Multiple POV's...yeah or nah?

Hmmm. Look at those lips.

Every blog post should start with a yummy guy, it's like having a bowl of Wheaties in the morning. My Wheaties would have to be Damon Salvatore.

Lately I have been mulling around with a new story - a Dystopian Romance. I've been playing with ideas here and there, trying to figure stuff out (stuff, I have such a way with words). I started out writing in 1st person, then I re-wrote in 3rd person, but what I think I really want to do is 1st person multiple POV's.

The two main characters are Zoeya and Dash, so I was thinking of alternating between the two of them.

Is this a good idea?
Do readers enjoy the swapping of POV's?

I personally enjoy them, but the few I have read didn't start the series out that way. It wasn't until the 4th or 5th book that the swapping of voices occurred.

Hmm... I just can't decided. I think when the time comes, I will post the intro in all three and take a poll. In the future. By future, I mean I have no idea when. I really need to keep my focus on Hunting Angel, but after that I might play around with the storyline. I am sure you will hear more about it.

If you have a preference or an opinion, let me know!

XOXO

A typical evening 0_o

Usually this is how an evening of writing works for me. It's like a science.

Boot-up laptop

Get bored and start playing Candy Crush on phone
Open Word document
Scroll through document
Reread paragraph trying to remember where I left off
Stare at Word, trying to remember all the great ideas I had while driving home from my 9-5
Type a sentence or two. Maybe more if I’m feeling saucy
Check out Facebook waiting to get inspired
Get inspired but not with writing – home décor
Stalk some decorating blogs
Follow some interesting ones
Then check out my blog
Scold myself for getting sidetrack. Write a paragraph, maybe a page, thinking, oh yeah on a roll
Candy Crush again. Finally pass that level I’ve been stuck on for a week. Give myself a silent high-five
Open YouTube and watch newest Yogscast video
Laugh butt off like an insane person. It can’t be helped.
Husband sticks head in to see what is so funny. “I thought you were writing.”
Busted. Quick close YouTube. “I am, right now.”
Get myself in the zone and write another paragraph
Find myself on Amazon reading people’s comments
Then over to Goodreads for some more lurking
Prowl on Twitter for awhile
Post a tweet, #hashtag like a madwoman
Yell at myself for being on Twitter
Pledge to writing at least 1,000 words without any interruptions
Halfway through realize I haven’t checked my emails in a few hours
Which then leads to more stalking numerous websites
Look at clock and groan. Realize I actually need to write if I am going to finish this book. Do that.
Get a new scene in my head. Stop writing what I’m writing and skip ahead to new scene
End night, ready for bed
Then all the good stuff hits. Look at laptop cooling and grab notebook
Jot down ideas for tomorrow

Hopefully I am not the only author with sporadic habits. *sighs*
Though somehow a few months later I end up with a manuscript draft. Pretty-freaking-unbelievable.

LOSING EMMA (A Divisa Novella) Freebie!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I thought the holiday would be a great time to give away LOSING EMMA for free. This is a prequel novella to SAVING EMMA in the Divisa series.

So for today and tomorrow only LOSING EMMA will be available for free on Amazon.

What a great way to spend some of your holiday catching up on some reading, well that's what I usually do on my days off. Lately my free time is reserved for writing. That is what I will be doing on this Holiday and looking forward to it.

Get your free copy here:

                        
On a side note, the four day vacation from my day job is much needed. Time for some relaxation, a ton of food and get into the writing zone. My 2 boys will be out of town for most of the Holiday, so I should be able to dedicate some much needed time to AMETHYST TEARS.

Have a fantastic Thanksgiving!

Gobble! Gobble!

Odds & Ends...

So I have a ton of stuff to cram into this post. Here it goes...

A lot of people have been wondering when AMETHYST TEARS will be released. In my perfect world it would ready for publication in January. I have had to push the release date back further than i had originally plan. There were many factors that contributed. My newest book SAVING ANGEL was reviewed by a few publishers, although I did end up self-pub, it took some time prepping it and whatnot.

Also I am not a full-time writer. I actually have a day job (I work in insurance). Writing for me is something I do for fun. I absolutely love the entire creative process. It's an escape. If I am not writing in my free time, I'm reading. My goal was never about the money, which is why you will never pay the retail prices most published books cost. They will always be under $5 and a few times a year you can actually get them for free!

Plus if you have read one of my books then you probably know that I am the world's worst editor 0_0 No matter how many times I re-read, I will still not catch all the mistakes. I think I have gotten better, but I am actually working with a few Beta Readers so hopefully in the future the will be better edited.

I am also currently working on a 2nd edition for LUMINESCENCE (where hopefully I will clean up many of those horrid editing mistakes. I can't promise that I will get them all, but I will do my best). For those who already have a copy and would like to update to the 2nd edition when it comes out, I would be more than happy to gift you a copy. I will be making a post as soon as it is ready. Either email at jenniferlweil@gmail.com or leave a comment.

Since I first released LUMINESCENCE earlier this year I wasn't sure what I expected. This has been a fabulous learning experience, and I only hope to grow with my writing.

I thank each and every person that has helped me and given me some incredible feedback. It is greatly appreciated. And to everyone who has enjoyed one of my books, its amazing! I love the feedback, and knowing someone is as excited about a character/story as I am is priceless!

XOXO

LOSING EMMA (Divisa Novella Prequel) Heck ya!

I just wanted to send a BIG thank you to everyone who has bought SAVING ANGEL and LOSING EMMA this week.

It was a fantastic week, and I am so excited for the release of this Novella. I just love this series to pieces <3.

You guys are amazing! I am just floored from the ratings this series is getting.


If you have already read SAVING ANGEL check out LOSING EMMA available for only $1.99:

                        

Description:

Emma Deen is no stranger to being the new girl. The word roots aren’t in her family’s vocabulary. So when she finds herself a junior at Hall High the last thing she expected was to be drawn to the magnetic Travis Winters. Those turquoise eyes and irresistible dimples tug at her heart. Dancing used to consume her world... until Travis.

Being half-demon is no picnic in the park. Friends are sparse, his love life is tricky and he was always in constant danger. Even though Travis tries to keep his distance, Emma makes it impossible for him to ignore her anymore. And his life takes on a new meaning. Hopeful. Tempting. Love.

Travis’s dark secret would not only throw them in danger, it would also change their lives. Neither of them knew what being together would lead to.

If you haven't read SAVING ANGEL check it out here.

AMETHYST TEARS (Luminescence Book 2)

I have been working hard on AMETHYST TEARS, book 2 in the Luminescence series, and I am getting pretty darn excited about where the story is going. Eeeeee.

I will also be posting a sneak peak, Chapter 1 in a few weeks.

~Description~

Lukas is alive.

I’m talking in the flesh, and he is just as dreamy as ever.

Problem is I haven’t told Gavin. There are just no words to tell someone that your dreams… really aren’t just dreams. And I’m a sucky liar. When the two actually met, it’s a freaking disaster. Like fists flying, magic swirling and tempers flaring.

Ugh. Boys.

But Lukas and I have something in common, other than sharing dreams. Our magic has similar signatures. Nobody knows what that means. And as much as I know that it kills Gavin, Lukas is helping me control it.

The more I use my magic, the more trouble seems to find me. Loads of it. Turns out my magic might just be more dangerous than anyone bargained for.

But mostly I’m scared that my worst nightmare might come true. Gavin will give up on us.

If you haven't read LUMINESCENCE it is now available for .99 at:



For bonus material and other stuff click here.

Cover Reveal: SAVING ANGEL (A Divisa Novel) by J.L. Weil

Cover reveal! And series reveal!

Okay, I am super excited about this new series 0_0

I haven't really said a lot about this series because it was something I was going to start after I finished the LUMINESCENCE series.

Well that plan went out the window. I couldn't get the story out of my head, and when I started just jotting down ideas I found myself halfway finished with the novel.

I couldn't focus on anything else... darn you Chase Winters.
*sigh*

SAVING ANGEL is a Older YA Paranormal Romance told from the 1st person by Angel Morgan.

This is going to be a series with at least 3 books and a novella. It is about a demons, hunters and a smart mouth girl who might have met her match in the infuriating Chase Winters.

Anticipated release date: September 2012

Check out more here

Shout Out to Book Bloggers

I just wanted to say how great this whole experience has been. Before I started writing I always read. It was a huge part of my life. Other people party all night, I stayed up and read all night. I never knew that there was a huge great community of people who loved books as much as I did and blogged about them.

Let me just say that through this process I have met some unbelievably great people. And through them I have been connected with some amazing books and other authors. I wish that I had been a part of this much earlier. I guess I am a little late to the party ;(


I have learned so much about the blogging process and am looking forward to continuing meeting people through blogs, twitter and goodreads. I would love to branch out eventually and get involved with the blog tours and ARC's.

Thanks to everyone who gave this self-published author a chance!!!

xoxo

Crossroads

The last month I have been at a crossroad. Which path do I take?

I always give myself deadlines on when I need to complete a project. It's the only way I can keep myself sane and insure I get it down. Sometimes I have to shuffle things around, because nothing in life ever goes as expected.

Well the last three weeks I got so caught up in a new book a started writing. A paranormal romance that I absolute fell in love with immediately. So much so that I have written 20+ chapters and am nearing the finish. Everything else kind of fell into the background as this book just tumbled from my fingers.

I have already thought of a novella prequel that I want to finish before the end of the year, plus my second book in the Luminescence Trilogy. I know that I should be putting all my focus into complete Ameythst Tears, but this book just couldn't wait.

In the mean time, I have put my Elements series on hold as this book just grabbed ahold of me. I still plan to finish it in the near future (as the first one is already half finished) but I am going to try and focus on my current books.

My fingers are crossed that this will be the book to get published. I am so excited about the storyline and the characters. Regardless, I am very proud of this book. Any details I have, I will blog about as soon as I know.

xoxo

whoooo oooooo

I just reached my first 1,000 sales. Luminescence has been out for just a little less than a month. It has been completely awesome processes, writing, editing (not my fav) and publishing my first book. I couldn't be happier with the results and the people who have encouraged and supported me - you guys are awesome!


Plus the amount of international sales have been great. This whole experienced has opened new doors I never thought I been able to reach.


I've been hard working on the 1st book in my new series Earth Bound. Which should be ready to go viral in August 2012 & then I go straight to finishing and editing Amethyst Tears (Book 2 in Luminescence). Book 2 is expected to be released Fall of 2012.


Check back for upcoming details.


xoxo

Freebie and Ramblings

Today was the first day of Luminescence free on Amazon.com - a smashing success. Well for me it was. I was completely hesitant about entering my book in amazon's KDP select program. The idea of taking my book off the other sites and making it strictly available to kindle wasn't exactly idea, but in the end I think the exposure was good for the book. And I am ultimately glad that I decided to try it.

Lately I've focused so much attention on promoting and querying Luminescence (rejection can be brutal) that I need to get back into writing. I've started a new 4-book series that I am super excited about it. I think it is the best book I've written so far. It's called the Elements of Hidden Harbor, and there is a preview available to read here.

If you haven't figure it out yet I love to write fantasy - mostly really witches. I love magic! And lots and lots of romance. I am a sucker for love! I am shooting to have the new book Earth Bound released in August 2012. I wrote 5,000 words last night and am hoping to get another 5K in tonight before I go out for some line dancing.

I have also been working on book 2 Amethyst Tears but only have a few chapters complete. My heart hasn't been in the right place while I am still promoting Luminescence. But I am aiming to have it ready in October for release.

Much love from fairyland.
xoxo

Luminescence - Free

Luminescence for the next two weeks will be available exclusive to Amazon.com. On June 6th and 7th it will be free! That's right free! I am very excited about this.

After the running promotion it will be back up on the other sites, smashwords and B&N. I do apologize for any who planned on buying it from one of them, but know that it will return. ;)

During the Amazon.com promotion it will still be available in paperback at createspace.com. Make sure you check it out there and grab a copy.

Thank you for everyones support!

xoxo

To everyone who bought my book this week...

I don't know how many of you were family or friends, regardless I thank you. I love each one of for supporting my dream. The feeling is indescribable seeing your book in print and on the sites you've purchased from repeatedly.

Thanks for making it a wonderfully experience so far.

xoxo

Book Covers

I wanted to get the opinion of readers on book covers. What you like, what catches your eye and what you don't like. I of course have my own opinion, I wanted to see what the majority likes. This is an ongoing poll and would love to hear for you. Then we'll get to see what the majority of readers prefer. It can be an genre even though I mostly writeTeen Fantasy.

The past few days I have been going over style designs for my first book in the Elements of Hidden Harbor series, Earth Bound (Sage's story). I can't decide if I want to got with a person on the cover or not.

Being an avid reader myself, I thought I would kick it off with a few of my favorites and not so favorites. I haven't read all of these books, so I am not vouching for the content, just cover alone.

These are a few that I thought were creative ~

I actually really love the mirror image and in this case I love the girl - great effect.

It's no secret that I absolutely adore Nora Roberts. Her covers are always fabulous. So I am giving her her own slot. These are just a few of my fav's for her large collection of books.

      
        








So I am not always a fan of people on covers. I think sometimes it can take away the vision of what the reader images of characters. The illusions in these covers are fantastic. Its just enough without giving away what they really look like.

 Now for a few that I am not all that impressed with ~

I am a huge Trueblood and Sookiestack House fan. I don't know what it is though, I just don't love the book covers. Does anyone else agree? Love the stories - Love Eric.

I would love to hear what other books you think have amazing covers and also the not so great. Its important to know what the readers want.

xoxo

Luminescence...its a go

Luminescence is now for sale - yeah (huge sigh) but it doesn't stop here. I've already begun book 2 and hope to have it for sale by the end of summer. Keeping my fingers cross that it all goes well. Its available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and I am working I getting up on Createspace. Check out them out here for for direct links to buy.

Will have updates and first chapter available for Amethyst Tears soon.

xoxo

Edits...

Now that Luminescence is out and about I have worked hard on editing. Now matter how perfect I may think the book is, I know that there are bound to be mistakes and errors. I would greatly appreciate if you notice those little mistakes, that you email me or contact me through my blog. Please leave comments below. I want to put the best book out there I possibly can. I will address them immediately and make sure they get updated on all sites.

Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy the book. I am currently hard work on book 2. Check back for updates.

xoxo

Amethyst Tears

Book #2 - Amethyst Tears
Coming Fall 2012

I was playing with companion covers for the next book in the Luminescence Trilogy. Here is what I came up with. What do you think, a winner?

Will make the finally decision by the end of the summer. If you have any suggestions, they are appreciated and there might be a contest to follow or a giveaway... will have details to come.

xoxo

Stepping out of the box

Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone. I think my biggest challenge in this industry will be finding a sturdier backbone. I am by nature a shy, sensitive, private person. Baring your soul and heart into a book you love and believe in is hard enough. Add the extra layers of rejection and criticism and you find yourself second guessing your work. The key for me is keeping the dream in sight and barreling through.

The dream ~
1. Having others enjoy the stories and characters that I created
2. Seeing my books on the shelves (I lived at bookstores and still do. As much as I love my ebook reader nothing can replace the smell of printed pages.)
3. Talking, blogging and chatting about the books
4. Doing what I love - writing full time

Never loose sight... determination, determination, determination.

xoxo

The end is in sight... well almost (so close)

I finally made the long trek and finished my first book in the trilogy. Now begans the fun part (groan)... editing. This is actually more difficult than I originally thought. I find myself second guessing what I've done some days. The more I go over the chapters I wonder if this is publish-worthy material. Of course those who have read it are close to me and only time will tell.

But at the end of the day, I love this story, I love my characters, I love writing and I really really want to be published. Whether I find an agent or I self-publish this is my dream. Who doesn't want to do what the love as career?

I want to be as open and honest about my journey through writing, editing and publishing - the whole nine yards. Hopefully it will be something I can look back on and appreciate all the hard work and dedication I put into this series.

So folks let me know what you think when it does go live (I will keep you updated as soon as that happens).

xoxo

Inspired -

As a writer I have had many influential authors who have inspired me in what I enjoy so much - writing.

From the time I can remember books have always been a part of my life. My parents read to me every night as a child - Dr. Seuss (Hop on Pop & ABC) , The Berenstein Bears (The Spooky Old Tree), and the Little Critter books. These are the same books that I read to my kids when they were little.

  As I got older the reading never stopped. I remember there wasn't a birthday or christmas that I didn't receive a book (this is still true). I started to really get into series. They opened up a whole new world for me. It was filled with every eddition of The Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High.

Then I found mysteries thanks to Christopher Pike and Nancy Drew. I still have every Pike book I read. They are collecting dust, waiting for one of my boys to pick them up - or maybe I will.
I use to spend a week of my summer vacations on my Grandparents farm with my younger sister. There I would sneak up to the third floor room and raid my aunt's stack of books. I spent the entire week on the window seat in their family room reading book after book.

When I got into high school I started to read Pike's Adult novels along with Dean R. Koontz. There were many nights I stayed up all night completely freaked and entralled by the stories they told.

Then after high school I made the transistion into Romance and Historial Romance. Nora Roberts and Johanna Lindsey will always be my favorite authors of all time.

As my boys got older and started doing independent reading on their own, they would tell me about the books they read. They knew how much I read and were always telling me to check out this book or that book. Of course I did. I often read the same series as my sons - Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Hunger Games. From there my love for Young Adult books blew up. I read everything I could get my hands on.

xoxo