One Draft, Two Draft (KaLyn)

One Draft, Two Draft (a writer’s parody)

One draft.

Two draft.
Bad draft.
Blaah draft.

Half draft.

Whole draft.

Rotten draft.

Cold draft.

This one’s beginning lags.

This one’s middle sags.

Say! What a lot

Of drafts there are.

Yes. Some are bad. And some are blaah.
 And some you wish, you never saw.

Some don’t begin.
And some won’t end.
 And some—never ever, ever send.

But don't let
Fear hold you back.
You can learn
Any skill you lack.

Make some friends
And share your work
Connecting is the point.
Don't just lurk.

From bad to good, from good to bad, 
Writing lessons
Must be had.

It takes time
To find a way
And that's okay!
You only need to pray.

Oh this! Oh that!
Oh dear! Oh me!
What a lot
Of writing lessons we see.

This is my last post as a regular contributor on the spectacular Lands Uncharted, with the lovely ladies of Lands. But this isn’t goodbye! You can find me on my blog at authorkacummins.com or hanging around social media (@authorkacummins).

See ya later, alligator! ;)

To Ditch or Dig In (KaLyn)

You've probably heard the story of how [insert famous inventor] failed [add a high number] times before finally finding the one way that worked. It's an inspiring reminder to keep going when we encounter frustrations while pursuing our goals.

But, not every idea is worth pursuing.

Sticking with something and not giving up is a good attitude to have, as long as it's balanced with reason. It's just as important to know when to walk away.

So, how do we know when to ditch and when to dig in?

I've done plenty of both in the last year. Ditching chapters, ideas, and marketing approaches, while digging in to finish a book, publish a few short stories, and take advantage of opportunities. And the only thing I can tell you about the answer to that question is to pray.

When an unshakable peace surrounds a decision, then I know it's the direction God wants me to follow. Even if it flies in the face of conventional wisdom.

It's how I knew it was time to step away from my post as a regular contributor on Lands Uncharted. I prayed, poured my heart out to God, and felt him leading me to focus on building opportunities to support others and maintaining a better work-life balance between writing and homeschool.

How do you know when to ditch and when to dig in?

My last post will be on May 25th. I'm excited for y'all to meet the new contributor!

Top Three Follow up: A Need for Speed (KaLyn)

Laurie and I swapped April post dates in anticipation of a special guest on the 20th. Which means two posts from me in the same week, but you won't hear from me again until May.

Last April, I wrote a post on pushing past writing limits. The goal was to improve writing speed and overall productivity by applying principals imparted from two different books: Crank It Out! by C.S. Lakin and 5,000 Words Per Hour by Chris Fox. Crank It Out! examined the relationship between natural biorhythms and productivity, while 5,000 Words Per Hour focused on mindset and training your brain through words sprints and consistency.

My biggest takeaways at the time were starting by 7am, sprint exercises, and a dedicated workspace. Today, almost a year later, I’m circling back to share with you the impact of those changes over time.

Scheduling

During the day, when are you the most motivated and focused? Scheduling is all about writing at those times to increase your productivity.

For me, even though I don't consider myself a morning person, it means getting up early. The days that begin by 7 am average a higher word count and are consistently productive. The days that begin after 8 am average a slightly lower word count, mainly because productivity is inconsistent.

Findings

Although productivity gains are low to moderate, scheduling changes have the most immediate impact and are the easiest to implement.

Sprints

The concept of writing sprints is to set a timer and write as much as you can in fifteen minutes. Doing so is intended to help a writer train their brain to ignore their inner editor when drafting and increase word count.

To be honest, I didn’t stick to sprints long (the number of sessions can be counted on one hand). My word count during sprints did increase, but it was hard to shift focus with the frequent starts and stops.

However, several years ago, I’d read an article about working in intervals to maximize productivity by leveraging the brains natural focus rhythms (if you will). The findings concluded that the human brain works best over a long period (like an eight-hour workday) when it focuses intervals in of 60-90 minutes with at least a 15 minute in between intervals. 

So, earlier this year I tried intervals instead and the results have been more than I expected. A meaningful increase in productivity and word count that, so far, continues to make gains.

Findings

Whether it's sprints or intervals, the structured pacing requires a high level of motivation but comes with the biggest gains in productivity.

Workspace

Workspace is about more than having space for a home office. It's about consistency and optimizing your writing environment to minimize distractions and interruptions and maximize focus.

Some items to consider (other than location):

• Silence, music, or background noise?
• Brightly lit or dim?
• Standing, exercise ball, or chair?
• Clean, cozy, or cluttered?
• Pen and paper, computer, or wordprocessing device (like Neo2 or Freewrite)?
• Alone or with friends?

There are many workspace options to consider. Experiment and discover what works for you.

Findings

Workspace changes are variable, both in terms of productivity gains and ease of implementation.

There is one other activity that I haven't mentioned and it makes all the difference: prayer.

What approaches do you use to push past writing limits?

So, That's How it Ends? (KaLyn)

A writer's job is essentially three tasks: read, write, and hook readers through to the last word. It's not enough for a book to have a compelling beginning and an eventful middle. The last word must set the hook for future stories.

Endings are the legacies of books.

An ending can spoil a good story, redeem a bad one, and influence our decision to pick up the writer's next book or to recommend the book to a friend. It should resonate with readers in a positive way, even if the story doesn't have a happy ending.

But how does a writer craft such an ending?

THE LAST FIFTY PAGES by James Scott Bell

In my quest to understand how to craft powerful endings, I picked up James Scott Bell's The Last Fifty Pages. 

As if it were a casual conversation between mentor and mentee, Bell explores elements and approaches for crafting endings. He presents several compelling points, followed up with brief examples from various published work. Among those points are: the goal of an ending, common issues to avoid, symmetry between the opening and the ending, and effective foreshadowing.

Bell offers constructive advice without overwhelming readers. The friendly manner in which he presents the information leaves room for independent thinking and inspiration, while his accessible language makes the book easy read in between tasks or after a long day.

I recommend The Last Fifty Pages as a resource for writers seeking to understand the art of an unforgettable ending.

Of all the books you've read, which one had an ending that resonated with you?

Top Three TBR Middle Grade Books With Green Covers (KaLyn)

How about a little festive book fun, since tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day?

Green is not the most common color for a book cover, but some great reads that do feature it in an eye-catching fashion. Here are three middle-grade books with green covers from my to-be-read pile that may interest you.

NICK NEWTON: THE HIGHEST BIDDER

by S.E.M. Ishida

You may recall seeing Nick Newton on Lands Uncharted before. I posted a review of the first book, Nick Newton is not a Genius, back in November. Nick Newton: The Highest Bidder is the second book in the series. The upbeat, fun, and compassionate heart of the first book enticed me to add the second book to my list.

About Nick Newton: The Highest Bidder

Nick, a merely average boy from the country of Thauma, has learned that one doesn't need to be a genius or wealthy to have amazing adventures. All one needs is to keep going. When Solomon decides to put Elizabeth the android back together, Nick promises to help in any way that he can. He learns many important lessons, like the value of a speck, and to dodge mechanical baby strollers, fencing sisters, and auction bids. If all goes well, he might even make a few new friends too.

SENT

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Sent is the second book in The Missing series. You can find a review of the first book, Found, on my blog. Found began with the government cover-up of an event involving thirty-four babies who were put up for adoption, and then mysteriously drawn to investigate the incident thirteen years later. I enjoyed reading the first book enough to pick up the second, but it was the twist in the final reveal that had me splurge to pick up the whole series.

About Sent

Jonah, Katherine, Chip, and another boy, Alex, have no preparation before they are sent back to 1483 at the Tower of London, with the promise that they can return to the present if they can repair history. They quickly discover that Chip and Alex’s true identities are the 13-year-old King Edward V and his 10-year-old brother, Richard, Duke of York. But before Chip can enjoy being the king of England, they discover that they are virtually prisoners—and that their uncle wants them dead. How can the kids repair time and return home when according to history, Chip and Alex were murdered?

SKY JUMPERS

by Peggy Eddleman

I came across Sky Jumpers a few years ago, when I was putting my first book proposal together. A courageous, base-jumping heroine from a town of inventors was hard to resist. But, to be honest, I forgot about the book until I began writing this post. It got buried in my wildly, out of control to-be-read-pile. Maybe it's time to reprioritize the stack and move Sky Jumpers up towards the top?

About Sky Jumpers

Twelve-year-old Hope lives in White Rock, a town of inventors struggling to recover from World War III. But adventurous Hope is terrible at inventing. She would much rather sneak off to cliff dive into the Bomb’s Breath, the deadly band of air that surrounds the town.

When bandits invade White Rock to steal its greatest invention—priceless antibiotics—the town is left with a heartbreaking choice: hand over the medicine and die from disease, or die fighting the bandits. Help lies in a neighboring town, but the bandits count everyone fourteen and older each hour. Now Hope and her friends Aaren and Brock are only ones who can escape through the Bomb’s Breath.

For once, the daring and rebelliousness that usually get Hope into trouble might just save them all.

What green books would you recommend?

Top Three Writing Tools for Productivity

Let's talk writing tools to boost productivity!

Neo2

The Neo2 is a portal word processing device with a full-size keyboard, long battery life, small screen (similar to a graphing calculator), and limited controls. It easily connects to the computer and transfers all your work to the word processing software of your choice. The Neo2 is perfect for distracted free drafting and squelching that inner editor.  

Even though the Neo2 is no longer in production, the manufacturer still supports it. But that means you'll have to settle for a used or refurbished device. On the bright side, you can snag one for under $50 on Amazon.

My output has dramatically increased in the short time I've been using the Neo2. And it's continuing to increase the more I use the device, which is why the Neo2 is my favorite writing tool.

The only other comparable device on the market is Freewrite. Freewrite does have some added perks and features--like syncing to Google Docs, Dropbox, or Evernote--but it's also significantly more expensive at $549. 

Of course, if you want to upgrade to a Freewrite, for a limited time you can pre-order the new Freewrite Traveler for $349 (regular price will be $599). The Freewrite Traveler begins ships in August. https://getfreewrite.com/products/freewrite-traveler

Rocketbook

There's something about brainstorming and plotting with pen and paper that stirs creativity. However, most of my notes eventually get discarded, and all that paper adds up. Enter Rocketbook. This reusable notebook provides a writing experience similar to a standard notebook while reducing the amount of paper that ends up in the trash. A standard executive-sized Rocketbook is available on Amazon for around $30.

The Rocketbook comes with a Pilot Frixion pen and a microfiber cloth. The pen's eraser is great for minor corrections, but the microfiber cloth is best for erasing entire pages. To clear an entire page, just dampen a corner of the microfiber cloth, erase the page, and then use a dry portion of the cloth to wipe it clean. That's it.

The Rocketbook is similar to a product called the Elvin Notebook. I researched both products before ultimately choosing the Rocketbook, and it was this well-done review comparing the two that helped me decide: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2CM15OADIJZPF.

Kindle

Having resource books close at hand might be the first thing that comes to mind when the Kindle is mentioned. But it's not the only use. The Kindle is also useful for reading projects with fresh eyes after multiple rounds of edits and rewrites have blurred your vision.

What tools or approaches have helped you boost your productivity?

Spark by J.M. Hackman (KaLyn)

I actually read Spark last year. But, since the second book in the series, Flare, is coming out in February and the cover reveal for Flare was Friday, I couldn't resist posting about Spark.

"I thought it was a weird dream. Is it a big deal?" -Brenna James

Sixteen-year-old Brenna James is a direct, down-to-earth, waffle-loving teen with ADHD. She's concerned about the upcoming history test until a flame shoots from her fingertip and catches the school's trophy case on fire.

More surprises await Brenna at home. She learns her family's connected to an alternate reality, where her mother's gone missing. Brenna must travel there with her father and grandmother while fighting off giant insect-like creatures guarding the portal. And that's only the beginning.

With the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy underway, Brenna James bears a burden few may understand. However, the spunky teen embraces life with humility and humor.

Spark showcases resilience, courage, loyalty, and a caring family dynamic with a splash of humor.

About Spark

Brenna James wants three things for her sixteenth birthday: to find her history notes before the test, to have her mother return from her business trip, and to stop creating fire with her bare hands.

Yeah, that’s so not happening. Unfortunately.

When Brenna learns her mother is missing in an alternate reality called Linneah, she travels through a portal to find her. Against her will. Who knew portals even existed? But Brenna’s arrival in Linneah begins the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, including a royal murder and the theft of Linneah’s most powerful relic: the Sacred Veil.

Hold up. Can everything just slow down for a sec?

Unwilling yet left with no other choice, Brenna and her new friend Baldwin (Um, hello, Hottie!) pursue the thief into the dangerous woods of Silvastamen and beyond. Exactly what Brenna wanted to do for her sixteenth birthday. Exactly. When they spy an army marching toward Linneah, Brenna is horrified. Can she find the veil, save her mother, and warn Linneah in time?

And more importantly, why on earth doesn’t this alternity have Belgian waffles?

About Flare

Brenna travels to Linneah via portal to visit her boyfriend Baldwin, only to find heartbreak. Betrayal. A serious case of never, ever wanting to see him again.

Worst summer vacation ever.

So when her best friend Tiny invites her on a road trip to meet Tiny’s fiancé, Brenna jumps at the chance. Even if her mother disapproves. Even if it’s through a dangerous travel portal. Even if Tiny has never met this fiancé handpicked by her dad. Anything’s better than staying in Linneah.

But the trip disintegrates into disaster. The two friends are separated, Brenna is kidnapped, and not only are Brenna’s Firebrand skills tested to the limit, she must participate in the dangerous event, Starfall . . . or go home. Broke. Alone. With a shattered heart. So not fun.

And then as if that’s not bad enough? Brenna discovers a plot that could spell disaster for everyone she holds dear. And no one believes her.

Can she prevent a bloody government takeover? And what will become of Brenna’s broken heart?

Top Three Reading Resolutions for the New Year (KaLyn)

The 2018 Goodreads Reading Challenge has ended! How did you do?

After adjusting my goal half-way through the year, I managed to squeak by in the end with twenty-four books. Twenty-four books is a realistic goal for me, and I'll be sticking with it again this year. But I will be changing some reading tactics.

More Focus

Oh, how the marvels of technology have influenced the flow of information and the formats in which we consume it. Don't get me wrong. I love tech. It's part of what drew me into the world of coding and software development before I left the workforce to homeschool our youngest child who is both gifted and challenged in some of the same ways I am. But it is those same tech changes that continue to impact my attention span through overstimulation.

So, this year, I aim to reign-in my screen time and use of technology by doing more work the old fashioned way - books and paper - and to set boundaries for when and how long I do fire up a computer, pick up a smartphone, or even read on an e-reader.

More Audiobooks

Sometimes it's nice to have someone else read to you, especially after you've been staring at words on a screen all day. Even with a nice set of glasses to reduce blue light exposure it can be taxing. Plus, audiobooks are great for road trips.

More Fiction

Only a third of the books from my Goodreads challenge last year was non-fiction, but it doesn't reflect the amount of time I spent reading non-fiction. I often combed over passages, materials from professional development classes, and various articles multiple times.

Honestly, learning is somewhat of a compulsion for me so my consumption of non-fiction will not change. However, I do plan to spend more time reading fiction. Starting with two books releasing this month that I've been looking forward to reading: Black Blood, the conclusion of the Children of the Blood Moon series by S.D. Grimm and Flare, the second book in the Firebrand Chronicles by J.M. Hackman.

Do you have any reading goals for the new year?

Counting Blessings (KaLyn)

Setting goals keeps me focused. Tracking them improves my productivity. But any unrealized goals, failures, or mistakes are used for growth and then packed away.

Instead of focusing on the items that have been measured all year long, I’m count blessings. Making lists and asking questions like:

• List a line you wrote that you love.
• Out of everything you wrote this year, which piece is your favorite?
• What positive discovery did you make that will help you next year?
• How did you grow this year?
• List those who have supported or mentored you. How did they encourage you? What did you learn from them? Have you considered writing them a thank-you note?
• Name someone you mentored or supported and how you did so.
• Describe a moment when you were struggling and someone lifted you up.
• Describe a moment you lifted someone else up.
• How many times did you keep going when you wanted to quit? It takes courage to press on when you feel defeated.

Making a list of the years blessings and celebrating even the tiniest of successes helps me let go of what I didn’t accomplish and cultivate a more grateful spirit. Really, it’s good to do all year long.

What about you? What blessings are you counting?

Top Three Gifts for Bookworms (KaLyn)

Most of the people I know, including myself, were hitting the online sales last weekend and into this past week. It was a great opportunity to knock-out about eighty percent of our Christmas shopping without breaking the bank.

There are several book lovers in our family, and, while I love to give the gift of books, sometimes I wonder if they'd enjoy the surprise of something that wasn't a gift card or book on their list. But what else do you get a bookworm?

Here are a few items to consider:

• Book Themed Socks - Socks are often looped in with less than desirable gifts, but they don't have to be unwanted. Literary-themed socks are both fun and practical, and they come in a variety of styles. 
• Custom Library Stamp - Great books should be shared. However, it can be hard to keep track of loaned or borrowed books. Having been on both sides of the equation, the personalized library stamp seemed like an appealing solution. (Plus, there's the whole official-library-feel for your inner bookworm.)
• Book Lovers' Soy Candle - Reading experience is not limited to the book itself. The ambiance of an environment is also a factor. How about the smell of a bookstore or library without leaving home?

Do you have any bookish gift suggestions?

Nick Newton Is Not a Genius by S.E.M Ishida (KaLyn)

At Realm Makers in July, I picked up a middle-grade steampunk called Nick Newton is not a Genius. It was not a book I was familiar with, but it looked like a fun read and I couldn't pass up a middle-grade steampunk.

Nick Newton, named after his legendary grandfather General Nicolas Newton, is an average child in a family of genius. But he's more like the late grandfather he idolizes that even he realizes.

The story opens with Nick's prestigious school's pronouncement that he's an average child and therefore can no longer attend their school (a school only for genius). Undeterred, Nick stays optimistic about his changing situation and seeks to make his own discoveries - the first of which is the discovery of a mechanical bird, Plink, invented by his grandfather.

While he isn't a genius and may never be a great inventor, Nick is a child with above average compassion. It is his humility and concern for others that leads to his greatest discoveries. It is also how he is most like his namesake.

Nick Newton is not a Genius showcases compassion, friendship, curiosity, understanding, and a healthy family dynamic in a delightful, middle-grade steampunk tale.

The second book in the series, "Nick Newton: the Highest Bidder," released on November 7th. I actually pre-ordered the second book in paperback, hoping to get it before this post. However, the book went out of stock before release day. Amazon informed me I wouldn't get a copy until December.

But anticipation is part of the fun, right?

Looking forward to joining Nick and Plink on their next adventure!

About Book One

Nick Newton is not a Genius. He’s just a merely average boy from the country of Thauma. He may not be brilliant like his mom and dad or a child prodigy like his sister, but he won’t let that stop him from uncovering the mysteries of a clockwork factory or revealing a war hero’s greatest secret. With help from two new friends and his butler named Jude, Nick embarks on an adventure that will change his life forever.

About Book Two

Nick, a merely average boy from the country of Thauma, has learned that one doesn't need to be a genius or wealthy to have amazing adventures. All one needs is to keep going. When Solomon decides to put Elizabeth the android back together, Nick promises to help in any way that he can. He learns many important lessons, like the value of a speck, and to dodge mechanical baby strollers, fencing sisters, and auction bids. If all goes well, he might even make a few new friends too. 

Top 3 Essentials for a Stress-free NaNoWriMo (KaLyn)

To NaNoWriMo or not to NaNoWriMo? 

With NaNoWriMo coming up next month, it's a hot topic around the interwebs. But not everyone has the desire to participate - and that's okay. To each, his own.

However, if you do want to participate NaNoWriMo, then I want to encourage you by sharing a few strategies for enjoying the challenge and avoiding the stress.

• Set your own goal - Challenge yourself? Yes. Push your boundaries and seek to grow as a writer? Yes. But do it in a way that works for you. You don't have to aim for 50K words in thirty days. You don't even have to focus on one writing project. You can be a Nano Rebel! Feel free to embrace the spirit of the challenge on your own terms and define a goal that works for you. 
• Connect with others - Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, the beauty of nano is the comradery and accountability. Check out the various online and in-person opportunities to connect with other nano'ers.
• Stock up - This isn't just about snacks and writing supplies. It's also about inspiration, motivation, and fun. The point is to create an environment that infuses your writing process with joy. For me, that's coffee, notebooks, pencils, devotions, and crazy socks.

Will you be Nano'ing? If so, how do you prepare?

Don't know what NaNoWriMo is? Learn about it here: https://nanowrimo.org/about.

Great Expectations: Writers Life (KaLyn)

Dreams.

New ventures begin with dreams. They excite us. They inspire us. They motivate us to leap even knowing leaps must land. It's within the unknown of those landings, balancing the glow of hope against the reality of risk, that expectations begin.

As a young girl, I wrote poetry. In my early twenties, I dabbled with writing stories. It wasn't until Twilight (yes, I'm a Twilight fan) came along that writing a novel became a goal.

I was sure, then, that I could finish in a year or two. Really, it was only a matter of finding time to write in between working fifty to sixty hours a week and caring for my family.

Hahaha.

Every year became "just one more year, and it'll be done."

That was ten years and four storylines ago. By the time Snow Globe Travelers, the middle-grade novel I began in 2012, is released in the spring, it'll be eleven years.

How long it would take to reach the publication stage was not the only reality that fell short of my newbie expectations, but it was the most eye-opening.

All is as it should be. That journey prepared me for now.

I wonder, if I had known the outcome when I began would I still have leapt?

What expectations did you have when you first began your writing journey?

Top 3: Calvin and Hobbes on Writing (KaLyn)

If there's one thing to miss about the prevalence of printed newspapers it would be the comic strip section. Wouldn't it be great if you could subscribe to receive a newspaper that was filled with nothing but comics? (If there is one, please drop a line in the comments.)

A favorite feature in the comic section in our household was Bill Watterson’s adorably rebellious duo, Calvin and Hobbes. The award-winning comic strip produced by one of the most well-known reclusive writers offered hilarious truths and insights, providing inspiration and entertainment for many. And writing was among the topics covered.

Here are three of my favorite bits about writing delivered by the precocious six-year-old and his stuffed tiger.

*This list does not include the comic strip on writer’s block since it was featured in Julie’s post last Tuesday. You can read her post here.

#1 - “Write what you know.”

#2 - “Know your audience.”

#3 - Struggling with procrastination and deadlines. 

Ok, the last was a two-fer. But wasn’t it worth it?

Have you ever read Calvin and Hobbes? Do you have a favorite?

Priceless by Janeen Ippolito (KaLyn)

Priceless is book one and half in the Ironfire Legacy, an inventive steampunk series that combines fantasy creatures, super powers, and espionage with a thread of romance. The series is aimed at New Adult readers.

Enchanted by the first book, Lawless, I was eager to return to the world of Sekastra. Priceless draws the reader into the complicated and challenging life of Nula Threadsing, an ambitious double-agent from the first book. Nula now seeks a position on the grand council as the Liason of Dragon Affairs to futher her agenda. But things go awry when she meets the dragon diplomat, Tiers Sunscaler.

Priceless’ gripping plot and bold voice kept the pages turning. Action, intrigue, deception, and a snarky romance between two spies revealed a trove of secrets. A couple of new species in the world of Sekastra were even intoduced.

Priceless is spicer than it’s predecessor and includes a moment of situational humor - a product of the personalities featured in this story. But there’s nothing graphic. It’s borderline PG/PG-13.

What I enjoyed most about Priceless was the opportunity to get to know Nula better. The ambitious and cunning double agent closely guards more than information, so it was a thrill to see her heart and vulnerability. There’s more I could say, but I don’t want to spoil it for you.

Overall, I really enjoyed Priceless and look forward to returning to Sekastra when book two releases this fall.

Top 3-ish: Get Angry, Fight Back (KaLyn)

Grief sucks.

IT. SUCKS!

But death reminds us life is precious.

We should love others as we love ourselves. Be kind and encouraging. Seek to serve and be forgiving.

We should walk away when someone doesn't welcome us. Refuse to pour energy into toxic situations and relationships. Pray instead.

Above all, we should seek God and let go of shame when we fail or make a mistake.

We all have a purpose in this life - every single one of us - and time is limited.

Choose wisely.

As for me, this year I have never fully healed from one heartbreak before the next one hits. So I'm going to unplug. I'm going to be silent. And I am going to cry.

But then...

I'll get angry, pick up the sword God has provided, and fight back.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Game on!

A Parallel World: Your Turn (KaLyn)

Photo credit: João Silas on Unsplash

As you know from Laurie's post on Tuesday, she and I were both at Realm Makers this past weekend. It was amazing! I came away with fresh ideas and renewed excitement for my middle-grade science fiction novel.

As I dig into edits this week, I'm looking for ways to include more world-building details about the parallel version of Earth featured in the book. It shares a common history with Earth that deviates after the tenth century, but this fact is too subtle in the current draft.

Part of what makes parallel dimensions fascinating to me is the idea that changing one detail or event can impact every aspect of life and development that occurs after the change and the infinite possibilities of those changes.

Imagine if fire never existed in our world. How would it change where we live, our houses, and our clothes? And what about our food - how would it change what we eat? After all, fire has been the primary cooking method for most of human history.

Consider also all the expressions and stories that include the word fire or other words that have to do with fire, like smoke, ash, flame, etc. How would they change?

How do you imagine our world would be different if fire never existed?

Top 3 Reasons to Read Gregory and the Grimbockle by Melanie Schubert

Last September, I read Gregory and the Grimbockle by Melanie Schubert as an advanced reviewer (you can read the original review here if you wish). I instantly fell in love with the story. To the degree and depth of which, nearly a year later, the characters are still rummaging around in my head and in my heart. So naturally, yesterday, I purchased three paperback copies: one for myself and two more for gifts.

I feel utterly compelled to share this rare story with all of you, along with three reasons to read Gregory and the Grimbockle.

#3 Gregory and the Grimbockle has a soundtrack.

The soundtrack's beautiful instrumental scores are an excellent complement to the story. Most of the songs are under two minutes in length, which makes them perfect for transitioning to story time in a classroom setting. Only the last song, Saying Goodbye & Finale, is more than three minutes long.

#2  It's heartwarming tale layered with fun, adventure, and originality.

The Grimbockle is a loveable character who takes Gregory along while he works to repair exoodles, the emotional ties connecting everyone. With an interesting start to their journey, traveling on the back of a cockroach, it's isn't long before we see the importance of the Grimbockle's work or his struggle to keep up with the increasing demand for repairs.

#1 Your exoodles will grow!

Gregory and the Grimbockle is a fun and engaging story that beautifully illustrates the importance of empathy. The tale offers a fresh perspective on connecting with others and the importance of forgiveness and understanding.

I read this story with my youngest son, who was ten at the time, and it added another dimension of depth and meaning to the experience, crafting a memory I will always treasure.

An Indie Publishing Experience (KaLyn)

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” 

- Winston S. Churchill

Digging deep into the wealth of knowledge on writing and publishing is enough to make your head spin. But it’s equally amazing how understanding grows, even when you’re sure you just took two steps back.

Last fall, I published The Warehouse Tour, a short sci-fi horror story for teens, with a minuscule budget and no prior publishing experience. Then in May, after having the opportunity to work with a professional editor and apply some of the things I'd learned in the previous months, I released a revised edition of The Warehouse Tour.

Why would I put so much time and effort into a YA sci-fi horror short? Because I learned valuable lessons about marketing, publishing, and myself as a writer. To me, it was like taking the money I might have spent on a course or a one-day conference and instead applying it to learning through first-hand experience.

Since I'm still very young in my journey, but I hope by sharing my experiences with you that you will feel comfortable sharing your experiences with me.

Round One

Cost: Under $30 plus a lot of time and effort
Outsourcing: None
Ads: Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon
Promotions (not including social media): A blog interview and a multi-author giveaway

In the first round, I balanced my time appropriately between crafting the e-book and researching marketing options. However, I failed to get the most out of my budget and utilize all the opportunities available to me because of inexperience and a lack of confidence (otherwise known as fear).

Round One and Half

Cost: A few minutes to create an account and fill out a form to request a review
Promotions (not including social media): Readers’ Favorite four-star review that included in a listing of their website and inclusion in their newsletter.

Submitting a free review request to Readers’ Favorite was one of the smartest promotion decisions I made in the entire process. It didn’t cost anything but a few minutes of time and a little patience while waiting for the review to be completed. In the end, I gained additional exposure through their website and newsletter, an editorial review snippet for use on Amazon, book covers, and in media kits, and it was news worth sharing on social media. Plus, getting a four-star review from a professional reviewer boosted my confidence and motivated me to get in the ring for round two.

Round Two

Cost: Under $200 plus a lot of time and effort
Outsourcing: Editing
Ads: YouTube
Promotions (not including social media): A newsletter feature that included an interview, book detail page listings on BookLife and BookBub,

For round two, I hired a fantastic editor, created a new cover, put together a book trailer, refreshed my blurb, and formatted a print version. I also submitted book review requests to a couple of professional review sites and a few book bloggers. I allocated my time and budget much better in this round.

Working with a professional editor made a huge difference. The story is 30% longer, offers a better reading experience, and, as a result, for the first time, I received some very kind and encouraging words from a reader who reached out to me through one of my social media profiles.

Reflections

The foundation to publishing a book starts with the finished book itself, which includes the title, cover, book blurb, file formatting, and editing. These items all affect the success of a book more than marketing and promotions.

Don’t get me wrong. Marketing is an important part. A great book can get lost in obscurity without some form of marketing. It does happen. But a lack of marketing is easier to overcome.

Next Time, I’ll allocate the majority of my budget towards outsourcing editing and cover design and focus my time on formatting, copywriting, submitting to reviewers and bloggers in advance, and investigating other free promotion opportunities. If I do have a little room in my budget for ads, I’ll focus on Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon.

While I didn’t discuss it here, the title plays a vital role in both the discoverability of a book and it’s marketing. It’s another detail that I’ll be paying more attention to in the future.

What would entice you to look beyond the outside of a book? How do you discover new reads?

Ending Fear by Deanna Fugett (KaLyn)

A Refreshing Approach

As readers, we each have our own preferences. There are subjects we naturally gravitate towards and others we avoid. For me, I generally avoid books that include abuse as part of the storyline. However, after running into Ending Fear at every turn, a book I might have otherwise avoided, I stepped out in faith to read it and was pleasantly rewarded.

Ending Fear by Deanna Fugett features a refreshing approach to including the subject of abuse in a fiction story, leaving the reader with a sense of hope and empowerment.

Fourteen-year-old Fear seeks to escape her abusive adoptive family and build a new life with a new family. Humble prose reveal only the necessary details of Fear’s abuse with a gentle authenticity wrapped in faith and love. Along the way, Fear discovers the path of faith in her future dystopian world where people are taught there are no moral absolutes.

Ending Fear is also a finalist for a Realm Makers Award.

Consider adding Ending Fear by Deanna Fugett to your reading list.

From the Back Cover

Fourteen-year-old Fear learns she was a parachute baby, dumped over the edge of the Gliding Lands as an infant. Fascinated by the floating cities in the sky before, now she’s desperate for answers.

But a slave isn’t likely to get those answers.

When her abusive Downer family throws her from their hovel, Fear takes refuge with a family who shows her love for the first time. Surely they can’t be trusted. Years of abuse and molestation has taught her that.

Then her brother discovers where she’s hiding and tries to kidnap her. Fear will never let him touch her again. Her new family conceals her at the Fallen, a ranch that hides parachute babies from the Uppers who discarded them.

Just as she’s beginning to embrace yet another home, Fear’s new little sister, Happy, is kidnapped and taken to the Uppers’ temple harem. Fear must go against her namesake, find a working hoverpod, and journey to the dreaded Gliding Lands before the little girl’s innocence is ripped from her forever.

Can she save Happy in time?

And will she find answers to the burning question of why anyone would throw her away?