Call the Presses: Phenomenal News!!!

I'm officially letting the cat out of the bag (sorry for the lame cliche). I've had this news for a while, but have been holding off telling anyone until . . .

NOW!

Julia King (aka: Writing Jewels) . . . Oh my gosh, I'm writing in the third person. Let me start that over again.

I, as in me, have a literary agent!!!

It all happened on a dark and stormy night when the phone rang . . . Just kidding, but a great start to a wicked awesome story of two years in the making.

I am represented by the lovely Lauren Hammond of ADA Entertainment Group. I feel so blessed to have an agent love my book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, enough to help me get it into the hands of publishing houses. 

Thanks to all my family, friends, tweeps, co-workers, followers, and all the cute puppies in the world for your support. You've helped me get here. I appreciate my dearest parents for putting up with my writing journey. They are brilliant!

I feel like I won an Oscar Award by thanking so many people!

I want to thank Lauren so much for having faith in my writing skills. It means the world. Merci Beaucoup!

I'm so happy! But I wish all those who are querying agents great luck! Keep on going! There's light at the end of the tunnel! You can do it! Mwah!

Writing. Jewels. Out.

Wheel of Fortunate Editing

Yesterday, I watched an episode of Wheel of Fortune. Yes, Wheel of Fortune, you read correctly. One of the contestants solved the puzzle a bit prematurely. The only problem was he didn’t know the last word.

As I watched the sad moment, I couldn’t help but think about editing. I’m about to start that blessed part of writing—cleaning up the first draft. Tonight will commence this stage of my WIP. This element of writing definitely is not my favorite. I enjoy the creative process of writing the most—piecing together a story from start to finish. But, ya know, unless if you are a writing prodigy (and really, could there be a person like that *laughs*) then it’s a necessary evil.

As I compare this to Wheel of Fortune, it shows the rough draft may need that extra word(s), maybe even lose a bunch of words in order to make it complete—a masterpiece. Thus, my friends, editing is needed.

I’m going to try to loveth to deatheth the experience to make my book as good as it can be before I hand it off to CP’s and betas. One thing that has helped me, though, is I’ve had people critiquing it while I’ve been writing. I’ve been able to gauge it as I go. I knew what it lacked and what was super good about it.

I hope this technique will make sure I don’t have to go through it as many times as I did with Félicité Found, my first book. Yet, with that book, I learned a lot to make my WIP easier to type out.

Anyway, please cheer me on during my first edit of ???. I’m so not giving away the name of this book . . . yet. I’ll leave you in suspense. But I’m going to announce to the blogosphere that I plan on finishing this edit in two weeks. At that time, I will let you know my success in polishing my lovely book.

What's your favorite part of writing? Is it the initial writing, editing, or seeing the piece complete? Maybe it’s a mixture or all stages.

Writing. Jewels. Out.

Writing Anniversaries

As I drove to work this morning, I realized it's been two years since the idea for my first book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, came together. I'm blown away by the fact that it's been that long. And time has flown so fast I'm not sure if any of it really has happened.

The idea for it came from a short dream that exploded into a book. I would never have thought something like that could change the course of my life forever. I feel blessed to have found my life's passion over the last couple years. And I've been able to imagine up more ideas for many years to come.

What writing anniversaries have you encountered? 

PS: Here is my work Christmas Tree. We decorated it yesterday. It. Is. So. Pretty. *giggles*

Merry Month of December!

Writing. Jewels. Out.

Touch Down at the Finish Line

Last week, I finished the first draft of my WIP. I took the day off work to get it it done, but the closer I got to the end (of the first book in a trilogy), the harder it was to write. I swear it was the first time during the process I had any real form of writer's block. The sad thing is I knew exactly how it was supposed to end. Yet, typing out the words felt forced. 

I finally gave up, ate some lunch, did the dishes, and thought about going at the whole writing escapade again. Nothing came as I stared at the laptop screen. Again, I gave up, throwing myself at the mercy of the couch (or on the couch rather) and flipped on HGTV. Hours and a short nap later, I pulled out the computer again. Still nothing. Argh! So ridiculous not to be able to write, especially when I knew exactly where I wanted to go with it.

I realized it was like someone running a long distance. When they're nearing the finish line, it gets harder to keep going. They start telling themselves if they just make it to the tree way off in the distance then they can stop. Once they get there, they pick another focal point to keep them running.

This is how I felt. I was so blasted close to a finished first draft of my book, but so far away. Crunching out the words became difficult. I couldn't do it even though I only had a few pages left. Yet, I somehow got there just as I was about to quit. 

At that point, I was exhausted. It felt surreal to have all the words on the pages. However, for some reason I felt empty. After contemplating my feelings, I realized I was coming off of a writing high. I'd been typing furiously for so many weeks that not having the creative force pushing me along anymore was depressing.

Now, I get to partake of my most favorite part of writing: editing. Uh, so not my favorite, but it is a necessary evil. I look forward to it, though. I can take the things I know have to be fixed (and CP's have told me as well) and make it super fantastic. 

It's rather rewarding to know I've finished a first draft of book number two. I stash it under my belt, happy I actually got here and so fast, too. I can smile for that!

How have you felt after finishing a first draft?

Writing. Jewels. 

Giving Thanks

After yesterdays huge meal and feeling like I was about the burst at the seams from stuffing myself, I went home from a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with thoughts in my mind of my family.

The most prominent parts were my nephew's hugs and "I love you, Julia's" that sounded beautifully in my ears. The youngest of the lot has the cutest voice in the world. Hearing him say my name is like angels singing. I love those little guys, but can't forget their little sister, too. Yet, she's not quite at the talking stage other than cute mumbles. 

I am thankful for my family. They are the best in the West. Um, yes I do live in the Western United States. Haha. I love my family lots!

Now, on to a more writing note . . . 

I am extremely thankful for all those who have stuck by me over the past two years while I've struggled through writing two books. These people are family, friends, writing buddies, and followers. You all know who you are! 

I thank you for getting me here. And here is a great place to be.

Mwah! 

I feel blessed in so many ways when it comes to my writing craft. If only I could name them all . . .  But that would take way too much time and blog space.

Thanks! Gracias! Merci! Xie Xie! Arigato! Grazie!

What are you thankful for?

Writing. Jewels. Out.

I Loveth Blogging to Deatheth

Over a year ago I started blogging. I'll be honest, it took me around 10 months to get into the swing of things. And I'm still learning. It hasn't been easy for sure but it's worth it especially because when you are getting into the writing scene, no one knows who you are. A blog is a fantastic way to make yourself known.

There are some intimidating factors I feel play a roll in blogging.

1. Writing content   
2. Getting people to actually follow your bloggy friend
3. Figuring out what it should look like 

I will go through some things I've done to help the process become a little less daunting. 

One: Your blogs content: Pick an audience. Once you've done that, write posts that apply to them. Mine is writers. Now you ask how to figure out what to write. Well, I'm constantly thinking of blog topics. Sometimes they come to me in the middle of the day and I stash them for later use. Other times, like right now, they come to me right as I sit down at the computer. It never ceases to amaze me how many posts I can come up with. If you need to just start writing and it'll come.

Two: Followers: Scary, huh? You are putting yourself out there in intergalactic world for anyone to see. Well, this is good. Love it. Embrace it. This is how you get followers. This also goes back to (one). Write content that they will want to return to. 

I've also done contests to gain a following. Book giveaways, Amazon.com gift cards, etc...

It may take some time, but they'll come. But don't feel bad if no one comments on your posts or there isn't a high number of followers listed on your sidebar. It took me forever to get into the 200's. Even here its hit and miss. 

Plus, you have to market it. I send out a Twitter message and put it on my Facebook page as well as the FB writing group I'm in. How else are people supposed to find out about what you've posted. I also have the URL listed with my email signature.

Another thing is, you've got to be consistent. Pick days of the week that you will always post on. I post on Tuesdays and Fridays. Hopefully people know those are my post days and they'll come visit it to see what's up in my writing world.

Three: The Look: Make sure your blog is easy on the eyes. Its hard to read blogs where there are funky florescent colors and weird fonts. Make it as non-obtrusive as possible. Play around with how you want it to look. I've gone through 4 different styles so far. I think I've finally found one that sings to me. 

Anyway, I hope that my little bit of blogging wisdom has been helpful. 

Now, what are your ideas that will help others with blogging, myself included?