Savvy Chick

I'm Giving It Away For Free!

2009-06-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

Giving It Away For Free
(the only time Momma would approve)
I'm giving it away for free the entire month of June. That’s right. A book a day, every day in honor of my latest book release Giving Up the V. All you have to do to is sign up for my newsletter and you are entered to win. Enter once and you are in the running to win a book every day in the month of June.

I have a fresh, new look to my website and have moved there permanently. I blog over there in the Advice for Young Ladies section. I will keep this blog up as an archive but you may want to switch your bookmark to http://www.serenarobar.com/

Thanks!

Cover for Giving Up The V

2008-09-19T23:23:00.000-07:00

Check out the preliminary cover for Giving Up The V. Pretty cute, huh? Another midriff book. I am beginning to refer to all my books as The Midriff Books. The last four books have all had the midriff model. What is happening to these poor girls heads? Some sort of free floating photography accident run amok?

Look at me with Felicia Day...

2008-08-30T23:49:00.000-07:00

...the talented actress, writer and producer of The Guild. She also played Penny in Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. Picked up a copy of The Guild this weekend at the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle and can't wait to see all the groovy behind the scenes stuff.

Working on my next book proposal as Giving Up the V has past the revisions and edit stage. Look for it in bookstores on June 9, 2009.

New book coming in Summer 2009

2008-04-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

I have a new book coming out with Simon Pulse in the summer of 09 entitled "Giving up the V". Here is the blurb from PW.

March 24, 2008
Children's: Young Adult
Serena Robar's GIVING UP THE V, about one sixteen-year-old who swears she's nowhere near ready to "give up the V" despite being surrounded by a forward thinking mother and sex-obsessed friends, to Michael del Rosario at Simon Pulse, by Holly Root of the Waxman Literary Agency (world).
This is a departure from my usual paranormal fare but I am excited to do a contemporary YA. This is a candid, hilarious view of high school today and I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. I imagine the tagline of the book reading something like this "Will she or won't she?"

At first I knew the answer to that question but as I get to know the characters better and delve deeper into their psyche, I am beginning to question my decision. So, will she or won't she? Now I'm not so sure. Stay tuned to find out.

PS- And I apologize to my readers who have been hounding me about the next installment in my Psi Phi house series. At this time the publisher has no plans to continue with Colby and Piper's adventures but I will be the first one to tell you if things change. I would like to continue on with something new set in the same setting of PSU (Puget Sound University AKA Paranormal Supernatural University or Para Super U) but my fingers can only type so fast. :)

Great sense of humor required

2008-02-29T10:08:00.000-08:00

This is probably not the first time you have seen these clips but if it is, here is the set up. Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimbell having been going out for going on five years so for her anniversary present to Jimmy, she rolls this clip...on his late night talk show.

A month later Jimmy exacts his revenge at his post Oscar show with this clip.

I can't help but imagine Ben and Matt's daughters as teens, surfing the web and they stumble across these videos. I imagine the horror on their faces at the thought of anyone bleeping their dads or contemplating their dads having sex at all. No matter if you are the sexiest men of the year, your kids will always think your having a sex life is the grossest thing ever.

Also, how funny would it be for Jennifer Gardner to buy the bumper sticker on Harrison Ford's car (selling on ebay) and putting it on the back of her vehicle?

I love a good private joke and love it even more when I am included. Kudos Jimmy and Sarah!

-Serena

They are back to writing and I am back to blogging

2008-02-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

This will be a short post as I have to join my son at his coop preschool today. Very happy the writers voted to ratify their contract and go back to work. The part about the writer's strike that really bugged me is how the media (owned by the people the writer's were striking) kept saying the writers were asking for more money on internet content and downloads. Since they were getting absolutely NO MONEY for these things that seems very misleading. They just wanted what was fair. In a couple of years I doubt anyone will be watching their favorite shows on traditional television. I know I don't now. I watch all my stuff online. And I even own a tivo.

So I am very happy the writers are creating and giving us the shows we love. Think of all the times you quote a line from a show and you don't even know who the brilliant mind was that wrote that episode. Very sad. I wish they would always put the writers in the credits (which is rarely done). I follow my favorite actors to new series and shows. I watched Firefly because it starred Gina Torres who I discovered from Xena: Warrior Princess. That's when I fell in love with Joss Whedon's work and proceeded to watch all the Buffy episodes in 3 weeks one summer.

I never would have discovered the brilliance that is Joss save for following one of my favorite actresses to her next job. I feel the same way about the entire cast of Firefly. I watch Chuck because it stars Adam Baldwin and I watch Terminator: The Sara Connor Chronicles because it stars Summer Glau. And I will watch ANYTHING with Nathan Fillion in it.

I would totally follow my favorite writers to whatever show they were working on. Hell, that's why I love Chuck Lorre and all his work. He's brilliant. Then I found him on the internet. I now know he was the guy who wrote all the programs that I thought were so funny. That is how a fan base is built. People wanting to connect with their favorite actors, writers, authors, etc and learn more about them and their work.

So welcome back writers. We missed you.

Will not blog until writer's strike has ended and the WGA gets to go back to work

2008-02-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

Overheard at my house this weekend

2007-09-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

I rarely blog about my family but thought I would take a page out of Jill Shalvis's book this morning.

My daughter was walking up the stairs behind me and we were having a lovely teen and mother conversation (and I am not being sarcastic, we were actually enjoying each other's company) when she paused and said, "Mom, ever thought about working out?"

Ouch.

I have been Simpsonized

2007-09-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Diana, I found out how to Simpsonize myself. What do you think? I also took the liberty of Simpsonizing my husband.

What a writer can and cannot do

2007-08-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

This may come as a shock to some but a writer cannot control the sales of their books. They cannot guarantee X amount will be sold, even if they go on book tour or give away free stuff or whatever. You may help boost sales for your book but don't kid yourself. It won't be by a huge margin, but every little bit helps, right? Instead of focusing and spending energy on the stuff you don't have control over, such as sales, which bookstore will carry your book, publisher marketing, placement in stores, etc I challenge all of you authors to let go of what you cannot control and focus on what you can control: The story.

I have made the following pact with myself.

I will only write the stories that make me proud, that tell the tale in a way I think it needs to be told and I will make it the best story I can.

I can control these things. I am letting go of the other stuff. I will not stress over print runs and sell thru's and who is carrying what. That doesn't mean I don't care about these things but only in as much as I have control over it. I can visit/call/mail bookstores and ask them to carry my book. I can control my actions to that point. But I can't control their actions to carry or not carry certain books. And that is okay. Say it with me A type personalities. That is O-K. Breath in and let it go.

I find myself a lot less stressed now that I have made this pact with myself. Call it my Mission Statement if you will. Whenever I am in doubt about my career or how I am handling something, I refer back to my Mission Statement and everything just comes back into focus. I am not saying don't promote yourself or market yourself. I am simply saying, don't invest so much energy into thinking about the success or failures of such ventures that you are willing to change your writing into something you are no longer proud of.

So that's my challenge to you. Good luck.

Fendi, Ferragamo and Fangs Available now

2007-07-04T09:50:00.001-07:00

Three girls win modeling contracts and a trip to New York, hoping to take a bite out of the big apple, only to discover the city bites back.

Blogger wouldn't let me log in for the last couple of days. Argh. Wanted to let you all know that my latest book is out and its a novella with the very talented Julie Kenner and Johanna Edwards. Each of the stories are very fun and entertaining. My story features Carl from my Psi Phi series and he gets his own love interest in Sydney Turner.

POV or how to screw up your voice

2007-06-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

I recently turned in a proposal for a YA and decided to do it in 3rd person POV. I normally write my books in first person but thought it might be best to try this book in 3rd person so I could get some other character thoughts involved. I sent it to my agent who sent it back with a notation: "Your voice is muted. Your voice is one of your strengths." Its important to note she didn't say change it to first person, she merely wanted me to fix it.

And I tried. Several times. Finally I rewrote the chapters in first person and low and behold, it was 10 times better. When I am in first person, I get so much more the the character on the page. Her quirks, her humor, her angst, her deep thoughts. I thought I'd managed to do that when I was in deep POV but apparently, not so much.

So, if you are struggling with your manuscript and it isn't feeling vibrant enough (YA especially) consider switching POV to another character or go first person. Look at the difference. You can always change first person POV to deep 3rd person POV when you are done and I bet you will find your character more alive and personable.

New career opportunity...

2007-06-13T14:05:00.001-07:00

I learned a new trade yesterday. I was tired of paying someone huge amounts of cash to lay tile in my house so I did our bar area myself. I picked up an inexpensive tile saw (around $70 at Home Depot) and a free DIY newsletter on how to cut and lay tile. And guess what? It was freakin' easy!

Not to say there aren't hard tiling jobs out there but knowing I could do this job myself made me feel like a Rock Star! Just need to grout it tomorrow. Next I am going to do a bar for the rec room. However nice it was to learn a new trade, I'm not giving up my writing career anytime soon. Cutting tile and such is hard work.

-Serena

Gamer girlfriend/wife lament by Tripod

2007-05-02T17:03:00.001-07:00

New office and hobby center pictures

2007-05-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

My new office set up. Isn't it sweet? Those are Disney Villian dolls on top of my cabinets with Wonder Woman and WSU cheerleading Barbie.
Here is my hobby side of the room. Note it is not cleaned up yet, but I wanted to show it as well. The drawers actually are hidden behind some pocket doors, but I have them open so you can see all my cool drawers. Yeah me.

Dating4Demons out today

2007-05-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

How could I forget to plug my book?! Book 3 of my teen vampire series is out today and its getting rave reviews. Go pick it up. If you haven't read the first 2, no worries. You can totally follow the storyline as they are meant to be understood without reading the first two. Go, shoo. What are you waiting for?

Those *astards at FOX

2007-05-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

I am never one to start a blog with an expletive but they cancelled DRIVE after just 4 freakin' episodes. Will I never get to see Nathan Fillion on a weekly basis without FOX screwing the pooch?! Let us take a moment of silence. Tim Minear will prevail. Let's just hope he goes with HBO or something next time. And bring Nathan with you. sigh.

Returned home from RT convention with a lovely surprise (sarcasm alert). My 4 year old broke his collarbone. Scared me to death to hear "Serena Robar, call home. Medical emergency" at the Dorchester party. For all you attendees who were so concerned. Thanks a bunch! I am including a photo of my injured buckaroo. It took him less than 48 hours to figure out how to hold the Nintendo controller with his injured hand so life is good again.

I know you are all patiently waiting for photos of the new office. It is almost clean enough to photograph. Hubby brought me up several boxes from the basement to go through. Blech. Will get some photos up as soon as its ready. Am knee deep in a new YA series proposal and adult paranormal proposal so as soon as those are done, I can breath easier.

Office Make-over

2007-04-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a view pictures of my office Before shots, as the cabinet maker is bringing my new office to install today.
Can you imagine getting anything written or any scrapbooking done in this mess? These boxes have been in here since we moved at the end of December. Finally, we are getting to my office. Yeah me!

Barry White for frogs and completed book proposals

2007-03-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

My agent has my next book proposal. Those are YA's and now I am free to work on my adult paranormal book proposal. But this evening, I took a little break and went frog hunting. Yes, you read correctly. I made the whole family come with me at around 9pm and hang out at the resident watershed pond and look at frogs. Okay, so I didn't actually 'catch' any frogs. My youngest wanted nothing to do with going outside because it was past his bedtime and my middle son freaked out when a frog jumped on his shoe. My oldest, showing more and more signs of becoming an official teenager made comments, in a deadpan, monotone voice such as "Oh wow, yeah, the frogs are so deafening," when I remarked how loud the frogs were. Yeah, good times.

But, their lack of enthusiasm could not damper my adventurous spirit. Armed with flashlights I saw dozens of little frogs, all croaking at the top of their lungs, looking for a little frog lovin' as mating season is upon them. When I mentioned this to the teen, she replied, "I am not waiting around and watching anything like that. Gross." I never thought of myself as the kind of parent who would take their children to the edge of a pond and demand they watch frog fornication but apparently, my daughter would disagree.

Needless to say, no frisky frog activity was identified and we walked back to our house, under the starry sky, asking the kids to identify different constellations. They could not. It's good to know those hours with star charts, a laser pointer and an elaborate glow in the dark night sky painted ceiling was worth it. sigh.

At least, I thought the frogs were cool.

Here I am

2007-03-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

I am back. No longer a pirate, just a lazy blogger. I sent in two proposals today to my agent and am going to work on a third. You can't just sit back and wait to hear back. That will drive you insane. Keep yourself busy and write another proposal. At least, that's what I should be doing. hehe. I am updating my blog instead.

Learned a new theory on women yesterday. After much thought I think it can be applied with pretty decent accuracy. The theory is "There are two types of women. Those that do and those that buy. "

If you won 100,000 dollars. What would you do with it? The gals that do would spend the money on travel, learning something new, etc. Those that buy would go shopping for clothes, furniture, etc. Apparently, the more desirable answer is those that do. At least, according to my source who lives by this theory. So now I know. Which one are you?

-Serena

I'm a pirate, ARRRRGH

2007-01-30T17:52:00.000-08:00

My sister is a very gifted artist. I get especially excited around my birthday or Christmas when I know she's been dabbling in her art supplies. She usually makes something for me. And it features me. hehe.

Several years ago, she made me a pirate. Check out the face. That's me. I'm a pirate. So cool. I am finally digging through all those boxes I took out of storage and found it. Thought I would share since I have been slacker chick on the blog circuit.

Now where did I put that?

2007-01-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

Can't seem to find my camera so I can post pictures. No, its not the only one I have but I can't seem to find the other ones that are packed either. Or if I can, they are not juiced up. Sigh. The story of my life.

I am very excited about my next two book proposals, that I haven't quite firmed up yet. I am going to Gerri Russell's debut book launch party at Bellevue Art Museum tonight, so hopefully I can grab some of my Tiara's and do a little impromptu brainstorming. Gerri was the 2006 Romantic Times American Titlelist winner and her book, Warrior Trainer is out this month. So exciting. To check out the action on the 2007 contest, still in progress, go here.

Well, I better get back to carrying boxes upstairs grumble, grumble.

ttyl
-Serena

Almost Normal

2006-12-30T09:57:00.000-08:00

I sit here typing this blog entry, serenaded by the sweet hum of a table saw as contractors finish up the hardwood floors downstairs. Yes, dear friends, we are in the house-that-will-never-get-done. And true to its title, it's not done. But it's so much closer and we are actually living here. Yahoo!

I will post some pictures of our psuedo complete home as soon as I can find the usb cord that connects the camera to the computer. I know its in a box around here somewhere. But then, there are boxes around here everywhere, so it could take a day or two.

I am excited that my friend Shannon McKelden has the release of her debut novel this month, Venus Envy. It's a great Chick lit for adults and getting amazing reviews so go pick it up. Fun, fun read.

I am getting back to work after the weekend. Gasp, I know. My agent might very well have a heart attack, but this house has consumed my life for way too long. I can still unload boxes after I work on my next two book proposals. Gotta pay for this place somehow :)

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and don't forget that Fangs4Freaks is on bookshelves right now. If you didn't get it for Christmas, don't you owe it to yourself to pick it up? Sure you do.

-Ciao Bella
Serena

Trapped

2006-12-16T16:25:00.000-08:00

I am currently trapped at the Embassy Suites hotel because we our apartment lease was up on Sunday and the new house was not ready for us. So, we went to visit mom and dad for a couple of days and came back and the house was not ready for us. So now I am at a hotel and Seattle had to have a huge storm that knocked out power everywhere and I am trapped with the family and guess what? THE HOUSE IS STILL NOT READY FOR US.

Nothing stops progress dead in its tracks like no power...across 9 counties. Luckily, this hotel is the ONLY one in the area that kept power. Not sure how that happened, but at least we are warm, if not going stir crazy. I need to do laundry and luckily they have some coin up machines. Apparently, most of the hotel is filled with locals who don't have power and they have the same idea. Guess we are all a bit ripe about now. sigh.

To top it off, I received Dating4Demons in the midst of the madness to review copyedits and get it back to NY by Wed. Yes, just a couple days away because it was late to start with. Happy Holidays anyone?

-Serena

I'm a Top Choice

2006-11-30T18:04:00.000-08:00

Fangs4Freaks earned a Top Choice Award at Flamingnet.com review site for YA books. Yep, 9 out of 10 and a Top Choice so what are you waiting for? Go get it. It's great. It's a Top Choice, baby!

-Serena

A broken Woman

2006-11-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Building a house is alot like dating. And I'm going to tell you why. The house that will not be done is still not done. We were shooting for Thanksgiving weekend but that isn't going to happen. Now we are hoping to get in by Christmas but I don't think that 's going to happen either. (this picture was taken last week. Think I'm cooking in this kitchen anytime soon?)

Contractors lie. Gasp, yes, I know it's shocking. It's hard to believe, I know, but its true (note the sarcastic quality to my typing). You see my floor guy promised me 4 weeks ago that he was just finishing up on a couple of jobs and would be out at my house every night and on weekends to work on the hardwoods. He was bringing a buddy to get it all done for me in time for our thanksgiving weekend move in. He has shown up two Saturdays and hasn't even gotten the kitchen and entryway done. Lots of angles in the entryway which apparently is a pain to do. So much so, he seems to be avoiding the completion of it. He promised me he would be back Friday and the weekend. I would be his only project. Yeah. Does this sound like dating to you? "Hey baby, you know I love you. I'll call and we'll hook up again. I swear. You're the only one for me." Think he'll show up the day after turkey day? Yeah, me neither.

Then there is the painters. The ones who showed up and did a great job but have just a couple little things to do before its done. Like the ceiling in the kitchen, living room and master bedroom. Uh, hello, that was like 3 weeks ago. Where are you? The electricians need to finish up the canned lighting and I doubt you want to paint around that if you can just whip out your spray and do it fast and easy.

But don't fret, the electricians rarely show up and if they do, it's around 11 am, take lunch for an hour or so at noon and then leave by 2:30. Yep. I doubt they'll get to those ceilings in 2006 anyway.

But surely your finish carpenter is a super star. Well, he would be if his helper didn't fracture his neck while putting up my cabinets upstairs. Now he's out for 3 months and the finish guy is alone. Though he's promised me that he's hired two guys to take the place of his irreplaceable partner. Yeah, he's shown up about three times so far.
Look at this optimistic smile. Go buy my books and make me feel better. Please!!

So, this is my current existence and why I am a broken woman. I simply do not believe anything a contractor tells me anymore and I don't believe we will be in by Christmas no matter how much my builder promises me it will happen. Cause he promised me we would be this weekend except the contractors didn't show up. Because they lie.

sniff, sniff,
-Serena

I'm ba-ack.

2006-11-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

Phew. Back in circulation. Fangs4Freaks is on sale now at your local bookstores and I can finally kick back and smell the roses. But not for too long. I am polishing up my new book proposal and we are still not in the house-that-will-never-get-done. Why? Well, the name says it all. I was hoping to move in Thanksgiving weekend by it looks more like mid December. I refuse to celebrate Thanksgiving in this tiny apartment so I am going to buy the pre-made celebration at our local grocery store. I don't have half the things I need to cook such a meal, including my roasting pan, extra casserole dishes and all that jazz. We are living off the bare necessities here because I foolishly thought this was going to be a 6 week gig. Ah, the fickle hand of fate. More later.

-Serena

Givin' it away

2006-10-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here I am at the Emerald City Writer's Conference in Bellevue Wa giving away a free Psi Phi House tee with purchase of my book, Braced2Bite. That's right folks, I was givin' it away for free!

How do you get such a cool new shirt? Just hit my website and sign up for my newsletter and you could win one to.

Also, mark your calendars because Fangs4Freaks is out on November 7th. That's less than a month away!!

-Serena Robar

Busy Time

2006-09-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hey bloggers. Sorry I've been away so long. I had a birthday since the last blog and am picking out all the final details for The House That Will Never Get Done. New guesstimate is November sometime. I swear if I am stuck in the apartment for Christmas, some contractors are not going to like the lump of coal Santa sends down their chimney.

In other news, I will be signing Braced2Bite at the literacy signing in Bellevue, WA on Saturday, Oct 7 from 4-6 pm. For directions and more info go here. It will be me and a whole lotta great romance authors and all the proceeds go to DAWN, Domestic Abuse Women's Network of South King County, Washington State. Stop on by the Gold Coast Hotel in Bellevue Washington and say hello. I am giving away a cool gift with every book purchase. Come one, you wanna come see me. Trust me, it's a very nice gift. I will post a picture of it as we get closer to the date.

Ciao Bella-
Serena

Envy

2006-08-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Today I am going to blog about book envy. Everyone has it. You read someone else's work and you think, "Damn, that's good. I wish I would have written that." Or you hear about a new contract and you think, "Damn, I wish I had gotten that deal." Or your look at someone's prolific career and think, "Damn, I wish I could write books so fast."

An awful lot of "Damn, I wish..." going on in that paragraph. Envy is natural and its even beneficial in some ways. When I see someone writing great books, I focus more on my writing. I am competitive, which could be why I have book envy. I am not so much competitive with other authors (I am, quite frankly, too old for that kind of stuff) but competitive with myself. If I had two books published last year, then I want three books published this year and so on and so on.

But life gets in the way. And then I get mad at myself and say, "Is writing blood or fire in my veins?" If it was fire then I should be happy to give up another hour of sleep and write late at night. But I think I average around 6 hours now and I really like to function during the day and for me, it requires around-hey imagine that?-6 hours of sleep a night. But I am tired of making excuses for myself as well. Everyone has deaths in the family, everyone moves, everyone has kids. That doesn't make me special. It makes me a big whiner baby.

Excuse me-my computer is being confiscated by a demanding 5 year old who wants to play Go Diego Go. I'll write more later...

I'm Buffy-licious

2006-08-19T20:47:00.000-07:00

Remember waaaaaayyyy back when, when I told you all that my publisher took an ad out in Buffy magazine for Braced2Bite? And then the magazine dropped the ball and didn't feature my ad in the June/July edition of Buffy? Well, they redeemed themselves and my book is featured in the Aug/Sept issue of Buffy. They even made it a half page ad, instead of a quarter page ad. You'll find my ad on page 45. Check it out!

Meet Lacey

2006-08-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

I added a new writer to my sidebar. Be sure to wander over to Lacey Kaye and check out her musings about writing. Chick is insightful and makes me think, which is good because I have been a little brain dead lately.

I am spending the weekend "in the zone". That is to say I will be writing the entire weekend. I doubt I am alone in this but the best way to write a book (imho) is to delve into the story completely for days. No interruptions. I become one with the story and I get a sort of 'writer's high'. I would compare it to 'runner's high' but since I don't run I can only guess that they are similar.

So, head over to visit Ms. Lacey while I disappear into my story. Go ahead, she doesn't bite. But if it aided to her networking, she would do it. hehe.

Sokka Khan

2006-08-17T17:12:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post a picture of my newest family edition. Meet Sokka Khan Robar. What's up with the name? Well, my oldest son (who is 5) named him Sokka after a character on Avatar: The Last Airbender and I, being the freak that I am, managed to add a middle name when I was calling him because his name reminded me of the 80's hit called "Chakka Khan" sung by the same person. So, I sing Sokka Khan to him when its time to go outside and he gets very excited. Of course, my new neighbors think I am crazy. But that's okay. 'Cause, well, you know....

Size does matter

2006-08-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

This is a view of our living area from the kitchen. That's it folks. No hidden rooms or 'round the corner living room. What you see is what you get.

333 is half of hell (666)

2006-08-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

So I moved the family into temporary housing. Its small. When I say small, let me give you an idea of how small we are talking about here. The new apartment is exactly 1/4 the size of my last house. And the apartment is on three floors. So all the living is done on 1/3 of 1/4 of my old house. That is 333 square feet. You do the math. And after you figure it out and gasp in HORROR that I am surviving in such small space, note that the apartment has NO air conditioning and my office has been reduced to my desktop in the corner of the miniscule kitchen. Which is where I must finish my latest book.

The laptop fairy (Aka my husband) took pity on my and bought me a Mac laptop. I have to confess, I already have a regular PC laptop but I wanted a Mac because A) I haven't used one since high school B) its so lightweight and C) I don't want to be tempted with internet so my Mac is not set up to surf the web.

I am going to try writing at our local coffee shop (no, it's not a Starbucks, gasp) and did NOT want to be tempted to procrastinate by checking email and surfing the web. Cause I will do that. Sadly, I have no self control that way.

Or I will write by the pool. The apartment has a pool and I have taken the family down there twice a day to escape the hot days. They love it here. They think we are on some really cool vacation. I think I am in hell. Hence the title of my entry. Half of 666 is the amount of living space I am sharing with 3 kids, a dog and my husband-who is compelled to spend more and more time at the office because its A) air conditioned and B) larger than the living space we are currently inhabiting.

New house is 3 weeks past last move in target of October 1st and my comedian mother joked that she needed my apartment address because she may need to send my Christmas card there. SO NOT FUNNY MOM.

At least I managed to input copyedits into Fangs and send it to my agent's foreign rights department. Who knows? Maybe Fangs will come out in French or something. How funny would that cover be?

Back again back again jiggety jig

2006-08-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

Back from Nationals and ready to take on the world. But first I must pack up the house and move the family to a furnished apartment while we wait for out house to finish. So, I won't be blogging for the next two weeks. So sorry. When I can, I will post pictures of Nationals. Until then, go pick up Braced2Bite if you haven't already. Thanks!
-Serena

poundage and pedicures

2006-07-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

Ran out and got a pedicure for the first time in forever today. To give you an idea of how long it had been, the nice lady asked if I would like my callouses removed and I said sure. She whipped out that little instrument that literally carves off the deadskin with a razor blade and when she was done, there was a pile of deadskin carvings all over the towel. Can you say 'ewwww'? Then she said. "Been long time, huh?" Well duh! lol

But now my feet are gorgeous. I will schedule a manicure in a couple of weeks, right before I leave for Atlanta for the National RWA conference. I have been growing out my nails and the problem is, they are so long that I am hitting the wrong keys when I type. Go figure.

Also, a little weight loss update. Down 8 pounds so a few more to go and I will be comfy in my conference clothes. Phew!

My jeans shrunk in the wash...

2006-06-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe I grew or spread a bit over the year. Every National RWA conference its time to take stock of the professional clothing attire and ready myself to meet with my agent and editor, who will be attending the fete in ATLANTA. Yes, in July. 'nuff said.

So I realize all my pants (aka even the fat ones) are tight. Some very uncomfortably so. Ugh. When did this happen? Could it be sitting in front of a computer all day with deadline stress and being within an arm's length of various chocolate yummies contributed to my 'spread'? Nah, that's just crazy talk. But just in case, no more Dew and chocolate. More leafy green vegetables and walking around the neighborhood.

sniff, sniff.

Damn pants.

Book 'Em Dano

2006-06-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

Head on over to Seventeen Magazine's online site and play Book It! Take the quiz and find Braced2Bite under the Comedy and the Fantasy section for Hot Summer Reads. Yeah baby!

Also, Fendi, Ferragamo and Fangs is in the can, as they say. Or, sitting on my editor's desk ready to be read and then revised before coming out in July 07. Just finishing up with Dating4Demons and then I am, gasp, done. Wow. I might even take a month off to finish up on the house stuff and then jump back into the fray in August. Depends on how my new book proposals go over.

Just picked up MJ Davidson's Undead and Unpopular and thoroughly enjoyed it. Totally recommend it. Also picked up California Demon by Julie Kenner but haven't been able to sink my teeth into that one yet. It will have to wait until after D4D is 'in the can'. I have a huge list of To Be Read books sitting on my desk for after D4D is complete.

Ally Carter's I'd tell you I love you but then I'd have to kill you is taunting me with its coolness. As well as the new Jennifer Scales: Messenger of Light by MJ and hubby Anthony Alongi. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (I know, I must be the only one who hasn't read this one yet). The Milano Matrix by Julie Kenner, Bite Me Baby, One More Time by Stephanie Rowe, Vamp in the City and the list goes on. sniff, sniff. I deserve a month off just to read all those delicious titles that came out while I was on deadline.

-Serena

Book Recommendations

2006-05-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

I went to see Da Vinci Code the other night. I was probably the only person in the entire audience (it was filled to capacity) who had NOT read the book. Why? Because when I heard they were making a movie, I didn't want to go to the movie and be disappointed. Books are always better than the movie. Always. So now I can happily read the Da Vinci Code and learn more about the relationship between Sirius and the Cardinal and Lee and John.

But that isn't the point of this post. After the movie we stopped by Barnes and Noble to see how my book was doing. It was no longer on the Summer Reading table and now tucked neatly into the bookshelf. I covertly moved two copies to the 'wall' in a prominent place. I like to hang around and see what teens are picking up and reading. At one point, I heard a mom remark to her 18 year oldish daughter that she was surprised she didn't pick up at least 5 books by now. The daughter answered, "I'll pick up my Romance books at the library."

Aha.

I looked up and smiled that coy, "oh, I read Romances too aren't we cool" kind of smile that and they paused at the table next to me to peruse the teen books.
"Do you like funny vampire books?" I asked them. They stared at me blankly. I tried again, "Do you read MaryJanice Davidson?" this time I looked directly at the young girl.

"I like Katie McAllister," she offered.

So I go into helpful reader mode, "OMG, if you like Katie you will love this book" and I grab my book off the shelf. "Funniest vampire book ever. I couldn't stop laughing." The daughter eagerly takes it from my hand and skims over the back.
"Thanks" she said and I say "No problem" and walk away.

Of course, the girl eventually ends up not buying my book because she cons her mother into buying her a pair of jeans instead of any books but I was not deterred. I know she will check it out at the library.

I continue to stroll the romance and teen section. Another mother and her daughter who is in her preteens (I guess) have loaded up with books and are reviewing each one at the table and the mother is looking them over. She is a book mom. Love the book moms. Those moms who think it is noble to buy books for her kids and would rather spoil them that way than buy a console game or dvd.

So mom is pretty happy with the books her daughter has picked out and I again ask the question, "Do you like funny vampire books?" I noticed the daughter has picked out a fair amount of fantasy. I grab my book off the wall display and say, "Funniest book ever. I read it and so did my eleven year old daughter. We couldn't stop laughing. Its about a popular cheerleader who gets turned into a vampire and has to face a vampire council for the crime of being Undead without a license. Truly one of the best books I've read in a long time and totally appropriate for preteens. Sweet but very funny."

They love the recommendation, thank me profusely and buy the book. My husband can't believe I would be so bold as to sell my book as a book recommendation.

"Did I lie?" I asked him. "It is the funniest book I've read in a while. My daughter did love it."

"You don't think they'll figure out you're the author?"

"Please, I bet they couldn't describe me if they had to. Do you remember total strangers who recommend things to you in a store? Or even the sales people?"

So, to the daughter and her mother who bought my book. Thank you. I know you will enjoy it. And if you recognize me from the back of the book, please forgive me for not introducing myself. But I was right about the book, wasn't I?

-Serena

Horny Woodpeckers

2006-05-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

I was awoken at 6 am this morning from a fine sleep by the peck-peck-peck of a woodpecker tapping on the steel of my bedroom fireplace exhaust pipe. Apparently, in the Spring, the woodpecker finds any material that can make the loudest sound when he pecks it to attract a mate. Usually they pick metal fence signs and such, but this one was so amorous, it decided a steel pipe on top of my roof was the way to get a little sumpin', sumpin'.

Being the fine purveyer of wildlife rituals, I promptly rolled over and flipped the fireplace switch that turned on the gas, starting a blazing fire. My horny feathered friend promptly found another house pipe to court on. Of course by then I was up. Damn bird.

Title change

2006-05-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

Hope none of you were too attached to the title of my third book in the teen vampire series, miSTAKEn because the powers that be have changed it to Dating4Demons. So, all hail the new title (which is way better than the other title contestant so I am happy) Dating4Demons. AND it is much easier to refer to the book at D4D than typing out miSTAKEn (which has the caps in specific places to spell out STAKE and I thought I was so clever with that one, sigh).

Also, don't get too attached to the cover of Fangs4Freaks because they are doing some revisions to it as well. Change is in the air! Can't you feel it? lol

I am busy this week working on Fendi, Ferragamo and Fangs with my two writing partners-in-crime Julie Kenner and Johanna Edwards. I love the emails we end up sending each other when we work on our story continuity. We are all in deadline hell and totally surviving off no sleep and large amounts of chocolate and caffeine and every joke we make to each other seems so funny.

You know what I am talking about, right? When you are exhausted to the point of giddy and only those brain cell that are never allowed to function on their own have full control of your person and you say the weirdest/oddest/dumbest/non PC things and you think you are freakin' hysterical? Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

Well, back to the grindstone. Sent back copyedits for F4F and as soon as FFF is done, I am back to work on D4D. See, I can only talk in acronyms when I am on deadline. Isn't that so funny? ugh.

New Cover for Fangs4Freaks

2006-05-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

So here is my new cover for my next book Fangs4Freaks. The little decal on the jeans is particularly cute because if you look closely enough, you will notice she has fangs. I'd hoped they would mention the Undead sorority Psi Phi House and its tagline: We're not like the other girls, but this works as well. Thoughts?

Cause you gotta have fr-iends

2006-05-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

Last night my wonderful hubby surprised me with a book launch get together at the local Krispy Creme (which makes sense if you read my book 'cause a few scenes are set there) and I was thrilled to posters of my book held by friends in support of my launch.

How lucky am I? I have the best guy and friends in the whole gosh darn world. Yeah, I am feeling the love today. Also, I am getting GREAT reviews for Braced2Bite. Now if only I could get the painters to finish up, since they have been here all week. sigh.

Book Launch Day and I can't find it anywhere

2006-05-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

I have worked so hard to get my baby into the hands of teens and adults alike all over and today is the day. Except..Noone has it. I called all the Barnes and Noble's in my area and everyone tells me it hasn't arrived in the store yet. I called the Borders and they have not record of it (though I know Borders ordered it). Waldens expects it in sometime and B Dalton, those darlings, actually have it in the store and are putting it on the shelf today.

So here is my challenge to you. Try to find my book in your local bookstore. Just look for it and let me know if you can find it. My book has become the Where's Waldo of the publishing world. And when you ask for it, remember the title is all one word with the number 2 in the middle-braced2bite. That title, which was so cute when I thought of it, is gonna kill me cause booksellers can't find it in their computer without the exact right spelling.

So, off you go. Tell your friends. Whoever actually spots it first will win a prize. I eagerly await 'Word on the Street'.

-Serena

1 Day to go!

2006-05-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that I have one day to go until Braced2Bite is officially released. Still not sure you should pick it up? Read an excerpt here. That should convince you how cute and funny it is. My precious baby.

I actually had my first book signing on Saturday at the Rose City Reader's Luncheon, where I spelled the person's name wrong. Oh yes. But I totally blame Elizabeth Boyle, who sat next to me. Heckling me. Making me a nervous wreck that I added an extra R to poor Teri Brown's copy. Good thing Teri is a good sport. But that evil Elizabeth Boyle, I tell you. She will get her comeuppance, oh yes. Karma will get her. hehe.

I signed a whopping 4 books. I didn't expect to be signing since last I heard Borders couldn't get my book in on time and yet, that amazing store managed to have copies of my book. How sweet. Had I bothered to remember a pen, I think it would have been even sweeter. And had I managed to eat the chocolate treats in my bag without unknowingly dropping chunks on my light pinks pants so it melted right on my crotch, it would have been even better. Yes, I did that. After I noticed, I attempted to clean the melted chocolate off of linen with a napkin and ice water. Oh yes, you can stop laughing now. I am one classy act, I tell you. I believe two of the book purchases were done out of pity. sniff, sniff. I will post a picture as soon as my dear friend Shannon McKelden sends it to me because I forgot a camera as well. Yes, I am a huge L-O-S-E-R! sigh.

I have been doing the early book scouting thing and absolutely no one in my neighborhood as my book yet. Kind of makes me nervous because they all have it on order (yeah) but its not in the stores yet (boo) and its supposed to be on shelves tomorrow (yeah) but its not in their stores yet (boo). See my dilemma here?

Anyway, the lovely people over at bookloon are giving away free copies so scuttle on over there to win one.
-Serena

1 Week to go

2006-04-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is only 1 week to the launch of my very first book. What things am I doing to ramp up for this monumental event, you ask? I stained a portion of my back deck. Yes, the glamorous life of a writer doesn't change when the books get ready to hit the shelves. I thought the day I sold my first manuscript, things would be different. But I still did laundry that day and cleaned the house. I mean really, that kind of sucks. I limo should have whisked me away to some charming restaurant only the select and famous could get into and I should have been embraced by these new found peers, while sipping champagne and telling amusing anecdotes. No limo. No fabulously exclusive club. No champagne. Just dirty socks and a vacuum cleaner.

Now with the launch, of course there will be that elusive limo ready to whisk me off to the officially published ultra exclusive club to sip champagne but Tuesday is the night I have to put out the garbage on the curb so probably not....

-Serena

So, does the carpet match.....

2006-04-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

I have been offline for a couple of days. Still offline, technically. I am on a borrowed computer with borrowed internet access. You see, I am having the carpet replaced in my office in anticipation of selling my house. So as the nice carpet guys needed my office clear of, well, everything, I disassembled my computer and hauled everything out in boxes. They arrived, promptly ripped out my carpet and realized they didn't have my carpet in the van. Seems my carpet is on back order. Yes, that's right. BACKORDER. They left, ever so apologetically and today (at least they hoped it was today) they will return to replace the carpet. Sigh.

In other news, I just received a copy of my release book for Braced2Bite and its is gorgeous. They embossed, yes embossed the cover title and my name. I was tickled to see that, don't ask me why. My author photo turned out great and very large on the inside back cover. With photo credit to my dear friend Heather who took my author photos. As a matter of fact, Shannon went to Heather this week for her author photos as well and they turned out gorgeous. I think we had Shannon a little nervous when we joked about the 'nudes' Heather took. hehe.

As soon as my computer is back up and running, I will post a picture of me with all my precious books. So happy. Less than two weeks to go until release. Yahoo.
-Serena

Tagging

2006-04-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

Not the graffiti kind, but the kind where you are 'it'. Christina tagged me so I guess its time for me to bare my soul. Get ready to discover how boring I really am.
Four movies you would watch over and over:
1. 40 year old Virgin
2. Serenity
3. Shawshank Redemption
4. 4 Weddings and a Funeral

Four of your favorite flowers:
1. Calla Lillies
2. Gerber Daisy
3. Bird of Paradise
4. Tulip

Four magazines you buy or subscribe to on a regular basis:
Uh, none. I don't subscribe or purchase any. How is that for sad?

Four of your own childhood toys still in your possession:
Uh, none. How is that for Barbaric? If I did, it would be my Wonder Woman and Darcy doll.

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Bones
2. Lost
3. Alias (yes, even though it sucks I still want to watch the end of the series episodes coming out in a couple of weeks)
4. Malcolm in the Middle

Four recurring nightmares you tend to have:
Uh, don't have nightmares. Can only remember ever having two as an adult. As a kid I used to dream I was falling.

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. London
2. Scotland
3. Hawaii
4. Florida

Four languages you can speak:
1. English
2. Game Geek Speak
3. Baby
4. Writer Geek Speak

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Alone, anywhere without responsibilities :)
2. In my new house
3. Somewhere warm
4. With my friends

Four of your favorite foods:
1. pasta anything
2. goat cheese, spinach, roasted pepper pizza
3. cheesecake
4. Chicken Tiki Marsala

Four of your favorite alcoholic beverages:
1. Amstel Light Beer
2. Cosmo
3. Reisling wine
4. Whatever someone else is buying :)

Four of your worst vices:
1. Plu-ease, me? Vices?

Four accomplishments you’re most proud of:
1. Writing my books
2. My kids
3. Surviving a divorce
4. Choices in my life

Four of your biggest fears:
1. Failing as a parent
2. Not realizing my full potential
3. Losing my sense of self
4. Drowning (In know, last one is way out of left field)

Four of your most irrational fears:
1. Drowning (oh, it's irrational, I get it)
2. Losing my talents
3. Going crazy
4. Uh, still thinking

Four genres of radio stations pre-programmed in your car:
1. Classic Rock
2. Eighties

Four items you always carry in your purse:
1. Tazer Gun (hehe, now you'll think twice about messing with me. Does she really carry such a thing? I'll never tell.)
2. Lipgloss
3. Wallet
4. Checkbook

Four things you look for in a mate:
1. Sense of Humor
2. Intelligence
3. Generosity
4. Sexual Stamina (yeah, like you aren't looking for that too. I just had the guts to put it down)

Four things (realistic) you want to do within next five years:
1. Take a vacation without the kids
2. Write in two genre
3. Write for two publishers
4. Go to New Zealand

Part 3: Writing is like American Idol

2006-04-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

I believe this will be my last comparison post between writing and American Idol. I had an epiphany last night while watching AI. It took the second to the last contestant, Katherine McPhee to finally call Simon out after he kept giving bad reviews of the song choices. Finally, she just said, "It is okay Simon. You just dont like country music." And he agreed. Then it hit me. Well, not really hit me as so much reveal itself to me. Maybe you just dont love the genre you are writing or the voice you are writing in.

Good old Chris did a pretty good job seeing country and I know its a genre he does not love, but many of the other contestants looked visibly uncomfortable and flat out didnt care about the song. Country music is about storytelling and emoting emotions. You have to get that in order to sing it well.

How many times have you heard "Write what you love or it will show". Last night was a perfect example. Only two contestants really love to sing country music and last night, it showed. Bucky and Kellie were the bright stars, seeing what they love. You will shine as well if you write what you love. If you try to write a genre because it is hot or write to a trend because everyone is buying it, you wont succeed. Especially first time authors. The story wont come naturally and every page will be a struggle. It will show from the very beginning. Is this the reason your manuscript isnt done? Could this be why your stuck and nothing will flow?

Be true to yourself and love what you are writing, screw the trends. If you love to write chick lit, but they arent selling, then write a romance with a chick lit voice. Keep the elements of chick lit you love and give a popular genre a new twist. It can be done and then you will be the bright star that shines.

Part 2: Writing is like American Idol

2006-03-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

So you are probably tired of me comparing the two but I have one more important thing to add in light of Katherine McPhee being in the bottom 2 this week. Or Lisa Tucker getting the boot, for that matter. Can these ladies sing? Duh? Both have powerful voices and they can sing like angels. They didn't get the least amount of votes because they can't sing. They lost votes because they didn't use their 'voice'.

Confused? Singing is like writing. Chris has his own style. He doesn't compromise. He knoww what he wants to sing and no matter what the era, he finds the right song for his style. Or in writing, we call it 'voice'. Katherine's mother is a voice teacher for goodness sake. Katherine has a perfectly controlled voice but the song she chose did not fit her voice. She did not come alive, (her words didn't jump from the page) she didn't make the song her own (add her own twist to the storyline) and so she was reduced to "another karaoke performance" as Simon would say.

I have to admit, I was a bit disgusted at all the performers this week. Every week I tune in and hear the judges say the same thing. Don't chose a song that is made memorable by the performance/singer if you aren't going to change the song and make it your own. After the fifth week of hearing this, I wonder if some of the contestants get it. Change the arrangement to make it your own. Okay, two contestants get it. Mandesa and Chris. And those two, my friends will be your only two Idols-wanna-be's performing in the finals.

What about Taylor and Paris you ask? They will make the top 6, but they won't win. Why? Taylor is a Vegas headliner waiting to happen. He would love to do three shows a day with his style of entertaining. He isn't going to make a bunch of top 10 hits, but he could easily be the Wayne Newton of our generation. And Paris? She is darling and will do great things. But not this year. She hasn't found her 'voice' yet. She can do so many songs well, but she hasn't found her niche yet. She does amazing Jazz but I doubt she will be satisfied with such a small audience. The girl wants the big time but isn't ready.

My point? As writers you have to know your voice. You can't copy someone else's. You will fail everytime. If you try to copy how Nora Roberts writes, then you are just another karaoke performance of Nora. There is only one Nora. Find your style, which could be very similar but change the arrangement to make it your own. How many of us will enter contests and get reviews back from judges and still not get it, just like a Idol contestants? How many of us will miss out on publishing because we don't take that advice to heart or can't comprehend what we are being told? When will we get our Oprah, "AHA" moment that will take us from being unpublished to published? Well my friends, that is up to you. Think long and hard about your current WIP. Is it a karaoke performance or did you make it your own? Did you find your voice?

Once you can do that, then the judges, editors, agents, etc will cheer and call you a star. Until then, listen to the Simon's and mine for the nuggests for truth. He maybe brutally honest but he is right. Sadly, I have agreed with him 100% of the time this year. Only I would frame my judgements in a more palatable way.

-Serena

Braced 2 bite ad in Buffy Magazine, May 23

2006-03-30T14:51:00.000-08:00

Writing is like being on American Idol...Kind of

2006-03-20T11:47:00.000-08:00

I confess that this year I am an American Idol addict. I didn't watch it all the other years, past the initial rounds. Yes, I wanted to watch the bad singers. I didn't want to hear them get brutalized by Simon but I wanted to be a fly on the wall and listen to their stories. I am constantly amazed by the ones who really think they can sing and clearly can't. Oh, I'm not talking about the ones who are so so and can probably do one or two songs well, but the ones who are flat out awful. Because, my friends, that's alot like the writing world. And karaoke is to American Idol what RWA is to the Romance writing industry. Let me explain.

Karaoke has allowed many so so or bad singers to get on stage, in front of an audience and perform. Bad singers get that luke warm response but the ones who are just okay, get more enthusiasm. Just enough to encourage them to continue with the same song, every night. But when they try something new, they aren't as good.

So, imagine an organization that tells you all the insider information on craft, industry trends and even allows you the opporunity to meet agents and editors face to face. Yes, now you can see where I am going with this.

It used to be that the bad writers were so obvious that they could easily be dumped in the 'thanks, but no thanks' pile but now its harder to make the clear distinction. The grammar is better (though mine is sometimes out and out atrocious), they are following the submission guidelines and their stories might even be relevant to what is hot right now in the industry, but they just aren't up to par. With alot of work, they could make that manuscript saleable. And then it would probably do below average or barely skim the line above that.

So what does an agent/editor do? Do they take that really raw manuscript that shows a small amount of promise and put tons of man hours into coaching the author and suggesting revisions only to find the author is not capable of taking the suggestions and molding the manuscript into its potential? Or do they pass and hope the next project from this author is better?

Every rejection is an opportunity to get better. They might not like your current work but that doesn't mean you can't get better at your craft, find a more arresting angle, discover the genre that let's your voice sing and then bam, you get dialogue with the agent/editor. They see something remarkable in your project and think you can take it to the next level. The saleable/publishable level. The Randy/Paula/Simon level.

And you revise. You revise until you've polished it like a pretty gem and you resubmit. Will they suggest more revisions, will they give you the dreaded "No" (echoing down a dark hallway) or will they take you to Hollywood?

Personally, I am pulling for Chris because I love any guy who marries a gal with kids from a previous marriage and loves them like his own. He works hard to provide for his family and works hard pursuing his dream. He knows his strengths and weaknesses and really grasps what this competition means and what he needs to do to win it. Sure, he isn't as darling as Kelly Pickler but lets face it, Kelly will be eaten alive in that industry without someone to hold her hand.

-Serena

Look who got hip?

2006-03-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, finally got my profile on My Space fixed. What a mess. Phew.
Check me out!

But the big news is that you need to head on over to www.summerbites.com and read the new YA Paranormal blog entries. That's right. We're live!

-Serena

Barely treading water

2006-02-27T16:28:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been remiss. I am barely treading water with being past deadline for miSTAKEn, getting summerbites.com ready to go for our launch on (gullp) Wednesday and I spent the weekend doing revisions for Fangs4Freaks and still need to write my Super Secret Author Confessions Volume 2 for the back of the book. Then I was told I needed to have every light fixture for the house I am building picked out today. Uh, really?

So, forgive my neglect. I am picking out lighting or I'll find myself in the dark. For good.

-Serena

RSS Feed Goddess in the house

2006-02-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

I have been *killing* myself trying to figure out RSS Feeds and as of yesterday, I am now a RSS Goddess. Okay, not really a goddess but definately an acolyte. I have feeds working on summerbites.com and that is a big deal! A bigger deal is that I have a book due and I haven't been working on it because of the promotional site.

But there is an end in site. On March 1st, the summerbites.com site launches officially (meaning all the links will work and content will be up to date). With the launch of summerbites is the launch of our Young Adult Paranormal blog featuring (drum roll please) Me (but you knew that), Marianne Mancusi, Gena Showalter, MaryJanice Davidson & Anthony Alongi, PC & Kristen Cast and Bev Rosenbaum. Also, we will have guest bloggers each month. Our blogs will be featured on the homepage of summerbites.com and at http://yaparanormal.blogspot.com/ (there is nothing there yet, so don't get too excited). So bookmark us baby cause here we come!!
-Serena

Teary Eyes and Book Quotes

2006-02-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

Part of being a writer is getting book quotes. You have birthed your baby and now you sent it to strangers to comment on. You pray no one thinks you have an ugly or fussy baby. You want them to think it is charming and perfect. Then the moment of truth comes and you receive the quote.
Now, to tell the truth, writers view quotes from our friends with a somewhat dubious mind. After all, our writer friends understand the importance of a good quote and most are going to give you a positive one (actually, I have yet to hear a friend-gives-bad-quote-story). We will view the kind quote and be happy, but in the back of our mind we think, "Oh, she is just a friend and doesn't really count". Come on. Every writer does this. If you say that you don't you are a big, fat liar. :)

But when you get a quote from a stranger or better yet, a stranger whose writing you admire and adore and they love your book. Well, that's a moment of teary eyed shock and professional gratification few other tributes can match. For instance, when I contaced MaryJanice Davidson to see if she would read Braced2Bite and offer a quote. I didn't know her but I worshipped her writing style. When I say worshipped, I mean I wrote B2B after reading her Undead series because her voice showed me that vampire books could be irreverant, funny and light hearted. I mean, this was MJ and I totally worshiped at the shrine of her books in my office. Scary true.

Not knowing who I was at all, she responded that she would be delighted to read my book. We share the same editor at Berkley so I figured she was extending a professional courtesy. After she read it, she sent a rave review. I cried. She genuinely loved it. My writing idol thought my baby was beautiful and was willing to tell the world via a quote on the cover. Sniff. Sniff. It was a total Oprah 'Aha' moment. I was a real writer who had earned the respect of a writing peer (though I am sure MJ had no idea I thought of her as a mentor as sorts).

My friend SM recently had a similar experience and I relived that moment all over again. We write to please. We write to tell a tale worth telling. A story inside us that is bursting to get out and when our respected colleagues enjoy the tale, it is humbling, gratifying and signifigant in a way few things could be. Soon, the public will have an opportunity to view my baby. Will they say its beautiful? Only the Amazon reviews know for sure and I personally can't wait to read them.

Golden Heart contestants actually want me to read their entries?!

2006-02-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

So, it occurs to me as I realize we are now officially in February that I still have to read my Golden Heart contestant entries for National RWA conference. How did that *very important* item fail to make it onto my to-do list until this week? Yeah, I have a couple of priority projects in the fire (hello? book due last week) but I love to read new authors. Guess my mind is totally immersed in the summerbites.com promotion. I have been learning CSS for the new site and about blogger feeds so my brain is full. Can I use that excuse to my editor? Sorry, I can't revise that right now. My brain is full.

So, I need to read a manuscript a day this week, transfer over the website and figure out those damn blogger feeds and then I can get back to my book. sigh. *Raising my hand for the teacher* Can I go take a nap now? My brain is tired.

-Serena

My ARC's arrived today

2006-02-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

I was very happy to find my first book ARC's (advance reader copies) of Braced2Bite on the doorstep today. I seriously thought about taking a photo of me surrounded by my babies like Diana Peterfreund did when hers arrived last week but I hadn't taken a shower and I was wearing sweats and a tee minus one important piece of uplifting undergarment so alas, no photo of me surrounded by my books today. But tomorrow, tomorrow is another day. Until then, I will crouch down around my pile of jewels and stroke them lovingly, protecting them from little fingers of destruction while purring, "My precious, my precious," over and over again.

The dog ate my manuscript...

2006-01-31T09:56:00.000-08:00

So my book is due today...and...it's so not done. I have been working on another project, a secret project. Okay, it's not so secret 'cause I'm gonna tell you what it is. Marianne Mancusi and I are doing a joint promotion this summer called (what else?) Summer Bites. We both have teen vamp series coming out and thought it would be fun to pool our resources and energy. Then we thought, that's just not enough and we started pitching a YA paranormal writers blog to our favorite authors and we are going to launch that at the same time. We will offer contests, guest bloggers, polls, etc. We are totally on fire with this idea.

So, I have been creating a new website, soliciting authors, gathering promo stuff and content for our new site www.summerbites.com and have been completely neglecting the third book in the vampire series that prompted the need for our summer bites promotion in the first place. Hmmmm, when I put it that way, that doesn't sound too smart of me, does it? Well, miSTAKEn isn't released until May 07 so I have a little time to get it done and this way, you all get to see a way cool new site with seriously talented writers.

No, I'm not going to spill who they are yet but I will soon. We are hoping to launch the site in mid February so stay tuned for our big announcement. Ciao Bella.

I'm in Buffy Baby!

2006-01-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

So, the ever delightful and talented Susanna Carr (you remember the Twister incident, don't you?) mentioned in our last email that she noticed Berkley is launching Braced2Bite with print media in the Buffy magazine. I, of course, was all HUH?! What?!? You see, no one tells the author anything.

Anyway, according to the booksellers catalog that Penguin puts out, they mention they will be backing the launch of my book with print advertising in Buffy magazine as well as offer counter display (which is a huge big deal for a debut book).

So, I couldn't help but run out and look in the latest Buffy on the stands and couldn't find an add. But that's okay. The next Buffy is on the stands March 28 and that is their April/May edition so I *know* my book will be there.

It's like my publishing house is telling the world, if you like the work of Joss Whedon, then you'll love Serena Robar. And that my friends, is the single highest praise I could ever get as a writer. It just makes me so darn happy.

Oh yeah, and the sun is out again in Seattle and the Seahawks are going to the SuperBowl. How awesome is that?!

Not feelin' the love

2006-01-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

We are going on 30+ days straight of rain in the Seattle area and I am definately feeling the 'season disorder' euphoria such weather conditions can promote. I've had a hard time getting out of bed, not motivated to write (despite a looming deadline) and I don't even have an appetite (which should be ringing huge alarm bells for anyone who knows me). I even went to the doctor and had some blood tests run to see if maybe I was low on iron or something to account for my lack of motivation. Nope, they came back fine.

Then it struck me. I'm not feeling the love. I haven't had any feedback on my last book from my editor. I turned it in five months ago and she has not been able to read through it (in her defense she is an amazing editor and so busy, I'm surprised she has time to breathe). But alas, its hard to get into the next book of the series without that little bit of praise. I need the love. I'm high maintenace. Duh, like that's a secret. Sigh.

Fendi, Ferragamo and Fangs wins

2006-01-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

And thank goodness because the others were really gunning for VAMP and that got no votes, lol. A special thanks to CA for our new title. She is the queen of titles. Really. You need a title? Ask CA. She can come up with it. She has the title gift, I tell ya.

So, I now have a name for my anthology with Julie Kenner and Johanna Edwards. Sweet. I have galleys to review today for Braced2Bite and miSTAKEn is due at the end of the month. I have a lot to do. So, of course, I am procrastinating by cleaning out my refridgerator. :)

What do you do when deadlines loom?
-Serena

Vote on a Title

2006-01-10T09:51:00.000-08:00

Here it is. The entry you've all been waiting for (yah right). Vote on the one you think is the best title for my anthology coming in 2007.

Premise of the anthology is three girls are picked across the US to become models in NY for the summer. While doing the model thing, they are partying every night, being followed by paparazzi and generally living it up when WHAM! They get changed into vampires. Stay tuned for the real title name.

Titles

2006-01-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

I don't like to brag but I'm pretty good with the whole title thing. I mean, I think I am able to come up with a catchy title that captures the spirit of the book and the readers attention.

After all, I've sold three books and all three got to keep their original title. Considering titles are changed about 50% of the time, I was feeling downright cocky about my titling expertise.

Until book 4, that is. Book 4 mocks me. Maybe because its an anthology and I have a new editor and a couple other fingers in the pie, all of us having to agree on a title or maybe my first three titles were flukes, but now all my suggested titles have been rejected (echo, echo, echo).

I even pulled out the big guns and queried my writer friends and they gave me terrific titles. Well, actually CA's title suggestion is currently holding second place if the first title fails to live up to its duties by the copy department.

So, as soon as this title situation is worked out, I will post it with my top three suggestions and you get to vote on the one you think is the title. It's time to put my title talent to the test. How will I do? Stay tuned.

New Addictions

2005-12-27T13:39:00.000-08:00

Hi. My name is Serena and I play Chuzzle.

I found a new game on the internet and it has taken over my life. It is so addicting. I fear for my writing career as I have to ramp up on my current WIP (work in progress). It is by Popcap games and you can play a free hour long demo on their site.

This is when you can compare game companies to crack dealers.

Sure, you get a free hours worth of play but it's not enough. Oh no. You want to play more and more and more. Suddenly, it's 3 in the morning and you have to get up at 7 and you can't stop playing.

So I beg you. Don't click the above link. It doesn't matter if all the cool kids are clicking on it. Just say no. I warned you.

Vacation is officially over, kind of

2005-12-26T10:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, Christmas has come and gone so now it is time to knuckle down and finish miSTAKEn. My muse must have enjoyed the holidays because she won't leave me alone about this story. So many great twists and turns are in store for my reader and my characters. Yahoo. Buckle up, it's gonna be a bumpy ride. I shall get started immediately....What? What's that you say? Lucky Jeans has a 40% off sale at the mall starting today? Oh, well then, I will get started after a quick trip to the mall. :)

2005-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week I met with my writing posse and we celebrated the holidays in style. Christina always puts on a great spread, complete with frozen mint chocolatini's (tastes just like chocolate mint ice cream with alot of vodka-which you can't taste at all so be careful!). We drew Secret Angel names and everyone scored big time. I was laboriously working on Christina's gift and completed it just in time. I made her a writer's journey scrapbook to detail all she's done up to her first sale.

Last year I drew Shannon's name and made her one and she sold. So, Christina will sell and then it will become a tradition. hehe. No pressure on poor Christina. But hey, it's her time. We all feel it.

The whole group (from left to right: Christina, Barb, Shannon, Kelli, Me and lounging is Erin)

Christina makes the most spendid desserts and I wanted to help out by 'cleaning my plate' so she would have less dishes to do. Really.

Look at my pretty new bag from my Secret Angel at our annual writers group holiday get together. Thanks Kelli!

Gotta have more robots...

2005-12-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

So my housekeeper had to switch our cleaning date around and she has brought her 10 year old son with her. No problem. I put on Sky High on the dvd player while his mom cleans and I can do work in my craft room.

Now, I think Sky High was brilliantly written. Its a great story. Good character development, fast pacing, nice high concept and the whole 9 yards. When its all over, I ask him what he thought of the movie and he says, "There should have been more robots to fight. I would have liked a big robot fight in the beginning, but other than that, it was pretty tight."

Uh huh.

So, next time you are at the movies and you see an unnecessary, gratutious robot fight, you'll know they are catering to the 10 year old boy demographic. Just so you know.

Phoning it in

2005-12-15T08:43:00.000-08:00

I've been a neglectful blogger and writer, for that matter. I am taking December off so I feel like a big, fat fraud blogging about writing when I am not doing any. I did get my back cover blurb about Fangs4Freaks (Nov 06) and was asked ideas for the front cover (which they will promptly ignore, but hey, it's nice to be asked). So I guess some writing type activity is being accomplished this month.

So, I am just phoning it in this holiday season. Tis the season.

Love Actually

2005-12-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is a very tough time for most writers. Everyone gets so busy taking care of the holiday obligations that the writing tends to get set aside. Whenever this happens and I have a hard time getting back into the writing groove, I pull out a movie to help motivate me. You see, when I write a book its like I am retelling a movie that plays in my head. So, when I watch a movie, I can't help but think of how I would write the same scene I am watching. Of course, every writer is different, but this really works for me.

So, I popped in my favorite Christmas-y movie last night, Love Actually. Who doesn't love this movie? It's not a traditional Christmas favorite, I know but I really love it. Sure, I dig "A Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life", not to mention "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." But give me a love story (with comedy) and I am a happy camper. Do you write the book in your head while watching the movie? How do you write each scene? How does it unfold? Once you discover how your write, you can figure out what best motivates you to write. Then, no matter the time of year or new distraction, you can always get back into the writing. Which is a great Christmas present. Happy Writing.

Snow Day

2005-12-02T11:41:00.000-08:00

Today is a snow day. That cold, white stuff is coating the Seattle area and typical of our fair city, there is panic in the air. The schools around my house closed, leaving excited children bundled to the gills roaming the yards and giggling maniacly as they clench fistfulls of snow, ready to hurl them at other giggling friends, passing cars and/or stationary mailboxes. So I ask you- "Where's my snow day?"

I have decided today is going to be my snow day. miSTAKEn will still be sitting on my computer when I come in from the cold. What a great excuse to make hot cocoa! And some of those little pesky neighbor kids could use a good snowball to the head. Hey, I'm kidding, kidding...kind of.

So I suggest if you have been cramped up in your office, tapping away at your keyboard while the unrestrained laughter of children outside distracts you then declare a Snow Day. Get bundled up, go outside and breath the fresh, crisp air. You'll feel great. Forget about all that adult stuff- like concerns that the slush will freeze and make traffic a mess. Just let it go and enjoy the moment. Declaring a Snow Day may be just what's needed to inspire your muse to come out and play.

Flipping the Bird

2005-11-26T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was filled with turkey, stuffing and pie. My folks, sister and nephew are here with me this holiday weekend. I like to cook the turkey on it's breasts (against Martha Stewart's advice, I might add) and the tricky part is always flipping the bird from the chest to it's back, out of the roasting pan and onto the platter. This year, I managed the feat quite nicely, only splattering drippings onto the countertop and backsplash, instead of landing the turkey on its plucked behind on the floor. Yeah me.

The next morning we awoke at 5:30 am to take on the bargain shoppings for all those after Thanksgiving Day sales. We didn't even think of doing the whole Walmart gig and its probably a very good thing. Getting crushed for cheap electronics doesn't sound like a great holiday to me. We reviewed the ads, made our list and then planned our strategy. We were more than ready. It was raining like crazy, of course, but that didn't deter us. We had a mission.

We made it to Albertsons by 6:30 am and when we approached a checker to find our booty, they quickly curtailed our question with an apology. "So sorry, we just sold the last 20" flat screen television for $69". We all looked at each other in confusion. The checker, who couldn't help but wonder at our befuddled faces, asked "You were looking for the TV's in the ad, right?"

At this point my mom and I exchange a look of embarrassment before admitting, "Well, no. We actually came in this early for the large Hersey bars that are on sale 10 for $10's. We didn't even know about the tv." How's that for sad? Of course, the checker got a good laugh over us. We saved a whole $.39 a bar on that deal, so screw some mega flat screen, to-good-to-be-true television deal, baby. lol

We made it home by noon, laden down with gifts. I think my sister won the spending contest (yes, everything is a competition) but she also had some birthday presents to pick up so she said it didn't count. Plu-ease. I have gotten zero writing done this week because of the holiday so Monday morning (notice I know I will not be able to write this weekend with company) it's time to buckle down.

Fifth day off the Fizz...

2005-11-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

And I am doing okay. Not great mind you, but okay. What's the fizz you ask? It's Mountain Dew. Yes, my beloved Dew. Problem with my Dew is that I was drinking several cans a day and now my jeans don't fit. Yeah, I am in my fat jeans and I HATE that so I am off the Fizz (and chocolate) until I can wear my jeans comfortably again.

The caffeine withdrawal headaches have been consistent for a couple of days now, but nothing a little Excedrin can't fix. I can do this. No matter how the Dew beckons and sings its sweet siren song, I can resist it. I will resist it. Sigh. I miss my Dew.

Finally, I can share

2005-11-16T11:36:00.000-08:00

Okay, way back at the end of September I hinted I had something to share and the details are finally worked out so here it goes...

I suggested (actually whined would be a better word) to my agent a YA vampire anthology and she and an associate came up with a great premise about three teens who win a modelling contest and are sent to NY for the summer. There they get caught up in the nightlife, the parties and of course, get turned into vampires.

Not only is it a great premise, but they hook me up with Julie Kenner and Johanna Edwards and Berkley bought it. Yeah us. I don't know the release date yet, probably not until 2007 or maybe 2008. Will let you know as soon as I know.

Do the happy dance for me.

When your editor comes a calling...

2005-11-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

So my editor called yesterday. I noted the NY number on caller ID but it didn't even click who the caller was. Yes, I am that oblivious at times. Anyway, she calls and I am delighted to get her undivided attention for a moment. I'm not one of those writers who calls their editor all the time, or at all. Unless it's an emergency, email is always my method of communication.

Anyway, she calls to talk to me about miSTAKEn and POV. She tells me that she would like to see miSTAKEn done in first person POV with Colby and make Piper's romance the subplot. Great, I say. Can do. Not a problem. She tells me she has started F4F and will have it done by next week. Great, I say. I can wait a week. Not a problem (since I had been waiting 8 weeks already, another week is nothing in this business). We talk marketing for a moment and then we ring off.

Then I replay the conversation in my head. Did I just agree to do book 3 in Colby's voice and make Piper a subplot?! The entire point of book 3 is to tell Piper's story. I don't have a full book worth of story with Colby right now. Time to get back to the outline and redo the book.

I shouldn't be so starstruck when my editor calls me at home. I shouldn't feel so thrilled to hear her on the line and bask in the glow of being so important as to merit a phone call. I should just get over myself and listen to what I cheerfully agree to before well, cheerfully agreeing.

Don't worry to much about me though. I had a book 4 about Colby that will be incorporated into book 3 and Piper will still find love with a demon slayer. It may be a bit longer than my other books but hey, a good read is still a good read. No matter the length, right? Just cheerfully agree. Great, not a problem. :)

Sure you can sing, but can you dance?

2005-11-09T09:55:00.000-08:00

Last night at our monthly ERWA meeting, we had a wonderful speaker and writer, Rebecca Forster. She talked about all the important elements needed to make a great story but I took away one particular tidbit. Writing is a very competitive business and everyone is good. What makes your stuff great? What are you doing to rise above the pack and get noticed?

She cited several examples of good writing and then she showed edited versions of the same work that made it great writing. It was an AHA moment for me. I really saw the difference and it was so powerful. Now I will look at my editing, not as just spell and grammar check but how can relay the same information in a more powerful way. Crafting the words for a tighter, seemless story.

Rebecca writes legal thrillers and I can't wait to pick one up and read it.

Fish anyone?

2005-11-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

Since I haven't blogged religiously, I will post a picture to make it up to you. Here is a lovely fish entree they offered at the Emerald City Writer's Conference last month. Despite this little guy, the other food was actually pretty tasty.

Drive by Blogging

2005-11-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

I have been remiss, I know. My bad. On the positive side, I have been working my keister off. miSTAKEn is shaping up to be a great book and I will have a nifty announcement in the coming week to share with you. Yeah, I know I mentioned something about that at the end of September, but I should really be able to say something very soon. Remember, my life moves at the speed of the publishing world which can sometimes be v e r y s l o w.... :)

Sleeping with the Enemy

2005-10-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

No, I don't mean your husband or your boyfriend, or your lover. I am talking about yourself. (Though I admit any of the above can seem like the enemy when you are PMSing and they don't understand your need for chocolate to be followed by salty chips to be followed by a crying jag because they don't tell you they love you enough and never take you out anymore......) But I digress.

Can you be your own worse enemy? This week I have been having a rather heated debate with myself over what path my career should take. Do I stay on course with all Young Adults or do I try to do YA and add adult contemporary, which would expand my readers while challenging my brain power but would also stretch my creativity and my writing schedule to the limits. What would be more fullfilling for me? Could I really invest the time to do both or am I setting myself to fail? And the two-sided debate goes on and on in my one little ol' brain.

How many times have I done this to myself? Question my own motives for doing something? I don't think of myself as a totally spontanious person but others would disagree. I mean, I have done spontanious acts before and they have led to questionable results. Who hasn't? But have you ever second guessed yourself to death until the opportunity is gone because you were frozen with indecision? Which essentially means you made the subconcious decision to not make a decision and therefore screw youself because you feared making the wrong choice?

Next time you find yourself debating something to death, go with your first instinct. Don't beat youself up over making the wrong decision. You'll sleep better at night having committed to a course of action without looking back.

Now, what will I do? Should I stick with just YA or branch out into Adult? Let me sleep on it. :)

Eighties Child

2005-10-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

I was chatting with a friend today and we were discussing big hair, of all things. You know, that larger than life 80's hair, of which I was a proud wearer. So I thought it would be fun to post a picture of me during my big hair phase. My friend told me that they used a toothbrush to get the right effect. If I had only known then what I know now. I could have been the Queen of big hair. I was about 19 when this picture was taken. Note the really acid washed jeans :)

Where do you come up with these things?

2005-10-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Shannon's blog today, I thought it would be interesting to explore where and when I am the most creative. She told the story of how she came up with her first published book (out in 2007) and it occurred to me that we both came up with our books at the Emerald City Writer's conference in 2004.

I kept hearing that paranormal was hot. And they were looking for the ideas that were out there. Hmmm. I like Fish out of Water stories so I was wondering how I could combine a way out there idea with paranormal. I'd just read MaryJanice Davidson's Undead and Unwed book. I loved it. I had never read a vampire book before but the fact that she wrote a funny vampire story really resonated with me. I write comedy and paranormal isn't normally a laugh a minute topic.

So, funny vampire concept in mind I came up with the story of a popular cheerleader who is very driven to succeed, with a life plan who practices daily affirmations. What would happen if she was turned into a vampire? Hmm, not enough of a switch. Aha, what if the vampires didn't like her, couldn't accept her. She was going from Prom Queen to huge vampire outcast. But why? Hmmm, when I was getting prepped for braces, I had oral surgery and they removed 6 teeth. My wisdom teeth and my canine teeth. I could never be a good vampire because my fang teeth were gone. Tada. Poor cheerleader now can't turn into an official vampire because her canines were removed for braces and she can't grow fangs.

So, I immediately call Shannon and tell her my idea, but it's still a huge joke in my head. I mean really, a vampire who can't grow fangs is funny, right? She dares me to do it. Dare me? Well, now I have to and the rest is history. Braced2Bite is born and sold as part of a three book series to Berkley Jam. B2B releases in May of 06 and you can preorder it here.
See, no idea is out there enough if you can create a good conflict. Go ahead and try it. I dare you.

My best friends

2005-10-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

(left to right: Shannon McKelden, Christina Arbini, Me, Kelli Estes and Erin Eisenberg)

Writing is a very lonely career. We sit in front of our computers, tapping away, alone in our work and when we finally, finally finish our manuscript we have to wait up to a year for it to hit the shelves and get our well deserved kudo's from our readers. That is why it is so critical to have like-minded friends who understand what you do and can share the load. These gals are my best friends and we meet monthly to chat, commiserate and celebrate. We are also in constant email communication. I adore them and would never be were I am without them.

Here we are enjoying a dinner out during the conference. Erin had the forsight to have a previous engagement that prevented her from being drug onto the Karaoke stage later that evening. Yeah, like we would have had to 'drag' her. Try more like pry the microphone out of her fingers. hehe

Karaoke

2005-10-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

On Saturday night, we outed those closet Karaoke performers in the lounge of the hotel. Many of the writers in attendance had no idea they were closet Karaoker's but once the liquer started flowing, well, everyone became a star. I, myself sang Fancy by Reba McEntire. I was so hoarse from singing in the crowd from the players before me, my voice sounded like gravel but it was so much fun.

This photo is courtesy of Christina Arbini who apparently has a very incriminating AVI file of me doing the Thriller dance. Nah, couldn't be. I hope she never learns how to host and upload 120 megs of sheer intoxicating embarrassment.

Promotional goodness

2005-10-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

Here are two examples of my promotional T-shirts that I will soon have up on my website and you, yes YOU, could win one. We have the male and female version (but I wear both because they are so cool). My lovely models from left to right: Christina Arbini, Kelli Estes, Shannon McKelden and me, sporting the guy's shirt. All shirts have my books and release dates on the back.

Twister

2005-10-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

Here I am with Sinclair Sawhney at Susanna Carr's workshop of the top 10 sexiest mistakes a writer can make at the Emerald City Writers Conference this weekend. Thank goodness we stopped before it advanced to 'really challenging'. Sinclair used to do yoga and would have kicked my @ss.

2005-10-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a cuter cover for a Young Adult book before? Of course not. muahahahahaha. I love it!!

The waiting is the hardest part

2005-09-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about waiting for your advance check (though, tick-tock, I'm still doing that) but waiting to hear back after proposing a new project. I was hoping to have something to announce today, but alas, no. Maybe next week. Which makes for an unexciting blog entry.

Run out and see Serenity this weekend. Fabulous storyline, hot male lead and Joss Whedon's writing. Good stuff all around.

Next weekend is the Emerald City Writer's conference. I'll be there, playing Twister in a workshop. Yeah, now that sounds intriguing, doesn't it? Helping out the fabulous Susanna Carr (agent sistah) in her workshop "Top 10 Sexiest Mistakes". Am I nervous? Nah. Who doesn't love Twister? I just better stretch beforehand. I'm not as bendy as I used to be.

Ciao Bella!

Time to organize or Where the *uck did I put that?

2005-09-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

My office is officially the black hole in which all things that enter will be lost. I can't handle it anymore. So I have been taking baby steps in organizing it. There is simple to much to do in one sitting. All my scrapbooking supplies, cardmaking supplies (Dude, when was the last time I made a freakin' card, anyway?), writing books, software crap, 2004 tax receipts that are not yet in Quickbooks (yeah, pity my accountant who needs that done yesterday to file since my extension is up in October), promo stuff, giftwrapping and everything that need to be hidden that was in the kitchen on the counter that was shoved in my office and forgotten. Get the picture?

I hate when my office reflects my life. I feel chaotic, unorganized and misplaced. Not to mention a little blue this week. And I can't stop shoving Oreo cookies in my face. This has got to stop. And it will, as soon as I organize my office.

So where do I put all this crap? Time to get brutal and throw it away. Hey, I'm channeling my mother. But I spent good money on most of this stuff, now I am channeling my dad. Wish me luck, I'm going in and it could be dangerous...

POV and Backstory

2005-09-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have been called out by my friend Shannon just because I complained she wasn't updating her blog on a regular basis. Sheesh. Some people are so touchy :)

I wrote my first two book in first person Point of View (POV) and moving on to book 3 in my teen vampire series, I will write this story in third person POV. I actually prefer to write books in first person because A) You can only share so much of the mystery/suspense in first person, therefore not giving too much away to soon B) I get to know my main character quicker when I am speaking as them and C) I can control backstory easier.

Ah backstory, the important little details you need your reader to know as you move your story along. So many new writers (and even some veterans out there) give away too much backstory right away. Nothing puts you to sleep faster than pages of backstory.

Writing a YA, which requires a faster pace, means you must sprinkle backstory through the book and not in clumps. You have to learn how to share backstory information in two sentences instead of two paragraphs. So you have to make it count. Once you learn how to do this, it is so liberating.

I find third person POV tougher because I am in everybody's head and therefore I can share too much information. I also have problems head hopping. That is to say, switching POV's in the middle of scenes and even paragraphs. Ugh. I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying I don't do it all that well, therefore I shouldn't do it at all.

So where was I? Oh yes, think of integrating backstory like using a recipe to bake. You don't dump all the flour in at once. You sprinkle it liberally between other ingredients. Too much at once makes your story and your batter, too lumpy and unappealing. Recognize your POV strengths and weaknesses and adjust accordingly. I have to pay extra attention to head hopping in a third person POV, but I get to have more emotional depth per character. It's a trade off.

What trade off's are you making with your POV? Is it telling your story effectively? Could it be told better by switching POV? Do you have too much backstory in one place? If your paragraphs are longer than 4 sentences, I would cast a critical eye on what you are trying to convey and see if you could do it more effectively and with more impact with brevity.

The grass is always greener

2005-09-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

We had a our first local Chapter meeting since summer hiatus yesterday. It was great to see all my fellow writers and I was delighted to see so many new faces. Gotta love the new faces. The ultra talented Brenda Novak was our guest speaker. Brenda gave great examples on how to improve your writing. One of the things I noticed, however, were the descriptors. As she was reading yet another lovely descriptive paragraph, it hit me. I don't write like this. Egads.

I write Chick Lit YA and it's all about the pacing. Historicals call for beautiful descriptors. Suspence is all about the emotional build-up but what about me? I am all about the funny. And the funny in YA's have to be paced quickly. A page turner. Easy to read with nice short paragraphs and lots-O dialogue.

What happens if I want to play with another sub-genre? Oh, I doubt I will be attempting a Historical anytime soon. I'll leave those to the masters, like Julia Quinn and Elizabeth Boyle. But I do want write adult contemporary someday. I love my YA's but I'd like to branch out as well. I think I'll stick to chick lit and humor. Keep the pacing quick and gaze at the lush green writing meadow across from mine with admiration. After all, the grass is always greener and somewhere there is a historical writer wishing they could do the fast paced, funny novels that I write. Hey, it could happen! :)

Deep, dark secrets revealed...

2005-09-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

Well, technically they aren't revealed until May 06 when Braced2Bite hits the shelves, but I was very excited when my editor agreed to a special little sumpin, sumpin in the back of the book. Also, I will include an excerpt of Fangs4Freaks, to whet the appetite for book 2 of the series.

Now what will my super, secret, special sumpin, sumpin include? Aha, little known tidbits about me? Deep, dark confessions I have never shared with another soul before? Maybe my real age?! Okay, let's not get carried away here. All I can say is it will be witty, fun and interesting. At least I hope you will be interested. I really hope you will be interested....Oh please at least feign interest!!

When is enough, enough?

2005-09-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend surrounded by family for my birthday. Yes, I am another year wiser (I don't say the 'O' word after 30). This was the first time I had seen my folks since they moved. My parents recently moved from the area to Eastern Washington (where I grew up) and they downsized. Did it go smoothly? How can I sum this up quickly and efficiently? Dad is a packrat, Mom is a clean freak.

They did manage to move without killing each other, however the mysterious 'accident' involving dad tripping over the treadmill and needing 20 stiches in his head has me wondering if there isn't another story Dad isn't telling. Mom has the new house nice and organized. Everything has a place, every place has a thing. She is in her clutterless phase so all little knickknacks are still trapped in boxes in the garage. But her house looks very nice.

So, I am now trying to declutter my closet in the spirit of organization. After each book, I reorganize my files and save it to disc, so I thought it was time to take it to the next level. Personal space.

I was trying to make all my shoes fit on the three shelves I have allocated for shoes and alas, I have too many (shoes, not shelves). So I count them. I have 27 pairs of dress shoes (this includes mules, strappy heels, etc), 4 pairs of tennis shoes, 6 pairs of boots (both short and tall) and three pairs of slippers. Hmmm, I counted my shelf space. I have space for 20 pages of shoes total. Less if I fit my boots on the top row. Well, this sucks.

Mom reminded me that everytime you buy a new article of clothing, you should give one away. Then your closet is always tidy. So, technically, I should have parted with some shoes at some point when I was buying more. But why? I mean really, do I have to get rid of a pair when I buy a new pair? Where is that written in stone? I could just get another set of shoe shelves and double my shoe space. Hmmm. Then where would my collection of handbags go? I could put them on the upper shelves. But wait, then my sweaters and belts need to find a new home....

Screw it, I am leaving them spread across the closet floor and just closing the door. Problem solved. Dude, don't sit there and judge me. What does your closet look like? ;)

It's Done!!

2005-09-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

Just finished Fangs4Freaks and sent it to my agent for review and edits. I can finally relax without constantly wondering what I was going to do next.

I am so proud of this book. It is really great. These last 5 days have been filled with creative energy and output. Now I think I will take a shower. You know, after the last 5 days, trust me. You want me in that shower. You NEED me in that shower. *sniff, sniff* I NEED me in that shower.

Sex in Young Adult books: A controversy

2005-08-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

I am at the end of F4F, which is a good thing since it's due, like tomorrow and I had to get off the fence about the great Young Adult Sex controversy. Do they or don't they? And if they do, how much do I detail?

Poor Colby and Thomas. I have tortured these two for their entire relationship (two books now). Colby wants it, Thomas isn't giving it up. I threw in a dead half blood vampire just to shake things up and still, their dry spell continues. Will they or won't they? I am at the last couple of scenes and candidly, I am getting blue balls just writing their thwarted attempts at intimacy. Imagine how they feel? These imaginary not-quite lovers but hormonally driven vampires possess two very different agendas. Can they make things work?

Will they or won't they? Should I or shouldn't I? Mwuahahahahahahah. I'll never tell. Read the book. :)

Drive by blogging

2005-08-25T17:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have nothing relevent to say. Nothing amusing, nothing meaningful. I mean nothing. I am negative 6 days and counting to get my book done and it's crunch time. But, I didn't want anyone to think I was a huge slacker and should at least drop by and say, 'Hey! What's up with you? My eye? You mean this nervous tick I've developed? Oh it's nothing really. What? Why am I scratching my arms, face and legs? Oh, it's just a rash brought on by stress. Nothing to worry about. My face you say? Breaking out like a teenager? Oh well, it's all part of the deadline package. My ass? It's bigger than a house? Well, sure, I've popped a few chocolate bars in my deadline state but big as a house seems to be a little extreme, don't you think? Why am I wearing sweats instead of jeans? Hey, I don't have to answer to you. Are you my editor? Are you my agent? No?! Then bite me. I don't have to take this. I got deadlines to meet buster!"

I walk away in a huff, fat ass and all. Gotta love deadlines.

Taking Liberties

2005-08-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

A writer friend of mine has had a recent run-in with, well for lack of a better name, the Legend Natzis. Sadly, there are people out there who write scathing reviews of books and pick apart the 'accuracy'. Now, I'm not talking about picking about historical accuracies of who was ruling when and at what time but legend accuracies. Yes, LEGEND accuracies. (note sarcastic use of this oxymoron)

For example, the King Arthur legend is one that has been told and retold for hundreds of years. The basic story of Arthur falling for ol' Guinie and her, in turn, falling for ol' best friend of Arthur, rugged Lancelot is the stuff great movies are made of, and have been for the last fifty years. It's also the stuff any writer loves to play with and tell their own version of the tale. Yes, their own version of the tale.

It's called fiction people. And commercial fiction at that. So, seeing those not so nice Legend Natzis blast my poor friend I started to think about my own books (because, really, this blog is all about me anyway). I take some serious liberties with the vampire lore in Braced2Bite. Like, serious liberties. Because my books are about MY take on vampires. Sure, I know what Anne Rice thinks vampires are like and everyone knows Bram's view but my books are my take on the legends.

Now, you may or may not agree with them. You may love them or think I should be staked through the heart but kindly remember that as an writer of fiction, I can take liberties with the legend because its MY story. Lately every director in Hollywood is doing the "Reimaginng" of every popular legends/historical event. Yes, 'reimaging'. Doesn't that roll off the tongue? That's a really cool way of saying 'I'm so gonna screw with this legend/historical event.'

So next time you pick up a fiction book or head to the 'Reimagining' of -insert legend/historical event here- kindly remember to check your prejudice at the door. Because hey, it's only fiction.

Deadlines and being Funny

2005-08-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

Writing romantic comedy is a curse and a blessing. I am under serious deadline pressure this month because I promised Fangs4Freaks to my editor at the end of August. Umm, did I say the end of August? I could swear I meant the end of September.....

Anyway, I am writing frantically and I discover a teeny weeny problem. I'm not very funny under pressure. Oh sure, I'm the first to crack a joke at a funeral (Hey, I don't do sad. I do irreverant because I am a very ugly crier) but when the deadline is looming my humor turns a little desperate. Which we all know is not funny, it's just kind of sad and needy. (Side note: On occasion, I have been known to do needy. Deal with it).

So, in an attempt to find my inner funny, I always hit the blogs of those gals who are way funnier than I am. People like Harlequin writer Jamie Sobrato. She is beautiful and funny. Oh yeah, and NICE. I know, you want to hate her but just can't. I feel your pain.

My fellow YA writer Niki Burnham confessed to me she doesn't keep a blog because she wants to keep the funny for her books. Sure, now she tells me. Well, what do I expect? She was a lawyer in her previous life.....(just kidding Niki, please don't sue me)

I think writing is much like dating. When you are really feeling the pressure, you might come across a little desperate. Maybe its more like not having a date in a while and then you get one and then you really want it to work out great and you start emailing, calling, etc and come across needy. Which we all know is a total turn off and the guy (in this case, my book characters) are all like, "Whoa- you're moving waaaay to fast here. I'm liking the slow coffee dates and you're all sending me Bride Magazine vibes here."

Sigh. Well, it's getting later in the day, ie: closer to my deadline and I need to call, er, write more about my characters. I hate leaving them all those voicemail messages but I can't get them to pick up the phone!! (tell me you giggled a little, please? What perfume am I wearing? Eau de desperation. Get it at a deadline near you)

It's about time you got off you *ss

2005-08-03T17:39:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Boyle is in my local Chapter and took me under her wing when I first started writing. She is a mentor to me. When I decided to pitch at my first Emerald City Writer's Conference, her words of wisdom spoke volumes to me.
"It's about time you got off your *ss."

Through subsequent steps in my career, Elizabeth has always been there with words of guidance and support. She was also there with a swift kick when I needed it (and boy, sometimes I really needed it).

Then when I received The Call, she was one of the first people I called. She sent me flowers and welcomed me to the club. She is an inspiration to me. The kind of writer/mentor I want to be. One who nurtures and supports. One who understands that a high tide raises all the ships and one who never begrudges a fellow writer their time in the spotlight. Oh yeah, and one who isn't afraid to tell it like it is and smack some sense into ya!

Jennifer Crusie and myself

2005-08-03T17:34:00.000-07:00

Last year Jennifer Crusie spoke to the Pro's at our retreat (Pro meaning you had proof of a completed manuscript but not yet sold). She got teary eyed when she spoke of the first book she ever completed and printed out. I knew what she meant because I felt the exact same way. She inspired me.

So it was with great delight I was able to share my news of a 3 book contract with her. I gave her a Psi Phi Omega T-shirt and got a picture with her. How cool am I?

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