Guest Post and Book Debut: Elizabeth Mueller and "Darkspell"

Today's post is special for me. My very first writing bloggy friend was Elizabeth Mueller. So I am so excited to help announce her debut novel Darkspell.

I also got the privilege of getting the opportunity to read her book and post a review. So, the first part of this post is a guest post from Elizabeth and the second part is my review of the book. Enjoy!

Guest Post, Elizabeth Mueller

I’ve learned a lot from the day Darkspell was picked up by TreasureLine. I had thought it was ready since I’d done so many revisions, critiques and overhauls. Before I submitted the entire manuscript, I decided to review a few more critiques. My heart sunk. It was not ready.

I scrambled over the week cutting and pasting chapters, deleting scenes, adding intensity and toning down. I deleted a sum total of 8,000+ words!

After perfecting the novel, I submitted it. My stomach suffered many forms of nausea—I was afraid that the publisher wouldn’t like it, even though she had read my stellar query letter. 

Darkspell finally came back a few weeks later all marked up. I spent another 2 weeks fixing it and sent it back. While waiting for the editor, I started a Darkspell hullabaloo by setting up a month-long giveaway. After some more waiting, I found that there were tons of typos. I spent another week fixing those and when I was done, inspiration hit on how to improve my book. How? Illustrations! With my publisher’s permission, I spent the next week illustrating the chapters, all 39 of them.

Sometime after that, I had the preformat edited version sent to me as a PDF. I was wowed by how stunning it turned out. Then, magic happened: a week or so later, I held my proof. An actual copy of my baby! How beautiful! I combed through it once more with a red pen and sent the corrections to my publisher.

All along, I’ve been devising ways to get my book out there, setting up pre-order options, contests and such.

And now, here I am, waiting for my books to arrive as I’ve placed the order, as well for the release October 31^st! It’s a LOT of work and heartache, but I’ve grown so much from just one book being accepted.

Read the first chapter here!

Book Debut, Darkspell

Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary ... until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold. As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter's protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own. Will love prove thicker than magic? Included in this volume are author-created illustrations that bestselling author Ellen C. Maze calls a mind blowing treat. Darkspell is classified as a Young Adult Paranormal Romance that will appeal beyond the genre.
                   ~Book Description from Amazon.com


Reviewers on Amazon call Darkspell "Easily a five-star read" and "one of those guilty pleasure books that keep you turning pages."


Elizabeth's creativity fills the pages of her debut novel with more than just words. She painstakingly created drawings for each chapter that really bring the story to life and give the reader a unique glimpse into the world of Winter Sky and Alex Stormhold.


The pages of Darkspell are filled with magic and suspense and a nice helping of romance that even includes a little love triangle. If you're in for a new YA experience Elizabeth's book might just be what you're looking for.


Congrats Elizabeth!

Come Celebrate With Us!

When one of our own has success we, here at MMW, want to make sure we shout it to the world! When two of our own are reaching their writing dreams at the same time we're so excited we can hardly contain ourselves.

Our very own (we still consider them ours--we're possessive that way) retired contributors, Elizabeth Mueller and Christine "C.K." Bryant, are releasing their debut novels in the coming weeks.

For my post today I thought I could share some of the fun stuff they've both got going on in anticipation of their publishing debuts. When you're finished here make sure to click on their snazzy buttons on the side-bar and check out their blogs for more information on their exciting publishing adventures.

Elizabeth Mueller

Darkspell

Elizabeth:
In honor of Darkspell's Halloween release, I am holding a never before seen countdown for my debut novel, Darkspell, a YA Paranormal Romance! I spent over 100 hours illustrating the chapter the inserts. I am using all 39 of them as a countdown for Darkspell's release October 31st! How cool is that?

Please join me for her Darkspell Launch Spookfesta going on right now--join and post/shout-out on October 31st as a big welcome to her debut novel's entrance into society!

Prizes involve 3 different winners, 3 different prizes: signed poster (illustrated, full color by author), $10 Amazon gift certificate, and a copy of Darkspell!

Click here to read first chapter!
Click here to read 5 star review!


Check out Elizabeth's blog so you can include the button below on your blog!

Christine "C.K." Bryant

Bound

Christine is joining forces with four other authors and publishing their books Indie style together on November 11, 2011 (11-11-11). They're calling their launch the "Dark C.A.R.M.A. Tour." (Each letter of the word "Carma" stands for one of the authors.) In anticipation of their books coming out they are holding "The Good Karma Giveaway." Hop over to their group blog here and check out the prizes and the different ways you can join in the fun.

You can read the first chapter of Christine's novel Bound here as well as read reviews and learn how you can pre-order your copy today.

Be sure to add The Dark C.A.R.M.A. button to your blog today! Visit their website to download the button below.

Saturday Stories, Elizabeth Mueller

Today my special guest isn't really a guest at all. Today's guest is our very own Elizabeth Mueller!

I was so sad to see Elizabeth leave our blog but she has been super busy with her upcoming novel and all of us at MMW are so excited to see Elizabeth's success. We can't wait to see her book in print. CONGRATULATIONS, Elizabeth! You go girl!

Elizabeth is here today as part of her book blog tour. As a special treat at the end of this interview Elizabeth has included an excerpt from her upcoming debut novel, Darkspell. After you've finished reading the interview and the excerpt I'm sure you'll want to learn more about Elizabeth. So, go here to check out her blog and here to check out her author website.

Q–Tell us about yourself.

It is important to me that I live according to Heavenly Father’s standards and let my light shine as brightly as it can. I haven’t really thought about this until recently, but since growing up in an abusive home, I’ve always invented stories of characters who struggle, fail, and then come out victorious. I would have to say that’s how my life has been, and I seem to thrive on barren ground; the Lord knows me best.

Q–You're debut Novel Darkspell is coming out soon. Would you tell us about it?

“Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . . until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.

“As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her.  Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.

“ Will love prove thicker than magic?”

I’m having an Interview Blog Tour in July. My book releases fall of 2011, but I will most definitely hold a Book Tour as soon as the details of its release is finalized!

I have the option to “reserve” your signed copy as well!  (Click here if you'd like to reserve your signed copy today.)

Q–You have an amazing blog following! How do you do it? How do you connect with so many people?

Thank you, Lisa! First off, I follow as many people as I can so as to get myself out there. Bloggers are nice friends who normally follow you back. I also make it a point to always leave comments, but not just any kind of comment, but something that is from my heart. Something that I would share with a friend in reference to the post.

Another thing is I’ve made it a point to join bloghops, blogfests, and hold my own contests as well as host blogger’s contests and/or review their books for them. I enjoy helping others and don’t mind using my blog as a means to their success!

Q–How do stories come to you? Where do you get your inspiration?

My stories can come from anywhere—from a sunset, a phrase, a rock, a tree, an emotion, a song . . .

Darkspell, for example, came from Gail Carson Levine’s Writing Magic. You can find the writing prompt on page 4, 5^th one down. And in my novel, you can find it within the first 30 pages!

Rock Star was inspired by a piece of heavy metal music as my hubby and I were driving home—sorry, I can no longer remember which one it was. But as I listened, I wondered how a rock star would handle an untimely death and an unlikely love.

Eros was inspired by the silly little cupids from Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian. Hm, I thought, Cupid in modern times?

I have an active imagination that runs wild with me—especially when I pray and do what the Lord wants me to do!

Q–Where is the one place in this world you plan to visit after you’ve become rich and famous from your books?

I’m hoping that I do become rich and famous; it is my entire goal to help others with my success because without Heavenly Father, I couldn’t get anywhere. What better way than to help others with the gifts He’s so generously blessed me with?

One thing for sure is that I would love to visit all the temples in the world.

Q–If you could create any magical mythical world in a book where creatures and people could look and act like anything you want, what would they look and act like?

There would be elves, centaurs, mermaids, vampires along with their foes. They would be graceful beings with talents ranging from natural elements to the unearthly. They would be just like you and me, fighting for what they believe—not always succeeding, but always striving.

Q–If you could have any magical ability what would it be and why?

That’s a great question. To be bluntly honest with you, I wouldn’t because it would interfere with God’s plans.

Q–Finish this sentence:  “The hardest part about writing is...”

…finding the time to do it! I get so caught up in it I wish I could clone myself to carry out all my other duties.

Q–If you were at an all you can eat desert buffet where every sweet creation known to your palate was available, what would be your weakness? What desert would call to you for seconds and thirds?

Ooh, you had to ask, and I’m hungry right now! Yikes! I LOVE a hot brownie at the bottom of a bowl and vanilla ice cream melting on top. I also love practically anything with cherries…

Q–Are you a cat or a dog person?

Definitely cat. Dogs are too clumsy and boisterous for my tastes! :P

Q–What is the most valuable piece of writing advice you’ve received?

It was from my husband who loathes writing, but it came straight from a blessing he gave me when I was struggling:

“Don’t worry what others think or say about what I do. The only ones I should care about is my Father in Heaven, my husband and my children.”

It is SO freeing!

Ultimately, Heavenly Father is the only one who really matters.

Q–If you could be any character in any book you’ve ever read, who would it be and why?

It would be Aud, from Giants of the Frost by Kim Wilkins. Aud endures such agonizing tragedy, but her reward at the end is so elating, it gave my heart wings!

Q–Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who reminds you most of yourself? Were you shocked to discover the similarity?

Pentulla from my high fantasy novel, Tragic Innocence reminds me of myself—she struggles through her trials, then figures out who she is and decides to stand up to fight for what she believes in no matter the consequences.  It doesn’t shock me because I felt such kinship as I wrote her story. She is an elf.

Q–How can we learn more about you and about your debut novel Darkspell?

Please join me in my celebration for Darkspell’s fall release all July long! A pre-book launch party if you will. Click here for details.

Thanks for the interview, Elizabeth! I can't wait.


Excerpt from Darkspell....

Alex reached out and took my hands. A spark of magic passed between us. I didn’t resist and his gaze deepened. Another wave tore through me and I felt his powerful drive to protect me and the desire to share the rest of his life with me. I could see forever, eternity was wide and deep.

I would never be alone again.

Having tasted Alex so strongly, so close, so dear, left me empty; a starving sensation that could only be filled by him. I had no idea he felt so intensely for me. His love washed away all doubt from me.

I leaned into Alex as my world spun fast on a crooked axis. I breathed him in. I was intoxicated with his burning hold, I was so alive. Every sound was louder, the wind richer as it flowed through me. I was so free, so alive, so untainted by any wicked thing. I closed my eyes, shivering with desire, and imagined the breeze encircling us; bringing us to our feet and drawing us closer like a child’s ribbon.

Just as I opened my eyes, he whispered, “Listen, Winter. Listen to me.”

He brought me to him and gently pressed my face to his heart. It was a wild thing, trapped and yearning to be free. My blood sang and my eyes drifted closed. It felt as if my feet lifted from the ground. One hand was soft in my hair as he caressed my back with the other.

“How have you come by such magic? Such power to control? Can I come into your world? Can you teach me?” I trembled, savoring every sensation. 

Book Review: The Perfect Fit by Michele Ashman Bell

From the back:

“ . . . Andi is glad to be taking the Butterfly Box with her to Hawaii, where she plans to spend a few weeks participating in a reality dating show. To her surprise, the eligible bachelor, Michael Makura, soon singles her out for attention, provoking jealous acts of sabotage from the other contestants. Soon a series of unusual events disrupt the pairs’ fledgling romance, and Andi starts over in New York where she begins dating a great guy and accepts a job offer from a generous, eccentric man. But when Michael unexpectedly shows up, all is not well in the Big Apple. And soon, Andi faces a threat that could ultimately take her life.”

Michele always delivers!

The same good feeling of slipping into a comfy pair of jeans hit me when I picked up Michele’s The Perfect Fit.  No pun intended! ;)

Her stories ring of pure escapism and refreshing enjoyment.

I love the realism of the well-researched makings of the filming crew and the feel of their orchestration. The characters acted out their parts true to their director’s (Michele) lead. Everything felt believable. I was transported to beaches, sunsets and romance!

If you want your breath taken away, I highly recommend adding The Perfect Fit to your library reads!

Happy Father's Day

Wow, what an example!

A Paranormal Invitation and GIVEAWAY!

I cordially invite you to

a

chat with authors Deanna Jewel, S.B. Niccum, Robin Renee Ray, Teric Darken, Krisy Keley, and Elizabeth Mueller--moi!

Deanna Jewel is hosting coolawesome paranormal chat June 18th! Vampires and Ghosts and all others welcome!

Darkspell JULY Giveaway

Join me in my celebration the entire month of July for Darkspell’s release this fall at my blog!

Here's what I'll be giving away every week in July!

Nox Arcana's Shadow of the Raven for the FIRST WEEK

Canvas Wall Scroll Tapestry: 12"X 17" for the SECOND WEEK

Dragons Sculpture Bookends: 4"X5"X8" for the THIRD WEEK

My favorite: 13" tall. Dark Shadows Lamp for the FOURTH WEEK

Visit my blog for my official announcement July 1st!

Darkspell's Book Cover!

This is what the fantastic Jaimey Grant has been up to:

Super cover artist Jaimey has taken what I started and added magic!

Can you see Alex, my MC, staring at you?

That, my dearies, is my 11 year old son.

I manipulated his face on my PAINT program.

Yup. Paint. Not Photoshop.

I really need to update myself, don't I?

I promise, I will!

How cool does the cover look?

It is wicked awesome!

Releases fall of 2011!

Mormon Writer

source

What does it mean to for me to be a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint writer?

It means that I have been blessed with the desire, the drive and love to pursue the talent that my Father in Heaven has bestowed upon me.

It means that I have a voice that will reach outside the bounds of my vicinity and I will influence those with my inner strengths.

It means that I will serve the Lord with my might, mind, and heart and I will do all I can to honor Him through the talent He has so generously blessed me with.


Here's something I've found on the Church's website. I invite everyone to read it. It is enlightening!

"“Why did you write this story?” I asked. “Is this the real you coming out, the inner self that just had to be expressed?”

“Oh, no!” she answered. “I’m not at all like that, Bishop.”

“Then why did you write that way?”

“Because I thought I had to write that way to be published,” she said."

What does it mean to you to be a Latter-day Saint writer?

Debut Author, Elizabeth Mueller

I decided to use this chance to introduce an exciting thing. I know that I've posted a small video of me signing my contract with TreasureLine Books, but I didn't get more into it.

This is the book that has been picked up:

Darkspell Ya Paranormal Romance



Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . . until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.

As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her.  Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.

Will love prove thicker than magic?

I started into the world of magic when I was very young. I expressed it by illustrating talking animals, and forced hardships upon them just so that I'd feel better.

I also turned to the game of "pretend" that extended into a series of days or even weeks and months. I had an active imagination.
It was my way of escaping.

I started writing when I was 9 with short and choppy poems. When I was 11, I  wrote a handful of short stories that would make me laugh now, and I started my first epic high fantasy novel at 17--which I completed 8 years later! It's collecting dust right now until I decide to edit all my grammar mistakes!

The common theme in my playing and writing was enduring tragedies, failing, and then coming out strong. It's similar to my life story, and without a doubt, it shows in every book that I write.

My trails have made me compassionate. I love sharing what I've learned as any real friend would.

It is my goal, as an author, to let you know that there is hope, love, and strength in this life that seems to batter and beat and abuse our poor souls.

I'm a passionate writer holding no secrets, and a friend willing to share everything I've learned.

It is perseverance that has gotten me here--and I've been writing for over 20 years! I truly believe that if I can do it, so can you!

Happy Mother's Day and a fun Video!

A music video for our LDStorymaker's writer's conference, lyrics by Krista Lynn Jensen, directed by Stephanie Fowers, Cinematography by Stephanie and Jacqueline Fowers, assistant directed by Sandra Barton, computer graphics by Jacqueline Fowers. Starring: Heather Moore, Jessica Day George, Melissa J. Cunningham, Elizabeth Mueller, Krista Anglesey Jensen, Frank Cole, Marion Jensen, LeAnn Setzer, Josi Kilpack, Jaime Theler, Debbie Hulet, Crystal Liechty, Michelle Holmes, Sarah and Paul Eden

I'm in this video--fun! :) 

Happy Mother's Day!

Interview with Cheri Chesley, Author of Peasant Queen

I decided to interview our very own Cheri today. She's such a wonderful person, I'm happy that she's agreed to this interview.

How and when did you discover your love of writing?

That's actually a funny story. In the first months of my freshman year of high school, I wrote to kill time during my lunch hour. I wasn't really doing anything in particular, but one day I flipped the page I was working on over and wrote the page number on the top corner. 100. That's when I realized I might have something here, since I wasn't even half done with the story in my head! 

What other loves do you have and how did you develop them?

It took me a long time to figure out the importance of play in life. I play with my family whenever I get the chance. Especially with the hubby. We never get enough time together.

Aside from the fam, I love photography, sewing and baking. I will sew without a pattern or by mixing and matching pattern pieces to get what I visualize in my head. I do follow the book more when baking--with all these things, the more I do them the better I become at them.

Have you ever drawn portraits of your characters?

At some point, I had to choose the writing or the drawing because I couldn't do both. But I did used to draw my characters because I'm a visual person, and I still have those drawings. They make me laugh.

How many books have you finished? Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

I have not, and may never, transition my writing and notes completely to the computer, so there's still a lot on paper. Once I put all my stories and novels on paper and listed their level of completion, but I've written more stories and not updated my list. This is the long way of telling you I have no idea. I think a good estimate is that I have completed 6 novels, but that does not count short stories. 

Right now, my favorite novel is The Tyrant King. It is the last of my fantasy trilogy and is packed with action and the culmination of generations of character angst. But I have a nonfiction work that surpasses even my fondness for TTK. It's a memoir of the first 5 or so years of my life as a mommy. I wrote it in 2002 while recovering from a miscarriage.

What genres do you classify them as and how many are do you have in each genre? What is your favorite genre? Does world building intimidate you and what is the funnest part of world building for you?

The trilogy is YA romantic fantasy. I have the one nonfiction and another that is I guess a paranormal. Not on purpose, but there's a ghost story and a little ghostly assistance--so it fits. Another is contemporary YA.

I read nearly all genres, but what genre I prefer to write in depends on my mood. Fantasy, romance, middle grade fantasy.

Why fantasy?

I write the stories that speak to me. As a kid, I loved unicorns, magic, princesses--anything of that ilk. So it made sense my first stories had those elements. Since then I've branched out some, but I don't stray far.

Are you planning to write ‘clean’ adult books?

Definitely. I think there's precious little clean romance, and I personally love the concept of romance novels that you don't panic if your kids pick up.

How many of the books you’ve written are published?

The Peasant Queen will be my first published novel, though I have had some poetry and short stories published in anthologies.

Do you have a character bible?

Of sorts. One of my dreams is to attend a character bible class at a conference and figure out how to make mine more official. My problem is always the variety of classes and having to prioritize! But I have to make notes of my characters' particular traits, or I get horribly confused!

On your april 27^th blogging post, you quoted, "The harder I work, the luckier I am." Could you tell us how this applies to you? What struggles did you face as a writer?

I think my struggles as a writer are pretty common. Time. Confidence. Schizophrenia. This particular quote reminds me of something a bestselling author told me about how they are perceived. People often forget how much work and time go into producing a novel, so success seems near instantaneous. It's not. 

In 2006, I received a call out of the blue telling my my cousin, who shares my given name (Cheryl) had died suddenly after a routine gall bladder operation. 2 weeks later, my grandma, who had been suffering from inoperable cancer for about a decade, died (on my birthday). I attended two funerals in 3 weeks. About a month later, my doctor referred me to a specialist about my allergy problems. The specialist found I had a severely deviated nasal septum and recommended surgery. Routine surgery. Sound familiar? I started to wonder if this was it for me, if my time on earth was waning. How had I spent it? Was I realizing my potential? It served as a wake up call. Was I going to get serious about my writing, or not? That's when things really began to change.

How do you deal with writer’s block? Do you have a writing buddy or a crit group? How often do you get together? Did you ever once feel as if they set you back by their comments about your work?

I used to never get writer's block. Then I started writing. Seriously, though, I don't know if any one thing has worked more than one time. Sometimes I switch to a different piece or give myself a break entirely. But, a couple of years ago, I had an episode of writer's block that lasted nearly 9 months. It was almost entirely stress related, which is ironic. If I don't write, then I get stressed, but my stress was keeping me from writing. That was the toughest period I went through. I had to sort out some personal things before I could write again.

I've fallen behind with my crit group. Now I'm actually part of two, and don't do much--though once I have a few chapters of my WIP revised I'm going back. They were critiquing the book I had submitted to Cedar Fort, but once it was accepted I didn't feel I had anything ready to submit to critique.

I can't say that I've ever gotten feedback that's negative enough to discourage me. God knows me well; He knows I'm my own worst critic--even to the point where I quit writing more than once in my 20's. Convinced myself I can never be good enough, etc., and gave up. Most of my feedback has been constructive--and luckily things I can fix. :)

With kids amuck, when do you find time to write? How do you balance life, family and work?

We have 5 at home. I also do some babysitting in addition to everything else. If I can pull an hour a day to write, I'm feeling pretty good. Right now my schedule is such that I can write while my kids are in school and the baby's napping. When school lets out, who knows what will happen?

Some writers get up early to write before their family needs them. Others stay up late to write after everyone's in bed. I am not a morning person. I can't make that work, and I've tried. But my schedule doesn't let me be a night person, so for me it's the middle of the day. Or when things get quiet, which is a near miracle all by itself. I'll tell you, I do watch a lot less TV now!

What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring writers out there?

Write. Read. Prioritize. For me, writing is more my part in this world--my role in God's plan--than anything else. It took a long time for me to understand this, and even longer to accept it. But I will never forget the incredible sense of peace that came over me when I accepted this new role. This is what is right for me. And because of this, I know I can't give in to the doubt that can plague me. If a person feels that call to write, they will only be miserable if they try to ignore it.

Thanks, Cheri! I had fun getting to know you!

Visit Cheri on her blog and become a follower!

 

He is Risen!

Click here for President Monson's address.

He died so that we might live.

Happy Easter!




One for the ROAD:

My book, Darkspell a YA paranormal Romance has been picked
up by TreasureLine Publishers!

SO exciting! Here's me signing my contract:

(pardon the background sound, that's my hubby watching tv.)

S. B. Niccum spotted at LDSFiction!