In progress
News, Writing|A few people have asked about my writing, upcoming books, and future plans, so I thought I’d give you an idea. I don’t usually talk about works in progress but as I intend to keep this as vague as some of my current ideas, I’ll make an exception. Don’t worry, many of my story ideas start out exceedingly vague, and I still manage to write whole novels out of them.
The Swithin Chronicles 3: The Comet Cometh came out on April 1st. I was biting my nails. I kept imagining that it would be put back without my knowing and I would have an April Fools played on me but it came out as scheduled. Right now, I have nothing else lined up for publication, except a reprint of a short story sometime this year.
Swithin Spins: I’ve mentioned these and I am intermittently working on them but I don’t know if the publisher will even be interested, or if I will wish to submit them. The chances are I will, and Loose-Id have first refusal on these, but they’re not ready anyway, so I don’t want to predict. If they go ahead, it’s quite possible the first one wouldn’t see publication until the end of the year. The first book is at present only a rough draft. I would need to finish it, submit it, then if they take it, it would go through the normal process and have to find a slot in the publication schedule. If the spins go according to plan, they will go in this order of pairings: f/f, m/f, m/m, m/m/m (the last being a story containing Uly, Markis, and Ryanac from the trilogy, which is why it’s m/m/m. The other spins will also feature some characters from the trilogy but I don’t want to say who at present or I’ll give too much away. I’m writing these very much as inspiration strikes so there’s no set time schedule, although if I take too long the chances are I’d end up seeking another publisher or self-publishing them. I’m only saying that because the chances are I will submit to LI and they will end up accepting, but I don’t want to say that’s certain because it isn’t. Most publishers only commit to three books in a series, though are open to spin-offs depending on time-frame. I may not be able to turn them in to my satisfaction within a good time due to personal plans this year, so if the spins end up being future projects then I’m open to options.
I’ve a m/f, light paranormal, first draft finished. This book does need enhancing before I sub it to anyone, so plans right now are to heighten the tension and then decide where to publish.
I’ve also a m/m/f sci-fi with first draft complete. Again, this needs work. It’s a long manuscript and I want to tighten the emotional aspect of the story. If you have read any of my work, I’m sure you know that I like to give ‘good story’ *g*. Seriously, if I’m writing an erotic romance, I still believe in the story. Both elements of story and romance need to fit. I’m 95% happy with this. Until I’m 100%, it’s not going out. It needs a serious self-edit before I decide what to do with it.
I want to write at least one more story for Aspen’s Del Fantasma range and have drafted it out. It’s m/m/f (not by choice *waves to a certain reader*) because these stories have drinks for inspiration and one just sparked a certain idea in my mind. If I write more than this one then I will look into other pairings but you can’t dictate where ideas will spring from, and the plot doesn’t work with any other pairing.
I’ve a m/m (some mild m/f) vampire novelette length story that is driving me crazy. It’s not long and won’t be suitable for Loose-Id simply because it’s not the type of thing they would publish. I’m considering self-publishing it for a bit of fun. I’ve even run up a great cover design for it. The trouble is the end is absolutely avoiding me. I may finish this and get an independent editor to look at it to tell me what in the world is wrong with this one. It’s lacking something. Once I can spot what that something is, no doubt it will stop defying me.
I’ve another m/m vampire novelette I’ve yet to finish. Again, it won’t fit with Loose-Id so I need to consider other options seriously, but it should be ready soon.
I have two short story collections in mind. One is for a m/m book of short stories, which would feature all kinds of genres as well as explicit and non-explicit tales, and I could either look for a publisher or, again, self-publishing is an option. The other collection is more in tune with my non-explicit work and finding an interested publisher may well be difficult. In either case, I need to finish writing the stories for inclusion. I would have liked to do something with these this summer but I think sometime next year is more realistic.
I have a m/m fantasy to finish. First six chapters are complete, and for those of you not into fantasy, this is very much a character driven story, which I feel even lovers of more contemporary works might well enjoy. It does have a title but I’ll call it ‘C’ for now as I’m keeping it under wraps. The ‘C’ absolutely does NOT stand for comet and the storyline bares no resemblance whatsoever. It’s a completely new and separate fantasy. Oddly enough, my sci-fi title also starts with a ‘C’. Don’t ask me why; it just worked out that way.
I’ve two ideas for m/m contemporary stories. I can hear fans of Snow Angel shouting yayyyyy! The ideas are quite strong in my mind and I know the characters very well so I don’t foresee a huge problem in the actual writing of them.
Of non-romance work, I have two fantasy trilogies that I really need to rewrite. One was an idea I had years ago. I learned a lot writing it, but with the experience I have now, I want to work on it seriously. I have another, very odd, fantasy that I wrote a couple of years ago, and then I got sidetracked (into writing m/m she says with a smile and a laugh). The plot is such that I could turn it into an erotic romance if I chose but while it has certain ‘elements’ shall we say, I don’t truly envision this as a page by page explicit work. Still, it has great potential and I don’t intend to entirely forget these works. I do write in other styles and have readers who like my non-romance work.
Well, that’s about it, and it’s quite enough to be going on with. I have two to three years (or more) of constant work there in various genres, especially baring in mind that personal plans are going to make writing something of a task for me this year. I will muddle through as and when I can. This is quite a list and it doesn’t include numerous ’small’ and as yet unfledged ideas that constantly bombard me. Eg: I intend to write my flash offering ‘Roped’ to the Loose Ends blog into a full story. ‘Roped’ sparked an idea and I will write it out in full even if it’s only a short story. Who knows what else, including other flash pieces, will kick the muse this year.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
It’s m/m/f (not by choice *waves to a certain reader*)
Hey now, I can’t help but be afraid of more than two people in a relationship. My poor brain can’t comprehend that. Heh.
But I’m loving the vampire novelettes. Want to write some werewolves too? -g- Even if you do self-publish it won’t be so bad. Lulu seems to be the authors favourite choice, and I do buy from them on occasion. I’ve even bought from iUniverse too.
I have a m/m fantasy to finish. First six chapters are complete, and for those of you not into fantasy, this is very much a character driven story, which I feel even lovers of more contemporary works might well enjoy.
This sounds interesting
You have a great selection of stories to write. It is nice to see you writing other things. I am interested in your non-romance work too. So good luck with everything!
April 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
LOL. I was only teasing. I’m not sure I can get my head around it either in reality, though if something works for someone else it’s none of my business, but I think part of reading on occasion is a little escapism. I’ve a few writing related things to blog about over the coming weeks including why some writers would self-publish and why we search out more than one publisher etc. Not every reader wants to know these things but there are reasons behind the decisions that not everyone immediately understands.
Yes, I would very much like to write some werewolf stories.
I am working even though other things have interfered, one of which I will explain shortly. And despite having an horrendous bout of flu the last couple of weeks, I’ve managed to finish a long short story (forgive the slight contradiction there – it’s about 9000 words, which is a good length) – for a possible anthology that I didn’t list above. I’ve got to run it by some other writers first, see if it fits the project, and then we have to jointly submit. I also have to tidy up a couple of other things ready for submission in the not too distant future.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:48 am
LOL. I know
but I think part of reading on occasion is a little escapism.
Totally. Sad I just refuse to read for that fact. Oh and Ms. Bidwell werewolves…one day. I’m stoked!
I hope the flu goes away soon, and good luck with that anthology story!
April 13th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Actually, psychologist Nancy Friday states a very good case re: fantasy versus reality in her books. She points out that what one fantasies about (and yes, she means sexually, although this can relate to many things in life) may well turn someone on as a ‘fantasy’ but that if they were to put it into practice, the reality may not be what they expect. It could simply disappoint or, depending on the result, even ruin someone’s life. Some women do read m/m/f or m/f/m (honestly, it’s like morse code) for a little erotic escapism but that doesn’t mean they would enjoy a threesome in reality, or even want it. Some of my fellow writers write menage and I read them if I like their writing ability or the writer is a friend, but as for writing them personally, I always let the idea dictate. I’ve no ulterior motive, no personal preference, etc.
And I take it you like werewolves, then? LOL.
Flu and internet problems. Something has it in for me but I am writing, at least. The anthology isn’t due for submission until the end of May but I’ll keep you posted.
April 13th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Some women do read m/m/f or m/f/m (honestly, it’s like morse code) for a little erotic escapism but that doesn’t mean they would enjoy a threesome in reality, or even want it.
Ah, but still doesn’t apply to how I read books (in general). In this case, I wouldn’t read menage in book or comprehend doing something like that in rl
Yup! I love ‘em, shame I can only count a hand-full of werewolves books that are actually…good.
How you can write with a flu is beyond me, that some serious dedication
April 14th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I have to admit the worse days I couldn’t write (with the flu) and thankfully, I didn’t have a deadline. Then it eased to the almost gone but won’t quite go away completely stage and it’s lingered around there for ages. I’m seriously fed up now, but there are worse ailments so I try not to oomplain. :-/