Michelle Johnson's Blog, page 2

The Art of Waiting

There's no doubt a certain thrill that fills every author with a mixture of pride and accomplishment once their manuscript is finally complete. All the sleepless nights, inner monologues, second guesses and crazy thoughts are put to rest, resulting in an invigorating breath of fresh air. Of course this bliss never lasts long. All authors know that a finished manuscript is when the hardest work begins.For those that aren't already published or represented, several things must now be put in motion. Reviewing, tweaking, finding a professional proofreader and formatter, narrowing down the final design, and lastly, seeking representation. In this day and age, many (myself included) have chosen to self-publish. Control is fully in the hands of the author and some revel in the stress of it. After going through the motions twice with Truthand Justice, I must say that it's a path I'm now reconsidering. There's one thing every self-published author needs in abundance, and that's time. Time to write, hire help, promote/market, and time to book launches/singings. It's exhausting. Especially when writing is not your full-time job. Going from concept to creation with my last two books has been a journey that taught me discipline, and shown that I can truly achieve my goals if I push hard enough. That being said, it has also shown me that I just don't have the resources I truly need to bring Oleah Chroniclesto its full potential. It deserves more. More time, more eyes, and more promotion. Which is why I've chosen to now seek representation. A task that has proven to be very challenging and at times, very discouraging.Just like writing a manuscript, seeking representation is just as time consuming. An author has to do their research on the hundreds upon hundreds of literary agencies to find the right agent that they feel could take their manuscript to the next level. The submission process alone can be daunting. From following guidelines, to tracking each query, waiting what seems like forever, and receiving rejection, after rejection, after rejection, can really do a number on one's confidence.However, I believe the universe gives you exactly what you need at the right time. Your role as an author in aiding the universe to manifest your dreams is to set your manuscript up for success.The Query LetterI found it very helpful for me to research query letters within my genre that have successfully landed an agent. Many authors post theirs online to help other aspiring authors achieve their goals. A simple google search can bring about many for the choosing.The Pitch and Synopsis.You know your story better than anyone, and this is your time to shine. Many guidelines ask for various things, so it's important to have different versions of both your pitch and synopsis to cater to these demands.EditingSomething that should go unsaid, but I can't stress enough how important it is to have your manuscript, query, pitch and synopsis reviewed and professionally edited. When it boils down to a spelling mistake being the deal breaker on whether or not an agent selects you over another, you don't want to cheap out.The Selection ProcessYou have a long list to choose from, and want to be sure you choose right every time. It's also very important to keep track of the agents you pitch to. The last thing you want is to send your pitch to the same agent multiple times. Create an excel spreadsheet and list every agent, submission date and what the requirements were to stay on top of things. A great website I've come across that makes it easy is Query Tracker querytracker.net it's simple and easy to navigate. Definitely a handy tool for anyone seeking representation.SubmittingBe sure to customize your submissions as much as possible. Even if you're simply copy and pasting, it shouldn't come across that way. Add in the personal touches like the agents name, and other little tidbits that relate to them personally. It's the small things that count.The Waiting GameTypically, many agents usually respond within 3-4 weeks. Be sure to read through the guidelines for those that say things like if you haven't heard back within this time, consider it a pass. Or those that say a no from one agent is a no from the entire agency. You don't want to waste your time resending to different agents within the same company. Track your submission dates and be patient to hear back. If you have all the above in place, you're set up for success. Just remember, it's not easy and whatever you do, do not lose hope. See it, claim it and believe it will happen for you at the right time, just as I do the exact same.

The Anxious Mind

When writing a story, the authors mind is set at constant high pace of thoughts, continuously flowing with new ideas, plots and twists. It is the machine that keeps creativity blooming, filling the author with purpose to unleash that energy on to the blank pages that stare back at them. The feeling alone brings with it a certain sense of euphoria and pride, knowing that the story keeps building, warping and growing into a life of its own.Authors thrive in these moments when their minds work in perfect unison with the goals set before them. Exuding an abundance of gratitude for the gifts their minds bestow to make storytelling a breeze. If only everything could be that simple all the time.It’s been two years and I’ve produced no work.An unfortunate onslaught of circumstances changed my life, resulting in my mind solely producing thoughts of an extreme anxious nature. Anyone that suffers from anxiety knows just how difficult it can be to grab hold of these thoughts that swirl inside the mind with a fury as deadly as a level five hurricane. Sure, you can try various techniques to soothe and overcome, however I’ve found in my experience that with these solutions the calm is short lived.Countless times I’ve found myself opening the pages to my story that waits patiently for me to feed it, yet all I can do is stare. Rereading previous pages over and over again in hopes to reconnect and reignite the engine that keeps the machine moving. On various occasions I managed to crank out a paragraph or two, or on really good days, a couple of pages. However, the story is still far from complete.Finding myself within this cycle began to make me wonder, how can one calm the anxious mind whilst still asking it to thrive creatively? Asking an anxious mind to rest while pushing other parts of it to sprint seems like an unlikely request. One that definitely will not produce the quality of work you crave. Or, can it? When you break apart the anxious mind, you’ll come to find that yes, logically you can.The mind is one of the most powerful forms of energy on this planet. Learning how to use it to your advantage is the trick at hand. Authors and writers already have an advantage, as their minds naturally pump life into the machine. Fact is that I’ve always had anxiety. It was not something that just appeared, it’s always been there, meaning I do have the ability to calm the anxious mind and convert that energy into story making magic.It has taken a fair bit of time however I’ve finally reached an epiphany. I am the owner of my thoughts. I create them, therefore I can direct them. The law of attraction states that like attracts like. If I am exuding anxious thoughts, I will only attract more of them. Sure, many anxiety sufferers will say they can’t help it, nor do they want or ask to be this way. Statements that are all true, and hold valuable merit. This is why I ask you to break things down on a logical scale.An anxious mind is not rational, nor does it speak truth. It takes a thought, adds fear and tricks your brain into thinking the resolution is no where in sight. Basically acting as an eclipse. Though the eclipse may darken, the sun still shines just as brightly as it did before behind it. The same logic applies.Breaking down my anxious mind allows things to make sense again, clearing up mental blockages. If we can take care of our families, our bodies and our pets, we ought to start taking care of our minds. Saturate it with positive affirmations and believe it will manifest into the things you desire the most.So I challenge any other author with an anxious mind to see the logic in your eclipse. You can’t get back lost time, but you can certainly look ahead and push your machine forward, full steam.It’s been two years, and I WILL produce a finished book.

Calling all Reviewers!

The hiatus has been long. We know. The journey has been rocky to say the least, but we’re still here. The third chapter of Oleah Chronicles is still underway. It’s just taken longer than expected due to various circumstances. We’re currently looking for reviewers for Truth and Justice to get you all ready for the last instalment, Power. If you are interested in providing an honest review or know someone that would be, please contact us at oleahchronicles@gmail.com

We have a name!

Thanks to all of you, book three - the last chapter to the Oleah Chronicles series has a name, and what a name indeed!When name thoughts began whirling around my head in the most unruly nature, I had convinced myself that I there was no way I would ever buckle down and choose one. Making the decision to open the floor to all of you to help me was definitely a good one as the choice seemed to come rather easy. The name Power dominated the others not even by a little bit, but a whole lot! This actually has given me the kick I needed to get back on the bandwagon, proving to me that all of you want to see what happens to Angel and how everything ends. Please accept my sincere apologies for allowing self-doubt and circumstance take me from my craft for so long. Life is quite the interesting beast isn't it? It takes you through these obstacles without even so much as a warning and it's up to you to figure your way out and through.The goal is to release Power by December. So far, I'm extremely proud of what I have put into it and hopefully it will give all of you the wild ride you're looking for. Those that never got the chance to view the first snippet, take a look below! Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me through all of this, your support means - and is -everything!

What's In A Name?

This year is a big one for me. I'm determined to finish and release the final instalment of The Oleah Chronicles Series. Naturally, anytime you try to achieve something spectacular, obstacles seem to magically find you out of nowhere just to make life that much harder - so you can fully appreciate your success once it arrives, of course.A primary trial that has kept my mind working on overtime has been coming up with a name. It should be so simple, but this time around it's crazy, stupid hard.Sure, some of you might be thinking..."What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."Ok, yes. Agreed. It's about the story. BUT..., the name sets the tone. The name draws readers in. The name BRANDS the story, so it's kinda a really big freakin' deal.Truthwas so easy. The whole story revolved around Angel finding her truth and discovering the consequences that came with it.Justicewas also pretty straight forward for me. Angel needed to get justice for Julie, and that price burned a hole deep enough to consume that she had no choice but to accept.This final chapter however has so many elements and layers to it that I can't decide. Without giving too much away, we all know this story has to have a conclusion that's final enough to end the series. That being said, three names keep bouncing around in my head, so I figured..., why torture myself when I have all of you to help me!Yes, I need your help! Which of the three below do you think works best?Click here to see the options!As a thank you for your participation, I'm giving a very small sneak peek of a scene from the upcoming, final book.Enjoy!

Read It Friday!

Welcome back to another edition of Read It Friday!This weeks feature is -The King Series by T.M. FrazierRecommended for: Dark Romance Lovers. This book has abuse and very graphic scenes.Let me begin by telling you that I marathoned the hell out this series! I was obsessed.I feel like all the absolutely amazing reads I've had, have caught me off guard. Which is exactly what happened with this.This series completely took my emotions, played with them, continued to kick them around for a bit, before violently smashing them back down. It was dark, heart wrenching, sickening at times and powerful.King is an asshole. He knows it. We know it. He's aggressive, controlling, violent, the biggest douche...like ever, seriously f$&ked up but my god do I love him! What is it about the bad boys? Gets me every single time.Doe aka Ramie, aka Pup has been to hell and back. The things she had to endure during this story is enough to make anyone tear up.Frazier nailed this! Her writing takes you there, living within each moment as if you were a fly on the wall watching it all go down.I would recommend this to everyone and anyone that would be open to take a ride to the dark side. Nothing about it is pretty. It's uncensored and raw.This is one series that has hands down become one of my favs!

Dear Diary

How's this week been since last week? Pretty darn good if I must say!New additions have been added to the book daily, which has me feeling super proud. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish a really important scene that's definitely going to be emotional by this time next week.My mind has been wandering as of late to a potential title for this finale, and I still can't quite seem to find one that makes sense just yet. The reason is, with my background being in graphic design, thinking of a name for the book makes my brain automatically think of a cover. If I can't see it, I can't create it..., makes sense? It's challenging for me because I've set a certain tone with the two previous covers and the last one has to be able to match the consistency of the brand.I've also been thinking a lot about giveaways. I would like to start up giveaways that perhaps happen every other month, but being self-published, every book I give away is one I have to pay for. So, that in itself is challenging to try and budget so that Oleah Chronicles can travel around the globe.Well, that's all I got this week. Lots on the brain and lots to consider carefully. Until next week!

Permanent Stain Monday

Alright, new week, new attitude! Let's get back on the bandwagon shall we? Today's scene is taken fromTruth.The intro to Truth holds a special place in my heart. When I decided to sit down and actually write, the words just kept coming as if I had premeditated this story in my mind - which I hadn't. At that point, I had no map drawn out of where I wanted to go, and I didn't even know why I was writing it but I kept typing, and the story began to form on its own so organically. Once the entire intro chapter was finished, I remember rereading thinking..., 'hmmm. Not too shab. I wonder how far I can take this.'Sure enough, we all know how far it went. It's still so surreal to me that this is where and how it all started.INTRO.Hard to believe that something that was done simply out of boredom, became the thing that drove me. Every day I would think up new ideas while I was out, anticipating coming back home just to add it to the story. Still boggles my mind, but fate is fate.Until next Monday!

Dear Diary

Ok, I know.I KNOW..., only three Monday's into the new year and I've already missed a permanent stain Monday. Guilty as charged!However, it is with great pleasure that I finally have some good news to announce! My writing slump is over!My goodness was that a brutal stretch!I began writing again last week and the words have been pouring out so fluidly that I almost feel like this was meant to be all along. If I keep at the pace I'm going at, hopefully this book can be at it's half way mark by the end of February.These days I try not to look too far ahead as it has the tendency to really overwhelm and discourage me. So, staying in the moment and making little goal marks that are attainable to me, feels so much better and keeps me on the right path.So, what can I say about the book so far? Well..., its the darkest of all three and quite possibly the steamiest. That's all you're gonna get folks!Stay tuned!

Read It Friday!

Welcome back to another edition of Read It Friday!This weeks feature is -The Fever Series by Karen Marie MoningRecommended for: Paranormal Fantasy LoversI got hooked from reading the preview and ended up buying and finishing it in one day. The writing and the story had me so damn intrigued that I was in a constant state"I need to know what the hell is going to happen."Mac thinks she's just your average southern belle until her life gets flipped upside down with the news that her sister has been murdered while studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland. Her grief and frustrations with the local police easily giving up on her sisters case sends her packing up her bags and heading over to Dublin to investigate and probe the police further. What she ends up discovering makes her cross a line that she can never return from. Life itself will never be the same again for Mac.Not to mention if you are all about the Alpha Male bit. You'll be introduced to Barrons..., ugh, he was one of those, I love him but I hate him, but I LOVE HIM type of characters."He didn’t just occupy space; he saturated it. The room had been full of books before, now it was full of him. About thirty, six foot two or three, he had dark hair, golden skin, and dark eyes."This series was so addicting! Every single book left you with an even bigger cliffhanger than the previous, making you literally want to scream and pull out your hair. But it was worth the ride to the final book to see how everything unfolded.If you are lover of paranormal, this is definitely a series to look into!