Constance Sharper's Blog, page 3
June 7, 2011
Sequels, giveaways, and reveals
Hi everyone,
I have a few quick notes for you guys (see the full stories on my main blog)
First up, Dark-Horse-Books:
has finally launched! You should check us out, show some support, and see what you can win. The ball will start rolling very soon.
I will be releasing the first ARCS ever of Grounded through contests at Dark-Horse-Books, my blog, and eventually Goodreads. That’s only four ARCS in total so definitely up your chances by following Dark-Horse and my main blog!
Speaking of Grounded , the editing has been going disturbingly well.
The feed back I’ve been getting is that it’s actually better than Airborne. I can attribute this to two things.
1. I’ve gotten better at writing. This isn’t surprising as most people improve over time, and Grounded is only my third book.
2. Grounded allows me to do what Airborne did not: develop the characters. In the first book, I spent most of the time having to develop the world. Now I have time to expand the intricate lives of these characters—especially Mason and Avery which seem to be a hit with the readers.
So that brings me to the next segment, the first chapter reveal.
I’ve decided, after advice, to reveal the first chapter of Grounded and the cover at the same time. This makes it only slightly difficult. The first chapter is packaged and ready to go but I have to rely on people to do the cover for me. I don’t want to rush art so I won’t have a date for the reveal until it’s actually close or done.
There are two things I can tell you for sure.
1. When I have a date, you guys will see a lovely and accurate countdown widget on my main blog.
2. The reveal date should be on average three to five weeks before the book’s release.
I have a few quick notes for you guys (see the full stories on my main blog)
First up, Dark-Horse-Books:
has finally launched! You should check us out, show some support, and see what you can win. The ball will start rolling very soon.
I will be releasing the first ARCS ever of Grounded through contests at Dark-Horse-Books, my blog, and eventually Goodreads. That’s only four ARCS in total so definitely up your chances by following Dark-Horse and my main blog!
Speaking of Grounded , the editing has been going disturbingly well.
The feed back I’ve been getting is that it’s actually better than Airborne. I can attribute this to two things.
1. I’ve gotten better at writing. This isn’t surprising as most people improve over time, and Grounded is only my third book.
2. Grounded allows me to do what Airborne did not: develop the characters. In the first book, I spent most of the time having to develop the world. Now I have time to expand the intricate lives of these characters—especially Mason and Avery which seem to be a hit with the readers.
So that brings me to the next segment, the first chapter reveal.
I’ve decided, after advice, to reveal the first chapter of Grounded and the cover at the same time. This makes it only slightly difficult. The first chapter is packaged and ready to go but I have to rely on people to do the cover for me. I don’t want to rush art so I won’t have a date for the reveal until it’s actually close or done.
There are two things I can tell you for sure.
1. When I have a date, you guys will see a lovely and accurate countdown widget on my main blog.
2. The reveal date should be on average three to five weeks before the book’s release.
June 2, 2011
Urban Fantasy, dangit!
Hey everyone,
So it’s not my usual date to post but I had the urge to write on something that’s been bothering me for awhile anddd today seemed to be a great opportunity to do it. Why?
This is why
To explain this link, Kim Harrison (best selling author and my personal favorite author) is talking about the invasion of paranormal romance. Not in a bad way but just about how its appearance has taken over every other genre.
See, Kim writes urban fantasy like me, but people want to shove her work under the paranormal romance umbrella. This has obviously happened to Airborne (or the subject would be kind of moot lol) Airborne is definitely not a paranormal romance. Maybe the summaries are vague but I’ve never made bones about distinguishing the difference. (see my main site's FAQ section)
Airborne may have some romantic themes but the end goal of the book isn’t if the guy gets the girl. It’s if the girl gets away from harpies trying to kill her and frees herself of the magic she accidently acquired. The two goals are obviously a wee bit different.
Now the PR isn’t a bad genre to be grouped into, until someone reads your book and then complains “this sucked, there is no romance!” Of course not, it’s not a paranormal romance book. I can’t tell you how many of those similar complaints or ratings I’ve gotten recently. I do my best to separate Airborne into the correct genre, but at least now I know that I’m not the only one having trouble.
End rant
:)
So it’s not my usual date to post but I had the urge to write on something that’s been bothering me for awhile anddd today seemed to be a great opportunity to do it. Why?
This is why
To explain this link, Kim Harrison (best selling author and my personal favorite author) is talking about the invasion of paranormal romance. Not in a bad way but just about how its appearance has taken over every other genre.
See, Kim writes urban fantasy like me, but people want to shove her work under the paranormal romance umbrella. This has obviously happened to Airborne (or the subject would be kind of moot lol) Airborne is definitely not a paranormal romance. Maybe the summaries are vague but I’ve never made bones about distinguishing the difference. (see my main site's FAQ section)
Airborne may have some romantic themes but the end goal of the book isn’t if the guy gets the girl. It’s if the girl gets away from harpies trying to kill her and frees herself of the magic she accidently acquired. The two goals are obviously a wee bit different.
Now the PR isn’t a bad genre to be grouped into, until someone reads your book and then complains “this sucked, there is no romance!” Of course not, it’s not a paranormal romance book. I can’t tell you how many of those similar complaints or ratings I’ve gotten recently. I do my best to separate Airborne into the correct genre, but at least now I know that I’m not the only one having trouble.
End rant
:)
May 29, 2011
Behind the harpies: from zero to published
Yay! I finally finished the first draft manuscript for Grounded . The longest/hardest part is over!
*does a little dance*
Anyways, I figured I’d use this opportunity to do a quick summary of how my books actually get from zero to published.
I’ll use Airborne as an example
Step one: The idea and outline.
So, you know how the most writing classes and books advise you to single out an idea, develop it into a two page synopsis, work out the characters, and yadda yadda outline.
Yea, well, I don’t do this. Who has the patience to do this? I admire them.
How Airborne was born:
I had attempted to find an agent for a previous book and the agent advised me “I’d like to work with you. But you could write anything a little bit more… normal?”
Yea, she said it just like that. So I took it to mean that I should write something that fit in with the popular genre. But I didn’t want to use vampires or werewolves. There were so many books out there already to compete with that I wanted to go a different way.
So I wrote out a scene to muse (one that never made the book):
“Are you afraid of heights?” Mason suddenly asked.
“No.” Avery shot back immediately but she realized at that moment that she had dug her nails into his arms. Rapidly detangling herself, she pushed off him.
“You’re totally afraid of heights.” He gave her such a smirk she could have cold cocked him right there. Instead, she folded her arms and turned away.
“Am not you stupid pigeon. And I don’t know anything about bird wing mechanics but there is no way those--” She gestured vaguely to the wings, “will get us anywhere but a quick plunge back to the Earth.”
“Listen to me.” His amusement gone, he was growing weary. “If I’ve figured it out, the Band will too. And when they do, you will be in serious danger. They won’t try to take it out of you the nice way.”
“Ha. No, so not going. I have class in the morning and you know what, I’m not going anywhere.”
This scene didn’t just make the book but it’s also funny and awful in retrospect. Obviously Avery’s reaction to the whole thing was inappropriate and in later versions, I rewrote it to suspend her disbelief.
In fact, most of the original ideas didn’t make the book, but you can still see some remnants of old ideas in the background of the Airborne manuscript. See Crepuscule Hall, Nate, and Mayweather particularly. Their meanings drastically changed. I digress, so back to the subject line.
Then I worked the idea out on paper for the new mythology.
I scratched out angels because there was too much lore behind them and I certainly didn’t want deal with the religious aspect when the book is supposed to be fiction.
So I went with harpies. Plus, they’re more fun being vicious and angry and all that.
Then I did the sentence thing (the only advice I ever took from writing class). Summarize the objective of the book in one or two sentences.
Avery picked up harpie magic and she needs to get it out before it causes her to be killed.
Hoorah!
Moving on.
Step two: Writing the initial manuscript.
This is the horribly unfinished scribbling of a book, all chapters intact. I consider this the skeleton. It’s not pretty but it’s the base line for everything else with the majority of the writing done. Most of this will be cut, adjusted, or cropped later but it allows me to examine the story as a whole. Finishing this initial version is also what allows me to see what the book really needs pace wise.
Step three: Editing
This is the step which Grounded is at. I look back at the manuscript and tweak it. Make sure the ideas flow, details match, and what was skimmed is now filled in. Consider this the muscles because this is what really makes the manuscript strong. After this step (three-four weeks tops) is complete, I hold the semi-final draft.
Step four: Proofing.
I give it to a bunch of independent people and have everyone read it. This is to make sure it makes sense (the most important thing) and obviously corrects grammatical errors. I’m not sure if this happens to anyone else, but if I rewrite something, I get the ordering wrong. Someone’s name is mentioned before Avery learns it. That happened in the first book with Mikhail (first edition, it’s since been cleared)
Once I correct everything I have my lovely final draft.
***
Hope I didn’t bore you to death. But to those of you asking me about Grounded, this is where I’m at and what’s left.
*does a little dance*
Anyways, I figured I’d use this opportunity to do a quick summary of how my books actually get from zero to published.
I’ll use Airborne as an example
Step one: The idea and outline.
So, you know how the most writing classes and books advise you to single out an idea, develop it into a two page synopsis, work out the characters, and yadda yadda outline.
Yea, well, I don’t do this. Who has the patience to do this? I admire them.
How Airborne was born:
I had attempted to find an agent for a previous book and the agent advised me “I’d like to work with you. But you could write anything a little bit more… normal?”
Yea, she said it just like that. So I took it to mean that I should write something that fit in with the popular genre. But I didn’t want to use vampires or werewolves. There were so many books out there already to compete with that I wanted to go a different way.
So I wrote out a scene to muse (one that never made the book):
“Are you afraid of heights?” Mason suddenly asked.
“No.” Avery shot back immediately but she realized at that moment that she had dug her nails into his arms. Rapidly detangling herself, she pushed off him.
“You’re totally afraid of heights.” He gave her such a smirk she could have cold cocked him right there. Instead, she folded her arms and turned away.
“Am not you stupid pigeon. And I don’t know anything about bird wing mechanics but there is no way those--” She gestured vaguely to the wings, “will get us anywhere but a quick plunge back to the Earth.”
“Listen to me.” His amusement gone, he was growing weary. “If I’ve figured it out, the Band will too. And when they do, you will be in serious danger. They won’t try to take it out of you the nice way.”
“Ha. No, so not going. I have class in the morning and you know what, I’m not going anywhere.”
This scene didn’t just make the book but it’s also funny and awful in retrospect. Obviously Avery’s reaction to the whole thing was inappropriate and in later versions, I rewrote it to suspend her disbelief.
In fact, most of the original ideas didn’t make the book, but you can still see some remnants of old ideas in the background of the Airborne manuscript. See Crepuscule Hall, Nate, and Mayweather particularly. Their meanings drastically changed. I digress, so back to the subject line.
Then I worked the idea out on paper for the new mythology.
I scratched out angels because there was too much lore behind them and I certainly didn’t want deal with the religious aspect when the book is supposed to be fiction.
So I went with harpies. Plus, they’re more fun being vicious and angry and all that.
Then I did the sentence thing (the only advice I ever took from writing class). Summarize the objective of the book in one or two sentences.
Avery picked up harpie magic and she needs to get it out before it causes her to be killed.
Hoorah!
Moving on.
Step two: Writing the initial manuscript.
This is the horribly unfinished scribbling of a book, all chapters intact. I consider this the skeleton. It’s not pretty but it’s the base line for everything else with the majority of the writing done. Most of this will be cut, adjusted, or cropped later but it allows me to examine the story as a whole. Finishing this initial version is also what allows me to see what the book really needs pace wise.
Step three: Editing
This is the step which Grounded is at. I look back at the manuscript and tweak it. Make sure the ideas flow, details match, and what was skimmed is now filled in. Consider this the muscles because this is what really makes the manuscript strong. After this step (three-four weeks tops) is complete, I hold the semi-final draft.
Step four: Proofing.
I give it to a bunch of independent people and have everyone read it. This is to make sure it makes sense (the most important thing) and obviously corrects grammatical errors. I’m not sure if this happens to anyone else, but if I rewrite something, I get the ordering wrong. Someone’s name is mentioned before Avery learns it. That happened in the first book with Mikhail (first edition, it’s since been cleared)
Once I correct everything I have my lovely final draft.
***
Hope I didn’t bore you to death. But to those of you asking me about Grounded, this is where I’m at and what’s left.
May 14, 2011
I have some more cool links for you.
I did a spot for The Crazy Dream blog. Correction, Avery actually did a spot for the blog. She’s just talking about where she is at during the Airborne book. It’s really nifty and just below it there is a review about Airborne. This is also great because I’m apparently notorious for not giving out a real synopsis of my book. I stick to the half paragraph summaries I love so much. Why? Because I’m usually one to two books ahead so when I write the summary I give too many things away. My ordering sucks. And now I’m getting off topic.
Anyways, check out the spot here and enter to win another Airborne giveaway:
here
The blog is run by Devon Ashley, a fellow YA author. She writes The Immortal Archives series seen here:
Link
I haven’t gotten the chance to read it yet but the synopsis and reviews look awesome. Demons, vampires, and a kick-ass heroine fun. I can’t wait to get my paws on it.
Anyways, I’m keeping busy because I’m really strapping down and trying to finish Grounded. Two of the more ignored characters are finally getting more screen time in Grounded. Avery and Nate stuck in a car together? Chased by harpies?
Sigh...
This would all be easier if I didn’t have the attention span of a rodent.
Anyways, check out the spot here and enter to win another Airborne giveaway:
here
The blog is run by Devon Ashley, a fellow YA author. She writes The Immortal Archives series seen here:
Link
I haven’t gotten the chance to read it yet but the synopsis and reviews look awesome. Demons, vampires, and a kick-ass heroine fun. I can’t wait to get my paws on it.
Anyways, I’m keeping busy because I’m really strapping down and trying to finish Grounded. Two of the more ignored characters are finally getting more screen time in Grounded. Avery and Nate stuck in a car together? Chased by harpies?
Sigh...
This would all be easier if I didn’t have the attention span of a rodent.
May 4, 2011
Important note 5/4/2011
So you guys may have been noticing that the Kindle and Nook purchase pages have been spazzing out a little bit. This is only because I'm changing out Airborne for the 2nd edition (just cleaned up some format and word error issues). This will be done by the weekend so definitely go back this Saturday to give it another try.
Thanks,
Constance
Thanks,
Constance
May 3, 2011
Juicy news?
I was supposed to be posting this tomorrow on 5/4 but today sounded like a better idea.
So I have a few new things to add about what’s going down in harpie-ville. (And by harpie-ville, I mean my writing desk.)
First and foremost, I did a guest blog post for the awesome The Book-Butterfly review blog on bringing mythology to life.
Check it out and definitely check out the site here:
http://thebookbutterfly.com/2011/05/g...
You can also enter for a giveaway on this site!
Next up is just some information on Grounded. I’ve mentioned before that the general release date is Summer 2011. Now, I’m actually going to be doing the release for Grounded the correct way by having it out in paperback the same time as the e-books. All so Grounded will have a universal release date.
I will be posting the first chapter about three weeks before it would hit shelves and a detailed countdown for the release.
Around this time, I’m also going to be pulling Airborne from the shelves for a day or two. The newest version of Airborne will include the first chapter of Grounded at the end. I’m also going to clean up some formatting and error issues. :)
Now, don’t panic about waiting for the newer version of Airborne because Grounded’s first chapter will still be posted for everyone to see on this site.
I’m also working on the custom cover for Grounded. It will be a different artist but the work is more than beautiful and I’m very excited.
All of this will be trickling out in the next few months but remember to find the most up to date information on my blogspot.
So I have a few new things to add about what’s going down in harpie-ville. (And by harpie-ville, I mean my writing desk.)
First and foremost, I did a guest blog post for the awesome The Book-Butterfly review blog on bringing mythology to life.
Check it out and definitely check out the site here:
http://thebookbutterfly.com/2011/05/g...
You can also enter for a giveaway on this site!
Next up is just some information on Grounded. I’ve mentioned before that the general release date is Summer 2011. Now, I’m actually going to be doing the release for Grounded the correct way by having it out in paperback the same time as the e-books. All so Grounded will have a universal release date.
I will be posting the first chapter about three weeks before it would hit shelves and a detailed countdown for the release.
Around this time, I’m also going to be pulling Airborne from the shelves for a day or two. The newest version of Airborne will include the first chapter of Grounded at the end. I’m also going to clean up some formatting and error issues. :)
Now, don’t panic about waiting for the newer version of Airborne because Grounded’s first chapter will still be posted for everyone to see on this site.
I’m also working on the custom cover for Grounded. It will be a different artist but the work is more than beautiful and I’m very excited.
All of this will be trickling out in the next few months but remember to find the most up to date information on my blogspot.
April 18, 2011
Paperback out now!
Airborne is finally available in paperback! I’ve included the links below.
http://www.amazon.com/Airborne-Consta...
https://www.createspace.com/3558939
The paper back at BN is still on its way, but you can currently buy the Nook version from them. Remember to get the most up to date locations on my site: constancesharper.blogspot.com
http://www.amazon.com/Airborne-Consta...
https://www.createspace.com/3558939
The paper back at BN is still on its way, but you can currently buy the Nook version from them. Remember to get the most up to date locations on my site: constancesharper.blogspot.com
