Kerri Nelson's Blog, page 6

5K-a-Day Challenge Kerri's Day #1 Results

FIVE! FIVE! FIVE!


Thanks to everyone who came out and commented about my insane 5K-a-Day challenge. I'm really excited that some of you are going to take the challenge with me. Be sure to report in daily and let me know how you did.

If you missed last night's post and how you can win a collector's edition (Advanced Reading Copy) of my upcoming Urban Fantasy release Courting Demons--read yesterday's post--click here!

Now, how did I do at the end of Day #1?

Here's a daily log of my journey...

Day #1 5K Challenge

7:28 a.m.
Kids are up, dressed, and fed. Mommy is done checking major e-mail accounts (almost) and the itch to get to writing is pressing down upon me. WIP is up on screen now. Let's go.

8:02 a.m. Update
Got 507 words down. Okay start but constant interruptions from aforementioned kids will be a problem. Back to work in a few.

9:46 a.m. Update
Up to 867 words but some business phone calls have derailed my progress. Had to stop and post my Book Boost blog as well. Need to get my first 2K done before lunch! I think I can. I know I can. Quick sip of Pepsi then back to it.

10:09 a.m. Update
On a roll now…1446 words done! Woot!

11:03 a.m. Update
One snack, 2 dirty diapers (the kids—not mine) and 1 lunch date offer from hubby and I still managed to hit 2011 words before noon. But since I turned down the lunch offer (he'll bring me the food home instead of going out—isn't that a sweet hubby?), I'm going to try to get to at least 2500 before noon. Resetting my goals since I've done so well today. Almost at the half way mark. Hope you all are doing well.

11:31 a.m. Update
Another great stride toward my goal. 2618 is where I stand at mid-day. Little over half way there. Taking a much needed break. Back soon.

1:44 p.m. Update
Oh, the afternoon seems long today. Finished lunch and visiting with step son who stopped by. Unfortunately the visit awoke the sleeping toddler. But back to work for a quick 15 minute session gave me a few more words to add to my total. Now at 2842 words for the day. 3000 is just around the corner.

3:18 p.m. Update
The afternoon is definitely taking its toll on me now. My 3 year old is now down for a nap but my toddler is grumpy and throwing toys because big brother woke him up earlier. Getting to 3288 was a hard fought battle and I'm not at my goal of 5K yet. Taking a break. Back soon.

4:55 p.m. Update
3817 is my total by the end of the normal business work day and boy am I tired. Just less than 1200 to go but I don't know if I can keep up this pace. I'm using my 15 minute jaunts (see my upcoming August Book Factory workshop for details click here) but my wrists and hands are starting to scream at me now. Wondering if my 5K goal was too ambitious? I need a pep talk. Can't wait to hear from all of you who are taking the challenge with me. Another push for the last few words and I'll be back soon.

5:16 p.m. Update
Oh, Mamma! Set my timer and pushed through the pain. I'm at 4469! I can see the light at the end of the 1st day's tunnel. How will I do 9 more days of this? Brutal. Perhaps I'm punishing myself. Hmmm….One last update to you within the hour and then it is off for dinner and time with the kids. Hubby has left to apartment hunt with my stepson and who knows when he'll return to crazed woman at the keyboard.

6:06 p.m. Update
Alrighty then! I'm back for my final update of the day and boy howdy I'm done. This challenge is kicking my butt but for today at least, I kicked it back. If you don't count the number of words that I used typing up these hourly reports for you…my total word count on my WIP today is 5074!

I would pat myself on the back but my arms hurt.

If you count the # of words I used up on this blog add another 600+ words! LOL

Tell me how you did—good or bad. I'll be here soaking my noodle arms.

Take Kerri's 5K-a-Day Challenge & Win!

It has been a long time since I've blogged here. Too long, in fact. What have I been up to all these months, you ask?

Well, I've updated my blog header since then, what do you think of it? I've been making book sales (love my newest publisher Evernight Publishing and highly recommend them) and I've started pre-promotion on my big September 15th release of Courting Demons (more details on how you can win a limited edition ARC below).

I've taught classes (hello to all my pitchers). Decided to run for RWA national office. Been a judge in a contest for Writer's Digest. Kept my Book Boost Blog rocking along (coming up on my big 2nd anniversary this fall). Raised $900 for tornado victims in my home state of Alabama (things are slowly healing down here). And well...so much more that I won't bore you with tonight.

But one thing I have not done near enough of is WRITE. WRITE. WRITE.

As a big proponent of finding the time to write no matter what life throws at you (those of you who've taken my Book Factory Class know about my methods of madness--if you haven't taken it--the final offering is coming up in August--click here for details), I have to say that I've allowed life and other work to intervene with my pure writing time.

Take a look at those pitiful word count meters over there in the left hand column of the blog! Those are 2 projects that have been requested by publishers upon completion. Look at their sad status! Boo! Hiss!

I'm disappointed in myself but I've decided that with school almost back in session and my summer days barely hanging on by a thread...now is the time to get these projects wrapped up.

So, I'm going to start a brutal 5K a day program starting tomorrow (July 22nd and running through July 31st). That's 10 days and 50,000 words. It will be a push and half. Particularly since I'll be traveling the last few days of the month. But I'm going to do my level best to meet my goal.

If I meet my goal, I will treat myself to...something good. I don't know what it will be yet. But I'll be sharing my daily progress here with you over the next 10 days. Good or bad.

And if you sign on to take the challenge with me and give me your daily update as well (must complete all 10 days even if you don't make the full word count goal--you have to be trying), I'll draw one participant's name and send you an Advanced Reader Copy of my big September release Courting Demons!

So, who's with me? Gimme a high five!

NEW RELEASE: Double Take out today from Evernight Publishing!

Happy Release Day to me! Doo dah...Doo dah...


Hmmm...well the song needs work but hopefully the book is good to go!

Today marks the release of my 13th book. Lucky 13 on a Friday but today is March 11th so here's to a successful launch day.

In fact, since this is INTERNATIONAL READ AN E-BOOK WEEK (March 6th through 12th), my publisher is offering a special 25% off coupon (use this code at checkout: EBOOKWEEK). How do ya like them apples? Pretty sweet,eh?

Still don't know if you want to try my book?




Well here's a little taste to wet your appetite:


Blurb:

After growing up the laughing stock of the town drunk and humiliated by the hottest guy in school, Kennedy Wolfe planned on never stepping foot in Greece, New York again.

Now a highly decorated agent for the FBI, Kennedy learns of the abduction of her best friend from high school. The news comes just days after the invitation to her class reunion was received and tossed.

Despite her better judgment, she can't resist the urge to take on a case that would show her classmates once and for all what she's really made of.

Damon Divine is the unbeatable District Attorney and he's dead set on finding those responsible for abducting his twin sister.

But when the beautiful Agent Wolfe comes to town, he knows the kidnappers won't be the only ones on her hit list.

After all, standing up a girl on senior prom night is not something she's likely forgotten.

Want More?

READ and EXCERPT HERE!

Pick up your copy today (use the coupon code above)!
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!


And last but not least...

Last week I gave away a copy of this book on one of my group blogs Write in the Shadows. And the winner is...

Clarissa Southwick

CONGRATS!!

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and visiting my poor, forgotten about blogspot here today.

I'm also over at the Night Writers blog today with Week #2 of my Book & Body Boot Camp!

Work smarter not harder,
Kerri

Legendary Contest Winners Announced!

WINNERS from my WEE IRISH LEGEND CONTEST ANNOUNCED!

Thank you to everyone who came out to vote for me in my recent "Become Legendary" contest. I indeed had the luck of the Irish and came in first place to win a year long class on making my legend into a full length novel.

If you liked my tale of murder, corruption, love, and magic entitled "The Devil's Porridge"...please stay tuned for details on how the story will progress.

But because my luck was so great and I want to pay it forward to more people, I've decided to make the prize into 2 separate prizes with 2 winners! The following winners were selected via random draw.

The winner of the $20 gift card to GiftCertificates.com is...Kathleen Bittner Roth!

&

The winner of your name in my legend is...tholmes86!

CONGRATS!


Please contact me off loop at kerribookwriter@yahoo.com to claim your prize!

Thanks again to everyone for your support and encouragement in this endeavor.

May a little Irish luck find its way into your heart and home.

Best,
Kerri Nelson

Become Legendary & Win a Super Gift Certificate Too!

Win a Super Gift Certificate & Get your Name included in my novel based on an Irish Legend!

Here's how...

What is a Legend, anyway?

Well, here's how Wikipedia defines it:

A legend (Latin, legenda, "things to be read") is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude. Legend, for its active and passive participants includes no happenings that are outside the realm of "possibility", defined by a highly flexible set of parameters, which may include miracles that are perceived as actually having happened, within the specific tradition of indoctrination where the legend arises, and within which it may be transformed over time, in order to keep it fresh and vital, and realistic.


Hmmm...clear as mud? Right?

Basically, it is a story (fictional or partly fictional anyway) that is created and passed down from generation to generation. Typically it includes a mystical element that makes it sort of magical and hopefully unforgettable.

Recently, I've entered a contest over at Savvy Authors where contestants were supposed to write a 1000 word legend and enter it for votes. I've entered my legend entitled Legend of the Devil's Porridge.

It is all about an evil king, his tortured children, a prince and a goddess in love, and the magic that will bring them back together despite all the odds.

I hope you'll take a moment and read my legend and if you'd like to enter my contest, please vote for my Legend to win!

What can you win?

1. I'm giving away a gift certificate of your choice (choose from 100's of stores) or a Super Gift Certificate (redeemable at 100's of stores) from GiftCertificates.com to one lucky voter!

AND to give you further incentive to spread the word for votes...

2. If my Legend ends up winning, I'll DOUBLE the amount of the gift certificate prize AND include the winner's name in my full length novel based on this legend!

How to enter?

1. Just visit the Savvy Authors website. Click here.

2. If you are already a member (either Basic or Premium) you'll just need to login and visit this link and vote for The Legend of the Devil's Porridge.

Voting link: http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/showthread.php?11046-Marcy-Weydemuller-s-quot-Write-A-Legend-quot-Contest-Final-Round

3. If you are not a member, you can register for FREE (Basic Membership includes a ton of benefits and is absolutely FREE) by visiting here: http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/registration.php

Then, after you register and get your confirmation e-mail with password. You just return to the site and log in. Then go to this same link and vote.

Voting link: http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/showthread.php?11046-Marcy-Weydemuller-s-quot-Write-A-Legend-quot-Contest-Final-Round

4. Don't forget to come back here and leave me a comment to let me know you voted and give me your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you've won.

5. Or, if you prefer, you can e-mail me at kerribookwriter@yahoo.com and let me know you voted.

6. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Friday, January 21st! Please get your vote and entry in before then!

Thanks in advance for your support and don't miss out on the chance to become LEGENDARY!

Thanks so much,
Kerri Nelson


P.S. January is National Thank You Month! And I want to extend extra thanks to all of you who supported my Books for Boobs fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research that I held here at the blog back in October. With all your contributions, I sold over 200 books from my used and autographed collection and raised over $100 for research for a cure!

From someone who had a breast cancer scare just last year. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Books For Boobs! Help Raise Money for Breast Cancer Research!

Women, Authors, and Readers Unite
for Books & Boobs!


As most of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Every year, I try to do something to recognize this very important cause here at the blog. But this year, it holds a special meaning for me because I had a major breast cancer scare just a couple months ago (including a biopsy and the scary wait for results). See posts down below for recap.

Some of you might also know that I've been trying to figure out what to do with the boatloads of books that I have taking over my home. So, I decided to combine my books and sell them for boobs. Well, not actually for boobs--I don't need any boobs. I just want to raise money for boobs and healthy boobs at that!

All my proceeds (minus the shipping and handling of the books) will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and I'm listing batches of books (a dozen or so each) on Ebay all month long. My seller name is knelsonbooks and I'll be posting the links to the auctions here at the blog as they go up.

Please check them out. If you don't see something you want this week, more are coming next week.

Some are new and some are used. Most are mass market size but some are hard cover and some are trade size too.

SOME are EVEN AUTOGRAPHED by the AUTHOR! Collectibles even!

Hope you'll bid on some books for boobs!

Here's the first listing with more to come:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300475399641

As always, thanks for your support (no pun intended as I used a bra for my photo above--LOL)!

Nightmare on Breast Street (Mammogram Post 2 of 2)

I promised to share my first mammogram experience with everyone. And although it went a lot differently that I ever could have imagined--I'm back to tell the tale. And this, my friends, is why you MUST have this test.

So, the days counted down to my first mammogram experience. I worried about it some but mostly I stayed too busy to watch the countdown clock. Suddenly, the day was here and I dropped the kids off at my folk's house and headed off on my "boob squishing mission".

When I arrive...

The Mammogram Experience Post 1 of 2

Hello everyone!

If you're wondering where I've been lately--well I'm all over the place and have sadly neglected my wonderful blog. If you didn't know--I have a new industry blog that is very active and I encourage you to check it out here: The Book Boost (www.thebookboost.blogspot.com)

Now, as a woman, there are so many things we must endure for the sake of our life and health. Among them are annual check-ups and mammograms. At my last doctor's visit, he tells me that I need to have my fir...

Practice your Pitch with me in May!

Need help with your book pitch? Planning to go to Nationals? Come out and enjoy a month long pitch class where class members will get top notch coaching on how to get Pitch Perfect! Normally this is a 2 week class and we only have time to work on 1 pitch per student BUT in this class, you'll get to polish up to 2 separate pitches!

At the end of class, I'll even have a special guest editor appear to read our pitches and make comments. Sometimes they will even make requests for more for thos...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Win a Celtic Gift Today!

Believe it or not, I am somewhere in this picture taken on the busy streets of Dublin!
Can you find me?


LOL!!!



HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!
I love all things Irish, Celtic, and otherwise green and wonderful. In fact, my hubby made me fall all the more in love with him when he surprised me with a trip to Ireland for our second honeymoon! I loved every minute of our journey and daydream about it often. I even wrote about one of our experiences in my book The Saucy Celt. You'll have to read the...