$50 Amazon Giftcard Giveaway from Freedom Road author T.M. Souders

Freedom Road by T.M. Souders

Since the tender age of eight, music served as Samantha Becker’s source of solace against her father’s tyranny and her mother’s alcoholism. Now at eighteen, her only dream is to study classical guitar at Juilliard. But when her father’s careless actions lead to an “accident,” which threatens her ability to play the guitar, Sam becomes despondent. Losing all confidence in her future, Sam hides behind the emotional barriers that have protected her for years.
Just when Sam has given up, two unexpected people enter her life, giving her the confidence she needs, and forcing her to evaluate all she’s ever known. Battling her father’s plans for her future, band mates using her for personal gain, and a permanent injury, the odds are stacked against her. With auditions approaching and time running out, Sam must relearn to play the guitar, or be destined to give up her dreams forever.

T.M. Souders was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and grew up in the suburbs outside of Pittsburgh. She graduated in 2004, from Youngstown State University, with a degree in Psychology and minor in Women’s Studies. She is the author of bestselling women’s fiction novel,Waiting on Hope, as well as the novelette Dashing Through The Snow and the newly released young adult/crossover novel ,Freedom Road. In her spare time when she is nor writing she is an active volunteer for The World Literary Cafe, a site dedicated to authors and readers. She currently lives in rural Ohio with her husband and children.

From her blog on writing: 

Often times, I hear the question, “How do you come up with ideas for your books?” Just as often, I hear from newbie writers that theystruggle with developing ideas for a novel. What should be one of the easiest aspects to writing a book, becomes a struggle. But coming up with an idea, though vital, should be one of the easiest steps in the process of writing–taking that idea and creating an entertaining read is the hard part.

Ideas and/or inspiration for books are all around us. Watch the news. Read the newspaper, or a couple of magazines. Look around–at your family, your friends. Maybe there’s already a subject you are passionate about. Chances are, there’s a great idea for a book blooming right in front of you. The key is to recognizing those ideas when you see them.ie writers that they struggle with developing ideas for a novel. What should be one of the easiest aspects to writing a book, becomes a struggle. But coming up with an idea, though vital, should be one of the easiest steps in the process of writing–taking that idea and creating an entertaining read is the hard part.

The basis for my books are often started with a spark of an idea. For my novel, Waiting On Hope, an im

To further my plot, I used a method to developing an idea, which many other authors use (including NYT bestseller Jodi Picoult.) The “what if” method. “What if her rapist was her best friend’s husband?” “What if she found out she was pregnant?” “What if her best friend had been trying to conceive, unsuccessfully, for years?” I asked myself “what if” with each scenario, until I had begun to develop the plot line and several points of conflict. This is a very effective way of building on ideas, and was, in fact, how my novelWaiting On Hope was born.age of a woman, so distraught, so desperate and depressed, she wanted to end her life came to mind. I, then, asked myself “what would make her want to end everything?” Rape came to mind, and so my idea started.

The idea for a new novel, one I have yet to write, but am completely excited about, came from something I saw on the Today Show. Before I sit down to write it, I will certainly use the “what if” method for developing the idea further.

The point is, ideas are all around us. Grab one, even if it seems too insignificant, and play with it. Ask yourself, “what if?” Before you know it, you may have your next novel. Maybe even a bestseller.

Links:
Website: http://www.tmsouders.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmsouders

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5044358.T_M_Souders
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TM-Souders-Author/181198815275423


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