Lucy V. Hay's Blog, page 49
July 1, 2014
June 24, 2014
Update on JASMINE'S STORY (plus my new novella)
I WAS hoping to share JASMINE'S STORY with you this week, but sadly Amazon have a conversion backlog at the moment, so we'll be waiting until July 7th apparently, though perhaps they'll catch up and it will come out sooner! Here's hoping.In the meantime, I'm talking to crime author & psychiatrist @rosieclaverton on her fantastic Freudian Script blog again, this time about teenagers and mental health issues. I'm also talking in more detail about JASMINE'S STORY's two lead characters, Jasmine & Olivia, so if you want some more info on what underpins the story, check it out HERE.
In addition, I'm on the brilliant @VirtualWriters site, talking about dealing with rejection as a writer. It's something that EVERY single writer has to learn how to handle in this business; working with my Bang2writers, I've discovered the same fears and misconceptions abound, especially amongst new writers. So don't let rejection put you off your writer's journey, check out the post HERE.
As far as my own writing goes, I've just completed a draft (finally!) of my New Adult romantic comedy, WEEKENDED, which is about three young women who fall in love and/or have to deal with its fallout in the course of one weekend. I've had a blast writing it and its characters first got an outing in 2003! Sadly I was never able to get a cohesive draft together and after a disastrous attempt last year, I thought that was the end ... Until they knitted themeselves into THIS one! Shows you should never write off (arf) some stories, they're like those monsters in old horror films, coming back when you least expect it! I sent the novella off to beta readers last night, so fingers crossed they like it. I plan to enter WEEKENDED into the Jonathan Cape open submission call and (of course!) into Salt Publishing's "Modern Dreams" call. Make sure you're following @saltpublishing on Twitter, too.
Keep your fingers crossed for me! Best of luck with your own writing and hope you're all reading something GREAT!
June 16, 2014
Read The Synopsis of JASMINE'S STORY!! Out Soon
I'm currently putting the finishing touches to the copy edit of THE DECISION: JASMINE'S STORY and all the various listing stuff. I'm hoping it will go live on Amazon this week, so keep your eyes on social media for the big announcement!I wrote an original draft of JASMINE in the summer of 2012 when I was on chemotherapy, so it was quite a revelation to re-read that manuscript. Let's just say LOTS of it was pretty wild! Also, writing a second book of a series set in the same location / storyworld of Winby was WAY harder than I thought it would be! There's so much you need to weigh up: is too similar? Too different? What additions should be made to the storyworld? Are the characters different enough to the original book's characters, without seeming completely OTT? What theme should I pick? What subject matter should I explore? So many decisions!! (Yes, yes ironic, arf). Anyway, I go into more detail talking to author of Binary Witness Rosie Claverton, HERE.
Needless to say, the current draft of JASMINE is very different to that mad 2012 one and you can read a short synopsis HERE.
To celebrate, this week on The Decision Facebook page I am reflecting on the release of THE DECISION: LIZZIE'S STORY and its social media strategy all week. I'll be talking transmedia, reviews, allies and more - so make sure you "Like" the page to keep updated.
As ever, you can also follow @LizziesDecision on Twitter and the Pinterest board, The Decision: YOUR Story for news and articles about teenagers and the issues concerning them. There's also now The Decision Tumblr, which now includes introduction blogs to the two main characters of the new book, written in their "own words" too - just click their names below.
JASMINE
OLIVIA
The JASMINE synopsis again
Can't wait to share the new book with you! Watch this space ...
June 11, 2014
How NOT To Write A Novel ... The Lowdown
One of the questions I get asked most often is, "How do I write a novel of my own?" The answer to that one is depressing or liberating, dependant on your POV: any way you like!! There are, however, lots of ways NOT to write a novel ... and Andrew outlines some of them over at B2W today. There's loads of links to other food for thought about novel writing, too. Read the article HERE. Enjoy!
June 9, 2014
Monday Round Up
Just a few notices to start the week. Over at my main site Bang2write, I've been talking X MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. I enjoyed this movie a great deal and feel the Action/Adventure subgenre of Hollywood movies are undergoing an interesting transition in terms of characterisation (especially role function) and plotting, so if you're a Thriller Screenplays fan like me, then do check out the post.On The Decision Tumblr, you can see posts from both Jasmine and Olivia, the main characters from book 2, JASMINE'S STORY: you can see its synopsis HERE.
On the Decision Facebook page, it's been meme central to shine a spotlight on some of the more hypocritical arguments regarding teen pregnancy.
Over on the Bang2writers Facebook page, we've been talking various writing topics such as what it takes to be a professional writer; what goes into "good" spec Science Fiction screenplays; plus the nightmares of querying.
Last but by no means least, THE DECISION: LIZZIE'S STORY is still free all day today (Monday, June 9th). Grab your copy for your Kindle HERE and you can check out Book Viral's Spotlight on the novel HERE. (Don't have a Kindle? Did you know you can download Kindle Apps for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device? Google to find them or download by clicking here ---> APPLE and ANDROID). Enjoy!June 6, 2014
Enjoy THE DECISION: LIZZIE'S STORY Totally FREE!
Just a quick one today: THE DECISION: LIZZIE'S STORY is free to download on Amazon - ALL WEEKEND!!!Download your free copy of this "thought provoking, entertaining" novel HERE.
Don't have a Kindle? Don't worry - You CAN still read THE DECISION: LIZZIE'S STORY absolutely free by downloading a Kindle App to your iPhone, iPad, or Android Device. Google to find them or check out the links here:
Apple Devices
Android Devices
Don't miss out on reading the first of The Decision Book series at no cost! HERE is that link again, or click the pic above. Enjoy! :D
June 1, 2014
And Without Further Ado … JASMINE's Cover Reveal!
You can view more info about the plot behind the book by clicking the pic above.
May 29, 2014
Cover Reveal Countdown For JASMINE'S STORY
I am pleased to announce the cover for the next instalment in The Decision Book Series, JASMINE'S STORY, has arrived and I'm absolutely delighted with it! Peter at Bespoke Book Covers did the honours and yet again I am absolutely delighted with his work. It's very different to the Lizzie cover, but every bit as evocative and eye-catching. I cannot recommend him more highly!
As with all the books in The Decision Series, a female protagonist is presented with ALL the potential outcomes of a single dilemma: in Jasmine's case, she must act to help her best friend Olivia, who is severely depressed. The book takes in themes of self harm; slut-shaming; fat-shaming; male violence and manipulation, plus what it means to be "popular" - a toxic landscape which BOTH girls find themselves both adrift in. See all my books HERE.
JASMINE'S STORY is out in June, so I am kicking off a countdown TODAY to reveal the cover here, on my GoodReads blog, sometime during Sunday June 1st, 2014! Keep your eyes on the @LizziesDecision Twitter and/or join The Decision's Facebook Page for more updates.
Meanwhile, the first novel in the series, THE DECISION: LIZZIE'S STORY was published in March and I'm delighted readers have received the book as warmly as its German translation, BAUCHENTSCHEIDUNG. Here's a taster of some of Lizzie's reviews so far:
"Bridget Jones-type humour blended with very honest & engaging storytelling" - Malik
“Broaches a difficult subject with sensitivity and clarity and deals with all aspects of teen pregnancy without bias.” - Jan
“Fresh, real & v honest … For a lifelong Judy Blume geek like me, LIZZIE’S STORY was totally convincing!” – The Duchess
“LIZZIE’S STORY would be a great read not only for teenagers, but parents of teenagers too.” – PJMW
“LIZZIE’S STORY is a must read for teens & parents … A meaningful tale told a unique way.” – Seachelle
“LIZZIE’S STORY is well-crafted & hard hitting … As direct & 3D as your own family.” – MA Robertson
“Always told in an honest and relatable voice, akin to Juno’s, LIZZIE’S STORY is definitely worth spending some time with.” – Maureen
See the reviews in their entirety on my Amazon Author Page or buy it HERE or by clicking the ? pic above.
May 25, 2014
Spotlight On Indie Authors & Publishing
I'm delighted to announce that THE DECISION: LIZZIE'S STORY has been spotlighted on the great site @BookViral. Calling it "thought provoking and tender", BookViral says Lizzie's story appreciates the complexities of teen pregnancy and offers great advice and insight to teens. Needless to say, I'm delighted. Check out the full review HERE or click the pic above.
In addition, it was B2W Indie Authors Week on my site Bang2write last week; don't miss out on these GREAT posts that will help you get your books out there:
3 Tips To Transform From "Self Publisher" To "Indie Author" by @MaryAliceEvans - I read and gave feedback on Mary's debut book, "Who Let The Gods Out?", part of the Immortal Chaos series. Not only is it the book equivalent of a Pixar movie, full of fun and inventive ideas for kids AND adults alike, Mary had sold 100 units before they'd even gone on sale officially! Soak up her wisdom.
5 Ways Chatwing Can Help Writers - writers often email me, asking how they can find others to collaborate with and/or do peer review with, so when new Live chat System Chatwing asked to do a guest post, I thought indie authors could really benefit from it, especially in getting those elusive beta readers. Check it out - best of all, Chatwing is FREE!
Authors and Book Rights: 5 Key Truths by @Tom_Chalmers of @Legend_Press and @IPRlicense - did you know you could be missing out on vital revenue as an indie author, licensing your work in other languages or mediums, such as apps, films or merchandising? If you haven't a clue where to start with this, check out Tom's post NOW!
Finally, if you've published a book recently by traditional means or the indie route, you may be interested in B2W's most recent post written by yours truly: 10 Tips For Authors Promoting Their Books Online, all about creating a following on the world wide web. Enjoy and best of luck! :D
May 15, 2014
The King Of Monsters Is Back!!
The GODZILLA reboot from acclaimed British director Gareth Edwards (MONSTERS) is out today in the UK! Like any self respecting Thriller devotee, I LOVE a good creature feature, so can't wait to see it this weekend.
So, if you love monster movies as much as me, make sure you follow #Godzilla on Twitter and @LizziesDecision, who will be tweeting fantastic links about monsters, including (but not limited to) Godzilla ALL DAY! Follow her HERE.
BTW, the Kindle edition of WRITING AND SELLING THRILLER SCREENPLAYS is still just £6.98, that's a saving of £10.01! Buy it HERE or click on the pic above to download.
Lucy V. Hay's Blog
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