Welcome back, folks! We are just about two weeks away from NaNoWriMo and I'm getting antsy. I finished writing books 5 & 6 of the Warrior Series which sustains me through the end of the year. That leaves some awkward space between now and the start of my NaNo project so I've been twiddling my thumbs and trying to figure out what to do.

In funny news, I started a comic - because why the hell not? I have no intention of improving it, becoming an artist, or turning it into something else. It's just a mindless thing to do. Here's a fun one for ya, seeing as I'm about to tell you about the fourth book in the Warrior Series.

Announcement - Books 3 & 4:

That's right! It's time to announce book 4 in the Warrior series. Check out The Fall of a King, now available for preorder on Amazon. To be released on November 10. Remember, I have a great deal for how you can read the first three books in the series (information below in case you didn't get the note last week). Here's the cover for your viewing pleasure. We'll be back to following Baeddan's perspective, and there are some really great revelations in here.

Book 3, The Troubled Stranger, will be released TUESDAY October 20 - next week!

Ask Me Anything:

What is your writing process like?

Thank you for this submission on my Google Form! Honestly, I don't have much of a specific process when it comes to writing books. Typically, I'll be thinking of a story long before I start writing it. I develop a few scenes here and there before I really start to put together what will happen. Thinking about writing is just as good as writing, at least in my case, because when I have a thought out idea, it works better on paper. I'm a good ol' PLANTSER with way too many ideas to contain.

Consider my current series. This used to be a long, epic tale told just from Kahyr's perspective, but after some serious thinking, I discovered that there was too much of the story that was missing. I decided to promote Baeddan and Rhish to main characters and the story took life again. While I had the main idea for each book (2-3 sentence synopsis), the individual chapters or scenes were mostly empty and created as I wrote.

Character Feature: Ouba

I've gotta give you guys the low-down on Kahyr's pet Oubastet, a winged cat with a poisonous bite. I wanted to give a sidekick type feel to this creature, and while it doesn't speak, it does have a personality and makes for some fun (and awkward) situations throughout the stories. Think of Ouba like Toothless from How To Train Your Dragon, just slightly larger than a house cat. You can find his Pinterest board here.

He's super protective of Kahyr, which is unusual for the most feared creature in Kallie, but after his poison tooth breaks, the two rely on each other and build an incredible bond. TBH, I wish my cats were as awesome as Ouba. All they do is steal my food and get in the way... Also, who doesn't want Toothless as a pet?

Made With Patrons:

Thanks to my awesome tribe over on Patreon for making these things possible:

• Wattpad: I'm testing a new medium to write and post my non-Kindle Unlimited books. Read my short story The Shadowed Assassin for free and get a look at my new retelling of Soul Forgotten. Be sure to vote!
• Medium: Protect Author Mental Health | Traits of Authorpreneurs
• Patreon: Soul Forgotten Commentary CH 37 & 38 | They also got a copy of The Troubled Stranger and a new cover reveal
• Reading List 1 | Reading List 2 (Get new reads)
• Passion Planner: Get 10% off all Passion Planner items using code LAURAW10. They also have free downloads if you can't afford one right now.

Wrap Up & Bonus Opportunity:

Want to read my books for free? I'm offering a great deal for you guys. If you leave an honest review on Amazon for The Stolen Lives, I'll send you book 2 of the Warrior Series (The Innocent Named Warrior) FOR FREE. And if you leave an honest review on Amazon for that book, I'll send you book 3, The Troubled Stranger, FOR FREE AS WELL. That's a $9 value that you're getting for just the purchase of my first book. 67% savings!

All you have to do is leave a review and send a screenshot of that review to me at author.laurawinter@gmail.com and I'll share the files with you!

You can vote for what you'd like to continue seeing in this newsletter using this Google Form.

Thanks for sticking around.