Winners!!

Hey all! Forgive me for taking so long to get this up, I was trying to wait until I heard back from my winners before I announced them. So without further ado here are the winners of the Shattered giveaway!

Congrats to Karen K. and Leah B.! They have both responded to my email and I will get their books out later this week. ;-) Thank you all for participating! I cannot wait to do something like this again.

Now, a drumroll for the winner of the Go Teen Writer's book...

Summer A! I have sent you an email to the email address you gave rafflecopter and I am still awaiting your reply. Please get back to me by the end of the week or I will pick another winner. Thanks!

Writing Mondays: {Go Teen Writers: How to Turn Your First Draft Into a Published Book}

Hey everyone! Today I want to share with you a resource that has truly helped me in the past couple weeks of using it. What resource, you ask? None other than the Go Teen Writer's book by Stephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson! ;-D Here's the book cover and book blurb.

The question we hear most from new writers is, “How do I get published?”

And the answer is: Respect your dream

Every writer’s journey is different, yet as we’ve reflected on our experiences and those of the writers around us, we've seen time and time again that those who are successful are the ones who had the patience and endurance to stick with this writing thing. They didn't look for shortcuts (at least, not for long), nor did they quit after five, ten, or one hundred rejections.

We can’t make the process easy for you, but it’s our hope that this book will be a tool you can turn to time and time again when you’re thinking, “Okay … what’s next?”

Includes tips for:
-Getting published
-Finding the right agent
-Book surgery
-Thicker plots
-Deeper characters
-Richer settings
-Weaving in theme
-Dealing with people who don't get your writing

I wanted to have finished it before this post got up but alas, that did not happen. I can say with authority, however, that I love everything I've read so far and it has helped tremendously. Already the book has pointed out where some of my WIP's major flaws are and how to fix them. This book is simply invaluable!

If you're a teen writer and you've never heard of the large-and-growing group known as Go Teen Writers, you should check it out today. You won't regret it!  And now, to the best part of the post. Stephanie and Jill are giving away an ebook copy of their book! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Dani Pettrey! {Giveaway!}

Hey everyone! I am very happy to bring to you this lovely interview with Dani! Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom, kay? ;)

Welcome, Dani, to Writings of Rosie! Could you give us a little bio please?
I’m a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. I feel blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things I love--the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of my characters' faith, and plenty of romance. My husband and I reside in Maryland with our two daughters.

Oh, me too. Nail-biting suspense is my favorite to read. How hard was it writing Piper and Landon’s story? Did you have everything planned out from the beginning?
Each story is unique and different in approach, but I’m not a plotter. I typically begin with an idea of who my characters are, what crime has been committed and an overarching idea or premise for the story. Then I sit down and start writing. I really enjoy seeing the characters come to life in the first draft. In Piper and Landon’s case I already knew quite a bit about them since they were both secondary characters in my debut novel, Submerged. It was a lot of fun getting to spend time with them again.

I'm sure it was! :-) Is there anything unique or quirky that you do while you write? I always write out my first drafts long hand. I know it takes extra time having to then go back and type the entire draft in, but it’s the only way the words flow at the beginning of a story. Put me in front of a blank screen and I freeze.

Wow, I applaud you for that. My hand cramps if I write by hand for too long. Do you have a favorite place to write? I’ve turned the sunroom off my kitchen into my office. I love it because it’s in the center of our home and the entire back wall is made of windows. I’ve got a great view of the trees and neighborhood pond. And, I’m really close to the coffee pot and espresso machine. :)

Sounds gorgeous! How did you decide Alaska would be your main setting for the series? Once I knew the McKenna family owned and operated an adventure outfit company, I searched for the perfect location. I wanted someplace that offered a wide variety of adventures along with an inherent element of risk. I think Alaska fits perfectly. It’s a gorgeous state!

Can you share anything about Gage and Darcy’s story Stranded?
When her friend vanishes from a cruise ship, reporter Darcy St. James isn't satisfied with their explanation that she simply left her job of her own accord. Something isn't lining up, and Darcy believes the only way to find the truth is to put herself in Abby's position. Within days, Darcy learns her friend wasn't the only person to disappear mysteriously. Last summer, a woman vanished under almost identical circumstances.

Gage McKenna has taken a summer-long stint leading adventure excursions for the passengers of various cruise lines that dock for a few days of sightseeing. He's surprised to find Darcy working aboard one of the ships, investigating a troubling report. Something sinister is going on and the deeper they dig the more Gage fears they've only discovered the tip of the iceberg.

Eek! I'm so excited for it to come out! Lastly, where can readers find you on the Internet?
 On my website www.danipettrey.com, Facebook Page www.facebook.com/danipettrey, and Twitter www.twitter.com/danipettrey

Thank you so much for stopping by, Dani! I’ve loved interviewing you.
Thank you so much for having me, Rosie. It was a pleasure.

All right, readers, here's your chance to win a copy of Shattered! And, because this week is all about celebrating Writings of Rosie's first birthday I'm not giving away one copy, but two! :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway not open internationally, sorry!!  

Writings of Rosie's 1st Blog-a-versary!

Hey everyone! As you probably guessed from the title, today marks the first year I began blogging. It has been a great year and I look forward to the years to come! To mark this happy day I've set up a series of posts over the next week to help celebrate. To kick things off, I've decided to host a bookswap!

The rules are very simple, raid your bookshelves for books you would be willing to swap and post a list along with your wishlist. You will also need to share an email address so we can contact one another to swap. I have enjoyed all the other bookswaps I have been apart of so I hope this will be a fun experience too. Oh, and another quick note, if you are limited to so many books or cannot ship internationally please state that in your post.

All right! Now that the particulars are over and done with, lets get to the swapping! Here's my list to swap:

Prism by Rachel Moschell
Necessary Deception by Laura Alice Eakes
Flight of Fancy by Laura Alice Eakes (bookmark included, some damage to the book but it came to me that way)
To Honor and Trust by Tracie Peterson & Judith Miller
When the Heart Heals by Ann Shorey
Isle of Shadows by Tracy L. Higley
Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan by Melanie Dobson
Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart
The Irish Healer by Nancy Herriman
No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig
Sabrina by Lori Wick
Jessie by Lori Wick

And here's my wishlist:
The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen
Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings
Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson
Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland by Roseanna White
You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren
My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

If you see something on my first list you'd like to swap for, don't hesitate to email me at writingsofrosie(at)gmail(dot)com! I'm sure we can work something out. I'm very flexible. ;D I cannot ship internationally and I do not have a limit on what I can swap.