Craziness abounds and fun fact about me!

Hello my lovelies! I know it has been a while since I did a rambling post or one of my Trials of an Indie Author posts, but in my defense things have been insane lately. It's good news for you because it means I'm working on a novella and book 2 of Sha and Connor's trilogy, both of which are coming soon! On the bright side, I do plan on doing another Trials post very soon. In the meantime, how are you all?

Part of the reason I've been neglecting my random posts is that I have no idea what to say about myself. When it comes time to fill out interviews and such, I'm always at a loss for words. I'm going to try something new though. At least once a week I'm going to try to tell you a random fact about myself so you can get to know the mysterious Lindsay Avalon a bit better :) Hopefully you enjoy the little tidbits!

So, are you ready for today's random fact? It's a fun one!

You all have probably figured out that I have a special obsession with rubber duckies. Well, did you know that I adore dolphins almost as much as I love my duckies? My husband and I went to Disney World for our honeymoon and I had the amazing opportunity to participate in a dolphin experience. We got to be "dolphin trainers" and we went behind the scenes of the dolphin areas in Disney World. It was so amazing. Technically we weren't supposed to swim with the dolphins, but I slipped on algae on the bottom of the tank and ended up dunking myself so I'm going to count that as swimming ;)

We got to meet Calvin, an amazingly intelligent dolphin who outsmarts all of his trainers. Calvin loves cheating at his tricks. When he's supposed to race around the tank, he lazily swims for part of the way then cuts across the tank so he's the winner. When they tried to do a matching game with Calvin, he'd peek at the reflection of the cards as they were being set up so he'd always win. They tried putting special suction cup goggles on him so he couldn't cheat but he just figured out how to pop them off lol. I loved every second of getting to work with Calvin and the other dolphins and it's an experience I'll never forget!

Duckies are still my all-time favorite animal but I must admit that dolphins come in at a very very VERY close second. Also at the top of my list are penguins because they're just awesome too :)

Mwah lovelies! Hope you enjoyed today's fun fact about me!

Sneak Peek Sunday!

Ready for a sneak peek into my upcoming novella, Warrior Unleashed? Enjoy!

“Draka,” she repeated under her breath, redoubling her efforts to annihilate the padded target in front of her. Nobody spoke the old language anymore, save for a few scattered words or phrases, but the curse seemed appropriate. Any coward who incapacitated a Sentinel before slitting their throat deserved to be called draka.

“That’s a bit rude to say that to an innocent sparring post, don’t you think?”

Wonderful, just what she needed to make this day even better. What in the Seven Hells was he doing here? The amusement in the deep voice only served to rile her up further.

I know, I know I barely gave you anything :) Stop by later this week for more! Click the image below to find the rest of the blogs participating!

The Trials of an Indie Author - Part 2: Reviews

My dear lovelies, it's time for the next exciting installment of The Trials of an Indie Author! Today we will be talking about reviews. So, what's so special about reviews? Well, when you're an indie author, reviews are crucial for helping people decide to read your book. If you see a book in a traditional bookstore, you can flip through it and see what you think. Online? You have to rely on reviews, the description of the book, and a small sample of the book.

There's another little known fact. On the US Amazon site (no idea about the other countries because Amazon's not exactly consistent), they've gotten rid of the tagging feature which helped indie authors gain visibility. Essentially, when you would view a book and saw a list of suggested books, tags were helping determine which books were displayed. They also helped in searching (I think, I could be wrong because I'm new). Amazon now wants users to rely on the "Like" functionality and reviews to promote books. I can't go into details about HOW this works beyond saying they have a magical formula that nobody knows.

Now you know reviews are important for the book, but that's not the point of my post. Reviews are ESSENTIAL for the author. Why? They should help you become a better author. I'm not talking about the 5 star reviews (or 5 blue ducky reviews in my case), though those are fantabulous because you get warm fuzzies when you see them. I'm talking about the negative reviews. You know, the ones everyone (including myself) dreads to see.

Let me start by saying, I've learned that all 5 star reviews can actually be detrimental. Having a mix of star ratings gives your book more credibility that it hasn't been reviewed by a ton of your friends. A well worded 3 star review can in many ways be more beneficial than a 5 star review written by an obvious super fan. That being said, nobody really looks forward to the poor reviews.

The first time I got a 3 star review about my book I wanted to cry. Seriously. Then I sucked it up and read the review. Parts of it were kind of funny in that I 100% could NOT see where they were coming from, but parts were very valid. One of the big complaints about Breaking the Nexus is the length. I know it's short, I designed it that way. As many of you know, I had problems with severe pain and stiffness in my hands and I wanted to ensure I could release Breaking the Nexus so I could give my hands a rest before continuing. Honestly lovelies, it has taken about 2 months to get back to fighting form. But I digress. I love the pacing of my book and as much as it has frustrated my readers, I love the cliff hanger ending. It may not have been what I had in mind when I set out writing this book back in November of 2011, but it's the only way I could see ending it. Trust me when I say, Waking the Phoenix will have an even more epic ending :)

Another 3 star review made me scratch my head because there was a ton of praise and the only criticism was length. I tend to click on low reviews to see what people didn't like, so this one works in my benefit. Since that was the lowest star rating on Amazon, I thought I dodged a bullet. I thought I'd escaped the horrible 1 star review.

Then I looked at Goodreads. BAM! There was a 1 star review. I didn't even let myself get upset, I started to read the review. The person wrote about how they loved the story but hated the cliffhanger. I could have pouted, cried, and screamed at the unfairness of a 1 star review. I didn't. Want to know what I did?

I contacted the reviewer. Not to demand an explanation or to ask her to change her mind. No, I contacted her to honestly thank her for her opinion and to ask her to be a beta reader for my Waking the Phoenix. I bet you're thinking I'm insane right? Here's the deal. I legitimately want her input because she enjoyed the rest of the book and I want it to be the best it can be. She may be more critical than some of my other betas who adore everything about my book.

Guess what happened when I contacted her? She said my book was exceptional. She just wanted areas fleshed out. I know it moved quickly and I wondered if I needed more detail in other places. So not only did I brave the risk of rejection by contacting this person, I got a wonderful compliment and have gained a beta who could prove to be quite helpful in my future books.

My point is, bad reviews suck. I didn't like seeing 1 star but everyone is entitled to their opinion. If everyone tells you you're amazing and awesome, you'll always wonder if it's true or if they're just fans. Criticism is VITAL to help you improve, no matter how painful it may be to hear. 

I'm not saying everyone should take the approach I did and contact the reviewer. In fact, I don't suggest it. The only reason I did was she specifically mentioned she really enjoyed the story and characters and I was asking for her help. Most times, it's best to read the review, analyze the criticism, and decide if it warrants further consideration or if it could just be a case of that person didn't like your book. No matter what, don't take it personally; look at it as an opportunity to improve your craft. If you're still upset, just go read your positive reviews to cheer yourself up ;)

The Trials of an Indie Author: Part 1 - Promoting yourself

Hello my lovelies! As you can tell by the title of this post, I'm beginning a multi-part series by request of you wonderful people to do my best to answer some questions about the world of being an indie author. I'm by no means an expert but I'm more than happy to share the knowledge I've been accumulating and to answer any questions you may have. If you have any requests for certain topics, please don't hesitate to ask in the comments below!

Now, the first topic I'd like to address is the issue of promoting yourself. You see, it's not enough to write a fantastic book and publish it; unfortunately, your work is just beginning. Your book could be the greatest book ever written, but if you don't promote yourself, few people are likely to find it. So, how do you promote yourself? That's a hard question to answer to be perfectly honest. I'm still feeling my way around in this aspect, but I've started off pretty well.

One last thing before we get started. I self-publish but even if you sign on with an indie publisher, you'll probably have to do some promoting on your own. These all still apply :)

Step 1: Be realistic in your expectations

The first and most important piece of advice I can give you is to be realistic in your expectations with regards to your sales. Even authors signed on with one of the Big 6 authors take several books before they truly start achieving success. I know you want to release your book and instantly have it be a sensation and make tons of money, but the reality is it's extremely unlikely to happen. The best thing to do is have a great idea that brings people back for more. Keep writing and hopefully every book will be a bit more successful than the first. 

Don't be discouraged if you don't sell many books right off the bat. You should be writing because you love to write and have a story to tell. If you're in this for the money, you really need to sit down and think about whether this is what you truly want to do.

Step 2: Throw yourself to the social networking wolves

I've said this before, but it bears repeating: I'm a very shy person in real life. I'm introverted and would much prefer sitting at home curled up with a good book rather than going out to parties and being social. I never ever thought I'd enjoy the world of social networking as much as I have, but it has been a wonderful experience. I've met so many wonderful people that have helped me tremendously and interacting online takes a lot of the scariness of meeting new people. Nobody can see you directly so it makes it much easier to relax and be yourself.

Facebook and Twitter are two extremely valuable tools to keep  you in touch with your readers and connect yourself to other authors. Make as many author friends as you can so you can learn as much as you can. I thought Breaking the Nexus was the best thing ever written, until I had some authors read it and pointed out areas that really needed work. No matter how amazing your book is, there's always room for improvement.

I recommend establishing yourself well in advance of your book's release so you have the best release day possible. If you've already released your books, that's awesome and you can still establish yourself. The most important thing to remember is don't start by bombarding people with your book. You wouldn't want to meet someone and immediately have them trying to sell you something, so don't make online friends and immediately start with "OMG I have this book and you totally need to go buy it because it's awesome." There are times when the first contact I receive from someone on Facebook or Twitter is a link to buy their book and I'll be honest, it annoys me.

I'm not saying, don't tell everyone about your awesome book, but really try to make friends. Talk about the everyday things and share snippets to increase interest. The more people enjoy conversing with you, the better your chances are of persuading them to want to read your work.

Step 3: Have a blog and/or website

Blogs are great for several reasons. I started doing author interviews on my blogs and it introduced me to tons of fellow authors of all different genres. I've made some great friends this way and best of all, it has been a huge help in networking. Just because I write paranormal/fantasy romance doesn't mean I should focus on authors of those genres. People have diverse tastes and opinions and you can learn so much from so many people.

A blog is also great for enticing your readers. Post snippets, character interviews, character sketches, etc to keep your interest alive. The more anticipation you can build, the better. It helps readers find out more about you because I know if I read an author I like, the first thing I do is look for a blog or website.

One other benefit to blogging is participating in Blog Hops. These are when a bunch of bloggers sign up for a themed hop and people jump around to the different blogs. Typically you have a giveaway to entice people to visit your blog and it helps you get greater visibility. Carrie Ann Ryan holds fantastic blog hops with some pretty awesome grand prizes that have been amazing for bringing traffic to my blog. I highly recommend looking into participating in one of her hops by clicking here.

Not into blogging? Then at the very least have a website to make it easier for your fans to find out about you. If I look up an author and can't find a website or blog, I'm far more likely to forget about them because I don't want to go hunting down the information or their other books.

Step 4: Hold giveaways and promotional events

Everybody loves free stuff. It doesn't matter if it's a bookmark, an ebook, a gift card, or a rubber ducky. Giveaways are a great way to bring people to your events or blogs for the chance to win a prize. If you can't afford a bunch of prizes (and believe me, it does add up quickly), have a big prize and hold games and such for entries to win that bigger prize. I met many of my lovelies through my cover reveal and blog tour giveaways. They came for the prizes but stayed because they had a blast. You don't need to spend a fortune, just get creative. You can also ask fellow authors for donations of swag or ebooks because it gives them a great chance for cross promotion.

Step 5: Be willing to give away copies of your book for review

I can't tell you how many copies of Breaking the Nexus I've given away but it's a ton. I'm striving for 50 reviews on Amazon and have given away a good portion of that as review copies. I've also emailed about 20-30 review blogs asking for review (though I've only heard back from a handful of them). No, you don't make any money on those review copies out right, but it introduces people to your work and the reviews will bring others. There are also a number of amazing people who will buy the book after they've read it because they loved it so much and want to support you.

Breaking the Nexus is the first in a trilogy so my goal has been to get as many people addicted to my trilogy as possible so that they'll be more likely to buy book 2, Waking the Phoenix, when it comes out. I'm not making much money on all those review copies now but if it translates to future sales, it's more than worth it.

One last point on reviews. I'm told Amazon.com will work harder to promote your books once you get to 50 reviews. I've also watched as my ranking jumps after a review goes live, even if I didn't sell a book. Reviews are critical so don't be stingy with those copies!

Step 6: Be patient and willing to experiment

I said at the start of this post that I'm no expert. I'm still working out the exact methods that work for me and my book and there's still a ton that you'll need to do. Promoting your book will require lots of time, effort and research on your part, but it's essential for you to be successful as a writer. You won't become famous overnight so be patient. It's hard, I know, but the pay off is worth it.

Ok my lovelies, I hope this has helped a bit. Please let me know what other topics you'd like me to discuss! My next post will be on the merits of getting an editor!

Week 17: The Next Big Thing

I was tagged by the fabulous Catherine Wolffe (www.shootercreek.wordpress.com) to do the Next Big Thing blog hop so let's get this party started! :)

What is the working title of your book?
My book is called Breaking the Nexus.


Where did the idea come from for the book?
I've always loved mythology and legends, and a part of me has always wanted to believe in magic. I got to thinking, what if the world we lived in coexisted with another world where all those myths and legends were reality? From there Breaking the Nexus just kind of happened. This also incorporates a murder mystery because romantic suspense happens to be one of my favorite genres.


What genre does your book fall under?
It is somewhat of a cross genre book, but the easiest way to describe it is paranormal romance.


Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Honestly I am horrible at knowing actors so I really don't know how to answer this. When I started writing Breaking the Nexus, I didn't really have particular people in mind.


What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Myths and legends are reality and only a thin magical barrier separates the Mythrian Realm from the Human Realm; however, now that barrier is beginning to fall and when the realms will collide, will you be ready?


Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I will be self-publishing.


How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The first 50k words were written during November 2011 as a part of NaNoWriMo. Since then, I've been working to finish the rest in between the rest of my hectic life.


What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
To be honest, I'm not sure I've read any books quite like Breaking the Nexus. I've read some that deal with portions of my books like having mythological creatures or incorporating a barrier separating worlds, but nothing I would really compare mine to. 


Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My sister inspired me to participate in NaNoWriMo, which got me started writing this book. Other than that, only my imagination.


What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
As I mentioned before, my book is a blend of genres. There's the love story between my main characters, Sha and Connor, the paranormal aspect of having different mythological and legendary creatures, a mystery aspect because Connor is a human homicide detective investigating a serial killer, and suspense aspects as the Nexus breaks down. There really is something for many diverse interests.


I want to thank Catherine for tagging me to do this! I'm so happy to be able to talk about Breaking the Nexus and I hope this has shed a little more light on my debut paranormal romance! Be sure to check out the following awesome writers next week as they talk about their current WIP!

Kathy Ree: http://krmorrison777.posterous.com/
Angela Boudreau: www.angelarosebooks.wordpress.com

Six Sentence Sunday - 9/23/12!

Enjoy this little snippet from my newest WIP Song of the Abyss! This is a twisted fairy tale that will be released in an anthology this halloween. All I will tell you about this scene is that our heroine, Princess Nerissa, was just married but instead of a happy day, she is thrown into a nightmare. I hope you enjoy this little peek at it and I promise soon you will get to know so much more.

Keep in mind this is unedited :)


     If she slowed, she would die. 

“Come here little dove. I won’t hurt you. Much…” 

That voice, dead calm and coated in frost, terrified her. It was her wedding day, supposed to be the start of a new life. Instead it may just be her last.

As a special gift to my lovely readers (and because I realized I haven't posted this yet) here's the character sketch of Nerissa designed by the lovely Miranda Stork!

Six Sentence Sunday

Welcome to my first (and definitely not last!) contribution to Six Sentence Sunday! The following is an excerpt from my upcoming debut paranormal romance, Breaking the Nexus. This snippet features my hero and heroine, Connor and Sha, moments after sharing their first explosive kiss. I hope you enjoy it and if you'd like to read more, please look back at my older posts for other excerpts!

He was reluctant to release her, but he knew that if he didn't step away now, throwing her on the bed was eminent. Possibly the floor, unless he could restrain himself. There would be no way in hell he could keep his hands off her long enough to get her on the mattress.

He touched his lips to hers one last time, savoring the taste as his fingers fell from her hair to trail down the soft curve of her face before falling to his side.

"We're not done here."

Sha's wicked grin was a silent reply and she stepped close, stroking her hands beneath his shirt. 

I hope you enjoyed the little glimpse into my book! For more information and snippets be sure to follow my blog and connect with me on Facebook and Twitter!

Let's Explore Breaking the Nexus!

At least once a week I'm going to try to feature a post about my upcoming novel Breaking the Nexus and this is the first installment! To kick things off I'm going to discuss the book I've been mentioning on Twitter and Facebook. So let's have a little Q&A with the voices in my head also known as my inspiration...

What is Breaking the Nexus and how did it come about?
Basically Breaking the Nexus is a paranormal romance novel that was born during NaNoWriMo 2011. My older sister convinced me to participate with her and I decided on paranormal romance because it is one of my favorite genres. I have always had fantasy worlds going race through my head and I knew it was time to try to get them on paper.

So what is the Nexus and why is it Breaking?
Before I can answer the first question, I'll give you a little background. You know all of those fairy tales you grew up with? The ones with dragons, fairies, shape shifters, and demons? All those mythical and legendary creatures you hear in stories but are told are simply fiction? Well they do exist. You see the world you live in now is not what it seems. This is merely one realm, the Human Realm. Living amongst you and for the most part hidden from view are all of these fantastical creatures living in Mythria, also known as the Mythrian Realm. The realms are separated by a barrier known as the Nexus.

The Nexus was raised millennia ago in an effort to protect the humans. It is not completely solid, however, and along the Nexus are gateways. Over in the Mythrian Realm, the Sentinels watch over the Nexus and ensure it remains intact. There's just one teensy little problem...the Nexus is breaking. Gateways are shattering and the creatures of Mythria are spilling over into the Human Realm. As for why it is breaking? You'll have to read to find out :)

Who are your main characters?
I don't want to say too much on this because I plan to do some character bios later on but the main hero and heroine are Detective Connor Flynn who is a human detective and Sha Phoenix who is a Mythrian Sentinel. Sha is a Sorceri, a race possessing magical abilities. I will give more details on both of them as well as going into more details about the Sorceri and some of the other races, creatures, and characters in later blog posts.


So there you have it. The characters are demanding they get their next scene written so that's all for now. Breaking the Nexus is still a work in progress but I am aiming to publish it this fall. Be sure to follow me on this blog, Twitter, and Facebook for more peeks into the world of Breaking the Nexus!