May 03, 2017

Submit a Video to Reedsy! + Hero Lost Release



May Question: What is the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research for your story?

I've researched MANY things for my books, but the weirdest was for a zombie WIP. I researched voodoo, viral diseases, and things that made me cringe. 


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SUBMIT A VIDEO TO REEDSY!

Reedsy is doing a video campaign for writers to share their #IWriteBecause stories. For every writer who shares their story, Reedsy will donate $10 to Room to Read — a non-profit organization that seeks to provide girls in Africa and Asia with access to education.

Take a 30-second or less video and submit it here: #IWriteBecause on Reedsy

Their video campaign will go live on Twitter on May 8th!


There's a simple Google form for you to file out. TIP: Click the link they have to submit the file for your video first before submitting your completed form.

This is a cause I believe in, so I submitted my story, and so should you. 


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My Writing Life Update:

I still haven't started writing the final book in my series, but I DID edit Flaming Crimes (Book 4) and submitted it to my publisher. I went through it once and didn't even use a beta reader. That's how confident I was (still am)!

I have done a tiny bit of writing, though. I wrote a rhyming picture book. It's less than 500 words, but that's something! I'm submitting it to agents just for fun. That's how I'm going to look at submitting projects from now on. It's for fun. :)

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RELEASE DAY!

Hero Lost
Mysteries of Death and Life
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology



Can a lost hero find redemption?

What if Death himself wanted to die? Can deliverance be found on a bloody battlefield? Could the gift of silvering become a prison for those who possessed it? Will an ancient warrior be forever the caretaker of a house of mystery?

Delving into the depths of the tortured hero, twelve authors explore the realms of fantasy in this enthralling and thought-provoking collection. Featuring the talents of Jen Chandler, L. Nahay, Renee Cheung, Roland Yeomans, Elizabeth Seckman, Olga Godim, Yvonne Ventresca, Ellen Jacobson, Sean McLachlan, Erika Beebe, Tyrean Martinson, and Sarah Foster.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these twelve tales will take you into the heart of heroes who have fallen from grace. Join the journey and discover a hero’s redemption!




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OPTIONAL JUNE QUESTION: Did you ever say “I quit”? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?


Reminder: The questions are optional and meant as a prompt if you struggle with what to post. You don't have to answer a question if you don't want to. :)



92 comments:

  1. Hi Chrys - no .. not researching 'voodoo' after you've been there and got the T-shirt!! Congratulations to all the anthology authors and the publication ... cheers Hilary

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  2. Wish I had time to do a video.

    Proud of all the authors in Hero Lost.

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    Replies
    1. My video was 18 seconds long, but I did have to give it a try a few times.

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  3. Good thing you enjoy researching stuff that makes you cringe 'cuz that's gotta be essential to writing a gripping zombie novel. Thank you for your continued support of IWSG.

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    1. Yup, when you write about zombies, you have to do a lot of icky, scary research.

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  4. Wow! I just love what Reedsy is doing! That is fantastic. Not sure if I can get one done, but I'm wishing everyone who participates all the best. I will check it out, though. So awesome about the anthology!

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    1. I love what they are doing, too, so I had to help. The IWSG is also partnering with them to spread this announcement around. :)

      My video is 18 seconds long, and you have until May 8th.

      Delete
  5. For fun sure is the way and rhyme works any old day. You sure found lots in your research indeed.

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  6. Ooh I think voodoo would be cool to research but also scary. So creepy!
    I think the Reedsy idea is so great! Good for you for doing it. I'm so terrible talking on camera that I am too nervous to make videos.

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    1. Cool and scary, indeed.

      I am SO nervous making videos and recordings, but I had to do it for this good cause. :)

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  7. From crime fiction to rhyming picture book - that's quite the genre leap.
    Did you combine zombie and voodoo research and watch Serpent and the Rainbow?

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    1. A fun leap. :)

      I did combine zombie and voodoo research. But I haven't seen Serpent and the Rainbow.

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  8. I love all that zombie stuff! Totally creeps me out though, but in a good, creative, inspired way. :)

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  9. Really looking forward to Flaming Crimes, Chrys. I love a good firey story - even wrote one once, and still love it. I think I'd be having nightmares after researching zombies. Have a great week.

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    1. Thank you! Flaming Crimes has a lot of biographical stuff in it from my life. :)

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  10. Congratulations to all authors and people involved in The Anthology. I'm sure it will be a success.
    Wonderful post this month Chrys, hope your writing goes well. Take care.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne. I am doing good. I hope you are, too.

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  11. Research can take a person all over the place! I'm such a dinosaur I don't know how to make a video let alone download it...

    Congratulations to the release of the Hero's Lost anthology!

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    1. I had to learn how to make a video on my laptop. lol It was my first time. If you have an iPhone, which I don't anymore, it'll be easier.

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  12. You are so very brave! I always snag one or two beta-readers. I'm always questioning my writing abilities. Ugh. Hope you get that pic book published too!

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    1. Usually, I snag one-two beta readers, too, but there was something about this one that told me not to let betas touch it. Maybe because a lot of it came from my real life. Idk.

      Thank you!!!

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  13. So much great stuff! Congrats to all the anthology authors. And that research sounds fascinating. :)

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    1. Thanks, Christine! And thanks for commenting.

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    1. That was the first time I've ever felt that confident. :)

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  15. I can't imagine being that confident about something I wrote. That's awesome! Good for you!

    I love what Reedsy is doing. Great cause.

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    1. It's usually rare for me, too.

      It is a fabulous cause. :)

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  16. Good to feel confident! I'm not sure I've ever had the feeling, but it sounds awesome!

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    1. That was my first time being that confident in one of my stories.

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  17. I've researched voodoo a little too. It was a long time ago for a story that didn't really have a plot.

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    1. Not having a plot can kill a story, even if voodoo is involved. lol

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  18. No kidding, Ms. Confident! Can I borrow some of that? Kidding. I'm doing great. Keep doing what you're doing, eh? I'm sure you'll get to that book soon.

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    Replies
    1. I'm usually not Ms. Confident. Usually I'm Ms. Self-Doubt. lol

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  19. My brother adores zombie fiction, and writes some of the most gruesome, brutal stuff I've read. The thought of that research makes me cringe! Bravo for bravery.

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  20. That's the best thing to think - it's for fun. I think it's so easy to forget that we write because we love to write, before anything else. Sometimes we need reminding.
    I can't wait to read that anthology!

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    1. Exactly. Before I started trying to get published, writing was something I enjoyed day and and day out. Recently, I lost that. But I'm trying to get it back.

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  21. Hi Chrys! Great tip about Reedsy, and I'm going to remember the IWSG newsletter in case I ever have any good news to share. Crossing my fingers! Thanks for pulling together all the useful information for us IWSG bloggers. We appreciate you! http://www.raimeygallant.com

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  22. So what was it like research voodoo? Did you learn anything to help save us from the zombie apocalypse? I can imagine getting so caught up that the research that I'd never get any real writing done.

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    1. I learned how voodoo could maybe create zombies, which is the opposite of saving us. lol

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  23. So much great info, thank you. That is some neat research. Congrats on submission to publisher. Proud of you. Love watching you grow.
    ' Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  24. Congrats on submitting your book to the publisher! I don't think I could ever be that confident.

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  25. Oooh, I've done a bit of voodoo research too. Fun stuff.

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  26. The anthology looks interesting, Chrys! Your picture book sounds wonderful too. Did you do the illustrations? That's a good way to look at submissions, as fun. You next book also sounds intriguing. Lots going on over here!

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    1. Nope, I didn't do the illustrations. I can draw but not as good as picture book illustrations should be.

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    2. No doubt, that's an art all its own.

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  27. I'm glad you're feeling so confident about your writing. All best wishes for Flaming Crimes. That rhyming picture book sounds fun.

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  28. I don't think I have ever said I quit. My philosophy is there are rarely definitive yes and no statements. I do have one or two... but never relative to passions in my life :)

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  29. Submitting for fun - I love your approach!

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    1. It's how it should be...to keep us sane and happy.

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  30. Thanks so much for sharing the Reedsy video project. I keep meaning to do something ... I will, maybe tonight or tomorrow. I'm just glad you've put it out there on facebook and here.
    Love next month's question ... I definitely have, kind of tried to quit.

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    1. You're welcome! It would be great if you did submit a video. :)

      There's been many times when I said I wanted to quit...

      Delete
  31. That Reedsy promotion is pretty cool, and it is for a great cause. I have to think about that one (and see if I have time to do it in the next couple of days!)

    IWSG May

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    1. I sure hope you find a few minutes (or for me 10-15 lol) to record a short video. :)

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  32. Crazy random fact: Random.org chose your number (63), and there are 63 comments. :O

    But anyway, the Reedsy thing is cool! I'll have to do a video!

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  33. I like how confident you are with that submission. I believe in you too.

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  34. Sounds like interesting research.

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  35. Good luck with the picture book! They're so fun to read and write, and a lot of picture books nowadays have such beautiful illustrations.

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    1. I wish I could illustrate my picture book. Alas, I'm not that talented at drawing.

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  36. I need to start writing so maybe I have some writing news to share :(

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  37. Have you published your zombie story yet? My hubby loves zombie-related books, TV shows, movies, you name it, so I'm sure he'd love to read it.

    Congrats on finishing your picture book. I had to write a picture book manuscript in grad school, and I'm pretty sure it was awful. They are deceptive--they seem so easy to write, but man are they tricky little books. Good luck with your submission!

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    1. Nope. My zombie story actually went on the back-burner. One day I'll write it and publish it. :)

      Thank you, Denise!

      Delete
  38. Interesting research!
    Thanks for the anthology shout-out. I'm glad I got to work with you on it. :)

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    Replies
    1. It was my pleasure, really. You're story was so well done.

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  39. After reading everyone's posts on the stuff that they've had to research, it seems like there sure are some strange topics, not to mention a few creepy ones :-)

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    1. Researching for writing can lead to many different things.

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  40. You're just full of good news - yay for all!
    I like your "just for fun" attitude. Best kind of Bactine for writers ;-)

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    1. Bactine for writes. I like that! I might have to use that for a post title. lol

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  41. You sounds very confident and secure this month, Chrys. Keep it up! Submitting just for fun is an awesome attitude. I am not a quitter and I hope I can keep it that way, although, the thought sometimes creeps into my head when it comes to writing my first book/memoir... Liesbet @ Roaming About – A Life Less Ordinary (co-host)

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    1. April had been a good month for me. So far, May is pretty good, too. :)

      I hope you don't ever quit.

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  42. Yes, just for fun!
    Voodoo is creepy!
    Can't wait to read the new anthology!
    I like the question for next month! Hmm . . .

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    1. Next months questions will be a nice, deeper look into everyone as a writer, and their struggles.

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  43. When I thought I wouldn't write anymore--too much family stuff going on--I told myself to write for fun. Forget about publication. Just try to get back the joy of writing. I was thrilled with it came back. Good for you!

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    1. I've been trying to get back the joy of writing. It's been tough for me.

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  44. Voodoo must have been fascinating to research.

    Glad you are looking at writing with a fun outlook. Congrats on the picture book you wrote and book 4 being sent to the publisher. :)
    ~Jess

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  45. That sounds so cool, with your research on voodoo, and viral diseases. Well, maybe not viral diseases! LOL!

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