Blog Hop

 

 

 Fellow Writer Kat Heckenbach invited me to be part of a blog hop. http://www.katheckenbach.com/. Please, check out her blog and see her answers on the following questions.

 

 

 1)      What am I working on? 

I'm a writer who has to have several projects going on at once. I'm editing two anthologies, Supernatural Colorado  and Different Dragons 2. Completing Winter Emergence, the sequel to my first book. I'm working on a collaboration with Julie Campbell and I will writing a book for Sky Warrior Books. The working title is Thunks in the Attic. Not to mention several short stories to submit to various anthologies.

 

 2)       How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I allow my cats to be cats, my wolves to be wolves and any other animal I write to be true to their nature. They aren't people in animal skin. They behaviors, sense of smell, etc. are used instead of how a human would view it. I've even crawled around on the floor to see it from the cat's perspective.

 

I'm also a regional writer. I add local flavor to my work. Many of my stories and books are based in Colorado, or other places I have been. It makes the stories much more real and the reader can identify with them much easier.

 

3)       Why do I write what I do?

I grew up reading Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, so it was natural progression. I also read romances and written my first. It was rejected, but the editor liked it well enough she's going to let me know what was wrong with it so I can fix and re-submit.

 

I envisioned myself as the next Andre Norton. I loved her work and even have a story of hers in an anthology I edited. Talk about a dream come true!

 

4)       How does your writing process work?

I allow myself to writer the splat. Then I go back to fix it. What's important is to get the basic story down. It doesn't need to be perfect. I also write in odd bits of time. Sometimes it's every day, sometimes it's just whenever.

I always have more story ideas floating around in the back of my head. Several series I'm working on even while I'm trying to complete current projects.

Twists and Turns

Been a busy weekend for me. I managed to edit two stories for Supernatural Colorado and added a chapter to my book Winter Emergence. The latter I will be copying on my thumb drive, taking it to our local filk,in a couple of weeks and running it past my two young adult beta readers.

Since work has me a 'busy' project, I have mental time to plot so I'm working on my book  and coming up with some interesting twists, including who is going to die at the end. I'm not sure how my readers are going to react to the characters' deaths. I'M not even sure how I feel about it.

I also sold two copies of my first book Winter Awakening to co-workers. I don't actively solicit. I just tell folks I'm a writer and if they express an interest, I offer to sell them an autographed copy. Not everyone takes me up on it, but a few accept.


 

NaNoWriMo - Week 2

I am happy to report that I have written a little over 10,000 words so far. Winter Emergence is now about to the halfway point. I'm using NaNoWriMo to push myself to finish the book.

I've also been watching the progress of my fellow writers. They're doing well and pretty happy with their progress so far.

I have taken time off to do things like job hunt, go to interviews and attend a job fair. I also went to my writers group, Words for the Journey. Very glad I did. I had a good time and enjoyed catching up with various folks.

Why Not?

I've decided to continue the story I started in 'God's Gift' even though the book has not been released yet. The main reason is that I'm using elements from the Biblical story of Esther to tell my tale. I'm excited about it and will be writing this book along with 'Winter Emergence'. Since both are set in the same universe but different times, why not?

Winter Trilogy & Gothic Romance

Over the weekend I added another chapter to Winter Emergence.  I AM going to get that book finished this year. It continues the adventures in Winter Awakening for Mute and Word Warrior plus Nan and Jojo. There's also two human story lines. I'm trying to get the second book done because the main character from the third book Winter Moon is getting very impatient.

I've also discovered a market for Gothic romances, which I have been dying to write. I'm going to revamp one of the stories in the Doll house stories. It'll have all the elements needed. A creepy old house, a mysterious town, a handsome stranger, and two elements I'm going to keep secret. Oh, and let's not forget there are cats, dogs and a bird in the story as well.

Writing again!

This has been a good week for my writing. I finally edited the final two completed chapters of 'Winter Emergence' and am ready to move on writing the next novel of the trilogy. I'd better get it done since the main character from the third book is being one very annoying cat.

I'm also working on the collaboration. It's been moving a bit slow due to other life complications. However, my goal is to really dive in since my work schedule is going to become very demanding here in a a couple of months.

Figures, the deadlines for the two anthologies I'm editing fall right into that time period. That's okay. It'll give me something to look forward to after I get home or on the weekends.

Writers are people too

Current projects:

Edit finished pages of 'Winter Emergence' and finish the second book of the trilogy, before, Moon, who stars in third book, drives me crazy.

Complete submission for Steampunk Trails. Done and submitted. Yeah!

Keep track of writers submissions for Different Dragons 2 & Supernatural Colorado. Ongoing.

Watch for more opportunities to submit short stories. Never ending.

Do all this in between working full-time and having a life. Work/life balance. Something we all struggle with. Particularly when we're thrown a curve ball. Like promotions, spouses walking out, house hunting, preparing for kitty deaths, and senior parents.

Writers, for all their creativity and talent, are also people. That's the most important thing to bear in mind. So, if your favorite writer takes a couple of years to put out their next book, a bit of understanding is in order.

Batteries Recharged

Last week I was on vacation and got my 'batteries recharged' as we're all so fond of saying. I'm rested and ready to continue on life's journey.

So far I've managed to complete my first sort of Steampunk story, which still needs to be revised and submitted to my editor. And I've re-edited the first Chapter of 'Winter Emergence'. It's long past due that I complete that book.

Not a bad average for someone who has day job, tries to have a life, and is dealing with personal crisis.

Interview for A Flame in the Dark : Monsters!

http://timothycward.com/2012/10/27/coffin-hop-stop-4-dana-bell/

I've had a story accepted for 'A Flame in the Dark: Monsters!' titled 'More Lives'. For today, please to to the above link and read the interview.

Camp NaNoWriMo

Most are familiar with NaNoWriMo which happens every year in November. For the past couple of years I've participated finishing the first draft for 'Worth the Wait' at over 50,000 words (my first romance) and then the next session completing 'God's Gift' and several short stories. I'm uncertain if I can participate this year. However, I got an email for Camp NaNoWriMo which will happen in June and also in August. Sooo...I signed up for June. My goal - finish 'Winter Emergence' or at the least the first draft. Already, I have several who have requested I be in their virtual 'cabin' where we will hang out and encourage each other. It'll be fun. As the month progresses. I'll keep everyone updated on how it's going. Better yet - join me in camp!

World of the Writer

Today, I managed to rewrite chapter one of 'Winter Emergence', the next book in my trilogy. During Pikes Peak Writers Conference I had a read and critique session with Steve Saffel and he told me although it was well written, it didn't grab him. What did I forget? You always need a hook to grab the reader and pull them into your world. So, I rewrote the entire first page, moved information around in the chapter and did a much better job at 'showing' rather than 'telling'. The reader wants to experience the world through the character. A simple fact I had forgotten. Speaking of experiencing the world through the writer, I currently have a cat on my lap. She's purring, warming my legs, her gray fur is soft on my arms and her tongue rough as she tries to both bathe me and get my attention away from the keyboard. It's rather annoying. What first attracted me to bring her home were her vivid green eyes. Not to mention she took a toy away from a child who was trying to play with her. I decided then and there she'd be perfect to bring home and introduce to the 'boys' - my two senior cats. There was lots of hissing and 'why are you sniffing my tail?'In between her hiding under the wooden bench next to the carpeted stairs. What happened? Well, that's a tale for another day.