Jen McConnel's Blog, page 59
September 1, 2012
How do you read e-books?
I’ve been going back and forth on the question of using Smashwords to distribute The Burning of Isobel Key, and I realized that it would make the most sense to ask y’all.
How do you read your e-books? I’ve got a Kindle, but I know there are other options out there. Take a second to answer this quick question, and I’ll be forever grateful!
Take Our Poll
Many thanks, folks!
August 31, 2012
It’s here: the official trailer for The Burning of Isobel Key
What do y’all think?
Blue Moon
Today is a blue moon!
That means it’s the second full moon in a month. It’s a rare occurrence: according to Wikipedia, we only have blue moons every two or three years.
Because it’s rare, it’s a time of magic.
(Well, every day is magical, if you ask me!)
Blue moons are about dreams coming true, about things that can only happen “once in a blue moon.”
So harness the power of La Bella Luna and make a wish. The sky’s the limit: remember, this is a blue moon!
Sending love and light into the universe with a wish and a prayer for my dreams to come true. Anything can happen, and I open my arms and my heart to the magic of this blue moon.
What do you wish for today?
August 30, 2012
New feature: Three Things
When I first read Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project, a lot of her advice resonated with me. (She’s got a new book out this fall, squee!) But the biggest thing that her book shifted for me is about being thankful. Rubin suggests keeping a short list of the things you are thankful for each day, and this has become a part of my nightly journaling. I’ve decided to extend my gratitude to this public forum, in the hopes of encouraging y’all to share, as well.
That’s where Three Things comes in.
This new Thursday feature will be exactly what it sounds like: I’ll share three things I’m thankful for, and then you can post your own responses in the comments.
So, without further ado, my first three things:
1. Sunny days
2. A kitty snoring on my computer tower (her favorite place to nap)
3. Coffee
What are your three things right now?
August 29, 2012
Writers on Wednesday: Jessie Harrell, author of DESTINED
This week, my guest is Jessie Harrell, author of DESTINED. This excellent YA retelling of the myth of Psyche and Cupid kept me on the edge of my seat, and Harrell has recently released BEFORE, a companion story to DESTINED. She joins me today to talk about her writing process.
1. When did you start writing?
I started writing probably about 4 or 5 years ago when my husband jokingly commented that we should write picture books because “how hard can that be?” Thinking he may be onto something, I took an online writing class, realized writing good picture books is really hard, and decided young adult is what I was meant to write. The rest, as they say, is history.
2. Are you a pantser or a planner?
I’m much more of a pantser. Destined was sort of unique in that the basic plot was already in place and my job was finding ways to make it fresh and new and weave in different stories. That came to me very organically. I’m trying hard to be a planner for my next novel though because I’m not recreating an existing myth and I feel like I need at least a road map in place.
3. Can you give us an idea of your writing process?
I’ve been “off the wagon” for a bit lately, working more on promoting my work, editing, or creating short stories lately. When I am in novel-writing mode, you’ll find me eeking out every spare minute to write. When the kids go to bed, I have a couple of hours. When they’re at sports practices, I take my laptop and work. I’ve even been known to put them in my gym’s babysitting and work in the lobby, just to have an uninterrupted hour. For someone who works part time already, that’s a very intense process. I had to cut out all TV except True Blood. I don’t even watch the news so don’t ask me about current events. I have no clue. Eek!
4. Which authors have influenced your work?
I’m not sure anyone likes this answer, but the truth is that Stephanie Meyer had the biggest influence on me when I was getting into this business. I loved Twilight and I wanted so badly to create the kind of connection she had developed between Bella and Edward. I knew Psyche and Eros had a whole different kind of relationship going on, but I was really inspired by her to create a love that readers would connect with.
5. What are you plans/future projects/new releases that we should be aware of?
I’m really hoping that a modern-day (but still mythology-based) novel called Beneath the Surface gets off the ground soon. I co-wrote it with Nikki Katz and it has a special place in my heart. I’m also one chapter (yes, be in awe of my work ethic on this one) into a companion novel for Destined, so if you liked the setting of ancient Greece and interaction with the gods, Oracular is my next project in that area.
6. Any tips for new writers?
Go to conferences – they are energizing and you learn a lot. Follow agents and editors on their blogs and twitter to stay up on the trends and get tips. Be involved in writing organizations like #yalitchat and SCBWI. Find some solid critique partners whose feedback you trust and value.
7. Any tips for old writers?
Networking means so much among writers. Find your writer friends and help each other. This doesn’t have to be a lonely business (especially if you’re an Indie author like me — there’s lots of support out there among other Indies).
Jessie Harrell “You cannot escape what is DESTINED.”
Jessie’s books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, and Book Depository.
Social Media Links:
Blog: http://jessie-harrell.blogspot.com
website: www.jessieharrell.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jessieharrell
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessieHarrell.Author
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4965551.Jessie_Harrell
August 28, 2012
August 27, 2012
Vacation: Part III Seattle
If you’ve been following this blog for awhile, you know that I love all things Egypt. What does Seattle have to do with Egypt, you ask?
There’s a wonderful exhibit on Egypt in general and Tut specifically at the Pacific Science Center right now, and when hubby and I were on vacation earlier this month, his aunt took us to the museum.
If you get a chance to go, I highly recommend the IMAX film on mummies: lots of good information, plus they make a modern mummy, which is really cool (if a little creepy).
Other highlights:
The gold. While there isn’t much, the pieces that are on display are phenomenal. Some beautiful jewelry, and a funerary mask for a Pharaoh I’d never heard of, Psusennes I.
The sculptures. This exhibit may not have a lot of gold, but it does have a lot of really fine examples of three dimensional Egyptian artwork spanning multiple dynasties. I was entranced by most of it.
The layout. Everything is well-lit, creatively arranged, and organized so that the visitor isn’t overwhelmed. I’ve been to my share of poorly-designed museums (the worst actually being the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which one tour book describes as “grandma’s attic”), but this exhibit was easy on the eyes and very enjoyable.
Photos. Most museums are a bit touchy about pictures, but this exhibit was open for personal photography as long as you a) didn’t use the flash, and b) didn’t pose with the artifacts. Those are rules I can abide by!
The gift shop. It wasn’t ’til we reached the gift shop that I realized that the Egyptian Museum in Cairo had provided intense collaboration on this exhibit. Yay national treasures being cared for by the nation that created them (and, well, I just have a huge soft spot for the country of Egypt, and I was more than happy to load up on official “made in Egypt” souvenirs, even though I was just there two years ago. Hopefully MOST of the money makes it back!)
So what are you waiting for? If you are west-coast bound, the exhibit is up until January of 2013.
What’s your favorite museum? Where is it located, and why do you love it?
August 24, 2012
Two ways to win a copy of Isobel Key!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Burning of Isobel Key
by Jen McConnel
Giveaway ends September 21, 2012.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Two days in to this giveaway, and I am IN LOVE with Goodreads. It’s a great way to connect with readers, and I can’t wait to see the results of this giveaway. So what are you waiting for? Scoot on over and click to enter today!
I’m ready to start offering ARCs to bloggers and reviewers, and since it’s Friday, I’m feeling generous. I’m offering THREE Kindle downloads of The Burning of Isobel Key. To win? Leave a comment with your email address on this post if you’re interested in reading an ARC. I’ll be drawing the winning names on Thursday, August 30th.
Spread the word about both giveaways!
August 22, 2012
Writers on Wednesday: Stuart Albright, author of BULL CITY
This week, I’m happy to have the chance to interview Stuart Albright. This North Carolina author writes gritty realism, and his newest novel, BULL CITY, kept me on the edge of my seat.
1. When did you start writing?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, starting with angst-y love poetry when I was in high school (every year, I read one of my own love poems from age 17 to my creative writing students before I ask them to read their own poetry out loud, as a way to ease their own anxieties.) My writing evolved as a creative writing minor at UNC, where I was exposed to some amazing faculty members. My first book, Blessed Returns, began in chapter form at this time.
2. Are you a pantser or a planner?
Panster? I had to google that one. I kind of like that term. I’m more of a planner, starting with a basic framework for a story but being open-minded enough to let the writing send my plans in directions I never could have predicted in advance. I think this is one of the beautiful things about art, if an artist truly lets their creativity run free.
3. Can you give us an idea of your writing process?
I rarely begin with the end in mind, but I cannot immerse myself in a story until I have characters who are worth hanging out with for a year plus, and I usually have several big ideas floating around that excite me. For my new book, Bull City, I began with a rather loaded question: Do we live in a post-racial America? I choose four main characters – two African American, one Pakistani, and one white – to explore this question in various ways.
4. Which authors have influenced your work?
Almost too many to count. Let’s see: Pat Conroy, Dennis Lehane, Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin, Khaled Hosseini, Charles Frazier, Tom Wolfe (as well as Thomas Wolfe), John Irving, David Guterson, Ian McEwan, Buzz Bissinger, Jonathan Kozol. Whenever I find a writer who moves me in some way, I try to read everything they have published.
5. What are you plans/future projects/new releases that we should be aware of?
I just released my third book, Bull City, at the beginning of the summer (see www.stuartalbright.com for more details.) I’ve been pretty good about consistently writing a book every three years or so, but we’ll see how that changes now that my wife is expecting our second child in early September. It’s been hard enough carving time to write with a two year old; adding another boy into the mix will definitely keep me on my toes. I’m about 7,000 words into book four, a nonfiction take on teenagers and the ways in which stereotypes about this age group are becoming more and more obsolete. Bull City is filled with stories that were drawn from my high school classes, and this new book will be even more directly focused on what it means to be a teenager today.
6. Any tips for new writers?
Writing is hard work, and it requires discipline. Find a set time and place to write and stick to a routine. If you wait for inspiration to fall in your lap from the creative Muses, you will never complete a project. Sometimes I sit in front of the computer screen and the words come easily. Other times it is hell on earth. But like a sculptor, you can’t mold clay if there is nothing to work with.
7. Any tips for old writers?
Allow yourself to be happy in other areas of your life outside of writing. Fall in love. Take the time to soak in the beauty of a crisp fall day. Fill yourself up emotionally so that your body is fortified for whatever writing task is at hand.
Find out more about Stuart at http://www.stuartalbright.com/
August 21, 2012
Cover Reavel: The Burning of Isobel Key
It’s finally here…
the day when I can share the cover for my debut novel, The Burning of Isobel Key.
Without further ado, here it is:
*Bounces up and down*
I found an amazing artist, Heidi Sutherlin, through Elance. She did the ebook cover, the paperback cover, and all kinds of fun extras (like a FB banner and wallpaper). I am thrilled with her work, and can’t wait to use her again. If you need any artwork, contact Heidi!
The website for the book went live today, too, so surf on over to IsobelKey.com and check it out.
It’s finally feeling real. The book is in final copy edits, and is due to be published in early October. If you are interested in winning an ARC, check back next month for a contest!
What makes you happy today?
