News - Outside Edge

I've been hinting at the next book in my Knockout Girl series for a while now. And I'm finally ready to tell you all about it! Before we go any further though, you should know that there are spoilers for the previous books. If you haven't read them and hate spoilers, look away!

After the events of Standup Guy, I wrote off Adrian as a not-great boyfriend, who ended up being an awful ex. He was mean, resentful, and jealous, and made some really bad mistakes. That was it for him - no more chances from me, the author of his fate. I figured for someone like him, there's no redemption, no forgiveness.

But then, an idea formed in my head. A story about redemption, forgiveness...and, yes, second chances. Does someone like Adrian deserve a second chance? No way. Does someone like Adrian who detests the mistakes he's made deserve a second chance? Absolutely.

After his breakup with Elli, Adrian takes a downwards turn and trying to drown his sorrows with alcohol doesn't help. In fact, all it gives him is two DUIs, which in turn rids him of his scholarship and his spot on his hockey team.

When he gets sent to live with his Pops way up north in Christmastown, he takes his resentment to the next level. Nothing could ever make him want to change. Except maybe Brooke and the kids she's training.

Though she was once on track for a top competitive figure skating position, Brooke's dream has become derailed. Now she's being forced to help a bunch of kids put on a Christmas pageant. And even worse - she has to teach an errant hockey player how to ice dance.

Finding common ground between them isn't nearly as difficult as a triple axel. But can the rink also help them to repair the damage of their past mistakes? Will Adrian and Brooke learn to find strength in each other's arms?

Even though I struggled so hard at times, I think this was a really important story to tell. I guess I couldn't just say "the end" to Adrian without giving him a chance to change. If a pronounced bully like Red could become a great best friend, couldn't Adrian also learn to change his ways? You'll have to wait to find out! Outside Edge is now on preorder and is set to be released on November 18, 2019.

In other news, I've been working on another Knockout Girl novella. Details and a cover are coming soon, but for now I'll leave you with the title: Hooked.

Happy reading!

- Natasja Eby

Nanowrimo News

It's been almost three months since my last post, but fret not! I have actually been writing a more than normal amount lately and I've decided to channel my rediscovered penchant for over-writing by joining Nanowrimo 2015! This will be my fourth time trying it and I'm very excited. Last year, I didn't do it. With a months-old baby and absolutely no motivation to speak of, it was just not happening. But this year, I've got a plan.

Those of you who know me know that I am a complete pantser. Normally, I let my characters run the story and I kind of just record whatever they do and say. But this year, my characters and I have planned the story ahead of time. I decided that I didn't want to get lost fumbling around looking for something else to write. Which is also why I'm going to do something I very rarely do - write out of order. I know that's how most books are written, but believe it or not, most of my books are written in order. 

Hopefully with the changes to my own personal process for writing, I will be able to complete my challenge. Feel free to:

- Go to my Nano page and keep track of how I'm doing starting November 1st

- Sign up and write alongside me

- Ask me for a detailed synopsis and then suggest book titles

- Donate

Cheers to a great Nanowrimo 2015!

- Natasja 

Write, Write, Write!

Okay, so I've been back to work for two weeks now, which - as you can imagine - has left me with very little time for myself. I was also busy preparing for my one-year-old's birthday party (I just had to mention that). However, I have been keeping up my writing and I promise that my new super short story series is coming soon! (Ish. Soon-ish.)

However, I've been writing something lately that I have no intention of letting anyone else read. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but just that I've been rediscovering the meaning of the phrase "write for yourself." Trust me on this - writing something you know no one but yourself will read is one of the most freeing exercises you can try. And it's completely motivating. Much like during nanowrimo, I barely read back, I don't edit, and sometimes I write complete nonsense. But you know what? That's not a bad thing. In fact, it's rather cathartic in a way.

So that's what I've been up to (other than helping a certain little man learn to walk on his own). Again, new stuff to read is coming very very very soon!

- Natasja

The Amazing Adventures Of...!

Coming soon to a blog near you (this one) is a short story series called The Amazing Adventures of Jamie and Joey! If you've ever wondered what happens in the lives of two little buddies, then you'll wonder no more. Watch as bffs Jamie and Joey* take the world by storm in my brand new series that will be exclusively posted to this blog and this blog only!

- Natasja






*Starring my very own little boy, James and his best friend and cousin, Joseph.

Not In My Good Books

Since the beginning of November, I had been trying to write a book based on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing for a little challenge called "National Novel Writing Month." Of course, if you follow my blog, you probably already knew that. But what you probably don't know is that a couple of days ago, I stopped writing. (At least, I stopped writing that book. I can never make myself stop writing in general, no matter how defeated I feel.) I feel like I owe you faithful readers an explanation, so here is a list of factors that contributed to my decision to stop my Nano challenge:

I work two jobs, which leaves very little time for much else. Sadly, this has affected my writing more than I like.

The story wasn't going as well as I'd planned. I think I was expecting this experience to be like last year's, but it wasn't.

I couldn't force myself to keep writing, which is the whole point of Nanowrimo.

And lastly, I tragically lost my my book file because the only place I had it saved was on a USB stick that consequently died. I had most of it in some emails, but at that point, this was pretty much the straw that broke the camels back.

A part of me wanted to keep going, but I could find little reason to do so, particularly since the whole thing was stressing me out more than it should have. So I've stopped writing and gone back to other books and characters that need me more right now. (Or maybe it's that I need them more?) Maybe some day I'll resuscitate my neo-Shakespeare guys, but for now, I'll leave it to time and space, or wherever it's disappeared to.

Thank you so much for reading, for understanding, and for your support. It means so much to me that people think I'm capable of such expectations, and I also appreciate that people appreciate me and what I do. And don't you worry folks, this will not be my last Nano challenge, and My Best Friend's Brother won't be my last book.

- Natasja

P.S. Have you bought this yet?

News - The Challenge

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my NaNoWriMo experience from last November. I remember very distinctly saying that it was such a good idea, and that I think everyone should try it once, and maybe I even added that I was a glutton for punishment...

Well, I just wanted to make the official announcement that I would be entering again this year. That's right - I, Natasja Eby, am going to attempt to write another 50,000-word novel in just 30 days. Even though this year, I'm working two jobs, and I don't have nearly as much time. (So, apologies in advance to my bosses, as I may end up doing a lot of writing while I'm... "working.")

Why am I doing it? Mostly because a coworker of mine, who happens to be the Municipal Liaison for my area, basically convinced me that I should do it. Partly because I've had other encouragement. And lastly because... well, to be honest, last time, it ended up in me publishing my first novel. So I can't say it wasn't a good experience.

So, now all I have to do is decide what I want to write and wait for November 1st. Friends, Family, loved ones... I'm sorry, but I'm pretty much going to be out of commission this November. Don't be offended if my laptop spends more quality time with me than you do.

You know I love you anyways.

- Natasja

Stay Tuned...

Look out, friends! The grand unveiling of the cover of Natasja's brand new novel, Less Than Perfect, is coming! Check back next Friday, September 28th for a first look!

News - Less Than Perfect

Less Than Perfect is a young adult novel you can look forward to reading in early 2013. While completely different from My Best Friend's Brother/The Summer I turned Into A Girl, you'll recognize Natasja's handiwork in the narrative and themes involved in the book.

The book follows fourteen very different high-schoolers who start a band together and form an unlikely bond. Readers will fall in love, cry, laugh, and hope for the best as Trey, D-rock, Claire, Marty, Chloe, Meg, Rach, Max, Hacks, Bryan, Harmony, Amber, Corbie, and TK find themselves in a world where fitting in is the only way to survive high school. As their stories progress, however, they discover that fitting in doesn't mean as much to them as the meaningful relationships they create.

Readers will find themselves drawn to the lives of these realistic and relatable characters, and they may even find themselves wanting to make decisions right along with the gang -whether good or bad. And when the band members finally pull themselves together for their finale, everyone will be rooting for their success.

Be sure to check back regularly for more information and previews of this incredibly fresh book later on!