Editing is where it's at!

 

Last night I sent a novella off to my editor. 

Such a simple sentence, but it represents SOOO much work! LOL. I'd promised to get The Novella From Hell to her by the end of the month (of February) and over the weekend it dawned on my that the end of the month was NOW. I was about seven thousand words shy of where I wanted it to be, and the thing needed a solid edit before anyone - let alone an editor - could read it.

When I'm drafting, I'm likely to do thinks like change a side character's gender, decide I want to cut Character X and use their name for Character Y, change the point of view (POV) from first to 3rd (or the reverse - either way is not recommended) or make sundry other major modifications. 

Once I changed a book from m/f to m/m after I couldn't get past the first chapter of the m/f version. (The m/m version is Aqua Follies, which worked out pretty darned well, if I do say so myself.)

Basically, during that first draft, anything is fair game. I throw a bunch of words at a document and see what sticks. Creating the first draft is fun, because I get to see where the story is going to go, but I really love the editing process. Once I can see the bones of the story, then I can make it pretty.

There is a method to my madness. When the first draft is complete, I'll do a re-read, leaving comment bubbles and highlighting the things I need to fix. I'll sometimes leave the last chapter undone, because the process of cleaning things up might show me how the story actually ends. If it's a full novel (or a novella where I have the time lol) I'll make an excel workbook with a page for the story calendar, a page for the outline, and a third page for the punch list.

The calendar is pretty self-explanatory and the punch list is something I create toward the end, to show me what still needs work. For the outline, I track the chapter number, the word count, the POV (if there's more than one), first line, last line, a chapter/scene summary, the plot threads it hits, the romance arc, and any notes. 

Here's a screen shot of my first couple chapters of The Lighthouse Keeper, coming to you sometime this spring.

Sometimes I'll add an additional column for scenes, if there are more than one in a chapter. Word count is important because I think there's a rhythm to chapters, and I want them to all be more-or-less the same. If there's more than one POV, I want to make sure each character has about the same page time. I also like to look at first line and last line, to make sure they're not all the same. 

For example, the outline for my book Lost & Found showed me that the POV character stormed off in anger at the end of at least three chapters, maybe more. It wasn't a good look (lol) so I changed a couple of them.

Creating the outline is slow work, but I learn so much from it that for me it's worth the time. It shows me "scenes" that don't actually accomplish anything and gaps that I need to fill in. My "rules" about chapter length and POV word count are malleable; if I can think of a good reason why Chapter X needs to be twice as long as any other, I'll go with it. I just want it to be a conscious decision. Once I start rewriting, I sometimes add another column with a summary of how the scenes actually end up, or how I think they should end up, especially if I end up doing major surgery.

Because yeah, sometimes surgery is required.

Writers spend a lot of ink (e-ink?) debating whether they're plotters are pantsers, but I think there's almost as big a divide between drafters and editors. My writing partner Irene Preston and I are a good illustration of that divide. Irene sweats over each word, carefully placing them exactly where she wants them to go. I just want to get the words down so I can get to fixing them. She spends a lot of time pondering her characters' motivation before she starts, while I get to know my characters as I go. 

We could not be more opposite, and tbh editing our shared projects can get a little tense.

We've survived six books (and counting), so we're making it work. It's been good for me to learn someone else's process, and I think she's learned from me, too - even if she does want to wring my neck a lot of the time.

At any rate, this weekend required a fairly streamlined approach to getting The Novella From Hell ready for the editor. Saturday I wrote 1100 words, Sunday I wrote 5000 (!!!) words, Monday was a wash because Life, and yesterday I sat down at the computer at 0630 and sent the email to my editor about 5:30 pm. It was a looooong day, but I'm pretty happy with the outcome. 

Until she gets back to me with all the stuff I need to fix.

But hey, it's editing, so I'll have fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!! Flash Fic Special!

 

Flash fic prompts: this city street, a busker, and a key...

So this time last year, the Small but Mighty MM Romance Group page on FB had a flash fiction challenge. The organizer invited group members to post pictures plus three word prompts, and we were all invited to choose one and write a short piece. It was a lot of fun! I liked the shortie I came up with, and even though some of you might have read it already, I wanted to post it over here on the blog. I hope you enjoy it!! And happy Valentine's Day!!

Valentine’s Day in Paris, and the rain matched my mood. The French limited the celebration to lovers – no tacky paper cards for everyone at school or gags for the gang at work – so I got nothing from no one. Yeah, I’d been abandoned in the city of love and the rain-slicked streets made me feel right at home.

I’d staked out a spot under a café’s awning in the Place du Tertre, a hat on the ground at my feet. Wearing my hair in a ponytail let the damp send shivers down my neck. The rain chased away most of the tourists, so the hat was empty, but the artists whose booths lined the square were happy enough to have me serenade them.

Keeping a mandolin in tune while playing outside, with or without the rain, had its challenges. I paused between songs, plucking the pairs of strings to find the offender. Twisted the peg, my gaze on the wet cobbles. Plucked again. Twisted.

A single strum told me I’d restored order. My fingers found the strings, as if they’d made an independent decision regarding what to play next. I took a quick look around. A man leaned against the nearby wrought iron streetlamp. His posture was relaxed, but his gaze was sharp, and aimed directly at me.

I played the opening chords of Scarborough Fair, choosing the tune made famous by Simon and Garfunkel, rather than one of the older, less familiar melodies. The man smiled, nodding in time. The lyrics tell the story of a series of impossible tasks that must be performed to win true love, although most people only know the list of herbs that make up the refrain.

I finished the verse that asks for an acre of land and the man on the light pole raised a finger. He was taller than me, and darker, with a ball cap shading his face. Still, the heat of his gaze took the edge of the cool damp air.

He began a new tune, though the melody still fit the chords I played. He sang The Elfin Knight, an even older folk ballad than Scarborough Fair.

Instead of parsley and sage, the refrain repeated blow, blow, blow, wind blow. I adjusted my strum, adding more drone to suite the earlier mode, hoping the wind wouldn't take it as an invitation. For the next verse, I joined him on the melody, guessing which set of lyrics he’d use.

That ol’ degree in music history came in handy every now and then.

With me holding down the tune, the stranger found a counter-melody, weaving his voice around mine in a way that raised the hairs on my back of my neck. Our lyrics weren’t a perfect match, but I’d spent hours rehearsing with ensembles who hadn’t gelled nearly as well as me and some guy on the street.

We finished another verse, and I wanted to test us both. I paused my hands and, with a teasing grin, said, “the Battle of Evermore”. The Led Zeppelin song was showy and popular, and the stranger returned my smile.

I shortened the finger picking introduction to get us to the vocals and jumped into the verse. Four lines in, the vocal line shifted to a higher register, often performed by a second singer. I nodded at him and the stranger came in, his pure tenor both a delight and a challenge.

After Led Zeppelin, I tried Tam Lin, figuring if he knew The Elfin Knight he’d know this. He did and he harmonized, verse after verse, the overtones created by our blend evidence of our perfect tuning.

How is this happening? The twining of our voices felt like a seduction. We’d drawn a small crowd, despite the rain, and God knows me and my ne’er do well ex- had never sounded so good.

Rather than get derailed by the guy who’d left me broke and busking in Paris, I shut my mind down and just played. Greensleeves, as much a classic as Scarborough Fair. Gaudete, because it’s always Christmas somewhere. Sumer is icumen in, a bouncy Medieval round.

“Wait,” the man said after the last cuckoo’s call faded. “Play Belle qui tiens ma vie.”

Beautiful one who holds my life.

Slower than the others, the song he’d suggested was a pavane, a courtly dance. Though only known by history nerds and SCA types, the lyrics were unashamedly romantic.

Your beauty and your grace
And your divine ways
Have melted the ice
Which was freezing my bones
And have filled my heart
With a loving ardour.

While the song might have been a declaration of courtly love, something in the man’s expression gave the words added layers of meaning. His tone was an invitation, and while my dick thought that was a fine idea, the rest of me was gun-shy.

I stopped after the third verse, the heat in the harmony becoming too personal for a public square. I didn’t even know his name, but right then he could have talked me into anything.

“What?” he asked, one brow raised as if he sensed my discomfort and found it amusing.

“Uh…” I gestured at my hat, now holding a few francs and some coins. “I can buy us both a drink.”

His smile broadened. “Another time, perhaps, but thank you for the music.”

He bowed from the waist, as anachronistic as the songs we’d been singing. His smile held mischief, but his eyes were full of promise.

And me? I was cock blocked in the extreme.

The rain picked up, chasing away the crowd. I packed up my mandolin and pocketed the cash. I wasn’t in the mood for a solo visit to a café, so I found a market and treated myself to a baguette, cheese, and a bottle of wine. All the while, my nerves thrummed with leftover excitement.

Since my ex- had left, I’d had to downsize. Rather than a decent two bedroom flat, I had a small studio, the kind that rented by the week. The place had once been a fancy home, but it had been carved up long enough ago that each apartment came with an antique metal key.

A key that was no longer in my pocket.

Damn it.

Standing in the mildewy hallway, I set my parcels on the floor and patted myself down. Nope, the key wasn’t in any of my jacket pockets, and it hadn’t magically traveled to my pants. What the fucking hell had I done with it?

“Hello Damon. Looking for something?”

The question startled me so bad I hopped. “What?”

The guy from the Place stood a few feet away, dangling my key between his thumb and his index finger. “If I had to guess, I’d say this is what you're after.”

Questions tumbled out of my mouth on a single breath. “How’d you know my name and where’d you get that and who are you and what the fuck is going on?”

His grin widened. “I’m Leo Dubois, Bard of the Danaan sidhe, and I borrowed your key so I’d have a reason to see you again.” He closed the distance between us. “And as to what’s going on, I hope we do more of this.”

Leaning forward, he brushed a kiss over my lips. Up close, he smelled like fresh air and clean pine forest, and, acting on instinct, I grabbed his jacket and hauled him in.

Our second kiss was longer and deeper and hotter than anything in recent memory. The blend in our voices was nothing compared to the way our spirits melded together. When we finally eased apart, I stood with my forehead resting against his chin.

“You still didn’t tell me how you knew my name.” I should have been embarrassed by how breathless I sounded, but Leo’s answering laugh wrapped me in reassurance.

“Invite me in, and we’ll talk. I feel we have much to discuss.”

I blinked, suddenly aware that we were two men kissing in a semi-public place. Not the smartest thing ever, so I fitted the key into the lock.

I had questions and hopefully he’d have answers, but either way, my dick was first in line for satisfaction. This Valentine’s Day had taken a mighty unexpected turn, and, almost vibrating with excitement, I invited him in.

 

 

 

 

 

So you want to write a book....

So many books....so little time...

A friend of mine messaged me the other day, asking if we could get together for a glass of wine. She wanted to ask me about writing a novel, specifically, what she needed to do to write a book. Prior to that text, I had no idea she had an interest in writing, so before we got together,  I did some brainstorming.

What do I say to someone who wants to write a book?

I didn't want to insult her by coming in too basic, and I didn't want to scare her off with a whole bunch of info she might not be able to use. Instead, I tried to split the difference.

I told her to read.

Pick any author, and I can guarantee they were readers before they were writers. Reading others' work inspires us to write and teaches us how. A good book expands our ideas for what is possible and motivates us to do more with our own writing. 

When I studied voice, my teacher told me to listen to excellent singers. Whether Ella Fitzgerald, Debra Harry, or Whitney Houston, I listened hard and tried to copy what they did. I'd store these little tricks of phrasing or interpretation in my own toolbox, ready for when I was working on a new song. 

I do the same thing when I'm reading.

See, no author operates in a vacuum. Whether it's one of the classics, a new bestseller, or the project I'm beta reading for an author friend, reading consciously will help me learn. And you know, it's also okay to copy a little, as long as there's no plagiarism involved. 

Since I didn't have much sense for where my friend was in her writing journey, I suggested she make an effort to read in the genre she wanted to write, and to study how other authors put their books together. I also recommended On Writing by Stephen King, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamotte, and Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. All three books touch on both craft and inspiration, and they were all important to my growth as a writer.

I haven't had the chance to reconnect with her, but I've got some ideas for her next steps. Because really, the key for how to write a novel is to, you know, write. Make writing a part of your life, whether you're journaling or brainstorming or sitting down to Chapter One.

Some would probably tell my friend she must write every day. Others are more relaxed, but to me, the most important part isn't frequency or schedule. The important thing is that when you sit down to write, you write, whether or not the muse has chosen to grace you with her presence.

If you wait for your muse, your book may never get finished.

That's actually another thing I learned from singing. For almost ten years, I was the cantor for my church's Saturday evening Mass. For almost ten years, every Saturday I stood up in front of the congregation and led them in the Psalm, Ordinary, and hymns. I generally did a solo at Communion - whether I felt like singing or not.

It was great training for an author.

The discipline it takes to write when you're not feeling it will stand you in good stead when you need to get through edits. Even if the words weren't flowing when you drafted them, you've got a whole bunch of chances to fix things before you send your work out into the wild. (And if you've spent any time on Goodreads, you know how wild it can be! LOL) 

I guess you could say that the three steps to writing a book are reading, writing, and editing, though this barely scratches the surface. I'm not trying to pile everything on at once - nor could I, even if I wanted to. The thing is, writing is a journey, and the information you need will be available when you need it. To get started, though, just read. 

And write.

Best,

Liv

PS... it can be helpful to start small. A six thousand word short story is a lot easier to wrestle into shape than a 80,000 word novel. 

PPS...here are a few other resources I found helpful...

• Save the Cat by Blake Snyder (great book on story structure)
• Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon (granular look at how scenes and stories work)
• Lawson's Writing Academy  (excellent program, especially Margie's classes about body language and dialogue tags and just about anything by Rhay Christou) 
• Janice Hardy's Fiction University (blog posts that address any craft question you can think of - seriously)
• Damn Fine Story by Chuck Wendig (for when you want your writing craft with F-bombs)

*** All links are from Amazon b/c I'm lazy. They're not affiliate links, so I don't earn anything if you  click.

PPSS...adding another thought....Kristen Lamb, blogging/writing goddess, coincidentally made a post today on how important it is for writers to read. Here's the link. It's well worth, uh, reading. 😊

Nocturne Preorder!!

Our cover reveal's not until 9/25/17, over on The Novel Approach Reviews, but the buy links are up and running. It's time to spread the word!

It's Mardi Gras, cher, but this year le bon temps kick off with murder…

For generations, the White Monks have treated the vampire Thaddeus Dupont as a weapon in their battle against demons. However, when a prominent matron drops dead at a party, Thaddeus and his lover Sarasija are asked to find her killer. Their investigation leads them to an old southern family with connections everywhere: Louisiana politics, big business, the Church, and an organization just as secret as the White Monks. 

Meanwhile, an esoteric text containing spells for demon-summoning has disappeared, Thaddeus is losing control of le monstre, and Sara is troubled by disturbing dreams. These nightmares could be a side-effect of dating a vampire, or they could be a remnant of his brush with evil. As the nights wear on, Sara fears they are a manifestation of something darker – a secret that could destroy his relationship with Thaddeus. 

Nocturne will be $2.99 from now till the release day 10/12/17.

$2.99

Amazon     Barnes and Noble     Kobo     iTunes     More Stores

I'll update the links as more stores come on-line.

Also, Vespers and Bonfire will be on sale for $0.99 starting 9/25/17.

$0.99

Vespers                    Bonfire

Click the links to find all the ebook sellers carrying the first books in the Hours of the Night.

~*~

One of the hardest parts of writing this book was keeping the cover art a secret. I can't wait to share the post when the cover reveal goes live! In the meantime, mark your calendars....

Also, if you're the Facebook-group-joining type, Irene and I started a new group for people who've read and enjoyed our Hours of the Night series. It's called After Hours with Liv & Irene, and you can find it here...

After Hours with Liv & Irene

Best, 

Liv

Alienne Mine by Deborah O'Neill Cordes

This morning it's my great pleasure to have Deborah O'Neill Cordes back for another interview. Deborah's one of my favorite people in writing - heck, one of my favorite people anywhere - and she's here to talk about worldbuilding and ceiling fans and her newest book, Alienne Mine...

Bio:

Deborah O’Neill Cordes is an award-winning screenwriter and novelist of historical and speculative fiction. She is the author of the sci-fi time travel novel, Dragon Dawn, Book One of the Dinosaurian Time Travel Series, and its prequel, Alienne Mine, which blends fields of study she loves in equal measure – Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree in history. She is also the co-author of the Morgan O’Neill time travel novels. Deborah resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two West Highland White Terriers, who, alas, are precocious terriers and therefore never white.

You can find Deborah at her website deborahoneillcordes.com or on the Morgan O'Neill website www.morganoneill.com.

Interview

Now, Alienne Mine is a prequel to your sci-fi novel Dragon Dawn. Why a prequel instead of a sequel?  

I decided to write a romantic sci-fi prequel which introduces two new characters, human astronaut Edward McAdams and Alienne, a sentient female alien who has watched humanity for decades.  The story takes place before the main action of the Dragon Dawn human universe, with the idea that the characters of Alienne Mine will eventually team up with the ones from Dragon Dawn in order to battle against the evil set in motion in the Dragon Dawn dinosaurian universe. And I hope that makes sense to everyone. If not, I encourage you to read Dragon Dawn and Alienne Mine.  **wink**  

You write historical romances and sci-fi, so I know you’ve got a knack for worldbuilding. What do you like best about writing sci-fi? How does it compare with writing historicals?  

First, I'd like to tackle the difference between writing straight historical fiction (such as my as-yet-unpublished Russian historical fiction manuscript) vs. historical time travel romance (the Morgan O'Neill time travel series and my screenplay, Conjurer).  For me, the genres are similar in that my historical and time travel fiction both incorporate real historical events and people into the plots, but my time travel uses some form of magic to explain why the protagonists journey through time, i.e. witches, Druid curses, etc.  As for the sci-fi, I have the freedom to use my imagination to create worlds in this universe - and in others.  I strive to use real and verifiable scientific knowledge as much as possible, so that the stories don't veer into the unbelievable or ridiculous.  Creating a suspension of disbelief for the reader is an admirable goal for any author, so I want readers to feel they're experiencing what might have been, whether in my straight historicals or in my time travels.

I’m going to circle back around to the worldbuilding thing. How do you approach creating a new world for a story? Do you have any tips or techniques that are particularly helpful? 

The more intensive an author's research, the better the worldbuilding will be.  A writer must observe the world - and the universe - all the time.  You never know what gem of information or experience will be the basis for a book or scene, or even a little "touch" that resonates through a novel or script.  For example, years ago I saw a Hubble photograph of Hoag's Object, a strange ring galaxy with mysterious origins.  I held back and did not put information about Hoag's Object in Dragon Dawn, thinking I could use it somewhere else.  Lo and behold, it became one of the catalysts for the creation of Alienne Mine!  It was a kick to realize something that I'd tucked away in memory over ten years ago influenced key scenes in my prequel.  And I got a real fondness for Ghirardelli chocolate while visiting Disney's California Adventure (I've also been to the Ghirardelli factory in San Francisco), hence my inclusion of that wonderful sweet touch in Alienne Mine.

Some writers like the rush of getting a first draft down on e-paper, but others prefer the editing process, to mold and shape what they’ve already written. What’s your favorite part of the writing process? 

I think of a scene, write it, and then edit it again and again until I don't want to change it anymore. Sometimes it takes dozens of edits and tweaks to get things "perfect."  Maybe that means I like editing better than facing the dreaded blank page.  

Dragon Dawn was your first indie publication. Regarding promotion, what was the most important lesson you learned that you can apply to Alienne Mine?  

Punt. The publishing world is changing so rapidly, I can't predict what's going to happen next week or next year regarding promotion.  And I've gotten really good at reminding myself to relax, because I'm probably going to remain a small fish (or wee dinosaur) in the vast publishing swamp of millions.  

How are you coping with this incredibly warm, dry summer? Is your car on automatic pilot to take you to the ocean? 

I try to get to Ocean Shores as much as possible (my mom lives there).  The temps in OS have been much cooler than inland, and I adore beachcombing in the breezy, salt air.  On the home front, my husband installed a big attic fan in our house, which is great at removing the hot air from upstairs, particularly in the evening.  I call it my "giant sucking fan," and I do love it.  **grin**.  

You must have an upcoming project. More hot Romans? Something from the Elizabethan era? Where will your imagination take us next?  

I have one more Elizabethan time travel novel to write with my Morgan O'Neill writing partner, Cary Morgan Frates.  It's the sequel to The Thornless Rose, titled Ever Crave the Rose.  We also have a forthcoming release in Begun by Time, the prequel to The Thornless Rose, which will debut on August 25, 2015 (publisher for all three Elizabethans - Entangled/MacMillan).  In late 2016, I hope to finish my sequel to Dragon Dawn, titled Dawn of Time.  Then I'll edit my Russian historical, The Sacred Cradle (it's fully written, just awaiting more edits).  After all of that, I think I'll collapse under that giant fan!

Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog, Liv!  And thanks to your readers for spending some time with me.  
Best wishes, 
Deborah  

Alienne Mine, a Prequel to Dragon Dawn.

Book blurb:

Far from her home world, an alien female clandestinely observes the Earth, but her intense need for a mate overwhelms her desire for secrecy. It is time to pick her Chosen, the one who will share her life. With her keen ultraviolet vision, she’s watched the human astronaut, Edward McAdams, a man with a unique and compelling aura. Is he the one? If so, will he agree to leave Earth and travel with her to the stars? But her plans are threatened when she discovers dangers lurking in the vast reaches of the Milky Way galaxy, menacing aliens who may not only imperil Edward, but everyone else on Earth.

Available from Amazon.

Dragon Dawn, Book One of the Dinosaurian Time Travel Series.

Book blurb:

What if the extinction of the dinosaurs hadn’t occurred?  An alien stranded on Mars is determined to find out by sending human astronauts back in time to rewrite Earth’s past. But a female astronaut, through a strange twist of fate, survives the change in the space-time continuum.  After finding herself in a dinosaurian body, she must race against time – and the formidable alien – to restore the universe to its rightful course. 

Available from Amazon

Buy link for The Thornless Rose.

Buy link for Begun By Time.

Hot Author Feature: Jami Gray

This is the second day of my Week Of Guests, and I'm pleased as could be to introduce you to Jami Gray. I've known Jami since my Black Opal Books days, and it's always amazed me that someone so sweet (and a little bit goofy) could write such hard-edged heroines. But she is and she does. Her book Shadow's Edge is free right now, and if you like urban fantasy, you should definitely check it out. 

Here she's sharing her writer's dream...

I have a dream.  It includes a beautiful book-lined office where a thin 32-inch screen perches on a beautiful cherry wood desk. An intriguing complex story line graces a pristine whiteboard nestled next to an impeccably kept filing cabinet where character sketches, world building details, and future plots are all in their assigned spots waiting to be used.  The only sounds you can hear in this oasis will be whatever music my Muse and I have agreed on that day.  No telephones, no cell phones, no other distraction would dare to intrude into this writer’s paradise.  

That’s my dream.

Here’s my reality—we turned an extra bedroom into an office and I have to share it.  My roommate happens to be my techy geek husband (aka the Knight) who has more electronics than NASA.  The book-lined walls are limited to three bookcases on one wall, while the remaining holders of books can be found in my bedroom and the living room, and then, there are the three desks.  

One is the lovely banker’s desk I inherited from my Knight’s dad. This is my main perch point. It’s dominated by my big Mac (not the kind you can eat), a beautifully decorated skull, pens, notebooks, Kleenex, my desk calendar, two coasters for drink options, headphones, and my little Mac. 

Behind me is the second desk that served as a lab table at a local university in a previous life. The lab table currently holds critiques from my writing partners on my latest WIP, a monitor I can hook my little Mac to, and pens. I’m considering getting rid of it. 

Why would a writer need two desks? Because as much as I would love to say otherwise, my writing doesn’t quite keep away the pesky bill collectors or satisfy the healthcare gods, so until recently, I had a job-that-pays-the-bills.  That job gave me the ability to telecommute for fifteen years. It also meant I needed two desks.  One to remind me of the cubicle world I came from, and the other to hold my two Apples (Big and mini) I use for writing.  Yes, I know, another set of two (I have lots of those: 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 computers, 2 desks, 2 cars).  But the Big Mac stays home, while Mini Mac, being so much easier to carry, allows for escape options. Now, this secondary desk is taking up space, but I haven’t wanted to take on the challenge of re-configuring the office. It’s on my to-do list.

The third belongs to the aforementioned techy geek husband. Don’t get me started on what’s on that surface. We’ll be lost in the chaos for days.

The office has next-door neighbors—the Prankster Duo.  My two boys are inches away and sometimes even the walls and locked door can’t seem to keep them out.  The other day I gathered the men of the household and said, “I am going to write in the office. Pretend I’m not here, okay?” They all agreed and then suddenly suffered from severe memory loss. I sat down, put on the headphones to drown out the battle cries I knew were going to erupt within the next few minutes, opened my latest work in progress, only to jump out of my chair when my youngest came up and hug tackled me. 

 When they do sweet stuff like that you can’t yell, it’s just not…mom like.  I took out one ear bud and raised a brow in question.  

“Hey mom, did you know that I just got (insert some gamer speak about armor and weaponry here)?” 

“Umm, really? That’s great, sweetpea, but see this,” motion to softly glowing screen in front of me, “I’m writing, remember?”

A quick peck on the check and he’s gone.  I try to get back into the groove, only to have the door swish open and our two newest editions, the Fur Minxes, trot in.  They want to play.  I remind them, this is mommy’s alone time, then proceed to maneuver my chair in such a way as to not run over tails as both girls decide the space at my feet is perfect for a combined 100 pounds of canine to occupy.  Back in front of the screen, music playing, I’m back…until the phone rings.  

This is my reality.  This is why some days I’m reduced to picking up the smaller laptop and driving to the nearest Starbucks and hiding out for hours on end.  Otherwise, it’s a never ending round of interruptions. 

Most people dream of winning the lottery so they can travel the world. I dream of winning the lottery so I can have my own office. 

During the school year, it’s a bit better.  The knight is out slaying dragons, the Duo is out raising havoc under someone else’s watch and the Minxes hone their skills for possible cage matches in the backyard. I work on my adult responsibilities of getting my-soon-to-be-job-that-pays-the-bills up and running, then utilize the rare flashes of free time. Writing a paragraph here or there, sketching out the next chapter, or tweaking the last scene.  But even so, I still have to make sure I hit a solid word count each day (1250-1500). Lately that word count happens five out of seven days, and I consider that triumph.  

It took me years to get over the guilt of bailing on my hubby and kids to carve out time to write, but now I find it’s essential.  Not just for my writing but for my sanity.  Where others may use such time to read a book, workout, shop, or hang out with friends, I use for my alternate personality—the writer.

So for now, until we score that big pot of lottery gold and I get my dream office, I will hold my dream close and defend my two desks and the Mac duo from the scourge of interruptions, carving words out one inch at a time!

Pick up SHADOW’S EDGE for FREE for a limited time and dive into the shadows of the Kyn… 

Jami's Books

THE KYN KRONICLES (Urban Fantasy series w/Black Opal Books)

WRAPPED IN SHADOWS, Kyn Kronicles .5 

(Things That Go Bump For The Holidays Anthology)

The magic of the holidays can be hell…

Celebrations abound during the holidays, but this Christmas an engagement celebration goes horrifically wrong.  What appears to be a simple murder/suicide hides a vicious surprise. The type of gift Raine and Gavin, elite member of the Kyn, didn’t want humans to unwrap, because revealing the monsters in the shadows isn’t the way to spread holiday cheer.

Amazon  -  Nook  -  Smashwords  -  Black Opal Books

SHADOW’S EDGE, Kyn Kronicles #1

Everyone fears what hunts in the shadows—especially the monsters…

When the supernatural lurks in the shadows of the mundane, hunting monsters requires unique skills, like those of Raine McCord. A series of deaths threatens to reveal the Kyn community and forces her to partner with the sexy Gavin Durand. 

As the trail leads to the foundation haunting Raine’s childhood, she and Gavin must unravel lies and betrayals to discover not only each other, but the emerging threat to them and the entire magical community.

Amazon  - ARe  -  iBooks  -  Smashwords  -  Black Opal Books  -  

Kobo  -  Scribd  -  GooglePlay

SHADOW’S SOUL, Kyn Kronicles #2

Some nightmares are born of love…

A simple assignment turns into a nightmare when Raine McCord follows Cheveyo to the Southwest on a consulting gig. When the most feared beings of the Kyn kidnaps Cheveyo and leaves Raine for dead, her ability to heal her mind and spirit hinges on the one man who can touch her soul, Gavin Durand.  

Unraveling the Southwest Kyn’s web of secrets and hidden vendettas will either bring them together or tear them apart forever.

Black Opal Books  -  Amazon  - ARe  -  Nook  -  Smashwords  -  iBooks  -   

Kobo  -  Scribd  -  GooglePlay

 

SHADOW’S MOON, Kyn Kronicles #3

Even wild hearts can be broken…

Tracker, Xander Cade, confronts an enraged Shifter in a crowded human nightclub, fraying the thin secrecy shielding the supernatural community from public scrutiny. Danger stalks the pack and she must protect her alpha and mate, Warrick Vidis, even if he doesn’t want it.

If they don’t find a way to trust each other and accept their rare bond they risk losing everything-their pack, their friends and each other.

Amazon  - Barnes & Noble  -  Black Opal Books  -  Smashwords  -  

ARe  -  iBooks  -  Kobo  -  Scribd  -  GooglePlay

SHADOW’S CURSE, Kyn Kronicles #4

Death and chaos can devastate even the best-laid plans…

After tragedy strikes the Northwest Kyn, leaving the houses in chaos and the Wraiths hungry for blood, the fallout threatens Natasha Bertoi’s carefully laid plans. When the Council sends Darius Abazi, the one man guaranteed to skew the odds, she faces her toughest opponent yet.

As death stalks the Northwest Kyn, can Natasha trust Darius, a man well versed in subterfuge, to uncover the truth before treachery destroys them all? 

Amazon  -  Barnes & Noble  -  Black Opal Books  -  iBooks  -  

Smashwords  -  Kobo  -  ARe  -  Scribd

Coming Fall 2015:

A collection of Kyn shorts, including WRAPPED IN SHADOWS

PSY-IV Teams (Paranormal Romantic Suspense series w/MuseIt Up Publishing)

HUNTED BY THE PAST, PSY-IV Teams #1

Sometimes death is the only way to out run the past…

Changing the past is impossible, a fact ex-marine, Cynthia Arden, understands all too well. Struggling with the aftermath of a botched mission, a panicked phone call brings her home to face a killer’s game. Unfortunately, the distracting Kayden Shaw returns as well, the one man she thought would stand by her, until he chose his job over her.

To survive, will Cyn risk her heart or lose the man she loves and her life?

MuseItUp Publishing  -  Amazon  -  Smashwords  -  Barnes & Noble  -  

Kobo  -  iBooks  -  ARe  - GooglePlay

Coming Spring 2016:

TOUCHED BY FATE, PSY-IV Teams #2

Trusting him with her secrets is dangerous. Trusting him with her heart could be fatal.

As a specialized consultant for the Department of Defense, Risia Lacoste understands the bargaining chip of a well-kept secret. When her current assignment threatens to unearth her deeply buried skeletons, she’s forced into a high-stakes game of lies and loyalty where even her ability to foresee the future can’t predict the winner. 

Darkness lies under the skin of every man, and PSY-IV Team operative and touch empath, Tag Gunderson, has the demons to prove it. Scarred by betrayal and disillusionment, he’s not Risia’s top pick for a partner in the game, but he’s all she’s got.

As the game draws them deeper into a pit of intrigue and their list of enemies grow, will Risia trust Tag with more than her secrets or will his demons destroy them both?  

You can find all the buy links for both 

The Kyn Kronicles and PSY-IV Teams, 

in all formats at: 

http://jamigray.com/kynkronicles/

http://jamigray.com/psyivteams/  

BIO: 

Jami Gray is the award winning, multi-published author of the Urban Fantasy series, The Kyn Kronicles, and the Paranormal Romantic Suspense series, PSY-IV Teams. She can be soothed with coffee and chocolate. Surrounded by Star Wars obsessed males and two female labs moonlighting as the Fur Minxes, she escapes by playing with the voices in her head. 


You can find Jami at:

Black Opal Books:    www.BlackOpalBooks.com  

Muse It Up Publishing:  http://museituppublishing.com

Website:     www.JamiGray.com 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jamigray.author 

Facebook Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/JamiGrayUFWriter 

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/JamiGrayAuthor 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/JamiGray 

Google+:  https://google.com/+JamiGray 

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.com/e/B006HU3HJI

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/LvoZn 

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jamigrayauthor/

Here's the rest of the week's schedule...check back soon!