The Top 3 Differences Between Writing Spark and Flare (Flare Blog Tour)

We are so excited to welcome special guest (and Lands Uncharted alumna!) J.M. Hackman to the blog today as part of her Flare blog tour! Flare, the second book in Jill's Firebrand Chronicles, just released on February 26th. We'll share more about it below, but first Jill is going to tell us about the top three differences between writing Spark (The Firebrand Chronicles, Book One) and Flare. Enjoy!

Writing is a tough job, but there are certain instances where the job is more difficult than expected. The differences I encountered with Spark’s sequel were surprising, especially since I knew Flare’s plot. After all, that’s all a writer really needs to know, right? Um, maybe not.

1.) Time: I wrote Spark in six leisurely years—although I’m a turtle writer, I indulged in lots of world building, played with point of view, and changed the major story arc. If I didn’t feel like writing, I didn’t. But with Flare, I felt the urge to finish...yesterday.

2.) Continuity: Spark was finished and into the wild. Flare was in process, and book three (now titled Burn) was a twinkling gem of unexplored opportunity. I needed to link Spark’s storyline to that sparkling possibility with an amazing story. And I wanted it done seamlessly. Instead, it was kind of like herding cats, as I checked and rechecked details on characters’ backstories, timelines, and the culture of my world.

3.) Expectations: My publisher didn’t ask me to complete Flare in a certain time frame; I did that to myself, although I knew sooner was better. Plus, I feared disappointing my readers with a lackluster sophomore effort. So some of my writing time was tainted with self-doubt. I finally locked away the critic and focused on just telling the story. I hope you enjoy the final product!

I'm sure we will, thank you so much for sharing with us today, Jill! In case you missed Spark, here's the back cover blurb (and gorgeous cover!!):

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?

And HERE are the amazing cover and back cover blurb for Jill's newest release, 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?

You can find purchase links for Spark here and Flare here. Now a little more about the lovely author herself:

J. M. Hackman loves thunderstorms, bookstores, and happy endings. She’s never met a reading nook she didn’t like and prefers soul talk to small talk. When she’s not writing, she spends time with her two munchkins and her handsome husband who supports her in this crazy profession. Her days are filled with writing stories, consuming massive quantities of dark chocolate, and looking for portals to other worlds.

You can connect with Jill on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon. Thanks again for stopping by today, Jill, and congratulations on your new release!

Make sure to catch the other stops on the Flare Blog Tour! Here's a list of all the posts:

• Monday, Feb. 25th, Review of Flare, Rachel R. Lopez, www.rachelrlopez.com
• Tuesday, Feb. 26th, Release-Day Feature, J.M Hackman, www.jmhackman.com
• Wednesday, Feb. 27th, Visual Post, Jannette Fuller, www.jannetterfuller.wixsite.com/healthyhousewife
• Thursday, Feb. 28th, Release-Party Feature, Michele Israel Harper, www.MicheleIsraelHarper.com
• Friday, March 1st, Interview with Author J.M. Hackman, Tressa Sherman, www.wishfulendings.com
• Saturday, March 2nd, Top 3 Post, Laurie Lucking, www.landsuncharted.com
• Sunday, March 3rd, Visual Post, Laura A. Grace, www.unicornquester.com
• Monday, March 4th, Guest Post, Laura L. Zimmerman, www.lauralzimmerman.com
• Tuesday, March 5th, Behind-the-Scenes Feature, Pam Halter, www.PamHalter.com
• Wednesday, March 6th, Review of Flare, K.A. Cummins, www.authorkacummins.com

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?

Personal Notes: Up in Flames (KaLyn)

She labored over every detail: events, deadlines, travel dates, projects, and responsibilities. She examined and organized each one before setting her goals and plotting a course. However, as she neared what should be the end of the dusty trail, she found herself lost in the woods.

Dusk signaled her to stop and make camp.

Later that evening, as she stared into the chanting flames of the campfire, a squirrel investigated the remains of her provisions. After digging for a few moments, the squirrel looked up at her. "Not even a tiny morsel among all this rubbish?"

"Sorry. There wasn't much left."

She picked up the pile of papers and notebooks beside her and tossed them into the fire. It sparked and flared. Pop, pop. Crack. A cloud of carbon and soot rose into the air, carrying the acrid scent of burnt sweat. "Do you smell that?" She asked.

The squirrel wrinkled his nose. "It's awful. What is it?"

"It's my plans going up in smoke."

***

Story of my life.

I’m betting, to some degree, yours too. That’s just how things go. We make plans. Something happens. Then, we’re forced to change those plans.

April and May were going to be drafting months. Then, needs changed and schedules changed. So, I reprioritized projects and shifted focus from drafting to editing.

But, hey, what’s life without a little flare? God’s plans are greater than our own, and some of the best things result in altered plans.

As a result of those changes, I'm focused on preparing my middle-grade science fiction story for the long road of querying. I'm excited. The greatest blessings are often unplanned.

My husband is one of those unplanned blessings. I could have never imagined someone as wonderful as him, so there’s no way I could have planned for him or our crazy life together. And he has been my biggest supporter through everything.

What unexpected treasures have entered your life and changed your plans?