Beyond the Shroud ARC

If you would like an Advance Reader Copy of Beyond the Shroud, the first book of the Tempest Rising Series, then follow the link.

Please be sure to leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon when finished.

Get yours now before it’s too late!

Beyond the Shroud: Tempest Rising Book 1 is now available for pre-order on Amazon!

Rowyn Blythe is cursed. Hidden behind the shroud of Morgania, she’s brought only tragedy to her clan. But to an empire brought to its knees by drought, the first weather sorcerer in a century can only be a blessing from the gods.

To atone for her past, Rowyn must seek control of her power, but doing so brings her closer to the Lyrican Empire. The empire that she’s fought against her whole life. Rowyn may want nothing to do with Lyrica, but it seems like everyone wants a piece of her. In the end, they may not let her go.

We are set to release on March 16, 2020, so click here for your copy today!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Today I want to share with you my favorite writing resources.

The first resource I want to talk about is a series called Write Great Fiction.

This series of books was so informative to me as a novice writer with no formal creative writing instruction. They broke down essential elements of fiction into separate books that focus on that specific element. The books are Dialogue, Description and Setting, Plot and Structure, Revision and Editing, and Characters, Emotion, and Viewpoint.

The books are written by various authors who showed strengths with that particular element, and they do a great job of pulling examples from other books and authors who are known for being proficient with that element as well. At the end of each chapter, there are a variety of activities and exercises you can use to enhance your skills, or the project you are currently working on.

This series was an easy read, and gave me so many ideas on how to improve my craft as a writer. Additionally, it helped me improve my teaching when it comes to writing instruction for my elementary students.

I found several copies of this series at my local Half Price Books, but you can also find it on Amazon.com.

Ok, this next resource I’d never even heard of until I was browsing through the writing section of Half Price Books and I came across this amazing tome that is the answer to the pesky use of the Thesaurus. First off, I dislike using a Thesaurus, it never really gives you the range that you’re looking for to find that precise word you need. It’s very finicky to get right, and I feel that using the Thesaurus ineffectively is one thing that is a hangup for amateur writers like myself.

So what’s the solution?

boom Boom BOOM!

The Word Menu by Stephen Glazier

First off, sad news, unless I’m mistaken, I think that this is out of print. HOWEVER, I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Want a list of words related to government? Word Menu

Want a list of words used to describe and label body parts? Word Menu

Want a list of words to describe human emotions? WORD MENU!

It’s that easy. You get a huge range of words related to various topics, and organized by those topics. Way better than a Thesaurus, and way easier to use.

So, you can find some used copies on Amazon.com, or you can check out used bookstores. I found two copies at Half Price Books (are you sensing a theme?) and purchased both just because I love it sooo much.

So, that sums up my favorite resources as an amateur writer, I hope everyone has a great Hump Day, and Happy Writing!

Hello everyone! Just an update on The Rowyn Chronicles. Book 1 is currently in the Beta Process! I’ve had some amazing and talented readers and writers looking over the manuscript and they gave me a ton of constructive feedback, so I’m busy making some final edits before starting the querying process again to find an agent.

This is a busy time, as many of my beta partners have swapped manuscripts with me to look over as well. The world is filled with talented writers and I have been honored to read through some exciting and engaging YA Fantasy. I can’t wait to share some of the other authors’ work with everyone when they get to their final stages as well.

For anyone looking for Beta Readers, I had really great success with the following groups and forums.

1. Beta Readers & Critiques- This is a Facebook group that you must request to join but once in, I got several betas and swaps from other members there, and they gave really great feedback and suggestions.
2. Beta Readers and Critique Partners- This is another Facebook group that you must request to join that has a lot of members. During my first Beta phase I was able to set up several swaps from here.
3. Goodreads Forums- I joined Goodreads (a writing and reading website) specifically for the Beta process and have been pleasantly surprised with the large community there. I received most of my Betas from the forums for betas and critique partners here, so it’s a great resource for aspiring authors!

When I send my manuscript to a beta, I put it in a Google doc set to comment only (and only for the person with that email). There are options within the advanced sharing settings that allow you to disable copy/paste/print/and share functions for whoever you’re sending your script to. I title the doc with the beta readers Name, as well as the chapter section that I am sending them so that I can keep track of whose suggestions are whose.  Example- Suzy Q Ch. 1-5

During the second round of betas I had quite a few, so I now have a Google Folder entitled Finished Betas where I put the docs when I am finished with the edits based on that betas suggestions. That’s allowed me to keep track of which changes I’ve made and what docs I still need to work on.

For anyone looking for betas for their writing process, my advice is to be open to swapping work. Not only does it make you a more conscientious writer, but you get to read manuscripts from people all over the world which I thought was pretty cool. Being a part of a writing community is all about building relationships!