S.P. Cervantes's Blog, page 4
October 15, 2012
Final Countdown
It is hard to believe that in less than a month one of my dreams will have come true! It seems like a lifetime ago when I started writing Always and Forever. I was 7 month pregnant with twins and on bed rest when I first started writing about Ava and Shadow Hill, trying to keep my mind active and focused on something other than the uncomfortable aches and pains in my legs from being on bed rest.
Now, 3 years later, Always and Forever is the first book of a series. I started back into writing the third book in the series a month ago and have been getting chills as I determine the future for Ava and Shadow Hill. I have am filled with excitement thinking of my readers taking this journey with me, and hope that while reading these stories you will all become as connected to these characters as I have.
If nothing else, this experience has taught me to be brave. I have always been stifled worrying about what others will think of me, never taking risks, rather making choices I know I would be successful at. Life is easier that way, right? As I have gotten older, and dare I say wiser, I realized I want to be a role model of confidence for my children. I am pretty good at "acting" confident, but that was because I always try to be in situations where I knew what to expect, not leaving my comfort zone. The process of getting a book published has definitely been outside of my comfort zone.
Every time I write, every time I edit my stories, I feel proud. Writing a novel is not easy, and certainly takes time, and I am proud that I have been able to balance being a loving and present mom for my kids, a partner
to my husband, a prepared and engaged teacher, all while writing a story about characters that I have grown to love. I tell my kids and my students each day to believe it themselves, that they can do anything they can put their mind to. I know that no matter what happens, I did just that, and will never look back
again and wonder "what if?"
I would love to hear your experiences of a time when you took a chance, went out of your comfort zone, and reached for the stars!
I hope you all will enjoy reading Always and Forever as much as I loved writing it!
Now, 3 years later, Always and Forever is the first book of a series. I started back into writing the third book in the series a month ago and have been getting chills as I determine the future for Ava and Shadow Hill. I have am filled with excitement thinking of my readers taking this journey with me, and hope that while reading these stories you will all become as connected to these characters as I have.
If nothing else, this experience has taught me to be brave. I have always been stifled worrying about what others will think of me, never taking risks, rather making choices I know I would be successful at. Life is easier that way, right? As I have gotten older, and dare I say wiser, I realized I want to be a role model of confidence for my children. I am pretty good at "acting" confident, but that was because I always try to be in situations where I knew what to expect, not leaving my comfort zone. The process of getting a book published has definitely been outside of my comfort zone.
Every time I write, every time I edit my stories, I feel proud. Writing a novel is not easy, and certainly takes time, and I am proud that I have been able to balance being a loving and present mom for my kids, a partner
to my husband, a prepared and engaged teacher, all while writing a story about characters that I have grown to love. I tell my kids and my students each day to believe it themselves, that they can do anything they can put their mind to. I know that no matter what happens, I did just that, and will never look back
again and wonder "what if?"
I would love to hear your experiences of a time when you took a chance, went out of your comfort zone, and reached for the stars!
I hope you all will enjoy reading Always and Forever as much as I loved writing it!
October 6, 2012
September 30, 2012
44 More Days
Only 44 more days until the November 13th release of Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever! My nervousness is now turning to pure excitement with the big day finally almost here. I feel like I am 7 years old and waiting for Christmas to come as I mark my calendar when each day passes!
My book trailer will be ready soon, and I can’t wait to see what Center One has come up with to
help spread the word about Always and Forever. All of my reader support and reviews on Amazon.com after the release will be a HUGE help to exposing my book to more lovers of Young Adult Fantasy.
I have been working on the third book of the Secrets of Shadow Hill series and it seems hard to believe that very few people have even been introduced to the characters I have grown to love…I might burst with anticipation waiting for readers to enter the magical world of Shadow Hill with me. I hope everyone will feel the same suspenseful anticipation and surprise when they read my novels as I do writing them.
I am also looking forward to my first trip to Miami, for the Miami-Dade International Book Fair to launch Always and Forever with Center One Publishing.
I am now off to spend the day with my family celebrating my sweet daughters 3rd birthday. Have a happy last day of September!
My book trailer will be ready soon, and I can’t wait to see what Center One has come up with to
help spread the word about Always and Forever. All of my reader support and reviews on Amazon.com after the release will be a HUGE help to exposing my book to more lovers of Young Adult Fantasy.
I have been working on the third book of the Secrets of Shadow Hill series and it seems hard to believe that very few people have even been introduced to the characters I have grown to love…I might burst with anticipation waiting for readers to enter the magical world of Shadow Hill with me. I hope everyone will feel the same suspenseful anticipation and surprise when they read my novels as I do writing them.
I am also looking forward to my first trip to Miami, for the Miami-Dade International Book Fair to launch Always and Forever with Center One Publishing.
I am now off to spend the day with my family celebrating my sweet daughters 3rd birthday. Have a happy last day of September!
September 21, 2012
Moment of Truth
As the release date for Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever draws near, I find myself teetering between excitement and nerves. Having a book published has always been a dream of mine, although it was not one I ever thought possible.
There have been many times in my life where I have dared to dream, but I never had the confidence to fully try for them. Writing has been something I have always loved to do, but was too insecure to share with others. I have written many short stories throughout the year that have sat in my computer taking up space. When I wrote Always and Forever, I never intended to have it published, I did it purely for pleasure and entertainment while on bedrest during my pregnancy. After letting the 90,000 word manuscript sit in my computer for a year, I got up the nerve to ask my twin sister to read it becasue I really thought it was something special. For any of you who are a twin, you will know that by asking her to read this meant I was opening myself up for the most honest ciriticism...twins don't hold back. My sister is an avid reader and excellent writer herself, so I trusted her opinion. After her glowing reviews and encouragement, I decided to submit my manuscript to publishing houses and entered it in contests. Of course many people suggested going the self publishing route, but I felt that if it was good enough to be published then it would be picked up. Much to my surprise I had some great feedback and actually was able to make a choice between three publishers, choosing Center One Publishing becasue they were a growing company and truly showed they care about their authors.
Now that I am less than two months away from my dreams becoming a reality, I wonder how others will take to my style of writing and the characters that I have grown to love. While I don't claim to be Tolken, I have to say I am so very proud that I have taken the chance to put myself and my writing out there. I am so glad that I finally found the courage within myself to finally shoot for the stars, and follow my dreams!
There have been many times in my life where I have dared to dream, but I never had the confidence to fully try for them. Writing has been something I have always loved to do, but was too insecure to share with others. I have written many short stories throughout the year that have sat in my computer taking up space. When I wrote Always and Forever, I never intended to have it published, I did it purely for pleasure and entertainment while on bedrest during my pregnancy. After letting the 90,000 word manuscript sit in my computer for a year, I got up the nerve to ask my twin sister to read it becasue I really thought it was something special. For any of you who are a twin, you will know that by asking her to read this meant I was opening myself up for the most honest ciriticism...twins don't hold back. My sister is an avid reader and excellent writer herself, so I trusted her opinion. After her glowing reviews and encouragement, I decided to submit my manuscript to publishing houses and entered it in contests. Of course many people suggested going the self publishing route, but I felt that if it was good enough to be published then it would be picked up. Much to my surprise I had some great feedback and actually was able to make a choice between three publishers, choosing Center One Publishing becasue they were a growing company and truly showed they care about their authors.
Now that I am less than two months away from my dreams becoming a reality, I wonder how others will take to my style of writing and the characters that I have grown to love. While I don't claim to be Tolken, I have to say I am so very proud that I have taken the chance to put myself and my writing out there. I am so glad that I finally found the courage within myself to finally shoot for the stars, and follow my dreams!
Susan P. Cervantes
S.P Cervantes lives in Orange County, California with her loving husband and three children, where she is a teacher.
She enjoys spending time with her family, writing, and reading, but is always thinking of an idea for her next novel.
S.P. Cervantes graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University Fullerton, and has a Master’s Degree in Education.
S.P. Cervantes recently has completed the second novel in the Secrets of Shadow Hill Series, Secrets of Shadow Hill: Prophecy, and is currently writing the third novel in this exciting series.
