Fun Friday: Random Fun Announcements

If you're in the Aurora, IL area, I will be appearing with a big list of authors at the local Author Fair tomorrow, from 1-4pm. More details here.


In preparation for the release of Just Your Average Princess, I'm going to be giving away some books on Goodreads. Click here to enter to win The Espressologist. An advanced copy of Just Your Average Princess will be available on Goodreads in a day or two. Check my blog then for details.


And, if you're a book club that wants to read Just Your Average Princess and skype with me, check this blog post and if you're one of the first three, I'll send you an arc of the book asap.

Have a good weekend!

Kristina, Miss Author in Action

Interview with Danielle Joseph, author of PURE RED

Tip of the Day: In preparation for the release of Just Your Average Princess next month, I'm going to be giving away some of my books over on goodreads. Click HERE and enter for a chance to win The Espressologist.

Today is the release for Danielle Joseph's third YA novel, PURE RED.

About the Book:

Orange is for energy, pink means love, and I, Cassia Bernard, do solemnly swear to find pure red—my passion—this summer. Dad's raison d'être is art. When he's painting, no one can reach him, not even me.

I'm giving basketball a chance. But what I really want to score this summer is the adoration of Graham Hadley—a.k.a. Cutebutt. Then when Dad agrees to mentor Graham with his art project, all of Cutebutt's attention is on Dad—leaving me feeling as colorless as the Miami sky on a rainy day. But I'm not giving up just yet.

Our Interview:

KRISTINA: What inspired Pure Red?

DANIELLE: I have loved art ever since my mom volunteered at my elementary school in the art appreciation program. I wanted to write about someone that is passionate about their art.

KRISTINA: Are there any things you must have when you're writing?

DANIELLE: When I write I like to have a cup of coffee and a comfy chair but not too comfy or I might be inclined to take a nap. I often write from my local Starbucks because there is no pile of laundry staring me down and they usually have good music in the background. I also often meet a writer friend of mine and we can bounce ideas off of each other.

KRISTINA: What advice would you give writers trying to get published?

DANIELLE: I would tell anyone that is trying to get published to never give up. You are never too old or to young to get published. Also, to be a good writer you have to be a good listener. Listen to the world around you and it will shine through in your writing.

Danielle is also running a release contest for a chance to win Pure Red on her Web site so be sure to check it out.

Hook up with Danielle at her blog, facebook, or twitter (@DanielleJoseph1).

The Honeymoon Period (or Things I Love)

Tip of the Day: The LET'S GO travel book series is still my favorite, years after I ceased being a "student traveler."

Today is the first day of my honeymoon! I love my wonderful husband, and I love to travel, and I love Europe. Good times are ahead!

This is also the first day of my honeymoon period with my WIP. I have finished the first draft of the whole book, and sent off my polished opening chapters and outline to my agent to see what she thinks. I will be away from my novel and loving it, not seeing its flaws or anything. :)

I'll check back in a few weeks!

Deena, Miss Subbing for Pubbing

The art of saying "no"

Tip of the Day: hope you all had a lovely Labor Day weekend.

It was lovely to have an extra day this weekend to get some stuff done at home. I had high expectations to work on writing projects this past weekend, and I did get some stuff done. But not enough.

Now I'm trying to carve out more time after work to get writing done, and I'm finding it harder and harder to find the time. Or really the motivation.

Mostly because I'm so tired all the time.

Wah waah. I know. You always find the time to do the things you want to.

But some days it's about all I can manage to take my dog across the street to the park to play catch. Like this evening. Luckily he only lasted about five minutes, which was about all my energy could handle.

So how do you find the energy to write when you are exhausted? And I know all of you are just as tired as me...

Well...let's look at some options.

• Give something up. That always looks like a splendid idea. But then reality hits and if you are anything like me, then "no" isn't really part of your vocabulary.
• Throw on the running shoes and force yourself out for a walk or run. Energy has to come from somewhere, and unfortunately exercise is the best way to get it.
• Get your butt in chair. The preferred method of writers everywhere. Just force yourself to do it...and then usually the energy just appears miraculously.

All of these are potential options. But out of all of them the thing I think works the best for me if I'm really exhausted is just merely give something up. For me that's taking on less responsibility at work. As a self-professed perfectionist, I take on way, way more than I need to at work. I'm not exactly a brain surgeon here: life will go on just fine with two less programs or computer classes this month. It might even work out better!

Which is why my goal in the next few weeks/months is to lighten my load by saying "no" more or merely not coming up with ideas at all. Then hopefully the balance will regain itself and the motivation to work on writing will happen.

--Emily, Miss Here's Hoping for Balance

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Fun Friday: Does Your Dialog Suck?

Because this writer says that her's does but lucky for us she has a list of tips to make it suck less.

Get My Motor Running

Tip of the Day: Tyra Banks wrote a YA novel too now. Yep.

Last week I was all ready to go! Jump back into the post-summer hectic routine of school and activities and writing. But, yawwwwwwwn, I'm tired! I don't know what is with me this week but I've had several new book ideas recently and I should be diving into them but I kinda just want to veg and watch Real Housewives of New Jersey. Bad writer! So I'm trying to think of some things that will motivate me to actually start a new book. Here's a list, maybe it will help you too.

1) Get out of the house! Go back to the coffee shops to work. A change of environment is needed.

2) Start doing the writing sprints with writing friends again! It's been a couple of weeks. Too long! Need accountability.

3) Schedule writing time in the family calendar. If it's written down then I have to do it.

4) Jot down an outline. Even if it only has the beginning, middle, and end, it's something. I can always expand on something.

5) Hire a professional nag (does such a thing exist?). I need someone to keep pestering me throughout the day to get to work.

And...I can't think of anything else. I was going to add reward myself with something for doing so many words but I can't even think of something I want. Except maybe coffee. I always want coffee.

Any other ideas for how to get motivated?

Kristina, Miss Author in (not so much) Action