Mindee Arnett's Blog, page 8

Writer Brain, a Follow-on Post

So the incredibly talented Laini Taylor wrote this amazing post yesterday about having a jerky writer brain. If you haven't read it yet, you should. There's something very comforting in knowing that someone as awesome as Laini Taylor struggles sometimes with getting the job done. And I completely agree with everything she has to say, especially the part about how weird it is that the very thing that gives us our creativity is also the source of our struggles. But the thing is, my experience with this problem isn't at all like hers.Let me explain. First up, a confession: I have never in my life written a novel out of order. I start with chapter 1 and end at "the end." Always. I am incapable of writing a story any other way. And yes, I imagine that Laini might give me a cat hiss if she were ever to read this. But the thing is, our journeys are still similar. I struggled to write something publishable for years. I wrote four whole novels of impressive (read: ridiculous) length. My first novel was 180k—can you imagine? That's two YA novels in one.And the thing is, writing all those words was easy. I would sit down at my computer, set a word count goal, and then vomit out sentences and paragraphs until I met it. And I would do it without even thinking about it, with the critical part of my brain asleep. Kind of like this:

Trouble was, these novels, complete and whole as they were—with characters, something resembling a plot, a beginning, middle, and end—all sucked. Big time. Did you read the part about vomit? Yeah, I really meant it. I wrote those first four novels a bit like this:

But just as Laini suggests in her post, when I sat down to write The Nightmare Affair, I decided I needed to do something different. I needed to write a novel that wasn't just vomit. But unlike Laini, that didn't involve tricking the critical part of my brain into staying quiet long enough to let me get the story out. No, it meant just the opposite. I had to wake up my critical brain and force it to pay attention and do its job. That part of my brain is the smart part, the one that can find plot holes, detect character inconsistencies, even rat out the boring scenes.And guess what? It worked. The moral of the story, I think, is that all writers need to find the way to trick the critical part of their brain into working for them instead of against them. Once you do, magic will happen. And if you're looking for another visual, I imagine it might be a bit like this (because seriously, Sherlock without Watson would just suck, and vice versa)  Happy Writing!***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there***

Powell's Books New Leaf Literary Author Event!

So you remember how last fall my awesome agency New Leaf Literary & Media held a major multi-author event that got written up in Publisher's Weekly? Well, they're doing it again only this time I get to go! And yes, I'm completely excited. The event is April 7th,  7:00 at the Portland, Oregon location of Powell's Books. I'll be joining these fellow New Leaf authors:
Kody KeplingerIngrid PaulsonLeigh BardugoLisa DesrochersSarah FineKristen Halbrook
Did you see that lineup??? Seriously, how could you miss this? Oh, and I suspect there might be more news to add to this later. Just saying!And in case you missed it, quick reminder that my book launch for The Nightmare Affair is March 5, 7:00 at Books & Co at the Greene in Beavercreek, Ohio. For more details on that and the rest of my tour, visit my Events page.
***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there***

Nightmare Affair ARC Giveaway Winners!

That's right. After much debating,  hair-pulling, crying OMG why did we ever sign up for this, my critique partners and I have decided on the two winners. It was really, really hard. All the entries were so wonderful! I really mean it. I mean it so much, that I've decided to give swag packs to all the runners up who want them. You heard me right. If you're not one of the two winners below, but you'd like to receive a Nightmare Affair swag pack, please email your address at mindeearnett@gmail.com.Now for the ARC winners:Kierra for her dragon drawing: and Adzs Hirano for this awesome magickind cloak: Congratulations! Please send me your mailing information, and I'll get these out ASAP.And thanks again to everyone who participated.***originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there***

Goodreads Giveaway, News, and Stuff

Yes, I know, I'm being very eloquent with that title, aren't I? I guess with how busy I am at the moment, I'm saving all my eloquence for other things, like all the super cool guest blog posts and interviews I'm doing for my blog tour. Speaking of which, that starts February 18th. That's only a month away! Rock on. Info on it here.The Goodreads giveaway of The Nightmare Affair started today. There are 5 copies available. Enter here.
Speaking of giveaways, don't forget my ARC giveaway contest is open until January 23rd. Details on entering here.Let's see what else? Oh, my website is getting a redesign very soon. I've seen early comps and they are fabulous. Can't wait.The Nightmare Affair is getting its own trailer! (How cool is that?)I will also be going on tour for the release. There are not a whole lot of stops, but I'll be doing a couple in Ohio (duh), one in Michigan, San Diego, and Portland. I'll post details as I get them and as I'm allowed.
I am also working on some extra special content from The Nightmare Affair, sort of an alternate chapter from a different character's point of view. Again, I'll share details as I'm allowed. Okay, that's it for now, I think. Happy writing!***originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there***

The Nightmare Affair Focus on You Giveaway

Okay people. This very well may be your last chance to win a physical ARC of The Nightmare Affair, assuming you care about that sort of thing, of course :) I'm giving away TWO of them. The contest starts now and ends January 23 at midnight, open internationally.I don't know about you, but I'm a little unenthusiastic about holding another random generator type giveaway. To hell with luck. It's so...so...random and generally unfair. So instead the winners of this contest will be determined by a panel of human judges. That's right. Actual people. Me and my awesome critique partners Lori M. Lee and Cat York.Now for the details. We want to see your visual interpretation of the term "Magickind." (In case you didn't already know, all the magical creatures in The Nightmare Affair are referred to in this way; so nightmares, sirens, demons, fairies, werewolves, you name it. Anything magical)This interpretation can be a drawing, a photograph, a sculpture, video, comic strip, anything that involves a visual medium. You don't have to explain the term in any written way, just show it to us. Be creative. Be entertaining. Show us something beautiful, amazing, scary, funny, whatever you're feeling. I really want this contest to be a spotlight on YOU. Your creativity and personality. Show me what you got. This piece of art does not have to be new, either. If you drew an awesome picture in the 3rd grade that fits the theme, use it. Seriously, as long as the visual belongs to you, you're good. No copy rights violations, please.Once you've decided on your visual interpretation post it somewhere on the net (your blog, Tmblr, Facebook, anywhere that you can do that sort of thing). In the post you MUST mention The Nightmare Affair in some way. Post a picture of the cover if you want. Or maybe a link to Goodreads--it's up to you. Then once you've got your post, leave a link for me in the comments.That's it. Remember, there are TWO arcs available. And if there are a lot of entries, I'll throw in a 3rd arc (my very last one). I also reserve the right to giveaway swag packs, too. I'm feeling very impulsive.Good luck!***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there*** 

Nightmare Affair Twitter Giveaway!

I've randomly decided to give away one of my ARCs of The Nightmare Affair on Twitter. To enter, just tweet that you want to win using the hash tag #NightmareAffair. My handle is optional (@mindeearnett). Winner will be picked tomorrow evening, open internationally.

Good Luck!

Happy New Year!

Wow, I can't believe 2013 is here, and 2012 is over. How did this happen? Where did all the time go? 2012 was a strange mix of hurry up and wait for me, and try as I might, I really can't believe that my debut is right around the corner. I guess maybe I'll start believing it once it's here. Then again, maybe not.Anyway, 2012 was an awesome year, full of some awesome things. I got to do my first 3-day Event (just a Starter, but still awesome, and yes I'm talking about horses here). I sold my YA sci-fi to Balzer & Bray (HarperCollins), the newly dubbed Avalon. I got to see and reveal the gorgeous cover for The Nightmare Affair twice! Not to mention the arrival of real, hold-them-in-my-hands ARCs. And I made a bunch of new writerly friends. It was definitely a year to be thankful for.I don't really have any resolutions or goals for 2013. All I want to do is survive all the coming crazy and the busy, insane schedule. Oh, and to have some fun along the way.So have a happy New Year! I hope your 2013 is full of good friends, good times, and most especially good stories!***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there***

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to those of you that celebrate, and Happy Holidays all around.If you don't believe in this sort of thing, I can only say that I hope you at least believe in the power of story. Because this one is the ultimate hero stories when you really think about it. Frodo saved all the peoples of Middle Earth. Harry Potter saved all his friends and companions. But Jesus saved all the world and all the people in it throughout all time. And that's pretty freakin' amazing.So again, Merry Christmas and happy writing! ***Originally posted at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there***

Updated Cover Reveal, ARC Giveaway, and Title News!

First up, the updated cover for The Nightmare Affair has been revealed over on JeanBookNerd.com. Check it out here and enter to win a signed ARC of the book! And let me know what you think. Personally, I think it rocks!In other news, my little sci-fi thriller formerly known as Finding Eden has been rechristened. And the new title is....
AVALONWhat do you think? Personally, I think it rocks pretty hard. In other words, I'm totally in love with it.The book is officially available on Goodreads thanks to awesome-sauce Inky over at http://bookhavenextraordinaire.blogspot.com, and there's a slightly updated blurb about it, too:17-year-old Jeth Seagrave, leader of a group of talented spaceship thieves, finds his life on the line when he takes on a high risk job for his crime lord employer in order to earn a way out of the life for him and his sister. Pitched as Firefly meets White Cat.And here's the link if you want to add it.Oh, and one last final tidbit, in case you're wondering. Avalon is the name of a very special, very important spaceship. She's really a character all by herself, almost. I can't wait for you to meet her, and Jeth and the rest of the crew.***Originally published at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there***

Debut Debutante and Giveaway

I'm so thrilled to say that I'm a debutante! Definitely the first that has ever come out of my mouth (or brain? or fingers? since this is a written thing...never mind). The event is being hosted by the spectacular Badass Bookie, and my introductory post is up right now. In it you'll get to see my dream dress and learn 10 wacky, weird, and semi-fun things about me. And TOMORROW, you'll want to check back for a sneak peek at The Nightmare Affair and a chance to win an advanced copy of the book. Check it out here!

Update - and the giveaway is live! Enter here. (Note: the giveaway is for a pre-order, not an ARC. But I will be giving away a couple of ARCs soon!)  ***Originally posted at www.mindeearnett.com. You can comment here or there***