How to Bust Through Writers Block

Unless you are one of the very few and very lucky writers out there who have never suffered from writers block, this post might be helpful to you. Below are my top 3 suggestions to help you bust through writers block.

1. Did you plot out your story/book? No? Then perhaps consider trying it out. While some writers like to "go with the flow" and see where their writing takes them, this doesn't work for everyone every time. Imagine your story is a road trip. You've got the starting point (your introduction) and your characters are travelling to some destination (the conclusion) and along the trip there are some pit-stops and detours (which makes the journey interesting). One possible reason for a block is that the road trip was not well planned. Your characters went to the cartoon museum first when they should have done that after visiting the nation's oldest bookstore, and then, because they lost time back-tracking, they skipped the giant ball of yarn, so the road trip was a total flop. Hmmm... maybe I should have gone with a different analogy... Anyways, the point is that sometimes a block is caused by missing or incorrectly ordered scenes which block the flow of the plot. If you plot out your story first, you can plan out the scenes to create the best road trip ever. 
2. Step back and take a break. Whether this is from the book entirely or from a particular chapter or scene depends on what you feel you need. Sometimes putting too much pressure on yourself stifles your creative energy. Or looking at the same thing for too long gives you tunnel vision and prevents you from seeing other possibilities. Give yourself a break. Work on another scene or chapter, or maybe do some fun writing exercises to get your creativity flowing again. Then, go back to where you were stuck and try again. 
3. Do you have a writing buddy or buddies? Support networks are important. Not everyone can go solo all the time. Maybe you need isolation to get into your writing "zone," but when the writers block isn't going away, it's important to have a person or people that you can bounce ideas off of or that can read your work and give you honest, constructive feedback. Emphasis on constructive! Your BFF, significant other, or well-intentioned neighbor may love and support your writing, but that doesn't mean that they will be able to give you helpful feedback and advice, so choose wisely. Having a writing buddy or buddies who you can talk to about your block and where/why you are stuck is great because they will bring different perspectives and fresh insight. They might see the reason for your block when you can't. 

Do you have any other ideas for how to beat writers block? Great! Please comment and share what works for you. 

Did one of the tips above help you get through your block? Fabulous! Feel free to comment and share your experience.

Author Interview: Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke

Autumn and Julia are the authors of the Stardust Series (see my reviews of the books here) as well as contributing authors to the Falling for Them Reverse Harem anthology. I contacted them to see if they'd be willing to do an interview for this blog. Luckily, they agreed!

Here is more information about the authors, taken from their website:

Autumn and Julia became fast friends, bonding over their mutual love of historic homes, photography, and good books. While they didn’t plan on co-authoring a novel, what started as daydreaming transformed into brainstorming and then actual writing.

A lifelong bookworm, Autumn loves nothing more than immersing herself in a fictional tale. When she isn’t dreaming up stories about insanely attractive guys, she spends her free time browsing antique stores and fixing up her house.

Julia is a philomath who loves trying new things from tap dance to calligraphy. If she won the lottery, Julia would travel the world with her husband; in the meantime, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and sailing.

Together, Autumn and Julia make the perfect pair, balancing impulsive with indecisive and attention to detail with an eye for the big picture. Despite their different personalities, Autumn and Julia share a common vision in their writing and love bouncing ideas off each other. They see the creative process as a challenge, a game, and delight in living in a world of their own creation.

Check out their website to learn more about their books and sign up for their newsletter!

Now let's get this interview started!

How did you two become co-authors? What inspired you to write the Stardust Series?

We are both avid readers (Autumn especially) and daydreamed about writing a novel. At first, it started as a fun mental exercise, creating the characters and settings. But then, we decided to go for it and actually write a book. We had no idea if anyone would ever read our books, and we're thrilled every time we hear from a fan!

What is your writing process like?

Our writing process has evolved over time, but typically, we meet in person to brainstorm. We’ll spend hours discussing the characters, their motivations, and the timeline. Then we go through chapter by chapter and split up writing assignments. Sometimes we each write an entire chapter and other times we break it down into smaller sections depending on the content. 

What is your favorite scene from the series so far?

Autumn - 
I don't know that I can pick a favorite, but one of the most memorable scenes to write was the "camp out" in front of the Christmas tree in Pyxis. The scene itself was very simple, but knowing how much it meant to Haley that the guys would do that for her might have caused a few tears when I was writing it.

Julia -

That’s a tough question! One of my favorite scenes is in Pyxis when Haley is hanging out with Liam after she goes sailing with him and Jackson. Their interaction shows how much both Haley and Liam have grown. Haley is more comfortable around him, flirtatious even. Liam reveals a depth of character that goes beyond the playboy facade. And, of course, there's the steamy pool scene that follows.

What else have you written and are there any projects in the works that readers can look forward to?

Currently, we're writing Vega (Book 4 of The Stardust Series), which will be released later this year. And, Autumn is writing the follow-up to Raising the Stakes (Risking It, book 1) from the reverse harem anthology, Falling For Them, released last month.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author? The most challenging part?

Autumn - 
I have always, always been an insatiable reader (of novels), but I never thought that I was creative enough to be a writer. So, I really have two favorite things, if I can claim both: 1) the sense of accomplishment from doing something I never thought I could, and 2) knowing that other bookworms are staying up way too late reading books I helped write.

Most of the time, my biggest challenge is getting words down on the page. I'm a perfectionist by nature, and I tend to write my first draft like it's the final one. I can't move on from a paragraph until I'm happy with it, which means that I tend to write painfully slow.

Julia - 

Nerdy as it sounds, I always enjoyed logic puzzles in school. Writing a series is like solving an enormously intricate logic puzzle with no one correct answer. There are so many moving parts, from individual character choices, to group dynamics, to mystery and intrigue. I love the challenge of determining how all of those pieces fit together to create the story.

One of my biggest challenges is ensuring that the scene comes to life on the page just as vibrantly as I've imagined it. 

What advice do you have for aspiring authors? 

Autumn - 
If you are considering writing a series, make sure that you're prepared to put in the time and effort to keep going after the first book... and deal with the possibility of the series taking off. As Julia and I have discovered, what started as a hobby has transformed into a business. In addition to writing, editing, and self-publishing our books, we also juggle a website, social media, newsletters, giveaways, bonus material, fan interactions... the list goes on and on. I find it all very rewarding, but it's a LOT of work.

Julia - 

You may start out with one idea of your character or plot and end up with a completely different one. Don’t be afraid to change the story as you go, letting the characters evolve naturally. 

Thank you so much Autumn and Julia for taking the time to answer my questions! 

The Stardust Series Book Reviews

Hello! For this post I am reviewing all four of the currently published books in the Stardust Series (Phoenix, Draco, Pyxis, and Chamaeleon) by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke! This is in preparation for an exclusive author interview with them that I will be posting soon.

Title: Phoenix
Series: Book 1 of Stardust
Authors: Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke
Stars: 2.5 out of 5
Book Blurb: (from Goodreads.com)
The Stardust Series follows the story of Haley Jones and six dangerously appealing guys—Liam, Knox, Ethan, Chase, Theo, and Jackson. 

All Haley Jones wants for her eighteenth birthday is answers. Thanks to an overprotective dad and a secluded existence in the Sierra Nevada wilderness, Haley has never experienced a typical life. Her dad claims there’s a good reason for their isolation, but he refuses to tell her why, delaying her questions with the promise of answers when she turns eighteen. That day has finally arrived, but the explanation raises more questions than answers. And when Haley wishes for the chance to explore the world, she finds that the old adage rings true—be careful what you wish for. 

***

I started reading Phoenix due to the vague but very intriguing blurb. Why do Haley and her dad live alone in the wilderness? What are they hiding from? Are they in the witness protection program? I had to find out.

The book begins on the day of Haley's 18th birthday and readers find out along with Haley that she and her father are in hiding from a dangerous criminal. The danger soon becomes very real when Haley returns home from a hike and finds her home on fire and her father missing. Haley then finds herself in the care of six mysterious and attractive guys who work for a company called Zenith doing... well, we don't actually know.

For those hoping for the action and excitement of the introduction to continue, like I was, you will be disappointed. After Haley moves to Santa Cruz, California with the guys, the action takes a back-seat and the focus turns to Haley finding her place with the guys and learning to trust them, though I have to say I think they earned her trust a little too quickly. While Haley is in hiding and staying safe with the guys, the guys try to find her father and see the reason for Haley's home being attacked. Haley, however, isn't involved much in the search. The book focuses more on character and relationship development than on an action-packed plot.

I liked Haley and found her to be an interesting main character. She's intelligent, loves to read and play board games, knows self-defense, and knows how to make the best of difficult situations. The guys are also an interesting group. There's Jackson, the serious leader; Liam, the wealthy flirt who is the opposite to Jackson; the brothers Knox and Theo, one who is former who is very protective and works on cars, the latter who is friendly and fashion-savvy;  Ethan, the M&M loving playboy; and Chase, the sweet, youngest member of the group. Each character is distinct and has a clear voice, which is helpful since otherwise it could get difficult trying to keep everyone straight.

The book wraps up neatly but doesn't close the story; it's clearly set up for the next book in the series. An epilogue from Jackson's perspective teases what is to come. While I wasn't as impressed with the book as I hoped to be, I still enjoyed it and will give the next book in the series a chance.

Title: Draco
Series: Book 2 of Stardust
Authors: Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke
Stars: 3 out of 5
Book Blurb: (from Goodreads.com)
It’s been two weeks since Haley Jones turned eighteen and her life was turned upside down. While searching for her dad, Haley is adjusting to life in Santa Cruz with a new job and friends. Surrounded by six dangerously appealing guys, she’s still trying to figure out just who Liam, Knox, Ethan, Chase, Theo, and Jackson are and what they do. From a twenty-first birthday party to a swanky costume gala, Haley discovers just how difficult it can be to fit in and that maybe it’s okay to stand out.

***

In Draco, Haley gets a job at Zenith doing secretarial work. It's nothing as exciting as what the guys seem to do (though we still don't know what it is that they do because it's top secret). She gets a fake identity and back story so she can have a new start in Santa Cruz, though she has to be careful around her nosy co-worker, Melissa. 

Haley and the guys also grow closer, though she's not a big fan of Jackson yet and Liam's flirting makes her uncomfortable. Her friendship with the guys (and hints of more than friendly feelings) are still the main focus rather than the mystery and danger surrounding Haley's father and his past. Rather, the background danger serves as the reason for Haley to stay safe with the guys. As Haley comes to care for the guys, she faces a couple conundrums. First of all, do they like her too or they just being the kind, awesome guys they are? And secondly, if they do, what will she do and who will she choose?

While there isn't a lot of action, there is a little bit. Some progress is made in the search for Haley's dad. The guys, through Zenith, were hired to find Haley's dad and the guys have the opportunity at a charity gala to question the man who hired them and find out more. I was glad to see Haley push for a more active role and she gets to go on the mission to the gala, albeit as Liam's "date." And when Haley finds out the guys haven't been keeping her in the loop, she stands up to Jackson and demands to be told what's going on, which had me cheering. While I would have rather seen Haley doing more, I was glad to see some improvement in Haley being less passive and the way she stood up to Jackson has me hoping to see a more proactive Haley in the next book. 

Like the first book, Draco doesn't end on a cliff-hanger (thank goodness!) but there isn't full closure because it is set up to lead into the next book. Additionally, we get another epilogue chapter, this time featuring Jackson and Liam. It hints that the guys are feeling more than friendly towards Haley too, which could lead to tension in the group. 

Title: Pyxis
Series: Book 3 of Stardust
Authors: Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke
Stars: 4 out of 5
Book Blurb: (from Goodreads.com)
Haley Jones already thought her life was complicated, but after the events of the gala, she is in desperate need of direction—if only there was a compass for locating her missing dad or navigating relationships. Despite her efforts to gain independence and forge her own identity, she still feels adrift in her new life. And, when things heat up with Liam, Knox, Ethan, Chase, Theo, and Jackson, Haley finds herself in uncharted territory, torn between attraction and frustration. When tensions rise within the group, will Haley be the one to pull the guys together or tear them apart?

***

Pyxis is the third book in the Stardust series and it picks up right where book two, Draco, left off. It had been a while since I finished reading the last book and it took me a little time to remember all the different characters -especially since Haley is balancing six(!) romantic interests. We also see the return of Haley's BFF, Jess.

We hadn't seen a lot of Jess in the previous two books. She was Haley's only friend when she lived isolated with her dad, but then Jess left for college. She is a hilarious person, and encourages the new and improved more confident, more outgoing Haley. Haley asks Jess for advice, especially when it comes to the guys, and her feelings for them. It's good that Haley has Jess for support and a friend besides one of the guys. 

With six different swoon-worthy guys in the picture, there's obviously going to be a lot of attention paid to the relationships between Haley and them. I appreciate how the authors have made each character unique. You can also tell that the guys all truly care for Haley. Better yet, the relationships between Haley and the guys are a two-way street and they help and support each other. Too many book relationships seem one sided, probably because we're only in one character's head, but it's not that way with this series. 

The romantic feelings between Haley and the guys are further developed in this book. Haley doesn't seem to be leaning towards one guy more than any of the others (though something dramatic happens with one of the guys near the end!), which could be setting up the story to fit in the "reverse harem" (RH) category. This would mean that Haley doesn't have to choose one of the guys, but that they will all be in a relationship with her. RH books aren't for everyone, so if the idea makes you uncomfortable, then you may not appreciate the next books in the series. It will be interesting to see how the authors go about setting it up.

Over the course of the series, Haley has shown a lot of growth, which readers are reminded of when her best friend humorously asks if she's been taken over by aliens. She's always been intelligent and strong, but she's stands up for herself more and is more confident and comfortable around the guys (except for moments of awkward romantic tension). As a girl who grew up homeschooled and pretty isolated, she's doing a fantastic job of adjusting to a lot of new situations. 

One minor critique I have is that she seems to be adjusting almost too well. Yes, she frets a lot about the guys and her feelings for them, but everything else hardly seems to come up on her radar. The guys will ask her how she's doing and if she wants to talk and it seems that in those moments she finally remembers that she still hasn't found her dad, there's a bad guy out to get him and possibly her too, and that her entire life was upended only a few months ago. 

The pacing of this book was generally good. I would say this book is definitely more character driven than plot driven, but there is more action this time than in Draco. In Pyxis a bad guy emerges and Haley is stuck between a rock and a hard place. There were some points where lots of time was passing (weeks or even months) and I was starting to get anxious for something else to happen beyond the relationship drama. Once I got to that point, however, it usually wasn't too long until a new development would arise and the action would pick up again. 

Overall, I would recommend that people who enjoyed the first two books in the series add the third book to their library as well. But be warned, Pyxis ends on a cliff-hanger (one of my pet-peeves). Book 4 won't be out until 2017, but you can read book 3.5 in the meantime! And book 3.5 resolves the cliff hanger. 

Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Title: Chamaeleon
Series: Book 3.5 of Stardust
Authors: Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke
Stars: 4 out of 5
Book Blurb: (from Goodreads.com)

Haley
“For the last seven months, my life practically revolved around 'my' guys—they kept me safe, made me laugh, and embraced me as one of their own. And, now, the unimaginable was happening. I was turning my back on the life I created with them. There would be no more duets with Chase, tickle fights with Theo, stargazing with Ethan, running with Knox, relaxing with Jackson, or cooking with Liam. In other words, I was walking away from the place—and the people—that had become my new home.”

Knox
“Theo opened his mouth like he was going to say something but then shut it again. The truth was, there was nothing left to say. We had to either compete for her heart or let her go, and both options were incomprehensible. Even if she chose me, could I live with the guilt of knowing I stole her away from my brother and best friends? And, if she chose someone else, would I ever get over her?”

***

Book 3 ended on a bit of a cliff-hanger and Chamaeleon picks up where Pyxis ended. 

What I find most exciting about Chamaeleon is that this book is not just from Haley's point of view, but from each of the guys' as well. If you've been wanting a sneak peak into Knox's or Jackson's or Liam's or Chase's or Theo's head, well here's your chance! The characters are what really make the Stardust series and in Chamaeleon we get to dive deeper into each character, their thoughts, emotions, and motivations. While having a book switch between so many perspectives could get really confusing, A & J have done a pretty good job of keeping the flow and minimizing confusion. It helps that there are date headers for each chapter to help readers navigate the timeline of events. 

From the beginning of the series the books have been about Haley and the guys, but now we get to see how Haley and the guys act without each other. I liked seeing independent Haley. She's smart and resourceful and while she misses the guys a lot, she sticks to her decision and makes the most of her situation. I also liked seeing how the guys deal with Haley's disappearance and because it's from the guys' pov, we get to see the dynamics of their team a lot more. 

I find myself enjoying each book in the series more than the last. I definitely recommend Chamaeleon for anyone who has enjoyed the previous books and is a fan of RH. A & J are on a roll and I look forward to reading book 4 in 2017! Hopefully we won't have to wait too long into next year for the release...

Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

"Crystal Whisperer" Book Review

Title: Crystal Whisperer
Series: Book 3 of Spotless Series
Author: Camilla Monk
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
Book Blurb:
Sweet Jesus, this is it! Or maybe not.

Perpetually foiled romance heroine Island Chaptal and reformed cleaning expert March —or is it Mr. November?— are enjoying a pleasant break in South-Africa, after brushing death in the inhospitable and platypus-infested mountains of Liechtenstein... 

That is, until a commercial flight disintegrates over the Atlantic, killing hundreds, and Island's supervillain dad makes the news as the mastermind behind the attack. Old Lion Dries is now on the run, and he calls upon his last ally —and favorite disciple— March.

From the streets of Venice to the turquoise waters of French Polynesia, March and Island embark on a deadly race against the clock to find out what secrets lie behind Dries’s downfall, and stop the mysterious “Crystal Whisperer” before it’s too late. This time, though, there might just be no winning against futuristic weapons, CIA agents, Roomba cats, (reluctantly) evil henchmen, and dads who won’t let you get your groove on, dammit! 

***

Camilla Monk has done it again! Book 3 of the Spotless series is just as action-packed, hilarious, and full of foiled romance as its predecessors. To read my reviews of the first two books, go HERE and HERE.

In this book, we follow Island, the quirky, intelligent, and still-a-virgin main character, along with her cleanliness obsessed, retired-cleaner boyfriend March as they try to figure out who framed Island's biological father for a terrible plane crash. I really enjoyed reading about Island and March and seeing their relationship progress, though their sexy times are constantly interrupted! Like any couple, they have their ups and downs, however I'm pretty sure most couples' downs don't include evil masterminds, dodging bullets, and kidnapping...

What I love about the author is that she does a fantastic job developing a full and interesting cast of main and side characters, including returners from the previous books and new characters. Each character has their own personalities and it never feels like I'm reading cardboard cut-outs on the page solely to fill a purpose for the plot. And speaking of the plot, it's quick paced, but not rushed or confusing. There's plenty of action and suspense but a few moments of calm here and there to catch your breath. 

As with the previous books, "Crystal Whisperer" managed to have me biting my nails in anticipation one moment and swiping away tears of laughter in the next. Of course, each chapter has its own super cheesy romance novel quote, there's fun dialogue, Island's hilarious thoughts/commentary, and my favorite, the return of the twitter bazooka - BOOM! 

The one thing that I dislike about this book is the cliff-hanger ending, so beware! We will have to wait for the next book (hopefully not too long) to get a resolution to the very dramatic conclusion.

*I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. 

Writing Practice Prompt #2

An author should know the characters of their book inside and out, especially the main character(s). Use the list of questions below to round out a character of your choosing. Even if you don't use all of the information in your story, it will still help you understand and write your character.

• How old is your character?
• If your character is in school, what grade are they in?
• Does your character have a job? If yes, where do they work?
• What does your character look like?
• Does your character have any allergies or dietary restrictions?
• Does your character have a specific faith/religion?
• Where is your character from? Have they lived here their whole life or moved a lot?
• What does your character like to do in their free time (ie. hobbies)?
• To what kind of family does your character belong?
• How does your character get along with their different family members?
• Who is your character's best friend? Why are they friends?
• What does your character find attractive?
• What does your character find gross or repulsive?
• What is your character's biggest insecurity?
• What is your character's biggest strength?
• What is your character's greatest fear?
• What is your character's greatest wish/hope?
• If your character could travel anywhere in the world, where would they go?
• Where does your character feel most comfortable or safe?
• What is your character's favorite color?
• ...favorite school subject?
• ...favorite food?
• ...favorite book?
• ...favorite movie?
• ...favorite music genre?
• ...favorite season?
• ...favorite sport?
• ...favorite joke?
• ...favorite animal?