Guidelines For Nocturne Bites 3

I love a shiny new room...

We didn't take long to fill the last few pages on Guidelines 2, did we?  I came back after a few days, and we'd moved! 

Welcome back to Oz, Anna.  Hope you had a fab time in DC.  We've hit 20 members at your FB page - rockin'!

Welcome to Marianne and Erica.  It's great here..

Melissa - fingers crossed, but I don't suppose the contact info is a deal-killer.  If they want it, they'll want it anyway, eh?

Crystal, Catherine and Erica - I had that same trouble, the year before last.  I had loads of beginnings (all grammatically lovely), and no endings.  I just had to learn to push through.  I found, for me, there was no point in getting too tied up in the logistics, because my plot/characters/conflicts/whatevers were likely going to change.  I have in the past plotted until death, but I'm learning just to write the darn thing, which is kinda of liberating, so long as I have a general plan.  Like Nora Roberts says in a much more succint manner, you can't fix it if you don't write it! 

Lulu, I'm not sure if anyone answered your question about editors calling.  Not that they've called me (!), but I understand you get a form R email, or a phone call if they'd like to take it on, with revisions if needed (but it needs to be pretty tight)... 

I've had a Bites sub in for not quite five months.  I've sent a follow-up email, but no news yet.  Which is, hopefully - as they say - good news!

Rach and I have kicked off our writeathon - on target thus far.  But it's only week 1 of 10!  I have high hopes for us, though...   You go, Rach!

My eyeballs are returning slowly to normal.  I still get some blurriness (for some reason, I now can't wear my fave sunnies - poop!), and discomfort, but I'm looking well!

Hiya Dee, Nellie, Micki, Diane.  Hope your writing is powering along nicely. 

Right, back to the cave for me.  Take care, Emily. 

OOOOHHh new room.. Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll wait until the 3 month mark to send the status email and put our phone number in it. 

 Anna: I read what you said about the tension right away and I did see that in Savage Dragon. Our bite had tension but it had been going on for a while and the hero and heroine reunited it was set to flame again... hopefully that will work out the same.  If you get a R with comments on how to change can you resubmit after you revise or is the nocturne bites a once and done deal? I didn't know but I thought somewhere I had read that you can only submit the bite once. I could be wrong though.

We are out of the writing funk so to speak. We wrote only about 500 words yesterday but I had a great dream last night that I outlined for a new romance and we've outlined most of another one as well. I usually don't outline but have just a general idea and change as I go but having the dream and coming up with the other idea, I didn't want to forget anything so I just jotted it all down.

 I started a new blog website with wordpress but haven't added too much. You can come check it out and let me know what you like and don't like so far.  www.melissagolliday.wordpress.com  If I can get it just the way I want it I thought I'd buy the domain name. I checked out Michelle Willingham's site and love her design. I checked out the designer but we'll have to wait until we sell a MS for that design. 

 We're getting ready to head out to the petting zoo and my father-in-law's camper for the day but our oldest is spending the night with them so after the baby goes to bed it is back to writing again! I've been typing so much I now have to wear wrist braces. Not to worry, I only wear them typing and cross stitching, not all the time. Oh the pains of being an author 

You're dead right -- I did actually like Dreamcatcher, found it quite moving, but at the end of the day... yeah, I'm not going for 'moving'. I should post a pic of Buffy and Spike on my wall for constant, er, motivation! 'Cuz let's face it, Angel was sweet, but he only got interesting when he went bad...

Crystal, have you ever read any Anne Lamott? She makes a great point in Bird by Bird, her (excellent) book on writing. She says you might write six pages of sh*t before you finally come up with a single sentence that captures exactly what you want to say. But the thing is, you would never have written that sentence if you hadn't written those six pages of sh*t. (She also, encouragingly, has an entire chapter devoted to sh*tty first drafts... She uses lots of swears...)

I'm running with another piece of Lamott advice -- you only have to write what you can see through a one-inch picture frame. Not the whole story in one sitting. Just the bit where the heroine looks across the orchard and catches a glimpse of what looks like, say, fur. That advice is my lifeline right now.

Thanks Erica I will have to purchase and read the book to add to my collection of writing tips. She sounds like she would have some good advice - swear words and all!

So pleased with how well you two are doing with the write-a-thon. Rach, I'm really happy you had that AHA moment and congrats on the 1000 words in one sitting.

Melissa - I like the sound of the tension in your Bite, especially the "set to flame" part (-: Having the hero and heroine know each other (and have had tension before) helps in a short story. It's hard to fall in love with someone realistically (but not impossible) in 15,000 words! In Savage Dragon and Wind Kissed, Fire Bound the heroes and heroines knew each other before the story starts. Btw, the blog looks great so far - I love the banner at the top and the cover for Uncovered Passion is great.

Crystal - you've probably learned so much since you wrote that first story, so working on one of the current ones is probably a good idea. Good luck.

Erica - why not have moving and heat in the same story! A pic of Buffy and Spike (or just Spike would work for me) sounds like a good idea. I like Angel, but Spike is the true redeemed bad boy.

Aileen - wow, you did a great job with August's eBook releases. I have a Bite in Sept and Oct, so any time you want the details for those, please let me know! Congrats on the mention in The Washington Post - that's huge.

Anna

Dee, whatever info you might have would be great. I understand the need to go through proper channels.

Anna, Thanks for heads up on your September release. I'll go snag the info off your site as soon as the cover is available. Since September 1 is a Tuesday, it will likely be included in New eBook Releases on August 31.

Now all I have to do is stop playing on my blog and focus on the rewrite of my next novella!

Anna, are you preparing the single-title for Luna? Or are you able to talk about it? How exciting!

Just ducked over from FB, where I've been putting up Anna's hot new cover on her fanpage.  This place is hopping at the moment, so I had to come and comment!

I lerv Anna's new cover.  Her hero is a yum-fest in the story, and I think they've nailed him perfectly in the cover art.  He's my favourite hero of hers (Although, I really liked the hero in her October release, TAKEN BY THE SOUTH WIND.  And - there's another story, um...  Well, it's hard to pick a fave, but they rock...).

Livia, in WIND KISSED, FIRE BOUND, is a no-nonsense, intense, protector type,  I think she's good in the cover art - not quite what I had in my head - but the stance gels.  But, oh, that man....

Rach and I both nailed our first week of the 'Justbloodygetitdoneathon".  Cool.  So pleased, Rach, that you had an AHA!  moment.  Now I'd better look out, because she's on a roll!  Yay for you, Rach! 

Speaking of me dribbling - I did a blog post the other day, it took about an hour and a half, and it seemed kinda big, so I pasted it into a word doc and checked the word count.  OMG.  Two thousand words, exactly.  Not including the title.  It's written like I speak, not like I write, but I sooo wish I could get that kind of output in a WIP.  Couldn't guarantee quality, but....  :)

No news about my Bites sub.  It'll be five months on August 9th.  No feedback from follow-up email, either - they're busy peeps... 

I got called into work yesterday (I'm a relief teacher), and I never, ever get any writing done on those days, because I'm torched by 4pm.  But - I supervised a group of seven Year 12's (final year) that had to do a little exam, so I pulled out the pad paper and hand wrote four pages.  Look out Rach! 

Now I just have to type it in.  It was necessary, but it feels like doubling handling to me.   How do you write?  I know that our very own Barbara J Hancock (WILDERNESS), writes everything long hand in her first draft (just like JK Rowling!).  What about you?  I find myself doing a bit of both, which is messy, but it works (mostly!). 

Aileen, loving your blog posts - keep up the good stuff.

Rach - the big stick made good kindling for the fire.  He is still capable of THE LOOK, though.  Luckily, he goes to work at 5:30am, so thereafter is MY time!  :)

Take care, all, and hope your writing is motoring along. 

Emily, who seems incapable of short posts, signing out (finally.  Rach, just read, like, half...).  X 

I'm still feeling tired from my long plane ride and could do with some magic!

Aileen - get to work on that novella!  Emily~elove blogged about Internet time suckers recently on her blog - you should check it out.

Lulu - my single title would be more suited to HQN I think (Luna is more fantasy).  I'm going to go the old fashioned route of querying agents once it's finished.  I'm still working on it, but there are some dark and dangerous angels in it and its set in Australia.

Melissa - glad you liked the cover, I hope it does okay too (-:

Emily - thanks for the comments on Livia and so glad you think Rafe is yummy!  Although I think all my heroes are (-:  Hang in there on the waiting - btw, I heard from an Aussie RWA member that she's been waiting 5 months too.

I posted my blog at the Nocturne Authors Blog, so please come and share your fav Nocturne heroines (and what you'd like to see in a future Nocturne heroine).

Anna

Thanks for sharing this one! :)

I received an email yesterday from the features editor at The New York Post. She asked me a few questions about eBook romances, but one really stood out for me. She wanted to know if I thought an increase in reading romances in eBook format was due to the fact that no one can see what you're reading.

I don't want to sway you with my opinion, so I'm just going to say that I've put up a poll here about reading romance in public. I'm very curious what people think.

Anna--Thanks for the kick in the butt.

Emily--Funny post about time-suckers on your blog! I'm guilty of almost all of those.

Feeling really very frustrated today. Soooo many things to do around the house, kids sports etc all weekend, sick dog, always working at things I hate to make money I need. Grrrrrrrr!! How do you all out there fit everything in!!??!! Honestly. I started writing late thismorning and ended up FALLING ASLEEP on my pages. Argh. Just frustrating.

On the positive front I am well over my 1000 words for the week in the justbloodywriteit-athon and now am finding that I am always constantly itching to write more. Which is a GOOD thing, but also part of the frustration.

Time to pick up the kiddies. 

How you going Em?

Thanks for the magic, Dee!

Hi Nellie - good luck with your studies and it's great to hear that you can find some inspiration in there.  I completely agree that the paranormal genre gives you lots of options...for all kinds of things.  Glad you liked the cover for Wind Kissed.

Nikki - Glad to hear you're keeping busy while you wait.  Thanks for checking out Wind Kissed.

Aileen - a call from the New York Post, that's impressive!  I can't say the whole "embarrassed about the cover" thing ever crossed my mind as a reason why sales would be up!  Most people do their reading at home, don't they, so no one's going to see the cover.  That said, I voted on your poll and while I'm not embarrassed that I love to read romance, a couple of covers have made me obscure the cover a time or two.

Micki - hurry up and give those characters some satisfaction.

Rach - the good writing days come and go.  The worst is when you have free time and the words don't flow...I always feel like I've wasted precious time when that happens.  Just remember to keep moving forward, even if it's only a few words.

Emily - Good for you for trying something different with the handwriting.  Like I said to Rach, keep moving forward and don't sweat it if it's not great.  You can fix it later.  Now, if only I can follow my own advice!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and gets lots of writing done (I'm hoping I do!)

Anna

Emily, you and other writers I've known who manage to write despite the presense of wee ones totally amaze me. I'm still trying to 'find' the time despite the presense of a boyfriend. Your post just reminded me what a poor excuse that is!

Aileen, that's an interesting theory on ebook popularity, but I wonder if the rise in ebook sales is limited to genres with embarrassing covers. I was a paper-only purist until the handiness that is my new iPod Touch converted me -- I got into ebooks before I got into romance. On the other hand, I guess you could compare it to porn, with guys no longer needing to skulk around seedy video rental stores or to hide that brown paper package under the mattress...>:-)

And speaking of poor excuses, I am, right now, not working on my WIP because I'm on here talking about writing. Aren't I a clever procrastinator?

Erica---Since there are no statistics on erotic romance eBook sales for us to point to, it looks like all we can do is guess. I'd say, yes, there are probably a lot of women who like to read erotic romance eBook in public on a reader, but is it the major driver behind sales of eBook romances? I don't know. I'll be curious to learn if, as more and more sweet to moderate romances come into the eBook market, not to mention women's thrillers and romantic suspense, how the sales will shake out.

Anna--just went to your Nocturne Bites blog post as well as your site. Looking forward to your WindKeeper series. Also love the dark look of your website. 

Nothing wrong with 5k in and no dialogue, to my mind.  I've just realised that I'm 2k in and my hero is nameless. 

"And you are?" she purred.

"You know, I have absolutely no idea.."

"Well, you look like a Fabio, or maybe a Thor, to me.  Rowr!"

Welcome to the House of Fun, Tina.  Good luck with your writing. 

Right, off to think of a name for a sufer/studmeister merman..

That's such a bummer. How disappointing. Especially after waiting and waiting :(   I am so glad you sent it straight on out to another publisher. I think that's so brave of you. I must admit that my R'd bite is in hiding. I plan to make changes on it at some stage and resubmit but that R was so awful I can't bring myself to look at it right now. Whimp that I am. Anyway, glad you indulged in a little something and I hope you are feeling a bit better. I have been over to your blog recently and have read a few snippets of your work. Awesome stuff. Keep it coming. And good luck second time around. All my fingers crossed!!

Rach. 

Not to sound too much like a crazy wannabe, but I am actually jealous of your R. I don't have any of those, because I haven't had the guts to polish up anything of mine and actually submit it somewhere that might, well, R it. I've always imagined that real writers have drawerfuls of these, stored up for the great irony that will be the ultimately wild success of the R'd piece. I think they exist so that later, when a starry-eyed newbie says something like, "You've had it so easy, with all your overnight runaway success," you can smile knowingly and sagely and pull open the drawer to reveal the R's that had plagued that piece before its "overnight" success.

That's how it goes in my head, anyway.  Sending cyber hugs.

Also? One of the first things my heroine says to my hero -- 5,000 words in and after two steamy scenes and one ocean rescue -- is, "What's your name?" *double facepalm*

I'm glad you've immediately resent it to another publisher. I swear, getting into the Nocturne Bites ain't easy.

Would it cheer you up a little that I've got Love Me Knots all cued up and ready to go tomorrow for my "Romance Novel Trailers for a Sunday Afternoon" post? The post with five eBook trailers goes up Aug 2 (tomorrow) at noon.

Tina--welcome to the forum! We've got lots of virtual hugs, kicks in the pants, and chocolate cookies to go around.

Melissa, I have sent you an e-mail incase you are still looking for a reader volunteer. Feel free to check out my profile, or some of my writing examples on the Write a Date With Destiny 2009 and the Writer's Challenge blogs. Would love to acquire a CP in the future so this may work well for both of us if our writing styles are compatible!