Birthday Blowout // The Left-Handed Typist Turns 1

Welcome to the extravaganza celebration! I have been planning this and taking notes on how people celebrate their blog anniversaries since I started a blog. Ignore that I'm still late to my own party nevertheless. This is going to be so much fun.

Before you get started, make sure you play my Spotify playlist in the sidebar for some nice ambiance music ;) Now you may continue.

Before we really get started I want to say a huge thank you to Jesus for laying this on my heart just over a year ago. I always despised the thought of blogging--so much time and having to be nice to people I don't even get to meet! Hehe ... well, here I stand corrected. This has been very fun, so sorry for being a stick-in-the-mud!

I have to blame the amazing Katie Grace, my first online friend, first blogger to follow, and first critique partner. God has forged such an awesome relationship with us. Your blog inspired me to have one, and your help is what got me here! I really have to thank you in person some day ...

And thanks to all of you. What's a blog if there are no readers? A journal. And I really really stink at journaling consistently. You people are the reason I keep coming back. :)

Lots of bloggers give their blog a fresh design for a new year. I wanted to change mine up a little, but not by much. So note the new header and the change of red to an army green. Still not 100% but it's new and I like it for now :) I imagine I will change to a fresh downloadable template at some point. Nevertheless, something fun for the one year mark!

I asked for celebratory photos and my favorite would be awarded a Martin Hospitality e-book! I received several submissions, all of which were awesome (!!!!). I'll list them below before revealing the winner.

From Laura A. Grace:

Sorry, you'll have to follow the link right here. Couldn't find another way to do this :P 

From Victoria Lynn:

How oh how I can I be expected to choose from just two people?! The cruelty. I love that Laura used my cover for her background and my original typewriterly blog font, but I love that Victoria used stats and made it all official. Gr. An e-book for the both of you I say for participating and being so different for one another! Congrats to Laura and Victoria!!

There is still a Goodreads giveaway going on where you could win 1 of 5 signed, first edition paperback copies of Martin Hospitality. It ends in 3 days, so be sure to enter! It is selectively international, but you must 18 or older to enter.

Never fear! I didn't know about the age restriction on Goodreads so I have another giveaway in honor of The Left-Handed Typist's birthday/blog anniversary ... whatever you want to call it. These are 3 separate giveaways and are not international (sorry):

1 // one signed, first edition paperback of Martin Hospitality

2 // two typewriter coasters & three bottlecap world map magnets

3 // one green watercolor notebook (unlined) & one blue watercolor world map postcard

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I love stats!! So I'm going to include them all hehe

Number of posts: this makes #89 ........ o.o

Number of followers: 70 GFC, 35 Feedburner, & 23 newsletter ... although I'm sure there's overlap in there ;)

Number of comments: 2,021. Isn't that a beautiful number?! About half of those are my replies

Number of views: 26,256 although that number has already changed. Still. That's a lot. While over 75% of those are from the USA, the next country up is Croatia with 8% followed by Russia with 2.5%. Not what I was expecting.

Your favorite to read: A Vlog and Ramblings with where I shared my first vlog and a few random updates / announcements. Although it only has Jonathan's guest post beat by like ... 6 views I'm not sweating that at all But in all honesty I did suggest the topic of his post to him. He's just good at making things epic. Moving on >.>

My favorite to write: Ehm. The Art of Book Journaling probably. Which reminds me I need to do more of that.

I wanted to introduce something new for this year. While I tried this once before, I didn't really promote it or ever add to it. What better time than now?!

Introducing: writing prompts! Or as my own special line of them will be called #typewriterprompts.

I have 12 I'm introducing here (all free for media sharing and using in writing etc) and I will introduce a new one every month. So I'm revealing a year's supply ;) I'm really excited to give this a shot. Hopefully it will encourage me to write down interesting ideas and give you guys some surges of creativity as well!

I'm also hoping to begin a post series soon on self-publication. I want to know all the specific questions you have for that series right here so that I can tailor this to you.

Aaand as one final announcement, I now blog over at Teen Authors Journal as well. I'm aiming for weekly on Thursdays, so wish me luck and leave me a comment over there!

Hopefully this has been a fun post thus far! Before you go and even if you have participated in nothing so far please, please, pleasepleaseplease take this survey and let me know what changes you would like to see me bring to my blog and the writing world in general. I do this for you guys. Your experience is important to me ;)

Also, post requests and how we met and any other fun facts because I love getting to know you all better!

Sadly I neither created, photographed, or consumed this. But what's stopping us? (Thanks to my sis and myself for all the other pics.) Do take a slice of lemon cake on your way out.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for partying with me!! I wouldn't still be posting here, loving it despite all odds, and meeting new people with their own awesome dreams if it weren't for you.

#projectcanvas // A Collaborative Writing Project

Hello everyone! There is an amazing collaborative writing opportunity called Project Canvas that I want to tell you about today so that you have a chance to participate!

photo credit: Dreamstime

In short, it's a collaborative writing project drawing writers from all around the world, and bringing together snippets of advice for other young writers of the world. The website where this awesomeness is culminating is projectcanvasbook.weebly.com

This is a great way to boost your platform and join a plethora of amazing people including like Caroline Meek, Hannah White, Katie Erickson, Olivia Rogers, Carlyn Ross, and Kristana Aleman. 

Do you have a message you want to share with the world? Now's your chance.

There's endless possibilities on what you can write on, but act fast. If your niche is cover design or editing, they're looking for help in those fields as well. All the details and explanations are on the website.

I'm definitely jumping on this opportunity. It's going to be a-ma-zing.

~~~~~

What are you waiting for?! Go write something inspirational and life-changing. This project will help it reach the masses.

50 Spoiler-Free Facts About Martin Hospitality

You read that right. 50 spoiler-free facts about my newly-released novel, Martin Hospitality. Enjoy the behind-the-scenes equivalent to writing a novel. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate my watercolor artist's photography skills?

1. I always intended to give the Martins a dog on their farm but never did
2. I killed off twice as many characters as I had originally planned
3. Gemma doesn't have a favorite color
4. The baby's middle name is never given because I haven't decided yet
5. I despised editing the first draft even though I'm a freelance editor for other people's manuscripts
6. The title is original to the first draft
7. This March will mark the 2nd anniversary of the bizarre dream that inspired the story
8. Gemma's middle name is Louise
9. The weather is based on Kansas's weather in 2015
10. I never finished outlining the book's plot
11. None of the characters are purposely based on a real life acquaintace
12. The baby's name was also my great-grandfather's middle name
13. The novel is set in no particular small town in rural Kansas
14. I took meticulous notes for the novel whenever we visited my aunt and uncle in Kansas
15. Chapter 12 was the first one I ever wrote.
16. I'm planning toward a trilogy following Gemma's life
17. I mostly drafted the novel in my room on my laptop
18. My greatest motivation to keep writing was my alpha readers who read as I wrote and wanted the whole story :)
19. Character charts are my favorite part of plotting but I only used them for three of the main characters who required the most backstory
20. I wrote Martin Hospitality mostly after 9pm
21. Most of the character and some other notable things will make an appearance in book 2
22. Not plotting the second half of the book gave me a messier draft but better twists and development since I just went with it
23. It's not perfect and it took me a while to swallow my perfectionism and be okay with that
24. I never chose specific car models for any of the vehicles in the book
25. I followed the Wichita geography meticulously
26. Therefore: her church, office building, and street she lives on exist
27. There are a couple tiny fandom Easter eggs in the book
28. I always intended to self-publish
29. It took me 10 months to complete the first draft
30. Gemma's last name Ebworthy was originally going to be Pennyworth
31. The addition of the cat was a spur of the moment decision to spice up Gemma's apartment life
32. The Martins' house floor plan is based on a dream. I had to draw it before I drafted so it would make sense
33. The entire novel was based on a dream: a blend of a Beverly Lewis novel and my aunt's move to Kansas. And a really attractive farmer ...
34. Figuring out what I wanted for the cover and who could do it for me was one of the most difficult things initially. Now it's my favorite
35. Mr. Martin was one of my favorite characters to develop because of his complexity but also the most difficult by far. He's controversial ;)
36. The first draft was approx 94,000 words. The final draft was approx 102,000 words.
37. Alpha and beta readers were the best part of the entire experience. Definitely use them
38. Most of the research I had to do was on corn, medical conditions, and Kansas paternity
39. I only hand drafted a few scenes when I was on the go but I had to pause and think much less since I write slower than I type
40. The Martins' church is based on Ebenfeld, the first Mennonite Brethren church in the nation
41. I spent 5 months on all the editing and rewriting
42. I only renamed one character from the first draft but unnamed several others
43. In order to make the Martins accurate and not too much like my family alone, I drew off some of the customs of friends
44. Gemma's apartment is based off a unit of apartments a local family own and I do the bookkeeping for
45. I made Farris a sweet tempered and fairly content baby, but he's going to be quite the toddler
46. Like any very large family, I had to give the Martins a van although I didn't originally
47. I didn't usually listen to music while I wrote, but I began to while writing this book so I could focus while writing with siblings around
48. Its theme could be considered redemption
49. I have sold around 40 copies
50. It's difficult to come up with this many facts ... That's a fact, right? ;)

~~~~~

Phew! Those took me forever to come up with when I did this originally on social media. Which fact was your favorite?

ALSO!! Next Saturday will be my blog's birthday blowout! Photos, giveaways, announcements ... all that good stuff. If you want a chance to win an e-book version of Martin Hospitality, design a birthday image for The Left-Handed Typist and e-mail it to me or tag me on social media (@abitheauthor) before Saturday. I'll choose my favorite and all the submissions will be featured in the post :D

Have a great week!

The Princess & I // Cover Reveal

I just finished beta reading a lovely novel by a lovely young woman. And today I get to present you with the cover!

Let me assure you that my header image I got from Pinterest. It's not the actual cover ;)

First, the synopsis so you know what to expect. And because suspense is good for you mwahaha.

Megan is content with her life, despite her parents' death and her brother Malcolm's job that keeps him busy at the King's castle. But when she is offered the position as Princess Christine's lady-in-waiting, Megan is glad of the change in scenery and accepts it with the hope that she can spend more time with her brother. The promise from Malcolm of lessons in swordsmanship only adds to her enthusiasm. 

However, helping keep an eye on the emotional and excitable young lady proves to be much harder than becoming her friend. As rumors of war circulate the castle, Megan strives to encourage her new friend even as she tries to settle the doubts and fears in her own heart when her responsibility in protecting the Princess is put to the test. Follow the unwanted adventure which serves to teach her that loyal friendship, true love, and God's amazing grace will always triumph over revenge, greed, and hate.

Second, here's some information about the author! Many of you probably already know this awesome girl. 

Rebekah grew up surrounded by family members who appreciated and read good literature. First, she fell in love with the stories her parents read aloud to her from the Bible and books like The Chronicles of Narnia, Great Expectations, The Hobbit, and Anne of Green Gables. After learning to read on her own, she discovered other fantastic books which helped to build her ever growing imagination.

She completed her first written work at the tender age of eight and now uses it to humble herself whenever the need arises. The story did serve to show her that God had given her a desire to write, however, and from that moment on Rebekah has never looked back or regretted picking up her pencil and becoming an author.

This eighteen-year-old homeschool graduate lives in rainy Western Washington and is currently working on receiving her BA in English in order to further her passion for creating worlds on paper.

Cool, right?

Fine, fine.

I'll show you the cover now.

But be warned.

It's very

very

gorgeous.

*sings with the angels* Isn't it lovely? I love the art medium! Her book shall be available March 3, 2017 :)

~~~~~

Now go bug Rebekah and tell her how much you love it. It is Valentine's Day after all ;) You can also check out a post I did at Teen Authors Journal here titled Romance Clichés Examined. Have a lovely day!

Martin Hospitality Blog Tour // Day 8

This is it! Today is the final day for Martin Hospitality's blog tour. Take a look at the complete run down of all the lovely people who hosted me and an announcement for what's next! :)

Here's the cover and synopsis again in case you haven't memorized them yet ;)

Gemma Ebworthy is eighteen, pregnant, and alone. Now that she's been evicted, she spends the night in a barn, never dreaming that tomorrow could bring kindness of a life-changing magnitude.

The Martins aren't a typical family—even for rural Kansas. With more kids than can be counted on one hand and a full-time farm, Gemma must make a lot of adjustments to fit in. But despite their many differences, Gemma finds herself drawn to this family and their radical Christian faith.

When Gemma's past collides with her yet again, she must begin revealing her colorful history. With every detail Gemma concedes, she fears she will lose the Martins' trust and the stable environment she desires for herself and her unborn child. Just how far can the Martins' love and God's forgiveness go?

Find Martin Hospitality on:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads ~ CreateSpace

~ THE ENTIRE TOUR ~

Saturday, Feb 4

Alea Harper ~ Spotlight

Hann Remraf ~ Review

Liv K. Fisher ~ Spotlight

Soleil Bourdon ~ Review

Sunday, Feb 5

Amber Baker ~ Interview

Emily Mundell ~ Spotlight

Monday, Feb 6
Anika Joy ~ Spotlight, Interview, Review

Rosalie Valentine ~ Spotlight
Victoria Lynn ~ Interview, Review

Tuesday, Feb 7

Ashley Nicole ~ Spotlight

Faith Potts ~ Review
Savannah Grace ~ Spotlight, Interview

Wednesday, Feb 8

Ivy Rose ~ Review

Marrok Macintyre ~ Spotlight, Interview

Thursday, Feb 9

Grace Karlton ~ Spotlight

Laura Pol ~ Spotlight, Interview

Friday, Feb 10

Faith Blum ~ Spotlight

Hosanna Emily ~ Review
Jesseca Wheaton ~ Spotlight, Review
Rebekah Eddy ~ Spotlight, Interview

Saturday, February 11

Annie Sturt ~ Review
Jonathan Trout ~ Spotlight, interview

Again, this giveaway is open to people 18+ (sorry, I can't change that) in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Martin Hospitality

by Abigayle Claire

Giveaway ends February 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

You thought that was it, didn't you? Oh, no! Here's an exclusive video sharing the moment when I opened the box of Martin Hospitality proofs -- the very first print copies in existence. Thanks to my sis for filming!

~~~~~

Thank you all so so much for your interest and participation! I know for a fact that the book has already reached new people because of all your efforts and excitement :)

As promised, I'll announce what we're on to next: a post of facts about Martin Hospitality next Saturday & the most awesome blog anniversary celebration ever on the 25th! Be sure to stick around and invite your friends :)

Martin Hospitality Blog Tour // Day 7

We've got quite the line up today with only one day left!

Friday, Feb 10

Faith Blum ~ Spotlight

Rebekah Eddy ~ Spotlight, Interview

Jesseca Wheaton ~ Spotlight, Review

Hosanna Emily ~ Review

Find Martin Hospitality on:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads ~ CreateSpace

Yes, the book is now on Barnes & Noble's website! I have ... no idea how that happened. I thought someone had to request it, but if they found it of their own accord, that's awesome :) Anyway, that's your random fact for today: I still have no idea how getting a novel to B&N works. Guess they just want to be comprehensive.

Okay, so apparently this giveaway is denying entry to people under 18 *glares* Ugh. Sorry. I'll hold a separate giveaway for the rest of you guys in a few weeks because it's just part of their policy. Legal age and all that.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Martin Hospitality

by Abigayle Claire

Giveaway ends February 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

~~~~~

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the comprehensive post that will also announce a party :D

Martin Hospitality Blog Tour // Day 6

Day 6 is upon us with two more spotlights and another interview.

Thursday, Feb 9

Grace Karlton ~ Spotlight

Laura Pol ~ Spotlight, Interview

Find Martin Hospitality on:

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ CreateSpace

Random fact about the novel: Josiah is an INFJ which is the rarest Meyers-Briggs personality there is (less than 1% of the world's population). Pretty neat if you look it up.

Please please please enter this if you have Goodreads. If you don't, now's the perfect time to make an account *nods*

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Martin Hospitality

by Abigayle Claire

Giveaway ends February 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

~~~~~

Are you taking notes? There could be a pop quiz ;)

Martin Hospitality Blog Tour // Day 5

Five days down, three to go! We're officially over half way :) Also, a guy participates today. No kidding.

Wednesday, Feb 8

Ivy Rose ~ Review

Marrok Macintyre ~ Spotlight, Interview

Find Martin Hospitality on:

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ CreateSpace

Random fact about the novel: It really didn't change drastically from the first draft. It just needed ironing out. Lots of ironing out.

*inserts giveaway again*

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Martin Hospitality

by Abigayle Claire

Giveaway ends February 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

~~~~~

Y'all are awesome! Don't go anywhere yet ;)

Martin Hospitality Blog Tour // Day 4

Day four already? It's flying by for me! But that's because my work is done and it's resting on my lovely fans ;)

Tuesday, Feb 7

Ashley Nicole ~ Spotlight

Savannah Grace ~ Spotlight, Interview

Faith Potts ~ Review

Find Martin Hospitality on:

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ CreateSpace

Random fact about the novel: It's really hard coming up with facts! :P Cheating? Fine ... the Martins were supposed to have a farm dog and it never happened.

Make sure you (and all your friends) enter the giveaway if you haven't already!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Martin Hospitality

by Abigayle Claire

Giveaway ends February 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

~~~~~

Thank you guys for reading and participating. I know the posts are kind of repetitive, but I am getting e-mails and social media hype from strangers which is awesome. This tour is doing its job ;)

Martin Hospitality Blog Tour // Day 3

Day three of the blog tour! We've got some unique content from some amazing ladies today :)

Monday, Feb 6

Rosalie Valentine ~ Spotlight
Anika Joy ~ Spotlight, Interview, Review

Victoria Lynn ~ Interview, Review

Find Martin Hospitality on:

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ CreateSpace

Random fact about the novel: the baby's middle name is never given because I never decided on one. While Gemma's middle name is never given, either, hers is Louise.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Martin Hospitality

by Abigayle Claire

Giveaway ends February 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

~~~~~

What did you think about the interviews? Not all that professional, but fun to film. You can find all of my vlogs on YouTube :)

Martin Hospitality Blog Tour // Day 2

Day two with two lovely ladies who agreed to Sunday posts :)

Sunday, Feb 5

Amber Baker ~ Interview

Emily Mundell ~ Spotlight

Find Martin Hospitality on:

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ CreateSpace

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Martin Hospitality

by Abigayle Claire

Giveaway ends February 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

~~~~~

What has been your favorite type of post so far?

Martin Hospitality Blog Tour // Day 1

Oh my word, I can't believe we've made it this far! Announcing the beginning of Martin Hospitality's blog tour.

The cover and synopsis one more time for you :)

Gemma Ebworthy is eighteen, pregnant, and alone. Now that she's been evicted, she spends the night in a barn, never dreaming that tomorrow could bring kindness of a life-changing magnitude.

The Martins aren't a typical family—even for rural Kansas. With more kids than can be counted on one hand and a full-time farm, Gemma must make a lot of adjustments to fit in. But despite their many differences, Gemma finds herself drawn to this family and their radical Christian faith.

When Gemma's past collides with her yet again, she must begin revealing her colorful history. With every detail Gemma concedes, she fears she will lose the Martins' trust and the stable environment she desires for herself and her unborn child. Just how far can the Martins' love and God's forgiveness go?

The great news is Martin Hospitality is now available on Amazon, in both paperback and Kindle! The paperback is also available directly from my CreateSpace e-store which gives me a higher royalty but is more trouble for you as the customer :) I sincerely hope you enjoy your copy! (Leave me an honest review if you really love me.)

Here is today's schedule. Be sure to check out these awesome people's blogs and posts about Martin Hospitality!

Saturday, Feb 4

Alea Harper ~ Spotlight

Hann Remraf ~ Review

Liv K. Fisher ~ Spotlight

Soleil Bourdon ~ Review

No blog tour is complete without a Goodreads giveaway! It is selectively international ;)

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Martin Hospitality

by Abigayle Claire

Giveaway ends February 28, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

~~~~~

There's a special credit to all of you reading this in the back of the book, but you'll have to purchase a copy to read it ;) Your support means the world!