Sept. 20 Update

Up to chapter 17! My poor arthritic hands. But, I'm getting there. If I can do 3 chapters before my physical therapy tomorrow, I'll be in the home stretch. Did a rough formatting and at chapter 16 I'm around 115 pages for a 6x9 book. 23 chapters total so this one will be a little longer than book 1. That's okay. There's more to this story. Character development, big bad guy, intro to a few side characters that will appear further down the series. I'm also slowly printing this draft off so I can go at it yet again with the red pen. If I can get another round of Beta Readers for this draft, I can send draft 4 to the editor for the major fixes.

Won't be home after PT tomorrow so I'm bringing my notes for book 3 and beyond to maybe play with and brainstorm. If I get enough ideas set up that I can just write, I'll maybe start the planning stages of a bind-up edition. Either 3 or 5 stories, haven't decided which. May depend on length. I may go through Book Baby for that one so I can get a hard cover and wider distribution. I'll stick with CreateSpace for the novella sizes.

These are all just rough ideas. Gonna read for a bit then need sleep.
Good night all!

The Math Teacher From Hell- "New Witch on Campus" 3rd draft excerpt

I haven't posted any excerpts in a while and I just added this scene to my story. This is Dr. Benedict. He is Tara's math professor and he's terrible. This won't be touched upon much in this story but, down the line, I'm planning on making it a plot point. Let me know what you think.

 

They walked into the classroom and took a seat. Before they could say anything more, the instructor walked into the room.

Dr. Benedict was a tall, lanky man with a nasally, but monotone voice. Not the kind of tone you need to keep a student’s interest in math at 8:00 in the morning. But, he seemed either not to notice or not to care that half the class was beginning to doze before he finished his introduction to the syllabus. Tara and Michael managed to stay awake by slipping notes to each other. And, their shock at the start of his lecture.

“This is Math 90,” he began. “Beginning Algebra. Or, more accurately, a refresher course of what you were too stupid to pay attention to in high school.” A few heads jerked up at this and students whispered to each other until Dr. Benedict took a ruler and smacked the podium with it, shocking the class back into silence. “I don’t dick around. I don’t tolerate talking. If you can’t keep up, there’s the tutoring center or you may as well leave now and drop the class. I move fast. You have 16 weeks to learn this shit and move on to the next level of actual college level math. If you’re not on time, you fail the day. I lock the door when I enter. You miss the lecture, tough shit. Everything’s laid out on the syllabus what we’re covering each day. You’ll just have to figure it out yourself if you expect to pass my class. Your cell phones will be silenced or turned off. If I see it out, you will be asked to leave and you’ll not be marked for a whole week. You’re that stupid and need a calculator, go buy one. Don’t use your phone. I’ll just assume you’re texting or on Facebook. Now, open your packets to page 1 and we’ll go over my rules and the curriculum for this semester.”

September 10 Update

I’m so behind! *sob* If I wasn’t in pain all the time, I’d have book 2 edited, retyped, and sent off to the editor and book 3 at least mostly outlined and maybe partly written. But, nope. Pain and exhaustion was making it next to impossible to keep up with my writing. My alarm goes off at 5 a.m. and I glare at it for about 3 minutes before shutting it off and going back to bed for a few more hours and I’m still exhausted.

But, I have to get going on this. So, I’m laying out my goals to the end of the month. Starting today, I’m just diving into writing the third book. I’ll just word vomit and then worry about editing it later. It’s how I wrote a majority of book 1 anyway so it does, sometimes, work. I’ve tried to plan it out a few times but every time I’ve made the storyline insanely and unnecessarily complicated and that makes the writing part really hard because I look at my notes and think “What the hell kind of drugs am I on?”

So, this week, since I don’t have that many day job hours, I’m going to focus on word vomiting book 3 as much as I can. If I can get an average of 1500 words a day, or at least a chapter, I can get a majority of the story done before the end of the month. The main goal for this is to get this idea out of my head before I go back and edit book 2. Because the ideas for future books are distracting me and I have to get it out of my head. I think retyping book 2 will be a relatively quick process I can work on in October and send it off to the editor at last.

I’m also looking into saving for a professional cover design service I saw on another writer’s vlog. If I can redo the cover for book 1 and then have a fancy-dancy matching cover for book 2 and beyond, I’ll be very happy. I’m sure I’m not the only one who shares this opinion. I like when series covers coordinate. If nothing else, it looks pretty on the shelf.

So, since it’s September 9, and I’m almost done with chapter 1, I should be at chapter 21 by the end of the month. Which, if I follow the trend of my other books, it would be an almost complete manuscript. Now, I could do 2 or 3 chapters on off days. So, I may finish this very, very rough draft this month. I plan on taking the first weekend of October of because I will be busy celebrating my sister getting married to her long-time honey. Once all the lovey-dovey happiness and celebrating is done, then it’s back to work. And, hopefully, I’ll be back at book 2 so I can finally get it to my editor.
I also have a very special announcement! I’m offering a coupon code on my Etsy shop! Get 30% off my book at https://www.etsy.com/shop/WoCBooks when you enter the code Tumblr16 (because this was originally written on my Tumblr Blog). The code expires October 23 which is 7 months to the day I first published my novella. I do ship internationally. And, thanks to the Etsy Seller app, I’ll know right when I get an order and then I can send it off to you! I have 20 copies available currently in my home stock. If you want the ebook, here’s the Amazon link. (https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Coolersville-Book-ebook/dp/B01D81RJ0Q/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473472998&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=witches+of+coolersville) Paperback is also available on Amazon but I sign the ones sold on my Etsy shop.

If I get through all this and get book 2 to the editor, I’ll have a better idea when the book will be released. Aiming for early 2017. Exactly when is yet to be determined.

So, that’s it for now. I’m going to try and finish this chapter and then hit the sack. I work tomorrow evening so plenty of writing time beforehand. Maybe tomorrow will be a two chapter day. Who knows!

Have a great night. Thanks for reading and following and don’t forget to check out the links to my book!

Book 2 Update 8-27-16

Finished the edits on my second dtaft! Now all I have to do is get it all in the computer. I'll work on that this week. If I don't get anymore Beta readers, I'll do one more draft and then send it off to the editor. I've had 6 people read my manuscript. I'll give it a few more weeks and then start working with the editor.

And, OMG, I'm going to need an editor. I'm catching the most stupid typos. Switched letters in a word. Whole sentences that I can tell I wrote at 2 a.m. because they make no sense whatsoever! And, I know I'm missing more. As I go through and I realize people are reading it, the self doubt is creeping up on me! I didn't have this with my first one! Now, I guess, the pressure is increased because it's a sequel? It's been insane. I read and go over the draft and just cringe. And, the plot holes. OH, THE PLOT HOLES!

The goal of this draft is to beef it up a little more. I'm getting ideas for further on in the series and I want to set some of it up in this book. Whether it's the next book or 6 down the line.

I have to get some food because I have to work today. But, I'm off tomorrow so lots of writing!

Book 2 Update

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to post a quick update on how my Witches of Coolersville sequel is coming along. I'm editing the second draft with some Beta Feedback and looking for more to help me out. (See prior post for all the requirements) I'm also going to check out the NaNoWriMo forums to see if anyone would be interested.

I'm on vacation this week from my day job so I'll be able to do a LOT more work. I've also been reading more craft books and marketing books to continue to get the word out about my book. That's been a big help and I'm excited to start implementing some of the ideas I read about.

One thing I'm planning on is a guest blog post with my friend, Sandy. She's been working with a small press for her debut novel we're going to post on each others' blogs, not only to talk about our books but to share our different experiences in publishing. She said she's got another round of editing this week and then she should know a release date shortly after that.

Sandy is a lovely lady. We met through a pen-pal forum on the NaNoWriMo website. She's been my critique partner for both books. She sent me a draft of her book but that was right around when my computer decided to die on me so I couldn't read it. I'm so excited that she's been able to find a publisher.

I'll have more updates as the time gets closer.

Bye!
Carey

Beta Reader Requirements

Hi all!

A while back, I announced that I was looking for another round of Beta Readers for my second book in the Witches of Coolersville series. If you're interested, check out the list of requirements below and then send me an email.

1) Readers must be 16 or older- My book is "New Adult" which means my main characters are over 18 years old and in college. There is also violence and swearing throughout the book, more-so than the first one so I figured 16 would be a good minimum age. Guys as well as girls are welcome.

2) Must be willing to answer a lot of questions- Remember all those reading assignments you used to do in school? This is kinda like that, except actually fun! In order to get the proper feedback to improve my manuscript I have questions at the start and end of the book as well as after every single chapter.

3) When answering these questions, please be honest and thorough- Be as honest as you can. I know the easy thing to do would be nice but think of it this way. If you tell me now what I need to fix, I won’t get burned by reviewers when my book is published. And, it’ll help my book sell better once it is published.

4) It’s a second draft- I did some editing but the story has yet to be professionally edited to weed out the big mistakes. There will probably be some errors in grammar and spelling that I missed. Please ignore for now. Your feedback is content-related only. I’ll fix everything in another round of editing along with the professional.

5) If you see a question and your initial thought is I have no idea what to write, tell me- It’s okay not to have an opinion or just say “I don’t know.” Depending on the question being asked, it helps me as a writer to see where things fall flat or fail to make a solid impression. I understand the questions are repetitive so if there's nothing to add, let me know. Also, let me know if something does fall flat for you. A character doesn't connect, a part is boring or confusing. I still have time to fix these things.

6) When possible, give as much detail as you can- That’s what’s nice about this format. You have unlimited space to tell me right in the document. If you have any observations outside the questions given, feel free to tell me! All feedback is useful.

7) Be as timely as possible- I know everyone has busy lives. Work, family, school, etc. So, don’t feel like you need to get this back next week. But, I do want to get this to my editor soon, so don’t take 5 years to read it either. I'd like all feedback emailed back to me by October 1.

8) Please don’t steal my book. Also, please don’t share with anyone without my permission.

9) Triggers- A few things I should warn you about. There is swearing and violence in this book. There is mention of emotional abuse in a relationship as well as physical assault and underage drinking. I tried to keep it mild but if any of this is going to make you uncomfortable, apply to beta read.


Thanks! Hope to hear from you all soon!
Carey

Read book 1 first 3 chapters on my web site
Buy it on Amazon
Buy it on my Etsy shop

Beta Readers Wanted

Hi everyone!

 

I'm looking for more beta readers for my WoC sequel. I'm looking for girls and guys, preferably 16+, who would like to read a New Adult fantasy. You don't have to read book 1, but it would be helpful because book 1 sets up a lot of the story.

I'll have more information towards the end of the summer once I get feedback from round 1. So, if you want to read the first one, this gives you plenty of time to check out Amazon or my Etsy shop and get yourself a copy!

I'll be emailing you the second draft of my book with questions at the end of every chapter for you to answer. You will have a set time (to be determined) to read and fill out the questions and email it back to me. This draft is not professionally edited yet. I'm just looking for feedback on the story itself. Plot holes, inconsitencies, anything confusing, overall entertainment value.

 

Keep an eye out for more information as the time gets closer. Hope to hear from you!

Story Snippet- second draft

Hi, everyone. I haven't posted in ages, I know. Been busy. Doctor appointments and getting ready to go back to day job as soon as possible. In between, I've been writing like mad. Finally almost done with draft number 2 of my book and slowly sending it out to beta readers and getting ready for draft number three!

For a little treat, I thought I'd give you a little snippet of a scene between my main character, Tara, and a particular young man named Henry. Could he be a love interest? This scene takes place after people in town have come down with a mystery illness. Henry goes to see Tara after 2 weeks of not talking.

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“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Better,” said Tara, trying to sound indifferent. “You?”

“Better.” Awkward pause. “Look, I’m sorry. I wanted to come see you the next day but my mom and aunt were driving me crazy. They still think I’m 8 and not 18.”

“That’s family for you,” said Tara with a smirk. “Gran made me stay home all that time. I had to fight to go back to work.”

“And, you must think I’m a complete creep after the way we said good bye last time.” He smiled when she turned red. Tara’s heart skipped a beat as he moved closer and took her hand. Gray eyes met green as he whispered, “Did you think I forgot our first kiss?”

Now, her heart really raced. It felt like it was pounding in her throat, making it impossible to speak. He leaned in closer. She closed her eyes and she felt his hand wrap around her waist. His fingers traveled slowly around her body, sending goose bumps up and down her spine. He pulled her closer and used his other arm to pull her arm around him. He ran a finger down her cheek, causing her to shudder. When she opened her eyes, their faces were barely inches apart. Her eyes were locked on his and she felt like she would drown in them.

“Henry…” Nothing else came out of her mouth because it was suddenly occupied in a kiss. She tightened her arm around him just so she could stand on legs that were quickly turning to rubber.

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Here you go! Please let me know in the comments what you think. Is there room for improvement? Fine the way it is? Scrap the whole thing and make them have a knock-down, drag-out fist fight? (Not a real option) Enjoy!

Story First Draft

https://www.fictionpress.com/s/3145960/1/Love-from-Long-Ago

Hi, everyone! I am so excited to be posting this! I have added the first draft of my latest short story project to FictionPress for comments and reviews before editing and publishing it to Kindle by the end of April. Once it is published, I will remove it from FictionPress but I will have links to my Amazon page through my Twitter and Facebook accounts.

I actually wrote this story last summer. It was really easy for me to write and so wonderful and fun. There is a little romance, maybe some slightly spooky elements to it as well. But, then I set my notebook aside and it became buried under some stuff in my bedroom. I found it recently and typed it up in about a day so now I am ready to begin the next step. But, I need your help. So, please click on the link above and read my story. It's not very long. And then write a review. Please be honest and constructive. All out trolling will be ignored and banned.

Your comments and reviews will greatly help my editing process since I will have unbiased eyes reading the story and going into it with an open mind. I look forward to reading your comments and thank you in advance. When the story is available on Kindle, I will let you know. Thank you!

Carey