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.
Today, I have some newsworthy items to share with everyone.
Anyone have news to share?
Happy Black Friday everyone! Please be sure to stop by the Scribes and check out – You’ve Got a Friend in Me.
I mentioned a few weeks back that I’m participating in NaNo. I hit the 50,000 word goal on Day 20. I plan on finishing the novel by 11/30. That will make two completed novels in 2011 – The Undead Space Initiative and Redemption (book 2 of my Aethera series).
Sadly, I did not get to finish plotting The Devil’s Advocate or Mystic Storm (sequel to Mystic Ink). But, hey, there are so many hours in a day. And I’ve learned a lot about my writer self this year.
I won’t be kicking back anytime soon. I have a busy 2012 coming up, including promo at other blogs, working on edits for Redemption, writing other books, and I’ll be CT RWA’s new Media Director. Busy, busy.
How’s your 2011 going? What are you looking forward to in 2012?
Happy Friday everyone! Please remember to join me at the Scribes today. Today’s topic – Let’s Hear it for the Doubt Monster. Yup, you read that right. I might just have something nice to say about the pest this time.
It’s taken all week, but I’ve finally gotten back into the groove.
Now that I’m convinced the power is staying on, I’ve been able to work on my NaNo novel (I hate it, the book is crap, but I’ll get over it). I’ve also been critiquing several of my fellow writers books (keep those pages coming, ladies). And I’m finally making edits to The Undead Space Initative.
One fringe benefit to no power last week, I actually read an entire book – Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth (highly recommend it – who could not love the President’s Vampire?). After I devoured that book, I read Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins (another home run – a great read – fantastic job Kristan!).
Overall, it’s been a fairly productive week. My only regret – I haven’t worked on plotting the sequel to Mystic Ink. So much to do, so little time…
So tell me, how was your week? Share please! I’d love to hear how you’re all doing.
Please join me today over at the Scribes as we welcome NY Times/USA Today bestselling author Kristan Higgins . She graciously answered our interview questions and brought an excerpt from her fabulous new book UNTIL THERE WAS YOU.
Much to my delight, she also provides a suprisingly different insight on my nemesis, The Doubt Monster.
Happy Friday everyone! Please be sure to visit me over at the Scribes. Fantasy romance author, Kinley Baker is sharing her 7 Secrets to Surviving Publishing.
And, I’m also blogging today with my fellow Soul Mate Authors – for those who’ve missed it before – I’m The Author Goddess.
Lately, I’ve been suffering from extreme laziness. I blame some of it on grieving for my doggie (understandable) and some of it on the beautiful weather we had this past weekend in New England.
I’m a firm believer of carpe diem (seize the day). So on a gorgeous, sunny 80 degree October day, my youngest son and I visited one of our favorite places – Old Strubridge Village.
Since we’re members, we can enjoy our time. There is no rushing, no need to beat the crowds. Even though we’ve seen it all a million times, it doesn’t lessen our enjoyment.
We walked our favorite trails and visited all the historic homes. We even watched the naughty pair of young oxen being trained. Last time we visited in June, the oxen “babies” broke out of their pasture pen and took a tour of the surrounding fields.
Overall, it was a memorable day. I was sad to see it end.
I enjoy spending time with my fifteen year old. I know, sooner or later, we won’t spend the same quality of time together, so I plan on savoring each moment we have for as long as I can.
Tell me, how do you like to spend your down time? What is your favorite place to visit?
Happy Friday everyone! Please be sure to check out my Friday Scribe post – Go Graphic (Novel, that is). And thank you to everyone who left me condolences for my beloved Oreo.
Now to the big news.
I don’t have a release date yet. When I do I will be sure to share it with everyone.
Soul Mate is a new e-publisher and I would love your support in making them a success. Please be sure to “like” them on Facebook! and check the page often for news.
As can be expected, my focus is going to shift away from plotting and onto revisions for Mystic Ink. I’m very excited about this new venture. A big thanks to my critique partners and beta readers who helped me refine the book.
Stay tuned! And see you next week.
Hi everyone,
Please stop by the Scribes today. We have a very special guest – three time RITA Award winner and New York Times bestselling novelist, Lynn Kurland!!!
Click here to read her interview – http://wp.me/p1wdXo-q4
Be sure to visit the Scribes on Saturday, when we post the second part of the interview.
Happy Friday everyone. Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes today and say “hi” to our special guest – Frankie Robertson. She’s discussing her move to indie publishing and her new, traditionally published book – Veiled Mirror.
After a few weeks of waiting, I’ve received critique for The Undead Space Initiative. The overall reception has been positive. The book isn’t perfect (nothing ever is) and I have a bunch of questions, comments and “things that may need more explaining” to sift through.
To my beta readers and critique partners – thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to read and comment on my book. The book will only be better because of you.
How should a writer deal with feedback? Gracefully is always a good place to start. Try not to stress about it or take it personally.
But, practically, you also can’t please everyone. Nor can you re-make the book is someone else’s image. Balance is necessary. Take what works for you and discard the rest. But don’t toss it completely away (more on this at the end of the post).
One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn is what should be changed or not changed based on critique. Monday’s Scribe – Jamie Pope- has done a great blog post on critique and I urge you to read it!
The two questions I always ask myself – Do I agree? Will the change make the book better?
Notice, I didn’t ask, “Do I like it?” It doesn’t matter if I like the feedback or not. It doesn’t matter whether I want to hear that I might need to change something. If I agree, I suck it up, start evaluating, and make the changes.
Also, notice I said, “If I agree.”
And I always try to apply the unused, technique-related feedback to my next novel. That way I can grow and improve as a writer.
Besides, I’m still the Author Goddess. And what I say goes.
Casey Wyatt 