Creating a Dragon Mythology

When the idea for a dragon fantasy series came to me, the first thing I did was decide what kind of dragon would be in my novel. What powers would he have? What would he look like? What would he eat? What was his temperament? How intelligent would he be? What kind of moral and ethical ideas would drive his behavior?

I've read some dragon novels, many of them where the dragons worked in concert with humans, letting riders on their backs or somehow sharing magic with humans. Of course, there's the Smaug from The Hobbit and his greed and cleverness. Check out Wikipedia's long list of dragons and their descriptions. Dragon myths have been with us for a long time. They're found in the tales of ancient Greece. Stories of dragons have been interlaced with other legends in many cultures for over four thousand years. There are websites that described facts about dragons as if they're real creatures alive in our world today. I won't even mention dragons in the gaming world.

But I want my dragon, Kerik, to be unique. I made Kerik smart and armed him with the memories of his ancestors. He understands more of war than any human general with the experience he can call on. He's secretive, mostly to preserve his own life. He doesn't want to share anything with humans that could be used against him. He doesn't trust humans, but against his dragon nature he cares for some of them. And how he looks? He's black with golden eyes and a graceful body. I don't want to give away more of his secrets. You'll have to read the book but you can see what he looks like. Taria Reed at Crescent Moon Press caught him perfectly.

Have you ever created your own mythology about a land or a creature? Are you looking forward to The Desolation of Smaug? Any favorite dragon myths come to mind?
You can find First Dragon at:
Amazon Print
Amazon Kindle
B&N Print
Nook coming soon.
Add First Dragon to Goodreads List

First Dragon TODAY

I'm very proud to announce the release of the first book in my newest epic fantasy series, First Dragon, book #1 of The Morbunda Saga. You can purchase in most online retailers in print or digital edition.

As you can see, the cover my publisher, Crescent Moon Press, designed it perfect. If you read the book, you will love it even more. I've hinted at the story line of this book in some earlier posts, and I intend to continue that today with a little more of the dragon lore I've invented for Morbunda, my fantasy land.

In the ancient history of Morbunda, dragons were common and fed mostly on wildlife though they wouldn't pass up a fat domesticated animal either. Men were multiplying quickly and as their population grew so did their competitiveness. As with many human societies, civil war between rich landowners broke out as their greed overtook their humanity toward their neighbors. The war escalated until the first power hungry man took a dragon into his service. His enemies had no choice but to make similar fool-hardy alliances with the fire breathing creatures. But dragons are clever and soon they learned all they needed to know of men and their weaknesses. That, of course, didn't turn out well for humans. Enough history.

First Dragon takes place many generations of men after that first deadly war ended. Though the book is titled, First Dragon, Kerik actually is the last, true dragon. But he's so much more than that. A dragon at war with his nature and trying to be at peace with men. But again, men have coerced a dragon into their conflicts. Is history repeating itself? I hope you'll check out First Dragon and find out.

All the different buy links are found at Crescent Moon Press.

On another note for today, David Powers King and four other authors are releasing an anthology, The Spirit of Christmas, in honor or NaNo and will help writers reach that amazing goal this month and in years to come. Check it out and help them out.

Did you start NaNo today? How are your word counts adding up on this first day? Need a dragon book to warm up the coming winter months?

One of a Kind

This Friday, my newest epic fantasy, First Dragon, will be released from Crescent Moon Press. I'm beyond excited. I wrote this book almost two years ago, polished and found a home for it last year. At the time, I wasn't aware of many dragon books on the market. Now that my book is about to hit the bookstores, I see dragon books everywhere.

I'm hoping readers will appreciate my unique take on dragons, dragon magic and dragon relationships with humans. At the same time, I wanted to keep some commonly accepted characteristics of dragons as part of my protagonist. Dragons are arrogant creatures, proud and certain of their superiority to men. Dragons are cruel and clever, able to trick humans. Dragons know of war and take advantage of man's greed to further their own agendas.

So how do I make my dragon protagonist different? Kerik didn't know he was a dragon as a child. He grew up among loving friends until his heritage was discovered. Kerik battles his greedy, arrogant nature but it's always there. He's secretive and dangerous. Kerik is constantly torn between what his nature drives him to do and what he should do to help his embattled human friends. He truly is a dark hero.

Can you think of a fantasy character that an author added a unique twist to? Do you have a favorite dragon character in a movie or book? Have you visited the IWSG blog today to sample some sage words?

Editing Day

I'm ready to start a final read through of my latest novel, The Marine's Heiress, before sending it to my editor at New Concepts Publishing. I'm still worried about the balance between my science fiction and the romance in the novel, but I expect it to be a clean manuscript.

Clean means it will have a minimum of spelling and grammatical errors. I will also try to make sure it is formatted in the manner my publisher likes it. Many small publishers operate on thin budgets and the less work I cause them, the quicker they will get my book ready to put in the lineup for release.

Editing is work for me, even more so than writing a first draft. I do best when I do this last read through with few interruptions. I will spend hours on it and every hour I'm away from it I'll be thinking about it.

I'm not an editing expert but there are lots of places to go where experts have shared their experience with the rest of us. Just goggle editing tips. Here's one I read over before starting a new edit.

Sometimes editing can be overwhelming so never hesitate to ask for advice. If you have critique partners and alpha or beta readers they are invaluable but when it comes to the end, you must take the responsibility for getting it all right.

On the other hand, I enjoy the editing experiences I've had with New Concepts Publishing and Crescent Moon Press. It will be a relief to hand it all over to the professionals.

Do you keep editing tips by your side when you're working on revision? Any favorites that you turn to again and again? Ever have a bad experience with an editor?

Full Time !

Yes, the countdown clock is going. I'm officially retired after 34 years of teaching high school. Those last days were hectic and lots of fun. The four younger teachers in my department took my fellow retiree and me out to lunch one day, gave us wonderful cards and gifts. I have a stack of cards and letters from my students, many that choked me up but none that could wipe the grin from my face. On that last day I received lots of calls from my family, hugs from my peers, including the school superintendent, and walked out of that school building with no regrets and lots of plans.

During that last hectic week at school, I also received the (hopefully) last round of edits for First Dragon from my editor at Crescent Moon Press. So between all the smiling and hugging, I worked on those edits, tried to keep up on blogging, facebooking and get in a few new pages on The Queen's Heiress, the follow up book to The Marine's Queen. 

In fact, I spent the last week fulfilling one of my retirement intentions. Keeping multiple projects in the air. And I loved it. Writing easily could have captured more than forty hours during that time. It was wonderful. So edits are done and sent back, 5K done on WIP, and blogs are ready for the week. I have a lot of little things to accomplish but also time for the WIP.

Besides all the in person kindness I received on retirement, Alex Cavanaugh kindly congratulated me on his blog. It was like another hug just to make the day complete. Thanks, Alex.

I know many people will be taking holidays over the  next few months as will I. I'm looking forward to a quick, trip to the Jersey Shore next week. The second week of July, we're heading to Colorado. I'm not sure how much I'll be in touch. Now that I'm a full time writer, I have to wonder when exactly the days off are.

What are your plans for summer vacations? We did stay-cations last year, very cheap. Are you setting some writing goals for the summer months?

Insecure Writers Support Group: Juggling

After the busy month of April with the A to Z blogging challenge, we jump right into May with Alex Cavanaugh's IWSG. Visit lots of supportive people on this list. Some will gift you with words of wisdom and others could use your voice of experience.

During April, a lot of writers used 'juggling' for their "J" word. Most writers I know work a day job and write in whatever other hours they can manage. And since only energetic people try to make it in the writing life, most of us have many other interests and demands on our time. Somehow we juggle family, day job, household chores, other hobbies, exercise and sleep around to make it work. The A to Z challenge adds one more demand to the load.

During the month of April, throughout the A to Z, I managed to complete a rough draft of the second book of The Morbunda Saga. I also completed the first round of edits for First Dragon, the lead off book in that series. I love my editor from Crescent Moon Press. She caught onto all my bad habits and found places where I could make my story stronger and my characters more consistent. I'm looking forward to the next round. I also kept up with the day job including signing those official retirement papers. I juggled everything and made it work. Two years ago, or even one year ago, I couldn't do that. Also over the past weekend, I finally published the final book in The Futhark Chronicles, Heir of Futhark. It's now available on Smashwords and Amazon.

So my support today is to encourage you not to get frustrated when you drop a few things in you own juggling act. You get better at it. You'll learn to prioritize and to use your time to the best productive advantage you can.

How are you at juggling? Which ball do you usually drop first?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: I

Rolling along with the A to Z Blogging Challenge and still lots of stops to make and new friends to meet. Check out the list and you'll be sure to find a blog you want to follow.

I: Independents. The world of publishing is undergoing rapid change. I think one of the best things that has happened for writers in the number of small publishers, staffed by professionals, that are willing to look at our work. Often the small independent publishers will take a chance on a new author that the bigger houses wouldn't consider. They'll work with new writers and help them develop their careers.

I'm fortunate to work with a number of different small publishers. My romance publisher, New Concepts Publishing has been in a business for a long time and was one of the first successful ebook publishers. I can't say enough things about them. They did an excellent job on my most recent release on the cover. Like many small pubs, they have a quick turnaround from signing that contract to getting the edits done and then publishing the book. And they pay on time, every time. They're always open for submission.

Crescent Moon Press is my newest independent publisher that I'm working with on edits. I can't wait to see my cover for my upcoming epic fantasy.

As an author contracted by independent publishers, I also believe in supporting them by purchasing lots of books produced by different small houses. And I'll be doing more of it when I retire and have more time to read.

Do you buy books published by small presses? Have you ever submitted to an independent publisher?

Gearing Up

Yesterday was one of those odd warm days that show up in central Pennsylvania in between cold snaps and bouts of snow. Days like this really make you long for spring and the things that go with it.

But there are many more things besides getting the yard and flowerbeds in shape the need to get in gear over the course of the next few months. If you haven't already, go sign up for A to Z and prepare yourself for the blogging event of your life.

I'm going to have three books to promote over the next few months and I'll relying on some of my online friends to help get the word out.

One of the things I'm determined to do with my blog this year is to help my fellow writers and bloggers whenever I can by spreading their good news. Last fall I had the good fortune to have the first book in my second epic fantasy series get picked up by Crescent Moon Press. I've met so may generous authors since joining the Crescent Moon family and today I'd like to introduce two of those wonderful writers and their newest releases.

Toni De Palma has a brand new YA novel out, The Devil's Triangle.  Please go visit her and check out her book. It's really a terrific book cover and the book title perfectly fits the plot.

Rebecca Trogner has a new fantasy novel out called The Last Keeper's Daughter. Her book is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, one of the most beautiful locales in the eastern states. I love the mysterious cover. Hope you'll check this one out too.

And on this February 15th I want to thank the wonderful Cate Masters for her Celebrate Amore opportunity. She had me over at her place for a quick interview and a chance to promote my latest book. I'll announce the winner of the contest I ran along with that guest post on Sunday so I hope you'll hop over there and leave a comment to get a chance to win a book and some sweet stuff.

What are you gearing up for? Any hints of spring out your way? Add any books to your TBR lists lately?

January Black by Wendy Russo

I'm very pleased to feature a new release by fellow Crescent Moon Press author, Wendy Russo. Here's a little about her.

Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights.

January Black is a YA.  You can check out her blog and website here. She's running a terrific giveaway and Wendy is just an interesting person to meet.

Here's a short blurb for January Black:

 

Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.

More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.

What was January Black?

It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He’s been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost…or call the king’s bluff.

 

Does Wendy's book have a cool title or what? What do you think January Black was? Have you visited Wendy's site?

Tortured!

I'm waiting to receive my manuscript back from my new editor at Crescent Moon Press. First Dragon is the first book in my latest epic fantasy series. The book has three main characters sharing the danger, battles and ... well ... difficulties of epic proportions. I know I have a good plot but I'm a little worried if I've made things difficult enough for those three people. Have I tortured my protagonists enough?

I think of all the books I love, the movies I enjoy, and I know the best ones are the ones where the main characters suffer greatly and then overcome it all. 2012's offering of hero movies certainly followed the formula from Dark Night Rising and The Avengers.

Besides my epic fantasy novels, I also write fantasy romance under the pen name, Susan Kelley. I have a contract for another novel with my publisher coming out later this year. Romance usually requires a 'happily ever after,' but that doesn't mean the characters shouldn't be tortured before they get there.  I know I've done a pretty good job of it in some of my previous novels. One Good Woman might be the one with my most tortured characters who finally find happiness. I love those characters because they react to the adversary in their lives in complete opposite ways yet somehow both come to the same point of healing and redemption.

Have I tortured my characters in First Dragon enough? I guess my new editor will let me know. Do you torture your characters? Do you ever worry you're too nice to your protagonists?

Holiday Spirits and Cover Reveal

It's a world of ups and downs this holiday. Those of you who have children know how fun Christmas is when your kids are little. It's different when they're older. My lovely children are even more appreciative as they get older, knowing the college education we're paying for is a year long gift, but I miss having those surprises under the tree. I miss seeing their faces light up on Christmas morning. Now they ask for things they need for Christmas. Not so much fun.

But as I wrapped gifts a few night ago, looking at the sad little piles, I realized how surprised and happy they're going to be when they unwrap those few packages this year. Beyond getting them a few things they need, I found something for each child I know they want but would never ask for. I'm excited to see their faces light up Christmas morning.

But the past week has dampened my holiday spirit. Sadness hovers at the edges of every thought and activity. As a parent, I'm horrified and angry. As a teacher, I'm depressed at the ease with which this terrible thing happened. As a teacher, I know we can't protect our children in schools without making them into prisons. As a writer, I can't find any words to express my feelings. This shadow will darken many holiday celebrations.

My mother's health is another yo-yo of emotions. I intend to help her escape the long term care unit she's in and go on a field trip. Don't know where we're going or how we'll get there, but I'm breaking her out of there for a few hours. She's pretty excited, so I hope the snow holds off until after next Saturday.

And finally some writing news. Toni DePalma, a fellow author with Crescent Moon Press, is revealing her cover today for her paranormal YA, Devil's Triangle. Pretty terrific. I can't wait to see what they come up with for my book. Check out Toni's website here.

Also join in Michael Offutt's super blog tour with lots of cool giveaways here to celebrate and promote Oculus.

Do you have some faces you hope to see light up on Christmas morning? Are you giving people things they need or things they want? Done shopping? Please visit Michael and Toni.

Did I Notice Your Book Blogfest?

Here I am, enjoying the crazy fun of another blogfest inspired by Alex Cavanaugh and Ciara Knight. The purpose of this blogfest is to call attention to some great books that are currently flying under the radar of the usual bestseller lists like USA Today or the New York Times.

I never thought about how difficult this might be. I have so many books by authors I've met online on my eReader, on my computer, and even on my phone.  How to pick!

After much  thought, I have selected Lynn Rush, a fellow author at Crescent Moon Press. Lynn's latest release, Prelude to Darkness, is gaining lots of rave reviews. Read a blurb:

For a slave, hope is a dangerous thing.

 

Margaret Rousseau dreams of freedom from a life of servitude. When a mysterious woman saunters into the servants’ tavern promising the impossible, Margaret dares to hope she could win the heart of the one man she has secretly coveted since she first wore a corset...

The Prince.

 

Margaret desperately grasps for the opportunity to change her bleak destiny by placing faith in a woman who is not as forthcoming as she seems. Blinded to the stranger’s dark motives, Margaret surrenders herself to gain her heart’s desires.

 

But her choice may bring forth a darkness that could destroy all she holds dear.

 

Lynn has gathered six 5star reviews on Amazon for Prelude to Darkness which is part of her Wasteland Series.

 

Lynn also has a new book released just this week, Violet Midnight. I haven't read it yet.

 

Here's her website where you can find directions to a great release party and a chance to win a Kindle Fire. Who doesn't want one of those. Please follow some of these links and meet Lynn. She has no idea I'm talking about her today.

 

Also please visit Alex or Ciara to check out the links to all the bloggers participating in this blogfest. Did you find some books you plan to read? Do you already know Lynn?

I'm thrilled to welcome Hildie McQueen, one of my fellow Crescent Moon Press authors, as a guest poster on my blog today. I'm trading places with her and posting on her blog about selecting names for fantasy characters and places. Hope you stop over at her blog.

 

But for your reading pleasure here, Hildie will share her advice on attending conferences. I'm very envious of the fun she's had and all the networking she managed. Please welcome Hildie McQueen!

 

The Conference Junkie

Conference whirlwind girl reporting from Newark, NJ Airport.  Let me tell you, it's been a wild ride that although I am glad to finally get off, would not have missed for the world.  After each conference, I leave excited and refreshed, fully charged after being surrounded by amazing uber talented authors.

My conference advice to future conference attendees (It's worth at least two cents)

#1 Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone, introduce yourself, make it a goal to meet new people. This is a hard one for introverts, but it's the only way, you'll meet fellow authors and make life long friends.  If you are a shy person, pair up with an outgoing writer and ride her coattails. 

Those being said, if you are one of those life-of-the-party types, reach out to those hanging on the fringes.

#2  Be Flexible -- Don't expect everything to go as planned and do not have a strict schedule that you feel you have to stick to.  Like life, conferences have a way of taking on a life of their own.  A 50 minute session at the Georgia Romance Writers M&M conference ended up lasting over two hours when we decided to take our group to the lobby, sit on the floor and continue a super interesting exchange.  Guess what?  We ended up hanging out for the rest of the conference, made some awesome new gal pals!

#3 Be Proactive - - Carry the following with you at all times:  Business Cards, Tissues, Gum, Pens and safety pins.  Business cards (Self explanatory), Tissues, (well you'll need them, trust me on this).  Gum (in case you get sleepy or after meals/coffee), Favorite pen (to take notes, get numbers) and Safety pins (because if I'm at the conference I'm always falling apart and will yell, "anyone got a safety pin?!"  You will be my immediate hero if you do).

 

#4 Go to lunch or dinner away from the conference with your new group of pals.  It's where friendships are cemented, some 'ah ha' moments happen and y'all can promote outside the conference.

 

Lastly, one of the things I love to do is collect extra swag and when I get back home I make small bags of swag as prizes for my book club, and for my blog and Facebook giveaways!  It's a great way to pay it forward by helping fellow authors reach new readers!

 Bio:

Hildie McQueen's goal is to bring the unexpected into people's lives, one reader at a time.  Using sense of humor, coupled with her love of the unusual, she writes across romance genres, from paranormal to western historical, contemporary to erotic.  The recurring theme in her writing is the search and discovery between two people to find true love.

 

Hildie enjoys traveling, shopping, wine tasting and relaxes by scrapbooking when possible. She lives in a small town in Georgia with her super hero husband Kurt and two unruly Chihuahuas Pancho and Pepito.

Keep up with Hildie on her blog, Facebook or Twitter @HildieMcQueen

 

 

Author of The Protector Novels.  Latest Release Desperate Surrender

 

Wendy O'Sullivan’s life drastically changes upon discovering she is not human, and is charged with guarding the Key of Peace. To make matters more complicated, she reunites with the Protector she's dreamed of since the day he rescued her from a demon attack.

Kieran Frasier, hasn’t kissed, much less loved a woman in over three hundred years, his heart firmly encased behind thick walls. The fierce immortal defends innocents from powerful demons, but can he defend himself from diminutive Wendy, who manages to get past all his barricades?

 

Faced with arranged marriages to others and battling demons that will stop at nothing to capture Wendy, will they be forced to surrender their chance at true love for the greater good?

 

Sometimes your biggest obstacle is not who you are, but who you love.

 Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Hildie. Please, wonderful readers, take a moment to check out Hildie's work and visit me on her blog. Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Procrastinate to Productivity

Productive procrastination sounds like an oxymoron. But I think I did some of it this past weekend. I have my excuses for not moving onto the rough draft of Book #4 of The Futhark Chronicles.

Number one is my relentless efforts to get Beneath the Mountain up on Smashwords. The site is incredibly busy. I get to a certain point in the process and I get that little spinning symbol and the old lie, 'one moment please.'  I think it is called Smashwords because so many people smash their computers or something else when they're trying to use it. I had a little trouble with this when I published my first book there but my second one was smooth as silk without a single wait.

Number two is my need to promote book #3, Beneath the Mountain to mega-heights to make up for the income I'll lose when I retire next summer. I tell myself that is a very important full time need. Here's today's effort toward my retirement. BUY!

Number three is the need to check my email every hour or so to see if my romance publisher has responded to my latest submission of the first book in a new futuristic romance series.  I checked at least once while I wrote this post.

Number four is my efforts to get to know my fellow authors at Crescent Moon Press, the publisher who has contracted the first book in my newest epic fantasy series. Lots of new websites and blogs to check out.

So those aren't terrible things to spend time on. But I also did even more useful procrastination stuff this weekend. I cleaned up my desk, shuffling the mess into neat piles. I made little stacks of things that went together. I filled up my trash can with some 'stuff' that had piled up with my intention to use it or file it at some point.  Later this week, I'll dive into each stack of things I think I have a use for and do some more productive procrastination.

Do you procrastinate? If not, are you really human or are you one of those robots word verification warns up about? Is your procrastination productive or just for fun? Care to give me a little sympathy for my Smashwords debacle?

Links All Over

I'm sure some authors have all their work with one publisher, but many are like me with multiple publishers or venues featuring their books. Along with multiple publishers come numerous 'author' pages.

Hopefully, if you're published, you have an author's page on Amazon. That page should have all your works carried by Amazon. I have my fantasy books and my romance novels on that page.

Smashwords lets you have an author's page and easy connect to all your work, though those of us who use Smashwords to self-publish suffer our share of frustrations with that platform.

I'm lucky enough to have the wonderful romance publisher, New Concepts Publishing, have an extensive author page for me on their site.

Crescent Moon Press has contracted the first book in my next epic fantasy series, and though it's months away, they already have set an author page for me.

Again, like most of you, I have a facebook presence, twitter, goodreads and even a neglected author's den persona. And many of these places make it possible to link to each other and to our blog or website. Links everywhere. Our name everywhere. It's difficult to keep up with all of them, but it is great to have all those connections to so many places and people in the business of writing and reading.

And just to add a few, my friend, Stephen Tremp, is busy finishing up his third novel and is offering his first book free on Kindle until Thursday night. You will really enjoy Breakthrough.Breakthrough

Another writer I've met in the blogosphere, Donna Martin, is having a contest to celebrate her blog anniversary. She's done an amazing job building a large following in a short period of time.

Are you linked up all over? Do you have a sure count of how many author pages you have on different sites?

IWSG: Dancing to the Beat

Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh's great idea I'm here once again to share some insecurities. Yes, it's the first Wednesday of the month and dozens of Insecure Writers will Support this Group. If you haven't been part of this bloggy group before, you are surely welcome to join in.

I'll start with my great news first and then explain how if fits into the group angst. I've been searching for a small independent publisher for the first book in my second epic fantasy series. As of a few days ago, First Dragon, Book #1 of The Morbunda Saga, has a contract. Crescent Moon Press Inc., offered me a contract I'm comfortable with and I'm thrilled to work with them. More about the book in a later post.

Those of you who read my blog know I've been flying through my WIP, over 40K written, as of this morning. Whether it's part of my personality or my upbringing, I like to work on one thing at a time. When I'm deep into a new book, I don't want to stop and check my email, look at facebook or even write a post for my blog. I'm trying to do better and have with my blog, but I've let lots of other things go.

Now I have lots of irons in the fire. I feel like I must finish this WIP. I have the third book in my self-pubbed epic fantasy series, Beneath the Mountain, on hold while I wait for my cover art, and I expect to be working on edits for First Dragon soon as Crescent Moon works pretty fast. Too many things going on for my single-minded writing process. Yet I know other people can work on multiple books at one time. Other authors keep up with all their promotion stuff and still produce loads of new material. I like to work on one thing, get it done, then move on to the next.

So my big insecurity is moving out of my comfort zone. I need to learn to juggle and manage my time between many projects. Does anyone else have this problem? Have you ever worked on more than one book at a time?