I'll see you next year for my cover reveal blog tour
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)
Friday, December 21, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
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.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
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).
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
Monday, October 8, 2012
"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"
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"
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
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?
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?
Friday, August 10, 2012
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!
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!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
In the Background of a Writers Life-How to Write-Inspiration-
So you want to write, and you Googled "how to write," or "writing tips," and numerous articles popped up about the craft. If you read each one you'll notice a common theme, that each article is different. Which leads me too...
Learning to write isn't linear. It can't be solved in a simple equation with a solution.
When I first started to write, I had this image that there was a method that would get me easily from point A to point B. I read every blog I could, every "how to" article, and have tried many ways to organize my stories (outlines, bubble charts, box charts, software, post-its, etc.). I'll admit that all the buzz in my head about what I should, or shouldn't be doing, drove me crazy. After many years, I've come to realize, like our stories, we're all unique how we write and plot. We all have our own style, pizzazz, and spark that makes our writing, well, US and ONE OF A KIND!
There is no right or wrong way, which makes writing the most versatile job on the planet!
What works for one writer doesn't necessarily work for another. Some of us are organized, being meticulous as we go along. Others write total word vomit, rewriting ten plus drafts. Some like a chart to see their plot laid out, while others chart in their heads.
So, go ahead and experiment as to what works best for you and your story.
Learning to write isn't linear. It can't be solved in a simple equation with a solution.
When I first started to write, I had this image that there was a method that would get me easily from point A to point B. I read every blog I could, every "how to" article, and have tried many ways to organize my stories (
There is no right or wrong way, which makes writing the most versatile job on the planet!
What works for one writer doesn't necessarily work for another. Some of us are organized, being meticulous as we go along. Others write total word vomit, rewriting ten plus drafts. Some like a chart to see their plot laid out, while others chart in their heads.
So, go ahead and experiment as to what works best for you and your story.
What have you been experimenting with, or what works best for you?
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