All The Cool Things To Come in August, September, and October!

Hey guys!

Welcome to all the newbies! I hope you are finding something on the blog that interests you. If you haven’t yet, boy are you in for a wild ride for the next few months.

We are 4 months from the release of UNLOVED, the second book in the Unwilling series. And every single day until 11/3/15 is going to be full of stuff!

To help you (and me) keep up with all of the fun, I’m revealing the schedule of what you can expect on all my social media in this blog post:

Daily Schedule:

There have been SO MANY awesome friends who have helped me prepare this book for publication in one way or another. Or added a little something special to make its creation journey even that much more. That group of friends will be part of my daily postings and you’ll get the chance to know a little bit more about their awesomeness in the coming weeks.

Also, I’ll be including some fun things that are KD specific!

*SUNDAY* “CHILL AND INSPIRATIONS” – Each Sunday I’ll be sharing either one of my favorite coffee recipes or something that has inspired me. There may even be a few extra special treats of me and the boys concocting them LOL! And of course, there will be surprise giveaways for comments from you that inspire me!  So watch those FB posts carefully.

*MONDAY* “INSTANT AN’GEL’S” – Each Monday I’ll be featuring a favorite picture from my pal, An’gel of An’gel Molpus Photography from her Instagram account and photography focused FB page, "Barefoot On The Beach". An’gel takes some amazeball beach photographs that are almost as good as really having your toes in the sand. Minus the grit! The other treats An’gel has had a hand in will be coming later too so make sure you are a follower on all her accounts.

*TUESDAY* “TUESDAY TEASERS” – Every Tuesday in the months of August, September and October I’ll be posting a new teaser from UNLOVED.

*WEDNESDAY* “JENN JAMMING WEDNESDAYS” – Each Wednesday for the next three months Jenn and I will be featuring special tidbits on the release event page dedicated to the characters and all the fun things she creates for the series.

*THURSDAY* “BLOGGING DAY” – Thursday’s will be dedicated to updates on the blog by me and special Wattpad snipets and deleted scenes.

*FRIDAY* “FREEDOM FRIDAYS” – I’m soooooo excited about the things Freedom has for you guys. Freedom is a super talented artist and designer for Sweetwater Swamp. Most of Freedom’s features are secrety-secrets still so I can’t go into huge detail yet. BUT, you want to keep an eye on Friday’s posts for sure. There will be several chances to get in on some really sweet giveaways.

*SATURDAY* “TBA” – I’m leaving our Saturday’s open for changes and updates.

Now for the extra special stuff …

I’m doing something very special to celebrate UNLOVED’s release in November. That's a picture of all the box collection dedicated to pre-orders.

To your right on the blog page you’ll see a PayPal button labeled “Purchase a signed copy of UNLOVED” and directly under that, a drop down menu with “receive via US mail $16.00 USD” as an option.

This button is LIVE

I’ll be accepting pre-orders for Unloved which will be mailed after the release date of 11/3/15 to the first 50 people who have purchased a signed copy.  

Now I bet you are saying, bah, who wants to do a pre-order? I’ll just buy it after release day.

Oh no my friend, you do not want to wait. And here’s why:

The first 50 pre-order boxes will contain an original piece of art commissioned by me and created by Freedom Bruce of Sweetwater Swamp exclusively for Unloved’s release and dedicated to the Unwilling series. Each piece will be one-of-a-kind and bring a little bit of the story to you from the Gulf of Mexico, which is the area of the US where the story takes place.  

There are only 50, and when they are gone, that’s it.

SO! If you want to get in on this very special gift from me don’t wait to place your order!

Here’s how:

1. Purchase your copy of UNLOVED via the pay pal link

2. Check your email afterwards for a personal confirmation from me J

3. Jitter in your chair along with me as we wait for 11/3 to get here!
***Please note, this price is for delivery within the United States only***
I'm not opposed to international deliveries, but you'd need to email me BEFORE ordering and your price for postage can be determined on an individual basis.

 

 

I hope you guys are looking forward to all the things we have planned for you! I look forward to hearing from you guys in the coming weeks and don’t forget to give a book some love!

If you are looking for a new read, may I suggest ELITE, by Rachel Van Dyken. This week se just celebrated her sixth book birthday in her mafia series with ELUDE.

Until then, KD

Surviving Initiation into the No Dad Club

   This blog took some time to work out in my mind and heart. Honestly, on the actual date of Father's Day, I was beyond tired and too emotionally trashed to say my name much less write a blog post. But I knew I had something brewing so I waited and listened.
    I hope you fatherly types enjoyed being pampered by your family and friends for Father’s Day. Your job is a hard one. For the great dads, I salute you every day, not just in June. For the “not so great” ones, it’s never too late. Get with the program, you got stuff to do so you too can get in on the Father’s Day stuff too.

    I have a friend who recently re-connected with his daughter, and he says often on his FB posts, “Every day is father’s day.” And I agree with this completely. I always smile seeing that message roll by on my feed. For him, for her, for the new-to-them little family they’ve created. It’s a wonderful thing to see their family growing stronger.

 

Unlike my friend’s daughter, my dad has always been in my life. Or, I have to say now had been in my life. So I understand the specialness of their situation. There’s not been one moment since April that I haven’t felt the weight of his absence. It’s a very strange part of losing a parent and there’s no day or card for that.

 

 

Don’t get any ideas, Hallmark.

    Still, the hole never closes. Some days the grief eats me, literally swallows me whole, and some days it only nibbles and slowly bleeds me to exhaustion.

    On Mother’s Day I sensed this crushing dread looming large in the distance. I dreaded the “day” of Father’s Day coming. Simply because I don’t need an extra reminder he’s not just at work, or out in the garden, or fishing, or gone to the feed store. I didn’t want one more reminder of how I can’t pick up the phone and call him anymore. And there’s no one to take my stupid Father’s Day card out of the mailbox and chuckle at how I signed the dog’s name to it anymore.

    Now every June my family and I will be in this crappy No Dad Club together and it sucks. Along with every person my dad’s gigantic heart touched. We’ll always be looking backwards at what he left us instead of forward because he’s not in front of us anymore.

    On my initiation into the No Dad Club, I found myself in a room full of exhausted, weepy-eyed people. But they weren't on the edge of bawling for the same reasons I was struggling to hold my crap together. Or I don’t think so since we were in the closing ceremony of UtopYA in Nashville.

    I sat and listened to people talk about how much fun, connection, love, joy, friendship and a million other awesome things they’d gained during the conference. And I felt exactly the same way. UtopYA was the one hundred percent, amazingly euphoric punch in the soul I’ve been needing for a while.

    I let a few tears fall myself that morning but it was in thanks.

Thank you for letting me find these amazing people.

    Dear Utopia Tribe, thank you, awesome people, you got me through a hell of a week in so many ways.

    For my friend, I wish him and his daughter so many more wonderful years together. Your little notes to each other have brightened more sad days than you know. Keep loving and connecting.

    And if you are in this crappy club too, I wish you peace and comfort any way you can get it.

Until then,
KD 

Eleventh Song from the Play List

Paramore...All I Wanted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E8V62xH4z8


For more information on Paramore, visit their website http://www.paramore.net/

Tenth Song from the Play List

Evanescence...My Immortal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGKRXhmFQlw


Visit their website at http://www.evanescence.com/

Ninth Song from the Play List

For more information on Boys Like Girls visit their website
http://%20www.boyslikegirls.com/
Boys Like Girls...Two Is Better Than One http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILS6ULfhIhI

Back to Business

    Okey-dokey, no more hospital, surgery or all-around misery themed blogs...I promise. I'm so over it. It's time to get back to the business of introducing you all to the book series. There are so many different things to share and I've got to get myself back in gear. That shouldn't be too difficult since all I can do is sit very, very still in my crappy old recliner. I swear I'm going to find the courage to pitch this thing out as soon as I'm better.
    In the upcoming weeks I'll be introducing you first to the characters and then later to the elements. Finally I'll bite the bullet and release some sneak peak stuff that will really be fun. I have some biographical-mock-interview type things to post that will help everyone to get better acquainted with the people in the stories. They were a lot of fun to put together and I hope everyone gets a big kick out of them. I'm so excited to hear what you all think about all of it so feel free to message me if there's something you need more information about or just plain-old like. Feedback is crucial!
Till then,
KD

UtopYA 2015

Wow, this is the first time I’ve had my computer on to really “work” since leaving last Wednesday for UtopYA Conference in Nashville. *creaks rusty finger joints at you*

So, I’m totally in zombie shamble mode, with a full conference hang over and a huge helping of euphoric exhaustion. The Waug has sat on my body several times and given me looks of side-eyed betrayal. But after this morning’s belly rubs I think she has forgiven me for abandoning her to the men folk for a weekend. Maybe. She could still be deliberating.
 

The Conference:

This was my very first UtopYA. I had high hopes for this event since it’s so close to Memphis and I’d

heard lots of great things about the conference, the attendees, and organizers. Honestly, the word of mouth didn’t do the reality nearly the justice it deserves. This conference was one of the most welcoming, friendly, and fun event’s that I’ve attended and I’ve been to the big and the small since 2011.

I met TONS of amazing folks! Readers, Writers, Aspiring Authors, Authors, Kids, Husbands, Friends, Siblings. And the list could go on and on. The connector was they were all nice, friendly people who seemed to be having a great time. What a joy to watch! Even better, what a privilege to participate in all that fun.

I don’t want to leave people out because so many people touched my life this week but there were a few very special moments. Like, an amazing sushi dinner that produced a TON of laughs. Thank you to everyone for including me in the fun. Especially my dinner travel mates, Carlyle, Katie, KC, and Chelsea. Sorry I got you “jacked” by the valet and lost in Nashville, ladies J LOL! Heck, let’s make it a tradition! #AdventuresWithTheKaties

The visit to Germantown Pub with Carla, Carrie, and Candace that thankfully included free food! You three are my sisters from another mister and you ROCK! I have not laughed and talked that much in ages. Thank you so much for those five hours of connection and fun and for hanging out with me Saturday night. Y’all can really cut a rug! I’ll never forget our time at UtopYA2015. The sky is the limit for you, writer sister. I believe that with all my heart and I’m cheering for you. And Carla, best of luck on your new job adventure, I know you will be fabulous!

My “shirt girls” who always had a smile and a laugh for me the entire conference. What a joy to see great friends having so much fun together for the love of authors and great books. I appreciate you gals so much!

Shantella and Jaci who eased a lot of my conference overhead just by not being afraid to share a room with a fellow book lover who happens to be a stranger and for introducing me to my first White Castle. Thanks to you both for answering my frantic texts for randomisms during the exhibitor hours and for the laughs. Shantella, I expect to see you go very far with that story! I’m cheering you on.

For everyone who stopped by the table, signed my shirt, said hello, waved back, laughed with me, sat down and said hello first, and let me join in on a game I sucked at. You guys, seriously. I’m at a loss for the right words other than thank you.

To the Tiny Nugget of Hulk, Stacey Rourke and the Fab Colleen Nye who held up the exhibitor front lines with me. You ladies are a treat to hang with! I wish you nothing but success in the coming year and hope to see you in 2016!  

For Carlyle and Mama, my most awesome table mates. You ladies are a true class act. I could have listened to Mama tell me stories of her travels all day every day. I love you both. I hope to see you again as soon as possible. Safe travels back to your family and know you will be missed every single day by this Mississippi girl.

To Morgan Wylie my Saturday signing day table partner. Solidarity in the triangle, girlfriend! You are a blast to hang with and I hope to see you again soon!

To everyone at UtopYA and now the newly upgraded UTOPIA2016, thank you all so much for all your hard work and dedication to authors and readers. Putting on an event this size is a daunting task, you all did it with grace, a smile for every one of my questions, and have created something wonderful. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. These memories will live with me for the rest of my days. And mark those Utopia calendar's for June 2016, I'll be there and I hope to see you all next year!
Until then, KD 

 

 

Bad Pie

Y’all, it’s not secret, I love me some pie. Blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, cherry, oh my! In fact, my mom’s peach is to die for. Warm buttery goodness that will make you want to slap somebody down for a bite.

Unfortunately, the pie on the table today is not the good kind with the gooey center and crunchy crust.

Today we’re discussing two flavors, one I can recommend, the other I do not. There’s the one that needs more sugar and less disappointment, know as the “Unfortunate Reality” cobbler and the one we all really want, the “In a Perfect World” lattice crust with a heaping scoop of ice cream.

If you are outside the writing world, I’m sure you have your own recipe for these. Sadly, the same situations crop up like the ones writers face when it comes to support. Don't miss an ingredient here though or your pie is going to suck. There are parts of the Unfortunate Reality flavor that make it taste way better than it looks. AKA, the friends that become family substitutions. They are like swapping to Gluten Free flour without the sandy aftertaste.

Having a writer family doesn’t always equal blood. When it comes to support, it can mean the family you choose to surround yourself with. Those brave souls willing to take on an Unfortunate pie spot can build very strong writer tribes. Pie pan half full, folks. J

See, all writers start with a secret. That tiny dream of holding a finished product of the novel of their heart in their hands. Beginning writers are sooooo scared to reach out for that delicious slice. It’s so fragile! It needs to cool or set up or whatever. One wrong move and the dream might somehow go POOF! Or the dog will snarf it down when we get up to make more coffee.

Or more realistically, that vocalizing the dream might mean someone that writer loves, and wants more than anything to make proud, will instead take a giant crap on said dream. Really scary stuff. 

Non-support in the lives of writers is at epidemic proportions. A silent and deadly rot. Worse, it brings with it the added bonus of embarrassment outside whispers within our most trusted circles of other writers. In many ways, a double edged sword.

In an effort to bring light to this serious issue that writer’s face, I present these charts and ask only one question: .

Which pie do you take a slice from when it comes to the writer in your life?

If for any reason you find yourself with those outside-the-lines, NON-support dribbles of “Unfortunate Reality” clinging to your chin or shirt, give the writer in your life a hug, make it an extra big one, and pledge to become a ray of hope and support in that person’s life instead of a roadblock to their dream. I know, I know. Now you want pie. *passes you the good pie*

Until then,

KD

It's Just a Little Rain

I did something Friday night I haven’t done in a very long time.

Around 9-ish, The Waug started her usual tinkle dance at the back door. Normally, someone opens the backdoor and she goes to handle her business. The difference on Friday night being that it was coming a monsoon. So I told her no, she had to wait.

(Which led to super pouty Waug face)

I had finished my work about then, needed a shower and decided after seeing it had slowed. I’ll just take her out and not worry about getting a little damp.  So off we went.

The wind was surprisingly warm, the rain a steady, cool drizzle with no lightening as we made our way down the sidewalk. She gave me several moments of Waugy side-eye as the rain started to wet her to the skin but she eventually got into it and jauntily pranced in the streams of water rushing down the sides of the road.

By the time we reached the end of the street I realized how tight I’d been wound. Like coiled steel tight. I’d had a neck ache for two days that suddenly let go. I stood in the road and turned my face to the black sky and let the rain wash it all away for a moment. Now it wasn’t a quiet walk at all. Choruses of frogs were having a wonderful time singing the praises of the rain. As I turned to go back to the house, the breeze brought a cloud of Honeysuckle. Heavy on the humid air and almost syrupy. The sharp, salty smell of wet asphalt and the sweet and sourness of fresh clay that had been turned over on the lots under construction. Like flipping a switch inside my head, they all added up to one thing.

Spring has sprung and summer is coming.  

By this time, the Waug and I had completely passed the point of a simple spray down/towel off with waterless dog shampoo so I figured, what the heck. We went back to the house, grabbed a flashlight, the boys and went frog/critter hunting and mud puddle stomping.

Now by this time you might be wondering where this is all going. I’m glad you asked cause here’s the meat of the story.

Frog hunting, playing in mud, fishing, and all around dirty boy play used to be the main thing my boys did with my dad. It was their thing and I didn’t interfere or try to keep them from every glorious moment of enjoying the activities of the dirty. I had accepted long ago any trip to the ridge would involve some form of muddy shoes, clothes and general nastiness.

I realized as I stood there, face turned to heaven, enjoying the steady caress of water falling on my face that their time with Dad and those activities is truly done. But the boys still need that and it’s my job to handle that now. So we got dirty, laughed at #2 jumping in every dang puddle for two blocks and accomplishing to catch some disgusting little frog that slimed his hands which he promptly “washed” in the drain ditch, Lord help. 

They had fun and so did I and I think Dad would have liked that.

My boys will be 16 and 9 in July. More than ever before, I see time with them is speeding by. There will always be deadlines, loads of laundry to fold, dishes in the sink, a list for my list to tell me where my damn list is for all the things I’m supposed to do. But there will only be just a few more nights when all they want is some rain, a flashlight, their Waug and time. 

I wish you'd had more time with them, Dad. I promise not to freak out too much when they catch the really gross ones. 

Until then,

KD

 

 

 

Grief

Grief.

Let’s be real about it, grief is weird. And “they”, whoever they are, say there’re seven stages of grief. Shock and Denial, Pain and Guilt, Anger and Bargaining, Depression Reflection and Loneliness, The Upward Turn, Reconstruction and Working Through, and Acceptance and Hope.

Six days later, I tend to disagree with this number. I think it should be higher. Or at least have some sub stages. 

April 9, 2015 at 4:05pm my Dad drew a last shallow breath and then he was gone. Just like that. GONE from physical life. Now as a believer, I believe his next breath was free of the horrible pain, stress, misery, and sickness he’d been in for a year and nine months. I believe with all my heart his next breath carried the perfumes of heaven, I have to, or I’ll go insane.

But in that moment, he was still gone from us. So, I say that the experts are overlooking some critical parts of grief no one warns you about. 

“Vice around the ribs”

There’s those first crippling moments where you go deaf and blind. There’s a horrible ringing in your ears that just won’t stop.

In that moment, I couldn’t see or hear. Or breathe. As if maybe the passage of death into the next life by someone you love has a fee. They ride your stolen breath, pushed by your speeding heartbeats, straight into the arms of heaven. Maybe that’s the price.

“Dehydration”

When you think you can’t possibly cry one more tear. When your eyeballs are so full of grit they scrape and burn from every blink. Guess what, you’ll still be able to squeeze one more big old fat tear out. And it hurts. And it will burns. And it won’t stop. And you need the good Puffs with lotion.

“Lack of Stimuli”

Walking out of that room for the last time, my footsteps made no sound on the tiles. I talked to my family. Responded. Put one foot in front of the other. Once we reached the lobby and stepped outside, I found I had no ability to feel the wind on my skin, smell the flowers blooming around the hospital or enjoy the awesome grill smell of the restaurants down the street, or the sun on my face. Every voice sounded like it was traveling through water. I knew they were there, I’d thought about them earlier in the week, heard their voices clear before, but nothing registered in that moment.

“Random moments of going crippled”

Something odd happened to my knees. When the battering sound of his breath slowing had beat my eardrums to the point I had to run, I’d just be walking and boom, go down. I couldn’t stand anymore. Luckily, I didn’t fall most of time because hospitals have lots of chairs and railings.

Now the strings have been cut from one whole side of my life. I’m forever that broken doll on the side that belonged to my Dad. Collapsing, flopping, and floundering for a new normal without him to hold that side up for me.

“Inside Out”

A hole opened when he left. A very dark place, deep inside that turned everything inside out. The wet, raw, tender things were all ripped from their safe warm spot to be plopped down where they’re never supposed to be. Left exposed. Bleeding. Drying in stale hospital air that shouldn’t ever touch them and changing things that aren’t ready to be changed. Forcing old things into new awful things. I have no idea what those pieces will become or if they'll survive the process on the side of light. Only time will tell.

So far, I think this one was the worst. 

Now I’m sure there will be others that I’ll add to this list as time goes on.

So if you message me and I don’t answer, I could be stuck in “Mute-ism” that day.

If you ask me a question and my answer is so crazy angry you think I've lost my marbles, I apologize now for being stuck in “Rage” that day.

Neighbors, I’ll try my best to keep my “Breaking Things” on my side of the property line.

And if “Inability to Stop Screaming” (which is totally possible) shows up, I’ll invest in earplugs for you all.

My Dad was our family’s pivot point and our true North. Without him, our normal will never be as bright or right again. I see him in so many thing about my own boys so he does live on in us and that is a kind of comfort. I imagine it will be a bigger one later when I learn to live with the rawness better. 

You all can’t know how much every message, call, text and email means. Even when I don’t have the ability to answer, please don’t stop. And thank you. 

Until then,

KD       

Instructions For Purchasing Signed Copies Of Unwilling

Hi everyone!

I've had quite a few inquiries, messages, and requests for signed copies lately. THIS IS AWESOME and I don't mind sending you a signed copy of UNWILLING. It's one of my favorite parts of being an author. 

But to streamline the process a little and save us both some time, I've created a Paypal button and posted it on my blog. The "Signed Copy USPS" $16.00 fee covers the cost of your copy and the shipping. This fee is also per copy. 

To complete an order:

1. click the paypal button

2. follow paypal's instructions 

*paypal will send me a notification of this transaction* 

3. email me here, K.D.Woodauthor@gmail.com to let me know you purchased and include the physical address when you want the book sent. 

As long as I have books on hand, it takes me less than a day to get a book into the mail. If I have to place an order for more copies, I'll always let you know as soon as I see your order. 

**For those attending "Day with the Authors" Luncheon April 24-25 and UtopYA Con2015 both in Nashville, TN**

This button can be used as a pre-order option for you to pick up your copy at the conferences signing events. You would choose "Signed copy Conference" $12.00 and I will have those ready for you at the event for pick up.

Thank you so much to everyone who has read, reviewed and enjoyed this story as much as I have. I couldn't do this without all of you <3

Give a book some love this week.

Until then,

KD 

Updates

There’s nothing like a blog that’s behind on updates to remind you just how behind schedule you are LOL! Now to catch you all up on what’s to come for 2015.

A few updates since we last talked:

*Unwilling is available in both formats! (*Woohooo*) on Amazon and as an ebook on iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.

If you’d like a signed copy, email me here for more information. K.D.Woodauthor@gmail.com. I’ll be happy to put a copy in the mail to you J

If you have a copy already and would like a signed book plate, email me for more information and I’ll be happy to send you one.

(Photo of reader and very first blog follower, Stephanie Hembree, with her copy of Unwilling!)

 

The second book in the series, UNLOVED, will be available soon!

There are also a few opportunities coming up to meet in person!

Upcoming events

April 24-25, 2015 ----------A Day With the Authors

                                              Nashville, Tennessee

June 18-21, 2015 ----------UtopYA Con 2015

                                              Nashville, Tennessee

There are chances to win eBook copies of Unwilling, signed paper copies, and lots of other things. Visit my author page on Facebook often to catch those dates as they pop up for parties and blog events.

Have you read Unwilling?

If so, thanks so much! And I hope you enjoyed the story J

Did you enjoy Unwilling enough to leave a review for other readers to discover? If so, HUGE thanks! I have been overwhelmed with the wonderful reviews left for Unwilling. You guys ROCK and I’m thrilled to hear so many of you enjoyed the beginning of Neely's journey! Each message is like Christmas <3

I know you all probably get sick of hearing authors yammer about needing reviews. Trust me, I get it. But maybe this little bit of info will help the next time you read a great book.

Did you know?

There are some promotions authors can’t even qualify for, no matter if they have the money to pay the fee, and no matter how wonderful the story, unless their book has reached a certain number of reviews?

This is one reason authors are constantly talking about the need for reviews. The numbers help us move forward J

Did you also know?

That lots of promotional sites and services with large audiences require a certain ranking in the book’s reviews?

I didn’t know this before I became published and started trying to find advertisements for Unwilling.

This also means if “3 stars I LOVED IT!” is a reviewer’s version of “5 stars I LOVED IT!”, their glowing three star review, though greatly appreciated, can prevent that author from finding a wider audience due to low rank numbers. 

Math… L

I know, it’s all that weird algorithm business that leaves me squinting at the screen too. But it’s something to consider when you love a great book and want others to read it too.  

(Insert Jerry McGuire scene)

“HELP ME, HELP YOU!!!!!!”

Thanks for coming over to visit my neglected blog, I hope to have more signing events to add to this list soon that give me the chance to meet you guys in person and talk books!

Give a book and its creator some love this week.

Until then,

KD