Naming Characters

ChrisFor Writers, home, Readers, UtopYA

When you create a character, you spend a lot of time coming up with the perfect name. It has to hint at their character and their appearance and not remind readers of a famous character they know from another book. That last part is easier said than done. You decide to name your character Dezirae. It’s unusual, not too trendy, and … Read More

My Crazy Summer

ChrisFor Writers, home, Paranormal Young Adult, UtopYA

This was an exciting, crazy summer. I got on a plane by myself and flew to Nashville for the #UtopYA2014 conference. It was awesome and inspiring and exhausting. Then I took a plane to Las Vegas for the Entangled publishing conference. It was also awesome and inspiring and exhausting. I wish the two events hadn’t happened back to back because … Read More

Social Media Madness

ChrisFor Writers, home, Paranormal Young Adult, UtopYA

My first book, Going Down In Flames, came out June 30th. Since then I have been tweeting and sharing and tumbling and pinning my brains out in an effort to increase my social media presence. I’ve done my best to keep the posts about my actual book to 25% of my content because no one likes a spammer. The rest … Read More

I Can’t Believe #UtopYA2014 Is Over

ChrisFor Writers, Paranormal Young Adult, UtopYA

I can’t believe #UtopYA2014 is over. It was busy and crazy and exhausting and exhilarating. I met some great new people and reconnected with old friends. I was able to meet my online friends in the flesh. The funny part was most of the time, I had to read their name badges before I realized they were someone I’d been … Read More

The Wonderful World of Author Swag

ChrisFor Writers, UtopYA, writers conference

I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time and more money than I intended on author swag. What is author swag? It’s the items authors produce and give away to promote their books. Before I embarked on my journey into swag, I had no idea how many options there were and how complicated it could all become. There are evil websites … Read More

Check out UtopYA 2014

ChrisFor Writers, Paranormal Young Adult, UtopYA

Have you signed up for any writing or reading conferences this year?  If you haven’t, you should check out UtopYA. What is UtopYA? It’s a convention for women writers of supernatural YA and NA fiction and their fans which takes place June 20-22, 2014 at the Millenium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Or as my husband put it, a conference for … Read More

Going Down In Flames Dragon Decor

ChrisFor Writers, Paranormal Young Adult, UtopYA

I’ve always been fascinated by dragons. Going Down In Flames, my young adult paranormal novel centers around a secret society of shape-shifting dragons. While writing the book, I’ve been searching the internet for unique dragon themed items. Here are some of my favorites. The gorgeous beaded dragon dress is by Ralph Lauren. The seven-foot tall sculpture with the gazing ball is … Read More

Why I Write and Read Young Adult Novels

ChrisFor Writers, UtopYA

Whenever I tell people that I read and write young adult novels, they have one of several reactions. Either they think it’s cool, ask a few questions, and change the topic, or they stare at me like I said I moonlight at a strip club. Why do people find the idea of a normal person writing a novel so difficult? … Read More

UtopYA / Quirky Chick Conference Report

ChrisFor Writers, UtopYA

I spent this past weekend in Nashville Tennessee at the UtopYA conference. What was it like? Imagine a conference full of quirky chicks who all love to read, write and blog. Then add a hot shirtless cover model, a ton of raffle prizes and a few fangirl moments. Attending a conference by myself was way outside my comfort zone. I’ve attended … Read More