This last month has zoomed by.  I had a great time at the St.Louise craft show.  I love personally selling my books.  It's so much fun to talk with people about how much they love to read or how they've always wanted to write a book.    

The Huntsman's Daughter came out in ebook on the same day and it has been doing pretty good!  This, in case you didn't know, is an adult book because of the situations that occur.  I am pretty amazed that I wrote it, and actually published it.  Ha ha ha...  I don't read those type of books but I thought why not write one.    This book like all my others is still action packed, it twists and turns, has an adventure, and of course has a love story pulling it all together.  

My daughter finished reading the "The Shadow Dragon: Orbs of Fire", which she confiscated from me a while back because she's been wanting to read one of my books and I kept telling her she wasn't old enough yet.  So, she's been reading it, along with her required readings for school, while she sits next to me.   She enjoyed it so much that she wrote a little Q&A on it for school.  My favorite part was how she answered the question of why she liked it:  "It was unpredictable and it's about a strong hearted girl."  As an author, I loved hearing that she liked it. (Granted I knew she enjoyed it because she laughed and would tell me about the things she liked.) As a mom, I was proud of why she like it.  Okay the author in me liked that part to!

The Shadow Dragon Book 3 is still in waiting process.  One of my editors has had life happen and hasn't been able to get to it.  So I apologize to those of you who are still waiting for me to publish it.  I don't want to publish a disappointing story.

I have started and have almost finished another story.  I still have to write the ending and a small bridge, but its almost 90,000 words and I am almost done fixing my revisions of the first draft onto my computer.  This story took me by surprise.  If you read my writing, you know I don't swear a whole lot.  However, I am writing a character who does like to swear.  My brain naturally wants to think of some other way to say it, but the character refuses.  (It's as strange as it probably sounds.)  I've finally relaxed and given him the freedom to say what he wants.   ;)

I've also been finishing up Story 10.  It's almost done.  I have to go back and do some re-writing since I woke up one morning realizing that it's all wrong, because certain characters wouldn't do what they did.  It's not horrible, actually helpful I think, because it was near the end and I was getting stuck, I'm pretty sure when I go back and fix it the story will come together nicely.   This story is currently at 108,695words.   Hmm... I wonder which of these two stories will be done first.  

I must say that I am very unhappy with the lack of snow this year, it's almost Christmas and it's going to be 60 degrees - and it's only snowed once.  If I wanted a warm winter I wouldn't live in Michigan.  Come on, and snow already.     The walks in the woods are not nearly as pretty as they should be.  Although, we've had some pretty foggy mornings with heavy frost which were pretty awesome, but that's all gone by 10am.   

(I apologize for any fragments or, more likely, run-ons in this blog.  I've woke up at 4am this morning and my brain is going 100mph-ish in a hundred different directions.  And for some reason, I thought now would be the perfect time to blog.)  

I hope you have a wonderful day today!  

Woo Hoo!  I'll be selling and signing my books again on December 5th!

2 weeks until The Huntsman's Daughter!

Two more weeks until the release of "The Huntsman's daughter!  I've added chapter one to the menu above!   The first chapter is not Adult only.    It might just be the first Chapter One I've written that I absolutely loved from the moment I wrote it.  I really can't wait for its release!!

Cover for "The Huntsman's Daughter"

Less than a month to go!  Here's the cover:

Romeo, Mi

I will be selling my books on November 14th in Romeo, Michigan!  Here's the information if you'd like to come and say hi!     If you have any questions let me know.

The Huntsman's Daughter

The Huntsman's Daughter (aka: Story 9) will be released on December 5th!  I am very excited and nervous.  This is my "adult" story, which means I will not allow my kids to read it.  It's a Romance Novel...sort of.  It's still my usual Fantasy/adventure/love story, but with risqué scenes.  Here's the description:

One kiss evokes desire.  Desire leads to passion.  Passion will create a mark.  A mark which proves that a woman belongs to one man, no other will ever create pleasure within her.  

Sasha had always been careful to keep her friendship with the princes a secret, as well as their adventures in the forest.  Blinded by her drive to be the best archer, she made a bet with them.  It shouldn't have meant anything - they were all too young.  Instead it turned her longing for adventure into a twisted nightmare that she could not escape.

One perfect arrow to his heart was all that she needed to get her revenge against the man who destroyed her world, robbing her of her innocence.  When the obsession finally brings her face to face with him,  his touch arouses a searing desire she cannot ignore.  Torn between the fiery passion he has awakened and her need to have vengeance, secrets from the past arise, promising a new future.   Is it possible that he actually wants to protect her or is he just trying to claim her?  How will she survive the opposing powers gathering around her and the desire which threatens to overwhelm her senses?   Is it too late?

The Shadow Dragon Book 3 is in my "Editors" hands so hopefully it will be out soon as well!  I will keep you up to date on that.  

I've also been obsessed with Story 18, when I opened it is was only 22,000 words.  2 weeks later it's at 50,500words.  I haven't backed up or reread it, and it's not at the end yet either!  So exciting!   I love it when a story comes together.  It amazes me that the ideas just flood out as though I'm not making it up at all.  

9

Ha!   I sent Story 9 to the Copyright office three days ago.  (Took me longer than I would have liked to decide it was ready) and I just noticed that not only is it Story 9, but it will also be the 9th story I publish!   I realize if you don't know me, you're thinking "that makes sense", but in my world it's a crazy coincidence.  See, I have published Story 1 (Taken) and it's sequel, story 6 (Solace) and it's sequel,  story 5 (The Shadow Dragon) and its sequel, story 8 (Not Human), and story 11 (Heart of the Emperor).   So it is amusing...umm... to me.     :)   Okay back to writing.  

So hopefully this book will be out before Christmas.  The cover isn't going as well as I would have liked, so that will be the deciding factor.

A quick update

Today has been a good day in my Writer's world.

Story 9 is finished and will be going to Copyright shortly.  I have a title and cover in mind, but not sure just yet.  Hopefully though in the next 3months I'll be releasing another book.  Woo Hoo.

The Shadow Dragon book 3 has finally been given the "this is a good book" status.  This means I am going to fix the errors and then hand it to my editors.  I'm feeling a lot better about this book!  Yes, I am going to make it just one book instead of two.  So now I also have to decide on a title and a cover.

Story 13 is giving me problems, but hopefully I'll have it out shortly after I get The Shadow Dragon done!

Okay, sorry this is short, but I have lots to do.

Another day to sell!

Woo Hoo!  I will be selling my books at another event!  Here are the details:

2015 FALL ROMEO BAND ~ CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW ~ (Michigan)

 Saturday, November 14th

 10am to 4pm

I am so happy that I get to do this!  I had so much fun at "Crafts Along the Creek" in Rochester!  I will be selling the first book of each "series" again (and I'll bring a couple of the second books too, since I had a few people who wanted to buy the sets last time).   Don't worry, I will remind you again as the date gets closer!  

I finished my read through for book three, and the first half is practically done, and the second half (what I had hoped to be book 4) still needs some work, but it was better than I had expected.  When I am done writing this I am going to transition the revisions I made in the printed manuscript to the computer.  Hopefully this will be the time my editors like it!   And I re-read Story 9 which I am almost ready to send to the Copyright office.  (Yep, still needs a title.  You would think this would be the easy part after creating a book that is 104,600 words.)  I also picked up my 3rd person book earlier today and decided I'm not ready to work on that.  I'm torn with working through the mess I made and just starting over.  So there is much to look forward too!

I know,  I know... I'm not doing a great job, not even a good job, at keeping up to date on my blog.    I always sit in front of this screen and my mind goes blank.  It doesn't seem fair.  I can write 60,000word novels in a couple of weeks, but I can't think of anything to write when I want to blog.   So I decided this evening I would just start typing and see what happens.   I am proud to say that I printed off a 133,740 word manuscript for the Shadow Dragon series.  It's actually the mostly finished book 3 and the getting close to finished book 4.  I'm going to read it as one book and see if maybe that is what it's supposed to be.  My longest published book is 116,600ish words, which translated into 488 pages in paperback.    I'm both afraid and excited to see how it all plays out.  Once I finish this, I'm going to pass it back to my "editors" and see what they think.  I'm waiting a little bit to start reading the manuscript because I don't want the story fresh in my mind when I revise it.  In the meantime, I have been working on my attempt at 3rd person.  It is quite a challenge for me.  Seems strange that it would be hard.  Although I guess it's like doing something right handed when you're left handed or attempting to do something backwards when you're very familiar with doing it in the other direction.  It's not impossible, just takes some getting used to.  First person came so natural to me.  I didn't even have to think about it.  I had hoped third person would be the same, but boy was I wrong.  The original draft, I flipped between 3rd person and 1st person without even realizing it.  With the second draft I wrote it 3rd limited.  That was horrible.   I'm on my 3rd attempt to write it and I am trying 3rd person omniscient.  This is a much better attempt, but still not as easy as 1st person.   However, I love the story so much I am not able to shelf it and say "I can't do it."  and it won't work 1st person.  I've also been trying to come up with a title and cover for my "adult" book.  Ugh.  I have come up with a couple of ideas for the cover art, but the title remains elusive.  I also have been brainstorming on book 2 of story 13 (Yes.  Also in need of a title.)  I wrote 20,000 words, but it's not true to the main character so I have to back up and re-write it.   Something similar happened when I wrote Solace: Lost, and that ended up turning out wonderfully!

On top of all that I am enjoying the summer.  It's great having the kids home all day.  Although everything is changing because they're getting older, we still spend time doing things together just us.   I've also discovered my knew favorite place to write and revise down at the park.  The last time I was there I found a perfect spot on a bench by the river.  My legs are too short to reach the ground so they just swing back and forth while I type.  The scenery is perfect: not too close to the river or the playgrounds, I can glance up from my computer and see trees, feel the breeze and the warmth of the sun.

Added a FAQ tab above

I just added a Frequently Asked Questions tab up with my "first chapter" tabs.  It's not very long, but I get asked a lot of the same questions and thought why not!  Feel free to let me know if there is something else you would like me to add to it.  Email: aschmidtbooks@gmail.com

Me on Memorial Weekend

I did it!  I put me (my dreams, my heart, my soul) and books out in the real world!  I had such a wonderful experience on Saturday and Sunday at the Heritage Festival.  

I met wonderful people of all ages.  Some young people who loved to write.  Some older and some my age who had written books, but haven't taken the jump yet.  I met people who loved to read and were happy to check out my books.  Everyone was intrigued by the blurbs (which made me happy since I've always wondered if they were any good) and loved the artwork on the covers (Yeah!!!).  I was selling a book an hour until a gentleman bought two books and then the selling moved up to two books an hour which continued into Sunday!  I sure hope he enjoyed those books!  I actually sold almost twice as many books as I was told I would, which was half of what I brought (making me all smiles)!   Thank you to all who purchased a book or two from me this weekend, each sale made my dream feel more alive!  

Memorial Weekend

So excited!  In two weeks, I will be selling paperback copies of a few of my books!  

Which ones?  These ones:

Taken: Marks of Satrii 

Solace: Uncharted Territory 

The Shadow Dragon: Orbs of Fire 

Not Human 

Heart of the Emperor

 I also made this banner which will be displayed.

  So if you're in the area Memorial Day weekend 

you should come by and visit me!  

38th Annual Festival in the Park ~ Rochester Heritage Days 

Which is located in Rochester's Municipal Park

608 Seventh St, Rochester, Michigan 48307

Saturday, May 23rd 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. 

Sunday, May 24th 11:00A.M to 5:00 P.M.

Exciting news!

Woo Hoo!   I am very excited to say that it's official!  I will be selling my books at:

“Crafts Along the Creek”

38th Annual Festival in the Park 

 Rochester Heritage Days

Memorial Day weekend (May 23rd and 24th, 2015) Rochester, Michigan

Saturday 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and Sunday 11:00A.M to 5:00 P.M. 

So much going on

Okay, so it's been much too long since I've been on here.  However, I am happy to say that things are as crazy as always.

The Shadow Dragon:
I have handed book three to my editors.  I am still hoping to have it out this summer.  I am now working on book four.  I am almost halfway through it.  The story keeps growing and evolving into more than I had expected.  I have also updated the cover for Orbs of Fire and am posting its new look today.  I am super excited with how it turned out.  I finally figured out how to create fire, allowing me to make the orbs of fire appear the way they had in my mind.  I did add a bright yellowish/white line down the center which is not part of what I had envisioned, but it created a more powerful appearance.

Also, I have pulled The Shadow Dragon series from Smashwords to put it in Amazon's KDP Select program. (Which means it isn't on Barnes&Nobles, Apple, or Kobo.)  Why?  Because I'm curious.  My plan is to leave it there for the contracted 3months, and then take it out of the Select program and put it back on Smashwords, but still leaving it at Amazon.  This is an experiment, so I'm not sure of the outcome yet.

Story 17:
I just finished reading through the first manuscript.  And although a little frustrated, I have a better idea of where the characters are headed.

Story 15:
I had rewrote this story, limiting it to two points of view.  I was so frustrated because the story had lost its heart - it felt disconnected.   I had been ready to cry, because the story is really good, but I was having a hard time telling it in 3rd person and it won't work as 1st person.  Then I remember there were two types of 3rd person, limited and omniscient (aka: head jumping).  I read up on omniscient and my heart leapt with joy.  This is how my story is supposed to be told!  And crazily enough that was how I had originally started.   So I have to go back and start from scratch, but at least I am a bit more confident about what I am doing.

Story 12:
I printed off the manuscript and am reading through it when I have time.  I woke up a week or so ago realizing where I had gone wrong in that story and now I know what needs to happen.  It sits in my car so when I'm out and about and know I will have some waiting to do I can bring it with me.  For example: picking up the kids, doctor offices, boring time during sporting events, and so on.

Solace:
My kids brought home a nasty virus and I couldn't focus on my writing for a couple of days so I adjusted my covers for the Solace books.  There isn't much difference on book one, but I made book 2's cover look more like book 1's cover. I will be changing those on here also.

Story 9:
My friend just got back to me on this story (which is my attempt at an adult book). I gave this manuscript only to two people out of fear that it was awkward. My one friend gave it to me with honest feedback. She loved the story, but there were some parts that needed some touch-ups. So I fixed a few things and exchanged copies with my other friend (who normally edits for me) who hadn't started reading it yet. She just finished today and said it was really good. I asked "not hokey or stupid?" She said "not at all." I of course asked about the "adult" parts? She said "even those were really good."  smile emoticon  No, it won't be considered Romance because my one friend told me it doesn't really fit in that genre. So it will be Fantasy still, but not for everyone.  Hee Hee.  Still one more story almost ready to be published!  Of course there's still the title and cover... Ugh... Nope. That's not going to bother me, I will figure it out like always!

Well I think that's everything in my writer's world.  I hope you are enjoying your adventures too!

A beautiful winter

So instead of talking about my writing I thought I show you pictures from the hikes I have taken this winter.  Views that keep me inspired.  The first five are from a 14.2 mile hike on the west side of Michigan.  My cousin and I were the first ones out on this section of the North Country Trail after a snowfall.  We hiked through about 4inches of snow.  It was absolutely beautiful.   I forgot my camera so these were taken with my dumb phone.  I was so frustrated because the pictures could have been so much better.  As we walked, I kept thinking how other-worldly the Earth looked.  

These next photos are from hikes in the woods near my home that I take when I have a hard time focusing, the dog needs a walk, or I just need to be outside.  They were taken with a point and shoot camera. (I bought it because it was Amanda proof - it could be dropped, it was waterproof, works in below freezing temperatures, and could be ran over by a car.  At the time it was a great purchase, but now, since I've been writing, I see so much more beauty in the world that I wish I could capture.)

These last two are my favorite with the last one being a place I love the most in the winter.  I love how the branch is curved over the trail like a doorway and the way the snow accents the beauty of it all.  They cut the fallen tree this past summer so that it doesn't block the trail which kind of made me sad - I loved to sit there.  It's still an amazing place though.  

"I Lived" by One Republic

Last year the song "Best Day of My Live" by American Authors grabbed tight to my soul. I listened to it everyday, never tiring of it. For the most part I accomplished what I set out to do. I strived to make each day the best day.  It's pretty amazing how one song can speak so much in only a few minutes.  As I flipped through my photos I have taken over the year, I was throughly impressed at what a great life I had in 2014.  Granted not everything was the best, but when I lacked optimism and strength, God made sure there was someone to help me through it.  Sometimes it was just a smile, sometimes an unexpected hug, sometimes my children laughing, or compliment I didn't think I deserved. I can honestly say that 2014 was a wonderful year.  I may not have finished as much as I wanted in my writer's world, but I never stopped, I never gave up, and in 365 days I did something for my writing everyday.  Whether it was writing, reading, editing, revising, promoting, brainstorming,  at the end of the day I can say I accomplished another piece to one of my stories.  The conclusion was a resounding: being a writer is not option.  It is part of what makes every day the best day of my life.

Moving into 2015, "I Lived" by One Republic has rooted itself in my soul:

"Hope when the moment comes you'll say:
I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places
The things that I did
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived..."

I hope this year that each day I will make sure I do something that makes me feel alive. I hope that even when things are bad, I'll believe there's better things to come.  I hope I'll always remember that I am blessed because I made a positive difference in someone else's life. I hope at the end of each day I'll swear I lived.  

This video is pretty awesome. I find One Republic pretty inspirational in their music and lyrics.  And their last couple of videos have left me glad that I watched.

What to expect from me in writing?  Definitely the Shadow Dragon book 3!  I am very excited with how this story grew.  It started from a dream I had while I was camping a few years ago.  Something about a girl and a guy who couldn't be together because of what might happen - and he knew it wouldn't be good, but he couldn't not love her.  Of course the rest of that dream is nothing like the book.  It was just an idea.  When I was writing it, I had only expected it to be one book, but it turned into two.  And now it looks like it's going to be four books!  It's so amazing how that happens.

I'm also hoping to get Story 13 published.  On a side note: I read through my list of stories that I have started (it's a sheet of paper with the story number,  the main characters, and how many words have been written) and realized I totally forgot that I finished Story 9.  However my friend still has it.  (I'll have to see if she's even taken a peek.  I mean if I forgot about it, what's to say she hasn't.)  So hopefully that one should be on the published list this year too.  Which makes a definite 3 books published in 2015 with the chance there will be more.  My brain never stops, which means the possiblities are abounding!  

One thing stands out to me with this song being my inspiration for the year: I am looking forward to the adventure that awaits!