Ideas, or my personal Imagionationland

When I was running my writer's workshop last summer, I got a lot of questions asking where I get my ideas from.  A reasonable question, especially to a writer.

And the honest, 100% completely true answer?  I get them from everywhere.

For me, character usually comes first.  Plot tends to be either one of two things: a) what I wish would happen - a pirate suddenly falling into my bedroom, for example or b) a combination of books and/or movies and/or tv shows but done in the way I want to see it.

No.  I'm not lying.  I take similar concepts, combine them, and write them.  I wouldn't say I'm copying storylines, but I'll definitely admit to borrowing them.  With my own little twist.

Take, for example, one of my popular stories, Battlefield.  

I cannot count how many times a reviewer asked if I based the concept on The Hunger Games.  (This was way before they were huge and turned into movies.)  I can honestly say that no, I wasn't inspired by The Hunger Games at all.  Had never even heard of them.  In fact, the only reason I started reading them in the first place was because my reviewers recommended them to me.

What did I base it on, you might ask?  I took the concept of Gamer and the television series Dark Angel and merged them together.  And I'm proud of the result.

So if you're a writer and you're looking for ideas, don't force it.  Go read a good book or some fan fiction.  Watch TV.  Go to a movie.  Listen to music.  Daydream.  That's how I get my ideas.  And it may be where you get yours.

As always, good luck!

By the way, Battlefield has an official release date.  April 30.  Below is the official summary.

Devyn was not born; she was created, and for a very important purpose: she was born to die. 

Possibly.  

If she made it out of the Battlefield alive with her Unit composed of eight people just like her, she's promised the freedom she had only previously dreamed of.  But in order to do so, she must kill members of other rival Units fighting for the same thing. When you're raised to be a weapon, fighting - killing - is the only thing you know.  At least, that's what Gerard, her breeding partner, constantly tells her.  Just because they were, quite literally, made for each other didn't mean they had to like each other, but they definitely had to trust each other if they wanted to survive.

Want a free ARC?  Subscribe to my newsletter and I'll tell you how.  Send me an email at heather.myers@ymail.com with a subject of Battlefield ARC.

Mutually beneficial relationship

So.

I have MAJOR news.

Four Sides of a Triangle will officially be released tomorrow evening where you'll be able to purchase it on your Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble Nook. I'll release the book cover tomorrow morning/afternoon. 

With every debut indie author, I'm going to need your help to get word out. If you're interested in attaining a free copy of Four Sides, please email me. All I ask is you leave a review either on Amazon or Barnes & Noble website. The first 50 people to email me at heather.myers@ymail.com will get a free copy if Four Sides with the requisite that you leave a review for it.

I'll post the first chapter either later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Hope to hear from you soon!

The editing process

Yesterday I sent in my revisions for Four Sides of a Triangle. I went through a myriad of emotions, including accomplishment, pride, elation, and a little fear.

The story itself was pretty clean, the plot and subplots all tied up pretty nice at the end. There were a few things I needed to describe and explain, and lots and lots of things I needed to correct in terms of grammar but I say down and did it.

And it was wonderful.

To be honest, I didn't expect Four Sides to be my first published story, but I realize as I'm rereading it, how cute and clever it is (and how humble I am too, obviously). It's lighthearted and romantic, with some laughs and a teensy but of drama sprinkled in. It's the perfect beach read (in my opinion).

I spoke with my editor, and we started discussing book cover concepts. We have similar ideas on what we want and hopefully I'll have the cover revealed soon. Not only that, but if everything goes according to plan, it's very likely Four Sides will be released next week.

Yes, you read that right. Next week. I should have an official date for you soon.

But just because I'm done with those edits doesn't mean my weekend is completely work-free. I'm editing another novel to submit to Renee, as well as a novella that might be familiar to you featuring a werewolf. I can't say anything until I get the official word, but I'll definitely keep you posted.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Stranger's Release Date

If you guys haven't noticed the link on the right side of the blog, let me just remind you that STRANGER releases today!

Because I decided to go with self-publishing, I chose this date for a very specific reason.  If you're a follower of my blog, you know the number 22 is very influential in my life.  September 22, my uncle passed away.  I still remember being in first grade, listening to my mom get the call and being told the news.  I remember the pastor smiling at me from the pulpit (I was in the first pew).  I remember trying to cry because I knew I should be, but I just couldn't get the tears out.  I remember my grandfather, stoic and strong.  And I even remember my uncle Mike, someone I barely knew, chasing me through my grandparents' house before his untimely passing.

I dedicated this book to my two cousins, Dylann and Fieffer, but I released it on a day that would honor my uncle. 

I am 22.  Today is September 22.  Tough things happen on the 22nd, but I'm a firm believer in making your own luck to go with the innate luck you already have.  I'm in control.  I get to decide how to react to things.  Today, September 22 isn't going to be a sad day.  Instead, it's going to be the day I publish my first novel.

I hope you all enjoy it.  :)