E.V. Fairfall's Blog

It seems everyone is a writer these days and why not? We all have something inside of us that wants to tell a story but what comes next? After you get that great idea or maybe even finish the first draft of a novel…then what? Or maybe you’ve been sending out query letters and keep getting rejections (we have all been there). Writing is difficult and becoming a published author in today’s world has been compared to trying to become a famous actor in Hollywood.

I’m here to tell you that you aren’t alone. I too didn’t know what to do after I wrote my first novel. I knew nothing of the publishing world or the steps it would take to get my book on the shelf. I ended up wasting a lot of time trying to find the information on my own and just winging it because I didn’t know enough. In the end this just made my life harder. It wasn’t until I finished my second novel that I finally discovered a writers conference.

Now hold on, don’t stop reading. I know some of you are thinking:

“Writers conferences are expensive,”

“Writers conferences sound scary!”

But I’m here to tell you that a writers conference is a life saver for any writer. If you want to succeed, you aren’t going to find all the answers on the internet. Maybe you’ll get lucky and won’t need any of it but even in that unlikely situation, every writer can improve from the information, the support groups, and the classes containing editors and published authors at a writers' conference.

There are tons of writers' conferences for you to join. Let me tell you how they helped me and what they can do for you! You can also watch our new BookTube video where we interview an Editor, a Writer of (34 books), and a Literary Agent. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/ias2WooiJQs
The video also has closed captions as an option. So enjoy!


What a conference will give you:
-An outside perspective

-Writing friends for life/a support group who you trust to read your work

-A taste of editing

-Help with writing your query letters

-Possible face time with a Literary Agent

-Advanced submissions: an agent, editor, or writer will read the first 15 pages of your book and give you feedback

-Rogue workshops: late night read and critique

-The do’s and don’ts of self-publishing

-Marketing your book/building your platform

It doesn’t stop there, the classes change every year but all of them are equally beneficial for whatever road you want to take.

A writers conference is for people who:
-Have an idea or want to write but haven’t started

-Have started writing and don’t know how to finish

-Have finished a writing a book and want to take the next step

-Have finished multiple books but still want to learn

I remember going to my first conference; Southern California Writers Conference. I was terrified. Most writers are from the hobbit bloodline and prefer to be left alone with a book or to write and so going out to interact with other people can be intimidating. I’ll let you in on a little secret, 80% of the people feel the same way, the other 15% are probably long-time conference goers and the other 5% are probably the few writers who escaped the bloodline traits! For the most part, everyone around you is just as nervous so go put yourself out there and get to the next step in your writing career.

Having a hard time staying motivated while writing? Check out my blog on So you want to write a book? How to stay motivated!

One of the most difficult things about writing isn’t coming up with the idea but finding the drive to finish writing a novel. There is a quote that goes something like: “writing a book is the easiest part of being a writer” and that is very true but it doesn’t take away the challenge of starting a new book.

So, are you an aspiring author? How will you stay motivated to write 60,000-100,000 words?

For myself I’ve gone through many processes to stay motivated and it is always a challenge. Let me tell you what I’ve been doing for my latest novel, my first in the New Adult genre. Maybe my method will help you in your endeavor.

This last month was my most consistent and productive writing month. This is also the first novel I’ve started writing while working 40+ hours a week. OH those day jobs! Hopefully for you, you have the summer off. Either way if you form manageable goals, you can do it.

My motivation is my star chart. One star for every 500 words. Some authors that use this motivation will not do anything under 500 words, however I will cut my stars in half for 250 words :P. There is no rounding up, only down, so if you write 1115 words you get 2 stars only. That 115 extra isn’t counted.

For me I’ve found that 5000 words a week is a good goal. This means I’ll strive to write 1000 words a night, 5 days in the week. 2 days off! Of course this doesn’t always work. This month may have been awesome but what about January? I wrote a total of 2500 words in that month :( and I didn’t even bother writing in February.



It is important to remember that you might not always meet your weekly writing goal but if you set your goals within short periods of time, they can be easier to accomplish. Find what works for you, whether that is a nightly, weekly, monthly, or yearly goal.

I’ve found that if I tell people about my goals, I feel more inclined to accomplish them. For example if you go to the gym alone, who cares if you cancel? But if you go to the gym with a friend every week you are probably going to make yourself get out of bed and go.

One way I’ve started to hold myself to my goal is to post my finished star chart for the month on Twitter. This helps drive me to meet my writing goals when I’m dying to go to bed.

I have a quote above my computer by Laini Taylor: “Be an unstoppable force. Write with an imaginary machete strapped to your thigh. This is not wishy-washy, polite, drinking-tea-with-your-pinkie-sticking-out stuff. It’s who you want to be, your most powerful self. Write your books. Finish them, then make them better. Find the way. No one will make this dream come true for you but you.”


How some of my author friends stay motivated:
-Write a page a day
-Reward yourself with gifts/money/treats when you accomplish a goal (this doesn’t have to be the whole book! Remember smaller goals are more manageable and they will add up to the full goal eventually).

Writers block? Power through it. Skip the chapter you are writing. Write the synopsis instead. Make a character chart. Start at the last chapter and go backwards. Don’t let anything stop you! Remember, “write with an imaginary machete strapped to your thigh!”

Summer is almost here! With more time to read you’ll find some book characters with awesome traits such as blue hair. But mom’s aren’t usually inclined to letting you dye your hair. Even if your mom is really awesome... you might want to look like a different character next week.

My suggestion... hair chalk. Just like in this photo. It’s temporary and messy but it’s a fun new look for a summers day. Plus who doesn’t want to look like their favorite book character?

I didn’t do blue but I tried purple. For the colors in the photo I used this periwinkle set on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/11535038...

It was pretty good. I would put aside an hour if you want to do your whole head.

For this kind of hair chalk I suggest having someone help you. Cover the area you are using with plastic or go outside (as long as it isn’t windy).

You need a bowl of water that is big enough to dunk one piece of chalk in.

Start with wet hair. Your hair shouldn’t be soaked but fairly damp. You’ll also want to wet each piece of chalk while using it (don’t soak it).

Brush out a strand and hold the strand of hair taught. Each strand should be about the thickness of 2-3 pencils.

Rub the flat part of the chalk back and forth against the hair. If it isn’t leaving enough color dip the chalk in water once more and try again.



Do this all over the head until you’re satisfied with the color.

Next, dry your hair with a flat iron. This will leave pretty colored dust all over your hands and iron but it will wipe off.

Once your hair is styled you need to hair spray it a lot. Start with spraying it lightly to avoid the chalk flying off but after it seems set, spray more!

This will get on your neck and face so if you are going out bring a rag. Otherwise have fun and enjoy having colorful hair for the day. I know I did!

One of my favorite parts about writing “Sleeping Tom” was the food. Caden is a senior in high school who dreams of going to culinary school. Her creative outlet is through food. I thought it would be great to share some of the recipes I used in “Sleeping Tom”. Starting with my personal favorite: Snickerdoodle toffee dip which she makes during Gabriel’s party. I’ve included the recipe below along with an excerpt from the party!

Ingredients:
Prep time: 5 minutes
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup salted butter, softened
2 Tbsp brown sugar
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup toffee bits


-In a medium bowl beat together the cream cheese and butter (I do this with a fork but you can use an electric mixer. Do this until it is creamy.) Beat in the powdered sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Lastly, add in the toffee bits and stir them in by hand.
-Pour into a bowl and garnish with toffee bits. I serve this with crackers but I’m sure it would be great on fruit as well.

Original recipe found here: http://thedomesticrebel.com/2013/04/1...





Excerpt from Sleeping Tom:

“Where are the snacks?” someone yelled.

“Caden, get the snacks,” Gabriel’s voice bellowed. She still couldn’t see him.

“I’m sorry, umm, Face but I’ve got to go help.” She began to stand.

“No you don’t, baby. Stay.” He pulled her back down.

“You don’t understand, I have an, ah, well, an agreement with Gabriel.”

His face contorted. “What’s that supposed to mean? You his property or something? That’s F’ed up.”

“No, no. Not like that.” Caden stood back up, ducking through a group of people before he could grab her again.

When Caden got to the kitchen, she attempted to move around the bodies that were crowding her, crushing her almost. So far she didn’t recognize any of them, and she doubted they would recognize her. Still, she kept her face down, her long dark hair covering one eye. Opening the cupboard she grabbed the chips and pretzels, filling the bowls on the counter and putting them aside. Hands grabbed for them, the bowls disappearing as they floated through the crowd. Next she opened the fridge to grab the cream cheese and butter. Eyes surrounded her and watched her work. She pulled out sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Where did I put the toffee? Caden spun around to see one of the party guests nibbling on the bag of toffee crumbs.

“Hey, that was mine!” he yelled as she grabbed the bag from his sticky fingers.

“Was not,” she whispered.

Eyeballing the ingredients, she put them in the bowl and with a spoon used all her strength to beat them together. If ten people hadn’t been blocking her way to the cabinet, she would have grabbed the electric beater, but the eyes watching her made her nervous. When she was done, she put the dip in separate bowls along with two separate plates of crackers. Caden looked up to see Face watching her. He smiled as she pushed one of the bowls of dip toward him. “Here. It’s a snicker-doodle kind of dip.”

His eyes went wide. “Hey, everyone. Lucky Charms here made us snicker-doodle dip.” Hands full of beer lifted to the ceiling as the crowd moved in their direction. She ducked out of the way as the kitchen overflowed, hoping to escape Face and all the party people. She wanted to see Gabriel.

This photo made me think about the reasons I love reading YA. Here is my list:

1) Using expressions, taking on nicknames, or quoting from a book that only a few people realize you’re referencing. Favorite example: the spider swear from “Shade.”

2) Buying a type of clothing so I can pretend to be the character for the few weeks I’m obsessing about it. Then I read a different YA Book and the process starts again. Most recent example: pirate clothing so I could be like Tessa from “Oceanswept.”

3) When people ask me if I read any other genres I just look at them with a blank stare... wait another minute and say “Maybe” (In truth I do wander a little but I always come back).

4) Jumping up and down, ridiculously giddy because once again “two extremely attractive boys are fighting over the same girl” and as unrealistic as it is... I love it.

5) Obsessing over my Goodreads app and scanning the backs of books as I travel through the Barnes and Noble aisles.

6) Going to a YA book based movie and complaining the whole time because the book is always better ;). (There is only one YA book based movie where I think the movie is actually better... but I’m not telling which one :P)

I’m sure I could come up with more reasons but at the moment I can’t think of any. What makes you fall in love with YA?

Sleeping Tom is finally out! It’s a great feeling to know it is amongst millions of other books. I had a great group of ARC readers (thank you) who took the plunge and read it so you’d have reviews to sift through before deciding if it’s right for you. I have to admit, I had a great time writing Sleeping Tom and I really hope you’ll enjoy reading it.

Find it on Amazon: Kindle Unlimited, Ebook, & Paperback.


Sleeping Tom Excerpt
Gabriel tossed back the sheets on his bed and got up. Halfway down the stairs he froze. Black ribbons of hair draped off the side of his dirty party couch. It was Caden. He walked down the rest of the stairs and into the kitchen, eyeing her. The curves of her face were soft and pleasant, or something he couldn’t find a word for. He quickly turned away from her sleeping form and took out the coffee maker. 

It was nearly two in the afternoon. 

She hadn’t left.

Gabriel’s chest tightened at the thought of her staying, at the thought of wanting company. 

He despised the feeling. Nothing good had ever come from other people. She would use him. She already was by overstaying her welcome.

Dark liquid streamed into the glass coffee pot. The smell drifted through the air with the warmth that normally accompanied a home. A home he’d never had and didn’t want. 

He took down a mug, unintentionally gripping it tightly. His hand was shaking. He needed her gone. The last person he’d let into his life had made everything worse with her lies; he couldn’t handle that again.

He poured himself a cup, and with a swift movement he brought the steaming mug to his lips and took a gulp of bitter liquid. The heat surprised him, and he pulled back from it as if it had bitten him. Caden wasn’t even awake yet, and just being near her made him feel crazy, restless.

“I thought I told you to be gone in the morning. It’s nearly two in the afternoon.” He spoke loudly, not quite facing her.

Caden rotated slightly on the couch, her eyes opening only part of the way. She looked as tired as he felt. 

“What?” she croaked. 

“You heard me,” he snarled through clenched teeth, leaning over her body. “Why are you still here?” As he’d grown up, his parents had given free rent in one of their condos to anyone who would provide childcare for him. He supposed he’d always supplied a roof to strangers in one way or another.
 
“You asked me to stay.” Her voice echoed her helplessness and uncertainty.

“When?”

“Last night,” Caden said, rubbing her eyes. 
Heat was rising in Gabriel. Pain and disappointment overwhelmed his senses. She was lying. Just like everyone he’d ever know. The force of his anger was like a wrecking ball in full swing. 

Ceramic exploded against the wall, fragments flying across the room. He’d done that. The brown drips of coffee streaked down the white wall by the door. Gabriel looked at his empty shaking hand and clenched his fist tightly together. 

“You’re lying,” he said as he looked down at her. This was her fault; if only she had just left like he told her to. But he didn’t want her to leave; that was the worst part. The tension came back, the numbness creeping in and propelling him forward. He couldn’t be near her, not now. The only thing he could do was leave. He walked briskly to the door before he changed his mind.  

***

Caden watched the door tremble as it was slammed closed. Gabriel was gone.

“You asked me to stay,” she stammered the whisper, her heart pounding in her ears, but no one was there to hear it. 


http://fairfall.com/

One man, two personalities. Will being with him destroy her? 

In just two weeks my second book Sleeping Tom will be released and I’m so excited to share this story with you.

Caden has gone through a troubling year, until she meets Gabriel and things go from troubling to complicated. At night, Gabriel is Tom. Caden finds herself drawn to the mysteries hidden within him. Determined to understand him and herself, their journey together begins. 

Sleeping Tom is now available for pre-order, which means the ebook will show up on your kindle on the release date, or you can wait for the paperback which will also be available starting 2/14. Sleeping Tom is also on Kindle Unlimited.



All the best,
E.V. Fairfall

Who doesn't love all those fictional boys?
I'm doing a giveaway for a "He's fictional but I still want to marry him" t-shirt. Winner picks small, medium or large. For US, UK and Canada only.
Check it out here: http://fairfall.com/?page_id=115
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