R.R. Russell's Blog, page 4

A Book Without a Name

I blame it on my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. June St. John. Are you out there, June? Mrs. St. John shared two great loves with her class—fountain pens and creative writing. I’d always appreciated the time she let us spend writing stories, but I’d been an avid writer before I came to her class. Until yesterday, I never realized how much Mrs. St. John had influenced the way I write.

She’d get up, walk to the blackboard, and write a short line. We’d all hold our breath in anticipation, fountain pens poised over our papers, waiting to copy the words. Sometimes she’d torment us with a prolonged pause or even erase a word or two and change it to another. Those who were too hasty and had already penned their headings would groan and reach for another page. When she was finished, she’d turn around, cross her arms, grin, and say, “Go!”

And the stories would flow. Because the line on the board wasn’t just a heading, it was the title of a story. An unwritten tale waiting for each of us to tell in our own way. The name of a new friend we were about to meet. I only remember one story title— “Guess What I Found in My Vegetable Soup”—but the joy of writing those stories, then listening throughout the week as classmates read their work aloud, will never be forgotten.

It seems my need to begin with a title is still with me too.

Yesterday, as I plugged away at the sequel to Wonder Light, my upcoming release from Sourcebooks, I realized this is the first time in years I’ve started a book without a title, and the first time I’ve ever been this far into a story and still had no proper name to call it. And it bugs me! It’s like sitting down next to someone—the sister of a friend, since I know Wonder Light inside and out after all the revising and polishing—having a great conversation, really hitting it off, and realizing I don’t know her name.

She must have a name! Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist started out as Unicorns of Lonehorn Island, and has since been renamed. But I’m going to take the time to give her sister the sequel a name. Whether or not it’s eventually changed, I need something to call this story. I can’t fully know a book without a name.

It’s Release Day for Venture Unbroken!

Venture Unbroken is out now on Amazon.com, Amazon.UK, and BN.com!

In the aftermath of the All Richland Absolute Fighting Championship, Venture Delving is ready to build a new future for himself. But his enemies have plans to destroy his dreams, his friendships, and his hopes for a life with his master’s daughter, Jade Fieldstone—plans not just to thwart him, but to break him.

Book three of the Venture Books. Approximately 67,000 words (270 standard pages). Ages 15 and up.

About the Venture Books:

Venture Delving is a bonded servant, a member of the lowest class in the world. Already fatherless, when he loses his mother, he veers from energetic to out of control. But when Venture’s rage saves the life of Jade, his best friend and his master’s daughter, Venture finds himself in the last place he ever expected—a center renowned for training young boys to be professional fighters.

When Venture realizes he’s fallen in love with Jade, he knows that the only way he’ll ever have her, the only way he’ll ever be free to live the life he’s meant to live, is to defy convention, common sense, the trust of those he cares about most—and sometimes the law—and become the best fighter in the world, the Champion of All Richland. Venture must battle not only rival fighters, but the ghosts of his past and the members of a privileged warrior class who stand between him and his dream.

Sneak Preview of Venture Unbroken!

It’s almost here! Venture Unbroken officially releases in just a few days, on September 15. Some of you have been waiting for months, or, as my son so patiently put it, “FOREVER.”

I had fun writing this novel, especially exploring Jade’s side of the story. So many people told me she needed her own book that I just had to give her more say. While I didn’t write her an entire story of her own—yet—some of Venture Unbroken is told from her point of view, and some from Venture’s. Scroll down for a sneak preview of the opening of Venture Unbroken, and a taste of Jade’s point of view!

I’d love to hear what you think in the comments here, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

If you’re just discovering the Venture books, you can read more about the series here, or read the opening of Venture Untamed, the first novel in the series.

Twin Rivers, Richland,

Spring’s First Month, 660 After the Founding

Jade crept down the hall, boots in hand. She lowered her foot onto the step, shifting her weight slowly, willing her father and grandmother not to wake. She slipped through the kitchen and into the washroom, then out through the servants’ door in the adjoining courtyard. The cool black of the night greeted her, and her breath caught.

The last time she’d stepped out this door and into the moonlight, the last time she’d sneaked out in the middle of the night, it had been to meet Venture. Sweet Vent. Jade’s throat ached to form a cry, but she forced it back. She didn’t have time to dwell on the past, to cry over something that might never be. Dasher was waiting for her.

Footsteps padded beside her, and Lightning’s cold, wet nose rubbed against her palm. After they took Venture away, Father had tried to give Lightning to Justice. Lightning always was really Venture’s dog. But Justice had looked at Jade, not with blame, but with a different sorrow added to his own. Compassion for her, for what she and Venture once had together. What they’d wanted together. Justice insisted Jade should have Lightning nearby, looking after her. “It’s what Vent would want,” he’d said.

“There’s my good girl,” Jade whispered to Lightning as she pulled on her boots. “Want to go for a ride with me? A lady shouldn’t ride alone. It’s dangerous.”

Lightning’s ears perked up. Instead of doing her usual dance at the prospect of being included in one of Jade and Sunrise’s rides, she cocked her head at Jade skeptically. Even the goodnatured retriever knew that neither of her masters—Grant Fieldstone by right, or Venture Delving, the master of her heart—would approve.

Jade knew the right things to murmur to the horses as she opened the stable doors. She knew how to keep them whickering soft greetings. She saddled up Sunrise and led her out of the stable and onto the grass. She didn’t steer her horse onto the road and mount until they were partway down the hillside that led to Twin Rivers Town, in the valley below.

Lightning bounded alongside Sunrise. She circled the horse as Jade slowed and dismounted. Jade tethered Sunrise to a tree on the outskirts of town. Riding was faster, but hooves on cobblestone would draw too much attention. She tried to stay in the shadows of the buildings’ eaves until she reached the yard. A few trees in the yard offered some cover, but eventually she had to sprint through the open grass.

Just as she neared the front steps, Jade froze. Were those footsteps? Her heart was beating so fast, she couldn’t be sure. She glanced around her anxiously. Where was Lightning?

“Lightning?” she called softly, coaxingly.

She sensed a flurry of movement behind her. Too big to be Lightning. Just as Jade’s mouth opened to form a scream, a hand clamped over it.

“Hush.” Dasher’s voice was ever smooth, even in a breathless whisper. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her to his chest. “It’s just me.”

Jade relaxed, and Dasher lowered his hand, but her heart was still thudding. Dasher’s arm held her tight. A part of her wanted to turn her face to his chest and hide there, safe in his arms, and pretend none of the events of the past several months had ever happened.

She pulled away. Nowhere was safe anymore, and she could never forget Venture.

Dasher took her hand and led her to the door with a couple of swift strides. “We don’t have much time.” He let go her hand and fished the key out of his pocket. Sensing her hesitation, he paused. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing,” she lied.

Dasher frowned, not entirely believing her. Venture wouldn’t have believed her at all.

“No one saw you?”

She shook her head.

Dasher turned the key in the old lock. The click was so loud in the stillness of the night. Jade cringed, but Dasher didn’t seem to notice. “We will be careful. We will be quick. No one will know.”

Venture would know, eventually. And if he found out about Dasher’s part in it, he’d kill him. Jade followed Dasher into Beamer’s Center. She was going to learn everything she could, and she was going to get Venture back, no matter what the cost.

Stop Freaking Out!

“What are you doing, Robyn?”

“I’m—”

“You are freaking out, that’s what you’re doing.”

“What? I’m not—”

“Stop freaking out! You think there are so many things to do, but that is not true. Right now, there is just one thing you need to do. You need to write that book!”

A few weeks ago I got that call from my friend and judo mom, Connie. My second round of revisions for WONDER LIGHT was due the day after my judo team was to compete in the Jr. Nationals. Our team was to supply two mat areas for the tournament, which was taking place five hours away. We were in the middle of running our biggest fundraiser for our non-profit team, a fireworks stand, which had to be manned 24 hours a day. We were leaving for Jr. Nationals on July 5, as soon as the fireworks inventory was taken care of, and somebody was going to have to pick up a rental truck, load it with all our mats, and drive it to Spokane. To complicate matters, my husband, our Head Coach, had just made a major career change and was working long hours.

There was no use arguing with Connie, the Great Persuader, or with the truth. Under the surface of calm, of course I was freaking out!

But Connie insisted that everything—in particular, my children—would be taken care of. Between my parents and team members, they were, and extraordinary things got done. I finished my revision early and sent it off to my editor. The fireworks stand had record sales, and the inventory was done before the grand finale of the local professional fireworks show. The mats made it to Spokane, and our competitors broke our team’s previous record, bringing home 17 medals.

Over the last few months, my friends, teammates, and family have filled in running judo practices and taken the time to help me and my husband get passes to visit family members in the hospital on base as they battled serious health issues. One of them even put on a banana suit to help out the new business my husband is working for!

I’m so grateful to have friends and family who believe in me and who are dedicated to supporting each other’s dreams. Most of all, I feel blessed that my kids are surrounded by people who are helping them to grow up feeling strong and loved—and who are there to save them from Mom freaking out!

Cover Reveal for Venture Unbroken

Here’s the cover for Venture Unbroken, the third full-length novel in the Venture series! The manuscript is with beta readers now. Next steps—revise, polish, edit, and publish on September 15, 2012!

Guest Post About My Publishing Journey on Operation Awesome

When my friend and author of Deadwood (Pugalicious Press, September 2012), Kell Andrews invited me to do a guest post on the group blog Operation Awesome, I knew it was time to share my publication story. Stop by and find out how I decided to self-publish some books and sign a deal with Sourcebooks for others.

Line Edits, the Horrors of Microsoft Word, and More Good News (Really)!

Soon after getting the news that Sourcebooks wanted to publish my novel, Wonder Light and its sequel, I heard from my editor, Aubrey again. Would it be possible to get the first part of Wonder Light polished right away? Sourcebooks was having a Launch Meeting in less than two weeks.

The Launch Meeting only happens twice a year, and its purpose is to introduce upcoming projects to the whole Sourcebooks team—all the editorial, marketing, sales, and design people. Oh my! Aubrey felt it was important for the team to get a feel for the mood of the book as well as my writing.

I’d secretly worried that Wonder Light‘s misty, mysterious, often tense mood would get lost in some preconceived notion of unicorn fluff, and I was so glad Aubrey was working to make sure everyone got to know my main character, Twig, and the wonder and mystery of Lonehorn Island. But . . . all those people reading it? So soon?

“Sure!” I told Aubrey. “I can do that!”

And then I raided my kids’ stale Easter candy and braced myself for the worst—editorial notes. Which I had to use Microsoft Word in order to see. Yes, dear friends. I used Microsoft Word. For probably the fifth time in my entire life. Quickly I scanned the notes, trying to get the most painful part over with—except that Aubrey’s notes weren’t painful. In fact, they were helpful. Downright uplifting. I almost forgot to be miserable about using Word . . . at least until a few hours into making changes, when I was ready to scream at all the red underlines and annoying bubbles produced by Word’s Track Changes. And why is it that the same font is so much harder to read in Word than any other word processing program?

Ahem.

But it was all worth it because . . . yesterday Aubrey e-mailed me after the Launch Meeting with exciting news. Wonder Light is going to be released not just in paperback, but in hardcover, with an illustrated jacket!

Hallelujah! I’m beyond thrilled, and so thankful for Amazing Editor Aubrey and Sourcebooks’ faith in my writing.

A Bittersweet Week

On the Thursday before Easter, after writing and revising and querying seven novels, I accepted my first offer of publication. What a perfect Easter gift for me! The knowledge that my book, Wonder Light—about a heartbroken little girl who finds not only a baby unicorn in need of her care, but a new life she never imagined she’d have—will soon be in the hands of young readers.

But the next morning, just as I arrived at the ball field for my kids’ homeschool baseball group, I got a phone call from my Dad. My maternal grandmother, Dorothy had passed away. Just a few words, and my joy turned to sadness. I watched my kids running around the field in the sunshine, and didn’t know what to feel. Grandma Dorothy had been doing so well. Just days before, she’d had a rare visit with all five of her children, who’d flown from all over the country to San Diego to see her. One last trip “up fools’ hill” for Grandma and her kids, who have a special knack for laughing themselves silly together.

That Good Friday evening I drew unicorns on Easter eggs with my kids, and thought of Grandma Dorothy, living out the truth of Easter. Victorious over death.

While Grandma Dorothy may be tending the gardens of paradise, her Oakdale, California garden is also very much alive in my memory. To me, as a little girl, Grandma’s yard was a magical world, every available inch overflowing with flowers, vines, and fruit.

In the in front yard, a path was flanked with dahlias the size of dinner plates, and the front porch shaded with a tangle of branches bursting with ripening grapefruit.

In the back, strawberry beds were planted all along the fence, and I played under the plum tree and the grape arbor and plucked berries from the raspberry patch. But my favorite treat was Grandma Dorothy’s sweet, white-golden treasure trove of nectarines.

Grandma Dorothy would come to visit my family while we were stationed at Fort Ord, California, bringing brown paper bags full of her garden’s bounty. Sometimes pecans or persimmons. Those were good, but always, as I lugged bags from her car and into our kitchen, I sniffed that brown paper and hoped to detect the muffled sugariness of white nectarines.

Those white nectarines inspired a poem, which I shared on this blog last year. I posted “White Nectarines,” written so many years ago, in part because I’d been thinking about how short life was. Too short not to share even a little poem about nectarines with the world.

So here it is, this time as a tribute to Grandma Dorothy, whose garden fed my heart and my imagination, and whose passing into new life reminded me of the real gift of Easter.

 

White Nectarines

by Robyn Russell

 

Brown Bag

Full and round with

White nectarines

smells of

Ripeness and paper;

My fingers find them

Smooth;

My mouth knows

They’re sweet.

Rumple, crinkle, bite

Again

And again

And I

Am full and round with

White nectarines

And still

So many,

Many more to

Eat!

My Unicorn Books . . . Coming in 2013 from Sourcebooks!

So . . . on Monday I was at judo practice supposedly practicing a new turn-over with my friend Jenna, but really joking about husbands and their crazy ideas. I noted that my husband has a way of following through with his crazy ideas—like starting our judo club, for example.

“Just think,” Jenna said, “If he’d never done that, you’d probably be writing about unicorns or something!”

I stopped short. Jenna’s read my martial arts-inspired novels, and she was totally kidding. “I did write a book about unicorns,” I whispered, “and it’s going to acquisitions at Sourcebooks on Wednesday!”

Just like that, I spilled it, then swore her to secrecy.

But now I can shout to the world:

I have a two-book deal from Sourcebooks!

On Wednesday Afternoon, Editor Aubrey Poole called me with an offer for the manuscript I’d called Unicorns of Lonehorn Island, plus a follow-up book, and I’m thrilled to be working with her!

The first book is tentatively titled Wonder Light and will be out in paperback in Spring 2013! Yay! In bookstores and libraries! Woohoo!