Yea Free books in the blog hop

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Author Jessica Bell Bio

Jessica Bell is a literary women's fiction author, poet and singer/songwriter who grew up in Melbourne, Australia, to two gothic rock musicians who had successful independent careers during the '80s and early '90s.

She spent much of her childhood travelling to and from Australia to Europe, experiencing two entirely different worlds, yet feeling equally at home in both environments. She currently lives in Athens, Greece and works as a freelance writer/editor for English Language Teaching publishers worldwide, such as HarperCollins, Pearson Education and Macmillan Education.

In addition to String Bridge, Jessica has published a book of poetry called Twisted Velvet Chains. A full list of poems and short stories published in various anthologies and literary magazines can be found under Published Works & Awards, on her website.

From September 2012 Jessica will be hosting the Homeric Writers' Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca, home of Odysseus.

Author Jessica Bell Review

Wow, is all I can say right now!  Check out all those links!  My friend, Author Jessica Bell has written a fantastic book.  I meant to ask her how she came up with her subject because it really hits close to home for most of us.  As I read String Bridge, I laughed, I cried, I wanted to smack around some of her characters and when the story came to end I wanted more.  This novel could easily reflect any one's household.  It is so down to earth and homey.  It actually sounds like she sat outside someones kitchen window and recorded word for word what was happening in that family.  My hat is off to you Jessica for writing an insightful and realistic novel.  I have not heard the music that goes with the novel but I'm sure if it is anything like the novel, you'll fall in love with it.

Please follow the links, you'll be glad you did.  I was honored to be able to have the chance to read and review her debut novel and can't wait to read anything else she writes!

http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319369262&sr=1-1
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/string-bridge-jessica-bell/1030101696

Soundtrack:

iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=465313522

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7ARNS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118328&sr=8-1

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Melody-Hill-Other-Side/dp/B005P7G02A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317118484&sr=8-1

Jessica Bell Book

Hi everyone, I hope everyone is safe and happy!  Doing Nanowrimo again this year and of course I'm running behind, again.  But Iwant to take a minute to ask you to view a promo for my good friend and author Jessica Bell.  I've read the book and it's awesome, you cry, laugh, get mad, and feel pulled into the story.  so please check out the following and enjoy.

http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6

New Short Story

September 8, 2011

Hi, I just found out some good news.  Underneaththejunipertree.blogspot.com has published my short story, We All Fall Down,  It's a little creepy.  It gave me chills and I wrote it, lol.  Go check out the September Issue, then tell me what you think.

Happy Reading

Tuesday progress report

My new wip, The Undead is going swimmingly. I have created a world and a new species. Already this morning I've written 1728 words. It's actually making a lot of sense. My tense issues even seem to be consistent. Whats wrong with this picture? I'm a happy camper this morning! :o)

Correction

7/19/11  Hi all, during my last entry I told you that 15 writers won a contest and the prize was a query and first chapter critique.  I was incorrect.  I am one of 15 who is eligible to win this.  The second prize is a shorter critique and third prize is a B& N gift card.  I apologize for any confusion.  Ms. Fischer will look at our entries after July 25th and then we will know who won the great prizes.  Ebyss is fantastic to host these contests and all the agents who participate are awesome for giving us their time.

Until next time....

wining a contest

I had some very good news after getting out of a 9 day stay in the hospital.  Ebyss had a contest on her blog where you submitted the 2nd line of your first paragraph and the first 250 words of your second paragraph and your pitch was limited to 2 or 3 lines.  My name was pulled!  Woot Woot.  The prize?  15 people get a query and first chapter critique by Ms. Fischer!  I am so walking on cloud nine.  You may wonder why, I don't win much, lol.  Thanks Ebyss and congrats to the rest of the winners

Short Story Sample

I've received comments about my website and I'm very excited about that.  Since some of you are curious about the details of a few of my cast of characters, I decided to post FOR GOODNESS SNAKE on my website.  It is geared toward children age 6-10 +/-.  Let me know what you think.  This story was originally published online at www.kidzwonder.com in 2008 or 2009.  This story is actually founded in truth.  Yes, I brought home 2 snakes, yes I put them in a shoe box and yes, they got loose.  However, my mother stepped on one in the middle of the night in a dark kitchen.  My story didn't have such a happy ending.  Lol.  Hope you enjoy.

Short Story acceptance

Hi, please spread the word. http://www.underneaththejunipertree.com/, junipertreelit, has accepted my short story, The Mysterious Breather for publication in thier July issue. 

They were very helpful in their guidance to make my peice as good as possible.  I appreciate the time they put into me and my story.

Be sure to check it out!

edits

You know what?  It's great to work with someone who is willing to help make your writing the best it can be.  You may not receive payment for the piece when it is published, but you gain the wisdom and experience to go on to your next piece and get it right.  You still get the publishing credit even though you don't receive money.  But sometimes the experience is much more valuable than what you would get paid.  I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you have the opportunity to publish without payment, try it, you may be pleasantly surprised by the benefits.

Submissions

Hi, today I submitted my mg chapter book, A June Snowstorm in Maine, to an agent for review.  I'm hoping she likes it.  I also sent off my short story, The Mysterious Breather, to Under the Juniper Tree  after making the requested revisions.  Barring any other revisions I hope to see it published online in either July or August.  Yay, Love good news.  I also sent a picture book to The Nosy Crow.  It is called The Kings New Shoes.  Lots going on.  Keeping very busy.  Wish me luck!

YA Giveaway

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New Trick

Hi, I just learned how to add a gadget to my blog.  I hope it works.  It's a good one!

Deadlines

I have found that if I have a deadline for a project I am working on I write better.  While working on my revisions of my wip I find it difficult to stay on task.  I keep going to twitter, or play marjong tiles (it drives me nuts not to be able to beat it).  Any suggestions of how to get past this will be very welcome.

Revisions

I have been revising my wip and have found something interesting about this process; at least as far as I am concerened.  I find it difficult to start where I left off.  I keep wanting to  start at the beginning and see if I want to make any other changes.  Is this only me or does everyone go through this experience.  It's frustrating because I never seem to make any headway.  Oh well onward, hopefully it won't take forever to finish.

Cooking with words

Have you ever considered how much writing is similar to cooking?  Each has steps you must navigate to reach a result.  Not everyone is always enamoured with the result but they respect that you tried.

Contests

I entered a contest for the ezine Under the Juniper Tree.  It is their sinister summer contest.  I received an email today saying they enjoyed the tale.  I forgot to mention if it was for the contest or general submission so that was the question.  I gave the answer of:  The story is for the contest, however, if it does not win I am not adverse to it being a general submission.  I tried to cover all angles to help it get published.  I'm just happy that someone likes it well enough to tell me!  Feels good to have some validation!  Until nest time, I'm happily writing.

Writing keeps you sane

Has anyone ever wondered why writiers write?  I think it keeps us sane.  We purge all the tiny voices in our heads to make more for other tiny voices.

What a lovely day to write

I started two loaves of bread this morning the house is smelling mighty nice.  Can't wait for it to come out of the oven.  Also made some orange-pineaple sorbet for later.  No preservatives in my baking.  Have to take my mother to physical therapy this afternoon.  What a bummer.


The weather is cold and dreary.  Who wants to go out?  A perfect day to hole up in my office and work on Willow Brook.  Janet Marely is coming to life in 1st person pov.  She's afraid but her Alpha personality keeps her going forward.

I have an hour to write before taking out mom. But when I get home, no vistors allowed in my office until I finish 3 chapter revisions or I can't see straight.  What a day.

Learning to write

I applied for an internship with a literary agency and they asked why I wanted the position, (it is unpaid).  I was once told that to write well, you must be well read.  I agree with that statement and in keeping with it I read even more.  However, I have just started a novel writing course offered and designed by Holly Lisle.  How To Think Sideways.  I'm really excited about it.  I now set apart time of every day to work on my revisions of my WIP and to work on the lesson of the week.  I have to micro manage my time to a much stricter schedule but it will be worth it in the end.  To that end, I am happily writing.

 If you are interested in the course, you can find information at http://www.howtothinksideways.com/.

Procrastination

I only have about 50 pages to finish revising, so why don't I pick them up, make the changes on the hard copy and then finish the novel?  Am I afraid it isn't good enough?  Am I afraid of knowing that its finished and I need to find someone to represent me?  Or am I afraid of having to start another novel?  All I know is that I keep finding things to keep me "busy" so I can't take the time to write.  Anyone else have these problems?

writing on your birthday?

I think if your hubby plans a day for you, don't spoil it by saying, you know, I do want to write today.  He knows your passion and he will expect that you will want to do

Unpublished novel

When I first started my first  ya novel, Willow Brook, I was in the middle of an adult novel.  I couldn't stop thinking about this ya novel in my head.  It began with a snippet of a dream and it wouldn't go away.  So then I heard about NANOWRIMO and I decided to give the challenge a shot.  On the first day and throughout the entire month of November, my fingers flew over my computer keys.  I didn't even think about it, it was writing itself!  I exceeded the challenge by 15,000 words.  But after the euphoria left me, it was time to revise.  I hate revision.  It seems that it has taken me years to revise, well, I guess it has.  I am down to the last 50 pages to make changes then I'm going back and making the changes in the computer file.  I hope all my hard work pays off. 
 I have had some short stories, both fiction and non-fiction published in magazines which is an awesome feeling as I'm sure most of you know.  I even co-authored a few science workbooks for children who are home schooled. 
  Looking forward to EBYSS' contest, yahoo.