Today’s guest post is by Sunniva Dee, author of Shattering Halos a New Adult paranormal novel and the soon to be released sequel, Stargazer. Enjoy!

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Honestly, I’m still perfecting my writing process. I have to ask more seasoned authors to see if it ever gets perfected?

On my debut novel, New Adult fantasy Shattering Halos, I wrote out the whole 84,000-word story in 6 weeks. Then, I did all the edits. Since I plunged face first into every pitfall available to mankind, the editing process, replete with hardcore critique partners and beta readers, took me exactly 1 ½ year.

At that point I couldn’t believe that this “baby” of mine was good enough to publish. The only way to know for sure was to query agents and publishing houses. Long story short, I accepted an offer from one of the biggest small publishers in America, and Shattering Halos was released in late February this year.

Since then, I’ve changed it up. On Stargazer—the spin-off novel coming after Shattering Halos—I wrote one chapter at a time, making sure it was all perfectly logical and edited to a “T” before I moved on to the next one. It’s currently waiting at my publishing house and ready to be released.

Then, with my New Adult contemporary novel Pandora Wild Child, I’m back to my roots again: I wrote out a quick first draft over a 2-month period. Now, I’m in the middle of the editing process. This time, since I have two novels under my belt already, I feel it’s a bit easier. The editing process isn’t as complicated as it used to be because the pitfalls have become fewer.

Looking at this from the point of view of a first-time author, I’d say—go with where your heart takes you. The most important thing is to remain inspired and enjoy your story. Still, you will have periods where you’re not inspired anymore. When you stop enjoying it—Do. Not. Stop. Writing. Because your inspiration will return.

To write is a job as well as a calling. You don’t just quit or trunk a manuscript because you have a moment of doubt. No. You keep working. Just like you do in your day job. If you’re not willing to put in the hours despite hitting a rough spot, then your baby probably won’t hit the stores.

Thanks for listening!

Xoxo

Sunniva

Shattering Halos by Sunniva Dee (Halos #1)
Publication date: February 24th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal

Synopsis:

I traded my death for love. I wasn’t given a choice. His decision has caught up with us, so now I am a living, breathing catalyst to war between Heaven and Hell.

The violations he committed saved my life. Since the collision, he’s appeared everywhere. In my hospital room, my school, even my house. He shows up in my paintings, my drawings, in all of my art projects. I can’t stop thinking about him.

He says his name is Gabriel, and he doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. He doesn’t know how I can see him or why he wants me in ways that should be impossible for a Celestial.

My obsession grows. I need him to hold me, kiss me—give all of himself. For every day he protects me, the consequences loom darker and taller. Soon, they’ll crash down on us.

The war is about to begin.

Purchase Shattering Halos on Amazon. You can find it on Goodreads here.

About Sunniva

I write New Adult fiction with a paranormal twist and don’t shy away from romance and heart-wrenching passion when necessary.

I moved from Norway to the United States in 2001, and the first awesome five years I spent in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. Then I read “The Book,” aka Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which spurred my husband and me to move cross country to beautiful Savannah, Georgia.

I’m currently on my seventh year in the Deep South, where I enjoy the heat and the humidity. Besides writing, I spend my time with our “petting zoo” as in an opinionated parrot, a herd of cats that are experts on keyboard shortcuts, and puppies that…uh, bark.

I hold a Master’s degree in languages, with concentrations within literature and linguistics. I taught at college level for a decade before settling in as a graduate adviser at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Writing is my passion, my joy, and my addiction. When I’m not writing, I read.
Shattering Halos is my debut novel, and its standalone sequel, Stargazer, is due out later this year.

Contact Sunniva Dee: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

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