Giving Thanks for YOU!

Over here in the states, tomorrow is a holiday dedicated to giving Thanks. I have so many things to be thankful for...great kids, a loving family, all of the blessings God has provided me in this life, and even all the hard stuff are still blessings in their own way. I could go on all day, but right now I really want to take a moment to show my gratitude to all of you who read my stories, buy my books, and take the time to say hi and hear what I have to say. If it weren't for all of you, some of the best blessings that have come out of 2011 would never have happened, because without wonderful readers who take the time to enter the world we create, we authors would be absolutely superfluous! Yep...without you, we would just be a group of crazy people, talking to ourselves and typing away for the benefit of our eyes only. So thank you kind and gentle readers for all of your wonderful support. As I sit down and think of all of the things that I am thankful for with my family tomorrow afternoon, you will all be close to my heart and heavy on my mind.

Blog Tour Info!

November is the month for blog hopping for our Young Adult Authors. I have a couple of dates set to guest post, but I could use a little more. If you're interested, click the button below to findout more!

Mud and Water

I am struggling so much with the last novel of the CofC series. Normally when I write, it's like a tidal wave. My fingers fly, the words spew out and next thing I know, I've knocked out 1,000 words in an hour. They might not always be the best words, but a little editing and a couple more hours later and I've got a chapter, maybe two. I've been so spoiled by the ease of my writing, that even the littlest writer's block has annoyed the heck out of me.

Now I'm facing my last book of my first ever series, and suddenly I feel like I'm trudging through waist deep mud, the suction on my legs and feet making every little movement, every sentence written, feel like really hard, frustrating work. I'm fighting with myself, my attention, my exhaustion and it's stressing me out more than anything.

So, now I'm an analytic person. I take every decision in my life and mull it to death like a cat torturing a mouse before finally deciding what to do about it, how to handle it, what is wrong and how to fix it. There are a lot of easy to see things that are blocking my path, growing kids demanding more attention, major changes in my personal life, demands on my time to help promote and market the books that are already out, etc, but I think beyond all that I may have realized a bigger, looming shadow plaguing me as I head into the last part of what, in many ways, I consider my third, fourth and fifth babies...I'm suddenly paralyzed by a fear of failure. I'm afraid that after building this whole world, these delicate relationships, this over arcing sense of danger and suspense that when the final book is laid to rest I'm going to disappoint everyone. Then, if I don't fail, I think a part of me is afraid I won't find another original idea good enough to write something else people would really want to read.

Darned if I do, and darned if I don't, and in addition to all of the concrete barriers I am currently facing, I've managed to grind myself to a near halt thanks to this fear. Now I recognize some of this is a healthy fear. Only an extremely cocky person would look at their book/series and think it's a slam dunk. Almost every writer I know agonizes at least a little over their work, each of us being our own worst critics. I'm just praying for some rain here to thin out the muck and help me get a flow again. It don't necessary need a tsunami...at this point, I'd be happy with a lightly babbling brook, steadily building until it hits a larger body of water that will take me all the way to the completion of my series...a few more waking hours of quiet with the 'voices in my head' chattering away at me wouldn't hurt any either. ;)

Join Me at the OPEN HOUSE 10-29-11

Come join me Saturday, October 29th from 10am to 1pm at the Alpha Park Public Library in Bartonville Illinois. I will be joining a large group of great authors including Local WEEK News Personality, Lee Hall, Paranormal Author Sylvia Shults, Neal Proud Deer, a man with decades of experience and a list of names he has interviewed throughout the years that would make even the best of us go a little starry eyed, along with many more! Please drop in, say hi, pick up a copy of Convergence and/or Induction, and meet some other amazing, talented, and seasoned writers!

November YA Book Tour...

The month of November is dedicated to the TWCS YA Author's blog tour. Convergence and/or Induction will both be available for reviewers to check out in digital formats and then will be able to schedule an interview or request a guest post from me during that month. If you're interested, please fill out the form above!

Giving Credit Where Credit is due…the amazing Artists of the Induction Video

I would be remiss today if I didn’t give credit where credit was due in terms of the musical background for the Induction book trailer. http://vimeo.com/29735787

The first song, No One But You is an original composition, written, performed, and produced by the one and only Kate Covington. I discovered Kate quite by accident while cruising youtube for some angelic sounding music for a very important scene in Induction when I came across her group Stella Voci performing Canon D. It’s truly amazing really, this group of ladies are from all over the world and have never been all together in the same room, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, they were able to meet, record their own parts and create this beautiful piece of music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl-fXIgiITQ

Later, upon looking further into the group I discovered Kate Covington (http://www.youtube.com/user/katethegreat19) and her wonderful music and videos. No One But You inspired a lot of the more quiet, romantic scenes in the book. I was so ecstatic when I she responded providing permission for us to use both songs if I wished in the video. If you’re looking for a beautiful, melodic singing voice with beautiful videos to go along with them, then please go see her youtube channel and give her a little encouragement!

I discovered Kevin MacLeod last December right after the release of Convergence (book 1 of the series). He creates the most amazing instrumentals that he gives away royalty free on his website http://www.incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/faq.html. All he asks in return is proper credit and a small donation if you are willing and/or able. His work is amazing and he captures a full range of emotions through his various instrumental pieces. If you’re looking to do some work needing background music, you would do well to check him out!

I also have to mention my talented cousin, Sharon Messmore, who is currently studying Graphic Arts at a great nearby University. Not only did she construct this wonderful video, but she got it to me two days after I sent her the music, photographs, and general outline. I think she did an amazing job and I’m so proud of her and the final product. Thanks again Sharon!

In the meantime, both Convergence and Induction are available in both paperback and ebook formats. Hope you get a chance to check them out soon! http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/publishinghouse/authors/detail/11

Picture Credits:
MOUNTAIN CABIN by PAVLENIC http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-mountain-cabin-image17118781
SUNSET WARRIORS by Amaviael http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-sunset-warriors-image46261
COUPLE WALKING ON ICE AT SUNSET by Mikkihei http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-couple-walking-on-ice-at-sunset-image13655473
WINTER WONDERLAND LOVE by Jannelle http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-image-winter-wonderland-love-image14377971
SUNSET KISS by Wulfespirit http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-sunset-kiss-image1351026
Induction Cover formatted by Jenn McGuire

Induction Release and Trailer!

It's been a crazy month for me.  Words cannot describe the fundamental turn my life has taken and it has pulled me away from so many things I wanted to do, one of which was update my blog.  With Inductions release TOMORROW (Thursday Sept 19th) I thought this was the perfect time to touch base.  Fun things are happening now with some more great stuff coming up in the month of October to keep your eyes open for as well as a signing at Alpha Park Public Library in Bartonville, Illinois on October 29th from 10am to noon!

For now I have the great honor of sharing with you a great little Induction book trailer my cousin Sharon made!  It does have a little bit of a spoiler for Convergence if you haven't finished it yet, but will still give you a taste for what is to come in this book.

Induction from Sharon Messmore on Vimeo.

Look for updates to come regarding future signings and events, as well as what I hope will continue to be next year's release of the final book of the Children of Creation Series, Maelstrom!