Wow, where did this week go? I turned around and it was gone. Jeez, this was a crazy week. I hardly blogged, sorry about that. :( Just busy. Has that ever happened to you? Super duper busy, but you're not really sure with what, or even why? It's Friday, I know I had the week from h-e-double hockey sticks...and yet, I'm scratching my head trying to remember what exactly I did. LOL. Or maybe I'm just getting really old. Oy vey!
Wrapping up Her Mad Hatter, I'm hoping I'll have it done soon. Which is a good thing, because I know in a few weeks my life is going to get even more busy. If you can believe it. :p
Without futher ado, Fun Factoid Friday:
1. The CIA once spent $20 millions dollars on a cat equipped with gear to spy on the Soviets, but it was hit by a taxi.
(That my friends is the definition of Irony. And can I just say...wow, what a brilliant use of our tax money. Lovely, maybe next time they'll take my advice and hard wire a cockroach, everyone knows they can survive for 2 weeks without a head! *sheesh*)
2. The Procrastinators' club of America newsletter is called Last Month's Newsletter.
(nope, didn't make that up!)
3. To "testify" was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a statement made by swearing on their testicles.
(*eyes bug*..there are no words...)
Have a great weekend!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The epiphany...
I've been waiting for a while now to hear back from an agent with my full manuscript. I heard today. Rejection. And really, not for anything seriously wrong with it. She felt it wasn't a true YA, it's definitely Adult Fiction. Also, certain aspects of my world confused her, she didn't expound on that, but I'm fairly certain I know what she's talking about.
Here's the deal though, I'll clear the confusion...like I said, I'm pretty sure I know where that problem lies...but I think the reason why she rejected this, it's a matter of..what do I do with this? She read the whole thing, said she actually enjoyed it. She's always liked my voice and was excited to read this. I think what it all boils down to is this...it's different. Not bad, just different.
I've been contemplating something for a long long time and that's that I placed too much emphasis on NY. I've made them my end all be all. But I don't think I can write for NY. Not that I can't write, but that my stuff is not at all what NY wants to see. Is there an audience for my books...honestly, I don't know. I don't know that anyone outside of my family and CP's would like this. I don't know that I'll ever make a red cent on these books, but I do know I have to publish them. I have to put them out there, I just have to. So it's with much sadness, but firm resolve, that I know my NY dreams will never be. After 10 years I think I'm finally ready to admit it's over.
From now on, I'll be strictly Indie. In the end I think I'll actually be happier. It's a sad day for me right now, but I really do feel I'm making the right choice.
Here's the deal though, I'll clear the confusion...like I said, I'm pretty sure I know where that problem lies...but I think the reason why she rejected this, it's a matter of..what do I do with this? She read the whole thing, said she actually enjoyed it. She's always liked my voice and was excited to read this. I think what it all boils down to is this...it's different. Not bad, just different.
I've been contemplating something for a long long time and that's that I placed too much emphasis on NY. I've made them my end all be all. But I don't think I can write for NY. Not that I can't write, but that my stuff is not at all what NY wants to see. Is there an audience for my books...honestly, I don't know. I don't know that anyone outside of my family and CP's would like this. I don't know that I'll ever make a red cent on these books, but I do know I have to publish them. I have to put them out there, I just have to. So it's with much sadness, but firm resolve, that I know my NY dreams will never be. After 10 years I think I'm finally ready to admit it's over.
From now on, I'll be strictly Indie. In the end I think I'll actually be happier. It's a sad day for me right now, but I really do feel I'm making the right choice.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Surprise!
Said I would share it when it was done, and here she is, shiny, new, and almost ready to go up! So...beautiful right? *vbg* This is the mock up cover to my novel Death and the Crimson Night. And here's the blurb:
Pandora travels with the Carnival Diabolique, a dark circus that provides any addiction a person might desire. She is one of the half-breed demons that run it. Unlike her brethren, she believes humanity is more than prey and worth protecting. Eager to redeem her past sins, she fights with The Order, a human watch group who use Pandora to clean up the messes left behind by monsters who prey on the innocent. Her latest mission will take her deep into the lair of vampires worshipping an ancient god whose thirst for human blood is unmatched. As if that weren't enough, she comes face to face with her own personal demon--a killer sworn to end her kind.
Although he should be trying to kill her, he seems content to provide backup when she leasts expects it, and while she should be grateful, his attention leaves her unsettled. She knows the dark desires he awakens in her might lead to her demise, but it's a deadly dance she cannot resist. Betrayal rides the night and when it's all over she will never be the same again.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Inspiration
So I don't normally do this, pick out faces to match the vision of my characters. But I identified so closely with these two characters that I know THIS is who they are.
Meet Gavin Rossdale, a.k.a: The Mad Hatter. Crazy hair and all, only a little more gothed out.
Kelly Hu, a.k.a Alice Hu. Yes, the last names are the same...because truly she is Alice in my mind.
Aren't they a gorgeous couple?
Le sigh...
Meet Gavin Rossdale, a.k.a: The Mad Hatter. Crazy hair and all, only a little more gothed out.
Kelly Hu, a.k.a Alice Hu. Yes, the last names are the same...because truly she is Alice in my mind.
Aren't they a gorgeous couple?
Le sigh...
Don't bet on it, you goose stepping harpy!!
Okay, seriously that's got to be the best line ever! Nonsensical ramblings that made me chuckle, love it when that happens.
Anyway...
Writing a new novella series. The Kingdome Series based on the bad boys of fairy tale land. 1. Hatter. 2. Gaston. 3. Hook. 4. Jafar. 5. The big bad wolf. I'm getting so excited. I'm almost halfway done with book 1: Her Mad Hatter. Semi-loosely based on Alice's Adventures. But with a sexier Hatter and an Asian Alice. Sooo much fun! I haven't done something like this in forever, just write campy fantasy romance and I'm loving it. Last night I finished the scene where Alice falls through the 'hole' into Wonderland, lands at the Hatter's Feet and yeah..sparks are already flying.
I've commissioned a cover artist already and I cannot wait to see it. My goal is to have all five novellas done within 2 months or so. The goal is that these books will be my very first self publishing venture. 5 books out all at once, hopefully I can develop a fan base off those who'll follow me to my full length books, and won't mind waiting on the sequels to come out.
No news, though should hear back soon from several places...
Anyway...
Writing a new novella series. The Kingdome Series based on the bad boys of fairy tale land. 1. Hatter. 2. Gaston. 3. Hook. 4. Jafar. 5. The big bad wolf. I'm getting so excited. I'm almost halfway done with book 1: Her Mad Hatter. Semi-loosely based on Alice's Adventures. But with a sexier Hatter and an Asian Alice. Sooo much fun! I haven't done something like this in forever, just write campy fantasy romance and I'm loving it. Last night I finished the scene where Alice falls through the 'hole' into Wonderland, lands at the Hatter's Feet and yeah..sparks are already flying.
I've commissioned a cover artist already and I cannot wait to see it. My goal is to have all five novellas done within 2 months or so. The goal is that these books will be my very first self publishing venture. 5 books out all at once, hopefully I can develop a fan base off those who'll follow me to my full length books, and won't mind waiting on the sequels to come out.
No news, though should hear back soon from several places...
Monday, April 16, 2012
Secret squirrely stuff
So...I've got some cool news to share. Soon. I'm so excited. It's my cover for, what will be, my first full length self-pubbing venture. I saw a mock cover of it today, sooo pretty. But she's not done yet and I don't want to share until it's fully complete.
But ohhh, I'm happy.
The only thing that would make this week better if is I got agented, sold a book, and made gads of money. That's not too much to ask for, right? *g*
But ohhh, I'm happy.
The only thing that would make this week better if is I got agented, sold a book, and made gads of money. That's not too much to ask for, right? *g*
Friday, April 13, 2012
Fun Factoid Friday...and singing the blues
Here we are yet again. This week flew by, crazy. Where did the time go? I got zero writing done, well no..scratch that, maybe about 4k. Which is small fries for me. But I was busy, so I guess I can cut myself some slack. *g*
Without further ado:
1. If you blowtorch Pepto-Bismol, you would get a hunk of metal.
Hmm...makes me wonder if that's a good or bad thing, considering we ingest the stuff.
2. The chances of you dying on the way to get your lottery tickets is greater than you chances of winning.
Well...that's just depressing.
3. A Native American tribe in South Dakota collects bottle caps left by campers, using them as currency. Several banks in the area now recognize the caps as legal tender.
I'm so moving there, instant millionaire! *vbg*
I don't know if it's the end of the week blues, contest overload, a hundred and one (not really, but close) agent rejections...or just the fact that sometimes you wake up and just feel blue, but I'm suffering from a serious case of I-can't-write-worth-crap-itis. Sigh...I'm doubting everything I've written, question my ability to write new material that won't be rejected a million and one times (you see how that number just grew? Was raised by a fisherman, what can I say *g*) or have my entry be ripped to shreds by people who would be potential readers. I'm frozen with indecision, whether to self pub, or continue to let my stuff sit and gather dust on my hard drive.
Also just read Kristen Nelson's blog and she said agents are beyond sick of romance paranormal's. Yeah...sigh, that was the proverbial cherry on the crappy sundae. Well, onward and upwards...
Have a great weekend all!
Without further ado:
1. If you blowtorch Pepto-Bismol, you would get a hunk of metal.
Hmm...makes me wonder if that's a good or bad thing, considering we ingest the stuff.
2. The chances of you dying on the way to get your lottery tickets is greater than you chances of winning.
Well...that's just depressing.
3. A Native American tribe in South Dakota collects bottle caps left by campers, using them as currency. Several banks in the area now recognize the caps as legal tender.
I'm so moving there, instant millionaire! *vbg*
I don't know if it's the end of the week blues, contest overload, a hundred and one (not really, but close) agent rejections...or just the fact that sometimes you wake up and just feel blue, but I'm suffering from a serious case of I-can't-write-worth-crap-itis. Sigh...I'm doubting everything I've written, question my ability to write new material that won't be rejected a million and one times (you see how that number just grew? Was raised by a fisherman, what can I say *g*) or have my entry be ripped to shreds by people who would be potential readers. I'm frozen with indecision, whether to self pub, or continue to let my stuff sit and gather dust on my hard drive.
Also just read Kristen Nelson's blog and she said agents are beyond sick of romance paranormal's. Yeah...sigh, that was the proverbial cherry on the crappy sundae. Well, onward and upwards...
Have a great weekend all!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Into the dreaming...
So sometimes I'll wake up and know maybe it's time to listen to my subconscious. I've been agonizing lately, do I pursue NY and agents or do I just go the self pub route? I've read tons of self published books lately and am majorly impressed at the sheer talent I've stumbled onto. Yeah sure, some of the stuff is awful and could really benefit from a good editing, but for the most part I'm super excited at the quality out there. Used to be that there was a stigma attached to self publishing, back in its infancy people would tend to look down on you for going that route. Only quitters did that, only people unable to hack it with NY or smaller pubs would go that way, less and less do I feel that's the case.
I'm reading people who could easily publish with NY, their stuff is really that good, and yet they're choosing to do it themselves and I gotta say there's something to be said for not having to wait months, sometimes even a year! before a project gets published. Also with so many bookstore's folding up it seems more and more digital is the wave of the future.
I always considered myself a purist, preferring the smell of books, the tangible presence of it in my hand. But even I, dinosaur that I am, have switched over to kindle. I rarely go to bookstores anymore, mainly because on this small island there's only one B&N still open and it's a fair distance from my house. The only other bookstore's are for locally published books, which is fine, just not what I read. I hate to say this, but maybe I've been wrong pursuing NY like a rabid dog. I write good. I know I'll have an audience out there, problem is I've never been able to interest NY so I have a pile of books on my hard drive gathering dust and being unread. Writers say the key to generating a semi-decent income comes from having a backlist...well, I have that. Boy do I! About 12 books, only 4 of which ever got published and I doubt more than friends and family read those because the small e-presses they went through have long since folded and disappeared.
I woke up this morning, my dream fresh in my mind...what was that dream? That I took my career into my own hands and stopped being scared to take the plunge into self-publishing.
I guess that means I have some work to do. *wink*
P.S. The agent search contest (yes, I know the irony of entering when I've written what I did today..lol) is going on right now. Please jump on over to Mrs. Snark's first victim blog and judge. Because I know a lot of people don't read this blog, I'll just say it here..I'm number 15. ;)
Happy writing!
Marie
I'm reading people who could easily publish with NY, their stuff is really that good, and yet they're choosing to do it themselves and I gotta say there's something to be said for not having to wait months, sometimes even a year! before a project gets published. Also with so many bookstore's folding up it seems more and more digital is the wave of the future.
I always considered myself a purist, preferring the smell of books, the tangible presence of it in my hand. But even I, dinosaur that I am, have switched over to kindle. I rarely go to bookstores anymore, mainly because on this small island there's only one B&N still open and it's a fair distance from my house. The only other bookstore's are for locally published books, which is fine, just not what I read. I hate to say this, but maybe I've been wrong pursuing NY like a rabid dog. I write good. I know I'll have an audience out there, problem is I've never been able to interest NY so I have a pile of books on my hard drive gathering dust and being unread. Writers say the key to generating a semi-decent income comes from having a backlist...well, I have that. Boy do I! About 12 books, only 4 of which ever got published and I doubt more than friends and family read those because the small e-presses they went through have long since folded and disappeared.
I woke up this morning, my dream fresh in my mind...what was that dream? That I took my career into my own hands and stopped being scared to take the plunge into self-publishing.
I guess that means I have some work to do. *wink*
P.S. The agent search contest (yes, I know the irony of entering when I've written what I did today..lol) is going on right now. Please jump on over to Mrs. Snark's first victim blog and judge. Because I know a lot of people don't read this blog, I'll just say it here..I'm number 15. ;)
Happy writing!
Marie
Monday, April 9, 2012
Think I'm gonna be sick...
So I entered Mrs. Snark's first victim agent search contest. Time to enter was 9am est-5pm est. It was done on a lottery system, so even if you squeaked an entry in at 4:59 there was still a good chance you'd be one of the 50 chosen to be an entry. I did mine around 9 am hawaii time, so it was kind of late for an eastern entry. I figured there was no way in heck I'd get on...
I did...
Now I'm so nervous because I've opened myself up to be criticized by others, and I question my entry. Does it start too slow, I like to do some set up when I start a ms...so yeah, some of the plot is in the entry..but when it's only allowed to be 250 words or less, kind of hard to final unless all you submit is a major hook and now I wish I'd scraped what I submitted and rewrote a much crisper hook!
Ugh...
Think I'm gonna be sick. :(
I did...
Now I'm so nervous because I've opened myself up to be criticized by others, and I question my entry. Does it start too slow, I like to do some set up when I start a ms...so yeah, some of the plot is in the entry..but when it's only allowed to be 250 words or less, kind of hard to final unless all you submit is a major hook and now I wish I'd scraped what I submitted and rewrote a much crisper hook!
Ugh...
Think I'm gonna be sick. :(
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter all! HE is Risen! For those of you who might not know, my faith is very important to me and today was a great day to celebrate...
The family and I went to have Easter brunch with Island Mom and Dad, we were on the 20th floor of a downtown sky scrapper with the most amazing view of Honolulu. Good food, talk story, great day! Hope all of you had a wonderful one too!
However you celebrate it, be blessed :)
The family and I went to have Easter brunch with Island Mom and Dad, we were on the 20th floor of a downtown sky scrapper with the most amazing view of Honolulu. Good food, talk story, great day! Hope all of you had a wonderful one too!
However you celebrate it, be blessed :)
Friday, April 6, 2012
Fun Factoid Friday!
Wow, are we really here again? Seems this week flew by. At least to me. Not sure why, I haven't heard a word back from any agents/editors/or otherwise...so you'd think my nails would be down the quick now..but they're not. I actually survived. How 'bout that? *wink*
So without further ado...what you've all been salivating all week for, fun factoid friday!! Woo hoo!! *snort*
1. There's a Hello Kitty-themed hospital in Taiwan...
Okay, I live in Hawaii where Hello Kitty is as popular as Mickey Mouse is back on the mainland. I'm sorry though, that's just kind of creepy!
2. Smelling bananas and/or green apples (smelling, not eating) can help you lose weight!
You mean all those years I've been slaving away at the gym has been for nothing?! All I needed to do was sniff a banana? I *sniff* a conspiracy theory, evil gym memberships of the world!!
3. And because I love y'all, I'm gonna share something pretty cool. If you've been living under a rock like me and knew nothing about this blog until just recently, go check it out. It's called Mrs. Snark's first victim...she's hosting a contest on Monday called Secret Agent Search, something or other..anyway be one of the first 50 people to upload the first 250 words of your completed ms. A secret agent will be trolling that site (in fact rumor is, sometimes someone other than the slotted secret agent is trolling). She's becoming increasingly popular with these agent searches, quite a number of writers have gone on to sign with agents, EVEN those who don't win the contest. Take a gander at her website and read what others say. Trust me, it's worth the visit!
misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/
Have a great weekend all!
Marie
So without further ado...what you've all been salivating all week for, fun factoid friday!! Woo hoo!! *snort*
1. There's a Hello Kitty-themed hospital in Taiwan...
2. Smelling bananas and/or green apples (smelling, not eating) can help you lose weight!
You mean all those years I've been slaving away at the gym has been for nothing?! All I needed to do was sniff a banana? I *sniff* a conspiracy theory, evil gym memberships of the world!!
3. And because I love y'all, I'm gonna share something pretty cool. If you've been living under a rock like me and knew nothing about this blog until just recently, go check it out. It's called Mrs. Snark's first victim...she's hosting a contest on Monday called Secret Agent Search, something or other..anyway be one of the first 50 people to upload the first 250 words of your completed ms. A secret agent will be trolling that site (in fact rumor is, sometimes someone other than the slotted secret agent is trolling). She's becoming increasingly popular with these agent searches, quite a number of writers have gone on to sign with agents, EVEN those who don't win the contest. Take a gander at her website and read what others say. Trust me, it's worth the visit!
misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/
Have a great weekend all!
Marie
Monday, April 2, 2012
Ring...ring...hello...hello...is there anybody out there?
If anyone tries to tell you that writing is not filled with all sorts of pitfalls and paranoia, they're either lying or they've tapped into the urban myth called zen. I'm freaking out here...
Seems like I've been waiting to hear something back from agents forever. And yes, I know...that's what they do. They take their time. And in no way would I want them to rush through reads because I'd hate to think they rushed through mine. BUT...this wait is killing me. I can't even write. Every time I sit down to put something on paper I'm all sorts of like..well, maybe I should just refresh my inbox and see...nope, okay...let's write. 10 words later...maybe I should just hit refresh and see....nope, okay let's write...ad nauseum...
I'm such a mess it's not even funny. Well, okay..so I guess it's kind of funny.
Actually it's pathetic is what it is. And how cool would it be if I did get agented and could tell my agent...I've even got book 2 done now. Yep, that would be awesome!
So back to writing....
after I hit refresh one last time.
*groan*
Seems like I've been waiting to hear something back from agents forever. And yes, I know...that's what they do. They take their time. And in no way would I want them to rush through reads because I'd hate to think they rushed through mine. BUT...this wait is killing me. I can't even write. Every time I sit down to put something on paper I'm all sorts of like..well, maybe I should just refresh my inbox and see...nope, okay...let's write. 10 words later...maybe I should just hit refresh and see....nope, okay let's write...ad nauseum...
I'm such a mess it's not even funny. Well, okay..so I guess it's kind of funny.
Actually it's pathetic is what it is. And how cool would it be if I did get agented and could tell my agent...I've even got book 2 done now. Yep, that would be awesome!
So back to writing....
after I hit refresh one last time.
*groan*
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