Tiffany Shearn's Blog, page 2

Favorite Parts

In honor of my book anniversary and sale for Hidden Memory, I thought I would go a bit into some of my favorite aspects and parts of my first book. It’s a question I get when I sell at vendor events like the Renaissance Faire. Like creating blurbs or pulling quotes, it is also something with which I – and many authors – struggle.

What is my favorite part of my book and series?

I love the characters. Even the secondary characters have personalities and build relationships with the main characters and each other. The characters are also distinct enough that you can have your own favorites with each book. I have my personal favorite secondary, and it pleases me to hear from others about theirs and receive various answers. It means I haven’t overly focused on my choice in my writing. For this reason, I will not tell you who mine is in the first book, and instead ask you to share yours. 

Second, I love my world. The people living there, their different origins, and the associated magic systems. I have several other blog articles about the history of the races in Elaria. All of those connections and interactions give the world depth. It’s a place you can imagine other stories taking place within or dream about visiting. 

What is my favorite scene from the first book?

As a reader, combat scenes are some of my favorites. I love the action when it gets my heart pumping. The first fight with the gilar is great. She goes from having nothing and is forced to improvise at the moment to avoid getting killed and helping her companions. Even injured, her training overrides the pain and allows her to turn the battle. 

On the non-combat side, I think my favorite scene is when she comes back to camp with the blackberries after foraging. I like how it’s this little moment showing how she isn’t perfect, but also how the group has bonded and laughs with each other. I enjoy laughing with the characters in a book and feel like I’m also bonding with them. 

So, those are my favorites from Hidden Memory. If you’ve read the book, feel free to comment with some of your own favorites. You can also share the story with others this coming week, as the digital book will be on sale for $0.99. Keep an eye on my social media accounts for announcements for when that deal goes live, as it will only be up for about a week. 

Have a great weekend!

Anniversary Sale!

Hidden Memory came out three years ago this month! I sometimes can’t believe how long I have been a published author, thinking back on they year-long process of getting this first book to market. Each year after, I improved my craft and released another installment. Over the next month or so, I will put some of the final touches on the last book in this series before it goes to my beta readers. 

While my focus is on the final book in the series, I wanted to do another reader celebration for the holiday season and the anniversary of Hidden Memory‘s release. Next week, the ebook will go on sale for $0.99 in the US. I think it will be for all markets on Amazon.com (and not those like amazon.uk.com), but no promises. The price reduction will last about a week, starting at 8 am pacific time on the 11th. 

If you want a reminder about the discount next week, be sure to sign up for my newsletter, as a special email will go out once the discount goes live. This will be an opportunity to buy the book for yourself if you read it on KU, or for a friend for Christmas. 

To everyone who is continuing to leave reviews for me on all three of my books, thank you so much. Your support means the world to me. 

Thanksgiving 2023

It had been a while since I spent Thanksgiving at my in-laws until this year. Between COVID and their frequent trips to warmer weather in the winter, most recent years were spent with my side of our family.

This year the other side was hosting a larger gathering, including us. We brought some asparagus to contribute to the family feast of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and the rest. I’m not a big pumpkin fan, so I went with the apple pie for dessert.

My family ended up having ham instead of turkey this year. I approve of this, as it means we can have turkey for Christmas, and that is my preference. The only thing I regret about the switch is that I couldn’t snag some of our family noodles to go with my turkey leftovers.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned the noodles before. They are a family tradition for the holidays. The recipe is like an old spaetzle recipe transformed with more of an Italian pasta-making process. Either way, we cook them with turkey stock and drippings to use as a side or in place of gravy. Since they had ham instead, I’m stuck using the packaged poultry gravy for my leftovers instead. I’ll have to rectify this for Christmas lunch.

I hope you were all able to take some time for family and friends. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Winner 2023!

In October, I held my second-ever paperback giveaway! This one was in celebration of Hidden Memory reaching fifty reviews on Amazon. All you had to do to enter was provide your information in response to this quarter’s newsletter. I’ll have another giveaway at the next 50 review mark for any of my books, so sign up for the newsletter on the homepage if you want instructions for the next one. It looks like Hidden Sanctuary is the closest to that mark, but time will tell!

As for this year’s giveaway, I am happy to announce that Beba has won the signed paperback. Beba has been with me from the very first release, working as a beta reader providing invaluable feedback to put those finishing touches on my stories. I’m excited to share the fourth and final book in the Hidden Series with her early this coming year. 

I’m running super behind on sending it out, but her book should be in the mail this week. Thank you, Beba, and to all who entered or have supported me with reviews or buying my books. 

Until the next time I scramble up enough time for a blog post, happy reading!

Keesoo’s Plan – Short

I’ll put this one in the short story section of my website. It’s a small snippet of a character I have planned from another realm and for a far-off day in another series. 

Keesoo’s Plan

Keesoo maneuvered the pack carefully from his back as he balanced on the leafy branch. The seeds inside had been painstakingly harvested from one of the first cones of the season, packed up, and carried out to this portion of the forest. It was a prime nesting area for the tree rats, and he wanted a ride. Keesoo was on a mission. 

Today was the day he would ask Mish for the honor of trial as her partner. Mish was strong and beautiful. Her claws were sharp, and her mind focused. He had no doubt they would make a fearsome pair of hunters for the clan. But he wanted a trial offering worthy of Mish, which meant making his way to the upper canopy in the honey zone. The one where more birds gathered and defended their colorful nests full of blooming flowers. 

The nests were not his objective, but the flowers were. They grew high up where they could reach beyond the thick forest leaves to the sun shining down. Birds would eat and poop out the seeds, littering the upper branches and their nests with the leavings where the plants could sprout and grow successfully. 

Keesoo could physically climb up there on his own. It would take him more than a day, but the feat could be accomplished alone. The problem was that the birds would see him as one of the insects they frequently crunched on and gobble him up. He needed the tree rat to return before the day was out and for camouflage. 

His plan was not without risks, but Keesoo was a talented rat rider. Better than most, he guided the rats where he wanted to go instead of hoping they would head in the direction he needed. The trick was knowing what the rats were interested in and what could entice them to act. Hence, the seeds in his pack. 

Blinking his large eyes and scanning the area for predators, he took a few steps closer to the thicker, vertical branch where the rat’s nest sat cradled in the crotch. He grabbed one of the seeds, clutching it between two of his sharp claws, and deliberately flung it into the nest opening. 

Sniffing sounds, then a soft crunch. The rat’s searching, twitching nose poked out of the hole and then back in. Up a bit more. Back down. Up again, and Keesoo could see its eyes that time, so he plucked up another seed. The rat watched intently as he took slow steps forward, placed the seed on the branch where it would not fall, and then backed up. 

With every step back, another seed. Keesoo left a short trail in his wake, and the nose twitching intensified. The rat looked from the seeds to Keesoo. Seeds. Keesoo. It snuck further out of the nest until it picked up the first seed in its own clawed paws and started munching. 

Keesoo’s mouth curled up in pleasure as the rat continued forward, and he held out a final seed in his claws. Just a bit further, then he could mount and get them started on their journey. 

Almost…Almost…Ready…and…BOOM!

The rat froze, and the last seeds on the branch rattled and fell to the forest floor far below. Another BOOM sounded, shaking the earth, followed by a screeching, bellowing roar echoing through the forest. His potential mount fled back to the relative safety of its nest. Birds squawked in fright and took to the air. 

Keesoo mashed his lips together in a grimace and sighed through his nostrils. He held back a curse at the horrible luck. He should have had another month. Why, of all the years, was this the one? Why had the dragon woken early?

Soccer and a Giveaway

It has been a while since I blogged. I feel as though I am finding my feet again to be able to step in the right direction. While my chest still feels tight, straining against the weight I imagine on my shoulders, there are moments and days I can take for myself now.

Soccer Week

Last Sunday, I had a booth at the Wizard’s School put on by Wizards of Washington. The charity organization does a wonderful job supporting local authors, so I was one of around eight authors offering my books. I went straight from the event to the OL Reign game that evening, so I did not have time to change. While only one person commented on my Renaissance attire, I’m sure other soccer fans wondered what drove my strange garb.

I mixed up a couple of boxes, and my partner had to make a trip home and back to bring copies of Hidden Promise. Oops!

Friday was another Reign game and a special event for many soccer fans. Megan Rapinoe announced her retirement earlier this year, and Friday’s game was her final home match of her final NWSL season. I envy her confidence and self-assurance in the face of controversy and opposition. A record-breaking crowd turned out to see her off and thank her for her contributions to US women’s soccer and other social issues.

Finally, Saturday was fan appreciation night for the Sounders. After over a decade, I have still yet to win any of the big screen giveaways, but my sister and I got a lunch box they were offering out front and some championship trinkets. Both weekend games were exciting, despite ending up as draws.

Upcoming Giveaway!

I teased this on Facebook yesterday, and there will be more posts about it in the coming days. In celebration of reaching the fifty-review mark for Hidden Memory on Amazon (thank you all!), I’m giving away another paperback copy of one of my books!

The entry process will be similar to last time, where I will receive entries via replies to the October newsletter. If you signed up for my newsletter at the faire this summer, I will add all those emails this week. If you don’t see a welcome email by Friday, I recommend signing up on the website.

This event will be open to all, but I’m capping shipping at $25. If you are outside the USA and win, I would ask that you cover the difference in shipping or it would go to another person randomly selected.

If you win, you will be able to pick the Hidden Series book you want to receive. So, if you have the first three already, I’ll hold your win until Hidden Strength comes out and send you that one if it is your selection. Your reviews mean the world to me, and I am so excited to send another signed copy of my book to another recipient.

Sign up for the newsletter today!

Back to Reading

Last year, I read over a book a week, and this year, I’m closer to about one a month. Since reading is one of my relaxation habits, the lack has potentially contributed to my stress levels. That clearly means I need to invest more time delving into my various fantasy worlds.

One of my go-to authors when feeling down is K. M. Shea. She writes primarily clean, YA fantasy romance. Her stories are fun, humorous, and generally uplifting, which is a welcome break from the stress of everyday life. I’ll probably start with rereading one of her series, but I’m always looking for recommendations.

What are some of your comfort reads and why?

Not Alright

The last month or so has been a significant struggle for me. I have felt overwhelmed, depressed, and at a loss for how to move forward. Many factors have contributed to the situation, and not all are entirely negative. The combination has driven me to the point where my emotional cup is full and every additional trigger sends it overflowing. 

I’m working through the challenges. My husband has been an immense pillar of support, taking on more in the home and providing administrative support for the business. He and my sister were also extremely helpful with the Renaissance Faire over the last three weekends. I would not be where I am today without their help and support. 

My blog posts and social media have not been as reliably regular as in the past. The timing will continue to be a bit sparse for a while longer. Something has to give while I recover my time, but it will not last forever. 

To shift my focus, I want to highlight a few of the good things that have happened recently. 

The Renaissance Faire was an immense success. I met many wonderful people and received overwhelmingly positive feedback on my books. On top of the faire, I have also received five more reviews on Amazon, hitting the fifty mark, and more people are reading through the series. My business is going well in most areas. While I have felt back at square one, it is well beyond that point with potential upside remaining. I took some time last weekend for myself. I went to a family lunch, watched TV, sat with my cats, and made some jam. 

I will continue to push forward, focus on the positive, and take my counselor’s advice to apply the skills for emotional management. One day at a time, I will work to get back on track and find my balance. In the meantime, everyone please give my alpha readers some encouragement as they work through the draft of Hidden Strength. 

(If you are curious about the muffin picture, I have also treated myself to chocolate muffins.)

2023 Ren Faire Moments

The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is the first three weekends in August. While this might feel a bit premature to highlight some of my favorite moments, I will probably do a full Ren Faire review next week after it is all over. I’ll include any additional excitement in that one. 

The Superfan

A young person working at a food stand for the fair walked past the first day just after opening. We snagged her with our stellar sales shouts, and she spared a few moments before her shift to come over and chat about my books. She was excited about them and said she would talk to her dad about getting them.  

I underestimated the level of excitement, though. Over the first two days of the faire, she stopped by a few times, as did her dad. He works at the faire and wanted to make sure we would still be there other weekends or at least have enough on Sunday for them to buy a set. 

He made a brief stop on Sunday and paid in advance so I could sign them for her when she came by after her shift. With her personalized books in hand, she stuck around for a while longer to chat and talk about how excited she was to read them. Sticking around could be problematic, but she did a wonderful job of letting us continue to sell and interact with other customers. 

All respect for this young lady, and I hope she enjoys them even half as much as she anticipated. 

On a Mission

I mentioned this one on Facebook already, so act surprised. 

Having just finished a sale and signing, I turned to the next person in line holding one of my books. I thought it was the one my husband had been using to wave at the passing crowds. We tend to hold a copy of Hidden Memory so we can hand it to people for them to read the back. 

“What are we doing for you?” I asked. 

“Oh, I was just hoping you could sign this,” she replied, holding up a copy of Hidden Promise.

It took my brain a moment to process the sequence of events and associated possibilities. Did someone hand her the third book by accident? What did she mean by just the signature? I recovered quickly enough with a big grin. 

Someone liked my books so much they did not want to wait for the faire to get the next in the series, but they still wanted the signature. That someone would bring a book to an event specifically for me to sign made me feel, for a little while, that I had made an impression. 

Real-Time Feedback

During the days of weekend two, a few people who purchased books during the first stopped by to tell me how they, their friend, their child, or another person for whom they bought the book was loving it and could not put it down. A handful of people have also messaged me on social media with similar messages. One told me she regretted only picking up the first while she was at the fair, and that she already ordered book two. 

Another two reviews have also already come in on Amazon, and I hope to see a few more. I’m up to 45 on Hidden Memory, which is so close to my goal for the year. 

More to Come

I also got my hair braided, braved the extreme heat, and shipped a lost book to the person who bought it from me. Someone turned the book into lost and found, so that was wonderful of them. I will try to do better at getting some pictures next time, but no promises. 

Stay cool out there, friends!

Renaissance Faire 2023

My blog posts are going to be a bit sporadic this month. During the week, I’m covering for some people out at work. On the weekends, I’m putting in twelve-hour days in Monroe selling books at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire.

Due to a horrid confluence of logistical nightmares brought upon by the increasing popularity of the event, it moved up north to Sky Meadows Park in Snohomish this year. The location is larger, and the event will only use a portion of it this year and next with plans to grow. It has closer freeway access to simplify the in and outbound traffic. Finally, they capped ticket sales and are not selling onsite to prevent exceeding safety capacity.

There remain challenges. The walkways could use some straw laid down and dampened each morning. They have a water truck drive through in the mornings, but the dirt paths are dry again by midday and the pedestrian traffic kicks up a fair amount of dust. People are still complaining about the food lines, but there are more vendors this year, and I would estimate the lines are about the same during peak times with more downtime to take advantage of.

As of this week, all remaining days of the faire are sold out. Hopefully, there will be more capacity next year, and anyone left out this year will look to buy tickets early. I’m excited to see the coming growth and to be a part of it.

With that, it is back to work for me. I will try to get some pictures this weekend and share some moments sometime next week. Maybe I will even post my first TikTok video in nearly a year from my tent.

Huzzah!