It's been a while since I shared review on books that I really like and it is time to start sharing again. On my newsletter I always share what I am currently reading but here I want to tell you all about the books that I like and why I like them. So check back to see what books I am loving and why you might love to read them too!
LET'S READ!!!

    It is no secret that every writer is different. There is NOT one way to write a book or outline your book. But there is your way. You just have to find it!
     I have a story for you. Once upon a time there was a girl who wanted to write a book (me) :D I didn't know anything about writing books but I pulled out a notebook and pen and went for it. That book (of mine) was fully pants. Horrible and will never see the light of day. I am okay with that. I was in seventh grade when I wrote it and I really didn't know what I was doing! My next book I also didn't plan out at all. I also started it in seventh grade. That book took me until I was a senior in high school to finish. I had no plan, I had no idea what I was doing, but writing by my gut. That book later became, The Royal Spy. It is a fun book and I love it dearly. I thought for a long, long time that I would always write my books by the seat of my pants, but then I decided I wanted to actually learn how to write a book. I ran into one of the issues that can pop up as a discovery writer. I had to edit the heck out of my books or cut huge chunks. Not all discovery writers are this way. For some that is the only way they can write and that is AWESOME! But I wanted to cut down on rewrites so I decided to start some investigating into planning out my books. I spent a lot of time reading different books, attending writing classes on the subject of outline and even watching some youtube videos. I attempted things and tried many different things. I discovered a few methods I hated. I couldn’t make them work at all. I also found some I really liked, BUT they did not work well for me always. So then I would try something new.
    I learned so much more that one writing method isn't a golden ticket. That what works for one person doesn't work for another. I found out that if I planned my story fully to every detail that I lost interest. I could not be considered a planner. So after lots of experimenting, writing stories wrong,  trial and error. I learned that I am what lots of people call a planster. I have to plan my stories to some extent, or else I get stuck with a huge amount of rewrites, but not enough that I lose interest in writing that story. That is just how I roll.
    I have read a lot of writing books see my instragram for the different ones if you're curious. I may have a way that works for me right now, but one thing I am learning is that my writing style is always evolving. So I will continue to read more books about creating story and I will continually adjust. Its a super fun thing about being a writer, we get to continually learn. You get to find new ways to create. That is what we are, creators.
NANOWRIMO APPLICATION!
Nanowrimo for most people is quick fast and hard. 1667 words every single day for 30 days without a break is hard. You don't have time for writers block. You don't have time to think for a day or two about what happens next, but you also don't want to write nonsense you'll have to cut later. An outline, a simple one at least can help a ton. It could be as simple as this:
Part one of the book looks like this:
Part two looks like this:

Part three looks like this:

The over all theme is this:
The fail moment looks like this:
The change moment looks like this:
The Climax looks like this:
Even something as simple as that will help out a ton! I personally think a little more than that is even more helpful. Recently I have tried doing a new method that I l really like a lot. It has three simple steps. It get's me enough info but also leaves a lot open for discovery. I call it: Cassie's Story Creation tool. You can have my worksheets for free here.  It has three steps. Step 1: What you know. Step 2: Important answers. Step 2: Outline of Main events, chapter by chapter. Basically step 1 is all about brainstorming things you know already from your idea. Step 2 is writing down some solid answers that need decisions before you dive into your novel. Step 3 is assigning ever chapter a plot point that is required to move the story forward.

Check it out I hope it helps you with your story planning and if not. Guess what that is okay. You will find the way that works best for you! And I will certainly cheer you on!
Other Outline methods I really like:
1. Dan Wells 7 point Story Structure (find his video series on youtube)
2. The book, Take off your pants by: Libbie Hawker
3.The book, Romancing the beat by: Gwen Hayes
4. The  Three Act structure. (Easiest thing is to google it)
5. The book: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody


Thanks for reading and Happy writing!
Cassie M. Shiels

How are your preparations going? I hope so super good! This week I want to talk about characters and your story world. Sitting at your computer on day one is not the time to come up with your main characters. Now is the time to start creating. If you've already chosen a story this makes this process easier. For example if you know you are wiring a Young Adult Fantasy novel, about a lost werwolf girl. Then you already have your protagonist, maybe you have an idea of a few of your side characters and perhaps even your villain but if you idea isn't that fleshed out yet, you might not have a lot of ideas about who your characters are and what they want.
I personally think what they look like isn't as important as the list I am going to give you below, unless their appearance is vital to the story in some way. So yes figure out what they look like but more importantly think about these questions below for your leading Characters. Just a note their are load of creating character lists out there so if mine doesn't work for you find one that does. I also love to take a pen and notebook and have my characters write a journal entry about their life. I feel that is really helpful especially if I am writing a villain or a character who's backstory is vital.
Creating a character in 20 questions:
1.  How does your character feel about themselves?
2. How does your character feel about taking action?
3. How does your character feel about their family?
4. Is your character an introvert or extrovert?
5. What hurt your character in the past that still haunts them today?
6. What motivates your character the most?
7. What makes your character happy? Mad? Sad? etc.
8. What do they want to spend their time doing?
9. Why would they fight for what they want? And what is it they want more than anything?
10. Why would they give up?
11. What would push your character to their breaking point?
12. Why do people like them?
13. Why do people hate them?
14. Why do they hold back?
15. What makes them special?
16. Could they ever chose to be evil (or good if creating a villain)? Why?
17. Describe their bedroom? Do they have a lot of something? What color are the walls? etc.
18. What are 8 descriptive words that would sum them up?  4 positive and 4 negative (ex: messy, caring.)
19. Why would a reader care about them to spend the length of a novel or series with them?
20. What do they need to learn?
I hope these questions along with a physical discretion will help you flesh out your characters for you book. Now lets turn to the world. You might be writing a fantasy where you have to make up all the rules or you might be writing a contemporary book but you still need to understand their world and what makes it run. If they have a certain job their environment will be different than another. So consider the world they live in.
     If you are writing a fantasy of some kind think about: the magic system, the rulers, the peasant folk, the bartering or money system, what the outside world looks like, what their buildings look like, where you character fits in the world, how do they see their world (good, bad, neutral), the backstory of your land, how it came to be, what the rules are. 
     If writing a contemporary you will still need to think about the rules, the environment, where they fit in, what they do in the world. If you are using a real place, either research it a lot now or hopefully you have seen it with your own eyes. Nothing beats actually laving lived or visited the place you want to set your story in. If it is a general place like a small town feel free to make it all up but it is helpful to use a small town you know well as a reference guide.
You need to understand your world so that we can feel like we trust you and the journey the character will take. Setting i huge and building that world will help you craft the setting for each scene.


As always thanks for reading and happy writing!
Cassie M. Shiels

Who loves the idea of a challenge? I know I do. I like the idea of working hard to obtain a goal. For many writers one of the funnest and best challenges we attempt is the yearly challenge called, Nanowrimo, aka, national write a novel in the month of November. Thats right. We give ourselves the challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. That breaks down to1667 words a day. I know many writers who do that anyway and many writers who don't. To write 1667 words consistently for 30 days without a break is a challenge. But a fun one. One that I will yet attempt again this year. This will be year 4 for me. To find out more check out the nanorimo website here. 
One of the hardest things is to know where to start. Here is a hint: YOU START RIGHT NOW!!
Start in October to have a successful nanowrimo. And there are three things I think you should do right now to make your November Challenge successful. The first one is try and write a little everyday right now, especially if you are not in the habit. Even 250 words will do, but try to slowly increase it. It doesn't matter what you are writing just that you are getting some words down daily. 
Number 2 is to re-read one of your favorite books in your favorite genre and ask yourself:
1. Why do you love it?
2. What genre is it?
3. Could you write that genre?
4. What are your favorite parts? (ex: all the action, suspense, romance, beauty, emotions...)
5. What drew you in and held you tight?
6. What techniques did this writer use that you could also use? (for example: shorter sentences when the action was intense.)
7. Who were your favorite characters and why did you love them?
8. Who did you hate and why was that?
9. Did any parts bore you, why was that?
10. What would you have done differently?
These questions will help you with tip number 3 choosing your own story. Think about the answers to your questions to help you create a story of your very own. Don't plagiarize! Just think of elements you liked that you could incorporate or twist into your own work.
Number 3 Choose your story, ASAP!
I know easier said than done for some of us. I am still debating between three. I had better choose and get my head in the game soon. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you choose your story. Think of the story idea you are considering and put them through these questions if you have a lot of I don't know answers either you need to do more brain storming on your story idea or it isn't the idea for this particular challenge. If you can answer them then you are on a good track.
1. Does your story idea make you excited?
2. Will your story idea require a lot of research. If yes try to get as much of that done now.
3. Is your story idea in a genre that you know very well. You should be reading the genre you want to write.
4. Does your story idea have a captivating problem that won't be easily solved requiring the length of a short novel?
5. Do you know what your main character wants and have some ideas of how they will have to fight to get what they want? And some ideas of what will stop them from easily obtaining it? If not start brainstorming some what ifs?
6. Does your story idea have a villain? If so do you know what they want? Why they want it and what they are willing to do to get it?
7. Do you know anything about the world your story takes place in? Or the job your Main character has?
8. Can you think of a beginning part, a middle part and an end part? You might not know this yet but it is something to think about for sure.
9. Do you know if you have a theme that you would like woven into your story?
10. Do you have a few fun scenes in mind that you can't wait to write?
11. Do you feel like your story will take you at least 50,000 words to complete?
12. After all of these questions does your story idea still excite you? If so, it is probably a winner!

​I want to wish you luck on choosing your story. It is all up to you, no one will know what story is right except you. No one will spend as much time with your story except you. Don't go into this and wing it. I know from experience. Make sure you are ready. If you like to pants write don't worry about having every detail figured out just make sure you have the big things figured out so you can make the most of your writing time.

BONUS TIP: Also finish all your TV shows you are wrapped up in so that they are not a huge roadblock to your November goals, come November 1st.
I hope you liked this post and I hope you will check out the other 4. One coming every week this month before we start Nanowrimo.
So who is doing it with me? I'd love for you to comment below and tell me if you are in or out.
Thanks readers and happy writing!
Cassie M. Shiels

To have a pen name or to not have a pen name that is the question. At some point in your writing journey you will have to decied what name you want on your work. Will it be your real name? A variation of your name? Will it be a name of your choosing. Will you have many pen names or just one? These are all real question and for us writers it can be a bit troubbling at times. I know it has been for me.
My pen name story:
I remember thinking in middle school when I started writing my first book about what name I wanted on my books. I liked my name but at the same time I was sure I could have one that sounded more authorish. :D When I met my husband and things started looking like they would last, I admit to trying on his last name. I knew Shiels would be a great last name for an author. (In my mind it was perfect, and so was he.)
Fast forward a few years. I published my first two books, The Royal Spy and Lady A under my name, Cassie M. Shiels but when I started thinking about writing contemporary romance. I considered the idea of a pen name. I thought long and hard about it. I even came up with the perfect name. I decided that my alter ego would have to have the name that could have only been mine in an alternate reality. A name that only belonged in a parallel universe. I blame watching a little too much, Doctor Who, for that kind of thinking.
I settled on the name, Cassandra Grimes. Here is why: 1. I didn't want a frivolous name that I wasn't attached to in any way. It had to still feel like me in some form. 2. My real name is Cassie, I was almost named Cassandra therefore in a parallel world that would be my name. Grimes would have also been my last name if my grandfather had never been adopted. Again a parallel universe thought. 3. I thought it sounded cool. I 'll have to name a character that name. 
For a few weeks I loved this idea. I thought it was the best thing ever, but then it lost its appeal. I didn't want to look at my book on amazon or on the shelf and not see my name on it. Then my books that I pour my heart into would look like any other, not mine. I wanted to fully claim my work. As cool as I thought this pen name would be, I couldn't do it.
Still worried that I needed a pen name but wanting the book to have my name on it. I settled on the pen name C. M. Shiels for my contemporary works. It was still me. It would work great. This idea lasted a lot longer. But guys I want to see my name on all of my books. I started asking questions about pen names and paying attention to other Autors and two things stood out to me. 
The first was how a few of my author friends were working to get rid of their pen names. Mostly because their books were not that different.  Or they didn't want to deal with a pen name.
The second thing was that as authors it is a good idea to think about not confusing our readers. Especially if we are writing for both kids and adults. This thought made me feel certain that I had to have a pen name even though by then I didn't want one. I kept telling myself that if I wanted to write all my ideas I would have too. I had dreams of writing picture books, concept books, new chapter books, middle grade books, Young Adult books, New adult books and adult books in various genres.  I seriously have tons of story ideas. If I stuck with this plan, yes, a pen name or two would be required. But then I started thinking about what I actually like to write and what I wanted to spend my time writing. Guess what it wasn't picture books. I love and appreciate them but that isn't me. I am a novelist. I read over 35 new chapter books before I decided that I could write them yes, but I didn't really want too. Middle grade would still be fun but I'm not sure I ever will write one. Maybe but maybe not. I figured out my true love is writing for Young Adults, new adults and adults. I know I still want to write in multiple genres, but I hope that if my readers know that then they won't be so shocked to see a princess story from me, then a clean contemporary romance, then a paranormal romance, then a fantasy and a romantic suspense. I am a multi genre book lover and that is what I want to write. And my heart wants me to write it under my name. 
I understand I will have different kinds of readers. The split is still there. Those who read my princess books might not want to read my bridal shop romances. Thats great. I will have my name on both but my readers are welcome to avoid what they don't want and read any or all.
To help with this I have two newsletters. One is for those who like magic, princesses, dragons, made up kingdoms, vampires, etc and one is for those who like contemporary romance stories without magic. They are all clean, books straight from my heart and honestly they all sound like me so you could totally tell. 
I hope my readers will love my multi genres with me. And I hope having my name on them won't throw anyone for a loop.
This decision wasn't taken lightly. Lots of thought and time went into it. For those writers who are still trying to figure it out I have a list of things to think about below. I hope it helps.

Things to consider:
1. Are your genres or age groups shockingly different? ( Kids vs. Adults, nonfiction vs. horror) 
2. Are you willing to manage more than one name?
3. Do you need a pen name for legal or personal preference?
4. Would you rather friends and family not know it's you writing this work?
5. Is your name so common that it would be better to use a pen name?
6. Do you want to have a pen name for your traditional stories vs. your indi works?
7. Do you like your maiden name better?
8. Do you want it to keep your author life and your everyday life separate?
9. What if you really do become well known for your books? Would you want it then?
10. Do you want to clearly separate the books your write?

Thanks for reading and good luck writing!
~Cassie M. Shiels~

I had the awesome amazing opportunity this last weekend to attend an event. I love author events. I have loved them for years. Going to book signings, and writing conferences are a blast. Spring into books happens to be both of those combined. I loved every second of this event. It was so much fun creating book marks, ordering in a bunch of my books, talking to my neighboring authors, watching my brother and hubby step in to watch over my table while I taught, meeting readers and other writers. I was there for over five hours but it felt like two. I suppose book signings could be boring but I truly had a ball. Readers, we authors love to see you and authors if you are considering doing an event like this just do it! You'll be happy you did. See below for my 10 tips for a book signing event after these two fun photos!

Not only did I get to sit at a table of my own, but my class proposal was accepted. I love teaching about writing. My passion is truly in making magic with words and I wanted nothing more than to share that with others. The class I taught was called, 10 fun ways to create story ideas. I am including my handout. Not quite as good as attending the class but I still hope you find it helpful if you ever find yourself searching for story ideas. Teaching a class was fun and I am so glad that I chose to submit an idea. I hope I can teach another writing class soon!

Author events are so much fun, If you are wondering if writing conferences or book signings or combos of both are worth it, they really are. You learn so much! Meet great people, and readers too. I cannot wait for my next one!
Thanks for reading and have fun writing!
​Cassie

I got super lucky and was able to attend a SCBWI writing conference in my little hometown. It was so much fun!! I learned a lot. It was nearly 24 hours all about writing. And I got a few of my books signed. Couldn't have been better! It was one of those conferences where every single class I learned something. Every single one got me thinking and rethinking. I am so glad that I went. Guys seriously if you want to be a writer. make going to conferences a thing! It might cost a little bit but it is so worth it!!!

Top 5 reasons Writing conferences are a good thing!
1. There is always something to learn about writing and publishing
2. Meeting others who have done it not only gives you a good positive vibe but they can also chat with you about your situation and hopefully have some good advice.
3. Writers need writer friends. 
4. Often there is a book signing. So you can purchase books and get them signed by the amazing presenters
5.Boosts creativity and motivation