Nothing to See Here

Well. I’ve learned a few things this week.

1. I cannot focus when I have multiple projects going on. Two weeks in a row was a dismal failure.
2. Writing two novels at the same time is like playing heavy metal and club music at once. Completely out of sync and annoying as hell. Besides, I don’t want them to sound the same. They’re completely different story lines, and I caught myself reusing phrases in both. Ugh.
3. The weekends are no longer my catch up days. Since SuperChef started his job, it’s now MY job to keep the kids occupied while he tries to get his recipe blog updated and get new recipes out. When I had the EDJ, he kept them occupied so I could write when I could. It’s only fair.

So what now? I had about 1500 words or so on Friday. That was awesome. Nothing to write home about yesterday or today (so far). All I can do is write off this week as a learning experience, and continue pounding out the words.

To make up for the past two weeks’ experiment, I’ve decided I’m going to spend this week completely focused on No Dragon, No Problem. I’ll get it edited and out. Then move on to one of my works in progress. That’s it for me, guys. I hope your week was far more productive!

Keep Writing!

Dawn

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Demons and Things

In this world of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and other online streaming media, it takes a very special movie or TV show to make me purchase a DVD. One thing that will suck me in…behind-the-scenes stuff.

So why am I chatting about this? Clive Barker’s inspiration derived from his horrific nightmares. It was decades before I realized the man behind Hellraiser and Rawhead Rex started out in fiction. Screenplays and directing came later (directing was actually a result of the flop that was Rawhead Rex).

Kim Knox has this amazing behind the book series on her site. She breaks down five awesome trivia bits for each book and series. I inhale that stuff! She has the most incredible combinations of science, dystopian sci-fi (doctor who-esque), and fascinating historical cultures. She’s a master storyteller.

Dakota Cassidy’s Accidental Series was triggered by an unofficial RWA 2004 appearance. She was stepping out of her car to meet with her agent when she came across a pack of Mary Kay consultants complete with tiaras and brightly colored business suits. Hanging out with them triggered the idea…What if one of the ladies was a werewolf? One that was accidentally bitten by a cute pooch?

Joss Whedon’s inspiration for Firefly was his love of Civil War and old west/frontier justice.

Every author has stuff that triggers a book idea. Dakota has pop culture. Kim has the mesh of science and fascinating snapshots of history. Clive Barker has nightmares, and a primal understanding of what makes a person afraid. Joss’s combination of Civil War and old west brought us the world of Firefly.

So what gets my attention?

Demon mythos. Demons, demi-gods, curses, you name it. The Evil Within. Every culture has core beliefs of good vs. evil. Corruption, at its most basic, is considered the ultimate evil. It is the crack in the armor, the way in to the darkness of the human soul. People hold great capacity for secrets and the pain that comes with it. Personal experience tells me that outward appearance, charm, and personality are no litmus test against the poison within. Some of the most horrific crimes against nature were committed by those who were attractive, friendly, and otherwise unremarkable.  It’s truly fascinating for me…beauty and danger. This combined with my military travels, experiences, and love of Texan and Alaskan histories create mayhem inside my mind.

Ahhh, but what about the writing, you ask? Weeell…

So here I am…2 am…with my most unproductive week since the 16th of January. I’ve missed Wednesday’s Round of Words update, and my goals for the week are shot. This week was an exciting one. SuperChef started his new job. Little B had epic meltdowns several times this week b/c of all the changes in the house. Our last shipment from Alaska came on Wednesday. I got my writing stuff (thank goodness!). SuperChef got his kitchen stuff (YAY! Spices!). The living room now has our big TV back (Thank goodness! Now maybe the complaining will stop!). And I have my monster computer monitor. My eyes thank me. I had a great writing day on Friday. And that’s about it. So today I’m working when I can, and not even trying to play catch up.

So what’s on the agenda? Writing. In Scrivener. See you on the Round of Words update tomorrow.

Keep Writing!

Dawn

Another V-Day down!

Two out of Four ain’t so bad…

This week was a tester week for me. I had four solid goals…rewrites for A Familiar Kiss, complete No Dragon, No Problem, Chapter Two for Enraptured, and Chapter One for Feral Hunger.

So how did I do?

• I made it to page 45 of 111 on A Familiar Kiss. Not bad. Didn’t make my V-Day goal, but this one is being quite the bugbear.
• No Dragon, No Problem completed. YES! I had a little mini dance. Edits for this puppy will start on Monday.
• Enraptured and I are working through our problems today. Chapter two is an all action sequence, so I’ll be able to complete the chapter!
• Chapter one for Feral Hunger completed. YES!

So what craziness conspired this week? LOL! V-Day week seems to consistently be self-doubt week of the year (four years running). I thought I’d made a huge mistake doing this full-time (I’m not wishy-washy, I promise! Just worried about family finances). So hubby goes out and gets a job just like *snap* that. First time in the history of ever for either one of us. Wow, right? So I could focus again, and then Kim Knox did this AMAZING post this week that just snapped me out of the fugue.

You guys suffered through a crazy Q n A for the Platform Campaign. Turns out I’m a happy hooker (crochet joke) with a sword cane obsession, and am the great great granddaughter of a notorious moonshiner who changed his name to protect his family. Oh…and La Freak by Chic was the most popular song the day I was born. Subtle. Very subtle (so much better than Rod Stewart’s Do Ya Think I’m Sexy which would have been on my due date).

I poked fun at writer superstition that makes us afraid to say when our writing days are good days.

So what am I looking forward to this week?

I like having four objectives a week. It’s another test week so I can make sure I’m doing what needs to be done. If I can’t meet four goals this week…well, I may have been a bit more ambitious than I want to admit.

So specific writing goals:

• Continue hacking away at A Familiar Kiss. Once I’m done with that, it’s set it up for submission, send it off, and begin edits on No Dragon, No Problem.
• Finish Beauty’s Beast (formerly Thief)
• Complete Enraptured Chapter Three
• Complete Feral Hunger Chapter Two

That’s a little over 23k this week to accomplish. We’ll see how I do.

Monday is a holiday here in the states, so I’ll get done what I can. Tuesday the kids go back to school. Wednesday is the final load of furniture from Alaska (YAY!), and I have to meet with someone. Thursday and Friday are base stuff. Next Monday is my official last day in the service. I’m not sure if we’re actually going to do anything, but I know I’ll be happy.

Goals for the week:

A Familiar Kiss Rewrites (Pages, not words)

Beauty’s Beast

Enraptured Chapter Two and Three

Feral Hunger/Primal Intent Chapter One and Two

Until we chat again, keep writing!

Dawn

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