Aline Hunter's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing"

So the time has finally come. One more day and I'm turning off my social networks. I am having the lovely Dina James by on Monday but other than that I'm outta here. If I get a release date or other news, I'll pass it along. Otherwise I'm updating my websites, getting things in order, and preparing for the long month ahead. With that being said, I did want to let everyone know a little something about my plans before I unplug.

First: I am not "officially" taking part in NANO (National Novel Writing Month). I'm not signing up on the Nanowrimo site, I'm not adding friends, and I'm not keeping track of the progress of others. Last year was the same. I place too much pressure on myself as it is. If I start worrying my word count is less than this or that person, I'll drive myself insane. Therefore I use NANO as a reason to get my arse in gear and push myself to get 'er done. My goal is to write 5k words per day (or 25k per week -- I'll be working weekends if I don't reach my daily goals to make sure this happens) and wrap up Enemy Mine (Alpha and Omega Shifters, Book Two) and the full length follow-up to my Ellora's Cave Quickie, No Strings.  If I reach this goal prior to the end of November, I'll be focusing all of my attention on The Ripple Effect.

I know, I know! I can hear the emails now:

Why aren't you writing The Ripple Effect first? Are you off in the head? Don't you know people wanted the third book yesterday? We have to know what happens to Rhiannon, Disco, and Paine! What's the hold up?

Well...truthfully...I'm the hold up.



Wait, don't go! I can explain.

Writing The Renfield Syndrome wasn't fun -- AT ALL. Cleaning toilets in public restrooms probably would have been more pleasant. I worked myself up over that book, in ways that most people wouldn't and couldn't possibly understand.

I lost sleep.

I drove my husband and crit partners nuts.

I agonized over the same things over and over again.

I wrote, erased, wrote, erased....and ended up in the same spot I started.

Despite sitting in front of the PC for hours I COULD NOT WRITE that fucking book. I saw everything. I KNEW what was going to happen. But I couldn't get it out. It was constipation of the brain, as if the the central command center was in working order but the plumbing beneath was clogged. You know, it felt kind of like this...



It wasn't writer's block; it was self-doubt. I couldn't do what I once loved, because I was no longer writing for me -- I was writing for everyone else. This does not for a happy writer make.

While I'm thrilled readers enjoy the Rhiannon's Law series, I really need to unwind a bit, let the next book settle in my head, and then I'll return to it. I've already started the process of revising, which must be done completely before I can start wrapping up the book. Due to this I will resume work on The Ripple Effect in December. I realize now that I've been neglecting my writing by revising the manuscript like crazy in an effort to make the third book "even better" than the first two. I can't keep doing that. There is a reason there was such an enormous length of time between the release of Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between and The Renfield Syndrome. If I want a Summer release for The Ripple Effect, I've gotta shake those inner demons.

The button below sums up everything nicely, I think. I've even printed it out and posted it on my cork board -- for clarity and all that.



So fear not, awesome people. I will return. And when I do I hope to have completed manuscripts in my possession. I've got a lot of stories to share and they won't write themselves. The Ripple Effect is on that list, and it is a priority. I just want to prepare myself for the dark places I'm about to take my favorite character. Despite what you might think, Rhiannon has been through a walk in the park. Something bigger, badder, and more dangerous than anything she's ever faced is about to hit town. Too bad the dumbass I'm talking about doesn't know our girl.

It's going to be bitchin'.

I'll see you on Monday when Dina visits. I hope you all have a happy and safe Halloween with your loved ones.

Peace Out!

Holla! Hope you're all doing well. I'm back with an update.

Unfortunately, my plans to write 25k per week were sidelined. As much as I hated to put work aside, my father returned to the hospital due to complications with his diabetes. He's on the mend now and home, but I lost almost a week -- meaning I'm waaaay behind. So my new plan: 25k per week starting next week. If I push it, I can wrap up at least one project.

Also, for those who are interested, I had a visitor in the hospital. Someone who wouldn't shut up and prattled on about her next book, what should happen, and managed to give me a few sentences and a brand new law. Yes, I'm talking about our girl. None other than big mouth, love her or hate her Rhiannon. It's really weird having conversations with characters while you're standing in line at the cafeteria for a cheeseburger and fries. She informed the food would kill me, even if it was prepared in a hospital. I also got to listen to her complain about people who don't wash their hands and dip their grease sticks (french fries) in mayo.

Weird but interesting. 

Anyway, I'm back to work next week (possibly this weekend). The goal is different, but I think it'll make everyone happy. If I can wrap up Enemy Mine I can move on to The Ripple Effect and get things ready for all of you.

I hope you had a wonderful and safe Veteran's Day. To those who serve (or have a loved one who does), there are no words to properly convey just how much your sacrifice means to so many. So I'll simply say this:

Thank you.

It's so hard to believe Thanksgiving is here. It seems (literally) like yesterday I was bemoaning a brand new 2011. Now it's almost 2012.

Jeezus.

Anyhow, I wanted to stop by and wish you all a happy holiday full of food, fun, and laughs. I enjoy this time of year very much, even if I complain about it. After tomorrow a local station will start playing nothing but Christmas music, and I'll gleefully drive the family nutso by listening to it ALL DAY, EVERYDAY, until Christmas has come and gone.

Who says there is no joy in torture? *grin*

On the work front...I'm sad to say I've not had much progress on Enemy Mine. I'd started on the project only to be sidelined with things for my children. This time of year is very hectic and I didn't anticipate just how busy I'd be. Fortunately I have this weekend and the last week in November to attempt to get to the 50k mark. If I can do this I should complete the story in December. As for The Ripple Effect -- I've been editing and revising. Once that's done I can write the rest and wrap up the book. My goal is to complete the MS by the end of Dec/Jan.

Now, because I love you, I wanted to share an image I discovered on Facebook. Hopefully it will give you the same giggle it did me. I'll return soon with another update and perhaps a contest.

The picture above pretty much summarizes how I feel. A couple of days ago I received a congratulatory email from the Editor-In-Chief at Ellora's Cave for hitting the romance best sellers list on Kindle (Omega Mine made it to #86). Due to this, my schedule went from "maybe" to "slammed."

I almost fell out of my chair.

New contracts mean I'll be absent for the next few months. I've worked on my calendar and the times are tight. I've got five books planned next year (yes, this includes Edge of Darkness -- The Ripple Effect should be completed this month or the beginning of January). That's a LOT of words. Too many to think about. So I'm going to take it one book at a time and cross my fingers.

Thank you so much for the continued support, word of mouth about my books, emails to keep me going, and for simply being so damn awesome. I'll be on Twitter and Facebook here and there (you can find me if you hit the Twitter and Facebook buttons on the right of the blog), but otherwise I'll be slow to respond to emails and the like. Please bear with me as I bust my arse and try to create books that will -- hopefully -- entertain you.

Until next time, happy holidays! I hope Santa brings you tons of presents.

Wowza. I have received over a dozen emails in the last few days asking virtually the same question:

When is *insert book title here* coming out?

Let me state that I always answer my email, so that isn't the issue. Rather I realize some people might visit my website and see what's "coming soon" but have no idea when coming soon is. For that reason I'm going to let you in on what you can expect this year, barring any interference.

The Ripple Effect: I'm working on this. It's revised but has to be finished. As soon as it's done it will go to my editor and I'll get a solid release date. If I get off my ass it should be summer or early fall. This series is the most difficult for me to write, so it takes longer to complete the manuscripts.

Enemy Mine: Another book I'm currently writing. To answer the primary question -- this is Mary and Emory's book. The next, Vampire Mine, is Trey and Sadie. So fear not, you'll get your fix. Enemy Mine should release in the spring.

Then we have contracted books that will release in 2012 but haven't been started: Vampire Mine, Make Me Surrender, and Twisted In Knots. These books are on my calendar to be written. They are contracted and will be turned in next year. I'm hoping to release at least one book everything 2-3 months. As for Edge of Darkness (Rhiannon's Law, Book Four) -- it's not contracted so I'm not sure of the time frame. It all depends on sales.

So there you go, a rough estimate of my releases next year. I'm going to be extremely busy but hopefully the payoff will be worth it. I will be taking a break to attend two conventions this year: Romanticon and Lori Foster's. I'll be sure to share more info as the dates get closer.

Back to work for me! Happy Hump Day!

Wowza!! So hard to believe Christmas is here. My kiddos are super happy. We managed to give them an awesome Christmas this year, and I can't thank you enough for making that happen. Due to your support of my work, we were able to do things for them we couldn't last year. So THANK YOU!!

Today I'll be running ragged going from one home to the next. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family. Some of them drive into town once per year and it's the only chance I get to see them. For that reason I adore Christmas. There's nothing like family.

I did want to let you know that next week I'll be gung-ho working. I'm over halfway done with The Ripple Effect and Enemy Mine. I'll wrap those up soon. Until then I do have a few books you can check out if you haven't done so (and are interested), including Make Me Shiver which is now on Kindle! Check out the blurbs and links below. All purchase sites are listed on the webpage, so it's as simple as clicking a button to venture over to the retailers.

Again, Happy Holidays. I'm sending you all tons of hugs and love.



A special excerpt is on the website for Make Me Shiver now. It's rated R, so keep that in mind. You can read the excerpt by clicking HERE . As a side note, the book is 53k words, so it's not a short story. It is a novel.



If you haven't read Omega Mine, now's your chance. It's pretty steamy and not for youngsters. A blurb is also on the website and you can read it by clicking HERE . This book is a novel plus, complete at around 86k words.



This is a short story that will have a full length follow up -- Twisted In Knots. I really enjoyed Zeke and Diane and can't wait to revisit them. You can read a blurb on my website HERE. Keep in mind the story is a Quickie and complete at around 9k words.

On a side, I have received a release date for Crimson Sunrise. It will be available on May 18, 2012. I apologize for the delay but hope the book is worth the wait. Thank you again for your patience. My hope is to return to the series and write the last book sometime next year. And for those who asked, I will be returning to The Desires of the Otherworld series soon. I've also contracted someone to put Eternity and a Day in print, so you should be hearing more about that soon.

Again, Merry Christmas. 2011 was a great year but I'm hoping 2012 is even better. I'm sending you tons of virtual hugs and cookies. Have a wonderful day with your friends and loved ones. I'll be back with another update soon.

All My Best!

Jaime

I have good news to share. Early this morning (at three o'clock to be precise) I finished Enemy Mine, book two in the Alpha and Omega shifters series. I told my editor I'd be turning the book in shortly, so I'll be sure to share news as I receive it. In case you missed the update, I also finished The Ripple Effect in January (Rhiannon's Law book three). I'm waiting for info on release dates, etc. When I receive any new information I'll share that as well.

If you're curious about Enemy Mine, I've included the blurb below (subject to change at publisher's request). I'm not sure what story I'll be writing next, but I'm hoping to stay on track and finish up the projects I'm committed to. I'm also working on a few ideas for additional stories. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

I hope you're all doing well! I'll be back with another blog post as soon as I have anything to pass along.

Enemy Mine Blurb:

Divided by blood. Destined by fate. 

Tormented by his turbulent past, Emory Veznor is a shifter living on the edge. For years he struggled with his Alpha nature. Nothing went according to plan, leaving him a lone wolf without a place to call home -- until he met the one woman capable of soothing the savage beast. Mary is a mate that he never imagined he would have. Sweet, kind and impossibly beautiful, she is everything he’s ever wanted in a female. Unfortunately she is also something else, something dangerous -- a Shepherd, the very hunters bred to destroy his kind.

When Emory finds Mary and brings her to New York, he discovers earning her trust is the least of his concerns. Her relatives have followed, and they want Mary back in their ranks. If Emory won’t hand her over, they’ll do everything in their power to take her from the pack -- dead or alive.