A Woman Loves: ROW80

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I read a lot of genres and enjoy different types of characters, although I admit I'm drawn to the female voice and its complexity. 

When I read a female character, I sometimes get agitated. Why did she make that decision? Why does she ignore every warning sign? But then I remember how complicated our minds work (having three daughters, I get reminded of this fact many times a day).

At the end of the day, I need to feel passionate about characters. Sometimes that means I want to wring their neck. Actually, I best remember the characters that challenge the way I think. Who make choices I wouldn't necessarily make. 

Women see life through a complicated lens. Consider the following lyrics:

A woman loves beyond her questions

And dreams beyond her doubts

Her heart will lead and she will follow

Even when there's no way out

Her eyes refuse to see the danger

As she walks right through the fire

A man may give himself to passion and desire 

But a woman loves

(from Steve Wariner's A Woman Loves)

What do you think of the lyrics above? Does it give women too much credit or not enough?

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A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

Cover & synopsis. Done and done. If you don't know who Jo Michaels is, you should check her out on her blog and at Indie Books Gone Wild. Mastermind, she is. 

I have a favor to ask: Can you help with my cover reveal? I would be so grateful. If you can post anytime 4/1-5, please sign up here. 

Also, if you would be willing to read an ARC eCopy of Chasing Shadows (hopefully to you in the next two weeks) in exchange for an honest review posted around release time, please fill out my form here. The first ten who leave a review will get a signed paperback copy when it releases.

Thanks! I'm so excited to see Chasing Shadows released! 

Attempting a Writing Irish Proverb: ROW80

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

For my writer friends, my poor attempt at a similarly-themed writing proverb

Always remember to forget
The days when words pass you by.
But never forget to remember
Times when words from your heart fly.

(That's the best my poetry gets on a Monday!)

Today on Facebook, you can join the event for Cassy Roop and Casey Bond's Release Day Extravaganza from 10am-11pm EDT here. There will be many amazing prizes and some great fun.

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Mondays are also my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) check-in days.

Synopsis. Almost check. One more round of running it by my fave writing buddy should do the trick.

Cover for Chasing Shadows. Almost check. Waiting on above.

Request ARC reviewers. Why do I find asking for favors so hard? 

Off to get some stuff done. Wishing everyone a week of productivity!

Luck of the Irish: Indie-rific Giveaway

Happy Saturday. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend, and I wanted to share an amazing Facebook event happening on Monday--St. Patrick's Day.

Join the Facebook event for Cassy Roop and Casey Bond's Release Day Extravaganza on Monday, March 17th (10am-11pm EDT) here. There will be many amazing prizes and some great fun.

Enjoy!

Life in the Shadows: ROW80

I wear a cloak of invisibility, in part thanks to fate but also because of my personality (and insecurity). I don't like to be the center of attention. Growing up, I was always the new kid. The last thing I wanted was to publicize it. So I found ways to roam around the edges of social situations. I still do. I'm good at it.

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In school, I was the kid who avoided public speaking at all costs. Still do if possible. Even when I knew the answer in class, I raised my hand halfway. I wanted the teacher to see I tried (and had the answer), but I didn't want to be called on. 

The other benefit to life in the shadows: it made the inevitable leaving easier.

Unfortunately, these are not great qualities for marketing. 

At first, I liked Facebook and Twitter.  There I could be social without coming into the light fully. But it is also an easy place to lurk. I love to support other authors, but I find it incredibly difficult to ask for help in return. I hate promoting myself. I'm always worried people will either get annoyed or, just as bad, find me uninteresting.

I'm edging into the light, pushing back the cloak carefully. It's unsettling, but I need to find a balance. I've worked too hard on these books!

Funny, the title of my newest book feels very revealing lately. I'm chasing shadows.

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A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

My five senses are engaged and edits are underway for Chasing Shadows. Edits energize me. I saw this quote on Facebook...

"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story." Terry Pratchett

So true! Editing takes my story to another level, and I'm so grateful for my editor. Love ya, Jo!

Falling into Autumn by Heather Topham Wood Cover Reveal & Giveaway Plus ROW80 Update

Happy Monday! Today I'm sharing Heather Topham Wood's upcoming release, Falling for Autumn, and revealing the cover.

About Falling for Autumn

Autumn Dorey had no problem leaving her hometown of Newpine and the friends there who’d betrayed her. Everyone thought they knew what happened the spring night Autumn’s world fell apart. Vicious rumors about the incident circulated, and she had to be homeschooled the last year of high school to escape her tormentors. All she wants now is to get away from it all and start over at Cook University. She leaves everything but the memory behind—something she swore she’d never forget—and sets off to rebuild what was broken.

Blake Preston is precisely the type of guy Autumn wants to avoid. He’s gorgeous, arrogant and the college’s beloved football star. As much as she believes he’s someone she should steer clear of, avoiding him proves to be impossible. He shows up everywhere around campus, offering her a no-strings attached friendship.

Autumn can’t deny Blake stirs up emotions she thought fled years ago. But things he’s been hiding begin to emerge and collide with her past, leaving her heart ravaged in their wake.

Publication Date: April 15, 2014

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About Heather Topham Wood

Heather Topham Wood’s obsession with novels began in childhood while growing up in a shore town in New Jersey. Writing since her teens, she recently returned to penning novels after a successful career as a freelance writer. She’s the author of the paranormal romance Second Sight series and the New Adult standalone novels The Disappearing Girl and Falling For Autumn.

Heather graduated from the College of New Jersey in 2005 and holds a bachelor's degree in English. Her freelance work has appeared in publications such as USA Today, Livestrong.com, Outlook by the Bay and Step in Style magazine. She resides in Trenton, New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Besides writing, Heather is a pop culture fanatic and has an obsession with supernatural novels and TV shows.

I've had the pleasure of reading two of Heather's books. Please check out my reviews of her novels: Review of The Disappearing Girl and Review of The Memory Witch.

Giveaway

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Mondays are my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update days. Technically, it's on Sundays, but weekends are simply too crazy. Oh, and check out the new look on the ROW80 blog. I'm loving it.

Last week, I picked the cover for Chasing Shadows. *squeals* Once the synopsis is wrapped up, I'll organize a cover reveal. I also have the second round edits to polish this week, and a promised beta read.

What are your goals this week?

Small Victories: #IWSG & ROW80

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (or IWSG) is a wonderful group put together by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh (which now has an equally cool Facebook group). 

The first Wednesday of each month is the perfect opportunity to share my insecurities on the #IWSG therapy couch, get encouragement and support about such insecurities, and to read how other writers are faring. 

As an indie author, sometimes I have to find motivation in small victories. There are days I wonder what the heck I'm doing. I love to write, but I'm not a natural salesperson. And it takes a marketing mind to rise above the other indie books out there.

I am fortunate to have met some amazing people in my journey, and I've learned so much. Still, I need some small moments to keep my spirits up.

Late last week I was checking Chasing Memories on GoodReads and noticed I had a new 5-star review. That's usually enough to sustain me for quite a while. While I was there, I noticed my book was on two lists. On one, it was 80 out of 94. But on the other--Little Known Fantasy Books--it was 6 out of 95.

At first, I wasn't sure if "little known" was a good thing. Then I read further: A combination of little known fantasy books that should be more read. 

Happy dance.

Wishing everyone a small victory to aid them on their writing journey.

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A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

Wednesdays are also my ROW80 check-in days. 

I am working on Chasing Shadows edits, round two. It's getting so close! Plus, I'm working on Chasing Forgiveness which will be my first novella. Thanks to my small victory last week and new edits to work on, I feel super motivated to write. Gotta enjoy the feeling while it's strong. 

Characters in the Driver's Seat: ROW80

Writing can be a very lonely experience. Combine that with moving every 2-3 years, and it becomes even lonelier. 

I wish I was a loner. It would make it so much easier. But I'm not. I like people. Actually, I'm quite fascinated by people--especially their choices. This drives my husband crazy, but I think it's what makes me love writing and reading characters so much. 

Excellent books are defined by outstanding characters. Granted, without excellent story, there would be nothing for them to do. However, a great story with boring characters goes nowhere fast.

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When I write, the characters are in the driver's seat. I've tried to outline, but my characters don't work that way. Instead, I start thinking about one of them and then go with what they have to say. 

While writing Chasing Shadows, two peripheral characters screamed for more attention. Madeleine and Amelie will now have their own story in Chasing Forgiveness, Tala Prophecy #2.5. 

Madeleine and Amelie are sisters who fell in love with the same man. Unfortunately, he's a demon-werewolf hybrid and his only interest is to build his army. One sister makes the courageous decision to leave, but it comes with a devastating loss. The other becomes her lover's queen, but she has her own price to pay.

I didn't meet them until my main character, Reagan, had a run in with Madeleine. Then, Madeleine wanted me to meet her sister. And so on.

I've never had supporting characters hijack my mind like these two did, so I'm excited to get their story out there. Plus, they keep me company.

Don't you love it when characters do that?

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Mondays are my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) check-ins. Well, technically it's supposed to be on Sunday, but my weekends get crazy. 

My goal is to have Chasing Forgiveness finished by the end of the month and out before I go to UTopYA in June. Hopefully by May. I plan to make some #ROW80 sprints (11am PST) this week to get my butt writing. 

Second round edits on Chasing Shadows will be in my hands any day now. I'm so excited to get this book out. Reagan is one of my favorite characters, and she grows so much in Chasing Shadows.

Oh, and please hop over to my Mom in Love with Fiction blog today. I'm featuring fellow-ROW80 buddy, Juliana Haygert, and her newest release, Playing Pretend.