Joey Paul's Blog, page 16

Review of Convergence by Esther Pia Cordova

 Seventeen-year-old Maya has always known her place in the secluded village of Brookfield, where tradition protects humanity from the dangers of technology. But when her sister falls gravely ill, and a mysterious newcomer offers a cure from a high-tech city, Maya is forced to abandon everything she’s ever believed.Desperate to save her sister, Maya journeys into a dazzling world of skyscrapers and virtual realities, only to uncover a sinister corporate plot that threatens to strip humanity of its very essence. With time running out and the line between human and artificial intelligence blurring, Maya must decide who to trust: her heart, or the traditions that have protected her people for generations. Amazon My Review: 5 STARS

I picked this up because it sounded like it was something I’d enjoy and when I dove into it, I was hooked from the first page. Maya is an enthralling character, her way of life, the family connections and the way she views the world she’s in allows you to be deep into the story. I adored Ethan, it only took me a little while to warm up to him and after that, I was desperate to know how the many twists and turns pulled the two together along with the overarching story. Cordova has a skill for worldbulding with giving you just enough to keep you hooked and turning the page. Very much recommended for all those who love dystopian and sci-fi! 

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

Revision Life [CC]

Talking all about my revising life and how it's all going! #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

What Tara witnessed could bring about an end to the case...
BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/DTEE

[ID: A waterfall background with the title DYING THOUGHTS - EIGHTH ENDING at the top and out now in ebook & paperback just below the title The except reads:

“I don’t know how much help I’ll be, I can only remember parts of it and I don’t recall the man’s face.”
“But it was a man?” she asked.
“I assume so because of the build and height, he used something to disguise his voice so I can’t be one hundred percent sure.”
“It’s fine, we don’t have much physical evidence, though obviously when the DCI wakes up, we’ll be questioning him as well,” she said with a smile. “Just tell us what you remember.”
“Okay,” I said, my voice shaking a little.

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

 

The Differences Between Editing & Revising

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EDITING AND REVISING

Last week I talked about the differences between drafting and revising (found here), and I thought that this week I would touch on the differences between editing and revising since I've recently done both with dev edits and all my revision projects, and will continue to do that as I move through the year and the next professional edit stage.

Just to be clear, I see revising as the process you as the author go through while rereading and tweaking your story. This is usually without any input from professional editors, but can be based on the feedback of betas, alphas, and sensitivity readers. Editing, for me at least, is the part where you go through and make edits after you've worked with a professional, whether that's developmental, or line, copy, or proof. That's what I personally class as editing, but everyone is different.

I will also only really be able to talk about how the process has worked for me, and just because something has worked for me, or it's a difference for me, it doesn't mean that it's the same for everyone. We all approach theses processes differently and that's completely okay. So with all that said, let's get into it!

#1 THERE'S MORE LEEWAY WITH REVISING
When I approach revision, I'm always aware of the longer deadline. I know that I have to get the book to the editor by a certain date and even then, there's some wiggle room. Because I usually have a long period to get the book into shape, and I have my outline to allow me to do that, it feels like unless it's literally the last read through before the editor, there's more leeway. I can think over plot changes longer. I can do a draft without the changes being made, and I have more time to think about things

On the flip side, with editing, there is, usually, a very firm deadline. As an indie author, I set my own deadlines, to a point, but there are others in there that can't be moved, and sometimes you just have to make the changes and be sure that's the final version because this editing train is moving and it will not stop. So because of that, I feel like when doing my changes, that I have a lot more pressure to get it right the first or second read through, because time is very much running out.

#2 THERE'S MORE GUIDANCE WITH EDITING
I've worked with a number of editors, most of them good, a few of them not, but one clear thing has always been the guidance. If I didn't think something worked, I can, and do, turn to them and ask for clarification. If I feel like I'm close, but not quite there, I can have them read through the changes again and get that feedback. I feel like it's a way of making those changes that might leave you a little unsure, but with the ability to ask someone else who already knows the whole story, and can jump in and let you know if you've strayed a little too far one way or the other.

With revision, you can ask betas, you can get their feedback, but you can't, usually and in my experience, then ask them again if what you've done works. Sure you can bring in new betas, and maybe they will give you that feedback, but it's not quite the same as with editing, where you can check in with the person telling you how to change things and have a whole discussion. It feels a lot more like you're on your own, and you have to make these choices and be sure you like them because there's no one there really to tell you if they work or not. Yes, there are critique partners, but if you don't have those, you're alone with all of this.

#3 BOTH USE A SIMILAR KIND OF PROCESS
With revising, you're looking at the book critically and you're doing the same with editing. While one is more on your own speed, the other is with a professional backing you, and the whole process ends up being one with the same kind of outcome. Changes will be made, and you will craft your story the way you're going to, but while one seems to be a try it and see, the other is more firm in what needs to be done.

Now I say that, and realise that some writers worry about editors changing their story. This is not how a good editor should work. If someone is telling you that you have to this or that, and you, as the author, don't want to do that, it's your choice. Every change is optional, but be wary of clinging too much to what you've already written, ninety percent of the time, those changes are what will make your book so much better.

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

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

Review of Fracture by Melanie Hooyenga

 When seventeen-year old Biz wakes up from surgery after helping catch a kidnapper, she thinks she’s lost her ability to flicker—travel back in time eighteen hours—but she soon discovers her ability is stronger than ever.

And so are the mind-blowing headaches.

But flickering isn’t the only thing giving Biz headaches. Her newly shaved head brings out the bullies, her boyfriend Cameron is getting a little too chummy with a girl from the kidnap support group, and Cameron’s formerly kidnapped sister is having some serious adjustment issues.

When her dad’s health takes a turn for the worse, she turns to her neurosurgeon who operated on her. If she tells him the truth, he could figure out why she and her dad flicker and save her before her entire world—and her own health—crumbles. But can Biz trust him with her secret?

Amazon

My Review: 5 STARS

I dived into this after devouring book one and loved it from the start. Hooyenga never shies away from hard hitting topics and this one was a book that pulled you right to the edge and allowed you to start to discover more about Biz, about her ability and all it entails. I adored the characters, the twists and turns and I fell in love with all of the world, and the hard choices Biz was having to make. That ending almost destroyed me and I’m glad to have book three on hand to finish off the series. Overall a beautifully crafted, and well written book. 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

Editing: Tips [CC]

Talking about tips for editing and all the ways to help yourself! #Authortube 
BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03BUY SIGNED BOOKS AT MY KO-FI SHOP: https://ko-fi.com/authorjoeypaul/shopBUY 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 something is going on, but she doesn't know how to stop it...
BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT

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

Connors didn't meet that criteria, at least she didn't from what I'd read. However, she had, supposedly, been working on exposing people who circumvented the sixty year law. Wouldn't that make her a threat? Someone who was working against the change these people were trying to exact?
Looking at it dispassionately, which I think was the only way I could look at it, you could see Connors as a threat that needed to be silenced. It wasn't right by any means it was, plain and simple, murder and to know I played a part in that almost made me lose my breakfast.

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, in the top right is the New Apple Award seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

The Differences Between Drafting & Revising

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DRAFTING AND REVISING

As you'll know by now if you've been following me for a while, I paused drafting while I worked on revisions for a time. I got to the point of turning 40 and having 40 first drafts, and worked out if I kept going at that pace, I would have 80 first drafts by the time I turned 50 and with the speed of publishing, I would have ages between when a book was first written, to when it was time for it to be published. So I ended the current series I was working on, bringing me to 48 finished first drafts, and went back to start revising for a time.

I always wanted to do this because I knew there were projects in my backlog that would need more time devoted to them than I would have if I didn't do something like this. I usually publish, when publishing twice a year, in May and October, which means that I have a small window to get the books revised and such before they go off to the editor. I wanted to make sure I had the time to really dig into them, and do any rewrites that were necessary. It also gave me the time to spend longer with some projects that were due to go to the editor. Like with the Invisible quartet, I needed more time because there'll be a period when they're with the sensitivity readers and I also need time to put their corrections in the document. So yeah, it worked out well for me, and I'll be doing this for at least the next year.

So I wanted to talk to you about the differences I'd noticed between drafting stories, and revising them. Of course this is only going to apply to my way of doing things. I'm sure that other writers approach the drafting and revising process differently, and I am not, for one moment, thinking mine is the only, or even the best, way to go about doing it. We all have to do what works for us.

#1 DRAFTING IS MORE LAID BACK FOR ME
I am more of a panster than a planner. At least when it applies to drafting. I will have a minimal chapter plan, but beyond that I don't really think too far ahead. Because of that, drafting is a lot more laid back, it doesn't seem to have as much of an onus on getting this right and closing this plot hole or working out this character arc and the like.

In contrast, revising is literally, for me at least, where this things matter a whole ton. If I don't focus on the plot holes then, I will get hit with them while editing and I do not want that. So when it comes to revising, I do outline and plan more, because I have to make sure that there aren't little bits and pieces missed. Otherwise things can go very very wrong. So revising, for me, is a little more pressure, but it's not as bad as editing, which I'll talk about another time.

#2 REVISING NEEDS MORE IMMEDIATE FOCUS
Like I said above, revising is when the pressure increases and I need to make sure to iron out all those kinks. It's the time when if I don't know if something works, I need to find the answer because otherwise I'm in big trouble. I usually revise over a long period, months or so, and because of that I'm able to take some time, not much, to really think about the long term implications of doing things a certain way. I need to have the ideas, the outline, and I need to make sure that I stick as close to it as possible. And if I don't, I need to have an idea of why, and follow through.

Drafting is more about exploring the story for the first time. Like I'll have some goal posts or scene ideas but they can and do change on the regular. While I do some minimal editing while I go, I'm aware that if I make a big change, all I have to do is note it down and think about it later, as in when revising, because right then all that matters is getting the story down on the page.

#3 BOTH REQUIRE DIFFERENT SKILL SETS
Drafting has it's own process for me, like I've said, I don't have to sit down and have a strict outline. I don't have to worry if character A had brown hair on one page and blonde on another. I don't have to be too strict with myself. I can just follow the story and that's what works for me.

On the flip side, revising, the way I approach it anyway, allows me to fill in those holes and gaps and requires a more critical eye of both the story, and the way I'm telling it. While I've only, a handful of times, had to rewrite the book completely, I do have to do massive rewrites because the bones are good, but everything else needs serious work.

No matter which one you're working on, they require different kinds of skills, and they are both hard work. Good luck to all of those writers doing any of these. You got this!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

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

Review of Catch The Bride by RosaLinda Diaz

Jade didn’t mean to run away the week of her wedding.

It just...happened.

One minute she was refereeing family drama and the next she was speeding down the road in the dead of night like an escaped convict.

But she wasn’t ready to go back...not yet.

Being a first-year teacher and a bride-to-be left Jade a frazzled shell of her usual bubbly self – which isn’t who she wants to be. Now the school year’s over, the wedding is a week away, and she’s panicking about the reception, the seating chart, and most of all their future together.

It’s not that she doesn’t love Vance, they're high school sweethearts, after all. When she finds a box of mementos Jade’s reminded of what it was like to fall in love. But so many years together have left their once exciting relationship in a rut. Not exactly an enticing preview of married life.

Will her once doting boyfriend, turned distracted fiancé become a distant husband?

With miles between her and wedding responsibilities, Jade’s looking back on their relationship and wondering if their happily ever after isn’t guaranteed after all. The Belles, her three best friends since college, come to the rescue...but are they in time to keep Jade from making the biggest mistake of her life?

Will Jade catch feelings instead of flights or is this bride bound to bolt for good? 

Amazon

My Review: 5 STARS

I picked this up as the last book in this series and was desperate to know what lay ahead for Jade and Vance. The last couple for the series and one that seemed to be already pretty much cemented. I adored the glimpses back to their first meeting, loved the way the story wove stress and happiness all together and made you feel like you were living the whole thing along side the characters. The way everything came together was just perfect, and a delightfully sweet romance to end the series on a high. I adored it, and can not recommend it enough!

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 - Feburary 2025 [CC]

Looking back over what I achieved last month! #Authortube 
BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE THIRD ACHE: http://www.books2read.com/ACHE03BUY SIGNED BOOKS AT MY KO-FI SHOP: https://ko-fi.com/authorjoeypaul/shopBUY 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