Tag: writer

Ready Set Write

Ready. Set. Write! #RSWrite – 7th update!

Elodie

RSW9

Ready. Set. WRITE! is a summer writing intensive that encourages goal-setting and accountability, and provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at with our writing projects—planning, drafting, revising, or polishing. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Jaime Morrow, Erin Funk, Katy Upperman and myself. (For the detailed information about RSW, including  the wonderful buttons created by the lovely Jaime, click here)

And don’t forget, if you’re on Twitter, we check and cheer each other on using #RSWrite

1.  How I did on last week’s goals.

Womp. Womp. And yay? I forgot how hard it was to draft while trying to get everything ready for a release…

  • Write 10000 words in ASB i.e write at least 2000 words a day. –> I wrote about 3000 words
  • Continue yoga at least 3 times a week and if my back feels better, run at least once. –> my back has been better but I didn’t do any workout this week.
  • Catch-up on my online class –> Yep
  • Write a selfpub post –> Done.
  • Finish timeline and create timeline for Always Second Best –> Tough one but a bit more clarity.
  • Write newsletter for Thursday –> Done 🙂

2.  My goal(s) for this week.

  • My book is coming out on Thursday sooooooooo enjoying it without stressing too too much is one of my goals…
  • Write at least 2000 words a day (except on Thursday)
  • Run twice this week, work out once and do yoga twice
  • Continuing my online class
  • Prepare for my release on Thursday (send information to bloggers who signed up for my Book Blitz, newsletter, teasers, newsletter)
  • Write a selfpub post
  • Set up One Dream Only in German (the ebook)

3.  A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised.

Surprising. Em & Nick have a mind of their own, that’s for sure.

4.  The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write).

Balancing my release and writing.

5.  Something I love about my WiP.

My side characters. I love that they also “speak” to me ❤

Are you participating in RSW? 
Don’t forget to link to your  update below!

I am SO very much looking forward to reading all about your progress!

Self-pub corner

#Selfpub corner – Organizing a cover reveal…

Elodie

#Selfpub corner buttonSooooo it’s been a long time since I’ve done a #selfpub corner, and since I’ve been updating my business plans and doing more research and all that, I thought it was high time to start again. Plus, I love reading others’ experiences . Time to give back 🙂

Organizing a cover reveal

To organize a cover reveal or not? How to go about it? Alone? With a provider? How about tying it to a pre-order? How about a giveaway?

There are a lot of questions to ask oneself before organizing anything, especially when it taps into your self-publishing funds.

I usually set up my goals ahead of time now and try to stick to them.

  • Why a cover reveal?

To gather interest, to create a possible buzz around the book…and to share more about your book with the world. In addition, if you have a pre-order set up, that could be the moment to mention it.

  • How about a giveaway with the cover reveal?

It all depends. What are your goals? What is your budget?

For A Summer Like No Other, I decided to have a giveaway along with the cover reveal. Another way to spread the word about my book.

  • Cover reveal: how to set it up?

There are so many ways to set it up: either yourself if you have enough following. Or with a provider.

Usually setting it up at least a month in advance really helps to gain traction.

When it comes to providers (including prices), there’s a good list here. As mentioned I’ve used Xpresso Book Tours and it worked very well.

You can also organize an exclusive cover reveal with a blogger or a particular website. I’ve never done that one so not sure how it works, or the results.

  • What did I want to achieve with the cover reveal?

I wanted to put my books in front of bloggers and possible readers, to create a buzz, to gain new Facebook group members and newsletter subscribers. Possibly new Instagram followers & Twitter followers too.

And I also thought maybe some would pre-order my book.

  • Was it worth it?

– Number of sign ups

For my first cover reveal, One Two Three, I had more than 85 bloggers signing up, for this one I had about 38. So yes, big difference. However, I didn’t have a l

– Gaining new FB group members and newsletters 

Definitely worked. And yes, I know, many new members are mainly here for the giveaway buuuuuut some are not and I’ve interacted with some already and I’m really enjoying that.

– Creating a buzz around A Summer Like No Other

I think that worked. I’m getting a few comments that readers keep on hearing about it and on Netgalley, 5% have clicked that they liked the buzz when requesting. I wish I could compare those numbers with One, Two, Three but I don’t have those.

– Get some pre-orders for A Summer Like No Other

Hmmm. This is where I have to remind myself this is a marathon not a sprint 😛 I have 11 pre-orders for A Summer Like No Other on Amazon. But crossing my fingers that just means everyone is waiting for release day. Right? Right.

  • Will I do it again?

Most probably, yes. It depends when I finalize the cover and blurb of Always Second Best. I’d like to do the sign-ups for the cover reveal much earlier, giving at least a month for people to sign up. And then do the giveaway right when the book goes up on Netgalley (like I did this time around). Basically, I need to work on the detailed timeline to see if it works or not.

  • What comes next?

Next week, my book comes out so I’m organizing a Book Blitz. However, this time, I’m doing it by myself (will see how that works). If you’d like to help me, don’t hesitate to sign up here. (my goal is to reach at least 15 sign ups, and I have 4 so far – thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me <3)

Hope this was helpful/interesting.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know 🙂

If you want me to tackle a certain topic, just ask and I’ll try my best 🙂

Ready Set Write

Ready. Set. Write! #RSWrite – 6th update!

Elodie

RSW9

Ready. Set. WRITE! is a summer writing intensive that encourages goal-setting and accountability, and provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at with our writing projects—planning, drafting, revising, or polishing. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Jaime Morrow, Erin Funk, Katy Upperman and myself. (For the detailed information about RSW, including  the wonderful buttons created by the lovely Jaime, click here)

And don’t forget, if you’re on Twitter, we check and cheer each other on using #RSWrite

1.  How I did on last week’s goals.

Hmmm. Not so good. I threw my back and…that wasn’t really conducive to productivity. I have decided I should never mop again

  • Write 10000 words in ASB (back in Scrivener) – NOPE. I did move my document to Scrivener and I’m also working on getting my plot right thanks to an online class. But not being able to move for a few days made it hard and I have a lot to catch up…I can sit again properly so yay!
  • Finalize the ASLNO e-Arcs and send them out first to FB group and then set it up on Netgalley. –> Done and the first reviews are coming in. Always so nerve-wracking.
  • Finalize the paperback version of ASLNO –> Almost done. I did the last read-through and reuploaded the files..
This is how my last read-through looked like :)
This is how my last read-through looked like 🙂
  • Work out 3 times and run 2 times –> I did Yoga almost every single day this week, but didn’t run.
  • Work on the detailed timeline to release date –> In progress.
  • Write post on self-publishing –> Yes 🙂

2.  My goal(s) for this week.

  • Write 10000 words in ASB i.e write at least 2000 words a day.
  • Continue yoga at least 3 times a week and if my back feels better, run at least once.
  • Catch-up on my online class
  • Write a selfpub post
  • Finish timeline and create timeline for Always Second Best
  • Write newsletter for Thursday

3.  A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised.

I’ve done quite a bit of re-reading this week as I finalized the files for A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER to make my pre-order date…and I played around with some quotes…this was my Teaser Tuesday quote and I kind of love it 🙂

10986709_10103853047478818_3009499268737184887_o

4.  The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write).

My back.

5.  Something I love about my WiP.

Nick & Em. I really do love Nick & Em and I’m so happy I get to spend more time with them.

Are you participating in RSW? 
Don’t forget to link to your  update below!

Giveaway winner
Annnnnd the giveaway winner of last week’s Writer’s Care Package is Liz Parker 🙂
 I’ll send you an email today 🙂

I am SO very much looking forward to reading all about your progress!

Self-pub corner

#Selfpub corner – My experience with #Netgalley

Elodie

#Selfpub corner button My back is slowly starting to get better. I still walk a bit crouched and I can’t do certain movements, nor sudden movements but it’s better… And it’s time for #selfpub corner! Since I’ve been updating my business plans and doing more research and all that, I thought it was high time to start again. Plus, I love reading others’ experiences . Time to give back 🙂

MY EXPERIENCE WITH NETGALLEY

  • How to put up your book on Netgalley as a selfpub author?

There are different options for selfpub authors. You can book a spot for different lengths where someone else is handling everything for you. I used Patchwork Press in the past and loved working with them. And I know that Xpresso Book Tours is also offering this service now. You can also try to find a co-op where you can put as many books as you want within a year (one at a time) and where you need to handle some of the requesting and so on… I love being in a co-op. I love being able to switch my books easily and to know that I have a spot for each of them without having to worry. I think the co-op works best when you have a lot of books coming out in one year. And if you like being hands-on on certain aspects. You can also “rent” your spot when you’re not using it.

  • Is it expensive?

It’s always relative, isn’t it? 🙂 I think that having a book on Netgalley really helps to get your book in front of thousands of readers/reviewers. For a month, $60 seems to be the price on both Patchwork Press & Xpresso Book Tours. The co-op is for a year and I pay $350 I think the co-op works well for me, because I already had two books up and I have 5 more planned before May next year. And it gives me quite a bit flexibility, when it comes to adding things to each book’s profile. For example, I now have files in the press kit section. Among other things.

  • What did I want to achieve with Netgalley?

I am not going to lie. Netgalley is scary. https://twitter.com/ENowodazkij/status/621281019937824768   Having your book up for review is even more nerve-wracking than having your book up for sale. I’m not sure why. And on Netgalley, you have people that review books, which means some are reading to review. I review when I read books that I really really love, so it’s not the same perspective. And it’s perfectly fine. It’s just getting used to, especially since you can opt to receive the feedback directly into your email. With Netgalley though you can really connect with readers. Whenever a reader clicks they wouldn’t mind connecting with the author, I send them an email. I am so grateful for them to take the time to review my little book and it’s a great way to inform them of what else I have going on and the fun things they can join and that I’m open for interviews and so on. Of course, early reviews are also important. And one of the easiest way to get them is to put your book up on Netgalley. In addition, cross-reviewing to sites like Amazon, B&N and Goodreads really helps authors. Of course, not sure how everything is evolving on Amazon since those reviews are not from verified purchases but that’s another story and I really am thankful when reviewers take the time to cross post their thoughts on my books. ❤

  • How did it go?

I had lots of requests. LOTS of request. At least it felt like it 🙂 The first time around, I had 310 requests for review The second time, I had 193 requests for review. Overall, on Goodreads I had about 65 reviews from Netgalley and on Amazon, I think more than half of my reviews are from Netgalley members.

  • What happened after the book was no longer on Netgalley?

I am still getting reviews for One, Two, Three, and I am so happy it enabled me to connect with readers and reviewers.

  • Was it worth it?

Yes. Definitely yes.

  • Will I do it again?

Actually, I am. Right now. A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER is up on Netgalley (it was first available to my Facebook Group Members – Elodie’s Cozy Nook :))

Hope this was helpful/interesting.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know 🙂 I’d love to hear your own experience with Netgalley if you’ve used it…and if you want me to tackle a certain topic, just ask and I’ll try my best 🙂

Ready Set Write

Ready. Set. Write! #RSWrite – 5th update!

Elodie

RSW9

Ready. Set. WRITE! is a summer writing intensive that encourages goal-setting and accountability, and provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at with our writing projects—planning, drafting, revising, or polishing. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Jaime Morrow, Erin Funk, Katy Upperman and myself. (For the detailed information about RSW, including  the wonderful buttons created by the lovely Jaime, click here)

 

And don’t forget, if you’re on Twitter, we check and cheer each other on using #RSWrite

1.  How I did on last week’s goals.

  • Write 20000 words. Yes, I’m shooting high but I need to finish drafting this book in the next three weeks. And the beauty of having written A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER? I already know my characters very very well. –> I wrote about 9500 words, so nope BUT I did end up doing a few other things: received the copy edits of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER, finished those and then I worked on formatting ASLNO for e-ARCs and on the paperback cover of ASLNO. e-ARCs should be ready today for members of my FB group :), and I started working on the paperback version of ONE DREAM ONLY in German.

11722402_10103848464982178_8223947305379128066_o (1)

  • Spend at least an hour each day doing business things. –> DONE!
  • Publish a blog post on Tuesday about self-publishing (my experience with Freebooksy and some of the ads I have planned for release week) –> DONE (I focused mainly on my experience with Freebooksy)
  • Enjoy my cover reveal day on Thursday –> I did. Not in the way I first had planned but I still did 🙂 Thanks again so much for the cover love!
  • Run 3 times this week and do strength training at least twice. –> Worked out 3 times and ran twice

2.  My goal(s) for this week.

  • Write 10000 words in ASB (back in Scrivener)
  • Finalize the ASLNO e-Arcs and send them out first to FB group and then set it up on Netgalley.
  • Finalize the paperback version of ASLNO
  • Work out 3 times and run 2 times
  • Work on the detailed timeline to release date
  • Write post on self-publishing

3.  A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised.

Nick bends down, his face so close to mine and I want to close my eyes, I want to feel his lips on mine again, his arms around me. “You’re Emilia Moretti. You’re the best Mario Bros player. You’re kind and you’re strong. You’re stubborn and you’re talented. You’re funny and you think you’re awkward. You’re sexy and you’re amazing.” His lips touch that spot right under my ear and I shiver at the contact. “Show them who you are.” He repeats and this time, I nod.

4.  The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write).

Reminding myself it’s a first draft. And taking notes for things I’m wondering I should change without going back and changing them. Yet.

5.  Something I love about my WiP.

One character who made me cry. (sounds weird, but it was really an emotional scene…)

Are you participating in RSW? 
Don’t forget to link to your  update below!

Giveaway time!

Part of #RSWrite include  giveaways (open internationally)

Big congrats to Susan Crispell, lucky winner of last week’s Ready. Set. Write! prize package! Susan, you can contact Jaime via DM on Twitter to give her your address 🙂

and this week, I’m giving away a few things that I hope will help fuel your creativity 🙂

giveaway 2

Giveaway open internationally, to RSW participants only.
To enter, click the link below!

Rafflecopter

I am SO very much looking forward to reading all about your progress!

Self-pub corner

#Selfpub corner – My experience with #Freebooksy

Elodie

#Selfpub corner buttonSooooo it’s been a long time since I’ve done a #selfpub corner, and since I’ve been updating my business plans and doing more research and all that, I thought it was high time to start again. Plus, I love reading others’ experiences . Time to give back 🙂

MY EXPERIENCE WITH FREEBOOKSY

  • What is Freebooksy?

Freebooksy promotes free books (being perma-free or those free for a limited period of time). At the time of this post, they do not restrict their ads to full-length novels. I checked with them to make sure I could buy an ad for a novelette and it was fine.

Freebooksy currently advertises to more than 130k newsletter subscribers and 200k+ Facebook fans.

  • What did I want to achieve with a Freebooksy ad?

– At least 800 downloads of ONE DREAM ONLY

– At least 5 reviews of ONE DREAM ONLY

– At least 5 new subscribers

– At least 5 new FB group members 

– At least 20 new sales of ONE TWO THREE

  • How did it go?

I bought a Freebooksy ad ($70) for my novelette ONE DREAM ONLY (which is currently free). I scheduled it for June 5th. And this is what happened…

Units ordered

More than 700 copies on the day of the ad and overall more than 1000 copies….During the ad, One Dream Only ranked #3 in the free Best Sellers in Two-Hour Teen & Young Adult Short Reads.

One Dream Only Best Seller

  • What happened after the ad?

– I sold more than 10 copies of One, Two, Three (sales had been stagnant previously)

– I gained one newsletter subscriber

– I gained two new members in my Facebook group.

  • Was it worth it?

Yes. In my view, it was. Gaining new readers is so important. Plus, I love connecting with them, so I am very excited whenever they either subscribe to my newsletter or join my FB group.

In addition, when people download something free, they may not read it right away and I think I’m still seeing some One Two Three sales thanks to the ad.

  • Will I do it again?

Yes. But not right now. Right now, I’m going to look into ENT and BargainBooksy and others to plan some ads on ONE TWO THREE, around the release date of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER.

Hope this was helpful/interesting.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know 🙂 I’d love to hear your own experience with Freebooksy if you’ve used it…and if you want me to tackle a certain topic, just ask and I’ll try my best 🙂

Ready Set Write

Ready. Set. Write! #RSWrite – 4th update!

Elodie

RSW9

Ready. Set. WRITE! is a summer writing intensive that encourages goal-setting and accountability, and provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at with our writing projects—planning, drafting, revising, or polishing. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Jaime Morrow, Erin Funk, Katy Upperman and myself. (For the detailed information about RSW, including  the wonderful buttons created by the lovely Jaime, click here)

And don’t forget, if you’re on Twitter, we check and cheer each other on using #RSWrite

1.  How I did on last week’s goals.

  • Revise A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER and send it to my copy-editor –> DONE!
  • Outline ALWAYS SECOND BEST (I have about 30000 words, but they’re in need of rewrite and reorganization since I finished A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER) –> Progress.
  • Write 5000 words in ALWAYS SECOND BEST –> Nope. I’ve had a hard time getting back into a writing groove but I now know where my story is going so I need to sit my butt in the chair. And write.
  • Spend at least one hour per day on business matters –> DONE!
  • Run 3 times a week and do strength training at least twice this week –> ALMOST! I ran twice and did strength training 2 times.

2.  My goal(s) for this week.

  • Write 20000 words. Yes, I’m shooting high but I need to finish drafting this book in the next three weeks. And the beauty of having written A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER? I already know my characters very very well.
  • Spend at least an hour each day doing business things.
  • Publish a blog post on Tuesday about self-publishing (my experience with Freebooksy and some of the ads I have planned for release week)
  • Enjoy my cover reveal day on Thursday
  • Run 3 times this week and do strength training at least twice.

3.  A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised.

“You deserve everything,” Nick says.

4.  The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write).

Getting back into a writing groove after working so hard on my revisions.

5.  Something I love about my WiP.

Spending more time with Em & Nick.

Are you participating in RSW? 
Don’t forget to link to your first update below!

Giveaway time!

Part of #RSWrite include  giveaways (open internationally) and this week, Jaime has something awesome planned for you. AWESOME, I’m telling you: this amazing writer’s care package.

writers-care-package (1)
coiled journal with Every Summer Has A Story on it, to-do, checklist pad of paper, heart-shaped Post-it notes, Fineline markers (fine tip), pencil case with flip-flop pattern, mini binder clips in fun colours, two rolls of washi tape, Revlon, sparkly nail file, Haute in the Heat Essie nail polish, EOS sweet mint lip balm, Maynards wine gums, Smarties, Cadbury Dairy Milk Cookie Crunch bar

Giveaway open internationally, to RSW participants only.
To enter, click the link below!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

I am SO very much looking forward to reading all about your progress!

Uncategorized

The making-of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER – The first 250 words

Elodie

typewriter in retro style - vector cardEvery book has a story.

Not the story within the pages, but the story outside the pages.

Why did the writer feel compelled to tell the story?

How many hours did the story take to write, rewrite, re-rewrite, revise revise revise revise revise revise?

And how many elements of a story change from the time the writer writes the first words that come to his/her mind and the moment it is “done”? Is a story ever really finished?

Every Thursday, I’ll be sharing something about the making-of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER – either on this blog or in my newsletter (don’t hesitate to sign-up :)) until its release on July 30th.  Next week, in my newsletter, I’ll not only reveal the cover of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER, I’ll also explain its making-of (I designed it and I’m so excited about it 🙂

And today, I’m going to start with the first 250 words. Yesterday, I finished revising and editing and re-reading the entire novella and sent it to my copy editor. Then, I thought: “Hmmm, how much did it change from one of the first drafts and this almost-finished version?” It did change quite a bit.

  1. I drafted and rewrote some parts and revised and revised
  2. and then it went off to a first round of beta readers (in this case the lovely and talented Riley Edgewood)
  3. I read her comments and suggestions and revised and revised and re-read
  4. and then sent if off to my second round of beta readers (in this case the lovely and talented Alison Miller).
  5. I read her comments and suggestions and then revised and revised and re-read.
  6. And sent it off to my copy-editor –> I am at this stage 🙂

And below you’ll see the differences between then and now. All the track changes in purple are words/sentences I either added or deleted.

Making of the first page

The “almost final” version of the first 250 words (not yet copy-edited):

The pop music blasts from the speakers so loudly that it resonates within me. I jump once, twice, three times, with my fist in the air and then my hips move to the pounding rhythm.

The mirrors on the wall aren’t used to seeing me dance like this. I usually dance to Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Minkus. Not to Madonna.

I tilt my head to the side. I don’t want to be rehearsing the movements from any ballet choreographies, but I should. I rise on my toes into a relevé.

I don’t want to be Emilia Moretti—sixteen-year-old ballerina who always tries to perfect each single movement to the point of obsession. I lower, bending my knees over my feet, into a plié.

I don’t want to be the girl, who swears she doesn’t care about being adopted but who has been trying to find her birth parents.

I stand on my toes again.

I don’t want to dwell on the fact that I have the saddest crush on Nick—the best dancer at the School of Performing Arts and my brother’s best friend.

I want to let go and dance.

I close my eyes and raise my hands, moving my lips and making up words as I sing off key. I leap from the ground. My legs form a grand jeté that would have me thrown out of the School of Performing Arts: my front leg is not entirely straight, and I’m definitely not high enough in the air. But I don’t care.

(I am sharing exclusive excerpts in my Facebook group: Elodie’s Cozy Nook, hope to see you there 🙂

Tell me, what is your writing process?

Or do you have any questions for me about the making-of A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER?

3DCoverXBT2 (2)A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER (coming out on July 30th):

She’s his best friend’s little sister. He’s the biggest player of them all. They shouldn’t be together. But this summer’s just too tempting.

Sixteen-year-old Emilia Moretti’s goal for the summer is simple: forget her brother’s best friend—Nick Grawsky—ever existed. It should be easy: He’s spending his summer in the Hamptons, adding girls in tiny bikinis to his list of broken hearts. Guarantee he won’t be telling them they’re like his little sisters. This summer, Emilia won’t stay awake at night thinking about him. She’ll need flawless ballet movements to have a shot at next year’s showcase, and she’s finally ready to search for her birth parents. But when Nick decides to stay in the city, Emilia’s resolve disappears in a pirouette. Maybe it’s the spin they needed to be together. As long as she doesn’t get stuck believing in happily ever after…

Nick is tired of pretending to be the happy, let’s-have-fun guy. His father wants him to change his career from professional dancer to…lawyer. He needs to put all of his focus on dancing to prove to Daddy Dearest he’s good enough to make it big. And he may have a case of the bluest balls in history courtesy of Emilia. She’s off-limits: The bro code with Roberto even forbids the dirty thoughts he has about her. Besides, he’s not boyfriend material. He only has time for flings, for girls who don’t expect much, for girls he doesn’t want to kiss goodnight. He knows he should resist her, but he’s not sure he wants to…

At least for this summer.

It’s going to be a summer like no other.

goodreads-badge-add-plus-71eae69ca0307d077df66a58ec068898

download

Ready Set Write

Ready. Set. Write! #RSWrite – 3rd update

Elodie

RSW9

Ready. Set. WRITE! is a summer writing intensive that encourages goal-setting and accountability, and provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at with our writing projects—planning, drafting, revising, or polishing. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Jaime Morrow, Erin Funk, Katy Upperman and myself. (For the detailed information about RSW, including  the wonderful buttons created by the lovely Jaime, click here)

And don’t forget, if you’re on Twitter, we check and cheer each other on using #RSWrite

Hope everyone had a wonderful second week!

1.  How I did on last week’s goals.

  • Finish revising as planned on Monday –> DONE! 🙂 🙂 🙂 And have already received amazing helpful feedback. On track for publication on July 30th!
  • Outline and revise/rewrite 15000 words for ALWAYS SECOND BEST –> Nope. #ElodieFail I wrote about 5000 words spread in different stories and added about 5000 to A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER.
  • Prepare the cover reveal for A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER –> DONE! Xpresso Book Tours is organizing the reveal 🙂 So. Exciting.
  • Share the blurb on A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER on my Facebook group. –> DONE! I even shared a video for the occasion. I’m totally awkward on it but it was fun.
  • Dedicate at least an hour a day to business-related tasks. –> DONE! Accomplished quite a lot so YAY!
  • Run 3 times this week. –> DONE! Ran 4 times this week including my first 5k ever.

2.  My goal(s) for this week.

  • Revise A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER and send it to my copy-editor
  • Outline ALWAYS SECOND BEST (I have about 30000 words, but they’re in need of rewrite and reorganization since I finished A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER(
  • Write 5000 words in ALWAYS SECOND BEST
  • Spend at least one hour per day on business matters
  • Run 3 times a week and do strength training at least twice this week.

3.  A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised.

“Lips that are so fucking inviting I should get a prize for not asking if I could kiss her.”

4.  The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write).

Balancing the business side and the writing side…

5.  Something I love about my WiP.

The feedback from my beta readers. Thanks to them, I really have the feeling that people will fall in love with Em & Nick and ❤ ❤ ❤ this makes me so happy! Plus, I get to continue stretching my writing thanks to their feedback. So, yay!

I am SO very much looking forward to reading all about your progress!

Don’t forget to add your update via the linky 🙂

 

Ready Set Write

Ready. Set. Write! #RSWrite – 2nd update

Elodie

RSW9

Ready. Set. WRITE! is a summer writing intensive that encourages goal-setting and accountability, and provides an opportunity for us to cheer each other on wherever we’re at with our writing projects—planning, drafting, revising, or polishing. This year, your RSW hosts are Alison Miller, Jaime Morrow, Erin Funk, Katy Upperman and myself. (For the detailed information about RSW, including  the wonderful buttons created by the lovely Jaime, click here)

And don’t forget, if you’re on Twitter, we check and cheer each other on using #RSWrite

Hope everyone had a wonderful second week!

1.  How I did on last week’s goals.

  • Rewrite the first two chapters of my thriller in 3rd and in 1st to see which one works best DONE! 3rd it is but man that’s going to be HARD!
  • Possibly start revising A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER and if not make the revision plan of YOU ARE MINE and revise at least 3 hours a day. DONE! I am actually almost done revising A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER. I need to add a few more scenes and re-read it and off it goes to a wonderful reader tomorrow (well today by the time this post comes up)
  • Business side of things: detailed business plan DONE! I’ve done the business plan for A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER. I might share it with you all. Still thinking about it 😛
  • Finish reading the book for book club on Friday ALMOST DONE! –> I was at 85% by the time book club came around.
  • (and run 3 times this week) DONE! And I ran my first 5k without stopping on Thursday 🙂

2.  My goal(s) for this week.

  • Finish revising as planned on Monday
  • Outline and revise/rewrite 15000 words for ALWAYS SECOND BEST
  • Prepare the cover reveal for A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER
  • Share the blurb on A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER on my Facebook group.
  • Dedicate at least an hour a day to business-related tasks.
  • Run 3 times this week.

3.  A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised.

“I can’t deal with someone else telling me what’s good for me, what I should do, what I need, what I want. I know what I want.”

4.  The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write).

Fleshing out scenes I had been trying to avoid and had summarized. Digging deeper.

5.  Something I love about my WiP.

That this revision is making it SO. MUCH. STRONGER. (Thanks again Riley!)

I am SO very much looking forward to reading all about your progress!

Don’t forget to add your update via the linky 🙂