Thoughts From A Tattoo Artist

I'll pick up with the rest of my series on publishing and writing tips tomorrow.  I needed a break from it today, as I prefer to keep my thoughts centered on the project that I'm currently working on.

With the conclusion of the Dark Days series, I have turned my attention to a brand new series in a new world with a new cast of characters.  The Tattoo Artist series focuses on a world ruled by a collection of warlocks and witches.  A rare escapee from the Ivory Towers has become a tattoo artist in a world crawling with elves, trolls, satyrs, and other things that don't wait for night so they can bump.  Despite his best efforts to keep his head down, trouble continues to find him.

The first book (tentatively titled Angel Wings) has been handed in to my editor following a heavy revision.  We're hoping for a summer 2012 release.  I am now writing two short stories that will be released before the first book.  And then I write a second book to the series, which I don't know when it will hit the shelves.

If you've popped by my Tumblr account or follow me on Twitter, you know that I've been leaking the occasional quote from the book.  My storyteller is considerably different from Mira in the Dark Days series.  Until I met my tattoo artist, Gage, I didn't realize there were such a difference between sarcastic and smart ass.

The Dark Days series was extremely dark and Mira was sarcastic when she wanted to be funny, but overall, the dark mood could never be shaken from the tale.  Considering that the world seemed to always be on the cusp of ending, I don't think I could have told the story with much levity. 

On the other hand, Tattoo Artist is a little less "end of the world" heavy.  Sure, the world will end for some of the characters involved if things don't work out, but the rest of the people will go on with their lives.  And while Gage has a nasty past, similar to Mira, he's managed to channel his frustration and anger in a different way.  As a result, we get a lighter storyteller and a lighter tone to the book.  Gage is a twentysomething smart ass who can be pretty powerful but still has a warden watching his every move and can break him in a heartbeat.

Here's a few quotes that I've posted recently.

A quick conversation between Gage and his warlock warden, Gideon.

“This is a good mood?”
“Have I killed you yet?”  Gideon asked.
“No.”
“Then I’m in a good mood.”


Another conversation between Gage and Gideon:

“Are you sure?” Gideon demanded with a frightening desperation.
“Yes.”
“Are you? Did you try to kill her? She can’t die?”
“Yes. I mean, no.”
Gideon gave me a hard shake, his fingers biting into my arms. “Which is it?”
“Yes, I’m sure!”
“You tried to kill her?”
“No, but a visit from a very angry grim reaper is pretty damn convincing…”


And finally, a line from the first short story in the Tattoo Artist series.

"Parker’s problem wasn’t me.  The problem with Parker was that he was an incubus trying to survive in a monogamous relationship.  And me waking up drugged in a women’s bathroom only proved that it wasn’t working."

I'm really enamored of that opening right now.  I guess to me it says a lot about the choices we make regarding relationships.  Stay tuned.  I'm sure the leak hasn't been fixed and more lines will dribble out.