First World Writer Problems

Hill Street Studios/Blend Images

I had to do two things this weekend: Yard work and writing.

The first got done, which is no easy feat. I have an enormous yard on a slope and my riding mower crapped out on me so I was using a push mower – and not one of those nice self-propelled jobs, either. This was a few hours of solid cardio with extended arm workout.

And when it was all done and I took a nice, cool shower, poured myself some iced tea and fired up the laptop, I discovered that my arms felt like spaghetti and my hands were so cramped it was like trying to type with eagle talons. Continue reading

I Am Finishing This FanFic Today. Dammit.

Writer's frustration

Guys, I have to level with you. I know you know I’ve got a lot on my plate but you just cannot imagine how behind I am. It’s to the point of nearly terrifying now, so I have to get on top of some things.

In order to do that, I’m going to cut back on my blogs. Right now, I’m blogging 5 days a week on three platforms and at least one day a week on two others. It’s too much to sustain right now – not if I need to get two novels written in the near future. Continue reading

What Goes Into Cover Design?

Quite a bit, actually. Take my pirate romance novel, Eight Nights At Sea, for instance. I originally had this cover on it:

eightnightsatsea_SM

It was a pre-made cover I got off a website, and I thought it captured the steamy elements of my novel well. What it didn’t do, however, was tell you anything about the book. So I worked with my cover designer (the amazing Colleen Clarke at Mystique Book Designs) and the conversation went like this: Continue reading

Excerpt Tuesday: Some Auld Acquaintences Need To Be Forgotten

seasinger_cov

In this chapter from Seasinger, we get to watch as Grad Student Shira Wen takes on an old nemesis – one who made her undergrad life a living hell. He’s back, and worse, he’s her new boss…


“Dr. Agostino.”
Shira stepped into the office late the following afternoon, pushing the door wider and refusing when he gestured to the chair. Robert let out a gust of air that was something like an exasperated sigh, then got to his feet to step around her and close the door. She stepped away as he passed, moving back after he resumed his spot behind the desk.
“Please,” he said, gesturing at the chair again. “Sit down.”
“That’s okay. I can’t stay long.”
“I realize it’s the end of the work day, but this won’t take long.”
“I have quizzes to grade, and I’m compiling my notes from yesterday’s dig.”
“I’m aware of that,” Robert said, smiling. “Sit.”
She stared at him, arms crossed and clearly not budging.
“Do I have to remind you that your funding – and your performance review – are in my hands now?” he said, with a placating sort of smile. “You can stare daggers at me just as easily from a seated position. And we have a lot to go over.” Continue reading

Writing The Perfect Kiss

Fashion gloss red heart lips makeup

I was working on the latest installment of The Elemental Destinies this weekend and oh, am I having fun with this one!

Earthsinger is, of course, Manni’s story (for those of you who’ve read books one and two) and as the book begins, she’s stuck on a long road trip with Matt, who turns out to have just as much spunky attitude as she does.  Continue reading

FanFic Friday – The Bar Scene

dreams

In honor of this outstanding April Fool’s Day Tweet , I present “The Bar Scene” from my Once Upon A Time Fanfic, “These Dreams.” In this fic, Killian and Emma are trapped in the magical world of the Dreamscape, falling in and out of each other’s dreams, as well as the dreams of the good people of Storybrooke.

This, of course, leads to some interesting scenarios… Continue reading