Cecelia Earl's Blog, page 5

Cast your vote and help choose the cover design direction for my 2nd edition paperbacks!

Hi!

I’ll be reformatting the interior of my paperbacks using Vellum and adding Kari’s short story, Before the Ashes, at the end of When Ash Rains Down and adding Mila’s story, After the Ashes, at the end of When Smoke Rains Down.

In doing so, I wanted to add the bonus content sticker on the cover and update the blurbs on the back and got a little carried away with other changes as well.

I’d love to know your thoughts on these covers. Which do you like best? What doesn’t work at all?

I’ll take your brutal honesty. I wouldn’t ask otherwise!

Set in a contemporary world, my books are clean young adult angel fantasy.

While you weigh in, I’ll work on book 3, When Fire Rains Down.

Thanks in advance for your opinion (and advice)!

Much love,

Cecelia

OPTION A

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OPTION B [image error] [image error]

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OPTION A OR B?

OR NEITHER?

SHARE YOUR VOTE, ADVICE, COMMENTS, OPINIONS, ETC. IN THE COMMENTS

When your #antagonist builds walls around your writer’s brain… Major #writersblock

I set a hefty deadline for myself. I’m not giving up, but I’m not doing well with it. I hope to release book three on or before June 4, 2018. My The initial date I picked was May 27, not because I have a brilliant marketing plan but because that’s the one-year anniversary that book 2 released.

I haven’t written since November and I’ve been working on (staring at, mostly) my outline for the past month. I’m, obviously, way behind on my word count, but I keep thinking that when this outline is nailed I’ll be writing free and fast.

I’ve decided that it’s my antagonist getting me down (and maybe I have too many. I have the big, bad MAIN antagonist, but also his minion(s), plus some of her allies are her minor antagonists too.)

What’s got me roadblocked day after day is What on earth do her antagonists want? I mean, really, really want? What motivates them? What are they going to do about it? I’d thought I was stuck on what obstacles to throw in for my character to keep her from getting from the first 1/3 of the draft (that’s written) to the ending (that I have planned out already), but the true problem was I don’t know why her antagonists are causing her problems in the first place.

I overthink things. I just finished reading the four-book series The Lunar Chronicles and the antagonist’s motivations were pretty simple: she wanted love and admiration and total control. Why did she hate Cinder? She was the one person who could take that all away from her. What did she want to do about her? Get rid of the threat. Eliminate her. Trap her or kill her.

Okay, my major antagonist also wants control and loyalty and I suppose praise and adoration in a way too.

My protagonist then needs to threaten him. What does she have/What is she that she’s a threat to him?

I also decided that the antagonists’ major FEAR is important to figure out. In The Lunar Chronicles, she feared the other characters seeing her for who she really was. I need to know my antagonist’s major fear… and then my protagonist needs to make that happen.

So now that I know what I need to do… I’m going to go do that.

Quickly.

Happy reading and writing!

Much love,

Cecelia

 

 

 

 

 

#IWSG and releasing my writer’s imagination

This month’s IWSG is hosted by Stephen Tremp,PatGarcia,AngelaWooldridge,Victoria Marie Lees, and Madeline Mora-Summonte, so be sure to stop by to visit them as well as its founder Alex J. Cavanaugh!

 
Time for February’s IWSG posts! Join us in sharing fears and successes and advice!


I don’t actually participate in the IWSG as Cecelia Earl (my pen name) but since I wrote the post for my personal writing blog, I figured I share it here as well since I hope to discuss my genre more in upcoming posts. Plus, I read the blogs of writers on wordpress a lot more now and only visit my blogger buds on IWSG days, so I wanted to get to know more of you in the IWSG here on wordpress, too!


This year my goal is efficiency with both writing and the business-side of publishing. I tend to get caught up in one or the other, or neither, and everything gets muddled up at times. I’ve created a calendar for each week to be sure everything gets taken care of. Now… to stick to the calendar.

I’ve set a release date for the third book in the series because I work better with a deadline, so I’ll be busy until summer! I’m excited about my plans after that. It’ll be fun to switch gears a little after working so hard on this series.


This month’s question:

What do you love most about the genre you write in most often?

The series I’m currently writing I consider to be Christian speculative fiction and I’m excited to be attending a Realm Makers convention this upcoming July. Prior to writing this series, I always wrote contemporary novels for young adults, so this series was quite a leap for me, but it’s been worth it.

Stretching my imagination was necessary for me to continue to develop as a writer. I’m not a courageous person, and I needed to let go a little bit. I worry about everything a reader might nitpick, and because of this new genre, I’m able to take creative leadership and just write.

I’ve loved creating a world where angels exist (as I believe they truly do) but take readers to where they train and live and consider what they think and do every day while protecting us by battling demons who trick us and mislead us.

I’m still improving and in the most recent novella I released, I started to really find how much I love creating fantastical settings, not so much in the magic of them, but the history and the importance of them to the characters and story. I realize this is the case for settings in all stories, but for me, it took writing speculative fiction to be able to release my imagination and write better stories.

Looking forward to reading about the genre you love most.

Thanks for stopping by!

Okay, I’ve decided on 20/25 titles for my 2018 #Goodreads #TBR List

It took me a bit, and I didn’t put a ton of thought into this list, so I know I’m missing titles I want to read ASAP.

I’ve never decided a year’s book list ahead of time before, but I wanted to up my challenge this year (even though I didn’t even come close to reading 25 titles last year).

But since this year’s main goal as an author is to be efficient and business-like, that should free up lots of time for reading and relaxing… ahem, authorly research.

Anyhoo, the plan is to read and then come back here to cross of the titles as I go, kind of like a physical book pile that I can remove books from as I read them throughout the year after I read them, while also sharing my thoughts on the books with you.

Any idea which books should fill my open five slots? I’m taking recommendations! (Maybe you remember the five books I’d said I was going to add but forgot to… )

 

Cecelia’s bookshelf: tbr2018


The Iron King
by Julie Kagawa



The Young Elites
by Marie Lu



CassaDawn
by Alex J. Cavanaugh



The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
by Michelle Hodkin



Carve the Mark
by Veronica Roth



Caraval
by Stephanie Garber



A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas



Restore Me
by Tahereh Mafi



Halo
by Alexandra Adornetto



Red Queen
by Victoria Aveyard



Lord of Shadows
by Cassandra Clare



Huntress
by Julie Hall



Going Places
by Kathryn Berla



Winter
by Marissa Meyer



Scarlet
by Marissa Meyer



Cress
by Marissa Meyer



The Golden Shears
by D.S. Murphy



Obsidian
by Jennifer L. Armentrout



Storm Siren
by Mary Weber



Threats of Sky and Sea
by Jennifer Ellision

My Most #Read #Authors List (via #Goodreads)

After seeing so many of you post the book challenges you’re a part of this year, I’ve been working on setting my 2018 TBR list on Goodreads as a sort of challenge so I can cross off the titles here on my blog with my thoughts as I go (Thanks to the advice of Kat from Cover to Cover.)

I’ve normally been a “read as I go” and “choose as I feel” kind of readergirl, but I thought I’d add the tiniest bit of a challenge for myself by pre-choosing the titles. To up the challenge, I want to be sure to add several indie-published titles to the list since I know how many amazing indie authors are out there and need readers’ support!

Anyways, this isn’t that list. It’s almost ready, so I’ll share soon, but while I was compiling my list on Goodreads, I discovered this list: My Most Read Authors. I thought that would be fun to share today!

*(I’m sure there are some missing titles on my Goodreads shelves from the years I didn’t shelve them, but this is pretty accurate as far as I can remember!)

author
books read


1

Cassandra Clare
10


2

Rachel Morgan
9


3

Kiera Cass
8


4

Chelsea Fine
6


4

Maggie Stiefvater
6


4

Kiersten White
6


7

Ally Condie
5


7

Cecelia Earl
5


9

Lauren Oliver
4


9

Katie Kaleski
4


9

Becca Fitzpatrick
4


9

Kathryn Berla
4


13

Tahereh Mafi
3


13

Cynthia Hand
3


13

Suzanne Collins
3


13

Rainbow Rowell
3


13

Marie Lu
3


13

Stephanie Perkins
3


13

D.S. Murphy
3


13

Gayle Forman
3


21

Lisa Roecker
2


21

Veronica Roth
2


21

Leigh Talbert Moore
2


21

A.A. Chamberlynn
2


21

Lauren Kate
2


21

John Green
2

My 2017 Bookshelf #ireadya

Here are the books I read last year (in reverse order). (I’m terrible at writing reviews, so there’s no real blurb or anything, just my brief “what I liked was” comment. But you can click on any of the images and be taken to their Goodreads page to find out more!)

My Goodreads goal had been 25… I read 16, three of which were my own. That’s not cheating is it?

Did you read any of these? What did you think?

 This is the last book I read in 2017, and it was one of my favorites. I sat in my grandma’s recliner (now ours) after the kids went to bed and devoured it in four hours. I would’ve stayed up until 5 AM when I needed to get ready for work if I’d needed to. Luckily, it was only just after midnight when I finished. As you’ve probably guessed, Scarlet is the first book I’m reading in 2018. I started it the other night and am halfway through (I’m doing more writing this week, so less reading time!)

 

 This was a re-read for me. It had been my first read on my first Kindle years ago. I’d been missing contemporary YA and was in the mood for an old favorite. Loved it as much as I had the first time. I’m still a sucker for a great love triangle, even if the rest of the world hates them.

 

 This was my second “camping book”which means it was one of the few physical copies of a book I read. I bought this hard-cover copy from Barnes and Noble so I could read it on our deck at the camper or while lying by the pool. (I don’t have a Kindle with a screen that’s sun-friendly.) I enjoyed Clare’s Mortal Instruments series and loved her Infernal Devices series. This book was good. I liked the characters well enough and will be getting the next book, but I wasn’t as drawn in as I had been in the other series. My favorite part of Clare’s writing is her world-building.

 

 After reading Shearwater (below), I craved D.S. Murphy’s settings and storytelling. He’s a master of weaving mythology and fairytales while including romance and intrigue. He always leaves me hanging though, so you can bet the Golden Shears will be on my 2018 TBR list.

 

 Once again I loved the setting and mystery of one of D.S. Murphy’s books. I played flute and piano for many years so I enjoy reading about a character who plays a musical instrument. I’ve been craving another book from him since it’s been a few months since I read these, so I think his newest releases will be high on my list of reads for 2018.

 

 I began this shortly after finishing Fallen. I probably would have continued on with the series, but at the end of this one there was a teaser for another book. Well, I read it thinking it was the teaser for the next book, but it was instead the final book… well, that gave away everything, so I no longer felt the need to read book 3.

 

 I’d seen this book in several places while promoting my own, so I finally sat down to read it. My favorite character was the fairy. She had spunk and mystery surrounding her. I believe she has her own novella or short story, so I may have to check that one out!

 

 I’d purchased this one on my Kindle a couple of years ago and finally read it. I enjoyed the story better than I had when I’d first tried to read it. It was a quick read and I immediately purchased book 2.

 

I finally settled in to read one of Derek Murphy’s books. As you can see, I followed this with two others written by him, but This one was my favorite. I was, however, disappointed to learn I’d initially purchased the wrong copy… Make sure to grab the version that already has both parts in it to save yourself from buying it twice! But… do make sure to read it. Loved the setting, the story with history woven in seamlessly, and the characters and their story

 

 I’d seen this book many times as I checked on my own books on Amazon and Goodreads and had been curious. After finally reading it, I was impressed by the characters, creative storyline, and the witty dialogue. I immediately bought book 2, and it’s on my 2018 TBR list.

 

 This book haunted my dreams. It was my first “camping book” and once I started it was hard to leave it behind when I had to return home during the weeks for baseball and other activities. (My rule was to leave the camping book at the camper and read on my Kindle while at home.) Loved the setting and storyline, though for me the romance fell flat. I was more intrigued by the MC’s relationship with her sisters and the ocean.

 

 This was my least favorite of the series, but I still really liked it. Stiefvater is an expert at characterization and, as always, I love her lyrical writing style.

 

 This is a book written by a writing friend and critique partner of mine (though I’ve been quite absent in that group for a bit now regrettably). I thoroughly enjoyed Chamberlynn’s story, her fantastical settings and their descriptions, and her spunky characters. She’s a master at opening pages and her words and the immediate challenge her MC faced drew me in right away.

The final (first?) three I read were my own… though these really are out of order. When Smoke Rains Down released in May, Before the Ashes in August, and After the Ashes just last month.

 I read this early last year before releasing it for you all to read. I’m proud of how I plotted this one out and how hard (and quickly) I worked through edits and revisions. It’s stronger than the first book and I’m happy that readers agree. Now… to surpass it with an even stronger book 3 is my current challenge!

 

 I enjoyed writing this short story from Kari’s point of view, mostly because I’m interested in how she felt about, and interacted with, Cole. This story helped me dive into the character of Legion who will play a larger role in the final book. Readers don’t seem to like this book–or the characters?– as much as I do, however, but I still can’t seem to stop thinking about how I want to incorporate it (and book 1.5) into a rewrite edition of book 1 where all three characters share their stories throughout… )

 

 I love Mila. I’m excited for you to get to know her more in book 3. This novella was huge for me as a way to investigate the setting. The setting is now one of the parts I’m most excited about writing in book 3 and as I consider future plans for the series. 

I’ve been thinking of setting a list of the 25 books I plan to read in 2018 rather than winging it as I usually do.

Based on the books I read here, do you have any suggestions? Any new authors I’m missing out on?

I’ve been hoping to read more indie authors this year. Who are your favorites?

#amwriting Here’s an excerpt!

Proof I’m working on When Fire Rains Down…

I don’t know for sure where this scene falls; I’m writing without chapters this time. Never done that before! It’s about 30 pages into the draft.

Julia’s hanging out with Mila from book 1.5 in this scene… and she’s NOT thrilled about it!

Here goes!

~

“Sure it is.” Mila leans in toward the table. “It’s even more advanced. Now they don’t need to be standing by their victims in harm’s way while siphoning. Those gray lines measure the strength and the amount of poison in the human’s body. The longer the line, the more the soul is absent from the body, and the more a source of power for all of Hell’s minions it becomes.”

She leans back and pauses for dramatic effect. I roll my eyes and Nicholas shakes his head at me. What? He doesn’t think she’s ridiculous for her theatrics? She’s not even giving us that much additional information. I had the poison in me. I know more than she does.

She looks at Nicholas with her big eyes and full lips, all naturally pink and beautiful. “When the demon slashed Julia, and when Lucifer implanted the poison in Noah, those were experiments. Once Luca saw how effective the so-called venom was, he began using it on every human he could.”

“Luca?” I whisper. “Sounds a little too much like a term of endearment to use a nickname… for the devil.”

I’ve leaned across the table, reaching toward Nicholas who whispers back, “Calm down. They used to be friends.”

I choke on my next breath. “Friends?” The next one goes a little better, so I’m able to add, “And we trust her?”

“Of course, he Fell, she didn’t. All the angels were good at one point, even Lucifer and her friend Legion.”

I lean back, but it seems to me she’s ex-friends with a heck of a lot of demons.

~

That’s it! (For now.) What’d you think?

Much love,

Cecelia

Let’s Celebrate With #Books!

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As you can see, I’m celebrating my birthday and the anniversary of When Ash Rains Down’s release this month! So, my books are on sale!

If you haven’t had a chance to catch up on my Kingdom Come series yet, now might be a good time to do that! You’ll find my books for sale here on Amazon. (Paperback and E-book)

You’ll notice that Before the Ashes isn’t pictured. It’s no longer offered for free at any retailer. If you’re interested in reading it free, however, you still can. It’s being offered as a free gift to anyone who signs up for my readers’ email list. Want your copy? Sign up now and start reading!

Learn more about my books here on this site or here on Goodreads or email me if you have any comments or questions: author@ceceliaearl.com

Have a wonderful Monday and stay warm if it’s frigid in your part of the world like it is in mine! Brrrr! Wish I could stay cuddled up reading, but it’s off to work I go. Students await!

Much love,

Cecelia

MF5 – Thoughts About The Last Jedi Negativity (Spoilers) — My Side Of The Laundry Room

I read this blog post before Christmas and referenced it so much during family celebrations, that I decided to return to it to reblog it.

My family and I viewed the movie on my six-year-old son’s sixth birthday, just days before Christmas. First, we went out to dinner where I gifted the seven of us (my hubby, three sons, mil and bil (who shares my son’s birthday) a Star Wars T-shirt. (I’ll have to come back to share a pic later on. It’s on my hubby’s phone, and he’s just left to take my son to his indoor Holiday baseball tournament.) So, we were crazed Star Wars fans that evening. Though I was born in 1977 and grew up with the hype of Star Wars, I wasn’t a true fan until I met Rey last year. She’s my favorite character, though I thoroughly enjoyed Jyn from Rogue One as well. So, as was my birthday boy, I was beside myself with excitement. (Hence, the T-shirts.)

We all enjoyed the movie. My husband was the most negative, which is why this blog post grabbed my attention. He feels the movie was forced and didn’t flow as organically as the originals. He couldn’t put his finger on why, though he was one of the many disappointed by Snoke’s unimportance, and considered the notion that this movie acted more like a bridge to connect the Star Wars fans of the past with a new generation of fans. He thought it more nostalgic than necessary to include Luke and Leia as well as certain “expected” scenes: battle scenes, scenes with the odd characters from a different planet, …. My eldest son was the one who’d been watching theories on the character behind Snoke since last year’s movie. He (still) believes Snoke is really Darth Plagueis who has now entered Kylo Ren.

As for Luke, this blog post helped me to appreciate his character arc and accept that he acted in a way that a Master Jedi would. I can even appreciate the necessity for the antagonist’s sole purpose to propel the main characters forward, however, I prefer all the characters to have full background stories and motivations and arcs of their own. All in all, I didn’t have any expectations, and the movie left me thrilled by Rey’s strength, which was all I wanted out of it, so happy was I.

There is a hail storm of negativity regarding Rian Johnson’s directorial debut in the Star Wars Universe. People just seem bound and determined to dislike (or loath) the new direction our beloved franchise is going and each and every one of them want their

via MF5 – Thoughts About The Last Jedi Negativity (Spoilers) — My Side Of The Laundry Room

Wishing You The Merriest of Christmases

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Good morning!

I hope you have been enjoying the week leading up to Christmas as well as last night and this morning!

Along with an abundance of wrapped objects, Santa left my children a letter this morning. His handwriting is rather atrocious, but the message I was able to make out read something like this:

“Be sure to share with others. Not everyone has the love and treasures you do throughout the year. I give because Jesus first gave his life for me and taught me to look out for the needs of others…. Be good another year.”

May we all remember to share with those around us, both friends, family and strangers. Let’s be on the lookout for those in need, physically, mentally, and spiritually, and share all that we have. Let’s all remember goodness, kindness, understanding, gratitude, and empathy.

I hope the peace and joy of our Savior stays with you all the year, and all your life, through. May you have the merriest Christmas and a joyous 2018.

Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and a mist the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light, and kings in the brightness of thy rising. –-Isaiah 60: 1-3