NaNoWriMo OOPS

YIKES I FORGOT TO POST MY TEN THINGS POST. *hangs head in shame* I will do it now. 1) Turn off your inner editor. I know. sucks. Make notes. Word commenter system worked wonders for me (one of the things I learned last year:)

2) Breathe. This may seem obvious, but think of the stress you get under pressure. This is the worst kind of pressure-the pressure to create. An intimate act that you are doing that you hope will eventually be printed by strangers and loved the world over. Or at least by enough people to keep you in ink and pepsi. (Uh, no Pepsi doesn't pay me for product placement. I live on the rez. Some stereotypes hold true.)

3) Find a rythym. A pattern. Whatever your pattern is. It helps me to twitter/blog and get my brain going. It gives my kids a chance to remember all that, oh yeah mom, I forgot to tell you stuff, and I'm hungry whines, and get it all out of the way. Then, when writing is underway, I can say with total assurance, I took care of this or that. That was my pattern. It helped. YOu may need to stay off the internet and use it as a reward. You know yourself. If you don't, you have a month to figure it out.

4) Quit freaking out about the word goal. It's not really that high. You may need to push yourself out of that comfort zone you've been in, but just do it. (Nike's not paying me either. Maybe I should apply?)

5) Make your daily word count based on weekdays/5 day week. That does two things. One, you have two days off if you succeed and you can look forward to that. It allows for birthday parties, school functions, what ever you need those two days for. Two, it gives you those days to make up something you missed because you got a flat tire on the way to a write-in or your kids' teacher calls and wanted to know why they thought Duct tape was an awesome disciplinary tool.

6) Prep meals and TREATS ahead of time as much as possible. Freeze cookie dough, muffins, whatever it is that you and your family like. They will feel less like you've abandoned them. I wasn't prepared last year, so the first week sucked, but I'm a quick learner. I spent one day prepping as many meals as I could for the next week. That included grocery shopping, and portioning out things in preperation. My first year was a real challenge because I had no oven or microwave-stove top only. A gas stove top. I'd never used a gas stove top before.

7) If you are having problems with the plot, or a chapter, write what you want to happen. I did this and before I knew it, I was writing again to the story. Granted, I had to edit out things later, but it kept my word count going and my stress level stopping. (Can you keep something stopping??? LOL)

8) Let no bad happen. If you can help it. I don't mean in your story. If you are writing horror. Write things as bad as you like. I mean, don't over stress the little things. Further, farther? OMG which is it? My story will suck now cuz I can't remember. Worst, worse? Everyone will think I'm an idiot. Okay, get the picture? QUIT IT. When this is over, I will steal a few wonderful language sites from edittorrent's grammar site and post them here so that you can fix it-LATER.

9) Keep networking. Keep talking to those people who have been your support all this time. It will relieve stress, give you companionship, and keep it all in good fun, which leads to my last rule.

10) Have fun. We're writers. Writing is fun. Yes it's hard work. Yes, it can tear us apart emotionally when things aren't loved by everybody and their dog PB. But over the top, it's fun. Why else would we do it? Half the time we are fighting sterotyping (that's not a REAL job & You're not Published? then you're not a REAL writer) and our families to buy the time we need. Not to mention jobs, illness, life's foibles. Why not have fun?

The original post for these is here and let me tell you, if you're doubting yourself or your ability, you really need to read it. Nano is what really put me into the writing groove and helped make it a priority. It's a little late to prepare all this BEFORE NaNoWriMo starts, but at least you can do them now.

Good luck with your endeavors this month. Who's with me?? :D:D:D:D

Nano! Nano! Nano! Nano!

5 chances to win books, plus GC

at BK Walker books! Go and comment!! And I'm giving away a copy of Ravaged to someone who comments on every blog. Every comment gives you an entry for a $20 gift card and you don't even have to buy the books on tour (although, I'd be more than happy if you picked up Ravaged :)

And another awesome surprise, my author friend who won a copy of The Ulfric's Mate, is giving it away! Why? you may ask. *waits while you ask* Simply because she already bought a copy :P *sighs as warm and fuzzies fill up the heart*

The free copy of The Ulfric's Mate is available to a lucky commenter here.

Okay, I'm in love. Big sighs. This cover is gorgeous!! And, if you're promoting me, my books, then feel free to use it :) Would be lovely with a link to buy it... *ponders how to do that to pictures* oh well. But that's not all folks. I'm giving a copy away as well to a lucky commenter on her blog!

And as if that's not enough, she gives a wonderful interview of moi. I'm almost getting the hang of this interview business.

AND, she's giving a copy of Ravaged away. So am I! *faints dead away* *comes back to life as vampire*

Let's tally up here, shall we? I'm giving away Ravaged to a lucky person who comments on all the blogs from the tour (can be done all in one day, as long as done before Saturday) which also enters them for $20 gift card, Persephone Jones is giving away The Ulfric's Mate and Ravaged to a commenter on her blog, and I'm giving away The Ulfric's Mate and Ravaged to a commenter on her blog. WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW get those fingers a-walkin' and go comment!!!!

Blog Tour Day 3

Blog tour day 3 has two stops! how exciting :) come by say hi! Go to yesterday's blog post for links to days one and two!! The more times you comment, the greater your chances at winning! ;-) Come bug the authors, ask them questions (even if they haven't commented. One of us will~nudge~them :D)

First stop, Erzabet's Enchantments. don't you love their cover photo?
The second stop, Guys Like Romance Too for another chance!! This tour has more stops then ever, thereby increasing your chances!! And, if any of my peeps happen to say, I don't know, comment on every stop? I'll put them in a drawing for Ravaged, the anthology being featured here :)
Granted, each stop is basically a here's our books :) but $20 gift card is nothing to sneeze at and you might find yourself in love with a new author. Breathless Press really does have every genre of romance. They push the boundaries. In fact, my sci-fi Christmas story is coming out soon... And yes, that was a not-so-subtle-plug for my soon to come releases :)

Gorgeous cover isn't it? I'm going to post this as often as I can :) Remember, if you comment on all the stops, I'll put you in a drawing for this. :) Comment here to let me know you've done it!

Hey there everyone :)
We're on Blog Tour! First, I hope you went and checked out Angelina Rain's book, Rescued Love. Next item of business, did you miss me? ;;) Been uber busy and stressed with getting kids in school, sick kids, and fires so bad that the smoke is still bothering some people. But, I'm taking a week off. Well, sort of. I'm writing what I want to write, when. I'm not forcing it. Aaaaaand, I'm on tour. Oops. Wrong week to choose for a vacation lol

It's the anthology Ravaged:

This anthology is a great way to try new authors/genres you might not have thought about. There's bound to be a story or two you'll like. This blog tour runs for five days. Here's day one and day two so go enter! It's the GBLT releases, (I know at least one story fits this criteria :) so  you may find other books to spend the giveaway money on if you're the lucky winner!!

I want one of my people to win, so go check it out!!

Animal Rescue :)

Today, I have a guest blogger, Angelina a Rain, a fellow author at Breathless Press, who is speaking about a subject near and dear to many of my friends--namely, animal welfare. Please welcome her warmly and feel free to comment. Seriously LOL

 

Here's what Angelina has to say:

 

BUY A BOOK, SAVE A LIFE

 

The holiday season is upon us and it truly is the season of giving.

 

Animal welfare is a very important issue to me, so I'm going to donate 50% of ALL my royalties from the sales of Rescued Love to the Humane Society of the United States (http://www.humanesociety.org/).

 

If you buy a copy of Rescued Love between October 1 and December 31, a portion of the money you paid will go towards helping the animals. What could be better? You get an entertaining romance and to give back to a very important cause.

 

What are readers saying about Rescued Love?

 

 

"I'm very grateful that the author is making this a series. I certainly can't wait until the second book! All these things make this a Must Read!"

 

"Rescued Love is a beautiful blending of mystery and sweet romance with an unexpected twist."

 

"Wonderful heartwarming story!"

 

"I appreciate the unique story the author came up with… It's entertaining, unique, and I'm hoping that book two is not only about Petra, but about the dogs who made it through."

 

RESCUED LOVE BLURB:

 

One by one, household dogs disappear only to come back after senseless abuse. Veterinarian Jordan Powell will stop at nothing to ensure her patients' safety. Even if that means seeking help from ex-boyfriend, police officer Nate Thrillson, the man whose heart she once broke.

 

The last thing Nate wants is a relationship. He has an inoperable cancerous tumor in his brain and his days are numbered. Yet, he couldn't resist Jordan.

 

It's a race against time to save the dogs and the man who captured her heart. Can the doctor, who made a life out of helping animals, heal a human?

 

** Do your part in helping the animals and get yourself a copy of Rescued Love. **

 

 

BUY LINKS:

 

Breathless Press - http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=7&products_id=297

 

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008Q1WEQ8/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008Q1WEQ8&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwbreathless-20

 

ARe - http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-rescuedlove-895195-149.html

 

 

 

Winners and spammers

So, I announced the winners on Facebook and posted comments. Kiersten and DJ Shaw, Congratulations again!! I hope you enjoy your free books. It feels really good to be giving things out. Will have to continue that habit. :D Maybe when I get my tenth contract...I'm on five with Breathless Press :D Perhaps I'll give away a miniature painting. I picked up some canvas material and envelopes to make artist trading cards. A little art, a lot of fun!

However, after a particular person posted on my Birthday Bash, I began getting hundreds of spam comments. I'm sorry for anyone else receiving these in follow up comments. Somewhere, I have to find our where, there is a way to change it to no open comments after 24 hours so no one else will get the follow up emails.

Also, I think I may start going to these spammers websites and posting links to every single book I have for sale in every possible place I know of. Then, my friends books. Then my acquaintances books. Then links to an interesting book. But I'll start with mine. Maybe my sales will go up? Maybe the spammers will hate getting spammed and freaking quit spamming me the, the, evil spamming spammers!

I've been REALLY busy since my birthday :D Not only did I have drawings to do, I had children to get into school, a Christmas story to write (One of those five contracts :D) things to edit, covers to approve, and MORE writing. I'm getting back into the swing of CP work and editing. Hopefully, we'll get ourselves moving like we're supposed to.

My youngest just finished his evaluation with the psychologis and speech therapist. :) They meet next Friday then will let us know when/which classes, which therapies he needs. I'm so glad. He's so smart, and learns so much. The extra stimulation will be excellent for him.

How have all of you been? PLEASE share anything at all :) As long as you're not a spammer...

Breathless Press-and Mine-Birthday Bash

As most of my readers know, the road to publication has been fraught with worries and stumbling blocks galore. Between moving too much, losing my house, car, everything, my duaghter having brain surgery and not having reliable internet half the time, it's been a long road. Who am I kidding? Although I'm no published, it's still a struggle. One, I want to be a best seller and have put pressure on myself, and two, I keep having issues.

But, you know what? I'm still trying. I have two publications out with Breathless Press: The Ulfric's Mate is a full length novel and starts off The War of the Were Series, and Ravaged, an anthology focused on shifters of all sorts and stories of all types. You're sure to enjoy at least one. Barely There is the title of the one in Ravaged and it introduces to characters you're going to see more of later in the series. Beware, it's scorching hot.

Now, while my brain tries to fix the latest one I'm working on, I'm writing a Birthday Blog! Breathless Press has lots of free reads. As if that weren't enough, we are having a huge birthday bash blog hop. At every stop they are giving away something and leaving a clue for you to follow. Find all the clues and follow the instructions and you can win a huge grand prize. The blogs are up from August 24-27. Be sure and hit them all. Here's the official blurb and instructions:

Welcome readers to the Breathless Press Birthday Scavenger Hunt Blog Hop!
We have nineteen blogs participating, and each author is giving away a prize, books, swag...you name it!

BUT...It's Breathless Press's Birthday!

And have they got a gift for one lucky reader! Visit every blog in the hop, and locate the eighteen clues- blue letters. Create a list of each author whose blog you visit (Don't forget to leave a comment so your visit can be verified!) and the blue letter you found on their post, unscramble the message, and email the whole list to Olivia.ventura@breathlesspress.com .

How's that for a whole lot of fun!! You get a chance to win at every single blog, and a grand prize. For the full list of blogs, go to the Breathless Press blog here: http://www.breathlessblog.com/

But here's a list of the bloggers for you to make sure you catch them all!

1. DC Juris -
2. Gayl Taylor –
3. Em Woods –  http://authoremwoods.com/
4. Havan Fellows –  http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/
5. Hank Edwards – http://hankedwardsbooks.com/hankerings
6. Leona Bushman -
7. LB Shire –
8. JR Boyd – http://jr-boyd.blogspot.com/
9. Dianne Hartsock -
10. Lee Brazil - H http://leebrazilauthor.blogspot.com/
11. Carrie Pulkinen  –
12. Raven McAllan –
13. Samantha Thomas –
14. Yazmin Subha
15. Kiru Taye
16. Doris O'Connor-
17. Jamieson Wolf-
18. Story Orgy Blog – http://thestoryorgy.blogspot.com/
19. Breathless Press Blog – http://www.breathlessblog.com/

 

Also, it's my Birthday on the 25th, so I'm giving away more prizes. First, everyone who comments will be put in a drawing for The Ulfric'sMate. It's on sale as part of the birthday fun, so get it now :) If you win a copy and you've already bought it, I can gift it to someone instead. Great fun all the way around.

How do I determine the winner? I put numbers on folded up post it notes and let my son's take turns drawing out numbers J They love it and it gets them involved with my writing in a fun way. Also, if I hit 50 comments, I'll be giving away handmade bookmarks with beaded tassels to a lucky winner. And if it hits 75, I'll be giving away an 8x10 in print of the dragon at the top of the blog. That is a photo of one of my paintings. If I hit 100, I will give away a painting (I will let the winner choose between two.) If I hit 150 comments (I'm thinking big here!!) I'll give a grand prize which includes bookmarks, print, and a painting. So tell all your friends and let's have a birthday bash to remember.