Pocket It - the mini sun

My husband is editing my book - could anything be more nerve-recking? Him editing it has of course lead me to begin editing it again O_O How many times can someone edit their book? After re-write and revision over the past 2 years, I still am finding things. Fortunately, it's small things. I really feel like I will never be satisfied with the book completely and will always find something. Also, I'd like to know how it stacks up with someone who knows grammar better than myself. (or is it "better than I?")



I'm also revising the book size since it's currently weird size. But it's soon-to-be POCKETsized. Pocketsize makes me think of games and toys you can keep in your pocket like Polly Pocket. How cute and cool that idea was, and Digipets! Did any of you guys have this? They were so cute and cool. I think they were also known as Giga pets? I had 2 I think and I remember one weekend I got to pet-sit for a friend. I remember seeing people at school with 2 or 3 of them and they'd have them clipped on their bookbags or belt rings.

Crazy how things like this get popular then fall away

Unfortunately they fell out of popularity quick. But not pocket size books! I love reading paperbacks that are pocket sized and that's what I imagined for Beautiful Sun, except for the whole graphics and drawings. Now, that makes it harder because then I start thinking manga graphic novel and those aren't quite the standard pocket size. Anyway, I'm not sure how they'll work anyway since I didn't get the fullness of those art projects - NOT that I'm complaining. I'm super thankful to God and Vashti for her help. I think we both had the wrong notion going in and we both found out that it wasn't quite as we thought it'd be. But I also thought how fabulous it would be to offer all the art pieces in like a special edition book or later in a Beautiful Sun artbook! Wow, if I could get that going it'd be so good ^___^ I love artbooks for series I follow. But that's all in the Lord's hands.



Oh and while I'm thinking about it... was Pokemon before those Gigapets? I mean even over in Japan? That would be weird if it came after. But yea I guess Pokemon would fit into my pocketsized conversation here. sadly tho, since i don't like pocket monsters. but it's interesting how many things are going pocketsized still.. like cellphones are smaller and smaller and now they have mp3 players/podcasts and whole computers that fit in the palm of your hand and fit inside your pocket! I think they may have gotten the ideas from books tho, what do you think?



Once this thing is uploaded for pocketsize, the page count will drastically change. Meaning that the cost will also change. It's sad but true, I don't think the book will be less than $8.00. I'm really hoping it won't get above $10 though, because honestly I don't think it's worth more than $10 a copy! It's just a book and I don't like to pay more than about $10 for a book. I just don't. I would hate to put that on you guys. Yet, it's the way Lulu works and for now they are the ones who is packaging the books, even though soon enough it'll be available on Amazon and other places, Lulu will still be packaging and producing the material you'll hold in your hands. The story you'll get from the material is what's mine.



Y'know I've also visited a lot of YA author sites, like Laurie Halse Anderson, Maureen Johnson, and Jo Whittemore and I feel like I need to upgrade mine. I think it's fine and all but I would like to get it a bit more... y'know BETTER lol. I haven't even started looking for layouts or anything. Does anyone have any suggestions? Layout sites, content thoughts, host recommendations? Please!!! I do need the help. If you don't help, Saffire will have an anxiety attack right there in your living room!

What's new with the book?

I just finished working on a character profile for my newest book. I can't give you the details yet, it's too early in the stages but I worked on just her background for like 30 minutes. It amazes me how I can just sit down and type up a person. They are just missing the breath of God (well I guess that's all they are missing!). I don't want God to give this person breath by far - she's too freaky scary! lol. I'm really excited about this next book too because it's not as kiddish as Boy Craze...not that that's bad. Boy Craze is happy-go-lucky, crazy fun and more anime-ish. This Beautiful Sun volume 2 will be quite different but still a modern fantasy. I cannot say urban though (more at 11 ^_~).

Wow, I am so happy Beautiful Sun volume 1 is bout out on the market! I've worked on the proof copy and I just have to get a new proof and make sure that's ok. I have a few people that are really ready for it but am I? I just can't believe it in a sense. It'd be perfect to see it on something like Teenreads.com

Luke's http://www.livejournal.com/~write_or_die_ been writing for 2 days straight now (besides sleep) and I'm so proud of him for that. He's knocking out whole chapters now. Well, I guess he better if he's really gonna be done by next summer. I wonder if I'll beat him with volume 2! That would be really tight for sure.

Beautiful Sun: The Series

BEAUTIFUL SUN'S NEW RELEASE: BOY CRAZE!!!

The moment everyone's been waiting for (especially Saffire!), the release of Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze!


At the age of 4 her parents died. At the age of 5 her grandmother died. Now 16 and stuck in an orphanage Saffire somehow continues hoping on the only Power she feels can save her, though peer pressure and the head mistress of Telston Orphanage Community is pushing her even away from this. That is until a "holy" boy shows up, claiming to be her older brother. But he keeps looking at her in strange ways and acts more in love than he's admitting to. His over-protective and boyfriend-like behavior becomes a problem when a new student enrolls at school. See how it all unravels in Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze. Now available on Lulu.com, soon to be available on Google Reader, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

Currently you can purchase the e-book (pdf version) for only $1.50!!


SAMPLE from page 49
"You should come skate."
"You know I can't skate."
"I know, but you should still come. I don't mind if you fall on me." He smiled then put out his hand. Saffire smiled. Beginning to blush she put her hand in his but instantly felt a twinge in her gut. It was as if something was pulling, poking, and prodding her conscience. Her eyes sought the source and were drawn to the doorway of the Hot Spot on the opposite side of the rink. There her eyes locked directly into Zion's stare and momentarily her eyes began to dry her eyes out. She blinked as if grasping for air as she felt William creating a firm grip on her hand. She looked at him while he put his free arm around her waist and escorted her to the skating floor. She smiled towards William but turned back to Zion, curious about the intense sensation she felt. But this time when she looked Zion was not looking at her or even standing where she had thought. The drawing had vanished and so had Zion.


Please contact me to get involved in advertising, designing or distributing Beautiful Sun.

Rose's Story

WHY DO I WRITE?

When I was a teenager I started to go down the wrong road and became, what I call, hypnotized into the things of this world. My heart was focused more on friendships, boys, and getting people to like me. I believe all teenagers go through this on some level - the want for acceptance. But my continual failed attempts eventually sent me into depression, suicidal thoughts, and an anti-social attitude. I didn't hate myself or others, but I felt dark. I now realize it was because I was pulling away from God. In a sense it might have also been God pulling me to a place where I had nothing else BUT Him and if that hadn't been the case, I would have continued on grappling for acceptance.

The depression drove me to near hopelessness. I knew only God could help me, if He was really there, I mean if He was REALLY REAL and truly did love me as He said in the Bible. So I cried out to Him and begged for Him to change things, to save me if He cared. I'm not quite sure what happened, but soon, that same hour, I wasn't as sad anymore. Slowly I became preoccupied with knowing and hearing from Him and things I thought mattered, mattered less and less. Well nothings perfect, I bounced in my walk of faith many times after that, but God always took me back.

Sometime in college I began writing fiction stories, always wanting them to be a picture of God and how He works in our lives. My desire to write grew intensely for a while. Now the desire is like a river that sometimes ebbs but usually flows, displaying God's love, especially to youth.

WHAT'S ROSE'S BACKGROUND?

M. Rose Barnett currently lives in Missouri, USA with her husband, who is also a writer for the Lord.
She follows Christ, holding on to the truths presented in the Holy Bible. Rose writes a lot about those truths and how they impact us.
She began journaling regularly as a teen, having a need to express her thoughts, and also wanting to leave her mark in the world. Although she has a college degree in business, she feels driven to teach theology through counseling, mentoring, and writing.

WHAT'S ROSE'S WRITE-LINE?

• A successful online weblog (via Livejournal) for 4 years
• Published a fantasy, web-story called the "Sunshine Kingdom" 2002-2004
• Became a Columnist for AnimeAngels Mangazine and published the articles, "What is Christian Anime?" and "Do you want a Revolution: What is so Revolutionary about Utena?" 2004
• Became Managing Editor of AnimeAngels Mangazine 2004-2005
• Wrote other articles (mostly for Christian teens), short stories and wrote website content for 3 starter sites 2003-2005
  
• Published Beautiful Sun: Boy Craze (Christian modern fiction story) 2007

HOW DO I CONTACT ROSE?

Facebook
Lulu
Y! 360
Livejournal
or leave a comment in this post!

Being Editor and being a Writer

I was just chatting along with the assistant Editor of AA, on the phone Sat (she called and we actually talked for like 3 hours). Anyway, we were talking about anime, Shonen Jump (the zine) and this one anime in particular, Naruto. Well I had heard about that on some forum, and decided to do my next Pure of Heart column about this anime. I know nothing about it except that it's one of the hot animes right now. So as we talked things started clicking and I knew what angle I was going for! I was so amazed. That has happened like once or twice, but it was strange b/c it just came up in the conversation and I suddenly knew my whole article. I even got some motivation to do a lil research (which I didn't finish ^^). Thought I should note that my mind is thinking -more- like a writer, altho I have a far ways to go.

I had started Friday but it didn't go well - to do some research for grants here in my area. I did find out about 2 contests (like grants) that will be happening. One doesn't even ask for a fee!! Yes! So I'll update my contests entry sometime soon. Oh, and the grants, well I'm working on it. I did also BEGIN... jes, just begin, rewriting my Christian anime article. I was consumed each morning with RC's story, but this week I don't have tutoring to do nor her story so I should be able to finish the article (u think?) and the research and probably a few other writing goals.

Even tho it hasn't been a big thing, I think I should still attempt to make a plan for writing queries (and for the magazine release process). But honestly, choosing to actually get things done or plan for those 2, if I can get something finished I'll gladly put off the planning tasks. I know planning the the beginning of success but I can say this with confidence b/c I love to plan things, esp. as a form of procrastination. So honestly, if I have the mind to re-write an article, or revise something, or start one of these books I'm so eager to have ready to publish by summer (riiiiiiiiiiight), then planning can wait.