GET TO WRITING!

Tomorrow is July 1. (HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?!?!?!?!)

For a lot or writers, July 1 marks the beginning of Camp NaNoWriMo, a month long “camp” where writers (virtually) gather to write novels (in imaginary tents…or maybe real tents, if they so choose).

I’m not participating (instead I’ll likely be jumping into the query bottomless pit pool and trying to catch the eye of an agent with my YA psychological thriller, BEAT), but I’m super excited for the writers who signed up.

As I do for NaNoWriMo in November, I like to cheer my writer friends on. So, I’ve decided to post a picture for inspiration.

Enjoy. 😉

 

Photo credit (Pinterest)

 

Fae Books 4K Giveaway!

Sarah Fae is a writer, blogger, reviewer, tat lover, animal lover, all around FAB gal. She’s hosting a 4000 follower giveaway and it. Is. AWESOME.

Click HERE for deets–there’s tons of items on the list, including an ecopy of ENDURE! Be sure to sign up!

The giveaway ENDS on: Friday 20th September 2013 12:00am UK Time.

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Psst, I got to see a sneak peek at the cover for ZODIAC COLLECTOR, my YA pararom with Spencer Hill Press! I’m SO stoked to show you guys–hopefully soon!

Mental Health Monday–I’m A Winner

I don’t care how many writing failures you think you’ve had, I challenge you to read this post and turn things upside down!

You’re not a failure.

You’re a WINNER.

Lemme ‘splain.

At a meeting last week, the speaker focused on switching negative self-talk to positive self-talk. The concept is from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and challenges the participant to listen to that running commentary–that dialogue we all have running through our heads–identify the negative thoughts, and swap them out with positive ones. The result is improved mood and confidence.

• An example of negative self-talk: I suck at writing. I’ve written seven novels, sent hundreds of query letters, and been rejected EVERY SINGLE TIME. Yep. I suck.
• An example of positive self-talk:  My crit partner had more smiley faces than frowny faces on my latest draft. She was totally blown away by the plot twist I added. An agent (or small press) asked for a full MS. It’s been a struggle, but I’ve grown so much as a writer. I’m getting pretty darn good at it.
• Another example of negative self-talk: I’ll never get the attention of that press or that agent.
• Another example of positive self-talk: Writing is subjective. This press LOVED my MS and wants to pub it. I’ll be a published author!

Each of us has our own quibbly demons telling us how awful we are. I challenge you to grab those demons by their throats and tell ’em where to go.

How?

• Remember the successes, no matter how small you think they are.
• Remind yourself what got you writing in the first place. Hold onto it and let it propel you forward.
• Consider how far you’ve come. Is anybody an expert the first time they do something? NO. It takes practice.
• Accept that every time you fall down and get up to try again, that’s a WIN.
• Ask yourself, if it was easy to do, would it be worth doing?
• Think about how awesome you are by writing a short story, novella, or novel. YOU ARE ACCOMPLISHED. YOU ARE AMAZING.

In the comments, I want you to share a negative self-talk statement and how you can switch it to a positive self-talk statement. 

 

2012 Wrap Up! News and Looking Ahead

Whee, 2012 is almost over! Dear friends, what have you in store for 2013?

• I plan to write the sequel to Shifting Pride, tentatively titled, FRACTURED PRIDE. I’m about 10,000 words into it, so, YAY! LOL!
• I am editing TSAVO PRIDE, a short story spin off to Shifting Pride. It’s going to be a self-pubbed FREEBIE, so STAY TUNED! 😉
• I’ll be editing ZODIAC COLLECTOR in the coming months so it’s ready for publication next winter.
• I’ll be editing various other projects to shop ’em ’round.

I’d like to give a BIG THANKS to all the blog tour participants for both New Pride and Shifting Pride. I’m honored and thrilled that you’ve dedicated your time and efforts to help me spread the word about my debut series!

Because of you guys, Shifting Pride almost broke 10,000 on the Amazon sales ranking (at 13,620). Woot!!!

I’m also totes stoked about Shifting Pride hitting #6 and New Pride hitting #24 on the Goodreads Best Unknown YA Books listopia! Thanks for your votes–and keep ’em coming! 😉

Before I go, I have a question/request.

Would any pubbed author–self, small press, traditional, etc–be interested in a review swap? I’m game to swap novellas or novels with you in an exchange for a review on Amazon, Goodreads, B&N, and/or blog!

EDIT: PS–Sizzling Hot Books reviewed New Pride, the prequel novelette. Check it out! 😀

Thanksgiving Mega Giveaway!!!

Hey gang! Author Krista Walsh is hosting me on her blog, The Raven’s Quill, today. I talk about how NEW PRIDE and SHIFTING PRIDE came to be and I offer a deep thought. 😉

Krista and I have short stories in the Day of Demons anthology by Anachron Press–her story is my FAV!

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Author of SOUL SISTERS, Janiera Eldridge, coordinated a Thanksgiving Mega Giveaway blowout that’ll knock your ereader right out of your hands–that’s how FAB it is!

Check out SOUL SISTERS here. I’ve read it and I like the TOTALLY UNIQUE TAKE ON VAMPS. Seriously people, I wish I’d come up with this one myself, LOL!

Here’s Janiera’s blog, Beauty and Books–lots of great info here, folks!

Ok, take it away, Janiera!!!

Welcome to the Thanksgiving Mega Giveaway!! This giveaway was put together solely to say thank goodness for books and to celebrate them!

It was also put together to give back to readers and try to give as many people as possible some reading material for the holidays! There tons of ways to enter so everyone has a good chance of winning something. 🙂

A huge thank you to the authors who donated their awesome books  & swag and to the bloggers who also hosted and donated material!

Here are some simple rules to remember when entering.

• paperback and swag will be mailed to the U.S. only
• ecopies are international
•  You get to pick your prize if you’re one of the winners of the contest!! You will only have 24 hours to pick your prize and return your choice in an email or another winner will be chosen.

Good luck to everyone and enjoy the holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just click on the Rafflecopter links above and enter for whichever prize you’d like–NEW PRIDE is in there, SQUEE! Seriously, though, there are LOTS of FAB prizes–you don’t want to miss out on this, so get clicking!

Flake-out Friday–The Fan Girl Scream Edition

Last Friday, I went to NYC to meet with my publicist. I also got to meet a group of wonderful authors from Entangled Publishing. AND I GOT TO HANG OUT WITH JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT! (Yes, I fan girl screamed, but I warned her and it really wasn’t that loud because we were at the Harvard Club and I had to maintain some semblance of decorum, right?)

In the midst of “media training,” I got to chat with the other authors and learn all about the work they are doing.

You know what?

I kind of felt like a tribute from The Hunger Games heading to Capitol City. Seriously. I had to wear make up, dress nice, and do an interview IN FRONT OF A VIDEO CAMERA! (AND the food was FAB!) LOL!

Really though, I was totally put at ease by the group.

Not only are writers friendly and supportive online, but they are also friendly and supportive in REAL LIFE!

Gotta say, it was a totally uplifting experience.

Tell me, gang, any of you have an awesome experience with other authors? PLEASE SHARE. 🙂

Oh, and here’s a picture of me in The Algonquin. I understand it’s been a place for authors to hang out for decades. What a way to start off my debut adventure!