I’m so excited/nervous to start sharing teasers for LOVE IN B MINOR on my blog…
LOVE IN B MINOR is currently available for pre-order at a special price of $0.99
Tag: writing
Help, help: Posting reviews…
I hate asking for things. And I’m not very good at asking people for help. And right now my dog has snow fever (which granted has nothing to do with the topic at hand but I thought I should share 🙂 Luckily he’s cute and sweet.)
I know a lot of people have read my books and I’m oh so so grateful for it. I’m still amazed and cross my fingers to always be amazed by it. I’m still very nervous about it too but somehow I think that might go hand in hand. (excuse me while I try to make sure my dog doesn’t get attacked by my cat for barking – Peter the Cat doesn’t have a lot of noise tolerance).
Where was I?
For people to discover new books or new authors, reviews are still important. Maybe not because people read them but because there’s something the e-retailers seem to have in their magical algorithm that helps boost those books in front of more people. (The dog stopped barking for a second…he got distracted but he suddenly remembered that really I need to give him my undivided attention).
I know it takes time. But even two sentences can help. Even if you haven’t purchased my book (because you got it for reviewing on your blog on Netgalley, or you got it through a contest), you can still review it on Amazon for example.
You can find all my books on my Amazon author page (around the world). If you click on the link, it will take you to your amazon…
http://smarturl.it/ElodieAuthorAmazon
And if you’re not reviewing my book, because it was a long time ago and you don’t remember or don’t feel comfortable doing so for whatever reason, don’t hesitate to review an other author’s book 🙂
(now, Plato the Dog and Peter the Cat are all calm…chilling out and napping. Hmm, I can’t nap. I have to go cook…)
THANK YOU!
Happy Friday – It’s back!
I am back for Happy Friday. My goal is to do it as often as possible.
- The momentum I gained during the wonderful writing retreat hasn’t disappeared. Yay! I am so grateful for the encouraging words and fun and inspiring moments spent at the beach with amazing friends/writers. Thanks to them, I got back on track with LOVE IN B MINOR…Here’s a small excerpt I shared on Tuesday with my cozy nook on Facebook.
- Cuddling with Peter The Cat and Plato The Dog…Plato hid underneath the blanket next to me when I took a nap on Monday afternoon after coming back from the retreat.
- Going to walk Plato The Dog with The Chemical Engineer almost every single night. Always laugh a lot for some reason during those walks 🙂
- Making one of my best Chicken Marsala to date…
- Watching the last season of Parks & Rec…That show made me laugh so much. Can’t thank Katy Upperman enough for the rec 🙂 The trailer below is for season 2…
So, tell me, what made you happy this week?
Currently…
In an effort to blog a bit more regularly, I’ve decided to Katy Upperman‘s “Currently” posts 🙂 Don’t hesitate to join us. (Find the origins of the idea HERE.)
Loving
Taking pictures. Walking on the beach in the morning during the writing’s retreat. So inspiring.
Reading
I just started Delirium by Lauren Oliver.
And I’m reading I Am Malala
Watching
The last season of Parks & Rec just landed on Netflix…
Listening To
The Chemical Engineer and I started listening to the first Serial season and we’re already hooked.
Thinking About
Ways to organize myself so I can schedule four hours of writing/drafting/revising on days I’m not working and at least one hour of writing on days I’m working.
Anticipating
Using the Romance Planning Beatsheet Jami Gold has on her website (thanks again Katy and Alison for the tip!) as I go through LOVE IN B MINOR.
Wishing
To finish this revision ahead of time…
Making Me Happy
Spending time with amazing writer friends…This weekend was AMAZING.
What’s currently making YOU happy?
One Dream Only is available as an audiobook
You can now listen to Natalya telling her story 🙂 One Dream Only is available as an audiobook!
And I’m so very excited that Jennifer Baggiero accepted to narrate it. You can hear a sample below…
Where can you find it?
Don’t hesitate to spread the word and hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Writing Motivation Monday…
I’ve been pretty bad at writing these past few weeks. For several reasons. But I need to get back to it. This break I had not intended to take may have helped me figure out one plot point, but now it’s time to buckle up and make writing a habit again.
So, for all of you writers out there, here’s a little bit of motivation Monday.
May the words be with you…or at least, let’s shovel shit from a sitting position…
#Selfpub corner: Seven truths (at least my truths :))
1. I wouldn’t be able to publish my fourth book in less than 3 weeks without the support of my husband (both emotional and financial). Me going the self-publishing road was a common decision, something we’ve talked about and agreed on.
2. It’s definitely not a sprint, but a marathon. My sales are definitely better than last year, but I’m still struggling, I’m still not making a living out of my writing. But I’m trying to make sure it happens very soon.
3. I am so grateful for all the support and the sharing of knowledge. Honestly, you have no idea how Riley Edgewood is amazingly kind and wonderful. I’ve found out so much about the industry thanks to her and her ever-inquisitive mind ❤ And I’m grateful for the encouraging words of my friends. And for my husband telling me at least once a week. “I believe in you.”
4. I’m still learning. Trying to get more involved in publishing, trying to give back more. I’m also taking writing classes.
5. This is my job. I wake up at 5.15 every day (yes I do go to bed super early). I work around seven hours a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less. And I do work on certain weekends.
6. At least 30% of my working time is not spent on writing. It’s spent learning about the craft, learning how to write better, learning about the industry, trying to make sure I find ways to connect with my readers.
7. I love my job. And again I know how lucky I am.
❤
Happy Friday – The “I finished my manuscript” edition…
I am back for Happy Friday. It’s been quite a long time since my last “Happy Friday” post but I thought it was time to bring it back to my blog.
Here are five reasons why I smiled this past week:
I finished revising Always Second Best. And sent it off.
I did. And I’m super nervous about it but also oh so happy that this little manuscript is now in the capable hands of Riley Edgewood.
Oh and I’m revealing the cover of Always Second Best on Tuesday. You can sign up here: bit.ly/1UZrKjW
***
I got a bad review.
Why is that making me smile? Because of the awesome support I receive when I do. I don’t always check but sometimes I can’t help it. And no I do not engage but…I do reach out to my support system And I had to smile because my husband quoted Taylor Swift. (which is the same reaction I got from a lovely friend). Being in any business is tough. And having people understanding you and cheering you on really is priceless. And a reason to smile.
***
The enthusiasm from my FB group about Always Second Best
Knowing readers are excited to read this novel is an amazing feeling. Thank you! Crossing my fingers I don’t disappoint anyone.
***
Seeing the pictures of our nieces and nephew going back to school
Living far from home isn’t always easy so I’m definitely grateful to technology on that one. Getting to see them go off to school on their first day back was great!
***
Going back to jog with the hubby.
It had been more than a month. And it was hard but definitely felt pretty good. Plus, even though, I sometimes complain, I do love jogging with my husband. (yes, husband of mine, if you’re reading this, I will admit to it now, but don’t use that against me when you’re pushing me to do intervals and I’m not a happy camper).
***
Tell me, what made you smile this week? 🙂
Ready. Set. Write! #RSWrite – 2015 Wrap-up!
It’s time!
Time to wrap up Ready. Set. WRITE! Edition of 2015…
Thank you. Thank you so much for having joined us and for your support and for everything. And thank you so much to my co-hosts because the behind-the-scenes are as encouraging and wonderful as the weekly check-ins ❤
My overall goals for the summer?
Publish A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER at the end of July –-> DONE! I finished writing, revised and revised and revised and copy edited and published it on July 30th.
- Publish translations of ONE DREAM ONLY & ONE TWO THREE in German and ONE DREAM ONLY in French –> Half done and in progress. I am still waiting for news from one of my translators.
- Revise my psychological thriller (New Adult) by mid-July –> Present Elodie laughs at Past Elodie for this goal…
- Revise ALWAYS SECOND BEST (which is the follow-up to A SUMMER LIKE NO OTHER) –> it ended up being a rewrite and a revision and it is almost done!
- Oh and of course, become a NYT best-seller 😛 or rather not disappoint my current readers and having new people discover my books too. –> Still not a NYT best-seller BUT
Those are my writerly goals for the summer…I have a lot of personal ones too:
Run my first 5k ever end of June.–> I did, I did 🙂
Clean my office & clean the garage–> Did clean my office, still working on the garage though.Find new areas to discover close byStart taking pictures again- Find ways to give back –> I am working on that. I just applied to volunteer at a school
Create memories, enjoy the small moments because they really are the big ones…:)
And now…Manuscripts and Manicures
I chose red – for love, for all the romance, for all the kisses that are part of ALWAYS SECOND BEST. And I only painted a few of my fingers because it’s not entirely ready yet. It’s at this stage where I need to add the last scenes and then make sure it’s all pretty for my beta readers 🙂
❤
Did you participate in RSW? Don’t forget to link your wrap-up posts below!
And THANKS AGAIN!!!!
Ready. Set. Write! #RSWrite – 10th update!
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)
Disclaimer: I’m in Europe this week, so I might be slow making my way through the blogs. Sorry about that, but I’ll try to do a bit of cheering each day!
IMPORTANT REMINDER –> The last week of Ready. Set. Write! (8-24 – 8-31) we’ll be holding a fun virtual event called Manuscripts and Manicures. We’ll each be painting our nails in a way that reflects our current WiP, then posting a photo of our manicure creations.
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.
- Finish drafting this manuscript. –> ALMOST. I wrote about 5000 words last week which isn’t too bad, since we left for Europe on Tuesday.
- Finalize its blurb for the cover reveal. –> NOPE.
Send the feedback on a wonderful manuscript I’m beta reading. So. Good. So so so good!–> YES (and this book is simply AMAZING) I finished reading it on the plane from DC to Frankfurt and I couldn’t put it down. Loved. It.
2. My goal(s) for this week.
- Blurb
- Finish drafting. I’m going to write at least 1000 words each day.
3. A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised.
And he kisses me. Tender and passionate. Desperate and hopeful.
I forget myself into his lips. Into the way he tastes, the way my entire body reacts to his, the way his arms tighten around my waist.
“What do you think you’re doing?” My father’s voice booms.
4. The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write).
I’m currently in Europe and want to enjoy every second of it, but I also need to make sure I finish drafting this manuscript…
5. Something I love about my WiP.
That a scene unlocked itself.
Are you participating in RSW?
Don’t forget to link to your update below!
It’s time for our third giveaway! This lovely package has been assembled by Katy
GIVEAWAY Winner
The winner of Alison’s wonderful giveaway package is Crystal Schubert 🙂 Congrats Crystal!
And it’s giveaway time again!
This time the lovely package has been prepared by the wonderful Katy!
(giveaway is open internationally – to RSW participants only)
Elodie Nowodazkij 