Crossword Puzzle - October 2013

So, to tide everyone over until the announcement of my next story (It's that close!), how about a crossword puzzle?

You all know the drill by now. The first person to Tweet or Facebook me with the correct answers before next Tuesday, 5 November 2013, with get a mention on this blog, and bragging rights.

Good luck!

Across
1 A secret language (4)
5 Title used for a Lady (4)
9 Form of address to a superior (3)
10 contract between licensor and purchaser of software (4)
12 became accustomed (12)
16 what person (3)
17 involving violence (4)
18 before the present time (3)
19 low in fat or sugar (4)
21 six-stringed musical instrument, played with a bow (4)
22 romantic interlude (4)
24 great delight (4)
25 highest adult male voice (4)
28 boiled flour pudding (4)
32 Polynesian garland (3)
33 violent seizure of power (4)
36 travelled through, en route to (3)
37 site of a battle (12)
40 sixty minutes (4)
41 tool used for piercing holes (3)
42 church sale (4)
43 alcohol made with milk and honey (4)
Down
2 broad silk tie (5)
3 nothing (3)
4 the study of triangles (4)
5 legal obligation (4)
6 American boxer, surname (3)
7 pastoral people from Kenya (5)
8 two-masted sailing craft (4)
10 what you listen with (3)
11 something worshipped (4)
13 22nd letter of Greek alphabet (3)
14 watched in a cinema (5)
15 sense of self-importance (3)
20 therefore (4)
21 the Impaler (4)
23 remove errors (5)
25 Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland (4)
26 open, grassy area (3)
27 ten percent (5)
29 fleshy extension hanging above the throat (5)
30 on a fish's back (3)
31 become dim (4)
33 what this is (4)
34 over (3)
35 push a baby in it (4)
38 a toddler (3)
39 obliged to give (3)

Win a Copy of A Petition to Magic

Between now and the end of the month, I will be running a lucky draw. On or after the first of November 2013, one lucky winner will receive a coupon code. Head on over to the A Petition to Magic book page on Smashwords, and buy the book. When prompted, enter the coupon code that you receive to get the book free. You won't even be asked for your credit card details!

To enter, all you need to do is follow the instructions below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Finishing a Book

I just got the cover image for my latest book, back from my cover artist. I won't talk about the details yet on my blog, but my newsletter subscribers will know what it is and when it's releasing. To subscribe to my newsletter, visit this page, and punch your e-mail address into the text box provided (it's free).

I'm also working on another, which you can also hear about through my newsletter, and yet a third, which I'm keeping very close to my chest.

I've actually done a lot of writing, since the release of A Petition to Magic.

The point is, when I finish a book, and it's out there, I don't feel any major sense of achievement. I don't even really feel much fear. Of course, the fear is there, "What will people think?" "Will I get sales?" "Will I get reviews?" etc. etc. But for me, the overriding emotion is sadness, because that story is done, the characters have said what they needed to say, and done what they needed to do, and there's nothing more to write about it. Sure, I could write another book featuring the same characters and setting, but that would be labouring the point, because the story is, in fact, over.

Come to think of it, I feel the same way as a reader, when I'm finished reading a really good book. I just wish it would go on and on...

So what do you think? As a writer, how do you feel after you've put your baby out into the world? As a reader, how do you feel after reading the last page of a book you really enjoyed? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

To listen to me talking about this, click the Play button below:

So You Want to Sell a Million Copies?

To be perfectly honest, I picked this book up because I was looking for something to blog about. But then, a lot of people find a lot of real gems that way.

Reading this book won't make you sell a million copies of your book... but then I didn't expect it to, and I doubt anyone else would expect it to either.

It's a wonderful motivational and instructional piece, in which the author gives candid, honest advice about what it's like to be a writer, as well as a marketer and networker. Using examples from her own life, and the process of submitting her own book to agents and publishers, she opens her life to her readers, letting them know that they're not alone.

There's lots of advice on how to get published the traditional way. I'll admit, I only skimmed those bits, since traditional publishing isn't really something I'm interested in. Still, those sections offer valuable insights into how the publishing world works, and helps you to see things from different perspectives.

I really enjoyed her section on joining or starting a writers group, though. Every writer needs other writers to bounce ideas off of, and who will rip your manuscripts to shreds and expect you to do the same as well. Joining such a group is definitely something I'm going to be strongly considering!

The book ends with some simple writing exercises you can try if you're ever short of ideas or inspiration. I'm definitely going to try some of those!

It's a wonderful book, in which the author poors her heart out on her sleeve; definitely just the inspiration I needed!

For the video review, click the Play button below:

Crossword Puzzle - September 2013 Answers

Welcome to October, 2013!

Can you believe that it's the fourth quarter of 2013 already? Wow, how time flies!

So how many of you tried your hand at the crossword puzzle for September? If you haven't yet, and still want to, don't read any further.

If you have, and you've been waiting to be put out of your misery, here are the answers:

Hope you got everything right. If not, better luck next month.

Have a fabulous week!