AND, BUT, BUTT, and a CONTEST!

He he. Like my title? Lee McKenzie pointed out a rule the other week that I just LOVE to break as well and that is starting a sentence with "and" or "but". Also, writing in fragments. See what I did there? LOL

If you do it too much, it's distracting. I usually end up fixing quite a few in edits, but it's part of my style as an author. I don't do it because I have a reckless disregard for grammar (though I admit I'm not the best at that). I do it because it lends power to my words, my flow, and my voice. If it doesn't? Then I get rid of it. 

OH. You noticed the contest part, did you? *rubs hands together* I've decided to give you all some incentive to participate. All you have to do is suggest a writing rule you want me to talk about in this blog series and I will use randomizer.org to pick a winner. Sound good? Easy peasy, just the way I like it! 

What do you win? How about a Kindle version of THE BINDING STONE? Already read it? I'll give you your choice of that or a five page critique. Oh and of course a shout out if and when I pick your suggestion. Contest is open now through Friday at midnight EST. No extra points, but my everlasting gratitude if you help publicize it. ;D

Back to my rule of the day. And you've also been waiting for the "butt" part, haven't you? Here's an excerpt (possible slight spoilers) from THE BINDING STONE just for you. Thought you might like to see Taj in action since the next book features him quite prominently. ;D


My hands tremble. Mira has grown silent and remains pressed against the ceiling staring at me. What does she see? Does she see a monster? A murderer? A traitor? 

“I will hold her here.” Taj’s voice in my ear startles me. 

“But–” 

“Yes, I have a lovely butt,” says Taj. “No need to thank me, it looks ever so much fun. Now, go save that handsome master of yours.” 

“But–” 

“Yes, he also has a nice ass. Too nice to get beat to a pulp. Now go.”   Taj’s hands rise toward the ceiling, and I feel the burden lifted from my own. He refuses to make eye contact with me. 

I lean in and kiss him on the cheek.

The Next Big Thing!

The Next Big Thing blog tour began in Australia and has wound it's way all aorund the world to Southern California. It's a great way to discover authors and illustrators that you might not be familiar with and what their latest book is about. Each author or illustrator answers ten questions and tags two more authors who will continue the tour. So this week it's my turn to talk about my next big thing. BUT I will be answering some questions not about THE BINDING STONE, which just came out in print as well as Kindle, but an upcoming book in a brand new series. If you want to see more about THE BINDING STONE check out this post (when I was tagged earlier! LOL)

Thank you to Laurisa Reyes for tagging me!

Here are the questions:

What is the working title of your next book?

WINGING IT will be out in the next year through Fuzzbom publishing again because they are slathered in awesomesauce. 

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I'm always thinking about who would be the worst person to put into which situation and it occurred to me that it would be a teenage boy's worst nightmare to find out he's actually a fairy godmother. Poor, poor Zach! But his character is one of my favorite that I've ever written. The song RHYTHM OF LOVE by Plain White T's inspired me.

What genre does your book fall under?

DUH. Paranormal YA of course! LOL. Seriously I promise I write other things, but that is my favorite! 

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Well, when I started writing it I had people in my head, but now they'd be all grown up! LOL. So let me try with current teen (or at least could pass for teen) actors. 

Zach: Ross Lynch

Jenna: Sally Martin (I don't know her, I just think she's adorable!)

Kelly: Victoria Justice

This book has a huge cast in it, so I could put a dozen more, but I'll spare you!!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? (note: I'm cheating here and putting in two sentences).

In WINGING IT, sixteen-year-old ZACH discovers his mom is a fairy godmother, but what’s really freaking him out is the fact that he’s a fairy too. Now that his mom’s been injured, he must finish her assignments before the next full moon or they’re both grounded, meaning no wings, no wands, and no position in the Organization of Destiny Fulfillment (ODF).

Who is publishing your book?

Fuzzbom! The wonderful new small press that published my book, THE BINDING STONE, and has done such a wonderful job!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I think about two months. I write first drafts quickly. It's the revisions that take me forever!! LOL

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I'd have to say PARANORMALCY because of the humor and action. 
Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Guess I already mentioned this! So see above. 

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

The male POV, the nonstop action, humor, and heart in this book. Also the fairy lore that's accessible but gives a nice nod to traditional lore some readers may know. 

Next up for THE NEXT BIG THING are Ellen Booraem and Lena Goldfinch. They will post the next two respective thursdays! Don't miss out on reading about their books. Below are some teasers for you!!

Perpetual scaredy-cat Conor O'Neill has the fright of his life when a banshee girl named Ashling shows up in his bedroom. Ashling is--as all banshees are--a harbinger of death, but she's new at this banshee business, and first she insists on going to middle school. As Conor attempts to hide her identity from his teachers, he realizes he's going to have to pay a visit to the underworld if he wants to keep his family safe.

"Got your cell?"
"Yeah . . . . Don't see what good it'll do me."
"I'll text you if anything happens that you should know."
"Text me? Javier, we'll be in the afterlife."
"You never know. Maybe they get a signal."

Discover why Kirkus has called Booraem's work "utterly original American fantasy . . . frequently hysterical." This totally fresh take on the afterlife combines the kid next door appeal of Percy Jackson with the snark of Artemis Fowl and the heart of a true middle grade classic.


Kita can meld song into stone. In a world with no written word, storytelling—the ability to meld (or magically impress) song into stone—is greatly honored. The village honors her master as their medicine man, but Kita knows he's secretly a sorcerer who practices black magic using drops of her blood. She fears he’ll use her beautiful gift for a killing spell, so she conceals it from him. Each day, his magic tightens around her neck like a rope. His spells blind the villagers, so they can’t see him for what he really is.

Not that anyone would want to help her. She was found in the forest as a baby and would have died if a village girl hadn't brought her home. But the villagers saw Kita's unusual coloring and decided she belonged to the mysterious tribe who lives in the forests of the volcano, a people feared for their mystical powers. So they fear her too. Now seventeen, she can barely admit her deepest longing: to know who she really is and where she belongs.

Then Pono, a young journeyman, arrives from the other side of the island. He's come to fulfill a pact between their villages: to escort a storyteller back to his village--a storyteller who'll be chosen at the great assembly. Finally, in Pono, Kita sees her one slim chance at freedom and she'll risk her life to take it.

A dark, twisty tale of sorcery, tummy-tingling romance, and adventure, inspired by the folklore of New Zealand's Māori people.

Contest and Tour Schedule

*Breaking news: THE BINDING STONE is available for only .99 cents on KindleThursday and Friday this week! Click here to check it out* 

Okay - NEXT week will be writing related, I promise! LOL But you DO want to WIN stuff, right? I hope so. Cuz I took your advice and I'm having a contest!!!

You will have multiple chances to win because I am doing some ebook giveaways on other blogs as well. But here's the contest for MY blog:

1. Tell me one wish you'd make if YOU had a genie. 

2. Tweet, FB, Blog, write on your forehead, whatever to get the word out! LOL If you do that last one I want a pic! Extra points for everything.

3. You can win one of the following: A print copy of the book (as soon as it's available and only in the US I'm sorry to say) signed by MOI, An ebook copy of the book, a critique (5 pages), a lovely canvas tote bag with the gorgeous BINDING STONE cover on it, a signed rack card with the same lovely art. 

That's 5 prizes! AND the best part? I might just ADD prizes if I get enough interest. So spread the word!! Just fill out the form below. 

Here's the schedule for my lovely blog tour this week:
Tuesday: 
I have a guest post on Stina Lindenblatt's blog
Wednesday: 
Interview/character interview on Margo Berendson's blog 
Interview on Julie Musil's blog
Thursday: 
Laura Pauling has an Excerpt from the book!
Friday:
Leslie Rose features me on her blog

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's coming...

Pretty Isn't it?

Soon my friends. THIS MONTH my first novel, THE BINDING STONE, will be available to the masses. Eep. I'm thrilled and scared and happy and excited and anxious and well you get the idea. 

So here is my question to you:

What should I do for YOU to celebrate? Everyone runs contests, but is that enough? What will get you (yeah you, the people that read but don't say hello!)  to comment and enter? To celebrate with me????

Suggestions? 

Be creative because you know I love that. And to prove it I'll pick one legitimate suggestion/commenter and do a five page critique for you! Just leave your comment and email so I can reach you. I'll use randomizer.org to pick a winner!

Don't forget to add it on Goodreads. Mostly because I'm obsessively checking the page. 
*sits and stares at computer*
*refreshes screen*
WHAT? I have an A type personality! ;D 

And come like my author page on FB because it's pretty new and I'm pretty lonely over there. :( 

And because I always like giving you posts of value - I want to leave you with my new favorite quote.

"A book, too, can be a star, a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe."
- Madeleine L'Engle

Tag - I'm It!!

I want to start by letting you all know about my post for next week because you will want to check it out. Agent Sara Megibow will be here answering some tough questions, including whether you still need an agent in today's changing marketplace. And her answers may surprise you! 

Now. 

Author Ellen Booraem, author of the upcoming TEXTING THE UNDERWORLD tagged me for The Next Big Thing, a blog tour that started in Australia and has been edging its way around the world one author at a time. I'm thrilled to take my turn answering questions about my new book. Read through to the end to find out where we go next!

What is the title of your next book?

THE BINDING STONE comes out this spring, which is *bounces around room* very soon! It's the first in the DJINN series. Here's the blurb:

Tricked into slavery by the man she loved, the Djinni Leela has an eternity to regret her choices.

Awakened in the prison of her adolescent body, she finds a new master in possession of the opal that binds her. But seventeen-year-old Jered is unlike any she’s seen. His kindness makes Leela yearn to trust again, to allow herself a glimmer of hope.

Could Jered be strong enough to free her from the curse of the Binding Stone?

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I was looking at the website http://www.monstropedia.org, which I love playing on cuz I'm weird that way, and I wanted to find something like a demon that wasn't a demon. What I found was djinn, which fascinated me. Then I researched and started filling in the blanks with my imagination.

What genre does your book fall under?

Paranormal YA. Don't run! I promise it won't be the usual girl falls for brooding vampire. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Ahem. This is -- IMHO -- original. 

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Cool question! Kristen Kreuk would be Leela I think. And Jered would be Alexander Ludwig. 

Who is publishing your book?

Fuzzbom Publishing. They're an uber cool new house and I love them. We've done the Journey's of Wonder anthologies together and working with them is amazing. I have lots of control, but still get all the editing, copy-editing, marketing, etc.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

First drafts are typically quick for me. So I'd say three months to completion. It's the revisions that took years!

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I wanted a new project that was original but still paranormal. That was my initial inspiration. Then I wanted to write from the POV of this girl that popped in my head. I went on that website above and the rest fell into place. 

What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

It's action packed, with fun characters, magic and romance. What more could you want?

And now (*drum roll*), who better to tag than the talented woman who also created my beautiful book cover? Lisa Amowitz, author of Breaking Glass! 

Cover Reveal for THE BINDING STONE!

Ahem.

Thanks to the AH MAY ZING cover artist and fellow writer, Lisa Amowitz, I bring you the GORGEOUS cover of the first book in the DJINN series, THE BINDING STONE.

From Goodreads: 
Tricked into slavery by the man she loved, the Djinni Leela has an eternity to regret her choices.

Awakened in the prison of her adolescent body, she finds a new master in possession of the opal that binds her. But seventeen-year-old Jered is unlike any she’s seen. His kindness makes Leela yearn to trust again, to allow herself a glimmer of hope.

Could Jered be strong enough to free her from the curse of the Binding Stone?

May the oohing and ahhhing commence.

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Happy New Year! And with the New Year, I have a very important announcement. 

Ahem.

The first novel in my DJINN series, THE BINDING STONE, will be debuting in April of this year!! 

*pops cork*

Thank you all for sticking with me. I hope you will continue the journey because I couldn't do it without all of you.

I'll have more details as the date draws near, and I'm happy to answer questions as we go, so don't be shy! I promise not to make this blog all about me either, I will continue to post on writing, though now I'll have more experience to draw on. 

AND one more thing... I am very excited to be a part of the new blog Scene 13 with so many other AMAZING authors! So go take a peek and join us for the fun.