When a crit partner figures out what's been causing that unruly scene of yours to be so unruly.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Interview!
Drop by the OneFour KidLit blog today to see an interview with yours truly!
And don't forget -- there's still ONE WEEK to enter the SNOW LIKE ASHES Join the Blizzard Giveaway: Spring Edition!!
And don't forget -- there's still ONE WEEK to enter the SNOW LIKE ASHES Join the Blizzard Giveaway: Spring Edition!!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
How Writing Feels
When you realize a character/scene you love doesn't add anything to the manuscript and has to be cut.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
How Writing Feels
The first time it really hits you that people Out There will be reading your book.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Join the BLIZZARD
TODAY. Today is the day I invite you to:
What is the Blizzard? Why should you join? And why today, of all days? Well, today is a very important day in 2013. One of four very important days in 2013, actually: the first day of a season change.
In SNOW LIKE ASHES, there are four "normal" kingdoms and four season kingdoms: Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring. Because of the importance of seasons in SLA and how giddily happy seasons and season changes make me, I'm starting season-themed SLA giveaways! How they will work:
On the first day of each season both this year and next year, I will be giving away increasingly-awesome SLA swag packs. They'll start out with season-themed goodies and will grow to eventually include ARCs and SIGNED COPIES as it gets closer to SLA's launch.
That means you will have EIGHT opportunities to win various SLA goodness on top of all the crazy launch stuff I'll do next year. And knowing me, I will make it as simple as humanly possible to give you stuff, because you're pretty and I like you and I want you to have stuff.
Blizzard? Sara, that sounds dangerous. We want swag, not destructive weather. WE WON'T STAND FOR THIS.
Now now, would I cheat you in such a way? I mean metaphorical Blizzard. Blizzards are volatile, powerful things caused by wicked weather and frigid temperatures. But no blizzard would be effective without each individual snowflake that makes it so very whirling and scary and powerful. The same with books -- books are volatile, intense things, but would ultimately be nothing without each individual reader who makes them so very powerful.
By spreading news of these seasonal contests via Twitter, adding SNOW LIKE ASHES on Goodreads, commenting on this post, and more, you contribute to the great and terrifying storm that in Fall 2014 will result in SNOW LIKE ASHES. This book will be nothing but a sad little flurry without the support and loyalty of readers like YOU!
Now -- THE PRIZES!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
In SNOW LIKE ASHES, there are four "normal" kingdoms and four season kingdoms: Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring. Because of the importance of seasons in SLA and how giddily happy seasons and season changes make me, I'm starting season-themed SLA giveaways! How they will work:
On the first day of each season both this year and next year, I will be giving away increasingly-awesome SLA swag packs. They'll start out with season-themed goodies and will grow to eventually include ARCs and SIGNED COPIES as it gets closer to SLA's launch.
That means you will have EIGHT opportunities to win various SLA goodness on top of all the crazy launch stuff I'll do next year. And knowing me, I will make it as simple as humanly possible to give you stuff, because you're pretty and I like you and I want you to have stuff.
Aside from getting a chance to win fun season-themed awesomeness, when you enter these contests, you will become part of the SNOW LIKE ASHES Blizzard.
Blizzard? Sara, that sounds dangerous. We want swag, not destructive weather. WE WON'T STAND FOR THIS.
Now now, would I cheat you in such a way? I mean metaphorical Blizzard. Blizzards are volatile, powerful things caused by wicked weather and frigid temperatures. But no blizzard would be effective without each individual snowflake that makes it so very whirling and scary and powerful. The same with books -- books are volatile, intense things, but would ultimately be nothing without each individual reader who makes them so very powerful.
By spreading news of these seasonal contests via Twitter, adding SNOW LIKE ASHES on Goodreads, commenting on this post, and more, you contribute to the great and terrifying storm that in Fall 2014 will result in SNOW LIKE ASHES. This book will be nothing but a sad little flurry without the support and loyalty of readers like YOU!
Now -- THE PRIZES!
As an outward symbol of your Blizzard status, every seasonal prize pack will come with a special snowflake charm (handmade with love by yours truly)!
You create the storm!
For this very first seasonal SLA Blizzard Giveaway, the prize pack includes a whole slew of fantastic SPRING goodies. In SNOW LIKE ASHES, the Spring Kingdom is a kingdom built on war, which might seem like the opposite of what spring the season is -- flowers and growth and life renewed. Even though the Spring Kingdom is battle-hardened and controlled by a ruthless king, it still embodies the beauty and art that spring the season emanates so very well. Thus the prize pack for the SLA Blizzard Giveaway: Spring Edition is stuffed full of spring prettiness.
Have I tempted you enough? Now, onward to the SLA Blizzard Giveaway: Spring Edition! Join the BLIZZARD, win free stuff!
A bag of the finest spring wildflowers, a chick stress ball to combat those stressful winter blues, and the richest, most decadent of all Easter candy: Lindt Spring Truffles!
Have I tempted you enough? Now, onward to the SLA Blizzard Giveaway: Spring Edition! Join the BLIZZARD, win free stuff!
To enter the Spring SNOW LIKE ASHES giveaway and become part of the Blizzard, obey the Rafflecopter gods below. The Spring SLA Blizzard Contest runs March 20-April 2, and the winner will be announced April 3, 2013. Open internationally, so have at it!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
How Writing Feels
When you get home from Day Job and settle into Writing Mode, which means comfy clothes.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Raving about POISON
I'm going to rave for a minute. Yes, rave. Don't worry, I'm wearing protective gear and a mouth guard.
What am I raving about, you may ask? GIFs, publishing news, blizzards, or some other random doodad I mention way too often with hopeless abandon on my blog? Nope. Something even better: Bridget Zinn's POISON.
If you're unfamiliar with Bridget Zinn and her delightful YA fantasy debut, check out her webpage and take a moment to marvel over the glorious riot of color that is her cover. One of the greatest things about being a part of the YA community is the sense of camaraderie that arises when certain books or people burst through the pile of rejection and publishing mayhem to truly shine. Bridget Zinn and her novel are certainly shining this week.
For those of you who are unaware of Bridget and her heart-wrenchingly inspirational story, please, please check out her webpage, particularly the tab Help Spread the Word. Every author dreams of the day they will get to see their book on a shelf in a bookstore, and the hectic yet fulfilling time leading up to that day when they will dive into interviews, blog posts, Twitter-promotions, and other crazy marketing events in an attempt to get the word out. Because that dream is so much a part of the publishing process, it is only right that we pick up the publicity where Bridget can't.
And not only because she can't, but because POISON is phenomenal. Truly, deeply phenomenal. This book is a gem of a story that is just as colorful, vivacious, and FUN as its glorious cover. Kyra is at once flawed and perfect, and leads you along on her journey much the same way her adorable pig-sidekick Rosie leads Kyra along -- by shuffling determinedly into adventure after adventure, never once hesitating or apologizing. This is one of those stories that leaves you with that tingle of satisfaction, and stays inside of you for years to come. POISON is undoubtedly an instant classic. Bridget's sweetness is just the icing on the cake of this delectable morsel.
So go! Buy the book, get lost in the Kingdom of Mohr, and spread the awesomeness of Bridget, Kyra, and POISON!
Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.
But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart...misses.
Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?
Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.
What am I raving about, you may ask? GIFs, publishing news, blizzards, or some other random doodad I mention way too often with hopeless abandon on my blog? Nope. Something even better: Bridget Zinn's POISON.
If you're unfamiliar with Bridget Zinn and her delightful YA fantasy debut, check out her webpage and take a moment to marvel over the glorious riot of color that is her cover. One of the greatest things about being a part of the YA community is the sense of camaraderie that arises when certain books or people burst through the pile of rejection and publishing mayhem to truly shine. Bridget Zinn and her novel are certainly shining this week.
For those of you who are unaware of Bridget and her heart-wrenchingly inspirational story, please, please check out her webpage, particularly the tab Help Spread the Word. Every author dreams of the day they will get to see their book on a shelf in a bookstore, and the hectic yet fulfilling time leading up to that day when they will dive into interviews, blog posts, Twitter-promotions, and other crazy marketing events in an attempt to get the word out. Because that dream is so much a part of the publishing process, it is only right that we pick up the publicity where Bridget can't.
And not only because she can't, but because POISON is phenomenal. Truly, deeply phenomenal. This book is a gem of a story that is just as colorful, vivacious, and FUN as its glorious cover. Kyra is at once flawed and perfect, and leads you along on her journey much the same way her adorable pig-sidekick Rosie leads Kyra along -- by shuffling determinedly into adventure after adventure, never once hesitating or apologizing. This is one of those stories that leaves you with that tingle of satisfaction, and stays inside of you for years to come. POISON is undoubtedly an instant classic. Bridget's sweetness is just the icing on the cake of this delectable morsel.
So go! Buy the book, get lost in the Kingdom of Mohr, and spread the awesomeness of Bridget, Kyra, and POISON!
Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend. But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart...misses.
Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?
Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
How Writing Feels
When your super dark and twisty crit partner tells you to make a certain scene even darker.
(Yes, I did just want to use The Hiddles in a blog post. *stares* *drools*)
(Yes, I did just want to use The Hiddles in a blog post. *stares* *drools*)
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
ONE WEEK
THE ANTICIPATION.
Can you feel it? CAN YOU TASTE IT?
Because a Blizzard is coming. And it will be AWESOME.
March 20.
This blog.
FIND OUT.
This blog.
FIND OUT.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
How Writing Feels
When your agent/editor/CP's edit is exactly the thing you needed to hear to make your entire book snap into glorious verbiage perfection.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
How Writing Feels
When your hand freaks out and hits some random chain of keys that tell your Word doc to chew up every change you spent the last five hours making and spit it all out into the empty nothingness of ain't-never-getting-that-back.
Why does Word even HAVE that command?
Why does Word even HAVE that command?
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
A BLIZZARD is coming...
...and it's coming for YOU.
What does it mean??
Find out Wednesday, March 20, 2013!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
How Writing Feels
When you were too cheap to hire a website designer but you still managed to figure out how to do something super fancy to your blog/website/Twitter account on your own.
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