Kit Parker Book Three and Black Friday/ Cyber Monday Sales- Candor Questions

Hey there, faithful readers!

I forgot to do this on Friday and then my weekend slipped away from me, so here it is now.

Rodger Sauer asked: I know you’re working on something else right now, but now that “Kit Parker 2” (How to Property Deface a Book) has been officially released, can you give a little bit of a clue as to what’s in store for Book 3???

Wonderful question! I shall try to answer it without giving spoilers to the other books.

Book 3's working title is Where the SOREM Hid the Prize. And just to add some fun, I'm not going to tell you what the SOREM is. The book is a treasure hunt story featuring a team comprised of Kit (obviously), Fiona O'Rourke, and three characters introduce in book two, one of whom Kit hasn't made her mind up about, which adds a lot of nice conflict.

It's going to be less of an adventure with villains and such and more of a battle of wits as they race to find the prize. Did I mention the stakes were two and a half million dollars? So, as you can imagine, there's a lot of pressure to win. There will also still be a lot of emotional growing on Kit's part, as has become a feature in her stories.

I've never written anything with codes and puzzles before, though I love reading the genre. So, while the planning has been a stretch for me, it's also been a lot of fun. I get to play around with words and ciphers and figure out new ways to stump my characters.

And, the best part, is the general idea for the story (with the SOREM and the team and stuff) has been something I've had for a long time. I think I was like ten or eleven when I created the SOREM. So, like Kit Parker herself, the idea is an old dream with a huge revamp.

At the moment, my working opening like is: Attending a funeral wasn’t at the top of my “Ways to Spend the First Day of Winter Break” list. Actually, I don’t remember putting it on the list at all.

And, that's that! Hope you are all happily reading book 2 and are getting as geared up for book 3 as I am! Though, don't get too geared up. I think I'm going to be working on a few other things first. :3

Special announcement before you go: 

My friend and fellow author, Leah Good, is organizing a Black Friday/ Cyber Monday sale comprised of independently published authors. So, keep an eye out, as I'll be posting the info on that at the end of the week. I will be participating in the sale, so the first Kit Parker book will be discounted in print on Friday, and both books will be free on Kindle the following Monday.

If you are an author who would like to participate, she's closing the sign-up around noon on Wednesday, but there's still a little bit of time to get your info in: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1as6HAbdPvco1q9QXPOo4pRmbb8gCPu3mr7VK2j1sIfw/viewform

Or, if you're a reader who would like to help get word of the sale out, via your blog, Facebook, or another social media site, sign-up here to receive the information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10UZtV6Bh4B1HjajwQq_S4Iug69t9fmw7FsGc8yTqA4k/viewform

Thanks, everyone! See you at the end of the week! And, have a truly blessed Thanksgiving!

Does the third Kit Parker book sound exciting to you? Are you planning to participate in the Black Friday/ Cyber Monday sale in some way? What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Let me know in the comments below!! :D

How to Properly Deface a Book Officially Releases Today! :O

So, I got up this morning and started getting ready for my day. I had to take my puppy to the vet, so I was making sure he was fed and taken out and such, just doing normal stuff.

When all of a sudden, I remember.

Today’s November 10^th. Today’s actually a really special day.

Today’s the day How to Properly Deface a Book releases.

If you would like to grab yourself a copy, check out the link here: http://www.amazon.com/How-Properly-Deface-Book-Parker/dp/1502555255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415633521&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+properly+deface+a+book

It occurred to me, as I was submitting this book to Amazon for publication that in the space of a year, I have written and published not one, but two novels. That’s incredibly insane. And amazing. Like, wow. I can’t even believe it. It’s like some crazy dream, only it’s reality.

When my first book, The Crimson Banner, released, I was super nervous. And, overwhelmed. And just experiencing a lot of mixed emotions. And then, when Why Rodney Never Should’ve Gone to the NAPIC released, I was super excited. Bouncing off the walls excited. I knew what I was getting into this time and I knew what to expect. And so I was excited.

With this book, it’s different. I’ve got this feeling of relief. Like, I’m just so happy it’s over and I’m done with it and I can put it out there for the world to read. I’ve done my part. And, I’m so happy to be done with it.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love this book. True, I might be biased, but I like it. A lot. In fact, I’m more excited about this book than the first Kit Parker book. I just think it’s better and I’m more excited about it and yeah.

I also have a lot of doubts. I’m an artist. We always second guess our work. It’s the curse of creativity. No matter what anyone else tells us, we will always find flaws with our work. Always.

I know I could make a lot of changes on this book. I know I could edit it to death, trying to make it better.

Or, I could do the best I can with it and then release it to the world. Because it’s good and I know that. There’s no arrogance there, I’m just saying. It’s a good book. Is it great? Well, that’s for my readers to decide. But, I know it’s good. I put my all into it, I worked hard, and now I’m ready to let it go.

Which means I am putting it into your hands, reader. You can pretty much do whatever you want with it. You can love it, or hate it, or pretty much act indifferently toward it. It’s all up to you.

But, if you do happen to love it, please consider doing one or more of the following:

• Writing a short review to post on Goodreads or Amazon
• Pin, Tweet, or share on Facebook
• Posting about it on your blog
• Sharing with coworkers and friends
• Requesting your library purchase a copy
• Or, finding some other way in which to share it with others.

And, if you hate it? Well, it’s up to you what you choose to do about that. You’re entitled to your own opinion.

Thanks so much everyone for all of your love and support! I appreciate all the people in my life who make writing worthwhile.

See you all on Friday! Make sure you get your questions in for me to answer. Can’t wait to see what you all dream up to ask.

Candor Fridays- Week Ten

It’s Friday, folks!

You probably didn’t think I was going to post today. SURPRISE!!!!!

  

Just one question this week:

 Shyly asked: I really enjoyed your book 'Why Rodney Never Should've Gone to the NAPIC' - when will the next book be coming out?

First of all, it makes me very happy to hear you liked the first book.  I always love it when people tell me that.

Second, I’m glad you asked!! Book 2 (How to Properly Deface a Book) is set for release November 10^th of this year. Which means a certain author has to get to work editing. *whistles innocently*

And… since that’s all I’ve got to say on the subject… here’s a short little excerpt from Chapter Four. Enjoy!

I stand outside of 1220 North Cross Street, staring up at the large, brick building in front of me. I’m not quite sure how Fiona talked me into coming here. One minute I was looking the place up online to see if they really (or still) existed and the next she’s got me calling her dad and Rodney to see if it’s okay if we make a trip downtown today.

She’d wanted to go right away, but they’d been closed Monday night when she stayed over, and Tuesday we both had to go to work. So, here we were Wednesday, both begged out of working, standing downtown, outside of the shop that will seal my fate.

               

Yes, I’m being overdramatic. But, if any situation calls for a little drama, this is it.

               

“Well,” Fiona says, offering me a grin. “This is it. You want to go first or should I?”

               

My eyes are locked on the sign out front, the one with the shop’s name written in fancy red letters with a picture of an owl perched beside it. It’s all I can do it keep breathing normally. In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.

               

“Kit?”

               

I turn to face her, unable to speak.

               

She nods and takes my hand. “Right, we’ll go together.”

               

Her hand is warm and sticky in mine. I wonder if she’s as nervous as I am. I guess that’s what makes her a true friend; she cares about things that only matter to her because they matter to me.

               

Too bad she hadn’t gone to Rodney’s office with me yesterday. I spent a good portion of the day clicking on and off of the Owlside Books website, trying to gather up the courage to read more about the place- and the people who ran it. But, I never quite managed to click the “About Us” tab. I’d been afraid of what I would find, of the fact that the answers might be right there, all this time just waiting on a website for me to find.

               

Of course, the answers had just been waiting in a book all this time for me to find. I wonder if I’d have ever found them if Fee and I had never become friends.

               

Either way, I’m glad we did. I’d rather have her here with me now than try to face this alone.

               

She squeezes my hand as she pulls the door open, the bell overhead jangling. We’re assailed with a blast of cold air, sharply contrasting that of the humid July temperatures. I take a deep breath, stopping short in the store’s doorway. My heart pounds in my chest and it’s all I can do to remain calm.

               

This is it. Whatever I find here today could determine my fate.

               

I smile at the dramaticness of the thought. Maybe Oliver was right when he told me I should consider a career in the theater.

               

Fiona stops as well, waiting patiently by my side. Her eyes dart around the shop, from shelve of books to shelve of books, a hungriness evident in each and every glance. She wants to get this over with so she can explore.

               

I know exactly how she feels. Only, I have a feeling that there isn’t going to be an “over” today. Not for me anyway. Whatever I find here is either going to be the best thing in my life or the worst. There’s nothing in between.

               

She notices me staring at her and gives me an encouraging nod. I take a deep breath and step all the way inside, the door shutting with a soft thud behind me. Goosebumps form up and down my arms, a shiver making its way down my spine, as the air conditioning swirls around me. Reason number one why I hate summer- no matter how you dress it’s never the right choice for both indoor and outdoor wear.

               

Of course, that’s the least of my worries right now.

               

I take a small step toward the counter, which is semi-hidden by a shelf of books. Seriously, this place is packed with more bookshelves than any store I’ve ever been in before. It smells so nice too, comforting- like a clean blanket or a friend’s sweater.

               

But, I have no time to soak in the wonder of the place. I’m on a mission. Questions first, exploration later.

               

If I’m not too upset to explore, that is.

               

There’s a young man sitting behind the counter- which is also covered with books, by the way. His head is bent down, so all I can see of him is a thick crop of curly blond hair. He’s got a notebook open in front of him, a thick notebook with colorful tabs sticking off the sides in some form of organization. The pages are well-thumbed, the edges worn and curled. And, it seems familiar somehow.

               

I clear my throat, not sure what else to say. How should I start?

This is obviously not well thought through. Fiona and I should have discussed this when we first started making plans to come here.

               

The young man looks up and I get a good look at his face. High cheekbones, bright blue eyes, and a lopsided smile. I realize now why the notebook looked familiar.

               

“Dmitri?”

Candor Fridays: Week Two

Well folks, it's Friday!

Two questions for our second week of Candor Fridays.



The first is from Rodger Sauer: Most of us are aware of the fact that you included Isabel Luke in the Acknowledgments of the first Kit Parker Book (Why Rodney Never Should’ve Gone to the NAPIC) in exchange for a batch of homemade brownies.  Some of us are also aware that you thought said brownies were so amazingly scrumptious that they needed to be hidden from the rest of your family members.  My question is this:  If Isabel Luke happens to bake you another batch of brownies in exchange for future acknowledgments, where exactly would you hide them?

Hide my brownies from my parents? I would never do such a thing. I don’t know where you’re getting your information but it’s false. Mostly. Sort of. Okay, it isn’t, but they were super yummy.

And, I’m not about to announce my hiding places on the internet. Didn’t anyone ever teach you basic internet safety? Rule number one is not to give out personal information. I shall take the secret of my brownies’ hiding place to my grave.

And, the second from Harpley: If you could live in any fictional world, with any fictional person as your best friend, where/who would you choose and why?

Considering the fact that I spend about 90% of my time in fictional worlds and am a very character driven person, this is a really hard question. Really hard.

That said, I did some debating last night and this morning and finally settled on a reply.

If I could live in any fictitious world, it would be the Shire. After Lord of the Rings of course, when everything is back to normal (everything goes back to normal, right? It’s been a long time since I saw those…). Basically, I want to live in the Shire in the days when it’s nice and peaceful and I can just sit around reading books and eating ten meals a day.

And, in contrast to that (I’m a highly contradictory person… :P) if I could have any fictitious character as my best friend I would choose Zacharias Wrench from Michelle Magorian’s Good Night Mr. Tom (who most people reading this blog probably don’t even know. Sadly… :/). There are a million characters I love for different reasons but I would choose Zach because I think he’d be good for me. He has an adventurous spirit and there’s never a dull moment when he’s around.

Yes, I know that makes no sense, what with me wanting to live in the Shire, but I think it would be a good combination: days of fun and adventure, someone to keep me from getting too serious about life, and the slightest bit of rebellion to feed my artistic side but also a safe and secure place to sleep at night, the assurance of many square meals a day, and somewhere quiet hide from the adventures when my introverted side takes over.

Yup. Definitely perfection in its highest form. *contented sigh*

So, that's it. Both askers are entered in the August 15th giveaway! For more information on how you can enter, check out the Candor Fridays Page (http://ivorypalace.blogspot.com/p/candor-fridays.html). I can't wait to see what question you cook up for me this week!!

And, in the meantime, I shall see you all on Monday!

An Announcement Concerning Kit Parker and Her Second Book

Hello there, lovely people!

I have some news for all you faithful readers- the official release date of the second Kit Parker book is set. Mark your calenders for November 10th of this year. And, keep and eye out on Amazon for the little novel called How to Properly Deface a Book.

Now, I know November is a long ways off and those of you who have read Book One are probably wondering why I can't just get it off to you now if I've got the thing written. But, since I've still got editing to do and bumping up the release date isn't going to happen anytime soon, I thought I'd offer you all a consolation by giving you a little sneak peek at what you're waiting for.

And, if you haven't bought Book One yet, be sure to stop by Amazon and grab yourself a copy:  

http://www.amazon.com/Rodney-Never-Shouldve-Gone-NAPIC/dp/1495480992

And, without further ado, the synopsis and sneak preview of How to Properly Deface a Book: Kit Parker -- Book Two

The meeting with her mother leaves Kit Parker empty and depressed. The message Fiona finds hidden in a forgotten book leads to an encounter that confuses Kit more than ever. Then she’s kidnapped which results in a confrontation that throws her entire world out of balance.

Her triumph at the De Palma apartment has Kit determined not to ever let a situation like this get the better of her again. But, it isn’t long before she begins to realize that nothing is as it seems and she’s no longer sure who she can trust or what the truth is. The age old questions that have stewed inside her for so long keep cropping up. Why did her parents leave? Why was she left behind? But with every answer two new questions are asked. Will Kit find what she’s looking for or will her search for  the truth ultimately destroy her?

And, Chapter Ten:

I take a deep breath, telling myself that I need to make this convincing for it to work. There’s no need to be afraid, I assure myself. I know how Jason will react. I know what he will do. I won’t have to deal with this for more than a few minutes.

               

But, even a few minutes can seem like an eternity.

               

I have to do this. I have to be the one to save myself this time.

               

I take another deep breath as I begin to rock back and forth, searching for the panicked part of my mind. Usually, I look for the happy place to lock the frightened away. But, today, it’s the other way around.

               

I tell myself the walls are closing in on me, that the room is getting smaller. And, the more I tell myself that, the more I can feel it. My breathing grows shallow.

               

I stand and begin to pace again. Because I’m avoiding that woman and there are papers all over the floor, the room is actually kind of small. There isn’t much room to pace, which just makes me feel all the more trapped.

               

Please, Jason, notice me soon. Please, say something. Offer to help. I can’t take this much longer.

               

I walk around the desk, following the pattern of the carpet. It has maroon, navy, and white squares and I concentrate on only stepping on the white ones. There are more of them but it’s still a challenge. Something to take my mind off of the size of the room. And the closed door. And the windows that are painted shut.

               

I’m beginning to see what a bad idea this is. Because now that I’ve started riding this train of thought, I can’t stop. Aren’t trains supposed to have an emergency break or something? Because I want off. I can’t keep going like this.

               

Finally, Jason comes up and puts a hand on my arm. “Kit?”

               

I whirl to face him, wanting to ask what took him so long. I’m practically dying of panic over here and he takes his own sweet time about being helpful. Thanks, Jason, I appreciate it.

               

Only, I can’t snap at him, not now. Not when he’s going along with my plan so perfectly.

               

“Kit?”

               

I realize I’m staring at him, eyes wide. He probably thinks I’m crazy right about now. And, Agent Parker’s probably rolling her eyes trying to come up with something snarky to say. I’d look but I can’t seem to take my eyes off of Jason. But, even then, I can’t seem to actually focus on him. It’s like, I’m looking at him, but not really seeing him or anything.

               

“Kit, are you okay?”

               

I manage to shake my head. At least I still know how to do that.

               

“Do you need some air again?” His tone sounds nearly as panicked as I feel. I nod.

               

He takes my elbow in his arm and guides me to the door, outside into the alleyway. As soon as the summer air hits me, I can breathe again. I take in huge gulping breaths, filling my lungs until I think they’ll burst, savoring the moment.

               

But, then I remind myself that I don’t have long. I need to get ahold of myself and make a move. In just a second, Jason is going to see I’m fine and take me inside. And, then we’ll be back to square one. Because, I’m not going to pull something like this again.

               

Next time I decide to save myself, I’m going to have to come up with a plan that’s a little less nerve-wracking.

               

Though, if I have my druthers there won’t be a next time.

               

I take a quick glance around me, taking in my surroundings. To my right, at one end of the alleyway, there’s a fence. So, yeah, I can’t really go that way. Straight across from me is another building with two dumpsters against it. And, at my left, is the street. Which is the way I want to go. Only, I need Jason to let go of my arm. And, I’d like to avoid injuring him if I can.

               

But, only if I can. If I need to, I will hurt him.

               

“How are you feeling?”

               

I shake my head. “I- I think I’m okay. Well, I will be. I could really use some water.”

               

I know he isn’t dumb enough to fall for that. He’s too smart to leave me alone in an alley when I’m supposed to be his kidnappee. But, he does exactly what I expect him to- he loosens his grip on my elbow as he considers it.

               

I drive the elbow he isn’t holding into his stomach and he winces as he lets go of me altogether. I dart down the alley, ignoring him as he calls out to me. His footsteps pound on the ground behind me and I think I hear him gaining on me.

               

 No, he can’t be. I can’t let him catch me. I have to get away from here. None of this has anything to do with me. I’m not a part of it so why should I have to suffer.

               

At least when someone kidnaps me because of Rod, I know why they did it. With this, I’m completely in the dark. And, that’s the way she wants it to stay.

Jason calls out again and I try to block it out. He’s been nice and I hate to run off on him like this. But, as long as he takes her side, I can’t go along with him. Not anymore. I just can’t live like that.

               

I’m out of the alley, taking a left and running down the street. Since it’s so close the safest place to go is my brother’s office. I just hope he’s there.

               

Please, Rod, be at your office. Please. You have to be. Please don’t be where I was kidnapped from. Please have gone back to the office to check something out or look something up. Please.

               

It could be days before my brother gets on lead on where I am. And, who knows how long until that woman and Jason accomplish whatever it is they hope to. I could be here for a week. There’s no way I can survive being locked in that tiny room with someone like her for that long. No way on earth.

               

As I run past the crowded Subway, I consider darting inside and asking to use a phone. I could call the police from there, right? But, I think better of it, since kidnappers are great at coming up with stories about why they’re dragging their victim away. They’re really good at making people believe their side of it.

               

No, Rodney’s office is my best bet.                                                                          

               

Another block though, and I start having to push myself. There’s nothing I’d like more than to collapse on the sidewalk and breathe. Nice, long breaths until my lungs feel full again. But, of course, that’s out of the question.

               

The light changes to red just as I start across the street. Cars honk rather furiously, but I can’t helping feeling pleased. That means Jason will have to wait for the light to change again in order to cross. That means I’ve got a bit more of a start on him.

               

My side burns and my lungs feel as if they will burst with each new breath. But I can’t give up. Not now. Just a few blocks more and I’ll be at the office.

I hear someone call out, but I’m not sure if it’s Jason or not since I block it out before the words register. The best way to avoid being conned is to not listen. You can’t be tricked by what you can’t hear. I hope it isn’t him though. Because that means he wasn’t delayed by the red light hardly at all.

               

That means he’s a faster runner than I am and there’s a good chance he’ll catch me before I get where I’m going.

               

I’m not going back.

               

With a spurt of determination, I press on, harder and faster than before. I will make it to the office. I will not be caught. Not by him. Not by anyone.

               

I’m almost there. Just another two blocks. Two more blocks and I’ll be safe. I force myself to keep on straight ahead, though it’s tempting to look back and see how close he is. But looking back will only slow me down and I can’t afford that.

               

Straight ahead, Kit. Just keep on straight ahead.

               

I honestly don’t know how I am going to talk to anyone once I get there- either Rodney or the police. I’m having so much trouble breathing, they’ll probably have to call an ambulance. ‘Cause when I stop, I’m probably going to collapse into a gasping heap and stay until my lungs feel normal again. Which, at the moment, seems like it could be years.

               

There’s a red light when I get to the corner, but I ignore it altogether and plow on across. More angry horns, which I ignore. Because there it is. Right at the next corner, this side of the street. Rodney’s office.

               

I don’t see his car out front, but I don’t let that worry me too much. Sometimes he walks to work. Claims it helps clear his head when he’s got a lot on his mind. Quite honestly, I’ve been so caught up in myself that I have no idea how much he’s got on his mind at the moment.

               

When this is all over, I’m going to have to remember to apologize.

               

I hear a voice behind me and this time I know it belongs to Jason. He’s catching up to me.

               

But, he’s not going to get me. Not now. Not when I’m so close. Half a block. That’s all I have left.

               

Never has half a block seemed so long. My body protests with every inch, my lungs pretty much up and declaring a mutiny, my side burning like it’s never burned before.

               

But still I press on.

               

Two more buildings. I see my reflection in the mirrored windows as I run passed and I wonder if there’s someone inside looking out. Maybe tonight they’ll tell their family about that mad-looking girl who darted past their office today.

               

I hope their story doesn’t end with the mad-looking girl getting shoved into the backseat of a car that drives away at breakneck speed.

               

Finally, I’m at the door to his building! I fling it open and cringe as I realize I still have a flight of stairs until I’m safe. I have to push on. I have to. I can do this!

               

My legs protest as I start up, the muscles throbbing. I’m thinking maybe moving is a good idea after all. To a nice, first-floor office. One that doesn’t require climbing stairs as steep as Mount Everest to get to.

               

And then I’m at the door. The one to the office. The one with the gold lettering that says Rodney Parker Private Investigator. Never in my life has that sign looked so nice.

               

The sign that looks significantly less nice is the one hanging underneath it. The removable one that reads Out on a case.

               

Which means he isn’t here.

And there you have it! I hope you are all looking forward to Book Two's release. I know I am!

And, in the meantime, make sure you send in your questions for this Friday! (http://ivorypalace.blogspot.com/p/candor-fridays.html) I'm eagerly awaiting your emails!

See you Friday!

It's Officially Official! [insert loud cheering and party noises]

Well, folks, today’s the day! My second book Why Rodney Never Should’ve Gone to the NAPIC officially releases today!

I can hardly believe it myself. No way on earth did I ever think this day would come. Never in a million years.

See, Kit Parker came to be because when I was about ten or eleven, Mom said, “Kit Parker. That would make a great name for a character.” And so, Kit was born. I quickly shaped an idea of a girl whose brother was a detective and so she got kidnapped a lot as a result of his work. I never had a story, just that. The girl who got kidnapped a lot.

Fast forward a couple years to me at sixteen. I wrote a dandy little opening scene about Kit getting kidnapped. Like, really dandy. I posted it for critiques on the writing forum I am part of and got a ton of positive feedback. So, I tried writing more, forming a story out of what I had. And, all I hit were dead ends. A lot of them.

So, the story went on hold for a few years. I’d open up the document with the intro every once in a while, thinking maybe I’d work on it some, but always I kept hitting those dead ends. Over and over again.

And, finally, fast forward to November 2^nd, 2013. I had gone to the library the week before and checked out a stack of YA novels. And, on that day in November as I sat reading one of them (I don’t even remember what book…) it hit me. Every good YA character has a voice. They’re a teenage with all the teenage feelings and emotions. Kit Parker had always been nothing more than a cardboard cutout. She was never a real human being.

And so, I put down the book and opened up my laptop. Starting a new Word document, I began to type: One of the downsides of being kidnapped every other weekend is that your teachers never believe you when you say that’s why you didn’t do your homework.

I wrote almost 2,000 words that day, Kit and her personality just pouring through my fingers onto the keys. I had a new story and I was so in love with it and its main character.

It was a hard, bumpy month. I decided participating in NaNoWriMo was the perfect way to see I followed through. Some days were better than others. And, there were times when I would have to give Mom and Dad basic plot points and say, “Okay, now how do they get out of this?” They knew a lot about what happens in this book before they read it. I also had Catsi, a girl from the writing forum who thought my idea was wonderful and asked me to send her what I had written. So, I did. And I continued sending it to her as I wrote. She kept telling me how wonderful it was and I know part of the reason I finished was because I had someone to push me and remind me how good my story was, even when I doubted the truth of that.

And then on November 22^nd- so, just 20 days after I started the thing- I finished it at just over 54,000 words. That’s an average of 2,700 words written a day. My head spins just thinking about it.

But, it resulted in a book I was proud of. I gave it to Mom and Dad to read as well as posted a bit of it on the forum. I got positive feedback on all accounts and then a good friend of mine, Haley Rose, asked me if I wanted her to critique the whole thing for me. I told her she didn’t have to, but I wouldn’t say no to a critique. So, she did. And after she sent me the critique she told me how amazing she thought my story was. And, she has kept telling me these last several months.

So, since everyone seemed to think it was a good idea, I began prepping this book for publishing.

And now, here we are today.

As I started out by saying: Never in a million years did I ever think Kit Parker would be an actual, published book. And, now, it’s turned into a series. I’ve got the second book written and plans for four others. A six book series, all because Mom made one little comment about a name being good for a character.

Which is why I tell young writers not to be discouraged if they have an idea but can’t seem to write it. I tell them about Kit and how hard it was for me to be stuck and not know what to say about her. I wanted to badly to tell her story. But, I realize now that until last November, I wasn’t ready to tell it. And, maybe God give her to me all those years ago to give me a passion for her when I was ready. Maybe having her stew in the back of my mind for so long was what gave me the push to continue even when it was hard. Because, this was Kit and I was actually writing about her. I couldn’t give up on this story.

So, that’s the story of how Kit Parker came to be. I hope you all enjoy her story and I look forward to seeing what all of you think!!

Why Rodney Never Should’ve Gone to the NAPIC is available exclusively through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rodney-Never-Shouldve-Gone-NAPIC/dp/1495480992/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399899330&sr=8-1&keywords=why+rodney+never+should%27ve+gone+to+the+napic I’m not going to lie- I hope you all will buy copies and review it. Your support means the world to me!

Thank you!

Special Announcement Concerning My Writing

I know this isn’t my normal day to post and I will (hopefully) have a real post for you at the beginning of next week, like I usually do.

But, for now, I have a special announcement:

Did you read the little word underneath the big letters? In case you didn’t I’ll put them here: WINNER.

That’s right. I’m a winner.

And, not only did I reach my word count for this month, but I also finished my book.

You read that correctly. I finished it.

46,713 words finished.

And, not only did I finish it, I actually think it’s not too bad. I like the ending a lot. I hope everyone else does too. I’m going to be giving it to my parents to read just as soon as I can get it printed out, since staring at a computer screen is never a fun way to read a book (at least in my opinion, no offense to anyone who likes that sort of thing)

Anyway, I’ve kept my vow and finished the sequel. Now I just have to finish editing Why Rodney Never Should’ve Gone to the NAPIC and then I can get started publishing it. More updates about that in the coming weeks. Hopefully, I’ll have an official release date for you very soon.

Thank you all so much for sharing this journey with me!

Until next time!

Sneak Peek: Why Rodney Never Should've Gone to the NAPIC

Greetings!

Quick Camp Update: Those of you who read last week’s post are probably wondering how I’m doing on my novel. At least, I hope you’re wondering… Anyway! I started out rather strong but sort of shorted out by the end of the week. But, then yesterday I wrote like crazy and added 5,000 words to my total count. So, I’m all caught up and then some. At the moment, I’m at 22,500 words in all, which just a couple thousand away from being halfway done. So excited!

I’m beginning to like this book more. I have a better sense of where I’m going and what’s happening. Definitely going to have it finished by the end of this month! Which leads me to the real point of this post: My next book.

Remember how I’ve mentioned a couple times the book I hope to publish? Well, I’m working towards that, getting it ready and looking into it more. So, hopefully, soon. I want to have it ready so that I can publish it as soon as I finish writing book two. Because I vowed not to publish book one until book two is written.

But, in the meantime, while I write and you wait for my book to come out, I thought I’d share a little bit of it with you. First of all, it's a YA contemporary adventure novel called Why Rodney Never Should’ve Gone to the NAPIC. The series of which this is Book One is simply The Kit Parker Series.

Kit Parker is a character I have had since I was ten or eleven. In more recent years she's sort of sunk to the back of my mind and I never thought I would actually someday write about her. Until November when I started thinking about her and figuring out who she was and making her more real. Then, a story developed and here we are. I hope you all enjoy reading about her!

So, without further ado, a synopsis and sneak peek at Why Rodney Never Should’ve Gone to the NAPIC:

One of the downsides to being kid sister to Rodney Parker, one of the nation's greatest detectives- possibly a slight exaggeration- is that people tend to think kidnapping you provides a great bargaining chip to get your brother off the case. Kit Parker would know. She's been living with the consequences her entire life and, she's used to it. It's just a way of life.

But, then Rodney heads off to the National Annual Private Investigator’s Conference, leaving her in the care of his arrogant assistant- Mr. Sherlock Holmes wannabe, Detective-in-Training, Resident Genius Oliver O'Rourke himself. When Oliver's sister is kidnapped, Kit is left with a choice to make. Does she listen to her brother and do her best to stay out of trouble or follow her instincts and help Oliver find his sister? And, can the girl who has a bad history with kidnappers manage to evade the criminal's clutches long enough to bring them to justice? Or will she once again end up the victim rather than the hero?

And, a short excerpt from Chapter Fifteen:

“We’re in!” Fiona squeals.

Oliver disappears inside and we sit back to wait.

The minutes tick by and I begin to wonder how long before we should start worrying. Because, honestly, I’m worrying now. He’s been gone for like ten minutes already. Is that too long? Shouldn’t he be back by now? Should one of us go in to look for him? Go talk to the doorman about it? Something? Anything?

“Fiona?” I hiss. “Should we be worried?”

She turns and gives me a look that says I’m crazy. “He’s only been gone like two minutes. Calm down.”

Her brother’s trying to infiltrate the enemy’s apartment and she’s telling me to calm down? At this very minute he could be getting into some serious trouble and there’s no way for us to know.

If we were in some cool spy movie, we’d be wired and able to hear everything going on right now.

But, since this isn’t a cool spy movie, we aren’t wired and we’re stuck outside waiting. I should have volunteered to go.

Not that he would have let me, so never mind.

I start to shake, thinking about all the things they could be doing to Oliver right now. Why did we ever think this was a good idea? Why didn’t we go to Mr. O’Rourke with what we had? Sure, we would have gotten into some serious trouble, but it wouldn’t be anywhere near as serious as the trouble Oliver’s in right now.

I just hope he’s still alive.

Fiona rests a hand on my arm. “Kit, he’s fine. Chill out.”

Her voice is hard and impatient, nothing like the soft soothing voice she used on the elevator or when she talked to Chloe. I wonder if that’s because I’m really being ridiculous or if it’s because she’s getting to know me better and more comfortable showing me her true colors.

I highly doubt it’s the latter, but I don’t want to admit it could be the former.

I’m just being practical about the danger we could be in- or, rather, Oliver could be in. I just wish I’d thought to be practical sooner.

“How long’s it been now?” I hiss.

Fiona snorts. “Thirty seconds since the last time you asked.”

               

“It’s been longer than that,” I insist. “At least two minutes. And, that’s longer than he should have been gone.”

               

“Kit, just chill already,” Fiona says with exasperation. “He’ll be fine. Oliver can take care of himself.”

               

I don’t say anything because arguing isn’t going to change her mind- or mine. Besides, the garbage can is starting to stink and I feel like getting sick. Whose idea was it to hide here anyway?

               

I turn away from it and the building across the street, my back to both. Staring down the streets, I let my eyes adjust to the dim light, trying to find something to take my mind off my panic and the fact that Oliver isn’t back yet.

               

I find something to take my mind off it all right, but unfortunately, it’s not the something I want. Because, honestly, it’s just as bad as worrying about Oliver, if not worse.

               

Nudging Fiona, I say, “Hey, that man over there. Is it just me, or is he watching us?”

So, there is it! I hope you enjoyed that and will stick around for updates in the coming weeks!

Over and out!