Shattered Glass
discussion
Questions? =D
Hi Dani. I adored "Shattered Glass". So funny and so human at the same time. I can't wait for the next ones. Are Cai's and Darryl's stories written but being edited, or are you still writing them?
Hey Kate,I'm still writing both. It's difficult because Darryl is such an angry person and Cai is just...not, so the flip back and forth between both stories is the hardest part.
Cai's story will be out long before Darryl's, though you'd never know it by the way Darryl keeps intruding on my writing of NSI. That's okay though. All his misbehavior will make torturing him almost as much fun as torturing Austin was =D.
Oh Darryl definitely calls for some author torture! Invites it, even. :>
Cai is such a sunny guy. What a sweetheart. You've definitely created some people that are going to take up residence in my brain and stick around awhile.
Cai is such a sunny guy. What a sweetheart. You've definitely created some people that are going to take up residence in my brain and stick around awhile.
Kate Mc. wrote: "Oh Darryl definitely calls for some author torture! Invites it, even. :>"Yes, he does. He's also a complete attention hog and seems to shout his personality. Which is good because he's got some surprises in store for everyone. Just when they think they understand him, they'll be like wtf?
"Cai is such a sunny guy. What a sweetheart. You've definitely created some people that are going to take up residence i..."
Cai has some dark places that no one sees and that he'll go to in NSI, but that's part of his sweetness too. That he hides it from people.
Btw, since they're taking residence in your head, will you take custody of Darryl a few months so that I can write NSI?
Dani wrote: "Btw, since they're taking residence in your head, will you take custody of Darryl a few months so that I can write NSI?
"
Certainly. I get along just fine with difficult characters. If he gets to be too much, I have some other evil friends on GR I can call for assistance. *cracks knuckles in preparation* :D
"
Certainly. I get along just fine with difficult characters. If he gets to be too much, I have some other evil friends on GR I can call for assistance. *cracks knuckles in preparation* :D
Just wanted to chime in Dani and tell you how much I loved Shattered Glass. Did you choose to self publish or did you have trouble finding a publisher? I can't imagine any publisher turning down your book. And take your time with the sequels. It will be worth the wait I'm sure.:)
Kate Mc. wrote: "Dani wrote: "Btw, since they're taking residence in your head, will you take custody of Darryl a few months so that I can write NSI?"
Certainly. I get along just fine with difficult characters. ..."
*leans back to enjoy the show* Good luck trying to control Tinkerbelle Kate ;D
Dani, you sure you want to let that menace loose? ^^
Kate Mc. wrote: "Dani wrote: "Btw, since they're taking residence in your head, will you take custody of Darryl a few months so that I can write NSI?"
Certainly. I get along just fine with difficult characters. ..."
Excellent. Now I can get some work done >8) Btw, he bites.
MandyM wrote: "Just wanted to chime in Dani and tell you how much I loved Shattered Glass. Did you choose to self publish or did you have trouble finding a publisher? I can't imagine any publisher turning down yo..."
Thanks so much for the compliment. Alas, I'll never know if they'd turn me down or not. I decided way back when I started that I wanted to self-publish. It was mostly (you'll probably laugh) that I wanted the control over my covers. I think that having Anne Cain might have change my mind, but I knew exactly what Austin and Peter looked like. And what Cai looked like and even Darryl. Having that in my head was so important to me.
It took me nearly five months to find the perfect likeness of Peter-I searched every day. A sick amount of time spent finding the model. The one that made my heart speed up as soon as I saw it. I couldn't imagine anyone else being on that cover but him (his name is Maurice Pascal btw).
The other part was, admittedly, money. While I adore the epublishers we have out there - the ones that gave me KZ Snow and RJ Scott <3, I really want to make my living off my writing. In that situation there are two choices. I can churn out massive amounts of books, or I can self-publish and take my time with each title. I'm not a writer who can mass produce. There are good ones who can do that, I just can't. So, long story short(too late), the profits on a self-publish seemed a more viable to me at the time.
That was a really long drawn out answer lol. I should warn everyone that I'm a
Dani wrote: "Kate Mc. wrote: "Dani wrote: "Btw, since they're taking residence in your head, will you take custody of Darryl a few months so that I can write NSI?
"
Certainly. I get along just fine with diffi..."
Well I kinda dumped your name in front of Aleks Voinov, so you may be getting some interest from Riptide. Blame me if you don't want it and tell them to go away. ;)
On another note, I saw on one of your blog posts you identify yourself as trans*. Do you have a preference as to how you like to be addressed or which pronoun I should use?
"
Certainly. I get along just fine with diffi..."
Well I kinda dumped your name in front of Aleks Voinov, so you may be getting some interest from Riptide. Blame me if you don't want it and tell them to go away. ;)
On another note, I saw on one of your blog posts you identify yourself as trans*. Do you have a preference as to how you like to be addressed or which pronoun I should use?
Aiko wrote: "Dani, you sure you want to let that menace loose? ^^ "Dunno, Aiko, he's pretty badass. I worry more for Kate Mc than I do for him. He comes with short-shorts and a chip on his shoulder that could feed an entire nation.
Dani wrote: "Aiko wrote: "Dani, you sure you want to let that menace loose? ^^ "Dunno, Aiko, he's pretty badass. I worry more for Kate Mc than I do for him. He comes with short-shorts and a chip on his should..."
I was more worried about Kate really ;) Darryl seems like he's able to take care of himself. Even in pink chaps. Gosh, I'm grinning just thinking about these guys. You've created some wonderful characters :)
Kate Mc. wrote: "Dani wrote: "Kate Mc. wrote: "Dani wrote: "Btw, since they're taking residence in your head, will you take custody of Darryl a few months so that I can write NSI?"
Certainly. I get along just fi..."
I'm comfortable with him or her right now. That might change in a few months as I'm considering T therapy =). But I don't think a pronoun defines me, so I'm good with whatever.
Aleks is one of my all time faves. He has some crazy-good books out there. So plop my name all over him if you want (and now I have to remind myself that I'm married). I has a crush. I hope he doesn't read this. Why am I still typing??
Aiko wrote: "Dani wrote: "Aiko wrote: "Dani, you sure you want to let that menace loose? ^^ "
Dunno, Aiko, he's pretty badass. I worry more for Kate Mc than I do for him. He comes with short-shorts and a chip ..."
Aiko. Babe. So little faith in me. I'm crushed.
Dunno, Aiko, he's pretty badass. I worry more for Kate Mc than I do for him. He comes with short-shorts and a chip ..."
Aiko. Babe. So little faith in me. I'm crushed.
Kate Mc. wrote: "Aiko wrote: "Dani wrote: "Aiko wrote: "Dani, you sure you want to let that menace loose? ^^ "Dunno, Aiko, he's pretty badass. I worry more for Kate Mc than I do for him. He comes with short-short..."
Aiko wrote: "Dani wrote: "Aiko wrote: "Dani, you sure you want to let that menace loose? ^^ "
Dunno, Aiko, he's pretty badass. I worry more for Kate Mc than I do for him. He comes with short-shorts and a chip ..."
I'll slip some tranquilizers into his sweet tea before he moves in with ya. Then Aiko and me can sleep at night knowing you're not suffering through angry tirades about gay rights and Rick Santorum.
Dani wrote: "Aleks is one of my all time faves. He has some crazy-good books out there. So plop my name all over him if you want (and now I have to remind myself that I'm married). I has a crush. I hope he doesn't read this. Why am I still typing?? "It's ok, we all love him :D
*poke Kate and beam* All the faith in the world in you! Just have a icklelittle feeling that Darryl is the exception that confirms the rule.
Dani wrote: "Kate Mc. wrote: "Aiko wrote: "Dani wrote: "Aiko wrote: "Dani, you sure you want to let that menace loose? ^^ "
Dunno, Aiko, he's pretty badass. I worry more for Kate Mc than I do for him. He comes..."
ROFL!! How about I just turn him loose on our buddy Rick? It would entertain Darryl and keep the world safe for the rest of us.
Dunno, Aiko, he's pretty badass. I worry more for Kate Mc than I do for him. He comes..."
ROFL!! How about I just turn him loose on our buddy Rick? It would entertain Darryl and keep the world safe for the rest of us.
hahaha :D Solving world-problems with fictional characters! I'm loving it.And seriously. Is there someone that could really benefit from a visit from Darryl-in-a-fit I think Rickyboy is pretty high up on that list.
I hope for his sake that Rick's name isn't Richard, because Darryl is not above calling someone "Dick" just so he say the word "dick" over and over - loudly.And I'm off to bed. It's been awesome chatting with you. Expect a pink-wrapped package with a fuchsia bow on your doorstep soon.
PS: I hope you have room for a lot, a lot of suitcases.
Oh hell, he'll just have to sleep on top of them. I'm out of extra closet space.
G'night. It's been fun chatting. :D
G'night. It's been fun chatting. :D
I on the other hand hope Rick's name is Richard ;pGood night Dani! Was nice chatting with you :)
Oh Kate dear! Time to make room for the pink whirlwind! *beam happily*
Dammit. I miss all the good stuff on goodreads today. If it wasn't for those meddlesome kids and their early dismissal Fridays! Dani, you need to up the price for this book. $2.99 is selling yourself short and makes people expect something crap. Your book is so not crap, you need to double it.
What Marleen say is so true Dani. You can safely double the price.
I am only 50% into the story, liking it very much. I agreed with Marleen, that you should increase the price of the book.
Because the sooner you can live off the sales of your books, the sooner you'll have more time to write them. See? It's win-win!
Kate Mc. wrote: "you may be getting some interest from Riptide..."Noooo, Not Riptide! They'll publish it 20 pages at a time and charge us a fortune!
Hi Dani, just wanted to say that as crazy your book is (and I'm never been such a fan of long book, like more than 450 pages :p) I had so much FUN reading yours. I definitely in for the next two books. BUT, I do agree with some of the suggestion here, I think you can actually increase the price of the book. With the fun I get from the story, how superb it is, I think it's actually a rip off and you deserve to get a bit more. Those more well-known publishers sometimes charge us too high, simply for short stories and pretty covers, but doesn't even offer half the quality I get from Shattered Glass #justsayin'
I do have one question though -- since Cai is the next story, will Begone has another appearance? I love that demonic cat :)
Happy writing and editing!!
Questions: What did Austin end up doing after quitting the Police?
Where did Peter's mother come from? Was she in Witsec too?
LOL you guys are great! Wow, I'm sort of in shock here. I literally have been speechless by your awesome comments and kind words.I'll try and address the price question as a whole and then the other ones individually.
Re: the price. This was mainly for readers out of the USA and using Amazon. Since it charges a VAT to all Europeans - and who knows how much Australians get charged, I thought $2.99 was a good place.
Publishing houses have cover artists and editors, accountants and other staff to pay. All of that goes into the price of their books. And really, I'd pay a ton of money for Anne Cain's or Nathie's or even Reese Dante's covers, so I'm okay with that. Really, sometimes I see Nathie/s covers or Anne's and the cover Moonlight, Tiger, and Smoke by Mara McKennen, and I find that I can't breathe. They're just so spectacular.
But for my book, I wanted it accessible to as many people as possible. That's why it has no DRM protection, it has no geographical constraints, it has many formats available on several different websites and it has text to speech availability for those that have that app. I wanted a special note to Australians, who I heard have an almost impossible time getting book: That won't be the case if I have any say about my books.
Ami wrote: "Hi Dani, I do have one question though -- since Cai is the next story, will Begone has another appearance? I love that demonic cat :)"
Begone will not only appear, she'll have a very obnoxious bird to deal with.
Marleen wrote: "Questions:"
"What did Austin end up doing after quitting the Police?"
While I don't want to give away too much of NSI, Austin did open a P.I firm. =) But even before that story is released, I will most likely be posting some free shorts up on my website with Peter and Austin and what happened between SG and NSI.
Where did Peter's mother come from? Was she in Witsec too?"
Peter's mother is Russian. She never left Florida. Peter is the one who disappeared without a trace. He wouldn't risk Csi's life by contacting his mother. Not to mention her rigid religious beliefs.
She wasn't ever in WitSec, no. She never turned on The Family.
She's a quite fascinating character for me, and I think, when I write my het stories eventually, the first one will be Angelica, then Rosafa and definitely a story for Zhavra. They are such beautiful, strong, flawed women.
Hi Dani,Another question, I hope you don't mind. Rosafa is an Albanian Muslim, which I think is quite interesting (I'm a Muslim myself). Do you have any reason on why you actually put that fact? Just wondering, because I definitely do not find a lot of Muslim characters in an M/M category
Oh, I can't wait to se the bird that will annoy Begone's life :)
Ami wrote: "Hi Dani,Another question, I hope you don't mind. Rosafa is an Albanian Muslim, which I think is quite interesting (I'm a Muslim myself). Do you have any reason on why you actually put that fact..."
Well, I grew up overseas. I spent the first ten years of my life in Libya. Two years in Indonesia and a year in Saudi Arabia. I think I have a different view of Muslims than most people because of that.
My first nanny was Muslim, my mother's best friend is Muslim, my best friend when I was 14 was/is Muslim. I spent all of my time at Reem's house with her mother who would cook me Kibbe and Cous Cous. And I have never once come across a Muslim woman who wasn't strong and capable and very much her own person. I also have never met an American hating Muslim. I know they exist, but I really just never have. All the Muslim women I know adore America and are not repressed or subjugated. I wanted to give that version of a Muslim to readers. Because that's the only one that I know from personal experience.
Thanks for the answer, Dani. I am an Indonesian myself, so it is interesting that you spent two years in my country.
Ami wrote: "Thanks for the answer, Dani. I am an Indonesian myself, so it is interesting that you spent two years in my country."I have never missed living somewhere - other than the USA - more than I miss Indonesia. And if I could find a recipe for Nasi Goreng that matched the one in local Jakarta restaurants, I'd be floating higher than Cai with a bag of sugar.
I have never been in Indonesia, but being Dutch (now living in the US) I have to subjugate my long suffering family to my paltry attempts at Nasi Goreng at least once a month..... Can you not raise the price for the US people only? I'm telling you, Americans need to pay more (or they're not going to value it).
haha. My attempts at Nasi Goreng are not much better than yours it sounds like. Although, to be honest, my cooking skills don't extend beyond Mexican food.Btw, =D I'm American. I just live in the coldest circle of hell (ie: northern Sweden.
I'm not sure I'd raise the price, even if I were able to. I love reading and I hope that by setting my price lower, budgets can stretch more and more books can be bought. There's a few worse feelings than being unable to buy a book, but it still hurts. Especially when your friends are reading at the same time, and you want to compare. Yeah?
But I gotta say, what you're saying, about the value of my book? I can't tell you good that feels and how it relieves some of the nervous flutters I had from wondering if anyone would read and like my story.
Dani wrote: "I just live in the coldest circle of hell (ie: northern Sweden."
ha ha ha. I finally figured out why I've run into so many people from Nordic countries on GR this winter. They're inside trying to stay warm and living vicariously from their computers because it's too cold to go outside!!!!
Your writing is well worth it. It's the best book I've read all year and I'm a really picky bitch who usually gives out lots of 2-3 star reviews. It's also a relief to know that it's too cold for you to do anything but sit in front of your computer and write more. :D
ha ha ha. I finally figured out why I've run into so many people from Nordic countries on GR this winter. They're inside trying to stay warm and living vicariously from their computers because it's too cold to go outside!!!!
Your writing is well worth it. It's the best book I've read all year and I'm a really picky bitch who usually gives out lots of 2-3 star reviews. It's also a relief to know that it's too cold for you to do anything but sit in front of your computer and write more. :D
See? I would stop worrying. You got Kate Mc on your bandwagon and you got me, and we have a bit of a reputation as snarky bitches who like to eviscerate poorly written and plotted crap, and who have no problems with crushing poor little authors' babies here on goodreads, no matter how loud they wail. It's been a long time since I wrote a detailed review for a book I liked 5 stars (I am not counting my review of 'The Locker Room' here, Kate, that was..... special). In fact, I may just go plop it on Amazon too....You may not become a favorite with the butterflies-and-unicorns-in-under-200-pages-crowd, but there are many, many readers out there who are going to love this.
@Kate: Don't forget the darkness. You know how little daylight they have in northern Sweden right now? *shudder*
Hah, you got us pegged there Kate. Outside is dark cold and full of snow. *shudder* So much more comfortable inside in front of my pretty computer with all my shiny books.
I call those places "the land north of summer" and I'm allergic to them.
Aiko wrote: "Hah, you got us pegged there Kate. Outside is dark cold and full of snow. *shudder* So much more comfortable inside in front of my pretty computer with all my shiny books."Minus thirty-eight a few days ago. I think I lost a nipple when I brushed it against the door on my way outside to walk the dog.
From January until late March, I will only go out to walk the dog and only at minus 15 and above. Otherwise, I am a blog with typing fingers for those months lol.
Marleen wrote: "See? I would stop worrying. You got Kate Mc on your bandwagon and you got me, and we have a bit of a reputation as snarky bitches who like to eviscerate poorly written and plotted crap, and who hav..."
Kate Mc. wrote: "Dani wrote: "I just live in the coldest circle of hell (ie: northern Sweden."
ha ha ha. I finally figured out why I've run into so many people from Nordic countries on GR this winter. They're in..."
I am very appreciative of all your comments =). I try not to read then too much because it's so tempting to respond with my gleeful cries of "Thank you!". And I have a policy, after all the self-pubbed authors bad behavior, of not responding to reviews. It still amazes me that the story got to anyone. I hope the next one lives up to expectations =).
Marleen wrote: "You may not become a favorite with the butterflies-and-unicorns-in-under-200-pages-crowd, but there are many, many readers out there who are going to love this. "
I'm okay with that. I think we all have tolerances of book styles and word limits. For me I had such a long story to tell, that I eventually had to say that I'd have to write more about these two in short stories on my blog.
In fact I already had to take out a chapter (5k words) of Peter's history. So the story you have is a chapter less and would have been nearly 130k words heh.
Dani wrote: "Minus thirty-eight a few days ago. I think I lost a nipple when I brushed it against the door on my way outside to walk the dog."Another reason to not get a dog! Lord almighty...-38...and I thought I was about to die when it was -20 here last week. I live in south-west of Norway though, so we escape the horrendous -50 winters of the north.
I wouldn't mind if the book had been 130k words long...or 13000k words (see me being all dramatic here!) I really really didn't want the book to end :)
And now you got me all curious about the cut-out history of Peter. Humpf :p
What do we need to do to get that chapter e-mailed to us?
Marleen wrote: "What do we need to do to get that chapter e-mailed to us?"The opportunity to get yourself some personal slaves handed on a silver platter ^^
Oh dear. LOL That's so tempting, but I'm not sure it fits in the story at all. It's very angsty. Angster O'Angsterton is all over those pages. (LOL it might actually ruin some of the story for you!)Some mystery is good, right? =D
>.>
<.<
>.<
Gods Dani, you just waved a huge red flag. Those two are angst whores. Really, really. Run for cover!!!!!
uh oh. I mean it's fluffy. Really fluffy. Rainbow colored semen and kittens playing with yarn. *sagenod*
Angst O.O mine! Brain is shortcutting all over the place!
on the other hand...Rainbow colored semen *chuckle*
Hey that's so nice of you to worry about our Aussie book buying problems! I put my review up on Amazon and I noticed you're up to 4 reviews there now. I'm crossing my fingers for you that one of the big blogs picks up your book for review as well.:) Can't wait for the freebie short stuff too...
MandyM wrote: "Hey that's so nice of you to worry about our Aussie book buying problems! I put my review up on Amazon and I noticed you're up to 4 reviews there now. I'm crossing my fingers for you that one of th..."Am I? *goes checks* Wow. LOL I am up to 4. I'm such a dork because I just wanna say "neat". LOL *hangs head*
And I worry very much about the Autralians. It's horrible but at least understandable when countries like China cannot get every book, but a westernized country like Australia. I don't get it. Publishers are crazy to screw that market. *boggle*
Angst? Did someone say angst? Fuck, yeah! Bring it on!
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Let me answer one possible question up front:
I really don't know when Not So Innocent (Cai and Riley's story) or Shatterproof (Darryl & Julian's) stories will be ready. They are slated for this year, but I'm rather a perfectionist when it comes to editing. I'm better at it now, so hopefully the process will be quicker - but I was in the editing process with Shattered Glass for nearly 5 months.
Warning: This thread might contain spoilers =)