Category: Michael Young

Stick a Flag in March

March 28th, 2012

Stick a flag in March. Two days ago, I already hit my 50,000 word mark for the month. I’m about 8,000 words ahead, which is a pretty nice padding. Hope I won’t need it. I’m spending the last days of March trying to widen that lead, but also finishing up another edit of the 2^ndCanticle Kingdom book so that it can go off to the editor I hired.

It is the last chance to submit to the Christmas Short Story Anthology. The deadline is March 31^st. Check out “current projects” for more info. I have a bunch of great submissions, including an epic historical piece about Good King Wenceslas, who was apparently much more interesting that I had ever considered.

Please be sure to check out my audio series, especially if you liked or would like to read “The Canticle Kingdom”. I think it will make it a much deeper experience. The second one that I’m narrating is called “Phineas Frakture and the Dolonites” and it shaping up to be an interesting adventure with great characters.

http://bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofDawn.html

http://bigworldnetwork.com/PhineasFrakture.html

If you’d like to play a game of “Where’s Waldo” with real people, I’m singing in LDS General Conference this weekend with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. You can stream it live, or watch the videos after the fact at http://www.lds.org. Leave a comment if you were able to spot me!

Stats:

Running Total: 158090

Month to Date: 51,758

Yearly Percentage to Go: 73.7%

Writing Tip of the Week:

When bringing a project to a close, make sure it is going to make the reader’s happy. Not all ending have to be rainbows and roses, but make sure that there is something that made the journey worthwhile. Someone, typically your main characters, should have made progress, and at least something about the world should be better or more hopeful than before. You want your reader to feel at rest at the end of your story at least to some degree.

Writing Update:

The big finale of Wandful is in the bag, and I’m trying to decide which project to work on next. I’ve been hearing that dystopian novels and paranormal romances are less in demand these days. (Good thing I’d only ever write one of the two.) I have a whole stack of ideas I’d like to try, which I feel is a good problem to have.

I’m also considering what new web series I might try to write. I’m doing this current one and one more for my Canticle series, after which the reader is taken up to the time of the first novel. I’m thinking about giving the same treatment to “The Last Archangel”, especially because Xandir obviously has a long and interesting backstory at which he only hints at in the novels. More on that as it develops.

‘Til I see you again, write bravely and live well!
Book Bomb for Caller ID

March 22nd, 2012

A book bomb in an effort to have many people buy a certain book on a certain day in order to shoot the rankings up on Amazon.com, which helps authors gain exposure. Today, we are doing one for “Caller ID” by Rachelle Christensen.

Rachelle is making it well worth your while. If you buy the book tomorrow, you will get a whole truckful of free stuff. Check out http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/ to get the great details.

Here’s a link to order the book and help out:Caller ID on Amazon

Thanks for helping!
Gesundheit! At Last!

February 28th, 2012

It’s amazing how little you get done when sickness strikes. I was sicker this week than I have been since I was a little kid and spent entire days sprawled out on the couch watching cartoons and sipping Gatorade.(By the way, “Gesundheit” means “health” in German. That’s why you say it when to people when they sneeze).

I’ve decided that I need to be a little flexible on my blog schedule for my busy life. I’ll still shoot for Monday and Thursday, but it might be occassionaly bumped to a surrounding day.

I’m feeling very good about my writing with lots of a good news coming in. We’re almost done with the shortest month of the year and I’m only about 2,000 words shy of hitting 50,000 again. I figure if I can hit the mark in February, every other month should be a breeze. Thank goodness for that Leap Day though this year where I get an extra day to get ahead on writing versus a normal year.

Stats:

Running Total: 103,749

Monthly Percentage to Go: 4.4%

Yearly Percentage to Go: 82.7%

Writing Tip of the Week:

When working towards writing goals, always write a little extra on those days when things are flowing well. It’s like saving up a few extra dollars “for a rainy day.” Even though I was sick and got very little writing done for a few days this week, I still did not fall behind on my overall goal because I had been following this practice. There’s nothing more discouraging than seeing yourself fall farther and farther behind. Never let yourself get into that position.

Writing Update:

Excellent progress on my novels with more than 30,000 words on Wandaful already. I worked on developing the series’ system of magic this week and I think it works really well. It has to do with different colors of magic that stand for different things, and I think you’ll all like it when I debut it. Other projects are plugging along, and I found out that two of my modern parables are going to be included in the a published anthology coming out this fall.

“Canticle of Night” is almost complete and has been really fun. Please take a moment to support it by clicking the ‘like’ button on the page. They have picked it up for a second season, so the story will continue! I’ll keep you posted on more details.

If you want to listen to or read “Canticle of Night”, please visit my page at http://www.bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofNight.html
Canticle Kingdom II and Other Great Things

February 7th, 2012

I’m very pleased to announce that I will be bringing The Frozen Globe to life this year, which will be the second book in The Canticle Chronicles. Here’s a sneak peek at the cover:

My schedule for Life, the Universe and Everything (LTUE) at Utah Valley University is as follows: (All events are on Thursday February 9^th)

11:00 AM: Middle-Grade Books for Boys

2:00 PM: Book Signing

4:00: Avoiding Cliché Like the Plague

I’m only able to attend one day, because I’m headed down to Arizona this weekend to perform in a couple of concerts. See the full schedule here: http://www.ltue.org/LTUE_2012.html

Stats:

My word count for the week: 10,005

Running Total: 65839

Monthly Percentage: 15.9%

Yearly Percentage: 12.8%

Writing Tip of the Week:

No matter what you do, don’t think that you can revise everything yourself. The human mind is a strange thing, and sometimes it glosses over mistakes. Having another set of eyes on your writing will help you catch those crazy mistakes.

For example, my wife was reading through one of my manuscripts and came across a hilarious typo. Instead of saying, “He took off his hat and set it aside,” it read “He took off his head and set it aside.”

This wasn’t supposed to be one of my science fiction or fantasy stories.

Writing Update:

I’ve crossed the 20,000 word mark on “Wandaful”, and it’s going wonderful. I’ve been working on getting “Prometheus Returns” where it needs to be to send out and continue to send out queries for “Starspire”. I got a nice rejection letter from an agent this week who said that the manuscript had strong writing and a great concept, but that she wasn’t taking on anything else right now. She thought that it would find a home elsewhere.

“Canticle of Night” has reached over the halfway point and has been really fun. Please take a moment to support it by clicking the ‘like’ button on the page.

If you want to listen to or read “Canticle of Night”, please visit my page at http://www.bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofNight.html

I’d love to know what you think about it!

Additional Resources:
You can find info on writing classes from OnlineUniversities.net.
Young Adult Blog Hop Winner and Upcoming Conference

February 2nd, 2012

Thanks to all who entered my entry on the YA Blog Hop. What a great response! As promised, I will reveal the cover of Canticle Kingdom II, but I think I will opt to do it on Monday, as we have a few other things for today.

Winner:

Congrats to Samara O Tye! You have won the drawing for a signed copy of “The Canticle Kingdom.” If you didn’t win this time, rest assured there will be plenty more blog hops to do.

LDStorymakers:

I wanted to let you all know about a great writer’s conference happening in May that you should all go to if you live anywhere around Utah. It is called LDStorymakers and it has some of the best classes, workshops and agent pitch sessions in the West. Each year just keeps getting better.

You can also win a great VIP spot at the banquet there with author Kevin Anderson and others. All you have to do is help get the word out. Get the details here: http://ldstorymakerauthors.blogspot.com/2012/01/show-your-love-for-ldstorymakers.html

If you want to learn more, follow this link address: http://ldstorymakers.com/conferences/registration/
There are only a limited number of spots and many of them are filled. Sign up soon!

Upcoming Appearances:

I’ve got two great appearances coming right up in the next week. On Saturday, Feb 4th, from 1pm – 4pm, I will be at the Sandy, UT Barnes and Noble signing both of my books as part of their semi-annual Authorpalooza. There will be tons of great authors there, so don’t miss it!

I’m also presenting and signing at BYU’s annual Life, the Universe, and Everything conference, being held at Utah Valley University. I will only be there on Feb the 9th, but have lots of events, such as the debut of my new presentation: “How to Avoid Cliche Like the Plague”.

Futher Information:
Guide to Career Education is a resource with information on English classes.
Young Adult Blog Hop

January 26th, 2012

Welcome to another great giveaway! Just full out the form below between the 27th and 31st for a chance to win a free signed copy of “The Canticle Kingdom”. As one of the options for this contest, I have included checking out the web serial that is a prelude to “The Canticle Kingdom” called “Canticle of Night”. So, if you’d like to see (or even hear) a sample of my writing, please go visit the link provided and check it out. (Don’t forget to “like” it). In other news, I hope to get the sequel out this year, entitled “The Frozen Globe”. I already have a cover for it, and it looks awesome. If I can get over 150 entries in this giveaway, I will reveal the cover when I announce the winner.

Don’t forget to visit all the other great blogs participating in the hop using the list below the entry form.

http://www.bigworldnetwork.com/CanticleofNight.html

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Interview with Xandir

January 13th, 2012

Today as promised, an interview with Xandir, the main character of my novel, “The Last Archangel”.

Speaking of, you can also read a new review here:http://booksnatch.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-review-last-archangel-by-michael-d.html

Enjoy!

Interviewer: We have here today a guest that wasn’t so easy to get ahold of. He isn’t listed in the yellow pages, you can’t read his blog, and the guy never tweets. Xandir is a destroying angel by day, and by night…well, still a destroying angel. In fact, he’s got the gig until the End of the World. At least there’s job security, right?

Xandir: You’re awfully gutsy making fun of some with a sword in each hand. I’ll have you know, I once toasted two cities and turned a lady into a pillar of salt all before lunchtime. Don’t test me.

Interviewer: Sorry, it’s just, I’ve never interviewed an angel before. From all the paintings and stained glass windows I’ve seen, you all seemed to be an easy-going lot. I see I’ve been misled.

Xandir: Yeah, well, you wouldn’t be the first. I know we don’t exactly offer to pose for portraits, but greeting card companies really just need to try harder.

Interviewer: Perhaps you would like to dispel some other common misconceptions for us, Xandir.

Xandir: Sure, where do I start? I could probably write a whole book about it.

Interviewer: What about music in heaven? Is harp strumming compulsory?

Xandir: Do you think I’d be caught dead with something as frilly as a harp? No, angels play all sorts of things, though I think a few instruments have been banned. The accordion, the bagpipes, and the kazoo have been relegated to Hell.

Interviewer: Kazoo-wielding demons. Now there’s one more reason to stay on the straight and narrow. I can’t help but notice that your wings don’t look quite like I had imagined. They look more like the surface of a bubble. Do all angels have them?

Xandir: Most do. But remember the wings are more substantial than they look, and we’re not birds. Not even little cherubs for all their sickly-sweetness.

Interviewer: That’s reminds me, there seem to be a lot of different types of angels. How does that work?

Xandir: The little bite-sized ones are the cherubim. They are the younger ones in training, usually apprentices to more senior angels. The suck-ups get made Seraphim, who take great pride in supervising the rest of us. I’ve got a High Seraph who acts as my glorified baby sitter. It’s his job to make sure I don’t just destroy stuff for fun. Or boredom. I guess there are some Archangels even above them, but who cares about them?

Interviewer: Interesting. Now, I’ve got to ask, is there really a cloud nine? What makes it so great?

Xandir: Yeah, it exists, but it’s not really that much better than clouds one through eight. I think there’s a pretty good ambrosia stand there, but, you know, it’s been a while.

Interviewer: So, I know you’ve probably got to get on to destroying some more things, but I’ve got to know. What’s will halos? You don’t seem to have one.

Xandir: You’re pretty observant for a mortal. The deal is, not all angels have them. What you all see as a halo is actually a crown given to big wig angels. Like most angelic clothing, the crowns glow and create that ‘halo’ effect around the angel’s face. What I’d do to try on one of the Archangel’s crowns. It would make a Rolex look like a Cracker Jack toy.

Interviewer: Where are you going? I have some other questions I’d like to ask.

Xandir: Too bad. Duty calls. Oh, and I’d stay off the interstate today if I were you. I’m headed there now, and it might not be pretty.

Interviewer:Thanks for the tip. I’ll…and he’s gone. You heard him folks, straight from the angel’s mouth: stay off the interstate, and, well, don’t take up the kazoo.
My Writing Plan: 2012

December 23rd, 2011

Can you believe 2012 is already upon us? It seems insane. Soundslike a real Jetsons year, like we should have flying cars and the like. TheMayans say the world is going to end about this time next year. I don’t know ifthat is true, but if it is, I’m resolved to making this last year count.

This is officially my final post for 2011. It has been agreat year that has seen the release of a new novel, a new inspirationalpamphlet, a new serial story, and the writing of many new manuscripts. For myblog, it went from having about 50 followers to over 320. Thanks to everyone who joined up!

For your very last chance of the year to win “The Last Archangel”,follow the link to the giveaway below.

http://www.pawingthroughbooks.com/2011/12/12-days-of-christmas-extravaganza_3056.html

Also, here is a great interview on Sylvia Ramsey’s website, in which I talk a lot more about “The Last Archangel”.

http://wwwthouhtfulreflections.blogspot.com/2011/12/young-adult-urban-fantasy-author.html

Inconjunction with the end of the year, I’ve come up with some goals for 2012. I’mshooting for the stars. If you want your own template, please email me at thecanticlekingdom@gmail.com to requestone. Here they are:

Goal: Write 50,000 words/month for every month in 2012 for a total of 600,000 words.

Novels:

To Write:

10

To Revise:

5

To Submit:

5

Goal to Sell:

3 books

ShortStories:

To Write:

10

To Revise:

10

To Submit:

15

Goal to Sell:

5

NonFiction Works:

To Write:

1

To Revise:

2

To Submit:

2

Goal to Sell:

1

Conferencesto Attend:

LDStorymakers

ConDuit

Teen Writer’s Conference

UVU Book Academy
NaNoWriMo Day 12

November 12th, 2011

Day 12 of NaNoWriMo and so long to the Blog Hop. I’m going to post the winner on Monday’s post. Please stop back on by on Monday to see if you have won.

Another good writing day with another 2,000 words down. I’ve doubled the length of The Last Archangel II in just 12 days. I’m well on my way to finishing up by the end of the month.

Please also consider entering my NaNoWriMo contest. I could use some more people on my leaderboard. You can update your word count by either leaving a comment on one of my posts or by posting on my Facebook author page at http://www.facebook.com/authormichaelyoung. You can find the widget to offical enter the contest by clicking on any of my NaNoWriMo posts.

Leaderboard:
1. Writer Mike 31,387 (as of November 12th)
2. Robin: 25,022 (as of November 12th)
3. Misha: 3,398 (as of November 2nd)

Word Count:

31387 / 50000
(62.77%)

Writing Tip of the Day:
Even when not doing NaNoWriMo, one of the best ways to motivate yourself is to keep track of your progress. For this reason, I always have a word count meter like the one you see above. Not only does it give you a visual representation of your progress towards the finish line, but it even tells you what percentage you have completed. There are many options out there, but here is the one that I use. http://svenja.atspace.com/wordmeter.html. Check it out. It’s very easy to use.

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NaNoWriMo Day 3

November 3rd, 2011

Leaderboard:

Had a super busy day that meant I didn’t get to writing unit about 11pm. I have our first person on the leaderboard. (Just post a comment on the latest post with your word total and be sure to keep me updated) Well done Misha. You’re in the lead.

1. Misha 3389
2. Writermike: 3,264

Word Count:

3264 / 50000
(6.53%)

Writing tip of the Day: Especially during NaNoWriMo, don’t break your forward momentum. You will have plenty of time to go back and rework what you have written, and you really should. Right now, you just need to let the sentences flow without worrying too much about typos and others problems. It is much better to get something down on paper and then go back to perfect it. It is hard to do sometimes, but resist the urge!

Saturday November 4th: Mark this date on your calendar. I’ll be announcing the winner of the Spooktacular Blog Hop and I’ll be participating in a NaNoWriMo 4-hour writing contest, with a $50 Amazon gift card on the line, as well as other great prizes. You can participate too. Details are here: http://writingonthewallblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/its-baaaack-write-thon-contest.html

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