Well how the hell are ya??

Sadly, this blog has been left lacking. Not because I couldn't write anything, but because I haven't really had many updates. I'm still working with my publisher to release the remaining Legacy of Secrets titles while working on the last few installments (seems easier than it is, I promise). Unfortunately, I'm not "in the groove" to write LoS right now and my brain keeps traveling elsewhere, delving into new stories I didn't yet want to write. I feel like if I don't put my energy toward something else, I may never actually finish LoS because I'll be TOO focused. Does that even make sense?

Anyway, here are the titles or works I've been dabbling in this year:

Blood Promise: A Legacy of Secrets Novella (3.5)
Falling Undercover (Romantic Suspense)
Unnamed Greek Mythology Saga (next in-depth series)
New Alpha Romance (started just yesterday)
Ruination (Sci-Fi Thriller!)

I've yet to actually finish any of the above, but they're on my mind here and there - ALWAYS. So, I'm off to go write a chapter in one of the above in hopes that it gets somewhere. If you don't follow me on social media, you're missing out on the fun! Keep an eye out and....

Follow Me Everywhere!!!

Some say I'm a dreamer....

I was seven years old and reading short stories out of a journal to my class. It was clear that my imagination was leaps and bounds matured over my peers due to the nature of my stories. I fabricated a story about an alcoholic husband who beat his wife, but never in my short life had I ever witnessed such a thing. I just thought it made for good conflict. I was seven, let's not forget.

Fast forward a few years and poetry became my art. I had so many journals with countless poems, it was a wonder I could keep up with them all. A few were even published through contests held by my school. It was pretty clear I had a calling.

Throughout that whole time, reading was like a drug. Except it did the opposite from most drugs; it fueled my imagination and desire to become what I'd been working toward. I didn't fully begin to embrace this truth until much later in life. Having children, a divorce, a crazy ex and life in shambles had me turning to my old friend; books! 

Finally, I decided to give it a go. I wanted to see if I could do it. I needed to see if I could do it. Mostly just to prove to myself that I was worth something. I needed to show that I wasn't just a bum whose life was down the toilet; I had something inside that no one could take away. So I started and didn't stop. I put my pen to paper or my hands to a keyboard and didn't stop. 

A series was born that day - Legacy of Secrets. It may not be the best or the brightest, but it's still mine. I have a love-hate relationship with it, but mostly because I wasn't sure how to continue at times. Fiery Secrets took me about a year to finish, just because nothing felt right. This next book is flowing freely, but that usually means I'm going to have a harder time keeping within the requirements. The last book - Shattered Secrets - I've not even begun, but I already know it will be epic. Why? Because it has to be.

Legacy of Secrets will see its end in 2016. I will complete the saga that has been told and then retold several times over the last eight years. It will always be my first, being as how I popped my publishing cherry with it, but it will by far be the last. There's more to come in 2016. You'll have more to read, whether you like it or not. 

Here's to a brand new year with brand new dreams...

Falling Undercover

As I've discussed before, I've been working on a Romantic Suspense novel titled Falling Undercover. It is intended to be a stand-alone novel that I intend on publishing around the new year (hence the title!). Seeing as how this story is unlike any of my other works, it begs the question, what genres should I stick to?

I thoroughly enjoy being a part of fantasy worlds that are outside of ours or just below the surface. The departure from reality keeps me engrossed in the creativity, not to mention the steamy bits! Writing romance novels that exist in the present world don't give me quite as much freedom with the world as it is, but that characters can still be dynamic. It's definitely a challenge. 

That being said, I've decided to post a scene from Falling Undercover since I've not posted about it in a while. If you like what you see, please sign up to beta read for me at the page linked above. I'd love to have you on my beta team! 

Read more after the jump!

Here's the deets...

So a few months ago I posted about what was coming up in 2015 and since, a few things have happened that I didn't expect. Here's the deets...

• Legacy of Secrets was optioned for a three year publishing contract through Raven's Seduction Press

• The Romantic Suspense novel was named Falling Undercover and became one of my most anticipated releases of this year

• Falling Undercover was shouldered while I worked on an author compilation through my publisher (see next bullet)

• I have a new title available for preorder with a handful of other authors from Raven's Seduction Press & Nevermore Press

• Legacy of Secrets may be expanding

• Chasers looks to be side-lined while some of these other projects are in the works

• My Facebook Fanpage is now VERIFIED!! (I'm officially a celebrity :P)

If you aren't already part of my Fangroup, head on over and jump in the conversation! Also, I have been building a street team this year and if you'd like to help a sista out, let me know! I have a journal I've been using to write some of my more obscure thoughts, not so much news. 

There you have it...all of what's been going on. Be sure to keep up with me. My social media scrolls on the side. Until next time!!

Lisa

xoxoxo

The Nitty Gritty of Self-Publishing (as told by me)

Photo courtesy of John O'Nolan

There's been a lot of talk lately about indie authors who decide to pull their work and call it quits. Boy, have I been there! Some days, I still think it would be so much easier to act as if this entire endeavor was an elaborate dream and I've just now woken up. The bottom line is that you have to love what you do more than you hate the details! 

Writing is the fun part (most of the time) and the part most of us are the best at. Granted, there are some people who are good at all of it, but most aren't. After the manuscript is written, you have to pass it off to your editor (which you should have) and for formatting if you don't normally do your own. Then, beta readers or the like to look for issues missed in editing rounds one and two. Lastly, you run through the editing yet another time while compiling the suggestions from the beta readers and editor and look for continuity. You get covers made depending on how you're releasing your title. You pick a platform and click submit and there you go! 

Obviously, there are a few parts that seem simple that really take forever, but you get the idea. Not to mention the money coming out of pocket to pay the service providers, unless you just have really awesome friends. In that case, I may need to make friends with these people :D

So you clicked submit. Now what? The short answer: market yourself. Ha! Easier said than done, unfortunately. Unless you already have a network of bloggers, writers, readers, etc., you may find yourself overwhelmed. Marketing is the part most of us suck at. But it's not really our fault! Some social media networks are requiring money in order to reach an audience. Pages I follow on Facebook are starting to move their business elsewhere because no one sees their updates anymore. A lot of people want to move to Google+, but aren't sure how it works and Twitter is so spammy it makes my eyes cross. Yet, most established indie authors will tell you to have the following:

Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook Page
Wattpad
Google+
Tumblr
(Insert other social media here)

Still, all of these things can be instrumental to garnishing exposure, but most authors can't keep up with it all on their own and many don't feel it's worth the trouble now that it's harder to connect. I mean, really? Who has that kind of time? A writer should be writing, not pushing refresh on their News Feed every five seconds in hopes that someone retweets or shares their story. That's what we'd all like you to think, but sadly that is exactly what most of us do. We get so wrapped up in spamming seemingly pointless social media that we forget to actually write! Craziness!

If you have money, you can hire a personal assistant who is versed in social media, but this person will handle your business. I mean, all of your business. You'd basically be leaving your livelihood in the hands of someone you don't know so you can actually do the thing that creates your livelihood. (Ouch, my head hurts). Chances are, if you're writing, you don't have enough money to pay someone else's salary. If you do, I think I'd like to make friends with you, too! 

Think about this, also. How many indie or self-published authors are out there? I think it's more feasible to ask how many aren't out there. These authors, including myself, have to break through the din to have our voices heard. That also means we have to believe in our work and that it's as good or better than the mainstream books. Dog eat dog, my friends. 

Listen, there is no single secret. Not really. I've been writing my whole life. I've been published since 2010 and I'm as starved as starving can get! I've wanted to quit. I've told myself that publishing isn't worth the headache if I don't see the returns, but I'm 100% full of crap. Publishing is worth every second. My blood, sweat, tears and screams go into the stories I'm sharing with the world and, although the crowd is small, they're inviting me into their imaginations for a few days or weeks of entertainment and then back again with open arms. I may not be the best writer, but I believe in my stories and characters to a fault. My passion is inked on those pages and it shows.

So for all of those who are looking to quit, ask yourself why you started writing in the first place. Did you want to become famous? Did you want to tell a story? Did you think "what the hell" and crossed it off your bucket-list? Do you even enjoy writing? 

Get back to basics. Figure out what you want, first! Find the joy in what was once your great love. If the butterflies and goosebumps are gone, you may need to break up for a while, see other people, find new fish and what not. But if at the end of the day, you find inspiration from a typo before auto-correct has the chance to change it, there's something bigger going on there (true story). Take a step back. The world is most certainly your oyster. 

 'Til next time!
Lisa 
xoxoxo

Bloggity Blog Blog

Hello lovelies! I am blogging for the sake of it tonight as I'm attempting to get some much needed media time in. In truth, I'd rather just write and not need to deal with the formalities, but that wouldn't make much sense, now would it? How could you guys know about stuff unless I was here to tell you?

NaNoWriMo is here! I've been ferociously writing for the last few days, which is kind of the point of NaNo anyway. I am going to be trying to post updates throughout the process so please don't hate me! You will probably see me popping up quite a bit and I know I'm one of those "fine in small doses" kind of people. :)

What am I working on for NaNoWriMo, you ask? I am finishing Fiery Secrets and then moving on to Blood Promise with the hopes of having both stories done and released near or around Christmas time. I feel like it's a good deal considering all of the Kindles, Nooks, iPads and other tablets that will be floating around that day. People will be looking for books to read so it's kind of logical to release then. Both books will be available for preorder as soon as I get closer to the end of NaNo and have a set release. Pretty awesome :)

On a side note, I'm in desperate need of a volunteer PA (personal assistant) and/or a Street Team members. References are appreciated, but I'm willing to work with newbies because I'm a newbie, too. If anyone is interested in this, please email me and use "I Volunteer!" as the subject line (get  it...from Hunger Games?). I will totally love you forever and you'll get some awesome goodies for helping me out. 

Well, I need to get back to writing. I've got 3k words to dish out tonight to meet my quota for NaNo. If you're a writer participating, add me as a buddy! My username is LisaLogue and I'd love to have you on my list! 

Until next time!
Lisa ~ xoxoxoxo

NaNoWriMo, here I come!

Many authors participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) which takes place the month of November every year. The general idea is that you have 30 days to write 50,000 words, which is the standard size of a novel. Some people write more, which I tend to be one of those people, but as long as the work is 50,000 words or more, you're in business!

I tried to participate last year, but being newly engaged ended up slamming the door on NaNoWriMo for me (our wedding was 9/20/14!) since I was more concerned with wedding planning. That's left me with a book that's not quite 50% finished and the indecision of whether to use NaNoWriMo to finish it or to complete a different project altogether. I mean, there are so many!

Fiery Secrets is starting to come along nicely, but I'm still some time away from finishing. It will be finished this year, but I'm not sure if it's right for NaNoWriMo. I've worked hard on making sure this book is just right, I'm not sure I want to take that chance of feeling rushed to keep the NaNoWriMo deadline. At the same time, I need to just shut up and do it already!

Then, I think about some of the other story ideas I've had:

Fern Flower- A Fantasy/Adventure novel about the quest for the flower that could save the lives of many in the wake of a plague.

Romancing the Shrew- Contemporary Romance about a less than graceful single mom testing her chances at love

Ancient Blood- A Paranormal Fantasy about vampires and humans uniting in a war against The Underworld

Ruination- Sci-fi/Fantasy novel about a dystopian Earth, ravaged by a zombie-like pandemic and the non-surface dwellers who find themselves in the middle of something more dangerous than the disease itself 

I literally have countless other story ideas, these are just a few of the more developed. I also have Chasers, which is a serial story on Wattpad, in case you've missed it :)

You see my dilemma? So many stories just begging to be written! I can't make up my mind. What do you guys want to read next? Which stories should indefinitely be put on the back burner? Should I just stop writing altogether? 

Any thoughts?.....at all??? 


Lisa
xoxoxo

I should be fired!

There's no question, I am the worst indie author on the planet. Hands down. I mean, who else tries writing and selling books, but is a ghost online? Yeah, just me! Well, who wants to help me change that? I need serious help and I'm looking to build a group of folks who'll do just that! So, if you'd like to be a part of something I know will be great, fill out the form and be prepared for awesomeness!!!

So Far

Photo courtesy of thebacklot.com

Sadly, this post has nothing to do with Supernatural. That will come later! No, this post is about the progress of book #3. Here's the road so far...

Sunday Update!

Current progress:

Anew

Hello lovelies!! It has been quite a month for me. I was very sick for two weeks, so sick in fact that I could do nothing but Netflix binge for about ten days. Doesn't seem so bad except it was an impromptu vaca that I definitely would have rather taken on a beach somewhere without the feeling yucky part. I guess it's just that time of year.

So, I've been pretty busy this week. Not only have I started finishing Fiery Secrets, but I've begun story boarding the remainder of the series and putting together my marketing package for the rest of this year. While I've started out slower than intended, I think things are finally picking up! I'll have more updates and information over the next few weeks. I'm expecting (if the planets align just so) to have Fiery Secrets completed before the end of June. I know I've said this like a BILLION times, but the difference this time is that I've changed the plot! I was trying to include too much into the story and it was driving me insane. After the decision to cut some of it out, I have been able to write without the anxiety. Guess I should have done that months ago, huh?

I'll leave you all with a new FS sneak peek. Catch you all soon!

xoxoxo
Lisa

Bookstore

For anyone who has not visited my website in the last 24 hours, I now have a bookstore! It is currently in the testing phase, so there may be kinks that need working out, but it is running! If you don't have the link, click here and you'll be taken to my website. 

Tonight, I am finishing up some non-LoS related work before I jump back into working on Fiery Secrets. I've promised some impatient friends that I would do my best to finish it before the end of the month and I am going to do my best to keep that promise. It has dragged on for much too long and, despite my doubts, I'm going to write this story as if it were my last. Next after Fiery Secrets will be a novella about another secondary character before I embark on the last book of the series. 

In between, however, I will be releasing snippets of other works on Wattpad & Bookrix, so be sure to keep up with those. I am going to do my best to blog better. I have no earthly idea who reads my blog or what they even want to read, by dammit I'm gonna try! 

Gotta go write some stuff now. See you folks on the flip side! (Yeah, I'm a 90's kid. So what, wanna fight about it? [Family Guy reference]) :p


xoxoxo
Lisa

How do you know it's time to stop?

I've been struggling this year to come up with something...anything. Each time I think I might be able to sit down and write, I can't seem to keep my own attention long enough to get anything done. I have no idea what's wrong with me, but is this a sign that I just need to stop writing?

Of course my heart screams at the thought, but what else am I to do? I know I'm not a great writer. Good writer, maybe. Perhaps I am just at a turning point with this whole endeavor. Maybe the spark has left me for the time being. Whatever it is, I just want it to go away and let me dive back into my fantasies and whimsical worlds that exist inside my head. 

I don't think this is writer's block. If it were truly writer's block, I wouldn't have any ideas swirling inside my mind; waiting to be released. No, this is something else. The last book I wrote was good. I don't mean good by only my own thoughts, I mean good from those who've read it and flooded my inbox with "OMG" emails and "I want more!!" comments. I have inevitably set myself up for failure!

How can I make the next book better than the last? How can I keep the story going for two more novels, knowing exactly how I want it to end, and not have the books drag on forever and hold absolutely zero interest from my readers? How?!

I am stuck...plain and simple. I have no good answers for these questions. Instead, I've been staring at the same boring words I've written for a story that is supposed to be exciting and suspenseful. Love, war, betrayal, redemption and duty molded together and topped with a pretty little bow. How the hell am I supposed to make it all happen and not feel like every word is complete and utter crap-ola?

Any suggestions?


xoxoxo
Lisa

Questions they always ask...

So I've been thinking a lot lately about how fans approach authors (something of which I am guilty) and how it sometimes seems cliche. I don't mean that they aren't truly fans or don't appreciate the work of said author, but I always see the same questions:

How can I get started writing? 
How do I get published?
What do you recommend for someone starting out writing?

These are all very good questions, but I find myself answering them in a way I believe anyone should answer:

You just start. If it's something calling to you, just sit down and do it. 
There are so many places online to publish, but don't fall for sites asking you to pay.
Again, just do it. If you're passionate about it, you will find it comes easy.

I don't know if I'm just lacking inspiration from outside influences or if I truly don't understand how there are people who don't know the answers. I suppose, for those who are very new, they are searching for some advice to see if they are on the right path. I can understand that, but I also grew up with the mindset that I could do anything I put my mind to, no matter what it is. Although something may seem impossible, I am the only one who can conquer those fears and accomplish my goals. 

Maybe that's what writing has done for me- allowed me to actually be myself and that "better person" I aimed for. Nothing I write is perfect, nor will it ever be, and I honestly would rather it not. I want my true inner voice to come through, even if I've spelled something wrong or used a word in the wrong context. I'm human and I make mistakes and I'm alright with that.

Bottom line- writing is something that comes from within. No one else can tell you how to write or even how you should write. What pours onto the paper (or screen) is what is inside your head and you should be proud of it and its imperfections. Not sure how to get started? Just write something down. It doesn't matter what it is, just write it down. Even if it's a mess of jumbled words, do it. Eventually, you'll get used to writing things down that pop into your head and it will be easier to do and more words (and even sentences!) will follow. Don't be afraid to experiment and do what feels comfortable to you. 

Writing evolves, just as you and I do. No two people I've encountered write in the same voice and you shouldn't want to either. Let your writing speak to who you are and what that inner voice tells you to say. The only recommendation I've ever known any writer to give to one who aspires to write is simply DO IT.

Good luck and may the force be with you! (Nerd, I know)


xoxoxoxo
Lisa

New Year, New Things

2014 is about to start and I'm chomping at the bit to get my show on the road. There are so many untapped resources out there for me, one of which is blogging. I've not been really good about blogging this year because I've been beyond busy with things outside of my writing world. I haven't had too much time to devote to blogging or writing much in general, but I'm hoping that will change in the new year.

I'm working on a new business/marketing plan for 2014 and all of the things I need to do to get back in the saddle. Among them is finishing my series, but I'm sure you all have heard enough about that! I will be embarking on several other projects, as well as a possible collaboration if I can muster up the courage to trust someone else with a piece of my soul, as much of my writing is just that. Needless to say, I plan to be busy with a little bit of everything, including writing this upcoming year.

Over the next two weeks, I will have some free time and I will be (hopefully) posting some more information and possibly getting in on some blog rolling action. I have to do my research and find some good blogs to help me get started. Eventually, I will be looking into a Street Team and building up my swag packs for awesome giveaways, including work that isn't mine. I want to branch out to as many arenas as possible, without stretching myself too thin. I do have a family to look after!

Well folks, that is the short version of my outlook for 2014. I hope to see you all and many new faces over the next twelve months. Anyone else have exciting stuff going on in 2014?


xoxoxoxo
Lisa

Hermit, I am

NaNoWriMo helped me get a good start on finishing Fiery Secrets and I'm glad I decided to do it. I didn't finish yet, but I have definitely gotten a good start and I'm happy about that. Luckily, I have a vacation from my full-time job coming up and I'm hoping to finish then. So much is going to happen with this book, sometimes I just don't know how I'm going to fit it in!

Anyway, I wanted to give you all a quick update. There will be some exciting things coming up in 2014 that I will be posting and sharing all over the web. I will be finishing up Legacy of Secrets and moving on to my next project, which I am incredibly excited about! If there is something you all want to see from me, don't hesitate to drop a line!

xoxoxoxo
Lisa

Stumped!

So I've been having a difficult time finishing this book. I find myself writing a few hundred words and feeling like something is missing. I'm not sure if this is normal, but I hope I am just being my own worst critic. I've heard good things about the parts I've let some of my friends read, but they are my friends so I always feel like they're just being nice :). It could all just be in my head, though. If you want to take the time, here's part of an excerpt that I'm thinking about trashing. If you could leave some comments telling me what you think, that would definitely help me feel like I'm moving in the right direction. Pweeeeeaaaasssseeee? :D

#WRITINGFUEL

So I've decided to start a new trend. #Writingfuel is going to be my tag while I keep myself motivated and busy writing and finding things that help me stay on track. I invite all of my friends to use the same tag to show everyone what keeps you going while we take on long hours of squeezing every last drop of imagination from our brains! 

Over the next few days, I'll be updating Tumblr with the new #writingfuel tags as well. I'll add some photos, songs and any other goodies I can find. If you don't follow me yet on Tumblr, click this text and you'll go straight to my profile. If you want to follow me other places, here's Facebook and Twitter. Don't forget, you can also look for updates on My Website.

Nite folks! I'm off to bed. Gotta work in the morning before coming home to write some more goodies!

xoxoxo

Title says what?

So I've come to the conclusion that I need to get my ass in gear. I have set a deadline for my next book to come out in the Fall and I've been only writing here and there. It's not that I don't know what to write, it's that I've not felt up to writing. Does that ever happen to anyone? I watch and support my wonderful author friends in their careers as they inch closer to their dreams, which I sit and scroll thinking, "man, I should probably be doing that right now". Instead, I poke around online and let my mind wander elsewhere. So, here's what I'm going to do!

Throughout the month of August I'm going to set myself a word limit and workload that I will stick to come hell or high water. Deadline means money and I definitely don't want to lose any of that! So, anyone have any ideas on any neat apps or websites that can help me out? Share the love folks!


xoxoxo
Lisa

Lazy Sunday

I don't know if you're like me at all, but I hate doing much on Sundays. I prefer to use Sundays as a lazy day to help re-charge me for the rest of the week. Between work, school, kids and writing I tend to get a bit jaded. So, instead of doing anything other than laundry, I've been online most of the day poking around or playing games. It's now after 6pm and I've decided to do some writing. 

The problem is that lately I've been conflicted between writing more on the serial Chasers or jumping into Fiery Secrets. I tend to lean towards the latter, mostly because I have a fall deadline. Still, some of the story just hasn't struck me yet. I think part of that is because I've not fully immersed myself in the possibilities. As I ramble on about it, it seems that Fiery Secrets is the logical choice. 

Also, I will be releasing a box set of the current books in the series very soon. I've run a few giveaways on my Fanpage, but the edited version hasn't been revealed as of yet. So, I will be sure to post links once it goes live. Here's a picture of the cover so you know what to look out for. ;)