Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 115
April 23, 2012
Monday Mishmash 4/23/12
Happy Monday! Here's what's on my mind:
Pocono Retreat I spent the weekend at my regional SCBWI conference, and as usual I learned a lot. I also got to meet my agency sister, Diane Alberts, which was so great! And did I mention I met and shook hands with Laurie Halse Anderson? :DNew New story idea No, that's not a typo. I was already working on a new story idea when another new idea came to me. I'm very excited about it.More time I have so much I want to do each day, but I can't find time to do it all. It looks like I'm going to have to give up some sleep this week.New look of Blogger I went to write this post and realized Blogger gave it's administrative panel a facelift. Not sure if I like it. I'm kind of a creature of habit, so when things change I need time to adjust.Winner of my Touch of Death SWAG giveaway My giveaway ended on the 21st, and the winner is... Hillary Curran! Congrats! I've sent you an email so you can claim your prizes.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?[image error]
Pocono Retreat I spent the weekend at my regional SCBWI conference, and as usual I learned a lot. I also got to meet my agency sister, Diane Alberts, which was so great! And did I mention I met and shook hands with Laurie Halse Anderson? :DNew New story idea No, that's not a typo. I was already working on a new story idea when another new idea came to me. I'm very excited about it.More time I have so much I want to do each day, but I can't find time to do it all. It looks like I'm going to have to give up some sleep this week.New look of Blogger I went to write this post and realized Blogger gave it's administrative panel a facelift. Not sure if I like it. I'm kind of a creature of habit, so when things change I need time to adjust.Winner of my Touch of Death SWAG giveaway My giveaway ended on the 21st, and the winner is... Hillary Curran! Congrats! I've sent you an email so you can claim your prizes.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?[image error]
April 20, 2012
How Much is Enough... or Too Much?
As writers we create characters and stories that come to life in our minds. The challenge is knowing when you've told the reader everything he/she needs to know for the story to make sense.
I know so many writers who make elaborate character profiles, filled with information that won't make it into the story. I also know writers who tell me certain minor characters have great backstories that don't make it into the manuscript. So the question is, how do you know how much information to include?
I use my beta readers and CPs for this. If they don't understand something, then I need to add information. Because it's in my mind, I automatically fill it in when I read, even though I never put it on screen. My readers can't do that. This is why it's crucial to have people read your work. Only they can catch what you miss. Even though I edit for clients and a small publisher, I need others to help me edit my own work, mostly for this reason. My mind sees the whole picture, but that doesn't mean I put it all on screen.
In the same token, betas and CPs can let you know when you've told too much--if there's information the reader doesn't need and doesn't move the story forward. These are good places to make some cuts.
Do you have any tricks for finding holes or areas of too much info in your own work, or do you rely on your betas for this, too?[image error]
I know so many writers who make elaborate character profiles, filled with information that won't make it into the story. I also know writers who tell me certain minor characters have great backstories that don't make it into the manuscript. So the question is, how do you know how much information to include?
I use my beta readers and CPs for this. If they don't understand something, then I need to add information. Because it's in my mind, I automatically fill it in when I read, even though I never put it on screen. My readers can't do that. This is why it's crucial to have people read your work. Only they can catch what you miss. Even though I edit for clients and a small publisher, I need others to help me edit my own work, mostly for this reason. My mind sees the whole picture, but that doesn't mean I put it all on screen.
In the same token, betas and CPs can let you know when you've told too much--if there's information the reader doesn't need and doesn't move the story forward. These are good places to make some cuts.
Do you have any tricks for finding holes or areas of too much info in your own work, or do you rely on your betas for this, too?[image error]
April 18, 2012
Betrayed by Ednah Walters
Lil isn't just an average teenager. She's one of the Nephilim--the descendants of humans and angels--which gives her some serious psi skills and a mission for redemption. Just when Lil thinks she's found a balance between her normal life with human friends and her training to become a Guardian, she's warned that someone close to her will betray her. When the boy she loves starts acting strangely and one of her human friends acquires a supernatural ability, Lil begins to realize that someone is manipulating the people she loves... and won't stop until she's been lured to the dark side.
ISBN: 978-1-937053-18-5 (Trade Paper), 978-1-937053-19-2 (e-book)Spencer Hill Press, June 5, 2012
And here is the trailer for you to enjoy:
Find it on Goodreads and pre-order it on Amazon.
So what do you think of the cover and the blurb?
April 15, 2012
Monday Mishmash and Blog Hop Giveaway
Happy Monday! My mishmash will be shortened for the Small Blogs, Big Dreams blog hop and giveaway.
TOUCH OF DEATH SWAG I have some great SWAG up for grabs in this giveaway. You can win a bloodstone keychain (Jodi Marshall gets Medusa's bloodstone locket in the book. The stone contains Medusa's blood and all its powers.), bookmarks, and stickers.Plotting out of order I'm working on a new idea and it's coming together like a puzzle: in pieces and totally out of order. I'm going with it, though.The Imaginary Friend My two-part short story ebook (middle grade read) is now FREE on Kindle. Grab your copy here.Good luck to those entering the giveaway. And now it's your turn. What's on your mind today?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway.
Click here for a list of all the other bloggers participating in this blog hop/giveaway.
TOUCH OF DEATH SWAG I have some great SWAG up for grabs in this giveaway. You can win a bloodstone keychain (Jodi Marshall gets Medusa's bloodstone locket in the book. The stone contains Medusa's blood and all its powers.), bookmarks, and stickers.Plotting out of order I'm working on a new idea and it's coming together like a puzzle: in pieces and totally out of order. I'm going with it, though.The Imaginary Friend My two-part short story ebook (middle grade read) is now FREE on Kindle. Grab your copy here.Good luck to those entering the giveaway. And now it's your turn. What's on your mind today?a Rafflecopter giveaway
You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway.
Click here for a list of all the other bloggers participating in this blog hop/giveaway.
April 13, 2012
Waiting... Can be a Good Thing
I admit I'm not the most patient person. Okay, okay, I really need to work on having more patience. My editing clients can tell you that I don't like to keep others waiting either. If I have something to do, I do it. Right then and there. Why? Because I hate to wait. Or do I?
My debut YA, Touch of Death, releases in January 2013. When I first got my release date, I thought, "That's so far away." Now, I'm glad I have the time to prepare. More time means more opportunities to spread the word, to figure out how to market the book, and to establish my platform.
Why am I talking about this today? I think as writers we focus on getting published. We can't wait for it to happen. We countdown the days and wish our lives away until that release date arrives. But why? Honestly, I'm nervous for my book to come out. Will people like it? So far it's gotten great feedback, but will that continue? That makes me nervous. I'm still extremely excited though, so don't get me wrong. But... I'm glad I have time to get ready.
Do you ever find waiting to be a good thing?
My debut YA, Touch of Death, releases in January 2013. When I first got my release date, I thought, "That's so far away." Now, I'm glad I have the time to prepare. More time means more opportunities to spread the word, to figure out how to market the book, and to establish my platform.
Why am I talking about this today? I think as writers we focus on getting published. We can't wait for it to happen. We countdown the days and wish our lives away until that release date arrives. But why? Honestly, I'm nervous for my book to come out. Will people like it? So far it's gotten great feedback, but will that continue? That makes me nervous. I'm still extremely excited though, so don't get me wrong. But... I'm glad I have time to get ready.
Do you ever find waiting to be a good thing?
April 11, 2012
Spectral by Shannon Duffy
How gorgeous is that cover?
Synopsis:Convinced she's a part of the witness protection program, sixteen-year-old Jewel Rose is shuffled around the globe with her family like a pack of traveling gypsies. After arriving at lucky home twenty-seven, she stumbles upon a mysterious boy with magical powers claiming to be her guardian . . . and warning of imminent danger. Despite the obvious sparks between them, Jewel discovers a relationship is forbidden, and the more she learns about dark, brooding Roman, she begins to question who she can even believe—the family who raised her, or the supposed sworn protector who claims they've been lying to her all along.
As she struggles to uncover who her family has really been running from, she is forced to hide her birthmark that reveals who she is. With new realities surfacing, unexplained powers appearing, and two tempting boys vying for her heart, Jewel battles to learn who she can trust in an ever growing sea of lies, hoping she'll make it through her seventeenth birthday alive.
Opening line:Living in the witness protection program didn't make me feel so much protected as it made me feel cursed. Yeah, that makes me want to read this like right now!
Shannon's favorite line: Hard to pick just one, but here's one I definitely like: "A spark ignited inside my body spreading warmth throughout, and I closed my eyes a moment, willing every contour of his face and luscious lips to be implanted in my mind forever... just in case." Wow! Awesome!
If you could be any character from the story, who would you be?I'd like to be Jewel. I mean, there are some crazy times that she goes through that I'd like to fast forward on past, LOL, but I like the cool things that happen to her so much that I choose her.
Where can we purchase a copy of Spectral? Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBookstore, Smashwords, Google, and Tribute-Books.com.
Where can readers find you on the web? www.ShannonDuffyLit.comhttp://1fantasyfairy.blogspot.com/ http://twitter.com/#!/ShannonDuffyLit
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3873156.Shannon_Duffy
Just for fun: Jewel discovers her life has been a lie, so my question to you is what would you do if you found out nothing in your world was what you thought it was?
April 9, 2012
Monday Mishmash 4/9/12
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Easter I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend. We had fun dying eggs, searching for eggs, and visiting with family.Friday the 13th This Friday is Friday the 13th. Anyone superstitious?Editing I'll be doing second round edits on Touch of Death this week. Wish me luck!Spectral This amazing novel by Shannon Duffy releases tomorrow! Though it's already available on Amazon, if you want to snag it early like I did. ;)Brainstorming My new WIP idea is revealing itself very slowly. I got the idea months ago, but it's still only bare bones right now. I need to sit down with my MC and ask her to tell me her story so I can get this plotted.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Easter I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend. We had fun dying eggs, searching for eggs, and visiting with family.Friday the 13th This Friday is Friday the 13th. Anyone superstitious?Editing I'll be doing second round edits on Touch of Death this week. Wish me luck!Spectral This amazing novel by Shannon Duffy releases tomorrow! Though it's already available on Amazon, if you want to snag it early like I did. ;)Brainstorming My new WIP idea is revealing itself very slowly. I got the idea months ago, but it's still only bare bones right now. I need to sit down with my MC and ask her to tell me her story so I can get this plotted.That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
April 6, 2012
One Lovely Blog Award
I was given the One Lovely Blog Award from the lovely Donna Yates. Thank you, Donna!
Now, Donna didn't have the rules posted, so I Googled them. I have to give 7 random facts about myself. Eek, you guys are going to know my life story soon!I was usually two years younger than my classmates in school because I started at 4 years old.I've cried while writing my own novels. (I've also laughed out loud while revising.)I'd rather eat cookie batter than cookies.I've been known to laugh out loud while alone in the bathroom. Something about that room makes me think about weird things. :P I hate alarm clocks so I sleep with my running watch on.While growing up, I went to the Caribbean quite a bit. (Bahamas, St. Thomas, Aruba, St. Croix, St. John--each twice, with the exception of Aruba) Thank you, Mom and Dad!I read while watching TV because I don't like commercials.And now the people I'm passing this award on to:Michelle D. EvansDiane CarlisleShannon DuffyTG AyerEmily WhiteJulia KingDebbie Wentlein
Your turn. Either share one random fact about yourself or recommend one blog that should get this award so we can all check it out.
Now, Donna didn't have the rules posted, so I Googled them. I have to give 7 random facts about myself. Eek, you guys are going to know my life story soon!I was usually two years younger than my classmates in school because I started at 4 years old.I've cried while writing my own novels. (I've also laughed out loud while revising.)I'd rather eat cookie batter than cookies.I've been known to laugh out loud while alone in the bathroom. Something about that room makes me think about weird things. :P I hate alarm clocks so I sleep with my running watch on.While growing up, I went to the Caribbean quite a bit. (Bahamas, St. Thomas, Aruba, St. Croix, St. John--each twice, with the exception of Aruba) Thank you, Mom and Dad!I read while watching TV because I don't like commercials.And now the people I'm passing this award on to:Michelle D. EvansDiane CarlisleShannon DuffyTG AyerEmily WhiteJulia KingDebbie Wentlein
Your turn. Either share one random fact about yourself or recommend one blog that should get this award so we can all check it out.
April 4, 2012
The Feeling of YA Books
Over the past year, I made a discovery. I'm a YA writer. Yes, I write for other age levels, but the YA genre is where I feel at home. With every YA book I write, I feel like I'm taking a trip back in time to when I was 16. I have a lot of great memories from that age. I have a lot of sad memories, too. But one thing is certain; teens have a lot of emotion. They feel so many things and often all at once. I love getting to relive that through my writing.
Honestly, I've never cried or laughed so much while writing. I go through so many feelings during a draft. I type through tears. I get goosebumps. I feel what my teenage characters feel. It's sometimes a little awkward to find myself doing these things while sitting at my laptop, but the awkwardness makes me a better writer. It gives me a connection to the teens I'm writing for.
So bring on the tears, the chills, the nerves, the laughter, and all the other amazing feelings that go with writing YA books. I want to feel it all so that my readers will feel it all.
Do you allow yourself to fully feel your characters emotions?
Honestly, I've never cried or laughed so much while writing. I go through so many feelings during a draft. I type through tears. I get goosebumps. I feel what my teenage characters feel. It's sometimes a little awkward to find myself doing these things while sitting at my laptop, but the awkwardness makes me a better writer. It gives me a connection to the teens I'm writing for.
So bring on the tears, the chills, the nerves, the laughter, and all the other amazing feelings that go with writing YA books. I want to feel it all so that my readers will feel it all.
Do you allow yourself to fully feel your characters emotions?
April 2, 2012
Monday Mishmash and Cover Reveal!
Happy Monday! My mishmash will be short today because I'm hosting a cover reveal for my agency sister, Trisha Wolfe.
Astarte's Wrath See the gorgeous cover below! It says it all!Free monthly newsletter My newsletter will go out around 5pm EST today. If you don't subscribe and would like to, click here.Emotional reader/writer For some reason, my writing and the books I've been reading keep making me cry. I like when writing can make me feel. I'll be posting more about this in the future.Now, on to the cover reveal:
July 2012Two thousand years before Dez Harkly developed her secret powers, Kythan Astarte vowed to free the Kythans from the binds that enslaved them to the Egyptian pharaohs and sorcerers. Discover the prophecy that originated from a very different time, and spans generations to link two very different girls...This is the beginning.
Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt grow deeper. Not only is Caesarian her duty, he's the son of Cleopatra, and he's…human. All of which makes their love forbidden.
But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar, Caesarian's own father, creeps its ways into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythans free themselves of their servitude, or protecting her charge—the last pharaoh—while Egypt burns around her.What's on your mind today? And what do you think of the cover of Astarte's Wrath?
Astarte's Wrath See the gorgeous cover below! It says it all!Free monthly newsletter My newsletter will go out around 5pm EST today. If you don't subscribe and would like to, click here.Emotional reader/writer For some reason, my writing and the books I've been reading keep making me cry. I like when writing can make me feel. I'll be posting more about this in the future.Now, on to the cover reveal:
July 2012Two thousand years before Dez Harkly developed her secret powers, Kythan Astarte vowed to free the Kythans from the binds that enslaved them to the Egyptian pharaohs and sorcerers. Discover the prophecy that originated from a very different time, and spans generations to link two very different girls...This is the beginning. Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt grow deeper. Not only is Caesarian her duty, he's the son of Cleopatra, and he's…human. All of which makes their love forbidden.
But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar, Caesarian's own father, creeps its ways into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythans free themselves of their servitude, or protecting her charge—the last pharaoh—while Egypt burns around her.What's on your mind today? And what do you think of the cover of Astarte's Wrath?
