nazarea

Faith's Friendship releases today. I know it's been quiet here, but I have a new wesbite and blog. Vistit me and you'll find all the infor you could want about my book and how to order it.

The website (and details for the first give away) can be found www.nazarea-andrews.com

I have the best editor ever. Let me rephrase that. I have THE best editor EVER.

Now, I’m sure your doubting this. But see, I don’t. Cause my editor? Not only can he deal with the mess that I call a book—seriously, that alone would qualify him, but I’ll give you more—he fights for me. On rare occasions (I’m don’t do introspection often) I remember he’s the one who fought for my novella what seems like an eternity ago. That oh-so-not special novella was my first publication, and it all rests on my editors shoulders.

He walks me through my panic attacks. Like most writers, I have a serious self-doubt thing going on for me. JJ has spent more time then anyone should ever have to walking me through those and calming me down after personal issues leave me reeling and cryptic emails turn me into a teary mess.

My editor is funny. No, really. He is. I spend hours giggling when we talk.

He’s a Ohio State fan. Now, this should disqualify him on like…every level imaginable. But. He’s always happy (ish) when Alabama wins. And really—that’s just awesome.

Mostly, though, my editor is awesome because he’s more then just an editor who sends me a clean manuscript he managed to wrangle out of my drivel. No, he’s amazing cause he’s my friend. A friend who cheers me up, and allows me to do the same. A friend who offers to go above and beyond on so many occasions it’s ridiculous. A friend who—on the rare but memorable occasion—gets drunk with me in random southern cities. A friend who can tease, and laugh. And really? What girl could ask for more than that in the guy who has to take care of her book?

See? I have the best editor ever.

Every once in a while, I stumble across a blog so well written and relevant it makes it's way into my favorites. It's rare, let me tell you. However--this one that I just read is that kind of blog. Written by an 8th grader, the article is well written and to the point.

And it's a must read for anyone considering writing YA fiction. So without further ado, I bid you go and read it: http://www.murdershewrites.com/2009/12/17/guest-blogger-ya-reader-and-reviewer-kelly-brennan/


(P.S. New WEBSITE coming soon with phenomenal cover art for Faith's Friendship)

It’s been a crazy year, and one filled with amazing books—some I’m sure I will miss in the list. But I’m going to love sharing my favorites of the year with you all.

The year started and ended with two of the best books I’ve ever read—and they easily top my top five favorites—so with no further ado, my darlings:

Nazarea’s Favorite Reads of 2009:

Top Five:
The Name of the Wind Patrick Rothfuss.

The Time Traveler’s Wife Audrey Niffenegger.

13 Reasons Why Jay Asher.

The Nature of Jade Deb Caletti.

The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins





The Amazing Noteables: (In no particular order.)

The Forest of Hands and Teeth Carrie Ryan

The Prophecy of the Sisters Michelle Zink.

Dreamland Sarah Dessen.

Shiver Maggie Stiefvater

Fragile Eternity Melissa Marr

Santa Olivia Jacqueline Carey

Life As We Knew It. Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Weight of Silence Heather Gudenkauf

Luna Julie Anne Peters

Dreaming Anastaisa Joy Preble

Heart’s Blood Juliet Marillier

Swoon Nina Malkin

Graceling Kristin Cashore

My Soul to Take Rachel Vincent

A Certain Slant of Light Laura Whitcomb

Men of the Otherworld Kelley Armstrong.

So some of these books are coming of age, some are light and amusing, some are dark and gritty—but all of them are wonderfully written stories with excellent characters and setting. I thoroughly enjoyed them and look forward to reading them again in the future. (Okay, so this sucks. I had links to each of the author's sites or Amazon.com....but they all vanished. Sorry, folks.)

Have fun reading them!!

N~

What do you do when writing get pushed aside by life? I mean, lets face it. As much as I'd like to write all the time, and never have to worry about other things--dinner, laundry, paying bills--it's not practical.

This season is possibly the most stressful time of year for me. There are numerous family commitments, a few parties with friends, shopping gift wrapping, cooking, baking, mailing cards, taking pictures, decorating and cleaning. And that's just the tip of the iceberg--within my personal life. Even on a normal year, writing would be pushed aside for the harried holiday season.

But this year is far from normal. This year on top of normal Christmas stuff, I'm in the middle of the insanity that is pre-launch. Other authors have reminded me to enjoy this--and in truth, I am! It's ridiculously exciting to watch the days slide by and prepare my site and wonder how the book will do and finish last minute things that have to be done. And I'm never unaware of the fact that more people than I can count would love to be where I am.

However...writing has been set aside with an apologetic promise to return to it in the New Year. Does that happen to anyone else? In the stress and busy work of daily life, does writing sometimes get shifted to the backburner?

And if so...is that acceptable? For the moment, I am okay with my lack of writing--I'm preparing for the release of my first novel, after all. But many other times I've found myself too busy to write, and I've had to stop and reorder my priorities, find time for the 'hobby' that is so much who I am.

Am I alone? Or do you do the same? And if so--what do you do to bring yourself back to the writing?

N~

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!! Since this year I’m done with my cooking ahead of time and I’ve spent a bit of time shopping—looking at deals for Black Friday and also picking a host for my soon-to-be website. (Yes…the blog is moving to the website. I may keep this one running for a month or two, but be ready to switch over. On the bright side—the website will offer tons of fun stuff as well as a few never-before read stories!)

This year I am ridiculously thankful for all of the opportunities that are sprawled before me: I have children who are happy and healthy, a husband I love who has a good job and provides for our family—despite the wretched economy, and I have a host of friends I adore.

And of course, Faith’s Friendship is nothing to forget—when I consider my writing even a year ago, I am amazed that I’m preparing for release of my debut novel.


I’m gonna take a few days to spend with my family, to decorate a Christmas tree and shop with way too many people and maybe read a book. I hope that you all have a wonderful Turkey day and remember everything you are thankful for.

Check back next week—news and very soon, Best Books For Everyone on Your List. Yep—my picks for the year in YA, genre fiction, and literary and the general books that just caught my eye. Coming soon!! :)

Do you know what? Christmas is just a few weeks away--seriously, y'all. That's ridiculous. Thanksgiving is just under two weeks and Chrismtas is right after that and THEN!!!! Faith's Friendship!!!!!

Which--as exciting as that is, and don't get me wrong, it's super exciting--it's also very nerve wracking. Faith itself is lovely and ready and the cover art looks phenomenal (wait till you see it!!!!) thanks to my amazing publisher and editor. But...I have a list of things to do before Faith hits shelves, and every time I cross something off the list, I remember something else that needs to be added. So I'm busy, right? And I love it--I feel like Christmas already came, I'm so excited. Lots of good stuff for everyone to look forward to--a website, a video trailer, and a GIVEAWAY!!! Yep, you heard that (or read it?) right! I'll be giving away two of my author copies of Faith's Friendship. Details on how to get in on that later...no need to worry, I'll let you know when it's time.

In the meantime--the lovely Michelle Zink (who is an absolute doll, and was even sweet enough to become a fan on Facebook) is holding her own giveaway. You can read all about it on her blog:
http://michellezinkbooks.wordpress.com/ Everyone should check it out (and her book too!! It's awesome--you can read a review and interview with her--done by yours truly--at this months ViciousWriters.com)

That's all, lovelies! Have a great night!! :)

N~

I didn't realize, when I started down the road to publication, how much went into it. I knew it'd mean a lot of editing, and rewriting and all that jazz--and that wasn't so bad. I didn't mind it so much. It was cool.

But...there are so many questions!!!! So many questions that I didn't realize needed answers--cover art, format, author pic/bio, rights, all that stuff. Because of the interesting way I got my contract, these questions aren't answered. Which isn't a big deal--my publisher will get them answered--but still. It's a bit overwhelming at times.

However...update on the book as soon as I get the green light!!! Keep reading! :) 

N~

A friend recently suggested I post about how I began to write. I thought it was a good idea--and lets be honest, needed something- so here I am.

The problem is...I don't know. I remember my first stories. Stories that I honestly don't think I have anymore, and even if I did--well, there's a reason I'm so many years down the line. The first novel I started was a young adult book about a poor little rich girl. haha, thinking back, I have to just shake my head.

The next, which I started at age fifteen, was a historical romance. Lush, overly dramatic, so far from historically accurate it was a bit laughable, I still have a soft spot in my heart for that insanely large cast and their penchant for backstabbing.

At the same time I was writing that I found my first, true, lasting love. Aldera, Cantus, Astara and all their friends. The magic that is the world they live in, the lives they lead. Wings of War, and The Wings of Verdi Trilogy has been a constant in my life, despite the many revisions, and rewrites, and set-asides. It's the book I define my writing by, odd as that may be.

Until a year and a half ago. On the third anniversary of my marriage, I started writing again. A writing exercise to get the creative juice flowing has introduced a new love: Young Adult. I think that if I had known, then, what that what if....? would spawn, I might have just put Astara through another Council meeting. A single question: What would a girl do if her best friend held a secret? turned into a book full: What if there was creatures living side-by-side with us? A world Near but other...what if a girl who knew nothing of that world was drawn into it? What if her best friend was part of it--and loved her, despite their differences? How would that secret affect them? How would that love carry through? Would it?

Those questions then morphed into more, and another book was written, and another, and the ideas just keep coming and through it all I'm growing with these impossibly insane irritating characters. It's odd, to see looking back, that I've come back to the genre I began in.

N~

I always get a little antsy when I get to the end of a book. Which is weird, because when I finish reading a book, I get lazy and happy--a condition that lasts anywhere from 5 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how good the book was and how demanding the girls are being.
But when I finish a book that I'm writing--or rather, when I'm approaching the end of a book that I'm writing--I get antsy. Part of it is just the desire to be done, and part is a worry for the character: will they manage when I finish? What happens next in their story? Am I telling that, or is this adieu?

And if this is the end of a story--the end of the journey for that character--what then? Who do I write about next? Since my current project is of that variety, I'm feeling a bit fragile. Which, I know, is ridiculous--I have a sequel that's begging to be written for FireFall. Maybe it's the dismal weather. Maybe it's the simple fact that although I know the story is over, I will miss these crazy, irritating fae.