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A very quick post to say that I am still working hard on BLOOD HEAT (working title) a.k.a. Blood Lines #4, thus the silence. I do manage to tweet more often, so you can find me on Twitter. Furniture is mostly in place, except, of course, for the bookcases. All books and such are still in boxes, so 1/2 of my apartment still resembles a trash heap. As soon as I turn in book 4, finishing the apartment redecorating/organizing is the next thing on my agenda. Weather here is oddly warm, so Thanksgiving being next week is really feeling quite odd. Hope everyone is well, safe, productive and all those lovely things. :) ::goes back to the writing immersion:: Tags: book 4, writing
Spirits:  busy
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(or Dawn's in trouble)...Oh wait, it's Wednesday? Oh yeah. Well, actually, every day is a writing day now as I approach deadline. Hi, my name is Maria and I'm a binge writer. My buddy Jaye Wells explains this better on her blog, and talks about how she's learning to write every day. Frankly, it would make my life a LOT easier. She give a lot of very good advice. I believe I shall follow it...as soon as this book is out the door at the end of the month. I've gotten some excellent fan mail regarding the series. Thanks to all of you who take the time to email me. It's a blast getting fan mail. I love to hear from my readers. Don't be shy! I don't bite...only my vampires do, and if you're willing. ::g:: Blood Kin is still holding its own on the Amazon rankings (which, granted, are impossible to know how they're computed, but I don't really have any other measure until I get my royalty statement...in > year). So thanks again! I am so very much appreciative of your support. Most days I really have to pinch myself to realize that this is all TRUE. My books that I wrote are in STORES and LIBRARIES and published by a reputable press. It really is a dream come true. On that note, I shall bid you all a good night. Today's word count: 4334Tags: writing
Spirits:  accomplished
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Thanks to my readers, I've been voted one of the top mystery blogs by the Daily Reviewer.So, thanks readers and please keep on coming back!! ::g:: On the writing front news, Book 4 is coming along nicely, and thanks to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) birki_lib (my sister) I'll be able to visit a high school football stadium while I'm in Texas this weekend. it's been a LONG time since I was in one and watching FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS may be helpful in remembering, but I still need the sight, scent, feel of the place. Today, I'm running errands in the morning (Post Office, pharm) so I can pack for my trip later this afternoon. Leaving first thing Thursday a.m. (Yes, I pack in advance...I am a Virgo!!) Tomorrow night, a visit to the Apple store to introduce my buddy V to the wonders of the Mac, and then dinner and catch up. The rest of the time today and tomorrow will be spent with Keira and the gang in Rio Seco, trying to figure out why.... Well, I can't tell you all EXACTLY what's up, that would be a spoiler!! Tags: awards, cons, rl, writing
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We writers are often writing when we seem to be doing other things, like say, pre-fall clear out of cluttered apartment. Since decluttering is pretty much a non-thinking kind of activity, I found my mind wandering about the villain in my current work-in-progress, officially known as "Book 4" in the Blood Lines series (working title: BLOOD HEAT). Villains in my world have to have reasons; more than just motive, means, opportunity, but a passionate deep-down reason that, to them, means they are doing a Good Thing. This was true of the antagonists in the first 3 books, and I intend to keep this going. I prefer gray villains, gray heroes--all my characters are much more than cardboard cutouts (or at least I'd like to think so). They have lives outside the pages of the books, hobbies, likes, dislikes, etc. I've created background for nearly all my main characters, and have a fairly lengthy one for my new main villain. It's amazing to me how much I know about this person. Now, after several hours of thinking and sorting, I know the "why" of the crime. (Handy, huh?) What are your favorite characters books and what made them real for you? Tags: writing
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Over at ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) fangs_fur_fey , the topic of the month is Research. I posted my take on this over here. Book 4 (BLOOD HEAT) is in progress, a steady drip of words, shaping into the story that will become a book. I had a wonderful epiphany yesterday while at our local Barnes & Noble, having lunch with a colleague. I'd gone there to buy maps--one of Texas and one of Wales. I've got a ton of online resources, but I wanted the visual of a road map that I could open up, scribble on and perhaps even cut up. The Texas map is for BLOOD HEAT, which will take place back at the ranch (to steal a cliche) and in nearby Guadalupe County, at Canyon Lake. The map of Wales is dual purpose: a future trip being planned by me, birki_lib and my BIL and for a future book (assuming I sell more of this series). As J and I were eating, I was discussing if/how I could have a particular scene happen on screen. Did it belong in the book? Should it have already happened? We were also discussing Texas high school football (which had come to mind, as my car audio book is currently Living Dead in Dallas, and I'd just gotten to the scene where Sookie goes to the local football game and sees Bill with Portia. That in turn, led me to think about Friday Night Lights, and how I could incorporate this icon of Texas tradition into one of my books. Even though Keira and the gang live in a small town whose school is too small to support a football team, it's highly unlikely they're not exposed to the insanity. Then it struck me. I could set the character interaction I needed at a nearby HS football game, with added bonus of introducing a crucial plot point. SCORE! (or, I suppose I should say TOUCHDOWN!) I promptly grabbed the paper tray liner, borrowed J's pen, and scribbled down the essentials. Cracked me up, because this is the first time I've written down something like this on the proverbial nearby napkin (or equivalent). I *always* carry at least 2 notebooks and several pens...in my backpack. But, since we were just going to grab a quick lunch and do a map run, I only had my mini-bag with me, not wanting to haul around the backpack. ::g:: Now, I only have to figure out why there'd be a football game held in June (exhibition game? fundraiser for uniforms/band equipment?)...and I suppose that I'll have to do some more research. Despite my long-term Texanity, and my somewhat unwilling partitipation in pep squad at one of my schools, my knowledge of football is extremely limited. Thank goodness I have friends that are more interested in sports than I am. Thanks to J's help, I know that one of the characters I'm going to introduce in this scene will need to be a running back (based on his size/build). Words scribbled for the day, so I'm going to watch a movie then take a nap. Damned rain came back so I'm totally lethargic and feeling lazy. SUN, PLEASE! Hope everyone's having a great weekend! Tags: fangsfurfey, writing
Spirits:  sleepy
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The following post contains many non sequitors. Consider yourselves forewarned.My RL world keeps being busy, busy, busy. I've had some time to tweet, but little time to actually keep up with LJ, Twitter, Facebook, etc. I mostly just scan these days. Hope you're all well--too many bad things happening to friends these days, with illness, death and the state of the U.S. economy - yikes. I'm mostly just trying to keep my head above water. Just finished a guest blog entry for Lori Devoti's Full Moon of Werewolves, a month-long series over at her blog. I'd guested there before, for her 30 Days of Vampires (an interview). This time, I wrote an essay. It'll be posted on Saturday, April 18. There are loads of great essays and interviews already posted, so go on over there and read! Starting work on book 4 (tentatively entitled: BLOOD HEAT). Mostly in the hunting and gathering phase (i.e., notes, thoughts, links, photos--my virtual corkboard). I'm hoping I can work on a couple of proposals this weekend - new projects that C and I have been discussing. Really, really nifty and not in my usual vein...so to speak. ::g:: Looking forward to doing a little reading, something I can't do much of when under deadline. Just got the new Jim Butcher and Jaye Well's Redheaded Stepchild. During the final stages of writing BLOOD KIN, and during copy edits, I tended to listen to all sorts of varied music - from my Child Ballad mix to 80s metal to all out just everything Freddie Mercury, to Sarah McLachlan and Regina Spektor. Now, that it's done, I've suddenly gotten the urge to re-listen to some audiobooks. Cued up on the iPod now (thanks to Tor.com's ongoing re-reviews of Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series), I'm listening to the Vor Game. Funny how my listening tastes change. (I'm REALLY psyched that I'm a guest author at FenCon this year and LMB is the GOH!!) Dreamwidth, where art thou? Sadly, I've not yet received an invite code, but am there under an OpenID. Once I do get a code, or, when Beta = open, I'll start up an account there and crosspost. I've no intention of leaving LJ, mostly because I've got a permanent account, and since this is my official "author" blog. I may just use the DW one for personal and fannish posts. On that note, I have no idea how it got to be 10:00. I just finished dinner (mac/cheese from TJs, yum!) and at some point, need to go AFK, so I can spend some unwindy time reading. Tags: rl, writing
Current Location: Chez Lima
Spirits: sleepy
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It was in Publisher's Marketplace today, and thanks to a couple of good friends, I found out that the word is now official: Book deal the fourth: FICTION: SCI-FI/FANTASY
Maria Lima's untitled fourth book in her Bloodlines series featuring a Texan born and bred whose relatives, an ancient clan of shapeshifters and other paranormals, entangle her in their affairs even as she's embarking on an affair of her own with a seductive vampire valiantly trying to curb his own taste for human blood, to Paula Guran at Juno, by Chris Lotts at Ralph M. Vicinanza (US). No rest for the wicked...or witless. I spent the weekend working out plot and storylines for book the fourth, with the help of the ever splendid beledibabe. Plus, we managed to (on our trip to and from VA Festival of the Book) come up with 2 new projects we want to pitch as well as a short story. Writers: they get together and words multiply. I'll be guest blogging on April 18th over at Lori Devoti's Blog during her Full Moon of Werewolves month. It's already started, so don't miss the great posts! Looking forward to seeing some of you in a week and a day at MJ! w00t! Tags: book 4, writing
Current Location: Chez Lima
Spirits:  pleased
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I just realized ::facepalm:: that I've not actually POSTED anything in DAYS! ::ignores tweets:: Well, I've kind of been writing...a LOT. I'm in the home stretch of BLOOD KIN, which I'm trying to finish this week. So, I'm basically here to say, I'm not really here. Will pop back up in a few days. ::crosses fingers:: Stay safe, stay warm/cool, have fun! Oh! And I scored tix today to Great Big Sea, August 21 @ Wolf Trap. Decided to go for the orchestra seats, b/c the Pit - OMG, $75. Just could not justify that. Going with beledibabe, frriend Liz, Janna and Andy - the usual suspects. ::g:: Okay, back to the writing and figuring out what Faery looks like when accessed via a doorway in Vancouver... Tags: writing
Spirits: busy
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I spent today writing, napping, reading and writing some more. BLOOD KIN has broken 52,000 words and today's word count was just under 3,000. Yay for me!! I even like the new direction the story's taking. It was a tough writing week, but the mojo seems to have returned (Thanks, Toni!!) I have to admit, I totally succumbed to the new Kindle2 shine. I ordered mine on Monday, before midnight, so it's supposed to arrive on 2/26 (2 day shipping). Even though there's no SD port, the 2GB storage is WAY more than enough. I just backed up all my files on my current SD card and Kindle, and 776 files later, I only had 253 MB. LOADS of more room on the new Kindle. Plus, it seems to be better designed. Yippee!! Also of the good, thanks to a heads up from storm_grant, both my current books are on the fantasy bestseller list on Fictionwise. ( Screenshot below )Seems it's been on there more than a week, so w00t!! How are all of you? Tags: kindle2, my books, writing
Spirits:  tired
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So, uhm, HAI INTERNETS! I hadn't realized that my last post was a while ago, mostly, because I've been writing. Go me! I have been Twittering my progress, but I figured I'd post it here. 6100 words in the last 3 days. w00t! I'm hoping to make 10K by then end of tomorrow (which is the end of my 4-day weekend). I'm taking a mental break right now. My pattern these last couple of days has been:
- Wake up early (before sunrise!)
- Have something to eat while reading email.
- Write for about 2-3 hours.
- Take a break and watch Dead Zone TV show (which I'm watching for the first time, thanks to Netflix)
- Read a while/surf/read LJ, etc.
- Write some more.
- Read more and then sleep
(A side note for SGA peeps: pretty funny to see the actress who played Katie Brown in an Dead Zone ep. Canadian actors FTW!)
I totally missed the Inauguration concert yesterday b/c I didn't realize that HBO would open up for us mere mortals who don't have the channel. I have been trying to see it on HBO.com, but it's only streaming at specific times, which really sucks. What's the point of streaming if you can't see it at your own time? :(
I'm staying in for the Inauguration tomorrow, despite the many lovely invites I've gotten from several folks. I really want to make my word quota on Blood Kin and, although I'd love to share the glory with friends, I think I need to sequester myself or I won't make it.
OMG, PEOPLE - ONE MORE DAY!!!
Tags: blood kin, writing
Current Location: Chez Lima
Spirits:  creative
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I stayed up way late last night writing, then woke up way early this a.m. because groceries were being delivered between 7 and 9. This totally meant that a nap was in order this afternoon and was accomplished marvelously. ::g:: Enjoying the rest of the evening watching Leverage. Note to theamusedone: you were so right. I love it!. Tim Hutton, Christian Kane and gang have fun playing modern day Robin Hoods. Especially enjoying Aldis Hodge as the geek. (I remember him best from Friday Night Lights). Am fascinated by the new Doctor. He's not what I expected. Unusual and interesting looks and full of passion for the role. I think he'll be great. (Yes, I know of the arguments for someone older, someone of colour, but when it comes down to it, none of us know what went on in the auditions, or the selection process and can't second guess the decision). Am still obsessively in love with matociquala's Stratford Man duology, part of her Promethean series. I'm on reading #3 and still finding bits and bobs that I didn't notice before. I've bought yet another set of copies to give as a gift. It's been a long time since a series has captured me so well, and over the past few weeks, I've discovered three of these: -- Jenna Black's Morgan Kingsley series-- Bear's Promethean Man series (see link above) -- Maggie Stiefvater's m_stiefvater Lament (which I'm now reading) Another book rec, though non-series: Jan Burke's The Messenger - just out and a fascinating premise. I was privileged enough to read an advance copy and was captivated by the concept. I LOVE being this entranced by books. Contrary to some beliefs, I get energized by reading fabulous books in the genre, even while I'm writing my own. I don't know if this is because I have a very strong grounding in my own "voice", but I don't think that I'm influenced negatively by reading other fiction while in progress with my own book. I just get excited about writing all over again. On a final note for the night, I'm very excited that AmberKatze's Book Blog listed Blood Bargain as one of the best reads of 2008! Tags: book recs, tv, writing
Current Location: Chez Lima
Spirits: sleepy
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Thanks to everyone who came to my book launch party on Tuesday night. It was a great success and I enjoyed meeting you new folks and getting to chat with old friends and fans. I should have some photos to post soon. It's been a bit of a crazy week with projects due at work and holiday stuff, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the great cards I've received from beledibabe, brooklinegirl, mrsronweasly, doll_revolution, aerye, tex, starrcat and birkilib. If I missed listing you: I suck at lists. Please forgive. I LOVE getting cards. All the ones listed above are displayed in my office, on my shelf or on the walls. I love to share my dorkiness with my staff. :) I sent all my cards out - the last batch went out in today's mail. w00t!! If you signed up to get one via my LJ post, those went out last week, so you should have them by now. If you *didn't* get one and were expecting one, please shoot me an email and I'll apologize profusely, blame my muddled brain and send one out immediately. ::g:: FYI - if you are on Facebook, I've created an author profile page, separate from my regular Facebook profile. My buddy J wanted to become my fan, and to do that, I needed to set up that page. So, I maneuvered the not-so-great UI and managed to figure it out. Go, me. Been working on Blood Kin, the work in progress formerly known as Book 3. Loads of intrigue, plots and all sorts of fun going on. Whee!! It's eating my brain, so anytime said grey matter isn't occupied with work stuff, it's off in Keira's world, making things up and doing awful things to characters. I love it! Hope everyone is staying warm and safe!! Tags: holidays, rl, writing
Spirits:  giddy
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Many people--okay, many writers--when faced with the overwhelming success of a fellow writer in their genre, can be heard to grumble discreetly (and often over drinks) on how *they* write better, or Successful!Author just got lucky. Well, yeah, kind of. Luck is often a huge factor in someone's smashing success. But I always look at it this way, without a well-written work, no matter *how* much luck you have, the smashing part will end up being your career against the pavement, and not of it breaking through. I bring this up today, because I am so over-the-top excited and happy about the overwhelming wonderful news that I keep hearing about one of my good friends, Charlaine Harris. Today, in Locus Online, they report: This week, Harris achieves a record of some sort by ranking all seven titles on New York Times mass market paperback list in the same week -- ranks ranging from #3, for Dead Until Dark, to #19. All seven titles also rank today on Amazon.com; five of them rank today on Amazon Canada's list.When I read this, I totally squeed...Out Loud. Like a fangrrl. Mostly, because I am. I've known Charlaine for just over a decade, and met her when her 2nd series (the Lily Bard books) were just starting to hit the market. At the time, Charlaine was struggling to sell Dead Until Dark. No one, not even her agent thought it would sell. But, as luck (or something) would have it, Ace took a chance and the book took off, eventually going into multiple printings. Now, because of luck (again), Alan Ball's HBO series True Blood has attracted new readers to the books. If it hadn't been for Ball picking up a copy of her book because he needed something to read, this may not have happened. Luck, combined with talent, combined to bring fame, and hopefully fortune, to one of the warmest, most wonderful people I know. Am I jealous? Not in the slightest. This type of news just makes me want to hunker down and write. I get so stoked when I hear about a friend's success, I just want to keep writing and continue to be a part of this really cool group. Maybe it's because I love reading genre fiction so much. Maybe it's just because I look on this as a chance for all of us to shine--I don't know. In any case, my morning has started out with great news and I hope the rest of the month continues to bring wonderful news to all my writer friends. So kudos and congratulations, Charlaine--you absolutely deserve this! Tags: charlaine harris, true blood, writing
Spirits:  happy
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So, book 3 (as yet untitled) is still in the thinky planning stages. Part of it is that I'm waiting for final editorial on Blood Bargain, which may or may not affect things in Book 3. Ah, the woes of an author. ::g:: I've updated my book page to include the cover and ISBN for In the Hunt: Unauthorized Essays on Supernatural, one of the fabulous SmartPop series by Benbella books. My essay, Another Roadside Attraction, The Role of the Trickster in Supernatural will be published in the book (due out March 2009). I'm very excited about this, as those of you that know me, know how much I enjoy fannish meta. To be able to do this for Benbella was a dream of mine, ever since I read Seven Seasons of Buffy, several years ago. Now, it's coming true! One update to my schedule: I am *not* going to be at Creatures 'n' Crooks on August 23. Seems I've overbooked myself and had to bow out. I will, however, definitely be at Bouchercon. I'm hoping to figure out a way to make it to Calgary for World Fantasy this year. I enjoyed myself so much last year, I want to attend. However, 2 trips to Western Canada in as many months might just not work out. Keep your fingers crossed. (xposted from website) Tags: my books, writing
Spirits:  hopeful
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