Blogger: Rachel Kent
Part 2 of 3– Moonblood
Next up in my series of the journeys three of my clients went through to get published (and whose books released earlier this year) is Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s new release, Moonblood. This book is the third installment in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series. The first book in the series, Heartless, won the 2011 Christy Award in the “Debut” category. Veiled Rose, book two in the series, is currently a finalist for the Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year.
I’m so excited about this new release! It really ties the first two books together and answers some of the mysteries that were revealed in both Heartless and Veiled Rose.
Here’s the back cover copy for Moonblood:
Moonblood Draws Near, and Soon the Dragons Will Wake
Desperate to regain the trust of his kingdom, Prince Lionheart reluctantly banishes his faithful servant and only friend, Rose Red. Now she is lost in the hidden realm of Arpiar, held captive by her evil goblin father, King Vahe.
Vowing to redeem himself, Lionheart plunges into the mysterious Goldstone Wood, seeking Rose Red. In strange other worlds, Lionheart must face a lyrical yet lethal tiger, a fallen unicorn, and a goblin horde on his quest to rescue the girl he betrayed.
With the Night of Moonblood fast approaching when King Vahe seeks to wake the Dragon’s sleeping children, Lionheart must discover whether or not his heart contains courage before it’s too late for Rose Red . . . and all those he loves.
I first met Anne Elisabeth through a query letter for Heartless almost exactly four years ago. I know many people wonder if query letters are even read by agents these days. Let Anne Elisabeth’s story encourage all of you who are in the midst of the query process. Your well-written query letter can lead to representation and publication!
I requested Heartless in April and read it by June. We sent an agency agreement to Anne Elisabeth in July 2008 after she made a few minor changes to the manuscript. Less than a year later, in March 2009, we had an offer from Bethany House for the three books in the series. Like I mentioned yesterday, please don’t let Anne Elisabeth’s fast track to publication be a discouragement to you. God knows what the perfect timing is for each author.
I believe that Anne Elisabeth’s ability to explain the world she created in the Goldstone Wood series helped her on her publication journey. She is able to talk and write about her vision for the entire series, even beyond the books that are contracted, and understands the pasts and futures for her characters. She also has a beautiful, unique writing style that she’s developed quickly.
Please feel free to connect with Anne Elisabeth on Facebook and her blog. She’s currently hosting a contest for autographed copies of Heartless, Veiled Rose, and Moonblood!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anne-Elisabeth-Stengl/120543861335559
Blog: http://anneelisabethstengl.blogspot.com/
Do you have a good understanding of where your series is going before you write it?
How do you keep track of your character details?
I love Anne Elisabeth Stengl. I am so glad you saw the potential in her writing.
To answer your questions:
Do you have a good understanding of where your series is going before you write it?
Yes and no. Sometimes the ideas are there in the beginning but also grows with writing the first book. I love NaNoWriMo because I will sit down knock out a first draft of the first book and by the end of the book I have a pretty good idea what the rest of the story will be like and how I plan to end it. I’m finding the more I write and create, the more I have an idea of the whole story before I write it.
How do you keep track of your character details?
I used to use Excel, but now I use Microsoft OneNote. I love it! Although, the only thing I dislike about OneNote is the inability to do formulas like keeping track of the word count.
Hi there! That’s a good question . . .
Until recent history, I haven’t used a formal method for keeping track. I have been working on and planning this series since I was a teenager, and so much of it exists in my mind as clearly as any childhood memories. More so, even!
As books release, however, I’ve started to be more careful in my orginizational habits. My computer-savvy husband helped me figure out an Excel spread-sheet for a timeline. And then I have folder upon folder full of Word documents full of details on each kingdom, historical events, characters. At the request of my editor, I’ve been compiling an informal Encyclopedia to Goldstone Wood, a simple A-Z reference guide for people, places, and events. Again, not VERY formal, but it works for me!
I’m not familiar with OneNote. I’ll have to check it out!
Thanks for the comment! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Anne Elisabeth’s books. 🙂
Oops! I clicked the wrong reply the first time!
Thanks for stopping by to comment today, Anne Elisabeth!
J.L., I use OneNote for everything! I can’t say enough about it. It’s fun to see someone else using it too. I keep track of my word count in a OneNote table, and just use their formula (#+#=space) to add to the subtotal each day. Works for me!
Thanks Jill! I’ve check it out. Very cool. I will have to play with it some more.
I love this post! So encouraging. And though MANY MANY people told me I had to go to a writing conference to get an agent nowadays (which we couldn’t afford), I also found my fantastic agent the old-fashioned way, through querying. It CAN be done!
And great point on knowing your characters through and through, even into the next books. I’m glad to know that counts for something!
Thanks for the post!
Yes!
Like Anne Elisabeth and Heather, I, too, navigated through the process of the good, old-fashioned query letter. Like Heather said, it CAN be done, so be encouraged!
Congratulations, Anne Elisabeth, on the success of your series!
Thanks, Rachel, for the encouragement YOU are to all of us.
It is too bad that conferences need to be so expensive, but renting the facilities, feeding attendees and paying for faculty really does add up. 🙁 Thankfully some conferences like Mount Hermon and ACFW offer scholarships.
I’m glad the “old fashioned” method of the query worked for you too!
I too am trying the old fashioned query route and crossing my fingers, praying, doing various agent dances (like a rain dance, but not) and just plain hoping I get a response. Conferences seem so out of reach for me (as if I can just up and fly to Bologna -I WISH!) It can be discouraging when an agency very adamantly says you must meet them at a conference or come recommended. Well, may I recommend myself then? I just know you’ll love me! Heehee.
Rachel (and Anne Elisabeth), would you be willing to share the query letter with us? I would love to see what caught your attention. I’m currently succumbing to query writing hell myself. 🙂
Thank you for these inspiring blog posts, Rachel!!!
Thanks for this post, Rachel. Like I said yesterday, I love to hear success stories! And you’re so right; God has a plan for every writer.
I’ve heard the same thing as Heather: that very few authors are plucked from the query pile. It’s good to know that it still happens, though.
I had difficulty with character development at first, but character sheets have really helped. Also, I started with an idea for one book and added secondary characters who could serve as main characters in two more books, making a three-book series. I like reading books with characters I met in a previous book, and I’ve enjoyed brainstorming a series like this too.
I like to read series like that as well. It’s so fun to get to know minor characters better in later books.
Ooo, these look fabulous!! I haven’t read a fantasy in a while–I’m checking these out!
Again, these posts have been so encouraging. It’s wonderful to see talented writers achieving their dreams. Thank you so much for sharing their stories with us!
I hope you’ll get a chance to read them, Jill! We all need to escape to Faerie Land once in a while, right?
Blessings to you on your publishing journey!
I think you’ll like them! Thanks for stopping by today.
Mission accomplished–I ordered Heartless this afternoon. Looks like a goodie! (We DO need a little Faerie Land now and then!)
This is a very encouraging series! Thanks for sharing these journeys to publication.
Right now I’m completing the first book in a potential series. I’m an outliner, so as I brainstormed and dreamed the scenes for the original story, I discovered many other areas of the characters’ lives to explore.
As far as keeping up with character details, I use a simple Word document character chart. I also have a small spiral notebook for each story, and I make notes, brainstorm, and journal for the story and the characters in it.
Both of the books this week sound very intriguing. I’m looking forward to seeing tomorrow’s.
I think if I was going to brainstorm a book I would do it in a spiral notebook first. Typing is too fast and I don’t think it would allow my creativity to flow as well.
If I ever do plot a book I’ll let you know how it goes!
One of these days, Rachel, you really should . . . I mean, after all these years of reading, reading, reading, you’ve got to have LOTS of ideas!
It’s always wonderful after a rough day to start off fresh with an inspiring post.
I’m ghostwriting a Christian children’s series, but am still working on the edits to the first draft. Hopefully it will be ready to start pitching in late April.
Right now, I keep character notes in Word, which provide physical descriptions, relationships, etc. I’ll have to add a timeline as I go along. I’m not sure this is the best way to approach it, but I’m hoping once I start the next book I’ll get a better handle on it. Any and all advice is welcome.
Thanks for the encouraging post.
Timelines are so tricky! I have heard that there is timeline software out there that you can purchase, but I don’t have any experience with it. Does anybody use timeline software?
Thanks for posting this, Rachel! I can’t believe it was already four years ago . . . Crazy!
Do you know, while I have heard plenty of authors/writers say they dislike query and proposal writing, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! The lovely Jill Eileen Smith (author of the Wives of King David series) sent me a template of what she used for both her query letter and her proposals, so I had a great jumping-off point. That made the whole business much easier and enjoyable.
I can’t believe it’s been four years either! I’m so glad to represent you. It has been a joy!
It’s great to have mentors in the business who can help you with things like query letters and proposals. Jill Eileen Smith is amazing and her books are too!
If you are a writer who doesn’t have published writer friends, I encourage you to join ACFW or the Christian Writers’ Guild where published mentors are available to you for all sorts of questions and critiques too.
Thank you, Rachel, for those kind words! I’m so glad you blogged about Anne Elisabeth’s books. She has a wonderful, vivid imagination!
And I would agree – writer’s groups are great places to meet other authors. Though in Annie’s case, her mom, Jill Stengl is my dear friend and critique partner, and a very fine writer herself. So connections can come in many ways – but I met Jill Stengl through ACFW. A great place to start.
Thank you for that mention, Anne Elisabeth! I have enjoyed the first two books in your series and can’t wait to read more! You are a very talented author. (And I am very glad those templates helped you!)
God’s blessings to you on your continued writing career!
This is my first time I’m seeing this cover– gorgeous! Simply gorgeous.
Thanks, Wendy! I think all of the covers for this series are really wonderful.
Although I love the ease of technology, I keep track of information in good, old-fashioned binders. I have one for each MS or WIP, and one for general ideas. Dividers are used for organizing Notes/Brainstorm, Characters, Research/Inspiration, Queries/Proposals.
Then, for plotting, I put several pieces of computer paper, taped together into a long poster, with dividing lines for the 3 acts. I string a piece of yarn across it and clothespin slips of paper onto it, one for each scene as they’re developed, color-coded to denote viewpoint character. That way I can move the slips around as needed until the plot is ready for drafting. Complicated, I know, especially when there is SO much available in great software today, but as a kinesthetic and visual learner, it helps me to have something tangible to work with.
I love hearing how different authors track and develop stories; thanks for the great post and discussion thread!
This series sounds wonderful. I’ll have to add them to my “must read” list. Such a gorgeous cover, too.
When I wrote my first book a friend laughed at me because I also wrote the complete history of the main characters, a bit less about minor characters, and even some about characters who never show up in the book, but had influence before the story began. I’m doing the same thing with my second book, because I don’t feel I can write their current story without knowing their past. I also can’t end it without knowing their future.
Thanks to JL for mentioning OneNote. I’m looking for a writing program, and have checked out both Scrivener and ywriter. I’ll look at OneNote, compare them all, and eventually make a decision. Currently I do everything in Word, because I can’t write fast enough by hand, and put the information in separate folders.
Congratulations to Anne Elisabeth! (great name, by the way, I’m Elizabeth Ann!) I hope to one day be where you are, and seeing your success shows me it’s possible. Thanks to Rachel, also, for the encouragement.
Hi Ann! OneNote is great because it is a blank slate and you can create the workbooks, files & pages. It isn’t a writers program, but a tool to keep track of notes and information. My workbooks range from Recipes, Future Book Ideas, Craft & Industry Research as well as my current stories I’m working on. When you set up a file and start inserting pages of notes you can always move the notes or the file later to reorganize. I like that when I open the program I have all my characters details, worldbuilding notes (I write fantasy), story notes, outlines, etc right at my fingertips where as before I had try them all in separate Word documents, combined on Excel, but I ended up having a bunch of files opened at one time rather than the ease of one program going to any file I need at the moment. Though, I’m still learning the ropes and developing my organizational habits, likes and dislikes. There are some things that I still use Excel for like wordcounts with chapter/scene breakdown and creating one big time line that includes all seven races and battles through their history leading up to the book and during the book. I have yet to try that on OneNote. Hope that helps 🙂
I reviewed “Veiled Rose” and thought it was fantastic. Am looking forward to reading more about the characters.
Good posts, yesterday and today. The books featured are quite foreign to me and what I like to read and write, but it’s nice to know that the traditional path still works for some writers and some genres.
I’m excited for this book! I’ve read Heartless and Veiled Rose. It’ll be nice to visit some old friends again. 🙂
It’s great to hear some success stories, especially when my stomach is all tied in nervous knots. I’ve been praying that God will lead me to the right agent and give me the words to say, but my worries still creep up (at frightening speeds). These success stories came at the right time for me! I needed some encouragement. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad these stories have encouraged you!
I hope you enjoy Moonblood as much as you’ve enjoyed the other two.
Thank you for taking the time to bring encouragement! It is easy to get discouraged when rejections come rolling in, these words bring hope. Thank you.
It is encouraging to hear that new authors are still found in ‘old’ ways. And the blogs and posts I have been reading are encouraging and a little overwhelming at the same time. I have finished my novel and am now researching ways to ‘present it.’ However, for myself, I have only prior publishing history in poems (and those were in anthologies) and this is my first serious attempt in 4 prior novels to seek publishing. I am excited and apprehensive at the same time. My main aspiration at this moment is ‘where do I even begin?’ I know one published author, but am not in a writer’s group, have no critique audience, and not sure whom to ask for advice. Any suggestions?