Last night, after--or maybe it was during--my little quiet time of just reading someone else's book, my writing mind went into over drive.
Okay, see, the voices never stop. Once I create the characters, they're always there. I live with them 24/7. It's like having annoying invisible friends. And since I use my house as a sort of model for where my MC lives, its also like having ghosts in my house, too. Vampires, werewolves, one leprechaun, and Sabrina who discovers she's a sibyl, and has to fight the nasty vampires, and has married one... oh, it's a big old mess. But I love the mess she's in.
So, a line--it was just one line--"I'm going to take an ear off if you don't stop moving." I wrote it out and then another line came and more and more. My characters were all here doing their thing.
It was an OMG moment. I had the first line to the sixth novel "Vampire Requiem". I'd been making notes, writing out some scenes. Thinking about it for the past month. Yep. On December 1st I had begun writing out notes on a document and have been adding to them as I had them.
This past week or so, I've gotten through both books #4 and #5. I believe #5 was done some time this month as my WIP, and finally I've gone through it once again. This one took me a number of months. I remember getting the same sort of lines and dialogue last year and had to write them down saying "No. I'm busy and can't write this right now." But the lines kept on coming. Just like they are here. The plot is evasive, but it will come. It's almost like I have to follow Sabrina around and see what's going on, moment by moment, before I see where this is going.
I'm currently awaiting a third book to be released. Actually I'm waiting for the edits to reach me. My frustration over this has gotten to me. Fans are awaiting this next book. If I don't get it out soon, eventually people won't care. Or will they?
Anyway, the next ones will not take quite this long, I'll make sure of it.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Working It
Last year I wrote my fourth novel in about 3 months time. It was relatively the easiest book to write, start to finish, that I've done in a while. But just because I got it down doesn't mean it's all good. I would say that I went through it possibly 4 times now. And now am working on the last few chapters doing some major tweaking, and trying to fill out some glossed over sections that need scene and dialogue and whatnot.
I'm in favor of the layered approach in my writing. Adding depth to the scenes is one of my favorite things to do. I add details that I didn't have time to work in at the time of writing it. So, when I'm faced with a scene that needs this sort of attention, I let it brew inside my head, asking how can I really pull this from a basic scene to something that holds more emotion, more details, and hopefully correct areas that aren't cohesive.
I woke up with one scene in my head and knew what was missing from it, and began working it in. I have a few of these, especially in the end.
My fourth book is called Vampire Caprice, and it will be slightly different from the previous in that I'm going to be going into other character's heads, like Tremayne, Vasyl, and Bill Gannon. Reason being is that I felt we needed to get to know these guys a little better. Plus, I hope that it helps the story line in that it will have more depth, and emotion.
Creating my characters, like any writer knows, is a work of love. You have to know them like you know yourself, inside and out, know what makes them tick, even if you never put it down, or if you do, you'd better have a good understanding of it all.
I'm also placing sub-headings on each chapter, this way it will give the reader a little heads up as to what's going on, as they'll be reading along in Sabrina's head (and first person), and suddenly we get to a different character and now in 3rd person. It's different for me, and was a challenge to write, but I loved the challenge it presented for me.
In the weeks ahead I'll have to stop my work on the fourth book and work on edits for the third book (yay), which I'm expecting soon from my publisher. That book is on track for publication in January 2013.
So excited about my thrid book, and all the ones after. I've just finished the first draft of the 5th book, and have been making notes for the 6th. These characters simply live inside my head, and I follow them with a pen (or computer), and write it all down.
I'm in favor of the layered approach in my writing. Adding depth to the scenes is one of my favorite things to do. I add details that I didn't have time to work in at the time of writing it. So, when I'm faced with a scene that needs this sort of attention, I let it brew inside my head, asking how can I really pull this from a basic scene to something that holds more emotion, more details, and hopefully correct areas that aren't cohesive.
I woke up with one scene in my head and knew what was missing from it, and began working it in. I have a few of these, especially in the end.
My fourth book is called Vampire Caprice, and it will be slightly different from the previous in that I'm going to be going into other character's heads, like Tremayne, Vasyl, and Bill Gannon. Reason being is that I felt we needed to get to know these guys a little better. Plus, I hope that it helps the story line in that it will have more depth, and emotion.
Creating my characters, like any writer knows, is a work of love. You have to know them like you know yourself, inside and out, know what makes them tick, even if you never put it down, or if you do, you'd better have a good understanding of it all.
I'm also placing sub-headings on each chapter, this way it will give the reader a little heads up as to what's going on, as they'll be reading along in Sabrina's head (and first person), and suddenly we get to a different character and now in 3rd person. It's different for me, and was a challenge to write, but I loved the challenge it presented for me.
In the weeks ahead I'll have to stop my work on the fourth book and work on edits for the third book (yay), which I'm expecting soon from my publisher. That book is on track for publication in January 2013.
So excited about my thrid book, and all the ones after. I've just finished the first draft of the 5th book, and have been making notes for the 6th. These characters simply live inside my head, and I follow them with a pen (or computer), and write it all down.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Announcement: 3rd Book~January Release
Funny how just posting that I know when my release for next book on facebook got gobs of people coming out of the woodwork to either LIKE, or make a comment, like "can't wait", that sort of thing happens. There's people there that I didn't know even stopped in to see what I'm doing. People I have not even gone to visit in ages! But I guess it's probably on Page Feed, which is a great way to see what everyone's up to, so maybe that's how everyone knows about it. I think.
So, yep. My publisher told me the first edits are finished (thank goddess!), and second edits will take much less time (yes, because the first ones took MONTHS), and my book is first in line in the queue for publication. (YAY!!!!)
I'm relieved to know this because I sort of feel like they forgot about me or something. But also, I know that these things take time, and sometimes other things get in the way, or make things difficult, like--oh, I don't know--a storm that puts everyone under the ocean. Well, not really effecting my publisher so much, since they're in Mass., but I figure other stuff can happen to hold things up. Plus I'm not their only author.
And I do have a lot of respect for getting a book out there, ready to be printed as well as placed into places for ebook sales, because I see what the Indies have to do in order to get it done themselves. But the editing has got to be tedious and time consuming. God knows I've got grammar issues and other stuff that makes my writing in need of editing.
But tonight I'm happy to know that my book is actually going to have a launch. Now, if only my publisher will find the ellusive wonderful cover. He told me that he's found some but weren't quite good enough.
So, that's the news. I hope next time I post it will be with a cover photo and closer to when it will be out.
So, yep. My publisher told me the first edits are finished (thank goddess!), and second edits will take much less time (yes, because the first ones took MONTHS), and my book is first in line in the queue for publication. (YAY!!!!)
I'm relieved to know this because I sort of feel like they forgot about me or something. But also, I know that these things take time, and sometimes other things get in the way, or make things difficult, like--oh, I don't know--a storm that puts everyone under the ocean. Well, not really effecting my publisher so much, since they're in Mass., but I figure other stuff can happen to hold things up. Plus I'm not their only author.
And I do have a lot of respect for getting a book out there, ready to be printed as well as placed into places for ebook sales, because I see what the Indies have to do in order to get it done themselves. But the editing has got to be tedious and time consuming. God knows I've got grammar issues and other stuff that makes my writing in need of editing.
But tonight I'm happy to know that my book is actually going to have a launch. Now, if only my publisher will find the ellusive wonderful cover. He told me that he's found some but weren't quite good enough.
So, that's the news. I hope next time I post it will be with a cover photo and closer to when it will be out.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
THE END
Whew! I guess I wrote a book, my dears!
The first draft of my 5th novel, Vampire Crescendo, is completed. I'll probably tweak the ending a little bit. put it away and go back to my fourth one Vampire Caprice to tidy up.
This thing got to 92,636 words, and 246 pages at last count. Not my longest work, but darn close. This one has a lot going on and many villains who need to have a butt-kicking! Lots of stuff happening for Sabrina in this one. She sort of has to come to terms with the fact she's now married (If you are reading the series, you'll know who to). And her emotions are up and down in this, especially where her heart is concerned, because Dante is still very much in her life, and Tremayne is too, and once again depends upon her more than ever.
There's a reason I don't do NaNoWrMo. I really do not need to. I began the fledgling scenes of this fifth book back last year when I was still writing the fourth one. That's just how I am. My creative juices flow continuously. At the moment, I'm happy with not starting the sixth one. I'm currently on course to have 5 books in a series out by 2014/2015. I'd like to work on getting the ebook version of Spell of the Black Unicorn out. I've had Shelly Arkon be my beta reader, and she had to go through some junk on the original that I should have cleaned up first, but didn't have time. But I thank her for reading and critiquing it for me. So, that's high on my list in 2013, so we'd better not have an end to the world because I am not finished.
As a treat, having finished within the time I gave myself (over the Thanksgiving weekend), I watched The Deathly Hallows Part 1, last night. Tonight I'll watch part 2. I realized since I had not seen this movie since I saw it in the theater, it was almost like watching it for the first time, except for the ending where Doby was killed. That was sad, but it was triumphant for the way he came and helped his "friends" out and announced to his former owners "Doby is a free elf!" Loved that!
So, I leave this post with a sense of accomplishment and a niggle of hope that my third book, Vampire Nocturne will be out in time for Christmas.
The first draft of my 5th novel, Vampire Crescendo, is completed. I'll probably tweak the ending a little bit. put it away and go back to my fourth one Vampire Caprice to tidy up.
This thing got to 92,636 words, and 246 pages at last count. Not my longest work, but darn close. This one has a lot going on and many villains who need to have a butt-kicking! Lots of stuff happening for Sabrina in this one. She sort of has to come to terms with the fact she's now married (If you are reading the series, you'll know who to). And her emotions are up and down in this, especially where her heart is concerned, because Dante is still very much in her life, and Tremayne is too, and once again depends upon her more than ever.
There's a reason I don't do NaNoWrMo. I really do not need to. I began the fledgling scenes of this fifth book back last year when I was still writing the fourth one. That's just how I am. My creative juices flow continuously. At the moment, I'm happy with not starting the sixth one. I'm currently on course to have 5 books in a series out by 2014/2015. I'd like to work on getting the ebook version of Spell of the Black Unicorn out. I've had Shelly Arkon be my beta reader, and she had to go through some junk on the original that I should have cleaned up first, but didn't have time. But I thank her for reading and critiquing it for me. So, that's high on my list in 2013, so we'd better not have an end to the world because I am not finished.
As a treat, having finished within the time I gave myself (over the Thanksgiving weekend), I watched The Deathly Hallows Part 1, last night. Tonight I'll watch part 2. I realized since I had not seen this movie since I saw it in the theater, it was almost like watching it for the first time, except for the ending where Doby was killed. That was sad, but it was triumphant for the way he came and helped his "friends" out and announced to his former owners "Doby is a free elf!" Loved that!
So, I leave this post with a sense of accomplishment and a niggle of hope that my third book, Vampire Nocturne will be out in time for Christmas.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
November Up-Dates
I know I've not been here in the past months, but I see that a number of you have been--yes I have spies that tell me when you've been here and when you haven't. But I'm very greatful for your stopping in and checking things out. I owe you at least a post or two. I hope to have more news for you in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, this is what I've been up to.
I've been busy working on Sabrina Strong novel #5, awaiting my edits for #3--my hope is that it will get to me this month and you'll have a new book to read by December.
I've also been busy working on edits to my Spell of the Black Unicorn, (a paranormal mystery), to turn it into an eBook, eventually. My beta reader has been working on it for several months, and I'm now just about done working through the edits. Then I'll let it set for the rest of the year, I think. I'll then go back to my other WIP.
I'm not a believer in writing like a mad woman for the NaNo. That just isn't something I want to do. I really don't need the motivation. I'm already motivated to work.
Here is what other things I've been working on over the summer. Two titles are now at Amazon and one is now on Smashwords.
Vampire, My Own is my only YA short story. You can see a description and buy it HERE: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009FAXUP8.
Murder Mansion is a short horror piece. You can see the description and buy it HERE:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009UDZHDI
I've also been busy taking care of some feral cats/kittens. They've added delight to my life. My husband also takes care of them, and will report their antics to me when I'm busy in here. He's the one who feeds them and sets out water for all the critters that come to our yard. The other night he thought he saw one of the cats taking a drink. Nope. It was a 'possum.
Hard to believe we'll be carving up a turkey, when we've just finished carving a pumpkin. But I look forward to the meal. Who doesn't? I'm planning on making my own cranberries so as to avoid the high fructose in the canned versions. We'll see how that goes.
Hope you can stop by and say "hi", and let me know whether or not you're into the NaNo this month, and if not why. I love hearing from you, no matter.
I've been busy working on Sabrina Strong novel #5, awaiting my edits for #3--my hope is that it will get to me this month and you'll have a new book to read by December.
I've also been busy working on edits to my Spell of the Black Unicorn, (a paranormal mystery), to turn it into an eBook, eventually. My beta reader has been working on it for several months, and I'm now just about done working through the edits. Then I'll let it set for the rest of the year, I think. I'll then go back to my other WIP.
I'm not a believer in writing like a mad woman for the NaNo. That just isn't something I want to do. I really don't need the motivation. I'm already motivated to work.
Here is what other things I've been working on over the summer. Two titles are now at Amazon and one is now on Smashwords.
Vampire, My Own is my only YA short story. You can see a description and buy it HERE: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009FAXUP8.
Murder Mansion is a short horror piece. You can see the description and buy it HERE:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009UDZHDI
I've also been busy taking care of some feral cats/kittens. They've added delight to my life. My husband also takes care of them, and will report their antics to me when I'm busy in here. He's the one who feeds them and sets out water for all the critters that come to our yard. The other night he thought he saw one of the cats taking a drink. Nope. It was a 'possum.
Hard to believe we'll be carving up a turkey, when we've just finished carving a pumpkin. But I look forward to the meal. Who doesn't? I'm planning on making my own cranberries so as to avoid the high fructose in the canned versions. We'll see how that goes.
Hope you can stop by and say "hi", and let me know whether or not you're into the NaNo this month, and if not why. I love hearing from you, no matter.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
I'm Not A Romance Writer
When I wrote Vampire Ascending and tried to find a publisher--or someone--to take it, I came across a publisher who I thought was interested in "vampire" novels. I'll not name the publisher, because many people are probably published there. I have nothing against them, but that the fact the editor egged me on by telling me that "this might" work for them. When she asked if I belonged to any writer's groups, I told her no. She thought I should join the romance writers association. I refused to. I began to feel that this wasn't the right place for me if she thought my writing would need "work". I explicitly told her my novel was Urban Fantasy.
Long story short, even though she put me on hold, telling me she'd get back to me--and didn't--I put my first chapter up in a writer's forum on a group I used to belong to. There is where my present publisher found me, and invited me to send him my novel. At some point in between, I lost my Internet connection. I lost all email from that point, and had to start anew. I will call it a blessing because I'll never know if this other editor ever got back to me.
Back then I didn't know what the difference between urban fantasy, and paranormal romance was. I could not find anyone who would answer my question. It was like I was supposed to figure this out on my own. Well, I eventually did.
Meanwhile I poured over books by Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, and a few others. The spines are usually a clue as to what these novels are. Charlaine Harris' are published by Ace and it says under the publisher: FANTASY/MYSTERY. Mainly, I would guess, because Harris was a mystery writer before she took a chance with her now very popular vampire series, which is now an HBO series.
Others, like Kim Harrison and Karen Chance's books are under FANTASY. If you look around in a bookstore and go either to the heading of horror, or fantasy, you should find any of these author's books.
You can also tell by the title. Usually the title is telling. Eternal this or that is something a romance author would use as part of the title. Also, if AVON has published it, it is most definitely a romance. A hot guy and babe on the front cover, usually one or both are nearly nude and in some sort of embrace--that would tell me that we are looking at a straight romance, I don't care if the characters are vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, or ghosts.
The point I'm trying to make is authors like Harris and Harrison do not write romance, even though romance is featured in their works. It's basically a fantasy--Urban Fantasy. I enjoy them because I'm not expecting anything but a great story with a lot of fantasy, creatures introduced, and some mystery solved, and some witchcraft, or magic going on.
Although sex/romance will be featured in any of my novels, I'm not going to hammer it to death. Romance--whether there are elves, vampires, shapeshifters between the pages (and sheets), it is still a romance. What is a romance? Well, the basic plot is rather simple. Man and woman either meet for the first time, or have known each other for a while. They are attracted to one another, however something keeps them apart. It can be anything from a danger factor, or the fact that they basically hate one another. But, you, the reader, knows that at some point these two are going to hop into bed and go at it until the cows come home. Wow. Big surprise. But that's why people like these types of books for the hot sex on page 105-120.
An urban fantasy is gives us a basic a story, usually there is a problem or a mystery to solve. It is the adventure, with various interesting characters that pop up, and the ones you've come to know and love throughout the series, and you expect them to act in a certain way. If there's sex along the way, this is a bonus, even though you might hope for such a thing, it is not a necessity in an urban fantasy, although a lot of people may think it should be, mainly because some people are including hot sex scenes in such books, it is not a requirement. Believe me.
Also, I don't write romance because I don't want my main character to be bound by the stringent confines of what is considered a romance (i.e. see above). Maybe the guy she starts out with will not be the one she winds up with--surprise! Maybe the man she's been seeing, or is in love with may die--surprise!
You see what I mean? I don't have to confine my plot to one that is boxed in. I love to think outside the box.
And as far as writing sex scenes into my books, I've had to take a stand on how far I would go with it. I'll say right here that I'm not interested in a spitting match with romance writers to see how many pages I can write a bedroom scene or how pornographic it might become. I'm interested in bringing to my readers a sense of realism, a bit of horror, throw in a romantic thread, problems, mystery, danger, and even humor into my books. It's entertainment of a different kind, or style from romance (they can call it paranormal romance or anything-under-the-sun romance, it is still romance and must adhere to the plot formula). Urban fantasy has become the easiest genre for me to write. You can do anything you want, as long as you tell a great story. If you want to write in a lot of hot sex, you're perfectly free to do so.
So, when I find someone who has left a review on my books stating they wanted to see a bit more sex, that's okay, because they've given me a 4 or 5 star review. That means the amount of sex--which by the way, other people who have read the book think it's perfectly hot, and the various men I introduce are hot, and make for an interesting story--doesn't matter. It is the story which I've told that keeps people riveted to the pages.
Each genre has it's own restrictions, and plot formulas to adhere to. Mysteries are nearly devoid of the need for sex. Sexual tension, or even a budding romance between two characters is okay, but no bedroom scenes. The same goes for science fiction--unless that has changed. Urban fantasy seems to be, at least for me, the most freeing choice to write in.
What do you prefer to read or write? Urban fantasy? Paranormal romance? Other? Why do you like to write it? Let me know. I think it would be interesting to have people chime in on this.
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