tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65648538723440056302024-03-13T23:21:55.886-07:00Jaime LorenJaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-2719971871407736192016-09-20T21:17:00.002-07:002016-09-20T21:17:36.429-07:00You're Either Going to Love Me, or Hate Me...<br />
Hi, everybody!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVMRQDzCfUMN4Kqqhou_cfT1DxAByUhwDlqleIyoQNzNxNx2dAgB01pBGs9BPM523w-syl-HPkxprZj2bNux96zeKtlRpQXyo92575C32-_O6HgfPHBpfxTfEmfQ-NIj77cLJdgMWNQE/s1600/Dr._Riviera.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVMRQDzCfUMN4Kqqhou_cfT1DxAByUhwDlqleIyoQNzNxNx2dAgB01pBGs9BPM523w-syl-HPkxprZj2bNux96zeKtlRpQXyo92575C32-_O6HgfPHBpfxTfEmfQ-NIj77cLJdgMWNQE/s400/Dr._Riviera.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, you may have noticed on Goodreads that the publication date for FALLING FROM GRACE has been pushed back to November. *ducks rotten tomatoes*</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you've been following me on Twitter, you'll have heard my life took a HUGE turn (for the better!) in July. My soul mate proposed (yay!), so not only have I been planning an early December wedding, I've also had to renovate my house quick smart and put that on the market, whilst also packing in preparation to move. To say I've been ridiculously busy would be an understatement, and sadly, this hasn't left much time for editing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't want to publish a book that isn't ready, and a few ideas have popped up that I really want to add to the book, which brings me to my next piece of news...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There will be a WAITING FOR APRIL-related novella coming out early next year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyk0eJy_VHnIHl8qbrxFGsjXXyDYWXNfSxvL9_Hg_a9soNSo4eo6MoHAmMG9JBQpNUThrGqKWCO_3wWgKjCNcprcQcF6l36_bM-XsPhKqf_o4dITR4gId7toIh5FvlGtpCwDFhNZ7UP8/s1600/champagne-celebration-gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyk0eJy_VHnIHl8qbrxFGsjXXyDYWXNfSxvL9_Hg_a9soNSo4eo6MoHAmMG9JBQpNUThrGqKWCO_3wWgKjCNcprcQcF6l36_bM-XsPhKqf_o4dITR4gId7toIh5FvlGtpCwDFhNZ7UP8/s400/champagne-celebration-gif.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whilst the publication date for this novella hasn't been set, I'm hoping it'll be out by March. I know a lot (pretty much all) of you have been DYING to know what happened to a certain character, so that novella will centre around that person, as well as another character from book one. But that's not to say that/those character/s won't also be in book two. CRYPTIC MUCH? Yes. Yes it is. But I'm very excited, because this particular novella could bust this universe wide open!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw96w06_rhUVkjWrwUc7kC9bVuK7Mvd5dcAyQawxYHj_EUaURtgG3ksBFTxaaVpjV5jS8xTmyE5IKeRymOGNm9zn5UnpJwk0wZ2riJC2eKVKMlZZ2GRcAMV3ZBvFsGczlXhsKHjkWuGkw/s1600/orig-15791141.jpg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw96w06_rhUVkjWrwUc7kC9bVuK7Mvd5dcAyQawxYHj_EUaURtgG3ksBFTxaaVpjV5jS8xTmyE5IKeRymOGNm9zn5UnpJwk0wZ2riJC2eKVKMlZZ2GRcAMV3ZBvFsGczlXhsKHjkWuGkw/s400/orig-15791141.jpg.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In other news, the paperback edition of WAITING FOR APRIL will be available very soon! I'll keep you updated on that, too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the meantime, it's back to the writing cave for me! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNCXoCH7PBXkCzd4YaEpn3UsvWPQRsdH59CR-9sDuO29v1PAOJD4mGVzYtn_7ussfxYudrItfUJ9s8dHquxJ64IMynd8SBfEOjwLm-pcxF9UQTrZBSsZQ7hQfnA9xlUh3RL2QRsEis-o/s1600/raw-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNCXoCH7PBXkCzd4YaEpn3UsvWPQRsdH59CR-9sDuO29v1PAOJD4mGVzYtn_7ussfxYudrItfUJ9s8dHquxJ64IMynd8SBfEOjwLm-pcxF9UQTrZBSsZQ7hQfnA9xlUh3RL2QRsEis-o/s400/raw-1.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-85467571978873312642016-07-19T15:25:00.002-07:002016-07-26T17:00:51.563-07:00The Pitch Wars Post In Which I Tell You I'm Co-Mentoring With Mary Ann Marlowe and Casually Mention We Won The Last Pitch Wars We Teamed Up OnYes, it's that time of ye<span style="color: purple;">A</span>r! I'm so excited to be a part of Pitch Wars again, and I can't wait to dive in and co-mentor with the VERY talented <a href="http://www.maryannmarlowe.com/?p=3084" target="_blank">Mary Ann Marlowe</a> (whom I *cough* mentored to victory *cough* in 2014)!<br />
<br />
What do I like in a novel? Well, I write New Adult/Adult (WAITING FOR APRIL, and the upcoming FALLING FROM GRACE), and anything with a well-written romantic element will have me hooked! What Mary Ann and I are looking for is a hot contemporary Adult or New Adult romance!<br />
<br />
It'd probably help if I included a list of my favourite novels (YA and other genres included) so you can see how varied my interests are:<br />
<br />
Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER series. Because who doesn't love these books? (Crazy people, that's who.)<br />
Laini Taylor's DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE trilogy<br />
Lauren Oliver's DELIRIUM series<br />
Stephenie Meyer's THE HOST<br />
Kaki Warner's PIECES OF SKY (the Blood Rose series)<br />
Christina Lee's ALL OF YOU (the Between Breaths series)<br />
Jennifer Echols' LOVE STORY<br />
Sarah Fine's SANCTUM (the Guards of the Shadowlands series) and OF METAL AND WISHES (releases August 5th!)<br />
Mila Ferrera's SPIRAL / ONLY BETWEEN US / EVERYTHING BETWEEN US<br />
Lori M. Lee's GATES OF THREAD AND STONE (also releases August 5th!!!)<br />
Kendare Blake's ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD (the Anna series)<br />
Jennifer Rush's ALTERED series<br />
<br />
In every one of these novels, there's a love story, or a lust story, or both! Honestly, the hotter the better. The more tension, the better. If you're worried about tension, and that's something you want to focus on fixing in your ms, then I'M YOUR GIRL. Apparently. I mean, my CPs do usually send their mss to me with one note: "Hey, Sexual Tension Lady! Help!" So I guess that means I have an eye for it.<br />
<br />
As for my taste in movies/TV shows (in terms of pacing, perfectly timed humour, and plot), my favourites include:<br />
<br />
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (thank you, Shakespeare)<br />
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE<br />
DEFINITELY, MAYBE<br />
HOT FUZZ<br />
SHAUN OF THE DEAD<br />
WEDDING CRASHERS<br />
LET'S BE COPS<br />
STEP BROTHERS<br />
KICK-ASS<br />
THIS IS THE END<br />
THE HEAT<br />
PITCH PERFECT<br />
THE WEDDING SINGER<br />
50 FIRST DATES<br />
GAME OF THRONES<br />
BUFFY<br />
SUPERNATURAL<br />
And pretty much anything where the world is about to end.<br />
<br />
Is your MS funny? SEND IT TO US. Is it steamy? SEND IT TO US. Is it frustrating? SEND IT TO US. Basically, just send EVERYTHING TO US.<br />
<br />
So, if you're still with me, I guess you want to hear about me, yes? WELL. I'm an Aussie, I swear like a sailor, and I'm an insomniac. I have a medical science degree, as well as a masters in teaching. I've been a photographer, a lab technician, a mortuary technician, and a cardiac technician, so I have quite a bit of life experience. And some experience with death, too. THEREFORE, you cannot shock me. Seriously. I dare you to try.<br />
<br />
So, finalise those mss and SEND THEM TO USSSSSSSSSS. *prepares grabby hands* Mary Ann and I are prepared to KICK SOME ARSE!!!<br />
<br />
And now, to introduce you to the other fabulous mentors!<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- beginning of export. owner: brenleedrake, postid: 05Jul2016, columns: 3, mode: link --><br />
<table border="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left" class="blenza-td" valign="top" width="33%">1. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865070.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.lauraheffernan.com/2016/07/this-is-still-pitchwars-mentor-youre.html" target="_blank">Laura Heffernan</a></div>
<br />
2. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865078.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.kellysiskind.com/#!Im-a-Pitch-Wars-Mentor/c1q8z/575c69230cf2a5fcbccf55be" target="_blank">Kelly Siskind</a></div>
<br />
3. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865127.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://wp.me/p23BNx-kO" target="_blank">Jami Nord & K.T. Hanna</a></div>
<br />
4. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865144.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.carriecallaghan.com/blog/2016/6/17/my-pitchwars-wishlist" target="_blank">Carrie Callaghan</a></div>
<br />
5. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865145.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://brightonwalsh.com/pitchwars-wishlist/" target="_blank">Brighton Walsh</a></div>
<br />
6. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865150.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.michelle4laughs.com/p/pitchwars-mentor-bio.html" target="_blank">Michelle Hauck</a></div>
<br />
7. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865152.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://kellyegarrett.com/our-2016-pitch-wars-wishlist/" target="_blank">Kellye Garrett & Sarah Henning</a></div>
<br />
8. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865153.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.maryannmarlowe.com/?p=3084" target="_blank">Mary Ann Marlowe</a></div>
<br />
9. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865168.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://laurabrownauthor.com/2016/07/04/pitchwars-mentor-bio" target="_blank">Laura Brown</a></div>
<br />
10. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865187.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://hnstoneauthor.com/pitch-wars-2016-mentor-wishlist/" target="_blank">Hayley Stone</a></div>
<br />
11. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865257.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://margaritamontimore.wordpress.com/blog/2016-pitch-wars-bio-wish-list" target="_blank">Margarita Montimore</a></div>
</td><td align="left" class="blenza-td" valign="top" width="33%">12. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865325.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://jryates.ca/2016/07/05/jr-yates-pitch-wars-mentor/" target="_blank">JR Yates</a></div>
<br />
13. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865326.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.dianagardin.com/2016/07/did-someone-say-pitch-wars/" target="_blank">Diana Gardin</a></div>
<br />
14. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865340.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://laylareyne.blogspot.com/p/pitch-wars.html" target="_blank">Layla Reyne</a></div>
<br />
15. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10865479.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://susanbishopcrispell.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/pitch-wars-2016-you-might-be-our-mentee-if/" target="_blank">Karma Brown & Susan Bishop Crispell</a></div>
<br />
16. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10866138.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://michellehazenbooks.com/pitchwars-mentor-bio-wishlist/" target="_blank">Michelle Hazen</a></div>
<br />
17. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10866354.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://authorjcnelson.com/pitchwars-bio-jc-nelson/" target="_blank">J.C. Nelson</a></div>
<br />
18. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10867317.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.karaleighmiller.com/2016/07/pitchwars-mentor-bio-and-wishlist.html" target="_blank">Kara Leigh Miller & Meredith Ireland</a></div>
<br />
19. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10867399.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.heathervanfleet.com/blog2/ima2016pitchwarsmentor" target="_blank">Heather Van Fleet</a></div>
<br />
20. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10869559.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.kristenlepionka.com/news/2016/pitch-wars-wish-list" target="_blank">Kristen Lepionka</a></div>
<br />
21. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10871517.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.caitlinsinead.com/blog" target="_blank">Caitlin Sinead</a></div>
<br />
22. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10871690.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://quillpenandblotter.wordpress.com/?p=550" target="_blank">E.B. Wheeler</a></div>
</td><td align="left" class="blenza-td" valign="top" width="33%">23. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10871749.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.jennyferguson.ca/pitchwars-2016/hi-and-welcome-to-pitch-wars-im-jen-and-im-a-mentor-in-the-adult-category" target="_blank">Jen Ferguson</a></div>
<br />
24. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10872656.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="https://danmalossi.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/pitch-wars-2016-mentor-bio-and-wishlist" target="_blank">Dan Malossi</a></div>
<br />
25. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10872848.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.jennienash.com/pitch-wars-blog-hop" target="_blank">Jennie Nash</a></div>
<br />
26. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10872852.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://nazarea-andrews.blogspot.com/2016/07/helloomgosh-im-so-excited.html" target="_blank">Nazarea Andrews</a></div>
<br />
27. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10873183.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://hollyfaurpitchwars.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Holly Faur</a></div>
<br />
28. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10873261.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://dankoboldt.com/pitch-wars-2016-koboldt-mammay/" target="_blank">Dan Koboldt and Michael Mammay</a></div>
<br />
29. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10873298.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.rebeccayarros.com/rebecca-yarros-pitchwars-bio/" target="_blank">Rebecca Yarros</a></div>
<br />
30. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10873460.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://feakysnucker.blogspot.com/2016/07/pitchwars-naa-mentor-2016.html" target="_blank">Tamara Mataya</a></div>
<br />
31. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10873854.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://www.scarlettcole.com/blog/" target="_blank">Scarlett Cole</a></div>
<br />
32. <br />
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://www.blenza.com/thumbs/b/brenleedrake/MDVqdWwyMDE2/10873886.png" height="75" width="75" /><br />
<a href="http://thelovableprotagonist.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/the-pitch-wars-post-in-which-i-give-you.html" target="_blank">Jaime Loren</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: 2px solid #000000; color: black; padding: 4px; text-align: center;">
Powered by... <a href="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/" target="_blank">Mister Linky's Magical Widgets</a>.</div>
<!-- end of export -->Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-29371664968418153302016-04-05T06:36:00.000-07:002016-04-05T06:36:05.083-07:00The One Where Jaime Freaks Out A Lot<br />
<br />
You know that announcement I had planned to make a few weeks ago? Yeah. Well, it took a bit longer than I'd expected. I'm so sorry! Thank you all for being so patient!<br />
<br />
As many of you have noticed, I've been very quiet on the book front. There are a few good reasons for this.<br />
<br />
<i><b>One: my publisher, Momentum, is closing its doors.</b></i><br />
<br />
This came as a shock, so it took a bit of time to wrap my brain around it...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLz6I7osNW9mIwGgofoNgtfkrNF2K6KXqc11d2GLdc_-9gJAUcXveNyozuscRhlpc1EzDXHGfK2VqgnSjc_v10ooxBYVCd3DBqzddJB9FMJO4SlmDkJItqVJNpmsIub-UK5rvCGeTWGw/s1600/Sheldon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLz6I7osNW9mIwGgofoNgtfkrNF2K6KXqc11d2GLdc_-9gJAUcXveNyozuscRhlpc1EzDXHGfK2VqgnSjc_v10ooxBYVCd3DBqzddJB9FMJO4SlmDkJItqVJNpmsIub-UK5rvCGeTWGw/s320/Sheldon.gif" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm going to miss my editors. A lot. I'm so grateful for everything they have done for me. They've been very supportive of this series, and I'm very sad to be moving on without them.<br />
<br />
What does this mean for the Waiting for April series? That brings us to reason number...<br />
<br />
<b><i>Two: I've been busy trying to figure out what my next step is...</i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao7t2vz3vk9R9G3niAI776LtJ-drKQDOEqRz2_Lch6Pt5gR3Ebk1EY73eGPDTf1PpMaQryQnpbSDDQz3G_J6XTTPvsafMoeLjT5jyccDJu68U7FfMqmV0cQ44022fEJ1v56ZOnbbEv9Q/s1600/Panic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao7t2vz3vk9R9G3niAI776LtJ-drKQDOEqRz2_Lch6Pt5gR3Ebk1EY73eGPDTf1PpMaQryQnpbSDDQz3G_J6XTTPvsafMoeLjT5jyccDJu68U7FfMqmV0cQ44022fEJ1v56ZOnbbEv9Q/s320/Panic.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After much deliberation and advice-seeking, I've come to a decision: I'm not going to search for another publisher for this series.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhilzTLvlq7stVM9qU9wBKtuG8anY9gAUYfO1o2TAgbCRQIdmXcE0enXQr9rdVfErfxz5vH8LmWLqM-s5fxyXyIxApGlq8T5Sb4iSl8HZStOlQnZwtvUY-DWKaisVa_CRgfxAqU2hIKs/s1600/George.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhilzTLvlq7stVM9qU9wBKtuG8anY9gAUYfO1o2TAgbCRQIdmXcE0enXQr9rdVfErfxz5vH8LmWLqM-s5fxyXyIxApGlq8T5Sb4iSl8HZStOlQnZwtvUY-DWKaisVa_CRgfxAqU2hIKs/s1600/George.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You read that right, George. I was lucky to sell it in the past to a big publisher, because it is a very difficult series to sell; it's not quite young adult, but not completely adult, either. It falls into new adult, but that is still a grey area for a lot of publishers. I don't want to go through the process of waiting again--not when I have readers already waiting for more novels.<br />
<br />
And the readers are the ones who matter to me. You've all been SO enthusiastic about this series. I've been overwhelmed by emails from readers who've loved Waiting for April, and that has made all the obstacles I've faced with this series <i>more</i> than worth it. It means so, SO much to me, and I'll never be able to thank you enough.<br />
<br />
Really, there's only one way I can think of that shows just how much I appreciate all of you, and that's why...<br />
<br />
<b><i>Three: I'm going to make this series available in e-book and print--paperback and hardcover--and I'll be throwing some novellas in there to expand on other characters' stories, too. </i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZMx5v_35ODId8oJFn6xmtDzhYw-EpzbK-s22UilowVPT7tZ9mg1P_vh6pvF1Ob_PkR8f-BPEz8Wn2JdDBAyjvhnGr_xTGwWmLT1n5lZItk-zm87c1khbN82OC1dA69uDfnuqg1ZRq28/s1600/Seinfeld.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZMx5v_35ODId8oJFn6xmtDzhYw-EpzbK-s22UilowVPT7tZ9mg1P_vh6pvF1Ob_PkR8f-BPEz8Wn2JdDBAyjvhnGr_xTGwWmLT1n5lZItk-zm87c1khbN82OC1dA69uDfnuqg1ZRq28/s400/Seinfeld.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yMEcD1CV3K8bJZPx3MwUzxiZzQ7eNOhktI-yG3kT4kpumdXIO2L3zVzJy7ABz1beBFmCNuhpQhcdATxiXPsh5Onv81-1l1VDG6fk6z1xMF3KSFfVaWvRq86sMojPk-RSyhWXiQ3MwWo/s1600/TGIF-gif-friday-leaving-the-office-party-time.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yMEcD1CV3K8bJZPx3MwUzxiZzQ7eNOhktI-yG3kT4kpumdXIO2L3zVzJy7ABz1beBFmCNuhpQhcdATxiXPsh5Onv81-1l1VDG6fk6z1xMF3KSFfVaWvRq86sMojPk-RSyhWXiQ3MwWo/s400/TGIF-gif-friday-leaving-the-office-party-time.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i5zzh5YF-6CuGbtUGtna3mxw5yc9vc6PCuYjHgxvdwYpmglwJaTMtzY0LOuNyr-DAoTM2nTBMNH_Ez6DhQ9JfTsvocLonyeJDy3wflfWit0G2qRZQgLbJpPvi7YEdGwtz4jfWgn7MS4/s1600/celebration-reaction-gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i5zzh5YF-6CuGbtUGtna3mxw5yc9vc6PCuYjHgxvdwYpmglwJaTMtzY0LOuNyr-DAoTM2nTBMNH_Ez6DhQ9JfTsvocLonyeJDy3wflfWit0G2qRZQgLbJpPvi7YEdGwtz4jfWgn7MS4/s400/celebration-reaction-gif.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
EXCITING, RIGHT?!!!<br />
<br />
I'm still sorting out all the details, and while I appreciate your patience, I have to warn you that book two might take a little longer now due to a new editorial schedule. Hopefully it will be out in around June (instead of May). I'll keep you updated on this.<br />
<br />
For those of you who've had your pre-orders cancelled, I'll have Falling from Grace back up again for pre-order ASAP. Keep an eye on my Twitter feed for more details in the near future!<br />
<br />
So there you have it! Thank you once again to all the readers out there who love Waiting for April as much as I do! I do hope you'll continue to follow my characters on their journeys!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-32160370762780099242015-01-19T16:54:00.002-08:002015-01-21T20:05:11.959-08:00Cover and Giveaway: WAITING FOR APRIL<br />
I'm <i>so</i> excited to be able to finally do this!<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>MY</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>COVER</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>IS</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>HERE!!!!!!!</i><br />
<br />
<br />
And I couldn't be happier with it. It's PERFECT. And <i>OH SO PRETTY</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
But first, the blurb:<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">April Fletcher has died nineteen times... but she doesn't know it.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As far as April is concerned, she's just a normal seventeen-year-old, looking forward to spending spring break with her friends and going to college in the fall. April doesn't know she has never lived past her eighteenth birthday, nor does she realize that Scott Parker, her best friend, is actually her childhood sweetheart and fiancé from her very first life.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For nineteen-year-old Scott Parker, spending quality time with his soul mate has proved difficult ever since her tragic death in 1729. Since then he has lost her an additional eighteen times—each of her deaths more devastating than the last, and each of her births wiping the slate of her memory clean. Unable to save her but unwilling to give up, Scott has to hide the fact he's immortal—and will be until April confesses her love again.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But this time, things have changed. April has denied her feelings for him, is dating someone else, and with her eighteenth birthday fast approaching, their friendship is falling to pieces. Fearing their souls are irrevocably drifting apart, Scott must race against the clock to win her heart and save her life.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Or risk losing her forever.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And now for the cover ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWCr9xeDprLVSQjNczmLv9j1LvVhKnBRenvUP-03Eva-F1MtbqlCwhZbNA53vxTIzaTkRiHOFcPEkqsYFxXywygIGY1zrlwEUkMLYIYZYrJWiXBofCDiirPZcY6mMEUFxV1pXCOa-mhU/s1600/MY+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWCr9xeDprLVSQjNczmLv9j1LvVhKnBRenvUP-03Eva-F1MtbqlCwhZbNA53vxTIzaTkRiHOFcPEkqsYFxXywygIGY1zrlwEUkMLYIYZYrJWiXBofCDiirPZcY6mMEUFxV1pXCOa-mhU/s1600/MY+COVER.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!<br />
<br />
Pretty, yes???<br />
<br />
*hugs cover tight*<br />
<br />
<br />
WAITING FOR APRIL releases February 12th with Momentum Books! You can buy it through these online stores (preorder available now!):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com.au/Waiting-April-Jaime-Loren-ebook/dp/B00QI1QZMM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1421711485&sr=1-1&keywords=waiting+for+april" target="_blank">Amazon Australia</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QI1QZMM" target="_blank">Amazon U.S.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00QI1QZMM" target="_blank">Amazon U.K.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/waiting-for-april/id947734560?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a><br />
<br />
<br />
If you'd like a chance to win a copy, enter the rafflecopter below!<br />
<br />
<br />
I can't wait for you to read it!!!<br />
<br />
<i>WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! *twirls*</i><br />
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="a0afac3437" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a0afac3437/" id="rcwidget_q969ww0k" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-60019327926611687282014-08-01T23:43:00.001-07:002014-08-03T21:22:41.408-07:00PITCH WARS, BITCHES!!!Ahoy hoy!<br />
<br />
So. Here we are. Mentor bio time! I'll try my best to keep this clean ...<br />
<br />
First of all, I should probably fill you in on what I'm looking for. I write New Adult, so I'm going to focus on that, but I also read Adult, so I'm open to that, too. I'm not going to specify genres, because I think all are interesting and wonderfully different!<br />
<br />
The one thing your manuscript absolutely MUST HAVE is a strong romantic element. If there's no love interest, you'll lose my interest. Even if the writing is fantastic--even if the story is smart and makes me laugh--I will struggle with a plot that doesn't involve romance. It doesn't have to be all lovey-dovey. I'd actually prefer if it wasn't. To give you an example of what I love in this vein, here's a list of my favourite novels (YA included):<br />
<br />
Diana Gabaldon's <b>OUTLANDER</b> series. Because who doesn't love these books? (Crazy people, that's who.)<br />
Laini Taylor's <b>DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE</b> trilogy<br />
Lauren Oliver's <b>DELIRIUM</b> series<br />
Stephenie Meyer's <b>THE HOST</b><br />
Kaki Warner's <b>PIECES OF SKY</b> (the Blood Rose series)<br />
Christina Lee's <b>ALL OF YOU</b> (the Between Breaths series)<br />
Jennifer Echols' <b>LOVE STORY</b><br />
Sarah Fine's <b>SANCTUM</b> (the Guards of the Shadowlands series) and <b>OF METAL AND WISHES</b> (releases August 5th!)<br />
Mila Ferrera's <b>SPIRAL</b> / <b>ONLY BETWEEN US</b> / <b>EVERYTHING BETWEEN US</b><br />
Lori M. Lee's <b>GATES OF THREAD AND STONE</b> (also releases August 5th!!!)<br />
Kendare Blake's <b>ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD</b> (the Anna series)<br />
Jennifer Rush's <b>ALTERED</b> series<br />
<br />
In every one of these novels, there's a love story, or a lust story, or both! Honestly, the hotter the better. The more tension, the better. If you're worried about tension, and that's something you want to focus on fixing in your ms, then I'M YOUR GIRL. <i>Apparently</i>. I mean, my CPs do usually send their mss to me with one note: "Hey, Sexual Tension Lady! Help!" So I guess that means I have an eye for it.<br />
<br />
What I DON'T want to see are novels about werewolves or vampires. Yes, my favourite show in the whole wide world is Buffy, but no one--NO ONE--will be able to write vampires as well as Joss in that vein (ooooh, punny!). I just can't get into anyone else's vampires. Sorry. (#TeamAngel)<br />
<br />
As for my taste in movies (in terms of pacing, perfectly timed humour, and plot), my favourites include:<br />
<br />
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (thank you, Shakespeare)<br />
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE<br />
DEFINITELY, MAYBE<br />
HOT FUZZ<br />
SHAUN OF THE DEAD<br />
WEDDING CRASHERS<br />
KICK-ASS<br />
THIS IS THE END<br />
THE HEAT<br />
PITCH PERFECT<br />
THE WEDDING SINGER<br />
50 FIRST DATES<br />
And pretty much anything where the world is about to end.<br />
<br />
So, if you're still with me, I guess you want to hear about me, yes? WELL. I'm an Aussie, I swear like a sailor, and I'm an insomniac. I have a medical science degree, as well as a masters in teaching, but right now, I spend my days writing and painting and taking care of my two children.<br />
<br />
I've been a photographer, a lab technician, a mortuary technician, a cardiac technician ... a technician technician ... hehe ... he ... *shifty eyes* ... So I have quite a bit of life experience. And some experience with death, too. THEREFORE, you cannot shock me. Seriously. I dare you to try.<br />
<br />
So, put those finishing touches on your mss, then COME AT ME. I look forward to seeing your submissions!<br />
<br />
*double-chest-pound-peace sign*<br />
<br />
Want to check out the other mentors? Go here: <br />
<div id="preview-31Jul2014e" style="border: 2px solid #bbb; color: #bbbbbb; text-align: center;">
<b>Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Easy-Linky widget will appear right here!</b><br />
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.<br />
If this widget does not appear, <a href="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/links.php?owner=brenleedrake&postid=31Jul2014e">click here</a> to display it.</div>
<script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/easylink.php?owner=brenleedrake&postid=31Jul2014e" type="text/javascript"></script>Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-27214680961960769062013-05-14T13:48:00.000-07:002013-05-14T14:22:40.735-07:00Interview with Heather L. Reid, author of PRETTY DARK NOTHING<br />
Today I'm lucky enough to be able to bring you Heather L. Reid, author of PRETTY DARK NOTHING! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJHTiClihTJgJz4EYtOOJdl9-MCZAhO09-9Y2Tr0kxIsSXW2CEKqncfOxwDKVsYYYBSpFyrvxRj9RZBv24c_yY8qqd0R7_RMcgo6OtdA1WCNuua5tnJV_vxF2KPVUo-Kpv19ESWqrxik/s1600/Pretty+Dark+Nothing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJHTiClihTJgJz4EYtOOJdl9-MCZAhO09-9Y2Tr0kxIsSXW2CEKqncfOxwDKVsYYYBSpFyrvxRj9RZBv24c_yY8qqd0R7_RMcgo6OtdA1WCNuua5tnJV_vxF2KPVUo-Kpv19ESWqrxik/s320/Pretty+Dark+Nothing.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Overview<br />
<i>Quinn is a normal teenager, but for 23 days she has not slept for more than a few minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her and whispering of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life, and energy drinks and caffeine pills don't help. Then Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, and Aaron, an amnesiac with psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. Aaron has a secret locked away in his memory that the demons are determined to keep him from discovering. Together, Quinn and Aaron can banish the darkness back to the underworld for good, but the demons will stop at nothing to drive the two apart</i>.<br />
--Barnes and Noble<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>So, Heather, how did you get into writing?</i><br />
<br />
My love of words started like most writers I know. It started with a story. In this case, the stories came from the imagination of my great-aunt, Delia. She weaved magical tales to send me to sleep. She wasn’t a writer, she never wrote any of her stories on paper, and she read to me too, but I loved her stories best. Neither of us knew she was giving me the greatest gift of all, the love of storytelling.<br />
At the age of four I started dictating stories to my mother who would illustrate them for me. By the age of nine, I was writing plays for friends and binding my own picture books with cardboard and string. At eleven I tried my hand at a first novel. (No, you can’t read it. It’s buried in a deep dark hole somewhere in the Tasmanian Outback and guarded by a three-headed dingo.) It was then I told my parents I wanted to be published by the age of sixteen. I also told them I wanted to be Wonder Woman, a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, a Broadway star, and an archaeologist. Those dreams faded. I never did get that invisible jet, and I would be a lot older than sixteen before I got a publishing deal, but the dream of being a writer stayed with me. After college I decided to stop dreaming and start getting serious. I joined the Society of Children’s book Writers and Illustrators, joined a writer’s group, read books on writing, went to conferences, workshops, and most importantly, I started writing every day. Some of it was crap. Ok, at first, a lot of it was crap, but writing takes work. After over twelve years of studying and writing, my first young adult novel, Pretty Dark Nothing, sold in a two book deal to Month9Books. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m still learning. I write because I have to. It’s a part of what makes me, me.<br />
<br />
<i>What inspired you to write PRETTY DARK NOTHING?</i><br />
<br />
I think the spark of inspiration for Pretty Dark Nothing has been brewing my whole life. As a child, I suffered from night terrors and sleep walking. Although I eventually grew out of the sleep walking, the nightmares never went away. I would dream of faceless entities and demons on a reoccurring basis. I spent my pre-teen years trying to rationalize my fear while I spent my nights huddled under my covers with a book and a flash light afraid to fall asleep for fear of what would greet me in my dreams. I kept this a secret from my friends and afraid of what they would think. The dark torture of my imagination lasted through three years of middle school and finally faded. I still don’t think my mother knows how terrified I was of falling asleep and I have no idea why the nightmares stopped, maybe they were my way of coping with the stress of adolescence. I don’t know. When I reached college, I went through a particularly bad time in my life, suffered from depression, illness and the nightmares returned. I wasn’t frightened like I was when I was young; I recognized them for what they were. We all have inner demons we battle, those voices that tell us we’re not good enough, taunt us, paralyze us with fear. That’s when the idea for a novel started to form. I asked myself what would happen if those negative voices, inner demons weren’t imagined. What would happen if they were real and they started to manifest outside the dream world? What if they influenced things around us and what if you were the only one that could see them? That’s when Quinn and the idea for Pretty Dark Nothing was born. Quinn and I battled the demons that tortured her together and in the process, she taught me how to battle my own.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Can you describe you main protagonist Quinn in less than 140 Characters?</i><br />
<br />
Pretty Dark Nothing is told from duel POV. Both Quinn and Aaron’s perspectives are told in close 3rd.<br />
<br />
Quinn: Damaged but not defeated. Stubborn, self-reliant, sometimes selfish. Bit of a perfectionist. Trust issues, especially trusting herself.<br />
<br />
Aaron: Loyal. Loves deeply. Keeps his secrets close to his heart. Would do anything for his friends. Guilt issues. Amnesiac with Physic abilities.<br />
<br />
<i>Why should we pick up Pretty Dark Nothing?</i><br />
<br />
Pretty Dark Nothing is full of demons, and I don’t mean the hot fallen angel, bad boy types. These demons are the evil, hairy, sulphurous kind, bent on manipulating and destroying Quinn’s life. Throw in some romantic sparks with a psychic amnesic, an ex-boyfriend she can’t quite get over, and suspension from the cheerleading squad for failing grades, all while the demons are pushing her to the brink of madness, and I hope it’s a recipe for something darkly paranormal and not quite typical.<br />
<br />
<i>What is your favourite 2012 read and why?</i><br />
<br />
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers. When I read the opening line, I KNEW I had to read this book and I wasn’t disappointed. A historical fantasy about a covenant of female Assassins who serve the God of Death? Heck yeah! Dark gods, court intrigue, murder, assassinations and romance, this book hooked me and didn’t let go until the very end. Can’t wait for the sequel, Dark Triumph.<br />
<br />
Pretty Dark Nothing is out now! You can find information on these sites:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448958.Heather_L_Reid">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448958.Heather_L_Reid</a><br />
<a href="http://www.heatherlreid.com/">http://www.heatherlreid.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://hugs-and-chocolate.com/">http://hugs-and-chocolate.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.month9books.com/">http://www.month9books.com/</a><br />
<br />
And it is available for purchase from <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-dark-nothing-heather-reid/1109686541?ean=9780985327811">Barnes and Noble</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Dark-Nothing-Heather-Reid/dp/0985327812/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368566218&sr=1-1&keywords=pretty+dark+nothing">Amazon</a>.<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for stopping by, Heather! This novel is DEFINITELY going on my TBR pile!!!Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-38942528997854996082012-08-20T01:51:00.001-07:002012-08-20T01:51:33.862-07:00The Revision Decision<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So I’m in this fantastic
situation of revising my manuscript for a couple of unbelievably great agents
who loved it, but who want me to turn it into a YA novel because they feel
teenagers <i>and</i> adults will eat it up*.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">At first I thought this
would be really easy. “Sure,” I said. “I’ll get to work on that right away!”
After cracking my knuckles, I sat down and opened my manuscript. And then I
came down with a case of Complete Brain Spaz, otherwise known as CBS. (What?! It’s
not just a network—it’s a thing, I <i>promise</i>!)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">See, when I envisioned
doing these revisions, I thought I’d just go by the synopsis I’d prepared for a
YA version. Easy as pie (which, when you think about it, doesn’t really make
sense. Who said pie was easy? Honestly, I’ve never been able to bake a really
good … *sigh* Okay, okay, I’ll get back on track.)</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My question is, how much
of a risk should you take when doing revisions? Changing a novel from adult to
YA changes a lot of things, including the dynamics of the characters’
relationships. I could rewrite the start, which would be like writing the
prequel and merging it with the current story—but then there’s the chance I’ll
be shredding what the agents loved about the novel in the first place! <i>Argh! </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know you guys can’t
answer this for me. There is no simple solution. Part of me is hoping that by
putting this post out in the world, the right answer will come and smack me
upside the head.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">But for those of you
who’ve been where I am, how much of a risk did you take?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">*Caution: eating novels
may cause indigestion.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-72960616801586588182012-07-10T08:33:00.000-07:002012-07-10T08:33:48.518-07:00Novel Spotlight - THE LITTLE WOODS, by McCormick Templeman<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">July
is in full swing! Huzzah! Americans are sunbaking, Australians are hibernating,
and because I have so many wonderful writer friends—many of whom have novels
coming out in the near future—I’ve decided to add a section to my blog which
will be aptly named …<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">*drum roll*<u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">NOVEL SPOTLIGHT</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">*cue The Price is Right-like
music*<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The first spotlight will be
cast on a YA novel by McCormick Templeman! *dances* I cannot tell you how long
I’ve been waiting to read her debut, THE LITTLE WOODS. What I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>can</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>tell you is that McCormick is a
delight to know. I would sell my left kidney to meet her in person because she
is …<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>honestly … that ... awesome</i>.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
You can check out her website<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://mccormicktempleman.com/About/index.html"><span style="color: windowtext;">here</span></a>,
and follow her on Twitter<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/McTempleman"><span style="color: windowtext;">here</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">About McCormick </i><i>(from her website)</i><i style="font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">McCormick
Templeman is descended from musicians and criminals. She holds a BA in English
Literature from Reed College and an MFA in Writing and Poetics from Naropa
University. She lives in California with some people and some stuff.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">About the book</span></i></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy8l6maFVeuXNOlMtLj4EiQ-n1sJ2-3uEuD_gbZNMwW2n4rXQWDaC_5k4doD5kJoTtnVloLTktYMVU3H_0lWJe7vcNOppL0qTIaUbsctXjlyAKGcE7G-dt_Nq2A8X9XlEVv0GJNTCq8g/s1600/Cormy%2527s+novel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy8l6maFVeuXNOlMtLj4EiQ-n1sJ2-3uEuD_gbZNMwW2n4rXQWDaC_5k4doD5kJoTtnVloLTktYMVU3H_0lWJe7vcNOppL0qTIaUbsctXjlyAKGcE7G-dt_Nq2A8X9XlEVv0GJNTCq8g/s400/Cormy%2527s+novel.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Unexplained disappearances.
Suspicious deaths. There's something wrong with the woods behind St. Bede's
Academy.</span></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br />
<br />
When Cally Wood starts at St. Bede's halfway through her junior year, she's
suddenly thrust into a world of privilege and prestige, and in no time flat,
she learns to navigate the complex social world of the upper echelon. But amid
the illicit romances and weekend-long parties, Cally discovers that a brilliant
but troubled girl named Iris disappeared from St. Bede's just a few months ago.
Most people assume she ran away, but the police still haven't found her. And
Iris wouldn't be the first girl to go missing from the school. Ten years ago,
Cally's sister was visiting a friend from camp at St. Bede's when both girls
vanished from their beds.<br />
<br />
As Cally tries to unravel the mystery surrounding Iris--one she can't help but
link to her own sister's disappearance--she discovers that beneath the surface
of this elite school and its perfect students lies a web of secrets where
rumors are indistinguishable from truths and it seems everyone has something to
hide. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Me:</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
I love about this premise is the possibilities surrounding<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>why</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>these girls are disappearing.
Supernatural? Maybe. Serial killer? Could be. Alien abductions? I DON’T KNOW,
BUT I WANNA. What inspired you to write THE LITTLE WOODS?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b><i>McCormick:</i></b> I can’t say much about
the specifics of the inspiration for the book without giving too much away, but
I was goofing around in the New York Public Library reading case studies by a
medical examiner from the early 1900s, when I stumbled across something that
completely freaked me out. Suddenly this story popped into my head and I had to
write it. THE LITTLE WOODS is very different from that initial conception
(originally it was a historical mystery with an adult narrator), but its roots
are the same, and that spark guided me through from start to finish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Me: </i>So it's NOT a memoir? ;)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">McCormick:</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is absolutely not a memoir. I think there is a little bit of me in every
character I write, but I've never written anything that is really about me or
my life. I like to make up friends and invent lives for them because why not?
It's fun. But I did go to boarding school and I used the campus layout and
tried to recapture that feeling of being trapped that I felt a lot during
boarding school. But no, definitely not a memoir. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Me:</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Phew!
Glad to hear your boarding school experiences weren’t shrouded in murder
mysteries. ;) What led you to those case studies in the public library?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">McCormick:</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
had a day of classes that went from 8:30am to 10pm, and this one day a class
was cancelled in the middle of the day. I couldn't stomach studying or doing
something responsible, so I decided to walk up to the public library to goof
around for a few hours. I went to the reading room and got a big stack of weird
books just for fun, and that was one of them. When I finally went back to
class, I was so obsessed with the novel idea that seemed to have just fallen in
my lap, that I couldn't concentrate for the rest of the day. I started writing
the book that very night.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Me:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Talk
about being in the right place at the right time! Who said goofing around never
did anyone any good?! With the inspiration coming from a century-old medical
examiner’s book, and the setting so eerily elite, if you could describe your
novel as [TV show/movie/novel] meets [TV show/movie/novel], what would it be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">McCormick:</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jay
Kristoff, author of the insanely genius <i>Stormdancer </i>(out fall
2012) described <i>The Little Woods<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>thusly: “A slow
motion collision between Twin Peaks and Gossip Girl set to a Bikini Kill
soundtrack.” Since he's such a brilliant writer, I'll just let his words stand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Me:</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
agree—Jay is made of awesome (readers, his website can be found<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.jaykristoff.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">here</span></a>, and you can follow him on Twitter<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/misterkristoff"><span style="color: windowtext;">here</span></a>).
So, McCormick, some of my readers are un-agented writers, like myself. Was this
the novel that landed you your agent, Kate Garrick, of DeFiore and Company?
What was it like to get the call/email from her when she finished THE LITTLE
WOODS?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">McCormick:</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">THE
LITTLE WOODS actually wasn't the book that landed me my agent. The
infamous agent email was for an adult book I wrote as my MFA thesis. I still
love that book, and will probably re-work it someday. That email was totally
shocking because I was not expecting her to actually be interested, and had
only queried her on a lark. When I got the email, I didn't believe it.
Sometimes I still don't believe it. I just sat there staring at the screen
reading it over and over again, searching for the part where she revealed it
all to be a massive joke. Then I kind of floated around for days consumed with
blissful disbelief. For THE LITTLE WOODS, it was much less eventful. I just
emailed her and was like, <i>you want to read this?</i> And she was
like <i>yeah</i>. It was much less dramatic.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Me:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> *giggles*
I just imagined a Napoleon Dynamite-style conversation between you and Ms.
Garrick. I imagine the conversation was a little livelier when you were
told <b><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Schwartz & Wade Books / Random House</span></i></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> had made an offer?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">McCormick:</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Honestly,
no. Part of me really is a little bit like Napoleon Dynamite. I had a strong
feeling that I was going to get the call on the day that I did, and I was so
nervous about it that I just didn't answer. I hope Kate doesn't read this
because I think I drive her kind of crazy with my phone phobia. She only had my
home number, and when the phone rang, and I knew what it was, I just got in my
car and drove away. I know that was a crazy thing to do, but sometimes good
news and bad news feel the same inside my body. It's kind of like stage fright.
I was just too freaked out to hear the news. I finally called her back three
hours later, and when she told me, I was like, "Mm hmm. That's good."
She was like, "yeah... that's<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>really</i> good."
I am the worst client in terms of the excited phone call. I can't verbally
express that I'm excited. I have a suspicious "yeah, what's the
catch?" thing going on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me:</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Haha—me too! Thankfully in your case the ‘too good to
be true’ saying didn’t apply! So how will you be celebrating its release this
week?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">McCormick</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Cheap champagne and good sushi!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Sounds good to me!<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> Thank you so
much, McCormick, for allowing me to interview you. It’s been a true pleasure! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0cm;">Readers, <b><i>THE LITTLE WOODS is coming out
today, July 10, 2012 from Schwartz & Wade Books / Random House.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0cm;">You can buy THE LITTLE WOODS on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Little-Woods-ebook/dp/B00735HC38/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1341889227&sr=1-1&keywords=the+little+woods"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>, from <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-little-woods-mccormick-templeman/1108022897?ean=9780375869433"><span style="color: blue;">Barnes & Noble</span></a>, <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780375869433"><span style="color: blue;">Indie
Bound</span></a>, and <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9780375869433-0"><span style="color: blue;">Powell's Books</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For
my Aussie readers, you can buy it at <a href="http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/the-little-woods/29077338/">Angus
and Robertson</a>, <a href="http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDetails/ProductDetail.aspx?R=9780375969430">Dymocks</a>,
and on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Little-Woods-ebook/dp/B00735HC38/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1341889227&sr=1-1&keywords=the+little+woods">Kindle</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0cm;">Happy
reading!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-43124741566657245922012-03-10T23:08:00.000-08:002012-03-10T23:08:42.440-08:00The Waiting GameHello there!<br />
<br />
The querying process has begun! Well, sort of. I've only sent out a handful so far, but the results have been positive! So, while my novel is being considered by agents, I've been keeping myself BIZ-AY.<br />
<br />
Well, that's kind of a lie. I've done this:<br />
<br />
Meet my characters, Scott Parker and April Fletcher! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLgD0DEdWIg3iWcrX7WN9De6y0bGm8VZ92ZJccHQruYIGJfsVZvDikewaEcVIZz5pQOaUjdyYnIGP6lxiced1niCbNGM54J7RbNqcpgggjeBJIHVFI8fmCXkTzFFymEEneqQbP5Y29IE/s1600/WFA+pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLgD0DEdWIg3iWcrX7WN9De6y0bGm8VZ92ZJccHQruYIGJfsVZvDikewaEcVIZz5pQOaUjdyYnIGP6lxiced1niCbNGM54J7RbNqcpgggjeBJIHVFI8fmCXkTzFFymEEneqQbP5Y29IE/s320/WFA+pics.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i>Torn apart by April's tragic death in 1729, Scott has been rendered immortal by fate, while April has been given the gift of reincarnation. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Which would be really helpful if April didn't have the same predetermined expiration date in each life.</i><br />
<br />
Oh, I do miss my characters! But I think my critique partners would have poked my eyes out if I'd spent any longer tweaking this novel.<br />
<br />
So, what else have I been up to, you ask? STUDYING. At least, I <i>should</i> be studying. I returned to university a couple of weeks ago to complete a Master of Education (Middle and Secondary) in Science. Yes. Crazy, I know. She, who has a fear of public speaking, is destined to get up in front of 20-30 people all day, every day, and talk. *gulp* But hey! People need to know science, right? If only I could remember something from my initial degree ...<br />
<br />
*clears throat*<br />
<br />
So there you have it. While I'm waiting to hear back from agents, I'm making collages of my characters instead of learning about learning. The irony! Throw in two small children, my TBR pile, Revenge, House, Homeland, Supernatural, Misfits, and a new laptop, and I have all the procrastination tools I need to get me through the waiting game.<br />
<br />
What about you? What have you been up to lately? What books have you read that I can add to my <strike>procrastination</strike> TBR pile? Any TV shows you'd recommend?Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-77473490947301316612012-01-22T17:30:00.000-08:002012-01-22T17:30:39.374-08:00That Pivotal Moment*Crawls out from under rock*<br />
<br />
*Checks all critique partners' comments have been actioned/considered*<br />
<br />
*Smooths hand over completed manuscript and sits back*<br />
<br />
*takes a deep breath*<br />
<br />
I'M READY TO QUERY!<br />
<br />
At least, I think I am.<br />
<br />
After years of blood (paper cuts), sweat (it's really freakin' hot in Australia right now), and tears (usually critique partner-induced ... KIDDING!), I have finished Waiting for April. My baby is ready to go out into the world.<br />
<br />
BUT.<br />
<br />
How do you know if your query letter is good enough to give your manuscript a chance in the world of agents? Well, there are sites where you can offer your query up for critique by agents, including (but not limited to):<br />
Janet Reid (FinePrint Literary Management): <a href="http://queryshark.blogspot.com/">http://queryshark.blogspot.com</a><br />
Jessica Faust (BookEnds, LLC): <a href="http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/">http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/</a><br />
and<br />
Lauren Ruth (BookEnds, LLC): <a href="http://slushpiletales.wordpress.com/">http://slushpiletales.wordpress.com/</a><br />
<br />
These generous ladies critique regularly, and the advice they give can (usually) be interpreted and applied to all queries. However, if you're lucky enough to be following some amazing agents on Twitter, you'll find that most, if not all, will at some stage host competitions where they'll critique your query/first page/partial/full manuscript. Fantastic? Yes. Yes they are. <br />
<br />
One such agent is Meredith Barnes, of Lowenstein Associates. Right now, Ms. Barnes is offering up query critiques to people who mention some (or all!) of the authors featured in this post: <a href="http://merbarnes.blogspot.com/2012/01/you-scratch-lorena-dureaus-back-ill.html">http://merbarnes.blogspot.com/2012/01/you-scratch-lorena-dureaus-back-ill.html</a><br />
<br />
So here's MY entry! And honestly, I've already bought some! ;) I love me some romance novels!!! (I'm especially keen on Lorena Dureau's The Last Casquette Girl, and Deborah Camp's The Butler Did It.) :D<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;"><a href="http://amzn.to/z0A2H8" style="color: #001582; text-decoration: none;">Deborah Camp</a> (A mix of contemporary and Old West Historical romances...over 40 coming in the near future, but here is a list of 10 or so available now)</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;"><a href="http://amzn.to/y4Sf4Y" style="color: #001582; text-decoration: none;">Lorena Dureau</a> (Historical Romance: American Colonial South and West. Very Sexy)</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;"><a href="http://amzn.to/ySgabD" style="color: #001582; text-decoration: none;">Dan Streib</a> (thrillers with a James-Bond-meets-Anderson-Cooper main character)</li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0.25em;">Barbara Keesling (her too-hot-to-blog nonfiction is <a href="http://amzn.to/yQstFI" style="color: #001582; text-decoration: none;">here</a>, <a href="http://amzn.to/A62Vrf" style="color: #001582; text-decoration: none;">here</a>, and <a href="http://amzn.to/AChssr" style="color: #001582; text-decoration: none;">here</a>)</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
So there you have it. Ms. Barnes is helping those, like me, who are ready to query, and by doing so, is spreading the word about Lowenstein Associates' authors. Everybody wins! If you'd like to enter, simply follow the guidelines here: <a href="http://merbarnes.blogspot.com/2012/01/you-scratch-lorena-dureaus-back-ill.html">http://merbarnes.blogspot.com/2012/01/you-scratch-lorena-dureaus-back-ill.html</a><br />
<br />
But hurry! The celebration closes at midnight, Sunday 22nd! (So I'm feeling a little Back to The Future here in Oz, where it's already midday on Monday the 23rd).<br />
<br />
TTFN!<br />
<br />
P.S. I'll update as I query, and promise to blog more. :DJaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-88986919515513458892011-09-19T23:16:00.000-07:002011-09-19T23:18:02.566-07:00The Beta Question<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Last week I finished my latest rewrite of <em>Waiting for April</em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> YAY! For those of you who have only recently tuned in, I had to completely rewrite the first half of the novel, as well as the end, and give my female MC a complete personality overhaul. <em>Not</em> an easy task. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">After six months in the writing cave, it felt so good to finally have something to send off to my betas, who have been very patient with me (especially Livia Dane, who has been waiting for months for me to get these latest revisions to her! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">It actually feels like I’m getting somewhere now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That terrifying/exciting query process is one step closer, and will hopefully begin next month.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">But unlike my very first draft, which I sent out to so many people to read (mainly friends, a couple of members of my family, and one beta who also writes), this rewritten version will only go to three betas (who are also writers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two are reading it now, and I’ll make changes to it based on their suggestions before sending it to my third beta.</div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This does make me wonder, though, how many beta readers <s>does it take to screw in a light bulb</s> do you send your manuscript to? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many opinions does it take for you to know you’re truly ready to hunt for an agent? </span>Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-32282454071353286232011-07-21T19:17:00.000-07:002011-07-21T19:17:52.547-07:00Love-Hate Relationship.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I’ve been at this manuscript, Waiting for April, for a while now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As in - over two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, in that time I’ve written other things (the sequel), and taken breaks when it has been off with betas or I’ve done beta-reading myself, and when I’ve been off having babies (well, I had a break during the 14 hours of labour, anyway).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">This concept has<em> no</em> intention of letting me go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think about it when I’m supposed to be socializing (sorry, guys and gals, but when I’m staring off into space, I’m writing), when I’m watching TV, and well, pretty much every minute of every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, though, it feels like I’m clinging to a hot guy who’s been trying to break up with me for a while now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I really know what that feels like (I married my high school sweetheart), but you know what I’m saying.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Don’t get me wrong – I will finish it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will query it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not stop until I’m represented and this book hits the shelves/e-shelves, and it will be the biggest achievement of my life (aside from pushing out two gorgeous kiddies).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’m speaking out of lack of sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’ve just hit a rough patch in revisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <em>Again</em>. </span>Maybe I’ve just read one too many great manuscripts lately *shakes fist at Sarah Fine and Tracy Buscemi*.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">But I wonder: how many people get this far in, only to trash their novel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever been completely in love with a premise, but broken up with it without following through?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you overcome these nagging, negative thoughts whilst revising?</span>Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-59882514500794029942011-05-30T18:20:00.000-07:002011-06-21T05:29:35.327-07:00Those Two Words that Writers Hate.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So, after being super eager to get my blog up and running, I went and abandoned you all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bad!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise I’ll try harder to post a regular ... um ... post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what has me holed up, you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two words: Writer’s block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Well, it wasn’t writer’s block straight away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did some beta-reading (one of my awesome beta partners, Sarah Fine, sent me an un-put-down-able manuscript), I sent her my manuscript, we spoke, we bounced ideas off of one another, we laughed, I cried when it was decided my manuscript needed a complete overhaul – and then I got down to business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Everything was running smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was adding the necessary chapters in order to have a consistently alternating PoV, instead of a couple of chapters for one character, then one chapter for another, and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was having fun adding more personality to my characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tweaked, I deleted, I got over my fear of short chapters ... and now I’m stuck again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">On a short chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">It’s a pivotal moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could add tension, but there’s already a lot of tension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could add more secrets, but there are already a lot of those, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s one night – the night before all hell breaks loose – and I’ve got nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zip</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I NEED to come up with something in order to maintain that alternating PoV.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">So I’m procrastinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m eating – a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m checking Twitter every three seconds, and even scraping the bottom of the barrel by checking Facebook, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m ready to pounce on any DM, any Gmail Chat window, any comment that would give me a good excuse to minimise my manuscript document.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">My question to you is: What do you do when you’ve got writer’s block?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you read?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you watch TV?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you exercise?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you sit at the computer and stare at the screen until an idea jumps out at you?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Please answer me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Checking blog comments will give me something to do. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Oh, and you can check out Sarah Fine’s blog <a href="http://thestrangestsituation.blogspot.com/">here</a>. If you haven’t already, I promise you, you won’t regret it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s coated in awesomesauce. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6564853872344005630.post-26952884822409173652011-05-02T05:07:00.000-07:002011-05-02T05:07:11.037-07:00New Kid on the Block!Well, here I am with a shiny new blog ...<br />
<br />
*takes a deep breath* ... <br />
<br />
*leans back in chair and drums fingers on table* ... <br />
<br />
*checks watch and glances around room* ... <br />
<br />
Oh, right! I should start by writing something for followers (hello!) to read. So, gentle <strike>viewers</strike> readers, this is what you should know about me - if you don't already know me, that is. :)<br />
<br />
I'm short, loud, honest (sometimes a little <em>too</em> honest - think Anya, from Buffy), and easily distracted. I'm a wife, a mother, a horse rider, and a skater. I love dancing, but you won't find me in a nightclub these days. On a Friday night you're likely to find me playing Halo Reach with 11 of my geek friends, eating pizza, and smack-talking the other team. Oh yes. <br />
<br />
I'm a medical scientist who went and got a 'real' job, just as my mother had told me to do. "Use your brain," she'd said, "and do what you love in your spare time."<br />
<br />
What she failed to mention was I'd be constantly spending my 'real' job time wishing I'd followed my heart, instead of my brain. It took me around 12 years to rediscover myself through writing. It was 2009, and my son was just a baby. I had some free time, and an idea for a paranormal romance novel (and no, it wasn't about vampires!). Two years later, I'm just as in love with my idea and my characters as I was when I started turning images and conversations into chapters. No, actually, I probably love them more. My only regret is that I didn't follow my dreams sooner. <br />
<br />
So if you'd like to follow my journey, I'd be more than happy to share it with you. Please, feel free to introduce yourselves in the comments section so that I can get to know you, too!Jaime Lorenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392626360063082592noreply@blogger.com8