I must confess that I started writing a novel one day when I was broke and unemployed. My cable had been turned off. I WAS BORED. I longed to use the knowledge I gained in college (but couldn’t yet get a job with) for something. I sat down on my bed and started writing. I had no outline, not even a general plot. But I knew I wanted to write from the perspective of a killer. Everything always follows the cops. Even Dexter, who is a killer (and a fantastically awesome one), is also a freaking cop, of sorts. So I started there. Then I decided I would make her a female serial killer. Next I gave her a reason to kill. She became a sympathetic character, even though she was running around murdering the married men of Philadelphia. I developed a few other characters and a story was born. Eventually I got a part-time job at yet another restaurant (obviously, still not using my college stuff). I found myself writing on receipts and scrap paper behind the bar. Notepads in my pocket held food orders and chapter summaries. I even named one of victims after one of my bar regulars (An annoying, stalker-ish one. Spoiler alert: He dies). One day, I brought in a few printed out chapters. Coworkers read my stuff and genuinely seemed to enjoy it. But I put it to the side. For years.
In 2012, after the unexpected passing of one of my best friends (after whom I named a main character), I decided to finish the damn book. I choose to self-publish under my own company, Blood Read Press, and in 2013 I separated the prologue of the original manuscript, expanded it, and published it as a novella entitled Blood in the Past.length novel in the series, Blood in the Paint, followed behind it in the spring of 2014.
Over the years, I’ve learned a great deal about the writing and publishing process and I’ve loved every second of it. This blog chronicles my journey.
There are stupid blogs. There are random blogs. There are awesome blogs. Only time will tell where mine will fit in. I write psychological thrillers. My pen name is Jordanna East. And this is my journey. Hopefully, it’s not stupid or overly random. Enjoy and, if you’re not too sick of me, learn more about My Books. Or feel free to contact me at jordannaeast@gmail.com.
Nice to meet you…I love the red lipstick. :)…also I dig the layout..interesting. hmmm
Likewise and thank you. The red lipstick is my signature “look”…sort of.
The only stupid journeys are the ones we don’t take … and the ones that end up with people arguing over who ate the last french fry.
Haha!
Hi, I’ve nominated you for the Reader Appreciation Award! 🙂
http://wantoncreation.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/the-reader-appreciation-award-an-almighty-thank-you/
Wow, that’s awesome, thank so much!!!
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I nominated you for the Reader Appreciation Award because you’re awesome! Congrats.
http://aserendipitoushappenstance.wordpress.com/2012/06/10/blog-awards-and-my-recent-absence/
Thanks so very much!!!
Tag! You’ve just received the Lucky 7 Meme!
http://aserendipitoushappenstance.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/the-lucky-7-meme/
Again? Yay!
Hi! I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blogger Award! http://insidethewriter.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/one-lovely-blogger-award/
Thank you so much, I’m so flattered! I’m really raking in the awards these past few weeks!
Yay! Good for you!
Thanks for stopping by and following my blog. I’ll try not to bore you, but no guarantees. 😉
Haha, you’re welcome. And I only follow blogs that amuse/inform me, and you made the cut. 🙂
Best of luck with your journey, keep us all updated as you go!!
Thanks for stopping by, I most certainly will!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and the like for “Writer’s Block: Start Small, Change Venue”. I read the post you reblogged. I can’t wait to hear more of Lyla’s story.
You’re welcome, it was a very helpful post. Thanks for stopping by and a big thanks for the interest in my novel! Stay tuned!
Ava, I am brand-new in the world of writing. I’ve recently hit a dead end trying to find a job with my Biology degree that is good for nothing (you know exactly what I mean). Just recently my cousin asked me to write her a love story and before I knew it I was writing a book. I realized how much I loved writing and now I’m determined to turn it into a career. I just read your interview and I must say you’re a huge inspiration to me. You actually cured the writer’s block I was having with my novel. So thank you for that and I’m looking forward to continue reading your blog! And I most definitely will be buying your book.
I just want you to know that this comment made my year. I’m genuinely touched by your words. So touched, there was *something in my eye* when I read them. Please email me if you need anything, ava.easterby@yahoo.com.
Thank you again.
I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. You can read more about it here: http://staciebrown.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/liebster-blog-award/. Happy Blogging! 🙂
Thank you for the award, Stacie!
BLOG AWARD FOR YOU- http://itsjennythewren.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/the-liebster-award/ ENJOY X
Thank you very much!
Hi Miss Ava/Jordanna, Just stopped by to say thanks for the “like” at thesaltwatertwin. I wish you the best of luck on your book and wherever your journey takes you!
Thank you so much Maia! Always glad to meet a fellow writer! Good luck to you as well!
I’ve nominated you for the Inspiring Blog award! 🙂 Please… go check it out.
http://ileandrayoung.com/2013/03/19/ding-ding-ding-ding-ding/
nominated you for an award- http://itsjennythewren.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/the-very-inspiring-blog-award/ x
Thank you very much, Jenny!
Congratulations for taking that book out and letting the world be a part of it. Keep writing!
And you just inspired me to pick up the manuscript I’ve abandoned for the longest time. 🙂
Thank you! And good luck to you!
Hi. I’ve read about you in a magazine. I’m writing myself but I haven’t sold anything yet. I hope you’re doing fabulously, but I was wondering about advertising the work. Do you have any tips you can give me?
Hi thanks, for stopping by. I’m doing ok, for having just published my novella in June. I’m still trying to figure it all out, but so far the biggest help was starting my platform way before my release. Connecting with people via my blog and Fb/Twitter has been quite helpful. As for paid ads, I haven’t found anything particularly helpful yet in terms of leading to sales. But if I do, you can bet I’ll blog about it, so don’t be a stranger! ♥
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I nominated you for an award-thing!
http://ileandraxraven.co.uk/2014/10/04/dawww-thanks/
No pressure to accept or acknowledge in anyway, just wanted to let you know. 🙂
Aww, thanks, babe!