Are you ready to win a book and test your lie detecting skills? It's time for Writerly Wednesday!
Writerly Wednesdays here are for readers and writers. Get to know authors, test your human lie detector skills, and WIN books.
But first...
Publishing has been a LONG journey for me, and as excited as I am about this step, I'm also apprehensive about what it means for the future. I have a young family. We home school. Will I be able to devote adequate time to all my priorities--but most especially to my littles? While these apprehensions are a constant pressure at the back of my mind, all the amazing reviews, emails and feedback fill me with immeasurable joy and leave me wondering why I took so long to get here. Life is a constant balancing game, eh?
Okay, who's ready for the winner of last week's game? Erin Albert shared two truths and one lie about herself and those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing to win a copy of her awesome book, The Prophecy.
The options were:
1. Erin had a male dog named Lassie who got eaten by an alligator.
2. In college she played a male character (actually a female character pretending to be a male), and a girl hit on her thinking she was a real boy.
3. She was asked to consider being Gertie from ET for a possible sequel when she was a little girl, but refused because she's terrified of ET.
And the lie is:
#1. She didn't have a dog eaten by a gator, but her cousin did. Yikes! I'm that much more afraid of standing water here in Florida now.
A new heart should
mean new life, not a living nightmare.
Torn between the blossoming love and the obsession, Mishca must decide
if she wants Ryder or Colin. But the organization responsible for her changes
and her connection to Colin, is moving to secure Mishca for himself so that she
can be the weapon he always intended her to be. If Mishca can’t resist her
programming she’ll have a lot more to worry about than romance.
Sharon is a writer from Mackay in Queensland, Australia who has short stories published in anthologies and was also runner-up in the Australian Literary Review's Young Adult short story contest with KARMA. Her debut novel SLEEPER is now out.
By day she is a public relations executive and by night she writes weird fiction and soulful contemporaries while her husband, two sons and cat are fast asleep.
She can be found eating smoked Danish cheese while lounging at the pool.
1. When she was young, Sharon was convinced she was adopted because she looked so different from the rest of her family.
2. She herded an echidna across the road.
3. She played a nun in The Sound of Music for her school play.
Writerly Wednesdays here are for readers and writers. Get to know authors, test your human lie detector skills, and WIN books.
But first...
Okay, who's ready for the winner of last week's game? Erin Albert shared two truths and one lie about herself and those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing to win a copy of her awesome book, The Prophecy.
The options were:
1. Erin had a male dog named Lassie who got eaten by an alligator.
2. In college she played a male character (actually a female character pretending to be a male), and a girl hit on her thinking she was a real boy.
3. She was asked to consider being Gertie from ET for a possible sequel when she was a little girl, but refused because she's terrified of ET.
And the lie is:
#1. She didn't have a dog eaten by a gator, but her cousin did. Yikes! I'm that much more afraid of standing water here in Florida now.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Congrats, Sherry!
And now for this week's special feature. In 2012, I entered the Pitch Wars contest hosted by the fabulous Brenda Drake. I didn't expect anything to come of it, but OH was I surprised! Sharon Johnston had a fistfight with another writing coach to take on my book, and she not only helped me find the RIGHT title, but whipped Moonless into shape. She's amazing, and I feel honored and lucky to be able to share her BRAND SPANKIN NEW book with you today.
A new heart should
mean new life, not a living nightmare.
Mishca Richardson’s life is at an all-time high after her
heart transplant. With new boyfriend,
Ryder, the two of them have the perfect summer romance. Even the nightmares
that have been plaguing her sleep since her operation can’t dull the high she’s
on.
Things start to unravel as Mishca develops superhuman
abilities. She does her best to hide them so as not to end up a science
experiment in a lab. But she can’t ignore the instant attraction she
experiences when she meets her university professor, Colin Reed.
Ready to meet Sharon?
By day she is a public relations executive and by night she writes weird fiction and soulful contemporaries while her husband, two sons and cat are fast asleep.
She can be found eating smoked Danish cheese while lounging at the pool.
Sharon gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Can you figure out the lie? Those who do will go into my magic hat for a chance to win a copy of her book. Eek! How cool is that? You have until Tuesday, December 10th at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on December 12th.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. When she was young, Sharon was convinced she was adopted because she looked so different from the rest of her family.
2. She herded an echidna across the road.
3. She played a nun in The Sound of Music for her school play.
Okay, which is the lie? And writers, how do you keep a balance?
There are so many young authors out there with families who are writing, working, publishing, and being parents all at the same time... that I can assure you you are not alone. I am always amazed and in awe of all of you.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say the lie is #3. Sharon's book sounds awesome.
Aw, thanks Bish. We all need the encouragement sometimes, eh?
DeleteGlad you like the sound of SLEEPER :D (And yes, Crystal is awesome cheese)
DeleteI'm guessing that number three is the lie.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love the book's cover art. Gorgeous and it really fits the premise of the novel.
It is amazing, right?
DeleteI agree the cover is gorgeous, and it takes on such a bigger meaning once you've read the book.
DeletePublishing is a long journey but you made it! And big! :)
ReplyDeleteSleepers sounds awesome. Love the cover. I'm guessing the lie is #1
I hope big. We'll see in a couple months/years, eh?
DeleteThanks! So much cover love. My designer did an amazing job.
DeleteOh, Sharon's book totally sounds amazing! I'm going to guess #3, too :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! Glad you like the sound of SLEEPER :D
Delete#1 is the lie, and wow, what a cool book cover!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I'm going to have to let the Entranced design team know about all this cover love.
DeleteThis is a difficult one. The lie is no#2!! (Pure guess)
ReplyDeleteI like that cover! It's in-your-face snazzy!
Writer In Transit
Can I steal in-your-face snazzy, could that rocks.
DeleteBalancing everything is so hard. And as moms I think we worry about it even more. Good luck! I'm sure you'll make sure the most important things get the time they need. :)
ReplyDeleteI sure hope so. If not, will you nudge me? =)
DeleteWriters always fear that they won't have time for their other responsibilities. And it is a just fear. I think you'll find the balance. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd my guess for the lie is #3. :)
That, or I'll die. (Oh, did I type that out loud? *gulp*)
DeleteCongratulations, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteYour kids will always have to come first. Just tackle a little bit each day and don't stress what you can't get done.
One day at a time, eh?
DeleteBest of luck with the balancing act! It is a part of life, isn't it? Each and every time we stretch out our leg to take a step, it's a gamble that we won't fall flat on our face. And I know you'll do great with the writer-mommy shuffle-step, too!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing the lie is #1. But I could be lying...
There you go. I'll just dance through it. ;)
DeleteI honestly don't know how you find the balance with little ones. You are da bomb! That's sad about the dog. :(
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm going to guess playing the nun in the school play.
No, Elizabeth. You are da bomb! (Filled with cheese!)
DeleteTime management is one of my major problems, although I'm getting better at it. The thing for me is setting realistic goals, rather than overly ambitious ones that I'd never achieve.
ReplyDeleteGonna go with #1.
Amen to that! You can't kill yourself with credulous expectations, eh? (Although I still do.)
DeleteTime management is a difficult one for me too. And, I don't have little ones anymore. I remember those days and being tired a lot. Best of luck…who am I kidding, you're doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteco-host IWSG
Elsie
LOL. I appreciate the vote of confidence. Working on it--one day at a time.
DeleteI'm going to say #3 is the lie.
ReplyDeleteTime management is always a struggle, isn't it? I have no doubt you'll work it out though. Your writing is too amazing to quit now. :)
Julie, you're one of those positive voices that keep me going. You rock!
DeleteTime management is something I think we all struggle with, those feelings of guilt and inadequacy sometimes overwhelming. I don't know there is a magic answer, just get good at juggling maybe! And don't forget to enjoy the journey alongside your little ones who I bet are so proud of their mom.
ReplyDeleteMagic! Aha! Suzanne, you stumbled across the answer. Now I'm off to go pixie hunting. ;)
DeleteI'm going with #3 and the book sounds great! As for balance, I can't find it! I'm a binger who has trouble transition from one thing to the next ~ especially if I'm enjoying what I am doing and don't like a "must do" facing me.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. I can only pull myself away because I HAVE to.
DeleteOhh, glad you like the sound of SLEEPER!
DeleteGlad you got published Crystal. I don't have kids and can't imagine homeschooling them.
ReplyDeleteIt's a challenge, but a blast.
DeleteYou know, you could just put your kids in school. I would never have finished my first novel if my kids hadn't been in school.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I could, but then I'd spend the next year cursing myself for all the things they "learned" or didn't learn that we have to correct/make up for.
DeleteIn my book, anyone who home schools their children has their priorities in order. Knowing that, I'm sure you will do well keeping the proper balance you need to succeed in everything.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to go with #3 and hope that I'm right because I really want to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
Aw, thanks. We're working on the balancing thing.
DeleteI squee inside every time I see someone wants to read my book. Thanks!
DeleteLove the book cover.
ReplyDeleteYou're juggling a lot and doing everything well.
LOL! Well? Not so certain, but doing? Yes.
DeleteAnd I love you for loving my cover (really trying not to be creepy here)
DeleteYou're so right about life being a balancing game. I'm nowhere near as busy as most other people, and I still have a hard time juggling everything!
ReplyDeleteWe grow into the larger balancing act, eh?
DeleteI'd say you're doing pretty well in the time management department if you can write an amazing book and take care of your family at the same time! It sure can be tough to juggle everything, but sometimes it helps to take time out to remember how blessed we are to have so much to juggle. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release of Moonless; I can't wait to check it out!
(That's funny about Erin being terrified of ET!)
True. Definitely true. Thanks for the reminder.
DeleteBalance? As soon as I figure out what that word means...
ReplyDeleteAs for the lie, I think I'm on a #1 kick. #1 again.
LOL. Liz...
DeleteI worry if I can really juggle the demands of writing with family and a job. But people do it so I guess we can too.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if sometimes we do things just because other people can.
DeleteGreat post!! My main reaction is...Oh Florida ;)
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(From Sarah, with Joy)
Yes, Florida. Yay!
DeleteI have faith in your abilities, you are doing awesome so far!
ReplyDeleteThat book cover is awesome!
I'm guessing #3 is the lie?
Aw, thanks Michelle.
DeleteYah! for cover love.
DeleteI respect writers with families so, so much. You guys have a tough balancing act, but you do it with grace! Thanks for setting a great example for us. I'm sure it gets overwhelming, but I believe in you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie. You are awesome.
DeleteThere is an art to multi tasking…. it just take good planning and PATIENCE. Don't over analyze it. Don't dwell on it. Don't become overwhelmed by it. Just tackle one project at a time and before you know it, you did it!
ReplyDeleteI'd say the lie is number one…. Just a hunch. Not too many young kids know they look different from the rest of their family.
Congrats Sharon… all the best!
Patience. Definitely. You're exactly right Mr. Guru Michael.
DeleteThanks Michael!
DeleteCongrats on winning The Prophecy, Sherry!! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all the great feedback you've been getting :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynda.
DeleteHome schooling sounds soooo touch to me...but also so amazing and brave...Congrats on your choice :) and happy writing.
ReplyDeleteHey, it's great, most days. Super rewarding. Challenging. Fun. Creatively stretching.
DeleteIt sounds like a new and exciting chapter along your writing journey and I wish you all the best. I bow to your home schooling. I thought about it but learned pretty early it wasn't for our family. Kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely takes some getting used to, but after 10 years we're pretty comfortable with it.
DeleteI wish you luck with your balancing act. You have a lot of plates in the air.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing #3, just because it's the most likely to be true.
Hey, did you hear ceramic breaking? Yeah, ignore that. Happens all the time. ;)
DeleteCongrats on a successful book launch. I hear ya on the balancing part. I'm the sole provider for my family, and I travel a lot for my high profile job. It's demanding and sucks a lot of my energy. So it can be a challenge to be all things to all people!
ReplyDeleteWhew! Shall we add an egg on top of your head and a tightrope beneath?
DeleteI think #3 is the lie.
ReplyDeleteSleeper looks awesome.
I'm always worrying about getting things done and making time for everything.
I KNOW! (To both of those.)
DeleteThanks so much Medeia!!
DeleteSounds great! Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing number 3 is the lie.
ReplyDelete