It’s “Writing Process” Blog Hop Time!

I love blog hops. All these great authors and authoresses (is that a word?) coming together to promote and high-five each other’s awesomeness. It’s so much fun and we get to meet so many people. And it gives us topics for our blogs just in case our minds are too deep into torturing our characters to think of anything else.

BIG thanks to Elsie Elmore for inviting me to this Writing Process blog hop. Elsie is amazing and I have to say, I’ve enjoyed reading all the other author’s posts who are participating in this super fun event.

The purpose of this blog hop is to turn others on to our own writing process, so, without further ado, here’s a little bit about my normal writing routine.

1) What are you working on?

What am I NOT working on? I’ve got so many projects going, sometimes it’s hard to keep them straight.

My super big project at the moment is a YA part high, part urban fantasy trilogy. The first novel, tentatively titled IN THE SHADOW OF THE DRAGON KING, is finished and undergoing yet another ‘final’ edit. I keep telling myself this time it is the final edit, but I know me. I know it will be hard for me to let it go because I want it to be perfect even though I know there is no such thing. I’m always striving to make it better, but at some point, I’m going to have to hit that submit button and be done with it.

I am also working on the other two novels in the trilogy and they are coming along well. There are multiple short stories and a YA novella I’ve written. The YA novella, Summerfirth, needs a bit tweaking and a couple thousand words added to turn it into a novel, and then I can send it to a publisher who has already asked for the full and fast-tracked its submission. I’m way too excited about all the prospects. I just need to keep rocking it.

2) How does your work differ from others in its genre?

You know, I keep trying to find the right answer to this question but it seems to elude me. I think I try to find ways to approach stories differently, for example. There are two primary teen characters in my novel, IN THE SHADOW OF THE DRAGON KING. They are unique in the sense that they don’t fall into the stereotypical idea of what YA characters should be. Most YA characters seem to be of mediocre backgrounds. They’ve got some sort of ‘family’ issue that makes the reader bond with them right away. My two main characters are not mediocre. They are both quite wealthy and can get whatever they want, except a few things money can’t buy…honor, respect and family. I like to put different spins on my stories. I like taking people out of their comfort zones.

I also try to add twists to my stories that readers don’t anticipate. I like to give my readers a gasp effect. I love writing those ‘whoa, I did not see that one coming” sort of stories.

Oh, I also love dragons, lots and lots of dragons, so much so, they’re in almost everything I write.

3) Why do you write what you do?

I write YA and fantasy because it’s my place to escape. As a teen, I was very sheltered. I was also a ‘goodie goodie’. I mean, I never did anything wrong. I was too afraid of the consequences. I grew up an Army brat and my dad didn’t put up with any, I mean ANY, bullcrap, so I learned early to tow the line. After my father died, I tested my assertiveness with my mom several times with some not so pleasant outcomes. So, I behaved and missed out on a lot of fun, maybe harrowing times during middle school and high school. Needless to say, writing YA allows me to push the envelope. I can test my wings through my characters. I can go to parties, fall in love, drive a car, take leaps, be dramatic, make mistake and grow up.

Fantasy adds a whole new dimension. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been fascinated with castles and princesses and knights in shining armor on white horses. However, I never wanted to be rescued by such a knight. I wanted to be the princess warrior fighting by his side slaying evil and standing up for righteousness and honor. Of course I was always beautiful in my tales (which in reality I’m not by Hollywood standards), I was always strong, defiant. My knight was always tall, dark-haired with blue or green eyes. I still fall for the dark, gorgeous brooding type.

So, I decided to write mostly YA fantasy because they speak to my soul the most.

Oh, and did I mention I love dragons?

4) How does your writing process work?

I don’t think I have a process, really. It all starts with an idea or a dream. Most of my storylines come from dreams. A lot of times I wake up at night and have to write the dream down because the themes are too good to pass up. Many of those ‘ideas’ are still sitting in a notebook or on the computer because I haven’t gone forward with them, but others have turned into published short stories, a couple of novels that will NEVER EVER see the light of day if I have anything to say about it, a few novellas and the novels I’m currently working on.

Over all, I’m a pantser. I don’t like outlining anything. I do have an idea of how the story starts, where I want it to go, and how I see it ending, but other than that, it’s a crap shoot. I tend to let my characters lead my way in telling the story they want to tell. That doesn’t mean the story won’t change when I get into edit mode, but the story itself is written.

Someone asked me once if my stories are more character or plot driven. I like to think my stories are both. To me, plot and characters are intertwined. Both feed off the other. Any wrong turn by the character will change the plot. Any stray from the plot will change the character. For me, both have to grow and change. Both have to drive the story forward.

Once I get in the writing groove, I go at it for hours on end, sometimes days with little sleep and food. Five to ten thousand words can fly out of me in a weekend if I’m in the groove. Usually, it takes me about 2 – 3 months to finish a 50 – 80,000 word novel. It’s the editing part that kills me. This process can take a very, very long time because I’m always honing, always fixing. I’m always finding ways to make character weaker or stronger, always looking for better words for the characters to use. I find more lyrical ways to say things. It is not unusual for me to spend a year on edits (in between other writing and every now, participating in this thing called life.) I do, however, work well on deadlines from publishers. I think this is because they have a certain idea in mind and I can follow the written train of thought. Left to my own editing, I never stop because I’m a perfectionist. The writing can always be made better. I have to realize there is no such thing as perfection and let it go, but it’s difficult. I hope I’m not the only one out there who feels this way. Otherwise, I might be screwed. 🙂

On that note, I’m wrapping up my portion of the blog hop but I encourage you to bop over to the other blogs that have participated in this awesome event. Head on over to Elise’s page to start it all off and follow the blogs. Make sure you also check out fellow bloggers that are posting this week as well.

Patricia Lynne is a Young Adult writer who never thought writing would become so integral to her life. What started out as a fun way to kill time has turned into an obsession with story ideas crowding her brain at inconvenient times. When she’s not writing, she’s knitting (you don’t have to be a granny to knit!) or making jewelry. More morbid obsessions include reading serial killer profilers. Currently, she lives with her hubby in Upper Michigan, loves to dye her hair the colors of the rainbow, and hopes to have what resembles a petting zoo one day.

T.A. Brock spends her days gleefully plucking words from the chaos of life and dressing them up so they look pretty. Then she calls them stories and tries to convince people to read them. She resides in the great land of tornadoes (Oklahoma) with her husband, two children, and her beloved Kuerig machine.

Inspired

J. Taylor Publishing are giving away FIVE ARCs of Inspired by Danielle E. Shipley!

Check it out!

For a muse like Lucianíel, one story’s end is another’s beginning.

In the wake of his author’s sudden death, Luc takes ownership of her surviving creations—four fantastical characters with tales yet to be told—saving them from unwritten lives crumbling around them and giving them a second chance at a literary future.

Luc finds that chance in the unsuspecting mind of Annabelle Iole Gray, a quirky teen with her head in the clouds, nose in a book, and imagination ripe for a brilliant muse’s inspiration.

Or so he hopes.

Neither Luc nor Annabelle, however, realize all they’ve undertaken. Even with a to-write list including accounts of a shape-shifting cat creature, gentle knight-in-training, vigilante skater girl, and a mystery boy smothering in unspoken fear, the most remarkable saga created between author and muse just may turn out to be one stranger than fiction.

INSPIRED is an innovative glimpse at the true muse of a writer, a tale told with style and wit. And J. Taylor Publishing is giving away FIVE ARC copies.

To YOU!

You don’t even have to be a book blogger!

Nope, so long as you are willing to leave an honest review between the dates March 3rd and March 17th 2014, you are eligible to enter.

Interested?

Then just fill out the form and keep your fingers crossed.

You have until midnight of March 2nd to enter.

About Danielle E. Shipley:

Danielle E. Shipley’s first novelettes told the everyday misadventures of wacky kids like herself. …Or so she thought. Unbeknownst to them all, half of her characters were actually closeted elves, dwarves, fairies, or some combination thereof. When it all came to light, Danielle did the sensible thing: Packed up and moved to Fantasy Land, where daily rent is the low, low price of her heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, firstborn child, sanity, and words; lots of them. She’s also been known to spend short bursts of time in the real-life Chicago area with the parents who homeschooled her and the two little sisters who keep her humble. When she’s not living the highs and lows of writing young adult novels, she’s probably blogging about it.

18 Truths

Paperback, 278 pages
Published: January 28th 2014 by Curiosity Quills Press
ISBN: 1620074478 (ISBN13: 9781620074473)
Edition language: English
Series: 18 Things #2

Back Cover Blurb: Lying is unbearable, betrayal is inevitable, and choosing which path to take is impossible.

Olga Gay Worontzoff ended her senior year as an eighteen-year-old girl totally in love with Nate, enjoying their new romance and about to attend the university of her dreams. Now she’s spending her summer in the weird subculture of the Underworld, with charmingly witty and powerful angels, and problematic demons, trying to rescue Connor, the best friend and secret crush she was unable to save during a freak accident.

But Nate has other things on his mind, mainly Grace. She’s their first assignment as joint spirit guides, and Olga’s feeling hurt and jealous. His mysterious behavior has Olga questioning everything she believed about him and now she must decide whether to stick to their plan, or follow her heart. Unfortunately, a series of mistakes threatens everyone around her and plants Olga in the center of cosmic events much larger than she ever imagined.

Only one thing is certain: the chilling truths uncovered during her journey will leave no one untouched.

My Review

I8 Truths by Jamie Ayres is a literary triumph. Beautifully told. Meticulously executed.

I received 18 Truths as a beta reader and saw this manuscript blossom into what it is now. The story picks up after 18 Things (you should probably read this one first so you know what’s going on). Long story short, Olga’s Worontzoff, along with her friend Nate, are on a mission to save best friend (and her secret crush) Connor from the Underworld. Connor died in a freak accident and Olga is determined to save him and his soul. Enter conniving demons and whimsical, powerful angels, and you’ve got one rip-roaring adventure.

But the story isn’t just this really cool paranormal adventure for teens and adults. It’s a quest for faith, for answers. It’s a book of love, compassion, deceit…truths. The prose will wrap around you like a warm blanket, making you feel cozy and safe, then Ayres strips the reader of the security, leaving their emotions naked and exposed. You will laugh and cry, race through the anger, and swim in sadness. There is not one emotion Ayres leaves unturned. 18 Truths is mesmerizing. Haunting. It’s one of those books that stays with you after you’re finished. You have no choice but to return to it a day later to find the line that spoke to you. You can’t help but return to it a month later in search of the song that sang to your heart. I have read a few contemporary novels (none quite with a paranormal theme), and I have to tell you, 18 Truths is pure magic for the soul.

There is a religious tone to the novel, but I really don’t think it will interfere with anyone’s enjoyment. The religiousness is not in your face. You know it’s part of the ‘paranormal’ theme in the book and it’s what drives Olga and Nate, two of the three main characters of the novel. For those who do believe and our grounded in faith, this book will take you on an exciting journey through all the possibilities faith offers. You’ll get to meet angels, and oh, can they be devilish, playful and witty creatures. But in the quirkiness, there is also power and unbelievable love. The creatures of the Underworld are as one would expect…beautiful, manipulative, interfering, intriguing and conspiring. Your time spent here is intense, and Olga’s faith and heart are tested.

As the story unfolds, Olga is faced with 18 Truths, and all of them will leave her soul, as well as yours, touched in unbelievable ways.

18 Truths is an achingly beautiful story of life, loss and hope. In its every aspect, this novel is a triumph.

Get a copy:

“Read at your level.” What the hell does that mean?

Disclaimer: This post is not directed at teachers, but those making the rules.

“Read at your level.” I can’t even comprehend that sentence.

What does it mean, oh wise ~~educators~~ rule makers? Is that your way of telling kids not to learn more than we think they should? Don’t expand yourself? Don’t excel because you might make another student look bad? I’m confuzzled.

I remember as a child my teachers encouraging us to read beyond our grade level. They wanted us to strive for more than See Spot Run. My mom read Heidi to me when I was five years old. I read it by myself at the age of 7. Soon after that, I read Call of the Wild and White Fang. I was 8 years old. A Wrinkle in Time soon followed. By the time I reached 7th grade, I’d read Ulysses, Homer, The Grapes of Wrath (some of which I didn’t understand at the time), and Great Expectations. By my sophomore year in high school, I had read Tolstoy, Tolkien, Ayn Rand, Hemingway, Frank Yerby, Twain and many others. I had an insatiable thirst for books and was never content at ‘reading at my level’.

Can someone please explain to me what ‘read at your level’ means, and who determines such nonsense? Sure, we all have to start somewhere, but by the time a kid leaves 1st grade, unless they have a learning difficulty, they should have the basics of reading down. It then becomes a matter of the child learning new words and what they mean and developing comprehension (which comes from more reading). Of course, grammar, and punctuation follow, but I have to tell you , I learned more words and how to use and write them from reading than I ever did from tests.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard agents and editors in the past year or so tell authors not to put big words in YA novels because teens don’t want to stop and look up what a word means. Say what??? As a child, my teachers encouraged us to keep a dictionary at our side when we read. They encouraged us to increase our vocabulary, to learn how words are used. I am thunderstruck that some teachers nowadays not only don’t encourage the use of dictionaries and thesauruses, but discourage young people to read books that are not suitable to their grade level. Really? This is the most insane, idiotic notion I think I’ve ever heard. Hey, you school system, core curriculum weirdos, please explain? Do you want our kids to not strive beyond their comfort zones? Do you really want them to go unchallenged? Are you trying to keep them ‘dumbed down’? Do you know there are studies out there that show struggling readers improve their comprehension and reading skills when placed with more advanced readers?

I’m not saying kids need to stray totally out of their comfort zone, and I’m not talking about struggling readers. That’s where staying in your comfort zone and sticking to what you like to read is sooo beneficial. No, I’m talking about your average kid in school who is told by their teachers not to pick books to read outside their age-appropriate level.

Poppycock.

Now, I don’t believe jumping from Old Yeller to books by Frederick Nitche is wise, but kids should always be pushing the envelope when they read. And with dictionaries and thesauruses so readily available on phones, tablets and computers, there is no reason why kids shouldn’t be encouraged to look up a word or two they stumble upon while reading.

So, parents, go on and keep reading age-appropriate books to your little one, but every now and then throw in The Hobbit, Great Expectations, Harry Potter or Watership Down. Expand their minds. Feed their imaginations. Increase their vocabulary. Shower them with your love for the written words. Don’t dumb them down. They’ll thank you later when they’re graduating at the top of their class, with honors coming out of their ying yangs.

“Read at your level?” Ha! Never!

So, what do you think? What was the most difficult book you read as a child?

Stone Cold – a new book by Jocelyn Adams

Jocelyn Adams, one of my favorite authors, has a new book coming out in April and I am super stoked. Her writing style and the way she can turn a phrase excites the writer and reader in me. I’m part of a writer’s group that she is in, and I have to tell you folks, every word she writes is a labor of love. She’s dynamic as an individual and an author and is a huge inspiration for me. I am thrilled to see yet another one of her amazing books come to life. It is a must read so make sure you add it to your TBR list today.

Oh, and what about that cover, huh, ladies??

Stone Cold (Ironhill Jinn #2)

Release Date: April, 2014

Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing

Genre: Romantic Urban Fantasy

Back of the book:

Lou Hudson makes a deal with the Isaac to save the Ironhill jinn from execution…and lands on the front line of a war between the vampire and his sire.

Daddy Dearest intends to have Lou for himself to spite Isaac and begins meddling in every corner of her life. Her reputation shatters when people die, her monster-whispering skills shelved by public outcry and vampire politics.

When forced to confront their enemy, she isn’t prepared for the depth of Isaac’s plotting—or her increasing attraction to him—and to end their latest crisis will only cost Lou a piece of her soul.

Link to the book on Goodreads

Goodreads

About the author:

Jocelyn Adams is an office grunt by day and creator of romance and adventure by night. Born a farmer’s daughter with a vivid imagination, she spent her childhood dreaming up stories. With no formal training, she relied on the honest feedback of her writing group to take her from that first short story all the way to THE END of her first novel. When she isn’t slinging words, you can find her shooting her bow or enjoying the serenity of family life in her little house in the woods.

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You’ve Been Fast-Tracked!

Last night, I received something in my inbox I’d never received before: 2 back-to-back requests for 2 separate, full manuscripts.

I couldn’t stop grinning. Afterall, I’d sent the first five pages off to the publisher with the only goal in mind to get a professional opinion, a critique. I wanted to know if I was on the right track, and if not, what direction I needed to go. What did I need to work on to improve the narrative and the manuscripts? Did I grab the attention of the publisher in the 1st 5 pages?

I have to say I was surprised at the speed they got back to me. BIG plus in their favor. I also understand they have a three step editorial process once they accept a manuscript…another huge plus. AND they have a great reputation as being amazing to work with and they pay well and on time. (Yes, I checked them out before and after submitting the 1st 5 pages).

As to the manuscripts: one was marked up more than the other, but only by a couple of suggestions.

The other, my baby, the start of my Y.A. fantasy trilogy that I’ve been hammering to perfection (if there is such a thing), got four MINOR suggestions and a compliment on a scene for its imagery and the feelings it evoked. At the end was the following comment from the content editor:

“Your story has me intrigued—I want to read more in the worst way! I already feel a connection to the characters and setting. You are being fast tracked!”

I must have read that line a hundred times: “I want to read more in the worst way!” Even reading it now sets my soul aglow. I think those words are what every author wants to hear, especially after a publisher reads those first crucial 5 pages.

To be honest, I’d expected so much more red-lining. This was a publishing house. Even though they are a small, indie press, they still see hundreds if not thousands of manuscripts, and from what I understand, they are quite selective. While I felt confident on both stories to an extent, I certainly wasn’t expecting requests for 2 full manuscripts. Not only that, I’d been fast-tracked on both. That’s like HUGE. My foot is in the door.

To say I’m thrilled is an understatement. Am I nervous? Yes and no. There is still work to be done on both before I submit the fulls. I also want to throw my big baby out there to a couple more betas/critiquers for their comments before I let it go completely.

At least now I know I’m on-track with both manuscripts (according to this publisher), and I have to say the experience has been phenomenal. Thank you, publisher and lovely content editor for your time and critique. Thank you, Scrib sister who gave me the confidence to go for it, but most of all, a million thanks to my beta readers, (especially my Jersey girl. You know who you are!) I couldn’t have come this far without your keen eyes, your opinions, your sense of direction, and your blatent, hard-line honesty smacking me in the face, even when I didn’t want to hear it. I would be lost without all of you. I bow to your greatness.

Now the hard work begins. I’ll keep you posted.

HAPPY (Official Music Video)

This found its way to my Facebook page and I HAD to share it with all of you. What do you guys think?

Enjoy!!

BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore – a review

Back cover blurb: Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea, still under the influence of her father Leck, a violent psychopath who altered minds. Her advisers want to pardon evildoers and forget everything, but she sees the past holds fast. Two thieves, who only steal what has been stolen, hold the truth and change her life. One, his Grace skill unidentified, has a key to her heart.

My review:

I recently finished Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore and I have to say it is up there among my favorite books.

I’ve read a lot of reviews of this book and in my opinion, the lower-ranking reviews were unfair, though understandable. Cashore’s first book, Graceling, set the stage for an EPIC tale. The world was richly woven, the characters complex and quirky. The love affair open, honest, selfless. No strings attached. I suppose those who picked up Bitterblue were expecting the same sort of ‘Epic-ness’, a novel with intensity and a high action plot. But Bitterblue, the main character, is not Katsa from Graceling. Her journey is quite different. The trajectory of the story is not the same. I, personally, loved the difference in these two books. They are not reliant on each other. The plots are independent yet intertwined. They are two stories containing the same characters, each heroine dealing with who they are, what they are to become, and trying to find their way in a confusing, disjointed world.

In Graceling, Katsa set out to end the tyranny in Monsea. Bitterblue picks up nine years later. Our heroine, Queen Bitterblue, is trying to understand her role as queen amidst a kingdom she doesn’t know or understand. The plot line moves along slowly at times, giving us time to absorb information at the same rate as our heroine. We see her predicaments through her eyes. We feel her feelings. We experience her exasperations as if we are in the same room with her. We unlock the mysteries, the clues together. It’s a wonderful experience.

I love that the plot is so unpredictable and the way Cashore weaves all the characters together is brilliant. It read like a who-done-it in a way. Cashore was brilliant at dropping clues and hints for Bitterblue and the reader to figure out. There is such a huge network of betrayal and sorting out the good from the bad is time-consuming and mind-bending. I also believe Cashore deals with very sensitive issues in a loving, caring manner, exposing the bitterness and harshness of realities but wrapping them all up in hope and warm, soothing light, showing teens that no matter how harsh reality is, there is always a new beginning.

I also like the way Cashore treats the topic of young feminine sexuality. Both with Katsa and Bitterblue, the discovery of their own sexuality is honest, careful and liberating. Unlike a certain recent urban romance series, Katsa and Bitterblue both make active choices with regards to their romantic companionship. The men they choose are handsome and there is always a friendship first, someone they develop a long-term commitment to without the stigma of love and marriage. It is through trials and tribulations and mistakes and grand intentions gone wrong that these women experience love the way it should be experienced. The chemistry is there, yet they feel strong enough in themselves they can walk away. They don’t NEED their men to complete them. They want them. Desire them, but more than anything, all parties respect each other and their spirits are completely compatible. Marriage is not pressed as a required state for feminine sexuality to take place. Many parents may find this bothersome, but I found it liberating and a wonderful message to young girls that they need to be strong in themselves and they don’t need men to make them into something, but rather they desire them to compliment who and what they are. I did have a small issue with what seemed to me was the equivalent of a ‘morning after pill’, but considering the character, her choice was understandable.

I am giving this book 4.5 stars. It is a great companion book to Graceling and Fire, (I have not read the latter). It is on my TBR list and I’m sure I will find it as engaging as Graceling and Bitterblue. Kristin Cashore is definitely on my list of fave YA authors, and I am looking forward to her next novel.

Query Letters

Fantastic advice

An Entangled Two-Fer

Entangled Publishing has launched a new imprint for New Adult novels called Entangled Embrace. Today, they are releasing two new books by two super authors, so go on…have a look, and embrace these two-fers.

Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros

She knew. That’s why Mom hadn’t opened the door. She knew he was dead.

Twenty years as an army brat and Ember Howard knew, too. The soldiers at the door meant her dad was never coming home. What she didn’t know was how she would find the strength to singlehandedly care for her crumbling family when her mom falls apart.

Then Josh Walker enters her life. Hockey star, her new next-door neighbor, and not to mention the most delicious hands that insist on saving her over and over again. He has a way of erasing the pain with a single look, a single touch. As much as she wants to turn off her feelings and endure the heartache on her own, she can’t deny their intense attraction.

Until Josh’s secret shatters their world. And Ember must decide if he’s worth the risk that comes with loving a man who could strip her bare.

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About Rebecca

Rebecca Yarros is a mom, military wife, blogger, and author of Young Adult and New Adult fiction. In addition to raising an absolute gaggle of somewhat-noisy children, she draws inspiration for her fiction from her favorite authors like Mercedes Lackey, Gayle Forman, and Gena Showalter.

She’s a graduate of Troy University, where she studied European history and English, but is still holding out hope for an acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Her blog, The Only Girl Among Boys, has been voted the Top Military Mom Blog, and celebrates the complex issues surrounding military life that have helped shape her characters, who are strong in the face of odds and meet challenges with courage, tenderness, and grace.

When she’s not writing, she loves to travel with her husband, always seeking to ink up that passport a little more and discover new settings for new novels. Her favorite destinations include Paris, Scotland, Istanbul, Mykonos, Capri, and her home state of Colorado. She’s a guitar-player when no one is watching, and a cake-decorator when everyone is eating.

Find Rebecca Online:

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AND

In Bloom by Katie Delahanty

My name is Olivia Bloom and I. Am. Free.

I left for LA with everything I owned piled into my old Volkswagen and dreams of becoming a costume designer. Little did I know I’d wind up designing for a lingerie company—yeah, not sure how I landed this gig—and taken under the wing of two young Hollywood insiders. The fashion shows and parties were great, but life really got exciting when the seriously hottest lead singer of my favorite band started to fall for me.

How does someone like me, an ordinary girl from Pittsburgh, wind up in the arms of the world’s sexiest rock star—surrounded by celebrities, fashion, and music—and not be eaten alive? Berkeley is everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, but the paparazzi, the tabloids, the rumors, it’s all getting a bit too crazy. My life has become every girl’s dream come true, if only I don’t blink and lose it all…

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About Katie:

Katie Delahanty is a fashion designer turned novelist. She graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Professional Designation in Fashion Design from FIDM. Her debut novel, IN BLOOM will be published by Entangled Publishing in January 2014. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

Find Katie Online:

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