New Zoom Writing Lab on Point of View!

"POINT OF VIEW AND DEEP POINT OF VIEW"

 

by Ariella Moon

 Presented by the Palm Springs Writer's Guild

January 15, 2021   1:00 PM - 3:00 PM  (Pacific Time)

https://palmspringswritersguild.org/event-4071218

Whose head are we in?

Point of View (POV) is the lens through which your story is recorded. In this writing lab, we’ll discuss the main types of POV and their limitations and benefits. We will also examine using multiple points of view, and how to keep your reader oriented. You will discover which POV is best suited for your author’s voice. 

For Deep POV, a technique that can boost your writing to the next level, we will dive beneath a character's surface traits to explore what factors inform her/his perception and world view. You’ll discover how to use dialogue, inner monologues, style-shifting, and other techniques to reveal Deep POV. 

Mastering POV and Deep POV will enhance your story and increase reader engagement!

To register or read more: https://palmspringswritersguild.org/event-4071218

3 Must-Read Witch Stories

 

October is the month of the Hag, the shadow side of the Wise Woman or Crone. In other words, October’s poster character is the stereotypical Witch. Rarely do we see a young witch, a kind, helpful witch, a male witch, or a beloved witch. Often absent during the Season of the Witch are stories told from the witch’s perspective. Below are three fabulous, magical books that pass my personal witches’ anti-defamation standard.

 

1.    Room on the Broom 

By Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Suitable for preschool to 2^ndgrade, but adults will love this read aloud/read along book, too.

Amazon

 

Currently #1 in Children’s Literature, Children’s Fantasy & Magic Books, and Children’s Halloween Books, Room on the Broom is a delightfully written and illustrated rhyming story of a generous witch and the animals that help her when the wind blows away her hat, bow, and wand.

 

2.    The Girl Who Drank The Moon (Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal)

By Kelly Barnhill

Suitable for grade levels 5-9, but young adults and adults will also love it.

Among its many accolades: Chosen as Best Book of 2016 by numerous libraries, a School Library Journal Best Book of 2016, A Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of 2016, and a 2017 BooklistYouth Editors’ Choice.

Amazon

 

The Girl Who Drank the Moon is an enchanting tale with multiple, entwined plot lines that are threaded together with love, fantasy, wanting, magic, wonder, and tragedy. From the first plot twist, I fell in love with Barnhill’s imperfect, touching, and compelling characters. I eagerly anticipate reading her other books.

 

3.    Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years)

By Gregory Maguire

Amazon

Maguire’s Wicked stunned my world. This origin story, a re-telling of L. Frank Baum’s classic Oz tale from the witch’s point of view, had me cheering first for the novel, then later for the Tony Award-winning musical it spawned. Time-tested, Wicked is the perfect backstory to see you through quarantine and beyond. 

 

Ariella Moon is the award-winning author of the Teen Witch Saga, The Beltane Escape, The Amber Elixir, and "Covert Hearts," the Aspen Gold Readers' Choice Award for Best Romantic Short Story. Amazon

New ZOOM Writing Lab: "The Art and Science of Writing Winning Short Stories"

 

Palm Springs Writers Guild September Writing Lab:

           “THE ART AND SCIENCE OF WRITING WINNING SHORT STORIES” 

with author Ariella Moon 

September 25, 2020 via Zoom

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

$45 for Guild members, $90 for guests 

Register at https://palmspringswritersguild.org/event-3970482/Registration.  

Limited space is available.

Palm Springs CA – The Palm Springs Writers Guild continues this season’s skill development Writing Labs with an interactive session highlighting the art and science of crafting short fiction. This ZOOM Writing Lab will be presented from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Friday, September 25. Ariella Moon, author of numerous Young Adult Fantasy books and Covert Hearts, winner of an Aspen Gold Readers’ Choice award (Best Romantic Short Story), will conduct this lively and educational event. 

 

Register for The Art & Science of Writing Winning Short Stories ($45 for Guild members, $90 for guests) at https://palmspringswritersguild.org/event-3970482/Registration.  Limited space is available.

 

            Ms. Moon recognizes that “the days when short stories were regulated to prestigious literary magazines ended with the rise of new reading platforms and indie publishing.” Platforms across traditional and digital sectors now offer boundless opportunities for writers, including flash fiction, novellas, and micro-stories.  Her Writing Lab will examine how masters of short fiction reveal a character's essence and build emotion and address techniques including "mind the gaps" and Ernest Hemingway's iceberg theory. The lab offers hands-on opportunities to develop short fiction skills with an award-winning author. 

             

The Palm Springs Writers Guild elevates and celebrates aspiring and seasoned writers throughout the Coachella Valley. The Guild supports and encourages those who write non-fiction and fiction, memoirs, and poetry with supportive critique groups, writing and publishing workshops, prestigious speakers, and a popular Book Fair. The Guild seeks to expand and enhance its community of writers with a variety of judged writing contests and a dynamic scholarship program for area students. For additional information on The Palm Springs Writers Guild visit: Visit: https://palmspringswritersguild.org/

 

                         

Ariella Moon live interview on iHub radio!

Sunday, September 6, 2020

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Pacific Time

Live Interview on iHub radio! Stick to the Script!

I love being interviewed on live radio and podcasts! The challenge is to be quick-thinking, and to expect the unexpected (as happened with my live interview with Susun Weed). I am excited to be Steven Stewart's guest on his debut radio show, Stick to the Script!.

As part of iHub Radio's growing focus on the wealth of talent in the Coachella Valley, published author Steven Stewart brings together a great collection of authors, playwrights, screen writers and people associated with creating the words that inform and entertain our minds and exercise imaginations. Stick To The Script will include interviews that profile the diversity of scribes in the desert cities from best-sellers to those aspiring to write their first book. He looks forward to lively discussions with writers, actors, and other drama enthusiasts. You will also learn the challenges, the steps to achieving these works, and get to hear plenty of excerpts!

 

                                            Steven Stewart during taping of "Stick to the Script!"

While in college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Steven began his love for acting, drama, and the English playwrights.  Shortly after graduation with an engineering degree, he attended the UCLA summer Film School, learning the art of filming and directing. Joining the Screen Actors Guild, Steven secured starring and supporting roles in many movies and T.V. shows. During this time, he created several unpublished literary works, including a novel, short stories, and a children’s’ animated book series.

 

A true renaissance man, Steven carved a career for himself as an engineer, builder, pilot, and apartment owner/manager. For the last few years, the writing of a column for a pilot’s magazine and a review of his older literary works has rekindled his passion for writing and drama.  As a recent member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild, Steven has a novel in publication, a second on the way.

Ariella Moon in the booth, wearing the latest in headphone fashion!

 

Join Steven Stewart live every Sunday from 6 to 7 pm Pacific on iHub Radio, with additional encore broadcasts throughout the week (check the schedule on this website).

Update: Steven has moved his show from iHub radio. No new information is available at this time.

"What Novelists Can Learn From Screenwriters"

Announcing a New Writing Lab!

"What Novelists Can Learn From Screenwriters"

Thursday, July 23, 2020

1:00 - 3:00 PM PDT on Zoom

$45. for members of the Palm Springs Writers Guild

$90. for nonmembers

To register: Ariella Moon Writing Lab

I am super excited to teach

"What Novelists Can Learn From Screenwriters."

Description: 
Well-written screenplays contain concise, innovative writing that reveals character through dialogue and action, grounds the viewer in a particular setting, and moves the story forward with dynamic scenes. In this interactive boot camp, we will delve into seven techniques of visual storytelling. We will also examine and discuss the opening scenes of a few illustrative screenplays as a launch pad to improving our own writing. Attendees should have a printed copy of the first chapter of their manuscript on hand for reference during the writing lab.

Location: Zoom online

To Register: Writing Lab

Be ready to learn cinematic techniques that will enhance your writing!

~Ariella Moon

Cat Consultants Hired!

Meet the newest members of the Ariella Moon team!

I love research!

When writing about horses in New Orleans for SPELL FOR SOPHIA, I contacted horse and dog expert, Lisa Gillett, for her insights on horse behavior. I had ridden horses before, which gave me some insider knowledge, but it had been awhile since I had been in the saddle.

Horses I know - somewhat.
Cats, however, are a complete mystery.

What I need as I work on the third book in the Two Realms Trilogy, is a Cat Consultant. One of my fabulous Beta Readers, Kenzi, and her cat Carlos, stepped up. It helps that Kenzi was with me in Iona, Scotland when we encountered the inspiration for the magical cat you'll meet in the upcoming second and third books in the Two Realms Trilogy. I can't wait for Kenzi and Carlos's input!

In the meantime:

Book 1, THE BELTANE ESCAPE is available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and in paperback.

“Ms. Moon creates a magical world and a complex cast of characters that leap right off the page!” InD’tale Magazine, Crowned Heart for Excellence review.

Book 1.2,  THE AMBER ELIXER, the Two Realms companion novella, is on a 
Kindle 99 cents sale May 30-June 6, 2020
Or read for free with Kindle Unlimited. Also available in paperback.

About the Amber Elixir:

The Queen of Fairy needs the Amber Elixir to conceal a murder. Morgan le Fay needs the Amber Elixir to keep King Arthur alive.

Only one will succeed.

99 cents sale May 30 – June 6.    AMAZON
Available in paperback, or read for free on Kindle Unlimited.

.99 Cents Book Sale!

The Amber Elixir 

By Ariella Moon

Kindle 99 Cents Sale     May 30- June 6, 2020

In the Amber Elixir, an Arthurian tale of magic, fairies, shape-shifters, and the quest to win back a forbidden love, readers will meet the Lady of the Lake and Merlin as they have never seen them before, young, impulsive, competitive, and jealous.

AMAZON

Also available in paperback and on Kindle Unlimited.

Countdown to Kindle ebook 99 cents sale

What if Merlin and the Lady of the Lake were powerful, 

headstrong youths who each loved someone beyond their reach?

 

The Amber Elixir

99 cents Kindle ebook sale

May 30-June 6, 2020

AMAZON

Oh, the people (and fairies, shape-shifters, and a certain famous wizard) you will meet during the countdown to my kindle book sale! First up: the New Lady of the Lake. #ArthurianLegends

Dragonflies always reminded me of fairies so I wondered, what if evil fairies shape-shifted into dragonflies? Now I think of Queen Mab whenever I see a golden dragonfly.

THE AMBER ELIXIR Kindle 99 cents May 30-June 6.

Have you ever made a choice that cost you a friend or a love? 

The Amber Elixir countdown to Kindle 99 cents sale. May 30-June 

http://www.ariellamoon.com

#consequences #LadyoftheLake #Arthurianlegends #Merlin #shapeshifters #magic

I imagine young Merlin as having Sherlock Holme's brains, the impatience some super-smart people have for those less quick (You know who you are!), and the vengefulness of one frustrated by unrequited love and unable to detach. 

#Arthurianlegends#LadyoftheLake  #magic #shapeshifters #fairies

The Amber Elixir 99 cents Kindle ebook sale. May 30-June 6.

AMAZON            http://www.ariellamoon.com

The Beltane Escape Kindle 99 cents sale!

Beltane blessings!

On May Eve, Druids lit the Bel fires (bright fires, balefires) for luck and protection. Witches jumped the flames to fortify the protection spells. Cattle were driven between the balefires to safeguard the herd. Couples spent the night in the woods “A-Maying.” Married couples cavorted as well. They were allowed to remove their wedding rings, and for the night were free of the restrictions of marriage.

I imagine your May Day - Beltane - is a little less exciting this year. I know mine is! So, to help you transport back to medieval Scotland and Fairy, and plunge you into a kidnapping and budding love triangle (PG rated), I have placed The Beltane Escape on a Kindle Countdown.

May 1 -May 8, 2020

THE BELTANE ESCAPE 

by Ariella Moon

Kindle Countdown

$0.99

AMAZON

Happy reading! I will see you next May 1 at the Maypole!

~Ariella Moon

New on Kindle Unlimited

With so many of us having to shelter in place, I decided for the first time to place The Beltane Escape and The Amber Elixir in Kindle Unlimited. The Amber Elixir contains spoilers, so read The Beltane Escape first!

What better time to escape into Medieval Scotland and Fairy, and dive into an Arthurian romance set on Avalon?

The Beltane Escape Review

"A fantastic, high paced read that grips you right from the beginning! Ariella Moon has such a great magical imagination, and it shows in her tale of a fantastical past. If you like Brave mixed with Arthurian legend, this is your next read for sure!"  Freddie, Amazon 5 star review

The Amber Elixir Review

"Ariella Moon has done a great job of weaving classic Arthurian elements and her own imaginings into this novella. It's a really interesting blend of fantasy elements at play and I loved learning more as I read.

I think fans of classic fantasy novels will love the world we get here. It's very complex and rich and completely captivates you." 
                           SERIESousBook Reviews

Both books are also available in paperback. Amazon    Barnes and Noble