SPECIAL Month-End Update: June 2016

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SPECIAL Month-End Update: June 2016

To mark the halfway point of 2016, I’ve got a special month-end update today. In the first part, I’ll do the usual June recap. Some highlights? Desertera #2 is finally with the line editor, and 100 Action & Adventure Writing Prompts (Fiction Ideas Vol. 6) is published AND FREE through tomorrow.

In the second part, I’ll be catching you (and myself!) up with my New Year’s Resolutions. My biggest accomplishment? *knock on wood* I’ve only had ONE major migraine attack this year! I never thought I’d hit that goal, and I’m incredibly thankful they’ve mostly subsided.

Before you dive into all the bullet points, I want to highlight three exciting July activities.

First, today is Indie Pride Day! Check out this Book Blast hosted by Angela B. Chrysler to find some awesome independent authors and books (myself, included!).

Second, tomorrow I’ll be hosting the Fire & Lies Goodreads takeover. Head over at 3 P.M. Eastern U.S. time to chat science fiction and fantasy and enter to win a FREE ebook copy of The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1) – OR Desertera #2, if you’ve already read TCD.

Last, this month I’ll be unveiling the title of Desertera #2. Since I’ve put it off so long, I’ve decided to make an even bigger deal out of it and run a contest! Stay tuned for details (and chances to win advance review or signed copies of Desertera #2)!

June Update

Writing

Blog Posts Written — 7 (and one reblog)
Fiction Words Written — 0
# of Days I Wrote Fiction — 0
Nonfiction Prompts Written — 100 prompts (plus front/back matter material)
# of Days I Wrote Nonfiction — 7
Outlines Written — 0
Days Without Writing and/or Editing — 13

Editing/Revising

Drafts Revised — Content Edit of Desertera #2 (plus a quick second pass)
# of Days I Revised — 10

Reading

Books Finished

Hammer of the Gods by Christina Ochs
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8, Volume 4 by Joss Whedon
Hills and Valleys by Helen Jones
Fray by Joss Whedon

Books Begun/In-Progress

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
Cat and Mouse by A.M. Offenwanger

Books Reviewed

Hammer of the Gods by Christina Ochs – read review
Hills and Valleys by Helen Jones – read review

*Remember, I review every book I read on my Goodreads page.

Author Business Activities

Published 100 Action & Adventure Writing Prompts (Fiction Ideas Vol. 6)
Sent Desertera #2 to the line editor!
Participated in Sterling & Stone’s Story Seller’s Bootcamp
Gave an author interview
Watched a live Q&A with Joanna Penn

Goals for July

I’ve got a few exciting things planned for July — I’d stay close if I were you!

Announce Desertera #2‘s title with a contest!
Complete all line editing for Desertera #2 (pending editor’s schedule)
Cover design for Desertera #2
Write and publish my next creative writing prompts booklet
An author interview on Kate Evans’s website
Participate in Camp NaNoWriMo
Participate in the Indie Pride Day Book Blast (today!)
Participate in the Fire & Lies Goodreads takeover (tomorrow!)

New Year’s Resolutions

So far, I’m on track to hit my goal of 50% of my resolutions. As a quick refresher — our family tradition is to make one resolution for each year of your age. Therefore, I try to shoot for the stars and at least hit the moon!

My difficult code: E (easy), C (challenging), DD (damn difficult), LOL (…yeah…)

WRITING

1. Write five days a week (C, but based on past experience, LOL) – If by “write,” I mean draft OR edit, then I think I’m on track.

2. Finish Desertera #2 (E)

3. Publish Desertera #2 (C) – On track!

4. Write Desertera #3 (DD) – On track!

5. Publish Desertera #3 (DD) – Not happening

6. Write a book for fun (LOL) – I repeat: LOL.

7. Write all nonfiction booklets (E) – On track!

8. Publish all nonfiction booklets (E) – On track!

9. Publish nonfiction compilation (C) – On track!

BUSINESS