Jade Varden's Blog, page 17
February 26, 2015
Writing 101: Choosing a Title
Choosing a title can be one of the hardest parts of writing a book, and I should know. I had finished a book almost in entirety before I managed to figure out what the title was supposed to be. I struggle with it every time, but not all authors do. Today's guest author has found a creative way to avoid titling her own book, in fact: she's turned it into a promotional tool.
Book Titles and You
Guest author Roselyn Jewell is staging a unique contest to figure out her book's title. See my thoughts on writing book titles, and maybe you can help Roselyn come up with hers. Now here's Roselyn:
Hi everyone,
My name is Roselyn Jewell and I have recently made my first foray into the YA genre! Previously I’ve written almost entirely romance novels, but I came up with what I think is a great idea for a YA series and I’ve finished the first book in the series, which will be offered as an e-book in early March. In preparation for this, from now till March 1st, I’m running a contest where you get to submit suggestions for the title for the book! The prizes are:
A) The book will have the title you selected + one of the characters’ names will be changed to your name
B) You’ll win a free copy of either the final version of the YA book or a free copy of any other book that I have out
C) Your name will appear in the acknowledgements section of the book
You can read the full details, which include a synopsis of the book, at Please feel free to send any submissions, suggestions, feedback, questions, etc. to me at Roselyn@roselynjewell.com. I'm also on social media as jewellromance on Facebook and Twitter. Good luck everyone!
Roselyn Jewellhttp://www.roselynjewell.com
Untitled
Hilary lives in a world that is supposed to be "perfect." The government provides all of the basic necessities and if you want "luxury" items you can take on non-governmental work or odd jobs to earn luxury dollars to buy pretty much anything you could desire. The downside? She's assigned a career she hates, a place to live that she's never even been to before, and a guy she's supposed to marry that she's not even sure she likes. In fact, she's not sure she can ever feel that way about any guy, period. Oh yeah, and this all happens to everyone when they turn 17. Hilary tries to make the best of it but goes through a series of events that make her question who she is as a person and whether or not "perfect" can ever really exist, no matter what they want her to believe.
About the Author
I'm an author, a wife, a mother, a friend, a sister, a daughter, and so much more! I've always loved reading and found myself wanting to continue the stories I loved so much, which is how I started writing. Now I've finally reached my dream of being published. My novels are mainly romance, though there are a lot of other elements as well. My books prove that you can have the romance and the passion without having to sacrifice great plot lines or strong character personalities.
Book Titles and You
Guest author Roselyn Jewell is staging a unique contest to figure out her book's title. See my thoughts on writing book titles, and maybe you can help Roselyn come up with hers. Now here's Roselyn:
Hi everyone,
My name is Roselyn Jewell and I have recently made my first foray into the YA genre! Previously I’ve written almost entirely romance novels, but I came up with what I think is a great idea for a YA series and I’ve finished the first book in the series, which will be offered as an e-book in early March. In preparation for this, from now till March 1st, I’m running a contest where you get to submit suggestions for the title for the book! The prizes are:
A) The book will have the title you selected + one of the characters’ names will be changed to your name
B) You’ll win a free copy of either the final version of the YA book or a free copy of any other book that I have out
C) Your name will appear in the acknowledgements section of the book
You can read the full details, which include a synopsis of the book, at Please feel free to send any submissions, suggestions, feedback, questions, etc. to me at Roselyn@roselynjewell.com. I'm also on social media as jewellromance on Facebook and Twitter. Good luck everyone!
Roselyn Jewellhttp://www.roselynjewell.com
UntitledHilary lives in a world that is supposed to be "perfect." The government provides all of the basic necessities and if you want "luxury" items you can take on non-governmental work or odd jobs to earn luxury dollars to buy pretty much anything you could desire. The downside? She's assigned a career she hates, a place to live that she's never even been to before, and a guy she's supposed to marry that she's not even sure she likes. In fact, she's not sure she can ever feel that way about any guy, period. Oh yeah, and this all happens to everyone when they turn 17. Hilary tries to make the best of it but goes through a series of events that make her question who she is as a person and whether or not "perfect" can ever really exist, no matter what they want her to believe.
About the Author
I'm an author, a wife, a mother, a friend, a sister, a daughter, and so much more! I've always loved reading and found myself wanting to continue the stories I loved so much, which is how I started writing. Now I've finally reached my dream of being published. My novels are mainly romance, though there are a lot of other elements as well. My books prove that you can have the romance and the passion without having to sacrifice great plot lines or strong character personalities.
February 25, 2015
Writing 101: How to Use Dashes
The dash is one of the most under-valued pieces of punctuation, and one of the most improperly-used. Learn to master the art of the dash, and you can avoid all your complicated punctuation problems. Ignore this lesson, and you'll find yourself mired in a morass of commas from which there is no escape.
Dashing off Good Punctuation
A dash functions as a super comma, and that's why all writers should love it. When you already have a lot of punctuation to deal with in a sentence, the dash can be employed to break up the sentence to make it readable (and grammatically correct) again. Learn how to use the dash, and it will be your friend.
You can use the dash in many types of writing -- creative, poetic, non-fiction -- to keep your sentences looking neat. In the example I just gave you, the dashes are used to isolate a particular, punctuation-ridden clause. The use of the dash sets this clause apart and keeps your sentence neat.
The dash is also great for showing interruption in dialogue or thoughts.
"I told you to stop throwing the -- ow!"
"I was thinking that we should -- oh, nevermind!"
The dash can also be used to emphasize a particular point.
This is the only way --the only way-- I can write.
Learn how to use the dash, and you can use it do all sorts of things in your writing.
Dashing off Good Punctuation
A dash functions as a super comma, and that's why all writers should love it. When you already have a lot of punctuation to deal with in a sentence, the dash can be employed to break up the sentence to make it readable (and grammatically correct) again. Learn how to use the dash, and it will be your friend.
You can use the dash in many types of writing -- creative, poetic, non-fiction -- to keep your sentences looking neat. In the example I just gave you, the dashes are used to isolate a particular, punctuation-ridden clause. The use of the dash sets this clause apart and keeps your sentence neat.
The dash is also great for showing interruption in dialogue or thoughts.
"I told you to stop throwing the -- ow!"
"I was thinking that we should -- oh, nevermind!"
The dash can also be used to emphasize a particular point.
This is the only way --the only way-- I can write.
Learn how to use the dash, and you can use it do all sorts of things in your writing.
February 24, 2015
Writing 101: The Fall of Books
When was the last time you cracked open an epic poem and began to read it? Do you casually browse through "Beowulf" when the mood strikes, or thumb through "The Canterbury Tales?" Probably no, because that stuff is way old. And it's got me wondering whether or not anyone will even be reading books 100 yeas from now.
Who's Actually Read Virginia Woolf?
In the year 1915, Virginia Woolf published "The Voyage Out." Have you ever read it? She's a well-known author, or she was, and enjoyed a highly successful career before she walked into the ocean one day. The point is, she was a successful working writer in her own time and you recognize her name. But have you read her books? Did you read this one, published 100 years ago? Did you read any of them ever? Would it make a difference if I told you that you can read her books for free?
Probably not, right? Honestly, I don't know what "The Voyage Out" is all about. I haven't read Virgina Woolf, either, and despite the perhaps high-handed tone of this post, I'm definitely not going to. I don't read old books and I don't know a lot of people who do. Sometimes I wonder if we're living in an era that will mark the fall of books, one day in the future.
Illiteracy is still a very real problem. In the U.S. alone, one in four children grow up without learning how to read at all. More than 70 percent of inmates can't read above a 4th grade level. They aren't reading any books, 100 years old or otherwise.
Language has changed in the last 100 years, maybe not for the better, and this is why those old books are so strange to read. New books come to capture what life and language are like now. Let's just hope that there are always people around to read them and to write them.
Who's Actually Read Virginia Woolf?
In the year 1915, Virginia Woolf published "The Voyage Out." Have you ever read it? She's a well-known author, or she was, and enjoyed a highly successful career before she walked into the ocean one day. The point is, she was a successful working writer in her own time and you recognize her name. But have you read her books? Did you read this one, published 100 years ago? Did you read any of them ever? Would it make a difference if I told you that you can read her books for free?
Probably not, right? Honestly, I don't know what "The Voyage Out" is all about. I haven't read Virgina Woolf, either, and despite the perhaps high-handed tone of this post, I'm definitely not going to. I don't read old books and I don't know a lot of people who do. Sometimes I wonder if we're living in an era that will mark the fall of books, one day in the future.
Illiteracy is still a very real problem. In the U.S. alone, one in four children grow up without learning how to read at all. More than 70 percent of inmates can't read above a 4th grade level. They aren't reading any books, 100 years old or otherwise.
Language has changed in the last 100 years, maybe not for the better, and this is why those old books are so strange to read. New books come to capture what life and language are like now. Let's just hope that there are always people around to read them and to write them.
February 23, 2015
Writing 101: Are You Inspired, or Are You Avoiding It?
I always say -- correction, I used to always say -- that you should give in to inspiration when it strikes. I did, after all. But now I'm wondering if I was really inspired, or if I was trying to avoid writing something else.
Avoiding It
It all started when I finished my book "Hope's Rebellion." I had known for some time that I was going to start working on a project called "What Happened to Mary Celeste?" I roughed out the first few chapters, and then I got stuck. I started working on buying a cover for the book. After all, I knew the title already, and I would need a cover. But then I started to work on the trailer, too. I would need a trailer, right? Sure I would. Soon enough, however, that was finished as well. I was still in the exact same place with the manuscript. That's when I started writing a different book altogether. I was inspired. Correction. I thought I was inspired.
I'm referring, of course, to my most recent book "Song of the Sea." I wrote the entire thing, roughed out a cover design, made a trailer and published it. At last, the project was done. At last, I could turn my attention to "Mary Celeste." And so far, I've managed to write about three more paragraphs. It's significant because "Song of the Sea" was published in December.
So then the other night, another story began to creep into my mind. I started thinking about it in earnest. Almost before I knew it, I was doing research and writing out the outline. I was inspired.
Or maybe I wasn't. I realized, the more I wasted time with other projects, that perhaps I'm not really so inspired after all.Maybe I'm just avoiding this book.
Inspiration is tricky like tat. Sometimes it's there to distract you an lead you astray, which is exactly what I think is happening with me. Sometimes, it's okay to ignore inspiration. I got my notes together and I made an outline for that other project. It's there waiting for me, and I've learned that it will wait for as long as I need it to.
It's time for me to focus on the project I committed to. And when inspiration strikes, I'll make a note of it. But I'm not always going to give into it. If I do, I may not finish any books at all.
Avoiding It
It all started when I finished my book "Hope's Rebellion." I had known for some time that I was going to start working on a project called "What Happened to Mary Celeste?" I roughed out the first few chapters, and then I got stuck. I started working on buying a cover for the book. After all, I knew the title already, and I would need a cover. But then I started to work on the trailer, too. I would need a trailer, right? Sure I would. Soon enough, however, that was finished as well. I was still in the exact same place with the manuscript. That's when I started writing a different book altogether. I was inspired. Correction. I thought I was inspired.
I'm referring, of course, to my most recent book "Song of the Sea." I wrote the entire thing, roughed out a cover design, made a trailer and published it. At last, the project was done. At last, I could turn my attention to "Mary Celeste." And so far, I've managed to write about three more paragraphs. It's significant because "Song of the Sea" was published in December.
So then the other night, another story began to creep into my mind. I started thinking about it in earnest. Almost before I knew it, I was doing research and writing out the outline. I was inspired.
Or maybe I wasn't. I realized, the more I wasted time with other projects, that perhaps I'm not really so inspired after all.Maybe I'm just avoiding this book.
Inspiration is tricky like tat. Sometimes it's there to distract you an lead you astray, which is exactly what I think is happening with me. Sometimes, it's okay to ignore inspiration. I got my notes together and I made an outline for that other project. It's there waiting for me, and I've learned that it will wait for as long as I need it to.
It's time for me to focus on the project I committed to. And when inspiration strikes, I'll make a note of it. But I'm not always going to give into it. If I do, I may not finish any books at all.
February 19, 2015
Guest Post: Using Wattpad to Promote Your Book
Today we're joined by author M.J. Austin for a guest post on using Wattpad for marketing.
You have published your book and it is online, but you aren’t getting any sales. What’s wrong here? Most likely, it is simply because nobody knows your book is "out there." It can be extremely difficult to get your book out there, especially if you are being self-published.
That’s not to say that when you have a traditional publisher that it is super easy. Many publishers today require you to do your own marketing. There is a multitude of options when it comes to marketing your book. You could do a blog tour or focus on social media, but those aren’t the only options.
What is Wattpad?
Wattpad is a critiquing style platform that allows authors to upload either portions or the full copy of their books for others in the community to read and comment on. Amanda Hocking, a very successful YA author has used this platform to uploaded samples of her books for users to read and purchase on sites like Amazon.
How Can You Use Wattpad?
In order to use Wattpad effectively for promotion, you want to make sure you add all the necessary components for users to engage with you as an author. A common mistake authors make is focusing on sales more than engagement. Sure sales are great, but if you do not build a reader base, you won’t get many sales. Some tips for building a reader base and engaging those readers are:
When uploading portions of your book, at the end of each chapter you want to include all of your contact info, social links, and purchase links if the book is available online. Follow other authors and readers on Wattpad. Similar to Twitter, you want to follow others. You are more likely to get follow backs when you make the first move. This in turn will inform users of books you upload. When they put your book in their to read list or comment on your book, other users will see this and be intrigued. Place your book in the proper category and make excellent use of keywords for searchability. If you don’t have a cover for your book yet, make a stand in that is attractive. There are free templates all over the web. Users will be more likely to read your book if there is an image that pulls them in.There are many options to spread the word about your books, you just need to know where to look. Remember the saying, “if a tree falls and no one hears it does it make a sound”? This is the same situation. Spread the word because if no one knows your book exists, no one will buy it. Marketing your self-published book is hard, but the rewards are the best feeling in the world. Best of luck and keep at it! M.J. Austin is the author of Bright Fire Synopsis
Delfia thought she was a normal girl about to turn sixteen until her adoptive parents are murdered by creatures from the underworld. Her life gets thrown into chaos as she teams up with her best friend, a strange guy, and a prophetess.
She soon discovers her biological father, Hades, ordered the attack on her and her family because a prophecy names her as the one to take him down. She must first complete a set of tasks to free Persephone, her mother, from the underworld and defeat Hades.
Will she be reunited with her mother or will she get sucked into the underworld?
Excerpt
Mondays are the epitome of all evil. It's just a fact.
Do you ever get those feelings deep in the pit of your stomach? The ones that make you feel all queasy and anxious? Well, that’s how I feel right now. I am standing at my locker at a way too early hour, and I am in Dragon Bitch mode; which is surprising because today is my birthday.
Normally, I love my birthday. I officially turn 16 at 11:59 tonight, and instead of reveling in the excitement, am I staring at my locker without really seeing it. I just keep trying to figure out what’s causing this annoying pinch in my stomach. I jump when I hear the locker next to mine slam shut.
Lyla.
"Jeez, Lyla,” I huff. “How many times do I have to tell you not to do that? Now excuse me while I find a doctor to remove my heart from my nasal passage." I’m not in the mood for the early morning antics of Lyla Browning, even if she is my best friend.
"Soooorrry, but it seems to be the only way to get your attention. I say 'Happy birthday, Dell' and what do you do? You ignore me and stare at your locker. What is up with you?"
"Nothing, just a funny feeling."
She eyes me for a minute, then shrugs her shoulders and in a matter-of-fact tone tells me, "It's probably PMS."
“Yeah, maybe I dunno...” I trail off, the feeling still bugging me. I understand that she is trying to snap me out of it so I muster up some enthusiasm and sing, “Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me.”
She perks up instantly, and before I can clamp my hand over her mouth she starts bellowing out “Happy Birthday” in the middle of the hall that is seriously starting to fill up. By the time she finishes, everyone is staring at us, and my face is burning red.
“Aww come on, you love me and you know it,” she beams.
I smile because I do love her. Lyla and I have been best friends since forever. We first met in kindergarten when this little twerp, Zach Moreno, decided to pull my hair, and she punched him square in the nose.
We’ve been joined at the hip ever since then.
“But hey, you should be thrilled you’re turning 16.” she nudges me in the ribs a little.
“Yeah, I know, but my parents still won't let me get my permit till I’m 18.”
“No offense, but your parents are a little...intense.” She says.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask getting a bit defensive.
“Well, it’s just that lately they seem to be taking your safety to the extreme. You can't have sleepovers anymore, a car or a life. I mean it’s sweet that they care, but I thought parents got more lenient the older you get.” She fidgets with her wavy blond hair, afraid that she has gone too far.
The truth is she’s not wrong. My parents are great people, and I love them, but lately they have been too over-protective. When I ask them about it they just tell me, “the real world is full of dangers, kiddo.”
and that’s the end of that conversation. “Yeah, I know, I’m sure that is just their way of showing me that they care.”
“By the way, are we still on for binge night Friday?” She sees right through my attempts to change the subject. Binge night has been happening every Friday since the 6th grade. We start off at the roller rink and end up at my place with a large bag of cheddar popcorn, candy, and cokes.
“Uh, duh.” She says rolling her eyes. She grabs her stuff out of her locker. “Come on, we have homeroom.”
I turn to grab my bag out of my locker when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Everybody gets those feelings now and then, but it was so intense I had to shiver to shake it off.
“Dude, what is your problem? Take a picture it lasts longer.” Lyla clicks her tongue, her usual reaction when something annoys her.
I whirl around to see who she is talking to and meet the gray eyes of Alec Hales, who is staring at me intensely like he’s waiting for something to happen. He would be the hottest guy in school if he weren't so weird. He continues to stare at me unabashed. I can’t help but stare back.
“Come on,” she grabs my arm. “This guy is freaking me out” She throws him the stink eye, and we head to class.
I spend the rest of the morning stumbling through class in a daze worried about that creepy stare. I’ve never seen anything like it.
What’s worse is that I’m pretty sure he’s the reason I had a chill that ranked 100 on the creep factor. OK, Dell get a grip, I tell myself as I walk into the cafeteria.
I do my normal scan and Lyla’s waiting for me at our usual table in the corner of the room, trays in tow. We are not the least popular students, but we are definitely not a part of the in-crowd. Lyla could be, but she sticks with me. Aside from her slightly crooked nose, she is the picture perfect replica of a Barbie doll, with her blond hair, green eyes, and mile-long legs. You get the picture. Me, on the other hand, my height is OK, not too short or too tall, but my drab brown hair and beanpole body are nothing special. The only thing I have going for me is my clear blue eyes. Lyla always calls them hypnotic.
“Ugggghhh,” she whines as she rolls her shoulders back and forth. “I think the teachers are secretly evil demons sent to torture teens with tests on Mondays. Seriously, who wants to take tests on Mondays?”
“Who wants to take tests at all?”
She throws a piece of lettuce at me. With a mouth full of food she asks, “What are your birthday plans?”
“Dinner with the family.”
“Same old, same old,” she laughs “maybe we can do something special for binge night like go shopping before the roller rink.”
“Yeah, that would be...” I trail off instantly when I feel the same eerie feeling I had by my locker. I lean into Lyla and whisper, “Is Alec staring at me?” She lifts her head up, and I pull her down. “Can’t you be discreet?” I hiss.
She subtly does a sweep of the cafeteria and relaxes, “Nope; nowhere in sight. Why do you ask?”
“I just got this creepy feeling earlier and again just now. I thought maybe it was his intense stare earlier.”
“Wow, I hope your weird doesn't rub off on me. Do you think it happens to everyone when they turn 16?” she jokes.
I laugh half-heartedly unable to shake the strange feeling.
About the Author
M.J. Austin is the author of the Bright Fire series and NaNoWriMo 2014 winner. She has always found the world of fantasy preferable to the real world. She channels this love of mystical worlds and creatures into her writing. She is an avid reader and proud bookworm. She has a Master's Degree in Project Management, but her true passion is writing.When she isn't working or writing she is diving into random projects as often as possible. She lives in Tennessee with three children, husband, and three dogs.
Stalk The Author Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads Amazon Author Page
You have published your book and it is online, but you aren’t getting any sales. What’s wrong here? Most likely, it is simply because nobody knows your book is "out there." It can be extremely difficult to get your book out there, especially if you are being self-published.
That’s not to say that when you have a traditional publisher that it is super easy. Many publishers today require you to do your own marketing. There is a multitude of options when it comes to marketing your book. You could do a blog tour or focus on social media, but those aren’t the only options.
What is Wattpad?
Wattpad is a critiquing style platform that allows authors to upload either portions or the full copy of their books for others in the community to read and comment on. Amanda Hocking, a very successful YA author has used this platform to uploaded samples of her books for users to read and purchase on sites like Amazon.
How Can You Use Wattpad?
In order to use Wattpad effectively for promotion, you want to make sure you add all the necessary components for users to engage with you as an author. A common mistake authors make is focusing on sales more than engagement. Sure sales are great, but if you do not build a reader base, you won’t get many sales. Some tips for building a reader base and engaging those readers are:
When uploading portions of your book, at the end of each chapter you want to include all of your contact info, social links, and purchase links if the book is available online. Follow other authors and readers on Wattpad. Similar to Twitter, you want to follow others. You are more likely to get follow backs when you make the first move. This in turn will inform users of books you upload. When they put your book in their to read list or comment on your book, other users will see this and be intrigued. Place your book in the proper category and make excellent use of keywords for searchability. If you don’t have a cover for your book yet, make a stand in that is attractive. There are free templates all over the web. Users will be more likely to read your book if there is an image that pulls them in.There are many options to spread the word about your books, you just need to know where to look. Remember the saying, “if a tree falls and no one hears it does it make a sound”? This is the same situation. Spread the word because if no one knows your book exists, no one will buy it. Marketing your self-published book is hard, but the rewards are the best feeling in the world. Best of luck and keep at it! M.J. Austin is the author of Bright Fire Synopsis
Delfia thought she was a normal girl about to turn sixteen until her adoptive parents are murdered by creatures from the underworld. Her life gets thrown into chaos as she teams up with her best friend, a strange guy, and a prophetess.
She soon discovers her biological father, Hades, ordered the attack on her and her family because a prophecy names her as the one to take him down. She must first complete a set of tasks to free Persephone, her mother, from the underworld and defeat Hades.
Will she be reunited with her mother or will she get sucked into the underworld?
Excerpt
Mondays are the epitome of all evil. It's just a fact.
Do you ever get those feelings deep in the pit of your stomach? The ones that make you feel all queasy and anxious? Well, that’s how I feel right now. I am standing at my locker at a way too early hour, and I am in Dragon Bitch mode; which is surprising because today is my birthday.
Normally, I love my birthday. I officially turn 16 at 11:59 tonight, and instead of reveling in the excitement, am I staring at my locker without really seeing it. I just keep trying to figure out what’s causing this annoying pinch in my stomach. I jump when I hear the locker next to mine slam shut.
Lyla.
"Jeez, Lyla,” I huff. “How many times do I have to tell you not to do that? Now excuse me while I find a doctor to remove my heart from my nasal passage." I’m not in the mood for the early morning antics of Lyla Browning, even if she is my best friend.
"Soooorrry, but it seems to be the only way to get your attention. I say 'Happy birthday, Dell' and what do you do? You ignore me and stare at your locker. What is up with you?"
"Nothing, just a funny feeling."
She eyes me for a minute, then shrugs her shoulders and in a matter-of-fact tone tells me, "It's probably PMS."
“Yeah, maybe I dunno...” I trail off, the feeling still bugging me. I understand that she is trying to snap me out of it so I muster up some enthusiasm and sing, “Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me.”
She perks up instantly, and before I can clamp my hand over her mouth she starts bellowing out “Happy Birthday” in the middle of the hall that is seriously starting to fill up. By the time she finishes, everyone is staring at us, and my face is burning red.
“Aww come on, you love me and you know it,” she beams.
I smile because I do love her. Lyla and I have been best friends since forever. We first met in kindergarten when this little twerp, Zach Moreno, decided to pull my hair, and she punched him square in the nose.
We’ve been joined at the hip ever since then.
“But hey, you should be thrilled you’re turning 16.” she nudges me in the ribs a little.
“Yeah, I know, but my parents still won't let me get my permit till I’m 18.”
“No offense, but your parents are a little...intense.” She says.
“What do you mean by that?” I ask getting a bit defensive.
“Well, it’s just that lately they seem to be taking your safety to the extreme. You can't have sleepovers anymore, a car or a life. I mean it’s sweet that they care, but I thought parents got more lenient the older you get.” She fidgets with her wavy blond hair, afraid that she has gone too far.
The truth is she’s not wrong. My parents are great people, and I love them, but lately they have been too over-protective. When I ask them about it they just tell me, “the real world is full of dangers, kiddo.”
and that’s the end of that conversation. “Yeah, I know, I’m sure that is just their way of showing me that they care.”
“By the way, are we still on for binge night Friday?” She sees right through my attempts to change the subject. Binge night has been happening every Friday since the 6th grade. We start off at the roller rink and end up at my place with a large bag of cheddar popcorn, candy, and cokes.
“Uh, duh.” She says rolling her eyes. She grabs her stuff out of her locker. “Come on, we have homeroom.”
I turn to grab my bag out of my locker when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Everybody gets those feelings now and then, but it was so intense I had to shiver to shake it off.
“Dude, what is your problem? Take a picture it lasts longer.” Lyla clicks her tongue, her usual reaction when something annoys her.
I whirl around to see who she is talking to and meet the gray eyes of Alec Hales, who is staring at me intensely like he’s waiting for something to happen. He would be the hottest guy in school if he weren't so weird. He continues to stare at me unabashed. I can’t help but stare back.
“Come on,” she grabs my arm. “This guy is freaking me out” She throws him the stink eye, and we head to class.
I spend the rest of the morning stumbling through class in a daze worried about that creepy stare. I’ve never seen anything like it.
What’s worse is that I’m pretty sure he’s the reason I had a chill that ranked 100 on the creep factor. OK, Dell get a grip, I tell myself as I walk into the cafeteria.
I do my normal scan and Lyla’s waiting for me at our usual table in the corner of the room, trays in tow. We are not the least popular students, but we are definitely not a part of the in-crowd. Lyla could be, but she sticks with me. Aside from her slightly crooked nose, she is the picture perfect replica of a Barbie doll, with her blond hair, green eyes, and mile-long legs. You get the picture. Me, on the other hand, my height is OK, not too short or too tall, but my drab brown hair and beanpole body are nothing special. The only thing I have going for me is my clear blue eyes. Lyla always calls them hypnotic.
“Ugggghhh,” she whines as she rolls her shoulders back and forth. “I think the teachers are secretly evil demons sent to torture teens with tests on Mondays. Seriously, who wants to take tests on Mondays?”
“Who wants to take tests at all?”
She throws a piece of lettuce at me. With a mouth full of food she asks, “What are your birthday plans?”
“Dinner with the family.”
“Same old, same old,” she laughs “maybe we can do something special for binge night like go shopping before the roller rink.”
“Yeah, that would be...” I trail off instantly when I feel the same eerie feeling I had by my locker. I lean into Lyla and whisper, “Is Alec staring at me?” She lifts her head up, and I pull her down. “Can’t you be discreet?” I hiss.
She subtly does a sweep of the cafeteria and relaxes, “Nope; nowhere in sight. Why do you ask?”
“I just got this creepy feeling earlier and again just now. I thought maybe it was his intense stare earlier.”
“Wow, I hope your weird doesn't rub off on me. Do you think it happens to everyone when they turn 16?” she jokes.
I laugh half-heartedly unable to shake the strange feeling.
About the Author
M.J. Austin is the author of the Bright Fire series and NaNoWriMo 2014 winner. She has always found the world of fantasy preferable to the real world. She channels this love of mystical worlds and creatures into her writing. She is an avid reader and proud bookworm. She has a Master's Degree in Project Management, but her true passion is writing.When she isn't working or writing she is diving into random projects as often as possible. She lives in Tennessee with three children, husband, and three dogs.Stalk The Author Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads Amazon Author Page
February 18, 2015
Writing 101: What Writing Used To Be
During the Middle Ages, storytellers were members of the royal court. They knew all the juiciest gossip, they were present at all the big events, and they traveled around telling their tales to large audiences. Today's storytellers sit somewhere with a laptop, typing quietly. Which sounds more fun?
A Troubadour's Life for Me
The storyteller was always a welcome sight in medieval Europe. You may have found them in a market place, but you were sure to find them at court. Every king and queen of note had storytellers at court, a place where the royals granted various favors to their favorites and everyone danced, dined and drank for almost any reason whatsoever.
Once upon a time, writers were sponsored by various patrons like this. Kings and Queens, perhaps, would house and clothe storytellers. They would be fed, they would receive little gifts, they would wander around telling stories all day. Pretty sweet, right? This is what writing used to be like, or at least what storytelling used to be like, and that makes it an older version of what today's indie authors do.
I would totally love to go hang out wherever William and Kate are and attempt to entertain them, really I would, but I don't think I'd be very good at it. Back in those days, storytellers were also expected to play at least two instruments -- whatever was fashionable at that time. They had to make up verses on the spot. They were expected to know the current news and events of the day, and they didn't have any sort of titles or lands that were theirs. Displease a royal, and punishment could be swift and severe.
In some ways, it's nice to think about what writing used to be. But remember, too, that writers of the past had to deal with something no writer today really wants to face: ink and paper. Before laptops, before typewriters, every book was written out by hand. So maybe it's not a troubadour's life for me, after all.
A Troubadour's Life for Me
The storyteller was always a welcome sight in medieval Europe. You may have found them in a market place, but you were sure to find them at court. Every king and queen of note had storytellers at court, a place where the royals granted various favors to their favorites and everyone danced, dined and drank for almost any reason whatsoever.
Once upon a time, writers were sponsored by various patrons like this. Kings and Queens, perhaps, would house and clothe storytellers. They would be fed, they would receive little gifts, they would wander around telling stories all day. Pretty sweet, right? This is what writing used to be like, or at least what storytelling used to be like, and that makes it an older version of what today's indie authors do.
I would totally love to go hang out wherever William and Kate are and attempt to entertain them, really I would, but I don't think I'd be very good at it. Back in those days, storytellers were also expected to play at least two instruments -- whatever was fashionable at that time. They had to make up verses on the spot. They were expected to know the current news and events of the day, and they didn't have any sort of titles or lands that were theirs. Displease a royal, and punishment could be swift and severe.
In some ways, it's nice to think about what writing used to be. But remember, too, that writers of the past had to deal with something no writer today really wants to face: ink and paper. Before laptops, before typewriters, every book was written out by hand. So maybe it's not a troubadour's life for me, after all.
February 17, 2015
Writing 101: How Do You Know You're Obsessed?
The minute I started thinking of one of my books as "my masterpiece," I should have known I was in serious trouble. Not just because it's arrogant, which clearly it is, but because it's the start of an unhealthy obsession. It's something that happens to lots of artists and storytellers, and I'm here to warn you that it could happen to you.
Obsession
As an artist, it's very easy to become obsessed. So easy, in fact, you may not even realize that it's happening to you. There's a way to find out.Obsessed artists generally have a single trait in common. If you have it, too, then you might be obsessed.
Producer David O. Selznick spent two years just casting the film adaptation of Gone With the Wind. He hired multiple script writers, fired the director, and spent so long in post-production the movie was finally taken out his hands and distributed. As far as he was concerned, it wasn't finished even then.
Leonardo Da Vinci worked on The Mona Lisa for 10 years. He kept adding to it and taking away, making minor changes, and died before he could -- in his eyes -- complete it.
Both these men were artists of their particular art form, and I am merely a fan of mine. So I dare not compare myself to them, but I can say I, too, have been obsessed. I worked on researching and writing a single book for two years, then spent another two recovering from it where I wrote nothing at all. I still think about it far too often, in fact. And no, it isn't finished.
That's how you'll know if you're obsessed. When you can't stop working on it and you can't finish it, ask yourself why. Ask yourself if you're not finishing it because you can't stand for it to end, because you haven't got it just so, because you have to keep perfecting.
There's a healthier way to deal with creating a form of art, whether it's a movie or a book you can't stop editing. I'm just not sure what it is. I put my book aside. We do not speak of it. Other people, perhaps, finish what they've written and get it out there. But I do know there's one answer to an obsession: move on to something else. Start writing something new, whether or not you're done with the obsession. Just start writing something else until you find something that works to clear your mind of that other project.
Obsession
As an artist, it's very easy to become obsessed. So easy, in fact, you may not even realize that it's happening to you. There's a way to find out.Obsessed artists generally have a single trait in common. If you have it, too, then you might be obsessed.
Producer David O. Selznick spent two years just casting the film adaptation of Gone With the Wind. He hired multiple script writers, fired the director, and spent so long in post-production the movie was finally taken out his hands and distributed. As far as he was concerned, it wasn't finished even then.
Leonardo Da Vinci worked on The Mona Lisa for 10 years. He kept adding to it and taking away, making minor changes, and died before he could -- in his eyes -- complete it.
Both these men were artists of their particular art form, and I am merely a fan of mine. So I dare not compare myself to them, but I can say I, too, have been obsessed. I worked on researching and writing a single book for two years, then spent another two recovering from it where I wrote nothing at all. I still think about it far too often, in fact. And no, it isn't finished.
That's how you'll know if you're obsessed. When you can't stop working on it and you can't finish it, ask yourself why. Ask yourself if you're not finishing it because you can't stand for it to end, because you haven't got it just so, because you have to keep perfecting.
There's a healthier way to deal with creating a form of art, whether it's a movie or a book you can't stop editing. I'm just not sure what it is. I put my book aside. We do not speak of it. Other people, perhaps, finish what they've written and get it out there. But I do know there's one answer to an obsession: move on to something else. Start writing something new, whether or not you're done with the obsession. Just start writing something else until you find something that works to clear your mind of that other project.
February 16, 2015
Writing 101: Rewrite it Already
If you can't make the history work, if things feel off, if the timeline you envisioned just isn't working out, quit trying to make it work and rewrite it already. If it isn't working right now, it isn't going to start working five chapters from now. And I should know. I found this out the hard way.
Writing, Again
Rewrites are really the worst. No freelance writer wants to rewrite something they already wrote, and no author ever wants to go back and change a story that's already down on paper. But sometimes, what you've written just isn't working with the rest of what you still need to write. Stories can be tricky like that. And before they trick you into writing 100 pages too many, go back and rewrite.
Things don't always work out on the page the same way you planned them to work out in your outline. Even when you write exactly what you planned, it doesn't always convey the right message or tell the right story. This is what happened to me during the first draft of my latest project. I had things all planned out as far as what information I was going to reveal, but in looking back at it I found that I was revealing too much. Too bad it took me an extra 5 chapters to figure that out. So now I'm rewriting, and I'm putting the story in its place.
If something doesn't feel right to you or the story isn't working or something just doesn't fit, don't wait for the problem to fix itself. Rewrite, regroup and continue so you can carry on. Rewrites are a part of every writer's life.
Writing, Again
Rewrites are really the worst. No freelance writer wants to rewrite something they already wrote, and no author ever wants to go back and change a story that's already down on paper. But sometimes, what you've written just isn't working with the rest of what you still need to write. Stories can be tricky like that. And before they trick you into writing 100 pages too many, go back and rewrite.
Things don't always work out on the page the same way you planned them to work out in your outline. Even when you write exactly what you planned, it doesn't always convey the right message or tell the right story. This is what happened to me during the first draft of my latest project. I had things all planned out as far as what information I was going to reveal, but in looking back at it I found that I was revealing too much. Too bad it took me an extra 5 chapters to figure that out. So now I'm rewriting, and I'm putting the story in its place.
If something doesn't feel right to you or the story isn't working or something just doesn't fit, don't wait for the problem to fix itself. Rewrite, regroup and continue so you can carry on. Rewrites are a part of every writer's life.
February 12, 2015
Writing 101 Redux: Using Pen Names
Many writers are using pen names to develop a dedicated author personality and presence online. But how careful are you being about the name you're selecting?
Read my Writing 101 post for more info about this Throwback Thursday, and remember why it's so important to choose a great one.
Read my Writing 101 post for more info about this Throwback Thursday, and remember why it's so important to choose a great one.
February 11, 2015
Writing 101: Stand By Your Guns
Being a writer means making a lot of decisions, hard ones. You're going to have kill people, traumatize others. Someone is going to have to lose. You're going to write things that people don't like, sometimes. When it comes to making decisions as a writer, you have to be firm. You have to stand by your guns.
Ready, Aim, Fire
I like to make all my decisions right at the beginning of a book. This is why I create an outline. Once you decide who's going to die and who's going to fail and which heart is going to get broken, you need to stick with those decisions. It gets harder to do that if you're writing a series and you begin to develop attachments to the characters. It gets more difficult as readers form attachments to those characters. But as a writer, you stick to your guns.
"Stick to your guns" is a bit of an old-fashioned expression that simply means you stick to the decisions you've made. Don't change a character's fate or alter your story, unless you want to do it. It's very easy to be influenced by readers and by other people's opinions. Don't be. Usually, your gut instincts and your first decisions are the right ones. You may get to questioning yourself and end up talking yourself out of a decision.
If you're really struggling with it, try it both ways. Write that scene, or that chapter, twice. Do it once with your original decision. Re-do it with the new change you've been thinking about making. Now, read. Put it aside. Go live a day away from it. Come back, read again. Make a new decision based on what you want to do...and then stick to it.
Ready, Aim, Fire
I like to make all my decisions right at the beginning of a book. This is why I create an outline. Once you decide who's going to die and who's going to fail and which heart is going to get broken, you need to stick with those decisions. It gets harder to do that if you're writing a series and you begin to develop attachments to the characters. It gets more difficult as readers form attachments to those characters. But as a writer, you stick to your guns.
"Stick to your guns" is a bit of an old-fashioned expression that simply means you stick to the decisions you've made. Don't change a character's fate or alter your story, unless you want to do it. It's very easy to be influenced by readers and by other people's opinions. Don't be. Usually, your gut instincts and your first decisions are the right ones. You may get to questioning yourself and end up talking yourself out of a decision.
If you're really struggling with it, try it both ways. Write that scene, or that chapter, twice. Do it once with your original decision. Re-do it with the new change you've been thinking about making. Now, read. Put it aside. Go live a day away from it. Come back, read again. Make a new decision based on what you want to do...and then stick to it.
