Sneak Peak!

Take a peak at the first chapter of The Governess!

http://elliseweaver.weebly.com/first-three-chapters-of-the-governess-pdf.html

Would love feedback!
Ellise :)

Author Press Kit

Between school, appointments, and daily lists, I've been feverishly working away on a  new project this week:  my author press kit.  I didn't even know I needed one.  But thanks to an awesome blog, TheCreativePenn.com, I'm learning all kinds of new things. 

Joanna Penn is amazing!  She's been through much of what writers go through to see our work become successful.  And now she is as well.  But what's better, I think, in addition to her success is that she's so willing to share what she's learned along the way.  There are truly wonderful people in this world who do think of the other guy.  I'm grateful.  Thanks, Joanna!

For those who've never heard of an Author Press Kit, click here to see mine.  Joanna has more examples on her website, here.  Have a great weekend everyone!
Ellise

Contest Winner!

I would like to announce the Winner of The Governess Contest! 

Nicki D.! 

Nicki had a splendid, simple, and complete way of bringing Creighton to Miss Amelia Hansen’s home, which he could not refuse.  Or so he thought.

Nicki will get to pick from two offered prizes:
  1)  To rename Miss Amelia Hansen’s character, or;
  2)  To receive a signed copy of The Governess when it is published in May/June 2013.

Read these chapters soon to find out what Nicki suggested and how I incorporated her ideas.

Thanks, Nicki D, for your contribution and for reading The Governess!  I'd also like to thank all those who participated in the contest!  Your support means everything to me! :)

Have a great day everyone!
Ellise

Been busy building a website for my brother-in-law's game...

Check it out:  http://www.murdermarblegame.com

For those who love board games, please support his invention.  I think he's been very creative.  :)

Ellise

About the Contest:

I've decided to give the Contest just one week from today for input.  So, by next Wednesday--say Noon--the contest will be closed.  Thank you to those who have participated already!! :)  Much appreciated!  You bring joy to the world of writing for me.  It's always amazing to have our work read and enjoyed, so to have any of you willingly participate is overwhelming in an awesome way!  Thanks!
Ellise~

A Contest!

I've decided to have a contest!  Yippee!!

What this entails:  I have a small snippet from The Governess that I will share below; but in it, I don't have a good enough reason, yet, (and this is where you come in!) for the male hero to be at a certain person's home for tea.  I would love to have you come up with a great reason for me. 

The prize?  Well...I might be open for suggestions on this, but so far, I've come up with an idea that YOU might be able to rename this lady character for me.  Is that a good prize?  I don't know.  I'm open.  I thought about a signed copy of The Governess, but it's not out yet.  If that is better, let me know.  Whoever's suggestion I implement, we'll talk okay.  :) 

Here's the snippet I need reworked with a 'reason' for Creighton to be at Amelia Hansen's house: 

Creighton could not believe how Miss Amelia had wiggled her way into getting him over for tea.  She was a conniver, just as Janese had been.  Maybe that was why they had been best friends.  All that he knew was, at that moment, if she touched him once more, he would leave.

Her hair glistened, her hands looked invitingly soft, and her gown was a luscious pale green.  She was delectable.

But not to his palate.

“Your home and lands are gorgeous as always, Creighton, darling, I must say.  You always do keep a good house.  Your servants are devoted to you, in spite of the gossips.  How do you do it?”

“Uh…,” Creighton lifted his teacup to his lips not knowing how to comment.

Amelia’s brother answered for him.  “He does not do it at all, Amelia.  He has an extensive staff to do that for him.”

“You are quite wrong, Felix. Have you not ever seen Creighton out working with his tenants?  It is a sight to behold!”  She
smirked alluringly at the earl, her own lustful thinking blatant to all who listened to her.

She is appalling.

And then she touched him…

What do you think?  Is it fine, or should we do something special, more interesting?  This is the end of Chapter 46. 

Good luck!
Ellise

Another Monday

Here we are at a new week's beginning.  The tulips and daffodils are coming up, the leaves are budding out, and things are turning green.  This is my favorite time of year.  Winter can be so long, so I always enjoy the promise of fair weather and the accompanying greenery. 

As part of my Spring-cleaning, I've taken out The Governess, shaken her out, dusted her off, and begun again to finish this project. I'm in the middle of Chapter 44-Escape.  Having shaken loose some of the inexperience from before when I worked on her, I'm finding lots of POV variances.  I'm struggling with the desire to change them completely.  Some I have, and I'm very happy.  Other scenes have been split so many ways, at this point, I simply refuse to change what I have.  I've cleaned them up and made sure that the reader at least knows who is speaking, but the content was good already.  I felt it was a waste of my precious time to do more.  I may change my mind yet, or I just simply might regret this decision.  I don't know yet.  For now, I'm just happy to move on to the next chapter. 

My goal is to be self-published by June, if not before.  May sounds much better to me.  :)  This project has taken up so much of my time.  I began the original manuscript on January 2, 2008, the year after chemo.  I wanted a new goal for that year.  It was successful at diverting my attention away from sadder, more difficult things.  But I want to see it finished.  There is great satisfaction in seeing our goals completed, if for no other reason than to say, "I've done it."

So join me in 'getting goals done'.  It's a great feeling.  What are your goals?

Happy reading & writing!
Ellise

Point of View (POV)

I'm interested in knowing what my readers think about Point of View (POV).  As long as I understand which head I'm in, I don't mind head hopping to different characters in a story.  I like to know what each character is thinking.  That's just me.  But I do fine with only one or two POVs too.  However, I tend to write multiple POVs.  It comes naturally to me. 

But what I would like to know from my readers is this: which do you prefer reading?

I'm glad I've got through the chapters I wanted to complete this week.  I'm currently on Chapter 38--Tea Time.  Houseguests are present--annoying ones, that is.  So Creighton is crazy mad and frustrated, but grateful for time with Carly. 

I love the chapter about the stormy night where Carly is mopping up rainwater and Creighton catches her doing so.  Sounds weird, but it was an opportunity for them to be alone.  Once I get this published, I'd love to hear your thoughts too. 

Have a great day everyone!

Ellise

Chapter 30 -- Torment

I'm excited to be at Chapter 30!  Woohoo!

This can be a rather long process--the process of editing or rewriting what is already existing.  I'm glad I have time today to work on it.  Hate being sick though. 

The next few chapters will be:  Whispering in Her Ear; The Cad; Apology; Pixies; and Caresses.  I'm hoping I can get through those chapters today!  Woohoo!  Here I go!

Ellise~

Had a Great Weekend

It was great being with my hubby and kids and watching General Conference.  We had a great 'hoagie' and movie night watching "Wreck It Ralph".  Cute show.  Kids loved it; Devin and I were okay with it.  More for the younger 'gaming' generation, although we could relate with the Asteroids and Galaga comments. 

Well, back at it again today.  Getting school started off with my son and working on my own stuff.  It'd be nice to work out at least five chapters a day, although I'd like to get ten done instead.  :)  It's always good to set goals, right?

Let's make this an awesome week everyone! 

Hugs,
Ellise

Pizza and a Movie Night

Enjoy your Friday night, peoples...I plan on resting. 

It's been an awesome, busy, satisfying day.  So glad I can say that.  :)  Busy with school and writing today.  Try to keep the importance upon schooling, but have to have my fill here too.  It's life saving...Readers and writers out there know what I mean.  :)

So what are you eating tonight for your Friday??

Enjoy, all!

Ellise

I've started an additional blog on my website

Just because I can. :) 

http://elliseweaver.weebly.com/blog.html

Just finished Chapter 17! I'm on a roll!

So glad to have a little time tonight to work on my book.  So many more important things happen during the day that need attention.  When a little chunk of time shows itself, I'm all there, writing away.  However...it does make it quite difficult to get up in the morning...  :(

Happy writing folks!

~Ellise

Just finished Chapter 10! YAY!

YAY!!  I just finished reworking Chapter 10.  So glad to finally be making some progress on my book.  It is so slow though.  There is hardly ever any time to work on it, but I have been rewarded with some time tonight after our family walk. 

It's so beautiful outside right now.  Sunshine and the promise of warmer weather bringing greenery to life--just like in the chapters of The Governess that I'm working on. 

Writing has been such a different process than I originally thought it would be.  In the beginning, I thought that whatever I wrote down would be just a few, relatively easy edits and then I would find a publisher within, oh, say...six months?  Reality can be a harsh wake up call.  :)  But I'm good with that now.  I think my journey has been uniquely tailored to fit me, for whatever reasons.  Probably humility.  ;)

You all knew that, didn't you.  You could have told me...  haha.  Just kidding.

On with the work!

~Ellise

P.S.  I've bagged the stupid signature.  Didn't turn out right.  Darn!