#IWSG heading over the hill...and my writing plan, even in my old age (wink)

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
The awesome co-hosts for the December 7 posting of the IWSG will be Jennifer Hawes, Jen Chandler, Nick Wilford, Juneta Key, JH Moncrieff, Diane Burton, and MJ Fifield!

December 7 Question: In terms of your writing career, where do you see yourself five years from now, and what’s your plan to get there?

In less than a month, I'll be 40. It's a hard birthday for me, not because of my age, really, but because I used to only celebrate my birthday because my mom wanted me to. She'd ask to have my husband, boys, and my over for dinner, or make sure to pester me enough that we'd set a going-out-to-eat dinner date. And she'd always make sure to get me cake and gifts. 

After my mom died in March 2015, I dreaded my 2016 birthday. So, the thought of celebrating my 40th next month, in 2017, is less fun, even though my cousins and friends are excited about it. Love them. 

So, I decided to release my first book on that day, so that I'd have something to look forward to. I figured I could wake up thinking, I'm a published author, instead of, I'm forty. And also, I figured celebrating could be more for that than for my birthday. 😉  I was really thinking ahead.

Now that that book is out/about out (cuz who knew clicking "Approve Proof" meant "Publish and Send out to the World?") my plan for this upcoming year is to publish at least two more books and one novella in its (Kingdom Come) series. I'd also planned to work on publishing or querying two contemporary titles (The book that's out is paranormal.), but now I'm thinking I'd like to begin another trilogy, a prequel trilogy, in the Kingdom Come series. So, I'm certain I'll be spending 2017-2018 on making a name as an author and working to make this series successful.  Beyond that, I do have my contemporary novels that I need to either release or query, and the decision to be made if I release them myself is whether or not to release them under my current pen name, or another name since they'll be a different genre...unless I spice them up with some angels!

So..the plan. Write. Write. Write. Market. Research. Love every step of the way. Repeat. 

I've got to run because I started this post late and it's time for work. Otherwise I'm sure I'd have written more.

My plan seems kind of flimsy so I'll have to put together a better one. Don't tell Susan Kaye Quinn about my lack of a plan! I'm just setting myself up for failure! Eek!  Research plan part one: visit you all to get better plan ideas!!!

Christy

Squeee!!! It's FINALLY Cover Reveal Day for WHEN ASH RAINS DOWN!!!

Here it is! The cover I've been waiting to share with you for a very, very long time. 

Scroll down to see the full paperback cover, to take an angel quiz (Just what kind of angel would YOU be?), to view a brand new book trailer, and to learn how to WIN free books and swag!

Author Promotion on Facebook--Spots Available!

Hi all!

Welp. NaNoWriMo will have to be in December for me. I haven't started. BUT I have been very, very busy with other book-related projects, so I have a good reason for zero wordage. Really. The words will get written!

I've been completing final edits for When Ash Rains Down for my pen name, Cecelia Earl.
I've created a fun quiz for my Cover Reveal event on Facebook.
I've created some Meet the Character posts for the same event.

Aaaaaaannndd...I've started lining up some writing, author, and blogger friends to post during my Facebook Cover Reveal Event!  I'd love it if you joined me too.  I have open slots!!!! Say yes! It'll be fun. I promise!!


It's December 4. A Sunday. All day, but the author promotions are scheduled for 4-9 PM CST. I know it's the weekend after Thanksgiving and weeks before Christmas and you might still have to shop and clean and host family. I understand. But also, know this:

All you'd need to write is a short Facebook post, like a paragraph, about something writing, blogging, reading, publishing, design-related...or write something fun for readers! And pop on the Facebook event page during your time slot and post it to the Discussion wall.  That's it! If you want to hang around for 15-30 minutes in case anyone comments, you can, but you don't have to! I'll be there. 

What can your post be about? You can write about your favorite vacation spot (maybe it influenced the setting in your novel) or your favorite music (maybe your novel has a playlist) or your favorite food (characters sometimes eat, right?) or anything at all to entertain. I'm not looking for any one age group or genre because many of my family, friends, and colleagues will be popping in at the event and their reading preferences are varied. I want them to discover you all and enjoy you and your writing as much as I do!

I'll create a banner/ad for you, like these.  And on the day of the reveal, around the time of your post, I'll post an image of your book(s) with descriptions and maybe some reviews from Amazon or Goodreads with linkage.

So...let me know if you'd be interested in posting during a 15-minute or 30-minute time slot between 4 and 9 PM CST on Sunday, December 4 (Or any time, really. I'll be posting all day 5 AM through midnight!).  Email me nc_hintz@yahoo.com OR reply in the comments OR message me on Facebook OR Twitter. (@ericaandchristy OR @authorcecelia)

Here are some of the Facebook posts I've made for some authors so far, 

examples of some topics and how I'd share your post time with readers.

Here's the deal with the Cover Reveal event.

Link if you want to check it out.

Here's the schedule for the day.

In addition to mugs, bookmarks, and giveaways of When Ash Rains Down, 

I'll be giving away favorite paranormal/angel books 

to those in attendance and especially those who interact during the posts.

Thanks all. Happy Thanksgiving (if you're in the US) and Happy Week to all!
Christy

Here's how to receive an advanced reader e-copy!

Advanced reader e-copies of When Ash Rains Down are now available to all my newsletter subscribers! As soon as you sign up with your email address, you'll receive a confirmation email that includes the link to the ARC!  

Sign up for my newsletter here! 

When Ash Rains Down is a paranormal novel for young adults. It will be available exclusively through Amazon on January 4, 2017. I'll be revealing my cover on December 4 with an all-day Facebook event.  YA Bound Book Tours is also hosting my reveal, so if you'd like to participate in the fun, you can sign up at their site here!

Being crowned homecoming queen and enduring a week at the center of her classmates' attention is eighteen-year-old Julia White’s worst nightmare—even with Cole, her long-time crush, as her date. But when Julia is attacked by a green-blooded demon that vanishes in a plume of smoke, she comes face to face with what real nightmares look like—in the flesh, and all of the homecoming stuff hardly matters anymore.

As a frightening wave of crime infiltrates her small Wisconsin town, Julia tries to avoid Nicholas, a brooding, infuriating relative of Cole’s, who insists she’s the reason behind the corruption. He claims the culprits are demons who are after powers that only she—a human-angel hybrid—possesses. It’s unbelievable, of course, until he takes her to a hidden battlefield where warrior angels train to fight soul-siphoning demons—and her own angelic wings unfold.

When angels and demons draw battle lines, endangering everyone in their way, Julia has to find a way to protect them all, including herself. Because as it turns out, she’s the devil's most powerful weapon against the angels, and he’ll stop at nothing to claim her. 

The final battle between Heaven and Hell has begun.

It's RELEASE DAY for A.A. Chamberlynn's HUNTRESS FOUND!!

It's release day for Alexia Chamberlynn's HUNTRESS FOUND! 

I am so in love with this cover and am loving the story just as much. 

In fact, I recently got so lost in the pages I didn't get as far as I needed to on my final edits and I ended up putting off getting report cards done (I'm a first grade teacher) until waaaaaay too late in the evening, but it was the BEST kind of getting lost and the BEST way to procrastinate!

And now you can get lost in this new story too! And, what perfect timing...IT'S THE WEEKEND! 

Huntress Found is the first book in A.A. Chamberlynn's Timekeeper's War series. 

It's a New Adult Contemporary Fantasy, Mythology Mashup with Sci-Fi and Steampunk--

and it's ONLY 99 CENTS!!

Description

From the author of the bestselling Zyan Star fantasy series comes a new world of magic...

Evryn’s got mad skills at playing hide and seek. She can find lost children, hack the most secure databases, pretty much anything. Except for the one thing she desires most: the knowledge of who her parents are, why they abandoned her, and what her special talent means about who and what she really is.

So, when a guy named Seeker appears quite literally out of nowhere, claiming to know about her past and offering her a job, Evryn can’t say yes fast enough. Even if it does mean following him to another realm. As in, mind-blowingly, not Earth. Apparently she’s part of an elite clan of Hunters descending from Artemis who can find just about anything in all of time and space. As the last of Artemis’ direct lineage, Evryn is her clan’s best shot at finding a lost city before rival clans do.

Not just any city, but the flying, realm-hopping city of Skye. Aboard Skye is the Artifex, a magical device with the power to create or destroy worlds. Everyone wants the device, and with Evryn’s super-powered lineage, it means everyone wants her, too. It’s hard to decide who she can trust, even within her own clan. After she discovers a strange, alluring connection to the Artifex, she’s not even sure she can trust herself. Worse yet, the only person who may be able to help her is the Timekeeper, the sadistic ancient being who created the Artifex. An interdimensional war is brewing, and Evryn is right at the epicenter of it all.

Let the hunt begin.

Book Links

Goodreads Link  Amazon Link  Barnes and Noble Link  iTunes Link  Kobo

Alexia’s Social Media Links

website  blog  twitter  pinterest  facebook  instagram

amazon  goodreads

I ALMOST FORGOT TO TELL YOU! IN HONOR OF THIS RELEASE AND HER BIRTHDAY, ALEXIA IS GIVING AWAY A $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD! GO TO HER BLOG TO ENTER!

So, go and spend your weekend reading and then come back and tell me what you thought of Huntress Found! 

Have you gotten so lost in a good story lately that you didn't get the work done you were supposed to be doing? I'd love to hear about the story and your incomplete work.  Share in the comments!

Christy

My Maiden of Time Series Doppelganger is....

Welcome Crystal Collier here today to share her new book and introduce you to YOUR Maiden of Time doppelganger!

I've already played, and my Maiden of Time doppelganger is...Alexia!!! 

Which means that like the main character of the Maiden of Time series, I am  loyal but strong headed. I enjoy classics and good living, but am content with the basics. I face my fears, care deeply about others, and am a bit of a hopeless romantic--even while TRYING to be grounded.

Alexia is a dutiful, but determined young woman, a bit against the grain (especially for her era). She challenges the dark and fears only that the people she loves will come to harm. Compassion is her core. Her greatest hope is to keep others from suffering, even if it means giving up her dreams. She adores her family, has a skill for sewing, and can manipulate time.

Please share with me in the comments who YOUR doppelganger is!!!

In 1771, Alexia had everything: the man of her dreams, reconciliation with her father, even a child on the way. But she was never meant to stay. It broke her heart, but Alexia heeded destiny and traveled five hundred years back to stop the Soulless from becoming.

In the thirteenth century, the Holy Roman Church has ordered the Knights Templar to exterminate the Passionate, her bloodline. As Alexia fights this new threat—along with an unfathomable evil and her own heart—the Soulless genesis nears. But none of her hard-won battles may matter if she dies in childbirth before completing her mission.

Can Alexia escape her own clock?

BUY: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

GUEST POST

Have you ever met someone who looks and acts like someone else you know?

These doppelgangers exist in life, so it makes sense they would exist in literature. Today, you can meet your alternate ego in the Maiden of Time trilogy. Answer 5 simple questions to find out which character is most like you. (Some villains included.)

Look at that! You're a story book character. What do you think? Didn't like your match? Maybe should have picked something else? Try again. Share your results. Buy the books and learn more. (Did she really just say that? Yes, yes she did.) You can also enter to INSTANTLY win some really cool prizes below.

Who is your ideal book character match? (Inside or outside the Maiden of Time trilogy.)

Crystal Collier is an eclectic author who pens clean fantasy/sci-fi, historical, and romance stories with the occasional touch of humor, horror, or inspiration. She practices her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, four littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese.

Find her online HERE.

(Email address is required for awarding prizes.)

#IWSG Post: Why I Love Being a Writer

Hello! Here we all are again. It's another first Wednesday. Thanks for visiting me! I'll be around to see you by Sunday!  It takes me a little while to make the rounds. But I'll be by!

Click here to visit all the other bloggers participating!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

The awesome co-hosts for the November 2 posting of the IWSG will be Joylene Nowell Butler, Jen Chandler, Mary Aalgaard, Lisa Buie Collard, Tamara Narayan, Tyrean Martinson, and Christine Rains!

November 2 Question: What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?

It's funny. I remember the days when I was all hush hush about being a writer. Only Erica (my blog partner) and I knew. Now, it's a matter of accepting the title of author whether or not I'm traditionally or self-published.

But I am a writer, and I love what I do. Why? What's my favorite aspect of being a writer? Now that I'm sitting down to write this post I realize how hard it will be to answer with just one favorite aspect....

So, I'm going to have to list them all and then decide:

--escaping into a world that I create on "paper" (okay, my laptop screen)

--creating characters with personalities, flaws and goals... I'd say I liked giving them obstacles but that's something I struggle with (i know, that's like the most important part, right? gah.)

--going for a run so that the setting and dialogue will pop into my head so that I can get home and write words I hadn't been able to before

--learning. becoming better. I've said it already, but reading that Take Off Your Pants book has opened a whole new world for me. I understand my stories so much better now that I have Hawker's outlining strategy. i'm so excited about having improved all aspects of my story writing.

--relationships with other writers (even though they're all virtual and my husband doubts you're all real) I'm a huge introvert. This is me being social. "Hey all you out there in the blogosphere."

--relationships with other writers. i can talk about the one and only thing I really want to talk about, writing, and you all want to talk about it too. and you 'get' what i'm saying.

--words and how they can be strung together. sometimes they're just beautiful, you know? i love that.

--creativity. pushing myself to let loose and be more creative. i'm super straight and narrow and letting myself create something fantastical and unrealistic is difficult. writing is the wild side of me. 

I don't know that I can rank those. And I'm leaving aspects off the list...I can feel it. Anyhow, I guess those are some of my favorite aspects of being a writer. I'm excited to hop around later (probably throughout the week and weekend) to find out what you most love about writing.

What I'm Insecure About This Month:

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? I am, but it'll be a different year for me. Find me and be my buddy if you want--Christy_h  Since I'm publishing in January and then again in April...I've got a lot of other stuff to do, so I'm worried I won't be as successful this year. Last year I wrote more than the 50k to complete a novel. 

I've been counting on this month to get my April book written, but I've also got to (alert, my to-do list is ahead) (apparently i needed to get it out of my head and into word form):

--plan/make Facebook posts for my (well, my pen name's) Cover Reveal event on december 4 (Feel free to join me!), 

--do final edits and proofread January's novel,

--format January's novel for e-book advanced reader copies and get those out to newsletter subscribers (hopefully in a week or so!), (i'm sure i'll post about that too, so if you're interested, you'll be able to get your hands on a copy!)

--oh, and that also requires figuring Book Funnel out, 

--finish plotting April's novel using the Take Off Your Pants outline (really, she said it took her only three weeks to write her novel with her full outline...so if I take this week to plot, well, let's just say I've got this. Maybe.), 

--and recently I decided to plot, create a cover for, and write a prequel novella for my series and post it on Instafreebie by December 4... 

So, all in all, November is going to be insane.  INSANE!  

And I work full-time as a teacher. I've got three young kids with homework I need to help with. And I feed them, clothe them, cuddle them. The house doesn't clean itself. Good thing I got that self-emptying dishwasher--not!  Okay, this post is going to make me CRY!

I'd better go plot in the fifteen minutes I've got left yet this morning before work.

What I'm Proud Of This Month:

I'm now a Goodreads author! Find me on Goodreads as Cecelia Earl and if you want, you can add my January book to your want-to-read shelf. Here's the link: When Ash Rains Down

And, lastly, I decided to try my hand at creating a trailer for my Kingdom Come series. Here it is!  

Have a wonderful month writing and living. I hope you find every success and accomplish all you set out to do, or as much as humanly possible with the amount of hours we're allotted in a day. ;)

I may need advice on how to get through the month. Feel free to leave me some!

Thanks,

Christy

So you want to be an #indie #author Part One (link to post)

Hey, all.

Thanks for all your support with my going #indie announcement!

Your kind words of encouragement and excitement truly mean the world to me.

I decided to post about my decision and the continuing journey, and I'd planned to dual post here and at Pen Name's blog, but after getting it set over there, I've decided with all the linkage, to just, well, give you a link to send you there.

So, I've posted on Cecelia Earl's blog, the first post in a series: So you want to be an #indie #author...

Hi, I’m no expert, but something Alex J. Cavanaugh, ninja, founder of the must-be-infamous Insecure Writers Support Group, and Amazon best-selling sci-fi author,  said in a comment to another post on another blog, made me think. Maybe I really can inspire or help another writer. So, in case I can, I’ve decided to try and blog about my publication journey (with some helpful links along the way)... 

To read more, click here.

Thanks again!

#IWSG Post: The Truth and MY PUBLISHING NEWS EEEEEK!

Wow, this past month FLEW by while teaching full-time and revising my ms to ready it for my editor (when I wasn't doing housework or being a mom). 

I can't believe it's time for another Insecure Writers's Support Group Post!

First, for newbies (like me) who are scratching their head wondering what this group is all about:

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.

Alex J. Cavanaugh's awesome co-hosts for the October 5 posting of the IWSG are Beverly Stowe McClure, Megan Morgan, Viola Fury, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Angela Wooldridge, andSusan Gourley!

Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.

October 4 Question: When do you know your story is ready?

The truth is: never.

When do I KNOW, like with 100% certainty? I'm insecure enough that I say...I don't KNOW.

IMHO it's probably never going to be ready--ENOUGH. There will always be a reader who thinks it has flaws and could be fixed, changed, improved, edited for content, edited for commas, etc. Hence my expectation that my novels may not receive five-star rave reviews from every reader, which to me means it may not have been READY.

So, I know it's never really ready, BUT I've decided I'll know/think/decide when it's ready for ME.

And that's probably what the question is asking anyway,

So.

My response:

When it's become everything I want it to be.  When my character has/has not reached her goal by the end of the story but has definitely reached her full potential and completed her character arc, when all the scenes have purpose and meaning in accordance with the character's goals, the obstacles, theme, and arc. When I've thought through and outlined, re-plotted and post-outlined, revised, rearranged, cut, omitted, added, re-written, passed it to one or ten critique partners and a beta reader or five, and used as much of their feedback as possible. And then sent it to a paid beta reader and a paid content editor and then a paid line and copy editor....And revised and edited again. And proofread it.

When that's all done, that's when I'll decide it's ready.

(Although, I can imagine that after it's published and out in the world, in readers' hands I'll still pick it up from time to time and think, Oh, man. I should've changed that. And maybe that.)

Another truth:

On a different not, I've decided to tell you something. Maybe I'm making an announcement here, or a reveal of sorts.  I don't know the "right" thing to do or what you would do or what I "should" do, but. I've decided that this is a big deal to me, for me.

And that since it's a big writerly deal thing,

I needed to tell all my writing buds, because if there's ever been a time I needed to express my utter insecurity and excitement, if there's ever been a time I needed the writing and reading community's support and enthusiasm and needed the go-get-em attitude from y'all, IT'S NOW.

And also, so many writers are transparent and open and HELPFUL and collaborative and I've decided to be that too. Or to try to.

So.

I've decided to become an indie author, to self-publish, to make writing and publishing my books MY business,

and I couldn't be more insecure and nervous and second-guessing and excited and enthused and having an out-of-body experience to be embarking on this journey and adventure and wow all these run-on sentences and out of breath..... Phew.

THE NEWS:

I've decided to publish under the pen name CECELIA EARL, hence my thoughts NOT to tell you all, but I NEED you all so desperately to know.

Young Adult Author Cecelia Earl will publish a paranormal trilogy filled with angels, demons, undercover half-angels, lies, romance, family secrets, friendship troubles, and high school drama.

The first novel, her/my/our debut, will be released on my 40th birthday, January 4, 2017! 

For now, I'll show you this (NOT the actual cover):

and tell you this tid bit about the novel:

WHEN ASH RAINS DOWN heroine, undercover angel Julia White, takes on the devil and his demon army to protect her friends from having their souls siphoned to fuel Hell's army. She trades in her homecoming crown for a pair of angel wings and a sword to defend two things SHE possesses that the devil can never have on his own, two things that will give him enough power to overthrow Heaven and destroy Earth. Because she'll be damned if she'll let his kingdom come and have eternal control.

Tentative dates for the second and third book are April 4 and July 4, with novellas sprinkled in between or afterward.

I also have two contemporary realistic YA manuscripts that may be ready to go later in  2017, but right now I'm not sure if I'll release them under Cecelia, a different pen name (Lynnea West) or (gasp) as myself.

As for Cecelia Earl, I'd love it if you'd support me (as her) along the way. I'll keep you posted on the publishing process, the ARC releases, the giveaways, the cover reveal date, and whatever else comes up along the way. But you don't have to wait for me to tell you, you can also follow her on all her social media platforms.

FIND YOUNG ADULT AUTHOR CECELIA EARL 

AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES AND SPACES:

TWITTER         AUTHOR FACEBOOK PAGE         TUMBLR          INSTAGRAM         WEBSITE

Or you could even sign up for her newsletter which will inform you even faster about exciting news, exclusives, giveaways, and other FREEBIES. All of which will be ready soonish. :)

Enter your email below to receive her newsletter via email.

Subscribe to Author Cecelia Earl's Newsletter

I finished a round of revisions for WHEN ASH RAINS DOWN two days ago and sent it to my editor. After another round of edits and revisions, it'll be sent to proofreaders and then formatted for publication!   I've decided on the final cover design and layout, and the final covers for both paperback and e-book editions are underway!

My Goodreads and Amazon author pages will be ready soonish too and then you'll be able to check out my book(s) there!

I'm loving every step I've taken so far in writing and designing and formatting and marketing for my own books. 

And I'd be nowhere if not for my Swoon Squad of writing friends who I chat with every day, or old blog buds who answer questions even when we haven't spoken in AGES, or my newest critique partners whose feedback pushed me to dig deeper and revise more thoughtfully (not sure if you'll agree or not yet?!?) (and who will be so important for books 2 and 3!) and my personal design and plot adviser who chats with me and encourages me and reads for me every time I ask.

So THAT'S THE NEWS. 

I can't believe I TOLD you all that.  

So nervous about it. <3 font="">

Some authors are secretive with their pen names (as I had planned to be) and others are very open. In the comments, I'd love to know your reasons or thoughts behind whether to keep it quiet or to share pen names publicly.

Thanks for listening!
Christy

and

much love,
cecelia

#IWSG: WAIT FOR IT....

I haven't finished my post yet, but I'm making a big reveal in it, so you may want to check back! I'll post as soon as I'm back from bringing my youngest son to the doctor (possible pink eye) and have picked my eldest sons up from school! And then from tonight through this weekend I'll visit as many of YOU as I can!

Best,
Christy

Cover Reveal: TIMELESS (#3 Maiden of Time) by Crystal Collier

The wait is over! You can finally view the beauty of Crystal Collier's cover for the third book in her Maiden of Time series. I'm so excited to be a part of her cover reveal. And if you can tear your eyes away from her cover (I know it will be hard, but worth it.), you can read the blurb about TIMELESS, enter a free-book  giveaway, and enter to win a sneak peek of the first chapter. All below!  Enjoy (and good luck winning her book)!

TIMELESS (#3 Maiden of Time) by Crystal Collier #CoverReveal

Book Title: TIMELESS (Maiden of Time #3)

Author: Crystal Collier

Genre: YA Paranormal Historical

Release Date: November 1, 2016

TIME IS THE ENEMY

In 1771, Alexia had everything: the man of her dreams, reconciliation with her father, even a child on the way. But she was never meant to stay. It broke her heart, but Alexia heeded destiny and traveled five hundred years back to stop the Soulless from becoming.

In the thirteenth century, the Holy Roman Church has ordered the Knights Templar to exterminate the Passionate, her bloodline. As Alexia fights this new threat, along with an unfathomable evil and her own heart the Soulless genesis nears. But none of her hard-won battles may matter if she dies in childbirth before completing her mission.

Can Alexia escape her own clock?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crystal Collier is an eclectic author who pens clean fantasy/sci-fi, historical, and romance stories with the occasional touch of humor, horror, or inspiration. She practices her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, four littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her Blog, Facebook, Goodreads, or follow her on Twitter.

Want the first chapter free? Sign up  HERE.

The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Hi! Last month I joined ISWG for the first time. The purpose of this group is for insecure writers to share doubts and concerns or to offer guidance and assistance to one another. On the first Wednesday of each month we post our thoughts on our blogs, share struggles and triumphs, or encourage others. We visit one another and make connections.

The awesome co-hosts for the September 7 posting of the IWSG will be C. Lee McKenzie,Rachel Pattison, Elizabeth Seckman, Stephanie Faris, Lori L MacLaughlin, and Elsie Amata!

Want to learn more about the IWSG or join the fun the first Wednesday of each month? Go HERE to find out all the details and sign up. They're also announcing the details for the annual IWSG Anthology Contest today!

Every month we have a question prompt to inspire our blog posts. Today's question:

 How do you find the time to write in your busy day?

Well, I'm a teacher so that means I just went back to school in the past two weeks, so my writing schedule is currently out of whack. During the summer, I got up, made coffee and wrote for two hours while my kids made their way out of their beds for breakfast and morning lazy time. While they ate, I continued to write or do writing-related schtuff.  I usually ran a couple of miles by 9:30 and then spent some time with them in the hours before, during, and after lunch. And the day went on with them spending some time playing with the neighbors outside, me getting laundry or other house-related work done, wrote some more, then dinner, reading with the kids, etc. and more writing time after they were in bed until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

Now? Well, my morning writing time has been cut down to roughly thirty minutes. The eight-hour day is consumed by teaching first graders. The after school hours have become my scramble time to squeeze laundry, cleaning, and cooking into. Then kids' homework, baths, etc and then I still try to write until I can't keep my eyes open. Like now.  What I'm missing most these past two weeks, however, is my mid-morning run. I can't seem to get up before school to run, am too tired right after work, and it's too dark after dinner. I'm feeling bloated and crabby about this. The worst part is I signed up for a half-marathon and just received an email reminding me it's two weeks away and the most I've run this past summer is six miles...and only once. I need to get a ten-mile run in by the weekend.... Maybe I should call in sick. (Kidding. kidding.) PLUS, running is my best writing-think time. It's when I brainstorm character dialogue and work out plot points I'm stuck on. When my running time is lacking, my writing suffers.

Last year I participated in, and won, NaNoWriMo and plan to do it again. I got up at five and wrote until 6:30 when I showered. Then I wrote again from the kids' bedtime until midnight and was able to write a novel. So, until November, I'll read for others, read for pleasure, edit and revise, and get into the swing of a new school year and home routine.

Current insecurities, other than the loss of running and writing time: I have big plans for my writing this upcoming year, but I'm very much doubting my ability to plot. So, I've found a critique group that took me in, poor plotting and insecurities and all, and I've hired a beta reader and an editor. And another amazing friend is critiquing for me (along with helping me with any question or worry I throw her way). So, I am in good hands and will learn MUCH. I remember hearing, or thinking, that writing was a solitary activity way back when I started all this craziness. How wrong that is!  Writing is all about networking and supporting one another and not being afraid to ask for help and admit weaknesses. I also found these recommendations recently, and purchased them while writing this blog post.

So...now instead of writing until my eyes refuse to stay open, I'm going to read about plotting and outlining and hope these books help me figure out my plotting issues, make writing future books go more smoothly, and tide me over while I wait for all my feedback from readers to show up in my inbox!

I'm so grateful for all the writers who've answered my emails this past summer, who've offered advice and support, and for their inspiration as they find continued success as authors of amazing books. Check out my sidebar to see just a few of these amazing stories and the people who wrote them.

Thanks for stopping by! What do you do aside from writing to help your writing? Run? Listen to music? Take a drive? Read writing-how-to books? Attend a conference?

Take care,

Christy