Thursday, 28 August 2025

Editing With... Depression [CC]

 Talking about editing while having depression and some tips about it! #Authortube

 
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Tuesday, 26 August 2025

#TeaserTuesday


Jessie needs help from Lucas, no matter what her parents say...

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[ID: A dark green background with the title CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE FOURTH TORMENT at the top and coming October 14th 2025 just below the title The except reads:

I didn't respond to Roe's texts, but instead sent an email to Lucas.
I don't care what it takes, I need to see you, and Molly. You can't leave me to face this alone. I'll find a way. Promise me, Lucas. 
Jessie.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

Monday, 25 August 2025

Balancing Editing & Revision

BALANCING EDITING & REVISION

Last week I talked about all my working projects (found here) and this week I thought that I'd delve into what it's like trying to balance revision and editing. I've managed to do this before, though the editing has always been more stressful for me, but now that I'm not drafting for the time being, it made sense to try and give you some tips of what it's like trying to juggle two, in my opinion, similar parts of the process.

Before I start, I should let you know that for me, I consider revising to be the part of the process you do without professional help, and editing to be the process you do with dev editors and beyond. While that's not a strict definition, it's one that's worked for me. Otherwise you could clearly see that the two are very similar processes and might get confused about which one applies to what. 

When it comes to balancing the two, I go to my tried and true method of keeping them both as separate as possible. Whether that's only doing one on one day and the other on another, or whether that's making sure that my work on revision is done first and only when it's finished and I've cleared my mind of that project, do I approach editing. It sometimes works really well, other times it does not.

I've always been someone who, when working, gets really focused on the project on the docket for the day, and while before I would be drafting and then doing edits, I find it's a harder mind switch when I'm revising and then doing edits because as I said above, they are very similar in their execution. While sometimes I have been able to easily switch to the editing project, other times it's taken me a while to get into the right frame of mind for the editing project.

It helps, somewhat, that usually the projects I'm revising are so different to the tone and plot of the editing project, but there have been times recently when I've been revising the next book in that series, and also editing the book that came before it. Sometimes it's made for a smooth switch because I already know the characters and world well, other times it's led to things where I've struggled for that section of edits.

I think, ultimately, it comes down to what works for you, what helps you get into the right frame of mind, and what will help you effectively work. If you're not someone who can manage to juggle multiple projects, which is fine and completely valid, then this wouldn't apply to you. If you are, and you've also found it hard to switch around when the process is very similar, all I can suggest is that maybe separating what days you work on one part so that you have a cleaner break between the two.

While I've found a way that works for me, it wouldn't work for everyone, and in the beginning, I did need that clean break. I needed to only be working on one type of project a day and there was just no chance of me being able to get into the character's heads and mindset if I'd spent a chunk of time in a different world and character. With practice, comes progress, and you just have to remember to start small, and to take it as you can, even if that means it takes you longer, that's okay. Remember, it takes as long as it takes.

Good luck!

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments! 

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Friday, 22 August 2025

Review of Adapted: Heat by Elizabeth Caroline

Claudia’s escape from the research facility was supposed to be the end of her struggles - but it was only the beginning.

After years of being exploited for her unique ability, Claudia is finally free. In the quiet town of Westpoint, she discovers the father she never knew and a world of possibilities she’s only dreamed of. But adjusting to a normal life isn’t as easy as it seems. High school presents its own challenges, and when the charming quarterback shows her what love could feel like, things get even more complicated.

Yet, Claudia can’t fully escape her past. Shadows of the research facility linger, and the weight of her old mission - seeking justice for her one friend when she was back in the facility - threatens to pull her back. Can Claudia embrace the new life she’s found, or will her past drag her into the darkness once again?
 
My Review: 5 STARS

I picked this up having read another of Caroline’s books and was drawn into the world from the first page. I adored Claudia, and seeing her blossom and bloom after she finally gets free was a delight. Caroline has a way of creating a world that leaves you hooked, and guessing to find out where and when the twists are gonna come. I adored this world, loved Solomon and can’t wait to dive into the next book to see what happens next. Very much recommended!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here  

 

Thursday, 21 August 2025

Questions From Writers - August 2025 [CC[


Answering questions from the writers in my audience today! #Authortube
 
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Tuesday, 19 August 2025

#TeaserTuesday


Thankfully, Jessie has her friends who can help her through it all...

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[ID: A dark green background with the title CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE FOURTH TORMENT at the top and coming October 14th 2025 just below the title The except reads:

The woman is the gatekeeper and while there have been some people who 'saw' the place on their deathbeds, there's never really been too many cases of non-dying people ending up there. R x.
Which I know doesn't help all that much...BUT! R x.
But?? You can't leave me hanging here, Roe! J x.
Sorry, Mum came in. R x.
Anyway, but there have been some cases of people crossing over. It's just hidden in the lore. I don't know much about them but this site gives you a clue. R x.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

Monday, 18 August 2025

5 Facts On My Current Working Projects

5 FACTS ON MY CURRENT WORKING PROJECTS

I did one of these back in June (found here) but since there's been some changes to projects, I thought that I would do another one. I am currently working on five projects. I have three in revision and rewrite status, one in revision status and another in the final stages of the editing process. I thought that I'd give you one fact about each other them.

REVISING & REWRITING

FACT #1: PENNEY IS MEANT FOR GREAT THINGS
The first project is a YA paranormal trilogy dealing with psychics and danger and intrigue. Penney is a born psychic and she has a death vision, one that would see her best friend, and long time crush, die on their first date. While I don't want to go into spoilers, I will say that Penney has no clue about the truth and motive behind the things happening in her life. She's sure she's on the right path, but what she doesn't realise is everything happens for a reason, even if there doesn't seem to be one, there's always a reason behind other people's actions.

This book is coming to the end of the revising and rewriting stage, but for now it's still there as I have more tweaks to add.

FACT #2: NOT EVERYONE WANTS THE SAME THINGS FOR ABBY
This project is the first in a YA urban fantasy trilogy dealing with pandemics, witches, and the hunt for a diagnosis. Abby is a witch and suffering with some, as of yet, unknown conditions, and she's trying to both find herself, and also save other witches from the worst thing there is: a witch hunt. Newly induced into a coven, she's desperate to save everyone she can, solve the mystery, and stay healthy, only there are people in Abby's life who do not want the same as she does, and they will do everything they can to make sure that she never finds out their truth.

This book is also coming to the end of the revising and rewriting stage, but there's still some bits and pieces that I want to explore more.

FACT #3: SOMEONE NEEDS TO SAVE JESSIE THIS TIME
This book is the fifth and final book in the Cramping Chronicles series. It's a YA urban fantasy series dealing with empaths, and mysteries all wrapped up in one. Jessie is an empath, but after what happened in the last book (pre-order here) she's finding that she's the one that needs to be saved, she needs someone to stand up for her, and without it, she might be lost to the world as we know it.

This book is in the revising and rewriting stage as there are lots of things that need to be changed before it moves onto the plain ole revision.

REVISION

FACT #4: NO MATTER HOW IT MAY SEEM, THERE'S BAD ON ALL SIDES

This project is the third book in the Invisible quartet, a YA dystopian series dealing with disability, a virus, adaption, and bringing an end to the cruelty of a Leader dead set against anything outside of his vision for their world. Jonah and Zya are doing the best they can to make sure they, and as many as their friends, survive but there are no good guys here, and they have a battle ahead of them that may end them all.

This book has been to the sensitivity readers, and right now I'm doing the changes suggested and reshaping the story before it goes to the editor in November.

EDITING CYCLE

FACT #5: JESSIE HAS NO CLUE WHAT SHE'S BEING TOLD TO DO

This book is the fourth Cramping Chronicles book, (pre-order here) which is a YA urban fantasy series dealing with empaths, and a threat to our world. Jessie is an empath, but she's been isolated from her peers and she doesn't really know what she's being asked to do. If she follows through, and even if she doesn't, there are going to be catastrophic results for everyone.

This book is with the proofreader, and should be out on October 14th!

So there we go, those are five facts about my current working projects! I'm loving them all for different reasons and excited to keep going with them all.

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments! 

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Friday, 15 August 2025

Interview With Hope Bolinger

I'd like to welcome Hope Bolinger to the blog for an interview! I read one of Hope's books last year and loved it!

Onto the interview!

Do you have a set routine for writing? 
I do. It's all mathematical. I tend to have a research period. And once I have compiled enough to be an "expert" in a topic, I feel ready to write. I craft a skeletonic outline and then I get going. I have a set word count I try to aim for each day, until I hit the final word count for the first draft.

What's your favourite tip for newbie writers? 

Have fun with the process. Writing is, unfortunately, the easy part. The editing, the marketing, everything afterward can be soul-sucking, so have fun with it. Write something you really believe in. 

Which genre is your favourite to write in? 
This is so hard to choose because I write MG, YA, and sweet romances. I think it depends on my mood, but the weirder, the better. Anything that stretches my imagination.

Do you have any pets? 

I do! Two very silly cats named Odin and Freya. They love each other. They tolerate me. 

Paperback or ebook? And why? 

I'm a paperback girlie. There's just something in you that feels so accomplished when you're physically flipping pages.

Where do you see yourself, and your writing, in ten years? 
I'm not sure, because I've been surprised by the last ten years of writing. I imagine I'll keep being surprised.

What's your favourite writing snack? 

I actually forget to eat when I write. It's a problem. 

You can follow Hope on Instagram.  

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here  

Thursday, 14 August 2025

Life Of Joey - August 2025 [CC]


Telling you all about what I got up to last month! #Authortube
 
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Tuesday, 12 August 2025

#TeaserTuesday


Jessie's parents are not all that understanding about her empath abilities...

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[ID: A dark green background with the title CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE FOURTH TORMENT at the top and coming October 14th 2025 just below the title The except reads:

“I will not have that man in our house!” Mum hissed.
“Kaye, you have to agree the way he went about this, telling Jessie to tell us, points to him not being a bad guy,” Dad whispered. “I know you're worried. I'm worried too, but I feel like maybe there's a grain of truth in what Jessie’s saying.”

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]