Today marks the release of the penultimate volume in Christine Rains' 13th Floor Series; The Oracle and The Vampire. I'll be hosting Christine on her blogtour on 16th May, and we're talking about vampires and banshees in fiction and what's next for the paranormal romance genre.
For a full schedule of Christine's tour, check out her blog here.
Buy The Oracle and the
Vampire: Amazon
US | Amazon
UK | Smahwords |
Kobo
| Barnes
and Noble
I'm still plugging away on my current WiP, trying to perfect act one, which is now around 10 chapters/ 21k words. I refuse to move on until it's just right.
Though this story is giving me more trouble than any of my past stories. So much so, this
weekend I contemplated shelving it, and working on something else. One of my problems is I'm not getting enough feelings in there. I don't know if it's because I'm not used to writing in first person, or if my plot/ paranormal development is distracting me from my character development. The idea I contemplated working on over the weekend was actually a straight contemporary romance. Then I though, 'no, why should I sacrifice something I think I'm good at (paranormal)?' so now I'm trying to improve the character/ emotional aspect of the story. I know it's only a first draft, but I'd like this to be a lot tighter than my past first drafts have been. Hopefully my new method of writing will have helped.
I'm still plugging away on my current WiP, trying to perfect act one, which is now around 10 chapters/ 21k words. I refuse to move on until it's just right.
Though this story is giving me more trouble than any of my past stories. So much so, this
I'm also looking into branching out, possibly into non-fiction writing. For a while now I've been looking into getting some sort of job, but one thing that's holding me back from a regular nine-five is that I still want time to devote to writing etc. Mum suggested looking for other things in the industry, and it has been something I considered - I briefly looked at proofreading positions but I feel under qualified to apply for any. So now I'm sending out emails to local publishers and writing organizations, seeing if any are offering volunteering opportunities. Heck, I don't care if I have to start out as a tea lady in some publisher's office, as long as I'm in the industry making contacts, gaining experience and learning valuable lessons. Another thing I wondered about was internships, but I wouldn't even know how to go about any of that. I'm also looking into article writing, and possibly even doing a course of some sort to help me improve my skills and gain some experience.
I know a lot of other writers here online that have done both proofreading and internships. Always a possibility.
ReplyDeleteExcited for Christine!
Yeah, I never realised how popular it was! Hopefully I can find something useful.
DeleteVery excited for Christine too!
Hi Clare! I am in the same place with my paranormal romance, I had to put it aside for a bit. It was giving me indigestion every time I start working on it! LOL Now I'm working on a Middle Grade and I am content with that, for now. I will revisit my paranormal WIP again, when it doesn't give me chest pains. LOL
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your job search! I think it would be tons of fun to work in the industry in some capacity or another, and I would also be glad to run and get everyone tea. *Fingers crossed for you*
I remember you saying you were putting your paranormal romance aside and working on Middle Grade. How is that going for you? Well I hope.
DeleteAfter this post, I managed to fight through my doubts, and am pleased with what I've accomplished this week. :D
Thank you. It's going well so far, had some good feedback from a writing organization in my area, so that's positive.
Congrats to Christine!
ReplyDeleteGood luck finding some volunteering/job work!
And sometimes taking a break from a manuscript can help you gain some perspective. Good luck with it!
Thanks, Cherie. I had some good feedback from a writing organization in my area, so that's positive.
DeleteAnd oddly, just a little break from my WiP helped me kick the cobwebs, and I feel I've made real progress on it this week.
Thank you so much for the shout-out! That's a terrific idea about getting a job in the industry. As much as I sometimes hate it, it is about making connections. Find the right one and you're set!
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome! The connections would be good, but also I'm just dying to work in the field I love.
DeleteI've been thinking about nonfiction writing, too, but am stumped as to what...
ReplyDeleteI don't like moving on in a piece until I feel ready, too. But maybe keep in mind you can add in more emotion later. We can't do everything at once. I think most writers write in layers. I think only an exceptional few don't.
Congrats to Christine! Woot!
I'm still trying to think what non-fiction writing I'll do. Possibly writing tips, or articles about my different writing experiences (i.e. NaNoWriMo). Could you not write about your love of astronomy?
DeleteYeah, I do wonder if I was trying to get too much perfect in the first go. I've finished act one now, so I'm going to do some rounds of editing, and see where I can add more layers.
Hope it all works out. Sounds like you have good plans for fixing your novel issues.
ReplyDelete........dhole
Thanks Donna! seeing an improvement already. :D
DeleteSorry I've not been around much lately for writing talk! :( I hope you can get the WIP back on track, and email me if you need anything! <3
ReplyDeleteNo need for apologies, I know you've been busy. And you more than made up for it in our chat the other morning. It was just what I needed. <3
DeleteGreat idea volunteering to do something you enjoy. Best of luck with the WIP.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheena-kay! :D
DeleteVolunteering is a good idea, I think. From the excerpts you let us read during the A to Z challenge, I would also like you to finish your manuscript. I think it was great and I, for one, would like read more.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Al. The encouragement is greatly appreciated. I might take you up on that offer to read more some day. ;)
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