The Road of Echoes: New Blog Series

Fifteen weeks and a couple of days are all that remains between today and the publication of In the Echo of this Ghost Town and When the Echo Answers. Considering that each time I venture into a new story I experience the doubt and subsequent terror that I will never be able to write a book ever again, I am ecstatic that we’re moving toward the finish line. 

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I am so proud of these books. I am so proud of Griffin.

Those of you who have read The Stories Stars Tell will understand why I’m so proud, because you will recognize Griffin as a secondary character from that book. He wasn’t a likeable character in Emma’s and Tanner’s stories.  As Tanner’s best friend, Griffin did everything in his power to undermine Tanner’s growth, block the relationship, and guilt Tanner into remaining stuck within the Bro Code. 



So how does a character go from being vile to the hero of his own story?

It’s a great question, and one I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to pull off. I certainly had a ton of doubts when I first started writing it. I’m so excited to say that I did it. Griffin made it to “book boyfriend” status. I know it in my bones that’s a true statement. How did I do it?

That will be the subject of the next 9-week blog series. If you’ve ever wanted to go behind the scenes of a book, that’s where I’ll be taking you. From why I wrote the book, to research, to narrative choices, to character design, I’m going to invite you behind the scenes to look at how I created these two books. 

Be sure to join me here on the blog each Wednesday for a new installment about the creative journey from villain of The Stories Stars Tell to the hero of In the Echo of this Ghost Town and When the Echo Answers.  If you want more information, be sure to join my newsletter (which publishes the first of every month. That’s tomorrow!) There will be information about ARCs and the Pre-Order incentive.

Next week: What inspired me to take a closer look at Griffin as a possible hero for his own story.




Indie Author Marketing: A Hope and A Dream

I’m tripping along bolstered by hope and a dream. As an independent author, the publishing journey often feels like wading chest deep through a swamp. But I’m still holding onto the strings of hope and a dream like balloons floating above me, guiding the way through. That and the plethora of blogs, resources and information to wade through trying to figure it all out.

I followed the advice:

  • I wrote a book. Check.

  • I edited the book - again and again and once more. Check.

  • I bought my ISBN. Check.

  • I hired a cover artist. Check.

  • I edited the book. Again. Check.

I think it’s ready to offer to the world, but here’s the struggle for traditional and independent authors, alike: How do you make it through the noise so your book’s message has a chance?

  • I’ve got a marketing plan. Check.

This doesn’t mean I have any of it figured out (I’m not a marketer or a publicist. I’m a writer and a teacher for goodness sakes). Mostly, this marketing business feels like I’m throwing wet paper towels at the wall and hoping they stick.

My attempt at a marketing plan.

My attempt at a marketing plan.

My YA Contemporary series, The Cantos Chronicles (Swimming Sideways, The Ugly Truth, and The Bones of Who We Are), rereleases under the new imprint Mixed Plate Press March 31, 2020. That’s eight weeks from now. I might have a marketing plan, but will it work? I don’t know. So here’s what I want to do: make it an anecdotal, nonscientific experiment. I’d like to invite you to go behind the scenes with me and follow along as I sludge through the marketing swamp. Will it work? I don’t know, but I’m wondering if those of you who are looking for answers, maybe you can learn from my journey - things to do and pitfalls to avoid.

And so we’re off, those balloons - hope and a dream - guiding the way.

Next week: Marketing Update No.1

The Bones of Who We Are: It's time.

It’s here! Tomorrow - Tuesday - October 1, 2019, The Bones of Who We Are is out. It’s been an arduous (thought fulfilling) adventure, and I couldn’t be more excited and proud of this story. I can’t wait to hear what you think of Gabe’s journey, so be sure to post a review to Amazon, share it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I’m looking forward to it.

[This story is] emotional and thought provoking. We all need a hand in finding the beauty within.
— Advance Reader
Martha and Dale . . .they smile laughing and dancing to music only they can hear. I’m at the dining table watching them and for a split second, I allow myself to think about a future I’ve never considered before...
— Gabe, The Bones of Who We Are
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