Kay Bennson's Blog, page 4
January 22, 2021
Indie Author Survey
I thought I might do this for a little something different. :)1. Are you a country mouse or city mouse?
Country. My town has one traffic light and I think there are about 5,000 people? We have a Dunkin Donuts though, so we aren't completely in east you know where.
2. Where do you write?
Honestly anywhere I can these days, but primarily on my couch.
3. What's your favorite writing snack?
Chocolate chips. Is that weird?
4. Do you like music or silence?
I typically write in silence (or with kid shows on in the background for my son), but I make playlists that I listen to while I'm driving, cooking, etc.
5. What is my favorite procrastination technique?
Haha...sometimes rewards? Like I'll focus on a scene and then let myself scroll on Facebook or Twitter for a bit after. Or I'll hit a word count goal and do something else for a while. I recently started using the Pomodoro method and have had some success. It can be difficult when my husband is home.
6. What does your desk look like?
Not set up yet. At school I don't really sit at my big desk either when I write (when I have time before school) but a spare student one I have set up.
7. How do I arrange my bookshelves?
I mostly just keep all books by the same author together. I've got knick knacks on top of the bookcase too. Used to have a fish tank before my most recent Beta died.
8. What inspired you to go Indie?
Most who know me already know, but I had a TERRIBLE experience with a small press. I was doing equal the work I do now and barely getting any royalties. Still trying to get steady sales and readership, but I'll get there.
Also I admire a really successful Indie author named Sarra Cannon and her story gave me the confidence to become Indie and be my own advocate. So much to learn still, but loving it so far!
9. How do you feel about book dedications?
I LOVE them. I plan them almost as soon as I get the idea for the book. Two of my four books are dedicated to people I've lost, which probably sounds sad or morbid, but writing means the world to me, and I would like to think these people would support me if they were still here.
10. What kind of monster would you most like to be?
Oh, I don't know. Do dragons count? They breathe fire, sleep a lot, and hoard things and that sounds good to me.
January 9, 2021
New Release and Newsletter Anoucement
Happy New Year!
War Distortion is available on Amazon and will soon be on Barnes and Noble and Google Play. I'm so excited to finally be able to release something new after everything I went through with my old publisher. Thank you to everyone who helped me produce my best book yet and to everyone who has been sharing and spreading the word!
The other thing I've decided to do is create a newsletter. I've heard from multiple sources that this is the best way to get your platform to grow. I figure next week (I've been posting everyday on social media so I want to take a few days to regroup) I'll encourage people to sign up. (A giveaway perhaps?) Look for them to be monthly. I obviously plan to keep blogging and posting on the other sites, but this will be a new way to connect with readers!
I've got more to say, but I'll keep it short for now. :)
Kay
War Distortion is available on Amazon and will soon be on Barnes and Noble and Google Play. I'm so excited to finally be able to release something new after everything I went through with my old publisher. Thank you to everyone who helped me produce my best book yet and to everyone who has been sharing and spreading the word!
The other thing I've decided to do is create a newsletter. I've heard from multiple sources that this is the best way to get your platform to grow. I figure next week (I've been posting everyday on social media so I want to take a few days to regroup) I'll encourage people to sign up. (A giveaway perhaps?) Look for them to be monthly. I obviously plan to keep blogging and posting on the other sites, but this will be a new way to connect with readers!I've got more to say, but I'll keep it short for now. :)
Kay
December 18, 2020
My 2021 Writing Goals
Truth be told, it's probably a bit early to be doing this, but I was motivated to do it today, so why not?
2020 was one hell of a year, but writing wise, I feel like I set out to do everything I wanted to do and more. I finally broke ties with my former publisher and became Indie. I made more money in those subsequent months than I did the three years I was published with them. I wrote THREE books since March, two of which are going to be released very, very soon. I would say the only thing that didn't work out like I wanted was that I really wanted WAR DISTORTION to be released on December 1st. If nothing else, I feel like I learned a lot about the self publishing process, and about being patient, especially when other people are helping you get your book ready for free.
I'm very goal orientated. I was this way when I did Irish dance, I have a check list of skills I need to learn to move up in Figure Skating. While I don't think I'm ready to plan exactly how many days I want to write each year, I do like to have my plans written down so I can look back at them later. I just looked at last years goals and with the exception of audio fiction, I did everything I set out to do.
Okay, so without further ado...my writing goals for 2021:
1. Complete my Squad Treble Series by the end of 2021. The end of an Era! It's bittersweet, but it's time. I want it done and dusted, available on Amazon by this time next year. I did the outline a long time ago (like while I was writing Shrewdest Faction) and minor things have changed, so I've been plotting this week. My heart tells me this will be my next project after I polish Angel in Plain Sight (Current title LOL).
2. Release Semi Sweet in the first half of 2021. I'm already thinking that February isn't happening. It's the damn Beta phase! It's not the best time with the Holidays, but can't really move forward with this one until my editors/proofreaders finish WAR DISTORTION either, so hopefully by March? April?
3. Polish Angel in Plain Sight and figure out where I'm going with this series. I'm almost finished reading through the rough draft and I've got plans to fix some plot holes. I generally have plans for a sequel, but thought it might be fun to the story from the demon's point of view. I've got time to figure this out.
4. Participate in Camp NaNoWriMo and NaNoWriMo 2021. This is because I enjoyed myself last month and I miss writing every day.
5. Participate in a virtual writing retreat at least once. I'm part of a writing sprints group that does this monthly so this should be an easy to accomplish.
6. Do an actual writing retreat even if it's for the day. This might not happen because of Covid-19 and my son, but why not put it here and see what happens?
7. Keep it up with Social Media and Marketing. This has gotten better this year, but I could still push it. I really want to start a newsletter, and keep posting here regularly as well.
8. More sales than 2020. My ultimate goal is quit teaching and write full time but I don't think I'm close to that unfortunately. So let's see more sales, I'm hoping having two new releases will help this.
*9. Eminence? Will this be the year I finally write this book? Hahaha
What are your goals?
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year1
Kay
December 10, 2020
Angels, Demons, and Phantoms?
I had originally planned on talking about this in the previous entry, but ultimately decided that it needed it's own post.
I'm a NaNoWriMo winner! This shocks me because as I have previously stated, November usually sucks for me. I think there were a bunch of factors for this. First, due to the pandemic, I'm not really going anywhere beyond work and home. Second is that for whatever reason, all of the school related stress I usually have happened THIS WEEK instead of during November. Finally, it became a habit that I'm still kind of living with. With the exception of Election day, I wrote every day. I typically woke up at six, got to work around 6:45 and wrote until my first student walked in at around 7:30. I also wrote at home too, but that routine helped me big time.
My final word count ended up being around 63,000 words. This excites me because Shrewdest Faction and War Distortion were both around this wordcount after several drafts. I've already thought of a few new scenes I'd like to add in addition to fleshing things out so I'm confident this book will be longer than both of those novels.
That being said, this is the first time possibly ever that when I start my next draft, it will probably be in a fresh document. Typically when I do a new draft, I just write in a different color in the same Google Doc, but this manuscript is ROUGH. I know I wrote a whole book in 28 days, but it's just not flowing great for me. Hoping for better luck next draft.
Now you are probably wondering a few things. Are you curious about why I haven't referred to the story by it's title? Well, I might be changing it again. I actually really like An Angel Among Us...but every time my students saw the tab open they were like, "OMG, IS IT ABOUT THE GAME, AMONG US?" and I twitched a little bit more each time they asked.
This is what they thought I was writing about... [image error] This was my reaction to said students. It sucks because I totally was playing with the title of the song "Angels Among Us" ("Oh, I believe there are angels among us"), but I'm wondering if maybe "An Angel in Plain Sight or "An Angel on Earth" might be better. I wanted it to coordinate it with "The Devil You Know" which will be the title of book two.
You might also be wondering why the title of today's post has the the word Phantom in it. Well, as I wrapped this draft up, I was reminded of a song from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber. I looked the lyrics up and I was like "WOAH" and then I looked up a different song and said "THIS ALSO APPLIES" and holy crap there a few parallels. For one, a mask plays a huge role in my book (though not to hide a disfigured face, just for identity purposes) as well as the idea of someone always being there watching you:
In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name
And do I dream again? For now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside my mind
It's like I'm back in the eighth grade listening to the soundtrack in my portable CD player. LOL. It's not a retelling by any means (There is no Raoul, unfortunately) but I might pay a little homage to the show in book two. Maybe I'll have the 2004 film version be Jane's favorite movie or something. :)
Might have to make this a scene in my next draft ;) Alright, I think that's it for me.
Kay
I'm a NaNoWriMo winner! This shocks me because as I have previously stated, November usually sucks for me. I think there were a bunch of factors for this. First, due to the pandemic, I'm not really going anywhere beyond work and home. Second is that for whatever reason, all of the school related stress I usually have happened THIS WEEK instead of during November. Finally, it became a habit that I'm still kind of living with. With the exception of Election day, I wrote every day. I typically woke up at six, got to work around 6:45 and wrote until my first student walked in at around 7:30. I also wrote at home too, but that routine helped me big time.
My final word count ended up being around 63,000 words. This excites me because Shrewdest Faction and War Distortion were both around this wordcount after several drafts. I've already thought of a few new scenes I'd like to add in addition to fleshing things out so I'm confident this book will be longer than both of those novels.
That being said, this is the first time possibly ever that when I start my next draft, it will probably be in a fresh document. Typically when I do a new draft, I just write in a different color in the same Google Doc, but this manuscript is ROUGH. I know I wrote a whole book in 28 days, but it's just not flowing great for me. Hoping for better luck next draft.
Now you are probably wondering a few things. Are you curious about why I haven't referred to the story by it's title? Well, I might be changing it again. I actually really like An Angel Among Us...but every time my students saw the tab open they were like, "OMG, IS IT ABOUT THE GAME, AMONG US?" and I twitched a little bit more each time they asked.
This is what they thought I was writing about... [image error] This was my reaction to said students. It sucks because I totally was playing with the title of the song "Angels Among Us" ("Oh, I believe there are angels among us"), but I'm wondering if maybe "An Angel in Plain Sight or "An Angel on Earth" might be better. I wanted it to coordinate it with "The Devil You Know" which will be the title of book two.You might also be wondering why the title of today's post has the the word Phantom in it. Well, as I wrapped this draft up, I was reminded of a song from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber. I looked the lyrics up and I was like "WOAH" and then I looked up a different song and said "THIS ALSO APPLIES" and holy crap there a few parallels. For one, a mask plays a huge role in my book (though not to hide a disfigured face, just for identity purposes) as well as the idea of someone always being there watching you:
In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name
And do I dream again? For now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside my mind
It's like I'm back in the eighth grade listening to the soundtrack in my portable CD player. LOL. It's not a retelling by any means (There is no Raoul, unfortunately) but I might pay a little homage to the show in book two. Maybe I'll have the 2004 film version be Jane's favorite movie or something. :)
Might have to make this a scene in my next draft ;) Alright, I think that's it for me. Kay
December 7, 2020
Things Are Happening
We made it! 2020 is nearly over. As much of a poop show as it was, it was good in many ways. I won't get into all that now, I'll save it for a goals/resolutions post later in the month.
I've got plenty to share in the meantime
I've got plenty to share in the meantime
November 15, 2020
November Update
How is it half way through November?
Author Rebrand
As I mentioned previously, I recently came to the conclusion that I'm not really a true young adult author, So I was going to make a new logo. Then I was thinking about how another Indie Author that I really admire is super successful and that is partly due to how professional her site, covers, and logo looks. I decided to pay someone to make me a logo and came out so nice! Most likely you've already seen it, but I just can't get over how beautiful it is. Definitely a glow up!
NaNoWriMo 2020
So I made a point to say I wasn't officially participating in National Novel Writing Month this year...and as of this afternoon I'm at 30,000 words...
This is probably the closest I've been to winning (which is still a long way to go) and there are a few factors as to why. One is that that same Indie Author I always talk about has been posting daily videos and her facebook group has been super motivating. I chose to work on The Devil You Know which has changed to An Angel Among Us because I think The Devil You Know is a better title for book two. IT HAS GOTTEN SO GOOD! Like there is a part of me that wants to keep going and I'm making myself chill so that I won't burn out. Finally, I'm stubborn as hell and don't like to feel left out of things.
War Distortion
I actually have an update! It's not the news you were probably hoping for, though. I've heard back from another beta reader and while they like it, there is something that needs to be tweaked beyond normal editing things, so I think I'm officially saying it won't be ready for the Holidays. I'm not setting this date in stone either, but I'm hoping January 4th 2021. I've got one more person reading it and a few more proofreading so I promise it will be worth the wait.
Semi Sweet
I have a tentative date in mind for this one as well. I thought it might be fun to do a Valentine's Day release since it's a Contemporary Romance. I want to focus on An Angel Among Us for the rest of November before busting these two books out. Honestly Semi Sweet is in better shape than War Distortion right now (I finished writing it first) so I think this release date is more realistic. It will need a few betas as well and I hope to use my new editor once she's done with War Distortion. I previously mentioned that I made a cover and while I like it, I'm going to have professional one made after all. It's like the logo I had made. If I want to be taken seriously, I need to look as professional as possible. So stay tuned for that update.
Think I'll be able to finish three books in 2020? I'm (hopefully) going to make it happen!
Kay
Author Rebrand
As I mentioned previously, I recently came to the conclusion that I'm not really a true young adult author, So I was going to make a new logo. Then I was thinking about how another Indie Author that I really admire is super successful and that is partly due to how professional her site, covers, and logo looks. I decided to pay someone to make me a logo and came out so nice! Most likely you've already seen it, but I just can't get over how beautiful it is. Definitely a glow up!
NaNoWriMo 2020
So I made a point to say I wasn't officially participating in National Novel Writing Month this year...and as of this afternoon I'm at 30,000 words...
This is probably the closest I've been to winning (which is still a long way to go) and there are a few factors as to why. One is that that same Indie Author I always talk about has been posting daily videos and her facebook group has been super motivating. I chose to work on The Devil You Know which has changed to An Angel Among Us because I think The Devil You Know is a better title for book two. IT HAS GOTTEN SO GOOD! Like there is a part of me that wants to keep going and I'm making myself chill so that I won't burn out. Finally, I'm stubborn as hell and don't like to feel left out of things.
War Distortion
I actually have an update! It's not the news you were probably hoping for, though. I've heard back from another beta reader and while they like it, there is something that needs to be tweaked beyond normal editing things, so I think I'm officially saying it won't be ready for the Holidays. I'm not setting this date in stone either, but I'm hoping January 4th 2021. I've got one more person reading it and a few more proofreading so I promise it will be worth the wait.
Semi Sweet
I have a tentative date in mind for this one as well. I thought it might be fun to do a Valentine's Day release since it's a Contemporary Romance. I want to focus on An Angel Among Us for the rest of November before busting these two books out. Honestly Semi Sweet is in better shape than War Distortion right now (I finished writing it first) so I think this release date is more realistic. It will need a few betas as well and I hope to use my new editor once she's done with War Distortion. I previously mentioned that I made a cover and while I like it, I'm going to have professional one made after all. It's like the logo I had made. If I want to be taken seriously, I need to look as professional as possible. So stay tuned for that update.
Think I'll be able to finish three books in 2020? I'm (hopefully) going to make it happen!
Kay
October 26, 2020
More Updates
Didn't want to mix this kind of post with the one I did last time, but I've got three books/WIPS I've been working on in various stages.
War Distortion
Not too much to update here, still waiting on a few betas and I've got people waiting to proofread it. Not holding my breath on that 12/1 release date? Maybe January 2021? It will be worth it, I promise.
Semi Sweet
After sending out a few more queries and not having much luck...I have decided to become completely Indie! I have come a long way since breaking ties with my publisher in June. Yeah, being traditionally published is amazing and might still happen for me someday, but I can have complete control over decisions like covers, I get much more in royalties than I would if I went with a small press again (I thought about it for a hot second), and I can connect with readers that might never know about me if I waited for an agent to maybe give me a chance.
My cover artist is on vacation, but I had something simple in mind so I figured I would try myself. I'm pleased with the results! I've got to figure out how to make a paperback cover, but I'm not in that phase yet. Surprisingly, I feel like this one is closer to being ready for release, but I'm still thinking War Distortion will go first. Thinking of really planning a successful launch with this one and I need time to sort that out.
The Devil You Know
OMG this WIP has become my obsession. A total cracky "what if?" situation has quickly become super fun and since I'm not officially doing NaNoWriMo this year (too stressful on a regular year), I want to keep focusing on it. It's horror, paranormal, new adult, and romance all rolled into one.
I also made a cover for this one, not sure if it will stick, but it's got the vibe I'm looking for, so going with it for now.
Needs a tag line...but I dig it. Maybe I have a future in cover design?
I'll leave you here for now,
Kay
War Distortion
Not too much to update here, still waiting on a few betas and I've got people waiting to proofread it. Not holding my breath on that 12/1 release date? Maybe January 2021? It will be worth it, I promise.
Semi Sweet
After sending out a few more queries and not having much luck...I have decided to become completely Indie! I have come a long way since breaking ties with my publisher in June. Yeah, being traditionally published is amazing and might still happen for me someday, but I can have complete control over decisions like covers, I get much more in royalties than I would if I went with a small press again (I thought about it for a hot second), and I can connect with readers that might never know about me if I waited for an agent to maybe give me a chance.
My cover artist is on vacation, but I had something simple in mind so I figured I would try myself. I'm pleased with the results! I've got to figure out how to make a paperback cover, but I'm not in that phase yet. Surprisingly, I feel like this one is closer to being ready for release, but I'm still thinking War Distortion will go first. Thinking of really planning a successful launch with this one and I need time to sort that out.
The Devil You KnowOMG this WIP has become my obsession. A total cracky "what if?" situation has quickly become super fun and since I'm not officially doing NaNoWriMo this year (too stressful on a regular year), I want to keep focusing on it. It's horror, paranormal, new adult, and romance all rolled into one.
I also made a cover for this one, not sure if it will stick, but it's got the vibe I'm looking for, so going with it for now.
Needs a tag line...but I dig it. Maybe I have a future in cover design?I'll leave you here for now,
Kay
October 25, 2020
Embracing Who You Are
The topic of today's post has to do with loving yourself. I am going to talk about what that means for me as writer because I think I have made some serious headway in the last few weeks.
In my adult life, when people find out I'm a writer, they always always say "Oh, so you must write children's books." I'm sure they assume that because of my day job as a teacher that must be my niche. I used to feel funny admitting that no, my books are actually for adults. I know my "branding" saying I'm a young adult author...but I have recently come to the conclusion that that might not be true anymore.
I think I'm really a romance writer.
No, I don't think I'm meant for Harlequin, and I'm certainly not one of those people who wants ripped guys on her covers (Though my ghost writing novellas have them on there), but I truly enjoy writing a story where two people fall in love and get their happily ever after. Sometimes they go through hell and back to get there. Sometimes it's a bit more simpler. Sometimes it takes place in a medieval world, or a place on the verge of an apocalyptic war, sometimes it takes place in Denver Colorado, but all of my stories have some semblance of romance in them.
Why should I be ashamed of that? Why should I hide it if that's what I'm good at? Is it because of my job? Was it because of previous bosses? Was I worried that people would judge me?
As you know, I am in the process of trying to release my newest Squad Treble book and have been having beta readers look at it. I had one who is a high school teacher be extremely critical of it, Cassie especially saying that she doesn't talk and act like a high school freshman. Then I got to thinking...all of my other main characters are 18-27. That's probably part of the problem and that's okay. Most of my stories lately have college kids...maybe it's time to accept that I'm not reaching my intended audience because I should be finding older readers and I'm okay with that too.
Will people think less of me because I write romance? Maybe. I'm just happy I'm figuring this out now while I still have my whole career to sort it out. Does this mean I won't write YA again? Who knows, but I won't force it, I'll take myself where creativity flows.
If you enjoy a genre or a trope or something that might make you happy, but isn't super popular, do what's best for you. Embrace that cozy mystery writer, or that fantasy world builder. Who knows what will happen when you do?
Now to rebrand myself,
Kay
In my adult life, when people find out I'm a writer, they always always say "Oh, so you must write children's books." I'm sure they assume that because of my day job as a teacher that must be my niche. I used to feel funny admitting that no, my books are actually for adults. I know my "branding" saying I'm a young adult author...but I have recently come to the conclusion that that might not be true anymore.
I think I'm really a romance writer.
No, I don't think I'm meant for Harlequin, and I'm certainly not one of those people who wants ripped guys on her covers (Though my ghost writing novellas have them on there), but I truly enjoy writing a story where two people fall in love and get their happily ever after. Sometimes they go through hell and back to get there. Sometimes it's a bit more simpler. Sometimes it takes place in a medieval world, or a place on the verge of an apocalyptic war, sometimes it takes place in Denver Colorado, but all of my stories have some semblance of romance in them.
Why should I be ashamed of that? Why should I hide it if that's what I'm good at? Is it because of my job? Was it because of previous bosses? Was I worried that people would judge me?
As you know, I am in the process of trying to release my newest Squad Treble book and have been having beta readers look at it. I had one who is a high school teacher be extremely critical of it, Cassie especially saying that she doesn't talk and act like a high school freshman. Then I got to thinking...all of my other main characters are 18-27. That's probably part of the problem and that's okay. Most of my stories lately have college kids...maybe it's time to accept that I'm not reaching my intended audience because I should be finding older readers and I'm okay with that too.
Will people think less of me because I write romance? Maybe. I'm just happy I'm figuring this out now while I still have my whole career to sort it out. Does this mean I won't write YA again? Who knows, but I won't force it, I'll take myself where creativity flows.
If you enjoy a genre or a trope or something that might make you happy, but isn't super popular, do what's best for you. Embrace that cozy mystery writer, or that fantasy world builder. Who knows what will happen when you do?
Now to rebrand myself,
Kay
October 14, 2020
Writer's Block, WIPs, and Other Updates
Update Time!
I've been back to work for just over a month and WRITING HAS BECOME A RARITY. I'm too busy making lesson plans, scanning workbook pages, preparing for the following day of lessons, and not having breaks because we have to stay with our cohorts to write on the regular. I have an awesome class this year, but we are always together. I can't even write during lunch.
I've also got a teething baby at home. So not much writing is happening at home either.
Gifs and Memes are my love language. Feel free to send them to me!
Anyway here are a few updates since I wrote last.
I mentioned that I've been dealing with some writers block and I've finally gotten the juices flowing again. Unfortunately it's not the final book in my Squad Treble series ,but I'll take what I can get! Not really sure where it's going to go right now (It's kinda cracky...but I once said that about Semi Sweet and it's a full length novel now), but I actually want to work on it.
Still waiting on a few betas. Thinking about editing all my previously published books so they are good once and for all, and still looking for the secret to being a career writer. I'm getting the feeling that you might be using your Amazon gift cards you get for Christmas to buy WAR DISTORTION after the Holidays because this Beta phase is taking longer than I anticipated. It will be worth it, though.
Got a few sales with my free day, but not as much as I had hoped. Never going to stop writing because even if only a few people love my writing it is better than keeping it to myself. Have to believe someday the stars will align.
Until then, back to work.
Kay
I've been back to work for just over a month and WRITING HAS BECOME A RARITY. I'm too busy making lesson plans, scanning workbook pages, preparing for the following day of lessons, and not having breaks because we have to stay with our cohorts to write on the regular. I have an awesome class this year, but we are always together. I can't even write during lunch.
I've also got a teething baby at home. So not much writing is happening at home either.
Gifs and Memes are my love language. Feel free to send them to me!Anyway here are a few updates since I wrote last.
I mentioned that I've been dealing with some writers block and I've finally gotten the juices flowing again. Unfortunately it's not the final book in my Squad Treble series ,but I'll take what I can get! Not really sure where it's going to go right now (It's kinda cracky...but I once said that about Semi Sweet and it's a full length novel now), but I actually want to work on it.
Still waiting on a few betas. Thinking about editing all my previously published books so they are good once and for all, and still looking for the secret to being a career writer. I'm getting the feeling that you might be using your Amazon gift cards you get for Christmas to buy WAR DISTORTION after the Holidays because this Beta phase is taking longer than I anticipated. It will be worth it, though.
Got a few sales with my free day, but not as much as I had hoped. Never going to stop writing because even if only a few people love my writing it is better than keeping it to myself. Have to believe someday the stars will align.
Until then, back to work.
Kay
September 30, 2020
FREE DAY FOR LIMITED TRUTH...and other things!
Book One of my Squad Treble Series Limited Truth: A Squad Treble Novel will be FREE tomorrow, October 1st! Dive into a series that has been compared to Divergent and the Hunger Games before book 3 is released in December!While I'm still talking about all things Squad Treble, one of my beta readers finished reading WAR DISTORTION and I can't wait to read through her notes. She has already given me some great advice, some of which I had already been thinking about and others things that hadn't crossed my mind. I can't wait to see the manuscript to see what else she thinks/recommends. Hopefully I can work on this quickly to keep with my deadline. This beta doesn't know me in real world so I feel like she will give me more unbiased advice, so glad I found her!
It's probably good that I'm going to have some edits and tweaks to work on because I'm having writer's block this week! It's not the worst I've ever experienced, but it's a bit frustrating. I have written about 2500-3000 words since it's come on, but when I'm in the groove I can write that much in a single sitting. Balancing my job, taking care of my son, and just feeling a little burnt out are probably the factors. There isn't really a rush to release book 4 (I'm hoping late spring 2021?) but I thought it might be good to start. Hopefully it will go away soon.
Finally, I got an AWESOME review recently. I can't wait to use it for promo stuff. Makes up for a reviewer DMing me all typos she's found in Limited Truth when I thought I went through and fixed them all. (Super helpful, just embarrassing)
I think I'll leave it here for now. Fingers crossed that I get some sales tomorrow!
Kay
