I have too much to say...not enough time

Okay, so my blogging has seriously been lagging behind recently, mainly because on a toss up with writing my novel and blogging writing wins!

So, a quick update before I have to go be mum again (half term week)

My daughter, Elsa won an award for swimming and I was very proud of her... she was even interviewed and was featured in the local IOW radio station! Woo hoo

My son completed his SATs, then went to Kent for a week, and then had Scout Camp for the weekend.  Exhausting, but he had a fab time...

I have been extremely busy finishing the finale of the Trilogy (it's getting there) as well as putting together two short story compilations to be published this summer! Phew!

I have also been working with a group of authors via Facebook to help with promotion and the amazing Gordon has put together a website...

http://foodies.cucinavivace.com/indieauthorpromos/

There are currently many titles on there for only $0.99 or £0.77 so please go and take a look!

I also ran a free promo for HYBRID and FIRST DATE yesterday and it went really well.  They are both only 77p now anyway... Thank you to anyone who downloaded!

Enjoy the rest of your half term week... may the sun shine some more!

Speak soon,

Vanessa

What to do?

I have not blogged too much recently since I have been trying to concentrate on writing the finale to my Trilogy.  I have also been reading more, which is always relaxing, and spending time with my family.

I have to admit that I went through a real low patch last week (the cloud still hovers over my head) where I started to think that maybe I was an idiot to think I was a writer. I mean, I am supposed to be a Maths Teacher - isn't it time I got back to the day job? So, I have mulled it over and I'm going to wait another year before I think of applying for teaching jobs again.

I was mega busy this weekend, and so didn't think about my writing and then on Monday I saw my latest review via Gary, an author I know a little bit from Twitter and the Short Story compilations.

Truth, I am stunned by what he has written in his review... I really did not expect it!

It means a lot to me to know I can connect with another reader, and gives me the added push to keep on writing.

Enjoy and thanks again for your support,

Vanessa xx

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent first book, you'll be hooked May 19, 2013

By Gary Henson

Vanessa Wester has a great first book in 'Hybrid'. If this is her first, we all have a lot to look forward to in the coming years as she brings out more of this series and hopefully other stories.

The opening is set at a University in England. Wester immediately drew me into the worlds of the two main characters, Steven and Caitlin, as well as some very well established secondary characters. I was invested in her creations right away.

Then Vanessa throws me a unique twist I was totally unprepared for, even though I had an inkling of what was eventually going to happen. It's not a simple 'young vampires in love' story by any means. There is a lot more to the core story and how it drives her characters forward. I was actually disappointed when it ended; I wanted more. And from the epilogue, I believe the next book will be even better!

As a further note, I read both 'Hunger Games' and 'Twilight' at the insistence of my family (all female). 'Hybrid' was much more engaging and believable than either of those books. I found 'Twilight' very shallow and simple. 'Hunger Games' is better but still just 'Gladiators' for kids. 'Hybrid' is a step above both these books and I would not be surprised to see it on film some time soon.

'Hybrid' is an engaging, fun, twisting, page turner that bodes well for Ms. Wester's writing career. I'm ready to grab books two!

The Evolution Trilogy

A New Computer...

It's been a while since I blogged for several reasons...

1) My computer was VERY slow... so I now have a new one! Yippee...
2) When I got time to write, I needed to crack on not blog (in fact I should be working on my book now... oh well)
3) I have been spending more time with my kids, and the weather has meant that I have wanted to get out and about and go for nice long walks (again not a bad thing).

So, anyway...

It's been a year since I published HYBRID now, both on smashwords and Amazon so I decided to put the price permanently at 98p or $1.45.

It's hard to imagine a time when I did not write, when I was not on Twitter, when I didn't blog... I do love it all, but it was starting to take over my life.  So, I decided to take it back.

I have been watching more TV (and relaxing), I have been reading a bit (but find that I get easily side tracked since I need to keep my head in my book), and I have been trying to look after myself more by eating better, etc.

Anyone that is a parent knows how time consuming children are (and I have three of them).  But, from September my youngest will be at school and I will have more time (maybe).  I can only do so much after all, and those that know me better know I regularly get "attacked" by killer migraines, which is obviously not great when you are trying to do any computer work!

I have also been busy getting together a collection of short stories after a I ran a competition at my children's primary school... as well as starting to get ready the next two collections for the Short Stories Group (submissions still welcome).

Okay, so I have loved the sunny weather over the past few days... but, now the sun has gone and it's time to get some work done.

I hope you are all happy with whatever you are all doing...

Speak soon,

Vanessa :) xx