Ceara Nobles's Blog

November 11, 2022

A Look Inside My Author Toolbox...

Every author has their preferred tools of the trade, and they differ depending on the person. It has taken me more than five years to find that system that works for me, and I'm thrilled to say I have arrived.

Whether you're an aspiring author still trying to find their tools or a reader who's curious about the process behind writing a book, here are a few tools from my author's toolbox!

Writing Software

A lot of authors have a love/hate relationship with Scrivener, but I'm a diehard fan! For those who don't know, Scrivener is a program geared toward writers of all kinds. People use it for writing novels, screenplays, or even thesis papers. It has a ton of useful tools for writers, like outlining tools, goal trackers, and easy-to-use organization capabilities to keep track of revisions, notes, and background information about the project you're working on.

I actually got the program for free about five years ago at a writer's conference I went to, and I'll never go back. I typically write my first draft in Scrivener, then export it to Word to work on revisions from my editor. When I'm done with revisions, everything goes back into Scrivener so I can keep track of it. I love that you can customize the program for whatever you need it to be. It can be as simple as using it like a Word document or as complicated as an in-depth world-building system.

World-Building Tool

Speaking of worldbuilding, I use Campfire Pro to keep track of all my world-building stuff. I'm a fantasy author, so you know there's a lot to manage. World maps, new races and languages, magic systems, and detailed information like character profiles and relationships. Campfire is the best software I've found to keep it all manageable! They also have a drafting capability so I could write my novels in there if I wanted to, but I prefer to keep things as complicated as possible, so I do all of that in Scrivener. Haha!

Campfire used to be a program that you could download right to your computer, and that's the version I have. I love it! But they have since moved to a cloud-based system. I've heard that it's excellent, but I haven't tried it!

Continued Learning

I'm a big believer in continuing to work on my craft, so I spend a lot of time studying and learning from other authors and coaches. I'm always looking for new ways to improve my writing, my process, or my mindset. Lately I've really loved Abbie Emmons on YouTube. She has some great craft-related videos and monthly in-depth trainings. She also does some Write With Me writing sprint videos on Youtube that are GOLD. My favorite takes place in an enchanted forest, and my word count per sprint doubles every time I use her video!

Formatting

Because I'm a self-published author, I do all aspects of publishing myself. That includes formatting the final versions of my manuscript into publish-ready files for Amazon. So you can bet I've found the easiest to use software I could find, and that's Atticus. It is so user-friendly that it's kind of ridiculous, and it only takes me about an hour to format my books from start to finish. It's great!

... And a Secret Weapon

Every author has a secret weapon, and mine is my husband Grady. He is my creative content director, and he's always ready to let me bounce ideas off of him. He gives me honest feedback about my magic system (more magic please) and my battle tactics (do more research Ceara) and listens to me rant and rave as I'm brainstorming a new plot idea. He's the first to tell me, in a loving way, that I need to push myself to improve, and I'm so grateful for him!

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it! A few of the tools from my Author Toolbox. Do you use any of the tools I listed above? Are there any I missed? Let me know in the comments below!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 11, 2022 04:07

November 4, 2022

Writing Update: October 2022

Happy November! Are you ready for the busiest season of the year? Right now I'm pumped, but if you ask me tomorrow my answer might be different. ;)

October was a CRAZY month for me. I had a deadline of October 31st to have Blaze of Reckoning (Book 3 in the Rising Elements series) sent to my editor, and I worked my tail off to get it done. I had a great outline, so that really helped, but I got swamped with some editing projects for my side job as a freelance editor, and it threw me all out of whack.

Long story short, I butted up right against the deadline and managed to write 25,000 words in three days. But I turned it in on time, and I'm really proud of the results!

Now I'm playing the waiting game while my editor works her magic, so I'm turning my eyes to something new....

Aki's story. ;)

CURRENT WORD COUNT

Current word count: 0

Target word count: 30,000

If you notice the target word count, you'll probably realize this isn't a full-length novel. It's a prequel novella for the Rising Elements world.

WRITING THOUGHTS

This project has been in my mind for a while now. I first talked about it back in July, but life got in the way and I haven't had a chance to draft anything. I'm actually happy about that, because I had a lot of revelations while I was drafting book 3 that will actually tie into Aki's novella.

You see, book 3 HEAVILY ties into the events that happen in the novella. You'll learn a lot more about Aki's past, and his past will come calling in book 3. ;)

That said, I need to get the prequel novella OUT before book 3 releases in January, so y'all can be ready for this excitement!

I have the outline pretty much done. I just need to tweak some things and add some details, and then I'll be ready to draft. I'm planning on finishing the first draft by the end of this month and then doing a quick edit and having it ready to release near the middle of December! I can't wait.

Diving into the lore and history of Reya and Thios will be so much fun, and I think you'll love Aki's less mature, more romantic side.

I'll let you know how it goes in my next monthly update at the beginning of December. As always, you can follow me on Instagram to see daily/weekly updates!

In the meantime, I'll be back next week with another blog post. Chat soon!

Ceara

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 04, 2022 05:00

October 14, 2022

Character Spotlight: Gideon

Welcome to my newest blog post series! We're doing a deep dive into one character from the Rising Elements series every Friday. This week, it's time to learn more about my personal favorite, the goofball drunk Gideon!

Gideon is a Thiosian Fae known for his large stature and his tendency to carry around a bottle of whiskey. He's a lighthearted guy on the surface, but he carries a huge burden of guilt on his shoulders for a past that few know about.

He's an earth user, and unlike most, he channels his magick through the soles of his feet. So you'll never see Gideon wearing shoes. He walks around barefoot so he can feel the earth and work his magick more efficiently!

We first meet Gideon shortly after Everly arrives in Thios, and he's pretty vocal about his disapproval at Aki's decision to allow Everly to stay. But the human grows on him, and soon they become friends.

Today, I thought it would be fun to share a little snippet from the middle of book 1, when Gideon first teaches Everly how to shoot a bow (his weapon of choice besides his magick). It's a great glimpse into his internal conflict and the man behind the mask of town drunk.

Here we go!

**

Gideon snorted a laugh.

I couldn’t help but smile. “How did you get dragged into this fight? You don’t seem like the revolutionary type.”

“Why? Because I like whiskey?” As if to emphasize his point, Gideon grabbed a foggy bottle from a nearby rock and took a long swig. “We’re not always what we appear, little lady.”

“I’ve gathered that much. How did you meet Aki?”

Gideon set the bottle back on the rock and hefted his bow again, shooting another bullseye as if he could do it in his sleep. “I met him during the war. He saved my life.”

That hit home. Mary Beth’s face immediately came to mind, and I suddenly understood Gideon’s loyalty to Aki. “How?”

“Asmodeus—or rather, one of his followers—killed my sister. I went after him, of course, a dead man’s mission. Aki stopped me from getting myself killed and told me to use my life for a different purpose. And here I am.” Gideon lowered the bow and turned to face me. “And the whiskey? It was my sister’s favorite drink. She was an alcoholic if I’ve ever met one.”

I searched his face. For the first time since I’d met him, I saw the sorrow behind his grin. The meaning behind his drinking. No wonder the others never mentioned his addiction to the bottle. Mina was the only one who tried to circumvent it by constantly shoving food in his hands instead. Gideon was a trickster, the comic relief of the group, but he had a tragic past like everyone else.

“I get it,” I said quietly. “I lost my mom a few years ago. I still want to kill the one responsible.”

If only I could kill drugs and addiction. It was a revenge I would never see.

“Here.” Gideon shoved his bow into my hands. “You ever shot one of these?”

“Uh, no. They aren’t very common in the human world.” I accepted the change of subject—I wasn’t eager for this conversation to go into touchy-feely territory either—and glanced down at the bow, hefting it in one hand. It was lightweight and the wood was smooth against my fingers.

“They should be,” Gideon said. He cleared his throat. “They’re mighty fine weapons. It’s a shame the queen banned them, or I would use them more. Want me to give you a lesson?”

My first instinct was to refuse, but clearly my magick training was going nowhere. At least if I had a bow, I could attempt to help when we took back the gate. Or at the very least, avoid getting myself killed. If all else failed, I could poke my attackers in the eye with an arrow.

“Yeah,” I said to Gideon. “I guess that’d be nice.”

Gideon stepped up behind me. “Hold the bow in your left hand. Raise it up—yes, just like that. Keep your left arm straight.”

I copied the stance I’d seen Gideon use. The bow was surprisingly comfortable.

Gideon handed me an arrow and showed me how to nock it. He placed my fingers on the end of the arrow, one above and two below. “Now pull the string back nice and tight.” He guided my hand back until it reached my cheek. “Shoulders relaxed. Deep breath. And—release.”

I let the string slip between my fingers. The arrow whizzed through the air.

Thwump.

The arrow struck home on the upper right side of the target, vibrating with the impact.

My chest warmed with pride, and I looked up to see Gideon grinning at me. All traces of seriousness were gone, as if our conversation had never happened. “Well done, darlin’,” he said. “You’re a natural.”

**

In book 3, you'll learn even more about Gideon's background and his feelings for Mina... and you might even see some things progress on that front. ;)

If you haven't dived into the Rising Elements series yet, what are you waiting for? Head over to Amazon and pick up your copy today!

Where are you at in the series? And what were your first impressions of Gideon? Let me know in the comments below!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on October 14, 2022 04:35

October 7, 2022

Character Spotlight: Aki [BONUS]

In case you haven't been around lately, we're starting a new series where I'm highlighting a character each week from my Rising Elements series. Today we're learning about the mysterious and aloof Aki.

Aki is an enigma in the Rising Elements series. At the beginning of book 3, Everly has known him for about a year, and yet she knows hardly anything about him.

What we do know?

- He was born and raised in Reya (and he's now leading a rebellion against it).

- He really likes vintage suits and white gloves.

- He was at ground zero for the Schism, a great civil war that happened ages ago and forever divided Thios and Reya.

But what you might not know is that I've got a prequel novella brewing, and guess what it's about?

*Drum roll please.*

That's right... Aki's origin story. You will finally learn what happened during the Schism and why Aki now wears a white mask instead of the signature colored ones that Reyans wear. You will learn exactly how Aki went from an intelligent young Fae to the mysterious, enigmatic rebel leader of Thios.

Are you ready for a blurb-in-progress? Let's do this!

**

"I abide by one rule and one rule only: I will not follow in my father's footsteps."

Aki has spent his life preparing to perform the Rite and join one of the great Reyan Houses. It's the final step in his plan to shirk his rebel father's name and become a member of Reyan society so he can finally pursue Cara, the love of his life.

But on the eve of achieving his goals, one moment makes him question everything he knows about Reya... and the female Fae he's loved since he was young.

The Reyan court is full of secrets and lies, and Aki has just begun to uncover them. Now he must make a decision: will he join a society that goes against his moral beliefs? Or will he rebel against it and become exactly what he's always feared?

Return to Thios in Tainted Kingdom: A Rising Elements Prequel Novella . Coming in December to an e-reader near you.

**

I am so excited to reveal a bit about Tainted Kingdom! I've been sitting on this story idea since I started book 2 in the series. And now that I'm almost done with book 3, I'll finally have a chance to bring it to life! This will be an exclusive novella only available to my mailing list subscribers (AKA you have to join my email list in order to receive it).

Aki's past has always been a mystery, and readers have guessed how and why he is the way he is... and in December, you won't have to guess anymore! You'll want to read this story before book 3 comes out in January. Let's just say the background knowledge will be very helpful in the plot for book 3!

What do you think of the blurb? Any guesses about Aki's story? Let me know in the comments below!

And if you haven't started the Rising Elements series yet, head on over to Amazon and start reading! It's free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, or you can get an ebook, paperback, or Audible copy for a low price.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on October 07, 2022 05:34

September 30, 2022

Character Spotlight: Mina

In case you haven't been around lately, we're starting a new series where I'm highlighting a character each week from my Rising Elements series. Today we're learning about everyone's favorite character, Mina!

Mina is a gentle genius who loves coffee and all things human. She has a propensity for wearing leggings and eighties band T-shirts, and she's a whiz at creating new weapons and inventions for the team.

But she's not all sunshine and rainbows.

She has a tragic past that she doesn't speak about often, and she's not from Thios or Reya. She also failed the Rite, so she's one of very few Fae who don't have magick.

When we first meet Mina in Sparks and Shadow, she does what she does best: she doctors Everly up after she gets injured when she first arrives in Faery.

But one of my favorite moments, one that truly shows the kind of Fae she is, happens early on in book 1, shortly after Everly meets Mina for the first time. Here's a snippet:

***

“Aki is meeting with Senan, I’m sure. They’ll both be here later,” Mina said. “Senan will want to meet you. Gideon and Shadow should be here soon too, so I’ll get dinner started.”

I stood awkwardly by the table as Mina started banging pots and pans around in the kitchen. I thought about offering to help, but I had no idea how to cook. It had been years since I’d had a kitchen of my own, and even then, I’d mostly eaten stale pizza and peanut butter sandwiches.

I watched Mina chop strange vegetables, then slide them into a pot on the stove. The stove was metal, with ornate designs. Fire burned steadily from the burner. Glancing around the kitchen, I was struck again by how modern-ish it was. It had all the fixings of a gourmet kitchen, but the appliances were slightly off. A toaster sat on the counter, but it didn’t look like any toaster I’d seen in stores. It was metal, with gears and pulleys, and I didn’t see a cord to plug it in anywhere.

“Where did you get all this stuff?” I asked, moving to stand behind the counter so I was out of Mina’s way. “I didn’t see a Walmart on our way through town.”

Mina glanced back at me. “What’s a Walmart?”

I tried not to smile. “It’s like… a shop. A really big shop, where you can buy pretty much anything you can think of.”

“You humans think of everything.” Mina tossed some herbs into the pot and gave it another stir. “We don’t have that in Thios, though I wish we did.”

“Then where’d you get all these fancy gadgets?”

“I created them.” Mina beamed with pride.

I gaped at her and gestured at the toaster. “You made this?”

“I don’t have a Gift like the others, so I create my own conveniences.” Mina picked up the toaster and set it on the counter in front of me. Her blue eyes sparkled. “It’s been ages since any of us have been to the human world, but I read a lot of your books. I love learning about all the new inventions your kind is creating. Senan and I take inspiration from that to improve life here in Thios for those who don’t have Gifts.”

“Why don’t you use magic like Aki and the others?”

“It’s called elemental magick.” Mina’s face fell. “Not everyone can use it. Seraphine only Gifts it to those she deems worthy. I performed the Rite, but I didn’t pass her trial so I couldn’t bond with an element.”

I searched her face, feeling a pang of sympathy that I didn’t appreciate. She was a monster like the rest of the fairies here, but… she’d been nice to me. She was also clearly an oddball. She couldn’t use magic like the others and she seemed more interested in dressing in human clothes instead of what everyone else wore. Come to think of it, I had gotten a lot of strange looks today, but so had Mina. And those protesters had targeted her, not me. Was she an outcast here? I knew what that felt like, and it made my heart ache.

That was not a feeling I was comfortable with.

Clearing my throat, I picked up the toaster and examined it. It didn’t have a power cord. “How does this work?”

Mina visibly shook off the gloom and pointed to a shiny disk near the back of the toaster. “I built a power source to heat a cell and toast the bread. I set it in the window and it stores sunlight to use as a power source.”

I had to admit, I was impressed. She had created her own solar battery. “Wow. So you’re like a fairy version of Elon Musk.”

***

So many readers have told me how much they love Mina's character, and I understand why. I love her too! She has a major role (and a lot of development) in book 3, and I can't wait for you to see what Seraphine has in store for her!

Haven't read the series yet? Now is a great time to start! Grab book one now. Book two is also available, and book three will be here in January. <3

If you've read any of the books, drop a comment below and let me know what you think. I love hearing from my readers!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 30, 2022 04:48

September 23, 2022

Character Spotlight: Shadow

I'm starting a new blog series spotlighting my favorite characters from the Rising Elements series. For week 2, it only makes sense to focus on the dark and mysterious Shadow.

Shadow is the epitome of tall (but not as tall as Aki), dark, and handsome. He is also broody and secretive... and somehow always there when Everly needs him.

He is the last remaining Spirit Guardian, the special class of Fae who were gifted with spirit magick, and he has the ability to shapeshift into a wolf at will. He is also the spymaster of Aki's rebel group, and he's in charge of slinking around to learn all the queen's secrets.

When we first meet Shadow in Sparks and Shadow, it's when he saves Everly's life after she is kidnapped to the land of Faery. Well, kind of. More like, she uses him as a distraction to attempt to escape back through the portal to Seattle. What follows is one of my favorite encounters when he speaks to Everly for the first time. Everly's sass comes out full force. Here's a snippet:

***

My eyes struggled to adjust to the cave’s darkness. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and turned on the flashlight. It was a pinprick in the oppressive blackness, but it was better than nothing. I tracked the light across the uneven cave wall, searching for some sign of the portal we’d come through. If I could find it, I could slip back into it before Erza and that other dude realized I was gone. With any luck, I could slurp back to Seattle, somehow fight off Bria and her pack of angry monsters, and be home in time to eat frozen lasagna with Mary Beth and the other residents of Hammond House.

Frozen lasagna had never sounded so good.

There. That portion of the cave wall looked portal-ish.

I ran at it without a second thought.

There was no slurp. Instead, I bounced off the wall like a pinball and landed on my back.

Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best approach. Or just the wrong wall.

I got to my feet with a curse and stepped up to the wall again. This time, I placed both hands on it. The stone was rough and cool against my fingers. I walked the length of the cave, waiting for my hands to sink into the wall somewhere.

They didn’t.

I wanted to scream in frustration. Where was this stupid portal thing? Did I have to do something special to open it?

Movement sounded at the cave’s entrance. I flipped around and put my back against the wall. If I had to beat the crap out of Erza and force him to open the portal…

The black wolf padded into the darkness. He sat just inside the entrance and looked at me with golden eyes, his head cocked slightly to the side.

I didn’t know whether to be relieved or more concerned.

I was leaning toward the latter.

“Open it,” I demanded, pointing at the wall next to me.

The wolf bowed his head. When he looked up, it was the man’s face staring back at me. He unfolded from a crouch, fully clothed, and brushed invisible dust from his jacket.

That was a neat trick. I tried not to show him how creeped out I was.

I pointed at the wall again, with emphasis. “Open it, wolf boy.”

The man folded muscular arms across his chest. “I can’t.”

I looked at him like he was crazy. “What do you mean, you can’t? I just slurped through there a minute ago.”

A cool breeze fluttered through the cave, lifting my hair and tossing it across my face. I used one hand to shove it out of the way, and when I looked at the cave entrance again, there was a second man standing there.

Okay, I was already sick of this magic mumbo-jumbo.

***

I'll give you one guess who the second man is (hint: we'll do his character spotlight next week).

Shadow is one of my favorite characters. He's tall dark and mysterious in book one, but we start to learn more about him in book two. And finally in book three, he'll lay all his cards on the table... and we'll get to dive into his mind because some chapters will be from his POV!!

Haven't read the series yet? Now is a great time to start! Grab book one now. Book two is also available, and book three will be here in January. <3

If you've read any of the books, drop a comment below and let me know what you think. I love hearing from my readers!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 23, 2022 04:03

September 16, 2022

Character Spotlight: Everly

I'm starting a new blog series spotlighting my favorite characters from the Rising Elements series. And to kick things off, we HAVE to focus on the main character.

If I could think of one word to describe Everly Ryan, it's tough. Sarcastic. Brave. Loyal through and through.

But she's also thickheaded. Stubborn. Slow to trust.

Okay, that's a lot more than one word.

But here's the truth about Everly: she will fight to the end for the people she cares about. You just have to make it past the mile-high walls around her heart first. ;)

When we meet Everly at the beginning of Sparks and Shadow, she's in her element (pun not intended... but if you read the books then you'll get it haha). She has spent the last few years living on the streets of Seattle and she's got things figured out. Her days are spent delivering packages around the city for extra cash and then squirreling that cash away to get her and her best friend Mary Beth off the streets so they can start over somewhere new.

But there's just one problem: she can see the Fae that wander the city of Seattle, and no one else can.

One day, her big heart gets her into trouble and she makes a rash decision to save the life of her nemesis Peter when he unwittingly walks into a warehouse infested by the predatory Fae she has spent her life avoiding.

After punching the Fae leader in the nose, Everly finds herself kidnapped to the world of Faery, and thus her adventure begins!

I'm writing book 3 in the series right now, and it has been SO FUN to develop Everly from the lonely, street-smart homeless kid into a strong, proud woman with an army of friends around her. And there's still a lot more growing to do. ;)

Haven't read the series yet? Don't forget to grab your copy now! Books 1 and 2 are available now, and book 3 comes out in January.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 16, 2022 03:53

September 3, 2022

How I Added 30,000 Words to My Novel in 7 Days [My Revision Process]

"You can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page." - Jodi Picoult

Wow, such wise words. Writing a book is hard, but the editing phase? It's a doozy!

For my most recent book, Oath of Flame, I had a crazy revision timeline. I ended up adding 30,000 words to the story in just 7 days. I literally only stopped revising to eat and sleep.

Since I don't recommend pushing yourself to the brink of insanity by repeating my mistakes, I decided to share a GOOD revisions approach for your next novel. ;)

So here we go!

1. Read your novel from beginning to end.

This is really important. Before you can move into revisions, you have to see your project as a whole. You've spent the last few months (or however long drafting takes you) working on the story scene by scene. Now it's time to see it as a full story. Reading it through from beginning to end will help you see what's working and what's not. Don't revise anything during this step. Just take notes about what you're reading. You'll come back to it in step 2!

2. Make a list.

Take the notes you made in step 1 and make an action plan. Make a list of all the plot points that need to be revised (or character development, missing scenes, subplots, etc.) and brainstorm ideas to fix them. If you're an under-writer like me, you'll probably have a list of scenes that you'll want to add during revisions. Or if you've an over-writer, analyze each scene and determine what it does for your overall narrative. If it's fluff, consider cutting it.

When I'm considering overall plot arcs, I like to use a method by James Scott Bell called Super Structure. It's outlined in his book Super Structure: the Key to Unleashing the Power of Story. It's a great read, and it's pretty cheap on Amazon! The story signposts he uses have been instrumental in helping me understand how stories function. You can also use the Save the Cat method, or whatever plot method works best for you.

For my most recent book, my first draft came in at about 50,000 words. I had a goal of 70,000-80,000 words, so I knew there was a LOT of story that needed to be added.

3. Rewrite #1.

Now it's time for your first rewrite! Go through your list and address everything you wrote down. Make some time for this step. It takes longer than you think! (That was my mistake with my last book.)

4. Get a second opinion.

Once I've gone through my first round of revisions, this is where I ask for help. I've been working on this story for so long and I can no longer look at it without a bias. So it's time to bring in the big guns.

Depending on your budget and comfort level, your second opinion can come in the form of a professional developmental editor (my preferred choice) or you can use beta readers or even friends and family. The important thing is to get an outside perspective of someone who can tell you what's working and what isn't.

My dev editor, Alex, is amazing at looking through my draft and telling me exactly what's working and what isn't, both at the high level and within the pages themselves. She's invaluable to my process!

During her edit on my most recent novel, Oath of Flame, she told me very nicely that my love interest was shifty and unrelatable. Because of her recommendations, I ended up adding a second love interest to add some drama and a little love triangle. She also told me that my subplots weren't carried all the way through the story, which led to me adding a TON of hints and clues throughout the first part of the novel.

5. Revision #2: time to make more changes!

Now that you've had some different eyes on your story, you've probably gotten a ton of feedback to work through.

*An important note here: story is subjective. Everyone experiences it differently and everyone will have different opinions about how to fix a story. But YOU as the author have the final say. Take all advice with a grain of salt and really listen to your gut. If it feels right to your story (and especially if multiple beta readers mention it), then make the change.*

Go through and make the changes you feel are necessary to strengthen your novel, and then it's time to move on to the last step in the revision process.

6. Read it aloud.

The final step in the revision process is also the most important, in my opinion. READ IT ALOUD. Either read it aloud yourself or you can have Microsoft Word read it to you. Listening to your story will help you catch any typos that snuck through, awkward dialogue, or descriptions that feel out of place. It's a great last check before you call your story done!

The revision process can be daunting, but it's important to remember that it's an essential part of the writing process. By taking your time and paying attention to the details, you can turn a good novel into a great one.

Have you ever gone through the revision process before? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments below!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 03, 2022 04:51

August 26, 2022

RELEASE DAY! [5 FAQs about Oath of Flame]

She's here. OATH OF FLAME is officially available everywhere books are sold!

Click HERE to get your copy!

In the meantime, let's do something fun. How about 5 Things You Might Not Know About Oath of Flame?

#1 - How did you come up with the story idea?

Writing a sequel is a whole different beast, let me tell you. It's interesting because you have to think of your character's progression on an individual level and on a series level. In book 1, Everly's character arc is all about finding her home. At the beginning of the book, she is literally homeless, and she spends most of book 1 learning about the world of Faery and beginning to feel at home there. At the end of book 1, she sacrifices the new home she has built to go back to the human world and save her friend Mary Beth.

In book 2, Everly's character arc is all about finding her place in the world (a continuation from book 1), but it has expanded to also caring about the world around her.

I think Alex, my AMAZING editor, described her character arc best: "The reader gets to see her development from an adolescent who is lost and alone, grieving and returning to the one place where she has been treated well, to a dynamic, determined and self-aware young woman."

So when it came time to brainstorm ideas for book 2, I kept Everly's character arc in mind. Every event that happens in book 2 is geared toward Everly's progression as a character!

#2 - What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Oh, man. If you've been following me on social media lately, then you probably already know that I STRUGGLED with the writing of this book. My first draft was about 50,000 words, and I literally sent it to my editor with a single word: HELP. I knew where I wanted it to go, and I knew the events I wanted to happen for it to get there, but I could not make a cohesive story to save my life.

Luckily, I wasn't alone. My amazing developmental editor took the fragmented mess I sent her and used her editor superpowers to set some guiding posts and give me some excellent feedback. Thanks to her, I was able to add 30,000 words to the story and I am DANG proud of the final product. It was a struggle, but it was worth every late night, early morning, and aching back.

#3 - What's the meaning behind the title?

The title Oath of Flame is based on Everly's character arc. After a certain event at the beginning of book 2, she makes a promise to herself (an oath, if you will) to take action, and she spends the entirety of book 2 making good on that promise.

#4 - What is your favorite scene in the book?

Oh, wow. It's so hard to pick just one. How about I pick a set of scenes instead? There's a new character introduced in book 2 (his name is Ewan) who creates some romantic complications for Everly. And I love every scene that he's in. He's pretty much adorable.

#5 - When is the next book coming?

Blaze of Reckoning (book 3 in the Rising Elements series) is set for release at the end of January 2023. I'm in the outlining stages for it right now and I cannot wait to share more about it! Let's just say it's going to expand the world of Faery quite a bit. ;)

If you've ordered a copy of Oath of Flame, I want to say thank you. Your support means the world to me. I hope you love Everly's story as much as I do!

If you haven't ordered a copy yet... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Click here!

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 26, 2022 08:50

August 5, 2022

The Sparks and Shadow Audiobook is HERE!

Wow, time has really flown! It's been five months since the ebook and paperback release, and the audiobook for Sparks and Shadow is finally here.

I wasn't sure what to expect with an audiobook launch (this is my first one), but I've been blown away by the response so far. Not only is my narrator Michelle the best, but early listeners have really loved the story and the narration. I'm so excited to share this book with a whole new group of readers (AKA listeners).

If you love audiobooks and you're looking for a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy story with lots of worldbuilding, a new magic system, slow-burn romance and Fae mythology, you'll love Sparks and Shadow. (Plus, the Irish accents are *chef's kiss*)

Here's the blurb:

A homeless girl. A portal to another world. A decision that will change her life forever.

Everly has spent the last 17 years pretending she can't see the Fae that disguise themselves as humans. When she stumbles into a warehouse full of the creatures she has spent her life avoiding, she is kidnapped to a new world. To get home, she must join a band of revolutionaries and stay alive long enough for the portal to reopen.But as Everly learns more about the mysterious city of Thios and the Fae who live there, she realizes one truth: this world feels more like home than Seattle ever did.Torn between her obligation to her old life and her new friends in Faery, Everly has one decision to make. Will she return to the life she has always known or create a new home in another world? Sparks and Shadow is the first book in a modern YA portal fantasy series featuring a kick-butt heroine, compelling characters, and slow-burn romance. If you like Fae mythology, fantastical worlds, and action-packed adventure, you’ll love this new series by Ceara Nobles.

Grab your audiobook here! And don't forget to drop a comment below and let me know what you think. I hope you fall in love with the audiobook version just like I did.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 05, 2022 05:05