Segolia Saturday: What's next?

It's Segolia Saturday and today I'll be discussing what I'll be doing now that Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy is out.

So those of you who have finished book one know how it ends. I won't spoil it for those who haven't read that far yet but I know it's driving people crazy. I know because it's driving me crazy too and I know what happens next. I'm anxious for everyone to be able to read it. I have written the second one, Segolia 2: Age of the Shadow (title still in the works, by the way). But here's the problem: Because Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy has only been out for just over a month, I can't publish the second one yet (unfortunately). The other problem is with the publisher. I've sold only a few books on their website (which doesn't look very promising for a sequel). But if you really want to get that second one out, there are a few things we can do to get it moving:
1. We need to get more reviews out there! I know, I know, I nag and nag about the reviews. But I have only five and I'm going to need a lot more to get people's attention. Goodreads, Amazon, you name it. We've got to get reviews there.
2. Tell people about Segolia! Seems easy enough, right? Book success is all about word of mouth. If no one's heard of it, how can they possibly read it? So, share my fan page, my book trailer (now on YouTube), this blog, your copy of the book, anything. We need to spread the word or book 2 will never hit the shelves (my biggest fear).
3. Read the book. This one is pretty dang obvious. But the thing is a lot people haven't yet (not pointing fingers by the way). But if people don't read it, then I can't build the fan base that I need. And without fans, no sequel.
So based on these things, I hope you're not freaking out and thinking there will never be a sequel. There WILL. I'm determined to see this through, as determined as I was to write the first one, despite a truck fire and all those other problems. But we can certainly speed up the process through spreading the word and getting people interested. Every author starts where I am now but with your help, that can change. I need fans that live and breathe Segolia the same way they breathe Divergent and Harry Potter. That is the key to success. I can write well, I can do all kinds of signings, but I need the help of the people to see this through.

In the meantime, I will keep editing Segolia 2 in hopes that interest will pick up. Hopefully soon. I want to get this thing out there. It's quite the book. ;)
Thanks!

TRIED, Excerpt

She knew she was dreaming.

Tatyana was somewhere she had never expected to be again. The only explanation was that she was dreaming, possibly remembering. Tatyana was at a fashion show, not only that but everything about this one was vaguely familiar. Then, Tatyana remembered. The fashion show in Chicago, where she’d been kidnapped by Glass’s men.

No, no, no. Not this. Any memory but this. Tatyana couldn’t relive this night. But she knew she was. The show was already ending. Soon, her captor would show up.

Tatyana started running, losing the black heels in the process. She wasn’t going down easy now. She couldn’t relive this night. She just couldn’t.

But the dream wasn’t going to let her run away from the past. After a few minutes of running, Tatyana stopped cold. It was him. The man that had kidnapped her so Glass and Pelletier could turn her into Subject Two, as they’d called her. Tatyana tried to run from him, but her speed in her dream, in this memory, was not superhuman yet. He grabbed her, dragging her into an alleyway.

Tatyana screamed.

Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy book trailer

Pop Quiz, #1 Answers

So here are the answers from the quiz earlier today. Here's a quick refresher on what the questions were:

1. Which people does Rhiannon belong to?
2. Which of the dragons partnered to the Guardians has black scales?
3. How do Alistair and Edgeshifter know each other?
4. Who is Aretha?
5. What is the name of the enchantress's eagle?


And here are the answers:

1. Naiads
2. Echosong
3. She was imprisoned in Idari the same time he was visiting at the palace.
4. The dryad who leads the Guardians to the Enchanters' Palace
5. Windrunner

So now you know. ;)

Pop Quiz! #1

This is the first of many Segolia quizzes. See if you can get it all right! I'll post answers tonight.

1. Which people does Rhiannon belong to?
2. Which of the dragons partnered to the Guardians has black scales?
3. How do Alistair and Edgeshifter know each other?
4. Who is Aretha?
5. What is the name of the enchantress's eagle?

New Story

YAY!!!!!! Just finished writing my latest story! :) The idea behind it was what if vampires were the good guys? In this story, vampires don't drink blood. They exist purely to protect humans from the fiery emotion sucking parasites known as fireshadowers. The other idea behind it is this: vampires are forbidden to love and aren't supposed to be capable of it. But what happens when young vampiress Irina Mondragon falls for human heartbreaker Logan Sammons?
If you want to know more, comment and I'll share more info, possibly a sneak peak!

What's Up: Get a sneak peek at something new!

I think calling it "neglect" sounds bad, but that's essentially what it is. :) Essentially, I am so caught up in writing right now that I pretty much forget the important things, like eating every once in awhile or getting a decent amount of sleeps. Writers! Have you felt this? Where your brain is so caught up in the story that you don't realize you haven't eaten all day or you need to sleep? Please tell me I'm not the only one! :) It's pretty bad right now, with this new story I'm working on. Still haven't thought up a great title, for now it's called Irina's Heart. If you want to know what it's about and see a little bit of it, comment! If enough people comment, I'll post all about Irina's Heart tomorrow!

How To: Make your characters REAL

Making characters seem real can be really difficult, especially for new writers. But there are some things that all writers can do, new or experienced that'll make their lives easier.
The idea behind a real character is that the reader can feel for them. Readers need to sympathize with the hero, hate the villain's guts (or possibly be confused by their actions), and hope the romance lasts or ends. Readers are in for a ride, and it's your job to give it to them.
The trick behind doing that is making your characters as real to you as your best friends are. You will most likely know more about them than your readers, at least at first. Don't try to reveal everything about your characters all at once. It just overwhelms the reader and they can't remember it all.
Characters also need to be fallible. No one is perfect, not even your favorite character. Their faults only add to them, and readers love them even more as they sympathize.
Example:
Edgeshifter is a good person, and we love her. She always does the right thing, even if it hurts her. We sympathize with her as she struggles and we hope for the best for her sake.
It also helps when we add little quirks and habits that bring the characters to life and make them more memorable.
Example:
Edgeshifter is nicknamed "Edge" by friends and family. She is white-scaled and has piercing blue eyes. These are little things that don't really affect her personality but fit right in with it.
Questions on how else you can make characters come to life? Write a comment! I love feedback.

Day 4: Heroism

One word: Nissa.

Day 10: Who's Who?

Having a hard time keeping track of everyone in the world of Segolia? Have no fear! Here's a basic outline of how everyone's connected:
Families:
1. Alistair and Serenity are married
Children: Nissa
2. Stefan and Elaine are married
Children: Rylan
3. ? and ? are married
Children: Edgeshifter and Deepclaw
4. Stormblast and ? are married
Children: Venomsting and Echosong
5. Hevar and ? are married
Children: Fireheart
6. ? and ?
Children: Reva and her brother
Romances:
1. Nissa and Rylan
2. Serenity and Alistair
3. Edgeshifter and Youngseeker

Let me know if I missed anything or if you need an explanation anywhere! :)

Day 12: Pronuniciation Guide

Okay. So this isn't in the book but I didn't feel it necessary as most people are saying the names right. But if you feel like you're butchering the names or just curious, here they are!
First, the places:
Segolia (Seh-goal-ee-uh)
Idari (Eye-dahr-ee)
Tresed (Treh-sehd)
Broen (Bro-ehn)
Lissinau (Liss-i-now)
Draconia (Drah-cone-ee-uh)
Awaida Pond (Uh-wade-uh Pond)
Giarda Isle (Gee-ar-tha Isle)-G sound NOT J sound for Gee
Okay and now the people:
Alistair (Al-ih-stair)
Nissa (Nih-suh)
Rylan (Like Ryan but with an "l")
Stefan (Stef-awn)
Reva (Ray-vuh)
Rhiannon (Ree-on-nun)
Shahira (Shuh-hear-uh)
Aretha (Uh-reeth-uh)
Fendrel (Fehn-drel)

I think I got all the ones that are a little tricky...If there's a name not named and you want to know how to say it, comment on this post.

How-to: Character Profile

Character profiles help writers create real characters. Here's how I do mine:Name
Age
Biography (Family, friends, what brought the character where they are now, etc.)
Height
Weight/Body type (Are they skinny or heavy, lean or just slender)
Face Type (heart, oval, round, square)
Complexion
Eyes (color and shape)
Hair
Clothing style
Speaking style (fast, quiet, loud, careful, etc.)
General demeanor
Career
Prejudices
Best Qualities
Worst Qualities
Hobbies
Talents
What they see (when they look at the world do they see violence or hope, etc.)
Perceives the world as something... (change, save, end, etc.)
Setting
How do they react to a new environment?
Introspection (what they need to realize, whether they do or not)
Confidence (high, low, too high)
What do they hear? (rumors, gossip, compliments, etc.)
What they really think/say when alone?
Pet phrases and slang
Liar? (yes, no, about what)
Silence (do they like it, how do they deal with it)
Reaching for what in life
Goal
Heart's desire
It'd be nice to have...
They need...
Where they're going through story
Wants...
Action willing to take to get what they want
Obstacles
Overcomes obstacles by...
Stands with/for...
Believes...
Fights for...
Will die for...
3 Wishes
3 Fears
Flaws
3 Heroic qualities (even the bad guy has some!)

This template may seem like overkill but the more you know about a character the better. They become real to you and to your readers!!! Feel free to use!