Taking a break

I was going pretty well on NanoWriMo however, between my birthday and the unexpected arrival of a 3 month old baby, things have taken a bit of a nose dive.

It has also given me an opportunity to look at the novel I just published to see if any improvements can be made to it. I'm getting a little bit of feedback, but it has led me to the question is there any mentoring programs for authors? If you know any please let me know.

I hope Nano is going well for everyone.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Goal Achieved!

I did it. I set the goal of getting my novel done and I finished it. It is up at Smashwords now. It should be up at Amazon in the next 24 hours. I'm just waiting for approval into the premium catalog for Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo, and the others.

On a side note, I did start NanoWriMo. I have my first 1600 words written. I plan on doing the next 1600 here shortly.

Are you participating? Is it going well? Leave me a comment and let me know.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Final Week

Today starts the final week before my deadline of November 1st. There is still a lot of work to do. I realized part way through last week that my point of view needed to go from first person to third. So, I have been converting it. I hope to get that finished this week. Then, I just have some formatting and a touch of editing to do.

Have you guys signed up for NANOWRIMO yet?

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

September 2011 Bestseller List

1. In My Dream     Julia Averbeck           1472
2. It's Not About You     Jennifer Zeliff                  488
3. This Summer      Julia Averbeck            477
4.Friendships Hurt     Julia Averbeck        115
5.7 Reasons to Fall in Love With Stockholm       Julia Averbeck           80
6. Dreams of Love and Loneliness       Julia Averbeck           45
7. I Love You I Hate You      Jennifer Zeliff       2

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Well Over Halfway

So, I finished editing sections 4&5 over the weekend. I printed out section 6 and started editing it, I just need to input the changes on the computer.

 It appears that I might even finish a little early, which would be a bonus. I'm really starting to get excited about my novel going up for sale.

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Kissing and telling

It occurred to me that when I try to make things more complicated, I generally don't follow through very well.
So here's to the KISS method.

I have a goal to finish my novel and get it published by November 1st. Just in time for NANOWRIMO. Anywho, I have sections 1&2 just about done. Section 3 is halfway done. A friend of mine is going to edit it for me. Another friend is doing the cover art. I think, at this point barring anything major, I should make my goal. Yay!!!

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181

Interview with Author Jaimey Grant

1:Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I'm in my early 30s, mother of two homeschooled kids (ages 7 & 5), just celebrated my 13th wedding anniversary, blogger (http://jaimeygrant.blogpost.com), writer (www.jaimeygrant.com), book cover designer (www.anauthorsart.com), facebook addict (http://www.facebook.com/jaimeygrantauthor) and chronic procrastinator. I think that about sums me up. :O)

2: What was your favorite story to tell?

Probably Heartless, which is currently out-of-print. It's due for re-release from TreasureLine Publishing (www.treasurelinebooks.com), though, if I can ever get my act together and get the edits done. lol It's my favorite because the hero is my favorite man. Ever. Coincidentally, Heartless is my bestseller, even before my recent "bestsellerdom" (not a word, I know, but it should be) status with Smashwords (back in July for the Summer/Winter promotion).

3: Where is your favorite spot to write?

I'm limited in that as my laptop (antique that it is, lol) won't work if it's not plugged in. But the quiet of my bedroom is the ideal spot for me. Everywhere else is too distracting. 

4: What has been the toughest criticism you ever received? The highest compliment?

Strangely, there is one review that answers both of those questions. I received a review from a reader of whom I think highly. She said one of my books lacked the character depth of my others. I almost cried. Then she said that my "average" was better than most authors' "best" and I almost cried again. I took that as high praise even though one could take from her words that there is a plethora of average or worse-than-average literature out there. I choose to take it as a compliment. :O)

Tying for highest compliment would be when another reader/writer said my book, Betrayal, had a very Austenesque depth of characters. I can't really think of higher praise for a Regency author. 

5: What is the best writing advice you can give?

BETA READERS. There are so many books out there that would be so much better if they had been sent out into the world, prior to publication, specifically so readers could catch the typos, plot holes, poor characterizations, etc. I am deeply grateful to my beta readers for the fabulous catches they made in my latest Regency, Honor. 

6: What project are you working on now?

I'm very close to the release of a short story, a fantasy called The Dragon's Birth. It's related to an unpublished novel I finished two years ago, sort of a prequel to the series. Once that's out, I'm determined to get the edits for Heartless done so it can be set free again. 

7: Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate, definitely. :O)

To have the honor and pleasure of creating the written word. https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaz1181