Writing Update: February Goals and My Writing Space

 

Happy Wednesday!

Since there are five Wednesdays this month, I have my goals post today. Otherwise, it'll be with Bookworm News posts.

Here are my February goals:

• Create a map of the Kingdom of Amora. I know how long it takes the characters to get from place to place. Now it's time to figure distances and draw the map for the trilogy.
• Finish outlining Redestined. I've finished through Chapter 27 in my outline for book three of The Fate Challenges, but I still have a few chapters left in Part II and all of Part III to outline. My guess is Redestined will have around forty-five or so chapters and will be the longest book of the trilogy.
• Continue working on Reforged. With NaNoWriMo 2013, I wrote up to Chapter 16 in Reforged. In January, I've been editing/rewriting the beginning. I'm hoping to be able to write new chapters by the end of February.
• Edit an old short story. Untethered Realms is putting together an anthology. I originally thought about writing a new story, but I found an old story of mine that'll work, I think. It's time to do an edit on it, so I can get it ready for the anthology.

I'll be taking a break from Reborn as soon as I finish this final edit, so my proofreader can have a go at it. If I get it back sooner than March 1st, then I'll start working on it again in February, but it can wait until March. I'd like a fairly clean copy to go to my reviewers in mid-March.

I've also made a decision about Neighbors of Foxwick. Originally, I planned to release this seven-story collection in February. With the stress of Reborn as well as having some health issues (I'm having some out-patient surgery on February 12th) and editing so much in December, I was finding it difficult to get into the right frame of mind to edit these stories. I had planned to tackle them again in February, so I could still release the collection in late February or sometime in March, but then I realized something. This Fall, I'm publishing People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors, a collection which will include Women of Foxwick, Men of Foxwick, and Neighbors of Foxwick, so instead of publishing a new collection and then combining all three, I can just combine all three and publish them, so there will be new stories for people. [By the way, here's the cover art for People of Foxwick. Isn't it lovely? The talented Laura Sava illustrated the cover art like she did with Reborn. The cover features Umbria a.k.a. Lady Death and her pet black unicorn. There is a back cover too, since the collection will be in print and ebook formats, but you'll have to wait to see it.]

Personally, I've found most people want the complete collection instead of individual ones, especially when it comes to shorter works. For example, I sell almost two times more Gravity: The Complete Trilogy than I do the individual ebooks put together. Last year, I had four months I didn't sell a single copy of Defying Gravity, nine for Fighting Gravity, and ten for Pull of Gravity, yet I sell copies every month of the complete collection. It's different for my horror works, since I had Once Upon a December Nightmare free for so long, but I'm curious to see if that changes, since it's $0.99 again (sequel is $2.99 and entire collection is $2.99). I know they say having more works out there leads to more discovery of your work, but to be honest, I sold more when I had one ebook out than I do now.

I'd like to eventually take down the individual ebooks and keep the collections only of my shorter works. I'll likely do that sometime this year with Gravity and do the same with my Foxwick Chronicles short stories. So if I'm going to take down the shorter collections this year, then why put a new one out when I'll likely take it down in six months? I can wait and release the entire People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors (an 80,000-word short story collection) and put it for a cheaper introductory price for a couple weeks and then raise it to its normal price. That way people who have purchased the shorter collections can get the entire collection for the same price I would've sold Neighbors of Foxwick.

That said, I plan to start working on People of Foxwick in May/June, since Reborn will be out of the way. I will likely write Loveless (Book One of Less Than Princess Perfect series) during this time, since it's part of the Foxwick world. Then, it'll be time to go back to Amora in August/September for Reigned (Prequel) and then Redestined (Book Three) after that.

Also, A-Z Blogging Challenge sign-ups are going on! Unfortunately, this year I won't be able to participate on this blog. With publishing my debut novel in May, I just have a bit too much to do in April, but I will be participating with the authors of Untethered Realms. We're going to be talking about creatures--and not the normal kind.

What are your goals for next month?

2014 Stats

4,095 Words Written

259 Pages Edited

*Stats taken from 1/1/2014 - 1/28/2014*

Also, I'm over at Nutshell's blog today where she featured me and my writing space, so pull up a chair and see where the magic happens.

Writing Update: January Goals/New Blogging Schedule/Blogging Vacation

 

Happy Wednesday!

Can you believe the year is almost over? I sure can't! Where did 2013 go?

This month I've been busy editing in Reborn. I swear I'm one of the slowest self-editors out there. I was hoping to take some time during my work vacation to relax, but I might have to work on some outlines and the like during my vacation. *sighs*

Here are my January goals:

• Final Edit of Reborn. I should get Reborn back from my beta readers after New Year's, so I'll be ready to do my final edit. Yes, this debut novel stuff is getting very real. Of course, it'll still have to go through the proofreader, several proofreads by me, formatting, and then publishing by May.
• Fix Part I of Reforged. I originally was going to work on Reigned, but I changed my mind. I'd rather work on book two of The Fate Challenges as I'm finishing up book one. Then, I can go back to Reigned and write Redestined after that, or vice versa.
• Finalize my outline for Redestined. Once I have the outlines the way I want them, then I can start exciting things like drawing the map of the Kingdom of Amora and writing books two and three of The Fate Challenges.
• Final edit and proofread Neighbors of Foxwick. In January, it'll be time to edit and proofread Neighbors of Foxwick, so I can start formatting and publishing this last short story collection in The Foxwick Chronicles. I do plan to combine Women of Foxwick, Men of Foxwick, and Neighbors of Foxwick in one collection (print/ebook) in Fall 2014, so if you'd rather wait for the entire collection, I'm cool with that. I just wanted to offer the other for those who have already picked up the first one or two in the series.

And those are my January goals. Since I'm gearing up to publish novels in 2014, I've decided I need to cut back a bit on blogging. If you pop over to Surrounded by Books Reviews, you'll see the sad news that I'm dropping that blog. I will still be doing reviews, but I will post them on my Bookworm News feature (besides Goodreads/Amazon). I am keeping the blog up, so people can find my old reviews there.

As for this blog, I'm dropping my schedule to posting one day a week: Wednesdays. Posting 4-5 times a month instead of 16+ will help me out a lot. I will have the occasional extra post, but I'll announce that before it happens. For a look at my 2014 blogging schedule, click here. With less posting spaces, I've also posted a page of Guest Post Guidelines. You can click here to view them. Of course, all of this is subject to change, but we'll see how it goes.

With the new year, I will soon be raising a few of my ebook prices in January, so if you've considered buying something, now is the time to do it. I'm taking Once Upon a December Nightmare off free. Gravity: The Complete Trilogy will go up from $2.99 to $3.99. Fighting Gravity will jump up to $1.99 and Pull of Gravity will be $2.99. That's all I plan to change right now, and theses changes won't happen until after the new year.

Also, today's my last post until IWSG and Indie Life's posts on January 8, 2014. Since I'm away from the day job and the good internet, it's just easier to not post during my vacation. I hope everyone has a fantastic holidays! See you in the new year!

2013 Stats

2276 Pages Edited

180,405 Words Written

*Stats taken from 1/1/2013 - 12/17/2013*

Writing Update: October Goals

 

Happy Wednesday!

It's hard to believe there are only three more months left to this year! This month has been busy with helping out with a friend's collection as well as publishing Magna's Plea and writing stories in Neighbors of Foxwick. I even almost have my map done for the Kingdom of Foxwick and its neighbors!

Here are my October goals:

• Finish my edit of Reborn. Seriously, I keep saying I'll work on it, but I haven't gotten beyond the prologue. I must finish the edit soon, so I can give my beta readers a month or two to read it and make comments.
• Write Reforged. I would like to keep working on Reforged. Ideally, if I could finish this novel by the end of December, it would be great, although I'm tentatively shooting for November to finish it.
• Outline Reigned. I want to write this as my NaNoWriMo novel in November in conjunction with Reforged, so I thought I'd finally put the outline in my head down on paper/Word document, then I'll be more prepared to write it.
• Finish writing the last story in Neighbors of Foxwick. I have one scene in "Prince's Price" and seven scenes in "Love's Challenge" to write, and I'm really hoping to finish this before the end of September, but if not, then I'll be finishing it up in early October. If I can get this done, then I'll be on track to publish Neighbors of Foxwick by February 2014.

And that's all, folks! Not too bad, even though there is still a lot of writing and editing to be done.

What are your October goals?

2013 Stats

122,592 words

1909 pages edited

Stats taken from 1/1/2013 - 9/24/2013

Writing Update: September Goals / Promotion Help / Cover Reveals for two Unrealmers

 

Happy Wednesday!

I must admit I'm so looking forward to September. It'll mean we go back to the regular schedule at the day job, which means more sleep! Yay!

Here are my September goals:

• Write "Mourner's Lament" from Neighbors of Foxwick. As I mentioned last week, I'm changing up the release date for Neighbors of Foxwick from October 2013 to February 2014. This way I'll have more time to make it the best collection I can.
• Create a map of Foxwick. I found some map-making software. I'm trying out the trial version to see if I like it.
• Write Part I and half of Part II of Reforged. I hope to be finished with this novel by the end of December.
• Finish editing Reborn, Book One in The Fate Challenges. I need to send this novel to my beta readers sometime in September, so they can get it back to me by December 1.
• Final edit, proofread, format, and publish of my prequel short story in The Fate Challenges titled Magna's Plea. This fantasy short story is the same one I've been giving to newsletter subscribers. I'd like to make it free, so I can draw more interest in the forthcoming Fate Challenges. This short story will also include a sneak peek of Reborn.

And that's it for September. Doesn't sound too bad, does it? What are your September goals?

2013 Stats

117,238 words

1681 pages edited

Stats taken from 1/1/2013 - 8/28/2013

***

Also, like I did for the release of Men of Foxwick, I'd like to do a promo post for the free release of Magna's Plea during the week of October 21st. You'll have your selection of a short, medium, or long post or create something yourself from the information I'll provide you before the cover reveal/promo. If you're interested, please sign up on the link list below. Thank you!!

***

 

It is with great pleasure and a thrill in our hearts that Gwen Gardner and I (Angela Brown *hugs*) reveal the covers for our follow up stories to our currently available novels: Givin' Up the Ghost (Gwen) and Neverlove (Angela)

*cue drumroll*
...
..
.

A GUILTY GHOST SURPRISED by Gwen Gardner (Add to Goodreads)

An Angel Among Us

Paranormal happenings at the Eady household are the norm. Recently, things have become downright peculiar. Childish giggles at odd hours of the night lead Indigo Eady to her little cousin, Bryan, a guileless cherub spirit, complete with Spider Man pajamas and a set of faux angel wings. The problem is that Bryan died nearly three years ago in a hit and run that killed him and his mum. The driver was never found.  Now the gang must solve the mystery of his death in order to send him back to heaven.  But where to start when the trail is three years cold?

Indigo Eady

Indigo Eady is not clumsy. At least, that’s what she keeps telling everyone. Can she help that the overactive spirit community of Sabrina Shores causes her psychic abilities to short-circuit? It’s unfortunate that her cute friend Badger is often on the receiving end of her mishaps. At times, she is positively hazardous to his health. Even so, sparks fly in more than one direction.

THEY ALL FALL DOWN by Angela Brown (Add to Goodreads)

Abby and Basil: New love reaches new heights as they finally give in to their lust and desire for each other.

Q: Consumed by the Devourer within and his base need to claim Abby as his own.

The crave: What it all boils down to. A crave for souls. A crave to keep love intact beyond betrayals. A crave for a second chance. A crave for power and The Fall of mankind.

“Love can conquer all” is put to the test and salvation may be impossible when it’s “ashes, ashes…they all fall down.”

About Gwen

Gwen Gardner is a native Californian living in sunny San Diego, where her love of reading and writing led to a BA in English literature. Life is now complete with her husband, two dogs and a daily call from her daughter.

Since ghosts feature prominently in her young adult Indigo Eady Paranormal “Cozy” Mystery series, she has a secret desire to meet one face to face - but will run screaming for the hills if she ever does. Gwen adores travel and experiencing the cultures and foods of different countries. She is always up for an adventure and anything involving chocolate - not necessarily in that order.
Haunt at the following: Blog | Twitter | Facebook

About Angela

Angela is a lover of Wild Cherry Pepsi and chocolate/chocolate covered delicious-ness. Steampunk, fantasy and paranormal to contemporary - mostly young adult - fill her growing library of books. Mother to a rambunctious darling girl aptly nicknamed Chipmunk, life stays busy. Her favorite quote keeps her moving: "You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Haunt at the following: Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Writing Update: Changing My Plans ... Again

 

Happy Wednesday!

This will probably come as no surprise, but I'm changing up my plans/goals again. *sighs*

The first couple weeks of August threw my goals out the window. I was supposed to finish up the last four short stories in Neighbors of Foxwick, but it didn't happen. In fact, I only finished my rewrite of "Dragon's Sacrifice" on Sunday, and I still have three more short stories left to write ("Mourner's Lament," "Prince's Price," and "Love's Challenge"). I had originally planned to publish Neighbors of Foxwick in October, but that's not happening. I don't want to rush the stories just to have them finished. Of course, if I push back Neighbors of Foxwick, then that means I can't publish People of Foxwick when I originally planned either.

So the new production schedule for 2014 is:

Neighbors of Foxwick - The Foxwick Chronicles Short Story Collection - February 2014

Reborn - Book One of The Fate Challenges - May 23, 2014

People of Foxwick - The Foxwick Chronicles Complete Short Story Collection - August 2014

The Loveless Princess - The Foxwick Chronicles Novel - November 2014

Of course, all these dates are subject to change, but by reexamining my schedule, it has made it easier on me to get everything I want accomplished. As for the rest of the month, I'm working on editing the first half of Reborn based on critique partners' suggestions and rewriting/writing the rest of Part I of Reforged.

So does that mean I won't have anything else published this year?

Not exactly.

I want to start getting word out about Reborn, even though it won't be out until next May. It's my debut novel, and I think it's pretty special, so I've decided to take a short story I wrote back in 2010 based in that world (just 700 years earlier) and publish it as a freebie (story has had extensive edits since then and is going through my critique partners again before a final edit/proofread from me). This story is called "Magna's Plea," and it's about 5,000 words in length. I will have a sneak peek of Reborn with the short story as well. Since Amazon can take awhile to price-match a title to free, I plan to publish "Magna's Plea" in September with an official release date in October. Next week, I'll have information on how you can help me spread word about "Magna's Plea."

Here is what "Magna's Plea" is about:

A princess will rise and challenge Fate.

While her father, brothers, and people fight against the Kingdom of Apentha, tenacious eighteen-year-old Princess Magna can only watch the destruction of Amora, her besieged city and kingdom. Her mother, Queen Vyvian, has refused to allow her heir to join the fray.

But Magna won't take no for an answer. She seeks out an end of the war from Prince Cyrun of Apentha, their prisoner. If she can't persuade him toward peace, then Amora may fall.

This short story prequel includes a sneak peek of Reborn, Book One of The Fate Challenges, forthcoming May 2014.

So what are you up to this Wednesday?

***

By the way, several of us spec fic authors with Untethered Realms took up the prompt "awesomesauce." Stop by the blog to see what it is.

Wednesday's Writing Update: August Goals

 

Happy Wednesday!

Since I'm taking a vacation from the day job next week, I've decided to take a blogging vacation too. My next post will be on August 5th.

July's been very busy and trying month. I've fallen so far behind in everything it's pathetic, and I just can't seem to catch up where I should be, so once again I'm rearranging my goals. It hasn't helped that I've been having some eye problems since April. I have dry eye--probably caused by my allergy medicine and spending 8+ hours a day on the computer doesn't help either. The eye doctor said the average person's tears break up around fifteen seconds; mine break up around three seconds. I'm taking OTC drops and flax seed oil pills, and while that does help, when I'm tired, my eyes refuse to work. It's slowed down my writing and reading a lot more than I want to admit. So I'm a big Camp NaNoWriMo fail for the first time since I started participating in NaNoWriMos. *sighs* I'm still hoping to get at least Part I in Reforged finished as well as four short stories in Neighbors of Foxwick this month.

Also yesterday was my dad's 59th birthday and my parents' 36th anniversary!

Here are my August goals:

• Edit Reborn. So far, I've gotten no editing time for Reborn, but I still have August to finish it up. I plan to send Reborn to beta readers by early September (after Labor Day).
• Write Part II of Reforged. Right now I have a bit of a rewrite on Part I that I hope to accomplish in July, but I'd like to have Parts I and II finished of Reforged by the end of August.
• Finish writing the short stories in Neighbors of Foxwick. I want to have this done by the end of July too, but if I have a short story or two left over, then I can finish them in early August and still be ready to publish the collection in October.

What are your August goals?

2013 Stats

111,310 words (21,191 words this month)

1581 pages edited

Stats taken from 1/1/2013 - 7/23/2013

***

Also, Smashwords is once again having its Summer/Winter Sale. Through the end of July, you can purchase the ebooks of Gravity: The Complete Trilogy and The Nightmare Collection for $1.50 using the coupon code: SSW50. By the way, I've been playing around with the ebook covers for these two books. What do you think?

***

I also have two unedited excerpts. The first is from "Siren's Call," a short story in the forthcoming Neighbors of Foxwick.

“Keep an eye out for rocks, so we don’t run aground.” She shifted the wheel toward the island.

“Aye, Capt’n!” Jamsey saluted.

Thunder grumbled like an ornery old man. Another wave swelled and lifted the ship high in the air. Tamarlyn held her breath as they crashed down.

“Hold on!” She cried out.

Water swept over the deck and knocked her feet out from under her. Pain raced along her arms as she held onto the wheel. The ship swirled widely toward starboard.

Strong arms righted her and steadied the wheel. “You should get below deck, Capt’n.”

Tamarlyn glanced back at the bulked-up Brutis. Her fingers tightened upon the wheel, and she ignored the heat radiating from him against her. “I’m not some fair maiden. Go tie yourself to the ship, so you don’t wash overboard.”

This second excerpt is from Reforged, and it introduces some new characters to book two, not that most of you have met the old characters from book one. *laughs*

“Come up for air, you two.” Ferris knocked against Sari and Karn.

Karn’s face changed from its yellowish-tan color to red as he accepted his drink.

“You’re just jealous.” Sari grabbed her drink and rolled her eyes.

“Oh, yes, I want to make out with Karn all the time.” Ferris made a smoochie face at Karn, which made the other boy even redder.

“You’re terrible, Ferris!” Bea slapped his arm.

“And you know you love it.” Ferris winked at her.

Bea giggled.

Wednesday's Writing Update: July Goals

 

Happy Wednesday!

June, unfortunately, was a busy month when it came to everything except my own writing/editing. But I will catch up one of these days.

Here are my July goals:

• Write Reforged for Camp NaNoWriMo. I have a 50,000 word goal, but I would love to finish this novel by the end of July. My main goal is to write one chapter a day.
• Finish writing the short stories in Neighbors of Foxwick as soon as possible. I will send each story as I finish it to my critique partners, but I need to have the entire collection completed very soon, if I want to keep my October release date. My main goal is to write one scene a day.
• Edit Reborn. If I can edit based on my first group of critique partners' suggestions an average of three pages a day in July and August, then I'll be finished with another draft of Reborn, so it'll be ready to go to my beta readers in September.
• Contact and secure a cover artist for Reborn. I have an artist in mind, but I was just waiting for the new fiscal year at the day job before I contacted her.

So, there will be a ton of writing and some editing waiting for me in July.

I also have another unedited snippet of "Common Love" from the forthcoming Neighbors of Foxwick.

Upon a balcony, a vision dressed in white furs lifted her hand toward him. Blue hair whipped about in the wind, and Bryan could imagine Vereina’s tender smile, although from this distance, he could just make out her features.

His own grin curled up his lips, and he started to wave back when the guard shoved him. Bryan stumbled forward upon the magically lit path.

The gate clanged shut behind him.

But he had seen her. That knowledge had him skipping back to town and his father’s shop. 

What are your July goals?

2013 STATS

84,165 words

1440 pages edited

*Stats are tabulated from January 1, 2013-June 25, 2013.

Wednesday's Writing Update: In Need of Time

 

Happy Wednesday!

I think we could all use more time. My June goals are lagging as this month continues to fly by. Between my sister's high school graduation, co-workers taking vacations, publishing Men of Foxwick, and editing work for friends, my writing/editing time has dwindled to zero these first few weeks in June.

But I am making some progress this week. I almost have all the short stories in the forthcoming Neighbors of Foxwick outlined. I'm working on my outline for Reforged. And next week I'll be back to editing Part III of Reborn for my first group of critique partners. I've decided to push off editing based on CPs' comments of Part I of Reborn to July. After all, if I take July and August and edit three pages a day, then I'll be finished with that edit and can send it to my beta readers in September, so I'm still on schedule for the May 23, 2014 release date.

Now, I need to try to get as many short stories in Neighbors of Foxwick finished before July. What I don't have done, then I'll have to try to finish in July while writing Reforged. So there'll be a lot more writing and editing in my future.

And last week I had a new story idea. *sighs*

I guess I better get back to work. What are you working on? Have you had a busy June too?

Also, here's an unedited snippet of "Common Love," the first short story in Neighbors of Foxwick.

Bryan Firelark daydreamed of a princess trapped in an ice castle. The last time he’d seen Princess Vereina was over three winters ago. She’d given him a chaste kiss on the cheek after he’d helped his father shoe her horse. Her father, King Damon of Wintermill, banned him from the castle, from seeing Vereina.

Three winters had become a lifetime. Bryan could still feel her soft lips against his cheek. Her blue hair had tickled him, and her eyes reminded him of liquid silver. Did the princess ever think fondly of him?

Wednesday's Writing Update: June Goals

 

Happy Wednesday!

May seemed to be a catch-up month for me. I was catching up on blog posts, emails, and more. Unfortunately, writing and editing didn't happen quite as well as I'd hoped and had me revising my production goals. Instead of working on The Loveless Princess, I'm now working on the short story collection Neighbors of Foxwick, which I hope to finish in June. As for The Loveless Princess, I hope to get back to it in August.

My June goals are as follows:

• Finish outlining Reforged, Book Two of The Fate Challenges, so I'll be ready to write it for July's Camp NaNoWriMo (a 50,000 word goal, although it'd be awesome if I can write the complete first draft of Reforged).
• Finish editing Part III of Reborn, Book One of The Fate Challenges, so I can send it to my first group of critique partners by June 30th.
• Edit Part I of Reborn, Book One of The Fate Challenges, based on my first group of critique partners' edits.
• Proofread/Format/Publish Men of Foxwick by June 17th. This fantasy short story collection should be out a few days before June 17th, but that date is the official release date.
• Write the short stories in Neighbors of Foxwick.

What are your June goals?

2013 Stats since January 1st

77,067 words written

922 pages edited

N is for Neighbors of Foxwick

 

This year's A to Z Challenge theme is: All About Foxwick.

N is for ... Neighbors of Foxwick

Neighbors of Foxwick is a short story collection featuring the neighbors of Foxwick. Seven short stories will include people from Wintermill, Valdale, Lochhollow, Merrilea Sea, the Shadowlands, Greymist Forest, and Blackden Barrens.

In Wintermill, the blacksmith's son will make a grave mistake when he falls in love with a princess. A group of nomads in Blackden Barrens will debate what to do with the chief's daughter. Living in Greymist Forest, a mother dragon will fight to save her child. A female pirate may find the lure of a male siren's call too much to endure as she captains her boat on Merrilea Sea. A necromancer will raise the dead for Lochhollow's king. A Valdalean prince will marry the princess of Foxwick, but when Lady Death calls after the ceremony, the sorceress princess will journey to the Shadowlands to retrieve her lost love.

Short Stories in Neighbors of Foxwick:
Common Love
Tribal Abandonment
Dragon's Sacrifice
Siren's Call
Mourner's Lament
Prince's Price
Love's Challenge

I hope to start writing this collection in June and have it available sometime in early 2014.