FINALLY!

On November 21, 2014, my debut novel, BEHIND THE MASK went 'live' on Amazon.com and I remember the exact moment it happened.  I was bombarded with a slew of emotions, that ranged from exhilaration to sheer panic. Up until that point, only a few people had read the book and not many were even aware that I was writing a novel.  So, putting myself out there was both frightening and exciting at the same time.  Expectations weren't high, as I wasn't known as a writer.  People weren't sure what they were going to get from me, but it was worth a shot.  If they hated it, there wasn't much I could do about it.  As a very good friend of mine always says, "it is what it is!" However, the positive feedback I received, put my nerves at ease and boosted my confidence.  Along with giving me the courage to continue writing.

Fast forward four years later and all those anxiety riddled emotions are back with a vengeance as I just released my second book (and sequel) UNMASKED.  Though I can honestly say, having gone through this whole process before, I'm definitely way more prepared this time.  That said, I feel slightly more pressure to meet the expectations of the readers who have patiently waited for its release.  But I think their enthusiasm for finding out what happens to the characters of Remi and Liam, quiets the nerves somewhat.  These books have been my babies so to speak and though I know you can't please everyone hopefully they've been entertained.

- Heather Carnassale aka the Delusional Novelist

Kindle Countdown Deal - Behind the Mask

Before the upcoming release of the sequel, I'm doing a Kindle sale of the first one.  

Beginning Thursday, January 11th, 2018, my novel, Behind the Mask (Kindle edition) will be available for $.99 at Amazon.com.

This deal will run until Thursday, January, 18th, 2018.

Click this link to check it out:  Behind the Mask Amazon.com

If you don't have a Kindle, click the following the links to download a free Kindle App for Android and a free Kindle App for Apple products.  

Kindle Countdown Deal - Behind the Mask

Beginning Wednesday, March 16th, 2016, my novel, Behind the Mask (kindle edition) will be available for $.99 at Amazon.com.

This deal will run until Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016.

Click this link to check it out:  Behind the Mask Amazon.com

If you don't have a Kindle, click the following the links to download a free Kindle App for Android and a free Kindle App for Apple products.  

Updates!

It's obvious that I haven't updated this blog in a very long time.  I could come up with a slew of excuses, some are good reasons, others not so much, but I pretty much just stopped blogging for a while.  So, instead of me posting tons of separate entries on things that have happened, here is a condensed version.

As past entries as stated and as my title of the blog gives it away, I am a novelist.  A self-published one that is. And back in November of 2014, I self-published my first novel, Behind the Mask on Amazon and for the past year I've been writing the sequel to it, which I'm proud to say, I'm finally almost finished, the first draft. But I've sort of slacked on promoting the first book while I worked on the second book, which I realize now that was kind of stupid so I'm going to get back into promoting the first, get the sequel finished, edited, and make that one available to the public.  

I also haven't given up having Behind the Mask and it's sequel published by an actual publisher but right now just finishing the second novel is my main goal.  

Let's see, back in October I quit drinking McDonald's Sweet tea COLD TURKEY!  For those who know me, or who have read my post about my caffeine/McD's Sweet Tea addiction are most likely shocked at this happening.  Especially being that it's March 2016 and I haven't caved yet and bought one.  A friend of mine said McDonald's probably put a picture of my face on their sweet tea cups, with the caption:  Heather - Missing in Action.  Plus, the workers at the local McDonald's, that I frequented all the time, are probably what happened to me, because I haven't set foot inside of the place since I quit.  Like a true addict, I figure it's best to just avoid the substance altogether, so I avoid the establishment just to be safe.  But I also gave up all caffeine, because I felt it just wasn't good for me anymore.  Not that I turned into some big health nut, trust me, ain't gonna happen, I gave up caffeine, not sugar!  But now when I want a Coca-cola, I drink Caffeine-free, if I want hot tea or coffee I just drink decaf.

In February of 2011, I posted about my issues with migraines.  Sad to say, in 2016 I still get them, but I've got a better handle on them.  Thanks to me finally seeing a neurologist.  Only took me 25 years.  That's what stubbornness and plain old stupidity will do when you just accept something as is, instead of actually doing something to rectify the problem.  For years, I took Imitrex (sumatriptan) when I felt a migraine coming on and for the most part, it would make a headache go away, or at least, lessen the pain.  Except at certain times, I would get severe migraines in which the Imitrex was useless, usually because I would puke it right back up.  In 2015, I began to log dates and times of when I was getting the headaches, and they were consistent with hormones or in females terms ovulation and menstruation.  By November, I couldn't stand it any longer.  The severe ones were coming more often, and when I say severe, I'm talking three days in bed, in excruciating pain, puking, dry heaving, and eventually becoming dehydrated.  The final straw came in December when I told my husband to drive me to the emergency room because I just couldn't take it, and after pumping me full of narcotics and anti-nausea medications, the ER doc admitted me.  He felt I should be observed and treated for 24 hours, which thankfully was the smart move because even after many doses of narcotics, the migraine still hadn't subsided.  I also had a CAT scan done which yielded nothing because I pretty much knew hormones were the main culprit.  Well, the next day, a neurologist visited me and once I explained my situation, she felt preventative migraine medication might be a good route for me.  So, that's what I did.  I now take a medication called Topamax.  I take it daily and though it's not a cure-all, I still get migraines during certain times of the month, the Topamax does stop the frequency and the severity of them. I also have an injectable form of Imitrex so if by some chance, I do end up with a severe one, I can administer a shot, which bypasses my stomach, therefore, I won't vomit the medication.  Hopefully, I never have to use one.  It's only been a few months of taking the Topamax but so far so good.

As I've done so many times before, knock on wood!

- Heather Carnassale aka the Delusional Novelist 

What's Going On?

I've been slacking on the blog again.  My bad!

Mainly because for past month or so I've been completely focused on two things.  One, working on the sequel to my novel, Behind the Mask.  And second, trying to decide on a paperback cover for it.  

It's been crazy and frustrating at the same time.  The cover not the sequel.

The sequel is progressing very nicely and I'm hoping the first draft will be completed sometime in the next few months if not sooner. But of course a first draft is a VERY rough draft.  And would be nowhere near ready to publish. But considering it took me many years to complete Behind the Mask, I'm WAY ahead of the game with this one.  

Now about the paperback cover.  When I decided to self-publish, for some reason I was dead set on using 'eyes' on the cover.  But over time I've realized it's not really what I want to go with.  So after much debate, I've finally decided on something else.  That said, putting it all together hasn't been easy.  

But hopefully in the next week or so I will have it finalized and make the paperback available as soon as possible.

Keeping the fingers crossed!

- Heather Carnassale aka the Delusional Novelist

THANK YOU!!!!

It's been exactly 2 months since I self-published my novel, Behind the Mask.

And I'm beyond grateful to all those who bought it, read it and supported it.  Not that I was feeling negative, but I wasn't prepared for all the love I got for it.

I sold way more than I expected and though I had always planned on a sequel, the fact the readers have requested it have given me the extra incentive I needed to get the ball rolling.

I've been working on the sequel for a while now but hadn't begun to really put it together until recently.  And it's coming along nicely.

I certainly can't take 6 years to write it, that's for sure.  But I've learned a lot about the writing process and feel I've corrected the mistakes I made.  This time, I'm writing without second-guessing or overthinking it.  The best thing for me to do is first, just write it through THEN go back and edit it.

With Behind the Mask, I would constantly write a few pages then go back, change my mind and start all over.  I REFUSE to do that this time.

So again, I just wanted to thank everyone because though I didn't start writing seeking validation, it still feels damn good receiving it.  Ain't gonna to lie, knowing people enjoyed the story and the characters have made it all worth while for me.

- Heather Carnassale aka the Delusional Novelist

Image source:  Chaloner.com

A Self-Published Author!

On Monday, I officially submitted my book, Behind the Mask on Amazon.com.  And yesterday it went "live" and to say I'm nervous would be an understatement.  All these years (6 + to be exact) and time that I put into it, and after almost exactly one year after completing the first draft (November 21, 2013), it's as if a huge weight has been lifted.

All those rejection letters/emails have brought me to this point.  And whether my book is successful or not, I can honestly say I did it myself and didn't QUIT!

It's been a major learning process and though at times definitely not easy and quite tedious, getting over that hurdle and now being to say I actually accomplished something feels fabulous!

The book is available on Amazon.com as an e-book.  If you don't have a Kindle you can download the free Kindle App for Apple products or free Kindle App for Droid or at the Google Play Store

- The Delusional Novelist

It's a New Year!!!

Happy 2014!!!!

I know I haven't updated this in MONTHS as the last post on here was from my birthday at the end of May.  Yikes!  That's bad blogging on my part.  My apologies!

But I can honestly say, I've been busy trying to finish up that infamous novel that I've been writing for YEARS!

And can FINALLY declare that I have completed my first draft!  YAY!!!!!

I finished it at the end of November but held off making an official announcement until I felt confident enough to do so.

The final length of the first draft was a staggering 133,575 words and 226 pages.  Which after much research on first novels do's and dont's, that was way too large.  It definitely needed major trimming. So, I managed to cut it down to 128,596 words and 223 pages.  Which was still too big but decided to print it out and allow my husband (who has patiently waited) to be the first person to read it.  He's an admitted non-reader so wasn't sure how that was going to go but he got through it and liked it.  Of course this is my hubby so I highly doubt he was going to tell me it sucked!

A few other people close to me have read it and given me their honest critique.  And the consensus has been a positive thumbs up.  So that gave me the confidence to go ahead and try to put the story out there.

I'm currently working on the 2nd draft and have gotten the count down to 124,342 words and 217 pages.  Apparently, a first novel should be between 70,000 and 120,000 words unless it's Sci-fi or fantasy.  And since mine is neither my count still has to come down.  But in all honesty, reading through it again I find more and more things I can eliminate and/or fix.  I've learned that editing and re-reading a story over and over is NEVER a bad thing.

Once the 2nd draft is complete, my next step is to have a professional editor edit it for me.  I've been mulling over the idea of self-publishing it on Amazon while seeking an actual publisher at the same time.  But not going to jump ahead of myself.  Taking things one step at a time.

I want to thank my family and friends who have given me 100% support in writing this novel.  Without their encouragement and faith, I don't think I would have ever finished it.


- The Delusional Novelist