Welcome to 2016!

It's a new year, and that means a whole new set of "resolutions." I say it like that because I make writing goals every year, so it doesn't fit the standard model of what you might think of when someone says resolutions.

Because of my head injury last August, and the resulting recovery, I thought I'd go easy on myself for 2016. The first thing I did, with the help of my youngest daughter, was take my favorite story ideas--that I hadn't started writing yet, that was key--put them up on the dart board and whatever the dart hit was the story I'd write.

The idea stemmed from a Facebook meme, of all things, that referred to today, the first day of a new year, as the first page of your book. I thought it would be fun to write a page a day of one story, not including Sundays--because I don't write on Sundays. Including the leap day, that's 314 pages--which is a pretty respectable size book!

But one page a day is hardly any effort, and even with my head injury I figure I can do more than that. I wrote down a list of all the stories that I've started but haven't finished, figuring that by working on those stories I could feel I've accomplished something each day--except it's a sizable list. There are currently TEN books/stories I've started but haven't finished. That's a workload that doesn't exactly fall in line with the idea of going easy on myself--on my brain, which is really what I'm trying to do. Work but not overtax myself. Remind my brain that writing is something we do.

I've written in some cushions for these goals--ways to keep from overdoing it this year--because, let's face it, brain health is important. I have to strike a balance between working too hard and not working enough. I also have to give myself some leeway for bad days, days that writing even one page is too much for me.

This is that balance: While I have a lot of lofty writing goals, I have NO (zero, none) publishing goals for 2016. I mean it. If I do get around to publishing something this year it will be because the story is absolutely ready, and my only other option with it is to shelve it until 2017. Remember that at the end of 2014 and throughout 2015 I had rather lofty publishing goals--and I met every single one of them, in spite of my head injury. (of course, most of them were met before I got hurt...)

So, I plan to publish nothing in 2016. I'm going to write--which is the fun part of my job as an author--and work on the existing stories I have. Sure, I hope to have stories ready to publish in 2017, but I'm not putting a number on that. I'm not putting a deadline on it. Part of my reasoning is, as I've mentioned, to give my brain time to heal properly, but the rest of it is to help rediscover the fun of writing. This year I'm going to swashbuckle with some pirates, write a tragedy, solve a mystery in Paris, go back to Fayterra, go underground with a princess, explore the angst of a vampire with a penchant for citrus fruit, and shoot across the stars with a changeling who thinks high school on Earth will be a cinch.

Now, doesn't that sound like fun? :)

If a Tree Falls in the Forest and No One is There

You know the question. I have the answer. But rather than giving you the answer, I'm going to let you figure it out yourself.

Take this scenario: Let's say all the books on, oh, I dunno, Amazon, for instance, are the forest. And The Tyrant King is the falling tree.

Figured it out yet? I think you have.

Here's my second question: How does an author increase book sales if NO ONE KNOWS SHE WROTE A BOOK?

Exactly.

Now, I'm not trying to sound ungrateful. I know you know I wrote and published a book. And I love you. And we do have a blog tour semi-scheduled when my sis in law gets her book launched. But, in the mean time, I need to feel some love. And I want to dish some out in return.

That's why, right here and now, I'm announcing my "Spread the Word" Holiday Book Contest!

And you're eligible. So are ALL your friends!

All contest entries are going to be focused on getting the word out that The Tyrant King is published, out there, and ready for readers. Facebook posts, blog posts, Twitter, heck if you can Pin it then you can get credit for it!

The winner of my contest will make out like a bandit. Not only will they win a set of my three published novels, but they will also win a copy of Sing We Now of Christmas: An Advent Anthology--and copies to give as gifts to TWO of their friends! Not only that, but I'm throwing in a lush fleece throw and a $25 Amazon gift card to help them with their Christmas shopping (or buy something for themselves, I don't judge ;)).

Sound good? Because the second prize is a $15 gift card and a fuzzy red throw to cozy up with while they read their own copy of The Tyrant King.

So even if you have the book already, or my other books, you can still enter the contest and if you win then you have gifts to give. Lots of them!

Check back next week for the official opening of the contest. It will run Tues November 13th through Mon November 19th, with the winner announced on Tuesday November 20th.

Good luck!

Indie Author

Now that I've published a whopping 2 books independently, I wanted to share my feelings on the subject. The thing is--someone has done that for me. :)

I like being an Indie Author. That's not to say I'd never sign another book contract, but I like the control afforded me as an independent. Knowing what I know now, it would take a significant draw on the part of the publisher to entice me to give up some measures of that control. Because right now--for better or worse--I decided how the cover looks. I decide what editing points to accept/reject. I say what the interior looks like. I'm working with amazing people on each of these segments, and together we bring together an amazing product.

And I LIKE that.

So here you go, my friend KAREN E. HOOVER's poem about being an Indie Author. She says it best.

"I am an Indie Author"

Not because I have to be,
And Not because I’m not good enough,
But because I choose my own way.
Just as Indie Music smashed the mold
And sang its unique song to a hungry world,
I write my own words
And hold them high against bestsellers
And traditional publishers.
I am not just good enough, I am great!
I beat and smash and build my work
Until it shines like the art it is.
The greatest joy comes from the word itself,
Because I am an Indie Author.

My review: Bound by C.K. Bryant

About the book:  When a photo shoot ends in tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia, has been keeping a secret. Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira's life forever and thrust her into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. What happens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself and the shape-shifting warrior she's falling in love with. No longer the timid mouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental and physical strength to endure and survive. BOUND is a heroic tale of true friendship, infinite sacrifice and untamed love.

I bought this book at a writer retreat from the author (because I hang with the cool kids, ya ;)) at the same time I purchased another book. One I read in a day or two. The other I waited on. And waited. And waited. Somehow I knew, just by looking at it, reading the back, holding it in my hands, it would be the kind of book that would change me forever. That it would be awesome covered in amazing-sauce. I ended up loving both books, but in different ways. The second book? The one I waited to read because it intimidated the crap out of me? That was BOUND.

C.K. Bryant is my friend. I've gotten to know her online persona pretty well, and I just love her. She's all worlds of amazing. But, you probably know how it is when you buy a book from a friend. You want to love it, for them. And I'm not going to deny that, on some level, my affection for Chris has colored my love of her writing. BOUND was the first thing she'd written that I ever read.

And I loved it. The story hooked me, I cared about the characters, I NEEDED to know what happened next, and the set up for the second book left me crying for more.

Now, with the sequel, BROKEN, just around the corner, I felt it was time to share my feelings about BOUND with you. I encourage you to pick up a copy for yourself before BROKEN is released. Click HERE for the paperback version, or HERE if you want the ebook version FREE. You won't regret it.