Ttips on getting Into the writing zone,

 

Hello my friends!

 

So today I wanted to share a few things about what I do to get into a writing zone.

(Mind you what I do may not work for you but hopefully it might spark an idea that helps.)

 

When I sit down to write it's usually between 1:00AM and 3:00AM and If I can get into a story I will write for at least an hour, but we're not hear to talk about how long I write; we're here for what I do to get into a story as I call it.

My first thing that has proven effective to help feeling like writing a particular story or even to help me want to write said story is  music, when I turn it on certain songs remind me of my emotion towards that idea for what I want to become a book.

 

At times that music can influence a feeling for a book and also helps me hone in on what I want the reader to feel. 

I have a whole YouTube playlist that's called book music with songs that for me connect to specific stories I'm working on.

Another thing I do is draw before or even after one of the characters I enjoyed writing that night or saw in my head doing something I have just written or want to write, it gives me a way to focus on the character and what I want to see in the book.

(I know not everyone is an artist but this is just an idea for those who feel so inclined to try it!)

 

 

Another help to getting into the writing zone for me is art by friends of mine/commissioned work; being an artist I get to be around some amazing artist and also get to commission some to do my characters which has really helped me as I keep the art on my walls which both reminds me of the stories I want to share and keeps me reminded of what I really want the world to know about each character.

(This one as a point in case is by a dear friend of mine Katt (Vattukatt on DeviantArt) of my sphinx character Serufim from a story I am writing on and off that will be a book series one day.

Last is sometimes just to give yourself the outdoors, your room or anywhere that you find helps you focus in on your characters and stories. Even just to get away from all my stories at times helps me come back with new vigor to keep going. 

(The shower is another place I think about stories in depth besides going out into nature, don't even try and tell me you don't day dream when your in the shower cuz I know you do too.)

 

Hopefully something above has helped give you an idea for your own writing or artistic endeavors! Best of luck with it all my friends and more book and writing and even some art to come.

Stay tuned!

 

Anastasia out~

In reality the fears we face,

Hello my friends!

 

So today I wanted to talk about something that I think is necessary to being a new author though I don't think authors always talk in depth about it, and that subject is fear.

Before the launch of "From The Dust" I was a mess, not because I think my story was stupid but for the fact I know I'm imperfect as a writer; truth be told I'm dyslexic therefore spelling and grammar in general is quite difficult for me AKA the reason in my youth I gave up believing I could become an author or even write a story for that matter.

 

With the help of one phenomenal teacher in junior high and my firm belief that I am meant to be an author and writer, yet even then I have fear a lot of the time, but the thing is I know my purpose is to do what I love and that is Art and Stories; both require the deepest parts of my soul given to the public for their love or scorn.

And the thing is I know there are still flaws in "From The Dust" yet the one reason I can continue believing in my book is the fact I know that the story is the best it can be; for me I'm a story teller, it's what I've always loved doing in my head is creating stories and no matter how often I have wanted to quit I know deep down I never could.

I love my characters too much, I want the world to resonate with even one sentence I may write that soothes them, helps them or gives them courage to believe even one second longer; and the most terrifying thing about it is that it requires that I overcome my fear of my flaws.

It's quite funny to me at times to think my next book that will be coming out at the end of next year is called "Flawed" and it's the one story that frightens me to give to the world because it holds so much of my soul within it; but that's the thing, if I let fear dictate my life I would quit being an artist, I would never let one soul glance at a sentence of my work and in all honesty I wouldn't be writing this because doing so frightens me.   

 

But what a wonderful thing to stand against fear.

To finish I think of only one quote by Joan of Arc in which she states,

"I was born to do this."

Those are some of the truest words I can think of that explain how I feel; Fear may know me and I it, but the truth is I know I was born to do this even with so many of my own imperfections and no matter what I will push myself to do what I know I was born to do.

So find what you know you were born to do and go after it with every ouch of soul you can spare; and it's okay if it frightens you, in fact that's good because that means it truly is what your meant to be doing.

Anastasia out~

Artist by day and writer by night,

Good day my friends!

 

Some fun art news for me has come up as three illustrations I did of "The Seven Ravens" Grimm fairytale were accepted for publishing! The one above being the first of the three.

 

 

(This is not their final cover yet but to give you an idea)

To snag a copy that not only holds a look at all three of my illustrations but also those of a talented group of other artists along side the Grimm fairytales you can pre-order a copy here.

 

Anyway thanks for stopping by and more story, art and just all around awesome stuff coming soon.

 

Anastasia out~

 

 

A look at the book launch!

Now where I would normally talk your life off about how amazing this was I will let you enjoy the images of how fantastic it was with just a few words at the end.

 

Enjoy my friends.

(That is E. B. Wheeler on the right guys, E. B. Wheeler!)

 

And last but certainly not least thank you to these three wonderful people who helped me out,

 

My best friend who helped with stamps and was the official photographer who took all the awesome photo's above and who helped keep me calm, your the best Char!

My wonderful Mother who is the first proof reader of my books and a huge support to me. <3

And my father who as my agent made this possible to both publish and have the event at The Kings English, which by the way was wonderful to work with them.

 

With all this said above thank you so incredibly much to the friends and family who came out to support me and my dreams, you guys rock!

 

Also for those who want to get their hands on a copy of the book buying it from The King's English helps keep my book on the shelf so be sure to let your friend's, neighbors and heck even the people on the street know From The Dust is finally here!

 

Buy the book here: 

http://www.kingsenglish.com/event/anastasia-bolinder-dust

 

More book fun, author events and art news coming soon. Stay turned.

 

Anastasia out~

Some art behind the book scenes...

 

Hello my friends!

Today we have a look at some art work behind "From The Dust" from yours truly.

Thought it might be fun with leading up to the book to release some art of Alayna Drift before you meet her in just over a week when the book releases!

 

So lets get right into the doodles, horrid expressions and my past work...

 

 

This watercolor is one while I was writing the book of the relationship between Alayna and her animal companions in the book.

 

 

This was quite recent from while I was working on the book trailer at the start of the year.

 

 

This was a character sketch while I was editing the book for the fifth or sixth time.

 

One of the oldest sketches of Alayna from around six years ago before I was even writing her story but had her story tossing around in my mind.

 

To see more sketches of the story be sure to check out the art of section on the "From The Dust" site that will be adding new art all the time.

 

Thanks for stopping by and more art, book stuff and fun coming soon, so stay tuned!

 

Anastasia out~

The Kickstarter is here!!!

 

Hello my friends!

 

Today we have a look at some very exciting extras that are here for the "From The Dust" Kickstarter!

(To skip looking and go straight to the Kickstarter to check it out click HERE)

 

So let's get right into it...

Will have mini posters of the book cover by Ben Simonsen for one reward with a copy of the book.


Another is this awesome book mark of Alayna the main character with the art for it created by the amazing Liiga Klavina! (Link to her social media pages below)

http://liigaklavina.deviantart.com/

https://www.instagram.com/liigaklavina/

 

Another awesome item is the custom pins I have before mentioned on the blog.

 

These will not be sold after the Kickstarter and will not be made again so be sure to grab one!

If you want to check out how the pin was made you can find it here.

 

Yet another awesome reward is two custom made wood round necklaces made by a dear friend and amazing artists Lisa Lundqvist otherwise known as Vattukatt on DeviantArt.

 

 

And last but not least this incredibly adoribale chibi charm of Alyana by Victoria Messer otherwise known as HobbaGobwin on DeviantArt.

 

 

So with this list of rewards I hope something among them has peeked your interest beyond the fact that they come with a copy (Digital or traditional) of "From The Dust!"

 

 

 

Again the Kickstarter is live right now!

--> https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1673750101/from-the-dust-ya-fantasy?ref=user_menu

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Kickstarter and share to help get the word out!

 

Anastasia out~

Prepping for a Kickstart,

So today with really no time to do this I give you a look behind the last minute Kickstarter prep...

 

 

Taking pictures of the book and some of the fun rewards in store for the Kickstarter was a big portion of my afternoon.

 

 

Then some voice recording for the Kickstarter video.

(Yes if my hair looks red, it's because my friend dyed it for me for Halloween.)

 

 

 

 

And last is some video recording later with my father at the camera and my ferret making an appearance in the video!

 

 

With that I need to leave you to finish the last edits and putting the video together, but please stay tuned for the launch of the Kickstarter and a look at the awesome rewards in store! 

 

Anastasia out~ 

A taste of how to market it,

Let's start out with a creepy picture of myself, because nothing says marketing like looking off to the side and hiding your face behind your own marketing tool...

 

Now I guess I better get back to why your here.

When you think marketing you may think it sounds either horrid because its a ton of work or your interested in it right? Well with "From The Dust" we went with the idea of making something interesting all the way around.

That's why we made Postcards of the book cover (Like the one I was holding and seen above) and the fun thing about them is I have been able to give them to people in passing, close family and friends and for fun leaving them in random places and at restaurants.

(This was left at wheeler farm with my furry little friends in the background)

 

I have yet to leave one at a book store though...

That just got put on the top of the list.

Recently I had an artist booth at my local Wasatch Hollow Park for Hollow Festival.

While there I kept a little batch of postcards for the book at the end of my table, it was a great way to give people something about the book and those who were interested really enjoyed them.

Along with the post cards we have stickers that were a hit with the little kids at Hollow Fest and will be coming to the launch party at the Kings English as well as any book signings after that. ^^

 

With all this being said hope you enjoyed this look into some of the fun hype for "From The Dust."

 

(Also the books website has had some upgrades so I would check it out: http://www.from-the-dust.com/)

 

Thanks for stopping by! A look at some things that will be offered on the Kickstarter as well as some art of the book will be coming soon... so stay tuned, you won't want to miss it.

 

Anastasia out~