Be Jolly By Golly!

Woohoo! Thursday!

Before I get to my truths I have a huge announcement!!! Welcome to My World by Miranda Dickinson is out today!!! Be sure to stop by her blog, twitter, facebook, to wish her a HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!










Now onto the post at hand! The cover of Miranda's book is perfect for this holiday post I have planned!

Be Jolly by Golly Blog fest!

Christmas cookies and happy hearts, this is how the holiday starts!










Melissa and I have teamed together to create an awesome blog fest for all the awesome bloggers out there!

We adore the holidays!

Especially Christmas… and what better way to celebrate then to share your space!!

We want to know how you celebrate!














So before you get our tinsel in a tangle here are the RuLeS:

1.Blog Post to be posted on December 20th (whatever time you desire)
2.Show pictures of your decorations, holiday lights & Christmas tree!
3.Share your favorite treat (Recipe included, chance for others to steal the yumminess!)
4.Share your favorite drink (Recipe included, chance for others to steal the alcohol – or non)
5.Last but not least… visit others!!! Take part in their holiday cheer!

Note: For those who don’t celebrate Christmas, you’re welcome to share any other holiday you are celebrating in this year!

Feel free to grab our AWESOME badge and share the love on this fun blog fest! So I leave you with a few fun pictures found on google that fit the bill this holiday season!



















So are you in? SAY YES! SAY YES!

Finishing the First Draft

Something I've always done well is finishing the first draft, the process is simple for me.

I have an idea.
I let it marinate (plot in my head).
I sit and write.
My life is consumed until it's complete.

1st novel written (5 weeks), 2nd novel written (14 days), 3rd novel written (5 days).

So here are tips to help you finish writing your novel.

1. Set aside a time to write and keep it sacred. (I make time, my mind and the story consume my brain until it's written. I write until my fingers are about to fall off).

2. Remove all distractions while you write. (this insures you get the most out of the time. I fall victim to distractions but when I'm in the moment nothing stops me.)

3. Outline your plot. (I added this for those who struggle with their thoughts. Write them down, get the story set up before you begin.)

4. Avoid the intimidation of a blank computer screen. (Key: Just write)

5. Keep a draft mentality. (This is a draft. Several writers revise and write, revise and write, but when you're just looking to finish a draft, put that revise mentality in the back of your mind and Just Write.)

6. Don't feel compelled to begin at the beginning. (for NaNo writers I'm not sure this would work, but if you're just looking to start writing, start where you feel is right.)

7. Organize your chapters, especially if you are not going to write in order. (If writing out of order this will work for you a lot more!)

8. Don't be afraid of putting yourself out there. (sharing work will change your life!)

9. Only you can determine when you are finished. (When it's done it's done. Don't let anyone tell you, only you really know.)

10. Make up your mind to finish your novel, and you can do it. The only thing standing in the way is you.

For more tips in detail visit this link.

Have any other thoughts you'd like to share? Any other tips?

Tuesday Twist

I'm pegging this week as Writing Week.

In lieu of all those participating in NaNoWriMo, and all those who are just writing I figure what a perfect month to have some fun with writing!

This weeks Tuesday Twist is a bit different, everything will be my writing.

Yes, I'm sharing. It won't be up for long, I've recently gotten a little superstitious with everything I write. However I think these are fun to share...

So here they are.

First Sentences
1. At our best we are invisible.
2. Society and it's traditions are overrated.
3. Midnight neared, my first test run moments away.

Reveal
1. Tully from The Traveler's
2. Stella from Getting to Peloria
3. Fina from Dreaming of Raslina

Feel free to share your own favorite lines!

In extra news: Rebecca Talley is having a contest! If you pre-order her novel The Upside of Down you'll be entered to win a $50 Amazon giftcard! Her book sounds amazing!

Blog Tour, Interview, Contest Love!

Quick Note: I'm being interviewed over at Garden Full of Lily today! Do stop by and say hello! Jennie is a fabulous blogger who just reached 1000 followers (so after my interview do join in her fab contest! Tell her I sent you, extra brownie points for me!)

Blog Tour Extravaganza!

That's right! I'm sure most of you know Tamara Hart Heiner, but incase you don't, you're in for a real treat! I've joined her blog tour, and within this blog tour we talk about a wonderful book coming out (HERS!) and some great giveaways! So let's get started!

Perilous








Publish Date: November 16th (Pre-Order Now)

My review:
Terrifying, riveting, and jaw dropping. Jaci's world is turned upside down after a night out with her friends at a shopping mall. Patiently waiting for their ride the girls witness something scandalous and before they know they are kidnapped and fighting for their lives.

These scenes will keep you on your toes time and time again. Just when you think your heart has stopped racing, Jaci and her friends have done something to stir the pot. You root for them to escape and are terrified when you find out these men truly are out for blood.

The wild ride you are about to encounter will have your heart racing all the way until the end. This book will be one you think about for quite awhile after it's over, allowing yourself time to come down from the adrenaline rush. You'd be crazy not to pick this novel up!

And now here are the GIVEAWAY details!
1) There will be two book giveaways. Signed copies of Perilous, of course. All you have to do to get in on that action is make a comment anywhere in the blog tour. The is a Random drawing

2) There will be a Kindle giveaway. This WON'T be random. Kindles are kind of a big thing, so I'm going to make you work for it. The giveaway will be point based, in other words, whoever has the most points at the end of the blog tour wins the Kindle. The contest will run until Dec. 15, at which point all hopeful winners will email me at tamara at tamarahartheiner dot com with their points and their proofs.

Here's how you get points:
+1 for each comment on the blog tour
+1 be a follower on my blog (old or new)
+1 retweet
+2 blog about the blog tour
(You prove all of those by emailing me the links.)
+5 purchase the book; ebook or paperback, doesn't matter
(Email me the confirmation number of your purchase.)

Here are the links for all the other fabulous participants!

Never Gonna Believe This

Okay... so you'll probably believe this... but I have to share with you anyway (but if you win over me I'm gonna HUNT.YOU.DOWN)

Jessica at The Alliterative Allomorph is having the best giveaway!!!

In lieu of 400 followers this contest will be held until December 2nd (plenty of time!)

1st place: $40 Amazon Giftcard (I know! Flippin awesome!
2nd place: $20 Amazon Giftcard
3rd place: $10 Amazon Giftcard
Runner up: Surprise! Something Greek!

She added a twist (don't you love twists!) If she reaches 500 followers (currently at 377 - go help!) she'll double the prizes!!!

1st place: $80 Amazon Giftcard
2nd place: $40 Amazon Giftcard
3rd place: $20 Amazon Giftcard
Runner up: Surprise! Something Greek! (this one looks the same to me)

Her entry system is really super easy! Don't miss out on all her awesome... seriously she rocks! So tell her I sent you when you stopped by!