Final Tally for #JoWriMoGo September 2018

I managed 24 chapters, 116 pages and 63,578 words on September!!

On to October!

From Joey's Instagram

It's a bonus video about the books I plan to release in 2019!! Check it out here http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! 📚📚📚 . . . . #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber #wriringcommunity #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram
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Novel Updates: What's Coming? [CC]

A bonus video about my upcoming releases!

APPLY FOR MY STREET TEAM FOR 2019: http://bit.ly/2OLAtZa
BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
TICKETS FOR #DARKERSIDEOFFICTION2018: http://bit.ly/2IVeJXK
BUY MY BOOKS ON AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1VhLHog
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

From Joey's Instagram

And I had my hair did! It's short and purple ready for #Darker18! I love it! Now back to work! ✒✒✒💜💜💜 . . . . #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writinglife #wriringcommunity #joeypaul #indiesofinstagram #purpleisthebest #purplehair
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Review of Watcher by A J Eversely

"First came the Bots. They were meant to serve us, but they turned and thousands died. Then the Carbons arrived and we were left with only a few hundred humans. After ten years of war, I'm one of the few survivors. I'm a Watcher, and I won't give up the fight."

As a Watcher, Sawyer Russo has sworn to protect her fellow humans. But the Bots and Carbons that overran her city are evolving, and are picking off her comrades one by one.
Embarking on a desperate mission to save humanity from extinction, Sawyer discovers that the line between friend and foe is no longer easily drawn when one of her own betrays them. Faced with a choice between fulfilling her vow and avenging those who have fallen, she must ultimately decide who can be saved … and who can’t.

Amazon

My review: 5 stars
I picked up this book because I'd heard good things about the author and was blown away by the story. It starts with the watcher life, with the history of the world sprinkled between the pages in such a way that you never feel like you're getting an info-dump or that you don't know the reasoning behind what's happening. The book is beautifully written with a love story that pulls at your heart and keeps you turning the pages. The plot twists are ones you won't see coming and every little piece of foreshadowing makes sense. I adored this book and am desperate to finish the series! Highly recommended!

You can follow A J Eversley on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

From Joey's Instagram

This week I'm talking about betas! You can get all my info about them with this video here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! ✒✒✒ . . . #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #wriringcommunity #indiesofinstagram
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Publishing: Beta Readers [CC]

And we're talking about beta readers! #Authortube

BETA BOOKS: https://betabooks.co/?v=home
BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
TICKETS FOR #DARKERSIDEOFFICTION2018: http://bit.ly/2IVeJXK
BUY MY BOOKS ON AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1VhLHog
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Hetti is pretty sure of this woman's guilt but yet she has no idea of what to do. 👮‍♀️👮‍♀️ Check it out here: www.books2read.com/WAM 📚 . . . #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #bookboost #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #amreading #readersofinstagram #bookworm #yalit #reading #WalkAMile #writinglife #wriringcommunity #joeypaul #indiesofinstagram
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From Joey's Instagram

And Autumn has started! You can tell from the hoodie! Got my writing jam on and glad to be getting my hair did on Thursday in time for #Darker2018! Nice and short and purple too! Back to writing! ✒✒✒💜💜💜 . . . . #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #indiesofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #booksigning #purpleisthebest #wriringcommunity
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The Trials Of A Crime Writer: Info-Dumping

THE TRIALS OF A CRIME WRITE: INFO-DUMPING

You've probably heard all about this right? I mean, most writers know about this, and it's a fairly common piece of advice that you hear. Exposition and info-dumping should never be done no matter who you are. You'll probably hear a lot of different people say it. You hear a lot of contradicting advice about it too because you'll read one author who does it and gets away with it, and then read another who's telling you that it is the sign of a lazy writer and therefore should never be done. It's kinda hard to work out which one to follow and which one is the industry's actual truth.

But never fear, for I am here to talk to you about it properly. I've put this under the crime writer heading because I generally find that's when information is most needed for both the characters and the reader. The majority of people don't know how crime scenes work, they don't know the ins and outs, and when you're writing a book that deals with a degree of closeness to the police or person solving the crime, you, the writer, will be doing a ton of research about it to make sure you know what you're doing. But there's the thing, while tempting to dump all that information about how DNA is found and how a fingerprint is lifted, you don't need to.

The majority of the time, the reader is reading because they like the crime genre for a wide variety of reasons, they won't be reading to get the most up to date details about fingerprints and DNA. So in that regard, as much as it sucks, you can't flood the pages with the intricate details of how it works...unless it's relevant to the story. Now I know what you're thinking, it sounds like I'm being a bit wishy-washy with it, right? How do you tell the difference between something you should share and something that's an info-dump? I have some tips for you, so hang on tight!

#1 - WILL THE STORY WORK WITHOUT IT?
If the piece of information you're wanting to supply is something the story can't work without, then it's not an info-dump, it's something you need to include. You can find a way to do this without just lots and lots of exposition, but of course that's going to depend on your own writing style, the story and the piece of information itself. If you think it's something the reader could understand the story without, then you might need to cut it and let the scene stand without it. This is a good thing to check with your beta readers - if they read the scene with unanswered questions, it might be a case of needing to give them some of the background.

#2 - IS IT SOMETHING PEOPLE WOULD ALREADY KNOW?
With the hype of CSI and other crime scene shows, a lot of things about fingerprinting, DNA, crime scenes are actually already widely known. So if you're getting to a scene where you wanna talk about something that you feel needs to be explained, ask yourself if it's something that the reader could know without your input. This kinda ties into the first question because if it's something the story works without and it's something the average reader would know, then that exposition is probably not needed. However on the flip side, if you're introducing something either not well-known or even something you've made up yourself (as I did in Walk A Mile) then you might need to explain things. But again, don't be heavy on the info, you wanna sprinkle, not dump into the scene.

#3 - WILL IT STOP THE STORY OR AFFECT THE PACE?
This is a big thing, one of the reasons so many places tell you not to info-dump is because it messes with the pacing of the story. Think about it, if you're in a fast-paced scene, you don't wanna be stopping the action to explain things to your readers. That just ruins the scene for the reader and is a no-no. If you can provide the information needed, and you've checked with the other two points, then you need to either wait until the scene has passed, or you need to find a way to weave it in without effecting the pacing of the story. Put it this way, if this were a film and they had to pause the action for the voice over to give you details that either aren't needed, or you're already aware of, it's gonna have an effect on your enjoyment of it.

So those are my top three questions when it comes to info-dump. I find that if you can work your way through each of them, you'll have a pretty good idea about whether or not you need to include that information. Of course, your mileage may vary, but I find these work for me. Now go forth and write!

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books.

From Joey's Instagram

And my first day off in a while and it's a #Mepo day. I've also got a port flush and a check in with my doc because of the issues over the weekend. But no writing and hopefully won't feel too bad! 😷😷😷 #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writinglife #spoonie #chronicillness #brittleasthma #oxygenuser #wheelchairuser #spoonielife
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Interview with Manda Mellett & Review of Rock Bottom

I am delighted to be joined on the blog today by Manda Mellett for both an interview and my review of her latst book - Rock Bottom. Here's a little about Manda:


Manda Mellett writes romance, but not your typical everyday boy meets girl stuff. Using her research and psychology background she takes flawed, real life characters and puts them into situations full of suspense where their characters gradually emerge. Expect to find nail-biting moments and be brought to tears and laughter as you turn the pages of her full-length books. 

While she writes series, each book can be picked up and read as a standalone, or the books read out of order. Manda lives in the beautiful countryside of North Essex in the UK with her husband of thirty years and two lively Irish Setters. Needless to say she enjoys walking, but time at home is normally spent reading or writing. 

Manda previously enjoy riding and had her own horse, and enjoyed time in a different saddle when she owned her own motorbike. Manda’s son lives away from home now, but her remains her best supporter. 

And onto the interview!

How long have you been writing?
The short answer is all my life. The longer answer is that although I previously attempted to write full length novels, I didn’t have the discipline required to turn them into something marketable. It wasn’t until four years ago I was lucky enough to get a contract from a publisher for a non-fiction book. Working with an editor taught me that discipline I lacked before, and how to produce a polished product.

When I’d finished the non-fiction book, I decided to turn my hand to fiction. It took me eighteen months to make my first book as good as it could be, but then I began to speed up. I now have thirteen published fiction novels and produce one every two months or so. I can only do this with an excellent team behind me; my wonderful beta readers, cover designer, formatter, editor and proofreader.

Do you write in the genre you love to read?
Yes, I do. But I do have a varied reading taste.

Do you have any favourite authors to read?
Too many to mention. Lexi Blake and Cherise Sinclair are two of my one clickers.

Are you an organised writer or not?
I’m organised in that I sit at my desk writing from about 7am to 3pm (with a break to walk my dogs at lunchtime). Even if the words don’t flow, I make myself write, and often the scenes I need to squeeze out like blood from a stone turn out to be the best.
If you’re talking about my desk I’ve got paperwork piled up and in no particular order. As long as I can find my mouse and keyboard that’s all I need. So, as a person, I’m not very organised.

One thing I do insist on though, is having a schedule. I try to turn out at least 5,000 words a day, and always have a timetable for my next release. That way I can ensure the people I rely on can deliver to the timescales I need.

Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?
I love it. I never write a plan, so the first draft of my book is just the story as it comes out of my head. Sometimes the characters take me in directions I haven’t thought of. I usually get down around 100,000 words the first time. Editing enables me to fill in the blanks and flesh out the text. After a few rounds of editing the book goes to the editor and beta readers, then I work on their suggestions. In the end I can have 130,000 words for my finished book.

Do you do character profiles? If so, why/why not?
Yes and no. I don’t sit and flesh out their characters before I start writing. By the time the idea for the book has germinated in my head, I usually have a pretty good idea of who they are and what they look like. Brief details, I’ll keep in my character spreadsheet. I know who they are when I start the book, and often they’ll develop through the story.

Who each character is, is important to me, as my plots take them on a journey. They become as real to me as any flesh and blood friend. I feel if I wrote a description of them before I started the book, they wouldn’t develop so naturally. I do try and make all my characters different, with little foibles and mannerisms unique to them, but that’s not hard as they are all individuals.

How would you describe your writing process?
Seat of the pants. I write as though I’m reading. I never know what’s going to happen next. In one book the characters decide to get piercings. Yes, they decided. Not me. Had to do a whole lot of research I wasn’t expecting. But that’s how I write, I let the characters talk to me and listen to what they’re saying.
I figure if I don’t know what’s going to come next, my readers will be surprised as well. I start with a general idea and a blank sheet of paper, then just start typing.

Do you prefer ebooks or paperbacks? Why?
I love the feel of a paperback in my hand, but find ebooks much more convenient. I like being able to alter the font size so it’s comfortable for my eyes, and being able to carry lots of books with me.

What's your favourite idea of a cozy afternoon?
Curling up with my dogs and reading a good book.

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?
I’m lucky enough to be able to write full time. I write Monday to Friday for about seven hours. After that time I’m worn out, so I then switch to reading, research, and using social media to interact with readers and friends. In the evening I’m often doing takeovers. I work harder than I ever did in a full time job.

I don’t write at weekends and holidays as my husband is at home then. It’s hard when you’re in the middle of an intense scene and he interrupts me, even if it’s to ask whether I want a cup of tea. I’ve had times where someone’s just about to strike a killing blow, or have to evade it, when I’m forced to come to an abrupt halt. So I find it easier to take both days off to catch up on my chores.

Rock

Rock I’ve committed the ultimate crime. To repay my gambling debts, I’ve stolen from my MC. Now, I’m out in bad standing.
Cast adrift from all men I called Brother, I approach a rival MC. They let me join on the basis I share all the information about my previous club. In other words, they want me to help them take out the Satan’s Devils. What option have I got? I can’t ride alone, and no other club would take me.

Having to start from the bottom as a prospect is a shit job, but I’m just grateful they’ve given me a new home. It’s not as if I don’t know what I have to do to get my patch.

The Chaos Riders are a completely different type of club to what I’m used to. As I betray the Devils, I slowly learn their secrets. Including what they keep in the cellar.

Becca

I’m held captive. Kept chained in this filthy place which reeks of blood. I can’t remember the last time I showered or had a change of clothes, and I’m fed only enough to keep me alive. My sentence to remain here for thirty-six months until my husband is released from prison.

I’m not going to last.

They feed me twice a day and empty my disgusting bucket only once. The same unsympathetic man each time. Until, one morning, a new man appears. Do I read sympathy in his eyes? Will he help me? Or is getting his patch and becoming a member of this hateful motorcycle club more important than helping me?

Amazon

My Review: 5 stars
I picked this one up and wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it. I was hooked by the end of the first page and sat down to lose myself in a excellent tale of romance, action, mystery and intrigue. I loved this book, and even though I've not read the previous ones, I felt like this one could be a standalone. The author has a way of selling you the characters and their stories that you feel pulled in and along with them. Very much enjoyed!

You can follow Manda on Facebook.


Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

From Joey's Instagram

This week I'm talking about how to engage with your audience. Check out my tips and tricks here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! ✒✒✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #writingvlog #vlogger #joeypaul #smallyoutuber
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Tips & Tricks: Engaging Your Audience [CC]

My tips & tricks on engaging your audience

BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
TICKETS FOR #DARKERSIDEOFFICTION2018: http://bit.ly/2IVeJXK
BUY MY BOOKS ON AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1VhLHog
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

From Joey's Instagram

And on with my words of the day! I have today and two more days after that to work and then one day off for #Mepo which is gonna be awesome! ✒✒✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writinglife #CrampingChronicles4
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From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Sometimes the stress of what everyone else wants from Tara gets to her. 📓📓📚 Find out more here: www.books2read.com/DTFS ✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #book #bookboost #bookworm #amreading #readersofinstagram #yalit #reading #Dyingthoughts #books #igreaders #igauthors #igwriters #DyingThoughts5 #joeypaul #writinglife #readers
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Days Off Count & Matter - The Creative Process

DAYS OFF COUNT & MATTER

I wanted to talk about this here because although I've covered mental health (found here) and talked about schedules and being organised (found here, here, and here) I've never really talked about the fact that days off matter and are an important part of the writing process. I know that as someone who is super productive it's easy for me to say that you should take days off, I know that when deadlines are looming, and it feels like you're not going to get there, there's a part of you that thinks you need to push forward and manage the crash that comes after later. And while there's a place for pushing through, you should still have planned days off. You should still be taking time to unwind and catch up on sleep, or reading, or watching that TV show you love. All of this should be part of your day off.

I also know that I'm pretty bad at taking the whole day off. Like right now, I'm writing this on a white day in my schedule, which is the colour I use for complete days off. That was poor planning on my end, but the point still stands. You're not a robot, you need down time and you need to make time for yourself. Whether you use that time to crash out and sleep in, or just to do things that aren't writing, that's completely cool and healthy. Because that's the thing I'm realising, a lot of people's worth is placed in how much they do, how much they write and how many words and chapters they get finished in any given time. And that isn't healthy.

Hell, I do it to a point when I track pages and all the like in my videos and in my writing schedule. It started as a way for me to get back into writing full time and became something where I kinda competed with myself to try and beat my last score. I do that less now, the competing I mean. I realise that I can only do what I can do, and doubling up on chapters and the like is just going to make me tired, sick and possibly mean more time off where I physically can't do anything more. And I don't want that. I don't want that for me, or for any of you reading this.

It's not a healthy outlook on life, at least not in the long-term. While there is something to be said for pushing yourself when you're up against a deadline or a wall, there's also a part where you need to realise, accept and acknowledge that maybe you need to take a break. And that's okay. That's actually what I'm gonna do with this day off when I'm done writing this blog post. I'm gonna take a break, go spend the day with family and just disconnect. It's been coming for a while and it's something I realise I need to do. Not just for my own mental health, but for my ability to write as well.

I say it like that because I've heard people talk about the creative well, and I find it to be true. You get to a point where you need to replenish what you're used, and a part of doing that is taking the time off and letting yourself relax a little bit more than usual. It doesn't have to be a long period, for me it'll be today and I'll, hopefully, be coming back to work tomorrow, but it does need to be time that you take for yourself. Now I'm not going to say you need to disconnect from social media, you get to decide how you spend your day off. I personally won't be checking in with Twitter and the like, but I will be talking with friends online and I will be doing my insta-stories because they're something that I truly do enjoy.

But I won't be worrying about scenes and chapters, word counts and numbers. I will be focused on just having the time to relax and catch up with family and all of that. Days off are important, no matter who you are. You are human and you need time to chill. That's just the way it is. Now I think I hear a book calling me, so I'll leave it here. If you have any advice about how you spend your down time, let us know in the comments!

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books.

From Joey's Instagram

A writer writes in today's bonus video! Check it put here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! ✒✒✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #writingvlog #vlogger #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber
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#AmWriting - #004 [CC]

A writer writes... #Authortube

BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
TICKETS FOR #DARKERSIDEOFFICTION2018: http://bit.ly/2IVeJXK
BUY MY BOOKS ON AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1VhLHog
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

Review of Evalene's Number by Bethany Atazadeh

Everyone in Eden is assigned a Number, tattooed on their neck, which determines their value and place in the world.

On her Numbering Day, Evalene Vandereth anticipates joining the élite. Born in an upper-class family, she knows exactly who she is and what she is worth. Even as the needle breaks her skin, she is blissfully happy. She never considers another outcome, until it’s too late.

Now 18-year-old Evalene lives in fear, struggling with her new identity, stripped of her freedom and basic human rights. Can she escape her Number? Is anyone else asking the same question?

Amazon

My review: 5 stars
I picked this one up after seeing the hype for it. I was so happy to sink into the pages and get to know Evalene and her world. The idea of people being assigned numbers that determine your place in the world intrigued me and the way the author pulled it off was beyond amazing. I loved this book! I loved ready about the betrayal, the twists and turns, the hint of hope and of course the love story blossoming between the pages. It was an amazing read and I am so glad I picked it up! Highly recommended!

You can follow Bethany on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

  Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here.

From Joey's Instagram

It's that time of the month! I'm talking about what I've been up to in the past month and reviewing my goals over the past two months! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio. ✒✒📚📚 #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #writingvlog #vlogger #joeypaul #smallyoutuber #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm
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Life Of Joey & Bi-Monthly Goals - September 2018 [CC]

All about my life in the past month and what I've been up to!

BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
TICKETS FOR #DARKERSIDEOFFICTION2018: http://bit.ly/2IVeJXK
BUY MY BOOKS ON AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1VhLHog
BLOG: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/
TUMBLR: http://authorjoeypaul.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/JoeyPaulOnline
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/MsJoeyBug
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/authorjoeypaul
GOODREADS: http://bit.ly/1UcS61E

From Joey's Instagram

So I'm supposed to write and ignore the kitty on my desk? Yeah that's easy! #MissViolet doesn't want pettings just to sleep where it's inconvenient for me! 😼😼😼😻😻😻 #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #kitty #catsofinstagram #snuggles #writinglife #joeypaul
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From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Tally can remember so little about her life. But as it comes back her memories become the thing that could save here! 🤯🤯🤯☠☠☠ Buy it here: www.books2read.com/BOUT ✨ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #readers #amreading #readersofinstagram #bookworm #bookboost #yalit #reading #Blackout #joeypaul #lovereading
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From Joey's Instagram

It may be the 10th and that may, usually, be my day off but I'm working and it's going really well so that's a bonus! ✒✒✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul
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My Ideal Writing Day - The Creative Process

MY IDEAL WRITING DAY

I've been asked this question a lot and it's something that I generally ask in my Friday Interviews with other authors. I know that for a lot of people the act of writing is done when they can fit it into life because they already have so much on and it's a case of grabbing minutes when they can. Now for me, I don't have another job. I am chronically ill and unable to work a full time job, and in that respect I'm lucky enough to be able to spend my days doing whatever I want and what works for me. I thought that it would be a fun piece for this fine Monday, to tell you all my idea of an ideal writing day.

I normally wake up around eight in the morning. I know you might be thinking, why when I can sleep all day, but my health conditions have certain limits on me and one of those is getting up at eight otherwise I over sleep and feel horrible and end up needing nap after nap to deal with it. So that would be the ideal start to the day, up at eight and ready to get going.

Next on the list would be to do any admin work in the morning, usually this only happens on days when I have videos, blog posts, or teasers going out, but once that's out of the way my ideal day would then move to chatting on Wire/Skype with a friend. We've fallen into this routine and I thoroughly enjoy chatting with them as the day goes on. At around midday, we move to text and then I get to start writing.

Now I used to be a morning person at school, that changed when I got sick and it used to be that I wrote the most in the afternoons/evening/wee hours. But back then I wasn't writing every day and nor was I really doing any promotion to do with my books. Now I like to be writing by one at the latest and generally finish around five before heading up to bed to read a book and chat with my friend on Wire for the remainder of the night.

My ideal writing day would be ones where I could hop between my WIP and chatting, talking to people on Twitter and all of that. I'm very much a multi-tasker and do my best work when I have a lot going on. It fuels my creativity and allows me to spend time with people and actually get some writing done all at once. I always have short breaks for tea and all of that, but if I'm writing, they usually happen on their own without me needing to leave in the middle of a massive scene so that I don't lose my thread.

Now I'm a hybrid (talked about here) so I do have some semblance of a plan for my books, but I don't always stick to it. Sometimes the best writing days are ones where I've been able to get over the hurdle of a touch of writer's block and can get back into the thick of the story. I also write two books at once and again, some days are best because I finish the chapter of one with an idea brewing for the next chapter of the other. I find this works best for me and I've had a lot of success doing it this way.

If I've recently finished a draft then I'll be letting that sit, but if it's in the second stage of editing and redrafting, then I'll be able to do that as well. I completely meant it when I said I was a multi-tasker! I'll also answer emails and anything that didn't get done in the admin of the morning. If I'm working at my desk then I generally have company in the shape of a kitty, and the same can be said if I'm working up in bed. It's always nice to have them around when I'm writing.

So basically my ideal writing day is a day where everything goes to plan, I get to chat with friends and hang on online, as well as getting a good chapter written and managing to get up to bed before too late. In that respect I'm a bit of a homebody. I've tried writing in coffee shops and the like, and while I can do it from time to time, I just prefer having my own space and my own time. However, I don't get out much so that may play a part in it. I do sometimes put on my noise cancelling headphones and listed to the white noise app - my choice playlist there is thunder, rain and a small cafe to keep me company!

What's your idea of a great writing day? Lemme know in the comments!

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From Joey's Instagram

#BAwritinglife Day 7. Who do I follow for book recommendations? 💜 I follow a whole load of people but looking for good book recs has to be the bookstagrammers. So people like @anniewoodsauthor @mcfrank_author @readcommendations @watcherbook who all are great at sharing the book love! 📚📚📚💜💜💜 #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #photochallenge #joeypaul #writinglife #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm
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From Joey's Instagram

Bonus video! And I'm talking about my current works in progress! Giving you all the info I can! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! 📚📚✒✒ #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #lovemyjob #igauthors #igwriters #writingtips #writingvlog #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber
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My Current WIP [CC]

A bonus video about my current works in progress!

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From Joey's Instagram

Getting my writing done with my new #compressiongloves. It's been something recommend to me and I took the leap and the change is great. My hands aren't so sore at the end of the day! So a win! 💜💜💜✒✒✒ #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #spoonie #chronicpain #joeypaul #writinglife
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From Joey's Instagram

#BAwritinglife Day five. WIP playlist! 💜 I don't have a playlist but I do have white noise for getting me ready to write scenes! ✒✒✒ Apologies for missing a day I just don't post tomorrow! #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #photochallenge #joeypaul #writinglife
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From Joey's Instagram

#BAwritinglife TBR..what's a recent must read? 💜 I have so many!! I had to pick one so going with the one I have closet to me which is #EvalenesNumber by @authorbethanyatazadeh. I also recommend #Aletheia by @_megan_tennant too which I just posted my review of!! 📚📚📚 #Authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #photochallenge #joeypaul #writinglife
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Review of Aletheia by Megan Tennant

Nearly two decades after the fall, the transcendent city of Iris is the only place rumored to have a cure to the disease that decimated the world. Beyond Iris, are the remnants of the old world, crawling with the Depraved. Infected with Lethe, they no longer remember the people or dreams they were once willing to fight for, and are left instead with familiar voices that whisper dark and unfamiliar words within their minds. Instinct is all that keeps the diseased struggling to exist another day.

Deep underground, below Iris, exists a compound, prison to the Nameless who traded their freedom for the cure to Lethe. It is here that 736 fights to protect those she loves. Not against the Depraved that she's taught to fear, but against the society that saved her from that fate. She was willing to trade away her rights to regain the ability to form memories, but she won't let the cult that cured her treat the lives of the Nameless like a resource to be used and discarded. At least, not without a fight.

How much is 736 willing to sacrifice for revenge against her captors? For those she cares about? For freedom? Everything has a cost, what would you be willing to pay?

Amazon

My Review: 5 stars
I'd heard about this book all over and I was intrigued by the blurb so picked it up. It starts right in the middle of the action and I was pulled it. It was an amazing story, beautifully told, with a balance between the fearful and the hope of a future. 736 was an amazing lead and I loved being inside her head as she learned all she did, grew as a character and became what she was. I was blown away by just how good the book is, and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good dystopian. Especially given the healthy love story that litters through the pages! Overall would give it more than 5 stars if I could!

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