Jessica Therrien's Blog, page 17

Holy Awesome! Divergent Movie Trailer!!

Sweeeeeet. I've been waiting for this :) Haven't we all? I kind of can't believe it is out SO soon...
 

Multi-Tasking Mom

I've never been a routine writer. I just end up psyching myself out whenever I try to force the words to come. The creative monkey in my brain gets all nervous and shuts down. Before baby, I'd write whenever ideas came to me. Now, A.B. (after baby) I can't really pull the little guy out of the bath to jot down a scene. I was going crazy with how slowly it was going.
I called up my friend/critique partner/editor Holly, and we decided we'd start trading chapters every Monday. It has been such a life saver. Just enough peer pressure to get me thinking/writing. I don't sit down at a set time every day, but knowing I have to get her the next chapter by Monday pushes me to make it work when ideas start flowing. Just the other day I was washing dishes, writing, and watching Matthew all at once. Now...I know what you're thinking. Water, electronic devises, and babies don't mix. True. But I had him in the high chair playing. I would wash a few plates. Dry my hands. Type. Type. Type. Then talk a little baby talk. Then do it all again. It was slow, but still awesome.
When Holly and I started, I had the first 3 chapters pretty much complete, but the rest of the manuscript was in a thousand different pieces scattered throughout 80 or so pages. Now I have the first 12 chapters of COTG #3 completely done (in crappy first draft form at least) and I have 130 pages.
Hooray for multi-tasking! Now...if I could just find a way to add a little more blogging to the mix ;) 
How do you handle it all? Anyone out there an expert multi-tasker?

Elyse as you’ve never seen her before…

If you read YA, chances are you’ve come to expect to meet your main character before ever opening the book. The pretty faces of strong heroines stare back at you from the bookshelves. Cover after cover they temp us to turn the page.


The great thing about “face covers” as some call them, is they give readers someone to picture. With each new book, we’re given another look at our leading lady.
…but wouldn’t it be neat if we could see our main characters in a new light? Well, for readers of my series, Children of the Gods, I’ve decided to do just that. On the cover of my books you meet Elyse, my main character.The model’s name is Rowena Radings. She’s very nice and was kind enough to share some of her portfolio. Here is Elyse as you’ve never seen her before…

Novel Fashion Week!

Hey all! Katrina over at Kindred Dreamheart is in love with two things: fashion & books. She's hosting an awesome event called Novel Fashion week. It's day one of the event today! Check out my post on cover models and see my main character, Elyse, ripping up the runway!

[[Psssst]] There's also a $10 iTunes gift card giveaway. What are you waiting for?! Click HERE to check it out.

The Buzz: Catching Fire Trailer

I'm posting this now so I don't forget :) November 22nd is getting close!! YAAAAY! I'm so excited. It seriously looks SO good.

 

Where have I been?

You all know the answer...I've been living in baby world for the last 6 months. Yes, my little guy is 6 months old already!! Crazy, right? I've come to learn that being a mom leaves little room for much else. Still, I'm managing to write (YAY!). That's about it though. I've become the worlds worst blogger. A Twitter slacker. Not to mention Facebook has become a baby picture share-fest.

Anyway...I'll do my best to keep you all up-to-date with my writing, my life, and little bits of book-related news. Here's a disclaimer though: I'm going to suck at it.
Book buzz update: The Divergent movie is in the works! WOOO! Have you seen the pics??


Writing update: Book 3 is at 33,000 words (108 pages). It's going slower than usual, but it's going.

Life update: I just got back from my 10 year high school reunion & got to visit with my nieces!!! It was SOOO FUN!! Also, little baby Matthew is working on perfecting the art of cuteness. Here are some pictures & a super funny video:

Mark of Nexus Book II Cover Reveal!

Whaaaaaat??! I woke up to find Mark of Nexus Book II has a cover! YAY! I just looooove it. What do you think?

Design: Carrie Butler / Photography: Subbotina Anna & Yuri Arcurs 
Title: COURAGE
Series: Mark of Nexus - Book 2
Author: Carrie Butler
Category: New Adult (NA)
Genre: Paranormal Romance (PNR)
Release: October 15, 2013
Formats: E-Book & Paperback


Note: Courage (Mark of Nexus #2) features four unique points-of-view. While the novel stands alone, it is best enjoyed afterStrength (Mark of Nexus #1).

Book Description: Rena Collins never thought she’d long for the past—back when affection from Wallace, her freakishly strong boyfriend, was the most dangerous aspect of her life. But now that the human-altering organization known as ERA has gone on the offensive, nothing is safe. Her bloodline is exposed, her relationships torn apart, and just when it seems like things can’t get any worse, ERA ups the ante. To save mankind from forced evolution, Rena will have to mend her broken ties and form a resistance... hand-in-hand with the one she hurt most.

Book Trailer:
 Book bloggers may begin requesting e-ARCs via this form. :)
Those who wish to participate in the blog tour, happening October 14th - 26th, may sign up here: 


Click here to visit the official Courage webpage!

Writing World: Book News & Updates

If you've been wondering about Children of the Gods #3 here is a quick update...
Until now I haven't had a deadline. I've been free to write at my leisure, which I must admit has been nice. It's hard to write with a baby around. I can't believe it, but it's already been 5 months since I had my little Matthew. I haven't had as much time to write as I'm used to, but I'm finally back to writing on a regular basis. He naps, I write...that's sort of the routine.
I've just recently surpassed the dreaded 100 page mark. As expected, I felt a bit of writers block around that time, but it is now behind me. Wooohooo! 100 pages is about 30,000 words. Oppression & Uprising were both around 90,000 words to give you an idea. 
I'm really pleased with what I've written so far. I've been told what I have is the best yet...YAY! Wish me luck on writing the rest of the book :) Anything you're hoping to see happen in book 3?
In other news...
Uprising (Children of the Gods #2) will be published in France by Editions Milan - Macadam. Here is their version of the cover. I love the French title!

The Buzz: HOLD TIGHT Cover Reveal

Hey all! Hope you had a great weekend :) Today I'm taking part in the cover reveal for Cherie Colyer's new book, HOLD TIGHT. Congrats Cherie!! HOLD TIGHT is the sequel to EMBRACE, Cherie's first novel. If you haven't read it, you should. Here is a little about EMBRACE (which also got a cover makeover...don't you LOVE it?!).


Title:Embrace (Embrace, #1)            Author: Cherie ColyerPublisher: Omnific PublishingGenre:  Paranormal RomanceAge Group: Young AdultReleased:December 2012 Goodreads
Book Description:Madison is familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change took her long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenly hate her. It's responsible for the death of a local along with a host of other mysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks her luck is about to improve. Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome and intriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he's a guy harboring a secret, but she's willing to risk the unknown to be with him. Her world really spins out of control, however, when her best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren't there and desperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can't find the answers, Madison seeks her own. Nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover. Dangerous, intoxicating, and darkly romantic, Embrace is a thriller that will leave you spellbound.
Title:  Hold Tight (Embrace, #2)Author: Cherie ColyerPublisher:Omnific PublishingGenre:  Paranormal RomanceAge Group: Young AdultExpected release date:  August 20, 2013 Goodreads
Book Description:Sixteen-year-old Madison Riley and her friends discover they aren’t the only supernatural beings in Gloucester, Massachusetts. These new creatures are more dangerous than ever, and this time Madison risks losing more than just her friends.
About the AuthorCherie Colyer writes young adult and middle grade novels. She loves finding new stories that keep her up late reading. While her favorite genre is realistic paranormal/fantasy, if the book is beautifully written with characters that come alive she’s all over it.
Author social media links: Facebook | Twitter




New covers are the thing these days. How do you feel about cover makeovers such as Embrace, Shatter Me, & Blood Red Road?

Interview with Author, Ann Marie Meyers

Hello! Today I'm interviewing the lovely Ann Marie Meyers...just a few fun questions to get to know her. First, here is a little about her book, Up In The Air :
Ever since she can remember, ten-year-old Melody has always wanted to fly.

And when she leaps off a swing in the park one day and lands in the mystical realm of Chimeroan, her dream finally comes true. She is given a pair of wings. She can fly! Life cannot be any better.


Yet, dreams do come with a price. Even with wings, Melody realizes she cannot outfly the memories of her past. The car accident that has left her father paralyzed, and her unscarred, still plagues her with guilt—she believes that it was entirely her fault.


In Chimeroan, Melody is forced to come to terms with her part in her father's accident. She must choose between the two things that have become the world to her: keeping her wings or healing her father.

Release Date: July 6, 2013Pages: 200Publisher: Jolly Fish Press
Now a little about Ann Marie...
My first job was...
a bank cashier at CIBC in Trinidad.
If I wasn't a writer, I would likely be...
a computer programmer.
I collect...
all sorts of cat-related mementos. I don’t know how this started but now every birthday and Christmas I receive at least one addition to my collection.
My favorite word is...
‘laughter’. This is the origin for so many possibilities.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten...
Follow your dreams. A life without dreams is a life without hope.
I have always wanted to...
sing so I joined a choir and am now fulfilling that aspect of my life.
The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is...
Actually there is more than one, including:              - what is now known as C.S. Lewis’ ‘Chronicles of Narnia’            - J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy
People often tell me that I...
have an extremely vivid imagination.  I find inspiration in...
just about anything. The best sort of inspiration occurs when I least expect it and when my mind is relaxed eg: while I’m jogging, drifting off into sleep, hanging out with friends.
The best thing about being a professional writer is...
being able to create stories and find fulfillment in the creation. I also love the freedom I have to write anywhere, anytime, any place.
I spend way too much time...
worrying about stuff. I definitely need to trust more and I’m working on it.  It really bothers me when...
 people try to convince me that their way is best. 
The worst thing about being a professional writer is...
sitting in front of the computer way too much instead of interacting with people.
One mistake that most aspiring writers make is...
to give up their job (if this is their sole or main source of income) in order to write. What is even worse than waiting to hear back from an agent is to not know where the next check will come from. This produces stress, and stress can inhibit writing.
If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I'd...
get my family around me and hold them close.  You'd be surprised to know that I...
can read a 300 plus page book in one day.
Thanks for the interview, Ann Marie :)