Janalyn Voigt's Blog, page 20
February 8, 2014
Courtly Love in Medieval Times
In medieval times arranged marriages were common and often more about duty than romance. My guest post for Christian Fiction Historical Society covers the cult of courtly love, which cast aside marital constraints in favor of a concept of unrequited love on a higher plane than the physical.
This notion naturally led to trouble.
In this post I explain how an arranged marriage complicates the plot of Wayfarer, Tales of Faeraven 2. This is the last stop in the Wayfarer Launch Celebration Tour with $20 Starbucks Card Giveaway Drawing. There’s still time to enter the drawing until midnight, Pacific Time tonight. You’ll find the entry form at the bottom of my guest post.
Read Courtly Love in Medieval Times.
©2014 by Janalyn Voigt
Subscribe to the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt
Need an escape?
DawnSinger, Tales of Faeraven #1 by Janalyn Voigt
A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?
Purchase DawnSinger today!
The post Courtly Love in Medieval Times appeared first on Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt.
February 1, 2014
My Crazy Book Launch for Wayfarer, Tales of Faeraven 2
Highs and lows are what my January was about. I spent the first several weeks fighting off three maladies at once; an annoying cold, an infection, and a painful bout of sciatica. This put paid to some of my launch plans for Wayfarer, book two of my epic fantasy series, Tales of Faeraven, which you may recall released January 3rd. Thankfully my wonderful launch team stepped up to help.
Wayfarer climbed in Amazon’s rankings and made it into the top one hundred bestselling books in two categories. I didn’t catch that screenshot, but I was able to take this one, showing Wayfarer as #75 in Christian fantasy.
Complications
Meanwhile, my husband and daughter had both come down with violent colds. As I was recovering my own health, I also cared for them and administered hospice care (involving syringes, IV fluids, and vet visits) to my cat who has renal failure. The wheels were already in motion for my main launch effort, but I still had a lot to do to ensure it runs smoothly. Time lost to illness had left me scrambling to prepare for my presentation at a writers’ conference toward the end of the month. Somehow I managed it all. I’m not sure how.
My main online launch effort begins with a blog tour starting today, February 1st, through the 8th. I’m offering, as an incentive to participate, the chance to enter the giveaway drawing for a $20 Starbucks card. The entry form will be located at the participating blog sites (see below). Enter once per day.
The grand finale of my online launch effort for Wayfarer will be a Q & A session at Goodreads. Here’s more on that: Join the discussion on the allegory, creatures, and characters of DawnSinger and Wayfarer, the first two books in the Tales of Faeraven epic fantasy trilogy. This group will be active from 10 am Pacific Time until 4 pm Pacific time on Saturday, February 8th, 2014. on Saturday, February 8th from 10 am to 4 pm.
In January other opportunities presented themselves to put the word out about Wayfarer’s release.
Christian fantasy author, Morgan Busse, reviewed and recommended Wayfarer.
Deal Sharing Aunt featured Wayfarer.
Marcy Dyer, author of roller coaster suspense, reviewed and recommended DawnSinger.
Christian fantasy author, Lorilyn Roberts, reviewed and recommended Wayfarer.
Wayfarer made page one in the most-requested giveaways list at Goodreads with 1865 entries.
Thoughts On a Hectic Month
I’d fondly imagined spending January getting back to normal after the holidays while tying up loose ends from 2013. To be honest, I’ve not been able to do more than hang on by my fingernails this month.
Launching a book is a breathtaking experience. It’s also a winnowing fork that separates the chaff from the wheat in a hectic schedule. It has helped me better streamline everything I do. For that, a second published book, and my and my family’s return to health, I’m grateful.
Wayfarer Launch Celebration Blog Tour with $20 Starbucks Card Giveaway Drawing (One person will win a $20 Starbucks card. One entry per person per day.)
Saturday, Feb. 1: Novel Rocket
Sunday, Feb. 2: Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s Tales of Goldstone Wood blog
Monday, Feb. 3: Linda Weaver Clarke’s A Family Friendly Blog (this site will not participate in the Starbucks card drawing but is giving away digital copies of both books to one winner.)
Tuesday, Feb. 4: 3 Questions Wednesday
Wednesday, Feb. 5: Kim Vandel
Thursday, Feb. 6: Lorilyn Roberts
Friday, Feb. 7: Christ Teen
Saturday, Feb. 8: Christian Fiction Historical Society and Q & A session at Goodreads
Need a good adventure?
DawnSinger, Tales of Faeraven #1 by Janalyn Voigt
A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?
Purchase DawnSinger today!
©2013 by Janalyn Voigt
Subscribe to the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt
The post My Crazy Book Launch for Wayfarer, Tales of Faeraven 2 appeared first on Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt.
January 25, 2014
What You Can Expect From Creative Worlds in 2014
Creative Worlds in 2014
What Readers Want
It’s taken a while to sort out what to offer readers of Creative Worlds. It hasn’t been that I had too little to write about, rather the opposite. With interests in history, photography, poetry, novel writing, and teaching, I have found it hard to distill the essence of me, if you will, into a cohesive stream of content.
Given all of that and the fact that I read and write in more than one genre, deciding how I would brand as a writer and what to deliver as products for readers has been tough. I was never any good at deciding what to be when I grew up, and I’m still not. But, I at least have a glimmer about that now, and I’m clear on how to proceed with my website.
I really can’t ignore the stats that make it clear that my readers want more about my life as a writer, my book news, and about my travels. This shouldn’t have surprised me, since it’s exactly the sort of thing I want to know about the authors I enjoy. Fortunately, I’ve been trending this direction for a while now. Also, my readers don’t want to hear from me more than once a week, so I’ve stopped sending out my updates as blog posts and have gone to a weekly newsletter with links to new posts. I’ll keep my sub-domains but as sites of interest to my readers rather than as parts of a blog.
What Will Continue
This year marks a fine tuning in my offerings to make them more personal. My author journals about some aspect of my life as a writer will continue.
In addition, I’ll try to offer guest journals from some of my writer friends once a month. I find reading about the lives of other writers fascinating, and I hope you will enjoy meeting some of my friends.
I’ll continue to update my author news once a month as well. My aim is to be as transparent as possible in what I share. That’s why you hear about both my rejections and acceptances.
New This Year
I’ll add travel journals back into the mix this year. Because most often my travels often involve conferences, book festivals, retreats, and research trips—all part of my identity as a novelist—sometimes I feel very much like a literary wayfarer cast adrift on the world. Therefore, I’ve decided to call these my literary wayfarer travel journals. I’m learning that there’s so much more to life as a writer than I had imagined. I’ll use this travel feature to encourage myself (and perhaps you as well) to venture more into the literary scene in the places I visit.
Final Thoughts
I should say for anyone who missed it that although I started this website as a place to teach other writers, I’ve moved that type of posting to http://LiveWriteBreathe.com.
I have some surprises planned for a little later in the year. I would dearly love to tell you about it now, but I’d better not steal my own thunder. Watch for an announcement in a couple of months.
Yes, it’s taken me a while to sort myself out. My thanks go out to those who have tracked with me through it all. To all my readers, I have a simple request. Please comment to let me know you are reading, and that what I write matters to you. I truly do want to get to know you.
Need a good adventure?
DawnSinger, Tales of Faeraven #1 by Janalyn Voigt
A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?
Purchase DawnSinger today!
©2013 by Janalyn Voigt
Subscribe to the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt
The post What You Can Expect From Creative Worlds in 2014 appeared first on Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt.
January 18, 2014
My Reading List: Books for 2014
My Reading ListReading has always been a huge part of my life. As a child, returning from one of many delirious visits to the library with my arms full of books usually meant my family didn’t hear from me for a while. It’s even more important now that I’m a published novelist. Here are some of the books I’ll read in 2014:
Fantasy Fiction
Shadows: Book of Aleth, Part One by Michael Duncan: A stolen text is at the center of this epic fantasy adventure. Michael writes with a lyrical style I find captivating.
Prophecy of the Kings: The Trilogy by David Burrows: The spirit of a dead emperor wreaks havoc on a world on the brink of war. I love reading giant books like this one.
The Mists of Avalon by Marian Zimmer Bradley: This is another long book. It follows the stories of the women in the Arthurian legends.
Taliesin (Pendragon Cycle) by Stephen Lawhead: The Pendragon Cycle begins with a love story between an Atlantean princess and a druid prince.
Merlin (The Pendragon Cycle , Book 2) by Stephen Lawhead: Story of the Arthurian Merlin.
Pendragon (The Pendragon Cycle, Book 4) by Stephen Lawhead: In his youth, King Arthur faces trials that test him.
Avalon: The Return Of King Arthur by Stephen Lawhead: A young Scotsman fights for the throne of Britain.
Grail (Pendragon Cycle) by Stephen Lawhead: King Arthur’s quest to recover the holy grail.
Daughter of Light by Morgan Busse: A reader of my novel, Dawnsinger
emailed to tell me that this book is similar to mine. Since the author, Morgan, and I are conference roommates, I’ve been meaning to read her book for a while, but now my curiosity is piqued. A young girl discovers hidden powers and a mission to save her world.
Son of Truth by Morgan Busse: Sequel to Daughter of Light and a book that asks the question: can a killer find forgiveness?
By Darkness Hid (Blood of Kings, book 1) by Jill Williamson: In a world half in darkness and half in light, two young adults find they are newly gifted with magical powers.
To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson: The hero flees into the dark part of his world and must make a difficult choice.
From Darkness Won by Jill Williamson: The hero endeavors to take the throne and end the reign of darkness.
Historical Fiction
Love’s Sweet Beginning: A Novel (Sisters at Heart) by Ann Shorey: The heroine who is forced in post-Civil-War America, to provide for herself and her widowed mother, doesn’t count on falling in love.
With Autumn’s Return: A Novel (Westward Winds)
by Amanda Cabot a young female doctor discovers she’s not so welcome in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Captured by Moonlight by Christine Lindsay: The heroine takes a nursing position at a plantation in southern India, only to discover her ex-fiance is the owner.
Leaving Lancaster: A Novel (Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy) by Kate Lloyd: A young woman discovers her mother ran away from her Amish family but now wants her to return with her on a visit.
Historical Nonfiction
The Time Traveler’s Guide to Elizabethan England by Ian Mortimer: This is a delightfully unconventional history book.
I hope you enjoyed this look into my book shelves. I may swap out a title or two or shoehorn a book into the schedule, but in the main this is what I plan to read this year. How about you? Do you follow a reading schedule or list?
Need a good adventure?
DawnSinger, Tales of Faeraven #1 by Janalyn Voigt
A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?
Purchase DawnSinger today!
©2013 by Janalyn Voigt
Subscribe to the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt
Need a good adventure?
DawnSinger, Tales of Faeraven #1 by Janalyn Voigt
A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?
Purchase DawnSinger today!
©2013 by Janalyn Voigt
Subscribe to the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt
The post My Reading List: Books for 2014 appeared first on Janalyn Voigt.
January 11, 2014
What’s on the wall of Lisa Lickel’s Home Office?
This week adds a guest journal from author Lisa Lickel on the joys of her home writing workshop.Enjoy this fun peak into this gifted writer’s private life.
Author Lisa LickelI’ve been sick this past week…I would use it as an excuse to say “Don’t Look at My Dust!” but that wouldn’t really be fair to the dust. This is part of my Wisconsin winter writing nest. If you pan right, you’ll move along our sofa where I often cuddle and watch the birdfeeder out of the window. Right after Christmas, while my grown-up and expectant kids were visiting, I got a call from a newspaper reporter dying for a spot in his Saturday column on old houses in the county. Did I say this was Friday as we were sitting down to lunch? Could he come over? Soon? Like I’m going to say no. My sons looked at their wives. “You’d be having hysterics if someone did that to you,” one of the boys said. I shrugged. I have lots of other rooms to throw stuff in and close the door. The lunch dishes complained not when I tossed them in the laundry room. I also have an obligation to history…to my historic home which feeds my muse.
Lisa Lickel’s Writing WorkshopWhat does my workspace say about me? The tissues and Cabela’s blanket – I had a bad cold, and sat in my chair a lot. My laptop computer is open next to my desktop. I don’t like to wait much. I’m an editor, and my tools of the trade, the latest Meriam-Webster’s and Chicago Manual of Style, are close at hand. Part of my dragon collection is on the shelves next to the desk. I’m whimsical. That’s a 6000 piece puzzle of ancient America on my wall. Took me two years. I can be patient and sort out a problem.
On my desk I have a big printer for my work. Lasers are cheaper than ink. It’s about to run out, so my new toner is sitting atop. I’m prepared, this time…I must have learned my lesson. The things you can’t see on my desk are my white board and some paper notes, a picture of my womb-cuddled grandchild arriving this spring. A framed message from a special friend reminding me that God has given me a gift. My calendar with the date of my next book release in big letters. Like I’d forget that. But I might. My best friend called to meet her for lunch that day. I’ll tell her it’s a celebration when I see her. There’s a joke from the Family Circus that has Billy telling Dad, “If you ask me the right questions, I know some good answers.”
Yes, I do write fiction, but I live in the realities of home and family. All of it helps me tell stories, as much as they tell you about me. What does your workspace say about you?
Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives in a hundred and sixty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. A muti-published, best-selling and award-winning novelist, she also writes short stories and radio theater, is an avid book reviewer, blogger, a freelance editor, and magazine editor. Visit www.LisaLickel.com.
Lisa Lickel’s latest novel, The Last Detail, released January 8, 2014 from Prism Books.
From the back cover: Hope, love, and loss meld two polar opposite personalities. How long can they keep passion for their ministry and each other after the wedding?
ISBN: 978-1940099-446
$3.99 eBook/$14.99 Print
Subscribe to the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt
The post What’s on the wall of Lisa Lickel’s Home Office? appeared first on Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt.
Working at Home with Lisa Lickel
This week adds a guest journal from author Lisa Lickel on the joys of her home writing workshop.Enjoy this fun peak into this gifted writer’s private life.
Author Lisa LickelI’ve been sick this past week…I would use it as an excuse to say “Don’t Look at My Dust!” but that wouldn’t really be fair to the dust. This is part of my Wisconsin winter writing nest. If you pan right, you’ll move along our sofa where I often cuddle and watch the birdfeeder out of the window. Right after Christmas, while my grown-up and expectant kids were visiting, I got a call from a newspaper reporter dying for a spot in his Saturday column on old houses in the county. Did I say this was Friday as we were sitting down to lunch? Could he come over? Soon? Like I’m going to say no. My sons looked at their wives. “You’d be having hysterics if someone did that to you,” one of the boys said. I shrugged. I have lots of other rooms to throw stuff in and close the door. The lunch dishes complained not when I tossed them in the laundry room. I also have an obligation to history…to my historic home which feeds my muse.
Lisa Lickel’s Writing WorkshopWhat does my workspace say about me? The tissues and Cabela’s blanket – I had a bad cold, and sat in my chair a lot. My laptop computer is open next to my desktop. I don’t like to wait much. I’m an editor, and my tools of the trade, the latest Meriam-Webster’s and Chicago Manual of Style, are close at hand. Part of my dragon collection is on the shelves next to the desk. I’m whimsical. That’s a 6000 piece puzzle of ancient America on my wall. Took me two years. I can be patient and sort out a problem.
On my desk I have a big printer for my work. Lasers are cheaper than ink. It’s about to run out, so my new toner is sitting atop. I’m prepared, this time…I must have learned my lesson. The things you can’t see on my desk are my white board and some paper notes, a picture of my womb-cuddled grandchild arriving this spring. A framed message from a special friend reminding me that God has given me a gift. My calendar with the date of my next book release in big letters. Like I’d forget that. But I might. My best friend called to meet her for lunch that day. I’ll tell her it’s a celebration when I see her. There’s a joke from the Family Circus that has Billy telling Dad, “If you ask me the right questions, I know some good answers.”
Yes, I do write fiction, but I live in the realities of home and family. All of it helps me tell stories, as much as they tell you about me. What does your workspace say about you?
Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives in a hundred and sixty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. A muti-published, best-selling and award-winning novelist, she also writes short stories and radio theater, is an avid book reviewer, blogger, a freelance editor, and magazine editor. Visit www.LisaLickel.com.
Lisa Lickel’s latest novel, The Last Detail, released January 8, 2014 from Prism Books.
From the back cover: Hope, love, and loss meld two polar opposite personalities. How long can they keep passion for their ministry and each other after the wedding?
ISBN: 978-1940099-446
$3.99 eBook/$14.99 Print
Subscribe to the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt
The post Working at Home with Lisa Lickel appeared first on Janalyn Voigt.
January 3, 2014
Wayfarer Blog Blitz and Release
Announcing Wayfarer, Tales of Faeraven 1The wait is over! Pelican Books and I are celebrating the release of Wayfarer, book two in my Tales of Faeraven epic fantasy trilogy. I wrote all the posts in the release-day celebration blog blitz, which looks at Wayfarer and my experience of writing it from many perspectives.
About Wayfarer
When an untried youth ascends to the high throne of Faeraven, his mistakes tear kingdoms apart and allow just one chance at redemption. He must humble himself before the one person he banished.
As a reader, you can make a difference.
If you were planning on purchasing Wayfarer, doing so sooner impacts its exposure at the book sites, below. Right now you can only get it in paperback at Pelican Books, but as soon as that changes, I’ll update this post with links.
Purchase Wayfarer
Wayfarer Blog Blitz
Janet Chester Bly (Bly Books) The Cowboy Code Meets the Medieval Code of Chivalry
Lynn Donovan (Sitting on the Front Porch) What I Discovered in the Vale of Shadows
Sarah Grimm (Naturally Grimm) An Accidental Meeting by an Author with a Character
Jennifer Hallmark (Writing Prompts & Thoughts & Ideas…Oh My!) No Time to Eat Healthy?
Lisa Lickel (Living Our Faith Out Loud) Venture into Faeraven with Janalyn Voigt
Author Culture Fantasy Creatures with Janalyn Voigt
Sarah Gunning Moser (Family Education Services) Medieval Words to Savor
Lorilyn Roberts (Christian Author Lorilyn Roberts) How Tolkien Created Larger Than Life Characters
Kristen Stieffel (New Author’s Fellowship) The Challenges of Writing the Second Book in a Series
Geni White (A Candle Undimmed) Winged Horses, Legends, and Honor
Wayfarer Book Trailer
Need an adventure?
DawnSinger, Tales of Faeraven #1 by Janalyn Voigt
A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?
Read DawnSinger and fly to adventure!
©2013 by Janalyn Voigt
Subscribe to the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt
The post Wayfarer Blog Blitz and Release appeared first on Janalyn Voigt.
Wayfarer Blog Blitz and a Deep Release-Day Discount
Announcing Wayfarer, Tales of Faeraven 1The wait is over! Today my publisher, Pelican Books, and I are celebrating the release of Wayfarer, book two in my Tales of Faeraven epic fantasy trilogy. I’ve put together a blog blitz in support of my publisher’s generous half-off discount, available today only. You probably won’t find Wayfarer at a lower price than this, so if you were planning to buy it, now is a great time. I wrote all the posts in the blog tour, which looks at Wayfarer and the experience of writing it from many perspectives.
In case you missed the sneak peek, I’ve included the book trailer, below.
Escape into creative worlds of fiction today!
Special Offer for Today Only (January 3rd, 2014):
In celebration of the release of Wayfarer, book two in the Tales of Faeraven epic fantasy trilogy, Pelican Books is offering a special 50% discount today only. Click here to take advantage of this offer.
Wayfarer Blog Blitz
Janet Chester Bly (Bly Books) The Cowboy Code Meets the Medieval Code of Chivalry
Lynn Donovan (Sitting on the Front Porch) What I Discovered in the Vale of Shadows
Sarah Grimm (Naturally Grimm) An Accidental Meeting by an Author with a Character
Jennifer Hallmark (Writing Prompts & Thoughts & Ideas…Oh My!) No Time to Eat Healthy?
Lisa Lickel (Living Our Faith Out Loud) The Not-Quite-Safe Fantasy Creatures of Tales of Faeraven
Sarah Gunning Moser (Family Education Services) Medieval Words to Savor
Lorilyn Roberts (Christian Author Lorilyn Roberts) How Tolkien Created Larger Than Life Characters
Kristen Stieffel (New Author’s Fellowship) The Challenges of Writing the Second Book in a Series
Geni White (A Candle Undimmed) Winged Horses, Legends, and Honor
Need a good adventure?
DawnSinger, Tales of Faeraven #1 by Janalyn Voigt
A headstrong young princess and the guardian sworn to protect her fly on winged horses to the Gate of Life above the Well of Light in a desperate bid to release the DawnKing, and the salvation he offers, into a divided land. Will they each learn in time that sometimes victory comes only through surrender?
Read DawnSinger and fly to adventure!
©2013 by Janalyn Voigt
Subscribe to the Creative Worlds of Janalyn Voigt
The post Wayfarer Blog Blitz and a Deep Release-Day Discount appeared first on Janalyn Voigt.
January 1, 2014
My Year in Review 2013 & a Future Glimpse
My Year in Review
This year has held its share of challenges and surprises, but always there’s been an engaging adventure. I had hoped to finish DawnKing, the third novel in my epic fantasy trilogy, Tales of Faeraven, and I came within a few thousand words of meeting that goal. The unexpected intervened, however, in the form of a request from my agent for a romantic suspense proposal and sample chapters. I also had hopes of completing Elf Seeyer and I’m close to doing so, but rewriting my short story is turning it into more of a novelette or novella (we shall see).
None of my reasons for missing my self-imposed deadlines is bad–to the contrary–but this just goes to show that you can’t know everything in advance and should leave room for margin. This is an area I struggle with, but I’ll continue working on this important aspect of life as a writer.
This year I set aside a historical romance project indefinitely. I haven’t given up on writing in this genre, but I’m trying to do things logically and in order. Being passionate about life makes it far too easy to undertake more than I should. I’m in this for the long term, so sanity must prevail.
I’d like to fully establish myself in the fantasy genre and break in as a romantic suspense author. After that, I’ll be in a better position to make decisions. I do know that romantic suspense appeals to me greatly because I am able to introduce into it all the elements of my fiction: adventure, romance, suspense, history, and fantasy or whimsy.
My writing retreat group was gifted a stay in a mansion for a week this year, an unexpected blessing.
I was also surprised this year by an invitation to represent inspirational fiction at the Humanities Montana Festival of the Book. I combined attending the book festival with a research trip to Bannack and Virginia City ghost towns. I wanted to post about this trip right away but had tried out a new-to-me Canon camera on this trip. To retrieve my pictures, I had to purchase a card reader, but wound up buying the wrong one! That’s all resolved now, so watch for this trip to be featured in a Literary Wayfarer travel journal soon.
What’s Next?
Website: I’m planning to introduce a Literary Wayfarer podcast and post travel journals posted at my author site. Watch for further news on this. By the way, if you haven’t seen the new design, stop by the website for author Janalyn Voigt and take a look. I’d love to know what you think of it. All of the background images are my original photographs.
Creative Worlds Blog: My idea about blogging across multiple domains turned out to be confusing for my readers. I’m glad I tried it because it helped me hone my thinking, but change is in order. The Creative Worlds Newsletter will continue to go out, and Fantasy Worlds, Dangerous Worlds, and Historical Worlds will continue to exist, but as book-extra sites for my readers rather than parts of an inter-connected blog.
None of this requires any action from you, but be sure to check the links in the newsletter to make sure you don’t miss new updates at those sites, since you won’t receive them as blog posts by email.
Romantic Suspense
In January, I hope to edit the sample chapters and put together a proposal for the romantic suspense project.
My other romantic suspense goal is to write, edit, and produce Deceptive Tide, book three in the Islands of Intrigue: San Juans series I’m writing as a linked-fiction project with authors Lynnette Bonner and Lesley Ann McDaniel.
Fantasy:
I also hope to complete the last couple of thousand words of DawnKing, book three in my epic fantasy series, Tales of Faeraven, in January. I’d like to have it edited and ready to submit by April.
I’d like, also, to finish Elf Seeyer in January. It’s so close! It sounds like I’ll be taking a lot on in January, but it’s mostly tying up loose ends. As long as there are no snags it should be possible.
Next year I’ll research and write sample chapters for a new, multi-book fantasy project I have in mind.
Have you set goals for the new year?
The post My Year in Review 2013 & a Future Glimpse appeared first on Janalyn Voigt.
December 21, 2013
Crash-landing into Christmas
I hope this missive finds you healthy and happy in the holiday season. Celebrating the different feast days of Christmas has led to a deeper, more personal time of rejoicing for my family. However, sadness and stress has marked our Christmas season, too.
Our beloved cat, Lady Guinevere, is struggling through kidney failure and probably won’t be with us much longer. Her care now involves medications, fluid injections, and a weekly shot from the vet. We’re hoping to improve her quality of life, but of course all this detracts from the very thing we are trying to protect.
For the most part, she and I are both adjusting. She’s still greatly enjoying her permanent station on top of the cat heating device (also known as the heating vent), and she still has enough sass in her to grumble at the vet or turn her head at just the right moment to send the contents of a syringe flying. She’s eating less but can still beg for roast beef when she smells it or spurn her fancy veterinarian diet and creep downstairs to sneak the other cat’s dry cat food. Not bad for a 20-year-old. According to this cool cat calculator I found online, Guinevere is 97 in human years, so it makes sense that a few meds would be in order for her. She has only ever had one owner, and I’m satisfied to have given her a good life.
The cat’s difficulties meant vet visits and pharmacy runs, so I was already feeling time-pressed when a cold knocked me flat. After four days for recovery, I pushed myself to go Christmas shopping today. When I returned home, I discovered the downstairs freezer, the one we just filled with a quarter of beef and a side of pork, with its door ajar. Almost everything in the door’s shelves had thawed. Fortunately, it was mostly packets of liver to cook for the cats. I did end up throwing out one steak and cooking another for the cats, but we seem to have escaped a total loss. I have seen freezers chained shut with padlocks. Now I know why.
I’ve learned that my publisher, Pelican Book Group, plans to sell WayFarer, book two of my Tales of Faeraven epic fantasy trilogy, for half price on its January 3rd release date only. I had meant to lay low and not tell a lot of people about my book’s availability until February 1st, but this is too good a deal not to support. So, besides crash-landing into Christmas, I’m now on the hook to write a number of guest posts for some of my fantasy launch team members. Not that I’m complaining. It’s nice to be well loved. Dealing with such things does make balancing life as a writer challenging and at times madcap. I love both Christmas and writing, which is a good thing since the next week will be full of both.
I’d love to know how your Christmas season is shaping up.
The post Crash-landing into Christmas appeared first on Janalyn Voigt.
