I’m over at the Soul Mate Blog today – part of our April Blog-athon. Please stop by and say hello! Otherwise, I will be lonely!
Stop By and Say Hello, My Friends!
Casey Wyatt
There’s a Gremlin in my Book!
Happy Friday everyone! Be sure to check out my post over at the Scribes – Stagnant Brain Syndrome.
This week, I’ve been furiously re-reading my manuscript – The Undead Space Initiative so I can hand it in for final line edits.
And man, let me tell you, I swear there is a little gremlin sitting in my computer deleting words (that no one seems to notice are missing). The gremlin also likes to play with formatting and add extra spaces or delete space that should be there.
I know that all manuscripts have typos and missing words. It comes with the territory. Very frustrating, especially when you have a perfectionist personality like I do.
One way to combat the gremlin (besides the obvious thing – using spell checker liberally and often) is time away from the book. I haven’t read USI since last year. I’ve had time to forget what I wrote and see it with fresh eyes.
The other helpful tip: read in short, focused bursts. That way you won’t get sucked into the story and forget to check for those pesky errors. Any time I caught myself actually “reading”, I stopped and did something else.
Another suggestion: scatter the order of the pages. But, I converted the document to the publisher’s format and removed the page numbers. I had printed the entire book when I realized what I had done. Oops. Maybe next time!
Of course, time away has a downside – the urge to change everything. I nipped that in the bud when I realized I was letting The Doubt Monster mess with my head again. My editor at Pink Petal Books enjoyed the story and asked for minimal changes, so Doubty can go torment someone else.
You’ll have to forgive me today, if I answer comments later than normal. I’m having fun with my family and I’ll respond as soon as I can.
Tell me about your gremlins. Perhaps you have one that eats the socks in your dryer or likes to steal your favorite pen off the table. Or maybe something more interesting?
A Chance to Win Mystic Ink!
I’m part of a giveaway at Book & Trailer Showcase. I’m giving away an e-book copy of Mystic Ink to one lucky person. Head over to their site by clicking here and follow the directions on the site. Good luck!
So I was Like….
Happy Friday everyone. Don’t forget to stop by the Scribes. My guest today is Sharon Buchbinder! Don’t miss a chance to say hello.
So here’s how my week has been. I’ve had this stuffy nose (either a cold or sudden allergy onslaught after the freak warm weather here in New England).
Needless to say, I’ve been dragging my sorry carcass around with a box of tissues and a grumpy attitude.
And when I attempted to write, my characters decided to give me crap. Kind of like this:
Me: “Zephyr, I’m so sick of you.”
Zephyr: “Who me? I haven’t done anything wrong.” He spots a bag on the dining room table and reaches for it. “Is that a new book?”
Me: I ignore the question. “Why are you making my life so difficult?”
Z: “Don’t look at me. It’s all in your head.” <plastic crinkles>
Me: “Sure be a typical man. Deny that you have any part in all of this. Why did you have to go and piss off the Fates? You’re making my life hell.”
Z: “If I hadn’t you wouldn’t have a story to tell, now would you?”
Me: “I don’t appreciate the cheek. If I wanted that, I’d go find Devlin.”
Devlin: “Did someone mention moi?”
Me: “No Devlin. I’m too stressed out to deal with you today.”
D: “Well pardon me.” He turns to Zephyr. “Has she been like this all week?”
Z: “You have no idea.” He pulls out J.R. Ward’s Lover Reborn and brandishes it in my face.
D: “Hey, she’s reading about those vampires again. What? We aren’t sexy enough for you?” He flexes his muscles. “And you have the nerve to complain that your word count is bad.” <wags finger> “For shame!”
I sit in the corner, chanting, “I’m the Author Goddess. I’m the Author Goddess…”
Zephyr, examines his nails. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that, sweetheart. Devlin, up for a round of drinks?”
Devlin says, “You bet your windy ass I am. Oh, mighty Author Goddess, have fun with the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Too bad they aren’t going to write your book for you.”
They leave me muttering to myself like an idiot. I’m so pathetic even The Doubt Monster feels bad for me this week.
And on that note, I leave you with this great comic. Thank you Toni Andrews. You don’t know how badly I needed the laugh!
Dreaming in Ink
Hey everyone! Today I’m over at Dreaming in Ink.
Please be sure to stop by. One lucky commentor will win an e-copy of Mystic Ink!
Knowing When to Say No More!
Happy Friday everyone. Please be sure to visit me over at the Scribes today where I explain why – I’m an Incubator.
I don’t have much to say today. My mind is otherwise occupied with Mystic Storm (check out my post yesterday – Lucky Seven for quick glimpse). But working on a sequel has me thinking about when an author decides to end a series. Or at least move onto something else with the promise of another book in that universe down the road.
I’ll admit it, writing another book in the same world as Mystic Ink is not easy for me. It’s not because I don’t love the setting or the characters, but a tiny voice in my head knows that after Zephyr’s and Devlin’s book, I don’t see any more in the future. That doesn’t mean there never will be anymore, it just means I have other stories to tell.
I might be better suited to writing standalone books (like Kristan Higgins), but in the paranormal romance universe that usually doesn’t happen. I can tick off a list of authors whose books are in the teens now or close to it. Some of them, I have long since stopped reading. They all started to sound the same after a while or the characters never seem to move on (or if they do it’s in a negative direction.)
One author I totally admire (and she was the impetus for this post) is Gail Carriger. Her latest release – Timeless – is book 5 in her Parasol Protectorate series. It is also the last book.
As a fan, I should be crying.
But I’m not.
The books have all been fabulous adventures. Yet, I’m relieved that she stopped the series at a high point. (I’m not going to review her book. Instead, I invite you to visit Penelope’s Romance Reviews for her take.)
In my opinion, too many series have run into the ground with characters or plots that should have given it a rest a long time ago. I’m not going to pick on specific authors or series, but I’m sure everyone has at least one or two they can think of that fit this description.
Gail has another series coming out (The Finishing School Series) and I’m looking forward to it. I admire that she is working on something else and is not being “typecast” into one kind of book. I don’t know the reasons behind the decision (that it was hers or the publisher’s), but I applaud it.
Thank you, Gail! (and if its not too much to ask – I hope someday we get to see more of Lord Akeldama!)
What say you? Do you like never-ending series by your favorite author? Or would you rather they wrapped it up?
Lucky Seven
The lovely Leia Shaw has tagged me as part of her lucky seven blog activity (and Leia – consider yourself special because I don’t show anyone my WIP until it’s completed!)
Here are the rules:
1. Go to page 77 in your current manuscript
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next seven lines as they are – no cheating
4. Tag 7 other authors.
Post the lines on your own blog.
My lucky 7 are: Julia Rachel Barrett, Penny Watson, Katy Lee, Jamie Pope, Tam Linsey, Jamie Brazil, and Meggan Connors. Tag! You’re it (this is purely voluntary, by the way!) I will post your names on Facebook too!
From Mystic Storm:
“Lies are like potato chips. You can’t stop at just one.” Langston flashed in front of him, mouth downturned. “She isn’t stupid. She’s a Muse for cripes’ sake!”
“Shut it, Langston.” He circled around the desk and rifled through papers.
“I think you need to listen to me.” For once, was unspoken between them. “If you care about Kalliope, then tell her the truth. Now. Don’t wait.”
Zephyr moved in front of the mirror by the door. “Look at me!” he raised his breasts. “I’m a woman right now. She’ll think I’m crazy.”
Come Chat with Me!
Today is my first ever author chat over at The Romance Reviews First Anniversary Party!
Please stop by and say hello! I’d love to meet some new people and see some familiar faces (well, virtual ones – you know what I mean!).
In order to chat, you need to be a registered user of the site. It’s free and easy to join!
Click on the link here or the banner below:
If You Aren’t Completely Sick of Me Yet…
I’m over at Marian Lanoutte’s blog – here.
I’d love to hear from you, so please stop by when you have a moment.
Casey Wyatt 