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!
Soul Mate Publishing
Guest Blogger:Donna Shields- Do You Remember the First Book You Ever Wrote?
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?
Welcome to Mystic….
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.
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.
Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream. Nix and Cal get help here from an unlikely source.
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.
The building that inspired Nix’s tattoo shop, Mystic Ink.
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?
The Big Moment
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!
Blog Awards and 7 Fun Facts!
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!
Ever Been Rejected and Accepted in the Same Day?
Happy Friday everyone! Please be sure to visit the Scribes today. I have posted my recipe – Wyatt’s Whoopie Pies.
And if you still haven’t entered the Soul Mate Author’s December contest, what are you waiting for? The prize is a brand new Kindle! You can enter once per day!
As most of you know, I have two other completed novels, besides Mystic Ink: Ascension and The Undead Space Initiative. I have been actively seeking publication for both books. And both were out to editors. Key word in that last sentence – were.
Now, I never thought in a million years that I would receive a rejection and an acceptance all in the same day.
The rejection – Ascension – which boiled down to scheduling, was disappointing. But, I was expecting it. (I always expect a no, but that’s how I protect myself from being crushed by rejection!). The editor was kind and encouraging. I will try submitting that book elsewhere in the coming months.
Later, that same day, I received an offer for the book I wrote in a month as part of the Scribes double dog dare back in July.
Yeah – The Undead Space Initiative which I never, ever, thought would sell, that book received an offer!
I was so shocked, I asked my husband to read the e-mail to me. He looked at me like I was nuts, but obliged. After all, I had just been rejected, how is it possible that on the same day, I got an offer to buy USI?
I’m not complaining, but merely pointing out the strange way the world works. I’m thrilled! Ecstatic to have made another sale!
You may have noticed, I haven’t named names. I won’t yet. Not until everything is finalized.
I only mention the offer now, because two weeks ago, I promised on the Scribes page to mention good news faster.
And a promise is a promise!!
Once it’s a done deal, I will share the details.
And now, I really have to start my next book! Evil plotting – here I come!
Ever have good news, but been afraid to divulge it right away? If you have any good news or any news, feel free to share it!
Have You Read A Good Book Lately?
Happy Friday! Please be sure to visit the Scribes today. My special guest is Anita Clenney, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of Awaken the Higland Warrior and Embrace the Highland Warrior. Two lucky commenters will win a copy of her latest book.
I’m also over at the Soul Mate Blog today – What I learned from an Eagle Scout.
And don’t forget to enter to win a Kindle at the Soul Mate Author’s Blog. You can enter once a day! Don’t miss out on a chance to win!
Speaking of books, I recently joined Goodreads. My first thought after a few minutes was – where has this site been all my life?
I was like a kid in the candy shop. As an avid reader, I had a boatload of fun adding in books, reading recommendations, and visiting the different communities.
Hours later, I had added over 300 books to my “already read” list. Mind you, I only gave them a star rating and only included books read over the last few years (that I could remember). There are a ton more I’ve read over the course of my life, but I resisted the urge to add everything. After all, I’m supposed to be writing my next novel.
Once Mystic Ink is officially released in January, I’ll create my own author page. Squee! I’m very excited to be part of the Goodreads community. One, because I’m a reader, and two, as a newly published author, I can interact with other readers and writers.
In the spirit of Goodreads, I offer a book recommendation of my own. Actually two books: Blood Oath and The President’s Vampire by Christopher Farnsworth. Imagine if a vampire worked for the President? And he kicked butt and didn’t care about taking names? These books are action-packed adventures more in the spirit of Jason Bourne than Twilight. Highly entertaining and a lot of fun!
Cable TV executives pay attention. These books would make a great series! Hint, hint!
I hope to see you on Goodreads soon!
How many of you are members? And if you are, let’s be friends!
Extra! Extra!
Happy Friday! Please be sure to remember to visit me at the Scribes today for my blog – One Month from Now.
Today, I have some newsworthy items to share with everyone.
- Sunday, December 4, I will be blogging at Mare’s Place. Be sure to leave a comment to enter for a chance to win some Mystic Ink/Casey Wyatt stuff.
- Great Prizes!
- Writers – it’s not too late to enter CTRWA’s The Write Stuff Contest. The deadline is December 5th. In addition to receiving feedback from experienced contest judges, this contest awards cash prizes to the winners!
- Speaking of excellent prizes – stop by and leave a comment at the Soul Mate Author’s Blog for a chance to win the December contest prize – a Kindle.
- And fans of the Scribes – we need your help. If you enjoy our blog, please nominate us for The 6th Annual Top 10 Blogs for Writers Contest – here. Please leave a comment and our link (otherwise your vote doesn’t count!). Thank you for your support.
Anyone have news to share?
Hits and Misses
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’m not Nora Roberts or Dean Wesley Smith, capable of pumping out high volume, superior quality manuscripts nearly out of the gate. Plotting and characterization takes time (for me anyway). I have to be totally on-board with the characters and plot, otherwise, I can’t finish the book.
- I can write a novel in a month. I did it twice. See above – I have to know what is going to happen in my books. I don’t need to know the how or even the why. Those details can come out when I write. I don’t have my million words in yet. But I’m working on it.
- If there is a zombie apocalypse, I won’t survive long-term. I like modern conveniences way too much.
- I love Twitter. A lot. See my post here – Twitterpated.
- Oh, and the big one, I can sell a book!
A new day is dawning
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?
Casey Wyatt 