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!

When Things Go Wrong...

Sometimes things don't go like you expect them too. That's life. So just shrug it off and keep going. Life has just as many plot twists as any story.

Monday Morning Manuscript Mayhem!

Long title, right?
From now on, on Monday morning, I am giving my readers the chance to vote on what I write that week! Thus the name, Monday Morning Manuscript Mayhem ;)
Here are this week's options:
1. The Infection, book 2
    Book one introduced us to a brand new world of vampires, where they fight to protect humans and don't believe in love. But Irina and Logan's story is just getting started. They've got a lot to prove before its over...

2. The Invincible Project, book 3, TRIED
    Kate, also known as Kat, the crime-fighting, half-leopard heroine of Chicago, was a normal girl until she was kidnapped and experimented on. Now, she's out in the city with a vow to stop the corruption and end the chaos that plagues Chicago.

3. Segolia 2: Age of the Shadow (edits)
    I've written the rough draft but it is FAR from ready for publishing. Vote for Segolia 2 if you're ready to see where the story will lead Nissa, Rylan, and the rest of the Guardians.

4. 2112
    What if music didn't exist? Well, its the year 2112 and no one has even heard of music. Until now. Alyssa Rose finds out about it when she's sent a mysterious message from the past. And as she struggles with the terrible events that led to its destruction, Alyssa will have to bring back what was once lost.

5. Blue
    This is the story of a girl with a secret. Orphaned, alone, mysterious, she has been hiding most of her life. She has lips the color of the Caribbean. Yes, they're blue. But soon, while falling for the introspective writer next door, she discovers that there is a reason behind it. And that reason will lead her to a world she couldn't have ever imagined.

Signing and Reading tomorrow!

Hey guys!!! SO EXCITED! :) My book signing is tomorrow at Bookmans in Flagstaff at 5:30! I'll be there along with a few other authors. Also, get a great discount on Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy. I'll be selling them for HALF the publisher's price!

TAINTED excerpt (sequel to TRAPPED)

None of the trilogy are published but this is what I've been working on. Here's a small excerpt of what's going on in TAINTED:

"I glared at him. I faces were just inches apart. Anger practically radiated off my body, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he could feel it.

Then, he punched me in the gut. I doubled over in pain, coughing. He’d hit me hard. He chuckled. Then, he hit me again, this time in the throat and then the jaw. I coughed again, this time hacking up a little blood. Each punch seemed to be backed up with more and more force. Either he was getting stronger or I was getting weaker. Or maybe both.

“So how about that offer?” he asked.

I said nothing, spitting and hissing at him.

“I’m going to take that as a no,” he chuckled.

He leaned the chair back even further. Then, of course, he leaned forward and kissed me hard. I struggled against the chair, wishing I could jerk away. Ugh. I could feel the bile in my mouth. This was so wrong.

“Got anything to say?” he said, lips moving over mine. Ugh, this was so gross. I just wanted to brush my teeth. Like now. I groaned but he ignored me. I had to get out of there. Fast.

Okay, I just had to think this through. I know, hard to do when you’ve got a psychopath kissing you, but somehow I’d manage. This room was completely metal. But as I looked around him-don’t ask me how I did- I saw that he’d left the door ajar, thinking I wouldn’t escape. I smiled, despite the fact that he was still kissing me. Perfect.

I lashed out, kicking him in the gut. Surprised by the attack, he grunted, stumbling back a few steps and dropping the chair. It struck the ground hard. Unfortunately, it didn’t break like I’d hoped it would. Before he could grab me, I rolled over, wrists still tied to the chair. I was glad my legs hadn’t been tied down. Hunched over because of the chair, I stood. Then, I threw myself to the ground, landing on my side.

       The chair splintered, the arm I landed on snapping. The tie broke. Quickly, I reached over, clawing at the other tie, cutting my other arm free. Then I stood. "
Okay! Keep watching for more posts about what I'm working on! :)

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!

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.

Mailing List

Wondering what happens after Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy? Want to know about the next signing? Just want to be in the know? Join my mailing list. Comment with your email and I'll add you!

Happy Independence Day!

"I didn't fight to destroy the enemy. I fought to protect my people. To protect my family." -Deepclaw, Segolia: Daughter of Prophecy.
Happy fourth of July everyone! And let's remember why we celebrate this holiday! :)

How to: Explode a Moment

BOOM!
Ha, just kidding. That's not what it means to explode a moment, although you could definitely use an explosion as a scene to explode in a moment. Exploding a moment means you take a scene and go into extreme detail and zoom in on it. Typically, these are intense or dramatic scenes. For example:

Zandra swallowed hard, nodding. “She’s still on the gurney. Follow me.” Zandra led them down the hall and into a single room.

Even though he’d known what he’d see when he stepped inside, Zane still felt so broken at seeing the limp body on the gurney. Her eyes were closed, her head lolled to one side, and her face looked almost peaceful. She’d stayed calm to the very last breath. She’d been so brave.

Zane went to the bedside, numb. He glanced back at the others, sure they were feeling the same way. Zandra was staring at the ground, tears running down her cheeks. Then, Tatyana turned away. “I’ll be outside.” She left the room, standing just outside it. Jay followed her. Zane turned his attention back to the body.

He lifted her face, cradling it to his chest. Last time, the woman he loved died, he’d never been given the chance to say goodbye. This time he could. And he wasn’t sure if that was a blessing or a curse.

This scene is dramatic and scene seems to drag on.
Thanks for reading!

To My Fellow Writers: Something to Keep in Mind

“Your readers want to become somebody else for a few hours, to live in an exciting life, to find true love, to face down unimaginable terrors, to solve impossible puzzles, to feel a lightning jolt of adrenaline.” –Writing Fiction for Dummies

Just something to keep in mind while writing.

Day 11: Meaningful Quote

"You have a kind and bold heart. Follow it, and you will never go astray." -the enchantress

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.

Day 14: Sneak Peek

"Who are you?" I said, wishing my voice didn't sound quite so weak.
"Can you not guess?" asked the shadow. He was just a black form of a man, cloaked in darkness.
I didn't answer, and the shadow man took a step closer. I took a step back but found myself trapped between a wall and the man.
"Stay away from me," I warned.
"No," the man said simply. Then, he lunged forward, reaching for me.
Instinctively, I screamed.

How to Use Flashbacks

These are my notes from my 11th grade English class. There are a few different ways to use flashbacks in a story:

1.       Recollection: Most common technique; Using back story in fiction to weave bits and pieces of recollection throughout the narrative as they become relevant. Keep it short. Be consistent throughout the story.

2.       Full scenes: extended recollections with dialogue and action. Long and detailed. Separated from story.

3.       Italicized inserts: short italicized inserts. Occasionally, a direct address

4.       Letters and journals: character might write or read a letter to import (personal) historical info. Sometimes in italics.

5.       Dreams: can feel forced, not as natural. Use carefully and seldom.

6.       Frames: “story within a story.” Entire story is a flashback.

*Integrate small bits of back story early on if possible

*Trigger memories with five senses and emotions

*Transition to flashback with subtle phrase

*Transition out of flashback with actions, or other phrases- be subtle

Story World Template

This is really good for fantasy writers, as you have to create an entire world:

Geography:
I typically make a map of the land for this one.
Cultural Groups and Races:
What races are in your story? What groups of people?
Example: In Segolia, there are the elves of Segolia, the elves of Broen, the desert people, naiads, dryads, dragons, etc.
Plants:
Are there any unusual plants in your story world?
Example: dryad trees in Segolia
Animals:
Are there any animalistic creatures in your story?
History:
What history of your story world is important to the story?
Example: the history of the war between dragons and elves in Segolia
Political structures:
I go through each cultural group's political structure. So I write a paragraph about dragon politics, Broenian elf politics, Segolian elf politics, etc.
Economic Structure:
Again, I go through each cultural group. I write a paragraph for each group's economic structure, like if they use money and how they earn their keep and what jobs are available, etc.
Example: Dragons do have jobs, assigned by the dragon leader, but they have no use for money.
Social Structure:
Go through each cultural group, going through their society. What are accepted truths of society? What kind if ceremonies, educations, etc. are part of a race's society?
Example: Dragons have a coming of age ceremony.
Foods and Drinks:
What kinds of things do the groups eat? For example, dragons eat large game, whereas an elf might eat similarly to a human.
Languages:
What languages and dialects do the people speak?
Entertainment:
What does each cultural group do for fun?4
Sexual Roles:
In each cultural group/race, what are the different roles between man and woman?
Example: Elven women are expected to stay home, away from war and politics. Men make all decisions and fight.

All this information may never appear in the story but the more you know the better.