in memory of | Terrara Vikos

So, the day has finally come. KINETIC REBIRTH (KINETICS, BOOK ONE) is now available in paperback through Amazon!

*Insert squealing author here*

I am SO Excited to share this adventure with you! If you want more in-depth details on the process from finishing up the book to publication jitters, read previous blog posts I’ve made since May that talk about this journey I’m taking with Jaden and crew.

I’ve said this in a bunch of blog posts too, but it means so much to me that I have to keep sharing. If you’re new to this blog of mine, WELCOME! As for background, here’s a video with me and my best friend JV on my vlog channel (I will post new videos there again soon, I promise), discussing the start of our friendship.

It was from the base in this video that JV and I started writing roleplays over Google Docs together, just the two of us, creating dozens of character over five/six storylines and settings. It was a basis of our friendship, and led to the two of us working on a book series together. A book series that has reached a halt, as her notebooks were taken for a trial next year.

“Why a trial?” You may ask. Well, JV unfortunately was killed in a crash at the end of January this year. It still hasn’t really sunk in, even over seven months later. She was my closest companion for over 5 years, and just like that, she was gone. I’m glad it was quick, so she wouldn’t have to suffer, but I struggle with understanding why she had to go. She was so young, so full of life, and expecting a child with her husband of one year this past August. It’s heartbreaking that someone so gentle, so kind, and so giving had to die, but at least we know she didn’t suffer. She wouldn’t have wanted that, and to be honest, neither would we. It’s sad she’s gone, but at least she felt no pain going out of this world.

Here’s a video off my Youtube channel, talking about what I learned from losing her:

ANYWAY, back to KINETICS. All the characters in Book One of this series were ones that were created while interacting with JV. Two actually were characters that her other best friend, Ne, had created in a similar fashion to me and JV, roleplays and such, but the rest were between me and JV. I plucked them out of their stories, aged them a bit, and shoved them into this universe. It took a lot of brain power to make this a decent book while not completely altering the character’s personalities unrealistically. In short, I wanted their personalities to be accurate as to their old ages in our roleplays. Then, I had to figure out plausible events that would shape who they grew up to be, especially with characters who had a drastic change between RP and KINETICS. And, I’m actually proud of myself for figuring that out over the first few days of my annual Smoky Writers retreat.

Apparently, I did a goo job with my Jessica character too, based on my editor’s notes:

If you have a Kindle, Kindle app, or are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, the eBook of KINETIC REBIRTH has been available since September 19^th. So, you should go download it off Amazon NOW!

But, as of last night, the print book went live on Amazon. You can go buy a copy [here]. http://amzn.to/2fQQpO3

If you’ve been a few of the amazing people that bought, downloaded, and read my book, I would REALLY appreciate a review on the product page! The idea behind letting eBook out first was to generate interest and possibly reviews. Even a sentence or two would be AMAZING!

Also, I have news concerning KINETICS real soon. And it involves a sequel.

*more author squealing*

*ahem* ANYWAY! If you want to read about the adventures that Jaden, Lukas, and the twins (one of which is a realistic reflection of JV in real life, aka, based off her) are going on, then go get a copy.

…

Why are you still here? GO GET A COPY!

Keep Faith, Vikans.

And, remember, “Assume Nothing”. Because you might not have a tomorrow.

So, Vikans, Guess what?

KINETIC REBIRTH’S COVER REVEAL IS THIS SATURDAY!

THIS.

SATURDAY.

*insert excited squealing here*
*deep breath*
Okay, I am calm. We’ll see how long that lasts.

Time has flown by this year. After losing JV in late January, I felt broken and lost. A part of my heart had been ripped out and torn into millions of pieces. She was my closest friend. I could tell her everything and anything, and she wouldn’t judge or criticize. She was the purest, kindest, most supportive friend I could’ve asked for, and was one of those people that you’re lucky if you meet one in your entire life. A diamond, a gem, an angel on earth that had to return to Heaven WAY too soon, life cut short in the blink of an eye.

The only grateful thought I have is that she went almost instantaneously, no pain whatsoever. That is at least a blessing. But, it’s still not coping, and it’s still not closure.

But, KINETICS is both.

I went on my Smoky retreat, only a mere three weeks or so after losing JV. My Smoky companions were supportive and gentle, which helped knowing what weight I’d put on my shoulders by starting KINETICS. If you want more details on this adventure, read my previous posts from this year. I should be updating my Index tab this weekend as well, just FYI. But, in a nutshell, almost every character in this KINETICS series is one that they two of us came up with while roleplaying online together. All but one. The only character we didn’t create together is JV herself. I have inserted her as one of the heroes of the series. I had hoped that I could write her as accurate and true to JV in real life, but wasn’t quite sure if I’d captured it. I got this from my editor when I got the edits back:

… And my happiness shot through the roof. Still, as my editor had never actually met JV, I knew I’d written JV’s character well to be liked, but there still wasn’t substantial proof that I wrote her accurately. However, I sent the short story prequel, “KINETIC TRAGEDY”, to three of JV’s closest friends, as well as JV’s husband/widower. All four loved it, and told me, “Yup, that was perfectly Jess.”

Side note real quick. “KINETIC TRAGEDY”, as of this AM, had just reached 100 downloads! This free short is now more successful than “THE PROTEKTOR’S REALITY”, which has been out since November 2014! I am so excited about the response to this story, so download the e-story and share the link like crazy!!
Proof?

*ahem*
Okay, Back on topic.

However, it wasn’t until last weekend that I felt almost certain JV had been written exactly realistic and true to JV in real life. I talked to JV’s mother, who told me JV’s grandmother had read one of the ARCs I gave the family, loved it, said JV was so realistic and honestly her, and also that she guessed I was the main character. To which, I joked with JV’s mom, “Trust me, I wish I was half as cool as Jaden.”

As of hearing that, I knew I’d succeeded on preserving JV in print for all eternity. And I can’t wait to share her awesome bubbly-ness with the world.

If you want to see the cover reveal when it happens, go like my Facebook page, or follow my Twitter, where the news will drop early on Saturday, August 19th (THIS SATURDAY!). I WILL ALSO BE EMAILING MY Instafreebie subscribers, so if you download KINETIC TRAGEDY off there, you’ll get word that way too.

I am so excited to share this adventure with you. I can see JV smiling down on me, patting me on the back, telling me, “You got this.”

Keep Faith, everyone, and STAY TUNED!

THREE DAYS TO COVER REVEAL, BABY!

(Oh, and there’s a surprise announcement that will come out that day too. Hint: has something to do with “digital” books. 😉 lol)

Social Media Links:

Instafreebie (KINETIC TRAGEDY short + email list subscription) Link: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/N4Wnr

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/cmcdonnellauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/discoverywritin

Terrara Vikos

Enter the World of a Young Writer

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PRINT NOW AVAILABLE!! // Kinetic Rebirth Release

Wild News Wed – T-Minus 3 days until COVER REVEAL WITH A SURPRISE!

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