Another Announcement and a Contest ... because HALLOWEEN.

Hi everyone. I'm feeling pretty good right now so I'd like to have a little overdo fun here on the blog.

First of all, my announcement ...
I have release dates for the remaining volumes of The Foreseers series. Yay! Let's list those dates, shall we? Drumroll please ....
SEPTENARY, volume 2 of The Foreseers series, will be released December 10th, 2015.
HIVE MIND, volume 3 of the series, will be released February 10th, 2016, both volumes on eBook and POD through Amazon.

This is exciting news because it means one thing ... there will be plenty to read throughout the winter months. Can you think of anything nicer than a warm house, a cup of hot beverage on the table next to your favorite reading spot, maybe a small fire crackling in the fireplace, and a good book in your lap that has the ability to take you on an adventure you might not get to experience if you weren't a reader? I want that. I want that right now.

And now for the contest. Welcome to the "I have a new vlog, please watch it," contest. Or, to save on time, "The Happy Chaos Vlog" contest.
Why are we having a contest right now? Because I haven't done one in ages, they are fun, and I'm feeling almost like a normal human being. Thank you, chemocation.
How to enter this awesome contest:
* 1 entry: Like my author page on Facebook. If you've already done that, head on over and like the Gearketeers page. That page is just as fun.
* 1 entry: Follow me on Twitter. If you've already done that, send me a "hello" tweet.
* 1 entry: Follow my cancer blog here. If you've already done that, leave a comment.
* 3 entries: Share my Final Wish Campaign on your Facebook page.
*5 entries: Mention this contest on your personal blog, Facebook page, or twitter.
*10 entries: on Halloween, in your costume, show your support by holding up a sign that says something uplifting or funny about cancer or cancer survival, i.e. "Cancer sucks," or "Stupid Cancer,"  or "Fight like a girl." OR a sign with the name of a loved one you have that has or is battling cancer. Post this picture somewhere within your own social media avenues and link it to this blog, share it on my Facebook page, or tweet it.

So there you go. lots of ways to enter. But what are the prizes?

~ 5 lucky winners will receive an awesome Trait t-shirt and signed hardback copy of the first edition of THE TRAIT.
~ 2nd Place Prize winner will receive the prize listed above and a $25.00 Amazon gift card.
~ 1st Place Prize Winner will receive the t-shirt, book, and a $50.00 Amazon gift card.

A few quick points to be noted:
- This contest ends November 1st, 2015, 12:01 am.
- The entry tallies will be handled by my support staff so every entry is counted.
- All entries will be given a number and entered into the pool. Randomly, 7 numbers will be drawn. We plan to make a vlog of this.
- Winners will be notified via the means they entered, (Facebook, twitter, a blog, etc.)
- One prize per mailing address.
- Please keep all comments positive, light, and fun. Because being positive, light, and fun is much more pleasant that the alternative.
- Have fun!

I'm so excited to be doing this. Feeling well enough to release a book, start a vlog, throw a contest; it all makes me very happy to be able to do normal things. Soon (mid-November), I will be back on the heavy chemo. I will do my very best to keep the chaos around me, and within me, happy chaos. That's the best kind of chaos to have.


Happy Contestering,
Kristin

I'm releasing a new series ... volume 1 on October 10th, 2015!

I'm so excited to announce that I'm releasing a new 3 volume realistic fantasy series, THE FORESEERS.

After overhearing her parents arguing over whether or not to hospitalize her, sixteen year old Landrie Moxon runs away from home. She ends up in New York City where she finds 5 other teens just like her. Landrie and her roommates soon discover that they are special ... each of them possessing a similar mental "hang-up" that keeps them from living normal lives. Landrie's mind is controlled by random photos of people, some she has seen in real life and some she has not. Her mental infarction makes her a recluse, withdrawn, quiet, and distrustful. 

Her roommates also have images that control their minds. One sees a shadow of an action, one sees a date, one sees a time of day, and so on. When the six pieces of information come together, the tight-knit group sees an event from the future. Sadly, the events are traumatic, some even fatal. Landrie and the other's don't realize how special their power to foresee the future really is. 

Landrie meets a face from her mind and begins to spend time with him. Eventually, Landrie and Aidan Kane fall in love. Aidan's father is a politician that is running for President of the United States, a situation that ads a complexity to the foreseers that even Landrie doesn't recognize at first. And there are others that know of the foreseers's gift that cause the group problems, too. 

Will Landrie be able to have both Aidan and the other foreseers in her life? Will she ever embrace her special power and learn to control her mind? These answers will be revealed in the three volume, realistic fantasy series, THE FORESEERS.

THE FORESEERS cover created by: Conner Damon

The first volume, THE FORESEERS, will be released: OCTOBER 10th, 2015.
The second volume, SEPTENARY, will be released: TBA.
The third volume, HIVE MIND, will be released: TBA.

I am so excited to release this new series. I adore the characters of this series and the way they change and grow throughout their stories. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Happy reading,
Kristin

Writing + Chemobrain = Not Priceless.

Chemo brain ... where to begin? I don't even know how to start this post except to say that chemo brain is very real and very much a part of my life. Sadly, pathetically, I can't remember much these days. Things from before treatment are easier to remember, but stuff that's happened in the last 30, 60, even 90 days? Sadly, most of my life since December of 2013 has been forgotten.

Chemo brain has adversely affected me and my writing. I read things that I've written and I get scared. I can't remember writing it or even thinking it. It is scary to try to pull on parts of my memory, wanting so badly to be able to remember certain events, only to draw a blank. I can't imagine how my sweet grandma Melva felt having been diagnosed with Dimentia. Memory loss is a very scary ordeal, indeed.

Along with the memory issues, I have a hard time concentrating. I can't multitask worth a lick anymore, either. Sniff. Sniff. 

Yet ... I am working on keeping better written notes, calendars,  and journals to better help myself when my brain can't find the event in question. This seems to help. I consciously work to stay on task, and I keep my tasks, conversations, and projects to a short, doable amount of time. All these little tricks are helping.

Regardless, I hope to start writing again soon. I honestly don't think it will happen before I take a real break from chemo, but who knows? Some days I feel so courageous, I go so far as to open a new word document. When it happens, I'm sure I'll be publicly expressing my joy ... loudly.

Until that day, let's keep reading. Shall we?

Kristin

To answer your question ...

I just finished my first "Ask the Author" event and I'm ecstatic with how it went down. Such a great time with many (67 at one point) new friends. Thank you again to all that showed up. I can't wait to do it again! (The next one is scheduled for March 13th, FYI.)

I've copied and pasted the transcript from some of my favorite questions. Just so you are aware, there are **SPOILERS** ahead.

Hi Kristin. I’m a huge fan of your work. I’m currently about halfway through The Nation. I’m having a hard time putting it down. My question: how much of yourself did you put into Brynn? I know many authors see themselves as the female lead in their books. K******

Hi K******. Thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying the series. To answer your question … When I wrote The Trait (years ago), I did put quite a bit of myself into Brynn. During my writing process, that happens a lot for me. But since then, I’ve written 4 more series. Now, I see more of my teenage daughter in Brynn. Thank you again for being a fan and for joining today. Kristin

Along the same lines as Kaitlyn’s question, your books have a lot of medical terminology and references. Do you have a background in healthcare? S**

Hi S**. Yes, I do. I worked in the business/office side of healthcare for over 10 years. I wanted to go into patient care (nursing or preMed) when I started college, but I quickly learned that I don’t like blood or pain or tears. Thanks for joining today! Kristin

Kristin, I’m C********. I love the Trait books! I especially love how both Brynn and Creed have changed over the course of the series. In the first book, I admit I didn’t care for Brynn’s behavior at times. How did you plan that transformation out from book 1 through book 4?

Hi C********. Thank you for joining today. I’m thrilled that you are enjoying the series. To answer your question … As I think back on it, the transformation with Brynn came quite naturally. As the story intensified and progressed, she matured, per say. At the beginning of the story, when she was dealing with the bad decision she had made with Chandler, she was reclusive. She was quiet, and she built a strong wall around her heart. This behavior limited her ability to grow and learn from life experience. By the time she lets herself accept her relationship with Creed, she had experienced a lot. That life experience, and all the experiences she had with Creed, helped them both mature and grow up, similarly to how it happens for most of us. It was a wild ride with Brynn, wasn’t it? She kept things moving and shaking, once she found her voice and let the wall around her heart crumble. Again, thank you for joining today and keep reading! Kristin

I feel really bad for Chandler. Please tell me you have good things in store for him. G***

Hi G***. I won’t spoil the story for you but to answer your question … yes! Good things happen for Chandler because all-in-all, he’s a really great guy. He’s just persistent and comes off as pest, at first. Thank you for joining today. Kristin

Hi Kristin. I’m also a fan of your writings. I’ve fallen in love with Creed. He’s witty. In chapter 6, he makes a comment that is my favorite. “Vampires are stupid.” I can’t help but to ask, is this a dig at those popular “vampire” books? LOL V*****

Hi V****. I’m laughing right now, too. To answer your question … a little bit. Blush. When I wrote the series, those popular vampire books were all the rage. Admittedly, I haven’t read them but I made my cute husband by me the movies on DVD for Christmas last year. So, let’s call it a subliminal “nod of acknowledgement” to Edward on Creed’s behalf, yes? After all, that story-line is truly amazing. Thanks for joining today and for the laugh! Kristin

Hi Kristin. I’m B*****. I found your cancer blog through your book blog and I've read it and follow it. Kudos for keeping a smile on your face through treatment. I noticed when reading The Trait that Brynn’s grandma passed away from cancer. How were you able to write such a storyline having cancer yourself, and did you find it hard to do? Sincerely, B*****.

Hi B*****. Thank you for joining today and for your meaningful thoughts. To answer your question … When I wrote The Trait series, I didn’t have cancer. I was diagnosed late in 2013, and had published all four Trait novels beforehand. Admittedly, I read the parts of the books that mention cancer and I feel okay about them. I have a thousand times the knowledge about cancer now verses the time I wrote about it, and I do wonder now if it would've been advantageous to have chosen a different terminal illness to give June instead of the cancer. Regardless, it is what it is, and I’m proud of Brynn for caring for her grandmother the way she did. Brynn’s examples of strength, loyalty, and personal sacrifice are traits I aspire to have. Again, thank you for your thoughtful words. Kristin

Hi Kristin. I know you have written lots of books. Do you ever cross reference The Trait in other novels or vice versa? T*******

Hi T******. Thank you for joining today. To answer your question … admittedly, I do. It’s a fun little “game” I regularly play, and I know I’m not the only writer to engage in such fun. One particular cross-reference I can think of off the top of my head … in the Keepers, the protagonist is talking about the movie she had just seen with her cousin. And I quote:

“I like the part when the guy pee’d on the carpet and it set the fire alarm off. Classic,” Dane stated with a boyish grin.

“You would like the gross part,” Meagan teased. She and Dane, cousins turned friends, discussed their next adventure together as they slowly strolled down the street.

End quote. So as you can see, I like to subliminally mess around. It’s one of the many joys I find in writing. Thanks again for joining today and for the question. Keep reading! Kristin

Today is one of those days that make me truly LOVE what I do.

Kristin

Ask The Author, 2-27-15

It's happening right now!
Come join in the fun. ONLINE HANGOUT.


Kristin

Welcome! And a FREEBIE, too!

THIS FREEBIE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Welcome to my blog. You're almost half way through the blog hop. I hope you're having a great time!
Before I give you my piece of your coupon code needed for your free download, let me tell you about a fun little promotion that starts today.

1. Download The Trait (FREE on eBook) or the complete The Trait Series (all four volumes of the series for $7.99 on eBook. That's just $1.99 per volume).
2. Read it.
3. Leave a positive review on Amazon.com or Goodreads (because let's face it, if you don't like the story, you're not going to want these prizes) and ...
4. Receive a signed first edition hardback copy of The Trait and a premium The Trait t-shirt for FREE. I'll even pick-up the shipping.
5. Once you leave your public, online review, please send an e-mail directly to me at kristindamon@gmail.com and put "Blog Hop Freebie" in the subject line. Please include a link to the review and your mailing address.

But hurry because supplies are very limited. These t-shirts are awesome, by the way. They are nice, and soft, and a great color. I hope you like them as much as I do!

And now for the letter needed for the coupon code. R

Thanks so much for stopping by. Next Friday, February 27th, I'll be hosting an online "Ask The Author" party. Watch your e-mail for details and the link.

Happy blog hopping,
Kristin

Harper Lee ... back in the game!

Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, will be releasing her second novel in July. I really look up to Ms. Lee. She is one of the author's on my "favorites" list. Why? Because of lines like this:
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

"Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself."

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do."

I seriously can't wait! 
Happy reading,
Kristin

Its Vs. It's ... It's a valid question, yes?

The Grammarist has a great lesson on "its vs. it's". Read said lesson here.

Happy conjunctioning,
Kristin