What to Look Forward to in 2019

'Tis the season for all the holiday madness and new year's resolutions. Among all of that, I'm been prayerfully considering what all of this--our community--should look like next year. Just like last year, that means there are a few changes headed our way!

Editing

For the rest of 2018, I charge $2/1,000 words for new editing customers and $1.50/1,000 words for returning editing customers. I'm completely reworking what I offer and how much I charge. SO ... Been thinking about using me in 2019? Get on the calendar this month and you won't have to pay the new prices! Yep. Book in 2018, pay 2018's rate.

I'm already surprisingly full for 2019, so no worries if you aren't sure when you'll want me, etc. Shoot me an email if you plan to use me next year and I'll pencil you in. And when I say surprisingly full, I mean for manuscript edits. Especially if you're new to using me, I recommend trying my cheaper, briefer services!

You can find all of my 2019 editing services and pricing HERE.

While I quit beta reading a while ago to make more time for my editing business, I'm afraid that in 2019 I'll no longer be reading ARCs or participating in blog tours either. As fun as both things can be, I simply can't afford the time constraints and responsibilities. It's so nice to help out other bloggers, but I think I'd like to get away from featuring blog tours on my blog, and I would feel awful if I didn't follow through. So better I just say no in advance. Blessings on all of you who these things work! You're awesome.

Still on the editing note, I've joined Reveries Co. This means that you can get a whole host of services for indie authors by going through them, some of which I offer. So no guarantee you'll get me, but I'm excited for all the awesome things offered here by some wonderful ladies.

Writing

In the writing world, my main goal for 2019 is to publish Martin Crossroads. I am still on track to finish the first draft this year! So many of you keep telling me you'll happily beta for me when the time comes. I wish I could keep track of that, but ... I can't :P

So! I think it's time I go all-out and make a street team! I've already begun a street-team-ish Facebook group HERE. I know not everyone has FB, but it's the best I can do for now. And you should know, if you join my street team, you will be known as a Resonator. *wiggles eyebrows* I plan to have a Resonators-only monthly newsletter up ASAP!

This means that I will be scaling back my regular newsletter to quarterly instead of bi-monthly and possibly add another incentive. The last one of these for this year will go out at the end of the month, so remember that you can sign up for it in the sidebar!

Instead of trying to publish anything else or start new projects, as I have no idea how the MC timeline will go, I'll be focusing on two other things:

• flash fiction submissions (getting published elsewhere looks nice and these are fun!!)
• querying Behind the Act (I still love this manuscript and want to find an agent for traditional publication)

And as for blogging itself ... I intend to keep that up once a week. ;)

That seems like a lot, but I think it will all be for the better! Any suggestions or tips? How are you changing things in the new year?

2018 Goals

This week has been crazy, so I'm running a little behind. I think it's a good time to review my goals in 2017 and make some for this year before January gets away from me.

2017

Memorize 36 Bible verses

Hehe ... if you count individual verses I memorized instead of passages, I may have reached 36. That wasn't quite what I set out to do, though. I memorized Psalm 19 and some individual

Read 50 books

I didn't make this one this year; I only read 40 books. I made it to 50 in 2016, but only by binge reading a few children's books. ;)

Make a 2017 playlist

I did this, but I ... didn't keep up with it throughout the whole year :P I love the idea of a song a week, though to look back on.

Write 2 entire drafts

I updated Andora's Folly twice in 2017 (once for publication and once for the paperback release) so that gets me to my goal right there. ;) I also drafted about 40,000 words on the sequel to Martin Hospitality, but it's on hold for more planning. I was supposed to finish the first all of the Behind the Act before the year was over but ended up taking a break for my wrist. I'm guessing I'm around 50,000 words on that one. So two revision draft and two half-written first drafts is my total :P

Use my journals

I journaled my trip to Washington and Oregon this summer. I almost always try to journal my trips, but I'm so horrible at summing things up, that I rarely finish it out. This time I did finish! And I took notes from the OCW conference. In the same journal, I used a different section to journal dreams. That's turned into keeping a brief running list on my phone because again ... it takes me a long time, I'm longwinded, and my wrist is sensitive right now. Other than that, I don't think I started any new journals. I did collect a few more that need a purpose though :P

Attend a writer's conference

Check! I attended the Oregon Christian Writers summer conference in Portland. It was extremely good, so I encourage you to look into it, even if you have to travel like I did. (They have an under 23 discount!) The keynotes of 2017 were Frank Peretti and Tessa Afshar, both of whom were phenomenal. I'm unlikely to attend again in 2018, but I'm keeping it on my radar.

Publish 2 items

I actually did this ... but it feels like so long ago! Martin Hospitality was released February 4. Andora's Folly had a July 29 Kindle release date and a December 9 paperback release. So that's almost three publications since I went through the process that many times. ;)

Now for the 2018 goals!

2018

Poems, passages ... I want to continue to spend more time on memorization. A handful of new things to recite at the end of the year would be a big accomplishment for me!

 I'm not sure what I'll have ready this year. A sequel to something, or maybe Behind the Act. Either way, it will be self-published. Publishing is a lot of work, but since I've got drafts in progress, it should be possible? We'll see. :)

2016 // 50 books ... with cheating :P

2017 // 40 books

2018 // 40 books

This year I want to focus on books I own and have never read. I don't want to have to read children's books to make my goal! Hopefully scaling it back a little, I can fit in some more serious books.

I didn't pay enough attention, but I want to make sure I rate and review everything I read this year on Goodreads and Amazon (at least if it's someone with few reviews or someone I know). I know I didn't use Amazon hardly at all this past year. Now I have my own account to review through, but I'll have to see if I can actually get it to let me. You can keep up with what I'm reading and my reviews here.

Okay. This is huge. xD I don't know how many books I've bought over the last two years. It will be good for my budget and my TBR if I don't buy any more for now. So one of my goals is to buy no more than five books this year. No. more. We'll see if I have the resolve to stick to that. Another thing to help me limit myself is that the books I do buy have to be on sale, bought with a gift card, etc. Even Kindle books count toward the five. Pray for my strength of will. This means I should make some good progress on the books I've bought and not read!

I haven't really researched writers conferences for this year or made any solid plans. But I'd like to go somewhere and do something again this year! I don't know if it will be for writing, though. I might take a road trip with the family or do something like that. We shall see!

I really want to play around with my writing some more. Try different POVs and tenses, new locations, and find some things that really work for me. I'm reading DIY MFA right now, and it has a good system for tracking iteration. Wish me luck with that. ;)

I have three sets of Great Courses on writing topics. They're video college lectures, more or less, and I've learned a lot from the one I've nearly finished. I'd like to keep up with them this year with some notetaking so that I can progress and keep up my education. Since I'm not having to do college or anything, I figure it's the least I can do.

Overall, 2017 was a very different year for me, but not a bad one. I'm looking forward to seeing what all 2018 holds. Thus far I'm guessing it will continue to surprise me. Thank goodness it's all in God's hands! What is one of your goals for 2018?

Recent Happenings + a Glimpse into 2018

Hey, everyone! This post is going to catch you up on a couple things that have happened recently. Serves as a kind of November wrap-up post, I suppose ;)

The only reason I quit doing wrap-up posts is because I transferred most of the life and update type stuff to my monthly newsletter (sign up in the sidebar). BUT, there are a few things I want to make sure everyone knows so there's no confusion. I haven't begun my Nov newsletter yet, either, so ... you're actually getting first scoop this time. ;)

First, the exciting thing: Andora's Folly has a paperback release date! December 9, 2017. ONE WEEK!! I already have a teency little paperback proof in my hands which you can watch me unbox in a video here. (Forgive the meh quality. xP)

I still have to work on that back cover and add a finishing touch to the updated Kindle edition. Then you guys will have a snazzy paperback option or at least a more current version of the Kindle. ;)

I'm not doing any huge release or anything. But I will announce on Dec 9 that the paperback is available. Of course, it would be awesome if you guys wanted to spread the word. Or for all of you who've been waiting for the paperback, grab yourself a copy for Christmas!

Some health issues exploded for me this month, so I think I only wrote around 15k for NaNo? I find that very pathetic. I wrote that in about two weeks, which isn't bad. But I really lagged the second half of the month and got almost nothing done D: I've had a head cold off and on for about six weeks and a cough for two. I went to the doctor and I have walking pneumonia and overuse syndrome in my wrist. Thank God it's not full-fledged pneumonia or carpal tunnel!! I was still told I needed to take it easy, down lots of drugs, and for my wrist: stop. writing. *cries* The only cure for overuse is to ... stop using. So I'm looking into dictation or a more therapeutic keyboard or something. Because we all know I can't completely stop.

Basically I feel really lazy and may kind of disappear from everywhere. For now, I'm going to keep posting every week. But I might have to take a hiatus before long, because blogging is a lot of typing ;) Since all my work requires typing, I need to limit the bits that don't make me money. Sounds horrible, but it's a reality at the moment.

Anyway, I just thought you guys should know that. :)

Being behind on drafting Behind the Act (the matinee book), meant I was also behind on editing chapters for the agent who was interested. I hit a bit of a roadblock the other day when I realized that there were no proposal guidelines on the agency website, only query guidelines. So using the more direct email I'd been given, I emailed the agent a query and asked for the proposal guidelines if he was still interested in moving forward.

He was and he wasn't. With this new trend in traditional publishing houses to only consider manuscripts from authors with a "significant" platform, I'm still too tiny to be considered. I don't blame the agent at all, because there's not much he can do about industry standards. But it does seem to be a futile cycle. I want to traditionally publish to get more following and reach more people. However, I can't do that until I have enough following. See the problem?? It's because larger publishing houses, in particular, are scaling back the marketing. They don't want to start with nobodies.

Don't let that discourage you, though! I doubt this is the case with all publishing houses (espeically not the smaller ones), and it means that self-publishing is only becoming more respected and viable. Traditional publishers are almost requiring authors to be self-published first because building a large following otherwise is a little hard ...

So I don't know if I'll look at more agencies or if I'll work toward self-publishing Behind the Act ... If I'm going to run into the same wall everywhere, there's not much point. I need to keep building here with you guys :) But at the same time, I feel like I should try at least once more. Because who gets signed with their first agent? Basically no one.

ANYWAY!! I'm not crushed by any of this, so you don't have to pity me xD And I am making some progress in the Andora's Folly department. Up next on my list is going to be merchandise for my already published books, I think. *shrug* Who knows. Everything's changed this month and I have no idea what's next. It means so much to me that you guys stick with me. Tiny platform or not, you guys are much more than numbers to me.

2018 basically has a clean slate now. I don't know what it holds. But December's going to be crazy, so I guess the first thing is to survive that. ;) I actually do consider this the most wonderful time of the year even with my life turning upside down in November, so I shall rest up with Netflix so I don't miss out on the holiday season!

Enough about me!! Tell me what's new with you :D How was your Thanksgiving? Did you do/win NaNo? What does 2018 hold for you?

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! // Title + Sale

This is a quick update post to give you all the consensus for Matinee Regular's new title and a Black Friday sale for Martin Hospitality!

First up is the title reveal (is that a thing?)! I ran this intricate poll to see what you guys wanted for the title. I got some really awesome feedback ... but it's all a little irrelevant now that I've made my decision xD Because 1) I forgot to ask for names, 2) feedback actually conflicted quite a bit, and 3) some epic person suggested the title I chose. Whoever you are, I am in your debt. So speak up!! :D

I really did value all the feedback I got, though, so thank you to everyone who took time to give me their thoughts. This decision would not have come to be without you all. The new title for Matinee Regulars is ...

Behind the Act

No, this was not one of the poll options. Someone suggested it, and I fell in love with it. Tell me if you suggested it!! It fits so well! You have no idea how good it feels to have this named unless you also have a really hard time titling things xD

For all of you who are still attached to the title Matinee Regulars, that's okay. This is still my matinee book. :) But for hashtagging and all other glorious purposes, Behind the Act is the new official title. And you can all help me smooth the wrinkle over as people learn that it's one in the same. ;)

NOW! I'm running an e-book sale for Martin Hospitality to cover Black Friday. So if you're not a huge shopper on that day (like me), no worries! You don't even have to leave your house!

Martin Hospitality in e-book format is usually $4.99, but I've got an incremental special running that goes like this:

That's right! On Black Friday, MH is only $0.99. The price increases a dollar a day, jumping back up to full price on Monday.

We all know the cover is pretty enough that everyone deserves to have my firstborn in a paperback. ;) BUT, if you want the chance to make sure the content meets your standards and have a fun read over the holidays, now's your chance! And while you're at it, convince one of your friends to get an electronic copy as well. You can read it on any device with the Kindle app.

As always, thank you guys so much for your support!

Thoughts on the new title? Are you going to share news of the MH sale far and wide?!

As a quick update, I have received FOUR ENTRIES for the signature contest! I'll be posting another character this week, but please remember that all characters are open for the rest of the year! The more the merrier!

P. S. Ivy Rose has surgery today. Scheduled and expected, but keep her in your prayers. Recovery is no fun, especially over a holiday! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

2017 Discoveries

I am totally mooching off Katie Grace today!! She wrote this epic, gorgeous post about her findings of 2017, so this post is springboarding off that because I've been sick all week and am hard up for ideas ...

Before we get started, please note that I'm not guaranteeing a 100% clean and happy media. Just things I really enjoyed overall, often with some self-editing. Only the ones I'm featuring are actual recommendations from me to you, complete with warnings. Be careful with the { A L S O } sections ;)

{ A R T I S T S }

Ludovico Einaudi // Nicholas Yee // Audrey Assad // Imaginary Future // Shawn Mendes

{ S O U N D T R A C K S }

La La Land // Imitation Game // The Village

{ S O N G S }

By Night ~ Sophie Hutchings // Thy Will ~ Hilary Scott // One Call Away ~ Charlie Puth // Monody ~ The Fat Rat + Laura Brehm //  // I Choose You ~ Sara Bareilles

{ Wonder Woman }

Let me first make it clear that I'm more of a Marvel person than DC person. Actually, I'm more of a Captain America person than anything else ;P But this movie. Oh. My. Goodness. I had such high hopes, I was afraid to even watch it. HELLO, it delivered.

It did not push feminism or "girl power." It had the Greek mythology element and seemed pretty historically accurate. 

I was afraid Wonder Woman would be unbelievable, but she's not human. So I bought it ;) Ares was an actual character, which kinda pops any Christian bubble, but the messages were spot. on. Diana is pretty naive and she's appalled at the evil Ares has caused (the war). The points about love and human nature as she grows were really excellent.

And it came this close to making me cry in the theatre. Totally loved it. So don't believe all the media flack the actress and her role are getting. That's because she did a nice job without being pushy.

{ Murder on the Orient Express }

I freely admit I have not read the book. But I did see the original "classic" movie, so I had certain expectations. While you didn't get to know this incarnation of Hercule Poirot as well, I really enjoyed this movie. Kenneth Branagh always does an excellent job. The acting from everyone (even actors I don't really like) was superb. And the scenery and cinematography was pretty epic. The story hold pretty true to the other movie, so I'm guessing it holds pretty true to the book? This one was a little more fast paced in the unravelling of the murder, so a little more captivating of a drama. And that's all with me knowing the outcome as I went into it. I would definitely watch it again!

{ A L S O } 

Beauty and the Beast // Age of Adaline // Zootopia // Safe Haven // The Zookeeper's Wife // Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

{ The Crown }

There's not even much I need to say here. It's Queen Elizabeth II gaining the throne and the sacrifices that requires. Often it's the country or her family as she struggles to balance being a wife and queen. When she can tell Parliament what to do, it's hard not to treat her husband like a subject. ;) It's a slow drama, but I was shocked at how much history I learned and the acting is absolutely phenomenal. It's the Netflix Original that has redeemed all the other Netflix Originals. xD

Read a parent's guide before watching this one. You'll want to avoid some brief nudity in the first two episodes. After that, it's relational stuff and perhaps some mild language. Worth the watch for sure, but you've been warned. ;)

{ The Good Doctor }

My sister and I are watching this one as it airs on ABC through Hulu right now. I can't believe how much we enjoy it! What am I saying? It's Freddie Highmore (only the best child actor on the face of this planet) is now grown up, autistic, and American. Two of those are a put-on, but I could watch him act for forever. As an autistic surgical resident with quite the past, you'll learn medical things and become greatly attached to all the sweet characters. Pretty sure at least five of the seven episodes so far have made me cry? Yeah ... But it's worth it! xD

As for content, there's been one pretty gory episode, but I'm the world's most sensitive person. And there are some extramarital relationships going on behind the scenes in a few episodes, but I think they might actually be going good places at this point. There's also been one episode that was just pretty gritty in the nature of the diseases.

{ A L S O}

A Series of Unfortunate Events // Anne with an E // A Gifted Man // Suits // Lost in Austen // Agents of Shield Season 2

I picked six of my 5 star reads from this year to share with you here. (I promise I don't rate every book that highly. I hit the jackpot this year.) 

I'm not going to discuss any of these at length since I've already done that in my monthly newsletter. (Yes, you're missing out. The sign-up is in the sidebar. xP)

The images link to Goodreads where you can find my reviews.

    

    

     

And there you have it! What are some of your favorite watches and reads of the year so far? Give me all the recommendations!!!

ALSO: If you were the awesome person who suggested the title Behind the Act as a replacement for Matinee Regulars, I love you xD Because I'm seriously considering that one. For all the rest of you, honest thoughts on that option?? Thanks!

The Signature Contest + A New Title

I am so excited about today's blog post! I've got two announcements in store for you guys, neither of which will work without your participation!

First off, we have a signature contest. This idea came to me a few weeks ago, when I was randomly doodling one of my character's names over and over. As much as I might try to write it differently, it always looked like my handwriting.

Well, I have this thing for staring in awe at all the ways different people write the same things! (Don't ask, it's a quirk.) So that led me to thinking: why not have signature contests?

I think handwriting says a lot about a person. So I'm going to give you my characters "profiles" telling you how I perceive their handwriting (and therefore signature). They will be released one at a time throughout my social media accounts. But it's up to all of you to sign the names! You can do as few or as many as you'd like. It doesn't have to be a work of art, although you're welcome to do fancy lettering if you want to. All I need is a photo of your signature of the character's name.

There is no right or wrong here, as it's a matter of your style matching my character's style! So please don't get self-conscious and refuse to join in the fun!

As much as I'd like to give you all my characters for every story I've ever thought of ... I shall refrain. ;) Instead, I'm going to be releasing one profile at a time through my social medias (like the one above). You can reply with your photo in the comments, send them to me through a Google Hangouts chat, or through email (abiclaire98 at gmail dot com). If you want to post it on social media, please use the hashtag #sigcon and tag me @abitheauthor to make sure I see it! :)

My goal is to release one new profile each week (not sure how many I'll do yet) and announce my selections around the new year.

I know, I know. What's the prize? The prize is that you and your signature will get featured in the back of my book once it's published as a little extra for the reader.* And I will send you a handwritten thank you note signed by me for your effort!

*I guess I can't guarantee this if it becomes traditionally published. But you will at least make it in the acknowledgments and get a thank you note!

The second event of the day is much simpler. All you have to do is vote on a new title for Matinee Regulars. If you're particularly attached to that one, I would like to know, but at the moment I think it's too obscure and cryptic to actually catch a reader's attention. (It doesn't tell you much out of context.) I've been tossing lots of ideas around and I'm not 100% sold on any of them. But if all my potential readers are, then we're set! :)

The book has a smalltown, old-timey vibe in a modern world with a disgruntled young adult. Or at least that's the goal. So the title could hint at that? Or the cover alone could make it clear. So many decisions!

Below are just a few options I've come up with. Any other suggestions or feedback would be extremely welcome! I absolutely despise titling things. -_-

If the embedded form didn't show up, then click here. I'll take your thoughts for ten days (through Nov 21) and then make a decision!

Thank you for reading! Are you going to participate?! The more the merrier, so please feel free to share this around with any of your friends who might be interested! Be looking for my first character profile this Tuesday, November 14. :D

So I Talked to an Agent (and what that means)

I talked to an agent!!! While at OCW, Ivy and I decided that we should pitch. Just do it. It'd be good practice, and we would expect nothing. So that's what we did. (Crazy best friend pressure. XP) The question is, how did it go and how did it change my writing life?

I really, really did not want to talk to an agent. I was stuck in Portland with limited internet, no pictures, no handouts. I had nothing that they recommended having in order to pitch to an agent. Not even a manuscript I'd begun. Why? Because I'd decided I was happy working on the Martin Series and didn't want to begin anything else. (HA!)

Then Bill Jensen of Willam K. Jensen Literary Agency said there were a lot of openings for agent appointments, and we should sign up even if all we had were ideas. Well then. That shot down every reason I had for not pitching.

After a little bit of research and are-we-really-doing-this?! nerves, Ivy convinced me to snag the last spot with Jensen. After all, he fit my overall genre the best. And she was right: I'd regret it if I didn't just go for it.

He was several minutes late to the appointment, which at first made me so nervous. I could have dashed out the door before he ever showed up and scratched my name off the list. But I didn't. So when he did show up, it put me at ease, because is there any other proof that someone prestigious is human, than them being late?? Not really.

Having never done this before, I really have no idea how the appointment went. He kept me from rambling and reassured me that he had taken on young authors (Rachel Coker!) before, and he had signed people from just an idea. I didn't say everything I think I should have said, but the ending to the conversation kind of stunned me.

Mr. Jensen asked to see the first three chapters once I was ready, and then he'd let me know.

For all I know, they could say that to everyone. I don't know what I was expecting. But I was not expecting that. 

So that brings me to the obvious change that now must take place in my writing. Since I have an agent expecting three chapters of a manuscript that at the time wasn't even fully plotted ... I can't keep plugging away at Martin Crossroads at the speed of a turtle.

I feel so awful setting the sequel aside and leaving all of my wonderful, expectant readers hanging!! But I have never been so excited about shaking up my writing life. :D So now that little story, Matinee Regulars, that I shared with you in this post, is being brought to life. Although several things in the description I gave you have already changed :P

I had brainstormed a little with my sister a few weeks before the conference, and that's the only reason I was able to pitch the story. Then Ivy and I brainstormed for several hours at her house, and the pieces just started falling into place. Let me tell you, that has not happened since writing Martin Hospitality last year. 

And that made me realize something. Writing Martin Crossroads next was my idea. Not God's. Did it make the most logical sense? Yes. But I have spent months on it and gotten literally nowhere. And now this little Pinterest-board-of-a-story idea flies out of my mouth in front of an agent, and guess what I'm writing?

I haven't enjoyed writing this much in over a year. So it feels so amazing to finally be writing a story that is working with me, not against me. And my only explanation for that is because God is working with me and my story as well.

So it's a little bit of good news and bad news. Despite how things continue to go with Mr. Jensen, I've taken the first step to becoming a hybrid author. The sequel to Martin Hospitality will be delayed. But the story you all demanded several weeks ago is under construction!

Now is that a crazy God thing or what?!

So Many Ideas // A First Look at Future Novels

Everything I've been doing of late has been leading me back to the million actually 22 story ideas I have. And those are just the ones I love and want to be published novels someday. So I'm going to share some of my thoughts on the stories that I'm really thinking I might develop soon ... ish.

With the increased traffic on My Writings page, considering pitching at the OCW conference WHICH I LEAVE FOR IN TWO DAYS, redoing my Pinterest, and brainstorming plot bunnies with the sis, literally everything has been screaming: think about your stories!

DISCLAIMER #1: Since I am in the middle of writing Martin Crossroads (book 2 of the Martin Generations Series), that project will keep me going for probably the next two years at least. Anything I talk about here today will most likely not come to be until after this current project is complete. :)

But who cares, right?! It's still fun to dream of these babies. None of these happen to be mentioned on My Writings page. And I'm pretty sure I haven't even whispered about most of these. So count yourself blessed ;) I even have an excessive amount of mock covers because I get excited XP

DISCLAIMER #2: Everything you're about to see is purely hypothetical and mostly just my excitement. ^.^

I get excited every time I think about this one!!! The Hills of Tyler happen to be my ancestors: Samuel and Melissa Pearl Hill, who raised eight children in what my family now calls the Tyler House. It's located in Tyler, Texas and is over a hundred years old! While it could be in a better part of town, and requires a lot of upkeep, it's so precious because of its history--the Hills became very influential people in Tyler! Besides that, my paternal grandfather is the. last. living. person. who can tell me all about them. 

His mother was a Hill, and Pa knows all the haunts, hobbies, and delightful trivia. He can still show me where the warehouses are, the lumberyard my great-great-grandfather began ... he remembers that Uncle Ernest went by Buddy and invented a cream for athlete's foot called BIFF. Aunt Gladys was legally blind and had her daughter tell her the color of street lights so she could drive. Sam Hill (yes, really) built row houses for the lower income families and Pa collected the minimal rent. I mean, it goes on and on! 

People were born and died in the rooms I sleep in when I stay there. And the house is full of old books and family portraits. So why wouldn't I want to document the family that started it all? I'm slowly collecting the information on them that can only come from Pa so all those memories won't be lost with him! I'd really love to see this published while he's still here as well. (Considering he just "mostly" retired at 79, I should have some time.)

This one would be something along the lines of a time travel literary serial that I would feature on my blog in "episodes." I was marveling over the beauty of certain TV shows Doctor Who and Downton Abbey, especially the way there's a huge overarching plot for each season, some the span longer than that, and then the neat little bow plots that get resolved in each episode. I would love to be able to write like that!! So I thought, why not try? I could do "episodes" on my blog and then publish "seasons." 

As far as content, it's fairly vague at the moment, but has shards of awesomeness. Here's a first draft blurb: 

Since the beginning of time, magical creatures called Keepers have been responsible for the integrity of literature. They "keep" a Library--hidden to the menial human eye--that contains one of every book ever written. With such responsibility comes the power to enter the books' timelines when necessary. After one Keeper abuses his power, and the subtle evils he seeds in the stories must be combatted, it's up to the newly commissioned Keeper Q to discover the solution before all of the world suffers as a result of a world without story.

*tada* The goal is to feature a book per episode that has something just slightly wrong about it which must be remedied before the changes to the book's timeline become irreversible and permanently damaged. I might even go so far as to have the "end result" of the meddling be the story we have now. Who's to say what the original looked like before such interventions were necessary? The point is only that we still have good books :)

Have I mentioned these spinoffs before? I can't remember ... but that could very well make the "finish writing Martin Generations" take a lot longer! I've actually already begun planning Anneliese's story, which will take place when she is in her late twenties/early thirties. It will line up with parts of Martin Crossroads, most likely. :)

As for Farris and Emmaline's stories, I just think they'd be fun to tell, as well as a way for everyone to follow along with certain characters still. Who knows, I could do origin stories as well. (Stuart and Joy Martin, anyone?) So let me know if there's a particular character you want to follow in detail! With any luck, these would only be novella length (30,000 words or so).

Before I launch into this one, can we just appreciate that cover for a minute? Please? *happy sigh* Everything about that is 150% perfect for this fledgling of an idea. And honestly this one has been downright plaguing me of late. The playlist has come together nicely. I talked to my sister about it for a few hours the other night and we nailed down the basic plot. It's going to be epic, you guys!! 

Also, it's another contemporary. I wasn't sure for a while, but it's been officially agreed upon by me and my adviser now ;) It shall also be a non-romance. You're welcome. ((And to be completely honest, I'd love to see this one traditionally published? Maybe??))

But first I'd have to get good at pitching it -_- Summing this one up kills me, but at least there's a Pinterest board and Spotify playlist that can help me do it justice.

Basically, it follows two characters who are currently named Eliza Birch and Christopher Maddon. Eliza lives with her grandfather. He even homeschools her, and the most vital part of that education is their weekly trip to matinee showings in the small-town, old-timey theatre. While hoodies, earbuds, and poetry books are Eliza's only friends (and she's happy that way), Christopher Maddon changes that when he's the first newcomer the town has seen in twenty years. While he's less than enthused to be handing out popcorn, Eliza and her grandfather intrigue him and soon their passion for cinema begins rubbing off as he spends more time with them. Their notions on God and history baffle him, not to mention worry his parents. But more than anything, Christopher wants to be a human interest journalist for People magazine. And the Birches just might be his first story. As a thank you for everything they've done for him, Christopher encourages Eliza to join him in playing crowd people in a local movie shooting. Eliza's love for acting wins over her introverted personality when the director takes special notice and offers her a more prominent part, and eventually a multi-year contract. As Eliza launches into stardom, Christopher feverishly works his way through school, and the local cinema shuts down. When he's assigned to write an article on her, he's dismayed to find that Eliza of all people has come to believe that the face she puts on for the cameras is the real her. He'll do anything to convince her she's not the person she could be, and that perhaps this whole acting thing was a bad idea.

What are your thoughts on those?? It feels so good to be able to talk about them with you guys! As I said, any of those details could change, but the point is: they will hopefully all be physical books you can hold at some point in the next 10 years xP So in case you were still wondering, I'm totally in this author business for the long run. ;)

Talk to me! What awesome story ideas do you have? Any storyboards to share? If you're interested in learning more about my other ideas, definitely check here and here. :)