It's time to get shit done.
14 June 2016
21 May 2016
Cosplay and my inspiration for "All 'Ships May Sail" - Part II
My main characters in All 'Ships May Sail (title taken from my many years spent on the House of Tucker Bulletin Board, in case you were wondering) bond over their fellow fandom, Xena: Warrior Princess, and their love of cosplay. In case you're curious about my own costuming street cred, I offer the following true story.
***
I'm a geek. In fact, I am a whole lot of kinds of geek. My friends and I started going to conventions in costume more than a decade before the term "cosplay" was coined. One of my many geekdoms over the years was, is Xena: Warrior Princess. "In a time of ancient gods, warlords, and kings" -- also known as the 1990s and early 2000s -- my friends and I went to several Xena conventions, usually in costume. Sometimes we participated in the fan costume competition. One year, at the big convention in Pasadena, we won.
Picture if you will, a hall full of some 3000 fans of the show. They're seated in chairs and standing along the back and sides of the room. There's a raised stage up front where we've watched the show's actors talk, tell stories, and answer questions over the past few days.
Now, it's Sunday. Things are winding down, and it's time for the costume competition. Three friends and I entered as a group. Xena, Warrior Princess, Amazon Queen Gabrielle, Amazon Wanna-be-Queen Velasca, and Amazon Queen-to-be Ephiny.
We lined up backstage with everyone else who wanted to compete their costumes and waited for our turn. Eventually, finally we were called up to the stage.
We didn't have a plan. We didn't even have a pose. I guess we figured we'd let our costumes speak for themselves. We'd worked hard and knew they were good. So we stood on stage letting the costumes do the talking. And after a few moments, we realized it wasn't just the costumes you could hear.
Somewhere out in the crowd, people had begun singing the Amazon theme music from the show.
Whoa. ... We need to respond.
We straightened up our line, raised our masks, and gave the Amazon salute.
The crowd went nuts. People were standing and saluting back. They're still singing. They're cheering. We were rock stars.
Now what? This is going to get awkward in a second. What do we do? We should go. Leave them wanting more. Yeah! Leave them wanting more.
So we lowered our arms, and with our heads held high like the fictional royalty we were pretending to be, we proudly left the stage.
I feel a little sorry for whoever had to follow that. Someone must have; I don't believe we were last to present. We were, however, the last ones called for the awards because they always announce the grand prize winners last.
The prize itself was a $100 merchandise credit. I don't even know what we spent it on. It doesn't matter. That wasn't why we did it. We did it because we're geeks and geeks love what they love unabashedly, unashamedly, unapologetically with everything they have to give. The best prize we got was that crowd, 3000 of our fellow geeks strong, spontaneously bursting into song. For us.
20 May 2016
Welcome Guest Blogger Asta Idonea!
I'm thrilled to introduce you to my fellow Theory of Love author Asta Idonea!
Captive
Asta Idonea
18 May 2016
Torquere Press
Short Story/MM/Sci-Fi
Heat Level: 1
When the Teludazi attack Captain Evander Starr’s squadron, he is the only survivor. Taken prisoner, he refuses to answer their questions. Nonetheless, he finds himself drawn to their leader, Kaname. What secrets lie behind Kaname’s strange lilac eyes, and will Evander soon find it’s not only his body held captive, but also his heart?
Excerpt
He wasn’t certain how much time passed. He drifted into a fitful slumber, and upon waking, a small light in the corner of the room illuminated a jug of water and a bowl. The latter contained a porridge-like substance—tasteless but not unpleasant. He didn’t hesitate to eat and drink this time. The water had been safe, and Kaname’s speech about not saving him just to poison him had rung true. So, he wolfed the meal down. The moment he finished eating and set the bowl aside, the light turned off.
He must have fallen asleep again, because the next time he came to, he sensed a presence in the room. He turned toward it and heard a soft chuckle.
“Hello again, Captain Starr. How are you feeling?”
“Okay,” Evander muttered. His aches and pains were gone and he felt more rested than he had in a long time. But he wasn’t about to share that with Kaname. “Don’t you wanna turn the light on?”
“Why bother when I can see you perfectly well already?”
“It’s true then? About your eyes?”
Evander had heard the tales ever since he was a boy. The Teludazi were the monsters parents used to discipline wayward children. They were the creatures talked about at night around the campfire. It was said all their eyes were that odd lilac color because they could see equally well in light and dark. It was pointless hiding from them beneath your bed or in the closet—they would still see you.
When he made captain and joined the fleet, Evander’s superiors had striven to suppress such rumors. It was bad for morale, Evander supposed, if you believed your enemy had superhuman abilities. In all other respects, the Teludazi were like them—humanoid, with a similar life span—and that was what the generals expounded. But on the ships, out in deep space, the crew talked. And it seemed the stories had been true all along.
He must have fallen asleep again, because the next time he came to, he sensed a presence in the room. He turned toward it and heard a soft chuckle.
“Hello again, Captain Starr. How are you feeling?”
“Okay,” Evander muttered. His aches and pains were gone and he felt more rested than he had in a long time. But he wasn’t about to share that with Kaname. “Don’t you wanna turn the light on?”
“Why bother when I can see you perfectly well already?”
“It’s true then? About your eyes?”
Evander had heard the tales ever since he was a boy. The Teludazi were the monsters parents used to discipline wayward children. They were the creatures talked about at night around the campfire. It was said all their eyes were that odd lilac color because they could see equally well in light and dark. It was pointless hiding from them beneath your bed or in the closet—they would still see you.
When he made captain and joined the fleet, Evander’s superiors had striven to suppress such rumors. It was bad for morale, Evander supposed, if you believed your enemy had superhuman abilities. In all other respects, the Teludazi were like them—humanoid, with a similar life span—and that was what the generals expounded. But on the ships, out in deep space, the crew talked. And it seemed the stories had been true all along.
Author Bio & Links
Asta Idonea (aka Nicki J Markus) was born in England, but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist, having studied several foreign languages.
Asta launched her writing career in 2011 and divides her efforts not only between MM and mainstream works but also between traditional and indie publishing. Her works span the genres, from paranormal to historical and from contemporary to fantasy. It just depends what story and which characters spring into her mind!
As a day job, Asta works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys music, theatre, cinema, photography, and sketching. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel; all of which have provided plenty of inspiration for her writing.
Asta launched her writing career in 2011 and divides her efforts not only between MM and mainstream works but also between traditional and indie publishing. Her works span the genres, from paranormal to historical and from contemporary to fantasy. It just depends what story and which characters spring into her mind!
As a day job, Asta works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys music, theatre, cinema, photography, and sketching. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel; all of which have provided plenty of inspiration for her writing.
19 May 2016
Cosplay and my inspiration for "All 'Ships May Sail" - Part I
All ’Ships May Sail was, in part, inspired by a real incident. Years ago, while the show Xena: Warrior Princess was still in production, I attended a convention with my friends and fellow Xena fans. I was dressed as Gabrielle, complete with dyed strawberry-blonde hair and green contact lenses to complete the image. On the bulletin board in the con’s registration area was the message that Lori finds at the beginning of the story. I replied to it just as she does, but I never met that Xena so that was as far as things went. I still sometimes wonder who wrote that note and if they ever found the Gabrielle they were looking for.
18 May 2016
We are go for launch!
All 'Ships May Sail, is now available for immediate download!
Torquere Books /Amazon US / Amazon CA
All 'Ships May Sail by Maia Strong
Lori is new in town and looking to make friends, and maybe more. Hoping to meet people who share her interest in cosplay, she attends a local sci-fi/fantasy convention. Kara is a cosplayer who enjoys moderating costuming panels and hooking up for a con-weekend fling with a sexy fellow geek girl. They connect in their fandoms and in bed, but do the two share enough chemistry to take their relationship into real life?
Excerpt:
They strolled through the corridors of artwork, but Kara noticed very little of it. She was far more interested in her companion than in the semi-pornographic fairy paintings that seemed to be the focus of the current section they were in.
Lori stopped in front of a particularly evocative image. “Oh my. That’s...bendy.” She tipped her head to one side, leaning almost past horizontal.
Kara examined the picture in question. “Yeah it is.” She turned her head the opposite direction. It was like the artist had channeled Wendy Pini’s art and applied it to the Kama Sutra. “Is that physically possible?”
“Maybe if one actually had wings? I think we’d have to try it to find out for sure.”
***
What had she done? Lori scrambled to find other words. Correct her faux pas and quickly. “I mean, not we, per se. I meant, one. You know. Generic. I mean-- Unless you wanted-- We could-- Shit. Sorry. I’ll stop talking.”
To her astonishment, Kara laughed. “Let me help with that.”
Suddenly Kara’s lips were on hers in a kiss that swiftly grew more passionate than was strictly appropriate for the public setting.
Lori brought her hands up to Kara’s shoulders and pushed her off. Not far. She didn’t want to be misunderstood. She just wanted not to be caught snogging next to a bunch of erotic fairy art. Just in time, too, as a trio of tweens in steampunky Girl Genius outfits came around the corner at that moment. The three girls stopped in front of the display and immediately began to point at the artwork, giggling and whispering.
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist,” said Kara in a low voice, and Lori couldn’t help noticing the flush in her cheeks and desire in her eyes.
She pulled Kara around the next corner and then another. “It’s all right. I’m glad you did it. I just think...we should maybe find a quieter spot?”
***
Want the whole Theory of Love anthology? Of course you do! Here are places to find it!
Torquere Books / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon DE
Torquere Books /Amazon US / Amazon CA
All 'Ships May Sail by Maia Strong
Lori is new in town and looking to make friends, and maybe more. Hoping to meet people who share her interest in cosplay, she attends a local sci-fi/fantasy convention. Kara is a cosplayer who enjoys moderating costuming panels and hooking up for a con-weekend fling with a sexy fellow geek girl. They connect in their fandoms and in bed, but do the two share enough chemistry to take their relationship into real life?
Excerpt:
They strolled through the corridors of artwork, but Kara noticed very little of it. She was far more interested in her companion than in the semi-pornographic fairy paintings that seemed to be the focus of the current section they were in.
Lori stopped in front of a particularly evocative image. “Oh my. That’s...bendy.” She tipped her head to one side, leaning almost past horizontal.
Kara examined the picture in question. “Yeah it is.” She turned her head the opposite direction. It was like the artist had channeled Wendy Pini’s art and applied it to the Kama Sutra. “Is that physically possible?”
“Maybe if one actually had wings? I think we’d have to try it to find out for sure.”
***
What had she done? Lori scrambled to find other words. Correct her faux pas and quickly. “I mean, not we, per se. I meant, one. You know. Generic. I mean-- Unless you wanted-- We could-- Shit. Sorry. I’ll stop talking.”
To her astonishment, Kara laughed. “Let me help with that.”
Suddenly Kara’s lips were on hers in a kiss that swiftly grew more passionate than was strictly appropriate for the public setting.
Lori brought her hands up to Kara’s shoulders and pushed her off. Not far. She didn’t want to be misunderstood. She just wanted not to be caught snogging next to a bunch of erotic fairy art. Just in time, too, as a trio of tweens in steampunky Girl Genius outfits came around the corner at that moment. The three girls stopped in front of the display and immediately began to point at the artwork, giggling and whispering.
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist,” said Kara in a low voice, and Lori couldn’t help noticing the flush in her cheeks and desire in her eyes.
She pulled Kara around the next corner and then another. “It’s all right. I’m glad you did it. I just think...we should maybe find a quieter spot?”
***
Want the whole Theory of Love anthology? Of course you do! Here are places to find it!
Torquere Books / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon DE
16 May 2016
The Countdown Continues...
Title: Theory of Love
Authors: Kayla Bashe, Alain Bell, M.D. Grimm, Asta Idonea, D. C. Juris, Dale Cameron Lowry, Lila Mathews, Charles Payseur, Jessica Payseur, Maia Strong, Lynn Townsend, K.S. Trenten.
Edited by Deelylah Mullin
Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: Kris Norris
Release Date: May 18, 2016
Heat Level: 5
Pairing: both M/M and F/F stories
Length: 80,000 words
Genre/Tags
Romance - Contemporary, Erotic Romance, F/F Romance, M/M Romance
Science Fiction – Hard Science, Romantic, Futuristic
Synopsis
In Theory of Love, we wave our geek flag high! Tales from deep space, sci-fi realities, technology, academia, and cosplay are brought together in this collection. In Dale Cameron Lowry’s Far From Home, long-distance spouses fan the flames of passion while fighting to save humanity. Meat Space by Lynn Townsend, brings virtual space and the real world crashing into a new reality. Asta Idonea’s Captive shows us that love can form in any manner of situations. Beta Tester by Charles Payseur immerses the reader—and the characters—in a virtual reality that brings a friendship to a whole new level. K.S. Trenten’s A Symposium in Space, love is a different meal to every guest. Unexpected Dilemmas by Jessica Payseur long-distance lovers face hijacking and natural disaster to be together. Kayla Bashe’s Medic to the Hivemind a stranded student is saved by a mysterious voice with secrets. Being Jake by Lila Mathews shows readers that smart is sexy. In D.C. Juris’ Torn Apart, love provides the will to survive. Shattered Space by Alain Bell shows how love can grow from destruction. Maia Strong’s All ‘Ships May Sail connects cosplay, fandoms, and something more. Trash and Treasures by M.D. Grimm gives us a deal made in interstellar space that could be more than either party bargained for.In theory, love is easy.
Purchase
Torquere Press
Giveaway
Rafflecopter Prize: One winner will be selected to win an eBook copy of Theory of Lovea Rafflecopter giveaway
12 May 2016
Enter to win!
Torquere is hosting a Book Blitz! Enter at this link to for a chance to win a copy of Theory of Love!
10 May 2016
Count down to new release!
The countdown is on to the release of the new anthology from Torquere Books Theory of Love, in which my f/f story All 'Ships May Sail is included. Here's what the TQ site has to say: "In Theory of Love, we wave our geek flag high! Tales from deep
space, sci-fi realities, technology, academia, and cosplay are brought
together in this collection."
I'm excited to be in this collection with such a great and diverse group of authors! Head on over to check out the list and read a little more about the stories. You might even want to pre-order your copy while you're there so you'll have it in your hot little hard drive come release day, 18 May. ;-D
I'll be posting more as the countdown continues, and next week I'll be hosting the lovely and talented Asta Idonea, author of the m/m sci-fi story Captive. I've read her excerpt and her teaser, and it looks excellent! I look forward to sharing it with you!
I'm excited to be in this collection with such a great and diverse group of authors! Head on over to check out the list and read a little more about the stories. You might even want to pre-order your copy while you're there so you'll have it in your hot little hard drive come release day, 18 May. ;-D
I'll be posting more as the countdown continues, and next week I'll be hosting the lovely and talented Asta Idonea, author of the m/m sci-fi story Captive. I've read her excerpt and her teaser, and it looks excellent! I look forward to sharing it with you!
17 March 2016
New contract!
Wow. It's been quite a while since I posted here, hasn't it? I've been over on Facebook, in case you didn't know.
That aside, I have exciting news!
I recently signed a contract with Torquere Press for a short story titled All 'Ships May Sail to be included in their upcoming anthology Theory of Love. It's due for release in mid-May, so it's going to be a quick turn-around!
Here's a little bit about the story.
Lori is new in town and looking to make friends, and maybe more. She attends a local sci-fi/fantasy convention in the hopes of meeting new people who share her interest in cosplay. Kara is a cosplayer who enjoys moderating costuming panels and hooking up for a con-weekend fling with a sexy fellow geek. They connect in their fandoms and in bed, but do the two share enough chemistry to take their relationship into real life?
You read that right: Lori and Kara. Yes, my friends, this is one for the girls! I hope you'll check it out. I'll keep you posted as I work toward the release date.
That aside, I have exciting news!
I recently signed a contract with Torquere Press for a short story titled All 'Ships May Sail to be included in their upcoming anthology Theory of Love. It's due for release in mid-May, so it's going to be a quick turn-around!
Here's a little bit about the story.
Lori is new in town and looking to make friends, and maybe more. She attends a local sci-fi/fantasy convention in the hopes of meeting new people who share her interest in cosplay. Kara is a cosplayer who enjoys moderating costuming panels and hooking up for a con-weekend fling with a sexy fellow geek. They connect in their fandoms and in bed, but do the two share enough chemistry to take their relationship into real life?
You read that right: Lori and Kara. Yes, my friends, this is one for the girls! I hope you'll check it out. I'll keep you posted as I work toward the release date.
30 June 2015
Love Wins!
I hope everyone has had a wonderful time this Pride Month!
Festivities here were extensive. Even the crosswalks got into the
celebration.
And then there was this:
And then there was this:
Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Legal In All 50 States
There's still work to do and battles to fight, but for now we celebrate, we dance, we cheer. Love is love! Love wins! Happy Pride, everyone!02 June 2015
*taps mic* Am I on?
16 December 2014
Happy December!
I hope everyone is having a lovely holiday season so far. Yes, I know.
The official holidays aren't all month long, but there are several of
them in December, so why confine oneself to a single day of celebration
this month, amiright? In that vein, here is my December playlist. What's
yours?
Sleigh Ride - Glenn Miller
Trad: So Treiben Wir Den Winter Aus - The Mediaeval Baebes
Through Your Eyes On Christmas Eve - Abney Park
My Song for You (From "Good Luck Charlie") - Bridgit Mendler & Shane Harper
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
St. Stephen's Day Murders - The Chieftains feat. Elvis Costello
On Grafton Street - Nanci Griffith
Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons
Winter's Solace - Doug Wood
Trad: Salva Nos - The Mediaeval Baebes
Golden Apples Of The Sun - Paul Winter
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Glenn Miller
'zat You, Santa Claus? - Abney Park
On Christmas Time - The Coats
Dawnwalker - Paul Winter
White Wine In the Sun - Tim Minchin
Sleigh Ride - Glenn Miller
Trad: So Treiben Wir Den Winter Aus - The Mediaeval Baebes
Through Your Eyes On Christmas Eve - Abney Park
My Song for You (From "Good Luck Charlie") - Bridgit Mendler & Shane Harper
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
St. Stephen's Day Murders - The Chieftains feat. Elvis Costello
On Grafton Street - Nanci Griffith
Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons
Winter's Solace - Doug Wood
Trad: Salva Nos - The Mediaeval Baebes
Golden Apples Of The Sun - Paul Winter
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Glenn Miller
'zat You, Santa Claus? - Abney Park
On Christmas Time - The Coats
Dawnwalker - Paul Winter
White Wine In the Sun - Tim Minchin
04 November 2014
Steam(punk)ing Right Along
I hope everyone who has chosen to participate in NaNoWriMo this year is steaming merrily along on their own works! I might have to start a new novel this month myself just because I can. Hee-hee!
07 October 2014
Long and Short
Long:
After nine months of on-again, off-again writing, I finished my steampunk m/m novel a week ago today! A couple of author buddies came over for a write-in and I knew I was in the homestretch, and... It's done! Now it sits and gels for a little while before I read it start to finish and tweak/edit it a bit before sending it to my beta readers. Whee! Oh, and it topped 100K words. WTF? That makes it the longest book I've ever written, beating my menage, Rose & Thorn, by about 10K.
Short:
I wrote a smutty f/m short story yesterday. Just under 5K words once I'd trimmed, tidied, and tightened it. I think that calls for another WTF?, don't you? I sent it to my critique partner (who actually writes het erotic romance) for a beta. I'm almost scared to see what she has to say since neither het nor short story is my usual format. Cross your fingers for me.
After nine months of on-again, off-again writing, I finished my steampunk m/m novel a week ago today! A couple of author buddies came over for a write-in and I knew I was in the homestretch, and... It's done! Now it sits and gels for a little while before I read it start to finish and tweak/edit it a bit before sending it to my beta readers. Whee! Oh, and it topped 100K words. WTF? That makes it the longest book I've ever written, beating my menage, Rose & Thorn, by about 10K.
Short:
I wrote a smutty f/m short story yesterday. Just under 5K words once I'd trimmed, tidied, and tightened it. I think that calls for another WTF?, don't you? I sent it to my critique partner (who actually writes het erotic romance) for a beta. I'm almost scared to see what she has to say since neither het nor short story is my usual format. Cross your fingers for me.
12 August 2014
RIP Robin Williams
I'm sad today and felt the need to find some Robin Williams moments to make me laugh.
Here's a short one:
And vintage 1991 with Johnny Carson:
Just last fall with Craig Ferguson:
Finally, a classic that I think we all need today:
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go have a little keen and then watch The Birdcage.
Here's a short one:
And vintage 1991 with Johnny Carson:
Just last fall with Craig Ferguson:
Finally, a classic that I think we all need today:
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go have a little keen and then watch The Birdcage.
06 May 2014
Steampunk + Kismet
Random things keep entering my sphere of reality lately that are
peripherally steampunky. I think the universe is telling me it likes
what I'm writing at the moment. ;-) Here are a couple of links that
connect to the early 1900s as examples.
85-year-old steam engine ready to roll again in Lewis County
16 Edwardian Colour Photos That Will Make You Feel Like A Time Traveller
There are links to more photos off that second one that I could spend hours happily perusing. But, alas, my m/m steampunk novel isn't going to write itself. Although every now and then I hit a scene that seems to do just that. If only it were always so easy. ::sigh::
85-year-old steam engine ready to roll again in Lewis County
16 Edwardian Colour Photos That Will Make You Feel Like A Time Traveller
There are links to more photos off that second one that I could spend hours happily perusing. But, alas, my m/m steampunk novel isn't going to write itself. Although every now and then I hit a scene that seems to do just that. If only it were always so easy. ::sigh::
17 April 2014
Writers Write About Writing (Blog Hop)
Greetings! If you’re here reading this, you probably found your way from the blog of the lovely and talented Raina James. Or if you arrived here along another path, well, that means you still have the fun of reading her post on the topic of the Writing Process ahead of you. This is a cool blog hop that I’m delighted to take part in. I’m also finding other authors’ posts on the subject fascinating. Seeing what’s similar and different between their processes and mine, and also seeing what they’re all working on right now so that I can make up my To-Read List.
That said, here is my hop along the blogosphere.
1) What are you working on?
I have three things in various stages right now. I’ll start with the one closest to finished. That one is an f/f erotic fantasy romance that is in the final stages of polishing before submission to publishers. This is a novel set in the same world as my other fantasy works, but this time I’ve moved to a tropical archipelago with a matriarchal society where family and business are deeply entwined. I love world-building, and this one world has given me many opportunities to invent different cultures. I love it!
Second is a YA novel that I would classify as light urban fantasy. It’s in the present day, in our world, and in first person. Three things I never write. LOL! This one is close to ready and I will probably self-publish it since it’s not anything like what I’ve released through my publishers, and they wouldn’t want it anyway.
Third is a North American steampunk m/m novel that is currently under construction. There’s a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a bit of I-haven’t-a-clue-what’s-coming-next. Ah, the joys of being a pantser!
2) How does your work differ from others in the genre?
This is a tricky question. I know that my choices of sub-genres put my work in a niche within a niche within a niche (Is that enough niches? *counts* Yes, I think that’s right.), but I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here. I like to think my stories are a little less predictable than most. Yes, they still have to fall into the designated “acceptable endings” (HEA or HFN), but within that framework, I want to believe that there are moments in my stories where readers say, “Oh! I didn’t expect that!” or even, “Really? That was an odd choice.” Because, honestly, I’m okay with readers thinking my brain is a little odd.
3) Why do you write what you write?
World-building! For me, the most important part of my long list of sub-genres is the Sci-Fi/Fantasy label. You can take the girl out of Middle Earth but... You know the rest. SF/Fan gives me the perfect medium to create new worlds and new cultures. I’ve read science-fiction and fantasy my whole life. From Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, which my mom first read to us before I could read chapter books on my own; to Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy, which I seriously ought to re-read because, let’s face it, I did not really understand it when I read it in middle school; to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, which I re-read yearly through high school (at least) after first reading them in the fourth grade. Each of these is a unique example of world-building at its best. I might layer all sorts of other genres into my stories, but for me they are all secondary to this one.
4) How does your writing process work?
In fits and starts. ;-) At its simplest, I work character => world => story. Characters make themselves known in my head before anything else comes along. When they’re ready, they start talking to me, giving me an idea of where they belong, in what universe or country or culture. That gives me context so that I can construct the right world around them. Once I have that established, they start telling me their stories--if I’m lucky. Sometimes I have to drag it out of them. Sometimes they lie to me and I have to go back and dig out the truth. Sometimes I have to get them drunk so they will reveal all their secrets.
Also, I am a dedicated pantser. I’m the kid who used to write her school report first and then write the outline. I actively dislike plotting out a story. If I know how it ends, I find no joy in the journey. This is why the urban fantasy crime novel I started will likely never be completed: I know how it has to end, and where’s the fun in that? Although I’m a little sad about it because I really like the characters.
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this peek into my writing process. Hopefully I'll find someone to tag so you can continue the blog hopping. In the meantime, there are already many out there. Just follow the link back to Raina, and she'll take you on a branch of your journey. :)
That said, here is my hop along the blogosphere.
1) What are you working on?
I have three things in various stages right now. I’ll start with the one closest to finished. That one is an f/f erotic fantasy romance that is in the final stages of polishing before submission to publishers. This is a novel set in the same world as my other fantasy works, but this time I’ve moved to a tropical archipelago with a matriarchal society where family and business are deeply entwined. I love world-building, and this one world has given me many opportunities to invent different cultures. I love it!
Second is a YA novel that I would classify as light urban fantasy. It’s in the present day, in our world, and in first person. Three things I never write. LOL! This one is close to ready and I will probably self-publish it since it’s not anything like what I’ve released through my publishers, and they wouldn’t want it anyway.
Third is a North American steampunk m/m novel that is currently under construction. There’s a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a bit of I-haven’t-a-clue-what’s-coming-next. Ah, the joys of being a pantser!
2) How does your work differ from others in the genre?
This is a tricky question. I know that my choices of sub-genres put my work in a niche within a niche within a niche (Is that enough niches? *counts* Yes, I think that’s right.), but I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here. I like to think my stories are a little less predictable than most. Yes, they still have to fall into the designated “acceptable endings” (HEA or HFN), but within that framework, I want to believe that there are moments in my stories where readers say, “Oh! I didn’t expect that!” or even, “Really? That was an odd choice.” Because, honestly, I’m okay with readers thinking my brain is a little odd.
3) Why do you write what you write?
World-building! For me, the most important part of my long list of sub-genres is the Sci-Fi/Fantasy label. You can take the girl out of Middle Earth but... You know the rest. SF/Fan gives me the perfect medium to create new worlds and new cultures. I’ve read science-fiction and fantasy my whole life. From Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, which my mom first read to us before I could read chapter books on my own; to Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy, which I seriously ought to re-read because, let’s face it, I did not really understand it when I read it in middle school; to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, which I re-read yearly through high school (at least) after first reading them in the fourth grade. Each of these is a unique example of world-building at its best. I might layer all sorts of other genres into my stories, but for me they are all secondary to this one.
4) How does your writing process work?
In fits and starts. ;-) At its simplest, I work character => world => story. Characters make themselves known in my head before anything else comes along. When they’re ready, they start talking to me, giving me an idea of where they belong, in what universe or country or culture. That gives me context so that I can construct the right world around them. Once I have that established, they start telling me their stories--if I’m lucky. Sometimes I have to drag it out of them. Sometimes they lie to me and I have to go back and dig out the truth. Sometimes I have to get them drunk so they will reveal all their secrets.
Also, I am a dedicated pantser. I’m the kid who used to write her school report first and then write the outline. I actively dislike plotting out a story. If I know how it ends, I find no joy in the journey. This is why the urban fantasy crime novel I started will likely never be completed: I know how it has to end, and where’s the fun in that? Although I’m a little sad about it because I really like the characters.
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this peek into my writing process. Hopefully I'll find someone to tag so you can continue the blog hopping. In the meantime, there are already many out there. Just follow the link back to Raina, and she'll take you on a branch of your journey. :)
08 April 2014
Opening Night!
Not the theatrical kind, which is more common in my life, but the
baseball kind! My team opened the season on the road this year, so we've
had to wait an extra week for them to come home to play. (Boo! *pout*) I
won't be at the sold-out game, alas, to watch those tight-panted young
men run the bases, but I shall be watching from home. It's a bit of a
springtime ritual for me to make a dinner in keeping with the day
(baseball-geek-meets-foody), whether it's the classic hot dogs and apple
pie or a homemade version of Ivar-dogs and slaw. I believe last year I
bought sushi for the occasion. (Yes, at our ballpark, sushi is an
option.) This post about some of the new menu items is making me hungry already!
25 February 2014
That moment when...
That moment when your characters first meet and sparks fly.
That moment when they begin to reveal secrets that you, even as the author, didn't know they had.
That moment when you discover a third voice is necessary to tell the story.
That moment when your "short story" passes 31K with no signs of slowing down.
I love that moment. :-D
That moment when they begin to reveal secrets that you, even as the author, didn't know they had.
That moment when you discover a third voice is necessary to tell the story.
That moment when your "short story" passes 31K with no signs of slowing down.
I love that moment. :-D
11 February 2014
Building a Steampunk World
It feels like ages since I've done any proper world building. I did so much of it for several years running, and then poof!
Nadda. Just last month, that began to change. I love to read steampunk
stories. I attended Steamcon V last October. These days, it is my
favourite costuming genre to peruse online and find excuses to build.
For a couple of years now, I've wanted to write my own steampunk story
in my own steampunk world. My first attempts were with potential
co-authors, but for varying reasons we simply couldn't get on the same
page. (No pun intended.) Then I tried for months to work on an idea of
my own, but the damned thing wants to come out as a movie script and
that is just not something I can deal with right now. Plus, it has too
many ambiguities even for me, and I am a classic example of a pantser.
Now, at last, I'm in a groove. A writing groove, a world-building
groove, a steampunky groove.
I've built the framework of the world and the general mores of two societies. I've done research that was more than just a string of increasingly unrelated distractions. I've presented a number of hurdles to my characters, and they are working hard to leap each of them in their arduous journey towards their HEA.
Now, if you'll excuse me, the two fine gentlemen talking at me inside my head would really appreciate having their story written down. I oughtn't keep them waiting.
I've built the framework of the world and the general mores of two societies. I've done research that was more than just a string of increasingly unrelated distractions. I've presented a number of hurdles to my characters, and they are working hard to leap each of them in their arduous journey towards their HEA.
Now, if you'll excuse me, the two fine gentlemen talking at me inside my head would really appreciate having their story written down. I oughtn't keep them waiting.
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