It's What We Do

Hey, hey! I'm at 300 followers! That is effing sweet, guys! Thanks so much! I know it's been rocky around these parts lately, but you guys are awesome for sticking with me. Hitting the "unfollow" button is so easy these days (I would know. Annoy me on twitter? BAM! Unfollowed. Clog up my feed on FB with crap? BAM! Hidden.) So I really appreciate it, guys. Truly do.

As a thanks for putting up my with shit, I'm going to announce a contest here pretty soon, but hang in there. It isn't today!

As far as writing goes, I still have a lot of confidence in the current book on submission with agents right now. ALL of the confidence comes from the crit partners and other awesome people who have read it and believe in it, so I'm still plugging along!

I asked Matthew MacNish for some query help, though, to mix it up and hopefully get a bigger response from agents. I'll announce when I'm up with him so you guys can hop over and gimme a hand if you like.

And the new book, well geez...okay. So last week was a freak-out week (sorry crit girls, but thanks for talking me down!) and I wondered if anyone can identify. So, I have 3 projects I COULD go with next. One may get in on an upcoming trend that's possibly coming around. One is an idea I've wanted to do for a while. And the third is something I should have tried AGES ago because I am all about it.

So, I email them spazzing out about which to do. I wrote a bit on all of them, and all of them have valid arguments for going with that one next instead of the others, but I couldn't figure out which would be best. And every time I tried to sit down with one I got stuck in my own head over "is this the right one?" "what if this is a waste of time and I should have gone with the other but won't know it till it's too late?" "what if I'm writing this one all wrong because I can't wholly focus on it?"

On and on. And it all boiled into one big freak-out with my partners via email. And, thankfully, I have the best girls in my corner a person could ask for. They got me out of my head and made me stop what if'ing my head off, reminding me that there is no way to predict the future. There is on way to predict what an agent would rather have over anything else. And writing isn't about chasing possible trends. It's writing the story you want to write, you need to write.

And that was only one of the three ideas. It's something I've been dying to try, something I've never written before, and something I quite honestly have no idea how to write. But that's the cool thing about the internet: You can learn or find a way to learn anything. And the even cooler thing about being a writer, there is always room to learn more. I'm really really enjoying this education too. It's awesome!

Ah, I love writing. I considered giving up a whole thirty seconds a couple weeks ago before I laughed and told myself to stop being a moron. When you're a writer, there is nothing else you can do. Or at least, that's how I feel about it.

Will let you all know about the upcoming 300 follower contest as well as when my query goes up over on The QQQE with Matthew.

Happy Monday, you fabulous peeps!

It's Honesty, Not Whinesty.

So, I've been battling with what to do and what I want to do and what I need to do over the past couple weeks. And I THOUGHT last week I decided to just stop blogging for now. I didn't see where it was helping me at all, and I didn't see where forcing myself to make time for it would help matters right now.

But today, as I'm missing the community, and feeling guilty about how many of you guys I haven't dropped in on in so long (meaning: all of you), I decided instead of hiding from you all I'd just pop in and be honest. I mean, this blog was started with the original purpose to chronicle the journey to published author. What point it is if I disappear and don't write about it when things get a little sticky? (or cement like) Okay? So here we go.

I have nothing to post about that is helpful in any way to potential authors. (IMO, maybe someone else will see that it isn't all sunshine, magic fairy farts and a 6 figure book deal in 3 months time. Maybe that will help them not be discouraged to know other people don't make it so easy. I donno.)

I am not an author. I am a writer. Those things are completely different to me, and I do not feel comfortable trying to impart wisdom on anyone when I'm having such shit luck at querying my book right now.

I have absolutely nothing to offer you guys besides my opinions, my personality, and my experiences.

If you have any inclination to know any of those things about my writing experience and so forth, then that's what you'll get. But I don't want anyone to come here looking for huge knowledge barfs and expect to be the next anyone bigger than me (everyone) from my blog posts. Okay? I feel this is much better to tell you all, and lower the expectation in my own head for my blog, otherwise I will absolutely give it up until I can come back and say "I got an agent" or "I'm going to be published" or anything along those lines.

So lets try out honest me, not wracking-my-brain-for-advice-and-insight-that-I-just-don't-have-right-now me, and see how that goes, okay?

As of right this moment I'm querying and have been for a couple months. When I began I was like a cracked out horse busting out of the gate, hauling ass. I got requests for fulls almost immediately (and one from a DREAM AGENT holy crap!). So my head was practically floating it was so big. Which, I should have known then was my downfall.

See, I'm a believer that if my expectations are high, and I tell people about possible good news, I jinx myself. It always happens. Which. I did this time too. It was one agent after another with the fulls who came back and said no thanks without any explanation why. I know they're busy folks, and I don't bash them or wish them any harm because of it, I just donno what the problem is now or how to fix it.

And since then it has been a complete poop-storm of no's.

But, I did have another beta reader blaze through it in 2.5 days, and immediately ask for the second (which, obviously won't be written until the first's future looks bright.) So that was a bit of sunshine in the middle of my poop-storm.

I'm not discouraged yet. I have so much encouragement and love coming from other people, that it's hard to stay down about it all the time anyway.

But, isn't there a ratio or something--so many rejections vs requests and you need to tweak your query? If anyone knows what I'm talking about, feel free to educate me. I'm feeling like I may need to start the tweaking. 

But on the bright side, just finished up my Girl Trip for this year, and had a much needed time out from all the sighing and ho-humming.

So, all in all, I'm discouraged but not out. Writing a new book for distraction that I'm enjoying, and keep on plugging along.

How's everyone else going? I've been loving stalking around spying on good news here and there. New, gorgeous book covers and things. It's all fabulous! I'll stop lurking soon, I swear. ^_^

Happy Monday, all!

Check Out My Thing : The Writers Voice Entry #171

So, there is this thing by these bloggers that I'm sure every writer and their mamma must know about. And these bloggers are hosting the thing. They're calling it The Writers Voice. Go HERE and check it out to know more.

OMG! It was so crazy getting in there! I was so nervous! Man, that widget filled up like they were giving away cash. But, right now, as someone deep in the query trenches, this is better than cash. Just my opinion. ANYWAY!

This is my entry! Wish me luck. And good luck to all my bloggy peeps who got in too! I saw a bunch!!

CALLING DEATH
YA Paranormal
64,000 words

Query:

Sixteen-year-old Damaris may have the power to steal human souls, but she isn't happy about it. A direct descendant of Death, Damaris doesn't share her parents' beliefs that her kind, Ankou, are inherently evil. Or that the only way they can gain access to Heaven is by killing humans and stealing their souls. Worse, she's been shipped off to boarding school because of her rebellion, leaving her younger sister, Genie, alone under her parents' murderous influence.

But over summer break, Damaris has a chance to show Genie another way of life, put an end to all the senseless deaths, and, hopefully, start a chain reaction to change the rest of her kind. Her parents have other ideas, however. If Damaris doesn’t make a kill, they’ll disown her. Of course, that’s if somebody doesn’t get to Damaris and her family first.

Someone is stalking Damaris, car and mail bombs popping up at every turn. If she isn't able to find out his or her identity soon, more than Genie's future will be lost, and escaping back to boarding school will no longer be an option. With everything falling in around her, Damaris must decide: go against everything she believes about the value of life and use her powers to save her sister, or admit defeat and let her deadly heritage carry on. Seems the life of a daughter of Death has just gotten way more complicated

First 250 words:

Someone is watching me. I feel it the moment their eyes hit me.

The desire to murder my sister is currently threatening the mission home from boarding school that is meant to save her when it happens. But, luckily for her, the unknown threat has distracted me for the moment.

I squeeze my eyes shut, count to five while holding my breath, and all I get is a head rush and those stupid white spots flickering in my vision – not frustration relief. Neither problem has been willed away.

Genevieve squeals down the hallway again, dragging something heavy and loud across my locked bedroom door as I wonder how she spent her time while I was across the ocean. A good 80% of her day is now spent finding new ways – or hell, sticking with what works – to annoy me.

I move nearer the window and peer out at the back yard. No one lurking in trees or behind bushes that I can see. I don't know what to do about this at the moment, so I move away from the window and focus on the other problem.

I can hear Genie gearing up for another lap down the hall. The heavy object switches hands with a bang from the starting side and thump to the opposite side. She winds up and is off again. Only this time I flip the lock, fling my door open, and attempt to catch the thing. My father's golf club smacks me in the gut as Genie explodes with laughter.

Dangit. Walked right into her perpetually sticky hands.

Also, Happy MAY! I'm back again. More later.

Holy SHHH...Well...This Is Awesome!

One of my very sweet, very supportive, very AWESOME crit partners, Jennie Bailey, is having a super killer giveaway over on her blog today!!

HOLY CRAP!

Get in on it, or...well, you can be a loser right here and now by not going over there...your choice. I don't make the rules, folks. I just enforce them.

Hope you all have a fantastic April! I'm out till May!

Easily Distracted

Firstly, my dear bloggy friend Alexia Chamberlynn tagged me in a Lucky 7 dealy (so awesome! Thank you!) which required posting 7 lines starting from the 7th line on the 77th page. But I looked . . . It's not a good one to use. It wont make sense and will just be confusing if you haven't been there for the rest. I thought of just faking it and doing something that I like but nope.

Instead I'll just offer it to anyone who wants to give it a try! Looked like fun! I wish I had a good one, but oh well. So if you all wanna check out your own MS and see where your 7th line on the 77th page puts you, go for it! And post the 7 lines if you want!

Secondly, my weekend was bitching and I hope yours was too! I love St. Patties day weekend! And a good friend dropped in from out of town for a short visit, got a couple more hours work put in to my tattoo, got super cute new running shoes and shorts, have a nice roast cooking in the crockpot AS I TYPE(Sunday), annnndddd had a nice day with just the hubs and me. So was very good. Hope you guys did too!!

THIRDLY, this coming weekend is THE HUNGER GAMES!! (just in case you've had your head jammed up . . . somewhere and didn't know. . .) Usually, I would so be there opening night, but I can't this weekend. But it wont be long. . . I'm so stupid excited to see it! The songs they've released from the soundtracks have been incredible so far, and the stills just as great. You guys psyched?

And Lastly, I got SO MUCH done last week on my book. If I am blessed enough to get as much done this week as last week (had an unusual amount of time on my hands), then I will be done with my last edits! I'm going back and forth on asking for beta readers and not. It's all very wishy-washy at this point. Not going to dwell on it now, though. Not there yet. Just excited to be almost done! Where is everyone else?

Happy Monday!

Talking to Some Fiction Folks

So you guys know by now that Guardian is out this week (By Rachel Morgan)! Hurray!!

But I wanted to sit down with some of the characters and find out more about them. And what better characters to have a chat with than rivals!? If you don't know, Ryn and Vi are not . . . exactly. . . friends. Their rivalry is bitter and . . . fun! (for the readers ;) I love a good rivalry.

Colene: So, thank you for being here, Vi, and . . . Rrr-uh Ryn? 

 

Ryn: It’s pronounced Rin.

Colene: Oh, right, Gotcha! Anyway, I’d like to start off by asking about the major rivalry that seems to exist between the two of you. What started it all?

Vi: First year. We were using our guardian weapons for the first time. Ryn told everyone he’d be the first to make his appear, but I totally beat him.

Ryn: I’m pretty sure it was the other way around.

Vi: Not only did I beat him, but I got my weapons to appear at least a whole minute before everyone else.

Ryn: Now that part is definitely not true.

Vi: Are you calling me a liar?

Colene: Ehem. . . So, Ryn, you wouldn’t ever admit that Vi is better than you at something?

Ryn: Why would I admit to something that’s not true?

Colene: Uh, right. So I take it you and Vi have never been friends, then?

Ryn: [Pause] That is a lovely curtain, Colene. Are you responsible for the interior design in this room?

Colene: No. . .not really . . .Vi, same question.

Vi: It is quite an attractive curtain.

Colene: Okaaaay. I guess we’ll move on then. Vi, I know Ryn calls you Pixie Sticks (soo insulting!). Do you have a nickname for him?

Ryn: Oh, man, she sucks at name-calling. You should hear her. It’s embarrassing.

Vi: [Irritated] How about ass-face?

Ryn: [Laughs] See what I mean? You’re gonna have to expand on that one, Pixie Sticks, 'cause it’s a little confusing. I mean, ass? Face? Those are two parts of the body that are kinda far away from—

Vi: It means, Oryn, that when people look at your face, all they see is your ass!

Ryn: [Laughing even more] Aside from the fact that that makes no sense, I can’t imagine anyone would mind. After all, I do have an uncommonly good-looking ass.

Vi: Well, I’d be more than happy to stick something—

Colene: RIGHT!  Moving on then. Ryn, I have to ask. Are you actually hiding a secret crush on Vi by being, um, an ass?

Vi: Oh, dear Seelie Queen, please say no.

Ryn: [Ignores Violet] Colene. You strike me as a person of some intelligence. Do I honestly look like someone who would have a crush on that? [Points at Violet]

Vi: ‘That’?

Ryn: [Still ignoring Violet] I mean, sure, some of the guys think she’s hot—

Vi: Okay, I so did not need to know that.

Ryn: —but she’s really not my type of hot.

Colene: And just so we’re all clear, what exactly is your type of hot?

Ryn: Well, blonde, for one thing. And I have to say, Colene, that I find your shade of blonde particularly attractive.

Colene: Ah, holy crap, wow. Is it hot in here to anyone else? You are quite the charmer, aren’t you?

Ryn: I do try.

Vi: [To no one in particular] I think I may throw up.

Ryn: Well, if you’d like to lean that way, I’d appreciate it.

Colene: So I’m guessing you’ve never considered hooking up with Ryn, have you Vi?

Vi: [Stares at Colene]

Colene: Alrighty. I’ll take that as a no. But what do you think would happen if the two of you were put on the same assignment and forced to work together?

Vi: Not happening. 

Ryn: Ever.

Vi: Never ever.

Colene: Well, at least you can agree on something! So, before you kill each other or throw up on my stuff, I think we should end this here.

It's been a great pleasure having Ryn and Vi here with us! Hope everyone will be checking out their first appearances in the Creepy Hollow series, Guardian! ( it's out now, dudes!)

Happy Friday! I'm getting more work done on my tattoo today, so I will be getting around the blogs later!

Have a good weekend!

Rachel Morgan Rocks My World

It's March 5th, and that means that Guardian (1st in the Creepy Hollow series) is out! Doesn't the name alone make you curious? It strikes all the right buttons with me anyway.

It's by the magnificent Rachel Morgan! If you don't know her, what's the matter with you? She is awesome fun. Great gal and doing a very challenging thing, bringing her baby novellas into the world sans agent. I can't imagine the task that would be to set everything up on your own besides the anticipation for your book to come into the world! But she's done fantastic!! So great job to her! And good luck, though I have to say, Guardian is so fantastic, I doubt she needs the luck!

Rachel's going on blog tour this week so be sure and keep your eyes peeled for her. Lets show how supportive this community can be for our fellow writer(now published author!) Rachel! She'll be back here with me on the 16th for a fun surprise, so check back in then for that!

Today the Creepy Hollow series kicks off with the release of the first story, GUARDIAN!!

GUARDIAN introduces readers to the magical world of Creepy Hollow, a realm where fae creatures — both safe and definitely-not-so-safe — dwell. Things are cool as long the fae stick to their own realm. It's when they find their way into the human world that things start going wrong...


1. Receive assignment.

2. Save a life.

3. Sleep.

4. Repeat.

Protecting humans from dangerous magical creatures is all in a day’s work for a faerie training to be a guardian. Seventeen-year-old Violet Fairdale knows this better than anyone—she’s about to become the best guardian the Guild has seen in years. That is, until one of her assignments—a human boy who shouldn’t even be able to see her—follows her into the fae realm. Now she’s broken Guild Law, a crime that could lead to her expulsion.

The last thing Vi wants to do is spend any more time with the boy who got her into this mess, but the Guild requires that she return Nate to his home and make him forget everything he’s discovered of the fae realm. Easy, right? But Nate and Vi are about to land themselves in even bigger trouble—and it’ll take all Vi’s training to get them out alive.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007FRJGXI
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007FRJGXI
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/137697

The Creepy Hollow Series

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Book Trailer

Author Info

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

To find out more about the series, the author, and the characters, check out the blog tour that’s happening over the next two weeks.

Click here for the blog tour schedule

(funny thing, I ADORE The Rachel Morgan Hollows series by the author Kim Harrison, and now there is the author Rachel Morgan who writes Creepy Hollows! Too cute. And not at all intentional! Every time I get an email from her my brain takes a fraction of a second to NOT think a fictional character is emailing me. =P) 

Happy Monday All! And Happy Birthday to Guardian!!