Ginger Scott's Blog, page 8
June 29, 2013
Teaser for 'Going Long' - Sequel to 'Waiting on the Sidelines'
I'm excited to share the first teaser from "Going Long," the sequel to "Waiting on the Sidelines." Reed and Nolan's story continues as they navigate the challenges that come along with a long-distance relationship in college and the growing pains that come along with truly growing up.
It was important to me to stay true to the coming-of-age genre with the first book, giving you an honest look at every heartbreak and pivotal moment in Nolan's life as she matured from naive tomboy to woman in love. In "Going Long," you'll get to see the rest of the story unfold from both Reed and Nolan's perspectives. Here's a small taste to hold you over until the fall, and I'll be sharing more before the book's planned launch sometime in October.
Reed's perspective:
Nolan and Sarah were waiting on the leather sofa at the main entrance to the athletes quarters, their feet folded up in their laps. The girls had grown closer in college and even more so when Sienna moved in with her boyfriend. I was glad that Nolan had someone like Sarah to look after her. She’d told me off a time or two, and I’ll be honest, it made me nervous. I wanted that same toughness at Nolan’s side when I wasn’t around.
“Well, how’d I do?” I asked, kicking at Nolan’s folded legs a little.
She stood up, pulling her shirt down over the top of her shorts, always modest and still so damned unsure of her beauty. Chewing at the inside of her cheek a little, she put her thumb to her lip like she was considering something. “Hmmmm, I don’t know, Johnson. I’d put you at about eighty percent,” she nodded, acting with disappointment.
“Eighty percent, huh?” I said, rushing her a little and swinging her over my shoulder to carry her through the doors. Her giggling started then, the best sound in the whole damn world. “Eighty percent?”
I took off running, leaving Sarah behind. Nolan knew exactly where I was going as she started slapping at my back and threatening me that I’d ‘better not.’ When we got to the main fountain at the center of campus, I pulled her back over my shoulder and held her in my arms as I pulled off my shoes with my feet.
“Reed Johnson, don’t you dare!” she screamed as I stepped over the concrete edge and waded in the water, sliding closer and closer to the main spray. Her screams and giggles only egged me on.
“You want to rethink that B minus, Noles? Eighty percent? You sure about that?” I said, freezing in place, just one more step away from the full effects of the waterfall. I looked her in the eyes and watched as she flinched, just for a minute, and then finally did it.
“OK, maybe I was being a bit unfair. You were really more of an eighty-two,” she said, baiting me.
Our eyes locked, I pushed my lips tight into a disapproving grin and shook my head. “Oh, now you’ve done it,” I said, stepping forward and stopping us underneath the force of the fountain’s shower. Nolan wasn’t mad. Sure, she screamed and smacked at my chest as the freezing water poured over us. But my playfulness never rattled her. If anything, it had the opposite effect, which I was counting on as she reached around my neck and pulled my head to hers for a forceful kiss. Her hands grabbed at my soaked T-shirt, pulling me closer. I let her body slide from my arms so I could wrap my fingers through her hair. It was a good thing Trig and Sarah reminded us we were in public.
“God, you two. It’s bad enough that I don’t have a boyfriend, but do I really have to be the uncomfortable third wheel on our way to the bars, too?” Sarah broke us up.
“Sorry, Sar. I get carried away, what can I say,” I said, grinning.
“Yeah, yeah,” she said, reaching for Nolan’s hand to help her climb over the edge of the fountain. But I wasn’t about to let her go. I grabbed her back in my arms and dunked her once more, pushing my forehead to hers as she slid her hair back out of her eyes and blinked the beaded water from her lashes, laughing. I swung her back and forth in my arms as I carried her back to the dry side, the tips of our noses touching and my lips tingling just watching her bite her lower lip. Unable to take it, I had to kiss her once more, the soft and slow kind I did when I forgot others were watching or when I wanted everyone to know she was mine. And she was…she had my whole entire heart.
It was important to me to stay true to the coming-of-age genre with the first book, giving you an honest look at every heartbreak and pivotal moment in Nolan's life as she matured from naive tomboy to woman in love. In "Going Long," you'll get to see the rest of the story unfold from both Reed and Nolan's perspectives. Here's a small taste to hold you over until the fall, and I'll be sharing more before the book's planned launch sometime in October.
Reed's perspective:
Nolan and Sarah were waiting on the leather sofa at the main entrance to the athletes quarters, their feet folded up in their laps. The girls had grown closer in college and even more so when Sienna moved in with her boyfriend. I was glad that Nolan had someone like Sarah to look after her. She’d told me off a time or two, and I’ll be honest, it made me nervous. I wanted that same toughness at Nolan’s side when I wasn’t around.
“Well, how’d I do?” I asked, kicking at Nolan’s folded legs a little.
She stood up, pulling her shirt down over the top of her shorts, always modest and still so damned unsure of her beauty. Chewing at the inside of her cheek a little, she put her thumb to her lip like she was considering something. “Hmmmm, I don’t know, Johnson. I’d put you at about eighty percent,” she nodded, acting with disappointment.
“Eighty percent, huh?” I said, rushing her a little and swinging her over my shoulder to carry her through the doors. Her giggling started then, the best sound in the whole damn world. “Eighty percent?”
I took off running, leaving Sarah behind. Nolan knew exactly where I was going as she started slapping at my back and threatening me that I’d ‘better not.’ When we got to the main fountain at the center of campus, I pulled her back over my shoulder and held her in my arms as I pulled off my shoes with my feet.
“Reed Johnson, don’t you dare!” she screamed as I stepped over the concrete edge and waded in the water, sliding closer and closer to the main spray. Her screams and giggles only egged me on.
“You want to rethink that B minus, Noles? Eighty percent? You sure about that?” I said, freezing in place, just one more step away from the full effects of the waterfall. I looked her in the eyes and watched as she flinched, just for a minute, and then finally did it.
“OK, maybe I was being a bit unfair. You were really more of an eighty-two,” she said, baiting me.
Our eyes locked, I pushed my lips tight into a disapproving grin and shook my head. “Oh, now you’ve done it,” I said, stepping forward and stopping us underneath the force of the fountain’s shower. Nolan wasn’t mad. Sure, she screamed and smacked at my chest as the freezing water poured over us. But my playfulness never rattled her. If anything, it had the opposite effect, which I was counting on as she reached around my neck and pulled my head to hers for a forceful kiss. Her hands grabbed at my soaked T-shirt, pulling me closer. I let her body slide from my arms so I could wrap my fingers through her hair. It was a good thing Trig and Sarah reminded us we were in public.
“God, you two. It’s bad enough that I don’t have a boyfriend, but do I really have to be the uncomfortable third wheel on our way to the bars, too?” Sarah broke us up.
“Sorry, Sar. I get carried away, what can I say,” I said, grinning.
“Yeah, yeah,” she said, reaching for Nolan’s hand to help her climb over the edge of the fountain. But I wasn’t about to let her go. I grabbed her back in my arms and dunked her once more, pushing my forehead to hers as she slid her hair back out of her eyes and blinked the beaded water from her lashes, laughing. I swung her back and forth in my arms as I carried her back to the dry side, the tips of our noses touching and my lips tingling just watching her bite her lower lip. Unable to take it, I had to kiss her once more, the soft and slow kind I did when I forgot others were watching or when I wanted everyone to know she was mine. And she was…she had my whole entire heart.
June 17, 2013
Win a FREE Kindle Copy of Waiting on the Sidelines
I'm starting the countdown to book 2 early with a fun giveaway of a few Kindle copies of my book. Check it out on my website at www.littlemisswrite.com and enter for a chance to win. If you already have a copy, enter for or tell a friend! Enter by July 3 so reading can start by July 4!
My apologies for the abundant use of exclamation points. I am just excited to see so many people interested in more Nolan and Reed.
More posts coming soon!!!
-Ginger
My apologies for the abundant use of exclamation points. I am just excited to see so many people interested in more Nolan and Reed.
More posts coming soon!!!
-Ginger
June 4, 2013
More to Reed and Nolan's Story
I've alluded to this a few times on Twitter and Facebook, but I now feel pretty comfortable sharing the news a little more boldly--I am writing a follow up to Reed and Nolan's story.
I can't express the joy I feel seeing how many of you have embraced Waiting on the Sidelines. I am so proud of my little book that could (that's my pet name for it) and have hoped that it would do well enough to justify me telling more of my characters' story. I have heard from many of you who said you miss Reed and Nolan and Sarah and Sienna. And Buck! Well, I missed them, too. So much that when I started writing the rest of their story it was almost like I was at a reunion (the good kind that you actually want to go to).
I am hoping to release part two in the late fall, perhaps this time with a little more of the marketing flair that I've learned along the way (cover reveals, blog tours, previews, etc.). And I hope you all will join me as we continue this amazing ride. I promise to work my ass off trying to tell stories that make you feel. I'll do it as long as you'll let me. What an amazing privilege.
I can't express the joy I feel seeing how many of you have embraced Waiting on the Sidelines. I am so proud of my little book that could (that's my pet name for it) and have hoped that it would do well enough to justify me telling more of my characters' story. I have heard from many of you who said you miss Reed and Nolan and Sarah and Sienna. And Buck! Well, I missed them, too. So much that when I started writing the rest of their story it was almost like I was at a reunion (the good kind that you actually want to go to).
I am hoping to release part two in the late fall, perhaps this time with a little more of the marketing flair that I've learned along the way (cover reveals, blog tours, previews, etc.). And I hope you all will join me as we continue this amazing ride. I promise to work my ass off trying to tell stories that make you feel. I'll do it as long as you'll let me. What an amazing privilege.
May 27, 2013
Rope Learning
I've worked as a journalist for years. I have also worked in public relations and digital media for nearly a decade. I currently teach it at ASU. I felt pretty confident going into this whole book launch thing that I could at least tread the publicity waters better than some of the other newbies out there.
Turns out, though, not only am I a rookie author, but I'm pretty green at book publicity, too. So, in keeping with my theme of sharing my knocks and bruises (and triumphs) as I go, I bring this latest post.
1. You really can do it without hiring a publicist, but damn is it hard. I don't have what you would call a "big bank roll" to fund my writing passion enterprise, and I know a lot of you are in the same boat I'm in. But, having pitched hundreds of bloggers (and connected with a wonderful bunch of them), I truly can appreciate the value of having a well-connected team there to swoop in and kick off a blog tour for you. Let's just say my first book has been on more of a blog 'hitchhiking' rather than a tour.
2. You think you are planning in advance, but think more in advance. I thought I had things lined up well, but I hadn't really done any pre-publicity prior to my launch. You need to think ARCs (advanced reading copies), early reviews and even cover reveals. I didn't have much to spend on a cover, so I used my own shot of the actual Coolidge High field, a really pretty friend as a model and some help from a few graphic design colleagues to whip my cover into shape. But with a little advanced planning, I could have hyped my cover a little more.
3. And finally, speaking of covers...this is probably a good place to spend your initial funds. You don't have to go crazy, but a compelling stock image goes a long way. I lucked out with a shot I had on file from an earlier travel-writing assignment. Knowing I won't have that for book 2 (yes, that's right, book 2) means I will have to work the cover a little harder this fall when I aim to launch again. And you can bet your ass I'll be hyping the cover reveal!
I hope some of these tips will help someone out there. And thank you to the many amazing readers, some from the other side of the world, who have embraced Waiting on the Sidelines. I hope to serve you all well with the rest of Reed and Nolan's story soon. Stay tuned for blogs on the fun stuff behind the books and a little preview or two as I sit up until the wee hours writing.
Turns out, though, not only am I a rookie author, but I'm pretty green at book publicity, too. So, in keeping with my theme of sharing my knocks and bruises (and triumphs) as I go, I bring this latest post.
1. You really can do it without hiring a publicist, but damn is it hard. I don't have what you would call a "big bank roll" to fund my writing passion enterprise, and I know a lot of you are in the same boat I'm in. But, having pitched hundreds of bloggers (and connected with a wonderful bunch of them), I truly can appreciate the value of having a well-connected team there to swoop in and kick off a blog tour for you. Let's just say my first book has been on more of a blog 'hitchhiking' rather than a tour.
2. You think you are planning in advance, but think more in advance. I thought I had things lined up well, but I hadn't really done any pre-publicity prior to my launch. You need to think ARCs (advanced reading copies), early reviews and even cover reveals. I didn't have much to spend on a cover, so I used my own shot of the actual Coolidge High field, a really pretty friend as a model and some help from a few graphic design colleagues to whip my cover into shape. But with a little advanced planning, I could have hyped my cover a little more.
3. And finally, speaking of covers...this is probably a good place to spend your initial funds. You don't have to go crazy, but a compelling stock image goes a long way. I lucked out with a shot I had on file from an earlier travel-writing assignment. Knowing I won't have that for book 2 (yes, that's right, book 2) means I will have to work the cover a little harder this fall when I aim to launch again. And you can bet your ass I'll be hyping the cover reveal!
I hope some of these tips will help someone out there. And thank you to the many amazing readers, some from the other side of the world, who have embraced Waiting on the Sidelines. I hope to serve you all well with the rest of Reed and Nolan's story soon. Stay tuned for blogs on the fun stuff behind the books and a little preview or two as I sit up until the wee hours writing.
May 8, 2013
Making Local News!
I don't have much to say, which is probably well and good as my iPad typing skills are fairly poor and that's my only device on hand. But, I just wanted to share the great story my local paper did on my book. I have been in the Glendale Star twice in my life now: this appearance and my high school state volleyball championship... Go Patriots!
Check out the story: click here
Check out the story: click here
May 2, 2013
FREE Promo on Amazon - Download Waiting on the Sidelines for Free Friday & Saturday, May 3-4!
You can download "Waiting on the Sidelines" free from Amazon May 3 and 4 as part of a great giveaway promo. Just check it out on Amazon during the giveaway time and download away!
April 27, 2013
Indie Authors and Midnight Oil
Good thing I have always been a bit of a night owl. When I finally got my act together and wrote the book I had been harboring in my heart for years, I needed to burn quite a bit of midnight oil. But the creative part is nothing compared to the marketing life of an indie author.
Not wanting to ever forget the blood, sweat and tears that gets me to whatever place my road leads, I thought I'd document the anxieties, projects, posts and whatnot that come with self-publishing. And if my posts happen to help the next author looking for help and guidance, then I am honored to pay it forward any way I can.
1. Pushing the publish button is just the beginning. I was pretty sure I had things lined up when I finally selected my launch date and sent my manuscript off into the cyberlands of Amazon's self-publishing aerospace. And I did have a pretty good head start. Facebook fan page, check. Twitter transformation, check. Goodreads account set up, check. Talking points, graphics and a thick (albeit not thick enough) skin...check, check, check. But just as I have learned from working on both sides of the fence in journalism and public relations, you have to constantly feed the beast. If you want to push your hard work out to the world, beyond your closest circle of friends, you need to make some noise, waive your freak flag, if you will. Set up is just what it sounds like: set up. Then comes the marathon.
2. Test it, try it, move on. This whole indie author thing is new for me. My journalism work was always already in a proven and read publication. Getting someone to read something they have no reason in the world to even know exists is another story. So, I'm trying anything and everything (at least once). I'm throwing a launch party -- look for posts and wrap-ups on that on my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GingerScottAu...). I'm trying to pay attention to this blog, and use it for education, engagement and maybe a little pot-stirring in the future. I've committed to try Kindle's Select program for 90 days before I post my book to iBooks and Nook. The jury is still out on how well this works, but I will be scheduling some great promotions through it in the coming weeks (look for those announcements soon). So just be open to trying new marketing roads, there are hundreds out there and every single project requires a unique mix.
3. Finally...breathe!I am sure this is true for most indie authors out there. Getting your book in the hands of strangers, and then maybe catching the attention of an agent, is the dream. It's such a vibrant and, let's face it, obsessive dream that it starts to interfere with sleep, thought and relaxation. I have found I can become so focused on my daily to-do's that I often forget to sit back and enjoy the ride. I've made it this far and have accomplished goals I thought seemed impossible. Before I launched my book I reached out to a few of my favorite authors, many who found success through the same indie road I'm on. Some wise words from author Katja Millay (Sea of Tranquility) stood out and ring in my ears on a daily basis. She told me to be sure to enjoy every moment and not get caught up in the stress of it all. So, while I'll admit to falling off of the stress wagon a few times, I will say I am trying damn hard to heed her advice.
With that, I think I'll start right now. It's a beautiful day outside, and I haven't read for my own personal enjoyment in weeks. I plan to do so starting now.
Not wanting to ever forget the blood, sweat and tears that gets me to whatever place my road leads, I thought I'd document the anxieties, projects, posts and whatnot that come with self-publishing. And if my posts happen to help the next author looking for help and guidance, then I am honored to pay it forward any way I can.
1. Pushing the publish button is just the beginning. I was pretty sure I had things lined up when I finally selected my launch date and sent my manuscript off into the cyberlands of Amazon's self-publishing aerospace. And I did have a pretty good head start. Facebook fan page, check. Twitter transformation, check. Goodreads account set up, check. Talking points, graphics and a thick (albeit not thick enough) skin...check, check, check. But just as I have learned from working on both sides of the fence in journalism and public relations, you have to constantly feed the beast. If you want to push your hard work out to the world, beyond your closest circle of friends, you need to make some noise, waive your freak flag, if you will. Set up is just what it sounds like: set up. Then comes the marathon.
2. Test it, try it, move on. This whole indie author thing is new for me. My journalism work was always already in a proven and read publication. Getting someone to read something they have no reason in the world to even know exists is another story. So, I'm trying anything and everything (at least once). I'm throwing a launch party -- look for posts and wrap-ups on that on my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GingerScottAu...). I'm trying to pay attention to this blog, and use it for education, engagement and maybe a little pot-stirring in the future. I've committed to try Kindle's Select program for 90 days before I post my book to iBooks and Nook. The jury is still out on how well this works, but I will be scheduling some great promotions through it in the coming weeks (look for those announcements soon). So just be open to trying new marketing roads, there are hundreds out there and every single project requires a unique mix.
3. Finally...breathe!I am sure this is true for most indie authors out there. Getting your book in the hands of strangers, and then maybe catching the attention of an agent, is the dream. It's such a vibrant and, let's face it, obsessive dream that it starts to interfere with sleep, thought and relaxation. I have found I can become so focused on my daily to-do's that I often forget to sit back and enjoy the ride. I've made it this far and have accomplished goals I thought seemed impossible. Before I launched my book I reached out to a few of my favorite authors, many who found success through the same indie road I'm on. Some wise words from author Katja Millay (Sea of Tranquility) stood out and ring in my ears on a daily basis. She told me to be sure to enjoy every moment and not get caught up in the stress of it all. So, while I'll admit to falling off of the stress wagon a few times, I will say I am trying damn hard to heed her advice.
With that, I think I'll start right now. It's a beautiful day outside, and I haven't read for my own personal enjoyment in weeks. I plan to do so starting now.
April 19, 2013
The Importance of Being Strong Women
Truth is, it took me years to write "Waiting on the Sidelines." And I think maybe that was for the best -- I wasn't ready.
I knew I could tell a story. I've told lots of them -- all non-fiction. Through my journalism career, I have been honored to tell the stories of others, sometimes during their darkest hour. I have been their funnel to share their emotions, strength, their passions, their fears, their hopes with the world. But there was always that certain something deep down telling me I had more.
I had the guts, if you will, of "Waiting on the Sidelines" written for a long time. I knew what the crux of the story would be. I could write a great love story, full of passion and romance. But as I matured, and as I watched my friends' daughters endure the difficulties that come along with being a girl growing up, I started to uncover the purpose and the power my story could hold.
Girls can be cruel to one another. So very many of us are. And it's not something that stops when we're 18, when we're 22, when we're 40. We all too often tear each other down. I don't know how we learn it (I suppose it's a trait we pass down, though often non-admittedly). But the damage we do to one another is unforgivable.
I have a few teenaged girls in my life that I consider dear friends, God daughters and family. And I've watched them love the boy that would break their hearts and be bullied by the girl who would get the boy. And that's when it hit me -- this...THIS was what my story needed to center on.
To say I am proud of "Waiting on the Sidelines" would be a profound understatement. Yes, writing books is my dream. And yes, I've taken that step now (and intend to continue, full steam ahead). But more than anything else, I hope this book gets read. Because I think it's something us women (our daughters and the teenaged girls we still are or remember being) need to read. And I think we need to talk about it. And then I think we need to start respecting each other just a little more. We're sisters, and together we are mighty.
I knew I could tell a story. I've told lots of them -- all non-fiction. Through my journalism career, I have been honored to tell the stories of others, sometimes during their darkest hour. I have been their funnel to share their emotions, strength, their passions, their fears, their hopes with the world. But there was always that certain something deep down telling me I had more.
I had the guts, if you will, of "Waiting on the Sidelines" written for a long time. I knew what the crux of the story would be. I could write a great love story, full of passion and romance. But as I matured, and as I watched my friends' daughters endure the difficulties that come along with being a girl growing up, I started to uncover the purpose and the power my story could hold.
Girls can be cruel to one another. So very many of us are. And it's not something that stops when we're 18, when we're 22, when we're 40. We all too often tear each other down. I don't know how we learn it (I suppose it's a trait we pass down, though often non-admittedly). But the damage we do to one another is unforgivable.
I have a few teenaged girls in my life that I consider dear friends, God daughters and family. And I've watched them love the boy that would break their hearts and be bullied by the girl who would get the boy. And that's when it hit me -- this...THIS was what my story needed to center on.
To say I am proud of "Waiting on the Sidelines" would be a profound understatement. Yes, writing books is my dream. And yes, I've taken that step now (and intend to continue, full steam ahead). But more than anything else, I hope this book gets read. Because I think it's something us women (our daughters and the teenaged girls we still are or remember being) need to read. And I think we need to talk about it. And then I think we need to start respecting each other just a little more. We're sisters, and together we are mighty.
