Sweet. Clean. Cozy. Call it what you want, but the result is the same. Looking to get cozy this autumn? There’s plenty to choose from. But hurry! The giveaway is for a few weeks only.
Monthly Archives: August 2018
Weekly writing check-in: second draft … done!
And … it’s done! The second draft came in at 81,000 words. I added about 13,000 words during the revision, and I’m feeling good about that.
I still need to do a third draft. There are things I want to refine before I send this manuscript off to an editor. I will let it sit for about a week or two before I tackle that.
Because this is going to be a series, I’ll be setting up a series bible so I can keep all my world building information in one place. I’m thinking about using OneNote, but I’m open to suggestions.
I will also work on a few short stories–in fact, I started one yesterday. And I’m planning a companion novella for the series as well, and I will ponder that a bit while I work on building the series bible.
Filed under Weekly Writing Check In, Writing
Weekly writing check-in: home stretch
Last week, I complained about how slowly the revision was moving along. This week? I’m up 25,000 words! I feel as if I’ve stolen Jo March’s writing hat.
This part of the manuscript is more straightforward. The events I moved around occur earlier in the story, and I suspect that’s the reason I’m moving much faster now.
I have about 15,000 original words left in the first draft. I have a few scenes I pulled from there and worked on using The Emotional Craft of Fiction, which I already revised. Granted, I will need to review them because when you revise, things … change.
But with a little time and a little luck, I hope that next week I get to report that the second draft is done.
Filed under Weekly Writing Check In, Writing
Free Fiction Friday: SFF Book Bonanza
Head on over to SFF Book Bonanza for many, many free fantasy and science fiction books. Even if you miss the dates, many of the books will be available and free for the rest of August–click early, click often.
Happy reading!
Filed under Books, Free Fiction Friday, Reading
Weekly writing check-in: 99 cent Geek Girl
So, I made a discovery this week that the e-book version of The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading is at 99 cents in all the US stores. That was a surprise. I think it started around Wednesday, based on the rank shift over on Amazon.
As I said on Friday, now’s the time to grab a copy if you don’t already have one.
Kindle Nook Apple Kobo Google Play
Edited to add: looks like the price is going up on various retailers (Kobo, Google). Well, it was fun while it lasted.
In revision news, I’ve added ~8,000 words to the second draft. This is moving a little slower than I’d like. Or rather, I think I should be moving faster through the manuscript, but on reflection, I suspect this pace is just right. I’ve rearranged events and moved scenes around, and I simply can’t drop a scene into the manuscript as is. There’s emotional context to consider, story threads to weave in or tug out.
So, while part of me wants to zoom through this revision, another part of me is pleased with my progress so far.
Filed under Geek Girl's Guide, Weekly Writing Check In, Writing, YA
(Almost) Free Fiction Friday: The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading
So, I was working on something else when I discovered that The Geek Girl’s Guide to Cheerleading is currently at 99 cents at all major e-retailers.
Why or when, exactly, this happened, I don’t know. I also don’t know how long it will remain at 99 cents. In fact, I fear it may no longer be at 99 cents by the time this post goes live.
So if you ever wanted a copy, now’s the time to grab one. Buy early. Buy often.
Kindle Nook Apple Kobo Google Play
A YALSA 2012 Popular Paperback pick in the Get Your Geek On category!
When self-proclaimed geek girl Bethany Reynolds becomes the newest member of the varsity cheerleading squad, she realizes that there’s one thing worse than blending into the lockers: getting noticed. Who knew cheerleading was so hard? Well, at least there’s a manual, The Prairie Stone High Varsity Cheerleading Guide. Too bad it doesn’t cover any of the really tough questions. Like:
- How do you maintain some semblance of dignity while wearing an insanely short skirt?
- What do you do when the head cheerleader spills her beer on you at your first in-crowd party?
- And how do you protect your best friend from the biggest player in the senior class?
Bethany is going to need all her geek brainpower just to survive the season!
Filed under Books, Free Fiction Friday, Geek Girl's Guide, Reading, Reading & Writing
Weekly writing check-in: a series without a name

Kitty has no suggestions for a series name
I’m 30,000 words into the revision. That’s almost halfway, or at least, it’s almost halfway through the original draft word count.
I’m still pondering not only a title for this particular book, but a name for the entire series as well. And I’m almost at my wit’s end and seriously considering Tea & Witches (as a complement to Coffee & Ghosts).
But, of course, Coffee & Ghosts started out as simply a shorthand way of referring to the stories I was writing. Then the whole thing bloomed into a serial/series, and by that time, the name was set. Because of this, I’ve had to explain what the heck Coffee and Ghosts actually is, with an essay here on my website and in all the books.
This is not a road I wish to travel with this series, even if it’s a spin-off. That being said, it would be very, very on brand. If you enjoy brainstorming, feel free to read the book’s description here and offer up suggestions.
Filed under Weekly Writing Check In, Writing