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Author Craft / Re: The Onion: "Novelist Strike Continues."
« on: March 25, 2008, 06:42:47 AM »
Oh my god, that's fantastic. I just sent that novelist one to all my author friends. Thanks! I love the Onion.
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17
Author Craft / Re: Richelle's "Vampire Academy"
« on: March 25, 2008, 06:37:21 AM »
I'm not sure who the artist is on that. I just checked it, and there are no art credits. I've never heard of Dan Dos Santos, but if he's someone notable, they probably would have credited him. If his art's like that, I'll have to go check it out! I love this cover.
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Author Craft / Re: Succubus Blues
« on: March 25, 2008, 06:34:58 AM »
BookLover:
Yeratel: Oh my goodness. That would be so cool...yet I worry I'd fall behind! I disappear from other forums for months at a time. I'd feel horrible doing that to my own forum. Maybe it'd give me incentive to be diligent, though.
(click to show/hide)
Yeratel: Oh my goodness. That would be so cool...yet I worry I'd fall behind! I disappear from other forums for months at a time. I'd feel horrible doing that to my own forum. Maybe it'd give me incentive to be diligent, though.
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Author Craft / Re: Richelle's "Vampire Academy"
« on: March 13, 2008, 11:50:28 AM »
Thanks, guys! Been a while since I checked in, and now Frostbite is right around the corner. It's kind of scary because VA had a great reception with readers, and I so hope Frostbite doesn't disappoint. You'd think an author's first book in a series would be the scary one. Nope. It's the second.
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Author Craft / Re: Succubus Blues
« on: March 13, 2008, 11:48:14 AM »
You have no idea how giddy these threads make me. Maybe when I'm a hardened author I won't care, but I'm a n00b now and am so flattered you guys are discussing and liking my books...in Jim's forum, no less. I still feel like a poacher.
There are some who advise against authors interacting too much in situations like this, but it's hard for me not to say thank you to you guys for such kind words. And if you have questions, I'm happy to answer them. AND, if you ever don't like anything, don't be afraid to mention it just because I'm lurking around.
There are some who advise against authors interacting too much in situations like this, but it's hard for me not to say thank you to you guys for such kind words. And if you have questions, I'm happy to answer them. AND, if you ever don't like anything, don't be afraid to mention it just because I'm lurking around.
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Author Craft / Re: Editing? paper or electronic?
« on: December 14, 2007, 11:53:56 PM »
I do both. It usually takes me a while before I'm satisfied with the electronic copy, after all the writing and rewriting. When I'm satisfied with it, I'll do a clean read of it on the computer, then I print it out and find I notice a lot more things in hard copy. I mark it up, then it's back to the computer for editing!
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Author Craft / Re: Where do you start?
« on: December 14, 2007, 11:51:34 PM »
I write in a linear way, but it takes me a while until I can get to that point. I start by writing plot ideas randomly all over a white board. Then, I group them and start placing them in order in a loose chart. When I finally have a good idea where it's going, I write up a chapter by chapter summary in MSWord. That's the part that takes the longest because that's when I actually have to flesh out the ideas. But, if my outline is solid, I can then just write the manuscript front to end.
Sometimes, though, I'll find that the outline was flawed, and then I'll have to revise the manuscript. That gets complicated because then I do have to jump into the middle to add and delete scenes. Lots of slicing and dicing! That's hard for someone like me--I much prefer going in order--but I know that's how some people naturally work.
Sometimes, though, I'll find that the outline was flawed, and then I'll have to revise the manuscript. That gets complicated because then I do have to jump into the middle to add and delete scenes. Lots of slicing and dicing! That's hard for someone like me--I much prefer going in order--but I know that's how some people naturally work.
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Author Craft / Re: Succubus Blues
« on: December 14, 2007, 11:45:35 PM »*pouts*
Well, I guess it's not too long till the next book. I'll try to keep my impatience at a reasonable level.
Not long at all, I just realized. Its official release is January, but Amazon claims they'll ship next week!
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Author Craft / Re: Richelle's "Vampire Academy"
« on: December 14, 2007, 11:44:41 PM »I am still sitting the fence on getting this one or not... I loved Succubus Blues and I can't wait on the next one but I am torn on starting this wondering what it would be like..
Well, you know, I think it's a great book...I'm sure you'd love it...
(Probably I should stay out of this thread, huh?)
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Author Craft / Re: Not sure which direction to go.
« on: November 22, 2007, 09:42:53 AM »
Don't worry about the market or audience at this point. Write what feels most natural and good for you. When you write with a target--and not your heart--in mind, it shows. (I know, I know...that sounds very Zen like, but a lot of writers say this, and I can verify it with personal experience).
As for the character/idea problem, start writing the idea and see if the characters can come together as you do it. It might be useful to do exercises with them, writing up bios or trait sheets. There are a lot of great chracter trait books out there, and while it may seem formulaic, starting with those can actually spark some ideas. You may then find the characters starting to drive the story as you write it, the more you start to think about them.
As for the character/idea problem, start writing the idea and see if the characters can come together as you do it. It might be useful to do exercises with them, writing up bios or trait sheets. There are a lot of great chracter trait books out there, and while it may seem formulaic, starting with those can actually spark some ideas. You may then find the characters starting to drive the story as you write it, the more you start to think about them.
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Author Craft / Re: What do you wish would be done MORE in urban fantasy?
« on: November 22, 2007, 09:37:45 AM »
This is the most generic answer, but well, here it is: something different. I feel like a traitor, but I'm kind of burned out on my own genre. Jim's doing good stuff, so are Kat Richardson, Rachel Caine, and a few others. But, I don't know. I think I'd like to see darker stuff--and more than just private investigators. We already have some who are being written very well (ahem), and I'd like to see a new model for this genre.
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Author Craft / Re: Richelle's "Vampire Academy"
« on: November 22, 2007, 09:31:18 AM »
Thanks, guys. I'm glad you've enjoyed it!
Liz, funny thing about the duster. I've always loved them, and it seemed fitting for a guy who was into cowboy stuff...but my editor didn't know what one was! So, I had to send her some links, and then I felt paranoid that certain younger readers might not know either, so now I explain it in the books. Later, I put the heroine in a 'puffer coat'--which is a trendy fashion term for the puffy down-filled or sometimes quilted coats worn in winter. The editors didn't know that one either, so this time I was like, "Fine, put her in a parka."
Liz, funny thing about the duster. I've always loved them, and it seemed fitting for a guy who was into cowboy stuff...but my editor didn't know what one was! So, I had to send her some links, and then I felt paranoid that certain younger readers might not know either, so now I explain it in the books. Later, I put the heroine in a 'puffer coat'--which is a trendy fashion term for the puffy down-filled or sometimes quilted coats worn in winter. The editors didn't know that one either, so this time I was like, "Fine, put her in a parka."
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Author Craft / Re: Succubus Blues
« on: November 22, 2007, 09:27:18 AM »I'm probably going to put it on my christmas list. My mom will probably say "Succubus Blues? Is that porn?
My mom asks the same thing.
Thanks for the nice words, everyone. You make me blush whenever I stop by. And I ain't saying a word about spoilers.
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Author Craft / Re: Richelle's "Vampire Academy"
« on: October 27, 2007, 08:58:32 AM »
Oh my gosh. I just discovered this thread! Thanks so much, you guys! I'll be interested to hear what people think since this is a really challenging series for me to write.
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Author Craft / Re: Succubus Blues
« on: October 27, 2007, 08:56:53 AM »
Hey, Mickey! The sequel's due out in January, and I just posted Chapter 1 over on my website here.
As for the genre classification, boy. Don't get me started. I originally sold it as urban fantasy--even citing Jim and Laurell Hamilton as comparable folks in the genre. But, my publisher does primarily romance, and so all the marketing tends to end up that way--much to my dismay sometimes! When they send me back cover descriptions, I have to negotiate with them to make it a little less romancey. Romance is a primary concern to the protagonist, but it's not the main focus. There tends to be 3 plotlines in each novel. Two are paranormal/fantasy mysteries, and the third is romance. So it's there--but not the dominating force! Hope this helps.
As for the genre classification, boy. Don't get me started. I originally sold it as urban fantasy--even citing Jim and Laurell Hamilton as comparable folks in the genre. But, my publisher does primarily romance, and so all the marketing tends to end up that way--much to my dismay sometimes! When they send me back cover descriptions, I have to negotiate with them to make it a little less romancey. Romance is a primary concern to the protagonist, but it's not the main focus. There tends to be 3 plotlines in each novel. Two are paranormal/fantasy mysteries, and the third is romance. So it's there--but not the dominating force! Hope this helps.