DOWN TO THE FINAL CHAPTERS.... DON'T FORGET JAN. 24TH

I had to take a break from the endless hours of writing. How are you all doing today? Fine, I hope. Well thanks to all of your encouraging words I am down to the final chapters of my WIP. I'm only a few thousand words from target goal, but I might have to add a few more thousand to round the story off with a bang.

Several people have commented about ABNA so I thought I would repost my original Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards to inform those who haven't read the first one I posted a few weeks ago.

But before that, I would like to welcome some wonderful bloggers who recently visited and became friends. Thanks for following, I hope you'll leave my blog with something happy and positive.

Welcome:

Frankie, Casey, Margo B., Dan, Margo K., Florence, Misty, Mohnoutka, Tony, Dani, Stephen, and my newest follower, Jennifer. I am thrilled to meet all of you and hope to see you here often.

Now for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. JAN. 24th Mark that day on your calendar. I kept the original post just in case you'd like to read about my experience. If not, feel free to scroll down to the pertinent information.

Now it's time for me to get back to writing ....

Good day fellow bloggers. Today I am going to inform you about the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards: affectionately known as the ABNA.

Last year I was introduced to this amazing writing contest by a friend. I had just finished what I thought was a polished manuscript. A 125,560 word Y/A fantasy. Needless to say I spend over a year to really polishing my novel. A WILLOW'S TALE is now at a slim 68,000 words.

Before I tell you about the contest itself. I would first like to tell you how this contest launched me into the writing world.

It began with the entry. After finding out I made it through the first/pitch round, I was flying high. I began to visit the threads, eventually commenting. At first my comments amounted to nothing. Many of the contestants knew each other from previous years and chatted back and forth with each other. While waiting for the second round announcements, I managed to be heard here and there. Even though I wasn't "in" the group, I still enjoyed being in the thick of things.

On one faithful day I had the courage to start a thread. I had just received my critiques from my excerpt. And asked the community for some feedback. I was upset because one of the reviewers called my writing amateur. In the thread someone commented that I didn't add to the conversation and then it happened.

Erica from erica and christy came to my rescue. Thank you Erica!  Kind, supportive, and boisterous, Erica told them what of .... that the reviewer never should have wrote that, and theoretically we were all amateurs until we were published.

Eventually she and a few other kind souls helped me with what later became a major edit and restructure. Months of twelve hour days it took to pull my novel together. So you see, this is where it all began.

Erica then joined Christy and created there wonderful blog erica and christy http://lynneawest.blogspot.com/ I began to follow the blog world and three months ago I created In Time ...

Now for the contest .....

As you might have guessed it is sponsored by Amazon and Penguin Group and Create a Space. This is their fourth year running it. There are two grand prizes, one for Adult Fiction the other for Young Adult Fiction. The winners receive a $15,000.00 dollar advance and a publishing contract with Penguin. The contest is open to unpublished novels. Yes, self published authors can enter.

Open submissions for manuscripts begin on January 24th, 2011 and run through February 6th, 2011.  They take the first 5000 received in each category. And you must register with Create a Space ... it costs nothing to register. Manuscripts can be from 50,000 to 150,000 words

What you need to submit is a pitch: max-300 words. An excerpt up to 5000 words. Personal information on entry form. And of course, the manuscript itself. There are specific and there are a lot of do's and don'ts. Expect to put in some time. It is well worth your effort. Here is the link to the rules.  http://www.amazon.com/contentguidelines

After submission the waiting game begins. You wait to see if you make the first cut. Everyone's on the forums relieving their stress and anxieties. You will meet some fantastic people. Threads run like fire, so don't be intimidated. If you feel like participating do it! Eventually you will find your niche.

Here are the dates and phases in the contest.

Submission: Jan. 24- Feb. 6

First round: Feb.7 - Feb 22 ... They read the pitch and select the top 1000 entries in each category.

Second round: Feb. 24 - March 13 Reviewing and judging of excerpts.

On or about March 22nd excerpts are posted on Amazon for everyone, yes everyone ... your friends included, to read and score. Top 250 make the quarter finals. Not the easiest thing to do....

Quarter finals are judged between March 22nd and April 25th ... the full manuscript. Top 50 in each category advance to Semi finalists.

If you are lucky enough to make it this far you advance to Finalist. On or about May 16th you will be notified. Only 3 from each category. Finalist are flown to the host city and judged.

In June the winner is announced.

Well that's the Reader's Digest version everyone. I highly recommend it to all of you that have polished manuscript. It doesn't have to be perfect, but if you want to win, I suggest your perfect it.

This contest is excellent for getting your work seen by our community as well as the publishing community. So take advantage of this amazing opportunity.

Here is the main link .... http://www.amazon.com/Breakthrough-Novel-Award-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=332264011

Good luck and please let me know if you plan on joining me in the contest! I hope to see you there.

STYLISH BLOG AWARD.... Thank you, Quinn!

Today is another cold day in Chicago, but it always warms me when I receive an award. I would like to thank Quinn from seeing, dreaming ... writing. If you're not familiar with Quinn you should be, he writes edgy posts that make you think. Visit him @ http://seeingdreamingwriting.blogspot.com/

As always these awards come with all kinds of fun rules, however I am at the final stages of  THE BLINDED GARDENER and I only have two weeks before ABNA so as you can well imagine I'm crazy/busy. I'm down to my last 5000 words, but  I might need a few thousand more.... I'll keep you posted,

You do know I find some time to blog and after the 24th, I'll catch up and send out awards and relay some fun facts about me. Until then, thank you all for the kind words, support, and especially your cheers.

A special thanks to The Words Crafter, Golden Eagle, and Roland for their daily cheers. I appreciate it so much. You're the best!

I would also like to welcome my new followers. I will try my hardest to keep you entertained and informed.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Always your humble friend,

Michael

INTERVIEW WITH MADEMOISELLE MISSIE KERSTEN from N.R. Williams - The Treasures of Carmelidrium

Welcome everyone. 

I am thrilled to be interviewing the talented Mademoiselle Missie Kersten live in Gil-Lael. Our readers are fascinated by your story Mademoiselle, as am I.

I would like to start the interview a few background questions if I may?

M. Kersten: Of course you may.

Q. How long have you been studying the flute?

M. Kersten: Since I was six years old. A friend brought their flute to the house and while my mother was talking with her I picked it up and started to play. Both my mother and her friend were determined to get me flute lessons after that.

Q. Why did you choose to study at the University of Colorado? I’m certain that a person of your talent could have chosen any school, including Juilliard in New York.

M. Kersten: Yes, I could have gone to Juilliard, however, Colorado is my home and the University of Colorado has an excellent music program and, they have Professor Cloche. It was an easy choice to be honest.

Q. Mademoiselle Kersten, when you first stumbled into Gil-Lael, what did you think?

M. Kersten: I didn’t know what to think. It was morning, I left L'Amérique at night. Then, the state that I come from, Colorado, doesn’t have giant redwoods and I got confused by that thinking that somehow I was in California.

Q. What happened when you first met the unicorn in Gil-Lael?

M. Kersten: I thought he was a horse at first. When I noticed the horn I was shocked. I mean, wouldn't you be. Then he started talking to me. I looked around but didn't see anyone else and the whole thing took place telepathically. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't resist the unicorns influenced. When I touched him, I heard such beautiful music and when he left I could speak French. I didn't care for his warning though. That my music would heal all but the one, and he would be destroyed. I am an advocate of none violence to resolve problems.

Q. What did you think of Prince Healden? It is pronounced with a silent “a” like Hel-don? Is that correct?

M. Kersten: Yes, that’s right. What can I say; he’s a wonderful guy, charming, good looking, but still a prince. He has surprised me on many occasions with both his compassion and generosity. But I wasn’t born yesterday; I know that the common people don’t mingle with royalty. 

Q. I heard you had a run in with the symberveen? Mademoiselle are you all right? You look shaken.

M. Kersten: Yes, I'm fine. I don’t remember much about them except for the nightmares that intruded on my mind. I was awake and kept seeing distorted images. I’m really glad that His Highness, Prince Healden, was close by to rescue me. We don’t have symberveen in L'Amérique. 

Q. I’ve been told that your music heals like that of Princess Lysandra from the legend of old. 

M. Kersten: I’ve been told the same thing. But who can believe that? Still, whenever I play, there is an elusive something that lingers and lifts my spirits. Very strange. I don’t understand it.

Q. There is a legend about a fair haired people that invaded Gil-Lael over 1400 years ago. You resemble them. What can you say in your defense?

M. Kersten: My ancestors came from Norway. The Vikings, who are the people of this legend, also came from Norway. It doesn’t surprise me that I resemble them. Your legend is very similar to our historical accounts. But there isn’t such a thing as an “evil eye,” as Sigowia’s song implies. He is the prince's minstrel. I can’t turn anyone into stone and I wouldn’t want to. I am a modern American, not an ancient Viking. 

Q. What are your personal goals?

M. Kersten: That’s simple. I want to get home of course. I am two months away from graduation. I can’t help defeat this evil guy in the north. I mean, think about it. I play my flute to entertain people, and I guess here in Gil-Lael there is a great healing benefit that comes with it too. No, I want to go home.

Q. I have heard some say that you have noticed a difference when you play your flute. Doesn’t that make you consider the possibilities that Gil-Lael has to offer you as apposed to L'Amérique?

M. Kersten: I admit. I am mystified over the whole thing. I also am attached to certain people I’ve met here in Gil-Lael. But home is still home.

Q. By attached, you mean His Highness, Prince Healden?

M. Kersten: He’s a great guy…so yes. But don’t tell anyone.

You are too charming Mademoiselle. What a fascinating interview. Thank you so much. My readers will be most intrigued by you my dear.

Thank you so much for stopping today. Please leave comments and your email address to be placed in the drawing. Nancy is kind enough to be giving away three e-books on kindle.

There is also a special from now until July to order your copy at Amazon for only $2.99.

I had the pleasure of reading this wonderful story and it is a fantastic read. 

Be sure to blog hop to the many other bloggers who will be featuring a different interview for the next few weeks. Scroll down a few posts for the schedule or hop over to Nancy’s blog @http://nrwilliams.blogspot.com/

Notes from the author: 

Thanks everyone for dropping in to read this blog tour post. Michael has more information for you. Please leave any questions you may have. I’ll be back all day to answer them.

N. R. Williams (Nancy)

                        *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *       

I would also like to thank everyone who commented on my excerpt and left words of encouragement. I hit the 40,000 word mark last night. I'm on the final stretch. So keep those good vibes coming my way. You're the best.

If you'd like to read an excerpt from THE BLINDED GARDENER, please scroll down to next post.

UPDATE- THE BLINDED GARDENER

Hello my blogging friends. First, I would like to thank you for your encouragement. For those of you who don't know I am currently in the process finishing the remainder of my WIP. 

THE BLINDED GARDENER is a Y/A contemporary. This is the first time I have written in this genre. The subject came to me in a dream. I decided to do a few pages and entered them in Tessa's Outside of the box blogfest.

Many of you had liked the edginess and realistic feel of the beginning, so I decided to turn it into a novel. I am hoping to enter it in the ABNA contest in just a few short weeks. Thankfully I am down to the last 14000 words. It has been a tough go and I am now in the final stretch. Please send out good feelings to me so that I can finish and still have time to edit. We are a wonderful community and your support means everything to me.

I would like to leave an excerpt and would appreciate your comments. Thanks again and good luck to the other contestants who plan to enter ABNA.

Here it is for your approval another page from my current WIP. Please realize that this is a FICTIONAL, hard edge story full of disturbing incidents. Those of you who are sensitive to physical and mental abuse please do not read this excerpt.

Within fifteen minutes, I pulled into the driveway. Dad rented a three bedroom vintage colonial for us. Mom split a few years prior. She wanted to take me with her, but Dad’s threats frightened her. After twenty years of abuse, she had enough battle scars to know he meant it. I still had until the end of the school year before my escape. 

I made a deal with the devil to hang with him until then. One thing I can say about him, he kept his word. Good or bad he carved his word in stone. Nothing changed it. I could thank the military for that. But for nothing else.

Grabbing my backpack, I raced up the front stairs two at a time. I pulled my keys out of my front jeans pocket. 

“AIDAN!”

The keys fell out of my hands, crashing hard on the cold cement. “Shit!”

"YOU’RE LATE! GET YOUR SORRY ASS IN HERE!”

I scooped up the keys fumbling for the right one. “Got it.”

No sooner had I put the key in the door and it flung open. A strong hand gripped my arm pulling me into the living room. 

“Dad, I can explain —”

“Save it!” He shoved me against the wall. His rancid breath tearing my eyes. “What did I tell you about coming home on time?” 

“I know Sir, but —”

“Why do you disobey me?" His dark eyes bulged out of their sockets.

I waited for the blow.

Nine more months. Hang on Aidan. It’s just nine more months. Gingerly I picked myself off the floor. I heard my breathing, raspy and short. Another cracked rib. It’s not the first, but I hope it’s the last.

“Tough it up you pussy.” He picked up his glass from the coffee table, swirled the ice around, and took a sip. “I got a hell of a lot worse from my father.” He glared at me. “Get out of my sight.”

LIFE IS GOOD! N.R. Williams Blog Book Tour starts today!

What a wonderful way to start out the new year! Patricia Timms @  Simplicity in Volumes was kind enough to give me this award. Thank you, Patty this award made my month, it reminds me of springtime. I certainly could use a bit of that today with only eighteen degrees in temperature. Hop over to visit Patricia, you won't be disappointed. She always has something fun to read about.

There are some rules that go along with this award and I promise to take care of it soon. I only have two weeks left to ABNA and I must concentrate on finishing my last 16000 words. I know you all understand deadlines.

I would also like to remind all of you about N.R. Williams blog book tour. It starts today! Please hop by and give her your support @http://nrwilliams.blogspot.com/ She is giving away three e-books as prizes just for leaving a comment and email address. Today she is interviewed by Diedre Eden Coopel at A Story Book World. www.astorybookworld.blogspot.com/  Be sure to scroll down to the second interview.

Don't forget to drop by here on Monday. I will be interviewing Missie the main character in THE TREASURES OF CARMELIDRIUM. I hope to see you all there. Here's the synopsis to wet your appetites...

"When a hooded man steps in front of her car, Missie is thrust through a portal into a medieval world where she encounters monsters and mythical creatures. Here her flute has magical powers to heal and destroy and to empower, "The Treasures of Carmelidrium." She is romanced by a prince and hunted by the villain. Will she find her way home? Does she want to?"

NEW CREATION BLOBGFEST!

Summer Ross @ My Inner Fairy is hosting her second blogfest- A New Creation. All you need to do is take the last line from a former project and the first line from a new work you are thinking about writing. It is such a fun way to start off the new year. So please to forget to hop over to her blog and wish her a happy 29th birthday ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUMMER!.

Summer is also starting an exciting new series you don't want to miss. So pop back there on Thursday. http://summersvoice.blogspot.com/

Here is my entry: The last sentence in A WILLOW'S TALE ....

"Dak my loyal friend ... anything is possible."

"Why would anyone name a fat cat Foucault?"

This is a picture book project I have been thinking about creating. Foucault is a grumpy, adorable cat that is owned by close friends. They named him after the famous French Philosopher Michel Foucault. Odd, right? So he (Foucault the cat) gave me the idea to do some funny illustrations featuring him.

Add this to the list of other projects I have planned for this year. I just need to get cracking for the next few weeks to finish my entry for ABNA ... THE BLINDED GARDENER still needs another 20,000 words. Wish me luck ...

N.R. Williams - The Treasures of Carmelidrium

I am pleased to announce  THE TREASURES OF CARMELIDRIUM - A high fantasy novel by N. R. Williams. Nancy has a wonderful blog and is very active in the blogging community. Stop over and get to know her, you will be happy you did. http://nrwilliams.blogspot.com/

On Friday, January 7th, she starts her blog tour with Diedre Eden Coopel at A Story Book World. www.astorybookworld.blogspot.com/  Please hop over and find out all about Nancy and her new book now for sale on e-books at Amazon. It is offered at a special low price until July.

If you are a fantasy lover like me, you will want to read this novel. I am already half way through and I can't put it down. Well,  yes, I did put it down to write this post. lol.

Now for the exciting news, Nancy will be stopping by here on Monday,  January 10th. I will be interviewing her main character, Missie. You will not want to miss it. I have some exciting questions that I'm sure you'll want to know the answers to ....

Here's a little information about the author.

N. R. Williams lives in Colorado, USA. with her husband. She is delighted to have two three-year-old grandchildren/cousins. She is a long time member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and has been privileged to attend conferences and workshops. She has been inventing fantastical stories ever since the time she could spell and was able to write them down. Although she majored in art in college, she didn't make a living at it. Now she uses her skills of observation to create fantastical worlds, interesting characters, and stories that touch the heart.


Nancy will be touring until January 31st. She is also giving away three e-books as prizes just for leaving a comment and your email address. The drawing will be announced on February 1st.


I am posting the schedule so you can follow Nancy on her blog tour.

Jan. 7…Friday, Author interview: Deirdra Eden Coppel at A Story Book World   http://www.astorybookworld.blogspot.com/

Jan 10…Monday, Interview with the Protagonist, Missie:  Michael Di Gesu at In time…    http://writing-art-and-design.blogspot.com/

Jan 11…Tuesday, Mythical Creatures: Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs
www.stephentremp.blogspot.com

Jan 12…Wednesday, World Building for Fantasy & Sci Fi:  Marian Allen at Marian Allen http://www.marianallen.com/

Jan. 13…Thursday, Creating Monsters:  Nicole  Zoltack at Where Fantasy and Love Take Flight    http://nicolezoltack.blogspot.com/

Jan. 14…Friday, Tension & Humor, a balancing act: Jean Henry Mead at Murderous Musings 

http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/

Jan. 17…Monday, What are the Treasures of Carmelidrium:  Summer Ross at My Inner Fairy  http://summersvoice.blogspot.com/

Jan. 18…Tuesday. Interview with an elf:  Patricia Stotley at Chiseled in Rock, http://chiseledinrock.blogspot.com/

Jan. 19…Wednesday, Jan. 19, Antagonist interview, Renwyk, Lord of the Symberveen: Colene Murphy  at The Journey  http://cejourney.blogspot.com/

Jan. 20…Thursday, Interview with Galen, Scout of Gil-Lael: The Golden Eagle at The Eagles Aerial Perspective http://thegoldeneaglesblog.blogspot.com/

Jan 21…Friday, Plot vs Character Driven in Genre Writing:  Mason Canyon at Thoughts in Progress http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com/

Jan. 24…Monday, Character Driven vs World Driven in Fantasy & Sci Fi: 
Helen Ginger at Straight From Hel   http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/
 

Jan 25…Tuesday, Playing the “What If” Game: Dominic de Mattos at Writes of Passage http://dominicdemattos.blogspot.com/

Jan 26…Wednesday, …What inspired me to write about music as a power and why the flute: Clarissa Draper at Listen To The Voices  http://clarissadraper.blogspot.com/

Jan 27…Thursday. What Elements are in the Story? (Romance, Suspense, Mystery?) Denise at L’Aussie Writing   http://laussieswritingblog.blogspot.com/

Jan 28…Friday, Why I Write Fantasy: Jeffrey Beesler at Jeffrey Beesler’s World of the Scribe http://flettleglag.blogspot.com/

Jan. 31…Monday, Why You Should Hire an Editor & Professional Illustrator: (Sherry Wachter illustrated by book so there should be some interesting discussion between us.)

Sherry Wachter who writes as Bodie Parkhurst at Magic Dog Press http://magicdogpress.wordpress.com/