Guest Post and Giveaway: The Artistic Endeavor Blog Tour With Whitley Gray

And… ACTION!

By Whitley Gray

Thank you to The Novel Approach for hosting me today.

We all hear it, all the time. “Use stronger verbs. Get rid of adverbs.”
“But I love my choices of adverbs!” you say. “They add so much!”
Do they?
Let’s take the classic example: “He walked across the room.”
Okay, add strength. “He walked forcefully across the room.”
Consider: “He strode across the room.” Now we have forcefulness.
“He crossed the room in three strides.” Now we have force plus a concept of distance.
“He shuffled across the room.” Is he using a walker?
“He freighted his bulk up the stairs.” A big guy, right?
Another common one: “She looked at the man.”
Let’s add surprise.
Consider: “She looked with surprise at the man.”
“She gawked at the man.” She’s taking an open-mouthed gander!
“She glared at the man.” Anger!
“She studied the man.” A thorough look.
“She ogled the man.” Good butt, huh? J
One more: “He ate the cake.”
Add enjoyment.
“He enjoyed eating the cake.” Okay, but…
Consider: “He gobbled the cake.” Must be chocolate!
“He picked at the cake.” Not so great a cake?
“He nibbled at the cake.” A polite eater.
“He sucked down the cake.” A teenager, perhaps?
Now go to your work in progress. Find ‘walked,’ ‘looked,’ and ‘eat/ate.’ Add some oomph to those verbs, and send the adverbs to lunch!
A hint: a Thesaurus is a writer’s best friend!

Blurb – Artistic Endeavor: When friends ask one-night stand connoisseur Michael Esteban to introduce college professor and virgin Cobey Miller to the joys of sex, Michael balks. Lust is his thing, not leading a twenty-five year old novice. But shy Cobey has problems meeting men, and their introduction fuels Michael’s decision to help Cobey become a gay-sex-loving guy. It’ll all be fun and games—unless someone falls in love.

BONUS: New, never seen short story — After the Party: Happy New Year!: Michael and Cobey had a great time on New Year’s Eve, and now it’s time to spend some hot private time…Caution: combustible. May cause overheating.

Categories: New Adult | Contemporary

Length: 118 Pages

Buy Links: Amazon US | All Romance eBooks

About Whitley: Once upon a misspent youth, Whitley read and wrote stories under the covers at night. At some point, real life intervened, bringing with it responsibilities and a career in the medical field. After years of technical writing, Whitley became enamored of romance and took on the challenge of giving it a try. Inventing characters and putting them through paces in interesting ways turned out to be addictive, and along the way, Whitley discovered having two heroes is twice as nice. A pot of coffee, quiet, and a storyline featuring a couple of guys makes for a perfect day.

Social Media Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

The Giveaway: Whitley is giving readers a few ways to win. Prizes include the chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner. Three winners will have a shot at an e-copy of Artistic Endeavor. Just click the Rafflecopter image to enter.

 

Tour Schedule:

Week 1

Jan 5^th – Joyfully Jay – Guest Post

Jan 6^th – Hearts on Fire – Guest Post

Jan 7^th – J. P. Barnaby – Guest Post

Jan 8^th – MM Good Book Reviews – Promo Spotlight

Andrew Q. Gordon – Author Interview

Jan 9^th–The Novel Approach – Guest Post

 

Week 2

Jan 12^th – Chris T. Kat – Promo Spotlight

Prism Book Alliance – Guest Post

Jan 13^th – Charley Descoteaux – Author Interview

Jan 14^th – Inked Rainbow Reads – Book Review

Jan 15^th – Carly’s Book Reviews – Book Review

Jan 16^th – Wicked Faeries Tales and Reviews – Book Review + Spotlight

 

Week 3

Jan 19^th – Love Bytes Reviews – Guest Post

Jan 20^th – 3 Chicks After Dark – Promo Spotlight

Jan 21^st – Charlie Cochet – Promo Spotlight

Diverse Reader – Promo Spotlight

Jan 22^nd – Rainbow Book Reviews – Book Review

Jan 23^rd – BFD Book Blog – Book Review

 

Week 4

Jan 26^th – Sue Brown – Promo Spotlight

Jan 27^th – Multitasking Momma – Book Review

Because Two Men Are Better Than One – Author Interview

Jan 28^th – Gay Media Reviews – Book Review

Jan 29^th–Fallen Angel Reviews – Promo Spotlight

Jan 30^th – My Fiction Nook – Promo Spotlight

 

Week 5

Feb 2^nd – Foxylutely Books – Book Review

Feb 3^rd – Elisa: My Reviews and Ramblings – Promo Spotlight

Lisa Worrall – Promo Spotlight

Feb 4^th – Queer Town Abbey – Author Interview

Feb 5^th – Eyes on Books – Book Review

Feb 6^th – Molly Lolly – Author Interview