Blog Archives - Crossworlds

Wednesday Word: Showing Off Some Makeovers!

5/31/2017

These right here... These are the earliest versions of The Mansion's Twins. That notebook is the original Crossworlds notebook. I'd be scribbling in that thing on the top bunk of the bed I shared with my sister planning Crossworlds and pretending it was schoolwork. So, getting my first real print copy was a big deal. Made that beautiful cover myself. Isn't it the best? Okay, I do like the colors, it's like a super, ultra close-up of a Summer's Angels dress. But I've learned quite a bit since then, and now, I'm very happy to present my new cover for The Mansion's Twins!

Pretty sure Ellie's the one on the right. Look at that devious smile. Also, June is in this picture too.

I'll tell you a secret: I had no idea what I wanted on the cover of The Mansion's Twins. Not a clue. But for The Mansion's Family, I had a perfectly clear vision. Trouble was, I didn't know how to bring it to life. This was my first cover for book two:

Aww yeeahhh, I was super excited about those! Although, to be fair, these were the first physical copies of my books I'd ever seen. And now, I present to you, the new cover of "The Mansion's Family"!

June's in this cover too. No twins, because they're the ones being waved at.

And lastly... You know how I used to look like this?

Well... Now I've got magical hair!

And all of this happened last week, when I was on vacation. It's amazing how much I can get done when I don't have to go to work. Just wanted to show it all off today! See you on Monday for a very special music blog! And by "special" I mean... You know what? You'll see.

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Tuesday Tips: Quick Tips Review

5/29/2017

Many of the tips over the past few weeks have been less about direction and more about inspiration. But really, all you need is inspiration (for example, from reading), and practice (writing!). So, here's what we've covered in the past few weeks:

1) Need a fun writing exercise? Try reading books in different genres, or of different styles, and free writing afterward. You’ll see what in your writing style changes based on other authors, and what stays consistent throughout. This will help you develop your own unique style.

2) Don’t be too concerned about things that have been “done before” popping up in your story. You’ll usually know if you’re going too far. When in doubt, get a second set of eyes on your work. Don't let one or two similar elements hold you back from writing.

3) When you feel stuck, it’s okay to pause and take a breath. It’s okay to have a bad day, but remember to start fresh tomorrow. Remember how amazing your brain is, and that no one else has your unique vision, experiences, and voice.

4) In search of inspiration? Read other books. Write in a journal, and/or dream journal. Try other creative activities, like drawing, making clay figures, singing, dancing, etc. Sometimes all you need is some fresh air and a cup of tea.

5) I think you know what I'm about to say. Never forget those two golden rules! Keep on reading and writing as much as possible!

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Monday Music: Home Free - Ring of Fire

5/29/2017

Avi Kaplan... I'm still all about that bass. This dude is incredible. Enjoy this good music now, because next Monday will be something a little... different.

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Mansion's Family Bonus: Deleted Scenes

5/24/2017

Finished The Mansion's Family and looking for more? You've come to the right place! Haven't finished it yet? Don't read on, there are spoilers ahead!

Mansion's Family Bonus: Fun Facts

5/24/2017

Finished The Mansion's Family and looking for more? You've come to the right place! Haven't finished it yet? Don't read on, there are spoilers ahead!

Wednesday Word: Best and Worst Quotes Part 2

5/24/2017

Time for more of my favorite quotes, and my favorite quotes to roll my eyes at.

Worst:

"Write what you know." --Mark Twain

Okay, we've all heard this, and it's all a matter of how we interpret what we "know." Taken too literally, this is the worst advice ever (or maybe that’s just my strong bias toward fantasy speaking). Interpreted differently, we get to mix our concrete experiences with emotions, dreams, and imagination. What's in your brain is still something you know, even if other people don't see it.

I much prefer this quote:

Best:

"Writers don't write from experience, although many are hesitant to admit that they don't. If you wrote from experience, you'd get maybe one book, maybe three poems. Writers write from empathy." --Nikki Giovanni

Worst:

"No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up, and never give up."

This is another of those quotes I agree with half of. Of course you should never give up. But as for the rest of it? No! I'm not going to ignore what my body or my mind is telling me and push beyond the breaking point. That is how you burn yourself out and eventually end up quitting for good.

It's okay to take a break. It's okay, and it's actually really important, to take care of yourself. It's also okay to have one of those terrible days where you can't function. But having a bad day doesn't equate to giving up. Rant about it, cry about it, sleep on it, and then start fresh tomorrow.

Best:

Richard Bach: A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit.

Well. That's a delightful thought. All the greatest anythings started out as beginners, right?

Worst:

Ernest Hemingway: There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.

First of all, ew.

Of course we should write about the harder, darker, scary, painful things. It makes our writing real, gives it strength and emotion. But it needs to be balanced with the light and humorous. I feel like quotes like this one encourage a style of writing that is nothing but the dark stuff. And that doesn't make it emotional and real, it makes it, well, really boring. All one note. I can't care that a character is suffering if that's literally all they've ever experienced. But someone who had happiness, and something huge was taken from them--that's better. They need to still have something left to fight for, something left to lose. Being up high all the time never made for an interesting ride, but neither does being low all the time. You need both to make a roller coaster.

Oh crap, did I just make my own "inspirational writing quote"? Must be time to stop this nonsense.

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Tuesday Tips: Seeking Inspiration

5/23/2017

There are a lot of ways to get inspiration, and not all of them will work for everyone, but hopefully some of these will be a little helpful.

Remember the two golden rules: read a lot. Write a lot. Reading other books is always a huge source of inspiration, so if you’re not feeling that spark, put your face in a book for a while.

Next, write in a journal. I found it hard to keep a handwritten journal, so I journal on my computer. Even though I write fantasy, I do find things in my ordinary life that have given me some good writing ideas, or just set me off on some kind of writing rant. This will help you form a writing habit, and help you break out of “writer’s block.”

Write down your dreams. So much inspiration comes from the weird trips our brains take us on at night. I had recurring dreams about mansions for as long as I can remember. These have inspired rooms in the mansion, side stories, characters, all kinds of things. If you have trouble remembering your dreams, try telling your brain to remember something before you fall asleep. It might not help right away, but you can actually train your brain this way. Just keep practicing.

Try out other creative projects, even if you’re not good at them. I’ve drawn pictures of my characters. I’ve made clay figures. I have an adult coloring book, I’m even sewing my own Summer’s Angels dress. Aside from being a writer, and formerly a dancer, I’m not all that artistic. But these side projects are fun, and they get your creative juices flowing. You’re keeping your brain open to new things. Just don’t let these side projects distract you from writing.

Some of my side projects:

Making clay figures or drawing your characters is a great way to take a break from writing while still staying inside the world of your story. This keeps your brain active while allowing the writing parts to rest, which gives you a good window for inspiration's light to shine into.

There are tons of ways to help your brain mellow out—many of them are as simple as a cup of tea. A lot of people get great thinking done in the shower. Getting in touch with nature is always helpful. Exercise is good for the mind and body. Meditation. Music is a big one for me. Why do you think I start the week featuring a favorite song of mine? It’s not just to make alliteration.

There’s really no limit to what might give your mind that little extra boost. Experiment, find out what works for you, and have fun!

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Monday Music: All about that bass - Avi Kaplan ft. Mario Jose and Naomi Samilton

5/22/2017

Again, not a Crossworlds song this week. This is just one of the best things I've ever seen. Avi Kaplan, the bass from Pentatonix, flipped this Meghan Trainor song into something that works for guys, and now I'm convinced this was meant to be his. I am all about this bass.

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Wednesday Word: Thoughts on "The Book of Em"

5/17/2017

How do you approach a green haired faerie with serious anger issues? Answer -- Very carefully.

Fifteen year old Ben moves with his mother and alcoholic step-father to a sprawling East Coast estate inherited from a distant cousin. Creole, a half-breed faerie, mourns the loss of her father, the former Gatekeeper, the one responsible for preventing the discovery of her world by the world of man. When the two meet, the dominoes of fate begin to topple, one after another, leaving them to fulfill their destinies, or die trying.

The Book of Em: The Last Gatekeeper, will make your heart weep, your soul soar, and restore your faith in the power of love.

When I read that description, I was like, "Hm... We'll see." And then this was my review:

I think I found my new favorite book! Wow. Just wow. I know I've found a really special book when I have difficulty writing a review because I can't pinpoint the one thing I loved most about it, but I'll try to say something because WOW. The story flowed along perfectly, unfolding the world's history/info at just the right times so it didn't slow it down, all leading up to an epic final battle and setup for a sequel that I simply can't wait for! The relationship between Ben and Cree, the friendships among the other magical beings, all the fun little twists and turns along the way--it all made for an excellent read. Magic, adventure, humor, danger and fun, this book has it all! I couldn't put it down, so I suggest you pick it up!

So, this was a five-star read for me. I'm really looking forward to reading the sequels, and I do have some things I'm still wondering about. I’d like to know why the goblin king and the former Gatekeeper were enemies, and more details on that story. Perhaps in a later book this will be revealed, because the pacing of this book was already perfect, which is difficult to accomplish in a first book that has to introduce an entire magical world. But in this book, the goblin king seemed so reasonable and even helpful, he became one of “the good guys” very quickly. It’s hard to imagine him as a villain, even though he is a “hook-nosed goblin with green skin and yellow eyes.”

One thing that was a bit distracting in the beginning of this book is that Arielle (Cree’s mother) kept calling Arthur (Cree’s father) Ben’s cousin. “Your cousin found me dancing naked in the moonlight.” And then they fell in love, and had a daughter who we all knew would fall in love with Ben, so drawing attention to the fact that there’s any kind of blood relation (however distant), is, for lack of a better word, weird. I actually had to go back and check what the relationship was. Ben’s mother is “The granddaughter of his (Arthur’s) cousin three times removed.” Okay. Once I checked back on that, it was easier to get on board with these two. Actually, there was nothing holding me back from getting on board with them. And I’m very, very picky about romance.

Aside from everything I mentioned in my review, another thing I appreciated about this book was how easy it was to read. Often times fantasy authors pick ridiculous names for their magical characters. These names were well suited to their characters and magical species, like “Goin” for a goblin, but not so over the top that they slow down the story. I don’t want to stop to sound out a name with six apostrophes in it.

I'd highly recommend this book, check it out here!

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels

Tuesday Tips: For When You Feel Stuck

5/16/2017

A wise woman once said that even if you’re dumb, your brain is still amazing.

I want you to pause for a second, and take a deep breath. In… and.. out… There. Your brain is amazing, okay? It’s powering all you’ve got going on right now in your body. It's processing these words your looking at and translating them into something that makes sense. Your brain is amazing. I know you're not dumb, so your brain is crazy amazing.

You are trying to write a book and it’s hard. Of course you’re gonna feel stuck sometimes. And it’s okay to take a time out. It’s okay to feel sorry for yourself. It’s okay to have a good cry, binge out on your favorite snacks, and basically act like a pathetic mess. That does not make you a failure. You know what does? Giving up on your work.

So promise me something right now. However bad you feel about your writing in this moment, promise me you will try again tomorrow. Tomorrow’s a new day. Fresh start. Leave all your negativity behind.

You might be really mad at what you have in your brain right now, because you’re stuck. But that’s just because you know you’re better than this. You’re not stupid, you’re impatient. You just need to get yourself back to your best self, it’s the how of that that’s giving you trouble. But you’re already trying, aren’t you? You went on the internet to find something that would give you boost.

You have something no one else in the world has. No one else has your voice and experiences. No one else has lived in your brain. What you have to say is important, and someone out there needs to read your book.

Mansion's Twins

Mansion's Family

Dawn's Acapella

Acapella Angels