Goal Setting: Writers' Series 1

Hi everyone!

So over the past few months, I've been receiving questions about writing, the self-publishing process, and Fictionpress, and I've finally found the time to answer the questions in more detail on the blog now.  This is a series - we'll test the waters and see how everyone responds to it - and you can expect updates for it Mondays and Fridays (on top of my personal updates as well).  I wouldn't necessarily consider this advice; it's just what I do that seems to work for me.  It very well may not work for you.  And you know what?  That's totally fine.  Either way, I'd love to hear your take on everything in the comments section!

One question I receive the most is: How do you write so many stories?  (On Fictionpress, I have over 20 stories, which I eventually plan to remove in order to publish.)

I know writing a novel/story seems like a scary thought.  It's a huge process that can be incredibly intimidating.  That's why it's so important to commit doing what you can do every single day.  You don't need to write 3,000 words a day if you can't write that amount.  Would 2,000 be easier for you?  What about 1,000?  What about 500?  Don't kid yourself, and don't feel guilty if you can't write a lot.  Commit to what you can do.

When I was still active on Fictionpress, I committed to 1,500 words a day.  No matter what, I made sure to type them up because I knew I could do that.  Pick a number.  Commit to it.  And then - write your goals down.

I love planning.  I love writing deadlines and daily writing tasks in my planner.  The process of writing everything down triggers something in me where I'm more motivated to complete my task.  That's why it's important for me to write my goals down.  Once I complete my goal, I get to feel the satisfaction of crossing the task off.

Your goals don't have to be crazy.  Or unreachable.  Or intimidating.  All they require is your commitment.  Be honest with yourself.  What can you do every day to make your writing dreams possible?  Figure it out, then write it down.  When you complete it, cross it off and smile.  Get a treat.  Take a walk.  You deserve it.

If writing was easy, everyone would do it.  It's such a solitary hobby/career, so advice is completely subjective and you can only do what's best for you.

Baby steps.  That's all you need.  And sooner or later, you'll have a first draft on your hands.

Play On: (NEW) Cover Reveal

So, Play On is a hockey murder mystery.  And the cover I created with Amazon's cover creator really doesn't reveal what the story itself is truly about.  Since it's slowly growing in popularity, I knew I needed a better cover that represented the work.

Luckily, I managed to find an AMAZING cover creator and, in order to save on cost, my husband toyed around with his iPhone and a pair of ice skates, and this is what we've all come up with:

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Are you ready?
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Look at what a sick cover this is.  It's exactly what the work is about: hockey and murder.  There's more, of course; the importance of family, strong, independent heroines, sexual tension, hot hockey players.  But everything I want in its cover is encompassed and I am so, so proud of it.

Thank you, Katya.

Thank you, Frank.

(Katya is open to working with other for cover work.  If you're interested in contacting her, please check out her site: http://www.katyasarria.com/)

**You can purchase Play On here.

Play On giveaway

Hey everyone!  Today is the last day to download your free copy of Play On on Amazon!  The link is here.

Have a great rest of your weekend, and Happy Father's Day!

Happy June!

Happy June, everybody!

First and foremost, thank you for downloading Awaken during the massive giveaway I had last weekend!  I was so in awe of your enthusiasm for it, and it's encouraged me to host similar giveaways because you guys deserve it.

I am hard at work outlining the final installment in The Dark Paradise trilogy.  I'll title it for you some time in the next couple of weeks - so stay tuned for that!

I also want to inform you that the next project I'm working on is Losing Myself in You.  It should be up for publication next month, with an advanced copy giveaway late June, early July, depending on when edits are finished.  I officially took it down from Fictionpress today, so it'll definitely be published some time soon.

I'm excited at what's to come!  I have so many plans, and I hope you continue to stick with me and see where it takes us!

Awaken: Review

A five out of five star review for Awaken!

"I find the prologue intriguing, the story weaving of myth & romance & adventure, enjoyable and the epilogue left me wanting for more ~ There was some parts that I didn't expect to happen but I love the build up of the 3 main female leads ~ The core for me is that love is still a force to reckon with ~"

I am so glad you enjoyed it, and I hope you enjoy Catalyst, the sequel!