New Year's Resolutions

Since I'll be busy both New Year's eve and New Year's day, I decided to make a post early reflecting on this year and what's to come in 2013.  Without further ado...

2012

The most amazing part about this year was the publication of Cursed With Power.  After spending six years trying to publish one of my books, I am proud to say that this one will always be remembered as my first.  The fans have been amazing, the support has been wonderful, and journey -with it's ups and downs-has been worth all the blood, sweat, and tears I poured into this book.
Another important part of this year was finding myself again, and in that journey I also found someone who has supported me through a lot.  My boyfriend, Eric, has done more than any words could do justice, and I'll gladly share to the world that this man is the one I am happy to say stands beside me through everything.  (And we all know that dating a writer can't be easy, can it?)
And let's not forget that now my hair is dyed blonde, and I absolutely love the change!
And then there was this book that impacted me like none other has ever before... The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.  I am in love with this book, and it's honestly like nothing that's ever been written.  John Green has an amazing gift, and if there's one thing that man should be remembered for it's this book alone.

2013

I have no idea what to expect next year, but what I do know for certain is that the world isn't ending and anything could happen at this point.  Next year I just want to give my all, do my very best with everything, and never take life for granted... Because after all, I think in the end that's what it's all about.  Don't take anything for granted and live your life out to the fullest.  If that means late nights editing for me, then hey that's all right. Leal get out of my head already....

Hope everyone has a great beginning to the New Year!  I'll be back after the holiday with more to share.

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Behind the Character: Nicia

the image is not mine; credit to photographer

Nicia is a new character we'll be meeting for the first time in the upcoming sequel, Punished With Destiny.  I've been talking about her a lot, mentioning her here and there, and I decided it was time for me to give her a more proper introduction.
In Italian the name "Nicia" means "victorious people."  As for whether the meaning actually fits our character is something I'll let you decide.  To be honest, I don't remember how I first came across this name.  Somehow I came across it and was immediately drawn toward it because it's rare and sounded unique.
While I can't go into much detail about our new character -since you'll meet her in the book- I will reveal that she has a very significant role.  I have no idea how readers are going to react to her, but if nothing else I hope they see that she brings out a different "side" of Leal.  And who knows, maybe we will also see that Leal brings out the best in her.

Nicia's name may be unique, but I'm also working to make her character unique in ways that separate her from others.  What I suppose inspired her was that in CWP Celestria was the main female character that I worked with the most, and now Nicia is a whole new challenge.  She can be brutally honest, but at the same time she could be the best friend you rely on with your life.  I still have quite a ways to go with her -considering the fact I'm only halfway through the book-but I'm working to make it so that readers are drawn toward her loyalty and mysteriousness.
Are you ready for what's next?  We find out all of Nicia's secrets and more in the upcoming sequel, and until then...
Happy reading!

Coming next: Welcoming the new year

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Announcements: Upcoming sequel and book #3!

Let's start with the upcoming sequel...

Generally when readers finish the first book in a series the question they're left wondering is, "when can I read the next book?"  So I thought it was time I talked about the release date for the upcoming sequel, Punished With Destiny.  We don't have anything official, but I'm hoping that during winter break I can sit down and finish the book -or at least come close to finishing.  (Mind you, this would require for Microsoft Word to be up and running -and as of presently, I'm having some issues with it.)  Either way, here's my unofficial release date for you: spring of 2013.  I know it's very general, but I'm making it my goal to have everything finished before the spring, so Old Line can do what they do best and make everything finalized.  Why the spring, you ask?  Well it'll be six months from when CWP released, so just around the time readers will be finishing the first book they'll have the second one to look forward to.  Feel free to pass on the news :)  (just remember nothing's official yet!)

Now what's this about a third book?!
For those of you who don't know, Cursed With Power is the first book of five in the Magicians series.  Oddly enough that was something I decided right away before I even began writing CWP.  Anyways, I already have a working title for the third book.
*drum roll*
Banished With Magic will be the third book in the Magicians series.  While this title may change when I actually start writing the book, I think it might stay permanently.  Now as for the last two books, the titles are not going to be revealed as of right now.  All the same, I'm looking forward to the adventure and hope you are too.

Coming up next: the story behind Nicia (new character)

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Oh Christmas joy! *a special gift from author to reader*

    

It's the holiday season where joy is in the air, and if we're lucky there might also be some snow.  More so to the point, though, it's also the giving season.  While I'm still working fiercely on Punished With Destiny, I'd also like to give my readers something to entertain them during the wait.  I came up with the idea that I could write a holiday scene with the characters from the Magicians series.  

So here's how you can help me....

• Tell me what characters you'd like included in the scene --no one is off limits, and I'll even allow requests for characters that will be in the upcoming sequel
• If you don't remember characters, I'll name a few here: Celestria, Leal, Alaire, Aldemund, Christopher, Fayth, Mervyn, Nicia, Rahela, Esmour, Jacquette, Mrs. Irvine (Leal's mother), Malin, Rostland (all characters in red are from the sequel)
• Remember, keep in mind that this is the holiday season. Since this scene will most likely not appear in the books (as of presently) anything could help.

You pick the characters, and I'll write the story.

It's simple and easy, and even if you haven't finished reading the book or haven't read it all, it's simple enough that you can choose any character.  Hopefully I'll get your thoughts on this, and if not I might have to reconsider if it'll be worth writing and posting.  Happy holidays everyone!

Coming up next: Behind the character - Nicia

Lindsey R. Sablowski

7 Years Ago

This time of the year holds a very special place in my heart, and not simply because I enjoy the holidays -which I do.  Seven years ago I began the journey into the writing world.  It all started with the cover you're looking at right now.  I sat down and started writing what would become my first novel, The Magic of Light.
For those of you who haven't heard the story, The Magic of Light followed the lives of Trisha and Keith.  They were "good" magicians, living in a world overrun and terrorized by Dark magicians.  Magicians have always seemed to fascinate me, and I feel like for a long time they've been haunting my mind, waiting for me to tell their stories.  Anyways, back to the story... This book was definitely not ready for publication in any way, but my inner writer was determined to have her voice be heard.  And so fate had it that many -more than I can count-publishers would hear my voice.  The problem of course was that this book was not publishing material. Sure there was promise perhaps, but it wasn't perfect and certainly wasn't ready.
I cannot begin to tell you how many rejection letters I received during the four years I worked so hard to have that book published.  I was determined, and when people criticized the book and told me I needed to do something else it only made me want it more.  Once you step your feet in the water you can't jump out, and for me that's exactly what the publishing industry was.  Now that I had a feel of it, I didn't want to run away just because it was scary.  (And oh was it scary!)
But then how is it that after four years I gave up on Trisha and Keith, and ended up writing a story about a totally different world with Celestria and Alaire?  What happened during those fours years that changed?  Well, for one, I changed a lot and matured during those years.  Even now I'm still maturing and growing into a stronger writer, and if there's anything I learned during the time I spent on The Magic of Light it's that you don't give up on something you love.  You perfect it, make it better, give it your full heart....and then try again.

   

There have definitely been a lot of changes through the years, but I'm really happy that seven years down the road this is where we have ended up.  There is so much more to come in the Magicians series, and Celestria's story was only the beginning.

Here's to many more years of writing! And as always a huge thank you and many hugs to all of you out there who support me :)

Lindsey R. Sablowski

Hello December, Goodbye NaNoWriMo

I honestly had no idea that I would finish NaNoWriMo this year, but somehow I did.  I finished literally a few minutes before I had to leave for work, and let me tell you that once I finished I swore I could never write again. Naturally I did the only logical thing... and started writing the first thing when I woke up this morning.
And now look, it's already December and I haven't changed my calendar!  If anything, NaNo has just proven to me that time flies.  Finals are coming up this month, so today might be my one free day to write before I have to study like crazy.

As most of you know, I intend on having Punished With Destiny released in the spring of 2013, so the fact that I've finished more than half of the book will hopefully help me reach that deadline.  Leal has been a pain at times, but I'm starting to grow fond of the characters.  The first part of the book focuses on Leal's life before he met Celestria, being as he was a part of Destin.  All of the characters in this first part are mainly new to me with the exclusions of Leal, Alaire, and Aldemund.  I suppose that's the most exciting and challenging part of this book so far: having a whole new cast of characters to work with.  At times it can be frustrating, but now that I've become more accustomed to them I can't wait for when I'm in the editing process to add more to them. (Haha imagine that, someone looking forward to editing.)

CWP news
The support for Cursed With Power has been amazing, and let me just say for the record (and the millionth time) that I love each and every one of you who have shown your support.  I certainly hope that the book can be a success because there's so much more to come in the next four books of the series.
Now that it's December, we have another book signing on the way!  On December 8th, I'll be at North Carroll Library to chat with fans, sign copies of the book, and also sell copies for those who haven't made a purchase yet.  Remember a book can be a wonderful gift for someone who loves to read :)  I realize a lot of you who follow this blog don't live in or near Maryland, but I'll ask someone to take pictures and post them here after the event.

Happy December!
Lindsey R. Sablowski