Guest blogging.

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin

I’ve recently done a few guest posts on book blogger sites.  I just love book bloggers!!!  They spend hours and hours reading and writing reviews for books – many for indie writers like me.  I can’t thank them enough for their time and devotion.

Here’s my latest, a post titled “My Writing Process – How WRECKED Went from Idea to Novel”.  This one can be found on Becky’s Barmy Book Blog.

And another, a post titled “What Inspired Me to Write WRECKED” .  This one can be found at the Words on the Shelf blog.

Enjoy!

Elle

Post to Twitter

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Theme songs for characters.

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin

I’ve finished the third draft of War of the Fae: Book One (The Changelings) and have now started Book Two (Call to Arms).  When you read these books, you will meet several very special characters.  Three that are on my mind as I complete the outline for Book Two right now are Tony, Jayne, and Ben.

I’ve mentioned in a previous post how music is often a muse for my writing.  I’ve got three songs in particular that really inspire me for these characters, so I thought I’d share them with you.  You’ll get some of the feeling from these songs that I have for my characters, for what they’re going through.  The lyrics have messages and the mood of the music just takes me away to the world I’m creating…

Jayne:  Undisclosed Desires by Muse (in her interactions with Ben, Book Two)

Ben:  I Will Not Bow by Breaking Benjamin (after first meeting Jayne, Book Two)

Tony:  My Immortal by Evanescence (in his friendship with Jayne, Book Two)

Post to Twitter

Posted in On writing | Leave a comment

Music as inspiration.

Posted on January 20, 2012 by admin

The first time I ever saw an author recognize music as her muse was when I went to the website of Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series and The Host (an aside: I wish she’d write something else!)  She even had a playlist on a player there on the site, so you could click the play button and listen.  So cool.

I’ve always been a big music fan.  In high school it was (what was considered at the time to be) alternative music.  Think: The Cure, Flock of Seagulls, Jane’s Addiction, Social Distortion, 7 Seconds (more punk), Sex Pistols, Psychedelic Furs, and many more…  This was before the age of the Internet and anything but cassette tapes and vinyl.  (Totally dating myself here.)  As I got older, other genre joined the playlist – Top 40, Country, Jazz, Blues…

When I read stories, sometimes I imagine what music would go well with a scene.  I’m jealous of whoever it is that gets to pick the music for movies.  Sometimes, you watch a movie and they just get it so right!  Music can really enhance the impact of a scene.

I have plans to incorporate music into my book.  You’ll see what I mean when the book is published, sometime in the first two weeks of February 2012.

I have a YouTube account and listed some of the music I’m listening to in a “faves” playlist as I write War of the Fae: Book One – The Changelings.  Just click on the book link there are you’ll be taken to the page that has my playlist embedded.  Some of the videos won’t play due to the artist refusing to allow embedding, but you can just jump through them manually, or visit my playlist over at Youtube directly (click here).  Enjoy!

Elle

Post to Twitter

Posted in Odds and Ends, On writing | Leave a comment

First draft done! War of the Fae: Book 1 (The Changelings)

Posted on January 18, 2012 by admin

I did it!  I finished the first draft of War of the Fae: Book 1 (The Changelings).  It’s at 87,000 words right now – not sure how long it will be when the final draft is finished, but it will be close to this number.

I’m super excited about this milestone.  I’m also very happy with the story and the characters.  I hope you will be too.

I will put a summary up on the site tomorrow.  Too tired right now.  :)

Post to Twitter

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Half of War of the Fae: Book One (The Changelings) is done. Plus, Samantha Young!

Posted on January 15, 2012 by admin

I’ve reached a milestone today – 51,000 words finished on my newest novel. I’ve been cranking it out; it’s nearly writing itself at this point. I’m super excited about the characters and the storyline. My number one beta reader (husband) has laughed at all the right parts and been frustrated when there isn’t more yet to read, so that’s a good sign.

I bought a book the other day that I am really liking right now.  I let myself read it on writing breaks.  It’s Tales of Lunarmorte (Book 1) Moon Spell by Samantha Young from Scotland.  Here’s her site if you want to check her out.  You can buy the book for your Kindle here on Amazon.com.   Someday I hope to be able to emulate her success!  She’s got a great, engaging writing style that’s easy to read – her plot is original and the pace is quick enough to keep you reading without growing bored.  The little bit of sexual tension ain’t bad either!

Post to Twitter

Posted in News, Odds and Ends | Leave a comment

One-third done on War of the Fae: Book One

Posted on January 13, 2012 by admin

I’m really excited about War of the Fae: Book One (The Changelings).  The story is flowing out of the ether, through my fingers and onto the keyboard.  I’m about 40,000 words into it, and very excited about the characters and their beginning adventures.

When I write, it seems I only know about 60% of the story at first.  Then, as the characters make themselves known to me, the story develops on its own – the remaining 40% comes from the mysterious place that I’m afraid to ask too many questions about.

If you’re interested in being a beta-reader or unofficial editor of this book, drop me an email.

Elle

Post to Twitter

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Wrecked: PUBLISHED!

Posted on December 31, 2011 by admin

WRECKED is now available on Amazon.com , Smashwords.com and BarnesandNoble.com !

I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.  The Kindle edition will be available for a limited time at 99 cents.  Tell your friends.  Tell your family.  Tell your neighbors.  Tell everyone you know!

Post to Twitter

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Change of plans.

Posted on December 27, 2011 by admin

I was all set to start SECOND COMING, a thriller, and I had a dream that threw it all out of whack.  This new-ish idea (it’s been in my head along with the others for a while, just not fleshed out) is insisting it be told before anything else.  Sigh.  I wish I was in charge of what I wrote and when I wrote it, but my stories have ideas of their own.

This idea is a YA Fantasy that for now is set up as a 4-book series.  The working title for the project is WAR OF THE FAE.  More on this later!

Post to Twitter

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Happy Holidays.

Posted on December 25, 2011 by admin

Happy holidays to everyone out there.  This is my first Christmas as a novelist, and it feels damn good.  Next Christmas, I’d love to be a novelist who has actually sold some books to people she doesn’t know.

Post to Twitter

Posted in Odds and Ends | Leave a comment

Final Edits. Next Project.

Posted on December 24, 2011 by admin

I sent WRECKED off for final edits, and I can’t express how excited and nervous I am.  Here are some of the thoughts that are racing through my brain, pretty much at all hours of the day:

I wonder if she will like it…What is she thinking as she reads it?…Is she reading it right now?…Is she having a hard time putting it down, or picking it up?…Will she tell me the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?…Will I be able to handle it if she does?…Am I a writer or not?

It’s like dating almost.  I always hated the dating game.  I sucked at it.  I would say things like, “Hey, just tell me if you like me or not.  If you do, call me.  If you do don’t, don’t call me.”  That never went over well, until I met my husband.  Man, is he cool.  He totally got me (and still does).  [Dear Editor:  Does that period go inside the parenthesis or outside?]

I’m starting tonight on my second novel – another story that’s been floating around in my head for many years.  It’s titled SECOND COMING and will fit in the thriller genre, not Young Adult like WRECKED.  I worry about jumping from YA to Triller, but I am who I am; it’s hard to pigeonhole me as a person, so I guess it will be hard to pigeonhole me as a writer also. The businesswoman in me is setting off the alarm bells – Not a smart marketing strategy!  Stick with one genre!  Develop a fan base!  I know, I know.  Just let me get these few books out of my head so I have room to breathe.  Geez.

Pigeonhole.  I like that word.  Pigeonhole. Sounds like it could be a good insult.  “What the hell is your problem…you friggin’ pigeonhole?!”   [TANGENT ALERT]

I’m going to try this project and see where it takes me.  I have a Stephen Kingesque scary imagination (although I’m not so arrogant or confident that I would dare to compare myself to him as a writer, so please put those hackles back where they belong…), so I think I might have some fun in the horror space too.  We’ll see…

Post to Twitter

Posted in News, Odds and Ends, On writing | Leave a comment