Nine Goals for 2019

Last week we looked at how I did on my 2018 goals. This week I'm sharing the goals I want to accomplish in this new year. And I'm probably going to need your help staying accountable! (Plus, there's a giveaway stuffed in here.)

Read the Bible differently

Is that vague enough for you? I'm bad about reading bits of the Bible and only out of my favorite NKJV copy I got when I was five. This year I want to shake it up. So I'm using a Bible Gateway plan on my phone to read through the ESV Bible chronologically in a year. It's been a while since I read through the Bible in a year, and I'm hoping that by approaching it differently, I'll have new takeaways.

Develop a morning routine

Starting with my Bible reading will be part of my morning routine. But I'm also hoping to get into the habit of reading a little of my current non-fiction read, making a to-do list for the day ... things like that. We'll see what works! (I already know that journaling doesn't work.) But it's been a while since I've had a true morning regimen that helped me get ready for my day. I work enough that this should get me out of bed earlier out of necessity.

Prioritize my editing

I've talked about this before. This year I want my editing business to be more than just a side job. (Let's face it--it will still be a side job.) But I want to prioritize it more instead of always fitting it in after 8 pm. I already have 16 manuscripts booked for the year and I tweaked my pricing some, so I think it will be inevitable that I prioritize this more. I've also joined Reveries Co. which you can find out more about at the end of this post. Maybe by next year I can phase out babysitting and go full time?? :D

Develop a street team

Work has already begun on this front! I'm calling the members of my street team Resonators, thanks to . I've already got a Facebook group going (where the real fun happens) and a Resonators-only newsletter underway that will be going out monthly. Be sure to sign up if you're interested!! It'll mostly be fangirling and you learning about what I'm doing first. In return, you get to be my go-to peeps for release hype.

Find an agent

Obviously, this one is a little optimistic since Behind the Act still needs a little editing before I query it more. BUT. I do intend to query it this year. And pitch it at the OCW conference in August. So wish me luck with all of that! Getting an agent (or better yet a contract!) is up there on my dream list! I'm really at peace whatever happens, though, because I really do think I'll get there eventually.

Publish Martin Crossroads

I will cry if this doesn't happen this year. This will happen! Probably not until fall. But I just finished the first draft on New Year's Eve, so I'm feeling much more optimistic about the progress ... even though it still needs a lot of rewrites. ;) It will be so nice to have this over with.

Get published elsewhere

Other than self-publication, I'd love to get published in a magazine or something ... Havok is somewhere I'll continue to submit to. (I got my first rejection--yay!) It'd just be nice to gather a few more accolades like this, especially as I try to get an agent. :)

Read 24 books for me

I have so many editing projects on the horizon, it's hard to even think about reading books besides those. But I'm determined to! While I'd ultimately like to read 30 books just for myself ... I think I'd better go for 24. Two a month should be doable and keep me reading. I've got a TBR a mile long this year so I honestly have no idea what I'll even end up getting to!

Pinpoint my health

One of the initiatives I've finally taken this year is to figure out what works for me, not just in my writing and morning routine, but also in my health. My wrist has bothered me for a while, but it's getting better thanks to supplements. So I've actually started a second Instagram account to chronicle my trying to figure out what can better help me overall as I try to pursue my writing and editing more this year!

More on that next week. ;)

Remember how I said I'd give you more Reveries Co info? Kellyn is hosting the blog tour right now on her blog. And we’re giving away 30+ books—a combination of ebooks and paperbacks, genres and subgenres—to one lucky winner! You can enter HERE.

What are some of your goals for 2019? Maybe we can help each other keep up. ;) Which one of my goals excites you the most??

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

How to Guest Post Like a Pro

I've been trying to work on a blogging schedule lately, and part of that has been looking for people willing to guest post. So I thought I'd work up a post on how to guest post!

First, a quick definition of what guest posting is: guest posting is when a person agrees to write a single article for another person's blog or website.

 Let me begin by saying there really is no definitive guide to guest posting. That's why people who agree to guest post for each other always ask questions: What do you want me to post on? When do you want me to post? How long do you want it to be? Guest posting is useless if the person you're posting for isn't pleased, so be sure to ask them what they're looking for.

Of course, you can figure out some of what they want for yourself by visiting the blog or website they want people to post on. When I'm looking for people to guest post for me, I always say that anything writing or book-related works. Why? Because that's what my blog is about. Anyone who visits could probably figure that out, as well as see what I've already posted on. You don't want to have a repeat post!

The question is, how do you write under the broad topic of the blog and still stand out from the blogger's frequent posts. This is a one-time opportunity! Simple: blog about a topic that the blogger can't. For example, Jonathan Trout guest-posted for me once and I suggested he write something about being a guy blogger ... I can never blog on that. He did an excellent job with the post because it's the most popular post this blog's ever had ... go figure xD

When you're guest posting, it's not usually the time for a medical update or a new announcement.  There are exceptions, but for the most part, things like that should be relegated to your own blog where you have readers that are already invested in you. :) So an article that matches the blog content with a strong title and clearly marked points is the better way to go.

At the same time, you don't want to be stiff. One of the main reasons people enjoy reading blog posts is for the person behind the content as much as the content itself. So you should be natural. Use your normal blogging voice. As I said before, pick something that you can write from experience (preferably an experience the person you're blogging for doesn't have). That's always going to be a bit personal.

One of the main incentives for guest posting is that you as the guest poster get exposure to a new audience! So consider including a photo of yourself or maybe even a bio. Ask the friend you're blogging for to introduce you in their way. And definitely include a link back to your blog! That's how readers from the blog or website you're guest posting on will find (and hopefully follow) you :)

While no one gets a true break this way, I've seen that each group of blog followers is more likely to look at both blogs if the bloggers have simply switched for the day. The audience gets a fresh voice on the blog they follow, but they have to visit this new person's blog in order to read a post from the person they're used to reading. It's a good strategy and a win-win.

1. The primary blogger gets a week off // take a break without having to skip a post
2. Readers get a new writer // it shakes it up a bit and readers are usually welcoming
3. The guest poster gets new exposure // it's a direct way to reach an already dedicated audience

Have you ever guest posted before? Do you have any questions about guest posting?

I AM LOOKING FOR GUEST POSTS! So if you're interested, shoot me an e-mail: abiclaire98 at gmail dot com :)

Summer TBR Progress + Accountability + Giveaway

I'm writing this partly because I owe you guys an update (you're my accountability), and partly because this is a bookish post to celebrate the blog birthday of Ruffles and Grace.

Remember this post where I listed "books I must read over the summer"? Well, I gave myself until September 1 to complete that list, and since I'm supposed to write a summery book post for Victoria's blog birthday, I thought I could give you a progress report. :)

I had been faithfully ahead on my Goodreads challenge, but here's what it looks like right now.

Out of the 9 books I pledged to read over the summer, I have read . . . 4: Some Kind of Happiness, The Summer Before the War, The Great Divorce, and Pearl in the Sand. I just started This Present Darkness. To my credit, I have read some other books that weren't on my list. How can I say no to a good book when it pops up?? Apparently creating this list wasn't even enough to keep me on track, so I've come up with a new strategy.

I need a reading accountability partner so I get some more reading done! Take a look at my Goodreads to see what I've enjoyed reading. Definitely let me know if you would like to:

• chat frequently about books (Google Hangouts probably!)
• constantly threaten one another to read more (kidding. sort of.)
• encourage each other to branch out in our tastes
• discuss deeper elements of books
• recommend books for me
• meet reading deadlines/goals alongside me

The primary requirements are that you love to read and will constantly challenge me to read more! That's a bit of a tall order, so volunteer at your own risk ;) I think this would be super helpful for me, though, and hopefully for you too.

For now, I think I'd do best with only one person. I've tried team things and I feel like I can disappear for those because there are other people to keep talking. I can't ignore someone when they're waiting on me. :P

If you are interested, let me know in the comments and link to your Goodreads/blog. I want to see if we'll be compatible and then I'll make a decision when I get back from the OCW conference next week!

As I mentioned earlier, this post was part of Victoria Lynn's blog birthday for Ruffles and Grace. Definitely hop over there to read her post and check out the other posts (yesterday's were fashioned themed while today's were book themed). That's where the spectacular giveaway is (of which Martin Hospitality is a part!!).

~~~~~

Seriously, who wants to be my accountability partner for reading?? As a side note, I am currently attending the OCW conference in Portland with Ivy Rose and Emily McConnell, and HAVING A BLAST. I also turned 19 yesterday. So all sorts of new adventures ;)

Pre-order and Blog Tour! // Andora's Folly

Yes, you read the title right! Andora's Folly is now available for pre-order. I plan to do a blog tour so you can sign up and get all the information about that here as well :)

The day has finally come!! I have never done pre-orders before, so it was a bit of a learning curve. I really wanted to figure it out this time since I was dealing with only a Kindle edition :) You can learn more about it on Amazon and pre-order your copy of Andora's Folly here.

You would be doing me possibly the biggest favor ever by sharing that pre-order link! So if you're excited about the book, please share it around :)

The official release date is not until July 29, so if you pre-order, that's the day the book will appear on your device. That's also the day I plan to begin the blog tour!

The blog tour will run from Saturday, July 29 - Saturday, August 5. If you have any interest in participating, please sign up on the form below! (or click here)

Sign ups close Thursday, July 20, so you have to act fast ;) If you know anyone that might be interested, definitely share the link to this post. The more the merrier!

Expect an e-mail next weekend with all the details so we can get rolling! Let me know if you have any questions. I still feel very unorganized when I do all of this, but I try. I don't want to confuse anyone ;)

I have an epic promo team feverishly working hard to get some marketing done for me, which gives me a little spare time. What would you think about a Facebook launch party?? Honestly the organization involved scares me, but everyone adores those things. Does it make sense to do that for only a Kindle book? I don't know ... Anyway, let me know if that's something you would participate in and I'll start getting my thoughts together :)

Aaand, I think that's all I have for you. Thanks so much for the excitement, support, and participation!

~~~~~

Are you excited?! Because I'm excited!

Also, I know I've dropped the ball on my writing prompts, but I'll have them up on this Pinterest board soon, hehe ... ;)

Vlog + Updates + Beta Reader Sign Ups

It's time for another Very Awesome Vlog Challenge video and some updates on what's new!

There were some really thought-provoking questions for this April-June vlog. What makes this one different?? I share my latest book purchases and disclose some facts about myself in the course of the video (which happens to be 3x longer than usual). Definitely join the vlog challenge HERE while there's still time! You're entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card when you join the link up ;D So why I'm begging for competition, I don't know.

Now for the part where I ramble even more. There are few things that have happened of late that I thought you should know about. As always, if you really want to be in the loop, you'll have to subscribe for my newsletter in the sidebar. :)

First, I failed Camp NaNo. You probably don't know that yet unless you already read my newsletter. April was long and painful and the words really fought back. I wrote a blog post on Teen Authors Journal all about titled I Failed NaNoWriMo (and I'm glad). I'd really appreciate it if you'd give it a read and some feedback :) The project that I did not reach my goal on was drafting Martin Crossroads, the sequel to Martin Hospitality. The good news is I have recovered from my untimely burnout and am finally churning out words again!

I wanted you all to know that a paperback of Martin Hospitality will be part of a large giveaway over at Reading Is My Superpower. The giveaway runs May 15-21. You enter by genre (as many as you please): YA/Speculative, Contemporary, Historical, and Mystery/Suspense. All the books are Christian Fiction and Martin Hospitality is part of the Contemporary genre giveaway.



The next piece of news is on Andora's Folly. I get it back from my alpha readers today, so I need betas! Once again, I am not putting a limit on how many. I'm just filtering people out by these requirements:

• I recognize your name. Just explain who you are and how I should know you on the form :)
• You can read 30,000 words in two weeks (May 27-June 10)
• You will offer advice and provide honest (but kind) feedback
• You will write me a honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads

Click HERE to view the form if the embedded version doesn't appear below. I can't wait to see who all signs up! This form is open through Friday, May 26. If you can't beta read, take heart. The publication date is July 29!

You can learn more about my stories on My Writings page. :)

~~~~~

Phew!! That needed to happen ;) Any questions or comments?

Have a great Mother's Day :) Be looking for a special Tuesday post from Gemma's point of view!!

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.