A Guest Post by Megan Curd

Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I bring you a guest post by Megan Curd, my featured author for the last two weeks and one of the ladies attending UtopYA Con 2014. If you don't have tickets to that event yet, you should! You can get them by clicking the name. If you missed my awesome interview with Megan, you can check that out by clicking here. Don't forget to come on back next Monday and meet the awesomeness that is Bethany Lopez!

In other news, I, Zombie is sitting with a beta-reader and my lovely editor, Tia Silverthorne Bach of INDIE Books Gone Wild. I'm not setting an official release date just yet, but I'm shooting for early January. How exciting is that? Enough of my babbling, on to the post!

PROCESS OF GETTING READY TO WRITE

by Megan Curd

Hey Jo! I Thanks so much for having me on your blog today. It’s an absolute honor!

Okay…so, onto the topic of the day: getting ready to write. I think every author has a different process, but I think we all have quirks. Hopefully mine aren’t too weird or terrifying, haha!

I’m not a big plotter, so generally when I sit and write, I know the beginning, and I know the end. What happens in between is usually very organic and the characters dictate a lot. When I tried to explain to my husband’s aunt, who’s a psychologist, that my characters are the boss and I just let them tell the story, I think she might have thought I needed help, lol! But it’s very much the truth for me. My characters are bossy!

As for my process for sitting down to write, I’m a creature of habit. My preference is to go to a café to write (getting out of the house helps me focus. Otherwise I’ll always end up doing something besides working. It’s like the procrastinator’s Murphy’s Law.). I have this closet addiction to collecting Starbucks coffee mugs from all over the world, so each night I take a different mug with me to the café. This is a BIG deal to me, lol. I have to pick the right one for the night. Sometimes my son helps me pick, and every night my husband rolls his eyes. But I love those darn mugs, and they’re like my writing mojo provider.

Besides the café and the coffee mug, I HAVE to have music. I love music all the time, but when I’m writing, it’s an absolute must. Steel Lily was written almost exclusively to Muse’s album, “The 2nd Law.” I swear the album was written FOR Steel Lily. Now I’m writing the sequel, Iron Pendulum, and it’s been more of an Imagine Dragons, Lindsey Stirling, and Placebo type playlist. It’s interesting, because each book takes on a personality of its own.

One other thing I do is a fairly new habit, but I had the honor of going to UtopYA this year in Nashville, TN, and C.J. Redwine was there as a panelist. She said she kept a log of how much she wrote each day, and challenged herself by crossing off every 500 words she wrote. I’m very much a challenge-driven person, so I immediately started implementing that as well, and I’ve seen how much it’s helped. Seeing the progress happen is a huge boost, and it makes me want to push for “just another 500.” I’m really glad I heard her speak.

I think those are the things that make up my writing process. I’d like to think I’m not crazy, but I suppose that’s up for interpretation. I’d love to hear from other writers what their process is, and if they have any rituals or “must-haves.” Thanks for having me on the blog today, and I hope everyone loves Steel Lily! :-)

~ Megan

I have to say, telling people you're an author is a valid excuse for Multiple Personality Disorder. If you write stories for a living and don't have characters in your head, talking to you 24-7, you're weird in this world. So, Megan, know we all suffer from the same illness and just embrace it! Viva la Creativity!

Now, a little about Steel Lily, Megan's featured book of the week:

Title: Steel Lily
Author: Megan Curd
Genre: Dystopian with hints of Steampunk
Length (print): 314 pages
Links to Purchase: Amazon—$2.99 Kindle  B&N—$2.99 Nook  Kobo—$2.99 

Synopsis:
AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs.

She's a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Four: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life.

Or so she thinks.

That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Four. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued. But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn't any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better.

...Which means digging deeper.

When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, she learns that while some secrets are better left concealed, humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything...including the fate of your world.

While you're here, why not check out some of Megan's links?

Website
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page

I've read Steel Lily and will be posting a review later this week. Surprise, Megan! Wow, that never gets old! *evil grin*

And don't forget to enter the FANTASTIC giveaways here. You could win a $500 shopping spree over at Amazon, a Kindle Fire HDX, or a ton of awesome books!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Even More Amazing Giveaways! Kindles, Money, and Books Galore!

HAPPY CYBER MONDAY! I was supposed to have a guest post from author Megan Curd for you all today, but things happen and it's not going up. I'm gonna share awesomeness with you instead. Today, the web is full of sales, contests, and giveaways! I'm here to link you up! We'll start with a recap of Sunday's fantastic post and move on to the others.

A $500 Shopping Spree at Amazon!

This giveaway is being held by The Kindle Book Review and Digital Book Today.

You can enter HERE.

You have a chance to win every day between now and Christmas! It's the Unofficial UtopYA 25 Days of Giveaways. This giveaway is sponsored by the authors planning to attend UtopYA Con 2014. If you don't have tickets to the event yet, grab them by clicking the name.

Here's the rafflecopter entry form for that giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My New Adult Paranormal Mystic series is still on sale and going strong through tomorrow at midnight! Links:
BRONYA
LILY

SHELIA
MELODY
CORALIE

If you love great books with strong females, this series is for you!

Ms. Tabitha Vargo is having a huge giveaway, too! Yeah, I'll share the code; it's the least I can do.

Oh! Wait! Did I say a giveaway? I meant she's having giveawayS! One is US only and the other is international. Surprise!

Here's the US only rafflecopter entry form:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And, there's the international one:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, this lady has gone completely nutso! She's giving away a prize every day for 31 days! It's a Facebook event and you can join here: Julia Crane's 31 Days of Giving!

Day one was a Kindle, day 2 is $25 Amazon gift card, I'm wondering what day 3 will bring. Yeah, I know that was full of comma splices... Moving on!

These books are all on sale for $0.99 each!

Big, Bad Bite
Secret Maneuvers (Ex Ops Series)
The Lady of Steinbrekka
Heart of Kylassame
and three e-books by Lisa Collicutt

I hope you all enjoy these awesome giveaways and sales!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

$500 Amazon Shopping Spree 2 Kindle Fire HDXs and More!

Hello and welcome to a very special Sunday edition of the blog! Today I have some awesome giveaways for you just in time for the holidays! Get your clicking finger ready and let's GOOOOOO!!

First up: A $500 Shopping Spree at Amazon!

This giveaway is being held by The Kindle Book Review and Digital Book Today.

You can enter HERE.

Second: You have a chance to win every day between now and Christmas! It's the Unofficial UtopYA 25 Days of Giveaways. This giveaway is sponsored by the authors planning to attend UtopYA Con 2014. If you don't have tickets to the event yet, grab them by clicking the name.

You can enter this giveaway by clicking HERE.

Time for the MORE part!
Grab a copy of Chasing Memories by Tia Silverthorne Bach FREE until tonight at midnight!

Get it while it's HOT! Grab a copy by clicking HERE!



Last, but not least! The Mystic series is still on sale and going strong through this Tuesday at midnight!

For the only time EVER, you can get all five of the starter books in this series for only $2.97!

Links:
BRONYA
LILY

SHELIA
MELODY
CORALIE

You save TEN DOLLARS!

I know, crazy stuff on the table today! Get out there and enter, grab freebies, and have FUN!

Happy reading!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Book Blitz and $10 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway - The Forgotten Ones

Happy Friday, good people of the blogosphere! I have two posts for you today. This first one is a book blitz for my buddy, Laura Howard. She's screaming all over the web about her new book, The Forgotten Ones. I'm giving her a hand because, well, I love Indie authors! Let's get going, shall we?

First up, a little about Laura.

About the Author:
Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

Goodreads  ~  Website  ~  @LauraHoward78  ~  Facebook

On to the book info!

Title: The Forgotten Ones (The Danaan Trilogy #1)
Author: Laura Howard
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Length (print): 197 pages
Published: April 28th, 2013
Links to purchase: Amazon - Kindle $2.99  ~  B&N - Nook $2.99

Synopsis:
Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Wouldn't you love to read an excerpt? Guess what? I have one!

I caught a glimpse of my mother staring out the den window. She held her violin loosely under her chin, and the bow dangled from her fingertips. Her jaw was slack, her eyes locked on something in the trees beyond me. I knew that haunted expression. I froze.

I swallowed hard as her eyes shifted to me. The violin fell from her chin, and I could see her bottom lip trembling.

I should have been used to that reaction from her when she saw me during an episode. It happened every time. But I wasn’t.

I flew into the house as fast as my feet would carry me. The screen door crashed behind me as I came to a halt outside the den. My mother clutched fistfuls of her blonde hair, garbled words spilling from her lips.

“I have to. I have to go out there,” she said. “He’s waiting for me.”

She stood in the semi-darkness, mumbling, the only other sound the hum of the ceiling fan. I clung to the doorjamb as I watched my grandmother approach carefully. She placed her hands on my mother’s shoulders, and on contact my mother’s body stopped quaking. Gram crooned, rocking her back and forth, as she pulled her into her arms and led her away from the window.

My stomach tightened, and I backed away to leave them alone. If she saw me again, who knew what would happen.

I cringed as the floor creaked beneath me, and she jerked her head in my direction. Her eyes widened when she saw me, and the shaking began again. Breaking away from my grandmother, she stumbled backward toward the window. She raked her fingers down her face and hair as she moaned. “Liam…” Tears streamed down her cheeks, causing thick strands of hair to stick to her face.

I entered the room slowly, desperate not to step on another squeaky floorboard. Her green eyes burned into mine, and I locked my eyes on hers. No matter how many times she fought my attempts to soothe her, I had to keep trying. She was my mom.

For your chance to win, here's the Rafflecopter entry form! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you all entered to win and check out Laura's book!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, write on!

Jo

Mystic Freebies and Reductions for Black Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving, dear readers of my blog! Today, I'm sharing with you all a little freebie and holiday promotion I have going on.

Yeah, you read that right! For the first time ever, Lily will be free on Amazon. And the other three novellas in the series will be just $0.99! That's a total of just $2.97 for the entire five book starter set. You're saving almost ten dollars so grab 'em while they're hot!

Have I gone insane? Perhaps! But you're the one getting the great deal.

Here are the links:
BRONYA
LILY

SHELIA
MELODY
CORALIE

This sale is for five days only! Get yours starting at midnight tonight!

What do you think about this deal? Are you excited yet?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Painting with Words

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today, I'm gonna be talking about art. Not with colors on canvas, but with words on paper. I know you've all heard me go on and on about too much description. Well, today I'm gonna talk about imagery. You can still give great description without going into minute details. Wanna know how? Grab your pens and notebooks and let's get going!

Look at the image above. See how it's all over the place? What works for art, doesn't necessarily work for a book. You could write long passages about the image, but what will your reader see in their mind? How do you describe something so chaotic so the person devouring your text gets a good idea of what the scene looks like? You don't. They can decide for themselves. I bet you're scratching your head, huh? Keep reading!

Let's go for an example or two, shall we?

Using description:
On white canvas that covered an entire 8'x14' wall, splatters and thin lines of black, pink, magenta, yellow, orange, green, purple, blue, brown, peach, teal, cerulean, hunter, and ocher overlapped. In the top left corner, pink, hunter, and magenta were deeply concentrated, set off by large spatters of black. In the center, only thin lines were present, drawing the eye in and allowing for a central concentration of the viewer's mind.

Now, I took an art class (okay, I took many art classes) in college, and that's what they want you to write when you're describing a painting. Note that word: "describe."

If I came across a passage like this in a book, I'd become bored as the writer went into every detail of the scenery. Did you read every color word? Probably not. Rather than tell your reader what to see, leave it to their imagination. Books are good at activating that little node in the back of your brain that paints its own pictures. Let's try again.

Using imagery:
It was a riot of every color in the rainbow covering the whole wall. Colors danced together in thick and thin lines, overlapping like freshly fallen leaves on a snowy lawn. I became lost in the chaos of it all as I tried to ascertain what the empty space in the middle was trying to tell me. Reminiscent of a Pollock painting on steroids, it drew me in and left me breathless.

Now, your reader's brain is activated. They paint the image in their head as they read. You aren't telling them what to see, you're letting them decide for themselves. Is it exactly what you see? Probably not. But, that's what's beautiful about it.

Paint vivid pictures with strong verbiage and allow the reader to feel the scene, rather than just be a bored onlooker.

• Riot
• Chaos
• Reminiscent
• Breathless

Those are all words that make the second passage much stronger than the first. Needless to say, I got fussed at a lot in design school for my creative briefs. I would launch into something like the second passage and not be succinct enough. They wanted straight and to the point. Blah. Bland. Phooey!

Let's not be bland. How about we strive to be artists of a different kind: Authors.

What about you? What do you prefer when reading?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Cover Reveal - The Druid's Doorway

Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I bring you a cover reveal for Ms. S.G. Daniels, someone I'll be doing an interview with in April, 2014. She's one of the authors who'll be attending UtopYA next year. But enough of my blabbing, let's get going to the visually pleasing aspects of this post!

Title: The Druid’s Doorway
Author: S.G. Daniels
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Cover Reveal Date: November 24, 2013
Publication Date: December 14, 2013
Synopsis:
Jake Reese thinks he’s just a screwed-up high school kid living in a small town isolated in the Arizona desert. Traumatized at an early age by his mother’s sudden death—and believing he might have had something to do with it—he’s allowed his guilt and lack of self-confidence to rule his life.

Hailey is the fiery little redhead that sees Jake as more than a just a good friend. When she invites him as her date to a school function, it brings down the walls he's built to protect his heart, and sets off a series of events that threaten not only Jake’s life, but that of everyone around him.

The discovery of a portal on the outskirts of town brings Jake face-to-face with death and reveals a closely guarded secret about his mother. No longer is his memory of her the only thing that haunts him. Something evil from her past has escaped through the portal, and nothing will prevent it from trying to steal Jake’s future.

Can Jake overcome his fears to keep Hailey safe? Will the decisions he's forced to make destroy everyone he knows and loves? And ultimately...is he strong enough to live with those choices?

About the author:
S.G. Daniels lives in rural Central Illinois with her husband of thirty-one years, and two spoiled cats, Payne and Jenks. She works full-time in a local medical facility as a patient accounting refund specialist. Most of her evenings she can be found in front of her computer, working on story ideas, or learning the ins and outs of the writing world. On the weekends, if she’s not spending time outside, she’s usually found nose-deep in a book. When S.G. unleashes her inner daredevil, she usually takes off through winding timber trails or country roads on the ATV. Her weaknesses are iced tea and pretzels, especially when she’s working on a story.

Website: http://www.sgdaniels.com/
Facebook: Author Page
Twitter: @SGDanielsAuthor
Pinterest: S.G. Daniels

I bet you're all eager to see that cover now, eh? Okay, okay! Here you go!

Isn't that gorgeous?

Here's the full wrap cover!

I hear the oohs and ahhs! Very nicely done, eh?

Why don't you give this little lady a follow on social media so you can be sure and catch the book when it hits the shelves?

What do you think of the cover?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo