Playlists

Today, I decided to add a playlist section to my homepage. As cliche as it may be, I do listen to music when I write, especially on those juicy fight scenes or very emotional ones. But as I was doing the list, I realized I couldn't put them all down. That's hours of listening. It was tough narrowing it down.

One funny thing, though. Each story has it's own "theme" song if you will. A song that always comes to mind when I think of the material.

It makes me curious how many other people do the same and what songs come to mind when they think of their story and characters.

Edits and Contracts

Well, it's official. I've been told the contract package for Crimson Moon will soon be in the mail and on the way. (Read - YAY!!) It's an exciting time but also a stressful one.

I went back to Crimson Moon after a month off (with fresh eyes) and dear lord am I ashamed. There are grammatical errors galore. I've spent the last seventy-two hours editing and trimming away unnecessary descriptions or wording. I also had to change a couple of small things (making the heroine older, reworking for continuity).

I'm sure there are other errors I've missed but I plan on waiting at least a week before I go back for another proof. I was warned I would eventually detest my work after being forced to edit it repeatedly, and the advice was dead on.

As much as I adore Emma and lust for Caleb - I need a break from them.

On the writing front. I spoke to a very good friend about a book that is in the conceptual phases and I'm so tempted to give in (which means putting away the second in my Desires of the Otherworld series) and write this new material. I know it's best to finish what you start first (which is why I have so many projects halfway completed) but darn it, sometimes it's impossible to resist.

Why WWW!!!??

I absolutely deplore the world wide web and all that comes with it...okay maybe not ALL things (Google - Yes, please) but I do detest things like freaking web hosting,domains, FTP servers, and so forth.

I have been busting my balls trying to get my website up and running. Who knew it could make me so miserable! Days have been spent staring at the screen, working on the layout, and contacting customer support when I wanted to pull out my hair.

Thankfully, I think I've finally got most of the work done and my site should be available within the next 24 hours.

Thank.The.Lord.

Next Project Underway...

I've finally managed to choose a project and have made a personal vow to dedicate myself completely to the material until it is finished (along with reworking Crimson Moon, which I am delighted to say has been accepted by TWRP for publication!)

This current story I'm working is still untitled. It's the second in my Desires of the Otherworld series and revolves around two people that are destined to one another but are born enemies. I'll confess it's a cliche' (Vampire falls in love with a Lycaon) but hopefully the story and material is something new that readers will enjoy. The first book in the series - Eternity and a Day - is currently under review at TWRP.

The only thing that will hinder my schedule and next project will be if another story I wrote - Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between - is picked up by another online publisher. If accepted for publication, I'll be chomping at the bit to get back to my original roots. (The Rhiannon's Law series is Dark Urban Fantasy, not romance.)

Like many author's, I've been writing most of my life. But all of the stories from years prior were either lost or thrown away. I've only begun to take myself seriously in the last year. June marks the one year anniversary of when I started Crimson Moon (finished it in roughly 8 weeks and then began Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between).

And just to think, none of this would have happened if I didn't listen to the loving encouragement of my friends and family who insisted I submit my material and attempt to become a published author.

Vacay is Over

And oddly enough, I'm relieved. I never thought I'd miss Alabama. The home of the redneck, endless humidity, and a little something called southern hospitality (after being here I realize Bama has it in ACES).

I guess the adage is true - there's no place like home!

Multiple Projects

At first, I thought numerous ideas were a "good" thing. I mean, creative flow is something writers need.

I'm beginning to rethink that logic.

I have so many ongoing projects:

Book two Desires of the Otherworld (which has several others in the outline stages)
Book two of Rhiannon's Law series (urban fantasy)
The Company of Wolves (urban fantasy, will be a series)
Just to name a few.

I'm stuck in this funk of "what do I write now?" Some of the stories are a few chapters in, a few are outlined, and even more are floating around in the brain. The problem is, I've finished writing my last project and now I'm in this funk of trying to decide where to go next and what to do.

Common sense tells me to write the story I'll most enjoy, but I can't decide which that would be. Hell, anything beats staring at the computer screen battling myself.

Choices = Decisions.

So how do I decide which choice is the right one?

Blah, blah, and BLAH!!

Out of Town

Writing while out of town (and away from four screaming children) is markedly different. There are no interruptions, no necessary breaks, no downtime. But I'll tell you, one day of the quiet already has me missing my brood.

I'll enjoy the reprieve but I'll be glad when I return home to those pesky little critters that are the fruit of my womb. God, I miss 'em!

I'd rather...

Sit in my jammies in front of the PC.

Drink a cup of coffee.

Write, write, and write - until the voices go away and leave me alone.

But since real life beckons, I will:

Take a shower and dress.

Drink a cup of coffee on the way to one of life's adventures.

And make sure I have a composition folder next to me and a nice functioning pen.

When Inspiration Strikes

I want to write professionally. I want to create characters people respond and react to. I want to stir emotion, entangle the reader, and perhaps most importantly - I want to tell one hell of a story.

So what do I do when a story comes along that isn't my normal pro-quo? Do I push it aside and hope those nagging little characters leave me alone instead of demanding that I give them the proper attention and tell their story already? Or do I give in and sit my bahonkus down at the good old PC (laptops blow for writing, but that's just my two cents).

The last few weeks I've been battling the above. I've had this story in my head of a young girl with a heartbreaking past that has moved with her family to another town for a chance at another life. And in this town is the most amazing young man I've ever met, a senior in her class that sees something in her that he doesn't see in anyone else.

I fought the pull. I drowned out their voices with the dialogue of others. I resisted Rebecca and Matthew time and again, even as the voices of their parents soon came into my head along with Rebecca's sister.

And then five days ago, I gave in, and I finally started writing.

It's a first for me. I've written of 30k words in that short period of time. It's coming out of my head like a tsunami. It can't stop it and I can't hinder it. It's a story that's going to be told, regardless of if it's not my normal cup of paranormal tea.

And the odd thing is - I'm having more fun writing than I have in months.

Who knows what will become of the story. Perhaps I'll print it out and put it on my shelf with the others. But either way, I'm glad I'm getting to know Rebecca and Matthew. They have shown me it's okay to listen to the voices from time to time and give in to what your heart knows but your mind resists.

Until...

As I am completely and utterly lost and worthless when it comes to my computer (aka - the language of the geek Gods. aka - domain names, DNS, hosting, IP addresses). And thus, I have decided I will leave the real work to the big boys (aka - the lovely and insurmountable hubs!) and will relay what is going on in my world via good old fashion BLOGGER.

There is a reason I return to this venue again, and again, and again...

And contrary to what my lovely husband says, it is not because I'm impaitent or violent when something confuses me beyond belief.

Speaking of.

Where did I put that sledge hammer?