Lashell Collins's Blog, page 13

Music as Muse

Tonight I’m doing the nervous jitters thing all over again – I’ll be hanging out on a Google Chat with the First Draught ladies, Julia Kelly, Alexis Anne, & Mary Chris Escobar, along with Tracie Puckett. The topic for tonight is Music As Muse, and we’ll be talking about how music fits (or if it fits) into our writing process.

Well, if you have been following me for any length of time, you know by now that I am a HUGE fan of all types of music. I have such an eclectic mix of genres and styles of music on all of my personal playlists, from ’80s pop to rock to classical to R&B … I love it all, and when I’m writing a story it’s no different. The music I listen to while I’m writing is so diverse.

Someone once asked me what I like to listen to while I’m writing, and my answer was that when I’m working on a story, I tend to find myself listening to the music that my characters would listen to. And the amazing thing to me is that it’s never a conscious thing on my part, it just sort of happens as I’m getting to know them. For my first trilogy, the Pierced stories, I listened to a lot of Aerosmith and a lot of strong female pop because that’s what my main characters were into. In fact, I even posted an extensive playlist for Pierced on my website, and you can listen to it on Tape.ly. For the Jagged Ivory series – well they are a rock band after all, (and I am a huge rock fan), so I found myself listening to a lot of Slash, among others.

With the series I’m currently writing, The Kelly Family, there’s a lot of classic R&B on my rotation now, but I’ll talk more about that tonight. You can watch our conversation tonight at 8:15 EST. We’ll be keeping an eye out for questions and comments on Twitter and Facebook so, join in the discussion!

 

The Writing Process Blog Hop of 2014

Hi there! This is the Writing Process Blog Hop of 2014, and before I go any further, I want to say thank you to my friend, the beautiful and talented Mary Chris Escobar, for the invitation to the dance. She tagged me in her post on Tuesday night, and so now it’s my turn!

For those of you who aren’t really sure what this shindig is all about, let me explain. Basically, this is a way for readers, and other writers, to get a glimpse – a sneak peek, if you will – into the minds of writers, and to find out how we do it, and why we do it, and why we do it the way we do. The way it works is there are four questions about my writing process that I must answer, just as all of those amazing writers who have gone before me have done. I have to admit that I’ve been fascinated clicking through and reading all the others, but the thought of answering these questions myself is … daunting. Intimidating. Unsettling. Pick one.

Ok, so … here we go:

What am I working on right now?

What am I not working on right now? That’s the way it feels sometimes, even though I have read other entries in this blog hop were the writers are truly amazing, and they really are working on EVERYTHING! So, me and my little list of works in progress just seems like nothing in comparison. But anyway …

I have two projects that I’m currently obsessing over, both are romantic suspense, and both of them are very exciting to me. The first one is a series that I’m calling The Kelly Family Series. It centers around the lives and loves of a family of very dedicated police officers, and I’ve actually been having a lot of fun writing this series because my husband is a retired police officer and he has become a wonderful source of information and inspiration (the stories he tells – OMG!). My plan for this series is to release the first four installments as novellas, and release them all at once (on April 30, 2014), then release a full-length novel in the series one month later (on May 30, 2014). The novellas – which are titled Ethan, Storm, Frankie and Marina – are complete and ready to be uploaded for pre-sale (I just got them back from the formatter two days ago!), so I need to work on that. And I’m just finishing up my first draft of the novel, which is titled Where There’s Smoke, working to get it as close to perfect as possible before sending it off to the editor.

So, that’s ambitious project number one – releasing four novellas at once, followed by a full novel one month later – and I’m really not sure what I was thinking exactly when I bit off such a huge portion of crazy, but I’m smack in the middle of it now so there is no turning back. Wish me luck!

Ambitious project number two is even scarier, but only because it’s more of a gamble. To me anyway. You see, I normally write romantic suspense and contemporary romance. But with this next project I’ll be attempting something I have never tried before … paranormal. [feel free to insert shocked gasps and dramatic music here.]

That’s right. I said the “P” word. It’s out there now, can’t take it back. This is a love story that I have been ruminating over for more than a year now, so even though it’s not my usual forte, I’m going to give it a go and see where it leads. I’m not really approaching it as a paranormal, but more as a romantic suspense where some of the characters just happen to not be fully human. So, we’ll see what happens (chewing on more crazy over here, so again … wish me luck!).

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Wow. What a question. Hmm … [if you smell smoke don't worry, I'm just thinking really hard about this one.]

Ok, so … what I don’t see a whole lot of in much of the romance I read is strong male friendships. Most of the romances I read seem to focus more on the heroine, not so much on the hero. And this wasn’t a conscious thing on my part when I began writing romance, but I have since come to realize that most (if not all) of my work tends to focus more on the hero’s journey rather than the heroine’s. I’m not quite sure why that is or why it’s worked out that way, but I enjoy exploring the male psyche, and I love writing strong male friendships. Now, that’s not to say that I neglect the heroine, because I don’t, and I try to make all of my heroines smart and capable women who don’t “need” a man to complete them or rescue them. But I do tend to write more from the hero’s perspective, I think. That’s how my work differs, I suppose.

Why do I write what I do?

That’s an interesting question. And honestly, I wish I had a better answer for it, but I guess the simple truth is that I just write what I love to read. The great part about that is that I basically just write for my own entertainment. I love my stories because they’re the types of stories that I enjoy reading. But, the down side of that for me (confession time here) is the fact that sometimes I feel like certain people – and by “certain people” I totally mean most of my family members who are sort of churchy – aren’t comfortable reading my work because they’re put off by the spicy nature of the relationships in my stories. The kicker here is that I don’t consider what I write to be erotic romance – far from it actually. But at the same time, I do realize that my love scenes are spicier than some, and yet, not nearly as spicy as others I’ve read. But to answer the question … I just write for me. And the fact that there are readers out there who also enjoy my stories makes writing them so much sweeter. 

How does my writing process work?

Well, let me just start by saying that I am a total plotter. I plot out my stories from start to finish before I ever begin. My writing process starts with an idea for a story. And usually it’s a story that’s been playing over and over in my head like a movie – or maybe more like a soap opera – for weeks or even months.

The next step is for me to sit and jot down some very loose notes on my hero and heroine and the basic premise of the story, the plot. In my notes, I will get very detailed in my descriptions of the H/h, because if I can’t picture them, I feel like I don’t know them … like I can’t connect with them. I have to see them in my mind. That’s why I’ve found Pinterest to be an incredibly helpful tool in this regard. I just create a board for whatever book I’m working on, and keep it secret until I’m ready to share it (which usually isn’t until after the book is published), but on this board I’ll keep images of things and people who help me visualize my characters and their world. Now, since moving to Scrivener I don’t necessarily need to utilize Pinterest in this way anymore because I can (and do) just keep all of those images in Scrivener, right there in my files for that particular book, and I can refer to them as I’m writing. But I continue to use Pinterest too because I think readers might find it enjoyable to see what images helped inspire my imagination.

Once I’ve got a pretty good image of my characters in my head, I’ll move on to actually sketching out the plot. With Scrivener (I know, I’m starting to sound like an infomercial), this process is made easy because the program allows you to break your story up into scenes. So, I’ll create my chapter outline and then just go scene by scene within each chapter, plotting out my entire story. Then once I’ve got my outline finished, I’ll start the actual writing. I follow my outline pretty closely, but often times the story or the characters themselves will lead me in another direction. And that’s ok, I just go with it and follow along where it takes me. But when I do this, I must go back and change my outline to fit this new direction. That way I can be sure that I’m still on track, and still headed to the pre-planned HEA destination.

I write in order, from beginning to end. However, often a future scene will come to me and it won’t leave me alone until I get it out of my head and onto the “paper.” For this reason, I keep a separate folder within my Scrivener files that I title Future Scenes, and I’ll label each one (what the scene is, and where it belongs in the story). Then I’ll resume my writing, being sure to insert one of those “already written scenes” from the Future Scenes folder as needed.

On a good day with zero distractions (it does happen occasionally), I can get through an entire chapter in one day. For me, that’s anywhere from 5,000 – 8,000 words. More often than not, that daily word count is much lower, but I do tend to write very quickly. It’s not uncommon for me to churn out an entire first draft in about three weeks. Keep in mind that’s a very rough first draft. And I used to think my process was screwy and I was doing it all wrong until I read this Hugh Howey post – changed my whole way of thinking about my writing process, and let me know that there is no right or wrong way to write.

I write every single day, without fail. Sometimes it’s just for a couple of hours depending on my everyday life, but most of the time it’s more like from morning ’til bedtime, with a few breaks for food and water.

So, that’s me, in a nutshell. My writing process laid bare before you. Please be gentle as you judge me. I am now hereby officially tagging the beautiful and charismatic Tracie Puckett YA Romance author. She will be posting her installment of the Writing Process Blog Hop on Friday. Until then, here are the links of a few others who have gone before. Fascinating reading!

 

Found this on Pinterest. Nora Roberts’ sage advice on writing.

Audra North 
A L Parks
Alexandra Haughton
Petra Grayson
Jenne Hardt
Madi Merek
Rebecca Grace Allen
Amy Jo Cousins
Lore Ree
Julia Kelly
Alexis Anne
Mary Chris Escobar
 

Me, Feeling Buck Naked

I’m going to let you in on a little secret that I’ve never shared, but that you can probably guess if you’ve been paying any attention at all to me. Here goes:  I am a great big ol’ introvert. I hate talking about myself, I am incredibly camera-shy, and I am a social media nightmare! The thought of public speaking makes me break out in hives. It is my second biggest fear in the world, and I don’t know why. But I always feel so over-exposed whenever I’m in any type of public speaking situation. Like I’m standing buck naked on a stage with all eyes on me! It’s one of the reasons I’ve been hiding behind the image of a rose on all of my online profiles. (The other reason is because I had this crazy notion that people wouldn’t be interested in reading my stories if they saw my face, but that’s a whole different conversation). But last night, I did something so completely out of character for me, and I survived it, so I’m going to tell you all about it.

I participated in a Google+ Hangout On Air with my fellow Write Club sisters, authors Julia Kelly, Alexis Anne, Mary Chris Escobar, and Tracie Puckett. I met these ladies at last year’s RWA Conference, and I am so glad I did because they have each enriched my life and my budding career in amazing ways! The topic for last night’s chat was Plotters vs. Pantsers, and we debated the merits and downfalls of each writing technique.

I’ll let you watch and be the judge of how I did, but let me just tell you, I was a nervous wreck all day long yesterday in anticipation of this thing, and during the chat itself I was shaking like a leaf!  Check it out here.

 

It’s Read an Ebook Week!

What is Read an Ebook Week, you might ask. Well it’s that once a year when thousands of Smashwords Authors offer up their books either for free, or at deeply discounted prices. It’s an annual promotional event for Smashwords and it begins at midnight on March 2, and runs through midnight on March 8.

This year, since I’m a newly minted Smashwords Author, I have decided to participate in the fun. During this week, I’ll be offering three titles in the Jagged Ivory series at the deeply discounted price of just $1. Yep, you read that right. That’s 75% off the regular price of $3.99. I’ll also be offering the Pierced Boxed Set, normally $4.99, for free. I know, those prices are cray-cray! But it’s not just my books that will be on sale. Thousands of indie authors who publish with Smashwords will be enrolling their books too. It’ll be a smorgasbord of ebook delights for your reading pleasure!

Now, you have to remember that the promotional coupon codes are only good on Smashwords, not at other retailers served by Smashwords. Here’s how it works:  At one minute past midnight Pacific time on March 2, the special Smashwords Read an Ebook Week promotion catalog goes live on the Smashwords home page.  Readers can browse the catalog and search by coupon code levels and categories.  At the stoke of midnight Pacific time at the end of the day on March 8, the catalog disappears. Here are the links and coupon codes for my participating titles:

Jagged Addiction – Coupon Code: NH53K

Jagged Secrets – Coupon Code: RP84V

Jagged Surrender – Coupon Code: CK35K

Pierced (boxed set) – Coupon Code: PF53R

 

  Happy Reading!

 

 

THANK YOU!

I am so full of gratitude, thankfulness, love, appreciation, wonder, and hopefulness that I feel like I’m gushing, and I just wanted to say THANK YOU. But let me back up a little and explain.

This weekend we’re celebrating love. Valentine’s Day, to be exact. But for me, this weekend has some extra special meaning to it, because Monday, February 17 marks the first anniversary of when I hit the “publish” button for the very first time! And although it was without a doubt the scariest thing I’ve ever done, I can honestly say that this has been the most challenging, most rewarding, most wonderful year of my life. And I know how that sounds, but … for me, for my life, it’s absolutely true.

You see, the truth is that my whole adult life, from the time I was a senior in high school, I have always felt like I was waiting for my real life to begin. Like there was something more out there that I could be doing, or should be doing with my life. And that’s not to diminish the time I spent working in Veterinary Clinics, because ultimately that led me to my husband, or the time I spent working in the Garden Center, because that led me to some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. But my life just didn’t feel fulfilled. There was always something missing. Some potential that I knew I had, but I just wasn’t reaching it.

Well, since I first sat down at my laptop and began writing with the intent to self-publish, I don’t feel like I’m waiting for my life to begin anymore. Now finally, I feel like I’m actually living it, and like I’m at least on the road to reaching that full potential. And I just can’t believe that I have readers, or that there are people out there who enjoy the stories I’m writing and love the characters I’ve created. And I’m just so grateful and thankful for each and every one of you who has taken the time to download, read, and review my stories. Those of you who have reached out to me on Twitter, on Facebook or Pinterest. Or even this very blog. Those of you who have joined my Newsletter. You guys are all so awesome, and I love and appreciate you so much!

So, to celebrate my first anniversary, and to say THANK YOU in a big way, I’m offering the story that started it all – the entire Pierced Trilogy boxed set – for only $0.99, for an entire week! From Feb. 14 – Feb. 21, Pierced, which includes the entire trilogy plus a holiday novella and normally sells for $4.99, will be $0.99 for the whole week on Amazon and Smashwords. So get your copy, tell a friend, and snuggle up with a sweet & spicy romantic suspense.

And Happy Valentine’s Day from me!

New Book, New Year, New Series!

So, here it is! The final installment of the Jagged Ivory series. I’ve had so much fun writing this series and getting to explore the lives and loves of the boys of the band. It’s going to be hard to let them go, I love them all so much. Jagged Surrender is Otis’ story, and boy was he a challenge! Confirmed players always are. But you know how it goes … the tougher the challenge, the harder they fall! Jagged Surrender is now available on Amazon and Smashwords, and soon at ebook retailers everywhere.

You know, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about this little writing adventure I launched myself on almost two years ago now. February 17th will mark the one-year anniversary of the release of the first book I published, Pierced By Danger, and I’ve been thinking of doing something special to mark the occasion. Like offering the boxed set, Pierced, for free for the entire week of its anniversary. You might remember, the Pierced boxed set features the entire trilogy plus a short novella all in one volume. Normally, it sells for $4.99, but for the week of its anniversary it’ll be completely free! It feels like the perfect way to mark the occasion and I’m excited about it.

I’m also excited about my writing projects for the rest of the year. I’ve got a whole lot planned in the form of not one, but three new series! The Kelly Family series, which is romantic suspense and will center on the lives and loves of a family of dedicated police officers; The Lunar series, which is romantic suspense of a darker, paranormal sort; and the Forbidden Desires series, which is straightforward contemporary romance with an interracial flavor. And I’m eager to get started because a couple of the projects are things that I know are going to stretch me and challenge me, and I’m so looking forward to it. Just the plotting and outlining alone got me raring to go! So, here’s what my release schedule looks like for the remainder of 2014:

Ethan: A Kelly Family Novella (released April 30)
Storm: A Kelly Family Novella (released April 30)
Frankie: A Kelly Family Novella (released April 30)
Marina: A Kelly Family Novella (released April 30)
Where There’s Smoke: A Kelly Family Novel (coming in May)
Secrets of Lunar (coming in August)
Voices (coming in November) 

 

Looking at this list makes me tired, but in a good way. I can’t wait to get started. No really … I can’t wait to get started. Did you see that list? I’ve gotta go!!

 

Book 5, Jagged Surrender, Coming Soon!

If I haven’t said it already (and the way my mind works, it wouldn’t surprise me if I haven’t) Happy New Year!!!

As that sentence implies, my mind has been very jumbled lately – like for the past year and a half – on all the stories running around in my head, just waiting for their turn. Not to mention all the things going on in my “real” life each day. But I am so happy to tell you that book 5 of the Jagged Ivory Series is being edited as we speak (well … as I type), and hopefully it will be ready to publish at the end of the month as scheduled. The title for this one is Jagged Surrender, and I’ve got a preliminary image of the cover to show you. Now, like I said, it is preliminary so, the resolution isn’t the greatest. But I just couldn’t wait to share! Here it is:

Jagged Secrets – Bestseller – Available Now!

Jagged Secrets, book 4 in my Jagged Ivory Series, is available now on Amazon and Smashwords. And soon at ebook retailers everywhere. And I know that I shouldn’t go around tooting my own horn, but I had the greatest shock today, and I just can’t keep it to myself. Because my heroine in Jagged Secrets is Korean American, one of the categories I decided to place the book under was Asian American fiction. And as of 6 o’clock pm, EST, it was holding steady at #2 on the Hot New Releases in Asian American Literature (although at one point today, it was #1 on that list. Here’s a screen shot to prove it.), and at #7 on the Bestsellers in Asian American Literature lists. I am officially an Amazon Bestselling Author! How crazy is that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jagged Secrets - Bestseller - Available Now!

Jagged Secrets, book 4 in my Jagged Ivory Series, is available now on Amazon and Smashwords. And soon at ebook retailers everywhere. And I know that I shouldn't go around tooting my own horn, but I had the greatest shock today, and I just can't keep it to myself. Because my heroine in Jagged Secrets is Korean American, one of the categories I decided to place the book under was Asian American fiction. And as of 1 o'clock EST, it was holding steady at #3 on the Hot New Releases in Asian American Literature, and at #10 on the Bestsellers in Asian American Literature lists. I am officially an Amazon Bestselling Author! How crazy is that?

Boxed Set is Here!

Well, the holidays are now upon us, and so is the new Pierced  boxed set. Get all three books of the entire Pierced Trilogy, plus a holiday novella entitled Pierced By Christmas, all in one suspenseful volume! Both the boxed set and the novella (which can be purchased separately) are available now on Amazon and Smashwords, and soon at eRetailers everywhere.