Um, okay, so... You've already seen the title. You already know the entire purpose of this post...
PEOPLE I WROTE A BOOK. *shrieks* *flails* THIS IS SO EPIC PEEPS I WANNA CELEBRATE!!! XD
Okay, so I am celebrating. I have been for days now. Ice cream, candy, loads of just-for-fun-reading, new pens, and...formatting, fixing the cover of, and ordering a first draft a copy for myself from Lulu. :) Hooray! And now I shall ramble for a little while about this lovely book. (What? Pfft. I am most certainly not biased.)
~ Dandelion Dust stats ~
Started: December 26th, 2016
Finished: January 20th, 2017 at 12:15 AM
Days it took: 25 days
Word count: 34,484 words
I stayed up past midnight many nights to write. I consumed lots of chocolate and sour patch. I ate ice cream out of the carton. I wrote over 1,000 words a day (which is a record for me). The least I wrote in a day was 1,003 and the most was 3,479 (which was the last day...and which was a record breaker, upping my most-words-written-in-a-day from 2,150 in July).
A CD that I've listened to on repeat through this entire writing process (my family loves me so much) is officially the soundtrack of this book. Along with songs like Photograph (Bea Miller) and Worn (Tenth Avenue North). For anyone who is interested, the CD is What Country Means to Me by Lawson Bates. I got it for Christmas (because I have an awesome Mom) and now everyone in my house knows the lyrics to every. single. song. Because I play it so. very. much.
Okay, so... What else can I squeal about?! ... How about the synopsis and COVER?? :D
Synopsis:
Like a speck of dandelion dust riding the tides of a prairie wind, life is fleeting. Though I never realized just how fragile it was until that day . . .
Charity always had a dream. It was simple, really. Find a guy, fall in love, and get married.
The day she met Ryder, Charity knew he was the man God had chosen for her. But she never expected their relationship to be tested and tried through the fires of a freak accident. Suddenly, her world is thrown into chaos, and the bleak, white walls and sterile smells of a city hospital fill every spare minute. And then there comes the dreaded news. It was likely Ryder would never make it out of the hospital bed.
As her carefully laid plans for the future come crashing down around her and the sun seems to set on her dreams, can Charity still find hope in the dark of night?
Like a dandelion, life is beautiful. But treasure every moment. . . . for one day, the flower will be gone.
And...here's the cover. ITS SO GORG. Kaitlyn K. made it for me and y'all...she is SO GOOD.
Isn't it AMAZING?!?!? :D Gahhhh, I'm so in love. <3 <3
And NOW...I shall show y'all some pictures from Dandelion Dust's Pinterest storyboard... :D Because, you know, I could just link to it, but it's private because spoilers. So no.
*nods* *pulls up boards* *grins wickedly* *throws all the goodies y'all's way*
*sniffles* This story is so precious, y'all. Like, how can I not fangirl over it?!! So...are you interested yet? If not...maybe this will further entice you... ;)
And now, because I like y'all so much (kidding, kidding. It's because I want to send some of my writing y'all's way), I'm gonna share some snippets. *rubs hands together*
Ryder plucks a dandelion from the ground near his boots and holds it out to me. “Make a wish.”
I smile, peeking at him from under the hat’s wide brim, and take the fluffy, white floret from his hand. Scrunching my eyes shut at his prodding, I come up with a wish to mumble under my breath. Eyes open again, I fill my lungs with the fresh and sunny air and blow into the back side of the dandelion.
The tiny tidbits of white fuzz drift through the air as we stand watching them. Here one moment and gone the next… Just like ours lives.
Tiny specks of dandelion dust floating on the breeze of life.
~*~*~*~*~
I nod, before realizing she can't see me. “Yeah. Okay. Call me – no matter the time. We’ll get through this.”
We exchange goodbyes and as I drop my phone back to my lap, my mind bounces back to my own words. We’ll get through this… No, I didn't lie to Hannah. We will get through this. But by ‘we’ I mean me and her. Her and I. The sister and the long-distance girlfriend.
But Ryder? I'm not so sure right now…
~*~*~*~*~
"I'm hearing words that I can't even spell like transfusion and defibrillator and ventilator. I just can't comprehend that that's my brother they're talking about.”
I listen as Hannah spills out all the gory details. It's doing her good to get it all out to someone, and it's good for me to be able to put words and diagnoses to the pain in my heart. I mumble some decent reply, although I have no idea what it is.
~*~*~*~*~
“Feels like I'm signing my life away,” Mr. Traven mutters as he scribbles his name across the bottom of the page and hands the clipboard back to the man.
“Not yours, Dad.” Drew doesn't even look up from his clasped hands. “More like Ryder’s.”
Every head swivels in his directions, but Drew doesn't so much as twitch in his seat staring forlornly through the large glass panes.
The tension in the air is strong enough to be felt, as everyone turns in drew’s direction. Hannah was right with what she told me the night of the accident. Something is bothering him, aside from the obvious.
So yes. Hugs to all the lovely people who were such an inspiration to me during the writing of this (in no particular order). Y'all are awesome. <3 *hugs*
Jesseca, my lovely critique partner, for reading my work, offering suggestions, always encouraging me, and being willingly to help me format the book.
Rebekah, for reading the snippets I sent her way, liking them and wanting to read more, and encouraging me the whole way. (I smile so much while reading our emails, girl. :))
Kaitlyn, whom I already mentioned as my cover designer, for all her encouragement and for the lovely covers that kept me working through to the end.
My 'writing group girls' for being interested in my story and demanding to beta-read ASAP. *grins* Y'all never fail to make me smile. <3
All the awesome people in the NaNo Makeup chat for lots of writing sprints during the last couple days of writing Dandelion Dust. You guys made that last stretch to "the end" all the more epic. :D
Have a blessed week everyone!! :D
~Faith
CONGRATS!!!! *throws confetti* The cover is so pretty, and it sounds neat!! :)
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!! :D *dances in confetti* Hehe, glad ya think so! :)
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS FAITH!!!! I'm soso proud of you!!!!! <3
ReplyDeleteOHMEGOODNESS THOSE SNIPPETS.... GAH.
*clears throat* yes. I do want to read this book XD
THANK YOU SO MUCHLY, KATE!! Awww. <3
Delete*grins* Glad you enjooyyyeeddd... ;)
*beams* Good to hear! :)
YAYAYAY!! SO happy and excited for you, Faith!!! I can't wait to start reading this!! :D
ReplyDeleteAnd those snippets... aaahhhhh!!
*grins* *bounces* Awww, thank YOU, Jess!! :D I hope you enjoy critiquing it!! :D
Delete*smiles* Thanks!! <3
CONGRATULATIONS, FAITH!!! This is all just too exciting!!!! :D I’m SO super happy for you!
ReplyDeleteAhh!! I love all of the pictures and the snippets!!! <3
THANK YOU, REBEKAH!! I knnoooowww...I can't stop grinning whenever I think about it. :D Awww! <3
Delete*smiles* I'm so glad!! <3
CONGRATS FAITH EEPPP it's so exciting to finish a project i know all about it AND YOU MUST POST PICS OF YOUR BOOK WHEN YOU GET IT K YEP
ReplyDeleteEEEPS THANK YOU SARAH :D Yes, yes. Your posts gave me the final nudge to order a first draft copy of DD. XD YES I MOST DEFINITELY WILL *nods*
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS, FAITH!!!! And that's super fast writing! (*hands you more chocolate and ice cream because you deserve it*)
ReplyDelete:)
~Liv
oliviakfisher.blogspot.com
THANK YOOUUU OLIVIA!! :D Hehe, I know right! I've never written anything this fast before. :P *gobbles chocolate and ice cream because YASSSSS* *grins*
DeleteOh. My. Word. THIS IS SO FABULOUS FAITH!!!! So, so, SO proud of you!!
ReplyDeleteThe synopsis, the cover, the pictures, the snippets...just GAH! *squeezes them* I really, REALLY want to read this book now! Are you having beta signups? Because if you are, COUNT ME IN! :D
AWWWWW!!! Thank you so much, Rebekah!! :D
Delete*beams* Um, well, yes. That's the plan. XD *whispers* I'm hoping to post a signup for beta-readers in a couple weeks....and send the book out by the first of March. So...keep an eye out. :P
CONGRATULATIONS FAITH!!!!!!! THIS IS SOOO AMAZING! I love the snips, and the COVER (AHHH SO NICE), and the synopsis is perfect! :D AHHH I am so excited this is seriously so amazing, YOU ARE GREAT. You have to show the book printed from Lulu EEK!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteCongrats girl, it is a beautiful sounding story.
THANK YOOOUUUU, ANGELA!!! :D I know, right?! I'm soooo in love with that cover <3 <3 Awww, thank ye! :) Hehehe, will doooo!! XD
Delete*beams* I am seriously smiling so much through these comments... ^.^
SO exciting!!!! And yes! When can I read it?! I need another good book. And those snippets were ah!
ReplyDeleteHehe, so excited that you're interested. *points to what I just told Rebekah E.* Hopefully first of March? :D Awww, thanks, Sol!! <3
Delete*rubs hands together excitedly*
Delete*grins*
DeleteYAY!!! Congrats, Faith!!! That is SO great! :) And the cover is gorgeous, and the snippets as well!! <3
ReplyDeleteAgain, huge congrats!!!!
AWWW! Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Raechel!! :D <3
DeleteI'm so thrilled right now!!! Let me know however I can help you! This sounds perfectly marvelous! Congratulations, Faith. I love the cover and Jesseca's synopsis is delightful. I'm so excited to read it! Seriously, let me know any way I can help!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, thanks a bushel for your enthusiasm, Bethany!! :D Awww, great!! You're so sweet to offer! I'll remember that!! <3 Thanks so much!! :)
DeleteGAAHHH it's SO WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL
ReplyDeletei am beyond excited for you Faith!
AWWW THANK YE, HANN!! <3 You're a dear! :)
DeleteOh my gosh, congratulations, Faith!!! :D :D You have more than earned this beautiful achievement! Day after day, night after night, you're there, writing, thinking, planning, plotting, dying, sacrificing glorious sleep for "just one more" line of words. Words that you fill with the magic of Faith. ;) (Double meaning totally intended.)
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorrrrrgeous cover! Kaitlyn did a fantastic job. And "Dandelion Dust" is a lovely title. :) I've been thinking about trying the Pinterest storyboard thing. But it seems like it would feel like I'm just copying off of someone else's work. Do you just find things that inspire you, pin them, and use them to guide your mood? Is that how it works?
Aww, thanks so much, Eve!! Hehehe. Sounds like you're speaking from experience. ;) "Dying" and sacrificing sleep are definitely at the top of the 'things that happened while writing this book' list. :P The last couple days I've gone to bed much before I usually do in an attempt to catch up, haha. Awww, lovely double meaning. <3
DeleteIsn't it faabbbbbb??!?! :D Kaitlyn captured the entire storyline so well. <3 Hehe, thanks, I'm a bit partial to it by now. ;)
I don't know that that's exactly how it works for everyone, but yep, that's how I do it. :D I usually include story inspiration, character pics, and sometimes images of the setting for the story. I also usually keep the board private until I'm ready to reveal the entire story, but that's just me. ;) You totally should try it!
Congratulations! You write FAST that's for sure, hehe. And your least was around 1,000 words a day?! That's awesome! It sounds like an amazing book.
ReplyDeleteCongrats again!
~Lydia~ <3
Thanks, Lydia!! :) Hehehe, well, I usually don't write so fast but somehow it just made sense with this story. XD YES! After the first couple day when I realized I was writing over 1k a day, I decided to try for a record. :P
DeleteThank you again! :D
SO FAB, FAITH. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! and those snippets are well-done, kay? You're a good writer!
ReplyDeleteand also woah that synopsis is fantastic! *high fives Jesseca*
EEEEKK THANKS MICAIAH!!! XD Awww, you're sweet, kay?? <3
Delete*grins* I'm so horrible at writing those, and she did such a fab job. :D
Faith!!! WOW This is AMAZING!!! You have me hooked and I cannot WAIT to get my hands on this book! I love Kaitlyn's cover too! So excited for you Faith!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lauren!!! :D Hehe, isn't her cover work outstanding?!?! XD Aww, thanks again! <3
Delete*Whispers* I may not have commented, but, I read this post when it first came out and wanted to say how proud of you I am. :) Great job, girl! So happy for you, and fantastic job on getting your editing done as well. :)
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you so much, Emmy!! :) Hehe, yes, here's to editing. ;)
DeleteOH MY GOODNESS HURRAY!!!! And hmmm...why does that CD sound familiar? ;)
ReplyDeleteThat cover is absolutely gorgeous! LOVE it!! Every single itty bitty part of that cover! SOOOOOOO happy for you!!!! ^_^
EEPPS YES!! :D *grins* Hmmm...I have no idea. Could be because it's absolutely epic. *wink*
DeleteIsn't it?! :D Gahhh, Kaitlyn is sooo amazing! <3 Thanks so much, girl!! :)