44 Things I've Learned About Writing [CC]

44 things I've learned about writing since I started all those years ago! #Authortube

PRE-ORDER LIGHTS OUT: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT
SIGN UP FOR PRE-ORDER SWAG: https://forms.gle/frPAVR8JZycXjozm8
SIGN UP FOR AN ARC FOR LIGHTS OUT: https://forms.gle/gyWaWftTMdcnzN839
SIGN UP FOR DYING THOUGHTS - EIGHTH ENDING COVER REVEAL: https://forms.gle/piZ8jjeHXjwmQREE9
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

#Teaser Tuesday

It all begins with Martha Connors. Is she lying or is she being sent to her death too soon?

.

Pre-order here: http://www.books2read.comLOUT

[ID: A graphic of a light bulb burning out. The heading LIGHTS OUT and the release date below it of July 10th 2019. The excerpt reads:

“Yes, sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you waiting,” I replied. “Can I have your ID please?”
“I came, but I didn’t think I should, but I’m here like the email said,” she rambled as she handed over her ID. I placed it on the scanner and checked the name.
“Martha Connors?”
“Yes, that’s me, but you see there must be some mistake,” she said. “I mean, I’m only thirty-five, but I got the email and I didn’t want to ignore it in case I got in trouble.”
I paused for a moment. “Thirty-five?” I asked, grabbing her ID off the scanner before it could finish. I checked it over and sure enough, her date of birth matched with what she was saying. “When did you get the email?”
END ID]

Spoonie Writer: Juggling Illness & Writing

SPOONIE WRITER: JUGGLING ILLNESS & WRITING

I've done pieces recently about the burnout I suffered at the tail end of 2018 and into 2019. (Piece found here) I wanted to touch on this again as a spoonie writer because I feel like it's something that applies to both me as an author and me as a spoonie and it might be something that can help others in the same situation. Just to clarify, I am doing better from the burnout. I took time for myself, allowed some self-care and gave myself the space to refill my creative well. On top of that I have been dealing with new symptoms which I've talked about on my Authortube channel and will briefly go into here.

For the past three months I have had what seems to be an allergy rash. We've treated it long term with steroids and a new anti-histamine, but there is the very real possibility that I have developed another condition to go with my others. Everything is up in the air, but it's looking to be auto-immune and could be anything from Lupus to arthritis to even just my body being the butt it is from time to time. I mention it because for a period they were concerned that it was simply brought about by the stress of working myself too hard, and that's a very real problem when you're a spoonie and trying to hold down a job of some sorts, especially a creative one that requires a lot of active planning and brain power.

When I talk about juggling illness and writing, I am usually talking about a long term illness. I do get colds and such from time to time, everybody does, but generally they don't hang around for long and you're, usually, able to take time off your working life until you recover. The same can not be said for a long term illness. I don't work a conventional job, and some days I don't work at all, but when I'm having to work through a flare or a hiccup in my health, I'm usually on deadline and having to do so because of the people and timing depending on me.

Like right now, I am in the midst of my second book release of the year. I also have a third planned, so have been juggling editing, proof-reading, promo, cover reveals, ARC readers and the like since the beginning of the year and it's not about to stop any time soon. Now of course, I could, as an indie author, choose to change the release dates, but I have put time and energy into making sure these releases go off without a hitch on the time frame I have promised. That means a lot of pressure on me to make sure I keep up with things.

So how do I cope with all of that while also keeping myself as healthy as I can be? Glad you asked, because I'm gonna tell you five things that I do to make sure I stay on deadline, but also don't make myself sick or sicker depending on the day of the week.

#1 - HAVE A PLAN
I've always been someone who's organised, and that's the same when it comes to my writing and releases and such. I know what needs to be done by when and having that gives me some breathing room and helps manage my anxiety. If I have a day when I'm not able to work, then I can look at my plan and know that I'm on track. For me it's always been sticky notes, I'd show you them but they have spoilers right now! But whatever works for you is the best option.

#2 - MAKE TIME TO REST
I have been doing a lot of resting these past few months. It means that I am over thirty books ahead on my Goodreads challenge because for me, nothing says rest like a good book to read. I have days when I'll be writing and that means setting aside time in the evening to wind down, read and catch my breath as it were. I also have days when I have nothing to do but small pieces of admin, like writing blog posts or vlog scripts. These are my days off, even though people tell me that since I'm still doing something related to work they don't count, but they do for me. I also have complete days off, these are days I plan to do nothing related to my author platform. They are sacred and important because they allow me to take a step back and recharge.

#3 - ALLOW FOR CATCH UP DAYS
If you're on deadline, during something like a a release or edits or something like that, then you need to be sure you have days that allow for some breathing room. These will be a lifesaver for you because they will give you a chance to reassess what you need to do, and know whether or not things need to be changed. I personally have dates that I already know will be the limit, but have plans to get things done before those dates so that if I have to push things back, I'm not going to miss the deadline. It helps me with my anxiety and it also allows for other issues outside of my control.

#4 - REMEMBER THAT SOME THINGS ARE OUT OF YOUR CONTROL
I'm talking about waiting on other people, like for my first release of the year, I ran into issues with my editor getting behind because of her own work schedule. I couldn't do anything about that and so getting the book ready for release and off to the proof-reader and from there to ARC readers were a massive headache for me, but it was helped by having friends around who could remind me that it could be done. And it was done, because of those catch up days and because of having set those deadlines, I was able to meet the goals set with minimal stress to me and my health.

And finally, #5 - GIVE YOURSELF SOME GRACE
I say this as someone who is usually hard on themselves. Especially when I'm on a deadline. I expect to give 110% to my work and to get it all done, but I'm not superwoman and neither are you. Allow yourself the time to heal if you need it, be careful with yourself because you are only human and you will make mistakes and that's okay. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back to it. You're allowed to need time off and you're allowed to need space. It's all part of the process.

So those are my five tips when it comes to juggling your illness and your writing. I know that I've mostly focused on releases, but these can all be applied to other facets of the writing life. I have gone easy on myself these past few months and I plan to continue it going forward as well. You have to take care of yourself because that's how you keep writing and keep creating.

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books

Guest Blog - Zarina Macha - 10 Awesome Characters In Literature

10 Awesome Characters in Literature

I believe that the best stories are the ones in which the characters drive the plot. Through their eyes we’re absorbed into the depth of the world they inhabit, filled with colour in every shade. Not all protagonists need to be likeable, merely fascinating and insightful enough to realistically draw us into their tale. Here are ten I think are fabulous.

Tyrion Lannister from ‘A Song of Ice and Fire.’
Tyrion has got to be one of my most favourite characters in the history of anything. He is intelligent, kind, witty, and most of all, an underdog. He constantly gets accused of crimes yet the only thing he is guilty of is being a dwarf. Few recognise his talents, least of all his cruel and emotionally abusive father and sister. My hope is he will live to rule over those who mocked him.

Hermione Granger from ‘Harry Potter.’
Hermione is a character I related to a lot growing up. She was my curly-haired geeky soul-sister, fiercely loyal to Harry and Ron while retaining her code of ethics. Cut from the films is her work through S.P.E.W, an organisation dedicated to helping house-elves gain fairer rights. While she can be irritatingly self-righteous at times, it adds more depth to her character and shows her strengths and flaws.

Eleanor Oliphant from ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.’
This amazing novel wouldn’t stand without its unusual heroine. Eleanor is hilarious to read about, and yet we ache for the sadness she carries due to her heinous upbringing. At the start its unsure what to make of her, but by the end we love and root for all she has endured. She represents someone who strives to change and make the best of their life, despite horrible circumstances. I think that is very admirable and lovely to read about.

Steven Stelfox from ‘Kill Your Friends.’
Okay, first nasty character on this list. Steven is one of the vilest characters I’ve come across in fiction. He’s a racist, homophobic, misogynistic, entitled, self-absorbed psychopath and I absolutely ADORE reading about him. He is very well fleshed-out and it’s fabulous reading his awful scheming thoughts in John Niven’s books that feature this anti-hero we love to hate.

The Loser’s Club from ‘It’
I don’t want to saturate this list with Stephen King characters (as he is one of my favourite authors) so am just going to pick the best seven. Bev, Richie, Ben, Bill, Mike, Stan and Eddie are some of the most wonderful, courageous, brilliant people ever. Spending over a thousand pages with them all isn’t enough; the story of how they band together to triumph against evil is beautiful and heart-breaking all at once.

Piggy from ‘Lord of the Flies’
Piggy is wonderful; his fate is tragic, and I loved reading about him when I read this book. He’s another ‘underdog’ character who is under-estimated by the pack, and yet is the most rational, clever and sensitive person who ends up suffering due to the cruel indifference of his peers.

Kate Reddy from ‘I Don’t Know How She Does It’
Kate is one of my favourite realistic heroines (the book version, not the dreadful movie version – sorry Sarah Jessica Parker, I loved you as Carrie but not as a middle-class British fund manager). Her story is both hilarious and sad; seeing her struggle to juggle a high-powered job and a family shows the problems of trying to ‘have it all’ as a modern woman. The pressures of feminism are highlighted as Pearson shows us that women need to be realistic about what we can do without compromising our physical and emotional health. Having a fulfilling career is amazing, but so is being a loving wife and stay-at-home mother.

Sephy Hadley from ‘Noughts and Crosses’
A tough, empathetic woman trapped in a society that says black and white people can’t be together (sound familiar?) Malorie Blackman turns the tables in this series; Sephy is a wealthy black Cross whose father works in the government, and Callum is a poor white Nought whose family can barely get by. The two friends-turned-lovers grow up together in a world that tries to tear them apart. Despite it all, Sephy remains resilient throughout the series, and watching her grow and raise her child inspires hope.

Atticus Finch from ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’
Another story about racial tension, this time rooted in reality. I love Atticus because he is kind, intelligent, loyal and sees the good in people. He fights to defend an innocent man on trial and teaches his children to be loving and brave. (Reminds me of Ned Stark; the archetypal caring and wise father figure). Atticus takes a stand where others do not, and his lessons rub off on Scout.

Christopher from ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’
Like Eleanor Oliphant, he is an unusual protagonist we can’t help but love. The ending is beautiful and almost brings tears to my eyes, thinking about this autistic boy who views the world through such an innocent and questioning lens. His journey is amazing and written in a clever yet simple style.

And so those are ten characters from literature whom I think are awesome! Thanks to the wonderful Joey Paul for letting me appear as a guest on her blog to share these fictional beauties with you. Who are some characters you enjoy? Let me know!

Zarina Macha is an author, blogger and musician. Her novel ‘Anne’ will be out June 3rd. Check out her blog, website and social media for links to her work:

http://www.thezarinamachablog.co.uk

http://www.zarinamacha.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/zarinawriter

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 

Staying On Track With Goals [CC]

Telling you all how to stay on track with your goals! #Authortube

PRE-ORDER LIGHTS OUT: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT
SIGN UP FOR PRE-ORDER SWAG: https://forms.gle/frPAVR8JZycXjozm8
SIGN UP FOR AN ARC FOR LIGHTS OUT: https://forms.gle/gyWaWftTMdcnzN839
SIGN UP FOR DYING THOUGHTS - EIGHTH ENDING COVER REVEAL: https://forms.gle/piZ8jjeHXjwmQREE9
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

#TeaserTuesday

Things aren't adding up, and Lock's not sure if she made a mistake or if the ageing servers deleted a name. Whatever the case, it needs to be fixed.

PRE-ORDER HERE: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT

[ID: A graphic of an ageing light bulb for the upcoming release Lights Out. The release date is just below the title, which is July 20th 2019. The excerpt reads:
“Everything okay, Lock?” he asked, as I turned back to the screen.
“Yeah, I think so,” I mumbled as I ran over the names again and again, trying to remember who was missing.
“You look like something’s wrong,” Chris said, sitting down in the chair next to mine. “What’s up?”
“I dunno, I think I’m missing someone,” I said, glancing at him.
“How many names do you have?” he asked, pulling one of my screens so that he could check my work.
“Fourteen, but I can’t find the missing one anywhere in the system,” I said. 
END ID]

The Trials Of A Crime Writer: Writing Crime Scenes

THE TRIALS OF A CRIME WRITER: WRITING CRIME SCENES

I've covered this in a video on my Authortube channel (video found here) but I thought it would be good to have a different piece that covered it here on my blog. The video is about 10 months old, and since then I have changed the way I do things a little. I talked last week about switching genres (found here) and while I have moved somewhat away from writing crime novels, I don't plan to keep it that way. I also know that I have done a ton of research and picked the brains of police officers close to me to allow me to give as up to date advice, and also stories as possible.

So, how do you go about writing crime scenes and what should you expect to do when researching them? While not everyone has a family member linked to the police of their area, there is a lot that you can find out online. I say online because while I do have, and have used, a number of research books, they can be outdated pretty quickly and online information can be edited to keep it current. So here are my tips for what to do when setting out your first crime scene.

#1 - KNOW YOUR AREA
This should be obvious, but it might not be so is worth mentioning. If you plan to set your crime in the area you're from, this is obviously an easy enough step. But if you're in the UK and plan to have it in the US, then you're going to have to do a whole load of research to know both the area, the staff and the terminology that goes with it. There is some cross-over, but not as much as you might expect. And don't rely on shows like CSI or Prime Suspect to get you through it. You need to be doing research from actual sites and people who've worked in these areas. As always with this, I recommend groups like the one I'm in on Facebook that have a number of professionals who are also writers, and are always happy to answer questions.

#2 - KNOW YOUR CRIME
If you're wanting to write a bloody crime scene, then you need to know how to go about making the crime match the scene. It may sound obvious, but you'd be amazed at how people forget that not all deaths present with massive blood loss. If you're looking for lots of blood, then gunshots and knives are usually your chosen method of death.

#3 - KNOW YOUR TERMS
This ties into the first point. In the UK we generally have Scene of Crime Officers (often referred to as SOCO) but there has been some influence from across the pond and there are some areas that will refer to these as CSI - Crime Scene Investigators. Yet in the US, it's never going to be a SOCO because that's never been a term they use.

#4 - PROTOCOL MATTERS
By this I mean things like who calls who, whether the M.E or pathologist will be called before the SOCO or CSI. Who's in charge of making those calls? Who responds to the scene first? Who makes the call that this is an active crime scene? And how do they preserve that evidence. In the UK, you'll probably have seen the white tents that go up over an exposed scene to preserve both the evidence and also the dignity of the person killed. This is all important stuff to have in mind when writing your crime scene.

AND FINALLY, #5 - THERE'S AN ORDER TO BE FOLLOWED
By this I simply mean that along with protocol, there's a method to the madness of a crime scene. If the pathologist has cleared the body for removal, then things like the SOCO start to collect evidence from off the body start to happen. There's an order to be respected and it's because of things like this that allows for the chain of evidence to be kept in place. You can't have someone moving the body before the pathologist has been because that damages evidence. Same as having a detective walk the scene without carefully considering the path they take and what they touch. It's all about making sure that your perpetrator doesn't get let off on a technicality and you get to end the day with a case solved.

So those are my five tips when it comes to writing crime scenes. As I said, there is never too much research when it comes to things like this. You'll pick things up along the way that make sense to you and will, eventually, get to a point where it feels more natural and you're able to see the next step clearly without needing to research it all first.

So go forth, kill characters and catch the criminals!

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books

#AmWriting - #012 [CC]

A writer writes... #Authortube

PRE-ORDER LIGHTS OUT: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT
SIGN UP FOR AN ARC FOR LIGHTS OUT: https://forms.gle/gyWaWftTMdcnzN839
SIGN UP FOR PRE-ORDER SWAG: https://forms.gle/frPAVR8JZycXjozm8
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

Interview with Amanda Marin and Review of North To Nara

I am delighted to be welcoming Amanda Marin to the blog for both an interview and my review of her book: North To Nara. Here's a little about Amanda!

When Amanda was a child, her father traveled frequently for business, always bringing her back a book as a present. Whether she was getting lost in the pages of a tale about far-away knights, girls with supernatural powers, or kindly giants, she was quickly hooked on stories.

Over the years, Amanda has followed her own yellow brick road of reading and writing, and although her adventures haven't involved sword fights or saving the planet from certain annihilation, they have involved jobs in scholarly publishing and marketing, a modest amount of travel, and a lifelong love of novels.

Amanda has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. Her favorite things include Starbucks lattes, lazy summer afternoons at the beach, and books with characters that make you go "awww." She lives in the northeastern United States with her family and furbaby, Snickers the Poodle.

And onto the interview!

Do you read your own genre? Is it a favourite?
Absolutely! I love all things YA, especially romance, futuristic, dystopian, and contemporary novels. I like the creativity and genre-bending of YA—it really feels like a “safe zone” for exploring all kinds of topics… plus, there’s almost always love involved as a subplot!

Was writing always your dream choice of career?
Yes, it has. I’ve been writing since I was little—I’ve always loved stories and books, and I have a pretty active imagination. When I was around 13 years old, my English teacher was extremely supportive and encouraged me to keep going with my interest—so I did! Now, I’m a marketing content writer by day, and my debut novel, North to Nara, a YA dystopian romance, released at the end of March. I feel very lucky to get to do what I love!

Do you have a writing space? Pictures or descriptions!

I usually camp out on the couch with my laptop—nothing super special, but it’s comfortable. (Like Sheldon Cooper on Big Bang Theory, I have my special “spot”!) My dog often snuggles up next to me while I write. Sometimes she reaches over and slaps the keyboard with her paw—I’m not sure if she’s jealous or trying to help… We’ll go with helping! :)

Playlists? Yes or no? And why?
I’m addicted to satellite radio and love long drives listening to music—so yes, I often make playlists for my writing. It really helps to keep me inspired and thinking about my characters. A few of the songs on my playlist for North to Nara are: “&Run” by Sir Sly, “Move” by Saint Motel, and “Geyser” by Mitski… Each captures an emotion or dilemma faced by the main characters.

Which social media do you see as a must for writers?
Hands down, it’s Instagram. I was reluctant to try it for a long time, but a friend of mine convinced me to sign up, and now I love it. Plus, it seems to have a really strong book-oriented following. Not only do I love seeing everyone’s fabulous pictures (Bookstagram has changed my life!), but I’ve also really enjoyed the people I’ve interacted with.

What's your favourite book you've read?
Definitely The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s not YA. Or dystopian. Or sci-fi at all. Still, I love it—the writing is superb, and the relationships in it are all so complex. I re-read it fairly regularly.

Morning or evening writer?
Definitely evening… often late at night. My day job can be quite hectic, and I consider it a reward to be able to sit back for a few hours, enjoy the quiet, and get lost in my own little world of stories. (Sometimes I’m horrified when I look back at what I’ve written when I’m at the point of exhaustion… other times, it’s pretty funny!)

Neve Hall has always admired the good works of the civil servants who brought prosperity back to the Nation. She especially respects the Sufferers—empaths who, with the help of technology, anonymously bear others’ troubles for them. But when her assigned empath is abruptly retired, she uncovers certain secrets. Like the identity of her new Sufferer, Micah Ward... and the fact that behind his kind smile is a life filled with loneliness and pain.

The closer Neve grows to Micah, the more desperate she becomes to protect him from a cruel and
gruesome fate. But in a world where only a few are allowed the luxury of love, saving Micah comes with a price: Neve must choose between her loyalty to the Nation or her heart—a decision that will take them both on a race for their freedom, and their lives.

Amazon

My review: 5 stars
I fell in love with the idea reading the blurb and picked this one up. I was hooked from the first page, a fresh storytelling that makes you want to settle in and keep turning the pages. I adored the story between Neve and Micah, the idea that love can conquer everything but that rush for freedom, the feeling that sometimes being free isn't all that the government say it is. I loved this book and will be picking up the second in the series when it comes out because it is an amazingly crafted world and story! Highly recommended.

You can follow Amanda on her website, Facebook, Twitter and 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

Author Tag: Pay It Forward [CC]

Time for a tag - the pay it forward tag on #Authortube

Paying It Forward Tag

1) Name a channel that made you consider things you might not have before
2) Tell us about a time that a channel made you laugh. (Preferably to the point of tears.)
3) Name a channel that has worked to help you and your platform
4) Name a channel that has made you feel welcome within the AuthorTube community
5) Name a channel that has made you smile. (This can be a moment that warmed your heart or just a time they brightened a bad day.)
AND BONUS FROM APHRODITE LEE NAME A BRAND NEW AUTHORTUBE CHANNEL

CREATOR A.S HOWELL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nErm6nq12go
TAGGED BY ERIN KINSELLA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxwYb0Aa8RM&feature=youtu.be
ALSO TAGGED BY BUTTERFLIES FROM B'S: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1laP4ds5R4

CHRISTOPHER'S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyOwMwRWlWAm4skXzeKC-Tg
SAVVY'S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9WShNx2HsXRGjj9F593HzA
ALEXA'S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfwTRhTSM2NyJImC8HeUd1Q
KIM'S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcDmM2bgezD0c95Y38OAcg
EMILY'S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaa0pB9ohy9_in_Dvqn0l4w
MOON PETRIE'S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsZDJh28wMkoombafq9gyTw

PRE-ORDER LIGHTS OUT: http://www.books2read.com/LOUT
SIGN UP FOR AN ARC FOR LIGHTS OUT: https://forms.gle/gyWaWftTMdcnzN839
SIGN UP FOR PRE-ORDER SWAG: https://forms.gle/frPAVR8JZycXjozm8
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E