Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Bye-bye Remember Newvember...

On August 1st, 2015, Remember Newvember will be unpublished. I still love the story and the characters, but with the new version being released in September, I thought it best to retire the original.



I could have updated the existing version with the new one, but I didn't want anyone to lose the original when they synced their devices. By releasing Newvember as an entirely new novel, readers who have the first edition won't lose the cover art or original text.

The paperback will also no longer be available, but I might be persuaded to do a small print run of the new version.

With the extended scenes, deleted repetition, and added details, the new version deserves its own publication. I can't wait to share it with everyone!

In the meantime, anyone wanting a glimpse of the new version can make a free account on Wattpad and read it. Don't forget to follow me, leave comments, and send lots of encouragement. As each revised chapter is posted, you'll be notified.






Friday, July 24, 2015

How to be a great writer!

Below are ten, surefire ways to boost your creativity, confidence, and skill as a writer:

  1. Write the stories you want to read. Chances are, if you want to read them, someone else does, too.
  2. Ignore all the "rules" and make your own. And after you've made your own, break those ones, too.
  3. Be your number one fan. Love your work, rejoice in your creation, and be proud of your accomplishments no matter where they take you.
  4. Refuel your creative juices. Watch movies, read books, colour, create art, go to the gym... whatever it takes to keep your mojo running at top speed. 
  5. Let yourself daydream... or nightdream... or take a nap. It's no mystery that plot holes and character revelations happen in the few second before sleep starts. Embrace the power nap! 
  6. Dance in the rain. If dancing isn't your thing, go for a run, jump in some puddles, let your inner child shine through, s/he probably has a lot to say.   
  7. Eat chocolate. I'm not joking. The brain needs sugar to function at full capacity. A writer's brain needs triple what the average person needs. 
  8. Stop posting cat pictures. Get a dog instead. They're less distracting, but loyal companions (and they love walks in the rain, naps, and showering you with love). 
  9. Read. Or don't read. Honestly, it's your choice, as is what you choose to read. 
  10. Buy my books! Sorry - that wasn't supposed to be there, but I didn't have a #10, and I needed to put something, otherwise a list of nine feels incomplete. 
And that's it. Easy. Foolproof. And fun. 


Feel free to add to the list in the comments... 

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The magic of eBooks...

Sometimes, I wish for do-overs. We all do. For the most part, they only exist in mini-putt games, failed baking attempts, and botched craft projects. 

They also exist for eBooks. 

As I've been writing "Sunny with a Twist of Olive", the characters from "Remember Newvember" keep making cameo appearances. This isn't a surprise; I expected they would. Each time I flip through the manuscript I wrote six years ago, my inner editor cringes a bit, sighs, finds the reference I need, and moves on, vowing to take time to refresh my first novel. 



While the story is solid, and the characters are engaging, much of the book is repetitive. From the first page, we know Willow is embarking on 30 days of new events... and the reader is reminded of this monumental task in every single chapter. Some chapters need more meat and potatoes, others need to be scaled back to remove redundant speeches or descriptions, and most need to be updated so the book remains relevant. 

This is, and always has been, my best-selling book. It's a light-hearted, quick read that appeals to both men and women. I don't want to change the story, but I know I can do better. It deserves better. 

You can expect an updated version of "Remember Newvember" to be available September 1st. It will have a new cover, the prose inside will be updated, and the title might be different... but essentially, it will still be the same book. This make-over is intended to hide its flaws and highlight its original beauty.