First Round of Edits are Completed!!!

Hey! Guess what?!

That's right. I finished the first round of edits for my easy-to-read children's Sci-fi chapter book.

Now I search for a young beta reader to tear it apart. :)

Let the search begin!

Blessings - Kimberli

So...What's Been Going On?!

It's time for an update!

What's been happening with my writing?

Let's see...

I've been done with the third manuscript for the Shayia's Adventures series. It has been sent to the publisher. While that story was in critiques, I had started a children's Sci-fi story. It's another easy-to-read book. It is almost done going through critiques. I will be self-publishing it sometime next year. I'm excited about it. I've never gone through the process, but hear a lot of good things from other writers. I've also begun working on a children's dragon story. It is coming along SLOWLY. :)

I still get excited when I'm writing. Do you? :)

I hope you are keeping up with whatever you're called to do!

Blessings - Kimberli

Hello! :)

Oh my! February was the last time I posted....SORRY! :)

So, what's been going on in my writing world, you ask? Let's see....

1. I've finished the edits for the third book in the Shayia's Adventures series. Now I wait to hear from my publisher.

2. The Lord has given me several new story ideas to put in my journal. I'm so excited to work on them.

3. I've had the awesome and humbling opportunity to critique some great stories. (If you're not in a strong critique group, please find one!)

4. I'm working hard on my WIP (work in progress), which is another easy-to-read book. However, it's a little bit more challenging length wise. The books in the Shayia's Adventures series had 16 chapters. This sci-fi story will have at least 35. They are very short chapters, though.

Well, there's probably more, but with my memory... :)

I pray you are working hard on whatever you are called to do.

Blessings - Kimberli

Finding My Place

When the Lord first gave me the dream for the very first story in the Shayia's Adventure series, I didn't know it was going to be written for children that struggled with reading.

It was when I began to work on the outlines that He impressed on my heart to play my part in making a difference with helping children develop a love for reading.

I knew the first book could be so much more, but the Lord had a plan and I wanted to be a part of it. It broke my heart to watch my own son struggle and I knew he was not alone.

The Shayia's Adventure series is comprised of condensed stories with short chapters. As young readers work their way through each book, it is my prayer that they will be encouraged to challenge themselves with more difficult books, but first, they must take that initial step and this series will help.

My new book (a sci-fi) will also be designed for easy reading. This book will have really short chapters, but instead of 16 like my first books, this book will have 35. Now, can you imagine the joy and sense of accomplishment a young reader that struggles will have after completing a book with that many chapters. That's exciting!

I don't know how long the Lord will have me write these types of books, but for right now, I have found my place. I'm blessed to be a part of nurturing young readers.

Have you found your place?

Blessings - Kimberli

Let the Edits Begin!

Time to edit.

The critiques are done and I've started editing the third story in the Shayia's Adventures series. To be honest with you, I'm excited about it. That might change in a few weeks.

Being a part of a ACFW critique group has been a blessing. I can't stress enough how important it is to have others take your story apart. It stings sometimes and you may not agree with all the comments, but it is worth it.

I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I welcome it.

We are praying for this book to be released in August. That will be here before I know it.

I still don't have a book title. Yikes. :)

Keep reading and writing!!

Blessings - Kimberli

Critiques!!!

Critiques are almost done!

The manuscript for my third book is going through critiques and is almost done. Two more chapters and an epilogue left.

I'm so thankful the Lord has opened up this opportunity to be a part of a wonderful critique group. They are a blessing.

When critiques are done, I will begin edits. After that...another round of critiques.

Some might consider these steps boring, but it's so exciting to see your story mature.

I pray those of you that are called to write are writing.

Press on!!

Blessings - Kimberli

Divided

So, I've spent the last several years working on a children's book series. I've become attached to the characters, watched them grow and mature. They are constantly in my thoughts. While the first draft of the third book is going through critiques, I've begun working on a new children's story.

Here's my problem...I can't stop thinking about Shayia and the gang. It's hindering me from getting to know the new characters in my current WIP!

What do I do to keep my mind focused?

What do you do when you work on more than one project? How do you divide your attention so that neither project suffers? If you have any suggestions for me, please share.

As I continue to work through this issue, I'll share with you how I'm doing in case someone else has the same problem.

We must stick together!

Blessings - Kimberli

Have you read my books?

You have?! That's awesome. :)

I would love for you to share what you thought of the stories.

I know several copies were given out over the last few months. Some were given to libraries, schools, and others gifted to young readers.

As readers transport themselves into our stories, we authors are thinking - do they like it?

Therefore, I am asking. If you have read - The Sword of Light and/or Redemption from the Shayia's Adventures series, please give me a shout. I'd love to hear from you.

If you haven't read the two books, here is your invitation to run out and get them (or order online) and start reading!

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Blessings - Kimberli

Books: (target age 9-12)
- The Sword of Light: Shayia's Adventures - Book One
- Redemption: Shayia's Adventures - Book Two

Blessed at ICRS

I had a wonderful time at ICRS even though I was only there for a couple of hours. (Getting there and back home....a different story.) :)

At ICRS, I met some sweet people. Some offered to put my books in their church library and others wanted to gift them to young family members. It's exciting to know my book is being read all over the world. I pray the Lord is glorified.

Due to the short time being there, I was not able to meet other authors. If the Lord opens up another opportunity for me to go next year, I will make sure I meet at least one or two. I did see Ms. Tosca Lee for a brief moment. I was blessed with the opportunity to meet her and Mr. Ted Dekker when they had a signing a month ago in Lincoln, NE.

If you have the opportunity to attend ICRS, please do.

I have a lot of writing and critiquing to do. :)

Happy writing and reading!!

Blessings - Kimberli

ICRS is coming soon!!

ICRS stands for International Christian Retail Show. I've had two book signings, but this is my first big event. I'm nervous. Not so much about the event. It's getting there that makes me jittery. I have to take a plane. A plane!!!

Although I would greatly appreciate your prayers for a safe journey for all, I'd like to ask for prayer for the event. I will be there for two hours signing books. However, I fill has if the Lord wants me to minister to others. I'm not sure who He needs me to minister to, but I want to be prepared.

So, friends, I ask that you please pray for this event and all the Lord wants to accomplish.

Thank you!

If you're going, I hope to meet you.

Let's get some writing done today!

Blessings - Kimberli

So...What's Happening?

It's been awhile. Sorry!

So, what's been happening? Writing and critiquing.

The third book in the Shayia's Adventures series is going through critiques. I still don't have a title. In the meantime, I have started a new writing project. I'm excited to get to know new characters. The story is set in the future. I'll tell you more about it in a couple of months. It's going to be awesome!!

I was also blessed with an interview. Please go check it out!!!

http://fantasyinmotion.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/author-interview-kimberli-renee-campbell/

I hope you have been writing and reading. There are some awesome books on the shelves.

Blessings - Kimberli

The first draft of my third book is finished!!!

I am jumping for joy and praising the Lord!!

A few days ago, I completed the first draft of my third manuscript. The third book of the Shayia's Adventure series. (Still no title.)

I feel like I've been working on it forever.

Thank you, Lord, for being there every step of the way.

The manuscript has been set aside. In a few weeks or so, I will return to it and begin filling in missing pieces and doing some edits. But for now, I am just enjoying the feeling of seeing my project through its first stage. When you write that last sentence, there are so many emotions felt. I was sad, happy, empty, ecstatic...you name it.

I want to thank those that continue to pray and encourage me on my writing journey. You are a blessing.

To all writers – let's get some writing done today!!!

Blessings - Kimberli

THE FIRST DRAFT

So, you have an awesome story the Lord has given you to share with others. What next?

The first thing you need to do is outline the story or jump right in and go for it.

Once you've decided your method and your ready to begin, the most important thing to remember about the first draft is...WRITE FIRST - EDIT LATER.

There will be plenty of time for edits. Trust me.

On your first draft, allow the story to flow from the passion in your heart and become tangible. So many wonderful stories are abandoned because we allow ourselves to get distracted and begin editing our work as we go. We start changing and correcting things, and before we know it, the story's dead.

Please don't let this to happen to you.

I encourage you to ignore the editing monster and complete your first draft! You can do it!!!!

Happy writing!

Blessings - Kimberli

MAGIC AND SORCERY

Do I have magic and/or sorcery in my children's chapter book series? Yes.

Does my story glorify them? Absolutely not. In fact, if you read the first book, you will find that it says that magic and sorcery are bad things and not of God.

Now, let's talk about Shayia's sword. Is it magic? No. Shayia's father made the sword following explicit instructions from God. When the Word appears on the blade of the sword, it is the manifestation of God's power.

Let's look at the Word. What about Moses' staff or the talking donkey? Was this magic or sorcery? No. It was the manifestation of God's power.

So, what am I to do when people do not wish to promote the stories the Lord gives me because they feel it goes against their convictions? I'll tell you what I do...I thank them. I must follow my heart as they must follow theirs.

The Lord gave me this children's chapter book series. He gave me the content. I will obey and follow His guidance. When I receive notes from children saying the stories drew them closer to God, I know I have done what I was called to do.

We believers will disagree with one another. It's all right. But, let's guard ourselves from allowing any discord to come between us. Let's glorify our Heavenly Father in all we do!!

Blessings and keep writing!!!!

Author Spotlight - Nick Giannaras!!

Please enjoy my interview with author Nick Giannaras!!!


When did you feel called to write?

When a lady spoke into my life, saying that there were untapped talents that needed to be revealed, I haven’t stopped since.

Have you dealt with writer's block? If so, how did you overcome it?

Hmmm, the main way I deal with it is I sit down with my wife and verbally discuss the story up to the sticking point. On many occasions she has come up with an idea or a tidbit that sparks new ideas for the story to continue. Gotta love her!

Do you find a part of your personality sneaking into any of your characters?

Yes. In my trilogy, Relics of Nanthara, I’ve found several of my traits in more than one character. Odd that it played out like that, but I try to spread the love.

Were there any scenes you found difficult to write? Made you angry or made you cry?

There wasn’t anything too difficult to write. Although the scene of the alliance fleeing Annotin after their confrontation was a bit unnerving as I pictured myself in the scene.

What do you want your readers to take from your book(s)?

I want their hearts touched by what the characters experience
to the point of wanting to change their own lives for the better. Although it is YA, I try not to sugar coat the stories, and I am not afraid to portray real world strife and horror in my stories. It’s not hidden from the kids today, so why hide the truth in words?

Can you share any upcoming projects with us?

Currently, I am finishing up Relics of Nanthara: Dawn of the Apocalypse, Book 3 in the trilogy, and I have several other projects in the works at various stages of completion. One is a Sci-Fi superhero, The Nuclear Fist Chronicles; three take place in Nanthara, The Onyx Tomes (taking place 30 years after the trilogy); Sons of the Trident (most likely a trilogy); and We Came To Die (a mercenary seeking revenge after being left for dead). I also have a historical fiction, Enemy Within The Ranks.

Where can readers find your books and contact information?

For The Relics of Nanthara trilogy, my website is relicsofnanthara.weebly.com. Once the others show, I will either create a separate site or link them.

Author Spotlight - Adam Graham

Please enjoy my Q & A with author Adam Graham!!!

How long have you been writing?


Since I was eight, almost nine years old. Before the San Francisco Earthquake, I was writing Batman-Superman Fanfiction.

Do you find a part of your personality sneaking into any of your characters?

Here and there, probably the clown and sarcastic tendencies are the ones most likely to appear.

Were there any scenes you found difficult to write? Made you angry or made you cry?

I’m working on a Short Story that’s trying to become a novelette and the final confrontation scene was very tough. The story deals with child abuse and I kept wanting to handle the whole thing more clinically. What we finally ended up writing after much coaxing from my wife, was something that packs more of a punch, and did make me cry writing it.

Tell us a little about yourself. What do you like to do when you are not writing? What is your temperament, etc.?

I love old time radio and radio drama in general. Spend a lot of time listening to that and producing podcasts on old time radio.

When creating a character, where do you begin? Do you give them a background even if it may never be mentioned in the storyline?

I really try to get to know the character organically, through telling the story and listening to them. I tried once writing down all the details and I never got through all the details and never wrote the story.

Can you share one or two nuggets of wisdom to those wanting to travel down the writing road?

In modern writing, there are two types of rules: 1) rules that are absolute and hard and fast and 2) things that are a matter of opinion and style but get stated as rules. A good writer has to be able to tell the difference.

Where can readers find your books and contact information?

http://www.dimknight.com

Author Spotlight - Yvonne Anderson

I hope you take the time to read my Q & A with author Yvonne Anderson!!


What is your writing routine? Do you need peace and quiet, soft music, or does it matter?

It takes me a little while to get into the story each time I go back to it, and I need to be isolated from distracting things like TV, music, conversation, etc. I don’t need complete silence, though. I do a lot of writing sitting on the front porch with the world going past the house. But those sounds, I can block out.

When creating a character, where do you begin? Do you give them a background even if it may never be mentioned in the storyline?

Yes, I give my characters a history, but I tend to work backward. That is, I decide first what I want the character to do, and then I figure out what her background and motivation is, and build her history that way. That’s all done mentally before I start writing. Then once I get started, she’ll sometimes react in ways I hadn’t anticipated, but it’s always consistent with the backstory I gave her early on.

With a full schedule, how do you find time to write?

I used to squeeze it in whenever I could, and it was very frustrating. Thankfully, I’m now in a position to write full time. It’s not like having a full-time job, because I don’t get a paycheck. But at least my time is my own.

Do you use outlines or let the story develop on its own?

I’m a seat-of-the-pants plotter. However, before I start writing, I know the beginning, the end, and two pivotal events that will take place along the way, as well as the major characters. But other than that, I’m as surprised about what happens as the reader is. It’s fun.

What do you want your readers to take from your book(s)?

I want people to enjoy my books and find things in them to think about after they’re through. Mostly, though, I hope they’ll see God’s truth reflected in my stories.

Can you share any upcoming projects with us?

In January 2011 I signed a three-book contract with Risen Books for a space fantasy series, Gateway to Gannah. The first book, The Story in the Stars, was released in June; Book #2 will probably come out in December, and I expect the third to be released in the middle of 2012. I’m currently revising #3 in preparation for submitting it to the publisher, and I also have a good idea in my mind of what’s going to happen in Book #4. I have no contract for anything beyond the third book, but I expect I’ll keep writing more in the series for the next few years, because I have several story ideas still to work out.

Where can readers find your books and contact information?

Readers can connect with me through my blog at www.YsWords.com. The Story in the Stars (and later, subsequent titles in the series) can be purchased in paperback or e-book formats at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Story-Stars-Yvonne-Anderson/dp/1936835045/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310393293&sr=1-1) or through the publisher’s website (www.RisenFiction.com/store).

Author Spotlight - Paul Baines

Please enjoy my visit with author Paul Baines!


- Tell us a little about yourself. What do you like to do when you are not writing? What is your temperament, etc.?

I love to watch a good film, or listen to some music. When I’m not relaxing I am usually exercising, or watching sport. I used to be a fitness instructor so cannot imagine not being fit. I’m not a fitness fanatic, but I do like to train.

- With a full schedule, how do you find time to write?

I commute six miles to work and back on my bicycle every day, which means I have about an hour-and-a-half with nothing to do other than watch the world roll by. What I started doing a few years ago was to write my novel on the way to work. I would run through plots and narrative and dialogue in my head, and then write them down as soon as I got to a computer. It is quite effective.

- Do you spend time in prayer before you write or begin a project?

Yes, enormous amounts, especially for any work that I consider a part of my ministry. I feel that, as a Christian writer, I should do nothing without God’s blessings. My prayer used to be: please let my book be published. Now it is: please don’t let my book be published, unless you want it to be.

- What is your writing routine? Do you need peace and quiet, soft music, or does it matter?

I actually do most of my writing during my lunch break at work. My office can get quite noisy, so I usually listen to music through my headphones. I like Rachmaninoff, or a movie soundtrack if I need some inspiration.

- When creating a character, where do you begin? Do you give them a background even if it may never be mentioned in the storyline?

I tend to concentrate on the main characters. I don’t do an outline, but I imagine what they are like, and how they fit into the story. Then I let them grow organically with the story, adjusting and tweaking as I go. Sometimes this means rewriting a part of the novel, but that is just a part of writing so I don’t mind.

- Were there any scenes you found difficult to write? Made you angry or made you cry?

The hardest scene for me to write was a church scene. I was desperate to avoid being preachy, yet the scene was essential for the story. I think I managed to avoided making it preachy in the end (at least I hope I did). As for making myself cry, I did manage to make myself choke up one time. I was reading a chapter that seemed to make everyone who read it a bit teary. I wanted to see if I could identify exactly what it was that triggered the emotion. While reading it, I choked up. And, yes, I did identify the trigger.

- Can you share any upcoming projects with us?

Hmm. Well I have two finished stories with my publisher at the moment. Plus a long humorous poem for kids, written in the style of Dr Seuss. At the moment I’m busy writing a sequel to my debut novel Alpha Redemption. And I have another story waiting to be written, plus an old story that I want to rewrite and another that I am thinking about.

- Where can readers find your books and contact information?

My personal site: www.pabaines.com
My publisher: www.splashdownbooks.com
Amazon: http://amzn.to/pFKFca

- Thank you for visiting with us today.

Thank you for having me.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - CINDY KOEPP

Please enjoy my Q & A with author Cindy Koepp


- How long have you been writing?

Oh, most of 33 years. My mother has an old short story I wrote when I was six or seven. The hobby continued on since then.

- What are your thoughts on critique groups?

I’ve been in a few. One was ultra-competitive. That was pretty useless. The deal was that you’d upload a chunk of text then review others’ works on the site to earn credits so yours would be reviewed. Writers reviewed each other and ranked the work on a 5-star system. That sounds interesting, but many people ran afoul of glowing feedback to go along with low ratings. Some people were the recipients of a copied-and-pasted review. There was some handy feedback, but it was a lot of work for a little return.

Another group critiques on a volunteer system. That works okay.

The third group has been really useful. We take turns critiquing half-novels. I get the most useful feedback from this group. It takes ~8 months to get feedback for a whole novel, but what I get has been immensely helpful.

- Who is your favorite author?

One is definitely Gordon Dickson. I enjoyed the Childe Cycle. Each story stands alone but all of them work together for an ultimate purpose. Bruce Hale’s Chet Gecko series is hilarious. Jude Watson’s Jedi Apprentice series had excellent characterization.

- Do you find a part of your personality sneaking into any of your characters?

Definitely. Many of my lead characters are disabled in some way. How they deal with their physical ailments is often related to how I deal with mine. One of my stories has two characters with my weird sense of humor. Another has a lead character who doesn’t want to fit in with society’s “normal” view of girls.

Very often people I know make it into my stories, too.

- Can you share any upcoming projects with us?

I have a book called Remnant in the Stars under contract with Under the Moon. It’s about a navigator searching for his missing child and a pilot dealing with an undiagnosable illness. If all goes according to Hoyle, we’ll finish the editing process by the end of December, and it should see print in the spring of 2012.

I’m also working with a group of writers on an anthology.

- Tell us a little about yourself. What do you like to do when you are not writing? What is your temperament, etc.?

When I’m not writing or doing prep and paperwork for school, I sew, crochet, do needlework, play computer games, and try to find recipes for things I can actually eat.

I tend to be the quiet, keep-to-myself type, but I can get pretty goofy when I’m with people I know well.

At work, though, I’m more out-spoken. Diplomacy is not a skill I was gifted with.

- Where can readers find your books and contact information?

I have a Facebook author page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cindy-Koepp-Author/136438443108872?v=wall

I also have a webpage at ckoepp.com and two blogs that I update when I have something interesting to say: ckoepp.xanga.com and ckoepp.blogspot.com.

- Thank you for visiting with us today.

Great fun had by all!

Author Spotlight - Caprice Hokstad

Please enjoy my Q & A with author Caprice Hokstad!!

- Where do you get your ideas for your stories?

I really don’t know. I have a very weird brain and thoughts pop into it without any return address.

- Was it hard to develop a writing style?

Huh? I’m not even sure I know how to develop a style. I just write. If I have a style, I didn’t do anything to impose it. It’s just me.

- Do you find a part of your personality sneaking into any of your characters?

Yes. More with villains than heroes. But isn’t that what makes it fun? It’s socially acceptable to plot the perfect crime for a character to pull off. Characters can say and do what I can’t.

- Do you use outlines or let the story develop on its own?

I didn’t use an outline for The Duke’s Handmaid at all. I made a very rough one for Nor Iron Bars a Cage, but even when I use outlines, they are very loose and I do a lot of seat-of-pants fill in.

- What do you want your readers to take from your book(s)?

I want them love the story. I want them to feel elated for the climax, but sad because it’s over. I want to leave them hungry for more. I want them to pass it on to a friend or two or five. I want them to feel strongly enough that they go post a review on Amazon or sit and write me an email just because they feel like they need to talk about it.

- Can you share any upcoming projects with us?

My short story/mini-novella “Fettered Soul”, which is a prequel to my novels appears in the bestselling anthology “Aquasynthesis” from Splashdown Books. My seaQuest fanfiction is presently available for free at http://UnderseaAdventure.net. I am finally writing the third book of my Ascendancy Trilogy, as yet unnamed, but should be released in 2012.

- Where can readers find your books and contact information?

WWW.LATOPH.COM

*******

I would like to thank Caprice Hokstad for taking the time to participate in this author spotlight.

You can find my spotlight on her website - http://caprice.splashdownbooks.com/2011/10/kimberli-r-campbell-interview.html