Janalyn Voigt's Blog, page 23

Singing Life

Ghost Train

In an abandoned place Where trains pull no more A tunnel arches Above rails that rust And a forgotten spike Passes to mine From a hand now dust. Soft, a whistle blows.

Beautiful Bryce Canyon

America is truly beautiful at Bryce Canyon. The only down side is that in the summer the outlooks at the park can become crowded. The scenery is well worth the inconvenience. There’s a peacefulness here that feeds the soul. Stand and soak it in. Let creation enfold you. Rejoice in the moment, and come away… Read More

Nowadays

When I was young, I sprang from my bed. Nowadays I rise from the dead

The Unrelenting Tide and San Juan Island Reflections

I just finished critiquing The Unrelenting Tide, the first romantic suspense novel in the Islands of Intrigue series, and I have to say Lynnette Bonner has done a stellar job of writing a page-turning novel. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Lynnette Bonner, Lesley McDaniel, and I have had a linked-fiction romantic suspense series in mind for… Read More

Something of a Mystery: How and Why I Drew This Orca

I should say from the start that as linked-fiction partners for Islands of Intrigue, a romantic suspense series set in the San Juan Islands, Lynnette Bonner, Lesley McDaniel, and I usually see eye-to-eye. Besides respecting one another’s writing, we decided to work together because of our compatibility. So when we wanted to select an image to… Read More

Kai of Whellein (Tales of Faeraven Cast of Characters)

Kai is a Guardian of Rivenn who has pledged fealty to Elcon. As the second son of the House of Whellein, he was pressed into service to Lof Shraen (High King) Timraen at a young age. Because of this, ties to his family at Whellein have weakened, and he often feels more affinity to the other… Read More

The post Kai of Whellein (Tales of Faeraven Cast of Characters) appeared first on Fantasy Worlds.

Rethinking My Writing Dream

The last days of June marked my one-year anniversary as a debut novelist. After a bit of reflection, I published How I Survived My Year As a Debut Novelist at my Live Write Breathe site. I’ve come a long way and learned a lot, but this past year has not been without its share of angst. In a perfect world, my author journey would go something like this:

The first time I submit a manuscript, my talent is so sought after bidding wars by eager publishers would ensue.
My debut novel would make the NY Times bestseller list.
Readers clamoring for my next  novel would besiege me with emails and follow me on social sites in record numbers.

Oh, to dream! There are writers who have had these experiences. I am not one of them. This is my reality:

Rejections more often than acceptances follow my submissions.
I haven’t hit the NY Times bestseller list.
Every once in a while a reader will pop up on a social site to thank me for my book. Otherwise, silence.

It’s good to take inventory of your progress, except of course when it becomes depressing. Just as I was plunging into Pilgrim’s Slough of Despond, another reader flagged me on a social site with praise for DawnSinger. It gave me pause.

Am I still looking to others to gauge my success or failure? I have a publisher, whereas some writers never find one. I have an agent, against all the odds. Stepping out in faith, I’ve promoted my book to the best of my ability. I may not have reached dreamed-of heights, but I’m grateful for the hill I’m standing on.

©2013 by Janalyn Voigt

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A Big Announcement, Plus Experience Creative Worlds in a Whole New Way

I’m eclectic in all my tastes, but my readers aren’t necessarily. For example, those who enjoy learning about mythical creatures don’t always want to know about wagon trains (and vice versa). I’ve long pondered how to present the divergent topics I offer in a way that my subscribers can receive only the posts they want. I’m happy to say that a solution presented itself. I’ll spare you the technical details, but I now blog across separate-but-connected parts of my website organized by interest area. The Creative Worlds subdomains are: Fantasy Worlds, Historical Worlds, Dangerous Worlds, and Beautiful Worlds. 

Now you can either subscribe to blog posts at all or only some of the Creative Worlds sites.  I’ll post to each just twice a month  for a total of eight posts per month.

The monthly Creative Worlds newsletter will contain my author journals with insights from my life and travels, my book news, and links to posts at all the Creative Worlds sites. The newsletter publishes on the first day of each month. 

Click here to update your Creative Worlds subscription preferences.

My Book News for July 2013:

What I’m working on right now: I’m completing DawnKing, book three in Tales of Faeraven, and have reached the midpoint of the book. I’m also editing Author Branding Made Simple with co-author Melissa K. Norris, for fall release.

Fantasy Fans: I haven’t yet received a release date for WayFarer, book two of my Tales of Faeraven epic fantasy trilogy, but I’m turning my thoughts toward its launch. If you’d like to be part of the launch team (thank you), click here for details: WayFarer Launch Team.

And now for my big announcement: as a thank you for my readers, I’ve created Fantasy Worlds, my new book extras site, just for you. I hope you’ll take a look at the site, which I designed to boost involvement with the fantasy worlds I create. You’ll find an image that represents my vision for Lohen Keil, the Well of Light, on the Fantasy Worlds page and one depicting Gilead Riann, the Gate of Life, on the Tales of Faeraven page. Feel free to discover intriguing tidbits from my research, characters engaging in interviews with their author, and even to learn who I would cast if my books became a movie. Here you can explore Elderland in a myriad ways through the mind of its author. Please be sure to vote in the book cover poll. Enjoy!

 Romantic Suspense Fans: As you may recall, I’ve been working with Lynnette Bonner and Lesley McDaniel on a linked romantic suspense series entitled Islands of Intrigue. I’m pleased to announce that the first book in the series is now available. For details about this book, visit the bookshop at my website.

 Historical Fiction Fans: I’m still waiting as editors deliberate whether to contract me to write Hills of Nevermore, the first book in my Montana Gold series, which is set at a time of unrest in the American West when outlaws, corruption, and vigilantes held sway. I’ll keep you posted on developments. No news yet.

Author Branding Made Simple: Together with my TriLink Social Media Mentors business partner, Melissa K. Norris, I’ll release Author Branding Made Simple in September. As part of the launch events, we’ll teach a two-hour social media class for NCWA in September. We’re also slated to teach our Solving the Pinterest Course at an event hosted by another local writers’ group in October, and we’re booked to teach on branding and Pinterest at the NCWA Renewal conference in May 2014. For more details on my upcoming speaking engagements, or to check my topics and availability, visit the speaker page at my website. 

If you are a writer, be sure to check out my Live Write Breathe site.

Reader Survey: I’m looking for ways to improve Creative Worlds for you, my subscriber. Your feedback is invaluable in this process. Please take my brief reader survey.

 

©2013 by Janalyn Voigt

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Images: Beautiful Bryce Canyon

America is truly beautiful at Bryce Canyon. The only down side is that in the summer the outlooks at the park can become crowded. The scenery is well worth the inconvenience. There’s a peacefulness here that feeds the soul. Stand and soak it in. Let creation enfold you. Rejoice in the moment, and come away refreshed.

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America is truly beautiful at Bryce Canyon. Click to Tweet!

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Related Posts

Travel Journal: Strange Bedfellows

Images: Morning Glory Sunburst Capture

©2013 by Janalyn Voigt

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