Jessica Dates the Dark Side Tour with Beth Fantaskey

Yesterday I reviewed books 1&2 plus the novella in Beth Fantaskey's series Jessica.

Jessica's Guide to Dating the Dark Side, tells how
Jessica Packwood discovers she is a vampire princess, betrothed to the powerful Lucius Vladescu.  Jessica must come to terms with her new identity but will she marry this handsome stranger, whom she just met?

Jessica Rules the Dark Side, picks up shortly after Jessica's wedding.  Jessica is struggling to come to terms with her new found role as ruler.  A treacherous betrayal occurs and Jessica finds herself in a hurried race to solve the murder mystery and save her beloved Lucius before time runs out.  

You can check out my reviews here. 

Today I am happy to welcome Beth, author of the Jessica Books and Jekel Loves Hyde, to Rainy Day Ramblings with a short post on writing. Here is Beth:

One of the most common queries I get as a writer is, “How do I become an author?” That’s a pretty darn broad question, but one that I actually think I have a decent – if sometimes unwelcome – answer to. And that answer is... Practice.
(I told you it might be unwelcome!)
In my admittedly humble opinion, if you want to write for a living, the best thing you can do is sit down every day and practice, just like you’d practice piano if you wanted to be a concert pianist, or baseball if you wanted to be a major league star.
I sometimes get the impression that people think the ability to write is either something you possess, or don’t possess, naturally. That if you have it in you to write a novel, you’ll sit down and it’ll flow out. And I’m sure there are some genetically gifted people for whom that happens – lucky them.
But that wasn’t the case for me. I wrote for twenty years, professionally, before even trying a novel. I was a political speechwriter, a journalist, and then a short-story writer before attempting a long work of fiction. And every day that I sat down at my keyboard, I learned something new about the rhythm of stories, pacing, how to create dialogue and drama...
To me, there’s no substitute for that kind of practice. You can read books, and that’s also a great way to learn, but until you actually write – and repeatedly – that’s like watching a soccer game and hoping to become David Beckham.
I’m not promising that everyone who practices will become a published author, any more than I could guarantee that you’ll become David Beckham just by kicking a soccer ball every day. For one thing, there’s a certain amount of luck involved in the achievement of just about any dream. But you sort of have to admit that you’ve got a lot better shot if you put in the time. So if writing is your dream, I encourage you to go for it. If you really want it, it’s fun, anyway – a lot less tedious than doing piano scales when you were, say, five.
And for those of you who are practicing, and trying, and dreaming... I wish you much luck, success, and – most of all – happiness as you work. Best wishes! 

Thank you Beth! Now as part of the Jessica Dates the Dark Side Tour I have a question for you as a part of a chance to win autographed copies of both books in Beth's Jessica Series.  To enter you can visit each of the participating blogs and answer the question for each post.  Post all your answers on the tour website here.  Good luck! Here is my question:

Who is the maid of honor at Jessica Packwood's wedding?

If you need some help you can check Beth Fantaskey website. Click on the tour banner for further details! Thanks for stopping by today! 

Comments

[Sam]

Thanks for the helpful post! People who can write beautifully without any practice are definitely lucky. :D I guess it seems like the logical thing to do if you want to become a writer - actually do some writing. Practice makes perfect and all that. :)

[cambria]

I think that preactice is a great way to become a writer. Wonderful, thoughtful post and the books look great. The story line seems like it would be an original in a sea of vampire books.

[Maja]

The advice might be unwelocome to aspirig authors, but it's certainly one of the two I see the most: read all you can get your hands on, and practice.

Ohh, and I really really want to read those books. :)

[Jenny]

Love this post! The advice to practice applies to pretty much anything you really want to achieve or improve at, and while practicing doesn't guarantee that you'll ever get published (in this case), you'll certainly learn quite a bit and give yourself a fighting chance. I'm a graphic designer, and there's always some new program or technique to learn, and that's what's fun for me - learning something new and improving myself a little bit every day:)

[rainydayramblings]

@yes ladies I agree a lovely reminder to keep writing and keep practicing! Thanks all for stopping by and commenting today!

[Mimi Valentine]

"You sort of have to admit that you’ve got a lot better shot if you put in the time." <-- I admit it, believe it, and absolutely LOVE that quote! That was such a beautiful and inspirational post, Beth! I agree with you completely when you say that writing isn't an easy job, but it's nice to know that it's worth it! :)

Amazing post, Beth! And thank you so much for posting this, Heidi! It makes me even more eager to pick JDDS now! ;) <3

[Wendy Darling]

Great advice--always great to hear from a successful writer's perspective. :) I really, really have to read Jessica's Rules, I keep meaning to since I hear such good things about it!

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

[kindlemom1]

Great interview!

[Candace]

I think this is the best advice there is. Everyone is different. Suzanne Young can sometimes crank a book out in a couple weeks (first draft) but Laini Taylor says writing does not come naturally and it can take her a year or better to write the first draft. Laini Taylor really gave me inspiration because the way she makes it sound it makes me feel like if she can do it, I can do it! Unfortunately I just can't seem to do it with little children so I'll be waiting until their older. Most likely anyway. Right now my reading time feels more important to me.
Awesome guest post!

[rainydayramblings]

@Mimi I love when you stop by, you leave the best comments!
@Hi Wendy, I hope you will give Jessica a try, she has been on my list for awhile as well.
@Thanks for popping by Ali.
@Hi Candace, I love Laini Taylor's writing I can only imagine the amount of time it must take her to craft a book. Her talent is extraordinary. I hear you about the little kids though, mine are one and three and they suck up all my time and I treasure those stolen moments I find to read!

[Missie, The Unread Reader]

Very true. Practice really does make perfect...or close to perfect. :)
I think the frustrating part for people is when you put effort into something, you want to see quick results, but that isn't always possible. Still, it's hard to remember that sometimes.