Thoughtful Thursday with an Odd Re-Visit

I'd like to welcome back fellow writer Diantha Jones. Her tour stopped off here during her tour for Book 2 of her Oracle of Delphi series. Now Book 3, Prophecy of Solstice's End is out and she is stopping back on tour again to share this newest work with us with a guest blog and some great info on how to grab your copy. Not to mention a fantastic giveaway.

Now on to her guest post!

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Outlines: So Annoying, Irritatingly Helpful By: Diantha Jones

So for the first two Oracle of Delphi books, Prophecy of the Most Beautiful and Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise, I didn't outline anything. I just wrote what came to my mind and it was easy to keep it all in order. Then came book three, Prophecy of Solstice's End, and I couldn't keep a single plot line straight. I don't know what happened, but I was all over the place.

My editor (Mia) suggested I do an outline. At first, I was like NOPE. I hated outlines. They were annoying and too much work. But as my deadline drew closer, I knew I needed to do something or risk ending up with a very screwed up book. So I buckled down and did the stupid outline.

Best decision I ever made.

First thing I did was outline what I had already written, then I added what I knew I wanted to happen. The truly annoying part came when I started rearranging my outline. But I had to go along with the flow of the emerging story, you know? Not every chapter I outlined made it into the book. Once I realized the book was stronger without a certain chapter or POV, I eliminated it. The outline definitely helped me to look ahead and see what would work for me and what wouldn't. With so many story lines, narrators and points of view to keep straight, the outline was invaluable. Honestly, if I hadn't done one, I would've been so screwed.

I've already begun outlining the fourth book, Prophecy of the Betrayed Heir, and I see a great story being laid out in front of me. A lot of work too, but it's all worth it. I now recommend outlines to all authors as I will most definitely outline every book I write from here on out.

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Here is the code for the giveaways. There are two and they both start Monday, July 15th and end the third week in August.

Oracle of Delphi Giveaway

Prizes are listed

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Prophecy of the Author's Genius Contest
Solve the prophecy, win a $25 Amazon Giftcard (must guess the classic book title and author)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Description of Prophecy of Solstice's End- Courtesy of Barnes and Nobel-

Overview

Summer Solstice is here. Let the games begin.

Nothing but lies (some of them her own) and deceit have brought Chloe to Olympus for the Solstice Olympic Games. As the Oracle and the special guest of the King of Myth, Chloe becomes immersed in a life of unfathomable luxury, taunting history, and overwhelming excitement. Though scheming and untrustworthy, the gods remain on their best behavior as the tension and anticipation builds around the outcome of the Quest of the Twelve Labors, the deadliest competition of the Games. All seems well on the celestial front...until athletes start turning up dead and a philosopher missing for months returns with a most terrifying story...

But that’s not all.

As Strafford confronts his troubled past and more is learned about the Great Unknown Prophecy, Chloe grows close to another, setting off a chain of events that will bring her face-to-face with a truth that will rock both of her worlds to their core.

And it’ll all happen before Solstice’s end...

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To grab your copy of Prophecy of Solstice's End, check out these great links.

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prophecy-of-solstices-end-diantha-jones/1116050182?ean=2940148440819

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00DXO6IZ6

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I hope you all grab a copy and get to experience the work of one fantastic writer and wonderful person. Thanks for stopping by Dinatha and I hope the rest of the tour is fantastic for you.