Stormy Weather

| Casey Wyatt

Finally. It’s Friday! It’s always tough to get back into the groove after a week of vacation.

It’s funny how 5 minutes on my work laptop can dissolve every ounce of tranquility.

Anyway, I wasn’t totally idyll last week. After completing the first draft of Misfortune Cookie and sending it off to my first readers, I moved onto Mystic Storm (Zephyr’s book) and Redemption (Galen’s book).

So far, Zephyr continues to resist me. Galen, on the other hand is being more cooperative. The only problem, Redemption is the next book after Ascension, which I still have out on submission. Normally, I wouldn’t spend time on Galen’s book, but he’s been itching for completion since I started in it in January 2010. Plus, he’s so much fun to write. I’ll miss him when the book is done (maybe that’s why I’m still working on it).

I have a theory that Mystic Storm is harder because it’s the next book in a published series. I admit there’s a small shadow of concern in the back of my mind. I don’t want to disappoint people who enjoyed the first book. I know I need to forget all that, but sometimes it’s hard.

I am happy to report I’m over the 30,000 word mark and that seems to be the “sweet spot” for me in my writing. I believe it takes me about 30,000 words to get into the groove of the story. At last, Kalli and Zephyr have come into their own and the story I’ve plotted seems to be flowing more smoothly. Yay!

Does that happen for anyone else? Is there a magic amount of words you need to get on the page before you know your characters?

If you have time, please stop by and visit me at the Scribes where I’m talking – Hootsuite!

Until we meet again next week, I’ll leave you with an image from my photo collection from Stonington, CT – Zephyr’s home.

This is the building that’s the inspiration for the Gallup Inn – Zephyr’s hotel/day spa.

Gone Fishin’

| Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday everyone! I’m on a much needed vacation this week so I don’t have a much to say.

Instead I offer a series of photos of my favorite places. For vacation I like to take day trips with younger son. Older son is entrenched in the teen-man cave and hubby doesn’t have as much vacation time as I do. But we don’t mind. We have plenty of fun without them.

Freeman Farm, Old Strubridge Village, Sturbridge MA
Stonington Point, Stonington, CT – This movie theater facade was added for the movie Hope Springs (Meryl Streep/Tommy Lee Jones flick).
Yankee Candle Flagship Store – Deerfield, MA

If you have a moment, I’m blogging over at the Scribes about – Decisions, Decisions.

How about you? Where do you like to go for fun and relaxation? 

It’s Official – Vampires Live on Mars!

| Casey Wyatt

Hey everyone!

The Undead Space Initiative is on sale now at Pink Petal Books!

Once I have the Amazon and B&N links I will post them.

Here’s a brief excerpt:

Jonathan spoke first. “We’re leaving.” He left me alone in the hallway with Ian.

“Charity—”

“Cherry. Only Jonathan gets to use my real name.”

“Fine. Apologies.” Ian stepped close enough that I could see flecks of gold in the blue of his irises. “I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.”

Stunned, I moved back. Ian had no idea how many men had said those exact words to me over the years. “There must be something in my ears. Did I hear you correctly? Are you trying to pick me up at a time like this?”

A slow smile crept across his lips, revealing pearly white fang tips. “Right. I bet you hear that all the time. What I should have said was I’ve been having these dreams—”

With a snort, I threw my hands up. “Okay. Stop right there. I don’t want to hear about your sick, twisted fantasies.”

Ian opened his mouth, no doubt to deny it, when his cell phone chirped. “Got to take this.” He turned his back to me and spoke low enough so I couldn’t hear him. Not that I planned on eavesdropping. I could care less.

Why should I stand around waiting on him? The family needed evacuating. I threw open the prop room door and the room was…empty?

What the fudge?

No tunnel passage existed in the prop room.

“I bet you’re wondering right about now, where is everyone?” Ian said from behind me.

I whirled around and slugged him.

Thanks for your support! Happy Reading!

When Good Cookies Go Bad

| Casey Wyatt

Finally, I’m ready to share the scoop on my latest book. But first, a bit of back story. Radiance was the very book I ever attempted to write way back in 1997. Being a brand spanking new writer, I had no idea what I was doing. I spent years and years writing scenes with no rhyme or reason.

Eventually, I set it aside out of sheer frustration and moved onto other stories. Because Radiance was the first one, it’s always bothered me that I never finished the story.

I know, I know. There’s a reason those first books stay in a box under the bed. But I couldn’t let her go.

Last year I began the process of re-imagining the book. I chucked out virtually the entire plot and went back to my heroine and what I loved best about her. I titled the new version, Devil’s Advocate and got to work plotting. And promptly became snarled in a tangled mess.

My first thought was – I will never get this story right. I took a break and started plotting Zephyr’s book and dealing with Galen’s mess.

Then in 2012, after a mental head slap, I realized that the story was too big. I needed to step back and break it down. So Devil’s Advocate became book 2 in a three book series.

Mind freed, I spent April plotting book 1. In May, I began writing. It was slow going at first, then my friend Susannah Hardy issued one of her famous writing challenges, this time in the form of writing sprints. By June, I was on fire banging out 2,000 – 3,000 words a day. I finished the last week in June and the first draft has been cleaned up, ready to send to my valued first readers.

So, I present to you Misfortune Cookie!

Most of the time a family’s secrets should remain just that – secret. Reformed party girl and retired socialite Radiance Ashworth is happy to remain in obscurity, enjoying her idyllic life away from her greedy, backstabbing family. That peace is shattered when she inherits the Ashworth fortune and a nasty supernatural legacy. Now, Radiance is expected to chase escaped souls and return them to the Hereafter. Refusal is not an option and she vows to play along until she can find a way to break the family curse.

She doesn’t have to navigate the supernatural world alone. Luca, sexy, confident, and so damn tempting, is happy to guide her – if she’d only accept his help.  She quickly learns how much she needs his assistance just to stay alive, when a Jiang Shi – a vengeful
Chinese spirit – starts systematically murdering the city’s elite businessmen. While the Jiang Shi proves to be a formidable opponent, Radiance finds the growing attraction between her and Luca to be even scarier. She’s determined to be free of him and the curse. Luca has other ideas and won’t stop until he’s captured her body and soul.

Thanks for your patience!

Also, I’m over at the Scribes today where I answer the question – What’s Love Got to do With it.

60 Inches of Glory!

| Casey Wyatt

Well, it finally happened. A moment that I wished for and dreaded at the same time – our big screen television died. I admit for the last few years, I’ve had a serious case of TV envy. Everyone around us was upgrading to sleek, thin paneled models while we still had a big behemoth projection box. But there was no way we were going to buy another TV as long as the old one worked.

Then, a few weeks ago, the TV started acting up. I knew the symptoms. We’d had this brand before and it showed signs of imminent demise, the non-operable kind. I could barely contain my glee, but remained silent since I know Hubby would not be receptive to any TV replacement overtures.

When we bought our 50″ TV a mere eight years ago, it was not quite cutting edge HD, but it was better than what we’d had before – a 36 incher. A few years ago, we switched to ATT Uverse and started using the lone HDMI port and our picture got even better.

Earlier, I mentioned dread – that would be the cost of replacing the television. Well, we had to bite the bullet. The old TV died on a Sunday and there was no way I was missing all my favorite programs.

After cruising around our town comparing  features, prices, and the amount of HDMI ports, we purchased a new 60 inch HDTV at Costco. For good measure, I bought a blue ray player and Hubby added a sound bar.

Woohoo! We plugged that baby in and connected all the new toys and HOLY CRAP, we spent the entire day glued to the television. The picture quality was so incredible and different from what’d been watching that I thought my brain would overload.

The real mind freak moment came when we played a blue ray copy of Thor. We meant to watch just a few minutes for comparison purposes, but that didn’t happen. Two hours later and with copious amounts of drool (that would be mine – hello, shirtless Chris Hemsworth), we collectively realized that we’d re-watched the entire film.

And I awoke from my HD induced stupor and thought – crap! I haven’t written a thing today. Agggh!

After a week of – wow, look at that picture – I’m finally back on track. I completed the first draft of my new book. And surprise, it’s not Mystic Storm. Once I have the blessing of my excellent beta-readers, I’ll share more details.

In the meantime, in case you missed it –  here’s the cover to The Undead Space Initiative coming soon in July! I’m very excited to share this book with everyone.

And if you haven’t stopped by the Scribes today, I’d love it if you’d visit and join in the discussion  – Sex and Zero G.

Who else loves their TV set? If not, what is your dream/favorite gadget?

I’m so Pretty – Beautiful Blogger Award

| Casey Wyatt

Yay! It’s Friday. Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes for  – I am Not A-MUSEd!

Sabrina Garie has awarded me The Beautiful Blogger Award. Thank you Sabrina!

As most of you may have guessed, there are rules.

Rule #1 – I must share 7 things. Today, I’m going to be different and share fun facts and a secret or two about my characters. Let’s face it, you all must be sick of hearing about me!

Rule #2 – Pass this award to 7 bloggers. More on that later.

From Mystic Ink:

1. Devlin Ward has a potted plant. It’s name is Medusa on account of its snake-like fronds. He would never, ever admit that to anyone
since the real Medusa would not be pleased. And we all know what happens to men who make her angry. Let’s just say it’s not the kind of rock hard Devlin would enjoy.

2. Nix is the most independent of the fifty daughter’s of Nereus. She is adamant about earning her own money and making her own way in the world. Her Uncle Memphis fostered her independence by taking her on as an apprentice in his tattoo shop.

From The Undead Space Initiative:

3.  Cherry Cordial doesn’t like enclosed spaces. Once, when one her fellow vampires jokingly trapped her in a dark closet, she dumped dead fish in their beds for a week.

4. Jonathan, Cherry’s maker, first noticed her because of her beautiful singing voice. It was her rebellious spirit that made him turn her into a vampire. Later, whenever he’d complain about her sassy attitude, Cherry would remind him, “Tough cookies. This is what you signed up for. Don’t blame me that I have big mouth and know how to use it.”  Cherry would like to remind you to get your minds out of the gutter. She’s a stripper, not a whore. Just saying.

From Ascension:

5. Kyra was recruited into the FBI by her boss, Terence Lange after she beat him and hundreds of other veteran sharpshooters at a
regional competition. Lange is inherently distrustful of magic, but does trust Kyra. Both of their understanding of supernatural phenomena are about to be shaken up.

6. Valerian is a stickler for rules and order. Clutter drives him crazy and he can’t stand salt and vinegar chips. Galen uses this information to annoy Valerian every chance he gets. While the two are friends, Valerian is also Galen’s superior, and Galen’s cheekiness often gets him into trouble. Not that Galen would have it any other way!

And from my WIP:

7. This isn’t a character fact per se, but my latest WIP has something to do with fortune cookies and evil spirits. Don’t worry Mystic Ink fans, I am still working on Mystic Storm (Zephyr’s book), but I opted to complete this book first since it was flowing faster.

Seven Beautiful Blogs:

1. Writing Secrets of 7 Scribes – Stop by and say hello. We’re friendly, fun and love to dish about all kinds of topics.

2. Meggan Connors – She makes me laugh with her honesty and self-depreciating humor. I love Edinor and her travels. You have visit her blog to find out who or what Edinor is!

3. Janna Shay – Kind and generous, Janna always makes me smile. She’s also an incredibly supportive and I do appreciate it!

5. Marian Lanouette – A great blogger who shares great advice. Plus, she is one sexy lady. Have you seen her Facebook photo? Her debut novel – If I Fail –  comes out in September.

6. Leia Shaw – Whether she’s blogging at her own site (The Paranormal G-spot) or at Nights of Passion, she always has something interesting to say.

7. Julia Rachel Barrett – C’mon, did you think I wouldn’t pick the lovely Julia? Julia blogs every day and it’s always worth reading.

To the recipients of the Beautiful Blogger Award – go forth and share the beauty!

And feel free to share your favorite blog (s) with me! 

Ta Da! Cover Reveal!

| Casey Wyatt

It’s official! I have the cover for The Undead Space Initiative by Lex at Winterheart Designs! Thank you Lex!

There May Be Blood, Mr. Lincoln

| Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday everyone! Be sure to visit me at the Scribes today for – The Art of Letting Go.

Regular visitors to this blog (and the 7 Scribes) know that I love movies, books, and television shows. My tastes are all over the place –  ranging from Downton Abbey to Shaun of the Dead.

Over the past few years, there have been several books that re-imagined fictional and historical people/events with an injection of supernatual beings. Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, Android Karenina, and coming to you this weekend in movie theaters – Abraham Lincoln,Vampire Hunter.

When I first heard about the books, I was amused. I even read Pride, Prejudice and Zombies. It wasn’t really my cup of tea. So I passed on reading anymore paranormal spoof novels. Being a paranormal author, you’d think I would love these books. But I don’t. It could be that I have very little time to read. Or it could be that I wasn’t in the right mood to enjoy the book.

Who knows?

I do love Christopher Farnsworth’s Nathanial Cade novels. There is a vampire and a president. Except the premise is more unique and more plausible (I know. Laugh. We are still talking suspension of disbelief). The vampire works for the president. As opposed to the future prez hacking up the undead.

The verdict is out on the movie version. I may go see it in the theater. Or I may catch it on HBO. We’ll see.

In the movies, President Lincoln, may be a bad-ass vampire slayer. But this is how I prefer to think about him: as a bad-ass president.

 

What’s your take on literary classics with a supernatural twist? Any plans to see Abe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter?

Onward Ho!

| Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday!! Don’t forget to visit me at the Scribes for – Care and Feeding of Your Doubt Monster.

Since last week, I’ve kicked into high gear. Finally, I’ve hit the halfway mark on my work in progress. And I’ve been slowing adding to Mystic Storm (Zephyr’s book) and Redemption (Galen’s Book). There must be something in the warm air because my daily word count has shot through the roof this week.

Last year, I averaged about 2,000 words a day on The Undead Space Initiative. This past week, I’ve done 3,000 words a day. Total word count to date  = 45,144.

I don’t know what has gotten into me, and quite frankly I don’t care. I just want to finish a book!

For the last few months, I’ve been dragging. I’ve had all three books plotted out, but for some reason, the words just weren’t flowing. And then I realized what I was doing. I was letting myself get stuck. My number one rule when writing is – onward ho!

Just like the settlers making their way out west, when I’m actively writing, my creedo is: don’t stop, don’t re-read, and don’t stare at the computer screen for too long.

So instead of trying to make myself write a scene that I wasn’t seeing or just not into at that moment, I moved onto the next scene repeating over and over –  I can fix it later.

Later. Not now. Later, when I’d finished the first draft.

When I’m done, it can be changed, improved, or deleted.

Really. It is that simple. I forgot. Silly me.

I know I’m not the only one who’s been in a bit of a slump. If you need motivation, I invite you to join us over at the CTRWA Facebook page where Jane Haertel is hosting writing sprints! If you’ve never tried one before, give it a try.

What’s been holding you back? What are your favorite tips for getting unstuck??