Sara Winters's Blog: the fascinating life of the introverted writer, page 3

still alive, etc.

I've been a bad, bad girl. I know, shocking right? I didn't mean to neglect my blog for nearly eight months (almost long enough to have a baby), but, life happens. I don't really have any excuses. Actually, that's not true. I have a long list of excuses, but nothing I want to type here. (Like Google screwing with the posting format on blogger. I swear, they buy every website I like and systematically take away everything I like about it. Hello, feedburner.)

So, what have I been up to? Writing, writing issues, work, therapy, being more active in my critique group, lurking on facebook, neglecting twitter, more work, sprained my ankle, moving, an epiphany or two, less writing, broke my ereader, wondering why I haven't updated my blog, chastising myself for not releasing any new stories in nearly a year, crying over ER bill, putting too much pressure on myself to write, trying to get back into the groove of writing, whining a little about my absent muse, a little (okay a lot) vodka and tequila, watching Supernatural, watching Bleach (loving the anime) and generally waffling about life.

Sounds fun, yes?

Anyway, I'm going to try to post again... hm, let's say before the end of the year. Can't guarantee I'll stick to it otherwise.

friends and inspiration

I think as far back as my first attempt at novel writing (age 14, 1996 for those keeping track), I’ve always used my friends for inspiration for my characters and the situations in my books. That first book had some teen pregnancy, back stabbing, two week relationships, violence, kidnapping, secret videotaping, you know, because high school was boring that way. (Hey, at least 60 percent of that story was fiction.) Now, I’ve gotten a lot more subtle about writing people I know and things I’ve seen and heard into my stories. (Yes, I said I’m subtle. Don’t let anyone tell you different.

friends and inspiration

I think as far back as my first attempt at novel writing (age 14, 1996 for those keeping track), I've always used my friends for inspiration for my characters and the situations in my books. That first book had some teen pregnancy, back stabbing, two week relationships, violence, kidnapping, secret videotaping, you know, because high school was boring that way. (Hey, at least 60 percent of that story was fiction.) Now, I've gotten a lot more subtle about writing people I know and things I've seen and heard into my stories. (Yes, I said I'm subtle. Don't let anyone tell you different.;-) )

The second book in my Savannah series is coming along well. It's a lot different than I expected it to be. Longer, for one thing. After I finished See Right Through in June, I thought the sequel would be done by August and I'd be well on my way to finishing the third story by now. Well, Derrick, one of my main characters, has a lot more to say to me than I'd anticipated. Apparently, he didn't feel my plans for a novella length story were doing him justice. Especially since he's quite slowly working his way towards the fun and sexy Lee, who featured prominently as one of Sam's friends in the first story. Let's see, See Right Through was a shade over 24,000 words. So far, the sequel is a little over 35,000 words and I think it'll reach 60-70,000 when it's done. It's been a while since I've written something that length (Hooked was 50,000 words), but I'm excited about the story I'm telling.

This story is different for me partly because I'm telling the people I've based the characters on that I'm writing about them. For some, their influence will be obvious to anyone who knows them, for others, the references are more subtle and something only they would notice. One of the people I'm using as inspiration for Lee is Cody.



Cute, right? I did create the basics of the character before I got to know Cody, but as I learn more about him, the more I realize he is quite like the way I'm developing Lee in the story. Now, he has nothing to worry about. I'm not actually planning to put his life story in my book. But he shares some great similarities with my character and I'm looking forward to drawing on that more. Plus (and here's the exciting part) if I'm lucky, Cody will agree to be on the cover for the sequel. Granted, I'm still trying to talk him into it, but I'm hoping he'll grant me the honor of agreeing once he sees the final picture.

friends and inspiration

I think as far back as my first attempt at novel writing (age 14, 1996 for those keeping track), I've always used my friends for inspiration for my characters and the situations in my books. That...

So, I have a kinky side

Yeah, kinky (mind) = me. I’m sure the people reading this who know me will be shocked to read that. Shocked, I tell you. And yet, I am the most boring person when it comes to adventurous pursuits. All my creative energy goes into my stories. Some of it is more adventurous than others. And goodness knows I’ve written some things I have no practical knowledge of (in spite of the fact I’ve had three different people who don’t know each other say I’d be a good dominatrix).

Right now I’m reading Whip Me, Beat Me, Make Me Write Hot Sex! in an attempt to get a more factual basis for things I’ve written about in the past and at least one book that’s in the works in the Savannah series. The book is fairly straightforward so far, and I’m hoping it goes into more detail later. (Shut up. Yes, you. No laughing in the corner there.) I’m all about the educational books. Especially if they have pictures.

So, I have a kinky side

Yeah, kinky (mind) = me. I'm sure the people reading this who know me will be shocked to read that. Shocked, I tell you. And yet, I am the most boring person when it comes to adventurous pursuits....

my year in retrospect

It's been an interesting year for me. I've done less writing this year than last year, but I feel like I got more accomplished. I finally got a game plan for my Savannah series nailed down. Sort of gave up on my writing/critique group (though I have hopes it could come back). And I published my favorite story.

I know, I know. Any writers who are reading this are probably screaming that I can never pick a favorite one. It's like telling my other babies they are unloved. Well, maybe. It's not that I love it more than my other stories, it's just my current favorite. It's the one I put the most blood and tears into this year. It's the one I drove myself crazy getting as close to perfect as I could. And it also got the least attention. (Cue the whining about underrated artistry or something along those lines.)

That's probably my fault. Because an early (shorter) version of The Strength of a Man was available last year, I didn't do a huge promo push when I released the full version on ebook and paperback. And I meant to take out some advertising and do some giveaways, but I got caught up with other things. One of the drawbacks to self-publishing is that I have to manage my time between writing and promoting - social networking can be a gift and a curse. But I love this book and I want more people to read it.

So, this is it. I've decided to give away as many copies as I can between now and Christmas day. My baby is now my gift to you and whoever you choose to share the links with: Smashwords (use code RR73V) and All Romance Ebooks.

Next year, I hope to get a lot more done, both in number of stories published and in feeling more accomplished. In the meantime, I think I'm growing as a writer with every new story. I hope you will take that journey with me.

BTW, if any of you are stuck for ideas for Christmas gifts, honest reviews are my favorite gift.

my year in retrospect

It's been an interesting year for me. I've done less writing this year than last year, but I feel like I got more accomplished. I finally got a game plan for my Savannah series nailed down. Sort of...

Winding down and gearing up: a ramble

So, what's going on with me you ask?

NaNoWriMo was... interesting. Meh. I write at a snail's pace these days, so no, I didn't get 50,000 words in November. I did add nearly 26,000 to story, which...

love, tears & inspiration

I've finally done it. I've finally written the first scene in this book that made me cry after I finished it.

NaNo is...going. I've have had some starts and stops, but mostly it's been success....