Archive for the 'Whatever' Category
Saturday, December 13th, 2008
ZOMG, I’m so stupidly excited that Nana is coming to watch the kidlet tonight, thus allowing my husband and I to go to dinner and a movie! We’re going to see The Day the Earth Stood Still. Hope it’s good.
I’m a bit bummed (more than a bit), but unsurprised that my fav restaurant in my little podunk town closed. It was a sushi place. I know, I know, sushi in a podunk country town? It was actually really good, though. No sushi tonight. *pout* Mmmm dragon rolls. *cry*
So, you’ve probably heard of Boxhab on Cuteoverload, yes? Well, this cat needs Boxhab really badly, but he also needs Clean Laundryhab too. I snapped this a few minutes ago.
Btw, I’m sharing this next bit because it was disgusting and I need to relieve the burden of it from my mind by inflicting it on others…one of my cats (not the one above) woke me up this morning by drooling down one side of my face…like wow. I mean, crazy ass amounts of cat saliva making rivulets down my cheek and chin. It was a love goober and it was a BIG one. Wiggle (the drooling cat in question) really loves me.
I wish he loved me a little less sometimes.
Also, I’m this close to stroking out over ebook pirating today, but I’m hiding it well, don’t you think? *forced smile and facial tick*
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Thursday, December 11th, 2008
In an alternate life, one in which I wasn’t a writer, I would have been a psychologist. I was in grad school to become just that when I made my first sale and subsequently left that career path for this one. Crazy, right? Have you compared the salaries of your average author and your average psychologist lately?
Yeah.
Even so, I’ve never regretted my decision because although I think I would’ve been quite happy mucking about in other people’s brains, I’m far happier mucking about in my character’s brains (who actually probably are all my brain, but that’s a topic for another day).
Writing is my first love, above all other career paths, and I have never regretted my choice. Even if I fail at being an author, (so far, so good), I’ll still never regret my choice because I took a risk on my biggest dream, the one I’ve had since I was five. That means when I’m old and gray I’ll be able to look back on my life and say, I did that.
No regrets. No fears.
Even though I didn’t follow the path of a psychologist, the way I think and my personality is still naturally suited to being one. That’s why I’d decided on it in the first place. Combine my naturally occurring inclination toward analyzing other people’s motivations, emotions and behaviors with my interest in Buddhism, especially mediation and Mindfulness, and you have someone who pays attention to her own emotional tides pretty much all the time.
And I am neurotic like WOW when I have a new mass market book release. We’re talking extra neuroses with cherries and whipped cream on top. Mostly, I suffer in silence and only inflict my constant fretting on my closest friends and my husband.
At the same time, so much surrounding the release of a new book is completely and utterly out of my hands. I have no control over so many of the factors that affect the success or failure of a novel. Things like the economic environment (that’s a biggie right now), when the novel releases (some times of the year are worse than others), what my print run is and where in the store my book is displayed.
The only thing I have control over is the advertising I do beforehand and the actual book itself. I always take great care in crafting my novels, but there’s another element of which I have no control – I can’t control how individual readers will perceive the work and the characters. Those opinions, just like people’s personalities, differ greatly and one person’s perception of a novel may be very different than the next person’s. All I can do is write the best possible novel I can, according to my own vision, and hope people enjoy it.
So it was with great interest that I read Steven Axelrod and Julie Anne Long’s article, the Tao of Publishing in the latest Romance Writer’s Report. (I swear, the inclusion of that article in the RWR made my hefty RWA membership worth it this year.) That article that can also be online found here.
In the article, Axelrod points out how humans love to attempt to find order in chaos and authors are no exception. We’re constantly trying to figure out how to control our writing careers in a pretty much uncontrollable environment, and THAT makes us crazy (I know it makes me crazy).
Julie Anne Long delves into how to avoid that craziness by staying in the moment (mindfulness!) and going with the flow. Fighting against the inexorable publishing tides simply wears you out and worrying over things we can’t control just makes us nuts and, if you’re like me, makes you depressed.
Once your book is published, it’s out of your hands. You can do nothing to affect its sales in a major way (booksignings, guest blogging, contests, and readings only do so in a very minor way), so why all the worry? It’s better to just move on to something you CAN control, like, oh, I don’t know…a new novel, perhaps? Better to let the stress of the release go and find a place where you can be okay with it, no matter what the outcome might be. Try not to have any lofty expectations and find the core of why you became a writer in the first place.
For me, that’s a love of the actual writing itself, specifically the worldbuilding and the creation of my characters. It’s that first draft I love so very much, when I’m creating a place for my characters to be and to interact. LOVE it.
If I can focus on what I love, then I can let what I don’t love fall away (the stress of how my current release is doing.) and my life is tons better. With every new release I try for this peaceful place in my psyche, a sort of oasis in the tension. I achieve it with varying levels of success. It tends to go in waves. For a while I’ll have found a zenlike acceptance and let the outcome be whatever it is, and then something will set me off and send me careening back into monkey-brained worry.
But I do think that with every release I’m improving. Apparently I just need more practice. And, since I plan to be in publishing for a long time, I’ll have all the practice I need in the years to come. In the meantime, I have every intention of enjoying this journey I’ve set myself on and appreciating every bump and roadside sightseeing stop I make.
If you read to the end of this, you get a virtual cookie.
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Sunday, December 7th, 2008
Witch Heart releases!
With the immense powers of an earth witch, Claire isn’t destined to be a demon’s handmaiden. Yet this has been her fate since she was six, when her warlock mother brought her to Eudae. Now as an adult, she’s about to discover her true power—and how far others are willing to go to take it away…
As part of a mission with the Coven, Adam Tyrell rescues Claire from her enslavement—and finds himself immediately taken with the beautiful witch. But this charming playboy soon learns that it’s easier to steal Claire from demons than win her heart, for her life as a servant has ravaged her spirit. But with Adam determined to protect her from the warlocks who want to harness her magick for evil, Claire’s resistance starts to give way—and they find themselves in the heat of danger, surrendering to the lure of their deepest desires…
Now available for pre-order on Amazon and B&N.
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Saturday, December 6th, 2008
Toy R Us has an advertisement on their site that says Sperd $49 and get free shipping.
Shame, Toy R Us. 100 lashes with a wet noodle for conspicuous misspelling.
Speaking of which, I drove next to a McDonalds truck the other day that had this on the side: CONTENTS INSIDE: FRESH. ‘Kay, not to get picky or anything, but ‘contents’ and ‘inside’ mean the same thing. They cancel each other out. It makes no sense. You could say, CONTENTS: FRESHNESS or you could say CONTENTS, FRESH! But contents inside? I say no.
NO, McDonalds.
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Saturday, December 6th, 2008
Here are the Anya Bast titles you can get a very low sale price at Ellora’s Cave right now.
Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis IV — $3.00
Blood of an Angel — $3.50
Blood of the Damned — $3.50
Summer and Autumn — $4.50
Charmed Wishes — $4.50
A Change of Seasons — $3.00
Go here and follow the paperback links at the bottom. Please note that all my Ellora’s Cave titles are very hot. They’re erotic romance. So if you’re coming to my site as a result of reading my Elemental Witches series, please understand that my EC novels are HOTTER.
EC also has a pretty good deal going on right now for free shipping, so head on over there. I am ALL ABOUT free shipping when I can get it.
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Friday, December 5th, 2008
Cross-posted from Fangs, Fur & Fey.
If you’re in the publishing industry, chances are you’ve noticed all the gloom and doom. The nasty sharp-toothed monster that is affecting our economy is definitely taking little bloody chunks out of the book industry as well. The news is even motivating a grass roots buy-a-book-for-a-gift campaign. You’ve probably seen it. Buy a book this weekend, just one.
Hey, any excuse to buy a book is excuse enough for me! You don’t have to ask me twice! And, anyway, when someone asks me what I want as a gift, I always say BOOKS. In fact, no one in my family even has to ask that question. My gift preference hasn’t changed since I was six.
So I’ve been “supporting my fellow authors” (hee!) by making sure I take trips to the bookstore every weekend to pick up a new book for my already towering TBR pile. (I swear that thing is going to tip over and smother me in my sleep one night. I really need to think about an eReader. Are you listening, Santa?) HEY, I have to do my part, right? Plus, I’m buying books as presents for the readers on my shopping list instead the other things I might ordinarily gift them with. I’m actually surprised my book buying hasn’t propped up the industry by now. I could probably do it single-handed.
The one person I never buy books for is my husband, however. He is not a reader (I love him despite this very major flaw). Worse, he doesn’t understand being a reader. So when he inquires about my towering TBR pile and asks why I’m buying MORE books he only shakes his head when I tell I’m supporting my industry. He equally doesn’t understand my normal (non-publishing-industry-in-peril) reasoning for buying more books while I still have books to read. That would be MOOD.
What I choose to read is at the whim of my mood. Sometimes I’m in the mood for a gritty suspense or horror novel that will make me want to hide under the covers. Or sometimes I want an urban fantasy that will sweep me away to another version of Earth, or an intricate historical fantasy that will make me marvel at the author’s imagination. Other times I want a highly romantic story that will make me sniffle and sigh.
The result is my own private library with a vast selection of books that I can pick and choose from. He’ll point accusingly to a novel on the bottom of the pile and say, “Hey, that one’s been there for a month!” I’ll respond by saying, “Its time hasn’t come, but it will. I just have to be in the right mood.”
So, what about you? Do you read by mood too? Or not so much?
ALSO: I have done all my bookmark mailings for WITCH HEART and I still have a box of bookmarks left. So, if you want a bookmark, just let me know!! Send me your mailing address per the contact form on my site and I’ll get one to you. If you work for a bookstore or otherwise send out authorly promo for some reason, I’m also happy to send to you. Thanks!
Posted in Whatever | 10 Comments »
Monday, December 1st, 2008
This is why I don’t buy an iPhone. I am bad with my personal electronics. I dropped my cell phone in the toilet at RAW in September (I have a chintzy, cheap replacement phone right now to get me to the end of my current contract). My daughter spilled apple juice on the keyboard of my beautiful new laptop not a week after I’d purchased it. I moved pretty fast and saved it, but the delete key sticks to this day. Then my cat splashed coffee on the screen a couple weeks ago. There’s still a faint stain.
Now purple melted Play-doh on the bottom.
The problem is that my laptop is like an appendage. I use it ALL THE TIME. It goes EVERYWHERE with me. I guess this is just the price my electronics must pay to belong and to be beloved by me. (Tell that to my poor cell phone, right?)
*Pets laptop*
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Monday, December 1st, 2008
Lauren Dane’s UNDERCOVER releases tomorrow! Read it, loved it. You will too.
Journey to an erotic future universe of passion, danger and deceit…
As a lieutenant of the Federation military, Sera Ayers is more accustomed to giving orders than taking them. Now she must obey the one man she can’t stand–and can’t stop thinking about.
With the enemy Imperialists gaining ground, a new covert team is assembled by Ash Walker. Ten years before, Sera had lovingly submitted to Ash’s dominance in the bedroom. But when he was forced into a political marriage, she left him rather than become his mistress. His marriage now over, Ash wants Sera on his team–and back in his bed.
The third team member, Brandt Pela, has an elegance to match Ash’s savage sexuality. And when their undercover plan requires Sera to pose as Brandt’s lover, it ignites a passion among the three of them more dangerous than their mission…
Also, Patrice Michelle’s Scions: Revelation releases today!
Caine Grennard is a werewolf, living among humans and lacking purpose—until the night he meets a woman with an exotic, irresistible scent. A woman who might be his deadliest enemy.
When her aunt is kidnapped, Emma Gray swears she’ll do anything to get the older woman back. Even if it means trusting the mysterious—and sexy—stranger named Caine.
But more is at stake than one woman’s life: Emma’s past holds the last key to unlocking a prophecy Caine’s clan is depending on. The fates of both their clans rest on Caine and Emma trusting the impossible, electric connection between them, even in the midst of betrayal.…
Annnnd…. Megan Hart’s Spice Brief, Layover, releases today too.
The first time she’d met him, he’d been blindfolded and at her mercy. Partnered in a trust exercise, Graham had been enticed by the allure of Julia’s voice, and eagerly followed her direction to navigate a maze. But as a warm friendship developed between them, their mutual attraction remained unacknowledged. And in the long-distance e-mail relationship that followed, their reticence persisted. Until the day a cancelled flight stranded Julia in Graham’s home town.
Both tried to play it cool, though each had approached their dinner date with intense anticipation. But the minute they stepped into Julia’s hotel room, the flood gates opened and their unfettered passion exploded. What really excited Julia, though, was that as in the trust exercise, Graham was great at taking direction. Because what really excited Graham was pleasuring Julia as no one else ever had.
WHEW!!! I think that’s it. I know the covers are ginormous, but I’m too lazy to resize them. Hey! At least I’m honest. 😉
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Sunday, November 30th, 2008
I hope the American peeps had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We celebrated at my house and I cooked up a storm (I like to do that) and we all ended up with fat, happy bellies.
Here am I with Wicked Enchantment. I’ve revised my first draft target to 85k, since I know I’ll add so much during the second and third drafts.
I wrote about 10k this week, despite the holiday sucking up a bunch of my time. The story is flowing very well at this point.
In other news, ZOMG!, it’s almost time for Witch Heart to release (January 6th)! That just hit me the other day. Yipes. Time flies.
Here’s the book vid, for those who didn’t catch it the first time around.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntoByiP9aFQ]
Oh, and Frauke from Crocodesigns decorated my site for Christmas. Pretty, yes?
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Monday, November 24th, 2008
The Chosen Sin is a recommended read over at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques.
Anne says in part, “THE CHOSEN SIN is a fantastic blend of the futuristic, erotic, and the vampire. Anya Bast demonstrates a unique flair at creating such an unusual and yet oh so captivating world populated with multidimensional characters. THE CHOSEN SIN is absolutely a must read!” You can read the whole review here.
Also, Harriet Klausner recently reviewed Witch Heart, third in the Elemental Witches series and due out on January 6th.
“The story line is fast-paced from the onset with deadly Tevan relentlessly tracking down the heroine while Adam and his coven do everything they can to protect her. Fans will enjoy the third bewitching blast as the witch and the handmaiden fall in love, even as the enemy keeps on coming to steal the elium without regard to Claire’s well being.”
So, are you all ready for Thanksgiving (‘Merican peeps, anyway)? I’m cooking dinner for a small crowd, about seven people, some of whom are vegetarians (which always makes it interesting). Martha Stewart is on in the background and making me want to cook artichokes. We don’t normally do a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, so I have some leeway. I might do cornish hens instead of turkey.
What are you making for dinner on Thursday? Something traditional or not so much?
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