Cherie Noel's Blog, page 34
December 26, 2011
Oh Shit!!!!!
Crap. Technical Difficulties again. I'll be able to get Vic's post up in a bit, after I retype it.
Meh.
Eh, it will be worth the wait though!! Give it an hour or two and then check back with me. Thanks.
Meh.
Eh, it will be worth the wait though!! Give it an hour or two and then check back with me. Thanks.
Manic Monday Double Header Vicktor Alexander and Karenna Colcroft
Holy hotness.
Right, so I over booked...which just means you lovelies get more smexy goodness over at the Cave today! You get to double your pleasure today. I have a fun little interview with the AhMahZing Karenna Colcroft, and you best get comfy...cause once you read it, your gonna wanna get your hands on one or two of her books and laze the rest of the day away...
*can you hear me giggling?*
Okay.
Ready, steady, go-go-go, babies! Dive right into the opening pitch of our double header and see if you can catch everthing they are pitching (Vicktor and Karenna).
First up? Karenna Colcroft and her Vegetarian Werewolves
1) Why vegetarian werewolves?
Most of the werewolves are omnivores in human form and carnivores in wolf form, but Kyle Slidell was vegan before he was changed into a werewolf (in my novel Salad on the Side, which MLR Press released in June of this year). After he became a werewolf, he was just too stubborn to eat meat, even in wolf form. I used to teach special education and worked with a lot of boys who were very intelligent and very stubborn--even oppositional--but humorous and fun to work with, and I tend to have a soft spot for people like that and to create a lot of characters who fit that mold. Kyle's opposition to eating meat and refusal to follow the "rules" of being a werewolf were just plain fun to write.2) What inspired the decided difference in your werewolves?
Kyle remaining a vegan was inspired by a conversation with some other writing friends one day. A hetero werewolf romance had just been released (my apologies, I've forgotten the author's name) with a hero described as a "reformed vegan", meaning apparently that he'd been vegan until he was changed into a werewolf, and then had started eating meat because he'd had no choice.
One of my friends asked, "How could a werewolf be vegan anyway?" I was bored that day, so I quickly wrote a scene, 1000 words or so, with a man waking up in wolf form, having gone through his first shift when he was changed, and panicking because he's vegan and the people around him bring him meat. That man was Kyle, and that scene is mostly intact in Salad on the Side.3)What is your favorite thing about this time of year?
When it's over...Honestly, I'm a little Grinchy about Christmas, just like Tobias is in Tofurkey and Yams. I do like seeing how happy my younger daughter is about decorating the house, though; I've been letting her decorate for the past five years now because she does it better than I do! 4) Tell us a tidbit about your wolves that we may not know but that is characteristic of some thing that is intrinsic to their personality.
Werewolves in general, in the world I've created, prefer structure. They really don't like it when things are left to chance or when there aren't obvious rules or guidelines. That's probably why they've created an entire governmental structure, complete with conferences and meetings to make sure things run smoothly.
And then please tell me about your favorite character, either that you've written or read, and what in particular made them your favorite.
My favorite romance character that I've written--who may very well be my favorite of all my characters regardless of genre--is definitely Kyle Slidell. He's such a wiseass, and he's incredibly fun to write. He's cynical and mouthy and he doesn't like to take orders, but he's also loyal and is devoted to his mate, even if he doesn't always act like it.
How did your Christmas story come to be? I saw Kris Jacen mentioning something about Christmas stories that MLR Press authors were doing. Somehow I hadn't gotten an invite to the MLR authors' group at that point, so I hadn't known anything about the Christmas story call, but I mentioned to Kris that I was considering writing a story about Kyle and Tobias's first Christmas together because I'd gotten such good feedback about Salad on the Side, the novel that introduced the characters. She told me to go for it, so I did.
Tofurkey and Yams Mlr Press
Karenna can be found TURNING PASSION INTO FOREVER at her website: http://karennacolcroft.com/
Go on. You know you wanna get you some...
Right, so I over booked...which just means you lovelies get more smexy goodness over at the Cave today! You get to double your pleasure today. I have a fun little interview with the AhMahZing Karenna Colcroft, and you best get comfy...cause once you read it, your gonna wanna get your hands on one or two of her books and laze the rest of the day away...
*can you hear me giggling?*
Okay.
Ready, steady, go-go-go, babies! Dive right into the opening pitch of our double header and see if you can catch everthing they are pitching (Vicktor and Karenna).
First up? Karenna Colcroft and her Vegetarian Werewolves
1) Why vegetarian werewolves?
Most of the werewolves are omnivores in human form and carnivores in wolf form, but Kyle Slidell was vegan before he was changed into a werewolf (in my novel Salad on the Side, which MLR Press released in June of this year). After he became a werewolf, he was just too stubborn to eat meat, even in wolf form. I used to teach special education and worked with a lot of boys who were very intelligent and very stubborn--even oppositional--but humorous and fun to work with, and I tend to have a soft spot for people like that and to create a lot of characters who fit that mold. Kyle's opposition to eating meat and refusal to follow the "rules" of being a werewolf were just plain fun to write.2) What inspired the decided difference in your werewolves?
Kyle remaining a vegan was inspired by a conversation with some other writing friends one day. A hetero werewolf romance had just been released (my apologies, I've forgotten the author's name) with a hero described as a "reformed vegan", meaning apparently that he'd been vegan until he was changed into a werewolf, and then had started eating meat because he'd had no choice.
One of my friends asked, "How could a werewolf be vegan anyway?" I was bored that day, so I quickly wrote a scene, 1000 words or so, with a man waking up in wolf form, having gone through his first shift when he was changed, and panicking because he's vegan and the people around him bring him meat. That man was Kyle, and that scene is mostly intact in Salad on the Side.3)What is your favorite thing about this time of year?
When it's over...Honestly, I'm a little Grinchy about Christmas, just like Tobias is in Tofurkey and Yams. I do like seeing how happy my younger daughter is about decorating the house, though; I've been letting her decorate for the past five years now because she does it better than I do! 4) Tell us a tidbit about your wolves that we may not know but that is characteristic of some thing that is intrinsic to their personality.
Werewolves in general, in the world I've created, prefer structure. They really don't like it when things are left to chance or when there aren't obvious rules or guidelines. That's probably why they've created an entire governmental structure, complete with conferences and meetings to make sure things run smoothly.
And then please tell me about your favorite character, either that you've written or read, and what in particular made them your favorite.
My favorite romance character that I've written--who may very well be my favorite of all my characters regardless of genre--is definitely Kyle Slidell. He's such a wiseass, and he's incredibly fun to write. He's cynical and mouthy and he doesn't like to take orders, but he's also loyal and is devoted to his mate, even if he doesn't always act like it.
How did your Christmas story come to be? I saw Kris Jacen mentioning something about Christmas stories that MLR Press authors were doing. Somehow I hadn't gotten an invite to the MLR authors' group at that point, so I hadn't known anything about the Christmas story call, but I mentioned to Kris that I was considering writing a story about Kyle and Tobias's first Christmas together because I'd gotten such good feedback about Salad on the Side, the novel that introduced the characters. She told me to go for it, so I did.
Tofurkey and Yams Mlr PressKarenna can be found TURNING PASSION INTO FOREVER at her website: http://karennacolcroft.com/
Go on. You know you wanna get you some...
Just Another Manic Monday
Today I am hosting a double-header.*Oi! Minds out of the gutter*. I said double, and while *I* think the interviews are penetrating, I said DOUBLE HEADER.
Sheesh.
FFS, hold on to your underpants. And watch the bloody vid while I work my behind the scenes magic to get your yummilicious slice of The Vickster aka Victor Alexander put up where you can get at it, and then let you have a turn checking out the wonderful worlds written by the incomparable Karenna Colcroft.
Yeah, and I've gotta move furniture too.
Tres manic, babies.
Heh.
Sheesh.
FFS, hold on to your underpants. And watch the bloody vid while I work my behind the scenes magic to get your yummilicious slice of The Vickster aka Victor Alexander put up where you can get at it, and then let you have a turn checking out the wonderful worlds written by the incomparable Karenna Colcroft.
Yeah, and I've gotta move furniture too.
Tres manic, babies.
Heh.
December 25, 2011
Have A Happy Merry!
Hey there Babies,
just dropping in to wish you a very Happy Merry. Whatever you celebrate during this holiday season, may your life be filled with love, friendship, and loving family--be they family of blood or adoption.
Muaaah!
Here's a little Christmas Candy I've been gifted with here and there over the past few days...just in case Santa missed stuffing your stocking.
*waggles eyebrows*
Enjoy.
just dropping in to wish you a very Happy Merry. Whatever you celebrate during this holiday season, may your life be filled with love, friendship, and loving family--be they family of blood or adoption.
Muaaah!
Here's a little Christmas Candy I've been gifted with here and there over the past few days...just in case Santa missed stuffing your stocking.
*waggles eyebrows*
Enjoy.
December 23, 2011
More AhMahZing Goodness from the Fabulous Daniel A. Kaine
Hold on to your underpants, babies.
Daniel A. Kaine has graced us with an excerpt.
Yeah, yeah, I'm shutting the hell up now and letting his characters speak for themselves.
*shivers in anticipation*
*********************************
When I awoke, I noticed Ash was up and nowhere to be seen. Only the faint glow of the street lamps illuminated the room. So much for a power nap, I thought. The sound of the door opening and closing caught my attention."Look who's finally up," Ash said. I sat up and wiped the gunk from the corners of my eyes. Ash was out of breath and I saw the sweat beading on his forehead. "I went for a jog to clear my head," he said. "You up for a bit of sparring? I need a chance to really vent."I was a little frustrated too after the day's events, so I nodded and we gathered up our things to head to the gym. There were only a few others using the facilities when we arrived. We secured our items in the locker room, and went out into the open hall. After doing some stretches and a couple of laps around the place, we grabbed some head guards from the storeroom. The sparring started off light, but we quickly got into it. Ash had been kick-boxing since he joined the academy. It had become more of a way to relieve stress than an actual hobby. My interest in the sport only begun after meeting Ash a little over a year ago. Since then, he had taught me everything he knew."That all you got?" he taunted me, dodging another blow to the head. I replied with a front kick, catching him off-guard. He let out a gratifying grunt. His feet continued to dance every which way, keeping me on my toes, but he was tiring. I could hear it in his shallow breaths, and see it in his sluggish movements. He was slowing down. I wasn't in much better condition. My heart beat against my rib cage, and sweat poured from my brow and everywhere else imaginable. Every muscle was beginning to ache, begging me to stop, but my first victory was just within reach. A little more and I would finally beat him.I willed myself to keep going, barely blocking the flurry of punches aimed at my head. I focused on his movements, biding my time as he wore himself down, and waiting for an opening. I blocked a kick to my side, and seeing my chance, lifted my right leg into a front kick. Ash moved back out of reach, as I hoped he would. At the last moment I faked out and moved into a roundhouse kick with my back leg, aiming for his unprotected flank.For a short while, time slowed almost to a halt. I could see him grinning as he dropped to the floor, his leg sweeping mine out from under me. Then I was falling and time resumed. I landed with a thud on the mats, gasping for breath as the wind was knocked out of me."Man, I'm exhausted." Ash was at my side, hunched over, fists resting on his knees as he caught his breath. He ripped the Velcro strap open and threw his head-guard to one side. As I lay there, all I could think of was how close I was to beating him. In the year we had been training together, I had never been as close as I was then. And I blew it. I gritted my teeth in frustration. Next time would be different."You ready to hit the showers?" Ash asked. He stood over me, one hand held out."Whatever," I grumbled as I reached out and was pulled to my feet.We made our way back to the locker room, discarding our protective gear into the basket on the way out. I decided not to shower at the gym, instead choosing to head back to the dorms for a real shower. I pulled on my jacket and gathered the rest of my belongings into my gym bag."I'm heading back for a long, hot shower," I called out over the noise of the running water."Okay, I'll see you back there."Outside was cold and pitch black, save for the soft glow emanating from the windows of the nearby buildings and an occasional street lamp. The sky was overcast, the moon hid behind a blanket of silver-lined clouds. I walked on autopilot, down the dimly lit short-cut to the dorms, planning the rest of my evening. I would shower, grab something to eat, and then settle down with a book until I felt ready to sleep.It was as I approached the end of the alleyway that a dark figure ran around the corner into me, dropping the papers he was carrying. He apologised and I mumbled under my breath that he should watch where he was going. Regardless, I bent down to help gather the loose sheets. A quick glance at one of the papers told me they were blood reports, most likely from the research department.The man was about my size, though better built. He wore a navy jacket, the hood pulled close around his head. Strands of what I could only describe as silver hair spilled out of the hood, falling over his downcast eyes. I handed him the few sheets I had collected and he thanked me, keeping his head down the whole time, as if trying to avoid eye contact. With that he raced off into the night, to complete whatever errand it was he was on. Strange guy, I thought. I shrugged it off and continued on my way.
Daniel A. Kaine has graced us with an excerpt.
Yeah, yeah, I'm shutting the hell up now and letting his characters speak for themselves.
*shivers in anticipation*
*********************************
When I awoke, I noticed Ash was up and nowhere to be seen. Only the faint glow of the street lamps illuminated the room. So much for a power nap, I thought. The sound of the door opening and closing caught my attention."Look who's finally up," Ash said. I sat up and wiped the gunk from the corners of my eyes. Ash was out of breath and I saw the sweat beading on his forehead. "I went for a jog to clear my head," he said. "You up for a bit of sparring? I need a chance to really vent."I was a little frustrated too after the day's events, so I nodded and we gathered up our things to head to the gym. There were only a few others using the facilities when we arrived. We secured our items in the locker room, and went out into the open hall. After doing some stretches and a couple of laps around the place, we grabbed some head guards from the storeroom. The sparring started off light, but we quickly got into it. Ash had been kick-boxing since he joined the academy. It had become more of a way to relieve stress than an actual hobby. My interest in the sport only begun after meeting Ash a little over a year ago. Since then, he had taught me everything he knew."That all you got?" he taunted me, dodging another blow to the head. I replied with a front kick, catching him off-guard. He let out a gratifying grunt. His feet continued to dance every which way, keeping me on my toes, but he was tiring. I could hear it in his shallow breaths, and see it in his sluggish movements. He was slowing down. I wasn't in much better condition. My heart beat against my rib cage, and sweat poured from my brow and everywhere else imaginable. Every muscle was beginning to ache, begging me to stop, but my first victory was just within reach. A little more and I would finally beat him.I willed myself to keep going, barely blocking the flurry of punches aimed at my head. I focused on his movements, biding my time as he wore himself down, and waiting for an opening. I blocked a kick to my side, and seeing my chance, lifted my right leg into a front kick. Ash moved back out of reach, as I hoped he would. At the last moment I faked out and moved into a roundhouse kick with my back leg, aiming for his unprotected flank.For a short while, time slowed almost to a halt. I could see him grinning as he dropped to the floor, his leg sweeping mine out from under me. Then I was falling and time resumed. I landed with a thud on the mats, gasping for breath as the wind was knocked out of me."Man, I'm exhausted." Ash was at my side, hunched over, fists resting on his knees as he caught his breath. He ripped the Velcro strap open and threw his head-guard to one side. As I lay there, all I could think of was how close I was to beating him. In the year we had been training together, I had never been as close as I was then. And I blew it. I gritted my teeth in frustration. Next time would be different."You ready to hit the showers?" Ash asked. He stood over me, one hand held out."Whatever," I grumbled as I reached out and was pulled to my feet.We made our way back to the locker room, discarding our protective gear into the basket on the way out. I decided not to shower at the gym, instead choosing to head back to the dorms for a real shower. I pulled on my jacket and gathered the rest of my belongings into my gym bag."I'm heading back for a long, hot shower," I called out over the noise of the running water."Okay, I'll see you back there."Outside was cold and pitch black, save for the soft glow emanating from the windows of the nearby buildings and an occasional street lamp. The sky was overcast, the moon hid behind a blanket of silver-lined clouds. I walked on autopilot, down the dimly lit short-cut to the dorms, planning the rest of my evening. I would shower, grab something to eat, and then settle down with a book until I felt ready to sleep.It was as I approached the end of the alleyway that a dark figure ran around the corner into me, dropping the papers he was carrying. He apologised and I mumbled under my breath that he should watch where he was going. Regardless, I bent down to help gather the loose sheets. A quick glance at one of the papers told me they were blood reports, most likely from the research department.The man was about my size, though better built. He wore a navy jacket, the hood pulled close around his head. Strands of what I could only describe as silver hair spilled out of the hood, falling over his downcast eyes. I handed him the few sheets I had collected and he thanked me, keeping his head down the whole time, as if trying to avoid eye contact. With that he raced off into the night, to complete whatever errand it was he was on. Strange guy, I thought. I shrugged it off and continued on my way.
Fabulous Friday with the AhMahZing Daniel Kaine
Okay, babies, here's the dealio...
Today I have the first installment of a series of interviews with hot new talent, Daniel Kaine, aka Dangelina and fiance of the BradVic.
*gives the you damn well better behave eye*
Remember, he's a bloody Brit. Ergo, his humor may not make sense to us damn Yanks.
If you're not sure, raise your hand and I'll have our resident Brit/Aussie translator team at your house in a trice.
No, really.
And I know it's a bloody long post, but he's so damn cute I couldn't help myself. Plus, just look at this cover...could you have said no?
I'll post up some excerpts --one from his currently released novel which is now available on ARe (<---click on the word to see it! ) and one a salacious tease from the sequel to Dawn of Darkness. And yes, this first in the Daeva series is Daniel's debut novel.
Don't miss this one kiddies. The boy is lava-lava burning hot, and his writing is damn good too.
*wicked grin*
***AhMahZing Interview***
Daniel, when did you first know you wanted to become a writer?
I guess if I had to pick a specific point in time it would be around the time I finished my first novel. I started coming up with ideas for sequels, and other stories. Before long I had so many ideas I didn't know what to do with them all. But I did know that I wanted to continue writing them, and after I received some great reviews from a few friends on the NaNoWriMo forums, I decided I wanted to share them with the world.
Why do you write?
Because I enjoy it. Because my mind is constantly supplying me with new ideas, and telling me that I absolutely HAVE to write them. I can't not write... I'd go crazy otherwise.
How long have you been writing? I started writing in 2008 with some Naruto x Sasuke fanfiction. I could never complete the story though. Then in January 2010 I started writing my first original piece of fiction and I've been writing (procrastinating mostly) ever since.
What keeps you motivated? Besides Vic offering me spankings and other surprises if I hit my target word counts? Oh, the promise of some smexy M/M scenes too – because inevitably nearly everything I write ends up with some hot mansex. Writing is a great excuse to just sit there and fantasise about hot guys, and to do research... lots and lots of research. You know, on possible positions and everything. Very easy to get distracted by research. And on a more serious note, hearing that people enjoyed my stories is a massive motivational boost.
*LOL at the Vic gifting Daniel with spankings*
Where do you write? Describe your writing space? Mostly I just write at home in the living room. It can be hard at times, with other conversations going on around me, and the TV playing too. And it can be difficult to write certain scenes with other people sitting close by. Good job I have the laptop to cover any tell-tale signs, which pop up quite a bit with all the research I'm doing. Vic does not help with that problem.
What's your writing schedule/routine?
I don't have one. I write when I feel like it, until I reach a block. Sometimes I'll write 3,000 words in a day, other times I won't write for a week. It just depends on circumstances... and the number of distractions.
*wanna bet by "distractions" he means Vic? --waggles eyebrows*
Where do the ideas for your novels come from?
The idea for my first book was inspired by the anime, '07-Ghost'. I don't cry... no, seriously, I don't cry. But the story of Teito and Mikage was possibly one of the most heart-wrenching things I had ever watched. It ALMOST had me in tears. But there was just one thing wrong with it. Wait, two... Teito and Mikage never had sex. Actually, there were never even in a relationship, although there was a total bromance going on. I wanted to change that, so I started writing my own story.
As for my other ideas, they just randomly pop into my head at the most inconvenient times. It could be a random thought I have while I'm walking home and have nowhere to write it down, or while I'm in the shower. Or just as I'm about to fall asleep and really don't want to get out of bed to write it down.
What genre/genres do you write in?
Mostly paranormal fantasy, but I also have some crime and high fantasy planned. Of course, nearly all the books I plan to write have at least some hot guys getting it on with each other.
*Oh goody. I loves the hot mansex happening in well crafted books*
Why/how did you choose the genre/genres you write in?
I've always loved paranormal fantasy, ever since I got hooked on the Anita Blake books. Ironically I went off them when they had more sex than anything else. In my defense, the main character was a woman, so that may explain it. I enjoy reading about monsters and magic, things that we don't see in our own world.
If you could try your hand at another genre without worrying about deadlines or what your editor thinks, or actually selling it, which would it be?
Science-fiction. I do have one half-formed idea that's an inter-galactic M/M story with lots of xenomorphic aliens that want to devour everything. Except Vic. Only I get to devour him *winks*
*Oh. Oh my. It's actually quite flustering when he winks. Er, what were we talking about?*
Do you plot out your stories before you write or do you just work it out as you go along?
When I start a book, I usually know the beginning and the end. I know what the major turning points of the book will be. As for the rest, I like to let the characters tell me how they're going to get there. That's probably why the book I'm currently writing has more sex scenes that I was planning on having. I blame the main character, of course – damn pervert.
How do you combat writer's block?
By not writing. I like to completely forget about writing. I might leave it for a few hours, or even a day or two. I get on with other things that need doing, like chores.
What's your stress release?
Hot water. A nice long bath or shower does wonders for me. I'm not sure what I do once the hot water hits me, but I can stay in a shower for half an hour and it will only feel like five minutes. Same with baths. I usually come out looking like a lobster with wrinkly toes and fingers.
And you can't beat a good orgasm for stress release. Vic's very helpful in that department. He knows a lot of ways to relax. Oh, and he owes me a back massage as well.
*Vicktor...oh, Vicktor! Did you hear that?*
What's the most difficult part of the writing process for you?
Doing line edits. I do the majority of my editing myself, and I hate it. But I'd rather do it myself. I'm not going to pay someone to do something that I can very easily do myself. What makes it difficult is the repetitiveness and the amount of time involved. By the time I get to the third read-through, I feel like wanting to violently murder someone... or have several hot baths, with bubbles of course.
What's the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Sex scenes. I just need to sit back and let my perverted imagination take over and then the words (and other things) start flowing. I'll usually play out a sex scene in my mind a couple of times, and making myself quite horny in the process. Oh, and let's not forget the research. I enjoy doing research, and as a result, I enjoy writing sex scenes. I think that's what makes them easy for me, because I enjoy writing them.
Is your family supportive or do you find you have to steal your writing time? Come on now, be honest…
I usually have to steal my writing time. I don't really talk to my family about much, and definitely not my writing. Sorry Mom, but you are NOT reading my sex scenes. You hear me? *hugs laptops close to him*
Who gets to see your manuscripts first?
My main beta-reader is Patricia Lynne, author of 'Being Human' and avid Mik-fangirl. Can't blame her... Mik is hot. Vic agrees too. I have a few other beta-readers who get to view my manuscripts too. They usually won't see it until the end of the second draft though.
How much input does your editor have for what your next project will be?
None, because I don't have one. This is where the self-published authors jump on me for 'giving indie authors a bad name', and the traditionally published authors try to use me as an example for why they're better than the indies. Hate to disappoint you guys, but I've had no complaints about editing issues. Self-editing isn't for everyone, but if you can pull it off I say, why not?
Rejection – how do you deal with it?
Chocolate. Hot baths. More chocolate. Porn... hey, it's what the internet was made for!
What was the greatest thing someone has said about your writing (can be from a reader, editor, reviewer, etc)
All the reviews I've had so far have been great. It's hard to pick out just one thing as greater than the rest. I'm gonna go with this one though: "starting it before bed may be hazardous to your mental health and your sleeping pattern." This was from the first review I got from a paying customer, so it was extra special to me.
This one made me laugh though, " Which one of your heroes is your favorite and why? Don't forget to tell us what book/books he's from.
Oh god... I don't know which one to pick. On the one hand we've got Mik, the snarky, introverted one. On the other hand, there's Ash, the extroverted, cocky, flirty one. I love them both, and I don't think I could choose just one because they're both just so great together. Oh, and they're from my first book 'Dawn of Darkness'.
What's the worst story you have about a book signing?
The one where I haven't had one yet.
*making shocked face that no one has offered the wonderous Daniel a signing...*
What's the most exciting thing that's happened to you as a writer?
Receiving my first reviews. I think I actually held my breath while reading them. And then when I was done, I jumped up and did a little fistpump. Okay, not really... but I did imagine myself doing it.
What do you remember about your first crush?
Bastard.
Any pets?
Two dogs. I've also had five guinea pigs, three other dogs, a rabbit, two rats, several hamsters, and eight fish. I plan on getting another rat because they're just so cute and cuddly and smart, even though Vic disagrees. I'm sure I can persuade him to let me have a guinea pig too. I think the ferret and iguana are gonna be a little more difficult to get permission for though.
What do you love to read?
Mostly paranormal/supernatural books.
Which authors are a must buy for you?
Jeff Lindsay. I love the Dexter series. LOVE them! Charlaine Harris for my paranormal fix. Heidi Cullinan for hot mansex.
What are you reading now?
Currently reading the 'Sword of Shannara' trilogy.
***********
General Links to Daniel's Stuff:
Where to get the Goods
Amazon
Website
Goodreads Author page
Createspace (for the paperback)
Smashwords
Allromaceebooks
*gives the you damn well better behave eye*
Remember, he's a bloody Brit. Ergo, his humor may not make sense to us damn Yanks.
If you're not sure, raise your hand and I'll have our resident Brit/Aussie translator team at your house in a trice.
No, really.
And I know it's a bloody long post, but he's so damn cute I couldn't help myself. Plus, just look at this cover...could you have said no?
I'll post up some excerpts --one from his currently released novel which is now available on ARe (<---click on the word to see it! ) and one a salacious tease from the sequel to Dawn of Darkness. And yes, this first in the Daeva series is Daniel's debut novel.
Don't miss this one kiddies. The boy is lava-lava burning hot, and his writing is damn good too.
*wicked grin*
***AhMahZing Interview***
Daniel, when did you first know you wanted to become a writer?
I guess if I had to pick a specific point in time it would be around the time I finished my first novel. I started coming up with ideas for sequels, and other stories. Before long I had so many ideas I didn't know what to do with them all. But I did know that I wanted to continue writing them, and after I received some great reviews from a few friends on the NaNoWriMo forums, I decided I wanted to share them with the world.
Why do you write?
Because I enjoy it. Because my mind is constantly supplying me with new ideas, and telling me that I absolutely HAVE to write them. I can't not write... I'd go crazy otherwise.
How long have you been writing? I started writing in 2008 with some Naruto x Sasuke fanfiction. I could never complete the story though. Then in January 2010 I started writing my first original piece of fiction and I've been writing (procrastinating mostly) ever since.
What keeps you motivated? Besides Vic offering me spankings and other surprises if I hit my target word counts? Oh, the promise of some smexy M/M scenes too – because inevitably nearly everything I write ends up with some hot mansex. Writing is a great excuse to just sit there and fantasise about hot guys, and to do research... lots and lots of research. You know, on possible positions and everything. Very easy to get distracted by research. And on a more serious note, hearing that people enjoyed my stories is a massive motivational boost.
*LOL at the Vic gifting Daniel with spankings*
Where do you write? Describe your writing space? Mostly I just write at home in the living room. It can be hard at times, with other conversations going on around me, and the TV playing too. And it can be difficult to write certain scenes with other people sitting close by. Good job I have the laptop to cover any tell-tale signs, which pop up quite a bit with all the research I'm doing. Vic does not help with that problem.
What's your writing schedule/routine?
I don't have one. I write when I feel like it, until I reach a block. Sometimes I'll write 3,000 words in a day, other times I won't write for a week. It just depends on circumstances... and the number of distractions.
*wanna bet by "distractions" he means Vic? --waggles eyebrows*
Where do the ideas for your novels come from?
The idea for my first book was inspired by the anime, '07-Ghost'. I don't cry... no, seriously, I don't cry. But the story of Teito and Mikage was possibly one of the most heart-wrenching things I had ever watched. It ALMOST had me in tears. But there was just one thing wrong with it. Wait, two... Teito and Mikage never had sex. Actually, there were never even in a relationship, although there was a total bromance going on. I wanted to change that, so I started writing my own story.
As for my other ideas, they just randomly pop into my head at the most inconvenient times. It could be a random thought I have while I'm walking home and have nowhere to write it down, or while I'm in the shower. Or just as I'm about to fall asleep and really don't want to get out of bed to write it down.
What genre/genres do you write in?
Mostly paranormal fantasy, but I also have some crime and high fantasy planned. Of course, nearly all the books I plan to write have at least some hot guys getting it on with each other.
*Oh goody. I loves the hot mansex happening in well crafted books*
Why/how did you choose the genre/genres you write in?
I've always loved paranormal fantasy, ever since I got hooked on the Anita Blake books. Ironically I went off them when they had more sex than anything else. In my defense, the main character was a woman, so that may explain it. I enjoy reading about monsters and magic, things that we don't see in our own world.
If you could try your hand at another genre without worrying about deadlines or what your editor thinks, or actually selling it, which would it be?
Science-fiction. I do have one half-formed idea that's an inter-galactic M/M story with lots of xenomorphic aliens that want to devour everything. Except Vic. Only I get to devour him *winks*
*Oh. Oh my. It's actually quite flustering when he winks. Er, what were we talking about?*
Do you plot out your stories before you write or do you just work it out as you go along?
When I start a book, I usually know the beginning and the end. I know what the major turning points of the book will be. As for the rest, I like to let the characters tell me how they're going to get there. That's probably why the book I'm currently writing has more sex scenes that I was planning on having. I blame the main character, of course – damn pervert.
How do you combat writer's block?
By not writing. I like to completely forget about writing. I might leave it for a few hours, or even a day or two. I get on with other things that need doing, like chores.
What's your stress release?
Hot water. A nice long bath or shower does wonders for me. I'm not sure what I do once the hot water hits me, but I can stay in a shower for half an hour and it will only feel like five minutes. Same with baths. I usually come out looking like a lobster with wrinkly toes and fingers.
And you can't beat a good orgasm for stress release. Vic's very helpful in that department. He knows a lot of ways to relax. Oh, and he owes me a back massage as well.
*Vicktor...oh, Vicktor! Did you hear that?*
What's the most difficult part of the writing process for you?
Doing line edits. I do the majority of my editing myself, and I hate it. But I'd rather do it myself. I'm not going to pay someone to do something that I can very easily do myself. What makes it difficult is the repetitiveness and the amount of time involved. By the time I get to the third read-through, I feel like wanting to violently murder someone... or have several hot baths, with bubbles of course.
What's the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Sex scenes. I just need to sit back and let my perverted imagination take over and then the words (and other things) start flowing. I'll usually play out a sex scene in my mind a couple of times, and making myself quite horny in the process. Oh, and let's not forget the research. I enjoy doing research, and as a result, I enjoy writing sex scenes. I think that's what makes them easy for me, because I enjoy writing them.
Is your family supportive or do you find you have to steal your writing time? Come on now, be honest…
I usually have to steal my writing time. I don't really talk to my family about much, and definitely not my writing. Sorry Mom, but you are NOT reading my sex scenes. You hear me? *hugs laptops close to him*
Who gets to see your manuscripts first?
My main beta-reader is Patricia Lynne, author of 'Being Human' and avid Mik-fangirl. Can't blame her... Mik is hot. Vic agrees too. I have a few other beta-readers who get to view my manuscripts too. They usually won't see it until the end of the second draft though.
How much input does your editor have for what your next project will be?
None, because I don't have one. This is where the self-published authors jump on me for 'giving indie authors a bad name', and the traditionally published authors try to use me as an example for why they're better than the indies. Hate to disappoint you guys, but I've had no complaints about editing issues. Self-editing isn't for everyone, but if you can pull it off I say, why not?
Rejection – how do you deal with it?
Chocolate. Hot baths. More chocolate. Porn... hey, it's what the internet was made for!
What was the greatest thing someone has said about your writing (can be from a reader, editor, reviewer, etc)
All the reviews I've had so far have been great. It's hard to pick out just one thing as greater than the rest. I'm gonna go with this one though: "starting it before bed may be hazardous to your mental health and your sleeping pattern." This was from the first review I got from a paying customer, so it was extra special to me.
This one made me laugh though, " Which one of your heroes is your favorite and why? Don't forget to tell us what book/books he's from.
Oh god... I don't know which one to pick. On the one hand we've got Mik, the snarky, introverted one. On the other hand, there's Ash, the extroverted, cocky, flirty one. I love them both, and I don't think I could choose just one because they're both just so great together. Oh, and they're from my first book 'Dawn of Darkness'.
What's the worst story you have about a book signing?
The one where I haven't had one yet.
*making shocked face that no one has offered the wonderous Daniel a signing...*
What's the most exciting thing that's happened to you as a writer?
Receiving my first reviews. I think I actually held my breath while reading them. And then when I was done, I jumped up and did a little fistpump. Okay, not really... but I did imagine myself doing it.
What do you remember about your first crush?
Bastard.
Any pets?
Two dogs. I've also had five guinea pigs, three other dogs, a rabbit, two rats, several hamsters, and eight fish. I plan on getting another rat because they're just so cute and cuddly and smart, even though Vic disagrees. I'm sure I can persuade him to let me have a guinea pig too. I think the ferret and iguana are gonna be a little more difficult to get permission for though.
What do you love to read?
Mostly paranormal/supernatural books.
Which authors are a must buy for you?
Jeff Lindsay. I love the Dexter series. LOVE them! Charlaine Harris for my paranormal fix. Heidi Cullinan for hot mansex.
What are you reading now?
Currently reading the 'Sword of Shannara' trilogy.
***********
General Links to Daniel's Stuff:
Where to get the Goods
Amazon
Website
Goodreads Author page
Createspace (for the paperback)
Smashwords
Allromaceebooks
December 21, 2011
Amy Lane's Christmas Blues: yeah baby, blow that horn, light the lights, ring the bell...
Christmas Blues, Silvers, Reds, and Greens
So my house looks like crap. I say that a lot, and people imagine a pleasantly cluttered artist's space and look at me indulgently like, "Of course it does, silly woman. That's the price you pay!"
No. Seriously. I don't have enough stuff to go on hoarders, and we manage to keep our eating spaces relatively clean, and sometimes we clean the bathrooms, but seriously? The kids don't invite people over unless those people have been warned, the kids have vetted the prospective visitor's own home, and I myself have somehow indebted the kid by taking him to the movies and glutting him with popcorn while my own children ply him with slushies in order to keep said visiting child from disliking us upon sight of the Lane Family Crapmansion, because we all know it's possible.
So in order to decorate this year, we had to clean the house. First we had to excavate the little kids' room, then we had to excavate the living room from all the crap that we moved out of the little kids' room. The living room was unwalkable for a week—we had to move shit to the corner to see the television—and generally?
We were about to become a reality television show, just Mate and me, buried up to our armpits in old Legos and stuffed animals, looking at each other in complete bemusement saying, "Where in the hell did all this crap come from?" while the kids wailed, "NO, YOU CAN'T THROW THAT AWAY, I MIGHT PLAY WITH IT SOME YEAR!!!"
But we did it. We got it all cleaned and sent craploads of stuff to the Goodwill and the kids now have a place to play and we have…
A place to put the tree. Yes. We did all that so we could put our Christmas tree somewhere.
Because it's important. It's important that we take a moment to celebrate, to light up our world, to give each other gifts. It's important to watch Zoomboy labor over a model of Santa's Little Sweatshop, er, Ski Lodge, and to steal our kids' letters to Santa to see if we can make their dreams come true. (We can—imagine our surprise when we actually FOUND Air Swimmers in Toys R US--- woo-hoo!) It's important to sing songs, to gather warmly, to have a time in the year when you can anticipate seeing family and doing for them the things you can only think wistfully on during the rest of the year.
It just is.
So, when I wrote The Winter Courtship Rituals of Fur Bearing Critters, I had this sense of "doing" for the people we love. I do this. I make people things, when I first get attached. Of course, a person can only use so many hats or pairs of hand-knit socks, and then they just generally have to rely on my otherwise poor sense of gift giving for the rest of our acquaintanceship, but in the beginning, I like to demonstrate my love and high esteem. I MAKE them things. That's the essence of Rance in this story. He really has one means of communication—and that's actual, concrete actions. It's the only thing he has to offer Ben, and because Ben has a warm and generous heart, he sees that it's the perfect thing to look for in a mate. It's a very visceral thing—and it's one of the things that knitting means to me personally, and that's what I think gives this story so much heart.
Puppy, Car, and Snow, is sort of a different short Christmas story. Scotty and Ryan are an established couple—they know each other's families, they are entwined in each other's lives—and that brings about it's own sense of complications. Ryan's mom is sort of a dragon lady—"If Passive met Aggressive, had a child and groomed her for prep school, that child still would not have met Taylor Connors' approval." Scotty doesn't meet her approval either. This is a subtler story in some ways—every family has its uncomfortable dynamics. We all have the family member who makes us grit our teeth, and we've all had experiences of trying to meet our parents' approval. I know that before my parents got to know my beloved Mate, they were absolutely certain he was not the right guy for me. Of course, twenty-five years after I first brought him home to help me study for my homework (he thought) they now love him more than they love me—and I'm thrilled. But there were some sticky moments there when staying in the kitchen with my step-mom was tantamount to throwing myself on the disapproval grenade to save him. (Now it's throwing myself on the disapproval grenade as a simple act of martyrdom for myself, but he's out in the garage, swapping stories with my dad, so it's okay.) The thing is, that even with this uncomfortable dynamic, very few families actually amputate members from their core—usually they simply exist together in an uncomfortable gathering of mismatched personalities and try not to whump into each other as they struggle clumsily to work as a whole, functioning body. Families are stuck with each other—and sometimes the joy of a day like Christmas is that a family can turn that into a blessing instead of a curse.
So I love Christmas. I love the movies, I love the music. I love watching my children get excited and decorating the house and spoiling them rotten. I love watching my daughter cook and making people fun things and wrapping presents. I love celebrating my family with all of their foibles, and doing for them when usually they can do nicely for themselves. I think that's why (so far!) I have such happy Christmas stories. There are times when my angst prefers to sit back, drink a glass of eggnog, and take a nap, letting my joy party on.
Can be found HERE
Can be found HERE
**********************************
'Kay. If you know the Soooper Sekrit password...Then tell it in the comment section, and you may get an extra chance to win one of Amy's amazing books. Just do it. Dooooo eeeeett! You know you wanna. And for fuck's sake, leave me an email addy so if you win I can give the addy to Amy and she can send you a freaking book!!
So my house looks like crap. I say that a lot, and people imagine a pleasantly cluttered artist's space and look at me indulgently like, "Of course it does, silly woman. That's the price you pay!"
No. Seriously. I don't have enough stuff to go on hoarders, and we manage to keep our eating spaces relatively clean, and sometimes we clean the bathrooms, but seriously? The kids don't invite people over unless those people have been warned, the kids have vetted the prospective visitor's own home, and I myself have somehow indebted the kid by taking him to the movies and glutting him with popcorn while my own children ply him with slushies in order to keep said visiting child from disliking us upon sight of the Lane Family Crapmansion, because we all know it's possible.
So in order to decorate this year, we had to clean the house. First we had to excavate the little kids' room, then we had to excavate the living room from all the crap that we moved out of the little kids' room. The living room was unwalkable for a week—we had to move shit to the corner to see the television—and generally?
We were about to become a reality television show, just Mate and me, buried up to our armpits in old Legos and stuffed animals, looking at each other in complete bemusement saying, "Where in the hell did all this crap come from?" while the kids wailed, "NO, YOU CAN'T THROW THAT AWAY, I MIGHT PLAY WITH IT SOME YEAR!!!"
But we did it. We got it all cleaned and sent craploads of stuff to the Goodwill and the kids now have a place to play and we have…
A place to put the tree. Yes. We did all that so we could put our Christmas tree somewhere.
Because it's important. It's important that we take a moment to celebrate, to light up our world, to give each other gifts. It's important to watch Zoomboy labor over a model of Santa's Little Sweatshop, er, Ski Lodge, and to steal our kids' letters to Santa to see if we can make their dreams come true. (We can—imagine our surprise when we actually FOUND Air Swimmers in Toys R US--- woo-hoo!) It's important to sing songs, to gather warmly, to have a time in the year when you can anticipate seeing family and doing for them the things you can only think wistfully on during the rest of the year.
It just is.
So, when I wrote The Winter Courtship Rituals of Fur Bearing Critters, I had this sense of "doing" for the people we love. I do this. I make people things, when I first get attached. Of course, a person can only use so many hats or pairs of hand-knit socks, and then they just generally have to rely on my otherwise poor sense of gift giving for the rest of our acquaintanceship, but in the beginning, I like to demonstrate my love and high esteem. I MAKE them things. That's the essence of Rance in this story. He really has one means of communication—and that's actual, concrete actions. It's the only thing he has to offer Ben, and because Ben has a warm and generous heart, he sees that it's the perfect thing to look for in a mate. It's a very visceral thing—and it's one of the things that knitting means to me personally, and that's what I think gives this story so much heart.
Puppy, Car, and Snow, is sort of a different short Christmas story. Scotty and Ryan are an established couple—they know each other's families, they are entwined in each other's lives—and that brings about it's own sense of complications. Ryan's mom is sort of a dragon lady—"If Passive met Aggressive, had a child and groomed her for prep school, that child still would not have met Taylor Connors' approval." Scotty doesn't meet her approval either. This is a subtler story in some ways—every family has its uncomfortable dynamics. We all have the family member who makes us grit our teeth, and we've all had experiences of trying to meet our parents' approval. I know that before my parents got to know my beloved Mate, they were absolutely certain he was not the right guy for me. Of course, twenty-five years after I first brought him home to help me study for my homework (he thought) they now love him more than they love me—and I'm thrilled. But there were some sticky moments there when staying in the kitchen with my step-mom was tantamount to throwing myself on the disapproval grenade to save him. (Now it's throwing myself on the disapproval grenade as a simple act of martyrdom for myself, but he's out in the garage, swapping stories with my dad, so it's okay.) The thing is, that even with this uncomfortable dynamic, very few families actually amputate members from their core—usually they simply exist together in an uncomfortable gathering of mismatched personalities and try not to whump into each other as they struggle clumsily to work as a whole, functioning body. Families are stuck with each other—and sometimes the joy of a day like Christmas is that a family can turn that into a blessing instead of a curse.
So I love Christmas. I love the movies, I love the music. I love watching my children get excited and decorating the house and spoiling them rotten. I love watching my daughter cook and making people fun things and wrapping presents. I love celebrating my family with all of their foibles, and doing for them when usually they can do nicely for themselves. I think that's why (so far!) I have such happy Christmas stories. There are times when my angst prefers to sit back, drink a glass of eggnog, and take a nap, letting my joy party on.
Can be found HERE
Can be found HERE
**********************************
'Kay. If you know the Soooper Sekrit password...Then tell it in the comment section, and you may get an extra chance to win one of Amy's amazing books. Just do it. Dooooo eeeeett! You know you wanna. And for fuck's sake, leave me an email addy so if you win I can give the addy to Amy and she can send you a freaking book!!
December 20, 2011
A Charlie Cochrane Christmas : Getting What You Will
Okay, so the name Charlie Cochrane is synonomus with good reading material. We get that. What you may not know though is that today is the day you can get your hot little hands on the latest by the uber-talented CC...
What You Will
is hot off the presses at ManLoveRomance, and you can get your grubby mitts on it right freaking now.
O.O
*I know, Snoopy Dancing all around*
I sweet talked Charlie into coming over and giving us a little insight into what Christmas means in the Cochrane household, and a teensy taste of what we might find in store between the covers of What You Will.
Are you ready?
Heeeeeeeeeeeeres<------(a la Tonight Show mc...) Charlie!!!
Charlie, what do you love best about this time of year?
Everything. I'm like the worst sort of overexcited child. The Cochrane household is already full of: presents bought, wrapped and hidden away; cards written and ready to post; Christmas songs being sung by me and youngest daughter at annoyingly loud volume.
Specific events I'm looking forward to are the Christmas lights going on in our local town Romsey and then the late night shopping event there, which has lots of wonderful events happening. Can you imagine drinking mulled wine while sitting in a 13th century hunting lodge and listening to madrigals? Magic. www.charliecochrane.co.uk
What inspired your new story?
Shakespeare. I love his plays but I've always wanted to know what was going on in his life around the time he wrote both the early sonnets and the gender-bending plays such as As You Like It. Yes, I know he must have written about girls dressing as boys as his women were played by boys so it made good use of the raw material (and the epilogue to As You Like It is only funny if spoken by a boy playing Rosalind) but I'm convinced there's more going on there.
When we went to see Twelfth Night (with Patrick Stewart as an amazing Malvolio) I kept wondering about the true relationship between Antonio the sea captain and Sebastian. It's been nagging me ever since and had to be written one day. Where the Steampunk element came from is a whole other matter!
Have you got any funny tales from the holiday season you'd like to share?
Christmas is always amusing in our house and there are lots of family stories to share, like the year my mother-in-law had to hide the gin bottle because of overindulgence by all present at on New Year's eve. And then she couldn't find it the next day!
The younger Cochranes have been known to eat so much at Christmas dinner that they have to lie down on the floor before they can even face pudding. And to have had a touch too much to tipple; once we made them get up from the table and prove they could walk a straight line along the edge of the rug. Waviest straight lines I've ever seen…
*********************************
Alright, 'nuf said, right? Did I not warn you that Charlie is not to be missed?
Just do eeeeet.
Get you some bay-bee!
My story: What you Will
Blurb: They say there's no fool like an old fool. Antonio didn't count himself as old but he was more fool than any man ought to be who's flown around the world and back again so often he might as well have just been going from Deptford to Dartford. There was a lad involved. There's always a lad in the tale, for such as him.
Website: www.charliecochrane.co.uk
Blog: http://charliecochrane.livejournal.com
And was there a happy ending? Now that depends on whether you believe what a certain playwright wrote, or whether you want the real story.
O.O
*I know, Snoopy Dancing all around*
I sweet talked Charlie into coming over and giving us a little insight into what Christmas means in the Cochrane household, and a teensy taste of what we might find in store between the covers of What You Will.
Are you ready?
Heeeeeeeeeeeeres<------(a la Tonight Show mc...) Charlie!!!
Charlie, what do you love best about this time of year?
Everything. I'm like the worst sort of overexcited child. The Cochrane household is already full of: presents bought, wrapped and hidden away; cards written and ready to post; Christmas songs being sung by me and youngest daughter at annoyingly loud volume.
Specific events I'm looking forward to are the Christmas lights going on in our local town Romsey and then the late night shopping event there, which has lots of wonderful events happening. Can you imagine drinking mulled wine while sitting in a 13th century hunting lodge and listening to madrigals? Magic. www.charliecochrane.co.uk
What inspired your new story?
Shakespeare. I love his plays but I've always wanted to know what was going on in his life around the time he wrote both the early sonnets and the gender-bending plays such as As You Like It. Yes, I know he must have written about girls dressing as boys as his women were played by boys so it made good use of the raw material (and the epilogue to As You Like It is only funny if spoken by a boy playing Rosalind) but I'm convinced there's more going on there.
When we went to see Twelfth Night (with Patrick Stewart as an amazing Malvolio) I kept wondering about the true relationship between Antonio the sea captain and Sebastian. It's been nagging me ever since and had to be written one day. Where the Steampunk element came from is a whole other matter!
Have you got any funny tales from the holiday season you'd like to share?
Christmas is always amusing in our house and there are lots of family stories to share, like the year my mother-in-law had to hide the gin bottle because of overindulgence by all present at on New Year's eve. And then she couldn't find it the next day!
The younger Cochranes have been known to eat so much at Christmas dinner that they have to lie down on the floor before they can even face pudding. And to have had a touch too much to tipple; once we made them get up from the table and prove they could walk a straight line along the edge of the rug. Waviest straight lines I've ever seen…
*********************************
Alright, 'nuf said, right? Did I not warn you that Charlie is not to be missed?
Just do eeeeet.
Get you some bay-bee!
My story: What you Will
Blurb: They say there's no fool like an old fool. Antonio didn't count himself as old but he was more fool than any man ought to be who's flown around the world and back again so often he might as well have just been going from Deptford to Dartford. There was a lad involved. There's always a lad in the tale, for such as him.
Website: www.charliecochrane.co.uk
Blog: http://charliecochrane.livejournal.com
And was there a happy ending? Now that depends on whether you believe what a certain playwright wrote, or whether you want the real story.
December 12, 2011
Manic Monday yet again
Hey there my lovelies,
I'm back with another installment of Manic Monday. And yes, the mania is in full effect. I have a book releasing today (did the e-release party on Saturday--when I had another Christmas story releasing O.O yes, two in less than a week...) you can find my two new books at the following locales...
Christmas Rum Balls is out at Silver Publishing...and the cover, by the amazing Reese Dante couldn't be more scrumptious, nor a better likeness of one of the main characters...can you guess which one?
Cuddle Time Chicken Soup released today (sounds of the hallelujah chorus being sung by the world's most talented choir) by MLR Press. Yes, yes, more of that uber-smexy duo, Christie and Robert from The Soldier and the State Trooper. I know. Merry fucking Christmas to you too.
Okay, on with the mania. I'm being hosted over at Charlie (the fabulous) Cochrane's blog today. Yee-haw babies. Freaking Charlie Cochrane ---->sings this part---->The Amazing!! Is hosting me. I has arrived. Woo -hoo.
More mania for the week. I am co-writing a Hanukkah story with the amazing Vicktor Alexander. Yes, the same Vicktor Alexander who wrote Unthinkable and Inconceivable the first two books of The Tate Pack Series...yeah baby, werewolves, cross-dressers, cowboys and dancers, oh my!!
Heh.
You know you wanna get some.
So, we've teamed up and we are planning on dropping a hot little Hanukkah piece by the 20th of this month....I'll let you know where and when. And *keep your fingers crossed* we may even sweet talk the incomparable LC Chase into gracing us with a custom cover.
Other than that? You know. Normal life stuff. Building a menorah for the Vic. Building (finally) the storage unit so he has someplace to store his shite besides in his suitcases ...it seems like every time we set time aside I get sick or he gets injured.
Pfft.
Yeah, there's a ton more stuff, but I haven't time to write it all down as I must get to writing. But stay tuned for some awesome-sauce covered guest bloggers this month. *waggles eyebrows*
I'm back with another installment of Manic Monday. And yes, the mania is in full effect. I have a book releasing today (did the e-release party on Saturday--when I had another Christmas story releasing O.O yes, two in less than a week...) you can find my two new books at the following locales...
Christmas Rum Balls is out at Silver Publishing...and the cover, by the amazing Reese Dante couldn't be more scrumptious, nor a better likeness of one of the main characters...can you guess which one?
Cuddle Time Chicken Soup released today (sounds of the hallelujah chorus being sung by the world's most talented choir) by MLR Press. Yes, yes, more of that uber-smexy duo, Christie and Robert from The Soldier and the State Trooper. I know. Merry fucking Christmas to you too.
Okay, on with the mania. I'm being hosted over at Charlie (the fabulous) Cochrane's blog today. Yee-haw babies. Freaking Charlie Cochrane ---->sings this part---->The Amazing!! Is hosting me. I has arrived. Woo -hoo.
More mania for the week. I am co-writing a Hanukkah story with the amazing Vicktor Alexander. Yes, the same Vicktor Alexander who wrote Unthinkable and Inconceivable the first two books of The Tate Pack Series...yeah baby, werewolves, cross-dressers, cowboys and dancers, oh my!!
Heh.
You know you wanna get some.
So, we've teamed up and we are planning on dropping a hot little Hanukkah piece by the 20th of this month....I'll let you know where and when. And *keep your fingers crossed* we may even sweet talk the incomparable LC Chase into gracing us with a custom cover.
Other than that? You know. Normal life stuff. Building a menorah for the Vic. Building (finally) the storage unit so he has someplace to store his shite besides in his suitcases ...it seems like every time we set time aside I get sick or he gets injured.
Pfft.
Yeah, there's a ton more stuff, but I haven't time to write it all down as I must get to writing. But stay tuned for some awesome-sauce covered guest bloggers this month. *waggles eyebrows*
December 11, 2011
A Holiday Treat from Matthew Lang
Today, it's my great pleasure to host the magnificent Matthew Lang here at the Writing Cave. For those of you who haven't heard of Matthew...well, you are in for one heck of a treat. I'm just gonna pipe down, and let Matthew speak for himself. Heh. You'll be glad that I did!
Matthew Lang's Awesome Interview
1)Matthew...can you give me an idea of what the holiday means to you personally? And how does that factor into your Christmas story?I'm not really big on Christmas. I think it's become more about shopping and commercialism than about being thankful for what you have and enjoying your life. Admittedly, my family have never been huge on it, and those were the subjects that came out when I wrote about Christmas in The Secret of Talmor Manor.But I think there's a lot to be said for Christmas as a time of celebrating life and what makes your life special, and for me that was what Christmas Memories is all about as a book, but also, that Christmas (Hannukah or non-denominational seasonal holiday of choice) memories are really what the season should be about.
2)If there were one gift, aside from your writing that you could give to the world at large, what would it be?Peace on earth and goodwill towards all? Or maybe a fully functioning integrated global platform for the reduction of our carbon emissions below 1990 levels that would be implemented around the world irrespective of whether governments liked it or not.
3) How/When/Where does inspiration strike you?
Surely a better question for me would be where doesn't inspiration strike? Usually at the most inopportune time when I don't have any way to record it. 2AM in the morning if I'm up that late typically.
4) Describe the experience of writing a winter holiday story during the summer...or wait, it's the opposite for you isn't it? A summer holiday during the winter.
Honestly, I think it was just like writing anything else. I'd spent a week in Hong Kong just before I wrote it though, which is where the Japanese watermelon dessert came from--there's a fantastic little place in Tin Hau on Hong Kong island--so that helped. Really, I think it's easier putting yourself into the holiday mindset than it is to write about walking across the surface of a tidally locked planet. If nothing else, you at least have actual first hand knowledge of what the holiday season is like.
5)Tell me how your stories happen. Do you plot them out, etching the bones of the story first and then later fleshing it out? Do you wake with a story full blown in your head and then fush to get it down before you forget? Do you listen to the voices of your characters, no more knowledgeable of the story's conclusion that any other reader until the tale is fully told?
I'm a plotter rather than a pantser. I tend to say, "What is this story about?", and , "Who is it for?", and, "What do I need in the story to make it work?", Once I've nutted that out I find it much easier to get the story working. I often think that I have a full blown story, but there are always holes--usually the the identity of the antagonist or the identity of the *actual* antagonist, or that little section between the middle and the end of the novel that I haven't quite foreseen. That's when things get hard. I'm also fairly vicious when it comes to making the stories work. I've dumped whole drafts because they haven't been exciting enough. I know you can often get away with slice of life stories, but the risk I find in slice of life is that the story starts reading like a diary...'and then we went to the fair and, and then we has sex, and then we told each other how much we loved each other, and then we went home and threw a party'...I don't know. I like my stories to have some tension, something at stake, something to learn. Maybe it's my theatre training showing, but on stage, if there's no tension or nothing forwarding the narrative at any given point, you end up with 'dead' time where the audience can tune out. I know books can be put down, and often are, but I want my readers to not be able to put the book down. Or at least wish the didn't have to.
6) Why do you write? Give me both the long and short of it.
Because I have no other marketable skills that I'm willing to use in a career? Seriously, I decided early on that if I was going to be famous, I wanted the famous where I could walk down the street without the paparazzi swarming around me. Now, I'm certainly not famous, but that's probably one of the reasons I decided to write--also because breaking into acting as an Asian man would have been very difficult. I still find the television and film industries to be very Anglocentric when it comes to characters and casting. Also, I've always been attracted to fantasy, and that's something where the biggest market is in books and games--let's face it, the amount of special effects needed for a fantasy film means that the good ones are few and far between. They're also very heteronormative, with the majority of heroes being straight and male. The traditional quest is, after all, kill dragon, rescue princess, marry princess and rule the kingdom (or half of it at least). And I found that a lot of writing featured characters I just stopped relating to. The thing I realized, is that I can either whine about stories about people like me not getting told, or I can tell them myself. And that's what I'm trying to do. Of course, I've found a lot of other great writing since I've started, and it's nice to know that there's more to be read now that I know where to find it!
7) Why this story? What did it mean to you? What were the challenges of finishing it?
Because it was a story I needed to tell. I often got asked if I was going to write a sequel to Talmor, and I always said 'not unless the characters have something to say.' The thing is, Nate and Jake did have something else to say, but I didn't know what it was at the time. I knew the story wasn't quite finished, because there were a lot of unanswered questions at the end of the book about exactly how the'd manage. Christmas Memories completes that journey, they go from talking a lot about Christmas and Christmas memories to being able to build some of their own, which finishes things off nicely. It's funny, because it wasn't until Laura Baumbach brought up the idea of Christmas stories that everthing clicked and I realised there was another chapter of the story to be told. It wasn't a big chapter, and certainly not a full novel, but it was ready to be told...so I told it.
See, I told you it'd be better if I just let Matthew do most of the talking. He's got his own unique charm that really just carries itself, yeah?
Here's a hint of what his latest, a lovely Christmas short from MLR Press called Christmas Memories: A Talmor Story is all about.
Jake and Nathaniel found their happily ever after in The Secret of Talmor Manor...the problem is that afters come with their own set of problems. How exactly do you navigate the minefield of a family Christmas and a new relationship without explaining you met in a dream--or that the dream included a crazy sister and her lover hell bent on killing you both? Is it better or worse when the reincarnated person you're with differs oh so slightly from the man you fell in love with? After a year of paranormal, is a little slice of normal too much to ask?
****************You can find out more about Jake and Nathaniel, as well as the beginning of their story at MLR Press.Matthew Lang can be found at the following locations:FacebookTwitterWebsite
Matthew Lang's Awesome Interview
1)Matthew...can you give me an idea of what the holiday means to you personally? And how does that factor into your Christmas story?I'm not really big on Christmas. I think it's become more about shopping and commercialism than about being thankful for what you have and enjoying your life. Admittedly, my family have never been huge on it, and those were the subjects that came out when I wrote about Christmas in The Secret of Talmor Manor.But I think there's a lot to be said for Christmas as a time of celebrating life and what makes your life special, and for me that was what Christmas Memories is all about as a book, but also, that Christmas (Hannukah or non-denominational seasonal holiday of choice) memories are really what the season should be about.
2)If there were one gift, aside from your writing that you could give to the world at large, what would it be?Peace on earth and goodwill towards all? Or maybe a fully functioning integrated global platform for the reduction of our carbon emissions below 1990 levels that would be implemented around the world irrespective of whether governments liked it or not.
3) How/When/Where does inspiration strike you?
Surely a better question for me would be where doesn't inspiration strike? Usually at the most inopportune time when I don't have any way to record it. 2AM in the morning if I'm up that late typically.
4) Describe the experience of writing a winter holiday story during the summer...or wait, it's the opposite for you isn't it? A summer holiday during the winter.
Honestly, I think it was just like writing anything else. I'd spent a week in Hong Kong just before I wrote it though, which is where the Japanese watermelon dessert came from--there's a fantastic little place in Tin Hau on Hong Kong island--so that helped. Really, I think it's easier putting yourself into the holiday mindset than it is to write about walking across the surface of a tidally locked planet. If nothing else, you at least have actual first hand knowledge of what the holiday season is like.
5)Tell me how your stories happen. Do you plot them out, etching the bones of the story first and then later fleshing it out? Do you wake with a story full blown in your head and then fush to get it down before you forget? Do you listen to the voices of your characters, no more knowledgeable of the story's conclusion that any other reader until the tale is fully told?
I'm a plotter rather than a pantser. I tend to say, "What is this story about?", and , "Who is it for?", and, "What do I need in the story to make it work?", Once I've nutted that out I find it much easier to get the story working. I often think that I have a full blown story, but there are always holes--usually the the identity of the antagonist or the identity of the *actual* antagonist, or that little section between the middle and the end of the novel that I haven't quite foreseen. That's when things get hard. I'm also fairly vicious when it comes to making the stories work. I've dumped whole drafts because they haven't been exciting enough. I know you can often get away with slice of life stories, but the risk I find in slice of life is that the story starts reading like a diary...'and then we went to the fair and, and then we has sex, and then we told each other how much we loved each other, and then we went home and threw a party'...I don't know. I like my stories to have some tension, something at stake, something to learn. Maybe it's my theatre training showing, but on stage, if there's no tension or nothing forwarding the narrative at any given point, you end up with 'dead' time where the audience can tune out. I know books can be put down, and often are, but I want my readers to not be able to put the book down. Or at least wish the didn't have to.
6) Why do you write? Give me both the long and short of it.
Because I have no other marketable skills that I'm willing to use in a career? Seriously, I decided early on that if I was going to be famous, I wanted the famous where I could walk down the street without the paparazzi swarming around me. Now, I'm certainly not famous, but that's probably one of the reasons I decided to write--also because breaking into acting as an Asian man would have been very difficult. I still find the television and film industries to be very Anglocentric when it comes to characters and casting. Also, I've always been attracted to fantasy, and that's something where the biggest market is in books and games--let's face it, the amount of special effects needed for a fantasy film means that the good ones are few and far between. They're also very heteronormative, with the majority of heroes being straight and male. The traditional quest is, after all, kill dragon, rescue princess, marry princess and rule the kingdom (or half of it at least). And I found that a lot of writing featured characters I just stopped relating to. The thing I realized, is that I can either whine about stories about people like me not getting told, or I can tell them myself. And that's what I'm trying to do. Of course, I've found a lot of other great writing since I've started, and it's nice to know that there's more to be read now that I know where to find it!
7) Why this story? What did it mean to you? What were the challenges of finishing it?
Because it was a story I needed to tell. I often got asked if I was going to write a sequel to Talmor, and I always said 'not unless the characters have something to say.' The thing is, Nate and Jake did have something else to say, but I didn't know what it was at the time. I knew the story wasn't quite finished, because there were a lot of unanswered questions at the end of the book about exactly how the'd manage. Christmas Memories completes that journey, they go from talking a lot about Christmas and Christmas memories to being able to build some of their own, which finishes things off nicely. It's funny, because it wasn't until Laura Baumbach brought up the idea of Christmas stories that everthing clicked and I realised there was another chapter of the story to be told. It wasn't a big chapter, and certainly not a full novel, but it was ready to be told...so I told it.
See, I told you it'd be better if I just let Matthew do most of the talking. He's got his own unique charm that really just carries itself, yeah?
Here's a hint of what his latest, a lovely Christmas short from MLR Press called Christmas Memories: A Talmor Story is all about.
Jake and Nathaniel found their happily ever after in The Secret of Talmor Manor...the problem is that afters come with their own set of problems. How exactly do you navigate the minefield of a family Christmas and a new relationship without explaining you met in a dream--or that the dream included a crazy sister and her lover hell bent on killing you both? Is it better or worse when the reincarnated person you're with differs oh so slightly from the man you fell in love with? After a year of paranormal, is a little slice of normal too much to ask?
****************You can find out more about Jake and Nathaniel, as well as the beginning of their story at MLR Press.Matthew Lang can be found at the following locations:FacebookTwitterWebsite
