A way to be a beta reader

Lately - I have been having a lot of conversations and experiences with editing. So folks - you are going to be witnessing a lot of editing posts.

I recently made a great friend (Autumn Houghton-Stanton) and had the opportunity to be one of her beta readers. When I edit, I am someone who wants to take the opportunity to really benefit the author. I want to know exactly what they want from me, what they want me to fix, what to look for, etc. So I asked Autumn and she requested that I read each chapter and give her feedback - one or two sentences. I had never done editing this way. I normally go through a story with a fine tooth comb - teacher in me - so this was different.

It worked really good. I would read, give Autumn my reactions and notes, and move on. It moved fast. I didn't get caught up in the grammar aspect (not that she had an issue).

Autumn and I also emailed frequently in the 24 hours it took me to read her book - YEAH IT WAS THAT GOOD! During the emails I could ask if I was giving her what she wanted, if I was being helpful. I think this important. An editor shouldn't just take a manuscript and lock herself in a closet. The dialogue with the author is super important. Again, editing is about getting the maximum results for the author.

What about you? How do you edit? What's the best (or most beneficial) way? LMK.

Catch - It's an app!

Have you ever been smack table in the middle of a WIP and this great idea for ANOTHER book pops into your brain? And your brain starts to work out the characters, snippets of dialogue, the setting? This happens to me all the time, especially when it comes to dialogue. I can come up with some great conversations in my head. No, I'm not crazy; I'm a writer.

But my current WIP! I can't stop now! I'm on a roll. But if I don't start writing this other book, I'm going to forget this great one liner, this description. CROSSROADS. 

NOPE! 

The app is called Catch. 

I love this app for the following reason:

1. It's an app so it's on my phone - always handy! In school, in the car, middle of restaurant, anywhere.

2. It records your voice. So you know how your mind works faster than your fingers can type. Well, no problem there. I have tons of sounds bytes with my voice dictating EXACTLY what I want. 

3. Tons of sounds bytes? Not a problem - I organize all of my recordings based on the WIP. Catalogued. Check!
4. I can type an idea if I need to.
5. I'm pretty sure you can do something with pictures or icons - I haven't done anything with this - but thought I should mention it.
6. You can use it for other things to - lists, work stuff, etc. I do use my only for writing - but someday I may expand.

7. When I'm ready, it's ready. I don't lose any of those great ideas that I am 100% positive will not be edited out later... (HA! Right.) 

That's my app. What app do you use to help you in the writing process? 

Final Four! Go vote for Dank! Giveaway here too!

AHHHHH Final FOUR! Please go vote for Dank at the YA-Sisterhood! We have been killing it! So keep up the good work! There is a giveaway at the bottom of this post! Go vote and spread the word!

Personality: He's pretty honest and upfront. For the most part, each character who has a run in with Dank knows where they stand with him. The only time he withholds anything is when it might effect/affect Pagan in some way. He writes music from his heart. Dank has a sarcastic side, that isn't abrasive, but just enough to tease Pagan. He takes his "work" seriously and after his love with Pagan, understands what he is doing more clearly, so he is willing to grow (how many guys really are?) 


Looks: Bluer than blue eyes. So blue that they have been referred to as gems. Look at the covers. Those babies pop. He also has black, not too long hair, that curls on the ends. A sultry smirk reserved only for Pagan and a dimple. Just one, sinisterly cute dimple. Smoking hot body. Did I mention his blue eyes? 


Talents: Besides easing people into their deaths? He serenades (and well, like soothingly and sensually) his girlfriend Pagan with a guitar and lullabies that he has written about how she has saved him. I mean, what girl doesn't want that? I do. 

Special Attributes/Best Qualities: One of my favorite qualities about him is his compassion. He can be a tough, I know that, but he can be so sweet and he doesn't have to be. For example, there was a little girl in EXISTENCE and he talked to the little girl and tried to make dying easier and made it a beautiful process. He didn't have to. His compassion extends farther than Pagan. Then there is that whole he is Death thing. Ya know - no biggie. Or the fact that he is a deity. 

Anything else? This year, with the help of my street team (WHO ARE AWESOME) and the great Abbi Glines, I have added some other reader's favorite qualities, moments, and quotes. 

One of my favorite quotes: “He's already proven he'll defy Heaven to keep her. If Hell wants a piece of him too, then bring it on.”  SWOON!


Two Responses from Abbi Glines! 
What are some of your favorite things about Dank? 
He holds the key to life or death in his hands yet he becomes as weak as a human when he falls for Pagan. There is something about watching a Deity act like a mortal because of love that gets to you. One of the reasons I love Greek Mythology. 

And why was he a fun character to write? Because he wasn't a man. He was something that every human fears but they know they will meet one day. Writing him with emotions and giving him a voice was almost comforting in a way. 

From the Greedy Booker - (and a quote I love) - “I’m not a man so I do not have a heart that loves as a human does. I’m an immortal god that dwells with supreme power because I hold the keys to Death. But you are my existence. I am yours.”- Existence

From Jorie Sus- Confronting Ghede with the Warriors threatening to destroy voodoo if he doesn't release Pagan's soul - (I have to say I loved this too. BAD ASS and it reminded me of how tough Dank is.)

From Erica Cope "It's the scene where Pagan is home from dress shopping and Dank comments on the pale pink dress then....

Both his hands gripped my waist pulling me hard up against his body. "You tempt me. I can't be tempted. I'm not made to be tempted but you, Pagan Moore, you tempt me."

Then he goes on to say:

"I didn't understand it at first. But now I know. It's your soul calling to me. Souls mean nothing to me. They aren't supposed to. But yours has become my obsession."

Totaly swoonworthy moment for me. :)

What's better than having a sexy rockstar serenade you in your sleep? :)

Kayla -  Okay, seriously, this year's tourney is full of total hotness & it was hard to choose which fella I wanted to support. I decided Dank was my man this year to support because, well, what's hotter than the baddest guy ever (hello - he's DEATH) who also plays the guitar plus sings & loves fiercely! <3 font="">

Willow D - “I realised you owned me one night in this room. I was singing to you and you were sleeping. You made a little noise in your sleep like you were distressed and I panicked and ran to your side. You grabbed my arm in your sleep and pulled it up against your face and went back to sleep. I didn't want to ever move.”

So if you love Dank or just fell in love with him, support us! Tweet for #TeamDank, on facebook, on your blog and where ever else!

BIG NEWS!!! Abbi is donating 15 copies of Existence for the Tourney with some swag AND has agreed to write a novella for Dank and Pagan after Ceaseless. It will be free if Dank wins the tourney. And people, lets be honest, if you have read the series, why wouldn't you vote for him? a Rafflecopter giveaway

Vote for Dank and a giveaway!

Ding! Round 2! While Four is very handsome, I need you togo vote for Dank at the YA-Sisterhood! There is a giveaway at the bottom of this post! Go vote and spread the word!

Personality: He's pretty honest and upfront. For the most part, each character who has a run in with Dank knows where they stand with him. The only time he withholds anything is when it might effect/affect Pagan in some way. He writes music from his heart. Dank has a sarcastic side, that isn't abrasive, but just enough to tease Pagan. He takes his "work" seriously and after his love with Pagan, understands what he is doing more clearly, so he is willing to grow (how many guys really are?) 


Looks: Bluer than blue eyes. So blue that they have been referred to as gems. Look at the covers. Those babies pop. He also has black, not too long hair, that curls on the ends. A sultry smirk reserved only for Pagan and a dimple. Just one, sinisterly cute dimple. Smoking hot body. Did I mention his blue eyes? 


Talents: Besides easing people into their deaths? He serenades (and well, like soothingly and sensually) his girlfriend Pagan with a guitar and lullabies that he has written about how she has saved him. I mean, what girl doesn't want that? I do. 

Special Attributes/Best Qualities: One of my favorite qualities about him is his compassion. He can be a tough, I know that, but he can be so sweet and he doesn't have to be. For example, there was a little girl in EXISTENCE and he talked to the little girl and tried to make dying easier and made it a beautiful process. He didn't have to. His compassion extends farther than Pagan. Then there is that whole he is Death thing. Ya know - no biggie. Or the fact that he is a deity. 

Anything else? This year, with the help of my street team (WHO ARE AWESOME) and the great Abbi Glines, I have added some other reader's favorite qualities, moments, and quotes. 

One of my favorite quotes: “He's already proven he'll defy Heaven to keep her. If Hell wants a piece of him too, then bring it on.”  SWOON!


Two Responses from Abbi Glines! 
What are some of your favorite things about Dank? 
He holds the key to life or death in his hands yet he becomes as weak as a human when he falls for Pagan. There is something about watching a Deity act like a mortal because of love that gets to you. One of the reasons I love Greek Mythology. 

And why was he a fun character to write? Because he wasn't a man. He was something that every human fears but they know they will meet one day. Writing him with emotions and giving him a voice was almost comforting in a way. 

From the Greedy Booker - (and a quote I love) - “I’m not a man so I do not have a heart that loves as a human does. I’m an immortal god that dwells with supreme power because I hold the keys to Death. But you are my existence. I am yours.”- Existence

From Jorie Sus- Confronting Ghede with the Warriors threatening to destroy voodoo if he doesn't release Pagan's soul - (I have to say I loved this too. BAD ASS and it reminded me of how tough Dank is.)

From Erica Cope "It's the scene where Pagan is home from dress shopping and Dank comments on the pale pink dress then....

Both his hands gripped my waist pulling me hard up against his body. "You tempt me. I can't be tempted. I'm not made to be tempted but you, Pagan Moore, you tempt me."

Then he goes on to say:

"I didn't understand it at first. But now I know. It's your soul calling to me. Souls mean nothing to me. They aren't supposed to. But yours has become my obsession."

Totaly swoonworthy moment for me. :)

What's better than having a sexy rockstar serenade you in your sleep? :)

Kayla -  Okay, seriously, this year's tourney is full of total hotness & it was hard to choose which fella I wanted to support. I decided Dank was my man this year to support because, well, what's hotter than the baddest guy ever (hello - he's DEATH) who also plays the guitar plus sings & loves fiercely! <3 font="">

Willow D - “I realised you owned me one night in this room. I was singing to you and you were sleeping. You made a little noise in your sleep like you were distressed and I panicked and ran to your side. You grabbed my arm in your sleep and pulled it up against your face and went back to sleep. I didn't want to ever move.”

So if you love Dank or just fell in love with him, support us! Tweet for #TeamDank, on facebook, on your blog and where ever else!

BIG NEWS!!! Abbi is donating 15 copies of Existence for the Tourney with some swag AND has agreed to write a novella for Dank and Pagan after Ceaseless. It will be free if Dank wins the tourney. And people, lets be honest, if you have read the series, why wouldn't you vote for him?  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wrong Side of Town! Cover Reveal!

I am always happy to be supporting indie authors. But there are two ladies in the indie world that I feel like putting on a cheerleading outfit and doing a cartwheel for. One of them is Erica Cope and the other is! DRUMROLL!!!!

Komal Kant!

Today I am doing a cover reveal for her soon to be out novel - Wrong Side of Town. Hello Vincent!


“You never know someone is missing in your life until the moment they enter it.”

Estella Markson is a good girl. She studies hard, stays out of trouble, and is struggling to hold together her family that is falling apart because of her alcoholic father. Vincent Madden is the guy your mother warned you to stay away from. He doesn’t follow the rules, is in a notorious motorcycle gang, and doesn’t care if he breaks the law or someone’s bones.

After a chance encounter, Vincent starts to take an interest in the innocent girl who is so different to him. Despite Vincent’s infamous reputation, Estella is also intrigued by him. There is something about this bad boy that gives her an escape from her world of problems, and she can’t stay away. Even as they struggle with the problems in their lives, Vincent and Estella soon find that trying to forget is easier with someone by your side.



About Komal

Komal Kant is the author of IMPOSSIBLE, FALLING FOR HADIE, and the upcoming WRONG SIDE OF TOWN. She currently lives in Sydney, but wishes she lived all over the world. Her weird-filled days are filled with imaginary characters who often speak to her in hushed tones before stealing her lunch money; Siberian Huskies who talk back a lot; and the growing need to clone herself so she can write faster. You can often find her swooning over fictional male characters who smirk a lot, superhero-related movies, and Ryan Gosling. So if there was ever a superhero movie with Ryan Gosling in it smirking a lot, she would pass out from an overload of swooniness.



Want to fine Komal? See below!

Add the book on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17252845-wrong-sideof-town

Website: http://www.komalkant.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Komal-Kant-Author/102086559977334?ref=hl

Twitter: @Komal_Kant