#PitchWars editing Round 1: What I've Learned

As promised, I plan to share (what I can) with you all the things I learn as I navigate through the tumultuous but exhilarating trip that is being a #PitchWars mentee. I hope that even the tiniest bit of something sticks with you and in some way helps you better your craft and/or MS. 

That's the ultimate goal in all this, to become better at what we all love to do. Having a mentor, someone who has expertise in the craft and world of publishing, means nothing if we don't glean from them what we can. So stick with me as we go on this journey. Read what an insider recommends. Take it if it works for you, and use it to improve, improve, improve!

For my first edit assignment, I was tasked with reworking Ch. 1 of my MS, OUT OF THE ASHES. Here is what was recommended to have a first chapter that grips your reader:

*The first chapter is crucial to hooking the reader. They need to either want to be your MC or empathize with them.

Not really the "hook" I'm talking about, but who cares, right? *swoon*

*Establish world-building. Flesh out the world, make it believable so that a reader will buy into it. If they have to stop to question something, it's yanking them out of the story.

*The relationship development needs to be the core of the book. Everything should stem from the relationship, the connection between your characters. (tip: take your own relationships, how you feel when you meet a cute guy/girl, and use that as a base for how your characters act/react.)

*Give your story depth, right from the start. Create three-dimensional characters and worlds that are believable and draw your readers in.

Those are the main highlights of my first round of edits. Some wonderful, wonderful advice in there. Things we can all apply. 

Round One down, more to come. So stay tuned, and Happy Writing!

#PitchWars 2015!

As you can clearly see, I don't update this blog as often as I should (bad Me; bad, bad Me), but I hope to rectify that as I embark on a two-month journey as a 2015 #PitchWars mentee!

No clue what #PitchWars is? I have two recommendations for you. First, move out from under that rock and into an apartment or house already. Then go check out this post on the amazing Brenda Drake's site. She's the creator of this wonderful event, and can explain it much better than I ever could.

As I said, I hope to update more often as I progress toward the Agent Round of #PitchWars, which happens in November. And for my first post I thought I'd share with you what my edits from my fantastic mentor Lady Lioness have been like thus far.

First, I received THE EMAIL from LL stating she had chosen me as one of her two mentees and I was all

After calming down, I responded, saying how excited/freaked out/terrified I was, and how much I was looking forward to turning OUT OF THE ASHES into what I know it can be.

Next up was my first assignment. I had to rework Ch 1, flesh out the two MCs and tone down the, ahem, steamy stuff. ;) It was a challenge I was ready to face (and one I knew the book needed).

Not really steamy; I just wanted to toss some Christian Gray at ya. You're welcome.

I submitted my changes and got some spot-on feedback on what worked/what didn't. Another pass, and we both feel the beginning is much stronger, the MC Alex is more relatable and the writing is snappier. Win!

Now I await what comes next. How great would it be to only have to work on a chapter at a time, right? Of course, the entire editing process has to be done by November. Of 2015, not 2020. So that pipe dream just exploded in my face.

But that's okay, because I'm ready for this. I'm ready for the expertise #PitchWars brings. I'm ready to dig in and make a book I already love that much greater. And I'm ready to soak up all the knowledge and wisdom from someone as stellar as my mentor that I can. Hopefully you'll tag along on this journey with me. I promise nothing (except some okay gifs and semi-coherent text. You've been warned).

Check out this post on the lovely Rebecca McLaughlin's blog for other 2015 #PitchWars mentees who are blogging about their journey, too!

Also, visit my #PitchWars #TeamPride co-mentee Lisa Marie--she rocks!

Bring on the edits!!

Cover Reveal AND a Giveaway!

The wonderful Elana Johnson has a new novel coming out! 

Check out the awesome cover!

High school senior Olivia Winging gave up her love of photography when she gave up her boyfriend, Trevor Youngblood, a year and a half ago. She broke things off with Trevor because her mom married his dad, and dating your step-brother? Creepy.

Livvy hasn’t been on good terms with her mother since, and one of her stipulations for staying at the Youngblood’s every other weekend is that Trevor can’t be there. When she gets nominated for the Junior Photography in Excellence award, Trevor insists she enter. She agrees—only if every photo in the portfolio can be of him. Knowing that Livvy can capture a person’s deepest secrets through her lens, Trevor hesitates before accepting the deal.

As Livvy gets behind the lens of her camera again, her love of photography is rekindled. Unfortunately, the time she spends with Trevor also re-ignites the old flame for him she’s kept smothered for so long.

In order for Livvy to finish her portfolio, she’ll have to face her feelings for Trevor as well as deal with the animosity between her and her mother. Livvy’s always been able to capture a person’s soul from behind the camera—but she’s not sure she likes it when the lens is suddenly focused on her. If she can’t find a way to forgive her mother and admit how she feels about Trevor, Livvy may end up losing more than just the photography contest. She could lose her heart.

On Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22924265-something-about-love

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MS53ZRA

Special Promo: Elevated, Elana’s first verse novel, will be FREE for five days in September as SOMETHING ABOUT LOVE releases! So get your copy of Elevated for free from Monday, September, 15 – Friday, September 19. (Elevated buy link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IGINRFI) 

Elana Johnson’s work, including Possession, Surrender, Abandon, and Regret, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), is available now everywhere books are sold. Her popular ebook, From the Query to the Call, is also available for free download, as well as a Possession short story, Resist. 

Her self-published novels include two YA contemporary novels-in-verse, Elevated and Something About Love, as well as a YA/NA futuristic fantasy series, which includes Elemental Rush, Elemental Hunger, and Elemental Release.

School teacher by day, Query Ninja by night, you can find her online at her personal blog or Twitter. She also co-founded the Query Tracker blog, and contributes to the League of Extraordinary Writers.

Social Media Links:

Website/blog: http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElanaJ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorelanajohnson

Tumblr: http://elanajohnson.tumblr.com/

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/elanajohnson

League of Extraordinary Writers: http://leaguewriters.blogspot.com/

WriteOnCon: http://writeoncon.com/

Elana on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4044383.Elana_Johnson

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The 3 Rs: Readin' (w)Ritin' and...Rest!

As my last post shows, I've been uber busy lately (hey, I know, lemme enroll in school an hour away while working and trying to write. fun times) and am just now seeing the calm in the storm (geez, I hope it's not the eye of the storm. ugh). Which means my brain can once again focus on doing what I love: reading and writing!

I'm, oh, about four MSs (sorry Kelley, Kelley, Mandie and Jess!) and so-many-I've-lost-count books behind schedule, but I'm getting back in the game so to speak, and I'm excited! Plus, the creative juices have been let out of their cage and are rip roarin' ready to get me to THE END. Yay!

So this is short, yes, because, duh, reading. ;-)

But I'll be back, and hopefully with a writing update (on, say, Monday? you know, since that's the whole Ready Set Write! thing. Yeah.)!

Now that things have slowed down a bit...

It's high time I get my rear in gear with both blogging and writing. I was recently in school (yes, again) and working a full-time J.O.B., so something had to be set aside for a while. Well, since the job pays the bills and school wasn't free, blogging and writing took the hit. But now, I'm done with school, so I'm ready to dive back in to what I truly enjoy: writing and living in the world of Blogger and Twitter and the like. Aah, sweet victory.

I don't have much to say other than that. Well, except maybe I can do a giveaway or something? I have a couple extra copies of some really great books (Abbi Glines or Amanda Hocking, anyone?) that need good homes, so maybe I'll set something up really soon.

So stay tuned...

Ready? Set. Write! 2014: Week 3

I said it last week and I'll say it again: Time is flying. It's already the third week of RSW, and, like last week, I'm, well...not where I wanna be. But hey, that's okay, because I'm still chugging along, and that's what's most important!

What is Ready? Set. Write! exactly? It's a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us writers to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, the RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman,Erin Funk and Jaime Morrow. Be sure to visit any of these wonderful ladies' sites to get all the deets, and to sign up if you wanna join in the fun!

Where my WIP, BOXED, sits currently:

I didn't get to get all the scenes out of my head and onto the screen from last week like I had hoped, but I did manage to get some words down. Upped that 16,800 word count to about 19k. I know, not much, but it's moving forward. And I still have a few thousand on paper that I'll get added one day. One day.

This week's goal:

Like I said, I hope to get the rest of the scenes in my head out, plus transfer all the words I have on paper to my computer so they'll count, lol. 

This week's inspiration:

                                         Jericho                                                   Sam

Last week was all about Sam. This week, I'm focusing more on Jericho, the MC. Okay, so I'm actually ogling pics of both. Can ya blame me?

Challenges I'm facing:

Time. Oh yeah, time is not my friend as of late. With school, a full-time job, and starting clinical rotations next week, what few minutes a day I have free are going bye-bye. But that's okay, because when it's all over, I'm hitting the keys hard.

My fave line(s) so far:

This week, Jer is on my mind, so here's a little bit of his personality for ya. 

I swear, if Taylor Swift writes a song about me, I’m gonna kill Millie. 

Ah, who am I kidding. If Taylor Swift writes a song about me, I’ll be pimping that shit harder than Girl Scouts pushing Thin Mints.

Be sure to check back next Monday for more of my progress on BOXED!

Ready? Set. Write! 2014: Week 2

Wow, this week flew by. I can't believe it's already Monday again, and time to update on where I am with my current WIP as part of Ready? Set. Write! 

Ready? Set. Write! is a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us writers to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, the RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman,Erin Funk and Jaime Morrow. Be sure to visit any of these wonderful ladies' sites to get all the deets, and to sign up if you wanna join in the fun!

Where my WIP, BOXED, sits currently:

Okay, so BOXED only has right at 16,800 words (those are computer words; as in, ones I've actually transferred from paper to screen). But, they're good words--at least I think so. And every word counts, even if it's only a few a day, which was more often the case this past week thanks to school overload. But I'm still going!

This week's goal:

I really hope to add a significant chunk to that word count by next Monday. A few scenes have been rolling around in my head for a while now, and my goal is to get said scenes down. Fingers crossed.

This week's inspiration:

I've been ogling images of one of the main characters in BOXED, Sam. It's a really tough job, but I'm up for the challenge.

Challenges I'm facing:

Besides school and the day job (don't ya just love those?), I'm also facing the direction I want the story to go. I mean, I have an idea in mind, but for some reason there's a tiny whisper of a voice saying maybe I should shift that direction. Ugh. 

My fave line(s) so far:

There are many, really, but for the sake of this post, I'll pick just one.

His hand falls onto my stomach, those should-be-marked-as-deadly-weapons fingers slipping beneath my shirt and swirling around my abs and making it very hard to focus on…anything else.

Be sure to check back next Monday for more of my progress on BOXED!

i've been tagged! bloghop--my writing process

The lovely Heather Rebel has tagged me as part of a bloghop, and, as part of my 2014 Resolution To Write More, I'm happy to join in!


What am I working on?

 At the moment, I'm focusing most of my writing time (little bit, though there may be) on one particular wip, BOXED. It's ya and fun and romantic (at least, I think so) and I'm having a blast getting to know the characters. I'm a bit nervous in this new genre, but that's what creativity is all about, right? Reaching out to see what you might like.



How does my work differ from others in its genre?

Uh, because I'm writing it, duh! Lol
I don't think this work will stand out too much from the genre, other than maybe for the fact that even though the MC is gay, that fact is in no way the focus of the story. It's about love and loss and moving on when you think you don't deserve it. 



Why do I write what I write?

Well, typically I love writing paranormal, but my current WIP (the one I'm focusing on, anyway) is a contemporary. Which is a huge departure for me--and scary as Hades! But, as I said, I'm loving it. I can only hope I do the story justice in the end.



How does my writing process work?

Oh man, this one is a toughie. A year or so ago, I could easily answer this by saying I would sit down at my computer every night and churn out words. Because I did (I was on a deadline, so that helped). But now, with work and going back to school (yeah, I felt I had three extra minutes of free time, so I filled that right up!), my "process" consists of fitting in writing time whenever possible. I've also been known to pull out my nifty little digital recorder on occasion (mainly when making my hour commute to and from school) and get some ideas/scenes down that way. Hey, whatever works, I say!


And now, time to pass the torch.


Mandie Baxter

Book lover. YA writer. Music junkie. If I don't have a book on hand or a song in my head something is wrong. Proceed with caution.

Mandie is one of my crit partners and an awesome friend. And I love hearing about her work, so this fits perfectly!


Jess Leake

Wife, mom of 3, author of ARCANA (Nov 4th/Talos Press), my debut historical fantasy. Rep'd by@secretagentbri of Writers House#TeamTalos #TeamWritersHouse

Jess is another CP and friend, and an amazing writer (her debut novel comes out this November!).

Enjoy, ladies! 

I'm Back! Plus, Ready? Set. Write! 2014: Week 1

Okay, so in case you might not have noticed, it's been... a while since I've posted. Like, more than six months. *buries head in shameful sand*

But, as always, I haven't abandoned the ol' blog. Nope. I'm here, and I'm back with a vengeance! One of my resolutions for 2014 was to re-focus on my writing. It's been sitting on the back burner for a few months now, so it's high time I pulled it to the front eye and gave it some heat, no? 

And what better way to do that than to join Ready? Set. Write! 

What is Ready? Set. Write! exactly? Well, it's a summer writing intensive that provides an opportunity for us writers to cheer each other on wherever we’re at in our writing—planning, drafting, or revising. This year, the RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, Erin Funk and Jaime Morrow. Be sure to visit any of these wonderful ladies' sites to get all the deets, and to sign up if you wanna join in the fun!

I'll be posting weekly updates on where I sit with my writing, along with my goals, inspirations, challenges, fave lines from my WIP, and so on. So be sure to check in every Monday to help keep me on my toes!

Happy Release Day to Lani Woodland and Melonie Piper!

You're invited to the online Pieces of Jade launch party! You can be entered to win swag, books and more! Come hang out and chat with authors Lani Woodland and Melonie Piper.

Here is the pertinent information:

Monday, December 30th 2013

Time: 5-8 (PST) 

Place: Facebook's Pieces of Jade Launch Party Event Page. Click here to join the fun! 

Pieces of Jade

by Lani Woodland and Melonie Piper

Sentenced to death by the man she loves . . .

Jade has no control over her future. She is the Emmía, the girl whose magical blood keeps her kingdom’s cursed soil fertile and ensures the survival of her people. But her destiny is ruined when pirates take her magical medallion, the loss of which is treasonous, and the prince she loves is honor-bound to sentence her to death.


Forced to flee to the pirate she hates . . .

Jade escapes from prison, but her sister is captured and will die in her place unless Jade returns with the medallion still on the pirates’ ship. In disguise, she joins the pirate crew where she finds herself drawn to the first officer, William, and his claims of the crown’s hidden brutality in the kingdom. But when Jade learns the fate of every Emmía before her, she is finally forced to choose her own destiny: die a martyr or live a rebel.


Sound like something you'd like to read? If so, you can purchase Pieces of Jade for the Nook by clicking here or for the Kindle by clicking here.