Book review/ writing update

I just finished with

DIY Publishing: A step-by-step guide for print and ebook formatting and distribution
by Maggie McVay Lynch 

 

I gave it four out of five stars. 

Here is the review I wrote about it: This was a very interesting read and very informational. Some of it I skimmed since it didn't pertain to me or it was something I wouldn't use. The cover design portion I really liked since I have never helped design a book cover before. I will definitely reference back to some points in this book later on down my publishing career.  

 

 

I am now on to reading Dark Bites by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 This is a collection of short stories so I will also be rereading Hunt the moon by Karen Chance

This is the 5th book in the Cassandra Palmer series I have had to reread the series again since the 6th book came out a few months ago and I didn't remember a lot so I have been rereading these and I can't wait till I get to the one I haven't read yet. 

Writing update

So writing wise I am rewriting/editing the first part of Echoes from a Hollow Soul. For February my plan is to have this story either almost finished or all the way done. It is my main priority. For January I have written about 30,000 words on Ousted. I plan to also keep on writing on this story. I have a feeling this story is going to be a long one. But I could be wrong. Since I don't write by an outline I kind of go where the characters take me.

I do have some scenes mapped out and the ending is pretty much set but the in between well that is where the adventure lies I always say. 

Well I think that is all for the updates that I have right now... on Saturday I think I will try to make a vlog going over the books I read in January and the books I plan to read (possibly) in February. I will also post all the titles here so that if you don't catch it in the video, you can still find it somewhere. 

 

 

 

I received my book today!!!!!!!!!

Look that's my name there on the cover! Now time to read through this copy and perfect the paperbacks I will eventually receive for friends and family to read. This was the first time doing this so I learned a lot from the experience and will make some changes and hopefully have a great book to sell when I do decide to self publish.

And I also wanted to give a big Thank You to my friend Laura for doing the design of the cover for me! I couldn't have done it with out you! 

 I'M SO HAPPY!!!!! *happy snoopy dance*



I also made a youtube video for the first time the other day on a book haul for this month. If you did not catch all the titles to the books in the video I will post them here now.

• Dark Bites By Sherrilyn Kenyon
• Shadow Kiss: Graphic Novel By Richelle Mead
• Shadow and Bone By Leigh Bardugo
• Game Slaves By Gard Skinner
• The Demon King By Cinda William Chima
• The Exiled Queen By Cinda William Chima
• The Gray Wolf Throne By Cinda William Chima
• The Crimson Crown By Cinda William Chima

Reading update / Writing

I finished Innocence by Dean Koontz a few days ago and I did post a review on goodreads. I will post it here though as well.

 Omg Dean Koontz you did it again. It was hard for me to ever put this book down and stop reading. He kept me intrigued till the very end. I love how his books always make you think about the possibilities of life and what it entails. Makes you question everything. This book intrigues you with wondering how disfigured this main character has to be in order to enrage so many people. In the end I was shocked not even thinking of that possibility.

 Now I am on to reading Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep.

Very interesting so far. As for my book that I ordered it looks like I will have it by late Monday or Tuesday. I can't wait! I have already added to chapter one and broke it up into two parts. In the beginning I am adding a whole bunch of new stuff. I think it will be more interesting this way and will provide more information that is needed for the reader to understand some things later in the book. I have been toying with the idea for book two for a couple weeks now and now I have idea's coming to me for a book three. I have also been revising my summary for Echoes from a Hollow Soul, so the back of the book will be as perfect as what held with in its pages.

Also for the end of the month I will be writing a blog on my January book haul, of all the books I received in January. And at the end of February I will be meeting one of my favorite authors Kim Harrison! I cant wait there will probably be lots of pictures for that as well. Lots to come!

Things to think on or comment on:
Where do you get your story ideas?
How many books are in your to read pile?

Reading Challenge / 1st book update

 I decided for 2014 to read 100 books this year. I read about 75 books last year, though I did not record them for the challenge last year. I just started using goodreads last year sometime and recently have been adding everything I have read so far. So I will continue to work on that.

2014 Reading Challenge

Raquel has read 5 books toward her goal of 100 books.

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5 of 100 (5%)

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Along with reading Innocence, which I am almost done reading. I am also reading DIY Publishing by Maggie McVay Lynch. I got this e-book for free from my winners goodies when participating in NaNoWriMo. It is very interesting so far, though I will say some of it I skim over since it pertains to how she published and what sites she went through/ wants you to buy from.

Now for the exciting news about my 1st book!

My friend was designing the cover to my first book that I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2013. She just finished with it last night so I ordered my free hardback cover through LuLu. I should receive it by the end of this week and will post pictures of it then. But until then I will give you a small preview.

I will be using this book to read through myself to do finishing edits before I use the createspace offer to get two free paper backs for friends to beta read through. If that goes well I will most likely have this self published for people to buy by the end of the year.

Also for CampNaNoWriMo in April I will be working on the second book to this series. Most likely. I have a few story ideas to work from but it would seem the characters from this series really want their stories told. We will see though and I will decide as it gets closer to April.

Who else is doing CampNaNoWriMo?
Do you already have your novel ideas ready to go?

Update / Currently Reading

I finished Never Fade, it was great! I can't wait till the next book comes out. Now I'm on to reading Innocence by Dean Koontz.

Also an update on my 2nd book Outcast, it doesn't look like I will finish it this month. But that's okay I can finish it February if anything. So far I am about 20,000 words into it I hope to get to about 35,000 words or more by the end of the month. I do not have a summary yet worked out for the book. But I can say it's about:

A College girl named Bree who is born into a pack but has not wolf shape. Of course the pack looks down on her and her family for this. She moves to Boise Idaho about 20 min. away from the woods her pack runs through. She currently resides in Lamia's a vampire bar where one of her good friends Lione works and has hired her to keep track of the books. Bree and her other friend Tava who is a witch have been best friends forever. They are now starting College together. Will Bree be able to handle working for the vampires, being friends with witches, be at her pack meetings, and handle a full school load. Oh and did I mention lately she has been seeing a spirit wolf walking through her dreams and day to day life? Has she gone crazy or is she just tired. What will Bree do?

Currently Reading

I am currently reading Never fade by Alexandra Bracken