Megg Jensen's Blog, page 5
October 21, 2013
Editing HIDDEN: Step 3 - Labeling the Note Card
In Step 1 I told you part of my first editing pass included writing the theme of each chapter on a note card. Despite multiple distractions, I was able to complete that over the weekend.
I started HIDDEN in the fall of 2012 and wrote in spurts around my husband's double spinal fusion (which was a very stressful time and not conducive to creativity). Much of the first quarter of the novel was a bit fuzzy in my memory. Over the past weekend, I did a lot of skimming to remind myself exactly what was happening early on. The later chapters were a breeze.
I wanted to show you how I label my cards before telling you what I'm going to do with them.
Blank, white, 3x5 note cards are my favorite.
Okay, so in the upper right corner, you'll see a 1 and a T.
The 1 indicates the corresponding chapter in my text. I also marked the top right of the printed chapter with this number so it'll be easy to cross-reference later.
At this point, all the note cards are in numerical order. That won't be the case forever. And, it doesn't mean note card 1 is Chapter One. It just happens to be the first chapter I cataloged (I used to be a curator in a museum - some organizational habits die hard - I catalog everything).
The T refers to the POV (point of view) character. Since this is my first novel with multiple POVs, I need that to be indicated as well.
The blue blob is my description - well, it was until I took a picture and put the blob over it. Can't give away anything about the plot yet.
The back is blank...for now.
Seems simple, right? Note cards are easy, just a little time consuming when you're going through an 80,000-word manuscript.
Okay, I'm off to start Step 4. I'll fill you in on that tomorrow. :)
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests, win swag, and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
I started HIDDEN in the fall of 2012 and wrote in spurts around my husband's double spinal fusion (which was a very stressful time and not conducive to creativity). Much of the first quarter of the novel was a bit fuzzy in my memory. Over the past weekend, I did a lot of skimming to remind myself exactly what was happening early on. The later chapters were a breeze.
I wanted to show you how I label my cards before telling you what I'm going to do with them.
Blank, white, 3x5 note cards are my favorite.
Okay, so in the upper right corner, you'll see a 1 and a T.
The 1 indicates the corresponding chapter in my text. I also marked the top right of the printed chapter with this number so it'll be easy to cross-reference later.
At this point, all the note cards are in numerical order. That won't be the case forever. And, it doesn't mean note card 1 is Chapter One. It just happens to be the first chapter I cataloged (I used to be a curator in a museum - some organizational habits die hard - I catalog everything).
The T refers to the POV (point of view) character. Since this is my first novel with multiple POVs, I need that to be indicated as well.
The blue blob is my description - well, it was until I took a picture and put the blob over it. Can't give away anything about the plot yet.
The back is blank...for now.
Seems simple, right? Note cards are easy, just a little time consuming when you're going through an 80,000-word manuscript.
Okay, I'm off to start Step 4. I'll fill you in on that tomorrow. :)
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests, win swag, and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
October 18, 2013
Editing HIDDEN: Step 2 - The Power of TK
The Power of TK
Do you struggle with getting your drafts done because you get lost in details or are you desperate to finally finish NaNoWriMo this year? Never fear - I have a tool for you!!!
Unless you're a journalist, it's possible you've never heard of tk.
Courtesy of Microsoft Office ClipartNot everyone knows, but I spent ten years as a freelance journalist. Don't bother Googling for my articles. They are under my real name. Part of the reason I chose to use a pen name was to keep my two jobs completely separate. So far, it's worked. I mean, really, who wants to Google my books and end up with articles about baby poop?
Early on I learned the power of tk. Meaning "to come," tk is used as a placeholder in an article when you don't have all the info you need. TK is easy to see in a manuscript, whereas "to come" might look like normal text and be easily ignored.
And even though tk was around long before computers, it's awesome because there are very few English words where T and K are next to each other, so it ALWAYS shows up in spell check.
Handy, right?
Now when I write books, I'm a fast first drafter. I don't let anything stop me when I'm in the groove.
New character and I can't immediately come up with a name? tk
Don't know the number of years that have passed since a certain event? tk
Want to be more descriptive about a sword, but need to research it? tk
See where I'm going with this? You never have to stop again while drafting. Put in your tk and move on. You can always do your researching, naming, math, whatever in editing.
Now that I'm in editing mode, it's time to clean up all of those pesky tk notations in my manuscript. If I don't find them while I'm reading the text, spell check will be happy to point them out to me.
If you're still writing, you want to focus on getting the story down. The nitty gritty can come later. Besides, you will never have a book to query or self-publish if you don't finish it - trust me, tk will get you there.
More editing tips next week! Have a great weekend, everyone. :)
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests, win swag, and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
Do you struggle with getting your drafts done because you get lost in details or are you desperate to finally finish NaNoWriMo this year? Never fear - I have a tool for you!!!
Unless you're a journalist, it's possible you've never heard of tk.
Courtesy of Microsoft Office ClipartNot everyone knows, but I spent ten years as a freelance journalist. Don't bother Googling for my articles. They are under my real name. Part of the reason I chose to use a pen name was to keep my two jobs completely separate. So far, it's worked. I mean, really, who wants to Google my books and end up with articles about baby poop?Early on I learned the power of tk. Meaning "to come," tk is used as a placeholder in an article when you don't have all the info you need. TK is easy to see in a manuscript, whereas "to come" might look like normal text and be easily ignored.
And even though tk was around long before computers, it's awesome because there are very few English words where T and K are next to each other, so it ALWAYS shows up in spell check.
Handy, right?
Now when I write books, I'm a fast first drafter. I don't let anything stop me when I'm in the groove.
New character and I can't immediately come up with a name? tk
Don't know the number of years that have passed since a certain event? tk
Want to be more descriptive about a sword, but need to research it? tk
See where I'm going with this? You never have to stop again while drafting. Put in your tk and move on. You can always do your researching, naming, math, whatever in editing.
Now that I'm in editing mode, it's time to clean up all of those pesky tk notations in my manuscript. If I don't find them while I'm reading the text, spell check will be happy to point them out to me.
If you're still writing, you want to focus on getting the story down. The nitty gritty can come later. Besides, you will never have a book to query or self-publish if you don't finish it - trust me, tk will get you there.
More editing tips next week! Have a great weekend, everyone. :)
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests, win swag, and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
Editing HIDDEN: Step 1.1 - The Power of TK
The Power of TK
Do you struggle with getting your drafts done because you get lost in details or are you desperate to finally finish NaNoWriMo this year? Never fear - I have a tool for you!!!
Unless you're a journalist, it's possible you've never heard of tk.
Courtesy of Microsoft Office ClipartNot everyone knows, but I spent ten years as a freelance journalist. Don't bother Googling for my articles. They are under my real name. Part of the reason I chose to use a pen name was to keep my two jobs completely separate. So far, it's worked. I mean, really, who wants to Google my books and end up with articles about baby poop?
Early on I learned the power of tk. Meaning "to come," tk is used as a placeholder in an article when you don't have all the info you need. TK is easy to see in a manuscript, whereas "to come" might look like normal text and be easily ignored.
And even though tk was around long before computers, it's awesome because there are very few English words where T and K are next to each other, so it ALWAYS shows up in spell check.
Handy, right?
Now when I write books, I'm a fast first drafter. I don't let anything stop me when I'm in the groove.
New character and I can't immediately come up with a name? tk
Don't know the number of years that have passed since a certain event? tk
Want to be more descriptive about a sword, but need to research it? tk
See where I'm going with this? You never have to stop again while drafting. Put in your tk and move on. You can always do your researching, naming, math, whatever in editing.
Now that I'm in editing mode, it's time to clean up all of those pesky tk notations in my manuscript. If I don't find them while I'm reading the text, spell check will be happy to point them out to me.
If you're still writing, you want to focus on getting the story down. The nitty gritty can come later. Besides, you will never have a book to query or self-publish if you don't finish it - trust me, tk will get you there.
More editing tips next week! Have a great weekend, everyone. :)
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests, win swag, and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
Do you struggle with getting your drafts done because you get lost in details or are you desperate to finally finish NaNoWriMo this year? Never fear - I have a tool for you!!!
Unless you're a journalist, it's possible you've never heard of tk.
Courtesy of Microsoft Office ClipartNot everyone knows, but I spent ten years as a freelance journalist. Don't bother Googling for my articles. They are under my real name. Part of the reason I chose to use a pen name was to keep my two jobs completely separate. So far, it's worked. I mean, really, who wants to Google my books and end up with articles about baby poop?Early on I learned the power of tk. Meaning "to come," tk is used as a placeholder in an article when you don't have all the info you need. TK is easy to see in a manuscript, whereas "to come" might look like normal text and be easily ignored.
And even though tk was around long before computers, it's awesome because there are very few English words where T and K are next to each other, so it ALWAYS shows up in spell check.
Handy, right?
Now when I write books, I'm a fast first drafter. I don't let anything stop me when I'm in the groove.
New character and I can't immediately come up with a name? tk
Don't know the number of years that have passed since a certain event? tk
Want to be more descriptive about a sword, but need to research it? tk
See where I'm going with this? You never have to stop again while drafting. Put in your tk and move on. You can always do your researching, naming, math, whatever in editing.
Now that I'm in editing mode, it's time to clean up all of those pesky tk notations in my manuscript. If I don't find them while I'm reading the text, spell check will be happy to point them out to me.
If you're still writing, you want to focus on getting the story down. The nitty gritty can come later. Besides, you will never have a book to query or self-publish if you don't finish it - trust me, tk will get you there.
More editing tips next week! Have a great weekend, everyone. :)
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests, win swag, and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
October 17, 2013
Editing HIDDEN: Step 1
People are always asking me about my editing process - as if there's some big mystery surrounding how I take my crappy first draft and turn it into something I'm proud to query or publish.
Since I'm starting my edits on HIDDEN, my upcoming fantasy novel, I thought I'd blog about it as I go, so you can see how I edit.
Keep in mind, editing isn't the same for every person. Each writer has their own process and concerns.
My first confession : I edit on paper. I know, I know, in the digital age, I should be saving trees and editing on my computer.
Believe me, I've tried and I can't do it.
When I edit, it helps to look at the manuscript from a different perspective. I like the feel of paper in my hands. I like being able to rearrange chapters as I go. And, most importantly, I love having lots of colorful editing supplies. It's the twelve-year-old girl in me. ;)
I'm not just going to dive in and hope for the best. The first editing pass will be very technical. I'm going to write character descriptions (what they look like, how they act, goals, traits) and along the way I will write the theme of each chapter on a note card. You'll see what I do with those note cards later.
That's it for my first pass. No line editing whatsoever. I need to make sure my structure is sound before I worry about the text.
Ready? Set... EDIT!!!!
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests to win swag and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
Since I'm starting my edits on HIDDEN, my upcoming fantasy novel, I thought I'd blog about it as I go, so you can see how I edit.
Keep in mind, editing isn't the same for every person. Each writer has their own process and concerns.
My first confession : I edit on paper. I know, I know, in the digital age, I should be saving trees and editing on my computer.
Believe me, I've tried and I can't do it.
When I edit, it helps to look at the manuscript from a different perspective. I like the feel of paper in my hands. I like being able to rearrange chapters as I go. And, most importantly, I love having lots of colorful editing supplies. It's the twelve-year-old girl in me. ;)
I'm not just going to dive in and hope for the best. The first editing pass will be very technical. I'm going to write character descriptions (what they look like, how they act, goals, traits) and along the way I will write the theme of each chapter on a note card. You'll see what I do with those note cards later.
That's it for my first pass. No line editing whatsoever. I need to make sure my structure is sound before I worry about the text.
Ready? Set... EDIT!!!!
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests to win swag and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
Editing HIDDEN: Step One
People are always asking me about my editing process - as if there's some big mystery surrounding how I take my crappy first draft and turn it into something I'm proud to query or publish.
Since I'm starting my edits on HIDDEN, my upcoming fantasy novel, I thought I'd blog about it as I go, so you can see how I edit.
Keep in mind, editing isn't the same for every person. Each writer has their own process and concerns.
My first confession : I edit on paper. I know, I know, in the digital age, I should be saving trees and editing on my computer.
Believe me, I've tried and I can't do it.
When I edit, it helps to look at the manuscript from a different perspective. I like the feel of paper in my hands. I like being able to rearrange chapters as I go. And, most importantly, I love having lots of colorful editing supplies. It's the twelve-year-old girl in me. ;)
I'm not just going to dive in and hope for the best. The first editing pass will be very technical. I'm going to write character descriptions (what they look like, how they act, goals, traits) and along the way I will write the theme of each chapter on a note card. You'll see what I do with those note cards later.
That's it for my first pass. No line editing whatsoever. I need to make sure my structure is sound before I worry about the text.
Ready? Set... EDIT!!!!
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests to win swag and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
Since I'm starting my edits on HIDDEN, my upcoming fantasy novel, I thought I'd blog about it as I go, so you can see how I edit.
Keep in mind, editing isn't the same for every person. Each writer has their own process and concerns.
My first confession : I edit on paper. I know, I know, in the digital age, I should be saving trees and editing on my computer.
Believe me, I've tried and I can't do it.
When I edit, it helps to look at the manuscript from a different perspective. I like the feel of paper in my hands. I like being able to rearrange chapters as I go. And, most importantly, I love having lots of colorful editing supplies. It's the twelve-year-old girl in me. ;)
I'm not just going to dive in and hope for the best. The first editing pass will be very technical. I'm going to write character descriptions (what they look like, how they act, goals, traits) and along the way I will write the theme of each chapter on a note card. You'll see what I do with those note cards later.
That's it for my first pass. No line editing whatsoever. I need to make sure my structure is sound before I worry about the text.
Ready? Set... EDIT!!!!
XoXo,
Megg
Want to enter contests to win swag and be told the moment my books go live? Sign up for my newsletter HERE. Thanks!
September 16, 2013
New Novel Updates!
In the world of self-publishing, releases happen fast. Really fast. Some indies pump out a book or more a month. Not me.
When I burst onto the SP scene in early 2011, I already had three novels fully-edited and vetted, ready for publication (Anathema, Oubliette, Sleepers). During 2011, I wrote one novel and began a second (Severed, Afterlife). In 2012, I finished one novel and wrote a second (Afterlife, The Sundering). In 2013, I've written one novel and been working steadily on another (Shucked and the untitled work-in-progress).
Some days I feel as if I'm falling behind, but when I look at what I've really accomplished, I've been quite steady in my writing.
If the past is a predictor of the future, I should have a release before the end of the year. I'd love that to be true, but it may take a little longer. Here's why:
In the past, my novels have been YA and they've clocked in around 55,000 words. The book I'm working on now is epic fantasy, for adults. I've broken 65,000 words and I'm anticipating at least 80,000 words, but I'm hoping it'll be more than that. Maybe even closer to 100,000 words (which is normal for a debut epic).
I'm not a math whiz, but even I know this means it'll take me double the time to write this book as it's taken to write the others. Not to mention I'm managing multiple points of view and a new world far more expansive than any I've ever written (including a custom map I've commissioned from Stefanie Verish). This book is the biggest, most exciting project I've ever tackled. Add on one of the most personally chaotic years of my life, and well, you've got one crazed author.
I'm excited about my upcoming novel. It's chock full of dragons, magic, new frightening beasts, a dangerous world, and plenty of enigmatic characters. So hang in there with me, readers. I'm working hard to bring you the most ambitious novel I've ever written!!!
XoXo,
Megg
When I burst onto the SP scene in early 2011, I already had three novels fully-edited and vetted, ready for publication (Anathema, Oubliette, Sleepers). During 2011, I wrote one novel and began a second (Severed, Afterlife). In 2012, I finished one novel and wrote a second (Afterlife, The Sundering). In 2013, I've written one novel and been working steadily on another (Shucked and the untitled work-in-progress).
Some days I feel as if I'm falling behind, but when I look at what I've really accomplished, I've been quite steady in my writing.
If the past is a predictor of the future, I should have a release before the end of the year. I'd love that to be true, but it may take a little longer. Here's why:
In the past, my novels have been YA and they've clocked in around 55,000 words. The book I'm working on now is epic fantasy, for adults. I've broken 65,000 words and I'm anticipating at least 80,000 words, but I'm hoping it'll be more than that. Maybe even closer to 100,000 words (which is normal for a debut epic).
I'm not a math whiz, but even I know this means it'll take me double the time to write this book as it's taken to write the others. Not to mention I'm managing multiple points of view and a new world far more expansive than any I've ever written (including a custom map I've commissioned from Stefanie Verish). This book is the biggest, most exciting project I've ever tackled. Add on one of the most personally chaotic years of my life, and well, you've got one crazed author.
I'm excited about my upcoming novel. It's chock full of dragons, magic, new frightening beasts, a dangerous world, and plenty of enigmatic characters. So hang in there with me, readers. I'm working hard to bring you the most ambitious novel I've ever written!!!
XoXo,
Megg
September 2, 2013
Reveals, Promos, and Giveaways, OH MY!
Hey guys! I hope you've had a chance to visit my new website, www.meggjensen.com. It's completely updated, has a gorgeous new look, and it's got everything you need to know about me and my books.
Go on, take a peek, then come back.
Okay, okay, I know you want me to get on with it. What's the promo and the giveaway all about?
I'm setting The Song of Eloh Saga, my compilation ebook of all six of my fantasy novels (Anathema, Oubliette, Severed, Sleepers, Afterlife, The Sundering) plus the novelette (The Initiate) on sale for only $2.99 for the month of September at Amazon/Kindle, Barnes&Noble/Nook, Apple/iBookstore (I'll post the link here as soon as it's available), and Kobo. Yes, that's a $15.96 value for only $2.99. Crazy, right?
But I need your help in spreading the word. Here's how it works:
Use the Rafflecopter entry form below. It tells you all of the options you can use to spread the word about my big sale. Use the form to enter and I will choose a winner on September 12th.
What's the big prize? Signed copies of Anathema, Oubliette, and Severed in paperback.
Enter below and have fun!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Go on, take a peek, then come back.
Okay, okay, I know you want me to get on with it. What's the promo and the giveaway all about?
I'm setting The Song of Eloh Saga, my compilation ebook of all six of my fantasy novels (Anathema, Oubliette, Severed, Sleepers, Afterlife, The Sundering) plus the novelette (The Initiate) on sale for only $2.99 for the month of September at Amazon/Kindle, Barnes&Noble/Nook, Apple/iBookstore (I'll post the link here as soon as it's available), and Kobo. Yes, that's a $15.96 value for only $2.99. Crazy, right?
But I need your help in spreading the word. Here's how it works:
Use the Rafflecopter entry form below. It tells you all of the options you can use to spread the word about my big sale. Use the form to enter and I will choose a winner on September 12th.
What's the big prize? Signed copies of Anathema, Oubliette, and Severed in paperback.
Enter below and have fun!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 8, 2013
A FREE eBook and a Little More Sex and Violence
It's like a game of hide-and-seek. Where's Megg? Why does she keep popping up and then seemingly disappearing?
If you're on Facebook with me, you know a bit about what's been going on in my real life, yanno, the one I live when I'm not writing.
Here's a basic breakdown:
September 2012 - the toilet in my kids' bathroom overflows, causing MAJOR damage in my house. We're talking months of construction. Oh, and we also had to pick up our new puppy. Great timing. I spent the next three months basically living in the basement as our house was being reconstructed. Who knew a toilet could do so much damage?
January 2013 - My hubby, who has a history of back problems and one spinal surgery already under his belt, re-injures his back. Weeks of therapy didn't help. He ended up in the hospital for a double spinal fusion. It wasn't that simple, though. Due to the pain medication he was on, he couldn't drive for almost two months. My life was turned upside down as I played the role of single mom and caregiver (no complaints, just the facts).
This lasted through March. I had about 60 days of quiet where I published Shucked, a contemporary YA novel I'd had bouncing around my head for years (it's a miracle I got any writing done during the time).
May 2013 - We got some news about our kids' private school that caused us to put our house on the market so we could get into a better public school district. Anyone who's tried to sell a house in this market knows how stressful that can be. And the CLEANING, OMG, I had to make the house we'd built and lived in for 11 years look like something out of a magazine.
The house sold. The first day. For cash. But we had to be out in two weeks. TWO WEEKS. Oh yeah, and the hubby was still in recovery from back surgery so it was up to me to pack everything by myself. Did I mention I had only two weeks?
From June 10th - July 5th we were basically homeless. On the weekends we lived with my parents an hour away and during the week we lived in hotels near my hubby's job and my daughter's swim team. My computer was in storage and, really, who can write on an iPad in a hotel with two stir-crazy kids? Not me.
Here I am, August 7th, the house is 90% put together. I (finally) find myself with time and the mental capacity to sit down and write. Five days of drafting and I've written 6,709 words. I know my output will at least double when the kids go back to school. The story is flowing and I'm letting my imagination run wild. It's an exciting time.
The next ebook is a high fantasy, similar to the others I've published, but this one is an adult fantasy, not YA. That means a little more sex, a little more violence, and no love triangles. lol
I feel like I'm making a comeback. I was never totally gone, but, to be honest, I haven't been as committed to work as I should have been for almost *shudders* a year. I can't believe it's been that long.
So here's the good news. The SCBWI-Illinois reps have asked me to be the regular self-publishing columnist for the Prairie Wind. I'm really excited!!!
To celebrate, I'm giving away one of my ebooks to anyone who is signed up for my newsletter by August 21st. All the details will be in the newsletter I send out, so if there's a book of mine you haven't read yet, sign up!
Thanks to all of my fans for sticking by me over the last 11 months. My life has been a roller coaster, but knowing I had all of you waiting on the other end was a big motivator to never give up on my writing career!!!!!
XoXo,
Megg
If you're on Facebook with me, you know a bit about what's been going on in my real life, yanno, the one I live when I'm not writing.
Here's a basic breakdown:
September 2012 - the toilet in my kids' bathroom overflows, causing MAJOR damage in my house. We're talking months of construction. Oh, and we also had to pick up our new puppy. Great timing. I spent the next three months basically living in the basement as our house was being reconstructed. Who knew a toilet could do so much damage?
January 2013 - My hubby, who has a history of back problems and one spinal surgery already under his belt, re-injures his back. Weeks of therapy didn't help. He ended up in the hospital for a double spinal fusion. It wasn't that simple, though. Due to the pain medication he was on, he couldn't drive for almost two months. My life was turned upside down as I played the role of single mom and caregiver (no complaints, just the facts).
This lasted through March. I had about 60 days of quiet where I published Shucked, a contemporary YA novel I'd had bouncing around my head for years (it's a miracle I got any writing done during the time).
May 2013 - We got some news about our kids' private school that caused us to put our house on the market so we could get into a better public school district. Anyone who's tried to sell a house in this market knows how stressful that can be. And the CLEANING, OMG, I had to make the house we'd built and lived in for 11 years look like something out of a magazine.
The house sold. The first day. For cash. But we had to be out in two weeks. TWO WEEKS. Oh yeah, and the hubby was still in recovery from back surgery so it was up to me to pack everything by myself. Did I mention I had only two weeks?
From June 10th - July 5th we were basically homeless. On the weekends we lived with my parents an hour away and during the week we lived in hotels near my hubby's job and my daughter's swim team. My computer was in storage and, really, who can write on an iPad in a hotel with two stir-crazy kids? Not me.
Here I am, August 7th, the house is 90% put together. I (finally) find myself with time and the mental capacity to sit down and write. Five days of drafting and I've written 6,709 words. I know my output will at least double when the kids go back to school. The story is flowing and I'm letting my imagination run wild. It's an exciting time.
The next ebook is a high fantasy, similar to the others I've published, but this one is an adult fantasy, not YA. That means a little more sex, a little more violence, and no love triangles. lol
I feel like I'm making a comeback. I was never totally gone, but, to be honest, I haven't been as committed to work as I should have been for almost *shudders* a year. I can't believe it's been that long.
So here's the good news. The SCBWI-Illinois reps have asked me to be the regular self-publishing columnist for the Prairie Wind. I'm really excited!!!
To celebrate, I'm giving away one of my ebooks to anyone who is signed up for my newsletter by August 21st. All the details will be in the newsletter I send out, so if there's a book of mine you haven't read yet, sign up!
Thanks to all of my fans for sticking by me over the last 11 months. My life has been a roller coaster, but knowing I had all of you waiting on the other end was a big motivator to never give up on my writing career!!!!!
XoXo,
Megg
May 6, 2013
Shucked Book Blast!!!!
Shucked is going on a tour this week, thanks to Xpresso Book Tours. Below I'm listing all of the awesome blogs participating. Be sure to visit them and try to win an ecopy of Shucked!!!!!
Dates are tentativeI will be posting direct links to the posts as soon as I can grab them. Asterisks indicate the contest has been posted.
May 6th:
***All the Stacks***
Spontaneous Literary Awareness
May 8th:Alice in Readerland The Bookmark Blog Books Beside My Bed The Cover ContessaDizneee's World of Books Fragments of LifeLola's Reviews My Love of Film and NovelsMy Neurotic Book Affair Ralu's Book BasketRead These Books and Use Them Sammy the Bookworm Say it with BooksTeen BlurbThoughts of a Dreamer Toot's Book Reviews TSK, TSK, What to ReadTyhada Reads YA Book Addict
May 9th:Always YA at Heart Book Nerds Anonymous Book Whirlwind Coffee and a Book AnytimeCover2CoverThe Cozy Reading Corner Girls Heart BooksI Read Indie Kaidan's SeductionKi0Lu & MimiLittle Bookworm Literary Meanderings Mom with a KindleOff the Page Pink Polka Dot Book ClubSeeing Night ReviewsThe Serial Reader Story EnvyWhatever You Can Still BetrayWhispers at MoonlightThe White Unicorn
May 10th: 4 the LUV of SaNiTy All in One Place Books a la ModeBooks and Swoons Creative Deeds ReadsGimmie the ScoopThe Girl with the Red Cape I'm a Book SharkJulia Crane Jump into Books Little Library MuseThe Top ShelfWhy I Can't Stop Reading Words Create Scenes
May 11th:Actin' Up with BooksBecause Reading is Better than Real Life Brittany and Bianca Blab BooksChris' Book Blog Emporium OMFG!Books
May 12th:Beauty and the Bookshelf Bookworms' AvenueEvery Free Chance Into the Hall of BooksThe Kooky BookwormMythical Books Pause Time Sarah Elizabeth's BookshelfVanilla Moon
May 13th:A Backwards Story Bianca2bConfessions of a Book AddictDarlene's Book Nook Paperback Treasures Unraveling Words Wintry Words
Dates are tentativeI will be posting direct links to the posts as soon as I can grab them. Asterisks indicate the contest has been posted.
May 6th:
***All the Stacks***
Spontaneous Literary Awareness
May 8th:Alice in Readerland The Bookmark Blog Books Beside My Bed The Cover ContessaDizneee's World of Books Fragments of LifeLola's Reviews My Love of Film and NovelsMy Neurotic Book Affair Ralu's Book BasketRead These Books and Use Them Sammy the Bookworm Say it with BooksTeen BlurbThoughts of a Dreamer Toot's Book Reviews TSK, TSK, What to ReadTyhada Reads YA Book Addict
May 9th:Always YA at Heart Book Nerds Anonymous Book Whirlwind Coffee and a Book AnytimeCover2CoverThe Cozy Reading Corner Girls Heart BooksI Read Indie Kaidan's SeductionKi0Lu & MimiLittle Bookworm Literary Meanderings Mom with a KindleOff the Page Pink Polka Dot Book ClubSeeing Night ReviewsThe Serial Reader Story EnvyWhatever You Can Still BetrayWhispers at MoonlightThe White Unicorn
May 10th: 4 the LUV of SaNiTy All in One Place Books a la ModeBooks and Swoons Creative Deeds ReadsGimmie the ScoopThe Girl with the Red Cape I'm a Book SharkJulia Crane Jump into Books Little Library MuseThe Top ShelfWhy I Can't Stop Reading Words Create Scenes
May 11th:Actin' Up with BooksBecause Reading is Better than Real Life Brittany and Bianca Blab BooksChris' Book Blog Emporium OMFG!Books
May 12th:Beauty and the Bookshelf Bookworms' AvenueEvery Free Chance Into the Hall of BooksThe Kooky BookwormMythical Books Pause Time Sarah Elizabeth's BookshelfVanilla Moon
May 13th:A Backwards Story Bianca2bConfessions of a Book AddictDarlene's Book Nook Paperback Treasures Unraveling Words Wintry Words
April 22, 2013
Ever Feel Like You've Been Totally SHUCKED?
I've been working on SHUCKED on and off for more than four years. I held off on finishing it because it didn't fit my author profile. It's always been my goal to be recognized as a fantasy author - and SHUCKED is the farthest thing from that.
But in January my hubby re-injured his back and our lives took a very difficult turn. Due to the medications he was on, he could no longer drive. Nor could he lift. And walking was a struggle. The pain was constant.
I tried to continue working on my fantasy novel, but my heart wasn't in it. Yet there was Tabitha, calling to me from the sidelines. I told her to go away. Her story wasn't part of my life right now. She wouldn't stop.
I gave in, throwing myself into Tabitha's world, one I'm very familiar with since I grew up on a farm. Walking with her through this story of self-discovery and learning to deal with circumstances beyond her control was very healing for me. In SHUCKED, Tabitha struggles through her environment just as I was doing with my hubby's injury. After major surgery, we're entering the brighter side of our experience. If you read SHUCKED, I think you'll find Tabitha does a great job of working her way through unexpected disaster too.
***
Suburgatory meets Indiana Jones...on a farm
Fifteen-year-old Tabitha has had the kind of life that would impress even the greatest adventurers. She's escaped a croc attack in the Amazon, walked the length of the Great Wall of China, and earned a black belt in taekwondo in Korea. She owes her worldly experience to her mother's career in
Cover design by Steven Novak
archaeology, but when her mother takes on a dangerous new assignment, Tabitha is devastated to learn she can't tag along.
Instead, she's forced to live on a midwestern farm with her grandparents where she'll have to attend a full year of public school. It's Tabitha's greatest nightmare, because despite all her adventures, she has no practical experience with the one thing that frightens her the most - other teenagers.
Her math teacher is her mom's old high school boyfriend, she can't tell the friendly girls from the mean ones, and she develops a major crush on a boy she knows she can't trust. And just when she thinks she'll never get the hang of this normal teenager thing, an attack brings the danger of her previous life right up to her midwestern porch. Who could have ever guessed getting totally shucked would bring her face-to-face with her most exciting adventure yet?
***
Now for the fun stuff!
WINNERS!
Subscribers to my newsletter were able to enter a contest to win 1 of 15 ebooks of SHUCKED. The winners have all been contacted via email. Congrats to:
Bonnie H. ~~~ Cathy P. ~~~ Sara D.
Dee S. ~~~ Jacquelyn L. ~~~ Kris A.
Lourdes S. ~~~ Kassandra F. ~~~ Yvonne W.
Lisa C. ~~~ Patrick M. ~~~ Lysette L.
Becky N. ~~~ Ruth J. ~~~ Pam. B.
Check out this awesome Facebook banner my friend Sharon Rosen made for SHUCKED:
And Chris Whigham of Derby City Social Media created these bookmarks for SHUCKED:
My newsletter subscribers got first crack at these bookmarks, but I have some left, so I'm opening it up to everyone else - internationally! If you want three bookmarks, please fill out this form (until supplies last):
(I will not save your addresses or share them or sell them.)
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But in January my hubby re-injured his back and our lives took a very difficult turn. Due to the medications he was on, he could no longer drive. Nor could he lift. And walking was a struggle. The pain was constant.
I tried to continue working on my fantasy novel, but my heart wasn't in it. Yet there was Tabitha, calling to me from the sidelines. I told her to go away. Her story wasn't part of my life right now. She wouldn't stop.
I gave in, throwing myself into Tabitha's world, one I'm very familiar with since I grew up on a farm. Walking with her through this story of self-discovery and learning to deal with circumstances beyond her control was very healing for me. In SHUCKED, Tabitha struggles through her environment just as I was doing with my hubby's injury. After major surgery, we're entering the brighter side of our experience. If you read SHUCKED, I think you'll find Tabitha does a great job of working her way through unexpected disaster too.
***
Suburgatory meets Indiana Jones...on a farm
Fifteen-year-old Tabitha has had the kind of life that would impress even the greatest adventurers. She's escaped a croc attack in the Amazon, walked the length of the Great Wall of China, and earned a black belt in taekwondo in Korea. She owes her worldly experience to her mother's career in
Cover design by Steven Novak archaeology, but when her mother takes on a dangerous new assignment, Tabitha is devastated to learn she can't tag along.
Instead, she's forced to live on a midwestern farm with her grandparents where she'll have to attend a full year of public school. It's Tabitha's greatest nightmare, because despite all her adventures, she has no practical experience with the one thing that frightens her the most - other teenagers.
Her math teacher is her mom's old high school boyfriend, she can't tell the friendly girls from the mean ones, and she develops a major crush on a boy she knows she can't trust. And just when she thinks she'll never get the hang of this normal teenager thing, an attack brings the danger of her previous life right up to her midwestern porch. Who could have ever guessed getting totally shucked would bring her face-to-face with her most exciting adventure yet?
***
Now for the fun stuff!
WINNERS!
Subscribers to my newsletter were able to enter a contest to win 1 of 15 ebooks of SHUCKED. The winners have all been contacted via email. Congrats to:
Bonnie H. ~~~ Cathy P. ~~~ Sara D.
Dee S. ~~~ Jacquelyn L. ~~~ Kris A.
Lourdes S. ~~~ Kassandra F. ~~~ Yvonne W.
Lisa C. ~~~ Patrick M. ~~~ Lysette L.
Becky N. ~~~ Ruth J. ~~~ Pam. B.
Check out this awesome Facebook banner my friend Sharon Rosen made for SHUCKED:
And Chris Whigham of Derby City Social Media created these bookmarks for SHUCKED:
My newsletter subscribers got first crack at these bookmarks, but I have some left, so I'm opening it up to everyone else - internationally! If you want three bookmarks, please fill out this form (until supplies last):
(I will not save your addresses or share them or sell them.)
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