Cherie Priest's Blog: It's awards season, so here comes the shameless self-promotion, page 42
February 13, 2013
Introducing: Jacaranda!
And because this deserves its own post ... I hereby announce that there will be a NEW INSTALLMENT in the Clockwork Century franchise, after this fall's upcoming Fiddlehead. That's right - I've agreed to a deal with Subterranean Press (the fine folks who brought you
Clementine
for another novella set in that world!
[:: cheers ::]
[:: throws confetti ::]
The new project - called Jacaranda - will be a haunted hotel story set on an island on the Gulf of Mexico, featuring everyone's favorite steampunk Texas Ranger and a gunslinger-turned-padre who may (or may not) have supernatural powers.
It will be ... and I do not say this lightly ... a hoot.
I'll be delivering this one early in 2014, so I'm not sure what kind of production schedule we're looking at yet; but when I have a firmer idea of when it'll hit the market, I'll let you know. Likewise, stay tuned for details about format, availability, ebooks, audio editions, etc. I will keep you abreast of all this info as it becomes finalized.
[:: does a little twirlie ::]
[:: dances off into the sunset ::]
[:: cheers ::]
[:: throws confetti ::]
The new project - called Jacaranda - will be a haunted hotel story set on an island on the Gulf of Mexico, featuring everyone's favorite steampunk Texas Ranger and a gunslinger-turned-padre who may (or may not) have supernatural powers.
It will be ... and I do not say this lightly ... a hoot.
I'll be delivering this one early in 2014, so I'm not sure what kind of production schedule we're looking at yet; but when I have a firmer idea of when it'll hit the market, I'll let you know. Likewise, stay tuned for details about format, availability, ebooks, audio editions, etc. I will keep you abreast of all this info as it becomes finalized.
[:: does a little twirlie ::]
[:: dances off into the sunset ::]
Because the night belongs to us
Went out to Mary's again today, and this time, I actually came up with a better word count. Not as good as yesterday, but still well over a thousand words - so if I want to catch up to averaging 1k/day for 2013, I'm on my way.
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 1789 (ok)
Present total word count: 26,668 words
Things accomplished in fiction: If these people could quit being so afraid of each other and start talking, a whole lot of really helpful information could be shared. But also, this would be a shorter, less credible book, so...
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; went out to Mary's parents' place; gossiped/hootnannied with other writers; not much else.
Other: The day is still young, yes, but I will try to get some Bonus! editorial work done on Ninja Planet this afternoon.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 22,681
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 1789 (ok)
Present total word count: 26,668 words
Things accomplished in fiction: If these people could quit being so afraid of each other and start talking, a whole lot of really helpful information could be shared. But also, this would be a shorter, less credible book, so...
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; went out to Mary's parents' place; gossiped/hootnannied with other writers; not much else.
Other: The day is still young, yes, but I will try to get some Bonus! editorial work done on Ninja Planet this afternoon.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 22,681
February 12, 2013
So I gave her an alibi, took her inside
Got a late start on everything today, courtesy of a Dog Alarm Clock failure. Usually he's up and around within about five minutes of 8:30 ... and by "usually" I mean "easily nine days out of ten." This was day ten. He didn't come fussing at me until about 9:45.
I had planned to go back over to Mary's retreat today, but there were too many errands in the way. I'll try to do that tomorrow, instead.
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 2097 (acceptable)
Present total word count: 24,879 words
Things accomplished in fiction: The doctor needs to investigate a weird sickness, but can he do so without picking old scabs, and obliquely accusing a woman of murder? He defended her in court, but that was partly out of guilt. He could've saved her victims if he'd been paying attention - or so he tells himself.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; lunch with the husband; took a trip to Ace to get more birdseed, before the feathered things grow restless; went to the bank.
Other: I'm a little surprised by today's word count - it really got away from me there, for awhile. I'm deliberately taking this one slow but steady, but I sure as hell won't complain if it moves a little faster; I just don't have any plans to force it.
Bride of Other: If I can average a thousand words a day this year, I will seriously high-five myself. I'm getting a late start, yes; but it's not outside the realm of possibility. Even if I only meet that average from February onward, I'll still consider it a big fat WIN.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 20,892
I had planned to go back over to Mary's retreat today, but there were too many errands in the way. I'll try to do that tomorrow, instead.
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 2097 (acceptable)
Present total word count: 24,879 words
Things accomplished in fiction: The doctor needs to investigate a weird sickness, but can he do so without picking old scabs, and obliquely accusing a woman of murder? He defended her in court, but that was partly out of guilt. He could've saved her victims if he'd been paying attention - or so he tells himself.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; lunch with the husband; took a trip to Ace to get more birdseed, before the feathered things grow restless; went to the bank.
Other: I'm a little surprised by today's word count - it really got away from me there, for awhile. I'm deliberately taking this one slow but steady, but I sure as hell won't complain if it moves a little faster; I just don't have any plans to force it.
Bride of Other: If I can average a thousand words a day this year, I will seriously high-five myself. I'm getting a late start, yes; but it's not outside the realm of possibility. Even if I only meet that average from February onward, I'll still consider it a big fat WIN.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 20,892
February 11, 2013
Well I never been to Spain - but I kinda like the music
Spent much of the afternoon over at Woodthrush, conspiring with Mary and the writers there in attendance - but not before doing a little shopping on the way. Mostly, I swung by the pet stores and collected Greyson and Spainy's favorite goodies, in bulk, so they'd be sorted out for the foreseeable future.
As a happy side effect of this hunting/gathering excursion, I arrived with disgusting dog goodies with which to spoil Buster, the Woodthrush Dog In Residence.
I say "disgusting dog goodies" because my general rule of thumb is this: I will find the most disgusting thing that I, personally, am willing to touch ... and assume that the dog will love it. Thus far, I have never been wrong; but it never fails that his truly favorite things are items I will only touch with gloves, disinfectant, and my nose held. Which is to say: nasty stuff he finds outside lying on the ground.
Dogs, man.
Anyway, you'd think that an afternoon spent at a writing retreat would result in a veritable host of new words composed. Or maybe you'd know better, if you know (a). me, or (b). how writers to goof off and gossip like hens when in the company of other writers.
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 1100
Present total word count: 22,781 words
Things accomplished in fiction: A doctor's visit, and the possibility of an ally.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; went shopping for the cat and dog demographic; kicked around Mary's retreat; came home and made supper.
Other: Seriously I am tickled to be writing Victorian horror. TICKLED, I tell you.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 18,795
As a happy side effect of this hunting/gathering excursion, I arrived with disgusting dog goodies with which to spoil Buster, the Woodthrush Dog In Residence.
I say "disgusting dog goodies" because my general rule of thumb is this: I will find the most disgusting thing that I, personally, am willing to touch ... and assume that the dog will love it. Thus far, I have never been wrong; but it never fails that his truly favorite things are items I will only touch with gloves, disinfectant, and my nose held. Which is to say: nasty stuff he finds outside lying on the ground.
Dogs, man.
Anyway, you'd think that an afternoon spent at a writing retreat would result in a veritable host of new words composed. Or maybe you'd know better, if you know (a). me, or (b). how writers to goof off and gossip like hens when in the company of other writers.
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 1100
Present total word count: 22,781 words
Things accomplished in fiction: A doctor's visit, and the possibility of an ally.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; went shopping for the cat and dog demographic; kicked around Mary's retreat; came home and made supper.
Other: Seriously I am tickled to be writing Victorian horror. TICKLED, I tell you.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 18,795
February 10, 2013
I'm spreadin' love - there's no need to fear
It's a dark and gloomy afternoon over here, which is a little odd because the morning was so pleasant; but it makes for a nice day to sit inside and be productive. Or nap. As the case may be.
Anyway, Greyson's loving it. He's sitting outside in the rain right now, happy as a clam, watching the world go by. When I'm finished posting this, I'll go take him for his afternoon walk - in the rain, yes - which will make him even happier. It's a dog's life around here.
(The husband usually takes the G's afternoon walking shift, but he's out a martial arts seminar all afternoon. So it's me and the pooch, round #2.)
Not a huge word count to report, but right now I'm pretty pleased to be clearing a thousand words a day on a project with no deadline. And I fully expected going to be slow on this one, after the recent - very different - projects that have eaten my attention.
Honestly, I think this one will go a little slower regardless. Something about the form and feel of it. It's rich and weird, and doesn't necessarily lend itself well to my usual seat-of-the-pants cannonball run.
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 1441 (I'll take it)
Present total word count: 21,681 words
Things accomplished in fiction: Sister bitching. It's tough when you family doesn't like your significant other.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; read a book about ghosts in New Mexico; kept the inbox down to zero; went to lunch with the husband. That's about it.
Other: For awhile, I'll keep up this low-key pace - let myself stop around a thousand words a day, and dedicate the rest of my work time to revisions on Ninja Planet, as well as research/development on a few other things. My year-of-work is starting to shape up, and I'm thinking there will be room to whip up a few additional short stories, or maybe one more mid-length project - but I haven't yet decided on what. I'll let you know how that shakes out.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 17,695
Anyway, Greyson's loving it. He's sitting outside in the rain right now, happy as a clam, watching the world go by. When I'm finished posting this, I'll go take him for his afternoon walk - in the rain, yes - which will make him even happier. It's a dog's life around here.
(The husband usually takes the G's afternoon walking shift, but he's out a martial arts seminar all afternoon. So it's me and the pooch, round #2.)
Not a huge word count to report, but right now I'm pretty pleased to be clearing a thousand words a day on a project with no deadline. And I fully expected going to be slow on this one, after the recent - very different - projects that have eaten my attention.
Honestly, I think this one will go a little slower regardless. Something about the form and feel of it. It's rich and weird, and doesn't necessarily lend itself well to my usual seat-of-the-pants cannonball run.
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 1441 (I'll take it)
Present total word count: 21,681 words
Things accomplished in fiction: Sister bitching. It's tough when you family doesn't like your significant other.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; read a book about ghosts in New Mexico; kept the inbox down to zero; went to lunch with the husband. That's about it.
Other: For awhile, I'll keep up this low-key pace - let myself stop around a thousand words a day, and dedicate the rest of my work time to revisions on Ninja Planet, as well as research/development on a few other things. My year-of-work is starting to shape up, and I'm thinking there will be room to whip up a few additional short stories, or maybe one more mid-length project - but I haven't yet decided on what. I'll let you know how that shakes out.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 17,695
February 9, 2013
There's a light over at the Frankenstein place
I'm setting aside that draft of Ninja Planet for a couple of days, so it can cool off. I'll dive back in later this week, to start the clean-up - and then it'll go off to my agent, who has been waiting for me to finish it for several years now. She's been very patient, yes.
But since I've made this vow to write Every Damn Day, I needed to pick another project and get to work. Momentum doesn't build itself, you know.
Therefore, I'm picking up where I left off on Maplecroft.
It took all afternoon to read through my previous progress, and it's a pretty serious gear-shift from a comic/suspense teenage sci-fi; so my progress isn't epic or anything, but I'm pleased to have cracked a thousand words all the same.
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 1231 (I'll take it)
Present total word count: 20,240 words
Things accomplished in fiction: Wrote a love letter. The enthusiastic, won't-take-no-for-an-answer kind of love letter that stops just short of being passive aggressive...but then again, the author is perfectly exhausted, bless her heart.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; cleaned kitchen; did laundry; caught up on all my material on this project and dug up my notes; went to Walgreens to pick up some supplies.
Other: While I type this, I'm watching an unexpectedly fascinating local TV piece about abandoned 19th century mills in Georgia. Makes me want to throw on my combat boots and go tromping around where I ain't supposed to be...
Number of fiction words so far this year: 16,254
But since I've made this vow to write Every Damn Day, I needed to pick another project and get to work. Momentum doesn't build itself, you know.
Therefore, I'm picking up where I left off on Maplecroft.
It took all afternoon to read through my previous progress, and it's a pretty serious gear-shift from a comic/suspense teenage sci-fi; so my progress isn't epic or anything, but I'm pleased to have cracked a thousand words all the same.
So here’s today's progress on my fin de siecle gothic epistolary, now with Bonus! ghosts, guilt, and the threat of elder gods in the aftermath of two gruesome unsolved murders:
Project: Maplecroft
Deadline: None at present
New words written: 1231 (I'll take it)
Present total word count: 20,240 words
Things accomplished in fiction: Wrote a love letter. The enthusiastic, won't-take-no-for-an-answer kind of love letter that stops just short of being passive aggressive...but then again, the author is perfectly exhausted, bless her heart.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; cleaned kitchen; did laundry; caught up on all my material on this project and dug up my notes; went to Walgreens to pick up some supplies.
Other: While I type this, I'm watching an unexpectedly fascinating local TV piece about abandoned 19th century mills in Georgia. Makes me want to throw on my combat boots and go tromping around where I ain't supposed to be...
Number of fiction words so far this year: 16,254
February 8, 2013
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
Here’s today's progress on my comic/sci-fi young adult project where a girl becomes a ninja and fights aliens with much ass-kicking and many LOLs but not a whole lot of kissing (or any kissing, to be frank) plus BONUS Bruce Lee’s ghost, a vintage Thunderbird, zenlightenment on the fly, and fat stacks of Cool Ranch Doritos.
Project: Ninja Planet
Deadline: Sooner rather than later
New words written: 833 (plus some editing/revising)
Present total word count: 54,041 words
Things accomplished in fiction: It's all over but the shouting. Actually, the shouting's over, too.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; went and got my hair did; nice long phone call with Yanni; inbox kept down to zero, go me.
Other: DRAFT ZERO, Y'ALL. It's a rough draft zero - the second half is particularly rough, I'll grant you. But the book ... she is whole. And I am happy. And now I'm going to get dressed up and go to Mary's birthday party. [:: throws confetti ::]
Number of fiction words so far this year: 15,023
Project: Ninja Planet
Deadline: Sooner rather than later
New words written: 833 (plus some editing/revising)
Present total word count: 54,041 words
Things accomplished in fiction: It's all over but the shouting. Actually, the shouting's over, too.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; went and got my hair did; nice long phone call with Yanni; inbox kept down to zero, go me.
Other: DRAFT ZERO, Y'ALL. It's a rough draft zero - the second half is particularly rough, I'll grant you. But the book ... she is whole. And I am happy. And now I'm going to get dressed up and go to Mary's birthday party. [:: throws confetti ::]
Number of fiction words so far this year: 15,023
February 7, 2013
Keep me groovin' with some energy
Here’s today's progress on my comic/sci-fi young adult project where a girl becomes a ninja and fights aliens with much ass-kicking and many LOLs but not a whole lot of kissing (or any kissing, to be frank) plus BONUS Bruce Lee’s ghost, a vintage Thunderbird, zenlightenment on the fly, and fat stacks of Cool Ranch Doritos.
Project: Ninja Planet
Deadline: Sooner rather than later
New words written: 1972 (2-day total)
Present total word count: 53,208 words
Things accomplished in fiction: BIG CLIMACTIC SCENE. Nothing left to write but the wind-down.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunts around the neighborhood with the dog; afternoon lunch with Mary and Nene yesterday - which ate up pretty much the entire afternoon, actually; took Greyson to the groomer and then picked him up by myself (long story) but he actually did great without company in the backseat, thank God; did dishes; did laundry; went to the post office; kept inbox at zero.
Other: Let the record reflect, I did write yesterday, keeping the streak alive. I just didn't get around to doing it until late at night, and then we were watching this week's episode of Justified and then I sort of just forgot to update. These things happen. But the streak LIVES.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 14,190
Project: Ninja Planet
Deadline: Sooner rather than later
New words written: 1972 (2-day total)
Present total word count: 53,208 words
Things accomplished in fiction: BIG CLIMACTIC SCENE. Nothing left to write but the wind-down.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunts around the neighborhood with the dog; afternoon lunch with Mary and Nene yesterday - which ate up pretty much the entire afternoon, actually; took Greyson to the groomer and then picked him up by myself (long story) but he actually did great without company in the backseat, thank God; did dishes; did laundry; went to the post office; kept inbox at zero.
Other: Let the record reflect, I did write yesterday, keeping the streak alive. I just didn't get around to doing it until late at night, and then we were watching this week's episode of Justified and then I sort of just forgot to update. These things happen. But the streak LIVES.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 14,190
February 5, 2013
Stop playing with my heart - finish what you start
Here’s today's progress on my comic/sci-fi young adult project where a girl becomes a ninja and fights aliens with much ass-kicking and many LOLs but not a whole lot of kissing (or any kissing, to be frank) plus BONUS Bruce Lee’s ghost, a vintage Thunderbird, zenlightenment on the fly, and fat stacks of Cool Ranch Doritos.
Project: Ninja Planet
Deadline: Sooner rather than later
New words written: 3801 (YES)
Present total word count: 51,263 words
Things accomplished in fiction: Now it is time for the earth champion to fight the alien champion. The alien champion is a cross between a lizard and a bear and its name is Bob.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; failed to meet the daily yoga quota, because I am in terrible pain, thank you, yoga; watched Greyson defend the back yard from a hawk (with lots of barking, no bloody battles, thank God); chattered via email with a number of useful folks including my agent; submitted an entry to the Con or Bust fundraising auction; maintained the Inbox Zero stasis.
Other: One more big scene to write, and then the denouement. Holy crap - I might actually be able to wrap up a draft of this tomorrow or the next day. And yes, I overshot the goal. Maybe the final draft will be ... 55k?
Number of fiction words so far this year: 12,218
Project: Ninja Planet
Deadline: Sooner rather than later
New words written: 3801 (YES)
Present total word count: 51,263 words
Things accomplished in fiction: Now it is time for the earth champion to fight the alien champion. The alien champion is a cross between a lizard and a bear and its name is Bob.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; failed to meet the daily yoga quota, because I am in terrible pain, thank you, yoga; watched Greyson defend the back yard from a hawk (with lots of barking, no bloody battles, thank God); chattered via email with a number of useful folks including my agent; submitted an entry to the Con or Bust fundraising auction; maintained the Inbox Zero stasis.
Other: One more big scene to write, and then the denouement. Holy crap - I might actually be able to wrap up a draft of this tomorrow or the next day. And yes, I overshot the goal. Maybe the final draft will be ... 55k?
Number of fiction words so far this year: 12,218
February 4, 2013
Heaven on earth with an onion slice
Here’s today's progress on my comic/sci-fi young adult project where a girl becomes a ninja and fights aliens with much ass-kicking and many LOLs but not a whole lot of kissing (or any kissing, to be frank) plus BONUS Bruce Lee’s ghost, a vintage Thunderbird, zenlightenment on the fly, and fat stacks of Cool Ranch Doritos.
Project: Ninja Planet
Deadline: Sooner rather than later
New words written: 1369 (meh)
Present total word count: 47,462 words
Things accomplished in fiction: The aliens are speaking with English accents. Blame the BBC.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; morning yoga and ow I am sore; sold Spanish rights on Clementine, wee! (or rather my agent did, but you know what I mean); solved the mystery of the exploded bird; waited patiently for news that never came; kept inbox down to zero; made tentative plans for a writer date tonight with Mary, so that's my excuse for the low word count #BlameMary.
Other: I've resolved to write something every single day if humanly possible. Even if it's only a few hundred words, regardless of whatever else is going on. I wish I'd started at New Year's, but oh well - there's no time like the present ... or no time like four days ago, as the case may be.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 8,417
Project: Ninja Planet
Deadline: Sooner rather than later
New words written: 1369 (meh)
Present total word count: 47,462 words
Things accomplished in fiction: The aliens are speaking with English accents. Blame the BBC.
Things accomplished in real life: Daily jaunt around the neighborhood with the dog; morning yoga and ow I am sore; sold Spanish rights on Clementine, wee! (or rather my agent did, but you know what I mean); solved the mystery of the exploded bird; waited patiently for news that never came; kept inbox down to zero; made tentative plans for a writer date tonight with Mary, so that's my excuse for the low word count #BlameMary.
Other: I've resolved to write something every single day if humanly possible. Even if it's only a few hundred words, regardless of whatever else is going on. I wish I'd started at New Year's, but oh well - there's no time like the present ... or no time like four days ago, as the case may be.
Number of fiction words so far this year: 8,417
It's awards season, so here comes the shameless self-promotion
Hello everyone! It's awards season and this is my job, so please click through and take a peek if you are so inclined. Don't worry - it's short! I only published a couple of things this year, and I in
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