Reviews: Give 'em to me!

My background is in academic writing rather than creative writing, so I have a different perspective on constructive criticism than the run-of-the-mill author.

Basically, I get really excited when people review my books. And I don't despise three-star reviews.

Let me say that again: I don't despise three star reviews.

Why not?

Having a variety of reviews legitimizes books and authors. Even those one- and two-star reviews that make writers wonder if readers actually finished the book. In fact, books with all five star reviews make my eye twitch. I think, Really? There was nothing wrong with it? There wasn't a time when you wished the author had gone in a different direction? Or a character you fell in love with who didn't get enough screen time?

Success in the literary world is a numbers game. Reaching new readers is the name of the game. And when you share your book with the world, you have to be prepared for honesty, even from your friends and family. For instance, at my launch party for Becoming Beauty, my dad sat down with me and outlined some of the issues with my first novel. The novel I was at that moment launching. I think I blinked at him. A lot. But I listened and made notes for my subsequent novels.

That's what we do.

The second we decide we know everything about our craft, we may as well retire. Because apparently we have nothing new to offer the literary world. Keep learning from your mistakes, my friends, and move forward. Swallow that ego and open your ears.

So, how do you get reviews?

Well, it helps when you have a publishing house behind you. Cedar Fort sent my books to libraries and librarians and reviewers. Using their database, I made personal contact with Becoming Beauty's blog tour participants. They're the ones who started the ball rolling. I've done the same with Midnight Sisters. A blog tour is a lot of work, especially if you'd like something more than cookie cutter posts, but it's well worth it to reach new readers and reviewers.

And feel free to beg. Writers can't be afraid to ask for reviews. They just need to be ready for a few iffy reviews. Learn from each book you publish and grow with each project.

So here it comes! Are you ready? If you've read my books, hop on Amazon or Goodreads and leave me a review. Good. Bad. Meh. I'll take them all! Just give your honest impressions and click the submit button! It's like sharing your favorite brand of Girl Scout Cookies, people will take your opinion into consideration.

Peanut butter & chocolate. Mmmmm...

By the way, the correct answer is Tagalongs, my friends. Yes, Tagalongs.

If you're a writer (or in any other review-driven field) wondering how to deal with negative reviews, I'm there for you too! We all have a few stinkers in the bunch. We grin and bear it and remember that exposure is always good.

Blog Touring: Midnight Sisters

That's right! It's time for another blog tour! Connecting with readers, writers, and bloggers and getting their first impressions during Becoming Beauty's Blog Tour was a blast! And seriously, who doesn't love a good giveaway? And bargains!

For Midnight Sisters' Blog Tour I decided to shake things up a bit. For instance, the giveaway is bigger and better this time, featuring a chance to win Amazon gift cards or a signed copies of Midnight Sisters. And for the duration of the tour, January 9 - 20, Becoming Beauty in eBook will be on sale for 99 cents!

That's just the beginning. Each blog tour day will reveal something new about the mischievous cast of Midnight Sisters. It promises to be fun! Check back in over the next couple of weeks to take advantage of all the cool things that are going on!

Jan 9: R.K. Grow (Jonas Selkirk feature)

Jan 10: Blooming with Books (Ariela Spencer feature)

Jan 11: Eclectic Alli (Passionate Geek feature)

Jan 11: Mel's Shelves (Brisella Spencer feature)

Jan 12: Adrienne Quintana (Canela “Cinnamon” Spencer feature)

Jan 12: A Backwards Story (Daniela Spencer feature) 

Jan 13: Bookworm Lisa (Estella/Frizella Spencer feature)

Jan 13: Perfect Beginnings (Estella/Frizella Spencer feature)

Jan 14: Cindy C. Bennett (Gisella, Hayla, Isella Spencer feature)

Jan 15: Inkings and Notions (Gisella, Hayla, Isella Spencer feature)

Jan 16: Wishful Endings (Janela Spencer feature)

Jan 16: Corinne's Garden (Krisela Spencer feature)

Jan 17: Katie's Clean Book Collection (Larela Spencer feature)

Jan 18: Literary Timeout (Braden feature)

Jan 19: A Backwards Story (Book Review)

Jan 20: Let It Be & Celebrate (Special author feature)

Amazing things are happening over the next few weeks. Midnight Sisters' Launch Party is scheduled at the end of the blog tour. Naturally, you're all invited! And giveaways, freebies, and author events will continue through February. 

Thanks for dropping by, awesome readers! Feel free to enter the giveaway below!

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Calling All {Book} Bloggers!

I'm pleased to announce the Blog Tour for my second Young Adult novel, Midnight Sisters. a twist on the fairytale classic The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

The blog tour will run from January 9th through the 20th, and will feature each of the main characters. That means all twelve troublesome noblewomen and two rather smitten gardeners will have their moment in the limelight. The blog tour will culminate in the Midnight Sisters book launch at Endless Indulgence of Ogden on January 21st.

In conjunction with the blog tour, Midnight Sisters will be released in paperback and eBook, Becoming Beauty in eBook will be on sale for 99 cents, and I'll hold various giveaways and run other special promotions for both books.

Here's the line up for the Midnight Sisters blog tour:

January 9: R.K. Grow
January 10: Blooming with Books
January 11: Eclectic Alli (Passionate Geek Feature)
January 11: Mel's Shelves
January 12: Adrienne Quintana
January 12: A Backwards Story
January 13: Bookworm Lisa
January 13: Perfect Beginnings
January 14: Cindy C. Bennett
January 15: Inkings and Notions
January 16: Wishful Endings
January 16: Corinne's Garden
January 17: Katie's Clean Book Collection
January 18: Literary Timeout
January 19: The Phantom Paragrapher
January 20: Let It Be & Celebrate

All the amazing bloggers, authors, book reviewers, and writers who participated in Becoming Beauty's blog tour in 2014 have been invited to take part in The Midnight Sisters Blog Tour, but anyone who is interested is encouraged to participate too. If you'd like to claim a date for the blog tour, contact me via email using the buttons on the sidebar, on my Facebook Author Page, via Twitter, or by leaving a comment below.

Also, feel free to peruse the websites and blogs of the tour participants listed above. Who knows? You may find your next favorite read! A huge thanks to all of them for so eagerly coming on board. Also, thanks once again to Cindy Iverson for her gorgeous blog tour banner design.

Cover Reveal: Midnight Sisters

Though I'm not the type of girl who poses for Glamour Shots like those made popular in the 90's, pulling together fashion, location, and fabulous accessories for a cover shoot is totally up my alley.

I've waited since June to reveal the cover art for my second Young Adult novel, Midnight Sisters, a twist on the fairytale classic, The Twelve Dancing Princesses. It is with pride and great pleasure that I finally reveal the cover for Midnight Sisters, to be released in January 2017.

An excerpt from Midnight Sisters:

Do no meddle with the Master's daughters.

The words rattle around Jonas’ head. What is the punishment again? Death? Dismemberment? Jonas, the newest addition to the gardening staff, can’t recall the exact penalty for breaking the rule. What does it matter anyway? He would never dream of meddling with the Earl of Bromhurst’s haughty daughters.

Until he comes face to face with Lady Ariela Spencer, the eldest of the His Lordship’s daughters.

Her elusive smile and open manner cause him to question his convictions. In no time, he’s drawn into Lady Ariela's world of mystery and intrigue, a world where she and her sisters will do anything—including leaving twelve empty beds at midnight—to escape their father’s strict rules.

Only Jonas can uncover the truth and save them from their father’s wrath and their own folly, if he is willing to risk everything he’s ever worked for. 

* * *

A huge thanks once again to the amazing team who made this image possible, Cammi, Jill, Sue, and especially Cindy, my amazing graphic designer. I love you, ladies!

* * *

A note from the author:
Whenever I mention The Twelve Dancing Princesses, there is invariably someone who is unfamiliar with the tale. By clicking the above link, you'll be taken to versions of the fairytale from all over the world. Also, if you click on the link at the beginning of this post, you'll be taken to the Grimm Brother's rendition, which is the one I followed most closely.

Welcome to the Big Time

There's nothing more fun than when you connect with someone and they say to you, Hey, I'd love to feature you on my blog. Are you interested? (Just a thought, my answer will always be OH YES!) In the last few months, I've been honored to be featured on several websites. I had such a good time, I thought I'd share it with you. Here's a recap of each and a link to the posts themselves. Enjoy!

Geek Girl: So, maybe you're a big nerd. Maybe you love things others consider super weird. It's all good. Just own it. I'm sixty types of silly and geeky and I find it makes me more interesting, and let's be honest, happy!

Writing, Health, & Wellness: As a writer and teacher, I struggle with a number of health issues. I spell them out and share how I cope regularly with what comes up with Colleen Story. Discover how I deal with everything from Writer's Block to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Lisette's Writers' Chateau: Fairytales are my life. I chat with Lisette Brodey about my obsession with them and how they've shaped my career. Also, we discuss upcoming projects, my writing and editing process, and dealing with The Writer's Suckfest. Plus, doesn't the chateau make one feel posh?

And coming soon...

Terry Tyler: Even wondered how your star sign affects your life/writing/career? Terry asked me to ponder how much of a Cancer I really am. Hey, maybe if you read it you'll come into a large sum of cash or meet a tall dark stranger...or get eaten by wild dogs. Who knows? You'll just have to read and find out! (BTW the link connects you to Terry's Zodiac files, which are hysterical.)

In closing, if you'd like to feature a certain sassy semi-redheaded fairytale writer, just contact me! I'd love to oblige. Leave me a comment, or use the buttons on the sidebar or under the Contact tab to reach out to me. I promise I don't bite.

Often.

Happy Birthday Giveaway!

It's July, so it's almost my birthday. I shouldn't mention that this year my big day is going to be overshadowed by a massive American holiday. But I'm bitter.

See? Rude.

Anyway, the happy day is next Sunday, July 5th. I won't bore you with the details of how old I am. (Do you want to know my weight and dress size while we're at  it? Gosh.) I will say that I'm NOT 40 yet, and I'm grateful.

It's been a whirlwind year with changes in everything from my profession life to my mental and physical health. Above all, I am happy to have survived. And it is a pleasure to celebrate my birthday week with all of you.

Since I have almost everything I want (unless you have a hot fireman handy), I'm pleased to give a gift to all of you. So... We're doing another giveaway!

This time prizes include:
Signed Copies of Becoming Beauty (2)
$10 Amazon Gift Cards (2)

I am limiting the Grand Prize(s) to US residents only, but anyone with a valid email address is eligible to win one of the Gift Cards as they will be delivered via email. (I'm sorry overseas friends, I will not mail a copy of my book to you if it costs more in postage than the book itself. But I still love you.)

Also, for those of you who would love your own signed copy of Becoming Beauty, I am also running a sale on the stock I have on hand. Books will be $10 for pick-up or $13 shipped within the US. (If my dears overseas friends would like a signed copy, shipping charges will vary according to your location.) Please leave me a comment or email me (click the handy-dandy buttons on the side bar or under the Contact tab) if you are interested.

Thanks and good luck!

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Summer Lovin'

Ah, romance in the steamy summer months...

In my young foolish days, I dreamed of summer days and nights spent hiking, biking, picnicking, and stargazing with that (insert girly sigh here) special someone. Now, in my (insert old lady sigh here) late thirties with a thriving teaching career, I dream of a different kind of romance--the type I manufacture on my laptop. (Okay, perverts, I just meant writing. And not that kind of writing.)

Summer has always been my best time for writing. But last summer I not only edited Becoming Beauty several times before it hit the presses, but I also completed the bulk of Twelve. This summer finds me editing Twelve and meeting the cast of my Rumplestiltskin remake. Is there anything as fun as exploring new characters and getting caught up in all their drama? 

Have I ever mentioned how much I despise goal making? I'm already my worst critic and I hate giving myself reasons to be more self-critical. However, I'm going to set some goals for this summer anyway!

• Get my new computer set up...and ignore Social Media for a decent amount of time each day.
• Craft a fabulous query for Twelve.
• Edit Twelve and submit it to the publisher. ASAP!
• Flesh out the characters for my new project. And quickly fall in love with them. (Won't be hard, I adore Guillermo already. And he's only in my head.)
• Create a rough outline for the new project and then completely ignore it as I begin writing. (It's my process, people!)
• Do some marketing every week by keeping my blog full of fresh content, connecting with the public through social media, and participating in authory events to get Becoming Beauty to more readers.
• Fiddle around, travel, visit friends and family, and yes, knock out a healthy chunk of the next project. Because I can.

Either I'm completely high on summer lovin' already...or those goals are do-able. Anyway, I'd love to hear about your plans for the summer? Any lovin' going on in your neck of the woods? 

Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged

You've heard the old adage about judging a book by its cover. Well, discerning readers do. They can differentiate between covers that ignite the imagination and those that are schlepped onto a book willy nilly. I'm too professional to post others' crappy covers here (read: I believe when we bad mouth others we're inviting them to bad mouth us) but feel free to surf Amazon's free or 99¢ titles for examples of what I mean. A cover should be chosen with care. The theme, style, and mood of a story are reflected in a well chosen illustration. 

Not only will we judge a book by its cover, but we should judge our own works by their covers.

Know what you want: Consider the style of your book and look at other books in the same genre. Do you want to fit in or stand out? Think about what colors represent the mood and flavor of your book and if a modern or classic image would be more suitable. I'll admit that I lucked out! The fabulous designers at Cedar Fort asked for my input early on and delivered an image with everything I requested: a jewel tone color scheme, a single female pictured in a pensive position, subtle roses as a nod to Beauty and the Beast, and modernity blended with classic details. When I received the preliminary cover, I let out a girly shriek and freaked my friend out! That was it. I still love everything about it.

Don't settle for mediocrity: About a year ago, my cousin and I had a conversation about high quality book covers. She's an artist and photographer and related the story of a friend who demanded one thing and another in a book cover, but after being presented with several options, she chose a generic cover that featured none of the elements she'd requested. It was at this point that I whipped out my phone, pulled up the preliminary cover for Becoming Beauty, and showed it to my cousin. "That," she said, "is what I'm talking about!" To have an artist's endorsement of my little book gave me a distinct thrill!

Do your homework: There are plenty of designers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The fun of social media is that you can get a feel for designers' strengths without committing to anything. Most of them are open to questions about their products and will chat with you freely about what they can offer. Take your time. Remember that a good cover will pay for itself in the long run. Covers are the first impression consumers will have of your book and an eye-catching cover urges readers to delve deeper, learn more, and ultimately purchase your book. 

So yes, my darlings, be judgey. But only if you're prepared to be judged by your own cover. (And please, don't apply the same logic to your relationships with anything other than the written word.Take it from a plumpy girl with dimples, people are rarely how they seem in a first impression.) 

If you'd like to learn more about Becoming Beauty, this is the perfect time! For its six month birthday, Becoming Beauty is 99 cents on Kindle, Nook,  iTunes, & ebook. Enjoy!

Dear Jonas

I was inspired when a fellow blogger posted a letter to her characters a short time ago. What a novel idea, I thought. Then it hit me. Bella, the heroine from Becoming Beauty, is closely acquainted with the hero of my second novel, Jonas Selkirk. All the snarky things Bella would say to her friend filled my mind and in no time a most Bella-like letter emerged. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed crafting it!

Artwork from Ruth Sanderson's Fairytale Collection

Dearest Jonas:

We enjoyed hearing of the coming and goings at Lord Bromhurt's in your last letter. After your life in Stone and your time with us, I've no doubt it does feel like a foreign land. I recall the shock of entering into service for the first time as a naive young woman. I had the added benefit of being tossed out of my home and sent to serve a Beast at the same time. However, in the end, I won a place of respect in the Beast's household. I am confident that you can do the same in Lord Bromhurt's household. (As long as Lord Bromhurst isn't more beastly than You Know Who.)

Now, onto the real purpose of this letter. From the beginning, your correspondence has hinted at an acquaintance with a certain young noblewoman. Philip would have me remind you to tread carefully when dealing with Lord Bromhurst. Since Lady Bromhurt's death, he has become fiercely jealous and protective of his daughters. Jack would urge you to act honorably but to follow the dictates of your heart. And both gentlemen have warned me against poking my nose in where it doesn't belong, but when have I ever heeded their counsel? 

Take it from a woman who had to learn the hard way--love is a gift. It should neither be ignored nor neglected. If a woman like Lady Ariela has taken taken pains to befriend you, you would be a fool not to act. Trust me, Jonas, land and holdings, education, and social standing mean little beside true affection. If you let paltry matters of the world come between you and that young lady, you will regret it. (Also, I will personally travel to Lord Bromhurst's to talk sense into you and ensure that you do regret it.) 

I trust that we will hear of your declaration to Lady Ariela soon. As to news here at home, life runs on as usual, bumping along with only the occasional tantrum from His Royal Beastiness. (Since you're not here, the poor weeds take the brunt of it. Sometimes I almost feel sorry for them.) Overall, we are happy and busy. Jack, Philip, and the rest send their best regards. 

With affection, 

Bella

P.S. Other news of a more sensitive nature awaits your return to Stone. As you know, you are always welcome in our home. 

* * *

If you'd like to know more about the adventures of Bella in Becoming Beauty, it's available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Books & Things. For more about Jonas and Lady Ariela, read Interlude in the Rose Garden, Just a Taste, Embracing the Fangirl Within, Arguing With Myself, or Twelve for the Fourteenth. Hopefully, Twelve will make it to print soon!

Six-Month-Iversary

As the Fresh Prince once said, my life was flip-turned upside down about six months ago.

I never planned to publish a book. I didn't believed my writing was good enough for the public eye, sometimes I still don't, but that has never stopped me from writing. I am extremely grateful for the friends who despite my many protests encouraged me to submit Becoming Beauty to publishers and the editor at Cedar Fort who had faith in it. Without them, Bella would still be mouldering away in my hard drive. (And she doesn't appreciate being ignored.)

Monday, May 11th marks the six-month-iversary of Becoming Beauty's release. Six months of Will people like it? Will people read it? and Will I ever write anything else? Hello, author panic attacks! Happily, both Becoming Beauty and I are still here and people really do like us! To celebrate the fact that we've made it this far, Cedar Fort and I are hosting a 99¢ sale for a limited time. From May 6-19 you can nab an ecopy of Becoming Beauty for less than a dollar! Wahoo! For those who haven't read it yet, (shame on you!) here's a snippet:

Claws.  Long, filthy, and dangerously sharp. 

They’re the first thing Bella sees after what's been the worst day of her life.  Careful not to alert her captor to her conscious state, she glances past the matted fur-covered arms and expanse of chest to the face. If something surrounded by tangled black rattails can be called a face. 

Perhaps if Bella were the quintessential Beauty—gorgeous, kindhearted, and self-sacrificing—she might have a fighting chance in transforming this monster into a man.   But she’s never been the toad-kissing kind.  Obsessed with landing a wealthy nobleman and escaping her humdrum life, she will stop at nothing to achieve her goals.  Which is precisely what landed her here, at the mercy of the Beast.

Find Becoming Beauty at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Books & Things

If you'd like to learn more about Becoming Beauty, visit Goodreads or click here. Happy reading! 

Journey

Don't stop believing

Hold on to that feeling...

The words fade. (As does the first season of Glee that brought this fabulous Journey song back into the limelight. Wasn't that a different world.) However, my journey has been on my mind a lot lately. Especially the long boring years where nothing happened. Work. Home. Sleep. Repeat. Words percolated in my mind, blossoming into themes, stories, fairytales. Even when I was doing something else, like sleeping, they'd wake me up with their insistence. Write me down, they seem to demand. My bedside table has been and always will be the receptacle of forgotten images and once grand ideas. 

Don't stop believing...

In my thirties, my best friend forced me to joining a Writing Group. (Really, I think there was arm-twisting involved, maybe the pulling of teeth.) But sitting down with those women, I knew I would be a part of something good.

Short stories, theme writing, and whatever-caught-my-fancy writing filled the months. Until, “Well, what about Beauty and the Beast?” The idea had been at the back of my mind for years, so long that I'd forgotten it somewhere along the way.

Hold on to that feeling...

A beastly Beauty, so wretched only I could love her. I poured the lonely days of my girlhood, my hopes for tomorrow, my humor, and my frustration with my purposeful but romance-free reality into Bella and her story. The process was cathartic. But when I held a copy of Becoming Beauty in my hands, I had no idea how it would change my self-perception. 

Not only was I a writer, I was an author. And other people knew it. (Not the whole universe, but at least some people were aware of it. And they were happy for me.) It took a while for reality to sink in, but when it did, I saw myself differently. I wasn't just The Best Kindergarten Teacher Ever (really, I do have my days!), I was something more. After having one set of dreams for so long, it was nice that the heavens saw fit to gift me with another.

Just like Bella. 

You never know where a journey will lead until you set your feet on the path. Be brave, try something new and scary (like writing and publishing a book) and see what new avenues open up for you.

For more about my journey, try out: Expect the Unexpected, Ready or Not, My First..., Author Envy, or Meet Your Adoring Public. Happy reading! And as always, thanks for dropping in!

For more about Bella's journey, find her and Becoming Beauty on: 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

books & things

iTunes

Goodreads

Calling All Romantics

Valentine's Day. The holiday we singletons refer to as Single Awareness Day. And the one most marrieds consider just another Hallmark holiday. It's wonderful. It's fabulous. It's oh-so-much pink, red, plumpy hearts, and fat baby angels. If you're like me, it hasn't been fun since elementary school when you got a boatload of valentines and goodies from kids who barely liked you.

In an effort to make it AWESOME for everyone involved, the good folks at Cedar Fort and I are hosting another 99¢ sale on Becoming Beauty in ebook for Valentine's Day (February 7-14).

Why? Because Becoming Beauty is all about the romance:

“Bella,” he half-groaned against my lips, his nose still brushing mine, “how many times are you going to make me ask you to marry me before you give me a proper answer?” 

I chuckled, pulling away to take in the look of half-torture, half-pleasure painted across his features. “At least one more time. I couldn’t have you thinking I’m an easy sell.” 

He had the decency not to roll his eyes, instead allowing only a sigh of frustration to escape. He composed his face into seriousness again. “Bella, will you be my wife?” I closed the distance between us until only a breath separated us. I brushed his mouth with mine before I whispered, “Yes,” and once again pressed my lips to his.

For those with a special someone who loves romance, fairytales, or stories with heart and humor, it's the perfect gift. Becoming Beauty on is available on:

Amazon Kindle

Amazon UK Kindle

Barnes & Noble

iTunes ebook

books&things ebook

And for the bargain basement price of 99¢, it's the perfect price! (If it's for you, I won't tell!) Happy shopping!

Ready or Not...

If you're like me, you know what's happening tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and so on until the end of time. On occasion, a twist appears in the road. Sometimes instead of your regular run of the mill twist, there's a loop-the-loop wicked enough to trigger your vomit reflex.

The question is, do you take the curves or do you stay on the well-known path? 

My life has been upside down since 2013. In a good way. Because of the experiences related to publishing Becoming Beauty, I've reevaluated how I see myself. For over ten years I have been The Queen of Kindergarten. My career as the Kindergarten Teacher Extraordinaire has been my entire identity. Not that anyone knew about it, but writing was always just something I did. It had never defined me. Until my name was printed on the cover of Becoming Beauty. Oh so quickly I became Sarah E Boucher, author. 

Accepting that there was more to me than my chosen career as an educator was a huge mental shift. The ups and downs aren't what I'm used to, but the process is amazing. Each day I'm learning more about who I am and who I am becoming. And I love that.  

 We all encounter twists and turns in life. How we respond to them defines us.

In writing: The planned outcome. The perfect resolution. The safe road. But sometimes the best ideas come mid-project when the only option is doing some substantial rewriting. Throwing your heart and soul into a project is what makes life exciting and makes stories magical.

In editing: Passing your work into someone else's hands is an act of faith. The most horrifying thing you may ever do is trust someone to make your best better. No matter what the outcome of that interchange, the process will grow you as a writer. (And hey, nobody said you had to listen to any of their comments...)

In life: There's nothing wrong with being happy with your place in life. There is something terribly wrong with going through the motions and feeling miserable and out of place. Believe me, YOU and I were built for something amazing. Whether big or small, in the limelight or behind the scenes, your life should be beautiful.

The question stands: will you take the curves as they come or will you stay on the well known path? Life is teaching me the importance of questioning the easy choices and embracing the good ones. I have no idea how things will turn out, but it will prove interesting!

Thanks for dropping in!  Good luck finding your happy place!

Love Triangle, Shmove Triangle

I didn't plan to write a Love Triangle. Really.

In writing Becoming Beauty I struggled to reconcile my love for the classic Beast with my dislike for the Prince he transforms into. Somehow that struggle translated into the creation of two distinct male characters: the crabby Beast and his companion, Jack, who both fall in love with Bella.  That, of course, results in romance, humor, and a fair amount of jealousy. Yes, it's a Love Triangle. Since it came up in a review* (notice I'm not ranting here), I thought I'd give you my take on Love Triangles in literature by discussing a few prime examples:

The Twilight Conundrum:
Bella, Edward, and Jacob (blech)

Although my main character has the same name as Stephanie Meyer's, I hope my Bella deals with the entanglements of the heart in a more mature fashion. Bemoaning your sad, sad life while two men who would do anything to make you happy fight over you seems like a waste of time, waterworks, and hunky-hunky men. Also, the resolution of this Love Triangle was a little creepy, if you ask me. Especially if you're either one of the men. (Really, why should Bella have her cake and eat it too? No one else is offered that option. And in my mind, underdog Jacob--pun not intended--is a much more likable character. Sunny, daring, and fun rates higher than Ice Man in my opinion.)

Teen Angst and Tigers--The Tiger's Curse Series:
Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan (better)

This is another Young Adult series featuring two beefy brothers who fall for the same girl. Though certainly less well-known than the Twilight Series, The Tiger's Curse introduces the Love Triangle between Kelsey and the beautiful Indian brothers, Ren and Kishan. I think the key is that the audience knows which of the two Kelsey prefers, even if she hasn't figured it out completely. (She is a teenager after all. What do they know?) The only possible flaw is that Kelsey actually acts like a teen, which can be annoying at times. Unless teen angst is your thing.

Love & the Supernatural--The Mortal Instruments: 

Jace, Clary, Simon...& a few more thrown in for fun (fantastic!)

Recently finding its way to the big screen, this Love Triangle is much more on target. Not only does the audience know who Clary prefers, but so does she. Clary is a fabulous female lead with brains, skills of her own, and a certain level of maturity. The behind-the-scenes tension (beyond the engaging plot) that drives the story is the will-they-won't-they of her relationship with dynamic Jace. It's a stellar example of a Love Triangle done very well. (And let's be honest, there's probably more than one Love Triangle in this series...) My only beef is with Jace's character. I have a hard time loving and rooting for someone so erratic that I want to throw a shoe at him. (Though that's better than Twilight, where I wanted to throw the entire series of books at Bella Swan's head.)

Shadowhunters meet Old England--The Infernal Devices: 

Will, Tessa, and Jem (FABULOUS!)

The prequel series to The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices follows the path of seemingly normal Tessa who stumbles onto the world of shadowhunters, werewolves, and vampires. Will and Jem--gentlemen, best friends, and comrades in arms--both claim her attention from the get-go. The reader quickly learns who Tessa prefers, but whether self-destructive Will is capable of letting her in is another matter entirely. Indeed it's Will's actions, paired with Jem's kindness, that push her into Jem's arms. (Can you tell I LOVE this one?) However, over the course of the series, Will's true character is revealed. Cassandra Clare does a magnificent job of presenting two equally wonderful heroes and a dynamic heroine who could choose either one. My only issues are a) the finale (though it's perfectly satisfactory, it has issues similar to--if less creepy than--Twilight) and b) the fact that they haven't made this into a series of movies yet! Seriously, the costumes alone would be amazing!

This obviously isn't a comprehensive list. I could add The Selection Series, The Mocking Jay Series, as well as a load of others. But I'd rather know what you think. What are some of your favorite Love Triangles in literature? Or do you condemn them altogether? Please leave me a comment! 

*By the way, my favorite criticism of Becoming Beauty was that it contained a Love Triangle within a Love Triangle. One reader in particular found this difficult to stomach. My only rebuttal is it's all part of the Beast's history and Bella's path to becoming Beauty. (Did you see what I did there?) 

FYI, dear friends, I didn't set out to write a Love Triangle. I set out to write an origin story. 

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If you'd like to learn more about Becoming Beauty and jump into the conversation, here are a few links:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
Also, each of the above books' titles are linked to their webpages. So you can quickly jump to any you'd like to learn more about. As always, thanks for dropping in!

The Good, The Bad, & the Meh.

It's Quiz Time, friends! Please Choose the Correct Response:

a) You should never read your reviews! (Did I stutter? N-O)
b) You should read all of your reviews! (Even the horrible reviews because crying builds character!)
c) Pay someone else to read your reviews! (There's got to be some schmuck that needs the money, right?)
d) Pretend they don't exist. (While you're at it, pretend you're a UNICORN! Ooh, so sparkly!)

Let's be honest, I have no idea which is the correct answer. However, I'm not coming to writing from I-live-in-my-mother's-basement-and-I-sleep-on-Star-Wars-sheets. I've been out in the big, bad world and plenty of strangers have walked into my classroom and expressed their opinions about what I do well, badly, very badly, or not at all. I'm used to it. I can deal.

That's not the case with every writer. Below are a few examples of actual reviews. How you deal with them will define how you interact with your public:

• It's not enough like the original.
• It's too much like the original.
• I didn't connect with the characters.
• I didn't like the characters.
• I HATE love triangles!

How should you respond? Generally, it's best to be as gracious as you can, suck it up when you have to, and leave it alone if it's truly negative or hateful. If the issue is really important, use your blog/website to address it and open a positive dialogue. (Like that last one. It totally needs a rebuttal!) But NO RANTING. We are professionals. Ranting makes you look like a no-good crazy person.  Does anybody want to be that guy? Above all, remember that even if they're bad reviews, they're from people who READ your book! That's a compliment in itself.

That being said, people have primarily been complimentary about my little book. Even those who said some uncomplimentary things wound up saying they couldn't wait to see what I come up with next. I can live with that.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorite reviews/excerpts from the Becoming Beauty Blog Tour:

Let it Be and Celebrate! Seriously, the picture KILLS me! And this blogger has a first hand view of life with a writer.

Enchanted by YA The review at the top is lovely! A perfect snippet for readers looking for something new, fun, and different. I adore that!

Lydia Thomas, Author Lydia is a gem!  Not only did her review lift my spirits, but she wasn't even part of my blog tour, she just heard about Becoming Beauty, picked up a copy, and posted her own review. How awesome is that? And Austenesque? I can handle that.

Getting Your Read On I love how she views the theme of transformation! As a writer, I meld my personal philosophies into the story without shoving them down anyone's throat. Happily, no one has responded negatively to that! Phew!

I Love to Read & Review Books One of the first reviews I received! I love the exuberance of the reviewer. That's what I want to elicit in readers.

Here's the takeaway from this kindergarten teacher turned writer: 

Listen to your reviewers, but don't freak out. (Just please don't listen to the crazy ranting ranters. They don't need any more encouragement.) If you notice any trends, that's either something you're awesome at or something you should work on. Acting on it will make you more skilled in your field. That's what happens when you genuinely let people in and allow yourself to grow as a writer. 

And hey, who knows when the AMAZING reviews will turn a crap day into sunshine. It's happened to me, and from complete strangers, no less. There is nothing more fantastic that opening up Amazon or Goodreads to find out you have another fantastic review. It's what we thrive on and good or not, it will keep readers coming our way.

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Thanks for reading! Follow the embedded links above to learn how to deal with the dramas of being a writer or to read the full reviews on the writers' websites. Happy reading!

Merry Christmas!

Do you have someone one in your life you loves romance?

Okay, be honest. It's you, right?

I won't judge. I'm pretty picky about books. If there isn't any smooching, I'm out. Because of that, my fairytale twist Becoming Beauty delivers on the smooching while staying clean enough for teens and mature preteens. And hey, who doesn't love that? (Okay, maybe the erotica crowd. But hey, hopefully the humor, sarcasm, and clean romance will be enough to keep them entertained too. Why knows?)

Here's my point, if you have someone in your life who adores romance, humor, and clever fairytale retellings, jump on the Becoming Beauty train! And let me tell you, it's the perfect time to do so, because Becoming Beauty is going on sale for a limited time. From December 5th-12th, Becoming Beauty on Kindle will be 99¢!

So, happy holidays, my dears! Now you can give the gift of love to someone you adore! And what do you have to lose? Well, a dollar, I guess.  But seriously, why are you still here? 

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble

books&things

Three, Two, One...Launch!

The best thing about being an author is getting into the community & interacting with readers. And hey, that's just what Becoming Beauty and I did at the Becoming Beauty Book Launch at Barnes & Noble!

First off, you should all know that I am THE PARTY GIRL. No, I don't go clubbing every night or attend uber shmancy soirées in my tiara (wouldn't that be fun!), but when there's a get-together to be gotten together, I'm your girl! Basically, my launch was like your regular girls' night, game night, movie night, or family night, but with the volume turned up. (And by that I mean extra amounts of awesomeness.)

My saving grace was the collection of friends and family who rallied around me. Sweet Julie helped me hunt down all the fun do-dads and must-haves I required for the occasion. My friend Raylynn helped me set up the event and stayed by my side during the whole Book Launch...except when she was roaming around Barnes & Noble passing out bookmarks. How cool is that? And my family claimed a corner of the store and camped out for most of the event which made me look uber popular. You've gotta love them!

Other than my face aching from all the grinning, there were no negative aspects of the Book Launch. I loved having my family and friends around to keep me normal. (Okay, relatively normal.) And I'm especially grateful for the kind soul who went on a beverage run in the middle. She knows who she is! And, as far as numbers go, we did very well for a first-time author doing a first-time signing.

Need tips for your author event? Here's what I'd say to someone planning an event:

Rely on fabulous people. 
Ask for help when you need it. 
Don't let anyone tell you no...unless they have a better plan. 
Use social media--it's the best tool you have for getting the word out quickly. Facebook reminds them about events they've been invited to and does all the nagging for you!
Put on your happy face! You are your brand. Look happy about it.
Thanks to all who jumped in to make this a successful event! Here's a little something extra. Just for you.

For the giveaway, I asked the question “What is your favorite fairytale? Why?” And the answers were hilarious. The Top Four Favorite Fairytales are:

#1 Beauty and the Beast: When I met my husband, I thought he was a Beast, but I was wrong.

#2 Cinderella: She gets the life and love in the end that was meant for her before her father died.

#3 The Little Mermaid: I LOVE mermaids! (This was from a youngster!)

#4 Rapunzel: because...HAIR!

It was fun to peruse the entries afterward and see much people love fairytales. However, I regret to inform participants that Spider-Man is not actually a fairytale. So, so sorry about that.

I'd love to hear about your favorite fairytales! Leave me a comment below! 

Becoming Beauty: On Tour!

The Great Blog Tour & Giveaway begins!

November 9th-26th Becoming Beauty has the pleasure of bouncing from blog to blog at a dizzying pace as well as hosting a giveway. (Luckily, I will be following its progress from home, where I can bite my nails in peace and pretend like I've done this before). A big thank you to all who are participating, either as blogger or readers. I appreciate your kind words, support, and all you have done to share Becoming Beauty with your friends.

Feel free to follow along, make comments on the posts, and spread the word! I know there's a smattering of random tidbits about yours truly which you'll enjoy reading along the way. Basically, it's going to be awesome!

Here's the fabulous lineup:

November 9: Jorie Loves a Story, Wondrous Reviews

November 10: R.K. Grow, I Love To Read and Review Books

November 11: A Casual Reader's Blog, Author Cindy C Bennett

November 12: Readalot, Literary Timeout

November 13: Getting Your Read On

November 14: Books Complete Me, The View From My Window

November 15: Misty Dawn Pulsipher, My Book Addiction & More

November 16: Jo Ann Schneider, Inklings and Notions

November 17: Katie's Clean Book Collection, My Book a Day

November 18: Bookworm Lisa (spotlight), Wishful Endings

November 19: Mel's Shelves, Lydia Thomas

November 20: A Backwards Story

November 21: Claudia Y. Burgoa, Bookworm Lisa (review)

November 22: Corinne's Garden

November 23: Enchanted by YA

November 24: Let It Be & Celebrate

November 25: Blooming with Books, Fire and Ice Reads

November 28: Reader Girls Blog, The Book Blog Experience

And bloggers and readers alike, don't miss out on the Blog Tour Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks again! I'm excited to see the process play out! If anyone else would like to host an Author Spotlight, Book Review, or Book Blitz, comment below or send me an email. Both Becoming Beauty and I would love to be guests on your blog as well!