsletter and/or this blog, I almost always offer freebies and giveaways of eBooks, Audio Books, and even print books, on occasion, because if you've followed my newsletter, I know there's a good chance you've already read my "firsts." Also, the "firsts" in my series CAN be read on their own. Of course, I hope you'll want to read the next in the series or collections, but you don't HAVE to. I always finish the current situation, and then usually just add a lead in to the next. I listed all my "firsts" below, so if you haven't read any of my freebies, stock up now.
Thank you for stopping by my place and reading my musings. Remember these are just my opinions and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section, and I promise you I will answer. I love talking about all things books, so if you want more posts on writing, marketing books, and new releases, and giveaways, please leave your email address here. I usually only send out a post once a week at the most. :)
Until next time, happy reading and writing, my friends. Carmen 
Based on a real-life ghost story, The Library is a contemporary murder mystery with a hint of paranormal and a dollop of romance.
Here's the full description:
In 1934, the body of a beautiful, but poor young woman was found alongside a riverbank near The Depot. Beaten to a pulp, only recognizable by a tattoo on her ankle, and yet, days after the discovery, the story all but disappears.
Eighty years later, locals claim The Depot is haunted. But in all the years homicide detective Mark Waters has visited the historic 1800s train station turned restaurant, he's never seen proof. Until now. As he sifts through evidence of a supposed suicide by train, he learns a murder that took place eighty years ago may directly affect his case. Six months after the strange occurrences at The Depot, there’s another murder. This time, The Library holds secrets of several murders, and the dead won’t rest until the murderer checks out too.
The Library (Where Life Checks Out) is available in a two-book special edition pack for only $2.99! The collection includes The Depot (When Life and Death Cross Tracks), which is the prequel short story to The Library.
Amazon US - Amazon Worldwide Add Audible for only $1.99! Also available at... Nook - iTunes - Kobo - Google Play
Happy Reading, friends!
Carmen
FREE Mini-Mystery with a Ghostly Edge
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