Erin R. Howard's Blog, page 5

Wisdom Wednesday: Julie Arduini

As we approach Memorial Day, our schedules are going to start filling with all kinds of summer activities. My kids are already talking about swimming. And while I could easily sit by the pool all day, I have a summer deadline. 

Today, we have author Julie Arduini returning to Wisdom Wednesday to give us another writing tip. Welcome back, Julie!

Name: Julie Arduini

Genre: Christian Romance

Latest Novel: Match Made in Heaven

Writing Tip: 

I think it’s important to create deadlines no matter what level you are at. If writing is a craft you plan on taking seriously, you need to be moving forward. I was told deadlines would help me from plotting to creating chapters to revising, and it’s true. I highly recommend it.

Definitely! The key is to remember to set achievable goals and not unrealistic ones you know you will not ever achieve. Not that you can’t dream big, but you know you’re limitations and what can hinder you. If it’s more achievable, the more you will want to meet another one.

Favorite Writing Tip for New Writers: 

Write what God leads you to write. Trends change, the market changes, and if your focus is only on the business side of things, you will talk yourself out of trying. I believe if you obey God, He will equip you and see you through every aspect of the process. Also, create something unique in your characters so they stand out. You don’t want to be remembered as that one author who wrote that one romance, but remembered by name and title because your story and characters were created so well, and remembered for all the right reasons.

Great advice, Julie! 

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Beth Prescott wants to make a difference with the senior citizens she serves as a volunteer coordinator, but their matchmaking efforts leave her guarded. She’s experienced too much pain to make that leap again. Dean Kellerman returns to the Finger Lakes area to help his grandfather and heal his own broken heart. He’s recommitted his life to Christ, and doesn’t want any distractions. When his grandfather needs assistance with a senior program, it places Dean right in Beth’s path. Can these two surrender their pasts to Christ and have faith in each other and their future?

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Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the contemporary romance series SURRENDERING TIME, (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged,) as well as the stand-alone novella, MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. Her latest release, YOU’RE AMAZING, is a book for girls ages 10-100, written with her teenaged daughter, Hannah, and is book 2 in their SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ series. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, as well as monthly with Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to subscribe to her monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities.

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/JulieArduini

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JulieArduini

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/JulieArduini

Instagram: http://instagram.com/JulieArduini

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/JulieArduini

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/JulieArduini

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Arduini/e/B00PBKDRSQ/

Monthly Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dCFG

 

Before you go, make sure to connect with Julie on social media and check out her newest release, Match Made in Heaven.

What deadlines/goals are you working on this month? Leave us a comment and let’s encourage each other!

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Wisdom Wednesday: Nate Allen

Are you true to your writing voice?

Today, we have author Nate Allen on Wisdom Wednesday. Welcome, Nate!

Name: Nate Allen

Genre: Christian Suspense/End Times Fiction

Latest Novel: The Faceless Future Trilogy

Writing Tip: 

Worry less about writing by the book and more about following the leading of The Holy Spirit. He will bring your stories to transcendent places. Why is it my favorite? It’s not a tip I read in some book. Instead it’s a truth I have found over my eleven years of writing. And it has helped me create some powerful material.

I love how you bring this up this week. Just this last week, I was trying to over plot my story, and it was completely blocking me from writing. Once I remembered to let go of the reins a little bit and not stress over the little details, it’s really flowing.

Favorite Writing Tip for New Writers: 

I’ve said this for years: Your writer’s voice is everything. It’s far better to be one of a kind than a poor copy of someone already famous. Just as there is only one King, one Peretti, one Lewis, one Tolkien, the same is true of you. Find your voice and work tirelessly to master it!

This is an excellent point since as writers, we are also readers. And we always pull something out of our favorite author’s books, and it influences our writing. Which is not a bad thing at all, we just have to remember to be ourselves in the process. 

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Three books; one terrifyingly biblical future…

President Pummel has plans to implement a system to replace currency in its entirety: “Money is nothing but a way to distribute power. The Credit Chip would render money obsolete. Debt forgotten, felonies erased… past mistakes wiped clean. With the Credit Chip, a new beginning is truly possible!” But, what’s the cost?

Although the claims of the Credit Chip causing outbursts of violence are few and far between (the closed minded digging in their heels, no doubt) the stories are shocking nonetheless. They range from murders in once loving families to mass killings in churches and venues throughout America. You can brush it under the rug like most people have but the stories are only growing worse as the days wear on.

The Credit Chip revealing new and exciting freedoms daily, the president’s plan has come to fruition. As of January 1st, 2023, the Credit Chip will be the only form of currency accepted. As the deadline approaches, those who refuse the Chip are in danger of losing everything they have. Many believe it to be the mark of the beast warned about in the book of Revelation. Receive the Chip and be welcomed back into society; refuse and be left to the terrible things waiting in The Holding Zones. Resist at all cost! The cost though may very well be your life…

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Wonderfully outnumbered by women. A husband to a beautiful wife, a father to two amazing little girls, and a writer dedicated to spreading the life changing message of Jesus Christ in unique and compelling ways. He lives in La Crosse, WI.

 

 

 

 

What about you? Do you have a scene or story where you felt God really ordained the words? Do you struggle with finding your voice? Leave us a comment and let us know. 

Before you go, take a moment to check out Nate’s release, The Faceless Future Trilogy   and connect with him on Facebook. 

 facebook.com/cloudsdweller/

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Don’t Wait For Vacation

Summer is almost here, and you’re already bracing yourself. Your schedule is about to become more hectic, and you wonder how you’re going to fit everything in. Ball games, practices, doctor appointments, and birthday parties, the list seems to never end. You thought summer was supposed to be about relaxing, but it’s merely another way to cram in more activities.

Vacation? You dream of vacation. Whether you’ve got the date booked and ticking off the days on your calendar or it’s a wish that you just couldn’t make happen this year. The need to get away, to breathe in the fresh air. To settle your mind and shut the world away for a little while consumes your thoughts. [image error]

Stop waiting for the future. 

Easy enough to say, but even harder to do. I know. It’s hard to quiet everything else around you when all the worries, busyness and stress is happening exactly where you are. But you don’t have to get away to ease your worries. You don’t have to wait for vacation to find the peace that you’re looking for.

Maybe you need to take a walk or a run and listen to music. Perhaps you need to go on the date you and your spouse have talked about for ages. Take a picnic and play with your kids. Or maybe you need to say “no” to taking on another commitment or project that will take up more time on your schedule.

You have to sow peace to reap peace. I was reminded of this other day when my kids were fighting non-stop. I realized that somewhere along the way worship music stopped playing in the background of our house.

I hope you make time to #BeStill today. Whether it’s for two minutes or thirty. Even if you have to intentionally set an appointment in your schedule. Do something that brings you peace and settles your mind. Stop waiting for the future to find peace.

Hugs,

Erin

Wisdom Wednesday: Kathy McKinsey

Summer is quickly approaching, and it won’t be long now until the kids are out of school for summer break. While I’m not a fan of the humidity that hits Kentucky in the summer, I am a fan of relaxing, swimming, and the sunshine.

In anticipation of summer, I’ve set summer deadlines to help keep me focused on writing and not just the pool.

Wisdom Wednesday: Katie Clark

We are talking about one of my favorite parts of writing today! How do you brainstorm ideas and organize them for your stories? Author Katie Clark is here to give us her favorite tip. 

Welcome, Katie!

Name: Katie Clark

Genre: Young Adult science fiction and fantasy

Latest Novel: Whispering Tower, a YA time travel novel, releasing May 5th

Writing Tip: 

Take notes! As I’m brainstorming a new story, I am constantly taking notes as new ideas come to me. There have been time this process has taken only a few weeks, and there have been times this process has taken many months. The notes help me keep things in one place so when it’s time to start writing in full force I have everything I need at my fingertips. Tidbits might come to me about characters, scenes, story world, or plot. I also jot down things I find inspiring for my particular story. This helps keep me on track with theming.

For those who like social media helps, I love making a private Pinterest board for my WIP. This is like a visual list of notes, and it helps me with more descriptive writing.

I like to use Pinterest as well! It’s a great visual tool. I also look up photos to use for inspiration for my characters. It really brings the characters to life if you have a picture  that matches what you are envisioning. 

Favorite Writing Tip for New Writers: 

Tips are a dime a dozen, right? But my biggest piece of advice is don’t get in a hurry! This is a common piece of advice, but it’s so hard to follow (even for me, when I’ve been doing this for years). Patience isn’t my strongest virtue. Sigh. But seriously, slowing down and letting the story develop naturally and fully makes for a better story. I have experienced this with multiple books.

That doesn’t mean fast writing can’t work. It can! But sometimes we’re in such a hurry we miss vital links to helping our story be the best it can be. So, there’s my big tip. Take your time!

I struggle with patience as well! But this is a needed reminder to not rush the process. 

[image error]Stuck in London for one of her mom’s work trips, Skye Humphries can’t help holding a grudge when she ends up roped into a summer tour group with Philip-who-crushed-her-heart. But when Skye and Philip find themselves barreling through time after unsuspectingly opening the veil between the past and present, they’re thrust into a world where Skye’s very life is in danger. If she’d known her choices were between summering with Philip or being sacrificed to the god of the skies, Skye might have changed her attitude. Now she must figure out what’s most important to her—getting even for the past or having a future.

 

[image error]KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! She writes young adult speculative fiction, including her romantic fantasy novel, The Rejected Princess, a supernatural survival series including Shadowed Eden and Whispering Tower, AVAILABLE NOW, and her dystopian Enslaved Series. You can connect with her at her website, as well as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

 

 

Before you go, take a moment to check out Katie’s upcoming release, Whispering Tower, and let us know your method for brainstorming in the comment section. 

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Fantasy Reads: Brett Armstrong

Today, I’m happy to have fellow Mantle Rock author, Brett Armstrong on Fantasy Reads. Brett is here today to give us some fun facts about his world in his new epic fantasy series. 

Welcome, Brett!

Thank you for having me on your blog, Erin! So, some quick notes about my book. Quest to Fire: The Gathering Dark is book one in an epic/high fantasy series I’ve started. Its world is like Narnia separate and distinct from our own. It’s collectively referred to as the Lowlands, and the primary focus of Book 1 is the northwest corner of the Lowlands. There’s a lot to discover about this world and I’m going to share a couple fun bits of it below, though if you really want to understand and experience it, you’ll absolutely need to read the book.

One of the most enjoyable parts of Quest of Fire is that is told in two separate timelines, but it’s a single continuous saga. The two timelines occur about three hundred years apart, with one protagonist, Jason, hearing of the events of the era of the other, Anargen’s, as though they’re legends. A major theme is how events pass into legend and are left behind as such. Because Jason’s era is something like an early 20th century society and Anargen’s is early enlightenment, I wanted to show visually the drastic changes across the landscape. The easiest way to convey that seemed to be through two maps.

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The first map is from Anargen’s age and is geographical, while the second is from Jason’s and explains political boundaries of his day. Each is imagined within the story as being made by the respective protagonist. If you look from one map to the other, you’ll notice names changing, new ones appearing, and old ones dropping off. Every change is intentional and most bear some major significance to how the saga unfolds. In particular I thought I would highlight one change, as a kind of teaser for where the series is heading with the second book and its companion novella (both of which are in draft right now).

South of the extremely important island of Ecthelowall on Anargen’s map is a smaller land mass called the Isle of Geists. It received its name because it was believed by early Ecthel seafarers that a goblin escaped to the island and there cast a terrible curse: all who die on the island must haunt its caverns indefinitely. Those tales never escaped the imaginations of Ecthelowall’s people and the only settlement on the island is a tiny harbor, Kinsbane. It is meant to be a port for anchoring of ships in the passage from Libertias’s ports to Ecthelowall’s during winter. A sort of layover. Only the destitute choose to live there, doing so for a yearly grant of food for their families. Hence how the settlement got the nameKin’s Bane or Kinsbane.

[image error]By Jason’s era, the island is calledGeisle, because such tales are viewed as foolishness in his progressive day. Hence the renaming of both the port and island. But there was another reason as well. There was a time when the question of whether there was a goblin on the Isle of Geists was answered. And the island is haunted in a sense, though not by spirits of the dead. Rather by the memory of a horrific battle for Ecthelowall’s territory and very soul which took place there, and was lost.

I can’t explain much more without giving spoilers for both the present book and the next, but one thing I hope I’ve shown is the depth of this story world. Each timeframe is unique and distinct and if you’re willing to come along for the quest, you’ll discover each place on these maps has a purpose and place in the Lowlands story.

Worlding building is one of my favorite parts of writing fantasy. I love to hear how other writers come up with their worlds, and it’s fascinating to see this come to life through the maps.

[image error]Jason is an expert at running from his past. But when it catches up, he finds himself hiding in a peculiar inn listening to a tale from centuries past.

The story is Anargen’s, a teen who is pulled from all he loves to follow his oaths of loyalty to the fabled King of the Realms. Together with his mentor, Cinaed, he rides north on a special quest to mediate peace talks between ancient foes—the men of Ecthelowall and the dwarfs of Ordumair. Nothing goes as planned. Many on both sides of the dispute despise Anargen’s Order. Worse, an arcane evil has returned to the North. This “Grey Scourge” seeks to ruin the peace talks and ensure a lost treasure held by the dwarfs is never found by those for whom it is meant.

As Anargen’s story unfolds, Jason begins to wonder whether it is truly just a fable. He soon finds himself drawn into the conflict Anargen faced. A battle which has shaped and can destroy his world.

[image error]Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers hauntingly sorrowful historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Day Moon), and dark, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire – April 2019). Where he heads next is as much a discovery for him as readers. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope.

Before you go, take a moment and connect with Brett on social media and check out his brand new release, The Gathering Dark.

Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/brettarmstrongwv

Twitter:        https://www.twitter.com/BArmstrongWV

Instagram:      https://www.instagram.com/BrettArmstr...

Pinterest:      http://www.pinterest.com/ChristianKid044

Website:        https://BrettArmstrong.net

GoodReads:      https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8281587.Brett_Armstrong

YouTube:        https://www.youtube.com/embed/t3KEBnl7E80?rel=0

 

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Wisdom Wednesday: Amy R. Anguish

I’m excited to welcome back author, Amy R Anguish to Wisdom Wednesday for the release of her newest novel, Faith & Hope. 

Welcome back, Amy!

Name: Amy R. Anguish

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Latest Novel: Faith & Hope

Writing Tip: 

My favorite changes depending on the day. There are so many tips out there, and most of them are good. So, my tip for today is to make sure as you’re writing to widen your view. What do I mean by that? When I started writing, I would be so focused on making sure my dialog was good that I almost had tunnel vision. The words the characters spoke were great, but no one had any idea what the characters were doing while they were talking. I hadn’t put in the actions that make you able to see them. So, take a step back and watch your characters in your mind while you’re writing their dialog. How would you react if you were having that conversation? Add a nervous tick or a tightened jaw or a glance away because they don’t want you to see the truth in their eyes. It adds to the tension and emotion of the scene when you can do that.

I love that you ask how we would respond to that conversation. What a great way to make sure we are using all of our senses in our writing!

Favorite Writing Tip for New Writers: 

Try, try, try again. The publishing world is a crazy place, and there are so many ways to get a book published now. If one publisher doesn’t see the potential in your book, keep looking. There are tons of places out there, and it only takes one.

Great advice. Sometimes you have to go through many rejections before you find that one yes. Don’t give up!

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Two sisters. One summer. Multiple problems.

Younger sister Hope has lost her job, her car, and her boyfriend all in one day. Her well-laid plans for life have gone sideways, as has her hope in God.

Older sister Faith is finally getting her dream-come-true after years of struggles and prayers. But when her mom talks her into letting Hope move in for the summer, will the stress turn her dream into a nightmare? Is her faith in God strong enough to handle everything?

For two sisters who haven’t gotten along in years, this summer together could be a disaster … or it could lead them to a closer relationship with each other and God. Can they overcome all life is throwing at them? Or is this going to destroy their relationship for good?

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Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

 

 

Please take a moment and check out Amy’s brand new release, Faith and Hope, and connect with her  via her blog, and Facebook.  

  http://abitofanguish.weebly.com or http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor

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To the Strong One

Hey, you, the strong one.

Yes, I’m talking to you.

The one who feels the weight of your family on your shoulders. The one who is strong for everyone else. You’re the one that receives the late night texts, phone calls, the endless conversations with loved ones shared over bowls of cheese dip.

Have you had a moment to breathe lately? I mean, really stop and take a moment for yourself?

[image error]I can see you running everything in your life with courage, strength, and the passion for succeeding. In every aspect of your busy, crazy, beautiful life you are strong for others. You press through and do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Don’t get me wrong, there are times when you feel anything but strong. There are times when you want to curl up in bed and binge-watch your favorite TV show. There are times when you want to turn your phone off and get away for a little while. There are times when you need to cry, vent, and scream. But you pick yourself back up and go again.

You give excellence to everything and everyone.

Except yourself. 

You’re so busy taking care of everyone else.

Except yourself. 

I see you. The strong one. But you don’t feel strong at all. You’re tired, anxious, and stressed. Your mind is in a constant whirl of worry about everything that you have to do.

I hope you decide to Be Still today. To take whatever time out you need to renew your spirit. Take a long walk, read a book, take a bubble bath. Maybe take yourself out to a nice dinner and movie. Ask someone else to be strong for you for a change. Do something that feeds your soul.

Strong one, you are so loved. Let God remind you of that today.

Hugs,

Erin

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Fantasy Reads: Meg Boepple

The question of why do you write has come up several times recently in my group of writing friends, and most recently, on one of my #BeStill blog posts. Everyone has a reason that they started writing. I love to hear these stories because sometimes it reflects my own journey in some way. And sometimes it reminds me of how powerful it is to connect with readers through our stories emotionally. This happened when I read this week’s author, Meg Boepple’s article on why she writes fantasy. 

Welcome, Meg!

 

But…why?

by Meg Boepple

“Why do you write fantasy? You should write what’s real.”

Yes, someone seriously said that to me, not very long ago!

Well, in a nutshell, here’s why.

When I was not quite thirteen years old, wearing the uncomfortable identity of “the poor little girl who lost her father to cancer,” I found solace in books. Madeleine L’Engle and Andre Norton were my favorite authors, but any book would do if it helped me avoid how I was feeling. When the language arts teacher pointed out a dusty trilogy in the school library written by a British linguistics professor, I practically moved to Middle-Earth.

My mom had to pry the first book out of my hands the night of the memorial service, where a parade of grownups eulogized a stranger who bore no resemblance to my daddy. They described a stuffy old preacher who liked to play golf and tennis and had been in the old Army Air Corps.

Where was the beloved man with the zany sense of humor and the crooked smile who dished out a bowl of ice cream every night? The man who ran beside me for miles after he took the training wheels off my bike? Who made a monthly ritual out of reading each new issue of National Geographic from cover to cover with me?  I desperately wanted to escape. Anywhere.

When we finally arrived back home, I dashed upstairs to see how Frodo and the Fellowship would get through the dreadful blizzard, while two dozen well-meaning folks sat around downstairs and did the “wake” thing with my mom and older sister.

Soon, tears I hadn’t dared to show earlier poured down. I tossed the book on the floor, huddling on my bed.

My sister came into my room. “What’s wrong?”

I buried my head against her shoulder. “G—g—Gandalf’s dead.” Not Daddy’s dead. Gandalf.

“Keep reading. The story’s not over yet,” she said.

That night, JRR Tolkien taught me to believe in eucatastrophe, the sudden happy turn of events that follows on the heels of sorrow.

Gandalf didn’t stay dead.

Through the magic doorway of fantasy, I got a handle on my feelings of grief. Even young children can grapple with good and evil, lean to face the things that go bump in the night, when they listen to tales that begin “Once upon a time” and end with “They lived happily ever after.” Identifying with loss on such an epic scale as Gandalf’s fiery plunge into darkness gave me a safe way to acknowledge my own pain. I didn’t need a reality check … I needed something that transcended reality.

I still do. Maybe all of us do.

So, that’s why I write fantasy. Because I want everyone to know … the story’s not over yet.

[image error]Everyone has had a first love…the one they had new experiences with and the one they can’t forget. Whether it be the boy next door, a loyal princess, or a supernatural being, all of these stories have two things in common: love at first sight and elements of fantasy.

In “Message in a Bottle,” Moira is immediately attracted to the tall, handsome man who’s a fellow volunteer on her beach-cleanup vacation. But he’s got a ring on his finger. He’s equally fascinated by the alluring woman. He thinks she’s a Siren, not the Mermaid he’s engaged to but has never seen…and she has no idea that he’s a Selkie. She doesn’t even believe in them. And she can’t possibly be his Mermaid, since she can’t even swim. Is it love at first sight? Or will fate keep them apart forever?

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Meg Boepple is the pen name for Sara Meg Seese, an author who writes fantasy, romance, and inspirational women’s fiction. She wrote her college honors thesis on the works of JRR Tolkien and has been looking for evangelium and eucatastrophe in stories ever since.

Her second published short story starts off the FIRST LOVE fantasy romance anthology (released this past February) and her third story comes out next month in SEA OF SECRETS.

She lives in Fort Worth with three feline companions/editorial assistants, Her Majesty Sparkles the First, Ambassador-Plenipotentiary Peanut the Cowardly Lion-Hearted, and Lady Pistachio “KitKit” Sharpclaw, aka She Who Kneads Sensitive Body Parts at Midnight.

Social Media Links:

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/MegBoeppleAuthor

www.tinyurl.com/dspFirstLove

Before you go, make sure you connect with Meg online and check out her latest release, First Love, and her upcoming release, Sea of Secrets. 

Wisdom Wednesday: Dakota Caldwell

It’s time for you to write. You sit down at the computer and what happens next? Does your desk have to be spotless or is messy okay? Does the house have to be quiet or maybe you have to have a constant stream of noise? 

Today, we have author Dakota Caldwell sharing his writing tip.

Welcome, Dakota!

Name: Dakota Caldwell

Genre: Various (sci-fi/fantasy, comedy/horror)

Latest Release:  Apocalyps Squad

Writing Tip:

When you sit down to write, what do you do? Naturally, you have to pull up both Facebook (to provide ample opportunity to post about how you keep getting distracted), Youtube (to provide the distractions. And cat videos!), and Google (to provide obscure answers to random issues in your book that most people will skip over anyway). However, once this is done, you likely pull up your favorite music player and tune out the rest of the world.

Music is a key part of writing that I honestly believe is far too overlooked. For some people, simply listening to an epic soundtrack can provide the inspiration to create truly mesmerizing imagery, to invoke the natural resonance of a scene. However, it can actually be taken a step farther than that.

Simply put, audio is the most powerful form of stimuli that we have access to. Your mind will retain a noise for many times longer than it will retain an image, a smell, or a feeling. Hearing a song that you listened to in high school can bring back those feelings of being a teenager, the examples go on. With this in mind, it’s actually quite possible to train yourself using music.

In short, pick one type of music to listen to while you’re writing. Once you’ve done that, don’t listen to that music ANYWHERE else. After a while, after simply hearing that particular type of music, your brain will automatically switch into writing mode. For me personally, it’s helped eliminate writer’s block on more than one occasion, and has improved my focus a hundredfold.

I love listening to music while I write. My pandora playlist is a mixture of genres, but as soon as I hear  80s’ music (my favorite), my mind starts rolling with ideas. I will have to try only listening to one genre!

Advice For New Writers: 

In the interest of providing the most cliche and overused advice on the internet: Go for it.

Yeah, yeah, I know I sound like a shoe commercial, but… The fact remains that this single piece of advice has lead me to the point where I stand today. Allow me to explain.

Through my writing, I go to a lot of comicons. They’re fantastic places, indeed. Wonderful venues to gawk at cosplay, full of amazing people to meet and befriend. When I started going to them around two years ago, I quickly met a number of other local authors. Friendships formed almost immediately, and I am still in contact with many of them today. I’ve met high schoolers self-publishing their first book, and I’ve met seventy-year-olds who are just getting around to releasing their first novel. And… Something struck me as quite interesting about it all.

The older members of the author crowd were full of advice and wisdom, life experience and wonder that they placed carefully into their books. However, almost every one of them had a single regret: “I wish I had started writing sooner.”

In fact, as I’ve continued doing cons through the years, this has become a theme. I have never once met an older individual that didn’t wish that they had started writing earlier in their life. Conversly, I’ve never met a younger author that regretted starting out when they did. And… I think a lot of this comes back to fear. We fear the unknown, we fear rejection, we fear all these terrible and horrible things that could come with putting ourselves out there. But… We’ll never know how far we can fly unless we get some air under our wings. Our close friends and family, those beta readers that have put up with us for years, are never going to be able to point out all the flaws in our writing. There’s no way that we could truely know how people will respond to going on a journey with our characters.

Maybe you succeed right off the bat, maybe it takes a few releases to build up steam. Maybe people hate the book, maybe they love it. The fact of the matter is that there’s only one way to find out. I published my first novel in January 2017, against the wishes of… Well, pretty much everyone except my girlfriend. Two years later, that book has been taken out of print, that girlfriend is my wife, and my writing is better than it ever would have become if I hadn’t put myself out there. The road might be full of bumps… But there’s only one way to know for sure.

I think you’re right. When I was in high school, I wanted to be traditionally published and well on my way as a writer by the time I was thirty. Life happened, and then that goal changed to completing my novel by thirty. I ended up going back to school to get a degree in Creative Writing in my thirties. My first novel was traditionally published by thirty-five. Looking back, I wish I would have majored in Creative Writing from the very beginning, instead of trying other things first. Don’t let fear stop you!

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The Apocalypse Prevention Department is a secret division of the United States Military, tasked with detecting and preventing world-ending events before the world, well… Ends. Of course, since the world isn’t really in the habit of ending that often, the government keeps it staffed with their misfits and renegades. For years, the ragtag group of bureaucrats has enjoyed a life of luxury. However, when their department is threatened with budget cuts, they’ll be faced with a task even more daunting than saving the world: Actually doing their jobs.

 

 

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Dakota Caldwell is the author of multiple series that involve violently ending the world (and a few that involve saving it). He currently lives in Kansas City with his wife (who doesn’t want to see the world end) and his daughter (who basically is his whole world).

 

 

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/dakotacaldwellauthor/ 

www.leadpyramidpublishing.com (blog/online store)

Before you go, take a moment and connect with Dakota on social media and check out his latest release, Apocalyps Squad. 

What about you? Do you listen to music while you write? And if so, what kind of music?

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