Friday, April 29, 2011

Last Sneak Peek

    red gerbera daisy picturesWelcome to the final sneak peek! What's that? Is that an collective anticipatory sigh I hear from you followers? Good grief, I hope so! *just kidding*
   I honestly do hope you all enjoyed this tiny bit of Neely's story and are now more anxious than ever to read the whole thing. Things are progressing well with the manuscript these days so cross your fingers that I have a nice copy to offer you all very soon :)
    I decided to keep my spiel short today because hopefully you all have as much sunshine calling to you as I do. So I'll shut up and let you go get your D on cause that's exactly what I'll be doing for the next couple of hours. I love feedback! So let me know what you guys think about each excerpt or all four.
Till Then,
Katie
p.s. curious about what the characters look like yet?? Well, if you drop me a facebook comment, message or twitter, I'll send you a picture of the one character you most want to ogle *wink *wink

*Thanks once again to Number Two for modeling :)
                                                              This sneak peek is rated G
   
    Andrew approached cautiously then cupped my hand in both of his before I could object.
    “My people, the Māori, are very talented bone carvers. This is a fairly simple piece, but I’ve seen others that are true masterpieces.”    
    His breath fanned the curls resting against my cheek as he spoke. Using only his index finger, he traced the outline of the design around the entire surface.
    I stood frozen in place, watching his finger sensuously move over the thing in my palm.
    The rest of his fingers caressed my fingertips as he completed the revolution. The contact tingled and left behind a heat between us, that burned so intensely, it numbed the skin and left it cold.
    Moving away from him would’ve been my natural reaction, but everything inside me had gotten mixed up and scattered.
    “What do these markings mean?” My throat felt dry as I whispered the words.
    Andrew looked up to meet my gaze. His green eyes flashed with an emerald flame that seemed to slowly bleed to Citrine.
    “This design represents the unfurling native fern frond of my home. The symbol is given to someone who is experiencing personal growth or … an awakening.”





© 2010 Katie Wood
This manuscript is the sole property of Katie Wood and is prohibited from being displayed, copied, electronically discussed or electronically distributed without the expressed written permission of the author.   


Beach in New Zealand (AWESOME)!!
If you'd like your very own necklace, visit my friends at http://www.shopenzed.com/ in New Zealand, Lesley will hook you up with one!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Sneak peek #3

view details    Welcome to week three! Sharing Neely's story has been such a blast! But as with all good things, unfortunately, the sneak peeks are coming to an end soon. I hope y'all have enjoyed them. Once number four is posted next week, it'll be a little while before anymore show up. That's not necessary a bad thing though. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that a nice bossy agent and publisher tells me I can't share pieces from the book very, VERY soon. :)
    In the meantime, I'll do my best to slip you all a dab here and there. The blog is growing fast and thanks to everyone who has supported the series by passing the link on to their friends. I really appreciate it. In less than eighty hits the blog will pass that next notch of 2000. Every little bit helps and for every mile stone reached I promise I'll post some pieces, so keep those follows and views coming! 
Till Then,
Katie  

          This Sneak Peek is rated
    File:RATED PG.svg

        “Doesn’t matter I guess,” I mumbled. I’d promised myself I would not cry in front of him and began to untangle my arms from around his waist.
    Hayden grabbed hold of my biceps but I kept my face turned away.
    “Neely,” The music roared up again and almost drowned him out. “What’s the ….?”
    The sound of Camilla Nelson’s voice cut in on my right side but barely registered in my brain. Her words fluttered through my mind and back out again as I tried to wiggle free.
    “Can’t somebody else go?” I heard Hayden hiss loudly. His fingers clutched at my arms at little tighter as I struggled.  
    Damn, I’ve got to run to the store for Mom.” He yelled down at me, just as I freed myself.
    “Whatever.” I threw the word over my shoulder as the first tear landed on my cheek. Walking as fast as possible away from him, I heard him say, “I’ll be right back.”
    But that didn’t matter one way or the other now.
© 2010 Katie Wood
This manuscript is the sole property of Katie Wood and is prohibited from being displayed, copied, electronically discussed or electronically distributed without the expressed written permission of the author.   


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

What's on the Nightstand? #39-#43

    Hey folks! And huge welcome goes out to our new #28 country Iran. Thanks for visiting the blog and I hope you enjoyed it so much you'll stop by again soon. As of Wednesday, the blog is only 100 away from reaching that next goal of 2000 so spread the word and forward the link to your friends. Most exciting of all, the end of the week will bring on the third sneak peek so be on the lookout for it.
    If you live in the south, then I have to say hope you're dry because we haven't been in days. *Bleh* Every time I stick my head out the door it's raining. Last night, the storms blew in with a vengeance and made a huge mess for us and our Alabama neighbors. Good old tornado season, you got to love how it keeps you on your toes. 
    Speaking of perching on one's toes, that's exactly what I've been doing this work week. I can't help but beam every time I walk into my office and see that beautiful wall of plot all nice and arranged for my Unwilling series. Previously, I thought pinning myself down to such a specific outline would smother me. But after playing with it a little, I really began to see its usefulness and enjoyed the process.
    In addition to all this writing productiveness, I continued the journey to my 100 books a year goal with a few random selections. The five books staring on the blog today aren't new releases but they're quite good. Several I picked up for genre research along with a dab of guilty pleasure reading thrown in for fun.
    Now for a tiny PSA before we get to the books. Last week Mississippi native and author, John Grisham spoke on stephenslighthouse.com about the importance of preserving our libraries. Mr. Grisham was chosen as an honorary chair of 2011 during ALA National Library Week. Libraries are very close to my heart so anything to help promote the preservation of our local library I’m on it like a duck on a June bug! In the video interview, Mr. Grisham speaks about the influence of his local library on his childhood and about his work post-Katrina with the Gulf Coast libraries. I've included the link so please check it out. For my writer buds, he also stresses the point of how libraries and independent booksellers influenced the success of his early work. It’s like my yoga teacher says, “If you enjoy your class, show up so the bosses won’t take it away.” The same goes for libraries and bookstores, support them. It’s not always about money either. Word of mouth to promote your favorite books, volunteering in your library and teaching your children what a wonderful resource the library represents are all free things you can do to help out in your community.  
    There are lots and lots of new books out now and eBooks are burning up the world so there's no shortage of reading options. A great resource if you aren't sure what's out is Sassy Girls Book Club on Facebook. There are TONS of titles posted every day. If you're not reading something you like, heaven help, pitch it back from whence it came and find another that you do. Happy reading! 
Till Then,
Katie 
http://stephenslighthouse.com/2011/03/30/john-grisham-and-national-library-week/

#39 The Everafter by Amy Huntly
The Everafter

#40 A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
Product Details

#41 The Society of S by Susan Hubbard
Product Details

#42 Sunshine by Robin McKinley











#43 Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, Book 1)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Second Sneak Peek

Second Sneak Peek for Unwilling

Welcome to week two! Hope everyone enjoyed that first teeny bit of the story and you're ready for more. I know it wasn't much, but hopefully you get the picture of how Neely's life is suddenly getting very complicated. 
    In this next scene, you'll get a glimpse of another mismatched piece of the puzzle. Let me know what you guys think. I love feedback, it really helps me work on the stories.
Till then,
Katie

   
This sneak peek is rated G rating symbol


 “May I join you?” Andrew asked politely. His thick accent and much more formal verbiage always made it hard for me to talk to him. I usually spend more time listening to the way he said things than exactly what he was saying.
    “Uh …” I glanced around to scan the crowd quickly hoping Hayden had gotten back. No such luck. “Sure.” I scooted over on the step.
    “Great party,” he said as he sat down slowly, folding long legs and a muscled torso onto the narrow board.
    I imagine it was pretty uncomfortable for him. That actually worked for me since I wanted him to go away sooner rather than later.
    “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
    My voice sounded remote and bored even to me but he grinned.
    “I hoped we might get a chance to talk tonight,” pausing, Andrew cleared his throat nervously. “There never seemed to be an opportunity for real conversation at school.”  
    I only gave him another distant nod of agreement. Andrew has always been the king of not taking a girl’s hint.


© 2010 Katie Wood
This manuscript is the sole property of Katie Wood and is prohibited from being displayed, copied, electronically discussed or electronically distributed without the expressed written permission of the author.   


Sunday, April 10, 2011

You have been warned...

  Red hearts and skulls  As the title suggests, I’m warning you ahead of time that this ain't gonna be the normal kind of blog because it's heavy on the internal side of a writer's mind. That’s not always the most "normal" place to hang out, if you’re wondering. We creative folk tend to have conversations with our fictional characters and spend a lot of time daydreaming on a regular basis.
    A couple of weeks ago my story really started to twist me into a knot. My characters began telling me things I totally did not want to hear and generally irritating the crap out of me night and day. I started doing more housework to avoid the problem, which pleased The Hubs but did nothing for my progress. The Red Ninja suggested that I shoot a character just to remind them all who the dang boss is around this manuscript. In reality, that’s exactly the problem. 
    To kill or not to kill a character, that dear friend has been the question. For my writer buds, I know you understand this line of nuttiness. For everyone else, just hang with me and I’ll explain. By the way, I can hear you over there calling me a certified fruit loop under your breath smarty-pants. 
    Sometimes characters must die. It’s a sad part of writing, unless they happen to be evil, but also quite necessary. I’ve knocked off characters in the two previous books of this series and each time it was awful. Necessary, but that didn’t lessen the emotional part of it. In the case of this third manuscript, I walled myself up and couldn't continue because I wouldn't face the fact that the character was telling me it was possibly time for him/her to go.
    To help you understand, I’ll give you an example of one of the many conversations we had.

ME: No, I won’t do it, you can’t make me!  
C: (huffs) Would you trust me on this, it’s time for me to go.
ME: Hey, I’m the writer here, not you. *turns off computer and stomps off in a snit* Maybe after I do some laundry and bore you into submission you’ll believe me. Otherwise, I’ll just shoot you but won’t finish what happens and you’ll just bleed forever. We’ll see how much you like them apples.     

C: Not the damn laundry again, there are only four humans in this house how much laundry can they generate? *Stares at piles*  Are strangers coming to your house to change their clothes or something?  

ME: Don’t you start too.

C: Come on you know that won’t work. You’re just avoiding what needs to be done. If you don’t face this the book won’t ever be finished.

ME: Oh yes I WILL finish this book. Stop being such a Debbie downer already. You know killing characters depresses me and makes me cry which makes me mad! Its spring and my sinuses…

C: *rudely interrupts my whining* Stop it already! These excuses aren’t putting words on the page.

ME:  Don’t you throw author-isms at me Mister/Miss. It’s just…I don’t want to lose you…and…what if the story falls apart without you? Ever riddle on that smart-aleck?

C: Fictional character here, remember.

ME: Oh so now you don’t know anything. Gah! *Slams dryer*

C: What I know is you’ve been avoiding the issue for weeks now. Just write it and see how it sounds or...ask the Green Ninja...see what she thinks. If you don’t like it there’s always the delete button.

ME: Ah ha! I think you're crushing on her! Besides, she’s busy writing her people who I bet are cooperating. NONE of this is something I can work with by the way and what if she agrees with you?

C: Chicken *sidestepping my accusation*

ME: There’s no reason to start name-calling.

C: Truth hurts sometimes.

ME: You’re just mean, that’s what you are. I love you and don’t want to lose you.

C: *exhales loudly* I’m sorry I called you a chicken, that wasn’t nice.

ME: It’s alright, I know you meant well.

C: You know I still gotta die right.

ME: Oh shut up.
   
    This photo sits right in front of my computer so I can keep asking myself this question over and over while trying to hash this out. The question is "if you kill him, what's the redemption?" Now that's not correct grammer but I understand it.
    I finally bit the bullet last week and sent the text, crossing my fingers that I wasn’t interrupting a visit to south Mississippi by the muse. *Bows* That Green Ninja, she is as wise and feisty as ever. Thanks for that one thing that has pointed me in the right direction.  Hopefully the rest of you have a better picture of the things we writers deal with.  As my Aunt the RN would say, “Katie honey, they make pills everyday for that kind of crazy.”
Till then,
Katie



Wednesday, April 6, 2011

What's on the Nightstand #28-#38

     Wow, I just realized it's been a long time since I blogged about my poor overloaded nightstand and the random piles of books I'm making my way through. Time to catch up! Little bit of business first, a shout out to new country, the Philippines for visiting the blog! That makes 27 countries so far and we're more than halfway to the next goal of 2000! Keep it coming folks we're almost there. :)
   Now back to the books. I've read 11 books since my last post so I won't attempt to blurb each one because that would be one monster of a blog post. I will tell you this, I don't tell anyone about books I don't like. If you see a book on my blog it's because I enjoyed it.
 


Alright, here are the next eleven goodies:
28. Hallowed Bones by Carolyn Haines
29. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
30. The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
31. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
32. Blood Noir by Laurell K Hamilton
33. Skin Trade by Laurell K Hamilton
34. Bones to Pick by Carolyn Haines
35. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
36. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
37. Blood Law by Jeannie Holmes
38. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Hallowed BonesProduct DetailsProduct DetailsProduct DetailsProduct DetailsProduct DetailsProduct Details
Product DetailsProduct DetailsProduct DetailsProduct Details
   
    Each of these books is a great read. For some, it was my second time to read them and they were even better. Each story is very different, well written and I highly recommend them. I'd been on the edge of excitement waiting for City of Fallen Angels and read it yesterday, and I do mean the whole thing. I finished it last night about 2 a.m.
    The weather here in north Mississippi is really becoming full of blooms and beautiful skies. One might think my reading slacks off in nice weather. Are you kidding? That just means I get to sit in the sun and read.
    There's also some more just released and upcoming titles for these authors so check them out. Most of all, get to reading!
Till Then,
Katie
   
 Product Details James Dashner's second Maze Runner book became available for purchase on October 12, 2010.
http://www.jamesdashner.com/


Carrie Ryan's Dark and Hollow Places (shown above) just became available for purchase a few weeks ago.
http://carrieryan.com/index.php

Cassandra Clare's City of Fallen Angels (shown above) became available for purchase 4-5-2011
http://www.cassandraclare.com/cms/home


  Product DetailsLaurel K. Hamilton's Hit List is coming up June 7, 2011
http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/index.php


  ForeverMaggie's new Mercy Falls book, Forever, is coming July 12, 2011 *weird side note for you, these books are based in the town where I lived in Minnesota in 2007* I've been to several places mentioned in the story. Made the read even better for me :)
http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/novels.php











All around super cool lady, Carolyn Haines has her next Sarah Booth Delaney mystery Bones of a Feather coming  June 25, 2011
Product Detailshttp://www.carolynhaines.com/

    Writer bud and secret ninja, Jeannie Holmes, has her second Alex Sabian novel Blood Secrets coming June 28, 2011







Friday, April 1, 2011

First Sneak Peek

JournalApril 1st, 2011
    Welcome y'all! Thanks for visiting the blog today. To the most recent of the 26 countries present on the blog, Hungary and Indonesia, thanks so much for visiting and I hope you enjoy the experience. Guess what, you got here just in time for the excitement! :) 
    The big day has finally arrived. Nervous? Who me? That would be a yes if you didn't know the answer already.
    Why am I shaking in my house slippers you ask? I’m nearing the point where my stress level will incite hives because today marks the first public introduction to my novel Unwilling. *cheers erupt all around* 
    Honestly, creating this series has been one of the best things to ever happen to me. At times, the writing became an escape, therapy, all consuming terror and totally wonderful balls of joy rolled along by hours and hours of my fingers flying across the keys. Even after writing the first two, these characters continue to whisper to me as I prepare to begin the third book. Not surprising, I've become extremely attached to them. When I go to Laurel, I half expect to run into one of them at Wal-mart they’re so vividly present in my life now. 
    Before you get your hopes up about reading something significant like a whole chapter I’ll have to warn you that I’m not nearly that brave yet. Sneak peeks are exactly what their name describes, tiny snippets of the manuscript. Even though it's short, I sincerely hope it tickles your curiosity about Neely and the gang.
    And now the time has come for me to shut up and let you read! I truly hope you enjoy this small piece of Chapter one. Most of all, I look forward to the time when Neely's fire for life and love touch your heart on a grand scale, preferably bound and sold at all the fine chain and independent book stores and on Amazon.com.
Till then,
 Katie
 *crosses fingers and squeezes eyes tight*
p.s. There will be a sneak peek every week in April so visit the blog often J

 this sneak peek is  rated
File:RATED PG.svg

    “Second chances huh?” Hayden mumbled. His voice slipped into a slightly cooler tone than a minute ago. Turning away, he stared out into the night.
    Distractedly, I glanced in the same direction.
    This is so stupid. I'd already put this conversation off long enough. Now is as good a time as any to tell Hayden I'm in love with him. 
    Several kids passed by the jeep at that moment. As they laughed their way to the back yard, their images reflected in a car sitting just to the left of the house. This sent an unwelcome bolt of recognition into my brain.
    “Yep,” I answered in a choked voice. Leaning down to pick up my bag, I hoped to stifle the internal groan trying to creep up my throat. “Everyone needs a second chance sometimes.”
   “We better go on in,” Hayden said suddenly. His fingers twitched on the steering wheel. He suddenly seemed anxious to get away from me. This new, pricklier mood of his stung me worse than a swarm of no-see-ums.   
    “There are lots of people here already.” He added as his fingers started to dance along the steering wheel.
    “What’s the big hurry?” I asked.
    “Looks like your stalker decided his ‘second chance’ is tonight.” He said, totally ignoring my question.   
    ”What are you talking about?” I snapped.
    Hayden jabbed his finger furiously at the black car.
    “Ain’t that your little weirdo’s fancy-shmansy BMW?” Hayden’s face squished up in an ugly scowl when he turned to face me.
    Now his bad attitude made more sense and gave me one of my own.
    “Andrew Huckley isn’t my anything. For your information, we invited the entire senior class to this party and he’s a senior. What’d you expect?” I grouched as I jerked the door open. Before sliding out, I turned back to face him. “And by the way, you’re being a jerk.”

   © 2010 Katie Wood
This manuscript is the sole property of Katie Wood and is prohibited from being displayed, copied, electronically discussed or electronically distributed without the expressed written permission of the author.