Kristie Cook's Blog, page 42

First, today is 1/11/11!!!! I think we need to make a wish! I know what mine is!

Onto the blog post...

I've finally been able to sit down and write! Yay! I started Soul Savers Book 3 (currently untitled) December 5, 2009. Until this weekend, the last time I'd worked on it was January 11, 2010. Yes, it'd been nearly a year. I could barely remember what I had written and was surprised when I opened the file that I had 45,000 words!

Unfortunately, some of those words will have to go because they don't fit anymore. And what remain will likely be rewritten, revised, polished to a shine by the time I'm done. But at least I don't have to start over, which I had seriously considered and even started doing Saturday. Does that mean Book 3 will be out sooner than a year from now? Meh. I doubt it. After all, I want it to be perfect for you, lovelies!

For Teaser Tuesday, though, here is the first line, as it currently exists: 

I stood in the sitting room of the ancient Amadis mansion, staring at the giant tapestry spanning the entire stone wall and wondering how I could change the future it told for my son.

It will probably change a hundred times between now and release day, but there you go. Does it pique your interest? Too wordy?

A New Year re-energizes me to focus on priorities, create new habits and try new things. After the chaos of the holidays and the wind-down of the "in-between week" (12/26-1/1), I'm ready to jump back on my horse and take off, either at a gallop on my current path or trotting down a new one...or both.

As I do in the in-between week, I evaluated 2010 and made new plans for 2011. So far, though...it's been a pretty big bust. Already. It's too soon to call it a fail but, lovelies, it's nowhere near success. Take my blogs, for example. It's the end of the first week of the year and I'm just now making my first posts! Sheesh.

I thought I had a new schedule/routine all worked out that would allocate my time well between my other business, the publishing business, promoting my books and writing. One week in and I've barely accomplished a thing in any of those places. I did find some great articles on social media and I took care of my day-job clients, but I haven't actually used those awesome social media ideas, do any book promoting or write a single word.

And, I realized, I didn't make time for blogging. At all. Whoops!!! Big, major screw-up on my part.

So, it's back to the drawing board to re-figure my schedule. Hopefully I get it figured out. I guess we'll know this time next week, because if I get more than one post up, it's a win!

Anyway, a long-about way to say I miss you, lovelies!! I hope you've had a good week and have an awesome weekend!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and have been able to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. I also hope all my northern lovelies have stayed safe and warm through the wintry weather.


I'm taking a break in my blogging break. I guess that means it's an unbreak? Hmm...I don't know. I just felt compelled to write a blog post. Okay, admittedly, I'm also procrastinating. Because that's what we writers do best.

First, a shout-out of hugs, thoughts and prayers for my friend Jessica, aka The Alliterative Allomorph . A bomb exploded about a block away from her home in Athens, Greece. Way too close to home. I can only imagine how frightening that would be. Jessica, I'm glad you're okay!!

If you haven't checked them out yet, the cover contests for Promise and Purpose are still going on. These are fun re-makes readers have done, but They. Are. Amazing. You can vote for your favorites at Confessions of a Bookaholic and A Life Bound by Books .

Mindful Musings is also taking votes for a variety of categories, including best blogs, best books, best characters, best series, best covers and most anticipated books for 2011. Promise, Purpose, the Soul Savers series, Alexis, Tristan, Alexis & Tristan (as a couple) and Owen are all up for awards. They're up against really stiff competition, so it's an honor that someone even nominated them. Go check out the various categories and vote for your favorites.

Before I return to my break, I just want to wish you a very happy and very safe New Year!!

Haha! Just kidding! Christmas goes on!! So, Happy Christmas Eve!!!

A few inspiring images to share this beautiful holiday. Don't they take you to another time and place? Do they make your imagination run wild like mine? I can't help all the questions running through my mind. Who would live here? What are they doing? Would anyone be outside? Why? Or are they all in front of the cozy fireplace? I just love these kinds of images this time of year, bringing nostalgia, wonder and a sense of peace.









And let us not forget, the reason for the season!


Merry Christmas!!!

Just checking in to let you all know that I am still alive. I know I've been MIA on the blog here, but after the whirlwind of Purpose's release party, I've just been taking a little breather. In other words, recovering from the hangover - a virtual one, but still... That and catching up on some much needed personal tasks. Because there's this big holiday this weekend, in case you weren't aware, and except for a little decorating, I hadn't done anything.

But now gifts are bought (though not all wrapped), the long distance ones have been sent and cookies and other chocolatey, peanut-buttery delights have been created. The herd has been home from school all week, making it a bit of a sugar-high madhouse around here.

I've also been thinking about this year - the good, the bad and the ugly - and my goals for next year. At least, my writing goals. I'm excited for next week. A whole week off the day job, which I'm going to spend as if I didn't have a day job. As if I write full-time. I'm ridiculously excited about this, especially after realizing how little writing I actually did this year. So while the herd enjoys their Winter Break - which will probably include a day or two at the beach because that's how winter is around here (in which case I might have to join them) - I'll be enjoying a Writer Break.

What about you? Are you ready for Christmas? Any special plans for the rest of the holiday season?

This party has been a blast and I thank you all for your grats, best wishes, support, participation...for everything. It wouldn't have been a success without each of you. Your enthusiasm with the giveaways, comments, chats and reviews brings tears to my eyes, and it also gives me an energy I've never experienced before...one that will take me into my next writing project. Thanks to you all, I can't wait to get going on it again.

I have a few more tour stops to announce because I really don't want you to miss them. WARNING: Do not drink while reading the first two. I've been told that you will spew it all over your screen if you do.

Second half of the interview with Tristan & Alexis at A Life Bound by Books (whose review will go up Sunday)Interview With a Vampire & a Giveaway at Paranormal Haven (who gave Purpose a 4-blood-drop review !)Living With Tristan at A Life Bound by Books Tomorrow, I hang out with Alison at Adventures of a Cautionary Tale and explain why I won't cast my characters.
Now onto winners!!! WOOT!!!!
Winner of Elizabeth Isaacs' Light of Asteria is....drumroll...Danielle Gorman!!!
Winner of a signed print copy of Purpose for helping us take on Amazon and buying the Kindle version is...drumroll...Peggy F!!!
And the Grand Prize!! A Florida beach bag with all you need to bring the beach into your living room to warm up your winter (except for the sand because it's just annoying) - signed copies of Promise & Purpose for beach-at-home reading, a towel, flip-flops, Soul Savers series swag, Purple with a Purpose OPI nail polish, Florida souvenirs and more!

And the Grand Prize winner is...
...drumroll...
BETHANY RAY!!!!
WOOHOO!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Congratulations to all the winners today and throughout the party***. Don't forget that many of the blog tour stops also have copies of Purpose to give away.

Today is the last day to enter the Promise and Purpose Cover Re-make Contest! Voting starts tomorrow!

***Winners, please email me at kristie (at) kristiecook (dot) com to claim your prize.

Elizabeth Isaacs is another indie author of a beautiful story, The Light of Asteria. A book-review blogger recommended it to me and I finished reading it about a month or so ago. I found myself drawn into the gorgeous scenery, the engaging characters and the interesting and unique plot line. Beth has created a new mythology and another world that exists in tandem with our own - that's the best way I can put it without spoiling anything, anyway.

I think it's fair to say that if you like Promise and Purpose, you'll like The Light of Asteria. It's YA, so not quite as edgy as mine, but tells a beautiful love story in a paranormal setting amidst and beyond our own world. I recommend you check it out. I'm pretty sure you'll fall in love, as so many others have done.

Beth has a favorite charity she likes to share with others this time of year. When I checked it out, I couldn't believe how much it fits right into the theme of the Purpose Virtual Release Party...which reflects how my characters celebrate Christmas...which is just like Advent Conspiracy . This is a special cause and Beth and I both hope you'll consider giving, even if just a little, this holiday season.

You can stalk follow Beth on her blog , on her book's blog , on Facebook and on Twitter . She's a pretty cool chicklet!

*For the Purpose Virtual Release Party , I'm paying it forward by highlighting books and their authors, blogs and their writers, and charities and causes. For a list of those I've featured, stay tuned to the party's page .

***GIVEAWAY!!!***
Win a signed copy of Light of Asteria! All you have to do is ask Beth a question in the comments below. Open to US residents only. Closes midnight, 12/17. Winner will be randomly selected and announced 12/18.

...was yesterday! LOL It's been such a crazy couple of days, I didn't even get to post on Release Day! I think I was suffering from a Twitter Party hangover.

I was also Twitter-partying two nights in a row, celebrating Brenda Pandos' release last night. Yep, we shared a book birthday! And it was the second book in the series and the second book in 2010 for both of us. So how could I not celebrate her release of The Sapphire Talisman with her?!? If you get a chance, congratulate Brenda on her blog , on Facebook or on Twitter .

Okay, back to Purpose's release. Besides Tuesday night's crazy party that landed me in Twitter jail and then led into Release Day, yesterday consisted of a couple character interviews and a guest post by me:
Interview with Sophia at Michelle Gregory's beautiful chaos .Interview with Alexis at Extreme Reader Book Reviews .Guest post about writing a sequel at Lavender Lines .
Although Release Day has come and gone, the Virtual Release Party & Virtual Release Tour keep going! Today, I'm hanging out with Lisa at A Life Bound by Books . In fact, the cast and I will be hanging out there the rest of the week. Don't forget to enter - or at least check out - all the cover remakes of both Promise and Purpose at Confessions of a Bookaholic or A Life Bound by Books . Entries due by Saturday.

I also have some more indie authors to spotlight, including one later today. Who will it be? Come back and find out!

Thanks for touring and partying with me! I hope you're having a great week. We're on the down slide...to the last shopping weekend before Christmas! Yikes! Are you ready????

Tonight is the Purpose Release Twitter Party (8 p.m. EST), celebrating the book's official release date tomorrow! I can't wait!

I've had a lot of people ask me about how to do this Twitter thing...or, if they're at least familiar with Twitter, how to do a Twitter Party. So here's a down-and-dirty tutorial.

First, I found a great site that's all about Twitter parties and how to participate or host one. Here' the link for the Beginner's Guide for Participating in a Twitter Party.

Second, I recommend using Tweet Grid for a party. I've never actually used it for a party, but others have recommended it and from playing around, it seems to be the best choice. I usually use TweetDeck, which you can also use. Just create a column for the hashtag #purposebykristiecook to follow all the tweets. I've noticed, however, that there is a delay with tweets posting in TweetDeck. This can be a problem in a party with giveaways because sometimes the winner is simply the first person to tweet something. If you don't know that you're supposed to tweet it because of the delay, you won't be the first. I missed out on everything in the last party I attended because of this. Hence...Tweet Grid.

Here's the scoop:
You can go directly to tonight's Twitter Party through this link: Purpose Release Twitter Party. (If that doesn't work, go to this link: Tweet Grid Party Page . In the hashtag box, type: #purposebykristiecook. In the hosts box, type: @kristiecookauth, @alexisames, @tristan_knight. In the last box, type in your Twitter username.)A window will open with three columns. The left column is the feed for the whole party. Every tweet that includes "#purposebykristiecook" will show up in this column. This is where the conversation is. The center column shows only tweets from the hosts (me, Alexis and Tristan). This is the column you want to watch for announcements of giveaways (those tweets might get lost in the full conversation in the left column). The right column is like your regular Twitter feed - all your friends' tweets and your own.Before you can tweet, you have to log in. Right under the long window-bar at the top that says "Tweet" is a link to log-in. You'll need to enter your Twitter username and password and allow Tweet Grid to connect to your account. Now you're ready to join in!To tweet, simply type your message into that long window-bar and hit enter. Tweet Grid will automatically add the hashtag #purposebykristiecook so that your message goes into the party feed. The red number at the right tells you how many characters you have left before you exceed Twitter's 140-character maximum per tweet.You can reply to any tweets by hovering your cursor over the tweet and clicking the arrow that points to the left. The Twitter name of the person you're replying to will be added to the Tweet window-bar at the top. Just type in your message and hit enter. You only need to "reply" if you want that specific person's attention. Otherwise, all tweets in this Tweet Grid window will go the party because the hashtag is automatically added.To retweet (RT), which means tweeting what someone else has said, hover your cursor over the tweet and click the arrow pointing to the right. The original tweet will show up in the Tweet window-bar at the top. You can just hit enter and the message will be sent as is, going to all your followers, not just in the party feed. Or you can add to it by typing before the "RT" or at the end of the message. When adding to the end, you should separate the original tweet and your add-on with a slash (/) or two so people know that you've added your own thought to the original message. When you add to a RT, watch your character count. You might need to edit the message to get it down to size.If you have something to say that is just too long and important for 140 characters, end your first message with ... If you know how many tweets it will take to finish your thought, you can also add 1/3 (as in 1st of 3 tweets), 2/3, 3/3 at the end. The first number is which tweet in the message this is and the second number is how many total tweets you need to say it. For example, this bullet point could be divided into 4 tweets, so at the end of the first, I'd put 1/4; at the end of the next part, 2/4; at the end of the next part, 3/4; and at the end of the final part, 4/4. This helps people know in what order to read the tweets because sometimes they'll get fed funny.If you start to fall behind and want a chance to read everything in the feeds, you can click Stop at the top of the column. This will stop Tweet Grid from posting any new tweets in that column until you click Search! again.That's pretty much how Tweet Grid and a Twitter party work. Here are some tips for our party tonight:
When you sign on, tweet "I want me some Tristan!" as your check-in AND to enter the giveaway for signed copies of both Promise and Purpose. If you're not using Tweet Grid, make sure the hashtag #purposebykristiecook is included.Pay attention to the center column if using Tweet Grid! This is where you'll see something like, "The first person who tweets Alexis's mom's name wins a Nook!" Type in "Sophia!" in the Tweet box and hit enter. Do it fast and be the first to win.Be sure to follow the hosts (@kristiecookauth, @alexisames, @tristan_knight) so you can see our tweets in all three columns (just in case you get distracted in one column and we post a giveaway announcement).Giveaways will be about every 10 minutes or so. We'll give you a chance to catch up - and catch your breath - before doing the next one. But we do have a lot to giveaway, so it could get hectic.You can practice on Tweet Grid anytime before the party officially starts. Tweet this: "Fun & giveaways at the Purpose Release Twitter Party! Tonight, 8pm EST, use #purposebykristiecook @kristiecookauth" to get extra entries for the first giveaway. Feel free to tweet anything else to get used to the program. I'll be on early to answer any questions.
I hope this has been helpful and hasn't confused you more! See you at the party!!! It'll be a blast!

Wow! All kinds of partying going on!

For the Purpose Virtual Release Party , yesterday I introduced indie author Michelle Gregory and her book Eldala , which she's getting ready to re-release. We also gave some fun stuff away on Twitter.

For the blog tour, I stopped by Eisley's Ellipses for an interview, and A Gypsy Writer , with a guest post about the fantasy genre. If you didn't see them, I hope you'll go check them out. And if you'd like, don't forget to follow those fantabulous writers.

Today, Extreme Reader Book Reviews posted a review of Purpose - and it rocks! And tonight...

TWITTER PARTY!!!
I am so excited for the Twitter Party! It starts at 8 p.m. EST tonight. Use #purposebykristiecook hashtag. I also recommend using TweetGrid to follow the party. Party hosts are @kristiecookauth, @alexisames and @tristan_knight. Be sure to follow us!

Why do you want to come? Besides a fun chat and laughs, there will be TONS of giveaways. Like Purpose - both print and ebook...Eldala by Michelle Gregory...Karly Kirkpatrick's Into the Shadows ebook...swag and more! Really, you don't want to miss it.

Please let your tweeps know, too. The more who come, the more prizes we can give away. In fact, the first drawing will be from everyone who tweets about the party before the party. Tweet this exactly so I can count your entry:

Fun & giveaways at the Purpose Release Twitter Party! Tonight, 8pm EST, use #purposebykristiecook @kristiecookauth
The more times you tweet it, the more entries you get...but please not several times in a row. We don't want to spam your twiends. I'll announce the winner at the party. Hope to see you there!