Crossing Over

No I'm not dying. I'm actually quite alive. What no one else knows is that The Hill Dweller Series is written to mesh perfectly with the mythos of The Will of the Fallen Series. Actually, it was more like I wrote Will of the Fallen, turned around and realized I could write quite a few series around the different supernatural groups that I had created. the Hill Dweller series was born right after that.

What I mean by crossing over is that I'm going to draw characters from one series and use them in another. Kind of like a guest appearance that gets readers interested in the characters from my other series -- thus making them go out and buy it. We can thank Sherrilyn Kenyon for that little bit of inspiration. Originally, I was going to keep characters from other supernatural groups out of the picture, but then I realized it would be so much cooler with them in there and it might help me get out of this moat-sized rut I've managed to run around myself.

So get excited! In the next installment of the Hill Dwellers, Lacey's going to learn what the Hill Dwellers really are, what they really do, and where she really comes from. Don't you just love family reunions?

Taking the plunge.

I just sent out my manuscript. I'm a little nervous. A little excited. I'm still not 100% certain that it's ready for the agent to look at it. I was more ready to send it to her right after I wrote it, but I think I made myself nervous about it since then. Part of it is because she keeps telling me to take my time and somehow that's mentally translating to: "You're obviously nowhere close to ready to show this to me." When in fact I probably am and I'm probably just looking for problems where none exist.

At this point, I don't know what else to fix and my betas are quieter than Baileville in a blizzard. I actually think I'm starting to be more of a hindrance than a help to myself. I'm getting headaches from reading my manuscript upside down and backwards in search of what needs to be fixed. The beta readers say it's tight and flows. No one seems to have any problems with the adjustments I've added. The only negative feedback I've gotten seem to be stylistic preferences from reader to reader. I really had to sit down and ask myself, what else can I do with this. And, other than sitting on it for another few months in the hope that inspiration smacks me in the nose, nothing. So I just have to let my baby walk into the spotlight and hold my breath. Tomatoes or roses? The world is watching.

Of course, there could very well be problems. There could be plenty that neither the betas or I caught. That tends to happen when you've read the same thing eight times over. And then there is the dreaded fear that somehow I didn't understand what my agent suggested I fix and I made a whole bunch of changes that weren't necessary. However, I think that's unlikely.

All I can do is sit back and pray that what I've sent is gold and the line-editing process wont take a million years. I realize that the publishing industry is slower than molasses in January, but I need something to move forward.

That's my other realization: Other than coming to understand that sometimes you just have to jump and hope you land on your feet, I've realized that being frozen in mid-air -- eyes locked on the target, but ETA unknown -- isn't any better than standing on the cliff -- uncertain if you'll ever even take the plunge. In fact, I'm finding it worse.

BETA Business

Two more beta responses this week. Not much to correct. I don't know if that makes me a genius or a friend of idiots. ;p Guess we'll find out in a week. Hopefully I'll get more responses because Saturday is the beta due date. If not, I'm sending the manuscript back to my agent on Sunday and seeing what she thinks.

Should the Reader be Confused?

So, here’s my dilemma. Every so often, I get a beta reader who hands me back my manuscript and says, “I was really confused about X, Y, and Z.”

At first, I was distressed about it. Then I went through a short period of denial and thought they must be stupid because everyone else got it and they didn’t.

And then, I realized something: Hello! This book is written in the FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE. The reader is only getting the information that the main character is getting.

So, if the main character is confused by the information she’s getting, shouldn’t it follow that the reader also be confused? And doesn’t it make sense that only some of my readers are freaking out about it because many readers submerse themselves enough in the character to realize they are supposed to be confused and the answers will eventually reveal themselves?

I’d like some feedback. When is it okay to confuse your reader?

Spirits

No, that's not my arm. I am not that hairy...or a man.

I'm in excellent spirits lately (If not a little anxious). I've been done with the latest edit to Scar-Crossed for a while and I've been waiting on beta reactions for more than a month. Needless to say, for me, waiting on other people is the hardest part about being a writer. But, patience is a virtue. Just one that I don't possess in great quantities.

Anyway, I'm slowly getting responses and so far, I seem to have done what I set out to do. Let's just hope my agent thinks so too! I've still got ten more days until the beta deadline hits. (BTW, How sad is that, I'm not counting down days till x-mas because I want gifts, but because I want edits, lol. I'm flirting with the idea of taking bets on how many of my betas actually finish by then. Who knows, maybe they'll surprise me and I don't have to be disappointed by another dozen-some-odd people who say they will do something for me and then completely fall through on it. Yes, that is a bitter tone in my type.

Besides that, I'm in high spirits because what I have heard so far is good and I'm hoping to hear some more good. I'm also finally plugging away at my Steampunk. Slowly, but surely. I just like to visualize myself as one of the half-baked pieces of machinery in my novel. Capable of great things, just very slow at achieving them. I'm trying to get the bulk of it on paper by the end of the year and spend the next few months polishing it.

I'm also seriously wrestling the sequel to Scar-Crossed. I know I should have it on the back-burner, but my fans are getting restless and I feel I might have a demi-revolution on my hands if my beta readers don't get to find out what happens next. Originally, I had most of it written and then decided I didn't like it. Yeah, story of my life, I know. But, I've been getting a lot of ideas lately, so hopefully one of them will lead to the golden egg. Hopefully it's this really good idea I had this morning...

Cause I can and It's Wonderful

Get up and shake your booty kids!

UPULAR

Thus Far.

So, got through a solid 25K this week. Nothing to sneeze at. Of course, it would be better if that was 25K in the Steampunk that I'm supposed to be working on. If I could get through 25k in that, I'd be done by now! Sigh. I'm a bad girl.

Well, at least I'm writing, right? And the sequel to Scar-Crossed does need to get written eventually. So, now I can pick from any of four sequels. Maybe I can make a choose your own adventure novel? Grar. In my own defense, I've been fussing with so many story lines that it was difficult to decide what to put in the sequel. Now I've made the executive decision to push one of the major issues off until the third book and focus on Lacey's discovery of who her father is and what that means for her in the second.

While I work on that, I'm attempting to live-wire the original passion that got me started on the Steampunk by reading the sequels to the two books that got me writing it in the first place. I just started Iron Angel and then I'll move on to Behemoth. We'll see how that goes. I'm also under the impression that because the Steampunk is yet unnamed it isn't yet a being. (This goes back to me feeling like my books are my children and my Anthropological background, don't ask.) So, I'm trying to think of a good title for it. Thinking being the operative word... I'm also going to have a Steampunk movie extravaganza. Hopefully it will get me to write some kick-butt action scenes.

In other news the final version of Scar-Crossed is with more than ten betas. Only one has finished so far and things look good from where she stands. They've got until Christmas to finish it up, but hopefully they'll finish sooner. *Everything crossable, crossed*

I'll also be working on attempting to remodel Will of the Fallen in the case that the Steampunk continues to allude me. I need to be able to show something else once Scar-Crossed gets accepted. Let's just hope I can figure out how to get someone excited about a longish book with a cliff hanger. Hello Tor.

A Heart to Heart with Neek

This weekend I sat in on a panel at FaerieCon and I learned that I'm not the only author whose characters are like real people.

Odd, I know, but I think every other author will agree with me on this. No, we don't need meds and we're not all fans of Inkheart. We're just really good at creating characters. So good, in fact, that sometimes it's almost like they have a life of their own. They become like children or friends. You end up having discussions and arguments with them. Sometimes they do things that you don't want them to do and then you have to figure out how to get them out of it. ...And as Maggie Stiefvater put it, sometimes you just get so frustrated with them that you have to drag them through a side story where they die horribly before you can get them to cooperate.

So, in light of that I decided to spin a little spoof between myself and one of the characters from my WIP. I've been having some problems because Neek (Nekehleis) is trying to jump the gun in this YA steampunk romance. So I think I'll let him try it his way and see what happens. *Sinister Smile* Maybe he'll cooperate after this. Hope you enjoy!

I’m about a quarter of the way through chapter twelve. Neek and Adelle are meditating after one of their classes. Neek opens one eye, peeks at Adelle. She’s got her eyes closed, her brow is furrowed in concentration and she’s got that pout she does. He thinks about how much he likes that intense expression on her face; how much he wants to touch the hair that spills around her face and shoulders; how hard she's trying to get this right -- all for that brat, Madlyn. Neek suddenly shakes his head.

I growl under my breath, annoyed that he’s interrupting my process. “What now?”

Neek takes a deep breath, lets it out. I stare at him expectantly, knowing he’s about to say something he knows I’m not going to like. “I’m going to kiss her.”

I blink. “What?" I squeak. "Now? You can’t do that!”

He cocks his head, stares at her lovingly. Oh, if only she saw that expression. She’d kill him for sure. “Why not?”

I throw up my hands, upsetting my tea and scaring the cat. “Are you stupid? She’s your enemy’s daughter!”

“Yeah, so?”

“So, she’s trying to kill you.” I start mopping up my tea.

“Yes, I know. I had a vision about that, remember? I’ve got that whole Solar Seer thing going for me.”

“See? Even Ehleis is trying to tell you that she’s trying to kill you. Use your head, Neek, I made you smart for a reason.”

“And?”

“What if you mean “and?” Hello! If she kills you I won’t have a story and Ehleis won’t have a Blessing. We’re covering our asses here.”

Neek bites his lip. “Maybe if I kiss her, she won’t kill me.”

“If you kiss her I’ll have to make her kill you,” I say with a sigh. “I made her that way. The readers expect it.”

“I’ll take my chances and hope you like me enough not to let Adelle kill me. The readers will like it better if I kiss her. Sex sells.”

I get a bad mental image of attempting to navigate a love scene around Neek's wings and Adelle's ridiculous outfit. Scowling, I attempt a new approach. “Sleeping with the heiress of the Empire? The empire that’s besmirching the natural world with it’s mechanical abominations and alchemical warfare? Ehleis wouldn’t like it.”

Neek’s eyes widen. “No? I think it’s an excellent idea.”

“You’re seventeen, Neek, the only thought processes you have come through your penis.”

“Well, my penis thinks it’s an excellent idea,” Neek says with a shrug. “Besides, wasn’t Ehleis the one who told us to go forth and prosper?”

I cross my arms. “There’s no way in hell I’m letting you two prosper, Neek. This isn’t Twilight.”

Neek glances out the window. “No, I’d say it’s just about mid-morning. That's a great time for sex. We can have lunch afterward.”

I slap my palm against my forehead. “No it’s a- Oh, just forget it.”

“So,” Neek ventures cautiously. “Kissing Adelle?”

“If I had my way you’d wait a few chapters before doing that. I’m not responsible for what happens if you kiss her before she’s ready.”

Neek grins. “Of course not.”

I give him a worried look. He's really going to do it. Stupid kid. “She’s still carrying that dagger under her skirt.”

His grin grows a little wider. “I know.”

I lean back and give him my most petulant expression I can manage. “I really hate working with you sometimes.”

Neek cuts his eyes at me. “You’re no gift to fiction yourself, A.L.. I mean, violet eyes? Come on, even Lilith got it better than I did.”

"Oh, have I offended your masculinity?" I reach out, pull the keyboard closer, and threateningly settle my fingers back on home row. “It's not too late to make them pink. Now shut up and kiss her already, I want to get to the part where she circumcises you.”

FaerieCon

So this past weekend I went to FaerieCon in Baltimore. Is it possible to be both disappointed and pleased with something? That's kind of how I feel about this con.

My biggest gripe was the lack of panels. I'm used to going to conventions that have like ten panels going on at once and this one had only one or two panel tracks. While I guess that's good cause then people can get to see everything they want to, it can make things boring for people who don't want to visit a particular panel and have walked around the dealers market eight times already. I was also expecting it to have more attendees. I guess it was still a pretty good size, but I was assuming it would be larger for some reason. In all it was a fine convention...I don't know, I guess my expectations were too high?

I can't complain about the music or dealers market, I also can't complain about the guest speakers/presenters. All of them were high caliber, professional, and wonderful. I mean Brian and Wendy Froud? HELLO?!

General commentary:

There were two panels given by authors of faerie, so obviously I went to both. It was great to get an insider's look at what other authors do/do not like about other pieces that are coming out in the genre. Two important ones: retain the idea of consequence (the negative aspect) and do your research! It was also great to hear about how other authors approach their craft. I kept nodding my head and wanting to answer questions that some of the audience members had. It's a great feeling when you know you've gotten far enough along as a writer that you feel comfortable enough with most questions being asked. It made me feel like I was ready for one of my own panels!

I got to meet a number of my favorite authors in the genre. It's no surprise that both Melissa Marr and Maggie Stiefvater are awesome people and super approachable. I had been really nervous because, I while am a fan, I wanted to approach them as a colleague. I also had to contend with a slight bit of social anxiety I get when I'm conversing with people that I want to impress. Lucky for me, Melissa had made a comment about young authors needing mentors and that any established author who received help when they first started out should return the Karmic favor. Since I consider both Maggie and Melissa to be very inspirational figures, I bit the bullet and stood in line to talk to them. All in all, it went well. I jumped in said my bit and got out before I turned beet red, although I didn't manage to avoid the shaking. I just tried to play it off like I had normative internal tremors, but I feel really bad for the girl who asked me to take a picture of her with Maggie, her pictures came out sort of blurry...Sorry!

The masquerade balls were...well, they didn't meet my expectations. The costumes were absolutely fabulous, the music was good, and the general ambiance was suitable. BUT PEOPLE WEREN'T DANCING! Hello, this is a ball! People dance at balls! Faeries dance when they hear music! To be fair, the music wasn't all that conducive to dance, unless you're expecting very slow emotive dancing -- which faeries do, but people kind of suck at. Don't get me wrong, the music was great, but not dance music. The Bad Faeries ball was a little better than the Good Faeries ball. Once Faun came on, people started moving around. But the issue with the Bad Faeries ball was that it was PACKED. It's hard to dance when you can't move. I was wearing feather wings and they got mauled. Tips for improvement: Livelier dance music, larger ballroom, and some hired dancers to break in the crowd.

I can't complain about the merchants. There was a crap ton of stuff and I wanted at least half of it. However, I limited myself. My Picks?

Renae Taylor. This artist has some of the most beautiful fantasy art I've ever seen. I first saw her at NY FaerieFest, then again at the NY Renaissance Faire, and finally caved when I saw her at Faeriecon.

Celine Chapus. I walked by her booth, did a double take, and practically pounced. I LOVE this artist. I have a weak spot for manga and anime, and her style falls neatly in the heart throb position. If there was an artist I'd give my book to and say "Go forth and draw this," it would be her. "I Will Find You" stole my heart.

Jasmine Becket-Griffith. Her art centers around mythical ladies who look like institutionalized Bratz dolls, but there is something absolutely lovable about each once of her creations. I wanted a large print of one of her renditions of Alice in Wonderland, but there weren't any more, so I went for a collection of Alice minis instead.

I didn't get anything from Jennifer Pierson, but gosh did I ever want to. If you ever want a pair of kick-ass faerie wings, this is your lady! If I go next year, I'm so getting one of her pieces!

Music: Out of five musical guests, Faun and Adam Hurst stood out. I have a weakness for bagpipes and cellos, so that might have something to do with it...certainly more to do with it than my weakness for attractive blond guys :) haha, no seriously, their music is haunting and electrical. Not excitement electrical, but buzz down your nerves, soul shiver electrical. When your soul wants to get out and start moving, then you know you've found something delicious.

All in all, I had more fun than disappointment. As long as next year's programming proves to be as good as this years, then I'll probably go again. Especially since now, I know what to expect and plan accordingly.

Seriously

It's official. I seriously need to be a better blogger. Why?

HOLY CRAPS I GOT AN AGENT.

Yeah, that's why.

This is my happy story: So, I finished Scar-Crossed in December. I had my betas read and finished edits in February. Started querying in March. Heard back from Agent 1 in May asking for a partial. Agent 1 asked for the full. Agent 1 wants me to try a re-write. I re-write and send back in August. In September Stella Price convinces me to try pitching to some small press editors at Authors After Dark, a para-rom conference I was going to be attending. I was like, "Eh, okay."

Little did I know that she signed me up with an agent as well. So, I pitched Agent 2 and she was like, "I like the idea. If Agent 1 doesn't take it, then I'll look at it." I proceed to get to know Agent 2 while at the convention and come to the conclusion that she's an awesome lady.

One week later, Agent 1 turns me down. I send Scar-Crossed to Agent 2. Agent 2 emails me, wants to talk on the phone. We talk on the phone. Agent 2 isn't even done and she wants to represent me. I'm like, "HOLY CRAP." Coolest part? She even offered to try and get any other agents I preferred to take a look at it. That's what sold me. She cares enough about my success as an author to give up a manuscript that she was willing to take before she was even done reading it. Since then I've come to think she's even more awesome. Top reasons my agent is awesome: She gets back to me in a timely fashion, communicates well, is willing to invest time and effort in me -- this includes phone conversations that go over an hour (even though I'm a newbie), and she's interested in humanitarian efforts which just makes her a good person.

So, I'm not really all that bothered by missing out on Agent 1 because I really like who I ended up working with. :) Louise Fury of the L. Perkins Agency is my agent and I'm darn proud of it!