What type of writer are you?

The most challenging aspect of writing that I face is developing the story/character plot.

  Some writers create a complete outline for each chapter, each character and knows what will happen in the story (including the subplots) from the beginning all the way to the end.  These writers are known as Plotters. 

Then  you have your Pantser writers.  These writers just sit down and type out their story by the seat of their pants.  They only have a small idea on what they would like to happen in the story, but for the most part they write whatever pops into their mind. 

Lastly there's the Plantser writer.  This type of writer is both a plotter and a pantser.  They make rough notes on what they would like to see happen in the story as well as any changes to the characters.  These writers start writing with a general idea while following their notes to keep them on track.

I am a plantser writer.  I keep a notepad near by as well as a notepad on my phone.  As an idea comes to me I jot them down.  When it is time for me to write, I glance at my notes, sit in front of my laptop and write whatever flows into my thoughts.  I have a hard time plotting out a complete outline since my creative mind constantly shifts directions.  It took me a long time to accept what type of writer I am.  I always thought because I didn't create an outline I was doing something wrong and shouldn't follow my dream.  But I eventually got over that realizing that just like anything in life, it takes all kinds.  Some of the best writers fall into each of these categories.

So the question is, what type of writer are you?

What I've learned so far about promoting my book

I see on twitter all of the time different people offering to promote your book for a fee.  Some may offer book promotions for just $10 while others want more with the promise of sharing your book with all of their twitter and facebook followers.  I am here to tell  you to save your money and invest it into something worthy like a book cover or an editor.

I did pay a couple of people/groups to promote my book on twitter and while they did what they promised, I gained nothing from it.  Yes I suppose more people saw my book but I do not have anything to show for it except for money that could have been spent on better things, like purchase a copy of Scrivener.

I have made my share of mistakes and I have learned the hard way what works and what doesn't--still learning.  If you are proud of your book scream it from the roof tops and don't pay anyone to do that for you.  Engage with people on twitter and there's also twitter groups that will retweet your post for free.  GoodReads has tons of groups you can join for discussions, to engage with other readers as well as promote, & lets not forget about cross promotions.  You will be amazed at how many authors will become your biggest fan since they are readers too.

By the light of the moon

I have been working feverishly on book 2 of my Lexi Reed series called By the light of the moon.  I thought I would give you a little glimpse of what this book will be about.

Ever since Lexi has returned to Melba she has been going through some changes.  She can feel an evil lurking about wanting to control her.  Lexi's fights it as much as she can but this takes a toll on her and she is moody and has a bad attitude.  Yes some of this is teenage blues but the majority of it is the madness she feels within in her, growing.  Everyone in her coven avoids her when the can and walks on egg shells for fear she may snap and turn into the fiery creature they are all afraid of.  Including Kevin.  Right when Lexi needed him most, he breaks up with her.  He tells her he can't take anymore of her awful and unpredictable attitude and they need to stop seeing each other for a while. 

On one of her sleepless nights, she has a nightmare of a beast with glowing amber eyes chasing her repeating "I have something to tell you."   She quickly learns when she wakes up that her nightmare was real.  Later that day when the sun is shining, she heads to her special spot and gives her mind a break.  A beautiful appears before her and the closer it gets to her, it turns into a cute boy her age.  He is a Wayfarer witch named Jonathan.  Jonathan was the creature that haunted her real life dream in the attempt to warn her that Leticia is in limbo and wasn't dead, and that Rosella was coming to her town.

Leticia's soul has been floating in limbo between the mortal world and the immortal world, her evil spirit however latched on to Lexi while she was out of her body saving Kevin.  The evil that Lexi has been desperately trying to fight won't disappear until she completely destroys Leticia once and for all.  Sounds simple right?  In order for her to accomplish this, she needs to be out of her body to face Leticia's soul, only Leticia knows that if Lexi is out of her body for more than five minutes, she will die.

Rosella still wants everything that Lexi has and will stop at nothing to gain it all.  She disguised herself as a gorgeous teenage girl and using magic glamors the entire town to fall head over heels for her.  Starting with Kevin.  With magic comes with a price and using magic to make someone fall in love with you comes with the biggest price of all--isolation for the rest of ones life in the underworld. 

Jonathan and Lexi start becoming close and with Rosella out of the way and her nasty spell broken, Kevin is brought back into reality.  He now needs to fight for Lexi's attention.  Both boys have fallen for her and she doesn't know what to do--be with the one that her amulet said is her perfect match or be with the one that makes her heart beat rapidly.

TGIF!

I am super glad today is Friday!  Although, my Friday has started out pretty stressful.  First when I started to pull out of my driveway, I witnessed my dog jumping over my fence!  I told her bad dog all the way back to the yard.  She's still a puppy (she's big) but still a puppy and can't be trusted staying inside all day.  I asked my neighbor to keep an eye on her only to find out half way to work, she was trying to jump back into our yard.  Ugh this doggie!  So because of all of these my daughter beings to worry (she's 9 and this is her dog) and that makes me stress a little. 

Then when I get to work drama happens.  Now, I will gladly write about drama for your amusement and entertainment but I can't stand to be a part of it.

Now I am going to turn my Friday around to a brighter one, after all the weekend is here!!!  We are taking my daughter to a water park on tomorrow and on Sunday I will be working on By the light of the moon.  See, the silver lining awaits :-)  Plus...I have an idea for another book thanks to my stressful encounters this morning.  Hmmm things are already looking up :-)

YAY!!! I received my first book review!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ME0K5GS

Ways to contact me

You can find me on twitter https://twitter.com/LCDawn, facebook https://www.facebook.com/L.DawnYAauthor, Email me at lcdawnauthor@gmail.com and don't forget to check out my website http://lcdawn.wix.com/lcdawn

A lot has happened

So...a lot of wonderful things have happened since the release of A tale of two witches.  I have added my book to smashwords and it is currently being distributed to Apple, Kobo, Sony, Barnes & Noble, and a few other eBook distributors.  I am really excited about that!  Also, I have done a few author interviews, added my book to some online book sites as well as added my book to good reads.  Below are the links for my author interviews for you to check out:

http://awesomegang.com/lisa-dawn/
http://pretty-hot.com/lisa-dawn/
http://bookreadermagazine.com/featured-author-lisa-dawn/

I am currently working on Book #2 of my Lexi Reed series called By the light of the moon.  I have so many ideas for this story that I am having a hard time getting past chapter 2, I keep re-writing lol but don't freit, it will be available around October (I hope.  Fingers crossed).  I will let you know about this story when I do :-)

I am also working on a paranormal romance that I have yet to name.  My mfc (main female character) is Apryl Cage.  She is a teen witch and a lost soul.  People think she is a freak and never take the time to get to know who she really is.  Dominique Haskins is the new kid and his is nothing but trouble.  His parents keep moving him from school to school, but his bad reputation follows him.  His is gorgeous and of course all of the girls want to be with him, but he only has eyes for Apryl.  She has a calming effect on him.

So far that is all that I know.  If you have any ideas for these stories I would love to hear them :-)  Also I am going to start posting a lot more and if you subscribe to my blog you will be the first ones to hear when these two books will be released.

XOXOXO
Lisa Dawn