Weekend Writing Warriors

My first WeWriWa post. How thrilling. Without much further ado, I will share eight sentences of my WIP with you (Fantasy genre). The protagonist, Ravyn and her mother Lareina have come to the rescue...but is it too late?

"Connor, can you hear me," Ravyn reached over and tapped him on the chest.
His eyes were open wide, but he didn't respond.
Lareina sank to the floor, head in her hands.
Deadly silence infused the room. Ravyn looked to Josh, "Get my father, please," she whispered.
Magda lay on her side. Her soft gray hair fell about her face wise with wrinkles. Her lips turned up in a small smile. Ravyn leaned over to trace a gentle kiss across Magada's forehead, "Blessings of the Light upon you," she murmured.

Okay, so there they are. Love to hear what you think. If you'd like to join in the snippets o' fun, just click the button below.

Just keep writing...

So I entered the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Couldn't hurt, but could definitely help. Today the first round finalists were listed.

My heart broke a bit when I realized that my name was sadly absent.

It took a few minutes. I thought I might sniffle a bit. But, no tears...just that little hollow feeling.

But, when I really thought about it, I realized, I'm okay. It's a learning experience. My pitch didn't do the job, therefore I need to work on my pitch.

Let's face it, writing the story is the easy part. All the stuff that comes after is where the real work lies. All the edits, the proofing, the marketing, the pitching...

I find the marketing and pitching to be the most difficult part of the writer life. I don't want to push my work on others. I don't want to come off like I think I'm the greatest thing since...well, pick your favorite cliché. I just want to tell a story that draws the reader into the world I've created, taking them on a harrowing journey with some wild and crazy characters. I want to entertain.

So as a very memory deficient little fish once said, "Just keep writing, that's what we do, we wriiiiiiite!"

Can you stop by to play?

Ah, so today I thought it'd be fun to try something silly. I have no idea how it will work, or if anyone will want to play, I could end up with an empty comment section that stares back at me blankly. But for the heck of it, I'm willing to give it a try.

Back in elementary school, I remember playing a game where a story was started, and everyone got to add a few sentences, one at a time. In that game, you could only see what was written one space ahead of you. Can't really make that work on the blog, but I thought it could be fun, to start a story in the comment section and see who will add to it, and watch a story grow.

So without further ado...

NaNoWriMo Success!

So, this month has passed in a blur. Words, words, tumbling from my head. A frantic daily push to win that thing called NaNoWriMo. I have to admit, it is worth the mind-numbing frantic finger cramping dash! My sequel has grown a little fatter, and for that I am thankful. I hit over fifty thousand words today around noon. A wave of relief washed over me, I did it! But, sloshing around behind me is a huge pool of words, ready to burst the dam. So damn it, the relief is short-lived.

I'm hoping I learned a little something about writing every day. I'm hoping I'll keep it up. Hope does spring eternal, doesn't it?

The reality of life is, that when there is pressure tremendous things can be done. You do or die! When the pressure is removed, old habits sneak back and it's easy to let the words linger in your mind instead of on paper.

So, I think I may have found a solution. I'm going to keep my Calendar on the month of November. I'll see that eight letter word, my pulse will pound and panic will set in. No, I have at least 1,600 words that have to be written, today! Yes, I'm sure this will work. The stores put up Christmas decorations in November anyhow...it'll be a snap to keep up my illusion.

With a Rebel Yell!

Oh, do I feel good! I wanted to participate in the Nanowrimo in two days, but didn't want to start an entirely new project, I wanted to use the process to get me focused on what we'll call Zelera's Revenge (for now). But, I didn't want to cheat, as I already have around 10,000 words down. But, lo and behold, I discovered this lovely category of Rebels, and found myself feeling right at home...how appropriate, that I should find myself a rebel ; )

So, here's the deal, I'm going to participate and add to my already 10,000 words and hit that damn goal of 50,000 new words to give me over 60,000 words, and I'll call myself a winner! No stigma, for I will revel in my rebel status! Yahoo!

I will try to update with some short little blurbs, letting you all know how its going. I'm so excited. If any of you are participating and would like to be my nanofriend...my username is Milster : )

The Next Big Thing!

Hot Damn! I was nominated for the Next Big Thing, and it makes my little heart skippy flippy with joy! The awesome Shell Flower of the fantastic TangentShell was kind enough to give me a little nod! So, I've copied the questions from her blog and here are my answers to the burning questions you all have about my WIP!


What is the title of your Work in Progress?
Oh, I'm not sure yet...Zelera's revenge? I dunno. She's a bad bad girl and she's back to make trouble. I'm about 99% positive that name won't stick, it doesn't have enough...!

Where did the idea come from for the book?
Zelera, the villain from Return of the Crown, of course is making a comeback, and if you thought she was nasty before... A lot of the old crew is coming back for round two and I will introduce a whole new host of characters to spice things up. Let the adventure begin!

What genre does your book fall under?
It's fantasy, sort of in the classical sense. Adventure, magic, fantastic creatures! The heroine's age places it in the YA group, but I'm hoping to write it in such a way that it'll be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Return of the Crown has a fan base as young as 9 on up to Grandma's and Grandpa's, who gladly thank you to not speculate as to their chronological years.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Oh, Jennifer Lawrence(Katniss Everdeen) would make an excellent Ravyn. Hayden Christensen(the youthful Anakin Skywalker) for Blade. Jim Carey would make such a killer Connor, due to Connor's love of disguises and great sense of humor. Katie McGrath(BBC's Merlin's Morgana) would delight as Zelera, beautiful lady who does wicked oh so well.

What is a one-sentence synopsis of the book?
Classic-style fantasy adventure brimming with magic, mayhem and new and engaging mythical creatures.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Return of the Crown was self-published, and I have not chased down any agents yet. It could go either way, and I'd still be a happy camper. It's all about sharing the story, however it gets out there!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
I am a little over 11,000 words in. I write in the little cracks of time I can sneak into my day. I am hoping to finish the first draft by Christmas. I might just join the Nanowrimo folks this November. Now that I've written that down, it's going to help me meet my goal? Right?! What a great Christmas gift that'd be!

What other books would you compare this story to in your genre?
I believe this is similar to the Rogue Wizard series by Christopher Stasheff. Quests, mythological creatures, humor mixed in with the action. I have a strong female protagonist rather than a male.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My fans! Those wonderful folks who read Return of the Crown, started clamoring for more. I left the first book open at the end, hoping readers would want more, and by golly they do! Zelera's really outdone herself this go around. I can't promise you everyone will make it out alive this time...

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Dragons? Who doesn't like dragons? Will Blade and Ravyn finally tie the knot? Which character is going to Return to the Light?

Okay, so here're the five fine folks whose WIP I'm interested in seeing more of. Please take a moment to check them out! Tag--you're it!
Richard Long
Wodke Hawkinson
Fel Wetzig
Jessa Russo
Jossie Marie Solheim

Busy writing...

I've been a lil' neglectful of this humble blog. Not that I have intended to, but my excuse is rather good.

I've been writing! It's so much fun to plot and plan new adventures for Ravyn and the whole gang from Return of the Crown. I've spent some time researching a few new characters who can't wait for their turn on the printed page.

I can't say my domestic goddess duties have been getting much attention either. So, sorry house. Sorry laundry. Sorry messy desk. You'll all just have to wait for your turn!

And so, I know, this is very short. But...Zelera's up to her nasty tricks again, and the pull of the story is calling. Adieu for now, I must return to Aigerach!

A little Look-y Loo

Fel Wetzig of the wonderful Revolting Peasants Blog www.scotzig.com tagged me in "The Look Challenge." I am excited and delighted to participate!

If you have never heard of this challenge, don't worry, I hadn't heard of it either. It goes just like this...find the word “look” in your WIP and post the paragraphs. Easy Peasy!

As my WIP is in its earliest stages, I feared I may not have the word look written down yet. But guess what? Yup, it appeared. So, without further ado, I share with you a tiny peek into what happens after Return of the Crown (I haven't decided on the book's title yet...)!

Lareina shook her head, clearing away the frailty of moments before. She sobered up, once again wearing her queenly expression and rose to her feet stiff but proud.

"Mom, I think you should sit back down. You still don't look well."

"Ravyn, I'm fine. I was being foolish, we have important things to do."

"You were reacting to a frightening situation, you're still in shock." The hard expression on her mother's face showed only determination and anger, no hint of weakness or fear still lingered.

Ravyn traced the petal of a soft rose in her wedding bouquet. Tears welled below the surface, the dam holding them back threatening to burst. She patted her cheeks and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. The little oak chest containing her wedding ring sat forlorn by her bouquet. Kes was to carry that chest. Nothing is ever easy. She looked into her mother's eyes, "You don't think Zelera hurt Kes, do you? I swear, I'll kill her if she hurts him in any way."

A flicker of worry flashed in Lareina's eyes, but she shook her head slightly. "No, I don't think she's hurt him. Yet." She brushed a stray lock of hair away from Ravyn's face, sighing. "Thank you Ravyn. Once again, you are sacrificing for Aigerach."


Well, that was fun, now I get to nominate 5 folks to carry on the torch!
1) Wodke Hawkinson http://findagoodbooktoread.com/
2) Helena Mallett http://helenamallett.wordpress.com/
3) Jossie Marie Solheim http://joss-dreamingofpublication.blogspot.co.uk
4) T http://t-says.blogspot.com/
5) Raine Thomas http://rainethomas.com/

Wild and Wacky Interview

I realized with horror, that I've neglected this blog. It's been over a week with nary a post.

I've been busy writing a press release, researching for my WIP and writing as well, along with all the other mundane tasks of being me.

However, I also was invited to take part in a very fun interview that I'd love to share with you. Please take a moment if you have one to spare and follow the link below. It's a bit of silly fun. Leave a comment and share in the giggles.


http://findagoodbooktoread.com/wodke-hawkinsons-blog/wacky-interview-with-author-millie-burns