Good News Brings Great Changes

The publisher who was so excited to read my novel unfortunately turned down publishing it with rave reviews. They said it was worth getting on the shelves and out to the public, but they didn't think that they were the ones to do it.

Since then I have been reviewing my book with other readers and editors and am getting great ideas on how to make my book even better and tighten up a few loose ideas. At first I was a bit depressed that there was more to do on it - which means another draft (I'm up to eight) - but now I am stoked and excited because the changes will be cool.

In the meantime, I've jotted several interesting premises for future novels. I don't know how authors do it. I have so many thoughts that I'm excited about and I'm trying to figure out how you write multiple books at a time while balancing a growing family. I haven't figured it out yet, but I'm not giving up. For anyone else out there in the same boat let me know how you are working your way through these battles as well.

See you out in the dreamscape and have a most fantabulous Holiday Season!

November Already?

Wow!!! I blinked for a moment and it is November already. I was able to make great headway and Book 2 of the Nedaran Prophecy series during the month of October. I like where it is going.

No news on the western front of book one, though I am receiving great reviews from the people who have been reviewing it for me. I'll keep everyone posted as we progress to hopefully obtaining an agent and a publisher.

Good Luck to everyone else out there who is writing out there dreams on paper. DON'T GIVE UP!!!!

James Dashner & Brandon Sanderson

This evening, my daughter and I went down to Orem to the Barnes & Noble for Brandon Sanderson's book release party for the second book in his Alcatraz series. Now personally, I have yet to read any of Brandon's books, but I am now eager to catch up on what I've missed. I have just learned (though this may not be news to you) that Brandon Sanderson has been asked to complete the last book in the Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan. My husband is a HUGE fan of Robert Jordan and we were saddened to hear of his passing. However, we were glad to here that Mrs. Jordan has requested that Brandon Sanderson complete her husband's last work.

I asked Brandon this evening about his experience writing The Memory of Light in Robert Jordan's behalf. He told me it is an amazing and wonderful experience and he is honored to have been asked.

My husband and I are looking forward to seeing the results of his efforts. In the meantime, I am going to read Brandon's other works in order to get to know him better as a writer. Also at tonight's book signing was one of the author's that I love to read most - James Dashner. He has written the Jimmy Fincher series as well as The 13th Reality. Book 2 of the 13th Reality Series is schedule for release in early March. It was great to see James again, and it was wonderful to see that he recognized me from when I met him at Shannon Hale's book release party for Rapunzel's Revenge. It is always a great experience to have another author ask me how my writing was going and to give me hope in my efforts. Thanks James.

Progress on Book 2

Good Morning Ladies & Gents: It is I!!!!!!! Yes, I still exist. I know it has been a two whole weeks without a post and for that I apologize. My time has been split evenly between a teething daughter and researching/writing book two of the Nedaran Prophecy series. I had forgotten how starting a book can be a struggle at times, but...hey...I'm making progress. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

The biggest difficulty that I am running into is that my best friend, fellow authoress, and fabulous brainstorming guru and I no longer live in the same state. We use to go walking every morning to discuss goals, difficulties and plot ideas for our books. We were each others life line and motivator. My brainstorming buddy and I now only get to talk on the phone to discuss what we need to about our books (and usually only when our kids are either napping or eating their lunches).

Never fear...I refuse to give up, and thanks to set-rate long-distance phone bills I can call my friend when I am in dire need of help to break through plot barriers. I love modern technology. Keep up the good work and don't give up hope. Even when the struggle of writing is getting you down barrel through and you'll end up on top.

Brandon Mull

I am having SO much fun!!! Tonight I was able to attend the Pleasant Grove library where Brandon Mull, author of the Fablehaven series and The Candy Shop Wars, made an appearance at the Pleasant Grove Library here in Pleasant Grove, UT. It was an incredible turnout with people waiting outside unable to get into hear him speak. Brandon was excited to take the time to answer the questions of the audience, many from young aspiring writers, while I (an eager and aspiring writer in my own right) stood patiently in line to get his autograph.

It was a great opportunity and such a wonderful experience to see so many people excited at meeting a "real-live author." I loved the looks of anticipation on young and not-so-young alike. Oh how it will be so absolutely, positively awesome the day that I get to be the one signing autographs. I wonder how long it will take before I get writer's cramp.
I wonder what is the longest amount of time Brandon has gone without writer's cramp?

Two Down, More to Go

Whohoo!!!! Two short stories down and I've now been asked to write a few short stories for another magazine. I am finding that this is a wonderful experience to stretch myself and yet keep the brain focused on writing.

In the meantime, I've also been reviewing what I've already written for book two of the Nedaran Prophecy series. Already 49 pages written and every now and then I come across part of it that I wrote before I had my daughter and think "Wow, I wrote that?" I love that feeling. There is a certain exhilaration that comes from writing when you realize that it isn't a total piece of poo, but that some of it is really good. Then when you have finished the first draft you can go back and turn the good (mixed with poo) into absolute brilliance. Granted it might take a few tries, but the journey is a lot of fun.

My goal for this week is to finish reviewing what I've written so far for book two so that I can get going on writing the rest of it. I feel the story tugging and pulling at me during the day and even in my dreams at night. It's calling out to me begging for me to finish breathing life into it. Who can deny such a call when it comes to you.

Good luck in your own personal writing and don't give up. Your doing GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Short Stories vs Novels

I am currently working on writing a short story for an online magazine and I've learned that it is a whole different ball game to write a short story than a novel. You may think...short stories are short, right? So they should be easier to write. They shouldn't take as much thought and no where near as much revision. I have learned that it is just as hard, if not harder in its own way, to write a short story versus a full length book.

With a short story you have only a few pages to get your entire point across. You don't have as much time to flush out the details of the characters, the plot, etc. What's even more difficult is that I'm trying to write a funny short story. Right!!!! I am much more able to be funny when I'm talking to a person, then when I write. However, I am bound and determined to write a funny short story. I have a feeling that I will be going through several drafts before the editor even gets to take a peek at it.

So, my writing tip for the day...whether you are writing a full length novel or a short story you must put your best foot forward. You must do the work and put in the time to make it quality reading. It is rarely easy, but it is a wonderful thing when you read the final peace and realize "Hey, that is pretty good. Did I write that?"

Good luck and keep on writing.

Rapunzel's Revenge

On Saturday my family and I attended the Rapunzel's Revenge release party. For anyone who doesn't know about Rapunzel's Revenge check out Shannon Hale's blog http://oinks.squeetus.com/

It was a great turn out and not only did we get to meet Shannon and her husband Dean (who co-authored the book with her - both very friendly people) and Nathan Hale (the artist) we were able to meet several other wonderful authors that joined in the fun:

- James Dashner (13th Reality)
- Ann Cannon (Loser's Guide to Life and Love)
- Jessica Day George (Dragon Flight)
- Mette Ivie Harrison (Princess and the Hound)
- Kimberly Heuston (The Book of Jude)
- Sara Zarr (Sweethearts)

I must admit I was quite giddy to meet so many wonderful authors. I highly recommend that, if you ever have a favorite author come to your town, you should really go and meet them. It is so worth it.

Book Contest

Ahhhhhhhh! I love books...I mean I really love books. So when Anne Bradshaw announces on her blog that she is doing a book contest to give away a copy of Room for Two by Abel Keogh (signed by the author thank you very much) I just had to give it a go.

This contest is open to one and all (though personally I wouldn't be totally upset if you didn't participate because that makes my chances that much better) and its free (free is good).

Just kidding, really, everyone should participate in this contest. I love books and therefore am ecstatic to spread the word about anything to get a Free book, let alone one signed by the author.

So here are the rules according to Anne (http://www.annebradshaw.blogspot.com/):

Rules: 1) Post information about the contest on your blog with a link back to mine.
2) Leave ONE comment back at this post telling me you've completed #1.

A winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, September 4th 2008, and announced the same day. The book will be signed and mailed directly to the winner by the author.Spread the word about this fine give-away--it's another book well worth reading.

Ok everyone...ready?...set...go....meet you on September 4th.

Joy, Pain & Opportunity

Wow, it has been nearly two weeks since I've posted anything, but with good reason. One of the few things women are told when they become pregnant with their first child is the strain that can happen on her back after the baby comes while taking care of that little bundle of blessing. I cherish my daughter. We worked and waited a long time to have her in our lives, however, I should have prepared myself for the sleepless nights on the couch with a child who does not feel well. If you don't lay just right you can find yourself in the morning with a strained back. So many wonderful people have helped out tremendously with doctors appointments and with my daughter.

So in those quite moments when my sweet angel is taken care of and I'm resting on the couch icing down my back, I take a moment to be thankful for the difficult parts of life that bring us round about opportunities. Because I had hurt my back I now have met some wonderful people in this new town that we live in. Plus, because of an injured back, being forced to rest on my couch with ice and a hard book behind my back (yes books can be multi-purposed - though I still prefer reading them the best), I responded to a friend to join a chat room (first time for everything). Now as a result of that chat room I have been asked to consider providing a short story for an on-line magazine that reaches readers world wide and they agreed to help promote my book, and this website if I am published. It is a strange and wonderful thing where opportunities can come from trials. We just have to be looking for them and be open to accepting them.

So my advice for the day...if life is rough, then look out for the opportunity that is hidden in all of that mess to make your life better. Good Luck! I am rooting for you!

The Olympics vs. Quantum Physics

The last two days I have split my time equally between watching the Olympics and reading James Dashner's book The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters during those few moments when my sweet adorable, but tired and sick and sick of being tired and sick daughter finally falls asleep. During those sweet few moments that I can hold my baby, having been able to calm her enough that she is sleeping fitfully, but still sleeping, I would read a few pages of the book during the commercials that break up the Olympics, oh and throw in some house cleaning (talk about multi-tasking), and a pulled muscle in my back.

Needless to say, I've actually quite enjoyed myself. Yes my child isn't feeling well, but I have the magic ability of getting her to smile even when she feels ill, then help her calm enough to eventually fall asleep. Now that is a lovely super power to have. Plus I still have had time to read a little, watch amazing people accomplish fantastic things all in a country that I have longed to visit for umpteen years (amazingly fabulous opening ceremonies by the way), and tag-team clean the house with my fantastic husband. Granted in this marvelous forty eight hours the sleeping part of things has been minimal and fitful on my part. Oh well, sacrifices must be made if I'm ever to become a great writer.

"What?" you might ask. Well, doesn't a greater writer get most of his/her inspiration from life - living it, reading about it, or watching others live it? If I could just avoid the necessity of sleep imagine what an incredible author I could be come in say 10, 20 or 30 years. Oh well, in the meantime, I will pick up where I left off on my endeavors to review my notes for book 2 for the Nedaran Prophecy series.

My final words of wisdom from this stranger on one minor blog page - Don't be afraid to face life and live it. In the end it will be worth it -- eventually. I truly believe this and will not give up on this belief. I promise, cross-my-heart...

Poll Results

Last week I asked you two questions, here is how you responded:

- If you could have a super power what would it be?

a) telecommunication 20%
b) teleportation 40%
c) laser beams shoot out of your eyes 0%
d) flying 20%
e) you name it 20%
- If you could shape-shift into anything (and I do mean anything) what would it be?

a) an animal 20%
b) an element 20%
c) another person 40%
d) you name it 20%


So it looks like the majority people would either really like someone else's life or the chance to easily get away from your own life (even for a moment) to some other place. Sounds like reading is a great hobby for the most of us who lack any super powers or abilities (though I have some friends who have some seriously cool multi-tasking abilities that shall remain nameless).

Check out this week's poll below and keep up reading, writing, and living it up!

Manuscript Away

It is official. I shipped my manuscript off to the publisher this morning.

So cross your fingers and cross your eyes
That they will read it and want to buy

All right, really lame poem I know, but I'm so excited/nervous at this moment, but it is all worth it. I'll either become a published author or/and a more experienced writer either way.

Writing for Charity

Having just moved to Utah I am amazed at the plethora of events, associations, etc., there are for aspiring writers. Why just last week and a half ago I attended a Writing for Charity event in Salt Lake City. This was, in all honesty, the first ever event I have gone to as a writer. Wow, have I been buried under a shell. It was incredible.

The line-up of authors included: Brandon Mull, Shannon Hale, Mette Ivie Harrison, Tracy & Laura Hickman, Ann Cannon, Kristyn Crow, Becky Hickox, Kimberley Heuston, Anne Bowen, Aprilynne Pike, Ann Dee Ellis, Mike Knudson, and Wendy Toliver.

All proceeds went to provide new wheelchairs for people in third-world countries who might otherwise never be able to have one. I think the last tally said that the event earned enough for 54 wheelchairs. Totally amazing!

Now I'm going to scour the web for what associations are available to me, as well as other writer's events and conferences. I highly recommend that, if you are an aspiring author, you do the same.

See you out on the web!!!!

Welcome to the Nedara Tree

Welcome Everyone!!!

This is a lovely day to start a blog, and of course blogs should only begin on lovely days. Though truth be told, the tale of Kael and Anaya could just as well start on a blustery day. Oh well! My name is Karen Pellett and I am the author of The Nedaran Prophecy. This series of books begins with The Dawn of Change here you get to meet our hero and heroine, Kael and Anaya.

Kael and Anaya are twins. So what's so special about that you might ask? Well, if you came from a world where no twins, or triplets, (or any other number of children being born at one time counting greater than one for that matter) have been born in over 500 years, then you might begin to see something special about our hero and heroine. Oh and there is the minor fact that they can talk to each other telepathically. Throw in some shape-changing villains, a few elementals, and assassination and...I think you get the point.

Keep your eyes and ears open as I post tidbits about the story, its progress toward publication, and I might even through in a recommendation or two for my favorite reads. See you soon!!!