Shar's last post on Nano

The last post on Nano

At

SNSD

We SURVIVED NaNoWrimo

The head and I survived Nano

Read about it here

http://desiresdd.livejournal.com/23387.html

Week One of Nano!

Shar's post at Taboo talks about Nano Week One!

http://desiresdd.livejournal.com/22911.html

Nano UPDATE Day 16! COVER REVEAL

Good morning!

Would ya' look at THAT? 

OH MY GOD!

What a cover? And the darn story isn't even done yet!

Whew. Talk about art speaking to you. WOW, wow, wow!

Through the eyes of Sara York, this is my newest cover for my New Orleans Noir tale. 

My version of I Like Em Pretty!

Look at one of our fave muses in the top left, Isn't he a beaut? 

Again, the story along with Rawiya's will be released in December. 

And here I was thinking I'd do a short story since I wasn't going to do the shifter just yet!

Holy hell! *ahem* Sorry that's Shar talking.

We can't wait to get started on this!

As far as Nano, currently we stand at 42592 and on target to finish all stories by Nov 30th!

Woot. WTG Rawiya for writing so fast. I should have a blurb on this new one by Sunday.

In the meantime, read more about Rawiya's story. 

First part of Nano COMPLETE!

Woot! Now that Hardy and Day are in the books, I can relax. 

Shar has decided to hold off for a bit on the m/m twin vampire for now for fear it might be too much research.

We'll save it until 2013.

Wonderful that we already have 29667 done. Only 21333 to go!

Lets go Rawiya!

Nano UPDATE Day 10!

Good morning! So, how am I doing so far? Very well! I'm over the 20k mark at Under the Gun and ahead of schedule as far as finishing the book. 

Looks like it should be finished by Sunday, at the latest Monday. No, I'm not writing 25k in the next two days. *laughs* Shar decided to make Under teh Gun the book and do two shorts instead. 

Much to the chagrin of BL who wanted to get YDA two out, Shar concluded it would be better to do UTG by itself. 

I'ts coming along quite nicely with Camdyn and Malik enjoying their love and work partnership. Maybe even a little TOO much.

*waggles eyebrows*

When I'm done, Rawiya will write a short that should be about ten k and then I'll finish out the month with a shifter twin tale a dear reader asked me to do quite a while ago. 

It will be self pubbed as will Rawiya's story.

Keep watch on this space for more details!

Thursday Thought - How to SURVIVE Nano!

What you need to do to SURVIVE Nano!

Good morning readers! Wow, I’ts been a while since I had a Thursday Thought but here it is, the tips I think you need to survive NaNoWriMo.

First off, some of you may ask, what is that? Well, the head, Shar will tell you a little at BL’s today. Hop on over there once you get done reading me. *grins*

In short, it’s writing a 50K novel in 30 days. Whoa, that’s a lot of words right? However, when you break it down, it’s only 1667 words per day. That’s it? Yep. Some can do that in their sleep. For others it’s a struggle especially when they have families, jobs, and other responsibilities that take them away from Nanoing. Luckily, I’m just the muse and I won’t have to worry about that, but since Shar is conveying mine and then BL’s thoughts on paper, she might need to follow these guidelines:

1.    Explain to the family you’re doing something big!

Well, in the scheme of things for you it is. With significant others who are already used to the way their authors act when finishing any kind of story during the year, they know a lot of things might not get done. Oh like, cleaning up the house per say. Dinner might be a little late getting to the table and if it does, it might be takeout as opposed to a home cooked meal. Still, try and explain it to the family how you might be unavailable at some points. Try not to ignore them! Get them involved somehow. Shar talks the story over with her husband and asks him questions. Now this is not so easy with kids, especially when they’re babies or toddlers, which brings me to the next one.

2.    Try to write when the house is QUIET!

For Shar, she’ll do it after two or three a.m. when the family is asleep. If you get your word count of 1667 for the day then you have the rest of it to enjoy with the kids. You won’t be disturbed by them asking for food or to play because you’ve done the necessary words to stay on course.

3.    Don’t worry about huge editing mistakes and write EVERYDAY!

Some don’t correct ANYTHING and keep writing. For me and Shar however, each time we sit down to a story, we go over the last parts of what was written during the last session. Just basic mistakes like misspells, grammar or punction mistakes. Still, leave the overall editing where you might repeat yourself or miss a full description for when you go through the story later on. I hope if you’re planning on publishing that you’ll use several betas and or editors beforehand. Also, take the time to write everyday. Do sprints on Twitter with friends. Get together in person or virtually with other Nano writers. Take advantage of the forums on their site as well as forming your own group of friends to keep the focus!

4.    Take time to relax BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER NANO.

I know in 2010 when Shar and I did African Sun, she was writing all year and even did a different challenge in December which proved detrimental in 2011. The first three months of that year, she had no real focus or determination to write. In 2011, she had several projects going on around November and we weren’t able to finish writing Closely Guarded. Now this year, Shar managed to get BL’s book done. As it stands, there are still only a couple of stories left unfinished because this year Shar had a different plan where she didn’t start any new stories.

She finished out the books for Rawiya and BL in the SNOTM series, the sequel to My Lieutenant, as well as Closely Guarded and Wild Horses. Now, Shar is relaxing her mind, only doing edits, blogposts, promoing, and no serious writing. Only fanfic and free reads for now. *grins* Additionally, during Nano the plan is to write early and leave the rest of the day to spend time with the kids and hubby as well as friends to take her mind off the story waiting on the laptop. Afterwards, Shar plans to take December only to write some fanfic and do revisions of Vertigo Two for me and finish Trois in Treble for Rawiya. Might also do a read with Rawiya for Xmas but she doesn’t want to burn out like she did in 2011. The key is to do other things and not get so worn out at the end of November.

5.    DON’T worry about making the 50k goal!

But wait Michael, you said I must write everyday! Still, stressing over it doesn’t help. Worrying about the goal only puts more pressure on yourself. I believe Shar did that last year. She kept telling herself she had to make it! Yes the write-ins are good and looking at the wordcounter, seeing that your close is fun but try not to immerse yourself in stress. You might just discourage us as muses and therefore make the characters in your story stop talking. Again, I say take time away from it. Don’t worry about others who may finish in fifteen days. Everyone works differently and at their own pace. If you didn’t do the 1667 today, try making it up on the weekends if time allows. The key is to not beat yourself up when you don’t get there. If the will and the story is there, you will do what is needed to make the goal.

6.    Lastly, make sure you have fun!   

Sure it’s a big deal to make the 50k! You get the little things to put on your blogs and you say, I survived and made it but the key is to enjoy the creation process. Sure it’s stressful but I think sprinting with others makes it even more enjoyable. Talking over your stories with fellow authors. Supporting one another and cheering each other on is fun too. To know that a large portion of the world is doing the same thing is very comforting. You’re not alone!

Take advantage of the tools and resources Nano gives you. Enjoy your time doing the challenge and in the end, you might have a finished product you can be proud of. In some instances, you could give it to a publisher to share with readers everywhere.Perhaps a bestseller? One can only hope.

I’m happy to be doing this again with Shar and I hope these 6 tips will help you succeed in your goal! I thank you for listening and enjoy he craziness that is Nano. If you’re not doing it, cheer those of us that are onto the finish line. 

Under the Gun gets Contracted and UPDATES

Greetings all. 

This is Michael, speaking to you directly for the first time in a while. Busy with posts, blog tours, writing and promoing I hardly have time to just let you know whats going on, but tonight I'm taking that opportunity.

Over the weekend I spoke to one of the masterminds behind No Boundaries Press about a story I worked out earlier in the year called Under the Gun. It was for a subcall I answered from another pub and I really wanted to find a home for it.

Well, I queried which is something I usually don't do without finishing the story and they liked it and accepted it! WOOT!


So now my muse, David Taylor aka Camdyn Hardy will get a voice along with Malik Day aka Tyson Beckford. Over the weekend, I'll share a little bit with you in the Saturday Sips. Also, my free read will return too.


In other news, I sent in a submission for Captain of his Heart to a publisher fingers crossed on that and for those of you wondering, I didn't finish Nano on time but Closely Guarded should still be finished this month. 32k in and we have about 10-15k to go. 


Also, the Professor didn't make the cut for pub I sent it to but it is on the lists for revise/edits that happen in the new year. Vertigo and True Meaning Two are in full scale edit mode with Sizzler and XOXO respectively. Hopefully both will be released in late Dec Early January.


Well, thats it for now. Make sure you stay tuned hear for more great guests and reads. My next guest is Lily Sawyer. 


Have a good night!

Welcome Back Angel Martinez

Good Monday Morning!


Welcome to Michael's! I'm BL, still hosting the blog. Hope you enjoyed my hostessing. *laughs* Today, Angel is here at our place and me and Michael are at hers. I'll give you the link at the end.

Here is Angel's post on Nano. Take it away Angel!

Why I Don’t Do Nano

For the uninitiated, or the non-writers out there, November is National Novel Writing Month, often referred to as NaNoWriMo. During this little bit of insanity, authors and budding writers join forces against the evils of distraction and ennui to cheer each other on as everyone does their level best to pound out an entire novel before the month ends. The rules are simple: a new novel of 50K words written entirely between 11/1 and 11/30.

In theory, I applaud the concept and certainly encourage anyone who has the urge to try it. A disciplined, regimented approach to writing is just what many writers need. Deadlines. Structure. A motivational tool that helps them move the project forward rather than wallowing in the imperfections of a single scene. More power to you all and I raise a glass in salute.

For me? Sorry, it would never work. Because I work a forty hour a week day job and have house and family to look after, (and I need sleep, silly me) my writing time is already regimented and disciplined. I keep my self-imposed deadlines when I’m blazing a trail through a first draft. Thing is, I write at least a chapter a week. On average, most of my full-length works end up at about fifteen chapters or so. So, in Nano time, I’d have to take the month off work and compress my normal schedule from three to six months into one single month.

For some people, the rush and flurry, the fact that there are so many other people doing it with them, with charts and numbers to track, all of this helps their writing. It would just give me a headache and conclude with abysmal-failure guilt. My brain can’t be rushed through the process. I’ve tried. It’s not a good idea. I know when my stories are flawed and the couple I’ve had to put out quickly, for whatever reason, are flawed.

Is it because I write by the seat of my pants and don’t know where I’m going? No. Not entirely. There aren’t any elaborate outlines, but I always have a skeletal structure before I start. I know where I’m starting and I know where I’m going. But I need the time to process as I go, to let the characters grow organically, to get to know them as you would a real person. The plot details need unpacking and storage isn’t always right the first time, so new plot shelves have to be built as we go. Most of my works involve serious world-building, which often becomes and architectural process with wings being torn down and rebuilt, turrets and pergolas and domes constructed, along with the occasional defenestration of minor characters.

I need the requisite number of walks, drives, the times before sleep—all of these times away from the computer when the brain churns and bubbles. Without that witch’s cauldron of thought, without the time in which to let the brew simmer, I can’t create effectively.

Here’s to you, Nano’ers of the world. May your word processors treat you kindly. May your power stay on. May your PC’s and laptops not crash. May you all reach your 50K and find that it is good and not gibberish written at three in the morning. Write on…write on. I’ll be watching (and cheering) from the sidelines. 

****

Great post Angel! Michael is doing NaNo as you can see. *snicker* Please visit Angel's place to see me and Michael today with an interesting post.

Thanks for listening

NaNo's Eve - Closely Guarded

Good Evening!

Welcome to Michael's on Halloween or really, NaNoWriMo Eve. 

Sharita and I are about to embark on our 2nd NaNo together. For those who don't know, NaNo is a writing event. Write a 50k novel in 30 days. Whew!

Sound like a lot? Well actually when you break it down by day, its about 1667 words per day average. Can you do that per day? Can you just write and not worry so much about edits?

Last years experience, we wrote 63K on African Sun 2 which is on the way to my editor at some point. It can be done! Put your mind to it and you can achieve! *grins*

This year, we're doing Closely Guarded, our gay say suspense novel of sorts based on a fictional organization called PROTEKT and the murder of a Russian Dignitary. Of course, I have to always pick models and for this, my MC is Ryan Paevey. *licks lips* When I saw this pic, I knew he would be perfect for the main role. Sexy, smart, emotional, and tough! 

Its a menage too, based on a fan fic short I wrote that always begged for more story and well this is the perfect opportunity to finish it.

Wow, I'm looking forward to see what we can come up with. This while finishing up a short for BL as well as edits on Vertigo. Did I mention Sharita is married with kids? 


OOH BOY!


Should be interesting. Cheer us on. Watch the word counter on the right. We'll be starting back at 0 so ignore the 5k. We might use that, maybe not. We shall see!

Also, BL will be here hosting as i'll be at BLRawiyas with the XOXO gang. I know you guys will have fun so make sure to continue viewing the blog.

Have a great evening!

NaNoWriMo

So I signed up for it. NaNoWriMo is a contest to see if the writer can make 50K in thirty days.

I see it as more of a test of wills. To see if you can keep focused on the task with the prize being the goal of the 50K novel.

Michael and I had an inner discussion and we both agreed that the story we will write will be the sequel to African Sun. It will be titled:

African Sun II: The Queen is Rising

We will be coming up with a new conflict for our fave gay couple John and Charley as well as some more adventures for Maddox, Rhoda, Naydi, and Nicholas.

The main characters Sakina and Alex will have some conflict as well. What makes a good story is tension isn't it?





We are stoked...More on this soon...