The Problem with Writing a Paranormal Series

In May of this year, while in my third trimester, I began to write a new book. I managed to finish before the baby came in July. (Yay me!) The novel is the first in a series that will be at least five books long. (Sheesh, I’m long winded) Anyway, I loved writing it because it’s first person, and I’ve never finished a novel in that POV before.

So, I’m trying to figure out what I want to do with this novel. It needs work. I have to rewrite the first three chapters, add more emotion, and delete a lot of telling. I’m probably going to move it to a college town and have my MC in college as opposed to making her a recent graduate. I’m also going to add more of a mother presence for my heroine, Izzy. She’s going to have body issues brought on by her mom.

Okay, this new novel needs a lot of work, but I was up for that until I started outlining the second novel. You see, it’s an Angel/Demon series and there’s two sects of angels, so there’s two different Angel lore to keep straight and then there’s Demon lore and Fallen Angel lore, and Izzy the heroine comes with all kinds of baggage. The hero’s older than her so he’s got a lot of past drama to keep straight.

When I outlined book two, suddenly, there was another sect of Angels that needed their own lore, and the hero of this novel (Gabriel) had enough background to fill an entire other novel. Brilliant! I’ll just write a prequel to the series. I’ll tell Gabriel’s story and intertwine it with another storyline that I’m dying to tell and I JUST HAD A BABY! I can’t even remember if I fed my five and six year old breakfast this morning, let alone recall the name of the demon who tried to kill Izzy in chapter seven. Long story short, the cells in my baby-scrambled brain haven’t meandered back to their designated spots. I’m begrudgingly coming to terms with this.  

We all have crazy phases in our lives when there’s hardly enough time to brush our teeth, never mind write a five book series. This is that time in my life, but, I have a solution to this problem, and it will ensure I keep writing. It’s called the Stand Alone Contemporary Romance Novel. The beautiful thing about the Stand Alone is that when I’m done, I’m done. No prequels, no new characters popping up in book three, no ingenious storyline that appears in book two and requires unanticipated foreshadowing in book one. No more paranormal elements to track or sequential books to outline in order to verify they mesh harmoniously. Now I only have to keep character’s pasts and personality traits straight for one 90k book. Woo Hoo! I can totally do that on three hours of sleep with a baby drooling on my shoulder while I peck one-handed at my keyboard. Yep. Everything’s going to be easy peesy from here on out.

Next week’s blog post: Mutinous Contemporary Romance Characters and the Author who Hates Them. (So much for easy peesy… )     

The Act of Creation

Each year, I’m only capable of bringing one creation to fruition. This year, my creation is named Sarah. She’s a blue eyed, rosy cheeked miracle who turns three-months-old at the end of October. Needless to say, I will not release a book this year, including Killing Abel. Hopefully, all will go well next year, and by that I mean Sarah will be a champion napper. If so, I should have another title available next Fall. Fingers crossed.

Winner of December Cover Art Poll

“The Pacific Twilight” - a young adult thriller-romance with a difference and a first for Pacific literature.

"How many times do you come across a book that gives you everything you want in a book? Telesa has it all. There's Leila, the girl that we can all relate to. She's smart and confident, but doesn't always know what to do. She goes to Samoa searching for a place to belong. She didn't expect to meet a boy. A certain boy, who she hates at first, who is also SMOKING hot. Daniel. With his rugby playing abs, amazing muscles, interesting tattoos, and killer smile. He can be vicious and competitive on the rugby field one minute, and sweet and chivalrous the next. But this book is not just about Daniel...This story is the epic tale of Telesa. Leila is a Telesa, but doesn't know it. As she grows to discover her birthright, her powers, her family, and herself, what will she choose? What is her destiny? And does it involve a hot rugby player?" Jillian Dodd, Author of 'That Boy'.

Ancient Pacific mythology tells of Telesa. Spirit women who are guardians of earth and gifted with the elemental powers of Air, Water and Fire.Telesa are vengeful and cruel.Tales to frighten children.Or are they more than that? From Washington D.C, comes Leila, a young woman in search of family,a place to belong. Instead she finds her destiny and it threatens to tear her apart. There is the bewitching call of a telesa sisterhood and there is Daniel. Will Leila embrace her birthright or will she choose the one who offers her his love with a crooked smile and dancing green eyes? Will Daniel be the element that gentles the fire of the Telesa? Or must love burn at the altar of the telesa covenant? There are many different kinds of love. All of them require sacrifice. Who will give everything for the one they love?

Released October 2011 on Amazon.

Book & Cook Holiday Blog Festival: Sister Suz’s Best Sweet Potatoes in Kansas

My sister is famous on all sides of the family for this special dish. I don’t even remember the first time she brought it to a family gathering; I just remember that for the last five years, I’ve been gorging on it Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Easter. It’s more dessert than accompaniment, but because the base is healthy sweet potatoes, it goes on the plate right beside the turkey or ham.  Hallelujah for that!

Sister Suz’s Best Sweet Potatoes in Kansas

Sweet Potatoes

6-8 med sweet potatoes

¼  - ½  Cup butter

¼  - ½ Cup Brown sugar

Bake sweet potatoes and mash while hot with butter and brown sugar. Spread into 12x8 baking dish

Topping

2 Tbsp. softened butter

¾-cup brown sugar

½-cup chopped pecans

Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over sweet potatoes. My sister usually does this then decides to double the topping and make another batch. God Bless her because the topping is the best part.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until the topping looks cooked. Enjoy!

Where Am I This Week?

Hello everyone! I just thought I’d drop a line and let you know where I can be found this week. If you’re interested in going on a zoo trip with me and my two preschoolers, head on over to Tynga’s Reviews and join us. You can also find me at My Book Addiction and More! If you have a minute, I’d love to see you on either site. Hope everyone is having a great week!