Guest Post and Giveaway by Chloe Neill -- Author of *Firespell*

I can't even begin to tell you just how THRILLED I am to have author Chloe Neill here today to talk about her new book which will be released on January 5, 2010! I am very lucky to have gotten a sneak peak of FIRESPELL and I have to say that I absolutely LOVED it! 

Before I get to Chloe's guest post, I'm going to tell you a little about FIRESPELL which you will be able to purchase on January 5, 2010 or pre-order now!  I'll also let you know where you can do that!  Also, the very talented and generous Chloe Neill is offering a *signed* copy and of FIRESPELL and FIRESPELL Gift Pack to one very lucky reader/commenter! So, if this is something you'd like to learn more about and win -- read on!

FIRESPELL by CHLOE NEILL

As the new girl at the elite St. Sophia’s boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she’ll have to face…


When Lily’s guardians decided to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she was shocked. So was St. Sophia’s. Lily’s ultra-rich brat pack classmates think Lily should be the punchline to every joke, and on top of that, she’s hearing strange noises and seeing bizarre things in the shadows of the creepy building.

The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout’s a little weird—she keeps disappearing late at night and won’t tell Lily where she’s been. But when a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout running from a real monster.

Scout’s a member of a splinter group of rebel teens with unique magical talents, who’ve sworn to protect the city against demons, vampires, and Reapers, magic users who’ve been corrupted by their power. And when Lily finds herself in the line of firespell, Scout tells her the truth about her secret life, even though Lily has no powers of her own—at least none that she’s discovered yet…

**This is a MUST-READ for any paranormal lover! OK...after reading it, it's just a MUST-READ! Period!

You can read Chapter One - HERE!

Follow Chloe on Twitter
Friend her on FaceBook
Visit her Web Site
Learn More about Chloe Neill

If you're interested in pre-ordering a copy of FIRESPELL of your own or purchasing one on January 5, 2010 please follow the links below! They will take you to the exact page of your favorite oline bookseller!

Barnes & Noble
Books - A - Million
Powells
Borders
Amazon

Please help me welcome author Chloe Neill!!

*Thunderous Applause*

FINDING THE TIME - A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Although a lot of writers aspire to be full-time authors, even writers who write full-time have other commitments to contend with. Housekeeping. Children. Pets. Significant others. The groceries still need to be bought; the trash still needs to be taken out. So sometimes, for those of us who don't write full-time, it can be a challenge to find the time and energy to get the writing done. Even I struggle at the end of the day to crank out a few hundred.

1.  15 Minutes a Day, 500 Words a Day

Much like improving strength and stamina requires a regular exercise commitment, writing a novel can be
accomplished in small, daily steps, stress on the "small." Make a commitment to write a little bit at a time. Instead of promising yourself to "write a novel," in 2010, promise yourself to complete a small writing goal each day.

These goals can be drafted in terms of minutes ("write for 15 minutes a day") or word count ("write 300 words a day"). And just like exercise, don't forget to give yourself a couple of days off. Challenge yourself to write four or five days per week, with two days devoted to living, breathing, watching, learning and reading--things that will improve your writing organically.

You can track your goal on a calendar (give yourself a star each day you write), in a journal (chart your word count as it increases) or in a blog (share your progress with others). Just like in a weight-loss regimen, give yourself a reward for each goal made--maybe a new book or writing notebook for each 10,000 words completed.

Instead of focusing on the "completed manuscript" goal, think about writing a little bit each day. Little by little, you'll get there!

2. Stealing Time

If your schedule doesn't permit you to set aside a scheduled 15 minutes per day, think about how you can "steal time" for writing.

Do you take a train in the mornings? Do you have a lunch break or lunch period? Do you usually spend dinner on the couch in front of the television? Can you steal time during any of those activities to scribble notes or write a few sentences of dialogue in a notebook? Can you type out a "note" on your smartphone or PDA while you're in line at the grocery store? Think about those tiny increments of time you can use to get in a couple of ideas, a chapter title, or a character sketch.

3. Just One More Word...Line...Page...Chapter

Too tired to write? Did you make it to 14 minutes, but just can't stretch it out to 15? Just like you might stretch for that extra five minutes on the treadmill, or that extra ab crunch, try to get in one more word, one more line, or one more page. One line at a time can add up to a fabulous new idea or the start of a great new chapter.

The ultimate rule, of course, is to get something on the paper. While the manuscript you submit to an agent or editor needs to be as perfect as you can make it, the stuff you right on any given day doesn't. Get the words on paper, then edit scrupulously later on.

Good luck, and thanks for reading!

Thank you for that fabulous advice Chloe and most of all, thank you for visiting Park-Avenue Princess!

*SIGNED* copy of FIRESPELL & FIRESPELL GIFTPACK GIVEAWAY!

If you're interested in winning a *Signed* Copy of FIRESPELL and Firespell gift pack here's all you need to do for this one!

Leave a question and/or comment for Chloe below! Also, please include your name/nickname in the comment and your email address so that you can be reached IF chosen as the winner of this awesome contest!  (*Note -- You MUST be a Google Friend Connect Follower of THIS Site To Win!)

Contest ends on January 20, 2010 (Midnight EST)!

Good Luck Everyone and as always -- Have Fun!

KISSES and TOODLES

P.S. (From the Princess) I'm not sure if we're going to make 1,000 followers by the 1st! There's a HUGE Prize package on the line and all we need -- 190 more followers! So, spread the word and share the Park-Avenue Princess site with friends! It's only a click and a follow! Best of Luck and Here's to a Blessed Happy New Year!

Another short note, at the beginning of the New Year, Park-Avenue Princess is going to be mainly a YA, Middle Grade and Children's Book Blog! It's what The Princess Likes to Read! Of course there will be a few Thrillers thrown in for good measure and if another novel comes along that looks good enough to pass on, you just may see it here!  Also, there will be more and more giveaways to come! (Both Bookish and Non!)  Happiest of Holidays!