R.J. Jones's Blog, page 5
November 23, 2015
Cover reveal ~~ INDIGO ROAD
(Psst Meredith! It’s so worth the 19 different colour changes!)
Release: 4 December 2015
Blurb:
Two best friends take a year off to find themselves… and end up finding each other.
Joshua Simpson has just finished four years at Purdue University, but that’s not why he’s buzzing with excitement. Once they’ve said goodbye to their families, Josh and his best friend Alex are taking off to discover America in an old but reliable VW van, planning on not seeing snow for an entire year.
Josh has always considered himself straight—except for that one time in college—so when he and Alex are living in such close proximity on the road, he’s unsure what these new feelings mean. Is it because they’re spending 24/7 together, or is it something deeper? And does it really matter since Josh has only ever seen Alex with women?
While in Oregon, Josh meets Johnno, a sexy but confusing Aussie surfer. While having an impromptu surfing lesson, Johnno helps Josh realize who he is and what he wants—but Alex’s reaction leaves Josh confused.
From a Montana ranch to the bright lights and dangerous streets of Los Angeles, to a dark and lonely deserted highway in Alabama, join Josh and Alex as they drive around the US, discovering not only who they are, but who they can be together.
Buy Links:
AMAZON ALL ROMANCE SMASHWORDS
November 18, 2015
Promo and Excerpt! I Got You by Jamie Lake
Here’s a little bit of promo for you. My friend Jamie has a new book out and just look at that cover! I haven’t read this yet but I’m excited, the blurb sounds amazing!
Congratulations Jamie! xxx
Blurb:
When college student Jake is left for dead on the side of the road, he has one thing on his mind: Learn to defend himself against the men that gay bashed him.
And fight back or die trying.
At his sister’s suggestion, he tries self-defense courses. Little does he know when he asks the man to teach him, he’ll be guarding more than his body, he’ll be guarding his heart.
Aspiring MMA trainer Benjamin is on his last leg, literally. As a wounded warrior, he’s scarred from a broken heart that has nearly broken his spirit.
So when Jake approaches him for lessons and tells him his story, it touches his heart.
The more time Jake and Benjamin spend together, the more they realize they’re becoming best friends.
The more time they spend together, the more they realize they can’t live without each other.
The more time they spend together, the more they realize they’re falling in love.
But Jake has a secret, one that could change everything….
They’re step-brothers.
Excerpt:
The roar of the ocean was deafening, the mist even stronger as the wind picked up and swept between them. It was isolated, not a soul in sight which is why Benjamin wanted to go here.
“Used to love coming here all the time,” Benjamin said, lugging a picnic basket with him. They’d picked it up at Costco on the way to the beach. Jake loved how he was spontaneous like that.
“With your best friend? What was his name?”
Benjamin exhaled as if he were letting out something that had been in him a long time. “His name was Cole. It was the one place we could both go and be totally ourselves. No one could see us. We were safe here. We could say what we wanted to say, do what we wanted to do …” He nibbled Jake on the side of the neck which would only turned Jake rock hard in two-seconds flat if he didn’t think about something else. Jake cracked a smile.
“Love that smile of yours, man,” Benjamin said, sliding his fingers in between Jake’s. It felt so perfect walking with him without worrying about someone seeing them, but there was also a wave of guilt.
He tried to change the subject. “What’s in the basket?”
“Just a few tasty items,” Benjamin said, nonchalantly.
“Like what?” he asked. He hadn’t paid any attention in the store when Benjamin grabbed the items. His mind was too much on how he’d explain to him the secret that had been eating him alive for so long.
“Some olive oil, veggies … everything we need.”
“Everything we need?”
There was a hint of mischievous in his expression. “Yep … You cool?” Benjamin asked. “Cold?”
“No, I—” Jake started to say, but it was too late. Benjamin took off his shirt and draped it over Jake’s shoulders, revealing that killer body of his. As if he needed another reminder of how sexy the man was. He had to look away or he was going to get hard again, which would make what he had to do even more difficult.
“You’re getting pretty swoll, you know. I can tell, your body’s improving.”
“Well, if those workouts you’re giving me doesn’t do it, I don’t know what will.”
“And it will only improve. With me by your side, nothing’s impossible, so long as we’re together.”
Why did those words have to soothe his soul? Why did they have to be exactly what he needed to hear after months of feeling alone without Alberto? Yet, why did they have to feel so wrong at the same time, knowing that they were coming from his step-brother?
“You’re a natural, Jake. I’ve trained a lot of guys and you’ve got the skills. You just gotta get that fucker who did that to you out of your head. He’s fucking up your mind.”
“Easy for you to say,” Jake said.
“Not quite. I know what it’s like to be picked on and I know what it’s like to pick on someone too.”
“What do you mean?” Jake asked.
Ben sighed. “I wasn’t always such a nice guy, dude. I had a shitty upbringing, a lot of insecurities and I took them out on people. I guess helping you is my way of making amends. That’s why I say, don’t let that guy trip you up. You got something he doesn’t, a beautiful heart. And the skills to back it up.”
Jake’s face softened. He’d never had anyone believe in him that much, not even Alberto. His best friend would have laughed if he heard he was training, but Benjamin saw something in him and it warmed his heart.
“What do you want to do? I mean, in the future,” Benjamin asked.
“Like for a career? That’s why I’m in school. Trying to figure it out,” he said.
“You’re lucky, you’re smart like that. Always wanted to go to college. Too dumb, too late.”
“Too dumb? Not quite,” Jake said.
“Well, you grow up with a mom and step-dad like I did, telling you that enough times, you start to believe it. Nah. If I could do anything, I’d be an MMA coach.”
“You’d be great at that!” Jake said. He could imagine Benjamin coaching with the best of them. “You’re tough, but patient. You know your shit. I mean, look what you’ve done with me in such a short time.”
“Just dreams.” He smiled. “So long as you’ve got someone that has your back by your side, doesn’t matter what you do.”
Fuck, there he went again. Jake had to let it out, or the secret that kept them from truly gelling would break them apart.
As if reading his mind, Benjamin asked, “Oh, what was it you wanted to tell me?”
Jake sighed. Fuck, his nose stung and the sea air wasn’t making it any better. Don’t fucking cry, he told himself. He breathed, hoping it would give him the strength he needed as his heart pounded in his throat. “This is really hard.”
“What is it?” Benjamin asked, his frown lines deepening with concern. He squeezed Jake’s hand to comfort him and Jake had to pull away.
“You know how I feel about you. You’re right. You’re amazing I—”
“Are you cooling it between us?” Benjamin asked. “We’ve just started. You’re not into me?”
“No, the exact opposite. I’m very into you. I’m more into you than I’ve ever been into anyone. I’m so into you, I can’t even see straight. I can’t even sleep at night without thinking about you, that’s how into you I am.”
Benjamin smiled. He touched Jake’s cheek with the back of his hand. “Me too. I haven’t felt this way, this connected to anyone in as long as I can remember. Fuck. Whenever I think about the future, all I can see is us together. I plan my whole day thinking about how it might affect you, and I think about when I can squeeze in time to see more of you. It’s fucking weird, but it just feels right. I don’t know what it is, Jake. I feel like we’re … family or something.”
“Oh, Jesus,” Jake breathed. This was harder than he thought it would be.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Benjamin pulled him over to the side of a hill, cornering him, his eyes narrowing him. He was going to fuck him right then and there on the beach. Jake could feel it and though he knew he should stop it, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything. “Isn’t it?” Benjamin repeated.
“Yes, but—” Jake started to say and Benjamin moved closer to him, kissing the side of his jawline, then his neck. He placed the picnic basket down and put Jake’s face in his palms, his eyes dancing, glint with possibilities.
“Ssh. Then, let’s not think anymore. Let’s enjoy … the moment?”
Before Jake could respond, Benjamin’s lips massaged his, slipping in and out like a kissing connoisseur. Their lips danced in perfect motion rhythmically, like the perfect tango partners. Benjamin’s tongue teased Jake’s. Kissing him deeply, his hands slid down the man’s back, under his pants, through his underwear, spreading his cheeks apart.
Buy Link:
About the Author:
JEFF RIVERA
True love exists and if I can inspire people to know that, then I’ve done my job.
My stories take place in the towns I lived in while searching for my purpose: Oregon, Nevada, New England, the South and the heartland of America. They are dedicated to the angels I met along the way who showed me true love comes in all forms, unconditionally.
It wasn’t that long ago that I was living in my car with my mother and pets. But whether it was being abused as a child, bullied at school or taking care of my family’s illnesses, one thing kept me going: my writing.
I knew if I kept writing from the heart, people would connect and one day my dream of being an author would come true.
~~~
Jeff Rivera is an author and inspirational media personality. He has appeared on national television, radio and print in such outlets as Forbes.com, The Boston Globe, Publishers Weekly, Right On! Magazine, Rotarian Magazine, TMZ, WABC, WNBC, WCBS, SITV, American Latino and NPR.
He also writes or has written for Entertainment Weekly, Mediabistro, GalleyCat, Publishing Perspectives, Digital Book World, Examiner, American Chronicle, School Library Journal and the Huffington Post and has been invited to speak and inspire groups all over the world from South Carolina to Nigeria. He has been on panel discussions for The Library Journal, Authors Guild, the Harlem Book Fair and many others.
Jamie’s Books Jamie’s Facebook Jamie’s Twitter
Jamie’s Goodreads Jamie’s Pinterest
November 9, 2015
Ick factors and pushing boundaries. (NSFW… because that’s fun!)
Don’t you love that NSFW acronym? It just makes me want to click, clicky click click, no matter what it might be hiding.
Here’s a safe pic because I know that’s the first one that will show up on FB.
Last week I dipped my toe into the paranormal pool. Not my usual swimming hole, but they say change is good. Right?
Well, I’m still not convinced vampires are my thing but it certainly wasn’t bad. I may have better luck with shifters (a girlfriend and I have labeled these stories, “I’m Fucking My Dog” books.)
I’m not dissing paranormal. Hell I loved Twilight. It’s just not something that tweaks my buttons but I’m determined to give them a go. I’m even reading another vampire story right now and if anyone has any recs for a really good shifter book that will make me change my mind, I’m all for it.
You know what else I read this week?
Brothers. (Labeled by me: “I’m Fucking My Brother”)
Yep. I got right into the twincest thing. I’m pushing my boundaries lately.
Brave I am.
I read a scene with brothers once, they weren’t the MC’s in the story, but the sex between them was pretty graphic, and it totally squicked me out. That was a while ago now and I like to think my ick factor isn’t what it was. I picked up Gemini by Chris Owen which is menage (hot!) and with twins. If you took the sex out the story, it’d be about 5 pages long. No problem with me. I only read menage for the sex so the more the better. After all, when I’ve had a bad day at work and I have a sink full of dishes to do, what better way to get my mojo back than to get fucked up the arse by my lover while I’ve got dishpan hands. Then just to make it more interesting, my lover can also get fucked by my brother while we’re there. Hell, I got nothing else to do. The dishes can wait.
What I didn’t get from the story was the brother thing. The story introduced the twins as lovers. You didn’t get a feel that the boys grew up together and did brotherly stuff before their feelings changed and the sex happened. It was easy to read because I didn’t picture them as brothers. Plus the sex. It was everywhere and I have to give kudos to the author because not one scene was the same. It was truly one of those one handed reads. If you want to check it out you can do so here.
So I backed up my vampire novel with twincest. I’m currently reading another vampire and have another brother story locked and loaded.
I’m waiting for the ick factor.
I may be waiting a while.
RJ
November 2, 2015
What I’ve been reading…
I thought I’d start doing a blog post about what books I’ve read the previous week. I read kinda slow so there may not be many to talk about. But this is me trying to blog more, so we’ll see how it goes, shall we?
On second thought, maybe this wasn’t such a good time to start this. I’ve had a couple of dnf’s and no, I won’t be calling them out.
I can tell you about the book I’m reading at the moment though, because it’s a very different read for me.
It’s paranormal.
*Shock. Gasp. Horror!*
I know! I hardly ever dip my foot into the para pool but since it was a bad week for reading I was keen to try something different. It was also a free read, so double points there.
And guess what? I’m not hating it. To be truthful, I’m kinda really enjoying it. It’s With a Kiss by Kim Dare. It’s basically a twist on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale where a vampire is in a coma and he’s awakened when a hospital ‘volunteer visitor’ kisses him on New Years Eve. The visitor, Liam has a split lip and the blood awakens the sleepy vamp, Marcus. I believe it has some BDSM D/s in it but I haven’t gotten that far in yet. But that’s cool. I like a good BDSM. As long as the sex is hot I’ll read it.
I’m off to write some more. It’s NaNo after all.
RJ
October 28, 2015
POST GRL 2015 wrap up.
The below post has already been posted on Facebook but I wanted to add a few other comments.
The view from our room. Nice, huh?
I guess I said everything I wanted in the FB post below, except I didn’t thank the most important person, my roomie and best bud Nic. If it wasn’t for her I never would have been able to go. Not because of the travel or cost or any of those things, but because I would’ve been far too scared to step outside the hotel room to go and meet people. I’m not good socially and GRL was WAY out of my comfort zone.
I like my comfort zone. It’s comfy.
My husband is always trying to get me to socialise more but really, I socialise heaps online. It’s easy here. I can usually censor the crap that comes out of my mouth and the delete key is only a few inches away. Unfortunately you can’t hit delete when you’re face to face.
But for the most part, GRL was a warm and welcoming place to land. I had a ball, made new friends and it was an experience I’m not likely to forget. The cost was HUGE and if that wasn’t such a factor I’d be able to go next year but at the moment, I just don’t know what next year will bring. (If anyone has a spare $5k, I know where you can send it. #justsaying)
That’s it for me. If you see Nic Starr hanging around Facebook make sure you stop and say hi. She’s the sweetest person I know and will go out of her way to help you. She’s the best.
Gnarly looking trees outside our room
Below is the post on Facebook.
Okay. I’ve had some sleep so here’s my post GRL 2015 wrap up.
I’m going to start with the negative. Let’s face it, no matter how much we want our lives to be all sunshine and puppies, it’s just not going to happen. GRL came close but there were a couple of instances that stuck in my head. And the negative is only small but it needs a mention:
Some authors need to remember that other authors are readers first. If you’re going to be an asshole you can bet your bottom dollar I’m not going to pick up any work of yours. If that’s how you treat everyone you meet, I’m surprised you have any friends at all.
That’s it for the negative. Painless wasn’t it?
Okay, this will be in a haphazard chronological order because most days I was too damn tired to remember who I met first or even what day it was.
When Nic Starr and I showed up on Monday we were greeted by Amy DiMartino, Ethan Day, Jp Bowie, Aniko Laczko and LE Franks. You guys were so welcoming to the sleep deprived Aussies I can’t thank you enough. I’m not sure what I said but it was probably something super stupid, so thank you for not making us (me) feel like idiots.
To Wade Kelly. You were seriously the best veteran (read ‘experienced’) GRLer ever. You were so friendly and funny I just wanted to wrap you up and take you home. Thank you so much lovely lady. You will always be remembered.
To my stalker Amelia Vaughn who probably won’t see this anyway but needs a mention. You were everywhere woman! It got to the stage where I was looking for you wherever I went. If you weren’t there, I told myself to wait 5 minutes and you’d show. And you did! Even in the freaking parking lot! It was really freaky, like the fates were trying to tell us something. Just don’t make me adult. I’m not good at it.
To all the people who made me feel welcome. Caroline Brand, Brandilyn Carpenter who kept me company at 5am with a roll along the beach, Dani Elle Maas, CJane Elliott, Posy Roberts, Carrie Ann Kennedy, Morticia Knight, Tim Brehme and Michael Harry (you guys rocked!) Jessa Ryan for being super nice and sharing a dinner at the pub. Mercy Celeste for letting me hang out and for giving me books, thanks heaps lady!
Jessica Canoto, Lori Gallagher Witt, T.c. Blue, Jared Rackler, Kyle Christian Harrison, Lindsay (stupid FB won’t let me tag you) and all the others at the CAH night, thanks for letting me join. That was the most fun I’ve had in ages. We’re all going to hell.
To Sjd Peterson for not being scared (or laughing too hard) when I told you it was your fault I nearly ran off the road. BAMF was a great read and it seriously rocked on audible. To Kaje Harper for not being scared when I told you I dreamt about you, and to my other ‘dinner with an author’ author, Lissa Kasey, thank you for being so friendly.
To Abi Roux for being extremely welcoming to the Aussie who showed up at the author signing with nothing for you to sign.
To Erika Orrick thank you, again, for being just as friendly and nice as I knew you would be. It was great to finally connect in person rather than email or Skype.
To Sue Kellett for being my fangirl moment. You were wonderful! Thank you.
Lisa Henry and JA Rock. You guys seriously crack me up. Lisa, you were the nicest Aussie ever and I love that you I could tell you my own ‘Stuart’ incident. *shakes head* Such a proud moment for me.
To Clare London you wonderful little spitfire. Thank you for being so funny and friendly. You rocked!
To Vanessa North for not thinking I’m a crazy bitch. You were one of the most lovely people I’ve ever met and I hope to catch up again one day. I can’t wait to read Eddie’s story. xxx
To Kazy Reed. I’m sorry we didn’t meet until the end. We clicked and I wish we had more time to really chat. I hope your surprise party(?) is a huge hit. I know it will be.
I know I’ve missed some people off this list and I apologise. If it wasn’t for all you wonderful people my first GRL experience wouldn’t have been as great. I truly had the best time and I’ll remember it for as long as I live.
And finally to the organisers. You did the best job ever. Thanks for making it a memorable few days.
xxx
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October 11, 2015
Pre GRL. I’m traveling…
By the time you read this, I’ll be on a plane making my way to San Diego and GRL! YAY!
Traveling truly sucks although I should have a good trip this time as I’ll traveling with my bestie, Nic Starr, she’ll ease my nerves just by being there.
I spent three weeks in California a couple of years ago and we stopped by San Diego for three days. It is a great place and it’s a lot like my home city of Perth so I’m looking forward to spending more time there.
GRL should be exciting as well. I’ll be meeting and mingling with authors and readers alike. Even though most people don’t know me, I know there’s at least one person who’s looking forward to meeting up. I’m looking forward to the fun and games and I know I’ll have a good time. Just being able to meet some of my favourite authors is going to be a blast.
I’ll post some pics when I return. In the meantime you’ll have to be satisfied with this guy. I do like a nice back.
RJ
September 21, 2015
New release and excerpt for Shades of Power by Beany Sparks
The Blurb:
An explosion sends Ethan running…straight into the arms of his mate.
Ethan White is a witch whose days are spent in his apothecary with his familiar, Beema. While making potions for the townsfolk keeps him busy, nothing exciting ever happens—until one day when a surprise visitor walks in and his world crumbles around him. Suddenly Ethan and his familiar are on the run, heading for the Fae to seek sanctuary.
Grayson is an alpha wolf. His two best friends are his betas, but there’s one thing missing—a pack. It’s for that very reason that the three of them were volunteered by the council to act as representatives. Their mission? Try to convince the Fae Queen to get the Fae involved in a battle with the Midnight Coven, the witches suspected of using the dark arts. However, the mission takes a back seat when Grayson meets his mate for the first time.
With revelations and lies around every corner and a battle looming, they have to be ready to fight if they want to have a life together.
When a prophecy about the Shades of Power comes to light, both sides want the power for the battle against the other. The question is—who will unite them first?
The Excerpt:
“What are you doing here?” he asked, feeling proud his voice remained level.
“My, my, is that any way to speak to a customer, Ethan?”
“You are not a customer, nor will you be a customer. Tell me what you want and then get the hell out of my shop.”
Ethan had a second to regret his rudeness when she narrowed her eyes at him, but reminding himself that nothing good could come of her visit had him standing there with his head held high.
“I would watch how you speak to me, Ethan, since we both know who the stronger witch is.”
“Well, if you are the stronger witch, then there’s absolutely no reason why you would be in my shop. Make sure the door doesn’t hit you on the way out.”
Ethan watched as her eyes narrowed even further, to the point where he wasn’t sure she could even see him. All the while he waited for her reaction—or rather, the explosion that was likely coming.
Suddenly she blinked and then smiled, which was far scarier than anything Ethan could remember seeing before.
“You’re right, Ethan, I am the stronger witch, and as such, I have better things to do than waste my time making potions. So here I am, ready to purchase the potions I need and help my dear little brother make some money so that he can survive in this big, bad world we live in.”
Ethan almost sighed, wanting to forget about being related to the monster in front of him. No one had believed him when he had accused her of being evil. While everyone else had seen her as a gifted child, Ethan had seen the dark side of her early on. Deep down he’d known that she would turn to the dark arts, but everyone he’d told thought he’d just said that to get attention, even their parents. When they’d died, it had left a huge hole in his heart, but he’d finally been able to escape his sister by using some of his inheritance money to move towns and buy his cabin. Although, he couldn’t really call it escaping when on her way out one day she’d told him to pack his things and be gone when she returned. For the first time in his life, he’d obeyed her.
Snapping back to the present, Ethan tried to focus, knowing that if he didn’t, things could go badly.
“What do you want, Des?” he asked.
She frowned at him for a moment before speaking. “Actually, it’s Ravyn now, Ravyn Darkh. Maybe you’ve heard of me?”
Oh shit!
September 13, 2015
What I’ve been working on and what you can expect to see…
I thought I’d take a small time out to let you know what you can expect to see coming up.
First, I have a small short story that was published in Wayward Ink Press’s Encore Anthology. The One That I Want will be released as a standalone on Oct 9th with a short sequel Hopelessly Devoted released on Oct 23rd. Both are sweet reads that you can enjoy while having an afternoon cuppa. I hope you like Jason and Paul as much I do.
Late November, early December will see the introduction of Josh and Alex in the release of Indigo Road, a full novel where two best friend take a year off to travel the country after graduating from college. While both MC’s may not consider themselves gay, they’re a long way from straight when they realise their feelings for each other run deeper than they first thought.
That rounds out 2015 for me, but I’m far from finished.
2016 will see the release of True Blue, #3 in the Out of the Blue series with Mason finally getting his man and Brandon realising he’s not as straight as he first thought.
Sometime in the year I’ll introduce you to Aiden and Noah in As The Leaves Fall, my gorgeous British architects who try very hard not to have an office relationship. I won’t have a release date for them for a while as I’ll be relying on the publisher for that one rather than publishing it myself, that’s if they accept it, of course. (I’m so excited for this one, I could burst!)
I’m hoping to round out 2016 with Bluheprint, #4 in the Out of the Blue series. I’ve had quite a few of my readers asking for Jet’s story and to be honest, I love him so hard, it was difficult trying to tame him in Black & Bluhe as the little shit thought it was his story, instead of his brothers. LOL.
I have a couple of others that have been started but have been shelved for various reasons. One I’ve titled Solid Rock and is a story about an Australian tour guide working at Ayres Rock/Uluru. He meets a shy British boy who comes to the rock to scatter the ashes of a father he never really knew. The other is a series of BDSM novella’s which I’m not sure will ever see the light of day, but we’ll see. I don’t like to see a project unfinished so it may surface one day.
Till next time, here’s another hot man to keep you company. :)
RJ
August 28, 2015
An interview with Renae Kaye
Today I have the pleasure in interviewing fellow Perth girl, Renae Kaye. We all know Renae from her best sellers, Loving Jay, The Blinding Light and more recently, You Are the Reason. All of Renae’s books are set in Australia which is just one reason why readers love her.
Renae has been a prolific author for the past year or so and I had the pleasure in meeting her just before her debut novel was released. At the time I hadn’t started writing myself and I found it fascinating to hear the trials and tribulations she had gone through to get to that point. I remember thinking “I’m never going to start writing. It’s too bloody stressful.” Now look at us!
RJ: Hi Renae. Welcome to my blog. *hands over coffee* (Now you may have heard Renae isn’t a hugger. She usually waves hello from a safe distance. I try not to be offended. LOL)
Renae: **waves** LOL. **Accepts the coffee gratefully** What? No cake?
**Disappears to order cake**
Sorry. I need the sugar. I mean, yes – authoring is really stressful and I use sugar to keep from bouncing off the walls. Thank you for the welcome and the “prolific” bit. I have to laugh, because I don’t feel prolific.
The hugging thing? Eh. I think I just have a large personal space. I grew up in the country and I get a little stressed when I’m boxed in.
RJ: I touched on how stressful writing and publishing can be. How do you handle it?
Renae: Lots of sugar! I’m the mother of two young kids, and my first “job” is seeing to their well-being and keeping the house. On release week, or on the week where I have first edits, the washing seems to pile up, and the floor doesn’t get done (I’m planning on buying a robotic vacuum with my royalties).
I have to admit I’m getting better at handling the stress. Or perhaps I know I’m going to be stressed, and therefore make room for it.
But in a way, the stress is good. The stress means I care about my work. I don’t want to stop caring, or else that means I will be producing sub-standard stuff.
I think you also need friends you can chat with. **slurps coffee and salutes RJ** You need someone who has been-there-done-that-got-the-t-shirt. They understand the flip-out over the unfair review, and checking your Amazon ranking ten times an hour and all those other things we don’t like to admit to. You need a valve you can blow off steam with.
RJ: You had 4 full novels published in 2014 and 2 novels and a short story published so far this year. How do you manage your writing schedule? Do you plan ahead or just write and see where it lands on the publishing timeline?
Renae: Umm – four full novels AND a short story in 2014 **winks**
I really just write what wants to come out. I have stories I want to write, and sometimes I sit and force myself to write it, but other times I take a left turn and just write what I feel like.
I don’t have a publishing deadline, although I should be more professional about it and have one going. Truthfully, I’m just winging this new career at the moment!
The four novels in one year thing probably won’t be repeated, because all of those novels were written before I received my first edits, or my first book was released. Just little things that take up your time that you didn’t realise – like today I realised that my website doesn’t have the latest link to my audio book. I think, going forward, two novels and a smaller story per year is a much better thing to aim for.
RJ: And you manage all that with two small kids? Wow. Okay tell me what a typical Renae day looks like. If you’re like me, you don’t do anything until after the first cup of coffee.
Renae: I actually have two alarms on my phone that go off, because I’m always snoozing the first alarm. So I have my phone dinging at me at least four times before I find the energy to rise.
I’m a very punctual person, and I have things timed down to the minute. I’ve “trained” my kids well, and others are amazed at how we function in the mornings. Between 7am and 8am the kids need to eat breakfast and are allowed TV. I make school lunches, coffee, make my own breakfast, check the news on the internet, check my email, check my Facebook.
At 8am we all stop what we’re doing and it’s a flurry to get ready for school. Dressed, teeth, hair, mum-where’s-my-library-book, I-don’t-want-a-ponytail-today, no-I-don’t-know-where-your-shoes-are, pack bags, grab everything. And at 8:30am on the dot we walk out of the house to go to school.
For me, from 9am to 2:30pm is my time to “write if I’ve done everything else.” Some days I have to do things such as the grocery shopping and attend assemblies. At home there’s washing, gardening, cleaning to be done. I try to balance it by writing for 45 minutes, then putting the washing on the line. Write for another 45 minutes, then stop and clean the bathroom. And in the day there is lots of coffee.
And of course “writing” is not necessarily putting words into a story. There’s blogging, reading contracts, research, talking to people, organising blog tours, posting books off, keeping track of expenses, updating websites, considering covers, reading reviews, and even reading other people’s work.
Once the kids are home from school, until they go to bed, I may sneak in a couple of emails, print off a review, etc, but not always. When the kids are in bed, from 8am to 11pm is back to me writing.
I don’t watch TV – I gave it up in order to fit in writing time – so the writing is my evening’s entertainment.
RJ: For me the writing has to come by itself, I can’t force myself to write something that isn’t in my head. How do your scenes work? Do you sit down and think I’m going to write blah blah today and then I’ll work on blah tomorrow” Can it really be that easy?
Renae: Yes, and no. (See? Easy.) **slurps coffee**
I don’t plan my writing in the terms of “in this chapter, this will happen, then next chapter, this will happen.” I may have an idea of where they are going (ie first date, then meet the parents, then disagreement over that thing), but I just let the writing take me where it wants to go. For example, in writing the story I just finished, I had the idea of “and then they make love.” It ended up being a huge long scene, because there was lots of emotional stuff that happened in the MC’s head while the scene was unfolding. In the end, it took me three days to write.
YES – I had to write sex for three whole days! (My MCs were exhausted!)
So I don’t plan to write a particular piece in a day, but I do try to write every day. I keep a track of my work, and attempt an average 1200 words per day. For example, my word count yesterday was 168 words. The day before 2095, and the day before that 3635. So my average is over 1200 for those days and I’m happy with that.
BUT – and this is my advice to authors who ask – there are times you don’t feel like writing, or you don’t know what to write. Write anyway. If I’m stuck on a particular storyline, I either leave it and pick up another piece of writing, or I force myself to write. Limping along at 200 words a day will soon get you over the hump. So yes, forcing the writing is what you should do.
RJ: So what’s next? You’ve just had the release of You Are The Reason which is a follow up from The Blinding Light. Is there another series coming, or are you working on something completely different, and when can readers expect it?
Renae: I have to admit—I don’t know.
Nothing dries up my creativity more than the word “deadline.” So I haven’t given myself any deadlines with my writing. A lot of work goes into a story, even after the “writing” bit is done. So writing is just part one.
I do have a lot of ideas and I’m working on several projects at the same time. Not very time effective, I admit, but I hope that it may mean several projects are finished all at the same time.
This is a round-up of what I have going:
The Tav Series: I have at least two more books planned for this series, but I don’t want to ruin it by saying who. I’ve started the next book, and it’s in the very early stages of writing.
Loving Jay: There are two spin-offs to this book I wish to write. I have 30k written on the first spin-off, and this is the WIP I’m concentrating on now.
Safe in His Arms: There are two spin-offs to this book too. Lon’s friend Paul (and his married lover, Andrew) have a story. The story is finished and waiting to be beta-read. I will then send it to Dreamspinner to see if they like it. Then I plan to write Ash and Devon’s story.
The Shearing Gun: Mickey Ryan has a story to tell, and so yes, I want to write it. I’ve also had a request for more of Hank and Quackle, and I think a small “what happens next” can be arranged.
As a side-line, there have been a number of storylines pop into my head that have nothing to do with my current publications. Actually they are not even contemporary. I’ll see how those pan out. Two that are going strong in my mind at the moment, one is set 400 years in the future where humans are dying out due to global warming, and the other involves an alternate reality with a serving of paranormal.
Something that you may not know is that I also write M/F. I have yet to publish them yet, because I’m working up a backlog of manuscripts to release, but about 30% of my time is spent on these stories. I’m hoping to find a good M/F editor to work with and self-publish these stories.
RJ: Thanks for taking the time to visit me today, it’s been a pleasure as always. Where can people contact you?
Renae: Thanks for having me! **finishes coffee** You feed it, it never leaves…
But yes, thanks for the coffee and thanks for being interested in the writing that goes on behind the scenes. I think a lot of people don’t realise how much work and effort can go into a single book.
For those who’d like to check out more of my writing, or say hello through social media, I can be found:
Email:
renaekaye@iinet.net.au
Website:
www.renaekaye.weebly.com
FB:
www.facebook.com/renae.kaye.9
Twitter: @renaekkaye
Instagram: renaekayeauthor
RJ: I’d hug you goodbye but, you know. I’ll just stand over here and wave. :)
Now for those of you that haven’t met me yet and will be at GRL in San Diego in October, here’s fair warning. I will hug you. :)
RJ
