NaNoWriMo: How Indiana Lost her Mind (and so did her Author)

So it's been 15 days of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) already! Can you believe it?! I hit the 50K mark pretty early on in the piece. My cat helped me celebrate the last 2K by typing the odd word (ie. walking CONSTANTLY across the keyboard) and massaging my legs as I worked (try explaining those pinholes when you wear shorts to pick your kids up from school :-/).

Now I have discovered the hard part. 'How Indiana lost Her Mind (But Found Herself)' ORIGINALLY told the story of how Indiana met a vampire and got her memory back. Before I even started writing this book the first time around, I had a slightly different plan for the novel, one which involved wood nymphs rather than genies (oh yeah, the 'baddie' turned out to be one bad-arsed genie that just didn't want to go back into her bottle). With this years rewrite, I am going back to my original plan. I was never really happy with the vampire aspect of the novel (although, the vampire characters will be staying, just in a more subdued way) and thanks to NaNoWriMo, am now discovering just how hard it is to rewrite a novel.

In the last three days, according to the NaNoWriMo website, I have written around 1,000 words. Previous to that (ie. the part of the book that is remaining basically the same except the change from 1st person to 3rd person perspective) I was averaging 4,000 a day. So what happened?

Well, for starters, I added a love triangle. This means I have had to rip the guts out of various sections, losing thousands of words at a time. Then these sections were written again. My baddie has become a man, rather than a woman, so I have also been carefully reading over sections to delete all the 'S's' from 'She' and changing 'hers' to 'his'. Those 1,000 words have actually been about 5,000 lost and 6,000 rewritten!

Also, I have hit that stage of the game where research is involved. In the last 48 hours I have had a crash course in nymphs, dryads, satyrs and the Sagittarius constellation.

Now, I just need to collate the lot and get this story FINISHED by the 30th of November!

So, how's everyone else going with NaNoWriMo?

True Blood Club Fangtasia Halloween Party is Approaching Fast!

It's Time to Announce the Awesome Stuff!

So, you've heard me mention it time and again here, on Facebook and on the TrueBloodNet website. Club Fangtasia is being hosted once more by the fabulous crew at the Seamus O'Tooles Irish Pub in Knox. While the first two events were truly spectacular, this year promises to top all current expectations! But you need to get in quick as the very last 20 VIP tickets and 20 General Admission tickets have been released. Go to the Club Fangtasia website quickly if you want to snap a few up!

So what's new?

• This year there are True Blood celebrities - yes you can meet some of the actors that make the show so darn HOT!
• Spectacular prizes are on offer. Want a piece of your fave True Blood star? Then this is the best bet you have of winning it for nothing more than the purchase of your ticket
• An all day event has been organised by First Contact Conventions called Full Blood and will include a day of True Blood activities. (Check here to see if tickets are still available)
• Personalised autographs (of the celebrities attending the Halloween party) can be purchased at Seamus O'Tooles from 2-4pm on Saturday the 3rd of November (the day before the event)
• True Blood auctions - bid on personal True Blood items belonging to the stars of the show! All proceeds will go to the charities of the celebrities choice - a win-win situation for all involved
• True Blood merchandise - buy bottles of Tru Blood and Merlotte's T-shirts amongst other great items
• Fangtails: Tru Blood cocktails - need I say more?!
• Oh, and, I will be interviewing the celebrities!

So, who are these celebrities that I will be chatting to for TrueBloodNet? Well, as per the recent email sent from Club Fangtasia headquarters, it was announced that Pam (Kristin Bauer) has been summoned by The Authority and can no longer attend. Holly (Lauren Bowles) has unfortunately been caught up in one of her very own wiccan spells and will not be released in time, which means she will no longer be attending either. But there is still a super line up to keep even the most avid True Blood fans happy!

Replacing Pam is the fabulous Tommy Mickens (Marshal Allman), which is sure a fantastical feat since he was killed in a previous season! Luna (Janina Gavankar) has also graciously decided to replace Holly and is shape-shifting into a bird as we speak in order to make it to Australia before the 4th of November. Jesus (Kevin Alejandro), Lafayette's brujo boyfriend is also confirmed as attending - his whole body and not just his head ;-) And, finally, Ginger, the screamer, (Tara Buck) is confirmed as well. Let's just hope we can hear the music over her blood-curdling wails!

Want me to ask the celebrities a question on your behalf? Then let me know in the comments below and I'll see what I can do.

Make sure you bookmark or subscribe to this blog in order to view the exclusive TrueBloodNet video interviews with the stars of True Blood as well as my recap of the Club Fangtasia Halloween party!

(Photo Credits: Garth O'Hehir/ClubFangtasia.com.au)

The Twilight-land of NaNoWriMo - Are You Game to Enter?

For the fourth year running I will be committing the month of November to pure insanity! This is also known as NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month. For 30 days I will buckle down, eat a truckload of red bullets, avoid chores and human contact - all in the crazy notion I can get a novel completed in that time. Three years straight have proved that I can.

This year is a little different though. Normally, the month of October is spent researching my chosen topic. The topic is normally finalised sometime around August/September, although the search for it starts on December the 1st. This October I have researched...nothing.

Not once have I typed something into Google and wondered if this will be the final straw that breaks the camel at the FBI headquarters' back. In previous years I have actually typed the following terms into Google: AIDS, cold & flu viruses, genetic mutations, crossing the common cold with another virus, glock, red glock, how to use a gun, mental institutions of Australia, floor plans of Larundel, mental health act of Victoria, delusional episodes, Lithium, legal requirements for mental illness, mental illness boundaries within the confines of the law, conspiracy theories, how to use a bow and arrow, deer stalking (actually, that last one was my husband, but it's sure to muddy the water some more). Yep, the FBI have to be concerned by now!

So what inspired this turn of events? Surely, with three completed manuscripts, I have have proven to myself that this is the magical formula needed? Well, actually, the first manuscript was completed, but absolute rubbish. This year I am attempting to rectify this.

In the far away year of 2009, back in the days when dreaming about being a published author was a full time occupation for me, I had also read a little known book by an author you've probably never heard of, a Mormon bird called Stephenie Meyers. That book had the peculiar title of Twilight. It was my first foray into the vampire genre and I am embarrassed to say that I delved into that book three times (and the subsequent unheard of follow-ups  New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn). I found it delicious yet not nearly bad enough for me. I wanted my vampires to be just a little more kick arse in the nasty but drool worthy department. If Meyers could write about vampires, then anyone could, I decided before embarking on the NaNoWriMo ship, Viking hat firmly planted on top of my head!

So I attempted to write my own vampire novel. As a result, Indiana Meets A Vampire was written in 30 days and 30,000 words over budget. I wrote the whole thing in 1st person. It was glorified, albeit badly written, porn but it was mine and I loved it dearly.

During that month I also picked up my second vampire crush. A small tome called Dead Until Dark, written by a quaint little southerner called Charlaine Harris. I wish I had the time to read this novel during NaNoWriMo. Some would say I should have read it instead of writing Indiana Meets A Vampire.

So, after my second attempt at NaNoWriMo, I scored my first publishable novel, you've probably heard me speak of it occasionally? If not, you can buy it here. Emeline and the Mutants taught me that I should only ever write in 3rd person - especially when there are sex scenes involved! Reading my biting, dirty, nasty vampire/human sex scenes is why some people cannot look me in the eye to this day. I still apologise to my beta readers for this.

In an attempt to rectify the horrific mental images I forced upon people in 2009, I will be ripping apart Indiana Meets A Vampire (and giving it the tentative working title of Indiana Loses Her Mind But Finds Her Way). Sure, there will still be vampires in it, the story just wouldn't be the same without Sam, the vamp who travelled to Australia on the First Fleet. Camilla Le Fanu will be there also, but I suspect the major role she plays in book three (oh, did I forget to mention that I tortured my beta readers three times that year?), will be dimmed quite significantly. The story this time round will be more about Indiana and her unique abilities. Her memory loss will still be there and playing an integral part in the plot. I won't deny readers vast amounts of blood and gore and sex either, but hopefully I can keep most of it justifiable this time round!

So, is this considered cheating? Well, I don't, but other might, is the short answer. I will be keeping the plot line for the first two novels basically the same. The third novel now has a very distinct and remarkably tragic ending, but no start or middle (and probably no need for it's current title of Indiana Goes to a Brothel!). I will be reading the original manuscript before rewriting it, but then things will get interesting as I write the lot from scratch!

Want to watch my progress during November, then either check back here, or watch the live updates on my NaNoWriMo profile here. The burning question is though - will I eat more red bullets than last year?

Heart Search Interview

Today I have been lucky enough to score an interview with the fabulous author of Heart Search: Lost, Carlie. M.A. Cullen (apparently no relation to Edward, but I have my doubts, since she really seems to know her genre!) Here's what she had to say: 

CC: G’day Rachel, thank you so much for having me here today. I’m so excited to be in Oz! 

RT: You're very welcome Carlie! First off, can you tell me a little about your book? 

CC: It’s about a young couple, Remy and Joshua, who are on the verge of getting married when he ups and disappears after hurting her physically just two days before the wedding. Remy is understandable distraught, but after taking advice from her twin, decides to set off to find him.  

She embarks on a long, lonely journey which is full of emotion and tests her mettle in more ways than one. When weird things begin to happen to her, she even begins to doubt her sanity. 

In the meantime, Joshua has become immortal and finds his maker. He learns not only how vampires feed, but that he has gifts above and beyond the norm. He has his own battles as he tries to forget Remy and becomes embroiled in coven politics, endangering his new life. 

Their parallel journeys have connections running through the story and there’s a killer ending. 

RT: What inspired you to write this novel? 

CC: I’ve written since I was a child and I’d had this idea floating around in my head for a while. I began making notes and then Remy and Joshua popped into my head, almost fully formed and demanded I tell their story their way. Who was I to refuse? Once I began writing it, they took over and nine months later the first draft was finished. 

RT: Heart Search is quite a personal journey for Remy, did any of this come from your own personal experiences? 

CC: Well, as far as I know, none of my ex’s have been bitten and become immortal! [Chuckles] *RT: Once again, I seriously think she's related ;-P* I’ve also never set off on a journey like Remy did. However, I think all writers take something from past experiences and put it into their writing, no matter how insignificant. Like virtually every other woman on the planet, I’ve had my fair share of heartbreak over the years and I did draw on some of that for the emotional scenes with Remy. I think when writing something of that nature, it’s good to reflect back on the way one reacts as it makes it more realistic. I have had a personal journey of my own to find myself in the past few years and it does take a certain amount of inner strength. I’d like to think some of that rubbed off on Remy. 

RT: Recently I interviewed an author about Fifty Shades and why women seem to love stories that involve bad boys. In this instance, the bad boys are vampires, why do you think we love them so much? 

CC: Hmmm. I think it’s a combination of things actually. Vampires are generally portrayed as being handsome and charismatic, despite their blood-thirsty natures, and the immortality issue is attractive. So many people dread getting old and dying and as vampires almost never die, staying young and beautiful forever, it’s the same type of thing as finding the fabled ‘Fountain of Youth’. Also, I think women sometimes fantasise about having a bad boy as it’s so atypical to their real natures; the danger and excitement which surrounds them is attractive. 

RT: Can you give us any hints about Remy and Joshua's journey in the next novel? 

CC: Uh-oh! Now you’re pushing your luck, Rachel! [Laughs] What can I tell you that won’t give too much away? Remy’s heartache isn’t over by a long shot yet you come to see the real fighter in her emerge – much more so than in book one. Joshua still has battles to fight and not just in his coven. There’s a twist early in the book that shakes both Remy and Joshua’s worlds enormously, but for different reasons. The coven leader has a new lady on his arm and the sins of the past are revisited. That’s all I’m going to say. 

RT: Rats! I was hoping to get a scoop there. Okay, so how many books are planned for this series? 

CC: Three in total at the moment. However, the way Remy and Joshua take me over when I’m writing, who knows what they have planned? 

RT: I agree, characters certainly have a way of getting under your skin and ruling the show sometimes ;-P So there turns out to be more than three books, I can CERTAINLY live with that! Speaking of books, do you have any other novels in the pipe works? 

CC: Um, yes I do. I’m sketching out some ideas for a fantasy one featuring the lovely lady I use as my avatar. She gives me a great deal of inspiration so I’ve decided she needs her own book or two. I have a working title and a rough theme, but in this one I’ve got some serious world-building to plan and magic systems to work out. I’m excited by the prospect, but will do little more than make notes as I think of things until I’m done with Heart Search. I’m not the sort of writer who can have several projects on the go at once – I prefer to concentrate on one project at a time. 

RT: I agree, creating worlds takes time, one at a time for me too please. I am in AWE at the authors who can drop one world and pick up half way through in another one though. So, how did you start writing? 

CC: I started writing for my own amusement as a kid. I had to learn to amuse myself as I grew up as an only child with parents who both worked. I loved reading, especially fairy tales and began writing my own before I reached double digits. I’ve never really looked back since. 

RT: Who inspires you (Literary or otherwise)? 

CC: How long have we got? [Chuckles] My late parents inspire me – losing them taught me that life is too short to be unhappy and to follow my dreams while I can. My daughter is also a great inspiration; she is so supportive of my writing and brings such joy to my life. 

Outside of them, I’m inspired by ‘my family’ at Myrddin Publishing, the late Princess Diana, J K Rowling and a whole host of other authors whose books have enriched my life. 

RT: And, finally, just for fun...If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why? 

CC: Oh this is a hard one! Why are the fun questions so damn difficult? There are too many awesome choices! [Laughs] Ok-ay, I think I’ll go with the ability to teleport. It would be beyond cool to just be able to decide to go somewhere, like a beach in the Caribbean when it’s freezing cold and chucking it down with rain at home, or to pop in on my family in the US or Canada or even those in the UK in the blink of an eye, or visit places I’ve always wanted to go, but never been able to afford. But I’d have to be able to take my daughter with me – and my laptop! :)

RT: Ooooh, teleporting sure does sound like a LOT of fun! Thanks so much for popping in and saying hello. I know your schedule is completely crazy this month, so I really do appreciate it! 

CC: I’ve had a bonza time here with you today, Rachel. Thank you so much for having me. Now did you say something about a barbeque?? 

RT: *Chucks another shrimp on the barbie for Carlie* 

Now, I think I have an idea what that twist may be in book 2, but why don't you head on over to Amazon.com and pick up your copy of Heart Search: Lost and once you've finished reading it, stop back here and let me know what you think the twist is! 

Amazon

Amazon UK

Heart Search: Lost Book Excerpt

So now that the wonderful vampire novel Heart Search: Lost by the amazing Carlie M.A. Cullen (apparently no relation to the lovely sparkly one) has been released on Amazon.com, my guess is that you want to check it out as soon as possible. Well, I can help out in this department. Carlie has been gracious enough to provide an short excerpt of the novel and you can read it (exclusively) here on this blog!

Around 10:30am, Joshua returned to the house. His mouth was set in a grim line, his eyes hooded and his skin pale grey. He climbed the stairs, using the banister rail to drag himself and entered the bedroom. He didn’t seem surprised to find it a mess; the bed wasn’t made and dirty laundry was still on the floor. Moving automatically, he quickly straightened the duvet, picked up the washing and dropped it into the laundry basket in the corner of the room. He opened his wardrobe, grabbed a holdall from the top shelf and started pulling clothes off hangers to stuff into it, not caring if they got creased. Hangers were flying off the rail, but he ignored them in his haste. He yanked open his underwear drawer, pulling it completely off the runners, the contents tumbling to the floor. He snatched handfuls of socks and pants and chucked them into the top of the bag before going into the bathroom and seizing toiletries off the shelves.

When the bag was full, he picked it up and without a backward glance, marched down the stairs. He dropped it by the front door and walked into the lounge. On the coffee table was the pad and pen they’d been using to make the wedding lists. He sat on the sofa and pulled the coffee table closer so he could lean on it. He seized the pen, and sat with it poised over the blank sheet, trying to marshal his thoughts. The first sign of emotion crossed his face as he wrote ‘My darling Remy,’

An hour later, wearing a desolate expression of absolute grief, he drove away from the house.

Now that you've the excerpt, you can purchase the full novel for only $2.99 here! (And in the UK, here.)

Carlie M A Cullen

Carlie M A Cullen was born in London. She grew up in Hertfordshire where she first discovered her love of books and writing. She has been an administrator and marketer all her working life and is also a professional teacher of Ballroom and Latin American dancing.

Carlie has always written in some form or another, but Heart Search: Lost is her first novel. This is being launched 8^th October 2012 through Myrddin Publishing Group and work has started on book two: Heart Search: Found. She writes mainly in the Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genres for YA, New Adult and Adult.

Carlie is also a professional editor.

Carlie also holds the reins of a writing group called Writebulb. Their first anthology was published September 2012.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter.

Book Trailer Reveal: Heart Search by Carlie M.A. Cullen

I'm SO excited! As I mentioned in an earlier post, the novel, 'Heart Search' by author Carlie M.A. Cullen is about to be released. Before the book is released for sale, why not enjoy the beautiful trailer?

Make sure you share the love and pass it around all your favourite social medias.

Carlie M. A. Cullen's 'Heart Search' Blog Tour Starts......Now!

I am very excited to announce that I am to be part of a Blog Tour! The book on offer is the very first novel published by author Carlie M. A. Cullen, entitled Heart Search. I have had the pleasure of being able to preview this book before publication, so make sure you hang about for my review on Heart Search later in the month!

But first things first...here is the official reveal of the gorgeous cover, designed by the equally wonderful Nicole Antonia Carson:

It's True Blood Time!

So I am a Trubie through and through. I have the blood spattered t shirt a la Sookie in episode 2 of Season 1 to prove it! Which means that as I write this, I am doing so with trembling fingers and a blood pulse that could quite frankly be dangerous. When blog goes live, True Blood will be screening in the States: Season 4, Episode 1. Unfortunately, being here in Australia, I will have to wait quite a bit longer to view this episode. Or watch it illegally and then suffer the guilt of robbing HBO and the actors of their royalties.

But, for a True Blood inspired blog, I thought I would bring up the subject of vampires. Being a writer for True Blood Net, I have had a while to ponder this very matter, and in particular, why True Blood works so well. Is it because of the current infatuation with all things fang related? Or is it the fact that most things HBO touches turns to gold? It's probably a bit of both. But I think it has more has to do with the fact that True Blood is glorfied porn. Blood-spattered vampire porn, to be exact. So many of my friends what this show in secret. They never bring the topic up unless someone else mentions the show first. It's all a bit naughty - even for grown ups. It's completely childish of us, watching it in the dark and behind closed doors. Possibly with a bottle of wine and a whip (or is that just me...) However, that is the one thing that seems to make us love the show even more than the books by Charlaine Harris that the show was based on.

As an author of a book that contains vampires (but not hotties of the Eric Northman persuasion) and *hopefully* enough gore to make HBO and Alan Ball proud, I would like to think that, as adults, we are more mature that that.

But I don't think so ;-P

Happy True Blood Day Fangers! V""V