Contest Winners and Nano Results

November came and went with a flurry of writing activity for me. Did I make the 50K goal?

Alas, no.

However, I finished my YA novella and sent it to the editor for consideration, and I wrote a m/m novella and sent it to a submissions call. Both were goals I wanted to at least make for Nano. I think my total word count ended up around 25k for the month. Half of what was expected, but a personal best for me. I'm now knee-deep in edits for number two of my YA series, and getting excited for my Wild Rose Press release January fifth.

I hosted a contest in November to give thanks to all the folks that are members of my site and followers of my blog. I picked winners this morning.

First Place - Willow
Second Place - Val

I'm waiting to hear what books they pick as their prizes. I want to try and have some kind of a contest for the Christmas holiday. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

As for now - back to edits!

NaNo Update and Contest!

So, I'm still writing. My brain hasn't rebelled enough to send me off in another direction. No shiny objects to steal my attention away...yet.

Word count so far:
November 3rd - 1618
November 4th - 984

I think that brings the total so far up to 4871. Not too bad. Still have to get in some today.

Now - on to the contest! I want to give thanks to everyone! So, from now through November 30th, you can enter to win free books!

One first place winner will win their choice of one of my books, and any other two titles from the Sapphire Blue Publishing catalog.

One second place winner will win their choice of one of my books.

Free e-books! What's not to love?

How to enter? Well the first and easiest way is to become a site member at my website www.christlegray.com
Don't worry, if you already are a member, you're entered without even trying! (wasn't that easy?)

If you'd like another entry, then leave a guestbook message, letting me know!

Want a third entry? Then become a follower of my blog! Again, if you're already a follower, you've already gained another entry!

On December 1st, I will pick two winners from all the entries.

Free books to give thanks!

NaNoWriMo...Yo!

It's National Novel Writing Month! Authors everywhere take up their computers and rise to meet the challenge of 50,000 words or more in thirty days! It's crazy! It's chaotic!

It's NaNoWriMo!

I've never taken part before, and am still a little leery, so I decided to participate unofficially. There's multiple projects I want to work on, so I'll spread the words around to meet the goal. I'm going to try to keep track of it all and post tallies, but I can be easily sidetracked, so keep that in mind!

November 1st - none
November 2nd - 2269k

I'm trying to finish a young adult novella, then want to start on an erotic novella.

Here's to MUCH writing!

Cover Art!

My Wild Rose Press release is almost ready! I got the beautiful cover art last night, and just had to share!



Nicola Martinez did and exceptional job. I couldn't be happier.

I hope to have a release date soon. Will keep you posted!

Vacation and Edits

Sooooo...I spent the past week on vacation. Did I have an exciting trip planned to an exotic locale where pool boys serve me drinks with colorful umbrellas?

Alas, no.

However, what I did get to do was indulge in some seriously needed R&R - which included sleeping late, watching tv, reading until my eyes bugged out, writing, and the best part - taking care of edits for my Wild Rose Press Release, Through Hell and High Water.

I've been uber-excited to work with Fran at TWRP. She's awesome, and has made my story shine like I never thought it could. I'm so happy we work well together. It makes me want to write more stories, just so she can edit them! Now all we need is cover art, which should be any time. Be assured, as soon as I get the go ahead, I will plaster that baby all over every blog, profile, author page I have on this world wide web.

Until then, it's on to the next project.

A Change Is Gonna Come

Well, one of the things I struggle with most in my life is time management.

I know. Big shocker, there.

Balancing a disabled husband, full time job, and fledgling writing career with some kind of regular life escapes me quite often.

And so, I have made a big decision. I am giving up my full time job and going to part time. That way, I can have more time to devote to writing, blogging, and promotion.

Is this the smartest thing for me to do in the current economy? Possibly not. Am I crazy? Most definitely.

The thing is, I'm at a point in my life where I know I need to make a change. A REALLY big change. We're only on this rock for just a short while, and need to make the most of it. Continuing on the path I've been on for the last 11 years just wasn't working for me anymore.

So at the end of September, I will join the ranks of part time. I will still look for another job, but hopefully, I'll be able to get enough writing done so that I won't need it. All I can do is try.

Wish me luck!

News!

I know I've been away awhile, (yeah, AGAIN) but I have news to report!

I've been offered a contract for a short story with The Wild Rose Press!

Hurray!

I've always wanted to become a part of the Rose Garden, and now I will be!

The story is called Through Hell and High Water, and is for their Faery Rose line. It's got water nymphs, a fairy, and a few demons from Hell to add some spice.

I'm super excited, and I can't wait to start editing.

I'll keep you posted!

Update Time

Well, I'm still not blogging as regularly as I'd like. I can give you the usual excuses...no time, work, busy with life.

Whatever.

Truth is, I can't manage time worth a damn. Never could. Self discipline and I , we don't speak most of the time. We have a very rocky relationship.

However, I do have some good news to share. Fairy Fury was accepted by Sapphire Blue Publishing. YAY! Now, I'm just waiting to start on edits.

Then, I will probably yell and cry and want to rip out my hair. You know. Good times.

Either way, I'm excited, and just need to get a few of my other projects in the finish pile so I can send them off into the world, all growed up and all.

But before that, I have to make it through working July Fourth weekend at the day job. *sigh*

Anyhow, Happy July Fourth!

Writing, Writing, and More Writing...

Apparently, I suck at this whole blog posting thing. I mean, seriously, it's been like five weeks since I posted? WTF? I deserve to be shot. Or beaten. Or maybe just chastised very harshly.

But, I have been busy lately. And not just the normal day job from hell busy either. I finished the next Hell House story. It's called Fairy Fury, and it features surly teenage fairy Sora Starwind, who I introduced in Holiday Hell House. It's been polished and sent off the publisher, waiting for a yes or no. (yes, please)

I've already started on the next one in the series, featuring teenage zombie Zoe Talbot. I promise lots of laughs and much zombie shenanigans! No title yet, but I'm working on it!

I've also been working on a fantasy story about water nymphs, demons, and fairies. Tentatively titled Through Hell and High Water, I hope to have it finished and submitted by the end of the month as well.

So, you see, I have a genuine excuse for not posting! You can now put away your weapons.

AND, Sapphire Blue Publishing has made our books available at Barnes and Noble! I'm on the Nook! (insert happy dance here) Check it out! My Book Page

To Read, Or Not To Read

One of my fellow authors, Lisa Pietsch, posted a blog recently about a children's book that had caused a bit of a stir at another author's school board meeting. The book in question was Newberry Award Winner The Giver by Lois Lowry.

Apparently, some of the parents were concerned that this book was on the reading list for the fifth graders at that school, and felt it was too mature for that age group and requested the book be removed from the list.

I am always one to take the side of the book, but I wanted to find out about it before I made my decision. So, I picked up The Giver from my local B&N and settled in for what I hoped to be a good read.

The book blew me away.

I was sucked in to the story at once, fascinated by the world Lois Lowry created. The Giver takes place in a futuristic "utopian" society where everything is organized and controlled. There is no worry, no hunger, no war. But in trade, there is also no individuality, no joy, no love. People make no decisions for themselves. The young hero, Jonas, is about to turn twelve and get his job assignment for the rest of his life. He is chosen to be the community's new Receiver of Memory. All memories of all life before will be transferred to Jonas to bear alone, so that society may continue to exist without the burden. Jonas discovers many things that he can't belive have been "lost" to the community, such as colors, music, snow - but he also finds out what pain is, loss, and in the end discovers the hipocrisy that this utopia is built on, driving him to make the first and possibly final choice in his young lifetime.

There are so many things to spark discussion for young people in this book. The topic of what utopia means, or world peace, or what sacrifices might have to be made for a society to run without trouble. What emotions really mean, and how can we say someone is wrong if they have never been shown another way? Not to mention the underlying theme of how a world would be if no one was treated as an individual - complete and total equality. I would have loved to have read this book as a student, and I see no problem with the 7-12 year age rage it is rated.

I think parents that get up in arms over books that obviously were chosen for their literary contribution to the learning process should step back and take a real look at why they are uncomfortable. Turn it around. TALK about it with your kids. Use the opportunity to get to know your child better and how he or she thinks.

That's the power of books for children.

Use it.

Snow, Snow, Snow

So, there's been a lot of snow in my neck of the woods lately.

And I mean A LOT.

So much, that the hubby and I couldn't even get to work on Monday this week. We live in a cul-de-sac, and it gets plowed last, making it difficult to venture out in bad weather.

It's funny, because as a child, I adored the snow. I would stay out and play in the white stuff for hours on end, making forts, angels, and having snowball fights with my friends. Now, it's just a nuisance that prevents me from getting things done.

I wonder when that changed - when I lost my childlike wonder of the snow.

I can't think of anything specific that caused that shift in my outlook.

I guess it's just part of the whole "being a grown up" process that we all must go through.

Kinda sucks. I miss that about myself.

On a positive note, being stuck indoors has made me spend some quality time writing, which I need to get back into the habit of doing more regularly. Oh, and I've read like four books in the past two weeks as well.

So maybe the snow isn't so bad after all.

New Year, New Ideas, New Obstacles

So the new year has hit me like a ton of bricks.

I just finished peak season at my day job, and they threw inventory hell on top of that. Add one messed up shoulder and you have a recipe for aggravation.

Regardless, I've been nursing some story ideas in my head. I'm working on a new vampire erotic story called Blood and Moonlight. Also, I'm working on the next Hell House story, which happens to be surly Sora's story, called Hell House: Fairy Fury. I'm excited about my Hell House characters the most. There's so much to pull from, and it's Sapphire Blue's first young adult release as well.

The only thing is, it's a little difficult to type when your shoulder is screaming at you to stop. So, things are a little slow until I'm back at 100%.

But I have faith that I'll be back on track soon!

Preditors and Editors Poll

My two short stories, Summon Me Swiftly and Holiday Hell House are nominated in the Preditors and Editors Poll!

Summon Me Swiftly is in the Sci Fi/Fantasy short story category. You can vote for it here:
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/shortstorysf.shtml

Holiday Hell House is in the All Other Short Stories Category.
You can vote for it here:
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/shortstory.shtml

(Voting is open until January 14, 2010. There are lots of other categories with great books as well, so look around and have a voting party!