The Trouble with Sequels . . .

If you take a quick look at my last post , you'll see the WAY COOL cover of my upcoming MG book, WereWhat? Let me just tell you that writing that book was the most fun I've ever had writing. I mean, look at that cover? How could that be anything but FUN?

And now I'm writing the sequel. Yikes! There is a whole new set of rules, a new set of required skills . . . things I never even imagined when I decided to make this a 2-book odyssey. Every word I type, I wonder whether I'm being true to the characters in this point in their journey, whether I'm including too little or too much back information (to help remind readers where the former story left off), whether the tone stays consistent, whether the stakes are being "upped" or . . .

See what I mean?

The challenge at this point is to silence that inner editor long enough for me to get the story down, then allow myself to go back to edit it.

Anyone have an inner-editor-squasher?

What works for you?

Sample Sunday

Yikes! What happened? Is it possible that all that Christmas shopping, cooking, trips to the kids' school 4 times a day, etc. made me neglect this poor little blog?

Nah, that couldn't be it.

Now laziness . . . yep, that would be it.

To make up for this total lack in commitment to this little site, I'm going to share a little bit of my newest WIP, The Sidekick. There's not much, and this will probably change considerably (as in, be totally rewritten several times, cut from the manuscript completely or some other such hideous fate), so read at your own risk and laugh if you feel the need!

Here it goes:

Donal. The name means “World Leader.” Figures. Know what my name, Cairne, means? “Pile of rocks.” Yeah, you read it right. Guess our parents had us pegged at birth.

No one believes we're twins, either. Hell, I don't even believe it. Distant cousins, twice removed, maybe. Brothers – doubtful. Twins? Nope. Just not plausible. My writing teacher, Ms. Beechwood, would tell me to stop right there. Suspending belief is one thing, but you have to make it sound good. Or at least almost believable.

Now get this. You're going to think I'm totally stoned with this one. You're going to roll your eyes and give me that sure-you're-just-another-emo-liar look, but I swear it's true.

Donal has super powers.

For one thing, he's super strong. I'm not talking bench-350-in-the-gym strong, either. He's more like pick-up-that-full-sized-Ford 350-and-toss-it strong. Only he's not supposed to let anyone know that part. Not unless he's wearing his mask.

That's right. Mask. He's got a spandex suit, too.

It's okay. I completely understand. Why should you believe me?

Hear that? Sounds like you're going to get a rare, front-row seat. Better hang on. This is totally going to blow your mind.

Announcement!

It's that time of year again -- time to start Christmas shopping (or other various holidays of your choice, of course). This year, my gift-giving list is longer than it's ever been, because I've decided to include all of you, too!

I've just lowered the price for Summoning to 99 cents on Amazon.com -- yes, that's right. Ninety-nine cents.

Now you can afford to buy copies for all of your friends and relatives and still be able to afford one for yourself (I know, I know . . . how generous of me . . .).

Really, though, treat yourself. And let me know if you like the book.

Summoning at Amazon

And don't forget, you still have until November 15th to suggest a name for the city in my newest work. There's a possible prize involved!

Name my City

Pre-Thanksgiving Contest

First of all, let's get the apology for not blogging for way too long out of the way . . . Sorry. Now that life is returning to normal (read: the kids are back in school), the blog should return to a normal schedule.

Now, on to the exciting news! I'm writing a new book. (Yes, I know you're excited.) It's different from anything I've written before, and there are parts of it that are causing me headaches. (This just keeps getting more exciting, doesn't it?) The biggest headache at the moment is that I need a city where my twin superheroes can fight crime and attend high school.

Ideally, I'd like this to be a large metropolitan area, but have a small-town feel to it. And it has to be fictitious. Think of Gotham City or Metropolis.

This is where the contest comes in. I want you to help me name this city. The winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to Amazon.com! (I know, I know . . . finally the excitement begins!)

Here are the rules:

1. Come up with a cool name for my fictitious city.

2. Post it in the comments below on or before November 15th.

3. Post as many times as you like.

4. On November 16th, I'll announce the winner who will receive a $15 gift certificate to Amazon.com just in time for the Holidays!

5. The most exciting part of all? I use the winning entry as the name of my city in my newest Work In Progress (wip)!

So what are you waiting for? Give me some ideas!

Three on Thursday

Notice the nifty title? Well, that's all part of my new self-imposed blog Schedule of Wonder. Basically, here's how it will work:

1. Each week, I'm going to try to post at least three times. There will be Miscellaneous Monday (where things will be of a scattered and random nature), Three on Thursday (where I will give you three, well,
scattered and random things) and Wacky Weekend (where I will post scattered and random things that have tickled my fancy during the week).

2. Work on Summoning is progressing nicely. I'm working on a cover, but having absolutely no graphic arts experience is showing. I may be asking for help. Soon. Maybe I'll have a contest to help my choose? Hmm . . . note to self . . .

3. Work on the current work in progress (to be known as WIP from this point forward) is slow moving, but a lot of fun. No, it's not a "fun" story, but I like the twisted aspects of it, and . . . well, the rest is secret. For now. But to give you just a hint, here's a idea of what I've been thinking about lately:

Druids and Wolves and the Northern Lights

Interested yet?


That's it. Three on Thursday.