Rejection. We’ve all been there. But how you deal with it is important – Wallowing and Other Coping Mechanisms. I’d love to hear your take on the subject.
And I’ve received the second round of edits for Mystic Storm. Like the cover?? Another fabulous design by Rae Monet.
After all the blood, sweat, and copious tears, I’m happy to announce that Mystic Storm will be coming soon to Soul Mate Publishing. I don’t have an exact release date yet but the book should come out in 2013. For a sneak peek, click here.
And while you’re visiting my bookshelf, I’ve also added a first look at Misfortune Cookie as well.
Also, today at the 7 Scribes, my thoughts on goals and dreams. Stop by and share your thoughts.
In the meantime, the lovely lighthouse in Stonington Point CT.
I never thought I’d sound like one of my grandparents by saying things like, “when I was a child, blah, blah, blah.” Yup, well, today I am at the 7 Scribes – Eyes Wide Open. Drop by and offer your “when I was young” story.
Also, it’s not too late to enter my Goodreads Giveaway! One lucky entrant (US residents only) will win a paperback edition of Mystic Ink. Don’t wait! The giveaway ends midnight EST, January 31st.
To celebrate the release of Mystic Ink in paperback, I’m giving one copy away through Goodreads. The giveaway begins January 18 and ends on January 31st.
If you’re interested – enter here. Open to US residents only. Terms and conditions of the giveaway are listed over at Goodreads. Winner chosen by Goodreads.
Also, today at the 7 Scribes, my guest is Meggan Connors – Saucy Pirate Wench. She’s sharing an excerpt from her new release – Jessie’s War.
Happy Friday everyone! Please remember to stop by the Scribes and read my post – Pitch Perfect.
This year, along with my other Soul Mate sisters, I’m participating in Brenda Novak’s Auction for Diabetes Research. So far, the auction has raised $1.3 million, with a goal of $2 million.
The auction runs from May 1, 2012 – May 31, 2012.
There is an impressive variety of items up for bid from autographed books, e-readers, jewelry, networking opportunities, and the grand prize is an iMac.
As a group, Soul Mate authors are auctioning off a Kindle, fully loaded with Soul Mate Books. Click here, to place a bid.
I’m giving away an e-book copy of Mystic Ink and a 15 page evaluation of a WIP in progress. If you’re interested, please click here, and it will take you directly to my bidding page.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that next weekend is Connecticut Fiction Fest – CTRWA’s annual writing conference. 
If you live in the area, this is a great event! We have agents and editors galore, a variety of valuable workshops, book signings and a raffle.
Check it out - Fiction Fest 2012.
Speaking of the conference, I’m pitching again this year, so it’s back to work for me!
Have a great weekend!
I’m part of a giveaway at Book & Trailer Showcase. I’m giving away an e-book copy of Mystic Ink to one lucky person. Head over to their site by clicking here and follow the directions on the site. Good luck!
Happy Friday everyone. Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes today. We have a special guest – Australian Visual Artist, Glenise Clelland. Be sure to leave a comment. One lucky person will win a copy of her book - LOVE FALLS IN LOVE WITH LOVE.
I also have a special guest blogger today. My fellow Soul Mate sister - Donna Shields. Donna will also be visiting the Scribes on 2/17 to answer our interview questions.
Take it away Donna!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you remember the first book you had written? I don’t mean the first published. I’m talking about that first completed story. The one you shoved under your mattress or stuffed onto a shelf in your closet never wanting it to see daylight again. So afraid to show your masterpiece to the waiting world.
After a while, you get brave. Maybe join a critique group or sign up for a writing workshop. And little by little, eventually you make connections and show off your baby. And that’s just the beginning of the nail-biting experience.
Secrets of Jenkins Bridge is my baby, my first love of writing. And just like your first child, you have a very hard time letting your story go. And that’s me. Even though I already have one published novella, it’s just not the same as this one. I have taken my time with Secrets of Jenkins Bridge.
My experience from the beginning was a bit backwards. I began writing it in the fall of 2007. Within six months, I had finished, edited it, and sent off a query letter to Harlequin. Mind you, this story was vastly different back then. It had only taken them two weeks to reply back requesting the full manuscript. I was over the moon! I sent it in and waited. And waited. About a month later, I received a reply. A semi detailed rejection. And being the first, it hurt. A lot. I did the worst thing a writer could ever do. I tucked it away and didn’t write at all for almost two years. Please don’t do this. I’m still kicking myself in the bum for wasting all that time.
But, I eventually began to write again. I joined a critique group whom I wouldn’t give up for anything now. I revamped the story and passed it along to my critique partners. They really helped in so many ways. I also joined Savvy Authors and took some workshops. And finally finished Secrets of Jenkins Bridge November 2011. My editor loves it. She can’t wait to see it published.
My advice to new and unpublished authors? Don’t ever give up on your dreams of writing. Keep going. Join a critique group. Take a workshop. Polish that baby and learn that eventually you will have to let it go and rejection is part of the process. Before you find the perfect home for your special story, you will go through a few rejections. But, you can’t become published if you don’t write.
You can find me:
At my blog: http://donna-realworldwriting.blogspot.com
On facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/shieldsdonna
On Twitter: @Donna_Shields
On SMP’s Author Blog: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/
You can buy Secrets of Jenkins Bridge at: http://soulmatepublishing.com
Coming soon to Amazon and Barnes and Noble also.
Thanks Donna!
How about you? Have you ever been tempted to give up your dream? Or even take a break for a while?
Happy Friday! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes - Tattoo You.
Well, it’s finally happened.
I’m officially a published author!
MYSTIC INK is on sale now from Soul Mate Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Paper copies should be coming in late 2012. I appreciate all the help, encouragement, and support from everyone. Please drop me a line and let me know if you enjoyed the book!
Today, I thought I’d take you on a tour of the book’s setting, real world Mystic, CT. Mystic is not an official town, but rather a historic district sandwiched between Groton and Stonington. Even though Mystic doesn’t exist as a political entity, it’s a real, vibrant community.
Lovely historic Main Street
Mystic’s two main tourist attractions are Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium (where an important scene takes place in the book).
Throughout the novel, many of the places in the book are real: Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream Shop, Elm Grove Cemetery, S & P Oyster House, and the famous Mystic drawbridge.
The Mystic River Bridge
Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream. Nix and Cal get help here from an unlikely source.
The Ice Cream – Fabulous!
Some places are based on a real buildings that I modified for my own purposes. Fawn’s Pawn’s, Devlin Ward’s pawn shop, is modeled after an old factory site that is really a restaurant complex. Toro’s Pizza is my take on the famous Mystic Pizza.
Be on the look-out for Satyrs
The building that inspired Nix’s tattoo shop, Mystic Ink.
Tattoo anyone?
In reality, if you visit Mystic, you’ll find out that there is no tattoo shop in this building.
Anyone recognize this owl? He’s not in MYSTIC INK but he was in a storefront window in a shop called Whyevernot.
I hope you enjoyed the tour and the pictures. And, if you are ever in the area, be sure to visit Mystic, CT!
What books have you enjoyed based on the location? And do enjoy books where the location is as much a part of the story as the characters?
Hi everyone! Today is a big day for me.
MYSTIC INK is officially on sale from Soul Mate Publishing. The book will be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble within the next few days.
Also, I will be guest blogging today at Mare’s Place.
On 1/26, I will be Jennifer Fusco’s guest at her Market or Die blog.
And 1/28, I will be at Nights Of Passion. Be sure to stop by for a chance to win an e-copy of MYSTIC INK.
I’d love to hear from some friends! I hope to see you there!
Happy Friday everyone! Please remember to visit me over at the Scribes today where Susan Muller discusses her new book – Secrets on Forest Bend!
This past week I was graced with two blog awards: “The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award” and the “Inspiring Blogger Award”.
Thank you so much: Marilyn Wigglesworth (Sweet) and Carrie Daws (Inspiring).
Both awards only ask that I share seven interesting or random facts about me and that I pass this award to other deserving bloggers.
So here are my seven things, in no particular order:
1. I gave birth to my youngest son on the bathroom floor. And before you ask, I went into labor and gave birth in the space of about twenty minutes. The kid couldn’t wait!
2. I went to college in Washington DC. While there, I earned bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Psychology. I figured, I should earn two BAs for the price of one.
3. While in DC, I was also an intern for two Smithsonian Museums (on separate occasions): The National Museum of American History and at The National Zoo. And yes, both places are as cool at they sound!
4. I’m a life long sci-fi/fantasy geek. I love Star Trek and Star Wars. Since I’ve attended two Trek conventions, if pressed to choose, I’d say I love Star Trek more.
5. I met my husband while working at a movie theater. I worked concessions and he was head projectionist. Yup, that was a cool job too.
6. I’m a proud member of Phi Mu Fraternity, Gamma Delta chapter. I even served as chapter president my senior year in college.
7. I taught myself to knit and crochet, during the dark time, while I avoided being a writer. I love to make socks, gloves, scarves and amigarumi. In between books, I fall back to my yarn stash for a bit.
In the spirit of the awards, I must bestow one of these prestigious honors on other worthy bloggers (10 for the Irresistibly Sweet Awards and 14 for the Inspiring Blogger Award).
To the recipients, please take a moment, thank the person who gave you the award, list seven fun/interesting things and pass this on to other deserving blogs.
My choices are as follows (please check them out!):
Irresistibly Sweet Award:
2. Joy Shaw
4. Gail Ingis
5. Tam Linsey
7. Carrie Daws
8. Kinley Baker
9. Kerri Nelson
10. Lisa Kessler
Inspiring Blogger Award:
3. Mare’s Place
6. Jimmie Chew
9. Mia Marlowe
10. Glenise Clelland
11. Savannah Foxx
12. Avery Flynn
13. Soul Mate Authors Group (a shout out to all my fabulous Soul Mate sisters!)
14. Writing Secrets of 7 Scribes (seriously – I couldn’t leave out my fantastic fellow Scribes)
What blogs have you read that have inspired you lately? What are your favorite sweet (or cute) blogs? And how about you? Share a fun fact or two!
