New Year, New Beginning

After taking a year-long hiatus from all things related to writing, my one and only New Year's resolution this year is to write more, so this represents my brand new start. Of course, this is a promise I make to myself often, that there will always be time tomorrow, but there are no guarantees, so I have to make time to do the things I love, or not get the chance to do them at all.

This year I read a lot, mostly on my Sony e-reader. The whole e-book thing has really taken off, with a huge boom in e-book sales this past year. The big-box stores now carry Kindles and Nooks at affordable prices, making them easy to own, and super convenient. The introduction of the Kindle Fire is a game-changer, as it appears to be able to do all the things an i-Pad does at a fraction of the price. Even in my own sales, I've noticed Amazon is head-and-shoulders above the competition, so even though I originally wanted a Sony reader so that I could open all kinds of files (not just Kindle-formatted files), I am a huge supporter of the Amazon Kindle. Hey, if such a device can encourage people to read more, I'm all for it.

I've been wading through my gigantic list of book freebies I've downloaded. Most of them are generally Christian romance. I'm not a huge fan of the genre, but I do like the uplifting message most try to convey. As long as they don't get too preachy (often a huge mistake in books of that nature), I like the simplicity of it. I tend to enjoy the historical/western ones that blend the Christian romance in. However, reading this genre doesn't do much for my own inspiration since I have no interest in writing those types of books. Maybe that's telling me something right there.

I've also spent a lot of time playing video games this past year. I tend to really enjoy the ones that are more story-and-character-driven (obviously). I definitely don't fit into the 'typical gamer mold,' but it's still something I enjoy. Unfortunately it's been cutting into my valuable writing time significantly (I'm looking at you, Dragon Age and Skyrim). I can't be content with a game that generally takes about ten to twelve hours to beat, oh no. I go for the monsters that can take anywhere between 20 and 100 hours (depending on how much side questing you want to do). Fit a full-time job in there somewhere and you'll get an idea of how difficult it can be for me to just sit down and write.

Last year around this time, I'd only been living in my new house for two months, so there was an adjustment period there while we settled in and got used to the rhythm of a new life. I'm not sure I've really found that rhythm yet as life just seems so uncertain these days. But I am definitely trying. Hopefully I'll have something to show for all this effort by the end of the year. Several somethings would be nice, but I don't want to overwhelm myself.

Here's to a happy (and hopefully productive) new year!

Time off

I realize it's been a long time since I've bothered updating my blog, but there has been very little going on in my little writing world lately. For whatever reason, my muses seem to have mostly deserted me. Don't get me wrong, the desire to write is still there. However, every time I attempt to approach the computer I start feeling slightly sick. I attribute this to the recent stress I've been experiencing. My writing can't support me, so I'm forced to work full-time, yet I find myself at a point in my life where I'm no longer excited or happy about the prospect of my job. I'm thinking a career change is in order, and as much as I wish I could just quit my job and concentrate on my writing, that's not really an option, at least not at this point in my life (and probably not ever).

There have been a few big changes in my life recently, and I think I'm about to experience a couple more sooner than I'd like. But know that I'm trying very hard to get my writing back on track. I've returned to working on the sequel to the rather popular The Prince's Knight. I can't give an estimated completion date since I can't predict the future at this point, but at least I'm trying. That's really all I can do.

May Scavenger Hunt--Character Interview

All month long, Purple Sword, Whimsical Publications and Astraea Press are hosting a scavenger hunt. Authors from all three publishers have created character interviews to let you get to know their characters a little bit better. This next part is important: If you want to participate you must email our publicist, Robyn White, at promorobyn@gmail.com. She will send you a list of participating authors along with the questions you will need to answer in order to enter to win.

Following is my character interview with Alecandros, the male lead from my paranormal romance, Tied to a Demon:

Thank you for joining us today, Alec. For those who might not know you, why don’t you start off with telling us a bit about yourself.

First of all, my full name is Alecandros. Very few people are allowed to use the shortened version of my name.

So sorry, Alecandros. I should know better.

Yes. You should. I’m a demon from the nine hells, though I haven’t always been a demon.

So how does one become a demon?

It’s a long and painful process. Not something I would recommend. When I underwent the change, it was an experimental process, a method designed by perhaps the greatest wizard of his time and the leading expert on demonology, Reynauld. Essentially, the subject’s soul must be separated from his body. In my case, Reynauld had plans for me, so he needed my soul. After yanking it out, he stuffed it back in because he couldn’t have a soulless demon running around. I guess it worked out in the end, though I wish the process would have erased more of my memories.

So you remember most of your life before?

I remember a great deal more than I think I should. It’s strange. Becoming a demon felt like having someone remove the wool over my eyes. I could see things clearly for the first time. As a result, everything that’s happened to me since that moment feels more real, like my real life didn’t begin until I lost my soul. My previous life is a bit muddled and fuzzy. The easiest moments for me to remember occurred towards the end of it unfortunately.

These events you speak of. Are they the reason you chose to submit to the process of becoming a demon?

Yes. Before that I was a renegade wizard. I had so much power, I cared little for the consequences of my actions. My own experiments were everything to me, and I didn’t balk at the thought of taking human life if it furthered my research. Towards the end, I was being hunted, and sought refuge with Reynauld. It turned out he could use me, but by that point I didn’t care. I only wanted to escape the hunters.

So what were you researching?

Oddly enough, my studies weren’t that different from Reynauld’s. I just went about it in a different way. I was studying the way a human’s soul was connected to its body. I began with animals, but I could learn very little from them since they’re so different.

What made you take the leap from animal experimentation to human?

I grew frustrated. You’re probably looking for a more satisfying answer, but that’s all it was. Animals couldn’t tell me what I wanted to know, so I moved on.

Let’s do the same. What became of you after Reynauld turned you into a demon?

Well, I don’t want to give too much of the story away, so I will just say that he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Instead of unlimited freedom, I found myself in the nine hells, awaiting my eventual release. Let me tell you, the hells are not a pleasant place. The seventh hell was my ‘home,’ for lack of a better term. I hated the place.

What does a demon do for fun then?

Most of my fellows dreamed up new ways to torture people. But I was stuck with my soul, so it was different for me. I moped a lot, in the beginning. There wasn’t a lot to do besides wait for the event that would finally set me free. And once I was free, there was no way I was going back.

Just a few more questions before I let you go. Shanna isn’t the first witch who’s summoned you, yet she called you forth from the nine hells. Care to explain that?

The  other witches all knew what they were doing. If Shanna had bound her circle properly, she would have been able to send me back, too. But once I broke free, there was no turning back.

Well, she did summon you accidentally.

Yes. And I used that to my advantage.

What did you think of Shanna when you first saw her?

I reacted badly at first, but being ripped from someplace and thrown into another is disconcerting. Once I’d adjusted to my surroundings, I realized Shanna wasn’t the all-powerful witch I imagined. She was struggling. I found her clumsiness adorable, but she’s just lucky I’m the worst thing she’s ever summoned.

Thank you for answering my questions today, Alecandros. One last thing. Are we thinking sequel?

I should think not. A prequel might be possible, but I think my adventuring days are mostly over now, and I prefer it that way. I’m quite happy with the way things turned out. Let’s just leave it at that, shall we?

An Update

Yikes. Life has really derailed my writing career lately and I feel horrible about it, but I just can't force myself back on track. I'm trying very hard to get my head back in the game, but unfortunately it hasn't been that easy. I've recently started working overnights, which can be hard on anyone, so my sleep has been suffering, and when I feel groggy/drowsy/tired, I just can't write. I worry about it constantly, but even approaching the computer will give me a greater case of lethargy. I cringe at the idea of even entering the room that houses my computer. Once my schedule settles down a bit, I hope things will get better. Even being able to write this blog post is a step in the right direction.


Here's another step:

ATTENTION ALL READERS: Who wants to join in some scavenger hunt mayhem and fun for the month of May? Learn more about your favorite authors, their work and their wonderful characters in our Character Interview Blog Bash! Great prizes to be won, as well! Please email Robyn at promorobyn@gmail.com if you would like to participate and she will put you on a contestant list!


Purple Sword is set to participate, so I am working on a character interview (and currently procrastinating over it). I've never written one before and just settling on the character I wanted to do it for took me about two weeks. But seeing as how I haven't even really touched my computer in those two weeks either, except to check email, I get sidetracked easily by everything that's been happening, with fellow authors, in the world in general, by this great news I just had to share. Well, I'd better get to it!

End of Days

Once in a while, when I find I'm at an impasse on a current project, I find it helpful to take a stab at something new. Royal Guard Book 2 is the project I'm currently working on, but considering the first book was the last thing I published, I've been finding it a bit difficult to dive right back into that world, so I found myself in need of a distraction.

I briefly entertained the notion of taking on a pseudonym to publish short, strictly erotica books, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Promoting books under one name is difficult enough. Just thinking about the logistics involved for two names made my head spin.

Still, I have decided to pen some shorter tales revolving around angels and demons. The basic premise has been done before, in certain ways. You might refer to my angels as valkyries for instance. But I've decided not to call my Armageddon Ragnarok. The end of the world is simply known as the End of Days, and while it fills the angels with dread, the demons are looking forward to it. Both sides are tasked with choosing their warriors. In the first book, which doesn't have a title just yet, Kieran's target is Samantha Jordan. He doesn't know why the demons want her, but he does know that the angels are after her as well. Yet, Kieran is the best at what he does.   There shouldn't be a problem, until an angel makes him an offer he can't refuse.

Purple Sword Blog and Facebook

Want a great way to keep track of Purple Sword's authors, their great new releases, and everything else Purple Sword?

Check out their wonderful, in-depth blog here: http://pspreleases.blogspot.com/?zx=23678a80cd0b4832.

Or become a friend on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Purple-Sword-Publications/107420692619430?sk=wall.

Tied to a Demon nominated for an award!

Tied to a Demon has been nominated for its second award, this time for Siren Book Reviews' Best Books of 2010, in the paranormal romance category.

Even better, Siren is entering all voters into a contest to win free e-books, so click on the link to go vote for me and get your name entered in the drawing:
http://sirenbookreviews.weebly.com/nominees-paranormal-romance.html

Voting lasts until Feb. 1st.

Their reviewer for Tied to a Demon had very nice things to say about it. She gave the book 5/5 Siren Stones. Here's a quote, though it was difficult to choose just one:

"Tied to a Demon kept me up until the wee hours of the morning because I was unable to put it down."

In my opinion, that's the highest compliment an author can receive.

Please, go visit the website to read the full review: http://sirenbookreviews.blogspot.com/2010/10/rachel-d-thompson-tied-to-demon.html.