Victoria Danann's Blog, page 20

Black Swan a TV Series?

We can make it happen. I have put up a petition for us all to sign and share to show our support. Once we start to get good numbers in signatures I will be sending them and other documents to the right people. We can do this! – Sarah

Sign here!

 

 

Like Water for Chocolate…

Twenty years ago I saw a Mexican movie (with subtitles) entitled Like Water for Chocolate. It is a story of unrequieted love, maternal malice, and the courage necessary to quietly endure. One of the things that made an impression on me was the folklore principle that the emotions of the cook are mystically transferred into the food she is cooking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pg_Mr4lIoY Like Water for Chocolate video clip

Perhaps there is some truth to the idea that the cook’s emotions become part of the recipe. And perhaps it works the same with writing.

Beta readers for Gathering Storm are reporting that this installment has left them with emotion hanging on for some time after the last word is read and the book is closed . Nothing could be more pleasing to an author because, when all is distilled down to the core, writers should be aiming at one of two targets, the evocation of thought or emotion. While I confess to going for both, I see my principal task as drawing forth emotion. Isn’t the prospect of feeling our motivation for reading? That reminder of aliveness?

If you received an early readers’ copy of Gathering Storm and you are one of those who has mentioned tissues, be assured that the writer is in that with you. During the writing of this book, there were several times my spouse came in to find me red faced and wrecked because of a scene I was writing or had just written. These incidents weren’t always about sorrow. Some of them were simply an emotion so big and full my body couldn’t contain it and had to find release in some way. There were a couple of times during the writing of A Summoner’s Tale when I cried to the point of having to stop because I couldn’t see the monitor screen.

Five books into my latest job – writing fiction – I recognize this as part of my process. If something makes me laugh, it’s probably going to get that response from some of my readers. If I shed tears, chances are that emotion is going to transfer to the story, rise from the page and have a similar effect on my sensitive readers. (And I use the term “sensitive” in a totally good way.) All this is to say that I share more than words on a page with you; when reporting on events in Loti Dimension, I am a third party observer but not a dispassionate one.

- Victoria

The Gathering Storm Tour

9/18: Fangs, Wands, and Fairy Dust Exlusive Pre-Release stop. Review and Interview with Deliverance.

9/19: Coffee Addicted Writer Blog  Book Spotlight.

9/19: Sun Mountain Reviews Promo and Book Review.

9/19: Romance Book Junkies Promo and Exclusive Interview with Ram.

9/19: A Tale of Two Books Promo and Book Review.

9/19: Paranormal Romance Fans for Life Interview.

9/19: Nerd Girl Release Day Blitz.

9/20: Indy Book Fairy Promo with Interview.

9/20: Quill or Pill Interview.

9/23: Between the Bind Book Review.

9/23: Dalene’s Book Reviews Interview.

9/24: Vampire Romance Books Book Review.

9/24: Faerie Tale Books Book Review.

9/24: The Seraphine Muse Interview.

9/25: Romance Book Junkies Interview.

9/26: Diane’s Book Blog Interview.

9/27: Paranormal Haven Promo.

9/27: The Simple Things in Life Interview.

9/28: Reviewing in Chaos Promo.

9/30: Author Leah D. W. Interview.

10/01: Books, Books, and More Books Book Review.

10/01: Eclipse Reviews Interview.

10/02: Roxanne’s Realm Interview.

10/03: Butterly-o-Meter Books Interview.

10/03: Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock Promo.

10/04: The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom Interview.

10/05: Tiffy Fit Promo.

10/06: Books N’ Things Promo and Book Review.

10/07: All I Want and More Interview.

10/07: The Reading Cafe Feature and Book Review.

10/09: Books & Tales Interview.

10/10: Romance with Flavor Interview.

10/14: Bookworm Bridgette’s World Interview.

10/16: Bitten by Love Promo and Book Review.

10/17: Pembroke Sinclair Interview.

Ask Victoria!

With Victoria’s new book coming out I thought this would be a good time to show you what it is that she does day to day to get you the fantastic books that she writes!  – Sarah

Victoria, based on your bio, I’m thinking you must be insanely busy. A post on how you find time to write amid all of the other things you are involved in would probably be enlightening!

This is the number one question I field not just as an author, but socially and professionally. My schedule sounds crazy even to me. For those who haven’t seen the bio, here are some of the high points.

I own 7th House Publishing. Although I’m no longer personally involved in the day to day operations, there are decisions that must be made almost daily. I author and illustrate Seasons of the Witch planners, now in its fourteenth year. I manage Houston’s top party band and, although I’m not currently playing, I dedicate some time to keeping up my musical skills: keyboards, guitar, and vocal. I play bridge six to ten times a month because it keeps me sharp. and I write fiction. Oh, wait, I may have forgotten to mention a husband, family and German Shepherd, but they are definitely part of my day.

A few days ago a bass player I know called to ask if I wanted to be the utility player in a Classic Rock band. Of course my first reaction was, “YES!!” Then I remembered that clones are just a wish and not a reality.

So, how do I do it? Surprisingly, the thing that takes the most time is not even on that list. That would be the marketing of my paranormal romances. Since I’m an Indie (sort of), I’m responsible for getting the word out about Black Swan. This interview is part of that.

I wear all the marketing department hats including the one that says “graphics”. I do the covers, the ads, the book trailers and the SWAG myself. I design and maintain the website, the blog, and participate in the Goodreads fan group. I recently took on an author’s assistant whom I share with a couple of others and that helps enormously, but it doesn’t turn twenty-four hours into forty-eight.

My day starts sometime between 2:30am and 6:00 depending on how much is on my mind. I answer emails, post on Facebook, log and analyze my book sales, update the website and blog and take care of any other marketing-type chores such as renewing ads or commenting on reviews. I take the dog for a walk/jog in the woods, take a shower, and have breakfast. Back at the computer, I take care of 7th House business and band business before lunch. (It helps that I work from home.)

On days when I’m in: after lunch I beat down the other fires that have cropped up through the morning and continue to deal with issues from the various enterprises through the day. On days when I have errands, appointments, or play bridge: after lunch I may be away for three or four hours then I come right back to it. When there is time left between that and starting dinner at six, I write.

The only thing different about Saturday and Sunday is that I add musical instruments into the mix plus one social event and one date with spouse.

This is the way things go during my “outline” process. But once my extended outline is complete and ready to start writing in earnest, I start to feel driven and need to take big chunks of time to just write. I don’t take personal time even at night. My husband gets dinner. I eat with him and then come back to it. That stage of my writing usually takes three weeks to a month.

Once the manuscript gets turned over to my editor, there will be three days of emails to my schedule: This sentence seems clumsy. Are you sure you want to say ____ that way? PLUS typos galore.

If you ever have a question(s) you would like to get answered, please email me at blackswanjunkie@gmail.com  - Sarah

That’s the story of how it all gets done.

A deeper look.

I salute this reviewer, who plumbed the depths and returned to report.
Root bound!!, August 30, 2013


By
PatriciaANeal



Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf (Black Swan 4) (Kindle Edition

This series is securely grounded in an elaborately crafted context that transfers seamlessly from the imagination of the writer to the consciousness of the reader!! The storyline and characters are fantastic.. As fantasy demands. But, beneath it all are the truths that bind reality to the journey… Like. Love is gift..life has no guarantees. To live life to the fullest is always risky and family is the core.

Danann is a gifted writer. I salute the metaphoric virus of the vampire and its real world cousin drug addiction. If only we had a world wide order to bring our citizens home to themselves!!

These books create a structure for reflection that resonates with excited insight.

Review Spotlight! by Ellen

From Amazon.com

The Witch’s Dream, July 23, 2013

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner to a Fantastic Series, July 23, 2013


By Ellen (New York) -

This story continues from the events of the first book. It is best to read the books in order to see how the story and characters grow and develop. Believe me, you don’t want to miss anything in this series.

In The Witch’s Dream, we are introduces to Litha. She is part witch and part something else. She sees Storm from and distance and falls hard for him. Is it love at first sight? Well, maybe not at first sight because he has been coming to her in dreams and their paths have crossed in other ways. But from the first time she sees him, she knows he is the one. Storm however has closed off his heart and stubbornly refuses to see the truth in front of him. Sometimes he deserves a swift kick in the pants. However, his reactions are never unrealistic. He is just stubborn and deeply hurt.

This is a great addition to the series. Litha is strong and intelligent. Yes, she does take a lot of rejection from Storm without giving up. But she is never a doormat. She fights for what she believe in and for what she knows is true. She is also brave and unselfish enough to put the needs of others before her own. She agrees to stay with her father if he releases his prisoner even though that might mean leaving Storm and the world she knows forever. Then we get to know her father. When he first appears, I admit I really hated him. How he develops over the story is really remarkable. His wonder at finding that he has a daughter and his joy at doing things for her is truly a delight to read. It is his obvious pleasure in doing things for her and being able to give her things rather than the actual physical gifts that earns Litha love and trust. I wound up looking forward to his appearances.

What I also love about this series is while the major theme of the story may be about Litha and Storm, we do get the continuing tale of Elora, Ram, Blackie, Baka, and Kay. We also learn more about this universe and some of the neighbouring ones.

This review is from: The Witch’s Dream (The Order of the Black Swan, Book 2) (Paperback)

Review Spotlight! by DragonRene “~AVA~”

From Amazon.com

The Witch’s Dream, February 18, 2013

By DragonRene “~AVA~”

This review is from: The Witch’s Dream (The Order of the Black Swan, Book 2) (Paperback)

The Witch’s Dream took off right where My Familiar Stranger left off, perfectly, a 4.5 out of 5 rating rounded up to a solid 5. Packed full of paranormal fun, adventure, mystery, magic, excitement and romance that many fans of the genre will fully enjoy!In this book there are various things going on so it’s difficult for me to discuss characters like I normally would for a review. What I can tell you is each and every event is suspenseful, exciting, touching (in some cases sensual) and definitely enjoyable to experience. I feel as if I got to enjoy various books/stories all-in-one fab read!

We meet many new characters. Litha and Song, and a handsome Fae prince (just to name a couple) and still get to see many of our favorites from the last book. Elora and Ram have continued on with their arrangement they left off with in the last book and we get to see before our very eyes others that fall very deeply into the fabulous trap that is love.

Even though this is the second book of The Order of the Black Swan series, it can be read as a stand-alone because of Victoria’s skillful writing. However, I DO NOT recommend doing so because then you will miss out on some great fun, enjoyable antics and some of the character growth that occurs from book 1 into book 2. I know I enjoyed experiencing it all

Thanks again DragonRene “~AVA~” for writing a review! – Sarah

Ask Victoria!

Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?

Yes. Stay the hell away from “creative writing’ classes because nothing will kill your own embryonic art or creativity faster. (See the scene on writing a poem in the movie, “Dead Poets Society” with Robin Williams.) It can’t be taught any more than someone can teach you to carry a tune. Either you can or you can’t. If you can, do it. If you can’t, move on to something else. It’s a big world. I’m not saying this to be mean. I’m never going to play guitar like Carlos Santana. The last time I tried to play Black Magic Woman my left hand seized up in muscle cramps for weeks. If that’s what happens to your brain when you try to write, keep looking until you find the thing you were born to do.

Do you have any advice for unpublished authors?

If you’re sure you have a book that’s as good or better than anything else out there, go Indie, and publish yourself. If you aren’t sure, come to my workshop in October at the first ever Indie Rom Con before you decide whether you want to go Indie or follow the traditional path to New York publishers.

 

If you ever have a question(s) you would like to get answered, please email me at blackswanjunkie@gmail.com  - Sarah

Ask Victoria

I know you are really busy right now but I am curious about Brother Cufay. As you know I am re reading the books and it seems either Litha’s Monk and Baka’s monk have the same name. Any connection?

from Dee Bowerman

Victoria:

Dee Bowerman –

You should get a prize for reading SO carefully.

 

My stories are peppered with little bits of esoteric breadcrumbs leaving a trail to metaphysical mysteries or classical principles of morality. In this case, the fact that these two characters, from different ages and different geographical locales, both monks but with different spiritual perspectives, bear the same name is just the sort of synchronistic wink from the Powers That Be that keep us wondering, marveling, and curious about the  idea that there is much more to the operation of the universe than a strictly mundane view suggests.

Thank you so much for noticing and asking.

If you ever have a question(s) you would like to get answered, please email me at blackswanjunkie@gmail.com  - Sarah

Review Spotlight! My Familiar Stranger by KrissyT

From Amazon.com

Holy Moly did I love this book!, August 9, 2013

by KrissyT

This review is from: My Familiar Stranger – Romancing the Vampire Hunters (Black Swan 1) (Kindle Edition)

I did not expect much at all since this book was free and I did not know the author. Holy cow was I completely taken by surprise! I LOVE this book with all my heart. So sweet and funny. There were several times when I laughed out loud. You completely fall for the main characters. Storm = dreamy. Ram = so hilarious and Elora = I want to be her.

I am a huge fan of J.R Ward, Kresley Cole, and Karen Marie Moning and I feel like I am now going to be as huge a fan of Victoria Danann! Get this book people…it’s worth it!

Victoria’s Notes: I give this review 5*.

Here’s one of the reasons why I LOVE this review! If someone asked me to name MY three top PNR authors – other than myself, of course – THOSE are my top three !!! Naturally I am thrilled to be included in that elite company. (Table for four?) 

As to the comment about wanting to be Elora? Well, that’s what I was going for.

Thanks again KrissyT for writing a review – Sarah