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Katarina Betterton | Writer, Reader, Wife

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I’m Katarina – a writer, a wife, and an obsessive puppy mom (not necessarily in that order). Thanks for visiting my online home!

Life in the Commune

LAST MONTH OF THE DECADE!!!!! // Y’all... special announcement time! I’d like to usher it in by showing you all the most AMAZING commission by @elliedoodles02 😍😍😍 do you know what this is??? IT ME, YALL. IT ME WITH MY FOUR MAIN CHARACTERS. Why yes, I am deceased. Thank you for asking. From left to right we have Anna Cooper (from COOPER & PARRISH), Bridie (from THE LAST MCNARY), ~me~, Stenne (from 33), and Eta (from MERTALE). Please, please PLEASE go follow Ellie and check out her amazing art!!!! She is such an incredible human and wonderful artist. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect commission from her!!! — And for the bigger news... I’m blogging again!!! Specifically, this entire month of December I’m going to try to blog every day for #DecWriMo!!! What is that, you may ask?? it’s my personal spin on NaNo, but without word counts and chapter goals. NaNo works for a ton of people but it doesn’t for me anymore - it’s not healthy for my writing. So I came up with #DecWriMo, December Writing Month, where I focus on building my stories by thinking, writing, listening to music, and getting inspired by art. I’ll blog every day (besides a few around the holidays) for accountability’s sake and share each day what I’ve thought about/worked on/something that inspired me. I invite anyone and everyone to do this with me and tag posts with #DecWriMo to share your inspiration with others! #DecWriMo isn’t about hitting goals, it’s about consciously spending a whole month thinking, planning, and being inspired by your story that the world desperately needs. — My first post for #DecWriMo will be up this afternoon on my website! Click the link in my bio to check it out! 😊 \\ I hope everyone had an incredible holiday weekend! Happy last month of the decade - let’s make it count!!!! #writingcommunity #writing #amwriting #amrevising #writingtips #writinginspiration #amwritingscifi #amwritingfiction
Sick day at the Betterton household!! // I’m feeling SUPER lucky we don’t have anything to do this weekend. I’ve spent the last 24+ hours in bed just napping/reading/watching my favorite movies and it has made me feel SO much better. — I had to post this excerpt since THE LAST MCNARY’s MC Bridie suffers from an illness and I’m sick right now too 🙈 Bridie and I have the same illness though: Anemia! Unfortunately for her, life with anemia in Zenith is much harder than I have it. Especially because her blood is the only asset she has to barter with. — Does anyone else curse themselves for taking breathing for granted when they have a stuffy nose?! For the last three days I’ve been trying to remember what regular breathing is like 😂 another question: do your MCs suffer from any illnesses, or just get sick in the course of the book? I always think it’s interesting how characters deal with sickness! — QUERY UPDATE: still at 16 rejections! Waiting on a few more until all are back! I am still only two chapters into Bridie’s draft 5 so querying for her is a WAYS off. \\ 📸PC: Pinterest #thelastmcnary #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #booksaboutrebellion #bloodbooks #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #scifiauthor #amwriting #author #dystopianauthor #writerslife #dystopian #adultscifi #dystopianfiction #dystopianbooks #anastasiaretelling
#THANKFUL // Y’all... what a crapton of stuff I have to be thankful for this year, so let me share just a few: - An amazing writing community that supports and inspires me every day - Critique partners/beta readers/best friends who I get the privilege of talking to every day - A husband who continually champions my writing and supports my dreams - 16 rejections that have made me and my story WAY better - An unending pile of sci-fi, fantasy, and historical worlds to escape to whenever I want - A mind that creates new worlds, new characters, and new stories to share with others \\ Big apologies for not posting for nearly a month - it’s been a few very busy weeks! As an update - I’m waiting on just a few more queries to come back before full attention goes to Bridie’s story. She’s been tough to crack but I’m really happy with how THE LAST MCNARY is going so far now! — I chose to post ILLUMINAE (first bc the orange cover is thanksgiving-esque lol) because I’m so thankful for this book. It was ~the book~ that made me fall in love with the sci-fi genre. It will always been one of my absolute favorite books. — I’m wishing everyone a very happy start to their holiday season. Feel free to share with me what you’re most thankful for today! \\ 📸PC: me! #thelastmcnary #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #booksaboutrebellion #bloodbooks #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #scifiauthor #amwriting #author #dystopianauthor #writerslife #dystopian #adultscifi #dystopianfiction #dystopianbooks #anastasiaretelling
RE👏LA👏TION👏SHIPS // Today’s aesthetic pays homage to my two disaster babies in THE LAST MCNARY, Bridie & Miles. I’ll admit, this narrative is getting really difficult to write. I’m not sure if it’s imposter syndrome kicking in or me just being impatient to finish this draft, but I have been struggling the last few days!!! — One of my favorite parts of this WIP is the love story... or lack thereof. In 33, Sten+Sto come together fast and fall deeply in love but with M&B... not so much. They’re both very broken people who try to fix each other but have to realize before they focus on anyone else, they have to fix themselves. And the setting I’ve plopped them in makes it super easy and super hard at the same time. This is a big reason I love writing adult, too. As a 20/30-something, we face way different challenges than a teenager falling in love (who’s story is still super valid and needs to be told, but just different). I love analyzing, breaking down, then rebuilding with words the complexity of a relationship tangled up in the midst of family, duty, expectations, and real life. — On a lighter note, I just rewatched some Anastasia scenes and WOW am I inspired!!! I already know how the first few chapters’ rewrite will go. Anastasia was one of my favorite princess movies as a child and Lucas took me to see @anastasiabway on Christmas Eve two years ago where I got to meet the incomparable @christyaltomare 😍 Seriously, how could I NOT write an Anastasia retelling after seeing that show?? — Hope y’all have a great week! QUERY UPDATE: 11 rejections, the newest being an CNR I realized just today! Thank you so much for sticking along with me!! 💜💛 \\ 📸PC: Pinterest #thelastmcnary #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #booksaboutrebellion #bloodbooks #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #scifiauthor #amwriting #author #dystopianauthor #writerslife #dystopian #adultscifi #dystopianfiction #dystopianbooks #anastasiaretelling
What big titles are you excited to read before 2019 is over? // There are some exciting retelling/mashups released this year I’m v excited to dig into, like WILDER GIRLS and THE GRACE YEAR that I just got! I’m also trying to diversify my library. I read a ton of dystopian and sci-fi so I’m starting to buy fantasy and historical fiction! Any recs for me to preorder in 2020? — Query update: I just hit the big 10!!! 9 form rejections and 1 CNR - woohoo for milestones! — #PitchWars mentees were announced yesterday too and while I didn’t make the list, I received TWO full requests! Those were my first full requests for 33 and honestly, that’s a feeling I’ll hold onto for a while!! — Lastly, I’m still working on rewriting Bridie. I’d say I’m about halfway though. While it’s going slow, I’m really enjoying this draft. It’s going a lot better than the last two!!! \\ 📸PC: me #bridieandthebloodwar #wildergirls #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #booksaboutrebellion #bloodbooks #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #scifiauthor #amwriting #author #dystopianauthor #writerslife #dystopian #adultscifi #dystopianfiction #dystopianbooks #anastasiaretelling
NEW STORY ALERT // When you’re querying, best to stay busy, right? 😂 I’ve had this idea for only a few weeks but today, inspiration struck and I wrote the first chapter! Don’t you just love new ideas?? — Meet Anna Cooper, a young woman who sweeps into the sleepy town of Billetsby after exploring the world for 10 years. Soon after her arrival in her hometown, a mysterious monster from the north threatens the safety of the town folks. When stuck up chemist and town erudite James Parrish aids her in ridding the town of the monster, the two take an immediate disliking to each other. But as monsters continue to converge on the town, Anna and James must put their pride—and growing attraction to each other—aside before the town is overrun. — Woohoo! That’s my preliminary pitch for the book. It’ll be an adult historical fantasy and I’m planning a duology... I think. I know how I want the first book to end and it’d be too unsatisfying to leave the series with that ending. Besides, Anna is already a ton of fun to write and I suspect James will be too! — Are you participating in NaNo this year? November kind of suck up on me but I had no plans to “win” NaNo this year anyways... I want to revise Bridie’s story and get it ready for querying for next year! — QUERY UPDATE: 9 rejections... I kinda forget how many are still out 🙈 going to finish these queries out and then shelve 33 for a bit to give Bridie her chance in the sun! \\ 📸PC: Pinterest #historicalfantasy #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #historicalfiction #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #fantasyauthor #amwriting #author ##writerslife #fantasy #adultfantasybooks
What are your thoughts on dystopian? Love it, hate it, don’t care about it? // I’m currently in PA and only brought Godsgrave with me (rookie mistake, I know) so I had to go hunting for a new book to take a picture of! This one sounds legitimately so interesting - a sickness characterized like dementia is a huge plot point in it and I’m HERE FOR IT. Most of my grandparents suffered from dementia and it’s a heartbreaking thing to watch someone go through. I’m super excited to pick up this book and it’s sequel (which was just released!) soon! — QUERY UPDATE: 8 rejections, 12 queries still out! And Bridie is being DIFFICULT AF so writing is progressing v slow right now 😂 \\ 📸PC: me #thelinebetween #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #dystopianfiction #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #scifiauthor #amwriting #author #dystopianauthor #writerslife #dystopian #adultscifi #dystopianbookseries
Do you write spooky stories?! // I never thought I would, but this version of Bridie’s story is turning out to be pretty scary and honestly, I’m loving it! 🖤 — I’m really excited to announce I’ve renamed Bridie’s story to THE LAST MCNARY. I’ve hated its first name ever since I had to put something on its folder and that’s all I could come up with at the time! I’m one for short titles and I felt like this one paid a little more homage the story’s origin (Anastasia). — I’m also excited to let you know that for the next 3 weeks, I’ll be updating WattPad with a chapter a week until I’ve posted all of part one! I’ve only planned to post Part One, but if the story gets more traction, maybe I’ll reconsider 😉 — QUERY UPDATE: still only 7 rejections! I have a good number of queries out still but have decided once I hear back from those, I’m going to focus on Bridie full time. While 33 remains my favorite book, I want to prioritize Bridie in 2020. \\ 📸PC: Pinterest #bridieandthebloodwar #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #booksaboutrebellion #bloodbooks #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #scifiauthor #amwriting #author #dystopianauthor #writerslife #dystopian #adultscifi #dystopianfiction #dystopianbooks #anastasiaretelling
Oops, I did it again... // Can you blame me? This series is solidly in my top 3 favorites of ALL TIME. Plus... it’s a signed first edition!!!! The best part?? Lucas actually saw this in the bookstore and got it for me, knowing I’d just finished Nervernight! Best. Husband. Ever. — Query update: 7 rejections so far - so close to the big 10! No requests yet but I am WAY more confident in my submission package after having a few agents/editors look at it. \\ 📸PC: me! #nevernight #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #godsgrave #bloodbooks #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #stabstabstab #darkdawn #author #miacorvere #writerslife #adultfantasy #nevernightchronicles
How does your MC discover their identity? // LET’S TALK ABOUT NEW ADULT. Stenne’s character arc focuses on growing up and I resonate with every inch of it. Her story isn’t about her first kiss or finding her place in the world, it’s about her understanding how the world around her works and choosing how she wants to fit into it. Does she want to ignore the bad happening all around her so she can keep her comfortable life, or will she risk her comfort and happiness to make a difference in the lives of hundred of people? She doesn’t question whether she likes Stosen or not; she knows she does. She does question if she should be in a relationship, though. Is she emotionally mature enough? Is HE? In light of what’s going on around them, is that what they should be worrying about right now? — I understand from a market perspective what New Adult just hasn’t performed, and I’m fine (actually, happy!) with classifying 33 as an Adult book because the themes in it aren’t just for 18-25 year olds. But I want so badly to see loads more stories in this age range. Adulting is hard and while we’ve grown up a little, there’s a lot more to figure out. Growing up doesn’t stop when you turn 18; it’s just beginning. Give me more MCs figuring out what kind of person they want to be and what their morals are!!! Rant over🙈 — QUERY UPDATE: still at only four rejections!! 😊 no requests made yet but I’ve made my peace with the ones I’ve sent out will probably not return any... after some amazing feedback, I’m way more confident in pitching my story now. And #PitchWars is just around the corner, so I can’t wait to enter that with my shiny new sample pages and query letter! \\ 📸PC: Pinterest #iamthecommune #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #booksaboutrebellion #communisticgovernment #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #scifiauthor #amwriting #author #dystopianauthor #writerslife #dystopian #dystopia #dystopianfiction #dystopianbooks #dystopianbooktag
I’m late to the bandwagon but this book gives me LIFEEEEEEE. // With the recent release of my favorite author’s ~final book~ in the trilogy, I knew I needed to start reading soon. But also, it’s super nice that I can read through the complete series instead of PINING after the sequel. I’m only 100ish pages in an I have loved every chapter more than the last. — What’s a bandwagon you have yet to jump on?! Did you start a series everyone’s raving about and just can’t get into it? \\ 📸PC: me! #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #bloodbooks #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #amwriting #author #adultfantasy #stabstabstab #nevernight #godsgrave #darkdawn
What’s one of your writing fears? // Admittedly, I have several (especially being in the query process right now 😬). I think my biggest fear is a tie between running out of stories or “losing my touch” and completely forgetting how to write. — In these moments of fear and self-doubt it’s so helpful to lean on support, which I have in the form of a very amazing husband and equally as awesome friends. I also reread what I’ve already created as a reminder to myself that these stories are just the beginning. If all else fails, I look down at my tattoo - a quote from Tangled: The Series in Lucas’s handwriting that says “there is more in you.” Always, always, always keep pushing, friends. If you don’t, you’ll never know what you’re truly capable of. \\ 📸PC: Pinterest #bridieandthebloodwar #bookstagram #bookblogger #lovebooks #reader #bookobsessed #writer #writing #instabooks #booksaboutrebellion #bloodbooks #literature #writerscommunity #authorsofinstagram #sff #scifiauthor #amwriting #author #dystopianauthor #writerslife #dystopian #adultscifi #dystopianfiction #dystopianbooks #anastasiaretelling

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