Selena I.R. Drake's Blog, page 2

What’s In A Name?

I’ve been thinking about this one since March 1st.

See, before my– let’s call it– crash, I was working on a revision of the first book of the AEON series. This was in response to the possibility of getting a literary agent to represent me (aka, my dream come true).

The agent actually took the time to write up extensive feedback (and I seriously can’t thank her enough for that). If you’re new to the whole publishing game, that’s a rather rare thing to recieve as many agents are so busy that th...

More Than Just a Hiatus

It’s been seven months since I last posted anything in this blog or even on my social media pages.

Seven long months.

And what do I have to show for it?

Nothing.

I would love to sit here and tell you that I’ve secretly been working on writing and art projects, but that would be a lie.

The truth is… I have bipolar disorder, and have been going through the depression period. My depression was made worse by the fact that I can no longer use my right hand (more on that later).

If you’re not sure...

Tools of the Trade – Outlines

Every artist has their tools. For a painter, it’s paintbrushes and canvas; for a musician, it’s their voice or an instrument; for a sculptor, it’s the clay and their fingers. Authors have a wide range of tools to choose from. Some of them send writers running for the hills while others are used without ever knowing how important a role they’re playing.

Today, we’re going to start taking a look at some of the different tools used by novelists of all types. These tools include:

An Outline Pape...

15 Secrets

‘Twas the Ides of March recently, and that gave me the idea to come up with this list of 15 secrets about me that little to no one knows. Yes, some may sound ridiculous, but they are all true.

Ready?

Here we go!

1. Invisible Eyebrows

I know; it sounds crazy. But if my eyebrows aren’t dyed or colored with an eyebrow pencil, they’re so light that they’re practically invisible. It’s one of the drawbacks of being a redhead (the other being easily burned in the sun).

2. Carry Crystals

Crystals, ge...

Behind the Scenes

I often get asked about my writing process. Some of you already know, or, at least, have a broad overview of how one of my books comes to be.

Well, I’m about to give you a more in-depth look.

WARNING: This post contains spoilers from The Tainted Soul.

After my muse hits me over the head with the general idea, which sometimes just consists of the title, I start the plotting. I ask myself questions such as: What is going to happen? Who’s going to be in the novel? When is the novel set? Where i...

Inkers’ Rendezvous

You know what I dislike about North Dakota?

Well, besides the nine months of winter, when there’s four feet of snow and the temps drop to -40 (without the windchill), and the lack of entertainment (seriously, unless you’re a history buff, it’s really boring up here).

I really dislike the fact that there’s really nothing here for authors, aspiring, established, or bestselling.

Sure, there are a few micro publishers around the state, but their focus is mainly Christian or life on the prairie....

A Silence Ended

I’ve been unusually silent these past few weeks, so I have quite a bit to talk about.

First, I’d like to explain why I haven’t been writing. After that, I’ll tell you what I’ve had boiling in the back of my mind, and let you in on a few secrets I’ve been keeping (and I don’t mean the gummy bears I keep hidden in my desk drawer).

The reason why I haven’t been writing is simple. I couldn’t.

Over a year ago, I learned that I had several issues with my right shoulder. I posed for Xrays and MRIs,...

The Rejection Obstacle

I did something naughty recently.

Remember how I said there were only eleven books after The Sovereign Flame and The Grimm Kin? Well, my muse and I went a little crazy (nothing new there). See, I was working on the finer details of my outlines for the next few books, and more and more ideas kept coming.

Long story short: I’ve added to the list. 

If you look at it in terms of a television series, The AEON Files now has two “seasons” worth of mysteries. The first season still contains the orig...

Timelines & Titles

I didn’t do a post last Monday because I was taking a short break from writing to catch up on some commission artwork that had been piling up. While I still have quite a bit of work still to do, today’s blog post is special.

Why?

Because it’s release week! And I am about to reveal the titles for the next THREE (yep, I said 3) books within the AEON universe.

But first, a little talk about timelines.

No, this topic doesn’t stem from my all-time favorite cartoon guy, Mirai Trunks (or, as others...

Immortalized Personalities

They say writers have multiple personalities.

In a way, this is true. I know that when I write characters, I tend to mold myself into him or her and take on their personality. I live another life with every book I write, and that life will always be in those pages. I guess you could say that’s what being immortal feels like.

Of course, some characters are more fun to write than others.

I love to write Sin, and I think it’s because he can do and say everything that I am too afraid to do myself...