Susan Soares's Blog, page 2
August 15, 2014
Feature Friday! Author Brenda Maxfield
Author Spotlight-
Brenda Maxfield
Blurb- Cornered (Ocean Mist Book Two):
Seventeen-year-old Courtney Phillips is striving to earn an internship to escape from her unhappy home. But when her mother becomes ill, Courtney is stuck caring for her rebellious sister, Tiffany, and her little brother—until Tiffany runs off to live with their dead-beat dad.
Track star Keegan Hank’s current girlfriend is cheating on him, but having fallen for him herself, Courtney is afraid to tell her best friend the truth. When Keegan discovers that Courtney withheld the facts about his girlfriend, he rejects her apologies.
Courtney finally lands an interview for her dream internship, but mysterious calls from Tiffany spell trouble. Courtney must now find a way to win Keegan’s love and rescue her sister without jeopardizing her own future.
Excerpt-The phone rang in Mrs. Johnson’s calculus class, and I sank into my chair with dread. She scuffled to answer it, clucked a few times into the receiver, and pressed it to her chest. Peering at us over her glasses, she zoned in on me.“Courtney, please report to the office.”A few of the kids snickered, probably with relief. I stood to leave and glanced over at Keegan.He brushed a few strands of hair away from his deep brown eyes and offered me his sympathy face. I grimaced, shrugged, and pushed through the door into the empty hallway. My flats clacked out my progress with a hollow echo.The secretary, Mrs. Pellan, waited for me in the office, perched behind the counter like a judgmental owl. “Courtney Phillips, this is getting to be a habit.”“My mom again?” I asked, already knowing her answer.“Yes, and we simply can’t have you interrupted at all hours with these calls. Mr. Anderson is not a happy camper, young lady.”I sighed and held out my hand for the phone.“Court? Are you there?” Mom’s whiny voice trembled through the line.“I’m here, Mom. What’d she do this time?”“The middle school just called, and Tiffy didn’t show up for school again. You know I count on you to get the kids off in the morning.” She paused for a huge gasping breath. “Didn’t you take her to school? She didn’t walk, did she? You and I both know…”I held the phone away from my ear, letting her ramble into the air. Nosy Mrs. Pellan left her chair and inched closer, her eyebrows raised in a thin V across her forehead. I knew from experience Mrs. Pellan loved any hint of gossip. I pressed the phone back to my ear.“…since she can’t do it alone.” Mom had finished her tirade.“Yes, Mother,” I said.“So you’ll do it then?”“Give me a replay.”Mom’s voice quacked an octave higher. “Courtney Phillips, have you listened to one word I’ve said? Now get over there to the middle school and find your sister.”I handed the phone to Mrs. Pellan. “I have to go. Mom will explain. I’ll sign out, but I’m not sure I’ll be back.”I scribbled my name and the time on the clipboard lying on the counter. I dashed out before Mrs. Pellan could return to lecture mode.It wasn’t my fault.But then it never was.
Author Bio-My passion is writing! What could be more delicious than inventing new characters and seeing where they take you?
I'm a teacher so I spend most of my waking hours with young people. I love chatting with them and hearing their views on love and life. My students are magical, and I am honored to be part of their lives.I've lived in Honduras, Grand Cayman, and Costa Rica. Presently, I live in Indiana with my husband, Paul. We have two grown children and three precious grandchildren, special delivery from Africa.When not teaching, I love to hole up in our lake cabin and write -- often with a batch of popcorn nearby. (Oh, and did I mention dark chocolate?)I enjoy getting to know my readers, so feel free to write me at: contact@brendamaxfield.com. Join my Newsletter Gang and get the latest news, contests, releases: http://mad.ly/signups/85744/join. Visit me to learn about all my books and some smart and sassy, clean teen reads: www.brendamaxfield.com Happy Reading!
Buy links- Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/kdlxjya Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/lfvnbzt Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/387538 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19470071-cornered
Social Media links-
Website: http://www.brendamaxfield.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorBrendaMaxfieldGoodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6570620.Brenda_MaxfieldTwitter: https://twitter.com/BrendaMaxfieldBlog: http://www.brendamaxfield.wordpress.com Email: contact@brendamaxfield.comAmazon author Page: http://tinyurl.com/psj82bj
If you're a YA author and like to be featured on Feature Friday and can provide a blog post for a blog post, please contact me at susansoaresbooks@gmail.com
Blurb- Cornered (Ocean Mist Book Two):
Seventeen-year-old Courtney Phillips is striving to earn an internship to escape from her unhappy home. But when her mother becomes ill, Courtney is stuck caring for her rebellious sister, Tiffany, and her little brother—until Tiffany runs off to live with their dead-beat dad.
Track star Keegan Hank’s current girlfriend is cheating on him, but having fallen for him herself, Courtney is afraid to tell her best friend the truth. When Keegan discovers that Courtney withheld the facts about his girlfriend, he rejects her apologies.
Courtney finally lands an interview for her dream internship, but mysterious calls from Tiffany spell trouble. Courtney must now find a way to win Keegan’s love and rescue her sister without jeopardizing her own future.
Excerpt-The phone rang in Mrs. Johnson’s calculus class, and I sank into my chair with dread. She scuffled to answer it, clucked a few times into the receiver, and pressed it to her chest. Peering at us over her glasses, she zoned in on me.“Courtney, please report to the office.”A few of the kids snickered, probably with relief. I stood to leave and glanced over at Keegan.He brushed a few strands of hair away from his deep brown eyes and offered me his sympathy face. I grimaced, shrugged, and pushed through the door into the empty hallway. My flats clacked out my progress with a hollow echo.The secretary, Mrs. Pellan, waited for me in the office, perched behind the counter like a judgmental owl. “Courtney Phillips, this is getting to be a habit.”“My mom again?” I asked, already knowing her answer.“Yes, and we simply can’t have you interrupted at all hours with these calls. Mr. Anderson is not a happy camper, young lady.”I sighed and held out my hand for the phone.“Court? Are you there?” Mom’s whiny voice trembled through the line.“I’m here, Mom. What’d she do this time?”“The middle school just called, and Tiffy didn’t show up for school again. You know I count on you to get the kids off in the morning.” She paused for a huge gasping breath. “Didn’t you take her to school? She didn’t walk, did she? You and I both know…”I held the phone away from my ear, letting her ramble into the air. Nosy Mrs. Pellan left her chair and inched closer, her eyebrows raised in a thin V across her forehead. I knew from experience Mrs. Pellan loved any hint of gossip. I pressed the phone back to my ear.“…since she can’t do it alone.” Mom had finished her tirade.“Yes, Mother,” I said.“So you’ll do it then?”“Give me a replay.”Mom’s voice quacked an octave higher. “Courtney Phillips, have you listened to one word I’ve said? Now get over there to the middle school and find your sister.”I handed the phone to Mrs. Pellan. “I have to go. Mom will explain. I’ll sign out, but I’m not sure I’ll be back.”I scribbled my name and the time on the clipboard lying on the counter. I dashed out before Mrs. Pellan could return to lecture mode.It wasn’t my fault.But then it never was.
Author Bio-My passion is writing! What could be more delicious than inventing new characters and seeing where they take you?
I'm a teacher so I spend most of my waking hours with young people. I love chatting with them and hearing their views on love and life. My students are magical, and I am honored to be part of their lives.I've lived in Honduras, Grand Cayman, and Costa Rica. Presently, I live in Indiana with my husband, Paul. We have two grown children and three precious grandchildren, special delivery from Africa.When not teaching, I love to hole up in our lake cabin and write -- often with a batch of popcorn nearby. (Oh, and did I mention dark chocolate?)I enjoy getting to know my readers, so feel free to write me at: contact@brendamaxfield.com. Join my Newsletter Gang and get the latest news, contests, releases: http://mad.ly/signups/85744/join. Visit me to learn about all my books and some smart and sassy, clean teen reads: www.brendamaxfield.com Happy Reading!Buy links- Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/kdlxjya Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/lfvnbzt Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/387538 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19470071-cornered
Social Media links-
Website: http://www.brendamaxfield.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorBrendaMaxfieldGoodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6570620.Brenda_MaxfieldTwitter: https://twitter.com/BrendaMaxfieldBlog: http://www.brendamaxfield.wordpress.com Email: contact@brendamaxfield.comAmazon author Page: http://tinyurl.com/psj82bj
If you're a YA author and like to be featured on Feature Friday and can provide a blog post for a blog post, please contact me at susansoaresbooks@gmail.com
August 11, 2014
Meet My Character Blog Hop
Welcome to the Meet My Character Blog Tour! I was invited to this tour by Krysten Lindsay Hager.
Krysten is an author and book addict. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and currently resides in Southern Ohio. She's worked as a journalist and humor writer, and also writes middle grade, YA and adult fiction. She is the best selling author of, TRUE COLORS, released by Astrea Press.
Thank you, Krysten for inviting me on this tour!
As part of the tour we introduce a character to you. I'm going to introduce Victoria to you. She is the main character in my new young adult book, My Rebellion Checklist, which is being shopped around to publishers as we speak.
What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?
My character is Victoria (Tori) Matherson. She is a fictional eighteen year old.
When and where is the story set?
The story is set in current times and they live in a fictional town in Vermont.
What should we know about him/her?
Victoria is a type A personality all the way. She loves nothing more than organization and lists. Lots of lists! A trip to Staples could get her high!
What is the main conflict? What messes up him/her life?
Victoria's life starts to spiral out of control--something she's not at all accustomed too--when three major life events happen all at once. Her boyfriend breaks up with her, she gets into a near fatal car crash and her parents announce they're getting a divorce. BAM! Victoria's neat, planned, organized life is now a mash up of heartache, disorder and rehabilitation.
What is the personal goal of the character?
Victoria's personal goal--which she's blatantly unaware of--is to learn to let go. There are things in life you can't change. You also can't change yourself into something you're not. Your authentic self is always going to win out over any facade you try to put out to the world. Life is not about what happens to you so much as how you react to it.
Is there a working title for this book and can we read more about it?
The title is My Rebellion Checklist. If you follow me on my wattpad account you should be able to find some chapters to read for free!
When can we expect to see this book?
Well, that's up in the air! My agent is currently querying this to major publishers. Five large publishing houses have requested full reads. Hopefully I should know something by next month!
Thanks so much for joining me on the character blog hop!
If you want to find out more about me and my books please see my Amazon author page!
And be sure to check out the book trailer for Heart on a String!
Krysten is an author and book addict. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and currently resides in Southern Ohio. She's worked as a journalist and humor writer, and also writes middle grade, YA and adult fiction. She is the best selling author of, TRUE COLORS, released by Astrea Press.
Thank you, Krysten for inviting me on this tour!
As part of the tour we introduce a character to you. I'm going to introduce Victoria to you. She is the main character in my new young adult book, My Rebellion Checklist, which is being shopped around to publishers as we speak.
What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?
My character is Victoria (Tori) Matherson. She is a fictional eighteen year old.
When and where is the story set?
The story is set in current times and they live in a fictional town in Vermont.
What should we know about him/her?
Victoria is a type A personality all the way. She loves nothing more than organization and lists. Lots of lists! A trip to Staples could get her high!
What is the main conflict? What messes up him/her life?
Victoria's life starts to spiral out of control--something she's not at all accustomed too--when three major life events happen all at once. Her boyfriend breaks up with her, she gets into a near fatal car crash and her parents announce they're getting a divorce. BAM! Victoria's neat, planned, organized life is now a mash up of heartache, disorder and rehabilitation.
What is the personal goal of the character?
Victoria's personal goal--which she's blatantly unaware of--is to learn to let go. There are things in life you can't change. You also can't change yourself into something you're not. Your authentic self is always going to win out over any facade you try to put out to the world. Life is not about what happens to you so much as how you react to it.
Is there a working title for this book and can we read more about it?
The title is My Rebellion Checklist. If you follow me on my wattpad account you should be able to find some chapters to read for free!
When can we expect to see this book?
Well, that's up in the air! My agent is currently querying this to major publishers. Five large publishing houses have requested full reads. Hopefully I should know something by next month!
Thanks so much for joining me on the character blog hop!
If you want to find out more about me and my books please see my Amazon author page!
And be sure to check out the book trailer for Heart on a String!
August 8, 2014
Feature Friday! Author Ariella Moon
Todays Feature Friday is on YA author Ariella Moon
Blurb-Second worst Christmas EVER!
High school sophomore Ainslie Avalon-Bennett works hard to hide her Crazy Girl past. But as long as her best friend’s disappearance remains unsolved, she can’t shake the depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder that once landed her in a mental ward. Then she meets Thor Grael, a teen dragon shaman who spikes her pulse and calms her OCD. But will Ainslie lose him once he discovers her past? Or will Thor’s deadly secret be their undoing?
Excerpt-"Jett's a jerk!" I mumbled as soon as I was out of earshot of Spiral Journeys. The light breeze and traffic sounds barely registered in my brain. I glanced back twice; unable to shake the feeling someone or something was following me. Although the only footfalls I heard were the slap of my own flip-flops, I was surprised to find the sidewalk empty. I stalked past the consignment store and the gas station with its petrol fumes. By the time I'd reached the artists' collective I felt an inner glow and a definite nudge between my shoulder blades.The dragon. Good. Maybe it will teach me how to breathe fire.It shadowed me, silently nudging, teasing to life a pair of heavy, invisible wings. My face warmed. I radiated. All my anger and frustration dissolved into the white light. I rolled my shoulders, delighting in the novel tug of muscles, the heft of massive wings.I sensed the dragon peering over my head as we traipsed the last few steps to Coyote Crossroads' orchid door. A fit-looking middle-aged couple emerged as I reached for the driftwood handle. They both did a double take when they saw me. The wife pressed her palms together in prayer position. The husband removed his outback hat and pressed it to his heart, bowing his head as he held the door open for me. I nodded and glided past them.My body elongated, and I swore I grew six inches. Inside the cafe, there was no line. Another miracle. I paused beneath the fern‑painted ceiling fan and scanned the wall menu. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but a weird craving fueled my search.The dragon exerted pressure between my shoulder blades, prompting me. "A Scorpion's Nest smoothie."Morningstar leaned over the high counter and gave me a once‐over. "You feeling okay?"I licked my lips. "Absolutely." I had never tasted an orange juice, vanilla ice cream, and peanut butter combo, but I slapped the countertop and said, "I'm fine. Hit me."Morningstar tilted her head to one side and studied
Author Bio-
Ariella Moon is the author of the Teen Wytche Saga, a sweet Young Adult paranormal series. Ariella writes about magic, friendship, high school, secrets, and love in Spell Check, Spell Struck, andSpell Fire from Astraea Press.Ariella spent her childhood searching for a magical wardrobe that would transport her to Narnia. Extreme math anxiety, and taller students who mistook her for a leaning post, marred her youth. Despite these horrors, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Davis. Ariella is a Reiki Master, author, and shaman. She lives a nearly normal life with her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and an enormous dragon.
Buy links-http://www.amazon.com/Ariella-Moon/e/B0071NUOAK/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0http://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/8187http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=Ariella+Moonhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Spell-Fire-by-Ariella-Moon?store=ebook&keyword=Spell+Fire+by+Ariella+Moon
Social Media links-Connect with Ariella Moonhttp://www.ariellamoon.comhttp://ariellamoon.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/ariellamoon.authorhttp://www.goodreads.com/AuthorAriellaMoonhttp://www.pinterest.com/ariellamoon/
If you're a YA author and would like to be part of Feature Friday please email at susansoaresbooks@gmail.com for more information! I'd appreciate a blog post for a blog post. Thanks for reading! Comment, subscribe, share!
Blurb-Second worst Christmas EVER!
High school sophomore Ainslie Avalon-Bennett works hard to hide her Crazy Girl past. But as long as her best friend’s disappearance remains unsolved, she can’t shake the depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder that once landed her in a mental ward. Then she meets Thor Grael, a teen dragon shaman who spikes her pulse and calms her OCD. But will Ainslie lose him once he discovers her past? Or will Thor’s deadly secret be their undoing?
Excerpt-"Jett's a jerk!" I mumbled as soon as I was out of earshot of Spiral Journeys. The light breeze and traffic sounds barely registered in my brain. I glanced back twice; unable to shake the feeling someone or something was following me. Although the only footfalls I heard were the slap of my own flip-flops, I was surprised to find the sidewalk empty. I stalked past the consignment store and the gas station with its petrol fumes. By the time I'd reached the artists' collective I felt an inner glow and a definite nudge between my shoulder blades.The dragon. Good. Maybe it will teach me how to breathe fire.It shadowed me, silently nudging, teasing to life a pair of heavy, invisible wings. My face warmed. I radiated. All my anger and frustration dissolved into the white light. I rolled my shoulders, delighting in the novel tug of muscles, the heft of massive wings.I sensed the dragon peering over my head as we traipsed the last few steps to Coyote Crossroads' orchid door. A fit-looking middle-aged couple emerged as I reached for the driftwood handle. They both did a double take when they saw me. The wife pressed her palms together in prayer position. The husband removed his outback hat and pressed it to his heart, bowing his head as he held the door open for me. I nodded and glided past them.My body elongated, and I swore I grew six inches. Inside the cafe, there was no line. Another miracle. I paused beneath the fern‑painted ceiling fan and scanned the wall menu. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but a weird craving fueled my search.The dragon exerted pressure between my shoulder blades, prompting me. "A Scorpion's Nest smoothie."Morningstar leaned over the high counter and gave me a once‐over. "You feeling okay?"I licked my lips. "Absolutely." I had never tasted an orange juice, vanilla ice cream, and peanut butter combo, but I slapped the countertop and said, "I'm fine. Hit me."Morningstar tilted her head to one side and studied
Author Bio-
Ariella Moon is the author of the Teen Wytche Saga, a sweet Young Adult paranormal series. Ariella writes about magic, friendship, high school, secrets, and love in Spell Check, Spell Struck, andSpell Fire from Astraea Press.Ariella spent her childhood searching for a magical wardrobe that would transport her to Narnia. Extreme math anxiety, and taller students who mistook her for a leaning post, marred her youth. Despite these horrors, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Davis. Ariella is a Reiki Master, author, and shaman. She lives a nearly normal life with her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and an enormous dragon.Buy links-http://www.amazon.com/Ariella-Moon/e/B0071NUOAK/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0http://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/8187http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=Ariella+Moonhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Spell-Fire-by-Ariella-Moon?store=ebook&keyword=Spell+Fire+by+Ariella+Moon
Social Media links-Connect with Ariella Moonhttp://www.ariellamoon.comhttp://ariellamoon.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/ariellamoon.authorhttp://www.goodreads.com/AuthorAriellaMoonhttp://www.pinterest.com/ariellamoon/
If you're a YA author and would like to be part of Feature Friday please email at susansoaresbooks@gmail.com for more information! I'd appreciate a blog post for a blog post. Thanks for reading! Comment, subscribe, share!
August 6, 2014
Wattpad Wednesday!
It's Wednesday! That means I've posted a new piece to my Wattpad account!
Wattpad is a great site for writers and readers. If you haven't already checked it out and created an account you should.
Today's piece is a very short story I wrote. If I get enough positive comments on it I'll consider making it a full length piece. It's a bit intense as well.
Click here to read!
Have a Wattpad account? List your username in the comments!
Check out my author page here-
Book Trailer for Heart on a String
Wattpad is a great site for writers and readers. If you haven't already checked it out and created an account you should.
Today's piece is a very short story I wrote. If I get enough positive comments on it I'll consider making it a full length piece. It's a bit intense as well.
Click here to read!
Have a Wattpad account? List your username in the comments!
Check out my author page here-
Book Trailer for Heart on a String
August 5, 2014
The doubts that come with writing.
Happy Tuesday everyone! In today's Tidbit Tuesday post I'm going to talk about one thing all writers have and may not want to admit- DOUBT.
The past two weeks have been a bit rough for me. I was doubting everything that has to do with my writing. I mean everything. The process of writing, whether I'd ever write another word, whether I'd ever enjoying writing again, if I wanted to continue to have my agent pursue the large publishing houses with my third book, if any of my publishing decisions thus far were the right ones, if I'd ever become successful as an author. EVERYTHING.
I have a close friend who is also a writer. I expressed the fact that I felt I'd never write again and that was when he very promptly told me that was not possible. I am a writer. It's part of who I am. It's part of my DNA. I've been writing poems and short stories since I was seven years old. I'd spend my summers not splashing around in my in-ground pool, but sitting at my parent's dining room table plucking away on my smith-corona word processor! I mean if that's not a kid who loves to write I don't know what is.
Somewhere along the way I lost the love for it. I lost the joy that came with creating a story. Why? Because of the questions that bogged down my mind.
Is this what a large publisher would find publishable?
Will this story line really hook me the big six?
Is this going to go viral?
Is this going to be the book that gets me noticed?
Is this what the market is buying?
Is this my ticket to being a full time money making author?
So I decided I wasn't going to write anymore. Why? It wasn't making me happy. It didn't feel the same. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was sit and write.
This lasted for all of two weeks. The first creative spark came when my agent suggested I have a book trailer made for Heart on a String. Well I didn't have the money to pay forr one, but after seeing a bunch of examples online I was pretty confident I could do it myself. So I did. And I enjoyed it.
After playing around and searching different stock photos to use in my project I began to get inspired by the pictures. I found a lot of photos that in my mind would work as great covers for some projects I had in the works or had been working on. Then I came up with an idea for a series. I've always wanted to do a series but since I write mostly contemporary YA that's not a big genre for series. Then I learned more about ways to create a series that can also exist as stand alone novels. Well that was it. I had the idea, then I found the photos that would be the covers for the three book series I came up with.
Now, I don't even have plot lines written for this new series. What I started with was the idea of the series title, then I found photos that inspired me for the covers, then I jotted down the most skeletal outline I've ever written.
I plan on working on this new series this week. I also plan on taking on a new adventure and self-publishing this series. Why self publish? Well, for this project I don't want to feel any of the constraints I've felt when writing books that I know will be put out to the publishing world. I don't want to worry about "will the big 6 like this?" mentality that comes with writing at times.
I want the freedom of word count. Subject. Idea. Creativity. This story in my mind might be a NA- New Adult- piece as well which is something new for me. I might make it more of a novella than a full length piece. I'm not sure yet. But what I do know is that I WANT to write it. That's what's most important right now.
Even if it never leaves the safety of my MacBook Pro files I don't care. I want to write it. Hopefully I'll be able to share it with you soon.
Doubt is normal- your creativity is not. Write without expectations.
What's your biggest doubt about your writing? Please comment below. Please share this post so all the other writers out there know they're not alone!
Here is the link to the book trailer that helped spark me back on track :)
My books
The past two weeks have been a bit rough for me. I was doubting everything that has to do with my writing. I mean everything. The process of writing, whether I'd ever write another word, whether I'd ever enjoying writing again, if I wanted to continue to have my agent pursue the large publishing houses with my third book, if any of my publishing decisions thus far were the right ones, if I'd ever become successful as an author. EVERYTHING.
I have a close friend who is also a writer. I expressed the fact that I felt I'd never write again and that was when he very promptly told me that was not possible. I am a writer. It's part of who I am. It's part of my DNA. I've been writing poems and short stories since I was seven years old. I'd spend my summers not splashing around in my in-ground pool, but sitting at my parent's dining room table plucking away on my smith-corona word processor! I mean if that's not a kid who loves to write I don't know what is.
Somewhere along the way I lost the love for it. I lost the joy that came with creating a story. Why? Because of the questions that bogged down my mind.
Is this what a large publisher would find publishable?
Will this story line really hook me the big six?
Is this going to go viral?
Is this going to be the book that gets me noticed?
Is this what the market is buying?
Is this my ticket to being a full time money making author?
So I decided I wasn't going to write anymore. Why? It wasn't making me happy. It didn't feel the same. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was sit and write.
This lasted for all of two weeks. The first creative spark came when my agent suggested I have a book trailer made for Heart on a String. Well I didn't have the money to pay forr one, but after seeing a bunch of examples online I was pretty confident I could do it myself. So I did. And I enjoyed it.
After playing around and searching different stock photos to use in my project I began to get inspired by the pictures. I found a lot of photos that in my mind would work as great covers for some projects I had in the works or had been working on. Then I came up with an idea for a series. I've always wanted to do a series but since I write mostly contemporary YA that's not a big genre for series. Then I learned more about ways to create a series that can also exist as stand alone novels. Well that was it. I had the idea, then I found the photos that would be the covers for the three book series I came up with.
Now, I don't even have plot lines written for this new series. What I started with was the idea of the series title, then I found photos that inspired me for the covers, then I jotted down the most skeletal outline I've ever written.
I plan on working on this new series this week. I also plan on taking on a new adventure and self-publishing this series. Why self publish? Well, for this project I don't want to feel any of the constraints I've felt when writing books that I know will be put out to the publishing world. I don't want to worry about "will the big 6 like this?" mentality that comes with writing at times.
I want the freedom of word count. Subject. Idea. Creativity. This story in my mind might be a NA- New Adult- piece as well which is something new for me. I might make it more of a novella than a full length piece. I'm not sure yet. But what I do know is that I WANT to write it. That's what's most important right now.
Even if it never leaves the safety of my MacBook Pro files I don't care. I want to write it. Hopefully I'll be able to share it with you soon.
Doubt is normal- your creativity is not. Write without expectations.
What's your biggest doubt about your writing? Please comment below. Please share this post so all the other writers out there know they're not alone!
Here is the link to the book trailer that helped spark me back on track :)
My books
August 1, 2014
Feature Friday! Krysten Lindsay Hager
True Colors by Krysten Lindsay HagerTagline: A little competition can really bring out people’s true colors.Back Cover Blurb: Every day I walked down the sidewalk to school and wished I were one of the interesting popular girls who ran up with exciting news. Just once I’d like to be one of those girls instead of the being the one who didn’t get invited to things because people “forgot” about me.Landry gets pushed into trying out for the American Ingénue reality show modeling competition with her two best friends. She doesn’t think she stands a chance, but she advances to the next level in the competition and her friends ignore her when they get cut. Enter the gorgeous Devon, who also makes the first cut and includes Landry in her clique. Devon becomes the perfect best friend, but can their friendship survive the competition?Landry hopes her big break could come at any moment, but soon sees there’s much more to modeling than getting your hair done and looking pretty. She begins missing out on being with new friends like Ashanti, a girl who truly has Landry’s back. Landry also has the chance to have a boyfriend when she meets a boy named Vladi from another school.Part of Landry wants to be famous (and have her hair look good for once), but part of her just wants to be accepted. She learns about friendships, being true to yourself, and that a good hair conditioner doesn’t hurt. Excerpt: The competition was for girls between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, but it felt like Ericka, Tori, and I were the youngest ones there. I only saw a couple of girls from school, and the lineup looked more like something you’d see on a music video set. All the girls were gorgeous, and they had these curvy womanly bodies. I looked like a skinny little kid next to them. The first girl walked out, and I heard the judges say she “owned the runway,” and, “walked like a gazelle.” I was starting to feel ill. I wasn’t sure which way it was going to come, but I knew I had to find a bathroom — fast. I started to get out of line when Ericka grabbed my wrist.“It’s almost time,” she said. A tiny bit of spit flew out of her mouth and hit my cheek.I wasn’t sure why she was so intent on me going through with it, but she had a death grip on my arm, so I didn’t have much of a choice. Her number was called and she walked out to the stage. One of the other girls said she walked like a kid with sand bucket stilts on her feet, but she came back with a smirk on her face like she knew she’d get chosen.“They said they had never seen such long legs,” she said.Tori was next.“She walks like a gorilla at feeding time,” said the girl behind me. I went next, and I tried to focus on not tripping over my feet. My mom’s pumps had a rubber sole on the bottom, which probably wasn’t the brightest idea seeing as my shoes were making squeaking noises as I walked. I was so nervous I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked. I looked like the plastic clown who blows up balloons with its mouth at the Pizza Palace. When I got to the end of the runway, I tried to cross my feet to turn like the other girls had, but I over rotated and ended up doing a full spin which made my kilt fan out and gave the mall walkers a view of my blue underpants. I tried to act like it was intentional and did an extra turn. One of the judges put her hand up to stop me, and I held my breath as she started to speak.
Author bio: Krysten Lindsay Hager is an author and book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and also writes middle grade, YA, humor essays, and adult fiction. TRUE COLORS is her bestselling debut novel from Astraea Press. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and currently resides in Southern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing. She received her master’s in American Culture from the University of Michigan-Flint.Buy Links:Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/True-Colors-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B00L2G0YJS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403419976&sr=8-1&keywords=krysten+lindsay+hagerBarnesandnoble.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/true-colors-krysten-lindsay-hager/1119742726?ean=2940149747658itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/true-colors/id890673002?mt=11Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/true-colors-17Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/449308Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/True-Colors-Krysten-Lindsay-Hager-ebook/dp/B00L2G0YJS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403420109&sr=8-1&keywords=krysten+lindsay+hagerConnect with Krysten: Website: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHagerAuthorTwitter: https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsayPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/krystenlindsay/Instagram: http://instagram.com/krystenlindsayGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22444090-true-colorsBook Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96jxcUH54hUGoogle+: https://plus.google.com/+KrystenLindsayHager/postsAmazon author profile: http://www.amazon.com/Krysten-Lindsay-Hager/e/B00L2JC9P2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1If you're a YA author and would like to be featured on my blog please contact me at susansoaresbooks@gmail.com. If you could do a blog post for a blog post that would be ideal. Thanks for reading!
July 30, 2014
Wattpad Wednesday!!!
It's time for Wattpad Wednesday!
Today I posted a very short story about a double suicide attempt. I know it's a heavy subject matter.
If I get enough positive feedback and requests I would consider making this a longer piece.
Check it out here and please follow me on Wattpad! Create an account!
Thanks and have a great day!
Today I posted a very short story about a double suicide attempt. I know it's a heavy subject matter.
If I get enough positive feedback and requests I would consider making this a longer piece.
Check it out here and please follow me on Wattpad! Create an account!
Thanks and have a great day!
July 29, 2014
World Blog Hop!
This week I'm participating in the Writing Process World Blog Tour. I was invited by author Krysten Lindsay Hager. Krysten is the author of True Colors, a YA novel published by Astrea Press.
For the blog hop all authors are answering the same 4 questions. So here we go!
1. What am I working on? Well right now I'm working on two different books. The first is a Middle Grade book that my daughters have begged me to write for them. I usually stick to young adult contemporary stories. Those books my daughters can't read. So I'm working on a magical realism book that is turning out to be a lot of fun!The other book I have is a YA contemporary drama. It's a bit darker than other things I've written so that's been interesting to explore.
2. How does my work differ from others in it's genre.Well a lot of that comes down to personal taste of the reader. I believe that my style of writing has a strong character hook. The type of lead character that you can relate to and connect with. I've been complimented on my use of dialogue so I believe that is a strength of mine.
3. Why do I write what I do?I love YA fiction. I loved it when I was in that age bracket and as a young adult. Once I read Sarah Dessen's Dreamland I was hooked. Part of me has just always felt a deeper connection to the lead characters in YA contemporary books. I love that in YA there is such a desperation in the characters. The intensity levels are so high. Your first love, first crush, first breakup, first time dealing with death or betrayal. The life of a teen is INTENSE and I've just always connected with that.
4. How does my writing process workI'm an all or nothing personality type in general and this carries over to my writing as well. I usually shoot to write a first draft of a novel in a month to two months. I'll sit down and have an hour writing session and try to bang out 2500 words. It's never a little here or a little there. It's also never sitting down each day at the same time to write each and every day. Nope. All or nothing! It's something I should probably work on! :)
Thank you again so much to Krysten for inviting me on this blog hop!Please take a moment to check out my latest YA book Heart on a String
You can take a look at my writing on my wattpad profile as well!
For the blog hop all authors are answering the same 4 questions. So here we go!
1. What am I working on? Well right now I'm working on two different books. The first is a Middle Grade book that my daughters have begged me to write for them. I usually stick to young adult contemporary stories. Those books my daughters can't read. So I'm working on a magical realism book that is turning out to be a lot of fun!The other book I have is a YA contemporary drama. It's a bit darker than other things I've written so that's been interesting to explore.
2. How does my work differ from others in it's genre.Well a lot of that comes down to personal taste of the reader. I believe that my style of writing has a strong character hook. The type of lead character that you can relate to and connect with. I've been complimented on my use of dialogue so I believe that is a strength of mine.
3. Why do I write what I do?I love YA fiction. I loved it when I was in that age bracket and as a young adult. Once I read Sarah Dessen's Dreamland I was hooked. Part of me has just always felt a deeper connection to the lead characters in YA contemporary books. I love that in YA there is such a desperation in the characters. The intensity levels are so high. Your first love, first crush, first breakup, first time dealing with death or betrayal. The life of a teen is INTENSE and I've just always connected with that.
4. How does my writing process workI'm an all or nothing personality type in general and this carries over to my writing as well. I usually shoot to write a first draft of a novel in a month to two months. I'll sit down and have an hour writing session and try to bang out 2500 words. It's never a little here or a little there. It's also never sitting down each day at the same time to write each and every day. Nope. All or nothing! It's something I should probably work on! :)
Thank you again so much to Krysten for inviting me on this blog hop!Please take a moment to check out my latest YA book Heart on a String
You can take a look at my writing on my wattpad profile as well!
July 25, 2014
Feature Friday! YA author Lisa Orchard!
Author Spotlight- Lisa Orchard! Author of The Super Spies and the Pied Piper
Blurb- Sarah Cole and her sister Lacey are at it once again when their missing parents’ cell phone is traced to Alden, Michigan. When the FBI declines to continue the investigation, Sarah takes matters into her own hands. She calls upon the Super Spies and they delve into the situation. Suddenly the teens find themselves immersed in small town intrigue and mystery involving a menacing stranger, who Sarah dubs “The Stalker.” But when Sarah finds out he’s connected to her parents’ disappearance she’s determined to find out what that connection is. The Super Spies embark on a journey that leads them into a web of corporate corruption at its highest level that leaves innocent victims in its wake. Can the Super Spies stop the greedy corporation before it’s too late?
Excerpt-
Chapter One“What do you mean you lost them?” Sarah Cole fidgeted as she waited for Agent Gray to answer. I can’t believe it! He lost the only clue to our parents’ location. What is wrong with this picture?Agitated, Sarah shifted in her seat and chewed on her lip. She was uncomfortable in the folding chair and rearranged her petite frame so she wouldn’t feel the cold metal against her bare legs. Shivering, she glanced around the all‑too‑familiar room.The gray cement block walls no longer gave her that creepy, closed-‐‑in feeling she’d used to get when she first came to the interrogation rooms. She remembered the first time she’d been in that tiny space. It had been the day she’d discovered the Cat Lady’s dead body. Sarah shuddered at the memory and then smiled when she remembered forming the Super Spies and bringing the Cat Lady Killer to justice. Glancing around the room again, she realized she’d been in this room quite a bit these last few weeks, not only during the Cat Lady investigation, but the High School Bomber investigation as well. Shivering again, Sarah rubbed her arms but she really wasn’t cold. Her mind filled with the image of the bomber the Super Spies had helped apprehend just a week earlier.Wow! Was it just last week?She tugged at a lock of her honey colored hair, then brushed it away with an impatient hand. She sighed and glanced at her younger sister. Lacey sat beside her with her legs crossed, jiggling her foot at such a rapid rate it seemed like her whole body was electrified. She caught Sarah’s eye, and for a moment her eyes glittered like emeralds before she shifted her gaze to Aunt June, who had placed her hand on Lacey’s leg in what appeared to be an attempt to quiet her. Sarah shifted in her chair and sighed again.Are we ever going to find Mom and Dad?A commotion out in the hall drew everyone’s attention. Sarah leaned forward and craned her neck to see what was happening.“Chief, we’ve got an OD!” An officer yelled.“What?” Chief Johnson yelled as he rushed by. “An OD on what? Give me the details.”“The parents found their son unconscious in his room this morning, and an empty bottle of prescription medication on his bedside table.”“What was it?” Chief Johnson asked.“It’s Myodine.”“Who makes it?”“Ah… Piper Drugs.”“Call Poison Control with the name and manufacturer and ask them what to do about an overdose. Instruct the parents to get their son to the hospital pronto,” Chief Johnson ordered.“They’ve brought him here.”“What?” Chief Johnson exclaimed.The sound of policemen rushing through the hall pulled Sarah and her sister out of their seats. They hurried to the door, unable to stifle their curiosity. Peering down the corridor, Sarah caught a glimpse of a young man sagging between two officers as they desperately tried to keep him on his feet. One officer gently slapped his face while the other officers held him up. The young man blinked and then gagged, puking on the officer in front of him.The rancid stench of fresh vomit filled the air. While plugging her nose, Sarah ducked back inside the interrogation room, followed by her sister. Sarah closed the door, hoping it would keep the smell from penetrating the room.“Did you hear that, Lace? Piper Drugs! That’s the company Dad works for,” Sarah whispered in her sister’s ear before proceeding back to her seat.Lacey opened her mouth to speak, but closed it when Agent Gray cleared his throat and motioned for them to sit down.He continued his conversation as if they hadn’t been interrupted. We were on our way to the location of the ping… but before we got there it disappeared.”
“So, what does that mean? Did you find our parents or what?” Sarah blurted out as she sat down. She stared into Agent Gray’s icy blue eyes, trying to read his mind.
Author Bio- Lisa Orchard grew up loving books. Hooked on mysteries by the fifth grade, she even wrote a few of her own. She knew she wanted to be a writer even then. Her first series, “The Super Spies,” has reached bestseller status After graduating from Central Michigan University with a Marketing Degree, she spent many years in the insurance industry, pining to express her creative side. The decision to stay home with her children gave her the opportunity to follow her dream and become a writer. She currently resides in Rockford Michigan with her husband, Steve, and two wonderful boys. Currently, she’s working on a Coming of Age Young Adult series called The Starlight Chronicles. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, and reading.
Buy links-
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Super-Spies-Pied-Piper-ebook/dp/B00D25G7ZM
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-super-spies-and-the-pied-piper-lisa-orchard/1115437908?ean=2940016589701
Social Media links- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Orchard/328536613877060?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaorchard1
Website: http://www.lisaorchard.com/
**If you are a YA author and would be interested in a blog feature please email me at susansoaresbooks@gmail.com. I would appreciate a blog feature on your blog as a return favor if you have a blog. Please subscribe, comment, follow! Happy Friday!
Blurb- Sarah Cole and her sister Lacey are at it once again when their missing parents’ cell phone is traced to Alden, Michigan. When the FBI declines to continue the investigation, Sarah takes matters into her own hands. She calls upon the Super Spies and they delve into the situation. Suddenly the teens find themselves immersed in small town intrigue and mystery involving a menacing stranger, who Sarah dubs “The Stalker.” But when Sarah finds out he’s connected to her parents’ disappearance she’s determined to find out what that connection is. The Super Spies embark on a journey that leads them into a web of corporate corruption at its highest level that leaves innocent victims in its wake. Can the Super Spies stop the greedy corporation before it’s too late?
Excerpt-
Chapter One“What do you mean you lost them?” Sarah Cole fidgeted as she waited for Agent Gray to answer. I can’t believe it! He lost the only clue to our parents’ location. What is wrong with this picture?Agitated, Sarah shifted in her seat and chewed on her lip. She was uncomfortable in the folding chair and rearranged her petite frame so she wouldn’t feel the cold metal against her bare legs. Shivering, she glanced around the all‑too‑familiar room.The gray cement block walls no longer gave her that creepy, closed-‐‑in feeling she’d used to get when she first came to the interrogation rooms. She remembered the first time she’d been in that tiny space. It had been the day she’d discovered the Cat Lady’s dead body. Sarah shuddered at the memory and then smiled when she remembered forming the Super Spies and bringing the Cat Lady Killer to justice. Glancing around the room again, she realized she’d been in this room quite a bit these last few weeks, not only during the Cat Lady investigation, but the High School Bomber investigation as well. Shivering again, Sarah rubbed her arms but she really wasn’t cold. Her mind filled with the image of the bomber the Super Spies had helped apprehend just a week earlier.Wow! Was it just last week?She tugged at a lock of her honey colored hair, then brushed it away with an impatient hand. She sighed and glanced at her younger sister. Lacey sat beside her with her legs crossed, jiggling her foot at such a rapid rate it seemed like her whole body was electrified. She caught Sarah’s eye, and for a moment her eyes glittered like emeralds before she shifted her gaze to Aunt June, who had placed her hand on Lacey’s leg in what appeared to be an attempt to quiet her. Sarah shifted in her chair and sighed again.Are we ever going to find Mom and Dad?A commotion out in the hall drew everyone’s attention. Sarah leaned forward and craned her neck to see what was happening.“Chief, we’ve got an OD!” An officer yelled.“What?” Chief Johnson yelled as he rushed by. “An OD on what? Give me the details.”“The parents found their son unconscious in his room this morning, and an empty bottle of prescription medication on his bedside table.”“What was it?” Chief Johnson asked.“It’s Myodine.”“Who makes it?”“Ah… Piper Drugs.”“Call Poison Control with the name and manufacturer and ask them what to do about an overdose. Instruct the parents to get their son to the hospital pronto,” Chief Johnson ordered.“They’ve brought him here.”“What?” Chief Johnson exclaimed.The sound of policemen rushing through the hall pulled Sarah and her sister out of their seats. They hurried to the door, unable to stifle their curiosity. Peering down the corridor, Sarah caught a glimpse of a young man sagging between two officers as they desperately tried to keep him on his feet. One officer gently slapped his face while the other officers held him up. The young man blinked and then gagged, puking on the officer in front of him.The rancid stench of fresh vomit filled the air. While plugging her nose, Sarah ducked back inside the interrogation room, followed by her sister. Sarah closed the door, hoping it would keep the smell from penetrating the room.“Did you hear that, Lace? Piper Drugs! That’s the company Dad works for,” Sarah whispered in her sister’s ear before proceeding back to her seat.Lacey opened her mouth to speak, but closed it when Agent Gray cleared his throat and motioned for them to sit down.He continued his conversation as if they hadn’t been interrupted. We were on our way to the location of the ping… but before we got there it disappeared.”
“So, what does that mean? Did you find our parents or what?” Sarah blurted out as she sat down. She stared into Agent Gray’s icy blue eyes, trying to read his mind.
Author Bio- Lisa Orchard grew up loving books. Hooked on mysteries by the fifth grade, she even wrote a few of her own. She knew she wanted to be a writer even then. Her first series, “The Super Spies,” has reached bestseller status After graduating from Central Michigan University with a Marketing Degree, she spent many years in the insurance industry, pining to express her creative side. The decision to stay home with her children gave her the opportunity to follow her dream and become a writer. She currently resides in Rockford Michigan with her husband, Steve, and two wonderful boys. Currently, she’s working on a Coming of Age Young Adult series called The Starlight Chronicles. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, and reading.Buy links-
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Super-Spies-Pied-Piper-ebook/dp/B00D25G7ZM
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-super-spies-and-the-pied-piper-lisa-orchard/1115437908?ean=2940016589701
Social Media links- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Orchard/328536613877060?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaorchard1
Website: http://www.lisaorchard.com/
**If you are a YA author and would be interested in a blog feature please email me at susansoaresbooks@gmail.com. I would appreciate a blog feature on your blog as a return favor if you have a blog. Please subscribe, comment, follow! Happy Friday!
July 23, 2014
Wattpad Wednesday!!
It's Wattpad Wednesday! What does that mean? Well it means I've posted some new writing on my Wattpad account!
Today I've posted chapter 2 of my book Heart on a String.
Click to link to my Wattpad account and the new chapter posted.
I look forward to you reading, voting, tweeting, sharing, commenting, following, obsessing over haha and all that good stuff! I look forward to interacting with you all!
Don't forget you can check out the full book on Amazon
Happy hump day everyone!!!
Today I've posted chapter 2 of my book Heart on a String.
Click to link to my Wattpad account and the new chapter posted.
I look forward to you reading, voting, tweeting, sharing, commenting, following, obsessing over haha and all that good stuff! I look forward to interacting with you all!
Don't forget you can check out the full book on Amazon
Happy hump day everyone!!!
