Craziness and Writing

I've gotten behind on my blogs. Combination of being in mourning after losing Sammy and discovering my father is not doing well at all. Put on top of that the holidays, which is not always a happy time for everyone, my crazy work schedule, trying to get the house ready to sell and the tail end of a divorce, and well, sometimes things just don't get done.

On the upside, I'm writing again. I have an hour lunch and I've been taking my laptop and working on a one of many novels. I'm pleases with the progress I'm making and am looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds. I do have a basic plot but characters have this bad habit of taking the writer down a path not expected. That's okay because it does make for a better story.

Different Dragons II which I edited has been released. It's the second and last collection of dragon stories set in places not normally done in traditional fantasy. If you enjoyed the first anthology, you'll love the second.

I have a convention in January I'm planning on attending and a writing conference in February. More on those later.

For those of you running around with Christmas shopping and planning family get gatherings, cherish your loved ones. There will come a day when there will be missing members. Let them know how much you love them. 

Denver Comic Con and other news

Different Dragons 2 update. Two stories edited and returned to the authors. Contracts sent out. Will be meeting with an artist who would like to do the cover with in the next couple of weeks.

Received news that my story, Failure, was accepted for Zombified II. My little tale is certainly an odd take on zombies.

Have the edits for my next book God's Gift. That'll be my next project after I finish the edits for DD2.

I'll be at the Denver Comic Con on Saturday only. I normally hang out at the WolfSinger Publications booth. Will be giving hand made pipe cleaner dragons away. Hoping to talk to fellow writers who I know will be attending. Drop by and say 'Hi!'

A Good Start

I've started reading for Different Dragons 2. I have a total of twenty stories and have, so far, read six. Outcome was three will be accepted, one rejected, one iffy and one that may have potential with some revision. A good start for the new anthology.

I also received edits for Vampires Don't Sparkle 1. I changed a few things in my story and returned it to the editor. Must admit, I've never written an alternate history vampyre tale before. Funny thing is, most of it is based on actual events. Be interesting to see what people think of it.

Oh, and I just got an announcement about another dragon anthology being edited by Carol Hightshoe. Of course, I have to write a story for that one and have already come up with a great idea.

Reading Submissions

This week I have been working on reading submissions for Supernatural Colorado. I managed to read ten, do a one line synopsis of what the story was about, word count and a quick first impression editing note. After Christmas I will be re-reading everything, making more in depth edits and then returning them to the authors for approval or further revision.

There many wonderful stories in this anthology from both Colorado and out of state authors, even one from a writer in Sweden. Of course, they all have to be placed somewhere in the state, and the writers did a great job of blending in locations in their tales.

Also, received an email from publisher, WolfSinger, that my next book, God's Gift is on the list to be published next year. Yeah!

Over the weekend...

Last Saturday I attended a reading of six fellow authors. They met at a local bookstore and read either Steampunk, Christmas or a combination of the two themes. The stories were entertaining and diverse, just like the writers themselves.

One author brought her dog who would put in whines and yips and loved to bark when the audience clapped. The canine also modeled goggles and a fetching cloak.

All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend a blustery weekend afternoon. 

NaNoWriMo - Week 4

Not a lot of progress on my novel this week, mostly because of the early hours I had to be in training. However, on the bright side, my next book is about half done and I have an idea on where to take the story next.

Rolling in

This week I've completed a rough draft for a new vampire story. Got the idea from a spooky special I watched about the Badlands.

Also, submissions for the two anthologies I'll be editing are rolling in. Three authors have extensions due to illness or other life events. Happens in the writing world. I should be seeing their stories within the next week. Luckily, I have to publisher deadlines...yet.

Am also thinking of writing for NaNoWriMo this year. Haven't signed up but thinking it might be what I need to get one book finished and get further into the next one.

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?

Hectic Week

Time flies and got away from me this week. So much so I forgot to post a new blog. Sorry about that.
My life has been hectic. I've been working on a baby quilt for an expectant mother at work and just completed it Tuesday evening. There have been usual errands to run and covering for two supervisors at work who were away on a company trip.

To say I have gotten no writing done is an understatement. However, with a three day weekend fast approaching, I am anticipating finishing the opening sequence to a collaboration piece.

Also, my fanfiction story, 'Recalled', has been published and I will be receiving my contributor's copy soon. In fact, the editor has asked me to write another piece or two for her. Luckily, the one I just sent I have set up for a sequel. Not to mention River Song is talking in my head asking for a piece about her to be written, with a few twists the readers won't see coming.

Take a Chance

Acceptance! The editor took my second story. Yep, that's right. After my first story got rejected I dared to submit a second. He liked it and a contract will be on its way sometime this week.

What I've learned in this business that many writers don't take a chance. They send one story and if it's rejected - before submissions close - they don't try a second time.

Take the chance. If the editor doesn't like the first tale. Try again.

One never knows. It might just pay off.

Rejections

Rejection. All part of an author's life. As I once heard at a convention, if you get rejections than you're a writer. I'm a writer. I got a rejection.

What I also have is a wonderful story to send some where else.

It's been a good week.

Anthology invites

On my agenda since I have two invites for anthologies are:

A Western ghost story for which I have several ideas but haven't settled on which one yet.

An adventure of space colonization that I'm really excited about and already have the opening scene in mind.

Open call - Different Dragons

Open call.

Most everyone has the same image of dragons and there are tons of Fantasy anthologies and series on the market following pretty much the same formula.

For ‘Different Dragons’ however, what is being sought are stories with a twist. While they can be Fantasy, the editor
is also seeking Science Fiction, Paranormal, Horror, Steampunk, Mystery, Romance, Humor, Christian Speculative
and just about any genre as long as it meets the guidelines.

Writers are highly encouraged to research dragon lore and use dracos from other countries. Yes, there will be stories
about the traditional European Dragons, but examples of others are: the Chinese Lung, Korean Yong, Frost Dragon,
Knucker, American and Mexican Amphithere, Lindworm, Wyvern, Marsupial, Tibetan, Dwarf Dragons and Sea
Serpents.

To give the contributor an idea on what types of different ideas the editor is looking for:

1. What if a multi-headed dragon had the abilities of Medusa?
2. Was the dragon the evolutionary step between dinosaurs and birds?
3. How would the outback be different if Marsupial Dragons had evolved instead of Kangaroos?
4. In the Antarctica Scientists stun the world by discovering the still partially skin covered skeleton of a Frost Dragon
and the remains of hatched eggs.
5. Perhaps a piece of jewelry inherited from some eccentric relative contains the spirit of a dragon and is left to a very
surprised and unprepared niece or nephew.
6. What would be the result if a dragon was part lion? Or a shape shifter?
7. Dragon angel anyone?

The ideas are infinite and the above list is just a springboard. Main characters can be the dragon his/herself, a human
going through some misadventure, or even a companion animal. They can be set in modern day, on other planets,
alternate dimensions, in the past, in the future, and even in a painting. The only condition is that a dragon must appear
in some form.

Not wanted are stories with graphic violence, excessive cussing, sex scenes, sorry, if you’re characters go to bed
together it must be behind closed doors and not shared with the reader, erotica, animal cruelty or FanFiction. Rating
for the anthology is PG13. Characters whose faith is an integral part of the plot will be accepted, but please, no
preaching.

All writers of all skill levels, published or not, and even teenagers, are encouraged to submit. Length can be from 1000-
6000 words. Times Roman 12. Standard Manuscript submission form.  Attach as a RTF document. Prefer original
stories. Query on reprints.

In the subject line please put: Submission: ‘Different Dragons’: Title of your story: Your name.
In cover email please tell the editor a bit about yourself, the genre of your story and a quick one line synopsis.

ALL writers are encouraged to submit. Doesn’t matter if you’re a pro with years of credits, a beginner just starting
out or a teenager - please feel free to send the editor a story. In your cover email, please tell the editor a bit about
yourself and a quick one line synopsis of the story. Include genre. If experimental, please explain the type or how so
the editor doesn’t edit out the form or reject it out of hand. Thank you.
In the Subject line please put :
Submission : Different Dragons : Title of your story : your name.
Attach as rft document.
Send to: Submissions@wolfsingerpubs.com

Payment will be $5.00 initial, plus an equal share of 50% of royalties.

Deadline will be 31 Dec 2012 // Because we are also reading for our 2012 Anthology – please do not submit for this
anthology until July 1st. Stories received before that time, will be filed in the Publisher’s email folder and risk getting
lost with all the other emails – we are hoping to release Spring 2013.

Bios will be requested is your story is accepted and should be written in third person.

As I'm telling everyone - I'm NOT looking for the traditional Fantasy story with a European dragon. Writers really need to think 'outside the box'. 

Camp NaNoWriMo - Week 3

Week 3 already? Really wish I could say I was doing well and getting lots done on my next novel, but that would be an untruth. However, I have managed to get other writing and editing done. I've accepted two more stories for the anthology I'm editing. (Time Traveling Coffers) Plus resolved an issue with another story I'm considering. Attended our local ComicCon where my publisher informed me she sold all copies of my book she'd brought with her. Yeah! We also had out of town family visiting. Family is important. Something I'm learning the longer I live.