Another five star review for Olivia’s Choice!

I’m so excited! Olivia’s Choice just got another five star review! I’m so giddy I’m shaking right now. Here’s the link: http://readwithdiane.blogspot.ca. Wow. I just can’t believe it.

I’m shaking. Literally. I might have to skip the coffee this morning.

What I’m doing now…

I’m almost done Amy’s Courage. I have the epilogue to write and I’m done. I’m excited and thrilled…and terrified of the editing that I know will come next.

Editing doesn’t come easy to me. I don’t have tons of money for someone else to do it so it’s up to me…and my trusty computer. The very first thing I have to do is look over the plot and make sure that it runs smoothly and that any superfluous scenes find their way to the trash. Then it’s going over the writing until it shines brighter than the stars in the sky.

My biggest editing nightmares are: knowing how to edit and when to stop and the dreaded passive voice.

So, I promise a post with links on how to edit very soon. I’ll add the links to my growing Resources page for easy access. I also promise a post on that nasty ‘passive voice’ and how to avoid it–also with links.

One final idea that you might be able to try: the new version of MacBook Pro has a feature that reads out loud anything you highlight. Hearing any written text out loud immediately highlights all and any typos, misplaced commas, and issues. It’s a very powerful tool…but you need patience because it will read the entire story in one slow voice. Also, you might want to use headphones (or not do it while in a public coffee shop–yeah, I tried it there. Enough said).

Writing…

Writing is the best. I had forgotten.

I’m writing. I should be editing and formatting and promoting my book…but I’m writing the sequel. And it’s amazing. I love writing. Love it. I had forgotten what it’s like to write and get immersed in a story until you see characters in others and you see pieces of scenes around you.

There’s something cathartic about being able to put into words a scene that only appeared in your mind. Capturing a feeling that only existed in my heart is not easy. Sometimes, I fail and the result is simply embarrassing. But, when I succeed, it’s something so beautiful words fail to describe it. I read and re-read my passages, critiquing them and changing words and adding pieces, polishing already until they’re perfect and feel delicious when I read them…and I love it. When it comes together, it feels so good it’s absolutely addictive and I get why some people have to write. Like breathing.

Publishing, formatting, promoting and editing are all parts of the writing process that finally produce a book. I understand it better now because I’ve gone through it. But the joy comes from writing. And it’s a wonderful thing.

A friend of mine asked me once what I liked more, writing or reading and I gave her a dirty look. “Don’t make me choose,” I said. The question itself tears at me. I can’t imagine ever cutting one of those out of my life. But if I had to choose, if I could only do one…

I’d write.

(credit:wattpad.com)

Another great review for Olivia’s Choice!

I’m over the moon with Andrea Whittle’s review. I’m thrilled to know she loved the book and wants to read part 2 (Amy’s Courage which I’m working on right now). She also did a little interview of yours truly and it’s in the post.

Here’s the link to the review:  http://pennydreadfulbooks.me/2013/11/20/olivias-choice-forest-races-1-taylor-grace/

So excited! Yeey!

Great review!

Just got my first review! I was terrified that they wouldn’t like my book but they liked it. In fact, they gave it four stars out of five! Yeey!

If you want to read it, here’s a link: http://www.thebooklanders.com/2013/11/book-review-olivias-choice.html

I gotta say…I feel like I’m floating a little bit. I’m so grateful…Just so grateful.

Afterglow…

I’m still basking in that lovely, post-book afterglow. I just finished Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas. Oh…it was good. It was so, so good. It’s the third book in a series and, yes, they were all that good.

I love books like that. I start the first couple of lines and…I’m done. Caught. No talking, no watching TV, no computer. Nothing. I’m useless until I finish the last word.

This one had me at the first line.

The characters were so believable and the dialogue exactly what I was thinking. When she was angry, I was furious, when he was hurt, I was in tears. It all threatened to end up horribly, but somehow managed to transform into a magical happy ending.

Yeap. I cried. And I laughed and I sighed when it was done. I was delighted for the heroine and more than half in love with the hero.

Isn’t it wonderful when books are incredible like that? I can’t explain exactly what the magic formula is. Something about the characters or the plot or the writing style. It’s subtle but magical and the result is irresistible. It promises a wonderful ride, then delivers it.

Oh, the book was so good. I want to re-read it right now. Actually, to be honest, I wanted to re-read the entire series the moment I finished but my lovely husband gave me a look that said I had ignored him (and the entire world) long enough for one day.

So I started reading the next morning.

new blog

Hi everyone! Just started the blog and I’m thrilled. It’s in pretty rough shape but I can start adding information about my upcoming books and that thrills me to bits.

I finished Olivia’s Choice early May.  I’m trying to get it to see the light of day. I thought I’d get it out there in September or October…but life happens. I’m still trying but I need to be patient. As soon as I know, I’ll post it.

Currently, I’m working on Klias’ story, the second book in the series called Amy’s Courage. I’m about a third of the way in. I also have a pretty good idea of where the series will go after this. I think the third book will be about Prince Haar of the norns. After that, we’ll see where we are.

One last bit. Please be patient with this very, very rough blog. I’m learning as I go. If you have any tips or words of encouragement, please send them my way!