Wednesday Writes: THINKING and DOUBTING

Ever get notes back from a CP, or maybe even your agent or editor, and think HOW DO I FIX THIS? They tell you what's not working, which is GREAT because that's exactly what you want. But then you wrack your brain trying to figure out how to make it work.

That was me last week. I knew my MS needed work. (They always do.) And all my CP's comments made perfect sense. But for a couple of days I was completely blank on how to fix the problems. Said blankness led to frustration, then despair, a lot of in-my-head sobbing, denial, the feeling of being the worst writer in the world... and then once I got through all that, it was: okay Melanie. THINK. And I did. I ran questions through my mind, I looked at different angles, I went back to the basics and figured out what each of my characters wanted and then tried to figure out what they would DO to get it.

Seems obvious, but this is pretty much the process I go through every time I get critique back. I finally got started on the actual revisions, and I have a vision of how to fix the problem, which is good. The bad thing is there's still that niggling voice of doubt in the back of my mind that's saying: maybe this isn't helping at all. Maybe you're not really doing anything. Or maybe you're fixing one problem only to be causing another.

Isn't being a writer GRAND?

Monday Reads: THEN COMES WINTER

I had a slow reading week, only one book and it was an anthology. Yep, I finally got around to reading THEN COMES WINTER- the anthology that has a story by yours truly in it.

THEN COMES WINTER is a book of holiday romance stories, a lot of them Austenesque. Some are modern (like mine) and some are regency. Five of six of Austen's novels are represented- PRIDE & PREJUDICE, SENSE & SENSIBILITY, PERSUASION, NORTHANGER ABBEY, and MANSFIELD PARK. P&P was the most represented, no surprise.

If you're a Jane Austen fan, definitely pick this one up. Or if you just want some stories to cozy up with this winter, also a good pick. It was interesting to see the different directions that each of the authors chose to take the theme. My fave (which maybe I shouldn't admit, and no, it's not mine) was DELIVERY BOY by Suzan Lauder. I couldn't even tell you why it's my favorite, I just found myself smiling through every page.The whole book was a fun read and made me want to do a Jane Austen marathon as soon as I finished.

Friday Loves: Alan Rickman

We lost a great actor yesterday and this makes me extremely sad. It was wonderful to see all the tributes and tweets and shares about him all over the internet- showcasing his different and beloved roles in pictures, gifs, and articles.

I first saw Alan Rickman in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. How I loved to hate him!

"I'll cut your heart out with a spoon!"

Then came Sense & Sensibility. His voice is so lovely as he reads the poem to Marianne near the end.

"And all the better for her."

And of course, my favorite- Professor Snape in Harry Potter. So hateful, yet when we find out his tragic backstory, we just want to love him. Or at least feel sorry for him.

"After all this time?"  "Always."

Alan Rickman, you'll be missed.

Wednesday Writes: Getting Lost in Marketing

I've heard from countless authors before me about how they reached a point where they realized the whole writing aspect of writing had gotten lost. They were too busy promoting themselves, answering emails, checking sales numbers, doing guest blog posts, and maybe even appearances.

Suddenly, I'm starting to understand this. Not that I didn't get it before, but I'm living it now. Over the holidays, I had time off from writing while my latest manuscript was with my CPs, so I didn't feel guilty about taking the time to organize SWAY's blog tour, write guest posts, read a lot, and figure out my next steps marketing steps. But last weekend I got notes back from two out of three CPs and planned to start my revision on Monday. I have a deadline after all. A DEADLINE. But both Monday and Tuesday I did NOTHING.

Nothing for revisions, I mean. I had errands to run, a house to clean, exercising to do (I'm trying to get back into it). I went to Writer's Group, did an over-the-phone interview, wrote up another guest post, did a lot of social media-ing. It was a list of a bunch of tiny things that ended up taking ALL my time. I realize now how easy (scary easy) it is to get distracted from the ACTUAL WRITING with everything else.

I think the really scary part is that all of this extra stuff is necessary. I wasn't wasting time. I guess I don't have to promote my book, but I HAVE to promote my book. Otherwise why get published at all? But I know that I need to start managing my time better, otherwise I will never get my revisions done by my deadline, and the thought of that isn't scary- it's HORRIFYING.

I don't have any advice because I'm so new to this all. Anyone out there come up with a plan on how to manage both writing and marketing at the same time? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Monday Reads: WHAT A GIRL WANTS and LION HEART

I read two very different but both awesome books this past week. The first one was WHAT A GIRL WANTS by fellow Samhain author Selena Robins.

Here's the blurb: She’s got the moxie. He’s got the sexy.


Travel journalist Maddie Saunders has new attitude, and wants two new accessories to go with it. One, turn her fantasies into reality with Mr. Sex-On-Legs—her friend, Alex Donovan. And two, find her biological father to see if her gene pool has a deep end. She never expected fulfilling both wishes would take her life down a drastically different path.

“Sometimes you’re the windshield, and sometimes you’re the bug.”

Alex, an investigative reporter, grits his teeth when he accepts a joint assignment to Hawaii with Maddie. He’s vowed to never get involved with any woman he can’t walk away from. Maddie falls under the heading of “Look, but don’t touch”. Trouble is, she excels at giving him a hard time—in more ways than one.

He manages to fend off her guerilla seduction tactics until a bone-melting kiss throws his resolve into the ocean. Complicated? Absolutely. Especially when he discovers the real reason they were sent to the island…

This was such a fun read and made me wish I was on the beaches of Hawaii instead of chilly Alberta. Maddie was strong and feisty, totally hilarious too, but with a vulnerable side, and Alex was a super hot love interest. The story was more than just about their relationship, which I loved- Maddie's past and all the secrets and family drama were fun to discover. I also loved how the end wasn't too easy. My favorite thing about the book was the dialogue. It was so quick and funny and sharp- the best kind! This book was fun and a great read.

The next book was LION HEART by A.C. Gaughen, the third book in the SCARLET trilogy. In case you haven't read SCARLET, it's a Robin Hood variation with a female MC. I love these books something fierce, and this last one was just as good. It could have maybe used a bit more action, but it kept me reading late into the night. The whole trilogy wrapped up perfectly. A definite must read for Robin Hood fans. 

Friday Loves: POLDARK

I heard a lot of buzz on Twitter about a show called Poldark. Basically what I gleaned is that it's a period drama, it stars Aidan Turner (AKA: Kili the Dwarf from The Hobbit), and that people liked it. Personally, that was enough for me to give it a try.

I'm so glad I did. I LOVE THIS SHOW. Granted, I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to period dramas. But this is an excellent show. The acting is stellar, the setting and costumes- beautiful, the characters fleshed out. I'm not big on the Warleggan's- right now they just seem bad for the sake of needing bad guys, so I really hope if they do a second season (which I'm pretty sure they are) that they give these characters more of a backstory.

Aidan Turner is a swoon-worthy hero, in both looks and his character. I'm a little surprised about this because I didn't notice it during the Hobbit movies, even with his elf/dwarf love story. But I believe his shirtless scythe scene was one of the top moments of TV in 2015 or something like that. (LOL)

The best part of this show to me though is Demelza. Eleanor Tomlinson does such an amazing job playing Demelza. Even the small things she does that aren't that noticeable but clearly show Demelza's upbringing compared to Ross's are just brilliant. She really makes the show for me. I haven't finished the first season yet so there will be heck to pay if they do something to her by the end of the season. *no spoilers please*

Are you listening writers, Demelza BELONGS on this show!

Have you watched POLDARK and what do you think of it? If not, definitely check out this show if you like period dramas. 

Wednesday Writes: A Whirlwind Few Weeks

The last few weeks have been crazy around here. Not only was it Christmas and New Years, but my book released right in between the two. So there's been lots of food eating, celebrating, spending time with family, staying up late, and trying not to obsess- and that was just Christmas Eve. ;) There's also been lots of time spent on social media. So much that I'm starting to get a little sick of myself, to be honest.

But that won't stop me from continuing #31DaysofSWAY, which is where I mention and link a song from SWAY's playlist on Facebook or Twitter. Yesterday was fun because instead of posting a YouTube link, I played the song myself! Since there was only me, and I have no clue how to edit videos on my phone, it took many takes to get it right, and even then I made a lot of mistakes in the song. Not to mention my "hope you're having a great day" at the end of the video. Honestly.

Anyway, you can check out the video on Facebook and see me attempt to play a piano piece as well as my main character Ava would. 

Monday Reads: A YA Contemp, A YA Sci-fi, and a Pride & Prejudice Variation

It's been awhile since I've done a Monday Reads post, so I've got three books read belt since the last one.

First off, THE START OF ME AND YOU by Emery Lord. I loved Lord's first book, OPEN ROAD SUMMER, and I had big expectations for her second book. It totally lived up. It was a great story of friendship, getting over loss, love, and figuring out who you are. There were a few times when I felt there was a lot of inner dialogue that I didn't need, but otherwise, the book was lovely. It made me wish I'd lived in one place long enough to have the kind of steady and unbreakable friendships that the MC had.

Second was ALIAS THOMAS BENNET by Suzan Lauder. Suzan is a fellow author in the THEN COMES WINTER anthology. ALIAS THOMAS BENNET is a PRIDE AND PREJUDICE variation, something I'd never read before- I've read a lot of retellings, but no variations. It was fun to see the what-if: What if Mr. Bennet was a better father and husband? The language was on point- it felt like I was reading Austen herself. Until it came to some racy scenes which were a bit jarring for me personally because I just wasn't used to seeing Darcy and Elizabeth getting it on. There was also a rape in the very first chapter- because it was so soon and I didn't really know what was going on yet- I really worried that it was only there for shock value. But the author proved otherwise as I read on, so if that puts you off, don't let it stop you from reading to the end. I really enjoyed the book and it was a fun read.

Book three: THIS SHATTERED WORLD by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. TSW is the sequel to THESE BROKEN STARS, which I LOVED like crazy. Usually I don't like sequels as much as the first book, but I LOVED TSW just as much. I'm not even that big of a sci-fi fan, but these books are amazing and I hate that I have to wait awhile for book 3.

So that's what I read over the Christmas holidays. In total, I only read 62 books in 2015, which is over twenty less than I usually read. But that's okay. I swore to myself that I wouldn't go crazy trying to meet a reading goal and not enjoying the books in the process. Here's to the same kind of goal in 2016. 

HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO ME!!!

It's SWAY's release day!!!*

*Actually, it's not, but this post was set to go up ON SWAY's release day- December 29th, and never appeared! So here it is, almost a week late. ;)

I can't believe it's here. It's surreal, that's for sure. I actually have a book out in the world, like, available to buy and stuff.

So, what are you waiting for? GO BUY IT! Just kidding. But not really.

Seriously. How do you sell yourself? It's super awkward. I'm sure I'll figure out all this marketing stuff as I go along, but right now it's all very new and very weird and somewhat uncomfortable. For now, I'm doing the best I can.

And in case you want to know what my book is about (not that I haven't been posting about it AH-LOT lately), here's the deets. It's a modern-day retelling of PERSUASION by Jane Austen, set in LA. I'm giving away a signed paperback on Goodreads and another during the blog tour starting TODAY! Since I'm not so smart with the website, I haven't figured out how to put the Rafflecopter giveaway on here, but you can find it on my blog's sidebar. 

Also, LINKS! : Goodreads Amazon Barnes and Noble

She’d be happy to forget…if the past would just stop hitting “replay”.

Ava Elliot never thought she’d become a couch surfer. But with a freshly minted—and worthless—degree from Julliard, and her dad squandering the family fortune, what choice does she have?

Living with her old high school friends, though, has its own drawbacks. Especially when her ex-fiancé Eric Wentworth drops back into her life. Eight years ago, she was too young, too scared of being poor, and too scared of her dad’s disapproval. Dumping him was a big mistake.

In the most ironic of role reversals, Eric is rolling in musical success, and Ava’s starting at the bottom to build her career. Worse, every song Eric sings is an arrow aimed straight for her regrets.

One encounter, one song too many, and Ava can’t go on like this. It’s time to tell Eric the truth, and make a choice. Finally let go of the past, or risk her heart for a second chance with her first love. If he can forgive her…and she can forgive herself.

Product Warnings

Contains an actor whose kisses taste like chocolate, a pianist with scores of regret, and a sexy crooner who just wants his ex to cry him a river.

31 Days of SWAY

Music was a huge part in the making of... or, er writing of SWAY. Ava, the main character, is a pianist who graduated with a Master's from Juilliard, and her ex, Eric, is a Michael Buble-esque crooner. I mention music a lot through the book, including two "original" songs. (I bunny-eared original because the words are mostly Jane Austen's words but with my adaptation.)

SWAY has a playlist of forty songs, all but seven actually mentioned in the manuscript. So I decided to do a little thing called #31DaysofSWAY. I'm going to post songs from the playlist on Twitter and Facebook with just a bit of why they were important (if I have the space in 140 characters) during the month of January. I always love to share, tweet, and talk about music because it's such an important part of my life. So if you're ever on Twitter or FB, click on a song or two and take a listen to the music that helped shape this novel.

#31DaysofSWAY starts today with Bach's "Air on the G String." This song happens when Ava and Eric first meet. 

SWAY BLOG TOUR

Tomorrow is the day that SWAY comes out into the world at last. !!! It's also the start of SWAY's blog tour. I'd like to give an advanced THANK YOU to everyone who has agreed to take part in the tour. The writing/blogging/reviewing community is truly amazing and I feel so lucky to be part of it. Stop by any of these blogs if you get the chance!

Here's a rundown of the sites taking part:

Spotlight at New LDS Fiction: December 29th

Excerpt at YA-NA Sisterhood: December 29th

Spotlight at Vanessa K. Eccles: December 29th

Guest Post at My Jane Austen Book Club: December 29th

Excerpt at So Little Time...: December 31st

Spotlight at The Nook: beginning of January

Guest Post at Laura Brown: January 4th

Spotlight at "Writing" Mom: beginning of January

Guest Post at Kristin Van Risseghem: January 3rd

Author Interview at Romance Done Write: January 7th

Guest Post at Monsters and Angels: January 4th 

Guest Post at Perfecting the Craft: January 11th

Review and Guest Post at Delighted Reader: January 12th

Review at Half Agony, Half Hope

Review at Margie's Must Reads

There's a Rafflecopter giveaway happening- you can enter on the right of my blog, or at any of these stops as well. I'll be giving away one signed paperback of SWAY. Open internationally! Check out the tour if you get the chance and make sure to enter the giveaway!

She’d be happy to forget…if the past would just stop hitting “replay”.

Ava Elliot never thought she’d become a couch surfer. But with a freshly minted—and worthless—degree from Julliard, and her dad squandering the family fortune, what choice does she have?

Living with her old high school friends, though, has its own drawbacks. Especially when her ex-fiancé Eric Wentworth drops back into her life. Eight years ago, she was too young, too scared of being poor, and too scared of her dad’s disapproval. Dumping him was a big mistake.

In the most ironic of role reversals, Eric is rolling in musical success, and Ava’s starting at the bottom to build her career. Worse, every song Eric sings is an arrow aimed straight for her regrets.

One encounter, one song too many, and Ava can’t go on like this. It’s time to tell Eric the truth, and make a choice. Finally let go of the past, or risk her heart for a second chance with her first love. If he can forgive her…and she can forgive herself. 

Product Warnings

Contains an actor whose kisses taste like chocolate, a pianist with scores of regret, and a sexy crooner who just wants his ex to cry him a river.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I'm taking a week off from the blog/website to spend time with my family and enjoy the Christmas holidays. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, and I'll be back next week for the release of SWAY!

Friday Loves: Jane Austen

It's gotta be no secret that I'm a Jane Austen fan. My first published book is a retelling of one of her novels.

My love affair with her work started off in high school, when my sister got me into the BBC version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. I read that book first, and then it took me a few years to read through the rest of her work. I've also read a few biographies, and lots and lots of retellings of her work and novelizations of her life. I've watched every version of every movie ever made based on her books (except maybe some black and white ones) and own most of them. I even own a dress that looks very regency, despite the fact that it's black and I bought it at Ross. I'm not quite as superfangirl as Jane in Austenland (love that book/movie) but I would never deny my love.

Jane's bedroom in Austenland

I'm talking about Jane Austen today not only because SWAY is less than two weeks from debut (eek!) but because Jane Austen's birthday was December 16th (the same day as my oldest daughter's). It seems only fitting that I pay my respects to one of my favorite authors.

I could wax eloquent about her work, the impact it has had and still has on society, I could talk about what I admire in Jane herself... If I was more scholarly, this would be an essay complete with footnotes and famous quotes. But I'm not scholarly. I love Jane Austen's novels because I just do. The best way to show my love is to post this video, which I didn't even make, but I think is a beautiful tribute to the author and her work. 

Monday Reads: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS

Well, I did it. I finally finished my reread of Harry Potter. It's a bittersweet ending. I read and read and read those books, knowing what happens but still feverishly tearing through the chapters, wanting to devour it all. Then I reach then end but I no longer want it to be over. :(

DEATHLY HALLOWS is still amazing. I still love every chapter. I loved the first DH movie and can't wait to watch the second part if we ever get a chance (it's been so busy around here lately). I'm sad to be leaving the world again but I know one day I'll go back to it because they're the kind of books I could never leave behind.

Do you have any book series that are like that for you?

Friday Loves: Fashion and Full Skirts

I am definitely no fashionista, but I appreciate fashion. I follow it. One of my favorite magazines to read is People StyleWatch because it's user friendly. It's not a highbrow mag for sure, but I love the way it's laid out and a lot of what it features is affordable to the regular gal like me. 

When I say I'm not a fashionista, it's because I'm not a trendsetter. I've always worn what I feel good and comfortable in, and sometimes that's jeans and a tee, and sometimes it's a dress with heels. The reason I read magazines like Stylewatch is that I need the ideas. I need to see how outfits are put together- I usually can't visualize that kind of stuff on my own. Fashion is like cooking for me- I need the recipe to make it turn out right. Sometimes I can wing it, but usually I stick to what's proven.

Lately I've started feeling more comfortable going a little outside the box, or my box maybe. I've gotten a little more daring about trying different things. (I remember the days when skinny jeans were tapered 80s jeans and no one in their right mind would wear them, including me. I've definitely changed my tune on that.)  I like to try different things and I care way less what people think of me, these days. I've read time and time again that great style is having confidence in what you're wearing, and I definitely buy into that.

One of the "looks" I'm really into right now is the 50s full skirt. I think they are so classy and beautiful that I'm wearing one to my husband's Christmas party tonight like I did last year. (This might be a faux pas but I don't care. Besides, it's a completely different outfit.) This is the look I'm going for:

This is sort of the look I'm going for, just darker- less pastel. Pic taken from the Lace and Locks blog.

Are you into fashion? What looks are you really loving these days?

Wednesday Writes: A Flat Stanley Road Trip

I haven't done one word of writing so far in December. Yikes. I need to get outlining my new WIP, but I haven't done that either. Double yikes.

It's been a busy December so far, though. I've been rereading Harry Potter, organizing a blog tour and other stuff for SWAY's release at the end of the month, and taking part in marketing for the short story anthology THEN COMES WINTER.

Speaking of that, the authors and editor in the anthology are doing a sort of Flat Stanley like thing with the book. It started with the editor in Washington State, went to an author in Vancouver, and then on to me. We each sign the book, take pictures with the book somewhere interesting, put a little gift in the package, and then mail it on. I received it last Friday and took the book downtown Calgary on Saturday for some pictures. It was a chilly day, and my poor 8-year-old who wanted to come with me wasn't wearing a proper coat (she'd decided to dress up like a cowgirl that day so only had on a jean jacket). We both shivered and took some pics as fast as we could so we wouldn't freeze. Another bummer was that even though it was cold, there was barely any snow on the ground, which made Calgary look a bit brown and drab. Boo. It would've been fun if it was snowing to take a picture with the book while doing a snow angel or something. Very THEN COMES WINTER-ish. But no dice. The third bummer was that I wanted to take some pics inside the Stampede grounds, but it cost $15 just to drive in there and park and that wasn't happening. (FYI- the Calgary Stampede is a very famous rodeo that happens every summer.) So instead we took a quick snap outside the grounds in front of a decorative chuckwagon.

I sent the book- with a real Canadian toque and one of my SWAY cards- on to the next author in Ontario. If you want to check out the road trip so far, go to the Meryton Press website, or see my pics below. 

Downtown Calgary skyline, with the Saddledome- where the Calgary Flames play hockey- on the left

Me, the book, and a chuckwagon advertising next year's Stampede

My signature over my story, a SWAY card, and a canadian toque

Monday Reads: More Harry Potter!

So I took an unplanned hiatus from my blog last week. I didn't really mean to, I just couldn't get my act in gear for some reason. Also, I didn't feel like I had much to say. Ever have one of those weeks? I've had many. Or, at least I might have something to say, but I don't find it all that interesting.

Anyway, in the past couple of weeks I've almost finished the Harry Potter series. I read HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, and HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE.

There isn't much for me to say about these books. I've already gushed about how awesome they are, which everyone already knows (and if you don't know that, GO READ THEM NOW. Seriously. It still surprises me that there are people in this world who haven't read them). ORDER OF THE PHOENIX is a bit long, and I feel a little less tension filled, but I enjoyed every second of it. And I LOVE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE. I read a review somewhere after I'd finished it this time how someone didn't like all the teenage angst and hormones, but I think it made it real. The book isn't just about Voldemort, or the Horcruxes, or the wizard war. We're still dealing with sixteen-year-olds here, so of course there's going to be relationship drama. I love it. And I especially love the moment in the movie when Harry has taken Felix Felicis. One of my favorite parts, for sure.

I'm currently about halfway through DEATHLY HALLOWS and, again, loving it just as much as I did the first time. We watched Part 1 the movie last night and I love the part where Harry and Hermione dance. It's so lovely (and not in a Rita Skeeter sounding way). Frankly, I'm going to be sad when I'm done this reread because that means another few years until I enter the Harry Potter world again. 

Friday Loves: HARRY POTTER

Well, it's obvious this was coming. I'm rereading the Harry Potter series, rewatching the movies... so OF COURSE I have to use it for a Friday Loves post. And instead of gushing on and on about it, because everyone already knows it's awesome, I'm going to show my love with GIFS!

Wednesday Writes: The Start of Book 3

Well, I still haven't done any writing. But I don't feel like a slacker, not at all. Last week, I took part in a week-long Facebook event for the launch of THEN COMES WINTER (an Austenesque holiday anthology in which I have a short story). I only hosted for an hour but I tried to take part as much as I could during the week. It was the first time I've done anything like that and I had a lot of fun, so I'm so glad I got to be a part of it all.

I've also decided on ROMANCE BOOK #3. Book #1 is of course, SWAY, which comes out in just over a month! Book #2 is COLLIDE, which is currently with my CPs. I'd like to make it a round three books, but I had no clue what classic I wanted to retell this time. But I found it!

I'm going to keep it on the DL for now because I feel like if I blab, I'll jinx something. But for now, I'm planning on just how to write it, how I'm going to tie-in both SWAY and COLLIDE, the format of the book (because I want to do something a little different than the last two), and then I'm going to get outlining. I'm super excited about this... I think it's gonna be good!

Monday Reads: GOBLET OF FIRE and DUMPLIN'

Another great reading week, but I'm reading HARRY POTTER so what do you expect? 

I loved GOBLET OF FIRE, of course. It's where the books start to get a little more grown-up. As always, JK Rowling does a fantabulous twist, and even though I knew what it was, it's still exciting to read to that big reveal!

After I finished GOBLET, my daughter was still on ORDER OF THE PHOENIX and I had a reserve come in at the library, so I took a brief break from HP to read DUMPLIN' by Julie Murphy. 

I loved this book, like so much. The only thing that disappointed me was the end. I wanted more. It ended way too abruptly, IMO. Otherwise, EXCELLENT book, and one I want all my daughters to read when they get older. The things Willowdean thinks about her body are so spot on- there were times when I was like, YES. SHE GETS IT. I think all women, no matter their size, would be able to relate. A definite must read.