Leia Shaw's Blog: Leia's Writing , page 7
May 20, 2011
Inspiration
My second book, A Destiny United, is almost complete. I'm very excited about it. My writing has improved by leaps and bounds.
I was inspired by a conference this weekend by my local Romance Writers of America where I met the bestseller Eloisa James. She was the keynote (very funny!). I have to admit I've never read her work. I mostly read paranormal (I'm sure you can figure out why), but since she gave everyone a free copy of her latest book I'll be cracking it open soon.
Also there was Jessica Anderson (Nightkeepers author, about 2012 and the end of the world). Annette Blair was there with her new book (Vampire Dragon), I bought a signed copy and I'm excited to read it.
Bestseller Kristan Higgans did a workshop on 10 mistakes in characterization that had me looking over my manuscript (don't worry, we're clear).
Anyway, I met lots of published and unpublished authors who were inspiring in their own ways. The only thing I wish I saw more of was self-published authors. It seemed like the general consensus was that self-published authors as a whole...well...suck. Okay, maybe I'm being too harsh, but there definitely wasn't a feeling of respect. I understand literally anyone can self-publish and there is mucho crap out there, but to finish a book is a feat in itself and as writers, we should be supporting each other no matter what the venue.
i talked to several aspiring writers who have been at this for years. They've been rejected over and over by publishers. I asked if they ever considered self-publishing? All of them looked like I was crazy. I guess it's not for everyone. I hope that as publishers get pickier about backing new authors, and the market changes with the times, self-published authors (at least the good ones!) start getting more credibility by other people in our field.
One can only hope.
I was inspired by a conference this weekend by my local Romance Writers of America where I met the bestseller Eloisa James. She was the keynote (very funny!). I have to admit I've never read her work. I mostly read paranormal (I'm sure you can figure out why), but since she gave everyone a free copy of her latest book I'll be cracking it open soon.
Also there was Jessica Anderson (Nightkeepers author, about 2012 and the end of the world). Annette Blair was there with her new book (Vampire Dragon), I bought a signed copy and I'm excited to read it.
Bestseller Kristan Higgans did a workshop on 10 mistakes in characterization that had me looking over my manuscript (don't worry, we're clear).
Anyway, I met lots of published and unpublished authors who were inspiring in their own ways. The only thing I wish I saw more of was self-published authors. It seemed like the general consensus was that self-published authors as a whole...well...suck. Okay, maybe I'm being too harsh, but there definitely wasn't a feeling of respect. I understand literally anyone can self-publish and there is mucho crap out there, but to finish a book is a feat in itself and as writers, we should be supporting each other no matter what the venue.
i talked to several aspiring writers who have been at this for years. They've been rejected over and over by publishers. I asked if they ever considered self-publishing? All of them looked like I was crazy. I guess it's not for everyone. I hope that as publishers get pickier about backing new authors, and the market changes with the times, self-published authors (at least the good ones!) start getting more credibility by other people in our field.
One can only hope.
April 16, 2011
Too Many Vampires?
There's an interesting discussion going on at the Adult Vampire/Paranormal group about the market being saturated with vampire novels.
I've wondered the same thing for a while now. But what I've found is that women love their vampires! Don't know why. There's just something about them that makes us pick up the books again and again. Is it the fangs? The danger? The blood drinking?
Some people have said they want their vampires dark, violent, predatory and like true monsters. As opposed to sparkly, uber-romantic boys that act like humans.
So I wonder, is there a place for romance in a vampire's heart? Should they act human at all, or have some human qualities or should they be all animal/monster/predator?
My first book, Destiny Divided, was more about sorcerers (without giving away too much there are vampires in it). But my second book has a vampire for the hero.
Marcelo is definitely a predator. He's dangerous, dark, and admittedly has a grumpy side. He can be mean, bossy, and arrogant. BUT, he's also got a romantic side. He's deep, authentic, and has a wicked sense of humor. He's probably my favorite character thus far.
As I wrote in to the Adult Vampire group, I love a variety of personality types as long as their well written. Every character should have flaws as well as redeeming qualities.
So what do you think? How do you like your vampires (or heroes in general)?
In peace and creativity,
Leia Shaw
www.leiashaw.com
I've wondered the same thing for a while now. But what I've found is that women love their vampires! Don't know why. There's just something about them that makes us pick up the books again and again. Is it the fangs? The danger? The blood drinking?
Some people have said they want their vampires dark, violent, predatory and like true monsters. As opposed to sparkly, uber-romantic boys that act like humans.
So I wonder, is there a place for romance in a vampire's heart? Should they act human at all, or have some human qualities or should they be all animal/monster/predator?
My first book, Destiny Divided, was more about sorcerers (without giving away too much there are vampires in it). But my second book has a vampire for the hero.
Marcelo is definitely a predator. He's dangerous, dark, and admittedly has a grumpy side. He can be mean, bossy, and arrogant. BUT, he's also got a romantic side. He's deep, authentic, and has a wicked sense of humor. He's probably my favorite character thus far.
As I wrote in to the Adult Vampire group, I love a variety of personality types as long as their well written. Every character should have flaws as well as redeeming qualities.
So what do you think? How do you like your vampires (or heroes in general)?
In peace and creativity,
Leia Shaw
www.leiashaw.com
April 14, 2011
Quotes Part II
Here's a sneak peek into book 2 with some of my favorite quotes.
This book is softer (but still intense and lots of action), more romantic, and deeper I think than the first book.
Let me know if any of these appeal to you!
“That’s your apology?! You’re sorry because you thought I would like it?” She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “Oh. Well. In that case…be still my heart, vampire. I am yours forever."
"Something about bloodshed and sex...they just go together. Like bees and honey. Swords and spears. Heads and pikes. Knives and...more knives."
“'A dog would be less trouble than you.'”
'I think I should be offended by that, but I just realized how funny your name is.' She giggled as he scowled down at her. 'Marcelo…' she muttered, 'rhymes with jello.'”
"'Under normal circumstances, querida, should you have issue with my request, I would seduce you, doing unimaginable things to your body that would make your toes curl until you did as I please.' She couldn’t hold back a shudder. 'But since you are in danger – something you forget far too easily – I will be giving orders and you will be following them.'”
"'What?' she said arching a brow. 'Vampires don’t have movie nights with popcorn and cozy pajamas?'
'Sure we do. Right after we braid each other’s hair and read gossip magazines.'"
"'Do you miss him?'
She laughed nervously. 'Like a fish misses water.' He gave her a funny look. Damn it! She’d meant to say like a fish misses air."
"Aila just shrugged. It was simple and easy and it said absolutely nothing about her current mental state – which happened to be unstable at best."
"'Come on, little enchantress. Trust me.'
'Enchantress? I have no magic.'
'Ah, but you must have some,' he said, stepping closer, 'for you have enchanted me.'"
Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek. Book will be out in June!
In peace and creativity,
Leia Shaw
This book is softer (but still intense and lots of action), more romantic, and deeper I think than the first book.
Let me know if any of these appeal to you!
“That’s your apology?! You’re sorry because you thought I would like it?” She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “Oh. Well. In that case…be still my heart, vampire. I am yours forever."
"Something about bloodshed and sex...they just go together. Like bees and honey. Swords and spears. Heads and pikes. Knives and...more knives."
“'A dog would be less trouble than you.'”
'I think I should be offended by that, but I just realized how funny your name is.' She giggled as he scowled down at her. 'Marcelo…' she muttered, 'rhymes with jello.'”
"'Under normal circumstances, querida, should you have issue with my request, I would seduce you, doing unimaginable things to your body that would make your toes curl until you did as I please.' She couldn’t hold back a shudder. 'But since you are in danger – something you forget far too easily – I will be giving orders and you will be following them.'”
"'What?' she said arching a brow. 'Vampires don’t have movie nights with popcorn and cozy pajamas?'
'Sure we do. Right after we braid each other’s hair and read gossip magazines.'"
"'Do you miss him?'
She laughed nervously. 'Like a fish misses water.' He gave her a funny look. Damn it! She’d meant to say like a fish misses air."
"Aila just shrugged. It was simple and easy and it said absolutely nothing about her current mental state – which happened to be unstable at best."
"'Come on, little enchantress. Trust me.'
'Enchantress? I have no magic.'
'Ah, but you must have some,' he said, stepping closer, 'for you have enchanted me.'"
Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek. Book will be out in June!
In peace and creativity,
Leia Shaw
April 13, 2011
Quotes
I've been inspired by reading other author's quotes on goodreads.com lately. I thought I was almost done with my second book, A Destiny United, (don't worry, it will still be out in June), but with inspiration comes re-writes. Yay. Notice the lack of exclamation point, that denotes sarcasm, which I use liberally. Perhaps nauseatingly so.
Anyway, point is. Quotes. Love 'em. For my next post I'm going to include some of my favorite quotes from my second book. Hopefully it will get people excited about the release. Or maybe it will just get me excited. Either way someone's getting excited.
Well, that's it for now. (I promise my next post will be longer. I'm just tired and my kids are finally napping.)
In peace and creativity,
Leia
Anyway, point is. Quotes. Love 'em. For my next post I'm going to include some of my favorite quotes from my second book. Hopefully it will get people excited about the release. Or maybe it will just get me excited. Either way someone's getting excited.
Well, that's it for now. (I promise my next post will be longer. I'm just tired and my kids are finally napping.)
In peace and creativity,
Leia
