Gabi Stevens's Blog, page 17

Credo (Partial)

In this season of reflection, family, and festivities, I thought I'd post something about the things I believe. No, not religion, but random thoughts and ideas.

I believe everyone has the right to their own opinions, but too many people don't know what an opinion really is. You don't have the right to ignore facts just because you don't like them.I believe no one should aggrandize themselves at the expense of others.I believe life is not fair, but that doesn't mean there isn't joy in it. I believe celebrities have the right to keep their lives private if they choose. However, even if they go public,  I believe I don't want to hear about it. Entertain me. That's enough.I believe vanilla is better than chocolate, umbrella drinks are better than wine, and books are better than movies. (Hey, this is my list. You want to make your own? Leave a comment)I believe laughter works miracles.I believe that just being human comes with responsibilities.I believe space is scary. (I hate the idea of Earth floating in a vastness coldness. The moon in the sky during daylight hours freaks me out when I see it because that's when I see the universe and I don't want to.)I believe dark humor can be really funny.I believe that people are not created equal. Some people are smarter, or faster, or prettier, or stronger. But that doesn't make anyone better than anyone else.I believe my book is just as valid as your book. (Or movie or song or TV show)I believe you can judge a book by its cover. But that doesn't mean your judgment is correct.I believe you can always learn something and should.I believe the day I stop dreaming is the day I should die.I believe this list has gone on long enough...for now.--Gabi
Books I'm reading now:
American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Dos and Don'ts

How is it December already? I have a crazy list of things I need to accomplish and I'm not even talking bout the upcoming holidays. So without further ado, here's the list:

Do:

Finish the Work-In-Progress rough draft and get it to my agent. I'm almost there. Only about a hundred pages to go. (If you're interested, the working title is MYSTIC)Plan to get the word out there for the April release of WISHFUL THINKING. I have some contest ideas and giveaway thoughts, as well as some advertising ideas too.Somehow promote my kindle book, Temptation's Warrior. Come up with more original ideas for my blogs. You all must be getting sick of me constantly writing about why I like genre fiction.Remember to take more time for myself and my health. I have got to walk my dogs more (don't worry, there are two others in my household who take them out too).Enjoy not working the day job.
Don't:

Worry about Amazon numbers.Compare myself to other author friends. Because the way I view things, I always come out on the short end.Edit in my head as I write the rough draft. That's what revision is for.Drive myself crazy with the things I have no control over. Tell myself my writing and ideas aren't worthy.  Be so hard on myself.Make impossible lists.
If you didn't know I was neurotic before, you do now.
--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
The Marked Son by Shea Berkley
American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Optimism

A few days ago I read a blog in which someone referred to a talk Jayne Ann Krentz gave. In this talk, she mentioned that, in her opinion, the difference between the literary genre and other genre fiction, was one word: optimism. For whatever reason I've been thinking about this since I read that message (Funny, since I was present when Ms. Krentz gave that talk and only now started thinking about it) and I find I agree with her. Optimism is the difference between genre fiction and literary fiction (which is just another genre, but I won't get into that here--much).

It's a little too simplistic to say that all genre fiction is optimistic, but for the most part it is. Even set in an apocalyptic world, the struggle of a man (or mankind) to maintain dignity or the right thing is optimistic. That's why Mad Max works. A loner anti-hero who has lost everything still does the right thing and fights for the right causes. After he does the right thing, the world isn't "cured", but he goes on to do more "right things". Optimistic. In Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, a book with NO heroes, justice does win in the end even if it's in a weird, unjust, twisted way. The book remains troubling because of its ending, which is what makes it a classic, but there is a weird sense of optimism in it. Justice does prevail (and if you've read the book**SPOILER** you understand the pun I'm making).

I think optimism is the right word. Optimism doesn't mean life becomes easy. It doesn't mean that the characters will will out the rest of their lives in pretty meadows filled with unicorns and rainbows, snacking on candy flavored flowers and never gaining a pound. Optimism means that no matter the circumstances, the characters will strive to seek goodness, justice, strength, and love. If death comes, and it will, hope will still exist. Optimism, whether it's the superficial belief that you will win the lottery or the deeply ingrained urge simply to wake up the next morning and slog through the day, is the strength of the human race.

Maybe life is futile. If that's the case, I don't want to read about it or watch it in a film or even know it. I prefer my optimistic delusions. Life is more fun that way.
--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
Breathless by Dean Koontz
Blood Island by H. Terrell Griffin

I Like Light

So how badly does it reflect on an author when she labels herself as a light read? I love my books, but my intention isn't to bog the reader down with characters who have depressing baggage, history that's too text book or research that's too dense (Not that I don't do research because I do a ton). I write the books that I enjoy--fun, with humor, and adventure. Yet I hesitate to label myself so. Case in point: I wanted to describe my new Kindle release as medieval-light. Doesn't mean that I didn't do research or that the novel is anachronistic. I will admit I glossed over many aspects of medieval life...because I wanted to. While I enjoyed the research and learned many cool facts, I didn't want to weight down the light and lively aspects of my novel. I call it Errol-Flynn lit.

I love movies like Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Notting Hill, X-men, Love Actually, anything by Pixar; books like Harry Potter, almost every Agatha Christie, Bewitching, A Kiss At Midnight, and so many more. (By the way, all these stories have themes and important ones at that, but that's a whole other topic.) I also love books/movies like Shawshank Redemption, To Kill A Mockingbird, Casablanca, and other heavier fare, but I stay away from anything like The Hurt Locker, or The English Patient, or stuff you have to use a crane to lift. I recently watched A Single Man. Thought it was slow, but a fascinating character study...and then it ended. If you don't want to know the ending skip to the next paragraph. It's the story of a man about to commit suicide, but through the course of the day he finds his will to live again. It's life affirming; the character finds joy in living again. Wonderful. And then he has a heart attack and dies. Really? REALLY? You want a great, GREAT book where people die and it's still life affirming? Read Dandelion Wine. It's about living life to its fullest, not about the futility of life.

So I hereby declare myself a light writer. I write stories that (I hope) will have you cheering at the end, laughing at parts and maybe even sheding a few tears. I write for fun--fun for me and for you.

--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
In Her Sights by Robin Perini
I Dream of Genies by Judi Fennell

My Foray into Self-publishing

As many of you know, I had several historicals released before I was able to write paranormals. Well, I've now re-released the first of my backlist. TEMPTATION'S WARRIOR, an award winning manuscript, is now available on Kindle. I like to call it medieval-light--I definitely did tons of research (who wouldn't love reading about the middle ages?) but in the end I told a fun story (in my opinion). I've released it under my other name, Gabi Anderson. Originally it was released only in hardcover, so it didn't get the readership I thought it deserved.

The cover was so much fun to create. My husband and I found an image we liked (iStockphoto.com) and then we played with it. The more I looked at him, the more I fell in love with this model. So did my husband. :)

I'm still looking into how to get the book on Smashwords and into the Nook, Kobo, and other formats, so that will be coming. In the meantime, if you're a huge fan and want another Gabi fix and have a Kindle, this is your chance.
--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
Beyond Ordinary by Mary Sullivan

Wishful Thinking

I have a cover!

It so nails the characters, especially Stormy. You have the beach in San Diego, her usual garb, her tattoo...And Hunter...sigh. Love those arms. Release date is April 24, 2012.

And yes, this is a paranormal, but the cover fits the book. Even if they didn't quite get the dimple in his chin.

--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

Halloween

I'm not big into Halloween. I don't mind giving out candy or seeing kids (I don't even mind the teenagers) come to my door. I don't mind the people who actually celebrate it as a holiday, and I sort of laugh at the ones who fear it, but it's not big on  my list of days I look forward to. I really am sick of the way it's been built up into a merchandise bonanza; and I always laughed at my students when they thought they should have a day off for it (Yes, I was that kind of teacher--I laughed at my students). I don't like "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" (I know, blasphemy) and I don't like to dress up.

I should retract that. I would love to dress up if I could get the kind of costume I would love to get. Probably something Steampunk, or Victorian, made of velvet and lace, with a corset and the right boots. Or something medieval with a wimple and chemise, overgown and laced up bodice. Or perhaps something fantasy--wings, something flowy. The reason I don't: I can't see myself spending the money. I'm frightfully cheap, especially when it comes to myself. The idea of spending the kind of moneyit would take to acquire the kind of costume I would love gives me hives.

I wish I was the kind of person who could just let loose and celebrate. I wish I could dress in the styles that truly appeal to me (Gothic, anyone?--you'd never guess that about me, would you?). Unfortunately, I'm too repressed.

So I'll sit back on Halloween in my non-costume and just say, "Bah,humbug." But have a good time anyway.
--Gabi


Books I'm reading now:
Honey Moon by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (really, Kindle people, have someone proof read it)
Hot Shot by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
My Man Pendleton by Elizabeth Bevarly

The Reason I'm Sticking with Traditional Publishing

Don't get me wrong. I think this is a brave new world inpublishing with so many new opportunities. I love that authors are re-releasing their backlists. Heck, I'm even dipping a toe intothe waters of self-publishing by releasing one of my historicals written undermy previous name . But for the most part, I'm stickingwith the non-indie books (hypocritical much?).
Before you start throwing things at me, let me explain. Ithink it's great that authors have a choice right now. Really I do. You'vewritten a book and you want to see it published. I can understand that feeling.More than you know. But as an author (and let me just come out and tell youthat I am traditionally published by a traditional house), I don't have a lotof time to read. When I read, I want the book to take me away, and for it to dothat, it has to be clean, well constructed, and sing (metaphorically speaking).
Again, before you throw things at me, let me continue. I'mnot saying that indie authors don't know what they're doing. I'm sure many ofthem do. And yes, I have read traditionally published books that areterrible—and I don't mean "just not my taste." I've seen error-laden, lazy asswriting from traditionally published authors. But—and many of us do suffer frombig buts—I have also read many, many unpublished manuscripts over the years. Notcomplete ones, but the opening chapters. Hundreds is not an exaggeration (Ican't imagine going through the number of manuscripts an editor or an agent hasto). Of the hundreds of chapters I've read, I've seen maybe two or three, atmost five, that were ready to be published. Of the couple dozen that I thoughtwere really good, interesting concepts, great voice, etc, they still needed alot of work to be publishable—whether the grammar needed work, the pacing, thePOV, etc. A good editor could really help those manuscripts. And yes, I've alsoheard that good editors are hard to find. Probably true, but they are outthere. My concern is that most authors can't view their own work withdetachment, and I don't want to read someone's book that only the author's mother/best friend/husbandthinks great. I want someone who has no emotional stake in the author tolike the writing.
Keep those rotten tomatoes in your hands for a while longer,please. Recently I've heard too many authors say that New York doesn't knowwhat it's doing, that so-and-so made it big without traditional publishing,that this big name author is now going indie, that publishing is dead, etc.Maybe that's so. New York publishers are struggling, really struggling, tofigure out what's happening in publishing. The fact that so-and-so made it bigis the exception, not the rule (that's why we hear about her). The big nameauthor who is going indie knows her craft and has already proven herself awriting entity and has fans who will follow her wherever she will go ("she" usedas the default gender pronoun—I'm not thinking of anyone in particular).Publishing is not dead; it's changing—some of the dinosaurs are gasping, someare blind, some have their heads in the tar pits, but do you really think publishingis dead? They said the same thing when Gutenberg invented the printing press.They said the same thing about movies when television came around. Do youreally think publishing will disappear just because we've entered a new phase? All authors should be educating themselves and not trusting one side or the other blindly.
But (so many buts in this blog, as if too many of us didn'talready have big buts in our lives), I want someone to have vetted the work Iread. I honestly believe I have a better chance at finding a good book thatway. I'm not saying that some self-published works aren't great. I also knowthat I'll never find them with this attitude, but I don't have the time tosearch or the money, or the patience to wade through the muck. I'm just statingmy parameters.
And, yes, I know many people don't like my books and that'sokay too.
Let the throwing commence.--Gabi
Books I'm reading now:Second Grave on the Left by Darynda JonesDragonbound by Jade Lee

Formula

Critics of Romance complain that the stories are all the same, that they're all formula. Well, sure, if you consider having an HEA (happily ever after) formula, but as a recent study  (from UCSD, my alma mater) showed, people actually get more from reading if they know the ending. Spoilers don't spoil anything. In Romance the "how" the hero and heroine get to the HEA drives the reader, not  the "if". Besides, within the formula you'll find an almost endless variety of styles, tones, themes, settings, conflicts, etc.

If you're a person who loves Romance, I don't have to convince you that I'm right. If you're no fan of Romance, then, besides wondering what the hell you're doing on this page, I feel I should inform you that all genres, including literary (yes, it is a genre) have their formulae.

Still not convinced? Well, I don't have time or energy to deal with you. I'm busy writing. But as a final thought watch this three minute short film. According to the restrictions placed on the film makers, the films were allowed to have six lines of dialog:
What is that?It's a unicorn.Never seen one up close before.Beautiful.Get away, Get away!I'm sorry.Just watch:


Don't tell me formulae are limiting.
--Gabi

Books I'm reading now:
Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

I Guess it's Fall

Today I was cold for the first time in months. I don't like cold. Mind you, I think I'm becoming really whiny, because I'm not liking the extreme heat either (Yes, I did complain in Rome and other parts of Europe while I was there because of the heat. Never going in summer again). To me Hell isn't fire, but ice. I was chilled on Friday and I actually took my first (of usually many) hot bath of the season (with a book--in this case a Kindle in a Ziploc--something to drink and a couple of cookies. TMI?) My favorite season used to be summer (before I became whiny about the heat), spring brings allergies like crazy, and winter is just too cold. So by default, fall has become my favorite season--especially since I don't have to go back to school.

But by far the coolest (no pun intended) thing about fall in Albuquerque is this.

The Balloon Fiesta. While five of the ten days were rained out this year, and one cannot depend on the weather, the Fiesta is worth a trip, the early rise (although they also hold evening balloon glows, but you MUST see the early morning mass ascension), and the crowds. Food is fun--Breakfast burritos (on the way home, my husband was wondering if the Fiesta serves the most breakfast burritos in addition to hosting the biggest number of balloons--really, what other event boasts as many breakfast burritos?), doughnuts and mini-doughnuts, funnel cakes, hot chocolate, coffee--even the pinon variety--and today we even spotted breakfast pizza. And the odd offering of things to buy--today's winner: flu shots.

But the big draw are the balloons. You can walk on the field as they lift off. Wave after wave launch right beside you.

My favorite:


Yeah. I'm a nerd.

--Gabi


Books I'm reading now:
Shadowman by Erin Kellison
A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James