V.P. Ortiz's Blog, page 3

Confessions of a New Author: But What’s Her Motivation?

This is the third post in the Confessions of a New Author series. This series chronicles my adventures of becoming a self-published author, from the very moment I woke up and decided to be an author to when I finally published my debut novel and beyond.

The last post in this series focused on creating a plot outline (if you missed that blog, you can find it HERE). Once you have the plot outline down, now it’s time for the next critical element of any novel: developing the characters.

Unfortu...

Confessions of a New Author: I Don’t Know What I’m Doing

This is the second post in the Confessions of a New Author series. This series chronicles my adventures of becoming a self-published author, from the very moment I woke up and decided to be an author to when I finally published my debut novel and beyond.

So you’ve decided you want to be an author. Now what?

Before you take your pen to paper (or your fingertips to the keyboard), you might want to do a little bit of planning. How much planning? That is entirely up to you. Some authors wing it:...

Confessions of a New Author: Taking the Plunge

This is the first postin the Confessions of a New Author series. This series chronicles my adventures of becoming a self-published author, from the very moment I woke up and decided to be an author to when I finally published my debut novel and beyond.

I love books. Like, love-love. Like, books would probably make a better husband than my husband (just kidding… most days). But really, I love books. As a kid, I would pick up any book I possibly could from school or the library and indulge in...

Finding Paradise cover reveal

IT’S HERE! I am in absolute love with the cover for Finding Paradise, just like I am in absolute love with the novel itself!

Keep an eye out for Kindle e-book and Amazon print preorder links coming soon!

Becoming an author: Fear, self-doubt, & finger-crossing

I want to say that I have the thickest skinof anyone I know, especially about my writing. I want to say that if my novel is an utter and complete failure, I will still consider it a success because someone somewhere finished it. I want to say that as long as I’m published, I’m happy.

But that would be an infinite lie.

As my self-imposed publishing deadline looms closer and closer every day, I find the fear in the back of my mind growing. What was once a small timid skipped beat of my heart w...

Book Research: Going Far Beyond Google

In my debut novel, “Finding Paradise”, Mila Quinn learns how to stand-up paddle in the ocean. The problem is, I’ve never done SUP a day in my life & I live in a landlocked state. How can I write a scene that I have no experience with?

This weekend, I was determined to experience SUP firsthand for the sake of my novel. I’m not the best swimmer & the wind made the lake very choppy, but I did it! Now I’m confident I can rewrite Mila’s SUP scene better than ever!

Debut novel status update

Good morning, my lovely readers! I’ve been M.I.A. lately & I wanted to give you a quick status update on the publishing of “Finding Paradise”.

I was initially aiming for a late Summer 2016 release, but both life & a new novel idea I’m working on has gotten in the way. So I’m now tentatively aiming for a Fall 2016 release. I apologize to everyone who has been waiting for my debut novel, but I want it to be *PERFECT* for you & good things come to those who wait! Thank you for understanding & I...

Finding Paradise book trailer!

I’m so excited to bring you the new Finding Paradise book trailer!Just a teaser for now. I can’t wait for you to read the story of Mila and Gage. Stay tuned!

Writing Prompt: “Wakiki Beach”

The moment my shoes sunk into the soft, golden earth, I wanted it.

The moment I took off my socks and let my toes be engulfed by the tiny pellets of seashells and sand, I felt it.

The moment I breathed in the salt air and it filled my lungs with the hopes and promises I had longed for, I believed it.

The moment I ran through the tourists, bobbing and weavingcloser to the shore, Ineeded it.

The moment the waves crashed upon my legs, covering me in the warm Hawaiian ocean, I remembered it.

The...

Everyone Has a Story to Tell….

My story starts off as a kid in north Denver living inquite a fewnot-so-great neighborhoods. My family dynamic, to say the very least,was not ideal and I was exposed to many conditions that a child should not be, ever. Because of this, I discovered a speciallove of books. They became my escape from the reality that I was forced to live in. The library – both at school and the public library – became my sanctuary. As a kid, I loved Dr. Seuss, The Boxcar Children, and The Babysitter’s Club. As...