1. Do I plot out the series?
I
openly admit to being a pantser extraordinaire. I never know what’s
going to happen when I sit down to write! Each book flows naturally
from the previous one, and I like it that way. It’s actually really
difficult for me to plot. I do have to write synopses, but they rarely
bear much resemblance to the finished product. Fortunately, my editor
is awesome and doesn’t seem to mind!
2. Do I do anything helpful for world-building?
I
don’t really have much of a system. I do like visuals, but I rarely
tack up anything more than character models on my bulletin board. If I
need to “see” something, I’ll go hunting on Google. I do keep a
notebook for each story, but they’re sort of jumbled—sometimes I’ll
write chapters longhand when I’m not getting anywhere on the keyboard.
One of these days I really need to sit down and put all my bits and
pieces together into a story bible, because it really is a pain to have
to look things up that I’ve forgotten. Oh, I also write things on
Post-it notes, which I would not recommend for anyone. My husband
sometimes gets overzealous with the cleaning!
3. Best tips I’ve received on writing
I’m
a fan of the Nora Roberts method: just get your butt in the chair.
There are really only a few tips that apply to everyone as far as the
actual process goes. We’re all different, and we all work our own way.
But truly, one of the most important things is just getting your butt
in that chair, every day, and writing something. You can’t wait until
the spirit moves you if you want to make a career of this. Deadlines
are unmoved by anything, especially the spirit. Along those
lines, one of my favorite pieces of advice is from Steven King in his
amazing book On Writing. He basically says to keep pressing forward
with every story, to get your word count in for the day, every day,
because sometimes you’re actually doing good work even if you feel like
all you’re doing is shoveling, um, manure from a sitting positionJ
~~~~~~
Thank you to Kendra for sharing these answers on her writing:Please check out my review of Midnight Reckoning - a very enjoyable read!
Thank you to Jillian at Hachette Forever for these two books to read and for providing THREE sets of Midnight Reckoning and Firelight for giveaway!
1. Visit BOTH Kendra's website and Kristen's website and tell me something you found interesting and each site.
You must visit both please. This is required for entry and worth TWO entries.
2. For extra entry, comment on one or both of the reviews - worth one entry a piece.
3. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
4. For two more entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Seven total entries possible.)
THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Limit one win per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 10, 2012
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on February 11 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on February 11 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.
+1 Kendra's- I love how organized her web page is. I also love her page picture.
ReplyDelete+1 Kristen- I also like how easy it is to look around at her web page. Her books look like a good read.
+2 Commented on both book reviews as mara80.
+1 Old GFC follower- Maritza Robinson
+2 tweet- https://twitter.com/#!/Mara80Cullen/status/164896012224303104
mararob80 at gmail dot com
On Kendra's site I learned that there is a Dark Awakening bookmark and Dracul Dynasty temporary tattoos. On Kristen's site I learned that there is a prequel called Embers.
ReplyDeletegfc: Julianne
follow with email: luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
I left a comment on each of your reviews, one on Firelight and one on Midnight Reckoning.
I have 5 entries.
I learned that Kendra was born in Northern New York but currently lives in Maryland. She married a Navy fighter pilot.
ReplyDeletelag110@mchsi.com
I learned the Kristen's paternal great-grandmother was considered to be the local witch in Fayetteville, NC.
ReplyDeletelag110 at mchsi dot com
Thanks so much for the chance to win these books. They are both new Authors for me. I learned that Kendra graduated with a teaching degree and her husband is a Navy Fighter Pilot.
ReplyDeleteI learned that Kristen took flying lessons at 16. And her paternal great grandmother was known as the local witch and was feared for her evil eye, or so her Dad told her. :)
I've been a GFC follower under Lucky47.
Commented on both reviews.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com.
I follow via GFC and email.
ReplyDeletelag110 at mchsi dot com
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/165047944519757824
ReplyDeletelag110 at mchsi dot com
This almost sounds like the Beauty and the Beast story. I would love to read it!
ReplyDeletelag110 at mchsi dot com
I left a comment on the Firelight review.
ReplyDeletelag110 at mchsi dot com
I left a comment on Midnight Reckoning review.
ReplyDeletelag110 at mchsi dot com
I love the book pages on both websites-Kendra's blue layout was beautiful too! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteGFC Krystal Larson
Kendra has a cool section on her website under extras where you can learn about the different vampire bloodlines. I really like the unique markets.
ReplyDeleteI learned in the About section that Kristen leaves a lot of Easter eggs in her stories for readers to find. They are random and neat bits.
I commented on both your reviews.
I am a GFC follower.
Total entries = 5
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
Kenra has 3 children, 3 dogs and 1 large cat
ReplyDeleteKristen worked for National Geographic, Discovery Communications, and Voice of America
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
Kristen worked for National Geographic, Discovery Communications, and Voice of America.
ReplyDeleteKendra lives in MD (and so do I!) LOL
I left a comment on both reviews.
I'm a follower via email and GFC.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Kendra is married to a Navy fighter pilot.
ReplyDeleteKristen is half-Norwegian and half-Irish-American.
I follow your blog.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Kendra - I like the look of her website and the books sound great. I learned she now lives in MD but has lived in NV and NY also.
ReplyDeleteKristen - I learned that she gives the walk on characters the names of her family and friends.
I follow by email and GFC.
Rachel Vessar
pefrw (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thanks so much for this giveaway! On Kendra's website, I just loved the pictures and descriptions she had of all the different bloodlines from her books. I have to say that I think my favorite bloodline has to be the Empusae. On Kristen's website I just loved that she had all those links so people could learn more about the Victorian age. It's nice to see where she probably got most of her information on the Victorian age for her books from.
ReplyDeleteGFC follower: vadeluna07
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/vadeluna07/status/166241777043521536
vadeluna07@yahoo.com
Kendra has three children, three dogs, and one enormous cat
ReplyDeleteKristen was accepted into Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Im a follower
tweet - https://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/167101578619260928
bacchus76 at myself dot com
+1 At Kendra's site, what I found interesting was that she has "A Guide to the Dominant Vampire Bloodlines of the United States" on the Extras page of her website, great for readers new to her series to read.
ReplyDelete+1 At Kristen's site, what I found interesting was that she is actually half Norwegian and half Irish-American.
+2 commented on both book reviews
+1 already a follower
+2 tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/chibii9/status/167723904922685441
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
+1 I learned that Kendra lives in Maryland
ReplyDelete+1 Kristin loves superheroes
+1 gfc follower
+2 commented on both reviews
thank you!
inthehammockblog at gmail dot com