Friday, January 26, 2018

Writing and Publishing Updates (i.e. Oh, the torture!)

This update has been a long time coming. (Wow, that sounds ominous. But don't freak, I'm not quitting writing or anything.) It's really just an update. You see, I've been getting an increasing number of messages lately asking about the status of Bitter Winter and how writing is going. In one word, it's basically . . . not. Yeah, this whole last year has been awful for writing and editing. Just terrible. Basically, torture. Yeah.

You see, when I moved out on my own, I suddenly had all of the pressures of adulthood dropped on me. Groceries, bills, insurance, vehicle issues. Everything. And then lots of family stuff. Nothing really bad or anything. Just life. You know, that thing that likes to take all of your best-laid plans and, with a puff of smoke, turn them into ashes? Yeah, life. I feel like mine has been a chaotic, disorganized mess that I haven't been able to completely sort out yet even though I've been on my own for a whole year. I'm hoping 2018 will be where I finally hit my stride. *feels LIFE lurking over my shoulder ready to strike*

I suppose I'm being somewhat dramatic, but that's how 2017 felt. I did almost no writing besides finishing up the surprise NaNoWriMo contemporary romance that leaped into my life late 2016. The fact that I've hardly written in a year is absolute torture itself. Writers can't not be writing. It leads to feelings of hopelessness and self-loathing. I'm not even kidding. This gif is basically what it has felt like to try to write for the past year.

Editing has been no better. I'm still working on the first chapter of Bitter Winter.

The. First. Chapter.

Ugh. More torture. More self-loathing. Here is actual footage of me trying to edit.

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Again, I'm being dramatic, but it's actually the truth. And I constantly beat myself up over it. With every month that passes, I feel the pressure of needing to get the next book out. And, of course, that just makes it all that much worse. I don't do well under pressure. Is it any wonder I've had a horrible case of writer's block?

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So, that's all the bad news. Here's the good news. I started writing today. Some of it was easy, some of it was hard. I've implemented a plan that I hope will help me stay on track and finish writing book six of Ilyon Chronicles this spring. That has been the biggest thing weighing on me. I need to get that book done.

As for Bitter Winter, I also did some editing today. I think once I get going on it, it will become easier. I have no idea when it will be published, but unless something catastrophic comes up, I will publish it this year. To answer the question I keep getting: Sorry, I don't have an actual publishing date yet. It's way too soon for that. But I will announce it the moment I know. :)

In the mean time, prayers are very much appreciated. Adulthood is hard. (Can I get an 'amen'?) Writing it not nearly as easy as it was when I would sit in my bedroom for hours on end at my parents' house and not have all the adult responsibilities I do now. It was more fun then, sadly. But, regardless of how long it may take, I'm going to keep on pushing forward. I will get these last two Ilyon books done. And I can't tell you how much all of your loyal support means to me, especially when the going gets tough. Thanks for sticking it out with me!

P.S. I nabbed the gifs from this awesome blog post that perfectly sums up being a writer. (Disclaimer: I have no idea who this author is, what she writes, or what else is on her blog/website. It just came up when I was searching through gifs.)

Thursday, January 11, 2018

The Allegiance Blog Tour + Giveaway!

“If you like non-magical fantasy with a strong dash of romance about a girl who fights against incredible odds to find freedom and her place in the world, then this is for you!”

Last month, Livy Lynn contacted me, requesting that I be part of an exciting Blog Tour, for Christian Fantasy Author, Sarah Addison Fox! Sarah is a New Zealand-born home-schooling mother of two who loves action-packed, clean, fantasy with strong heroines.

Her debut novel, Disowned, is about a Kyraenean slave name Celeste. She risks her life to reach the free nation of Etraea, a country filled with technology and wealth. Once she arrives in Etraea, she unknowingly sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever. You can check out her book here.

I'm super excited to announce that for my portion of the Tour, Sarah is giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card! Yay for more money to spend on books! :D

To enter, simply use the Raffelcopter form below, to follow Sarah Addison, and the Tour Coordinator, Livy Lynn, on their Social Media accounts.

The Giveaway begins January 10th and ends January 12th!

*Please note, this giveaway is not in anyway endorsed or funded by Amazon. The Giveaway prize is coming directly from Sarah Addison Fox, author of Disowned.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Coordinated By: Livy Lynn Blog! Are you a Christian author? Let me plan your next Blog Tour! Visit www.livylynnblog.com!

Monday, January 8, 2018

Ilyon Chronicles Website Overhaul + Giveaway!

First of all, happy 2018! I didn’t even have a chance to write a New Year post. First I was out of town on New Year’s Eve weekend because my brother got married (yay!) and then I came down with my third (or is it fourth?) bout of the flu this winter. So awful.

Anyways, in between all of that, I worked on giving my Ilyon Chronicles website a complete overhaul. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a while now and finally made time for it. I’m quite happy with how it turned out. I even updated the Ilyon Chronicles character quiz and made two new ones: Which Ilyon guy is right for you? and Which Ilyon girl is right for you? Yes, I didn’t want to leave my male fans out. ;) Here is a fun “before and after” picture of the home page of the website.

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To celebrate the shiny new makeover, I’m having a giveway for an Ilyon Chronicles t-shirt! It will be winner’s choice of design, color, and size. You can see the t-shirts that are available on the website. Just enter using the form below. And do tell me, how do you like the new website? :D