A Summer of Writing, Reading, and Creating |
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I am currently in the midst of completing the final book in The Existence Series. After investing years into its creation, this summer will be a monumental time for me. Despite my struggles in minimizing distractions this month, I'm still determined to give the manuscript the focus it deserves. So yesterday I went to the library and found solace in a spacious, serene room with large windows that offered a breathtaking view of beautiful trees amidst a summer storm. The setting was incredibly lovely, except for the presence of a typical round library clock that loudly ticked away the seconds. Hours into my work, I gazed at the clock noting how much time had passed and how seemingly meager progress had been in terms of "page count" during my self-editing phase. The daunting realization of how much lay ahead, even just for the day weighed heavily on me as I observed how quickly the second-hand seemed to be making its way around. I began to feel overwhelmed, exhausted and discouraged. Then came the question, "Do my efforts with all this even matter?" But then, almost in that same instant, I shifted my attention to the opposite side of the room, where nine large windows framed the view into the library. What unfolded before my eyes overwhelmed me—an array of shelves filled with rows and rows of books. It may seem like a plain sight to some, but to me, it was extremely powerful. What I saw was the sheer vastness of literature that represented countless hours of commitment, dedication, passion, and love. In that short moment, I went from doubting my efforts to feeling uplifted and championed by the presence of all those literary tomes. I have always been a lover of stories, firmly believing in the transformative power of the written word. However, as of late, I've experienced a renewed surge of passion in this regard. Yesterday, my discouragement shifted to gratitude. It is a privilege to write stories for you. The effort poured into these stories is unquestionably worth it. To all of you who choose to read and engage in my creations, thank you! |
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I had a wonderful experience presenting at Storymakers 2023 last month. Below is a short video I created of the time. My workshop was on The Seven Universal Emotions We Wear. The participants were great sports and let me capture the faces we made in connection to the seven emotions discussed. You can read more about my experience here: Storymakers and My Growth |
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LIMITED SPECIAL OFFERAs of right now, this month's spotlighted book, Shadow Runner is on sale for $0.99 on Amazon. What a great time to grab this enjoyable new read! Regular List Price: $5.99 |
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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: K.J. FIELER |
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I have an immense love for captivating stories. The tale of how I met K.J. (Kat) Fieler is undoubtedly one of those narratives that deserve to be shared. It's a unique story about how our friendship began. But when you get to know Kat, you will understand how she creates magic everywhere she goes. Her fabulous debut novel, Shadow Runner, already is receiving highly-favorable praise and I'm overflowing with excitement to spotlight her journey this month. | | |
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FEATURED BOOK: SHADOW RUNNER |
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Born to wealth, Ada is destined to live a life of luxury—yet all she wants is freedom. A ghostly visitor and a series of seemingly supernatural events unexpectedly deliver her from the mundane—but no one could have predicted the darkness that comes with it. Taken in and raised by a secret society, she is groomed as an assassin. As Ada comes of age, she must become a predator, targeting members of the very nobility to which she was born. The only other choice is to leave the organization as a fugitive. And if she leaves, she must forsake the two people she loves more than herself: her captor and her adopted sister, both of whom would be slain as punishment for her disloyalty. |
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"Shadow Runner's ability to move between fantasy and historical fiction makes it an especially thought-provoking read for teens, as well as adult audiences. Neil Gaiman's Coraline partially inspired Ada and this story, but KJ Fieler embarks on journeys foreign to Gaiman's book as Ada leaves childhood behind and considers the choices and challenges that light the way to a very different legacy than she'd ever envisioned for her future.
Fieler adds thought-provoking reflections that come from Ada's physical and emotional growth, injecting these into dialogues and situations that accompany her new strengths and tests of abilities...readers follow her growth and revelations, which are flavored with action and insight. A touch of wry humor marks many of Ada's encounters, which will feel unexpectedly delightful as she is forced into alien territory both physically and mentally.
Libraries and readers seeking vivid fantasy stories that embrace a coming-of-age theme with an environment that tests its young protagonist, and which comes with many topics ripe for book club debate and classroom discussion, will find Shadow Runner a winning acquisition."
—D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review |
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2023 GIVEAWAY: JUNE PRIZES |
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Enter to win one of these prizes: There are several ways to enter. Some entries you can even submit daily. So have fun! |
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MY STORY: HELPING, KEEPING, and PROMISES https://www.taracallred.net/blog |
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Recently, as I was driving from our town's post office to my home, I noticed a house with a semi-trailer parked in its driveway. The message on the trailer caught my attention. I felt compelled to turn back and capture a photo.
It's around this message that I've centered my June theme: Helping Others Keep Promises. In this post, I also share why I do a monthly theme. | | |
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After years of plotting, writing, rewriting, replotting, and revisiting, I am seeing the final installment of this entire series come together. To say this is a humbling experience is an understatement. The extremely happy news is I have dates on my calendar for when I will start sharing this final book with beta readers. It really is almost here. Before there is a publication date, there still is a lot of work (as shared above), but it's closer than it has ever been before. And it finally feels real! My niece Aubrey once said to me, "You're going to miss these characters when the series is complete." I first shared the Beyond the End storyline with Aubrey when she was twelve. She is now nineteen. I never thought a day would come when Leilani and her family's adventures would be complete. But I only have a small batch of chapters left to compose. The years were long, but not lonely. I can't yet picture my life without these characters. I don't know how I will feel when I reach the end, but it's coming. For now, I'm going to do my best to stay focused, enjoy the moment of creating the end, and not get too lost in the sounds of a ticking clock. |
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Story Camp I just had the inaugural session of our Beginner's camp this week, and it was an absolute blast! The group was fantastic, and we already have an exciting story in the works. I'm eagerly looking forward to our next session. Do you know someone who loves stories? These camps cater to both aspiring creators and those with a curiosity about what elements make up a great story. With small groups, our five online sessions provide an ideal setting to have a great time, unleash creativity, and foster new connections. |
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