Kate Willis's Blog, page 101
June 26, 2017
All The Reasons I Love Book Journaling
Last year around that delightful back-to-school time when all the notebooks are ridiculously cheap and authors and graduates get ridiculously excited, my dad gave us each a green notebook. The idea was for us to write down a few key ideas or questions from what we read throughout the day to discuss with him later.
It sounded like an extremely fun idea, and we all set to work personalizing our notebooks. I pulled every writing/reading quote I could think of off the top of my head and happily Sharpie-d them on the cover. (Complete with a dog paw, because Snoopy is a writer. ❤ )
And then I started filling it. (Warning: don’t ever do this if you are afraid of knowing how much you read. Also, don’t join Goodreads. Also, while you’re at it, don’t have a happy life.) Bible reading, beta-reading, library finds, everything got an entry in my notebook when I had finished it. Once in awhile I even copied down a particular quote to share.
We had some good conversations because of that notebook. 
June 23, 2017
Book Review: Rose of the Night
[image error]“Behind every beast, there is a curse.
Behind every curse, there is a promise.
Behind every promise, there is a sacrifice.
Over two hundred years before the one he’d know as Beauty was born, Adrian risks all in an attempt to win the heart of the one he loves. Instead, he dooms himself and the rest of Aslaria. Blood and tears weave a legend of hope and sorrow, love and betrayal. Alive only because of the mercy granted by the King, Adrian dedicates himself to the only task that now matters. A mission to undo the night he has caused.
A prequel to Rose of the Oath, this is a timeless tale of a forbidden rose and the smooth voice of a masked stranger. A story of rebellion and despair and love. A story of a promise given and of a hope received.
The story of the Oathkeeper.” (from Goodreads)
Good news–I officially have another favorite author!
June 21, 2017
My Proof Copy Came!!!
Why didn’t Kate post on Monday?
One reason–I got the flu. Which was “lovely”. I think I’m on the mend now, but I am a little behind on everything.
June 15, 2017
WRITE!
Hello, fellow writers! Today is the day we announce the prizes and say goodbye. *sniffs and grins simultaneously* Go check out Rebekah’s announcement to see if you won and don’t forget to pick up the inspiration book!
I’ve enjoyed partying with you all immensely. We’ve played a quote hunting game, asked questions of the authors, and made new discoveries together.
We’ve shared…
…and now it’s time to WRITE!
Your cursor blinks at you against the white page of the computer screen. You back away intimidated and pull out a notebook with faint blue lines running side to side and a thin red one marking the boundary.
You glance back and forth between the computer and the notebook. And promptly hit your head on your desk.
No ideas. Or maybe too many. Is “once upon a time” too cliche of an opening? Do you type with your left hand or your right?
But what’s the use anyway? There are better authors out there in the world. Do you really need to tell this story?
Yes.
Wars are always won with words, and you and I are on the front lines. There is a battle being waged for the minds of people. Will they fill their minds with what is true and lovely and pure or will they grab the first thing they can find? Because you have to admit, the beautiful books are few and far between, and we bookworms run out very quickly.
If God has given you a story, write it. If He hasn’t yet, maybe you need to find it. But when you write, bring your readers to Him. Write with all the gifts He’s given you and sharpen your skills as a diligent squire.
You write a few words fueled by fresh enthusiasm and purpose. You will write these words even if they are only needed by a few people. Even if you only have one reader who is blessed. Because you must.
Go on, brave writer! 
June 14, 2017
1 Writing Tool
Eeeek! Prizes will be announced tomorrow, so don’t forget to enter that giveaway! (We’ve added a third prize now!!)
Today, I’m sharing a video of my favorite writing tool–my WriteMind planner. It’s my brainstorm book, and an author’s best friend!
June 13, 2017
2 Writing Tips
The countdown continues!
I’ve been “writing” since age seven, but these last three years of interacting with other authors and discovering helpful books and blogs from have really grown my writing skills. There is a ton of good advice out there, but today I’m picking my two favorite tips.
Here goes…
1. Everything has already been written but not by you. Or at least that’s the gist of what my friend Amanda Tero said when I was moaning to her about how cliche my book plot sounded. And it’s true! Our styles, word choices, and ideas will never be exactly the same as everyone else’s. (How many retellings of Cinderella are there again?!)
June 12, 2017
3 Writing Books
Welcome to day one of this blog party!!! Are you excited?! I know I am! There is a quote hunt game thingy, a super awesome giveaway, and lots of good information all to celebrate and encourage writers in their quest to write the kind of books that bless people. Rebekah explains how everything works in her lovely introductory post here complete with the giveaway.
June 9, 2017
Greetings from a Tired Author
You know that funny moment when it’s time to blog, and you’ve spent all your extra time and energy on scheduling posts (and answering emails) to prepare for an awesome blog party next week?
And also when you’ve spent the day playing five games of laser tag with friends and family?
Not to mention finishing up your manuscript and sending it to your formatter. ❤
Yup. That’s my day.
June 7, 2017
Book Review: The Forgotten Sisters
[image error]“After a year at the king’s palace, Miri has learned all about being a proper princess. But the tables turn when the student must become the teacher!
Instead of returning to her beloved Mount Eskel, Miri is ordered to journey to a distant swamp and start a princess academy for three sisters, cousins of the royal family. Unfortunately, Astrid, Felissa, and Sus are more interested in hunting and fishing than becoming princesses.
As Miri spends more time with the sisters, she realizes the king and queen’s interest in them hides a long-buried secret. She must rely on her own strength and intelligence to unravel the mystery, protect the girls, complete her assignment, and finally make her way home.” (from Goodreads)
I had such mixed feelings about this last book, I’m not quite sure how to review it.
June 5, 2017
Exciting Updates (& Reviewers Needed!)
Hi, this is the busiest girl ever with two (or is it more?) exciting updates for y’all!
First off, “The Twin Arrows” has a cover!!! *happy dance* In case you haven’t seen it, here is the gorgeousness.
