Hello Readers & Fellow Writers!
Look out for the header – EMAIL EXCLUSIVE – so you know what is special content and news for my email subscribers!
OCLS Writers Conference 2018
Also, if you are looking for a chance to meet me, or get a signed copy of a book, I’ll be doing just that at 4 pm during the end of the event. Get more news about OCLS writer related events by signing up for their WRITER’S CORNER Newsletter. Oh! And be sure to register! Non-card holders now can RSVP to events thanks to a recent update to the calendar system. FREE EVENT.
WEBSITE: https://www.ocls.info/ocls-writers-conference
WRITER’S CORNER: https://www.ocls.info/writers-corner
NaNoWriMo Follow-up
I didn’t win. BUT! I already expected that to be the case with personal stress reaching an all-new peak. Regardless, it was enough to get me unstuck and Tattooed Angels Trilogy’s book 3, Death, moving in a better direction. I had initially aimed the third and final installment to be from Iapetos’ perspective, but have had to take it back to the drawing board. Instead, we will be bouncing mostly between Iapetos and Hotan, with a sprinkle of Talib. The initial idea was an honorable idea, but left WAY too many unsolved plots and questions. For the necessity of completion and tying things up in this trilogy, the overhaul has improved the aim and messages this last book was intended to provide my readers. More news on Death further down in this for my email only newsletter recipients!
21 Mythological Figures of Winter
For some outstanding fun, I have written an article for SciFiFantasyNetwork.com of some lesser known entities that are tied to wintertime. I tried not to go with obvious ones, or at least included some eyebrow lifting figures from myth and legend. You can find the first half here with the second half releasing this week: http://www.scififantasynetwork.com/winter-mythological-figures-1/
Writing Tips & Workshop Follow-up
Many of us may be finished with our novels and writing projects and in a stage of struggling to edit and revise. Know that there is a huge difference between these. In revisions, you should be asking a plethora of questions and being aware what is actually written versus what you were trying to do or say. There should be several passes each with a different aim or target. Separate your evaluations to focus on one problem at a time, breaking it into Characters, Plot and even Worldbuilding. There will be moments where a character feels broken, but in reality it was the plot or world bogging them down at key points.
My last workshop for 2017 was at the OCLS downtown Orlando location where I gave a 2-hour free workshop on revisions and editing. If you missed out on this, no worries! I posted my PDF and PowerPoint in this blog post: https://willisauthor.wordpress.com/2017/12/09/revisions-editing-workshop/
Book of the Year Voting for Turning Pages
I am super excited to see both ‘JUDGMENT’ and ‘THE ORACLE’ have made it in the nominations for this voting event. There are many other authors and familiar books in the plethora of categories. You can head on over to the Google Form to vote now. Voting ends Dec 21st – So take a moment to put in your two cents and vote for your favorites:
VOTING LINK: http://ow.ly/l8gW30h0cDf
TURNING PAGES: https://www.facebook.com/turning.pages.33
All I Want for Christmas: New Reviews
Every author LOVES to get reviews, so I am inviting all of you to show some love to your favorite books and authors this Holiday. Whether you write a one-liner “I adore this book” or take the time to let it all out and warn SPOILERS are inside, lets give a little something to the creative minds who inspire our imaginations and help sustain our thirst for reading.
Workshops, Panels, & Classes with Me
This list is still in flux since I am planning for 2018. For now, here are some events to keep an eye on:
https://www.willisauthor.com/calendar
- Jan 27th – “OCLS Writers Conference” The event as mentioned above! I’ll be hosting one of the workshops here about Worldbuilding.
- Feb TBA – I had the honor to sit and talk to Author Learning Center. You should be seeing the videos on YouTube in February! You can Subscribe ahead of time here: https://www.youtube.com/user/AuthorLearningCenter
- June 7-10 – “Overstuffed Bookcase Con” This is a very intimate, multiple day event where you dine and spend time with authors. Cost of this convention does include meals. Discover more about it here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/overstuffed-bookcase-orlando-tickets-37956547054
- August – “Indie Bookfest 2018” A multiday event at a great price. Meet Indie Authors such as myself. Dinner, parties, FanFare, Workshops, Panels, and Book Signing are just a few of the highlights from this very fun event. Tickets are already on sale here: http://indiebookconvention.com/
- More in the making!
EVENTS TO CHECK OUT – From Open Mics & more!
- Be sure to follow these Facebook & Meetup groups to stay in the loop:
- https://www.facebook.com/WritersAtelier/
- https://www.facebook.com/cflinklings/
- https://www.facebook.com/safewordsslam/
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/writersofcentralfloridaorthereabouts/
- https://www.meetup.com/Writers-of-Central-Florida-or-Thereabouts/
- https://www.meetup.com/The-S-A-F-E-Words-Poetry-Slam/
Best regards,
Valerie Willis
WEBSITE: www.WillisAuthor.com
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Valerie_Willis
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieWillisAuthor/
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Valerie-Willis/e/B00FQMV8SU/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7822183.Valerie_Willis
TATTOOED ANGELS TRILOGY – Young Adult Urban Fantasy
- Rebirth
- Judgment – NEW RELEASE
- Death – Coming in 2018
- Cedric the Demonic Knight
- Romasanta: Father of Werewolves
- The Oracle – NEW RELEASE
- Eye of Gaea – Coming in 2018
- A World of Their Own
- Demonic Wildlife: A Fantastically Funny Adventure
- The Hunted – Thrill of the Hunt 3
- Work of Hearts Magazine Release – Jan 2018
- Demonic Household: See Owner’s Manual – Coming August 2018
- Thrill of the Hunt 4 – Coming August 2018
Val, Tell Me A Story... 