Sunday, December 29, 2013

2013 - A year in review!

2013


Um - this year. This year really could have been the best year of my life. This is not a hyperbole. It really was great.

Personal stuff: 
1. Had a baby in June - isn't she cute?
2. Got married in August
3. Finished the first year of teaching at my new job - 8th grade ELA teacher right here.
4. Finished (to the extent that one can finish) our house -been working on it for three years.



Writing and blogging:
1. Biggest was in December with Walker. I had been off this kick because of my pregnancy. I was super tired. But this year needed a book. I have a lot of people to thank for this, the support. But isn't the cover awesome?
2. A Dash of Ya - finally got this blog off the ground and made a new friend Heather. Erica, Heather, Komal and I talk every day and help each other out.
3. I started my dystopia - no game plan here yet.
4. I pulled out a book I started in 2007 and am planning on publishing in March. This book is titled Gone.









Thursday, December 26, 2013

6 Pieces of Promotion Advice for an Indie Author

Merry day after Christmas!

I have had a few ups and downs of late and all the while working on promoting Walker.  This time around I feel I have a better grasp of this. So here are a few things I know about promotion. 

1. You need a FB at this time. A lot of promotion goes on, on Facebook. I post on my page at least twice a day. Something I really like are Flash giveaways. I get a lot of traffic. And some interactions with readers. 

2. Twitter - It's a fast means of communication. And it's really easy for friends to retweet your links which spreads your reach a just a little more. And with self-promotion - a little more goes a long way. 

3. Blog friends - Establish relationships with bloggers. They get traffic. AND 

4. Blog tour - setting up your own blog tour is hard. You need quality reviews and bloggers to help spread the word, people who are going to post for you - see number 3. 

5. A group of writing friends - sometimes you need advice, to rant, or someone to feel your emotions (pain and happiness). Thanks Dashers!

6. Time - You have to be consistent. It's hard though when you have another job, other responsibilities (kids), and trying to write your next novel. 

What are some things you think are key for an indie author? 

Monday, December 23, 2013

A few things -

Hi everyone! I hope you are getting ready for the holiday season (or are done getting ready!).

I wanted to pop in and let everyone know a few things!

Walker is up on Amazon as an E-copy and a paperback! The links are on the sidebar.

I want to thank everyone who has shared, posted, and bought the book. Your reviews have been wonderful!

I have a blog tour being set up right now! Yeah! I am sure I did something wrong but I have wonderful people who have signed up, read the novel and are posting! Be on the look out for that!

If you are interested in reading Walker and willing to blow up the social medias with reviews (honest ones) email me at mf060784 at gmail or tweet me at @mflick729.


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Walker giveaway!

So Walker is out (as if you people have not seen the texts, posts, and tweets) SO I am giving away a copy, or rather copies of Walker.

Kate isn’t thrilled to be moving to the middle of nowhere. She's already lost her parents, now she's leaving the only place she's ever known as home. She’s not there long when she realizes her dreams aren’t her own and that she has the ability to walk through other people's dreams. Not only that, but she might have found her dream guy--literally. He's in her dreams.

Just when she starts to get the hang of dream walking, strange murders in her new town start to occur. Girls are being killed as they sleep with no evidence, no suspects and no clear motive behind the deaths. It doesn’t take Kate very long to realize that the girls aren’t just being killed as they sleep—they’re being killed in their sleep.

Kate must figure out how to find the killer in the real world and keep the ones she loves safe while they sleep



Enjoy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, December 14, 2013

An example as a mommy.

Writing has always been part of my life. When I was a little girl, I would write poems and give them as presents. My mom still has a collections of the poems I wrote her. I started my first novel when I was in 9th grade. It never really made it anywhere.

English class was a natural thing for me in high school. I excelled and didn't try very hard. I didn't have to.

About 8 years ago, I was sitting in a Grad class with my favorite professor Dr. Terry Mosher. And part of the course was working on our own writing. It had been years since I had actually written something that wasn't for an assignment. But as we went around the room, announcing what we would be working on for the semester, the words: a novel popped out. He replied, with a smile "Nothing like being an overachiever.

So I began. I finished it. I never showed it to anyone. EVER.

Three years ago I started the Owens Legacy. I was on fire. I was going to do this. I was going to be successful. I had a goal and from that goal, multiple goals sprung up. I had a purpose beyond teaching, beyond family and friends. I was going to be famous.

Now Walker is out. (Go me.) But this book is different for me when it comes to purpose. This time, I am a mommy of a beautiful almost 6 month old. And I sit around thinking about everything with her. I come back to the thoughts of who I want her to be and examples and how do I make her a strong person.

I now write to set an example for my daughter that dreams can come true, that I am hard working, that I will work and work and not give up, that I have goals. I want to be that for her. Being a mommy - changes you.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Walker is live!

Hey everyone! Ecopies of Walker are out. You can find them here! I have been having some awesome, feel good moments with this book. So if you haven't stopped by to buy it or borrow it - what are you waiting for?

For those of you who don't go through Amazon. This book around I am trying out KDP Select to see the difference in sales. It will be part of other sites once the 90 days is up. I am experimenting.

Anyway - here is my blurb for Walker.

Kate isn’t thrilled to be moving to the middle of nowhere. She's already lost her parents, now she's leaving the only place she's ever known as home. She’s not there long when she realizes her dreams aren’t her own and that she has the ability to walk through other people's dreams. Not only that, but she might have found her dream guy--literally. He's in her dreams.

Just when she starts to get the hang of dream walking, strange murders in her new town start to occur. Girls are being killed as they sleep with no evidence, no suspects and no clear motive behind the deaths. It doesn’t take Kate very long to realize that the girls aren’t just being killed as they sleep—they’re being killed in their sleep.

Kate must figure out how to find the killer in the real world and keep the ones she loves safe while they sleep.


Head over to Amazon and help my rankings :) 


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Teaser for Walker - Contest coming later today on Facebook!

Wednesday is Walker's release date!!! So in celebration I am going to give an copy away everyday including Wednesday. It's going to happen on Facebook so be sure to like my page for the chance to win!!!

Kate isn’t thrilled to be moving to the middle of nowhere. She's already lost her parents, now she's leaving the only place she's ever known as home. She’s not there long when she realizes her dreams aren’t her own and that she has the ability to walk through other people's dreams. Not only that, but she might have found her dream guy--literally. He's in her dreams.

Just when she starts to get the hang of dream walking, strange murders in her new town start to occur. Girls are being killed as they sleep with no evidence, no suspects and no clear motive behind the deaths. It doesn’t take Kate very long to realize that the girls aren’t just being killed as they sleep—they’re being killed in their sleep.

Kate must figure out how to find the killer in the real world and keep the ones she loves safe while they sleep. Add it on goodreads.


Here's a teaser though!

I had walked from the parking lot and into the school, so absorbed in the pending melodrama coming toward me today that I didn’t notice my surroundings. People weren’t bouncing off the walls. Mr. Hale was absent from his post. I knew the atmosphere the students of Brighton were creating. The halls were going to be somber, quiet, eerily quiet, but there would always be some sort of noise some people were annoyed with. People would crowd together, looking for comfort, but everyone would feel alone. And for those that didn’t know Brittany, they would feel uncomfortable. They wouldn’t know how to react to those who were grieving and they would continue through the halls respectfully quiet.
            Emily had been goofy this morning and I didn’t know how Elise was going to react to this news. Elise had been a cheerleader so I imagined she would have known Brittany as a freshman. I saw her and I knew Elise knew her. Elise tried to give me an encouraging smile, but looked more like she was choking on something.
            “I’m sorry,” I said as I sat down next to her.
            ‘Thanks.”
            There wasn’t much to say because there’s nothing to say.
            In English 11, my heart stopped beating. I was unsure if the drama I had been preparing for would happen today. I prayed it wouldn’t. The amount of disrespect that would happen sickened me.
            Nothing happened on my way in the classroom. Colton was already in his seat. He looked at me blankly and then went back to staring at his notes. Class went on, like our previous classes did, forced. Mrs. Stacy tried to keep active, but not even her heart was into Arthur Miller today.
            Nothing concerning JCru happened all morning. Lunch was quiet. I discovered Emily was one of those people who cracked jokes at inappropriate times to try to ease the awkwardness. She got a few smiles and she got a few dirty looks.
            At the last period with Colton, he gave me the blank look. I murmured my sympathies and Mr. Reyda tried to get us to participate in the lab, but didn’t seem to care no one got much work done.

            While they grieved for Brittany, I grieved for my parents. I wondered if every time someone passed, would the feelings of loss come rushing back at me?

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Teaser 7 for Walker!

A bunch of teaser coming out this week! Walker will be out in 8 days!!!!

The little girl came charging into the room, frantically looking around the room, not seeing me.
            “Ryleigh!” I yelled, hoping she would hear me.
            She paused, listening and I heard it too. Footsteps. Heavy, slow footsteps coming toward the room. The urge to hide had passed. I went to grab Rayleigh, but I was unable to touch her. She stared, frozen. The footsteps were closer and I had no desire to see who was coming around the corner. I bolted from the room.
            Ryleigh let out a blood–curdling scream, making me stop my mad dash for an exit in the back. I whirled around, to see a guy standing there. He was in the shadows. I could only see disjointed parts of him. His sneakers, the rip in the knee of his jeans, his forearm, but his face fell perfectly in the light. He was staring at me, puzzled.
            Ryleigh let out another blood curdling scream and I dashed back into the room. She was a child and she was scared, dream or not. I stood in front of Ryleigh. She screamed and screamed. I went to rip her out of his hold, but I couldn’t touch him either. He knocked her to the ground and started dragging her to the foyer.
            “Let her go,” I screamed. “Let her go.”
            They didn’t pay any attention to me. He continued to drag her out of the room. He headed toward the staircase as Ryleigh kicked and screamed for her release. I charged at him one more time.



            “Wake up! Wake up Kate!” Jesse was shaking me. “Kate! You’re having a nightmare.”


AH! Poor Kate! Wait no - Ryleigh.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Shameless Promotion - Part 3



Hi everyone. I am rounding up my friends and doing a panel on indie-publishing.  I asked a bunch of questions (things I want to know and others probably do to), they answered, and I am putting it together. Stop by every Wednesday for the next few weeks.

So why the title of this post? Because they are promoting how awesome they are.

My authors are: Erica Cope, Heather Diemer, and J.A. Lantz

Erica:

What is the best avenue for you in promoting your book(s)? I have no idea because I've never done much promoting. The success of my books is 100% thanks to word-of-mouth and some kick ass friends.

Who is someone who has helped you to establish yourself? I owe everything to Komal Kant, Michelle Flick and Heather Sloan. <3 b="" ladies="" you="">

For someone just breaking into writing, what would you suggest to them? Get a great Critique Group! They are so helpful!

What are some wonderful things about self-promotion? What are some difficult things?  Through self-promotion you meet some really great people but at the same time, it's really awkward for me personally to be all like “Hey, wanna read my book?”

What do you spend most of your time in the promotion world? Why? 
Oh gosh, I guess just Facebook. I've never done a blog tour though I think I should....maybe with my next book!

J.A. Lantz
What is the best avenue for you in promoting your book(s)?
I’m not very good at it but I have a blog, Avid Reading, Constant Writing I use to write about my writing, the writing process and to review books. The blog is a work in progress. I’ve recently made a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/joseph.lantz.161) for my writing. The Facebook page has allowed me to connect with students who are interested in my novel.

Who is someone who has helped you to establish yourself? 
Michelle Rowe. Thank you for encouraging me to write, for pushing me to start my blog, for encouraging me to start the Facebook page and for the figurative kicks in the butt when I’ve needed it. 
A tremendous Thank You to Nadine for editing, for your insights, for your suggestions and for your enthusiasm for my writing.

For someone just breaking into writing, what would you suggest to them?
Write the story as it is in your head and worry about editing when its time to edit.

What are some wonderful things about self-promotion? What are some difficult things?
 I’ll get back to you on the wonderful. The difficult thing about self-promotion: self-promoting. I’m horrible at it. 

Heather: 
What is the best avenue for you in promoting your book(s)?
Social media seems to be the way indie authors are promoting their books.  Blog tours are popular as well.  Having an author like page separate from your personal page is a good way to gain fans and spread the word.

Who is someone who has helped you to establish yourself?
Erica Cope first encouraged me to seriously consider writing a book over a year ago and since then I’ve been writing out every story that comes to my head. I’ve have quite a few short stories finished and about 30,000 words for a story I can’t get out of my head, but I can’t seem to move forward with.  Since then I’ve gained some new friends who’ve been very encouraging and pushing me to write more. 

For someone just breaking into writing, what would you suggest to them?
Just write. Even if it’s silly, just write what you think about.  You never know how a story will develop.  And you never know what will inspire you.  And always carry a notebook and pen with you. I’m always inspired while driving.  I can’t really drive and write, but I can jot something down real quick.  

What are some wonderful things about self-promotion? What are some difficult things?
I’m not there yet so I don’t know…

What do you spend most of your time in the promotion world? Why?
Not sure yet

Me:
What is the best avenue for you in promoting your book(s)?
My author page on FB. It gets the most traffic and serves as a hub to my blog. Head over and like it - the button is on the side of my bog.

Who is someone who has helped you to establish yourself?
Komal Kant - I met her three (?) years ago. Komal would do something and I was like: Hey! I want to do that too! Then that was followed up by: Komal how do I do that. She was great. She always answered my questions and was super supportive. 

For someone just breaking into writing, what would you suggest to them?
Everyone said write. I agree. Networking is helpful too. It's good for self-promotion, trials and tribulations, writer's therapy...mostly writer's therapy. :) Go out and post, comment, and tweet.

What are some wonderful things about self-promotion? What are some difficult things?
You are in control of it. The difficult things: You are in control of it. It can be overwhelming because it is constant.

What do you spend most of your time in the promotion world? Why?
FB - it's where everyone seems to be. So that is where I am. 

Go follow my awesome panel! Come along with us on that journey too!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Teaser Number 6 for Walker

Teaser number 5 - Release date is getting close.

Today I want to introduce you to my character Elise. She's a crowd pleaser.


“Well, someone saw it and it’s making the rounds.” Elise didn’t seem the least bit disturbed by this. I, on the other hand, was dreading the repercussions for my klutziness. “Public Enemy Number One!” Elise yelled in the hall, pointing dramatically at me.
            “Ms. Burrows,” boomed from Mr. Hale from behind us.
            “Sorry, Mr. Hale,” she called back. I was figuring one thing out about Elise; she was loud.  She registered my anxious face, draped an arm around me and pulled me down the hall. “Listen, if you let JCru and her brigade of fake Barbies know they are buggin’ you, they’re going to eat you alive. Take Lisa; she let it be known the rumors hurt her feelings and they were like mosquitoes. Kenzie, on the other hand, gave everyone the finger including Colton and put on her big girl pants. They left her alone a lot quicker than they did Lisa.”
            “And you? What did you do?”
            “I slept with their boyfriends,” she smiled at me.  An interesting second thing I learned about Elise, the pot stirrer. “Probably not the best route.” She smiled at me.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Shameless Promotion - Part 2


Hi everyone. I am rounding up my friends and doing a panel on indie-publishing.  I asked a bunch of questions (things I want to know and others probably do to), they answered, and I am putting it together. Stop by every Wednesday for the next few weeks.

So why the title of this post? Because they are promoting how awesome they are.

My authors are: Erica Cope, Heather Diemer, and J.A. Lantz

Erica:
Why did you choose to do Indie publishing? Honestly? Because Abbi Glines recommended it when I met her at a book signing in 2012. 

How was the editing process? Editing is my least favorite part of the process. I think it's because I always tend to read what I think instead of what I actually wrote. I'm much better at editing for other people.

What were some wonderful things? Reading the feedback notes from my editor!

What were some difficult things about editing? It can feel tedious reading the same thing over and over.

Do you hold down a “day” job? If so, how do you find the time? My day job is “mommy” so I write whenever I can fit it in during the day (when they are napping or the rare times they are entertaining themselves) and at night when they are in bed. 

What kind of writing schedule do you keep to? Welllllll, I tend to write in spurts. There will be weeks where all I do is write, write, write! And then there are times (usually right after I publish) that I do nothing but think about the next story. Then when the mood strikes I write, write, write until it's finished. It's probably not the most productive but what can I say? It's how I roll.


J.A. Lantz

Why did you choose to do Indie publishing?
Well, I haven’t published yet, but I’m going the Indie route because I don’t want to wait or endure the lengthy process of traditional publishing. I don’t have anything against traditional publishing – they’ve provided me with some of my favorite books – but the turn around time is too long. I’m already itching to get published as it is, I couldn’t imagine having to wait even longer. Also, I want to avoid rejections because I don’t fit into what the publisher is doing or thinks the readers want. I want my book out there and let the readers decide.

How was the editing process?
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” seems to sum up the editing process pretty well. I enjoyed editing because it allowed me to think about my story in new ways, to streamline the story, to refine the characters and, obviously, fix all my errors (or learning moments as I think of them). On the other hand, editing can be grueling at times because it takes time, time and even more time.

What were some wonderful things? What were some difficult things about editing?
Wonderful things: positive feedback from my editor, constructive criticism, sense of accomplishment, seeing less and less red ink on the pages, and enthusiasm for my work from my editor.

Difficult things: saying goodbye to favorite scenes/moments that didn’t help the story but were awesome, having to pull out the entirely distinct novel I somehow managed to write within Helix, being able to see that story as a story in itself, and having so many new ideas for other stories pop into my mind causing me to stop editing and write those ideas down.

Do you hold down a “day” job? If so, how do you find the time?
I work as a substitute teacher, so I often have days that are free which are spent editing and writing – not necessarily in that order. As a substitute, I’m able to use prep time to, one, prepare for the classes I’m covering and, two, to write on either my laptop or notepads depending on the time available. However, I always put the teaching responsibilities first.

What kind of writing schedule do you keep to?
On my non-work days Monday through Friday, I can be found at the dining room table writing for hours – morning to night. On Saturdays, I squeeze in as much writing as possible around family obligations. On Sundays, I get nothing done because I live with avid (often angry) Bills fans, who shout, yell and cheer as if they were at the stadium. Distracting. Needless to say I look forward to non-football season Sundays.

Heather:
Why did you choose to do Indie publishing?
I have several friends who’ve published independently and have had success.  Indie authors have a close knit fan base who support each other. 

How was the editing process?
I’m not at that stage yet, but I have a friend who is an editor as well as some friends I think would be willing to help edit. 

Do you hold down a “day” job? If so, how do you find the time?
I do have a part time job that I do from home, I also am finishing up my bachelor’s degree online.  I write when I can, at night or when my husband is home.

What kind of writing schedule do you keep to?
I don’t have a set schedule.  Work and school come first and then writing fits in after those are done for the day.

Me:
Why did you choose to do Indie publishing?
I originally went both routes and was going to go with what panned out first. Indie did. I have one out there right now, one is coming out in December, and I will go this route because now, I can't imagine waiting to publish my work. It's immediate gratification - I like it. :) 

How was the editing process?
Long - I often ask myself why I can't do it right the first time! I luck out because I have a close friend who does a great job editing for me. I also have great Beta readers. Wouldn't make it without these people. 

What were some wonderful things? What were some difficult things about editing?
Wonderful things - about editing? Why did I put that question. Difficult? - Finding time. It's hard to keep to a schedule when you have a daunting task ahead of you. I have to make myself sit down and do it. I am my own boss so there is no one cracking the whip over my head. 

Do you hold down a “day” job? If so, how do you find the time?
I do. I teach middle school English. I don't really. I steal the hour I can get when I get it. 

What kind of writing schedule do you keep to?
No schedule here. I just try to write once a week, like a good hour or two of non-stop typing. I normally have ideas bouncing around in my head so I can shell out some serious words in that time.




What about you? What's your writing schedule? How do you keep to a plan?

Let us know!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Teaser time for Walker by me :)

Teaser Time for Walker! Let me know what you think! And don't forget to like my facebook page - I am going to be doing a giveaway on it soon!

I was in some sort of maze. Gray, cracked, stonewalls surrounded me. I was outside and the sky was dreary. Why couldn’t I find someone with happy dreams? I mean, really are all people’s psyche’s this messed up? 
I felt the pull for me to move to my left. I stood my ground unwilling to follow the pull. I wanted the dreamer to stop moving. But the more I stood there, I began to feel my skin itch. I gave in and wandered around the maze.
“Nick?” He didn’t appear after a few minutes. “Nick?” But I got nothing.
I continued to wander. I didn’t have a problem until I cam to a dead end and the dreamer kept moving. I tried to back track, fighting against the pull, but the maze was harder to maneuver of my own free will. My skin itched and pulled and pinched. I began to run, trying to make up the distance.
“Nick!” I needed Nick to get me out of here. “Nick!”
The pull continued attack my skin. I felt a rain drop on my upper lip. Great, it was going to rain now I thought. I ran more and more and felt another drop. I touched my lip and looked at my finger.
Blood.
I stopped in my tracks. I touched my nose and found more blood on my hand. This wasn’t happening. It was not real. I was not actually bleeding. It was a dream. But the pull started again. I moved. I ran fast.
I came to a dead end almost with each turn. I could feel the blood drip out of my nose like a leaky faucet. I wanted to scale the walls. I wanted to get the dreamer to just stop moving, to make this feeling stop.
“Nick! Please!”
He was nowhere.
I needed to wake up.
“Wake up, Kate” I said out loud. “Fergie!”
I continued to run, until I felt a sudden pressure on my face.
“Fergie!” It had to be her. “Fergie! Come on girl!. Wake me up!”

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Shameless Promotion Part 1

Hi everyone. I am rounding up my friends and doing a panel on indie-publishing.  I asked a bunch of questions (things I want to know and others probably do to), they answered, and I am putting it together. Stop by every Wednesday for the next four weeks.

So why the title of this post? Because right now you are going to hear about their books and then next week they are self-promoting how awesome they are. :)

My authors are: Erica Cope, Heather Diemer, and J.A. Lantz

Panel - Round 1. 

Erica:
What is your latest and greatest? In the Shadows (Lark #2)

What inspired this manuscript? It all started with a dream I had that inspired Lark.

Tell us about your leading character? Why would a reader like him/her? Oh gosh, I hope that people like Mia because she feels real.

Care to share a tid bit from your writing? 
Grey, do you think it’s too late?”
He nods sadly. “I’m sorry, Mia, but if they have her, I’m not sure if there is anything we can really do.”
The world distorts itself around me like a Fun House mirror, making me feel dizzy and nauseated. My lungs collapse in on themselves as the furious beating of my broken heart threatens to slam right out of my ripped open chest.
I—can’t—breathe,” I gasp as Grey pulls me into his arms and holds me close to his chest, whispering words that I don’t understand. My tears fall freely, staining his shirt with wet splotches but he doesn’t care, he continues to hold me tight, comforting me just like he has done before. I feel his lips press down on the top of my head and even though this sweet gesture is completely innocent, my stomach flips unexpectedly which in turn elicits a crashing wave of guilt that instantly squashes the butterflies that had suddenly been awakened by his simple touch, shredding their wings into powdery oblivion until they no longer have any semblance of beauty.

What’s your favorite thing about this novel? Can I say the cover? LOL It's so pretty!



J.A. Lantz 
What is your latest and greatest?
My latest and greatest would have to be Helix, the manuscript I just reached the final draft stage with. (At least, I think I have.) Also, I’m quite pleased with the manuscript I’m currently working on which developed out of Helix.

What inspired this manuscript?
My inspiration for Helix was my love for comic books and super-heroes and heroines. Combine my love of comics with my enjoyment of young adult literature and there you have the origin story for how my story was born.

Tell us about your leading character? Why would a reader like him/her?
Well, in order to talk my leading character, I have to talk about both leading characters since the novel is told from their respective points of view. Samantha Martin, or Sam as she prefers, is a small town girl who cares a great deal about her family and friends, loves to read, works at a book store to feed her book addiction and expects to lead a pleasant and ordinary life. Enter Collin Kane, the handsome new guy at school or as Sam initially dubs him: “ the untamed raven-haired hunk with the deep emeralds eyes and an amazing ass”. Collin and his siblings have a secret, of course, and will forever alter Sam’s life.I think readers will like Sam because she is very empathetic while I think readers will like Collin because he’s the good guy everyone wants to have in their life. I don’t want to say to much as I want readers to make up their own minds as to why they like Sam, Collin, and the other characters.

Care to share a tidbit from your writing? 
The handsome face, which I had come to know every detail intimately, was twisted with rage, twisted with betrayal, and – most terrifyingly – twisted with hatred: hatred directed entirely at me.
What could I have possibly done to deserve such animosity?
His every gesture, his every look, scared me to my very core. Instinctively, I backed away from him as he strode across the debris littered room toward me.
What could I possibly do to fend him off?
He out-powered me in every way conceivable and in many ways I had never thought possible until I met him and his family. His family lay unconscious, broken looking and bloody, scattered about the demolished living room. The back wall of windows shattered outward, the wind blowing through chilling me, but not as much as the deadly gaze in his cold emerald eyes.
What would he do to me?
I knew I was not willing to stay and find out. Turning, I ran for the front door knowing with each footfall I would never get away from him. A scream escaped my lips as his hands clamped fiercely onto my shoulders cutting off my escape. Roughly, he spun me around to face him, his emerald eyes boring into my own gray eyes, searching for something he obviously did not find as his eyes grew ever colder.
“Collin?”
He flinched as I spoke his name, a deep growl rumbled in his chest, as if his own name both scared and offended him. He said nothing as he forcibly shoved me toward the front door, his hand clutching my upper arm in a death grip. I tried not to cry out, but I whimpered anyway.
Where was he taking me? What would he do when he got me there?
I dreaded to find out.

What’s your favorite thing about this novel?
Um, too many favorites to put in a concise answer. Plus, I don’t want to give any spoilers. I will say, however, that writing the novel was a great experience.

Heather: 
What is your latest and greatest?
I’m currently working on an adult contemporary romance about Helena, a girl who’s a little lost about her future until she meets Josh and he turns her world around.  Can his love save her? 

What inspired this manuscript?
Ummm...I’m not really sure.  I was just talking to a friend and the title of the book just came to me and the story just tumbled out after it. 

Tell us about your leading character? Why would a reader like him/her?
Helena was adopted as a child after her father and mother both died the day she was born.  The number 42 has followed her throughout her life, even before she was born.  She’s considered it her lucky number and uses it to make major life decisions.  Helena is an introvert and prefers to keep to herself. She has a small close circle of friends to whom she’s fiercely loyal.  I think readers will like her because she’s funny, a little neurotic, and has a spontaneous nature about her. 

Care to share a tid bit from your writing?
Watching the sun travel across my rear view mirror, I rounded the last curve toward Josh’s house.  Our last text conversation replaying over and over again in my mind. 
Josh: I want to meet you. For real.
Me: I want to meet you too
Josh: Then come see me this weekend. I’m off all week.  Stay with me.
Me: I don’t know. Wouldn’t that be weird?
Josh: I have a guest room…
I know we’ve been exchanging texts for over a month now, forty-two days to be exact, but as I drive closer and closer to him, the more anxious I become.  All the fears I expressed to him that he shot down are reemerging.  What if changes his mind when he sees me?  What if I’m too fat?  What if the literal and figurative scars on my heart turn him away?  What if the forty-two thing weirds him out?  I’ve opened myself more to Josh than anyone else.  Ever.  But he doesn’t know about my forty-two obsession.  How do you discuss that through text messages?  “Hey, I ‘m obsessed with the number 42 and I use it to make all my life decisions.”  That’s weird right? How do you make someone understand that something as silly as this is actually really important?
 

What’s your favorite thing about this novel?
This book is my NaNoWriMo project and right now it’s totally random.  It’s taking on a life of its own and I love it.  Every character is a little crazy. Anna and her fiancé Jacob (Helena’s BFF’s) are hilarious and help bring Helena out of herself.  They don’t believe her crazy number obsession, but play along with her anyway.  


Me: 
What is your latest and greatest?
I am working on a NA dystopia. The US has had it's borders restructured and the government is now a monarchy. Except, the white house falls under attack and the princess has to get out of there. The Princess then has a mission (working out the kinks in the mission).

What inspired this manuscript?
Dean Winchester. Not a joke.

Tell us about your leading character? Why would a reader like him/her?
Emma Rayne is the Princess of the US is trying to become the Queen. She has to travel through battle stricken cities and learn the life she has been leading, wasn't realistic. Her job as Queen is scary for her, but throughout the novel, we watch her grow up. We watch her become stronger. We watch her be able to kick the crap out of people. 

Care to share a tid bit from your writing?
            The only thing I could hear was the sound of my heavy breathing. Maddox and Harper seemed like statues besides me. Or maybe my breathing was just too loud for me to comprehend anything else.
            “All we want are your weapons and anything of value. Give it to us and we won’t have a problem,” our captor said.
            My reaction was: Fine, take whatever you want just go away.
            Harper had a different reaction.
            “You aren’t taking anything from us.”
            This, like the men in the bar, amused our captor. He gave a short laugh. “Oh really? Let’s remember I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your head.” He pushed the barrel of the gun into Harper sending her body forward a little bit.
            “You don’t have it in you.”
            I couldn’t see the guy’s face, but this comment clearly caught him off guard. “What did you say?”
            “I said: You don’t have it in you.” I could see Harper out of the corner of my eye. She had righted herself. “As in you don’t have it in you to kill us.”


What’s your favorite thing about this novel?
It's not my comfort zone. I am actually struggling a lot with descriptions and belieable scenes - but that's great. It's making me better (and it's making me a little nuts). 


There you have their current manuscripts, WIPs and novels in a nutshell? Intrigued yet? Come back next Wednesday to learn more and hear more about Indie Publishing!

Monday, November 11, 2013

Thank you and a teaser for Walker.

Maybe you missed it last week - but I revealed the cover for Walker. I set a date for the release (Dec. 11). I have been throwing up some teasers. In fact the release is one month from today.

First- HAPPY VETERANS DAY! Thank you to the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. Thank you.

Second - Teaser time.

Here is my teaser for the week:


“I need you to relax.” It was Nick. He wasn’t tangled in wire. He stared down at me, his blue eyes staring at me bound.
            I tried to slow my breath. “It’s not as easy as you think it is, ya know?”
            “I’m going to try something. I don’t know if it will work.”
            “What are you going to do?” I asked in a rush.
            “I’m going to try and get you out of there. I need you to twine your fingers with mine through the wire.”
            I couldn’t see my hands. They were restricted, bound tight to my sides. I felt his fingers touch mine and I wanted the freedom to grasp his hands. Our fingers barely wrapped around each other’s.
            I was about to ask him how exactly holding my finger tips was going to help, when I felt a weightless feeling. I wasn’t bound up by the wire. I felt like gravity had completely given way. I was an astronaut floating.
            Floating until I smacked solidly into Nicholas. I hit him with an incredible force, gaining no balance, but he instinctively caught me again. 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Cover Reveal for Walker!

I am so excited to be showing you my cover today! The wonderful Alivia at White Rabbit Designs and Creations did this for me and I love it!

Here it is!!!!!  My cover for Walker by me!!!! (It's about dream walking!)

Synopsis:  Kate isn’t thrilled to be moving to the middle of nowhere. She's already lost her parents, now she's leaving the only place she's ever known as home. She’s not there long when she realizes her dreams aren’t her own and that she has the ability to walk through other people's dreams. Not only that, but she might have found her dream guy--literally. He's in her dreams.
Just when she starts to get the hang of dream walking, strange murders in her new town start to occur. Girls are being killed as they sleep with no evidence, no suspects and no clear motive behind the deaths. It doesn’t take Kate very long to realize that the girls aren’t just being killed as they sleep—they’re being killed in their sleep.
Kate must figure out how to find the killer in the real world and keep the ones she loves safe while they sleep.

The release date is Dec. 11th. A little more than a month!

You can find the book on Goodreads to add. It will be up on Amazon first and Create Space.

I want to thank everyone who participated in the Cover Reveal! I was so excited and these people threw it together in a a day for me! You are awesome my friends!

Here is me on facebook.
And my handle is @mflick729