Michelle Proulx's Blog, page 9
August 11, 2015
Slowly but surely, we’re getting there (with the sequel)!
August has dawned sunny and hot, and work on Chasing Nonconformity proceeds slowly but surely.
All the beta reader feedback is in and has been incorporated into the manuscript. The book is currently with my editor/manager/mother Linda Schneidereit, who’s doing a final read-through of the story in case she wants to make any last-minute suggestions. She really, really likes to make last-minute suggestions. We’re putting her on a 10-step program. (Just kidding, mom, you know I appreciate you!!!)
Once she gets done that, I give it one more read-through, then format it for print and ship a proof copy to myself. Read it through one more time, make any necessary changes … and voila! Published sequel ready to go!
So I’m still aiming for an end of August release date, although my plans were slightly discombobulated by mother’s trip out East to visit me. Which was awesome, actually — we did all the Nova Scotia touristy things, like see Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, the Bay of Fundy, etc. But it did push the sequel stuff back by two weeks, so now we’re attempting to get our ducks back in order.
In conclusion, the timeline for Chasing Nonconformity‘s publication is slightly delayed but hopefully will happen by the end of August. If not, we’re talking early September. But I’m working my hardest on it, and I promise I’ll get it out to you guys as soon as humanly possible!
Stay awesome, and have an excellent Tuesday.
Unrelated media of the day:
A fun song for all you Castlevania / video game lovers out there.
July 20, 2015
Imminent Danger Sequel Update
Great news! Revisions for Chasing Nonconformity are coming along quite nicely. I’ve got all my beta reader feedback in, save for two folks who are sending it my way soon. And I’ve incorporated all the feedback I already have into the story. I’m now in the process of re-reading the book and making random edits here and there as I go.
Once I get the last two remaining beta reader comments back and get their suggestions worked in, I’ll send the novel off to my editor/manager/life coach/mother, who’ll read it through and make her own random edits. Then it comes back to me for another read through. And maybe a few more random edits. Definitely a few more random edits.
Next up, formatting time! The book goes into my Createspace book formatting document, where I add pretty chapter headers and put in page numbers and whatnot. Then I send off the page count to my graphic designer so she can whip me up the paperback version of the cover. Then I print off 2 copies of the book — one for mother, one for me — and we do more reading and editing.
Finally, once we’ve read and edited the proof copies to our hearts’ content, and I’ve gotten the fancy paperback cover from my designer, it’s publishing time! Ebook goes live, paperback goes live — victory!
So that’s the game plan. We’re looking at a mid to late August release date at the moment, depending on when I get that beta reader feedback in, and how long mother’s multiple read-throughs take. She’s busy with house renovations, so she’s low on free time, whereas I’m totally unemployed and have all the time in the world! Huzzah!
Have an awesome week, everyone, and thanks for reading the update!
Unrelated media of the day:
I have a weird feeling I already shared this one, but I never removed the bookmark, so maybe not. Either way, enjoy!
Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/Ckva71C
July 15, 2015
Cover Reveal! A Vampire at Christmas (Anthony Renfro)
Today I’m happy to help out fellow self-pubbed author Anthony Renfro with his cover reveal for A Vampire at Christmas.
Here’s a brief synopsis:
A short story about a Vampire who uses his riches and immortal skills to bring joy to those in need during the Christmas Season.
And here’s an excerpt:
Talan Gawayn became a vampire in the 15th century on a cold, starry, full-moon night just after the first big snow of November. He was walking a less traveled path, on his way home from seeing his fiancé, whom he planned to marry the following spring, when three men stepped out of the shadows to rob him. He fought them at first, but they soon overpowered him, beat him ruthlessly, laughing as they did it, drunk and looking for someone to rob. They had found it in Talan who was so hopelessly in love he hadn’t seen them sneak up on him.
While he lay there in the snow dying from his injuries, one eye shut and swollen, the other able to see only a blurry vision, he thought he saw something, something moving quick and fast. The men who had beaten him were counting out their stolen money when this thing attacked them. It tore through their flesh, ripped out their throats savagely; and didn’t just drain the robbers of their precious blood, but this thing seemed to almost be bathing in it while it fed.
Talan tried to stay focused, tried to see what this thing was, but his will gave out and his good eye closed. He passed out into an injured slumber.
Weight.
Something heavy was straddling him …
And here’s the cover:
Check it out here!
US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KRCCTU0?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KRCCTU0?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00KRCCTU0?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
CA: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00KRCCTU0?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
July 6, 2015
Pro Editing Tip: Remove Filter Words
Today’s editing tip is courtesy of the glorious Nicholas C Rossis, who was kind enough to beta read Chasing Nonconformity. (Note: Yes, I’ve finally started revisions! Book should be out by summer’s end! Huzzah!)
In his excellent beta reading notes, he mentioned my overuse of “filter words”. These are, essentially, words that make the world seem as if it’s being filtered through the character’s eyes.
So, for example:
With filter: Gabby felt her heart shatter into 1,558,309 pieces.
Without filter: Gabby’s heart shattered into 1,558,309 pieces.
Another example:
With filter: Humphrey heard someone squawk violently.
Without filter: Someone squawked violently.
One more:
With filter: Olivia saw the duck transmogrify into a treble clef.
Without filter: The duck transmogrified into a treble clef.
Removing filter words will both tighten up your writing, as well as help to remove that extra layer of distance between you and the character. And removing distance is always a good thing. Not removing distance leads to separation anxiety, which leads to my roommate’s dog literally crashing through the screen door to reach her owner.
To learn more about filter words, the extraordinary Nicholas C Rossis recommends this article. Seeing as I’ve now described him as both “glorious” and “extraordinary”, I’m confident we can trust his good judgment.
To infinity and beyond!
Unrelated media of the day:
Random Harry Potter jokes, because my roommate has been marathoning the HP movies and it seems appropriate …
Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/QO5Z6
Reminder: Imminent Danger is free to download today (July 6, 2015) — grab it if you haven’t read it yet!
July 3, 2015
YA Dystopian Cliches
Before you check out the awesome cliches below, I advise you to put it in your calendar to hop over to Amazon tomorrow, because Imminent Danger is free to download Saturday-Monday!
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All credit for these goes to https://twitter.com/DystopianYA.
July 1, 2015
Awesome Review-That’s-Not-A-Review
I’ve been meaning to share this for a while now, but I keep forgetting. Anyway, today’s the day!
Back in April, I got a new review for Imminent Danger, and I basically died laughing because it was so ridiculous. Here it is, in all its screencapped glory:
I wish they’d attached more stars to the review, but it’s still pretty phenomenal the way it is.
That’s all, folks! Happy Canada Day for all you Canadians out there, and for everyone else, have a sunny and wonderful Wednesday!
Unrelated media of the day:
Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/FzhCw
June 21, 2015
The Dangers of Naming Characters After Friends
Yesterday morning, I got an email from my mother. She’s been compiling all the comments from beta readers for Chasing Nonconformity (you rock, mama!), and during this activity she came to the realization that I have yet to name a character after her.
Oh dear.
This arose as a result of my naming one of the characters in the sequel “Akaeli”, which was inspired by my roommate Kaleigh. I have a habit of calling her name in a sing-song voice when she walks through the front door, and have grown very fond of her name as a result. Hence, I borrowed her name, alienized it, and stuck it in Chasing Nonconformity. I would like to note that the character wasn’t based on her in any way, shape, or form — her name just inspired the character’s name.
Which brings me back to my mother, who put forward the question: Why have I named a major character after my roommate, but none after my own mother/editor/manager/life-giver?
The basic reason I gave her is that I haven’t named a character after her because I don’t name characters after people. Sure, I’ll honor my friends by throwing in their name as like a school name (Barlow Collegiate Institute!) or a kind of pudding or something, but I don’t do that with characters. Characters get names that fit them, that work with the story and the setting and the culture. If one of my friends’ names gets twisted around into a major character, it’s not because I felt a pressing need to insert them in the story, or because I have chosen to honor them above all others — it’s because I enjoy the way their name sounds, and think it goes well with the character.
Mother accepted my reasoning, as she is an eminently reasonable woman, and the topic was put to rest. So, all’s well that ends well.
What about you guys? Have you named characters/buildings/stuff in your books after friends? And if so (or if not!), what have your friends said in response?
Unrelated link of the day:
Funny article about romance hero tropes: Things I’ve Learned About Heterosexual Female Desire From Decades Of Reading
June 20, 2015
Not Long Before The End
Misha Burnett claims I’m a hyper-intelligent extra-dimensional life form. WHO TOLD HIM???
Originally posted on mishaburnett:
This weekend I am engaging in what I devoutly wish to be the final round of edits on Gingerbread Wolves. If all goes well I should be clicking on that big shiny red publish button by tomorrow afternoon.
I am working from the outstanding notes given to me by The Proulx, a hyperintelligent extra-dimensional life form with the power to appear to be a Canadian to mortal eyes. I read her latest work, the (soon?) to be publishedChasing Nonconformity and wrote back that I thought it was pure distilled awesome sauce and she shouldn’t change a word, except maybe for the first chapter.
She read Gingerbread Wolves and sent me back voluminous notes and the whole thing edited, with a warning that under Galactic Law my use of commas is punishable by five years on the Penal Moon of Verminthrax VII.
Way to make me…
View original 79 more words
June 13, 2015
New Imminent Danger Fan Art! (from Celeste DeWolfe)
That’s right! The perfectly wonderful Celeste DeWolfe has just finished beta reading Chasing Nonconformity (she loved it!) and she was inspired to draw two new pieces of fan art for Imminent Danger. Check them out below.
Also, I’m happy to report that I’ve gotten back a handful of beta reading comments thus far for the sequel, and it’s good news all around! There were a couple of logistical errors that people pointed out, which will need to be addressed, and of course a handful of typos, but other than that it’s looking good!
And now, the fan art …
Eris’s mental breakdown at the Chakra Corp labs. Artist: Celeste DeWolfe
Gender-bent Eris and Varrin (Eric and Varra? lol). Artist: Celeste DeWolfe
My personal favorite is the second one — gender-bent Eris and Varrin is just so fun! You know you’ve made it as an author when someone makes gender-bent fan art, lol. Also, I can’t get over how dorky male-Eris looks. But, like, in an adorable way.
Anyway, everyone have a fantastic weekend, and stay awesome!
June 1, 2015
Book Review: Runaway Smile (Nicholas C. Rossis)
The Book
Runaway Smile (read for free here)
The Genre
Children’s Fiction
The Author
Nicholas C. Rossis: avid reader, web developer, architect by training, holder of a PhD in Digital Architecture from the University of Edinburgh. Author of the epic fantasy series Pearseus and the sci-fi short story collection The Power of Six, all Amazon best-sellers.
The Plot
A little boy wakes up in the morning and realizes he has lost his smile. After spending the entire day trying to find it, he learns the truth behind smiles: the only real smiles are the shared ones.
The Review
I adored this book. It’s short, it’s sweet, and the illustrations are gorgeous. It’s not just a kid’s book, either — the story is packed full of random hilarious details, like the fact that the boy’s dog is a legitimate superhero who wears glasses at home ala Clark Kent and then puts on his superhero costume and runs off to save the city while his master is at school. And the message is just really sweet — only real smiles are the ones that can be shared. The best kid’s book I’ve read in a long time — would definitely recommend!
The Rating
5 out of 5 smiles!
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Click here to visit Nicholas C. Rossis’s website! And here’s the Amazon link. Happy reading!
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Unrelated media of the day:
Awesome wedding invitation someone received …
Source: http://imgur.com/gallery/SuaPquR
