New Normal

If you want to be taken seriously, be consistent."

I saw this quote yesterday on a friend's page, and though she was referring to her fitness regimen, it spoke to my beliefs about writing too.

Some of the people in my life, when they heard that I had sent my book off to an agent, said "Oh good! Now you can have your free time back." And I realized that they saw my writing as a chore, something I undertook as a project, and now the first manuscript is finished, they saw the chore as something I could tick off my to-do list and finally have time for "fun."

But the thing is that writing IS fun for me. It's not a chore. Well, okay, there are days when it's easier than others. Still, writing is something I enjoy. And it's an ongoing thing. I'm a writer, and that word encompasses the ongoing nature of the action. For me, it's not something I do once and then I'm finished. It's part of who I am. It's something that's integral to my nature. I've always done it. The difference is that in the past it was something I hid from others. It was a private activity that I did late at night after everyone else was asleep. I had this feeling that I wasn't allowed to be serious about it. I had to have a full-time job and there were responsibilities and obligations and to-do lists of chores. So my writing became like an indulgence. Something I allowed myself to do as a privilege whenever I finished everything else. It was a luxury the way other women dream of bubble baths and manicures and trips to the spa. And I was able to indulge that luxury about as often as most women get to have those other things.

It's amazing to me that, given the sidelining of my dreams, I still managed to write anything at all. And yet, I have amassed a great deal of writing in spite of all that. I dreamed of being a writer since I was a little girl, but I allowed that dream to shrink while other things took control of my time.

This last year was the first time that I decided to stop relegating my writing to the margins of my life. I feel as though I finally allowed my true self to step forward and reclaim the importance it deserves. It's the first time that I let myself think of writing as a true vocation.

I've been writing my whole life. People just never saw it before now. But I'm through hiding it. This is my new normal. I'm not apologizing for it.

"If you want to be taken seriously, be consistent." That means setting a schedule. Following through on what I plan. Writing every day not as an afterthought or a late night indulgence but as a priority.

_________________________________________

Here at the beginning stages of Book 2, I have some research to do to prepare for the world I'm creating. I'm not sure yet how much of that research will yield rules I will incorporate vs. those I'll deliberately break, but I think it's important that I remind myself what the traditional rules have been before I go making new ones of my own.

These are a couple of the books I'm looking through. 

 

I also found some very interesting information from my History of Magic and Experimental Science books (mentioned before here) regarding vampire lore, spanning back to the Greeks and Romans. Fascinating stuff! One passage refers to the Lamias, female vampiric figures I've studied before.

 

I'm thoroughly enjoying the research, and I'm certain that the information will be useful.

_________________________________________

One of the improvements I've made since I began work on this series a year ago is the use of Evernote to collect my notes, inspiration, and scraps of ideas for future reference. Evernote allows me to keep all of my ideas together and share them from my desktop to my iPad to my phone seamlessly.  I can use tags to make searching for data simple, and so far it's really helped me organize my work. Often, I'll be walking to work and think of something that I might add to my book somehow. With Evernote, I can save it all in one place, and those ideas are never lost. Research, character notes, photos, links...all collected for me. I love it.

Random Interesting Stuff (or How I Cut My Distractions and Got Busy Writing Book 2)

How to Break Through Your Creative Block by Maria Popova for Brain Pickings
I'm working on this. I get easily distracted and sidetracked with to-do lists and social media, and then the next thing I know I'm taking a nap. My solution is two-fold.

1. This blog is going to be my repository of distracting but interesting stuff. Rather than posting several times a day, I'm going to try to limit myself to a few posts at the beginning and end of the day, saving up interesting ephemera for one single blogpost every day or so.
2. When I'm staring at a blank page or screen, unsure how to start, I take about 5-10 minutes and do a prewriting just to get things rolling. Instead of worrying about how I'm going to say just the right thing, I start instead with writing about what I'm going to write about. I don't worry about grammar or paragraph breaks or any of that. Sometimes it's just a list. But I'm thinking about the scene and what I want to have happen. By the time I've told myself what I'm going to tell, it's easy to start telling it. The hard work is done.

Why Dogs Make Fun Writing Partners by Jennifer Robson for Writer's Digest
I loved this article, and I couldn't agree more. Layla needs a break about as often as I need a new cup of coffee, so that's a partnership that works. Plus, she keeps my feet warm. I keep her bed right behind my chair, though she often chooses to lie down under my desk or on the rug at my side. She's a good companion since she doesn't say much but is an excellent listener.

"The Poisoner's Handbook," American Experience . WGBH | PBS
My high school English teacher sent me a link to this video on Facebook, and it was definitely worth watching. I've always loved murder mysteries and true crime, so it was interesting to me to see the development of this end of CSI work.

Vampires: Folklore, fantasy and fact - Michael Molina 

 

I don't think I really need to explain why I find this short video sent to me by a friend so fascinating and fun.

Vampire Forensics
I bought this book for my Kindle, and I'm really enjoying the details inside. Though I can't reveal just how (spoilers!), there are definite ways this book will inform some of the things that happen in Book 2. As a reader, I always like knowing that an author has done his/her homework, so I want to be sure I'm following through on that expectation too.

I've got a few more books on their way, and I'll be doing some book reviews once I'm finished reading for those who are interested in vampire lore and history.

History of Magic and Experimental Science
I bought this set of books at the last library book sale. None of them had been read in 30 years or more, but the title alone is fascinating. It's an encyclopedic study of how superstitions about witchcraft and alchemy developed over the course of several centuries into what we now call the sciences.

These books are far too lengthy for me to read straight through beginning to end, but they are wonderful to dip in and out of. Vampires and other supernatural creatures are discussed throughout history, beginning with the Greek NeoPlatonists. Creepy geeky goodness. There are certainly ways in which I will be using information found here.

Readerly Things, Writerly Stuff, and Nerdiness

Today, I made a word cloud of the most common words on this blog. There are several online sites that allow creation of this kind of image, but they're all fairly similar. The larger the word, the more frequently it's been used.

My common words make me quite pleased, I have to say.

Speaking of things that make me pleased, I'm currently listening to the audiobook version of Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon.

It's the second novel in her Outlander series, and I'm truly enjoying it. If you haven't read these books, you're in for a treat. The writing is wonderful, the characters are mesmerizing, the plot is riviting, and the audiobook narrator does a delightful job bringing it to life, giving each character a distinct accent that truly makes listening a pleasure. I am definitely hooked on these books and will be continuing on through to the end.

And speaking of bringing it to life, I'm very much looking forward to catching the Starz television adaptation of the book series which is produced by Ronald Moore, best known for my favorite sci fi show, Battlestar Galactica.

Now that I've seen some of the promos and heard the lead actor, Sam Heughan, say "Sassenach" (see the video link below), I'm certain he's plenty swoonworthy enough to portray Jamie Frasier. So long as they get the historical details correct, which from the looks of it, they are, I'm pretty sure I'll be watching for as long as they run this show.

As for why the audiobook version, I've linked it with my knitting hobby. I started with knitting a Doctor Who scarf for myself, and since then I've been making scarves for friends and family.

When I finish the Doctor Who one, it'll be 17 ft. long. Currently, I'm about halfway through. It's been a fun challenge. Not all of the original yarn colors were available, but this is my own interpretation, and I'm pretty pleased with how it's progressing.

Yes, I'm that nerdy. And?

Right. That's what I thought.

As for my own writing, I've sent my manuscript off and have begun Book 2. The outline is complete, I've written up plans for every chapter, and I've been doing research to get ready for what comes next. I'm really excited with what I have in store, and I hope my readers will be as well. Beyond that, I can't really say. Sorry. Spoilers.

Shout out to Yellow Dog Bookshop in Columbia, MO. Even though I haven't been able to get there to peruse the shelves over the last few weeks, I've been thinking of it and can't wait to get back.

Other readerly things that make me smile include this from author John Green. I always enjoy his Mental Floss videos. His books, while well written, always make me cry, however. This does not diminish my enjoyment, it's simply of a different kind.

Goal Setting for the New Year

Since I was a kid, I've always been a big list-maker. One of the most satisfying experiences, in my opinion, is making a list of all the things I hope to accomplish in a day/week/month/year and ticking them off one at a time till they're all done. I love that sense of completion I get from looking at a list upon which every task has a corresponding checkmark. I also learned early on to break up large jobs into small tasks so that I could simultaneously give myself achievable goals and positive reinforcement that would see me through to the end. This system has stood me well as a writer as well.

I have very ambitious long term goals, but the only way I'm going to see them to fruition is by setting a series of short term milepost goals that will lead me in the direction I want to go.

With this in mind, here are my goals for 2014 (yes, I realize this is a long list, but they're all attainable given the proper planning):

Writing Goals

• Find representation (In process) for the book series with the goal of publishing Book 1 within a year
• Meanwhile, write manuscript for Book 2 between January and May.
  • Write summaries for each character's storyline, with their key scenes detailed
  • Outline the chapters in order, interweaving those storylines
  • Organize the book into 3 acts (30-35 thousand words per part) in order to give the story structure
  • Create the Scrivener project for the book
  • Set a schedule for each week with a deadline for completing each of the parts (one per month?)
  • Maintain a record of words completed each week
  • When first draft of each section is complete, take a couple of days off and then do at least 3 rounds of revision
  • Update outline as needed until the entire manuscript is complete and ready to begin editorial process
• Write at least 2 short stories in the summer of 2014 (related to the novel? unrelated?) and shop them for publication in the fall
• Determine what manuscript I want to work on during The Stanley Hotel Writer's Retreat

Social Media Goals

• Set a weekly/monthly schedule for regular blogging/posting
• Learn how to use analytics to determine content goals
• Find an admin assistant for my FB and Twitter to help manage postings if needed

Personal Goals

• Schedule exercise into my weekly calendar 3 x per week and take it as seriously as I do my writing goals
• Expand my container garden to grow more than just tomatoes this year
• Reorganize my laundry room and consider purchasing new equipment
• Learn to crochet
• Dedicate one room for hobbies and organize supplies
• Spring cleaning during the week of Spring Break to sort clutter, then store, toss, or donate as appropriate
• Read 50 books using Goodreads to keep track of my goal

Notice that these are goals, not resolutions. Resolutions seem to always be broken. I am going to do these things, not just say I'm going to. Getting out my calendar now to make my plans. 2014 is going to be a good year.

What are your goals for the New Year?

2013 Gratitude

I have a lot to be grateful for over this past year, so I thought I'd take a moment to appreciate the good things. There are lots more I could list, but these are the big things.

1. I finished writing a book. Not my first book, but the first book I've really been serious about trying to perfect and sell. I'm going to say it again. I. FINISHED. WRITING. A. BOOK.
   
2. I discovered that there was an audience for that book. I had hoped it would be true, but having people read the sample and then say "I want more" is wonderful confirmation.
   
3. My family is my rock. I am so blessed with the many ways they support me. I could not have completed any of the goals I set for myself without their help, emotionally, physically, and financially. I am truly and deeply grateful.
   
4. I have fantastic friends, both online and off, and they have supported me, given me encouragement, and made my life so much richer. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You all know who you are, and you are the best.
   
5. Layla is the best dog ever. Seriously.
   
   
6. After nine years, my house is finally almost done. What a journey it has been! Can I get an "AMEN"? Honestly, this used to be my kitchen.
   
   
   Now my house looks like this.
   
   The difference is truly astounding to me.
   
7. I have a dedicated office in my house at last, and I finally feel like I can do some serious work in this space.
   
8. My co-workers are such great people to work alongside. I have never worked anywhere that was so warm and caring.
   
9. My health has improved dramatically. This time last year, I was having constant asthma attacks and serious recurrent health problems. Thanks to a wonderful doctor and diligent effort, my asthma, thyroid, blood pressure, anemia, low immune system, and general fatigue are all under control, and in some cases the symptoms went away entirely. I would never have been able to finish writing my book if not for that change, and I am truly humbled by the difference a year makes.
   
10. Going to the World Horror Convention in New Orleans was not only a fabulous vacation which I was thrilled to enjoy with my best friend in the whole world, but I also got over my fear of putting myself out there as a writer. I also met some extraordinary people, including my editor, RJ Cavender, for whom "thank you" is not enough.
    
    
11. Speaking of RJ, he gets his own gratitude number. I am so lucky to have met him, and his work on my manuscript has taught me things I will carry with me always. He is also responsible for introducing me to an agent and giving me the courage to submit to her, and for that...well...just...that is huge. I will always be grateful.
    
    
    
    
12. 
    My best friend, Mike, gave me a printer and part of my Christmas gift office chair, plus he recommended several great apps for my iPad and the Scrivener software for my computer. He went with me to New Orleans. Moreover, he has listened to endless hours of me rattling on about my story without trying to push me to write the story his way, and that is rare. He has been supportive in every way a friend can be, and after almost 30 years of friendship, I am still honored to know him.

Where I've been (Among other things)

Writery Things
During the month of November, I was quiet here, but my writing life has been extremely busy.

In October, I had a conversation with an agent, and she recommended to me that I increase the length of the novel in order to make it more marketable to mainstream publishers. Thus, I spent the three weeks leading up to Thanksgiving completing a 30,000 word addition to the text. The manuscript draft is now in the hands of my editor. After taking a week to catch my breath, I've begun planning the sequel while I wait for the annotations to come back. I'm also taking time to do some research, and I can't wait to use what I learn in the next book. Once my editor is finished looking through the text, I'll make corrections and then send it off with hopes of finding representation.


I'm also very excited to announce that I'll be attending The Stanley Hotel Writer's Retreat in October of 2014! It's a week-long retreat at the hotel that was the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining. The event has been written up on FEARNet and on FANGORIA®, and I absolutely cannot wait. I haven't been to Estes Park in years, and to spend the time doing something I love with great people in such an inspiring location is a dream come true.

Readery Things 

The book club I lead has been reading classic horror this year, and we just completed Bram Stoker's Dracula. We've been comparing the book to various onscreen interpretations, including the new NBC television series. Everyone agrees that while the show departs significantly from the text of the novel, we love what the writers are doing and find Jonathan Rhys Meyers depiction compelling and exciting. If you haven't had a chance to catch this great show, I highly recommend it.


At the beginning of the year, I set myself a challenge to read 50 books, which works out to approximately a book a week, and I'm seven books away from reaching that goal. Many of the books I read were part of a series. Last year, I read all of the George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) series, and this year it was Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series that dominated my reading list. This year also saw the end of Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Mysteries, an ending that was bittersweet for me. I kept up with Karen Marie Moning's Fever series by reading her newest and thoroughly entertaining installment, Iced (I'm very much looking forward to reading Burned once it's released). I also read Cassandra Claire's Mortal Instruments series and the Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Several standalone novels were part of my reading list, including most memorably Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane which was stunningly lyrical and heartbreaking.

Doggy Things (Because Layla is annoyed at not being the center of attention)
I'm just going to leave this here. Her face speaks for itself.

 
Your Turn...

Tell me stuff!

• What are you reading/writing?
• What's the best thing that's happened with you this year so far?
• What are you looking forward to next year?
• What is your pet doing right now?

Eagle Radio Interview with Thomas Gilson

Yesterday, I was interviewed by Thomas Gilson from Central Methodist University’s Eagle Radio about my writing. Since Blogger, WordPress, and Facebook all lack the ability to post audio files, I created a Tumblr account in order to host the interview file in it's entirety. Tom and I had a lot of fun doing the interview together, and I think it came out pretty well. I hope you all enjoy!

• Eagle Radio Interview with Thomas Gilson

If you would like to hear more from Tom or listen to Eagle Radio, click through and just hit play.

Exciting News!

I've kept it under my hat for a month, wanting to wait till there was something definite to say, but it's time. People have been asking me about the book, and I'm ready now to talk about the reason for my delay.

In September, I made arrangements with R.J. Cavender from The Editorial Department to annotate my manuscript of Ma Chère Antoinne. Yesterday, I got them back from him, and I don't think I've ever made such a great investment in myself.

Annotation, for those of you who don't know, consists of notes that are made throughout the document. I'm notorious for annotating my books at home (though never library books, I swear), and it's the same technique I use when grading papers in my composition classes. Some of the notes are corrections or suggestions while others are reactions to the text. It's a way of interacting between reader and writer--a conversation.

I think if I hadn't had the experience of giving just these kinds of notes to others, I'd have felt very defensive and frightened at the prospect of reading through 265 pages of someone else's commentary on my work. But setting ego aside and seeing the annotations as a conversation rather than a threat makes a potentially anxiety-ridden situation into a learning experience that can be transformative.

Having the right editor makes all the difference. That sounds obvious, but it truly isn't.

I've seen "editors" who simply marked sentence level issues but who never really appeared to engage with the text. That's not editing. That's proofreading. I've also seen "editors" who try to force a writer to give up his/her own voice in order to make the content fit their own desires. That's not editing either. That's rewriting.

Good editing, just like good teaching, engages in a conversation with the writer, reacting to what is working right as well as to what isn't.

The best situation is when an editor's sensibilities match those of the writer. They just "get" it. They understand the writer's intent and help hone the text to achieve that goal.

That's exactly how I feel as I'm studying the notes. I couldn't be happier with the work R.J. did for me, and I can't thank him enough for his attention to detail. I'm only just starting Chapter 6, and I can already see how much cleaner, tighter, and better the text has become. Not only that, but I'm starting to internalize the lessons I'm gleaning from his notes, and that is a gift I will carry with me always.

All this means that Book 2 is on hold while I complete my changes. But after learning what R.J. has to say, I'm confident that Book 1 is going to be vastly improved, and the things I'm learning will carry over into the rest of the series.

By nature, I want what I want when I want it, and I have a hard time waiting patiently for the things I've set my mind on. I'm most impatient with myself. It's easy for me to become annoyed with myself for not being able to complete a project as quickly as I'd like. However, when it comes to my writing, I remind myself that the wait will be worth it, both for me and for those who will read it.

Writing a book is like deciding to run a marathon. It's not something you can just wake up one morning and do. It takes training, time, planning, dedication, and a willingness to accept that natural talent on it's own isn't going to get you to the finish line. It means getting up every morning, even on the days when you don't feel like it, all with the belief that the achievement will make any short-term hardship fade in time.

Writing a series is like running a series of marathons back to back. That is what I've taken on.

So please be patient with me. I'm running as fast as I can. And I promise to make it worth the wait.

Delicate Balance

Made more progress on Book 2 today, and it's definitely going to some very dark places. This time the stakes are even higher, and you'll learn a lot more about all of the characters. Everyone has something to hide, and as events unfold, they'll all have much more to lose as well.

Today, I did a little research on Chicago and Venice in order to fill in more details on the chapters I've already written, fleshing out a few essential specifics and dropping some subtle foreshadowing of what's to come while I was at it. Then I tightened the writing and completed a first revision of the text.

I tend to do at least four revisions before I do a detailed proofreading. Those are usually not done until I'm through with an entire section, but since I made a few changes/tweaks to the plot that will follow through the rest of this half of the novel, I needed to make sure the earlier chapters adequately lead up to what happens next.

Tomorrow, I'm getting back into the swing of things after work. I've got two more weeks till the students return, so I want to make the most of my time in the evenings between now and then. I'm setting aside three hours every night after work, and then on the weekend I'm writing at least four hours. This will be my last long weekend before the summer is over.

It matters to me that as I write, I strike a delicate balance of giving just the right amount of description. I am not likely to have long descriptive passages or soliloquizing narration that doesn't move the plot forward. Having been a technical writer and having taught it for several years now, I work hard to keep the writing concise, tight, and compelling. Readers need some room for their imaginations to work, and too much detail can ruin a scene, bog down the flow of the story, and slow down the pace. Plus, I don't want to give too much away too fast and spoil the surprises. Everyone has secrets, and I intend to make sure they're not revealed until the right moment. This series should keep you on an intensely thrilling ride, and that is only achieved if I keep things moving forward. I also want each chapter to propel you into the next, driving you to keep reading to find out what happens next. That means several cliffhangers that motivate the reader to breathlessly turn the pages one after another till the end. To me, that's the ultimate sign of success--a reader who can't wait for the next chapter. Every piece of description has a purpose. Every factual detail is there for a reason.

I don't have a title yet, but it's in the works. I'm kicking around a few ideas, and once I've found one that sticks, I'll be making an announcement. In the meantime, I'm promising more thrills, more danger, and more excitement.

Self-Promotion for Introverts

So you've written a great book. You've had a good editor go through it to make the manuscript the best it can be. You've bought a fabulous cover from a graphic artist. You've uploaded the book to CreateSpace, Smashwords, Kindle, Nook, Kobo. It's there, ready to be read. Only problem is, you are afraid of the whole selling aspect of the process. Facebook and Twitter and blogging seem like distractions from what you really want to do, which is sit alone in a quiet space and write your heart out.

I know a lot of authors who are introverted people. That makes sense, really. Writing is primarily a solitary activity. That personality trait is an asset to writers in that respect. However, there are some serious downsides to being an introverted author as well.

Just the other day, I saw an author post on her Facebook page "I'm not really comfortable with self-promotion," and then she proceeded awkwardly asking people to sort of, kind of, maybe look at her book if it wasn't too much trouble.

I understand wanting to seem humble, but this sort of approach to the situation only made her seem to have no confidence in the quality of her work. No one will buy a book from a person who seems to feel that they're not offering anything of value. If you're not certain of yourself, no one else will be either. And if you're not comfortable telling people about your work, then maybe a career in writing is not for you.

Yes, being an author is about writing. But you also have to think about the business end of the process too. You're creating a product. That product won't sell if you're not willing to put yourself out there and promote it.

Even famous authors who "have people for that" still do their own promotion in addition. They go on book tours and to conferences. They make speeches. They make commercials. They blog about their projects. They tweet about their work. They are interviewed by journalists. All of that is self-promotion. And that is half of the work of being an author, if you plan on making a career out of it.

You are not just selling the book. You're selling yourself. You're selling your name as a brand. And people want confidence in the product they're buying, whether it's a novel or a pair of pants. Coke didn't become a household name without the executives being willing to promote it. The same is true for authors.

The main problem seems to me to be a matter of confidence and of not wanting to seem like you're an egomaniac. But it's important to remember that being confident does not make you a braggart. Unless you plan on just passing around a copy of your book for friends and family or are content being the next Emily Dickenson and waiting to publish after you're long dead, you're going to have to get over the fear of self-promotion.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Who else knows your story better than you do? 
• Who else understands your vision completely? 
• Who else do you trust to fully express those ideas to others? 

Even if you've got a publishing contract with a top agency, you are going to be expected to step forward and say "Hey! I wrote this thing, I'm proud of it, and I think you'll like it because of X, Y, Z." And if you're self-publishing, there is just you as a one-person show to sell others on your work. So stop selling yourself short and get busy!

Having an online presence only works if you make it work for you. That doesn't mean posting "BUY MY BOOK" over and over. It means building a rapport with people who are interested in the same things you're interested in. It means networking with other authors in your same genre. And yes, occasionally saying "MY BOOK IS AWESOME, AND YOU SHOULD BUY IT!" Your writing should make you excited. And excitement is infectious.

If you think your work isn't good enough, work harder. Make it better. It's that simple.

If you've done your best, then get busy telling people about it so they can be as energized by what you've written as you were when you sat down in that room by yourself and let your imagination go. You've got to be passionate, head-over-your-heels, bursting-at-the-seams excited about your story to carry it through to the end when you're writing. Let that passion drive you and guide you to then share your creation with the world. Because that is what is at the heart of self-promotion. It's not begging for money. It's giving readers all of the emotion and effort that you put into what you made. It's sharing your imagination with the world.

Character Interview: Claire Marie

1. What is your name? Do you have a nickname?
   

   My name is Claire Marie Hapsburg. At least, that's my name right now. I've had many nicknames. *smiles*

2. What is your hair color? Eye color?
   

   I have blonde hair and blue eyes.

3. Who are your friends and family? Who do you surround yourself with? Who are the people you are closest to?
   

   My...child is named Raul. I have other children who died, and I think about them all the time. *pauses, looking away for a moment, then smiles, looking back up* My assistant, Crystal, helps me run my antique shop. She and I are good friends. There are very few people I would say I'm close to. I have my reasons.

4. Where were you born? Where have you lived since then? Where do you call home?
   

   I was born in Austria, and I've lived many places since that time. Currently, I live in the Central West End of St. Louis, Missouri.

5. Where do you go when you're angry?
   

   *laughs* I try not to let that happen.

6. What is your biggest fear? Who have you told this to? Who would you never tell this to? Why?
   

   *shifty eyes* I can't answer that question.

7. Do you have a secret?
   

   Darling, you don't get to be my age without having secrets.

8. What makes you laugh out loud?
   

   My sweet little dog, Pom Pom.

9. When have you been in love? Had a broken heart?
   

   Oh, many times. But I try to leave the past where it is. No sense in rehashing old wounds.

10. What is in your refrigerator right now? On your bedroom floor? On your nightstand? In your garbage can?
    

    *raises an eyebrow* In my refrigerator? Well, not food. My bedroom floor has lovely antique rugs. My nightstand has an alarm clock, a lamp, and whatever book I'm reading at the time. As for my garbage can, I recycle most things, so there is very little in the garbage can. Raul insists upon it.

11. Look at your feet. Describe what you see there.
    

    I love high heels. I always have.

12. When you think of your childhood kitchen, what smell do you associate with it? Why is that smell so resonant for you?
    

    *shakes head* I never was allowed to be in the kitchen. I was scolded for being in the way. But I associate my childhood with the scent of roses. The gardens at home were full of them. *soft smile*

13. You are doing intense spring cleaning. What is easy for you to throw out? What is difficult for you to part with? Why?
    

    It is easy for me to part with most things, but I have a real attachment to items from my past, especially things that are related to my childhood or to my children.

14. It’s Saturday at noon. What are you doing? Give details.
    

    *chuckles* Sleeping, of course. I work at night, so I am never up that early.

15. What is one strong memory that has stuck with you from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?
    

    Hmm...I remember my grandmother teaching me to sew and to do decorative needlework. It was one of the few things she said I did truly well. She was a hard woman, my grandmother. It wasn't easy to please her. I was proud to earn her praise in that.

16. You are getting ready for a night out. Where are you going? What do you wear? Who will you be with?
    

    A night out? *smiles* I work nights, generally, so I wear a lot of sweater sets. I do love to dress up, but I don't have so many occasions to do so these days.

17. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
    

    *soft laugh* I can't answer that.

18. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
    

    *bites lip thoughtfully* Perfect happiness would be spending time with my family.

19. What is your current state of mind?
    

    I'm very well, thank you.

20. What is your favorite occupation?
    

    I own an antique shop. Of the various occupations I've had, it's the most relaxing.

21. What is your most treasured possession?
    

    Oh, I have several. I can't really choose one. I keep them locked away.

22. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
    

    *sighs* I am afraid it hurts too much to answer that question, my dear.

23. What is your favorite journey?
    

    *raises an eyebrow* Favorite journey? I'm a homebody, so I'd rather not travel any more than necessary.

24. What is your most marked characteristic?
    

    My sense of style. Everyone says so.

25. When and where were you the happiest?
    

    *shifts uncomfortably* Are all these questions like this?  I really don't want to answer that.

26. What is it that you most dislike?
    

    Being alone.

27. Which living person do you most despise?
    

    Is this a trick question? I honestly can't answer this either. Next!

28. What is your greatest regret?
    

    *looks away* These questions are unpleasant. I thought you said this would be a fun activity. *frowns* Losing my children.

29. Which talent would you most like to have?
    

    I am not musical.

30. Where would you like to live?
    

    I'm happy where I am.

31. What is the quality you most like in a man?
    

    Loyalty.

32. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
    

    Strength of will.

33. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
    

    I often give my trust too easily.

34. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
    

    Lying.

35. What do you most value in your friends?
    

    Loyalty and sincerity.

36. Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
    

    Hmm...Lestat de Lioncourt. I do enjoy Anne Rice's excellent novels.

37. On what occasions do you lie?
    

    *laughs* Oh darling, a lady never tells.

38. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
    

    You had probably best ask Raul that question. I never pay attention to a thing I say.

39. How would you like to die?
    

    *big laugh* Is there anyone who has an answer to that? I'd prefer it never happens.

New Orleans World Horror Convention Wrap Up

I spent last week in New Orleans, attending the World Horror Convention. In addition to making some new friends, I also pitched my book and sat in on several great panel discussions that taught me a lot about the market and about genre publishing.

The Hotel Monteleone

Fantastic Swag from the WHC

 

Video of some of the things I saw/did in New Orleans

The pitch sessions went extremely well. I've sent off my manuscript to three different people, and now the waiting begins. Hopefully, I'll know something in a month or so.

In the meantime, I'm going to be working on Book 2 (still untitled), and trying to get ahead on that while I've got my momentum going. I also want to get as much done as possible before the summer is over. Once the fall semester starts, I'll have to slow down a little on my writing once more in order to keep up with my other obligations.

The next book has already been outlined, and I've written up a plan for the chapters. Of course, as I write, the characters may lead me in ways I haven't anticipated, but that's what I love. I have some new characters added into the mix that I think people will really enjoy, and I'm doing a great deal of research to prep my mind for what lies ahead.

• Of course, I've got a lot of background info for my characters. I never like to be too tied to literal facts when the story can benefit from embellishment, but I do think it's absolutely essential to read as much as I can about the real lives of the people I'm writing about before I just start making stuff up. Then again, they are vampires, so you can't expect everything to be factual in every detail. This is fiction, not biography.
• I'm also going to be taking a course in forensics over the fall semester, which I'm extremely excited about. I've already bought the book and have taken tons of notes, poring through it in detail. I think it will enhance what I've already written and open up new avenues throughout the series.
  

The entire experience left me feeling even more energized to keep working and improving and moving forward with the next part of the story. I hope that in the next few weeks and months to have some exciting news. Whether or not a publishing deal comes out of the convention, I'm more determined than ever that if those three people aren't interested, I will find the folks who are. Patience and hard work will eventually pay off.

Revisions, Revisions, Revisions

I did it! The whole thing is done!! 

Now the real work begins - fine tuning it until it's ready for submission. 

I already completed global edits, reading through it three times to check for plot flow and storyline detail consistency. That leaves proofreadung and final editorial additions/subtractions/changes. 

For me, the best way for me to ensure that I catch every error is to read it out loud. If I stumble over my words as I read aloud, then there's something wrong that I need to fix. Generally it's a typo or missing comma, but I sometimes also catch repeated words that need variation in the text or fixing voice to make each character sound distinct from all the others. It's meticulous and time consuming. I have a week and a half before the conference. Good thing I have taught writing and been a tech writer and proofreader in my past. I have the experience to do that sort of work quickly. 

I know that any publisher will want to have their own editor go through it if they plan to accept my book, and if I decide to self publish instead, I'll hire someone to do that for me. Even award winners need an editor. But my whole life has been preparing me for this, and though I know some people groan at editing work, I really actually enjoy the process. To me, that's what makes the difference between a good story and one that knocks your socks off. I've seen typos in famous people's books, and those errors really stand out to me. I don't want that to happen to people reading my book. I don't want any errors to distract the readers and pull them out of the story. 

Wish me luck! 

Editing is Happening...

Just printed my book, all but the last four chapters which are still in process. Starting editing/proof reading today.

I love it when a plan comes together....

Exciting things are happening this week! I'm on a five day staycation, spending my time finishing up my novel. By the end of my time off on Tuesday night, I intend to have the first draft totally completed and be ready for edits.

In order to make it easier to make that happen, several things had to be in place.

On the Homefront:

After a very long wait, my new home office is completely finished and my furniture and books are all in place. No more blaming my surroundings for unproductive days. I love the colors, I love the furniture, and I love being surrounded by books. The room is comfortable and finished exactly the way I envisioned. I can't imagine a better space for writing than this, and I feel such a sense of peace knowing that now it's complete and I can focus my energies on more important things.

Layla insisted that there was not enough emphasis on dogs in the room, but now that I've added her bed to the space, she's forgiven me. She makes a good writing companion. She is quiet when I need it, reminds me when it's time to eat, and listens without interruption to my ideas. She also reminds me that sometimes you have to get up and walk around and get a little exercise too, and that helps me stay fresh and focused. Maybe someday I'll write a book about her, but she's okay with that project staying on the back burner...for now.

In my World of Pure Imagination:

I have been doing some more research and backstory creation for my characters, finding ways to flesh them out in my mind so I can do the same on paper.

• New Characters - There are a couple of new characters that I'm introducing into the text. One will be added to chapters I've already written, taking a character who was previously unnamed and barely described and giving her life. I decided that her character deserved more attention, and therefore she will be highlighted in places and given more time centerstage. She adds an element of authenticity and realism that I think enhances the storyline I've already written. The other new character is one that I initially wrote, then removed, and now have decided belongs in the story after all. It's a minor character, but still necessary for good storytelling, I think.
• Research - I've been doing some research for those characters based on historical figures, and I'm very excited with what I've found. One character in particular turned out to have a true story and myth surrounding her that almost exactly mirrors what I'd already dreamed up on my own. I love that my creative mind came up with something that is very nearly the truth, and I now feel that I have much more firm ground to stand on when filling in her backstory for my readers.
• Attention to Detail - It's important to me that I get my forensic details right. To that end, I had a long discussion with a professor of forensics who invited me to sit in on his course this fall. He also suggested some readings for me, and I'm taking his advice to heart. I hope that my story will benefit from what I learn, both in this book and in the sequel. Yep, you heard me. SEQUEL.
• Sequel - I'm certain that this book is a series now. I'd tried to talk myself out of that, but it started to feel rushed, and my characters have much more to say than one book's worth of material. This storyline is only just beginning, and I can see a lot more exciting things to come as they progress. You may as well settle in and get comfortable. Get a snack. I've got a long story to tell, and it's only getting more exciting with each chapter.

No Vampires in Pop Culture Feature this Week

This week is hectic in the extreme, but soon the semester will be over and I'll have a little breathing room to do the things I really need to get done. In addition to finishing Ma Chère Antoinne, I have some reviews to write, my garden to get in, some doctor's appointments, and I'll be moving into my new office upstairs at last (photos to come). My Vampires in Pop Culture Feature will be delayed until next week, but I plan to make it a great one.

In the meantime, enjoy the lovely spring weather with all its radiance and splendor.

Nook and iBook and Paperback! Oh my! We're not in Kindle anymore....

I'm formatting the sneak peek for Nook and iBook as we speak.

Well, it's more like I'm waiting for them to verify my sales while I make another pot of coffee and keep hitting the refresh button, but you get the picture.

At any rate, people asked me about other formats, so I'm setting up my accounts and getting familiar with the formatting expectations and software peculiarities specific to those platforms. The learning curve is smacking me in the face right now. However, once I get through the process with this sneak peek version, it should make it much easier once I'm ready to upload the complete book since I'll know what I'm doing by then.

My CreateSpace account is set up and waiting as well, so once the book is finished, all I have to do is upload the file and paperbacks will be available too. I plan to pay the nominal fee to make them available through bookstore distributors.

The timing of all this hinges on whether I get a publisher/agent or not. I'm certainly hoping so, because I'd rather be writing than fiddling with technical issues of the uploads. However, if it doesn't happen this summer, I'll be selling the book myself while I keep sending in submissions. Either way, the book will be published, and I fully intend to keep on writing regardless.

So while I'm cursing the screen and searching for the last Oreo in the package out of frustration, I'm also really excited and happy. Even good change can be stressful. But this time last year, I didn't have a book at all and didn't have a thought of needing to learn this stuff. Writing was just something I did in my spare time. Publishing it was something I dreamed about but never thought I could actually do. I'm not sure what pushed me over the edge, but there was this little voice inside that said "It's time."

And so here I am, doing the thing I always wanted to do and trusting that there will be an audience who loves the story as much as I do. Trusting myself to tell it. And trusting that "someday" is almost here.

Thank you!

I am honored and thrilled that my one day only sale was such a success! Wow! Thank you to everyone who downloaded the book and to those who shared the link with others as well. By the end of the sale, the sneak peek was ranked #49 in Historical Fiction, and #1966 overall in Free Kindle books, so that makes me really excited and grateful.





I hope you all enjoy it. It's just a taste of what's to come in the full version, but I hope it's enough to whet your appetite.

The book is nearly complete. I plan to have the first draft done by the end of the month, then spend 2-4 weeks on edits. I'm still on track for a summer release, and though I don't yet have a firm date, as soon as I know when it will be available, I will let you know.

If you would like early notice, please email me at deliaremington13@gmail.com and I will add you to my mailing list.

You can also "like" my Facebook page to find out about events and giveaways I'll be doing as the time draws near.

Thank you again, and happy reading!

FREE! Cinco De Mayo Special this Sunday!

ONE DAY ONLY!

On Sunday, May 5, the Sneak Peek Edition of my upcoming novel, Ma Chère Antoinne, is free on Amazon Kindle!

If you haven't read it, there's no better time to check it out! And if you already have your copy, share it with your friends! It's free all day! 

Click here to download:
Sneak Peek Edition, Ma Chère Antoinne

My Plot is Doing Double Dutch

I'm driving myself crazy.

I have my outline. I've planned out my chapters. I know exactly what is supposed to happen. I can envision the scene in my mind like a movie. I've done my prewriting. But when I get to my computer, I find myself just staring at the screen and can't seem to start.

Somehow it feels as though I'm just waiting for something to happen. I can't tell what that thing is, unfortunately.

People have asked me if I'm afraid it won't be perfect. I don't think that's it.

My story has been in my mind for so long now, I feel as though it's already going. All the balls are in the air, I just have to jump in and juggle them.

Or to put it better, it's like my characters and my plot are doing a furious double dutch, and I have to jump in there and dance with it rather than trip over myself and mess the whole thing up.

 

SFC Double Dutch "Too Much Pressure"

Okay, so maybe it is fear of imperfection that's stopping me after all.

I'm going to take William Faulkner's advice and just write it down, even if it's bad. I can always come back and rework it, right? Right.

Just get it down.