Here's an array of news, reviews, a giveaway and a report on my Nano progress in November.
First of all, Angel Snyder at her fabulous 909 Reviews asked me very creative interview questions. She's giving away a signed copy of my illustrated YA thriller, Fireseed One! Enter to win it, or just come over to read the interview, which includes a peek at Scarlet's Fire.
And how are you doing with your holiday shopping? I'm about 2/3 done, and I'm relieved to avoid most of the holiday mobs. For those people on my list who seem to already have everything I'm trying something new: getting them concert and theater tickets! Oh, and coupons for spa treatments. I'd take a massage over a pair of earrings most any day. How about you?
Over at Book Labyrinth, I did a guest post called Reinventing YA Sci-Fi. Read it here. And I want to say thanks so much for the awesome review by Alison DeLuca. Fireseed One made it to the Best in Fantasy blog! How cool is that? Thanks to Mina Burrows for her very thoughtful review at her Books for Paranormal and Mystic Minds.
Now for Nano. I didn't win, but I ratcheted up a respectable number of words at 35K. It was actually more, because I kept forgetting to update, so let's say it was around 40K. It did light a fire under me, and now I'm on a faster roll. So, it accomplished its purpose! I'm about two thirds of the way through Scarlet's Fire, the sequel to Fireseed One, and I'm loving the weird, wild plot twists! Hopefully, you will too. How did you all do in Nano?
What's up in December for you? Care to share creative holiday gift ideas?
If NaNo motivated you to write, that's all that matters!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on achieving NaNoTude, even if you didn't "win." :) I loved giving myself permission to write every single day. Now that I've had about a week off, I'm ready to dive back in.
ReplyDeleteHaven't started Christmas shopping yet. Ugh - my history in retail got me in the habit of being done every year by Thanksgiving. That did not happen. Waiting to hear about an elusive bonus.... fingers crossed there!
For the last couple of years, we've tried to simplify our gift-giving for the kids: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. My son amended it to include something to watch and something to eat (candy). It works very well and keeps it from getting too overwhelming! Love your idea of concert tickets!
Congratulations on your word count during Nanowrimo. Sadly, I haven't been writing as much the past couple of weeks. As far as Christmas shopping goes, I need to get busy. For some reason it just hasn't felt like Christmas to me yet. I'm sure that will change as I am rushing around at the last minute looking for the "perfect gift" wondering why I can't it any where. Haha. Thanks for the ideas!
ReplyDeleteI'm done with CHristmas shopping! I did most of my shopping online at Amazon and Toys R' Us.I'm big on homemade gifts. I made a funny baby collage for my sister-in-law who's also our daughter's godmother. Picture gifts are always a good idea.
ReplyDeleteSara, I like your slogan of "something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read." It has a good ring to it, and it includes a book! Yes, Alex, the writing is the most important thing, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI didn't sign up for NaNo. I knew I wouldn't carry through if I did, so it would have been just one more thing I couldn't complete in Nov. Glad you did, Catherine. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI didn't officially sign up for NaNo but I did write a novel, complete at 60K during the month of November, so I was happy.
ReplyDeleteChristmas shopping is so close to being finished. I'm hoping to finish tomorrow.
Holy Smokes - you've been a busy bee! Congrats on NaNo - a quite respectable amount there too. Spa over earrings too, as I hate to shop it's all done online. Free shipping and gifts hit my door each week. I even bought my wedding shoes online! Now go pamper yourself and take a break.
ReplyDeleteHey Catherine! Congrats on Fireseed one! That's great it made it to Best Fantasy! I'll head over and check it out.
ReplyDeleteANd I'm happy to report my Xmas shopping is mostly done. Yay!
Thx for stopping by my blog with congrats.:D
I didn't sign up for NaNo, but am hunkering down to finish Backworlds #3. Glad to hear you've found the fire and will hope over to your interviews.
ReplyDeleteI have some online shopping to do. I opt for Amazon gift cards when I'm stumped. I asked my husband for money to hire an artist to redo a book cover... writers want stranger things than the normal public.
Spa stuff sounds great though. I'd take that, too. Or maid service. That would be awesome.
Donna, buying wedding shoes online takes the (wedding) cake! M Pax, I love that you asked the hub to buy you an awesome book cover design. Sounds like something I'd ask for. I asked for seat cover for ny Nissan Cube. Black ones with purple stripes! Let's see if Santa gets 'em. You all sound so organized in regard to Xmas shopping, I am impressed.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the word count during Nano! I'm just getting back on track with my WIP and can't wait for the weekend to begin, so I can simply write without work getting in the way :)
ReplyDeleteKatja, I didn't know you wrote as well! Now I'm really curious...
ReplyDeleteI think theater tickets are a great idea, and massages always go over well!
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
Yes, I got tix to the opera and some new, cool opera glasses that have a chain attachment. A bit steampunky, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the NaNo word count and getting your shopping done! I won NaNo and now that I've come up for air, I really need to get going on the gift-buying. I like the idea of getting people experiences rather than things.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the NaNo 40k word total, well done!
ReplyDeleteJust popping by to say thanks for supporting W4Ws.
Massage is definitely the correct choice.
ReplyDeleteYes, Michael, I agree. One can always use a good massage!
ReplyDeleteCongratulstions on the great reviews. But then the book is awesome. Looking forward to the next one.
ReplyDeleteI didn't attempt NANO. Too much else going on in my life. Besides, I don't do well under pressure.
My shopping this year will be checks to everyone. No time to look for gifts.