Tag: christy grace

Categories
Writing

Lessons from Serial Blogging

lessons serial blogging hannah carmichael fiction

When I started the Christy Grace Scarlet Pen website/blog, I didn’t realise that ‘Serial Blogging’ was a thing. Then, I started one, and I STILL didn’t realise that’s what it was called.

The Hannah Carmichael Chronicles was my first attempt at serial blogging. It was a weekly series about a super spy called Hannah Carmichael. She was searching for her missing husband, navigating conspiracies, rival spies and her complicated family.

Want to read THE HANNAH CARMICHAEL CHRONICLES (SEASON ONE) you can grab the updated version on Amazon now!

Even though I didn’t know it was a thing, I still wrote and posted Hannah’s adventures. Eventually I complied all 70 instalments and created an eBook.

Okay, so what did I learn from the serial blogging process?

I realised:

  • Releasing an instalment every week, meant a cut in quality
  • Editing was hard – especially when putting all 70 instalments into an ebook
  • Creating the ebook was a challenge in itself!!
  • Sticking to a weekly schedule can be hard. Particularly if you’ve got a full time job as well
  • Falling in love with characters is easy
  • It’s easy to get carried away and end up writing way too many instalments.

After everything I went through with Hannah, I have a deep affection for her and those characters. The story was my turning moment – the one where I remembered my passion for writing, and found my genre.

Since writing and releasing HCC, I found myself starting another serial blogging series. It comes out every month, and combines technology with murder! The Murder App is my next series, and I’m having fun with new characters and adventures. You can check out the first chapter of the series by clicking on the image below.

What is a continuing story that YOU would want to read? I’d love to hear your ideas, or see a link to your own serial blogging story!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

the murder app serial blogging series cgsp crime murder writer author
Categories
Life

Christmas In October… No, Seriously

christmas in october cgsp

Merry Christmas!

I know, I know… It’s October. BUT in our house, it’s the start of the Christmas decorating season… It sounds silly when you say that out loud, but I have a reason!

Yes, my family actually starts putting up Christmas decos in October. I think a little Christmas cheer a bit early is a good thing. It’s all about Joy, Hope, Peace, and a bunch of other amazing things. Who wouldn’t want that a few months early? Especially this year!

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“That’s still crazy!” I hear you saying, but wait for the reasons. Granted, our reasons are a little sad, but I prefer to think of them as special. Every family has their traditions after all, and this one is ours. Of course, when you tell people about it they give you a look like you’ve either just told them that the sky is actually a soft pink colour, or that their nose is actually on their back…

Over ten years ago my Mother was diagnosed with cancer, and she was worried that it would be her final year to spend with us. So, in October she put up the decorations, and is still here 10+ years later. BUT, the decorations in October stuck! It’s a reminder of making it through a tough time, and being here with family and loved ones!
It comes from a sad place, but it’s turned into a joyous tradition (all while giving everyone we know a good laugh!)

laughing gifs Page 11 | WiffleGif

What are some Christmas traditions that YOU wish could last all year, or come a little early?
Is it the Christmas tunes, dinners, or decorations (like us)?
Share them in the comments below! I’d love to know. 

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

A21 HIGHLIGHTS | CGSP Live

Not everyone is ready for a cup of coffee at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. So, I’ve got the highlights of my Live video for you! 

On Saturday, I chatted about my author partnership with A21. What does the Global Freedom Summit means for me – and you! Do you want to check out what I’M doing in the fight to abolish slavery forever? Check out the video of my Coffee Catch Up with Christy (FB LIVE) below:

>>Get all the info about my book with my NEWSLETTER


I hope you enjoyed the video, and I can’t wait to see YOU in the fight against human trafficking and modern day slavery. If you want more specific information on A21, you can check out their website >>>here. Or you can see my blog post where I went over the amazing partnership I’ve got for my first book KIDNAPPED ENTANGLEMENT >>>here.

October is CRIME PREVENTION MONTH. Check your own country/state information on what you can be doing to prevent crimes against you, your family, and your community. We need to keep each other safe – especially in these challenging times! 

See You in The Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction

Ready (Furious Fiction) | CGSP Short Story

Furious Fiction is a short story workout for a writer!
I hope you enjoy this CGSP Short Story that was entered in a recent FURIOUS FICTION.

All of my family were out there. I could see them through a small crack that I wedged open in the door. They’re waiting for me. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck as I paced the small back room of the large church. This event wouldn’t get started until I went out in front of all those people.

I know I shouldn’t be afraid of my own family and friends, but this wasn’t just an everyday event. It was an ending. Or a beginning, depending on how you wanted to look at it. All we knew was coming to an end; there wasn’t any way around it.

Of course, I could always leave and not deal with it all. I could Jump over the chairs, and head for the large doors at the back of the room. I shook my head, quickly discarding the idea, and turned back to my earrings on the small table. If I was going out there, I was going to look my best.

My hands shaking, I attempted to poke one through my right ear. The sweat was all over my hands now, and I tried to wipe one hand on my clothes. The earring flipped out of my hand and rolled under the table. Groaning, I shuffled onto my knees and narrowed my eyes as I searched for the small, pearl earring.

>>>Get all the info about my book with my NEWSLETTER

“Aha!” I yelled out loud as I spotted it, wedged between the back, table leg, and the wall. I yanked it free and stood to my feet, slipping it into my ear.
“Susan, are you ready?” My cousin Emily asked through the door. “We’re all waiting for you to start this thing.”
I sighed. “Just a minute Emily,” I said.
Great; it was time now.

How was I going to do this? How was I going to honour the man out there? Nothing I could ever say could portray my feelings about him. I felt for the notes in my pocket, then nodded and sucked in a deep breath. I was going to do this service; no matter what.

As I got myself together, I opened the door and smiled at Emily. She cut the lights to the room behind me, and we walked closer to the doors. I listened quietly for my queue. As I walked towards the front of the church, the butterflies pounded in my chest and stomach. I wasn’t used to being in front of a crowd like this.

As I finally made my last step towards the pastor at the front, he gave me a wink. I turned and stared at the man who I wanted to honour; my groom.

Furious Fiction is a fun story competition to stretch yourself and write less than 500 words in 55 hours. This story was to take place in either a wedding, or a funeral. I wanted to try and get BOTH as a possibility as you were reading; right up until the very end.
If you want to enter Furious Fiction, check out the AWC website for all the details. 

See You in The Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Kidnapped Entanglement Life Writing

A21 Partnership & Summit | A CGSP Facebook Live

Today, I’m going LIVE on Facebook once again. This one’s special! I’m sharing more about my partnership with A21, in the fight against human trafficking and modern day slavery.
There are some amazing things happening, and I’m just one cog in the wheel! 

I announced yesterday that 10% of the profits for my upcoming novel KIDNAPPED ENTANGLEMENT will be donated to A21 in their fight to abolish human trafficking. That’s not all I want to do. I can do more, and so can you – we all can! We can stand up for people who dont’ have a voice. That’s what I’m doing in the latest CGSP Facebook Live! 

I’ll make sure you know EVERYTHING that you need to. All about the A21 Global Freedom Summit, and how I’m contributing! If you want to skip ahead of my FB live, and find out how YOU can also get involved in the Summit! Head to the A21 website >>>here and you can start your own journey in making a difference in someone’s life!

I’m so happy to be involved, not only when my book is released, but right now!

It’s going to be an amazing LIVE, so I hope that you’ll be ready for another Coffee Catch Up With Christy (In Quarantine Edition). We’re starting at 3pm (Australian EST), and I can’t wait to see you there!

For the LIVE you can head to the CGSP Facebook page >>>Here but if you can’t get there at 3pm, I’ll be posting a HIGHLIGHTS video on my CGSP Youtube next week!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Kidnapped Entanglement Life Writing

Partnering with A21 | KIDNAPPED ENTANGLEMENT

cgsp author a21 partner

I’m doing something special!

I have a very blessed life, with a good family, home and food on the table. Not everyone is as blessed as I am. As an author, I’ve decided to partner with the anti-human trafficking organisation – A21. Together, we’re going to fight against this huge injustice.

Business Supporting A21

My book KIDNAPPED ENTANGLEMENT touches on this social justice issue. I wanted to shine a light on the real modern day slavery that still exists. We can – and should – stand up for those without a voice.

I’m doing my part, by giving 10% of every copy of KIDNAPPED ENTANGLEMENT sold, to A21 to help them in the fight! When my book comes out, you can read an exciting story of adventure AND contribute to the cause! 

Did you Know:

There are millions of slaves currently in the world today. Human trafficking is a 150 BILLION dollar industry and includes sex trafficking, forced and bonded labor, involuntary domestic servitude, and child soldiers. It doesn’t have to be this way! We can stand in the gap and recover, rehabilitate and reeducate victims.

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If you want to be involved there are so many ways. You can donate your time, money or voice in so many ways:

FUNDRAISE
HOST THE SUMMIT
FREEDOM CATALOG
BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

A21 are also doing something incredible with the Global Freedom Summit and I am going to be hosting a watch party! More info on that coming soon – and on my Facebook Live on Saturday 3pm (Australian EST) I will share more about it also!

Stay tuned for all the information about the A21 Summit, and my amazing partnership with them in the fight to abolish slavery/human trafficking.

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

I Work Here… No Really!

With all the concern about losing jobs (thanks a bunch covid… not), and my current situation of being on stand down until schools go back (school photography woes… *cries a little*) I was considering jobs.

Not just jobs, the ones that you don’t actually have. I know, insightful right? Not really.
My spy weekly series – The Hannah Carmichael – recently wrapped up ‘SEASON ONE’ and I was looking back at some of the instalments (editing them, really). I found one that caught my attention.

WHAT NOW – HCC 68

In this instalment, Hannah Carmichael is casually making it look like she works somewhere, that she really doesn’t (such a novel idea for a spy :P).

It made me think. Is there a job that you’ve always wanted? Something you’d just start doing for FREE if you had the time/chance? Here in Aus, we do a thing called ‘work for the doll’ where if you’re still on government $$ for long enough, you have to do volunteer work. Proving that you’re not just bludging on the tax dollar and not bothering to look for work.

Granted, the WFD jobs aren’t usually glamorous or exciting, but if you had the chance to work in your DREAM JOB (even for free), would you?

What IS your dream job? I’d love to know!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Book Challenges Books Life

MnM Reading Game | October TBR

youtube

Delicious Peanut MnM’s are deciding my fate! Or, my reading fate anyway…  

I saw a cool way to pick my reading list for October, and decided to give it a go! What books made the list? How did the game work out? Check out the video below:

>>Get all the info about my Book/Writing with my NEWSLETTER

I hope you enjoyed the video. Let me know what books you have on YOUR TBR (To Be Read) list! 

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace