What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what’s up. Should you wish to join, make sure to leave a link to your What’s Up Wednesday post in the widget on Jaime´s blog.
Romance, friendship, Italy, self discovery…I’m loving it so far!
What I’m Writing
I currently should be working on ALWAYS SECOND BEST and I will…especially since I’ve just added it on Goodreads (publication should be end of October), but a SNI grabbed my attention for the past two days, a NA thriller (which includes community college, stalking, romance, a blog called The Flying Piggy Insider, a dual POV…)
What else I´ve been up to
Discovering Malaysia.
Enjoying the beach.
Relaxing.
During a night river cruise, we came across this fella…Reading on the beach…Coconuts on the side of the road…
What inspires me right now
The amount of love I’ve received for my cover reveal (you can still enter the giveaway :-))
Seriously, I was tearing up yesterday reading all your comments, and the tweets, RT…
I’m so GRATEFUL!!!
Almost midnight here in Malaysia, time for bed…Thank you so so soooo much everyone for making my cover reveal day so special. ❤ ❤ ❤
I have to say I’m excited and anxious and happy (did I mention excited?) to share my cover with all of you today! Derek from CreativIndie did an amazing job in capturing the novel and #Team123 was super duper helpful in giving me their impressions on the different samples I received.
The cover I’m about to unveil is the one we all fell in love with, and it’s the one that had my heart from the very beginning. It’s SO gorgeous! And I love it!
Thank you as well to Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours who’s been wonderful. 60 bloggers signed up to help reveal my cover (THANK YOU!) To celebrate the cover reveal, I’m also organizing a giveaway (it’s open internationally and the link is at the end of this blog post)
Blurb: Last year, Natalya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive.
But a car crash changed all that—and Natalya can’t stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career.
At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present, and his patient charms eventually draw her out of her shell. But when upsetting secrets come to light and Tonio’s own problems draw her in, Natalya shuts down again, this time turning to alcohol herself. Can Natalya learn to trust Antonio before she loses him—and destroys herself?
I was invited to do be part of the “My Writing Process Blog Tour” by the lovely Ella Martin. Prep school survivor and Southern California native Ella Martin writes sweet romances with a spunky cast of characters. Her debut, Will the Real Prince Charming Please Stand Up? will be released in Summer 2014. Unwilling to brave snowy winters, she now resides in Florida with her husband and son.
On 3 different projects. The one which has most of my attention right now is my YA contemporary romance novel coming out on June 26th: ONE, TWO, THREE…I´m also working on ALWAYS SECOND BEST (the companion novel of ONE, TWO, THREE…) and on DADDY´S LITTLE GIRL, my YA thriller which I am planning to publish in February 2015. Oh, and I have an idea for a NA thriller…but I´m not allowed to start working on that one before ONE, TWO, THREE is polished and ALWAYS SECOND BEST is at the first draft stage.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
The romance plays a pivotal role in ONE, TWO, THREE…(and I´ve been told that it is as intense/hot as the romance in Simone Elkeles´ books and that I can build up a relationship like Stephanie Perkins – yes my CPs and beta readers are the best :-)), but the friendships in Natalya´s life are vital to the story and to her. I remember how important my friends were to me in high school (and still are), so that may have influenced that part a bit. Becca, Natalya´s best friend, is really a big part of the story and plays a big role.
Oh, and Natalya´s Russian heritage. It is an inherent part of the story.
3) Why do I write what I do?
Because I fall in love with my characters…
That´s a very good question. *gains a bit of time* *get all dreamy*
I usually have an idea that doesn´t let go and then I start writing. I fall in love with the characters in my head, and then I want their story on paper.
I write what I want to read now (which is also what I would have wanted to read as a teen). The idea can come from everywhere. For ONE, TWO, THREE…I was talking about CENTER STAGE and re-watching it. It got me thinking about a ballerina who lost everything. How would she deal with that? It reminded me a bit of SAVE THE LAST DANCE, but then Natalya started “speaking”…and her story unraveled from there.
4) How does my writing process work?
I usually have an idea and a voice. and then I take it from there. I sometimes plot a little bit, but I´m a pantser at heart.
So my first draft has a tendency to need a LOT of work…
This is my reaction, while rereading my first drafts…
But I also see the potential, and I´m just excited to work on it even though the revision process kicks my butt…usually after a lot of work and help from CPs and beta readers….
After a few rounds of revision (including feedback of CPs and beta readers…)
I usually write early in the morning and then during my commute (in the train).
*******
And that was it 🙂 And now I pass the torch to three wonderful wonderful writers, who I´m very lucky to have “met” online and who all have books coming out in the next few months. They will be sharing their writing process with you all next Monday…
Meredith McCardle is a recovered lawyer who lives in South Florida with her husband and two young daughters. Like her main character, she has a fondness for strong coffee, comfortable pants, and jumping to the wrong conclusions. Unlike her main character, she cannot travel through time. Sadly. Her debut, THE EIGHTH GUARDIAN, will be published by Skyscape/Amazon Children’s in Spring 2014.
Jennifer Ellision spent a great deal of her childhood staying up past her bedtime with a book and a flashlight. When she couldn’t find the stories she wanted to read, she started writing them. She loves words, has a soft spot for fanfiction, and is a master of the fangirl flail. She lives in South Florida with her family, where she lives in fear of temperatures below 60 Fahrenheit. She’s also one of the bloggers behind the book blog The Bevy Bibliotheque. Her debut YA epic fantasy, Threats of Sky and Sea, will be available May 20, 2014
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy. Juliana already published several books, and her next one BREAKING FENCES (a NA contemporary romance) is coming out in June 2014.
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What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what’s up. Should you wish to join, make sure to leave a link to your What’s Up Wednesday post in the widget on Jaime´s blog.
What I´m reading
Still beta reading and still loving it.
What I’m Writing
I´m working on perfecting one very emotional (and key) scene in ONE, TWO, THREE…and it´s tough.
But…once I have this one down, the rest will be much easier.
What else I´ve been up to
As explained on Friday, my great-aunt passed away and it´s been difficult.I spent a few days in France to be with my family. While it was not easy, it was also good to be home and to be with my family.
And…preparing my cover reveal. Different topic, yes, but I find that focusing on a goal close to my heart and what I want to achieve is definitely helpful in times like these.
My cover will be revealed on April 8th and you can be part of the fun by signing up here. Xpresso Book Tours is organizing the reveal and let me tell you, Giselle has been very helpful and answers emails SUPER fast 🙂
I seriously cannot wait for you all to see it.
It´s gorgeous and fits the story oh so well! Derek Murphy really captured it and working on the cover with him has been great!
What inspires me right now
My parents. My husband. My family. ❤
I can’t wait to check all your posts and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
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I’m talking about writing and about life. My last revision before my copy edit is really digging deeper about my story and my characters. It’s difficult and sometimes painful…and I’m about to put Natalya through something even more traumatic but…crossing my fingers that come June the people reading my story will “feel” with her.
Digging deeper is also about knowing people. About seeing beyond the surface and about connections. On Wednesday my great-aunt passed away, and with her it almost is like the end of an era. See, my great-aunt lived a long life. For the past 4 years though, she couldn’t speak due to a stroke, but she still managed to somehow communicate and stayed herself: she didn’t like being bothered, she was elegant and wanted to be elegant, she smiled when seeing my father or my husband, and hearing stories.
The relationship we had with her wasn’t always the deepest and it could be complicated at times, but I always found her interesting. And then, almost a decade ago, she helped me. I was not feeling well, heart palpitations and a bit faint, and she kept her cool, she stayed with me (my sister was also with us and calming me) and she made sure I stayed calm. When the doctor came, they mentioned right away that it was probably a panic attack due to too much caffeine (and at that time too many cigarettes), the heat and stress.
Through this, I have the feeling that I got a bit closer to her and then, I dug deeper. Yes, she could be a snob, yes she also could say hurtful things without sometimes realizing it, but she was so much more than this. She always baked what we liked when weI came over, she did little things like this with a smile, she invited us and talked about so many interesting things, she herself always tried to learn, she was relentless and funny, and she was her. She was a character.
And when visiting her we also always had the link with the past in a way. With our past.
None of that is gone with her, it’s part of us.
Walking back from a meeting in Paris yesterday, I thought about her…she lived there for a while, and she always talked fondly about the city. For a moment, I looked around me, and felt at peace.
This is still hard, but I know that I’m happy I dug deeper when I had the chance.
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What´s up Wednesday is the brainchild of Jaime and Erin. It´s a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what’s up. Should you wish to join, make sure to leave a link to your What’s Up Wednesday post in the widget on Jaime´s blog.
What I´m reading
I’m beta reading TWO amazing manuscripts. Did I mention they were AMAZING?
I’m one lucky reader, let me tell you!
What I’m Writing
I’ve received my notes from my editor and am currently incorporating some changes. I’m pretty much excited now about ALL my scenes. I’m not saying they’re easy to polish. Some of them are HARD, but falling in love all over again with your story is priceless.
Here’s a part I shared on Twitter. I love this scene!
#Revising I won’t ask you out until I know you’ll say yes and won’t give me some bullshit excuse about why we’re not a good idea
Jogging with the hubby. Helps balancing everything.
Enjoying the unofficial beginning of Spring.
Creating my UNNAMED but YET AWESOME Team. Really, so thankful for the ladies who joined. And yes, I already shared some super duper secret information with them, as well as a very awkward video 😛
What inspires me right now
The amazing ladies who have joined my team already and all the support I keep on receiving during this adventure ❤
My cover. My designer sent me samples which I shared with my team and I think we all agree on THE ONE. It captures the heart of my story so much, it’s amazing. And I love it. And I can’t believe it.
And Christa. Yes, I know Christa is a constant inspiration (despite her not realizing it) but this week, she announced something extra special. I know I´ll be buying a few more copies to donate.
Before taking the self publishing road, I checked my strengths and weaknesses. I´m pretty good at coming up with a marketing plan, and I enjoy it, but it´s tough for me to ask for help. I feel awkward and weird. It´s also difficult in real life. Yes, I know, unresolved issues here, but…hmmm let´s get back to the topic at hand. In the publishing world (actually in the marketing world), there´s this thing called “street teams” that basically means I need to ask for help once…and then I know that it´s okay for me to send an email once in awhile for brainstorming sessions on how to reach readers, with possible promotions ideas, or ARCs for review to this group of people, because they´re part of “my” team.
I did a lot of research on the street team phenomenon, read the pros and cons, talked a lot to Jen (who´s in the same boat as I am and is genuinely amazing!), and then decided to take the plunge.
I´ve also read the ones mentioning the possible negative aspects of creating a Team…and I understand the points most make. They relate to now knowing if reviews/actions are genuine or not because of the swag involved, or about apparently some teams ganging up on reviewers (which I totally disagree with, bullying in any shape or form is not okay), or about an overkill in marketing.
I´m not looking at bribing people, or forcing them to do something. I believe that some of you are interested in helping me out, some have asked already and this is a way for me to do it in an organized manner, to provide content which my team members can share if they wish and for them to come up with their own ideas on how to promote my book(s). It avoids the awkward email (hey, here´s something but I have no idea if you´re interested and did I mention I feel weird about asking you if you want to do this?) and helps me to build up on my strength.
And not to become all mushy or anything like this (and here I would like to ask my husband – if he´s reading – to stop laughing. He knows I can be quite sentimental…), but I´d like for my team to be also about connecting and having fun!
DISCLAIMER: Because, as mentioned, I feel very awkward about this, I also want you to know, dear reader, that it´s okay if you don´t sign up. There´s no pressure and I still ❤ you. Plus, I am limiting my team to 30 people, so that I can really connect with everyone. Did I mention awkward?
Reminder 🙂 Short description of the book:
When seventeen-year-old Natalya’s dreams of being a ballerina are killed in a car accident along with her father, she must choose: shut down—like her mother—or open up to love.
Last year, Natalya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive. But a car crash changed all that—and Natalya can’t stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career.
At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present, and his patient charms eventually draw her out of her shell. But when upsetting secrets come to light, Natalya quickly shuts down again, this time turning to alcohol herself.
Can Natalya learn to trust Antonio before she loses him—and destroys herself?
Enthusiastic people. People who may have read excerpts of my writing (or my entire book) and loved them (it). People who love YA contemporary romance novels. I´m not looking for someone who devotes 100% to my writing/books, but someone who has a genuine interest in helping my books reach out to readers…
How many people?
For now, a maximum of 30 people. I want to be able to have a connection with my team and I won´t be able to do so if it´s too big.
What would you need to do?
What you feel comfortable with. There will be a button and a countdown widget…there will also be opportunities to sign up for my cover reveal and book blitz…
You may want to post your review, quotes or whatever else on Goodreads, post your review on Amazon, like my Facebook page and share it with your friends. Share teasers prior to the release of ONE, TWO, THREE…Spread the word on the amazing-ness that is Antonio (for those who have read the book, I think you would agree :-))
And you can also come up with your ideas. You can create your own buttons and share it with the group for example, or you can simply tweet your favorite quotes, or talk to the teenagers in your life about the book…
As long as it´s friendly and respectful, I´m all for it 🙂
Why don´t you have a name yet?
Because I feel like the group should decide…
What do you get?
Honestly, mainly, my gratitude. And this cute image of my cat. He´s also very thankful…
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
You will also receive promotional material that you can use on your blog if you wish (countdown widget, team button…), ARCs…
Oh…and swag of course 🙂 all related to the world of ONE, TWO, THREE…(and possibly German chocolate…no this is not bribery, it´s just yummy).
How to sign up?
Fill in the following form 🙂
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And if you have any questions, you can always email me (elodie@elodienowodazkij.com or send me a tweet @commutinggirl)
Thanks for spreading the word!
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It´s the last post for #WriterRecharge this year and wow, time really does fly! Don´t forget to post your update on Sara´s blog.
How did I do?
This past week, I did pretty well (except in the exercising part) but I used the bonus weekend to revise and edit ONE, TWO, THREE…I spent about 10 hours on it and I still have quite a bit to do, but I AM SO EXCITED about the changes I´m currently making. There´s still a lot to do afterwards: sending it back to my editor, and then to my copy editor for another read before the final proofread.
I was able to do a lot this weekend thanks to my wonderful and patient husband.
This was our conversation on Saturday morning
My hubby is the best ever. Me: I still have to clean the kitchen. Him: I´ll do it. You need to go revise and edit.#lovehim
Follow a writing schedule (I need to write 5 days a week)
Revise 8 chapters of my YA thriller DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL (two chapters a week)
Write 10 000 of a new YA contemporary romance (companion of ONE TWO THREE) called ALWAYS SECOND BEST (I need to update my projects’ page very soon).
I need to work out at least twice a week. How is this writing related you may ask? Well…my word for 2014 is balance and making sure I get some exercise in will help me with my balance and thus, with my writing.
And?
I did follow a writing schedule (4 to 5 days a week)
I revised 4 chapters of my YA thriller
I wrote about 6000 words of ALWAYS SECOND BEST
Worked out at least twice a week (almost managed, yay!)
AND….I revised + edited 11 chapters of ONE, TWO, THREE…
February has been really productive! Thank you so much Sara for including me in this, thank you so much to the other wonderful co-hosts ( Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker) and to everyone who joined us! (yes this sounds like an Oscar speech :-))
Let´s make March even greater (whichever way we feel is right for us!)
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If you want to learn more about #WriterRecharge, just click here. The short story: brainchild of Sara Biren, it´s a way to keep motivated during the month of February. Your hosts and cheerleaders: Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Sara Biren and me. Every Monday in February, update your progress via your blog or twitter. Link your blog posts at Sara’s Monday posts. And throughout the month, don´t forget to use the hashtag to connect with other writers, have writing parties, and cheer one another on!
How did I do?
Hmmm I had a wonderful weekend in France but the trip there took a bit longer than planned…so no writing time for me. But I enjoyed the time with my family and ate a lot of yummy food. The rest of the week was productive and even the drive to France included brainstorming with my husband…
Did a lot of plotting this week…
Wrote 2000 words in my new YA contemporary: ALWAYS SECOND BEST (yay! new words!)
Worked out two times (I had planned two so :-))
Wrote or revised 4 days during the week (yay!)
What are my goals for this week?
I will need to edit, edit, edit and edit this week. My wonderful editor is sending me back my manuscript with I’m sure very helpful notes.
Write 2000 words in my YA contemporary
Work out 3 times this week (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
Write or revise 5 days this week
Can’t wait to cheer you on! 🙂
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This is the somewhat dreaded question you are asked when turning 16, 18, 21, 30 and so on…or one that your friends ask you after special moments in your life.
Say what?
How about when you announce to the world that you’re self-publishing?
Things do change.
When you take this step, you close other options for this book. Options that hopefully you weighted the pros and cons of before, not after.
Most importantly, you open new doors.
I’ll tell you what has concretely changed for me.
I freak out a bit more about what/how I write on this blog. I still say everything I want but I’m afraid of typos and possible errors…and that those will turn people off from my book. I want to yell: “My book has an editor, it will also go through copy editing and proofreading. Love me.”
Or maybe not as dramatic but you get the gist.
I researched how to handle reviews. See I’ve got my first review on Goodreads and it’s so nice and I want to hug it and the reviewer but I cannot comment, right? I cannot put myself out there. Wait, I think I just did, but that was only to express my confusion. Nothing more. I know the rules: no interaction with the reviewer. But what about if they reach out to you, it’s fine right?
I´m also totally confused about this us vs them debate.
I think we pretty much all have the goal of having our books reach readers. There are different paths. There are different ways to go about it. But really? Those are choices. And choices are good.
I respect and encourage everyone who’s trying to make it happen. Querying is tough, getting an agent is tough, going the traditional route is super tough. Going indie may not be easier. Self-publishing is also difficult. You forego going through certain doors, yes but for that you have to also be willing to spend time finding the people to work with, to become involved in some aspects you might not be otherwise.
Again, those are choices. But let’s all rejoice in our love of writing and reading 🙂
I’m using Facebook more often and trying to come up with engaging content there as well.
I write more. I have deadlines now and thanks to #WriterRecharge, I have already achieved a lot this month.
Before I start writing, I sometimes get scared, what if no-one loves it? But I had moments before where I had the same fear, so I guess that’s a constant.
Most importantly?
I wake up every single morning, knowing that my book will be out there. In the big wild world and that maybe Antonio and Nalatya will touch people. That someone in high school will talk about them to their friends. That someone may take a piece of them in their own adventure.
And honestly, I cannot find a gif for that amazing feeling 🙂
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Elodie Nowodazkij 