-
All responses Most smiled responses
-
I have planned for some time to finish this series on my own, but I recently announced it officially on my blog. Here's the link: http://www.michellerowen.com/2011/08/25/confronting-my-demon-princess/ :)
-
When I get writers block, it usually means that I'm either really tired and drained and I need to "refill the well" or that I've taken a wrong direction in my plotting and my characters don't know what to do. Or I'm trying to get my characters to do something that's really not suitable to them.
I take it as a sign that I need to do some thinking off-page about story direction. Frankly, I rarely get writer's block because I work from an outline, so I already know the twists and turns my story is going to take. I think writer's block is sometimes because the writer is overthinking their story. I recommend "Write or Die" which you can Google to find the website for. It challenges you to basically turn off your "thinking" and "editing" brain and just write like the wind! Once you get going, sometimes that will break you right out of whatever's blocking you and the words just start to flow.
And if you can't get past the first chapter, I don't think your characters have enough to do. What do they want? Why do they want it? What's standing it their way? Brainstorm a list of things they can do on the way to whatever they're seeking. Send they on their merry way to get what they want and find reasons to stop them along the way! Action, conflict, challenge...that's what it's all about. Good luck! -
asked by socialgirl2009
It took me about two years from beginning to end to write my first book. A lot of that time was procrastinating, though. I still spend the same amount of hours actually writing now that I did then, only it's a lot more condensed now. Like, A LOT more condensed.
The editing part isn't always fun. I have it down to about two weeks now to do my second draft (although, I'm working about 12 hours a day, depending on how much work the manuscript needs) and I really recommend Holly Lisle's One Draft Revision http://hollylisle.com/one-pass-manuscript-revision-from-first-draft-to-last-in-one-cycle/ which I've adapted to suit the way I like to revise.
And did I ever wonder "Will anyone like this book? Or does my book just suck?" I still wonder that with every book I write. EVERY book. And I can guarantee you, that some people will like it and some will think it sucks. No matter how good the book actually is. That's just the way it is. Don't worry about what other people think.
When I start to get down about the writing -- because writing is definitely work and can be very draining -- I just try to be true to the characters. It's their story I'm trying to tell. Am I giving it all I've got? Am I leaving anything unsaid? Get it all on paper and be true to your characters and world and the rest is gravy.
Also, I always say that when you hate your book and you never want to see it again, that's when you know it's almost done! ;-) So it's a good thing! -
First of all, this will be different for everyone. I have come to realize that my initial timelines were very speedy and I was very lucky. After I got my agent in late 2004, I revised my novel again after he gave me some notes on it. Once he sent it out to publishers about a month later, I had an offer within a day and accepted a deal (with a different publisher than the one that originally offered) within a week. My first book came out one year later. A year still seems to be a very average timeline, even now, between submitting my contracted book to an editor and having it published.
-
There's a very good reason for that change -- it's not a mistake. Read Nightshade to find out why... :)
-
asked by MCalliope
Certainly. I have plenty of ideas for new stuff and a lot of it is simmering right now in my imagination. What it will be and when I'll be able to work on it is mostly unknown at this point, but I definitely want to do more books for the adult market beyond what I already have contracted.
-
asked by MCalliope
For Living in Eden, it is a trilogy, and after the third book, Darrak & Eden's story is complete. I don't see doing more books with a direct focus on this couple, but I've learned to never say never. For Nightshade, the original story arc is complete after book 2. I would like to write more about these characters since i think there's room to grow, but currently nothing further is contracted.
-
-
asked by MCalliope
I would write a book featuring Lucas in a heartbeat since I love that character so much and find him fascinating. He plays a rather pivotal role in THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC (out in December). Not totally sure if he'd make a great romantic hero, or if my publisher would be interested in such a potentially controversial hero, but if his perfect heroine presents herself to me as well as a perfect plot, I would definitely write a proposal for it and see what happens. All of this was a roundabout way of saying: Hey, you never know! ;)
-
Currently I have three books definitely scheduled for 2012: a novella called CATCH ME, inspired by the Gingerbread Man fairytale in the Blazing Bedtime Stories for Harlequin Blaze in February; DARK KISS, the first book in my new Nightwatchers young adult series from Harlequin Teen in June; and in the summer (month TBA) the first book in my new paranormal mystery series starring vampire fledging Sarah Dearly, BLOOD BATH & BEYOND for Penguin/NAL.
-
The most challenging thing for me is making sure my characters sound like teens. I'm not a teenager (I know, shocker), but I was one in the 80s. I'd rather my 16-year-old characters not wear leg warmers and listen to Duran Duran. Having to remember kids now live on their cell phones and email is a way of life is hard to remember. Plus, current slang. Like, totally! Not!! (<-- not current). However, teens today face the same core issues we did twenty years ago, self-acceptance, popularity, falling in love for the first time, etc., which is what I focus on (plus add in some demons and curses here and there). All the rest of it is window dressing. :)
-
I love all of my characters, but the one who speaks the loudest is Sarah Dearly. She basically writes herself, which is helpful. ;)
-
asked by MCalliope
I'll admit, is getting a little difficult to remember names. LOL. I've started a "name glossary" for this reason. Same reason that I've used two Malcolms - one in The Demon in Me and one in Lady & the Vamp -- without realizing it until the books were out. Also, I had to do a search and replace in my third Blaze since I kept calling the heroine the name of my heroine from my second Blaze. It's a juggling act! ;)
-
Yes, it's been fixed it in the final book. Nice catch, though!!! :)
-
asked by MCalliope
This is certainly possible, now that I'm going to be writing about Sarah and Thierry in paranormal mystery. It was fun to write those third person "flashback" scenes in Stakes & Stilettos. I'm not sure if I will use that method to show parts of his life that will affect their present situations or if he'll be relating these stories to Sarah while in Sarah's first person POV as the story calls for it. Time will tell! I like to have the option, though....
-
asked by MCalliope
First, schedule is decided by publisher, not by author. October would have been better IMHO, but I'm happy that it is scheduled for release in 2011 and not later than that. At this time, Living in Eden is a trilogy, which means there may not be a book 4 based in this world. Book 3 will end on a satisfying note. If there are more books someday, that's a bonus for me, but if not, the trilogy is complete. HOWEVER, should there be more books in the series, I would structure them in a way that includes Eden and Darrak as secondary characters. :)
-
I would really like to, but I'm not sure.
-
I really enjoyed visiting New York City a few years ago. One of the few places I plan to return to a few more times.
-
-
I have two domestic short hair kitties, Sammy and Spike.
-
Loading...
Michelle Rowen’s Bio
Michelle Rowen is the author of paranormal romance and young adult fantasy novels.
