Victoria Escobar's Blog, page 2

Indie Life: UTopYA, and stuff...

Hosted by the Indelibles, Indie Life is a monthly feature on the second Wednesday of the month.  This is a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

 Wow, another month gone.  Where is the year going?  I feel like I haven't accomplished anything. >_<  What a horrible feeling. Lol. 

Anyway.  Writing is actually moving slower than I had hoped at this point.  I'm twenty to thirty thousand away from completing the first draft of my second book Of Sparta and I feel like I'm pulling teeth every time I sit down to type.  It's ridiculous because I have an outline, I know what I want to happen... my characters though... they've had other ideas and roping them in has been harder than I imagined it would be. *sigh* But it will be done - hopefully shortly. ^_^

I've got my first convention as a published author at the end of the month. *enter hysterical scream here* I'm not a panelist - yet - but I'm still anxious as all get out. I've been to conventions before but NOTHING like this.  

So the convention is UTopYA.  It's being held in Nashville, TN.  I'm driving 15 hours with Mel from Girls Heart Books as my co-pilot. The driving part doesn't worry me so much as I'm going to be going as a PUBLISH AUTHOR. OMG. What if I make a total donkey out of myself? I know I"m certainly going to fangirl over a couple of my favorite authors that will be in attendance. 

Also, we'll be going to The Grand Ole Opry on the Friday we're there.  That's going to be just as fricking awesome as the convention itself.  I'm excited/nervous. 

I just hope that I learn a lot (I've got panels scheduled back to back) and that I have a great taken home experience. ^_^ I'm certainly going to get pictures with as many as possible. 

That's all that's new this month.  I'll certainly update with the valuable insight of the other authors next month. 

How is everyone else doing in the writer's world?


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Cover Reveal: God's Warriors

Surprise!  I’m so ecstatic to be asked to assist with a cover reveal. ^_^ It’s beautifully simple and the book is intriguing as well. ^_^


God’s Warriors
Children of God’s  Book # 1 
By- L.P. Hidalgo
Expected Publication Date-September 18th, 2013
Blurb-
Jae Salvador is a college student dealing with the death of her older brother, Jason. But, her life changes when he comes back to deliver a cryptic message: the war of Heaven and Hell is upon us. It is up to Jae and her brother, Joel, to find God's warriors and along the way; they discover that their family is unlike most others. They are descendants of Son's of God who were put on earth in preparation for the war. However, Jae wields more power than anyone could imagine. She alone will decide the outcome of the war by convincing the Catalyst to choose Heaven over Hell.
Will she succeed in her quest for salvation or will she unleash Hell on Earth?
Links-
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17854439-god-s-warriors





Facebook Cover Reveal Event- https://www.facebook.com/events/339893152780176/
About the Author-
L. P. Hidalgo is the author of the “The Children of God’s” series, the captivating story of the war between Heaven and Hell with the heroine, Jae Salvador and her brother Joel, lead a quest in search of God’s Warriors, which is set to debut on September 18th, 2013. 
L.P. Hidalgo on her off time is a freelance graphic designer, mother of two children, and devoted partner to her fiancé. From an early age she began writing, which throughout adulthood turned into passion. The artistic writer was encouraged by family and friends to write her compelling stories.

Links-
Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7065693.L_P_Hidalgo
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-LP-Hidalgo/459149144143735?notif_t=page_new_likes



What do you think?

Indie Life: Nice weather and Such...

Hosted by the Indelibles, Indie Life is a monthly feature on the second Wednesday of the month.  This is a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

Wow.  Is it May already?  Time certainly does fly. I've been enjoying the nice weather since it's FINALLY gotten warm here in upstate New York.  I've found that the rest and relaxation is as much a necessary part of writing as actually writing.  

Those that read through last month's Indie Life know I joined a Fast Draft challenge.  (70k works in two weeks) The fast drafting didn't end well.  T_T  It ended with a migraine on my part.  I think what it comes down to, is pushing too hard much faster than I'm used to pushing.  ^_^ It fried my brain.  Though I did learn a lot from it.  Maybe I'll try ramping up to it sometime over this summer.  

I've been listening to a lot of audio books and doing some major reading.  I wish there was an audio book lending agency like Netflix.  One flat rate and as many books as I'd like to listen to in a month. Or it could even work like Gamefly - one flat rate and I get one book at a time but I get the next book as soon as I return the first. I'd be game for that. ^_^ (I've found audible to be kind of expensive for what it offers.)

On another note I've joined a local writer's group this past week as well.  As I'm progressing in writing I felt that it was time to find a group of other writers to critique and provide guidance so that I can better grow.  Even after only one meeting I feel I've learned quite a lot.  I'm very excited to keep learning from these people and to hopefully be able to provide my incite to help them as well. 

I am still on the hunt for an editor.  Once I finish Of Sparta and Terrene Gates I'll definitely need someone to go through it - other than myself.  I'm just not a good editor. 

Other than that I really have no news to provide.  I've been slowing it down and taking each day as they come.  I'm writing about 2k a week at the moment and have divided my attention between three projects (the other unmentioned one is a joint effort with a few writing pals) that will hopefully all be ready for release some time next year.  

Slow an steady wins the race.  And I'm certainly at that pace at the moment. How is everyone else doing?


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Indie Life: The Challenge

Hosted by the Indelibles, Indie Life is a monthly feature on the second Wednesday of the month.  This is a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.




Hello everyone!  I have to apologize for the late posting. I’m going insane. >_< More insane than last month actually. 
Release day came and went of course.  It was a great relief and the two week blog tour after that was fun and entertaining.  I’ve got some great reviews out of it which pleases me. ^_^  I’ve also met some cool people and really enjoyed the interaction after months of solitary writing and editing.  
It probably wouldn’t have gone so well if I hadn’t had the wonderful Mel over at Girls Heart Books Tours.  She is so efficient it’s scary and rather relieving as well.  She’s definitely an indie lover which is great and her prices are SUPER reasonable which is weight off my shoulders. 
So now about the crazy part.  I’ve got my first book out, it’s reasonably loved, what could be so crazy now?  Well, let me tell you.
Shannon Delany, author of the 13 to Life series, and Weather Witch posted a challenge on her Facebook that she wanted to do with friends.  I’d be a fangirl poser if I called myself a friend, but we’ve had some decent chit chats so I’m not a stranger.  Anyway, I digress.  
The challenge is 70,000 words in two weeks or fourteen days if you’re looking at it the way I did.  In my arrogance (I’ve got a book out this shouldn’t be too hard) I took her up on it. Here’s a link for the exact details.  
Today is day four of this insanity and while I feel like I’m DYING I am holding my own pretty well. I set aside four hours to write everyday and with my outline I’m getting it done.  There are times, while I’m at work or driving when I think of the finer details of the chapter I’m working on but so far I’m staying consistent on the word count.  
As much as I’m in a love/hate relationship with this I’m recommend trying it for my indie friends.  Why?  Because if you’re like me and you work a day job to pay the bills you don’t have the luxury of getting stuck.  It really helps to put down the ideas.  Trust me it’s not pretty.  However, it’s very effective at getting a basic draft out.  Especially for the procrastinators.  (I am one, I take no shame in the claim.)
I’ll even do it again with you if you let me know when you’re doing it.  >_< Just wait until May/June so I can get some sleep first. ^_^ Who would like to volunteer first?
Much love,


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Release Day

As the day winds to an end I’m filled with the profound sense of relief.  Release day is over.  The stress of getting it right, of participating blogs in the blog tour is over.
Do I have any sales? No.  
Does that discourage me? Not at all.
Instead I’m thankful.  I’m thankful for all the people that supported this endeavor.  I’m thankful for all the blogs participating in the blog tour in this coming week.  I’m thankful because I made it to today. 
I will be frank.  I wanted to give up.  There were moments when there was nothing I wanted to do more than give up, trash the entire manuscript and go about my life as if I wasn’t plagued with visions of a story that wouldn’t type out correctly.  
Instead I had friends that threatened me in all manners of ways if I gave up.  Friends that believed even when I didn’t.  Friends that didn’t call me crazy, but instead called me…well crazy. Lol. 
Even with the way things stand at the end of today I feel successful.  I am successful.  I am successful because I finished.  I am successful because I never gave up.  Even if I make nothing from this, I’ve learned so much from this experience there is no way for me to feel anything other than successful.  
It’s time to start on the second book, and hopefully not make the mistakes that I made for the first one again.  I’m hoping to make new mistakes, so I can learn from those as well.  A lessoned learned is always an accomplishment in my book. 
I’ve even posted a cute little status bar thingy in the margin.  To keep track of progress.  For myself and for anyone that wants to see.  Each word is progress.  And progress is, well, always an accomplishment.  
What I’m trying to say is thank you, I’m not giving up and I’m moving forward.  For everyone that made this the best day of my life. (To date).  You are great, awesome, wonderful people and you mean a lot to me. 
And as Confucius would say (or maybe it’s Aristotle) “The only way to fail is not to get up when you fall.” Or something close to that. (I’m not looking it up.).  To everyone that’s struggling and thinking about giving up – don’t.  Keep going.  You’ll make it.  I’m sure of it. 
P.S. For those that want it - You can make purchase on Amazon for both Ebook or Paperback HERE .

Indie Life: Winding Down

Hosted by the Indelibles, Indie Life is a monthly feature on the second Wednesday of the month.  This is a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.
  Before I began I would like to make note that moving day is in two days.  At this time I’m packing, getting everything ready for release day in seven days and making sure I remember to eat, since that’s not very high on priorities at the moment.  With that being said…  I AM CRAZY. 
I really shouldn’t complain.  The book is done and ready to go.  I’ve got a giveaway up on Goodreads and got my bookmarks swag in the mail.  I want to get more swag, like pins or something.  What other kind of swag can/should I get? Where should I go for it?
Being a debut Indie author is hard.  Lol.  I’ve learned a lot from this process.  I’ve made a bunch of mistakes that I won’t make again as well.  But overall, it’s a learning process, and there’s a learning curve.  I’m happy to say I don’t think I’ve made the same mistake twice at least. 
The most important thing I’ve learned so far is expect rough water.  This is not a smooth sailing process.  There are going to be hitches.  It’s my reaction to them that is going to make it a huge deal or a small one. 
I’m thrilled I hired a cover artist.  While, I am exceptional skilled in Photoshop, I’m just too close to the story to create a cover objectively.  I found an awesome artist relayed my vision and poof  - beautiful cover.  All with minimum fuss.  It gave me the time to focus on what was really important: telling my story. 
Beta readers are super important.  I don’t think I would have all the detail I do without my betas.  I’m really pleased with how that turned out and look forward to using them again.  Though, I did find this service called “Fresh Eyes Critique” that I may add in after the Beta process just for an additional pair of unclouded eyes. (I read this one at least a dozen times trying to get it right.  I’m hoping with the next to only have to read it half of that.)
I’ve also learned that while I love writing I hate editing.  I’m currently conversing with several people for editing purposes.  I can tell a story, but don’t ask me if the grammar is right because I honestly couldn’t tell you. Even now, after all is said and done, I’m still not sure if some of the grammar is correct. >_<
Overall, though, it’s definitely something I’ve learned from and hope to apply in the future to the sequel.  It’s been really fun, even with the chaos, and the glitches and the setbacks.  But that’s to be expected I think with any Virgin run. I’m still not sure if all my “T”s are crossed or not but I’m okay with that.  I’ll deal with situations as they come up and hope for the best. ^_^

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GIVEAWAY!

Goodreads giveaway is finally up! ^_^ PLEASE share with friends!



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Goodreads Book Giveaway Of Gaea by Victoria Escobar Giveaway ends March 20, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win


I'm so excited! Who doesn't love a FREE AUTOGRAPHED book? ^_^ Please enter.

Chaos Ensues...

I'm truly very sorry I haven't been around. As D-Day approaches I feel myself stretching thinner and thinner... I'm excited to announce Of Gaea is in the final stages of prep. We will be go for launch in T minus Fifteen days. Just seeing it typed on the screen like that makes me giddy and anxious.

However, since I've been pulling excerpts for the blog tour with Girls Heart Books Blog Tours, I thought I should give you one, as an apology for my absence. It's bound to happen again...

At the end of the hall, Leonidas pushed on a tile in the wall. The panel slid open to reveal an elevator. It was just as brightly lit as the main gallery which made the ride down a little more tolerable. Ari had no idea how far down they went before the elevator dinged to a stop.

When the doors opened there were books as far as the eyes could see. They disappeared into the shadows. There were no windows and the lights were dim. Several of them flickered, dangerously close to blowing out. It made the entire room look like something out of a horror movie.

“Charming.” Sasha quipped. “Do you keep your coffin down here, too?”

^_^ That's all I'm going to tease you with tonight. I give love to you all and be safe.

I need to Post More...

I'm truly very sorry I haven't been around. As D-Day approaches I feel myself stretching thinner and thinner... I'm excited to announce Of Gaea is in the final stages of prep. We will be go for launch in T minus Fifteen days. Just seeing it typed on the screen like that makes me giddy and anxious.

However, since I've been pulling excerpts for the blog tour with Girls Heart Books Blog Tours, I thought I should give you one, as an apology for my absence. It's bound to happen again...

At the end of the hall, Leonidas pushed on a tile in the wall. The panel slid open to reveal an elevator. It was just as brightly lit as the main gallery which made the ride down a little more tolerable. Ari had no idea how far down they went before the elevator dinged to a stop.

When the doors opened there were books as far as the eyes could see. They disappeared into the shadows. There were no windows and the lights were dim. Several of them flickered, dangerously close to blowing out. It made the entire room look like something out of a horror movie.

“Charming.” Sasha quipped. “Do you keep your coffin down here, too?”

^_^ That's all I'm going to tease you with tonight. I give love to you all and be safe.

Cover Reveal!

It’s that time!  I’m so very happy to FINALLY be able to share this with you! It came out so beautifully! 
Thank you so much, Girls Heart Books Tours for hosting the cover reveal!  I absolutely love these girls! You should too! (And isn't the banner just precious?)
And another thank you to Art is Life: Cover and ArtDesign for such wonderful work.  She definitely knows how to make a dream a reality!  It was an awesomely hassle free and painless experience.  ^_^
So now that I’m done raving about all the FANTASTIC women in my life I guess I should show you the cover huh? Lol.  Well here it is!


And the Synopsis (why are they so hard to write?):

Her choice will change the world.
She hated the wheelchair. Hated the way it made her feel less than what she was. Most of all she hated not being able to do all the things she used to. Ari had been a track and field star, an archery champion and an Eskrima pro. Now she was confined to a wheelchair slowly dying inside from its restraints.
Medical science wasn’t working. The tests, the drugs, the therapies were all useless and a waste of time. She was tired of wasting her time; she was tired of failure. It was time to look away from the obvious and try something unconventional.
Nothing was ever free and that included miracles. Abruptly, Ari finds herself tangled in a web of lies, questioning everything she’s ever known as truth. Never had she believed she’d be thrown headfirst into a world of good and evil, magic and Gods.
Trapped in the middle of a war she had never known existed both parties demanded her allegiance. Ari was a catalyst that could change all the rules of the Earth. But when the time comes to make a choice will she be strong enough to know right from wrong?

Expected release date is March 20th, 2013 through Amazon.  For those that do not have a kindle worry not, I am in the process of trying to figure out the coding so that you may purchase it directly from me in Epub format.  
What did I tell you? Gorgeous, no? And just to make things official you can find it here on Goodreads too!  
Nineteen days until release! *collapses into a nervous puddle*