Vampire Books Fans, Fangs and Writers discussion

Sandrine, the panel will have actual VAMPIRES on it? You mean, people who really drink blood and God knows what else? That would make me nervous. I once roleplayed with someone who finally said she did this, and I noticed she also threatened people with knives if they criticized her inability to write properly. I don't know that my writing would cater to those kinds of people; my stories don't advocate that kind of behavior any more than detective stories advocate murder. That's just where I'M at.

Francis, who were you asking about how the novel is coming along? In case it was me, I'll tell you I'm going over the chapters and doing a little touching up, trying to see the whole thing as a whole, and filling in missing pieces. It's coming along okay; I've been working on it a lot lately, taking chapters with me on the bus and marking them in pen, and then typing in the changes at home, as I am not rich enough to own a laptop. I have reached a point where I want to get ideas from other writer friends about how to stage one or more "cures" that don't work out, but there are still more otherwise complete chapters to go over. I am having a hard time imagining how I will be able to cut enough to make it as short as it should be later. I fear I may end up with another "Erygon" when it comes to length. But if I do, I pray it won't be do to any wordiness. I want to cut, cut, cut anything unnecessary. The plot itself has twists and turns that seem to lend itself to length, and that may be okay.

(Humans drinking blood is a stupid concept, and not remotely erotic.)

I was asking Sandrine, since she was talking about marketing, but it's nice to hear how you're doing.

Would it make sense to split it into a trilogy? Do you feel that there is enough incentive for finding a cure? Do they deserve it? All of them? At what point do you say, "F?*k this! Let's kill them all..."

I used to carry note books around for writing, and still do, but I use my iPad a lot now. Very useful to have the whole novel easily accessible, so you can remind yourself exactly what happens at different places.

Robin, if you have any children, tell them you want a laptop, for christmas. I never had one at all, untill last Christmas. I told them I wouldn't mind having a computer just, to see if I could figure out, how to work it. So here I am, playing around. I've joind a book club, and basically playing!!! Do you think, Francis idea would help you out any? Sounds good to me.

I released my first novel in my series at the end of August. Its PNR and features both Vampire and Witches In one of the paranormal groups that I am involved with here on GR, I saw a comment by a member about hating all the stories where the vampire males end up being good guys, or something to that effect. It made me a bit anxious, but being PNR, I figure at some point there has to be a good/hero-type character, otherwise, it where would the 'R' come in in PNR, right? The second part that really had me concerned was that a lot of readers, particularly in some of the groups I was looking at, seemed to want a short, quick and extremely erotic read. Now, there is nothing wrong with that, some days I want a quick read that isn't going to consume me; however, I grew up reading epic novels that were 400-500 pages and I tend to lean towards the large and long tales in my writing as well. I want to deliver something that is going to pull the reader in and have them walk away from it knowing and loving the characters. Those are the types of books that I have always gone back to and re-read and re-read throughout my life.

I signed up for a lot of groups on GR to try to learn the audience preferences that are out there right now, and have been slowly working my way through them, trying to learn the culture of each. Tonight was the first night that I really started to read a lot of threads in this group, and I loved seeing everything that you all wrote above, I am going to have to spend some more time here, because there are some really good posts. I love some of the questions (and responses) that have been presented. Good stuff!

Nice to meet you, Heather. I'm not an author, just a reader. Love the vampires, & whiches. Sometimes, I think I'm a whitch,but no, just a woman that has strange dreams, once in a while. What makes them so strange, is that in a couple of days after, something odd happenes, concerning the dream. Ok. Welcome to our little part of the world! We talk,read, & even have fun. I do like the good V, but also like the down in the dirt bad, ones as well. Maybe we can read an excert from 1 of your novals. We will tell you if we like them or not.Don't mean to sound ugly.It is, what it is!

Rita wrote: "Nice to meet you, Heather. I'm not an author, just a reader. Love the vampires, & whiches. Sometimes, I think I'm a whitch,but no, just a woman that has strange dreams, once in a while. What makes ..."

Rita, there is an excerpt from the first posted here on Goodreads if you want to take a look. :) I appreciate honest feedback, always, and love to connect with readers and writers.

Hi Heather.

I'm also surprised that there's such a market for short fiction. I keep wondering why people would spend money on stories that are sometimes less than 5000 words long. Especially erotic stories, given that there's so much of that free on the internet (and generally better written as well).

Regarding heroic vampire males... let me quote shamelessly from my novel Suzie and the Monsters: A Fairytale of Blood, Sex and Inhumanity:

'But how absurd is that? A murdering hell-fiend wanting to bring others to justice?'

'Happens all the time on TV,' Alia grins.

'Yeah, right. Mr I'm-too-good-to-kill-humans saving pathetic damsels in distress. If it was me, I'd be dis-dressing the damsels and killing their boyfriends for dessert. Do you think there's a series in that?'

'I'd watch it,' Alia and Cleo say together.

'So would I,' I laugh. 'We'd need a tag-line. "There's more than one way to eat a woman," maybe?' Smiles all round.

I had to read it twice, but it sounded good. It would take a while for me to read, as, I go back & reread a lot to make sure I understand, just what I read. Haven't read any worded in that way.Thier all modern & fairly fast reads. Not all though, but most.It's differant. The way you speak, & how you say it. Makes the mind have to work harder. You have used the same style, as the classics, thats for sure. It's deep. You know what I mean? Yes, very deep.Sounded a little, like the man was, not really afraid, maybe reluctant,but still looking forward to the battle.Let me know if I understood it, please.

Your not bad, Francis. I read, what you posted, for, Heather, & it really, sounded good. Like I keep saying, as soon, as I finish the ones I have, & you know the rest, but I mean it. Your lines really did sound good!!! OK?

Hi Rita, & thanks. No hurry - I know what it's like.

Heather: Quite interesting, although it's got that edited-by-spellchecker problem...

Glad you understand. I have not read much this week. I try, but so late, my eyelids start closing, & give up. The same, tonight. Still haven't picked my book up to read, & it's already late. Guess my eyes needed a rest. They really bother me sometimes.Its a shame, when a woman, cant see to put mascara on her lashes.Of course, all I wear is powder, blush & eyeshadow & a little lipstick. Lick it off way befor I'm ready to go. I'm tired, think I need to go to bed. Talk to ya'll tomorrow.

Wow, a lot's been posted here, and I don't dare take the time to read it all right now because I need to get my sleep, as I will be busy in the city all day tomorrow--from writer's group in the morning to the text ball in the night. But let me respond to the little bit I've read.

Rita, I have one child, and she struggles to pay her rent and such. I wouldn't ask her for a computer. What I really enjoyed recently from her was a week-long visit when I graduated from college, because she lives on the other side of the country! I have a serviceable computer, it's just not a laptop. And laptops can be heavy to carry around--heavier than a chapter or two of my novel or a book to read. Depends on the laptop, I know, but there just isn't any money for such a toy. If there was, I'd probably use it to save my teeth, because my dentist wants to give me two crowns and my insurance doesn't pay for them.

Francis, I had not thought of breaking up this particular story into more than one book. I have other books in mind for the same series later. I will consider the option, though I don't know where the story would be broken up or how satisfying each part would be in itself. I just figured I was getting unwieldy with this one and would have to cut a lot to make it concise enough.

As for whether the characters may say "To hell with it, kill 'em all," in the world of this series, that is the norm for those humans who realize the vampires are real, and to write about them would not be unusual, and it wouldn't suit my purpose. Even the main characters of my story do not agree on how to approach the vampire problem. Darrell (you've met him in my short story) takes the traditional view that vampires are undead monsters and that the only way to stop them is to kill them. He defers to Mary's idea to look for a cure only reluctantly, for a number of reasons, and at one point really does try to kill Carletta (also in the short story). And even Mary is riddled with doubts and mixed feelings about the matter, especially since Carletta is her worst enemy. I had to bolster up her dreams and memories in my latest rewriting to make it realistic that she considers a cure at all.

One of the assumptions that go with the common "kill 'em all" mentality is that you can do it and that you can get away with it (okay, that's TWO assumptions). But for these ordinary modern teenagers, that does not appear to be the case. It's just too convenient to have the vampires all just turn to dust when they are staked, removing all evidence that you have killed somebody with your bare hands, however wicked or deserving that person seems to be. The police and courts don't take kindly to people taking the law into their own hands, whether they are crazy enough to claim someone is a vampire or not.

I don't want to reveal all the nuances of the matter here, but those are a few. The most important ones I'll save for the books themselves. You are asking some of the "right" questions, certainly. I hope such questions make people want to read the books rather than avoid them.

Ah, I just looked up the thread and read the snippet from your novel, Francis. Good dialogue!

Hi, Heather!

I have read some PNR and liked it--both the funny and the serious kind.

Rita wrote: "I had to read it twice, but it sounded good. It would take a while for me to read, as, I go back & reread a lot to make sure I understand, just what I read. Haven't read any worded in that way.Thie..."

Rita, I had a hard time following the thread, I think I need a bit more sleep. Were you talking about mine here, or? Before I go rattling off some answer, thought I should confirm.

Robin wrote: "Hi, Heather!

I have read some PNR and liked it--both the funny and the serious kind."

:) Mine has a bit of both, I think, and definitely not a short story. Chosen is @112,000 words. I thought the second would be significantly shorter, but it is shaping up to be @100,000 as I work through the editing/rewriting process.

Robin wrote: "Francis, who were you asking about how the novel is coming along? In case it was me, I'll tell you I'm going over the chapters and doing a little touching up, trying to see the whole thing as a who..."

I think if your storyline warrants it, the length isn't going to matter, readers aren't going to notice. Seriously. I wouldn't stress about the length until it is completed and you know exactly what you are dealing with. Then consider cutting it down if you truly think it is necessary, otherwise you might affect your ability to write the story because you are too conscious of editing word count as you go. While I did a few rounds of editing on my laptop, I printed the book out two separate occasions and marked up each chapter. I think that you 'see' more when it is in print. Another thing I learned from publishing Chosen, you also 'see' more if you put it in eReader format and read it as your reader sees it, rather than just in Word format. I found a few things that I need to go back and tweak by reading mine that way, and I really thought my 2 rounds of rewrites and 3 rounds of editing had it nearly perfect. Yet another wonderful thing about ePublishing - it is so easy to do a 2nd edition. :)

Heather wrote: "Rita wrote: "I had to read it twice, but it sounded good. It would take a while for me to read, as, I go back & reread a lot to make sure I understand, just what I read. Haven't read any worded in ..."

I was talking about, what I read, of your's. Just wanted to know, if I understood, what I read. It's kind of hard, when its just a small part of a whole book.

Robin wrote: "Wow, a lot's been posted here, and I don't dare take the time to read it all right now because I need to get my sleep, as I will be busy in the city all day tomorrow--from writer's group in the mor..."

I didn't ask for a laptop, just a computer. I guess they knew, I wouldn't, stay back in the bedroom, where the desk is. I have it on the dinning table. I don't use it to eat on, so, I use it as a catch all table. Girl, I know what it's like, not to have money for something. I've been, with & without. Money never made anybody happy.It just makes things easier. Anything that comes to easy,isn't really apreciated as much, as something, we have to work hard to have.

Rita - thank you for your feedback, it was incredibly nice to hear. I agree, it is very hard to judge from the chapter excerpts that I posted, yes. The first few chapters of the book are almost like prologue material, so for the excerpt I wanted to give readers an idea of the drama that is going to unfold.

I have always loved PNR, but I have also always loved the historical romance styles of Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught, so my style probably leans more towards those two authors in the way that I write.

There is definitely a blend of old world and modern in the entire series, as the Vampire and Witch are ancient, but living in the modern world. The 2nd in the series (Forsaken) gives a better understanding of that because much of it takes place in a modern, 'mortal' city, rather than entirely in the Realm.

Lorcan is an ancient Vampire and has many issues he is forced to confront during the course of Chosen. Although he is drawn to Kaitriana, has always been drawn to Kaitriana, she is a Witch. He harbors no small amount of antagonism for her breed, for good reason, and remains conflicted about that, and about what her existence means for him beyond the attraction he has to her. So yes, I think you read him well.

The series, as outlined, has 13 books currently in the works, and each builds on the other until the final which will bring resolution to the conflict between the Factions.

If you decide to read more, I would definitely be interested in hearing what you think as you get in to it. I have it offered through Amazon.com, Smashwords, Google Books and iTunes right now. It should be available through B&N and Sony Reader store next week. I am offering it for $0.99 through all outlets (except Google Books because their platform is a bit unwieldy right now and I haven't dropped the price there yet), because it is really more important that I build an audience and connect with readers. I am having way too much fun writing right now to worry about profit.

Thanks again for reading it last night!! :)

You are very welcome. I'm glad, I read him right. It's hard, when taken out of context, not knowing, what came before,& after. Right now, I have 4-6 books,yet to read, standing in my bookshelves, so don't want to add to them, yet. If you put more on hear, I will read that. What I did read, sounded good,& there are several authors, on here, that have some, interesting.

I really don't understand that. 13 books in a series? I can understand planning up to maybe 5 books as a coherent set, but more than that is problematic. It can be done, I know, and I enjoyed Crown of Stars by Kate Elliott, for example, although waiting two years for the next meant that by the end I had only a vague memory of the start. And she's very good at it.

You have to question what the target audience is as well. If you're really writing YA, then your audience could age ten years by the time you finish. I have a huge problem with Harry Potter because of this. It was invented as a children's story in many ways, but tried to make itself increasingly adult and serious with each book, but (in my mind anyway) just looked weird.

Whether I'm reading or writing, I want to know that there is a definite end, and I'm increasingly reluctant to start reading a new series for this reason.

But also... 13 books? You may have character arcs and plot outlines for that, but will your determination to write it last to the end?

Not trying to be critical, just genuinely puzzled...

Francis wrote: "I really don't understand that. 13 books in a series? I can understand planning up to maybe 5 books as a coherent set, but more than that is problematic. It can be done, I know, and I enjoyed Crown..."


I disagree, maybe it doesn't work with your genre, but in mine, it does. I am reading Kresley Cole's IAD series and she is at #11 and no where near the end. If there is enough of a story to tell, and with the series that I have developed there is, extended series makes sense. Additionally, in the PNR genre, there are many others authors that have very long series. You really cannot judge it without knowing the plotline or the story.
I am not writing YA fiction, I am writing Paranormal Romance for the 18+ market. Book 2 is written, Book 5 is written and various parts of others are already written. My intention is to release one about every 6 months, not every two years. Without knowing me, you really cannot judge my commitment to finishing my works either.

I wasn't questioning your commitment, nor was I saying you would take two years between novels.

However, you have set out for yourself what you will be writing for the next six+ years, and six+ years is a long time. Are you so certain that you won't during that time itch to write something else entirely?

As you say, I don't know you, and I'm certainly not judging you. I wish you luck. I am, however, expressing puzzlement that anyone would set out on a six+ year plan.

I haven't read IAD. The covers and synopses put me right off. (I guess I'm not a target reader.) Are they really a single coherent storyline the way yours is?

I am trying to distinguish between a long series where books are added as and when, and something that is planned from the start.

Hope, you don't mind, if I cut in on your conversation, but I don't know if I would want to start another series, with that many books. Vamire Diaries, has 16 out, & #17, comes out, Oct.23. Most of those were allready out, when I started reading them. I will have to reread the last chapter, in the last book, just to refresh my memory. Who even knows, if I would still be here, when the series is finished? Maybe, I won't have to reread it after all, as I still remember how the last ended, & that was 5 or 6 months ago.Just hate the waiting though.

Hi Rita.

I read Jasper Fforde's Shades of Grey when it came out in 2010 and loved it. I reached the end and discovered that he intends there to be a sequel.

Great! Except... it hasn't been written yet. Latest news I think is that he will write it in 2014 for release in 2015... Aarg!!!

(Oh, if only the same were true of Fifty Shades of Grey ...)

Thats way too long for a book, in a series, to come out. I wouldn't start it, if I knew that. Like, I said, VD,most were out when I started. I've only had to wait, for 2-4, & It didn't take this long,for them. As I said, they have a gost writer now,so it may just take longer for them to write.

It's a shame about that. I really feel for her, losing the series like that.

Fracis, Have you read any of the Fifty Shades? I have the first 2, but no time yet, to read them. I hear, they are very explicid, but don't know yet. One Of my Grandaughters, thinks They will embarrace me.She just doesn't realise, that this generation, didn't, invent sex. HA! HA! Wonder where they think, they came from?

Only bits, and it's not really explicit, just more risque than traditional romance, with pseudo-BDSM elements.

They actually upset me a lot because they have that same theme of control and abuse that the Meyer books have, i.e., it's a *very* *bad* description of how dominance-submission relationships work in reality.

Still, I know you like the Meyer books, so maybe you'll be able to read the 50 Shades books without wanting to scream...

Francis wrote: "I wasn't questioning your commitment, nor was I saying you would take two years between novels.

However, you have set out for yourself what you will be writing for the next six+ years, and six+ ye..."

Yes, I am certain I will itch to write other things, I have other ideas floating around for shorter series already, but I love the writing and I love these characters and this particular series.

Commiting six years to something that I have a fabulous time doing doesn't seem like too long at all. From the research I have done, it seems that the PNR audience prefer the series approach, and I think so long as I can timely produce the books, it will be fine.

I agree that waiting too long makes it hard for the readers to stay with the storyline, I have had that experience with series and it is frustrating. I am going to try to not do that to my readers.

Each novel in my series has a conclusion for the main characters and subplots within that book, but the ultimate conclusion for the premise of the series itself will play out over the course of them all.

The IAD series is very much the PNR genre and definitely is probably more targeted towards the female audience, so I get your being put off by it (and the covers). :) The characters carry through from some of her books, but it is much more involved with plots and subplots and subplots of subplots and about 10 different types of supernatural beings. Itcan get a bit confusing, especially when you have to wait months for the next book in the series. I am definitely trying to avoid that pitfall with mine.

Thanks for your feedback and input. I appreciate it!

Rita wrote: "Hope, you don't mind, if I cut in on your conversation, but I don't know if I would want to start another series, with that many books. Vamire Diaries, has 16 out, & #17, comes out, Oct.23. Most of..."

I don't mind that at all. It is good feedback to have...authors are asking a lot of their readers to commit to getting involved in a long series read. I get it. :)

It would have to be, extra special, for me. Still, that is a long time, & I always, want to be around to see how it ends. Of course I don't plan on, kicking the bucket, in the near future.Thats almost 8 yrs. Just think thats too long. Sorry, what little I read was good, but was it that good? I don't know.

Find yourself a friendly vampire and who knows... you could have all eternity to finally catch up on your reading!

Rita wrote: "It would have to be, extra special, for me. Still, that is a long time, & I always, want to be around to see how it ends. Of course I don't plan on, kicking the bucket, in the near future.Thats al..."

I understand, totally, it requires an investment of your time and a commitment to something and someone you don't know. :) It won't be for everyone, and I am okay with that too. Thank you for reading what you read though and for giving your honest opinion. You did take the time to invest some of yourself in my work and I am appreciative of that. I cannot really ask for more. :)

I swear, Francis, your so funny. Like I said, I don't plan on going anywhere, for a long time.I'm just to honory for that. God is probley holding me back. He knows I'm gonna cause, all kinds, of hell, when I get there. One things for certain, everbody will know I'm there. I may be a little lady, but have a huge voice. , Used it for singing,when I was younger. My son sings also. We got it from my mother, & my gradfather. He had the most beautiful tenor voice, I ever heard. Yep, they'll all no when I get there!!!!!

I can believe that. :-)

I love singing, but I usually only do it around the house, like tonight I'm occasionally joining in with The Pirates of Penzance.

Heather, you can never know, just what I will do. How can you, when I don't even know, until I do it. Ha, I'm just crazy. I don't mean, in my mind, just things I say & do. Love to catch people off guard, & say something relevant, & funny, & watch thier, reactions. If you want to read any more of your work, I'ed be happy to.

(You can read the beginning through the Amazon preview.)

Francis, I tried to get an Amazon acct. yesterday, but didn't. When they ask for my password, I put it in, but it spelled out the word,So I backed out of it. When it ask the second time, it did just the dots. What's up with that?

Sounds strange - I would have to actually see it to give any useful advice.

Anyway, you don't need an account. Just go here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00946YS1S
and click on the cover image.

Thanks Francis. I'll do that in just a little bit. Now I need to cloths out of dryer.

Past midnight here. I'm awa tae bed...

Where do you live? I forgot.

Rita wrote: "Heather, you can never know, just what I will do. How can you, when I don't even know, until I do it. Ha, I'm just crazy. I don't mean, in my mind, just things I say & do. Love to catch people off ..."

You remind me of a friend I work with...your comments make me laugh. Yes, as Francis mentioned, you can read the first 20% free on Amazon, iTunes, Smashwords - whatever your preferred ebook retailer happens to be. Have a great night!!

Heather wrote: "Rita wrote: "Heather, you can never know, just what I will do. How can you, when I don't even know, until I do it. Ha, I'm just crazy. I don't mean, in my mind, just things I say & do. Love to catc..."

I dont have an Ebook. I like holding the book & even like the smell of the books. Does that sound wierd?

Rita wrote: "Heather wrote: "Rita wrote: "Heather, you can never know, just what I will do. How can you, when I don't even know, until I do it. Ha, I'm just crazy. I don't mean, in my mind, just things I say & ..."

Not at all. My husband bought me one as a birthday gift, or I probably would still not have one. I can be very resistant to change when it comes to technology. However, I am addicted to mine. I love the instant download of any and all books that I might be in the mood to read, and the fact that I can cart all of them around with me with such ease and switch to a new book with just a swipe of my finger if I feel like it. That does NOT mean that I have gotten rid of all of my precious novels crowding my bookshelf though. They are my old friends, some of them I have read five or more times, and I will always come back to them because they are my most favorite reads.

My sister reads a lot, like me, but she has a kendal, is that right, or am I thinking of something else? Yes, I always think, I just might want to read this again, so don't loan it out, & never sell it back to Hastins. Well, I never get back to reading them, & still wont get rid of them either. I'm not a hoarder either. If I haven't used in the last 2-4 yrs. chances are that I wont use it again, so get rid of it.My books are different. I still have a lot of my Daddy's books. One book is pricless though. It belonged to my husband's Grandfather. It is an army issued kaki, Bible. He carried it on him all through WW1, in France.