Carol Moncado

If you want to check out the hostess with the mostess for this year – check out Janine Rosche’s Mix & Mingle host post! Plus links to everyone else!

Name: Carol Moncado

Location: Southwest Missouri

What you write/tagline/trademark: Romantic Dramedy in the Ozarks and Beyond, mostly contemporary romance with royals (or royalty adjacent)

Place in the book world: I’m an indie author with book 33 releasing October 1.

On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space: AllTheHugs!

Something VERY serious: How do you take your Starbucks? Um… does Starbucks serve Dr Pepper?

The unique talking points that will get you going for hours: Indie publishing! Books! BAND! #IDidntChooseTheBandMomLife #TheBandMomLifeChoseMe

Loved ones at home you’ll be missing: My husband, three high school girls, one middle school boy, and two puppers who weigh a combined 12 pounds. Also 150 band kids who will have a football game and their first competition without me. Also other booster parents who will serve 175 people food in a parking lot without me. Twice. At least I hope they’ll miss me!

Conference goals we can pray for? I’m not pitching or anything, but praying that I can be an encouragement to others and make the connections God has for me. Also that this book is completely done and uploaded before I leave.

Anything we can celebrate with you? Book 33 will be ready before then! YAY!

One or two ways we can help you build your platform? Join us in the Serenity Landing Book Club where we learn all kinds of things about each other and talk books. Also my newsletter.

Sometimes real life throws curve balls. As writers, we try to anticipate that SOME curve balls will come our way and get ahead enough that when one comes, we’re all good.

But that doesn’t always happen.

So, life threw a monster curve at me this week (everyone’s fine, just life stuff), and I had to, unfortunately, back out of the Christmas boxed set I was supposed to be in (it’ll be fantastic anyway, and I’ll let you know the deets when I get them).

I’m taking the rest of this month to just recuperate a bit from the stress of travel, conference late nights, multiple deadlines, etc. I’m going to read books for fun (I’m currently reading the first book anyone’s ever asked me to ENDORSE!), read craft books, work on my story world bible, etc. So I’m not taking the time completely OFF – I’m not “staycationing” but not actively writing anything new.

At least the rest of this month.

In October, I’m going to finish the Christmas story and release it. I might write on a super fun thing that’s outside my normal genre (at it’s core? a human romance – but in space/on an alien planet). Then again, I might not. I’ll keep working on craft books and fun books and the story world bible.

And then in November comes National Novel Writing Month. And then I will write Christopher Bayfield’s story. He’s Duke Alexander of Ravenzrio’s twin brother and former teen heartthrob. My goal will be to release it around the first of the year.

This need for a break has been coming for a while. In the last 22 mos, I’ve released 11 novels and 5 novellas. Of those, all 5 novellas have been written from scratch, as were 3 of the novels. Six of the novels were more or less done (the first six), while two others required extensive edits. And even when taking a break unofficially because of schedules, etc., I’d still be pushing myself to get SOMETHING accomplished.

And I need a break. So I’m taking one. Not too long. I still hope to have my next book out by January, but before then…rest and recharge.

If only I actually was on that beach up there ;).

Hey out there in reader land! I’m supposed to be working on Prince from her Past but words aren’t flowing easily tonight. :p

I did write 1725 on a NEW book this morning, one I’ll likely send to my agent to pitch for traditional publication. I then spent hours staring at the file for PFHP. Sigh. Not sure if I’ll be able to keep up with both, but I don’t think it had much to do with my lack progress on PFHP…

Today

New WIP: 1725
Total: 1725

Prince from her Past: 401 (so far, still trying…)
Total: 28492

The fabulous Kaye Dacus is hosting a #FirstDraft60 challenge over on her blog. I’m sort of shadowing, in that I’m not following the game plan she’s using because of what I need to get done in the next 60 days. But I am using it for accountability ;). (The pics are all from they day 2 thoughts.)

So…here’s the day 1 questions to think about:

1. Why do you want to write?
   Because I have to. I can’t not tell stories – even if it’s just to myself when I’m bored. And now that I’ve gone indie I have readers waiting for the next book! How cool is that?!
2. What will finishing this project in sixty days mean to you? Do you think that completing this challenge will change you? How?
   It will be a lot of stress off. I want to get two more novels out this year. One won’t be a problem because it needs edits, but is pretty well done. I’d like to have it out by the end of October, which means edits need to be done by the end of September.

3. 

   Front of the interior. Eventually, those lines will have notes about what goes where. I think.

   If this is your first attempt at completing a manuscript, how do you think finishing it will impact your life?
   OR, If you’ve completed multiple manuscripts, what will finishing another one mean to you?
   The full manuscript I want to work on will be my 14th (I think – plus two novellas). It will be good because I NEED it done by the end of October so I can do NaNoWriMo!

4. What will happen if the people closest to you don’t understand, support, and encourage you during this challenge?
   Fortunately, now that I’m an indie, my family is much more understanding about my writing time (and they were pretty understanding before). But now, I’m making money with it which helps pay for things they want/need. (Mostly need…)
5. Imagine how you will feel on October 31 knowing that you’ve completed this challenge. How can you use that to motivate you during the next sixty days?
   

   A yet-to-be-used name sheet – includes first book appears in and subsequent appearances.

   I think “elated” will be one way I’ll feel. This will be the first novel I’ve written start to finish while doing this indie thing. I’m still trying to work out how this is going to work with new manuscripts and not ones that were already partially or nearly complete when I put the first one out last November.

6. What is the ONE thing you think you’re going to need the most to help you accomplish your goal for this challenge?
   Focus. I need focus. I’m perfectly CAPABLE of getting done what I need to. I just need to do it ;).

From Kaye’s blog:

FirstDraft60 Day 2 Assignment:

Your project for today is to figure out how you’re going to keep track of your revisions, style info, and research—and to go ahead and set them up. Then come back and let us know how you are planning to do it and how you’ve set yours up. Links to images would be great (e.g., Instagram, your blog, photos on Facebook shared publicly so we can see them even if we aren’t connected, etc.).

My answer:

I have a big binder (see pics) that I’m working on organizing all the stuff she mentions into. I have calendars for each book, which helps make sure we don’t have 52 weeks of “spring.” (Yep. Happened once.) Because everything is in the same universe, I have sheets for names (first and last) which will, eventually, let me know what names I’ve used and what books they appear in. I’m also debating a master list from each book along with brief description of who the person is (heroine’s best friend, school principal, etc). In theory, Mrs. Brown will be in the name list with 2.1 as the first book she shows up in. If I look at the master list for book 2.1 (Good Enough for a Princess), it’ll tell me she’s the principal of Lindsey’s school.

At least that’s how I think it’ll work :p.

I’m still debating the best way to do this. I think I’ll just keep all the master-ish stuff for each series together, including the calendars. It’s going to take some doing to get it all done – the style sheets and all that stuff.

Fortunately – I have a couple of fabulous friends who are helping me as they read through the books. They rock! I just need to KEEP doing it as I go forward ;).

Name: Carol Moncado

Location: Southwest Missouri

What you write/tagline/trademark: Romantic Dramedy in the Ozarks…and the Alps!

Place in the book world: Indie published with my own company, CANDID Publications. Still pursuing traditional publication with at least one manuscript and represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

On a scale of hugger to 10-foot-pole, please rate your personal space: Hugs! Hugs! More hugs!

The unique talking point that will get you going for hours: Books, Dr. Who, NCIS, Big Bang Theory, my kids, indie publishing, American Government (I teach it, but let’s just not go there, m’kay? ;))

Loved ones at home you’ll be missing: Husband of 18 years, 4 kids (girls: 13, 11, 10; boy: 8), 5.3lb Shorkie who is my snuggle buddy, 48 students who will probably prefer watching the movie ;).

Conference goals we can pray for? My goal is to chill this year. (This is where I get really real.) I’m not pitching, but I’m also a bit worried about not being considered/accepted as a “real author” since I “went indie” instead of waiting for a traditional publisher. Now, my bank account, while begging me not to quit the day job, tends to say “you’re making money now – that makes you a real author!” ACFW, like most writing organizations, has a procedure to qualify authors who are strictly indie so they can enter things like contests, etc. I am THIS CLOSE to reaching that mark by the end of this month. If I do, I may be able to get qualified to be a “real author” at conference (more a question of timing than whether or not I’m qualified – it takes time to get approved). Most of the time, I’m pretty secure in my indie-ness. I’m trying hard not to be worried that others (mostly people I barely know, I’m sure) will think I went indie because I couldn’t hack it and wasn’t good enough for traditional publication. That’s not it (though I won’t get into the whys here), but it still bothers me…

Anything we can celebrate with you? I have had a GREAT first indie year. I’m THIS CLOSE to qualifying as an indie publisher with ACFW. I have six novels out, one releasing this weekend, a novella out, two more novellas coming by Thanksgiving, one more novel by Thanksgiving, and possibly one more by the end of the year. I’m not making the kind of cash where I can quit my day job, but it’s very likely I’ll double my non-writing income (which, given how part time I work, isn’t insanely hard), and I can dream about the day where I can write full time.

One or two ways we can help you build your platform? You can “follow” my Facebook profile (it’s my friend page, too, but following it means you won’t get all the local stuff like weather updates and snow days ;).) Plus you can sign up for my newsletter. I promise not to spam or give away emails, but will only send them out when there’s news – like sales, preorder special pricing, or a FREE novella coming this fall for newsletter subscribers! (And it’s a LONG novella too – nearly Heartsong length! Book 2.5 in the the Brides of Belles Montagnes series!)

So now what? Copy and paste the questions (or some subset thereof) into your own blog, paste the direct link in the comments here, then go to Laurie’s page and click the “An InLinkz Link-up” link to share it there – it’ll pop up with everyone else who’s participating!

Wowza! The last six months have been spent finishing and editing my first six releases – the CANDID Romance Series and the Montevaro Monarchy series! It’s been a blast and gone very well (and not quite over yet – I need to get the paper copies of the last two releases done – an incredibly sick and busy month has stymied my efforts!), but I’m so very glad to be writing new material!!!!

So what am I working on? And what can you look forward to seeing release soon? Very first is The Lifeguards, the Swim Team, and Frozen Custard – the first book in the Serenity Landing Lifeguards series! Remember Alivia, the new nanny in Finally Mr. Write? This is her story! It’s available as part of the SPLASH! 9 Refreshing Romances Filled with Faith! The entire collection is only 99 cents for kindle! You can preorder here – and it releases June 23! Update: It’s out and will be out as a single by July 12!

Right now, I’m working to finish the first draft of Hand-Me-Down Princess – the story of Prince Malachi of Mevendia (the spare) and Jessabelle, who he’s never even met prior to the wedding! It’s book 1 in the Brides of Bellas Montagnes series! I’m praying it’ll be done in the next two weeks because then…Update! Released on 8/31!

I’m going on a writer’s retreat weekend with a dear friend. We’re planning to lock ourselves in our hotel room for about 72 hours and write! At the end of that I want to have a whole novella done! I know it seems crazy, but it’s theoretically possible ;). What novella? It doesn’t have a title yet (it doesn’t have a heroine’s name yet!), but will be the story of Tony, the head of security for Queen Christiana of Ravenzario, in his attempts to once and for all discover what happened to Christiana’s little brother after that car accident. It will be book 2.5 in the Brides of Bellas Montagnes series and will be offered free to newsletter subscribers! Not signed up yet? You can here! I promise not to be spammy, but there will be freebies and cover reveals (and special pre-order pricing!!!) available to subscribers! Update: retreat was a huge success! And the still-untitled novella is DONE (or the first draft anyway :)).

Queen Christiana’s story is book 2 and is mostly written but needs to be edited for continuity and to add a couple other plotlines that have since presented themselves and should work nicely in there. It will also lead into the next series that will hopefully release late this year/early next. After I get back from that writing retreat, I’ll be working on edits for all three of those to get them done and out the door! Update! Releases 10/31!

I’ll take a short break from Bellas Montagnes to write a Christmas story! This novella will go back to Serenity Landing and see what’s happening with Samantha – remember her? She’s been in love with now-Prince Consort Charlemagne since they were kids! She and Vince are going to find themselves thrown together. They might hate me for that ;). Update! It’s been released in the Snowflakes and Mistletoe collection!

Next on the list is Prince from her Past, book 3 in the Brides of Bellas Montagnes series. Princess Yvette of Mevendia has been engaged since long before her first birthday. The big day has finally arrived! But will the groom show up?! Update! It’s in progress with a release date goal of December!

My goal is to have the entire Brides of Bellas Montagnes series out by early/mid-fall, but stay tuned for updates!

So that’s what I’m up to, writing wise anyway, this summer! I’m also teaching American Government at a local community college, have 4 kids doing swim team (two a days!), one each doing: baseball, softballl, horse riding, saxophone – oy! I’ll be crazy busy but I’ve got my highly portable word processor that goes to the pool with me often. I’m also in charge of the Facebook page for the swim team and often send meet results to the local newspaper/sports website.

I’m going to pin this post to the top of the blog (at least until I write a new one this fall)! What about you? What’re you up to this summer?

To keep up with what’s going on with the books – or the random stuff I post regularly (jokes, inspirational quotes, movie gushing, etc.), “follow” my Facebook page! I’d love to get to know you!

So I have this friend. I’ve known her for like… 20 years but we lost touch when we stopped working for the same employer. Until Facebook that is. About two years ago we started getting together again. Movies, dinner, shopping (which is so not something either of us normally does). And then about a year ago, we made plans and I belatedly realized that my husband had plans so she came over and hung out at my house (with my four kids :p). We’ve been doing that about once a month most months since (on a night my hubs goes out with one of his friends).

The last time she came over for our semi-regular dinner and DVD, we watched Jurassic Park with my 13yo in preparation for the release of Jurassic World this summer. My husband had an unexpected work thing one night so she came over again sans Jurassic Park II because she’d loaned it out and didn’t remember to who.

Instead, we trawled through my Amazon Fire Prime selection and she insisted we watch Veronica Mars. I’d heard of the show but had never watched it.

Warning ;). Spoilers ahead :D.

The basic premise is this:

Keith Mars, former sheriff recalled after trying to find proof implicating a very wealthy very powerful man of killing this man’s daughter, has become a PI. His daughter, Veronica, helps out after school and on weekends. The girl killed was her best friend (and her boyfriend’s sister). While investigating the truth about her friend’s death, she becomes a sort of Nancy Drew solving assorted crimes and helping out friends.

Anyway, the new sheriff in town is a real… not great guy. He’s a know-it-all who doesn’t want help on anything from the former sheriff, much less the former sheriff’s much-more-competent-than-he-is daughter. The great mystery about the murder is solved in the final episode of season one, but the aftershocks are felt well into season two.

You’re not supposed to like the new sheriff. He’s arrogant, smug, and an all around not nice guy. But in episode seven of season two, Veronica and her boyfriend are caught sneaking into a house trying to find proof of child abuse. The parents come home and catch them. They, of course, call the sheriff and he shows up to arrest Veronica and her boyfriend. They get put in the back of the squad car and the sheriff goes back inside to follow up on what Veronica told him.

Despite loathing her and believing she had no investigative chops, he opened the closet and found the hidden room where the girl had been kept. The dad, standing there with his baseball bat in hand, said something to the effect of “What makes you think you can come in my house and do this?!”

The sheriff turns around and says, “You know, I remember my father giving that exact same speech.” Then he walks off.

And suddenly, you have a whole new outlook on the man.

He likely wasn’t physically abused – or not just physically anyway. But emotional and verbal abuse can leave hidden scars just as deep. But knowing he suffered from an abusive childhood, makes you see him differently.

Now… I’m only a couple of episodes past it so we’ll have to see if it holds up, but it struck me immediately as excellent writing and a fabulous example of how to pull off making an unlikable character sympathetic.