Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Georgia, Theresa, & Lindsey! They were entered in the drawing to have their name be included in my next book as one of the characters...and they are the winners! Thanks ladies for leaving a review on Amazon. You'll have to wait until you read the next book to see where your name pops up.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Singing Librarian Books' Interview with me ;)
You can click on Singing Librarian Books to see the full interview with pictures, or you can read below. Thanks Sydney!!!
1. How did you get started as an author? What or whom inspired you?
It’s clichĂ© to say I’ve written since I was young, but it’s true. My first muse was writing ‘I Dream of Genie’ plays. My mom saved dozens of them in my scrapbook. I think many authors have the desire to write when they are young. It’s almost something we’re born with. When I got to be an adult, I was inspired again after reading Stephenie Meyers’ books and also Marcia Lynn McClure’s. Both of these authors made me love reading again (after enduring boring years in college and being forced to read what was on the syllabus in my classes) which in turn got me excited to write again. It’s lots more fun to read and write things you want to.
2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
Finding Sleeping Beauty is my 2nd book published, and is the 2nd book in The Princess Chronicles. My first one is I’m Not Cinderella. I have two other books I have written before the Princess Chronicles books, but they have never been published. All have been YA Fiction.
3. What writing projects are you currently working on? What can you tell us about these projects?
After Finding Sleeping Beauty, I want to explore the story of Snow White and Rapunzel. In my outline, they are cousins who both are in need of somewhere to hide, which leads to them finding a magic door to Idaho (similar to the first two books in The Princess Chronicles).
4. What does your writing process look like?
First, I spend a good portion of time outlining my story. I even write down ideas of how I want each chapter to begin and end. Of course, the story evolves once I begin writing, but it sticks closely to the outline which is why I brainstorm so much before I start to write. Then, I write from page 1 to the end. I don’t like to skip around; I like to write straight through.
5. Where is your favorite place to write?
I write in different places, depending if I’m writing during the day where I’m interacting with my family or if I’m writing at night when everyone has gone to bed. My favorite place to write is on my rocking chair in the family room near the fireplace. It’s a central location to keep tabs on my kids, and in the winter I’m grateful for the heat.
6. How important are the names in your novels? How do you choose names for your characters? Do you have any name resources you would suggest?
My names are closely related to fairy tale names since I write about princess books, but I also choose modern names for the new characters. I like to look up the meanings of names on babynames.com. For example, Channing is the last name of the royal family in my books and it means snow. Therefore, I incorporated the symbol of a snowflake to things related to the royal family.
7. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend?
Anything by Marcia Lynn McClure. Love Jenny B. Jones & Jenni James – 2 different authors but both amazing writers. Deeanne Gist is another great author.
8. Where is your favorite place to read and why?
I read everywhere. I like to use my kindle on my phone, so if my kids are watching a movie I can read a little bit on my phone. Technology is so convenient.
9. What period of history interests you the most?
Anything historical. Especially Jane Austen period. Mr. Darcy…swoon. Ladies, am I right?
10. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character?
Peyton List would be a perfect Sleeping Beauty.
Picture
Lucas Adams would be her love interest, Nate (but picture him with brown hair).
Picture
11. What inspired the idea for I’m Not Cinderella? Finding Sleeping Beauty?
I’ve always loved fairy tales…and wished I could be in them. What better way than to write one…or two. That way I could be in the stories and manipulate them any way I could. I’ve always been told to write what you love, and I love fairytales.
12. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I like to bake, but I’m not very good…but I still like to do it because I love to eat the batter, and I like to read cookbooks. I love to play the piano. I teach preschool twice a week and love it. I like to travel around the world with my hubby. But I especially love to spend time with my family, doing anything. I’ve always wanted to be a mother, and it’s the best blessing ever!
1. How did you get started as an author? What or whom inspired you?
It’s clichĂ© to say I’ve written since I was young, but it’s true. My first muse was writing ‘I Dream of Genie’ plays. My mom saved dozens of them in my scrapbook. I think many authors have the desire to write when they are young. It’s almost something we’re born with. When I got to be an adult, I was inspired again after reading Stephenie Meyers’ books and also Marcia Lynn McClure’s. Both of these authors made me love reading again (after enduring boring years in college and being forced to read what was on the syllabus in my classes) which in turn got me excited to write again. It’s lots more fun to read and write things you want to.
2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
Finding Sleeping Beauty is my 2nd book published, and is the 2nd book in The Princess Chronicles. My first one is I’m Not Cinderella. I have two other books I have written before the Princess Chronicles books, but they have never been published. All have been YA Fiction.
3. What writing projects are you currently working on? What can you tell us about these projects?
After Finding Sleeping Beauty, I want to explore the story of Snow White and Rapunzel. In my outline, they are cousins who both are in need of somewhere to hide, which leads to them finding a magic door to Idaho (similar to the first two books in The Princess Chronicles).
4. What does your writing process look like?
First, I spend a good portion of time outlining my story. I even write down ideas of how I want each chapter to begin and end. Of course, the story evolves once I begin writing, but it sticks closely to the outline which is why I brainstorm so much before I start to write. Then, I write from page 1 to the end. I don’t like to skip around; I like to write straight through.
5. Where is your favorite place to write?
I write in different places, depending if I’m writing during the day where I’m interacting with my family or if I’m writing at night when everyone has gone to bed. My favorite place to write is on my rocking chair in the family room near the fireplace. It’s a central location to keep tabs on my kids, and in the winter I’m grateful for the heat.
6. How important are the names in your novels? How do you choose names for your characters? Do you have any name resources you would suggest?
My names are closely related to fairy tale names since I write about princess books, but I also choose modern names for the new characters. I like to look up the meanings of names on babynames.com. For example, Channing is the last name of the royal family in my books and it means snow. Therefore, I incorporated the symbol of a snowflake to things related to the royal family.
7. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend?
Anything by Marcia Lynn McClure. Love Jenny B. Jones & Jenni James – 2 different authors but both amazing writers. Deeanne Gist is another great author.
8. Where is your favorite place to read and why?
I read everywhere. I like to use my kindle on my phone, so if my kids are watching a movie I can read a little bit on my phone. Technology is so convenient.
9. What period of history interests you the most?
Anything historical. Especially Jane Austen period. Mr. Darcy…swoon. Ladies, am I right?
10. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character?
Peyton List would be a perfect Sleeping Beauty.
Picture
Lucas Adams would be her love interest, Nate (but picture him with brown hair).
Picture
11. What inspired the idea for I’m Not Cinderella? Finding Sleeping Beauty?
I’ve always loved fairy tales…and wished I could be in them. What better way than to write one…or two. That way I could be in the stories and manipulate them any way I could. I’ve always been told to write what you love, and I love fairytales.
12. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
I like to bake, but I’m not very good…but I still like to do it because I love to eat the batter, and I like to read cookbooks. I love to play the piano. I teach preschool twice a week and love it. I like to travel around the world with my hubby. But I especially love to spend time with my family, doing anything. I’ve always wanted to be a mother, and it’s the best blessing ever!
Friday, January 1, 2016
Monday, December 14, 2015
UT School visits
I had so much fun visiting Garland Elementary & McKinley Elementary to visit with the 3rd-5th graders in Northern Utah.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Preorder
Great news! The second book of The Princess Chronicles, Finding Sleeping Beauty, is NOW available for pre-order on Amazon. Woohoo!!!
FINDING SLEEPING BEAUTY
Be an Amazon Associate
Tristi Pinkston is not only an amazing author, she also gives great advice. On her blog, she talks about being an Amazon Associate. Check it out:
TRISTI PINKSTON
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
HeyKayli shoutout
My cousin, Kayli Butler, has a youtube channel and she did a shoutout for my book on Instagram. Check out her videos. She's awesome! #Heykayli
This pretty girl and I get SOO excited every time we see one of our very favorite books, "I'm not Cinderella" written by my amazing cousin #TarrahMontgomery!! We have both read it twiceđź’™If you love fairytales and Cinderella as much as we do you must get this book!! You can also find it on Amazon!! #ImNotCinderella #BraiBrai
This pretty girl and I get SOO excited every time we see one of our very favorite books, "I'm not Cinderella" written by my amazing cousin #TarrahMontgomery!! We have both read it twiceđź’™If you love fairytales and Cinderella as much as we do you must get this book!! You can also find it on Amazon!! #ImNotCinderella #BraiBrai
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Writing Advice
I've been asked a lot for writing advice, and I thought I would put it here for anyone else who was interested. Publishing a book has been a great experience for me, but it has been a long road.
1- Writing a book is the first challenge and 99% of people who want to write a book never finish. So, you're almost there by just writing a book. My most recent published book is my 4th book I've actually written (2nd one published). My first 2 need some work, but I like to write so I continue to write.
2- Next is to do rewrites and get some feedback from your book. Have some people read your book and tell you honestly what they think. Family will be kind and nice, so maybe try to find some neutral feedback. You can find beta readers online to read your book. You can also join a local writer's group to get feedback. This is where rewrite is a big part of the writing process. Many authors rewrite a dozen times before submitting.
3- The next challenge is finding an agent/publisher. Of the people who write a book, 99% of them never get their book published. Every author does it differently. I read a lot of books that are the same genre and style of my book and I wrote to those publishers to see if they would be interested in my book. Many publishing companies require you to go through an agent, while some others don't. My publisher didn't require an agent. A great book to buy to see what agents/publishers are out there is: Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents
4- This is about signing a contract and going through edits with your publisher. My publisher assigned an editor to my book and together we have gone through on at least 6 edits of my book (this is not counting the 3 rewrites I did prior to submitting my manuscript).
5- You must follow the guidelines of your publisher. Most publishers have their own illustrators to do the cover. They just want your book. Period. Publishers also have a calendar of when your book will be released and that is subject to change.
6- Last is to promote your book. Facebook, twitter, blog. Start a blog or website now and talk about the writing process. Get people excited about your upcoming book. I hope this information helps. I wish the best of luck to you.
1- Writing a book is the first challenge and 99% of people who want to write a book never finish. So, you're almost there by just writing a book. My most recent published book is my 4th book I've actually written (2nd one published). My first 2 need some work, but I like to write so I continue to write.
2- Next is to do rewrites and get some feedback from your book. Have some people read your book and tell you honestly what they think. Family will be kind and nice, so maybe try to find some neutral feedback. You can find beta readers online to read your book. You can also join a local writer's group to get feedback. This is where rewrite is a big part of the writing process. Many authors rewrite a dozen times before submitting.
3- The next challenge is finding an agent/publisher. Of the people who write a book, 99% of them never get their book published. Every author does it differently. I read a lot of books that are the same genre and style of my book and I wrote to those publishers to see if they would be interested in my book. Many publishing companies require you to go through an agent, while some others don't. My publisher didn't require an agent. A great book to buy to see what agents/publishers are out there is: Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents
4- This is about signing a contract and going through edits with your publisher. My publisher assigned an editor to my book and together we have gone through on at least 6 edits of my book (this is not counting the 3 rewrites I did prior to submitting my manuscript).
5- You must follow the guidelines of your publisher. Most publishers have their own illustrators to do the cover. They just want your book. Period. Publishers also have a calendar of when your book will be released and that is subject to change.
6- Last is to promote your book. Facebook, twitter, blog. Start a blog or website now and talk about the writing process. Get people excited about your upcoming book. I hope this information helps. I wish the best of luck to you.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
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