Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Monday, June 27, 2011

At last, progress on the writing front

After a very long nonproductive writing lull, I am back in business, baby! I never really worried. (Too much.) After all, when your mom dies and you have a major move to a new home shortly after, really it isn't the time to stress over word count and delayed projects.

But I am now happy to report that I am very close to having my BuNoWriMo draft complete by June 30!

And something else-- House of Diamonds is heading to the typesetter this week! A cover concept is being finalized, and the release date has been set for fall. I'll be organizing a blog tour to promote it, something I never did for my previous books so I'm excited about that too.

What it is about:

Two sisters, one approaching opportunity, the other tragedy. Marcie McGill moves towards realizing her dreams, while her sister Cindy faces heartache.  Can their bond endure? 

House of Diamonds give voice to a beloved baby who had none. And shows the incredible power that comes to families when they pull together to overcome challenges. At these times, a house of pain can become a house of diamonds.  

It will be the last novel about Marcie and Shawn McGill, and Marcie's sister, Cindy. (My next one is completely different, although also women's fiction.) But I still had some things to say using these particular characters. House of Diamonds is as much Cindy's story as it is Marcie's

I have some last-minute editing to do. This is why I love having an editor. When I think it is done, she finds some issues that, once resolved, will make it so much better. 

Also, Uncut Diamonds has been dropped to .99 on the Kindle, to prepare for the launch of the (sort of but not really) sequel. You can get it here here here!!

34 comments:

  1. Great to hear you're back in the game, Karen!

    And yes, editors are a Godsend.

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  2. Sorry to hear about your mom. But I'm glad you're back in business! :)

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  3. Sorry about your mom. Good luck with everything.

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  4. Sounds like you're in a good place now, back to the page ... Enjoy :)

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  5. That's a double shot of great news, Karen. Congrats on both the nearly completed first draft and House of Diamonds!

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  6. It feels good doesn't it? Good luck with your final edits and with finishing your new draft!

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  7. You've had a lot of good and bad going on. I'm so happy to hear you've made progress during all the time of transition.

    We'll probably move soon. The idea fills me with dread!

    Good luck with all you have going on.

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  8. Congratulations! And you know you can always visit my blog during your tour.

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  9. Sounds like a great novel. Glad your back. Can't wait to read the novel.

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  10. Yay, Karen! Yay for writing! And yay for editors! I like the word yay! Yay for yay! :)

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  11. Yay, great stuff. Glad to hear you're back on the horse.

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  12. KarenG!!!!! How exciting!! And I love love love love your blurb - yay!! Huge congratulations!!! Take care
    x

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  13. I so agree with you about the problems of mourning your Mum and not being able to write. I'm feeling the same and I can't quite get my head back into it all yet.

    House of Diamonds sounds brilliant and I'm looking forward to hearing more about your blog tour.

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  14. So good you have found positive energy again, Karen. Good luck for all your projects.

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  15. sounds great! glad you're back on track!

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  16. I'm sorry to hear about your mom.

    Glad to hear you're back on track!

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  17. I enjoyed your other books and can't wait to read this one!
    Hang in there Karen...

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  18. This sounds like a book I want to read!

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  19. Happy to hear your on track again. Sorry to hear about your mom.

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  20. That's so fantastic. Congrats for the great progress :)

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  21. Glad to hear you're writing again - it's a good step forward. Hope you're doing well *hugs*

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  22. That is exciting Karen. Good job on being so close!

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  23. Congrats, Karen.

    Sounds like you are definitely back in the game. How exciting to have another book finished and almost ready to debut.

    Like Alex, I love to host exciting books in blog tours...

    I love the title of your books.

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  24. Oh, dear, Karen. First your mom and then a move. I've found moving alone to be very trying. Blessings and Bear hugs in a difficult time.
    But your book is being sent to the printer. Hoooooray!

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  25. yay for Karen! i hope to be joining you soon on the getting back to writing journey.

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  26. Hi Karen .. so much happening with you - but so pleased you've continued on with your books .. good luck with the release and book tours etc ..

    Happier and easier times ahead .. with thoughts - Hilary

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  27. Just checking in to say you're one of my inspirations. Your third book in three years? Look at you go!

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  28. Shellie, I haven't seen you for ages, thanks for stopping by. But correction, I'm not that productive. Farm Girl was published in 2007, Uncut Diamonds in 2009, and House of Diamonds will be 2011. So it's like every two years, which is pretty much the same schedule that I had my babies LOL.

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  29. I'm so sorry you lost your mom.

    I bet it feels good to get back in the old writing saddle. Carry on!

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  30. I'm so sorry about your Mom, Karen.

    Good to see you are a fighter! And I see you bake cookies. Do I smell cookies?

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  31. My mother has been gone over 13 years now. I still here her coming up my back steps for a visit yelling "Hey ! Anybody home ?"

    May your good memories help you through this time Karen

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  32. Congratulations on the writing front! I love when I get back in the game. It always feels like a weight has been lifted!!!

    As for awesome Kindle sales you know I'm all about that!!! I look forward to the upcoming release! It sounds delicious.

    As for me I've sent out a manuscript ;) I've finished up a new manuscript and should be sending that one out shortly!!!!

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