Thursday 30 January 2014

Hadn’t the Pleasure # 89

The books that have been collecting dust for so long they have become stained from it
 
 
Howard Justinian has always had to fight for his freedom. Because he was born blind, everyone is always trying to shelter him, but he’s determined to live his life on his own terms.
 
When an argument with his boyfriend over that hard-won self-reliance leaves Howard stranded by the side of the road, assistance arrives in the form of Gordy Jarrett. Gordy is a missionary’s son, so helping others is second nature—and he does it in such an unassuming manner that Howard can’t say no.
 
Life is barely back on track when Howard receives shocking news: his sister died, leaving him her daughter to care for. Howard now faces his greatest challenge yet: for Sophia’s safety, he’ll need to accept help, but will he learn to accept it from Gordy, the one man who will not curb his independence?
 
Love Comes in Darkness by Andrew Grey
(Senses #2)
 First published 9th August 2013 by Dreamspinner Press
iBook, 161 pages
Contemporary Romance
 
“You’re going too fast,” Howard Justinian said. he sat with his arms planted on the armrests.
“I’m going sixty in a fifty-five,” Cedric returned sarcastically.
 
Series includes
Love Comes Silently

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Jan to Feb

Here we are, the end of another month, and with me blaming a house full of (okay 2) kids for my lack of motivation and conviction.
 
This month I write Love Without Knowing It, which is my prostate cancer story (just over 11k) it wasn’t something that I wanted to write this early on, though I did, clearly. But I became motivated and once that started I couldn’t stop.
 
For a week (13 days), it took me to finish and talk to someone about the story I decided that I’m going to self-publish it. I’m sure this is something you already know. I just feel that I’m too new to be able to get this story published in the time I need it published, and it won’t mean half as much if it isn’t published in November.
 
I wrote Something Said, which is a YA short story (4K) that I submitted to Harmony Ink Anthology which I won’t hear anything about until March.
 
If it isn’t accepted, I’m going to expand it to at least 12k, and make it a full coming out, starting from when the two boys met to the moment in this short. But we’ll see what happens when it does.
 
I also re-worked Trusting Your Eyes, which was just a PTSD (sorry if the letters are wrong), it was just going to be him falling apart and Shane picking him back up, at sit around 10k, now I’m going to make it a little bit of a mystery type thing. Is what he is seeing true? And expanding it to 25k.
 
And lastly I re-read the first 4 chapters of Moonlit Wolves: The Rub of my Werewolf and finished 4. I would have been halfway through chapter 5 but what I wrote was rubbish and I had to can in and write it again, which I’m liking but still not sure where it’s going to end up.
At least I’ve managed to get the people I need for at least book 10 up and running.
 
I’m worried with this series that it doesn’t flow, or I’m not really making it anything. That I should have just had it be contemporary, but I’ll see how this one goes and when I’m finished I might read them all back to back to see what needs finishing or what needs adding.
 
Which leads us onto February.
 
My plan is to finish book 6 and move onto book 7.
 
I want to finish Trusting Your Eyes and seeing about getting it submitted. The only problem with that it is that I’ve been looking at a few and I’m going to have to change my English from Aussie (or UK) to USA and that’s gonna suck.
But you have to do what you have’ta, and I’m not going to change it until it’s done and only that formatting because unless the company actually says it I’m not changing it *smiles*
 
I’m at the point where yet again I’m wondering if I should just write the Moonlit Wolves series flat out and then start something else or stopping and trying something else.
This time my minds going the other way.
 
So, I’d like to write, or at least start Assassin Union: Hunting a Traitor and [?]: Straight with a Gay Kink, because it might be time to try and submit a story without having already written 4 of them.
 
But it’s not going to make myself do to much more than what I can, and if worse comes to worse I know what’s happening in my Moonlit Wolves series so it’s about writing more than anything.
I don’t think it’s going to get bad, as my mum’s gone through her first dose of Chemo and she’s come out the other side pretty good, but I’m not sure if it gets worse as the sessions go on. Like I know she’ll lose weight and hair, she’s already nauseous and tired. But we could be a hell of a lot worse.
 
I’d like to add a point that I think, my moonlit wolves’ series is light and fluffy, can people tell me if it isn’t? ‘Cause that might acutely be something I need to know.

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Stuck in Your Head # 82

I’m going to give you the line from the books I’ve read that make my mind crave the rest like chocolate & Coke.
 
So, I’m being lazy. It’s the second day of no kids, and I love this book
 
 
“I’d given up. What made you change your mind?”
[…] I stared at him, at the silver-gold at his temples, the tiny lines at the corner of his eyes, the stern but tender line of his mouth. It had to be the truth from now on. “Because nothing could hurt worse than never seeing you again. I can’t do it. It’s breaking my heart.”
--page 187, iBook
 
The Dark Tide by Josh Lanyon
(Adrien English #5)
First Published December 2009 by Loose Id
Contemporary Mystery Romance
 
As if recovering from heart surgery beneath the gaze of his over-protective family wasn’t exasperating enough, someone keeps trying to break into Adrien English’s bookstore. What is this determined midnight intruder searching for?
 
When a half-century old skeleton tumbles out of the wall in the midst of the renovation of Cloak and Dagger Bookstore renovation, Adrien turns to hot and handsome ex-lover Jake Riordan -- now out-of-the closet and working as a private detective.
 
Jake is only too happy to have reason to stay in close contact with Adrien, but there are more surprises in Adrien’s past than either one of them expects -- and one of them may prove hazardous to Jake’s own heart.
 
Series includes
Fatal Shadows, A Dangerous Thing, The Hell You Say, Death of a Pirate King

Monday 27 January 2014

I'm on Amazon

I'm not a fan of Amazon because they won’t open a store in Australia--not enough people to be bothered I think, so we lose out of so much.
still, it's pretty cool that my book is up on their site...
 
Click Here to see for yourself, though it's $3.50 from them and would be cheaper if you got it from extasy, but hey, it's there, let's celebrate

Bad Reviews

I’m not quite sure—okay, I’m not really to a point that I can actually talk about this because as far as I see it I haven’t really gotten one.
But as reviews I’ve gotten this is the first one that has a bit of a nasty feel to it.
 
I spoke about this of FB, at least I mentioned it, and got some nice, ‘don’t feel too badly about it’ replies, which, though I my thoughts had turned, the chat really concreted what I was feeling into my heart.
 
Loved by a Werewolf
 
So far, for my first book, and I’m calling it that because as it is book from publishers catch your eye better, and for another this one is the only one that you had to actually buy, so therefore, I feel gets a better view, because as a free book you aren’t expecting as much. Or it isn’t as disappointing when you read it and not finish it. It’s not a disappointment when things are neat and set because you haven’t paid for it.
 
So, I understand that this book wasn’t going to get great buys, and having the fact that it was 11 on the Best Selling chat at the website is absolutely awesome. Though I guess it will come to the fact if the same amount of people buy the first one buy the second.
Let’s not stress bout that, I have weeks before I need to think about it.
 
What was I talking about
Oh, right. I have had a pretty good reaction from the book, though it’s come with only 2 reviews one good, 4 stars and one bad with 2 stars—I’ve recently learnt that people will give you a star just for finishing it, so that’s why I got that may.
I’m not really sure I understand the whole point of it, wouldn’t you give a book 0 stars if you didn’t finish it, and tell them why?! But hey, it’s not my area for a reason.
 
So, this person hated my book, and I’m not sure if she finished it because she wanted to be able to talk or what, but she was not impressed. Hated every single thing about it, which makes me believe that it was read for the bitch than anything else.
Why else read it if you hate it?
 
My first reaction to this was defensive. It’s my fault, or at least the one that I’m trying—and have succeeded, in the most part—to ride myself of, but it’s also something that’s been part of my personality since I was, well, I’m going to say 12. What I’m saying is it’s a little hard when things like this blindside me.
 
It took me to reads to breath threw the first reaction. It’s what I have to do whenever I feel that part of me want to ripe someone apart. Or, you know, more reasonably write something to the person.
But I’ve read the blogs. I’ve listened the advice and it’s one I’m hoping to always keep close to heart. “Don’t contradict a reviewer, don’t engage, that’s what they’re looking for.” So I took my breath and read it again, and what do you know.
 
Everything was true. And that made it easy for me to stomach. Yeah, she hated it, but all those points where there and maybe because of my writing she was able to bite threw the crap she hated. Maybe for the fact that she wanted to write a review that she did, but even as you think that way, there was no outright hate. There were points made a little harshly at what she didn’t like, which unfortunately was….everything.
 
The part I think confused me the most was the last line, which was about her never reading anything from the series again. Which is where I’m taking that my writing wasn’t it, but the book. Though I’ve been told I should write YA, or middle grade, so it might make little difference, as it might be my tone that turned it young, not the age of the characters.
Oh, well, you’ve not made it until you have a hater, and I don’t yet, just a person pissed that I didn’t write every little detail into the blub so she didn’t have to waste her money.
 
Anyway, I’ve gotten a couple of 2 stars (2 out of the 10 who marked it, the rest are 3 stars) but obviously not as strong a hate that they needed to say anything about it, and like I said above well see what it was they hated about the book when the next one come out.
 
Maybe my writing is fine. Maybe it’s the content, and it’s not the most vanilla of couples to start a series off, but it’s who were first.
 
Anywho, I’m going to think positive and hope that’s the worse I’m going to get. I know it won’t be, since people love to hate, it’s easy, there behind a keyboard. They don’t know the people they are ripping apart personally.
 
But my first taste of it wasn’t kinda pathetic and I’m great full for the people who made me feel better, it helped make those thoughts reality.

Sunday 26 January 2014

Read This Week #75

The deal with all those books I’ve read this week
 

Happy Australia Day!

 
                                                                                       -- Kath Day & Kell Knight
                                                                                                    -- Kath & Kim

Saturday 25 January 2014

Memoirs of this Delusional Writer #38

Starting paragraph
Paul hated this feeling inside of him. The guilt of not being able to take this away. Of not being able to say anything to make him feel better.
Love without Knowing It, page 9

Thursday 23 January 2014

Hadn’t the Pleasure # 88

The books that have been collecting dust for so long they have become stained from it
 
 
Enter the world of The Lost, a tribe of vampires who are sworn to coexist with humans while leaving them strictly alone. However, that isn’t always possible…
 
The Lost 1: Broken Vows: Daniel's looking for answers about his sexuality. He’s sure just one night with an older, experienced man will finally answer the questions that have been tormenting him for years. But he doesn’t expect the older man to be a gorgeous vampire named Gabrielle. It’s love at first sight for Daniel but Gabrielle has made a vow not to interfere in human affairs.
 
The Lost 2: Blood Hustler: James became a vampire almost two hundred years ago and recently lost his only companion. Even though he's lonely, the grief's too fresh to be looking for another man to fill the hole in his heart. Then Tad, a young street hustler, offers to sell James the best sex he’s ever had. James knows he shouldn’t bind a human to him, especially one as young as Tad who hasn’t experienced life yet, but the boy’s hungry heart calls to his own.
 
Publisher's Note: This book contains one re-edited, revised story previously released by another publisher, and one new, unreleased story. It also contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, violence
 
 
The Lost Books by Evangeline Anderson
(the lost #1&2)
 published August 2009 by Loose Id
iBook,  134 pages
Paranormal Romance
 
“Sixth Street and Main.” The bus driver’s voice cut through Daniel’s dull contemplation of the darkness outside the dirty rectangular window. Around him the other passengers were frozen to their seats like frightened sheep unwilling to be herded off at this particular destination. […]
 
Separately
Broken Vows & Blood Hustler

Wednesday 22 January 2014

The Struggle

It’s time when I’ve gotta start thinking about my next project.
 
I really want to write my teacher abuse story: Falling in Love with this Forever
You see, I really want to write this book. I love the idea. I love the characters. And I absolutely want to see how the two boys figure everything out.
Hell, I want to meet the brother, and parents, and the crazy teacher.
 
I know what’s happening in this book, it’s at the point that all I can do is sit back and write it and see what else they have in store of me. But I’m struggling to want to start it.
 
Why?
 
Yeah, that’s stumping me as well.
 
Is it the length? This is actually going to be my longest mm story to date.
The thing is before I published my first—like, when I first started this whole author deal I wrote 6 books. (All below are heterosexual)
·         The first one was 80k, it was YA paranormal, and I had to make it run over 3 months.
·         The second was from the same series (the series was going to hold 10 books) which was a little over 80k
·         The next one was shorter, though it still held 50k it was YA about depression.
·         The next a killers hunting killers story was also 50k
·         And lastly, the one that I haven’t quite finished is just over 60k and it’s not done yet
·         And the last book, I think hit nearly 80k, it was paranormal adult, and I absolutely love the series and hope to someday go back to write them all out.
 
So why is it that I can’t write those big type of projects now?
 
There’s a thought in my head that it’s because I’m writing about such sort time spans, that it’s not that I can’t do it, but that the period in the lives I’m focusing on just wouldn’t fill up that many pages. Or if it did, well, it would be cluttered with bathroom breaks and meaningless conversation with the corner store owner.
 
Or is it smaller than that. This book related.
I want this story to go over 5 years. I would really like to have a chapter or 2—3, whatever be a focus point of each year of his sons life and the struggles that he faces and the realisations and the things that are hidden to him because of the manipulating and moulding he’d been through with the teacher.
 
But do I like that idea? Is it what I truly want out of the book?
 
Yeah, see, I do, because it’s the thoughts that I have had. It’s the ideas. And it would show so much more in his life and how the struggles and confusions and the anger and betrayal at those who love you more than anything.
But for the story itself. For the things that I want. The love. The romance, do I truly need all those years. All those points.
 
I think, though, it’s more than that. It’s more than what I’m putting there. Of this struggle, I have with wondering what I need to and what I don’t. I’m in no rush to write the book. And I’m at this point where I’ll write it all anyway, even if I don’t even up putting it in the story, they might be nice little free reads heading towards the release.
It’s not like it will go to waste. It’s not like it won’t be needed. and at the end of the day it will probably help create these characters into someone better than what I’ve ever done before, because all these struggles, and part of there—or his—life will be on paper.
 
Huh, maybe I just worked it out for myself.
Thanks for listening, it was helpful.
 
I just really like this idea. And I think it would do great if it’s pulled off, but I’m not sure I’m good enough to do it.

Tuesday 21 January 2014

Stuck in Your Head # 81

I’m going to give you the line from the books I’ve read that make my mind crave the rest like chocolate & Coke.
 

 
“More of a lover, huh?
Proctor wanted that loser of a line back as soon as he said it, but it was already out. […]
--page 17, iBook
 
One Bratty Omega by Stephani Hecht
(Building a Pack #2)
First Published 15th August 2013 by Extasy Books
Paranormal Romance
 
Lies…lies…lies….all of it is lies…until the truth comes back to bite you in the ass, and you have to deal with it or risk losing everything you fought so hard to protect.
 
 Donny left his childhood pack behind him when his father couldn’t accept the fact that his son was just an Omega. Destined to be the lowest on the pecking order of the pack, Donny acts out in ways that are sometimes not too healthy for his wellbeing. Proctor is coming to Black Creek to visit an old friend. The last thing he expects is to find himself hanging out with some young, blond brat. What’s more, Proctor doesn’t expect himself to be attracted to the little troublemaker. But things aren’t what they seem to be in Black Creek, and as Proctor digs deeper, he discovers secrets that are explosive. Will he be able to accept the truth? And more importantly, will he be able to accept Donny?
 
Series includes
The New Wolf & The Alpha’s Only

Monday 20 January 2014

20 Days Later

So, I decided a while ago (it was my resolution, done in October) that I would write about all the points on being a new author. The ups and down, the complications and the things that did and didn’t work.
My thoughts, and things that I have seen with what I have done.
 
Like the title says, it’s been 20 days that I have been a published author, two books, one self-published, for free, and the other through a publishing house.
 
I want to take a moment out of my day to talk about the changes that I have seen by both.
 
Let’s start at the beginning.
My Kevin didn’t really get my a great response. In the way of people coming to me blog, and all that such thing, I think, even though it was free, and people downloaded it (more than I ever thought would, and this is round the 300 mark, after 20 days), I’m happy with the amount of people that have downloaded it. and so far, in this time, only 7 people have written a review, so on one side that’s the only amount I can guarantee have read it.
I know it’s probably more, as I don’t write reviews, but I can only say those have, like a woman can only guarantee she’s had sex as many times are there are children, or tapes.
 
Then I created a FB account.
This wasn’t ever something that I wanted to do. But I ended up wanting to follow authors, see what they have to say, and so forth, and so after I became friends with a couple and realised my mistake I have created a new one.
 
I think this happened around the 39th of December.
Since then I have become friends with a lot of other authors and have had a fair few people want to be my friends.
I have joined the community in a way I didn’t think I was missing out on.
What I didn’t know. (So, advice? Suck it up and join facebook. It’s more informative than twitter, and it makes you feel a part of the community like nothing else has.)
 
So, maybe it’s helped that I have had this part that when my second book got published more people knew about it.
Maybe it helped that I put up 3 chapters before the release—the 3rd on the day.
And I will again until I don’t need to anymore.
 
I’m not sure if this has helped, if I have joined and so become a part of this community that things have seemed to look up.
 
But here’s the thing, and it’s something I’ve noticed after reading two postings, a fb one and a blog post.
 
I have more traffic on my blog. Since, probably the 10th I have had more traffic on my blog. I have noticed it and I have gotten happier because of this.
And I know, lead up, but this is the thing, I started this blog back in 2011 when I decided I wanted to write. I hadn’t gotten into this genre yet, and I wasn’t really near the point of submitting anything, but I started my blog.
My traffic back then, was a steady average of 7 visits a day.
Now, I’m happy because for the last couple of days my average has been 10-14 visits a day.
Yep. That’s it. And I’m astatic for it.
I had one post get 10 visits, like 10 people actually clicked on the fucker.
 
The reason I’m telling you, and like this, is because I read a post by Marcy Celeste where she said she was getting a lot more visits to her blog. She randomly noted that she normally gets 200 a day and when she posted this thing she was seeing like triple that.
 
Last month 614 people visited my blog. In total since I’ve been up 9,117 people.
 
Yeah, I wasn’t a reviewer and when I did that, they were random and crap. ‘cause, let’s face it, I’m an author.
When I started about writing not much. Hell, the most views I ever got was when I talked about depression.
 
I’m telling you this because as a new author I look at what others say and the comments they casually throw out and I wish I was getting that.
I understand, because I understand that her first novel came out in 2011, and I’m sure she wasn’t getting all that may hits when it first hit the shelves. But she’s been published, and liked, with a fan group for 3 years.
I have been around for just as long, but I’m a nobody in every sense.
 
I’m saying this because you can’t honestly look at these authors. High, established, great, authors and give up within a month—hell, year, because you aren’t seeing the same results.
You won’t. You may never see that. all you may ever get is a small following, and that should be good enough for you.
Yeah, you won’t make a shit load of money, and if that’s the reason, you’ve decided to get into publishing you should probably turn the other way and find something else, because it’s an art and everyone know the arts don’t pay, unless you’re great.
 
Anyway that’s sorta what’s knew, I have more to say, like how after this last book published and the response, though small, is quite good (one 2 star out of 3 3stars, pretty good!) has lifted a weight off my chest that’s been sitting there since May
Of, the stupid shit I’ve realised I’ve done, and now it’s too late to change.
 
All those, in the weeks to come. I feel like talking *smiles*