Cover Reveal of Fractured Glass: A Novel Anthology

I'm so excited to reveal the cover for Fractured Glass, a novel anthology. It was such an amazing experience writing a story with these incredible woman, all of whom I met for the very first time at UtopYA (even though I knew a few online previously).

Writing this book was like nothing I've ever experienced before. I'm so proud of it!

Some information...

Expected Release Date: Late December, 2014
Pre-orders: Late November, 2014
Title: Fractured Glass
Author(s): Tia Silverthorne Bach, Jo Michaels, Casey L. Bond, Kelly Risser, and N. L. Greene
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction with five sub-genres (paranormal, horror, fantasy, magic, and romance)
Length: ~100k words

About Fractured Glass

What if other worlds existed alongside your own? What if you could travel through them and truly escape reality?

Sloan and Harley Glass were born moments apart; but, despite their differences, the sixteen-year-old twins couldn’t be closer. They’ve held their tongues each and every time their mother has uprooted them—often moving across the country with little notice. They’ve learned to accept change. But what is Mom running from?

They discover they’re travelers—half-descendants of those who can traverse an entire universe of parallel worlds known as fractals. When the past catches up, Harley is kidnapped and taken to one of those distant worlds. Now, Sloan must garner her courage and find a way to rescue her sister. Traversing the worlds isn’t the hard part; it’s surviving the elements and the creatures lying in wait to destroy everything in their path.
Will the Glass sisters be able to save the fractal worlds from the kidnapper, or will everything fracture and crumble around them?

*****

Why is this novel different? Well, because it’s a novel anthology. Each of the authors endeavored to use the same characters and to guide those characters through five sub-genres of 20k words each in the same storyline. You’ve never read anything quite like it, and we do hope you enjoy the Glass sisters’ adventures.

Now we’ll get to the good stuff! First, the digital cover:

And the full wrap...

We can’t wait to release this puppy out into the world for all to read and be entertained. Thanks so much for stopping by to check out our cover. We’ll have some giveaways when the book goes live, so be looking for that post, too!

If you’d like to visit the authors, you may do so via the links below:

Tia Silverthorne Bach
Jo Michaels
Casey L. Bond
Kelly Risser
N. L. Greene

So, I'd love to know. What do you think of the cover and the idea of a novel anthology?

UtopYA Hangover

UtopYA was awesome. It was everything I hoped it would be plus so much more.

Unfortunately, ever since I came home, I've been in a funk. A UtopYA hangover, if you will.

I miss my peeps. 

Funny, a year ago, I lived near DC. It's a hot-bed for authors, but I didn't know it while I lived there. Now, I'm all the way in California (been here just over a year), and I can't find a writing community. The lovely Christina Mercer lives about an hour away--we so need to make plans--but for the most part, I feel all alone.

Before UtopYA, I lived my writer life that way. But now I know how wonderful it is to be around people who share my passion. It inspires me. Now, nothing. It's like that amazing night on the town followed by a hangover--one that lasts for months. 

I'm having a hard time motivating myself. As much as I love connecting with my writer friends on social media, it's not the same as being surrounded by them in person.

Anybody else wanting to beg the powers that be--Janet Wallace, are you listening?--to hold a get-together "fix" sometime around the holidays?

A girl can dream. Until then, June 2015 can't get here soon enough!

For anyone looking for my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) updates, I think I need to bow out this round. I'm going to be up to my eyeballs in NaNo work, and I can't seem to make my updates very interesting these days.

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Elizabeth Sharp

Sitting in an early gathering at UtopYA2014, I was still in my do-I-belong-here phase. Then, Donna (Elizabeth Sharp is her pen name) stood up and spoke of her first UtopYA conference experience the year before—how she started off shy but then became wrapped in the beauty of this community. It gave me the courage to not be afraid and put myself out there.

Please welcome the vivacious Elizabeth Sharp. Thanks for spreading such love.

ES: The world would be a better place with a little more love.  :)

Okay, I have to ask. Why did you choose a pen name?

ES: When I decided to publish, I didn't think I could sell a book that said Dull on the cover. While I was in beauty school there were a lot of "Opposite of Dull" jokes, so I decided to turn that into my pen name. I didn't like sound of "Donna Sharp" so I used my grandmother Elizabeth's name instead.

I loved Supernova (see my review here). You do an amazing job writing strong women. Where do you draw your inspiration?

ES: I am the youngest of nine kids, six of which are girls. Add to that my mother and some other role models and I have plenty of strong women to draw inspiration from.

You also do book covers through Sharp Cover Design. I love that your logo is: Sharp Designs, Dull Name. So clever! Do you have a favorite cover you’ve designed, and what do you think makes an amazing cover? 

ES: My favorite right now hasn't been revealed yet. lol. Of the ones that have, I have to say either Jordan Deen's Full Moon or Magan Vernon's My Paper Heart.

As for what makes an interesting cover, I think the biggest thing for me is good use of color and interesting artwork. A big pitfall I see a lot of authors falling into is putting too much on the cover, so it's too busy. The point of the cover is to grab I trest, not tell the story. The stuff inside does that.

I do love a simple, but eye-catching cover. Now, please tell us about your Dark Reflections series. Hidden Depths (book 2) was just released in May.

ES: I did something unique with this series. The story follows a love triangle, two girls after the same guy. Book One, Skin Deep is Bethany's story. She's a full figured girl who is bullied. Though she has strong feelings for her best friend, she's afraid to say anything because she feels unlovable. When she finds out demons are real and after her classmates' souls, she has to rise above her own issues to save everyone's souls.

In book two you meet Chelsie, the beauty queen who wishes someone would look past her pretty face to who she really is. When she meets Anderson, it's the first time she finds that, which captures her intrest. But before she can do anything about this new attraction when she finds out a demon is after her soul.

The final book (which came out September 30th) is Anderson's story, how he became The Guardian, how he deals with his mother's growing depression not tp mention having to save everyone's souls.

The most interesting thing about these books is the stories happen simultaneously,  the storylines completely interwoven. Book two starts a few days before book o e and ends maybe an hour after it.

Sounds amazing! You so inspired me at UtopYA. Would you please share your first UtopYA experience here, and explain why you keep going back?

Erin Danzer, Jennifer Laslie, Elizabeth,
Andrea Heltsley, Jordan Deen, Kristina Circelli

ES: I wanted to go to the first UtopYA,  but my son was born premature so was still on a heart monitor. So when I realized I could go to the second one, I was over the moon. When I got their, my crippling social anxiety was at an all time high. I couldn't eat all day because I felt sick, and I cried each morning on my way from feeling sp overwhelmed and helpless. Inside the event, I was incredibly quiet, withdrawn and lonely. I spoke with a few friends I knew very well, but felt like I was in their way so would quickly walk away. I sat through keynotes alone, and all the panels. As I was walking to lunch one day, telling myself the tears in my eyes were just the wind, I couldn't help but think. I didn't want to be the girl sitting by herself, and I definitely didn’t want to be going to lunch alone. Then this little voice soke up inside me, saying, “Then don’t.”

When I cam back from lunch, I made myself sit with people I didn’t know, starting conversations. And much to my surprise, they responded really well. So I talked to more people. And more. By the end of the weekend a change had started in my, one on such a large scale that I still haven’t taken it all in.

The greatest compliment I’ve been given is that I’m not the same girl who was at UtopYA before, because I really am not. And everything I have was built on what started those three hot summer days.

Just a few things that we’ve noticed since the event this year. I haven’t had a panic attack from people surrounding me since before my first trip, even though I’ve been to Sea World, Six Flags and a standing room only concert since. Just a month or two before the first event, I had a total breakdown trying to leave a musical…

I keep going back for two reasons. One is for the “booster shot” that helps maintain my forward momentum. The other is simply to give back and help others on that journey.

You certainly inspired me, and I'm grateful. Okay, I have to say... your son is beyond adorable, and I love how honest you are about your motherhood journey. How has becoming a mom inspired your writing journey?

ES: Honestly I don’t know if it’s been a help, other than making me appreciate the time I get to write. He definitely helps me see the world with new eyes though, and has brought some new experiences into my life that have enriched my writing.

Quick Questions…

Favorite Punctuation Mark: !!!!

Ocean or Mountains? Oceans

Favorite Alcoholic Beverage: Rum!

Favorite Dessert: Cheesecake

Shower or bath? Shower, unless it’s a large Jacuzzi style tub

Sweet or Sour?  Sweet

Thanks so much for hanging out on my blog. I can’t wait to see you at next year’s UtopYA!

ES:  Thanks so much for having me! I’m so ready for next year. Is it June yet?

More about the Author

Elizabeth has a near crippling Facebook addiction, dwarfed only by her need for Dr. Pepper. A self-proclaimed techno geek, she loves cell phones, computers, tablets and all things technological. The internet has to be the greatest invention since the wheel, in her opinion. She lives in a quiet subdivision with her husband, young son, three cats, and far too many electronics. It’s quite possible she has some raccoon in her DNA, because she loves glitter and anything that sparkles. She enjoys making jewelry and costumes. Halloween is her favorite holiday since it’s the one day of the year that you can be whatever you want. But her first love will always be writing. Otherwise, hearing voices in her head would make her feel schizophrenic.

Website: www.elizabethsharpbooks.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethSharpBooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SomeSharpWords

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/SharpWords

Pintrest: http://www.pinterest.com/sharpwords/

Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Bethany Lopez

I’ve known Bethany Lopez online for quite a while and couldn’t wait to meet her at UtopYA. As a bonus, I was also able to meet her lovely daughter. Both have amazing smiles and such excitement for the writing community.

So, please join me in welcoming Bethany to the blog. Without further ado…

I recently noticed on your bio that you began self-publishing in 2011. If my math is correct, you have twelve titles out. So awesome! What’s your secret to such productivity?

Bethany: In the beginning my books were much shorter! J They are still quick reads, but my Melissa series and Friends & Lovers Trilogy are all novella length books, so that probably helps.

Can you share some information about your latest, 42 Hours? It’s the third book in your Time for Love series. Will there be more?  

Bethany: Yes, book 4, 15 Minutes, is releasing on November 4, and book 5, 10 Years, is scheduled for Feb 3, 2015. It is a series, but each book focuses on a different couples romance, so they can be read as stand alones.

Some additional information:

About 42 Hours

Eight years ago, Scott and Gaby shared one very special night. Not wanting to ruin their friendship, they didn't take things further...but neither of them has forgotten.

When Scott’s friends stage an intervention to make him realize that his fiancé, Victoria, is all wrong for him, he takes time to evaluate his life. He’s earned a big promotion and just bought his dream car, but those things are just superficial. The one time he was truly happy, was with Gaby.

Gaby is in a good place in her life. She loves her job, has the best friends and family a girl could ask for, and is dating a sweet and sexy guy, but she’s never stopped thinking about that night with Scott.

Eager to find happiness again, Scott makes a plan to win Gaby’s heart during a weekend getaway, but she doesn’t want to be his rebound girl. Will 42 hours be enough to convince Gaby that it's finally their time for love?

Series Reading Order

8 Weeks

21 Days

42 Hours

15 Minutes ~ Coming Nov 4, 2014

So looking forward to diving into this series. I noticed in your bio that you love to travel. So far, what have been your top three favorite places to visit, and have you ever written a location in one of your novels?

Bethany: I would have to say Italy, Scotland, and Costa Rica are three of my favorites so far. I haven’t written any of the locations in yet. I’ve stuck to either unknown locations, or cities that I’ve lived in.

Actually, my husband and I went to Costa Rica for our 15th wedding anniversary, and it's my favorite so far. So, I'm in total agreement on that one. I also loved Italy. Guess I'll have to try Scotland now. But, back to the interview... Your daughter was so excited to be at UtopYA and was so wonderful to hang out with my daughter. Do you two share similar reading tastes? Does she get to early read your novels?

Bethany: She gets to early read my YA books, but not my romance titles. We do have some similar tastes, but she is heavy into Paranormal, while I tend to read a lot of Contemporary.

My daughter is a huge fan of Paranormal as well. UtopYA2014 was so amazing, and I can't wait for UtopYA2015. What do you think makes UtopYA so special?

Bethany Lopez: The people. Hands down. From Janet, to all of the volunteers, to the amazing authors, UtopYA is an event for people who love to read. It’s like spending a long weekend with family.

Bethany with two members of Bethany's Bombshells,
her street team: Megan & Michelle

Quick Questions…

Favorite Punctuation Mark: A tie between ! and ,

Ocean or Mountains? Ohhh, this one is really hard for me. I love them both! I’d have to say… Mountains.

Favorite Alcoholic Beverage: I like my wine red, my beer dark, and my vodka with cranberry juice!

Favorite Dessert: Crème Brule

Shower or bath? Shower

Sweet or Sour? Sweet

I hope I’ll see you at next year’s UtopYA! From your bio, I discovered you love In N Out Burgers. Guess I need to bring you one from Cali next June.

Bethany: Yes! Animal style. I miss them so much!

More about Bethany

Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She's a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers.

Connect with her on Social Media

Facebook Author Page 

Twitter

Pinterest 

Goodreads 

LinkdIn 

Tumblr 

Amazon Author Page 

Wattpad 

Google + 

YouTube

Instagram 

Newsletter 

IAN 

Storyfinds 

Blog 

Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Allyson Gottlieb

Another day and another lovely from UtopYA 2014!

I first met Allyson online, and she invited me to come and speak on a panel at her high school with several other authors. Yes, I said high school. Allyson is the girl I wanted to be when I was a teenager—she’s already published with several manuscripts in the pipeline, and she just started her freshman year of college at Emerson in August.

Then, I got to see her again at UtopYA. Yay, me! Now, please join me in welcoming Allyson Gottlieb to my blog.

So, how’s college life so far?

Allyson: It’s going great! I’m so in love with Boston, though it hasn’t started snowing yet, so I may be singing a different tune when it does, hehe. My dorm is surprisingly big and beautiful, my suitemates are super nice, classes aren’t overwhelming, and the best part of all, I’m surrounded by all kinds of amazing creative people. Such a welcome change from high school.

Yes, let's definitely chat again after the first snow; nothing beats California winters. We must get together next time you’re back here! I’m sure you get asked this all the time, but when did you know you wanted to be an author?

Allyson: Well, I was seven years old when I wrote my first story. It was a dream that I didn’t want to forget, so I asked my dad to set me up a word document so I could write it down. From there, I just kept going. So I can’t pinpoint a specific moment in time when I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life, but it’s kind of always been there, and as I got old enough to think about career choices and stuff I just gradually realized there wasn’t anything else I could see myself doing. (That’s not to say I’m planning on trying to support myself with my writing straight out of college—it’s a nice fantasy, but I know the odds of that are slim, haha.)

You never know. Never give up on the dream. You are off to an amazing start. Speaking of your writing, tell us about your Mortal Sin series. But, first, I have to share the covers... 

Allyson: The Mortal Sin saga is a serial, with approximately 20k words to an installment and designed to be released one a month. (We’ll see if I can continue churning them out at that rate, LOL!) The basic plotline is that seven young adults (ages 16-20) have been infected with demon energy representing the seven deadly sins. It deals with a lot of complex moral issues—one of the big questions the characters face is “what does it mean that this demon chose me? Am I a bad person?” And all of them approach that in very different ways. I do touch on the religion angle a bit, because you can’t really do the seven deadly sins without it, but it’s definitely not a “religious book.” And of course, there are some fun romantic subplots and complications that go along with that. 

Sounds intriguing. What’s up after the Mortal Sin saga?

Allyson: It’s interesting that you ask, because I have a couple of different things I’m working on right now and I’m still not sure what’s coming out first. There’s the first book of my NA dystopian series, which I’ve been tinkering with for several months now and had planned to release in the spring of 2015. But I recently bought a cover from a flash sale—because I just couldn’t resist—for an NA paranormal romance that’s been kicking around in my head for a bit, so you may see that from me before anything else. (NOTE: I write “clean NA”, aka no explicit sexy-times. My characters do occasionally steam up some windows, but they get to have a bit of privacy if and when they do the deed.) No matter what, I plan to have a couple different things out in paperback before UtopYA 2015. The Mortal Sin saga also has a spin-off full-length novel (I can’t say anything more until the serial is complete, because spoilers), so that will be written at some point, though the way things are going, it likely won’t be ready for a while.

Finally, what was your favorite part of UtopYA2014?

Kassandra Kush, Jesse Daniels
& Allyson

Allyson: God, this is such an impossible question! I loved everything—meeting the incredible people I’d talked to online for so long (including my author BFF Kassandra Kush, who I’d never met in person until that weekend), forging new and amazing connections, collecting awesome swag, learning so much from the panels, drooling over cover models, getting a pep talk from the fantabulous Janet Wallace...

For a girl who spent most of high school feeling like an outsider, UtopYA was everything I could’ve possibly hoped for and more. It was finding that community I’d always wanted, that group of people who believed in me. It was exactly what I needed to remind me that my dreams are worthwhile.

Quick Questions…

Favorite Punctuation Mark: Semicolon

Ocean or Mountains? Ocean

Favorite Dessert: Cheesecake

Shower or bath?  Long, hot shower

Sweet or Sour? Sweet

I hope I’ll see you at next year’s UtopYA and the next time you are in Cali.

Allyson: Absolutely! I’ll be home for a month around Christmas, we should definitely get coffee or something. I miss all my UtopYA Lovelies. J

More about Allyson

Growing up, Allyson was always the girl with a big imagination and even bigger dreams. A California girl by birth, she currently lives in Boston while attending Emerson College. She has a slight addiction to Starbucks, eyeliner, and chocolate—and, of course, books.

Website: http://www.allysongottlieb.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllysonGottliebAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GottliebAllyson

Tumblr: http://allysongottlieb.tumblr.com

Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

When Not to Force the Muse: ROW80

Thanks to some GI issues lately, I will have a colonoscopy tomorrow. Fun stuff for a blog post, right?

Today is prep day. Thanks to weeks of GI upset, I've been relegated to pretty much eating chicken broth, grits, rice, and other bland foods. It's making for quite a cranky girl.

Guess what I've discovered during this process? I don't function well on an empty or hurting stomach. I'm hoping whatever they find will set me on a better path.

For now, I'm writing and keeping up with my one-hour-a-day rule. Yesterday, I scrapped everything I'd written the day before (the food fog took over from the Muse and left me with unusable material). Today, I'm not even going to attempt to write. Maybe not even tomorrow, depending on how I feel after. I need a fresh brain and calm stomach.

Do you ever feel like you force the writing, ending up with words you simply delete? 

Sometimes, I think I should walk away from the computer and admit it's not a writing day rather than force it. But, then I wonder if it's better to write anything to keep up the habit. In Stephen King's On Writing, he said he writes every day, come Hell or high water. Hmmmm.

I've been kicking butt on editing and knocking out other action list items. So, it's been a productive week so far. My goal is to still finish Chasing Forgiveness by 10/31 and to participate in NaNoWriMo to get book three written. So that's my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update for mid-week.

*****

For fun, I have to share a picture of my oldest daughter from this weekend. It's from her freshman Homecoming dance. She's growing up too fast. *sniff, sniff*

Meet Some #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial): Jacinda Buchmann

In addition to meeting people I’ve known for a while online, I also met some new lovelies at UtopYA. That’s part of the beauty; knowing we all share a love of YA & NA. Jacinda Buchmann was in a booth directly across from mine at the event. 

During a quiet moment, we started chatting about our books and life. It was so much fun! 

Jacinda, thanks so much for hanging out with me today.

Jacinda:  Thank you for inviting me! This was my first year attending UtopYA and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was looking forward to chatting with fans about my books and meeting one of my good friends in person,  Author Natasha Hanova, because we had only chatted online. We lucked out and ended up having tables next to each other, so that made it even better. But then I ended up making so many other friends, including you, so now I'm even more excited to attend UtopYA next year. Not only will I have a new book to share, I also have so many new friends that I can't wait to see again :-)

It was my first as well! Next year is going to rock! 
When did you first know you wanted to write a novel?

J:  When I was in second grade! No kidding, LOL :-) I knew I wanted to be an author since I could write. My poor teachers in school...any time they'd assign a "short" story to write, I would write a "short novel", ha ha! Looking back, I sometimes wish that I made majored in English or something "author" related when I went to college, but at the time I was too practical and followed a career path where I knew I would have a guaranteed job and paycheck. It wasn't a huge paycheck - I became a teacher, lol - but it was a job I thought I would enjoy. And I did enjoy it for a time, but my desire to be an author was too strong, and I finally reached a point in my life where I could follow my dream and write full-time, and since I've been writing full-time I've never been happier!

What a gift to know; that's how I felt about writing. Your Indigo series features twin brothers as the main characters. I think it’s admirable to write from an opposite sex perspective. Were you worried? What research did you do—or what personal experience do you have—to make sure you captured the male teenage voice?

J:  I was an eighth grade English teacher for two years and later I became a middle school counselor, so I've spent a lot of time working with teenage boys and discovering how they "think", lol :-) Besides my personal experience though, when I get a character in my head, I tend to "hear" them, so regardless of whether I'm writing from the viewpoint of a sixteen-year-old boy, a seventeen-year-old girl, or a nine-year-old autistic boy (a character that can also be found in the trilogy), when I write I close my eyes, picture myself in their head, and then simply write what they think and say :-)

I can’t wait to read the first two books—they sound amazing! When can we expect Book 3? Can you share anything about it yet?

J:  I am currently working on Book 3: Indigo Infinity, the final installment in the trilogy. I haven't announced the official release date yet - though I will soon. I can say that it will be out in time for Christmas :-) During the first two books, Indigo Incite and Indigo Instinct, the characters are on the run from a secret government agency that wants to exploit them for their supernatural powers. Throughout the first two stories, there has been a lot of foreshadowing of events to come. In book three, the characters decide they've had enough once and for all as all of the clues begin to fall into place.  Throughout the trilogy, some relationships have slowly developed while some hearts have been broken, but in the final installment, we will see how they are ready to take control of their futures and decide on their own destinies.

I met so many wonderful people like you at UtopYA. What do you think makes this conference so special?

J:  UtopYA stands out from other conferences I've been to because the authors and readers are given opportunities to mingle throughout the weekend. Instead of just sitting behind my "author table" for hours on end and then packing it all up at the end of the day, I was able to mix with authors, bloggers, and readers. At the end of the weekend, I walked away with so many unexpected new friendships :-)

Quick Questions…

Favorite Punctuation Mark: Ha!! I don't know about favorite punctuation marks, but I love using italics. Some of the characters in the Indigo Trilogy speak to each other telepathically, and these conversations are conveyed through italics - so much fun!

Ocean or Mountains? That's a tough one. I lived in Seattle til I was 13 so I grew up near the ocean, but then I moved to Montana! I love both, but I think the mountains speak to me a little more :-)

Favorite Alcoholic Beverage:  Moscato - I love a sweet wine.

Favorite Dessert:  I LOVE dessert!! Either a warm brownie topped with vanilla ice cream or strawberry rhubarb crisp topped with vanilla ice cream :-)

Shower or bath? Bath?? You mean TIME to relax away from kids?? I think I remember what those were like ;-) These days it's a shower - as fast as possible. Someday though...someday many years from now, a bath would be fantastic :-)

Sweet or Sour? Sweet for sure! I don't like sour...at all. 

I love Moscato and adore all things sweet! I hope I’ll see you at UtopYA2015, so we can hang out more! 

J: Yes! I will definitely be at UtopYA 2015. I have my table reserved, and I'm counting down the days...well, eventually I will be. First, I get to go to Phoenix ARC in October, Tucson ComicCon in November, The Novel Experience in Las Vegas in April, Signatures in Salt Lake in May, and then....YES! UtopYA in June! I can't wait! See you there :-) 

More about Jacinda...

Jacinda Buchmann lives in Arizona with her husband and three children. She graduated from Carroll College, in Helena, Montana, with a B.A. in elementary education and later received a Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University, in school counseling. After spending several years as a teacher and later a school counselor, she now spends her time writing, any free chance she can get, that is, when she’s not spending time with her family or creating a new concoction in the kitchen.

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Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.

Editing Out Loud: ROW80

Last Thursday and Friday, I spoke to five high school classes--two freshmen Honors English classes and three senior English classes--about Self-Editing and the importance of writing.

Source

First, I told them no matter what career path they are considering... writing and effective communication skills are an absolute must. I discussed my own split-personality. As a finance major who took every elective in English and wrote for my college newspaper, I was hired at financial companies based on my technical background and writing skills. 

Then, I showcased self-editing tricks, most of which I covered here.

The best exercise was when I had them read the following out loud...

I sat down and rapped the guilt around me. 

“If you think that small quilt will make you warm you will loose your mind,” his mother sad. She went over to adjust thermometer. 

Read it in your head first. It's amazing what the brain fixes.  

Now, read it out loud. The kids were amazed how much better they picked up on the mistakes. Then, I drove the point home... spell checker wouldn't have found any of them. 

How many mistakes do you see? Hint: There are 5 incorrectly used words, one missing punctuation mark, and one word omission.

Sundays are for my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) updates. 

I made quite a list for myself this round, which only began on a few days ago. My main goal was to spend an hour a day writing. I can proudly say I've done this since posting my goal post. Granted, it was spent on writing some blog posts and finishing up my speech, but it definitely re-engaged my writing brain.

Plus, I'm working on a big, last edit. Overall, I feel like it's a good start to the last round of 2014.