Erin R. Howard's Blog, page 6

Fantasy Reads: The Fay’s Apprentice

I’m excited to share with you a new release for my new blog segment, Fantasy Reads. Author Amy C. Blake is here to talk about her brand new release, Fay’s Apprentice.

Welcome, Amy!

Levi Prince and The Fay’s Apprentice

Today I’m celebrating my newest release, The Fay’s Apprentice, the third novel in my four-book Levi Prince YA Christian fantasy series. This series features scrawny, redheaded, homeschooled pastor’s son Levi Prince during his summers at Camp Classic, a camp for classically educated kids that’s actually a haven for mythical creatures.

Years ago, when I first dreamed up Levi and Terracaelum, it was only natural that Levi be a redheaded, homeschooled pastor’s kid like my own children. Camp Classic came into being because we follow a Classical Christian educational system for our homeschool, and I thought it’d be intriguing to include stories from Classical mythology into my plotlines. The Trojan Horse Traitor plays off of the Greek Trojan horse incident. The Fall of Thor’s Hammer incorporates the funny Norse myth about Thor in a wedding dress. The Fay’s Apprentice integrates the Ancient British legend of Morgan le Fay’s apprenticeship to Merlin.

My Levi Prince series is set in Terracaelum, a realm populated by mythical creatures yet ruled by a human man and a human woman. The name Terracaelum comes from the Latin words terra (earth) and caelum (sky or heaven). Camp Classic is on Castle Island, a tiny island in the middle of Lake Superior. Unknown to most of the campers, the far northern cliff of Castle Island is the connecting point with Terracaelum, which is invisible except when the drawbridge is lowered. Besides the director and his wife, Camp Classic’s staff is not human; it is comprised of elves, dwarves, and pixies who pass for humans to the campers who are unaware that they’ve left Castle Island and entered Terracaelum. Beyond the castle live many other mythical creatures—dragons, mormos, basilisks, dvergar, harpies, griffins, rocs, unicorns, merweavers, lake monsters, and a shape-shifting demon sorcerer named Deceptor.

While my flawed but lovable main character Levi is a homeschooler, making him appealing to home educated kids, he’s also relatable to traditional-schoolers and even adults. While especially geared toward 10- to 16-year-olds, readers of any age will enjoy watching Levi tackle archery, fencing, canoeing, dragon jousting, Latin verbs, History dates, and, of course, Deceptor and his evil cronies in their bids to take over Terracaelum.

If you’re interested in reading Levi’s stories, you can buy my books on Amazon in either paperback or Kindle formats. I’ve included the buy links and blurbs for each book below.

[image error]The Trojan Horse Traitor (book 1)

Left on Castle Island to attend Camp Classic, Levi Prince finds himself at the center of an enchanted world of amazing abilities, cloudy motives, and wicked beings that will challenge his very spirit. He begins to form friendships, but life at camp becomes more confusing as questionable activities and uncertain agendas bring about conflict that tests his character in ways he never expected. Finally, faced with a friend’s betrayal, Levi is forced to confront true evil. Will he find the courage to stand his ground, and to become the hero he was always meant to be?

[image error]The Fall of Thor’s Hammer (book 2)

Stay out of the cellar! One of Camp Classic’s firmest rules puts Levi in a dilemma when he hears banging on the cellar door. Could it be a Lake Superior sailor driven into Terracaelum’s underbelly by a storm? Or is it one of the Dvergar trying to lure a foolish camper to certain death? It’s only the first night back in the castle and already Levi must make a potentially disastrous decision: Should he disobey Mr. Dominic at the risk of his own life? Or do as he’s told, possibly leaving some poor sailor to wander in darkness until he starves?

[image error]The Fay’s Apprentice (book 3)

On Levi’s third summer at Camp Classic, he’s torn between two responsibilities. On the one hand, his parents expect him to watch over his little sister Abby, who has no clue their summer camp is a haven for mythical creatures. On the other hand, Mr. Dominic wants him to train at Fort Terra, a full day’s hike away from his sister, because of Levi’s previous encounters with the demon sorcerer Deceptor. Although he enjoys training with his friends, Levi finds life at Fort Terra difficult thanks to the ongoing tension between him and Hunter and the stress of having his former kidnapper Regin as his chaperone. When the woman Regin claims to be the evil sorceress Anna appears, Levi faces a whole new challenge.

[image error]Award-winning author Amy C. Blake is a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mother of four. She has an M.A. in English from Mississippi College and has written articles, devotionals, and short stories for a number of publications. She’s also writing two series for the Christian market, her Levi Prince YA fantasy series and her On the Brink Christian suspense trilogy.

Whitewashed, Colorblind, and Tie-Dyed, featuring three homeschooled girls on the brink of adulthood…and danger, are available in paperback and Kindle. The Trojan Horse Traitor, The Fall of Thor’s Hammer, and The Fay’s Apprentice, about homeschooled pastor’s kid Levi Prince and his adventures in Terracaelum, are also available in paperback and Kindle.

Before you go, make sure you check out Amy’s newest release, The Fay’s Apprentice and connect with her on social media.

http://amycblake.com/

Amy C. Blake Facebook author page

Amy C. Blake Twitter page

Wisdom Wednesday: Kandi J. Wyatt

Sometimes, we need a reminder of why we started writing in the first place and that writing is a journey. One that takes time and requires discipline. Author, Kandi J. Wyatt is with us today for Wisdom Wednesday. 

Welcome, Kandi!

Name: Kandi J. Wyatt

Genre: Fantasy

Latest Release: An Unexpected Escapade

Writing Tip:

Keep writing. No seriously, the best thing you can do for your writing is to write. So many writers think they’re doing well, but they haven’t finished a first draft. Nothing can be done without a finished draft. Even if it’s sloppy, finish it. Then you can revise and edit.

 It will be sloppy, believe me. I’ve heard of first drafts described as throwing up on paper. Embrace the sloppiness, and view it as the beginnings of a masterpiece. Author Tosca Lee says that the first draft is like throwing clay on the potter’s wheel. You first must put clay on the wheel before you can do any pottery. [image error]

When I get discouraged or when time gets away from me, I remember this advice, and I keep writing. I plug away in the sloggy middle-ground where my characters feel flat and unexciting, and I write. Eventually, I finish a draft and give it a break. Then I can go back to it and see the good things, take out the bad, and adjust the mediocre. Without a first draft, I’d have nothing to work with. It’s been this mentality that has allowed me to publish eleven books and finish writing another three novels for future publication.

Great advice! Years ago, I used to let perfection keep me from finishing rough drafts. Now, I love the rough draft process.

Advice For New Writers: 

My best advice comes from a Twitter conversation with Margaret Weis four years ago. Earlier there had been a conversation with other authors about ‘making it big’. The advice I’d been given was being an author is for the long-haul. It’ll take at least five years before you start to see results. The same week as that conversation with my publishing team, I came upon a conversation between Brian Rathbone and Margaret Weis saying that she was told when she started out to not expect any fame for the first six years. I think it’s wise advice. Many people think becoming an author will lead to immediate success, but that’s not the case. It will take hard work, many years of labor, and hundreds of thousands of words before people will begin to notice you.

This is an excellent reminder to all of us to keep writing and keep going. It does take time and lots of persistence. 

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Protect friendship, family or a creature that’s not supposed to exist?

Ana and Daisy have been friends since third grade, but a rift in the space-time continuum in their little town may change that. When a unicorn waltzes into the pasture with Daisy’s appaloosas, a poacher, who will stop at nothing to gain the unicorn horn and its healing tears, shows up. Daisy is focused on saving the unicorn while Ana’s parents face sudden life-threatening health issues. When Ana learns about the healing tears, she’s forced to choose between friendship and her family’s health.

Can the girls and the grace to compromise and save Ana’s parents and the unicorn?

 

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Even as a young girl, Kandi J Wyatt, had a knack for words. She loved to read them, even if it was on a shampoo bottle! By high school Kandi had learned to put words together on paper to create stories for those she loved. Nowadays, she writes for her kids, whether that‘s her own five or the hundreds of students she’s been lucky to teach. When Kandi‘s not spinning words to create stories, she’s using them to teach students about Spanish, life, and leadership.

Social Media:

Website: http://kandijwyatt.com/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/kandijwyatt/

Google: http://plus.google.com/u/0/+KandiWyatt/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/kandijwyatt

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kandijwyatt

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kandi–J-Wyatt/...

Before you go, take a moment and connect with Kandi on social media and check out her latest release, An Unexpected Escapade. 

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Joy

We had a jam-packed weekend and a long day yesterday at our youngest child’s chemo appointment. Top it off with a migraine that lasted for almost three days, and it was nearly an unbearable trip riding in the car for eight hours.

I woke up not hurting this morning. YAY! I snuck into the living room (the kids are still snoozing) and opened the windows by the computer. It’s been quiet in the house except for the sound of the birds chirping and my fingers hitting the keyboard.

My day is already full of things to do and errands to run. But for now, I’m letting the kids sleep, and I’m listening to the birds. 

There’s something so calming about the early morning hours when the house is quiet, and all I can hear is the birds calling to each other all around our house. Spring is here, and I’m so grateful for the warming temperatures.

Do you feel that calmness this morning? The promise spring, new life, and sunshine? Maybe you can’t feel it yet because you woke up late getting the kids ready for school and it’s been a mad dash out the door. Maybe your work trip was canceled and all you can think about it how it’s thrown everything off this week. Perhaps you’re worried about bills, and missed work because you’ve had to take care of sick kiddos.

Or maybe, just maybe, you’ve made plans to be intentional today. You want to take a moment and just breathe. Your soul needs to find peace in this crazy day that’s guaranteed to turn into a crazy week. Maybe you’ve been following the #BeStill Tuesday blog for a couple weeks now, but you just don’t know how you can find the time. Perhaps you have the time set aside for only you, but now that it’s here, you can’t let yourself relax.

That was me this morning. I was thinking about my to-do list, and wondering how I could fit in a blog about rest.

Then I opened the windows. Then I heard the birds. [image error]

Sounds corny, I know. But have you ever stopped and listened to them before? I mean, really listened to them? They are not worried about anything. Their songs are not full of melancholy, but joy.

I hope you find some joy today. Whether it’s reading a book outside, going to the park and playing with your kids, writing a new chapter in your book, or creating something with your hands. Take a moment and find joy.

Take a moment and #BeStill.

Hugs,

Erin

Wisdom Wednesday: Jebraun Clifford

Do you struggle with an internal editor? Or maybe you are new to writing and unsure about handing your manuscript over to a critique partner? You’re not alone. Every writer deals with both of these issues to some degree. But how do you get past them?

Today, we have author Jebraun Clifford with us for Wisdom Wednesday. Welcome, Jebraun!

Name: Jebraun Clifford

Genre: Science fiction and fantasy

Upcoming Anthology Release: Encircled

Writing Tip:

Learn how to turn off your internal editor! I’m a bit of a grammar nerd and end up spending way too much time checking my spelling, grammar, and sentence structure when I’m writing a first draft. Instead of letting the words flow (and reassuring myself I’ll go back later and fix stuff), I find it easy to get bogged down in the details of editing as I write. And, unfortunately, the editorial side of your brain doesn’t play nicely with your creative side. I have to tell myself often what Shannon Hales said, “I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” So shovel in that sand, get those words in, and work on creating a masterpiece after the first draft is finished.

I’ve always liked this quote. I battle with my internal editor as well, but I’ve finally got to the point where I can write the entire first draft without editing each chapter as I go. It’s still hard at times, but I keep reminding myself that the first draft is supposed to be messy. It just has to exist. 

Advice For New Writers: 

Don’t be afraid to share your writing with other writers. It can be scary, handing over your precious scribblings, but finding a critique group of like-minded writers was the best thing I ever did. My writing improved immensely, and I ended up becoming friends with the amazing group that is publishing this anthology!

I completely agree. It’s hard to hand them over to someone and wait to find out what they think about the story. Writing groups are amazing, and the people there know exactly what you are feeling/thinking because they’ve had those same fears at some point.

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Back cover blurb for “Beyond the Stars and Past the Moons” which is a science fiction re-telling of the fairy tale “East of the Sun, and West of the Moon” in the anthology, Encircled:

Astrid makes the mistake of landing on a derelict moon base above a planet with a corrosive atmosphere. Inside the base lives Milos, a lonely young man who always wears his space suit and a reflective helmet. The base seems familiar, like from a memory or dream. What isn’t Milos telling her? And why won’t he show her his face?

Milos waits for the one destined to break his curse. When Astrid arrives, he realizes she’s everything he’s dreamt about for the last five hundred years. Can she save him before the sorceress who imprisoned him wakes up and destroys them both?

[image error]Too short to be an elf and too tall to be a Hobbit, Jebraun Clifford lives smack-dab in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island surrounded by thermal activity, stunning lakes, and enough Redwoods to make her Californian heart swoon. She writes about discovering identity, living without fear, and enjoys creating fantastic worlds. She loves coffee, tree ferns, dark chocolate, and Jesus, and harbours a secret penchant for British spelling.

 

 

Social Media:

Encircled pre-order campaign: https://forms.gle/PRK6HSRgUbbzQAYN7

https://jebraunclifford.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jebraun.clifford.author/

https://www.instagram.com/jebraunclifford/

https://amazon.com/author/jebraunclifford

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18985233.Jebraun_Clifford

Before you go, take a moment and connect with Jebraun on social media and preorder the anthology, Encircled, which releases on April 16th.

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Unstoppable

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A couple of weeks ago, I found a note in one of my notebooks. My husband left it for me to find and never said anything about it until I brought it up to him. The note said, “You are an unstoppable creative mastermind of untold ideas. Now go create a world others will live, love, and die in.”

I needed that reminder so much.

I’ve been a little stuck lately, trying to figure out how I can make my new series fit in the story world of my current series. I love my story world and want to stay in it for a little while longer.

Wisdom Wednesday: Mary Schlegel

Do we have any procrastinators here? I can raise my hand on this one, and I know I’m not the only one. I can list a hundred different things that I need to accomplish today, (okay, maybe not that many) and it’s easy to make excuses for pushing writing further down the list. 

Today, we have author Mary Schlegel with us for Wisdom Wednesday. Welcome, Mary!

 

Name: Mary Schlegel

Genre: Fantasy and Science Fiction

Latest Release: The Last Will and Testament of Captain Nemo

Writing Tip:

I don’t remember where I originally heard this or who said it, but I wrote it down and used to have it pinned on my wall: Writers write. Other people make excuses. This has been a really important thing for me because I am so very good at procrastinating, at telling myself I’ll write tomorrow, or next week, or once work isn’t so busy, or once the holidays are over, or whatever. And yet identifying myself to others as “a writer” is something that’s really important to me, so it’s good for me to have this reminder that if I want to use this label I really love for myself, I actually have to do the thing the label describes.

Great quote! I think every writer should print this out and hang above their computer. I don’t know why it’s so easy for writers to make excuses, but we’ve all done it at some point in our writing careers. Writing takes discipline, and it’s something we have to learn. 

Advice For New Writers: 

 It’s okay to read your own writing just for enjoyment. Everybody goes around telling new writers that they should write the story they want to read, but then everyone seems to think that it’s super vain or arrogant of them to then go back and actually read it. That’s silly. You wrote the book you wanted to read because nobody else had. Now go and read the thing and enjoy it!

We should want to re-read our own stories. I know for me, I find things in my first novel that I wish I would have written differently, but that’s part of the process. You will grow and get better each time you write. I love it when readers ask me questions about my series because I love talking about the story world I created. Great advice!

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From the tragedy of The Little Mermaid, and the mystery of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, comes the truth that ties them both together: the story of the love that saved a life and started a war, of the quest that became an obsession…of the seaman who, for love of a mermaid, became a legend.

[image error] Mary Schlegel is a tea fanatic and four-leaf clover hunter who writes speculative fiction and dabbles in various other forms of creative expression. Mary lives with her husband Aaron in the heart of the Ozark Mountains.

 

Social Media:

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

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

Before you go, take a moment and connect with Mary on Facebook and Instagram, and check out her novel, (look at that cover!) The Last Will and Testament of Captain Nemo on Amazon.

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Deep Breath

Sometimes you need to take a deep breath, be still, and let God work.

I know it’s not always easy to do this. You are running full speed ahead, tackling goals, and marking off items on your list. You’re chasing after little ones or fitting another practice into your busy schedule.

You’re so busy taking care of everyone else that you’ve forgotten to take care of yourself.

Wherever you are today, I hope you stop for a moment and be still. Quiet everything else around you and let God renew your spirit. Do something for yourself today, even if it’s only for a moment.

Hugs,

Erin

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Blog Tour: Stop #16 + Giveaway

Hey everyone!

I know that I owe you a #BeStill post, but I have a new Blog Tour Stop that I need to tell you about, and there’s a giveaway!

Who loves to win a free ebook?

I know that I do! Hop on over to Trish Perry’s blog, check out my interview and answer the following question:

Why do you enjoy reading? 

1) For fun or escape.

2) Deeper meanings for challenge or growth.

Leave your answer for a chance to win a Kindle copy of my new release, The Soul Searcher! 

My next stop will be on Heather Greer’s blog, Write Stuff Wednesday.

See you soon!

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Wisdom Wednesday: Candace West

How many books do you have on your bookshelves? Are they filled with only your favorite authors? Or perhaps you keep everything you read, and the shelves are overflowing? Today, we have author Candace West sharing her favorite writing tip.

Welcome, Candace!

 

Name: Candace West

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Latest Release: Lane Steen

Writing Tip:

“I wish I could write like that!” Whenever you read a fantastic novel, do you ever think this? My bookshelves are bursting with books that inspire me. I’ve read thousands of lines that almost make my mouth water. They are so beautifully written.

I admit that my writing falls short of so many other authors I admire. Most of us probably feel that way when we’re pouring over our manuscripts or freezing up at the keyboard when the perfect word eludes us. A perfect quagmire for frustrated writers. When those moments come, turn the tables on those doubts with these tips:

Never compare your writing style to other authors. It’s wonderful to learn by example from them, but don’t fall into the trap of berating your voice. As writers, we never stop learning the craft whether we are beginners or best-selling authors.

Focus on being yourself. Let your words shine through the story you are called to tell. When others help polish off those rough edges, let it blossom. With a lot of time, patience, and practice, your voice will transform into one that is uniquely yours.

I read so much that sometimes I fear my ideas are too close to other writer’s ideas.  Sometimes I write and read something later that’s close to my own. But their voice and my voice are distinctively different. This is an excellent reminder that other writers can influence your writing, but to always let your unique voice flow through. 

 

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How can she let go of the past when she is forced to confront it?

At sixteen, Lane Steen never imagines she is living a lie until a new schoolteacher, Edith Wallace, comes to Valley Creek. Yet Edith is more than a schoolteacher. She is part of the past–a past hidden in a mysterious dream that has haunted Lane since childhood.

Lane yearns to escape from her embittered father. Getting an education is Lane’s only hope. Carefully, Edith works to earn Lane’s friendship, but love and trust doesn’t come easy for a heart plagued by hate. But then the truth shatters Lane’s world.

The truth sends Lane on a turbulent search into the past. Leaving Valley Creek behind, Lane reunites with a family she cannot remember–a family that surpasses her wildest dreams. A family that belongs to her.

Despite her newfound joy, her hatred for her father only deepens. Although she desires to experience the faith of her family, Lane can’t cast away one thing she holds closely: the hatred that helped her survive.

Digging into her father’s unbelievable past, she confronts the story behind her father’s ruin. Will she always be bound by hate?

Yet something even stronger binds her. Something stronger than her family, something stronger than her will. She is bound to Valley Creek, the place of her stormy childhood, the place of the man she loves, but more importantly, the place of God’s calling. Ironically, she finds love, purpose, grace, and forgiveness in a place she’d sought all her life to escape.

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Candace West was born in the Mississippi delta to a young minister and his wife. She grew up in small-town Arkansas and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello. When she was twelve years old, she wrote her first story, “Following Prairie River.” Since then, she has dreamed of writing Christian fiction. Over the years, she has published short stories as well as poems in various magazines. Since her teenage years, she has written many church plays. In 2018, she published her first novel Lane Steen. By weaving entertaining, page-turning stories, Candace hopes to share the Gospel and encourage her readers. She currently lives in her beloved Arkansas with her husband Aaron and their son Matthew along with two dogs and three cats.

Social Media:

Sign up for my quarterly newsletter at www.candaceweststoryteller.com! I love getting to know my readers! Also, visit my author page at www.facebook.com/inspirationalnovel.

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/candacewest111.

Before you go, check out Lane Steen and connect with Candace on social media. Thank you for joining us today! 

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March Events

I’m teaming up with fellow-author Regina Merrick for two writing workshops this month! If you are interested in writing, come out and join us. It’s a free workshop and lots of fun. Regardless of where you are in your writing journey, it’s always a great time to get together with other writers, and learn something new! You can sign up at either library or send me an email. erin@mantlerockpublishingllc.com.

Also, after the writing workshop in Benton, is my next book signing. If you missed the Release Party, come out and see me. You can bring your copy of The Soul Searcher. Don’t have a copy yet? I will have some available for purchase. I hope to see you there!

Writing Workshop: March 23rd- Crittenden Co. Public Library 10 am-12 pm

Writing Workshop: March 30th- Marshall Co. Public Library in Benton. 10 am-12 pm

Book Signing: March 30th- Marshall Co. Public Library in Benton 12:30 pm- 2:30 pm

 

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