Writing & Reading . . . Well, Mostly Writing

It’s been about a month since my last post and probably one of the longest periods I’ve been away from this blog. As a freelance writer, the tide of work ebbs and flows. When it’s ebbing, I find myself spending as much time chasing the work as I do completing the work. Clients come and go, that’s just the way it is and I much prefer this as a day job than other options.

Freelancing as a content creator allows me the flexibility to pursue the completion of my first book and prep for NaNo, which I’ll discuss in just a moment. After several drafts, professional editing, revisions, more editing, more revisions, rounds with beta readers and CPs, and more revisions, it’s reallllllllly close to query time. And while that’s slightly terrifying, I’m ready. Actually mentally ready. I’ve done my best and it’s time to see if I can convince an agent that they should take a chance on it and me. And really, they should because the book’s awesome and so am I, right? Right? Anyhoo . . .

So I’ve been writing during this time I’ve been away from sharing book reviews here on the blog. From many, many freelance words to additions/revisions on the book, and prep work for my NaNo project. Which is:   drum roll please!    YA Mystery!

I’m really looking forward to this project and can’t wait to dive in!

nano-2017-participant-badge

If you’re considering NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) head over to their site HERE. Be sure to click over to THIS PAGE to find out how it works. It’s super easy, free, and trust me, you’ll have a blast. It’s a great way to meet other writers, get in the habit of writing daily with no excuses, and crank out a first draft in 30 days.

Now about the time I’ve spent reading. old booksLong before I was a writer, I was a reader. I can’t ever remember NOT being a reader. I only post a few of the books I read here, so even when I’m not posting book reviews, I am still reading several books. Since the beginning of the month I’ve been rereading Michael Grant’s GONE series in anticipation of his new book MONSTER that releases October 17. As this is one of my all-time favorite young adult series, I’m really looking forward to reading it! Keep your eyes out, I promise I will post a full review as soon as I can.

I’ve also been rereading “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie and YES, I do plan to go see the new movie in November. I own the 1974 version, and while I don’t favor it as much as “And Then There Were None” and “Death on the Nile” it does have its merits.

I’d love to hear from you! Comment below and share with me and other readers the new book releases you’re anxiously awaiting. I’m always looking to add to by TBR pile. If you’re an Agatha Christie fan like me, are you planning to see the new “Murder on the Orient Express” movie? Tell me in the comments.

 

 

 

And, I’m Back.

So actually I wasn’t really gone, just away from the blog because of my freelance work and because I was doing a THING.

What thing?

Very glad you asked.

I made the monumental decision (cue fluttery heartbeat) to enter Pitch Wars for the first time. If you’ve never heard of Pitch Wars it’s a THING, a huge thing. An amazing thing. With amazing people and truly one of the most supportive communities of writers.

Direct from Brenda Drake’s site:

“Is it another contest? Oh, no, it’s so much better. Pitch Wars is a contest where published/agented authors, editors, or industry interns choose one writer each, read their entire manuscript, and offer suggestions to shine it up for agents. The mentors also critique the writer’s pitch to get it ready for the agent round. Writers send applications (query and first chapter of manuscript) to four mentors who best fit their work. The mentors then read all their applications and choose the one writer they want to mentor for the next two months.”

Click here to read the full scoop and be sure to peep around Brenda’s site to learn even more cool stuff about Pitch Wars, Pitch Madness, and more.

So if you’re a writer with an unpublished manuscript, this may be just the THING for you, especially if you’re at the stage where you’re thinking about querying.

And in case you were wondering, I entered my YA fantasy, LIES & MAGIC. Fingers and other digits crossed in hopes of being chosen by a mentor, but, seriously, I learned so much from the process and have connected with so many amazing people. It’s a win just for all that!

Keep your eyes out for more book reviews as I get back on my normal schedule. I’m currently reading A.L. Tait’s second book in her “The Mapmaker Chronicles.” That review will be up soon.

Happy Monday! Keep reading and writing!

Writing about Writing and Words

Last week I had the privilege of guest posting on author Sheri Williams’ blog. I talked about my writer’s “word-of-the-year” the one word that pretty much sums things up for me — the one word I keep muttering to myself on the days when I’m tired, frustrated, and the words won’t flow or are non-existent.

Below is a teaser about my post. If you want to read more and find out what word is on my writer’s mind. Please hope over to the blog of author Sheri Williams.

===== The Word of the Day & the Year is . . .  =====

According to Statistic Brain, 41% of all Americans usually make a New Year’s resolution. Honestly, I would have thought that number to be higher, definitely over half maybe into the sixtieth percentile at least. To me, it seems like as soon as January 1 hits there’s the onslaught of blog posts, tweets, Facebook updates talking about or listing what they’re going to change/improve/eradicate in the new year.

Did you make a resolution for 2017? Are you in the process of working towards that resolution or as we move into the final days of January, has the oomph gone out of your resolve? . . .

. . . read the rest at Sheri’s blog. Thanks!