Interview with Kim Mendoza, Cover Artist for the Disaster Crimes Series

Everyone, please help me to welcome Kim Mendoza, cover artist from The Wild Rose Press and the woman who had created all of the covers for the Disaster Crimes Series.

Welcome, Kim!

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1. How did you become a cover artist?

I was working in the chapel in the U.S. Army and had nothing to do day-in and day-out. Then the graphic designer quit to have a baby and I asked if I could take her job. That was my first exposure to graphic design, which I did as a career for fourteen years. Then, I published a book with TWRP (way back when it first began). At the time, there were only two artists and one of them was one of the owners. The company was growing so fast, and they needed more artists, so I applied and got the job.

Writer's Burnout Part 6 (One Day at a Time)

NOTE: I am one of Janice Hardy's part-time contributors for the year. I'll be contributing 4 guest posts to Fiction University. My first post is 6 Gadgets to Take to Your Next Book Event.

What is writer’s burnout?

Burnout is very different from writer’s block. It’s worse. Writer’s burnout is something you feel deep down…bone-deep. It’s just like when athletes burnout from working themselves too hard and too much for too long. They can lose their love of the sport, physically and mentally. You can get writer's burnout from doing anything related to being an author.

To read my story and all my burnout tips check out:

Writer’s Burnout Part 1 (Speak) Tips 1 - 3

Writer’s Burnout Part 2 (Write YOU) Tips 4 - 8
Writer's Burnout Part 3 (Writer's Meetings) Tips 9 - 11

Writer’s Burnout Part 4 (Morning Pages) Tips 12 - 13

Writer's Burnout Part 5 (Free Your Mind with Walking) Tips 14 - 15
Writer's Burnout Part 6 (One Day at a Time) Tips 16 - 17
Writer's Burnout Part 7 (Don't Force Yourself) Tips 18 - 19
Writer's Burnout Part 8 (Alternative Hobby) Tips 20 - 21

Writer's Burnout Part 9 (Patience) - Tips 22 - 24

Writer's Burnout Part 10 (No stress) - Tips 25 - 26

More Tips to Help You START Reversing Writer’s Burnout: 

One Day at a Time

Yes, I know you’ve heard this one before. Everyone who has ever been in a tough spot has heard the phrase “One day at a time.”

But it’s a good one.

Looking too far ahead can stunt our growth, paralyze us, and prevent us from going forward. Looking too far ahead can be…in one word…daunting.

Meet the Muse / Music Boxes by Tonja Drecker / Guest Post

Please help me welcome Tonja Drecker to Write with Fey for her release Music Boxes! This story is wonderful. A real magical, mysterious adventure into the ballet world.

Music Boxes

By Tonja Drecker

Middle Grade Fantasy / Performing Arts

158 pages

Dancing Lemur Press

Release date: March 5th, 2019

Ages 9 to 12

ISBN-10: 1939844568

ISBN-13: 978-1939844569

Interview with Lori Graham, Editor of the Disaster Crimes Series

I am thrilled and honored to have my editor, Lori Graham, from The Wild Rose Press here today. She is the one who gave me a chance and brought me into the world of publishing when she saw something in Hurricane Crimes and offered me my first contract.

Welcome, Lori!

1. What’s your editing process?

An author submits a query along with a synopsis and the first five pages of the manuscript through our query email address. This query goes to the senior editor from the appropriate genre line for the initial review, and if appropriate, the query is assigned to an editor.  The initial review will look at whether or not the manuscript would be a good fit for our publishing house, both technically and subject matter.  There is a meeting then between that editor and the senior editor to decide upon a contract.  Once a manuscript is approved, there are several rounds of edits, and each editor has their own style with which they do this.  For me, I do an initial review editing everything that comes up which could involve pacing, point of view control, and plot issues as well as some punctuation, grammar, etc. With the second and subsequent edits, we go deeper into that polishing process.  The final edit looks at formatting, chapter length, etc.

Writer's Burnout Part 5 (Free Your Mind with Walking) + GIVEAWAY

Health Update: The mass on my right ovary has shrunk a bit. We're keeping an eye on it, making sure it doesn't get bigger again, cause pain, or change characteristics. So far, so good. Thanks for your well wishes!

What is writer’s burnout?

Burnout is very different from writer’s block. It’s worse. Writer’s burnout is something you feel deep down…bone-deep. It’s just like when athletes burnout from working themselves too hard and too much for too long. They can lose their love of the sport, physically and mentally. You can get writer's burnout from doing anything related to being an author.

To read my story and all my burnout tips check out:

Writer’s Burnout Part 1 (Speak) Tips 1 - 3

Writer’s Burnout Part 2 (Write YOU) Tips 4 - 8
Writer's Burnout Part 3 (Writer's Meetings) Tips 9 - 11

Writer’s Burnout Part 4 (Morning Pages) Tips 12 - 13

Writer's Burnout Part 5 (Free Your Mind with Walking) Tips 14 - 15
Writer's Burnout Part 6 (One Day at a Time) Tips 16 - 17
Writer's Burnout Part 7 (Don't Force Yourself) Tips 18 - 19
Writer's Burnout Part 8 (Alternative Hobby) Tips 20 - 21

Writer's Burnout Part 9 (Patience) - Tips 22 - 24

Writer's Burnout Part 10 (No stress) - Tips 25 - 26

More Tips to Help You START Reversing Writer’s Burnout: 

Free Your Mind with Walking

Walking isn’t only a great form of exercise, but it’s been proven to be a stress-reliever. When we walk, we free our minds. Walking is also an excellent method to help us work through (or walk through) our troubles.

When we move, our blood pumps faster, and the more blood going to our brain increases our productivity levels, further increasing our mental power. We can think better, process better. The odds of us finding a solution or being inspired elevates.

Interview with Bill Nevitt, Audiobook Narrator for the Disaster Crimes Series

I am really excited to welcome Bill Nevitt to Write with Fey. Bill is the audiobook narrator of Seismic Crimes, Tsunami Crimes, and the-soon-to-be-released Flaming Crimes! His answers are fascinating and gives a neat perspective into the work of narrators.

Welcome, Bill!

~*~

1. What equipment do you use and what’s your process from audition to finished product?

My equipment consists of a “Lexicon Omega” computer interface, Rode NT-1000 condenser mic and an Apple “iMac Pro” computer, 25” monitor.

Following the narration, I listen to the entire chapter, completing three steps:

A) ”Proofing” – confirming my narration matches the text of the book;

B) Editing – Confirming/adjusting the timing of the read, i.e. appropriate pauses, etc.

C) Mastering – noise reduction and volume adjustments to meet ACX’s standards

2018 (and 2017) Link Round Up

UPDATE: In my December post, you might've seen a note I added about going to the ER. I went after experiencing severe pain in my abdomen that lasted a full 24-hours and didn't respond to pain meds. I found out that I have a 7cm mass (about three inches) on my right ovary. I've seen a specialist at a cancer institute. No one can say exactly what it is, but because of my age, the specialist doesn't believe it's cancer. (Side note: my paternal grandma died of ovarian cancer.) I have an appointment at the end of the month, but I'm going to call today to see if I can get in sooner due to uncomfortable, new symptoms. I'll update you all next month. Thanks for your well wishes!

UPDATE: After talking to the nurse, she bumped up my ultrasound to this Friday with a follow up on Tuesday to discuss the results and next steps.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I didn't do a "Best of Write with Fey 2018" post (which I usually do in December) because I didn’t post as much last year. I didn't even do one in 2017! But then I thought that someone might’ve missed a post that he/she could use right about now, so here’s my linky round up.