Twitter Tuesday

One of the main reasons I love Twitter is because I can connect with other writers who are at the same stage in their careers as I am. Sharing this journey is priceless. But I also love finding debut authors who are one step ahead of me. Hey, I like to live vicariously while I'm waiting for that big sale!

Kami Garcia found me and I remember looking at her page and loving what I read. I followed her back immediately. I'm so glad I did because otherwise I might have missed out on an amazing book. Though I'm pretty sure some of the great gals I follow would have steered me toward it eventually.

As you may know from my previous ravings about her, Kami is one of the co-authors of Beautiful Creatures. What you may not know is Kami is a great lady who supports others. You can find her on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/kamigarcia

Though it was released early, today is the official release of Beautiful Creatures. Happy birthday Beautiful Creatures! I haven't actually got to read much of it yet because it's on my Christmas list, which means my other half won't let me buy it! But, I keep sneaking peeks at it every time we go to the bookstore. I'm up to chapter four! Shh, don't tell.

More great news, Warner Brothers bought the movie rights to Beautiful Creatures! Huge congratulations to Kami and Margaret Stohl! I hope Hollywood moves fast on that production!
http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/11/30/warner-bros-on-the-hunt-for-the-next-twilight-is-it-beautiful-creatures/

Monday's Muse

I'm not really sure if these are Mayan ruins or Aztec but what really matters is they inspired me this week! With all these pics of Mayan ruins you'd think I was writing a novelization of the 2012 movie, but nope, not even close. Some of the strangest things inspire me at times. Like Credence Clearwater Revival's Run Through The Jungle. Yet, I'm not writing about the Vietnam War either. The mind is a funny thing.

I know that since this is the last Monday of the month I usually highlight the books I've read this month, but I'm ashamed to say, I haven't got through one this month. It's no fault of the book's I'm sure, just that I've been focused so hard on writing that I haven't read much at all. I'll be better next month, I promise.

What inspires you and gets your muse working? Photos, music, books, movies, or TV shows? I'm curious.

Contest for Beautiful Creatures

What does the south look like to you? What do you think of when someone says the south? The ladies over at http://beautifulcreaturesthebook.com/extras/contests/beautiful-creatures-photo-contest/ want to know. While it's not my contest, I just had to let you all know about it. They're giving away an ARC (advanced reader's copy) of Beautiful Creatures to the winner. You've got to get in on this folks, it's going to be an outstanding book. When I think of the south I think of sprawling plantation houses and rows of oak and willow trees drooping in the humid heat. Here's a photo that reminds me of the south:

Harlequin's Vanity Imprint

Harlequin recently announced that it is starting a vanity imprint, or basically a self-publishing imprint. This has created a lot of stir in the industry from other publishers and from authors. There are many different avenues of self-publishing already so you might be wondering why this has caused such an uproar.

As a traditional publisher, Harlequin pays the author an advance for their book, then after the book makes back that much, they pay out royalties. Such is traditional publishing. The publisher must believe the book will be a success to invest in it.

Harlequin's vanity press works in the opposite way. The author pays to have their book published and pays for so many copies. Then distribution is up to the author, usually through Amazon and similar sites. If the author wants more printed they have to pay the publisher. For many authors who can't land an agent and a major publisher, or simply don't want to, this is a good option.

However, if the experts didn't believe the book would be a success, the chances of making money off such a venture are probably slim. There are exceptions of course. Look at Christopher Paolini and Eragon. He landed an agent and a major publisher after he self-published. It's a gamble that can pay off but more than often doesn't.

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writer's of America are outraged at Harlequin's venture. Here's their official statement: http://www.sfwa.org/2009/11/sfwa-statement-on-harlequins-self-publishing-imprint/ What do you, the writers and readers, think of it?

Happy Thanksgiving

To all my wonderful readers and followers, as well as those who just stop by, I'm very thankful for each and every one of you. Each of you helps to make this journey a little less arduous. You're breaking that myth about writing being a lonely life and I thank you for that.

This year I'm especially thankful for my wonderful new agent, Ken Atchity and the great folks at AEI. Thank you for loving and believing in my novel. You inspire me to work even harder. I hope the new year will bring us many successes together.

I hope you all have a great day filled with family, friends and good food. Or at least no work!

Twitter Tuesday

Some fabulous ladies found me on Twitter and I'm glad they did because my bookshelf has never been the same. The Mundie Moms review fantastic young adult books, have great giveaways, and keep me thoroughly entertained. They're hilarious, big-hearted, and have excellent taste in books. They're HUGE Cassie Clare fans, love Aprilynne Pike, Sarah Rees Brennan, and Maggie Stiefvater. If you don't know who those authors are, then you have to check these gals out. They've done thorough reviews on books by each of those authors and they're honest critiques will ensure you find an excellent read. If you need a great recommendation for a book, or just a laugh, check them out.

Here they are on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MundieMoms
And you don't want to miss their blog!: http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/

Monday's Muse

This week my muse has taken me to Costa Rica. She takes me to the best places! This is a random shot of a creek in the jungle. Having been to a few different jungles now I've got to say, they are the most amazing places, and so inspiring! But take bug spray. One of my favorite things to do when traveling is visit the less populated areas, get back to nature. I already knew the scene I wanted to write before I found this picture, but it helped keep me in the right frame of mind for the chapter.

As for literature, I'm still working on Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis. The reading is going slow since I spend most of my time writing! I've really noticed the music I'm listening to while writing this book is vastly different than what I listened to while writing it's predecessors. I think it's matured as my characters have. Funny how that works!