I picked up the second book today and started working on the edits. I just couldn’t help myself. I’ve got the time to work on it and I need to get it done. I started working on the edits around two o’clock this afternoon and wrapped things up at about eleven this evening. I left myself a note so that I can pick up where I left off tomorrow.
I’m honestly surprised I can still type. I love the feeling that I get when I’ve worked my brain so much that a little part of it is going, “I hate you, you bitch.”
I enjoy editing. It feels good to work on something and to see the finished product. It also helps keep the book fresh in my mind. It’s not easy work, but it’s certainly rewarding to me.
Everyone makes mistakes. That is why it’s crucial to edit. I generally do not edit while I’m writing the book. That’s flow time. I’m not going to stop to edit and stifle the flow unless I’m on top of the mistake. If I’m done for the day and I’m looking for more work to do, then I’ll go over the work I’ve already done and clean it up, but my major edits don’t happen until the book is done.
When the book is done I do a read-through. I sit down with the manuscript and a box of colored pencils (or at the computer with a notepad nearby), and I go through and make notes while editing.
Today, I sat at the computer for about nine hours cutting, rewriting, checking consistency, and correcting mistakes. I’m not done with the edits yet, but I am so done for the night. It’s time to go spend some time with my sweetie and unwind.
Blessings,
Winter
October 11, 2009
October 6, 2009
Preternatural Fiction.
I started writing at a very young age and I’ve always been intrigued by the paranormal. I remember when I was five years old and the neighbors across the street moved out of their house. I was convinced that when people moved out of their houses they left a ghost behind (don’t ask me why).
What did I do?
I sneaked over to the house to investigate, peeking through windows, trying to look under the door. Trust me, I’m fully aware of how strange that sounds, but I was seriously convinced that I was going to see my first ghost. I’m pretty sure I didn’t see a ghost. No, what I saw was most likely a shadow. The shadow was enough. My entire tough, “I’m going to see my first ghost,” attitude fell away and I was suddenly a child again, a child that freaked herself the Hel out and ran home to mummy.
One thing I retained into my adulthood has been my imagination. Fortunately, I’ve learned not to turn it against myself. There’s a fine line between reality and fiction, but let’s face it - fiction is just so damn fun. It’s especially fun when you’ve got a gun carrying female protagonist that happens to be, not only a preternatural private investigator and a practicing witch, but a lycanthrope trying to keep her “disease” under wraps.
In Kass’s world, life is just a little different.
Ever looked at your colleague and thought that she/he looked like a bacon cheeseburger? Ever tried to keep that hungry look out of your eyes? Well, Kassandra has. It’s fun being in a character’s head when she’s kneeling beside a body thinking, “Dear Gods, please don’t let my stomach growl,” while surrounded by a bunch of blue uniforms.
I write what interests me. I write what I’m passionate about and what I’d like to read. I’ve always adored stories with a strong female protagonist that knows how to hold her own and how to handle a weapon.
The idea for Kassandra’s story came to me years ago. I wasn’t ready to write the book then and her image wasn’t clear in my mind. A year or two later, when she finally came to me and I could see her clearly – I got sucked into her world.
I’ve had people ask me, “Why do you write lesbian fiction when you could make it onto the New York Times Bestseller list by writing hetero-fiction?”
In the words of Kate Clinton, “Let’s get one thing straight . . . I’m not.”
I think that if you’re a writer and you’re writing something that you’re not passionate about – you’re wasting words. You should write what you’re passionate about, what you feel strongly about. If you’re not passionate about what you’re writing, how can you expect your readers to be? If you can’t feel it, how are your readers going to? Chances are they won’t.
Another suggestion I’ve received was, “Why not just leave sexuality out in general?”
To which, all I have to say is this:
Where’s the fun in that? If, by chance, somewhere down the road I’m inspired to write a story with zero element of sexuality (which is highly unlikely), then I’ll do it. As it is, that’s just not the type of writer I am.
Why should someone stifle who they are for someone else’s sense of satisfaction? What good does it do any of us to pretend to be something or someone we’re not? It doesn’t. It does so much more harm than good in most cases. It especially causes harm to the self.
Yes, in life there are times when it is wise to remain silent and times when it is wise to speak out and stand up for yourself and who you are. I am not saying stand up and fight fire with fire – I’m a firm believer that fighting fire with fire is one sure way to burn down a house.
What I am saying is this – don’t be afraid to be who you are, don’t be afraid to follow your dreams, and never give another person the power to trample over them.
Follow your inspiration and let the muse be your guide.
Brightest Blessings,
Winter
What did I do?
I sneaked over to the house to investigate, peeking through windows, trying to look under the door. Trust me, I’m fully aware of how strange that sounds, but I was seriously convinced that I was going to see my first ghost. I’m pretty sure I didn’t see a ghost. No, what I saw was most likely a shadow. The shadow was enough. My entire tough, “I’m going to see my first ghost,” attitude fell away and I was suddenly a child again, a child that freaked herself the Hel out and ran home to mummy.
One thing I retained into my adulthood has been my imagination. Fortunately, I’ve learned not to turn it against myself. There’s a fine line between reality and fiction, but let’s face it - fiction is just so damn fun. It’s especially fun when you’ve got a gun carrying female protagonist that happens to be, not only a preternatural private investigator and a practicing witch, but a lycanthrope trying to keep her “disease” under wraps.
In Kass’s world, life is just a little different.
Ever looked at your colleague and thought that she/he looked like a bacon cheeseburger? Ever tried to keep that hungry look out of your eyes? Well, Kassandra has. It’s fun being in a character’s head when she’s kneeling beside a body thinking, “Dear Gods, please don’t let my stomach growl,” while surrounded by a bunch of blue uniforms.
I write what interests me. I write what I’m passionate about and what I’d like to read. I’ve always adored stories with a strong female protagonist that knows how to hold her own and how to handle a weapon.
The idea for Kassandra’s story came to me years ago. I wasn’t ready to write the book then and her image wasn’t clear in my mind. A year or two later, when she finally came to me and I could see her clearly – I got sucked into her world.
I’ve had people ask me, “Why do you write lesbian fiction when you could make it onto the New York Times Bestseller list by writing hetero-fiction?”
In the words of Kate Clinton, “Let’s get one thing straight . . . I’m not.”
I think that if you’re a writer and you’re writing something that you’re not passionate about – you’re wasting words. You should write what you’re passionate about, what you feel strongly about. If you’re not passionate about what you’re writing, how can you expect your readers to be? If you can’t feel it, how are your readers going to? Chances are they won’t.
Another suggestion I’ve received was, “Why not just leave sexuality out in general?”
To which, all I have to say is this:
Where’s the fun in that? If, by chance, somewhere down the road I’m inspired to write a story with zero element of sexuality (which is highly unlikely), then I’ll do it. As it is, that’s just not the type of writer I am.
Why should someone stifle who they are for someone else’s sense of satisfaction? What good does it do any of us to pretend to be something or someone we’re not? It doesn’t. It does so much more harm than good in most cases. It especially causes harm to the self.
Yes, in life there are times when it is wise to remain silent and times when it is wise to speak out and stand up for yourself and who you are. I am not saying stand up and fight fire with fire – I’m a firm believer that fighting fire with fire is one sure way to burn down a house.
What I am saying is this – don’t be afraid to be who you are, don’t be afraid to follow your dreams, and never give another person the power to trample over them.
Follow your inspiration and let the muse be your guide.
Brightest Blessings,
Winter
October 3, 2009
Novel Announcement.
I'll have to write an "actual," blog later. (I know, bad writer - no cookie). I am, however, very pleased to announce that Bold Strokes Books will be publishing the first novel in my preternatural series. If you dig preternatural mysteries, detective work, vampires, werewolves, and the lot...Check it out!
From the Bold Strokes Books website:
From the Bold Strokes Books website:
Coming Soon...
Witch Wolf (2010)
Preternatural Private Investigator and Paranormal Huntress Kassandra Lyall is used to working alone. Whenever there’s a murder or a mystery to solve that involves the preternatural—she’s the witch they call. When she’s called in to help the local cops work on a mysterious murder case, she finds herself needing all the help she can get.
A bloodthirsty werewolf is loose in the city and on a killing spree.
As if her plate weren’t full enough, a strange she-wolf seeks Kassandra’s aid, asking her to help find her missing brother. Kassandra soon learns that the strange she-wolf serves two masters, and one of those masters has taken quite an interest in her.
In a world where vampires have charmed their way into modern society, where werewolves walk the streets with their beasts disguised by human skin, Kassandra Lyall has a secret of her own to protect.
She’s one of them.
The First Book in the Kassandra Lyall Preternatural Investigator Series
Brightest Blessings,
Winter
Brightest Blessings,
Winter
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