Category: Writing

Happy book anniversary!

It’s been exactly a year since Thief of Hope was published. A whole year as an official author. I can’t say I’ve made enough to quit my day job, but I never expected to do that. Okay, I hoped I might and I still hope maybe someday that will happen.

I wrote a guest blog about five things I’ve learned during this past year, which was perfect timing: http://gelatisscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/cindy-young-turner-5-things-i-have.html. Marketing has been the biggest challenge by far. I’m not sure anyone has figured out the secret or we’d all be best-selling authors. I think a lot of work and a lot of luck are involved. And what I’d much rather be doing is writing because that’s what I do best. Although I haven’t sold a ton of copies, I’ve earned two award nominations and had some really good reviews. I’m also taking heart in the fact that so many people keep asking me when the sequel is coming out. (I’m working on it, I promise!)

And if you don’t have Thief of Hope yet, get it here:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle

Barnes & Noble: Paperback | Nook

Kobo: ebook

Playlist for Thief of Hope

Happy Leap Day everyone! Thought I’d do something fun and share a playlist I’ve created for Thief of Hope. I’ve failed to figure out how to embed the playlist on my blog (maybe it’s cause I’m too cheap to upgrade space?), but here’s a link to it: http://pl.st/p/22920112139. I couldn’t find all of my favorite songs, but the list has a few of the ones that helped inspire me while writing the book. I listen to a lot of movie soundtracks and Celtic music when I write. And there’s some harder stuff in there as well. It’s a rather eclectic mix. One song I really wanted to include was New Model Army’s “The Charge,” which I found on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MOCOmgJ9-g. I adore New Model Army and that is by far my favorite song of theirs.

And please, if you like any of the songs, go out and support the artists and purchase their music!

A writer’s wish list

Well, the shopping is done and presents are all wrapped, but I don’t think I’ll find any of these things under the tree. Here’s what’s on my writer’s wish list this year:

1. Time

I wish for more time every year, but haven’t found a way to get a 26-hour day or fit everything in. I think I need Hermione’s time turner. Could I get that in my stocking?

2. A shiny new Macbook

My name is Cindy and I’m a Mac. I love Macs. I love my Macbook, but it’s four years old and there are newer, shinier things out there. It still works just fine, though, so for now it’s staying. The Mac desktop is ancient and really needs to be replaced. Again, it’s still chugging along and I’m cheap and don’t want to replace it until it dies.

3. A black hole for all those pesky adverbs

Adverbs are seductive. They sneak up on you, so handy and easy to use. Then before you know it, you’ve got a whole page littered with them.

4. Ditto for those repeated words and phrases

When I was going through edits on ToH, I was embarrassed and appalled by how many times I repeated certain words and phrases. How could I not have noticed them? I hope I’m a bit more conscious of things like that now, but I know I still have some crutch words I always seem to fall back on.

5. More readers

If more people bought my book (say, thousands more), maybe I could quit my day job and write full time. That would also help out with #1 on the list.

6. Find out how book 2 in the series is going to end

Again, this goes along with #1 on the list. I need more time to write so I can finish the next book!

7. Publishers for the wonderful authors in my critique groups

I know a number of people who have written great books. They just need to find a publisher to snap them up.

8. Less social anxiety

Speaking in front of groups is one of my worst fears, but it’s something I have to do more of. I survived my first public reading and did pretty well, I thought. Hopefully there will be more to come in 2012.

9. Peter Jackson to direct the movie version of my book

He must be nearly finished with The Hobbit, right? I have the perfect new project for him!

10. Peace on earth and good will toward men. And women. And pigs. And frogs. And chickens…

Not writing related, but it’s a given.

So what’s on your writer wish list?

Happy Thanksgiving

This has been a big year. I’ve finally achieved my dream of becoming a published author. Hubby, who is a chef, started a new job at a new restaurant and even though it’s been a lot of work, it’s been worthwhile. Life has been more stressful than ever, juggling a demanding job of my own, a three-year-old, and my writing career. Yes, it’s now officially a career, and my hope is that one day it may even pay some bills.

I’m exceedingly thankful to all the people who have supported me along the way. To the friends in my critique groups who have encouraged me all these years and never fail to let me know when my writing isn’t up to par (in a nice way, of course). To my friends who have also provided encouragement and a shoulder to lean on when I need it. To Crescent Moon Press for taking a chance on a new author and believing in my book. To my family who have had to bear with my every waking hour consumed by edits and now marketing and trying to find time to finish writing the next book.

Things are looking a bit grim in the world these days. Being employed and able to pay the bills is certainly something to be thankful for. It makes me appreciate the little things even more. I love the holidays for the festive spirit and the joy in my daughter’s eyes when she sees the holiday lights. Gifts aren’t so important. More and more, I prefer homemade gifts, just something simple. I’d rather focus on spending time with loved ones.

So here’s wishing you a happy Thanksgiving and a great holiday season, however you spend it.

Why I’m not doing NaNoWriMo

A lot of people have been talking about the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and I know a few people who are participating. A good friend said we should do it together, which I thought about for all of five seconds. My main reason for not doing it is that I write at a glacial pace. Or maybe I should clarify that because I actually do write in short bursts, often in the wee hours of the morning, but there’s a big lag time between them. (I know, I know, I should be writing every day.) I have a demanding job, a husband who works insane hours, and an active three and a half year old. There just aren’t enough hours in the day and I do need to sleep sometimes. Trying to write a whole novel (and a new one at that) in a month would put me over the edge.

But, I’ve decided this is a good time to put the focus on my writing and finally get some work done on the sequel, which has been languishing due to the above mentioned items as well as my efforts to market the first book. A great marketing tool would be to finish the sequel, right? I finally finished a new chapter this week.  It was fun. I’d almost forgotten how much fun it was to write something new and introduce some new characters. My goal is to write two more chapters this month and figure out a few more plot points to get me where I need to go. A far cry from a whole novel, but it’s realistic for me and I’ll be pleased if I can accomplish these things.

So to all the NaNoWriMo participants, happy writing and good luck! I’ll be writing along with you. Just at my own pace.