Nadya Sayre's Blog
February 16, 2023
Writing Updates
I've been working on book 3 of The Northwest Uprising ever since I finished The Irregulars and got it uploaded to pre-order.
Now, in book 3, I've finally reached a point that I've been dreaming about!
In the final book of the trilogy, we're following 5 storylines, the main one still being Hope, of course.
Now, the storylines are beginning to merge, characters are meeting each other for what they think is the first time, and there are so many fun reactions to write.
Plus, I now know exactly where this story is going and how the book will end. I don't dare say more than this.
Oh, and I'm roughly halfway through the first draft!
I'll keep you all updated.
If you haven't read the series, it's danger, excitement, thrills, laughs, sorrow, and sass all rolled into 2 books.
Basically, if you love adventure and want to see how women deal with it, go buy the book and pre-order the other one already!
Now, in book 3, I've finally reached a point that I've been dreaming about!
In the final book of the trilogy, we're following 5 storylines, the main one still being Hope, of course.
Now, the storylines are beginning to merge, characters are meeting each other for what they think is the first time, and there are so many fun reactions to write.
Plus, I now know exactly where this story is going and how the book will end. I don't dare say more than this.
Oh, and I'm roughly halfway through the first draft!
I'll keep you all updated.
If you haven't read the series, it's danger, excitement, thrills, laughs, sorrow, and sass all rolled into 2 books.
Basically, if you love adventure and want to see how women deal with it, go buy the book and pre-order the other one already!
December 29, 2021
3 Ways Reading Changed My Life
We're all readers here. We've all had that moment of holding a book in our hands, staring off into space, digesting what we just read. It's pivotal moment in life, the first time you have to stop and think.
As I've looked back on my reading life, there are a few things that stand out to me.
1. Changed How I See the World
I grew up in a conservative house and religion. Things like magic were not only frowned on, but forbidden. Adults thought that reading about magic would pull towards devil worship or some BS like that.
Instead, it began revealing things like racism, sexism, and misogyny. I realized that I hated it when the elders in my church would take a 'do as I say, not as I do' stance. (Thank RA Salvatore for that one.)
2. Books Affected My Personality
This one is largely due to Diana Gabaldon and her Outlander series. I'd first read Outlander at the tender age of 13 - probably too young, I'll admit.
Years later, when the tv show first came out, one of my cousins FINALLY got into the story. The next time I saw her, she watched me intently. Then, she asked when I'd first read Outlander.
I told her, and she nodded. "Yeah, I can see that."
Apparently, I had more of Claire's personality than I'd thought.
3. There is Truth in Fantasy
I rarely read non-fiction, which surprises people. I also frequently run across people who think that if you want to learn about people, personal development, etc, you need to read non-fiction books.
I don't know about you, but I learned WAY more about all of that through fiction. While the situations and scenarios may be fantastical, the way people react, their emotions in the moment, all of that, helped me learn how to see things from another perspective.
They also taught me more about the person I want to be, and the hills that I would die on, especially those going against the opinions of those around me.
How has reading changed your life?
As I've looked back on my reading life, there are a few things that stand out to me.
1. Changed How I See the World
I grew up in a conservative house and religion. Things like magic were not only frowned on, but forbidden. Adults thought that reading about magic would pull towards devil worship or some BS like that.
Instead, it began revealing things like racism, sexism, and misogyny. I realized that I hated it when the elders in my church would take a 'do as I say, not as I do' stance. (Thank RA Salvatore for that one.)
2. Books Affected My Personality
This one is largely due to Diana Gabaldon and her Outlander series. I'd first read Outlander at the tender age of 13 - probably too young, I'll admit.
Years later, when the tv show first came out, one of my cousins FINALLY got into the story. The next time I saw her, she watched me intently. Then, she asked when I'd first read Outlander.
I told her, and she nodded. "Yeah, I can see that."
Apparently, I had more of Claire's personality than I'd thought.
3. There is Truth in Fantasy
I rarely read non-fiction, which surprises people. I also frequently run across people who think that if you want to learn about people, personal development, etc, you need to read non-fiction books.
I don't know about you, but I learned WAY more about all of that through fiction. While the situations and scenarios may be fantastical, the way people react, their emotions in the moment, all of that, helped me learn how to see things from another perspective.
They also taught me more about the person I want to be, and the hills that I would die on, especially those going against the opinions of those around me.
How has reading changed your life?
December 14, 2021
To Read or Not to Read...
Is never the question.
Read everything. Read often.
I've read some writing advice that says that once you choose which genre to write in, you should go and read every book you can in that same genre. This way, you know the tropes, you know what readers want, and you can deliver.
Personally, I don't agree. I tend to follow the writing advice of maybe 2-3 authors, and the one I listen to the most is Sir Terry Pratchett.
I mean, the man was knighted for his contributions to literature!
He said that once you find your genre, read everything else. This way, something may spark and you can bring new ideas to the genre. It ensures you won't write a cookie cutter book that sounds like everything else out there.
When in doubt, I listen to Sir Terry.
Read everything. Read often.
I've read some writing advice that says that once you choose which genre to write in, you should go and read every book you can in that same genre. This way, you know the tropes, you know what readers want, and you can deliver.
Personally, I don't agree. I tend to follow the writing advice of maybe 2-3 authors, and the one I listen to the most is Sir Terry Pratchett.
I mean, the man was knighted for his contributions to literature!
He said that once you find your genre, read everything else. This way, something may spark and you can bring new ideas to the genre. It ensures you won't write a cookie cutter book that sounds like everything else out there.
When in doubt, I listen to Sir Terry.
