To Write or Bust! & Giveaway

The more you write, the easier it is to write. 

In some ways, I believe it’s true and in others I call “Bullshit” a la Penn & Teller. 

Starting on New Year’s Day, I started trying to get my writing chops going. I’ve been non-productive, laying low and life hasn’t been cooperative. But with the 100-day challenge with author Maren Smith, I knew I had to start somewhere. 

That’s where we always start, right? With 0 words. And eventually we finish. Being in a mountain cabin with my family wasn’t the most productive. With a slow beginning of 240 words, 367 and 400 — on my fourth day, I finally broke 1,000 words. 

It took some grouching and snapping to be left alone but it happened. Some say that the process of writing gets easier. Then again, after finishing and publishing more than 40 books, novellas and short stories, there are days that it definitely doesn’t feel that way.

The good thing is that with the open writing community, I know I’m not alone!

Right now, I’m in the process of revising the first The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf novel, A New Orleans Threesome for Entangled Publishing. It was the second novel I ever wrote, and it’s good to see how far my craft has come. That said, I’m falling in love with the characters of Lawrence, Trevor and Lily all over again.

So maybe, while there are a few hiccups along the way, there’s a reason why we keep doing this!

What are your thoughts? Does it ever really get any easier?

Giveaway! Are you near the New Orleans area, or have plans to be there next month? I’ve got four tickets to giveaway to For the Love of Books & NOLA. Depending upon the interest, these can be four individual tickets or two pairs!

For the Love of Books & NOLA

February 10, 2018, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New Orleans Marriott

https://fortheloveofbooksauthorevents.com/new-orleans-2018/

Tell me: What would you like to see in New Orleans?

To enter, leave a comment and enter via the Rafflecopter! Winner will be pulled at random on Thursday, Jan. 11, at noon PST.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hope to see you there!

Louisa Bacio

http://www.Twitter.com/LouisaBacio

https://www.facebook.com/Louisabacioauthor/

Wine and Words- A Reader Event

Howdy all!

I know. I can hear you now. Another reader event, Anna?

Yep. But this one is much smaller.

Join me, Gina Fluharty, Danielle Monsch, Carmen Cook, and Claire McKay next Saturday the 19th for some wine and words. We'll be selling some books, tasting some wine, and having a roaring good time as we read a few passages from our books.

And since we are approaching the holidays we are reminded to give back to the community. If you bring a donation for the Domestic Abuse Women's Network, you'll be entered for a chance to win an awesome gift basket.

AND!! what is wine and romance novels without chocolate? Sugar Daze Bakery will be on hand offering a few sweets.

Did you make it in your calendar?

Wine and Words
November 19th, 2pm-5pm
Crucible Winery in Seattle

You can also check out the invite at https://www.facebook.com/events/139953393137170/?active_tab=about

See you there! And Happy Thanksgiving!
Anna - the Super Diva

Pick up your copy today!

Website- http://annaalexander.net/

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Reader Conferences Are Always The Best

Writing can be a solitary life. Most of my colleagues are hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Our water cooler talks take place on Facebook, Twitter, and email. Which is why conferences are always the highlight of my year. It's the one time I get to see so many of my on-line friends face to face. And writers have tons of conventions to choose from.

There are the mega industry conferences, publishing house conferences, smaller more local industry conference, special interest conferences, author sponsored conferences... The list goes on and on. And I've been to enough of them to know which ones are my favorite.

So which is it? I know, the title of this blog is one huge spoiler. But...

The reader focused conferences!

Authors love readers. And maybe not for the reason most people think. We love readers because we are readers. They're our type of people. They get us. All of my royalties (and then a little extra) go to my book addiction. I've gone days without showering because I couldn't tear myself away from a book long enough to shampoo and rinse. Don't judge me. Sometimes you just have to know how the story ends. I've sobbed hysterically in public places because a book I'm reading has captured me so completely that I forget I'm in the doctor's office. And I've laughed so hard that my kids have actually expressed concern. So when we get into a room with other readers, we know we're going to get to talk about our favorite subject: books!

That's the reason I'm so excited to let you all know about a brand new reader focused convention coming to my neck of the woods. This coming May, An Austin Author Experience kicks off for the first time ever! And some of my favorite authors are going to be there. I'm probably going to have a couple fan girl moments and I don't even care who notices.

If you're over eighteen years old and are going to be in the Austin area from May 22-24th, I encourage you to check this event out. The signing is free. But a VIP pass includes a VIP reader book bag, and access to the AAA Karaoke Party and open bar. Food, drinks, and music are all included. And there is a Friday night Meet and Mingle with attending authors which is open to attendees and readers.

Want to know more? I've got you covered. Here's a link to the event's website http://austinauthoraffair.blogspot.com

And a list of the authors who are going to be there: http://austinauthoraffair.blogspot.com/p/authors-list.html

And a link to the hotel if you wanted to book a room: Hotel!