A letter from Lawrence

I was feeling a little uninspired, so I turned to the NaNoWriMo forums. There was one that made the suggestion to take a moment to have one (or more) characters write me a pep talk. This letter was born and honestly, it made me feel much better. I thought I'd share it. By the way, it had some fun little hints at what's going on in the book right now!

Dearest Sam,

It has come to my attention that you are having some issues with getting the words out. I thought I would try to be of some assistance. I know that sometimes that you feel what you are writing isn't good, that it won't hold up past your edits. I know that the writer's block keeps creeping closer and closer, but you have to go on. You can do it! Don't worry about if you think the words aren't good enough, they are still words nonetheless. I have faith in you. You got through the first part of my story this way, and I just know you will be able to do it again. I know you. Besides, we're at a pretty tough spot right now, and you're the only one who can help us. Victoria is about to have a spell put on her, Evey is still trapped, there's a fire, and my ankle is in some pain – although my ankle doesn't matter so much, I would rather you dealt with those other problems first. I can limp, it's no problem. But, please, Sam be strong. You are at 29,288 words! Think of what a great accomplishment that is! You are already past halfway there. You have plenty of time to catch up, I mean, you're really not that far behind. What are a couple thousand words to that chunk I just mentioned right there? You're doing fine. Don't sweat it and keep going. Oh, and by the way, if I could just ask one favor... would you mind letting me see the wishing star again? I miss it. It gave me something to look forward to. And, in a time like now, I could really use something to look forward to.

I am always here for you, all you need to do is write.

Sir Lawrence Habberdash

By the way, check out the new merchandise! Just follow the nifty gadget on the left side column of the home screen. I opened a little online store through zazzle.com, so now you can get Happenstance and Zone-E themed t-shirts, stickers, and other goodies! Enjoy!

I'm already halfway there!

The month is halfway through, and I've surpassed 25,000 words (the halfway point) on NaNoWriMo! *Squeal* Who's excited for Counterblow? I know I am, and Lawrence is! I'm so stoked on it. I want to type all about it, but then I don't want to give anything away! (Is there a chance that explaining it would ruin the first book for random people reading this, who haven't read Happenstace? Yes, I'm talking about those imaginary people who read my blog) Okay, that may be out the window... but I can voice my excitement. I mean, I cna't believe I'm doing so well on NaNoWriMo. Last year I completely failed. I guess I'm trying to make up for it. I also think that the Habberdash Trilogy is magically influenced by National Novel Writing Month. Its like Novemeber is the perfect time of year for my brain to wrap around it. But what will I do when the trilogy is over? *Gasp* Well... let's hope that some of my other plot bunnies that are stored away are also fed on NaNoWriMo!

That all being said, this has to be a short blog because inspiration strikes, and NaNoWriMo is calling me!

NaNoWriMo and Zone-E on Amazon!

Straight from the NaNoWriMo fronts, I come to spend some time on my blog. I'm ahead on my word count and feeling the need for a little break. As you can see from the nifty little gadget on the homepage of my blog, you can follow the progress of my writing as November progresses! I am loving every minute of writing the sequel to Happenstance, and new ideas keep popping up. I think that NaNoWriMo must be my lucky charm for the Habberdash Trilogy (I bet you can already guess what I just might be writing next November) I am having oodles of fun playing with both old characters and new ones, as well as plotting out many new twists. At the same time I'm grappling with a big question: Since I already know there will be a third book, should I try to wrap up the story more like in the first book, or should I leave it hanging? Suspense or accomplishment? Which do you prefer? (I'm leaning on suspense. But I'm one who loves clifhangers so...) Feel free to weigh in! (I say this to all the imaginary people who read this blog along with the few who filter across from my facbeook page of course. Still, this is like my big, virtual, writing diary - so I plug on!)

As I am on the subject of Counterblow, I want to give some fun teasers. Firstly, here is my working cover (not likely to be the official cover, but for something I slapped together I'm pretty proud of it. Also, the drawing I did of Lawrence is the best sketch I've ever done of a character by far - especially the face. Usually I suck at those)

Still, amidst all my Counterblow talk, I can't forget my dearest Zone-E. It had been freshly published after all! Guess what? It's now available to buy on amazon! Yay! Now if you prefer to get your books from the place witht he smiley box, you can now get Zone-E there too! (This should make Amazon Prime members especially happy) So follow the linkedy-link and get over there! http://www.amazon.com/Zone-E-Samantha-Taylor/dp/1478141239/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352272788&sr=8-1&keywords=zone-e+samantha+taylor

A little more on Zone-E

*WARNING: Shameless promoting ensues*

Zone-E, as I have mentioned, is available now! (Still only on CreateSpace, but that still counts!) By the way, did you watch the video in my previous post? No?! Well, do it. If you do, you will find a special code to get $3 off your copy of Zone-E!

Anywhoo, my celebrating the release continues, and I wanted to share more reasons to read the story. Ahem...
1)If you like science fiction or dystopian, this is a book for you! Where it begins, something happened before the year 3000 (that no one really knows much about) that ruined the world for good. Society is screwed up and most of earth is unlivable (Someone told me once, long ago when I first posted bits of Zone-E to inkpop that it was almost scary because they could totally see something like this world happening to us O.o)
2) Don't like science fiction? Then do it for the adventure! They are on a quest for the evil Lord Avarice after all
3) The main character (who also tells the story) is funny - at least I think so....

Not convinced yet? Then read this extended pitch...

Lyza Carroe has seen enough corruption and devastation in her sixteen years of life to drive anyone else mad, but she's not backing down. She's lived all her life in Aquaria, a city inside a Dome that rests at the bottom of the ocean – a clever invention to make more space to live in on the ruined planet of Zone-E, formerly named Earth.

Society is a mess. The gap between rich and poor is unbridgeable and Lyza just so happens to be stuck on the bottom. With her parents stuck in jail, and her aunt and uncle busy enough with their own children, Lyza has to fend for herself. But the streets of Aquaria aren't the place for her to learn about life and grow up.

After a fateful run in with Aquaria's law enforcement, Lyza loses the use of her left eye, and her anonymity. It isn't long before she's caught and brought to the leader of the “free world”, Lord Avarice. He is impressed with her skills and offers her a second chance at freedom. All she has to do is find him a little treasure...

That's easier said than done. Soon, Lyza finds herself surrounded by a group of unlikely travelers who are given the same task. As she's sent to the icy, Northern Arctic Territories or N.A.T. to find this so called treasure, only more questions arise.

Why is Avarice's son on the trip too? What exactly are they looking for anyway? And most importantly, will everyone – if anyone - make it back in one piece?

In this sci-fi, treasure hunt, Lyza must come to terms with growing up. She finds that the problems in life can't be ignored, but faced head on. The only way to make a change is to stand up for what's right.

 

Sound good? Then get your copy today!

https://www.createspace.com/3873649

Zone-E is on sale now!

You heard me!



Zone-E, as I said, is not yet available on Amazon. I'll let you know when it is, along with whatever other venues it may become available on (Like Kindle, for example)

Here's the link to the CreateSpace e-store:

https://www.createspace.com/3873649

Oh and by the way... WOO HOO! I can't believe this day has finally come! WEEEEE!

Now I'm off to work on Counterblow for NaNoWriMo - it is the first day of November after all!