Digging Out

Contrary to most rumors and idle whispering, I am still alive.  Despite being buried under a mound of fresh Wisconsin snow, I haven't been hibernating all winter.  No.  I've been writing.

As I close in on the six-month anniversary of my new job, I am happy to see that life had settled into a comfortable routine again that centers around work, writing, and wading through snow with the puppy.

I am pleased to report that the puppy Max is in heaven with all the snow that we've gotten -- more than making up for his first winter last year when there was just a light dusting and an ice storm all winter. (Max hates ice on the ground but loves ice cubes for eating.)

When we take Max out, his goal is to run around and leave fresh paw prints in all the untouched snow.  This involves a great deal of running, jumping, and laying in the snow.  I've tried getting pictures, but he rarely stays still long enough for me to snap one.  I think he's hoping that it stays winter all year, but he may change his mind when we find some dog parks this summer.

When Max and I aren't out in the snow, I have been diligently writing on a variety of projects.  I have one novella completed and (if I can keep my current pace) I will finish the rough draft of the novel this weekend.  Of course, I will need to spend another two weeks revising it, but it should be done by mid-March.  I wish I could give more details, but we're still in the early stages of this secret project.  I promise to give details as soon as all my planning and scheming bears fruit.

After the novel is done, I then must:
1. Plot out a new book
2. Complete the synopsis
3. Complete the synopsis and outline for another project
4. Finish writing secret project #3
5. Write secret project #4
6. Repeat steps 1-5

So if I don't stick my head out often, you know why.  I promise to be around more in April and May when we celebrate the release of the second novel (DEAD MAN'S DEAL) in the Asylum Tales on May 7.

A Look Back at 2011

I know I'm about a week late for the 2011 retrospective and I honestly wasn't planning one, but when the usual disgust/relief that hits me at the end of the year finally faded, I realized that it really wasn't such a bad little year.  All it needed was a little love.

Professional

2011 started out rough as I spent the first few months waiting on pins and needles to find out if I was going to get another book contract from my current publisher.  Brick-and-mortar book stores were languishing all around me until one after another seemed to fall dead at my feet. 

What's more, we had just come out of our first holiday season where the "it" gift was an electronic reader.  For months, authors had been whispering to each other, their spouses, and their agents about the fate of the publishing industry.  What was going to happen to us?  Were we never going to see our books in print again, sitting happy on a shelf, waiting to be picked up and loved by a reader?  Were we all going to be sitting in the streets, holding signs that said "Will tell story for food"?

A year has passed since that point, and honestly, we still don't know what's going to happen with the publishing industry due to the increase in popularity of e-books and self-published authors.  But I kind of feel like it's always going to be that way.  Editors and publisher are constantly looking for that mega-hit book that will launch the next trend while many authors scramble to catch that wave before it breaks.  There are so many variables in publishing, countless unknowns that are impacting all aspects of the industry.  For me, I've decided to sit back and focus on the one variable that I can control: writing a damn good book.

That's what I tried to do as I closed out the Dark Days Series.  This was my first series.  I never thought it would last for six books.  Hell, I didn't think it would get published in the first place.  I was just doing what I've been doing since I was twelve -- writing a story that I wanted to read.

In June 2011, BURN THE NIGHT hit the shelves and was downloaded onto e-readers all over.  Readers indulged in what I believe will be the last adventure of Mira and Danaus.  As I knew it would be the last chance to get the gang all together for one last party, I tried to draw in as many characters as I could from the previous five books and novella.  It was disappointing that I didn't get to include Alexandra or Bertha, but the book was already packed and we got to see many faces, so I was happy.

With BURN THE NIGHT, I finally got to do the one thing that I had been doing since the world met the naturi Rowe.  I got to tell some of the story from the point of view of a naturi.  Yes, for Mira, Rowe is the villain, but only to a point.  He's trying to do what he thinks is best for his people.  Isn't that what we all do?  By allowing Nyx to tell part of the final book, you get some inside detail into the naturi monarchy and culture that you would NEVER have seen if Mira told the entire story.  I liked to think that you also got to see a somewhat softer side to Rowe as well.

While I am happy with where I left Mira and Danaus at the close of BURN THE NIGHT, I still miss them.  I worked on Mira and the Dark Days world for more than seven years before closing out the series.  They cross my mind on a daily basis even now, but the frequency is fading.  I imagine there will be a time when I will go days without thinking of them, but Mira and Danaus will always be a part of me and I want to thank readers for loving them. 

As to whether I will ever write any spin-off books for some of the other characters from the Dark Days series, I just don't know.  I am currently hard at work on a new series (more about that tomorrow), but I will have an opening later this winter to give it some serious thought.  There are a few guys from the series that I would like to see what they would do after Mira got settled with Danaus.

If you loved the series, or maybe just enjoyed the diversion, the best thing you can do is share the love.  Please, recommend the series to other urban fantasy readers.  Now is really the best time, as the e-book for Nightwalker (Book 1) is on sale for $0.99 for one month.  Buy it as a gift for someone and get them started on a great adventure.

Personal

Much like my professional writing career, my personal life had a rocky start to 2011.  The company I worked for as a dayjob parted ways with me near the start of the year.  The economy is rocky and you just have to roll with the punches.  I'm still looking for that next adventure to go along with my book writing.

However, things quickly picked up when I got engaged.  It wasn't really a surprise as we had been discussing it for a while.  On the other hand, the wedding was a surprise.  We had traveled to Hawai'i for vacation (and only vacation).  Yet, a few minutes spent with the hotel concierge, a trip to the Department of Health for a marriage license, and a stop by Hilo Hattie's for a dress had us ready for a intimate wedding on the beach on Sunday, July 31.

That is how you get married.  No hassle.  No fuss.  No worries.  I wish my family could have been there, but it was just a great opportunity to do the romantic wedding in a beautiful spot.  I'm now a Mrs. instead of a Miss, and I think I'm adjusting well.

In addition to marriage, the "Drake" family took on one other bundle of joy.  In late August, we adopted an adorable puppy, who we believe to be a type of Hound/Labrador mix, we named him Max.  He is now about eight months old and extremely playful.  The sweetheart loves to lounge at my feet while I'm working and desperately tries to play with the cats, who want nothing to do with the big goof.

He keeps my Other Half (OH) company when he plays video games, wakes me up in the morning when I try to sleep late, and keeps me company while I'm working.  Yep, I think he's going to fit right in with the family... if only he could learn to stop chasing cats around the house in an effort to play. :)

With 2011 over and 2012 in full swing now, I'd like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your lovely comments and words of encouragement over the years regarding the Dark Days Series.  Thank you for your support in buying the books and spreading the word.  I've had a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to lots more.

From Jocelynn, the Other Half, Max, and the girls (Harley and Demona), we wish you an exciting 2012 filled with laughs, tears, thrills, surprises, and success!

One Down, One To Go

I survived the weekend.  I've had better weekends, but then I'm pretty sure I've had worse as well... so we're just going to move on and pray that the week proves to be more enjoyable and productive.

Thanks to all who helped with my call for suggestions on what to name my succubus-run brothel.  I finished my edits on the first short story, which has been titled The Asylum Interviews: Bronx's Story (of course, that's the title before my editor get her hands on it.  It usually changes after that).  The brothel has been named Miss Holly's Hot House, but it may change as the story will still go through several edits before being released in spring 2012.  But as names go, I'm pretty pleased with it at the moment.

I'm changing gears and heading back into the second short story today.  I worked on the plotting and figured out the end.  I am just missing a section in the middle that will encompass two to three chapters, but I think it will come to me soon.  I am aiming for the second short story to be as long as the first, which is sitting about just under 80 pages.  The one thing that has surprised me so far is how much Trixie and Gage dislike each other upon first meeting.  I'm not pleased considering that I need to bring them around since they will be working with each other  -- or at least, that's the goal.

Odd moment of the weekend: I took my Mini Cooper into the shop for an oil change and quick check-up.  I was sitting in the crowded waiting room, working on my plotting when I hit a stopping point and needed a little help.  You can't imagine how many strange looks I got when I called my O.H. and asked him what kind of assault charges would need to be leveled on a vampire to get him thrown in jail for a few years.  I've decided that authors really get to have some of the most interesting conversations.

Well, it's time to get at it.  I'm running behind on my NaNoWriMo since I haven't written any fresh words in three days.  It shouldn't be too hard to catch up since my goal is to finish writing the short story by Friday so I can hand it in next Monday.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Today, I leave you with a picture of our puppy Max as he plays with his new favorite toy, a giraffe named Geoffrey.  He carries it around the house and sleeps with it, using it as a pillow.  

And yes, in the background, you can see the whiteboard I am using to make notes for the second short story.  Sorry, no big plot surprised revealed today.