One of Those Weeks

This week has been absolutely crazy. It was already shortened by the holiday and as much as I loved having a day off to spend with the girls...sometimes you regret those vacation days. At least I do.

I won't go into details because frankly I don't want to scare anyone. Suffice it to say that the Playfriends have talked me down off several ledges this week. Nothing life threatening or earth shattering just more than I thought I could handle at one time.

However, on the bright side of things, I'm an aunt again. My newest niece was born on Tuesday at 12:55 PM. She's adorable and I can't wait to watch her grow up. Seeing her big sister holding baby for the first time reminded me so much of my own girls. Which reminds me how quickly Sweet Pea and Baby Girl are growing up.

I have not held the baby yet - my children are both sick and I didn't want to risk it - but I have a feeling those nostalgic moments will only get stronger when I do. If I start looking moonily at her will someone remind me that phase in my life is over? I really don't have time for another infant... Nevermind. I just thought of changing diapers and the moment passed.

On another bright note, I got a new release date. My next book - the sequel to Whispers in the Dark - will be coming out January 2011. I'm very excited to see Anne and Blake's story hit the shelves!

To celebrate the happiness this week (and to make me forget the bad stuff) I'm going to give a copy of Afterburn to one commenter today. Tell me if there's anything new and exciting going on in your life. Anything you're anticipating? Was your week a wreck? Heck, even tell me about your vacation plans...and whether or not you'll regret them when you get back to the real world.

Instigator

The Beginning

For all intents and purposes, earlier this week I wrote The End on my latest Blaze. I'm letting it sit for several days because I know I need to read back through it and smooth out a few rough edges but for the most part, it's done. (and just in time to meet my deadline too. :-)). I'm excited about this book as it's the sequel to my first Blaze, Whispers in the Dark.

But at the moment, I'm more excited about what comes next. After living for months with these people in my head they've finally moved on. And new people have arrived. I woke this morning with the opening scene for my next book rambling away in my brain. Already, I love these characters and I can't wait to get these words down on the page.

This is the part of writing that I absolutely love. The beginning. I know a lot of people loath this part...the trying to figure out your characters, the plot, the black moment, their conflict, blah, blah, blah. I love the fact that they're brand new and almost anything can happen. I love that one tiny decision on my part can change the direction of their book, their lives.

This euphoria can be a little dangerous. On several occasions I have been guilty of abandoning a project (just for a few days) for the greener pastures of the new characters and idea that's just burning to get out. The bright side? Even if I do (or rather, if I have the luxury of time to do this) about the time I hit chapter four or five that new shine has worn off and I'm full steam ahead into the 'I suck' section that I talked about several weeks ago.

Later today I'm going to write down the scene that was playing in my head. I can't wait.
If you're a writer, what's your favorite part of the writing process? If you're a reader, what do you get excited about starting?

Instigator

Fan Letters

You know, the last couple of weeks have been pretty darn good :-) And they've recently gotten even better. I've received several emails from readers who've really enjoyed Whispers. As if seeing it on the shelf wasn't excitement enough...someone actually likes it :-)

My friends have all told me how wonderful the story is. And while I believe them and their opinions do matter to me...it's sorta like your mom telling you you're beautiful. They have to tell me it's good (besides, they had their chance to tell me it sucked when they critted it :-)). It's a little different when a total stranger takes time from their busy day to write and tell you how wonderful your story is.

All I can say is that it puts a huge smile on my face for the rest of the day. And makes all the hard work and late nights worth it.

You know, I've been a voracious reader since the third grade and I've never sent a fan letter to an author before. There are plenty of authors I admire. Plenty of authors I want to be when I grow up. But I've never bothered to tell them how much their stories move, inspire and transport me. Honestly, it never occurred to me that it would matter to them. Now that I realize it might I think I'm going to sit down and write several :-)

So, if you're a reader please know that your letters do matter (especially if they come on a day we've found a bad review in the vast blackness of cyberspace).

Instigator

P.S. Kate's winner from yesterday is Crystal Lee. Please email Playground Monitor with your snail mail addy and she will pass it along to Kate. Congrats!

Launch Party - Whispers in the Dark

The past week and a half have been an absolute blur. Oh who am I kidding? The past fourteen months have been a blur. But it's finally here - Whispers in the Dark is on the shelves! Cue the happy hamster dance music and the Squee machine.

I'll be honest and say that the experience has exceeded even my wildest expectations. There's nothing like walking into my local Walmart to see my own book on the shelf (which is the picture to the left).

And I have to say that I couldn't have asked for a better release date - right smack dab in the middle of national conference. In fact, my book's official release date was the same day we presented our workshop.

As if that wasn't enough, I got to attend the literacy signing for the very first time. It was a bit of a surreal experience but what better way to lose my signing virginity than with 520 of the most talented writers? (I have to say a huge Thank You to Nalini Singh! She sat next to me and was so friendly and wonderful.) Whispers was also featured at the book fair and about Saturday morning Smarty Pants reminded me that it would probably be an excellent idea if I went and signed them all. Doh! I seriously should have thought of that sooner. All week I had trouble remembering that I was supposed to be promoting my book. I seriously need to practice that a bit. However, my kick ass first sale shoes got me some major attention which usually reminded me (how could I forget the reason for them in the first place?!?).

I'm so glad that everyone here on the playground has been on this amazing journey with me over the last year. It wouldn't have been the same experience without the excitement and support of the Playfriends and the wonderful friends I've met through this blog. So, in honor of y'all we're throwing a huge party. Indulge in the chocolate fountain, free-flowing drinks of every variety, calorie free cheese cake and cheese pizza (what can I say? I like pizza). Schedule an appointment with the masseuse and pull up a mani/pedi chair. Indulge and enjoy - I know I will!

Thanks everyone!! I couldn't have gotten here without you all.

Love,
Kira

P.S. I'm going to give away a free copy of Whispers to one commenter today so be sure to say hi!

Keep Angel Company Winners!!!

First, I want to thank everyone who commented and the wonderful Honorary Playfriends who were nice enough to guest blog with me this week. Though I miss the Playfriends, I've had a great time at home and enjoyed spending it with all of you.

A few things of interest before we get down to business:

Don't forget to check out Instigator's book! It hit the shelves yesterday (officially!), though it has been sold out around north Alabama. It can still be purchased on eHarlequin at this link:


http://www.eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=17401&cid=192
As you can see, we're all reading it right now. :) We'll be having a special launch party next Thursday, August 7th, here on the blog!

Also, if you'd like to see some of the things going on at RWA National Conference, check out our good friend Barbara Vey's blog at this link:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288.html

Now, on to the fun part. Each of the following visitors will receive a prize pack from the Playfriends! Just email me at angel@writingplayground.com with your snail mail address so we can send it out to you. All prizes must be claimed within 7 days or they will be reawarded.


Jane

Liza

Jolie

My Writers Attic

Cherie J

Michelle L

I really appreciate you ladies keeping me company!!!

Next week, I hope you'll join us as we return to our regularly scheduled programming. :) And don't forget Instigator's Launch party on Thursday. There will be lots of squees, cyber petit fours, and bubbly.


I'm sure the Playfriends will be full of news from Nationals and maybe I can con them into posting a picture or two...



Angel

How to get gifties from the Playfriends...

Conference is coming… let the countdown begin!

For those of you going to San Francisco:

We’d love to meet any of the Honorary Playfriends who will be there. Our Instigator, Kira Sinclair, will be signing for the first time at the huge Literacy Signing Wednesday night. Come by and tell her hello (and grab a copy of her book to support a great cause).

On Friday at 2pm, Instigator, Smarty Pants, and I will be giving a workshop with Blaze editor Brenda Chin. We promise it will be entertaining—and PM will be there handing out all kinds of goodies to the participants. We’d love to have friendly folks there to cheer us on, so come by.

Should you happen to see us around the hotel, please stop us and introduce yourself. To encourage you shy types, we have special surprises just for our blog readers who find us at the conference. Just let us know you read the blog to claim yours.

And, and if you do see us, remind us that Angel expects lots of pictures and we’re supposed to be using those cameras in our bags.

For our blog friends who won’t be at the conference, we’ll have plenty going on here. Our Angel has to stay home, so we’re running a Keep Angel Company Contest while we’re gone. To be entered for great prizes (books, chocolate, gifties from San Francisco), all you have to do is help keep our Angel from getting lonely. Comment on the blog, send her jokes and messages, whatever you can think of to entertain her in our absence. We’ll show our gratitude when we get home!

It's Finally Here!

My very first cover :-D Can you tell I'm excited? I was absolutely ecstatic when I got the email from my wonderful editor. I thought it would be at least another month before I'd get my cover so I was very pleasantly surprised.

Now the fun begins. I need to update my website (I know, SP, I need to get my butt in gear). Design postcards for an upcoming promotional opportunity. Order my promo for our annual reader's luncheon. And on and on and on. :-) August will be here before I know it and somehow I feel like I'm behind the eight ball already.

On another note, my galleys also arrived by DHL the other day. I get to read the book one more time before it all becomes official and I can no longer fix the his that was supposed to be her. I'm slightly nauseous with nerves at the thought.

So, tell me, if you saw this book in the store would you pick it up?

Instigator

P.S. Congratulations to Wendy and Joyce Ann, PM's winners from yesterday! Please email her here to claim your prize. Prizes not claimed within seven days will be reawarded.

An Early Christmas Present

This year I got an early Christmas present - a title and release date. YAY!! Whispers in the Dark will be an August 08 Harlequin Blaze release.

Everyone keeps telling me that things are going to move quickly now. Art fact sheets. Line edits. Getting my cover. Seeing my book on the shelf. My first signing. And I know it will. 8 months is going to fly. Part of me just can't wait. And part of me is scared out of my skull.

What if my grandmother reads the book and hates it? (not that she'd probably say anything...) What if my mom reads the book and loves it? I don't mind her buying it but somehow that's a line I think maybe shouldn't be crossed, like the unacknowledged fact that your parents must have had sex in order for you to exist.

I've heard several times that selling your first book doesn't solve everything. You exchange one set of problems for another. I think in most cases you can substitute the word problem for fears. Each time I sent a submission out I was afraid - afraid it wouldn't be good enough, afraid to get feedback that would hurt, afraid that someone would say I should just quit while I was ahead. Those fears are gone, replaced by new ones. What if I get a bad review? What if I get prison mail? What if I can't do it again?

So no, the problems and fears don't go away they just morph and change. But this week none of that matters because I have a release date :-)

What are you anticipating?

Instigator

P.S. The winner of PM's handy-dandy booklight is Chelle! Please email the Playground Monitor to arrange to get your prize.