Julianna Scott's Blog: Julianna's Blog, page 5
August 6, 2013
Writer Tip: Writer of all genres is a master of none.
You can't do it all--at least not well.
We've all heard the old adage; Jack of all trade, master of none. Well it is just as applicable to writing as it is to anything else. Your voice as a writer is something that is inherently a part of you. You developed it when you learned to speak as a toddler, and you can't change it. It is what it is, and that's it.
However, that's not to say you can't hone it, you can polish it, and takes steps to make it shine. And the biggest step you can take to make your voice stand out is find it the best possible genre to call home. The style of your voice will always lend itself more to certain genres than others, and finding the one that fits will take your wring to places it's never been before. Experiment with genre, find what you excel at and don't limit yourself with expectations or pride. Maybe you've always imagined yourself a thriller author, but your voice is suited more to women's fiction. Adapt. Be brave enough to make the switch, or better yet, combine and write thrillers geared towards women. And don't automatically think that you can write what you read. Sure, you may love romance, but reading every romance novel ever written won't help you write it convincingly if you don't have the voice for it. But that doesn't mean you have to give up. Keep reading romance while you write deep fantasy or horror.
Learning who you are as a writer can only happen if you remove all the walls and barriers holding you down, allowing yourself to float around for a little while, and seeing where you land. And when you know where your strengths lie, only then will those strengths allow you to branch out and grow.
We've all heard the old adage; Jack of all trade, master of none. Well it is just as applicable to writing as it is to anything else. Your voice as a writer is something that is inherently a part of you. You developed it when you learned to speak as a toddler, and you can't change it. It is what it is, and that's it.
However, that's not to say you can't hone it, you can polish it, and takes steps to make it shine. And the biggest step you can take to make your voice stand out is find it the best possible genre to call home. The style of your voice will always lend itself more to certain genres than others, and finding the one that fits will take your wring to places it's never been before. Experiment with genre, find what you excel at and don't limit yourself with expectations or pride. Maybe you've always imagined yourself a thriller author, but your voice is suited more to women's fiction. Adapt. Be brave enough to make the switch, or better yet, combine and write thrillers geared towards women. And don't automatically think that you can write what you read. Sure, you may love romance, but reading every romance novel ever written won't help you write it convincingly if you don't have the voice for it. But that doesn't mean you have to give up. Keep reading romance while you write deep fantasy or horror.
Learning who you are as a writer can only happen if you remove all the walls and barriers holding you down, allowing yourself to float around for a little while, and seeing where you land. And when you know where your strengths lie, only then will those strengths allow you to branch out and grow.
Something New: Writer Tips
Gonna try something new around here. As it is painfully clear, I have not been blogging nearly as much as I used to, and while I do feel bad about that, there isn't much I can do about it in the near future. However, I've decided to try something a little different, and post at least once a week post what I will call Writer Tips. Writers Tips will be short little posts, each one with a different tip to trick to try, mostly with regards to writing, but many will be applicable elsewhere as well. One of the big problems I have is spending too much time on blog posts which takes away time from writing books(which is what I need to focus on at the moment) so each of the writer tips posts will be short and sweet and hopefully helpful, or at the very least, entertaining. :-)
Gets give it go, shall we? First one up later today!
Till then,
xo!
Gets give it go, shall we? First one up later today!
Till then,
xo!
July 17, 2013
300 Giveaway
I think it's 'round about time for a giveaway, don't you? It just so happens that The Holders is only 2 ratings away from 300 on Goodreads, so to celebrate I will give away a signed book, Celtic bookmark, and a very special surprise to one lucky winner when we hit the mark!
I'll start taking entries via Twitter when we get to 300 (I'll tweet so everyone knows) and will accept them until the end of that day. Though sadly, I'm only going to be able to take US entries, as I am too poor at the moment to ship overseas. Sorry.
Yay for free stuff, and chat you all up soon!
xo
I'll start taking entries via Twitter when we get to 300 (I'll tweet so everyone knows) and will accept them until the end of that day. Though sadly, I'm only going to be able to take US entries, as I am too poor at the moment to ship overseas. Sorry.
Yay for free stuff, and chat you all up soon!
xo
May 20, 2013
Brand New Site!
Not much to say today other than to introduce you all to my brand new site! I happen to think it is awesome(but then I am a tad biased), and it is chock-full of new stuff for you all to browse, including new short stories, 101 things about me you probably didn't know, and my favorite of all, a Fan Art page with some amazing artwork from all you awesome readers!
Take a tour and be sure to let me know what you think!
Ta for now!
Take a tour and be sure to let me know what you think!
Ta for now!
May 13, 2013
Under Construction
Site Under Construction...
May 12, 2013
April 24, 2013
Quote'n Cast...
All right ladies and gents, it's quote day! (I mistyped yesterday and said 'today' when I meant 'tomorrow', sorry about that!) This should be fun as I have a little surprise to add, it will also be... casting day!
Allow me to explain...
Throughout The Holders' blog tour and even now when I speak to people, one of the most common questions I get asked is, "If they made The Holders into a movie, who would your dream cast be?" I never have an answer. First, because I have never been a huge fan of book movies, but more than that, when it come to book to film, I prefer unknown actors. Not sure why that is, I just do.
However, the lovely internet has provided me with the opportunity to make a truly dream cast; one that could never even actually exist. Here's how this will work... All you lovelies have provided me with a slew of 'favorite quotes' from The Holders. What I will do is group them by character, and when I post them, I will also post a picture of my cast choice. Now keep in mind that I am only going by the picture it self and nothing else. Some of the images are of actors, but may are of models, singers, etc., and some of them may not even be alive anymore. All I am interested, for this little exercise anyway is the way the person looks IN THE PHOTO. Not what they actually do in person or what they look like now.
Got it? Cool! First pic and group of quotes goes up at 10:00 central time, then another on each hour after that till we're done! And if along the way you think of any of your own casting choices or a quote we missed, feel free to add it to the wall! We'd love to see your thoughts! :-)
Ready?
Let's have some fun...
(This post was taken from The Holders' Facebook page. That is where the quote and picture post will appear throughout the day today. You can join us HERE.)
April 19, 2013
So many updates, so little time...
Hello all!
It has been a whirlwind kind of month, and it's not quite over yet, but I figured it was about time for an update on all the activities and events that you all have made so awesome!
First off my trip to Moon Middle School! I had such a great time talking with all the fabulous fifth graders and creating out new 'Cinderella' stories. To sum up, Cinderella is a custodial worker in the local mall who is tired of cleaning french fries off the floor and putting up with her evil manager. Or if you were in the second group of the day, Cinderella was a stable hand in the old west who has to clean up after mean horses.
It was a hoot! :-)
Next was my signing at the Pittsburgh Barnes and Noble, where a bunch of my new friends from the school came to see me as well as tons of family and friends. It was an amazing night, and the best news is we sold out of books which obviously makes B&N happy. (And when they are happy, I am happy!) Hugs and kisses to everyone who came out and made the night such a success!
Finally, some news on the reading front: the first five chapters of THE HOLDERS is now up for free for Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, or any other electronic device you may have! Just click HERE, find your device, and download the preview e-book!
I guess that's it for now, but if any of you are planning on heading to Kansas City for the 2013 Romantic Times Convention the first week of May, be sure to let me know! I'll be there speaking and signing and I'd love to see you!
Xoxo for now,
~ Jul
It has been a whirlwind kind of month, and it's not quite over yet, but I figured it was about time for an update on all the activities and events that you all have made so awesome!
First off my trip to Moon Middle School! I had such a great time talking with all the fabulous fifth graders and creating out new 'Cinderella' stories. To sum up, Cinderella is a custodial worker in the local mall who is tired of cleaning french fries off the floor and putting up with her evil manager. Or if you were in the second group of the day, Cinderella was a stable hand in the old west who has to clean up after mean horses.
It was a hoot! :-)
Next was my signing at the Pittsburgh Barnes and Noble, where a bunch of my new friends from the school came to see me as well as tons of family and friends. It was an amazing night, and the best news is we sold out of books which obviously makes B&N happy. (And when they are happy, I am happy!) Hugs and kisses to everyone who came out and made the night such a success!
Finally, some news on the reading front: the first five chapters of THE HOLDERS is now up for free for Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, or any other electronic device you may have! Just click HERE, find your device, and download the preview e-book!
I guess that's it for now, but if any of you are planning on heading to Kansas City for the 2013 Romantic Times Convention the first week of May, be sure to let me know! I'll be there speaking and signing and I'd love to see you!
Xoxo for now,
~ Jul
April 2, 2013
Name that Character Vote!
See, I knew you guys were awesome!
Too awesome, in fact. You all submitted so many awesome names for the 'name that character' contest that I could barely bring myself to trim down the list for the vote!
So being the coward that I am, I left it up to my family and friends to choose their favorites out of the pack, saving me from the burden. :-) Listed below are the name choices, the name of the submitter, as well as pronunciations for the submitting that may have needed it.
Niamh (Nee-av) Celene McGloughin ~ Leah Woods
Shannon McCarthy ~ Jill
Siobhan (SHIV-awn) Donnelly ~ Ashley/Book Labyrinth
Aoife (EE-fa) Colgan ~ LeoCristea
Maeve (MAYV) Ahearn ~ Brandi Nayber
Ciara (KEE-ra) Brannigan ~ Ashley/Book Labyrinth
Nuala (NOO-lah) MacKenna ~ Carly/Fiction Fascination
Aine (Awn-y-uh) Whelan ~ Carly/Fiction Fascination
Look them over, choose your favorites, and cast your vote using the poll in the right hand column. Voting closes on Friday evening, and you can vote for as many names as you like!
Too awesome, in fact. You all submitted so many awesome names for the 'name that character' contest that I could barely bring myself to trim down the list for the vote!
So being the coward that I am, I left it up to my family and friends to choose their favorites out of the pack, saving me from the burden. :-) Listed below are the name choices, the name of the submitter, as well as pronunciations for the submitting that may have needed it.
Niamh (Nee-av) Celene McGloughin ~ Leah Woods
Shannon McCarthy ~ Jill
Siobhan (SHIV-awn) Donnelly ~ Ashley/Book Labyrinth
Aoife (EE-fa) Colgan ~ LeoCristea
Maeve (MAYV) Ahearn ~ Brandi Nayber
Ciara (KEE-ra) Brannigan ~ Ashley/Book Labyrinth
Nuala (NOO-lah) MacKenna ~ Carly/Fiction Fascination
Aine (Awn-y-uh) Whelan ~ Carly/Fiction Fascination
Look them over, choose your favorites, and cast your vote using the poll in the right hand column. Voting closes on Friday evening, and you can vote for as many names as you like!
March 29, 2013
What's in a name...
Okay my lovelies, time to show the world how amazing you are!
I need a name. I have been having a horrible time coming up with a name fr one of the characters in the sequel to THE HOLDERS, so I decided that I'd leave it up to you. Sound like fun? Or amusing at the very least?
Okay then, here's the deal. I am taking submissions for a name. You can submit as many times as you would like, either here in the comments, on Twitter as long as you '@' me at @Julianna__Scott, or on THE HOLDERS Facebook page, either as a comment or a wall post. I will take my favorites out of all the entries and put them up for a vote next week. The vote will start Tuesday, meaning you have until end of day Monday the 1st to submit your name, and the winner will be announced Thursday the 4th. The winning name will be a character in THE SEERS, and the creator will win a signed copy of THE HOLDERS, as well as a mention and thank you in the acknowledgement section of THE SEERS when it is release next year!
Now about the name...
It is for a 16 year old female character that we meet in the beginning of book, and she spends most of her time looking down on Becca because (as far as this character knows), Becca has no real ability. The character has red/blond hair, and is of 100% Irish decent (and VERY proud of it). It is also worthy of note that I need both a first and last name, and the last name chosen will be the name of the other characters we meet from her family, and thus needs to be an Irish name. It is up to you weather or not you give her a middle name.
Okay, I guess that's it! If you have any questions either about the contest or about the character that you feel might help you in your name selection, feel free to ask in any of the submission methods mentioned above, and good luck!
(Small legal disclaimer: All names entered will be considered fictional, weather they are or not. You are free to use your Great Aunt Lucy's name if you love it, but for the purposes of publication all names will be considered fictional, and unrepresentative of any persons, alive or dead.)
I need a name. I have been having a horrible time coming up with a name fr one of the characters in the sequel to THE HOLDERS, so I decided that I'd leave it up to you. Sound like fun? Or amusing at the very least?
Okay then, here's the deal. I am taking submissions for a name. You can submit as many times as you would like, either here in the comments, on Twitter as long as you '@' me at @Julianna__Scott, or on THE HOLDERS Facebook page, either as a comment or a wall post. I will take my favorites out of all the entries and put them up for a vote next week. The vote will start Tuesday, meaning you have until end of day Monday the 1st to submit your name, and the winner will be announced Thursday the 4th. The winning name will be a character in THE SEERS, and the creator will win a signed copy of THE HOLDERS, as well as a mention and thank you in the acknowledgement section of THE SEERS when it is release next year!
Now about the name...
It is for a 16 year old female character that we meet in the beginning of book, and she spends most of her time looking down on Becca because (as far as this character knows), Becca has no real ability. The character has red/blond hair, and is of 100% Irish decent (and VERY proud of it). It is also worthy of note that I need both a first and last name, and the last name chosen will be the name of the other characters we meet from her family, and thus needs to be an Irish name. It is up to you weather or not you give her a middle name.
Okay, I guess that's it! If you have any questions either about the contest or about the character that you feel might help you in your name selection, feel free to ask in any of the submission methods mentioned above, and good luck!
(Small legal disclaimer: All names entered will be considered fictional, weather they are or not. You are free to use your Great Aunt Lucy's name if you love it, but for the purposes of publication all names will be considered fictional, and unrepresentative of any persons, alive or dead.)
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