Poisoned Apples and the End of Nanowrimo

I finished Nano!!!

You'll be pleased to know that there will be no more angsty posts about it from me.

I finished yesterday, stuff was piling up for me. I decided to get it out of the way. I didn't feel the big rush of relief that I thought I would. Mostly because Fool's Bet is 55,000 words in and only at what I thought chapter five would be. I reached 50,000 words, but I do not have a complete or coherent story. It's stuff I can use, so I guess that's nice. It got me writing again, and I proved to myself that I can do it. It's an accomplishment and that's what I'm going to try to focus on.

Though most of it was me eating, crying, and listening to same four songs on repeat. It was messy, not gonna lie.

 I also kinda did my own Inktober thing. I started drawing Count Olaf as a bit of a joke, I ended up keeping up with it till the 19th. I would've done more, but I started working on a Falling Snow painting for my giveaway which sadly still isn't done, but it's getting there.

Something surprising came out of my little sketches, the verified ASOUE Instagram account shared my art. A Series of Unfortunate Events is one of my favorite shows on Netflix right now, so I might have freaked out a bit. Thanks to them, I got a lot of traffic on my Instagram account. I reached 500 followers which was pretty cool too!

Suffice it to say I had an amazing week. I got my first review for Falling Snow!!! Thanks to the amazing Christine you can find her review here. It's the kind of review you dream of getting, and I got really emotional over it. Still am actually!

Tracey also shared about it on her story! I'm so thankful for her support, we've been beta reading each other's stories since 'The Five Enchanted Roses' contest. She's awesome!

Our Five Poisoned Apples launch party is coming up! You can find it here

You'll get a chance to win a paperback copy! You can ask us questions about our stories and help celebrate our release. All of the authors are hosting are own giveaways and I have to say the prizes are awesome.  I'm still working on mine, but I'll show you what I have.

The spray could only go to a fellow Canadian, because of shipping. So depending on who wins, is which prize I will send.

The other part of my giveaway is a painting. It's still a work in progress at this point, but it should be done for the first.

Lastly, Five Poisoned Apples is available for preorder!!!!

The other authors and I have been getting excited for this! They are an amazing and talented bunch. I've gotten to know each of them over this process, and they are some of the nicest people. I'm so proud of all of them! I have read each of their stories and think you guys will love each of their takes on this tale.

RAVEN'S HEIR—Jenelle Hovde

Taking her in could risk the lives of his rebel band—but how can Damien leave the young woman at the huntsman’s mercy?

Jenelle's blog

Her story is so descriptive, beautiful, and captivating!

THE FAIREST ONE—Cortney Manning

Her people look for the prophesied Fairest One—but can Livna find courage to step out of the shadows and save her nation?

Cortney's blog

This was such a unique take on the story, I loved the settings and magic!


RED AS BLOOD—Maddie Morrow

He’s been hired to assassinate the princess, no questions asked—but how can Zaig take the life of one so young, so innocent?

Maddie's blog


Maddie's is my favorite of the collection. It's deliciously Gothic, and Zaig has my heart!


SNOWBIRD AND THE RED SLIPPERS—Rachael Wallen

She longs to be worthy of the scholarship that changed her life—but can Jeong Hayan survive the bitter rivalry of a prestigious New York dance school?

Rachael's blog

She tells a beautiful and haunting story, I was entranced!



That is all. Sorry for such a long post, I had a lot to share.

Ink Blotted Beka// Blog Tour: Art Spotlight and Giveaway

I'm taking part in a blog tour this week. Unlike the other blog tours I've taken part in, this one isn't for a book. It's for art.

You can imagine my excitement at finding another artist. I'm always looking for fellow artists to follow and support. Beka is extremely talented and I'm glad she is sharing her gifts. Her art style is so whimsical and I adore it.

Here are some of her peices I really enjoyed.

Isn't she brilliant! I suppose I should introduce you to the beautiful artist.

Beka hails from the Great White North (aka Canada), where she reads, dreams, and doodles away. She loves bringing characters from the written page to the visual eye, and dabbles in pencil and coloured pencil and the occasional watercolor. Her dream is to one day get into digital art and save some trees.

You can find her here.

Facebook

Instagram

She's Canadian that explains it. We are a talented bunch. 

Anyway, she is taking commissions now. So her next piece could be one of your characters. She is also hosting a giveaway and the prize is a free character drawing! I know a lot of you would be interested in that, so don't forget to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a44877ea10/?

You can check out the rest of the tour. For some interviews with Beka and posts like this one, that will probably be far better in fact I can almost guarantee it!

Oct. 1

Anne Louise Twitchell - Spotlight

Tammy Lash - Spotlight

Savannah J. - Spotlight

Oct. 2

Jenelle Schmidt - Spotlight

Bryn Schutt - Spotlight

Oct. 3

Skye - Spotlight

Katie Hanna - Spotlight

Oct. 4

Rebkah DeVall - Spotlight

Elizabeth Brown - Interview

Oct. 5

Penny Wood - Interview

Fran Laniado - Interview

Oct 6.

W.R. Gingell - Spotlight

Grace Mullins - Spotlight

Oct. 7

Rachel Rossano - Interview

Sarah - Spotlight

Oct. 8

Anna Willis - Spotlight

Grace Maples - Spotlight

Liv. K Fisher - Spotlight

Ann Marie Pavese - Spotlight

The Update No One Asked For

I'm in a weird head space right now. Trying to sort through my thoughts, or at least make them comprehensive has been really hard. All is well on the blogging front so far. The switch seems to have worked!

I guess I should update you guys on everything else. I actually did take a break these last couple months. Well on some things.

I finished my first batch of edits!

That was such an incredible feeling, they were more difficult than I thought they would be. I was not prepared for the emotional and mental effort that was required.

So after that was done, I celebrated by reading Caraval!  It was so goood and magical! I'm in love with Legend who hasn't really had an appearance yet. I'm weird... I think I'll write a review for it in the near future. It was nice to loose myself in someone else's story for awhile, and it was nice to have something to look forward to. I think I'm going to do that with every task I have to do now.

I also ordered myself some more books. Like I don't already have 300 on my shelf.

I've started The Screaming Staircase, I already need the rest of the books this series is fabulous.

I also read The Sherwood Ring and reread Cruel Beauty, reviews to come.

On to other life-related things

Rachel Kovaciny who I owe my Five Poisoned Apples win to. Is one of the nicest and most encouraging people I've met in a while. She helped me with my edits, gave me the push I needed to finish and even sent me these lovely postcards to give me inspiration from my story. You're awesome Rachel and I really appreciate all your help.

 
I've been doing lots of art. I did my first art commission, but I hated it so your not getting a picture.
I started painting my characters. There all going to be collages. I'm doing Chayse, Cynfael, Snow, and the Queen. It's a way to keep me invested in the story that doesn't involve writing.

First time using oil paints so go easy, and it's not even close to done.

I want to start doing character commissions for people, but I don't know if anyone is even interested in that. *shrug*

I've been watching so many shows, The Mentalist, Psych, Last Man Standing.... I could go on. I might do a post on The Mentalist when I finish it, I have emotions to share...

I've been listening to so much moody, indie music. Hello Billie Eilish, Matt Maeson, Kodaline.
Also NF is killing it, and Twenty One Pilots came back!

I started Driver's Ed, I know I'm 23. Driving has always given me huge anxiety, I am hoping to finally get my license for my 24th birthday.

I've been adulting a lot lately guys, be proud.

I've been planning book related things, like querying and sequels. I outlined Fool's Bet, which is something I never do. (My writing is horrible I know)

That's on hold for now, because I've started my second round of revisions on Falling Snow. I'm liking the new bits Anne wanted me to add. It's going to be even better.  Anne  has been so understanding through this whole process, I'm very protective of my baby. She calms all my fears and answers all my frantic emails. I appreciate her so much! I wouldn't want to work with anyone else.

So for anyone who has read it, there has been a lot of changes and additions. It might surprise you.

I'm a frantic ball of energy right now. With looming deadlines, and a to do list that is way too long.

Art is Pain

I'm going to preface this post, by telling you guys I plan on taking a break. I need one, I have spread myself too thin and I want to simplify my life for a bit. I'm almost through with my edits on 'Falling Snow.' I can't wait until I can say I'm done them. I'm very close.

I think I'm going to try and enjoy my summer and not push myself to do a million things. Maybe I'll read some books, make some art. I'll probably still be around, just won't be posting.

I've been watching a lot of inspiring movies lately. Trying to stay inspired to work on my story mostly.

One that really inspired me was 'I Can Only Imagine'

It's such a sad and inspiring story and really shows how God can make beauty out of our pain. It really touched me. It's about dreams and I suggest anyone who has had one to watch it. It's also a true story so that just makes it a 100% better.

One of the things it really got me thinking about was how pain plays such a big role in art. The things that touch and resonate with people are usually emotionally based and come from our vulnerabilities, fears, and insecurities. At some point in this movie, the main character is told he needs to put more emotion into his music and be more authentic, if he wants to stand apart. The song that gets him noticed comes after he goes through something incredibly painful. The song itself is beautiful and touches so many people.

This got me wondering how many successful books, movies, music, and art all had similar origins. We don't always get to hear the story behind these things and I'm inclined to think that a lot of people drew on their pain when they crafted their pieces.

I made this assumption based on personal experience. The only bit of success I've gained with writing so far. Was with a story I wrote while struggling with a lot of personal issues and demons. I was in pain a lot of pain. And I poured that into a short story that I didn't think had a chance at reaching the second round. I used it to tell a story, one that ended up getting noticed. One that will hopefully resonate with people. I guess my point is, you can craft your darkness and pain into a tool. You can use your pain. God uses your pain.

 Maybe not everyone will get that from it. (I'm actually hoping most won't). I hate being vulnerable and I hate people seeing behind my mask. At the same time, I want to help people dealing with the same things. I want them to know they aren't alone.

The main point I'm trying to make is.

Use it, use your pain.

Inktober

So I saw this all over Instagram, and I decided this was the year I would give it a shot. I have been wanting to start doing a drawing a day, but it never seemed to happen. I lack motivation, dedication, other ion words.

This time I was stubborn, I will beat my blasted procrastination if it kills me which it very well might.

I have been pushing myself to write, draw, adult. Which has lead to surprisingly positive results. I am accomplishing things, slowly at maybe a snails pace but it is happening. One of these things I have taken on is Inktober. I already am doing two writing contests, painting and drawing for an upcoming Trade Show, and beta reading among other things. It's not for a lack of things to do that I decided to do this.

It's because, I need to learn to get things done, when life is full and crazy. Because it always will be.
I need to be able to work through it. So I am going to give it a shot.

 #Swift

#divide

#poison

#underwater

#long

#sword

#crooked

#screech

#gigantic

#run