Joey Paul's Blog, page 15

#TeaserTuesday

Having to tell Lena about her family, about what happened, was never what Zya wanted...
BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/INVISIBLE01

[ID: A blue DNA background with the title INVISIBLE at the top and out now in ebook & paperback just below the title The except reads:

I let out a small sigh as I kept my gaze on her. “At least fifty percent of the segment are dead, and that number will probably rise as they clear the central area where the majority of the bombs fell.”
Lena flinched as she took in my words. I didn't need to tell her that her parents were included in that number, she could probably see it written all over my face.
“And the rest?” she asked, her voice a little shaky.
“Anyone who was affected by the virus slipped into a coma. If they woke up, they’ve developed some long lasting condition. The medical staff has been whittled down, succumbing one-by-one."

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the bottom left corner is the Readers' Favorite review seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

The Trials Of A Crime Writer: Using What You Know

THE TRIALS OF A CRIME WRITER: USING WHAT YOU KNOW

I've been published for twenty years in August. I've also been writing for about twenty-five years, and I guess at that because I can't quite remember when that writing bug became something that I wanted to spend my life doing. I've been very lucky to be able to all this my full-time job, and also been very lucky to have made connections within the professional scope of what I write.

For those who don't know, I write young adult fiction across a variety of genres. I've done crime/mystery, paranormal, dystopian, and urban fantasy, as well as a few others. My point is that while a lot of my books have some mystery element to them, the crime ones have allowed me to cultivate contacts within my local police. I've also used a lot of my medical connections, from being a chronically ill and disabled patient, and am, usually, able to ask those questions for things from my own doctors, or someone they know. It's been really useful for me as a writer because it means that I'm mostly getting things right.

I know the common advice is to write what you know. I can't claim to have ever solved a crime, or had a psychic gift, or any of the many things that've happened in my works, but I can claim to have used those connections, to make sure that what I write is as accurate as it can be. My step-mum worked in the police on the admin side of things, so I was able to quiz her on some of the finer points. It also led to many discussions over dinner that might be worrying for any other parents should they not realise what I did for a living!

You can't just write what you know. No one can, because even those who have experienced a whole ton in life, they won't have experienced so much when it comes to crafting stories. Now I've always been a writer who likes to flit around genres. I didn't always to begin with, the story ideas I had were always linked somewhat to the crime genre, but beyond that, as I grew as a writer, as I read more, I realised that I had other story ideas and wanted to get them out and into the world.

Some of that involves bringing in specialised people, like sensitivity readers, which I'll talk more about next week, but some of it is simply research and asking questions of people in the right area. Now I do not mean dial the emergency line and ask questions, I feel like that should be obvious to not do, but I don't want to risk people thinking that's a good idea! I mean going into your local police station, explaining what you need, and asking if anyone would be willing, and able, to discuss things with you. But if they're busy, they might say no, and that's okay, and you gotta respect that. Same with medical situations, either calling and asking whether they would be willing to talk, or cultivating contacts another way.

The big thing to remember is that these are people, and careers that have a lot of urgency to them. It might be that they can't spare the time, which is completely valid, or it might be that it's not on your own timetable, and then it's things like google, or talking to other writing friends to see if they can help. For a time I was part of a professionals sharing info group on Facebook where a lot of people with varying specialities joined and then you could post and get answers to your queries when they were able. It worked for a lot of things for me, and I miss those days sometimes.

But my point is, that using what you know can be a powerful tool, just be ready to work at it, and allow people the chance to turn you down and not be difficult about it. Overall, good luck with your searching, and happy writing!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books.  

Interview With Esther Pia Cordova

I'd like to welcome Esther Pia Cordova to the blog for an interview. I reviewed her debut novel, Convergence on the blog here. 

Onto the interview!

What was your experience writing your first book?
Writing my first book was a mix of excitement, doubt, and learning to trust myself. I always dreamed of writing a novel, but I didn’t think I could commit to a full-length story—especially when my son was young. So, I put that dream on hold and focused on picture books instead.
Growth mindset is a topic that’s incredibly important to me, so I wrote I Can’t Do That, Yet, which became my bestselling book with over 90,000 paperback copies sold. Through that process, I had to learn to trust myself and believe that hard work pays off, even as an adult. But I wanted kids to grow up with that confidence naturally.

Now that my son is older and I have more time, I decided to finally fulfil my dream of writing a novel. Convergence is my first YA dystopian novel, and the experience of writing it was incredibly fulfilling. I love how a novel allows me to build entire worlds, create characters, and make them do things—I never expected to feel so attached to them! It’s like stepping into another reality, and I find that process just as rewarding as I always imagined.

What's your favourite tip for newbie writers?
My favorite tip for newbie writers is finding the balance between consistency and going with the flow. There were days when I didn’t write a single word, but my characters—Maya and Ethan—were still with me, running through my mind as I worked through scenes in my head. Sometimes this process took days. Then, suddenly, I’d have a day where the words just poured out, and I’d write two or three chapters in one sitting. Writing isn’t just about hitting a daily word count—it’s about keeping your story alive in your thoughts. Your brain is always working on it, even when you’re not actively typing.

My second tip is to make the most of ARC readers—and not just your friends and family. You need honest feedback from people who aren’t afraid to tell you what’s working and what’s not.
Be open to criticism and welcome it, but also remember that even the best books have readers who don’t connect with them. The key is to listen carefully, evaluate the feedback, and make conscious decisions about what to change. If one person dislikes something, it’s just their opinion —but if all your ARC readers are pointing out the same issue, it’s probably something you need to rethink.

Which genre is your favourite to write in?
Right now, I love writing YA dystopian. The fast-paced nature of these books reminds me of a movie—I love when a story pulls you in right away, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and constantly surprises you with twists. My goal is always to entertain, and that means getting straight into the action and keeping the reader engaged.

I also enjoy incorporating sci-fi elements, especially since my husband works in AI. We often
have deep, philosophical discussions about technology and the future, and I try to spark similar questions in my readers' minds. In Convergence, one of the central themes is consciousness—what does it really mean to be conscious? Who or what qualifies as conscious? And, more importantly, who gets to decide? It’s a fascinating and complex topic, and I love weaving those kinds of thought-provoking ideas into a fast-paced, thrilling story.

Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have a toy poodle named Baxter! I’ve always wanted my own dog—I’m definitely a dog person. I love cats too, but they don’t seem to love me back! I think it’s because I never lived with a cat, so I’m probably not great at reading their body language.

I waited a long time before getting a dog because I wanted to make sure I could care for him properly. When I was studying, I worried he’d be alone too much. But now, it’s perfect—I work from home, so I get to spend my days writing with Baxter by my side (and my son, of course). it’s exactly how I imagined it!

Do you keep good reviews and reader comments?
I read every single review and reader comment. It would be amazing to be able to reach out and personally thank the people who leave particularly great reviews—I truly appreciate when
someone takes the time to go on a journey with my characters. Reading a book is a commitment of a few hours, and it means so much to me that readers choose to spend that time with my stories.

Reviews are one of my favorite parts of being a writer and publisher. Even the not-so-great ones can be valuable—there’s often something to learn from them. I think many readers don’t realize just how important reviews are for authors. They help books find new readers, provide feedback for future writing, and remind me why I love doing this.

Paperback or ebook? And why?
I personally love having a real book in my hands. I spend so much time looking at screens throughout the day, so when I read for pleasure, I enjoy the break from digital. There’s just something about holding a physical book, flipping the pages, and even the smell of paper that makes the experience special. 

That said, I completely see the appeal of ebooks—especially if you read one or two books a week. They’re more convenient, often more affordable, and perfect for traveling. I use both, but for the books I truly love, I always make sure to have a paperback version too.

Where do you see yourself, and your writing, in ten years?
In ten years, I hope Convergence has grown into a full series—maybe a book two or three! I already have so many ideas, not just for this world but for entirely new stories as well. My biggest hope is that I’ll have the time and focus to bring them all to life.

Writing is something I want to do for the long run, so I see myself continuing to create stories that entertain, challenge ideas, and keep readers hooked. If I can still wake up excited to write and have readers who are excited to dive into my books, then I’ll be exactly where I want to be.

Thanks to Esther for joining me, and you can follow her on her website or Instagram!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Life Of Joey & Bi-Monthly Goals - March 2025 [CC]

Letting you know what I got up to last month, and setting and reviewing goals! #Authortube 
SPONSOR JOEY FOR MILES FOR MERMAIDS 2025: https://www.justgiving.com/team/joeysushi
BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03BUY SIGNED BOOKS AT MY KO-FI SHOP: https://ko-fi.com/authorjoeypaul/shopBUY LIGHTS ON IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LON
BUY LYNNE & HOPE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LANH 
BUY BLACKOUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/BOUT
BUY THE FRIENDSHIP TRIANGLE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/TFTA
BUY WAITING ON YOU IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WOYBUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.htmlSIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h89_5fBUY TICKETS FOR WONDERLAND 2025: https://buytickets.at/wonderland1/1078461
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.comFACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnlineBLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/msjoeybug.bsky.social
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaulTHREADS: https://www.threads.net/@authorjoeypaul

 

#TeaserTuesday

Jessie has no idea how the twitch works, but she's glad her friends are on board...
BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/TWINGE

[ID: A red checked background with the title CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE FIRST TWINGE at the top and out now in ebook & paperback just below the title The except reads:

How did you find out? R x.
Gray, take it away! J x.
Jessie was seeing things in my life when I was going through some stuff. The first time it was my grandfather dying. She knew about it but she also saw scenes that I didn't know about. When it happened the second time, well I didn't tell her I just waited to see if she'd know. And she did. That's when we worked out it was people she cared about. G x.
So before now it's just been Gray? R x.
Yeah, and my parents. My mum gets migraines and those always lay me out. J x.
Then why Meera? R x.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the bottom right corner is the Readers' Favorite review seal, and the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

The Trials Of An Indie Author: Balancing Your Work Load

THE TRIALS OF AN INDIE AUTHOR: BALANCING YOUR WORK LOAD

I know that I'm seen as someone who manages a heavy work load, is super productive and also super organised, and while it's true that I do have about five different projects on the go right now, I wasn't always like that. I didn't just wake up one morning and have the ability to manage a whole heap at once. It's not something that every writer can do, and that doesn't mean that there's a personal failing on their part for not being able to do so.

However, there's a lot to be said for being able to know how much you can handle, and balancing it alongside other jobs as well. Every month, right now at least, I'm revising on most days, editing on most days, and also have these admin days that allow me to get the next month's vlog scripts and blog posts written, as well as recording days for the coming month's videos. I say that and I know that a lot of people reading will be wondering how I pull it all off.

Like I said, it wasn't instantaneous, it was something I worked hard at managing and even then there are times when I just need to slow down, back off the work and focus on resting and keeping my health managed. I am chronically ill and disabled, and because of that there are going to be times, a lot of them, where I just overextend myself and need to take it easy. The point I'm trying to make here is that no one, no matter how productive they may seem, can manage to work 24/7 endlessly. It's just not doable, and it leads to crashes or burnout, or other scary things like that.

But what if you're someone who wants to try and see about getting a bit more balance to the work load in front of them? I'm going to give you some of my tips to manage that, but above all else, remember that breaks are not optional. I don't care how many deadlines you have, or how much time you've needed to take off work because of this crisis or that one, you need to have breaks, otherwise all the will in the world will not make a sustainable practice, and at the end of the day, the reason it works for me is because I've made it sustainable for me. That doesn't mean doing everything I do will be the same for you, we're all different, and that's okay and normal.

So onto the tips!

#1 DON'T START WITH EVERYTHING
I've said things along these lines before. I see too many times where people are trying to balance extra work and they just keep piling it on, either straight away, or way too fast for them to know that what they're doing is going to work for them. So don't do that. Don't add five projects instantly. My advice would be one other thing, and even then, be prepared for some trial and error, some days where things do not go well, and some weeks when it feels like you're gonna have to throw in the towel.

The point, as I've said, is for this to be sustainable, and it just won't be if you don't take it slow, work out how to work with the projects on your plate already, and then, after a time of managing it well, then you add something else small to the pile. This is, in my experience, the only way for it to work long term. Otherwise you crash and burn, and that's never fun.

#2 TRACK IF YOU CAN
I started doing this a number of years ago and I found that it really helped for me to have solid data to work out how much a certain task took me. It allowed me to see that writing blog posts for the month, depending on the amount, could take anywhere from 45 mins to 90 mins, and it really helped me see that they needed to be done on a day when nothing else major was expected of me. Vlog scripts usually take a shorter amount of time, so they can be doubled up with something. It was, for me, about having that data to work with.

Now I know it might not be possible for everyone, so if this is something you just can't do because you're stealing minutes here and there, that's fine, it's not for everyone, but it really did just allow me to have some idea of where my time was spent and whether or not, with the limited window of time I have to work, I could slot in another project. It might be the same for you, it might not, but it's always good to try these things and find out.

#3 LEAVE ROOM TO BREATHE, AND TO CATCH UP
I do not mean the rest days should also be catch up days because if you don't get the work done, then you're losing valuable down time. I do mean that when you have your schedule all worked out, you have a number of days to catch up, and a number of days to rest. This gives you a chance to really settle in and know that if everything goes wrong, it's not the end of the world. It's also a good thing to be okay with not hitting your goal for that week/month etc. I've done it. I've had times when I've just not managed to do the things I wanted to get done, and that's okay, because your health and wellbeing is so much more important.

So have some room to breathe, to rest, and also have a couple of days here and there where if you need a little more time, you have it, and if you don't need it, more downtime, and that's not a bad thing!

So there we go, if you have any questions, lemme know in the comments, and happy writing!

Follow Joey to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books.  

Review of Faded by Melanie Hooyenga

Even the best intentions have consequences.

Biz didn’t think life could get worse after the tragic events that surrounded her last flicker, but when she accidentally flickers on her eighteenth birthday after a pre-party celebration—she’s forced to face the consequences of her actions in a way she never imagined.

As her life falls apart, she turns to the one person who promised to protect her, only to have her trust shattered—again.

And when an anonymous email threatens to reveal her secret, Biz must decide if flickering is worth the permanent damage it could cause her body or if she needs to stay in this timeline.

Forever. Amazon My Review: 5 STARS
I have devoured this whole series and this final book almost broke me. I adored Biz, and her ability and all the twists and turns along the way. Hooyenga has a way of melding serious topics and keeping them real with also the lightness of a romance brewing between the pages. This was an amazing trilogy and I just loved the whole thing. From Amelia and her accident to the resolution with the doctor and Biz and her father, it was just stunningly done and I was hoked! I can’t wait to dive into another Hooyenga book, because she always does such an amazing job! Very much recommended!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Writer Reflection: The Indie Life [CC[

Giving you my thoughts on things inherent to the indie life! #Authortube 
SPONSOR JOEY FOR MILES FOR MERMAIDS 2025: https://www.justgiving.com/team/joeysushi
BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03BUY SIGNED BOOKS AT MY KO-FI SHOP: https://ko-fi.com/authorjoeypaul/shopBUY LIGHTS ON IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LON
BUY LYNNE & HOPE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/LANH 
BUY BLACKOUT IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/BOUT
BUY THE FRIENDSHIP TRIANGLE IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/TFTA
BUY WAITING ON YOU IN AUDIOBOOK: http://www.books2read.com/WOYBUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.htmlSIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h89_5fBUY TICKETS FOR WONDERLAND 2025: https://buytickets.at/wonderland1/1078461
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.comFACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnlineBLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/msjoeybug.bsky.social
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaulTHREADS: https://www.threads.net/@authorjoeypaul

 

#TeaserTuesday

Lock knows she made the right decision, and just hopes they both make it to the end...
BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/LON

[ID: A smokey background with the title LIGHTS ON at the top and out now in ebook, paperback & audiobook just below the title The except reads:

“You watching me, Lock?” Clara asked, with a shy smile on her face, her eyes focusing ahead.
“Yeah, just thinking that you’re beautiful, and I wouldn’t wanna be here with anyone else,” I said, trying my best to not stumble over the words.
She laughed, a tinkle of a sound that filled the space, and just made me beam with joy, drowning out the worry in my mind, just for a beat.
We pressed on, our moods lifted, or maybe I was just lightheaded. It was only when the topic came back to the King, that the bubble burst a little.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the top left corner is the Readers' Favorite review seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

Spoonie Writer: Ignoring Writing Advice

SPOONIE WRITER: IGNORING WRITING ADVICE

I have been a writer now for longer than I care to admit. We're talking decades. This August will be my 20 year Authorversary and I'm still kinda blown away by the fact that I'm still doing this, enjoying it, and still writing books. I've not made it in the sense that I live completely off the sales of my books, but enough that I have readers who like what I write, which to me is the main thing.

I think I've been making these spoonie writer advice pieces for about ten years now. I could look up the date, but it's not that important. My point is that yes, I know the title says to ignoring writing advice, and then I'm here, giving you the same. I've been wanting to write this one for a while because after my one about how writing every day doesn't apply (found here), I realised that there are lots of pieces of writing advice that end up seemingly dismissing people who are unable to do the things they're professing.

At the end of the day, everyone approaches writing differently. You'll have people who swear that you should never use adverbs. You'll have people who will tell you until they're blue in the fact that you have to have a set routine and if you break that routine even once, you'll be ruining all your hard work. The truth is, a lot, and I mean, a lot, of writing advice is subjective. When it comes to finding something that works for you, as I've said a million times, you have to do a lot of trial and error, taking this advice from one person and another from someone else. You will find a way that works for you, but it won't be easy and it won't be a case of just doing the same as insert famous author here.

But when it comes to spoonies and those writers with disabilities, it's really hard to constantly see advice thrown out and know that if it did work for you, it's impossible because you literally can not do it. I've seen a lot of AI talk in the socials lately, about how those of us with disabilities and/or chronic illness can only write/publish etc if we use AI. Which is so stupid I don't even know where to start.

If you, like me, have been writing for a while, then you know you're capable of doing the work without the need for AI. If you're not like me and just starting out, let me make something clear: you don't need AI to do the work for you. It might be hard, it might take you literal years, but you will get there, and there is no time limit on publishing, on writing or anything else like that.

When it comes down to it, spoonies and those with disabilities have been making writing work for us, and ignoring writing advice for a long time. We are, usually, people who know how our bodies work better than anyone else, so we know what we're capable of. I know it's scary when you're sitting down to write your first book, but if this is something you want to do, you can do it. Don't restrict yourself to a set of rules that don't even fully apply in every situation. Yes you can learn the rules so you know when and how to break them, but they're also not hard and fast. If you're looking for permission to write, to ignore the writing advice thrown at you, then you've got it. Now keep writing!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books.