Return to Nocturne

I'm back to werewolves.  At least for a little while... now.   

As you know, I write a lot about canines.  They're mostly dogs, in my mysteries.  But I've also been writing paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne for a few years, and I'll soon be writing the eighth in my Alpha Force miniseries.   

But first, I need to put together a synopsis and the first chapters to send along to my editor so they'll see the direction I'm going and be able to comment on any changes they'd like to see.  So here I am!

So far, I've just been plotting.  I have a good sense for where those wolves and werewolves will be, and what's going to happen while they're there.  It's a romance, so I also know who the non-shifter heroine and shifter hero will be.  

Alpha Force is my covert military unit of shapeshifters, in case you're not familiar with it.

You know what?  It's fun to make this stuff up.  At least I think I'm making it up.  I don't happen to be aware of real shapeshifters... but who knows?!

California Crime Writers Conference Retrospective

Last weekend I attended the California Crime Writers Conference 2015.  It's a conference jointly held by the Mystery Writers of America SoCal Chapter and Sisters in Crime LA, and it was great!

I commuted there both weekend days.  I'd been invited to participate in an event on Friday night that wasn't officially part of the conference but was nevertheless related, but I ultimately declined.  I didn't think a two minute reading of my work was worth the couple of hour commute I'd likely have to Culver City from the San Fernando Valley on a Friday evening in Los Angeles.  It was a demonstration of the differences between cozy mysteries and noir, and it did sound like a lot of fun.  But ultimately I figured I'd made the right decision.

I anticipated that traffic over the weekend would be a lot better and wasn't disappointed about that.  I arrived in plenty of time on Saturday morning to start attending the sessions I was most interested in, and Sunday's traffic was similarly light.

The conference was organized in tracks.  I mostly stuck to Marketing and Industry, since I'm at the stage of things in my writing career that marketing is vital, and it always helps to learn what's going on in the publishing industry.  The other two were Forensics and Craft.  Because I write cozy mysteries, my amateur sleuths and I don't get into a lot of detail about forensics matters so, as interesting as some sessions might be, they're not as helpful to me.  I especially avoided the session on the Forensics of Creepy Crawlers, presented by an entomologist.  I did, however, attend a session or two in the Craft track, including one on historical mysteries.

The panel I participated in was part of the Craft track: Mysteries of the Spirit.  It was a session dedicated mostly to paranormal or spiritual themes in mysteries and was definitely enjoyable.  I got to talk about my Alpha Force paranormal romances for Harlequin Nocturne that feature my covert military unit of shapeshifters.

I also talked about my Superstition Mysteries.  Are superstitions paranormal?  I really don't think so... but who knows?

The lunchtime keynote addresses were by Charlaine Harris and Anne Perry.  Amazing! And definitely inspirational.

Plus, I got to see authors who are long-time friends as well as make new friends among the writing community.  In addition, my delightful editor from Midnight Ink was present and I got the opportunity to chat with her now and then.

In case you can't tell, I really enjoyed CCWC!  It's a bi-annual conference... so I'll be looking forward to 2017.

Superstitions and Shapeshifters

My multiple personalities are still warring within my mind.

 

Well, not really.  I've still been doing a lot to let the world know about my new Superstition Mystery series, even though my blog tour is officially over.  That doesn't prevent me from doing more blogging, though.  And posting stuff on Facebook now that my official online launch party has occurred.  I've even linked there to my YouTube author teaser about my new mystery series.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbDRjUjBrfA   

Plus, I've been writing an article for Kings River Life Magazine on superstitions and Halloween, which should appear in the October 25 issue. 

 

The article has been fun to write, since Halloween is based on a lot of supernatural stuff and its celebration involves many superstitions. 

 

And speaking of supernatural, I'm now a bit more ensconced in writing my next Harlequin Nocturne about my covert military unit of shapeshifters.  I guess the different angles in my life do fit together now and then.

 

However, I also first saw a page just recently on the website of my current mystery publisher Midnight Ink about my upcoming Barkery and Biscuits mysteries.  They're related to the Superstition Mysteries by being cozies for the same publisher, but there's nothing particularly superstitious or supernatural about them.  The first in the series, Bite the Biscuit, is scheduled for publication in May 2015.  It's available for way-early preorder, including from Amazon.

 

Anyway, I need to return to my werewolves now, but it's been fun writing this Killer Hobbies post. 

 

So what's going on in your mind?

I'm Turning Upside Down

Today is the official launch date of LOST UNDER THE LADDER, my first Superstition Mystery!   

I think it's been available on Kindle and other e-sources before, and copies were sent out or made available as an online galley via NetGalley for reviews.  I received two print copies so far and hope my author's copies are on their way.  And I was especially excited to see a bunch of print copies at the Sisters in Crime Los Angeles Chapter meeting this weekend when I was on a panel.  They were brought by our usual bookseller, from Mystery Ink. 

As I'm sure you've no doubt, based on my other recent blogs here, I've been keeping quite busy promoting the new series, and that promo isn't ending anytime soon.

But meanwhile Book #2 in the Superstition Mysteries is due at the end of this month.  I've finished a reasonable draft and am letting it sit for a while, and then I'll conduct a final read before I send it off.

So what am I doing now?  As I said in the heading for this blog, I'm turning upside down!

Well, not literally.  But the next book for which I have a deadline is one of my Harlequin Nocturnes, about Alpha Force--a covert military unit of shapeshifters. 

 

 

My mind's been immersed in pet mysteries and superstitions for a while, so that's why it's needing to make a turn.  I'm rereading the proposal for the first of the two Nocturnes in my three-book Harlequin contract.  (The third is for another Harlequin Romantic Suspense novel.)  I'm also rereading some of my own Alpha Force books not only to put me in the shapeshifter mood but to remind me of the characters and tone of that series. 

The tone in the Harlequin books is different from my mysteries.  They're told in third person so I can get into the hero's and heroine's point of view--including when one of them has shapeshifted!  My mysteries are all first person in the female protagonist's point of view.  The mysteries are cozies so the murders are not graphic and any love scene is off the page.  I don't get into a lot of gory details in the Nocturnes, either... but they are romances and do contain love scenes. 

So, yes, I'm turning and switching and changing my mind so it goes in a different direction.   

But that's part of the fun of writing!

Birth of Babies

Every writer writes differently.  Plus, the process can change. 

My way of writing these days involves getting a first draft done, then editing it for as long as it takes to get it right.  Sometimes I reread portions of what I’m working on and edit as I go along, but my goal is still to finish that first draft before really fixing the whole thing.

I’m mentioning this because I finished one of those first drafts yesterday.  It’s for an upcoming Harlequin Nocturne, part of my Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters.  I still have lots of work to do on it, but I’ve made good progress, and at least it’s all there on the computer and ready to be fixed.

So why did I call this post Birth of Babies?  Well, writing a first draft is a birth of a story, of sorts.

But a lot more important was a real baby birth in my life--my second grandson!  My son and d-i-l who live in Chicago just had baby number two, another boy, this one named Bennett--who’s only thirteen months younger than his big brother Elliott.  He arrived a little early, and I won’t get to visit him for a few weeks, but I’m really delighted about his arrival.

It’s so fun and amazing these days how fast information can be sent.  When my kids were born, we called family to let them know, but pictures had to wait to be taken, developed and mailed.  Now, all I have to do is grab my phone or computer to take a look at my grandsons.  Yes, I even have a smartphone now, although I’m still figuring out its many uses.

How about you--Any big news in your family?  Have you finished any drafts or other projects lately?  And how are you dealing with technology? 

Gearing Up For my Next Story

After being happily bludgeoned by deadlines, and the necessity of promotion for new books coming out, and preparation for traveling, I now have a little downtime. 

Well, it’s not really downtime.  It just means I don’t have an invisible character playing the role of my conscience hovering behind me and insisting that I work.  Hard.  Now. 

 

Not that I’ve stopped, of course.  I have a deadline for a proposal for one of my Alpha Force Harlequin Nocturnes pending at the end of this month, but I’ve written it and am letting it sit for a day or two before I do a final edit and send it along.  I’ve several more months until the entire book is due, but it’s the one I’m working on now--and having fun with it, naturally. 

Plus, I’m giving talks and reading book excerpts and participating on panels at various and sundry local bookstores, libraries and other organizations. 

And, I’m working on some other upcoming stories plus ideas for more.   

So, am I idle just because I’m not stressed and obsessed to finish something fast?  Not hardly. 

But I do have more time to do online crossword puzzles... 

How about you--any stress in your life right now?  Do you see any light at the end of the tunnel?

Changes

Killer Hobbies is changing again.  Not surprising.  As time goes on, we all change. 

I’ve been a member of Killer Hobbies since 2007.   I remember wondering whether it was a good idea for me to join when I was invited, since the themes of the other bloggers’ cozy mysteries involved... well, hobbies. 

My mysteries involve pets.  And although some people might think of pets as hobbies, I don’t.  To me, they’re family.

I joined anyway, and here I still am.  But one of our wonderful founders, Joanna Campbell Slan, is now leaving us.  We’ll miss her, and I hope she does stop by now and then for guest blogs.

There are three of us remaining now--Monica Ferris, Betty Hechtman, and me.  We’re a fun group, and we will soon be adding another blogger, too. 

The new year is in full swing now.  Hard to believe we’re well into January already.  We’re all twelve months older than we were at this time last year--of course!  I became a grandma in 2012 and I’m thrilled about it!  I also lost my dad, so there were bad times, too.  More changes.

This year, I’m going nuts already with my tight deadlines along with all the things I’m planning so I can introduce people to my two new books being published next month.  I wish they’d been spread out in time a bit, but I’ll have fun with both of them.  In case you’ve forgotten, they’re OODLES OF POODLES, my next Pet Rescue Mystery for Berkley Prime Crime, and UNDERCOVER WOLF, my next Alpha Force paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne.   I’m also working on a Pet Rescue Mystery novella for Berkley... and I may publish another novella myself.  Yes... more changes.

Unchanging, of course:  my love of animals, especially dogs.  And, yes, growing older.  But I keep thinking that the more I age, the more I learn.  It’s not so bad at all!

Have you come across any changes in your life recently?

Out and About Online

Last week I blogged about how wonderful it was to be distracted from my work--by family.  And most especially by my baby grandson.

Right now, I’ve got more time to dig in and work on the books I’m writing.  But that’s not all.  I have two--that’s right, two!--new books being published in February.  That’s only about two months away now, and I want to do everything I can to get the word out so people will know about them.  Which books?  My next Alpha Force Harlequin Nocturne UNDERCOVER WOLF, and my next Pet Rescue Mystery OODLES OF POODLES for Berkley Prime Crime.

Since there’s a little bit of time till then, I want to plan on letting people know about both books as much as possible using social media.  I’ve been invited to participate in some online blogs and magazines, and will be delighted to do that.

I’ll also be working on a blog tour.  I’m on Facebook, but have been avoiding Twitter since I’m already too distracted by the things I actually do online. 

I’m additionally looking for ideas.  So--what can you suggest?  Are there any blogs besides Killer Hobbies that you read and think I should try to guest on?  Any groups or magazines or anything else you can suggest that I do?

And, okay, hit me with it.  Do you think I should join Twitter?

Whether you’re a reader, writer or both, what are your favorite online methods for authors to let readers know about new releases?

Flexibility

I was having a hard time figuring out what to write about today.  Usually, topics come to me fairly easily.  I eventually realized what my problem is this week: I’ve had to change gears in my writing, so that’s put me off my pace, at least a bit.

I have two books coming out in February 2013: UNDERCOVER WOLF, part of my Alpha Force mini-series for Harlequin Nocturne, and OODLES OF POODLES, my fourth Pet Rescue Mystery for Berkley Prime Crime.  I knew the copyedits were due soon for both--where I’d get to see changes, or suggestions for modifying the manuscripts, from  my editors and get to do some revisions accordingly. 

I’d intended to finish an extremely rough draft this week of the next Alpha Force story after UNDERCOVER WOLF, tentatively titled UNTAMED WOLF.  However, I received my copyedits on UNDERCOVER WOLF--which usually wouldn’t present a problem, but my editor requested my response by the end of this week.

I always try to comply with that kind of request, whenever possible.  First, I’m really fortunate to have wonderful editors.  Also, in the instances that I’ve requested deadline extensions, they’ve been very accommodating to me.   So... I’d better stop writing this and go back to my copyedits!

Fortunately, I shouldn’t receive the edits for OODLES OF POODLES for a couple of weeks.  And the other thing I was writing at the same time as UNTAMED WOLF, a potential novella, will just have to wait for now.

Do you ever start racing toward a particular goal and find yourself swerving a bit because something else has intervened?