by Sarah | May 21, 2012 | The Muse, Writing, writing tips
[flickr id=”5079013878″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I remember the days after I finished my first novel.
Not just the days – the months.
I thought that was it. I loved those characters so much, how could I possibly have another story in me? Their story was beautiful and deep and not even finished – how could I ever move on?
That novel suffered through years of my tears, queries and rejections. It now sits in the back of my files, neglected and left behind. There are days I remember it, days I contemplate its resurgence from the mothballs of my external drive. I still love those characters in the way you love an old familiar friend. I still truly believe their story deserves to be told. I also now fully believe that I didn’t tell it well that first time. It’s certainly not a horrendous collection of words – but it doesn’t shine. It requires far too much time and attention for me to ponder revisiting it right now.
About three years ago I had a whisper of a story idea. In rapid-fire free-writing I cranked out well over 500k words of a story (or 3 or 4) surrounding new characters. Yes, three years ago. This is the story that I am now querying out. The story that I just absolutely love my main characters with a shamefully blinding addiction some days (I wish I were as clever and quick-witted as my heroine).
Last year I started another series based around another couple of characters. Another two characters (no, make that four – or five – or…well, the series has a LOT of characters I love) that I can adore. A story that I can sink my teeth into, that requires multiple facets and stories to cross the depth of all of these people.
Once I reached the point a year ago where I had started on rewrites for both of these pieces I once again wondered where I would find more. How could I find more characters? I certainly don’t want to recycle characters.
Fast forward to today.
I’m in final edits and the query stage for Changing Tracks. Then I have The Tribe still in mid-draft.
And what else?
Well…I have a horror (horror? Me?) flash fiction that I’ve submitted to an e-zine.
I have an Urban Fantasy that’s got about three pages of world-building notes. Characters named. Story line being plotted.
Of course there’s a short story that I started, but have put on hold. I want to wait on it for personal reasons. It’s a fun little smexy romp that will hopefully get attention before the end of the year.
I just started another HWR short – make that short-for-me – story. I’m deep in the second chapter and the new characters are becoming really interesting. They have their damage, but their stories are so rich.
Oh, yes…can’t forget the new story idea that came to me this morning. Still in its infancy. So very young, but so very exciting. I haven’t met the characters yet – but I’m sure they will be tortured.
Maybe one day I’ll create a character that I don’t torture. That just…is. Maybe.
But as I look at my growing story folders and all of the possibilities I’m startled. I wonder – what happened to the days when I thought I’d never create another story?
What about you? Do you find yourself in plotting overload? In a wasteland of ideas with no clue what to start building next because every idea is so exciting? What do you do with all of your story ideas? How do you keep track of them?
Are you a spread sheet diva (or divo)? Or do you have notes scattered everywhere? Paper or electronic?
Do your ideas come in a flood like mine have this time? Or a slow trickle that lets you keep up?
by Sarah | May 15, 2012 | Books, Changing Tracks, Shorts, The Muse, Writing, writing tips
[flickr id=”6818404384″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Thanks to some incredible luck, one beautiful person, and my attempt at a sparkling personality…I have a real editor critiquing my baby right now.
That frees up a lot of time for my muse to alternately panic (OMG will she like it?), and decide to plot up 5,000,000 more books.
Or maybe just two. ~insert the ominous for now here~
On top of the one book I’m in mid-rewrites of, and the other that she dreamed up a few weeks back.
She is insane (but we covered that already).
The problem is, that I now have 3 title-less stories wandering around in the realm of my imagination.
One of those stories has its blurb ready, I have the page built for it even – but no title to gift it with.
Changing Tracks took a long time to come up with – and the train isn’t even a huge part of the story, but the entire series titles revolve around the train. Of course those weren’t the original titles either.
I suck at titles.
Which sucks because I don’t feel like I can get much of anywhere without a title to round out the story.
Now just don’t get me started on the dreaded query…
by Sarah | May 9, 2012 | Guest Authors, Guest Post, Writing
I cannot begin to tell you all how excited I am to have Rachel Firasek here today. I stumbled upon one of her books on Goodreads, and instantly became a fan. Then I ‘met’ her on twitter and I adore her even more. Please enjoy this post as much as I did and give her lots of comment-love.
Why I Almost Dressed My Hero In Panties
Hello, everyone! Before I get started, I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Sarah for letting me come play on her blog today. I’ve met her through Twitter and Goodreads reviews, and she’s just plain good people! 🙂
So, while devising a plan for this blog, I wanted to write about something light and funny. Then, the title just came to me. I bet you saw that and thought, What the heck?
I did, too.
And, according the Sarah’s reply email when I pitched it to her, it is snortastic.
Here’s the story behind the title. I’ve been working on an Indie Pub project with several other published authors and we created this series about the Greek Fates. In my story, I’m sharing Chloe’s (Clotho) tale of love and heartache. Well, she falls for an undercover agent. Long story short, our hunky-hero Dane is hiding out with Chloe in a motel. Their clothes are wet and dirty. While they wait for them to dry, I have a wicked hot love scene that never completely gets fulfilled—at the time—and Dane’s left with all kinds of needs.
He decides to sleep off his body’s demands in the bathroom, but all of their clothes are wet and the driest thing in there is Chloe’s panties.
*Rubs evil hands together* I almost…for a fraction of a moment…took the path of having him shrug on these little wisps of lace and satin. Almost. But, I know that in order to make my hero really hero-worthy, I’d have to keep him all masculine and hard. *snickers*
So, I gave him a delicious alone scene instead to fill his time when he should have been sleeping or making love to Chloe. But, you’ll have to read the book when it comes out to see it. J
Why didn’t you go there?
I’m so glad you asked. I didn’t, because for some reason, even though I would think this the funniest thing ever, other readers aren’t so excited about a cross-dressing hero—even if it is innocent.
But, I’ll let you weigh in. Do you like to keep your heroes alpha? Hard? Hawt? Or, would you see the humor in this situation and continue to read without feeling like your hunk was emasculated?
I look forward to reading your comments.
*~*~*~*
The Fates are said to control our destinies. From our first breath to our dying gasp, these creatures of legend weave the courses of our lives. Even the gods are subject to their decrees. Spinners of dark secrets, the Fates have been feared for the tragedies they weave. No man dared confront the Relentless Ones . . . until now.
Title: Creating Fate
(An Unspun Novella, #1)
Author: Rachel Firasek
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Book 2 coming July 24, 2012!
She gave away her heart…
Giving her heart to a mortal wasn’t something the First Fate planned. Losing him nearly shattered her soul. Upon his death, Clothos swore never to love—or weave life—again.Hoping she’ll change her mind before it’s too late, Zeus commands the spinner of life to take a much needed vacation from her immortal responsibilities.
He had to hide his…
Dane is close to cracking the drug ring he’s spent the last two years infiltrating, but needs to perform one last heist to meet the head man and prevent an impending war. An undercover agent, he’s now on the run from drug lords, thieves and with the very woman whose tears make him forget his purpose.
Together they’ll find a way back from the dark.
Chloe will have to put her trust in the man she believes may have killed her fiance, or face an eternity on Earth. Without the desire for life, hope could slip through the cracks of time if he doesn’t love away her sorrow.
ADD TO CREATING FATE TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR HERE!
About the Author:
Rachel Firasek grew up in the south and despite the gentle pace, she harassed life at full steam. Her curiosity about mythology, human nature, and the chemical imbalance we call love led her to writing. Her stories began with macabre war poems and shifted to enchanted fairytales, before she settled on a blending of the two.
Today you’ll find her tucked on a small parcel of land, surrounded by bleating sheep and barking dogs, with her husband and children. She entertains them all with her wacky sense of humor or animated reenactments of bad 80’s dance moves.
She’s intrigued by anything unexplained and seeks the answers to this crazy thing we call life. You can find her where the heart twists the soul and lights the shadows… or atwww.rachelfirasek.com .
*~*~*~
If you can’t wait for Creating Fate to be released (I hardly can) to read more humor and wit from Rachel, check out one of her other books. I adore her Phoenix series and you will too. Check out [amazon_link id=”B005L92H56″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Last Rising[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B006D9SVD0″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Last Awakening[/amazon_link], and [amazon_link id=”B0076L73UQ” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Last Beginning[/amazon_link]. They’re short, fun, quick reads that will have you terminally hooked on Rachel’s writing.
by Sarah | May 8, 2012 | All About Me, All of Us, Crap, Random, Special Needs, Writing, writing tips, WTF?
[flickr id=”6271416484″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]When I was young I used to love the Limbo. I was really good at it and always won.
As an adult, as a parent of special needs kids, as a human being – limbo has taken on a new meaning.
It’s the in-between.
The period of nothing.
No answers.
More questions.
Infinite waiting.
In my personal life. In my pursuit of a writing career.
Limbo now consumes my life.
Tests for the kids, my husband, myself. Infinite questions on our health, our futures.
Submissions of my work to strangers for judging. The ones that might hold the key to my writing future.
I hate limbo.
If I didn’t love writing so much I’d throw in the towel and end it just to give up another source of the interminable status of ‘waiting’.
I’m not about to do that. Writing is a part of me. It gives me release and happiness.
So I suppose somehow I have to turn this new definition of Limbo into something I can live with.
I just can’t see how to make it a party game.
Maybe a drinking game…
by Sarah | May 3, 2012 | Books, Changing Tracks, Writing
I was made aware of this competition through some friends. My novel is complete, and with a gentle (or not) shove from them I decided to give it a try. I was thrilled to make their narrow signup window and get my piece into the fray.
Changing Tracks has been a labor of love – and I’m very proud of this book and what it has become.
This contest is a wonderful chance for writers, so please make sure you click that picture over there and go visit some of the other talented people in this competition!
Many thanks to those running this amazing contest: Cupid, Monica, Brenda, and Krista.
Now, without further ado, my submission to the Cupid’s Literary Writer’s Voice post.
My novel is a 94k Historical Western Romance called Changing Tracks. It’s set in the Colorado Territory, 1871.
*~*~*~*
The Query:
There is nothing simple about forgetting your past.
Cole Mitchell runs the busiest saloon and brothel in DominionFalls. He makes time with his women, makes a killing gambling, and exerts his power how he pleases. One thing he never does is let anyone in.
Until the day she falls into his saloon bleeding and near death. He saves her from the pine box, and finds he can’t walk away. The problem is, if he lets her get close he could relive his past – and he worked too hard to forget it.
She wakes with no memory, only the firm belief that someone wanted her dead. With no name she keeps ‘Jane Doe’ and tries to carve out a life. She finds herself drawn to Cole, and they start a fiery relationship that sets the whole town talking. Their pasts – her lack of, and his buried – keep them from admitting the depth of their feelings, but they find they only trust each other.
Through the chaos of renegade Indian raids, an abandoned husband and her recurring nightmares they fight to find the truth of what happened to her. She soon learns that sometimes the truth is the last thing you want to learn, and she starts to think it may be best to leave the past where it is.
That past isn’t that willing to let go. A stranger proves that he’s willing to kill to keep his secrets safe. If Jane doesn’t remember soon, everyone she loves will be in danger.
*~*~*~*
First 250 Words of the Manuscript:
Drip. Drop. Drip.
A drop of scarlet hung from the ragged ridge of flesh. White bone poked out, muscle red and oozing around it. The red drip shivered before falling in slow motion into the growing pool of crimson.
White snow cradled the hand like a pillow in the middle of the tracks. Bile rose in her throat, threatening to spill over when a finger twitched.
Her eyes remained glued to the sight, knowing if she looked up she’d see him – the rest of him. Murmurs around her started to sink in, saying she’d pushed him. In an instant time raced forward.
With a gulp she lifted her eyes to the mangled mass of man left over, his blank stare ripping her heart out through her gut. A cold sweat broke on her forehead and she unleashed a terrified scream.
Wrenched deep from her soul, pulling on seven years of horror, suffering, anger, regret, and intense fear – a scream unlike one she’d ever heard. She wanted them to worry, to fear, to take her away and hide her from the continuing evil. They could kill her and it would be less painful than this never ending torment.
The murder had been her undoing and she welcomed the end, letting her screams echo until her voice grew hoarse and not ceasing even then. The sharp sting of a syringe followed by the burning heat of medicine is the only thing that brought silence. That ended the tortured scream.
by Sarah | May 2, 2012 | Shorts, Writing
[flickr id=”5980079990″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]I like words.
Lots and lots of words.
My first novel came out to about 200,000 words when all was said and done. I had to chop it in half to even query it. Granted, looking back now I cry big tears at the quality of the work, but quality isn’t the point here.
I really like words.
I like layers in my stories. Complications and layers that make writing anything less than 90k seem an impossible dream.
Want to paralyze me with fear?
Tell me I have to write a short story. No more than 5,000 words. I swear my hands are shaking at just the thought. Trying to narrow a story down to just that space. To tell what I need to tell in that tiny space?
Flash fiction? Sure, I can handle that. I just wrote 500 words of a totally creepy piece that I’m totally nuts about. It’s a scene, I can handle a scene.
A story in 5k? A full, well rounded story in 5k?
This fear has held me back for a long time.
So I am going to dive in. Not get my feet wet, but dive in. I have a few ideas of how to start, and the scariest part is that I think for once in my life I have to pre-plan the whole thing out. Free writing won’t cut it this time around. Free writing is my crutch, because no one is telling me I have to stop. So I don’t. EVER.
Wish me luck. I’m going in.
I’m going to learn to embrace, and even love, the short.
Even if it kills me.
What about you? What’s your biggest ‘eek’ zone in writing? Is it a genre? Or a story length?
