NaNoWriMo 2012: Still Up in the Air

Textbook Romance was written during NaNo 2010.

Here it is, the end of October and Halloween is plainly in sight, and I still am waffling on NaNo. I have a couple ideas in mind, but nothing that has yanked me by the scruff of the neck towards signing up this year.

Wanna help?

Below are three of the general areas my project ideas fall into; if any of them reach out and grab you, comment to let me know, and it might stir up my enthusiasm.

Project A) Historical litfic novel, set in a 1950s American university campus; some "love story," but focusing on a bit of academic intrigue and social issues. (This one has been percolating for a long time, but I still haven't gotten a foothold in.)

Project B) A silly piece of space-set futuristic fluff, with a romantic plot. Of absolutely no redeeming social value, and not likely to ever be published - but it might be fun to write, and to share on the blog!

Project C) A contemporary m/f romance (not erotica), taking place on a small town movie set. There will be writers, actors, assorted devious industry people, and an irritating gossip blogger. (This is the most likely of the three to be published in my life time.)

Well, there you have it. All three have been somewhat plotted (though Project B is rather loose), and I could do any or none... I just lack motivation, and have a ton of Real Life work to do. Thus, still waffling three days before NaNo is set to begin.

What to do, what to do...?

My NaNo 2011 novel is still unfinished, in rough form, and may never see the light of day.

To NaNo or Not to NaNo?

NaNoWriMo starts in just about 15 days, give or take, but I am still undecided. I have at four three ideas for projects I could do, if I really felt like it, but... Do I feel like it?

The issue is, I'm becoming a little less RAWR, I think. I mean, I've written things, and they've been published. I did NaNo. Twice. That mountain, she has been climbed. So, do I feel like climbing it again?

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, NaNoWriMo is "National Novel Writing Month," during which writers attempt to write a novel (50k) in one month (November). It's a challenge, and can be quite fun - all that guerrilla-style marathon writing, which forces you to lose a lot of your inhibitions. It can also be quite productive. My latest novel, Textbook Romance, was my NaNo project in 2010, so that was time fairly well spent.

Yet, there are a number of other things I could (should?) be doing this winter, including preparing for my monster teaching term starting in January. Plus, I might not be in a place where I have the same motivation and clear mental direction to enjoy it. I say enjoy it, because ten to one, I'm stubborn enough that if I sign up for it, I will do it. That's just how I roll - and another reason I shouldn't start it unless I really want to.

So, we'll see. I have a few more days to think about it. Nevertheless, I hope to have some NaNo-related guests in November, whether I take the jump or not, and I salute the participants!

There's Something Special About Paperbacks (and Other News)

I want to be a paperback writer.

I know what you're thinking. We're in the New Age of reading, and eBooks are the way to go, right? That's fair enough. EBooks have opened a lot of doors for a lot of writers, myself included. But I can't help but confess that paperbacks are why I got into this business. I longed to see my name on a spine or two. Last Christmas, I sort of got my wish when Unwrapping Scrooge was included in a paperback anthology from Decadent Publishing. It was thrilling to finally sign something with a real pen. I admit, I felt Accomplished.

Right now, I am looking down the road at two paperbacks - the release of Textbook Romance in paper from Pink Petal Books in September 2012, and the paperback/eBook bundle of my Rebel Ink Press holiday shorts in October 2012. Currently, I am considering cover concepts for the RIP anthology and mulling over titles.

I'm excited.

While I'm not decided on whether I will send my RIP collection to my Mum (they're rather graphic, and, though she's no prude, I am a chicken), I can't wait to send her a copy of Textbook Romance. Sadly Strings Attached never made it to print, so this will be the first novel I've had that I can mail to her.

So, that's my big whirl at present. My teaching term ended with June, and I've been resting up and cleaning/organizing with much of my vacation hours so far, but also preparing for these releases. Soon, I will start looking for promo ops for them, and gearing up the release festivities.

Some musings on the wanderings of muses.

Since I'm among friends, I have to say that I feel these books have some importance to them. I mean, as in Importance to My Life Story kind of importance. Recently, I have been struggling with some Questions. Where am I going? What am I really doing in this business? Some of my answers have been dismal. Many times, I thought to quit. I still do, some days. But, I know something's about to change. Things can't stay this way forever, and these books feel like a milestone.

Over the past year, I've started working on several "Top Secret" projects. No, I'm not bringing down any governments. I've been working outside romance, and outside erotic romance. I've been working on a few different things, including my academic book, and some stories with bittersweet endings, and some with horrifyingly dark corners, ones without romance, a personal story, and one in particular that has consumed much of my thoughts for some time.

Why don't I talk about them here? I guess because it's awkward to discuss "leaving" romance with people who know primarily as defined by my romance.

I have not, and will never, stop loving romance as a reader. I'm not likely to permanently stop writing romance, either. (I have no less than seven romances of various lengths in draft, semi-complete, outline and/or treatment stage, so I do expect to return, eventually.) But, right now, I need to get these other stories off my chest. I need to see if I can do something successful. Something a bit outside my comfort zone.

I'm not going to write anything that will shame me, or betray the ethics, optimism and light I hold dear and have always tried to bring out in my romance works, so have no fears. I'm still Anne Holly - just one trying on some new shoes for a bit.

I would love for you all to join me as I brave the new frontiers, and I will be sharing more about this in the coming months, as I break in those new shoes.

And have no fear - I have a romance all outlined for NaNoWriMo this year! With luck, at least two of those aforementioned projects will be in the can by then, at least in draft form, now that I have a bit of a break from teaching.

One last note before I end this ramble: Some New News.

The Editors at Rebel Ink Press and I have tentatively agreed to include a new story in the collection, which will be exclusive to that bundle/paperback!

Reached by Facebook consensus, the holiday I am tackling is St Patrick's Day, and, like the other stories, it features a miss-matched couple flung together over thew course of a holiday. Also like the other ones, it will be a slight homage to some of the romance subgenres I have loved over the years. This one plays with "single dad," "small town" and "travel romance" tropes, especially those made great by the HQ SuperRomance lines - only, you know, erotic. I can't wait to see what everyone thinks of it!

I'm rusty at it, I find. I hadn't expected to be back writing sizzle and snogging so quickly. But, it's also kind of fun, and I look forward to seeing what becomes of it.

And, for the paperback I've dreamed of for so long, it's totally worth it!

And NaNoWriMo 2011 Comes to an End...

I hope everyone had a great NaNo month.

I FINISHED!

Tonight, I am taking some time off writing, so I'll update tomorrow.

Time to give these typing-fingers a rest. :)

NaNoWRiMo 2011 Week 4

Well, she's finished. That is to say, I made it to 52k, somehow. It's really rough, and not finished... and there's huge chunks of jot notes and outlines that need to be filled in, but I made it past the 50k mark, so I did it.

Will be re-writing next summer, as it will surely need an overhaul.

Mini-Chat with Jasmine Aherne on NaNoWriMo

I see a lot of people online asking why the heck someone would do NaNo. Some people seem to think NaNo doesn't actually result in publishable work. I think it does - with ample editing, of course, like any manuscript. I obviously think NaNo is worth doing, even if it is a grueling time of year.

I asked my friend author Jasmine Aherne a few questions on the subject of NaNo, and she was kind enough to answer:

Why: Is NaNo worth doing, and Why?

Absolutely. For me, I love NaNo because it makes me write. I have a proper deadline, a goal each day, and I love seeing the little percentage bar go up every time I write. It’s the kick in the backside that I so often need to get a novel started.

How: What’s your best NaNo tip or trick?

Lots of tea, and a NaNo buddy to keep your spirits up.

What: What’s your project this year, and any past years – have you ever had a NaNo book published?

This year it’s a time travel romance about a Baron from 1840 who gets sucked into modern day London via a magical locket. I hope to submit it to Pink Petal Books for their “Spellbound Treasure” series. Fingers crossed!

I have indeed had a NaNo book published – I wrote my first novel Stranded during NaNo in November 2008, and by May 2009, after some heavy edits it was published!

So, there you have it - a little why, how and what from an author who does NaNo. So, you don't have to take my word for it!

Visit Jasmine at her website to learn more about her fabulous books!

NaNoWriMo Week 2

Well, the book started out with one plan, and it's something else now. This book was already planned, as well, but I was supposed to write it next summer. The plot sort of sneaked in on me. Now, it's here, so I'm running with it. I'll tell you about it sometime, but I teach on Wednesdays, so I have to make this quick. Hence the lateness of this update - been planning it all day, but just now doing it. Well, see - I could have used those sentences to tell you about the book. Rats. Oh well - no living in the past.

Back to NaNo - on the plus side, the new direction seemed to have helped move things along, because I now have over 18k towards the goal. Woot!

Okay, that was the quick-flash update. Sorry, Tuesdays are hellish for me.

NaNoWriMo 2011 Week 1

So, okay, the first week was a total wash, I'm afraid. Between finishing up the midterm grading, teaching and editing my New Years story, the week flew. I also have a freelance project and a million guest posts to work through. I know, no excuses. sigh. However, this week I need to burn rubber on preparing my final exam and making my syllabus and course reader for next term, so I am seriously becoming concerned. It is still possible to "win" NaNo this year, I guess - but not quite as likely as it looked at the end of October. Bummer. Well, I'm still working, and I hope next week's NaNo update will contain a nice hefty word count, and I can take the bag of shame off my head.

Reminder: November Newsletter Comes Out Today!

The November issue of my newsletter (Vol 1; No 3) will be out by sundown, Friday, November 4.

In this issue: Special NaNoWriMo issue, including an exclusive look at my NaNoWriMo 2011 project! Also, we'll look at my newest and upcoming releases, and more.

Sign up here!

NaNoWriMo Day 2: Updates and a Live Chat

Well, I have about 300 words so far. Cough.

Don't laugh - I teach on Mondays and Wednesdays, so my usual 1k isn't easy to get in the first couple of days of every week, especially with editing happening at the moment. I hope I can gather some extra steam over the Thurs-Sat stretch. However, I am willing to consider it might not be as easy to do 50k in 30 days while teaching 125 students and caring for a 3.5 year old as it was as a post-degree semi-unemployed mom to a 2.5 year old. Last year, I even managed to finish a few days early. That's not likely (at all) this year, but I'm digging in my heels.

Once revisions on the New Years story are finished (this weekend, no ifs, ands, or buts), I am ready to dive right in there!

I am not disclosing too many details about the NaNo 2011 story, but I think a few tibits might be in order. It is, naturally, a full length novel, a m/f contemporary romance the same as last year. Like last year, the full book will be longer than 50k, so I am using NaNo as just a boot in the tushy to get 50k down in the rough draft. This one involves an ex-children's entertainer turned dissipated playboy. That makes it sound like The Libertine meets The Wiggles, but I do promise there's no syphilis involved.

Anyway, we're off and running, even if it's been an excruciatingly slow start. I have my outline, character studies, break down, etc, done, so I just have to keep plugging away. I'll let you know how it goes.

~*~

In other news, Charity received a nice review recently, as did Like Magic, so I'm pretty happy there.

Also, please join the Decadent Publishing authors, including myself, at The Romance Studios for a live chat TONIGHT (9pm est) - I hear a few books will be given away during the trivia challenge, and the theme for tonight is holiday books! I am looking forward to it, and I promise I will endeavour to stay awake.

See you there, I hope!

NaNoWriMo 2011 Kicks Off RIGHT NOW!

Get ready, folks... Get set... START WRITING!

Good luck, and I wish everyone a fun, productive and creative NaNo 2011. 30 days - 50k!


Become my NaNo buddy here.

New Stories Galore!

I've been a busy little bee recently, which I hope should excuse me for the lackluster blogging of late.

So, what have I been doing?

First off, I'm now in draft four of my brand new full length contemporary romance, Textbook Romance, written originally for NaNo 2010. It's been through five betareaders, and I am busy preparing draft five, which will be the final draft before submitting it to a few choice companies. Sadly, this also involves a good deal of synopsis/cover letter composition, which is considerably less thrilling than fiction writing. Nevertheless, I feel okay about this one. Naturally, I will keep you posted.

Secondly, I am nearing completion on the rough draft of the Halloween installment in my five-story erotica series for Rebel Ink Press, You Never Know - a story about a no-nonsense man and a strange woman who claims she's a witch. So far, it's going well. All I can tell you for the moment is that it certainly starts out with a bang!

I already have the Thanksgiving installment in production. Charity is the story of a big city banker with a heart like an Excel spreadsheet who gets taught a thing or two about what really counts in life, by a farmer who sees more in her than her loan applications.

Finally, I have been brewing several more concoctions; a handful of short pieces that range from the unusual to the heartwarming. A dark-fantasy-erotic piece, in which an ex-boxer gets lured by the mob and an exotic dancer with a dangerous secret. An old fashioned romantic novella about the love of the land. And After Life, a paranormal romantic fantasy about a man trying to find redemption by helping his daughter mend her life from beyond the grave. I'm also cooking up a little romantic tale for next Valentines. And, let's not forget my NaNoWriMo 2011 entry - a paranormal-suspense blended with contemporary romance setting.

Now, coupled with my Real Life Day Job work, this is a lot. However, the ideas keep coming, and far be it from me to push them away. Blogging has sort of lost out in the competition for my time, I guess. Soon, however, I hope to have some guest appearances, some more "real posts," and some new trailers and other odds'n'ends. For now, take this update with an IOU.

So, here's to the rest of 2011, and forward-looking to a bright 2012, with, I hope, many more stories to come!

A Preview of 2011

2010 was a pretty great year, with three shorts released and a full length excepted. The New Year brought a lot more work in other areas of my life, but writing is still in the works. So, what's up for me this year, writing-wise?

Holiday Shorts Series for Wicked Nights: Following up on my Christmas erotic romance, Good for the Goose, I hope to add four more sweet and spicy shorts to this collection, hitting Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving. My February one is in draft form now - a shy young man with unexpected romantic depths shares an unforgettable V'Day with the girl next door.

Fall 2010's Full Length: This contemporary romance, which was written in rough during NaNo, is the passionate, and at times awkward, story about a determined anti-romance single mom who unwillingly falls for an almost-too-goof-to-be-true single dad. Between her job and his teen daughter, the course of true love is not only not smooth but seems to lead right up the wall. (But, between you and me, I think they'll make it.) This manuscript is in editing right now, and will soon be ready for a beta reader. I have a publisher in mind, so I hope to submit it by spring. Your guess is as good as mine as far as release date, but I will certainly keep you posted.

Winter 2011's Full Length: This is a paranormal/contemporary romance - a school psychologist may have to come clean about her family's well-guarded secrets in order to help a young girl with a troubling stalker. One her stubborn and broken father doesn't even want to acknowledge. This book has been outlined and is in the process of a rough draft.

I also have a novella planned for Spring 2011, and full lengths for Summer 2011 and Fall 2011 (my next NaNo work!), but don't expect them released any time soon - except maybe the novella.

And, of course, my full length contemporary romance, Strings Attached, will be released in May 2011 from Wild Horse Press!

Stay tuned for the results of these efforts, as well as snippets from them as they roll out of my brain.

I hope to continue making love stories you will love!

Writing Resolutions for 2011

I'm fairly new to this game, only having received my first acceptance in July 2010. I have had three shorts released since then, and am anticipating my first full length (actually the first one accepted) release in May. I have been with three companies, and have learned quite a bit - but I still have a long way to go. Looking back at 2010, I can see some things I want to better or differently in 2011.

1. I really do want to produce a free read short story. Honest. But it is very hard, I admit, to get my hands on enough time to do something for free that will be worth using as a sample. This continues to be a hope, and will be moved up on the priorities list.

2. I want to improve my promotions and marketing quite a bit. I want to continue to make better trailers, sooner, and find more places to get them out there. I want to make/get good banners for all of my books, as I have found the one supplied by Decadent was very useful. I think I will have to start putting money into marketing, as that really is the only way to get your book out there. 2010 was an extremely lean year, but 2011 might be better.

3. I want to improve my website - and get a .com instead of a .webs.com - as soon as I can afford it.

4. I want to finish and edit my NaNo novel. I have full lengths planned for Jan-April, May-August and Sept-Dec, as well. This upcoming year, I am hoping see better sales. I have publishers in mind for my current projects, and in 2011 I hope to have three or four full lengths accepted by strong companies. I will keep you posted if/when they say yes!

5. Shorts. I have decided to stop doing shorts - well, not altogether, but to spend much less on shorts. Shorts don't pay much at all, are hard to get reviewed and are kind of hard to promote in a big way. But they still demand a lot of time for writing, editing, promoting, etc. So, I have decided to give up writing shorts, for the most part - I will finish those currently in production, and complete the five story holiday erotica plan I have in mind with one publisher, as they are terribly fun to write (and so I can see it in paperback, I hope), but I think that is all, unless any novella-length ideas really grab me. I need to spend my time on my full length works, which sort of got the short end of the writing stick this year.

So, those are the specific goals and hopes for 2011. As always, the main overarching goal is to work at it; is to improve, continue to be happy at what I am doing, and produce the best writing I can for an increasing readership.

All the best for 2011. I look forward to better and brighter things!

***

What are your resolutions for 2011?

NaNo Post Mortem

Well, I finished my NaNo 50k in good time. I'm at about 59k. The book still isn't quite finished, but I am taking a breather before I finish it off. And, of course, there will be editing to do. I hope it will be ready for submission in January!

I liked NaNo, overall. I didn't find it too difficult, as I usually write 1-2k a day, anyway. The only stress came in having to do it daily, even when I wasn't feeling it. But, I guess, therein also lies the good part about NaNo. No laziness!

Congrats to all the winners, and better luck next time to those who didn't quite make this year. But, even if you just thought about NaNo, you are still one step closer to having your novel, right?

Goodbye, NaNo - Maybe I will see you again next year!

An Interview with a NaNo Veteran

On the last day of NaNo, I wanted to sit down with a very good friend of mine - so good, she was the only one who took pity on me and gave me a NaNo-related interview! I have known Jaime, AKA b4e, for nearly a year now, and she was a bit part of me re-entering the world of fiction. So, I owe her for more than just the interview, that's for sure.

Jaime is a fanfiction writer who focuses a good deal on the Bionic Woman (hence her nickname). I admire fanfiction writers enormously, because they provide ongoing stories for fans, but often without the hope of monetary reward due to copyright issues. It takes a good deal of dedication to provide so much labour just for the love of a subject!

Before Jaime got me interested in it, I was not sure I wanted to do NaNo - because of her, I now have a NaNo under my belt - and Jaime now has three! Congrats, Jaime!

When did you do NaNoWriMo? How many times?

In 2007 and again in 2009.

Did you make it?

I finished by the skin of my teeth in '07, but in '09 I went about 10,000 words over. (Both stories were a bit shorter after they were edited, but the '09 story was still above 55,000 words.)

How did that feel?

The first year I felt extremely relieved that it was finally over. Last year, I would've liked to have kept going for another few weeks; I was having so much fun!

What was your NaNoWriMo novel about?

Both stories were Bionic Woman/Six Million Dollar Man fanfiction. The first one involved an earthquake and the second story was called 'Legacy'. The Bionic Woman looked back upon her life as she faced her impending death. (It wasn't as morbid as it sounds!)

What has become of the 50k? Did you publish it?

Both stories are posted online, but due to the unavailability of publishing rights, they remain unpublished. They received good reviews from the readers, though; especially 'Legacy'.

How was the NaNoWriMo experience, over all?

The first one was grueling because I started out with a totally different story and changed topics – started completely from scratch – on Day 7 or 8.

What on earth possessed you to do it?

I'm not sure. Insanity?

What did you learn from the experience?

That writing is not a chore if you enjoy your subject and just let it flow.

How did you find the quality of writing?

The first one – where I had to grit my teeth and really force myself to keep going – was....okay. I think that the second one was some of the best writing I've ever done. I'm very proud of 'Legacy'.

Would/will you do it again?

Absolutely! I hope to participate again this year, if my health allows it. Otherwise, I will definitely be back in the future!

You can read Legacy, by Jaime (aka bionic4ever, aka b4e) at her fanfiction site, where she has over 140 stories! Jaime also writes posts for various true crime blogs, and has a passion for unidentified and missing persons cold cases. And she's truly one in a million.

Thanks, Jaime. :blowkiss:

Unedited NaNo Snippet from this Week

“The only stupid question is the one gone unasked,” Seth read from his cookie.

“I hate that fortune cookies are more like advice now than actual fortunes,” she complained. “Where’s the ‘you will meet a tall dark stranger’ ones?”

“What was yours?”

“Love is for the fortunate, but especially for the courageous,” she read.

“Sounds like a good prediction to me,” Seth said, popping his cookie shell into his mouth and looking at her meaningfully.

“Who, me?” she said, feeling a nervous flutter under her ribs.

“Look, Libby…” he paused, as if searching for the right words, “I know something happened to you, and you were hurt…”

“You think I’m afraid?”

“Well, it makes sense to avoid something that burned you once,” he said softly.

“Maybe I just came to a logical conclusion,” she suggested, smarting from his insight.

“Maybe,” he agreed. “Maybe you’re brighter than the rest of us, and love is for masochists. But I also know that it can sneak up on a person, and not give you the choice, sometimes.”

Libby stayed quiet for a moment, barely breathing in anticipation.

“You know what I want?” he whispered.

“What?” she gasped, leaning towards him.

“Popcorn and ice cream,” he said with a wink, hopping up from the sofa. “You in?”

Update on What I'm Up To...

Or should that be "To What I am Up?"

Anyway, here's the skinny on what I'm doing these days:

• My NaNo novel is going well, and has already passed the 25k hump. The chemistry is heating up between Seth and Libby, and I am enjoying the story... Needs a bit more action, but I think that's coming.
• Edits on my Christmas short, Un-Scrooged, is coming along nicely, and should soon be going onto the line-editing round. At this point, it looks like it will come out the week of Dec 10 from Decadent Publishing.
• I'm looking forward to my next release, the Christmas erotic romance Good for the Goose from Wicked Nights, on Nov 19!
• I will be making a big push on getting book trailers out for my two upcoming shorts this week, I promise!
• I am also up to my eyeballs in freelance articles, real life stuff and other nuisances, but those are much less interesting. :)

Easy Vegan Coffee Frappe

Now that we are all deeply entrenched in NaNo, I thought a little vegan-friendly caffeine would be in order. And it's quick, too, which is always a plus when you are pounding those keys!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla non-dairy milk or soy milk (any flavour)
• 1-1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee
• sugar, to taste
• 3 ice cubes
• vegan chocolate syrup, to taste (optional)

Directions:

In a blender, place 1/4 cup of the non-dairy milk, instant coffee, sugar, chocolate syrup, and ice cubes. Blend for about 20 seconds, or until it becomes frothy. Pour into a glass and add the remainder of the non-dairy milk. You can also add more ice, or even some vegan ice cream to make a coffee float (mmmmm). Best with a straw!

NaNo Excerpt, week 1

Rough and unedited, something from this week's work - NaNo snippets from the front...

Suddenly, they heard several crashes and a thud, as Slide let fly a string of profanities and force on his distraught mother. The mother screamed, and Seth and Tony shared a look that said it was time to make a move.

Both officers crept along the side of the house, and Seth took a position where he could see the door and the front windows, while Tony lowered his weapon slightly and made for the front steps, quickly but silently. They heard a cell phone ring inside, and then it went silent in the home. It seemed like mere seconds, or maybe long hours, before shots rang out. Seth crouched down, and tried to get Slide in his sights, while Tony dashed off the porch.

But not quickly enough.

Another volley of shots rang out, and Tony spun in midair, half way down the steps.

Seth would later have very little recollection of what transpired then, except for the knowledge that Slide, realizing he had just shot a cop, flung open the door and tried to make a break for it. Seth flew up and shot to disable, but Slide shot to kill.

The last things Seth heard before he slid into blackness was a woman screaming and an ambulance wailing in the street.