Owning the New Year!

Happy New Year, friends!

Every January first I write a post—usually how I detest resolutions. I’m a believer that we make our own destiny instead of making resolutions that most likely won’t be fulfilled. So, no resolutions. Only reflections.

2012 was an interesting year for me. I spent the majority of my time writing book two of the Deadly Kisses series, while doing edits on book one. I had no clue how hard it would be to an author. It’s more than just sunshine and rainbows. It’s a lot of time, sweat, and sometimes tears. Since most of my followers are other writers, I’m sure you can relate. As to my family, well, I have to laugh. When I first told them my book was being published, they wanted to go to the bookstore that day to buy it. So I explained the publishing process, and that it took about a year, if not more before they could buy it. Every month, after that first time I explained it, they asked, “why is it taking so long. I want to buy it.” So again I explained the process. Yeah, after the millionth time, I gave up and stopped talking about my book.

Suffice to say at the family Christmas party last month, I had a horde of Italians tackling me at the door asking when they could buy Deadly Kisses, but this time I could tell them. Yes, you can pre-order it and it will be released on March 5^th! I even gave my grandma a picture of the cover so she could remember the name of it. Bless their hearts. My family rocks!

More 2012 reflections.

What I was doing last year for time management wasn't working, and I had a hard time multi-tasking which ended up with me hardly blogging. This year I’m going to multi-task more efficiently, so I don’t lose touch with my blogger friends. 2012 was a toss up—feed the kids or blog. I couldn't starve the kids.

2012 was also the year my farm fell apart. I lost most of my herd of goats, and decided I couldn't breed them anymore due to my broken heart. I’m still in the process of selling off my herd. It takes some rough skin to be a farmer, and I don’t have it in me anymore. Everyone support your local farm, they deserve the profits more than the supermarket.

 But a new year is upon us, and a chance for another beginning because the Mayans were wrong and the world did not end in a fiery doom, a zombie apocalypse, or meatballs raining from the sky.

My motto for 2013 is I’m going to own the year!

Yup, sure am. 

Who wants to own 2013 with me? I’ll raise my glass to that.

Merry Christmas and Blog Tour Schedule

                                                                    (source)

I'll see you next year for my cover reveal blog tour

Carlos Jan 2
Jadie Jones Jan 3 (interview)

Madeline Jane Jan 3

Laura Diamond Jan 4

Vicki Orians Jan 5 (interview and excerpt)

Mike Coppola Jan 6

Claire Hennessy Jan 7 (interview)

Crystal Collier Jan 7 (ARC giveaway)

Mundie Moms
Cheree Smith Jan 9

What NaNoWriMo taught me

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was very calm, and not what I’m used to because I come from a very large Italian family *insert comical thoughts here*. This year we didn't travel, so it was just my family and one large turkey (who we gave thanks too, and are still eating).

November is also the time to write like a maniac, drowning yourself in coffee, and letting the house go to total chaos in a marathon to midnight on November 30th. Yeah, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is kind of like that. I love every second of it!

I haven’t done my usual NaNo events, like interviews (click here to read past ones), or insane writing dares this year. Why isn't there more time in the day? Just saying.

Anyways, I’m close to my 50,000 NaNoWrimo word win. I need to write 1,000 words a day until the end. Does blogging count? Hmmm. I might be on to something if it does.

What did I learn from NaNoWrimo that I forgot since last year….     

1. Lock your inner editor in the closet. She will do nothing, but get in the way, nagging at you. She is evil.

2. Just keep writing and don’t look back.

3. Don’t bother editing. It can be done later.

    4. Set a goal for yourself and try to adhere to that goal.

    5. Use social media-like Facebook and Cityville-as a reward for completing your word goal.

    6. It’s a great way to connect with other local writers.

    7. You have a first draft of a novel. Yay!

    8. You never know what your characters will tell you about themselves.

What’s in store for your novel after November? Well, I joke to everyone and say “Yeah, it takes me only a month to write, but a year to edit.”

Did you NaNoWriMo this year? If so, how are you doing.

The Raven--Halloween Flash Fiction--And Offer

Happy Halloween everyone! This is my favorite holiday, and the reason why I wrote, Deadly Kisses. So, I thought I'd write a flash fiction piece to give you a little tease about my upcoming book. I hope you enjoy it, and may you get much candy this Halloween night (cue the spooky music).

  (source)

The Raven

The raven caws from a bare tree. Its sound echoes, sending eerie vibes into the wind, and through the forest. It then takes to the air, seeing movement below. Death creeps into its nostrils, and its belly rumbles.

Its black wings stretch, circling, soaring in the air, in the shimmery silver light of the full moon. It gets lower and lower. Finding its target, the voice of the raven gets louder, screeching with vocals of that of a cat in heat.

Its keen eye follows the movement, and the Grim Reaper runs faster towards a cemetery with scattered gravestones and a crypt.

Its wings flap until it picks up another current of air, lifting the bird higher into the sky again.

The Grim Reaper stops, looking up. He pulls down his hood off his head. Moonlight gleams over him. A wicked grin spreads across his face as he puckers his lips and blows.

The frigid air emitted by the Grim Reaper clashes with the cooler air, sending the raven off of his course, and making him off balance.

The Grim Reaper screams, “Tell your master I won’t be taken, and I’m certainly not your meal.”

The moonlight shines off his scythe, blinding the raven. 

By the time the raven can see again, it’s alone in the lonely forest with only the rustle of leaves, and a craving for meat. 

Because I love Halloween so much, and I'm so grateful for the support of other bloggers and my wonderful publisher, WiDo publishing, I'd like to send you a bookmark if you want one for, Deadly Kisses. This offer will expire at midnight, October 31, 2012.

Just email me your mailing address with bookmark in the subject please. kerricuev(at)gmail(dot)com

"looking at you" writer challenge!

Tag, I'm it! The "look" challenge was sent to me by Jadie Jones. Thanks Jadie! This was eye opening.

The rules: find out how many times the word "look" appears in your manuscript or work-in-progress. Then, post your favorite three paragraphs with the word "look" in it. Tag 5 other writers and let them know they were tagged.

I'm going to do a search on my work-in-progress, Kiss from the Grave, to see how often I use the word "look." I have a feeling the number will be staggering and every character will be looking somewhere. Yikes! This should be interesting, so here it goes.

My WIP is currently 30,000 words, and in those words some form of "look" is used 100 times. Ok, not as bad as I thought it would be for a first draft. But if you figure an average young adult story is 60,000 words, my "look" count could be as high as 200. Yikes!

Here are some passages (and keep in mind this is a really rough WIP--meaning not edited)

1.      Ivar snapped his head around, looking at her. Bee’s black hair was held in a low ponytail and her hood was draped over her head. She clasped onto our scythe as it was her lifeline, staring back at Ivar.

2.    “I looked forward to destroying Ivar, but first I would tear him with my scythe and make sure he had a bigger gash than me, and then I would slam him on his face.” Anger boiled within me. Darkness swirled and Bee was slamming her soul into my mind trying to suppress it down. The ice that pierced into my chest spread through my veins. It spread as waves covered a beach taking the sand with it. Ivar controlled me and I wanted it to end. End it I would.

3. Above ground the first nor’easter of the season was barreling down over the state.   Wind whipped the snow around into white out conditions. The only cars on the road were that of Grim Reapers. Even the cemetery looked to be a white wasteland except for Bee who stuck out like a black dot on a white paper.

Hmm, after assessing my "looks" I had a talk with my characters. I told them to stop looking around, and just get rid of the bad ancient grim reapers who is bothering everyone, and get on with the happy ever after! Yeah, I told them. *grins*

Now, I'm tagging some of you to "look"

Crystal Collier

Claire Hennessy

Ben Spendlove

Jess

Cheree Smith

        

Multitasking, um not so much!

The good news is that my book sounds, well, like a real book! That's been thanks to some fantastic editors at Wido Publishing. I'm really excited (and also nervous and scared out of my wits) for it to be released into the world for everyone to enjoy. As soon as I get a release date from Wido, you'll be the first to know (I'm crossing my fingers it's soon).

The bad news is that before this whole editing thing, I thought I was a master at multitasking. Writing, housework, soccer, supper, pets--No problem! How hard would editing be while writing book two, and keeping up on menial household chores.

It's been like running around like a crazy chicken! But, I'm loving every second of editing though.

So, I've been having to set priorities and manage my time more wisely. Here's a list I came up with in no particular order.

Editing

Feeding the children and tending the farm

Blog on a regular schedule

keeping the coffee pot full and the house stocked with chocolate

Watching Glee, Grimm, and the new show, Revolution

Writing book two of the Deadly Kisses series

Finishing up some summer reading

Going away on a birthday weekend getaway

Starting a new story

Claiming a space for an office-I currently use my dining room table as my writing space. I've hinted to my hubby that I need my very own office because every writer needs their own space, and then I wouldn't see things that need to be done around the house. I could hide away to blog and write, completing all my goals! Hmm, maybe he'll read this post *grins* Should I start planning?

 What are your current priorities? And do you think having your own writing space keeps you on track with your writing goals?

Dog Days of Summer--Bloghop

Jeremy Bates, is hosting this fine event which will be full of good company, barbecues, and fun! So hop around, and join the blog party.

Today's topic is What is your favorite activity thus far.

There is one summer activity I do enjoy, and I can only do it when the time is right. Going too soon can be disappointing, and too late is for the birds.

It isn't an expensive activity, and anyone can do it. Wearing something nice isn't required, but I recommend bug spray and a hat.

In New England from mid-July to mid-August is the best time for BLUEBERRY PICKING!

I like finding wild blueberries. The berries are smaller than ones that you find in the supermarket, but they're taste is the BEST! As a canning and preserving fanatic, I pick as much as I can. I know, I'm doing a good job when my fingers turn blue, and my kids call me a smurf.

I make blueberry cheesecake, and blueberry pies. But the bulk of the berries get turned into a delicious jam that I can for the winter and Christmas gifts.

CLICK HERE for my recipe from an earlier post and ENJOY!