The BIG Fat FAIL Post: IWSG & Being Human

Have you ever had to make a REALLY hard choice?

That's where I'm at. It's been coming for a long time, but it is finally time for me to step away from the blog.

And no, I don't mean for a month, or two, or three... This is an extended farewell.

I know, I know. We've all seen people desert us here on the blogosphere for the continued reason that, "I need to focus on my writing." Basically, when I read those words I think:

I've been doing this for over ten years, and the relationships...oh the relationships! I love this place. Seriously, I do. Watching each person disappear has been painful--like spooning out a peice of my heart and stomping on it. (Sorry, that was graphic.)

But it's time.

And it's killing me.

This won't come as a surprise to some of you, as many have marveled at how I juggle the writing, home schooling, and babies around not just blogging, but leading choirs, writing music, vocal performances, and visiting hundreds of blogging friends each month. The truth is, we could make it work, until now. My oldest is leaving, my baby is walking and getting into everything, and my toddler is in preschool full time (which we teach her). My older middle children are on the cusp of high school. My writing is almost non-existent, and I find that my creative juices really do need to be focused on my children for the short time that I have them. It flies.

I've even cut down (or dropped out of) Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, and Twitter. And reading. *gasp* (So you know it's desperate.)

And that's it. I'm not leaving to write. (And yes, I'm sorry, the writing thing is a lame excuse. Even if I've used it before...)

So give me a virtual hug, and perhaps if the stars align, I'll be back one day.

In the meantime...

This has been an answer to the IWSG blog hop: How do major life events affect your writing?

Huge thanks for hosting
Alex Cavanaugh, Dolorah @ Book Lover, Christopher D. Votey,
Tanya Miranda, and Chemist Ken!

Last month Sherry Ellis shared BUBBA AND SQUIRT'S BIG DIG TO CHINA along with two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed was entered to win a signed print copy.

The game:

1. Sherry once played her viola at night in the middle of the Black Forest in hopes of scaring away the wild boars. 
2. Sherry enjoys parasailing and hopes to do it in Australia some day.
3.Sherry once crawled through a window of a locked hotel in Europe to get inside because she was out past curfew.

The lie: #2. From Sherry: I have never para-sailed. I do want to go to Australia, but I don't care about parasailing there. SCUBA diving? Yes. 

And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Shannon Lawrence!

Congrats, Shannon!

And a HUGE thank you to Tonipads & Ezvid Wiki Editorial for featuring a surprise review and recommendation of my Maiden of Time series in their Paranormal Romance article! (Click on over.)

WAIT, WAIT, BEFORE YOU GO--!!!

What kind of lame-o friend would I be without a parting gift? Exclusively for you, my blogging buddies, pick any one of these books, shoot me an email (crystal@crystal-collier.com), and your inbox will fill up with cheese and joy:

The SOULLESS are HERE

It's that time!!!

SOULLESS IS OUT!!!

Eighteen-year old Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she’s forced to unleash her true power.

And risk losing everything.

Get your copy NOW.

I'm breaking out my party cheese--and here, have some, eh? 

   

Follow the blog tour for some epic fun:

C. Lee Mckenzie presents a Halloween vlogpost

Stephanie Faris gets the skinny on the process behind SOULLESS

Medeia Sharif is sharing an amazing excerpt

and be sure to enter the 

Rafflecopter

for your chance to win some amazing prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are you waiting for? Follow the pretty pony and go hit these amazing bloggers! (Well not literally. That wouldn't be nice.)

What's your favorite type of cheese, and what are you celebrating today? 

Social Outcasts: Epic, or Odd?

A HUGE awesome thanks to Sarah Foster for inviting me along on the

Meet My Character Blog Tour

On to the fun...

1) What is the name of your character?  Is he fictional or a historic person? 

I'd like to introduce a side character who will shortly take the lead in a serial story titled BELLEZZA. Meet Miles. Some of you know (and love) him. For everyone else, he's a fictional friend/sidekick to the leader of the Passionate.

2) When and where is the story set?

Miles's story starts in 1768 when he's a ripe old sixteen years of age, and takes place all over the world, but primarily in England.

3) What should we know about him?

Miles has a gift to "see through other's eyes." Because of that, he's been feared and avoided by most the Passionate. His parents became Soulless when he was 4 (enemies to the Passionate who hunt them on moonless nights) and he hears them calling for him every new moon. Loyal to the death, he is a timid soul who truly and deeply desires to do what's right, willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good.

4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?

Bellezza. She's unlike anything or anyone he's ever met, and while her thoughts/emotions are disturbing and volatile, he's drawn to her. She single handedly destroys the tentative balance he's found in life without doing more than merely existing, and now he's torn between doing what's right and following his heart.

5) What is the personal goal of the character?

To restore balance by helping Bellezza avenge herself of her enemies, and then get as far away from her as he can...without falling in love. (Since she'd probably kill him if she had any idea he cared.)

6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

Again, the title is BELLEZZA, and if you'd like to meet the characters, you will find them in MOONLESS, SOULLESS, and a short story titled THROUGH THE PORTAL in Heroes of Phenomena (get your copy free BELOW.)

7) When can we expect the book to be published?

Life is going to be different around the baby, but the first episode should be available early 2015.

Ready to learn the lie and get an amazing FREE book? 

Last week, Ian S. Bott shared GHOSTS OF INNOCENCE with us. (Which I recently finished reading and HIGHLY suggest adding to your TBR list--check out my review!) Ian also shared two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win his eBook.  

Ian's game:

1. For five consecutive years at school, Ian won the art prize despite not taking art lessons. Looking back, he feels guilty because there were some very good artists who were probably royally peeved.
2. At University, he managed to instigate a riot that hit national headlines.
3. He built a pirate ship in the back yard, complete with masts, flags, and crows nest.

And the lie is:

#2. The riot happened, and it made national headlines (which you can still read about today if you know where to look) but Ian didn't actually instigate it. It was going to happen anyway as part of inter-college rivalry. He spilled out of the pub mixed up with a crowd of students who were going to invade a rival college. He ran down the street to find a vantage point to watch from, and the crowd behind him took that as a signal to charge. Merry havoc ensued.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Lynda Dietz!

Congrats Lynda! 

And today we're taking a little break from the norm. I wanted to take a second and highlight HEROES OF PHENOMENA, an anthology about super heroes including short stories from

Susan Kaye Quinn

M. Pax

Jessica Bell

Alex J. Cavanaugh

Crystal Collier (ME!)

C. Lee McKenzie

Ruth Long

Darynda Jones

&

Amy Michele

You can get your copy FREE and enjoy these incredible author's great stories from KOBO, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes, or get it for $0.99 at AMAZON. 

A plug for my short story, JOURNEY THROUGH THE PORTAL: Bellezza has just begun her quest to destroy the Collectors, a fraternity of noblemen who kidnap and abuse gifted children. The only problem is that they know she’s coming.

Do you have a favorite character from literature? One of your own?

WIP It Blogfest: SOULLESS

Hello friendlies! Today is

Join up and hop around with us, learning about all the amazing project people are working on right now. This one is mine (*Note, all images/blurbs are in the works, and I'm open to suggestions for how to improve them.): 

WIP Title: SOULLESS, book 2 to MOONLESS (Release date to be announced shortly)

Word Count: 33K, goal: 90K

Genre: YA Historical Fantasy

How long have you been working on it?: ...Do I count when I jotted down the first notes and page one, or when I actually started working on it? This one's been sitting in a folder and added to periodically for about 5 years, but is under serious construction as of March. 

Elevator Pitch: Alexia saved the man she loves, but lost her sister to red-eyed wraiths. Discovering the power to reverse time, she faces a terrible choice: keep her happily ever after, or save her sister and countless others from the Soulless.

Brief Synopsis: 

Alexia only wants to be with the man she loves, but at the cost of hundreds of lives?

Alexia saved Kiren, but lost her sister to red-eyed wraiths known as the Soulless. She has lived with that truth, supporting Kiren while he protects the rest of the world from these predators. When she discovers her ability to reverse time, Alexia faces a terrible choice: keep her happily ever after and ensure the future safety of her kind, or say goodbye forever and leave to prevent the Soulless from existing. 

She may make things better. She may make them worse. The only certainty is, she will never be able to come back.

Are you looking for a Critique Partner?: Always. Anyone who has written AT LEAST 2 complete novels, has 5 to 10+ years writing experience, and reads all the time, shoot me a first chapter. I'll send you one back and we'll decide if our critique styles/likes are compatible. I tend to be very positive, pushing toward the very best writing, but incredibly invasive. If you're seeking someone to pat you on the back and tell you this is the best story since baked bread, I am NOT the partner for you. If, however, you are looking to grow as a writer, and seek a partner who is constantly reading industry books and applying their advice to her own (and critique partners) writing, we may just be a match. I read all genre's, but am not particularly drawn to hard core sci-fi, detective stories, contemporary, memoir, or erotica. Anything with a paranormal, fantasy, or horror twist? I'm so in. 

Are you looking for a Beta Reader?: I am always looking for beta readers. Always. To become one, sign up for my newsletter and you'll receive the call as soon as I'm ready. (As well as other cheesy/exciting opportunities.)

That's it for today--now tell me where I can improve my pitch, eh? (It's so brand spanking new!) And what are you working on? 

Be sure to check out some of these awesome blogs: