Blog Tour - 27 Days to Midnight by Kristine Kruppa - Giveaway & Writing tips and tricks

27 Days to Midnight by Kristine Kruppa

Genre; YA Steampunk Adventure

Release date: May 3rd 2016

Giant Squid Books 

Summary:

Everyone in Dahlia's world knows when they're going to die. Except her.

Her father has never shown her the pocket watch counting down the days she has left to live. When he sacrifices himself to save her from her scheduled death, Dahlia abandons her comfortable home and sets off after his murderer to uncover the secrets her father died to protect…and the time research that could bring him back to life.

Then she meets Farren Reed. She should hate him. He’s an enemy soldier, a cowardly deserter, and the most insufferable man Dahlia’s ever met. Still, she needs all the help she can get, and Farren is the only chance she has to find the man who murdered her father. But Farren has only twenty-seven days left on his watch.

In that time, Dahlia must recover her father’s time research, foil a psychotic general’s plot, and learn to survive in a world that will never be the same. But the research holds secrets more dangerous than she had ever imagined. She will have to choose what is most important: revenge, Farren's life, or her own. And time is running out. 

Writing tips and tricks

A lot of aspiring authors ask me for writing advice: how to build characters, outline, revise, get published, and everything in between. In the years it took me to write 27 Days to Midnight, I made a lot of mistakes, but I learned from every one of them. Here are a few of the things I wish I’d known when I started:

• Always carry a notebook. You never know when you’ll find inspiration for a new character or solve that finicky plot hole. I keep a pocket-sized notebook in my purse at all times. If you’re caught without paper or a pen, type out your idea on your phone’s memo app. If you’re running or driving and can’t write it down, use a voice recorder to capture it before you lose it!

• Don’t get caught up in the rules. If you look for writing advice, you’ll find all sorts of ‘rules’ out there for creating a novel. People will tell you that you must include certain character types or that you have to outline your plot in a particular way. You don’t. I’ve seen new writers worry so much about following the ‘rules’ that they forget to love their novel. Take whatever writing advice works for you and use it. If it doesn’t work, leave it.

• Beat writer’s block. Writer’s block is real, and when it hits you may feel like you’ll never finish your novel. I spent three months stuck on 27 Days to Midnight. I couldn’t write a word; every time I sat down to type I ended up staring at a blinking cursor. In the end, I forced myself to keep writing because I couldn’t bear to leave the characters’ stories untold. After a few days of slogging through a tough chapter, the words flowed again, I remembered why I loved writing, and I finished the novel. I could write an entire blog post just on how to overcome writer’s block. Each author has their own technique. You should find one that works for you, because you will need it. Personally, when I find myself stuck, I take a walk. Something about being out in the world gets the words moving. Other writers like to bake, watch movies, exercise, or work on other writing projects until they’re able to continue the story.

• Embrace uncertainty. You may be a plotter (someone who outlines in detail before starting to write), or a pantser (someone who jumps into writing with very little planning). There are advantages and disadvantages to each. I’m a little of both. I like to know my characters very well before I put a single word to paper. I fill out character sheets, draw sketches, and figure out what makes them tick. But they don’t always behave. Sebastian, the antagonist of 27 Days to Midnight, took me completely by surprise when he attacked his own soldiers early in the book. But it felt right for him. I scrapped his old character sheets and reinvented his personality. He became one of my favorites by the end of the story. Even if you’re a planner, it’s important to leave yourself open to new ideas and inspiration as you write. Don’t throw away a new idea simply because it’s not in your outline. Explore it, see how it fits, and embrace the uncertainty.

• Love your story. If you only follow one writing tip out of the incalculable ones out there, follow this one. You can only make others passionate about your book if you are. Love your characters, even when they don’t follow your plan. Love the twists and turns of your plot. Love the way the words feel in your head, how they look on the page, how they roll off your tongue when you read them aloud. Write a story that means something to you, and love it.

About the Author:

Kristine Kruppa is a mechanical engineer, writer, and world traveler. Her days are spent designing cool new car parts, but her evenings are filled with writing and cats. She has traveled solo to seventeen countries on five continents.

 Her other hobbies include hunting for the perfect cup of coffee, exploring used book stores, and accidentally climbing mountains. To keep up with her adventures, follow Kristine on Twitter @kskruppa.

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