One Manuscript, Two Beta Readers

So maybe you've noticed I haven't been posting as much? Not too many reviews? Not to many ramblings about my confusion in the writer's world?

1. I'm pregnant and people were not kidding when they said I would be tired.
2. NaNo kind of burned me out.
3. I've been editing volume 2.
4. I started volume 3 - not going so hot.
5. I'm really going to focus on turning this into an author's blog - so a lot less reviews unless I feel I hit a land mine.

BETA readers - I heart Beta readers, especially mine.

Recently, Komal and Joe read volume 2. Komal got done with it in a few weeks and Joe got done at the beginning of this month. I had never given a manuscript to two people at once. Normally, I give it to one, edit, give it to someone else, edit, give it to someone else, edit, etc. It was the first time the same manuscript went to two people. I was insistent on waiting for both to be completed to edit, for simple tracking reasons. If Komal found a major error and I fixed it five or six spots, that would throw all of Joe's edits off. So I waited.

I have mixed feelings about two beta readers and the same manuscript. While it was a great feeling when I would flip through multiple pages with no edits, or they picked up on the same thing, reaffirming a need for a change - I kept wondering, if I had let one do it first, would the second have picked up on something else. You love and cherish your beta readers, you don't abuse them, and have them constantly re-reading your work.

Would I do it again? Probably.

Impossible by Komal Lewis Book Tour

I am so incredibly pleased about being part of this book tour. It's for my very dear friend Komal Lewis. Her debut novel Impossible is fantastic! Check out my review here!

Title: Impossible
Series: With Me, #1
Author: Komal Lewis
Self-Published
Release Date: October 26, 2012
Pages: 254
Buy Links: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) | Smashwords

Blurb:

Ashton Summers is on her way to becoming the most popular girl in
school and nothing—or no one—is going to stand in her way.
Especially not Luca Byron, her freak neighbor, with his tattoos, loud
music, and distracting green eyes.

Luca Byron has three goals in life: get through high school with a low profile, make sure his garage band becomes something more than a hobby, and try to forget about his insufferable ex-best friend, Ashton, who he can’t get out of his mind.

The last thing Ashton and Luca want to do is rekindle their friendship, but when Ashton takes a tumble down the social ladder, Luca—with his new makeover—is the only one who can help her rise up again by pretending to be her boyfriend. At first, being together is unbearable and annoying, but things start to change as Ashton and Luca discover the real reasons they drifted apart seven years ago.

Now, keeping their hands off each other seems impossible.

For a little Author Bio:

Komal Lewis is an author who writes both Young Adult and Adult novels in the Contemporary and Fantasy genres. Her debut novel IMPOSSIBLE is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance about a girl who will do anything to become popular, and the rocker boy-next-door.

Komal lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and one too many dogs and cats (although she never seems to think they have enough). She is overly enthusiastic about video games, comic books, Batman films, Byronic heroes, baking, reptiles, and pretty shoes.

I also got Komal to do a playlist for her characters - a different type of top ten. Here's what she had to say.

When I first started putting together this post, I only had two songs on the list. I had NO idea what kind of songs to pick so I recruited my husband to help me (I’m supposed to pay him for his help though!) and we actually came up with a fairly long list. I managed to narrow it down and this is what I was left with. I hope you enjoy!

Luca Byron

With Me by Sum 41 – I listened to this song non-stop for two months while writing Impossible! It actually became a bigger inspiration than the movie, Drive Me Crazy, was. When I hear this song, it reminds me so much of Luca.

Creep by Radiohead – Luca is a social outcast so I thought Creep perfectly described his social position.

Memory by Sugarcult – I think this describes his situation with Ashton really well. Their relationship is based on their memories of growing up together.

Ashton Summers

Best of Me by The Starting Line – I love, love this song and I was lucky enough to see The Startling Line perform live last year. I think it suits Ashton and Luca’s relationship really well and how they got older and grew up to be different people, but aren’t ready to give up on each other just yet.

One Way or Another by Blondie – If you’ve read Impossible then you already know how ruthless Ashton is. There’s nothing this girl won’t do to get what she wants.

The Kill by 30 Seconds to Mars – This song describes the way Ashton was feeling at Kendall’s party.

Eddie Cavallari

Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus – You would think that this song is perfect for Luca, right? Well, the reason why this song is better-suited for Eddie will begin to make a lot more sense in Falling for Hadie.

Stacey Parker

She’s a Rebel by Green Day – You only have to read the title to realize what kind of a girl Stacey is. She doesn’t take crap from anyone.

Riley Adamson

Fat Lip by Sum 41 – This is a fun, upbeat, crazy kind of song which is exactly what Riley’s personality is like.

Kance Logan

Stupid Girls by Pink – Kance (and even Ashton) is one of the “stupid girls” described in this song.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Michelle! You are the best! J

And here's a chance for you to win a copy of Komal's book!

Here is the rafflecopter code for the tour-wide giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Limbo in Writing

The limbo part of writing.

You know, it's that part where you're manuscript is done and you've got to get it to the BETA readers. So what do you do? Do you start something new? I don't feel like I can work on the manuscript because then the changes the BETA readers make don't make sense and they just spent so much time on your manuscript. (Anyone else feel that way?) Or do you just sit and wait? Do you take a writer's break? But that reminds me something Colleen Houck said "Writers are either writing or they are thinking about writing."

So what do I do?

I try to read something completely out of my comfort zone or out of my current baby's realm. I think it's good to see other craft's and it kind of wipes my brain clear of the manuscript so when I do go back to it, I get a fresh look at it.

I don't start another WIP - but I do brainstorm for one. I will set up the setting, the characterization of a character, the climax. OK I may write the epilogue. I know weird - but - it reminds me how I want the novel to end up.

What do you while you are waiting on your BETA readers? I would love to have a few ideas to keep my mind off of it?

K- what do you do?

Setting up a Kaiden Rowe Extravaganza

Recently, I had a chat with my friend Doris on Twitter, which led to a conversation with the fabulous Wendy Higgins. So what did we chat about? A Kaiden Rowe extravaganza. Doesn't that just sound fabulous?

For those of you who haven't read Sweet Evil, Wendy's debut novel, here is my review of it.  Her Kaiden was also the only 2012 entry. The rest of them had been a round for a couple of years. Yep - he's pretty swoon worthy.

What I am looking for from you as bloggers is people with love Kaiden and want to host a day on the hop. I have some inside information and there may be an ARC or two floating around for Sweet Peril due out April 30th. It's going to focus on Kai - hence the name.

If you are interested in being part of the hop - which could have some perks, ARCs, and guest posting from Wendy - please email me at mf060784 at gmail.

 Please send me your name

1. Your name 
2. Your blog address
3. How many followers 
4. Your review for Sweet Evil if you already have one - but not required. 

I am looking for someone to do a button too - if you have talents in that department. 

:)

Opal Trailer!!! Jennifer L. Armentrout

I am so excited about being part of the Opal Trailer extravaganza. It might have a different name but let's face it. JLA - always does thing big! Take a look at the trailer and go order the book! I did. Well, I did a little while ago!

Opal (The third book in the Lux Series)

Available in both print and digital version on December 18, 2012

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Official Opal Book Trailer

Check out Jennifer L. Armentrout on the following sites:

Facebook
Twitter
Official Website

The Vincent Boys Abbi Glines

I finally read it.

I've been focusing a lot on writing lately. I've got the bug - well actually - I have a 9 month bug - due in June! So, while I've been writing, reading has fallen to the weigh-side because man, am I sleepy.

Ashton is getting tired of being good, of impressing her parents and playing ideal girlfriend to Sawyer Vincent. Sawyer is perfect, a regular Prince Charming, but when he leaves town for the summer, it’s his cousin Beau who catches Ashton’s eye. Beau is the sexiest guy she’s ever seen, and even though he’s dangerous, Ashton is drawn to him.
Beau loves his cousin like a brother, so the last thing he wants to do is make a move on Sawyer’s girl. Ashton is off-limits, absolutely. That’s why he does his best to keep his distance, even though he’s been in love with her forever. When Ashton wants to rekindle their childhood friendship in Sawyer’s absence, Beau knows he should say no.
Ashton and Beau don’t want to hurt Sawyer. But the more they try to stay away from each other, the more intense their urges become. It’s getting way too hard to resist...

I thought this was a great book. It was fast-paced. It was realistic when it came to how a summer moves, days and nights. I cannot stand it when time doesn't move right in a novel. I thought this one was great.

Let's start from the beginning, I was surprised by how the novel started immediately with Beau and Ashton. It was nice not having an introduction chapter - bam! I'm smack in the middle of Ashton's crush that she should not be having. It's funny - while I normally feel bad for the guy who gets the boot in the love-triangle, I was annoyed with Sawyer the whole time. I was aggravated that Ashton felt she wasn't good enough, she had to be a certain way for him. I think it is because I have seen this in reality - and it's unacceptable. Beau won me over because he wanted Ashton to be Ashton.

Nicole - Beau's girlfriend - or whatever - I was friends with that girl in high school. While Nicole looks like a bitch in the book - that girl is fun to party with. What? She is.

Beau's and Ashton's relationship was exciting - a little more than PG 13, which is good for me - but again realistic. I felt for Beau for feeling like Sawyer took Ashton away from him and how she was he wanted. I liked how Ashton could be herself. I think she should have broken it off sooner - but lets be real - then there wouldn't have been a story.

Funniest line ever - I don't my girlfriend to lose her virginity in the back of a truck. I'm not sure if I was supposed to laugh here - but I did.

Sawyer better pull it together for me in the next book.

Cover Reveal for Runaway Mortal by Komal Lewis

I am so proud to be revealing my dear friend Komal Lewis's second book and the first in a new series. Komal has been a MACHINE the last few months, completing two novels! Yeah, two! I get to reveal her cover today for you!!!

Seventeen-year-old Katerina Lyrille is one of several mortals given the privilege to attend Esteré Academy alongside powerful angels and demons. Big stress on the “privileged”, because most of the supernatural beings look down in disgust at mortals like Katerina and want nothing to do with them.

When the Headmistress of the school—a powerful angel—is found dead, Katerina is accused of her murder. Desperate to prove her innocence, Katerina runs away to seek the help of a seer who can tell her the true killer’s name, but the information comes at a price. Katerina must find an all-powerful, mythical Triad object for the seer, and in order to do so she must return to the very place she ran away from: Esteré Academy.

Now, back at school, Katerina not only has to keep her promise to the seer and find the mysterious object, she also has to deal with a sexy supernatural agent hired to guard her until her trial for the Headmistress’s murder.

The closer Katerina gets to finding the answers, the more danger she puts herself in because someone is out to stop her at all costs. 

Even if it means her death.

How awesome is that? 

NaNo stuff. - Because I can't come up with a better title.

NaNo has been going really well for me. I mean - I'm not right on target but I had a great weekend of writing.

Here's my run down of why I like NaNo
1. It makes you write.
2. The whole no editing thing just yet - VERY liberating.
3. A sense of community of ALL writers - not just genre based.
4. I may actually finish this novel.

If you are on NaNo - go friend me. Go on. Go do it.

I am a panster at heart - my writing visions jump from middle, to the bitter end, to the climax, to the beginning, to somewhere in the middle, back to the end, back to the beginning, and well you get the idea. It's the ADHD of writing.

For this novel - I have started at the beginning and have worked through. It's been different. Like - I know how I want the end scene to be. I keep it locked in my mind, replaying it so I don't lose the details.

But how is it going? I think it's going well. I mean no one has read it and it could be complete garbage BUT, its had one really good part. I want to get to those ADHD scenes, so I don't lose them, so I HAVE to push through scenes. It's motivating.

How's your NaNo going? What's your writing process?


PS. Stop over to Dash of you are a JLA fan.

Thankful for books giveaway hop

Being part of the Thankful for Books hop. I love this type of hop because you can see what everyone likes and a chance to find some new reads!
I am thankful I was blessed with the ability to write, wonderful editing friends, supportive friends and bloggers, and have this opportunity. I am going to stop before I get emotional. :)

On to my giveaway!
When telepathic twins, Piper and Ryder Owens are dumped at Evermore Academy, they thought that the only thing they’d have to worry about was Piper staying out of trouble long enough for them to graduate. They will not, for any reason, be separated. But someone at Evermore knows about their secret and wants to separate them permanently.

But then Piper’s Achilles Heel shows up: a good looking guy. Victor Mira is everything Piper is supposed to avoid, yet she feels drawn to him in a way she never imagined. But Victor is hiding a dangerous secret too, and what he knows could be the one thing that could divide the sisters. Forever.

See below to enter and a list of everyone who is participating!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Writing Panel 4! A little publicity.

I have picked my four of my favorite authors/writers. They are going to be talking about their writing process.  This is my last week of this and I'm kind of sad. I had a lot of fun... I may have to do this again soon. 

Carrie Butler: Carrie daydreamed her way through college—until they thrust a marketing degree into her hands, slapped a summa cum laude seal on the corner, and booted her out into a less-than-stellar job market. Instead of panicking at the prospect of unemployment, she used her Midwestern logic to steer into the skid and point her life in the direction she really wanted to go: writing out those daydreams.

WEBSITE  |  BLOG  |  SSP  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK  |  GOODREADS  |  GOOGLE+ 

Komal Lewis: Komal Lewis is a full-time author who lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband, and one too many cats and dogs. She is overly enthusiastic about video games, comic books, Spiderman, Byronic heroes, baking, reptiles and pretty shoes.

Komal is currently working on her debut novel, WITH ME, a YA Contemporary Romance about a girl who will do anything to become popular, and the rocker boy-next-door.

Joe Lantz: Joe works as a substitute teacher for Ripley Central School in WNY while he works on his YA novel and waits for a permanent position as an English Language Arts teacher. He had the great fortune of being Michelle’s student teacher and the even greater fortune of developing an enduring friendship with her, which includes time spent writing in a local library.  He is an avid reader and writer. He also enjoys collecting and reading comic books and graphic novels. He can also be found on  blog – the one Michelle encouraged me to start – Avid Reading, Constant Writing.

Bonnie Rae: Bonnie spent her early childhood in the sunny state of California. At the time, she was an only child with a very large imagination. Thanks to her Grandmother, the love of reading books started at a very young age. Every walk to the grocery store meant an ice cream cone and a new Little Golden Book. Through books, Bonnie learned you could be transported into other worlds. The addiction was instant. At age eleven, her grandparents gave her E.B. White's Charlotte's Web for her birthday. Even though she was completely grossed out when it came to spiders (and still is), Charlotte's Web fascinated her. A spider that was able to weave words and befriend a pig? Bonnie then realized not only could books provide imaginary worlds, they confirmed anything was possible. She might have only been eleven, but she knew writing was what she wanted to do. She started her first set of novels at the age of sixteen and has been writing ever since. Bonnie currently lives in California with her wonderful husband and two very spoiled cats.

It’s the final countdown! Wait – no, that’s a song. It’s time to wrap it up – wait – as writer’s it’s never done. Crap. OK How about some personal information and free publicity for my writer friends? OK? OK.

Tell us about your current manuscript or published masterpiece. Nothing like a little publicity.

Carrie: Title: Strength

Series: Mark of Nexus – Book 1

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing   
Category: New Adult (NA)
Genre: Paranormal Romance (PNR)
Release Date: March 07, 2013

When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, she’s stunned. Wallace Blake is everything she’s ever wanted in a man—except he can’t touch her. His uncontrollable strength, a so-called gift from his bloodline, makes every interaction dangerous. And with a secret, supernatural war brewing among his kind, there’s no time to work it out. To keep Wallace in her life, Rena will have to risk a whole lot more than her heart.

BOOK PAGE  | BOOK TRAILER  |   GOODREADS  |  FACEBOOK (New!)

Komal: IMPOSSIBLE is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance. It’s a story about Ashton and Luca, who grew up next door, and being best friends as children, they grew up disliking each other. When Ashton’s reputation goes downhill, she will do anything to become popular again. Even if that means having to pretend that her and Luca are a couple to get everyone’s attention.

Look for IMPOSSIBLE is out now! on Amazon and Smashwords!

Joe: The manuscript I am currently working on is about genetically engineered teenagers with super-abilities on the run with two of the scientists/parents that worked to create them. The teens are running from Helix, a secret agency that was once part of America’s scientific research defense against Nazi Germany and the former Soviet Union during the Cold War. The super-teens are searching for a hidden, and thought failed, project that could bring the now rogue Helix and its leader, The Director, down. Along the way, there is fun, adventure, intrigue and, yes, romance.

Bonnie: I just published my first paranormal YA on Amazon this past April called Nether Bound. Here is the blurb:

Seventeen year old Ava Walker has everything a girl could ask for. She’s captain of the cheer squad, has tons of friends, and could easily have any guy she wants. Being popular is easy.

Lying about her entire life, on the other hand, isn’t.

Since she was little, Ava has had a connection with the dearly departed. She knows seeing dead people is abnormal, but they never try to communicate, so she does her best to turn a blind eye. The older she gets, the worse her visions become. With more and more ghosts showing up, her secret is on the verge of driving her mad.

The only person Ava ever trusted is her best friend, Devon. Only, she hasn’t really talked to him in years and lately he hasn’t been acting like himself.

To make things worse, her evil stepfather, Mark, is hitting the bottle harder and harder. Ava hates the alcoholic psycho her mother married a few years ago. To him, beating women is a sport. Lately, the beatings are getting worse. Ava fears it won’t be long before her mother is among the ghosts invading her life.

She wishes Mark would just die. When he suddenly does, her life changes forever.

Just when she thinks her family is safe, Mark shows back up.

Not all ghosts are silent, and dear old Daddy wants some serious revenge.

Be careful what you wish for …

My MC really has her life flipped upside down in this first book. She's already had to grow up to fast because of "family issues", but the events in this book find her making very difficult decisions about her life, and the lives of everyone she loves, all in order to save the one thing that matters most to her. Her family. She finds out who and what she really is and has a hard time embracing the truth about how she came to be. Not to mention the two totally hot guys vying for her attention. I couldn't not have a little love triangle going on.  =)

The second book in the trilogy: Nether Soul will be published on Amazon Oct. 30^th 2012. I'd give you the blurb, but if you haven't read the first book yet, it would give too much away.

Can you pick one or two writers who have influenced you and think would benefit other writers?

Carrie: Gena Showalter is my favorite paranormal romance author. She writes complex, driven, supernaturally-charged love stories. Yum!

Komal: Richelle Mead writes the most amazing stories. I think she is a fabulous writer, and her plot twists leave me with my mouth hanging open.

What are your greatest movie inspirations?

Carrie: I always want to write after something heart-wrenching. It doesn’t matter what genre it is. Maybe I’ve just watched Serenity (science fiction), and I’m struggling to detach myself from the emotions of the film. My brain translates those feelings to whatever project I’m working on. Tragedy for my romance? A heated battle for my paranormal? It’s interesting how things affect and inspire us.

Komal: I love the Notebook! Romantic movies aren’t always my thing, but my best friend made me watch it one day, and towards the end I had something in my eye—I wasn’t crying, I swear!

I have a weird mix of favourite movies. Titanic, Silence of the Lambs, My Best Friend’s Wedding, original three Star Wars films, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, recent Batman films, good remakes of Marvel comics, and Sleepy Hollow. There are so many more!

Joe: Greatest movie inspiration at the moment would be Superman, The Movie followed by other super-hero films. If you read my blurb about my novel, you’ll understand why those films would be inspiring.

What are some of your favorite writing blogs that you think make the writing world a better place?

Carrie:  The Bookshelf Muse, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and Melissa Maygrove’s Grammar Police Files!

Komal: You can’t beat the classics. Wuthering Heights, Cat’s Cradle and Anna Karenina are my long standing favourites. Also, I do love my Austen.

Current favourites are Easy by Tammara Webber, and The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines.

What are some of your current (or long standing) favorite reads?

Carrie: What a difficult question! I’ll go with two of my favorite non-sappy romance reads: The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter and Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson. Brooding, heavily-guarded heroes? Yes, please!

Joe: Not the easiest of questions to answer. For current favorite reads, I’d have to go with the entire Tigers’ Curse series by Colleen Houck and Dearly, Departed and Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel. For long standing – because I can’t just answer one part of the question – I would have to include on the list, the short list that is, The Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare, The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, and The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer.

Impossible by Komal Lewis

I want to start off this review with some honesty - when people pick up indie author's, they tend to be hesitant. What am I going to get out of this? Can this person really write a "good" story? What if I don't like it? All these thoughts are normal. However, Komal Lewis's debut novel will leave you with these answers: I got an awesome, well-rounded story. She can really write and leave me wanting more. I loved it!

With that being said my review for Impossible. 

Ashton Summers is on her way to becoming the most popular girl in school and nothing—or no one—is going to stand in her way. Especially not Luca Byron, her freak neighbor, with his tattoos, loud music, and distracting green eyes.

Luca Byron has three goals in life: get through high school with a low profile, make sure his garage band becomes something more than a hobby, and try to forget about his insufferable ex-best friend, Ashton, who he can’t get out of his mind.

The last thing Ashton and Luca want to do is rekindle their friendship, but when Ashton takes a tumble down the social ladder, Luca—with his new makeover—is the only one who can help her rise up again by pretending to be her boyfriend. At first, being together is unbearable and annoying, but things start to change as Ashton and Luca discover the real reasons they drifted apart seven years ago. 

Now, keeping their hands off each other seems impossible

I got to read the book prior to everyone else (Yes, I'm bragging). 

I found myself thinking about the story when I couldn't be reading it. I found myself rushing through things so I could get to the book. I had to know what was going to happen. I also had some fantasies about Luca. If you're looking for another crush, look no further. 

Ashton - is dying to be the most popular girl. She feels it will cover up some of her insecurities and she's about to get everything she wanted. The cost? Anyone who stands in her way. Even if it means she has to be a complete b@tch. 

Luca - is the rocker boy from next store who used to be Ashton's best friend and he has to watch the terrible things she does. It bugs him, but for seven years, they haven't talked. What can he do? I mean, he's the school's freak - abeit a hot one. 

But due to the evil Kance - Ashton finds herself relying on Luca with the intention of dropping him as soon as she gets back on the social ladder. One draw back - things start happening - like super intense kissing moments and unwanted (so they think) feelings. (Komal knows how to write a kissing scene.)

I will tell you this - you will not put it down! At all. Ever. It's that good. 

Writing Panel 3! The Editing Process!

I have picked my five of my favorite authors/writers. They are going to be talking about their writing process.  So stop by the next couple of weeks on Thursdays to see what they have to say!  Now on to the introductions!

Carrie Butler: Carrie daydreamed her way through college—until they thrust a marketing degree into her hands, slapped a summa cum laude seal on the corner, and booted her out into a less-than-stellar job market. Instead of panicking at the prospect of unemployment, she used her Midwestern logic to steer into the skid and point her life in the direction she really wanted to go: writing out those daydreams.

WEBSITE  |  BLOG  |  SSP  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK  |  GOODREADS  |  GOOGLE+ 

Komal Lewis: Komal Lewis is a full-time author who lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband, and one too many cats and dogs. She is overly enthusiastic about video games, comic books, Spiderman, Byronic heroes, baking, reptiles and pretty shoes.

Komal recently finished her debut novel, IMPOSSIBLE, a YA Contemporary Romance about a girl who will do anything to become popular, and the rocker boy-next-door.

Joe Lantz: Joe works as a substitute teacher for Ripley Central School in WNY while he works on his YA novel and waits for a permanent position as an English Language Arts teacher. He had the great fortune of being Michelle’s student teacher and the even greater fortune of developing an enduring friendship with her, which includes time spent writing in a local library.  He is an avid reader and writer. He also enjoys collecting and reading comic books and graphic novels. He can also be found on  blog – the one Michelle encouraged me to start – Avid Reading, Constant Writing.

Bonnie Rae: Bonnie spent her early childhood in the sunny state of California. At the time, she was an only child with a very large imagination. Thanks to her Grandmother, the love of reading books started at a very young age. Every walk to the grocery store meant an ice cream cone and a new Little Golden Book. Through books, Bonnie learned you could be transported into other worlds. The addiction was instant. At age eleven, her grandparents gave her E.B. White's Charlotte's Web for her birthday. Even though she was completely grossed out when it came to spiders (and still is), Charlotte's Web fascinated her. A spider that was able to weave words and befriend a pig? Bonnie then realized not only could books provide imaginary worlds, they confirmed anything was possible. She might have only been eleven, but she knew writing was what she wanted to do. She started her first set of novels at the age of sixteen and has been writing ever since. Bonnie currently lives in California with her wonderful husband and two very spoiled cats.

I am excited for this week (in a weird way). The editing process is the hardest part of writing for me. It’s when you give your “baby” to your friends or not so much friends and they really dive into it.

Editing time!

Can you describe your editing process for us?

Carrie: Absolutely! After the first draft is complete, I usually take another 2-5 passes at it. Then it goes out to my critique partners for feedback. I had 7 for Strength, but I plan on less for the sequel.

After I implement my critique partners’ suggestions, I go back and forth with them until I have a nice, clean copy to send my beta readers. I had 4 of those, last time. (Lather, rinse, repeat.) Now let’s skip forward, past my book deal, to the next level of editing.

Working with a publisher is a similar experience, but it feels different. More pressure, less doubt. Content edits, copy edits, etc. You know you’re working toward something now. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel and, this time, it’s not a train! ;)

Learn to love that red ink, my friends.

Komal: I give myself a few days off, not two weeks like everyone recommends. The reason for this is because after I finish my first draft, I immediately know what rewrites I need to do, and I just want to get it done. I edit on the Word document first and then I print it all off and do line edits. Then it gets sent off to my critique partners. I implement their feedback, do a final round of edits, and have a beta-reader go through it. Rinse and repeat.

Joe: I can only really talk about how I edit for others at this point. I have a feeling I’d take the same approach for my own work.

First, I read the draft through to enjoy the story for the sake of enjoying the story. I would only mark something that really, really, really interferes with my reading. Second, I ask myself questions about the story. For example: How was the story? Did the narration have flow? I jot down the answers to those and many other questions as informal notes, notes I’ll use on my next read. The third step I take is to read the story again with my notes on hand. This time through I am looking for spelling errors, punctuation mishaps, and the like. The fourth step is to read through once again offering suggestions to the author. The suggestions are often about clarifications, character names, continuity fixes, and many more. My final step is in the editing process is to write a letter to the author. The letter provides an overview of what I liked/loved about the work, what I did in the editing process, and how much I hope I have helped move the work forward.

My editing process is time consuming but one I feel worth spending the time on. Someone has trusted me with his or her work and I’d better be bringing my A game to the editing process. As a writer, I know how hard it can be to hand over a manuscript or even a short story or poem you’ve poured yourself into for some to read, so the fact that an author has trusted you says a lot about you and you’d best prove that trust was warranted.

Bonnie: A lot of screaming, crying, self-doubt, and chocolate. Okay, maybe not that exactly, lol. After I do my first draft I send it out to my lovely CP's and beta readers. I take about a week or two off and just work on something else. Give my eyes and brain a break from my current story. Then once I get the story back from CP's and beta's I go over all of their comments. I give myself another thirty days to do rewrites/edits/revisions. After that, I send the MS off to the editor.

Why do you think it is important to have other people edit your work?

Carrie: They catch things I can’t. They’re unbiased, objective, and bring their own strengths to the table.

Besides, they don’t have the whole story playing out in their heads 24/7. They read what’s on the paper. ;)

Komal: Chances are you could be cuckoo, and think your story is a masterpiece when it really isn’t. But, in all seriousness, it’s so important to have other people look at your work. The feedback is a necessary part of improving your story.

Bonnie: I am going to put these two questions together.

I found my editor through an online writing group. She is a professional editor and also a writer, she had all the right credentials and experience, plus she gets my writing style. That's not to say she doesn't suggest I make changes, because she does, and I am grateful for all the hard work she puts into my novels. In a perfect world, I would never have to use anyone else.

As a self-published author I think it is incredibly important to have another pair of eyes edit my work. Especially a credited editor with plenty of experience, because let's face it, all writer's make mistakes. I make a lot of mistakes. I am totally not ashamed to admit that. My first novel had its issues and I learned a plethora of stuff from the experience of not having it properly edited the first time around. Mistakes were missed and readers were very quick to point them out. Live and learn right? I actually took the book offline and had the editor I currently use, fix those mistakes and work with me to create a better reading experience for readers. There might still be a mistake here and there (heck even majorly published books have them), but it is nothing like the first version I put on line. Being self-published I refuse to cheat my readers into reading a horribly written and horribly edited novel. I am trying to create a respected and well done product for the reading public. Not having it professionally edited would just create a poorly done piece with a bad name. I take my writing very seriously. My novels are my babies. If I didn't get them edited and have them put through the ringer before publishing, then I couldn't call myself a real author.  I am not saying everyone loves my books. People might not like the story, and that is perfectly okay, but I don't want them to hate the writing in general because it is riddled with mistakes.

Any tips, tricks, or strategies to help other writers when proofing their own work? 

Carrie: Read it out loud. Seriously. Not only do I spot errors more often, but it helps me hear the cadence of my phrases. It’s a really helpful step.

Oh, and print that bad boy out (or send it to your e-reader).  You’ll be surprised how different the manuscript looks/reads away from your word processor.

Joe: The first piece of advice: Find someone you can trust to edit. Trust that he or she will protect your work from prying eyes. Trust that he or she will be dedicated to the task. Trust that he or she will give feedback to you straight without hemming and hawing. You want someone honest, someone who will tell you the truth and not just tell you what you want to here. Constructive Criticism.

The second piece of advice: When you go to edit your work, give yourself sometime away from the manuscript. If you finish on a Monday, set aside the manuscript until the following Monday so you can come at your work with fresh eyes and fresh thoughts.

The third piece of advice: Remember that you most likely are your own worst critic. Try to cut yourself some slack.

What do you do if someone gives you a critique you don’t like? How do you handle it?

Carrie: I weigh it against the other critiques I receive. If it’s repeat feedback, I have no choice but to accept it. If it’s not, well, this is a subjective business. Not everyone will like what I write. It doesn’t mean I have to change everything on a singular whim, you know? It’s a judgment call.

Komal: I’ve been given mixed critiques before, which confused the heck out of me. I considered the three different viewpoints, read through my story and incorporated the ones that I agreed with. At the end of the day, it’s my story and only I can make the final decisions for it. You just have to go with your gut feeling.

How do you talk yourself into deleting a full scene or chapter, or something people thing weighs down your manuscript?

Carrie: I have a special folder for my deleted scenes and chapters. That way, I can go back and scrap them for parts later. Recycling, FTW!

Komal: I just do it. If it’s not resonating with someone else, or with me, it’s got to go!

Any advice for writers about the editing process?

Carrie: Edit your manuscript as many times as your patience allows… and then do it one more time. You know, just in case. ;) You only get one chance to make a first impression!

I also want to say "Congrats" to Komal who had her debut week with her contemporary novel IMPOSSIBLE. You can head over to A Dash of YA for a chance to win a copy!