What's happening so far...

First--status report: I've finished chapter 13 of my Earth book and started on 14. I plan to write 4 more chapters to finish the book. I hope to be done before the end of this month if I stay on schedule and write every night. 

The killer is leading them on a chase to his past where a secret is reveal.

Second--I'm giving away T-shirts with my book's proposed cover art for donations of $20 or more towards the cost of printing my book. The art is an elemental symbol for earth with a sand-painting like stick figure that reminds me of a douser, one who essentially 'reads' the earth.  

Third--Once I'm done with my book, I'll need a few beta readers. Interested?

I edit my book as I go along. I finish a chapter and re-read it, making changes before I move on to the next chapter. However, I'm terrible at spelling and run-on sentences. Also when I write, I tell the story mainly through dialogue.  I'd like someone to read the book all the way through though and tell me about it as a whole as well as correct my minor errors. :) 

I think that's all for now. I really should be working on my book, not procastinating with this blog/ :)

Jano & book status

JANO is over.  I managed 14,384 words, even though I was sick most of the month.  First strep-throat, then a cold, then sinuses acting up.  I was hoping to make at least 15,000, but maybe next year I can make it to 25,000 words or even the 50,000 words. 

The Jano Party was tonight. There were two books and a little gift bag at each seat. We ate, then got down to the contests.  I got second place in the best first sentence contest. It was the first sentence of the Fire book which I wrote on as well as the Earth book during JANO.

"The arson scene before Sara Phillips gave the words 'crispy critters' a whole new meaning."

I decided to call the Earth book, Earth's Cipher. Knowing me I'll probably change it again but I like it for now. I still like Earth Reader as well so...Anyway, Earth has 37,330 words and Fire only has 272 words--mainly the first page. I also wrote a scene for Water which I took to one of my book clubs and they said it needed a hook, but they loved the relationship between the characters.  So I'm 12 chapters and 148 pages into Earth book, and I just revealed the killer, but he's disappeared.  More chapters to come. 

Here is the blurb I did when I first started Earth.

Bodies with an unusual method of killing have been unearthed in a small town, and Sara Phillips is called in to consult by the local sheriff.  The FBI had shown up and claim there are others.  During the joint investigation, Death stalks Sara herself before the killer is revealed.  This discovery leads to the information that the killer and Sara have something in common.  Something which led them down the path they were now on.

As you can see it's a bit vague, but sums up the basic story idea I had when I first concieved Sara's gift and her use of it.  I figure to use the basic concept of unusual deaths to led the investigators into the story, using the four elements to start with, then perhaps still using the unusual death angle continue on. 

But of course I got to finish my first book. So I best finish this blog and get to writing on my story. 

New Year and JANO

Well, it's the first day of the year and JANO is here.  As you can see I've put a word counter up, but whether I can use it is another think. :)

I plan to work on the Earth book, but I also included the second book in this series since I don't know what my muse will do to me during this month. I've been thinking about the other books in the series the last two weeks and not getting much done on Earth.  As I've said in my last post, I've intro'd the killer and a red herring in my last chapter, but I've also intro'd a few red herrings in the eighth, which is where I'm starting JANO.  

I love to give teasers.

I added the rough draft of my first chapter's first two pages under Teaser 1 as you can see. I've worked on it a bit during the last two weeks and have changed things up a little. I can never not edit which means JANO is going to be so hard for me.  Please read and write a comment about the teaser. I can always use the feedback.  I'll probably put another teaser up soon.  Should it be the next chapter or should I pick a dramatic moment?

I haven't started my 1600 words yet, I'm procastinating with this blog. :)  It's alittle intimidating to me I guess. I'm officially in a contest against people who are mostly published authors and have done this before. I can't turn off my editing and I'm afraid I'll just keep falling behind. I'm starring at the tab at the bottom of my screen that says Earth is open and waiting, and my palm's are sweating. I'm actually doing this. I'm going to work on my book and maybe finish it by the end of the month.

It's exciting but scary as well.

I've procastinated enough I think. I need to start this JANO off right and write. :)