Blog Blitz: A Path to Publishing (PlotWriMo: Revise Your Novel in a Month)

I am excited to host 2 amazing ladies on my blog today, along with the fabulous program they have put together to help authors get their books published and to learn how to revise their own novels in a manner that will make manuscripts shine!!! 

As a writer myself, I've discovered it's not quite as easy as I had originally thought.

First let me introduce you to this program!

VIDEO SERIES

We offer writers two video series with more in production:


1) PlotWriMo: Revise Your Novel in a Month
http://apathtopublishing.com

8 videos, 5.5 hours + 3- hands-on exercises

Congratulations! You have written a draft of a novel. You’ve accomplished what many
writers merely talk about and dream of doing – you have written an entire story from
beginning to end. When you finish celebrating, it is time to revise: to re-envision and
rewrite what you’ve written into a novel that agents, editors and readers will devour.
Writing a great plot involves craft and skill and know-how. Before you undertake a major
rewrite, first consider your story from all angles with the help of step-by-step instruction
and daily exercises. You know you’re ready to rewrite when you’ve checked all the
essentials elements for creating an exciting story with compelling characters and a
meaningful plot.





-----//-----

2) How to Write and Sell a Picture Book with a Plot
http://apathtopublishing.com/how-to-write-and-sell-a-picture-book/

7 videos explain how to plot, write and sell picture books + provide exercises how to
immediately integrate the concepts into your own unique story. Learn about all the
different kinds of picture books, examples of character-driven and action-driven picture
books, how to develop winning picture book concepts, what are the major turning points
in every great picture book with a plot, writing, voice, character goals and motivation,
how to revise, testing your theme and take-away, who to submit to and so much more…








Here’s How the Video Series Work

Each video includes an in-depth look at the specific elements promised and how to
consider these essential story principles as you write, revise, rewrite, sell your story.
Writing assignment(s) guide you with step-by-step instruction.
Whether you decide to watch all the videos in a row and then go back and do the
exercises or jump right in to the 1st video’s exercise, work at your own pace and take
more or less time on the step-by-step exercises. The series are designed to fit into even
the busiest of schedules. Sign-in and watch video lectures, complete homework
assignments, and ask questions in a public forum on a timetable that fits your needs.


Shout Outs:

**The 1st draft you let yourself write any old way. Now revise your story from every angle

**Can't seem to #finish your #novel? Ready to give up? Before you do, revise!

**I’m finding the revision process FUN! Did I actually say that? Loving this process, thank you!

**Friends don't let friends ‪#revise alone


Now introducing Jill and Martha !!!

Jill Corcoran bio

Jill Corcoran is the founder of Jill Corcoran Literary Agency and co-founder of A Path A Publishing

 

 

Martha Alderson bio

Martha Alderson, author of The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master, is known as “The Plot Whisperer” for the help she offers writers worldwide. She is the founder of PlotWriMo: Revise Your Novel in a Month and the award-winning blog The Plot Whisperer

These ladies not only brought us these amazing author tools, but also offer another service with 2 levels of Participation (Participants and Observers):


Office Hours
2nd Thursday of every month
9:30-11:30am Pacific
on-line
http://apathtopublishing.com/office-hours/


Active Participants and Observers

ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS: 8 authors each have 15 minutes to work with The Plot
Whisperer Martha Alderson and Literary Agent Jill Corcoran on whatever you want help
with. Read part of your manuscript, query, discuss energetic markers, concept, brainstorm
plot, characters, etc and receive feedback you can immediately apply to your work.
Active participants must watch either Plotwrimo: Revise Your Novel in a Month or How
to Write & Sell a Picture Book Videos. This gives us a common language and baseline
understanding of underlying plot and story concepts for better communication.
Receive a critique of your First Pages, Query, Concept, or get help with your Characters,
Where to Start your Story, Crisis, Climax, etc. It is your time...your choice

***OBSERVERS: 15 observer spots. As an observer, you do not participate/read your
work, but listen and learn from others during these sessions.

SO MUCH HARD WORK FROM THESE LADIES! 

LET'S SEE WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THESE VIDEOS AND SERVICES:

Reviews of the series:

"The amount of time, heartache, frustration, and hell that these videos are saving me from
is immeasurable."

"Don't wait until you have a first draft to get the video series. If you have an inkling of a
concept, get the video series. The videos will show you how to define your energetic
markers. You'll learn the difference between crisis and climax. The 8 videos constitute a
'top to toe' writing course. 
Jill Corcoran & Martha Alderson, thank you for giving me
the opportunity to call myself a writer with pride." Dolly D Napal

"I have been writing, writing, writing, and reading about writing, but I knew I was still
missing the mark. How I write and rewrite books will be forever changed for the better. "
Wendy McLeon MacKnight

"I felt overwhelmed with my latest revision. I feel like a weight has been lifted and I'm
just on day one."

Last, but not least, these ladies offer a fantastic workshop to help people actively learn from the

A PATH TO PUBLISHING services.

A Path to Publishing Workshops:
http://apathtopublishing.com

We often tailor-make an advanced workshop for writers who have watched the series to
ask questions and receive feedback on your own individual story.
A Path to Publishing Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/apathtopublishing/

Everyone is welcome to join A Path to Publishing Facebook group created by Literary
Agent Jill Corcoran and Plot Whisperer Martha Alderson as safe, smart, fun alcove for
writers and illustrators to share and learn about the craft of writing and the book biz. This
is NOT a place to sell your books but a wonderful forum for us all to advance our skills,
our creativity, and our dreams plus learn about what Jill and Martha are up to at A PATH
TO PUBLISHING.

Be sure to follow along and see what others are saying about these services and how they have helped them! 

Read individual reviews and more information about how this video series can help you!

December 1	https://www.facebook.com/nordlinger
December 1	http://writingclassesforkids.com
December 1	http://inkandangst.com/
December 1	taffyscandy.blogspot.com
December 1	Rebeccalacko.wordpress.com
December 2	http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com
December 2	http://1st10pages.com
December 2	http://thestorytellersscroll.blogspot.com
December 2	www.katherine-hajer.com
December 3	http://www.jordanrosenfeld.net
December 3	http://robyn-campbell.blogspot.com/
December 3	http://aditebanerjie.com
December 4	lje1.wordpress.com
December 4	http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/
December 4	www.PenInHerHand.com
December 5	www.ChristineSang.com
December 5	Susan P
December 5	www.ChristineSang.com

AND NOW, JILL AND MARTHA ARE OFFERING SOME AMAZING PRIZES TONIGHT. SO BE SURE TO ENTER AND SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS EVENT AND THEIR WONDERFUL VIDEO SERIES!

BOOK TOUR: Gone For A Soldier by Marsha Ward

Review:

Life got increasingly hectic these last few weeks, so I was not able to finish this book. I will post my complete review when I do! But for now, you should all know that from the first page of this book I was drawn in and forced to fall in love with the characters. In the beginning the foundation for a pivotal relationship is laid and I have to say I was right along side Rulon's family telling him that Mary was FAR to young and he needed to just leave her alone. But then you get to know Mary a little bit, and she isn't quite your average almost 15 year old. I'll tell more when I'm done!

Back cover Blurb:

Rulon Owen loves two things more than life---his country and Mary Hilbrands.

When Virginia secedes from the Union, Rulon enlists, and finds himself
fighting foes both in battle and in his own camp. He struggles to stay
alive against all odds, with a knife-wielding tent-mate and a Union
army that seems impossible to defeat. It will take every ounce of
vigilance he has to survive and, with a little luck, he might make it
home to his wife and the son he's never seen.

Forced to live with her parents for the duration, Mary faces a battle
for independence. With a mother whispering that her husband won't come
home to her and a son who needs her to be both father and mother, Mary
has to dig deep for strength to overcome her overwhelming loneliness
and the unknown future ahead.

Separated by war and circumstance, Rulon and Mary discover that not
all enemies wear the Union blue.

Author Bio:

Marsha Ward was born in the sleepy little town of Phoenix, Arizona, in the southwestern United States; and grew up with chickens, citrus trees, and lots of room to roam. She became a storyteller at an early age, regaling her neighborhood friends with her fanciful tales during after-school snacks. Her love of the 19th Century Western era was reinforced by visits to her cousins on their ranch, and listening to her father's stories of homesteading in Old Mexico and in the southern part of Arizona.

Over the years, Marsha became an award-winning poet, writer and editor, with over 900 pieces of published work, including her acclaimed novel series featuring the Owen family. She is the founder of American Night Writers Association, and a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West. A workshop presenter and writing teacher, Marsha makes her home in a tiny forest hamlet in Arizona. When she is not writing, she loves to spoil her grandchildren, travel, give talks, meet readers, and sign books. Visit her at either her website or one of her blogs!

marshaward.com

http://marshaward.blogspot.com/p/books.html

http://charactersinmarshashead.blogspot.com/

Buy links:

http://www.amazon.com/Gone-Soldier-Owen-Family-Saga/dp/0988381036/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gone-for-a-soldier-marsha-ward/1120256117?ean=9780988381032

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469074

Author Marsha Ward's Top 10 List

1. I once went on a monkey-watching hike up a river in Venezuela. When I say “up a river,” I mean mostly “in the river.” We never saw any monkeys.

2. The first piece of writing that I remember completing was a one-page play about the expulsion of the Acadians from Canada.

3. When I was a teenager, I was in a movie-making club. I did publicity, made two booklets as the programs for two films, and wrote the script of a movie. One of our participants was Steven Spielberg.

4. I auditioned for and won a spot in Arizona’s All-State Choir when I was a freshman in high school, which was unheard of in that time.

5. I had an imaginary friend when I was little. He was—you guessed it!—a cowboy.

6. I sang a solo with the Tempe Symphony Orchestra in a performance of John Rutter’s Requiem.

7. My first experience of flying was in a small plane. I loved the feeling of freedom. Now I won’t fly because of bad experiences with the TSA.

8. In college, I majored in vocal performance, a.k.a. opera.

9. When I was young, I built a fort with sawhorses and burlap bags. Don’t tell my mother, but it had a fireplace, and I actually lit a fire in it one time. It didn’t draw very well.

10. One summer I drove to Montana by myself. Folks thought I was nuts, but I loved that trip!

Snippet:

Rulon awoke to the touch of a pinching hand over his mouth and the prick of a knife to his throat under one ear.

"Get outta yore cot, sissy boy. We're packin' up to move outta here."

Rulon scarcely breathed. The knife's tip moved fractionally. Then it lifted a bit, but still made contact with his skin as it traced a line across his neck toward his other ear. Lovell hadn't been joking about the danger of this man.

"Von! Leave the man be!" Lovell's voice barked. "Put that hog-sticker away and prepare to strike the tent."

The man named Von growled an obscenity and removed the knife. "He's not our kind. Look at that damned feather," he said, but backed away, left the tent, and made his noises outside.

"Whew!" Lovell expelled a gusty sigh. "I couldn't be sure he would obey me," he said, approaching to eye Rulon's neck.

By this time, Rulon had arisen and was dressing in haste.

"He didn't leave you any permanent damage," his new friend observed. "The sooner we can put him on a patrol against the Yankees, the sooner he'll be able to do what he loves best."

"What's that?" asked Rulon, dreading the answer as he struggled to recover his dignity.

"Killin' folks."

Character Casting

When asked who she would choose to play the parts of her main characters, should her book ever be made into a move, Author Marsha Ward had to think hard as to who could both look and play the parts to their best. What do you think of her choices? Leave comments for her below!

Rulon Owen 

Luke Hemsworth

Mary Hilbrands

Shailene Woodley

Ben Owen

Liam Hemsworth

Ella Ruth Allen

Dove Cameron

The fabulous Author Marsha Ward has put together some fun prizes for you all to win during the week of her book tour! Be sure to enter your name into the rafflecopter everyday so that you have the best chance possible to win one of the awesome prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Schedule:

October 6  www.melaniemasonauthor.blogspot.com

October 6  http://jaletaclegg.blogspot.com/

October 6  rebeccairvine.blogspot.com

October 7  http://sbkbooksandmore.wix.com/s-and-n-books-

October 7  julkbearreads.wordpress.com

October 7  http://www.wishfulendings.com/

October 8  http://debraerfert.blogspot.com

October 8  http://mybookfairy.blogspot.com/

October 8  http://www.readingreneereviews.com

October 9  www.saslack.com

October 9  https://www.facebook.com/ShirleysBookshelf

October 9  http://bookgeekreviews.com/

October 10      http://donnakweaver.com

October 10      http://pennybrojacquie.wordpress.com/

October 10      http://semishort.blogspot.com/

October 11      https://www.facebook.com/PageByPageInsideOutReviewsandPromotion?ref=br_tf

October 11      http://thepleasureofreadingtoday.blogspot.com/

October 11      http://stephaniesaysso.blogspot.com AND/OR http://stephaniereadthat.blogspot.com/

October 12      http://authorcandyodonnell.blogspot.com/

October 12      http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/

October 12      janmmartin.blogspot.com