Tomorrow is Valentine's, in case you forgot. I have already gotten my sweetheart his present and card; "he" has already gotten my gift, too. (I bought some dishes for the house and told him that's what he got me--yes, I really am that romantic.) The funny thing is that my husband is actually quite wonderful at romance and remembering special occasions and he puts up with my surly attitude toward those things.
Yes, it's true. I read romance novels and write romantic stories, but I am quite possibly the least romantic person I know. Shh. Don't tell anyone.
I try for him. I really do. It's just easier for me to be loving in little ways throughout the year. I leave notes for him on Post-Its in his wallet or on the car steering wheel, I try to make sure we never run out of his favorite drinks in the refrigerator, I learned to properly use spices in my cooking for him, I don't pitch a fit when he wants to have boys' nights out, I take care of things he doesn't like or doesn't have time to do. Like right now, I'm working on a spreadsheet for him that he needs for work. I have to input roughly 1500 pages of data, then email it to him. I do not miss my days of spreadsheet maintenance. But if I don't do it, he'd be stuck at the office until God-knows-when all week. He'd be grumpy, the kid would be grumpy (she likes him or something--I don't get it, either), and I'd rather have both of them happy. To me, this is true love. It's the daily grind, the bad days and the low points that melt away in the memories of the great days and the high points. It's hearing him walk through the door at the end of the day and feeling like everything is okay because we're together. It's knowing that I'm better off with him than without him.
Okay, so maybe I am a tiny bit romantic. Please don't tell.
I've been under a great deal of stress over the last few months and late last week, I had a "screw everything" moment. I'm clearly not going to finish One Good Cowboy if I keep pushing myself. I can make slow and steady progress, but if progress is what I want, I need to find it in other places, too. Places like drafting other stories, getting my books formatted for AllRomance, outlining my website redesign, revisiting The Guest, reading, taking on household projects I've been putting off. So when I sit down at night, I still open up One Good Cowboy and I still work on it. I got a page done last night and I'm hoping for another page tonight. But I'm trying not to stress out about it.
One thing that is stressing me out, in the best possible way, is Morgan's Choice. Ugh, it's so action-packed. But I'm going to take a moment here (again) to flail my arms and deteriorate into asdjfk. Archaeology. Archaeology in science fiction. Real archaeology done by a real academic. I keep having to take moments in order to flail my hands around for real. I mean, let's just completely ignore Ravindra and Morgan, let's ignore the politics and the technology. Let's just for a moment look at the fact that archaeology as a practice plays a significant role in this science fiction novel and let's for a moment completely geek out about that fact.
As if I needed another reason to love Ms. van der Rol. I cannot wait for her next book.
I have to go flail again.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Blog Roundup: February 6 - 12, 2012
I guess this kind of goes along with my Ten Things I Have Learned From The Muse post: Chuck Wendig wrote about 25 Reasons That Writers Are Bug-Fuck Nuts. I also enjoyed his Flash Fiction Challenge: The Unlikable Protagonist. I'm sure regular readers are well aware of my fondness for unlikable characters by now.
Um, so this isn't so much about writing as it is me fangirling, but Greta van der Rol posted that her next book, Starheart, is due out about nine days from now. Who else is excited? Because I sure am!
Roni Loren posted about 5 Muse Abusers over at her new blog. Her Fill-Me-In Friday was also full of useful writing links. I think that this will be the last week I check her blog. All of the advertising is kind of getting to me. I wish her success, but I go to read her blog, not to be reminded six or more times on a single page that her book is available.
Emily Veinglory's post about Cogwheel Press over at Erotic Romance caught my eye.
Have you checked out Kindle Author? In particular, I'm quite fond of the heads up on free books.
R. S. Guthrie hosted a guest post from Sevastian Winters about the price point. I really enjoy posts like these because they treat self-publishing as a business. It's not going to make me raise my prices on my current books--I have a reason for pricing things the way I have--but I do find it encouraging.
Check out Aimee Salter's continuation of her self-editing posts: #8, #9.
Sierra Godfrey, as always, made her Google Reader Roundup post. (Does anyone else picture the Google logo wearing a cowboy hat? No? Just me, then?)
Stella Deleuze's tip of the week was especially useful to me this week. I'm still in the process of editing and, man, I am wordy and repetitive.
This guest post over at Written Words made me smile. We're all a little mad here...
Um, so this isn't so much about writing as it is me fangirling, but Greta van der Rol posted that her next book, Starheart, is due out about nine days from now. Who else is excited? Because I sure am!
Roni Loren posted about 5 Muse Abusers over at her new blog. Her Fill-Me-In Friday was also full of useful writing links. I think that this will be the last week I check her blog. All of the advertising is kind of getting to me. I wish her success, but I go to read her blog, not to be reminded six or more times on a single page that her book is available.
Emily Veinglory's post about Cogwheel Press over at Erotic Romance caught my eye.
Have you checked out Kindle Author? In particular, I'm quite fond of the heads up on free books.
R. S. Guthrie hosted a guest post from Sevastian Winters about the price point. I really enjoy posts like these because they treat self-publishing as a business. It's not going to make me raise my prices on my current books--I have a reason for pricing things the way I have--but I do find it encouraging.
Check out Aimee Salter's continuation of her self-editing posts: #8, #9.
Sierra Godfrey, as always, made her Google Reader Roundup post. (Does anyone else picture the Google logo wearing a cowboy hat? No? Just me, then?)
Stella Deleuze's tip of the week was especially useful to me this week. I'm still in the process of editing and, man, I am wordy and repetitive.
This guest post over at Written Words made me smile. We're all a little mad here...
Saturday, February 11, 2012
SitRep Saturday: Slow Going on One Good Cowboy
I'm almost embarrassed to make this post. This week, I've only managed to edit up to page five (of fourteen) of One Good Cowboy. I could offer up a bunch of reasons but, really, they're just excuses. I'm plugging away. I'm determined to finish.
The cover is going to need some work. The story is no longer a novelette. Word count and flow is placing it firmly in short story category. Which is fine. As I was explaining to my sister this week, I'm not out to write the Great American Novel. I'm just hoping to offer people like me a few minutes or half an hour of entertainment throughout the course of their days.
The cover is going to need some work. The story is no longer a novelette. Word count and flow is placing it firmly in short story category. Which is fine. As I was explaining to my sister this week, I'm not out to write the Great American Novel. I'm just hoping to offer people like me a few minutes or half an hour of entertainment throughout the course of their days.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
On Writing: Ten Things I Have Learned From The Muse
Like most authors, I have a muse. He has come and gone in various incarnations since I was about eleven, which was when I started taking writing seriously. (I wrote series of stories about a team of marine biologists in southern California. I drew book covers, printed the stories, and even bound them with glue and ribbon.) For a while, the muse was a marine biology grad student, then he was a vampire, then he was a Rebel Alliance pilot, and now he's a sloppy, honest punk with a penchant for red sheets and whiskey. He's a lot like the invisible friend most of us had as kids. (This is probably why that famous quote about writing being a "socially acceptable form of schizophrenia" exists.) I know my mother thought I was crazy for many years. She still thinks I'm a little off, but I have letters from several doctors saying that I'm not crazy, so. Anyway, the muse has been valuable throughout my pursuit of this writing thing. He has taught me a lot. Following are ten of the lessons he keeps having to re-teach me.
1. Take chances.
You will not always be successful, but you're far more likely to regret not doing something that you really wanted to do than you are to regret doing something you really wanted to do that didn't work out the way you hoped.
2. Be honest.
With yourself and with your audience. Mostly with yourself. Readers can sense when you don't believe in what you're writing. Fiction writers lie for a living, but you have to believe your lie and you can't half-ass it and only tell half-lies.
3. Don't hold back.
Writing is not the place to be reserved. Reservations make boring writing. So don't half-ass it, no matter what it is. Don't censor yourself out of fear of audience opinion.
4. Write what you really want to read.
Not what you think some vague idea of an audience wants to read. It will be unsatisfying and if you're unsatisfied you're unmotivated. Lack of motivation leads to lack of writing, which leads to writers' hearts withering and dying in their chests. True story.
5. Accept that you're not always going to succeed the way you want.
Your splatterpunk humor series might fail. And that's okay. But you never know if you don't try. Especially when it comes to something new or extreme--or new and extreme--you have to be aware of the potential for "failure." How you define success and failure is up to you.
6. Be yourself.
You are unique and special, like a snowflake. Don't melt into a puddle of boring old water just to fit in. It's your uniqueness that makes you interesting and helps you stand out from the crowd.
7. Remember that you are not special.
There is at least one other person out in the world with a similar set of interests, likes, and dislikes as you. You are not alone. If you're lucky, you'll find that person and you'll really know how not-alone you are. If you haven't found that person yet, don't worry about it. They're out there. (Even if they're not, it helps to tell yourself this.)
8. You are not an island.
Particularly if you hope to have people read what you write, you need a network. You need readers, you need critics, and sometimes you just need to get out of your own head and talk about things. People are good for this. Animals and inanimate objects can be sounding boards in a pinch. (I use my kid to talk things out when I'm stuck. Only appropriate things, though.)
9. Less is more unless you really need more.
Don't mince words. Use the words you need, even if your head tells you that there are too many. Words aren't just about connotation. They're about denotation, setting the tone, showing the story. Words are the brick and mortar of story-building. Use enough of them!
10. Never give up, never give in, never give out.
Keep writing, keep writing what you like, and keep writing even when your fingers won't move anymore. Remember what I said about hearts withering and dying? That.
1. Take chances.
You will not always be successful, but you're far more likely to regret not doing something that you really wanted to do than you are to regret doing something you really wanted to do that didn't work out the way you hoped.
2. Be honest.
With yourself and with your audience. Mostly with yourself. Readers can sense when you don't believe in what you're writing. Fiction writers lie for a living, but you have to believe your lie and you can't half-ass it and only tell half-lies.
3. Don't hold back.
Writing is not the place to be reserved. Reservations make boring writing. So don't half-ass it, no matter what it is. Don't censor yourself out of fear of audience opinion.
4. Write what you really want to read.
Not what you think some vague idea of an audience wants to read. It will be unsatisfying and if you're unsatisfied you're unmotivated. Lack of motivation leads to lack of writing, which leads to writers' hearts withering and dying in their chests. True story.
5. Accept that you're not always going to succeed the way you want.
Your splatterpunk humor series might fail. And that's okay. But you never know if you don't try. Especially when it comes to something new or extreme--or new and extreme--you have to be aware of the potential for "failure." How you define success and failure is up to you.
6. Be yourself.
You are unique and special, like a snowflake. Don't melt into a puddle of boring old water just to fit in. It's your uniqueness that makes you interesting and helps you stand out from the crowd.
7. Remember that you are not special.
There is at least one other person out in the world with a similar set of interests, likes, and dislikes as you. You are not alone. If you're lucky, you'll find that person and you'll really know how not-alone you are. If you haven't found that person yet, don't worry about it. They're out there. (Even if they're not, it helps to tell yourself this.)
8. You are not an island.
Particularly if you hope to have people read what you write, you need a network. You need readers, you need critics, and sometimes you just need to get out of your own head and talk about things. People are good for this. Animals and inanimate objects can be sounding boards in a pinch. (I use my kid to talk things out when I'm stuck. Only appropriate things, though.)
9. Less is more unless you really need more.
Don't mince words. Use the words you need, even if your head tells you that there are too many. Words aren't just about connotation. They're about denotation, setting the tone, showing the story. Words are the brick and mortar of story-building. Use enough of them!
10. Never give up, never give in, never give out.
Keep writing, keep writing what you like, and keep writing even when your fingers won't move anymore. Remember what I said about hearts withering and dying? That.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Monday Miscellany: What I'm Reading, the New Kindle, One Good Cowboy
I am currently working my way through Greta van der Rol's Morgan's Choice whenever I get a few free minutes to read. I already read Supertech (more on that in a minute) and I just have to say: Ms. van der Rol, where have you been all my life?! I read some great books last year and discovered some pretty great independent authors, but--and no offense to the others, this is purely a matter of personal taste--she's my favorite. I loved the Iron Admiral books. I'm loving the Morgan Selwood books. (OMG, Morgan! I love how feisty and smart she is!) If I finish this one before Starheart comes out, and I might, I'm so going to read To Die a Dry Death. I would read that book even if history wasn't one of my Things. Seriously, she's really stinking good. If you like science fiction at all (she's in the same vein as Star Wars and Star Trek and I enjoy her work just as much as I enjoy Elizabeth Moon's and slightly more than I enjoy David Weber's) her books should be in your to-be-read pile. Especially if you're the sort of person who likes attractive men.
Supertech is the first book I read on my new Kindle. Yes, my new one. My old one--the one that kickstarted my self-publishing career move--died on me. I was pretty upset. Okay, I was beyond upset; no one should be that attached to an electronic device. I ignored that it wasn't working for several days and then I called Amazon customer support. We ran through all of the troubleshooting attempts I had already tried and then, because it was out of warranty, they offered me the option of a $65 replacement. I declined because, well, what was the point? So I went to order a new one (the introductory model) only to discover that Amazon doesn't ship that one to APO addresses. That's okay. The post exchange sells the one I wanted, anyway. So now I have a new Kindle and I have to say that even though I was wary of it (I may or may not have thrown a First World Problems fit over not wanting a new Kindle; I'm not proud of myself) I'm very, very happy with it. It's lighter, it's faster, and even with no keyboard, no speakers, and special offers, I still love it.
I read Supertech, as I mentioned. I bought Supertech and Morgan's Choice for myself for my birthday back at the beginning of December and then life happened and I didn't get a chance to read them. I also re-downloaded Stella Deleuze's Candlelight Sinner, which is next on my to-read list. Maybe. I could have sworn that I already bought No Wings Attached but I couldn't find it in my archived items at all, so I may have to get that one first and just read them back-to-back. And once I'm done with those, I think, I'm going to see about the new Dexter book. I know it's not indie, but... Dexter. Jeff Lindsay is so deliciously, deviously talented.
On Saturday, I mentioned that One Good Cowboy has been drafted. I've jumped straight into editing with my new perspective on writing and I have to say that things are going so much better now than they were before. I'm still shooting to be done by the end of the week, but we'll see how that goes. I have a lot of faith in myself--it's the housework I don't have faith in.
I'm trying not to think too much of the project to come after that. What I can tell you is what I'm hoping to complete for this week's blog schedule. I've been kicking around two blog post ideas: one on treating our audience as customers and one on the things I've learned from my muse.
Next week, in honor of Valentine's Day, I think I'm going to do an all about romance week. We'll see if I can get my act together in order to do it!
Supertech is the first book I read on my new Kindle. Yes, my new one. My old one--the one that kickstarted my self-publishing career move--died on me. I was pretty upset. Okay, I was beyond upset; no one should be that attached to an electronic device. I ignored that it wasn't working for several days and then I called Amazon customer support. We ran through all of the troubleshooting attempts I had already tried and then, because it was out of warranty, they offered me the option of a $65 replacement. I declined because, well, what was the point? So I went to order a new one (the introductory model) only to discover that Amazon doesn't ship that one to APO addresses. That's okay. The post exchange sells the one I wanted, anyway. So now I have a new Kindle and I have to say that even though I was wary of it (I may or may not have thrown a First World Problems fit over not wanting a new Kindle; I'm not proud of myself) I'm very, very happy with it. It's lighter, it's faster, and even with no keyboard, no speakers, and special offers, I still love it.
I read Supertech, as I mentioned. I bought Supertech and Morgan's Choice for myself for my birthday back at the beginning of December and then life happened and I didn't get a chance to read them. I also re-downloaded Stella Deleuze's Candlelight Sinner, which is next on my to-read list. Maybe. I could have sworn that I already bought No Wings Attached but I couldn't find it in my archived items at all, so I may have to get that one first and just read them back-to-back. And once I'm done with those, I think, I'm going to see about the new Dexter book. I know it's not indie, but... Dexter. Jeff Lindsay is so deliciously, deviously talented.
On Saturday, I mentioned that One Good Cowboy has been drafted. I've jumped straight into editing with my new perspective on writing and I have to say that things are going so much better now than they were before. I'm still shooting to be done by the end of the week, but we'll see how that goes. I have a lot of faith in myself--it's the housework I don't have faith in.
I'm trying not to think too much of the project to come after that. What I can tell you is what I'm hoping to complete for this week's blog schedule. I've been kicking around two blog post ideas: one on treating our audience as customers and one on the things I've learned from my muse.
Next week, in honor of Valentine's Day, I think I'm going to do an all about romance week. We'll see if I can get my act together in order to do it!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Blog Roundup: January 30 - February 5, 2012
Chuck Wendig wrote about the 25 Things You Should Know About Story Structure. Sometimes I diagram my stories. If they look like the graph he used as an article photo, I feel confident. I recommend it to other plotters.
Greta van der Rol wrote about an author who "breaks the rules" and how that works out for him (it's an excellent read if you're wondering which rules you can break and how). If you'll excuse my fangirl, she also wrote about a glowing review she received. If you're going to talk about your reviews, this is the way to do it. (Also: you should read her books. You really should.) (Also also: I'm currently reading Morgan's Choice and I cannot recommend it enough.)
Roni Loren hosted a guest post from Claire Ashgrove on the subject of developing subplots. She also asked if blog tours sell books. (I disagree to an extent. I think that you have to reach out to new audiences. I think sticking with blogs you know, blogs you know your audience reads or blogs that target the same audience you do, is where the danger in not selling books lies.) And she wrote about moving her blog to her main website and why.
Angel Zapata posted about severing her ties with Trestle Press due to copyright infringement issues. (Trestle Press, it seems, has been using copyrighted images on their book covers without permission or compensation or credit. Wow.)
Avery Olive posted definitions and explanations of ARCs and Galleys. If you're new to publishing terminology, it's a good post.
Keystrokes and Word Counts had a nice post on why writers do what we do. I complain about writing more often than I should, but I can't imagine life without it.
This post at McQuestionable Musings shares writing advice from Ira Glass. Read it. Especially if you're a "new" writer and even if you aren't. It's good to put things in perspective sometimes.
The Rapidly Evolving Role of Agent was posted over at Pub Rants. I frequently read about this phenomenon, but it's nice to see some specifics straight from an agent.
Aimee Salter continued her self-editing series with posts #6 and #7. If you've missed any posts, check out her self-editing tag.
When you're done here, head over to Sierra Godfrey's Google Reader Roundup.
Stella Deleuze wrote about proofreading as an underestimated profession; if you're hiring out the editing and proofreading of your manuscript, read that post. She also posted a tip of the week, this one on Twitter. I don't know about you, but everyone I follow on Twitter has been interesting or useful or entertaining to me in one way or another. I recommend that as the way to go. (And talk to them more. I should talk to the people I follow more often, I know.)
The Feckless Goblin asks if you should hire an editor to look at your book. (I agree, to an extent. If you can afford it or work a trade + have no experience in editing, then yes, absolutely.)
And in case you missed it, here on my blog, I interviewed Stella Deleuze to help celebrate the release of her new book, Candlelight Sinner.
Greta van der Rol wrote about an author who "breaks the rules" and how that works out for him (it's an excellent read if you're wondering which rules you can break and how). If you'll excuse my fangirl, she also wrote about a glowing review she received. If you're going to talk about your reviews, this is the way to do it. (Also: you should read her books. You really should.) (Also also: I'm currently reading Morgan's Choice and I cannot recommend it enough.)
Roni Loren hosted a guest post from Claire Ashgrove on the subject of developing subplots. She also asked if blog tours sell books. (I disagree to an extent. I think that you have to reach out to new audiences. I think sticking with blogs you know, blogs you know your audience reads or blogs that target the same audience you do, is where the danger in not selling books lies.) And she wrote about moving her blog to her main website and why.
Angel Zapata posted about severing her ties with Trestle Press due to copyright infringement issues. (Trestle Press, it seems, has been using copyrighted images on their book covers without permission or compensation or credit. Wow.)
Avery Olive posted definitions and explanations of ARCs and Galleys. If you're new to publishing terminology, it's a good post.
Keystrokes and Word Counts had a nice post on why writers do what we do. I complain about writing more often than I should, but I can't imagine life without it.
This post at McQuestionable Musings shares writing advice from Ira Glass. Read it. Especially if you're a "new" writer and even if you aren't. It's good to put things in perspective sometimes.
The Rapidly Evolving Role of Agent was posted over at Pub Rants. I frequently read about this phenomenon, but it's nice to see some specifics straight from an agent.
Aimee Salter continued her self-editing series with posts #6 and #7. If you've missed any posts, check out her self-editing tag.
When you're done here, head over to Sierra Godfrey's Google Reader Roundup.
Stella Deleuze wrote about proofreading as an underestimated profession; if you're hiring out the editing and proofreading of your manuscript, read that post. She also posted a tip of the week, this one on Twitter. I don't know about you, but everyone I follow on Twitter has been interesting or useful or entertaining to me in one way or another. I recommend that as the way to go. (And talk to them more. I should talk to the people I follow more often, I know.)
The Feckless Goblin asks if you should hire an editor to look at your book. (I agree, to an extent. If you can afford it or work a trade + have no experience in editing, then yes, absolutely.)
And in case you missed it, here on my blog, I interviewed Stella Deleuze to help celebrate the release of her new book, Candlelight Sinner.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
SitRep Saturday: One Good Cowboy and This Time Around
One Good Cowboy is completely drafted--again--and I've started the editing process--again. I feel much better about the story this time. The characters are right, the situation is right, the setting is right, the development is right. It's open-ended and the prospect of a longer sequel featuring a bigger conflict looms. So, too, does the prospect of a spin-off sequel featuring Heather's first target. I'm shooting to have it finished by next week, but you know how best intentions go.
Last night (okay, early this morning), I ended up listening to my muse and wrote the 3700 word action draft of a story tentatively titled This Time Around. Eric and Cynthia are thirty-somethings getting a second chance at intimate relationships. I really love their characters. It's a departure from my normal work just a bit, but I'm pleased with it. I'm pretty excited about getting the chance to finish it.
Last night (okay, early this morning), I ended up listening to my muse and wrote the 3700 word action draft of a story tentatively titled This Time Around. Eric and Cynthia are thirty-somethings getting a second chance at intimate relationships. I really love their characters. It's a departure from my normal work just a bit, but I'm pleased with it. I'm pretty excited about getting the chance to finish it.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Self-Publishing: On Sales (December 2011)
At the end of December, I posted about my sales data. I included data through November of 2011 since December's sales figures were not yet final. Now that January is over, December's sales figures are final and I thought, hey, why not share them again.
As before, I'm not sure this will be a regular thing, but for now, it seems useful to share my information with fellow self-published authors.
First, my last sales snapshot:
I put my first book out in August and my fourth in December. All four of my available titles are around 10,000 words, so I've priced them at $0.99. I've also run several free promotions at Smashwords.
Here are my numbers for November and December:
I would credit adding the fourth book for nearly doubling my sales, but the fact is that the bulk of all sales between November and December actually came from just one book. That one book definitely affected the rest of my book sales, but I suspect that even without the other three, that book would be selling.
As before, I'm not sure this will be a regular thing, but for now, it seems useful to share my information with fellow self-published authors.
First, my last sales snapshot:
I put my first book out in August and my fourth in December. All four of my available titles are around 10,000 words, so I've priced them at $0.99. I've also run several free promotions at Smashwords.
Here are my numbers for November and December:
I would credit adding the fourth book for nearly doubling my sales, but the fact is that the bulk of all sales between November and December actually came from just one book. That one book definitely affected the rest of my book sales, but I suspect that even without the other three, that book would be selling.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Author Interview: Stella Deleuze
That lovely woman you see to the right is author Stella Deleuze. Today, we're celebrating the release of her newest book, Candlelight Sinner! She was good enough to answer questions I threw at her and now we all get a sneak peek inside her mind. Are you excited? I'm excited!
First of all, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview!
No, thank you. I love your blog. Even though I haven't had time to visit often recently, I know I'll always find something interesting to read. Short, sharp and spot on. :-)
As a sequel to No Wings Attached, was it easier or more difficult to write Candlelight Sinner? Why?
More difficult. It's my first series and I didn't know how difficult it is to write one until I was actually confronted with writing it. The fine line between info-dumping and giving short references to the first book, as well as having to introduce the characters to the new readers without boring the old ones was a challenge. It picks up on the first book's story, yet works as a stand alone novel. I also had quite a gap between the books, which made it a little hard in the beginning to get back into the characters' heads. I always planned to have two, but after I spent so much time editing and polishing No Wings Attached, I just needed a break. When the characters called and my readers asked for the sequel, I began writing it. Despite the small difficulties, I loved the process as it's taking the characters on another level and the paranormal story forward.
Both novels have such great titles. How did you decide on Candlelight Sinner? Were there other titles you considered?Thank you. Gosh. That's a rather sensitive topic. I love strong titles. No Wings Attached (No Strings Attached), as well as Candlelight Sinner (Candlelight Dinner) took me a while. The actual title of No Wings Attached came to me just before I went to bed; struck me like lightning. So for the sequel I wanted to have a funny word-play again, but it was a painful journey to find it. I went through all sorts of titles, as I want it to reflect on the story, rather than just being pretty on the outside. To find something you could adapt isn't quite as easy as it seems. I'm perfectly happy with the result, though.
"Wish consultant" sounds like a modern language job title for a genie. I love it. Where did the idea for that description come from?
To be honest I didn't think of it until I decided to self-publish. I first had angel of wishes, but it was regularly misunderstood as 'angel' or the book being religious, which it's not. At all. And agents, I suppose, refused it immediately just reading 'angel' as it's overdone. So I had to come up with a solution for that dilemma. Never really thought about the genie-reference if I'm honest, but I quite like that.
What was your favorite part of writing Candlelight Sinner?
Without a doubt the fight-scenes and the witty banter between Celia and Tom and her and her friends. She's like me: a bit on the cheeky side, never really short of a come back. The fights were interesting, because with the exception of a few small episodes in the first book, I never really wrote supernatural/paranormal scenes. I loved it.
Who is your favorite character from the book? Why?
Sam. Hands down. He's what lets a girl's heart beat faster: he's got the raw sex-appeal, the charisma, the aura of danger around him. He's damn fit and my Beta readers confirmed he's their favourite man, too. Though Tom's rather gorgeous, as well. Both men combined would be the perfect mix.
Are you normally a fan of romantic comedies with a paranormal twist? What inspired No Wings Attached and Candlelight Sinner?
As far as I know there are no real paranormal romantic comedies out there. Most are romantic comedies, which I adore. Yes, I admit being a fan. I used to watch Charmed when I was younger and loved it. I loved Angel, Buffy and anything the like. But that's often referred to as paranormal or fantasy. It's probably what inspired the books. Although more by accident. The original theme is: angel of wishes falls in love (forbidden) with his client and then things get worse... The sequel has developed from the paranormal theme, though it's still not overpowering the romantic comedy/chick lit theme.
How did you find a cover artist? What direction, if any, did you give when it came to cover design?
Oh, one of my pet hates: cover art. I'm very very lucky to have a very very patient friend who created a few covers for No Wings Attached. It went through so many I was almost ready to have a white cover with a black font and nothing else. This book gave me grief. I had an exact idea, but as I don't know anything about cover art, it didn't work out. Candlelight Sinner, on the other hand, was super easy. I simply adore that cover. It's warm, it's strong and it's just amazing. Sessha Batto is amazingly talented and I owe her a lot.
What was your favorite part of writing Candlelight Sinner?
Without a doubt the fight-scenes and the witty banter between Celia and Tom and her and her friends. She's like me: a bit on the cheeky side, never really short of a come back. The fights were interesting, because with the exception of a few small episodes in the first book, I never really wrote supernatural/paranormal scenes. I loved it.
Who is your favorite character from the book? Why?
Sam. Hands down. He's what lets a girl's heart beat faster: he's got the raw sex-appeal, the charisma, the aura of danger around him. He's damn fit and my Beta readers confirmed he's their favourite man, too. Though Tom's rather gorgeous, as well. Both men combined would be the perfect mix.
Are you normally a fan of romantic comedies with a paranormal twist? What inspired No Wings Attached and Candlelight Sinner?
As far as I know there are no real paranormal romantic comedies out there. Most are romantic comedies, which I adore. Yes, I admit being a fan. I used to watch Charmed when I was younger and loved it. I loved Angel, Buffy and anything the like. But that's often referred to as paranormal or fantasy. It's probably what inspired the books. Although more by accident. The original theme is: angel of wishes falls in love (forbidden) with his client and then things get worse... The sequel has developed from the paranormal theme, though it's still not overpowering the romantic comedy/chick lit theme.
How did you find a cover artist? What direction, if any, did you give when it came to cover design?
Oh, one of my pet hates: cover art. I'm very very lucky to have a very very patient friend who created a few covers for No Wings Attached. It went through so many I was almost ready to have a white cover with a black font and nothing else. This book gave me grief. I had an exact idea, but as I don't know anything about cover art, it didn't work out. Candlelight Sinner, on the other hand, was super easy. I simply adore that cover. It's warm, it's strong and it's just amazing. Sessha Batto is amazingly talented and I owe her a lot.
When readers get hooked on your work, what else can we look forward to from Stella Deleuze?
My aim is to write two books this year; one horror thriller and one I'm calling a sob story. Both powerful books that will be completely different to what I've written so far, but certainly stick with a reader for a while. I'm also working on a themed cook book and I'm editing my literary fiction novel, which I will probably release at some point if I can't find a suitable home (agent/publisher) for it. For those who love my writing: fear not, I've plenty of ideas. But be prepared: I love to surprise.
See? She's awesome!
Stella blogs over at Words by Stella Deleuze.
No Wings Attached is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
Candlelight Sinner is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
My aim is to write two books this year; one horror thriller and one I'm calling a sob story. Both powerful books that will be completely different to what I've written so far, but certainly stick with a reader for a while. I'm also working on a themed cook book and I'm editing my literary fiction novel, which I will probably release at some point if I can't find a suitable home (agent/publisher) for it. For those who love my writing: fear not, I've plenty of ideas. But be prepared: I love to surprise.
See? She's awesome!
Stella blogs over at Words by Stella Deleuze.
No Wings Attached is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
Candlelight Sinner is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday Miscellany: Blog Posts, To-Do Lists, New Computers
It's Monday! You know what that means? You should go buy Stella Deleuze's Candlelight Sinner.
It also means that I have a random-ish post for you. And on the day of, too! How exciting for us all.
Tomorrow, I will be posting an author interview with Stella Deleuze. Be warned: she is adorable, intelligent, and funny. If you haven't noticed already, this blog is a fangirl-friendly zone, so feel free to squee over her as you see fit.
I finally buckled down this weekend and started breaking my to-do list into smaller, more manageable chunks based entirely on answering the question, "What do I have to accomplish to make me happy today?" Being "happy" for me is pretty much entirely reliant on being "productive" so that's a valid question. I managed to accomplish all of my to-do list yesterday and I'm on top of today's list, too.
One thing on today's to-do list that I'm not really looking forward to is calling Amazon. My Kindle has stopped working and I am kind of beside myself over it. I don't want to buy a new one. I like the one I have. If we can't get it fixed, though, I will end up buying a new one. It's silly that I've become so reliant on such a meaningless piece of technology, but I really, really love my Kindle. It makes reading so much easier. It gives me portable access to books like Candlelight Sinner and Morgan's Choice and it makes it easy for me to carry around The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Gone with the Wind.
I have mostly gotten my new computer set up the way I want it. I have all the programs I think I need and I've even started working on it (this post and the last one were written from it, I've written over 2,000 words of One Good Cowboy on it). It's strange adjusting to a full-size keyboard and to a screen on which I can actually see my entire blog and website, but it's working out well so far.
Do you want to see my new desktop image? Of course you do! It's Tim Armstrong. (At least until I commission the painting of Wes Janson and Hobbie Klivian from Kelsey McCarthy.) This photo is, apparently, from the 2007 KROQ Weenie Roast.
That sound you heard was me sighing happily.
It also means that I have a random-ish post for you. And on the day of, too! How exciting for us all.
Tomorrow, I will be posting an author interview with Stella Deleuze. Be warned: she is adorable, intelligent, and funny. If you haven't noticed already, this blog is a fangirl-friendly zone, so feel free to squee over her as you see fit.
I finally buckled down this weekend and started breaking my to-do list into smaller, more manageable chunks based entirely on answering the question, "What do I have to accomplish to make me happy today?" Being "happy" for me is pretty much entirely reliant on being "productive" so that's a valid question. I managed to accomplish all of my to-do list yesterday and I'm on top of today's list, too.
One thing on today's to-do list that I'm not really looking forward to is calling Amazon. My Kindle has stopped working and I am kind of beside myself over it. I don't want to buy a new one. I like the one I have. If we can't get it fixed, though, I will end up buying a new one. It's silly that I've become so reliant on such a meaningless piece of technology, but I really, really love my Kindle. It makes reading so much easier. It gives me portable access to books like Candlelight Sinner and Morgan's Choice and it makes it easy for me to carry around The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Gone with the Wind.
I have mostly gotten my new computer set up the way I want it. I have all the programs I think I need and I've even started working on it (this post and the last one were written from it, I've written over 2,000 words of One Good Cowboy on it). It's strange adjusting to a full-size keyboard and to a screen on which I can actually see my entire blog and website, but it's working out well so far.
Do you want to see my new desktop image? Of course you do! It's Tim Armstrong. (At least until I commission the painting of Wes Janson and Hobbie Klivian from Kelsey McCarthy.) This photo is, apparently, from the 2007 KROQ Weenie Roast.
That sound you heard was me sighing happily.
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