Showing posts with label Felicite Found. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Felicite Found. Show all posts

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Giveaway Giveaway Giveway of My Novel!

Hey y'all!

I want to let you in on a cool secret (well, not so secret now).

I'm giving away paperback copies of my novel, Félicité Found, on Goodreads.

You could be a proud owner of one of two signed paperback copies of my little cupcake.

Enter to win on the below entry form!

While you're at it, you can add my little lovely to you Goodreads to-read list.

And you can spread the word about the giveaway too. I'd probably smile super big if you did. :D

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Félicité Found by Julia  King

Félicité Found

by Julia King

Giveaway ends September 30, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win
If you can't wait to win the book, you can purchase it at these sites:
 
 
 
Good luck and have a great Thursday!

Hugs

Writing Jewels 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Nap. News. Now.

I was snuggled up warm and comfy in my bed, reveling in the fact that I could take a nap if I wanted to, but alas, I started to think about my blog post for tomorrow (well, today or whenever you read this). I decided sleep could wait until this evening. Blog post takes precedence. So, I'm type, type, typing up a storm.

Being on the news last weekend was incredible. Of course, I was freaked and wanted to pass out, but I shined through as a confident little lass. Funny enough, all I could think about during the segment was:

Stop brushing your hair back. Stop brushing your hair back.

I wish I would have tucked my hair behind my ear in the process. The main camera angle pretty much showed only my hair and nose. Of all the luck. haha

All around it was a superb experience! I enjoyed seeing how things worked behind the scenes. Pretty nifty stuff! If you wanna see the interview click here.

Now, I'd like to share an excerpt from my novel, Félicité Found, to entice you to go to these sites and pick up a copy for yourself, friends, pet platypus, and mom:


Check it out on Goodreads (add it to your to-read list while your at it).

Excerpt time (scene set up: Pierre and Luc are in the lunch room chatting in English--you'll have to read the book to know why they are speaking in English...):
“Man, I’ll bet you three-hundred Euros you’ll change your mind in a couple days.”
       "I’m so not making this a bet,” Pierre said, knowing all too well that he was developing feelings for her. He would lose big time.
“Be that way, then. It’s not like you don’t have a lot of money or anything.” He laughed, punching Pierre in the arm.
“Always have to hit me, huh?” Pierre rubbed his arm and groaned just for effect.
“Man, you’re built like a brick. Punching you hurts me more than you. Look at you.” He motioned up and down. “When was the last time you lifted weights? You’re gifted with good looks, smarts, and could have all the girls. You don’t even have . . . How do you say these in English?” He pointed to a couple of red spots on his chin.
“Pimples, zits, acne.”
“I like zits the best. Anyway, you better sort through your feelings. I want to win the bet.” Luc pumped his arm in the air, whooping in the process.
“I already said we’re not betting. You’re putting words in my mouth.”
“Admit it Pierre, you like her.” Students were filing out of the lunchroom. A few girls looked at Pierre and giggled then whispered to each other. Class was about to start again. He hadn’t had much of a chance to eat his sandwich with all the chatting about his apparent love life.
“If I admit it will you stop bugging me about her?”
“I knew it.” He slapped Pierre on the shoulder, stood up, and shouted in English, “I am the wizard of the all-knowing!” The few students left in the cafeteria clapped at the outburst. Luc had a way with people. He could get someone to jump off a building if he said “Jump.” The thought made Pierre think of Ém. His heart thumped hard against his ribs.
“Nothing gets by you, Luc Broussard, the wizard of the all-knowing. Time for class, bro.” Pierre reverted back to his native tongue.
“You’re ruining my moment of wizardry. Just shut up for a minute.
Pierre got up and dumped his tray, not waiting for Luc to follow. As he was about to leave the cafeteria, he looked back to see Luc staring up at the ceiling with an awed expression on his face.
He’s the weirdest person alive.
 
I hope you enjoyed this little bit of my book. Just so you know (but don't tell my other characters), Luc is my favorite character in this book. He makes me laugh every time he enters the page. :D If you want to learn more about my Parisian characters, check out this post on Elise Fallson's blog.
 
Who is your favorite character from one of your books, or a a book in general? How are you doing this fine day?
 
Hugs
 
Writing Jewels

Friday, August 23, 2013

I'm Kind of a Big Deal...

I'm kind of a big deal... Ok, not really, but I have some fantastic news I'd like to share.

I'm being interviewed on Fox 13 Good Day Utah on Saturday, August 24 at 7:45AM (that's tomorrow, folks). I will be chatting up a storm about my novel, Félicité Found, and about being an independent author.

I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity. Talk about amazing publicity and marketing. Eep!

Ok, I think I'm going to throw up now. And I need to exhaustively scour my closet. What the devil am I going to wear. Ack!

Ok, now you can click on over to the below mentioned sites to purchase miss Félicité Found (she'd love you forever and ever for adding her to you book collection). And I've made an executive decision: the e-book version of my novel will be on sale today only for 99 cents. Let's celebrate with an awesome deal!!!
Spread the word about the sale, too! It's too good to be true. haha

Amazon
What the hay, here's a peak into it's pages:
“A rush of sweet warmth flooded Félicité for having remembered something about her past. The heaviness in her mind and heart seeped free from her as though it pushed itself from all of her pores. She knew that eventually everything—her memories and knowledge—would come back.
She ached for Pierre and Hélène to know her name. As fast as her legs could carry her, she sped into the living room. Pierre was sound asleep, chest rising and falling in a rhythm that followed his thunderous snores. He was so loud she found it difficult to remember why she had come to see him. However, she couldn’t bear to wake him.
She observed that the light shining through the gap of the curtains came from only the moon. It must be the middle of the night. It was difficult for her to believe that she had slept all day and into the night.
Gazing at Pierre, she noted how handsome he was even in his thunderous slumber. She wanted to touch his skin and the rough stubble of hair growth on his face. His hand that fell from the couch beckoned her to him. She resisted the urge to take it into hers, feel it, relish its rough texture, and press it to her face. Again, she felt as if she had known him for a long time.
Should she wake him to hear his welcoming, deep and vibrating voice?
No, she thought as her euphoria faded. All that was left was a lump in her throat.
Her happy news would have to wait until morning. With one last look at the most kind- natured and loving person in the world, she shuffled her feet back to bed. However, before she fell asleep, she distinctly heard her father’s voice in the room telling her, “Félicité, my daughter, I love you. I love you so much.”
She bounded out of bed like an animal pouncing on its prey and flipped the light switch. Scanning the room, she saw no one in there. She was alone.”
So, are you going to watch me on the news tomorrow (I'm pretty sure you can stream it live from the website)? Any advice to calm down my nervous jitters? And how are you doing this fine Friday?
Hugs
Writing Jewels

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

A Room Full of Dreams

A girl that's going to be moving into my apartment soon made this sweet comment about my bedroom:
"It looks like a room full of dreams."
Her words have stayed with me and caused me to look around the space I call home. As my eyes drifted from one item to the next, I couldn't help but think my room IS a room full of dreams I HAVE made come true. Here's a wee list:
  • My framed photos of the Eiffel Tower and various other wall hangings, art, and souvenirs from all over the world = I have fulfilled my dream to travel, but there's only more trips to come. 
  • A bookshelf full of delicious stories = I am a book connoisseur.
  • A couple photos of Jesus = I am active in my religion (far from perfect, though).
  • A laptop = I'm a writer, blogger, and occasional Netflix'er.
  • Some stuffed animals = I'm still a kid at heart.
  • A wallet = I am able to support myself.
  • A Precious Moments graduation girl figurine = I have a college degree.
  • A pretty book lying on the nightstand with my name, the author, glittering its cover = I've published a book, my little Félicité Found.
With this said, I encourage you all to take stock of the dreams you've already made come true. Know that because you accomplished them, if you will, bucket list items, you can do anything you put your mind to.
So, my mind is set on writing and publishing and all sorts of other delectable goals. But the most important goal right now is to share my words through Félicité Found.
Send out the word to all the world about her. I'd love for you and the cats zoo (as Pat Hatt would say) to enjoy it.
Here's where you can buy Félicité Found and the Goodreads link:
Oh, I have a Facebook page that you are more than welcome to "like". I hope to build up another social network platform there.
So, what dreams have you already made come true? What are dreams you are working toward? And if you haven't purchased my book yet, why the heck not? haha
Hugs
Writing Jewels

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Squealing...

So, there's been one time in my life that I have been beyond eager to get the mail: when I received my LDS mission call to Taiwan. Now, I can add another epic I-can't-wait-to-get-the-mail moment: to open a box that holds a few paperback copies of my book, Félicité Found.
 
Here are some photos to document the long awaited and blessed moment:
 
Yes, I kissed the box!
 
Yippee! Squeal! Giggle!
 
So happy!
 
There you have it, folks. Sigh
 
 
So, don't forget that this splendid book will be available on Monday, August 12, 2013. Amazon.com (paperback and e-book), Barnesandnoble.com (e-book), and Createspace.com (paperback). I'm hosting a blog tour as well. Here's the peeps that are co-hosts and schedule:

Monday, August 12: Sara Bowers
Tuesday, August 13: Elise Fallson
Wednesday, August 14: Jolene Perry
Thursday, August 15: Nick Wilford
Friday, August 16: Rebekah Callor Grow

And what the heck, here's the blurb about my sweet book that you can find on Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Pierre Rousseaux witnesses a young girl take a near fatal plunge off Pont Neuf Bridge into the freezing water of the River Seine in Paris, France. After diving into the racing river himself, he is able to rescue her from a watery death, but only after her head is bashed into the river
wall. Upon reviving her from unconsciousness, Pierre realizes she doesn’t remember her past at all.

The girl struggles to recall anything from before she may have tried to commit suicide, not only once but possibly twice. The few glimpses into her life are discovered through dreams that can only suggest her past was horrific and jaded by intense anger.

Her memories may force her to lose everything she has grown to adore, especially the boy she loves more than anything in the world: Pierre.

The girl, Félicité Moreau, must decide if the life she desires is enough to make things from her past right. Pierre struggles to resolve if Félicité means enough to him that he will fight for her, regardless of her past and despite his own personal demons.

With a paranormal twist, Félicité Found is Julia King’s debut Young Adult novel—a horrific love story.

This is really happening and I'm thrilled in a I-want-to-throw-up kind of way. :/
 
Hugs
 
Writing Jewels

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

IWSG: Taking that Terrifying Leap

Hi there, fellow IWSGers, friends, and followers alike. Alex J. Cavanaugh hosts Insecure Writers' Support Group. It is a fantastic place to find support from other writers; they may just have the same insecurities as you. It is a great venue to vent or to share writerly wisdom.
 
Today, I'd like to discuss my insecurity that the general public will reject my words. See, I am going to be releasing my book Félicité Found as a self-published work. I don't have a publisher backing me up. I just have me and me alone. It is freaky to take this step with hopes that all my hard work will shine through as a quality product. However, I know if I don't follow my heart and have confidence in my story, then I will regret it. So, as a friend of mine recently taught me: "Live life with no regrets." I guess here's taking that terrfying leap into the unknown. It's my story and I love it. And that's all that matters!
 

Come Monday, August 12, 2013, you'll be able to purchase my first baby, Félicité Found. And there will be a blog tour going on, to boot. Here's the tour schedule:
 
Monday, August 12: Sara Bowers
Tuesday, August 13: Elise Fallson
Wednesday, August 14: Jolene Perry
Thursday, August 15: Nick Wilford
Friday, August 16: Rebekah Callor Grow
 
A thousand thanks for their willingness to participate. There will be some fun content each day and a chance to win a paperback copy of the book!
 
See you then and hugs.

Also, do you have similar insecurities about your writing?
 
Writing Jewels

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Blog Tour, Book Cover, and It Happened to Me


By way of announcement and save the dates, I'm hosting a blog tour for my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, from August 12th (release day) to August 16th. Here's the banner:


I truly love it! Thanks be to my pops. More information to come about co-hosts and the such.

I'm totally pinching myself because of this entire self-publishing my book thing. This is an exciting and nervous-making and incredible and I-sort-of-want-to-throw-up experience. But it's time for me to proceed forward with my dreams.
 
The lovely Morgan Shamy hosted my book cover reveal on her blog last week. I'd like to give her a huge shout out for helping. She is amazing. Hugs!
 
I do have to admit I did change up the cover just slightly since then. Of course, I'm going to show it off here because I love it soooo much. Enjoy seeing it again... (Perty-ful)
 
 
 Now for a random something funny...
 
I never thought this would happen to me:
 
I wore un-matching shoes on Tuesday. I didn't realize it until 2:30PM at work. And yes, I giggled up a storm and then showed off my mortification to a few coworkers. I had to! I totally couldn't pass up a chance to let others have a good chuckle. And chuckle they did! :D Who knows how I even let myself leave the house with this silly mistake walking me to the car and around work all day. I can say that I have worn two different shoes by accident now. Pretty swank, huh?
 
Are you excited about my book release? Don't answer that. Are you in love with my book cover? Don't answer that again. I don't need my head to get any bigger. JK Have you ever worn un-matching shoes without knowing it?
 
Hugs
 
Writing Jewels

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Boston & the City I Had Never Seen... Until Now!

As you are probably reading this, I'm on a plane flying back from my trip to Boston, Massachusetts. But I am composing this by hand (yes, my chicken scratch) in a city named Wrentham. This town is actually where my second book, BOUND, takes place... along with Dublin, Ireland, of course.
It's a long story as to why I chose a city I had never visited. Suffice it to say, today's part of my short vacation has been my total fav! To actually be in a place you've only just imagined is spectacular! I am even more smitten with the city than I was while writing the book.

Imaging my characters moving throughout this fresh and green town while being here makes me smile so big my ears hurt (yes, ears!) I visited sights I chose just from internet research where I set scenes. Holy crapola, folks, what an experience!

This trip has allowed me to see so many great places from Walden Pond (a great writer spent some time here) to Freedom Trail (another sight featured in BOUND) to the beach (during a sandcastle competition to boot).

Anyway, I have enjoyed my trip. Immensely!

So question time:

Have you set a book in a city you've never visited? If so, have you gone there after writing it? Did it meet your expectations?

Well, my time spent in Wrentham met mine and MORE! Tehehehe

PS: Don't forget about my soon-to-be self published book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND's cover reveal tomorrow on Morgan Shamy's blog. The clock is ticking. Tick Tick Tick Are you excited to see it? Well, I love it and hope you do too, along with the story found within it's pages.

Hugs

Writing Jewels

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Great News and Diving off the Unforgiving Plateau

Hi all!

Last week I made mention in my post that I'm going to do something I never thought I'd do. I said it was going to be a surprise. Well, I'm going to let you know what it is!

***Drum Roll***

I'm going to self-publish my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND.

And I couldn't be happier. You know why? Well, there are countless reasons, but suffice it to say, I know this is the correct path for me to take right now. I have been aching to be published for so long and have fought tooth and nail to accomplish it. Now, it's time to take matters into my own capable hands and set my little baby free.

Years ago, maybe even three months ago, I'd have thought that taking the self-publishing route was giving up on landing that amazing book deal with a traditional publisher, but no, *stomps foot*, it isn't giving up! It is pressing forward and on my terms.

I had an agent and that didn't work out. I'm going to be my own agent for a while until I decide to seek out traditional publishing again. Of which, mind you, won't be far off. :D

Anyway, I've felt like I've been coasting on this unforgiving plateau for so long, and it's just time to do something; to jump off the linear path I've been trudging through, and do something. I'm taking a chance and am giddy beyond words to do this thing. I'm going to be published!

So, here are the details, folks:
  • Release date is August 12, 2013.
  • Available for e-book purchase through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Available in paperback through Createspace.
  • Cover Reveal will take place on the lovely Morgan Shamy's blog next week on Thursday, July 25, 2013. Just thinking about the cover makes me so happy I could die.
  • Check out my book here on Goodreads (and add it to your to-read list--please).
  • I will be doing a book blog tour from August 12 - 16 on various blogs. More information to come. If you'd like to take part in sharing the news, email me at writingjewels (at) gmail (dot) com.
Well, that's that. I hope you're excited. I know I am... Well, I'm pretty terrified too, but if I don't "Seize the Day" then I'll never know what beauty could have resulted from this wicked cool venture.

Hugs

Writing Jewels

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- I

Today's letter has much to do with writing and is an exciting part of the story creation process. The thing that starts with the letter I that makes me smile is...
 
INSPIRATION
 
The moment where an idea for a story or a scene pops into your mind and you can't stop thinking about it! Oh, man, it is a brilliant feeling to have the idea formulate out of thin air without even thinking, "I want to come up with a really great idea for a book or scene." Like lightning, it shatters through your scull, twists, turns, and tantalizes you until you start typing it out on the computer.
 
My first book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, came from a dream I had where one tiny part of it stayed with me for weeks on end. The intense part of the dream continued to wedge itself into my mind until I started writing it, or else I would have burst into a million pieces of Julia flesh. Icky!
 
My second book, BOUND (going to be a trilogy), came to me while I was watching "Darbie O'Gill and the Little People" an old school Irish film featuring Sean Connery. A part in the movie sparked my book's idea, I did a bunch of research, and then bodda bing bodda boom I was writing it out.
 
My third book, SPHERICAL, shattered my senses as I was attempting to fall asleep one fateful night. I ended up reading something and one word in it opened up this big ball of dystopian awesomeness. Weeks later, more of it formulated in my mind while I was exercising.
 
Just two nights ago, I came up with another idea for a future project while I was taking a shower. Let's just say a lot of the time ideas float into my mind with the steam of the hot shower water. Lots of time to think in there, ya know (well, if you take long showers like me).
 
Anyway, inspiration makes me smile and giggle and often times jump up and down screaming with joy emanating from my skin into the air around me.
 
How are you inspired to write? Does inspiration make you smile? And starting with the letter I, what makes you smile?
 
Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

Friday, June 29, 2012

And the Race with Words Begins


I can attribute my writing journey to one thing...

Le Tour de France

My dad is an avid cyclist. He introduced me to Le Tour de France years ago. He taught me the ins and outs of the tour. I guess I can say he has a major role in my love for writing, too. Bless the man's heart. Willingly, he reads everything that I write, be it during the first draft, editing, or revising stages. He catches typos and things that don't make sense. I think he's read my books more times than he probably would ever desire to. I love him for it, though.

All this does have a point, I assure you. LOL

So, Le Tour de France commences tomorrow. Of course, for the full three weeks of racing, I'll be watching it from the comforts of my room on Versus  (a sports tv station).

Three years ago, for my graduation-from-university-present-to-myself, I went to Paris, France. I saw the tours traditional last day as they rode onto Champs-Élysées (a main road in the gorgeous city). Yes, I saw the cyclists fly past me at least six or so times, and (*giggles*) witnessed one of my famous crushes, Lance Armstrong, as he zoomed past me, too. *Swoon*
Anyway, this trip, of which included an excursion down to Italy, brought about the idea for my first book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND. I know it's totally cliché, but I fell in love with Paris so much that when I came home I dreamed about it all the time. One of those dreams turned into an idea for a book. 

I feel so grateful and blessed that over a period of eleven years (+/-), I was led to Paris through my love of Le Tour de France and traveling. These experiences were the catalyst to commence my own race with words. Otherwise, I really don't think I'd be writing. 

Over the next three weeks, you'll know what's keeping me busy--watching some wicked awesome cyclists and maybe, just maybe, their ripped legs. *blushes* Oh, and beta'ing some books, too.

So, how did you start writing? What initially inspired your writing journey?

Writing. Jewels.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Month of May Goals

Hello, dear followers. Man-o-Man, it was a crazy April. I'm sort of exhausted with all I've done, especially writing-wise.

I'm going to start off this post with some questions up front:

So what are your Month of May Goals? How does goal setting help you when it comes to writing? What are your methods of setting goals? Do you write them down, have them in your head, or tell someone? Or maybe all of the above?

Having started to blog about my goals has been beneficial. Because I put them out there for the world to see, it gives me that extra push to ACCOMPLISH them.

Well, here's how I did with my Month of April Goals:
  • Have a super awesome 30th Birthday! Check Check Check! What a fabulous day!
  • Try not to get depressed for not being married by my 30th Birthday. Check. I actually feel supercool being 30! Woot!
  • Finish Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver Super Check. What a super great book. Can't wait to have the cliffhanger resolved.
  • Finish a revision of my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND Check-o-my-Check. Finished it just a couple days ago. I took my time to make this revision COUNT! *BAM*
  • Complete an edit of my WIP, BOUND No Check but I don't care. It was more important to work on my first book.
  • Will not buy any clothing ---> I'm going to say I half accomplished this. All I bought was a supercool Doctor Who tshirt. And it is beautiful.
  • Read Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon Check. An enjoyable book with a great premise. And it takes place in Ireland so it has to be good, right? Bring on the hot Irish accents.
Not half that bad, if I do say so myself.

Now on to my Month of May Goals:
  • Go on a much needed vacation to Washington State with my brother's family (Time to have some quality time with my nephews and niece)
  • Give myself some R&R (Say 2 weeks) before I dive back into anything related to writing
  • Beta a beta's book
  • Read The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
  • Catch up on checking out blogs in the blogoshere (I've pretty much sucked at this in April because of revisions--Sorry guys) 
Loves to you all!

Writing. Jewels.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Overload: Too Many Ideas

So, I've got the following writing projects planned for the future:
  • WIP: Urban Fantasy Trilogy, BOUND
  • YA Distopian
  • YA SciFi
  • YA Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
  • YA Paranormal
And yes, all the ideas are festering in my brain, begging and pleading to be born. Ugh! Like last Wednesday, the idea for my YA Distopian bloomed from a basic premise to the major conflict that will push the story forward. With all my soul, I'm eager to start writing it.

But, first things first... FÉLICITÉ FOUND and BOUND (No relation--both are separate ideas.  FF is a stand-alone).

I can push the thoughts away, but when a huge breakthrough for a book surfaces, as happened last week, I want to place my current projects on the back burner to enjoy the creation of a new world. Stuffing the desire away, I drive my focus back to the important project--the current one. Because if I don't get it perfected, then I will never progress to becoming an established author.

I look forward to the future when I can write full-time. Then, I'll have more time to dedicate to a current project so eventually I can dig in deep to future projects.

The trick is to keep your eye on the present--that beautiful creature you are/have developed. Otherwise, you'll never finish it. On your shelf will rest half written stories. So, as the saying states: keep your eye on the ball . . .

Or, umm, story in our case.

So, I pose the question, do you fight against ideas that desperately want to be written? Do you have only one idea to write at a time? Do they make you go crazy because of their tempting power to type them into reality? How do you suppress them into the recesses of your mind?

Writing. Jewels.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Month of April Goals



First of all, I need to give you the update of how my Month of March Goals panned out!

March Goals:
  • Finish another round of edits/revisions of my WIP and hand it off to CP's CHECK (Went well. I'm on my way with my WIP--BOUND)
  • Participate in the second I'm a Platform-Building Campaigner Challenge CHECK (This turned out to be sooooo fun. The flash fiction I wrote has actually inspired a future writing project--bring on some sci-fi. Check it out here!)
  • Finish reading Forest Born by Shannon Hale CHECK (Great book!)
  • Read Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver (Still working on it--Pretty far in though)
  • Go see The Hunger Games on March 23 at 8:30PM (yes, I've already got tickets) CHECK (Loved it)
  • Have a supercool St. Patrick's Day party. It's my favorite holiday. :D I'll call this one a check even though I cancelled the party due to feeling sick. Phooey!
  • Not go crazy while waiting to hear back from editors as my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, is on submission No check... what kind of person wouldn't go crazy waiting for a pub deal? Anyone? haha
Now for my Month of April Goals:
  • Have a super awesome 30th Birthday!
  • Try not to get depressed for not being married by my 30th Birthday
  • Finish Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
  • Finish a revision of my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND
  • Complete an edit of my WIP, BOUND
  • Will not buy any clothing *crossing fingers*
  • Read The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
How are your goals going? What are your Month of April goals?

Writing. Jewels.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Month of March Goals

I usually don't post on Thursdays. But, hey there on this fine day. Anyway, I've seen a few people posting their monthly goals on their blogs. I think sharing them with the blogshere will help me accomplish them. Well, it's my turn to make goals now. And achieve them.

*woot woot*

I will report back at the beginning of April with my success stories and share my April goals.

March Goals:
  • Finish another round of edits/revisions of my WIP and hand it off to CP's
  • Participate in the second I'm a Platform-Building Campaigner Challenge
  • Finish reading Forest Born by Shannon Hale
  • Read Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
  • Go see The Hunger Games on March 23 at 8:30PM (yes, I've already got tickets)
  • Have a supercool St. Patrick's Day party. It's my favorite holiday. :D
  • Not go crazy while waiting to hear back from editors as my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, is on submission
Now, what are your month of March goals? And do you already have you tickets for The Hunger Games movie in hand? Are you counting down the days to see it, too?

Writing. Jewels.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Submissions Time

It's official, my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, is on submission with publishers. It's a trip and a half. Not only am I super excited, I'm nervous, terrified, and extremely impatient. I thought that querying for agents was awful, but it's only been one week and I'm back in the routine of checking my email every three seconds. Ok, I'm not that bad, maybe every twenty seconds...
*coughs*

And I'm worried things won't work out how I'd like. Yet, I hope to have success in this leg of my journey to become a published author. Wish me luck. Cross your fingers and toes. Say some prayers... All right, thanks, friends!

This reminds me of something Joe Konrath said: “There's a word for a writer who never gives up: published.”

I had that quote on my blog description for a while. Giving up has never been in my writing vocabulary. I urge you to never, ever give up. Don't let giving up be in your vocabulary. I sure know I won't!

I will keep you all posted on the haps with submissions.

How's your progress going on your journey to published-ome?

I'm cheering you on!!! Keep going!

Writing. Jewels.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Writing Support System: A Must Have

Being a writer is not easy at all. It requires a lot of time sitting at your computer, plotting out scenes, being on a high, and being in the dumps. It's always nice to have those wonderful people you can rely on every step of the way, even when you think you're taking 500 steps backwards at times.

I was tweeting back and forth with someone a while ago. She was struggling to find the support needed during her writing journey. I gave her some suggestions on how to find the support. By golly, it's what I had to do. But it's not easy at all to obtain the people you rely on through the ups and downs.

Here are my ideas:
  1. Use your family or friends as a support system. My very first critiques of my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, were my good friend and my sister-in-law.
  2. Actively use Twitter - Start up conversations. Find people you get a long with and have the same interests. Be their friend and they will be yours.
  3. Join Facebook writing chats groups.
  4. Go to writing events - Book tours, writing groups, book/writing conferences, etc... You will definitely find people who are looking for support just as you are.
  5. Comment on people's blogs. It'll get your name out there.
  6. Start your own blog. Likewise, it'll get your name out there.
  7. Become a beta for other writers.
  8. Ask people if they want to be CP's. It never hurts to ask. I'd suggest you have already built rapport with the person before you ask.
  9. Eat lots of chocolate. You'll need it.
  10. And most of all, be patient. These things won't happen over night. But your outside support system with writers WILL come.
Today, I want to thank one of those many people I count as my supporters!

My Dad!!!

It's his birthday today, so I thought it only right to share my love and gratitude to him for all of his support, not only with my being an author but EVERYTHING he's ever done for me. I love you, Pops!

What are your suggestions to find your writing support system?

Writing. Jewels.