Tall strapping MMC... or just strapping MMC?

When writing the future, I often reflect on the past to help me create my "world".

Take, for example, the simple decision of how tall to make your characters. Most writers just choose what attracts them most. "The tall, strapping man glided in on his space bike to flash his dazzling, perfect smile at the tall, willowy ladies through the space port viewer."

But, who's to say that it's realistic? Health and physical stature is environmentally dependent.

Let's continue with the height thing. Height is a global indicator of environmental health. Men during the early Middle Ages were almost as tall as modern man today. Basically, people living 1 to 2 thousand years ago had it as good as us climate and social economic- wise.

Trippy... I know, right? They were in a warm period like we are today. They had room to both grow plenty of crops and keep away from other people's germs. Plus, they didn't have the social networking to deal with so they may have been happier, since FB studies have shown people are less satisfied with their lives after a FB session.

It is believed a "perfect storm" of social and climate factors hit when people began losing inches. These factors included the mini ice age, the increased trend of trading routes and the growth of towns into full-blown cities. Due to close proximity of this new urbanization, communal disease flourished and agricultural production -- which was already declining due to the colder weather -- was overtaxed.

We went from an average of 68.27 inches to down to an average of 65.75 inches by the end of 18^th century.

It was only during the 19^th century that height started to really return. The war had decreased the population pressures in many cities (cold, I know, but a fact just the same) and health care advancements and environmentally conscious thinking has helped to recover the stature of humans, which again, is a sign of a healthy world.

So, in writing what do we take away from this? Well, when world-building I always think through what kind of world/setting are the characters both in and from. Are they from a heavy industrial society or from an agriculturally driven world? Are they rich or poor (which can make up a difference of 1-3 inches against the average)? Are they from a city/crowded space port or a rural area? If from a city/space port, how is the health care in that society?

What factors do you all look at when designing your "people" in stories?

The Writing River

Today, writing was like a river. A winding, damned up river.

It was humiliating to admit that dream last week threw my writing mojo off. Here I thought I'd evolved into a "mature writing business woman".

Blagh! So much for that.

After emotionally recovering from the dream like the baby I am, I'd lost the writing rhythm. Both blog writing and book writing. It was hard to even get my ass to the Saturday Starbucks writing session!

I resented myself. Resented my story. Resented my characters.

I sat pouting at my screen, throwing a full blown mental tantrum.

"You're not leaving here until you at least write two scenes, you little brat," I told myself.

"No, I refuse."

"Fine, sit there staring at the screen like the idiot you are, then," I scolded.

 

"Whatever."

And I did, for a good twenty minutes, until I knew I was serious with myself.

"Fine, I'll write ONE scene you jerk."

"No, two, but you can start with one."

(I can be a smartass sometimes, even with myself.)

Four scenes later I sat pissed off because my keyboard's battery died and I couldn't continue.

Man, I'm such a know-it-all. And let me tell you, that disease only grows when I'm right. After huffing over the loss of keyboard power I sat calmer and more mentally focused than I had been since the dream.

I needed to get back on the fictional kayak, cruising the writing river. It really is odd sometimes how we fight ourselves and our nature. Even when we know something will be good for us we try to do what we think will be easier and less accountable to ourselves.

Well, I must scour the house for a battery so I can continue writing this evening. For now it's housecleaning and mommy time with the kids. (They should be awake by now.)

Refueling Creativity

Realization came as I sat there at the beach the second day of our family camping trip. The fog-laced wind blew slightly, cooling the heat basking my skin. I looked to the right and saw that fog pushing into the already cloudy-but-warm day.

The wave took one of my younger sons along with it as he held the boogie board for dear life. (How he could stand that cold Pacific water, I still have no clue.) The waves and he roared with the success of the joint venture when both hit the sandy shore.

My husband and youngest son stood a short distance away in companionable silence, fishing

poles in hand. (Even though my hubby was in extreme pain from a pinched nerve.)

My two eldest children were headed off towards the cave around the bay's bend. Well, children in the maternal sense. With the eldest being an adult now and heading off to the Marines in a few short weeks, it gets harder and harder to keep calling him a child.

This feeling of contentment washed over me. I know, I know. Totally cliche, but it's how it happened. (Which is probably why it became a cliche, right?) With that came this influx of renewed creativity. Anymore and I would've plumped up like that girl in Willie Wonka.

With that new creativity I realized I was churning a stale sub plot. A fresh idea smacked me as it danced in my mind. I saw my MFC in a depth I'd yet to see her. It saddened me. My MMC confessed how frightened he was of himself. I empathized in a way I'd not done before. I even felt for the killer. Actions aside, the reasons were pure and in line with their beliefs.

Sometimes your creative well is empty and you don't even know it. The car's out of gas and your still rolling down the hill, not knowing your engine's not running. Or you're moving your space vessel pilot joystick without realizing the system's reverted to autopilot.

Okay, okay... enough analogies, before I start puking them out.

I've been really into it. The writing thing, I mean. It's been freakin' fantastic. My creative juices have been heated up like a jacuzzi for Mental AR, the slight irritation of starting in the wrong place aside, of course. Though, even that was exhilarating in it's own perverse way. The fact I even had time to face a challenge such as that has been a long time coming.

My inspiration from renewed dedication to writing had been sucking my creative juices too fast. That jacuzzi had turned into a sauna without me knowing, and that sauna was out of water.

But, in that moment my sense of family and motherhood was renewed, my creativity was renewed as well.

Isn't it odd how that happens sometimes?

Writing like I've never written before

Probably the most apt title EVER.

I grasp for the outline. I seek the order of the mental story unfolding that has always been there for me. Yet, the chaos that is these characters mock me and dance across the outline willy nilly, spinning wildly with reckless abandon. (Yes, I did just type up a cliché there... sorry.)

Sierra holds on and I write a few of her scenes, not knowing what the hell Galleon said earlier to cause her response here, or Aleron's flirtation sometime in an earlier scene that caused her thought there. Then Aleron chitters, takes hold and off I go back two scenes and then skip forward several scenes (including one of his) to another and the confusion starts again.

This must be a little what pantsers feel like, I'm assuming. And as a lifelong, hardcore plotter this is not working for me. I tried to tell myself to go with it.

"Go with the flow AR. Just go with it."

But the more I wrote the more off the story has been feeling. Oh, yeah, there were moments that I knew were right, but overall it's been crap. Yeah, crap.

I know my characters but not the driving force deep within my characters. No, not their regrets, motivations, or inner demons. I know the overarching plot of the series but not the themes of this particular book that causes its particular story to be told along the bigger picture.

I can't write if there is no REAL reason for the story. Yeah, some of the scenes read cool, but that's never enough for me to continue.

So there I sat, glaring at the screen mentally cursing it, blindly threatening to delete the whole damn thing and trying not to let Mental AR cry in the corner of her Asimov-inspired writing room. The characters laughed gleefully at the empty threat.

"Screw this. Screw you," I declared in proper dramatic fashion.

Then I walked away. The character still laughed, but less hard.

I went to my room and laid down. The characters tossed nervous looks at each other.

I put on some stupid reality show which shall not be named for fear of losing your respect. The characters started whispering incriminations to each other.

I then fell asleep.

When I woke I was still frustrated but something niggled in the back of my mind. Mental AR was off somewhere in the recesses of it, where she'd sniffed something out in my subconscious and sought to capture it.

So, there I stood in front of the microwave, heating up a frozen burrito, and *snap* it all became clear. I snickered in evil victory. My characters gulped, knowing their reign over the chaos was over.

I started the damn story in the wrong place and with the wrong focus. The series is Interstellar Intelligence Agency (IIA), not Quantum Investigation branch, yet here I was trying to keep the focus on the quantum kinetics when this story is being told by another division of IIA, the Science and Technology Advancement (STA) branch.

Face, say hello to palm.

Talking SF subgenres on The Writer Limits

Hey all! I'm over at The Writer Limits talking SF subgenres. Stop by if you have a chance! http://thewriterlimitsauthors.blogspot.com/

World Building Coolness: I created my own folklore!

Oh my goodness! Has it already been a week since I last posted? Where did the time fly? Where did the days sneak off to?

Hmm...I know where they went, as most of you writers know. Off into the lala land of the imagination. I have been so absorbed with my new manuscript that everything else has faded away into Nowhereville.

I was really excited because last week I created my own folklore for the story! Cool huh? I know! So, since I really can't think of anything super smart or witty to write about today, I thought I'd share the "myth" I created.

Enjoy!

(Just remember, this is off the cuff...not even through to the first editing phase.)

*     *     *     *     *     *

"First, you have to understand our existance belief. The Naga people believe in an invisible land, known as Zerzura, which is between the living and the dead. Or, as our ancestors call them, the Known Here and the Hidden Beyond. There, in Zerzura, two spirits stand guard. Siwa and Andelik."

Dane didn't known whether it was Enola's quiet, storytelling voice or the exhaustion of the last day, but a chill danced down his spine.

"When a new soul enters, the two battle for it, using the recent dead's energy for power. If the person lived a good life, and therefore had good energy, Andelik wins. But, if the person lived a bad life, it would have more evil energy and Siwa wins.

"The great Sun gifted shape shifters with the ability to transform and appreciate all creatures by living in their skin. But all gifts come with a catch."

Sadness weighed down on Dane and tears stung at his eyes. He made sure to stay facing away from them, at the water tank. Painful memories ached in his heart. All gifts come with a catch, so true. If he turned, would there be the same sadness in Becka? He didn't dare, but knew Becka enough to know she at least remembered that heartbreak they shared, when they still loved each other.

"Shape shifters, in the midst of transformation, exist on this plane here and Zerzura," Enola continued without realizing the undercurrents she agitated. "This provides a loophole for Siwa, but only if that shape shifter has not lived a good enough life. During transformation, Siwa grabs them. Picking them up in an evil wind of ice as he whistles a dark tune, he drags them straight to the underworld, the devil's domain."

Enola tapped her handheld on the desk lightly, breaking the mood she'd set in the room. "And that, Agent, is the myth of the Siwa."

*      *      *      *      *      *

Well, I hoped you liked it. It probably will be tweaked a little bit during revisions and edits, but I really like the core of it.

Soooo, snooping moment: What has been your favorite world building moment?

Risk: Info Overload in Series

Round two of my thoughts on series. As I mentioned in the last "Series" post, I really wanted to veer into the topic of keeping the continuation of the story without overloading the reader with large info dumps.

This aspect has really been the hardest for me to overcome. When it comes down to it, the previous books in your series become back story to the current book. I personally have problems with back story and try to keep it at a minimum. But you can't do that in a series. All the back story is important and the reader has to be "caught up" on what's happened.

I mean, come on, there's no break in the characters "lives", yet there's months between the release of each book. That means that my characters don't need caught up, but the reader does.

In my first drafts, I'm usually too scarce with back story. Through my first couple revisions I have to figure out where to remind the reader what's happened, why the character is reacting or feeling a certain way, why a decision was made or not made, or why someone likes or dislikes someone else. All this without allowing the previous story to take over the current book's storyline.

It can be tedious to say the least.

What I usually find is that the first couple of chapters end up with heavy info drops...I'm not going to say info dumps, because I think there's a difference between drops and dumps. Don't ask me how, I just do...

...Where was I? Oh yes...

At least heavy from my perspective. Now, like with book 2, my beta readers felt the information was fine and actually asked for more in some parts, as my background info didn't match the pace of all the active characters. Because, face it, in a series book 2 and on has all the characters already actively engaged. There's no time to slowly introduce them and bring them "into the fold" so to speak.

It makes this doubly hard when book 1 has different main characters than in book 2 and so on, because you have to get this information across from people who were secondary to the situation in the previous book.

But, I think in the end I relied on my beta readers and the end result came out fantastic. I just had to stretch my comfort zone in my writing style a bit.

That's what we writers want, right? Right??

I did learn that a series with a single set, or group, of characters is not for me. This new series I'm working on has the same world, but each book is a different agent on a different case, and at different periods of time (backward or forward). So, I have enough leeway on where I take the story depending on the science I learn each time. Plus, I don't need to rely on the characters or back story of previous books.

All in all, I think I found the right framework that fits my writing style, and I enjoyed the challenging journey into series writing. The Telomere Trilogy was a fantastic adventure, and I'm oh so found of those group of characters. I know they'll do well on their continued fictional journey away from my laptop.

What obstacles have you all faced in series writing? How did you overcome the dreaded info drops (no dumps...no, not that)?

Keeping the Tech in Sync

I'm rounding the last bend on my Telomere Trilogy. I know some people don't consider a trilogy a series, but I do. A finite series. There are just too many similarities, comparables, pitfalls, whatnot.

Now, before we get started it's confession time. Welcome to AR's Confession Corner. Ready?

"Hello, my name is AR and...I'm an adulterous writer. Disloyal, two-timing, faithless, fickle. Yes, all those things and more."

This is probably why I don't write contemporary or Earth-based SF. The world is what the world is and crowds my creativity.

I didn't completely know this until halfway through book 2. Here I was, outline finished, base of the story kicked off, and me wanting to explore new SF concepts that'd been catching my attention.

Let's flashback to, oh, almost a year ago. Went something like this:

AR rubs her hands together in anticipative glee, puts her fingers on the keyboard...

Noah tisks. "No, no, my writer. That doesn't fit the world you've built for me and my crew."

"But, but--Captain! It's so exciting! Popular science published this article, MIT completed this new study...and, and--"

"Ah, ah. I repeat, doesn't fit. My world has a conceptual boundary."

*ugh* "OK. FINE!"

What is a SF geek to do? Well, in a series (at least this kind of series), the developed world supersedes. I've had to tuck away all those fantastical ideas and live in the predefined world -- one I was uber excited about at the time might I add -- to complete Noah's story as envisioned.

Oddly enough, once I clarified those borders I got juiced about it again. And even though I understand now that it would take another unique story like Noah's for me to restrict myself to one "world" and one set of characters for several books, I'm glad I tackled this writing challenge. I do have another series, technically, but I've created it where I can change out 80 to 90 percent of the tech at will. The only constant will be the agent's "gift".

So, because it's top of mind, I'm going to keep in the same theme and the next post will be another requirement of series, continuing the story already in progress without overloading the reader.

Breaking for Air

(Hold on, I got to catch my breath...) *heavy panting from the out-of-shape sci-fi geek*

What a whirlwind the last couple months has been, and it doesn't look like it'll be slowing down any time soon. Between work and writing and medical "follow-ups", I've have little time for anything else. Including chit-chatting on my blog here with you all. Don't be hurt, please. I haven't had any time to hang with my in-person friends either.

That's the way it is though, I suppose, when you're trying to have it all.

I'm in a happy marriage and we have great kids. Keeping that stable is the number 1 priority and takes lots of energy and time. Working (the paying one) has been a zoo. Between department restructuring and organizational changes, my workload has bled into my evening hours.

And don't forget the brain tumor fiasco. Who knew one tumor resulted in a lifetime commitment? MRI's every four months, follow-ups and periodic check-ins with not only the oncologist, but neurologist and neurosurgeon. Not to mention the regular physicals with the primary care doc. It's like its own job!

Somehow, through all of this writing has been my emotional lifesaver. I guess not "somehow". Writing has always carried me through when the real world was getting a little too real. I could always step out of it and into the fictional world inside my head. I can't say it's because I control that fictional world. We writers know that's a bunch of bull crap. Characters and story lines drive our fingers on the keyboard, not the other way around.

It's because, there, I'm able to experience the journey without being completely invested.

I feel when the characters go through the trials and tribulation. I laugh when something funny happens. And I bask in the happy and content moments. But at the end of the writing session I walk away and don't have to deal with the consequences. It's not real.

Yeah, sometimes when it's pouring out of me it feels real. To the point that, when the session's over, I have to take ten or fifteen minutes to transition. And sometimes a point bugs me throughout the day, I meet a person who'd be a great character, or come across a scene that would be perfect for the story. But that's just a quirky side effect. I still set it aside when the real world needs attending.

Of course, there's also the whole expunging of emotions thing. I can be pissed off and open my word document, blow some shit up, and feel much, much better.

Just sayin'

2012: Crystal Ball or Maybe 8 Ball

Hmm...crystal ball or 8 ball? That is the question.

I'm scanning over my blogger buddies and seeing everyone listing their 2012 goals. I wasn't going to, but you know, what the hell.

2011 had me outlining tons of ambitious goals. Reality (at least as we perceive it) and medical issues put a damper on most of them.

I did not take over the world, but I did edit the second Telomere book and get it to my publisher. I did outline the first two books of a new series and start the first one. I almost finished the third Telomere book. All the other goals went to the crapper. (Shh...if you press your ear to the speakers, you can hear the faint sound of flushing.)

Okay, so I'm not really going to make "goals". I have a lot of deadlines that aren't goals, but expectations and commitments. I don't think I'll have time for goals above them.

So, here are a couple exciting things I am for sure doing in 2012. I'm participating in a couple blogs. The second "Fun Friday" of the month, I'll be hanging over at author Sandra Sookoo's blog, Seeing is Believing. Once a week I'll be posting on the new blog endeavor, The Writer Limits (actual day still TBD).

There's also the SFR Brigade Pitch Tournament coming up, I believe it officially kicks off on the 7th, but you can read author-submitted pitches HERE. I'll keep you posted on this once it gets started.

*Rubs hands* Let's see...what else is there?

Oh, yeah, I've got some books releasing this year: ECHOES OF REGRET (April) and ENDING OF ETERNITY (October), Books 2 and 3 of the Telomere Trilogy. I also have the first Interstellar Intelligence Agency book, CASE OF THE SENSHI PEARL coming out in December.

I'm flirting with the idea of self-publishing a short novella I've had tucked away in the electronic "closet". It's not romance, so wouldn't fit with my awesome publisher, Desert Breeze. Yet, it also wouldn't really fit in straight SF. The story is a SF Mystery with a 1940s type feel. Right now me and self-publishing are just making oogle eyes at each other. I'll let you know when I make up my mind. There's a lot of work to self-publishing and I'm not sure if I'll have the time to properly dedicate to it all.

What do you all have planned for 2012?

My Plan...

To take over the world, of course.

If that fails, my plan is to "write like a demon". LOL! Cliche enough for you?? I mean, really, how does a demon write? Who is to say demons are fast writers? They could be slow. They do have to contend with claws and the risk of Hell's fire catching the paper they're writing on.

Just sayin'

Well, however the hell demons write, I plan to write a lot. I have started my holiday vacation. Two weeks of no work... that's a lie. Not an outright lie, but a delusion sort of lie that makes me feel better. I work in the business world folks. Even though I am technically on vacation the next two weeks I have to go in two days already for presentations and meetings.

Totally derailing right now. The point is...I'm not clocking in for the next two weeks and I'm going to write.

I got my distraction out of the way by spewing a page or two of everything this nameless character has relayed to me and can set her aside for now. I want to continue work on The Telomere Trilogy's third book, Ending of Eternity. Luna and Damani need their story finished and polished. I am excited to have Captain Bonney reach some closure.

Plus, I have some really cool quasi SF in mind for this one. We're going kinetic people. Kinetic! I want to explore this unique concept of Luna's people to its fullest extent. I'll probably bounce some ideas off the group here over the next couple months.

I'm also contemplating some new ventures for 2012. They're not at a point I can talk about right now, but soon, buddies, soon.

The Lesson of Humility

Hubby and I were watching an older episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations the other night. If you haven't watched this show, it's a great series on the Travel Channel... but, I digress (surprise, surprise).

The episode found Anthony cruising around and exploring the true Boston, beyond the fancy hotels and sites. (One of the reasons I like Anthony is because he goes beyond the travel brochure.)

Any-who.

Anthony stopped by a boxing club and discussed boxing and its importance to South Boston. Afterwards, him and the owner of the boxing club went to a famous local deli for subs. As they talked, the owner brought up a great point.

He said boxing wasn't about learning how to beat the opponent. At least not all about beating the opponent. No, he said the bigger purpose is to learn how to "take it in the chin" and respect the opponent, and your own limitations.

It is not only about victory, but also humility.

Wow. Isn't that a lot like the publishing world?

Writing is like your boxing moves. Publishing the ring. You learn your basic steps on the sidelines, around the outer edges. With safe equipment such as the punching bag and jump ropes. Then, you start testing your capabilities in the ring with safe competitors and slow movements.

At some point, you have to sign up for your first real fight. It's bloody, and for the most part you're going to walk away rejected and lost. Stumbling out of the ring, you sit dazed, wondering what just happened.

It's awkward, embarrassing, and eye opening. But it's an important lesson. It teaches you that you are not as great as you'd hoped. It teaches you that the world is not just waiting for your entrance. And it teaches you that there are other, more capable and talented people out there.

It teaches you that success has to be earned. From hard work, practice, and getting up and jumping back in.

Directions from the Constantly Lost

I'm at the final point of my manuscript for Telomere Book 2 and the whole thing seems absurd to me.

Why?

Because this is the point where I follow my galaxy map and reference where the vessels are and where they are heading.

Again, why is this absurd to me?

Because I can't even drive from Napa to San Francisco without getting lost. Hell, I can't even drive around Napa without getting mixed up. And here I am, with my 2 angle view map of the galaxy making point references about vessel locations and figuring out the next stops in their journey. Solar System to Solar System and the space leaps in between.

Can AR read a map? Nooooo. Remember the episode of Friends where they're in London for Ross's wedding? Joey places the map on the ground and positions himself where he's at to figure out where he needs to go?...Yeah, that's me. Except I rarely know where I am to figure out where I need to go.

But, Captain Noah Bonney and Captain Makai Yourimoc know where they're at and where they heading, how long it'll take to get there, and what dangers they'll most likely run into on the way.

So, I'm fighting through the stinkin' 2 angle view map and plotting points, cross plotting, cursing a bit, and figuring it out.

...Man, what we writers do for our characters...

You Remember...Remember?

Most of us writerly folks started at young ages. For me, I've loved writing since I learned how to write. But writing is more than just laying the words, isn't it?

You crazy buddies know what I'm talking about. Before I could write the stories, my mind played them in my head, over and over again. I would tell the stories to my family, any who would listen to crazy daydreaming AR, that is.

Oh man! Those stories in my head. Filled to the brim and boiling over. By second grade I'd learned to write well enough to transfer those stories onto paper and have them make some semblance of sense...well, as much as a seven year old could anyways. I wrote with reckless abandon. There were no barriers, no rules. Nothing but what popped into my mind.

In sixth grade, I'd already decided I would grow up to be the next Stephen King or Isaac Asimov when I had a great lesson from my art teacher. Yeah, not sure either why it was my art teacher and not my English teacher... go figure. Any-who, we were working on a project where we sketched one of those collage things. (You know, the ones where you threw a bunch of stuff together and drew it?) The five minute warning beeped and everyone started wrapping up. My teacher came by and saw my binder filled with story thoughts.

I thought I would get in trouble for writing my story ideas during art class, but instead she picked it up and read through some. I was very nervous, not many outside my friends had read any of my work at this point.

"This is interesting, but what purpose does this have?"

I thought she'd dismissed my work and I was crestfallen. How could it be that she didn't see the coolness of the ideas? The awesomeness of it? With my face burning a dark red, I'm sure, I mumbled something along the line of "they're just ideas that came" or some such thing. (My side of this story is not so important, and it was a LONG time ago, so don't shoot me.)

"The idea came, so the purpose must be there somewhere." She handed it back to me and smiled. "All forms of art need to give meaning to the recipient."

A humongous light-bulb went off and I stared at my notebook with new eyes. "Okay. Thank you."

"No problem... and don't write during my art class."

I don't remember my art teachers name. In fact, she's more a blurry face at this point, but I remember the statement... and that the art room was in the basement of my middle school and could only be accessed by weird stairwells that were a bit creepy if you were ascending or descending them by yourself.

I digress (which is often for you new blogger buddies).

Writing, for most, is a life long journey. It starts with the imagination with that spark of creativity. Moves to paper (or, really computer these days) in a basic rudimentary form. If the writer is lucky, at some point it transcends just the story and brings depth and meaning to both the writer and the reader.

Writing -- even the most commercial -- needs to give a message. It doesn't need to be overwhelming or profound. Just present and accessible to the reader.

The Road Back to Walking

I'm so psyched. Today I was finally able to walk to work again and it felt great.

As you may or may not know I had a "fun" little stint with some medical problems the beginning of the year (yeah, nice welcome from 2011 to yours truly)... mysterious head pain that lasted months, then after diagnosed as a brain tumor chose to still cause pain. Yeah, yeah, I know. I assumed that when you figured out what it was you could fix it. Which, technically was true. They said I could either take medication until it worsened or I could have it cut out.

Nervous me decided the procrastination route via loads of medication until I could get the courage for surgery. Hey, I may play a hero in my own mind but in real life I'm a complete chicken. The idea of robot navigated "weapons" (they call them surgical devices but I'm skeptical) slicing anything let alone my skull and brain was enough to cause me to nearly pee my pants. But, my "problem" decided to take a life of its own and wigged out on me -- evilly turned on me without provocation -- sending me to the ER and then into surgery.

This was about two months ago now. After that wonderful event I had to heal. No big outer wounds, most was internal. My sensory system would overload. Walking along a busy road near schools and shopping centers was too much. (I barely handled business meetings that included more than 5 people there for a while.)

Today was a big feat...and a surprising boost for my writing. I realized most of my creative time happened during my walks to and from work. By the time I got to the office I had several plot hang ups worked out and I couldn't wait to get home and work on them.

Panic, No Exhilaration...No, Definitely Panic

Woke up this morning to a Yahoo calendar reminder, Duty and Devotion releases in exactly one week. I think my heart's going to explode. I think I'm going to faint. I think...I think I'm going to flee to a nice, warm Mexico beach.

No, no. I won't do that. I've waited too long for this.

I'm ready. I know I'm ready. Easy-peasy. This isn't panic...this is what exhilaration feels like. Like...like you're in the back part of a roller coaster. You're slowly moving up towards the top of the first big hill and you're giggling with your friend next to you.

Oh, wait...

Then you look forward and the cars in front of you start dropping off. Disappearing as they reach the down slope. Your hands tighten on the grips, fingers actually ache and knuckles turn white from the super grip. You know you're ready. You're safety harness is locked in and you've made several notes to scream so you don't pass out.

More cars drop in front of you. Now you're on the verge of tears, but fight them off. You don't want that to show on the stupid punk camera they have set up on these stinking rides. What made you think you could do this? It's insanity. How many accidents happen every year? Hundreds...okay, maybe only a hand few, but still. This one could be the accident in waiting.

It's absurd. Must get off. You look over the side, wondering if it's worth the broken leg. Two cars in front of you drop off and you know it's too late.

You go over.

The next few minutes you're caught in the midst of chaos. With your heart pounding there's screaming and losing your breath. Zipping through the twists and turns you're not sure where's up and down.

Then you reach the last bit where things slow down and come to a rest. You're laughing like a loon and can't wait to do it again.

That, my friends, is the crazy world of publishing.

It's both panic and exhilaration. I guess if something is worth it, you can't have one without the other.

Truckin' Along

Engines are revved and I'm trying to keep up. Thought I'd pause to lay out my progress.

Duty and Devotion (D&D)
All the prep work is done with this one. It only has to release on the 15th. My blog tour kicks off this Friday at TK Toppins blog. Submissions to review sites are in...that'll take at least a month of waiting.

The Telomere Trilogy Book One: Revelations of Tomorrow
Just got word from my editor and she's begun reading through and marking it up. I should receive first round edits by end of week. It was a relief to find out it's the same editor as with my last book. I'm used to her editing style and she's refreshing and honest to work with...so yay!!! I probably won't see my cover art for a couple more months yet, it's still early. I'm curious because this trilogy has a very different feel than D&D.

The Telomere Trilogy Book Two: Echoes of Regret
I just finished my editing rounds with this one. I've tucked it away for a couple weeks before I start checking and cleaning up for DB house style.

Duty and Devotion Sequel: Lasting Bonds
First draft of this short story is completed. I fell in love with these sisters all over again and can't wait to release this for the holiday free reads. It's now put away for a week, to stew, before I pick it back up and tear through the revision and editing phase.

So, what should I work on now?

I've got a few things in the wings. I've got the third installment of the Telomere trilogy, Ending Eternity, to finish. I also still have my pet novella, Lilly's Journey, I want to finish drafting up.

Hmmm...what to do? What to do?

Plotter or Pantser...is There Really a Difference?

Okay, okay...I know I'm going to crack the hornets nest with this post, but something hit me earlier in the week and I've been brewing on it since.

Is there really a difference between a plotter and a pantser...at the core of it?

The biggest thing I hear about pantsers is they say they fly by the seat of their pants and knock out a story one scene at a time with no idea where the story's going to end.

I'm a plotter.

I know I'm a plotter and am okay with it. Not just a plotter but also layerer (it's a word, an AR word). In reality, I fly by the seat of my pants, knock out a story one scene at a time and I never have an idea where the story's going to end.

The difference is I sit down and get to know my characters and their motivation a little first before I start writing. I imagine the story in my head and note the scenes as I'm thinking through it. I lay out each scene the characters go through on their journey and then in my head think about where the characters would go next based on their personalities.

Jane just got smacked in the face by Renaldo. She's a tough little nut. Would she cry and walk away or would she plant explosives in his car, then cackle when he started the engine and it blew sky high? -- She'd go with B. In my scene box I'd write, "Jane plants bomb in car, sits at bistro with a tall mocha and waits."

Really, the outline for me is a very raw first draft that's about 95% telling. The next few "layers" add depth and sensory to the scenes.

And, I get surprises all the time along the way during the journey.

Jane laughed while the car blew...but in her heart she knew she'd killed the only man she'd ever love...

What? Are you crazy? Is she crazy? Someone's crazy! (Eek...maybe it's me! You know what they say, if you can't pinpoint the one in the group it means it's you.)

From outlining through the final draft I'm smacked with "What the Wisconsins!" moments all the time. People live or die I didn't think or want to live or die and characters react in unexpected ways.

I don't know, maybe it's the fact that plotters mentally detail the story a little longer and court their characters a bit more than Pantsers. Whereas Pantser get a really cool idea and the general theme of the story and start writing right away and learn about their characters as the story unfolds on the paper.

Or maybe plotters just note down their ideas beforehand, whereas pantser don't. But as a plotter, let me tell you...I have millions of ideas throughout the day, and about 15-20 different in-progress or future story ideas. That's a lot of thinking! If I didn't jot them down somewhere most of those ideas would be lost.

Okay, that's my rant. I'll go hide behind the couch and wait for the cabbage throwing to begin.

Writing Frenzy Just Kicked Off

I just completed and submitted the final manuscript of Telomere Trilogy Book 1: Revelations of Tomorrow to my publisher. You know, the ones with the house style edits complete. I'm so happy with the final product, though I know my editor will tear it to shreds here in a couple weeks.

But hey, I'll worry about those tears later. Right now it's celebration time!

I'm relishing in a job well done...and looking forward to the next project. I'd been in this editing nightmare with several novels in the editing phase at the same time...now the genie's (that's Her Highness the Muse) is out of the bottle and refuses to be put back in. So much so that I woke up at 3:15 Monday morning with my brain revved to get going.

I've got the Duty and Devotion's prequel. Or so I thought, until I had a dream and it actually flipped around to a sequel. I'd been working on that in between the Revelations of Tomorrow edits, so it's about halfway done. I've decided to title it Lasting Bonds. When you read it you'll understand why. I just couldn't get into the life before the war for these girls. They'd moved on. I'd moved on. No looking back to what they were, right?

In this dream I saw a couple loose ends wrapped up from the main story and felt compelled to write it out. So, we'll see how it turns out when the Free Read comes out. Let's just say both girls get something they wish for, for the holidays.

Oh! And I have my pet novella project, Lilly's Journey. I've been sneaking in time to work on it so that's going well. I don't know what I'm going to do with this manuscript when it's completed. I've fallen in love with the innocence of Lilly and her adventure, but I just don't know where it would fit in anything. I guess time will tell.

I know I'll have to reign my Muse in eventually, I mean Revelations of Tomorrow's editing rounds will start here shortly. But, I mine as well let her -- and me -- enjoy the freedom while it lasts.

So, what are all you up to right now?

Picking Up Where You Left Off

Hey all, there's something difficult about picking up pieces to your life after you've dropped them. (Total "duh" statement, I know.) This happened to me a couple weeks ago, when my medical issue decided to take over my life. I was rushed to the hospital and then transferred to another, bigger hospital and went into surgery.

It was awkward timing to say the least. I had a contest going on that Saturday (my first ever) on my blog. My ARC for Duty and Devotion was nearing it's last rounds. And, I was in the middle of a large project at my day job (several actually).

But all that flew out the window as I drove in an ambulance across the Golden Gate Bridge. Truthfully, it was the last thing on my mind at the time. Of course after, when everything turned out fine, I had a whole lot of balls to put back into the air. It was a daunting task to say the least. As a mother, wife, writer, and project manager there are a lot of balls floating around.

So, today I'm going to take it easy and just give a writing progress update. To get back into the swing of blogging again.

• Duty and Devotion editing rounds are complete.


• The Telomere Trilogy Book One: Revelations of Tomorrow is almost done for its June 1st submission to my publisher.


• The Telomere Trilogy Book Two: Echoes of Regret is waiting in the wings to start editing phase.


• The Telomere Trilogy Book Three: Ending Eternity is almost finished.


• Lilly's Journey is still in progress.


• I'm also going to start a holiday Free Read that follows the sisters in Duty and Devotion, title still to be determined.

So that's that. I've got to reorganize my blog stuff and reschedule some guests so I'll get back to you on all that.