Cindy Young-Turner

Doubting monkey on my shoulder

MP900262614 — You think he’s cute but he’ll pounce when you least expect it.

Someone asked recently what I thought was the hardest part about writing. Honestly, sometimes the hardest part is the actual writing. Why is it so hard? Fear. It’s fear of Not Being Good Enough. I have a habit of composing brilliant scenes in my head that never come out quite right when I type up the words. I’ll send a chapter through my critique group who might like it and offer some good suggestions for improving it further, but when I sit down to work on my edits the only thing I can focus on is the quality of the writing because to me, it falls short. I’m probably my own worst critic. Even when I think something is initially good, that doubting monkey on my shoulders whispers, “But it it’s not good enough. It could be better.” And thus begins the downward spiral of not being able to write because it will never be good enough and if it’s not good enough should I even try?

Well, I try because I’m compelled to write. Other writers understand that feeling. I have to push aside the doubting monkey (don’t worry, no animals are actually harmed) and tell myself that it may not be perfect, but yes, it’s good. My publisher thought so. I have readers who think so. So I just have to push through the doubt and keep on writing. I’m not sure there’s any other solution than that. Write a paragraph. Repeat, until you have written a page. Then repeat again.

My five-year-old has been talking about what she wants to be when she grows up. (For the record, it’s currently a teacher, a princess, a ballet teacher, and a princess teacher. I’m sure pink will be involved.) She asked me what I had wanted to be when I was little. I’ve wanted to be an author forever. When I told her this, she looked at me and said, “And now you are.”

Yes, I am an author. It’s still an amazing feeling. I hope I can keep on doing it.

Do you ever feel this way about your writing? What are some of your tips for working through writing doubt?

Blogger Book Fair wrap up

It’s the last day of the Blogger Book Fair, so be sure to check out all the great books and events, including the giveaways and the Reader’s Choice Awards. I hosted some great authors on my blog this week. Here’s a final look at their books–maybe you’ll find your next read among them!

Blogger Book Fair Day 4: Interview with Nicole Zoltack

Day 4 of the Blogger Book Fair! There’s still time left to check out the BBF directory for links to all of the great authors and bloggers who are participating. Thief of Hope is doing well in the Reader’s Choice Awards over at Shut Up and Read, so stop by and cast a vote if you haven’t done so yet. And don’t forget, leave a comment on any of my BBF posts this week and you’ll be in the running for a $10 Amazon gift card!

Today I’m pleased to welcome fantasy author Nicole Zoltack to the blog! First let’s check out her books.

Woman of Honor (Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy, book 1)

Aislinn of Bairbhe dreams of becoming a lady knight to honor the death of her fallen brother. To her mother’s horror, King Patrick grants Aislinn’s wish and she begins her long years of training.

Despite the mockery of the other pages, and the disdain of Prince Caelan who also trains to be a knight, Aislinn commits herself to her dreams and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and bravery. Through the years, Aislinn and Caelan grow from sparring classmates to good friends. They both know that someday Caelan will marry for the sake of the kingdom, but even that cannot keep them from falling in love.

The threat of war with the Speicans is a constant threat, and one that grows more frightening as she and Caelan train toward their eventual knighthood. Aislinn has committed herself to serving Arnhem, and has promised herself as King’s Champion when Caelan claims the throne. She is willing to give up everything… her childhood, her life, even her heart for Arnhem. No matter the pain it brings.

Available formats: ebook and paperback

Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6370163-woman-of-honor

Purchase links for Woman of Honor:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Woman-Honor-Kingdom-Arnhem-ebook/dp/B0021L9YDK

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kingdom-of-arnhem-book-one-nicole-zoltack/1111374792?ean=9781612529905

Knight of Glory (Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy, book 2)

Ranulf, the Speican lord, is dead, and Arnhem is safe, or so the Arnhemians believe.

Sir Geoffrey and his companions have just completed a mission for Queen Aislinn when he receives word of the Speicans attacking Arnhem. Geoffrey and his party, which now includes exile Jenanna, split up and rush to different kingdoms to ask for aid. Even as he fights for his kingdom and his life, Geoffrey finds himself torn between his new friend Jenanna and the mysterious lady Celestia he left behind in Arnhem.

Enlisting help is infinitely more difficult than they anticipated and to make matters worse, rumors abound that the Speicans have enlisted a mage to work unspeakable, forbidden magic. The war between Speica and Arnhem has just begun. Will Geoffrey survive the battle to live another day and discover which woman he truly loves?

Available formats: ebook and paperback

Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7801193-knight-of-glory

Purchase links for Knight of Glory:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Knight-Glory-Kingdom-Arnhem-ebook/dp/B003AKY5U8/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kingdom-of-arnhem-book-two-nicole-zoltack/1111929175?ean=9781612529745

Champion of Valor (Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy, book 3)

The war between Specia and Arnhem now reaches the sea after the selkies discover the Mystical Conch Shell of the Sea has been stolen. Selliki the selkie sets out to find it, and Gabrael, the mage she loves. No union between a selkie and a human has ever had a happy ending, but neither can ignore their feelings. Each night, they experience terrible, real dreams that show how doomed their love is. Add the war, and their love is impossible. Only one kingdom will prevail; that is, if the world doesn’t end.

Available formats: ebook and paperback

Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11150044-champion-of-valor

Purchase links for Champion of Valor:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Arnhem-Book-Three-ebook/dp/B004YTFGLQ

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kingdom-of-arnhem-book-three-nicole-zoltack/1103130624?ean=2940012459756

Coming Soon:

Black Hellebore, first in a new superhero romance trilogy – Heroes of Falledge

Expected release: October 2013

Available formats: ebook & possibly paperback

Publisher: Desert Breeze

Nicole is also doing a Rafflecopter giveaway for the Book Fair, so check it out and you can win some fun prizes:

Interview with Nicole

1. Which books/authors have most influenced you as an author and why?

J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling (There’s just something about authors that use initials…) I have always loved fantasy and these two writers are masters at creating rich worlds you can’t help put fall in love with.

2. If you could meet one of your favorite fictional characters, who would you choose and why?

Oh, tough question! Since I love dragons, I guess I’ll go with Saphira from Eragon. Would be so amazing to ride a dragon!

3. What fictional world would you most like to visit?

I would love to be a student at Hogwarts!

4. What advice would you give your pre-published self, knowing what you know now?

Never give up, try to write every day, read as much as you can and not just in your genre.

5. Waiting for the next season of Game of Thrones is hard, but now’s the time to prepare. What three things do you want to have on hand when the Others come down from beyond the Wall?

Confession time: I haven’t read or watched GoT yet. It’s on the to-do list, I swear! But it sounds like a sword and shield and a horse might be a good idea, from my limited knowledge.

Okay, I totally struck out with this question. Had to try, though! We are all toast when the Others come. I’m not sharing my stash of dragonglass!

Bio:

Nicole Zoltack loves to write fantasy/paranormal, romances, horror, historical, for adults and young adults, novels, short stories, and flash pieces. She doesn’t want to get boxed in by genre — she might be claustrophobic! She’s also an editor for MuseItUp Publishing and works as a freelance editor.

When she isn’t writing about girls wanting to be knights, talking unicorns, and zombies, she spends time with her loving family. She loves to ride horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, dressed in period garb.

Where to find Nicole:

Author website: http://www.nicolezoltack.com

Blog: http://nicolezoltack.blogspot.com/

Twitter @nicolezoltack: https://twitter.com/NicoleZoltack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleZoltack

Google+: https://plus.google.com/112850281244279638997/posts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2887586.Nicole_Zoltack

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolezoltack

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/nicolezoltack

Blogger Book Fair Day 3: Interview with Jennifer Barry

Day 3 of the Blogger Book Fair! Be sure to check out the BBF directory for links to all of the great authors and bloggers who are participating. And don’t forget, leave a comment on any of my BBF posts this week and you’ll be in the running for a $10 Amazon gift card!

Today I’m pleased to welcome Jennifer Barry, author of the YA novel Side Effects, to the blog!

High school can be Hell on Earth, a fact Isaac Matthews knows all too well. How is a guy supposed to deal with Anxiety Disorder, adolescent hormones, and college and career choices all at once? On top of all that, he meets Grace—the beautiful, outgoing new girl who shakes his very foundation and grounds him at the same time.

What he does is try the medication that’s supposed to make him better, knowing that there’s a chance he could just get worse. Warning: Side Effects may include increased heart rate, dry mouth, interrupted speech, elevated body temperature, and dizziness or lightheadedness upon seeing her smile.

Get your copy of Side Effects on Amazon now!

Interview with Jennifer Barry

1. Which books/authors have most influenced you as an author and why?

Oh, I’d have to say every book I’ve ever read. Even the bad ones show me what NOT to do. If I delve down into the inspiration, the lessons learned, I’d say Side Effects was influenced largely by my love for The Catcher in the Rye. Holden’s a bit of an asshole (can I say that on your blog?), but Salinger isn’t afraid to let us all the way into his character’s mind. Dark and dirty, light and funny, we see it all.

2. If you could meet one of your favorite fictional characters, who would you choose and why?

I’d have to say Anne Shirley. I imagine hanging out with her for the day would be the most fun. There’s a sweetness and light to her that I think could only serve to soothe my soul. That’s why I visit with her as often as possible—especially when I just really need a lift.

Oooh, I adore Anne Shirley!

3. What fictional world would you most like to visit?

I think Narnia during the reign of High King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy would be idyllic. CS Lewis built an amazing world and made us all wish for our own Narnia.

If Narnia is full, I’ll take the next ticket to Hogwarts, thank you.

4. What advice would you give your pre-published self, knowing what you know now?

An English degree—even experience as an English teacher—does not mean you’ll be a good editor. Find a great editor who can help with plot development as well as storytelling devices (active vs passive and show vs tell). Interview editors before you choose. The quality of your story depends on the people who help you polish it.

5. Waiting for the next season of Game of Thrones is hard, but now’s the time to prepare. What three things do you want to have on hand when the Others come down from beyond the Wall?

Oh, man. I’m rarely without answers, but you got me with this one. I haven’t read or watched Game of Thrones, so I’m completely unprepared for these Others. They sound ominous, though, so I’m going to go with the Invisibility Cloak, the Elder Wand, and the Resurrection Stone.

About Jennifer:

Jennifer M. Barry knows she’s in trouble when people use her whole name, so just Jen is fine. She started her creative career in opera performance, a skill she now only uses on Friday nights for karaoke. Since leaving the stage, she has written fantasy and contemporary novels for young adults and worked as a freelance blogger and ghostwriter. She also works with independent writers and publishers to edit and prepare novels for publication.

In addition to writing and editing, she loves to drink coffee, consume entirely too much Cherry Garcia, laugh at herself on her blog, and watch live music. Jen lives in Nashville with her husband, Liam. They just bought their first house and are freaking out about taxes, redecorating, return on investment, and a million other grown-up things. Life is officially weird.

You can find out more about Jennifer and her book at http://jennifermbarry.com.

Blogger Book Fair Day 2: Interview with Eileen Sharp

It’s Day 2 of the Blogger Book Fair! Be sure to check out the Reader’s Choice Awards over at Shut Up and Read. Thief of Hope is in the running in the Fantasy-Mature (2) category. Votes are appreciated!

Today I’m featuring Eileen Sharp, author of The Unspeller and the Book of Days.

From the author of Certainty comes a fantasy set against the ticking clock of magic’s end. The Unspeller and the Book of Days is an extraordinary fantasy about a powerful family and an ungifted child. Aesa Jereward finds himself the center of suspicion and fear, a possible sign of the foretold End of magic. Being part of a rich bloodline with deep magic only increases his misery. With the help of his extraordinary siblings and a dragon of mysterious origins, Aesa must find his own path in the destiny of magic.

Get your copy on Amazon

Check out Eileen’s blog for more information on her and her books: http://eileensharp.wordpress.com/

Author Interview: Eileen Sharp

1. Which books/authors have most influenced you as an author and why?

I was really influenced by Lloyd Alexander – his High King series was so perfect. I’ve never forgotten how I felt finishing the last book in the series. I was twelve and blown away.

2. If you could meet one of your favorite fictional characters, who would you choose and why?

Edward Cullen. Seriously.

3. What fictional world would you most like to visit?

Middle Earth, or Pern. Both of them are so beautifully vivid and they really suck you in and make you wish they were real.

4. What advice would you give your pre-published self, knowing what you know now?

Be patient and a little discontented with everything. It can’t hurt to go for perfection!

5. Waiting for the next season of Game of Thrones is hard, but now’s the time to prepare. What three things do you want to have on hand when the Others come down from beyond the Wall?

I know this is shocking, but I haven’t read Game of Thrones or watched the series.

Hmm, striking out so far with my Got question!