From Joey's Instagram

Last video of January and we're talking signings and book tours! 📚✒📚✒ . Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! 🎥 . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #authortuber #booknerd #bookworm
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Book Sigings & Tours [CC]

All about signings and book tours and how to find them! #Authortube

STORIAD: https://storiad.com/
BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html
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

As a gift to myself and my office we got a roomba which isn't the brand name. He's awesome and we named him Terry because we love #Brooklyn99 and Terry loves clean floors! 🤗🤗🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️ . What's your latest treat for yourself? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #booknerd #bookworm #amreading #readersofinstagram #yalit #reading
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From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Tally hasn't yet got her memories separated from what was her dream and what is her actual life. And time us running out....😨😨😨 . Buy here: www.books2read.com/BOUT or the link in my bio! . What's a dream you wish was real? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #booknerd #bookworm #amreading #bookboost #yalit #reading #Blackout
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From Joey's Instagram

And it's the start of another week! Today's snippet of motivation on my calender speaks to me. You gotta write what you love! ✒💜✒ . What's your goals for the week or even just today? I have a chapter to write! . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #writing #booknerd #bookworm #amreading #readersofinstagram #yalit #reading #mondaymotivation
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Pantsing All The Way - The Creative Process

PANTSING ALL THE WAY

Last week I did a piece about plotting and planning (found here) and this week I've decided to focus on that other side of my writing process, which is the pantsing side. I've always talked about the fact that I'm a hybrid (piece found here, video here) but it's never been something where I've focused solely on the pantsing side of things. I have been writing for almost twenty years and in that time I have found various different ways to plan and outline and get the words on the page. And what I noticed is that where other writers will talk about how they know what's going to happen in this chapter or the other, or they know the ending so clearly. Or that they're able to skip around the timeline and it not freak them out, I don't know the majority of that stuff.

I have a plan, I follow that plan to a point. Of course most people who outline will also add a caveat that the outline isn't made in stone and can be changed, but I find that so long as I have a small grip on the overall plot, the rest of it is made up on the fly. I'll start with a cast of characters and then stop in the middle of a chapter because I've realised that a certain situation is going to happen and for that I'll need x, y and z. I love the way I write and the way I create and while yes, it can make things harder when editing, I find that it doesn't usually make it that hard.

When it comes to rewrites, yes there are going to be things near the beginning of the book where I'm having to change the way a character reacts or how they sound because it can take a good few chapters for me to get their voice right, or because I've decided later on that it would be better to have this happen or that happen earlier so that it makes sense for the climax and ending of the book. And yes, those are a big pain, but I also edit as I go. So if I get to chapter fifteen and realise that I need to change something in chapter two, it gets done. I wouldn't advise a newbie writer do that because it's way too tempting to end up in editing hell where you're so focused on getting the scene perfect that you don't write the rest of the book.

However, I have come to embrace my pantser side. For a long time I thought it was the "wrong" way to write a book, and it's not. There are so many different ways to write and none of them are wrong. You have your own style and your own way of doing things and that's more than okay. Some writers I know write out of sequence. I know I couldn't do that because it would freak me out having to then follow that plan to make sure that later scene made sense. But it works for some people and that's great! But I feel like a lot of people look at those of us who pants and think that we're not doing it right because they personally couldn't do it that way.

That said, I have found that my best ideas come from pantsing. I've also found that if I do extensively outline then I will find myself bored to tears and unable to write the story because I've lost my passion for it. I like keeping things loose, being able to add this twist or that twist and making it all come together in one glorious ending that even I didn't see coming. I love telling stories that way because it keeps me on my toes and allows me to do my best creative work. And I guess part of this piece is to celebrate that, but also to let other hybrids or full on pantsers know that it's okay.

You're not doing something wrong. You're creating your way and while your way may not match mine or anyone elses, that's also okay! Planning isn't for everyone and I think it's beyond amazing that so many different writers approach writing in so many different ways. Think of it this way. There's no way to tell a perfectly unique story because the majority of stories have been told before, but when you're approaching it in a different way, you are telling a unique story because it's the one only you can tell. So remember that, keep pantsing, keep planning and most of all, keep writing!

Good luck!

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 bonus video and one that I enjoy making. My month of writing condensed into 14 second chunks. ✒✒🎥🎥 . You can watch here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! 🤗 . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #booknerd #bookworm #smallyoutuber
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#AmWritng - #008 [CC]

A writer writes... #Authortube

BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html
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

I'd hoped I'd be posting about finally getting caught up on that sleep debt but nope. I slept horribly and yet I have to keep going. Being real, chronic illness is hard on the mind and body. So here's to sleeping tonight. 😴😴😴😴 . What's you weekend looking like? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #booknerd #bookworm #amreading #readersofinstagram #yalit #reading #chronicillness #brittleasthma #spoonielife #wheelchairuser #oxygenuser #chronicpain #fibromyalgia #ME
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From Joey's Instagram

So it's coming to the end of the month and since it was my day off I decided to plan out February! Thought I would share how I do it! Black is Mepo, white is day off, purple is one book, pink is the other and yellow are not writing days. 🤓🤓🧐🧐 . How do you plan your time? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #booknerd #bookworm #amreading #readersofinstagram #yalit #reading
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Review of Keeper by Kim Chance

When a 200-year-old witch attacks her, sixteen-year-old bookworm Lainey Styles is determined to find a logical explanation. Even with the impossible staring her in the face, Lainey refuses to believe it—until she finds a photograph linking the witch to her dead mother.

After consulting a psychic, Lainey discovers that she, like her mother, is a Keeper: a witch with the exclusive ability to unlock and wield the Grimoire, a dangerous but powerful spell book. But there’s a problem. The Grimoire has been stolen by a malevolent warlock who is desperate for a spell locked inside it—a spell that would allow him to siphon away the world’s magic.

With the help of her comic-book-loving best friend and an enigmatic but admittedly handsome street fighter, Lainey must leave her life of college prep and studying behind to prepare for the biggest test of all: stealing back the book.

Amazon

My Review: 5 stars
I picked this up because the blurb called out to me. I was pulled in by the first page, wanting to know more about Lainey and all the secrets in her past. I loved how well the story was told, how the mysteries were weaved in the words and the just beautiful prose. The strong friendship between Laniey and Maggie. The idea that two friends can be there for each other no matter what. My heart ached as the story continued and I saw what might happen, but I was not ready for that ending. It was a thrilling ride and I look forward to the sequel. Highly recommended!

You can follow Kim on Twitter, Instagram, and her authortube channel.

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

Today I'm telling you 44 facts about my writing career and all I've learnt along the way! 🤗🤗🎥🎥 . Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #wriringcommunity #indiesofinstagram #authortube #authortuber #writingvlog #vlogger #writingtips #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #smallyoutuber
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44 Facts About My Writing Career [CC]

A video about 44 facts about my writing career! #Authortube

BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html
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

In the midst of a flare and sleeping poorly. But I have a chapter to write and will take my time in doing so. Gotta be kind to yourself. 😷💆‍♀️ . What's your go-to drink when working? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #chronicillness #brittleasthma #chronicpain #flare #fibromyalgia #ME #wheelchairuser #oxygenuser #spoonie #spoonielife
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From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Tara is beginning to wonder if she made the right choice trusting Mike. 🤔🤔👮‍♂️👮‍♂️ . Buy here: www.books2read.com/DTSS . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #booknerd #bookworm #amreading #readersofinstagram #yalit #reading
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From Joey's Instagram

Some mornings all you need is a cuppa and a kitty on your shoulder purring in your ear as she gets comfy. And yes she is comfy! A day of writing awaits me! 😺✒😺 . What's on your plan for Monday? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #cats #catsofinstagram #kitty #snuggles #pastacats #MissPenne #writinglife #joeypaul #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #booknerd #bookworm #amreading #readersofinstagram #yalit #reading
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Planning & Plotting - The Creative Process

PLANNING & PLOTTING
I've done a few pieces on planning and plotting. It's been something I've talked about on the blog, and also on my Authortube channel. Blog posts are: here, here & here. Videos are here & here. So it's a topic that I've covered, that most writers with advice blogs will cover, but yet I'm doing it again! Why? Maybe it's the fact that it's a new year or just the fact that as I write more, I get better at my own outlining, plotting and planning stages. Who knows, but we're going along for the ride!

So, a few facts before we start. I am a hybrid in that I am both a planner and a panster. I'll discuss pantsing next week, but for now I'll focus on that side of me that needs to have some kind of outline before I can start writing. I've talked about that before too (pieces here, video here) but I feel that it's very important to mention so that everyone knows where I'm coming from and also what tools I've used.

Now if you're someone who wants to plan extensively, that's more than fine, but I don't think this is the blog piece for you. My idea of a plan is writing out days of the week, chapter headings and a few bits and pieces as well as character cards, and then letting myself go off on whatever journey it takes me on. I have some idea of the story before I start. I can't just plot or plan a book that has nothing already thought up. But I do find that I'm slightly less rare that I thought I was. There are a number of people who plan and outline meticulously, and there are those rare few who pants the whole thing, but there are also a whole ton of people who, like me, straddle the two labels. The proper term is plantser but I prefer hybrid because of my Doctor Who roots!

So where do I start? I will, generally, have the ideas phase and then move onto the fleshing out of those ideas. Some call it brainstorming, others call it something else. I picked up the term: thought-dump from Jenna Moreci and I like that one best. I open up a notepad window and I type out everything I can think of that's needed, everything that's inside my brain in terms of the idea and getting it down. I don't have organisation in mind. I'm just typing out everything. This can be from plot points to character descriptions, to even lines of dialogue or prose that I don't want to forget. This stage can take anywhere from a couple of hours, to a week or more. It really depends on how much time I have to devote to it and how much of an idea I have.

When I feel completely dumped out, that's when I'll start creating the chapter plan, which is my version of an outline. I open Word and work out how many chapters. I generally will have the day of the week - I do this because it's nice to have continuity if it's needed, it's not always - and I have the general idea of what the chapter will involve. This can be anything from one word to a short line. And I keep going until I have all the chapters and all the plot points laid out. Then it gets printed and a few other bits and pieces added to it, like page numbers and the day I start and stuff like that.

I do those for a number of reasons, none of which matter in the grand scheme of things, and so we can ignore that. When I've done that and got it all printed out, I move on to character notecards. And these are literally note cards. I did, for a while, think about going digital and got an app where I could type it all out, colour coded and everything. Of course that worked fine, but then I realised I had to scroll to find the ones I needed, and I didn't always write with my tablet/phone nearby. So I'm back to the physical versions and while everything isn't colour-coded, it does mean that I can move things around as the characters become more/less relevant.

So what do I put on those notecards? Characters name (first and last if needed), their physical description and any other information that might be relevant. Like for the Invisible series, I've got notes about what condition they have, when it appeared, and all of that. I also make sure to keep other important info that's happened in previous books on the note card too. This way if I need to check something, I have it all to hand. I learned that while writing the Dying Thoughts series. It was all well and good knowing Tara's description etc off by heart, but sometimes I couldn't remember what she'd done in each book and I needed that continuity!

And once all that is done? Then I'm more than ready to get my backside in my chair and start writing the book! That's just my way of doing things, but I feel like everyone has a slightly different routine and that's okay. There's nothing wrong with outlining, nor pantsing, nor anything in between. You gotta do what works for you and while you may need to experiment slightly to find what fits, it's all about getting the right method and making it your own! Good luck and keep writing!

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

It's a day off so I have a vlog to record, edit, upload and caption. Other than that I plan to read! 🎥🎥📚📚 . What are you doing today? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #igwriters #igauthors #writingtips #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram
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From Joey's Instagram

As you all know I'm chronically ill and disabled. I have big problems with neck and back pain while I write so I was super happy to pick up this neck and shoulder heat and massage wrap. It's changing my way of doing things! 🤗🤗♿♿ . What's something you struggle with physically while writing? Or reading? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #spoonie #chronicillness #brittleasthma #spoonielife #wheelchairuser #oxygenuser #chronicpain
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Interview with Kristin Ward & Review of After The Withered Green

I am delighted to be joined by Kristin Ward today for both an interview and my review of one of her books. Here's a little about Kristin

Kristin Ward lives is a small town in Connecticut with her husband, three sons, and numerous furry and feathered friends. As a nature enthusiast, she infuses her stories with environmental themes and encourages her readers to learn about the world in which they live and strive to do their part to leave it a better place for future generations.

And onto the interview!

Do you read your own genre? Is it a favourite?

I have a rather eclectic taste in books but dystopian is a genre I love. My favorite dystopian series is The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins touched on deep social issues and created a truly frightening world. I'm a classic rereader of books that I love. When the mood strikes, I pick up an old favorite and immerse myself in worlds and characters that I have a strong connection with. One of my favorites is The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet.

Was writing always your dream choice of career?

I have longed to be an author since seventh grade when my English teacher likened my writing to Saki, author of The Interlopers. While writing is not my career, yet, I strive to bring pieces of this passion into my workplace. I would love to be able to write full time!

Do you have a writing space? Pictures or descriptions!

My writing favorite space is my grandmother's reclining chair. When I tilt it back at just the right angle, I can prop my laptop on my lap and get into the zone. During the winter months, the woodstove pumps out heat as I type away!

Playlists? Yes or no? And why?

I have three sons. With that in mind, a certain level of noise and disruption is my way of life. I have written a few blogs about the cacophony of my boys. When it comes to writing, I can usually hit the mental mute button and block out the variety of sound effects that emanate from my crew. Adding music into the mix is something that gets through the cracks of my listening filters and can be utterly derailing (especially when I start bopping along to the music and end up accidentally typing the lyrics I'm belting out!).

Which social media do you see as a must for writers?

Twitter and Facebook are major venues for writers as they provide platforms for interaction. I have found these social media outlets to be great resources to connect with writers and explore various topics from the writing process to marketing.

Where do you hang out most online?

If I'm connecting with fellow writers, I spend my time on Twitter and Facebook. However, the bulk of my online usage is not necessarily related to writing. Yes, I do my share of research online but I easily find myself getting sucked into the internet rabbit hole. Is this an intentional derailment? Well, sometimes. Writers, by our very nature, are procrastinators. I have been known to while away hours online getting nothing done!

What's your favourite book you've read?

One of my favorite books is The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. It was this book that began my writing journey all those years ago. I was pulled into the story from the first line and in awe of the fact that it was written by a teenager. Within that book is a poem that also proved to be a catalyst to my own love of poetry. I often write poems on Twitter as I enjoy the challenge of keeping them within the 140 character limit. One day, I hope to publish a collection of these works.

Morning or evening writer?

I am often an evening writer, though not by choice. With a full-time job, I find the bulk of my writing time, when I find the time, to be in the evening. On the weekends, I prefer to write during the day (I'm not a morning person and relish my Saturday and Sunday moments of quiet with a cup of coffee)

If you had a hashtag for your books, what would it be?

Creating a hashtag is not my forte! Sadly, I am rather new to the whole social media thing. I suppose I would use something that relates to the theme of the books - global drought - while also reflective of the title.  #withered seems appropriate!

 
They tell me the country looked different back then.

They talk of open borders and flowing rivers.

They say the world was green.

But drought swept across the globe and the United States of the past disappeared under a burning sky.

Enora Byrnes lives in the aftermath, a barren world where water has become the global currency. In a life dominated by duty to family and community, Enora is offered a role within an entity that controls everything from water credits to borders. But it becomes clear that not all is as it seems. From the wasted confines of her small town to the bowels of a hidden city, Enora will uncover buried secrets that hide an unthinkable reality.

As truth reveals the brutal face of what she has become, she must ask herself: how far will she go to retain her humanity?

Amazon 

My review: 5 stars
I picked this up because of the blurb and the cover. It starts as a historical telling of what's come before and then jumps right into the action. Enora has hopes and dreams like any teenager about to embark on adulthood, but whether or not she gets to realise them is another matter. The Company control all the resources and against her wishes, Enora is ordered to join. The story is engaging, well-written and flows beautifully. I loved getting to see the sides of the world building without it taking away from the story. I am going to read the next as soon as possible as the ending leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended!

You can follow Kristin on her website, Twitter and Instagram.

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

I've been busy this week reading through and tabbing up my new theasaurses. They are a goldmine of info and I adore them! Have used all six already! 🤓📚🤓 . How do you orangise reference books? I use multi-coloured tabs as you can see! . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #amreading #writingresource #booknerd
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From Joey's Instagram

Today I'm answering all your questions! Giving advice and fessing up on my favourite Doctor! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/JoeyPaulOnline or the link in my bio! 🤓🤓🤓 . Who's your favourite sci-fi character? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #authortube #authortuber #writingvlog #vlogger #writingtips #authortube #lovemyjob #ilovewriting #writinglife #joeypaul #smallyoutuber #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #booknerd #bookish
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Questions From Readers - January 2019 [CC]

And answering all the questions from you guys! #Authortube

BUY WALK A MILE: http://www.books2read.com/WAM
THE BOOK ROBIN HOODS: https://therobinhoods.wixsite.com/thebookrobinhoods
BUY MY BOOKS: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/p/aboutjoeys-books.html
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

I have am army of pop vinyls to watch me work! Got some new ones over Christmas and birthday so thought I'd update the picture! . What's on your desk? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #read #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #wriringcommunity #indiesofinstagram #writinglife #joeypaul #harrypotter #sherlock #doctorwho #marveluniverse
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From Joey's Instagram

#TEASERTUESDAY Tara hasn't always had the ability to make friends easily. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️👭👭 Buy here: www.books2read.com/DTFT . Who was your first friend? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #booknerd #bookboost #DyingThoughts1
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From Joey's Instagram

So how have I aged? The left is from 2008 and the right was yesterday. I prefer my hair as it is now tho! 😂😂💇‍♀️💇‍♀️ . How's your 2019 going? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #writingcommunity #writinglife #joeypaul #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #purplehair
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5 Facts About My Current WIP: Cramping Chronicles: The Fifth Agony

5 FACTS ABOUT MY CURRENT WIP: CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE FIFTH AGONY

I recently started two new books, last week I gave you five facts about Visible (found here) and this week I'm going to give you five facts about Fifth Agony. For those who are new to the blog, or just haven't seen this mentioned before, I thought it would be best to give you a bit of a synopsis about the series as a whole, even though I can't tell you serious plot things because of spoilers.

So, the basics, Cramping Chronicles is an Urban Fantasy YA series. The main character is Jessie, who's only just fifteen and disabled. She has M.E and Fibromyalgia and is in a wheelchair. Along with her chronic pain, she seems to have developed the ability to feel other people's emotional and physical pain. It's not everyone, just a few people here and there. The series tells the story of her working to solve mysteries, ease pain and maybe, somewhere along the way, get control over her ability. She's got a good group of friends in Gray, Craig, Roe and Meera. But none of them really know what empath life is about, and they're not all that sure who to trust with the truth. Because someone has to know something, right?

So the fifth book is where it's all at right now, and onwards with the facts!

#1 - FIVE IS THE END
Now I say this, and even as I'm writing the first third of the book, I'm beginning to wonder if five really is the end, but in plans that's the idea. So I'll stick with this fact and if I need to change it later, I'll do so. But throughout the whole series, the story has been building to something huge, and boom, we're right in the thick of it now. That huge things has come to pass and now everyone has to deal with the aftermath.

#2 - JESSIE ISN'T THE ONLY ONE TALKING
Now up until book five, they had always been told in 1st Person from Jessie's point of view. But after the events of the end of Fourth Torment, Jessie isn't the only one who has things to say. I won't say who, simply because it means spoilers, but it's been very exciting to get to write from this characters point of view and their life and everything they're dealing with.

#3 - THERE'S MORE SECRETS TO UNFOLD
While a lot of the details of Fifth Agony are under wraps, there are some bits and pieces hinted at earlier in the series that come to light now. Not just with Jessie, but with the whole cast. You start to wonder who hasn't been hiding things from each other and more and more you start to see the cracks in the friend group. That doesn't mean that there's going to be break ups, just that everyone has been carrying each other for a long time and there's bound to be some backlash.

#4 - NO ONE ENDS COMPLETELY AS THEY STARTED
Along with the build up through the series, it's become apparent that a lot of what's gone on will have a knock-on effect to the characters. Jessie has been to hell and back, as have Gray, Craig, Roe and Meera. They all started as one thing, but as the story has unfolded, they've changed. Some of it's good, some of it's not, but all of it is expected.

#5 - THERE'S ALWAYS A LITTLE MYSTERY
I've been a crime/mystery writer since I started and even though this started as a paranormal/mystery series, it evolved very quickly and became something bigger than that. I'd never thought that I would write fantasy, but as I've been writing, I've realised that's exactly what this series is. It's less paranormal and more fantastical. The stories told in each book build up higher and higher to the final ending which I have yet to write. And since I pants a lot, I'm not 100% sure on what that ending is, but I know it's gonna be amazing!

So there you have it, five facts about the final Cramping Chronicles book. As always you can check my progress under the "Current Works In Progress" tab above and I'll continue with this 5 facts series as I keep writing!

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From Joey's Instagram

And it's Sunday! A day of rest and a day to save spoons and energy! I have to write today but I am going to take it easy and exercise some self-care. 🤗🤗💜💜 . What's you go-to self-care task? . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #writinglife #joeypaul #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #readers #readersofinstagram #selfcare #spoonie #chronicillness #brittleasthma #spoonielife #wheelchairuser #oxygenuser #chronicpain
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From Joey's Instagram

I feel like this is an amazing piece of advice! Read lots it'll help you become a better writer! 📚📚 . What are you reading right now? I'm re-reading an old favourite series that recently had two new books released! . . . #authorslife #authorsofinstagram #indieauthor #amwriting #writerslife #writersofinstagram #books #bookish #writinglife #joeypaul #readers #readersofinstagram #bookworm #writingcommunity #indiesofinstagram #booknerd #amreading #writingadvice
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Interview with Tony Millington & Review of Unsilent Grief

I am delighted to be welcoming Tony Millington to the blog today for both an interview and review of his book - Unsilent Grief. Here's a little about Tony:

Tony was born in Warrington Cheshire in 1967, but moved to Rutland in 1981 with his family. Attending Uppingham Community College, Rutland sixth form and later attending Stamford College. 

He has done various jobs, including a lifeguard, white van man, and temp work but working at RAF Wyton as a civil servant for the MOD for many years was his most loved career sadly ending in redundancy due to all the cuts to the civil service. He married his wife in 1996 and his son was born a year later. They live in Cambridgeshire UK. with two mad cats. His son attending University at present. 

Tony has always wanted to write a book and this is his first, deciding he really needed to do it as he had time on his hands. His second book is with his publisher now. And he is working on book 3.

And onto the interview!

 How long have you been writing?
I have been writing, book wise, for about 2 -3 years. The first ideas which would become the basis for Unsilent Grief were in my mind for a couple of months before I put anything down on paper. Unsilent Grief took about a year from start to finish. My second book, Friends Close Enemies Closer (at publisher at time of writing) took about 9 months.  Previously I had written a little in the early 1990’s providing the local newspaper with sports reports, from the cricket team I has playing for Barrowden and Wakerly, and the Uppingham and District Pool League  which I was secretary of.

Do you write in the genre you love to read?
Yes. Always have loved TV crime programmes from C.S.I , Criminal Minds, Morse and many more. I followed that into my reading and writing

Do you have any favourite authors to read?
I started reading about 25 years ago with a book from Alan Folsom, The Day After Tomorrow. From there I read a lot of James Patterson especially the Alex Cross series. I have all the James Childs Reacher books.  Others I have really enjoyed are Tony Forder, Ross Greenwood, Tara Lyons, Malcolm Hollingdrake, KA Richardson and David McCaffrey.

Are you an organised writer or not?
Not really.

Do you like editing or is it something you loathe?
I don’t mind editing. My spelling lets me down so editing as I am writing is ok. Plus ideas come into my head as I am editing and I can add bits to the story as I am going along without a complete re-write of a section.

What's your favourite social media? And why?
Facebook.  Since starting writing I have been in contact and spoken to some great authors, bloggers and readers.  Each with the own story to tell, and extremely helpful in providing useful information for new and up and coming authors.  

Do you do character profiles? If so, why/why not?
I have just started doing this. I am writing my third book in the Watson and Monteith series so keeping a note of things which the characters have done in the first two books is becoming a necessity. Also It allows me to bring back some characters who have previously appeared in those books and may have unfinished business.

How would you describe your writing process?
I am defiantly a pantser. Most of the time, I never know what I am going to write when I sit down at my laptop. As other authors have said they let the characters tell the story. I have woken up with two characters having a conversation in my head. I put it straight onto my laptop and fitted it into the book when I felt it was needed.

Nobody owns life

A man is murdered in a pub carpark.
DS Watson and Monteith are finding it difficult to catch a killer.
Three more bodies are found.
The two detectives are on a roller-coaster ride to find out if they are all connected and why.
The Unsilent Grief of one man spirals into murder and mayhem.

Amazon

  

My Review: 4 stars

I picked this up as an interesting twist on crime novels. The author was a new one to me, and I was pretty much pulled into the story from the first page. The idea itself, that one man in his grief could cause so much death and destruction appealed to me. However, the lack of research - UK officers having weapons for a start - pulled me out of the story. I very much enjoyed the book and the story told, and read it in one sitting. I look forward to seeing more from this author. A solid four star read.

You can follow Tony 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.