Category: Writing

Spring Cleaning Writer Tag Challenge

Hi all! I was tagged by the lovely Carrie Anne Noble to participate in this “spring cleaning.” Have I mentioned I hate spring cleaning? No? Well, perhaps this kind of cleaning will be less distasteful than the usual kind.

Dust Bunnies & Plot-Bunnies: Reorganize your writing Goals (or make new ones)

I have two goals for this year.

1) to finish writing (& hopefully turn in to my publisher) my current WIP (Work In Progress) by the end of the year. I think it’s doable. I’m also hopeful I’ll have a title by then, because right now I’m calling it Book 3. Catchy, right?

2) to successfully launch Flare, Book Two of The Firebrand Chronicles (TFC). It releases in October  — and I’m so excited to share it with everyone. 🙂 *happy dance and confetti*

Which Stage are you at? EXPOUND!

a. Remodeling layouts (planning the story)
b. Painting the walls in colorful hues (writing)
c. Polishing the windows and scrubbing the floors and putting flowers in vases (editing)
d. Blueprints (not to the cleaning or remodeling yet… just drawing up plans for the very beginning inklings of a story)
e. Some combination of those things (cleaning out a closet)

There’s always a little bit of D going on — ideas rise to the surface for various stories, I scribble them on a piece of paper somewhere, and then I shove them back into a dark corner so I don’t get distracted from my current project. But until the end of May, I’ll be focusing on only B, writing Book 3 of TFC. As I mentioned, it doesn’t have a title … yet. (Since some awesome ladies gave me some ideas to play with awhile ago, I’m sure I’ll come up with something.) The summer months will be for C — at least until I’m satisfied with the final draft. Then, I’ll focus and prepare for Flare‘s release.

Treasure from the Back Closet

From Spark: 

Searching for a place to put my hands, I followed Baldwin’s example by burrowing my fingers into the fur near Arvandus’ neck.

“Quick, to the castle,” Baldwin said.

“Wait. Don’t I need to—”

We took off. I swallowed the scream lodged in my throat and tightened my thighs at the quick jerk of power. Falling off my griffin on my first flight would be bad. The trip, a short, dizzy rush of wind and speed, was a trial by fire. Relax and enjoy the view? Not happening, due to my white-knuckled grip in Arvandus’ fur. Every dip, turn, and burst of speed convinced me—I was going to die. In a parallel alternity. On a griffin.

Bonus: Do some spring cleaning of your writer self (& share a picture!)

A picture? With me all white and pasty from this never-ending winter?  Here I am, rocking a purple hair streak.

 

 

 

Rules

1. Dust-bunnies and Plot-bunnies: Reorganize Your Writing Goals (Or Make New Ones)

2. Which Stage Are You At? Expound!                                                                                                 a. Remodeling layouts (planning the story)
b. Painting the walls in colorful hues (writing)
c. Polishing the windows and scrubbing the floors and putting flowers in vases (editing)
d. Blueprints (not to the cleaning or remodeling yet… just drawing up plans for the very beginning inklings of a story)
e. Some combination of those things (cleaning out a closet)

3. Treasure From the Back of the Closet (Share one to three snippets you love!)

3.5. Bonus: Do Some Actual Spring Cleaning of Your Writer Self! (And share a picture!)

1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Share the picture
3. Answer the questions (naturally…) or even pick and choose which ones you answer
3.5. Tag 3 other writers and inform them that you tagged them (via comment/message/email or hey, even carrier-pigeon or smoke signal; I’m not picky)

10 Items You Need for Book Events

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Recently, a friend posted about a signing she was having and asked how to set up her table. So I should thank her for inspiring this post (thanks, Laurie!)

A table’s main purpose is to display your books, not to hide behind. I’ve heard some authors claim they NEVER sit down during signings, because they pull in more customers when standing. (I’ve not yet tried that, due to some back issues.) But whether you stand or sit down, there are few things you should have on your table.

  1. A table and chairs if they aren’t provided. If you’re not sure, ask.
  2. A tablecloth. I always take one even if the organizers claim to provide them. At an outdoor event,  I ended up using my heavy tablecloth — the free ones were in danger of blowing away.
  3. Books! A word of great advice I received from Amy Brock McNew–make sure if you’re doing a sale at a bookstore that you have a box of books with you. At my launch, the store had ordered the books, but they hadn’t come in. So I sold the box of books that were stashed in my car’s trunk. Be prepared… for anything, even a launch where the bookstore doesn’t come through.
  4. A sign-up sheet for your newsletter. If you don’t have a newsletter, you still want to get the customers’ email addresses. Hopefully, these will be your repeat customers, and you’ll want to share all your bookish information with them.
  5. A poster with your beautiful book cover because, well, just look at it! Why wouldn’t you want it in a larger format? This visual may be all that’s needed to garner another sale–because even though we shouldn’t, many do judge a book by its cover and choose to buy only on this point alone.
  6. Swag. This can be in the form of bookmarks, postcards, pens, coasters, key chains, etc. Really anything that can have your name and book cover on it works. It’s up to you how much money you want to spend on this, because swag is free to customers, but it also can be expensive to purchase.
  7. An author sign, with “author” and your name.  I recommend vinyl, especially if you’re planning on doing any outdoor shows.
  8. Cash box or another box to store money. Self-explanatory.
  9. Various supplies, such as tape (duct, Scotch and/or clear), bungee cords, scissors, rubber bands, paperclips, markers, etc. This is what I call the McGyver Kit — an emergency kit for anything that can and will go wrong. You can hide most of this in the bottom of the cash box.
  10. You might want to consider investing in a Square reader if you’re planning on doing book expos or fairs. I’ve done it and have found approximately half of my sales were through credit cards.

Plus one: Some authors include a prop of some sort, something that relates to their book. I found a statue of a black winged panther that looks exactly like Arvandus, a griffin in my book. Another author I know wrote a mermaid book and scattered shells on her table. If you have space on your table, be creative!

I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few things, because my list is always being refined and added to. For you authors, what do you usually remember to take along? Let me know in the comments!

 

5 More Things I Wish I Knew When I Started

Dear younger me
I cannot decide
Do I give some speech about how to get the most out of your life
Or do I go deep
And try to change
The choices that you’ll make cuz they’re choices that made me
Even though I love this crazy life
Sometimes I wish it was a smoother ride       ~MercyMe

Two weeks ago, I wrote the post 5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started. I felt it was only appropriate to include the second verse of the song Dear Younger Me (which, by the way, is such a great song. Plus, since this is my blog, I get to make cool choices like that). Anyway, this post is a continuation, a second round of things I’d tell my younger self if I could.

*Don’t isolate because it’s hard to create in a vacuum. Many writers are introverts, spending lots of time in their head creating characters, settings, and plots. Get out and live a little. (Yes, it’s hard. As an introvert, I want to stay in my creative cocoon. But I see my writing improve when I expand my boundaries.)

*Writing is as much about platform and marketing as it is about actually writing. This is the one transition that happened when I wasn’t looking. I started writing in the 90’s, and then I took a break to have children. When I started writing again, suddenly there was plenty of buzz about platform and social media and marketing. But this is the new normal. I can’t tuck myself away at a country cottage, like Salinger or Dickinson. That doesn’t work anymore.

* Be content with where you are. It took many frustrating years before I became happy with where I was. It was during a Bible study where someone said, “You’re where God wants you to be. Don’t envy someone else’s life. They’ve got something that you can’t handle. Just like you have things in your life they can’t handle.” Knowing that piece of advice and knowing I’d always write, regardless of the outcome, helped me cope.

* Suck it up and pay your dues. There are very few people whose first manuscript is a best seller. I’ve written plenty of stories, poems, and three books in the in the past (the first book will never, ever, see the light of day). And that’s okay. I made lots of mistakes in those early books and learned a lot.

*Contests are excellent measuring sticks. Always choose the ones that give feedback, especially if you’re shelling out $20 or $25 dollars for an entry fee. I should’ve entered many more of those than I did.

Plus 1: Take care of yourself. This is something I’m still working on because balance is difficult, at least for me. Every job requires it, as well as sleep, healthy eating, and time to just unwind. The writing profession is no different.

What about you? Is there any piece of advice you’d give your younger self? Please leave it in the comments!

The Inspiration Behind Disowned: A guest blog post by Sarah Addison-Fox

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Today, I’m pleased to welcome author Sarah Addison-Fox to Jilligan’s Island. Sarah has recently released her book, Disowned, and I thought everyone would like to know the inspiration behind it.

Read on to find out!

What Inspired the Story?

Yikes! Answering this question is really hard! Because I’m a ‘Panster’ and I really create what I write on the fly, Disowned really just sort of happened. I kid you not. I had an opening scene, two names, and a question I wanted to answer….

 

What would happen if a slave girl tossed away was shown a different life?

 

As soon as I asked this question, Celeste’s journey began with her introduction to a family willing to hide her even though harboring a slave would bring them trouble.

I wanted to show the differences between the two countries both with very different religious structures, one country that values human life, and another which traps slaves in an inescapable system.

So, I guess if I had to pin my inspiration down to one thing, it would be wanting to write about Celeste’s struggle for freedom, emotionally, spiritually and physically. For me Celeste represents so many girls who have been tossed aside, stepped on or mistreated. Celeste’s story is only beginning in Disowned, like so many she is searching for her place, and desperately trying to find value and purpose to her life.

Over the course of the Allegiance series, there will many trials as Celeste battles to find the freedom found only in God’s love.

Want to know more about disowned?
Two countries, two choices, one life. When Kyraenean slave Celeste risks her life to reach the free nation of Etraea, a country filled with technology and wealth, she unknowingly sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.
After escaping her new owner, Celeste awakens in the home of an Etraean soldier, sworn to protect the fragile peace. For Corporal Mick Haynes, life is simple. Follow the rules, do your job and work your way up the ranks. Getting shot and finding a wanted slave at his family’s farm wasn’t part of the plan.
When a Kyraenean bounty hunter locates Celeste, Mick’s loyalty will be stretched to the limit.
With war on the horizon, Celeste faces two impossible choices. Both securing her freedom, but both at a cost she could never have imagined. Will Etraea provide the freedom she’s longed for or shackle her to an entirely new master?
Sarah Addison-Fox is a New Zealand-born home-schooling mother of two who
loves action-packed, clean, fantasy with strong heroines. She has an astonishing
amount of nail polish, has all her creative writing credentials shoved in a drawer
somewhere, and has a husband who, after 27 years, can still make her blush.
When she’s not working on both her YA fantasy series’ she can be found
fangirling on Goodreads or sending GIFs on Twitter.

Sarah Addison’s Official Website: http://www.sarahaddisonfox.com/

Social Media Links:
Instagram: sarahaddisonfox/
Twitter: @Saddisonfox
To Read more about Disowned, check out the Full blog Tour schedule!

Jan 2nd: Book Review – Unicorn Quester – https://unicornquester.com/blog/
Jan 3rd: Post Written by Host Blogger – SKG Fun – http://www.southkakalakigirl.com/the-blog/
Jan 4th: Guest Post from Author, Sarah Addison Fox – Teens n Tiaras – https://teensntiaras.weebly.com/blog
Jan 5th: Book Review – Ashley Bogner – http://www.ashleybogner.com/
Jan 6th: Author Interview – Karyssa – http://gottahavecoffee.blogspot.com/
Jan 7th: Post Written by Host Blogger – Anna –http://www.cupofthoughts.blog/
Jan 8th: Book Review Abigail – http://novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com/
Jan 9th: Post Written by Host Blogger – Abi- https://theleft-handedtypist.blogspot.com
Jan 10th: Giveaway – Annie – http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com
Jan 11th: Giveaway – Jaye – http://www.jayelknight.blogspot.com
Jan 12th: Book Review – Angel – www.purelyunorthodox.com
Jan 13th: Post Written by Host Blogger –  Anna – https://jumbledthoughtsofawriter.wordpress.com
Jan 14th: Book Review – Hannah – www.thedifferentgirl.com
Jan 15th: Interview – Kate –  https://onceuponanordinary.wordpress.com/  –
Jan 16th: Guest Post from Author – New Authors -https://newauthors.wordpress.com/
Jan 17th: Book Review – Audrey- http://audreycaylin.com/
Jan 18th: Book Review – Kellyn – https://reveriesreviews.wordpress.com/
Jan 19th: Guest Post from Author – Liv – http://livkfisher.blogspot.com/
Jan 20th: Author Interview – Medomfo –  https://writingsfromagodgirl.wordpress.com/
Jan 21st: Book Review – Victoria – https://rufflesandgrace.com/
Jan 22nd: Post Written by Host Blogger – Jebraun – https://jebraunclifford.com
Jan 23rd: Review – Chloe – https://purelybyfaithreviews.wordpress.com/
Jan 24th: Review – Kiara -kiarasbookends.wordpress.com
Jan 25th: Author Guest Post – J.M. Hackman – www.jmhackman.com
Jan 26th: Book Review – Lelia – http://www.leilatualla.com/leilasbookshelf
Jan 27th: Author Interview – Riley – rileyalinewrites.wordpress.com
Jan 28th: Review – Sarah – www.smylinggirl.blogspot.com
Jan 29th: Review – Shay –  www.elvenpadawan.com
Review – Jessi – https://theartfulauthor.wordpress.com/
Jan 30th: Guest Post from Author – Lands Uncharted- www.landsuncharted.com
Jan 31st: Spotlight Post – Raechel – https://godspeculiartreasurerae.wordpress.com/

5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Writing

Dear younger me
Where do I start
If I could tell you everything that I have learned so far
Then you could be
One step ahead
Of all the painful memories still running thru my head
I wonder how much different things would be         ~MercyMe

I’ve been writing for a long time, about fifteen years. And like the song Dear Younger Me, there are some things I wish I could tell my younger self, so I’d be better prepared.

  1. Don’t stop writing—ever. That condescending editor? I should’ve brushed off the criticism. The days when I didn’t have to write? I should’ve put my butt in the chair and written anyway. When things got hard and the criticism stung, I shouldn’t have slowed down, but instead pushed harder.
  2. Develop a thick skin. This one I’m still working on. I know words are only words. But whether it’s a bit of untrue gossip or a scathing review, these are the things downloaded unto the hard drive of my memory.
  3. It’s a hard industry to break into. Much, much harder than I thought. In fact, I’ve heard the professional advice: if you can do anything else, do it. And I would… except the characters and plots keep coming. I don’t only write because I like to, but because I can’t not write.
  4. Feedback is essential… Whether it’s beta readers or a critique group, listen to the advice. (If they’re all saying the same thing, it’d be wise to take notes and then edit.)
  5. …But it’s also just someone else’ opinion. These opinions are not commandments from God. They’re just someone else’s viewpoint. You’re the one who gets to decide how the story unfolds.

I’ve got five more tips that I wished I knew when I started. I’ll share those in my next personal post. Next week, Sarah Addison-Fox will be stopping by to share more about her new book Disowned! See you then!

 

Photo by Kalle Kortelainen on Unsplash

Interview with T.J. Akers, Author of The Final Paladin

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Welcome to Jilligan’s Island! Today we’re interviewing T.J. Akers, who stopped by on his blog tour  to talk about  The Final Paladin, which releases on November 14th. At the end of this interview, I’ll include the book blurb and some interesting information about T.J., as well as the Facebook party link. You’ll want to get your hands on this story. I started reading it last night and was immediately intrigued!

Hi, T.J.!  We’re so excited to find out more about your new release, The Final Paladin. So, let’s jump right into the questions! Why do you write fiction?

TJ: I love creating stories, always have. My son was eight and an avid reader, and he should be, because I read to him every day until he turned seven. Then I read with him. He was losing interest in reading, and it concerned me. He complained about not having anything fun to read, so I got active in helping him find things. I introduced him to audio books and started pointing him to the good stuff. Then for his eighth birthday, I wrote him a novel. Of course, I also got him some cool presents, too. That was when I rediscovered writing, story creation, and everything else that goes with it. So I write because I love it. I also write so my readers will have fun, and in doing so, learn to love reading. If a reader did not have fun reading any fiction I wrote, I’ve failed.

JI: The Final Paladin starts in late 19th century, New York City. Why did you pick that time and place?

TJ: I’m a serious history geek, and as much as I enjoy science fiction and fantasy, I love history even more. Anyone that loves a good story understands the biggest and juiciest stories happened in real life. So why not incorporate the things I love the most in my stories? My favorite period of U.S. History takes place from the Civil War to the early twentieth century. Five Points, New York, is one of the most intriguing places to me in that time.

JI: Your book also incorporates urban fantasy and medieval lore. Do you love those things, too?

TJ: The short answer is yes, but there’s more to it. I went back to college in my 40s and discovered early British Literature. Thanks to a couple of very fine instructors, I discovered resources that went into greater detail about that period, the myths, and the tension of a quickly growing Catholic church and the existing pagan beliefs. Those tensions show up in the early literature (stories) of that time. I’ve read modern authors that use the same trope, but they’re inappropriate for younger readers. After reading Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin and Jim Butcher’s Dresden series, I thought it was a shame that younger readers couldn’t have something fun along those same lines of urban fantasy.

JI: So you use the Paladin legend for your story. Why not King Arthur, or Templars, or Teutonic Knights?

TJ: I only use the legend as the basis, I don’t really use the original chivalric code because no one wrote it down in Charlemagne’s time. Historically, Charlemagne has the most evidence of the foundation of the concept of Chivalry and the Knightly Ideal. Again, the closest this got to being written is a story called The Song of Roland. Historically, chivalry is a French word from the 11th century, and it originally meant horsemanship. The church promoted chivalry as code because armed thugs rode around the country, killing people. The Catholic Church promoted the concept to try to bring peace and preserve human life. Chivalry, as we understand it, is technically a Christian ideal. So rather than use Templars, Teutons, or Arthur, I went back to the earliest of the European knights, Paladins.

JI: All that said, why even make it a part of The Final Paladin?

TJ: Originally, I wanted to start the series in ninth century Europe in Charlemagne’s empire with my character Godfrey, a Saxon whose village was swallowed up by Charlemagne’s conquests. I did my research, but I also wanted to enter the story in a contest offered by the American Christian Fiction Writers. Most of the judges are women and not speculative fiction fans. So in order to do better in the contest, I chose a female character and events that happened later in history.

JI: You wrote The Final Paladin to win a contest where the judges were predominantly female and probably non-speculative readers?

TJ: That’s essentially correct.

JI: Did your strategy pay off?

TJ: Yes and no, but what’s really cool is I got my fair share of male judges, and they scored my entry high. My manuscript made it to the final three, so it worked to a point.

JI: You didn’t win?

TJ: No.

JI: Well, we’re glad L2L2 picked it up! The story begins in Five Points, New York. But it doesn’t stay in New York City, does it?

TJ: That would be boring at this point, so the story goes to a place called Fairy, or the land of Fairies, elves, trolls, pixies, the White Stag, and everything else. I go back to all the legends and myths of western and central Europe, or at least the ones I could fit in.

JI: Is it a fairy tale retelling?

TJ: No, not exactly. I just mixed my mythologies: history and fairies. I also borrowed from the book of Revelation. There’s mention of a character named Apollyon, or in Hebrew, Abaddon, The Angel of Death. So I mixed in some Bible, knightly legends, and fairies and got a modern-day story in the tradition of Gawain and the Green Knight, or Beowulf.

JI: Is your novel written for adults?

TJ: I like to write for Young Adults and Middle Graders, but I’ve written for New Adults, too. I like those groups because you can still reclaim them as readers. I really write for speculative audiences. The one quality I love about speculative fiction readers is they’re reading for the story. You can make the protagonist eight, twenty, or ninety, and if the story is interesting, the reader won’t usually care.

JI: Are you planning on a whole series?

TJ: Yes. Michele Harper, my publisher wouldn’t have published me if I weren’t. I have in mind at least ten in the series, and that doesn’t even include the three or four prequels about Godfrey and how we even got to the 1870s with things in the state they are. All of that is going to depend on the novel’s popularity.

JI: Wow, that’s a big series!

TJ: Yeah, I have an overactive imagination.

JI: That’s a good thing for a writer to have. Do you write anything other than speculative fiction?

TJ: I have a contemporary YA novel that’s completed and edited. I nearly managed to get it published by Zondervan back in 2014. I also have ideas for historical fiction, too. There are four completed novel manuscripts on my computer: two are science fiction fantasy, a thriller, and a contemporary comedy. All that could easily be turned into a series. I have no shortage of stories tell.

JI: Is L2L2 interested in those?

TJ: Sure, but I have to run them by my publisher. They have to be good stories or she won’t publish them. I’m excited because my science fiction projects have male protagonists, and no one really publishes for boys anymore.

JI: Anything you want to add?

TJ: I’ve learned a lot since I started writing in 2004. Now I can go back to all the projects I’ve kept very shiny.

JI: Thanks so much, T.J., for joining us on the island!

Here’s a little more about The Final Paladin:

Life for Peg Bowman is rough in the infamous slums of Five Points, New York, but her brother’s murder changes everything.

Thrust into incredible worlds beyond any story she’s ever heard, Peg meets Sir Godfrey, an eleven-hundred-year-old knight from Charlemagne’s court, trainer of Paladins. He reveals to Peg her family’s ancient obligation to protect the Key of Apollyon, a relic of immense power. She is the last descendant of the Paladins and his only hope for keeping it safe.

When Godfrey confides her brother was murdered because of the Key, Peg rejects her calling and demands revenge, a luxury she can ill afford as otherworldly creatures seek her death to claim the Key’s power for themselves.

Can Godfrey and his faithful retinue—Chim the Hobgoblin, Rebecca the Jewish Maven and healer, and Jack the sometimes human and sometimes seven-foot Black Dog—keep her safe and convince her that her calling is worth pursuing? Or will she succumb to the Key’s lure and wield it for revenge?

And here’s a little more about T.J. :

T.J. Akers desires to be a multimillionaire when he grows up and give his wealth to his favorite causes: churches, schools, and animal shelters. Since the millions have been slow in coming, he’s settled for working as a computer technician for a state university and volunteering at his church and local animal shelter. Whenever possible, he indulges his love of writing stories to entertain people, especially younger readers.

Akers holds a Masters of English from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and can often be found roaming the university’s library, especially the children’s and young adult sections. Librarians have always been his heroes.

He lives with his beloved wife of thirty years, his dog, and two cats. The dog is an excellent writing companion, but the cats have proven to be rather critical. Learn more at www.tjakers.com

You can find him at the following social media sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tj.akers.35

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TJAkers1

Google+: https://plus.google.com/101156763458205540263

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/16679486-tj-akers

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/akers0778/boards/

Don’t forget to stop by the Facebook Party on November 16!

 

Six Crucial Steps for the Beginning Writer

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At the doctor’s office recently, I met another writer. We shared the what-do-you-write pleasantries before she shook her head. “I’ve been doing this for three years. How long did your first novel take?”

I grinned. “You don’t want to know.” (It took five years. That doesn’t count the eight years previously spent on writing short pieces while raising children, or the five years before that penning novels in another genre.)

God willing, I have years left to share more stories. But the conversation reminded me of my frustrations when I started out. I eventually completed all six of the following steps, even though it took a long time. I’m a slow learner.

  1. Settle in for the long haul. This isn’t an easy profession. You have to love it, and you can’t expect instant success. The “overnight success authors” spent days, months, and sometimes years pounding away on their computer keyboards. Expect the same of yourself.
  2. Locate a tribe. Local writers’ groups exist everywhere. Find one you can join. If one doesn’t exist in your area, and you don’t want to drive, look for a group on-line. It will keep your sanity. There’s nothing quite like chatting with other authors who are facing the same struggles you are.
  3. Learn the craft. Invest time (and money, if possible) in this venture you’ve undertaken. Libraries have books on writing and sometimes hold author events or workshops. Bookstores do this, as well. Set up a Conference Fund to attend a writer’s workshop or conference, where you can take classes, learn from established writers, and meet publishers, agents, and editors.
  4. Remember you’re not a special snowflake. This isn’t a derogatory statement. Everyone has a story to tell and a unique voice. But that doesn’t mean you get a pass at everything else. You’ll have to pay your dues. You’ll have to keep your day job (at least for a while). You’ll have to learn to balance writing, family, your day job, personal health, spiritual health, and any messes that pop up. I’m still learning how to deal with the balance issue.
  5. Allow others to see your work. I know—it’s hard. But everyone starts somewhere. If the group you’re critiquing with seems a bit too harsh, take another objective look. Are you sensitive because this story is your baby? Learn to take critiques with a thick skin, grace, and open ears. If you have to explain a part of your manuscript, it’s not working. Keep your mouth closed and take notes. (Keeping my mouth closed has been an especially difficult lesson for me. Just sayin.’)
  6. If you don’t have a religion, you should find one. This is an optional rule, but I’ve found it necessary to often ask God for help. Since I’m still learning, I’ve found the prayer please help to be especially necessary and humbling. If you desire to do it all yourself, go ahead. But I prefer to have Someone bigger lead my writing career and support group.

Tuck these steps in your pocket, and you’ll be well-equipped for the fantastic writing journey awaiting you!

Interview with Kristen Stieffel

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Today on Jilligan’s Island, we (that’s the royal “we”) are interviewing author Kristen Stieffel. We’re talking writing and books, but most specifically her novel, Alara’s Call which releases this Tuesday (the 19th). It’s a fantastic read.

JI: Welcome, Kristen! I really enjoyed Alara’s Call. Where did you get the idea for it?

KS: Years ago—longer than I care to admit—I had a sort of vision of soldiers and flags, and I started writing to figure out why they were there and what they were doing. The soldiers and flags are still in the story, but no longer in the same scene.

JI: What’s the theme of this story? Why did you choose it?

KS: The theme of this book is from 1 Peter 4:10—“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (NIV). That plays out in multiple ways, but primarily in Alara receiving the gift of prophecy and pursuing it despite opposition.

JI: I loved reading about Alara’s struggle as she learns to use her gift. What did you edit out of this book?

KS: A looooong interlude in the first third of the book that I convinced myself was necessary to the character development and to establish the romantic subplot. Jeff Gerke was my book doctor, and he was brutally honest about how much it slowed the story down and told me to take it out. So I did. But … bwa ha ha … I have plans to repurpose it. So we’ll see how that goes.

JI: Good for you for saving that scene! So, what’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned while writing this story?

KS: That the heroine’s fatal flaws—pride and performance anxiety—are my own. Who knew?

JI: It’s amazing how those issues show up in our writing. What was the hardest scene to write?

KS: The fight scene in which those soldiers capture Alara. Sorry, that’s kind of a spoiler, but it’s early in the book, so maybe not too much of one? In the version of the book Jeff read, this scene was like half a page. I skimmed over it. He said “that’s not acceptable” and told me to rewrite it, blow by blow. I did. It took a whole day and several pots of tea, but I did it.

JI: That scene was intense!  Speaking of the fight scene, how did you get in touch with your “inner villain” to write the antagonist ?

KS: I’m a firm believer that the best villains think they’re the good guys. Given the culture I’d created for the villains, I put myself in the place of the lead villain and tried to make him a “good soldier,” at least as his culture would define those terms.

JI: You did a great job with the villain — I hated him! Have you always liked to write? When did you start writing?

KS: I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. My mother tells me my cousin and I used to make up stories together when we were 3-4 years old.

JI: Aw, that’s cute. 🙂 What are you reading now?

KS: Oh, man. I don’t want to name names. But I picked up a historical romance because it was on a Kindle promo and I tell you—the characters are charming, but the book is so loaded with typos it’s hard to read. It pains me, because there’s nothing wrong with this book that a copyeditor couldn’t fix. But the author clearly didn’t take the time and expense to hire one, at least not one who knew what she was doing. So this lovely story is marred by all these easily fixable mistakes. It’s a shame.

JI: I bet your inner editor was going nuts! Aside from “keep writing,” what’s your best advice for aspiring writers?

KS: Focus on the big-picture things first. Character. Plot. Structure. If you write a great story with engaging characters, a copyeditor can fix your grammar. But if the story’s lacking, it won’t matter how elegant your sentences are. Needless to say, I learned this lesson the hard way.

JI: You did a great job with the characters in Alara’s Call — they pulled me right in. What does your writing space look like?

KS: Here’s a picture, since you caught me before I dismantled the computer to put it away for Hurricane Irma.

JI: Much neater than my writing area! Do you do any other creative activities other than writing?

KS: I’m a knitter. My ex used to give me grief about this because we live in Florida, but seriously, most of our sweaters are worn indoors because the air conditioning is so cold!

JI: Too funny! Does writing energize you or exhaust you?

KS: It energizes me! Once I get going, I can go—and have gone—all night long. My counselor recently gave me “permission” to work until three in the morning if that’s when I’m at my best. So I often do!

JI: Wow — I’m usually asleep after midnight. So, what’s your favorite part of writing?

KS: Reading something I forgot I wrote and saying “That’s really good!”

JI: Lol –that’s always a nice surprise when that happens. If you could tell your younger self anything, what would it be?

KS: Focus on the big-picture things first. Character. Plot. Structure.

JI: Thanks so much for stopping by Jilligan’s Island, Kristen!

 

Want more information on Alara’s Call: The Prophet’s Chronicle, One?

Tales are often told of heroes who fulfill ancient prophecies. Alara’s Call is the tale of a woman who gives new ones.

Alara sees visions of other’s futures, but never her own. A young clergywoman with a fiery passion for her Telshan faith, she has been assigned to a mission abroad but longs to lead a congregation in her homeland. Her father, the prime minister, jeopardizes her dream and her safety when he coerces her into what he calls a diplomatic mission.
But it’s a ruse.
The trip is meant to end with her marriage to the crown prince of a foreign nation, where members of Alara’s faith are persecuted and women oppressed. All for a trade agreement her father is desperate to enact.
But her mentor intervenes and takes Alara to Dorrel, the suitor she left behind. They believe they are safe, but foreign soldiers are under orders to bring Alara to the king’s
palace…by any means necessary.

 So who is Kristen Stieffel?

Kristen Stieffel is a freelance editor and writer who specializes in speculative fiction.
Although she edits projects in varied genres for both the general market and the Christian submarket, she is a novelist at heart. Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and Christian Editor Connection, mentor with Word Weavers International, and on the planning committee for Realm Makers, Kristen stays busy doing what she loves most. She is also the associate editor of Havok, a flash-fiction magazine focused on science fiction and fantasy. Visit www.KristenStieffel.com to learn more about this many-faceted author.

Still can’t wait? (Sorry, you’ll have to — just a few more days.)

Alara’s Call (ISBN: 978-1-943788-19-4) will be available on September 19 at http://www.love2readlove2writepublishing.com/books/alaras-call/
Stop by the Facebook Launch Party on September 21, 2017, for fun, laughter, and some cool prizes! (https://www.facebook.com/events/1045774898890338/)

A Late Bloomer

I’ve been away from my blog for too long. So, I felt perhaps this post might be a good way to say hello, and to tell you what I’ve been doing lately.

I went for a walk today. The warm sun, the cool breeze, puffy clouds in the sky which brought rain later on—it was the perfect fall morning. We don’t see too many of them like that here in central Pennsylvania.

On my way back home, I cut through a wooded area. It’s been cleaned up, so there’s no underbrush, just spongy moss, some early fallen leaves, and wild chicory underfoot. A flash of white caught my eye. It was a daisy, petal perfect with a sunny yellow center. It was alone among the toadstools that show up every fall. I couldn’t resist picking it, then looking for its brothers or sisters. Finally, I saw a handful clustered around a big tree. These few daisies were late bloomers. Like me.

Usually, the term “late bloomer” refers to puberty, but I’m referring to my “blooming” in another area — the publishing arena. I began writing in 1995, right after I married my husband. The following years produced three Christian romance novels (unpublished), two children, and one jewelry design business. After my last child was born, I began to write more widely—poems, essays, and a YA portal fantasy. When I tally up my writing time, it took seventeen years to become a published novelist. I don’t regret any part of my journey because God put me where I needed to be, when I needed to be there.

So if you’re struggling and wondering if you should give it all up, ask yourself a few important questions:

  • How much do you enjoy your writing? Could you stop at any time and be happy? Because if you could, you probably should. This profession is difficult, and you have to love it.
  • Are you writing to become rich and famous? If that’s your goal, you need to rethink your career path. Most writers don’t get paid much. J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan are the exception, rather than the rule.
  • How long are you willing to work at your craft? If you feel you should be published a year or two after starting, you’ll be disappointed. You can never stop learning, and it takes time to learn the rules. Most of us have “paid our dues,” a period of time which may last for years. There’s no room for entitlement in this career.

Those questions didn’t scare you off? You’re still here? Great! I pray God blesses your journey. Early, mid-, or late bloomers, we all have a story to tell. I can’t wait to read yours.

Cover Reveal for Alara’s Call by Kristen Stieffel

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Cover reveals are so much fun! I love seeing the beautiful book covers and learning about the books that are soon to be published. Alara’s Call by Kristen Stieffel is no different.  But before I drop the gorgeousness all over this post, let me share the back cover blurb with you.

 

Tales are often told of heroes who fulfill ancient prophecies. Alara’s Call is the tale of a woman who gives new ones.

Alara sees visions of other’s futures, but never her own.

A young clergywoman with a fiery passion for her Telshan faith, she has been assigned to a mission abroad but longs to lead a congregation in her homeland. Her father, the prime minister, jeopardizes her dream and her safety when he coerces her into what he calls a diplomatic mission.

But it’s a ruse.

The trip is meant to end with her marriage to the crown prince of a foreign nation, where members of Alara’s faith are persecuted and women oppressed. All for a trade agreement her father is desperate to enact.

But her mentor intervenes and takes Alara to Dorrel, the suitor she left behind. They believe they are safe, but foreign soldiers are under orders to bring Alara to the king’s palace…by any means necessary.

 

Doesn’t that sound fantastic?

Kristen Stieffel is a freelance editor and writer who specializes in speculative fiction. Although she edits projects in varied genres for both the general market and the Christian submarket, she is a novelist at heart. A member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and Christian Editor Connection, mentor with Word Weavers International, and on the planning committee for Realm Makers, Kristen stays busy doing what she loves most. She is also the associate editor of Havok, a flash fiction magazine focused on science fiction and fantasy. Visit www.KristenStieffel.com to learn more about this many-faceted author.

So now that you know about the author, are you ready for the beautiful cover?
It’s so pretty….
Okay, let me just put this right here.

 

 

I can’t wait to read this book and learn more about it! So mark your calendars because the Facebook party will be Thursday, September 21, 2017.