Tia Silverthorne Bach's Blog, page 35

5 Quick Self-Editing Tips: #IWSG

The  Insecure Writer's Support Group  (or IWSG) is a wonderful group put together by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh (which now has an equally cool Facebook group ). 

The first Wednesday of each month is the perfect opportunity to share my insecurities on the #IWSG therapy couch, get encouragement and support about such insecurities, and to read how other writers are faring. 

Today is a special day for IWSG. From Alex's blog:


Today marks the one year anniversary since the IWSG site and Facebook group opened. We invite all IWSG members, Facebook members, and followers to contribute to The IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, whether you are a writer on the journey or a published author. Post your contribution today or email your submission to the IWSG or me. Full details posted today at the IWSG site.

Month after month, many IWSG posts touch on topics related to producing quality work. While there's no all-encompassing advice to ensure a 5-star hit, one of the most important parts of publishing is...

Editing.

In a perfect world, we'd all have the disposable money to hire editors. At a minimum, I think it's money well spent to hire a proofreader, however. Still, you'll need to self-edit first. There's so much I can say on the topic, but I'll keep it short and sweet.

5 Quick Self-Editing Tips

1. Walk Away

It sounds simple, but let your manuscript breathe. The closer we are to the project, the harder it will be to edit. Our brain will fill in the gaps and simply read what we intended.

2. Read Out Loud

Another way to overcome knowing our material is to read it out loud. This is particularly effective with dialog. Do you stumble when you read it? If so, it's not natural. This is also an excellent way to pick up missing words or awkward sentences.

3. Commas

Commas, in my opinion as an editor, are the most misused punctuation mark. Either they are overused, weighing down sentences, or severely lacking, losing the reader in a muddy wasteland of words. 

Couple of quick comma pointers:

- Can it stand alone?

It was snowing hard, creating a foggy sky of white. (creating on cannot stand alone = comma)
My favorite sport is lacrosse; it's challenged and fast-paced. (it's on could stand alone = ;)

- City and State/City and Country

He returned to San Francisco, California, after a fun trip to Paris, France, to see friends. (after both city & state, city & country)

- Dates

Amy will return for the June 12, 2015, graduation.
Amy will return for the June 2015 graduation.
(use comma after date and year -- if only month and year, no commas)

- Quotes

Commas go within quotation marks. " ," not " ", 

4. Search & Find

If you know you have problem areas (overuse that, very, really, just), do a Search & Find to pinpoint issues and fix them. Also, watch out for commonly misused words. Examples: their/they're/there, lose/loose, its/it's, your/you're, led/lead, lie/lay (lay is the past tense of lie -- crazy,  I know!), effect/affect, reign/rein, piqued/peaked/peeked. Search and destroy.

5. Read

Sounds so simple, doesn't it? Yet, it's so important. Train your eyes to spot issues and to recognize beautiful wording. It really helps. Read for pleasure, read fellow writers' work and offer critique, and help your kids edit their papers (this helps me!).

I plan to do a running series of common editing issues--highlighting ones I find when I edit other writers' novels, as well as my own. Please let me know any issues you'd like to see covered.

For Anthology purposes, should my entry be used: 

I'm Tia Silverthorne Bach, award-winning author of Women's Fiction and Young Adult novels, and an editor at Indie Books Gone Wild. My website: http://www.tiabach.com/

I give permission for my entry to be included in the eBook compilation without royalties and/or separate compensation.

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Christina Mercer

[image error] In Cupertino, CAI first met Christina in my neck of the woods, California, for an author panel organized by fellow utopYA-attendee and Californian, Allyson Gottlieb. It was such a treat to see a familiar face in the hotel lobby in June—especially such a warm and friendly one.

Thanks for hanging out with me today, Christina.
C: My pleasure! The author panel was fun and seeing you again in Nashville was such a treat J
I just downloaded your novel, Honey Queen—a Young Adult Fantasy Romance where a girl is turned into a Honey Queen—because it sounded so interesting. Then, I saw on your website that you are a beekeeper. What fascinates you so much about bees?

Oh, and a little birdie told me it's ONLY 99 cents until 10/2/14!
C: Yay! Thank you! Since I was a little girl, the idea of bees creating honey fascinated me. I attended a beekeeping class a little over ten years ago and connected with the only other woman in the class. She’d been keeping bees for a couple of years and offered to mentor me, which started me on my path. Honey bees are the most amazing creatures and the only insect on the planet that not only creates a food fit for the gods, but keeps our gardens, crops and orchards growing the foods we love.  

Wow! You've given me a newfound appreciation for bees. Oh, and I loved Arrow of the Mist (please check out the review here -- and it's only 99 cents for a limited time as well -- don't miss out!). It also has a heavy nature theme.  
By the way, we have so much in common. I am a finance major who writes fiction, and you are an Accountant who writes fiction. What aspects of left brain thinking help you with being an author, which most would consider a right-brained activity?
C: We do! I’ve met a few of us left/right brainers and I think it helps to be ambidextrous in many ways (I also happen to be ambidextrous with my hands!). The artistic side gets all those fantastic ideas and imagination juices flowing, and the logical side helps to refine, revise and edit once all those ideas are put to paper. Authors are business owners and engage in many tasks requiring left-brain-stuff, so having a knowledge base in business and money management is very useful.    
Amen! This was your second UtopYA. What do you think makes this conference so special?
C: I just did a blog post on this (see Christina's My #UtopYA2014 Experience Unoffical Blog Hop and Giveaway post And I plan to be there as long as it does! I noticed on your website that your great, great uncle was Frank Capra, a force behind many movies in the 30s and 40s. Was there something he taught you? 
C: He passed away before I actually met him, but other relatives spoke of him often. What I find super inspiring was his ability to climb a huge mountain of success from the struggles of being a poor immigrant, and that he created masterpieces that the world still enjoys today. Every December when It’sa Wonderful Life airs, I watch it with pride and am glad a bit of that creative blood flows inside me.
I wanted to share another great picture of you from UtopYA14...

Carlyle Labuschagne, Christina, Victoria Faye & Chelsea StarlingPretty cool to have such an amazing inspiration like him touch your life. What manuscript are you currently working on? When can we expect to see more from you?
C: I am currently working on two projects: one is a co-authored light-hearted/humorous Science Fiction and the other is a YA Paranormal about a (very unique) nowadays-teen-witch.  
Please share your social media links: Quick Questions…
Favorite Punctuation Mark: The ? because we humans strive to answer those ?sOcean or Mountains? OceanFavorite Alcoholic Beverage: Patron (one clean shot) Or a Cosmopolitan if I want to sip Favorite Dessert: Frozen Yogurt with whatever toppings my mood desiresShower or bath? Shower (bubble bath in winter)Sweet or Sour? Honey Sweet
I hope to see you before next year’s utopYA since we live so close!
C: YES!! Most definitely! 



Christina Mercer is an award-winning author of fiction for children and young adults. Honored titles include Tween/Teen Fantasy ARROW OF THE MIST and its sequel ARMS OF ANU, and YA Fantasy/Romance HONEY QUEEN. In addition to writing, Christina holds a degree in Accounting from California State University at Sacramento and a Certificate in Herbal Studies from Clayton College of Natural Health. She resides in Northern California enjoying life with her husband, two sons, four dogs, and about 100,000 honeybees.

To learn more about her and her writing, visit Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Toni Lesatz

Please welcome Toni Lesatz, an author and a blogger at My Book Addiction, to the blog today. *applause*

--Shushing the audience—
It was such a treat to meet you and hang out at UtopYA. You’re one cool chick! I love this picture of you, Ginny Gallager (Gin's Book Notes), Jo Michaels, and me in the lobby.
Photo by Victoria FayeToni: Thank you, Tia. It was awesome meeting you as well. That's one of my favorite pictures. I miss you girls!
I have to take a second and congratulate you on winning both Best Blog of the Year (My Book Addiction) and Blogger of the Year at the 2014 UtopYA awards. What did this mean to you?
Toni: Thank you so much. I never in a million years expected to win. I am still trying to find the words to adequately express my feelings about it. Three months later and I still get teary-eyed every time I think about that night, or glance over at the awards on my bookshelf. I'm so blessed to have such an amazing literary family in my corner!

You looked amazing that night, and you were glowing with appreciation. It's so obvious how much you were enjoying every second of the conference. You shared your thoughts about the UtopYA experience here. In a few short words, what would you like to tell people who have not attended and are on the fence?
Toni: Thank you, Tia! I have to admit, I felt a little princess-like standing up there. It was like being in a Disney Princess movie. Do you Want to Build a Snowman? NO! I don't mean Frozen!

To answer your question, I was that person on the fence. Even with my event tickets, my hotel room, and my plane ticket paid for, I was beyond nervous. I considered backing out until about a week before I was scheduled to leave. I'm so glad I didn't sprout feathers and start clucking, though, because UtopYA was an experience I will never forget. It is a MUST ATTEND event! You may arrive alone, like I did, or with only a handful of friends, but I promise you'll leave with a family of hundreds. Going to UtopYA provided the kick in the pants I needed to get my rear in gear!

Preach it, sister! This was my first UtopYA and I felt terrified going in. Now, I can't wait for 2015! Plus, I'll get to hang out with you again. Okay, back to the interview... You love zombie books. What draws you to this genre?
Toni: I’m not an adrenaline junkie. I don’t want to jump out of a plane or leap off the side of anything with a bungee cord attached to any part of my body. Heck, I don’t even like roller coasters. But the rush that the zombie genre provides is comparable to what I imagine an adrenaline junkie gains from those types of activities. Imagining the zombie apocalypse really happening scares the bejeezus out of me... but I like it. I know I'm twisted. It's okay. 
I noticed on your blog (in your review policy section) you don’t review Erotica. What if a really good zombie erotica book came out? (See, I'm twisted, too!)
Toni: Ha! I would still have to decline. It’s just not my thing. Reading a story that focuses primarily on sex just doesn't interest me. I prefer the slow simmer of a sweet romance.

I'm so with you on that. I miss the days of the big movie kiss followed by a fade-out. Back to being serious, I know you completed June’s Camp NanoWriMo. Congrats! Would you mind sharing with us some details about what you are writing?
Toni: Thank you! This the first time I’ve hit my goal in NaNoWriMo. I haven’t written a synopsis for the book yet, but here is the gist of it.
It’s a young adult dark fantasy about a teenage necromancer. With the help of her dead mother and a new friend, Elodie begins to unlock secrets from her past. When she learns about a coven of witches that destroyed her family and still has plans to come after her power, she has no choice but to fight… and she’s bringing an army with her.

UPDATE... Since my original response to these questions, BIG THINGS have happened for me! I wrote and submitted two short stories to publishers this month, which were both picked up for anthologies. I'm going to be published soon!

My first submission is a story titled Ashes to Ashes and will be featured in the Happy Little Horrors: Freak Show anthology published by MD 20/20 (Monica Lewis Happy and David Reuben). It's available for pre-order on Amazon here and will officially release on October 4. There will be a Facebook Release Day Party with prizes and the whole shebang. You're all invited!

My second story is titled Dead World, which will be featured in the After Tomorrow anthology published by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing. The release day for that is December 10. The cover reveal isn't until late October, but here is a banner specifically designed for Dead World.


In addition to the dark fantasy novel mentioned above, I'm also writing both short stories into full-length novels, if not a series for each.
Congrats! I can't wait to read all of them. One last question... what common elements do you find in 5-star reads?
A book has to blow my mind to get a 5-star rating from me. In order to do that it needs to have remarkable characters, flawless pacing, and vivid imagery. Most importantly, the story has to make me FEEL. Whether it’s through fear, love, anxiety… whatever... it has to leave me curled up in a corner with a huge book hangover.

Want to have some book fun with Toni? Join her for her zOctober 2014 event next month (in just a few short days).  Check it out on My Book Addiction or the Facebook event page. 


Oh, and one more amazing picture to share...


Michele G. Miller, Toni, Sarah Ashley Jones, & Tess Watson at UtopYAQuick Questions…
Favorite Punctuation Mark: A period, because there’s no question about where it goes in the sentence.  ;)Ocean or Mountains? MountainsFavorite Alcoholic Beverage: Margarita on the rocks with saltFavorite Dessert: Crème BruleeShower or bath? ShowerSweet or Sour? Sweet
Your period answer is the best response EVER! 
Please share your social media links with my readers:
My Book AddictionFacebook Author Page
Amazon Author PageFacebook
TwitterPinterestGoogle +YouTubeInstagramGoodreads Bloglovin LinkedInTumblr
Thanks so much for hanging out with me today (and at UtopYA). I am so looking forward to seeing you again next year in Nashville!
Toni: I can’t wait to see you again, Tia! It was so much fun hanging out with you. Let's time travel to June 2015, shall we?

Toni Lesatz is a wife, mother, author, blogger, gamer, and lover of the culinary arts. Her short stories, Ashes to Ashes and Dead World, are both being published in fall 2014. She is currently writing her debut dark fantasy novel, which she hopes to have in reader's hands by spring 2015.

Toni's book blog, My Book Addiction, won the UtopYA Blog of the Year award in 2014. She enjoys promoting fellow authors and because of this passion she has recently taken on the role of Editorial Director for the Book Hub division of Indie-Visible: Literary Justice For All. If she's not curled up with a book and a cup of coffee, you'll find her playing with her kids, baking cupcakes, or killing zombies.

Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Devyn Dawson

Next up in my Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial) series is Devyn Dawson. I was fortunate to meet Devyn at a North Carolina writer's conference. She's amazing!

Devyn, thanks so much for popping by the blog today. And, just in case I haven’t told you enough, thanks for all the knowledge you pass my way. It has been invaluable. Oh, and it was so great seeing you at UtopYA and in New Bern, North Carolina. I appreciate you inviting me to do a book signing with you. It was so much fun! 
Tia, Devyn's Light Tamer model, Devyn DawsonWe have to talk about your new book, Killing Me Softly. It came out July 15th, and I was thrilled to read an advanced copy. (Check out my review here).
About Killing Me Softly(from GoodReads)

When Tate was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, he never imagined he'd meet anyone who understood him.

Holland's best friend, Andy, died six months ago, leaving her alone and friendless. Her father is bi-polar and takes six pills twice a day to keep it under control. Life is complicated and her dad is too needy for her to go out and have any fun.

One night her co-worker convinces her to go out to see this new musician, a guy in the Air Force who's amazing on the guitar.

He walked on the stage and sang a haunting song that touched her soul. From the way he held the guitar, to the way he flashed her a crooked smile, she knew she had to know him. Without warning, music will be the thing that ties their lives and their hearts together.

This story is about heartache and love. Holland finds her heart beating again in the arms of Tate. This book is a CLEAN New Adult - No Hard Core Cussing - No Sexual Scenes.
What do you love most about the main character, Holland?
Devyn:  Holland is strong, she has to be to handle her daily life with her father.  I love that you start to see the hidden girlin her, the one who flirts and enjoys having the door held open for her.
My daughter loves your Light Tamer series, and I am a fan of Cry Me A River (my review) and Killing Me Softly. You have a gift for crafting memorable characters who emotionally engage the reader. What do you draw from to infuse your characters with such richness?
Devyn:  All of the women/girls in my books have bits and pieces of every woman/girl in my life.  In the Light Tamer series, the sarcastic loud mouth Amber is very much like I was in high school after my own brother died.  The grandma is much like my mother.  Holland is a menagerie of every strong woman in my life.  I needed Holland to be real.  There’s a scene about suicide, and Tate’s answer is hopefully one that will ease the minds of those who’ve had the same question.  I try to make the dialogue real and deep, especially in Killing Me Softly.
You definitely have a gift with dialogue! Who has been your favorite character to write so far? Can you choose?
Devyn:  I love Abel from The Legacy of Kilkenny Saga.  It starts out with him being an immature sixteen year old boy who grows into a man and alpha.  He is loosely based on my son, at least some of his mannerisms.  My son isn’t a werewolf though.  Ha!
Good to know. As I mentioned above, you have been so wonderful to share what you’ve learned about indie publishing with me. Who was influential to you early on?
Devyn:  Tiffany King is hands down the biggest help as far as showing me the ropes.  Another person who helped and still helps me is the amazing Quinn Loftis.  She has been kind enough to share an excerpt of my books at the back of her books, and I can’t tell you how many people have bought my books because of that alone! 
Thanks for paying it forward! I was so thrilled to finally meet your daughter, Paris Rieske, at UtopYA. She is your editor and appears on the cover of Killing Me Softly. I worked with my mom on Depression Cookies, so I know how special mother-daughter relationships can be. With three daughters of my own, I’d love your advice on how to maintain a close relationship.
Devyn:  Be sure to take some Dramamine for the roller coaster ride!  The one thing I’ve tried to be for her is one she can open up to about anything and not be judged.  I know much much much more than my own mother ever knew, but I’m glad she’s comfortable enough to share with me.  My mom and I were close, and I adored her, but I always wanted the mom I could go to for certain things, but she was too old school to understand.  
Quick Questions…
Favorite Punctuation Mark: DOTS …..Ocean or Mountains? MountainsFavorite Alcoholic Beverage: Grey Goose VodkaFavorite Dessert: Anything chocolateShower or bath? Love bothSweet or Sour?  Sweet
I’m already looking forward to the next time I get to see you. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Oh, and I’m looking forward to hosting your daughter soon as well. She’ll be chatting about editing and her cover model work.
Devyn: Thank you so much for having me on your blog!  It was so nice to see you again!  Your daughter and mother are so amazing, I hope to see you again next summer.

Oh, and Devyn and I worked on a project together...

I'm so excited to be a part of Destiny Calling, a boxed set featuring works by Michele G. Miller, Devyn Dawson, Tressa Messenger, Brea Essex, and me. 

There are SIX books for $0.99 and 100% of royalties will be donated to Love is Louder. 

For more information and buy links, please check out my post here . 

More about Devyn

I've thought of myself as a writer for as long as I can remember.  I played grown-up with my family, until everyone grew up and left me to figure out what I really wanted to be.  Jumping over the cliff, I took a leap of faith and wrote my first full length novel, The Legacy of Kilkenny.  My love of young adult books, helped mold me into the writer I am today.  The books I write, reflect the types of books I enjoy reading.  Every story I write will have a huge twist at the end, one that often leaves the reader in shock (no pun intended, if you know me, you know why I say that, LOL).  Thank you for considering to read my books.  Happy reading!
Find out more about Devyn: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Blog and Bublish.

Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

Almost Missed It: ROW80

Whew! I almost missed my Sunday A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) check in. I haven't checked in for a while. It's not that I don't have anything to report. I just don't have the write things to report. And, no, that was not a typo.

Editing is running my life right now. It's something I love, but I have a hard time jumping back and forth between that and writing. They take very different energy. As do my children and my life, and they have all been very needy lately. 

I will finish Chasing Forgiveness before November's NaNoWriMo , because I have plans for November and they don't include a novella. I have a lot of projects I need to get completed so I can have a clear writing brain available for my favorite (and most productive) writing month of the year.

Is anybody else doing NaNo this year? I know it seems early to ask, but November really isn't that far away.

Plus, the next round--and final one of 2014--starts October 6. I plan to make my goals very specific and very doable to round out my year. 

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Ginny Gallagher

Please welcome an amazing blogger and friend, Ginny Gallagher of Gin’s Book Notes . You'll definitely want to check out her blog this month, because she's having an awesome Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall giveaway all month! You can also checkout the giveaways on Facebook . 
Ginny, it was so amazing to finally meet you at UtopYA in June. You were the first person to walk up and introduce yourself, and it set the tone for what would turn out to be a stellar event. First things first, I have to share two pictures from our time together.
Below is a picture of you, Jo Michaels, Toni Lesatz (My Book Addiction), and me from UtopYA taken by the lovely Victoria Faye.

And, of course I have to share this great one of our shoes from the awards night.

Now, for the fun part…
First, I know we both love animals (I have two puppies--Lab/Terrier mixes--and two rats). What do you have and how old are they? Oh, and I’d love a picture!
Ginny: I have 5 dogs and two cats so a lot of my days are spent vacuuming and cleaning. I’m a little OCD about making sure my house doesn’t smell like a kennel. Let me introduce you to my fur kids.
·         Henry (Pug #1. He is 13.)·         Daisy (Boston Terrier. She is 11.)·         Zac Morris (Pug #2. He is 8.)·         Lizzy (Collie Mix. I found her running down the highway when she was 6 weeks old. She is now 5.)·         Walter Bishop (Lab. He found me at the gas station, and we think he is about 3 years old.)·         Abbie (Gray Cat. She is 14.)·         Jr. (Cat. He is 12)Whew that’s a lot. I’m tired just thinking about them. ;)

Right after I sent the interview, another sweetie joined her brood. Finley (an Australian Retriever, an Australian Retriever and Golden Retriever mix)...

That is just too much cuteness! 
By the way, I love your book blog. What inspired you to start it?
Ginny: I wish I could say something profound here, but honestly it was my awful memory that inspired the blog. I really expected it to be a place that I could just keep my thoughts on the books I read and help me to remember the things that I loved about them. It is still that but it’s also so much more. I had no clue that there was this whole community of people that loved books as much as I did and loved talking about them too! Eureka!!! I found my people!!!
It's an amazing feeling to find your people. Is there a common theme in your favorite books?
This is a tough one for me. I really love to read and enjoy many different genres. I guess the biggest thing I enjoy is a book with layers. You know, the ones, that make you think and look a little deeper. The ones have cleverly hidden moral or social messages that you wouldn’t notice unless you took the time to really think about what the author may have been trying to tell you with their story.
You are also a writer. Can you share some details about your current manuscript? (I already know you have a vivid imagination thanks to your ghost on the side of the road story. Wink!)
Ginny: LOL…is vivid imagination another way of saying “liar, liar, pants on fire”? J Oh boy, that imagination used to get me into a lot of trouble as a kid.  I actually have several stories that I want to tell which I suppose is a great problem to have if I want to be a writer. Right? I will admit that I’m having commitment issues on which one I want to tell first so I will have to get back to you on this question.
Can't wait to hear about it. Imaginations are a gift! We finally had a chance to meet at UtopYA. The link to your wrap-up post is  here (#1) and here (#2), but can you recap in a few words what the event meant to you?
Ginny: UtopYA was amazing. For me it meant validation. You will have to take a look at my No Fear Wrap Up post to understand but it was such a wonderful and validating experience for me and truly reminded me that with determination you can change things about yourself or at least make them better.
I came away with a lot of the same feelings. It was powerful! 
So, when you aren’t reading or writing, what is your favorite thing(s) to do?
Ginny: Oh, I’m going to need another list for this one. I have lots of things I love to do. Which I suppose is the reason I have never been bored; that and my vivid imagination. ;) I will name my top five things that I do when not reading or writing.
·        * Enter giveaways – I love to enter giveaways. I don’t win a lot but when I do I get really happy! J·        * Sew- I love to make things. I’m teaching myself so it’s a slow process but I enjoy seeing the scraps of fabric come together into something that can be used and enjoyed.·        * Photoshop/ Digital Scrapbooking/ Graphic Design- Another thing that I am self-taught at. I love to design book covers, quote graphics, etc. There is a lot that goes into really learning the design process and I have come a long way but still have more to learn.·        * Organizing·        * TV- I love to learn new things so I enjoy watching all those dorky documentaries that they have on the History, PBS, and the Discovery Channels. On the flip side of that I’m also a big kid at heart so if you popped over for a visit during the day you might find my TV on Sponge Bob Square Pants.
And now, quick Questions…
Favorite Punctuation Mark: Exclamation Mark !!!Ocean or Mountains?  I guess I have to pick Ocean but to be fair I’ve never been to the mountains so that may change one day.Favorite Alcoholic Beverage: LOL…I honestly don’t really enjoy alcoholic beverages. When I was at UtopYA I mentioned to Author S.M. Boyce that I hadn’t drank in five or six years, she responded with a concerned look on her face: "Oh, honey then maybe you shouldn’t have anything." I couldn’t help but bust out laughing and I let her know it wasn’t because I was a recovering alcoholic and I didn’t need to check in with my sponsor. LOL…If I do drink anything it is a Corona.  Whew…you knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my answers short. Right?Favorite Dessert: Lemon Meringue Pie…YUM!Shower or bath? BathSweet or Sour? A little of both please. I’m complicated. ;)
Thanks so much for hanging out with me today! I can’t wait to see you again next year in Nashville. We should coordinate our kick-butt shoes next year. Hugs!
Ginny: Thank you so much for having me. Sorry I was such a motor mouth but you should know by now that short answers aren’t my thing. ;) You are so dang wonderful, fun, and just truly amazing! I can’t wait to see you in June 2015 and yes we will totally talk shoes before then. Big HUGS and puffy hearts to you and your readers! 
I love your answers! To find out more about more about Ginny, check her out on social media:
WebsiteFacebookTwitterGoogle+PinterestTumblrGoodReads
Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Casey L Bond

Please welcome the lovely, and full of spunk and energy, Casey L Bond. Before Nashville, I knew Casey as the person who was first in line to show support on social media and share a smile or virtual hug. I wondered if she was as bright a light in person as online. No fear! She exudes joy and friendship. Love her!

Today, I am fortunate to have her hanging out with me on the blog. Join me in getting to know her a little better.
First, I loved Reap, Resist, and Shady Bay. You sure know how to write feisty characters who steal the reader’s heart. Any insight as to why these characters speak to you?
Read my review of Reap here, Resist here, and Shady Bay here.
Casey: Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Tia! Let’s dive in head first.
I write characters that I would love to read. If they aren’t fun and feisty, as you so-aptly put it, I lose interest quick and so do readers. Give me a strong female lead and a complex male and I’m in reader heaven!
And certainly, I hope that readers do fall in love with the characters in my books. The feeling that someone loves your characters as much as you do is overwhelming, humbling, exciting and awesome all rolled up together!
So true! Plus you're all kinds of fun and feisty yourself. Since I loved Resist so much (and the main character, Abby), I’m sharing the synopsis and cover here. Could you share a favorite line from it?



About Resist

Abby Kelley returns home from the Greater city of Olympus to find that things in Orchard Village are bad, very bad. The Olympian Guard has taken over village affairs.  The Lessers are being worked to the bone in the coldest winter Orchard has seen.  Villagers are being dragged away for the slightest indication of what they call “resistance.” She needs to keep her head down and her mouth shut. But, it’s so hard to do when everything within you screams rebellion.

Kyan is coming on strong, trying to convince her to take a chance on him. Shocking news of Crew’s activities in Olympus sweeps through the Villages. When Abby is taken away by the Olympian guard, Kyan sends word to Vesuvius for help. But, no one could have predicted their idea of help or what they might expect in return.
Who will be left to pick up the pieces of Abby’s heart?
Casey: 
**Snippet from Abby’s point of view**
“What do you think is going to happen?” I asked.
“I don’t know, Abs, but whatever it is, I hope I’m standing beside you.” His orange eyes burned into mine.
“I hope so, too.”
**And another snippet from Abby…***
Gray didn’t let me go. He pulled me closer. “He’ll cool off.”
“Why is he so mad?”
“Because he thinks he’s losing you. He doesn’t realize you were never his to lose.”
Love! This was such an emotional book for me, and it brought tears to my eyes at least twice. I also love the cover, which you designed. What do you think makes an amazing cover?
Casey: Two of my covers, Pariah and Devil Creek, were made by Stephanie Nelson of Once Upon a Time Covers. They are amazing. I am finding out that I love graphic artwork and that it’s something that helps me connect with my story even more.

Allyson contacted me because she liked my covers for The Harvest Saga and Sin. I offered to make the covers for her new serial series, the Mortal Sin saga, warning her that I wasn’t as skilled as most graphic artists. She was so fun to work with and I enjoyed making her covers! Not all have been released yet, so I’ll just share the first of her covers…


A cover needs to be eye-catching. Some of the best-selling novels have very simple covers. A perfect example is the cover of “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. It’s simple but fitting. I like a pretty cover. When I flip through books on my Kindle, the cover is the first thing that draws me in—like a moth to a flame. The synopsis has to then hook me in order for me to purchase the book. That’s why a cover is so important.

The first thing that a reader judges is the book’s cover, despite the old saying. J
I agree. A cover draws you in. Now, tell us about your Sin Series. What do you think readers love about serials?
Casey: I like stretching my boundaries and Sin certainly does that. It is fast-paced, fun and very sexy. Yep. (Look away, Mom). Serials are so fun. They’re similar to episodes in a television show. They release very quickly in succession and each segment picks up where the previous one left off. Serials aren’t a new phenomenon. Even “The Green Mile” by Stephen King was released as a serial!
People are busy. Some readers like to read just a little at the end of a long day. A serial completely fulfills that need. Each part of Sin will consist of 15-25,000 words or about 30-35 pages. Easy reading! Fast and fun!
In a time-crunched world, I couldn't agree with you more. What do you love most about writing?
Casey:  I love to create something new and different. My books are unique, I think. I try to make the characters very three-dimensional and relatable. World-building is one of my favorite things. For instance, The Harvest Saga is a dystopian novel that takes place in the near future. I’m amazed and thrilled that Reap won the Indie Authors and Book Blogs 2014 award for “Most Creative World-Building!”
But, writing itself is cathartic and something that I truly enjoy spending time doing. It isn’t something that I dread, but look forward to. It isn’t something I have to make time for, it’s something I want to make time to do. I love it and hope that with each book or piece of work I produce, that I get better and further develop my craft.
When you have that kind of passion for something, it shows in the work. Last question... UtopYA gathers an amazing group of people into one space. I came away with a lightness in my step and a determination to be the best writer I can. What do you think makes this conference so powerful and special?
Casey: Girl! After Winter Shadows was published, I entered the world of social networking. As I found more Young Adult authors, they pointed me in one direction: Nashville, Tennessee and UtopYA! So, I bought a ticket, applied for a table and in June set off to the south west!
It was amazing seeing so many authors, your awesome self included, that I had connected with online and had become friends with via social network sites. I was fangirling all over the place and some people probably thought I was a little crazy. (It’s true. J)
But, UtopYA was like a breath of fresh air for me and one that was desperately needed. I cannot tell you how much I learned about marketing and writing. Meeting the readers and bloggers was so amazing.
I left with a feeling of confidence that I hadn’t felt until that weekend. And it has made a difference in my focus as well. UtopYA is never going to get rid of me now that I’ve had such an amazing experience. You will be seeing me there for years to come!
Quick Questions…
Favorite Punctuation Mark: Exclamation Point!!!Ocean or Mountains? I live in the mountains, but love the ocean so much. I would have to pick ocean.Favorite Alcoholic Beverage: I rarely drink. If I do have anything at all, it’s a glass of Cabernet. My drink of choice is Diet Sunkist! YUMMY!Favorite Dessert: Apple crisp.Shower or bath? Bath.Sweet or Sour? Sweet!
Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband Elton and their two beautiful daughters, Juliet and Eris. When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction.
Bond graduated from Hurricane High School in 1999. In 2003, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University in the field of Criminal Justice.
You can find more information about Bond’s books via the following links:

Website Facebook   Twitter Goodreads Tumblr Pinterest
Thanks for joining me today, sweet lady! I can’t wait to see you again in 2015. I’m going to tackle hug you!
Not if I tackle hug you first, Tia! LOL! J
Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): NL Greene

Nichole Greene, otherwise known as NL Greene, is another lovely lady and author I met at UtopYA. I’m so thrilled to have her hanging out with me on the blog today.
She's all kinds of wonderful! After a short time, I felt like I'd known her forever. I even sang karaoke for the first time with her, Jo Michaels , and Casey L Bond . Fun times!

Nichole, thanks so much for letting me pick your brain.
NL: Hey!!!  Thank you for having me, I am SOOO happy to be here! 
I have to say, I love your Magic series and am eagerly awaiting Book three. When can readers expect it? Anything you’d like to tell us about it to hold us over?
Please check out my reviews of Magic Unfolds and Illusions Begin here.
NL: Well thank you very much! I'm currently working on it. I had honestly hoped to be finished by now, but summer was not very productive for me. The new plan is for it to be published by the end of September. With it being the final book, I want to make sure I don’t rush it. For now, I'll say that the final book will have A LOT more magic and romance ;)
Ooh. More magic and romance are exactly what we all need in our lives! Several people have told me I have to read Twisted. Tell me something about this story and what makes it so special.
NL: This one is actually pretty special to me personally. It's a book about bullying but a bit different than the norm. The bullying happens between two best friends who have been friends since the fourth grade. One of the friends is more dominating and as they grow up it turns into manipulation and betrayal. The reason it's so special to me is because I wrote this book based on my own personal experiences as a teen with my "best friend" and hoped that through writing it, girls experiencing similar things would be able to recognize it and get out of the unhealthy relationship. I'll warn you though, it's not at all sugarcoated. It's raw and intense, but it's also real!
My youngest daughter is in fourth grade this year, so now I definitely have to read it. It was such a treat meeting you at UtopYA. Speaking of treats, I see that you and have started a bakery named The Greene Pig Sweets (you can follow them on Facebook, too). When did you start baking? What’s your favorite dessert?
NL: Yes!  I am so excited about this new adventure! I started baking about 13 years ago and it kind of just grew from there. I used to get request all the time for cakes but it can be really stressful so I stayed away from the business part of it until I met my friend Michelle. She is amazing with flavors and I love decorating so we decided to work together and started the bakery. It took off too! We've WAY busier than we expected but it's been a lot of fun working together so far!!  My favorite dessert that we make would have to be our chocolate cupcake with raspberry white chocolate filling and cream cheese icing. It's YUMMY!!
That sounds amazing. I love sweets. We have a lot more than sweets in common, including having daughters and new puppies. At my house, this translates into chaos a lot of the time; yet I wouldn’t trade it for anything. What is your favorite part of any day?
NL: Dinner. It's the only time we are all guaranteed to be in the same room and all focused on each other, even the puppy…lol! It's our family time every day and it's always fun and special.
I love dinnertime, too. UtopYA was amazing, and it was a thrill to finally meet the authors I have connected with online. What do you think makes this conference so special?
NL: Easy, the people!! Everyone is so nice, excepting, and just amazing! It's, hands down, my favorite convention and probably always will be. There are so many people that I've met there that have become so special to me.
Quick Questions…
Favorite Punctuation Mark: Exclamation point!!!!!Ocean or Mountains? Oh, tough one…probably ocean but they are very close!Favorite Alcoholic Beverage: Lemon drop martiniFavorite Dessert: Anything chocolateShower or bath? ShowerSweet or Sour? Sweet
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Please give hugs to your amazing husband who was brave enough to hang out with all the ladies in Nashville. He’s a pretty cool dude, I must say. Can’t wait to see you next June in TN!
More About NL Greene
Author N.L. Greene is a writer of YA and NA Contemporary and Paranormal Romances. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and two beautiful daughters. When she isn't writing or reading, she enjoys traveling around the world with her family, shopping and doing other girly things with her girls, or playing video games with her husband. She is a lover of dogs, chocolate, and anything pink!
Connect with Nichole: Facebook , Blog , Twitter
Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

Happy & Writing: ROW80

Happy Wednesday!

I might have mentioned UtopYA--the amazing conference in Nashville in June--one or two (maybe a hundred) times on this blog. There's a reason. It. Is. Awesome.

I highly recommend it to readers and writers of Young Adult and New Adult contemporary and supernatural fiction. 

Yesterday, they announced the official bloggers for UtopYA 2015 (see post here ).

Congratulations to...
Jo Michaels of Jo Michaels Blog Maria Pease of Paisley Reader Ashley Bodette of A Book Junkie Not So Anonymous Shana Benedict of A Book Vacation
If you aren't familiar with them, please click on the links above and check them out. They are all amazing! 

Just in case you haven't read my blog, I ADORE Jo Michaels. She is my friend, my sister from another mister, my editor, my cover designer, my UtopYA roommate. I've become a much better writer and person since knowing her. It's so nice when great people get recognized. It simply makes me happy.

Wednesdays are also my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) . 

I'm writing. Finally. It feels good. And I'm about to start a really cool new editing project and finish another to send to the finally proofreading round before publication. Oh, and I got around to several blogs over the last two days. I still have lots of people to visit, but I'm pacing myself. 

Oh, and don't forget to keep checking this blog for my Meet Some Lovelies from #UtopYA2014 (Unofficial) series. Find the announcement post here .

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Kelly Risser

Thanks to a meeting organized by Jo Michaels, I met Kelly Risser poolside at utopYA with a drink in hand. Pretty cool first meeting, I must say! Within minutes, I felt like I’d known her forever. She’s so sweet and uber-friendly.

Today, she’s hanging out here and answering questions. Please welcome Kelly!
Congratulations on publishing two books since utopYA! Both Never Forgotten and Current Impressionsare high on my to-be-read list. What inspired these novels?
Kelly: Like many authors, before I started writing, I was an avid reader. While I read all genres, I love fantasy books. The first books I remember loving as a kid were Bunnicula, the vampire bunny; Behind the Attic Wall about living dolls, and the A Wrinkle in Time series. Incidentally, A Wrinkle in Time was the first time I remember staying up into the wee hours of morning because I just couldn’t put the book down. Give me a book with shape shifters, werewolves, vampires, mermaids, aliens…basically, anything not human and odds are that I will love it. I was a fan of these kinds of stories way before Twilight was a twinkle in Stephanie Meyer’s eye. This brings me to my books. I knew I wanted to write the kind of story that I would love to read, so the focus on paranormal came naturally. Considering that I am about a third Irish, Celtic lore intrigues me. My series focuses on lesser known creatures of Scottish/Irish origin, which hopefully will be interesting to readers of this genre!
About Never Forgotten
Those that we love are never forgotten.
How can one day go so very wrong? One minute Meara Quinn is making plans for how she will spend the summer before her senior year and the next she's finding out that her mother's cancer has returned and they are moving away from the only home she's ever known. Now every day is a struggle as Meara is trying to cope with her mother's illness, being forced to move to another country to live with grandparents—whom she thought disowned her mother—and having weird visions of a father who was absent her entire life. Top it all off with one whopping secret that everyone seems bent on keeping from her, and Meara has the perfect ingredients for a major melt down. The only things keeping her from coming unglued are some new friends and Evan, the son of her mother's childhood friend, who seems to know Meara almost better than she knows herself. Together with Evan and her friends, Meara embarks on a journey to unlock the secrets that will not only tell Meara who she is, but what she is.
Kirkus Reviews says, “A heartfelt story that didn’t need the magical sea creatures.” 

About Current Impressions
Are their current impressions enough to keep them safe?
After an emotionally draining year, Meara Quinn is not the same carefree and innocent girl. Her mom is gone. Graduation is over. Taking a leap of faith and temporarily separating from her one love, Evan, Meara joins her father’s world to learn more about who she is. Too bad life is not all starfish and seashells. Meara gains magical abilities, but she's forced to undergo intense training so she knows what to do with them. Her father chooses her aunt and Kieran as her trainers. And Kieran, a powerful male who's not from their clan, has the unnerving ability to infuriate and intrigue Meara at the same time.
While Meara begins her new life, Evan endures with her memory and the knowledge that he will see her in July when his internship begins. Although excited about gaining real world experience, it's the thought of seeing Meara that really drives him. Unfortunately, Evan finds it hard to focus on anything when he's suffering from vivid nightmares and screaming headaches.
When Meara and Evan reunite, everything seems to fall back into place. The summer appears to be perfect. Then two of her father's guards are found dead, and foul play is suspected. The façade melts away. Someone is targeting them, and Meara must discover who it is and why. She turns to Evan to help her, but when he gives her the hot and cold treatment, she's left feeling alone and confused. As the puzzle pieces move into place, will Meara be able to solve the mystery in time to save her clan and her relationship?
Sounds interesting. I can't wait to read them. These novels were published through Clean Teen Publishing. As the mom of a teen who loves to read, I really appreciate their commitment to transparency. Tell me a bit more about the team and what made you want to work with them.
The Clean Teen Publishing Team (UtopYA 2014)Kelly: Clean Teen Publishing was founded by four amazing women. They are such a pleasure to work with, treating the publisher-author relationship like a partnership. Initially, when I was searching for a publisher, it was their name that first caught my eye. Since Never Forgotten is a story about a young adult, the CTP target audience is spot on. When I read the owners’ bios on the website and saw how they rated their books, I was sold. It’s such a unique concept and approach. As an added bonus, the other authors are very friendly and supportive, too. We celebrate each other’s successes. It’s like one big happy family!
According to your website, you have been known to make greeting cards and homemade magazines. This in addition to writing. What do you love most about the creative process?
Kelly: Honestly, my favorite part of the creative process is when I get to share the finished product.  The creative discovery is fun, but I like to see the reactions from the recipients. Nothing makes me happier than hearing from a reader about how my story affected them. For the same reason, I love to give homemade gifts, because I like to see how much it means to the person who receives it. Creativity is such a huge part of my life. From cake decorating to making my own swag, it’s how I relax and de-stress.                                                                  We need to head to UtopYA early next year so you can teach me swag-making! Speaking of UtopYA, what do you think makes it so unique and special?
Kelly: There is so much positive energy at UtopYA. There has to be with so many amazing, creative, talented people in one place at one time. On top of that, everyone is friendly and supportive. It’s a great environment to learn, to network, and to make friends. I also love how active the UtopYA community is on Facebook. It’s a great way to stay in touch throughout the rest of the year.
Time for Quick Questions…
Favorite Punctuation Mark: Ellipsis. I don’t know why…I just love it.Ocean or Mountains? Ocean, hands downFavorite Alcoholic Beverage: GrasshopperFavorite Dessert: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (sensing a theme? Buy me mint ice cream, I’ll be your friend forever.)Shower or bath? Bubble bathSweet or Sour? Sweet
I look forward to reading your books and hopefully seeing you in Nashville next summer!

More about Kelly from her website: 

Becoming a published author is a lifetime dream come true. As a child, I subjected friends and family to my "KellyMark" greeting cards ("When you care enough to make the very best."), poetry, homemade magazines, and short stories. In high school, my short story, "If Only to Escape" was published in the local paper, and I won a writing contest for my children's story, "Televisella." In college, my creative writing tapered off, but I still managed to write the occasional review for The Marquette University Tribune. Once I graduated, I mixed creative writing with business writing, and I've held positions in Advertising, Marketing, and Instructional Design/eLearning Development.

Today, I am busy writing the next book in Meara's story. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, hanging out with my husband and two kids, or playing with our Whoodle puppy.

Drop me a line. I'd love to hear from you!

Find out more: Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. 

Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.