Short stories - love 'em or hate 'em?

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Happy Friday all!

Today's topic is shorts. No, not the kind we pull out for summer, but short stories - novellas, novelettes, etc. As most of you know, I have written novellas and shorts as ways to bridge parts of the Requiem series, and I have to say - I LOVE writing them.

But I am curious...
Do you guys like reading them?

I'll be honest, I typically don't read shorts unless it is by a friend or recommended. I just don't typically source them myself. And that got me thinking, what do you guys do? Do you read the various shorts that are out these days? Why or why not?

And while you are pondering that answer, I have some news...

I am writing a NEW short for a NEW series as part of an anthology being published by Compass Press. The proceeds from the anthology, called WINTER WONDERS, will go to benefit literacy programs, something near and dear to my heart!

For my story, I am delving into the world of the Seers, originally introduced in LACRIMOSA, and I can't wait to share it with you. Look for WINTER WONDERS out this winter. WOO HOO!!!

And now, back to my question - what do you feel about short stories? Like 'em? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Lay it on me.

When your cup runneth over

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Have you ever noticed that new ideas always come during your busiest moments. Take LACRIMOSA for example. The original idea for that story came during NaNoWriMo, when I really needed to be working on something else.

And now, in the midst of finishing the series, I am bombarded with ideas. Big, wild, fun ideas for new series, new stories, fiction and nonfiction.

I don't know what it is about being in the throes of other projects that turns my creative energy into hyperdrive, but it does.

Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad thing. I LOVE being consumed by ideas and creative energy. But when I have massive deadlines and such, I can't give myself over to my muse as much as I would like to. I've tried to halt my current projects long enough to jot down scenes, snippets, etc - just to quiet down the other story. But, this doesn't really work for me. More than one project has been hijacked by other, louder, ideas.

No, for me I have to almost ignore the pressing ideas and push forward on the project-at-hand, lest I risk getting nothing accomplished at all.

I can hear you all already..."what about the other ideas? If you don't write them down, won't you lose them?" For me, the answer is "No. I won't lose them at all. Taking the time to write down notes about them actually serves only to distract me from my edits/drafting/whatever. And sometimes, that is exactly what the ideas are - a big distraction.

No...For me, I've found that if I ignore the voices, push forward on the current project and focus some of that creative energy, the ideas that are the best - the ones destined to become a story - will stay with me, slowly writing themselves in my subconscious until I am ready to commit to the next story.

Now, choosing which idea to tackle for the next one...that is going to be the issue!

What about you guys? Do you find some of your most creative moments happen when you are knee-deep in something else?

Better late than never...

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WOW! I can't believe the entire week got away from me! But man, it certainly did. Anyway, I'd planned on sharing the cover and blurb for LIBERA ME with all of you today. Tiffany Mahaffy shared it on her blog earlier this week, but just in case you missed it -

What happens when everything you’ve sacrificed for is lost? 

Aydan thought Nesy’s death would be the end of him, until he meets Nessa and his hope is restored. Could she be Nesy reborn? He is certain she must be. That is, until her lack of memories and incessant nightmares begin to erode his faith.  Blind to both angel and demon, Aydan has little time to figure out who he can trust before all is lost and the Beast is again unleashed. 

The lines between good and evil have never been so blurred.

I've been working on the short and this novel lately, and can I just tell you - I Am SO DANG excited to share it with all of you. So, to celebrate my giddiness over this and some news I can't yet share, I am having a little giveaway. Just complete the form and I'll be giving away copies of BOTH Dies Irae and Lacrimosa. WOOT!

Tip Tuesday - Finding My Way

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What a month. Or Two. 2 books launch, 2 more covers revealed, a new job, and more sekrit projects I can't wait to share.

Just WOW.

This is all good - amazing really. And yet, how am I, really?
In truth, not good.

Why? Because I am exhausted. Spent. Drained.

I've been so busy for so long. And I forgot something very important.

Balance.

You know, the thing that helps us stay grounded when the rollercoaster of life has decided to go a little too fast.

So, I've spent the last few days contemplating my road, the things I've committed to, and how to streamline my life; how to find my balance again.

First, I pulled out of some of the forums and blogs I participated in...just for my sanity.

Second, I made a decision about this blog. I keep saying I am going to pull back, but I never do. I set this blog up as a 5 day a week blog, and I struggle doing less than that (I am such a rule follower!). So, the only way I am making a decision to pull this blog back to two days a week, with the occasional Bookanista post. I am just too busy not to do this.

So, from this day forward, I will be posting on Tuesdays and Fridays. WOOT!!!

Thank you all for being so loyal and so supportive to my blog and my writing. Hopefully this will free up a little bit of time and help strengthen my balance.

What do you guys do when you find yourselves overextended?

Oh! And in case you didn't hear...I released the cover for LIBERA ME, the next book in the series. You can see it on Tiffany Mahaffy's blog. And Heather McCorkle and I will be doing a chat tonight at 5pm PST, talking about our books, writing, and giving some things away. I hope you join us!

The Biggest Fan Giveaway Winners Revealed

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Happy Monday all! I have so much news to share. First, I want to thank everyone who entered the Nook Simple Touch contest hosted by me and Heather McCorkle. The reviews and everything were amazing. IN FACT, if you didn’t win and would like some swag, leave me a comment and I’ll be happy to send some your way. Also, tomorrow you have a chance to win even more books from us if you attend our live chat. To check it out click here  Now for the winners: [Drum roll please]

Winner #1 of the Nook Simple Touch:

Debdatta Dasgupta Sahay 

Congrats Debdatta! We know this is particularly special for you since B&N doesn’t sell or ship the Nook to your country. The good news is, she’ll still be able to buy ePub books on her computer (from sites such as Smashwords) and then upload them to her Nook.

Winner #2:

Nata ArtistaDonna

Congrats Nata! You’ve won a signed hardback of Lacrimosa, a signed copy of Channeler’s Choice, a signed paperback of our novella, Born Of Fire & Dies Irae, and some great swag from both Christine and myself.

Winner #3:

Shana of Sizzling Reads 

Congrats Shana! You’ve won a signed paperback of our novella Born Of Fire & Dies Irae plus some great swag from both Christine and myself.

The prizes will be out to everyone soon.

And now, more fabulous news:

• There are only a few more hours to win the ebook of DIES IRAE. Just click here for more info.
• Head over to Tiffany Mahaffy's blog for an EXCLUSIVE reveal...(You don't want to miss this). In fact, please help spread the word with this tweet:

Want a special peek and the next novel in the Requiem Series? Check out @Tiff_Mahaffy and her exclusive scoop http://tinyurl.com/87ocsfs 

HAPPY MONDAY!

Introducing...MEA CULPA

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Yes, this was announced yesterday (and part of my exclusive content offered to YA Scavenger Hunt participants)...
But I wanted to share a little more deets today -

I am releasing a very special EXCLUSIVE ebook short that bridges LACRIMOSA and book two, LIBERA ME. The story will release JUNE (2 months EARLIER than originally planned) and focuses on one of the characters in LACRIMOSA, Zanethios, more commonly known as Zane.

Everything has a price, especially duty. And love. 


Azza's attacks are always deadly...ALWAYS. But that was before Nesy. And before Mikayel and Zane. Now, death has a new enemy. But, what's the cost for saving a life?


MEA CULPA follows one angels quest to save his best friend.

EEP!!! Exciting, yes??? Show some love and add it to your Goodreads TBR list today.

In this short, the readers learns more about Zane, his relationship to Nesy, and sets up the storyline in LIBERA ME (also releasing early! More on that later...) And better yet...IT WILL BE FREE!!! My way of thanking all of you for your love and support of the series :D

As a little celebration giveaway, I am giving away 5 copies of the ebook DIES IRAE, the first short in the Requiem Series. Just complete the form below...

Bookanista Cover Love for REGRET

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I am so excited to read Elana Johnson's upcoming short story, REGRET. But first, check out what the other Bookanistas are up to:

Christine Fonseca  gives a shout out for REGRET

Carrie Harris swoons for STRUCK

Corrine Jackson cries heaps over STORY OF A GIRL

Stasia Ward Kehoe loves up THE LIBERATION OF MAX MCTRUE

Katy Upperman delights in GRACELING

On to my Bookanista Shout out for Elana Johnson's latest, REGRET:

First, check out the amazing cover - could it be any more amazing, I mean really?!?

And the blurb (from Goodreads):

Set in the world of Possession and Surrender, this riveting, original eBook reveals pieces of Jag’s mysterious past and the inner workings of the Resistance.When Jag, the leader of the Resistance, goes missing during a mission, Indy feels like her heart might break. But as Jag’s second in command, she must put her feelings for him aside and take charge. With Jag in the Thinkers’ hands, the Resistance needs Indy’s smart strategy and calm leadership now more than ever. Indy knows that wherever Jag is, he’s counting on her to continue the fight.     But then Jag returns . . . with a girl named Vi.     Indy doesn’t know who this new girl is, or what she has to do with Jag’s disappearance, but she can see the way Jag looks at Vi, and it makes Indy’s heart stop cold. Now that Jag has returned with a new girl at his side, does Indy even have a place in the Resistance?     This eBook-exclusive story includes special excerpts from both Possession and Surrender

 So exciting, yes?!? Add it to your goodreads TBR pile and pick up a copy on 4/24. Better yet, pre-order it on Amazon  or Barnes & Noble today, you won't regret it!


WOO HOO!!

Back in the Saddle Again...

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Happy Wednesday all! It has been FOREVER since I gave you all a progress update...probably because I haven't really been writing much over the past 2 months. But, that all changed over the past week. For the next several months I am in serious drafting/editing mode. I have major deadlines, exciting things to share, and big things to explore of the next several months.

First up, finish the Requiem Series. I have to say, as I explore Aydan, Nesy, and the others in ever-increasing detail, I am beyond excited to share it with you. I can't say too much because I don't want to spoil anything, other than to say the themes of sacrifice, redemption, good and evil are alive and well throughout the rest of the series.

Also on deck, edits for TRANSCEND. This book is super exciting to me - filled with love, madness, torture, and mystery. My kind of story.

Also in the works, more psychological thrillers and series...nothing I can share too much about yet. Suffice it to say I have a BUSY BUSY schedule in the works. Hopefully I can pull it off.

I plan on updating every few weeks, though the updates will likely be somewhat cryptic. I know, I'm mean. And while I can't really share many details, I can say that it feels oh so good to be back at writing again. BEYOND good, actually!

What are you guys working on?

A Late Indie Blog Hop Shout Out for Judith Graves

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Wow, last week was really a blur for me! I was swamped with vacation fun, launching activities, and getting back on track with writing (more on that in tomorrow's post). Last week was also supposed to be a blog hop celebrating Indie authors. And yes, I missed it. OOPS!

So, I thought I'd spotlight one particular Indie Author today, one I've gotten to know through the Indie Elite site - Judith Graves, the author of the Skinned Series.

Here is a little bit about the most recent release in the series, Second Skin:

With FIENDS like Eryn…Monsters. Bloodsuckers. The evil. The damned. Eryn McCain knows they exist— she’s been hunting them since she was a child. At sixteen, she’s ready to take on all comers. Being a shapeshifter gives her an advantage when it comes to her unusual part-time job. The hours suck and the pay is, well, non-existent, but bonuses like inhuman strength and night vision make tracking scary beasties a dream come true. Especially in a town like Redgrave.
When an ancient demon targets Redgrave High, Eryn and her crew of hunters must face their innermost fears to prevent the Harvest Moon Dance from becoming one serious Monster Mash. Loyalties are tested and temptations abound. With questions ever brewing, can Eryn share a future with the brooding, noble, human Alec—the hunter after her heart? Or will she succumb to her enemy’s son, Wade, a seductive predator as bloodthirsty as she is?
What happens when you’re both the beauty and the beast?

And a little more about Judith:

Judith Graves loves tragic romance, werewolves, vampires, magick and all things a bit creepy. Thankfully, her sidekick, and lick-the-boogy-man- to-death labrador retriever, Weeping Willow, is always nearby.Residing in a northern Alberta community, similar to the fictional town of Redgrave, where the SKINNED series is set – Judith unhappily endures snow in the winter, and runs away from bees in the summer.  A firm believer that Canadian teen fiction can be sexy, action packed and snarky as hell – Judith writes paranormal stories with attitude.

~+~+++~+~
You can find Judith's books on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and fine booksellers everywhere.

Oh! And there are only a few more days to get in on the BIGGEST FAN giveaway for a Nook. You can check out the deets here. And be sure to check out YA BOUND's review of LACRIMOSA today also.

Tag! You're It!

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Happy Monday all! I have been tagged in the Lucky Seven Meme at least twice over the last week, most recently by Jennifer Spiller. So, I thought I'd better give it a go, and tag a few others:

The rules for the Lucky Sevens Game are these:

• Open the document for your current MS/WIP
• Go to page 77 (or page 7, dependent on the post)
• Go to line 7
• Copy the next 7 lines (sentences or paragraphs) and post them exactly as they are written. No changing or cheating!
• Tag 7 authors and let them know.

My first thought on this was *$%@&*%....especially since I have been in full speed launch mode, and not in writing mode. But, never to let that stop me, I decided to pull from my upcoming book, TRANSCEND, due to release early next year. This book is in the revision phase, but it is further along that others I am working on. 

So, without further adieu, page 77, line 7, the following 7 lines:

The solitude is cut short as questions begin to take shape out of the darkness. Why am I here? Why have I not left this place and reclaimed my life? Why do I listen to voices that are not real, or indulge in fantasies that can’t be?Why? Why? Why?The questions push me further into the place in between, the place where my madness lays waiting for me. I struggle with each question, determined to extract some sort of answer, an explanation for everything that has happened so far.  

Ah, I love this story. I haven't worked on in it months, and won't until I am finished with the Requiem Series, but doing this ignites a familiar hunger for this story.

And now - my lucky seven. Mwahahahaha:

1. Ali Cross
2. Heather McCorkle
3. Michelle McLean
4. Laura Diamond
5. Julie Butcher
6. Lisa Amowitz
7. Stina Lindenblatt

I can't wait to see what you guys come up with - 


Oh! And SupaGurl Heather reviews LACRIMOSA on her site today. Check it out! And, be sure to hang out on my FB Fan page - I am slowly revealing some important tidbits re Book 2, LIBERA ME in preparation for my cover reveal NEXT WEEK!!!

Special Cover Reveal, News and more...

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Happy Friday all! I want you to know that the quasi time off from work, blogging, etc was EPIC. Today, I am excited to share Heather McCorkle's latest book (and cover) with you. To Ride A Púca, is a historical YA novel. While it isn't part of the channeler series, it is a tie-in novel as it's about one of Eren's ancestors. This is a stand alone of a very different flavor from her other books. I am fortunate enough to be reading it right now, and let me tell you - YOU WILL LOVE IT!

Here is a bit about it:

Invaders are coming to take what isn't theirs, again.

Neala wants to stand and fight for her homeland, but as one of the last druids, she may be standing alone.

Persecuted, hunted down, forced to live in obscurity, the druids have all but given up. Can the determination of a girl who has barely come into her power bring them together? Or, just when she finally finds her place among her kind, will they end up losing a homeland their very magic is tied to?

I thought I'd include this little bit from Heather:

This novel is intended for mature teens and adults as it contains some difficult subject matter. 
I had to throw that warning in because I had one person who was disturbed by some of the subject matter in The Secret Of Spruce Knoll. To Ride A Púca is a much darker novel than Spruce Knoll and will certainly not be appropriate for some readers. Slavery, oppression, and violent situations are within this novel. It certainly falls under the dark YA catagory. But it is also about hope, love, and belonging. It releases this May!

To add this novel to your Goodreads lists click here. To pre-order a signed hardback (to ship at the end of May), click here.

And, on to the "news" part of the post. I am trying to get over 1000 likes on my Facebook page and I need your help...like the page, and once I get to 1000 likes I will give away an ebook copy of Lacrimosa AND share some special news about Book #2. When I wrote this post, we were a mere 135 "likes" from our goal...

The second bit of news, there are only a few more days to get in on the international Goodreads giveaway for LACRIMOSA -

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Lacrimosa

by Christine Fonseca

Giveaway ends April 14, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

What news do you have?

The Wonder of Wanderlove!

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I am thrilled to talk about Kirsten Hubbard's WANDERLOVE today. But first, check out what the other Bookanistas are up to:

Christine Fonseca  is wow'd by WANDERLOVE

Stasia Ward Kehoe reads for National Poetry Month

Katy Upperman delights in SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY

Tracy Banghart honors THE HEX HALL trilogy

Corrine Jackson is thrilled over A TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER

Hilary Wagner deems the DANNY DRAGONBREATH Series Fantastic!

And don't forget about the blog tour still going on for LACRIMOSA. Today, I am hanging out with fellow Bookanista, Shelli Johannes talking about my editing process with LACRIMOSA. 


On to my Bookanista Shout out for WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard:

Release Date: 3/13/2012

Basic Blurb: (from Amazon)

It all begins with a stupid question: 

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America--the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan's found, is to keep moving forward. 

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry into this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.

Why I liked it: 
No one writes setting like Kirsten. She knows how to paint a scene, rich in sensory detail, making you experience her story. WANDERLOVE is no exception to this. Packed with descriptions and a story that will awaken the gypsy-spirit in all of us, this story made me want to pack a bag in search of my own less-traveled path. I loved every word! Check it out - you won't be disappointed!

And tell me, what are you reading these days?

YA Scavenger Hunt Winners and more...

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I interrupt my quick vacay to Morro Bay, CA to bring you the winners of the YASH giveaway on my blog, and may I say...WOW! I am so blown away by the number of entries, the love for the Scavenger Hunt - all of it. So much so, that I added a second and third place winner, receiving digital copies of Lacrimosa and Dies Irae respectively.

So, here you go, picked by Rafflecopter - the winners of my Lacrimosa giveaway:

Grand Prize - Digital Copies of LACRIMOSA and DIES IRAE - Vivian Degenhardt
Second Prize - Digital Copy of LACRIMOSA - Rhianna James
Third Prize - Digital Copy of DIES IRAE - Elizabeth Jones Anderson

CONGRATS TO ALL! Still looking for ways to win LACRIMOSA or DIES IRAE? Well, you are in luck! There are continuing giveaways HERE and HERE. Check them out. And see you in a couple of days...

A Brief Vacay...

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I hope everyone enjoyed the YA Scavenger Hunt! I know I had a BLAST meeting everyone and checking out everyone's content. EPIC!

I'm taking a bit of a blogging break for April and May, scaling back a tad. I'm not sure what that will look like just yet, but I know it'll mean blogging one to three days a week instead of five - I just need to get busy with Book 2 and the short I talked about on the Scavenger Hunt!

In the meantime, I am running away for a few days - Can you guess where I'm going? Yep, Morro Bay. Hoping to get in some R&R and writing on this quick trip up the coast. Have a great couple of days.