#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.