Last month, my husband and I had a conversation regarding my recent workload. I'd just helped to launch the SPELLBOUND boxed set after five long months of intense effort.
"Think you're ready for a break?" he asked.
"Sure am!" was my immediate reply. And really, I was ready for a break. Any working writer--heck, any working anyone--will agree that all work and no play (no sleep/no rest) makes for a cranky kid.
So no one was more surprised than I was when I said..."Surprise! I'm not taking a break."
In fact, I'm taking the opposite of a break. I decided that it would be a good idea if I got back to work on releasing ANOTHER BOXED SET.
With a book I haven't written yet.
So...all the same work plus create a novel before mid-October.
Am I crazy? It's a possibility. But my crazy has always been what I like most about myself. My crazy brought about every other book I'd released. So, crazy isn't a bad thing, necessarily.
Am I driven? You bet! I've been percolating this story for YEARS. It's opening pages won a first place prize in a novel writing contest first in 2009, then again in 2012 (when it was judged by Hank Phillippi Ryan herself!) I pulled it out and got its bones lined up a few years ago at a Modern Baseball concert (because apparently I thought pop punk and writing went well together). I've loved this story for a long time. I can't wait to finally meet it!
Am I setting a lofty goal? Heck YES. This is, by far, the biggest challenge I've ever given myself. I usually spend a year or more on a book (which is why I usually have more than one project going at all times.) With this project, I have to put aside the novel I was working on as well as an accompanying shortish story, both in The Demon Whisperer series, to focus solely on TAKIN' IT BACK. I've never had a one-track mind.
Am I scared? A little, but in a good way. I can't fail. Contract signed. Twenty other authors counting on me to do my share, and a few who already know I can bust my hump to do my share well.
So, I guess a question...are you with me?
I hope you are. :) Send me your good thoughts and supportive karma because...vacation's over. The Summer Writing Challenge has begun.
PS Any writer who are interested in doing Twitter-based writing sprints, hmu at @Ashkrafton. I remember the summer a group of us did #fastdraft and can really use the team support again!
Showing posts with label #amwriting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #amwriting. Show all posts
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Feels good to be raisin' hell again...#amwriting
Aw, man. I can't believe how fast the summer is flying by...
Maybe it seems that way because my day-job schedule changed drastically over the last three months. I didn't think going from thirty to forty hours a week could have made such a difference but it has really chewed the edges off my free time. And I LOVE my free time, because my free time is my writing time.
It took a few weeks, but I eventually stepped up my time management skills and figured out how to make the most of each of those non-day-job hours. (Which means I'm totally in Ghost Hunters rerun withdrawal. Trigger to the chin.)
At least I have lots to show for it :) Oh, the news...
Speaking of newsletter, are you signed up? If any of these happy, happy things make you happy, too, then join up (link to join the mailing list is over on the sidebar.) As we get closer, superfans will get to see everything first, as well as have the chance to grab up review copies.
Anyways, I guess after laying it out like this, it should be no surprise that the summer is just melting away. I was actually pretty productive...and my mage exorcist, Simon Alliant, has been raising all sorts of hell.
That's my boy... *grins*
Maybe I do deserve a bit of a Ghost Hunters break today...
Maybe it seems that way because my day-job schedule changed drastically over the last three months. I didn't think going from thirty to forty hours a week could have made such a difference but it has really chewed the edges off my free time. And I LOVE my free time, because my free time is my writing time.
It took a few weeks, but I eventually stepped up my time management skills and figured out how to make the most of each of those non-day-job hours. (Which means I'm totally in Ghost Hunters rerun withdrawal. Trigger to the chin.)
At least I have lots to show for it :) Oh, the news...
First chunk of big news...
CHARM CITY (The Demon Whisperer #1) is available for Kindle pre-order!
I uploaded the files today (after rocking out some sweet chapter header graphics last night). This book is doing amazingly well on Wattpad.com, where it's been read nearly 20,000 times! *jaw drop* All that's left to do is work out the kinks and get some starter reviews. I'm so psyched to get this series out there!
Second chunk...
The sequel, MURDER THE LIGHT (The Demon Whisperer #2) is nearing completion!
I've been using Scrivener for this project and it's really shown its superiority over Word as far as reorganization goes. Scrivener is a huge part of my time management success, especially because of the corkboard view. Although I don't have a release date yet, I know it's within reach now.
Third chunk...let's call it a triple chunk!
The Demimonde trilogy is getting a facelift!
New covers are on the way for my first urban fantasy trilogy. I'm thinking...maybe a big release event this fall. Sneak peeks will come soon through my newsletter.
Anyways, I guess after laying it out like this, it should be no surprise that the summer is just melting away. I was actually pretty productive...and my mage exorcist, Simon Alliant, has been raising all sorts of hell.
That's my boy... *grins*
Maybe I do deserve a bit of a Ghost Hunters break today...
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
CHARM CITY (The Demon Whisperer #1) #amwriting
Over the past few weeks I've been uploading chapters of my WIP urban fantasy over at Wattpad.com. It's an experiment in more ways than one: I've never posted a full-length story on Wattpad before, let alone something that hasn't been scoured and shredded by my trusted beta readers. So why am I doing it?
I think it has to do with the impulsivity of it all. Over the years, I've gone from a seat-of-my-pants writer to someone who has learned (and will never know all of) the craft of writing and the business in general. Every book I published took me farther along the path. Since my first publication upon my return to serious writing (a poem back in 2009) I've learned so much... and I've developed a lot of good habits and methods.
However, a certain element of impulsivity was waning.
I often think back to the first novel I started, one I wrote in secret during stolen moments when the ideas felt like they'd blow out the side of my brain if I didn't write them down. Those passionate bursts of inspiration truly kindled my happy writing habits.
But with time and growth and knowledge and training came more planning, more foresight, more structure. Less seat-of-my-pants.
It's a mixed blessing.
So... I'm giving myself a dose of impulsivity. (And it's so refreshing. Exciting. A little nail-biting, even.)
Unfortunately, I can't turn off the part of my writer's brain that is addicted to craves feedback. If you'd care to offer a comment on any of the chapters I've posted, I would really love to hear it. Really.
And if you like what you read, I hope you share it along.
CHARM CITY (The Demon Whisperer #1)
The darkness is rising and one man stands against it: the exorcist mage Simon Alliant. But in Baltimore, he finally meets his match...a part-mortal divinity with the power to whisper away demons.
Simon Alliant is an exorcist who battles demons, whether he wants to or not. Sometimes it's not so bad...he gets to play with magic, after all. But for Simon, magic represents a demon of another kind. He's addicted to magic and it takes more than a handful of charms to keep that particular demon at bay.
Chiara is part Light, part Dark, and stubbornly mortal. The woman has a way with words: she literally talks demons into abandoning their human hosts. Simon thinks that's not the only trick she has up her sleeve-and that's pretty high praise coming from a mage like him.
As intriguing as that may be, Simon has too many reasons to distrust her...one of them being his more-or-less partner, an angelic Watcher. Amidst all the celestial warnings of the rising dark comes a new prophesy that makes him wonder: is Chiara a threat to him and all of mankind?
Or will she be his salvation?
Simon Alliant is an exorcist who battles demons, whether he wants to or not. Sometimes it's not so bad...he gets to play with magic, after all. But for Simon, magic represents a demon of another kind. He's addicted to magic and it takes more than a handful of charms to keep that particular demon at bay.
Chiara is part Light, part Dark, and stubbornly mortal. The woman has a way with words: she literally talks demons into abandoning their human hosts. Simon thinks that's not the only trick she has up her sleeve-and that's pretty high praise coming from a mage like him.
As intriguing as that may be, Simon has too many reasons to distrust her...one of them being his more-or-less partner, an angelic Watcher. Amidst all the celestial warnings of the rising dark comes a new prophesy that makes him wonder: is Chiara a threat to him and all of mankind?
Or will she be his salvation?
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Getting the Job Done: Buddy-Writing with the #FastDraft Six Pack
I recently wrote about a buddy write event, one I was invited to join by my friend SK Falls.
The purpose of #FastDraft is to get the writing done, to cheer on our team mates, to have an excuse to sit down and put our stories first.
And I am loving every minute of it.
I wear a lot of hats--I have a full-time job outside the home, I have two kids, a husband, and a dog (okay, four kids), and I've been the household deity since we signed the deed. A part of me always feels a little guilty when I sit down to write because there is always other work waiting for me.
That's why it's all too easy to come up with an excuse to avoid writing. Unfortunately, however, it's not a hobby anymore. I have deadlines.
This #FastDraft project is writing time. It's inspiration. It's fun. And it's an excuse to get the words out of my head and into the document, where they belong. I'd never have gotten so much writing done, otherwise.
And...in case you are thinking What's with all the hashtagging? it's because we are all busy checking in on Twitter. We announce writing sprints, check in on each other's goals, and pretty much just pal around. The best part is that we are all doing this around the interruptions of our lives and our responsibilities. (For instance, I had to duck out today to perform litter detail/road clean-up with our local Boy Scout troop. Yesterday, I went to see Star Trek. My eyes are still tingling from the awesomeness.)
But these "interruptions" made it possible for me to see a new potential pattern for my writing. Usually, I opt for several hours when no one else is home, then enduring long writing black-outs when I go to work or when my family is home. But these little sprints showed me something else--I can write throughout the day in short bursts, getting a scene done here and there. My word counts don't have to freeze just because someone came home.
So, I'd like to introduce you to the #FastDraft writers. These are the gals who have been helping me get the job done.
If you are on Twitter, please follow these writers and even drop us a note of encouragement. Remember to use #FastDraft in your Tweet.
And if you are a writer, and we've encouraged you to get some writing done, join us in a sprint or two. The more the merrier! Make time for you and your story, one sprint at a time.
Hope you'll join us!
The purpose of #FastDraft is to get the writing done, to cheer on our team mates, to have an excuse to sit down and put our stories first.
And I am loving every minute of it.
I wear a lot of hats--I have a full-time job outside the home, I have two kids, a husband, and a dog (okay, four kids), and I've been the household deity since we signed the deed. A part of me always feels a little guilty when I sit down to write because there is always other work waiting for me.
That's why it's all too easy to come up with an excuse to avoid writing. Unfortunately, however, it's not a hobby anymore. I have deadlines.
This #FastDraft project is writing time. It's inspiration. It's fun. And it's an excuse to get the words out of my head and into the document, where they belong. I'd never have gotten so much writing done, otherwise.
And...in case you are thinking What's with all the hashtagging? it's because we are all busy checking in on Twitter. We announce writing sprints, check in on each other's goals, and pretty much just pal around. The best part is that we are all doing this around the interruptions of our lives and our responsibilities. (For instance, I had to duck out today to perform litter detail/road clean-up with our local Boy Scout troop. Yesterday, I went to see Star Trek. My eyes are still tingling from the awesomeness.)
But these "interruptions" made it possible for me to see a new potential pattern for my writing. Usually, I opt for several hours when no one else is home, then enduring long writing black-outs when I go to work or when my family is home. But these little sprints showed me something else--I can write throughout the day in short bursts, getting a scene done here and there. My word counts don't have to freeze just because someone came home.
So, I'd like to introduce you to the #FastDraft writers. These are the gals who have been helping me get the job done.
FAST DRAFT SIX-PACK:Adriana Ryan @skfallsscA.G. Henley @AG_HenleyAsh Krafton @ashkraftonJennah Scott @jennah_scottKristin McFarland @KayMcFarlandShauna Granger @dyingechoes
If you are on Twitter, please follow these writers and even drop us a note of encouragement. Remember to use #FastDraft in your Tweet.
And if you are a writer, and we've encouraged you to get some writing done, join us in a sprint or two. The more the merrier! Make time for you and your story, one sprint at a time.
Hope you'll join us!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)