I Can't Believe I Am Doing This!

Well actually there are two things I can't believe I am doing:

1. I am shelving Three of Ivory.

Yes, I know - shocking that I would set aside a project. I just think I need more time to wrap my head around the story and get to know the characters. I want Three of Ivory to be amazing. There are some things I need to do before I can give it the time and effort it really deserves.

2. I am starting a fantasy/romance project.

Me. Romance. I know! Now to clarify it is not going to be a steamy romance (yuck!). It is going to be a love story. Something along the lines of Jane Austin. This idea has been floating around in my head for a while. Here are some examples of the idea leaking out in my writing:

Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C

Making this decision was hard. But I came up with a really really good reasons why to do it.

As I was writing Three of Ivory I realized that it had much the same tone as Shadowed Stones. This is not what I wanted. The idea, the world, the characters are all different. So I decided I need some distance from the project so I could reset and look at it with fresh eyes. My new project is like a half step between the tone of Shadowed Stones and the tone I want for Three of Ivory. I think it will be a good way to break away from Shadowed Stones and get ready to write Three of Ivory.

Another thing I am trying... I am not telling anyone about the plot to my story. I want to plot it a write the first draft before anyone knows an ounce about it. Part of this is to keep me interested in the project. The other part of it is that this is the first real love story I have written. And I want to see how it goes without any outside influence.

Have you ever had to shelve a project - before you really began?

Tagged Again!

So.... like forever ago the wonderful Laura tagged me. And I am just now getting to it. Since I am so late... I won't pass the tag along to anyone specific. But if you would like to - go ahead :)

Here's how it works:
The rules:
1. Go to page 77 of your current MS
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines - sentences or paragraphs - and post them as they're written. No cheating
4. Tag 7 authors
5. Let them know

Here is a sneak peak into Shadowed Stones (since I technically don't even have one page of Three of Ivory

---

They were frightened; Lyni could tell that from the occasional sob or whimper that escaped their lips. Whenever one would make a noise the others would shush them, knowing that if Lyni was distracted they would all be dead, buried under a pile of cold stone.

Their situation was desperate.

Slowly she turned her back on the huddling servants, hiding the sudden tears that she could no longer hold back. She was tired, her whole body ached, and her head screamed with pain. At least all of this crowded out the gnawing complaints of her empty stomach. Lyni did not know how much longer she could hold out.

If it had only been her that Feldon had placed in the small room she would have given up quickly and accepted her fate. Her freedom from Feldon’s grasp was worth much more than her life and she could never sacrifice the lives of others, just to defy him. All this, the dark wizard knew and used against her.

Behind her one of the young servant girls was crying softly, and Lyni shared in her desperation. Her hold on the ceiling above them was weakening with each breath, and with each breath their deaths drew closer and closer. She hoped, at least, that the servants knew that she had tried her hardest to save them and given everything she had to ensure that they did not become victims of Feldon’s desire to control her.

The ceiling slipped a few more inches.

Lyni screamed with frustration and tried to push it back up, but it was no use, the endless strain had finally worn her down.

---

Ooo - I am so glad that this landed at such a wonderful point in the story! Enjoy!

Special Post: I took the Plunge

I did it! It took a lot of self-pep-talking and quite a lot of nerve. But I did it. I submitted my novel, Shadowed Stones, to Shadow Mountain. I have kind of been plastering the news all over the place - but I can't help it. I just fulfilled a childhood dream and I am like happy and nervous and stunned and excited all at once.

I want to thanks my critique partners: Jennie, Terron, Christina, Roseanne, and Alexander who are helping me continue to improve my novel and my writing.

A special thanks to Jennie for getting me writing again.

And another special thanks to Roseanne for giving me the push to get my novel out there.

Since I am basking in the happiness of achievement - I would love to hear from all of you about your achievements. Nothing makes a day like today better like hearing of others success.

Shadowed Stones Query Letter

So I just had a break through on the query letter for Shadowed Stones. At least it feels like a break through to me. Here is what I have so far:

---

Fate has set Lyni on a course that will bring her face to face with her darkest fear - the lose of her human will.

Lyni's father takes her to the hall of his master - the dark wizard Feldon. There Feldon learns of her powerful magical abilities by invading her mind. Desperate to control her Feldon slowly begins to wear down her resistance. Eventually Lyni succumbs. Unable to resist his commands Feldon uses Lyni as a weapon in his campaign for power. Until Lyni breaks free of his control and flees.

Lyni remains hidden and save for many years. Then Garren, the second son of the King, finds her. Together they embark on a quest to bring and end to Feldon's reign. Lyni must overcome her own self doubt and fear if she is ever to be free of Feldon's shadow.

---

What do you think? Too dramatic? Would you read it? Please feel free to be brutally honest with me.

Success

So cramming paid off! I have some better-than-I-hoped results to report today. I hope you are all finding success. Okay, here's the low down:

• Three of Ivory: I am unofficially done with world building. There is still more to do, but I am going to do it as I go. I have talked myself into this for two reasons. 1. The world building I have left is not important to the story line. 2. I need to keep moving and not get stuck. I have a good enough of a foundation to move forward.
• Shadowed Stones: I started feeling a little overwhelmed about getting ready to submit Shadowed Stones so I have been focusing on Three of Ivory. I did think of a great line for my query letter. I want to say: I am looking for a publisher for my fantasy novel, Shadowed Stones, and after reading X, Y, and Z I think your company would be a good fit. Or something like that. So I am reading a few books published by Shadow Mountain (more about that below). I do realize that this is a way to put of submitting Shadowed Stones but this is my first time and I am not ready to just jump in.
• Reading: Last month I read Tarranau by James Tallet. I reviewed it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads. Quick review: Wait for the next book to come out before reading it. This month I am reading Destruction from Twins by L. Carroll.
• Re-Reading: Last month I read The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander which I plan to review soon. (I will let you know when I do). This month I am going to read The Black Cauldron, which is the next book in the series.

I also have some additional reading that I mentioned above. I just finished reading The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters - I will let you know when I get a chance to review it. Right now I also have The Hourglass Door and Far World: Water Keepchecked out from the library. Fabelhaven is on hold. So, I have a lot of reading to do. It is a good thing it is a long weekend :)

What are your goals? How are they coming? What's on your list to read?

Goal Update

First, here are a few links:

• Blog Hop
• The Mighty Pen Contest
• Vote for my Short Story

Next, here are some updates on my goals:

• Finished reading both of my books for this month. Have three picked out to read for next month.
• I am struggling with the query letter for Shadowed Stones, so I am going to move on to writing the outline for now.
• The world building for TOI is going well. I am almost ready to move on to the characters.

And finally, how I build worlds.

First of all, the map. I usually always have a map. Sometimes the map comes later in the world building. Sometimes it is very detailed sometimes it is just a sketch. The map for Shadowed Stones is very detailed. The map for Three of Ivory is really just a sketch right now.

Related to the map are the countries, governments and cultures. For the countries I usually have a name, and I also like to sketch the flag. I also identify the type of government and a little bit of the social classes. Trade and industry are often details I include. Hmm, what else? Oh, I also like to make a list of common physical attributes, name the language, and naming conventions for naming people and places.

Also, in worlds where there is magic - I setup the system of magic. What it can and cannot do. How to use it. Who can use it. And so on.

Next step: Character Bios.

A Late Update

Sorry this post is so late. I have two very good reasons for the delay.

1. I was waiting to see if I won the short story contest I won over at Splintered Lands. The winners were supposed to be announced today.
2. I was having issues connecting to the internet with my laptop.

Here is a quick update on where I am with my goals.

I am about 80% finished with reading Tarranau

I wrote my first query letter for Shadowed Stones, discarded it a wrote a second. I am giving it time to simmer before I go back to it. I plan to work on the outline next. Check out the tab above "From Pen to Published" for updates on my journey toward publication.

I have started cracking down and working Three of Ivory. I downloaded a program that looks to be really cool for creating maps. If it turns out I like it I will post and let you know about it.

I finally decided which old favorite I want to read. I decided on The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. The first book is called The Book of Three. Now I just have to go dig it out of a box in the basement.

Stay tuned for tomorrow post where I will reveal the story behind getting engaged to my husband two weeks after our first date!

How about you? How are your goals going?

Three Words #8

Three Word is a game I like to play on Wednesday. Here is how it works:

1. I post three words.
2. You either:
   • Post a story using those three words, or
   • Post three words for me to use in next weeks post, or
   • Both :)

Enjoy!

Three Words

• Stone
• Branch
• Cold

P.S. I am preparing my first submission packet. I have posted my first crack at a one paragraph synopsis of my novel, Shadowed Stones, on the "From my Pen" tab. I would welcome any feedback or suggestions you might have.

Flash Fiction

Using the Three Words: Bottle, Scroll, Axe (from last week)

We are lost at sea. The ship on which we were travelling to the new world is broken, and crumbling. The crew is gone - vanished over night while we slept.

In case we die here on the barren, endless expanse of blue we leave this for you to find. A map to an island full of untold wonders and riches. Left behind because each wanted to return on his or her own to claim it. It is for you to explore if you dare.

Be warned, the storm that was our down fall struck mere hours after leaving its shores.

Aunya took the scrap of parchment, placed the map on top of it. She rolled it carefully into a tight scroll and slipped it into the neck of the bottle. Then she held out her hand.

Marcus laid the prepared wax stick across her palm. Aunya used the red wax to seal the bottle. She passed the precious package over to her companion. Marcus tied a rope around the bottle and lowered it into the sea.

He turned to Aunya who held the axe out to him. Marcus took the axe, and with one long look at Aunya, swung it down. The blade severed the rope and released the bottle into the sea

For a while they watched it float away. Then turned to watch the sunset behind a growing mass of dark clouds.

My Goals

As promised (although late - its a long story that involves a flat tire and waiting for a tow truck) here are my goals. I plan to put up meters on my blog to track my progress.

Because of the state my projects are in, these are going to be general deadline type goals until I can get to a point where I can set finer, weekly goals.

Writing: Three of Ivory, a fantasy series

• 1. Complete world building and overview series outline by end of August.
• 2. Complete character related pre-work (work sheets and so on) by end of September.
• 3. Complete detailed outline of the first book by the end of October.
• 4. Begin first draft in October.

Publishing: Shadowed Stones, a fantasy novel

• 1. Research 10 publishers a week.
• 2. Finish researching publishers by August 20th (no more research after this date!)
• 3. Have a detailed submission plan by the end of August.
• 4. Send out first submission by the end of September.
• 5. Keep up with beta reader edits - finish last round of edits by end of year.

Reading: I have two goals with my reading. First, re-read some of my all time favorites (and review them on good reads). Second, help support other authors that are either new and upcoming, indie or self published, or who I meet or hear about through the electronic grape vine.

• 1. Read one book from my to-re-read list every month.
• 2. Read one book from a new upcoming/indie/web sphere author every month.

More to Come

This is just a quick post to let you know that I am still here and still working on my projects.

The progress has not been great. I did finish my entry for the Splintered Lands contest and now I am anxiously awaiting the entry deadline date (August 15th). Then I can start anxiously awaiting word :)

Since my productivity has been so low I have decided to setup goals for each of my projects (Shadowed Stones and Three of Ivory) as well as for reading (which I sorely miss).

Tonight I am going to settle on these goals and then post them so that you can all help me stick to it. I would be open to any advice on how to set and keep goals for writing and reading!

How about you? How are your projects coming? Do you use goals to keep yourself on track?

P.S. News flash - just received my first blog award from my good blog friend Krista M. So check out my Saturday post to read all about it!

Special Update Post

Sorry for the extra post today! Just wanted to share a little of my success.

This week turned out not to be a total loss! I just finished my entry for the Splintered Lands writing contest. I am really proud of the way the story turned out. Hopefully the editorial team at Splintered Lands will enjoy it.

Another bit of good news. I finished the slight re-writes to Shadowed Stones. I am going to send them to my beta reader Roseanne to see if the additions meet with her approval.

I believe in the old adage - "All's well, that ends well." So I officially declare this to be a good week!

I hope all of you find some little piece of success somewhere along the way!

The Progress I have made.... 0

I regret to report that I have not made much progress on any of my projects this week.

Shadowed Stones: I am re-working a few of the chapters in the last quarter of the book. I am trying to inject more of a love story based on a beta readers suggestions. Hoping it turns out well.

Three of Ivory: Nothing. I have been thinking of things in my head. And I did take a crack at drawing a map. But the map does not fit with some of the things I want with the story. So I am going to file that away and try again.

Splintered Lands contest entry: Hit a wall. Got right up to the climax of the story and then... nothing. I think I am feeling a little gun shy because it is emotionally charged. And I already know I have to re-work the middle. The deadline is approaching and I really need to get working

So I give myself a B for effort, but my actual grade for this week - F.

The good news is I can only go up from here!

How are your projects going?

Monday Madness

So... there is no winner of The Mighty Pen award this week due to lack of entries. As a result I find myself with an empty post slot. I thought I would take advantage and talk a little bit about my method of operation. (Or at least, the method I plan to use for my next WIP Three of Ivory.)

In high school I read several books on writing. I am working on compiling a list of the books that most impacted me and will post them when I have it. During this time I explored my voice and the structure of how I write. In writing Shadowed Stones I learned many different things. My writing method is a combination of everything I have learned thus far.

1. The idea. I get all different kinds of ideas from all different sources. Sometimes I draw a map and then start imagining what the world is like. Some times I get an idea about an element of a society or a form of magic. But the most common ideas I get are about characters. I try to keep track of all the little snatches of ideas I get because I often pull them into my WIP or combine them to complete a full thought. Once I have an idea I mull it over in my mind to see if it is something I want to work on.
2. Planning. I alternate between the two tasks below until I have enough of a foundation to start building my outline.
   • The World: This includes maps, laws of magic, creatures, culture and so on. The idea is to flesh out enough of the details of the world where the story takes place so that I can fully understand the environment of the characters.
   • The Story: I think of characters and how they interact and are related and how they fit into the world. This is where the first glimmers of my outline start to appear. At this point I don't keep to a chronological sequence. I just let the ideas for scenes and characters flow.
3. The outline. I do a scene by scene outline. (To me a scene is a full section starting and ending with some kind of break.) I did not divide Shadowed Stones into chapters until my second draft was finished. I plan to divide Three of Ivory into chapters at the outline stage. This gives me the road map of the entire story. I like having a tight outline because it better helps me work in foreshadowing and so on.
4. Write. I write from start to finish. This helps me keep the flow of the book going. When I wrote the first part of Shadowed Stones, I actually divided out the scenes for each of my view point characters and wrote them in sequence - then spliced them together. Not sure if I will do this with Three of Ivory or not. The splicing together was very difficult.
5. Revise. This is the final step I take before attempting publication. And I do several revolutions of it. I always do one revision/proof read before sending to beta readers. I then revise based on the feedback I get. I have found that for me, it is difficult to put more detail in with a revision. So I try to get as much on paper to start with.

What about you? What is your method of writing?

Friday Update

First of all, welcome to all my new followers, hope you enjoy!

Just thought I would update you on the things I am working on:

• Splintered Lands writing contest entry: 2,500 words of (at least) 4,000. Half way through according to my outline. Entries are due August 15th.
• Shadowed Stones: I have not gotten much research done on publishers to submit to. And *gasp* I haven't started writing my query letter or summary or anything. I have however started work on a digital version of my 10 year old hand drawn map.
• Three of Ivory (WIP): Nothing concrete on paper yet. I have been working on fleshing out my characters in my mind. Can't wait to finish up some of the other things on my plate so I can get back to working on it.
• Critique Group: Caught up with Roseanne in reading her current WIP "Change of Heart" - totally left me hanging and can't wait to read more. Anxiously awaiting the chance to read Jen's "Earth Song" - read the first chapter and it hooked me. Now have to wait for her to finish her next draft.

Keeping up with everything is getting to be a little daunting, but I don't mind. I enjoy being busy and am loving writing again. I do have a question for all of you. Do you like the title Shadowed Stones?

And the finalists are....

So I have compiled a list of publishers. I found most of these on Amazon. My little brother also suggested a few. They all accept unagented submissions. Next step - research the books they publish and learn more about the company in general.

Here are the publishers:

• Tor Books (a.k.a Palgrave Macmillan)
• Daw
• Shadow Mountain
• Baen
• PYR

Also, I have added a tab above called "From Penned to Published" where I plan to keep a log of my efforts to get published. I hope this will be helpful to others.

You may be saying to yourself - "Wait, that is a very short list." - I know. This is my first effort so I wanted to focus in on and do a few submissions to get the feel of things.

Question: Do you know of any publishers or sources for finding publishers?

Publication Update - Special Post

I just thought I would let you know how things are going with my road to publication.

Right now I am researching publishers, then I will move on to agents. I am compiling a list of publishers that take unsolicited manuscripts. My sources? So far Amazon.com. I looked up the 100 top Fantasy books and looked at their publishers. I also looked at other fantasy books and their publishers.I am a little wary of The Writers Market because of some reviews I have read lately. Anyone a subscriber?

My goal was to have a list of 10 publishers to submit to. My list is at 10 now and I am still researching. That is encouraging. Once I have finished compiling my list I am going to research the books that each publishes to make sure Shadowed Stones would be a good fit.

Then it is on to preparing my submission packets. I plan to allow one re-submission (in case the first gets lost) for each. If nothing turns up at the end of that I will turn to looking for an agent.

P.S. Also in my search I found this good article: So You Want To Publish Your SF Fantasy. It listed a few publishers that I checked out.

I Have Made a Decision

So, one of my awesome beta readers for Shadowed Stones (Roseanne) suggested that since the story is finished I should start sending out query letters. Unless of course I wanted to self-publish. That got me thinking.

My first thought was - after so many years of dreaming about being at this point I am here! Followed by alternating waves of excitement and fear.

Then I thought, traditional or self publishing. Which one? I considered self-publishing and did some research. My decision?

Traditional Publishing.

Why? Because this is my very first novel. And I feel a little overwhelmed by the thought of self-publishing right now.

This of course does not mean I won't self-publish later. I just don't think I am ready yet.

Well, that's it. My decision is to focus on traditional publishing for Shadowed Stones.

WIP Update and Other Wonderful Stuff

First of all I would like to do two things:

1. Say "Welcome!" to all my new followers!
2. Say "Thanks!" to my primary beta readers for Shadowed Stones Jen and Roseanne

I have Shadowed Stones out to beta readers now and plan to start working on compiling some query letters (*cringe/squeal*).

I haven't had much time this week to work on Three of Ivory. The good news is I got a lot of background work done over the long weekend. I have, however, been thinking about my three main characters.

That leads me to some feedback I would like to get from all of you. Two of my MC's are from a distant foreign land. I want to set them apart from the others in a subtle way. Do you think an uncommon eye color and skin tone (for the country the book takes place in) will set them apart enough?