Phoenix Rising Author Event- Wrap Up

OKAY.  So I know I said I was going to post these like IDK forever ago. But, well, life.  It happens.

So let's talk Phoenix Rising Author event and how AMAZING it was.  Guys, I was literally in full panic attending this event.  Because there were ~authors~ there.

 

 

I know you're probably either like "well, duh... you did say it was an "Author" event"  or you're like "WTF--- aren't you an author?"

Yes.  To both.   But.. these are AUTHOR authors.  Like with stacks of books and drooling fans and Super Hero levels of greatness.  I had this whole narrative built up in my head like I'm not worthy to attend because little me (figurative me... I mean, I wish I was like a size two but that was a different blog at a different time of my life) anyway-  little me with my two books is joining the ranks of the big girls with like ten books.

I was overwhelmed.  And felt totally out of my league. But then I met Jessalyn Jameson. 

We bonded over the general awkwardness of meet and greets-- and exchanged sassy comments (-- okay, before I proofread this, there was a typo that said we exchanged "assy" comments... hilarious because it's probably true-- but Mr. Frued, the slip has been corrected) about throwing a bunch of writers (who tend to be relatively introverted), into a room full of people they don't know, and ask them to be social.

It was awkward, but little old her with her two books (Three soon--- that will have to be tomorrow's post because I DO have an announcement about that) and me with mine ---suddenly it was OKAY that we were little book writers next to the giants.  And the more we talked about our awkwardness, the more other people came and talked and we were all awkward together.

And, the more we talked with the BIG AUTHORS we realized, they're just like us.  A bit introverted, but equally as sassy as we are.  Just, with a couple more books to hawk.

I realized that everyone that was in that room-- the super successful to the moderately successful to those just starting out-- we all have been in the same place.  In front of a computer screen, staring at words, wondering if what they wrote was even kind of good.

So, here's to all the new friends I met.  We all belong to a club of semi awkward, introverted people who love words and use them to build the most magical thing of all--- worlds.  Worlds where people can come and visit, and escape the every day for a few hours.

I can't wait to see you all again soon. (More on that later too... that will be another, another post.... after tomorrow's post about the fabulous Jessalyn Jameson)

 

 

 

Have you joined my mailing list?  You should because sometimes Im kind of entertaining, and send funny emails that you might like to receive.

I sent one today with pictures from Phoenix Rising Author Event


Oh, Hi! Haven't been able to reach me? See my change of address!

So I updated my website.  YAY.  Its only taken two years for me to do it.

I got tired of porting over all my old blog posts.. I'll get to it eventually... maybe.  TBH I have bigger fish  to fry than bringing over old content from my crappy little WIX site.  Sooo anyway.  Heres the new me.  I've changed my address (actually literally in so many ways, but I'll get to that!)

You can now get the latest 411 on all things Willow Sanders at www.willowwriting.com  you should bookmark that shit ;)

Or, sign up for my new fancy E-Newsletter.  It will be sporadic at best.  Mainly I'll use it to let you know when you can sign up to win things, or when I'm going to be at an event, or when a new book comes out.

So-- here's the latest in bulleted form because... we all have ADD these days, don't we.

 

  • New Website Address
  • New Physical Address
  • New Book (hopefully) releasing mid september...hopefully (it really depends on how much time my editor needs to edit it) well.. and it depends on when I finish the thing
  • Author events!

-Deep breath-

oookay. So I don't live in Chicago anymore.  That's pretty much the reason for the radio silence. Its been insanity over the last like nine ish months.  The hubs was living in one state I was living in Chicago trying to get everything ready for the move.. packing cleaning organizing getting rid of crap I didn't even remember owning, painting, more painting, more painting still.

We finally moved, lived in corporate housing for a while--and let me tell you, I am beyond appreciative for the housing don't get me wrong, but living in a tiny condo with two very large dogs= no bueno.  Especially when they aren't used to living in a condo and miss their gigundo back yard. (there may or may not have been an incident with our 10-month-old dog and a leather couch.... the couch did not win... : (  )

So here I am.  Moved finally.  Trying to get into a routine because I need to finish the book I'm writing.  Legit.  Its been way too long.

I have a title.  I have a concept for a book cover.  I am like seven chapters from "the end"  -- hopefully.

I am planning on buckling down and trying to get it wrapped up here in the next few weeks.  Then off to the editor and I'm hoping to have ARCs available in September sometime.

So.. dead horse=beaten... sign up for the mailing list!  You might get a chance to be a Beta!

Also!  I'm waiting for the grand announcement from the actual event page but legit can't wait anymore.

I'm going to be doing an appearance at Phoenix Rising Author Event !

Its in mid september (hence the push to get the book done by then!)  at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel  

So, if you're in the area and are bored on a Saturday and looking for something to do, come and say hi!

 

Okay. I think that's it.  Well, honestly even if its not I'm putting a fork in it and calling it done.

 


#DirtyLittleSecret now in #PaperBack! #AmWriting #AmReading

So, guess what?  Dirty Little Secret is entering the world of paperback books!  I'm SUPER excited to be able to see my "baby" in print.  I practically tackle the UPS guy every day looking for the package that contains the first batch hot off the presses!
If you are a fan of physical books -  you can get yours in time for Christmas! Its prime shipping eligible! :)
Buy it, you know you want to.

 


#NaNoWrimo2014 Made it to 50k! #AmWriting

So, while I'm still not finished with Ivy's story- there is still a LOT of her story to tell (I'm assuming her story will finish around 100k just like Hillary's did)... I have "won" NaNoWriMo- since the goal is to hit the 50K mark.    For the moment I will enjoy my tiny celebration, knowing that I have at least completed a portion of the goal.  :)

 


Ivy's Story

It is so strange how characters seem to take the rug out from under you sometimes.  I had so many plans for Ivy... I had an OUTLINE.  An OUTLINE people!  I'm a panster, Im not a planner.  But because this was a "sequel," and I wanted to make sure that I had a plan for getting this story out in a certain amount of time so that I could have it edited and ready to publish by my set self imposed deadline I thought it woudl be a smart thing to follow an outline.  I had plt points, and character motivations, and complete map of how I wanted this story to go.  Then I sat down, and Ivy threw her head back and laughed at me.  She laughed and laughed, and took this story ina direction that I had never in a million years intended it to go.
Now, as it sits at just over 40,000 words, I'm concerned that this story might be bigger than the box I'm trying to put her story in.  As it unfolds, I find myself both thrilled by where Ivy is taking me, and concerned as to how this is going to turn out.
Its the part of writing that I both love and loathe.  This magic that happens, when you turn off your brain and allow the story to just evolve, but it is also hard to give up that control when you had a PLAN, and a path you had intended this story to follow.  I guess if I truly want to fly, I juyst need to close my eyes and give myself over to the process.

Reaching the end and reaching THE END

My NaNo novel - also known as Ivy's story, sits at about 35,000 words.  That means in 15,000 words I will "Win" nano.  However, I know how verbose I am, heck if you read Dirty Little Secret, than you know how verbose I am too (it was about 100K words).  There's no doubt I'll reach "the end" come the end of Nano, in so much as I know I'll make the NaNo goal... but I wonder if I will make "THE END" of the story by that time.  Ivy keeps fighting me and I can't figure out what the heck is going n with her story.  I wish I could sit her down in a flower circle and we could sing Kumbaya, but at the moment she's all "whatever, I don't have time for you"   I long for that point in writing where your thoughts move faster than your fingers can type, and you just let go and fly.  And I can't seem to reach that point with her yet.  I hope it comes soon... its starting to concern me.  :(


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