I didn't post yesterday because I was super-busy at the Day Job.

In fact, being busy has been something of a... theme, lately. I've felt a little overwhelmed with all the various projects I have going on. Thankfully, a good friend took pity on me - having watched me run around like a headless chicken for the past couple of weeks - and helped me break down all the things I need to do. We looked at the different jobs/tasks/commitments I have, and then how many days/hours I have to achieve those things.

Here are the different 'things' that went onto the list:

- Day Job (currently 4 days per week)
- Editorial revisions for TIW (contract)
- Agent revisions for BG
- Rewrite of DOL
- Write 12,000 word Moth story for YA anthology (contract)
- Write TWQ (sequel to TIW - contract)
- Update friend's website (paid)
- Necessary online commitments: Deadline Dames admin and posts & guest blogs to write for other sites.
- Sekrit Project preparation (paid work - not fiction writing)
- Keep up with email and my LJ.

We then worked out a sort of 'timetable' for an average week, blocking out periods of time that I can dedicate to writing/non-day job work. We also put in regular breaks, and even allowed for 'social time' with friends (though that's going to be limited for the next couple of months).

I'm going to create that timetable on my laptop with lots of colour-coding (*g*), and then I'm going to print it out and stick to it. Even though it was scary to see it all laid out that way, it really did help to talk it through and write things down. Having a plan might actually be good for me... Normally, I'm not a big planner, but I think I'm going to have to change my ways. At least in terms of time management. Just because I have a Day Job doesn't mean my writing is something to be squeezed in now-and-then when the muse strikes. This is also a Job (with a Captial J!) and I need to start treating it as such.

Um... wish me luck? ;)

Yes, it's my turn to post at the Deadline Dames. I'm soliciting writing tips for struggling NaNoers, and offering up a copy of this just-released-book (by the fabulous Dame Lili):



Come and check it out! :)

...until THIS:



*flails*

Only two more hours, and then I will be watching. I can't wait!! :)

Anyone else?

I am so geeky and excited about this! Trisha Telep contacted me today to let me know that, not only is The Eternal Kiss available for purchase on audible.com, but the online sample is from my story!! *flails* I feel slighly ridiculous to be so excited by this, but honestly... hearing 'Falling to Ash' read by somebody online is just surreal. I love that the sample is from part way through the story, and we can hear some of Moth's confrontation with two kids on the Common.

The reader does such a great job! There's only one part in the short sample that made me cringe, but only because the way she reads it makes it sound like I wrote a sentence in a particular way, when I purposely wrote it to be read another way. But I'm not going to complain about an ignored full stop. I can live with that! ;) Hearing someone give Moth a voice is awesome - I love it!! *beams*

Here's a link to the sample on audible.co.uk. (I think it's easier to find on there.)

But just in case anyone in the US wants to purchase THE ETERNAL KISS as an audiobook, you can do so here.

I've been thinking about the whole 'being a writer' thing. Partly because I just think about this stuff anyway, but mostly because I've been getting more and more emails and messages from people who want to write - maybe they even are writing - but they don't feel able to call themselves 'writers'. Almost as if there is a special club for Writers-with-a-capital-W... Writers.

Some people say: if you're not at a certain stage in the publication journey/process, or you don't have the right contacts, or if you don't meet conditions X, Y, Z, then you're not a 'real' writer.

I think this is wrong.

If you write, you are a writer.

If you are only just starting out, you are allowed to be a writer. You are entitled to try.

Even if you are just thinking about writing, that is totally okay. Having dreams is good and healthy. Of course if you want to (one day) be published, it would be good to start writing at some point in your life - but don't let anyone tell you that your dreams aren't valid or are worth less than someone else's.

Do you need someone to give you 'permission' to write? Who? Who - other than you - can give you permission to write? Only one person can make your dreams come true. You are in charge of whether or not you put pen-to-paper or fingers-to-keyboard. You certainly don't need me to tell you that it's okay for you to write, or that it's okay for you to want to write. Just so you know (in case there is any doubt) it's totally okay! ;)

Were you waiting for November 1st, for NaNoWriMo, but didn't join up after all? Or maybe you did join, but you've only written 457 words and we're already almost halfway through the month...

So what? Start anyway.

Start now.

You are a writer - so write.

"Never think of revising as fixing something that is wrong. That starts you off in a negative frame of mind. Rather think of it as an opportunity to improve something you already love."
-Marion Dane Bauer

Last night I got my first ever editorial letter. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I am absolutely certain that THE IRON WITCH will be better for it. I am excited. (And terrified... *g*) There was something almost magical about opening up that Word document, printing out the letter, and then taking my time as I read through the contents. I could feel my mind expand with the possibilites for this book; I just hope I can do myself and my characters justice. I hope I'm good enough.

I'll be busy over the next couple of months, but I will still try to keep up with people online and off - and I'll let you know how it's going. I have plenty of time for these edits, so I don't need to rush.

I'm also going to attempt to complete the second draft of Moth's novel (BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS) by the end of November, in line with my goals for jonowrimo. I have lots of lovely people waiting to read it (yay!), but I've promised my mum the first copy of the manuscript as an early Christmas present. She reads everything I write and gives really helpful feedback. Not only does she cook me an amazing dinner every Sunday, she's a great beta reader... What more could I ask for? ;)

It took them long enough to get it in, but look what I saw on the New Titles shelves of my favourite shop in London:


(Click the photo to enlarge)

It's kind of surreal to have my writing on the shelves of a store I've frequented since I was a child. And how cool is it that The Eternal Kiss is shelved right in between the latest releases from some of the other Deadline Dames?


(Click for bigger version)
From left to right, Keri Arthur's New York Times bestselling Bound to Shadows, Lili St. Crow's Betrayals, and on the other side of TEK we have the Immortal anthology, which includes a new story by the lovely Rachel Vincent.

Oh, and here's the book I actually bought (only one, because I am broke). I've been waiting for this ever since I first heard about it months ago:



Indigo Springs by A.M. Dellamonica. Here's the blurb:

Indigo Springs is a sleepy town where things seem pretty normal... until Astrid’s father dies and she moves into his house. She discovers that for many years her father had been accessing the magic that flowed, literally, in a blue stream beneath the earth, leaking into his house. When she starts to use the liquid "vitagua" to enchant everyday items, the results seem innocent enough: a “'chanted” watch becomes a charm that means you're always in the right place at the right time; a “’chanted” pendant enables the wearer to convince anyone of anything.

But as events in Indigo Springs unfold and the true potential of vitagua is revealed, Astrid and her friends unwittingly embark on a journey fraught with power, change, and a future too devastating to contemplate. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends as Astrid discovers secrets from her shrouded childhood that will lead her to a destiny stranger than she could have imagined...

Sounds wonderful and filled with magic!

This makes me laugh so much... It's probably funny whatever, but if you're a writer it's even better. *g*

Right now I am not working on my revisions for THE IRON WITCH. I am, in fact, working on revising BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS. There are reasons for this, which include the fact that my editorial notes for TIW are now arriving next week - this is what happens when you have a fabulous editor who is super-busy (*waves to fabulous editor*). But it's totally fine as it gives me a chance to do some surgery on the rough draft of Moth's novel. Which I still haven't sent to Agent M. Hmm...

The thing is... *has shifty eyes* Okay, I'll come out and say it (and I have permission to say it, so it's all good): Moth is really too 'big' a character to be a supporting character. She started out having a small role in TIW, but that role grew and Moth began to take over her scenes a little. To the point that when I had the chance to contribute a vampire story to THE ETERNAL KISS, Moth was the obvious choice. Now she has become popular in her own right - already! Who knew? I had no idea that I would be getting emails and PMs and notes on Goodreads and all sorts of things... about Moth! My Moth. *beams with pride* I'm very happy about it, but of course this leaves something of a dilemma: Can she really just be a supporting player in THE IRON WITCH, a book that is all about Dona Underwood and her iron tattoos, her best friend Navin, a hot half-fey guy called Xan, the Alchemists and the Wood Elves?

The answer to this, after my editor's phone call last week, appears to be: Not really, no. And that's so cool because it means I can cut Moth loose from TIW and give her a book of her own. Let me just say Right Now before anyone gets too excited on my behalf, this doesn't mean I've sold the Moth novel. I haven't. Truly. But now I can get back to work on BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS with renewed energy and try to find a home for it some time in the future. Not to mention the fact that Moth is getting a second anthology story next summer in (the tentatively-titled) KISS ME DEADLY, which will again be published by Running Press. And... honestly? THE IRON WITCH is a better book without her, much as I love her. She is wasted in a minor role and this gives her a chance to develop in a big way. (I hope.)

So that's what's going on over here; big changes for TIW, but they are brilliant changes because I have a brilliant editor. (He might read my blog, so I have to say that! *g*) And a new lease of life for my teen vampire, Moth, who may now have the chance to make her own way in the world of publishing. I'm very excited by all this, so we'll see what happens! :)

Just a tiny snippet from BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS, as I've spent the last hour doing some revisions on Moth's sadly neglected novel. I haven't touched it for (what feels like) ages - it's good to get back to my girl. :)

---

I stood under cover of the stone entrance porch and waited for Byron to tell the other kids what was going on. He was furious that he hadn’t been allowed to see Russell - or 'Red' as he had been known since his Awakening as a supposed vampire.

If only I was wearing my shades so I could let loose and roll my eyes at all the clichés flying around. Sure, it was sad that Russell/Red was dead, but I’d never managed to get my head around the whole Otherkin scene. I wished I could visit a bunch of high schools and give talks about why it was seriously Not Cool to be a vampire.

It would be like sex education, only more practical.

I pulled a muscle in my neck/shoulder yesterday - unfortunately, I was at the counter in Sainsbury's at the time and, me being me, I tried to hide it and ended up looking like a total idiot. Anyway... Putting that aside, I managed to shuffle back home, stopping regularly and only once seriously considered asking a passing police officer for help (yes, the pain was that bad I really thought I was going to pass out). But yeah, made it home and have sat upright ever since (well, most of the time) while I wait for the spasm to pass. It's getting better now, thankfully.

So! While I sit here, I've been thinking about a few writing-related things. My revision letter should be arriving some time this week. I am both excited and scared by this, but mostly excited. The more I think about the conversation I had with my editor, the more I can't wait to get started on the work ahead. There's a lot of work, but I have no doubt that THE IRON WITCH is going to be stronger for it. And not only that, but one of the big changes will actually mean something potentially exciting re. other projects. That's a bit vague, but I'll share more as soon as I can. Suffice it to say, the revisions are going to be tough but they are going to be positive in more ways than one... *is mysterious* ;)

Today is, as people can't have failed to notice, 1st November. That means it's the official start of NaNoWriMo. I'm not participating this year in any capacity - partly due to the forthcoming editorial letter, and partly due to Real Life stuff that needs dealing with - but I am all for it and support my fellow writers. Go for it! It never ceases to amaze me to see the strong reactions and opinions that NaNo elicits. Of course, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, but wow... It's pretty funny how annoyed some people get over other people's choice to participate in NaNoWriMo. Either you're into it or you're not and, if you're not into it... well, that's cool, but why waste time, energy and blog posts talking about how stupid and pointless it is? Or how it encourages 'bad habits' in writers or whatever? I rarely get opinionated about things but this here is my blog and I am happy to say that even if I'm not doing NaNo, I think it's a great thing for writers. Writers of all levels and at all stages. If you're doing it for fun? Great. If you're doing it for the companionship? Perfect. If you're taking part because you've tried every year and still haven't managed to hit the magic 50K, but this year is going to be different, dammit? Good for you - give it your best shot! If you're a professional who is using NaNo to kickstart your latest book-under-contract? Why not?

At the end of the day, a month devoted to pouring out words and getting that first draft down on paper; a month that encourages us to let go of the inner editor and try to finish something; in my no-doubt very humble opinion, this is a Good Thing. It's certainly not hurting anyone else.

NaNo-haters will not be tolerated on my LJ. Yes, I know I just said that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that doesn't mean I want to hear about it here. This is a positive space; especially a positive space for writers who are trying to develop their skills. You can, of course, say what you like about NaNoWriMo on your own blogs and I can just scroll past those posts. ;)

Finally, I'm officially on Twitter Break November 1-7. Authors Nova Ren Suma and Suzanne Young came up with the idea of a one-week Twitter recess to kickstart productivity for the month of November. I am joining in with lots of other writers who have faced the sad fact of their growing Twitter addiction. ("My name is Karen, and I am a Twit.") I'm sure we'll all be back on the 8th with LOTS to tweet about, but for one week I'll be revising, reading, writing and blogging. The blogging won't change! I'm not that strong. *g* Day One Twitter-free, and I'm happy to report no withdrawal symptoms at all. We'll see what happens later in the week...

Today's Friday Five consists of the last five books I read:

(Click the images to find out more on each book)

1) Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland



2) TTYL by Lauren Myracle



3) Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink



4) Elfland by Freda Warrington



5) Uninvited by Justine Musk



All of these were new-to-me authors (as in, I knew who they were but hadn't read their work yet), apart from Justine Musk who we all know I fangirl over on a regular basis. *g* And Freda Warrington has been on my radar for many years, but this is actually her first major US publication. I think Elfland should win an award for Best Cover here - I love Kinuko Y Craft's beautiful artwork.

I enjoyed each of these books, even though they are a hugely eclectic bunch (one YA contemporary, two YA paranormal, one adult contemporary fantasy/saga, one adult urban fantasy). If you want to know more, you can follow my mini-reviews on Goodreads! ;) But I don't say much really, apart from that I'd recommend all of them. Uninvited was a re-read and I think I got even more out of it this time around; truly a chilling narrative. I hope that Justine revisits this world one day. You haven't lived until you've met Archie...

Things I'm grateful for today:

1) Having great friends, so many of whom went out of their way yesterday to tell me my Twitter account had been hacked. Ugh. Hackers irritate me no end; it's such an inconvenience (took me almost TWO HOURS to sort out the mess, let people know the Direct Messages with dodgy links were not from me, change all passwords, etc.), but apart from that I just wonder what these people are really trying to achieve with this crap. As I said: ugh. But yes, I am thankful that people like stacia_kane and many others were quick to give me a heads up and sent me links to Twitter's advice page on what to do if your account has been hacked.

2) Talking of friends, I just want to say how grateful I am to them for all their love and support in my life. Right now I'm thankful to many of you so I won't namecheck anyone, but you know who you are. ♥

3) My editor at Flux, Brian Farrey. I had such a great conversation with him last night re. my editorial letter (coming next week!) for THE IRON WITCH. He had some seriously brilliant insights into how we can make the book stronger and, even though there is a lot of work involved, I am onboard with the changes and excited to start working on them. I know that writers often say this, and maybe deep down inside are thinking: Oh noes! I don't really want to change anything about my precious book! But honestly, I am open to any ideas that are going to transform this from a 'good' book into a GREAT book.

4) I'm grateful that when I went for lunch with lilifae on Tuesday and her wallet was stolen from right out of her bag while we were talking, that nothing worse happened. I'm thankful that it was a 'silent' crime where nobody was hurt, even though it was horribly inconvenient for Liz... Even though it now makes her feel jumpy and suspicious of her local Starbucks where she's always felt safe. *hugs Liz* If you want to know more about what happened, you can read about it on her blog.

5) Last, but by no means least, the fabulous Adele from Persnickety Snark forced invited me to post a guest blog about how she converted me to the joys of Friday Night Lights. My post about my feelings after watching the pilot, With a Little Help from My Friends, was great fun to write and I'm looking forward to much more FNL viewing in the future. Thanks, Adele! :)

Yes, I have returned! I think the Cold From Hell(tm) has been defeated and I am now on the mend. Coughing my way through most days and nights, it's true, but still... A big improvement. I hate leaving my blog so quiet, even for just a few days. Though I was on Twitter regularly - it's much easier communicating in 140 characters at a time when you're sick. ;)

I've done lots of reading, so I should do a roundup of all the great books I've consumed. Um... I'll definitely do that later this week. Right now I'm re-reading Justine Musk's brilliant YA novel Uninvited. I am a Justine fangirl and totally unashamed; can't help myself. She's just started a new blog (as well as her LJ), Tribal Writer: Notes From a Novelist's Life in LA so you should check it out. Especially this post To Develop Your Writer's Intuition, You Must First Read Like a Maniac, which is crossposted to various places.

Oh, and talking of great blog posts, I linked to this one on Twitter but it bears repeating: Scott Tracey (fellow future Flux author!) wrote this winner on How to Create Your Own Fake Town. Well worth the read - it appeals to me because I've always liked made up towns and cities in fiction (which is why I created one for THE IRON WITCH).

Once again, I'm really sorry to pull the plug on KazNoWriMo, but for those who are disappointed check this out! My friend Liz (lilifae), along with esssjay, has set up IndyWriMo to keep the idea going. This is so cool as it means the concept of a 30K writing month in November still lives on, but I don't have to organise it! ;) Not sure if I'll be participating as I'm expecting my editorial notes any day now (eeek!), but we'll see. Check it out and sign up if you're feeling too wimpy for NaNo! Heh.

...I am officially sick with the Cold From Hell (tm).

Having recently suffered the Food Poisoning From Hell (tm) I am taking this as a sign from the Universe. Maybe I need to take a break. You know?

So this is me, taking a break from... stuff.

That includes, I'm afraid, KazNoWriMo. I have a feeling this could be more of a flu-like illness, and I don't want to put myself under pressure to launch a writing challenge, no matter how much fun I know I'd have (if I were healthy).

I'm so sorry to disappoint people who will be sad. I am sad too. *sad* (see?) I am still going to be writing in November; maybe I'll post something about that in my next Deadline Dames post - only two weeks to go - and you can join me there? I'll let you know.

I will be back when I'm fighting fit - take care until then!

[Comments are closed, just for this entry.]

...and I'm rambling on about that age-old question: Where Do You Get Your Ideas From?

Now, I return to my constant sneezing and nose-blowing. *sniff*

Lots of muttering today...

First of all, thanks to the fabulous lilifae I am reading Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink and am seriously loving it. On the one hand, I am grateful to Liz for lending it to me, but on the other I suppose I should tell her off because I can't put it down and it's stopping me from getting on! ;) Brilliant so far. Love the gothic atomosphere and the beautiful writing.

Talking of Liz, I spent Saturday night at her house and had a great time. Not only have I fallen in love with her little dog (so cute!!), we talked books, she gave me the pick of her overflowing shelves, we watched some episodes of Supernatural and some of The Silence of the Lambs - which is still one of my favourite films of all time. I slept on the couch and her hubby made incredible coffee the next morning, while Liz baked fresh cheese scones. O.o *dies of happiness* I'm trying to figure out some way of getting them to let me move in with them, but there probably isn't really room... What with all the books. Heh.

---

I'm coming down with a cold, though it's one of those stupid ones that takes ages to do anything. My throat is sore and itchy, my body aches and I'm tired, but nothing else is happening yet. I wish it would just hurry up and be a 'real' cold so it can be over with more quickly. In the meantime, I am consoling myself by drinking lots of green tea and eating too many liquorice toffees.

---

I have the go-ahead from Agent M to start working on the sequel to THE IRON WITCH. I'm only going to write a little of THE WOOD QUEEN, just to get back into the voice and tone, but I should be getting my editorial notes on TIW soon so I can't race too far ahead with the sequel. But I am very excited to return to Dona's world. Of course, I'm also excited to write more about the half-fey Xan who is pretty damn hot, if I do say so myself. *g*

---

I am - yet again! - considering turning DAUGHTER OF LIES into an adult book. I love the worldbuilding, but I think some aspects of the story really would work better as an adult Urban Fantasy. I change my mind on this pretty much daily. :) I couldn't stop thinking about it last night, though, as I lay awake in bed feeling sorry for myself re. the sore throat. This has been something of a habit lately, switching off the light and then letting story and character ideas play through my mind before I sleep. I worry that I won't remember what I came up with the next morning, but so far I've always recalled the most important details...

I am so grateful for all the messages and tweets and emails I've received from people who enjoyed my Moth story in The Eternal Kiss. I am still very proud of 'Falling to Ash', and am happy to report that my next short story for Trisha Telep - in her follow-up to The Eternal Kiss (due for publication around August 2010) - is actually going to be another Moth tale. I was planning to write a teen witch story, but after a chat with Trisha and then running it past Agent M, we agreed that my teen vampire deserves a second outing.

So thanks again for all the support I've received from friends and readers - your wish is my command! More Moth coming your way in 2010. ;)

Oh! And because Moth's stories are set in Ironbridge, it's fun to give people more glimpses into the world of THE IRON WITCH.

I've been busy in Real Life lately, catching up with some old friends (which has been brilliant!) and running the usual errands. Not to mention keeping my eye on the flat-rental situation. It's looking more and more like I'll have to wait until the New Year to move. So, in lieu of a meaningful update I give you...

3 Things/People I ♥ Right Now:

♥ True Blood, which finally came to Channel 4. Love, love Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse. Yes, I'm aware this might be a controversial opinion, but I'm not afraid of a bit of controversy. ;) I actually think she does a great job with the role, bringing something new to Sookie while still retaining much of the quirkiness that Charlaine Harris gave to the character in the original Southern Vampire Mysteries. Please, no spoilers as I've only just started Season One.



♥ This new book cover (click to view larger version):



How beautiful is that? :) Check out Nicole Peeler's blog for more information about the second book in her brand new series.

♥ Totally lovin' Jordan Summers for sending me an ARC of this:



It's the final book in the Dead World trilogy, and I can't wait to see how it all ends up for Gina, Morgan, and of course Raphael Vega (who I confess is my favourite character *g*). Thanks, Jordan! The book officially releases next month, so there's not long to wait for everyone else...