Busy March

I'm excited about March. I have so many different things scheduled for here and other places this month. And I have my April A to Z posts to get ready. So far all I have done are the outlines. My biggest advice to newbies is to do all your posts ahead of time. More on that later this month.

Don't forget to visit the IWSG blog today for a new post. If you haven't joined you should. And don't forget Wednesday is the monthly IWSG blog hop.

I'm also looking forward to getting Recon Marines III to my publisher this week. I'm feeling a little sad at ending the series but I usually feel like three or four books are enough. On the good news front, Recon Marines II, The Marine's Heiress, if finally available on Amazon Kindle and other ebook retailers.

One of the new shows I've enjoyed this season on TV is Almost Human. I watched it at first just because I like Karl Urban, but the science fiction aspects of the show kept me coming back each Monday. Two weeks ago, they introduced Chromes. Chromes are 'perfect' people as a result of genetic engineering. They have excellent health, intelligence and, of course, they're beautiful. How could I not love a show with that plot point when it so closely resembles some of the epigenetics ideas I use in my Recon Marine series?

Tomorrow, Brandon Sanderson's book, Words of Radiance, the second in The Stormlight Archive fantasy series. The first book was over a thousand pages long. Thanks to Amazon, I received my copy of the second book on Saturday and it's 1081 pages long. I can't wait to dive in. Sanderson is an incredibly prolific writer and everything I've read by him is good and has many unique ideas. His world creation is amazing. Sorry if I'm gushing a little but he is on the top of fantasy writers in my
opinion.

Are you familiar with Sanderson? Have you Almost Human? I've heard vicious rumors that it might be canceled. Did you visit IWSG yet? Do you have those posts for A to Z done yet?

So Long, February

I thought I would enjoy my first winter as a full time writer a little more than I did. Don't get me wrong, it was way better than teaching. But I lost count of how many times I shoveled snow this year. How many times has the weatherman said 'record lows?' So I'm glad to wave farewell to February though I hear another snow storm is coming our way on Monday.

There are many things to look forward to in March. I have some guest blogging spots coming up throughout the month. Some here and some where I'm visiting elsewhere. A couple of blog hops and of course I'll be preparing for A to Z challenge.


By this time next week, I'll have the third and final book in my Recon Marines series in the hands of my editor at New Concepts Publishing. Also good news, the second book, The Marine's Heiress is now available on Amazon Kindle.

Tomorrow is the monthly meeting of my local writers' group and that always gets me pumped up. I need that now as I'm gearing up to start my next series. I have three different ideas and I need to settle on one. It's always exciting to start out fresh.

Are you glad to see February end? Have plans going for March? Have you shoveled enough snow yet?

Mentioning Some Publisher Love

I recently received my quarterly statement from one of my three publishers. I've been with them for quite a while and my most recent release, The Marine's Heiress, is my eighth novel with New Concepts Publishing. Every quarter when I get my statement, I'm reminded of some of the reasons I'm glad I'm with a small publisher.

I published my first book with New Concepts at the end of 2007. It doesn't seem like such a long time ago but in book years, six years is leaning toward elderly for a fiction novel. In the bad old days of book publishing, a genre novel might get a few weeks in the sun and then might never be seen again. Thanks to ebooks, the shelf life of a book can be infinite. Every quarter when I get that sales report, that very first book is still making money for me. Not like it did in its first year or even its second, but people are still purchasing it.

Every time I have a new book released, I see a little bump in sales on my old books. Not one or two of them, but all of them. Not just ebooks, but print books also. New Concepts recently did some upgrades to their site so they can show off new releases and special sales even better. When they sell my books directly from their site, I make more money on it since the middle man is cut out of the profits.

Though my small publisher doesn't pay me an advance, with their support in keeping my books easily available I feel confident I will eventually earn an income from my books similar to what a larger publisher pays as an advance. As you've probably heard before, many books with the large publishers never earn back their advances and that is the only money authors ever see. I'm quite happy right where I am.

Do you remember the days when backlist books were difficult or impossible to find? Have you received advances for your books or do you earn only royalties? Do you have books that keep earning and earning for you? Want to shout out a 'love-ya' to your publisher?

What Keeps You Warm?

Staying warm tops the list of concerns in many parts of the USA in recent days. I'm so glad my job as a writer has allowed me to stay indoors during this brutally cold time. I know many people aren't near so fortunate. But the warmth I'm addressing today isn't of the physical kind. I'm talking about those warm, fuzzy inside feelings.

With my newest release, I've reached outside my comfort zone and asked a few friends to mention The Marine's Heiress on their blogs. To some people my reach might seem more like sticking out their pinkie finger but it's a big leap to me. Today I want to thank Cate Masters for mentioning my release on her blog. She so generous to other authors with her time. I'm also going to have the privilege of doing a book signing with Cate in February but more about that next week. Thanks, Cate.

Two friends, Misty and Victoria, of my from our local branch of RWA collude on a wonderful blog called The Whole Shebang Site. They highlight more than books, hosting artists and musicians also. They invited me today to share some of what I've learned about blogging. So many of my regular visitors here are the mentors who have taught me how to make this social media not only work for me but how to keep it going without blogging becoming a burden instead of a benefit. I hope you'll go over to The Whole Shebang Site and leave a comment. If it's a place you might like to guest, feel free to inquire of them.

Having friends who so graciously and willingly step up to help is what keeps me warm inside. Doesn't do much to keep my hands and feet warm though. I hope you all have someone to keep you warm during cold and dreary times.

So have you had to spend time outside and endure these frigid temps? Have you heard of The Whole Shebang Site? How about Cate Masters? Do you or your loved one suffer from cold hands and feet?

Visit Me

Today I have the honor of being interviewed on Patricia C. Lee's blog. She asks lots of interesting questions about characterization. Most writers create their characters' traits and build their back story long before we put the first words on the page. Pat's questions led me deep into the ideas behind my latest book, The Marine's Heiress.

I hope you'll stop by Pat's blog and leave a comment. And check out the special sale my publisher has going on to promote The Marine's Heiress with an exclusive offer only on the NCP website.

Do you know Pat? Do you do a character bio before you start writing? Ever have to change it up a little as the story progresses?

Exciting Times

Do you know what time it is? Sign up Time! Yes, today is the first day you can sign up for the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Hundreds of bloggers have posted at one time or another, describing all the benefits of participating in this annual challenge. I won't do that today because I try to make my posts short, and that subject would require a long, long post. By the time most of you read this, my name will be on that list.

I'm also thrilled to be a minion this April, serving the Ninja Captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh. I've been issued a special badge. How cool is that? I'm not sure of my minion duties yet, but I'm ready and excited. And thanks to Alex for mentioning my newest release on his blog. If you go there, make sure you read up on his 2K followers giveaway contest.

And that is the last of my exciting news. The Marine's Heiress is now available in an exclusive release sale. For only a few days, you can purchase it from their website for a 30%

discount. Recon Marine Vin takes his broken heart and shattered trust and dedicates his life toward vengeance. His final prey is within his grasp when the woman he's using as bait reminds him of his duty, his honor and dares him to risk his heart again. But the enemy Vin hunts has forces at his disposal more powerful than even a Recon Marine has faced before. Vin will need every skill his genetic superiority grants him to stop the violent events he set in motion.

Are you a past participant in A to Z and are you signing up this year? Do you want to be a minion also? Are you making plans for any blog challenges or hops in the coming weeks?

And Then There Were Two

My first science fiction romance book, The Marine's Queen, amazed me last year with its bestseller status that it held onto for a few months. It really pumped me up and inspired my writing. My publisher is running a special sale this week on The Marine's Queen in anticipation of the release of the second book.

The Marine's Heiress, Book #2 of The Recon Marines, takes up the story of Vin. If you read the first book, you know who Vin is. At the end of the first book, Vin left his marine brothers, alone in his anger and need for revenge. The second book will delve further into the origins of the genetically enhanced soldiers and the people responsible for their creation and downfall. Can there be a happily ever after for a man who believes his one chance at a normal life has been lost? You can do some early purchasing here, getting the ebook at my publisher's special price.

How about a chance to score a great prize. Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh is closing in on the 2,000 follower mark on his blog. Can you imagine? In his usual generous way, Alex is going to celebrate by giving a prize to his followers. Check out the contest on his blog. The contest is open until the magic number is reached.

Also, check out Cate Master's latest release over at her blog. I wish I could write as quickly as Cate. How does her head not burst with all the unique ideas she comes up with?

My weekend will be tied up entertaining a special out of town guest, my lovely sister, and getting promo ready for The Marine's Heiress. What are you up to this weekend? Can you imagine 2K followers? Don't forget to sign up for A to Z on Monday.

Coffee Hop

If you don't frequent the blog of Michael Di Gesu you are missing out. Besides being one of the kindest, most generous bloggers I've met in my writing life, he also entertaining and creative. His latest creative endeavor, The Coffee Blog Hop, fits right into one of my favorite things. COFFEE!

Late last night, I finished the final read through of the galleys for The Marine's Heiress, due to be released shortly. Time was critical as my publisher was running a bit behind. Coffee helped me through it. But Michael's idea for the hop called for bloggers to share a story about coffee. I'm sure there will be a lot of amusing and entertaining stories related to coffee but this wondrous group but I really can't think of a specific coffee story.

I will share a few lines about my coffee history. In my pre-writer life, I was a PE teacher. That meant I spent a lot of time outdoors in the cold and damp. I wasn't a coffee drinker going into that career though I chipped into the coffee fund for the lounge. I started getting cups of hot coffee during my planning period just to wrap my hands around a hot cup. At some point I started sipping it and that led me to today when I drink it every day. Probably the only extended time when I've given up coffee since those early days was during my four pregnancies and the months I nursed my children after their births. It was torture during that time to smell that wonderful brew but deny my love. I've never had a cup of decaf, now or then. I'm one of those people who can drink coffee at 10 pm and still fall asleep at eleven.

Thanks, Michael, for this chance to write and read about my favorite all day, any weather beverage. Michael is giving out a special, delicious prize. Check out the rest of the participants and that prize.

That's a Wrap

My daughter and I have had some great conversations over the years about books and movies. Sometimes we're on the exact same wavelength and enjoy the ending of a movie or series and sometimes we have greatly varied levels of satisfaction at the outcome. Perhaps because of our age difference, we have different expectations.

In my recent release, First Dragon, the novel is the first in a series. Without giving everything away, at the end of the book, everything isn't exactly 'happily ever after.' It's a fantasy world, a vicious war going on, and people get hurt. People die. Battles are lost. There is no wonderful, magical or heroic balm to heal all wounds in the war torn world of Morbunda. Though the last words on the last page are 'The End,' the reader knows it's not the end for the characters who survived so far.

On the other hand in my upcoming science fiction romance, The Marine's Heiress, the readers expect a better outcome for the main characters. Many people, writers and readers, expect a happily ever after ending for a book to be considered a romance. That doesn't mean it's all sweet tea and cupcakes within the book's covers but when the story wraps up, romance novels should have that satisfying ending. The reader imagines the characters going on with their lives and find emotional fulfillment.

When mystery novels or suspense novels end, readers expect all their questions to be answered with no loose ends. Nearly every genre has certain conventions that readers believe will be met when they read a certain kind of book.

Sub genres within genres can have quirks that draw faithful readers to their offerings. Some fantasy lines are darker with more death and anti hero protagonists. Some science fiction lines are known for what we call hard science. Romances get categorized by heat levels, how graphic the sex scenes are.

Don't forget this Wednesday is the first hump day of the month and that means IWSG posts. Find the list of over 300 participants right here.

What conventions do you equate with certain genres? Have you read a book recently that surprised you in a good or bad way at the end? Do you consider genre expectations when you write?

Next Project

Finally, I've finished polishing The Marine's Heiress and am ready to move onto the next project. It only took me about three bottles of wine to get through that chore. When I first started writing, I didn't always know what the next project would be. Usually I would spend a few weeks in debate on which of several projects I should tackle next. But since I've finished with the 'day job' and started on a career as a full time writer, I no longer intend to waste those days of indecision.

My next project is the second book in my epic fantasy series, The Morbunda Saga. The opening book in the series, First Dragon, is coming this November from Crescent Moon Press. The first draft of the second book is completed, just waiting my attention which it shall have. Having a plan and a schedule really brings home my claim to be a full time writer.

Have I learned to juggle more than one project at a time? Perhaps though I still don't like it. I wish I could concentrate on one thing at a time but that's not how this business works. The days of a writer hiding in a peaceful chalet and working without interruption are long gone. So I'm off to the next project, more promotion, new blogging endeavors and whatever other things I need to do to move my career along.

Follow this link to learn about some writing habits of famous writers. I'm slowly working to be as disciplined as some of them. In the meantime, on to the next project.

Do you have your next project planned? Do you have a disciplined approach to your writing time or do you fit it in when you can? Have you looked to any famous writer for advice on how you conduct your writing career?

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?

Cloudy With a Chance of Cloudy

I'm busy working on edits on The Marine's Heiress. Actually it's a total rewrite using the rough first draft as an outline. I'm suffering a lot of uncertainty as I work through the middle third of the book. It's not a saggy middle. Lots is happening and the story is moving forward. I think my characters are interesting and worth investing in but....

This book is being written under my pen name, Susan Kelley, and is intended to be a science fiction romance like its predecessor, The Marine's Queen. My concern is the romance. Is there enough in the book? I hope to send this novel to my romance editor by this time next month, but I'm worried about it. Have I let the science fiction story overwhelm the love story?

I'm fortunate enough to have a lovely swimming pool. I vacuumed it one week ago and within two hours, it started to turn green. A very pretty, translucent green. Realizing I didn't shock it as recommended after vacuuming, I attended to that. It cleared up for a bout an hour and then turned green again. I double shocked it. Cleared up and then clouded again. I knew I was out of my league in pool diagnosis though I guessed the ph balance was upset. So I went to the pool store, ask the experts, and heard how all the recent rain, especially acid rain, would disrupt the pool balance. The nice man advised me to double-doubled shock and then bring in a sample of the pool water to them for analysis if that didn't work. They would be able to tell me exactly what I needed to add to clear the water. Today my pool is no longer cloudy.

Asking the experts was so much easier than stressing while I tried to figure it out on my own. The pool experts can tell me exactly what I need to fix the problem. Applying the same principal to my writing, I'm going to stop worrying about the balance of science fiction and romance in my new book and let my editor tell me if it needs something added or something deleted. I'm going to write the book as feels comfortable to me and wait for the test of the experts.

Who do you go to when you feel uncertain about your writing? What part of your writing do you most often question? What percentage of romance does a book need to have to be a romance?

To Do Lists

Like many of my blogger friends, I've eased back a bit over the summer months. With my daughter home from college, I've spent lots of time with her. I've been blogging only Mondays and Wednesdays for most of the summer. Starting next week, I'm going back to blogging three times per week again.

I'm going to catch up on my Goodreads book lists and write some reviews. I'm going to tackle some more of that TBR pile. On a side burner is a start of a plan for promotion for First Dragon which has a November release date as of now.

And seriously, I have a lot of pictures on the new camera I got for Christmas and I'm going to start using some of those photos on my blog. I'll probably do some clean up and rearranging of my writing space. I always do that at least twice per year.

I'll also be diving back into The Marine's Heiress, hopefully getting the second draft done within six weeks. After that I have the first draft of the second book in The Morbunda Saga waiting on the shelf. War Dragon will pick up where First Dragon left off. It's great to have plans.

Do you do less blogging in the summer or keep the same routine year round? Do you keep your Goodreads current or do you play catch up with it about once a month like I do? Do you often rearrange your creative space, be it a corner of a room or an entire room that's all yours?