While fumbling around on the internet working on that social media thing I talked about in an earlier post I found an article I thought was pretty interesting about writing historical fiction. And as I'm currently working on a story that has a historical setting, although not an actual historical fiction work, the article seemed significant. 

http://writedivas.com/special-feature-genre-historical-fiction/

I'm an avid reader of historical fiction. I love it in most all its forms. My favorite are those set in Scotland, the Highlands preferably. Though I enjoy a well written Renaissance as much as the next person. Oh, let me be completely honest, as long as it's well written I will read just about any fiction genre. I do agree with the author of the article, in that, although I love historical fiction, I want fiction. I don't enjoy sitting down with an accounting of some epic battle from any era or an important historical figure's biography. As the author of the article states, and I agree, that's called research. 

When I read I'm looking for escape, no matter the genre. I want to become so enthralled with a story that I'm literally drawn into what's happening to the characters. The story should feel real, as though the events are occurring all around me no matter whether they're flying an X-wing fighter into battle against the Death Star, foolishly waving a wand at a feather while saying Wingardium Leviosa, or wielding a broadsword and targe. I want to believe what's happening. 

That's a paradox isn't it? Searching for escapism while expecting realism in fiction. Maybe, but still, it's what I look for in good fiction whether historical or contemporary. I don't think I'm alone in that desire. 

Savannah

As I'm bumping through the first week of my novel's debut and trying to avoid the pitfalls of self-promotion (which I find I'm not very good, by the way) I stumble across a post at Google+ with this article:  
http://www.forbes.com/sites/suwcharmananderson/2012/06/19/book-promotion-for-self-publishers-a-waste-of-time/

It's a fine line to walk, it seems. Ironic isn't it, that even in this arena we must find a balance. Somewhere there is the right mix between promoting your book, and writing the next, and the one after that. 

I find that this article gave me a bit of comfort in discovering that it may be just as important to write and produce more product as it is to spend time promoting oneself. Why would this be a comfort to me? Well, a person might think that writing a book, being an author, automatically makes one a good communicator. However, I find that's not the case-at least not for myself. The one-on-one, face-to-face conversations, where I can make a "real" connection with a person, I'm super with those. 

Creating that same connection over the distance of social media are a bit harder for me to grasp. I don't think I have taken the bull by the horns so to speak and immersed myself in the promotion of the first in what I plan to be a lifetime of books published. If the basics in this article hold true, maybe, just maybe I'm going to do all right. And friends, that is all I ever ask. 

Savannah

Lots of changes have occurred since the last time I posted here on the blog. My publisher made the decision to move the release date of my novel from December 31 to well, today! So as of this morning, Starting Over, is live and available at Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Over-Shephard-Savannah-Yarbrough-ebook/dp/B00HC28Y16/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1387304010&sr=1-7&keywords=starting+over

You may have noticed that the cover has changed as well. I'm actually happier with this one. It's been a long time in the making but I'm very proud, and excited. The book will be available at your favorite ebook retailers such as, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Google Play, iBooks.
So, go check it out!

Savannah

Update

It's really been almost two months since I posted anything here on my blog. That's just ... well, that's just awful. Things have been a bit out of sorts over the last several weeks, but I'm back on the trail again. 

I have several projects in the works at the moment and all of them are very exciting. 

My book, Starting Over, is still set for release on December 31. I'm so excited! There are not words to describe the feelings I have for the debut of my first original fiction novel. 

Well, that's not true, there probably are words, I just don't have them.  

I will be joining the wonderful ladies at The Writer's Collective soon as a new member of the leadership team. This is an honor that I am blessed to hold. The ladies with this organization have helped me to grow as a writer in ways I never could have without them. 

As a member of The Writer's Collective I will also be heading up a new round of Workshops. The team will be working on a Sci-Fi novel by a wonderful author from the UK. I can't wait to get started! 

If you haven't any idea about the great work going on at The Writer's Collective check out their webpage at: http://www.writers-collective.com/ 

Believe me, this a great place to find support, advice, and guidance for your writing. You won't find a better bunch of women. 

NaNoWriMo is beginning in just a few days and I have signed up. This will be the first time I've done the November NaNo. I participated in the Camp NaNoWriMo this past summer. It was a great experience! 

I didn't reach my goal, but that's okay. Perseverance. That's what gets the job done. Isn't that what we learned from the tortoise? 

Anyway, I've set my mind to it and I'll be working on the next book in The Shephard Series which begins with Starting Over. 

The next book is a continuation of the series but will focus on two different characters, Caleb Jameson and Lily Richards. We met both these characters in Starting Over as they are an integral part of the family dynamics occurring in that story. Their story is tentatively titled New Beginnings. I'm pretty set on that title but I like to hedge my bets. 

There are several books planned to be a part of The Shephard Series and I look forward to bringing them all to you. 


I believe that's all for now. 

Until next time ...

xoxo
Savannah

My debut novel is set to release on December 31, 2013. The book cover is finally ready. I'm revealing that as well as the official synopsis here. 


Brianna Daniels has worked hard to rebuild her life after the loss of her husband to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Although her focus is on raising her nine-year-old daughter who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, Brianna has finally given in to the insistence of her mother and the persistence of a man she's known since childhood and begun dating once again. It's done nothing but prove to her what she already knew, any chance she had at success in the game of love died with her husband. 
Jeremiah Bartlett is at the top of his game. As a renowned cardio-thoracic surgeon at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn he has everything he's ever wanted professionally. Personally, his life is a mess. A recent divorce has left him with scars that are only just now beginning to heal. The last thing he's looking for is a relationship. His focus is on continuing to build the career he's worked so hard to achieve. When he receives the call that his baby sister is once again battling cancer Jeremiah puts his life in Nashville on hold to race to her side. When he arrives in the island town of Shephard, Georgia, and meets his sister's friend Brianna, he discovers a possibility for something he'd thought lost forever—the chance for a family of his own. 

Starting Over is a story of loss, healing, family drama, and finding the courage to give love a chance once more.

Welcome to the world of Savannah Yarbrough.

Hello, my name is Savannah Yarbrough. Isn't that just the thing. I feel like I'm wearing one of those hideous stickers on my chest. Not an attractive sight, doesn't matter who you are.  

So, this is the first entry on what I hope will become a popular blog. That's a lot of pressure right there, I'll just tell ya!

Where should I begin? I have always felt that the direct approach is the best so, here we go, jumping in with both feet. 

Savannah Yarbrough. Who is she? Well, that's simple. She's a woman embarking on a new life for herself. One who has a dream, and she's going for in with all barrels blazing.  Savannah (that's me, just in case you're wondering) lives in the Southeastern United States with her two children and insane toy poodle. Craziest dog, while managing to also be the cutest, to ever walk the face of the Earth. That's the official by-line biography. 

I, Savannah, began writing when I was very young but heaven help me I was too afraid to ever let anyone read what I wrote. It wasn't until I fell into the world of fan-fiction that I became brave enough to put my writing out there for others to see. I know that there is much debate about the talents and the validity of those authors crawling out of the wood work from the world of fan-fiction. I won't debate the point. I will only say that while there is a lot of junk produced, there is also a great amount of wonderful work done as well. As well as some very talented writers who have ventured out on their own into original fiction. Sometimes we just need that feeling of safety that is provided with using someone's basis in which to cut our proverbial teeth. Not unlike a parent and a child's relationship, yes? 

I have written and posted stories in the fan-fiction world for nigh on five years now. If you've followed me over from that world-and I hope you have- you may know me as bellasunderstudy.  

I have recently completed my first original fiction novel titled Starting Over.  
Starting Over is set to release on December 31, 2013. It will be available as an e-book. You may purchase Starting Over at your favorite e-book retailer. 
Currently I am working on the second book in the series which will begin with Starting Over.  I believe that's all there is to say for now. Be on the look out for excerpts from Starting Over here as well as on my publisher's website. You can find my publisher at southerngeminipublishing.com.