LAST CHANCE!

I have two FREE ebooks that won't be FREE much longer. 

Get them both today!

YA Mystery

Middle Reader Science Fiction

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Nikki Trionfo

Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?

For two years my husband and I couldn’t have kids. At the ripe old age of 23, I figured I needed a backup plan, so I decided to write a book. After a handful of fertility treatments, my body got things figured out. I went on to have five kids, attending writing groups regularly during each pregnancy. I wrote slowly. I finished my first book when I was 27. I finished it again when I was 31. It was better the second time, really. I wrote Shatter after that.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I used to write primarily during naptime and occasionally before bed, staying up much too late. I’ve experimented with early morning writing. Unfortunately, my kids have an internal time bomb that explodes the second I wake up, even if it’s 5 a.m., bringing them all from their rooms in a cranky nightmare of childcare needs. My youngest started kindergarten this year, and now I get to write while he’s gone. I miss him, but I love the time.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptop or some other method of getting your words down?

Laptop if I can get it. For drafting only, I have a Neo, which is an AA battery-operated machine that allows me to generate text. It’s awesome because it doesn’t allow for time-wasting internet surfing. I carry a small notebook in my purse at all times so I can jot down ideas or write out a scene waiting in a doctor’s office. If I get stuck on a story, I brainstorm with paper and pencil, usually listing out very stupid plot ideas until I get one I like, which I circle. I draw arrows on my brainstorming pages as if I will reference the pages later. I don’t though. I mostly use the brainstorming to shift my paradigm of the story and then write from that paradigm.

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

Favorite: editing!

Least favorite: writing!

I know. I don’t really like writing. I like having written. There’s a difference.

How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

I wanted to write a book with a lot of spark. Something like my favorite TV show, Veronica Mars. Something edgy, with conspiracy and a smart female lead and emotion desperate enough to push my characters to their limits.

Get the Book at Amazon

While nursing an infant at my daughter’s soccer game, I saw a teen girl eyeing a group of guys who both allured and frightened her. The guys in my past who were most alluring and frightening were gang members. As I sat there, I imagined an event so powerful that a smart, shy girl would approach dangerous, alluring teens. That event was the death of Salem’s sister, Carrie, which sparked the novel, SHATTER. I wrote it in two years, edited and queried for a year, edited for a year with a former agent who gave it to editors (some of whom held onto it for a year), and got an offer from Cedar Fort three weeks after they received it.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I’m an active participant in writers’ groups, both in person and online, and attend book signings and community literary events. That was my start to marketing. Having a group of friends gave me the courage to start a writing webinar called #50FIRSTCHAPTERS, available free on YouTube. That webinar got me a mailing list of proto-fans that I called on when Shatter released, asking them to share Shatter on social media. With their support, I reached #1 in two Amazon categories, print and digital. I only stayed at #1 for a few days and you might think that a shortstop there doesn’t gain much, but actually a stat like #1 is extremely helpful. I reference that ranking all over my Facebook page, my website, and my bio when I present at libraries and conferences—opportunities that come up more often because my bio reads well, having sales to cite as well as leadership positions in Storymakers Conference plus a grand prize win in a first chapter contest. The point is that marketing starts small and builds as you be honest and public about your successes. Marketing is no place for modesty.  

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

For me, as a mom, I made a firm commitment to do the publishing side of my career correctly (i.e., spending lots of time on it) without cutting off my kids completely. Shatter published in May and I took the entire summer to play with my kids, plan my author lessons, present to teen readers and adult writers all over Utah and California, give a podcast interview, broadcast a new writing webinar, etc. I didn’t write for nearly six months. It felt like the right decision for me. Now that school is back in session, I’m working on a YA coming-of-age romance and a “comedic mystery of romantic proportions.” I made up that genre all by myself, lol.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

Man, what don’t I have on the back burner! I want to write sci-fi. Like, hard-core, super-sciencey sci-fi. Before I became an author, I taught physics and chemistry to eighth graders. I got an honorable mention in Writers of the Future for a time-travel sci-fi horror that I’d love to expand into a novel. I want to write chick-lit that’s hysterical and one of those middle-grade slice-of-life stories that will make me cry all over my laptop. I want to stick with young adult mysteries and have a whole slew of them for fans to choose from. And romance. Novella-length romance. Sweet romance. Spicy romance. I basically want reincarnation and a forever laptop.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

Listen, go get a career that pays the bills and that gives you plenty of life to experience. Meanwhile, writing will always be there, like the air you breathe that you sometimes take for granted, wishing it could be sweeter or warmer or more stirring. It simply is. Stories are like that. They are effortless in their abundance. They exist inside you as a sustaining force. They may pay the bills someday and they may not, but that’s a terrible thing on which to judge writing. Writing is still art, even in the 21^st century.

***

A Question for Kathryn:

I’ve “only” written three novels and sort of can’t imagine having written twelve books! What keeps your drive to write alive? Or is it “just” a day job at this point?

Great question! I actually had my first book published by a traditional publisher in 2002, went back to school a few years after that, graduated with a degree in Mass Communication, and then tried and failed to find a job in journalism. If you remember, about the year 2009, jobs at the newspaper were being cut right and left.

Suffice it to say, I bought the rights back to that first book (with the help of my brother) and decided to start my own writing business. All of my books have come after that, and I have been able to help 22 writers write and publish their books through my company, Idea Creations Press. 

I guess you could say that I love working for myself, and I love to create new characters and new worlds. I don't think writing or publishing will ever become a 'day' job for me, I love it too much!

Thanks for the question!

***

www.nikkitrionfo.com

Tie Died is FREE Today!

Just a heads-up!

Tie Died is FREE TODAY!

You can get the eBook here.

If you'd rather have the audio, let me know. I have some free codes to give away from Audible.





Whatever format you choose, I am in need of some book reviews! Please help me with that. Thank you!

Tied Died coming soon in Audio!

Tie Died is on its way to audio! I have a terrific narrator: Lauren Holladay! See why she's so wonderful!

https://www.voices.com/people/Laurenholladay
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Lauren+Holladay&init=public

FRIDAY FLICKS: Tie Died by Yours Truly

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Erin Mackey

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

I currently work at a full time job as a systems analyst and writing is my second job.  I never imagined myself as a writer honestly.  My oldest niece was around a year old and I was reading picture books to her and thought, “I could write something like this.”  That led to me writing 5 picture books that year.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I try to schedule time to write on Saturday mornings because I find I am most creative and productive first thing in the morning.  Of course, plans don’t always allow me to stick to this schedule so I try to write at other times if the mood strikes as well.  I actually wrote a picture book while my husband and I were on a weekend getaway in Pennsylvania to see the Longwood Gardens Christmas Display.  I get a lot of book ideas while on vacation actually – the relaxation inspires my creativity to flow.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or some other method of getting your words down?

I usually write on my laptop but I also use Microsoft’s One Note and Google Docs apps on my phone very often.  I will list out book ideas, develop them, or even write complete manuscripts on the apps.

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

I think my favorite thing about writing is to see the completed story.  I loved to read as a child (and still love to read) so I am still amazed when I get feedback from others who love my books.  I think my least favorite part of writing is not having time to do it.  If I have a great idea for a book and the creative juices are flowing, but I’m at my full time job about to jump on a conference call or go into a meeting it’s very frustrating that I can’t stop and work on my writing. 

How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

The Sleeping Flower 

My most recent book that I published, The Sleeping Flower, was actually one of the first books that I wrote nearly 15 years ago.  It took me 2-3 days to write including editing, but I don’t remember the specific inspiration for this story.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I stay very active on my social media platforms and sent out a press release when The Sleeping Flower was officially launched.  I also like to connect with my customers through my blog where I write about household tips, recipes, craft ideas, and family fun.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

I just finished the final edit of the second book in my middle grade series titled Laurel Hill: Long Days of Summer, and hope to publish it later this year.  I have also been working on picture books for the past year and have at least 8 more picture book ideas in process as we speak.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

I feel like so many projects are on the back burner because there just aren’t enough hours in the day.  The main project that has been sitting and waiting is my new Young Adult mystery/crime series titled The Rockland Journals.  I have had the first book of the series outlined in detail for over a year now but have not begun working on the actual writing yet.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

I think that everyone has a story to tell and that there is always someone out there who wants to hear it.  You have to pursue your dreams and work hard at them if you want to be successful: spend time writing on a regular basis, join a writer’s group near you for advice and collaboration, or take a writing class to improve areas that you feel you need help.  If you put the effort into your passion, your confidence will grow and you will love what you are doing.

***

Website URL:  http://www.erinmackeyauthor.com

Laurel Hill: New Beginnings Book Trailer  

Laurel Hill: New Beginnings 

TUESDAY TRAILERS: Tie Died

I've just sent off my book, Tie Died, to my first beta reader.

Here's a trailer about it:

I would love to hear your feedback.

Kathryn

TUESDAY TRAILERS: Tied Died (second draft)

Tie Died is going through its second draft!

Wonder what I'll find?

We shall see!

Get prepared for Tie Died's release in October 2017!

TIE DIED: Behind the Scenes

As some of you know, I've begun my first YA mystery series!

I also know that many of you are working on your first book, wondering how I get it all together when it comes to writing, publishing and marketing my books.

And so, I wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes look at the process of book publishing and marketing. You may just find my thoughts helpful on your own journey to book publishing.

Book trailers are big these days, so I've put together my first book trailer of TIE DIED: BEHIND THE SCENES.

In this video I will tell you how I came up with the title, what's in the future for the series, and I will give you a little taste of the book's beginning below:

I remember the day I first found her. She was lying by the stream in that park I always go to when I'm out running. Just lying there as if taking a nap. But it was November in Utah and it was odd that someone would be taking a nap in the snow. The water itself was practically frozen, white glossiness covering most of the stream where I'd dipped my toes in just this past summer. The leaves were already gone from the trees and I felt suddenly as if I was somewhere I shouldn't be. My skin was cold and yet I didn't shiver as I looked down at the girl wearing the red running shoes.

                She must have been running because she wore sweat pants - dark black with a white stripe down the legs, a tie dyed sweat shirt - and a scarf, still around her head. It looked like wool. Her eyes were opened. Brown. And her hair, blond - no, more like a light brown with golden highlights. It lay crusted against the snow, glued to it almost, fanned out like the sun.

                I didn't scream.

                I reached for my cell phone from my back pocket and dialed the police all the while watching the girl, her skin a light blue, her lips - white. How long had she been there? How had she been killed? Why had she been killed?

                And then I looked at the bottom of her shoes. There was no mud. No snow. They were as clean as paper that hadn't been written on yet. The path near the stream was at least 20 feet from this frozen steam. She could never have jumped that far.

                There were no tire tracks. Just one set of footprints coming to the stream and then away from it. They were large, much larger than her own that had decorative symbols on the bottom...

                "Hello, Hello?"

                "Oh, yes, sorry."

                "Do you have something to report?"

                "Yes. Yes... I found a girl at Montgomery Park. She's dead."

It's Getting Close to Christmas!

The excitment of Christmas is growing!

How are you feeling about now?

Excited?

Overwhelmed?

Tired?

Making time to write?

I hope so. Writing, for me, is a sort of therapy anyway -- one I especially need during the holidays. I have been working on my first YA mystery novel and am up to page 70 or so.

New projects, especially trying out new genres, is pretty exciting, and I hope to get Tie Died out to my younger readers in the fall of next year.

Merry Christmas and, as always

Happy Writing!

Kathryn