L.E. DeLano's Blog, page 37

He holds me tightly . . .

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. . . and something inside me starts to thaw. Something I’ve kept carefully hidden in the ice. This is madness.

#LoveLines

Topic: “Melt”

From: WIP

Book Signing @ Barnes & Noble Tomorrow In Reading, PA

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I’ll be signing copies of Traveler at Barnes and Noble in Wyomissing/Reading, PA on Saturday, April 8th from 1-4pm.

Stop by and enter to win a prize pack filled with a signed copy of Traveler, a $25 Amazon gift card, and other goodies!

Hope to see you there!

Listen To The Don’t’s – Then Do If You Must

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One of the things you hear a lot as a writer is well-intentioned advice that’s mostly true.  Don’t tell, show. Don’t make it easy for your protagonist. Don’t be predictable, don’t start slow, don’t dump too much backstory all at once.

Then there are the things that are generally good advice – except for when they’re not.

Like: “Don’t use a love triangle.” Except, sometimes, they work if they’re done right. Put a fresh spin on it, if you can. Make it really tortured. Or resolve it in a way no one will see coming. If it adds to the story, moves the plot forward and helps a character (or characters) evolve – and you’re not just writing it in so you can have a love triangle – the use it.

Or how about “Don’t have your characters fall instantly in love.” Except what if it’s important that they do? What if it’s magic? Or fated? Or starts out giddy and then falls apart because falling instantly in love is a silly thing and the maturation of that starting premise is really the bones of your book?

What I’m getting at here is that in general, tropes work when they’re not cliches, and cliches work when they’re being held up under the glaring light of truth to unravel in front of us. This is your book. Write it true.

I say all this because I’ve been struggling with the opening of my next book. I really want it to open in a dream. This is a classic newbie writer move, having someone start out in this action-packed beginning and having it all be a dream, but I really, really need the book to get right to it and that’s the best way to do it. In my case, the dreams are a key plot point in the book.

I think I’ve found a way to make it work without having to resort to the “oh, it was all a dream,” moment, but I’m not ruling it out. It’s a first draft, so it feels clunky. That’s what first drafts are for. The book will find its own way, and if it says I need to open on a dream, that’s where I’ll go.

And I’ll write it true.

There I Am, Like A Regular Cee-Lebrutty

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That’s my picture, right there on the sign. My book is on the shelves and I’m featured on a sign and holy tamales is it still so surreal to me.

I told a friend the other day that authors have their own little corner on immortality. Now and forever, I have a book in print. Whether it fails or flies or falls somewhere in between, it’s been published by a publisher, has a library of Congress number, and somewhere, someone read it and said, “Oh, I love this book.”

And I get to see my name up on signs and out on social media and most importantly, on the cover of that book, and the validation is a wondrous, wondrous thing.

I am so very grateful for it all. And believe me when I tell you I don’t take it for granted for a moment. You’re only as good as your last book, they say, and it’s my job to make very sure this book and all the books that follow it aren’t my last book.

I gotta go write. And I’ll be sipping my tea with a dollop of gratitude.

Her love carried a terrible burden now . . .

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Every moment she loved him was another moment she encouraged him to love her in return. Every moment he loved her was one less, then one less, then one less that he could.

#2bitTues

Topic: Caretaking

 

Thank You, Barnes & Noble!

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I had a book signing at Barnes and Noble in Plymouth Meeting, PA on Saturday, and it was tremendous fun! I want to give a big shout-out to Heather (pictured with me there) for her bubbling enthusiasm and for making me feel like a rock star! Also to the barista that made me an incredible cup of chai. And of course, a round of thanks to all the readers who showed up to chat and to get their books signed.

This was my second author event, and let me tell you . . . it still feels surreal. But great!

This weekend, I’ll be at Barnes and Noble in Wyomissing, PA. Stop by and wish me Happy Birthday!

Just A Reminder – I’m Signing Books Tomorrow In Plymouth Meeting, PA!

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In you’re in the Philly area, come on out to Barnes & Noble in Plymouth Meeting, PA at 1pm on Saturday, April 1st! I’ll be signing copies of TRAVELER, and you can enter to win a chance at a prize pack with an autographed copy and other goodies!

Q&A – What’s Up With The Sequel To TRAVELER?

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Reader Oshani asks:

Can you give me a clue about when we can expect DREAMER [the sequel to TRAVELER]?

And Reader Kaylee asks:

What’s going to happen in DREAMER?? I have to know!!!

Here’s the scoop –

As far as I know, DREAMER is breaking in Feb of 2018. That is subject to change, depending on publishing schedules, but tentatively, that’s the date. And as for what’s going to happen – well, I can’t give everything away, but here’s a vague synopsis:

DREAMER begins six weeks after the end of Traveler, and you can expect everyone to step up their game. The oddly-initiated love triangle gets even more complicated, and of course, the appearance of a former acquaintance (can’t get more specific than that without spoiling book one for the ones who haven’t read it yet) throw Jessa into serious turmoil.

You’ll see a few new realities (one of them wildly fantastical), you’ll get to wander through a couple of the character’s dreams with Mario (that’s really cool), you’ll get to dance in the candlelight aboard a pirate ship (swoon!) and you’ll get your heart ripped out by a family scene that left me a sobbing mess when I wrote it.

The villain(s) are still at large, and have found a way to begin the convergence. This time, they are determined to take down the people that Jessa loves along with her. When reality begins to shatter – the entire universe hangs in the balance. It’s a really rollicking ride, full of action and emotion. I think you’re going to love it!

I am exhausted . . .

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But every slight noise, every bump, every whistle of wind

skitters across my frazzled nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

#1LineWed

Topic: “Fragile”

Video Reviews For TRAVELER!

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Many thanks to MyBookishLife for her terrific review of TRAVELER!

And if you speak German, be sure and check out this one!