In a spin…
News, Writing|The writing is going oddly frustrating and well at the same time. I started the draft of my second Swithin Spin. Although I don’t envision them being very long - no more than 50,000 words each (although ultimately the story will dictate, and I don’t even know if the publisher will be interested) I want to write them and I’m writing them pretty much one draft after the other — or that’s my intention anyway. There will be points where the stories ‘touch’, although they’ll be perfectly readable as individual stories, but it feels right to plough through the rough drafts and it’s going well… it is.
I started this second book with even less of an idea than I had for the first and although it took some effort to get going the first day I fell into that ‘head-space’ or zone, or whatever you want to call it and wrote almost 5000 words in approximately two hours. Oh, I so love it when the writing goes like that. I did slightly less yesterday and it was a struggle to get going but once I did, it wasn’t quite as easy as day one but it was okay, and I left off last night with a clear idea of the next scene so that’s good.
I also heard that a small press publication in the US very much wants my short story “Effigy in Garnet” as a reprint, which is very nice. It won’t see publication in this new incarnation for awhile but to hear the editor call it a ‘keeper’ does warm and fuzzy things to a person, it really does. And yayyy… when a story is good enough that it’s snapped up more than once I take a bow. I may be modest but not ‘that’ modest.
Last night and today I’ve been overcome with this peculiar urge to draw even though I’ve got no time for it, not really. Too much writing to do, too many books to read, too much going on in my life, but for some strange reason, paper and pencils are calling me.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:56 am
I am sorely behind on this series of yours, I bought the first two books but haven’t had a chance to read them yet. The third book’s cover looks interesting -grins-
Good luck with ‘Swithin Spin’
Is your entire focus on this series, or are there any other goodies you thinking of doing in the m/m genre?
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Thanks for dropping by and asking a great question. I couldn’t help laughing at what you said as it made me look at my own ‘to-be-read’ pile. There’s no short way to answer this. There’s good news and bad news, depending on your point of view. LOL.
First, there are plans in my personal life, which may take up some of my time that I’d rather be using for writing this year but with luck, generally it won’t amount to more than a few weeks or a day here and there. I do intend to keep writing whenever possible.
I seldom talk about projects on the go but these spins shouldn’t take that long to write. When I talk about a ‘draft’ this is my first draft, which I like to let sit for awhile before returning to it and polishing it ready to submit. The first spin I wrote in a couple of months and that included a Christmas break, so say six weeks. I also struggled with this one as it was f/f. My plans for this series is f/f, m/f, m/m and m/m/m IF I manage to write the four I have in my head, which are growing more fully formed each day. The more of a whole story I have in mind the quicker I can write it. I know some of my readers will only want to read the m/m stories and that’s fine.
The good news is I do have other rough drafts lined up, of different pairings, as well as several plots in mind including more m/m contemporary work. Some of this work will be suitable for Loose-Id or Aspen but a couple of them may be more suited to another publisher, which will take some deciding on my part. I’ve also plans for one or two self-published projects. In short, I am busy, there’s work coming, I can’t give you definite dates right now but that will give you a chance to catch up on that ‘to-be-read’ list.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
You’re welcome, and my ‘to-be-read’ pile is huge. It doesn’t help when I keep buying more on top of them, lol.
Well as I say the personal life comes first, nothing you can do to get away from it. Unless we locked you in a room with food and just your computer, lol.
Wow, that’s a lot of books spiraling from one series. Reminds me of what J.M. Snyder has done with one of his/her series. Well good luck with them all, you’re obviously attached to this series
I have to admit, I am happier about the latter. My main reading focus is m/m. I’m not much of a fantasy, futuristic reader. My genre’s lie in mystery, suspense, romance, contemporary. So I am pleased to read that you will do something in the contemporary area.
I write for fun, and I know how it’s like when the question of what-when is asked. I can’t help myself sometimes though, lol. I do have a ton to read - but I found myself re-reading ‘Snow Angel’ and ‘Angel Heart’ the last two days. I’ve not found any interesting enough books bought or in my pile. But A.M. Riley’s new Loose Id release was fantastic.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:01 am
It’s great when someone loves a book but I’ve heard so many readers who are re-reading Snow Angel and Angel Heart that I will definitely write more contemporary. To be good enough for a re-read is inspiring.
I know fantasy isn’t your preferred genre but I do try to stress that those that like m/m shouldn’t be put off by the m/f content of the Swithin books. I created a race that freely took lovers of either sex, in part I guess as my way of saying let people love who they love, and note, I don’t say want, need, wish to, for I truly believe it’s not something you have a choice over. The trilogy truly is a m/m/m romance, though.
February 5th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I created a race that freely took lovers of either sex, in part I guess as my way of saying let people love who they love
Oh, of course. But I’m not a fan of menage. I just don’t like it. I’ve read a few, and I’ve always felt…cheated. Or the author just doesn’t make it work with three people. Because two have the chemistry and the third, the poor sod is left in the dark.
The trilogy truly is a m/m/m romance, though.
You have explained the whole world a couple of times to me. Enough for me to be o-k enough to go and buy the books. I don’t know if I’ll like it or not, honestly. Probably need to be in the right mind-set to read the books mind you; but I know you’re a great storyteller and I take comfort in knowing so
February 6th, 2008 at 9:12 am
First, thank you so much for your comments on my storytelling. I think when you read the comet books you’ll see why I call myself a storyteller. I’ll also be interested to hear your reaction to them seeing as you’re not a great fan of menage. I do stress (only because it’s true) that I did not set out to make this a menage. Also because of the princess in the book, many think of it as a m/m/m/f quartet but that’s not entirely true, which those who get to the end of the trilogy will realise.
Ultimately my imagination led me, or the muse, or whatever you want to call it. There’s a reason writers occasionally say some books ’seem’ to write themselves. Also, the emotional aspects aren’t all neatly sewn up by the end of book one, or book two — I tried to make them progressive and the menage doesn’t truly come together in a physical or emotional way until the end of book three.
I love these guys and truly couldn’t split them but a reader’s point of view is always welcome. I don’t think I’ve left any one out in the cold though I know what you mean. I’ve read m/m/f where I’ve been left thinking the two guys are together with the woman looking on. As I wrote, the opposite happened here — the characters clicked in such a way that they told me what their relationship should be, rather than me as the writer trying to bring them together, or at least that’s how it felt. So far, it seems I’ve done it well as those who don’t even read m/f contact me to tell me they have managed to read these and still loved them.
I’m talking too much. LOL. But one last little secret. I love these guys so much I pouted thinking the trilogy was at an end and I was going to leave them but one of my spin-offs may well feature them and, if I do write it, Uly will get his wish. As to what his wish is readers will have to look to the end of book three. *g*
February 17th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
First, thank you so much for your comments on my storytelling. I think when you read the comet books you’ll see why I call myself a storyteller.
Since I haven’t read the books yet, I could tell from ‘Snow Angel’ and ‘Angel Heart’. But you’re welcome
I’ll also be interested to hear your reaction to them seeing as you’re not a great fan of menage. I do stress (only because it’s true) that I did not set out to make this a menage. Also because of the princess in the book, many think of it as a m/m/m/f quartet but that’s not entirely true, which those who get to the end of the trilogy will realise.
I understand that, as you said some stories just write themselves. I always think writers write menage for the money. I know menage stories makes a lot, because of the whole fantasy element. I’m probably a rare reader who needs realism in her stories. Though I do understand that menage stems off polyamory (or the other way around?). I don’t like it, because as I said - I see no passion in menage. It’s like three guys + girl = sex. Great! No connection. Nothing. It’s a shame, because it puts me off potential well-written menage stories. I’ve seen authors defend menage; which is fine, it’s not for me. I have tried enough menage stories to come to my conclusion. But I am going to try my best, and put my reservations aside and read the Comet series with a fresh pair of…insight, lol.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Thanks again for your comments on my writing. I have to confess I didn’t realise how deep and emotional Snow Angel was or how powerful the characters were until I finished writing it. And trust me, I don’t write anything for the money. LOL. I intend to blog about writer and finances sometime. It’s amazing how little the majority of writers make and if you’re in the UK writing for a US publisher you lose half in the exchange rate and then pay bank charges. There’s also a lot of work ‘behind the scenes’. If I didn’t love this I’d certify myself crazy and even though I do love it, I still think I must be mad.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
It’s amazing how little the majority of writers make and if you’re in the UK writing for a US publisher you lose half in the exchange rate and then pay bank charges
I was wondering about that. Buying e-books in $$$ are cheaper. So I figured you’d be loosing some income because of the $$$ loosing its value. Have you tried a UK based publisher? I know Total e Bound is a UK based publisher. But if you’re an American reader, buying something in £££ will be more expensive. I’ll look forward to your post about it
‘Snow Angel’ is very
February 18th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
…
‘Snow Angel’ is a very powerful character-based story. That’s why I can never get enough of Jay and Dean
February 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I have heard of that publisher but they’re relatively new and I think many of us were waiting to see how they faired. Some go under in a matter of weeks but they seem to be progressing nicely so I intend to check them out. The majority of the audience seems US based so will they buy as many books if the publisher is based in the UK? It’s swings and roundabouts really. I will definitely blog more about writing and publishing in general because although not all readers are interested, just as many like to know these things.
And gulp, I’ve set myself a difficult standard with Snow Angel. I’d love to visit these guys again but I don’t think I could come up with a strong enough idea to survive more than the one spin-off novella that’s already out there. LOL. Thank you so much for reading and so glad you enjoyed it.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Total e Bound in terms of their site and book covers A+. I think Anne Cain is the one who is doing all their covers. Though I’m not 100% sure. But from the get-go they seemed very serious, and they fair better in the cover department at least than most more pronounced e-publishers. But they have excellent customer service and they seem like genuine people. (Assuming)
I know, I go on about how great SA is, but really I don’t think I could get sick of these two. You have such a complex character in Jay alone, that you can write 1500 novellas go blue in the face, and still have more to tell us about him. I’m not saying I wouldn’t be disappointed in no more Jay and Dean. But if AH is the last we see of the boys, so be it. I’m just glad you wrote them in the first place.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I know of Anne Cain’s work and she’s an excellent cover artist. Also, I’m afraid I can’t say too much right now but will when I can, but the US paperwork is causing many of us UK writers a serious headache so a UK publisher seems more tempting as the days go by.
As for more of Jay and Dean, well, like any story inspiration has to strike. I won’t drag them back for the sake of it. The story would have to warrant it. I won’t do that to me, my characters, or, most importantly, my readers. If I can’t provide them with the story they deserve then at least they went out on a high. I do hope to write some more m/m contemporary that will capture that same strong emotional element.